Swans, Scarves and Simba

A few weeks ago when we drove to Multnomah Falls for the Annual Meeting - I was pleased to see that the Tundra Swans had returned to Mirror Lake which lies between Crown Point where Vista House resides and Rooster Rock State Park.  I had been wanting to go back to take a few photos and yesterday asked Kristi if she'd like to come and bring her camera which has a further zoom than mine.  So, off we went.  The best place to get the images is on the side of the freeway!  It wasn't very bright so the images are a bit fuzzy.. but it was fun to capture a few photos to show you.  The swans make the Canada Geese look small and the duck in front make the geese look big.  :-)

The birds were on the other side of the lake.. the wind was blowing and it was only 38 deg. F!  Tundra Swans dine on plant material, slugs, snails, insects and crayfish, and typically weigh from 10 to 18 pounds, averaging about 53 inches in length.  They mate for life and travel in family groups in roundtrip migrations of up to 3,725 miles.

Some of the swans had grayish heads and I wonder if those are the ones that were born in their Arctic Tundra nesting grounds this past summer?

I think these swans were trying to warm up a bit.. :-)

I just think they are so beautiful.

Kristi and the boys went to visit her sister on Saturday and they all went to a craft fair.  Hayden came home with a crocheted Viking hat.. I love it!

And Caleb came home with a Superman hat!

I've been working on my Hitchhiker Scarf.. and you kind of have to keep track of the rows - I thought I'd show you this neat pattern marker that I got at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival last summer.  It's made out of plastic strips with fabric glued over it and little magnets.  It sure helps keep track!

Here I am in my easy chair, dog on my lap next to my lap pillow with my pattern and my scarf.. a pleasant pastime by the fire.  

I'm really having fun with my blog friends that are joining in on the "Knit-a-long" -- Dorothy in Australia is doing a purple one and now Meredith at "Mereknits" blog has jumped on board!  Look at the gorgeous red scarf that she is working on!  She's fast!  

Here's the progress I made over the weekend.

I snuck into the craft studio and caught Simba napping on the rattan chair - he sure does like the feather pillow!  I ordered a cozy cat igloo out of furry fabric from Amazon on Saturday.. it should be here in a few days.  Now to see if he'll like it.  I'll show you when it arrives.

Taci, Gracie and I met for lunch last week and Gracie gave me the cutest bag of buttons!  And she also made a darling little heart ornament from Helen Philipps book that I recently bought.  Thanks, Gracie!

I'm off to swim today with Gracie.  I will be busy on Wednesday getting ready for Thanksgiving and then the big day!  Lot's of cleaning and cooking and table setting will be going on around the old farmhouse.  Shall I take some photos?  Who me?  Ya think?  LOL!  Have a wonderful week, my friends!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)