In my remote corner of the planet, Mother Nature begins her transition to autumn early.
In Alaska, her signal that fall has arrived is when only the Fireweed tops (I call them bonnets) are in bloom.
Yep ... autumn has arrived!
My Alaskan summer was especially short this year because I was in the Lower 48 for six weeks. I returned in August with a sense of urgency ... summer was coming to a close and there were preparations for winter that needed to get done! Once September arrives ... the pace towards winter increases and the landscape changes quickly. On our walks, I observe changes every day.
Berry picking is one of my favorite ways to dillydally! I refer to our wild berries as Mother Nature's jewels ... her bling! These are High-Bush Cranberries. The leaves on this bush are usually the first to change color, long before the berries are ready to be picked. I usually pick them sometime in September after the first frost.
A friend offered to let Barb and I pick her domestic red currants this year! They were plentiful and oh so very beautiful!
I had never used currants before, so Barb shared her favorite recipes!
Red Currant Jelly and Chipotle Catsup! They both turned out delicious and I have plenty to share with family and friends! My berry picking buddy is a true treasure ... thanks Barb!
Barb and I also picked wild blue and nagoon berries! I freeze them and they are used in baked goods! So nice to enjoy the taste of summer during dark and cold winter days!
Winter is coming ... but fall arrives first! Time to finish up some mittens and wristers!
Flicka, my ever-present Snoopervisor always involves herself in my knitting!
I am ready for fall! I love calling these "Half-Mitts knit by a Half-Whit" ... yep, my dillydally humor remains as corny as always!
August has been a very wet month for us! The ponds, lakes, and streams are swollen with fresh rainfall ... a welcome site for the northern birds that are busy migrating south for the winter!
Of course, Nissa, my ever-present sidekick, loves the water and the rain!
School has started ... it has been three years since I retired from teaching in our local public school. Recently I began teaching another session of Knitting 101 at our local yarn shop, The Net Loft! I love to teach ... and especially love assisting others on their knitting journey!
Every season Mother Nature inspires me with her change of wardrobe! Sometimes her color choices cause me to have a dillydally brainstorm!
A quick visit to The Net Loft ... colored pencils ... and graph paper ... let those dillydally winds blow! This is the easy part of the process!
Next comes the hard work ... hours of knitting and ripping ... three swatches later I'm finally satisfied that I have created something that will work! Casting on ... ribbing ... and then the fun begins!
Tis the season ... time to pull out the autumn themed table linens and acquire fall colored yarn! One of my KBees (knitting buddies), Anna introduced me to The Woolen Homestead. Her hand dyed yarn is lovely, and I need a new pair of socks from this colorway called "October"!
Our days are getting shorter ... another signal that fall has arrived in Alaska.
As the sun sets on August ...
... and the tides recede ... summer has transitioned into autumn. My dillydally heart is full!
Do what you love. Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally
Your Autumn looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh, all those berries look delicious!
Great knitting projects, and that yarn is beautiful.
I'm glad you have supervision. :)
Marilyn