Baby Knits

A baby is always a good reason to knit. (especially if it's a long elfish hat) I always make these a little bigger than they need to be because I hate something that can be worn right away, and then never again. I wanted this hat to be good for a couple of years of wear. (the down side being it can't be worn until his head grows a little)

I normally hate pom poms...but somehow since it's a baby hat it just seemed naked without it. I actually haven't made a pom pom since about 1988, I learned it in Girl Scouts, made about 100 and then didn't make another until this project.

I wrapped it another of my leftover giveaway bags from way back in my ETSY store days. One of these days I will finally use the last one...till that day comes it saves me time and money to wrap it in a pre-made fabric bag. (plus it's good to keep trash out of the landfill, right?)

You know, I was cursing the bad weather...but it's gotten me back in a crafty frame of mind. More projects to come...

Solitude and mushrooms

Because of some unseasonably nice weather we put aside some homeschool time and went outdoors. Three trails in three days. We found plants and beauty and gorgeous vistas...and even some solitude. Laurel was mostly in charge of the camera and snapped pictures of everything from a squirrel to moss. (mostly mushrooms though)

And what I learned is that sometimes I need to slow down. Usually when we go out somewhere it's on my schedule. But the last few days hiking with a little buddy I realized that it's not all about me.

So I had to slow down...A LOT.

And stand still while she snapped pictures.

And accept it when she didn't want to learn what I wanted to teach.

And watch while she began to be captivated by the beauty around her (without mom to tell her how captivating it is).

I really had no idea how much more homeschooling was than just educating my child.

I'm starting to get it now.

Homemade Huckleberry Sauce

Not to be used until Thanksgiving...

Our weather has been so amazing lately that we have found ourselves out at a park or a trail everyday. We had planned to go out on the boat on Sunday for some crabbing and fishing, but the wind was blowing a little too hard for us. So instead...an impromptu trip to Settler's Cove for some beachcombing. Instead...we got distracted by the bright red huckleberries everywhere and picked until it was time to go home.

The whole family got in on the action.

Then after washing and picking over the berries I turned it into a huckleberry sauce, to be used in lieu of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving.

We have one more day of good weather, so tomorrow we will pick some more for our annual Christmas Eve cran-horseradish dip (huck-horseradish in this case).

Huckleberry Sauce Recipe

4 cups berries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

boil sugar and water, add berries and stir. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars.

Great Granola (finally!)

I have tried granola recipe after granola recipe and I just have never gotten it quite right. Until today. The inspiration was some yogurt that was on sale that was SO GOOD that it required better treatment than just plain 'ol yogurt. (Greek Gods is the brand and good is the taste)

Granola Recipe

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of Agave (more if you like it sweeter, but if you substitute honey don't put more than 1/2 cup)
4 cups of rolled oats
1/2 t vanilla
dash of salt
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup millet (optional)
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oats, nuts, millet and coconut in a large bowl and set aside. Combine butter and agave nectar in a pot and heat to a boil, stirring constantly. Let it boil for one minute (not stirring), then take it off the fire, add the vanilla and stir. Pour in a thin stream over oats and stir to coat.

Once it's all coated, pour into baking sheets and toast at 10 minute intervals, stirring at each interval, until browned and crispy. (30-45 minutes) Let it cool completely, it will crisp up more as it cools. Once it's completely cooled you can store it.

A little of this yogurt, a spoonful of homemade Alaskan blueberry jam and a sprinkle of granola...heaven in a cup.

The Camera Pirate

I sat down to the computer and plugged in my camera to transfer the pictures I had taken today from the trail opening at Refuge Cove. Instead I found a bunch of pictures I hadn't seen before. I scrolled through them looking for a glimpse into who this thief might be who pirated my camera...

GOTCHA!

National Public Lands Day and a New Trail Opens

On my way to this shindig we're jamming to the music, cruising down the road with the ocean to our left and the rain pouring down...and I thought to myself are we really headed to a hike on this rainy fall day? Then I answered (in my head) HELL YEAH WE ARE! You know why? Cause we're Alaskan now baby! You don't let a little weather stop you from having a good time.

And it didn't stop us. There were upwards of 80 folks out to enjoy the food (some awesome fresh caught salmon was the highlight), the park improvements and hike the new trail.

The trail was awesome, the food was great and we really felt like part of a community. Despite the crappy typical weather, it was a good day. (honestly, I didn't even notice the weather once we got there)

Happy National Public Lands Day everyone! Get out there and enjoy a park!!

Where have all the good crafts gone?

I know, I know. I can't say I have crafted much lately...but I feel it coming. First of all there was summer...why craft when you can explore Alaska's coast?

Then there was the start of school. Who knew homeschooling would be SO time consuming?!?! (ok, obviously MOST people knew that)

But now the rain has set in, the darkness is coming...it's time to cheer us up from the inside out. I have so many Pinspirations waiting to happen. Plus I have a new partner in crime (my PIC) to work on projects with. (and it could not be a more excited person)

Look at all these fall things just WAITING to be made on my Pinterest holiday board?