DC: Crystal

Our wonderful Norma, The Fairy Yellow Bug Queen, is the mastermind behind the Drawing Challenge this time, with 'crystal'.

One of our more prominent landmarks in the area is called Crystal Mountain.

Crystal Mountain reflects beautifully in Blind Slough, right above the rapids.  On Thursday after work, we encountered a nice flock of trumpeter swans gliding around on those glassy waters.

On Friday, we took the afternoon off to enjoy a rare crystal clear day for a winter picnic out at Green's Camp.

The Sailor built us a great beach fire.  Flossy helped, of course.

 The sun set was spectacular.

 We lingered until the stars started to come out.

Later, in my sketch book, this drawing appeared:

I advise heading over to The Fairy Yellow Bug Queen's lovely place for links to other wonderful artists' interpretation of this theme.

An Extra Day

Monday was a holiday here in the United States, and so, a break from the Mighty Mighty Day Job.  I worked on my silk project at the studio instead. 

My calculations and notes from the prototype design stitched last week, hand-dyed silk organza panels on the left.

The panels dyed up really beautifully.

I drew the cutting line on freezer paper, and traced it onto the silk with pencil.

At mid-afternoon, one third of the panels were edge-finished, and the beauty of the early autumn afternoon drew Flossy and I outdoors.

Mushroom season is upon us.

My friend had a camp set up out the road, and we stayed for a hot dog picnic after walking the Dogs.

A Forest Spirit we met in the beach fringe.

I am beginning to get ready to travel a week from tomorrow.  

Lots of things on the list of things to do.  

Happy mid-week to all!

Camping, II

We went camping again yesterday afternoon.  Just can't get enough of this astounding summer sunshine.  This time, I made a little tent over the bed of my pickup, Bluebird, and slept there on the super-nice inflatable foam pad my Dad gave me last time I visited in Denver.  

Bluebird as a gypsy caravan.

The first thing I saw when I woke up this morning.

Well, maybe this was the first thing.  Curled up in my down sleeping bag with my cozy dog I stayed toasty even though the night was cool.

Once the others woke up and coffee and breakfast were over, we took a long walk on the beach.

A small lichen or fungus clings tenaciously to a drift log.

O. went through the log...

...while his mother, K. went over.

A drift log spirit.

Flossy did not want to come home and neither did I but alas, it is a work day tomorrow!

Hope your week end was as refreshing as camping in Alaska.  See you Wednesday!

Good Time Outdoors

Our camping trip out the road was so relaxing and memorable.  Here, have a look:

Saturday the skies were overcast but no rain, and warm.

Our camp was in the woods, right along the shore at Green's Camp.

Titus and Flossy setting up camp.

The beach combing was good.

Ziva was definitely the ring leader of the four-dog pack.

Brother Rex - a sweet boy!

Cherie scrubbing Ziva, who made the mistake of rolling in something dead and had to be bathed in the tide.  (Ziva had no regrets)!

Titus didn't quite get the whole 'play in the tide' thing.

Sunday morning dawned crystal clear and gorgeous.

We stayed out all day, exploring and enjoying.  Lots of huckleberries ripe already.  I did some picking.

Hope your week is going well and you are finding some time to get outdoors. 

Gone Camping

All of this will wait until I get back.

Have a refreshing weekend!  Flossy and I are going camping.

See you Wednesday!

A Report From Flossy

I have been in an end-of-the-winter funk.

The snow-baths are gone, replaced by endless cold rainy days.

Life seemed very dull indeed.

THEN: on a recent Saturday,

 the sun broke through and my People decided we would have a dinner picnic!  I was thrilled!

We went Out the Road to one of my favorite streams, where Dad could try a few casts for some fish.

Actually, fishing is sort of boring.  But there are some interesting accoutrements.

Dad opened a tiny jar of very interesting smelling stuff: salmon eggs.

I was fascinated, and couldn't resist a closer examination!

OOOPS!

The jar fell down the bank and Mother said it was time for me to come back to our camp for my dinner.

We had everything we needed, including my Dog Food, but Mother had forgotten to bring my Bowl.

So, she made me a plate from a piece of bark!  How pleasantly rustic.

I hope you and your families are able to get out and enjoy the season.

(I recommend the salmon eggs)!