circle of friendship ~ posted by Melissa

“Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.”

~ Walt Whitman

 

Isager Strik Spinni Wool 1 in 'dark natural gray'



I'm so looking forward to this year's knitalong.  2012 was spent hunkered down in solitude knitting big secrets that couldn't be shared but 2013 will be a year for reconnecting with friends.  I tried to find a good 'Leaves of Grass' quote that was fitting but when I found the one above I loved it so I stopped looking (I'm not sure what it's from?).  Good old Walt Whitman ~ I'll have to add him to my reading list for 2013.  He always brings one of my favorite movies to mind, 'Dead Poets Society', and the scene where Robin William's students stand on their desks and quote lines from 'O Captain! My Captain!' as he gathers his belongings after being fired.  Such a good movie.

I'm excited to have WillyG join us this year and oddly enough, I have completely forgotten who else said that they were going to knit with us this time around.  I know that Kelli, Jeff and Will are casting on, and I think Morgen has also said she'll be joining us.  Other than that, I guess I'll be pleasantly surprised if someone I've forgotten pops on with a post! (here's a link to an updated list of all our knitters!)

There's still time to participate ~ pm me on Ravelry if you'd like to knitalong.  We cast on January 1st but even if you decide at a later date to play along, for the most part we're slow knitters and there's no rush to get added to the blog for posting rights.

Be safe tomorrow as you ring in the New Year and hopefully we all wake up with clear minds and rested fingers as we cast on 'Leaves of Grass'.

Enjoy the waning hours of 2012 and see you all next year!   ~ Melissa

Allow me to introduce myself...

Hey all!

It's time I do a little more than lurk. So here it is:

I'm Jeffry's other half.

I spend most of my days in a nursing home. In a different century, I could have been a court jester.  (Danny Kaye made an excellent one, by the way.)

I am not well read, but I'm currently very much enjoying a jaunt through G. K. Chesterton's spy novel, The Man Who Was Thursday; it's all in a feeble attempt to read more. I love the little things, such as the way the spies use a special finger-tapping code to communicate in a dire situation, only to argue over whether or not one is poetic.

I am not well versed in drink, so the rule of thumb is to make it sweet and fruity. Ever heard of a Woo Woo?

I have been knitting avidly for over a decade, and Jeff has already surpassed me in a mere couple years. *glares in Jeff's direction*

I shall be joining you for the Leaves of Grass knitalong that starts in a mere few days!

I hesitated to join the knitalong despite "horrible nagging" because I also have grandiose visions of doing more handspinning. *cough* 

I plan to use a merino/bamboo blend from Briar Rose Fibers to make the blanket version. It's called Celebration, and it looks a lot like Cascade Ecological Wool in terms of weight, but with the sheen afforded by bamboo. I have about 1800 yards, so I hope that will be enough.

It's a pleasure to join you, and I am looking forward to procrastinating with you!  :)

-WillyG

half-a-bag-o'-cat ~ posted by Melissa

I've had a secret.  A really, really, really big secret since last January.  And I managed to keep it for just shy of an entire year from all my closest friends and family.  I did spill to a few long distance internet buddies who I swore to secrecy and now I can finally share (at least in part) with everyone else who might think this is the slightest bit cool.

I got an email at the beginning of the year asking me if I had designed anything to which I replied, 'nope'.  And then another email followed asking if I would be interested in designing something to be included in a book.  Gulp.  To which I immediately replied, 'YES'!  I was given a few guidelines ~ a shawl, using about 450 yards of yarn, simple in nature that would fit the theme of the book.  Over the next couple weeks, I sketched and swatched and submitted and tweaked and resubmitted and waited for yarn to come in the mail and knit an entire shawl while I waited and then knit another to be featured in the book when the yarn finally arrived and wrote and rewrote and edited and rewrote the pattern and took some pictures of the final book piece before packing up the finished shawl and my pattern to be sent to a tech editor for more tweaking.  The pattern was test knit by 3 people and I knit 8 more over the course of this year so that I could give my mom, mother-in-law, sister, sisters-in-law, brother's girlfriend and my nieces each their own shawl for Christmas.  The picture off to the side is what I can show you of all 9 samples that I knit and gave away this week as gifts.

The best part of the whole thing was knowing I had this enormous secret that I managed to keep for 12 months and being able to include notes in the presents that the pattern was going to be published.  It's the biggest secret I've ever kept and definitely the longest.  I think in the end I was more excited about it than anyone else but that's okay.  It's been a fun year of knitting and planning and choosing yarns for each person.

The book is still not published, and I'm not sure that it ever will be.  That's as much as I can say about that right now.  It's completely out of my hands at this point so it's a waiting game.  The fun part is that the author is letting everyone keep copyright on their designs so we will eventually get them back whether the book sees the light of day or not.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be and I really do believe that it's just a matter of time.  I have complete faith in the gal who put the whole thing together and her message and her perseverance to see her dream through til the end.  I'm so glad she asked me to participate and I'm completely honored that she thought to include me at all.

Anywho, that's my big news and why the cat is only partially out of the bag.  Once the design is public, I'll let the other 1/2 cat out and share some photos of what I've been up to.  If you managed to read this whole post through to the end, thanks for humoring me and hope I didn't bore you to tears!

Wishing everyone a merry holiday week filled with a little rest and a little knitting and lots of family.  I'll update everyone about the upcoming New Year's Knitalong in a couple days.  Happy knitting!   ~ Melissa

5th Annual Girls in Sheep Clothing New Year's Day Knitalong ~ posted by Melissa

Establishing some new traditions and continuing an old one ~

Churchmouse Yarns & Teas Holiday 2012

We made our second annual journey across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island to get us into the holiday spirit ~ mission accomplished!  Churchmouse was wonderfully decorated again and we all were pleased with all the help we had choosing yarn, patterns and tea...thanks, Karen!

wild, wild women and a little beastie boy

Not only does saying 'cashmere' when having ones picture taken make you smile, it also makes some of us just downright goofy looking!

And on the way home we talked about our upcoming New Year's Day knitalong ~ it will be the 5th one that we've participated in and the 4th that we've actually hosted if my recollections are true.  It will run alongside the already in progress Nieblingmania (which may go on forever!!) and we will cast on January 1st.  We've chosen Jared Flood's Leaves of Grass (which I think is also the 5th Jared pattern we've chosen to knitalong with including non-new-years-knitalongs ~ I think we might love him!)

 

 

So, you know the drill.  If you're interested, gather your pattern and choose your yarn and get ready to cast on with us January 1st.  It's a great way to ring in the New Year and settle in after the chaos of the holidays have passed.  Let us know if you'll be joining us, and if you haven't participated before and would like to, add a comment or contact me on Ravelry (here's the link) and we'll let you know what we need from you to get you added as an author on the blog so you can post progress pictures and chat as we go.
 

I'm looking forward to knitting along with everyone!  And believe it or not, the squatting girl with the goofy looking 'cashmere' face is me and I'm wearing my Jared Flood 'Bridgewater' shawl for the first time...ever!  It was last year's knitalong ~ about time I wore it, eh?  ~ Melissa

edited to add: I went through all my rav projects and this will be the 10th (!) knitalong ~ it all started when Kelli and I joined a blogger in Norway for a New Year's knitalong 01-01-2008...she opted out the following year so I started a blog just to have a place to host another knitalong...and the rest is history!  That blog eventually morphed into this blog and the knitalongs continue ~ we've done 4 calendar shawls, 3 Jared Flood knits (Hemlock Ring, Juneberry and Bridgewater), Juju's Loops Prairie Shawl, the in progress Niebling kal and the upcoming Leaves of Grass. 

hello! ~ posted by Melissa

Seems like the blog has been a little stagnant lately ~ sorry!  Don't know what Kelli is up to but I'll try to share something a tiny bit interesting (hopefully!).

Here's the smallest drop of progress on my Fruhling:

 

I'm on row 73...of 370 rows.

 

I've knit 12,440 stitches...but there are 279,800 total.

 

So, if I've done my math correctly, I've completed a whopping 4.45%.

That means I have a looooong way to go!  How is everyone else doing on their Niebling?  Hopefully better than I am!

 

Exciting day planned for tomorrow ~ a holiday trip to Churchmouse!  We had so much fun last year that we had to plan another December trek across the water.  I'm so looking forward to it since I haven't seen my knitting pals much at all this year!  Off to finish decorating the house and then maybe a row or 2 on Fruhling ~ happy Sunday!  

here a knitter, there a knitter ~ posted by Melissa

We had a break in our nasty fall weather today so I ran down to Lighthouse Beach in Mukilteo to snap some pictures of this year's Christmas knitting before wrapping everything up.  Met quite a few really nice people...who were knitters, imagine that!  One woman stopped to chat for a few minutes and since it's small business Saturday, wanted to know where 'my shop was' so she could go make a few purchases.  She was shocked when I told her I knit for fun and don't sell what I make.  Unlike a lot of people, though, she totally understands the time that it takes to make something by hand (her mother was a knitter) and said she'd be willing to pay enough for a handmade garment to reimburse a crafter for their time and to get the quality you don't find in most store bought items.  I almost gave her a hug ~ she was awfully sweet.  I also met a college gal named Mae (hello, Mae ~ don't forget everything you saw and heard is TOP SECRET!) who I exchanged contact info with so we could find each other on Ravelry.  She actually approached me to ask if I was taking pictures to post on Rav ~ like I said, knitters...they're everywhere!  I gave her some tips on my favorite shops since she lives in Eastern Washington so she made a list ~ Churchmouse, Weaving Works and Wildfibers ~ all must visits I think!

Hope everyone had a cozy Thanksgiving and is enjoying the long weekend.  I better get ~ I've got lots of wrapping to do! 

Santa's workshop...closed for the season ~ posted by Melissa

I had this master plan in January to start my Christmas knitting and be done with it quickly so I wouldn't still be working on things at the last minute.  Great idea ~ one small detail threw a wrench into that plan.  With 12 months before Christmas, my knitting list grew in leaps and bounds compared to what I would normally do if I began knitting in September.  Not complaining, just saying. 

I'm so excited to give the recipients their presents this year.  There has been a ton of behind the scenes goings on that I'm excited to share once I can do so without spoiling the surprises.  I churned out 10 gifts ~ that's about 185,000 stitches if I did my math correctly and around 4,700 yds of yarn.  Lots of work but everyone I knit for is completely knitworthy. 

And finally, here's some very exciting news!!  Do you guys remember this post of baby clothing that I had made for my husband's friend/coworker and his wife?  Well, this is little Neoma Jane who is now 2 months old wearing one of the sweaters I made for her.  Two weeks ago my husband and I were asked to be her Godparents ~ we are so shocked and honored and tickled, and of course we said yes!!  I have a little girl that I can knit for forever and as you can guess, I've already started.  I whipped out a little sweater this weekend to give to her now and I'll probably make something for her for Christmas, also.  Probably.  Did I really just write that?  You know I will for sure!

Any ideas on cute baby girl items I should take a look at?  I'm open to all suggestions!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving ~ I know we have much to be thankful for this year :)

the smallest of dents ~ posted by Melissa

 

My Fruhling so far... 

 

the center flower is complete ~ rows 1-26 are finished ~ 2,568 stitches so far

 

only 344 more rows to go...  and loving every stitch



just can't knit right now...post from Kelli

It's hard for me to believe, but I'm just to nervous to knit. My High School freshmen daughter Isabell is swimming/winning hard. Tonight she quaified for the 'state' meet, next weekend, in the 200IM,(individual medley 200 yards)!!! With a time of 2 minute 30 seconds. I'm so excited for her I can't settle myself for hours after her meets which means no knitting. I need to find a quicker way to settle down. This will be all over too soon and I'll be back to knitting as I like, until then, it's nice to watch from the sidelines on all the going ons with you knitters. Kelli

when 2nd choice is even better ~ posted by Melissa

The 'daffodil' is restashed and a pound of 'ice blue' Zephyr Jaggerspun 2/18 is sitting in front of me.

I am happy.  Really happy!  I've been wanting to knit something blue and I couldn't be more pleased with this soft powdery pastel shade.  I cannot wait to cast on tomorrow when the light is better.  Have a cozy weekend, all, and hopefully I'll have a little progress to share in a few days!  ~ Melissa

isn't she grand!?! ~ posted by Melissa

Do you guys remember Penny, my very talented artistic friend?  If not, let me introduce you to her:

This is Penny, who come to find out has a heart of gold as big as the stack of hats she's holding.  And that's a mighty big stack ~ 33 caps, to be exact.  Penny and I have a friendship made in heaven ~ I had an enormous bag of leftover yarn from finished knits that was always meant to be turned into some sort of charity project, but could never find the time to make a dent in it.  Penny knits hats for charity and has lots of time but had run out of yarn.  So, about a month ago the bag of yarn changed hands, and those hands on the receiving end got busy and with needles still smoking, Penny delivered this giant mountain of love to her local homeless shelter yesterday.  And you can bet they were thrilled ~ and encouraged Penny to come back with more, which as you can tell from the grin on her face, does not break her heart!

Penny, you rock!  Thanks for putting the yarn to such good use and I know the people that benefit from your kindness during the upcoming chilly months will appreciate their warm noggins and all your hard work.  I'm so glad to know you!   ~ Melissa

If you've joined Ravelry, Penny is an honorary member of the knitwits ~ her rav name is knitwitless if you want to check out the project she created for these hats.

Who needs electricity anyway? - post by Guest Blogger Jeff

So as most of you probably know, we got hit pretty badly by Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy on Monday and Tuesday. Will and I have been without power since Monday evening, though, luckily we have a gas stove and hot water heater, so have been able to enjoy coffee and showering just like normal.

But what's a guy to do once it's gone 5 o'clock and the candles need to be lit? Why, knit contentedly on his Niebling by the light of an oil lamp, of course!

I've determined that if I'm only able to knit the smaller size, that would be about 101,148 stitches before the bindoff (I'm also considering a knit on edging since my crochet technique leaves something to be desired). Based on the fact that I've gotten through row 62, that's 11,880 stitches and about 11.75% completed (provided I don't do a knit on edge...) I'm thinking I'll have enough lace to do the small size plus a knit on edge, but not enough to do the large size. I still need to calculate the number of stitches that would be on the off chance. :)

Happy knitting everyone!

I'm here! A post by guest-blogger Morgen

Greetings all!

Just a quick post to check in and let everyone know what I'll be doing this time around. 

When Melissa first floated the idea for a Niebling-Along I jumped at the chance.  How could I not?  A menu of patterns to choose from that rivals the Sears Christmas Catalog from when I was a kid, (I imagine now they "have an app for that" that my kid can get on his smartphone.) and the promise of a challenge.  A big challenge.  Just to add a little spice and kick it up a notch we'd be starting as everyone is headed into the holiday season.  I wanted a seat on THAT train of crazy.  Count me in!

I currently have 4 dogs.  (One summer I had 9!)  They are little dogs and they are better barometers of emotional energy in the house than anything else of which I could possibly think.  If I sigh in just the right way they are off my lap and out of the room like firecrackers.  They know when a storm is brewing.  (True fact and most times I am aware of it enough to take a step back and readjust accordingly.)  Suffice it to say they were wary around me for a couple of days as I sighed my way through the entire Niebling library.  I made lists.  I hemmed and hawed and assured myself that whatever patterns I loved and that I didn't choose I could always do in the future.  (Please don't let these be like potato chips where you can't stop at just one!)

One pattern I kept coming back to and it is the pattern I chose.  It is called Jesien ("Autumn"...a nice counterpoint to Melissa's "Spring")   But the pattern itself posed a bit of a problem for me.  What attracted me so much was the sheen that seemed to reflect off the piece which told me I needed to use a yarn with plenty of silk.  A yarn that was spun in such a way as to really bring out that sheen in the solid portions of the work. First I had to figure out what kind of yarn, then I could think about color.

I happened to stop into Serial Knitters in Kirkland and Debi, enabler that she is, said "Hey Morgen ahve you seen the knew Sweet Georgia we got it?  It's in the basket right up front, sock in the top, lace in the bottom.  She's mean.

I went to look and saw a couple of skeins of Merino Silk Lace in a gorgeous color called Tumbled Stone.  It was one of those rare colors that defies description.  If I had to call it something I guess it would be a beige of sorts, but in the right light it has a purplish sometimes pink cast to it.  It certainly wasn't what I had expected to choose, but it had the sheen.  Right there in the skein it had the sheen.  I bought all 4 skeins that Debi had.  That gives me about 3000 yards to work with.  I don't think I'll need anywhere near that much but better safe than sorry.

NOW my dilemma is what size needle to choose.    Again for me it is all abou the sheen and that will be conveyed in the solid portions of the leaves which I think will need to be knit at a slightly tighter gauge.  I'm thinking of a 3 or 4.  I don't know.

But I will have a few days to figure it out yet.  Wednesday I head out for the Fort Worden Retreat, so I am not officially casting on until after I get back, probably next Monday.  I took the picture of the yarn and printed out the pattern yesterday, our official start day.  Blog post today, and my plan is to spend one hour every day working on the Niebling in some capacity or other, gauge swatching, color coding the chart, winding up the yarn and finally casting on.  One hour per day committment until it's done (at which point I will likely be committed.)

What does it say about my life when I am looking forward to the one hour each day of a NIEBLING to provide balance and calm???  Ha!

I am really looking forward to this!  I am so glad to see everyone on board and am especially thrilled to spot on Ravelry that Kelly has already started and is also doing Jesien!  I'll have someone to bounce ideas off of if I get stuck!  (Plus she lives in my old stomping grounds where I grew up! ~~~~Waving to Kelly!)

THIS is going to be fun!

Hugs to you all,

Morgen

should have done more homework ~ posted by Melissa

So, this post no longer holds true ~ I was debating needle sizes this morning and after a lengthy Ravelry search of circular projects, I think that my 2500 yards of 'daffodil' will not be enough for 370+ rounds, even if I go down 2 or 3 needle sizes from the size I want to use.  Bummer.  Ah, well, better to get a late start than knit 350 rounds and run out of yarn after a lot of hard work.  I'll be watching from the sidelines for a week or so until my yarn arrives ~ I decided to stay with the Zephyr Jaggerspun but instead of a half-pound of 'daffodil', I'll be starting with a full pound of 'ice blue' and not the slightest worry of getting to the end of my cone before the end of my pattern.

 

Hope you all are having a good weekend ~ batten down the hatches, all you east coast peeps :)  ~ Melissa

 

 

I'm using my husband's computer today and found this old picture of Dozer when he was just a puppy ~ napping on the dock while we fished for trout a few summers ago.  It was a good day ~

see you next 'fruhling' ~ posted by Melissa

can I get a drumroll, please.......

This is it ~ my jaunt into the insanity pool that is Herbert Niebling.  I've chosen 'Fruhling' (or 'Spring', which in all honesty is probably when I will finish this project).  I've decided to go with the Zephyr Jaggerspun in 'daffodil' and I cannot wait to cast on.  You can follow my progress here on Ravelry and I'll try to do periodic blog posts, also. 

Can't wait to see Andrea, Kelly and Morgen's choices.  I do think we all decided on different patterns so this should be really interesting!  The countdown continues....2 days to go!  ~ Melissa

...and when Jeff talks, ladies, we all should jump 'cause well, he's Jeff, that's why...let's see some pictures!!!

My foray into insanity, once again - posted by Guest Blogger Jeff

Hello there!

Once again, I've been convinced by my knitty friend on the West Coast to join another crazy insane KAL. (Actually, to be truthful, I think I may have been the one who ignited the Niebling spark for this KAL, so apologies all around *grin*).

This knit-a-long should be a lot more engaging than the last one. Don't get me wrong, the Bridgewater is a beautiful shawl, it just didn't keep my mind very focused on the knitting with all that garter.... :) (and I like to be engaged in what I am knitting). I think this time around I might have a lot of "huh? wth?" moments, and there may quite possibily be a lot of profane words being muttered under my breath. So excited!

And now...for the big reveal from JeffInAmbler (formerly jmkorn - too many people were calling me "Jim" so I had to change it!), I plan to cast on the Pomegranate pattern on Saturday. Though, based on the amount of laceweight I have for this project (2625 yards), it's looking like I'll only be able to knit the smaller version.

And... my lace of choice for this is Sweet Nothings Silken from Bittersweet Woolery in the colorway "Icelings":

Isn't it lovely?

 

I was tired of doing all of my large lace projects in white JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk, so when I found this lovely 80/20 Wool/Silk blend with subtle tinges of pink and blue throughout at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Sheep and Fiber Festival last month, I couldn't resist. I think it's going to be perfect! What do you think?

 

I'm dying to see what everyone else is doing pattern & yarn-wise! (That means post your choices! NOW! *grin*)

 

Postscript: This is a shameless plug to check out my partner's blog: Strings-n-Stuff where you can read all about our Rhinebeck experiences this year! :)

another weekend come & gone ~ posted by Melissa

The weekend was a blur ~ filled with a road trip, a birthday party, yarn shopping, football watching and snuggling up in the blustery autumn weather.  All in all, a joy filled weekend but it was overshadowed by a huge, unexpected loss that one of the women in our knit group experienced.  All of our hearts, mine included, swell with sorrow and sadness for her and her family.  Another reminder to hug the ones you love and hold dear, and to live every minute to it's fullest. 

Hope everyone has a peaceful week.  I'm thinking about you, Chris.

isn't he handsome....

signs of fall everywhere

Suquamish Tribal War Veteran Memorial on the Suquamish Tribal lands...

the Seattle skyline from Suquamish...

Chief Sealth's grave and tributes left at his burial site...

My road map on the Praire has me lost ~ posted by Kimberly

Well I have finally gotten the body complete on my Prairie but the directions for the edging has me completely lost. The more I read it the worse it gets. But I will say one thing my last major swimming lesson in the froggy pond was an amazing event. If anyone can get me back on the right track I whole heartedly know it is the women I have been knitting with on my journey across my Whidbey Island Prairie Shawl. So please if you have any advice on the lace edging let me know. Kimberly

Herbert Niebling knitalong - posted by Melissa

the genius at work

We're shooting for a week from tomorrow as our official cast on date for Nieblingmania ~ is everyone ready?  Kelli is opting out on this one so I believe aside from myself, there are 4 others so far that are going to play along (Jeff, Kelly, Morgen and Andrea).  If I'm forgetting anyone, chime in and I'll make sure I've got you added as an author on the blog.  If you're thinking about joining us and haven't added your name yet, here are the details:

• Cast on date is Saturday, October 27th
• It's a kal freeforall ~ everyone is knitting the pattern of their choice as long as it's a Niebling.
• There is no deadline so no pressure to rush through his complicated designs ~ we're in this one for the long haul to help each other learn to read his patterns and hopefully, end up with some new knowledge and some amazing finished pieces.
• You can post anytime you wish (i.e. pictures to share, successes and disasters along the way, questions, pleas for help, encouragement, kick in the butt, you name it!)

So, if you've chosen your pattern and yarn, feel free to post your choices so we can see.  If you'd like to join us and haven't yet, let me know either here or on Ravelry and I'll let you know what I need to get you added to the blog.  I'm ready for a good challenge and to get back to some lacework ~ I'm oh, so close to being done with my holiday knitting (4,700 yds since January!!) and can't wait to hunker down and get immersed in this knitalong with some really fun people!

We're a week away from kick off!  Excited??  I am :)         ~ Melissa





Knitting In The Firs~ a post by Kelli

The 2012 Knitting Retreat in Bellingham,Washington was another success. If out of control laughter, overeating and knitting all day, are things you do or like to do, this retreat is for you. We enjoyed our time away greatly. We shared our favorite knits with each other, Melissa is modeling her very creative, multi-madeline Bridgewater. The garment of the weekend was the Churchmouse Easy Poncho, we should of gotten a picture, it seems I saw around 10 ponchos either worn or being knitted on. We saw stitching, quilting, woven projects, all while surrounded by items we brought from our stashes to donate in a Silent Auction, we raised over $1700.00, for a local women's shelter. The much needed time went by so fast and was a 'good' tiring event, I napped when I got home. Can't wait till next year. What a bunch of highly creative and inspiring ladies, that probably weigh a little more then when they arrived. It takes a lot of energy to knit that much~ Kelli

Abe's vision ~ posted by Melissa

Of all the forces of nature, I should think the wind contains the largest amount of motive power - that is, power to move things...As yet, the wind is an untamed and unharnessed force; and quite possibly one of the greatest discoveries hereafter to be made, will be the taming, and harnessing of it.     

~ Abraham Lincoln (1860)
 

One of the most incredible things that we saw on our camping trip was at the Washington-Oregon border.  As we crossed the bridge over the Columbia:

 and looked back to the Oregon side of the river this is what we saw:

and we were able to pull off the highway into a scenic rest stop so I could take pictures (lots and lots of pictures) of what is on the Washington side:

Something about the time of day, the unusual cloud formations and the low setting sun made for some gorgeous colors and shadows on the rolling hills, and the stark white of the painted windmills standing as majestic sentries over the river was absolutely awe inspiring against the terrain and the oddly colored sky which is still recovering from the massive wildfires we've had this summer.  We had seen these wind farms on our way to Oregon four days earlier but the air was stagnant and smelled of smoke and the few mills that were spinning were barely moving at all.  It was a welcome sight to see sunshine and blue sky and every windmill hard at work.  If you ever get the chance to see these, it's worth the drive.  These pictures do not do their enormity justice. 

And just to tie this post in to knitting, this scenery was the last of at least 3 things I saw on our vacation that gave me ideas for color combinations and maybe even an inspired design.  How can you not think about crafting when you wake up in the morning and see picot clouds in the sky?