A New Leaf

Today, the family and I took the opportunity to get out and get a little fresh air and exercise. We live 10 minutes from Lake Thurmond, one of the major reservoirs on the Savannah River by the Army Corp of Engineers. We actually used to spend a good bit of time in the area, but 2009 was a really stressful and full year for us. Necropolis and I decided today was as good a time as any to make a change.

Necropolis, Things 1 and 2, Pearly Sue and I all trecked out to the Bartram Trail along Lake Thurmond and walked and looked.

We saw a LOT of pine trees, fallen leaves, and small granite outcroppings. Lake Thurmond is actually along the path of the granite vein that also created Stone Mountain, more than 120 miles away.

Unfortunately, we didn't have the foresight to bring trashbags. There was litter everywhere, and some of it too big to move, like this bouy.

While we were hiking I kept my eyes open for mushrooms, to share with my friend lisascenic. I had about given up on seeing any, and as we were almost back to the truck, I spotted these. I have no idea what they are, but I'm hoping Lisa will chime in here and let us know.

Take It On The Run

You take it on the run baby

If that's the way you want it baby

Then I don't want you around

I don't believe it

Not for a minute

You're under the gun so you take it on the run

--- REO Speedwagon

On the way to and from the In Laws, we always pass this little place that has the most amazing horses. This year on the way home, I asked Necropolis to make a stop and let me take some photos.

After a moment of taking photos from the truck and through the fence, I decided to get a little closer and see what I could capture. Necropolis wasn't happy. I'm not sure what he would thought the little horses would do, exactly. There were only about a half a dozen, and they were all small Mustang or Mustang type breeds. In short, gorgeous.

I'm chatting away, cooing to the horses, who are paying no mind and chomping away, while Necropolis is yelling at me from truck. After a moment, I notice I have captured the attention of one of the geldings.

He was a sweetheart and saunders up to the fence. He blows a bit, but then snuffles and sniffs and is ready to be petted. This really set Necropolis off, so I took a couple more photos and tramped back to the truck.

Sometimes I really miss owing a horse.

The stall mucking, not so much.

Seven Bridges Road

One of the many reasons we enjoy our new neighborhood. Hopefully, I will soon have the appropriate equipment to take this picture at night, instead of just at dusk.

To Market, To Market

New items listed in the Etsy Shop. Here's a small preview.

Good Knitting Gone Bad

Remember this?

It was a lovely little sweater. It was lovingly hand dyed, and Thing 2 was so involved in the process. He chose the colors and helped with the dyeing. He decided the order of the stripes and chose his own buttons. He was incredibly patient when I would yell in the middle of cartoons, "Hey MUC, come try this on for me!"

A couple of weekends ago, Necropolis decided to do so laundry. Yeah....I think you know what's coming:

You'll have to excuse the Joker looking expression on MUC. I made him stand in the last of the afternoon direct sunlight. At any rate, with regard to the sweater, I think it might fit my 2 year old niece about now. We're still deciding what to do. We may have another Tomten in the making (it was really a quick knit), or MUC may choose a different pattern. Oh well, easy come, easy go.

On other fronts, the holiday knitting frenzy has commenced. Here are some of the various pieces. I'm not going to tell too much, should one of the recipients happen to read this post. After the holidays, I'll be sure to be more detailed about the projects.

And, no, I still don't know what's up with the photos, but I think I have a solution figured out. I'm just too tired and lazy to change the ginormus pics at the moment.

Cuttin' Up

After searching for pumpkins, The Things bugged Necropolis and I to carve the things. I managed to keep it to a low amount of pumpkin touching by being the one to witness through a camera lens. The Things had a great time, but it was one messy proposition.

Yes Letterboxers, that is my stamp carving lino cutter. It worked beautifully, so next year, I know we'll be doing more elaborate pumpkins.

The end results. We went rather traditional on the Jack 'O Lanterns this year, but the Things had a great time, and I had pumpkin seeds to roast.

Pick-a, PIck-a Pumpkin

This morning, we braved the cold drizzle to get our pumpkins for Halloween. The Things were not dressed for the weather, so the pictures that include them show that they're not really happy campers. So, it was a quick trip, but I did get some pictures.

I have no idea why this pictures turned out so freakin' huge. However, I'm too lazy to fix them today. I'll see what Blogger has done to change their setting and adjust later.

Jolly Goode Tyme

We made our annual pilgrimage to the Carolina Renaissance Festival this weekend. We took a couple of added kiddos, the offspring of long-time friends who are going through some very difficult medical issues. The Contessa and Danielson are just young enough that I've forgotten somewhat it's like to have ones that need help eating/dressing/bathrooming/car-ride entertaining, so there was a small relearning curve of Necropolis and me. After that, the day, while long, went smoothly and a good time was had by all. I took the camera and got a lot of good shots.

Some of the more amusing and/or those with better composition:

Friends in Low Places

Last weekend, while we were enjoying laziness to its full potential, The Shedder (otherwise know as our dog) decided to release her full psychosis at our kitchen window. Necropolis finally got tired of listening to The Shedder and after yelling at her to shut her trap (completely ineffective) and fearing a citation for breaking local noise ordinances, he got up to see what was cause of all the anxiety.


When he told me, I think I became more excited than the dog.

Yes, he was that day-glow orange in person as well. That was part of the reason I took so many pictures, but I'll spare you the slide show and just share a few.

I did move Toby (yes, I temporarily named the turtle) back to the Primordium (aka our backyard) so he'd have a decent chance to get away before The Shedder's next outdoor run. Toby was successful, as the dog didn't seem to notice anything on her late afternoon poop trip.

I'll miss Toby.

Today's Visitor

Look who's visiting today!

A friend who's into beasties and such says she thinks it's a yellow garden spider. What I know? It's freakin' HUGE! It must be at least three and a half inches long, and it's spun an incredibly large web on my front porch. She's not bothering anyone, and The Things think she's pretty cool, but she's still a bit unsettling.