Cool Enough

This morning I woke up early and it was cool enough, for sweaters that is. The first morning in months that I founds myself snuggled up in my duvet and the tip of my nose was cool to the touch. I went downstairs, fed Arwen and Edgar ( our kitties ), put on a pot of freshly ground organic coffee and turned on the gas stove in the corner of the kitchen for the first time in months. I went back upstairs and found my favorite grey cords, purple t-shirt, the fabulous hand knit ( by my sister Helen) sweater and a pair of hand knit wool socks. I ate deliciously warm oatmeal by the fire and watched the sun come up over the neighboring homes and trees. I thought about walking in the woods last night with my husband and all the amazing mushrooms we saw. I have never seen such a large variety and quantity of mushrooms in this area. It was obviously a fantastic summer for decomposition since that is how mushrooms derive their nutrients since they don't have chloroplasts like most other plants. These are my favorite pictures from our walk. It was about one hour before the sun set so the light was really fantastic for photography. The meadows were covered with purple asters and yellow goldenrod and I would have loved to just sit there and watch the sun set but we didn't bring a flash light and the woods are very dark and dense in places. The treasured find of the walk was this very large solitary mushroom that was about 8 inches in diameter and was dripping with a clear sticky substance. I thought it might be a species called slippery jack but it doesn't look like the one in my field guide book. It was as perfect a mushroom as any I had ever seen. Wouldn't that make a great seat for some fairy folk. Speaking of fairy tales I was thinking of the elves and the shoemaker story and making little sweaters when I found my fingers making a different sort of shape with the wool. Do they remind you of anything? Something you might have seen quite a few times if you have been reading this blog for a while. I am not going to keep you in suspense this time. You remember my dear little friends. They were feeling quite cold yesterday and thinking of going into hibernation until they tried on their colorful little sweaters. I have at least 3 small knitting project tutorials for you this week. You might want to find some needles ( a set of 4 double pointed 4.5-5.5mm needles would work for all of them ) and some wool ( noro kureyon or something of similar thickness) so you can knit along. None of these projects takes more than one hour and they require only basic knitting skills. They make great little hand made gifts. If you have never knitted why not learn now. Go to the library and take out a basic knitting book or better yet go to your local wool shop and ask about beginner classes. LATE BREAKING NEWS BULLETIN : I just received this in my flickr mail. Congrats you are a finalist in the Indie Fixx Craft-Off. The voting period lasts from September 7th to September 15th 11:59 am EST. More info on how to vote can be found here. indiefixx.com/2008/09/07/vote-for-your-favorite-indie-fixx-craft-off-entry/ I have two entries in amongst the fine line up of finalists. Please cast your vote :)

Comments

[Melanie]

Oh my goodness! Your snail sweaters have made my day.

[Karen]

Oh Margie, I am enchanted!!! Sweaters on snails. A kids book!!! Think of the conversation(s) amongst those mobile jewels. But that's 'work'. Pure enjoyment of the notion and the actuality. And I am curious - how does one "turn on a wood stove"?

[Christina J.]

It sounds like you are having the perfect sort of morning. And the photos from your walk last night are wonderful! I love the little snail sweaters. You think up the most lovely projects! I always want to learn how to knit and crochet when I read your blog. Thanks for a bit of enchantment to start my day!

[Patricia]

You have very cooperative snails!! I love all of the fungi fotos!

[Rachel]

I really love your mushroom photos! Now that I live in the desert I miss out on so many things like that - the forests, fields, and meadows I grew up with.

[Grace@PoeticHome]

This is one of the most magical things I've seen!!! I'm totally in love with it -- your creativity and appreciation of nature is so wonderful. :)

[NanaBeast]

I am ashamed to say that when I saw the first picture of the snails wearing sweaters that I you had PhotoShop-ed them in the picture. It wasn't until I saw the rest that it finally dawned on me that you truly had dressed the snails! As Patricia said, you have very cooperative snails. Proof of the wonderful relationship you enjoy with them.
I LOVE your blog!

[Margaret Oomen]

Hi denise, That is so funny because I wouldn't even have a clue how to photoshop sweaters onto snails. I would definitely need the assistance of my teenage daughter for that task. It was must easier to make the tiny sweaters and get my top model little slimy friends to do a photoshoot. Yes, this is definitely the real thing an the latest in snail fashion for fall 2008

[Brandy]

Love your fungus photos! I can't wait till it's cool enough where I live.

Very neat that you can train those snails to model for you. ;-)

[Laura]

Wow!

The fungi are stunning - I love the first photo best, although the slimy dripping one does stir the imagination.

And the snail sweaters? What the? What on earth possessed you to think of/try such a thing? Do they seem to mind? They are quite adorable though!

[dawn]

Snail cozies! so clever!
Thanks for being so generous with your tutorials and lovely photos. I really enjoy them.
Dawn

[beccajo]

shut the front door. that is ridiculously cute.

going to vote for you RIGHT NOW!!!

[Clara]

I cant stop smiling!
You are a very funny and creative woman, Margie :)
And you had a great time in the wood to, thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos with us !

[Gingersquirrel]

I LOVE the snail sweaters! I'm off to work out how to make some! They're So cute!!!

[(sc)]

Snail cosies ?!!! 'OOooOhhh ! Trop mignoooooon !!!' (my daughter and me in one voice )et les photos sont superbes aussi, merci Margie :)

[mayaluna]

I can't believe what happens when I miss a day of your magical blog! You are truly magic...I loved your shrooms...but the snails just had me gasping! You are wild and crazy and totally amazing!!!!! Thank you for keeping enchantment alive and well! I'm off to go vote!!!

[jen]

omg, the snail sweaters are so cute!

[Kristin]

Hi, I know this is a weird way to do this but I couldn't find where to contact you. I have a blog about my favorite handmade items and I just cannot get enough of your crocheting in nature: I especially love the snail sweaters and beautiful lace rocks! I was hoping you'd agree to be featured on my blog and tell me a bit more info about yourself. Please contact me at kristink_64 [at] yahoo.com. Thanks!
Kristin
622press

[creative busy bee]

Those snail are sooo....cute with beautiful sweater.

[MLO]

Arrived at this site from a post about snails and I am insanely curious: did the sweaters actually keep the snails from going into hibernation?

[Dee]

These are AWESOME! I just want some little pet snails for the kids, but the potential of knitting sweaters? Fantastic! HEHE