OOOOH those BLUES

After last Friday's walk from Creekside to Hanson Ranch, I returned on Monday, solo, with my camera in tow this time.  The plan was to meander more along the way for bird spotting and crocus shooting.  Since Friday the ponds were now mostly frozen over again and a deep enough layer of snow covered just about everything.  The morning was beginning to have that "January Blue Monday" feeling until just like that it turned to be a "Beautiful Blue Monday".  Right there beside me, two Mountain Bluebirds landed on branches next to the creek. I was ecstatic and let out a quiet WOW!  They ignored me and went about their  business while I admired them for what seemed like an eternity.  I eventually carried on to where I saw the crocuses on Friday but the area was blanketed in winter white on this last day of March.  I saw no purple but it was OOOOH those BLUES of the Mountain Bluebirds seeing them for the first time this season that made my day!    

It's been two months since I visited Griffith Woods for the first time ever.  I had intentions of returning long before the first day of April.  It's been just over a week since I last saw a bright blue sky, that is very unusual for me and for here.  There were a few hours with a window of blue sky opportunity forcasted to greet April.  I thought it best to take advantage of that given the fact we would be pummelled with snow once again late in the day and into the night.  Not long after arriving and while working my way along the trails through the woods, the screeching songs of Blue Jays filled the morning air.  I spotted one, then another, then another and even a fourth.  It was OOOOH those Blues of the Blue Jays plus that sky which were beautiful welcomes to April!  

After sewing on another button and three more snaps, this knitting project will be complete.  Part way through the process of knitting this bag which I created my own pattern for, the thought of lining it came to mind.  I debated whether I wanted to bring the craft of sewing into the mix along with everything else I have going on.  I turned the debate into a win/win, I would add the lining but the sewing would all be done by hand rather than pulling out my sewing machine from the basement.  You can see the lining inside, which is a remanent piece of material I found at a fabric store.  The buttons are just for decoration, they are located where the strap meets the body of the bag. Four snaps are the method of closure at the top of the bag.  This has been an enjoyable project to work on and OOOOH those BLUES of the yarn, the fabric and the buttons bring beauty to this bag's whole package!

While sifting through the bin of remanent fabric looking for a perfect lining for the knitted bag above, my hand landed on this piece of remanent material. I took this as a sign that yes I should start that project which I have been mulling over in my mind.  OOOOH those BLUES in this piece of material will be a perfect match for what is to come!