From the Garden

I know that not many places can you find flowers year round. We really enjoy our sunny days. Our yard needs some maintenance badly, but you can edit that in photos. =0) Here's a salvia we picked up at the local University Arboretum 4 years ago. It grows 7-8' tall...and by February these stalks will be cut back, not to return until next fall. It sure is pretty though. And the hummingbirds and bees love it.

This rose bush is from the original owner of this house. We've neglected the roses this year, and still they give us these beautiful blooms.

Our yard is full of Iris from the original owner. These are one of my favorite flowers. I can't cut them for inside though because the deep purple drips from the petals. Hmmmm...I wonder if they would dye yarn?

And normally I'm good at deadheading the hydrangea, but this year life has been too full. I really like seeing these dried blooms.

Oh...and the Cocoa Swap signups are SOON! I'm excited about this one. Sign up!

Knitwise: I've been swamped just with the house stuff...and the Gecko. No time for real knitting...

• I did knit another few rows on Diamonds and Pearls. Somehow I misplaced the pattern again...this one has bad luck. But, I think I can read the knitting from the 4 repeats I've done. I might be able to pull it off. I'm pretty impressed with those skills...but I'd better not be too proud or the scarf will get frogged. (Pride = Fall)
• And I wound a ball of Araucania Nature Wool Chunky Multy last night. Hopefully this will be a hat for me.
• I think I'm ready for the toe decreases on the first tiger sock. But, when 6 told me the sock was itchy I slowed down.
• I have some new yarn too...My MIL shopped at the Loopy Ewe for Hanukkah!!! She bought me 3 balls of Austermann Step Dune, Boysenberry, North Cape. These are destined to become Jaywalkers, Monkeys, and ??? Have any suggestions for me? These are socks I needed some needles for, but M said to wait until Christmas. I'll CO soon though.
• Other Hanukkah gifts were small scissors for sniping yarn, and these. I put those right to use.