Where the Buffalo Roam - Heaven Light

I wanted to knit something special for the cruise my daughter and I shared.  Buffalo Wool Company had just the thing when I received some Heaven Light fiber from them in a 'trick or treat' promotion.  This fiber is as the name implies - heaven to work with.  The light comes from the fact that the yardage for this lace weight yarn was just shy of weighing the required 50 grams keeping it from being sold in the original line.  The fiber is 100% bison and is so soft.  The color is a beautiful medium brown.

The pattern I used is Frederica by Susanna IC.  I've knit her patterns before (check out my blog on Lace Shawl with Nubs and my Easter Shawl) and really like the crescent shape as it hugs the shoulders nicely.  Additionally, I used some beads I purchased at a local hobby store to add the extra sparkle. 
 
Buffalo is usually considered a very warm fiber but when you use the lace variety you end up with a luxury product that offers just the right coverage from the air conditioner or an evening breeze coming off the Gulf waters. 

2014 Texas Wildflowers - part 2

We always enjoy our time in the Texas Hill Country and have many favorite places we always 'have' to go by and visit.  The Willow City Loop, Hunt, the Guadalupe River, Kiele River, and many area ranches we've come to know and love.  

As we travel to the Hill Country for our retreats, we also meander through the Brazos Valley region because it won our hearts over a dozen years ago when my husband received his first ministry appointment in this area.  The overcast and cloudy skies added great contrast  and shadows to my photos this year. Not all of these photos are of wildflowers, as multiple years of drought have taken their toll on many.  Still, I hope that you enjoy these glorious scenes of overwhelming beauty.  And if you ever really questioned God's love for this great state - I'm certain these photos will put them to rest.  

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Flowers#sthash.gA1lhIV5.dpuf

 

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Flowers#sthash.gA1lhIV5.dpuf

Isaiah 35: 1-2 

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God.

 
Please enjoy the photos but remember that they are copyrighted by me, the photographer and are not to be copied, posted, shared, printed or in any way made use of  without my permission. 

Texas Wildflowers Part 1 - An Interrupted Trip

Immediately following Holy Week and Easter, my husband and I set out on our annual retreat and tour of the glorious Texas wildflowers.  We did our usual 'long route' to see what the Brazos Valley region had on display.  So many lovely fields of blue! We loved spotting this jackrabbit (his ears were twitching) and this hawk going about their daily routine amidst such splendor.  We also spotted a Texas Longhorn enjoying the bluebonnets. This is a Road Runner. 
 

Once again, we enjoyed the hospitality of the wonderful Lamb's Tale Ministries as they provided our accommodations in Comfort at The Haven River Inn.  Nestled along the Guadalupe River, this Bed and Breakfast provides awesome breakfast feasts, comfortable rooms, and the opportunity to rest and renew oneself physically and spiritually.  

Being creatures of habit we took our customary drives around the Hill Country, seeking out the unique beauty of one of our favorite Texas locations.   I loved getting to see this new mother bringing her lambs into the barn!  There are many ranchers who raise sheep in this area, but this year we noticed so many fewer.  I worry that this is a result of many years of drought, which is at a severe level.
 
I'll focus this blog on the close-in photos of the flowers.  Check out part 2 for the dazzling fields of color and some photos from around the Hill Country.

I don't have good photos of some of the best color we saw the entire trip, as my husband was driving fast along Interstate 10 and refused to stop.  After talking to my doctor regarding some abdominal pain I'd been experiencing, we ended up leaving early to head home - well, to the Houston area so I could be seen in a Methodist Hospital Emergency Room.  It didn't take long for the doctors to determine that my gallbladder was badly infected, having stones and sludge, and needing to be removed immediately.  I am happy to say that I'm much better and have hopes of returning soon to the Haven River Inn to complete our time of retreat.

Please enjoy the photos but remember that they are copyrighted by me, the photographer and are not to be copied, posted, shared, printed or in any way made use of without my permission.