Rainy July~~~~

So far with the exception of the Fourth, we've had some rainy days, but the plants just love it.

This Rocket Hydrangea was one of two table decorations that have survived in our garden since I retired some time ago. (I think a few others were devoured by local deer.) Anyhow, I look forward to their blooming each year as they bring back fond memories of my years of work in adult literacy.

Have you ever seen a Monkey Tree?  They seem to appear fairly often in landscaping around here, but we had never seen one in bloom before. We spent an afternoon in Gig Harbor, WA, recently and discovered this one after visiting one of my favorite yarn shops, Rainy Day Yarns.

Here are two close-ups of the tree's leaves and blossoms.

Can you guess what this is?

If you guessed baby spiders, you're right!  We found this group of eggs on the window near our front door, not knowing for sure whether or what would hatch.  Well, hatch they did, and while we were gone to Newport, they all took off to do their spiderly business...catching flies and mosquitoes, I hope.

In case you're worried that I've not been knitting, here's proof that my needles and I are still busy.  Actually, I finished this Stella Shawl at the end of June and forgot to include it in my last post. (A couple of other things are on my needles now and will hopefully be done by the end of the month.) Here's the link to the sock pattern that also wasn't in my last post.  That's all for now, have a great week.

Finally a New Post!

June disappeared at warp speed! We were very busy with lots of celebrations.  Early in the month our choir sang for the last time with our much-loved long time director.  We sang a wonderful work by Dan Forrest that features Psalm 100 in seven languages. You can listen here if you wish. 

We also managed a couple quick trips.  We spent a weekend in Whistler, British Columbia, and did lots of walking.

We followed a trail to Lost Lake and discovered that we could have driven there as well. However, we would have missed seeing this interesting cairn as well as lots of beautiful wildflowers.

 A bit later in the month we headed south to Newport, Oregon. The coast is so different there with lots and lots on sand dunes to explore.

Little Creek Cove is one of our favorite spots to stay.

These dogs didn't think twice about crossing this little creek to get to the dunes and ocean.  We, however, drove to Agate Beach and then walked north.

Time in the car makes for lots of knitting and two more Interrupted Cowls.  A shawl 

for Stella also popped off the needles.

This pair of socks was my June Camp Loopy project.

Our daughter hosted a lovely brunch at a very nice restaurant to celebrate my birthday, our son's birthday and Father's Day and then one day at lunch this guy showed up in our backyard.  Apparently he though he'd been summoned to prune the roses?

Hope you're all having a wonderful Fourth of July celebration!