butterflies of Brazil

Evelyn and I went to the annual butterfly show at the Krohn Conservatory. Featured this year were many different species of butterflies native to Brazil. The butterfly exhibit was in the large seasonal room, which is airlocked so as not to allow foreign butterflies into the local environment. The habitat was filled with many plants and flowers that are native to the Brazilian environment.

Perhaps the most beautiful butterfly we saw at the exhibit was the blue morpho, which is the national butterfly of Brazil. One of the world's largest species of butterfly, the blue morpho has a wing span of five to eight inches wide and has vibrant blue wings lined with black. When closed, the wings are a dull brown with dark eyespots that provide the butterfly camouflage from predators. There were dozens of other butterflies present in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

Always an educational experience, this trip to the Krohn Conservatory was especially unique. Evelyn and I discussed deforestation of the butterflies native rain forests in South America as the largest threat to these butterflies.

It was hard to capture photos of the butterflies as they moved so quickly, especially since it was a lovely, sunny day. Children and adults alike are permitted and encouraged to gently and respectfully interact with the butterflies.

summer fun

This summer has started out with a daze of great weather and splashes of fun. We have spent a lot of time in the garden, at the splash pad, on bikes, and visiting local attractions and parks. David is working on artwork much more these days, which is a relief. He seems so happy when he has a regular creative outlet. We set up a studio for him in the apartment in our back yard. It is just the right size and has excellent natural light with windows every few feet. The studio's kitchen and bathroom are not yet functional, but once we get the plumbing up and running, it will be absolutely perfect. David's parents came down for Father's Day, and we had a lovely picnic in the garden with my parents to celebrate the day.

this moment

{this moment} - from SouleMama - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

$5 in Paris

I cast on for this sweater in February. By March, I had most of the body done. I set it aside for two months in order to knit up some baby things, but picked it up again at the beginning of June, when I finished the bottom ribbing and picking up the sleeves.

The pattern, $5 in Paris by Anna Peck, called for alternating stripes throughout the body and sleeves, but I kept with one single color in order to highlight the subtle color changes throughout the Malabrigo yarn in Tuareg. I also did short sleeves so that I could wear it on cool summer evenings. I love this sweater. I love it's easiness and comfort. And I love Malabrigo yarn. It is the softest wool I have  worked with yet.

Notes on my sweater: CO 152 for small on US 6 for a smaller neck (could have gone down another needles size or two). Switched to US 8 after ribbing. Worked pattern as written, for the most part. Tried it on two or three times to make sure fit was right. Did no side shaping. Sleeves: Had 43 saved stitches, picked up additional nine for 52 stitches. Knit seven rounds before doing nine rounds of ribbing, then BO.

this moment

{this moment} - from SouleMama - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

this moment

{this moment} - from SouleMama - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

fresh off the needles

 I finally finished knitting another scarf, just in time for another round of cold weather! I used Rowan Cocoon on US 10 1/2 needles, and followed Whitney Van Nes's Mistake Stitch as a basis for this project, though I made some simple alterations to the pattern to make a long, skinny, striped scarf. Here are my notes:

Using main color, CO 23.
Follow mistake rib for four rows.
Alternate colors every other row, following mistake rib. End with four rows of main color.
Bind off.

My scarf ended up being about six feet long and four inches wide after light blocking and lengthening. The pattern looks relatively complex when it was very simple. The yarn, a merino-mohair blend, is quite possibly one of the softest and squishiest I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It sheds an unbelievable amount, though. I should have just enough yarn left over to make a matching Calorimetry.