Saturday Hike

On Saturday evening, Lucky, Jon and I went for a great, but short, hike in the Sandia's. We hiked straight up from the big rock wall at the top of Candelaria. It was quite vertical, so on the way back, I spent a lot of time sliding on my butt. It sure was pretty, though. When we got as high as we were going to go, we sat down and Jon and I (but, thankfully, not Lucky)saw three deer right in front of us. We sat there, quietly in awe, at the scene of three deer in the wilderness, with a huge bustling city right behind them. They seemed so oblivious to all that was going on. It was amazing!

The rock wall at the beginning of the trail.

The fellow hikersThe North Crestum... rocks and cactiThe moon peeking out from behind the cloudsA really cool picture of JonOh no - it's getting dark! Hurry UP! The lights turn on, and the hike ends.

Happy and Busy

November has certainly been busy so far. Work has been quite hectic, and I went to a conference last weekend in Denver. It was at the Colorado Convention Center, which is just a really cool building. It has a massive blue bear trying to get in and go to the sessions.

While we were there, we went out for some really delicious sushi on the 16th Street Mall. We got the rolls with just avocado, and then some with avocado and raw salmon. YUMMY! Sushi was immediately followed by a delish crepe. It was stuffed with strawberries, Nutella, and cream cheese, drizzled with chocolate and whipped cream. It doesn't get any better than that, people. My colleagues and I decided that the night's culinary progression would be our version of "tapas". While I was in Denver, Lucky stayed with Jon, and broke the World Record for "Length of Time a Dog has barked fairly continuously". I don't know what comes over him when he goes to Jon's house, but he certainly changes his personality in a very drastic way.

Now, in case you are worried that knitting has taken a back seat recently, fear not! I knit when I can, and when there is time. There is not a lot of time, but I have been faithful, whenver possible.

I finished Kristen's mittens - they are a modified version of the ones in Easy Knitting from about three years ago. I added the cables in the cuff. They are knit out of Paton's Merino. I LOVE the color. They turned out very well, although I had to rip out one top and reknit since they weren't the same size.

I also started knitting a new scarf for myself. It is out of Mountain Colors 4/8's wool in (as you can see) a fantastic color - I think it is called "Crazy Woman". I am using a modified Knitter's Review pattern. I also finished socks (below) for Corrie. I forgot to take a finished object photo - I was so excited to give them to her. Silly me! Apparently, they fit well, so I am happy.

I started this pinkish-reddish beret for my aunt. It is almost done, too. I like the pattern, except for the end, when half the decreases are written to lean the wrong way. They are NOT elegant. The patter is the Tweed Beret by Kristen Tendyke from Interweave Knits either from last winter or the one before that. Other than the decreases, I have enjoyed knitting it. It is super fast! I have just six more rounds to go. As soon as that is done, I am casting on for a hat for Jon. I dyed about a quarter of the yarn for it a deep navy blue. The rest will be natural, undyed, straight from the farm. I got the yarn at the Taos Wool Festival. As is my custom, I will make this hat using a fair-isle stitch from the Knitter's Bible, and size it specifically for him. I am excited - it will be a great hat (I hope!).

Speaking of Jon, I just have to say that I am the luckiest girl around. I am crazy about him, and I could shout it from the top of a mountain, but instead I'll just shout it from the top of my blog (blogs don't really have tops and bottoms, but there you go).

An important event!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCKY!

Yesterday was Lucky's fourth birthday! I have been explaining the significance of a birthday to him all week, so I think he was (almost) as excited as I was. He got lots of birthday hugs and he got the best birthday present a dog could ask for - a good long hike with his mom in the sunshine. In order to commemorate this important occasion appropriately, I think I will show some pictures of Lucky's most significant events of the past year.

Last December, Lucky went to Denver and played out a three day snowstorm. Luckily, he is a "snow dog". He also got to chill with his good buddy, Zarek. Back in Albuquerque, he was excited to, once again, play out another three-day snowstorm. He even got to hike along the Crest Trail in the snow. He celebrated New Years in style! For Spring Break, he went on a long road trip through Southern New Mexico. He got to hike just south of Alamogordo. Hikes are the best! In April, he met Jon and "helped" him plant a vegetable garden. He also got to go hiking in the Jemez Mountains. Look at all that hair!

He enjoyed many hikes in the Sandia Mountains throughout the spring. The Jemez Mountains in May are a great place for a happy dog. Alas, all that hair had to go!
In July, he met his current girlfriend, Molly, a German Shepherd. In August, he travelled to Durango and Silverton, CO in a Volkswagen Rabbit. He has certainly had a very full year! He is more loving and kind this year than before, and, I think, cuter than ever before. YAY LUCKY! I LOVE MY BABY!