Crawford Notch

This is the next installment of our NH trip pictures. We were primarily visiting the White Mountain Region. The Appalachian Trail that stretches across 14 states from Maine to Georgia, passes through this region.
We made our next stop at Crawford Notch to hike the Mt. Willard trail. The trail is a 3 mile trail that probably took us about 2-2.5 hrs to hike. The trail is mainly made of rocks and pebbles that go up gradually. You just have to watch your footing for many a time I almost twisted my ankle in an urge to walk faster :) We met families with kids around 8 yrs of age or older going up this trail. Use of hiking pole or even a long sturdy branch will definitely ease the struggle especially on the kids.
The trails are so quiet and so close to nature, you hear the squirrel scuttling around and the branches swaying in the wind. Hmmmm so peaceful! But when we just began to start wondering whether we will ever get to the top, several folks were kind enough to encourage us. They all promised that the view was well worth and trouble.
Well, we finally saw bright sunlight at the end of the 'leafy tunnel' and we excitedly raced to the finish, if it is possible to race over rocks and stones.
This is what met the eyes on Mt. Willard at an elevation of 2804 ft. No picture can replicate the view or the feeling of awe and amazement that you get when you behold this sight. That teeny tiny road way down there, was the road we had just traveled. What a humbling experience!!
It felt much warmer and less windier here, when compared to Mt. Washington, because of the lower elevation. So we just sat there, rested awhile and drank in the breathtaking sight in front of us from all directions possible. This was the best part of the trip. It still gives me goosebumps!

Later we stopped at Silver Cascade, right beside the road. This one was a very easy hike, it takes around 10 minutes or so. The fact that your destination is always visible to you on your way up helps a lot!!

A little bit of vacation

At the literal last minute we made hurried plans to go spend the weekend in New Hampshire.
The beauty of New Hampshire obviously lies in its mountains and valleys, its lakes and gorges and rivers. I just love a mountain range that has lakes at its foothills. This combination is my idea of what heaven would look like. There's a calmness and peace that you feel rising up from inside of you at the beautiful creations of God.
I take joy in the cakes that I decorate, the stuff that I knit and the things I do. But time and time again when I step out into the 'natural' unadulterated world, I feel extremely proud that the God who created these awesome natural wonders, is the same God who created me. I really can't help but think what a tiny inconspicuous speck I am when compared to the grandeur and sheer power of these mountains. Yet, of His many creations He calls you and me, the most precious of them all!! I can't even imagine it or try to comprehend the love of this Creator.
So presenting the one of the greatest of God's creations --
[insert my picture here!]
Just kidding.
Let's roll with it.
A visit to NH, isn't really complete if you don't visit Mount Washington. What better way than to take a round trip on the Cog Railway. I am pretty sure that the cog rail is the inspiration for all those bone rattling wooden roller coaster rides. Truly, I prefer this gentle cog rail, started in 1869, to its modern counterparts. I simply don't see why I should pay for a scary nauseating ride when I can get the sights and sounds of nature while I take a leisurely ride up the mountain.

I take my imaginary hat off to the hardworking men who operate the rail (special mention to a young kid named Joey the apprentice). They brave extreme weather and high winds, standing outside the coach during the uphill journey. I tell you, its these kind of people who deserve the multimillion dollar pay checks for they do their job with great love and dedication. They even make most of their own parts and assemble them on site!!

The grand view from atop Mt. Washington at 6288 ft.

Como estas?

Hello there, I hope everyone is doing great. It's hot out there today so slap on the sunscreen and enjoy the sunshine.
Here's a scarf I knit for a friend of mine. I used the daisy stitch pattern, which is pretty easy. I was hoping that the Patons yarn would form its own color pattern as I knit. Initially I was disappointed for it did not form any color pattern that made sense. But then my skein came out of its amnesia and gave me something similar to the double helix DNA pattern that the Patons yarn formed when I knit the scrunchable scarf. I was happy while it lasted and finished the scarf off before it started having irreparable memory loss!

Pattern:
Garland of daisies
Cast on 29 stitches
Row 1 & 3 (RS) Knit

Row 2 K1, * [P3tog, without dropping the stitches off the left needle, YO, P3tog again(purl the same 3 stitches together) , now drop them off the left needle] = daisy stitch, K1 , repeat from * to end.

Row 4 K1, P1, K1, * work daisy stitch, K1, rep from * , end P1, K1

Repeat rows 1-4 for length desired.

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino in Rosewood - 1.25 skeins
Needle: US #8

Try to knit as loosely as your sanity will permit. Do not be afraid of the stitch pattern. You will be working on it on the wrong side but it will 'bloom' very beautifully on the right side. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend everybody!

Stumbling upon some sites

Check them out
Some cute animals at
http://www.allknitup.com/blog/

If you love kitties like me
http://mfrost.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/knitted_kitteh.jpg

Some unique yarn creations
http://www.threadbanger.com/post/433/the-top-10-geekiest-yarn-creations-on-the-web

A cheap yet creative solution
http://www.worstedwitch.com/2006/10/22/yogurt-yarntainer/

A few fab free patterns
http://knittingkninja.com/2007/03/03/maude-louise/
http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/?page_id=397

Cool stuff to buy
http://www.peacefleece.com/knitting%20needle.htm

And you thought you were a knit freak!!
http://www.bugknits.com/gallery/mbdolls/

Dear Mom,
Wish you a happy mother's day! I wish you a happy everyday!

Thank you for everything, for the person you are
For your strong spirit and your strength in adversity.
For smiling through all the struggles - to protect me from all the troubles,
For the tough love and the tender care,
For the many sacrifices you made of your dreams and desires
So that we can achieve ours.
There are few things in life that are more precious to me
Than the knowledge that you will always love me
Thank you for believing in me - but most of all, thanks for being my mom!

I love you!

I got myself treated - no pun intended!

Yup its true, I finally admitted to myself that I had a problem that needed to be dealt with. Severe yarn deficiency that needed to be instantly satiated with some fast acting 'softgels'.
Dosage: Mix one skein of Gedifera in a yellow fused shade #4508 with a similar skein in a green self striping shade #4669 to make a fabulous scarf. When the effect starts to wear off, most people like to knit socks with Regia Cotton color #5412 . Finally when it feels like a short term solution is not enough, go for a slightly bigger project using 3 skeins of Wendy's cotton purchased at $1 a skein! That should lift you up, atleast for the time being :)
I am not afraid to admit that my favorite colors are bright girly, flowery colors. I loved yellow as a kid and I felt I needed something yellow this season. I didn't really have yellow yarn in mind when I went to the yarn store, but ended up with it somehow!!

It's a new day!

The day is new and the weather is great!
I see blue skies and happier days,
The birds bring joy and music to my ears-
They sing of hope and joy and love.

The flowers remind me of what its like
To live a life - live it full and well,
If only for a day my life should last;
I shall live and love and blossom for the Lord!

Have a very Happy day!
Its a new day - a new chance at life!

Pooh the Winn(i)er!

Well, lets start at the very beginning. When Su-Boy was due for his grand entry into this world, I sat and thought and calculated and swatched and knit up a hat. The hat looked great but li'l Su had a normal newborn head that was too small for my abnormally large hat. So I purposed in my heart to knit his next hat just the perfect size. I studied and scoured numerous books and researched as much as a person who gets easily distracted, can actually research. So after 4 months of deliberation - just in the kni(ck)t of time for the first major snow before the impending end of winter, I was able to deliver this hat. But once again it was a little loose for his head, but hey there is always next winter!!!

Pattern: Earflap Variation hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Euroyarns Peru DK Luxury(70% Merino/20% Alpaca/10% Silk124 yds/50gm) 1 skein each in Black and Offwhite. I doubled the 2 colors together to get the gauge.
Needles: US #8, 16 inch circular and US #8 DPNs

I liked this pattern a lot, especially the I-cord tie and the yarn is oh-so-soft!

That's just me..

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

What's Your Personality Type?

My first fondant cake

I wanted to make a special cake for someone special. But every time I made a cake, my hand pain came back. Every time the pain returned, I always get more determined to bake a cake! But you do have to be wise. Injured muscles need time to heal. So I chose to do a fondant cake where the stress on the wrist and palm are not as pronounced as when decorating with buttercream icing.
I am so happy with the result. The fondant cakes are part of the 3rd Wilton course that I haven't yet taken. I followed the instructions in the book and I hope you agree that for a first fondant cake it turned out just as I had imagined, very special for my favorite person. I used a 24oz packet of white fondant icing and colored it with buttercup yellow and juniper green. I mixed in the colors till there was a slight marbling effect. I used garlands and fondant balls at the base of the cake. I used a Yellow chocolate marble cake, covered with white BC icing.
Just because I said it seems to be easier than BC icing decoration please don't expect it to be effortless. When you look at the wonderful 'artwork' that some talented women do with fondant, you will understand the hard work they put into it.