While the autumn days of November days go by

 Dakota Man is in his workshop making snowmen.

It's not until he starts the turning process that you see the beautiful grain in the wood.

The finish he applies further brings out all it's beauty.

~b

leaves and pumpkins

 It's the perfect time of year to be working on a Falling Leaves quilt.

I picked up these three fat quarters in a cute quilt shop in Iowa.

36 six-inch squares and 18 twelve-inch squares...I probably won't finish it this year.

But it is fun to be working on a seasonal quilt that is in season.

Then there's this quick pumpkin.

~b

wool

 The first time we visited Montana we stopped at a sheep farm 

where I bought this wool yarn for a scarf.

I've been working on it here and there for quite awhile.

It was beautiful yarn to work with in heather tones. 

Wool comes with a few pieces of straw to pick out as you knit.

It's hard to go back to using acrylic yarn once you've used a natural fiber like wool.

It's a rainy Saturday here and I have white chicken chili simmering on the stove and a good book to read while I consider my next unfinished knitting project. Yes, I did get that second sock done.

~b

American Gothic

While we were driving through Iowa last month we decided to stop at the site that the painter Grant Wood was inspired by to paint "American Gothic."

It's one of my favorite paintings. It seems the painting was controversial...Iowa felt it was being poked fun at. Did you ever read any stories about the movie "The Bridges of Madison County" which we also stopped by for a picture. The farmers of Iowa were sure their wives 

would never commit to such goings on. But who knows what a lady would do if Clint Eastwood came knocking at her door.

 Mr. b finished this picture for me when we got home. 

I'm so lucky that he also does the framing for his pictures.

~b

birds

 Octobirds...

I challenged myself to painting birds this month.

I'm thinking leaves and pumpkins in November,

both of which will also be a challenge for me.

~b is for bird

Americana

I'm determined to get this old sock done! This week!

I'm always on the lookout for barn quilts. We saw this one in Iowa.

 ~b is for balance

 If you know me you know that I don't always take the easy road.

We stopped at a roadside stand where I bought two pie pumpkins to bake with.

I turned this one into pumpkin bread. The other one will be pumpkin bars.

Always take the long slow road if you can.

~b