Rest in Peace, Clarence Burke Jr.

Favorite Things, Ten

Hi friends! This week I get to share with you two more favorites. This won't take long, and the pictures might make you smile. They did that for me at least.

1. Favorite Fiber: Wool

Yarn I spun from a blend of merino, targhee and rambouillet (All breeds of sheep)

I have worked with many fibers as a spinner and knitter and wool is always the mainstay. Sure cashmere has charm (goat, not sheep) and silk is luxurious (worm, what?) but wool is the most versatile. There are so many breeds of sheep that produce wool. Shorter fibers like merino are soft and the longer staples (non-fiber people say "scratchy") are long wearing. Wool is warm, even when wet. So yes, I have to go with the obvious answer here.

2. Favorite blogs: My friends are my favorites. Then people I know. Then random things. Okay, I used to really love Cake Wrecks. I don't really look at it much anymore. I'm sure it's still good though...

my favorite category - literal interpretation of the instructions

I also used to spend time on Cute Overload. I don't know if these are blogs. I don't really know what blogs are anymore. How about a cute pic now? See you soon, I hope!

This image is burning into your heart right this minute

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}

Favorite Things Nine

Whoops, it isn't Friday anymore. Better late than never, I suppose. Anyway... welcome back, you! This week was kind of silly for me. You'll see.

1. Favorite Animal to Have as a Pet: None

Mostly this is because I'm allergic to cats and dogs. I love animals very much though. I'm not crazy about the part where they become part of your family and if everything goes right you outlive them. I'm still sad about all of the animals I have known who died. In short, I'm not great at pets.

2. Favorite Physical Activity: Cycling

I'd love to make a joke about "Favorite Physical Activity" but this blog is intended for everyone and that includes people at work and kids and such. So you'll have to make a joke in your head for me.

Cycling is as close to flying like a superhero as I'm going to get. It's also practical and gets you here-to-there faster than walking and more thoughtfully than driving.

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}

Favorite Things Eight

Hi pals! Hope your week is going well. I am going to take a moment to check in with a new post about favorite things. Surprise, surprise, hard questions again.

1. Favorite Tree: Pseudotsuga (aka Douglas Fir)

photo by bilge-water via flickr

I love trees and I don't really trust anyone who doesn't. Redwoods! Fruit trees! Pretty trees! Angry trees! I love them all. Today I choose the Doug Fir for many reasons... It's a symbol of the Pacific Northwest, and the official state tree of Oregon, where I call home. Evergreen trees provide hope during the long winter with their fresh color and pine-y fragrance. You may have had this one in your house if you do Christmas. You certainly have written on paper made from it. The Doug Fir grows quite tall and has funny petals (3-pointed bracts) within the cones. Love it!

see the center cone? photo by Vivian Aubrey

I even made a sock pattern with a lace cuff inspired by this special cone:

Laurelhurst Socks, photo by Vivian Aubrey

2. Favorite Woodland Creature: Three-way tie for first!

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}