Sunday, October 19, 2008

Hanging in the OC

It's been a wonderful weekend hanging out in Orange County. We haven't been in San Clemente nearly enough lately, for my liking! This morning after our jog we headed over to the Farmer's Market for a lovely stroll amongst the stalls of fragrant fruits and vegetables. Steve, our official sampler, amuses me with how seriously he takes his role! But, we do end up with the best strawberries when he comes along! In contrast, I do not like to sample, preferring instead to purchase from those vendors that I know have good quality produce. I think it is because I'm too uncomfortable to say it's sour in front of the seller. Silly me.


This morning I'm sporting my new hat loosely based on the pattern "First Hat" in Knit 2 Together. While it's not quite cool enough for scarfs and sweaters, it is definately hat weather!



This is the first time I've used Malabrigo yarn and I loved knitting with it! It is as soft as everyone says and the colors are really beautiful.



I look very happy here because I'm about to go into Cafe Mimosa in San Clemente and buy one of their wonderful blueberry muffins for my morning cup of tea. They have the best baked goods in San Clemente and I find it delightful to sit on their patio and have lunch or coffee.

To show how versatile my new hat is, Mr Puffy has offered to model it for us. Doesn't he look cute. I could just grab and cuddle him - but have to resist that type of PDA as he's much too cool for that.



Specs: First Hat/Knit 2 Together; US 8 needles; Malabrigo yarn. I added the bobbles as an after thought, simply picking up a stitch and forming a bobble. I thought it needed a bit of texture to balance it out and I wasn't in the mood for the flower that the pattern suggested.



Some of you may have seen that California suffered through some wildfires last week. I awoke at 5:30 a.m. on Monday to the smell of smoke filling the house. I can't tell you how scary it is to be in the mountains during a wildfire. We live in the Santa Monica mountain range above Malibu and are constantly aware of the potential for fire during the late summer months. We are fortuante in Los Angeles to have some of the best firefighters in the country and they do a tremendous job at protecting us. But when the Santa Ana winds blow there simply isn't anything they, or anyone, can do. We were fortuante that the 70 mph winds that were forecast did not materialize. It was a long week in Southern California watching and holding our breath that the winds did not come. The above photo is a picture I took of the Malibu fire last year heading toward us. It was stopped roughly a mile or so from our home.

21 comments:

Sue said...

Mr. Puffy does look quite cute in that hat, but I have to say it looks much better on you. I would be very scared too living so close to a fire hazard area too. We had the smoke from fires last year and it made everything smell awful.

Monika said...

Lovely pictures as always! I think the bobbles where a good idea, they make the hat more interesting. It's cute on you AND Mr. Puffy!
How aweful to always live in fear, when there are wildfires around.

t does wool said...

the bobbles make it...and Mr. Puffy as a model of course ;))...so glad you were spared...what an intense fear that must be.

SissySees said...

I love Malabrigo, and that color is stunning. So is the hat, on you and on your male model! Sissy might never be calm enough for such...

Good luck with the fires.

amanda said...

what a fun hat! the bobbles were a brilliant addition, if I do say. Sorry about the constant fire scare. That must be very stressful. Glad it's over for now, but you do have a beautiful view from your home!

Bridget said...

Beautiful hat!

Mr Puffy gives it a whole different vibe than you do ...

I'm glad the fires are under control, at least for now.

knittingdragonflies said...

The hat looks great. I love Malabrigo.
The wildfires looks scary.
Take care
Vicki

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Claudia! How scarey are those fires! Your hat looks great, on both you and Mr Puffy. The expression on his face does crack me up. :D

Anonymous said...

The hat is gorgeous! I love the color and the small details you knit into it.
Mr. Puffy always looks so dashing.

I'm glad the fires didn't reach you. Be safe.

Anonymous said...

That's a great hat! So glad that you are safe!

Cat in the Foxgloves said...

What a beautiful hat! And Mr. Puffy is so handsome too!
I know what a threat wildfires can be and how stressful to see the smoke coming closer. I hope they always stay in the distance for you!

jillian said...

Oh my, I can't imagine the scare of waking up to smoke. So happy you are all OK!

Beautiful hat - yup, definitely hat weather. Although I must admit I use the scarves too, sans coat.

Denise said...

I love the hat. I just ordered a skein of Malabrigo from someone's stash on Ravelry cos my LYS doesn't sell it! I can't wait to try it, as I've heard it is super soft too.
So glad the winds weren't as bad as they thought they would be.
Stay safe.
Hugs
Denise

Renee said...

What a lovely hat! So glad to hear you're all ok and safe.

Windyridge said...

Ok those fires are just plain scary.
Mr Puffy really is too cool!

Hilary said...

It is SO cute, Claudia! The added bobbles are great.

P.S. I made your pumpkin chocolate chip squares last night, and though I mistakenly substituted baking powder for baking soda (so lame!!), they are delicious!

Tracy said...

Two great models--you & Mr. Puffy! ;o) That hat is wonderful--that color reminds me of the ocean...ah, summer days...You look lovely in that hat, Claudia! So glad you're having a fun getaway in OC...But sooo very sad to hear of the fires...glad you are ok! ((HUGS))

Ally Jay said...

The colour looks great on you both. I just knew you recognised Mr Puffy's talent under that cool exterior he presents.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness! Another picture of Mr. Puffy modeling your gorgeous knits. It always relieves me of any guilt I may harbour about making my dogs model my knitting. Glad to hear you are safe.

Firefly Nights said...

You always look great in anything you make but it's those photos of Mr. P modeling for you that bring a big smile.

I'm glad you've been safe from the fires but I know they must be a constant worry. Your fire photo is actually quite lovely despite the destruction that it represents.

Cthings said...

Oh what a lovely pic Mr. Puffy the beagle. I don't think mind would of posed so still. Lovely knitting hat! Great pics also!