Brain Waves

You've heard of left brain and right brain, right?

What about...


...red brain...

... and white brain???
How do you build a brain?

* Snow falls, snow melts, water seeps into cracks, water freezes, cracks expand, water melts, water evaporates, heat bakes rocks, wind blows sand into cracks; repeat from * a few hundred or thousand years; bind off and weave in ends. Brain rock complete; no stiffening required.

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Snowflake Monday

Sochi is absolutely full of inspiration! Check out the quilt banners inspired by actual quilts made by Russian peasant women.

The gorgeous snowy mountains of Sochi, the Olympic spirit and this month's Make a Snowflake Day (February 6) are the inspirations behind today's snowflake.

Because I am so obsessed with snowflakes, all my friends and loved ones are constantly sending me links to snowflake-related news.

Right before the Sochi Olympics began, one of my friends sent me a link to a story about a one-time hopeful who didn't compete in Sochi, although some events are dedicated to her. This particular athlete had a snowflake tattoo on her foot. That very snowflake is being worn by many of the Canadian athletes in this year's competition to honor her.

Sarah Burke was a pioneer in the superpipe, or extreme skiing in a large snow halfpipe. She won four gold medals in freestyle skiing in the Winter X Games and lobbied for slopestyle to be included in the Olympics. Sochi marks the first time this event is included in the Winter Olympics. Two years before the first Olympic slopestyle, Sarah was expected to take the gold. However, the 29-year-old died of complications after a fall during a training run in Salt Lake two years ago last month. She may not be competing in the event she brought to the Olympics, but she has left her mark on the sport and on the slopes.

I was moved by this story not only because I love winter sports and snowflakes, but because of the way Sarah is remembered by those who knew her. Not a single negative comment is ever made. She is remembered as being charitable, kind, supportive. She was the kind of person I want to be.

I designed this snowflake on Make a Snowflake Day. I am considering using the white Sochi Snowflake to embellish my Fjord Beanie, inspired by the Norwegian Olympic team's ski hats, pattern to be featured here Thursday, February 20. After I rewrite the pattern, darn it...

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 3.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Sochi Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: * Ch 9, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), ch 1, sk next 3 ch, 1 tr in next ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), ch 4, 3 dc in 2nd ch from hook (bobble made), working back down spoke sl st in each of next 2 ch, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), sl st in ch between picot branch on opposite side and tr, sl st in top of tr, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), ch 3, sl st in bottom of tr, sl st in next 2 ch below tr, sl st in same st as last main snowflake body sl st, sl st in next dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), sl st in same dc, sl st in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Fun

One of my co-workers loaned us a television, converter box and antenna so we can watch the Olympics. Wednesday night, we didn't watch the Olympics. We watched the rebroadcast of The Beatles tribute.

And Paul McCartney sang to me!!

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Raptor Rapture

I had not shot much wildlife prior to our Wave trip, so I didn't notice my "big gun" camera wasn't set properly when we encountered the first of many birds of prey along the way.

We spied a gorgeous golden eagle just outside of Moab on Day 2, and The Lizard immediately pulled the car over so I could get a shot.

We were SO, SO close, but the camera was set to shoot snowflakes on a fabric background. All the photos were fuzzy. I was determined not to let that happen again.

I kept the camera on bright daylight, high speed settings while in the car the remainder of the trip, and while we were in the car, the big gun was typically on my lap, even if I was crocheting or sleeping.

Outside a tiny Utah town called Mount Carmel, we spied a bald eagle. My heart soared, and the bird did not, even though I got one step closer, then one step closer, then one step closer... This guy (or gal) literally posed for me. Guess he or she wanted to make sure I knew the belly was full.




Outside of Kanab, en route to White Pocket and The Wave, we found another bald eagle, this one perched upon a fence post, with crows on surrounding posts. All were intently watching the road, just waiting for their next meal to untimely meet a fast-moving vehicle.

These birdies, however, were camera shy and took off before The Lizard could get pulled over safely. What a great shot it would have been to see an eagle hanging out with crows!

We saw the Mount Carmel eagle (or perhaps its mate) again on the return trip, but it was too far away for a decent photo, and on private property to boot. No photos.

As we approached the area where we'd seen the golden eagle the second day of our trip, I got the camera ready. I would get that bird this time, and the shutter speed would be just perfect, even if the bird took off. The Lizard slowed so we could scan every single tree as we passed.

Finally, we found a golden eagle in a tree just far enough from the road, I assumed it knew it was outside of harm's reach. I got a couple of very distant shots, but I didn't want to harass it, and we had a lunch date to keep with relatives in Grand Junction.


As I slowly made my way back to the car, I noticed rime on trees and bushes I hadn't noticed as we were driving along looking for the eagle. Now the sun was hitting the jagged tufts of frozen overnight fog on windward exposed surfaces just right as I walked in the opposite direction from which we'd been driving. I asked The Lizard if I could get some shots of the rime.


He wanted to make sure we didn't disturb the golden eagle, plus he wanted to pull the car off the shoulder and into a more suitable stopping area for what might be an extended photo shoot. He knows me well! So he asked me to get in the car, and he drove just a bit further to an actual pull-out.

I hopped out of the car and began shooting happily away when I noticed a golden eagle feather frosted into the ground's overnight collection of frozen mist.


And then I noticed another...


...and another...


A trail of feathers led all the way back to near where The Lizard had pulled over for me to shoot the eagle. A very sad tale I would not have known had I not noticed the rime, had The Lizard not pulled over where he did, had we not seen the raptor in the first place.

Now I realized why the golden eagle didn't fly away when I got out of the car.

Eagles mate for life.

There was no body, only feathers. A coyote may have made off with the road kill. This was recent. Some of the feathers still glistened in the sun with evidence of life ended too soon.

The lone golden eagle still perched in the distant barren cottonwood and watching our every move was mourning its mate.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Positive Thinking

To create more positive moments in your life, replace "if only" with "next time." -unknown
The tag on my chai tea bag when I returned home from our desert trek summed up the entire week. What an amazing trip, filled to overflowing with gorgeous scenery!

We didn't spend enough time in the San Rafael Swell. The goal is to hit that again, perhaps this spring, and hit JUST the Swell, nothing else.


We didn't go to Bryce Canyon at all this trip and instead opted for Kodachrome Basin, a site I've longed to explore since I first heard the name. With a name like that, it's gotta be good, right???


Kodachrome Basin got its name when National Geographic visited in 1948. Using Kodak's relatively new vivid slide film, photographers captured many of the 67 pipes, spires and cliffs featuring red Entrada sandstone and white Dakota sandstone. Park officials changed the name to Chimney Rock State Park a few years later, hoping to avoid legal entanglements with the film company, but Kodak wound up being a much better ambassador than the IOC and granted permission for use of its trademark name.

Kodachrome Basin is beautiful and probably worth more time than we gave it, but one of the things we learned this trip is to do supplemental shooting BEFORE hitting The Wave. Everything looks a little bland after the magnificent color of The Wave! We decided National Geographic named the Kodachrome basin after the film because they hadn't seen The Wave yet.




Last time we ventured into The Wave, we had planned to hike and shoot remote areas in and around Capitol Reef National Park. Again, this is something better experienced BEFORE The Wave because the colors just aren't as intense and overpowering, but Capitol Reef bears a magic all its own.

We didn't spend enough time in Capitol Reef, but there will be many more chances, even if we don't get lucky and get drawn for The Wave again in the next couple of years.


Both of us were a little gimpy after two days of fairly heavy rock scrambling. We hadn't undertaken such activity in a number of years, and we were out of shape. But now we have new goals for next time. And for life.

We'd planned to camp somewhere in Capitol Reef, but the lure of a hotel hot tube was too strong a temptation. Winter rates made the deal even more sweet. But then, the pool door was locked!!! Closed for winter. Oh, man!

The next morning, our car wouldn't start. Turned out the battery just needed a good charging after I ran it down charging camera batteries at the Arizona State Line Campground. Nippy night temperatures took rich advantage of my indulgence. However, this could have happened to us in the middle of nowhere, at White Pocket, at Wire Pass Trailhead or in Capitol Reef. Instead, it happened in a tiny little town, mostly closed for winter. We made it home safely and on time.

Next stop, Goblin Valley. Both of us had been there before, but not with good Nikon cameras. Unfortunately, I fell asleep in the car, and I had neglected to mention to The Lizard that I'd like to hit this state park again. We drove right by.


Moab is one of our favorite destinations. We'd stopped there on the way out, and we'd had dinner at the very same restaurant (and even the very same table!!!) where we'd enjoyed our first date nearly 10 years ago. A big plus was being able to watch portions of the Broncos and Seahawks playoff games while we enjoyed our meal and reminiscing about past trips and all the hockey playoffs we've watched in that very same locale.

We decided en route to home to stop there again and have dinner at the very same restaurant again. Just because. We would find things to do!

We did a brief pre-sunset tour of Arches National Park and enjoyed a quick drive through The Portal, picking out future trails to bike and camp.

No matter how often we get to go to Moab, it just isn't close enough! If we lived closer, we'd probably be there every weekend!


No trip west is complete without a visit with relatives in Grand Junction. We stopped for lunch and watched the puppies play again, and I cracked a tooth while munching on a soft piece of pizza. Go figure!!!

But again, we consider ourselves lucky. Or, well, blessed. This could have happened in White Pocket or in The Wave, while I was munching on almonds and pistachios. But it waited until I was back in civilization and close to home, close to a good dentist who rushed me in and took care of things.

It was a while before I could swallow more than soup or applesauce, but baby food is all the fuel needed to process something like 1,000 red rock photos. And one of my cutest puppy photos ever...

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Snowflake Monday

I Love The Wave
I’ve been making quite a few pink snowflakes to replenish my stock and because I can keep them hanging in my office until Valentine's Day. Today's snowflake is one I designed specifically to hang in my office.

Nothing in that description would make a very flirtatious snowflake name, though, so I perused my list of unused mountain names and noticed Flirtation Peak was up for grabs!


Other than the name, Flirtation Peak is not the most memorable mountain in a state chock full of high peaks. It is the 3,012th highest mountain in Colorado and the 8,407th highest mountain in the country. Shadowing the tiny hamlet of Idaho Springs, the mountain stands sentinel above the primary gateway to 14er Mount Evans. On peakery.com, Flirtation Peak is listed as unclimbed, but with power lines straddling it, obviously, it has seen a few human feet.

I have no mountain photo to go with this post, even though I've been in the shadow of the mountain hundreds of times. However, an antique postcard tells the story of a group of hikers going up Flirtation Peak in 1907 and then taking a portrait of the group in the dark via flashlight upon their return to Idaho Springs. See the postcard here.

I don't know how the mountain got its name, but the name alone ignites imagination, doesn't it?


Flirtation Peak Snowflake makes a great doily, too! Or bear rug...


You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 9.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in 7 colors, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Flirtation Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: With Color A, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: * 1 sc in next dc, ch 6, sk 1 sc; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off.

Round 3: With Color B, 7 dc in each ch 6 sp around. Sl st in starting dc.

Round 4: 1 sc over sl st just worked between 7/dc groups, *ch 6, sk next 3 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 6, sk next 3 dc, 1 sc in next joint between 7/dc groups; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off.

Round 5: With Color C, 7 dc in each ch 6 sp around. Sl st in starting dc.

Round 6: 1 sc over sl st just worked between 7/dc groups, * ch 6, sk next 3 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 6, sk next 3 dc, 1 sc in next joint between 7 dc/groups, ch 6, sk next 3 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 6, sk next 3 dc, 1 sc in next joint between 7/dc groups, ch 6, 1 sc in same sp (ch 6 point loop made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 7: With Color D, 3 dc in any ch 6 point loop, * 1 sc in next ch 6 loop, [ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 6 loop] 3 times, 3 dc in next ch 6 point loop, ch 3, 3 dc in same loop; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 and 3 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in starting dc to form 6th ch 3 point of Round.

Round 8: Ch 2(counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just made, * ch 6, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 6, sk next ch 3 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off.

Round 9: With Color E, 3 dc in any ch 3 point, *ch 14, 3 dc in next ch 3 point, ch 3, 3 dc in same point; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 ch and last 3 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in starting dc to form 6th ch 3 point of Round.

Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just made, * 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 6, 1 sc around next ch 14 of Round 9, ch 6, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off.

Round 11: With Color F, 3 dc in any ch 3 point, * 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, ch 3, 1 sc over next ch 6, ch 3, 1 sc over next ch 6, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 ch and last 3 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in starting dc to form 6th ch 3 point of Round.

Round 12: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just worked, * 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, [ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp] 3 times, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off.

Round 13: With Color G, 3 dc in any ch 3 point, * 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, [ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp] 4 times, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 ch and last 3 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in starting dc to form 6th ch 3 point of Round.

Round 14: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just worked, * ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked (picot made), 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dtr in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 dtr in same sp, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, [1 dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made (picot made)] 2 times, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final round; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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