Friday Fantastic

So sad to see Ride the Rockies cancelled this year!

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Memories in Motion

Spokes and Blossoms by Peggy Parrot, Honorable Mention Wall Quilt

Tour of Apple Valley by Carolyn Villars

Mark's Quest by Suzanne Bishop

Our Favorite Things, Dianna Kelsey

Our Favorite Things, Dianna Kelsey

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Wordless Wednesday

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Rock Off

Those who know me know a big part of my life the last few decades was training for huge bicycle tours. Most notably was Ride the Rockies. I've been inwardly hoping (sort of against hope) we might one day be able to participate again. I did 8 rides (although one year I pedalled stationary bikes while Lizard rode because I'd been ordered by my doctor NOT to ride due to neck issues). I have longed for my 9th and 10th. It's really hard for me to end a streak on an 8!

Ride the Rockies was run by The Denver Post for more than three decades. A certain professional cyclist who will forever more remain unnamed in my writing did a number on cycling fans worldwide, and I think Ride the Rockies took a bit of a related hit in the years that followed. Some bicycle manufacturers have practically priced themselves out of existence, and survivors are taking all kinds of steps to endure after struggling through the pandemic. The pandemic killed more than just humans; so many people lost their livelihood, and many are still struggling. The current economy doesn't help. I think cyclists in general are becoming a little more wary of riding on the road because so many drivers are distracted these days. Electric bikes are THE thing. Gravel bikes are gaining real traction in popularity. And, let's face it. Tour cyclists are an aging population not being replenished by younger riders.

Last year, another of our favorite rides, Elephant Rock, retired the jersey. Although it's not an official throwing in of the towel yet, last week the new owners of Ride the Rockies, which was sold in 2021, announced low registration has forced cancellation of this year's ride.

Weeklong cycling tours became our best memories after the unforgiving Parkinson's diagnosis. Long, challenging days in the saddle were such a huge part of our life. It literally hurts to watch these rides, one by one, fade away. We never did give up hope of being able to ride at least part of one day of one ride in the future, if we could.

Thank you, Ride the Rockies, for some of the best rides of my life, for challenging me, for helping me see I can do hard things, for giving me reason to get up and pedal to the medal, even if it was windy, raining or, ugh, snowing. (A training ride or cycling tour are the ONLY times I don't love snow.) I love what Ride the Rockies made my life. I will forever be grateful for the seven week-long rides I got to spend with the love of my life. Best vacations ever, except for Tour de Lavender!

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Snowflake Monday

Welcome to Week 2 of my crochet-along! Bonus points to the crocheter who can guess from whence today's snowflake name came!

It's so funny to go back and listen to the song now because back in my teens, the song was huge. I can remember my siblings and I singing it in the backyard at the top of our lungs whenever it came on the radio. It was played at every dance when I got a bit older. Now I listen to it, and I wonder why I liked it so much!

Rock on!

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: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook; for snowflake: 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; for rock: 6- to 7-inch smooth flattish river rock

Special Stitches

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Essex Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Pc in same sc as sl st, [ch 4, sk next sc, pc in next sc] 5 times; ch 4, sk next sc, sl st in top of starting pc.

Round 3: [In next ch 4 sp work (1 sc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (ch 3 tip between dc picots made), 1 dc*, ch 2, 1 sc] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in same sp to form 12th ch 2 sp of Round.
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 4, Snowflake: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 5, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 (not a typo!), 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 4, Rock Covering: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 5, in next ch 3 tip work (1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3 (not a typo!), 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc*), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; 1 dtr in next ch 2 sp to form final ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 5: Ch 13 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 11), sl st in 6th ch from hook, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, in tip of next spoke work (1 sc, ch 5, 1 sc), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 13 to form final ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 6: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), sk next ch 5 sp, 1 sc in next ch 5 loop, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 loop, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp) 6 times, omitting last dc and last 3 ch of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form final ch 5 sp of Round.

Rounds 7-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 23 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 24th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 7 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on back or bottom side.

Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!

Snowflake Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

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 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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