The first day of my favorite month!

I am not always a fan of black and white photos and usually prefer to see vibrant colors. But this set of pictures actually looked a lot better in black and white:

Persimmons are (obviously!) best enjoyed in full color:

In the interest of this blog actually being useful and not just a collection of pictures from around our house, I present:

How to Crochet a Hat: Phase I

Step 1: Gather supplies. Yarn and a crochet hook.

The Yarn: any kind of yarn you like! The hook: any kind of crochet hook will work but if this is your first time crocheting you may want a fatter hook made of plastic or wood. Plastic or wood hooks “grip” the yarn better and are a better choice for beginners. And you only need one crochet hook (unlike knitting where you need two knitting needles).

Step 2: Make a circle with the end piece of yarn (still attached to the ball of yarn) like so:

This is not a special knot, just a “whatever” knot. Double knot it if you feel like it, it really doesn’t matter, just make sure the circle shape is going to hold (so pull it to make sure it doesn’t slip). Also, make sure the circle is large enough for you to put your crochet hook through (with a little extra breathing room). My knot (pictured) is a bit less than an inch in diameter.

That’s all for Phase I: not too hard, right?! You can do it! So go get some yarn and a crochet hook so you are ready for Phase II!

In more seasonal fun, this is the back cover of Xplor: Adventures in Nature, a free (for MO residents) magazine for kids from the Missouri Department of Conservation:

If you can’t read the description: they are Indigo Milky Mushrooms and are edible. I really want to hunt for some of these, they look so cool!

And finally, a gratuitous garden shot (seen from our road):