Iced Tea In Many Forms

What's your favorite summer drink?  Mine is a nice, tall, unsweetened very cold iced tea.  I try to have at least one of these every day - it's my morning coffee, if you will.  My son gave me a reusable insulated cup from Starbucks that I take there every day to fill with this marvelous refreshing beverage.  Sometimes  I sit inside or on the outside patio and sketch, read, or work out new product ideas in my head.  Or watch the clouds and people.  In any case, savoring that iced tea and a little "me" time usually sets me up for a good, productive day.

Here's a treasury on Etsy I made - an ode to my favorite drink:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTMzNzkwMXwyNzIyODQzNTky/iced-tea-party?index=7

Red Fox Inspirations

Last evening, my family and I went to a favorite vantage point to see the supermoon come into view.  Getting out of the car, we noticed a rare and wondrous sight:  a mother red fox nursing her six kits!!  Enthralled, delighted and blessed was how I felt.  The kits stuck around and played while keeping a wary eye on us.  What a treat! I was able to get off a few shots with my nifty camera extended to its maximum zoom:

I'm thinking of designing something with the incredibly rich color combinations of red fox fur.  Maybe a capelet or hat...  or a set! 

Crochet Muscle Strain Remedies, Anyone?

Since February, I've been beginning to work with worsted weight cotton again in earnest.  I have to get my inventory up for the summer market and events!  And boy, do my fingers hurt.  It's not only my digits - I'm finding that my elbows and shoulders are taking a beating, too.

What to do?  I am alternating the heavier items with lace scarves and berets in lighter weight organic cotton, bamboo and acrylic blends to relieve some of the strain.  My boys give really good neck and shoulder massages, for which I am immensely grateful.  A parafin dip machine may be in my near future.  Yoga stretches help, too.

What do you do to maintain your crochet muscles and relieve overwork?  Suggestions welcome!