EveryThingEarin

2012-01-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

AT LAST - RAIN!

Warm sewing rooms are nice for napping on rainy days (and all other days too).

An email from my local sewing guild came around asking if people could sew up various types of blankets and cat beds. Cat beds. I was all over it. Leftover flannel from other projects along with a bolt of fiberfill for padding that was a gift from friend Emmy. A little of my time, and voila! 14 cat beds.

Finally. Done. I decided to make my Canadian cousin, who is having some health issues, a pair of happy house boots. The sewing together of the boots was easy but getting the bottoms to fit gave me conniptions. I kept having other projects take priority so it was a long time from starting to finishing of this particular project. I didn't like the commercial bottoms available so I bought some deer skin and sewed up my own. Lily, my sewing machine, was put to the test. I tried the leather needle and struggled. I had much better results with a wing needle but finally, a fairly small needle gave the best results. There was some issue with the thread breaking but overall, not that bad.

Gail was more than generous with giving me her foot measurements (she has the smallest feet of any of my friends and my cousin has small feet). Thank you Gail! The actual sewing of the bottoms after the fitting issue was resolved wasn't technically hard but very tiring. My fingers hurt. For those of you with eagle eyes, yes, that is some of the double faced wool that I made an overly large coat from (and unpicked and resewed for a much better fit).

Funny aside: I paid around $3.50 to mail the package to Canada. A few months ago I mailed my sister-in-law the tennis shoes she left at my house. It cost me nearly $11 and she lives down in Sacramento. Go figure.

The fingerless gloves are done and will be gifted next week. A nice quick project

Bright Star- photo courtesy of The Twist Collective (I guess I could have scanned it from my purchased pattern but this was so much easier.)

Progress is being made and I am liking it a lot. I decided to go down a needle and pattern size because I tend to knit loosely and turn out garments that are too large. Bright Star calls out to be a bit on the snug side. Classic Elite Waterlily on size 4's. I will likely use up all 8 skeins. I plan to drop the pattern line down below my bust a couple of inches and make the garment longer if I have enough yarn.

2012-01-13T16:21:00.000-08:00

ONE OF THESE DAYS...

It's going to rain. Snow will fall in the Sierras. Hubby and I will haul out our cross country skis or our snowshoes and we'll go play. One of these days. I'm sure of it.

In the meantime Hubby works very hard.

Some critters - not so much. A pool of sunlight makes a small dog very sleepy. Cats too.

I do what I can.

I keep telling myself I should take advantage of the dry weather and get lots done outside. So far not lots but some. Mostly I want to knit and sew.

Finished at last: Cameo

It's not quite the vamp top shown in the book but I like it. It's very warm yet very light. I've already worn it several times. RY Cashsoft DK. Around 6 skeins on 4's (I think). I knit and reknit the little cap sleeves trying to get short rows that didn't look like crap. Good news: I did finally and now I know A GREAT DEAL about short row-ing. Not so great news: the sleeve looked quite dumpy and baggy to boot so out them came. I wish that 1) I hadn't bothered with so much short row effort and 2) I'd made a smaller size though this is exactly my size and I got gauge spot on.

Knit and Learn. It's what it's all about. That and mellowing out the urge to kill people. (Did I type that out loud?)

I decided to whip out a pair of simple fingerless gloves via a free pattern on Ravelry. Totally easy and the yarn was free too. Lorna's Laces sock yarn from my knitting group's Christmas yarn swap. I've never worked with LL before though Valerie gifted me with some a couple of years ago and I keep meaning to use it. The yarn is nice but I haven't really felt an urge to drool over it. The gloves are larger than I hoped for. I have wide hands and fairly long fingers and they are big on me. Still, off to Gift Land they will go. I have Bright Star up next on my needles and perhaps I'll work on a UFO.

GARDEN STUFF

The days are pretty warm for this time of year (like in the SIXTIES!!!) but there is and has been a fair amount of frost. There are still flowers to be found such as this Fall blooming Tagetes lemmonii.

And some blooms up high on the climbing roses.

Perhaps Hubby and I should do a rain dance. I am considering washing my truck too. These are desperate times.

2011-12-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAY-ING

Things will be relatively quiet this Christmas at Chez Earin's. No hordes of children either grown or tiny. We have our branch and so far no furbot has been seen swinging from it's branches with an ornament between its teeth. I've come to like the branch a lot. It's easy to decorate yet still gives me that special feeling as I unwrap some of my favorite decorations and transform it from a piece of greenery to "our tree".

We wake up to frosty mornings yet the garden still has a few flowers, enough to make up one of my beloved boo-kays. So far it has been a very dry winter with no real rain in the forecast. I dream of snow. One of these days I hope.

Geraniums, blanketflower, dusty miller.

The Christmas cactus that almost died. I inherited this from my dear friend Katrina who died a couple of years ago. I put it in my unheated greenhouse for the winter and a cold snap just about did it in. Two years of nursing and I now have a healthy, flowering plant. We now have a string of Christmas lights to help raise the temperature up above freezing.

Knitting

After running into a cable mistake one night I cast on for another project. I find I get bored so like to go back and forth on things. I am liking this quite a lot. One of Wendy Bernard's patterns (Cameo) from her book, Custom Knits. I even had the yarn, RY Cashsoft DK in stash. I'll make it a little longer and not so tight which will suit me a bit better. So far the fit looks good and I think this is going to be a winner of a garment.

I will go back and fix my cable mistake. I will, I will.

Sewing

I decided to make my Canadian cousin a pair of soft boots for around the house. First off, working with shirring is a very fluffy affair. I had hoped to use an old dog coat for the leather bottoms but it turned out to be faux leather. I looked several times at what my LYS had in stock and just didn't care for them. I finally bought some deerskin on-line and having been forcing my poor sewing machine to punch leather.

Before I got to the leather option I thought I would try some felted alpaca. It actually made pretty good soles but looked very rustic. Or as I emailed The Enabler, "...it looks like I should be trekking over the alps with my hand woven reed basket and my bone knife..." The Enabler said she wasn't sure this was a bad look.

BTW - felted alpaca sheds little tiny hairs that get all over the place. Just thought you should know.

I bought so adorable fabric from my very favorite fabric store, Fabrics on Mill St. which, alas is closing. There will be a website but no long will I be able to wander in to just see what's new and to lovingly trail my hands over the bolts and dream of things I'd like to make. It is beyond sad. I am not happy about this.

Cats

One has to have at last one cat photo. Ollie and Olive sitting on the dining room table looking out at the world below.

2011-12-02T15:57:00.000-08:00

ANATOMY OF A PHOTO SHOOT

Set Up (and first sniff).

This really isn't my best angle. I keep telling you this so PAY ATTENTION! Where is Make Up!?! I need more Make Up! Would someone PLEASE get my agent on the line - NOW!!!

I can't believe I turned Vogue down for this gig.

Is it time for lunch yet? I am so bored. Where is the creativity here?

Chrysanthemums and the seed heads from my zebra grass (Miscanthus Sinensis "Zebrinus"). I am glad I picked them early because we had two days of vicious wind in California.

KNITTING ETC.

The vine lace cardi was finished and yes, it was worth redoing the front band three times. I've already worn it several times and I am very pleased.

I am doing my usual dance of "I'll knit this. Hmm, maybe not the right size or needle. Maybe I should try casting on for X? No, that isn't quite right." At the same time there is a vague sense of, "...perhaps I should finish up a UFO...."

At the moment I've switched to a pattern called "Ruth" using some sadly discontinued Adrienne Vittadini (Natasha). It's the same yarn, different colorway that I'm thinking of making the snowflake top out of. The problem with that pattern is that the largest size is just a little too small and I'd have to fuss with the snowflake pattern. It may just be me but to to purchase a pattern and then have to work out another size isn't my idea of a whole lot of fun. Yes, very much Ms. Cranky Pants.

Ruth seems like a nice pattern though I'm finding the instructions a bit convoluted. (Knitting speak for "there has been a lot more of Ruth but I frogged it because I screwed up the increases"). Very likely my aging brain though some of the independent patterns are a bit confusing. The big problem has been no yardage given. I decided to go ahead and knit the right front and see where that got me. It got me with a firm sense that I did not have enough yardage. Thankfully, I found someone willing to sell me their stash via Ravelry. Whew.

I decided that I'd like to make a cowl top so I took a regular T-shirt pattern and offset the center front. At this point I've only done a quick sew up using cheap fabric to see how it looks and fits. It looks promising. Now all I need to do is sit down and actually finish fitting it and sew the sucker up.

FALL BLOWS INTO WINTER

Our nights are cold but the days are dry and in the 60's. Dry? To the point I'm using the sprinkler system again.

The apricot tree wrapping up.

There must be some moisture because the mushrooms are marching on the house. Lots and lots of them. Be afraid, very afraid.

Rhubarb, celery, and thyme.

WARNING - OVERLY CUTE PHOTO AHEAD

I forgot to include this adorable photo of Ollie and Hubby having one of their "special moments" in my last blog entry. Cute on a stick.

2011-11-20T12:42:00.000-08:00

SNUGGLEUPAGUS

Summer is now long gone and I'm stoking the wood burning stove daily while eyeballing my skis and snowshoes hoping to use them soon. All the furbots have their favorite snuggle down places which include any linen closet left open and piling onto their humans for warmth.

It has been an exceptionally pretty Fall with Grass Valley and Nevada City displaying some lovely tree colors. The garden at Chez Earin's isn't doing too badly either.

The last of the apples were turned into sauce. Not a lot but very tasty. Mostly Spitzenbergs and Fuji's from the garden and a couple of elderly store bought apples found in the back of the veg bin.

CRAFTY

My vine leaf vest has been moving along. I have hit a roadblock though. I tend to knit loose, floppy, and all together wobbly neckbands. Not this time. After a bit of trying to decide if I could live with this as a design feature I frogged. Try and try again.

There was a new book purchase. Out of print, back in print. Snapped up. I am itching to do Fair Isle (I'm insane).

SEWING

I had about 95% of this done then went on a walkabout with other projects for about a month. It fits like a dream and my only complaint is that it's a total fur magnet and as you know 5 cats/1 dog = a whole lot of FUR.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAIL!

My first attempt at making a reversible apron for my friend Gail's birthday. She's very petite so I fitted my go to butcher pattern to her so she wouldn't have a pocket at her knees. I am rather pleased with how it turned out. I even made notes to myself for possible repeat sewing events. I feel very clever.

I had company while I sewed and snapped photos.

EXERCISE

I am giving the barefoot/minimal shoe craze a try out. Trying to get more exercise and all that important and good stuff. I used to run. Really. I did. A lot. Lately I've been having trouble with my feet so I started looking for options. So far? I rather like them though they are a bit on the cold side. They look very odd but are amazingly comfortable. So far I'm mostly running back and forth across the softball fields at the local part with Omar (illegal but what the heck, cover me with pepper spray and haul me off - we're having a great time).

2011-11-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

FROSTY NIGHTS

Tonight should bring the first frost of the season. It's a little early but nowadays it seems like anything to do with the weather is odd.

The every way wrap is done and has already been put into use. It's cold in the morning!

I am very pleased with the final result. I'm not sure I'll really use the button part but who knows. The Malabrigo worsted is a lovely yarn, light and firm. I had expected it to pill but it hasn't so far. The wrap has developed a sheen of fibers, hopefully not enough to make the cables fuzzy. I like the cables a lot. Coupled with the seed stitch it's texturally very lovely. I ended up with a little over a skein leftover. When I can stand to work with green yarn again I hope to make a hat.

NEXT UP

I really did mean to pick up the next UFO in my basket. I even made a list of various sweaters and vests patterns that I would love to make but I found that I desperately wanted to cast on a second vine leaf vest. I love the first one so much but it's pink which, well, doesn't really go with everything. I'm using Madelinetosh DK in "Graphite". So far, total love.

I haven't been sewing much because I've been busy in the garden but I feel the lure of my fabric and patterns. I fell in love with this lovely pattern for simple boots. I think my feets will be warm this winter.

TRIPPING

I headed down to the San Francisco area for some culture and girlfriend time with Kate. Earlier in the summer I had made some sugar skulls for the Day of the Dead. We cut open some garbage bags for protection, mixed up some Royal Frosting, and turned ourselves into second graders again. Messy! Colorful! Total Fun! I am sure we will do this again next year. And you know, it's a lot harder to do the decorations than you think.

It was actually hot in San Francisco. A nice view from the front lawn of the Legion of Honor.

THE GARDEN

There has been a lot of digging at Chez Earin's. Around here that means a pick axe, a pry bar, a great deal of muscle, and a good collection of swear words. It's dig this up and move it over there. Repeat. Be happy! Flourish why don't you? I am tired. I am ready for indoor things.

A new addition, a purple coneflower (Rudbeckia purpurea). Wish it luck.

Alice (a hydrangea) is wearing her fall colors. Alice is a trooper and has never failed me.

There are only a few flowers still blooming in the garden - a few roses and marigolds, some geraniums and penstemons. What are really in their prime are the chrysanthemums.

CATS

With the dropping temperatures the cats are floofing out. Tails are getting thick and magnificent. Olive is hard pressed to find anything smaller than her to torture but lately she's taken to bringing in preying mantis. With the colder days and nights they have slowed down and soon will die. For now though, I'm sure they wish Olive would just leave them alone.

2011-10-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

FALL TOUR - 2011

Almost every year we load up the small dog, pack some snacks and cold drinks, and do a big loop over the mountain from Grass Valley through Truckee, Sierraville, Sierra City and other small towns. The scenery is gorgeous with the trees in their fall colors, and the lakes and rivers glowing in the sunlight. This year was no exception.

As we drove into Sierraville we came across this piece of whimsy. Someone quite creative and talented with working with metal.

One husband for scale purposes.

Gold Lake

One small dog.

KNITTING

I have one buttonhole and 1.5 inches left before the every way wrap is done. Hopefully by tonight. It's around 59" long and who knows how wide. It is soft and very warm and I love it very much. I had thought I would be pushed to have enough yarn but ended up with 1.5 skeins leftover. Perhaps a hat or scarf.

I signed up for a Noni bag class but backed out. I bought some DK weight Madelinetosh with my store credit to make another version of the vine leaf cardi. I love the first one I knit in a pink Handmaiden but I'd like something more basic to go with more of what we can laughingly call "my wardrobe". ~giggle~

I continue to either frog or finish my UFO's. Next up: the uneven cable vest. Only a few inches of the front remain to be knit and then the sewing together, the collar and the edges of the armholes. Do-able, right? By this year? I think so.

THE GARDEN

After one day of heavy rain and a couple more of grey and overcast we have flipped into our Indian Summer and let me tell you, California does Indian Summers like no place else. Our days run into the mid to high 70's and even low 80's with the nights dropping down into the high 50's and low 60's. Everything is bathed in a lovely golden glow. Without much warning we'll wake up to some serious fall weather but for now it's heaven - shorts and t-shirts and oh yes, flip flops.

The fine weather is also perfect for a major overhaul of the flower garden so I'm doing a lot of digging and moving around. Hopefully, the new arrangement and new plants will grow to resemble something like the image I have inside my brain. Or not.

Heirloom dessert apples (Spitzenburg - small but yummy).

2011-09-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

IT'S A WRAP

The every way wrap to be precise, or specific, your choice. It grows though there have been periods where it seemed like I was going backwards in time. After finding a cable row that twisted to the left when it should have twisted to the right I had the joy of frogging five inches.

Still, it's all knitting and that is always good. I am sure I will use this wrap a great deal this winter. It will be perfect for sitting on the couch in front of the wood burning stove.

The lovely density of the knitting makes it a popular item to repose upon.

GARDEN STUFF

We continue to have some decent heat during the days (today being the exception - we not only dropped down from the 90's into the 70's, it rained). The heat will continue and perhaps there will be a few more tomatoes. Things are wrapping up though. I have picked the last of my heirloom cantaloupes and will be sorry when the last one has been consumed. A definite Must.Grow.Again.Next.Year item. They have been so very good.

I tried a new type of hard shell squash from Australia. I've not yet tried eating one and may actually just use them for Halloween carving. I don't think I will try them again though. You get one, perhaps two per vine and the literature says they are rather "dry". There a plenty other types with better taste and higher yield. Still, fun to try something new.

We had a cat bomb go off the other night.

Just to the left is an open door with a bit of a breeze. A pleasant place to hang out in the evening when you have a fur coat.

Otherwise, a basket in the shade isn't too bad either.

2011-09-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

TIE ONE ON

I have been on an apron making kick. I will soon be meeting up with girlfriends for our annual get together and I thought, "...what a perfect gift!" Last year I knitted them scarves. I don't remember what happened the year before but I am sure it was fun.

I have made progress on my wall hanging. Frankly my dear, I suck at free motion quilting and it just isn't enough fun to spend the time and effort to get better. Some people love it. Me? Eh! I will persevere and finish it up and maybe I'll hang it on a wall.

KNITTING

I continue to stay true to my UFO's despite having found (and purchased) some reallyreallyreally lovely patterns recently. My every way wrap continues to grow though I do need to either frog or attempt to correct two small mistakes a couple of inches back.

Last night I tried on the silky cardi that I had decided just wasn't going to work out. Tight under the arms and shapeless. A critical viewing showed that yeah, the underarms were a bit snug but not as bad as I had thought and if I frogged the neckband and reknit with fewer stitches (tightening it up) it would actually be a pretty cute cardi. Hmmm. Perhaps my knitting mojo is coming back.

A couple of blog posts back I mentioned that I had been working on a stealth gift for my dear hubby. All is revealed! I finally cut the mats and framed two posters that we had purchased while doing the dam tour at Lake Powell. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that it has taken me more than *several* years to finally break out my mat cutter and get it done. But! It is done, they are hung in our living room and they are pleasing.

The garden continues with enough tomatoes for sauce, lots of winter squash for baking and freezing, and today the making of pesto (yum!). Have a safe holiday weekend.

2011-08-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS

Life at Chez Earin's continues apace - a little sewing, a bit of knitting, some weed pulling, the picking of produce. It's been a dismal season for tomatoes but a banner one for melons and squash, both summer and the hard shelled winter variety. Hubby is often entreated to take a sackful of cantaloupes to friends and I've managed to foist more than one onto girlfriends. They are extremely tasty but my fridge is stuffed and frankly, I am tired of eating them. Next year: fewer melon plants.

The shift of the seasons is now very apparent and fall does not seem all that far away. The garden, with the exception of the weeds, is slowing down. Soon I will line up my tools and start rearranging a few of my plants that don't seem quite as happy as they should be where they are.

One thing that was moved two years ago was this clematis. It has finally settled down and started producing beautiful flowers. Typically, by the third season clematis have hit their stride and start taking off. I have high hopes for next year.

(No, we never seem to take our Christmas lights down.)

SEWING

I made another J Stern knit top. It's a good fit and I like it a lot but the neck binding is too loose so I will unpick it and do it tighter.

While off in Cactusland The Enabler and I took a Patrick Lose class and we both picked up this table runner pattern. I plan to use it as a wall hanging in our newly painted, extremely cheerful (and colorful) bedroom. Cutting out the bits and pieces reminded me greatly of being a child using great big, but very dull scissors. I was yet again reminded that my aging brain does not deal with reversed images all that well. The good news is that as a Designated Adult I can run up and down my hallway with my very sharp scissors if I am ever so inclined.

I picked up this Simplicity pattern at the sew-in's RuMAge sale because I liked the little jacket. I did a prototype in fabric I wasn't crazy about to check the fit. Next I cut it out of better fabric and decided to line it. I have no experience in lining things so it qualifies as "a learning experience". So far I'm on the lesson plan that starts "Totally confused...."

My every way wrap continues. It is not quite mindless knitting but I can do it while watching TV. I know that I am going to like it a lot and it will certainly help keep the winter's chill off. It also seems to be quite the fur magnet and around here, well, there's a bit of fur. More to keep me warm?

JUST 'CAUSE IT'S PRETTY

I wish I had planted more sunflowers this year. They are so pretty and the birds have a great time eating the seeds. It's a pleasure to watch them from the front window.

BOO KAYS (continued)

THE DOG

Omar loves his sunshine. I love Omar.

2011-08-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

THE KNITTING

There has been a small amount of success. I finally picked up the Every Way Wrap again and now feel very comfortable working from the chart. It progresses and I think it will be a very nice thing to have when the weather turns cold.

Malabrigo on size 5's. Being a single ply the cables are not popping as much as I like but it's a nice yarn and will keep me warm.

Continuing to work on my UFO's I picked Pimpelliese back up. The photo doesn't do justice to the deep purple of the Tosh sock. I have had nothing but problems with this pattern and it has all been me - the pattern is fine. I just can't read. After doing the entire increase section I realized I must have done something wrong because it was short and steep. Now I can't get the decreases to match. To make life even MORE interesting I found a big hole back near where I started my decreases. Thinking it was a dropped stitch I dug out a small crochet hook but found that the yarn had broken in three places. No sign of cat attacks or Alien Intervention so who knows. I frogged then reknit only to remember (it had been about a year since I had last worked on it and I have problems remembering what I did today) about the decrease/increase situation. For now it goes back into its bag. We need to take a time out again.

A much happier situation: my winnings from Eat.Sleep.Knit. So luscious. I wish I had 15 of them. The damage I could do.

THE SEWING

Um, kind of the same as the knitting. Win some, scratch your head with others.

I made another pair of summer pj's and I am very pleased. That is, I looked at the print before I laid out the pattern pieces and said to myself, "Remember! It's a directional print!" And then I completely forgot about it. I had enough fabric to do cut singles but not on a fold so my pj top has a seam down the front. Livable. I am just tickled with the prints. I feel like I'm 10 years old again. Cute little animals!

I have been fussing with adjusting a princess seam on a dress because there is a bit of a gap at the armhole and it is just not working out so that too is taking a Time Out.

Awwww

Isn't she cute? Then again notice the little pieces of torn paper. Paper from patterns!

ODDS AND ENDS

I am making sugar skulls for the Day of the Dead. Kate and I plan to have a decorating party in the fall. It should be a messy but fun time. I've had the mold for years so am thrilled to be finally justifying it taking up space in a kitchen cupboard. It's an overall easy process but the amount of water you put in the sugar and meringue is critical.

OUT AND ABOUT

Hubby and offspring have been off riding with friends for the last week. It's been very quiet at Chez Earin's. It's been wonderful! That said, I am eager to have him back. Looking at this photograph and I have to wonder at the difference in their attire.

I have a surprise for him which I'll blog about next time.

THE GARDEN

I discovered this morning that a gopher has started to wreck havoc in the garden so I must go set traps and destroy it. Five cats lounging round the place and I'm setting traps. I must be feeding them too much.

The garden still isn't producing a lot in the way of tomatoes but enough to enjoy most days. I am getting a lot of squash and green beans.

I eat some steamed and I make dilled, spicy beans with the rest. And give lots away too.

I continue to experiment with making gherkin pickles. So far: nice but not fantastic. The quest continues.

I've had about 5 heirloom cantaloupes and they were amazing. I am waiting for more to ripen.

Since our citrus plants were finally producing we decided to dig them up and put them in pots. (Really. Okay, it was to have them in a area we could protect from snow and frost.) After a rocky start and one death they have settled down.

It's a nice place to hang out and look beautiful.

2011-07-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

TOP HEAVY

This post is a bit top heavy with photos. Digital, so easy to just snap off a few hundred at a time.

I started out the year telling myself, no more yarn! and I have been pretty darn good about it all. Then I got cranky and said, "Finish your UFO's!" so naturally, I started sewing up a storm. The bad news is that I haven't been knitting much but the good news is that I'm getting around to making a lot of things I'd thought about for years.

Like a new apron. My old one was beyond description. It was pretty bad. I went to take a photo but then I though, "..do I really want to show the web what a yucky apron I've been wearing for YEARS?" Answer: No.

This one was made from a hand drawn pattern (on butcher paper no less stored in a manila envelope with a hand drawn illustration) that I picked up at the Sew-in"s RuMAge sale. Not bad at all. I altered it just a bit since I did not need adjustable apron ties. Easy peasy. I would like to make a few more.

One of my knitting friends is expecting her first grandchild, a boy so I just had to make some bath blankets. The last photo shows it mostly unfolded. You wash your child, put the little hood over their head and wrap them up. Dry. When they get older they run around and pretend they're Superman. It's a win-win situation.

Then I wanted another J Stern top. You can crank out one of these puppies in a few hours. I had a few things I wanted changed from my first try such as taking in the top of the front and back just a smidge. I folded a little dart in my pattern pieces and that took care of the gap that bugged me. Since it didn't affect the rest of the garment there were no other adjustments needed.

While I sew I get to gaze out and enjoy the view. I really do have an amazing sewing room with glass on three sides. Olive, the little homebody of the household has her special spot right in front. She has some flat rocks to enjoy the dappled sun and lots of unsuspecting critters rooting around in the ground cover to stalk and torture. She is a cat after all. They don't take prisoners.

KITCHEN AID

I am experimenting with making gherkin pickles. I have a vintage book that is really wonderful. The main challenge is reducing the pecks and bushels down to what I'm working with, a couple of pounds of cucumbers at a time (heirloom French).

BOO KAYS (AGAIN)

Whatever the birds leave me after they've worked over the sunflower heads I harvest and start up the next year.

The white gladiola just doesn't want to hang out with his buddies.

The Russian Sage has finally come into bloom.

A volunteer cosmos nestled down in the artemisia ('Sea Foam', if I remember correctly). I think the cosmos is called 'Bright Lights". I grew them years ago and they come up every year. Sometimes I transplant them but generally I just let them grow (usually in the middle of a path) where they germinate.

One of my stranger hydrangeas.

A heirloom hard shelled squash.

A trailing geranium.

2011-07-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

BOO KAYS

Tis the season to have lots of little pots of flowers around the house.

THE FIRST TOMATO

(at last)

First out of the gate: one delish little Sungold.

2011-07-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

LEARNING TO LOVE KNITS

(THE SEWN KIND THAT IS)

Recently I have been on a sewing jag. I love knitting, and I love my garden but heck, I feel like sewing. With a little gentle nudging from The Enabler I am again trying knit fabric.

First off knit fabric, like knitting garments, is different each and every time. You need to come to terms with just what the properties are of the fabric you're working with and adapt. More or less stretch. Stretch one way? Both ways? Drape? Once you get the details worked out knit fabric is wonderful to work with.

At the sew-in The Enabler made up a very cool t-shirt that I deeply wanted to try for myself. So, off to the ether to order the pattern; it's an independent line (J. Stern Designs) so the local store did not carry it. It came flying into my mailbox then it was a matter of finding stash that would work for fitting purposes. As is my want I had various problems but they were resolved with relative ease. Now I need to find some super special fabric to make it up in again.

WE CONTINUE TO REMODEL

(It may never actually end)

I covered a piece of foam board with fabric to make the a/c window a little less utilitarian.

YARN

I recently became a little older and I had promised myself that I'd treat myself to some yarn. I've been A.Very.Good.Girl and staying on my yarn diet. I came across a pattern that I really liked, Soay, (a Ravelry link), that I might do a KAL with a girlfriend. I mean, sooner or later I'll turn back into a knitting demon. It's just going to happen.

Then again, I also treated myself to three new sewing feet for my machine, Lily. A pin tuck foot, a blind zipper foot, and a free motion quilting foot. I expect to get a lot of use right away from the last one. I have a Patrick Lose design I want to make up as a wall hanging along with three baby bath blankets, a placemat for Omar to eat off of, and a larger placemat for the cat food area. I'm on a roll here folks! I may need to get less sleep.

Sports weight, superwash merino from Madelinetosh, colorway, "Byzantine"

I bought it from Eat.Sleep.Knit and what a fun place to shop. You get little gifts (1st mile of the Yarn Marathon is now complete!), and I won a skein of Squooshy with the included lotto card. It just makes you feel special.

IN THE MEANTIME

The Garden!

There are vegetables galore growing and ripening. I already have a bag of zukes looking for homes. Email me, I'll send you some - they're organic!

The just for the joy of it part is doing very nicely too.

Hanging begonias.

Rudbeckia

Another type of rudbeckia. Love the green centers.

The pond area. Sadly, Mr. Frog has moved on. I suspect he went looking for love. That or the heron who comes around now and again ate him. I'll go with the first part, he was a very careful bullfrog. I miss him and his big croak.

The daylilies are out in force.

A Western bluebird is feeling broody. Good luck. Watch out for Opal.

SPEAKING OF....

She is just worn out watching me sew.

2011-07-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

HOLY MOLEY!!!!

IT'S TIME FOR THE SEW-IN!!!

Yes, it was time to flap my arms and fly over to Cactusland to meet up with The Enabler and sew our little hearts out for four days with 80 other like minded individuals. This year we had one extra day because we took a very cool class on how to make banners and mini quilts. Think gorgeous, bright wall hangings. I have plans to make up at least one for the newly minted bedroom.

I learned quite a lot and now have several new tops and one princess seamed dress added to my wardrobe.

I brought my two little dresses to add to the other 98+ that the overachieving Ladies Who Sew made up for the One Dress charity. It was stunning to see the collection grow with each and every one a delight of style and color.

The Enabler and Prince Charming had a new addition to their household. Meet Phred. A little furball of lip chewing, ear tip biting, snuggle down and purr for all he's worth tiny bundle of charm. I am a big lover of kittens, and I've seen quite a few, yet I have to say, Phred is something Very.Special. He started out hitting the ground hard being born feral and left behind when his mother moved her litter. He was bottle fed (and folks that means someone stayed with him or took him with them constantly because he had to eat every few hours) until big enough to go home with what is probably the best household for cats in Cactusland. I was glad to meet your Phred!

After the dryness of Cactusland northern CA seemed very lush. Things had grown visibly in the six days I was gone.

There are enough flowers to make up bouquets at will. The vegetable side of the garden has started gaining momentum. There are lots of tomatoes setting, and flowers on the beans. It seems a very long time since I ate a fresh tomato out of my garden. Soon, very soon.

You were with OTHER cats?

2011-06-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

INSIDE AND OUT

The great remodel continues and sometimes a small cat just needs a safe place to hang out while all the carrying of ladders and swishing of paint rollers goes on. (I had removed a kitchen drawer to clean and organize and cats always recognize an opportunity.)

We are liking our color choices very much. The new window shades (pale lavender of the cell type) are being installed next Tuesday. I will only get a quick look at them because I'm heading off to Cactusland for my annual sew-in event with The Enabler. We.Will.Be.Sewing. A.Lot. I have been testing muslins, cutting out patterns, driving my serger to drink, well, to the point it had to be taken in for servicing twice, and generally, making a huge mess in my sewing room. I am almost ready, just need a few more things.

Before and After.

We have also been making a huge push to get the garden up and running, both vegetables and flowers, and as usually, only managed a fraction of what needs to be done. It was a very late start because until about a week ago it was cold and raining.

The weeding down in what we call "the old garden" nearly did us in. Finally though, the heirloom melons, the squash, and tomatoes along with a second round of beans (the first are still trying to recover from being put out a little too early and the English cucumbers just upped and died from the cold). In a few weeks you won't even see the dirt inside the box for all the greenery. I can't wait.

A few potatoes were discovered while we turned the soil and added load after load of compost. (We were so very tired we could hardly make it up the front stairs by the end of the day.)

To fill up my already overfilled time I've been sewing a few things.

New potholders for the kitchen, a couple of simple tops (no photos).

My knitting continues to be all over the place. I started Different Lines and am liking it a lot. At some point in time I will have a chance to sit down and figure out where I am on a few of my UFO's and go Forth and Finish them.

My version of a Norah Gaughn top has been not really working for me. It was too short so I picked up the bottom and made it longer. The raglan sleeve is far too snug and heck, overall the garment is less than flattering. I'm not quite sure where to go from here. The Cotlin has been a delight to work with but otherwise, eh!

The Tie Me Down Peaches and Cream used to keep the foam board from flying out of the back of my pickup truck is turning into a washcloth/dishrag.

THE GARDEN

The very last of the peonies. It's always so sad to see the wrap up for the year. With the long cool weather throughout spring they were magnificent.

Alice, my lovely hydrangea, is starting to show her full beauty.

Last year I had some extra flowers grown from seed so I put them here and there just hoping they'd survive. They did, and prospered. Rudbeckia. Such a happy flower.

Neither freezing winter or fence jumping deer can keep a good geranium down. Thank goodness.

Various amaryllis have rebloomed. They are just over the top lush.

The pots on the front step are up and running.

Now it's time to wait for the tomatoes to produce actual tomatoes, the beans to climb high and make lots of beans and well, just have everything make real honest to goodness food we can eat.

2011-06-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE HERE

The dog is over there.

More than one friend has told me that the photos of the carpetless house left them disoriented. Which room....? So, here is one of the living room right after the carpet people left. We are seriously in love with this carpet. It now has the couch back in place (and it was amazingly hard to get it aligned just right) along with most of the other pieces. Notice that the knitting bags (just a small selection and not even covering all the baskets) stayed close at hand. I like to know where my knitting is at all times.

THE WEATHER

Three weeks from the start of summer and it's still cold and raining. Wood is being burned for heat. There was a few days here and there that were spring-like but overall, it's been wet and cold. Will it rain through summer? Stay tuned. It does make for a lush garden and a snuggled down dog.

SPEAKING OF...

Foxgloves grown from seed by the wonderful, but blogless Mia. Thank you Mia!

I don't remember. So sue me. I'll look at the tag tomorrow...if I can find it.

ALWAYS BRING YOUR KNITTING

While heading out of the house this morning I decided against bringing my knitting. Naturally, I needed it later in the day. Not really to knit but for the string part. I purchased an over sized piece of foam board that would not fit into the cab of my pickup truck so it had to go in the bed. The bed, where it would blow out becoming litter. Back into the store to buy a skein of Peaches and Cream cotton yarn. (Thinking, well, I can always use it to make a dishcloth. P and C is use useful.)

SEWING (and knitting)

I have been making little girl dresses for the Phoenix Sew-in's charity. I think they are just so darn cute. I have been knitting but have no photos to show. Soon. It's purple, really purple. Like a lot of our newly repainted bedroom.

2011-05-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

CARPETS AHOY!

Today is the Day! The carpet people are transforming our humble abode into something fresh, well padded, and livable. When we bought this house ten years ago the carpets looked pretty sad. Imagine what has happened to them with lots of foot traffic, garden dirt, along with various furbots tromping back and forth, shedding, shredding, barfing, and the dismembering of small, unfortunate furry creatures they prey upon. The word "gross" kind of sums it up.

Who knew there were so many staples in the world? Despite scraping, sweeping, vacuuming, and picking them out of our shoes I still saw one in this photo.

I love this photo because it shows me that at some point while the floorboards were being laid in this rather old house children came to visit and amused themselves by sticking old Peanuts decals down. A bit of history, right here.

We are SO glad it stopped raining.

The new paint in the bedroom looks so very nice.

We decided to rip out the old carpets ourselves because we needed time to work on the floorboards and paint the trim. Last night after we finally fell into bed we sounded very old as we groaned and moaned every time we turned over in bed. Actually, we're on a mattress on the floor in my studio since the bed frame had to be dismantled and needs to be sanded and painted. The carpets may be done today (we're hoping/it was promised) but the real work is far from done.

Needless to say all the furbots are confused as can be. The food dish keeps moving. Their favorite snuggle spots have disappeared and strange men are moving around thumping like crazy.

BUT

We have new carpets!

2011-05-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

PRIME LOCATION

The waterlilies are now in full force with the first flowers in bloom. Mr. Frog spends his day sitting and looking out at his kingdom. This spider has found an ideal spot for building her nest. Eat all the bugs you can - we appreciate it. It's a very buggy time of year. Keep your mouth closed.

Part of the bedroom remodeling was making a new summer coverlet. I found two pieces at Fabrics on Mill St. for half off and pieced them together.

I made my own bias tape for the binding and used some of my very expensive, high tech tools to round the edges. (A dinner plate and very pretty rotary cutter - a gift from The Enabler.)

THE GARDEN

Things in the garden are starting to grow very fast now that the weather is warmer. Spring has arrived dazzling our eyes with her beauty while rushing past to meet up with Summer. I am not ready for the heat yet.

I love this time of year. So green and lush. Both of us are out most mornings working hard to get things ready before the heat of summer kicks in. The greenhouse is full of seedlings and cuttings that I've rooted. The more tender potted plants have been hauled out, cleaned up, fertilized and watered. We be fecund.

The hostas are unfurling. I've been moving a lot of them around looking for places they like more. This one is Very.Happy.

The iris are starting to open up.

Including the native yellow ones.

I've never really captured the beauty of the ceanothus in full bloom. It positively glows with a gorgeous blue/purple color.

This patch of calendula reseeds each year with absolutely no help from anyone.

Opal. Somewhat fuzzy. With the bedroom work the cat food stand has been moved around a bit much to the consternation of all the cats. Plaintive cries, grumpy looks, little huffy balls of fur in search of their dinner. Just who is in charge here?

OTHER THINGS

I am slowly getting my knitting back on track and am also wrangling with attempting to sew some knitted tops. I may be trying to do too much.

Naw.

2011-04-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

THE HIP BONE IS CONNECTED TO THE KNEE BONE

One of the given about doing a major project such as remodeling the bedroom is that It.Grows.

It grows wayyyyy out of proportion to what you originally envisioned. Repainting leads to sanding and painting the wardrobe, same needs to happpen to the bed frame. All that ratty wallpaper must be peeled off. Be sure to wear a dust mask. I didn't (cough, cough).

You know, those blinds are pathetic, let's get new ones. Then the assessment of the state of the carpet. We've known for a Very Long Time that the carpets were in dire need of being replaced. Staring at them in all their uncovered, dingy, cat barf stained glory we knew it was time. Beyond time actually.

There there are the various little things that are going to be built, the cat ladder to be redone and you know, I'm tired and Hubby is exhausted. I keep muttering to myself that it is going to look so good when we are done or we are both going to end up insane and drooling locked away somewhere.

Thankfully, spring has finally arrived in all it's glory. It's been something like two whole days without rain!

The tree peony that I put in two summers ago produced 5 lovely flowers each as large as a cereal bowl.

The redbud burst into flower.

Same with the cascading roses.

There are flowers for bouquets. Lilac, wisteria, a small spray of redbud, and one clematis bloom.

Mr. Frog woke up and started looking for love. He's got quite the croak. No sign of Mr. Turtle. He might have moved on or died.

There has been all sorts of knitting and I've messed up most of it. I am slowly frogging, tinking, unpicking, and rethinking.

Lots of wine was bottled up at long last. Since there will be no stone fruit this year (no plums, peaches or pluots) it's a good thing there will plenty of wine for gifts and drinking on soft summer evenings. I have hopes for some cherries, pears, and apples still.

Everything has grown a great deal from all the rain so Hubby will get to do a lot of mowing. I have weeds to pull, dead foliage to cut back and raised beds to prepare. The greenhouse if full of lovely seedlings - melons, tomatoes and the like. We are looking forward to summer but let's have a decent spring first.

2011-04-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

...AND THIS BOX IS JUST RIGHT Miss Smarty Pants, aka, one of The Squeakers, otherwise known as OPAL, has long been mistress of how to open sliding screen doors. You hear a little "paw, paw, slide" and in she pops. The other day I walked into my sewing room knowing she had to be in there somewhere (that 4" gap is a dead giveaway) and found her curled up in my pattern collection. She snoozed there for hours and thankfully, did not appear to have shredded anything. Her sister, Olive was quick to follow. Not able to open sliding screens she is nonetheless crafty enough to follow behind and take advantage. Olive gets by on her looks, which are considerable, but brainy she is not. It was under the cutting table for her and into the tubs of fabric. How soft! How heavenly! And the colors suit me so well. Then again. I can wear anything!

I continue to sew. I liked the first top so much I made another and still had to arm wrestle the neckband into submission. It's very humbling.

I came down with some fast moving bug that fried my brain for a couple of days but thankfully didn't stay long enough to do permanent damage. Still, I found myself spending an hour plus trying to straighten out a relatively easy problem on the uneven cable vest. Thankfully, the new Knitty came on-line and I fell head over heels with Adeline. Like a flash I dropped all my current projects and cast on. I had some lovely, but alas, discontinued Debbie Bliss Cathay in a silvery blue green and hey! just enough to make the pattern up in an XS, which seems like a small step up from knitting doll clothes

This will be for my niece who spending a year in Japan teaching English and learning how the Japanese do earthquakes. Thankfully she's far away from the horror and doing fine. I'm sure she rolls her eyes and wishes her elderly aunt would stop foisting yucky homemade clothes on her but then again, who knows (and she's always polite) and besides, it's what I want to do. I suspect I will knit this pattern again for myself. It's lovely and just the right thing to layer over a simple top.

CHAOS

After 10 years of living here we have finally decided to remodel our bedroom. As will all such projects it has sprawled far beyond its original scope. The house is torn up, things out out place so I have a constant source of new bruises as I crash into chairs that aren't where they usually are. The cats wander around wondering just where their food bowl is today. Well, it does keep them on their toes and gives them a little exercise.

Still, it's going to be so lovely when it's all done. Check back in the fall for an update on our progress.

I even got to look up into the attic space and once was enough. Yes, I kicked the ladder going by and bruised my little toe.

2011-04-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

DOES ANYONE ELSE SMELL A RAT IN HERE? Too cute not to photograph. FYI, it's a cookie jar. WINTER WINDS DOWN

We went skiing one last time. After thinking the snow was done Mother Nature dumped a huge amount across the Sierra Nevada mountains so we went out again and had a wonderful time. It's melting fast though. I read that Lake Powell is still dangerously low and serious water restrictions may have to be in effect in places like Los Angeles. Up here in the north we have lots...so far.

IN WHICH MY BRAIN IS YET AGAIN TAXED

This getting old is not for the faint of heart. This nice little EASY pattern taxed my brain. I did a muslin and it sort of worked. Feeling feisty I decided to make it up in a nicer fabric. I realized that I hadn't done the sleeves quite as called for the first time but what really caused me problems was the neckband. I tried this, I tried that. After all, how many ways can a neckband go on? (Answer: more ways than you think.) I was finally reduced to Reading.The.Instructions. That, along with some wardrobe diving to try and locate something sewing in a similar manner I had my long awaited AH! HA! moment. So simple, so EASY. It always is when you know what you're doing.

Despite all the convolutions I plan to make this again and soon. Before I forget what I did.

SERIOUS SIGNS OF SPRING

After weeks of rain and cold it popped into warm and dry. As in daytime temperatures 20 degrees above normal. We should cool down over the coming week and there are possible showers but the rain is pretty much over. It seems a bit odd not to hear it pounding down on the roof 24/7 but I can cope.

ON THE KNITTING FRONT

It seems that most of my knitting projects are in a tangle. I found that the uneven cable vest was not long enough in the front part. I found this out when I went to pick up the collar stitches. Easy to fix/frog/redo but annoying.

After doing all my pattern repeats (5 repeats, 16 rows per repeat) on The Skin of the Sea I was reading the pattern and discovered a long lost errata printout. Well, $#**!!$!! A quick email to the designer who assured me the errata was the Latest and Greatest (3 repeats). I have yet found the strength to frog or tink back. Tinking would be better but tedious.

Then the new Twist Collective came out and now all I want to do is knit lovely little summer things. Must.Remain.Strong.

Chant after me. UFO! UFO! UFO!

MUST FINISH UFOS!

Dang.

2011-03-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS

IT'S THE RED COAT COMPLETION!

Okay, so it took a bit longer than I had anticipated and there are still a couple of things I'd like to change but the Amazing, Long Running, Will it EVeR Be Done, Red Coat Project is now pretty much wrapped up.

BEFORE

AFTER

The arrows are to point out some serious flaws in our master bedroom which are about to be rectified. It took close to a year to finally agree on two colors (and I admit to being a little iffy about one of them) but we are going to remodel. Finally, using some of the skills I acquired from a UC Berkeley extension course on Project Manglement I made up a flow sheet listing what needed to be done and in what order, supplies and all the whatnot's. By this time next year we should have the ceiling painted! Hopefully, we'll still be married and/or sleeping in the same room together.

Seriously, it's going to be beautiful though I am less than thrilled at the prospect of scraping off wallpaper though the cats helped with the bottom section.

ON TOP

Still to do on the coat: I'd like to make covers for the shoulder pads so they work better and find a better way to close the front. The hood, well, I am not likely to have it up so I think it's just going to stay funky.

Somewhat surprisingly I came out of this project eager to sew up another coat. Now that is amazing!

2011-03-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

TO CACTUS LAND!

I went to Cactus Land last weekend to help The Enabler celebrate her birthday. It's an annual ritual and one that I cherish - I mean, only your very bestest friend would endure airport security to come and drink champagne with you. There was also the eating of gelato birthday cake - I mean, it was a rough time but I was there for her 24/7. Another glass of bubbly? How could I say no?

Many wonderful things happened. There was only one "not so wonderful" which was learning that my drivers licence had expired. Interestingly, it was a skycap who pointed this out. Not security either going or coming or the second skycap. That said, it was an uneventful and easy set of flights. We like the less than two hours stuck in a small seat with crying children with nothing but appx. 12 stale peanuts and about 3 oz. of club soda.

Oh, and yeah, I spent 1 hour and 40 minutes at the DMV yesterday. Now I'm nice and legal again. Saying that it sucked pretty much sums it up.

ACTUAL SPINY THINGS

There were lots of cactus. I really only saw the domesticated variety not being interested in wandering around the desert. Too far away from the birthday cake.

There was the opening of presents.

The modeling of the Arrowhead shell. Stealth knitting right out in the open. She had no idea. Overall, a pretty good fit though the lace portion was a bit lower than any demure person would want to wear without some sort of shirt underneath.

WE TAKE A CLASS TOGETHER

The Enabler asked me if I'd be interested in taking a pants fitting class. Sure! I said. We both thought it would be a "bring a pattern and we'll fit it to you" type of class. Nope! Some New and Different. Keep those brains supple and active! We took each others measurements (only a dear friend of many years would do this) and measured out lines and connecting various dots or making curves while adding, dividing (our cell phone calculators got a workout) our measurements onto a piece of Swedish tracing paper laid over a grid. Then it was laid over cheap fabric and cut out. The whole shebang was basted together on the sewing machine and then the final fit was tweaked. It.Was.Amazing. Each and every one of us ended up with a pattern that fit us to perfection. Our instructor was easy going yet rigorous. No one was going to fall behind. Move it ladies! Heck, there was even a rather decent lunch included.

There were cats.

Max. A very high spirited ball of energy.

Puck, his brother. Not quite the hell raiser but still a ball of energy. Somehow I did not get a photo of Claire.

There was a museum visit where we saw an incredible show of designer clothes from the collection of the late Ann Bonfoey Taylor. Incredible fashion sense and taste. Lots of money. Just a wonderful collection.

KNITTING

The current shell is, well, just a bit on the large side. I haven't the heart to frog it. I think with a few tucks it will be something I'd wear around the house. When I bought the Rowen CA Cotton I was told that some of it was "sun dyed" which is evident about halfway down the garment. It will be interesting to see if it washes out. The label says the color will become "more vibrant" after washing. Hmmmm.

I'm now on the back of the uneven cable vest and am liking it a lot. Scattered around the house are various UFO's and I've also been churning out cotton dishcloths. When my brain is fried yet I still want to knit they're perfect.

SNOW STUFF

While I was away in Cactus Land (it rather chilly actually and rained one night) there was a good sized storm that dropped a lot of snow over the Grass Valley area. I missed the whole thing. Before I left though the Hubby and I strapped on our snowshoes and went out and played in the snow.

Upcoming in another entry.

The Red Coat is Done!

A pair of pants that fit (but with rather small pockets)!

2011-02-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

SPRING!

Okay, not quite but there are definite signs. After a lovely period of balmy weather we dropped into rainy and cold literally overnight. The rain turned to hail and then a little snow. This morning it was 30F and frosty.

By mid morning it was delightful and sunny. Perfect for napping.

It turns out that the cat bed on the kitchen counter is prime real estate. There are various cat beds around the living room but this one is The Bed to Be In.

Yes, we "let" our cats up on the counters. After getting three kittens we realized that unless we wanted to live in a state of constant battle we were going to have to just let the cats go where they like.

No, I don't want to have my photograph taken and if you lunge for my pizza Things Will Get Ugly.

Kate came to visit and a very good time was had by all. We went to two yarn stores and Ben Franklin's which has a pretty good selection. Not really yarn brands that I use but not bad.

We are both enthusiasts of historical cemeteries so we hit the highway. Actually, it was a lot of dirt roads out in the boonies. Hubby did some searching of locations and drove us around. Yea hubby! Omar rode shotgun and kept us safe from maurading squirrels and various noises that spooked him.

That's a dead buttefly caught under the hammer. (Kate says the butterfly was alive. Sorry guy!)

Although I always enjoy the unusual when it comes to gravestone symbolism my heart is always touched by graves that reflect what the person really liked in everyday life. No, this one isn't particularly historical. Many of the cemeteries are still accepting the dead. When this one finally qualifies as "historical" not much will be left but the headstone. I haven't decided between a green burial (if only I could be buried on the property) or creamation. Lost at sea has its charms too but I think that involves drowning which is not the way I want to go.

Photos by Kate

DAMAGED GOODS

Most of my hand knit socks, despite being knit with superwash wool, end up felting to a degree. Okay, I should do them on a delicate cycle but I really never have enough to do anything but a tiny load (three pairs of socks?). I do air dry them but still, they fade, they get thicker. On the bright side, that makes them perfect for boots and I wear my hiking boots A.Lot. I have now worn holes in two pair. I have a bit of leftover yarn so out with my darning needle!

I am close to finishing my latest shell and dang, it looks to be Very Large. Must think on this. While thinking I went back to the uneven cable vest and am now ready to try binding off the two fronts again. I ended up with extra stitches so I need to figure out what gives. I love the pattern but frankly, I find parts of the directions downright confusion. I guess when I buy a pattern I really want things described step by step. The two shells and the vest both seem to be missing important pieces of information. You can work it out or just assume and knit. It's annoying though to knit for hours only to find your assumption was just a little off.

2011-02-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

MOVING AWAY

...slowly from the world of rampant and randy mosses we return to the world of crafting.

I've been a busy girl.

I finished my arrowhead lace shell. I love it.

At first I wasn't quite sure about the hem but once it was folded up and stitched in place I could see that it was Very Cool. I split the CotLin in half for the seaming.

I liked it so much that I decided to continue on with another version that I had on my needles. I'm now on the lace section. I'm using Blue Sky Alpaca's organic worsted cotton in a very pretty light green (color 602). I wasn't sure the heavier yarn lent itself to the hem so I just cast on and knit. I'm going to go back and pick up stitches and either do ribbing or...well, something. As it is, it curls.

Being committed to finishing up my UFO's I cast on yet another shell from the twinset book. I tried using some discontinued Linen Isle from my stash but it wasn't quite right. I'm now trying some discontinued Rowan California Cotton and liking it a lot.

IN THE WORLD OF SEWING

I made two more pair of flannel pj's using leftover flannel for the trim. I think I'll stop now.

AROUND TOWN

A girlfriend who lives in Auburn asked if we could go exploring in Grass Valley so we did.

One of the stores that sell collectibles had these very wonderful bobbins. I have no idea what kind of sewing machine they might have been used on. I bet The Enabler knows.

On our way back to the car we passed a crowd of people admiring some wild birds so we paused to admire them too.

A Great Horned Owl missing an eye. He was gorgeous.

A red tailed hawk.

...and a tiny by comparison American Kestrel. They were very calm (probably not their first appearance in public while fundrasing) but keeping an eye on everything going on around them.

Have a good weekend. Stay warm. We continue with our lovely, almost spring-like weather. We make up for the lack of snow by having earthquakes. Would you care to trade? I thought not.

2011-01-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

TINY FRUITING BODIES

We interrupt this craft and knitting blog to insert some botanicals. We continue with our rather mild weather (Hello East Coast! This is me waving in my short sleeves and light pants.) Although we might get the occasional dusting of snow, for the most part we are green in the winter, dry in the summer.

That means ferns, grasses, and lots and lots of moss. Just look at those pumped up sporophytes - out there looking for love.

While I get a little artistic with my photography Omar stands guard. No rabid squirrel is going to get the jump on me!

HOUSEHOLD STUFF

I redid Kate's bag and called it quits.

I liked my flannel pj's so much that I'm making two more pair. Got to stay warm, even in sunny California.

CAT IN A HAT

Opal, for some reason, standing in my sweaty cap. It's a good color for her. In the background are some oils. I've been making lip balm. Soap making will happen in a couple of months. I still have lots from my last batch.

There has been knitting but most of it hasn't worked out. I've tried several vintage sock patterns from Nancy Bush's book but they are tiny! My size 9's won't fit into them. I'm still working on wrapping up UFO's and not buying yarn. It's a struggle. Yarn, it's so pretty, what's not to like? Still, I will Remain Strong.

2011-01-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

SUNNY CALIFORNIA

One of the lovely things about living in California that every winter there is at least one or more periods of mild and delightful weather. The sun shines, the daytime temps hit the low 60's, and all is delightful. No snow shoveling around these parts.

As the daytime temps rose all the water from all that rain started to turn to vapor. Every morning the valley below was a sea of fog that would rise up and engulf our house. Eventually, it would burn off and we would bask in our sunshine only to have the mists come up again. It made for nice views while I sewed my flannel pj's.

Speaking of. Little snowmen and polka dots.

The still unfinished red coat sulked while I sewed. The bag belongs to Kate who asked me to cover up a logo (actually, I offered). I did but it's not even so I might rip it out all and start again. Still, it has its charm, and as Kate pointed out, "...it's unique!"

Lovely weather means clean-up time in the garden. A few volunteer potatoes found under the old tomato vines.

A BIT OF KNITTING

Omar says that it's still rather chilly at night by his standards. He likes to burrow under covers but the only thing available was my knitting. I'm working on a shell top using Knitpick's CotLin which I am liking very much. Quite a few Ravelry knitters complained about the fuzz but I haven't run into that problem. Even my hands seem to have adjusted to the unyielding nature of the fiber. The biggest glitches were getting a size that works (different gauge) and the fact that the book the pattern is in somehow got mixed in with the library items to be returned. Hopefully, when the branch opens up again on Sat. I can reclaim my book.

The elusive Otis is starting to get a taste for treats.

Opal, mighty guard cat. We're safe from all marauding rodents.

2011-01-10T16:54:00.000-08:00

RUMBLE, GURGLE

That's the sound of a hungry blog. Unfed, left alone to fend for itself in the dark. In my defense it has been a busy time, holidays, food, family, vegging out (did I type that out loud?).

So what has been happening?

We went snowshoeing around a beautiful little lake. We hope to get out again this week if the weather permits. It's been very cold and frosty.

We don't generally get a lot of snow on the ground where we live but we did get a dusting a couple of weeks ago.

Meant to get that hose put away...

New Years Day brought a subset of the siblings for the day. Lots of good food and talk. I have nice brothers. David is looking more and more like our father to the point it's a little disconcerting.

I wore one of my Christmas presents from The Enabler. She is so talented. The necklace is called a "Dagger Drip".

The Christmas branch has been taken down. Overall, the furbots ignored it but Olive, well Olive has a mission in life and that is to knock down or push off every item she can lay her beautiful little paws on. She is one determined cat.

I have goals.

Me too. I think they involve food and shredding things but don't quote me.

ROAD TRIP

I am just back from a weekend in San Francisco visiting girlfriends. I was able to see Mara (actually, Mara is the yarn from The Woolen Rabbit, the pattern is from the Twist Collective and is called "Hawthorne") in situ on its owner, Julie. It looks just perfect on her.

Kate and I went to a museum, watched some good movies, and ate an incredible brunch at Lovejoy's. I'm off sugar for now so I had to forgo all the lovely pastries but I didn't suffer.

I rode Muni for the first time (with Kate steering me all the way and holding my hand, otherwise, I probably would have bolted) in something like 40 years. To quote Kate, "It hasn't changed much." True, very true.

There has been knitting but no photos and the Red Coat Project is so close to completion I could spit but somehow it is still Not.Quite.Done.

2010-12-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

WHAT DO YOU DO?

When it's Christmas and you have 5 active cats two who live to recreate old Tarzan moves?

You Hang 'em High. Small furry creatures have been observed looking up and thinking....hmmm.

HAVEN

Finished and adored. Wouldn't I make a perfect hobbit?

She got a little long. 104" after blocking.

Haven by Kim Hargreaves. The Dark House Collection. Three skeins of Manos Classica on size 10.5's. It came down to and past the wire with the yarn. I just plain ran out and I was NOT going to frog a 12 row lace repeat. Just.Not.Going.To.Happen. I rummaged through my knitting trash twice and felted every scrap I could find. Then I found a strand of something vaguely like it and felted that on for the last 2/3's of the bind off. You can't even tell unless you stick your nose right in it. So there.

CORONET

The hopefully last bit of holiday knitting for Paulette down at the local market. Berroco Lustra. About half to two thirds of a skein on size 3's. Slippery, very slippery.

2010-12-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

CHUGA, CHUGA, CHUG

I knit, I knit a lot over the last week. My goal was to get Hawthorne done in time to take to the bay area and present it to its recipient. Despite needing a brain transplant I did finish in time. I was pooped. I was also not going.

Hubby, who is literally never ill, came down with a nasty cold and I felt he needed my loving hand to cool his brow. So, into a padded envelope with the NotSoMuchMultnomah and a short drive down to the post office.

But! It is done and it is glorious and a bit hard to part with. The yarn had great stitch definition, did not split at all (though there was a bit of a tendency to fuzz up if you fiddled with a stitch too much). The garment was light yet warm and the color divine. I will certainly use it again. Mara from The Woolen Rabbit in Blue Moon. Two skeins for the shawl with a whopping amount of leftovers. Say, two yards. It was a squeaker.

Next up in the almost done category: Coronet. I'm down to the crown decreases. Berroco's Lustra. Now talk about splitty yarn and slippery too.

And! Haven, I'm about halfway through skein No. 3 so this photo is a little out of date being as I was still on skein one. Things are so MUCH longer now. Knitting on 10.5's gives one a heady sense of quick progress. The pattern is so easy you can crank and crank while multitasking or actually watching TV and following the storyline. Makes a change...

SLOW BUT STILL PRODUCING

I love having a cold frame. Lots of pretty greens, organic, fresh. Heck, not even any bugs.

This was a very good year for Meyer lemons. Lemon curd and scone baking tomorrow. Come on over, there will be lots.

IT'S GETTING TO BE A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Olive is sure her presents are hidden in the closet somewhere.

Opal knows that Santa will do her right. Who wouldn't want to give this cutie everything she wanted?

2010-11-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

WOMAN, 61, HAS RARE KNITTING BRAIN TRANSPLANT

Breaking News, Grass Valley, CA

In a stunning turn of events an unnamed woman has received the first ever knitting brain transplant. A heartrending appeal was made last week asking for any knitter with lace brain cells to spare to contact the Sierra Nevada Hospital in Grass Valley. The woman, asking to remain anonymous, had discovered her inability to knit lace after repeated attempts. “My life’s happiness depends on this.” she declared. “Though I know it isn’t a life threatening disability, and possibly considered trivial, it affects my entire state of mind and therefore my happiness.

An not altogether rare affliction it is commonly not spoken of in polite circles. Instead the knitter either pretends a disinterest in lace knitting or “just hasn’t found the right pattern.”

The appeal went out over the internet and received considerable attention on Ravelry, a well known website for knitters and even crocheters. Doctors said there was an outpouring of offers and the successful surgery was performed under light anesthesia. The patient was up and knitting within the hour easily reading complex charts. The operation was deemed a total success.

Who the generous donor was is a mystery though speculation that “The Yarn Harlot” may have been involved or even Lorna, founder of Lorna’s Laces might have stepped up. The grateful patient vehemently denied that either well known knitter was involved. “I don’t knit in such rarified air” she declared.

2010-11-26T17:31:00.000-08:00

I'LL TAKE ALL THE HELP I CAN GET

I'm not sure that Olive is here to either help or supervise or just knows that she looks divine in red.

The red coat resurrects, slowly.

I've taken to keeping all plastic bags put away since she does not distinguish between them and paper. Love the eyes.

My friend Gail gifted me with an amazing cowl recently. With the weather now quite crisp it is coming in very handy. She said she had the hardest time finding time to knit it in secret. Well, we do knit together a lot.

ON THE KNITTING FRONT

One of the checkers at my local market has said so many nice things about my handknits over the last few years and drooled over my Coronet every time I shopped wearing it that I'm finally making her one. Free pattern at knitty.com. This one (and I've made several, it's a wonderful pattern) is using Berroco's Lustra (3164 - Berroco has never been one for lyrical colorway names). And! she's learning how to knit. Way cool.

A long and arduous search at one of my not so local yarn stores turned up this lovely Manos. The photo does not do it justice. My green sweater from last year needs a scarf and it's been rather hard to find a colorway that went with it. I am trying out Haven from Kim Hargreaves. So far I like it but I am going to reknit going up a needle size or two. Just not enough drape. The pattern is very easy to follow and great for TV watching.

I'm not sure my notsomuch Multnomah is right for its intended recipient so I am trying to crank out Hawthorne using Mara from The Woollen Rabbit in about a week. Moth Heaven said she did hers in two days. I think she's a lot more experienced than I am. I like it a lot though. Nice pattern, luscious yarn.

CATS ETC.

The new-ish cat bed gets a lot of use.

Hubby has a client with a persimmon tree. I like persimmons.

Citrus. Hubby has encased our citrus for the winter - with Christmas lights for warmth at night. Still have lots of lemons to pick. I have high hopes for limes and mandrian oranges next year. One can always dream.

2010-11-19T17:14:00.000-08:00

DON'T ASK ME, I ONLY WORK HERE

The good news is the Multnomah is finished. Or should I rename it, NotSoMuchMultnomah? I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out the feather and fan border. Finally I just said, Frack it! and knit on. What I ended up with is sweet, fluffy, and frilled. Not much like the photos of other M's. I have no idea how this happened. Going to Ravelry I looked at what other knitters produced and what, if any issues they had. After the sixth, "OMG! I LOVE this pattern. I knit it in my sleep/while painting the house/learning how to play the saxophone/birthing babies" I moved away slowly. Let's say it together: I knit it MY WAY.

Big Problem: The recipient is not a frilly sort of person. I have some Mara yarn coming from The Woolen Rabbit that I hope can be whipped up into Hawthorne in the little time I have remaining.

Multnomah (ha!)

One skein of The Sanguine Gryphon's something or other - fingerling, that I remember for sure, in a lovely slightly variegated blue color that I am sure has a delightful and clever name.

Size 4 needles

Like Valerie my knitting has been all over the place. I did a bit of The Twist Collective Leavings using some Mountain Color's River Twist. Lovely yarn but I am not sure it's what I want to use. I noticed that someone is using SG's Bugga! and I have a lot of some great variegated red Edios that would possibly work. Then I went back to the Uneven Cable vest using Malabrigo. I had a great response from the designer to my "I'm lost!" question so I'm back on track. Hopefully, my knitting mojo will sort itself out. I hate it when we don't talk.

Cold weather has descended after a wonderful Indian summer. The fall colors, while not in the league of the east coast, have been exceptionally beautiful. The overly large red coat has been reduced to rubble. It shall hopefully be reborn as a Firebird of a winter coat. I could use it, it's cold!

LET IT RAIN!

My drying umbrella proved to be quite the furbot magnet. Everyone but Otis has taken a nap there. He thinks it's out to kill him but he thinks that of most things.

SUNSHINE

Omar - that's Opie in the background waiting to be let in. Yes, we have a cat door but it's more fun to ge me to walk over and open it.

Opal

Opie

GARDEN COLORS

2010-11-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

I SHOOK MY BOOTIE

...and my bootie shook back. It was a little depressing. I took my first Zumba class last Wed. and I was impressed. Impressed with how much fun it was, impressed with how much exercise I got over the hour, and impressed I was able to walk down the stairs and climb into my car afterward. Can't wait for the next session.

She may not be aerobic but she's done. Mama Bear. A really fun knit though I cannot get the collar to lie down. Malabrigo worsted in the colorway, SFO sky done on size 6's. It took 5 skeins and a bit. I didn't get gauge, or let's say I was very democratic and got several gauges. I ended up just measuring and then decreasing a bit. This fits well and is light yet warm. That sentence hardly sums up how pleasant this garment feels when worn. I may make it again. I will certainly use the yarn again. It was A.Dream to work with. Just yummy. I'm trying to make a hat to go with it but my first two tries have ended up too small. I'll send them along to a charity at some point. Someone will get good use and have a warm head.

My stealth knitting finally made it to Toronto. I think it may have hitchhiked, taking nearly three weeks. Lene admired the shrug I made for my Japan bound niece so I offered to make her one. I ended up buying some Codex from the Sanguine Gryphon, Silk and Blue-faced Leicester. Just lovely to work with, smooth, a bit of shine, but not too much, great stitch definition.

The yarn for my next project, The Uneven Cable Vest arrived today. Tosh Vintage in the colorway, Copper Penny. I had to crop out the drool marks. I am also going to have to be strong and finish up my Multnomah because it's a gift and due in early Dec. Must.Be.Strong. Okay, maybe just a swatch with the new stuff. Just a little one.

Various Cat Pictures

Otis enjoying the early morning sun.

Opal enjoying yet another one of my bags.

Opal and Olive helping. I am happy to say that my massive, I may never actually finish this and what the heck was I thinking in the first place? plan to clean out my entire sewing room is actually, are you sitting down?, finished.

A Fall bouquet.

2010-10-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

POOLED

My Mama Bear sweater is coming along. It will be finished soon despite needing to reknit the top third of one sleeve and a few inches of the second. You see, I suffered from pooling.

Before.

After being reknit.

Seems that when I hit a certain number of stitches the yarn variegation was "just right" and the lovely speckled quality turned into weird pools. Easily fixed. It's not something I've ever had happen to me before though.

MR. "T"

The pond now has a new resident, a box turtle. He seems very happy swimming around under the waterlilies. I've told him he could eat a few fish but not to get greedy.

KITCHEN STUFF

Pesto was made (with a little help - everything goes better with kittens) with the last of the basil.

I was up before the sun (good to have documented proof, it doesn't happen all that often). Interestingly, the ground mist was not visible to the naked eye.

2010-10-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

MAIL CALL!

A very large envelope showed up in the mail this week. Friend Valerie (recovering from surgery so wish her well!) had made herself a vest that did not fit. I thought it might fit me so up it came from San Diego. Alas, it did not. But! It was a pretty good fit for hubby. He will get a lot of use from it when the cold weather comes. It's coming, right? We've flipped back into heat again which is just strange for mid October.

I am making good progress on my Mama Bear sweater. I've got one sleeve done and a bit on the second. It's a very nice pattern and I love the Malabrigo worsted a great deal. I think I will get a lot of use out of this garment. The colorway is very apt, SFO Sky. If you lived in or around San Francisco you'd see the sky be this color most of the summer. To quote Mark Twain, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". Be wise, carry a coat when you visit and a scarf and hat.

We have company from Boston coming in two weeks. Well, actually more in the realm of visitors since we are only meeting up "in town" for a few hours for lunch and a hike. Hubby and I drove out to Auburn to scope out a possible hike. We did one and a bit. The first was in full sun and not very interesting with too much traffic noise despite being not far from a river so we turned tail and headed back towards the shade. The second went out to an old limestone quarry that was much more to our liking.

Along with a great view of the river there were the remains of some quarry buildings and a tunnel that I assume goes far back into the mountainside.

There was an almost icy breeze blowing out behind the gate. We stood there for some time trying to cool down.

Hubby pointed out what a good picture this would make. What we think was probably a loading dock in front of the quarry entrance. That's a fig tree to the upper left.

There was some nice wildlife.

It was 90F/32C and we were well toasted. A very small dog was happy to finally get back to the car and snooze on the way home. Never fear, I had his water bowl with me along with nice doggie snacks.

GARDEN HOO HA

Yet another photo of the pineapple sage. Can you blame me?

Probably the last red rose.

Do not fall asleep. The Pod Creatures from The Invasion of the Body Snatches will surely get you. A seed pod (or two) from a climbing vine, Akebia quinata. My trusty Sunset guide says the fruit is edible. Yeah, right. Let me know, I'll mail them to you.

If you were here you would hear me laughing. I just turned around because I saw something out of the corner of my eye and it is yet another lizard looking for a way out of this cat infested hellhole. They are everywhere! Darting back under the fridge, on screens trying desperately to get out, under the stove. Some have tails, some do not. Some are alive, some are not. It's a jungle here.

2010-10-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

IT'S IN THE MAIL. HONEST.

In this case it really is. A gift FO. Photos soon (and I am really pleased with it).

I continue to work on various patterns. I frogged the few inches I did of the hubby vest because it was too big. Try again. I cast on for Multnomah, a gift for a friend I will see in December. So far it is an easy pattern though it seems very small. I have completed the body and am about to start the edging section where I must pay more attention. Wish me luck with that.

Traveling Woman (along with Man, and dog, and two cats).

We took a short RV trip to Lassen where I managed to not take a single photograph. Suffice to say that it was gorgeous, it being Lassen after all. It also rained on the way there and it was snowing from Bumpass Hell, over the Summit and down the other side. It was cold. Omar shivered. I shivered. Hubby was stoic but I think he shivered when no one was looking.

We decided to take The Squeakers. Opal was less than pleased though. She spent a lot of time in one of the overhead compartments but after awhile she came down and sat in my lap. Olive was a trooper. Hey, there is still food and laps, what could be so bad?

After passing through Lassen we headed to Birney Falls. I had never seen them - and they did not disappoint.

Garden Stuff

The last wave of heat ripened a lot of tomatoes. We are now well into Fall with cool mornings and nights. There was a little rain and some thunderstorms. Yesterday hubby got his big brush out and cleaned the wood burning stove including the chimney. Time for a nice fire to take off the chill.

Pretty much everywhere you look you see female preying mantis. They are looking hard for a little C & C. That being Copulate and Consume. A girl has to do what a girl has to do. Hey sailor, new in town?

The very tall Cosmos bloomed at long last making some gorgeous color in the rather run down garden. Cosmos generally grow to 3' to 5'. These are more in the 7' to 9'. Not that I'm complaining.

I was sitting in the front window this morning and noticed this rather lovely shadow.

2010-10-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

MY MUSICAL WEEKEND

Last weekend I headed over to Sebastopol for the 16th annual Celtic Festival. While not having gone to each and every one I have made it to most of them, and most of the time with my dear friends, Kimberly and Marion. They are a joy to party with.

In a rare fit of plan-ahead-itis. I started knitting gift shawls months ago. (Bakersfield in red, Saroyan in grey.) They were a big hit.

We had lots and lots of fun. It was far too hot though and sadly, the festival is going downhill. Smaller attendance, fewer vendors, cutbacks all around. It's been a great yearly meetup but we decided it was time for us to branch out and find another venue to go party at next year. Suggestions? We're willing to travel.

A close up of Saroyan done on size 1's in tosh sock "Graphite".

As usual, the Towel Man was there dancing to the music. No one seems to know who he is and when it came down to it I decided I didn't want to spoil the mystery. I took a video of him dancing and of some of the groups. With luck I'll figure out how to edit them and post them soon.

When not at the festival listening to music while knitting I could be seen sitting in the hotel room, knitting. (And, what am I knitting? The yarn is Codex from The Sanguine Gryphon in the colorway, Jane Bennet and the finished item - and it is now finished - will be mailed to Toronto soon. Stay tuned for photos after the recipient has received it.)

I had hoped to get down to Petaluma to visit Knitterly but we couldn't face getting back into the car and sitting in rush hour traffic on a Friday.

Something totally different

A totally unposed photo of Ollie and hubby zonked out together. All together now...awwwww.

Garden Stuff

Things were cooling down. Then things got hot again. At least the nights are cooler. The heat has been great for the tomatoes but I am really ready for cold weather.

A flower arrangement with some scabiosa grown from my friend Elaine's seeds via Berkeley. Included are a few pieces of Dusty Miller and some Cosmos.

Japanese anemone.

A sure sign of Fall. The pineapple sage has started to bloom.

2010-09-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

SWEET AND FUZZY

or....

DEMON CAT?

You choose.

RIBBIT!

That awful sound, the sound of me frogging back half of the Purple Pimpelliese. At first I thought I had run out of yarn despite carefully measuring things. The new skein was close but not a match so I alternated rows. Things looked good, very good. I knit. I knit some more. Finally I paused long enough to scratch my head and say, "What the hey....?" Turned out that my decrease side was decreasing at a much slower rate than the increase side. Hmmm. I am not sure why but will try again, this time measuring with each repeat. Knit and Learn.

Oh, and Ms. Frog seems to be very happy though I've stated to wonder how she is going to spend her winter. Hibernation?

A FLOWER HERE. A FLOWER THERE

I have started collecting seeds for next year's garden. I continue to be amazed that things planted years ago and never replanted continue to germinate and grow. The tenacity of Life.

The last of the sunflowers. The birds are busy pecking seeds from the older heads. Get fat little birds, winter is coming.

Petunias

Volunteer morning glories. I've noticed that the flowers of blues and purple like the cooler weather. Summer is for yellow and hot red. Not across the board but a definite leaning.

Autumn crocus

Sedum in bloom

Mums. A sure sign of fall.

2010-09-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

NAKED THROUGH AND THROUGH

Yes Lene, they really are called "Naked Ladies". Also know as Belladonna lily; Latin name, Amaryllis belladona . The greenery comes up in the spring then dies back. In late summer the foliage free flowers poke through the soil and bloom. They're rather hardy souls with a great scent. I've never seen them anywhere but California. My Sunset guide says they are native to South Africa. For me they are a flower of my childhood.

Fall is now here, practically from one day to the next we slid from heat to cool nights and shorter days. I am mostly seeing little tableau consisting of a few flowers here and there.

CRANKING

With less than two weeks before the Celtic Festival I am knitting up a storm trying to finish up my shawls. I think I am one of the world's slowest knitters. Never did master the tricky style of doing it all with my left hand. I toss with my right making each and every stitch a major event. Another one! Whooo Hooo!

CRACK OF DOOM

Photo lifted from the MSN homepage, probably totally illegal. Sorry.

I logged on last night and read that the area around my friend Kate had exploded. A large gas main had ruptured. Much freaking out occurred until she called me back, safe and sound and on her way to stay with a friend. Her entire condo complex (and several blocks around her) had been evacuated. Talk about living the exciting life.

The Squeakers slept through it all. Probably dreaming of the day I'll get around to sewing up another sleeping pad.

2010-09-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

MISSION DELORES

I recently watched Vertigo which features Mission Dolores so I asked Kate if we could go visit the next time I came down. Sure, she said!

As their website says:

Mission Dolores has always had a central place in the religious, civic, and cultural life of San Francisco. Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is both the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco. Today, the Mission Dolores Parish comprises both the Basilica and the Old Mission.

The new building on the right didn't quite hold up as well as the original mission after the 1906 earthquake. 4' adobe walls are pretty sturdy.

There is a lovely graveyard attached to the mission with a large statue of Father Junipero Serra. The literature says he was a nice guy, modest, kind etc. I'd like to think the artist caught the Father giving some thought of what happened to all the native Indians that became little more than slave labor for the church. From a population of 300,000 to 20,000 in only a few years. Food for thought indeed.

GARDEN STUFF

Arriving back home after having my fill of missions and museums I harvested the Concord grapes to make wine. This will be my first try. I do plum almost yearly but never grapes.

The garden is winding down fast. I'm hoping for a warm fall so there will be a chance of more tomatoes. It wasn't a good year for them but everything else did so well I won't complain.

Kate, winning hands down the giving of the absolutely LAST birthday present, gifted me with a very cool kitchen implement, a cup that is really a colander. Perfect for rinsing a handful of berries, or in this case, some cherry tomatoes.

OLIVE

This particular Squeaker has been seen napping behind easy chairs on bookshelves. She recently learned that if the bedroom closets are left open she can have a lot of fun sliding the bottom drawers. You will hear rollers going in and out, in and out. Or, you'll walk back into the bedroom and see various drawers partly open.

Opal has shown no interest in drawers. She however, figured out that it was not only possible to open the sliding screen door but that it was actually rather easy. None of our other cats, either past or present, ever did that. Since it is still rather hot, it's nice to have the door open with the screen shut so Something Had to Be Done. Being somewhat bigger brained AND with opposable thumbs we now use a gate that hubby built to keep Omar secured in the kitchen area when he was a pupster with the desire to go potty anywhere it took his fancy. Turn it on its side and wedge it in and for now at least, Opal is flummoxed. She's thinking about it though.

KNITTING

The niece knitting is done! After multiple tries I settled on a simple pattern for the wristwarmers and completely spaced photographing them before I mailed the package off. Now I'm working hard to finish up the scarves for the upcoming Celtic Festival. THEN knitting for myself at long last. Okay, I admit it, I'm likely to sneak some personal knitting in regardless. Just.Can't.Help.Myself.

2010-08-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

JUST CHOOSE ONE, WILL YA?

This week's knitting has been all over the place. I keep making mistakes on Pimp...whatever and tinking/frogging back, and back, and back. Should have kept up with the lifeline. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.

Didn't.

Then the subject of wristwarmers. The last of the niece knitting. I think this is the fourth pattern I've tried out. No matter what, This.IS.IT. I don't have another wristwarmer in me (except for the hopefully, matching second mitt).

Garden News

The Naked Ladies are up and looking gorgeous.

Ditto the caryopteris. You know fall is just around the corner when, well, when the fall flowers start to bloom.

A mystery. I grew Cosmos from seed. Most of them have been earning their keep churning out flowers. Three of them are taller than I am (5' 4") and not a bud in sight. Same place (pretty much) in the garden, same treatment. Hmmm.

JUST LOOK WHAT THE CAT BROUGHT IN

Who me?

Yes, you.

2010-08-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

THE MAN FROM W.A.S.P.

The pest control man came promptly and relieved us of our wasps. A very nice man who posed for photos and even held Opal while I signed the form. We stood there taking phots as he prepared to douse the nest. I liked the part where he paused then yelled, "RUN!!" and believe me, we scampered back like frightened rabbits into the house.

He was quite impressed, said it was the second largest nest he'd ever seen. That's us, never do anything halfway. I am now able to wander around my garden without fear of being stung to death. Whew.

In all the excitement I forgot that I had done some stealth sewing back when I was in couch cushion construction mode. Two little cushions for two friends. The chairs at knit night are awfully hard. For some reason I cannot get the photo to rotate. Notice the thoughtful little loop for ease of carrying.

In the world of knitting I am on to the last niece item, wristwarmers. I started out with one pattern, which was cool and kicky but alas, just didn't group well with the other things. I switched over to the pattern on the left and to tell you the truth, I'm still not feeling the love. I am also making mistakes all over the place. No.1 needles, cables, TV watching, failing eyesight, cats desperate to knead, lack of a functioning brain. I think I have to suck it up though and just do them. Time is running short.

IN THE GARDEN

We have grapes. And beans, melons, a pitiful amount of tomatoes (still enough to make a fresh salsa last night...yum!), and lots and lots of squash both hard and soft shell. Do I have photos? No.

I am also just about to pick the last of the plums. I always feel so sad eating the last plum. I will have to wait a full year before I can eat another.

I had some pickling syrup leftover from making cucumber pickles yesterday (did I mention lots of cukes too?) so I used it to make pickled eggs. A first. Local eggs, no salmonella. Is it just me or do they look like Alien Spores?

Opal says, This basket smells funny.

2010-08-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

PROGRESS

I have finished the cowl for my niece and last up are the wristwarmers. I keep flipping around about just which pattern I'm going to use, there are just so many nice ones. This cowl pattern is called Turtle Tracks, a free Ravelry pattern. It was fast and easy and a very nice fit. Close but you don't feel like you're choking. If you're a beginner knitter this would be a good project for practicing SSK and K2tog.

Size 5's on the ever varied colorway, Fjord/Tosh dk.

I am crazy about this pattern, Pimpelliese, another free pattern. I had some problems getting started but after that it was gravy. Malabrigo sock on size 3's.

However, while being fed a nice lunch and knitting with my friend, Gail, some serious dog romping occurred and P...whatever, now has a huge snag. I am not sure I can work it out so I may have to frog. I haven't given up yet, so keep your fingers cross. That is Omar to the left being a so-so guest and our adorable hosts, Gail and Abby. You guys can feed me lunch anytime!

Last week Hubby roared off on another motorcycle trip to explore the wilds of Oregon.

Before he left he whipped out this amazing and gorgeous cutting table for my sewing room. It's perfect for the space and exactly what I wanted and needed. I am now doing my part - sorting, folding, organizing the various bits and bobs that live in my sewing room. I will be So.Organized! Honest!!

Yeah, it currently really looks like this though to be fair it's worse because I had to pile things up to make room for the table.

While Hubby was away, and I was keeping the home fires burning I turned around one afternoon and noticed something...weird. Hair rising on the back of your neck, Steve McQueen seeing The Blob for the first time type of weird. It just freaks me out - thousands of things with stingers just outside my sliding glass door.

A hornet's nest. Huge. How did I never see it until now? Can we all say together, CREEPY!!! Mr. Bug Man is coming on Monday.

IN THE GARDEN

Anise Swallowtail.

Lots going on, most of it not being taken care of by me. Ripe plums, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers (and more pickling of green beans/cukes), lotsandlotsandlots of squash.

2010-08-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

SUMMER DAZE

It's deep into summer now. Things are dry, dry, dry. Walking the Wonder Dog earlier this week I could feel the shift in the season. It's the downward slide into fall and winter though I am sure there will be many more hot days ahead. The days are noticeable shorter though and I find myself eying the woodpile and gauging if there is enough for another winter.

Bakersfield is finally finished! One of three scarves I am making for my annual Celtic Festival event in late Sept. We take turns bringing goodies but we always bring something even if it isn't our turn. Knit on size 3's in Sanguine Gryphon's Edios, On the Gate of Animals. I find myself wondering if they meant "gait" instead. A mystery.

I liked the pattern a lot though it turned out more of a scarf than a shawl, it just drapes instead of spreading. One end is much more pointy too. Not sure why. Not sure anyone will actually notice.

I started a cowl out of some more of the much varied than expected colorway, Fjord from Tosh DK. So far I am not using a pattern. I'd like to get a bit of ribbing done then experiment with cables so as to reflect the hat (Gretel). Stay tuned and listen for the sound of frogging.

Another sound that was recently heard was that of my credit card wincing. Filati's had a storewide sale and my friend Gail and I hustled out little selves right over arriving just before the doors opened. Heaven! Top it off with a girlie lunch afterward and I was One.Happy.Camper.

After a year of drooling this finally went on sale at 50% off. Adrienne Vittadini in the colorway Natasha. Wool/Alpaca/Nylon.

Mountain Colors River Twist in Whitewater River. 100% Merino. I can't help but imagine that these all together wonderful colorway names are decided in a boardroom somewhere in the most unromantic of environments. Still, I do enjoy them so.

Mountain Colors River Twist in Stillwater River. 100% Merino. The people at Mountain Colors have the most amazing sense of color.

GARDEN THINGS

Rudbeckia.

I find myself making a mental list of things that need to be done before the cold and wet weather starts up. Gardens are a work in progress. There is finally a pretty steady stream of veggies now coming ripe. The joys of just off the vine tomatoes. Sigh.

Sunflowers, maple tree, crocosmia.

Salvia and grasses.

Coreopsis.

Will Purr for Prey. Opal discovered in her hidyhole waiting for unsuspecting birds. I keep telling her, RODENTS!!!! Not BIRDS!!! I have become quite adept at catching them after prying them from the jaws of not so kind kitties. It's a jungle around here.

2010-07-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

MY BRAIN HURTS

Gretel. A very pretty little hat with cables. I have redone this FIVE times. I just don't think the same way as the designer I guess. I think I may be screwed up again.

Sunflowers. I didn't even see the bee.

Calla lilies. The flowers are supposed to be colored but so far there are none. Last year they reverted back to white. At least the leaves are attractive.

I'm one of those awful people who pinch off leaves when I find something nice. Three years this September I pinched this succulent leaf off while over in Sebastopol. It was, maybe, an inch and a half total. I have no idea what it's called but it's very pretty.

A rudbeckia that I grew from seed.

Katrina's orchid. Reblooming. I still miss her almost a year later.

Katrina's snake. He helps keep the birds off the fruit trees. I sometimes feel startled when I come upon him and I know that he's not only made of rubber but I placed him there. Okay, so not only am I easily confused, I'm easy to scare.

For the raccoons there is a hot wire. Love to hear them yelp. Leave my fruit alone!

Give a vegetable garden a little chicken poop and it goes crazy. The tomato plants are close to 5' tall at this point.

There are finally starting to be ripe tomatoes along with beans, squash (oh boy, do I have squash), and various other things. Just to keep me on my toes I got an email today saying it was time to start up my fall seeds. Ihaven't even finished cleaning up from the spring fling.

2010-07-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

IT'S YER BIRTHDAY

STILL

Today the mailman came to my door and handed me a cool package from my cyberfriend, Jollin, who lives in Singapore. She is the proud new mother of an adorable little girl and giver of great presents.

Yarn. Just what I wanted! I love yarn. I sniff it. I fondle it. I do a special little dance when I buy it in a real time store. I like to just look at the stuff.

I redid the ribbing on the shrug and finished it. Things seem to have stretched just a little. I haven't measured yet to be sure. It's superwash so I'm going to do a swatch and see what happens. I have found that with Cascade Superwash 220 you get pretty good results with machine washing and putting it in the dryer while watching it carefully. This might also be the case with tosh dk. Check out my blog next time for the amazing shrunken shrug.

I have started "Gretel" with the "same" yarn. Notice the difference in colors. The new stuff is much darker. Since Madelinetosh doesn't have lot numbers I wrongly assumed that the colors would be close, if not exact (okay, I know it's hand dyed in small batches, hope springs eternal). It's still pretty, still luscious, still in the color family and darn it, it's going to be a hat.

My African violets have rebloomed. Benign neglect pays off again.

A lily from my friend Mia. It finally bloomed and smells so sweet. You can catch a whiff around the yard. Not that I'm out much in the heat until the end of the day. I'm in vampire mode.

A cat in sunshine. Makes you just smile. Opal enjoying the adoration.

Opal discovering that I'm a little behind with cleaning out the back of my cupboards. Hey, it's time out from knitting. Need I say more?

2010-07-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

No, not Opie though he will assure you he can be very fierce. Though right now he, and all the other furbots are trying to stay cool in the summer heat.

I'm talking about this.

This is what we call, "the lower terrace". It is impossible to really grow anything. I mean, things do grow but pretty much as they please. In the late summer until mid spring it goes into deep shade. Come summer it's a searing hot spot in full sun. Underneath the piles of good soil we trucked in is an impenetrable layer of clay and multiple rocks (who live to work themselves up to the surface). Some spots are bone dry, others areas (we're talking a distance of a few inches here) are a boggy mess. I've taken to weeding in the spring, mulching, then tossing out any leftover flower seeds and hoping for the best.

Sewing

I made a pair of pants to go with the toddler shirt. I tried to make a second set that ended up giving me conniptions. I have moved on. Best to have a clean break or go mad.

Yesterday I finished the 5 inches or 2x2 ribbing on the shrug for my niece. As I started to sew up the sleeve seams (chortling Done! Done! to myself and humming a little tune) I immediately realized I had started picking up the stitches at the wrong point causing the right sleeve seams not to align. Some weeks just nothing seems to work out. My next bright idea is to sew the seams up first THEN pick up the ribbing. It's a plan. I can hardly complain since working with the tosh dk is So.Nice. But still...

I'm on a mission to organize my life. File folder for patterns. Patterns in sheet covers. I tend to write my notes, yarn used, needle sizes, what problems I had on the pattern. I've found over time it's a great resource because face it - I can't remember what I had for lunch much less what yarn or needle size I used.

THE GARDEN/THE TENACITY OF LIFE

7 or 8 years ago I grew some evening primrose (Oenothera). It turned out to be a bit tall for what I wanted and so I ripped it out at the end of the season and moved on. I was done but it wasn't. Year after year, after year it resprouts. For some reason I took pity this year.

A waterlily.

There is more but it's too darn hot to go outside and photograph anything.

2010-07-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

WHAT TO SAY

Well, the summer heat has finally arrived. I kind of miss the late rains of spring. Still, the garden is going gang busters and I keep hoping that some of the many tomatoes on the vine would show a little color. In the meantime there are green beans and several types of squash to keep us from starving.

I have been sewing a lot but a bit of knitting is always happening. I bought two skeins from someone on Ravelry of tosh dk. I'm making my very first shrug. It's for my niece who's not only young (early 20's) but tiny. I'm having fun knitting something small and fashionable. So far the pattern is easy and the yarn delicious.

I have done about a third of Bakersfield.

Very depressingly I've overshot my increases on Goodale and will have to tink back. I hate tinking. One really should read the pattern beforehand. Other than that though it's a very nice pattern and the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool is light and lovely to work with.

I am taking a break from Saroyan in tosh sock. Knitting on size 1's is so slow. Lovely pattern, incredible yarn, over half way done.

SEWING

At the sew-in I picked up some lovely cotton twill with a touch of lycra fabric at the RuMage. This is a big table of other sewer's Not Wanted odds and ends. I've been thinking for some time that our couch cushions were a bit dismal. Okay, they were stained, faded, and the ends had been chewed. It was with pleasure that I carried them out to the trash cans.

These babies have zippers so at least the stained part can be easily dealt with.

While visiting The Enabler she not only plied me with Birthday Champagne but presents as well. What can I say, she does present giving extremely well. The sew-in also gives everyone presents pretty much at every meal. I particularly like the pincushion that says in lovely embroidery, "I survived the 2010 sew-in". I did and hope to survive next year's

My very own Day of the Dead pot holder, a very beautiful little notebook, three lip balms, an incredible seam ripper with retractable blades (with replacement blades) and a gorgeous rotary cutter. Underneath it all, several yards of embroidered fabric. It's so pretty which means it will have to be a very special pattern worthy of such fabric. I did have a great top fitted to me by The Enabler....hmmm.

Olive have taken to watching me sew, heck, watching me do most things. She is a darling.

2010-07-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

KNITTING

Well, two tries and I move on. Blogspot won't let me load up my knitting photos. Suffice to say I have been knitting but not as much as usual because there has been a lot of...

SEWING

I joined up with The Enabler in CactusLand for the 2010 Sew-in. Three days of sewing. Then we did a little more sewing. Then to wrap things up we sewed. Stuffed into the odd moment or two was laughing, eating An Enormous Amount of Food, swimming in the hotel's salt water filtered swimming pool in the early hours of the morning, drinking of champagne in our hotel room, talking about life, talking about sewing, and then falling into bed exhausted with fun. I can't wait until next year. It all went far too fast.

Approximately 80 women sewing. The Power! The Energy!

I reached new heights (at least documented) of Bed Head.

The Good News: I finally made my red coat up after talking about it for a few years.

The Bad News: It is far too large. Never fear. With about 300 hours of reworking I can salvage it.

And yes, I am Very.Close.Friends with Harry Potter.

THE GARDEN

There are now beans and squash being produced and a few tomatoes have set. I still haven't sunk my teeth into the first home grown tomato and I'm tired of waiting. Gardening is very humbling.

Despite there being so much still to do (mulching!) things are doing fine.

A close-up of a euphorbia.

Scabiosa. Original seeds from my friend Elaine who lives and Berkeley and practices the Darwinan Style Gardening. (Picture seeds being tossed out and the words, "Good Luck!" being uttered.) In my garden they reseed, overwinter, take long holidays, send out for take out, and overall Thrive.

I traded for a new type of daylily.

Zinnias grown from seed. They are supposed to be a deep apricot color but have a lot more pink than expected.

No adorable cat photos but they are around doing adorable cat things.

2010-06-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

CAMERA SHY

NOT SHY AT ALL

Who me? You're the one who left the cupboard open. Opal checking out the pantry staples. She's about 4 feet up.

In the knitting realm.

After three tries my mind finally "got" how this pattern works. At least I think I do. Getting old is not for the faint of heart. I'm trying out some Rowen California Cotton (discontinued).

My first Bugga!

I am in love with this pattern. I found the book it's printed in and who knows. I may get around to making it eventually. I just don't knit fast enough.

My first purchase from The Loopy Ewe. madelinetosh - Tosh sock.

I finally dug into the floor freezer and pulled out 44lbs of plums to make wine with.

The Garden

A greenhouse full of seedlings and it has now come down to three coleus. Still so much to do though - weeding, rearranging, watering. More weeding.

Geraniums

Rust never sleeps and apparently neither do earwigs. Hollyhocks.

Succulent display. Hen and Chicks, various other succulents.

2010-06-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

SAD BUT TRUE

We don't like turnips. I decided to grow outside my comfort zone this year and put in some very pretty turnips. After thinning my little turnip patch I turned to a Greens recipe with high hopes. It just didn't do the trick. I am trying to gather up my courage to rip out the rest.

Abigail is finished. I'm sure it will be next fall before I finally do the final bit, the sewing of the collar and putting on a button. Overall, a lovely pattern that I would like to make again.

Size 3 needles using 2 and a bit skeins of A Star Alpacas. No colorway name but it leans towards Camouflage.

There was some late night yarn buying. Tosh Sock from The Loopy Ewe. I am deeply tempted to buy two more skeins of the purple. Deeply. Tempted.

I gave in to temptation last week while visiting a not quite LYS and bought two skeins of Tosh Sock. One is in the process of being turned into yet another Saroyan.

(And that is a great book. I'm about to start the second one.)

Ribbit!

We have a new resident in our pond. It's a bullfrog, an introduced species. Sex unknown but since there seems to be only the one, baby bullfrogs are not likely to appear. S/he makes a high pitched, girlish shriek if I appear unexpectedly (not that I'm expected at any given time).

The Garden

Things are still quite lush after such a rainy winter and spring. The summer heat is just gearing up, the a/c covers are off, and an inventory of shorts and t-shirts has been made. I am ready.

A self portrait with petunias.

Olive, looking very like herself.

The various ferns are unfurling.

Roses

Sage and, you know, I still don't remember what the pink flower is called. Must.Look.Up.

Crowded Cats

The Enabler made a comment about cats having to share cat beds and she is right (as usual -annoying but I love her so). There has been crowding observed. Must do something about it soon.

2010-05-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

SOME DAYS ARE SCARY

Bed Head. You can only look at your reflection in awe.

KNITTING

Any knitter will tell you: Six inches of K1, P1 is a bit much. Abigale progress - stitch by stitch.

WILDFLOWERS

Chinese Houses. For some reason you don't see them very often.

Red clover with thistles.

Lupin

A somewhat fuzzy photo of Seep Spring Monkey Flower.

Globe Mallow

Yellow something or other. Can you spot the small dog?

IF YOU SEW IT THEY WILL SIT ON IT

It doesn't hurt that this particular spot gives a view of the land down below.

Olive helping with the flower arrangements.

2010-05-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE CAT BEDS

Lots of them. All from scraps leftover from various projects including the batting. I added nothing but some of my time.

We have a cat who likes to climb. And check out the bird boxes. Who knows, perhaps Opal just likes the view. We need to rethink the placement of our bird boxes (obviously).

We have yet another mitered square for our upcoming knitting demo.

2010-05-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

MOST MORNINGS WE WALK

It's a good time of year for it. Still cool (and showers predicted for today and on and off through next week...I just know we're going from rain to 90F in a day) with plenty of wildflowers.

I photograph the garden afterward. My trusty sidekick, Opal.

FLOWERS

A HoMAge to Georgia.

Iris, euphorbia, foxglove.

The Oriental poppies are being overwhelmed. Must put in a pot when finished blooming.

Yarrow and sage.

Dianthus and mint.

Columbine.

I'm still making up posies.

The "red" peonies have opened. The package said "red". My eyes say "deep pink". Still gorgeous.

There has been Crafting

I've continued to work on Abagail and Traveling Woman. Not much progress to show though.

There was an email today from my sewing guild with a plea from the local animal shelters to make cat beds. No problem. I have batting, I have polar fleece. Voila! Cat beds. Do me a favor, adopt a cat. Take two, they're small. I'll make you a cat bed.

2010-05-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

I HAVE TO SAY...

I rather like my garden. I really should say "Our garden" since it wouldn't be possible without the efforts of both myself and Hubby. He's always ready to dig a hole (and around here that involves a crowbar, a pickaxe, and a lot of sweat) and spends an enormous amount of time keeping the watering system functioning. Just two of the many, many things he does.

The view across our above ground pool.

Bits and Pieces

Iris, iris, iris, iris.

Rose. The name, the name is....

Geum. Mrs. Bradshaw.

Sage and succulents.

Salvia.

Two types of hardy geraniums.

I found that I was not alone in the greenhouse.

Dreamweaver climbing rose.

Sewing

Sunday a few of the knitters got together to sew. Hey, we're flexible. A size 4T shirt for my friend Kate's nephew, Riley. I am considering making the shorts too. Depends on the time I have available.

And last but not least yet another edition of:

Cats who Love Baskets and Their Owners Who Photograph Them.

Opal watching me blog while snuggled down in a basket made for me by The Enabler. There are actually two stacked inside each other. Opal thinks the tabs are great for chewing on.

2010-05-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

FLOP, FLOP, FLIP, FLOP

There are many knitters who plan out their knitting. They have one or, perhaps feeling wild and crazy, TWO items on their needles at any given time. I am not that sort of knitter. I roam cyberspace drooling over this and that. I flip, I flop. I shift from one project to another in the click of a mouse. It's so hard to remain true. I am The Magpie. Koo, Koo, Cha, Choo.

I found myself coming back to Abigail and for now here I knit. I am liking her a lot. I should have just enough yarn from stash. (STASH! I'm using STASH!!) It's a hand painted alpaca/silk from A Star Alpacas which I bought at a Christmas show a few years ago. There is no lot or colorway name being a non repeatable item but it's a lovely collection of various shades of khaki greens with even a touch of pink. It's lovely stuff though it's hairier than I had expected. I am finding long hairs sticking out here and there.

I also started a new shawl, Traveling Woman, using my Sanguine Gryphon lace weight but have managed to put yarn overs where they shouldn't so I'm pretty much back to square one. I need to concentrate more with lace and that hasn't happened.

THE GARDEN

With the return of sunshine, warmth, and lots and lots of water things have gone into hypergrowth. (Though it did hail yet again less than a week ago.)

Every morning the tribe can't wait to get outside and sniff around. Interesting critters roam about in the night. One also needs a drink of that cool, fishy water.

Why does Mama keep snapping her fingers? Why indeed.

I have radishes.

Small native flowers that grow in the pond. Their exact name escapes me though they are obviously some type of iris. They are tiny, the flower is about the size of a dime.

More iris. Non native but gorgeous. The only thing I don't like is that you get one bloom and that's it until next year.

Tea roses.

The promise of the peonies has been kept. They are magnificent and smell good too.

Poppies. The color is pretty right on.

Poppies in context.

2010-05-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

OVERCAST, AGAIN

After a single day of glorious sunshine without gusty winds we are overcast yet again. Possible rain and thunderstorms today with a 60% chance of rain tomorrow. I just hope it doesn't either hail or flip into the 90's.

Still, the cozy fire at night is very pleasant and there is always knitting. The demo version of the Mason-Dixon hanging dishtowel is complete. Size 5 needles and two skeins/two colors of Sugar and Cream cotton yarn. You won't need a night light with this colorway.

While cruising Ravelry for mitered objects I found this darling little heart ornament. It's quite clever yet easy to do. Made from less than 20 grams of sock yarn. The only thing I would do differently is to sew up the last part along the side. I am not quite happy with the way the last heart tip turned out. Still, I like it.

My Entourage

A girl is never lonely when wandering around the Back Forty (not that we have forty acres...we WISH). Where ever I go I have company.

Just what is Mama doing? Does it involve food?

Opal looking very photogenic. It comes easily to her.

A cat who loves baskets and his owner who photographs him.

It seems that anytime I spy Opie he's in a basket. At least this one is the right size.

2001. He has always had a thing for baskets. Then again we kept moving the litterbox around trying to find the right place and he was very confused. This one was under the side of the house. A kitten has to be sure.

Flowers and Things

Clematis.

We still have lots of iris yet to open.

The hostas are opening up.

The 4th of July climbing rose is coming into its own.

The flowers makes a very nice posy.

Lavender, minus Opal, with view.

2010-05-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

THE LARGE AND THE SMALL OF IT

Cats who love baskets and their owners who photograph them continues. Opie in an egg carton (free range, locally produced, organic - let's give credit where credit is due) and Opal in one of my gardening baskets.

Thermis. The second cowl is giving me problems. Apparently, I am not paying attention. It.Will.Be.Finished.Soon.Or.Else.I.Will.Go.MAD.

My next shawl. A step up for me. I have some laceweight arriving this week from The Sanguine Gryphon. I've never used laceweight before. Be still my beating heart.

Many Garden Photos

The 4th of July climbing rose is starting to bloom.

An azalea bush.

I've been very busy in the greenhouse. My mostly rather sad looking tomatoes (an aphid infestation is giving me conniptions) and the much healthier hard shelled squash.

An overview of the greenhouse. Such a useful thing to have.

The male of a nesting pair of bluebirds. Generally, birds start to nest during a period when we happen to not be outside. Then they get upset and abandon their nest when we start hanging around. I hope this pair stays.

We have lots and lots of lovely sugar peas to eat.

The flannel bush is looking good. It needs no water at all during the summer. It stores the winter rains in its root system.

Niobe. The first bloom on a very large clematis vine. All the late rain has made everyone grow larger than ever before.

The Floozie has been outdoing herself. There used to be a fig tree in front so more sun, more space to lean into. A girl needs room to grow.

Euphorbia and a climbing rose.

2010-04-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

PALS

I am just back from a few days in the bay area. I made a new friend. I'd met her before but we had never actually hung out.

This is Blanca. You can also call her Boo-Boo. She's a hamster, and I admit to not remembering what kind. She belong to my friend Kate. Blanca is adorable, small and totally white with pink eyes. She looks a lot like a meringue.

I did the long drive for several reasons. One was a routine doctor's check up and the other was to see the Cartier show at the Legion of Honor.

Since you can also visit the de Young for the same $20 we did so. There was a floral show going on that was a lot of fun. They were supposed to reflect or complement a painting of the floral designer's choice.

Really big vases.

A horse I guess made up, literally, of fodder.

The Cartier show was stunning. Lots and lots of Super Bling. After awhile though the mind reeled. Oh, yet another gorgeous piece made up of thousands of tiny diamonds, emeralds, coral, fill in the gemstone of your desire. Is it lunch time yet?

WIDE BLUE YONDER

Kate has been talking about the houses sliding down the cliffs of Pacifica. Seems they do that pretty frequently yet somehow builders still get permits to build them.

You have to admit, it's a great view. Imagine yourself standing with drink of choice watching the sun set. Then again, it might be the last thing you do.

For some reason after the permits, the building, the sliding, the notice to move out (usually short and brutal - Run!) people feel compelled to pour millions of dollars into trying to keep a sandstone cliff from sliding down into the ocean. Big Machinery Will Not Save You. The Ocean doesn't give a hoot about money. Hear the laughing? Or is that the sound of dirt sliding downhill.

Besides, living next to the ocean does this. Remember, this building complex isn't all that old.

At least one resident has a sense of humor. Or had.

I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS

Speaking of having a sense of humor....

I have been happily churning out the second wedding cowl and am close to finishing. Sunday we popped into Kate's car to run errands. I started knitting, and...

After a very short while it became apparent that the skein of yarn somehow didn't make it into the vehicle. Somewhere a squirrel or raccoon is lining his or her nest with some lovely Manos silk blend in a delightful shade of blue. I am SO glad I bought a third skein.

So, onto the backup knitting (always travel with A.Lot.of.Knitting). My demo mitered hanging dishtowel for the talk I'm giving about knitting - to a group of sewers.

RAIN

After a rather nice weekend of mostly sun it is raining again. Ollie thinks the couch is a Very Nice Place to hang out. I agree.

I forgot to mention that I passed on the Saroyan scarf to my friend Mia and managed not to get a photo of her wearing it. Mia? Any chance? It looked really good on her too.

2010-04-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

LET SPRING BEGIN!

Okay, so it's still raining on and off but things are starting to bloom and I have a strong desire for COLOR.

Using the scraps from my vintage apron I was able to get a little shirt made for Sammy. Buttons from stash and a pattern bought for 50 cents. Okay, I admit I was actually working on a shirt for myself with a shawl collar when I just couldn't stand fussing with it anymore. This was WAY more fun.

Thermis. One of two that I am making as presents. I don't yet have just the right buttons but I'll find them. Manos Silk Blend in 3043. The pattern took just a bit more than one skein (annoying) using size 3's. A very lovely little cowl.

There has been an awful lot of yarn buying lately (and ping ponging from project to project Must.Focus). One must not cruise websites if one does not want to buy yarn. Repeat 1000 times. May work. May not.

Spring Things

Clematis outside my kitchen window. The climbing rose might bloom at the same time. I'm hoping for at least a little overlap since the deep rose with the purple is stunning. To the left is a very nice euphorbia.

Azalea.

Lysimachia "Goldilocks". I was assured that it would not spread out of the container. If I did a wider shot you would see it for some distance. This stuff likes to spread.

What was sold as a pale yellow, fragrant lilac. It's pretty, it's white, and it has no smell. Flower catalogues also lie. Still, I like it.

Also spreading all over the property from seeds: Columbine.

The Future. Peonies to be.

I'm blanking. I've most likely blocked it from my mind. It it borderline invasive. It's hard to dislike since it grows everywhere and produces lots and lots and lots of flowers. Everywhere. I've already had to dig up several nearby plants (in the area it was officially planted) and relocate them. I rip it out by the armload and it loves it.

The potting shed of plenty. Climbing roses, a regular sort of climbing rose (The Floozy), a potato vine.

Wisteria. I need more of these.

...and bring up the rear, Ceanothus. I wish this flowered all year round. It's so pretty.