fiber and dough

Lots of baking going on around here.

My neighbor's tomatoes are ready for harvest while mine remain decidedly green.  So, in order to be a GOOD neighbor, I'm trading bread for tomatoes!

There is nothing to compare to the aroma of warm yeast, honey and oatmeal as it performs its magic act in the oven.  The fragrance in the kitchen is indescribable - but if you are a bread baker, then you know what I mean.  

One for me, one for my neighbor.  While bread was baking, I was preparing sauce.  I decided to make pizza again - how can I allow all of these wonderful vegetables to go to waste?   In the dead of winter one longs for these flavors, so its important to gorge indulge oneself while the getting is good!

I often add asparagus, avocado and roasted cauliflower, but tonight it's mostly fried eggplant ... not so good for the waistline, but delectable beyond belief!

Upstairs, lots of sewing is producing some items for the home!  Scott is currently between jobs and I have been badgering encouraging him to make improvements to the small bathroom while he has this down time.  He is creating a bed for his oldest daughter's new apartment and thus - on a roll!  One must strike while the tool belt is hot!

The little bathroom under the eaves is perfect in so many ways.  It has a lot of charm, but needs a new tiled floor, wainscoting, and new fixtures.  I am working on curtains - both shower and window.   Yesterday I made this handy bath mat -

It has some real heft to it while remaining soft and cushy underfoot.  It pleases me to have something quilt-like in every room and this piece is so much nicer than a store bought item.  Maybe I'll make another!

I love this fabric so much that I can barely stand it.  Wouldn't it be a sensational shower curtain?
Mom asked for a new cover, "anything pink", to pep up the little back pillow that she carries with her.  We has pink!

I pumped up the batting in this so that she would have that much more comfort.

You can see that my walking foot has been getting a real workout this summer.  There is something quietly addictive about random machine quilting.  When I don't feel like concentrating on something fiddly, the purr of the machine as it winds its way down and back always puts me in a good space.  There's no right or wrong, good or bad about this work.  It is what it is!  And sometimes that is enough for me.  

It seems as though it is Baby Season again!  I have at least four babies that will need welcoming with something hand knitted or quilted.  I think that this bunting is about as cute as it gets!  I wonder if modern mothers still use buntings   for their infants.  I always liked the ease of this item as opposed to a snowsuit which was difficult with a small baby.  Mine hated having their limbs contorted as much as I disliked contorting!  Crankiness usually followed the snowsuit manhandling!

Meanwhile, I am knitting something very very special for my friend Lally's sister-in-law.  It has to remain a secret for the time being.  Keep the faith Lally!  Cashmere wants to be knitted slowly, methodically, magically.

We are watching the weather channel nervously as my daughter is in Florida and facing the horrendous Issac hurricane behavior.  That it comes nearly on the anniversary of Katrina is especially unnerving.  Batten down the hatches Hilly!  Be safe.