JUNK FOOD

 My kitchen is positively chock full of healthy food.

If you open the refrigerator, this kind of stuff falls out -

(I'm about zucchini'ed out!)  Not to mention this GIANT head of cabbage, which I find kind of scary (and flawless)  I mean, WHO can eat that much cole slaw by themselves?  Does anyone have a recipe for sauerkraut?  Dear God.

One would think that I would be impossibly thin and healthy.  One would be wrong.  I went to the convenience store last night and bought (voice drops to a whisper) potato chips and dip. I did.  I really did.  All of this healthy food is getting on my last nerve!  It's one thing to have heads of cauliflower and broccoli growing beautifully out there on the vine - it's altogether another to have them languishing in the refrigerator, growing limper by the minute.  I hate wasting food and it's even more repugnant to me when the food that I'm wasting is the food I've been growing.  It's hard to prepare food for one.  For me, food = love.  Preparing food for my family is a great joy and a creative endeavor - one that I always look forward to.  But, leave me alone for a few weeks with no one to cook for and you'll find emptied tins of sardines and cracker crumbs about!  (and potato chip sacks)

I'm knitting.  This is the beginning of an original pattern that I've been designing.  It's exciting and HARD.  Hours pass by like minutes when one is out on one's native knitting limb.  Anne Hanson, I have a whole new appreciation for you!  How do you do it?  Those lace charts, those row-by-row instructions which are PERFECTION?  Amazing.  I love lace knitting, but my roots are in cables.  Textural knitting really appeals to me, but I've put it aside for quite some time now.  I'm back!  Cables put me in mind of autumn and crisp air and Sheep & Wool festival!  I'm not ready for summer to end, but a little relief from the humidity would be nice.

I think I'll go plant a new row of beets and perhaps some swiss chard.

BEST FRIEND

Sometimes you notice that your best friend isn't feeling very happy.  There are all kinds of signs - subtle and not so subtle.  It could be the way that he holds his head on his paws.  It could be the absence of a tail wag when you speak to him. You might notice that he isn't lying beside the sofa when you are watching 'House' reruns.  He isn't waiting for the dregs of your Greek yoghurt container or the last bits of broccoli in the steamer.  Mostly, it's in his expression - those liquid caramel eyes, that tell you - something is NOT RIGHT.

So I called (texted) my son and said - your dog misses you.  And he came over, because he's the best son in the entire world.  On almost any given day!  I have to add this - Harley will not jump into the back seat of my CRV.  Seriously.  I have to lift his substantial girth  - he places his front paws on the seat and the rest is up to me.  But when His Boy came over (actually, His Man) he hopped to it!  His was instant JOY.  How he loves Andrew...

He'll jump any obstacle to be close to the One That He Loves.

Look at that face.  Happiness.  These two belong together, but Andrew has to work nights as a firefighter.  It's not right to leave that golden dog alone for so many hours on end.  So, we do the best that we can.  And maybe one day, before you know it, Andrew's situation will change.  From my mouth, to God's ears.

I've got something going - it's really pretty.  More on this, tomorrow!

NEXT PROJECT

Stonewall from the amazing Anne Hanson was completed last night.  It was an extraordinarily wonderful knit and I enjoyed the process so much. The Blue Sky Alpaca Limited Edition was one of the most delicious yarns I've ever fondled knit - I was sorry to bind off!

I've not had great success with blocking - mostly, I've sent my things to knitters more experienced (and willing!) than I.  But I'm thinking - geez. How hard could it be?  I'll send to Knitpicks for mats and wires and then I'll become a self-sufficient knitter.  Right?  Autonomy-in-knitting.

Like any knitter worth her yarn salt, I've started poking about the vast array of patterns collected over the years for my NEXT PROJECT.  There is a problem - I can hear my UFO's whimpering from their bins.  So, in the interest of finishing something that has been waiting, I thought that I'd photograph them.  If I do this, if I "tell on myself", these projects have a chance at seeing the light of day.  Scott calls it - "pulling down your pants".  We try not to do too much of that around here!  Moving right along ...

This lace merino came from Wooly Wonka Fibers and the color is dreamy - I think that it was called 'Tidal Pool'.  I've not been able to locate them as their website is for sale.  Does anyone know where they have gone?  This shawl is another Anne Hanson masterpiece - Simurgh.  

Once I've started gardening in earnest, it's nearly impossible to keep my hands smooth enough to work with lace.  So, I'd better get busy with this and show you the other pitiful UFO's on another day!  I'm making this for Hilary.  She looks divine in any shade of blue.

100 POSTS

A celebration - 100 posts for The Daily Fiber.   I don't make attachments easily, but this form of journaling has wrapped its arms around me and held on.  And, unlike all of those beautiful notebooks that I've collected and partially filled over the years, THIS story telling 'vessel' provides the photographic illustrations so that you can 'see' what I see.  The small victories and defeats - the little details and profound events - the many layers, real or imagined.  Your "following" is important to me and my story.  I value each and every comment.

 I have been knitting - my perennial Blue Sky Alpaca "Silk Alpaca" in a color that defines spring for me.  It is almost willow-green - a twin to those first tender shoots that are emerging now.

Airing out the batik 'biscuit' coverlet - old fashioned tied and pieced in those spring greens, caribbean blues ...

The morning began with baking.  My BFF is having family in for the weekend and I volunteered to bring over a cake.  She works so hard during the week that there isn't much energy left by Friday night - and since I am a free agent, without restriction for the next few weeks, I have enough get-up-and-go for the both of us.   I decided to make my 'Bishop's Cake' which is easy and delicious and if there are left-overs - they are sensational to toast.  Basically, it's a glorified pound cake.  I won't tell you how much butter goes into this bad boy.

Out of the oven, sans frosting.  The thing is - this little beauty will never see a frosting.  While I was preparing it, I did something that I have never done in 30+ years of baking; I dropped an eggshell into the batter and before I could turn the mixer off, it incorporated the shell into the mix.  There was no turning back - I fished out what I could and threw the rest into the bundt pan to bake.  I'll set this out, in the form of crumbs, for the birds.  This cake calls for 5 eggs, so I had to go to the little farm up the road and buy more eggs.  Starting over ... but this time I'm in the mood for something a bit more dramatic, and I happen to have some nice oranges waiting in a bowl.

Orange Poppy-Seed Bundt Cake w/Orange Glaze - from the Silver Palate Cookbook


8 TBS sweet butter
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c milk
1/2 c poppy seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
grated zest of 2 oranges
orange glaze


Preheat oven to 325, grease a 10" bundt pan
Cream butter with sugar until fluffy and light
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture alternately with milk
Fold in poppy seeds, vanilla and grated orange zest
Pour batter into prepared bundt pan
Bake 50 - 60 minutes, let rest in pan for 30 minutes before turning out
When cake has cooled on rack, prick holes in it with a toothpick and pour glaze evenly over the top


Orange Glaze
1/4 c fresh orange juice
1/4 granulated sugar


Combine in a small saucepan and simmer gently for 5 minutes, until a light syrup forms


Enjoy!

The daffodils were asking to come home with me this morning.  I picked them from my friend Louise's garden.  Louise is not living in her house any longer, but her spirit remains behind, informing all who stop by that she is far from gone - that she has simply moved on to the next level.  I have a lot to say about Louise and I will, in time.


So I have sent 100 posts out into Blog World.
Before I actually hit my first Publish Post button, I was hyper-aware of my language.  I spent a lot of time editing these short posts.  It was important to me not to bring the sorrow and darkness that I had been experiencing in 2009 to this journal.  I mean, really.  Who wants to 'follow' the posts of a sometimes maniacally depressed individual - one who can be needy and despondent, crazy and depleted, but always, and I mean ALWAYS, willing to pony up the good stuff?   I limped along, dropping little slices of my fiber life and some of you decided to follow me into the woods.  You love to create as I do - to stupid excess!!!!  I think that we are grand.  Thank you all for helping me to be more courageous and authentic.

SLEEP-OVER!

No worries - I won't bombard you with any more snow updates - suffice to say that the northeast is getting smashed and we are snowbound!  Scott got in from the bahamas just in front of a big storm and blew out again yesterday in the MIDDLE of one!  He and his golf cronies friends were going to get to the airport - No. Matter. What.  Well - the first airport closed down (and this is a military airport!) so they rerouted to another.  But the two major highways leading to it both shut down - one for 40 miles.  Can you imagine?  Some motorists sat on that stretch all night long.  (Here is the first sign that perhaps one should wait out the storm and postpone the trip ...)  This band of gypsies found an airport in a different state and made their way toward it and sat in the terminal for many many hours.  They did make it to Florida AND their tee-off time - amazing.


Back home, Hilary was without power AGAIN.  She lives about 7 miles northwest of me where thousands were sitting in the dark for two days.  She and Carson rounded up the shivering dogs and came to me where Andrew joined us and we had a sleep over!

Harley wasn't happy about giving up HIS spot on the couch, but he found his good doggie manners and allowed Bubbha the catbird seat.

Hilary is under there somewhere - the poor child just could not get warm enough and we piled at least three quilts on top of her!  No, I haven't taken ALL of my holiday decorations down yet!  I love those chubby muslin angels holding hands across the mantel!  It's hard to say good bye to them!

Carson is all worn out from his CO training program.  He graduates next Friday.  We are all so proud of him that we can barely stand it.  NYS has an extremely challenging program and he has excelled in all areas.  No doubt!

Yes, I'm told that it is tropical where Scott is!!!  No matter.  We are having a good time - well, I am.  I love the snow and I love having my children and my dogs about.  OH!  And I am making progress on the old 'Looking Glass' sweater.  I want to be able to wear it this week, but the front bands are making me crazy ...

That 'curve' is unintentional and I am worried.  If anyone out there in Knitting Land has experienced this kind of problem and has suggestions - I am all ears!  Enjoy your weekend.

I GOT NOTHIN'

Have worked twelve days in a row, stopping yesterday for a mental health break.  We had a family party to attend last evening, so my creative time has been non existent.  I did manage a few 'H' blocks in the morning and decided that the quilt needed a little push - remembering that Wanda had added beautifully effective star blocks gave me the courage to go out on THIS limb . . .

What can I say - both Hilary and I adore flamingos... I mean really, what's NOT to love!

Spent some time reorganizing my knitting patterns - I am getting ready to 'publish' my first original and you will see it here first.  But I cannot predict when that will actually occur!  Work has been insane, life has been messy.  Knitting on this little project is mindless and perfect for a chaotic mind.  Blue Sky Alpaca cotton always delivers.

UFO's

 There are many UFO's lurking within the rooms of my house.  I have committed myself to the completion of two quilt tops and a Christmas tree skirt, and perhaps I'll toss in a few knitted items that have been languishing about - all of this before the new year arrives.  I'm telling myself that this is a GOOD thing - that I have always worked best under pressure.  We'll see how it goes.

This vintage vest started out as a contender.  But, no matter how long and hard I've searched, I cannot find the yarn to complete it!  It's a mystery.  Sad too, because I like this old Rowan pattern and my stranded workmanship was really fine!  (I'd forgotten)

This piece is a real heart breaker.   The yarn is MIA - where could I have stored these lovely old skeins?  I am sorely tempted to send these two pieces to Morna over at Bittersweet  to see what kind of amazing creations she could fashion them into.  Have you seen what she can do with felting?  Totally extraordinary stuff.  Go ahead -take a skip over there, I'll wait...

Onward and upward - here's something that you don't hear a lot about in quilterly circles - this next piece is, (gasp) HAND quilted!!!  That's right, this was the LAST piece that I hand quilted.  It's a pivotal piece, deeply sentimental in a profound way - so much so that I have been unable to bring myself to finish it.

It is, without question, heavily influenced by Gwen Marston.  It is also the first quilted piece that I ever embellished with beads.  Which leads me to my discovery of Janice, over at idreamofbeading.  I walked into her brand new sparkling shop with this bad boy tucked under my arm.  I explained that I was there for the beads!!!  She nodded, with her cheshire-cat smile, and introduced me to the world of beading.  It was like learning Italian or salsa dancing or finding one's 'wind' when running.... unforgettable.  Janice gurl, I miss you!  When are you coming over for a brewski, I mean, beading session?

Anyway, I made this piece for the Can-Do-Guy's youngest child who is now in her second year of college, working toward a nursing degree.  She'd probably like to have her quilt before she graduates and it is ear marked as one of the pieces that will be finished before the New Year!  Hang in there, Bren, it's coming!  Check out this hand quilting ....

I used to really enjoy the process of quilting a large piece - and I do miss that quiet self-absorbed activity... the quick little sharp needle pushing through fiber like butter, the small evenly spaced stitches, the satisfaction of completing a hoop's worth - you hand quilters - you know of what I speak!!!  I think that there is another quilt in my future that requires my hand - I'll show that to you when I get the layers together - it's the second piece that I have committed to completion this year.


P.S. found a photo of my Janice vending at a local quilt show (do you recognize my pumpkin banner in the background?)  I tell her that I just want to back my SUV up to her booth and load it up!

END OF SUMMER

For me, the summer is over.  Tomorrow I return to my desk job after 10 glorious weeks away.  Trust me, this is not an easy task.  It will take every ounce of strength and determination that I possess to crawl out of bed, dress myself, walk the dog and face the bridge traffic after being a Lady of Knitting, I mean Leisure, for these blessed weeks.  I dread it.  Today I will race around like a whirling dervish, attempting to complete projects and ready myself - laundry, ironing, why do I always wait until the last moment?  It must be my supreme expression of denial- if I don't acknowledge it, maybe it will disappear.  Ok, Scarlett.  

I've packed my knitting bag, I mean, after all, lunch hour knitting is what gives the work day meaning.  Doesn't everyone feel this way?  Go ahead and say it - WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BAG?  I love that bag.  I loved it so much that I was willing to go without, well, all KINDS of things in order to own it.  I still get a little thrill every time I look at it.  It's made by a company called Bodhi and it is truly scrumptious.  Why yes, that IS an Anne Hanson pattern spilling out of the top - 'STONEWALL' and I am knitting it in Blue Sky Alpaca's limited edition 'Royal'.  Words fail me when I attempt to describe this yarn.  Anne's patterns are legendary for good reason - it only takes one knit to discover why she and knitting are linked iconically.  I suspect that she talks to the fiber and I know for sure that it talks back!  I cannot put this stole down.

What's that, you say?  Ummm, yessss - there IS more Blue Sky Alpaca in that bag.  I currently have a wicked bad case of alpaca-love.  My friend Patty knew that I was suffering from the back-to-work blues, so she brought me some sport weight baby alpaca in the dreamiest shade - kind of a toasty Carhardt-caramel!  Patty is such a good friend - she's even agreed to do a little knit along with this fiber and we have our eye on the 'Whirligig Shrug' in Interweave's 'Weekend' publication.  It's the bees knees.  


So, my neighbor and wonderful friend Susie came over to gather some late bloomers for her three-year old son Jack's birthday party.  It was both fun and nostalgia-producing to wander through my fall garden - it reminds me of a stout floozy, with her dress thrown over her head!  Petticoats and ribbons and all manner of movement - everywhere you look!!!!  Wild carefree abandon.  Goodbye summer.

CARDIGAN TO LOVE

The color of my new cardigan reminds me of tomato soup - it's also what passes for 'red' on Nantucket!  The yarn is a wonderful worsted called 'ECCO' by Zitron.  When I saw it on its LYS shelf, it called to me.  You know how that goes.  You can find this terrific pattern on Ravelry - it's called 'Cardigan to Love' by Linda Cyr.  Thank you Linda!  You were right - it IS a cardigan to love!  The lace pattern is mesmerizing and satisfying, and I was almost sorry when I finished that second sleeve!

KNITTED BEADED BAGS

The Knitted Beaded Bag first caught my eye from across the counter in a small yarn shop.  It dangled there quietly, nearly hidden by the bodacious eyelash synthetics and racks of imported needles.  What an interesting contrast it made to those raucous yarns with its little matte beads and pretty color changes.  I immediately purchased 6 skeins of Koigu, an impossibly small circular Addi needle, and a pair of #2 dpn's.  Then I went off in search of beads.  


This is where it gets good.  I discovered that a bead shop had recently opened in a nearby town.  I wandered in and instantly went into a Bead Trance, from which I have never recovered!  I also had the incredibly good fortune to meet Janice, the creator of I Dream of Beading, and we have been friends ever since.  If you ever get to Poughkeepsie (I know, I know, quit with the lame jokes!) you NEED to visit her shop.  I'll have plenty to say about THAT at another time.


All six beaded bags were created and given as gifts.  I confess, I put the tattered pattern away and forgot about it for years.  But recently I rediscovered it and decided to try it in a different yarn - one with more 'tooth'.  That's the Knitter's Prerogative you know,we reinvent our projects the way we wish.  What is there to stop us?  

FEBRUARY KNITTING IN AUGUST

When I turned 36 I gave myself the gift of knitting lessons.  Prior to that, I had convinced myself that the quilting, sewing, needlepointing, gardening and painting (to name a few!) that I did was more than enough to occupy my spare moments, and that adding yet ANOTHER passion would be a mistake.  But I could not stop myself from walking into Nina and Nancy's little yarn shop in Rhinebeck, where I would run my hands across the enticing skeins of yarn, brightly announcing that I was "just looking"!!!!  Who DOES that?  The owners just smiled.  They knew that the yarn had me at the door.

I signed up for a class.  We jumped right in - no scarf for this beginner.  I remember that I chose a Rowan cardigan pattern.  It took me a very long time to make this choice because the yarn shop had so many patterns to choose from.  I determined right then and there that I would never duplicate a pattern - that I would ALWAYS create something new and uncharted!  And this worked, that is, until I met the famous FEBRUARY LADY, Pamela Wynn's brilliant interpretation of the EZ  Sweater on Two Needles.  Thanks, girls.  

It pains me to tell you how many times I have violated my own rule with this pattern.  I need both hands for the count.  And I've never been happier.