Alaska, Long Beach

Excessively Minty & Lemony

It is almost 100 degrees outside and I am taking a cue from the cats to spend the day lying by a breezy window reading magazines.  So the cats aren't reading magazines but they are making the best of the breeze.

Recently I was at a friend's home and she offered me a glass of water from a pitcher filled with lemon & mint.  I was so thrilled by it that I spent the rest of the evening commenting on how great it was [it's the little things].  Every so often a rather obvious idea like a mint & lemon pitcher [at home not just in restaurants] suddenly hits me with a resounding "duh!" and like that my life is changed [to an extent].  So now I am enjoying my excessively minty & lemony water in this near unbearable heat.

Also other obvious but yummy idea I stole from a coworker.  When she brings this in the morning I find myself hanging around her desk just to catch a smell.  Bagel & [tofutti] cream cheese w/ lemon pepper and garlic. 

This is warming up to be a very miserably hot summer.

Cheers all!

Whale Oil Man

Hello there. Still here and still oh so busy.  Knitting alot and also sewing.  Which lead to this.  So I have had several needle problems ever since I started knitting:

1. I never seem to know what needles I own.
2. I buy duplicates because I don't know what needles I own.
3. Needles were stored in a tote bag in a dark closet making them a task to fish out
4. Any wooden needle left lying about would get instantly chewed up by a certain cat.

So what are these rolls?  For years on blogs, in stores, and in the hands of fellow knitters at my knitting group I have witnessed these "needle rolls" that are "so easy to make!".  Granted I am a terrible sewer with zero experience, I never thought I was capable of actually producing a needle roll [is that the right term?].  Low and behold I spotted some bland canvas placemats at Big Lots [I have a love/hate relationship with that store.  It sits directly in between Target and Trader Joes meaning that I dash in when I am out shopping and I find some amazing stuff... tons of organic foods, sparkling water, etc. but the experience always bums me out a bit.  Maybe it is the lighting, messy displays, or rows and rows of toxic mass produced crap, but I always manage to drop at least $5 every visit.].  So back to the bland placemats... I got sudden needle roll inspiration.  After a google/ blog search turned up quite a few instructions [all along the lines of "sew and roll"] I grabbed some vintage fabric [ebay] I had been hording and just started sewing. 

Detail from my favourite design on the fabric:

They were as easy as everyone suggested.  Sew easy I made three: one for the long needles, one for short, and the piece d'resistance the circle needle holder.  Just ribbon on the placemat that extends to also tie it closed.  Wonderful. 

I wish I could provide instructions to anyone who is terrified of sewing [like me] but really you just sew it exactly like it looks, no funny tricks.  I didn't even measure.  Which I guess could be argued that this is the perfect sewing project for a knitter.

Cheers all!

Interlocking & Cabling

When I saw this hat pattern with those gorgeous interlocking cables I knew I had to make it instantly.  And I did.  It fits ok, but hats just don't look too good on me.  I end up looking like a giant hairless face... But I still love this hat!  I believe I got the link from here.

I made the 3" ribbed border originally, but it looked terrible on me.  So I undid the cast on [not recommended!] and painfully unstitched 15 or so rows stitch by stitch until I had about an inch ribbing, which still needed so be folded.  The cables well make up for the border.  I might even make this hat again.  I forgot what yarn I used [an inexpensive tweed from the local yarn shop]; looks great but itches a bit.

Cheers all!

Mellow & Green

Late.  That is where I am with the Mellow & Yellow swap.  I received a gorgeous package from my swap partner and have yet to send out my exchange.  Nothing like guilt to supplement motivation. [Sorry!].  It is being prepared and will be sent tomorrow.

Here is the greenery I received, gorgeously packed and thoughtfully prepared.  Many thanks!  You can view swapped packages here if so desired.

Cheers!!

Landscape & Serenity

I finally got around to changing my banner.  Nice.  This is an old picture from where my family lives in Wyoming.  I love the landscape there; the serenity. 

Here is another picture of the series.  I think that is my Aunt's house.  These were all taken w/ b&w film and printed by me years ago and scanned months ago.  The fix doesn't seem to be holding so I will need to reprint at some time, but I still love looking at them.

Cheers all!

Pet-ty Troubles

So twice annually I take Eskimo to the vet to get shaved & bathed [vet not groomer].  Usually it is traumatic, but only for several hours after he gets home.  This time- wow.  For two days he has hid in the closet only coming out [secretly] to eat, toilet and hiss at me and Soviet [he makes this awful sound that I describe as coming from the "depths of hell"].  Poor guy.  I don't know why this is so tough for him.  Even the vet describes him as extremely difficult [hence the heavy sedation].  Oh my.  I hope he comes out of this soon, I miss my little guy.

This is a picture of him shaved last year [I also posted about it here].  Good news it that in June he weighed 30 pounds [with kennel] and now he weighs 25 pounds [with kennel].  Nice.

Ok and one more picture here...

Cheers all!

Found Chicken

Remember the chicken my brother and I found on Christmas Day?  Well on Easter someone found another chicken on the same street.

Is someone releasing holiday chickens for people to find?  Does someone buy one for the holiday and just dump it in the street?  Are these chickens escaping from somewhere?   Is this the same chicken trying to find its way home for the holiday? Quite a mystery. 

Cheers all!

Cross-stitch & Coffee Stains

Last night I made a triumphant return to my knitting group.  They meet every Wednesday night, but this semester I have had a class that night so I have been waiting for spring break to go.  No drunken bikini beach parties in "Cabo" for me, just a weekly visit to a knitting group.  Totally worth it.

Above is my latest and greatest completed project.  It is another french press cover, but this time I cross stitched a little design on the front.  I partially copied the image from a Japanese craft book [where else do you go for early American folk art designs] and selected the colours myself.  Then for a personal touch I added my initials.  I love it.  Though I wish I chose a different, lighter binding for the bottom.  I went with the practical brown [also the colour of the lining] so it wouldn't show coffee stains, but I think it is too dark for the image.  Oh well, I still love it and actually use it. 

If you haven't checked out Sew Green yet please do so immediately!  Sew many wonderful things are happening there.  Plus I hear we were even mentioned here.  How cool is that!

Also did anyone else catch this show last night?  I thought it was fantastic.

Cheers!

Passover Once Again

Tonight is the first night of Passover and I am really looking forward to the Seder tonight.  I used to think it was absolutely dreadful but the older I get the more I love it.  I think what impresses me most is that the Seder we practice is about redemption from slavery & oppression, celebrating our freedom and reminding us that if only one person is enslaved no one is free.  Its a beautiful service that is anti-war, anti-slavery, anti-oppression, and pro-community and togetherness.  If you have never celebrated [go find a Jewish friend and do so] there is a part in the service where you go open the door to welcome in Elijah and remember that not everyone is as fortunate to have a wonderful dinner and hope that by this time next year there will be no starvation & poverty.  It sounds a bit hokey as I write it, but the sentiment is important.

I am making the exact same dish I made last year; I posted the recipe here.

I love gathering all the vegetables and making this dish, though I am tempted to add a bit more flavouring this year. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!  Time for me to get cooking!

Cheers!

Card Catalogue

Make your own here.

Cheers!