sailing through September

It's been almost a month since I last posted on my blog.   My goodness the time has flown by.

I have kept busy with way too much time hand spinning,  one turtle led to another and another.

 

These are  four are part of my September/October challenge.

This one is an add on to my recipe (above).

These are just for fun.

And to show that I really do make something....one skein of my Blender Board mix that was spun during the TDF  is now a carry bag.  I finished sewing the side seams this morning. At this moment it's a cozy spot for my camera but it's destined to be an on the go bag for a spindle and roving.

Here are my spindles. Aegean, Swan and the newest member, Delight.

With the arrival of September, it feels and looks like fall.   We've had rain  (and more rain).  Thankfully the grass is once again green.  For the most part the air quality has improved.    Parts of BC (including Whistler) and Alberta have already had snow.  

    

And out our window.  

Welcome Fall!

till next time.

It almost feels like...

Fall!!!

The skies are somewhat clearer, mind you the air quality advisory that was lifted is back in place again.  We've had some rain.  And the best of all, temperatures are back where they should be!  Bliss on the patio and in the house not an ac to be heard.

This is the last of my sheep stitching (for now).   One sheep lead to another and another.  I'm done now.

Noah, Nate and trains.   Some toys never get old.

Thoughtful moment.

And when you think it's safe to take a slice of apple, think again.... I do see what you're doing.

 and no matter what happens in a day,

laughter is the best medicine!

Out of focus, yes a bit.  All the same, we're definitely in the moment!

How wonderful to be 10 (well one of us).

A new school year begins next week. New discoveries and adventures await.

Likewise for the older type too.  The  Jenkins Yarn Tools spindle group (Ravelry) has posted a new group challenge called September/October:  Recipe Challenge.  It looks like fun!   Definitely a good way to keep up practice on my spindle so I've signed up.  

So long Summer of 2018.    September is calling.

August continues.... orange air

From my kitchen window the morning skies continue to look like this.......

and the skies are devoid of clouds and color,

hardly a bird to be seen or heard......

With more indoor time, little projects done.  It's a great way to use up fabric and they're fun to stitch.  What is about sheep??

and a dog....

  

                    

The boys of summer 2018, separate and together.

As yet no new spinning to report as my left hand still has carpal tunnel issues.  The wrist support has helped.  In the meantime I've been sorting and clearing in my craft area.  And yes, it is getting easier to let it go.

Local markets have a bounty of fresh produce this time of year.  Cauliflower is very reasonable and each head is huge.  Online I found two recipes that appealed.  Cauliflower tabbouleh salad (will make this again for sure)  and Cilantro Cauliflower rice (dinner tonight).  The next one to try is a savory zucchini galette, later this week once the temperatures cools a bit.  I've been using a Starfrit manual food processor to rice cauliflower.

Back to basics (again) I found simple solutions for shower/tub cleaner.  White vinegar and dish soap, add essential oil if you like for fragrance  and most important a decent spray bottle.  I won't be going back to store bought any time soon.  

Wildlife encounters zero so far this week.   Last week it was the skunk on the patio....cute as it was it's a no thank you to the visit and letting loose because the dog barked at you.....it left before I got a photo.

pretty in pink

till next time....

(ps  more sheep coming  and sunflowers too)

oh happy day.....

Today we have a weather reprieve...cool air  16 C and actual clouds in the sky!!  And indoors, not a fan or ac to be heard.  The  quiet is pure bliss.

We've had too many days of this.

DH and I have discussed (again) what our options are to better insulate our home to offset the heat.  Our portable ac units do a good job within limits.  I cringe a bit at the thought of the next hydro bill.
Long term we need to improve our lot as this shift in weather isn't going away any time soon.

Meanwhile, with staying indoors I have managed a bit of sewing.  Two mug rugs finished. Fabric for a carry bag cut out and ready to sew.

This stitching was completed in June.  Finally found a suitable frame.

And Sully, what is a fellow to do when the room feels cold....move to shelter under the computer desk and nap in comfort.

A recent outdoor critter sighting, a Northern Flicker.   And thankfully no more squirrels! 

And without further adieu, meet the new girl in the house.....

Last Friday I responded to a local ad for this wheel.  Monday morning we drove to Richmond to meet the seller and her husband.   Both Vicki and her husband spin and weave.  After spending some time chatting and admiring their wheels, this Kiwi 2 came home with us.   I'm thrilled!!

that's it from from my corner.... 

end of the Tour

and  beginning of new directions....more hand spinning, more hand stitches ...

Here's day 21....

five skeins and a bit  (somewhat chunky but that's ok)  I'm content 

 Back to day zero, my Jenkin's Swan getting a  real road test.

I'm so glad that I joined Ravelry's Tour de Fleece this year.

hope everyone is weathering the heat....stay cool!!

twists and turns

The long summer days are wonderful, the heat with it, not so much.  And the heat wave shows no signs of letting up just yet.

Yesterday the breeze across the patio allowed for outdoor time (compared to staying in with the ac).

As much as I like new, I'm a believer in using what I have (or finding something to make it work).  I've accumulated  a few completed spindle balls of wool that I wanted to ply and then wind off to 'look like a skein'.    A nitty noddy .....read the diy's of how to make same (and it's too hot to run to Home Depot) so here's my home version (dowel, cut to length and filed to fit, along with Tinker Toy wooden fittings and rods)  and it works!  The ball holders are also Tinker Toy pieces.

The cutting board slot helped to hold the singles as I tried to ply on to the spindle.

Really needed more hands for this part.  More practice needed.

And it looked like this wound on......

    and finally, my first skein ever!

the spindle is calling ..................

stay cool ......

counting noses...

It's been that kind of day, just when we thought all was well......the appy tray was cleaned meaning the squirrel was still on site.   At seven something this evening it was in the living room (so much for the screen barricade to the utility room) heading  towards the patio and then  it turned back,  we lost  it again.  Found in the bathroom, door shut, great except for DH and dog in arm  being there as well... Two out, barricade route set up, front door open and an escort out of the bathroom .... it was on it's way!!!

And I promise no more squirrel tales of woe.

Spindle work for day 8 completed.  Photo to follow.

Maybe tonight everyone will  get a good nights sleep!

and to all a good night......

hot! hot! hot!

Last weekend we hoped for warmer days and they're here....with no in between.  Predicted for mid 80's at least today.  So it's an indoor ac day.

Here's my day 7 hand spindle progress.

Our squirrel saga continues.  Wednesday evening we were sure the critter returned outside.  But were we really sure, well not so much.

Thursday late day Sully barked up a storm in the utility room...no, nothing to see here...until late afternoon yesterday and the commotion started again.   Still, nothing so started to move furniture, clean the dust bunnies hiding  and then must have moved something and it is a squirrel.   Many words muttered.  Sully banished to the kitchen.  And how to find a critter that doesn't want to be found. And how did we not encounter it in between? We opened the front door with the hallway blocked off and waited.  Still nothing.  A neighbour suggested loud heavy metal music.  Ok add a radio, let's party, even appetizers (cracker with peanut butter)  and nothing.  There was only one short bit of time when neither DH or I was on door watch and maybe it left.  To be sure DH brought in an extra slider screen door to secure the room.   As the hot water tank and furnace are in that room it tends to stay warm at best and it would be unkind to create a sauna for a stray critter. Calling pest control folks at 5 pm on a Saturday was almost a no go till I finally got a live person at the other end of the phone.  He had good suggestions to try first saving him having to charge us $$$.  He did followup a couple of hours later.  Good customer service.

So we are hopeful the squirrel is gone.  The pb and cracker remains untouched.  And Sully is quiet.

Perhaps order has been restored.

Second call to wildlife, a minor hiccup of ants.

In the big picture this is just stuff, it's that small picture.....

So sandwiches at 7 for dinner, a glass of wine and cookies.   

Today is a clean slate.   Now back to spinning.

till next time.... 

Summer is here

Not complaining about the added warmth but last weekend it was heavy rain and cooler and now in the 80's.   Mother Nature keeps us guessing.

Yesterday while it was 75 and holding indoors it was time to pull out one of the ac units and set it up.  Easy peasy except for the time spent looking for the board that hold the exit hose.  After much searching, it was of course hidden in plain sight so an hour later everything was a go with the cooler air up and running.

We seem to be a magnet for outdoor critters stopping by to say hello...inside our home.  Wednesday evening Sully was on patrol on the patio, he didn't see the squirrel at first nor the squirrel him and then the fun began.  DH tried to get the dog and as I went to close the slider door the squirrel b lined in.....so where would a squirrel go???  anywhere it pleases... Sully was hold up in the bathroom while we tried to find said little fellow.  Spotted him at the front door, climbing the wall I might add. While speaking quietly almost had the front door open and the squirrel out, well almost.   Eventually it leftt and order was restored.  Sully stayed on duty the rest of the evening till he fell asleep from all his work.
Overnight there was eau de skunk  very nearby.  Are we lucky or what?  Mid day Thursday a black squirrel was still out front going around the doorways and upstairs.

We've since purchased netting to put over the gazebo so that we can access a portion of the patio  without inviting the critter neighbourhood. 

My tour de fleece spinning is coming along.  Who would have thought that a week ago that I could make progress of sorts with the spindle.

Day 5 on the left.  Continued on day 6 with the multi color over the white. 

And below, off the spindle.

Day 7 a new start.  

Later this evening I'll go back to regular knitting while watching the taped Tour de France.

Wishing everyone a good weekend!

twist and spin

Day four of the Tour de France and day 4 of getting used to my Turkish spindle.  I opened a bag of Bluefaced leicester sliver  ....why didn't I try this sooner....I'm finding the drafting so much easier.

That said, still so much to learn.  Tomorrow is another day.   I've been keeping notes by day.  Perhaps come the end of July things will come together.


From my garden, a bonus of sorts...it's the first year there has been enough to pick.  The second time picking filled a  small container.

 

The southern skies are clearing and there is the promise of warmer weather in the days ahead.

 

 Nate at eight and Noah just turned 10.......where has the time gone?

and Sully, earlier this morning......there is nothing better than helping to open a present (he only had the tissue paper) ...the old girl opened her gift first!

that's it for today!