dusting off the cobwebs

I'm still here.   July became August and now  here we are mid September.


This summer tried new recipes.....variations of fermented veggies (yum), ginger bug (still on the go) and cauliflower pickles (crunchy and oh so good).   My fridge is getting a bit full.

Lots of hand spinning.  Tour De Fleece in July was a blast.  My plyboard has been put to the test  and it works!   Now I'm considering a smaller version, a turtle board.  More to come on this.




Late August we enjoyed whale tails.

And a ride through the trail of tall trees.

Bring on fall!!  Soups to make, knitting to do, fresh bread to bake  and  fresh coffee to brew.
More coffee please......

where is summer?

Out on the west coast summer has yet to find it's way for anything more than a day or two. I guess compared to heat waves, earthquakes, floods, etc. this is quite ok thank you.

Tomorrow brings the Tour de France.   And the Tour de Fleece......and so it begins...

Welcome Summer!

Simple pleasures in the garden....Spurt II works well, beans and tomatoes are doing well and
the canna lilies have come up.

It seems that every day we have 'seasons'...sunshine and a hint of warmth then clouds and wind.  For late June 11 C in the morning...brrr.  Pour another cup of coffee please.


Sometimes a plan comes together.   I wanted a small plyboard for the turtle singles (what you get when spinning with a Jenkins spindle).   After looking at many diy ideas online I came up with this.  In the process I discovered that when buying a length of wood check the actual measurement!!  There is a difference between advertised  and actual . 

The green board lives with me and the brown one was gifted to a friend.

My May June challenge on the Ravelry Jenkins group is complete.  The 4 oz braid of Balsam is done.
Next up a spa day (final wash/dry for skeins of yarn).  Today might be the day!

Next up on Ravelry will be the Tour de Fleece.  July means lots of spinning (with new roving to try) while enjoying the Tour de France.

now it's back to the garden to pick fresh herbs....

till next time.....

a minor reprieve

Yesterday was too hot, 30 C and it lasted well in to the evening.

At 9 am it was 26 in the family room so with reluctance we brought out the ac units.  One minor detail...we forgot where the drainage hoses were put...  eventually they were located, set up and water puddles cleaned up due to the error of our ways.   With the ac's up and running it made a big difference inside  One day's use won't add too much to the hydro bill (here's hoping).

And this morning, a lovely light breeze and cooler.  21 at the moment.  This is how it should be.

Time to water the tubs on the patio.

till next time....

it's that kind of day

Cooler again and overcast  so the perfect time to bake.  Strawberry muffins and a loaf, two loaves of bread and a pan of rolls. Currently in the oven, a layered veggie egg white quiche for dinner tonight.  And there went my morning and part of my afternoon!

Yesterday was perfect for fleece drying.  While I continue washing small batches this is my make do drying rack.  It actually works pretty good.  The basin underneath is just to catch any drips of water....and keep a certain little dog out (lol).

Seeds in the boy's garden boxes are growing.  Even since Sunday when Noah and Nate checked them there is new growth.  It's such a fun project for them........aside from digging in the dirt.

And now while there is a bit of time this afternoon it's back to hand spinning  for me.

till next time ....

getting ready to board

Please go over to Nadine's blog for the 3rd Tour of France.      http://jocondine.blogspot.com   It's a fun game to play along.   Travels through France are delightful.  And Nadine's drawings and work setting it up, well amazing!

Bonne chance!

blowing in the wind

For this first Monday of June sunshine and blue skies ...so nice....except it's stayed windy all day (and cold unless you're in the sun)  so how to take advantage of the situation.... make it a fleece wash day.  I carefully opened  my box of Blaise fleece and removed enough to put in two basins.  A cold soap soak followed by a hot soap soak and then a rinse soak.  The excess water has been removed from both lots and they're currently air drying in a mesh bag/hangers.

Lovely to work with.  I can't wait to see what it's like to spin with.  Thank you to Michelle of Boulderneigh  for your Shetland sheep    https://boulderneigh.blogspot.com  and of course to Blaise.

The week is off to a great start!

till next time......

welcome June!

It's a new day,  it's a new month ....

no sunscreen required

Mother Nature has decided that we need a sprinkle of rain (lol) as it's been closer to monsoons and darn well cool (11 C).  Enough so that even on the tv weather report it was suggested to bundle up before heading outdoors.   This is the end of May right??   Brighter days ahead, well at least that's what is in the forecast.

So far today I've worked on my wool roving stash.  Both listing what I have and making it fit into a three drawer storage unit (of course it will fit, really just another push)   It is a work in progress .........perhaps I should learn to spin in my sleep. 


The other day my spouse came home with a dozen roses. Definitely a surprise.  The fragrance is lovely.  Currently they're sitting on a table just outside the slider door, sort of a natural cooler allowing the blooms to slowly open. 

Of course there has been spinning.  Two Swan spindles in use for plying.  On the left Mouse Ears plyed weighing in at a net of 72 grams and Blake weighing in at a net of 100 grams.

I've a few small singles of Blake that I'm plying and then done.  Upcoming will be a spa day for all the plyed wool.   It's the best kind of laundry day.


In the garden there is progress. Sweet peas are up. Likewise beans and pickling cucumber.  While at the local home improvement store I spent time in the seed section.    Believe it or not I did keep to the list.   Three packages of seeds selected for our grandson's garden boxes. Sunflower Munchkin, Carrot Little Finger and Bean Rattlesnake.  Also I've started two potatoes in the dark of the cupboard to that the boys can plant these as well. 

Looking outside it appears the rain has stopped and it's almost bright(er).  And the day is yet young.

till next time .......

something new

While our weather continues sunny and cooler it seemed the perfect time to try new recipes....two in two days.   Yesterday strawberry muffins, a recipe I found on once upon a chef by Jenn Segal.  Good recipe/results.  I doubled the recipe for 12 muffins and one 8 x 8 cake.  The cake needed an hour at 375 F.  Parchment muffin pan liners worked really well.   The best part is that they freeze well.

This morning New England Hot Dog buns (without the specialty pan).  I used the Buttery Hot Dog Buns recipe from King Arthur Flour.  And here's the result........

I doubled the recipe and will freeze one tray.   They more or less look right.  Each bun is then toasted on the sides and cut top down (through three quarters) and add your filling.   yum!  Tonight it will be either Basil  shrimp or Shrimp Salad. 

Both recipes are keepers.

that's about it for now......have a good week!