Deb on the Web

Sites I've been hanging out at

Now that the garden is up and running again I'm back at Dave's Garden.  I joined this garden community about 5 yr ago, but really haven't had a garden for the last 3 to play in.  I have already taken part in to plant Coops (hosta and iris).  Members host coops so that people that are all interested in buying the same plants can get great bulk prices.
This morning this site was brought to my attention--GreenThumbr.  I created a profile and have yet to look around a whole lot, but it seems like a fun site.  Anyone else on there?
I found that through Twitter.  And also found through Twitter was Plurk.  Anyone playing with that?  Several knitters are over there--including Wendy and Violet.  I like that I can have the twitterings up on my blog and they are connected with Greenthumbr so I probably won't hang out there a lot.  I do like the setup though.

It is so gray here today I can't get any photos of...the next prize!  The angora booties I knit last night.  The finished Needle Felted Bucket bag.  Sweet little bunnies.

I am so happy to have reached the original goal of $300 for the CCFA walk!! woo hoo!  Thank you everyone:)  Since there is one more week to go (and I have not posted my own donation) I want to see if $500 (!!!) might be a reachable goal.  I'm already happy why not try for ecstatic!  You can now scroll back to past posts to see the prizes that will be awarded (randomly) on June 28th.  Once the 10th prize is posted (in just a couple days!) I will post them all together for a last hopeful push towards the new goal!!!  Really, as not a lot of people have donated the odds of winning a prize are pretty darn good;)

Current projects

I started my first Baby Surprise Sweater (created by EZ and found in her Knitting Almanac) last night.  Yes, I am the last knitter to make one.  And actually this is not the first time I've started one.  Just the first time I am figuring out how to knit it correctly!  These BSS notes (I can not remember how I first found them) are amazingly helpful. 
It was brought to my attention yesterday that I have 3 (current and past) employees that have 3 ladies that will be having 3 babies (all boys presumably as that is all any of my employees have ever had while working for me) right in a close time frame this Summer.  I've got to get a move on (as in quit procrastinating!  One of those babes already has a knitting "auntie" that is working on a blankie so I thought a BSS would be fun with lots of booties and a Funky Monkey too.  For the other two I've got to get to AYD today and start looking at blanket yarns and patterns (from my library).

As I was packing in town this week I found a box of seeds from 2004!  I'm not quite sure what they were doing in town and not out at the farm.  But they will be the big Summer science experiment.  I'm going to plant most of them (no point in bothering with tomatoes at this point) just to see if I can germinate them and get some fresh seed produced.  Some seeds are ones I had saved from 2003 and there are lots of them!  Anyone else want to try out the sprouting experiment?  Lots of lettuce, kale and miscellaneous...

I received an Amazon order a few days ago--Cheese making!  Now I'm not getting crazy enough to go out and buy a goat, sheep or cow (but you know I want to!).  This book talks about making cheese with milk bought at the grocery store.  Yogurt too!  I do love me some yogurt with honey and warmed walnuts...

As I have a couple nights a week where I am home alone (whoopee! yahoo! weeee! ahem, I mean poor me....) I am getting creative with cooking for one.  Last night was all about roasted veggies and basmati rice.  I use a cast iron pan and start the veggies (baby turnips, golden beets, garlic shoots and mild garlic cloves) on the stove by sauteeing them a little with olive oil and salt.  When they have some color I pop them under the broiler to finish cooking.   Toasty brown in a bowl with rice and a little herb salt is a perfect meal.  It also cleaned out last week's veggies so I am ready for the Farmer's Market again this weekend.
Being home alone on a Friday night is a wonderous thing to a restaurant worker:)  It means watching Dracula movies with yarn and sewing (read sewing buttons back on DH pants) projects spread out.  Yeah, I'm not quite ready to go back to work full-time yet.

Blogs to read today..Claudia (yep still pimping her--as I have a very good friend with MS and this subject has become much more important to me), Spunky's auctions, Knitting Friends (I have found so many new (to me) and interesting blogs since I started paying attention to this site.  And wow!  I was mentioned yesterday and my readership soared.  Steph turned me on to this blog.  Really fun!  Give me some more blogs to read.

Need a little inspiration?

Photos from the forest floor.  Yes, I am back to green!  I have always loved the color green.  But living in the city brings out my urges for browns, blues and of course lots of black in the wardrobe.  Being up here (especially in Spring) I just can't get enough green in my life!!  So many different shades:) This is one of my herb beds before clean up.  It looks ever so lovely now (just way too rainy to show) I still love this photo for the varieties of color and texture.  I've planted some bronze fennel at this end to add to the textural variety (and my salad bowl).

If you know me personally then you know I had a blow out! 40th birthday party (thank you again Marc, Gina and Michael!).  A 3 day bbq at the farm with live music, great food and almost all my favorite people (I missed you Cyndi!).  I haven't known anyone to match the fun that we had on their 40th(it actually was a week with the pre-planning party added to it).  But the Harlot is doing it!  And in fabulous stlye:)  That is a party I would love to crash. 
You really need to read these posts today as well--Franklin, Claudia (yes, I will be bugging you all to visit her until she reaches her MS Ride goal) and Ysolda (because, really, who can pass up a post titled Brownies and Lace).
I'm off to town for some moving (yes I did move just me and my fiber room), some knitting (meeting up with Michelle and maybe Tammy and Kim) and then working at Gino's in the evening.  I am hoping by the time I get home tonight the rain clouds will have passed and I can enjoy a sunny day in the garden tomorrow.
Tomorrow's post will include the knitting and spinning progress of yesterday...

Do I need a specific title...

Can't really think of one...but
The weekend was beautiful (if a wee bit hot)!  I didn't take any garden photos as I was knee deep in weeds and herbs with garden gloves on.  I will take some photos this week.  In the now cleaned up herb bed I planted--Nepitella (an Italian herb I am excited to have found), bronze fennel, Italian oregano, oregano thyme, lemon verbena, pineapple mint, orange mint, bergamot, fino verde basil, rosemary (we lost ours in the snow last Winter), lemon balm, mugwort, Chinese motherwort (the last two are favorite medicinals), golden sage, rose scented and Prince of orange scented geraniums, tarragon and Genovese basil.  I haven't decided where to put the woad as I want to create an area for a few specific dye plants.  But over all yesterday was very productive!
When it got too hot we went to work on my studio/sun room (I am trying to share the room in the mornings with the husband).  There were a lot of boxes belonging to my mil which led to me not being able to unload any of the boxes I had trekked up.  Also a bed that while lovely had no use.  We went to work (as others wee at the Obama rally) and took out all the books, bed and extra hooha that had no use for us.  Plus a run to the recycler with 8 boxes of magazines (just in case someone wants to collage).  Now the room is shaping up A lovely spot for knitting or tea and plenty of room to keep the wheel on a permanent basis.  There is a work table to the side that now permanently houses my ball winder and swift (something I have wanted to do forever!).  The book shelves are behind the couch and need to be filled and organized more.  In the bins under the window you can now find all of my fiber.  I love that.  Now that I can see it I am itching to spin it--also realize that I will not be doing much shopping here or here this year. 
We have a room mate up here!  We've been watching the nest being built (on top of an old one at our bedroom door) but we weren't sure she would stick around.  There is a lot of activity around her.  So far she is persevering and we may see some babies yet!
On the knitting front--
Meet Marina This is the back of a quick Summer vest in Noro Taiyo.  I love working with this yarn.  I'm not much for knitting with cotton as it has no give, but this combination of cotton, wool, silk and a touch of nylon.  I hope to have this finished by mid week as I seem to have a long line of projects just tapped their feet staring hard at me.

Speaking of Noro, check out some of the pics from his site.   Makes me want to knit with his yarn exclusively!

Also, do you Twitter?  I am loving this tool as a way to throw up a comment or short thought when a post here is kind of silly.  They are updated in the top right hand corner or you can go directly there to see a full list of comments I've made.  And if you're Twittering too let's connect.  It has been fun to read others' Twitter comments.

What's up in 2008

That's a loaded question for me these days.
Here is what I do know:
I'll be spending more time up at the mountains.  From this time forward we'll be calling this the Mt house (that's what the family designated it years ago anyway).  There has been talk of giving up the apartment, but with current gas prices I see no reason to create an hour commute to work that we don't have to.  I'm very excited to be getting back to gardening this year.  I have been collecting a pile of catalogs to peruse this weekend.  I am not going crazy, but I do have some favorite herbs I want to add to the family plot.  We have the basics (rosemary, sage, thyme, basil, chives, marjoram, nasturium, calendula, mint), but I also love burnet, beebalm, lovage, chervil, garlic chives, lemon verbena, lemon balm and anise.  As to veggies my mil doesn't mind if I barge in with a few things.  I see a need to get some year round greens going (chard, chicories, kale and lots of lettuces), brussel sprouts grew very well this year (but one plant didn't go far), potatoes, onions, peas, carrots too.  Any hot weather plants have to grow under some protection (this is the reason we have been pretty aloof about living up here before--however as we get older we have to accept we don't need to grow those 100 tomato plants any more) I would love to have DH build a hoop house for tomatoes, eggplant, peppers but we'll see.  Yes this does sound like a lot, but honestly you've never seen me garden.  I can fit a lot into a small space.  The bigger the space the farther a field I'll go!
Now we can talk about dye plants!  I am going to start an area of madder, safflower, woad and indigo up by the recently dug lake.  Yes you will be seeing a whole new batch of photos from me this year!  I haven't even got to my medicinals!!  A large tea project will be taking off and maybe this is the year I get my copper still to make floral waters and oils (probably too much for this year though).

As for knitting I really am going to finish a lot of projects started previously.  The main project is Marc's Aran.  It has been languishing for months.  Now that he has lost 35lbs! it won't need the fiddliness of adding at the belly.  I hope to have this done before the warm weather hits.  I feel bad as he would love to have it to wear home from snow boarding.  Other projects include the multitude of socks that either have been started or that came as sock club kits.  I actually had to go out and purchase some socks this week.  That is just wrong!  I also did not finish the Mystery Shawl 3.  I knew it would be put aside if I didn't finish along with the group.  I am going to buy myself a beautiful shawl pin as a reward for that FO, but not until it is blocked.  And speaking of blocking my first purchase of the year was a blocking kit.  I have wanted a blocking board for quite a while.  I'm thrilled to now have one that fits together in a way that works for each project you have. 

This is going to be a busy year!  Besides the above projects my father is moving to town.  I am hoping to free up my schedule some to be able to spend a bit more time with all of my family.
There are also travel plans.  More of that when tickets have actually been purchased.
For the husband--he's got jobs of fixing the hot water, finishing a kitchen and bath, doing some work on kitchen upgrade in the restaurant.  He's going to have a ton of fun in 08;)
Don't get me wrong he's going to be snowboarding as many days as the snow will allow and then he is already planning bike rides.  I love how he has changed his routine!

I have cleaned up several of last year's lists in the side bars.  I am ready to start this 2008 year!  And have new lists of books, KALs and a whole new photo album to fill!

Crafting in the new year

Here is a link with a great tutorial for embroidering on your knitting.  Something I have wanted to add to knee socks since reading the article in Fall 2006 VK.

I've already made a few tincures and am making some calendula salve this weekend.  This is a link for anyone else that is interested.  The only thing I would add to their directions is that I cut the vodka with water when I strain the herbs out.

This is a link to a version of Italian Wedding Soup.  I love soups and stews at this time of year.  I have to say that I would never use a canned broth in any soup.  I love to spend a day (when I had time to cook at home) making broth to freeze for future use.

And a link to my favorite seed catalog.

I think I have now covered most of my interests.  My brain is thinking of all the projects I'd like to do in the new year--doubtful that they all will happen this year.  But it is nice to dream.

And a photo of a bit of sock yarn "Winter Sunrise"  Part of a joint Sock Yarn Club by Mama E (top) and Brooklyn handspun (bottom).  This is from December.  I got a bit forgotten by one so I just received a package yesterday.  I have received one of my January offerings, but wanted to post them at the same time.  I love the dyeing talent of both these ladies.  The yarn is of the best quality.  I think I will have socks on the needles at all times this year.
Mama E has one offering left of her sock yarn for each month of project spectrum.  I did hold back from this one.  I want to create some different items for each of the color ways.  And no I haven't decided on any yet.

End of year Rituals

It's funny, even though I haven't been active in our farm for well over a year now I always tend to think of planting, herbs and homemade herbal products at this time of year. I know of two people that will be reading this happily;)
Even though the catalogs start in January I am making herbal products (or at least thinking about them) now.  So this leads to what I would want my herb garden to produce next summer.  And yes I am thinking about planting one again.  And Gina I'm thinking of hydrosols--and copper stills!

I host a crafty Solstice party each year.  Themes from the past have been felting, making holiday paper with potato prints (that is fun after a few bottles of wine!), cookie decoration and this year--bath salts and scrubs.
As I was looking through my herb books and magazines I found some fun recipes and created a few.

But I also learned a few new herbal tricks and tips.
--For acne problems use healing earth mixed with fresh squeezed orange juice as a facial mask.  It is from Ice age deposits in the earth and contains an amazing array of minerals, has antiseptic and antibiotic effects.
--Use hydrosols as the water in the above mask and in any other herbal recipe asking for water.  Hydrosol is the water left from making essential oil.  Often the oils are too strong to use on a depleted system, but the water is much weaker.  Rose water is a hydrosol.  My mind is already working on baking implications as well as cosmetic ones.

I'm sure I will come to some of my senses by Spring when I'm super busy at work.  But right now...Acres of chamomile are springing before my eyes:)
I have this dream of a studio with french doors and lots of windows that is surrounded by medicinal and dye herbs.  Inside is a stove (or large hot plate) for cooking herbal concoctions and natural dyeing of yarn and fiber.  Of course shelves for books and yarn, my spinning wheel, a big work table and me.  Someday....

A day behind

I woke up 20 minutes past an appointment this morning.  Guess how the rest of my day has been going?
Why yes, I am feeling a little stressed out:) that is a scary smile.

Wow--lots of topic choices from the comments area.  Where to start?
I just took some Potato Dill bread out of the oven.  Note to self--do not oversleep or you will over proof by the end of the day.  It smells good, but we shall see how it tastes later. 
But it brings me to some current favorite cookbooks:
Baking: Breads from the La Brea Bakery, by Nancy Silverstone
I love baking with sourdough and these recipes work.  By the way, if you would like some sourdough email me.
Italian Cooking:  Molto Italiano, by Mario Batali and In Nonna's Kitchen, by Carol Field.  Both have great recipes for home.  I love the rustic feel of both and they are recipes that are easy to follow.
Desserts:  The Last Course, by Claudia Fleming.  These are new twists on familiar recipes.  I love the ingredients used.  I have used these recipes for Gino's several times, but it is meant to be used for home desserts.  Once again these recipes work.
There is nothing worse than getting started on a recipe and realizing that something is missing.  If it is an area I'm new to I want it to be fool proof.

I haven't talked about the farm in quite a while.  Mainly because I haven't been able to be there.  I think it will be another year before I get to spend time out there.  As you can see from the pics it is beautiful!  DH has told me that the logging up the road has stopped so it is peaceful as well.  The logging is something I have a very hard time with.  There used to be several places with old growth up the road from us.  They are quickly disappearing!  We lost about a 70 acres area that we used to go mushrooming on.  Tons of Chanterelles, Lobster and a few Porcini (Boletus Edulis) in our area.
Garden wise I knew this would happen so I planted lots of perennial herbs and greens that would reseed.  Our partners out there planted a great garden this year as well.  I always know when I go out I can count on my basics--Italian parsley, thyme(regular and lime), sage(green, variegated and purple), chervil, winter savory, salad Burnett, chives and a variety of green and red lettuces.  We have a very hot summer out there so the lettuces tend to bolt, but we have some radicchio, spinach, chard and cress to fill in.  I love(!) a salad full of greens and herbs.  I always have edible flowers in the summer garden as well for the salads--pansies, violas, bachelor buttons, snap dragons, mallow, plus about 20 others I can't think of at the moment.
Okay, now I really miss being out there.

You know I feel much calmer talking about some subjects that are not the cause of my current stress.
Off to the store for a birthday present.  The 12 yr old will be here for dinner in about 40 min!

An FO and WIP

Let's take a look at those socks now Finito!!  If you look close you will see a little blog towards the toe of one sock.  I really should have cut the yarn when the slub happened upon me.  But as I was car knitting and had another project in the wings I did not.  Of course I regret it now! jeesh

The other project is the Ik vest still on the back piece, but it is coming along .  I have no idea why the pictures I take of this particular project alway go sideways.  You will notice it is folded over.  Ummm, well, it is kind of screwed up on that side.  It seems that while I was knitting in pattern on 2/3 of the vest as I got to the last third (for 2in) I was looking at a whole different line of the pattern. grrrr  I had to put it aside for a while.

Which brings us to the last almost WIP.  The whole project is laid out and ready to go.  I have even posted a photo of this project on a KAL page.  However, there is a certain someone that needs to stay away from the sidebar buttons!  Yes, mother, I am talking to you!

Mom--I also do have to out you for the silliness that you thought I would change my name to Nostrana to take yoga.  Please.......
Although I will agree that it does have a hindu feel to it...well not really:)
Thank you again for the presents today! 
DH and I drove over the mountain (there will be pictures as soon as the batteries charge) today to visit mom and pick up an ATV and log splitter.  If I ever get out to my farm again I am going to have fun on the 4 wheeler!  It was a nice day for a ride.  As you can see a lot of knitting was done and we listened to a Miss Marple mystery.  It is finished and up for grabs if anyone wants to listen to it.

I am feeling like I should change my banner.  I am not going to get to do any gardening this year.  I haven't been out to the farm on a regular basis since last fall (thank heavens for partners). 
Anyone with banner suggestions:)

And last but not least for today....Happy New Pope Day everyone!!!  He's not as cute as the last, but what are ya gonna do?

Gardening Symposium

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year!  One of the local Community Colleges has a great Horticulture program and hosts a symposium every year.  I have only missed one (the first).  The speakers are always the most read organic gardening or farming writers or activists around here and/or nationally.  This year William Woys Weaver was one of the speakers!  Oh my goodness was I excited.  He has written numerous books about Heirloom Vegetables and is quite knowledgeable about old, traditional styles of gardening.  He has assisted with historic gardens all over the country and has a seed collection of about 4,000!  Anyway, I asked him a question on the way to lunch and ended up having him all to myself for the hour break!!  We talked about social responsibilities of restaurateurs, what new cooks and the public should be taught about where their food comes from (he teaches some of this at Drexler University), his newest project writing about the wines of Cypress and midevil foods.  Wow!
Also speaking were Chester Aaron ( a garlic man extraordinaire), Toby Hemingway (permeculturist that I would like to take design classes from at some point) and Laura Masterson (a local farmer that spoke of cover crops and one of our main suppliers of produce at Gino's--I was very proud of her).
It was an incredible day!  I got some good books to read--memoirs by Chester Aaron, a new heirloom book by W.W. Weaver and a book by Elliot Coleman.  I just had a thought--I will have to gather my favorite gardening (theory and practice) books into a list to post.  I am going out to the farm this week.

On the subject of Horticulture I leave you with this thought by the late and very witty Dorothy Parker--"You can take a whore to culture, but you can't make her think."  Chester Aaron began his talk with that witty quip yesterday.  I've had a smile on my face ever since:)