Deb on the Web

What a weekend

I am posting this without photos as they are just taking too long.  I'll add them when I head into town later today.
It was a fabulous mail week-end.  So how is that for a tease.  I have lots to show from Woolgirl (Spin Club), Loopy Ewe (Malabrigo worsted) and A Swell Yarn Shop (the beginning of my Lucky Lurkers project).  I also would love to show you the current progress of my spinning of the Dicendra roving for the Tour de Fleece.  A fun project.  I have decided to Navajo ply this and knit Cindy's beautiful scarf pattern.  I am hoping the stripey-ness doesn't cove up the pattern too much.
In the animal department we are having to put back the Pygora pickup for a week due to a funeral that Darlene is helping with.  Even if I'm disappointed we totally understand how these things go.  Our godson will be spending next week visiting here so he gets to have quite a farm adventure!  As if the Skateboard park in HoodRiver wouldn't be enough.

Saturday was such a food day.  I started the day early so I could get to the Farmer's Market as it was opening.  I was hoping to beat the crowds.  No chance at this point in the year though.  Even though it was packed I managed to get the berries, corn, peppers and tomatoes I was looking for.  A small batch of canning has already started up here at "The Cedars".
As I headed in to work I had lots of food ideas running through my head.  A slow braised pork sauce for pasta, rabbit (not ours) in pepperonata and a great antipasti plate that included a great veggie tart filled with chickpeas, Cardoncello mushrooms and chive marscapone.
After work I tossed a couple of produce bags in the car (all the scraps that get added to my compost at home) and headed over to the grocery.  I am able to get all the produce at the farmers market, but there are still things like popcorn and coffee I need from the store.  I loved opening up the back of my car at home and seeing all the bounty (even the scraps) that were from pretty darn close to home.
Local is the important thing these days!  Organic yes, but local is becoming so much more important.  Reasons?
Support your local community
Eating fresh foods is healthier
Carbon Footprint
Knowing how your food was raised will cut down on deadly bugs ending up in your food
I'm not saying that I wouldn't jump at organic foods at every chance, but if I know the farmer is working his property in a natural way, but doesn't want to pay the price to be certified I am going to support him 100%!
Okay, climbing down from the soap box.

(husband was just heard to say--you are a dead fly walking)  I end with that...

Crafting the Summer away

Yes, this is yesterday's post.  The one the internet being wonky ate.  grrrr
I feel like I have to type really fast so that I can get a post in before it shuts down again.  It has been decided that maybe WiFi-ing off the other house isn't going to work on a long term basis.

To start with today is day 4 of the Tour de France.  Which means it is also day 4 for the Tour de Fleece! The challenge being to spin throughout the race on a project (from your stash) that is challenging to you.  This Merino/Silk/Angora blend from Dicendra Designs is definitely a challenge for me My goal is to work on fibers from my stash that I haven't used before and require some thoughtfulness on my part to work with them.  This may be all I get through (4 oz).  I may be able to move on to the camel and the bamboo/merino.  We'll see how the TdF goes.  I know my daily spinning is happening, but now that the weather is getting better more time is being spent outside than in.

Publishing now..I'm writing in increments today.

Next Summer project revolves around socks a knit-along to spend the Summer knitting socks at your own pace.  I've mentioned that I am knitting along already with this and AYD Summer of Socks as well.  Here is my first pair (not counting booties) a busy picture I know.  These are Trekking in the Brach's candy colorway.  I have had this yarn in my stash since AYD opened.  As it creates its own pattern I am am just knitting with the flow on two needles, toes up.  You will notice I'm making two at a time.  Due to this syndrome I have developed so many socks and yet none to wear (shaking head).

Also on the roster, but not always with fiber is this fabulous group of ladies I blogged a response to their call out the other day.  I love when my buds are traveling along the same path I am.  I think the MaryJane's farm site is very cool.  I received her book in the mail over the weekend and can't wait to see what our group will put out for ideas.

And you, what are you doing this Summer?

Chickens on board!

These are my kind of babies:)
We ordered 25 chicks from Sand Hill Preservation Center this morning.  They will be hatching in a couple of weeks and then sent off to us.
Golden Campine
Americauna bantam
Black Australorp
We chose birds that were good layers of brown or colored eggs (our preference) and that were good foragers (they will be living in the orchard).  These varieties all have mild temperments and are good mothers.

In the food department the husband made a terrific salsa this weekend.  We bought a couple of every hot and mild pepper at the store and he roasted them all.  Adding to them some chopped tomato, red onion, shallot, cilantro and grapefruit juice (delivered by bil from his Palm Springs garden).

Did I mention that I have Summer house guests.  uh yea

In the gardening department--I really wish it would stop raining! 

Which leads to the spinning department--current project is merino from a Spunky Club  offering (February I think) named "Mud".  It was just too appropriated not to work on right now.

In knitting--I am just about finished with the Noro vest.  I hope to be wearing it tomorrow.  Baby blanket will be cast on soon after.

If you only read one post today...

...read this one about PippikneeSocks

When she was dying she produced some amazing colors!  This is one of those times when I know knitters (and spinners) will step up!

Photos from a rainy day

4 oz of Spunky club wool--I have lost the tag, but I think this is "Goblin" and I know it is 100% wool I just can't remember what kind.  errr  I need to figure it out.  This was a dream to spin with and will knit up into soft, warm socks!
This is a "Totally Tubular" kit I purchased from Carolina Homespun at Black Sheep Gathering and couple years ago.  It has been sitting on a shelf until I could decide how I wanted to spin it.  As you can see in the jar it has small batts piled on top of each other.  It gives you lots of options (too many to decide).  I finally spun them in order and plied them together.  I was considering plying a third bobbin of black merino (yet to be spun) since some of this is pretty bright.  But after looking at all the nubby pieces There is a lot of silk Noil in this mix.  I decided this will be great as is in some kind of fluffy scarf.  These kits do not tell you what the contents are, but I could feel the merino on some batts and others were definitely Coredale (sp.) It gave me some good ideas for batts I would like to create once I start dying this Summer.  And now I feel much more directed on what I will look for at BSG in June.
It is another rainy day here, but I know the sun will eventually come back for dining alfresco--

A very busy few days

I am happy to say that there will be blogging from the mountain from now on!!  My bil to be (sis got engaged on Vday woo hoo) set us up so hopefully I'll be quite a bit more regular on my posts.  Holidays could bring unexpected delays;)  Yea that and when I got nothin!
Today I got a few somethings though.  The spinning bug bit me and how this week.  I finished what was on the wheel I finished these singles of fakland wool from Yarn Wench and plyed them on themselves for this this is now washed and ready to become a hat when the pattern that fits it turns up.  Next to jump up was this month's offering from the Spunky Club.  I've gotten a bit behind on these as I just didn't feel inspired, but this icelandic wool was calling out!  I loved spinning these long fibers, but this is a bit rough for something like a hat or gloves.  I'm now spinning this corredale/silk combo from Crosspatch creations to ply with it It has a touch of blues and greens like the icelandic, but also some yellows and all that white silk.  I think this will combine well for a pair of simple mittens.
Lest you think I didn't pick up the needles I did in fact finish up these Valentine socks They are off the needles now.  I had to find my size #3 needles to give this a looser bind off.  Yarn is Duet-Middy in cupid.  They are knit toe up with short row toes/heels on size #2 needles.  I really love knitting with this Middy yarn! This link is serious temptation as Angela uploaded lots of new colorways today;)
In other life news...bought our tickets to Europe today!!  We are flying into Barcelona on Mar 17th and just staying a few days.  We have to be up in Nantes, France for Easter with my BIL (husband's youngest) new inlaws.  We will then be heading to Reims and then the Rhone valley for some wine business and on to Italy for another 3 weeks of business.  Yes, very excited here!!
And speaking of Italy...a relative of my husband's did some geneology on the family recently.  As I was looking through the papers and doing some internet searches (I love this thing sometimes) I realized that his great grandparents never became US citizens.  This means that the husband and many of his relatives can apply for Italian citizenship.  You never know when a vacation just isn't enough;)

Fan Club

Did you ever have that actor that you always knew exactly what you would say if you ever met them?  Well I got to meet that person tonight--David Ogden Stiers.  Now I'm sure you're wondering why him.  Well he is from the same area as my grandmother's family and he looks just like my great uncles.  I have always wanted to introduce myself and say 'hey, I think we are related'.  Well I did and he looked at me and said 'no we are not'  in only the way that Charles Winchester III could have.  I almost laughed!  I wasn't even insulted.  It was so fun to have finally "acted out" my fantasy scenerio:)
Speaking of fans--I am a huge fan of Amy King's Spunky Club.  And this week I finally knit something from the rovings I spin up! This is about 2 oz of shetland in the "Celebration" colorway.  The pattern is from the new Knitty--Foliage.  You can't see the lace work unless it is on a head.  This yarn is pretty springy.  I love it!

Creative day and post office day

As painful and exhausting as Saturday was Sunday was the balance of creativity.  Maybe I just needed to shed some tears to let the creativity out.
The day time was family time and therefore knitting time.  I forgot the camera to get some photos of my niece's 8yr family party.  It was nice and mellow and great conversations about books, art and a bit of fixing computers (my BIL is a software designer--he has visited all our computers at least once).
I had planned on meeting up with the local MS3 ladies, but I just didn't get home in time.  I was sad about that but my creative urge really took over in the evening and I decorated these spindles I cut out pics from old knit catalogs sitting about and had fun with decoupage.  I have collaged in years.  I added a bit of gold paint as I had Rumpelstiltskin in my head too;)
this is it for the photo taking yesterday, but I also made a couple sets of stitch markers, finished plying some more yarn and assembled 10 packages that went to the post today.  Yes I did spend most of this afternoon with all of this.  And when all was said and done I had one card that was outside its sealed box and one box without its address (at home of course) and I couldn't find my pen after I finished addressing labels...you may find it if you are expecting something from me.
Tonight I am pooped.  I am going to look for a pattern for some beautiful natural dyed alpaca I picked up at AYD today (their brand) and work on my Rockin Sock club sock.

Busy, but with what?

I really don't know.  I have been going and going this week.  But I don't feel like I have accomplished a whole lot.
Here is Sunday to Sunday
Sunday: the 5K walk, knitting, spinning, blogging, dinner with friends
Monday: spinning, Ikea with friends which became the rest of day and night
Tuesday: work, knitting at Twisted with Duffy and Aimee
Wednesday: work, house cleaning, great mail!
Thursday: work, dinner at Gino's with friends, more mail!
Friday: work and then some work, again with the mail!
Saturday: baking, funeral and reception for my oldest friend's mom (a very hard day), and a bit of mail:)
Sunday: spinning, shopping for work, niece's birthday party...and who knows

I have finished plying the July Spunky Club "Celebration"
I am now plying some yarn to send to someone in trade for some fiber.
I am also collaging two spindles that I'd like to get into tomorrow's mail.
I cast on last night for the August Rockin Sock club socks (one of those mail days packages). I don't want to show photos here until a few more get their packages.
I have about six packages I'll be taking to the post tomorrow so I have to get them all ready.  My current schedule doesn't let me out of the building during business hours except for Mondays (and last Monday I was kidnapped;) ).

Plans for this next week?  Well there will be work!  And probably the Tuesday knitting and who knows about the rest.  I doubt I'll be quite as lucky with the mail, but I am looking for a couple more packages;)
And what was in the packages I didn't blog about:
Lucky Lurkers sock club welcome package This is such a creative idea.  The first yarn won't arrive until September so she is keeping us anticipating the club with this welcome gift of an accessories bag from woody creations, a measuring tape (I've started a collection lately), a kitchner stitch cheat sheet, a business card magnet, yarn scraps for holding places and her standard sock pattern in a plastic sleeve.
Rockin Sock Club package
C*eye*ber fiber order (Brother Amos-brimstone for a "Cast-on" KAL and Team Knitty sock yarn for a "Campanula for the Cure" KAL )Each of these  purchases donated a portion of theri profit to the  Cast on website and the Team Knitty  site (respectively).
Spunky Eclectic fiber of the month for August I don't have a plan for this yet.

Three packages in one day was fabulous!  But getting one package a day makes my week so incredibly happy:)  I know this stems from Summers in Alaska while I was in college.  I missed my friends so much.  I would be waiting for the mail plane daily--and it came twice a day.  I have been addicted to mail ever since.

What a great mail day!

I came home from a pathetic work day (I burned more projects than not).  I am not looking forward to repeating today's day tomorrow...
But I found this waiting for me Blue Moon, England and Singapore!  And that is the order opened-- I was all a flutter thinking it was my Sock club package.  I forgot I ordered the Cat Bordhi book since I couldn't make the talk she gave her in town.  And the "Ruby Slippers"?  It has been calling for a While!
This is a swap from Swapbot--sock yarn and a pattern. I forget to check up on Magknits so I hadn't seen this pattern and I love the corresponding purple (from the stash) to go with the Regia blues.  Thank you so much Alison:)  Oh yea, bellllgian chocolate. mmmmmm  I am looking forward to eating this as I read the pattern;)
And then we have Singapore!  My dear (past secret pal) Chrissie had my name in two swapbot swaps.  Both the swap I am hosting Summer Fiber Swap and the one she is hosting Hand-made spindle swap.  She really out did herself--Fiber is reddish cashmere, multi-silk noils and a muted domestic wool top.  Oh yes they do need to be mixed together in a future project (when I get that dreamed about drum carder).  The spindle is a 1oz little guy made from polymer clay. Great design!  And it's fun that it is totally different from my ideas that I'll be sending to my pals.  Also in the package a set of chopstick rests shaped like dragons in white porcelain and a set of Chinese tea accessories made from water buffalo horn.  Very cool!  I love it all Chrissie:) 

And what is on the needles--this baby blanket for a Nostrana baby coming in October It is so hard to photograph Enterlac at this stage I hope you can get an idea from the book.  This from Debbie Bliss "Baby Cashmerino" and that is what I am using to knit this blankie.   I'm sure the baby will enjoy it as much as I do.