For the Love of Fiber

Sunflowers And Bluebirds

I have lots of favorites when it comes to flowers. 

One flower that is on my favorites list is the sunflower.  I love  them!  The colors they come in, the way their blooms are structured and the way they unfurl, the various sizes available, etc.  I especially love the way they turn to face the sun - like they're trying to soak up every little drop of sunshine before nightfall. 

This little grove of sunflowers is courtesy of the birds that feed on the black-oiled sunflowers seeds.  I could not have planted a better patch.  Thank you, birdies! 

Here's a bluebird update --- If you look closely, you'll see a hint of blue feathers on the baby to the right.  There are four birds in this nest cup.  They're so feathery now that it's hard to tell head from tail.  It won't be long now before they're ready to take off on their own. 

The bluebirds have a nest built in the other box but still no eggs.  I'm not sure why.  They had five babies at the start of the season and then immediately built a second nest.  After several weeks with no eggs, I dumped the nest.  The very next day, there was a new nest in the cup.  It has been a couple of week and still no eggs.

Knitting Update --- The Beachcomber Shawl is at about 42 inches long.  Need to get to 60 inches and it will be done.  I should be able to finish it in time and then I need to get hopping on a baby sweater.  It's a Katia pattern and I can't wait to show it to you.  Very cute. 

I have so many things I want to knit.  So much fiber I'm itching to spin.  My to-do list is VERY long!  Is yours????

Guess What?

We bought a house today!  

I can hardly believe it!  It's beautiful!  And, the best thing --- it needs NO significant work!!!  I'd like to paint some of the rooms and finish the basement but none of that has to be done immediately. 

Now, it's sinking in --- this move is really going to happen. 

When we first got the news last September that Andy's plant was going to close, I was adamant that I could not / would not move to Ohio.  After thinking about the move and Andy not finding anything here, the move is more appealing.  Both of us will continue working with the same companies.  I think that this is a good thing.  I also really like the area - lots to do, close proximity to everything.  The only negative is the distance from my family.  I've never lived so far away from them.  Especially with grandchildren coming soon.  I hate the thought of being so far away.  But, the distance is the only negative. 

My mantra for 2009 ------ it could always be worse!  It's only a 8-9 hour drive. 

Hmm - well, there's this other matter - we have a

HOUSE FOR SALE!

Built in 1790.  Registered with the U.S. and Virginia Historical Registries.  

Very close to campgrounds, public boat landings, state parks, and lake.  Great fishing and recreational opportunities within 2-8 miles of the house.

4 acre property includes house, well house, garage / workshop with dirt floor and covered area for outdoor equipment, two-story building with kitchen and bath (great for antique shop or other commercial business), and main house.

Main house has basement, 2 attic rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen (with handmade cabinets and lots of special features), utility room, living room, dining room, and entry hall.

Lots of beautiful trees, gardens, and bluebirds!

Let me know if you're interested!  I'm sure we could work out a deal. 

Until then, I'll be knitting from my stash and eating grass clippings.  They're plentiful and cheap! 

How many ways can you prepare grass clippings?? 

Pan-seared, sauteed, pan-seared, steamed, a la mode, ......

I bet fried would be delicious!!!

 

Need More TIME!

If I had a genie in a bottle that asked me to make a wish, I think I would wish for more hours in my days, more days in my weeks, etc.  Just MORE TIME!  I'm still working on the same room - cleaning it out.  It is S-L-O-W   going!  Going through everything and sorting into KEEP, DONATE, and PITCH piles.  Actually, maybe my wish should be that someone come into my house and studio and do this for me while I'm out at appointments.  Someone that is NOT attached to all this stuff!  I also have a lot of soap to make to fill orders and can't find time to get in the soap pot.  Another wish would be to take about three months off work!

We think we may have found a house in Ohio to put a bid on.  The house is move-in perfect.  Wrap-around porch, full unfinished basement which could be easily finished, great floor plan, large windows, pond, 6 acres, great kitchen, located very near a state park with a lake, etc.  The only thing - there's no barn.  We'd have to build a barn / workshop for Andy's tools, mowers, blacksmithing, the boat, etc.  It would be so nice to finally live in a finished house and to be able to actually decorate and to hang pictures on real walls instead of on R-MAX.  I can't wait to take a Christmas picture with actual walls and not insulation batting or board behind people.  The house is maybe a little further out than I might want to be but I can still be in any of the nearby towns/cities within 30 minutes which is much better than now.

One thing, though --- our house is not listed for sale yet.  As slow as the cleaning is going, it could be months before the house and studio are as clean as the realtor says they have to be in order to list.  WHAT AM I GOING TO DO??  This is so frustrating.  I feel like I'm stuck in quicksand - can't move forward and slowly sinking staying in this spot.

Oh well, enough of that ----- let's move on to a brighter spot!

Here is the bouquet of flowers from the garden.  I really love this vase  Mom gave me for Christmas.  I should take a picture of it empty so you can see it better.  It has four compartments at slightly different heights which makes the flowers spread out nicely.

Brian arrived Friday night just shortly before Andy got in from the airport.  It's been GREAT having him here!  He's really been a big help to Andy, too.  They've worked on cleaning the roof of the house off with the pressure washer.  The pitch of our roof is rather steep so Andy rigged something to fasten the nozzle of the pressure washer with wheels that he can roll up and down the roof.  Here you can see Brian using it.  See the little gizmo he's holding??  He's using it hear on a spot  close to him but it's attached to an 18 foot (I think) rod so you can reach areas on up on the roof.

We traveled to Danville, VA yesterday to have supper with Mom and Dad.  Hamburgers on the grill, coleslaw, baked beans,  deviled eggs (a favorite of both of my boys), and blueberry cobbler.  Everything was yummy!!!

Here are our required pictures of everyone posing with the son / grandson.  Great picture of Brian with Mom and Dad.  Here is another picture of Mom, Daddy, and Lily standing in front of their home - the house they built when they were pregnant with me! 

I'm still plugging along on the Beachcomber Shawl - 34 inches long now unblocked.  I need to get this FINISHED!  Have several other projects that need to be done. 

Hope you are continuing to enjoy your weekend!

Lilies And Bluebirds

I have the day off!!!  YEAH!  I'm trying to make tracks - washing clothes, linens, towels, vacuuming, dusting,  going through and cleaning out stuff.  My goal is to get one room perfectly cleaned out today. 

I watered the gardens this morning while the mosquitoes  were napping.  I only got two bites!  I picked a bouquet of flowers that I'll take a picture of and show you later this weekend.  I did get a few pictures of some lilies for you.  This red one is gorgeous!  But, my favorite is the double-decker orange variety.  Here's a special Calla Lily -- it's a bloom within a bloom.  I also have a whole lot of free (planted by the birds) sunflowers coming up underneath the sunflower seed feeder.  They're big and healthy looking so I really look forward to them blooming.  I love sunflowers!

Brian, our older son, is coming tonight and will go back home Sunday.  This is his first visit since Christmas and I don't think he stayed two nights then so this is a  treat.  Eryn, his wife, has to work and won't be able to come.  They only live two and an half hours away and we sure wish they would visit more often. 

Other son, Taylor, has a very busy baseball weekend.  He's the chef at the Charlotte Knights Stadium.  They have games scheduled all weekend and are having a special July 4th Skyshow - the area's largest fireworks display - tomorrow night.

Yesterday, Brian turned 27 years old!!!  How did that happen??  I can hardly believe it.  He's going to help Andy clean the roof on the back of the house - it has some moss and lichens on it.  Then, we'll go to Danville to Mom and Dad's house for hamburgers on the grill.  I do hope we have a chance to go out in the boat.  I don't think  Brian has ever been. 

I went out and checked on the baby bluebirds this morning and it's amazing how fast they change.  They look like little birds now with the beginnings of feathers.  They're eyes are almost open.  I love their little beaks!  I swear it looks like they're smiling. 

Knitting continues on the Beachcomber Shawl and I hope I find time to work on it this weekend.

Wishing you have a relaxing and happy Fourth of July!!  Be safe!

Midweek In The Country

Today is Wednesday.  Month's end has passed.  Tomorrow's Thursday and Friday is a holiday.  I think I can make it!

Remember the beautiful blue eggs a couple of posts back??  Well, they hatched!  Four new bluebirds which makes a total of fourteen so far this summer.  The babies are all elbows and knees and are VERY VERY hungry!  The one in the lower left corner was brushing against my index finger looking for a treat.  Any slight movement of the nest cup causes them to open wide!

I keep a saucer on a stand near each bluebird box and put shelled sunflower seeds in it.  I want to encourage them to keep using the nest boxes.  When the babies hatch, I add mealworms (or mealy worms) to the mix.  Once Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird have eggs in the box, they are never far away.  When I put food in the saucer, I can hear and see them up in a nearby tree.  They don't wait for me to walk far away before they descend on the saucer to feed.  I usually watch them for a bit as they feed and take worms to their babies. 

The photo to the right shows one of the bluebirds as he watches me shake out the mealworms into the saucer.  To the far left, you see one of the birds perched on the edge of the saucer as it gathers worms in its beak to take into the box to the babies as the other faithfully keeps watch from the top of the box.  I was actually able to catch one of the bluebirds at the entrance to the box while the other one is in flight towards the opening.  I love these little birds!!!

Speaking of blue.......  Finally, here's a picture of the Beachcomber Shawl that actually shows its true color.  True blue.  The seed stitch border along the left and right sides curls under.  I so hope it won't do this after I block it.  It's progressing steadily.  I draped the shawl over one of the boxwoods so it's kind of curled across the top of the bush.  It's about 32 inches long.  The pattern says finished length is 60 inches.  So, over halfway.  Not too bad.

I spied this little fellow on the job of pest control in the flowerpot on the backporch.  A praying mantis.  What an odd looking insect.  I've seen them as small as an inch long and as large as five or so inches.  Did you know that the female kills the male after mating?  Sometimes, she doesn't even wait until after but does it during.  I'd say that's better than a cold shower!

Now, a few cute pictures of the kitties!!!!  Earl Gray has stayed outside every night this week.  So far, so good.  While he liked being inside, he LOVES being outside.  He is so jealous - he and Gracie were staying inside each night but he wouldn't let Gracie get near me.  Now, it's just Gracie girl inside with me and she likes it a lot better that way!  Earl is such a photogenic cat!  I love his green eyes.   

Here's George.  He found a shading spot and is thankfully not paying any attention to the bluebirds flitting and feeding in the yard behind him. 

Last but not least, here's little Gracie.  She can hardly keep her eyes open.  She is so sleepy!  Maybe she needs a cat nap. 

Sounds like a good idea!

Sunday Flowers

I braved the heat and the mosquitoes to venture outside and pick some flowers and herbs to go in my new vase.  Echinacea, Shasta Daisies, Hollywood Lights Daisies, a Calla Lily, Coreopsis, and Spearmint.

The vase is made and signed by Charlotte at Humble Mill Pottery in Seagrove, NC.  I got the vase in Hillsborough, NC on Friday at Churton Street Gallery and I'm sure you see why I couldn't resist it.  There's a robin on it!!

Seagrove is the pottery capital of the world.  Often, you'll find kilns where the art of making pottery has been handed down through many generations.  I don't care what type of pottery you like - from fancy, plain, cute, utilitarian, or just for looks - you'll find it in all Seagrove. 

You can go here to see a map of the pottery "trail".  There are 112 locations marked on the map.  You can get in your car - drive - stop - shop - get back in your car - drive - stop - shop all day long!  Great opportunity for Christmas or other gift giving opportunities.

The birdfeeders are quiet today.  I think it's even too hot for the birds to eat!  They're probably somewhere lying around a birdbath!  Cute visual!

Hope your Sunday is relaxing.

A Visit To Hillsborough, NC

Yesterday, after an early morning appointment, I met Wanda, Ashley (Wanda's daughter), Kelly, and Michelle for a visit to Hillsborough Yarn Shop in Hillsborough, NC.  We had great fun oohing and aahing over all of Anne's pretty yarns.  Hillsborough Yarn is a great little shop.  Anne is super nice and accommodating.  The shop is a perfect accent for the historic town, too. 

Ashley and I each purchased a skein of yarn by Be Sweet called Magic Ball in the Forest Fruits colorway and a pattern, Roberta's Shawlette, to go with it.  The pattern calls for size 36 needles!  I thought I'd just whittle down a couple of broomsticks!  Should do fine!  Seriously.  Size 36?!?  WOW!  The pattern shows the finished piece worn across the shoulders as a shawl or scrunched up and worn around the neck more as a scarf.  The Forest Fruits colorway is gorgeous!!  It contains purple, turquoise, green, yellow, and a deep burgundy in many different textures - mohair, ribbon, boucle, an eyelash type yarn, etc. 

I also bought a couple of booklets - one by Leisure Arts on Quicknit Keepsakes - 6 Baby Aghans and a Reynolds Kids book.  Skeins of sock yarn found their way into my bag -- Online cotton in soft baby colors for baby socks and two skeins of Opal - one in cotton and the other in wool/polymide.  Also to the the mix, I added a skein of Schaefer Yarn's Andrea to add to my shawl-making stash.  It's 1093 yards of 100% silk in the Thistle colorway -- the prettiest shade of lavender -- reminds me of purple lilacs.  Beautiful!  I love Schaefer Yarn's colors.  I think they're some of my most favorite of any yarn company.  I am oh-so sucked in by colors! 

Seeing that I keep losing my cable needle that I'm using to knit the Beachcomber Shawl and was forced by necessity to use an opened up paperclip that I got from a secretary while at one of my doctors' offices this week, I added a package of cable needles to my purchase.  There are three of them in the package so hopefully, I won't lose all of them. 

We enjoyed lunch at Tupelo's Restaurant.  I had a Louisiana Po' Boy with shrimp and coleslaw.  HMMM!  Kelly shared a taste of her fried green tomatoes with me.  They were yummy!  Next time....

We split our yarn shopping with lunch.  After the second round of fiber goodness and checking out with Anne, we needed a zinger to get us back on the road.  We headed off to Cup A Joe for coffee drinks.  Then, the girls headed back to Danville as I poked through a few galleries and shope - Churton Street Gallery, Callaway Jewelry / Spiral Studios, Hillsborough Gallery of Arts - and as I made my way back to my car.

Hillsborough is just a great little town and has a lot to offer.  Its close proximity to Durham and Raleigh have helped it become a great go-to destination.  Full of history and beautiful colonial buildings, it is the county seat of Orange County.  The town boasts an active arts council and events such as children's opera, a music series, parlor concerts in area historic homes, and a parade which shows off inventive masks, elaborate costumes, and giant puppets - products of a series of puppet-making and movement workshops. 

As I left, the town was getting ready for their Last Fridays Art Walk.  April through September, downtown Hillsborough hosts artists, craftspeople, musicians, food vendors, and art walk, and a filmmakers series.  The courthouse is in the center of town and its lawn serves as a focal point for the booths.  Also, shops, galleries, and restaurants along the main street are open until 9:00 PM and after.  October through March, the event moves inside with concerts or films. 

On the agenda for this weekend is end-of-the-month work, cleaning out, and I MUST make soap.  I really wanted to head to The Yarn Lounge today to meet Wendy, of Wendy Knits fame.  She was there from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM to sign her new book, Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits.  I'm sure they had a blast and it would have been great fun.  I just couldn't muster up the energy for the four hour round trip drive.  Oh well.  Maybe another time.

Before I go ---- take a look at my friend's exhibit!  Jane is a rug hooker, watercolor artist, and long-time friend of mine and is one of this month's featured artists at the Quiet Waters Park Gallery in Annapolis, MD.  Great pictures and a couple of funny photos of Jane!

Better run!  Hope you have a super Saturday!

Nothing In Particular

Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird have been busy in the nest box to the east of the driveway.  Here are their four new eggs.  They're just the prettiest shade of blue. 

I dumped the nest from the box to the west side of the driveway.  It had been there for weeks but no eggs.  Just a couple of hours after I dumped the old nest, the bluebirds had built a new one.  Now, I'm waiting and watching to find eggs in that box, too.

The Beachcomber Shawl is up to approximately 24 inches long.  It's an easy knit now that it's just seed stitch, stockinette, and cables.  I think I'll be able to finish this in time. 

I still haven't heard back from my email to the designer re: the errors.  Funny that she asks for people to email her re: any questions or mistakes on the back of the pattern but she hasn't responded.  It's been about a week and a half. 

Here are a couple more pictures from my perennial garden. 

This is an interesting perennial.  Can't remember the name.  I planted this last year because it was different.  Very unique  blooms.

This is a Blue Mouse Ear Hosta.  It's so small.  Purplish-white blooms.  Very sweet.

Yeah!!  Tomorrow is Friday!!

New Hat

Our Monday night knitting group has been meeting at Starbucks in Danville, VA since February 4, 2008.  Very few of us knew each other when we first started meeting and it has been great fun making new friends. 

One of the employees, Jason, recently asked Michelle to knit him a hat.  And, she did.  Jason takes good care of us when he works on Monday nights - giving us samples, putting out chairs for us, turning up the music, turning down the music, turning up the air conditioning, turning down the air conditioning, raising the shades, lowering the shades - just generally looking out for us.  Well, Michelle took him up on his request - knitted him a fine hat and gave it to him last night. 

Here is Jason modeling his fine new hat!  As you can see, he is quite tickled and he told Michelle that her next drink is on him!  Doesn't he look great!?!!!!  Michelle, you did a super job!

Andy leaves early tomorrow morning to fly back to Ohio.  He'll be back late July 3rd.  The grass is mown.  I think I need some livestock to keep the grass down in between his trips home!  Preferably Angora goats, Shetland sheep, or some such!!

I leave you with more pretties from the garden!  White Yarrow and Pink Echinacea (cone flower). 

Home Again!

What a long drive!  Seemed to take longer coming home from Ohio than it did going. 

While Andy drove, I finished reading Death by Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum.  A very good knitting mystery that kept me guessing.  In the back, the author gives a pattern for a sea-silk scarf made from one skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk yarn.  Nell, a character in the book, made the scarf to wear to a big event.  Goldenbaum's new book, Patterns in the Sand, is available now in hardcover.  I highly recommend this entertaining read!

I also made some progress on the Beachcomber Scarf despite the mistakes in the pattern.  This is a pocket scarf and has a seed stitch border.  There is a pocket between the cable columns.  On this picture, there looks like there is a mistake on the right cable near the top -- I just checked it and it's OK -- just the way the piece was laying when I took the picture.  Thank goodness!

As soon as we arrived home, Andy jumped on the mower.  The grass hasn't been mowed in two weeks.  We could bale it - it was so tall!  I unloaded the car and played with the kitties.  Took awhile for Gracie kitty to show up - worried me to death since the people that fed them while we were gone hadn't see her since last Tuesday.  Earl Gray made it very clear that he didn't want me leaving again anytime soon by parking himself on top of my suitcase.

I checked the bluebird houses.  The one to the east side of the driveway had one egg in it when I left -- now it has four eggs.  If all goes well with these four, the baby bluebird total for the summer so far will be fourteen.  The box on the west side of the driveway still had the nicely built nest but no eggs.  I dumped the nest so they'll build again and hopefully lay eggs this time.  I don't know what happened - why they built the nest but didn't lay any eggs.

The garden is thriving!  The things that I transplanted have taken root and thoroughly perked up.  The perennial garden is blooming up a storm.  Cone flowers, Bee Balm, Hollywood Lights Daisies, Calla Lilies (pink and white - forgot to check the yellow), Daylilies, Asters, Rosebushes, Yarrow, etc. etc.  Here are some pictures. 

Back to work tomorrow.  Even though I checked emails and phone messages while away, it's going to be a busy week! 

Hope you have a good one!!