tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4154737597057599642024-03-13T12:47:29.098-07:00Farmstead FripperiesSherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-15186824290232278972013-11-07T14:57:00.000-08:002013-11-07T14:57:54.444-08:00To Tend, and Mend and Fix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In today's throw away society, mending is slowly becoming a lost art. I come from a long line of menders. The women in my family are keepers. We hold on to things and use them until they can not be saved. Why buy new when it can be fixed? Spending money on something that with a little effort and love can be made whole again is an art form in and of itself. If you can master it, even the pickiest of people will never know your needle has been there. <br />
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Today I am mending the quilted bedspread on my bed before washing it. It's not a treasured antique nor one that is hand made. More than likely it was made in China and came from JC Penny a few years ago. You see, I wouldn't put one of my hand made quilts on my bed for my dog to lay on at night but because he does, it gets washed - a lot. So the patches are coming loose. I have spent several hours today hand stitching the patches back together before it gets washed again for probably the 100th time. But I realized as I bent over my work, that hand stitching brings me back to center within myself. I'd like to think my Grandmothers are grinning from ear to ear watching me stitch the tiny stitches that not only hold the fabric patches together but also stitch myself back into balance with the present moment.<br />
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I have a lovely lace tablecloth that my Nana gave me before she died. It is one of my treasures - one of those gifts that she said she had saved for me because she knew that none of my cousins would ever want or use it. It's about 90 years old now and occasionally need a mending stitch here and there. The first time I held it up to the light as I prepared to attempt those tiny stitches, I could see all of the tiny invisible mends that she had lovingly placed in the lace over the years that I never knew were there. I spread it out on my work table and very carefully matched the tiny invisible stitches that mended the lace and felt such a connection to her.<br />
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I have come to the realization that I have become one of the menders - the fixers. Perhaps its a genetic memory as the generations of fixers sit up and take notice as the stitches form after my needle. What ever it is, the energy fills me with immense calm and great satisfaction. It's not just about mending bits of fabric. It's about mending the pieces of myself - making them into something stronger and more resilient as I retrieve the pieces that I had somehow set aside. It's easy to do without realizing it. I got caught up in survival mode and forgot how much joy could be found in the simple tasks - the ones that no one sees, that in truth, hold everything together.<br />
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Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-79562991603973713472013-08-15T12:29:00.000-07:002013-08-15T12:29:16.841-07:00The Flower Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know it's been awhile since I've posted here but it's been a crazy busy summer. Hard to believe that it's the middle of August already but the Asters are beginning to bloom and that's a sure fire wake up to fall. In just about three weeks the school bus will begin rumbling loudly, billowing huge clouds of dust as it travels our country road again. <br />
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Asters and school go hand in hand for me and brought me my love of flowers. When I was a little girl growing up in Lake Tahoe, my mother was Post Master of the tiny Post Office in the little resort area called Camp Richardson. When I started school, I used to wait for the bus to come up Highway 89, standing in front of the Post Office where my mother would watch from the window.<br />
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Old Mrs. Richardson, had a large house across the highway from the Post Office and along side of her house, her wizened old gardener named Joe, grew row after row of flowers as cutting gardens to supply the house with fresh flowers every day. In the fall, the Asters were a riot of color. Every other morning, without fail, Old Joe would slowly walk across the highway with a large bouquet of those asters, wrapped carefully in newspaper. He would smile at me and hand me the flowers and tell me that they were for me to give to my teacher. The bus driver always called me "The Flower Girl".<br />
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Every summer I plant Asters, for Joe. He was one of those mysteries that life bring to our door. He was an old cowboy, he walked bent and had very bowed legs. He always wore blue jeans, a plaid shirt and a stained, well worn cream colored cowboy hat. He drove a beat up old truck with dings and rust - the kind with the painted pointy grill in the front. And Joe disappeared one day. They found his truck in the Nevada desert - I don't know if they ever located what happened to him - those things were whispered about around children. I liked old Joe a lot. I had a big imagination and he liked that about me. We spent many an afternoon in the garden chatting about all kinds of things. Hey Joe! Your flowers are blooming.....come and see....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby flower and veggie plants that I started from seeds</td></tr>
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-53054306372794981962013-02-27T17:00:00.000-08:002013-02-27T17:00:24.526-08:00Picture Progress - Rough In Finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally got to work on my marquetry again but decided to pick up this picture that I was working on last spring before I got waylaid first with the garden, then with fiber prep and dying. Just when I thought my docket was clear to begin working I got hit with a series of winter storms and a lot of very cold weather. That means lots of shoveling and cold work just keeping the sheep & chickens going which doesn't help my hands to be too functional for this kind of work.<br />
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I always find it difficult to pick something I've laid aside for so long but finally managed to get back into it's story and finished putting in the last pieces. Now it's ready for any fill and sanding. Once that is complete, I will add all the details of the faces and any extra shading. Then it will have to sit awhile before the weather warms up enough to spray it with lacquer.<br />
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I am so anxious to jump into the next project - the box that I posted on my last entry here. As soon as I get the details in - I will post another picture.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-7242138375740143952013-01-18T15:58:00.001-08:002013-01-18T15:58:11.427-08:00The Deep Freeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been awhile since I posted here, my apologies to those who want to follow what's going on in my neck of the woods. It's been a long stretch of winter here. Several good snowfalls and then a long stretch of very cold weather. We haven't been above 32 since before Christmas. Brrrr! It makes doing chores even more of a challenge than usual. I have to admit that even though it's only half over, I am so done with winter and ready for spring. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box lid design ready to transfer</td></tr>
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I am finally able to jump back into the marquetry work that I so love. I am happy to say that I am finally working on the finishing touches to the picture that got set aside last spring - other things have a way of taking over my time until I all of a sudden realize just how long it's been since I picked up my knife! Once I have the picture finished, I have a new hat box design all ready to go which I can't wait to start. I am also working on spinning up some of the handpainted rovings that I dyed last fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New box pattern ready to transfer</td></tr>
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So despite my long silence, yes, I am still here! I have to admit I am looking forward to sunnier, warmer days - I really am tired of being cold! So for now I am finally jumping into the world of veneer and lots of fiber. Hopefully I will have some more pictures to post in just a few days. Stay safe and warm everyone!<br />
<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-37144797187958774062012-11-10T11:54:00.000-08:002012-11-10T11:54:29.661-08:00First Snow <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got all my fall prep work done just in the nick of time! Yesterday we got our first snow of the season. I just had to share all the beautiful pictures I took this morning. It is a deep freeze for us after being in the 60's last week. It was only 20 this morning and isn't supposed to get out of the 30's today. Brrrr!!! I hope everyone is staying nice and warm today.<br />
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Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-19194226127990730472012-11-10T11:08:00.000-08:002012-11-10T11:08:39.105-08:00Getting Ready for Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know it's been awhile since I've posted here so I thought I'd better catch up on all the goings on. It's been a steady push trying to get ready for winter. Lot's of clean up, putting tools away from summer and generally shifting gears from warm weather pursuits to cold. Time to drain the gas out of the lawn mower, move the fiber racks into the wood shed for the winter, and finally take down the plastic on the greenhouse.<br />
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Lots of activities in the kitchen as well getting the last of the canning finished for the season. Blackberry Jam, stewed tomatoes and applesauce. I have to admit that I love seeing the jars all lined up in the pantry each year. A nice finish to a long gardening season.<br />
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The greenhouse plastic removal had been on hold waiting for the rain to quit. We had such a long, hot dry spell but when it started raining, well, it just kept it up day after day.....great for the fire danger as hunting season began but not so good for doing outside chores. My son, Adryon and his wife Kimberlee came over to help with the plastic removal which is a big chore.<br />
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All done for this year - but we were all soaked to the knees! Grandson Aydon was soaked to his armpits from playing in the grass! Now it can snow......<br />
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Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-89400978574570384362012-09-19T18:38:00.000-07:002012-09-19T18:38:32.601-07:00Hay Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am always excited to get my hay in for the winter. We have had unseasonable warm weather this year so it doesn't feel like September except in the early morning hours when we have been in the 30's.<br />
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As soon as the truck backed into the barn all the sheep lined up to check out this new red what ever it is that is sticking out of their home! They thought they had seen it before but then, you never know with these things so we will just view it from afar - just in case. <br />
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Gotta Love the way these young high school guys can just throw those bales around with ease. Larry always hires the nicest kids.<br />
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Thanks for growing such fantastic hay, Larry! I hope you will enjoy your bread. See you next year - that is if the world doesn't end in December.....<br />
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Hey - you never know.....I think I'll hedge my bets just like the sheep. If it all goes to smash, will they let YOU in? I'm honing my unusual skill sets....how about you?<br />
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-38292105785942514672012-09-19T18:14:00.000-07:002012-09-19T18:55:22.612-07:00Baking Rye Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I started the day baking a nice big loaf of Caraway Rye Bread as a gift for Larry Kiewert my favorite hay farmer. A good, honest hay farmer is worth his weight in gold as far as I am concerned so an extra special bit of appreciation is in order!<br />
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Caraway Rye Bread<br />
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1 1/2 cups warm water 1/2 cup dark molasses 1 beaten egg for glaze<br />
1/4 cup melted butter 1 Tablespoon dry yeast<br />
1 Tablespoon salt 2 cups dark rye flour<br />
3 3/4 cups unbleached bread flour (the kind I use is from Montana hard red wheat)<br />
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Place yeast in a 1 cup pyrex measuring cup, add 1/4 tsp. sugar and 1/3 c. warm water and set aside to proof. I place it in a small bowl of very warm water if it's chilly in the house.<br />
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In a large mixing bowl mix warm water, molasses and butter. Add proofed yeast mixture and stir to dissolve yeast. Add salt and rye flour and mix well. Add caraway seed and 3 cups of the unbleached flour. Mix until all the flour is well blended. Knead in the 3/4 cups of flour a little at a time until you have a soft but not sticky dough.<br />
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Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth but still tender. Don't over knead or it will make the bread tough. Place dough in greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel and let rise until double.<br />
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Spray your work surface with non stick spray (such as Pam) or lightly oil and turn out doubled dough. Gently (do not deflate the dough) pinch any large bubbles. Fold in the ends and sides to make a large loaf. Place loaf on greased cookie sheet. Slash several times with a serrated knife. Beat a raw egg with a fork, add 2 tsp water and blend. Brush egg glaze on loaf. Let rise 20 min. Place in oven. Turn oven to 375 and bake for 30 minutes. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan and let cool covered with a tea towel. Makes 1 large loaf<br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-6248061492059574092012-08-26T16:27:00.000-07:002012-08-26T16:27:18.016-07:00Fiber Dying - Painting Colors Everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spent yesterday playing with color. The first superwash roving I call "Sunset". It is similar to a colorway that I did last year that produced the spun yarn pictured on the right. The colors may seem garish in the fiber before it is spun but will blend into something totally different when spun.<br />
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This one is three colors of blue. It makes a medium to dark yarn when spun. The picture below shows what it looks like when it's dry.<br />
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Then I dyed some Silver colored Shetland from my ewe, Velvet. The first color is Mountain Aqua. The picture on the left shows it wet in the dye pot and on the right after it dried.<br />
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I so enjoy playing with color. It's so exciting to see how it looks once it's carded and spun. Colors pop out that you never expect.<br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-80361762508245609342012-08-22T15:36:00.000-07:002012-08-22T15:36:06.833-07:00First Transparent Apple Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I am so excited! After 5 years of waiting, I was finally able to harvest my first Yellow Transparent Apples! I used to be able to get them from the you- pick orchards when we first came here. But like many varieties of our produce, these were phased out in favor of the Lodi Apple that had a longer shelf life. Then even the Lodi was phased out in favor of Jonagold or Early Gold apples. I have to say here that I liked none of the other apples for applesauce like the Transparent. They may not have a very long shelf life but they make the BEST applesauce of all in my opinion. An heirloom apple that cooks down into perfect applesauce with no pureeing necessary and a tart under flavor - yum!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-icFmdPufW-U/UDVYgzjqZkI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ZIXd0Fo2QSI/s1600/apple+harvest+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-icFmdPufW-U/UDVYgzjqZkI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ZIXd0Fo2QSI/s320/apple+harvest+1.jpg" width="240" /></a> Some of my first adventures in canning were with this humble apple. We were living in a tiny, one room log cabin with a wood cook stove that made the interior almost unbearable in the summer when we had to burn the stove to heat hot water for a shower. So I did my canning in the front yard on an old wood cook stove that my cousin had found in a miners shack in the desert in Nevada and had hauled up and given to my Dad when he was setting out to build the cabin when he retired. It was definitely a no frills model, with six holes and a water jacket sitting on concrete blocks.<br />
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I would sit on an old camp chair and hand peel each apple with an old potato peeler and slice and core each apple and float it in a bucket of lightly salted water to keep them from turning brown. The yellow jackets would swarm - so much sweetness and moisture to attract them in their end of summer frenzy. My daughter - just a year old at the time, took great pleasure playing with the apple slices in the bucket, poking them with her little fingers and giggling as they would pop up again to the surface. Such adventures we had! Amazing how the smell of a box of apples can bring it all just flooding back like it was just yesterday.....<br />
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So today I climbed up the ladder and picked. I got about 22 pounds - not bad for a trees first shot at producing fruit. At least I don't have to can with the yellow jackets anymore but sometimes, I miss that old cook stove. It now resides in a homesteaders museum. Heirloom apples....YUM!!!<br /><br />
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-10907815761850257532012-08-17T17:06:00.000-07:002012-08-17T17:06:10.652-07:00Dying and Wool Washing Adventures<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wee One</td></tr>
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I know it's been awhile since I last posted here but that's how it goes in the busy season. It may be still in the 90's outside but the angle of the sun is already transitioning into fall like patterns. When the angle of the sun shifts, I always feel like I need to hurry up and get anything done that needs to be taken care of outside. So I have been picking and washing fleeces like a crazy woman. As of today I am half way there. Three down and three to go. Picking and washing isn't my favorite part - I prefer to get on to the fun part which is the dying. So.....I kicked myself in the behind and got an early start this morning and got "Wee One's" fleece washed and spread on the rack to dry.<br />
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So I figured after all that stinky hot work I deserved to reward myself with the part I really enjoy. Even though it was later in the day than I'd usually begin a hand painting dye job I weighed out a goodly amount of Merino Superwash top and had it soaking while I finished up the last batch of Wee One's fleece. By the time I had it rinsed and spread on the rack, I was already visualizing what colors I'd paint with today. Since I had been listening to a version of a Prince song performed by Michael Hedges, I figured that purple would be the order of the day. So here it is.....Purple Rain.<br />
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It's been a long day.....this gal is ready for a cuppa tea and put my feet up! Here's to hoping that it gets completely dry by the time it gets dark!<br /><br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-12179925129330272162012-07-25T13:46:00.001-07:002012-07-25T13:46:52.988-07:00Wand Weaving & Lavender Harvest Continues<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3QbEYe8cTI/UBBXVAWcR6I/AAAAAAAAAes/6Nn7uPOQVqY/s1600/Lavender+harvest+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3QbEYe8cTI/UBBXVAWcR6I/AAAAAAAAAes/6Nn7uPOQVqY/s320/Lavender+harvest+2+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wands drying on my chandelier </td></tr>
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Yes - I am still in the throes of harvesting Lavender. I am a little more than half finished with the cutting from the field. It's beginning to become difficult to find a place to put all of this bounty to dry. I usually cut the flowers in the late afternoon to insure that they are not damp so they will dry well. Then I spend the evening weaving the wands. So far I've woven about 20 wands. With the cooler and wetter weather we had this spring and early summer there sadly won't be as many wands this year as many of the stems are short this year.<br />
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Once all the flowers are harvested and dried, then I will remove the dried buds from the stems and then sift out any impurities and I will have plenty of dried lavender to fill my sachets with. It's always non-stop around here in the summertime.<br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-16963612184108995672012-07-24T18:05:00.000-07:002012-07-24T18:05:36.866-07:00Pick Me! Pick Me!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDZEGjri92E/UA9AkLXafJI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/WjOs1b77jrg/s1600/Roddy+before+shearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDZEGjri92E/UA9AkLXafJI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/WjOs1b77jrg/s320/Roddy+before+shearing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roddy before Shearing</td></tr>
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Today was the first in a long line of fleece picking days. I finally got a day without too much wind and I was able to start skirting and picking fleeces in preparation to getting them washed and dyed before the summer is over. Let's face it, some years are easier than others and for those of you that don't know sheep up close and personal, let's just suffice it to say that if there is a thistle, burr, pine needle, or pile of pitch that can be rubbed up against, laid down in or rolled in - sheep will find it. I am convinced they do it just to mess with us - they look so well - <i>sheepish</i> when confronted with scolding over this very subject! I personally think they are very smug about the whole thing - but then again, my particular small flock are a bunch of bonafied characters!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwuBdJE2xgA/UA9DAO4O9VI/AAAAAAAAAeY/eMlrSUtMZbw/s1600/Picking+Roddy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwuBdJE2xgA/UA9DAO4O9VI/AAAAAAAAAeY/eMlrSUtMZbw/s320/Picking+Roddy+1.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roddy's Fleece on the picking rack</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful long staple length of the fiber</td></tr>
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Of course because I am getting a late start on this job, these fleeces are pretty bad as far as vegetation goes. It took me about 4 hours to pick through this one. I always start with Roddy's fleece because he is my favorite of the lot. I have a special affinity for him as he is the one who wants nose kisses every day and lots of ear and neck scratching. Let's face it though, picking fleeces is stinky and greasy and although I don't find the smell bad, many folks do. It's always best if the only one I associate with after such a chore is the sheep and then, even the aloof ones that tolerate me at best, will come up for scratches seeing how I smell so darn good....just one of the gang! Now that my sheep duties are complete for the day, it's on to the Lavender patch for some more Lavender harvesting. I have to admit, that smells a little bit better than Roddy!<br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-37471866475178801652012-07-12T10:25:00.000-07:002012-07-12T10:25:49.030-07:00Lavender Harvest Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I harvested my first basket of Lavender flowers last evening after the sun finally moved off and I could stand to be out there. I have a big patch of Lavender - around 40 or so mature plants and several smaller ones that I set last August. I try to expand by at least a few plants every year. The smell is so heady that it is almost over powering in this extreme heat. Another few days, and I will be able to cut the long stemmed varieties and begin weaving my Lavender wands.<br />
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This batch will be stripped of it's leaves, and made into bundles and hung on wires in my craft room to dry. Once they are dry, they will be stripped from their stems, sifted many times to remove any leaf or stem particles and then the dried buds will be stored in gallon glass jars, ready for sachet making or adding to soaps. Like everything on the homestead, it takes time, effort and patience. When it's almost 100 degrees out it takes self-discipline too - I don't know how many times I have to kick myself in the butt to get out there and get started. But the funny thing about that - once I get started, it flows along and I enjoy the work. Doing the task at hand is less difficult than talking myself into it! Now I'm off to get those bundles made and hung up.....time's a wasting and produce waits for no one.<br />
<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-74374170258331472552012-07-11T22:32:00.000-07:002012-07-11T22:35:04.690-07:00Strawberry Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been awhile since I posted here. I am in the throes of my busy season. We had such a late start to summer with all the chilly damp weather. Normally I would be finished with the strawberry harvest but I am still plugging away at it. This is week 2 and to be honest, my legs aren't one bit happy about all that "bent" work for hours at a time. It also doesn't help that all of a sudden we are having a heat wave following all of that rather cool weather so I haven't really had time to acclimate to the warmer temps. I have been averaging about 15 lbs. every day but the berries are smaller this year too since we didn't have the sunshine they needed at the proper time.<br />
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I love the sweet smell of strawberries when I am picking. There is no substitute for the real thing. I have never smelled anything that was supposed to be strawberry scented that even remotely comes close to the way they actually smell. The taste is so wonderful when they are warm from the garden and so juicy that your hands turn red from handling them.<br />
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Yesterday was my first round of Jam making. A good ten hours on my feet - the house damp from the steam from the hot water canner as I processed the jars. I love seeing the lovely dark red goodness shimmer in the line of jars cooling on the folded towel on the counter.<br />
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Strawberries are always the first canning of the season for me and I still find it so exciting even after 30+ years of doing it every summer. I have my own traditions as I prepare to begin this task - I ask a silent blessing on this endeavor and then load the stereo up with Joni Mitchell CD's - the early ones like <i>Ladies of the Canyon, Blue, For the Roses, </i>and my favorite, <i>Miles of Aisles.</i> The tunes help to make for light work and remind me of my younger days as a Hippie when I would dream of having the homesteading life that I was lucky enough to eventually create for myself.<br />
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There is a part of me that comes alive as each piece of fruit passes through my hands. I am the quality control. I decide which berries are perfect enough to put in my sugary brew and which ones will go to the chickens. I wonder as I work, how many lifetimes I have done this dance? How many times have I marveled at the beauty of how the berry grows, the artful designs that present differently in each berry as it's cut. I think of how lucky I am to know such goodness that can't be bought in a store.<br />
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I feel so much Gratitude that I am so blessed to experience the grace of knowing my food - investing it with loving care and knowing that nothing that is imbued with that kind of energy could ever do me or my family harm. Strawberry Love....<br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-72094122284560081452012-06-24T11:47:00.000-07:002012-06-24T14:15:01.076-07:00Of Skunks and Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let me introduce you to my dog Shadow aka "Barkey" since he has to have a discussion over everything! For those of you who are not familiar with where I live and how I live, let's just suffice it to say that I live in the country and with that reality comes a certain amount of interaction with Wild Life which can also make life seem quite wild and crazy from time to time!<br />
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Over the past three years, Barkey has had a love/hate relationship with (you guessed it) Skunks. Now friends, I don't know how many of you have been in the path of a full -on Skunk discharge but for those who have never had the experience, it's not a great thing to be in the vicinity of. It's not a smell that goes away any time soon either. It lingers.....for days, sometimes depending on it's ferocity, weeks!<br />
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Well, last night around 10:30 pm, I had my dog outside by the front of the house and I caught a faint whiff of the little bugger and I called my dog, grabbed his collar, opened the front door and shoved him inside thinking as the full scent developed in the air that I had dodged the bullet this time - whew! I came inside behind him and the house just reeked of SKUNK.....and for those of you that have never experience it, it hangs in the air inside the house for hours. Even if the dog didn't get hit. So, I, in my silly trusting way, Thanked God that he didn't come in with a face dripping yellow like last time. The smell was so strong in the house that after awhile, I went over and started sniffing the dog.<br />
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Now, the dog is looking at me like I am nuts...(why is the crazy woman sniffing me) and I ran my hands over his head (sniff the hands - no skunk) ok - it's just in the air - double whew! So I proceed to go to bed. Now, Barkey sleeps on the bed with me. We jump in - smell not too bad (still just hanging in the air - right? fingers and toes crossed that this is the case) All is well, until the dog decided to turn around and face his tail end towards me......Eewe.....!!! Remember, dog was in retreat when Skunk let loose. Okay - at this juncture, I am about ready to cry - not again, please not again. Then what should I hear....the rumble of thunder in the distance...Okay, things really aren't looking too hopeful at this point since my big brave guard dog shakes like a leaf and tries to climb into my lap whenever thunder makes an appearance. If I am in bed, it gets even worse as he tries to climb between my head and the wall, sprawling his hairy smelliness on my stack of wonderful down pillows.<br />
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I leap out of bed - of course scared out of his wits dog follows (I refuse to ruin my wonderful down pillows with that....stench) so I run out into the hall with scared dog right on my heels. Down the stairs in the dark, flip on the light.....sit in my chair, silence. I sit there for awhile, still silence. Dog is laying there looking at me with his head cocked to one side, his lips kind of curled in a rather (sheepish) smirk. By this time, my patience is wearing a bit thin - after all, now it's like 1:30 am and I have been awake since like, 5:30 am. At this point, I listen for thunder again - silence. I look at the dog. "Well, Butt Head (that's what I call him when my patience has run thin) - You are on your own.....<i><b>I'm</b></i> going to bed, <i><b>alone</b></i>. You will just have to deal with it!" And friends, that's precisely what I did - I put up the baby gate at the top of the stairs,shut the bedroom door & climbed into my bed (after opening the window & removing the bed spread). I slept the sleep of the weary and fed up - it was heaven.<br />
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Okay - how does one find Gratitude in a Skunk attack (actually it was just fall out - not an actual nose on butt interaction) - and that is where I am sincerely GRATEFUL!!!! This morning, when I got up, the downstairs smelled a lot better - just a faint lingering odor of eau de Skunk. The dog - well he survived the night without any more undue panic (again MUCH gratitude on my part). Now comes the fun part, getting rid of the scent - or at least making it more livable. This is the recipe that a friend gave me a couple of years ago after the very first interaction which was a face to butt encounter of not just one but 2 dogs that actually were dripping yellow. (We won't go there ever again I hope...)<br />
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<b><u>Skunk Deodorizer solution</u></b><br />
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1 large bottle Hydrogen Peroxide<br />
1/4 cup baking soda<br />
2 tsp. Dawn Dish soap (this cuts the oil in the skunk discharge and helps remove it)<br />
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Mix this together in a bucket (it will foam up when mixed)<br />
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Using an old rag (you will wish to throw it out) - wash the effected areas of your dog. Let stand for 10 min. (have fun with that one....a good lead attached to a good post helps - believe me!)<br />
Rinse the solution off the dog.<br />
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This is the best solution I have found - far superior to the old "tomato juice" in the shower routine of years past. (Let me add that there is nothing like having a freshly skunked dog greet you in the outhouse first thing in the morning as had happened when we were first building this place many moons ago....followed closely behind with faces full of porcupine quills - we definitely won't go there!)<br />
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As of this writing, a significantly better smelling albeit damp Barkey is laying by my feet as I write down my tale of Gratitude .....now I am off to remove <i>my</i> wet clothes and take my bath. Have a great Sunday everyone!<br />
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<b><u> </u></b>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-72520015022848612452012-06-13T16:05:00.000-07:002012-06-13T16:05:42.981-07:00There Is No Place Like Home<br />
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Here it is almost the middle of June and I still have plants in the grow room! Normally I have everything moved out by the first and today, I finally (despite the rainy weather) moved out the first few tomato plants. I have cucumber plants that are huge with 5 inch cukes on them already still in their pots and the tomato plants have finally taken off in the last week to planting size. Everything started so slowly this year for some reason. I had planned to do all of this last week but you know how that goes...well, life happens and our plans don't always work out the way we think they will!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Plants in the grow room ready for the greenhouse</td></tr>
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Last week I spent with my 4 grandchildren while their mom had to be in the hospital. All is well with Mom as of this writing, no worries in that regard. I just have to say here that I know without a shadow of a doubt why we have our kids while we are young. My mommy muscles are rusty and I don't translate toddler speak as well as I used to. I also have to admit that being in town 4 days running was very draining as I am so used to my quiet, homestead existence. I did get to enjoy my grandson's preschool graduation which was fun - complete with construction paper mortarboard hats with curly ribbon tassels. I must add here though that I absolutely will <b><i>not</i></b> miss the sound of children's television programming - <b>ever</b>.<br />
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There is nothing like a stint in town to make me relish this place all the more. I love walking out the front door and having the sheep calling out to me - baa baa (hey you - we wouldn't mind some more hay....) or just listening to the wind blow through the trees or the rain pounding on the metal roof and the clanging of my big wind chime on the upstairs porch as the thunder storms roll through. Then of course there is the added pleasure of listening to my music while I work in the garden, extra loud due to the outdoor speakers that my kids got me for Christmas a few years ago. A little Led Zeppelin, some Janis Joplin - summertime music. The other benefit of living in the sticks. As Dorothy learned - There is no place like home!!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-79320393330347312562012-05-21T17:42:00.000-07:002012-05-21T17:42:12.121-07:00Spring Rain & Cookie Baking<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer Forget Me Nots</td></tr>
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It was a long weekend here trying to get things working and ready for the spring planting. Every year there is new issues to deal with with the sprinkler system. I don't think there has ever been a year where some parts don't have to be replaced and this year was no exception. Fortunately most of the system runs along the fences so there is no digging involved. That is with the exception of the run that has to cross the driveway and lo and behold it decided to break this year so this year digging was involved with the repairs. So on Saturday we got the line dug up and repaired. All is well right? Well....I put in a new digital sprinkler controller last spring and (you guessed it) it decided to wig out and isn't working. It's one of those dicey things where it's on then it's not then it's on again. Of course it's a week or so off of warranty. The one it replaced lasted 15 years....To say the next cliche that comes to mind would smack too much of turning into my mother so I will let you fill in that blank!<br />
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Today it's raining. I'm glad as my legs are protesting after my digging grass out of the garden rows yesterday. I was trying to hurry so I could get my lettuce seeds planted as this round of wet cool weather moved in for the week. It rained so hard that I lost my satellite dish for TV so what does one do then? Why bake of course! So today I decided to bake one of my favorite cookies - Scottish Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies. Easy, rich and oh so good with a hot cuppa tea as the rain pours down.<br />
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<b>Scottish Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies</b><br />
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1 cup butter (no substitutes) 1/2 c. dark brown sugar - firmly packed<br />
1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. maple extract<br />
1/2 tsp salt 1 3/4 c. unbleached flour<br />
3/4 c. old fashioned oats 3/4 c. finely chopped walnuts<br />
course sanding sugar (optional)<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2, 8-inch round cake pans with no stick spray (I use Pam).<br />
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Cream together the butter, sugar, salt and extracts. Add the flour, oats and nuts. Divide dough in half and press evenly into the two pans. Score the dough into 8 wedges for breaking after it is baked. Sprinkle with course sanding sugar and lightly press into the dough. Bake 25 - 30 minutes until lightly browned.<br />
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Cool in pan for 10 min. Remove carefully to keep from breaking. Cool completely. Gently break along scored lines. Store in an air tight container.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-51903195360508946032012-04-27T16:10:00.000-07:002012-04-27T16:10:10.562-07:00Homestead Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thirty two years ago, I quit my job at City Hall in South Lake Tahoe and we moved to Northeastern Washington State. My new husband was a city boy from Great Neck NY and I had never lived anywhere but in the mountains. We had been married only 4 months. We gave up playing music in a rock band on weekends and job security during the Regan recession and headed out with very little money, a contract on an 8 acre tract of forested land with no amenities and set out to build a homestead life. A little over three weeks after we arrived, Mt. St.Helens erupted and we went from a world of green to living in what felt like a grade B black and white science fiction movie! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little help from friends and family</td></tr>
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We began by cutting and peeling the logs to build our home. Every time a tree hit the ground, ash would billow. It was crazy. We were living in a tiny 11 x 14 ft log cabin that my Dad had built before my mom was able to retire and they got their home. No indoor plumbing. If you wanted hot water for a shower, you had to burn a fire in the wood cook stove that had pipes that ran through it to heat the hot water tank - even if it was 90 degrees outside. I had an old six hole wood cook stove on blocks in the yard that had a water jacket and I did all my canning outside - fighting hordes of yellow jackets.<br />
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It took almost two years to get the house to a point where it was able to move into. By the time we moved in on Christmas Eve we had our first child just learning to walk. The upstairs wasn't finished yet. There were no cabinets in the kitchen - just an old metal sink unit and an even older electric stove. Our only heat was an old Radium wood parlor stove. Still had no indoor amenities. It was heaven. With our waterbed in the living room, our daughters crib and a couple of dressers we were finally able to unpack our stereo and have music again! It was like waking up in a music store after two years of everything packed away.<br />
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We were the original recyclers. The house was built with the logs we'd cut, peeled, dried, and turned to keep from warping and barn wood that we got from tearing a barn down that was going to be torched in a farmers field. Now they would have made us tear it down due to restrictions on using used lumber. I feel so fortunate that we built when we did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the house looks like today</td></tr>
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What an adventure it's been! We had a son and 3 years later, Larry died in 1989 in a traffic accident. Life moves on.... other relationships, more children, but the homestead lives on and continues to grow. Gardens, livestock a couple more acres added to the original 8. It's a grand life! I couldn't let another April pass without honoring the spirit of this place and my journey here.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-47703617205030548912012-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:002012-04-24T13:33:15.082-07:00Ghosts of Summers Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All of a sudden spring has sprung in spades! Our temps have gone from chilly to nearly 80 and now we are heading back down into thunder storms and more normal temps.<br />
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For the past two days I have been taking care of all the lush plants that you can see in last years fall picture of my garden that I never got cleaned up last fall due to a very late canning season. And of course I have to admit that by the end of the season I really don't care if it gets cleaned up or not! Until...(you guessed it) Spring!!!<br />
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Then it's marathon sessions of pine cone picking, needle raking, and dead grass plucking all with the hope that the surprisingly warm temps don't jump start my perennials before I can get the afore mentioned debris off of them.<br />
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I think in retrospect, perhaps the fall clean-up is maybe the better idea in the face of all of this - however, we will talk about it again in November....In the meantime I am walking a little bent as doing "downward facing dog" for many hours at a time has taken it's toll on this not yet broken in body - it does take a few weeks until I work out all the kinks. I think I'm glad it's going to rain and I have an excuse to sit and spin....Oh yeah - Happy Spring everyone!! (or Better late than never???)Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-52481101432205036852012-04-08T09:35:00.000-07:002012-04-08T09:35:16.429-07:00Sewing for Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KkvlPg8VhA/T4G4tLPlK0I/AAAAAAAAAaY/GsZffHXHDXM/s1600/Christening+gown+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KkvlPg8VhA/T4G4tLPlK0I/AAAAAAAAAaY/GsZffHXHDXM/s320/Christening+gown+1.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
For the past three weeks or so, I have been working on a Christening gown for my niece's new little girl. I so love doing traditional white work. I think I must have been Edwardian in my last life as I have such a draw to that type of clothing.<br />
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This particular gown had it's issues in that my embroidery machine was having density issues with the designs. My theory is that it was the solar flairs messing with the magnetics of the computer. What ever the reason, I ended up having to totally change my original plan and completely embroider the skirt a second time. Eventually I got all the issues worked out and the gown finally came together. I also made a slip with lacy trim and ruffle and a bonnet with embroidery on the brim. I was in such a hurry to get to the shower yesterday that I forgot to photograph either one of them! There is nothing like sewing with a deadline...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2yuZNssr4g/T4G6XDl3CkI/AAAAAAAAAag/I7qfFlqKJSk/s1600/Christening+gown+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2yuZNssr4g/T4G6XDl3CkI/AAAAAAAAAag/I7qfFlqKJSk/s320/Christening+gown+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeve detail</td></tr>
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The picture on the right shows the sleeve details before I put the sleeve into the dress. It's so difficult to photograph the white on white details.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirt lace detail</td></tr>
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Rather than gather the sleeves into the lace beading sleeve band, I put in tiny tucks. The beading lace with the ribbon allows the sleeve to be able to be adjusted to the size of the child. I do not like elastic on wee ones.<br />
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This picture shows more of the detail in the embroidery and lace insertion in the skirt. The tucks on the bodice are in groups of three signifying the holy trinity - very traditional in a Christening gown.<br />
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I have made the gowns for all the girls in the family and some for family friends as well - for all those I love who still honor those family traditions. I like the idea that those gowns will be kept and passed on like the ceremony they represent. <br />
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I respect every persons path to God what ever it may be. It doesn't matter to me whether I believe the same way or not. To me, faith is sacred whatever path it chooses to take. So on this Easter Sunday, I pass on the love of my hands, my time, and my energy and by doing so, honor the sacred in everyone and wish blessings on the new ones. Those innocent ones that still remember what God looks like. Happy Easter everyone. May this springtime ritual enlighten your spirit as the world begins it's new growth of the season. <br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-33245554637416841482012-04-01T16:52:00.000-07:002012-04-01T16:52:47.640-07:00Baking Nut Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The wind has been howling and we have had a deluxe mixed bag of weather to greet us today. Dark skies, rain, sleet, snow and now a peek of sunshine - the first we have had in a week or more. I think today is the epitome of April fool's and the joke is definitely on us! So in order to chase the cold away, I decided to bake a nice nut bread. Let's face it - there is nothing like carbs to comfort and warm the spirit on such a blustery day. <br />
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When the sun broke through I ran outside to capture the blue sky that lingered for only a few moments before being swallowed up again. As I came in the front door -breathless from fighting the wind, the smell of the cooling bread assailed my nose and whisked me back to grade school. Although I Risk dating myself - when we were kids, the lunch ladies actually cooked us real food in the cafeteria for lunch. The hallways would smell of baking cinnamon rolls, or pizza made from scratch or taco filling simmering. Funny how smells can be the catalyst of time travel. It wasn't the greatest cuisine in the world but it was <i>real</i> food unlike the swill they feed today's children. I can hear the trays clacking, and the monitor checking the tray before you could dump it's remains and head out to recess. The salad actually contained leaf lettuce and we used to surmise that some of that lettuce wasn't lettuce at all but aspen tree leaves that they'd somehow managed to sneak into the salad to stretch the budget! Kids! But at least we had imagination! Including how to avoid said "aspen leaf salad" by covertly hiding it in the empty milk carton so we could get past the tray monitor and go outside. So, despite the weather, it's been a nice trip to Tahoe Valley Elementary School circa 1967 or so. Here is the recipe so you can do your own time travel. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I did.<br />
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<b>Nut Bread</b><br />
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Pre-heat oven 350 degrees<br />
Prepare a 12 cup Bundt pan or 2, 9 inch loaf pans by spraying with non-stick cooking spray<br />
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1 cup sour milk (1 cup milk with 1 Tbsp vinegar)<br />
4 eggs - slightly beaten <br />
1/2 cup canola oil 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts<br />
1/2 cup oat flour (make your own by whirling rolled oats in a blender or food processor)<br />
1/4 cup flax seed meal 1 cup dark brown sugar<br />
3/4 cup white sugar 3 1/2 cups unbleached white flour<br />
3 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
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Combine all dry ingredients and nuts in large mixing bowl. Add the milk, oil, and eggs. Mix by hand until well blended making sure there are no dry spots. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake 50 - 55 min for tube pan and 40 - 50 min for loaf pans. Bread is done when a wooden skewer comes out clean. If top looks like it's getting too brown, you can cover with foil for last 10 min. of baking. Cool in pan for 10 min. Then remove from pan and cover with towel until cool. Enjoy!<br /> <br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-90970391443195014332012-03-29T13:26:00.000-07:002012-03-30T15:47:49.701-07:00Plum Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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March had turned out to be a crazy month even for the Pacific Northwest. This is soon to be the wettest March on record. For anyone who is familiar with the book "The Illustrated Man" there is a story about a man who lives on a planet where it always rains. It rains so much that they have these special pods to take shelter from the constant onslaught of rain. When the weather gets like this, dark and wet day after day, I think of that story and wonder what it would be like if it never stopped.... Of course, this isn't some distant planet and sooner or later it <i>will</i> stop and the grass will finally pop out and everything will look green again. In the meantime, it's enough to drive this light starved lady crazy. But as you know, there is always a silver lining and I have to admit all this moisture is a good thing to make up for our lack of snow in the valleys this winter. I think about the folks in Colorado, battling unseasonable dry winds and wildfires. All of a sudden, all this moisture doesn't seem quite so bad. However, I'd love to be able to package some of it up and send it out, special delivery for the folks who need it so badly.<br />
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To pacify myself, I have been spinning some hand painted superwash Merino that I dyed last fall. This is the last of the superwash that I had dyed - ready to spin into sock yarn. I love watching the different plum colors flow through my fingers. But the real happy surprise is how it looks when I finally get it plied into it's final yarn. How the colors twist into something else is always such a wonderful adventure.<br />
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Now - if that elusive sun would just come and visit - a few hours would be appreciated. Just long enough to slog to the barn and feed without getting soaked to the skin and long enough to haul the pots in from the shed so I can get them washed and ready to start seeds this weekend. But at this writing, the rain is a steady stream pelting the roof making me want to cocoon into my chair with a down throw and a nice book. But this gal has sewing deadlines to meet so it will have to wait for later. In the meantime....it's driving me plum crazy!!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-67570044596540266662012-03-11T12:54:00.000-07:002012-03-11T12:54:56.136-07:00Try A Little Kindness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The past couple of days have been a lesson in frustration. I have been trying to embroider on my embroidery machine and it's been doing all kinds of strange things. Perhaps it's the magnetics from the solar flares that we've been having this week or maybe it just needs to go in for a good cleaning. Whatever the reason for it's hijinks the end result was a lot of stress which is something I could do without. In the end, I had to change what I had planned to something the machine would cooperate with. By the close of the day, the muscles in my back were tight and screaming at me and I was downright pissy. Not at all the energy I want to put into my project. So today I am not going anywhere near the sewing room.<br />
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Today, I am going to be kind to myself and have a day of hopefully stress free tasks. I think most of us are kind to others but not very kind to ourselves. For some reason we think we have to be hard on ourselves in order to be the best we can be. Perhaps it's our Puritan roots coming home to roost but that kind of criticism is over rated. So I think I will indulge myself today by reading my Facebook friend, Richard Twillman's new book on my Kindle - <b>Another</b> <b>Voyage - A Different Dream</b>. I could use a different voyage than the one I've been on the last couple of days....<br />
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In thinking about Kindness this morning, I remembered something that happened to a friend of my daughters when they were going to the Art Institute in Seattle several years ago. She was a struggling student - a young woman struggling with her sense of self and her place in the world. Every morning as she was walking to school, there was a homeless man sitting in the same spot. Every morning he would smile at her and say "Good morning Beautiful" and she would smile back. When she had enough money she would buy him a coffee and he would always have something uplifting to say. One morning on her way to school, she saw two Police officers where her friend always sat and they were roughly handling his body - you see, he had died in the night. The girl rushed up to them with tears on her face and protested the rough handling of her friend. The police officer said "What does it matter to you - he was just some homeless guy!" and she said to him, "He was a person. He was a<i> nice</i> person, he deserves better than this!" but the officer shooed her away telling her to move on. <span style="color: #990000;">Kindness Costs Nothing But Love<span style="color: black;"> Anyone can choose kindness. Anyone can choose to make a difference. Anyone at all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Good Morning Beautiful - Have a wonderful Day!!</span> </span><span style="color: red;"> </span>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415473759705759964.post-54240493691326850042012-02-28T17:10:00.000-08:002012-02-28T17:10:11.736-08:00Marquetry Sewing Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a small sewing box that I created out of another mahogany cigar box. I call it the "Arm Chair Sewer" since it is the perfect size for sewing on a button or hemming. It would also be the perfect size for a hand quilter to take to a quilting class or bee. The design is made of maple, walnut, cherry, with small accent pieces of dyed poplar.<br />
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I added dividers to the inside of the box and three dowels to hold three full size spools of thread. I lined the lid with vintage velvet that I dyed a soft moss green and trimmed it with some vintage lace. The lid has a pocket to hold embroidery scissors and a small bamboo vial to hold spare needles. I made a matching pin cushion stuffed with wool from my own sheep.<br />
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Both the front and the back are done in a checkerboard design with walnut and maple squares. The overall dimensions of the box is 5 3/4 inches x 4 5/8 inches and is 3 1/2 inches tall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of box</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872221826550217377noreply@blogger.com2