UFO Landing

I have only one UFO. (Un Finished Object). Or, I should say, I had only one UFO. I finally finished a scarf I started three of four years ago.

I found the pattern in the first Vogue Knitting Magazine I ever bought (Summer 2005). I was a beginner and the pattern looked incredibly intimidating. It took me a year to find the yarn I wanted to use, which ended up being Rowan Kidsilk Haze, and a Bamboo yarn that I no longer have the label for. The pattern is #33 Leaf Pattern Scarf by Rima.

I also finished up a shawl for my Oma. I'll be seeing her in October. I hope she likes it. (Well of course she will. She use to knit.)

The yarn is The Alpaca Yarn Co. Astral in color way 8642. The pattern is the Cedar Leaf Shawlette by Alana Dakos.

I have one more large shawl I've been working on since April. Once I finish I'll get to start (gasp) a new project. Or logically, because I will have finished three projects, I can start three new projects. I already have three in mind.

Tremont Cemetery

The other day Justin and I went out to Tremont Cemetery.

I have to say, visiting old cemeteries is one of my favorite things to do. A certain sense of peace always fall over me.

I love seeing old, almost outdated names in hand carved marble headstones. The amount of time and detail put into each stone is nothing but impressive.

Even seeing stones that have bowed to time or vandals is fascinating.

I find myself calculating the age of everyone who has died. I always compare them with my own age.

The newest grave I could find was this one. Mrs. Florence Murphy lived to be 102. A whole 102 years old! In the ring, it says that Elmer and Florence were married Dec. 26th, 1923.


This particular graveyard had many German immigrant graves. I found myself wondering why the English words for Born and Died weren't more similar in spelling like the German Geboren and Gestorben.

Skyway

I've been a bit lax in the knitting department. Fear not! I have been knitting... it just so happens that all my projects are a bit involved. So without further ado, I give you my hand spun cowl.

I bought the 2 ounce "mystery" batt from Moonrover. I knew that I would love it even without seeing it. I'm calling the color way Skyway.

It only took me an evening to spin it into a 218 yard single.

And another week for the cowl. The color progression makes it seem like a landscape. I love it!

Too bad today was 105 F/ 40.5 C. I can't wait until it is cool enough to wear it during the day.

I bought a second mystery batt as well. I'm calling this color way Sunset.

It spun up so quickly and easily. Yum.

Applesauce Adventure

I am not a good cook. Seriously. When I offered to make Ramen, my housemates asked, "Do you need help." They weren't kidding.

Marcail, my coworker at the wool mill, offered to teach me how to make applesauce with the alluring promise of, "It's easy." We started out by picking some apples off of a tree at work.

I'm allergic to uncooked apples, especially the skins. So, we peeled the apples. You can leave the skins on if you like.

Cut the apples into quarters and put them in a pot. Add water. Just enough so the apples can boil in it. Turn on stove, put on lid, let apples boil, go play video games.

Rush into kitchen as soon as it smells like the apples are burning. Look into getting a louder alarm. If your apples have not completely disintegrated, mash them.

Add some sugar and cinnamon to taste.

Tada! Applesauce.

Do not give the dog any, even if he looks extra cute. It will probably give him a tummy ache.

Loneliness

In a week my best friend is moving away and at the end of the month I'm moving to a place in the country with no housemates. I've been rather nervous about how lonely I might become. I found this, and it makes loneliness not seem so bad.

But just in case the loneliness becomes overwhelming, I've been building up a stockpile of books to read.

What's That?!

It's Scooter's birthday today! He has turned eight. (Actually, it's the anniversary of the day we adopted him from the humane society. They told us he was a year old when we got him.)

I imagine he'll spend the day hanging out.

Drinking beers.

Scooter is an old man though.

So he'll probably have a nice long nap before he goes to bed. Happy birthday little buddy.

It Only Took Me A Year

Almost a year ago I agreed to embroider a moth for some album art. I just finished today. Whoops. Time does fly.

The moth is for Nat. You should check out his music at http://www.myspace.com/natlefkoffmusic. He's going places.

Half Birthday Wish List

Every once in a while I like to make a little wish list. I suppose the occasion could be my half birthday (although, those aren't quite as exciting as they were when I was younger)

I've wanted this book for awhile. I just never quite get around to buying it. Lizbeth Upitis' Latvian Mittens. I borrowed the book from the library... and renewed it continually for several months.

Next on the list, a line counter. I don't fish though. But it can be used to count out yarn yardage. This would be perfect if I ever sold when I sell my hand spun.

Along the lines of a line counter, I also would like to have a scale. The only thing that is important is that the display has to be lower so that any overlapping fiber would be above the display. An added bonus would be if it weighed in ounces, grams, and grains.

While I'm at it, I wouldn't mind having a pair of Katie's moccasins. She makes such lovely pairs.

I'm undecided if I'd like Navy and Denim Tiger Lily Moccasins, or...

The Plain Jane in blue. Knowing me, I'd be more likely to wear the plain janes. I guess I'll have to start saving up my pennies. Maybe if I'm lucky, she'll do a trade for a hand spun, hand knitted item.

Wool Mill Retrospective

I've been working at the Yolo Wool Mill for four months now. I have learned so much more than I though I would when I took the job.

Skeinwinder

When I started the job, I knew how to knit and had a basic understanding of fiber.

Plied Fiber Ready To Be Skeined

I knew I would gain quite a bit of knowledge regarding fiber. I didn't realize that I would have to become a mechanic as well. Most of the machines are at least fifty years old, if not older.

Closeup of the Skeinwinder

They require plenty of care and maintenance. I had no idea that the maintenance would be my favorite part of the job. Taking apart a machine to figure out why it isn't running properly is so much fun! As a bonus, home repairs don't seem quite as daunting anymore.