Dan – Page 9 – ScratchCraft

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Virtues of Scratch

Posted on April 24, 2011by Dan

I don’t know how many times I can extol the virtues of food from scratch, but since part of this blog is to do just that, this post will be no exception. We really do try to limit how much processed foods we eat, making sure most, if not all, of the ingredients are both pronounceable and identifiable. Why someone would choose to make a cake from a box (with added goodies like distilled monoglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, not to mention hydrogenated oils), when a tastier cake can be made in roughly the same amount of time with a handful of ingredients? But, I don’t want to get all preachy about this. I just don’t buy the argument of convenience. One makes time for things that are important.

Things like…

…blueberry pie.

We’re talking five ingredients (six if you count water) in this recipe, including flour, butter, blueberries, the juice and zest from a couple of meyer lemons, and a sprinkling of corn starch. The blueberries (frozen from last summer) are so sweet that no sugar was needed. Yes, it’s pie, but it’s mostly a delicious and healthy pile of blueberries.

Of course, the pie was made a little less healthy with the addition of:

But, this again was made from cream (don’t ask how much), half and half, a bit of sugar and a splash of vanilla. Easy-peasy and so delicious. And, that’s exactly what I’m trying to say. So, don’t let Betty Crocker talk you into buying that box!

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Knitting

Of Snowflakes and a Stubborn Winter

Posted on April 17, 2011by Dan

As May approaches it feels like Winter is having a hard time letting go, letting the light from the sun warm up the land. We woke up yesterday morning to another couple of inches of snow on the ground. The daffodils, which had been enjoying some previously warm days, were probably as surprised as us.

Maybe “surprised” isn’t the right word. I think “disheartened” is more fitting.

I’m not one for finger pointing, but a certain someone has been knitting several snowflake-themed items recently. And I wonder if, like a rain dance, there’s a power in the act of creating snowflakes out of wool.

This pair of socks is from a pattern by Crissy Gardiner, appropriately called “Snowflake Socks.” Virginia knit these using Smart yarn.

She also finished this sweater, “Adelaide” by Kate Gagnon Osborn in Vintage Modern Knits.

It is knit using Rowan’s Kid Classic in an appropriately winter color palette.

To round things off, this second pair of socks was finished a couple of days ago. It’s “Harika” by Stephanie van der Lind, knit using Gems Merino.

See the theme? Wonder why there is still snow in the forecast? Fortunately, last night she started working on a crochet blanket using the “African Flower” hexagonal pattern, and it seems to be having the right effect. As I write this post, though a bit on the chilly side, the sun is out!

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Miscellanea

Weeks 13 & 14 in Review

Posted on April 10, 2011by Dan

If you have been following this one-a-day photo project, you’ve probably noticed some similar themes. I guess I’m pretty predictable in my daily activities. I go to work, I do some baking, I spin a bit, I play in the yard, rinse and repeat. In some ways, my documenting a snapshot of my life each day, has made me more aware of what I’m doing and allowed me to explore more variations to those activities. Nobody wants to look at the same loaf of bread every week, or the same destination on a walk. I find myself thinking about what to include in my daily activity that might make an interesting photo, even if only a snapshot.

Still, there’s a reason for the repetition of certain activities. They are fulfilling, fun. So, you’ll probably continue to see variations of baking, spinning and yard work.

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Spinning

Spin, Spun… Span?

Posted on April 1, 2011by Dan

Now that I’ve started to make spinning a more regular part of my routine again, it’s finally time to share some of the finished yarn that I’ve spun in the last couple of weeks. It’s been fun mixing up the types of fibers, the colors, the amounts, feeling my hands and feet work together in the old familiar rhythm.

These first two projects are from fiber sent to me by Ted. (Thank you!) A cozy 50/50 blend of merino and yak, this fiber was dyed a rich, deep, wine color that is hard to capture digitally.

There are approximately 290 yards of 2-ply yarn, spun from about 4.2 oz of fiber. I see a new scarf for next season – something I hope I won’t have to wear for a good long while, but when the time comes, I’ll be ready (and my neck will be nicely wrapped).

This next skein is another interesting blend of merino and tencel. Tencel gives the yarn a silky drape, but the wool adds some loft and warmth. There are approximately 295 yards of 2-ply yarn, spun from about 4 oz. of fiber.

Speaking of exciting packages, delivered to our doorstep was last month’s installment of Hello Yarn fiber. Adrian always has such an amazing way with color, and “Scorch” was no exception.

This is from 4 oz. of Bluefaced Leicester, spun and navajo-plied to approximately 340 yards. Virginia has already started on a pair of socks, so those will be making an appearance in the not-too-distant future.

Tonight, while a loaf of bread rises in the kitchen, a whirl (and clack) will be heard emanating from the living room. Hope your Friday night is as exciting as mine.

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Miscellanea

Weeks 11 & 12 in Review

Posted on March 27, 2011by Dan

Plenty of good things happened over these last two weeks. First, not only did I pass a two-year mark of being diagnosed with leukemia, I also (for the first time in more than two years) had a normal white blood count and my quarterly test came back negative. One of these days I’ll be able to approach these blood tests without much anxiety (perhaps when I have a dozen or so under my belt).

Even more exciting (as you see pictured in the middle frame below), the snow started to pull back from the ground, revealing signs of life. This has been such a long, cold winter. Both Virginia and I are so ready for some warmth and some green (not long after that picture was taken, another 6 inches of the stuff fell and promptly covered it up – we’ll get there one of these days).

I’m starting to go through some old family photos, and thought I’d share one of yours truly playing in the kitchen. This week, I replaced the Tupperware helmet with a cast iron wok, but other than that, not a whole lot has changed.

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