Spin and Spring

Posted on by Dan

I’ve finished a few more spinning projects and thought I’d share them, matching them with a corresponding early Spring photo from our yard.

Handspun Wool/Alpaca/Silk
Emerging Spring - Wild Ginger

Approximately 835 yards of 2-ply yarn, spun from about 18 oz. of alpaca, silk and wool fiber. I’ve matched it with some delicate wild ginger coming up through some rocks.

Handspun Fairy Blend
Emerging Spring - Moss

The sparkly bits in this luxurious blend of alpaca, bison, wool, ramie and tencel remind me of the wee shoots of new growth on a patch of moss. I spun approximately 170 yards of 2-ply yarn from 2 oz. of fiber.

Handspun Alpaca & Silk
Emerging Spring - Hepatica

And, this 70/30 blend of alpaca and silk, spun from 4 oz. of fiber and yielding 190 yards of 2-ply yarn, is paired with one of the first flowers of Spring (at least in our yard) – Hepatica.

Apart from some stubbornly cold temperatures, I think it’s safe to say the spell of Winter has been broken.

1 Comment

Virtues of Scratch

Posted on by 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…

Blueberries in Pie

…blueberry pie.

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:

Ice Cream

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!

2 Comments

Of Snowflakes and a Stubborn Winter

Posted on by 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.

Daffodils in Snow

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.

Handknit Socks - detail

Handknit Socks

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

Handknit Socks

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

Adelaide

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

Adelaide

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.

Handknit Socks

Handknit Socks

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!

2 Comments

Weeks 13 & 14 in Review

Posted on by 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.

Week in Review - 13

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.

Week in Review - 14

3 Comments