Summer Sky: Learning as I go

Yarn Along + Wednesday WIP

Once again I've been posting over at The Magnifying Glass--we've made a mason bee nest and I've provided the instructions. Also, Dawn is hosting a fool's gold (iron pyrite) giveaway on TMG--check it out.

And, before I forget, be sure and come back here tomorrow for a giveaway for kids who love books.  I'm sure you know a few! So don't miss out.

 

Is it totally obnoxious to pair these two up--Wednesday WIP and Ginny's Yarn Along? Oh, well. So be it. A cup of tea and a window into what others are reading and knitting--that is the Yarn Along.  What could be better? I've been sitting on the sidelines but it's time to jump in.

 
What am I reading?  Well, I'm still trying (in vain) to keep up with Lifetime Reading Plan.; Even though I am deeply grateful that she is giving us plenty of time, I can't just "whip through" The Iliad or Gilgamesh. I'm still so happy I've committed to this, I'm trying to go easy on myself and giving it my best shot.

Up and Down Stairs--I started reading this last fall before the Downton Abbey craze.  My D (who knows me well) gave this to me as a gift a while ago.  It's a little meaty / historical--it is not fluff--and a good counterpoint to Downton Abbey which I love. (So glad there is a 2nd season--and even a holiday special--in the works!)

I'm also enjoying In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite--another rec via the Splendid Table--I have it checked out from the library and it must go back today.  My family travelled throughout Europe when I was a child, so I could picture myself in some of the stories about being a kid in a European restaurant during (what I assume) was the 1970's.  Except (sadly?) I was eating pommes frites and korv, not pickled herring or escargot.

And my knitting--well, my IRL friends are laughing right now--they have watched me try to start this sweater from Vintage Baby Knits so many times I could've knitted 3 of them by now.  For some reason, getting started is always hard for me but once I get past a certain "hump" I'm good to go.

Very last, I'm playing with the camera--I've been shooting in manual for a year but I want to take it to another level.  Sometimes the light works just so.  This photo is totally untouched--it came this way out of the camera--almost like a painting if I do say so myself.

I'll be back tomorrow for that giveaway...hope you'll join me.

Heavy hearts on St. Patrick's Day

I had planned since last week to write a cheerful St. Patrick's day post full of news of our two parades.  E and her Irish dance classmates marched in the National St. Patrick's day parade down Constitution Avenue.

However, the news from Japan keeps getting worse and it's all D and I can think about.  The everyday becomes so frivolous at times like these.  At night I turn on CNN around 11 pm and watch until I am so tired I must go to bed.  Then, first thing in the morning, I check facebook to see if our friends in Japan have news we won't see here in the U.S.--and they usually do.

My mind slips along two grooves. On one hand, it seems wrong to go about our everyday lives when others are suffering. On the other hand, my senses seem heightened to bits of beauty around us. I feel the texture and hear the crunch of the vegetables as I cut them for lunch.  The air is chilly but clean and fresh.  There is no line at all at the grocery store checkout. The local tulips in their vase are still closed tight.

I savor N's pure joy at discovering three little crocus blooms by the front stoop. He is only 5 but he's taught me so much.  His joys and sorrows are felt very deeply, but he always sees the good even when I cannot.

: : : : : : : : : : : : :

On giving:  I've been reading these thoughtful views about donations for Japan, which, while suffering an enormous (ongoing) tragedy, is the third largest economy in the world.  After reading a number of aid-watch blogs, the answer seems to be:  give to a charity with low administrative costs, that is transparent in how they use their funds, and do not earmark  your donation for any specific disaster.  That way, the money will reach those truly in need and achieve its maximum benefit. 

The aid groups that are mentioned most often as worthy of support are Doctors without Borders, The Red Cross, and Save the Children.

If you are ever in doubt, I find Charity Navigator, GiveWell, and GuideStar to be useful for choosing charities.

 

Wonderful.

Don't forget to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend, then post your tally next week at TMG and enter the giveaway to win a Charley Harper poster. Details here.

I just had the best day.

A day spent poking in the corners of dim shops hunting new-to-me treasures, chatting non-stop (okay, maybe that was me), making a new friend, meeting a remarkably sweet and well-behaved babe, and eating a yummy lunch. And that was mostly before noon.

Yesterday I spent the morning and a bit of afternoon with perches.  She kindly showed me around her favorite haunts and I had a marvelous time. She is an incredible person and if you haven't read her blog, you really must. She has done so much in her life, although she doesn't wear it on her sleeve.

And perhaps her greatest accomplishment is being a tender, patient, calm mama to this little guy.

Peekaboo. More photos of our outing here, including vintage puzzle balls (squee!)

Here are my treasures. I've always wanted a little milk glass covered chicken bowl (they are fairly common around here) but I've never found just the right one until today.

The book in the back is The Brownie Handbook (1959). Wooden spool lust? Check this out.

And I love the gold of that small enamel pitcher. I felt (a little) bad because I had spotted it and then made a circuit of the (very big) room. As I came back around to the pitcher, a woman walked up. I don't think she was going for the pitcher, but just in case, I (kind of) swooped in and snapped it up. Forgive me, stranger vintage-hunting lady whom I will never see again.

Oh, and perches gave me a little gift as a thank you for making the drive to her neck of the woods. Look at those little perfect stitches. That's lots of practice, folks. Something to aspire to.

Any thrift store finds (or new friend-making) you'd care to share?

Vintage belatedness, and making amends

Before I say more, I just posted again at The Magnifying Glass, this time about our local flying squirrels.

Let's cut to the chase.

I have been a bad blog buddy. I suppose I could've been "badder," but still, I need to make amends, and today specifically, I'm making amends to 'perches,' the crafty mama who blogs at perches in the soul. (Thank you for being so kind and patient!)

Back in August (oh, about 1,000 years ago), I participated again in the Summer Vintage Swap organized by Heather. It's one of those, I-really-shouldn't-but-I-can't-stop-myself kind of fun things to do. Well, it's hard to say no to snooping around thrift shops and second-hand stores, stopping by a yard sale or two, all in the hopes of finding a little something for your swap buddy.

I sent off my treasures to her, hoping that she would like them every bit as much as I did.

Around the same time that my package went out, I received her lovely package, and I was so excited to see what she had found for me. She sent along a lovely letter explaining each and every thing and why she had chosen them. But you can see for yourself why:

A pretty ceramic thimble

 

A Christmasy-needle case

with 11 needles still inside!

Several skeins of luscious embroidery thread

(with a little history about the company that made the thread)

A treasure of a tiny cut-glass bowl (E's favorite!)

and some delicate hankies

And saving the best for last, a Washington Flour cookbook, from the Washington, D.C. Flour Company that was located in Georgetown on the banks of the Potomac, literally a couple of miles from where I sit, and blocks from where I used to work.  The mill building still stands, although it's condos now.

perches kindly printed out a history of the mill for me.  The mill apparently used wheat and corn grown within 75 miles of the mill. Talk about local!

The cookbook is a fun read, of course. There are several recipes I'd like to try. I was most amused by the next-to-last page, which talked about a new product, Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour, which they were making "in response to a growing demand for whole wheat...utilizing the ENTIRE BERRY of the selected wheat used in making Washington Flour..." If this site is to be believed, the cookbook was printed in 1918 (I could find no printed date myself). Nearly 100 years later, what goes around, comes around, I suppose.

Thanks again, perches, for all your thoughtful choices. I can see why it was so hard to part with that cookbook! Here's hoping we can go thrifting soon, maybe this time, together.

WIP Wednesday

Why, hi there! I managed to show up for WIP Wednesday!  What I've been up to:

1.  Ever since I saw Mary Beth knitting up company dishcloths, they've been on my mind. I bought some 100% cotton yarn at Michael's and I've had a dishcloth going on my needles ever since.

Now that I look at this photo, and back at Mary Beth's, I think I bought some of the same yarn! But her dishcloths look quite a bit neater than mine~

 

When I posted about tips I've picked up as a beginning knitter, one commenter asked for a pattern that took her beyond scarves. Dishcloths fit the bill! 

A person can only wear so many scarves, but anyone can put a dishloth to use.  Plus, dishcloths are a great way to practice new stitches, switching colors, most anything.  No one's going to wear it, so it's okay if it isn't the prettiest thing you've ever made.

The pattern is from the book Knitting Pretty.  As usual, I recommend checking the book out of the library first before buying it.  (You can find other knitters' versionsof the company dishcloth if you register on Ravelry; one clever knitter kept on knitting and made hers into a baby blanket.) 

2.  I'm finally getting started on making a dress or two out of the beautiful Japanese pattern books I bought recently.  I dithered about and finally bought some real pattern paper; tissue paper gets so beat up after one use.  Just before I paused to take this shot, I threw down the gingham I'm planning on using.

I had the best time tracing and cutting pattern pieces on the porch this morning.  The air was cool and the birds were singing away.

Any projects, big or small, that you're working on?  Feel free to share!

All I have to show for it.

So, I know that the Kids' Week sewing challenge is officially over.  But, I thank Meg (of elsie marley) for hosting such a great challenge, and for supplying so much inspiration, and for the participants who posted to her flickr group.  It was all enough to encourage me to keep on plugging away on my own personal challenge (but as usual, don't hold your breath).

I did manage to sew something--so here it is!  And I only broke one needle and ripped out three seams to make it.  I think I was very distracted today, for no good reason! I cut the first fat quarter the wrong way for the directional repeat, then I sewed the right side of one piece to the wrong side of the other. I had used very tiny stitches (still getting used to the Bernina) and ripping out those seams was a BEAR, let me tell you. So that's why it took two hours to sew together a pattern I like and that I've made before. Leave it to me!

 In case you were wondering, those are kitties playing around on that fabric.

Despite all my mishaps, this is really a great ways to use up a fat quarter or two.  You may recognize it as Jane's headscarf from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing.  My friend-via-blogging, Larissa of Stitches in Play, came up with a cute variation--make it smaller so it fits a child, and make it reversible.  This is now my go-to for a quick girl's gift (believe it or not).

Here's the reverse side of the very same head scarf.  D, my husband, helped me out with this mini-photo shoot by telling E some very funny jokes.

I don't like the fabric very much, but it wasn't for me. I was with my close friend M when I picked it out; we wanted to get something 'girly' so our two daughters could have matching headscarves. We live so far apart, it seemed like a sweet connection to have (and they both adore kitties).

Ah, well! Better luck next time--in more ways than one!

P.S. Yes, the Bernina sews like a dream, and I can never go back now. Spoiled rotten! (Thank you, Robbie!)

One small change for April (and March)

One Small Change is drawing to a close this month, but we will not say goodbye.  Now it's a habit to sit down every few weeks and evaluate what we can do differently--how we can use resources wisely, leave a smaller footprint, pollute less.  Thanks again to Suzy and Andy for hosting such a meaningful blog challenge.

Our changes for March and April aren't so small for us.  We are planting a little vegetable garden (alongside our herbs) and installing a rain barrel.  I am a bit apprehensive because I have a knack for killing plants--I've mentioned before that several years ago, I grew a modestly large cutting garden with mixed success. Wish us luck!

We made our annual pilgrimage to DeBaggio's Herb Farm this week.

We already get our vegetables via local venues (a "CSA"-type service and the farmers' markets) but I was so moved by this post of Colleen's that I decided we should try to plant a small plot with a few basics. Tending a garden holds so many lessons (for all of us) and we just can't let this slip by until 'next year' as we have in the past.

What's growing in your garden this year?

One small change links to inspire:

Angel Pea at Keeping the Faith is composting

Kerry at Young Ones is also planting a family garden

AG Ambroult at elemental is using vinegar & baking soda to clean up

Michelle's family at The Binker Files is having a weekly night without electricity

At nz green buttons, they're  using water wisely

Vintage : : Received

Mali's package arrived, and it was full to the brim with special vintage finds!  They ranged from beautiful treasures to a bit of humor.

Up first is this lovely cross-stitched "plate holder"--  I imagine that you would put luncheon or dessert plates in between the layers and fold them over, to keep each plate separate so they wouldn't chip. But that's just a guess!  I may use it that way--or it might just find a second life as a gorgeous camera strap.

More vintage cross-stitch from Mali--this time a pretty little pillow.  I popped her town's postcard into the photo--I imagine it shows a ferry that (perhaps) gives fjord tours, and the building (I believe) is the Rica Isavshotel.

Mali also kindly sent us

: : a reindeer wallet (yes, just like it sounds!) that I imagine will be used to store little treasures around our house;

: : some patriotic norwegian decor that will also get some imaginary play use, I expect--so fun.

: :  and just in case I ever visit Mali in Tromsø, my very own pair of Alaska-Sokken. 

Because, as Mali explains, if you ever find yourself in super cold weather, you will want to have socks that you'd wear Alaska...but with "Norwegian Quality"! The package promises to keep me "good and warm." Thank you, Mali!

But wait, there's more!! Sweet vintage crocheted doilies.  Aren't they gorgeous?

 

Finally, as I was surveying all the special vintage items Mali kindly chose for our swap, I thought to open up the little reindeer wallet to see what was inside.  What a lovely surprise!  Beautiful, beautiful bits of lace. I can hardly wait to put these to use.

Thank you ever so much, Mali! Stay in touch!

And thanks again, Heather, for arranging it all.

Sneaking in a peek.

For reasons I cannot explain (perhaps being buried in sewing up to my neck?) I have not had a chance to mention that I'm participating again in the ever-so-fun Vintage Swap.

I know, I know.  Vintage Swaps and Decluttering are a bit at cross-purposes. But only a tiny bit in my case (believe it or not!).

My partner for this swap is Mali, who blogs at arcticmum. I have so enjoyed reading her blog. Mali lives in Norway, above the arctic circle.  It's fun to get a glimpse into Mali's life--be sure and pay her a visit.  She has a giveaway going on right now (I think it's still open) for an amazing pillow embroidered in a traditional Norwegian style--she will ship it anywhere, she says!

But about vintage swapping.  I've mentioned before that finding vintage can be a challenge around here.  This time, I ventured to the Georgetown Flea Market (held on Sundays). In the winter, the flea market is pretty small, but I was still able to find vintage prints and some beautiful linens.  My friends assure me I must return when the weather gets warmer.

I also sent along an item or two to Mali from previous vintage hunts.  She hasn't received her package yet, so I will just share a sneak peek:

 

I hope these hints of vintage brighten your day.
 

On my mind.

Haiti on my mind.

N had a small cut on his thumb that became infected.  We saw a doctor within an hour of making the phone call and we bought a huge bottle of antibiotics from the pharmacy thirty minutes after that.

The doctor called me today to say that the culture came back; the infection was caused by the strep bacteria. It's a common source of skin infections and easily treatable with our big bottle of antibiotics. 

That is, if you happen to have a doctor, a pharmacy, money or health insurance, a big bottle of antibiotics, and a mama to soak your thumb in epsom salts and administer hugs and kisses.

I'm also here to say, you can change. You can change ingrained habits, even things about yourself that seem part of your personality, if you so choose.  You can learn to be grateful for the tiniest things. You can learn to appreciate all that you have. You can learn to enjoy this moment, right now, just the way it is, warts and all, before it's gone.

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:: Charity Navigator's Haiti page 

:: Givewell.net's Haiti page 

:: Guidestar's Haiti page

:: globalgiving's Haiti page  

:: Craft Hope for Haiti (100% of proceeds donated to Doctors Without Borders)  

:: ShivayaNaturals for Haiti (100% of donations to Doctors Without Borders; more items coming)