all my own spinning

On the mountain, I had a drop spindle, a crochet hook, and a small sewing kit.  The most basic tools for the things I like to do.  I finished a hat for Small Mister, ripped it out, and remade it.  It fit much better the second time and fit well under his hoods.  The only problem was the merino silk I spun was so soft that it stretched out easily. 

I brought a blue hat that I had made years ago with me because I could not find the hat I was looking for.  When I was finished with Small Mister's, I started a new hat for myself.  I used a heavy corredale in a almost black natural.  It still has a lot of lanolin in it.  It was so dark with the amount of rain we had that I had to rip it out a few times.  I did not get it finished on the mountain.  But I decided to make it a bit fancier then normal.

I do like how it turned out.  It is large enough to cover my hair when my hair is up and ears.  It almost has the rasta thing going.  The top is the corredale I spoke of.  The edge is a yarn I spun from the yak/silk fiber I purchased in Taos and spun on my spinning wheel.  I used a shell pattern similar to a thistle pattern of on the edge that covers my hears.  It works like a headband and is so soft.

I am pleased.  Maybe there will be enough hours in the day when I am not in the office so I can spin the rest of the corredale to make a new cardigan.  It is really nice to be using my own yarns.

roasted strawberry jam

On our first morning on the mountain, we were slugs.  We took leftovers and strawberries and put them on sticks to poke them in the fire.  The strawberries took on this intense flavor that out of season strawberries never have.  Even little scorched bits.  Actually, I think I like strawberries on a stick better then marshmallows on a stick.  I am strange so I am not surprised.  The comment was made by Miss A that it would make a wonderful jam.  I decided I would try.

I took two quarts of strawberries, a bit of olive oil, and roasted the heck of them.  They really did not get the scorched bits to the extent they would have on a stick but there were a few.  And the flavor was intensified and much sweeter!  The only flavor I really did not get was the smoke from the fire.  I added less sugar then I normally would for jam and called it a day.  I cannot wait until I have fresh bread in a couple days to try it on.  I have old bread right now and a cold house.  It is what happens.

roasted strawberry jam

2 quarts strawberries, hulled and cut into quarters

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

Turn oven on to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.  Pour the oil on a cookie sheet.  I used my cast iron pizza pan.  Cut the strawberries on the pan.  Coat with oil.  Roast for a half hour, stirring every ten minutes.

Take the strawberries out.  Scrape them into a small pot.  Put them over low heat.  Stir in the sugar.

I used the pan and heat with a bit of elbow grease to make sure the sugar dissolved.  You want to stir until the sugar is dissolved.

I will have toast in the morning and fresh bread tomorrow night or the morning after.  I cannot wait to try this jam on either.  It was so good on a spoon!

back from the mountain

We are back.  After a very Monday Monday, I would not mind being back on the mountain dealing with wet and cold.  Though this week may be snow and cold.  The most people on the mountain at one time was 13 with the addition of a dog.  There was a leaking tent and the shed became the cook house and sleeping quarters. 

There was also strawberries roasted like marshmallows.  I need to try roasting them here and making jam.  Ideas are lovely.

This picture says it all.  I did find a place to sit on the side of the mountain and crochet while overlooking the valley.  I just needed some quiet.  I am still working on that hat.  It is going to have two yarns that I spun in it.

There was twenty two people at my parents.  There was lots of conversation and lots of food but few leftovers.  I did get pumpkin pie for breakfast though.  It did make my day.  I brought out my Turkish Spindle and worked on yarn while I talked.  Fascination from one of the short people who had never seen yarn being made before. 

We raced the weather home and did not have to deal with snow or very cold.  That was very nice.  We also brought Small Mister back with us for about a month.  Life is pretty nice.

so what got made

When my sewing machine was calling, I was working on this dress.  It  is a sheath.  Very simple.  Pull it on.  Zip it up.  People have a tendency to wonder where you are off to or if you are going for a job interview.  Nope.  Just easy to wear though I find most people do not find them easy to sew.  It is the darts and zippers.  I find it is just a bit of patience.  Sometimes a bit of quiet.  It is part of why my sewing machine calls.

We are off to the mountain tomorrow afternoon.  There should be a cast of characters and could be very interesting.  No internet so I will be quiet here.  We get to spend time with the Small Mister so hopefully there will be pictures to share.  It could be an interesting week.  It is supposed to rain!

For those of you who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

my sewing machine was calling

I have been working on the cleanup of my worktable since I started talking about it here.  I actually have done something everyday and I have a ways to go.  I need to be better about cutting scraps into strips or quilt squares as I go.  But I am not.  So now I am doing catch up.

I have been doing lots of spinning in the evenings while watching videos.  But yesterday and today, my sewing machine has been calling.  The break has been nice just because.  Doing something different can be a nice break in the routine but I really do not like being away from my sewing machine for too long.  The time with my machine helps keep me in balance.  So does time with the spinning wheel and crochet hook, hands in dough. 

I have another dress done except for hems.  I hope to finish all of that tomorrow.