alpaca shawl

I had picked up some Whatcom county alpaca when we were at the mountain six weeks ago.  I picked up more this time.  Out came my little Turkish drop spindle.  All the fiber got spun and I created this shawl.  The edge is the last half of the last of Sunshine. 

I have been wearing this at work.  It has been a pretty crappy week so far and the warmth and soft is comforting.  Hopefully, next week gets better.

raw brownies

My boyos like nuts and seeds and dried fruits.  My Beloved especially likes raw foods.  I came across this recipe for peanut butter chocolate brownies that were raw, vegan, soy, and gluten free.  All that my Beloved could ask for.  The Small Mister thinks they are absolutely fabulous.  The recipe calls them two bit brownies and that is really how bit you need to cut them.  There is just that many good things to fill your tummy fast.

I used cocoa powder instead of carob.  I have this thing about carob though everyone else in the house likes it.  I also used almond butter instead of peanut butter because that was the easiest nut butter in the house to get to.  We will be making these again.

almond chocolate brownies

Note:  adapted from vegan by candlelight

1 cup and 2 tablespoons hemp hearts

1 cup medjool dates

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup quick oats

3 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon almond butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Put everything into a food processor and blend until it becomes a ball of dough.  It took less then a minute for me.

Pat into an 8x8 in baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper.  Refrigerate for an hour or more.

Watch the smiles!

the mitts that match the hat

I made some mitts out of the yarn from Sunshine as well.  I wished I had them at work today!  I was wearing my Sunshine sweater and still a bit cold.  July and wearing more wool in the office then I normal do in the winter.  That is air conditioning for you!

The funny thing about these mitts, is that when I put them on they are actually the same length.  The bottom has a bit of curve to it.  I think they will be fairly easy to type in.  I do think they need to end up at work.  Cold hands are just not a fun thing to have to work with.

a hat made from sunshine

On our way to our mountain, it was darn cold!  And the wind was blowing.  We were eating outside most of the time so we could let Small Mister could run.  But the way the wind was blowing and how cold it was, I needed a hat.  I do not know what I was thinking because I know the end of June, beginning of July can be cold as you go north.  When the Tall Short Person was born in July many years ago, we had to run the heater. 

I did not bring a hat. I had brought a sweater as just in case.  I had yarn with me, the last of Sunshine that I had spun.  I made a hat.  I wore it on the mountain.  I wore it at my parents on the way back.  I wore it all the way through New Mexico.  We go through the northern high plains and it can be a bit chilly there year round. 

I like how it turned out even though it is not perfect.  I am thinking about putting it in my bicycling bag so it is with the sweater I have at work.  That is the one I made from Sunshine's fleece as well.  I have had to pull that one out because of the air conditioning this summer.  That is really how my life works.

this weekend

This weekend has been trying to get caught up.  I have to admit these are my least favorite types of weekends.  I need to go to the grocery store.  Actually, I went to two.  The farmer's market and libraries.  I cleaned a bit but not enough. 

And I spent some time in the garden.  We have had so much rain and heat while we were gone and last week that the weeds are overwhelming.  I got the little bit of grass we have cut and I started on pulling weeds.  I also started on cleaning up spent plants.  I did shake out all the seeds I could find. 

Before I know it, it will be time to start a winter garden.  It is hard to believe because of the increase of heat in July but late August, it is time to think about it.  That is only six weeks away.  If I can get some of the clean up started now, it may not be quite so overwhelming as usual.  Maybe I can get Small Mister to help me.  He likes power tools, especially change saws and weed wackers, but he is not so sure about putting his hands in dirt.