skirt and this and that

The other half of the experiment while camping was the top layer of the skirt.

It has just become one of my simple skirts.  I buy homespun fabrics and they are so soft but they do not wear well so I actually can have a few in my closet at once.  It makes it feel less bad that I have too many clothes.  My daughter's puppy jumped on me yesterday and I believe I will be putting another skirt into the "only work at home or in the yard" selection soon!

I did get carried away purchasing patterns from Sense and Sensibility this week.  I have been looking at these patterns for years and finally just bought them.  It does not help that Russell just smiles and says good!

At least they all fit in one box (wry smile)!  The funny thing is that I will always change something.  I never keep a pattern as is anymore so I just think of these a really nice guidelines.  There are some really nice girls clothes in this bunch for girl short people in my life.  

And do you see my worktable?  Russell has been finishing it.  The bee lady is out of beeswax furniture polish at the farmer's market and that is going to be the last coat.  I may sneak in cutting out a dress or kilt on it this weekend!  Huzzah!

I just had to show off Russell's newest knife because I am proud.  He forged this blade in the workshop he just finished and this handle feels so good in the hand!  He said he would change the one he made me to this handle and I am so excited about it.  I get spoiled with homemade knives, even if some of them are what he would consider seconds.  They are absolutely lovely!

I am so tired after a day at work and one errand.  The library was a must because we had movies and books do.  Now I just need the energy to cook dinner.  Some type of soup I believe.  It is just about finding the energy  to get out of my rocking chair.  Or Russell will get tea and toast for dinner and I know that is not enough for him.  

You may laugh at me!

petticoat

On our trip, I tried a new thing with a skirt.  I added an attached petticoat.  It was very nice for where we were but it would have been much too hot for coming home.  So, I cut the skirt apart and made a separate petticoat.

I like petticoats.  At some point, I am going to make myself a red flannel petticoat with silk on one side.  Or maybe quilted linen like Tasha Tudor.....

I just think I must be in the wrong century.

blackberry sauce/syrup

I have been putting together fruit sauces/syrups to go with our pancakes.  And we had pancakes again this weekend.

Blackberry Sauce

2 cups blackberries (I use frozen)

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

Over medium heat, put the blackberries, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger.  Heat until a bubbly juicy mess.

I serve this over pancakes but it would also be fabulous over vanilla ice cream.  It is  a bit on the tart side so you may wish to add more sugar.  And the cinnamon and ginger are always to taste.  Russell ALWAYS likes MORE cinnamon.

I actually wish we had these for dinner tonight but I had no sourdough started and we were grandpuppy sitting.  So I made beans.  And I am tired.  

Early night for me!  Huzzah!

experimentations in vegan chocolate crinkles

Last night, I had another evening alone and decided that I really needed chocolate and tea.  Cookies it was to be.  I thought I would take another stab at the chocolate crinkles I had made before and was not quite happy with.  I wrote down what I thought I was going to try.

I mixed up my experimental list.  

Baked them.

Then had them with tea.  

This recipe is close.  One more try I think.  I am going to leave out the cocoa and lessen the flour.  Good but not as good as they could be.  It does not mean they are going to get composted though.  They are coming to work in my lunch every day.  It is something to make the day better.

six inch chef's knife

We went on vacation so Russell could take another bladesmithing class.  He was learning to forge Damascus.  Which meant that he motivated to come home and finish what he already started.  He has learned so much over the last six months that some of the knives he is finishing are just not quite what he wishes them to be.

I get all the "seconds."  This beautiful six inch chef's knife is not completely done but Russell wanted it off his work table so it ended up in the knife block.  Which means I started using it.  He still needs to sharpen it a bit more because I have gotten used to scary sharp.

The handle is beautiful!  I like a bit more rounded but it works.  Russell said he would work on it a bit.  I know he would rather be building a forge though (evil grin)