tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64094359638710060882024-03-13T13:53:27.979-04:00I'm gonna tell Mom!I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.comBlogger826125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-91365280221461701122018-05-01T09:51:00.001-04:002018-05-01T09:51:34.946-04:00What a DifferenceDear Mom,<br />
Mother Nature finally managed to bless us with 6 consecutive days of sunshine. I cannot remember a more dismal spring- with November gray days, snow, rain, and wind chills. I was suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) symptoms in April! But what a difference a day or two of sunshine can make. It was still chilly (I was dressed in layers with a wool scarf and headband) but with the sun shining and John, Dear freshly returned from his annual checkup- blades sharpened and spark plugs sparking- I was finally able to get out and mow.<br />
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Spring is way behind schedule here on the cul-de-sac. I wander out seeking signs of new growth, buds, blossoms. I see the green spikes of my Lily of the Valley emerging, and the Trillium is up but hasn't bloomed. The redbud trees are just starting to bloom and the serviceberries look like they will any day now. Early in April, feeling cheated of spring, I ordered 200 bulbs to plant this fall for <i>next </i>spring- If all goes according to plan I'll have drifts of siberian squill and snowdrops in the backyard borders.<br />
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Today, I'll hang sheets to dry on the clothesline.</div>
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Tonight, we'll sleep on crisp sheets fragrant with spring sunshine.</div>
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The cold weather did allow me an opportunity to wear my most recently finished project. When I started this, I didn't imagine wearing it until late next autumn.</div>
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This is Isager's <a href="http://knitisager.com/epages/8a82804a-30cc-48c7-ba7b-d862514f56d5.sf/en_US/?ObjectID=796190">Tokyo Shawl</a>, in the dark colorway. Rather than knitting garter stitch borders as the pattern instructs, I worked an icord edge along with the body of the shawl so I could hide the yarn tails in the tube created by the icord. </div>
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I've a pretty cardigan on my needles, which I will share as soon as there is something photo-worthy to share. And Donna Reed is getting dressed with a lovely dusty blue and white set of towels.</div>
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Off to enjoy the sunshine!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-75937449322068953742018-04-03T14:37:00.001-04:002018-04-04T12:22:29.404-04:00GroundworkDear Mom,<br />
Well, that was an unexpectedly long break from blogging. I never intended to be away this long, but I let things get in the way and as it turns out, unlike sugar, blogging is a habit that is easy to drop.<br />
All is well here, and when I last posted, we were anticipating the cool temps of autumn. It is now April and we are still experiencing Sweater Weather. Yesterday we woke to find about 3 inches of wet snow on the ground and clinging, beautifully, to the branches.<br />
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This morning we were awakened (and lulled back to sleep) by loud rumbles of thunder. Between the snow melt and the heavy rains I am looking out on a temporary creek and pond in the backyard. It seems everything is delayed in blossoming here. The trees have only just started to bud and there are no signs of blooms on the forsythia.<br />
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Most of my winter was spent helping dear Olive recover from TPLO surgery to her right knee. She finished off the canine equivalent of the ACL on Christmas and had surgery in January.<br />
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We had gates up through the house to keep her contained in the kitchen. No running, jumping or climbing for 6 weeks. And on leash for visits to the back yard. Rugs were purchased and strategically placed to keep her from slipping. It was all a bit nerve racking. But she bore the cone of shame with as much dignity as a black beast is able and was a good patient. I built a knitting nest for myself in the kitchen to spend as much time with her as I could.<br />
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Thankfully, restrictions have been lifted and her leg is getting stronger. The gates are put away and the rugs are rolled up and stored. I asked the surgeon what our odds of seeing him again are: 50/50. Better than I'd thought. I really hope we don't have to go through that again on the left knee. </div>
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All that kitchen confinement restricted my time in Sweet Haven and Donna Reed (and blogging). I am making up for all that lost weaving time. I'd started a project in November- Before The Knee Event. I think that project was doomed from the start. I acted on an idea without doing all my homework- rushed through the process. Ordered fiber, then had to order more because I'd not even ordered enough for warp threads. Then dressing the loom had to happen in fits and starts when I could make time. Once Olive was free to use the stairs, we settled in to weave. I was attempting to weave some linen napkins. I realized pretty quickly that ThingsWereNotGoingWell. I stopped to consider whether to carry on or trust my gut- which was telling me (shouting actually) that the napkin was about to be a table runner. I modified the Pattern and wove what I hoped would be 4 lovely natural colored linen napkins. I ran out of warp at 3 napkins. They looked and felt like burlap. Stiff, bullet proof burlap. Discouraged, but not willing to "throw in the towel"-haha- I threw them into the washing machine, hoping that a softening miracle would happen. Wrong. I threw them away and began questioning why I even have a loom. I let the wrong combination of project and fiber get to me. I won't let myself consider the time and money wasted. Lesson learned. I've successfully woven napkins in the past and will do so again.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>~ E. J. Phelps</i></span></div>
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Bruised and nearly defeated, I decided to go back to weaving what I love best and the reasons for my wanting to weave in the first place- dishtowels. I am very happy weaving dishtowels and feel such satisfaction in the process, in giving them and in using them. I sat down and took time to do all the preparation calculations, and started weaving 6 lovely lilac dishtowels. Followed by another set of cheerful yellow dishtowels, and last night I finished another half-dozen colorful towels to finish off some partial cones of cotton. All that is left is hemming on the yellow and striped sets. </div>
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My weaving confidence is <span style="font-size: x-small;">somewhat</span> restored. My reaction to my failed project has me pondering.Why do I feel I must do more than "just weave dishtowels" without feeling like I am somehow failing. I DO want to learn more- I'd hate to be a One Trick Pony, but is it really settling for less if I weave beautiful, useful towels AND I feel contentment and enjoyment doing it? </div>
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For the past few years, MelissaWhoSpins and I have selected a WORD for the year. Something to inspire us or to focus on throughout that year. This year my word is GROUNDWORK. As evidenced by those bulletproof napkins, I often hurry through things I don't like spending time on (like math. or cooking dinner) and end up creating messes for myself and feeling harried. I know this rushed habit comes from my belief in Not Wasting Time. But I've come to realize <i>rushing</i> often is a waste of time, that feeling panicked and frustrated is not a good use of time or how I want to feel in the short time I have on earth. I've decided to take more time for the Groundwork- taking time for the prep, getting everything ready before I begin, feeling a sense of calm when I start a project or start cooking, or whatever. It's working. Groundwork may be my best word yet.</div>
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I'll be back soon! I promise.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-73137306572967013342017-09-02T17:29:00.003-04:002017-09-02T17:30:08.468-04:00In the AirDear Mom,<br />
Can you feel it? I do!<br />
SWEATER WEATHER!<br />
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Tis the Season. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The nip in the air that validates and justifies my wool knitting obsession. I am no fan of Old Man Winter, but Autumn is my favorite. Even gray damp autumn days are soothing to my soul. Soup. Wool Socks.<br />
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While I resisted wearing a heavy wool cardigan yesterday, I did wrap myself in a wool shawl today so I could sit outside on the porch and read. Comfort. Bliss. Heaven.<br />
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It isn't cold enough for my latest finished knit, but my <a href="http://www.theshetlandtrader.com/designs/other-publications/bressay-dress/">Bressay Dress</a> will be ready when it is.<br />
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Elle is artfully modelling on the shawl I brought home from my Scotland trip last year. I made this dress specifically for this shawl.<br />
The dress is supposed to have pockets, which are cute, and I practically worship pockets, but in this case I fear the extra bulk where I already have extra bulk. So my Bressay Dress may remain pocketless.<br />
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I was recently reminded of a book series I enjoyed. For some reason, I thought the series had ended and last week I discovered I was mistaken. The author is Anne Perry and it was her William Monk series I'd "finished". I am not sure when<i> <u>I</u> </i>ended the series, so I'll go back to the beginning and work through them. The same author has another series -she is certainly a prolific writer, God Bless Her!- featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. Until yesterday, I had not read any of that series and when I went online to borrow the first Monk book I decided to give the Pitt books a try. Well. I am here to say that I could NOT put <u>The Cater Street Hangman</u> down. I haven't felt that way about a book since the last Outlander book was published. I got online to borrow the second book as soon as I finished. I am content knowing there are many many books in both the Monk and Pitt series and I'll have plenty of good reading to look forward to!<br />
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Love,<br />
Kim<br />
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p.s. <u>The Cater Street Hangman </u> is a murder mystery, but not a gruesome or too-scary-to-sleep one. Set in Victorian London. I'll say no more.<br />
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<br />I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-26847570711785740462017-08-16T11:28:00.000-04:002017-08-16T12:03:30.707-04:00Mrs StoryDear Mom,<br />
When I moved into my <a href="http://imgonnatellmom.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-room-of-my-own.html">Sweet Haven last year</a>, creating a place to create, I was using a small folding table as a station for watercolors and other crafting.<br />
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I've been keeping a lookout for an appropriately unique workstation with personality. I'd looked at vintage kitchen tables, like this one, at antique stores.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MwRH0_Sxys/WZReJQp4MYI/AAAAAAAAG70/NLZXu_SF4Y4eylFQFwWQ9x2lZiP4fbnHACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-16%2Bat%2B10.58.42%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="641" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MwRH0_Sxys/WZReJQp4MYI/AAAAAAAAG70/NLZXu_SF4Y4eylFQFwWQ9x2lZiP4fbnHACLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-16%2Bat%2B10.58.42%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">internet image</td></tr>
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I'd considered buying a second hand wood table and only using 1/2 the table, securing the legless edge to the wall. But nothing struck me as the Right Thing.<br />
<br />
Until Monday, when the Young Lady spied this metal teacher's desk at the Goodwill.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXg2LZBBSnM/WZRePSii9SI/AAAAAAAAG78/1saI9rj2J2oPVrzqKisu1LBgXS9UmXjAACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXg2LZBBSnM/WZRePSii9SI/AAAAAAAAG78/1saI9rj2J2oPVrzqKisu1LBgXS9UmXjAACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For $25. TWEN-TY FIVE Dollars.<br />
<br />
SOLD!<br />
<br />
I briefly wondered if my Young Lady was just sick of me looking for a work station, but she confessed that IF I didn't give this desk a new home, she would have purchased and stored it until she could.<br />
<br />
As I am frequently inspired to do, I've named my desk. She is Mrs. Story, in honor of my favorite elementary school teacher. I have more memories of 5th grade than all my elementary and Junior High school years, combined. Mrs. Story played The Carpenter's LP's when we were having quiet work time. She gave a Brach's butterscotch candy to those of us who ate all our lunches. To this day, Brach's butterscotch is a special treat and a touchstone to happy times. When, during a discussion about "health" (I am pretty sure it was after THE FILM, and we were given the chance to ask questions) one of the boys asked if "skin stretched". I will NEVER forget her amused "Oh believe me, skin stretches!" answer. I am not sure I got then why she thought that was funny, but I sure do now.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHP8q-VZVX4/WZReEKEGHyI/AAAAAAAAG78/9CKAuAnZGxwxXXRsMuFgzk2xWLkkFwOXQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHP8q-VZVX4/WZReEKEGHyI/AAAAAAAAG78/9CKAuAnZGxwxXXRsMuFgzk2xWLkkFwOXQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Mrs. Story has been scrubbed clean and is moved in and happy in her new home. Sweet Haven was in desperate need of a good cleaning and reorganization, and it was a nice interruption in the current ReturnToCollege Preparations that are going on here. If ever there was a time I needed a Place of my Own and some comfort knitting, this is it.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Kim<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-3702190214070860642017-08-14T14:24:00.001-04:002017-08-14T14:24:34.032-04:00The Fruits of My LaborDear Mom,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6zJsMKmdI4/WZHnwFroPqI/AAAAAAAAG6U/NgSlXveNuBEfhEI9liAsg6p2R4b9ACYMQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6zJsMKmdI4/WZHnwFroPqI/AAAAAAAAG6U/NgSlXveNuBEfhEI9liAsg6p2R4b9ACYMQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2107.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sibella-cardigan">Sibella Cardigan</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NfXyn1JiAUc/WZHnyLA2gCI/AAAAAAAAG6g/v2Ix81kEwHkP82GGvMJ1s1AifBq-APS5QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NfXyn1JiAUc/WZHnyLA2gCI/AAAAAAAAG6g/v2Ix81kEwHkP82GGvMJ1s1AifBq-APS5QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2114.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavender soap in a wool soap sock.<br />This will be a hostess gift. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szfgh7-SfUY/WZHnz98c3nI/AAAAAAAAG6w/fQPzJLcQ2akkZJhO_55td8KYU3oaaQZfgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szfgh7-SfUY/WZHnz98c3nI/AAAAAAAAG6w/fQPzJLcQ2akkZJhO_55td8KYU3oaaQZfgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spent a hot, sweaty afternoon canning tomatoes.<br />This is the <i>first</i> 6 pints. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agMV-mpiHY/WZHn2QWV67I/AAAAAAAAG68/-gFWrLFMUOolr8PMGTsEfKo8zCoSd1EywCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agMV-mpiHY/WZHn2QWV67I/AAAAAAAAG68/-gFWrLFMUOolr8PMGTsEfKo8zCoSd1EywCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spent that same sweaty afternoon making Ina Garten's<br />Roasted Tomato Basil soup, with fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden.<br />We'll have a taste of summer's bounty this winter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vbr7juqvX20/WZHn4iYNaSI/AAAAAAAAG7M/NwHcBlfEjsMVp0IjgHIcEfmllf-Nc66zQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vbr7juqvX20/WZHn4iYNaSI/AAAAAAAAG7M/NwHcBlfEjsMVp0IjgHIcEfmllf-Nc66zQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These yellow pear tomatoes are my favorites!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKSqa0B-I2c/WZHn4cHtTtI/AAAAAAAAG7E/ngKq12MGxskzQyZc4sgOKtyFya-aOPccACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKSqa0B-I2c/WZHn4cHtTtI/AAAAAAAAG7E/ngKq12MGxskzQyZc4sgOKtyFya-aOPccACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnias!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ra4mI9LCofU/WZHn1t9rbPI/AAAAAAAAG64/D-FhW3f4wZ0NMKYY31MD-GKmA2sgpGVagCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ra4mI9LCofU/WZHn1t9rbPI/AAAAAAAAG64/D-FhW3f4wZ0NMKYY31MD-GKmA2sgpGVagCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQqg24idRQo/WZHn6NPOexI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/dNT7_PeQ-kgqHPxVr-zOZ1bzBXkK_LC5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQqg24idRQo/WZHn6NPOexI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/dNT7_PeQ-kgqHPxVr-zOZ1bzBXkK_LC5gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cnahz2wZ0I/WZHn7NfANcI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/mGJBek3S5No3LH_OSHeYfjn3UTWTzn-MACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cnahz2wZ0I/WZHn7NfANcI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/mGJBek3S5No3LH_OSHeYfjn3UTWTzn-MACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2126.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am collecting a freezing these yummy blackberries for a future dessert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43DYhbPIxfM/WZHnxR8vXUI/AAAAAAAAG6c/m_DTyGlwoQc0a9U91KFWb7MTsEYdBSLjwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-43DYhbPIxfM/WZHnxR8vXUI/AAAAAAAAG6c/m_DTyGlwoQc0a9U91KFWb7MTsEYdBSLjwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2110.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/market-jacket-2">Market Jacket</a>. I used Bartlett yarn - Coral Heather, and finished knitting this in about 2 weeks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EUwHG-UT0tY/WZHn8cvQ-VI/AAAAAAAAG7g/3WDn2Q0L7twNLtf3R3nHxW_eeZZbmESwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EUwHG-UT0tY/WZHn8cvQ-VI/AAAAAAAAG7g/3WDn2Q0L7twNLtf3R3nHxW_eeZZbmESwgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washed, blocked and waiting for buttons.</td></tr>
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Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-28235923221389885632017-07-13T19:36:00.001-04:002017-07-13T19:36:24.339-04:00Solar Dyeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJrN9ZC0CxQ/WWf1-Uh7w9I/AAAAAAAAG5c/dFv52yKHdk84o3VAVxGekItPl2jy6DUWACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1178" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJrN9ZC0CxQ/WWf1-Uh7w9I/AAAAAAAAG5c/dFv52yKHdk84o3VAVxGekItPl2jy6DUWACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2076.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<br />
Dear Mom,<br />
My experiments with solar dyeing have been most successful and satisfying! Armed with hope and NO expectations, I decided that the fiber in the box and the dye materials sitting on the shelf were more of a waste and failure than any failed dye experiment would be. Mine were not exacting scientific experiements- they were more of the WhatTheHeckLet'sSeeWhatHappens variety.<br />
I pre-mordanted my fiber with alum, and except for the last experiment, with Logwood, I did not weigh and measure the alum/fiber ratio.<br />
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I dyed in approximate 2 ounce batches because that is what I could easily fit into my 1 gallon sun tea and pickle jars. I placed the fiber into mesh laundry bags before I started and they stayed in the bags until the fiber was dry at the end.<br />
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First, I used a sachet of osage orange saw dust. I let the saw dust steep to color the water and then added the wet fiber. I left the sachet in the jar and put the jar in a sunny spot on the back patio. When the fiber was nice and bright, I gave it a good rinse, spun out the excess water and hung the bag of fiber up to dry. I repeated this 4 more times until the resulting fiber was pretty pale. I ended up with about 10 ounces dyed a nice gradient of yellows from sunshiny bright to buttery.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_scTDU90l0/WWf2FNe2lTI/AAAAAAAAG5g/7aEPG9dHkZ0bfQVz_z-x_umAaOXG3Sz7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_scTDU90l0/WWf2FNe2lTI/AAAAAAAAG5g/7aEPG9dHkZ0bfQVz_z-x_umAaOXG3Sz7gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1929.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Okay! So that worked! Next up- Madder Root. I dumped the package of chopped up madder root into my rinsed out jar, filled the jar with water and let it sit in the sunshine. The water very quickly turned a beet juice color. In went the wet fiber. And out came this:<br />
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This color is ME. </div>
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I was able to get 2 more batches out of that same jar. Again, each successive batch was slightly lighter than the last, but each is beautiful. I couldn't wait to start spinning.</div>
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You can see the variation in the dye batches in this next photo. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwDdcqphhcM/WWf16Q4jGyI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/zIZwoOKzBUwKdoVdOTbsPf2F0b9fpGfcgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwDdcqphhcM/WWf16Q4jGyI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/zIZwoOKzBUwKdoVdOTbsPf2F0b9fpGfcgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I've used heat and crockpots to dye fiber in the past, I found the fiber to be slightly felt-ish. Not so with this solar powered method! This spun up without any hassles. The only thing I would do differently if I were to do this again, would be to put the madder roots into a small mesh bag rather than let them float around in the jar with the fiber. </div>
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On to Logwood. I used up the last of my merino/mohair roving on this. Again, I wasn't sure what to expect. Research showed me I could expect lavender to gray. Research also told me that I would want to use a higher alum to fiber ratio, so this time I weighed my fiber and measured 20% alum as pre-mordant. </div>
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The Logwood chips I had were the size of cinnamon sticks. Having learned from the loose Madder root, I placed the logwood chips into a small mesh bag in the jar. The other minor departure from the first 2 experiments was to pour boiling water into the jars. I let the logwood steep for a day before adding the fiber, and divided the juice into 2 jars, topped them off with hose water and added the fiber. The water was a fuchsia pink/purple.</div>
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The last batch was the palest of pink. Lovely. I can hardly wait to spin it!</div>
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I have some weld on the shelf, and it is the last of my natural dyestuff. I have a healthy stash of white merino/angora roving that I could use, but that roving might be too precious to experiment with. And just this afternoon I learned that blackberries give a very nice purple dye. IF I tire of eating blackberries from my garden.</div>
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I would say my experiments were successful. I think I'll get rid of the various dye pots and crockpots on my dye shelf and continue solar dyeing my fiber in the future. Until then, I have lots of exciting spinning projects!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-3311368922402339462017-06-27T11:44:00.001-04:002017-06-27T11:44:41.679-04:00These have not been lazy daysDear Mom,<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://youtu.be/AoLogdbVS3U">This Song</a> </span>is mocking me. These have been anything but lazy. A few days of hot and hazy and a little bit crazy. I keep hoping to settle into a soothing routine, but it hasn't happened yet. The last few days have been perfect - like northern Michigan weather- and I am spending as much of it as I can on the porch.<br />
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I've been making up for last summer's convalescence by weeding, planting, mowing and tending the yard, herb garden, tomato plants and perennial garden. I've squeezed as many annuals and perennials into my flower garden as it will hold. I've got zinnias growing with my tomatoes, and a variety of seeds sown amongst the sage, basil, oregano and chives in my herb garden. The bunnies have probably eaten 90% of the seedlings as they emerge, but I remain hopeful of full vases of freshly cut flowers on my table.<br />
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We've finally had a persistent and mysterious leak located and repaired, and things were definitely disrupted while that was going on. Just getting <i>stuff</i> temporarily moved out of one room made me think I never want to have to really move. Needless to say, Goodwill got a hefty load and the room is put back together. While that was going on, I wiped my week clean of appointments to be here. I needed to see with my own eyes that things stayed dry as our contractor doused the area with the hose and I didn't want to miss it.<br />
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Things were is such disarray that I didn't feel like I could add to it with a sewing project, but I did weave some dish towels.<br />
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I happened to have the book, <u>A Garden to Dye For</u>, from the library, and something I read inspired me to try a "sun tea" dye experiment. I have a variety of purchased plant dye stuff from fiber festivals- osage orange, madder, logwood and weld. The garage was occupied by the contractor's equipment, so using my crockpots was not an option. I also had a 'What Are You Waiting For?' feeling about the full shelf of dye stuff and decided it was more wasteful to have it all sitting there doing nothing than it would be to use it in a failed experiment. I filled a gallon jar with water, plopped the cloth bag of osage orange sawdust into it, and let it steep. In the meantime, I put about 2 oz of roving (70%merino/30%mohair) into a mesh laundry bag and let it soak in a second gallon jar with alum to pre-mordant the fiber. (Mordants help the fiber accept and keep the dye. Also, different mordants can alter the final color of the dye.) Once my osage orange tea was a nice bright color, I added the fiber and let it sit in the sunshine. </div>
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I let the fiber steep for a day or two, took it out and carefully rinsed it with water as close to the temperature of the dye bath as I could manage. The fiber stayed in the mesh bag through the entire process to protect it from too much handling. I did not remove the osage orange tea bag, nor did I dump the dye out of the jar. Part of my experiment was to see how much fiber I could dye with this one batch. </div>
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This is the first batch, rinsed and dried. Beautiful! I ended up dyeing 5 (2 oz) batches in total, and they very gently fade in a gradient of bright to buttery yellow. This process might be slow, but it was easy, used no electricity, and was fun to watch. Best thing: the fiber is not sticking to itself. When I've dyed roving in the crockpot, it seems like it wants to felt. I think the shock of the heat and simmering does that to the loose fiber. I've not had that happen to yarn dyed in the crockpot. Plus, spinning dyed roving makes a prettier yarn than dyeing already spun yarn, in my opinion. </div>
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I am currently using the same process using Madder. I'll share the results soon!</div>
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Enjoy the sunshine!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-47313750602840293242017-06-07T13:19:00.001-04:002017-06-07T13:19:31.459-04:00Summer FriezeDear Mom,<br />
I put the finishing touches on a summer time variation of my Friezestyle knitting pattern. Knit with 100% cotton, this one has short garter stitch sleeves. I added some decreases on top of the shoulders for a bit of shaping. And to give the top a little A-line flair, I've added garter stitch wedges to each side.<br />
I am hoping to find some fabric and sew a pair of loose capris to wear with this top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Universal Yarns Cotton Supreme DK</td></tr>
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The weather today (and yesterday) is ideal. Sunny, breezy, crisp. Summer sweater weather!<br />
Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-23528176699364291912017-05-10T15:45:00.002-04:002017-05-10T15:45:26.734-04:00Another SmockDear Mom,<br />
Another Ann Carolyn Smock went from fabric to garment last Sunday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elle frolics in the garden, getting her "feet" wet in the dewy grass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of pocket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Styling Option: Layer over a Peter Pan collared shirt!</td></tr>
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I've nearly finished the cardigan I plan on wearing with this smock. I just need to finish a pocket (that white stripe you seen on the left front is waste yarn holding the place for the pocket opening), weave in the loose ends (obviously!), sew on the buttons and block the sweater. The yarn is my all-time favorite, Bartlett, in Burgundy Heather.<br />
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-47862974270342111672017-05-08T21:20:00.002-04:002017-05-08T21:20:51.181-04:00Back in Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Mom,<br />
It stopped raining, the sun came out, and although a bit chillier than normal, I was able to mow the grass and get Peggy (my clothesline) back in action.<br />
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We'll have sweet dreams tonight. Drying sheets on the line is one of Life's Simple Pleasures.<br />
Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-70628521103105082682017-05-01T16:34:00.000-04:002017-05-01T16:34:39.324-04:00Missing in ActionDear Mom,<br />
I guess I should have put "Write Blog" into that schedule I was so proud of in my last post!<br />
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There have been several blog posts swirling about in my head since that last post on January 30th, but I just didn't make time or have the motivation to actually write and post them.<br />
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Mostly what happened is I fell down the rabbit hole of sweater design and knit, wrote, test knit, and published a new sweater pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/friezestyle">Friezestyle</a>. This consumed most of February and March.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made this one using up some of my handspan yarn.</td></tr>
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The idea for Friezestyle was born after knitting class one afternoon, when one of my loyal students picked up a shop sample for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frieze-shawl">this scarf</a> and declared "wouldn't this be a pretty sweater!"....<br />
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My guardian angel must have been driving because I think my brain was knitting a sweater all the way home.<br />
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In between and around all that knitting, the Young Lady came home for spring break. While she was home, we matted and framed some of her art work for submission to the student art show. We celebrated when 2 of her pieces were accepted. I drove down for the opening of the show and proudly witnessed her accept an award for one of her pieces. That same piece sold, too!<br />
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This week we move her home for the summer. It is hard to believe that this little girl will be a college sophomore!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the spring storms, we lost a large tree. Luckily, as it split and fell, it did surprisingly little damage to the fence. Having it removed was a scary thing for my wee black beast. </div>
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I sat on my back porch with my knitting and watched a crew of Very Muscular Men remove that tree and another we felt had overgrown its place in the yard. I'd helped plant the trees and felt I needed to witness them leaving. I was fascinated by the precision removal of the tree. And once that fascination wore off, I found myself admiring some strong shoulders and flat stomachs.... I am sure those Very Muscular Men saw an old lady and her scared dog with nothing better to do.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a good thing they couldn't read my bubble.</div>
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And a few weeks later, new trees are planted.</div>
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We've been in this house for almost 26 years. Our large yard was hard, barren and drought-stricken when we moved in. Almost everything in this yard was planted my My Hero and I. We are beginning to see the need to rejuvenate and replace some of our overgrown landscaping. Unlike my gray hair, which comes in however it wants and I <i>choose</i> to accept gracefully, we are faced with the challenge of blending new landscaping into our mature landscaping- and hope to allow that to look natural as it happens.</div>
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After the knitting frenzy of that latest design came to fruition, the sewing bug bit me. And it bit hard.</div>
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I made one <a href="https://merchantandmills.com/store/patterns/the-top-64/">Top 64</a> out of a pretty cotton, was mostly pleased with the results but found it tighter than I find to be comfortable across the upper arms.</div>
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I made a second Top 64 using a pretty Anna Maria knit fabric. This one feels better, but I have very little experience sewing with knits. There are things I will try to change and do better if I make a third.</div>
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For quite some time I'd been admiring, then second-guessing, and mostly had dreamy ideas percolating over the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/281704892/ann-carolyn-smock-pattern">Ann Carolyn Smock</a>. Do a google image search for Ann Carolyn Smock and you will see why I couldn't shake this pattern out of my head. I've really wanted to find that perfect sewing pattern for a top. I worried that Ann Carolyn's gathers across the yoke would not be flattering. I kept coming back to it. And finally decided to go for it. I wouldn't know till I tried, would I?</div>
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I ordered the pattern. I bought some inexpensive fabric to make the shirt version. I have to stop right here and say that Ellen Mason's instructions are thoughtful, well written, and clear, with helpful hints and practical advice throughout. Reading through them is like having a friend sharing her best, most encouraging advice. Sewing this shirt was fun. The pattern is brilliant.</div>
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So, I successfully sewed the shirt. It fit, was flattering, the sleeves were just right, but the back was tight when I moved my arms. I was discouraged and sad, but not quite ready to give up. My first thought was my go-to self punishing one: "If you weren't so fat. If you would just lose weight..."</div>
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I let my brain percolate.</div>
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A day or two later, while getting dressed, a pleat on the back of one of my shirts (that fits without binding, that is not a knit) smiled at me. A pleat! All Ann Carolyn needs (for me) is a pleat. One little pleat at the center back. And we live happily ever after.</div>
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Here is Ann Carolyn Smock #1.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the cute pocket!<br />The pockets are very roomy!<br />I LOVE POCKETS!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pleat. I added a decorative button to the back for fun.<br />I've had these buttons since the early 90's.</td></tr>
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And here is Ann Carolyn #2:</div>
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I have fabric for more. There will be more. Just wait and see! </div>
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Okay, and let me say another wonderful, smart thing about this pattern! Fabric requirements for each piece are included so you can easily decide to mix and match fabrics with out guessing at yardage. BRILLIANT!</div>
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Comfy, cute, my new uniform- with sleeves rolled up in the summer and under a hand knit cardigan in the winter. I have yarn and fabric combinations queued up. I may look like I am channeling my inner fifth grader at recess, but wearing these makes me so happy that I don't think I mind if I do. I just need saddle shoes! Meet you at the swing set!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-81206818546375235332017-01-30T15:41:00.001-05:002017-01-30T15:41:38.702-05:00MakingDear Mom,<br />
I've been very busy making things. Lists, menu plans and healthy dinners, and best of all, things knitted and woven and spun.<br />
By accident, what I finished spinning last week coordinates with what I finished weaving this morning.<br />
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I try to reserve Sundays for spinning. That plan got sidetracked during the holidays, but I am getting back to it. I also try to reserve Tuesdays for sewing (once all my household chores are done). It may take weeks to finish something, but if I wait for a big block of time I'll never get started. This dress took 2 1/2 years to sew. Maybe longer. But only if you start the clock when I purchased the fabric. Good thing these things don't expire! I know I purchased the fabric intending to make a dress for spring/summer. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I am just not sure what year that purchase was made.)</span> When that summer passed by without sewing the dress, I then hoped to have it for the next Easter. And after that didn't happen, I thought I could wear it to the Young Lady's graduation. Surgery re-arranged that plan and here I am, January 2017 and Factory Dress #2 is finished! Hemmed and pressed, ready and waiting!<br />
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I added a little lace that I purchased at an antique store to the pocket. I do love this Merchant & Mills pattern. This week I will start laying out and cutting their Top#64 pattern.<br />
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My most recently finished knitting project is this cardigan:<br />
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It is based on the vintage Sweater Wheel pattern I inherited from Aunt Betty. I've seen Sweater Wheels for sale on eBay. I made several modifications to the pattern- I knit the body of the sweater in one piece, lengthened the armhole depth and picked up and worked the sleeves from the top down, and I knitted faced button bands using Anna Zilboorg's "Almost Perfect Button holes". I really like this classic cardigan. I'll definitely make more for myself.<br />
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I 've begun a new, more thorough schedule for myself. I had one when the kids were little. Life was just easier to schedule back then, I guess. But I got away from it in the past few years. Makes sense when I think back on all the comings and goings and schedule juggling that middle and high school years brings. Now that this nest is mostly empty, I find I need that schedule again to make the best use of my days, to make time for creating and making and getting done all that needs to be done to keep this household running smoothly.<br />
Last week I cobbled together all my lists and had fun with watercolor paints and ink to make a master schedule for myself.<br />
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The Schedule includes exercise ( 5 days/week for heart health!) , vacuuming, specific laundry loads, bathrooms, floor mopping, plant watering, sewing, spinning, ironing- basically everything I thought of in logical, bite-sized, daily doses that I can easily manage. No more wasting time trying to decide what task to tackle. I look to my list. I get it done. And then Hallelujah! I have time to play! I have a separate notebook with the week's meal plan. When I make that plan and write out my grocery list, I include the recipe location. I wasted too much time trying to decide what to fix for dinner at the last minute. And even more time putting off housework because I couldn't decide where to start. I did all my thinking and put it down on paper. Tweaked it and made my master plan. I can still tweak things- and will need to make seasonal adjustments- but the essentials are there. Even better- I don't feel guilty for spending time at creating when I know my days work is done and done well.<br />
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I am continuing to work through the cotton fabric stash I accepted from one of my knitting students. This past weekend was very productive. Donna Reed and I wove 8 placemats and 2 table runners. That photo up there is the length of those placemats and runners before I separated them! I got smart and found 2 sets of fabrics that would be happy with the same warp and then wound enough warp for both sets, saving time dressing the loom.<br />
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Earlier in the month I wove this pretty set-<br />
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I am going through that stash of fabric quicker that I thought I would. Weaving these is almost instant gratification and I enjoy it, but I am eager to weave some nice dish towels again, soon.<br />
All is well here at the end of the cup-de-sac. I even noticed some daffodils poking through the ground when I went out to fill the bird feeder yesterday!<br />
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Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-15761137185101536322017-01-03T14:38:00.000-05:002017-01-03T14:38:00.224-05:00A Worried DogDear Mom,<br />
We've known for a long time now that intelligence is not Olive's strength. We make concessions and know that she is as smart as she <i>needs</i> to be. Like Winnie the Pooh, she has some fluff in her head. Olivia Patricia Winniefred. New things are big challenges for a dog with a simple brain.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvuVWAyZP7o/WGv2ApG8MoI/AAAAAAAAGy8/6Yc_r_TpWnwCDh8_Hp0g-bG8loq-cG5owCLcB/s1600/IMG_1397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvuVWAyZP7o/WGv2ApG8MoI/AAAAAAAAGy8/6Yc_r_TpWnwCDh8_Hp0g-bG8loq-cG5owCLcB/s320/IMG_1397.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a worried dog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is separated from her Mama.<br />
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Santa brought me a Braava robot to help sweep and mop the floors. (I've named her Florence) Don't worry, I'll still do it the old fashioned way, but Florence lets me get other stuff done while she tends to the floors.<br />
<br />
What that really means is I have more time in Sweet Haven. (Imagine streamers and party horns.)<br />
<br />
So, this afternoon, having thrown the sheets in the washer, I started Florence to work in the foyer and headed upstairs to gather the towels for their turn in Mr. Bosch. On a typical day, Olive is my shadow, but with the Young Lady home for winter break, Olive has been dividing her time between us. I was not concerned about my absent shadow until I heard short little distress barks. Turns out our Big Black Beastie was downstairs and the Young Lady and I were upstairs. And Florence was between us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Florence.<br />
Florence is not very big.<br />
She is not loud. She moves slowly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzedCa0jih8/WGv2Ban_z8I/AAAAAAAAGzE/mEOtDIy3rp4BzGWVWiy480Ht8MHPcexBACEw/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzedCa0jih8/WGv2Ban_z8I/AAAAAAAAGzE/mEOtDIy3rp4BzGWVWiy480Ht8MHPcexBACEw/s320/IMG_1399.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously, if you are Olive, Florence has an impenetrable force field surrounding her.</td></tr>
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It took a dog treat and me escorting her to get Olive past Florence and upstairs with her people.<br />
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At times like this I can only imagine how our other dogs would have reacted. Bumper would surely have Not Cared. And Patsy? She would either have Killed Florence or figured out which buttons to push to get her sweeping, mopping, or stopped.</div>
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<h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.”</span></h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81466.A_A_Milne" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">A.A. Milne</a><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="quote_book_link_99107" style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1225592" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Winnie-the-Pooh</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Kim<br />
<br /></div>
I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-66141258585890126422016-12-31T13:30:00.001-05:002016-12-31T13:32:18.646-05:00Happy New Year! Dear Mom,<br />
<br />
The Best is Yet to Come!<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NNyKv76ERSk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NNyKv76ERSk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-81582084298243608872016-12-22T12:39:00.001-05:002016-12-22T12:39:27.264-05:00Why Did the Chicken....?Dear Mom,<br />
<br />
Why did the chicken cross the yard in the snow?<br />
<br />
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Love,<br />
Bonnie Jo<br />
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06101194482393502267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-74232768947680815442016-12-08T17:52:00.002-05:002016-12-08T17:57:23.668-05:00Donna ReedDear Mom,<br />
What I should be doing is wrapping gifts. Wrapping is one of those tasks that always takes longer than I anticipate and my back always hurts about 1/3 of the way through. In a constant effort to KeepThingsSimple, a year or two ago I ordered a Humongous roll of brown kraft paper from Uline and use that to wrap all my gifts.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Brown paper packages tied up with strings.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
I set up a wrapping station at the kitchen table and have a marathon session of tape, scissors, paper shrapnel and ribbons littered and scattered about. I feel relief and deep satisfaction (and the need for a massage) when it is over and Put Away.<br />
<br />
Right now though, my kitchen table is occupied with another project. Do I get creative points for delaying my wrap session? no. I've probably earned demerits for inefficiency when I should have wrapped first and then finished this project later.<br />
<br />
Donna Reed (my Schacht Baby Wolf loom) and I have been busy. One of the ladies in my knitting class purged her stash of quilting fabrics and I adopted about 100 pounds of it. Not to quilt with, but to weave rugs, table runners, and place mats.<br />
With your help, I sorted those fabrics into coordinating 3, 4, or 5 yard bundles. After pre-washing the fabrics, I use a rotary cutter to cut them into 1-inch wide strips. After a couple cutting sprees I had a mild epiphany and realized if I folded the fabrics crosswise, I would have the nearly the same number of strips of each fabric, but in different lengths. Generally, the fabric is 44/45" wide. No matter how many yards, they are all the same width. Cutting width-wise - not lengthwise - means I can have the same number of strips, but different lengths depending on the yardage of the particular fabric. Make sense? No more figuring out how to balance the different patterns of fabric across the length of my weaving. I can just sort them in the order of how I want them to be. I look only at the color - the designs on the fabric disappear in the weaving.<br />
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I use cotton rug warp. And dress my loom according to width for rugs or placemats.<br />
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In this case, I am weaving a rug. There are 240 threads- through heddles and reed; 1 per dent in a 10 dent reed. This is the part of weaving that I thought I would hate. It was the thing I told myself would be unbearably awful when I was trying to resist the Call of the Loom. When I could no longer resist and started weaving, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I do NOT hate this part!<br />
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Once all the prep is done, the weaving part goes really fast. I cut slits in the ends of my fabric strips and loop them through each other to join them together. I also don't usually fold and iron my strips with right sides out, preferring to let the right and wrong sides of the fabric add an interesting depth of color. If I think the combination of right and wrong sides will be too washed out, I will fold and iron the strips first. Generally, though, I don't think it is worth all the extra work involved.<br />
I hand finish the beginning and end with a hem stitch. No sewing machine involved.<br />
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And this is probably breaking some unspoken weaving law, but when they are finished I coat the backs of my rugs with 2 coats of a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-32-Ounce-Fiber-Lok-Backing/dp/B0018N22RW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481235502&sr=8-2&keywords=fiber+lok+rug+backing">non-skid backing</a>. I don't want my rugs guilty of causing any slips or sprains or strains or broken bones. Obviously, I can skip this last step when I weave placemats and table runners!<br />
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So, right now, my kitchen table is working as a rug backing application work bench. We'll eat at the kitchen island tonight.<br />
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All the leftover strips of fabric are going into a canvas bag. I'll make a crazy odds and ends rug with them one of these days. Here is a pile of some of the placemats and table runners I've finished. I've barely scratched the surface of those re-homed fabrics!<br />
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Love,</div>
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Kim</div>
I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-52536139991253218282016-12-03T17:01:00.000-05:002016-12-03T17:01:22.890-05:00Skye, Fort William and Back Home Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Mom,<br />
<br />
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Continuing (and concluding) my Scotland trip....<br />
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We departed Inverness and made our way to the Isle of Skye.<br />
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On the way we stopped at Eileen Donan Castle. We learned that the correct pronunciation is El-len Duh-non. (not Eye- Leen Dough-nan)<br />
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The day, as you can see in the photos, was sunny and pleasant. We ate lunch here, outside!<br />
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Things didn't stay sunny as we crossed the bridge to Skye. It seemed that once we got on the island all was heavy mist. Our plan was to drive to the Talisker Distillery for a tour. Thank goodness for the Sat Nav- this was our first real exposure to narrow, winding, single lane (but two directions!) roads with lay-by's. We twisted and turned and climbed and prayed our way to the distillery to find that many others had the same idea on that rainy afternoon and the distillery tours were booked. Somewhat disappointing, but souvenirs were purchased. and we drove to our home in Portree, the <a href="http://duirinish guest house">Duirinish Guest House</a>. The weather cleared in time for our arrival.<br />
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The guest house was an easy walk into Portree. The host was very helpful in making dinner reservations for us and restaurant suggestions. We drove out the next morning to Kilt Rock-<br />
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and two of us spent the afternoon lunching at The Granary, shopping, and wandering around Portree.</div>
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We met the most charming shopkeeper at a gift/craft shop and shared laughs over photo id's, and how we camouflage our yarn stash. Kindred spirits.</div>
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We departed early the next morning in order to catch the ferry from Armadale to Maillag. Our next destination is Fort William where we stayed in the <a href="http://www.treetopsfortwilliam.co.uk/">Treetops Bed and Breakfast</a>.<br />
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Treetops sits at the foot of Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. We had a spectacular view from the deck where we enjoyed hot tea and shortbread upon our arrival.<br />
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When planning our trip, we'd included Fort William thinking we would be spending a day on the Jacobite Steam Engine- the train that takes Harry Potter to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, we didn't delve into the details until it was too late. Our journey had us in Fort William on one of the last weekends the train runs for the season and no tickets were available. Luckily, the steam engine chugged its way past the B&B and we were able to see the plumes of steam and listen to the comforting sound of the slow moving train on the rails.<br />
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Thanks to a recommendation from a young cab driver "who took his mum there" we had Afternoon Tea at <a href="http://inverlochycastlehotel.com/">Inverlochy Castle</a> on Sunday. Having High Tea sometime on our trip was on my wish list, and this experience was more than I'd ever hoped for. I am so grateful to that young man for mentioning this- Inverlochy Castle was not on our radar.<br />
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We enjoyed our tea, on Wedgwood china, next to a warm, crackling wood fire. Heaven.</div>
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We also had a delicious meal at the <a href="http://www.ben-nevis-inn.co.uk/">Ben Nevis Inn</a>, a 200 year old, restored stone barn. I had a lamb stew that was melt-in-my-mouth delicious. </div>
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Our time in Scotland is coming to an end. We left Fort William very early so we could make quick stops at Stirling Castle and the William Wallace monument on our way to return the car in Edinburgh. We'd also hoped to see Castle Doune (which is used as Castle Leoch in Outlander, and was also used In Monty Python and the Holy Grail) but a road closure with no detour signs thwarted that plan.</div>
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Stirling Castle and its views were beautiful. </div>
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It was a short drive from there to the Wallace Monument. I did not hike up to the monument- only the youngest one of us had the energy! </div>
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As we got close to Edinburgh we were surprised by the Kelpies- another wish list item we weren't sure how to locate. Bonus!</div>
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Edinburgh traffic and finding the rental place at the airport was almost more than our nerves could take. We were all happy- most especially our driver- when we got out of the car for the last time and turned over the keys. No dents, all mirrors intact, but very chewed up rims on the left side tires. </div>
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We spent our last night in Scotland in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, at the Radisson Blu. A very noisy last night. Visiting the Royal Mile by day and dining there is wonderful. Revelry continues into the wee hours, though, and is not the best place for a good night's sleep- especially when rising early to catch a flight. We had our last dinner in Scotland at Alba Nach, the sister restaurant to the famous World's End- no seats available there- dinner was delicious and another wish list item was on the menu- yummy Banoffee pie. </div>
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And homeward bound- through the delightful, cheerful, polite airport personnel in Scotland (gentle reminders to "remove your cardi"- to arrive in Newark to the unnecessarily grumpiest, rudest, barking commands "EMPTY YOUR POCKETS!", security and customs people who made me ashamed and embarrassed and sad- these may be the first Americans someone might meet. What a horrible first impression. </div>
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I loved Scotland. I'd like to think I'll go back someday. But there are other places I'd like to see, and most importantly, be it ever so humble, There is NO PLACE like HOME.</div>
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Love, </div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-34666868185076369112016-11-30T19:41:00.002-05:002016-11-30T19:41:22.218-05:00Tis The Season?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Mom,<br />
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I hope I am not the only one who is this <strike>spaced out,</strike> <strike>ditsy</strike>, preoccupied. The Young Lady would say I am "riding the Struggle Bus".<br />
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<li>I just texted you with a message meant for My Hero. Like my SMART PHONE should have <b>known</b> who the message was meant for without me telling it.</li>
<li>My Hero just hollered to let me know the tea kettle was ready. Manohman, it wasn't just whistling, it was ANGRY. </li>
<li>And then, after allowing that tea to steep in Big Brown Betty, I <i>almost</i> put a dog treat into my cup rather than a sugar cube. Thank goodness some part of my brain was paying attention.</li>
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I am quietly retreating to my Sweet Haven to knit something simple. I dare not touch my loom.</div>
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Love, </div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-86352647531713064832016-11-18T17:05:00.001-05:002016-11-18T17:05:25.264-05:00Armadale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Mom,<br />
Before we go over the sea to Skye, I want to show you my latest knitting pattern which was inspired while waiting for the ferry from Armadale (on Skye) to Mallaig.<br />
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These fun, fingerless mitts are easier than they look. Only one color is used on each row and a simple, but tricky stitch pattern creates the polka dots. They are knit flat and seamed. I was able to knit one complete mitt on a road trip last weekend.<br />
The sample mitts are knit with <a href="http://www.baahyarn.com/yarns">Baah La Jolla</a> and <a href="https://www.yarn.com/products/schoppel-wolle-zauberball-crazy?gclid=CjwKEAiA6rrBBRDsrLGM4uTPkWASJADnWZQ4rbZV5rx23mjYkHgNLJaxrDrNd7dGWraxx274o0mj0xoCubjw_wcB">Zauerball </a>yarns.<br />
I've put the <b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/armadale">pattern on ravelry</a></b> and a pdf download is available to purchase.<br />
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We've enjoyed unusually warm weather, but the weatherman tells us that is all changing tonight. Fingerless mitts may be just the thing we need this weekend!<br />
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Be Warm!<br />
Love,<br />
Kim</div>
I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-51405287320855462482016-11-03T21:11:00.001-04:002016-11-03T21:11:34.028-04:00Mystery and Mist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Mom,</div>
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After getting a good night's sleep and an early breakfast, we got back in the car and made our way to Culloden Battlefield. The museum there was filled with artifacts, a timeline - both from British and Scottish points-of-view- and a solemn filmed reenactment of the battle. Another screen, this one knee-height, gave me an overview of the battle lines and troop movement. After touring the museum I headed out to the actual battlefield. The weather was appropriately damp and misty, but not actually rainy. The moors were what I imagined, but more haunting and beautiful, too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heather was beautiful. As you can see in all the photos, there are many colors of heather.<br />I learned that there are many varieties of heather and they don't all "peak" at the same time.<br /> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldna resist taking a picture of my feet on the walking path through Culloden.</td></tr>
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Once we'd all collected ourselves (and our gift shop purchases) we made the short drive to <a href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/clava-cairns/">Clava Cairn. </a> A cairn is a man-made pile of stones. They have been in use since ancient times and can be used as landmarks or trail markers. In this case the cairns are ancient burial markers. Surrounding the cairns are standing stones.<br />
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I tried getting through to Jamie Fraser. Clearly I am not Claire Beauchamp Randall. I was destined to stay in this time and come home to My Hero.<br />
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We spent our second (and last) full day in Inverness at Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. I was eager for my first look at Loch Ness. We visited t<a href="http://www.lochness.com/">he more serious of the two Nessie museums.</a> An impressive amount of time, money and fertile imagination has gone into Nessie research. I choose to believe. We all need some imagination and magic, right?<br />
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Loch Ness is 23 miles long and 1 mile wide and contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.<br />
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Depending on the source, the world's population will fit into Loch Ness anywhere from THREE to TEN times! The depth and murky water make for a good monster legend.<br />
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I was standing on the shores of Loch Ness on September 15.<br />
<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/09/16/does-this-picture-show-loch-ness-monster.html">This happened on September <u style="font-weight: bold;">16</u>.</a><br />
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Along the western shore of Loch Ness is Urquhart Castle.<br />
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In the castle ruins, I particularly enjoyed this posted information:<br />
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We then journeyed to the southern end of the Loch to visit little town of Fort Augustus where we had lunch and witnessed boats traveling through the Lock system of the Caledonian Canal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the most amazingly delicious fish and chips for lunch.</td></tr>
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I'll confess that I never fully understood how locks work until I watched the process of the boats moving through the series of Locks at Fort Augustus.<br />
It was a full day and time to return for one last night in Inverness.<br />
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The next day we are over the sea to Skye!<br />
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Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-24378244449972648422016-10-18T12:46:00.002-04:002016-10-18T12:46:39.540-04:00On the road in the Highlands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Mom,<br />
Mustering our courage, we picked up our rental car for the next legs of our Scotland adventure.<br />
Packing the modest sized car with our luggage was an exercise in spacial relations, but we did it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things got better by the end of the trip. Or there were more things in the back seat.<br />Or both.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, the backseat was crowded the entire trip, with one suitcase and my CPAP machine on the seat between us. My back seat partner and I had a very organized system for taking turns shifting the luggage so we could fasten and unfasten our seat belts. Our leg space was not wasted, either. Getting out of the car was a slow extraction.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After determining who would be the first driver, we left the car rental and immediately encountered our first roundabout. Going clockwise and unsure of which exit to take, we pretty much immediately hit the first of many curbs on the left side of the road. We praised and encouraged and prayed and thanked and cheered our driver. I will be forever grateful to my brave friends for all the driving they did. And I will just say right here, right now, that we did NOT lose any mirrors (despite a dire prediction by one son -not mine-) and <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">miraculously </u> did not get a flat tire. How we did not get a flat has to be the power of 4 guardian angels. The rims on the left side of the car were very chewed up!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As is the case for all of Scotland, the scenery on the road to Inverness was breathtaking. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The hillsides are dotted with sheep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We stopped at the <a href="https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/">Highland Folk Museum</a>. I did not realize until we got there that scenes from Outlander were filmed here. (Season One, Episode Five, RENT)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The charming, costumed man and woman stationed in the oldest section happily answered our questions and then, because we were obviously from the US, asked us where in the states we were from. Hearing that we came from Indiana, they immediately wanted to know about TORNADOS! We assured them that we did not live in constant threat and fear of them and in fact had never in all our years actually witnessed one. Myth busted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Next stop, Cairngorm Mountains. The weather became misty and windy on our way up the mountain. But on the way up the sun broke through the mist and we were blessed with the most spectacular rainbow. Photos do not do it justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The complete rainbow seemed to be at eye level. Incredible. After taking countless pictures, we had to break ourselves away from this photo op. Needless to say, we were not the only car pulled off to the side of the road, with passengers scattered roadside seeking the best angles for photos. This moment is one of the highlights of the trip. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We rode the </span><a href="http://www.cairngormmountain.org/funicular-railway/" style="font-family: inherit;">funicular railway</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> through dense fog to the top of the mountain and had lunch at the cafe there. We were lucky to have the mist blow away, the sun shine and were given breathtaking views.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Enough driving for one day, and not wanting to do any of it after dark, we drove into Inverness and our next home away from home, the<a href="http://www.oakvillabandb.co.uk/inverness_bed_and_breakfast_accommodation.htm"> Oakvilla Bed and Breakfast.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Next, Culloden, Standing Stones and Nessie!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Kim</span></div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-43541673277955444362016-10-04T14:42:00.000-04:002016-10-04T14:42:02.316-04:00EdinburghDear Mom,<br />
Our flight from Newark to Edinburgh was pleasant and went quicker and easier than I 'd anticipated. I actually got some decent sleep on the plane and I will give credit here to the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pillo%E2%80%A6">"J" pillow </a>I purchased for the flight. Those round-the-back-of-the-neck pillows are not comfortable for me and after some online searching I stumbled upon and ordered my J Pillow. I was very happy with it.<br />
Once on the ground we threaded our way through a very efficient Customs process. "My" customs official was charming, pleasant, and patiently listened to me tell him that I'd been anticipating and planning my trip for 5 years, timed to follow taking my youngest off to college. He smiled and said, "Quite Right!" I was enchanted.<br />
I sincerely appreciated that the Edinburgh airport quite thoughtfully has LOOK RIGHT with arrows painted on the street crossings for those of us trained to look LEFT before crossing. I never quite got the hang of which way to look before crossing and ended up looking both ways several times before taking my first steps. In this, my confidence was wobbly. I tried crossing with others, but restrained myself from holding someone's hand.<br />
We spent our first three nights in Scotland in Edinburgh. I quickly fell in love with Edinburgh and could easily envision going back and spending a full week (or two) there.<br />
After checking into our rooms at the stately Hotel George, in New Town, we took a long, drizzly walk to the only yarn shop we would visit while in Scotland. Kathy's Knits. I'd read that it was the local shop for Lucy Hague, whose<a href="http://lucyhague.co.uk/celtic-cable-shawls"> Celtic Shawls </a>book is an inspiration. The shop owner was quite pleasant and we saw samples of all the shawls from Lucy's book. Bearing in mind the space available in my suitcase, I purchased just 2 balls of Rennie Yarn, which is made in Scotland- enough for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kyna">Kyna</a>, the second shawl in the Celtic Shawls book. With Kathy's help, I chose a warm denim-y blue color.<br />
We left the shop to enjoy a late lunch at Nom de Plume. It was here I had my first (but not last) taste of a delicious Strawberry Lime cider. Maybe it is a good thing, but I am disappointed that this particular brand of what we call "hard" cider is not available in the US.<br />
Walking back to our hotel, we tried to find our way into the Queen's Street gardens. All the gates were locked and we had to satisfy ourselves with peaks over the wall and hedges between the trees.<br />
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On our first full day, after an incredible breakfast in the hotel, we headed in sunshine (!) for the Royal Mile distracted on our way by many, many many delicious kilts!<br />
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I took loads of kilt photos, but sadly I had a memory card failure and lost all the photos I took those first 4 days with my "real" camera. I've tried not to beat myself up, lose sleep, and "if only" myself about it. That was the worst that happened on the trip and nothing to complain or be sorry over. My traveling companions and I are sharing our photos, and I did take some with my phone, so all is not lost.<br />
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After touring Gladstones Land- a 17th century tenement house, which gave us insight into what life was like living on the Royal mile in the 1600's, we continued the uphill climb to Edinburgh Castle. We arrived at the castle in perfect time to witness (and set our watches to) the 1 o'clock cannon.<br />
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In the photo just above, the building just behind me is St Margaret's chapel. We were privileged to see a wedding party arrive! And just behind and below the chapel is this tender place.<br />
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We lunched at The Elephant House, where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter.<br />
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We ended our first day on the Royal Mile with a tour of The Real St Mary's Close- another historical peek at the hardships and life for those living on the Royal Mile as the city and tenements were built up, around and <i>over</i> existing structures. Gardy Loo!<div>
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I came close- sort of- to finding Jamie Fraser on the Royal Mile. Probably good he wasn't the real thing. I would have made a blubbering fool of myself. </div>
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We finished the Royal Mile with a tour of Holyrood Palace and Gardens. </div>
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Holyrood Palace is still in use by the Queen. Had she been in residence we would not be able to tour the palace. On display were many of the dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth from a young girl to present day. Included in the display is a velvet tartan gown worn by Queen Victoria. The petite stature of both queens impressed me. A highlight of our visit to Holyrood was the garden tour. These photos may be the ones I am most disappointed to lose. Gorgeous borders. I cannot imagine how glorious they must be at their peak, because what we saw was beautiful- even in mid September.</div>
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Holyrood sits at the foot of Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, and a popular hiking destination.</div>
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After much walking, two of us were desperate for some nourishment, and tea at Jenner's department store hit the mark. We sat at a window overlooking the Prince's Street Gardens on another sunny afternoon.</div>
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Next up- Inverness and driving on the Left!</div>
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Love, </div>
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Kim</div>
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I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-1192288021172957652016-09-30T09:53:00.001-04:002016-09-30T09:53:48.610-04:00I know what I did last summerDear Mom,<br />
My summer is easily divided into chapters. Chapters I and II were the post op recovery and building Sweet Haven - a room of my own- chapters which I have documented on this blog.<br />
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Chapter III: A relaxing long weekend in Northern Michigan celebrating our Young Lady's 19th birthday.<br />
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Chapter IV: Early August had us prepping and organizing a Milestone Event. Moving our Young Lady <span style="font-size: xx-small;">our baby!</span> off to The University of Southern Indiana, where she is studying Art and Illustration.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">She is doing </span><i style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">really</span></b> </i><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">well.<br /></span></td></tr>
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Our nest is empty-ish.</div>
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Olive tells me she misses her sister in the only way she can. I keep finding Olive on the Young Lady's bed. This squeezes my heart a little.</div>
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Chapter V: About five years ago some friends and I hatched a plan. No empty nest issues for us. When the last 2 of us took our youngest off to college we were going to Scotland. And we did.</div>
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We departed on September 8. </div>
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And arrived to the land of Kilts and Castles, Mist and Moors on Sept 9. </div>
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It was a grand adventure. Everything I'd imagined and more. I'll share more in the days to come.</div>
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Love, </div>
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Kim</div>
I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-62086237271291319032016-07-07T11:54:00.000-04:002016-07-07T11:54:30.516-04:00A Room of My Own<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Mom,<br />
I still have pictures to hang, but otherwise I am all moved in to my new studio space. "Studio" sounds so much more grownup than "craft room". Although it might be more accurate to call it my Play Room. Or Time Out. My heart wants to call this room Sweet Haven. With invaluable help from our Young Lady, I chose a very pale lavender for the walls.<br />
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Elle and Penelope Swift stand side by side in this corner. My warping board hangs from the closet door, and behind that door is a well organized (for now) assortment of sewing and weaving supplies, back issues of Vogue Knitting magazine and lots and lots of yarn.<br />
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Judy Jetson, my sturdy Singer Slantomatic sewing machine is happy in her new home and ready for action.<br />
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My knitting nest is now surrounded by baskets of yarn and the music stand I use to hold knitting charts and my iPad when I want to watch something as I knit. My desk and computer are on the wall to the right of the chair.<br />
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This sturdy, old bookshelf once held my college text books. Daddy built it. When the kids were little I painted over the bright yellow and added some child-friendly paint pen drawings. I could paint it again, but I like the memories in addition to the knitting books it holds. The long shelf above the bookcase is perfect for the cones of weaving threads and skeins of hand spun yarn.<br />
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I have a lovely, bird's eye view of my flower garden; a table for watercolor painting sits under the window. There is just enough room for Donna Reed (my loom) in the center of the room, and Olive has cozy spots to curl up and nap. Sweet Haven.<br />
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Love,<br />
KimI'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409435963871006088.post-18412182947685815492016-07-04T01:00:00.000-04:002016-07-04T01:00:23.918-04:00God Bless America!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;">My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;">~Abraham Lincoln</span></i></span></div>
I'm gonna tell Mom!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05369501103097110149noreply@blogger.com0