Category: inspiration

Throwback Thursday

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Remember way back in 2019 when I sewed this Farrow dress and these Emerson pants? They look great together! I may sew another dress like this in the mauve linen from Lithuania in my stash.

In other news, I am back up to the weight and size I was when I made these. I haven’t dieted or worked out all year. So I signed up for a program that’s free with my health insurance to help me get back on track. I did yoga and pilates today! Now I need to find a cardio workout I can do regularly. The roads around here aren’t the safest for walking or riding a bike. I could go into town to the gym, but I’m a little wary because of the Rona. I think I will drive 6 miles to the nearest park trail tomorrow and see how that goes.

I hope you have some fun socially-distanced holiday weekend plans! We don’t do anything for July 4, but on Sunday we’re hosting my friend Laurel for a birthday dinner.

Saturyay

Posted on Posted in inspiration, life, socks, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , 6 Comments

This is my yarn closet and my sewing corner in my office. All my yarn and fabric fit in that narrow closet, but not all my fiber. I have two big tubs of fiber — mostly wool — in the hallway outside. Don’t judge me. Or do, I don’t mind. I have an art show in 14 months. I’m sure I will use most of it up. I have angora and silk as well — the angora from my old bunnies. What will I make?

Bob and I went to downtown Newark for gluten-free pizza for Saturdate! 2020. What a year!

We liked the face on this building. Green Man? Gargoyle?

Heel flap time on my Pride sock! I’d better get knitting if I’m going to finish these by July 1. Not likely, if I’m honest.

I just finished reading The Mirror & the Light by Hillary Mantel, the final book in the Thomas Cromwell series. It has been criticized as having too many words, but each word is so delicious, I didn’t mind savoring it.

I watched the fox kits in our back yard last night. I was worried about them getting enough food, they seem so skinny, until they rustled up some vermin from the compost pile. Human-Fox symbiosis! Their den is under our barn.

Tuesday Tidbits

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I went for a walk in the ravine today. By myself. I think this counts as exercise. I’m really pleased with myself.

I wore my new shirt.

I saw this on Instagram but unfortunately I don’t remember who posted it. I had to search but finally found it on Etsy. (It was my birthday weekend so I treated myself.)

I want this hat. I can make this hat. I will make this hat. I don’t even need a pattern. Or fabric. This one is linen, but I may use canvas. I should have some scraps after I sew my pants. I’m going to need interfacing, though, that heavy duty stuff.

Are you ready to get back to work today? I’m ready to get back to work today.

Sunday Grace

Posted on Posted in inspiration, knitting, life, lofty thoughts, shawls and haps, what makes me tickTagged , , , , , , 14 Comments

We went for a hike yesterday. I’m thankful for time in nature. And wildflowers.

Bob made soy custard berry tarts for my birthday treat. I’m thankful for Bob.

My boys came to share a birthday meal and treats with me. I’m thankful for my boys. Especially their intelligence and humor and ability to argue any point no matter how ridiculous. Is a bean bag a chair? A bean bag is an armchair but not a chair because a chair has legs. Puzzle that.

My mother always told me I would argue with a signpost. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Soon I will have a new blue beanie to wear over my mess of white hair. I am enjoying this mindless knit.

square

I ordered some pink yarn to make this shrug. I imagine myself wafting over pink tile wearing this, but in pink. The designer says this stitch pattern is meditative. I hope so.

Speaking of pink tile, the lender ordered a second appraisal. We are in home-buying limbo.

It will be okay either way. Trust in the Universe.

Sunday Grace

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My orchids are blooming again.

Our neighbors gave us hyacinth for Easter.

I’m knitting another heel flap.

My coworker won’t get off my lap.

Our kids are sorta famous.

The ravine is greening and flowering.

This leggy human walks slowly so I can keep up and stop to take photos on our walks.

Amen.

Just Deserts

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I never thought I would be so excited to get something in the mail! I’m going to savor this moment. I’ve been too exhausted to knit.

I looked up the phrase just deserts and it was originally in this form, even though just desserts makes more sense to us now.

Do you subscribe to any knitting or other craft magazines, either digitally or in paper?

The Red Road Home

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Have I ever blogged about my Grandparents’ farm? I can’t imagine I haven’t. I think about it, and them, every day. Even in Kenya, I look at the red soil and rolling hills and think of Oklahoma.

My cousin Cyndi and her husband are restoring the farm in the hopes of retiring there someday. She’s started a facebook page so we can follow along!

Kenya Day 3: Hell’s Gate

Posted on Posted in field trips, inspiration, knittingTagged , , , 8 Comments

Today we biked through Hell’s Gate National Park.

It was a stunner of a day. We saw zebras, warthogs, water buffalo, eland, impala, Kirk’s Dik-Dik (ok I had to look some of these up.) It was really spectacular.

After that we hired a boat to take us out on Lake Naivasha. If you look carefully at the little lumps in the water, they are hippos.

Most of the birds we saw we’re Cormorants but we also saw pelicans, herons, duck, and vultures! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vulture before.

On the way to Nakuru we stopped at a spinners and weavers workshop. There were some beautiful wool and cotton rugs and throws, but the looms were empty and I didn’t want to take any pictures because artisans prefer you not photograph (and copy) their designs. Fair enough!

I have been knitting away on what I hope will be a sample hat for our artisan partners. We’ll stop at the woolworks tomorrow to pick up more yarn. It is merino and super soft!

Kenya Day 2

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Most of our day today was spent at Kitengala Glass Art and Kitengala Hot Glass. It is a magical place, started by Nani Croze in 1981. The village has grown to include two more workshops started by her sons. The artisans work, live, and farm in the village. I’m pretty sure this is what my heaven looks like.

The glass is all recycled from bottle waste collected in Nairobi.

You can tell the artisans really enjoy their work. I interviewed Tom, the manager, and I look forward to sharing that as part of my Kenya Adventures podcast on The Just Craft.

There are guest houses you can rent, and I think a stay in one may need to be added to my bucket list. It was a beautiful day!