Stasia's Place Of Grace

Saturday, October 05, 2002

 

Gratitude

Today I am grateful...

• For all of the great tips on measuring a weaving-in-progress - thank you!

• That because I have FMS, I did not realize until today that I have had the flu for a week. (See, I knew there had to be a silver lining to the Fibromyalgia cloud!)

• That I am losing weight... though not by the means I would have chosen. Still... maybe by next week, my jeans will fit again.

• That despite everything, I still have a sense of humor.

• For the experience of watching "The Green Mile" this week. A wonderful, soulful movie that can change your heart.

• For hot mulled apple cider.

I am not feeling particularly well so may not be updating for a while, but I hope you'll check back for a visit as soon as I'm up and about again! Until then, be well and have productive and happy days!

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Thursday, October 03, 2002

 

Fibery Stuff

First some fiberarts updates! Here is a photo of the Rainbow Ruana weaving, which I began last night.

There must be a good way of keeping track of how much fabric you've already woven, but I always seem to forget to do it! I guess I will just weave until I run out of yarn, since I'm making up the "pattern" for the garment anyway.

Here is a photo of the 216 yards of yarn I've spun for Jeff's sox (Navajo-Churro, qiviut, and bison down - one ply of each).

...and I am at the heels (again!) of the Meilenweit sox.

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Gratitude

Today I am thankful for...

• Hot cocoa

• A Polartec zip-neck pullover

• Japanese noodle bowls from Noodles (to go!)

• Dream journals; my therapist (for whom I am also very grateful, as she's a knitter and a dog lover!) says I am to keep one to help me see positive messages and meanings in my frequent nightmares. I enjoy journalling anyway, and will do just about anything to deal with the "Scary Dream Residue" (as SARK calls it) that I'm experiencing!

• ...and the warmth and even breathing of a doggie sitting next to me while I knit.

Cool weather brings warm comforts, I guess... or an appreciation for them, anyway! I hope your day is warm, cozy, and comfortable!

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Wednesday, October 02, 2002

 

Progress

Today I am grateful for making a little progress on a couple of things. I keep telling myself, "Just one step at a time..." I need to learn patience, and to be more involved in the Process of things.

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I fell in love with some Red Heart acrylic yarn in the "Artist Print" colorway because of the jeweltone colors. I got some on a whim to knit a scarf for my sister for Christmas.

I thought about making something for myself out of it as well (even if it is acrylic!), but knitting another sweater was out of the question - my hands just couldn't manage it.

So I decided to try to weave myself a little ruana-type, shawl-ish garment out of it instead.

I tested the weave on my Fast Sam (thanks for reminding me to "swatch", Linda!):

"Artist Print" sample weave, 7 ppi.

Then I got out the "Weaver's Companion" book from Interweave Press and used it to make all the warp and weft calculations - using a calculator, of course, as I'm severely math-impaired.

I based the design of the garment on the "Urban Wrap" knitting pattern from Lion Brand Yarns. It will involve weaving one long piece, then cutting it in half, then sewing the two halves together up the middle to the halfway point, leaving two "flaps" free to drape over the shoulders and hang in front. (I have a feeling, though, that once it is made up, I will wish I had made it longer... it will only be about 32" from the shoulders.)

So I went back to Wal-Mart to get the rest of the yarn. Luckily they had enough of the dye lot left - but just barely! Phew!

I spent yesterday measuring the warp and dressing the loom. I have to wait to weave as my body is temporarily Out Of Order after doing the warp, but it's nice to know the project is there, waiting for me, and that all that's left is the "fun part" of weaving. (I hate the process of doing the calculations and measuring the warp and dressing the loom. It seems to me that it would only appeal to someone who likes to iron sheets. I don't find it fun at all - just hard work. That's probably why I have only woven three things so far!)

Here's the warp, all set to go:

Rainbow Ruana warp on Ashford 4-shaft loom.

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The third attempt at the neck of the gray cable sweater, using a K1, P1 rib on the back section, was not a success; it came out wider than doing it in the original pattern. I was so frustrated I almost cried. Jeff kept his mouth shut, thank goodness!

So I ended up ripping it out and staying up into the wee sma's last night to do it right, once and for all. I went down another needle size as Jeff had previously suggested (which meant I had to knit it on four metal dpns, using an odd-sized bamboo as a fifth - yuk!) and finally the collar is acceptable and I'm ready to seam the sweater!

Gray cable sweater neck, version four - finished!

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Today I am grateful that the chickadees are starting to hang around the birdfeeder regularly. I love the perky sounds they make. They are fearless birds, and often let me get within a few feet of them. I think I like Chickadees, Juncos, and Bluejays best... maybe because they stick around all year long. Of course it is always a thrill to see the crimson flash of the Cardinals, especially on snowy days.

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The weather here is cool and rainy today. The wild grape leaves have all become a brilliant yellow, that shows up vividly against the gray, cloudy sky. The grapes themselves are almost ready to be picked. Our Jerusalem Artichokes are blooming a vivid yellow, too, and I think one is at least 15 feet tall!

I had to go out in the icky weather to a doctor appointment today, but wouldn't you know they messed it up and the doctor was at another clinic! Drat! So I'll have to go back tomorrow.

I intend to make up for the discomfort by making the rest of the afternoon comfy, with tea, a heating pad to keep away the chill, some sock knitting, and a rented "Fiddler On The Roof" video. If I can only keep Chester (The Wild Dog Of Borneo) from singing along (maybe I'll watch with headphones?) it'll be a good afternoon. He loves Handel's "Messiah", Russian bass singers, and, apparently, "Fiddler On The Roof" because he will NOT stop singing along!

I hope you will have a cozy and/or productive day, too! Remember to refresh and replenish after productivity... we can't give 100%, 100% of the time, and be healthy! You know, I felt awful today before updating this Blog, but now that I've had to come up with some things to be grateful for, I feel much better. There's something in that...

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Sunday, September 29, 2002

 

Grateful For...

Isn't this little guy pretty? He looks just like the crisp, tattered, brown fallen leaves on the ground today. He alighted on our patio door and posed for some photos for you. I think he's lovely. Moths are so interesting.

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Jeff made a cheese pie today, from a recipe from his Swiss cookbook. Jeff is one-quarter Swiss and he's planning his second trip to Switzerland this winter, to meet his best friend from Belarus. Jeff's a true Epicurean, and I guess he's warming up for all the yummy Swiss food he'll be eating there.

Swiss Cheese Pie
From The Swiss Cookbook, Nika Standen Hazelton, Atheneum, 1984

piecrust for 9-inch pie (Jeff made homemade; I would have made Pillsbury)
1/2 pound Swiss cheese, grated (Jeff insists on real, imported Gruyere)
1 tablespoon flour
3 eggs, well beaten
1 cup milk or cream
salt and pepper to taste

Note from Jeff: Don't forget to pre-toast your pie crust.

Line the pie plate with the pastry. Dredge the cheese with flour. Distribute the cheese evenly in the pie plate. Beat the eggs well, mix with the milk, season lightly and pour the mixture over the cheese. Bake 15 minutes in a hot oven (400 degrees), then reduce heat (300 to 325), and bake an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean. Do not overbake. Serve immediately or warmed over.

We had it with smoked Neuske's bacon - yum, yum! It is very rich but cooks up incredibly fluffy.

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The Meilenweit Halloween Wavy Spooky Sox proceed apace:

I wanted them to look like they were from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" movie, and I think they do!

I'm feeling in quite a fall mood... warm cheese pie for lunch, falling leaves outside, football on the TV and sock needles clicking. How 'bout you?

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