the hand spun

From the Imaginarium BLOG:


There was a time, when every piece of fabric was hand 

spun…That time will come again…


Every sail on every ship…Every garment…The tents that 

kept out the night, hand spun all.


The spindle in all its forms is one of the oldest tools. It 

will probably be with us at the end of all things.


When, every sail on every ship…Every garment…The 

tents that keep out the night, will be once again, hand 

spun all.

{Musings}

Hello, its almost February. 
It's almost 4 weeks now just the four of us.
Almost spring? 
Sigh.
Sometimes, things feel hard. Sometimes, they feel easier. I think it's sometimes based on the weather, my feelings, their moods. 
Sometimes everyone feels like crying or screaming all day . Sometimes the sun shines and the spirits are lifted and everyone feels happy and hopeful and creative. Sometimes, its a sit by the fire and spin or knit day; while the kids go about things in their own free will. 

Free will is a good topic to write about, and to think about. An unstructured hour, day, or moment in time is important. For all of us, both young and old. So many times, its just refreshing to "do what you want". Without someone guiding you or setting rules for this and that and saying for how long or in what way or whatever.
To make your own mistakes and go from there. To not know exactly everything, or anything at all. To simply breathe and try and enjoy being alive. 

It's almost February. I think spring is coming soon. 
Winter's nice too. 

Definitely Susan Test Knit ( + pattern giveaway! )

Helloooo !!!
I have a brand new test knit to show you all today . It's actually a sweater / accessory combination that I am so happy about, it can be worn so many ways .

Definitely Susan  by Josee Paquin . 

{Josee is also on Instagram}. 

This design is a cardigan with a long laceworked scarf which can become attached to the cardigan all the way around with buttons. It can be buttoned and changed around in so many different styles. 

It is so much fun to wear. 

Isn't it just the greatest thing?

Also .. don't let the lace work put you off, it was super easy. 

Josee has done a fantastic job - don't you agree :)

One word about the yarn that I used for this dear set . 

It is Orange Flower Yarn by Karin. 

To purchase yarn, sign up for her newsletter here (at the top right). 

Karin usually does a shop update once a month , and you will be notified of when this is occuring by email to get your duckies in a row =)

Ok now the giveaway ! Josee has offered to gift one of you dear fellow knitters a copy of this Definitely Susan pattern . Just leave a blog comment here with your ravelry username and you are all entered ! 

Not on ravelry ? That's ok, just make sure I have an email to contact you on if you win.

For an extra entry , follow my blog. Via email, blogger, bloglovin, etc. Just tell me in the comments how you follow. 

I will pick a winner in one week randomly.

Good luck and happy knitting =)

Angela xoxoxo

Comments Closed :: I'll pick a winner shortly !

And the winner is randomly picked lucky number 7 - congrats to NICEWITCH. yay !! xoxoxo

:: Fermenting ::

Fermenting

So have you heard of "fermenting"  ?

It's nothing new, it's been done for quite awhile now.

But it's new to me - I'm using my new Crock - a special

birthday present from my thoughtful Hubby.

Here you will see my one gallon Crock (purchased from Amazon) is nicely packed with 2 heads Cabbage , 2 red onions, 

Minced Garlic, Spices and Herbs, (did I put in a chopped bell pepper..) and salt water brine. All mashed down to pieces and then when the brine had covered the veggies my weights were placed over to hold it all underneath while it sits and bubbles into fermention. Haha.

The upside of it all is that you get a natural high quailty dose of Probiotics from your food; it is naturally preserved without any work at all really on your part; and you are not heating or vinegarizing which kills off the beneficial bacteria. 

SauerKraut anyone ?

I'm following these instructions basically - and my house totally smells like cabbage and onions and it's only 4 days in. =)

On the knitting front, because there is always a knitting front,

...... I have almost finished a beautiful new Elizabeth Shawl by Amy Miller. Baby Alpaca / Cashmere / Silk . This is something to dream about. Off now to play cards with my boys ! We had such a wonderful homeschooling week - amazing life. x

The End of Summer :: in the garden

Oh, the end of Summer.

August.

It's hotter than a .... well you know so I don't even have to say it.

Well I am picking and drying and thinking and sweating.

Still knitting, thru sticky hands and sweaty brows - and I must

admit these winter sweaters do make the anticipation of fall exciting to think about.

But there's no time for that right just yet ------ the tomatoes are just starting to turn green.

Because we grew ours from seed.

And I thought they were never, ever going to 

make it. 

So it looks like we will be canning after all !

{Johnny's already been at it - and cutting the peppers and onions with his shades on in the kitchen. I must monitor the situation and make sure he doesn't give too many away. Cause it's GOOD.}

He brought over all his 'cooking gear', including his grandmother's recipe. 

And my own grandmother ? 

Liked his better than mine !!! 

This sweetest little babe of ours

he just loves the flowers and herbs and plants about.

He is growing and changing and ever so loving.

He can now reach up up up - in his little exploring 

nature has found where mama keeps her buttons,

and sewing notions, and pots and pans.

He loves smelling flowers and spotting bees and ants 

in the garden. He will get down and rub the growing 

pumpkins and winter squash and right now

he is eating watermelon a'plenty.

We were lucky to see my bestie and her sweet little ones yesterday, and were left some yummy fresh picked blueberries.

So tomorrow 

I am thinking

a fresh pie

Oh yes, it's been ages since I rolled pie crust

Come by, won't you, and 

have a piece with me 

dear friends.