Wool Stories and Wool Patterns

Revisiting....
the skeins of wool yarn stuffed in crooks and crannies around my house. The reason for all this wool started with a definite preoccupation of mine many years ago which has an unmistakable similarity to the tale " If you give a mouse a cookie". I wanted to learn to spin wool so it was on to purchasing drop spindles and spinning wheels. To spin the wool of others did not satisfy, I dreamed of live fleece dotting my fields as well as greasy fleece in my hands. Therefore, the next woolly source to be acquired was a flock of sheep. Many happy hours were spent with my wheel humming and whooshing its merry rhythm. I was a spinner of wool. I was a shepherdess.

After several years of shearing and bags of fleeces sitting lonely, I decided I would send my wool to a spinnery to have it commercially spun. I believe everyone might have some sort of story to tell of their $$$$$ mistake. This was mine. But on a positive note I do have a life's supply of 16 oz.skeins of white wool from my own Romney sheep. Wool, I might add, that takes dye perfectly when it is color you desire.

I started knitting Charlotte some new mittens on a snowy day with this wool.

And bethgem asked about the pattern......

I love this book and the worn front cover can attest to its frequent use. So many good patterns to knit and each contains a delightful short story that tells of how the pattern came to be.

These particular family mittens are beginner easy and were my first choice for Charlotte's mittens as I have made them before and knew they could be knitted up quickly, but Mr. Putter shamelessly got hold of my knitting that had been carelessly abandoned on a chair and mindlessly chewed one of my #6 DPNs to smithereens. Unfortunately, I did not have an extra needle in that size.

So this is the pattern I am now using to knit her mittens. The more I looked at this pattern the more I liked its pattern, the simple waves and valleys were irresistible. I am maintaining the original plan of teal with red stripes on the ribbed cuffs, and of course a red thumb!

I am using my Knitpicks #3 DPNs. This is the first time knitting with them and they are quite fine. Silky and smooth with the right amount of glide. I will not be careless with the placement of my knitting this time.

Little Boy Blue Shower

Finding ways to give touches of blue to the shower table, cupcakes with blueberries seemed a suitable choice.These delicious vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing ( only three sticks of butter....) were displayed in the center of the table on a three tier stand. Some of the ladies did not have to be reminded to," Please help yourself to the cupcakes."

I am certainly not partial to blue foods, such as blue icing and blue candy, which rely on unnatural food colorings. But to get that touch of blue, I relented and bought these M&M almond candies. There might be something in them for pregnant women, however, because the mother-to-be was enjoying them immensely......maybe it is a boy baby thing!

No blue here, just some dainty buttermilk biscuits with ham that might make your mouth water....if you like ham biscuits.

And since this was a tea, blueberry "iced" tea was served. Because on this 78 degree day, I could not even imagine anyone considering hot tea. It is very warm today, my windows are open and the sun is pouring in causing us southern ladies to glisten. Just think we had snow on Monday and some nights had reached down into the teens earlier in the week. Some would say this is what makes the south so wonderfully appealing. I believe it goes right along with little boy blue showers.

Preparations underway

Preparing .......

for a baby shower that will be held at my house tomorrow afternoon.

The glass party ware has been been freed from storage boxes hidden way back in my hall coat closet.

Shining....because it is happy to be doing what it was intended to do.


Tying.....

blue checked ribbon around glass candlesticks.

A touch of blue to remind one of the blue skies from whence storks fly.

For Ailments

Several years ago a very bright person told me about Sambucol ( or Sambucus, black elderberry), an immune booster syrup with earned bragging rights. Especially helpful during the cold and flu months, it can be given as a daily supplement or just when exposure to sickness or the beginnings of an ailment in any form have struck you or anyone in your nest.

Real life scenario: Rose came down with a bug last week, the same one that has been spreading around this area: head and body aches, low fever, fatigue. I immediately began to dose Charlotte and myself spoonfuls twice a day and we stayed well. Sometimes it might mean a less severe case of a sickness and a shorter recoup time. It's efficacy has been proven in my home more times than can be counted. I am one of its cheerleaders for life!

Sunshine Highlight

"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy......" John Denver

The morning's brilliant sunshine was bursting forth into the kitchen and warming us both inside and outside with its intimate appeal. The glowing rays of the sun were not just on our shoulders, however, but were spreading brightness and zeal all over us, making us feel like toast topped with marmalade.

It certainly did make us happy.

In Like a Lion.....

March has come in with the beginning blooms of forsythias and 5 to 6 inches of wet snow covering the ground.



Many dreams have come true even without the lure of Disneyworld for these southern girls. All the rain turned into a lovely snowfall late yesterday, and Rose actually set her alarm in order to get up early....to play in the 25 degree snowy weather.


Charlotte and her friend, Eli, ventured inside wet and shaking from the cold requesting popsicles. They then settled down at the kitchen table and a 100 piece puzzle was undertaken. In the past I would have a desirable jigsaw puzzle on the sidelines ready and waiting for the first snow to fall. I do so love to do puzzles! I can still recall the days when I had toddlers and the challenge of keeping them from reaching up and grabbing the pieces. Now I am enjoying any assistance I can give to two five year old puzzle lovers.

Oh, the dilemma of finding another pair of mittens or gloves multiplied by all the constant visits of going out and coming in with wet mittens to search high and low for another dry pair...they do not have to match, however....that's my solitary way of thinking anyway.

I thought I would knit Charlotte a new pair....teal with red stripes. This pattern is very easy and can be worked up rather quickly to keep little hands toasty. Little can beat the merits of 100% natural wool.


Snow and Bake. If I had my own cooking show, maybe that could be the theme....I get so fired up to be in the kitchen on snowy days. My kitchen should be warm, inviting and have the wafting smells of spicy cinnamon rolls baking, fresh bread rising, strong coffee brewing, and beef stew simmering. And at least for today..... it did.



This recipe for cinnamon rolls is one I have been making since 1991. It was taken from a small publication originally and I have adjusted it for my own use through the years.

Cinnamon Rolls

2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar(you may use honey)
2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons dry yeast
3 eggs
5-7 cups flour( I use 2 cups of whole wheat and 4 cups of white, unbleached)

In large bowl combine 2 cups of whole wheat flour and yeast. Heat the milk, butter, sugar and salt until butter is melted.Cool (115-120 degrees). Add eggs.
After mixture is cooled, pour into the flour mixture and stir in 3-4 cups of white flour with a wooden spoon( you may prefer to use all wheat).

Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in large oiled bowl, turn once, cover and let rise in a warm place.( about 60-90 minutes).
Punch the dough down, divide in two, and allow to rest about ten minutes.
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
In separate bowl mix 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.
Roll dough into 12-18 inch rectangle, brush with melted butter. Coat the dough with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
Now the true fun begins, starting at the long edge begin rolling, lightly pulling the dough as you go and sealing the seam.Slice the rolls with dental floss about 1/2-1 inch. Spray pans with cooking spray. I have used round cake pans, which makes a lovely gift, or brownie and sheet cake pans. Cover and let rise until double.
Bake 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Icing
Mix 1-2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pour over cooled rolls. You may do this while the rolls are warm, but I like the icing to stick firmly...we like the icing!

Movies and Music for Rainy Days

Rainy days have a tendency to make droopy eyelids. And two days in a row might even cause lugubrious tendencies. Therefore, other forms of inside entertainment are sought.


Smocking bullions on Charlotte's Easter dress kept my fingers busy while the girls and I were able to use inside time to watch Hallmark's showings of the movie renditions of Janette Oke's books, Love Comes Softly, all the way to Part Six, Love's Unfolding Dream. Rose enjoyed them but inquired as to why they must be so sad at times.

A time to play the piano. Mood music of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata and Fur Elise fit the bill rather nicely. My imagination was free to run aloft as the legatos and crescendos caressed the ivory and ebony keys. Jane Austen took center stage naturally.

The comfort of house slippers

The preference of what to put on my feet while in the house is not a matter of great concern. I do not wear shoes while inside my home in either summer or winter. When it is warm outside you can expect my feet to be bare, but I will always be wearing socks and/or slippers while in the house during the cold weather months. From the time I get up until my bedtime my footsies are adequately covered.

It is not fashion I am after.....just taking care of the old cold feet syndrome. I love woolen socks and slippers with durable soles, this enables me to makes light trips outside if needed to get the mail or hunt for something in the garage. Just as long as they are absolutely super duper comfortable and warm I am satisfied. I wear a pair out, toss them and replace them with another pair....no sentiment attached either....all service.

I have come to realize it is one of the things that gives me a dose of pleasant feelings, stepping out of my shoes and sliding into my house slippers upon entering my home. It's a homey thing.

Shadow Play

Do you see the shadows? The girls were in the dining room busily setting the table one evening and I was fascinated by their shadows playing on my fuchsia and white walls. The movements were tipping here and there as their girlish voices filled the room.

The days are getting longer right before my eyes, I love seeing this reality creeping further up into the lighter evenings each and every day. The setting sun raises its head for its last bit of glory before it will set at the front of my house where I can catch a glimpse if I take the time.


I am bedazzled when I do!

Thoughts of Snow and a Blue Baby Sweater

After a glorious foretaste of Spring a blast of wind chilling cold returned and stoked Charlotte's creative bent towards thoughts of snow. She was occupied this morning with making snowflakes with cupcake papers, coffee filters and a pair of scissors. After scotch taping them to her bedroom windowpanes and the door she visited the magic of simple play snow.



The baby sweater.....completed and the cute buttons, that Rose chose this go round, sewn on snugly.The shawl collar was different, but it is what charmed me to this pattern in the first place. It would definitely only be practical on an older baby, but since he will be at least seven months old upon wearing it I believe it will do grandly.

Waiting ......now I can put my attention on the Baby Shower Tea I will be hosting for his mother on the first Saturday in March. If he only knew all the wonderful thoughts the "outsiders" are having about him.

Crackers and Crumbs

There is an old Shirley Temple movie appropriately called "Curly Top" in which she plays a gusty orphan and one of my favorites parts is her singing "Animal Crackers in my Soup". I can not eat crackers in my soup without this song reverberating through my mind. How delightful!


"Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
Gosh, O Gee But I have fun
Swallowing animals one by one."

For lunch on this blustery day that has turncoat and given us winter once again, I made chicken noodle soup. Of course without a doubt, I put crackers in my soup ( plain saltines are my preferred choice).

What about you....do you put crackers in your soup?


Now as for an afterthought crumb on this Friday, I must make a statement about laundry. It is frankly daily and I am truly thankful for my constant appliances that make this duty so much easier. After all I have read those Little House on the Prairie books regarding their laundry days. I once heard a woman of three teenage sons declare she would not have any problems if she did not have dirty laundry. As a young mother of one little one, all I could do was chuckle. I do not chuckle on the same level these days. And to make it even more interesting and complicated, I have older children that come back with their dirty laundry....loads and loads of dirty laundry.... and have Laundromat Day at my house. But their distinct idea of doing laundry is as far as the east is from the west from my grounded idea. Consequently, for the past two days I have lived with dirty clothes all over my laundry room floor. It is time to make a judgment here.....I will be For Hire to do laundry, if and only if the laundry is dropped off on designated days and it must by no means be more than a week's worth of laundry.....Good. Now that I have that all straight.......

Why must one have such a large supply of Shout? I counted four bottles! Dirty, dirty laundry needs, I presume.