More Wool and Mutts

Just before Christmas my dear friend Heather (also my spinning mentor) sent me a marvelous package of fiber. It arrived - hand delivered to my door no less - on Dec 23, just in the nick of time. I could hardly wait to break into the box. Here are some of the wools she sent.

On the left is a grey wool from a Lincoln breed of sheep. This particular wool feels very nice soft and open. The broen in the middle is actually varigated with some lovely colors thrown in. The grey on the right is all natural - undyed. We aren't sure of the sheep breeds for the brown or grey on the right.

Here's a close up of the grey - about the same as my own hair color!. Sorry my tiny sample is out of focus.

This is a better view of the colors in the brown. Aren't they lovely? And the wool is incredibly soft!

Here like inverted commas are the mutts. That's May on the left and Breaker on the right. This is the corner of my sheet covered sofa. The sheets collect most of the dirt and dog hair and come off quickly so that visitors do not leave covered in "dalmatian tweed".

Smiles,

Susanne

Busy

Tis the time to be busy! Yep! Tuesday I was going to walk into town to drop in an Professor Sirpa Leppanen during her office hour so we could set a time to discuss my PhD idea (nebulous cloud needing a telescope to find the points). But she emailed to ask that I come at 11. so I had more free time in the morning.

I called Funlayo (my daughter) to ask if Kimmo (my son-in-law) was in town and with his car because I needed dog food (big bag from Vet). Any way this led to my walking to their place and she took me to the Vet and I bought the dog food. She then had to hurry off to get passport photos taken - they go to London on Jan 3rd for a conference - I stayed where I was and went to the local post office to get a package. Then it was time to hot foot it to my appointment with Dr. Leppanen. That took me from one part of town to another.

I arrived about 15 minutes early and waited. The meeting went well - we affirmed that my idea is interesting and nebulous and needs to become more focused and refined. And we have a simple plan that I will write up a proposal for this and send it to her by mid January and we will meet again afterward to discuss it further.

Then I hurried off to buy a few items and catch the bus home. At home I took the dogs and headed out for their walk. They wanted to smell everything and the walk took an hour! When we got home I quickly made sandwiches and gather myself together to rush off (via bus) to the Martta meeting.

The Martta is a women's organization here. I recently joined. I am in need of social contacts. Anyhow this group meets every other Tuesday at 3 PM and this was their "Christmas" meeting. There was a lot of singing Finnish Christmas songs - I knew some melodies but not the lyrics and fumbled through things as quietly as possible. Amazing how good everyone sounded though unrehearsed! Had coffee and goodies (try rolling some sharp or blue cheese in gingerbread and baking!) and "crowned "saint Lucia" ( the eldest member this time) and her 6 attendants).

After this I hurried to the bus (again) and went home to get ready for the deepening program at my place. It was almost a relief to be the only one there!

Wednesday I was busy getting ready for a presentation that Funlayo did for Forever Living products (which she sells). I'd had to defrost something in the freezer to make room for other things and discovered that Id defrosted two small containers of pumpkin - just about enough for one very small pumpkin pie, so I made the pie and baked some store bought frozen goodies and cleaned and....

Today (Thursday) was going to go to the university Library (one plus hour walk) but will be babysitting 2 of 4 grandkids tonight and walking to and fro, and decided that I would do on line research at home and also catch you all up on why I don't post more often. So my walking time is here with you and now it is time to do that research.

Keep your heads on straight it tis the season to be "busy"!
Smiles,
Susanne

Ants

The movie, Ants, was cute. But having ants in the kitchen is not cute. This morning I killed at least 100 of them and am trying to wash residual traces of honey off the various honey jars I have (cinnamon honey, ginger honey, regular honey, garlic honey, and Lingonberry (urva ursa) honey). They also like syrup - but not molasses.

Anyhow I do wonder what the local Ant News reports - new weapon of mass destruction now seen at... How would they decribe my thumb or forefinger decending on their family members?

Two weeks ago ants were not in "residence". Then the weather warmed slightly and in they came to forage for the winter. This is the second winter they will be occupying "my" territory. They vacated the premises last spring as soon as the ground thawed sufficiently. To keep them to a minimum I need to keep the kitchen almost spotlessly clean, the garbage emptied, and not allow bits of food to fall on the floor or for stickly little hands to leave ant-attractions all over the chairs or table (after a wonderful pancake breakfast the other day my daughter and I each washed the table and all the chairs. I also did the floor).

Smiles,
Susanne

More wool and knitting

A year ago in the Autumn I was busily spinning the wool you can see below. I - the person who does not (did not) knit - was going to make socks for my grandkids. You've seen the earlier pair of socks. Anyhow I wanted to spin "enough" yarn this time. As before all this came from different breeds of sheep. The black is from a Finnsheep named Robot who lives in Petäjävesi. It took me hours to clean Robot's wool which was loaded with debries. I persisted partly because it is Robot, and partly because it is Finnsheep, and partly because it is black and partly because the wool itself had potential. The brown is from a ManxLoghtan from England. I probably mentioned earlier that Manx is a rare breed and that my first exposure to Manx convinced me to spin and made me go to extreme lengths to get more of this wool (and nearly drove a few friends and acquaintences nuts in the process). The tan is not showing it's potential here. It is Coburger Fuchsschaffe (Coburg fox sheep) from Germany. It reminds me of making oatmeal cookies and has red kemp scattered throughout that looks like cinnamon among the tan and cream wool. The white is Osterfriesies Milchshaffe (East Freisian milk sheep) from Germany and my dear friend Gisela. All of these are rather harsh and the yarn is definitely thick.

Recently my wonderful sister Robin sent me a box full of knitting books that she had inadvertantly inherited with the purchase of her new home. She also sent Elsie Davenport's classic on Spinning which does indeed have a few tips I have not seen elsewhere. On Wednesday evening (26 November, 2008) at the regular Puikkoset (needlework group that I go to) I began knitting a pair of socks. When I got home I couldn't help going through the knitting books again. One of which (45 Fine and Fanciful Hats to Knit by Anna Zilboorg) I was seeing for the first time as I'd loaned it to my dearest daughter Funlayo more or less the moment it arrived. In it I found this oak leaf motief. It is 10 stiches across. Each of my four needles has 10 stiches....

So I switched from doing the planned color stipes to trying this motief. Now I am wondering if this is going to be "socks" or a sweater. In any event it will be WARM. The oak leaf motief will continue on the other side of the black "branch." I have other 10 stich patterns from other books lined up and pages marked to try also. I think I am about to enjoy knitting!

Smiles,
Susanne

Long time busy

I wanted to begin with something witty: Like the ice on the ground Wednesday or the whipped cream snow that covered things on Thursday and tripped me when I stepped in a snow hidden pot hole and went sprawling, or about all the chocolate cake I've been making - quadrupled a recipe for Devil's Food cake and served 50 + I had fun in a large industrial kitchen with a mixer more appropriat for mixing cement... but it worked.

I aslo wanted to have something amusing to relate but I can't think of anything. But I do have a few pictures here Well that's one of Lilja at the top. She was learning to make the spinning wheel work.





And this is Sofia with my other wheel. Again you can't tell that anything is happening. Both are just learning to make the wheel spin consistently and without wasting energy.






And this is of our friend Shervin and Joakim. It was taken on November 12, 2008.

At least you know I'm alive.
Smiles,
Susanne

Socks

Here are the first set of socks I made from my handspun yarn. I learned a great deal in making these. First I learned about how important it is to spin a consistent yarn. And I learned about overspun yarn - the sock on the left is almost all overspun and like "rope" the one on the right is only overspun to the "foot" - the little dip is where the yarn changes to a nicer softer spin - that unfortunately was still not "consistent" - the thickness varied.

BTW all the wool comes from four different breeds of sheep. The white at the top cuff is Romney. Then comes Manx Loghtan - a rare breed. After that is Finnsheep. I am iritated that I didn't get the color the same for both socks. The bulk of both socks is Ramboullet. Of these, my favorites are the Manx and the Ramboullet.

I also learned how to make socks... or maybe I should say I learned how NOT to make socks: this being a good example of how not to make socks! But I did learn how to do some jice invisible yarn joins! The heel needs to be deeper and... well, I won't bore you. These will probably go to Sofia or Anisa (grandgirls #2 and #3 respectively). Hopefully they will not be too uncomfortable to wear!

Yesterday I finished weaving a body snug - picture to be forthcoming next time. I think it might be size 2. The color is neon fuschia (my own term for this vivid pink). I HOPE I made the neck opening big enough! I am making up the pattern as I go which is scary.

Smiles,

Susanne

Movie -time

My goodness how time flies! Sorry for my absence. I hope you have been busy enough not to miss me too much.

Thursday I had dinner with a dear friend. I looked at a lot of delicious recipies in the collection of cookbooks she had. The frustration was with one book that explained in detail how to decorate cakes - they did not actually include the directions for the cakes. Ah well. I do not need the cakes anyway - and the decorations involved a LOT of mazipan! Anyway, after a good dinner we watched a movie: Beatrix Potter. I am sure most of you remember her charming books - Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck and so on. This is a glimpse into her life and how she became "published." It's a good movie, well-done, yet a bit of a "culture shock". You can watch it without fear of being embarrassed or beaten up.

But of course there is more to the film or I would not have titled this blog "movie-time". This movie has real potential as a discussion topic, especially in families with children ages 10 -12 and up. I found myself reacting strongly to Beatrix's situation when she wanted to marry. I do not want to give the whole plot away but the issue has to do with parental consent. If parents watch it before sharing it or if they watch it together with their offspring be prepared for many feelings to flare up over this issue and be ready to discuss them carefully afterward. I think this can lay ground work for some much needed level-headed thinking from all parties when the kids actually do want to marry. Of course we must also keep in mind how times have changed. But, just because times have "changed" it doesn't mean all changes are an improvement...

Why? Well let me give you a good example. Just last week I did something I have done many times before. I bent over. I felt a vaguely familiar "pop" in my side - the same "pop" I have felt when breaking a rib (same rib, this is the third time). This is a "change". I do not like this "change". I know it will heal, but I really would have preferred that it hadn't happened. On the other hand, it is a good reminder to take my calcium!

This brings me back to the movie. It is good and clean. It has some magic due to the vividness of Miss Potter's imagination and the realization in the film. It has charm due to the period and the clothes and manners. But it also has emotional impact and distress that can lead to some very good discussion - if one already has good communication with the younger set. It also has some predictable events.

What I wasn't prepared for was how strongly the film influenced me. I was ready to be pleased and entertained. But I was not anticipating my strong reaction to parental consent to marry. It kept niggling me until I could not resist writing about the film -hopefully without giving away too much.

So, what else have I done? Well in brief: I finished knitting a second sock (spun the wool myself) and now have a pair to fit one grandchild (I think it will be Sofia (#2) or Anisa (#3)). I finished making the phone pouch for my daughter (woven), I finished weaving half a sleeveless jacket - and will need to do some work on it, and I rewarped my Ashford Knitter's Loom to try making a quick dress for a child... Oh yes, I baked a pumpkin and have the pulp in the freezer awaiting need in a pumpkin pie. Again, for those in America, pumpkin here in Finland comes, in season, as a "pumpkin" and it is not yet available canned - until one does one's own preserving! Just like them "good ol' daze!" And I mean daze which is what those memories are.

Smiles,
Susanne

Apples

Sunday evening the family (that's my daughter, son-in-law and four grand children) returned from Helsinki and came to my place for pancakes. They brought me about 20 kilos of apples (about 40 pouunds for those of you not on the metric scale) and a kilo of sugar. Monday I armed myself with my two biggest cooking pots, a bucket and a knife.

The dogs took a vigile on either side of me hoping for some fall out as I began quartering and coring the apples. Finnish apples are not big like the commercial ones generally seen in stores. They are what would be considered "small". These are what the purists would know as "heritage" apples, even though they were once widely grown in Finland I have not seen this type, "punakaneli" (red cinnamon), on the commercial market as trees to plant.

Anyhow I sat and quartered and cored apples all morning, tossing quarters alternately into either pot. Yes, the dogs got "some" but much less than they hoped for and they eventually left me to my task. When the smaller of the two large pots was full I concentrated on filling the larger pot. I managed to knick my finger with the knife and paused to hold my hand over my head until it stopped bleeding - no blood in the apples. Finally the bigger pot was full and I could think about cooking the apples - I still have apples to quarter and core.

I juiced four lemons adding juice from two to each pot. and turned on the heat. Then I grated a knob of ginger for the smaller pot and shook a liberal amount of cinnamon in the larger pot and added about a cup of sugar to each pot and waited. When they were boiling I stirred and finally took my potato masher and used it in the pots to hurry the process. Later I could turn off the heat and took the dogs for a walk.

When I returned I ladled the apple sauce into clean jars. Fortunately I had just enough big jars to manage this amount of apple sauce. Nine jars. I didn't need to take out the army of pesto jars that are waiting occupation (I have about 30 of them). There was about two "cups" of apple sauce left over in the big pot and I used that in an applesauce cake - slight modifications to the recipe in the Joy of Cooking. For dinner the dogs each had a big handfull of apple cores - they think it is wonderful, seeds, stems and all.

So that's what I've been up to. Today I have been "flicking" wool, tomorrow I'll be carding it and I fully anticipate spinning it next week. More on that later.

Smiles,
Susanne

What I've been up to

Last time I said I'd been sick and had taken out a package from my birthday, So today I thought I bring you up to date with that project.

This is a stack of silk hankies. There is about one and a half ounces (45-50 g) of them here, and they are about an inch (2.5 cm) high. Pretty colors don't you think?

Here you see four of them. One of tehm has been almost pulled away. Next step is to pull the one off and then apart by separating it from the middle outward and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g it. It is not elastick put it sort of pulls apart and that's the idea. After that comes the knitting... and the pattern called for 5 repeats. Wow dit I get lost with that one. So I decided I would try to learn to knit the pattern. I chose some wool I'd spun and this is what the pattern looks like with just two repeats.

It doesn't look so bad at all - until you see it in the silk. This is after I ripped out the first attempt and redid things with just three of the patern... and suddenöy I found I had more stiches that I should have and .... anyway.

I think it looks moth eaten. I will keep at it. Maybe it will turn out better when there is more of it. I have to admit the dog fur is driving me crazy! It keeps "adhereing" to the silk. Meanwhile I have also been spinning. Here's the last picture for today. Lovely skeins of wool just out of their "setting" bath and now "drying". The colorful one is the same stuff as the knit peice above - in case I want to knit more of it - merely practicing, you know. The Grey is Romney (a sheep breed), and the brown is Merino - you all know that is a sheep breed!

Wow it's been a while!

I realized today as I lazed on the sofa that it's been almost a week since I posted anything here. So what - you might be asking - has been keeping me so very busy?

Um, well I don't know.... Let me think. I did some spinning last week and this week - trying to get ready for a pre Christmas sale somewhere, sometime and hoping that something will appeal to someone....

But no, you're right, that has not taken all my time. It seems that I was very busy on Saturday -but I can't remember what I was doing, so it was probably just routine things like cooking dog food and baking bread. Then Sunday I was desperate for a pineappple Upside down cake recipe, found one on the Internet that sounded good, made a copy and went to make the cake... only to find I didn't have half the ingedients according to the recipe... so I started substituting stuff. It came out okay. We were doing a hush-hush celebration of a friend's birthday (she doesn't like to celibrate). Once that was in the oven, I made cheese horns. I took out a jar of Cloudberry jam that I'd made and tucked that into my basket as well. The cake came out and went into the basket, the Cheese Horns went into the oven and when they came out it was time to go.

We spent the day at a lovely "cottage" (a wee bit too large for that nomer in my book but "what's in a name...?" as the immortal Bard asked) on a lake where all we saw was beautiful fall color and a family of swans overhead. Well one of us saw, a wee bit to close for comfort, a Finnish adder and got bitten. He had to go to the hopital and was fine. The day ended with the usual roasting of various Finnish "sausages" (we had bratwurst).

Monday and tuesday I was fairly busy with various "Work" things but in the evening I knew I was getting sick. Very sore throat. Today it has been worse - which is why I was lolligagging around on the sofa thinking of this blog while trying a project a dear friend had sent me back in May for my birthday. I will take a picture or two -for laughts - when it shows a bit more progress.

Smiles,
Susanne

Still learning this game

I am still learning where to find things in the blogging environment - they are not as self evident as I thought they would be.

I didn't post anything yesterday because I had so many things to do. Last night was my "knitting" group. We call ourselves "puikkoset". That is Finnish for "needles". Most use knitting needles but some use crochet hooks, one uses a tatting reel, I use drop spindles and looms (and knitting needles) and some use sewing needles. We meet every Wednesday evening in each other's homes. Last night we met at Pirkko's. Pirkko is a doll-maker and has won international awards for her dolls. This is a picture - not the best one, sorry - of Pirkko and one of her dolls. Next week Pirkko will teach tatting to many of us. I will not be able to go then.

When I got home from Puikkoset, I walked the dogs. It was a beautiful night with the moon (half moon) hung low in the sky and surrounded by a haze of mist. The mist meant it was getting cold. The moon always looks so big when it is low on the horizon like that.

This morning I spent spinning. I need to make many different "hanks" of yarn for sale. There is a "fair" coming in November and I need to spin enough to sell - at least I hope some of it sells. If it does not sell then I can always make something with it.

Here is a picture of me. My daughter took it last night too. I wove the scarf you see on my shoulder.

Gorgeous weather today

Walking the dogs at 5:30 this morning showed the stars in their glory. I use a path between a lake and the back of some houses. Eventually the path leaves the lake and continues up a small hill between the back yards of houses on both sides of the path. All the way it is somewhat wild and "woodsy". There are only a few "lights" at path intersections. Fortunately I know the path well enough to usually avoid tripping over uneven ground in the dark.

At 8 I began doing laundry, hanging it out to dry. The morning has stayed sunny and there is a good breeze. I collected some leaves that were by my front door and put them on my vegetable patch. I'll dig them into the soil.

More later.
Susanne

Life with a blog

I'm new at this, but that's alright. Everybody is new at everything the first time they do it.

This blog is for my friends and family to be able to "keep up" with me. For starters let me say that today I walked into town that would be a round trip of about 18 kilometers. But I detoured when I was leaving town because I had forgotten to go the post office, so I walked along beside the lake and went to another post office. It made my "trip" longer than if I had turned around and gone back into town, but it gave me different scenery to look at. I suppose that brought my walk up to somewhere between 2o to 24 kilometers. And when I got home I walked the dogs! Whew, am I tired.

The past 24 hours or so have been rather stormy, sporadic rain but mostly just windy. Fortunately the weather is otherwise mild. The wind does make walking in the rain with an umbrella a bit of a challenge. So far my red umbrella covered with Dalmatian puppy decorations - a gift from my sister after her exploits in China - has withstood everything so far.

I'll post more another day. This is enough to get started.