A Little White Baby Sweater With Eyelets

A few days ago I started working on another newborn sweater. It's very sweet. It has a v-neck, and several rows of eyelets. It's another  free pattern. Here is the link to the blog. It's called the Baby Eyelet Cardi. I've been enjoying the pattern. It's pleasant and meditative.

 
I love making baby clothes, because they knit up so quickly. It's exciting to see things get finished in such a short time. I plan to make some booties to match this, since I will have plenty of leftover yarn. It was given to me by a lady in my knitting group. There is something so fresh and innocent about white. It will suit either a baby boy or girl.

Yesterday  I picked from my stash  this lovely skein  that I bought myself for my birthday last October. I had planned to make another Lost In Time shawl with it. It's perfect for the hot weather. I think I will knit a shawl instead of crocheting one. I love the colors. It's a mixture of cotton and acrylic. I find that I wear shawls over sundresses for several months of the year. Now that it's getting to be so hot, I will switch over to a cotton blend. Most of the shawls that I have made are  a combination of wool and silk. One is alpaca. I'm becoming one of those shawl ladies. They are really fabulous as you get older. They cover all the right places...

 Sheepjies Whirl looks like a lot of fun to use. I am looking forward to watching the colors change as I knit. This shade is called Slice O' Cherry Pie.  It's a tough decision sometimes, whether to knit or crochet... 

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Keeping Up On The Garden Chores

This morning I got outside early, trimmed off the dead sunflowers, and cut some for a small porch bouquet. I  also  cut  back the periwinkle. It had gotten out of control. It's an invasive plant, but has pretty flowers, and it does well in the drought. I may pull it out and replace it with oleander, which needs very little water.

The navel oranges are doing very well. They are still my favorite variety. They are so juicy and delicious. They will be ripe in about six or seven months. I've been keeping the soil cool with a layer of straw mulch.

The pomegranates are already splitting. I'm not sure why, it could be the lack of rain. I will have to strip the tree, and feed the fruit  to the chickens. Otherwise, the rats will come and hollow out the fruit.  I think I will buy a Wonderful Pomegranate. They seem to do well here. Several of my neighbors have them, and their fruit doesn't split. Mine looks gorgeous when it's in bloom, though. Each Spring it is covered with bright red, tubular flowers.

The tiny blood oranges on the branches turned black, shriveled up,  and dried up on the tree. This variety usually produces oranges every other year, so I guess that's Mother Nature's way of helping the plant to conserve its energy. I will keep it fed, mulched, and watered. It gave me a large crop of delicious oranges this year. Patience...

The hummingbirds love this gopher plant. It does seem to do the job of keeping the gophers out of the front potager garden,  thank goodness!  I think the hawks have greatly reduced their numbers, too. We have several nesting nearby. It's a very healthy ecosystem here. The vibration and sounds are calming.

I've been meaning to post a photo of the finished set from The Five Hour Baby Sweater. I think it's so sweet. I am looking forward to showing it to my knitting friends next week. It's so old fashioned. I am working on a new white  baby sweater now. It's fun to use the baby yarn in my stash that was given to me. I feel fortunate to have inexpensive hobbies. Library books, gardening,  bike riding, walking the dog, and knitting all keep me feeling balanced and happy. How was your weekend?

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Saving Money, And The Security It Brings

As I've gotten older, I have gotten better at saving money. Working from home really helps. I used to spend gobs of money on gas, car repair, music for teaching, training, and dance clothes. Now that I write from home, I don't need any of those things. My clothes last a long time, and I don't get tired of them. I wash them on the delicate cycle, and hang them on the clothesline to dry. I buy and make clothes that I really love, and keep them for as long as possible. I have always appreciated and respected quality clothing.

Since my cottage is tiny, I very rarely buy  "things". I prefer to spend money on experiences and travel. Since I was a young girl,  I had always dreamed of traveling in my fifties, like my Aunt Mary.  It feels like the perfect time. She planned a couple of trips per year, and always looked forward to them.  I really appreciate the cruising lifestyle. It's so convenient to have everything you need on the ship, and to not have to lug your bags everywhere. I am already researching my next voyage. There's a cruise to Australia that sounds amazing!

The hens have been laying eggs nearly every day. They share the nest box; it's so sweet. Having them saves me money on groceries. I find that I eat less meat and poultry, now that I have a steady supply of fresh eggs. I love the ritual of gathering them in the early morning light.

I have cut out certain things in order to save money. I don't have t.v., and  drive very short distances. I combine my errands into one trip, and I don't eat out at restaurants. I would rather spend that money at the end of the year on a trip. That's when I will  splurge on  restaurants, which I really enjoy and appreciate. I do order a cup of tea or a muffin at one of my weekly knitting groups, but I don't have a full meal. I cook and prepare everything at home. It's been part of my routine for years, since I bought my cottage.

I try to keep six months of living expenses in savings. I actually  feel best with $20,000. in savings, but  am working my way back up to that amount. It's a safe feeling to know that if something in the house breaks, or if the car needs a repair, I have the cash. I budget $3,000. a year for home repair and maintenance, so I generally don't have many unexpected problems. This year I spent a lot of money on tree trimming, adding a redwood fence, and draining my septic tank. It was a rewarding feeling, though. These are things that have to be done, just not that often. I am planning to retouch the exterior paint soon, too. I think the heat is very hard on it. The sun beating down seems to cause the paint  to crack and peel.

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More Baby Booties

I finished another pair of baby booties yesterday. This was my first attempt at knitting them. They match the Five Hour Baby Sweater. Today I worked on the bonnet. It's almost done. I love knitting these small baby projects. They are challenging for my mind, yet still entertaining and easy. The end result is very rewarding. I sent a photograph to the woman who gave me the yarn. She was pleased, and thanked me for sharing.

For the past few days, my back has been threatening to spasm. I'm not sure why. It's been years since I've had this sensation. It must have been the three hundred and eighteen spinal flexes that I did the other night while practicing Kundalini Yoga. Fortunately, it hasn't shifted into a full blown spasm. Hopefully  it will release and relax.

The garden is looking lovely. Sitting near the flowers always relaxes me. I had a neighbor over for coffee this morning. We enjoyed the birds and cottage garden atmosphere. The zucchini plants should be producing well very soon. It's been extremely hot here, but we are still comfortable. I just love our shady porch. Walking Lula after the sun goes down has been  enjoyable, too. How are your flowers doing?
  
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Another Article in Dance Magazine

This article is now live at www.Dance Magazine.com. Here is the link  It's a piece I wrote for dancers about the importance of knowing your type. Although it was written with  performers in mind, it also applies to those in other fields. Sometimes it helps to see things from the perspective of the person behind the table.

Last night I picked the first zucchini. It was tender and delicious. It's so rewarding to grown and cook food from your own garden. Whenever I have skipped growing zucchini for a season, I have always missed it. It's so delicious and reliable. I love how green and nutritious it is.

This morning I worked on the finishing of The Five Hour Baby Sweater. I just need to block it. I'm so pleased with how it turned out! The detail and colors make me smile. Now I just need to find a newborn baby girl who lives somewhere that is cold while she is still tiny! 

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Old Friends and a New Baby Sweater

I've been working on the Five Hour Baby Sweater this week. I adore the pattern, and plan to finish it tomorrow. It's my first time knitting a baby sweater, and it's so much fun! I was given the yarn by a woman in one of my knitting groups. It's so pretty and colorful. It's called Jelli Beenz, by Plymouth Yarn.

My friend from childhood received the stroller blanket and booties that I made for her grandson. She was so excited and appreciative. She sent me a photo of the socks that I knit for her. They fit perfectly. That made me smile. It's very rewarding to knit and crochet gifts for people who love and use hand crafted items.

I drove out to The Holiday Inn near Disneyland today, and had lunch with an old friend. We toured together thirty years ago with the Broadway show, My One And Only. We were both Rockettes and danced in 42nd Street. She worked on Broadway and choreographed for the Rockettes.  It was really heartwarming to sit by the pool together, catch up, and have lunch. I got to watch a couple of videos of her twins. They are both very enthusiastic about dance and performing.

I zipped home in time to take Lula for a long walk, and catch up with a neighbor. I picked up a couple of books at the library, and plan to read them on the porch tomorrow. How is your weekend going?  

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Remembering Liliane Montevecchi

I wrote an obituary on Liliane Montevecchi for Dance Magazine that is now live. Here is the link.  Please let me know what you think.

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Pastel Baby Booties

After finishing the crocheted stroller blanket for my friend's grandson, I decided to whip up a pair of matching baby booties. I love the variegated yarn, and thought it would look cute with a lavender chained tie. I had that yarn in my stash, as well.  This was my first time making booties. I found a simple pattern on the Paton's website. They are very quick and easy. It reminded me of making adult slippers, but in a miniature size. These will fit a baby who is six months to a year.

Here is  a closer shot of them. I packed them up and sent them off with the blanket and socks this afternoon. It felt so good to get everything in the mail. I can't wait to see a photo of the baby in them! He isn't due until October.

I made a batch of Rosemary Olive Oil Soap for Pink Cottage Soaps. This is part of an order that's going to New York. I had a problem with a partial gel and tunneling in my last batch, so this time I popped the loaf right into the freezer. I like the look of this soap recipe when it's sliced. You can see the flecks of dried rosemary in the pieces that way.  I'll post photos tomorrow, once it's cut.  I'm enjoying using this silicone mold (mould) that I bought on Brambleberry.  I worried when I bought it that I wouldn't get much use out of it. I was wrong. It's very well made, and I love it for the swirled colorful soaps, and those made with dried  herbs.

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Finished the Baby Blanket and Had the Septic Tank Pumped

I finished the baby blanket this afternoon. It's so soft and sweet. I love the color. You can find the pattern here. I just love it! I am excited to mail it to my friend. I may crochet him a pair of baby booties, as well. They look pretty easy and quick.

I love the variegated shell border. I had the solid blue yarn in my stash, but bought the variegated yarn to make it special. I love the Easter egg pastels next to the robin's egg blue. I think my friend will be very pleased. She does a lot of babysitting for her grandson. Her daughter is a nurse, and  works long hours.

I had my septic tank pumped today. I had to hire a separate person with a camera to locate the tank. It was an expensive ordeal, but very worth it. Unfortunately, the camera person tried to overcharge me. I did some research on line, and showed him my calculations. Although he agreed to drop the price, and refunded me $700.00, I still was overcharged $600.00. It's unfortunate that some repairman will take advantage of a homeowner who is a female. I had called several companies, and they weren't responding.

In retrospect, I should have listened to my intuition, and insisted on a detailed, written estimate. He was acting like there were problems with two other tanks, and that wasn't true. 

I did a lot of research on line, and found out that I had taken excellent care of my septic tank. The problems the man with the camera was describing were fictitious. I didn't have any of the signs that would indicate they were true. The tank was clean and dry, and the water level was normal. He told me that the tank was full of water, and acted like it was an emergency. It turns out it is supposed to be full of water. The men draining the tank gave me an honest assessment. 
 
It was another lesson in home ownership. It's so important to do your due diligence. Fortunately, the tank is now emptied, and I have a new cap with a riser. It's easily accessible. It feels so good to have it done. I am so glad that I had that emergency fund. Next time I will schedule this with my other repairs. It should be fine for at least another five years.       

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Another Baby Blanket and Cool Evenings

I started a baby blanket today. It's going to be  for my friend's grandson. He is due in October. This is the stroller blanket that I usually crochet for gifts. I had the yarn in my stash. One of the ladies I used to knit with gave me several balls of baby yarn that she didn't need. It's so nice to have a variety of colors and wool available for gifts. It saves me money,  and provides hours of enjoyment. I had forgotten how meditative crocheting is. It really relaxes me.

The Hermiones Socks are coming along well. I completed the gusset today. Now it's smooth sailing. I just need to finish the foot and the toe, and then will do the second sock.  It's a different toe  than I have done in the past. Following the pattern will make me think. Sometimes I like doing patterns I know well, because it is pretty stress-free. I try to keep a balance of challenging projects and easy, simple knits. I still need to finish that Carbeth sweater. Some of the knitters on Ravelry were knitting it in four days. I just can't deal with alpaca when the temperature has been over 100 degrees. I think I'll wait till it's cooler. No wonder I was calling it Carpark.

The evenings have been cooler. I enjoy sitting out on the patio and watching colors of the sky shift and change. Each time I exercise Lula,  I walk by my neighbor's  horses and goats.  It gives a nice feel to our street to have farm animals. So many of the residents have chickens. You can hear the roosters crowing each morning. I love the sound of the hens squawking after they lay their eggs. It's the perfect natural  music to listen to as I drink my morning coffee. How are things with you?

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Then Hens Are Still Laying In This Extreme Heat

I have been checking on my hens regularly, because the weather has been extremely hot. It has been 105 degrees here in  Southern California. Yesterday it was 115 in Newport! I've been giving my chickens frozen watermelon, and putting ice cubes in their water. It seems to help. Unfortunately, the ants LOVE watermelon, too. Oh well.   Today I received two eggs! I was thrilled. When I used to keep chickens, they always stopped laying in the hot weather. I thought that  it was natural.  My neighbor, (who sells eggs,) taught me that if you keep feeding your chickens lots of fresh fruits and vegetables over the summer, and change the water daily, they will keep laying. She is right, and I am so pleased. The fresh eggs are wonderful and nutritious.

Snow White has been sitting on her nest constantly. She makes a purring sound, and seems very content. She still lays regularly, though. Silkies are very good mothers. I think she is trying to hatch that golf ball that I put in the nest as a dummy egg. I love that honking sound that they make after laying. I join in the chorus with them, and they look at me like, "Did you just lay an egg, too?" I've read that it's their signal to the rooster that they are fertile. The whole process fascinates me. It's so healthy and productive. They inspire me to grow more food.

I did a lot of work on my sock today. Unfortunately, I misunderstood the pattern, and the heel is facing the wrong way. That's okay, I'll fix it. Knitting is like life. You have to correct your mistakes. I went down to a size zero needle for the heel, because these socks were looking so big to me. I tried them on, and they fit. I'm used to ribbed socks, which have a more elasticized leg. It's a pretty pattern, though. I'm enjoying it. I forced myself to try this heel pattern, which is a new one for me. If I had listened to my intuition, I would have fixed the mistake right away. I felt disoriented. Oh well. Ravelry is great for asking knitting questions. I received several helpful answers. What a fantastic resource it is. How is your weekend going?

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Textured Socks

I started the Hermione's Everyday Socks pattern today. I combined a couple of the colors of Tofutsies sock yarn from my stash. This is a fun and easy pattern. It's free on Ravelry. You can find it here. I've just done a few repeats of the four row pattern. I love it. If any of you sock knitters would like to join me, I'd enjoy  hearing from you. I knit plain socks for years, and am just getting into patterns and texture.

I unmolded  a batch of Shea Butter Goat's Milk Soap today. These are the cameos.

And these are the sheep. They're so cute! I got the molds at Milky Way Molds in Portland, OR. I love the detail. I have two large batches that will be shipped to New York. These are curing on the racks now. The fresh rosemary from my garden is drying for the next one. It's an unscented Olive Oil Soap with rosemary.

I have added a long walk to my daily routine. I notice a big difference in my legs already. Nothing works the muscles like dancing, but every bit of exercise helps.  Do you walk regularly?  

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Hand Knit Socks For a Friend

I just finished these socks for a friend of mine from grammar school. We met playing on the monkey bars when we were seven. She has tiny feet. I measured these to fit her size 5 1/2 shoe. She admired the yarn when I used it for an ipad case. I had plenty left over to make her a pair of wool socks. I'm excited to give them to her. They are a surprise.

I worked on them while I was in Big Bear. I love bringing socks along when I travel, because they are so portable. I decided to do a K2, P2 rib on this pair. I continued it on the top of the foot to add a little texture. I'm pleased with how they turned out, it's just enough of a pattern. It was simple but meditative.

I brought  my own coffee maker with me to the Motel 6. My dad told me that when they first opened the rates were only $6.00 a night. The room was clean and simple. They provided American coffee in the office. Having gourmet coffee in the room always feels like a treat to me. It also saves money. I've had this little one cup coffee maker for twenty years. It really comes in handy. You just plug it into the wall. I brought along freshly ground vanilla nut coffee and some cream and sugar. I love delicious, quality coffee.

I knit a short row heel on this pair.  For some reason, all I feel like making  these days is socks. I have a stash of sock yarn, and with this hot weather, I prefer the smaller projects. Knitters say that sock knitting is addictive, and I think that is true. They also make such excellent gifts. I've given the last three pair that I knit away, and all the recipients have been so appreciative. Do you knit socks?  

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Unmolded the Goat's Milk Soap

 
This morning I unmolded the goat's milk soap. This was the Martha Stewart recipe with Crisco. I was eager to see how it would turn out; it popped out of the molds very easily. I have learned to be patient, and to let the soap completely harden. The center one was one that I tested too early. I will keep it as a sample.

I finished up the article on knowing your type for Dance Magazine this afternoon. I added  my editor's changes, and included a few small tweaks of my own. I am really exited about this piece.  It's advice that I believe will help dancers pursuing a career on stage.  I will post a link here, once it's published.

A raccoon got into my homegrown artichokes  the other night. He or she decimated three quarters of the stalks and flowers on my largest plant. I chopped them up and threw them into  the compost bin. Gardening has so many unexpected challenges. Oh well. "Win a few, lose a few," as my Aunt Mary used to say...

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Big Bear Village

The village of Big Bear is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. It reminds me of Carmel by the Sea. They have a movie theater, and many specialty shops. There are very few chains, which was a welcome sight to me. Small businesses seem to be thriving in this community.

Away from the smog of Los Angeles, the sky is blue and clear. The trees are large, green, and healthy. The air is crisp and clean. Something about being in the mountains always inspires me. The buildings blend in beautifully with the landscape. They old pines add so much charm and benevolence.

I took a side street up towards the cabins.This one caught my eye, nestled in the woods. I'm sure it's lovely in the winter, when everything is covered with a blanket of snow.

There were flowers everywhere! The hanging baskets were filled with allysum and petunias. Snapdragons bloomed in the raised beds. It's amazing how much a garden can help with inviting customers in to a shop. There is something so beckoning about carefully tended  flowers.

     
 As we headed home, I sighed at leaving the beauty and charm of Big Bear. Once we arrived, I immediately got to work in my own garden, transplanting seedlings, feeding the vegetables, and giving all of the plants a drink. It's the daily care and attention to detail that gives a cottage that special vibe.

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