Trimming the Trees and Feeding the Soil

 

Today I trimmed more branches off my Locust tree in the front garden.  After the green waste bins are collected tomorrow, I can refill them with the branches I cut today.  I should be able to finish the tree Thursday.  It is always such a feeling of accomplishment to get that completed.  It’s great exercise, and doing it myself saves me a tremendous amount of money.

The tangerine and navel orange trees have been providing delicious fresh fruit every day.  I gave my fruit trees a top dressing of compost.  It makes such a difference in the flavor of the fruit.  The rain soaked it in nicely.

I made my second loaf of sourdough bread yesterday.  I put it in the oven after spending the afternoon at one of my knitting/crochet groups.  It is a tasty loaf, but did not come out sour,  like my first one.  I think I need to let the starter sit in the oven for 36 hours to get that  superb flavor.  The recipe said just three to five hours.  It seems to take time, like cheese.  This one did have a better rise, though.  I used a tad more yeast.  It still came out with a wet spot in the center.  I just put it back in the oven.  

How are things with you?

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Healthy Routines for Seniors

 

During retirement, you have the whole day ahead of you to plan and seize.  You have time to go for a walk, to hike, cook nutritious and satisfying meals, or engage in your favorite hobbies.  Yoga before bed is my favorite routine.  It stops any numbness or tingling in the extremities for me.  It just requires commitment and effort.

This week, I am making my first loaf of sourdough bread.  initially,  it felt like too much work.  To my surprise,  I am enjoying the process of stirring the starter, replacing the plastic wrap on the glass bowl, and covering the project with a dish towel.  The wet, sticky dough is methodically bubbling and developing.  Tomorrow I will add the flour, knead the dough, let it rise, and bake it.  The anticipation and growth is very satisfying.  Bread is so ancient and universal.  It will be a treat to dip it in some extra virgin olive oil and salt.

I recently canceled my streaming service.  Instead, spending time gardening barefoot, knitting with groups and at home, and reading Barbra Streisand’s autobiography have become my new chosen  activities.   It is such a relief to choose healthy, talented company.  How are you using your free time?  Does it suit your needs, your soul and personality?

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Baking Cream Scones

 

Today I tried a King Arthur recipe for cream scones.  It was a much easier one to make, than others I’ve sampled. Theresults were fantastic!  You don’t need to cut in butter, mix eggs with cream, or any of the other American techniques. (that I found in Martha Stewart’s recipes.)

This version makes twelve scones, so I plan to roll out the second half of the dough and store the triangles in the fridge.  First I will brush them with heavy cream and then sprinkle them with sugar.  They baked up nicely in my vintage toaster oven.  I served the, with strawberry rhubarb jam.  Heaven!

As a child I thought I didn’t like scones.  The ones that our San Mateo bakery sold were huge, dry, crumbly, and stale. 

I finally tasted scrumptious scones after fifty at The Simpson House Inn, and then again at Hotel  41 in London.  Enjoying them at the cottage, out on the front porch makes me feel like I am on vacation.  What are you baking?

Why I Don’t Want to Live Off Grid

 Recently I have been watching shows  like Homestead Rescue, and YouTube videos of people attempting and struggling with their dream of grid living.  What most of them don’t realize is how expensive and exhausting it is.  I personally greatly appreciate having electricity, snow plow services, Internet, septic,  gas and water.  

These conveniences make it much easier to do chores, cook, and keep your food from spoiling.  They also provide safety, space, organization, and cleanliness.  Personally, I think many of these back to the land people are simply drawn  to the pull of nature and a majestic mountain view.  When I moved into my cottage, a yoga student described the yards here as “having just dirt and rocks, and nothing growing.”  As you can see in the above photo, I planted a front garden, and now have an inspiring cocoon.

After seeing my backyard orchard, some of the neighbors planted their own fruit trees.  They look stunning, especially when they are in bloom.  The trees have room to reach upwards and stretch. The couple who live behind that white fence bought their home and land, improved and remodeled the house, and turned the acreage into an alpaca farm!  My neighbor and I get to enjoy watching the peaceful animals while eating meals and drinking coffee on our front porches.

We can hang our clothes to dry in the sun, cook and bake from scratch, and enjoy a hot bath before bed without transporting ourselves to a remote location with no amenities.  Sometimes it is better to keep what you have and improve it.

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Making Your Own Sweet Potato Tortillas

 

Last week I tried a recipe for sweet potato tortillas.  The ingredients are simple: baked sweet potatoes, flour, and salt.  I used one cup of each, with a half teaspoon of salt.

The dough came out a beautiful pastel peach color, and it felt elastic, even though there is no yeast in the recipe.  I patted small ball of the dough onto my floured cutting board. Using a dry cast iron skillet, I cooked the flat bread up quickly.

I was thrilled with the result!  I layered  the above quesadilla with grated Tillamook cheddar cheese.  They keep well in the fridge.    I cut the recipe in half.  You can use two cups and of flour, sweet potatoes, and a full teaspoon of salt if you have more mouths to feed.

Let me know if you try them.  Some people use spelt flour.  I just scooped out what I had on hand.  They are fantastic!  My gluten free neighbor turned me on to them.  

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No Frills Grocery Stores Save Money in Retirement

 

The other day I realized that I needed to buy another package of butter before the upcoming rain and snow in California.  I also had run out of fresh cilantro.  I stopped by our local market.up  A box with  four cubes of Danish Creamery butter was priced at $8.99.  Cilantro was $1.79 a bunch.  I was glad that was all I needed.  You will pay much more for food in a resort town or village.  However, the convenience is excellent, especially when it’s snowing.

I do most of my shopping in the city  at Aldi.  I love the simplicity and low prices there. I stock up on necessities, and transport the food in reusable bags up to the cabin.  This week  I baked an apple crisp, reheated taco leftovers, and made rose hips tea with honey.  Making a family sized casserole, and enjoying single portions of it works for me.  It’s inexpensive, healthy and convenient.

The glamorous grocery stores in LA have Starbucks coffee shops, fancy displays, and everything you could possibly need.  You pay for all of that, though.  Shopping at the discount stores saves me nearly fifty percent.  Over time, this really adds up, since food to prepare at home is a need for all of us.

Where do you buy your groceries?

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Preventing Fraud

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of your who celebrate it.  I just made this persimmon cake.  It's very moist and flavorful.  I gave some to my neighbor who loves persimmons.  My one tree gave us a huge harvest this year.  It had hundreds of Hachiyas.  I still have more fruit at the top of the tree to pick.  It's difficult to reach, so I will buy a fruit picker with a basket on the end.  It's so rewarding to plant a baby tree and have it continue to produce and feed you decades later...

As a senior, I have been shocked at how much fraud is occurring in our society, much of it by phone.  You have to be extra diligent these days.  It's wise not to answer calls from numbers you don't recognize.  If they hang up and keep calling you, that's a red flag.  

The other day a woman called here, claiming to work for a well-known health insurance company.  She told me they were updating their records, and asked for my birthdate.  "I don't give out that information over the phone," I answered, matter of factly.   She quickly thanked me and said raced off the phone, nervously.  

Whether it's protecting your cash, investments, land, home or possessions, our intuition is an excellent predicter.  I utilize my cameras, listen to the dogs, (and check why they are barking,) and I don't carry a phone that has my information stored on it.  A simple senior flip phone is fine with me.  The alarm is on 24 hours a day.  I have some excellent neighbors who keep a close eye on my place and I do the same for them.  We call each other if we see anything suspicious and take video.  

Have you experienced any fraud?  Did you catch it in time?

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Cooking Delicious Food

 Yesterday I made another batch of seasoned chicken wings and small drumsticks.   My mom used to prepare them as appetizers for her fancy dinner parties.  I don't know if women entertain the way she did anymore.  That was a different era.  People would get dressed up, and go to each others houses for drinks and supper.  She would cook the poultry with butter, salt, and white pepper.  It tasted amazing!  The flavor was perfect, and the chicken parts developed a lovely brown color on theirskin.  

I basted this batch in olive oil, and seasoned the meat with garlic salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, chili powder, and white pepper.  I used the spicy olive oil that was left in the pan as a sauce on a few baked potatoes.  Yum!  Absolutely delicious!  It really makes a difference to cook food that you love, and to choose the spices and flavorings that excite you.  It also feels good not to waste.  Normally, I would have poured the chicken drippings into a grease pan, eventually freezing it, and dumping it in the trash.  Using them on the spuds gave them an entirely new and a delightful  flavor.  My family has a long history of heart disease, so I felt better about substituting the olive oil for the butter.  

This morning I made my mother's tuna and noodle casserole recipe.  I wanted to get my cooking done early, so that I didn't heat up the cottage.  We are expecting a heat wave.  I even prepared my dinner salad before noon.  I ate half of it for lunch, with the leftover chicken from last night's dinner.  Cold chicken is one of my favorites.  

Have you been cooking or baking lately?  What's happening in your kitchen?

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Would You Bake A Pie For One Person?

 

I met up with my neighbor this afternoon, and we were discussing what we were baking and preparing for Thanksgiving.  She enthusiastically told me that she was making her pumpkin pie with a butter pie crust, eggs, and whipped cream.  She looked so happy and excited that it made me go home and do the same thing. 

I used to make pumpkin pie for my mom, my brother, and I, when I was growing up.  Just a few of us in the family liked it.  I would make a fruit pie for everyone else, too.  (usually apple or berry.)  My mother was always so appreciative when I made them, telling me that my homemade crust was much better that the store bought pies.  It does make a difference.  So does the freshness.  She'd have me bake the pies the  day before Thanksgiving, , then on Thanksgiving morning, we would cook all day together.  My dad always helped.  ( and he did the shopping and dishes.)  We started early, chopping onions and celery for the stuffing.

I  baked an apple crisp yesterday, but decided to go ahead and make a pumpkin pie today, too.  Why not?  I had the ingredients. I whipped together the eggs, sugar, spices, pumpkin, and canned milk.  It brought back memories of making this dessert for so many years for my family.  I rolled out the homemade crust, and placed it in a beautiful hand painted pie dish from Poland that used to belong to my mom.  

 After placing the pie dish on the rack, I carefully poured the pumpkin mixture into the shell.  Ever so slowly, I inched the wire rack back into position, closed the door,  and let the pie bake for one hour.  I wish my mom was here to have a slice.  As I carefully removed it from the oven, I told her to help herself, if she was listening.  You never know, she might be around...  "It looks so pretty," I felt like she whispered back to me.  The filling had come together, and the top was lightly browned.  When you come in the front door the cottage smells buttery and delightful.

I'll enjoy it tomorrow, after the stuffed chicken with all the trimmings.  All of the side dishes are already made.  I may give some pie to some of the kids in the neighborhood, if they want it.  I will ask a couple of the women who live on my street.  It will last in the fridge.  How is your cooking going?

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Shopping at Cost Plus World Market Felt Like a Trip to Europe!

 Today I was researching prices for a Mamamango, an Italian moscato that I adore.  Cost Plus World Market came up on the search, and it showed an excellent price.  I decided to drive over there and see what they had.  I hadn't visited the store in nearly twenty years.  The last time I went I was with my parents.  I got my first loveseat for the cottage there.  It was so soft and comfortable.   

Boy was I in for a treat!  They had all kinds of Christmas goodies on display.  I bought a tin of award winning Swedish gingersnap cookies.  They are called Peppar Kakor.  They definitely deserve that award!  I had a few earlier this evening, (well, actually I had more than a few, but they are small wafers...)and they are addictive.   

I browsed through all of the gourmet foods; it brought back so many memories of when I was living in Europe as a professional dancer.   I splurged on a bag of Lavazza espresso, a bottle Torani vanilla syrup, and  several bottles of moscato in different flavors: mango, cranberry, and cherry.  The prices were better than I found at Target.  I really am turning into my mother.  I never thought I'd be one of those women with a shopping cart full of wine.  I also was given 15% off for joining their membership club, which was my excuse.

I plan to return and buy my Christmas gifts there.  It was so much fun to read the labels from all of the different countries where my friends and I toured together.  They had German cider and Christmas glog.  I got such a kick out of reading all of the festive labels.  One lady was trying to find something for a woman who she described as "a real snob."  I chuckled.    

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The Rhubarb Is Teeming With Life!

As some of you know, I have tried to grow rhubarb in the past, but without success.  I've always wanted to grow it.  It's not easy in our climate.  This year, the stalks are starting to swell, and it is nearly ready to harvest.  I am thrilled.  You have to wait for two years in order for the plant to develop the size and vigor it needs.  The first year they are kind of spindly.  They look like celery. 

the smaller ones on the right are new growth

I put these bulbs in last winter.  Because we've had a wonderful rainy season, the plant seems much happier is very vibrant.  Fortunately, the temperatures haven't been too high.   I feed it homemade compost tea, and  mulch it with straw.  The red wiggler worms have done an excellent job of nourishing the soil. 

a nearby apple tree in full bloom

It looks like I will be able to bake a rhubarb crisp in the near future.  It is usually very expensive in our grocery stores, so I am super excited to finally be able to produce it.  Have you tried planting rhubarb?

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Cake For My Neighbor

Today I baked an old fashioned yellow cake using a recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook.  It's simple and classic, and includes butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and baking powder.  You blend the ingredients on high with an electric mixer.  I was thankful to have all of that list in my stockpile.  I have been reading Depression recipes for cakes that people used to make when they had food shortages.  In my case, I make an effort to be sure to use up what I have before it expires.  The rest of the milk needs to be used by tomorrow.  I will make a cream of cabbage soup.  I can adapt the broccoli cheese soup recipe that I have.

I had a carton of whipped cream in the fridge, and I wanted to use it.  I was planning on making a batch of lemon curd, as well, but I just didn't have the energy.  I decided to keep the cake simple, and see how it tasted.

I whipped the cream and added vanilla extract and sugar.  I spread it over the top of the cooled cake, and added some colored sprinkles.  I was very pleased with the effect.  Baking a cake in a large, rectangular pan is so easy.  I like the square slices  and the way they look on a plate, too.

I called my neighbor and asked if she would like some; she is always very appreciative of cake.  She go all excited and said that she needed a treat.  That made me feel so happy.  It's the little things that we can do for each other.  I left a very large piece in a pyrex container by her door.

I think the child inside of everyone gets excited over the thought of enjoying a slice of homemade cake.     

I have been getting requests for a few things that I just can't do right now.  People have been asking me for soap, ballet classes, and masks.  I just have to say no.  I feel badly, but it's too much.  We have to stay home.  I''m not able to take photos  on my mini ipad, either.  I don't have the storage space.  I deleted a lot of stuff, but it's still not working. 

I will still be posting regularly on the blog, but not always with photos.  I have been feeling a bit  pressured, and I'm just trying to not worry about the things that I can't control.   It's easy to get overwhelmed with this pandemic.  I'm just taking things one day at a time, and focusing on cleaning, cooking, baking, and the garden.   Are you feeling pressured and getting requests from people, too?


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Baking Apple Crisp and Doing Yoga at Home

Today I decided to use up the bag of Granny Smith apples that I bought a couple of weeks ago, and to make an apple crisp.  It's a delicious dessert that I bake a few times a year.  I peeled and sliced the apples, added the water, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and then mixed the sugar and flour with a cube of butter for the topping.

The aroma of it baking in my vintage oven reminded me of Mrs. Hutchinson.  She was my favorite neighbor when I was a little girl.  She used to make apple crisp  and she topped it with frozen Cool Whip. Her husband and I loved it!  We would sit at the table by the window and enjoy it together.  She always sent me home with a bag of Pippin apples, already sliced, and instructed me to keep them in the freezer.  I would make the recipe for my family, and bring some to her.  She was a wonderful and patient teacher.

I have been doing yoga each evening, and it's really helping me to calm down during this pandemic and to get centered.  Lula loves it, too.  She wants to lay all over me when I'm practicing.  I am so glad that I studied and taught yoga for so many years.  I started when I was very little, following Lillias, Yoga, and You on the black and white television that my family had in Seattle.  I would put on my black leotard, grab a chair, and follow her class.  I absolutely loved it.  Still do...it seems to induce a deep, comforting, sleep.

What are you doing for exercise while we are all staying at home? 

Do You Have the Gardening and Cooking Skills To Get Through The Coronavirus?

Today I drove to the new  store around the corner from my cottage and bought some zucchini plants, herbs, rhubarb, a tomato bush, and a hot chili pepper plant.  I picked up a few more fruit trees.  They carry Dave Wilson's, (which are my absolute favorite.)  They are the best quality I've found.

I planted the raspberries, fig tree, and Aronia berries.  The soil is rich and fertile.  I added some homemade compost, and filled the holes with rain water that I had collected.  I topped them off with  straw mulch.  I think the main reason my front garden is flourishing is that I applied a thick layer of straw before we had our first rain.  We are in a flood zone, and the straw soaks up the water like a sponge.  It also attracts red wiggler worms to the soil.  They turn is for me, so I don't have to get out there and dig.

Tomorrow I will plant the Anna apple, nectarine, and peach tree that I purchased.  I also picked up a Santa Rosa plum.  Those do very well here.

This afternoon I made a batch of peanut butter cookies from scratch.  It is a relief to have plenty of staples in the cupboard.  I bought a dozen fresh eggs from my neighbor.  They're beautiful.  She has a flock of chickens.  Snow White hasn't started laying again. 

From what I hear, staples like flour, yeast, and sugar have been sold out this week at our local grocery stores.  I buy in bulk to save money, but I didn't expect for the shelves to be empty.  Thank goodness my mother trained me to stockpile.  I think having a garden with plenty of fruits and vegetables will really make a difference.  We need to be as self sufficient as possible.  The compost pile has done an excellent job of nourishing the soil.  I put all of my food trimmings in there.  Coffee grounds, carrot tops and peelings, potato skins, apple cores, and egg shells are all tossed into the pail.   It's so much easier to grow produce when your soil is rich with nutrients.  How are you faring in these times?  Please let me know. 

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Do You Know How Much You Spent Last Year?

I have been tallying up what I spent in all of my categories for 2019.  It's been very interesting.  I felt like I had been very frugal at home, and then splurged on travel, taking a big cruise to Europe, and driving to Las Vegas a few times to visit  friends.  Still, I wasn't quite sure exactly what I had spent.  I decided to examine my statements and start computing the totals.

I worked out a bare bones budget for what it could have cost me to live at the  cottage last year, without any luxuries.  (By this I mean things like fancy trips and restaurant meals.)  It looks like it would have cost me just under $20,000.  I'm pretty excited about that amount.  I own my home, so I don't have to pay rent or a mortgage.    I am very careful with my gas and electricity usage.  The cottage is small, so it's easy to heat and cool.  I turn off the lights when I'm not in the room, and layer clothing and blankets to save on heat.  All of those things really make a difference.

peeking into an impressive  courtyard on a bicycle tour of Mallorca

Suze Orman mentioned on her podcast today that she wishes women would downsize when they are younger.  If you live in a smaller home, drive one car that isn't leased or overpriced, and have inexpensive hobbies, life can be much less stressful and expensive.  My car is twenty years old, and I combine my errands and try not to drive more than a few days a week.  I have lots of soft hand knits that I have made over the years, and I wear them constantly.  They are warm, and made of excellent quality wool, and they will last for decades.  I take care of my shoes, and wear slippers and hand knit socks at home.

I ride my bike every day, and enjoy hiking in the warmer weather.  My hobbies are cheap.  Knitting from my fabulous stash, writing, blogging, reading library books, and cooking and baking keep me busy.  I also buy groceries in bulk and grow different kinds of fruit.  It all makes a difference.

Cannes, France on a rainy day from the tour bus window

I make my own soap, and give that and various baked goods as gifts.  The ingredients for the cookies, quick breads, and cakes that I give my neighbors are from my stockpile.  I use cards from my mom's extensive stash, and I buy Christmas cards on sale.  One box usually lasts me a couple of years.

Later I will add up the expenses that were luxuries.  Travel was a biggie, but I paid cash for my trips, and did that carefully, in advance.  I get a friends and family discount on NCL through my friend, and research the deals for several days.  I still don't have television, and I don't miss it.  Reading blogs is enjoyable, and I enjoy keeping in touch with everyone.  Do you know what you spent last year?  Did you stay within your budget?  I hope you did. 

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Baking A Birthday Cake

Yesterday I baked a birthday cake for a little boy I know who was turning five.  He is just adorable.  I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, and he answered, "White, with chocolate brownie frosting."  I giggled at his description.

I found an old vintage recipe for a cake made with butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and baking powder.  My electric mixer had finally died, so I stirred the batter by hand.  I used a wooden spoon, like they used to do before everything went electric.  My chicken has been laying again, so I used two of her fresh eggs.

The frosting recipe that I chose is a truffle frosting.  It has whipped cream, melted chocolate chips, and Karo syrup.  You simmer all the ingredients on the stove.  After chilling it for two and a half hours, you whip the chocolate mixture.  It's really divine!

The cake was a hit.  I gave pieces to several friends and neighbors.  One sweet little two year old girl said to me, "Thank you, Grandma," as she smiled and ate her piece.  It was so cute!  I have never been called Grandma before; no wonder grandparents fall in love with their grandchildren.  It's so enjoyable to share the simple things with them.  We sang "Happy Birthday" and watched the birthday boy blow out the candles. 

I think having a slice of homemade cake brings out the child in all of us, even seniors.  It's been years since I had tasted a freshly baked cake.  The parties I attend usually order a cake from a bakery.  It was worth the effort.  Do you still bake cakes for birthdays in you family?  

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Therapeutic Sock Knitting

The other day I started a pair of Hermiones Everyday Socks.  I tried  making this pattern once before, but I messed up the eye of the partridge garter stitch edged heel. I  ended up frogging them.  This time I decided to do a pair  in just one color.  It's easier than changing balls of yarn to making contrasting cuffs, heels, and toes. I'll work up to using a second color the next time I do this pattern.  It's a free and very popular one on Ravelry.


So far, so good.  I goofed up the heel the same way I did the first time, but ripped it out and started again.  I had forgotten to start  on the wrong side. I should have known, since the instructions said to pearl to the end of the row. It's very relaxing and soothing to knit outside on the porch again.  I also love to get at 5:00 a.m., light a beeswax candle, and knit on the couch with my coffee.  Socks are one of my favorite projects.  This one has texture, but it's still fairly easy.

I baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies and took them to some sweet little kids in my neighborhood.  I also did my grocery shopping and splurged on some new and exciting foods.  I made fettuccine with a tomato meat sauce, and plan to bake rhubarb crisp tomorrow.  It's amazing how eating new foods jazzes up  life.  I bought some red grapes on sale for .99 a lb.  They are a rare treat around here.  I am out of butter, so I will pick it up in bulk at Costco.  They have it at the best price.

I stopped at the library and checked out a couple of books. I have been reading a lot about retirement.  Now that my parents are both no longer living, I feel like I am in a new phase of life. I don't have to worry about them anymore.  I didn't realize how much energy I expended in that direction until now.   I feel like I have taken flight.  The retirement preparations have gone into effect.  There are many plans for adventure in the works.  How are things going with you?

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Appreciating Your Yard

beeswax, shea butter, and olive oil lotion bars

After visiting some homes in Ojai last week, it made me look at my own house and garden with new eyes. This is the view of my backyard from the kitchen window. I planted all of the fruit trees when I bought the house, in 1998. They have grown and matured. I love the canopy of greenery that they provide.

view from my writing desk

This afternoon I sunbathed out in the backyard for an hour. It felt so healing to feel my body against the earth, and to soak in the rays of sunshine. It reminded me of when I was a little girl, and my mother would always take us to the Elk's Club.  My brothers and I used to swim at the pool each day. We loved it. Soaking in the sun always makes me feel healthy, sensual,  and vibrant.

Yesterday I made another loaf of The New York Times No Knead Bread. It's such a delicious recipe. I add 1/4 teaspoon of red wine vinegar to mine. It gives the bread a mild sourdough flavor. I just love having homemade bread at home. It's such a luxury, and is so inexpensive to make. All you need is the time and a few simple ingredients. This recipe uses flour, salt, yeast, and water.  

I have been digging up weeds in the yard for an hour each day. I find that using a shovel makes it easier. I have 1/3 acre lot, so each year it's a big job. I'm making headway, though. I like to visualize having a pool in the center, flanked by the fruit trees. I think that would be a wonderful addition, and there's plenty of space. Maybe someday...How's the weather where you live?

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Making Natural Soaps With Colored Shavings

Yesterday I made a batch of soap using Crisco, olive oil, coconut oil, coconut milk, sodium hydroxide, and blueberry fragrance oil. I grated up a bar of pink hot processed soap that I had made last Christmas, and stirred it into the batter.  I am dying to cut the bars. I need to leave the loaf in the freezer for one more night. I also have to make sure that the soap defrosts  before cutting. If I don't, the bars will crack. Ask me how I know...(I learned these things the hard way.)

I experimented with putting some green shavings of soap into my last batch of Coconut Dream soap.  I was initially disappointed with the way they looked, but after using them, the green color appears. I think they would be fun for children.  The look and texture of these makes me feel happy.I love the pale pastels of milk soaps.

I also baked a blueberry lemon tea bread the other day. My neighbor had given me a huge bag of  fresh Meyer Lemons from her tree. I squeezed them with my Braun electric juicer, and poured the juice  into ice cube trays. I don't want the lemons to go bad. This way I will have enough lemon juice for the rest of the year. Lemons are very expensive in the stores. My own tree hasn't given me any fruit in the past few years. This morning I noticed several blossoms ready to bloom, so I am hopeful.

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Blue Carbeth Sweater Knit With Icelandic Wool

I heard from my friend today who wants me to knit her a turtleneck sweater. We are choosing the yarn. She loves cashmere, but it is very expensive. She wants a very soft yarn, so I suggested alpaca or an alpaca/merino blend.

I decided I better hurry up and finish my Carbeth sweater. Today I joined the arms to the body, and am working on the yoke.

I'm very pleased with the color. This is my first time knitting with Icelandic wool, and it really holds the shape of the design well. It's going to be a  closer fit than the first one I made, I think. Using a different yarn gives the sweater an entirely different look. I'm sure I will get a lot of use out of it. It feels like it will last forever.

I baked a batch of lemon bars today with some delicious Meyer lemons that my neighbor gave me. They are so tangy and flavorful. I used extra lemon zest in the recipe.  I rarely bake anymore, because I am so paranoid about triggering arthritis. It's such a relief to be pain free again. I can always share them with my neighbors down the street. Yesterday one of the little boys I visit asked me about the present that I had promised  him. I explained that he had already opened it at Christmas. I will try just having a small amount of these lemon bars each day. They are already calling to me... no more sugar today.  How are you?

Thank you for your comments. They add so much talent and energy to the blog. Please comment in English. I'm sorry, but comments with links will not be published. If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.