Pop and Spark

This morning I decided it was time to start weaving on the Gilmore Little Gem again. It has been on "Time Out" because, well, I didn't have any bobbins wound.

I know, crummy excuse. Especially since I have a basket of Maurice Brassard 8/2 Cottolin weaving yarn that I haven't tried out yet.

 

 

For winding weaving bobbins I like to use the oldie-but-goodie Leclerc electric bobbin winder.

 

 

It makes the job super fast.

 

Smokin' fast apparently because the winder tried to burst into flames. Pop! Spark! Yikes!

 

 

Fortunately I did not burn the house down (no smoke, no fire).

I smartly wound the last bobbin with my trusty manual winder.

 

 

Yes, and after all the drama of the morning I did get a little weaving done.

 

Flow State

Last week Tuesday I received generous yarn donations from several Straw Bale Knitters during Spinners' Group. Wow, right?

 

 

It was a nice day so I set up my EEW Yarn Counter and Stanwood Ball Winder outside.

Receiving new yarn of varied texture, color, and fiber content makes the winding process oh-so-inspiring and fun. It was easy to lose track of time.

 

 

 

Chasing the Ladies

It's that time of year.

 

 

 

Friday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

True Fall

So everyone knows about Astronomical fall (September 22) and our Local News Meteorologists like to mention Meteorological fall (September 1).

The Man and I know it's truly fall when we start seeing tarantulas walking about: they're along the side of the house, in the middle of the driveway, and sometimes even creeping up the garage wall. Yes - eew - I know.

This year Tarantula fall began Tuesday, September 24th at 6:23 pm.

 

 

Corn, Corn

Yesterday's Produce box included four ears of corn and since I still have fresh corn from last week's box I followed the directions from, "So Easy to Preserve", to prep and freeze Whole Kernel Corn. ("Water blanch 4 minutes. Cool promptly, drain and cut from cob. Cut kernels from cob about ⅔ the depth of the kernels. Package, leaving ½-inch headspace. Seal and freeze".) Trying out the Souper Cubes.

 

 

 

More corn: Rancho Gordo's "Prepared Hominy White Corn Posole".

 

 

Soaked the hominy for 6 hours, cooked for over 2½ hours on the stove. It smells yummy.

Pre-Sale Prep

 The CCW Annual Sale is coming up the first weekend in November. Preparations are already underway.

 

 

Today at Spinners' Group we made Save-the-Date 2025 bookmarks to be given out during the Sale. After everyone left I found an additional 10 pages mixed in with blank card stock. I brought them home to cut them up and punched holes. We'll finish them up later by adding colorful fringe.

 

Fit and Finish

The sheep sweaters are knitted. Fitting and seaming are next on the list.

 

 

Alpaca and Llama wear in progress.

 

 

Hello Fall

 

9/22/24 6:26 am

 

Wooly Wear

 Off to a good start:

 

Friday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

First Rain

 So dramatic: thunder, lightning, double rainbows, and rain. Love it all.

 

Mangos

The produce box we received yesterday included California Keitt Mangos - from Coachella Valley.

Who knew Mangos could be grown in the CA desert?

 

 

Teamwork Y'all

Over the weekend I spent several hours winding Magic Balls, aka Scarf-in-a Ball. I aim to bring at least six Scarf Kits to distribute at our weekly Spinners' Group.

 

 

The Straw Bale Knitters are going strong knitting Charity Scarves for Handmade Especially for You. Last month our shipment included 40 scarves and 2 hats our best month so far. 

 

I have been receiving a steady flow of yarn donations from individual Guild members, Pass-it-Forward (anonymous) yarn donations, as well as cash donations to help defray postage costs.

 

Straw Bale Knitters, thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and especially your time.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate Y'all.

Naked Display

This morning I reorganized the spindle display again.

 

 

 It's a good thing I did because I found this:

 

 

A full spindle of Merino wool with two pinprick holes. Something - a critter - bit and burrowed it's way down into the spun singles chewing and destroying the handspun as it went. I know!

I quickly removed and bagged the wool and spindle and cleaned the area. Fortunately, I did not see or find any live critters or casings.

This evening I wound off the remaining three Supported Spindles and placed the storage bobbins filled with the Merino wool in the freezer. The singles I wound off were strong and intact, no thinning areas, no holes.

 

I am going to have to be more careful and not "display" my spindles clothed in handspun; naked is best.

 

 

So Chill

 All of a sudden it feels like Fall.

 

 

Saturday Read

 

Library e-book

 

Resident Turkey

Helping itself to the goat's food and water. Smart bird.

 

Right on Time

 SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg SFB @ 6:45 pm

Box and Buck

Yesterday's Custom (extra corn and extra Early Girl tomatoes please) CSA Produce box.

 

 

This evening I spotted this handsome fella slowly walking up our driveway. Unfortunately Mattie saw him too and gave chase.

 

 

 

Early Fog

 The Oh-So-Cool weather has returned. What a relief.

 

 

9/10/24 7:17 am

Monday Read

 

Library Audiobook