Tuesday's Box

 

 

Coming Soon: Potholders Revisited

Drats, I just deleted the entire post I have been working on this evening (and I can't get it back).

Here's a teaser photo till next time.

Sunday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

Saturday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

Friday Read

  

Library e-book

On the Couch

 Sitting on the couch, reading an e-book. No pic taken. Gotta go.

Best Case Scenario

I stand well away from the water spray and stinkiness emanating from the open hole of the septic. The dirty water has begun to slurp down the filter-less pipe, flowing onward to the leach field.

The Man holds up the slimy blackened septic filter and says, "When you see water coming out from under the septic cover the best case scenario is a clogged filter".

I look at my husband. He's wearing safety glasses, an N-95 mask, work coveralls, and rubber gloves that covers his arms entirely, almost to his arm pits.

I nod. Yeah, you're right.

 

   

 

Sit 'n Knit

Sitting in the sun, knitting dishcloths from a giant ball of Lily Sugar 'n Cream bits and bobs yarn is a good way to end the day.

 

 

 

Monday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

What's In a Name

Into the Whirled January 2026 Club Colorway "What's In a Name" 56's Combed Top (a blend of British breed sheep wool).

 

 

 

Saturday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

Adding Air

So fun, I used the Clemes and Clemes Mini Drum Carder with ITW "Telling the Bees" Suffolk sheep wool. 

 

 

Yes, the fiber is Commercial combed top and ready to spin but I wanted to introduce more air, more loft, and create a batt, à la Inglenook Fibers.

First I split the fiber vertically in half. Then I weighed out half-ounce sections.

Since I was already using smooth combed top I bypassed the feeder tray and the small drum and "painted" the fiber evenly onto the large drum.

 

 

Separating the batt with the doffer,

 

 

Removing the batt.

 

 

A fluffy half-ounce of fiber: a Mini Batt.

 

 

 

Thursday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

Wednesday Read

 

Library e-book

 

Tuesday's Box

 

 

Talley Farms Box:

"Minneola Tangelos

Bee Sweet Citrus - 8 per bag. These are a cross between a mandarin and a pummelo. They're exceptionally delicious, seedless, easy to peel, and equally have both sweet and tangy flavors!"

 

Monday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

Sunday Sky

 

 2:09 pm

 

 

 

5:32 pm

 

Another Spinner

 

 

 

 

 

For the Birds

Nest-building material

 

 

Friday Launch

January 16, 2026  8:40 pm

 

 

 

I watched the Vandenberg SFB rocket launch from our home driveway. The Man watched the launch while anchored in Santa Barbara. I am sure I had the better view.

 

Surprise

 First egg of 2026

 

 

Tuesday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

What If?

 

 

Sunday Sky

 

4:49 pm

 

4:51 pm 

 

Saturday Sky

 

7:16 am

 

 5:29 pm

 

Friday Read

 

Library Audiobook

 

 

Cortney's Calendar 2026

Phew. Now that the Fridge Fiasco has been taken care of I can finally put my new calendar on the fridge.

 

 

 

I was fortunate to get a Cortney Spillane calendar again this year. This will be calendar #4 for me. (Cortney Calendar 2025, and Calendars 2024 and 2023.)

In order to purchase a calendar I started stalking checking her website several days before Thanksgiving. In previous years Cortney's calendar has sold out in just a few hours. I didn't have to worry this year - she printed extra calendars - and it looks like she still has a few left on her website.

The calendars and the envelopes are beautiful. Cortney hand-paints a design on each envelope. This year it is an Amaryllis flower, amazing work of art.

 

  

  Floral stamps.

 

 

She even included a handwritten note.

 

 

Receiving Cortney's calendar is such a gift and a wonderful way to start the New Year. I think I am finally ready to begin anew.

Cortney's Instagram: Hand-painting the Amaryllis Bloom

Craft, Cook, Read, Repeat Podcast with Monica and Cortney