Saturday, January 31, 2026

Friday, January 30, 2026

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, January 29, 2026

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

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, January 26, 2026

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Friday, January 23, 2026

Thursday, January 22, 2026

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.

 

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Friday, January 16, 2026

Thursday, January 15, 2026

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 

 

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

New Fridge

Our new refrigerator was delivered last week.

 

 

 The Man had the old fridge ready to go.

 

 

I hope the new fridge lasts for a long, long time. It is very nice.

 


Monday, January 12, 2026