Merry Christmas

Mt. Moosilauke

 Well, I made it here... finally! A few days late.

I'm enjoying a wonderful and magical festive season, I hope you are too. But has the time flown! Where did the last three weeks go to? I must say I'm noticing the short days more this year than ever before. Is it just me, or have the days actually gotten shorter? Someone said it's probably age related. The nerve. But the time between sun up and sun down sure does go by quickly (not that I experience the first 2 or 3 hours of sunlight.)

I thought I might get my yearly Christmas Eve video finished and uploaded yesterday but by the time I got around to working on tidying it up, it was already mid evening. It's uploading now, as I write this. I started making a virtual open house on the night before Christmas when the pandemic hit. There was a possibility I would forgo making one this year, but inspiration came, and not only that but I made one recapping my whole day. It's a half hour long! Hope it's not too boring. There is a mix of live sound, music, and voice over. Since several sections were filmed when the birds were awake I had to cut much of the sound. I have tried to be sparing on voice overs. Link to it is below. Best viewed in full screen mode.

Since I didn't get my tourtière (French Canadian meat pie) made yesterday, I made it today. The filling was finished yesterday so all that had to be done today was make the pastry, assemble the pie, and bake it. It's a traditional dish for which there are many recipes. I make something very similar to what my mother made. So delicious!

I use a pound of ground pork, a pound of ground beef, a shredded potato, a shredded onion, lots of allspice, lots of pepper, salt, and bay leaf for the filling. It simmers a few hours on the stove top. My standard pie crust works just fine for this pie: 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup butter, 1/4 cup shortening, 1 tsp salt, 1/3 cup water.

Then I made some mince pies this afternoon. The mincemeat is some I canned up a few years ago. Absolutely scrumptious! There's a healthy dose of brandy in the mince.

However you celebrate the holidays, I hope they are magical and beautiful for you.

Christmas Eve Open house video  ... (due to low lighting it's best watched full screen) :

The twist

 The 'twist' part of 'twistandvibrations' refers to adding twist to fibers, i.e. spinning.

My great wheel has sat upstairs--partly under my bed--for too long. Out of sight, out of mind. That's partially because one of the legs was so wonky that it would often collapse. I brought it down stairs last night and used plastic wood filler to make a repair and had it up and running this afternoon.

I want to get proficient at spinning on this wheel. To be sure, it's a joy to use, ever so quiet and smooth, and with it's minor's head (an accelerator gadget that takes the rotation of the great wheel and multiplies it by several factors) it spins f-a-s-t.  It increases the ratio of the spindle to big wheel to around 230 to 1 (one rotation of the big wheel will turn the spindle 230 rotations!).

The minor's head.

For this go around I'm using some multi-colored Merino top that I purchased at the NH Sheep & Wool last spring. In order to spin it 'woolen' with a long-draw technique such as this wheel requires, I'm carding it into rolags (fluffy little tubes of carded wool). The resulting yarn will likely be semi-woolen as these Merino rolags are not entirely randomized. I'm mixing this with a grey colored Shetland/Alpaca/'Bombyx (Bombyx is domestic silk) blend that is truly woolen.

There are primarily two types of yarn: Woolen and Worsted. In woolen yarn, the individual fibers are all mixed up going every which way. It is lofty and very warm. In Worsted yarn, the fibers are combed so that they are all parallel to one another. When spun, it is very strong and warm (not as warm as woolen, though).

Before carding the Merino, I'm separating it into solid color blocks. I will spin a colored rolag followed by a grey and alternate throughout. I'm hoping the resulting yarn will knit up into a cool looking speckled fabric. I want to knit a cardigan.

I don't name my tools. I know a lot of people who name their sewing machines and spinning wheels and pianos, but not me. But sometimes I think this wheel should have a name. She's got a personality. She will throw her drive band now and again. It's a bit of a jolt when everything's been going smoothly, and it seems I might be getting better at it. Whop! Off it flies. I think it's due to the minor's head not sitting tightly enough on it's peg. I need to research how to prevent it from loosening and twisting because that throws the alignment out between the big wheel and the head.

The 'vibrations' part of 'twistandvibrations' refers to music, of course.

I took a break from the cello, I really needed it. I spent the summer focusing intently on some new piano music. This morning I sat down with the cello for the first time in several months. I've really missed it. Playing cello is like having another voice. I was afraid I might have lost some technique but much to my delight that is not the case, not much anyway. I guess it's like riding a bicycle. To be sure, the finger pads on my left hand need to redevelop some calluses. But that won't take long.

I feel I have started a new chapter on the piano. I'm working on pieces that once seemed far off, and I'm so, so happy about it. Last fall I learned Debussy's "Reflets dans l'eau". I want to make a video of it one of these days. This summer I started learning Ravel's "Une Barque sur l'océan", from 'Miroirs'. I can now get through the whole piece, meaning I can read all the notes. Quite a way to go before it's finished. Funny things about this music, it looks daunting, but it turns out looks can be deceiving. Some of what sounds hardest is easiest to play! Some of what looks hardest is easiest to play! Case in point is a chord written: B#, E, Fx, B# (B sharp, E natural, F double-sharp, B sharp). When the mind sees the pattern those notes make on the page, along with the 4 accidentals, well, my mind just stops and wonders what the... Turns out this chord can be written a different way (if the key were different): C, E, G, C!! It's simply a c major chord. LOL. So, the looks of the music can be off-putting or discouraging but I'm learning to not let those things get in the way.

There is, though, one real toughy page and it's tough because of the harmonies. Very unfamiliar with some dischord. In my book, it's the fourth page. But it's coming along, slow methodical, repeated work on it. I hope to have this ready to play next spring.

I also read through Ravel's 'Jeux d'eau' a few weeks ago. I've looked at it before. Not easy, but more within reach now than before. I hope it will come together after I'm done with 'Une bateau...' And after that I want to tackle Debussy's 'L'isle joyeuse'.

All this music is so beautiful and blissful.

We had some snow fall this afternoon . . .

A New Door

First snow on October 30, 2020

We are predicted to get our first substantial snow fall of the season tomorrow evening, 4"- 8". I planted my tulips bulbs today and set a rose back in the ground in a new location. The rose was dug up a few weeks ago and it sat covered until I finally got to it. Tomorrow I will need to get the deck cleared and all outdoor living furniture under cover.

I made a terrible mistake with last spring's tulips which I dug up some weeks back. After they'd sat in the sun to dry the earth that still clung to them, I put them in a bucket and forgot about them. Sadly, I discovered this afternoon that fungus had set in and most were softening and spoiling. Oh dear. Lesson learned. I salvaged some of them but most had to be tossed upon the compost pile. Luckily, I had 24 new tulip bulbs that were ordered this summer and they went in. Looking forward to some 'Apricot Beauty' and WFF Perennial Pink next spring.

With the very generous help of my neighbor, there is now a new door leading to the back yard from the entry room. Yay! I'm very glad it happened. I did most of the demolition myself and was feeling confident that I'd be able to get the new door in myself, but upon hearing my drill and saws, my neighbor came over and went right to work. Most, most thankful. He built the stairs for me and all I need to do now is frame the door on the outside.

Wow, what a convenience! I used the new route this evening to bring in wood for the evening and it was a true luxury to be so close to the door. There's a wood bin in the entry room that I can fill which saves me from having to go outside if I'd rather not venture into the cold. I have to say, though, many is the evening when I look forward to going out to the wood pile at 11pm, or so, just to take in the beauty of moonlit nature. It's magical.

There wasn't much sewing this week. I finished the golden ring, and cut out the pieces for the 'geese-a-laying' and that's it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

More construction

 

Pudding cake just come out the oven... yum!

Recipe for the pudding cake: Chocolate Pudding Cake

The latest construction project, which I'm attempting on my own, is replacing a window in the entry/shed room with a door. As you can see from this picture, I've already removed the window and just beyond is the end of the wood shed. Putting a door here will allow me to exit the kitchen, turn sharp left and out the door for quick access to the wood. That will save me from having to clear a path through the snow all the way around the shed.

I found a pre-hung door at the local Habitat for Humanity for just $100 (edge of it is visible on left of picture). Today I took measurements and decided what I need to do next. My neighbor has offered to help if I need it... thankful for good neighbors. I hope to have this done by end of week and then I'll have to do something about stairs outside. May opt for a temporary solution this winter and deal with the stairs in the spring.

I made three potpourri with the materials I gathered from the garden. All experimental, so I did not make great quantities. I used powdered orris root as a fixative. A scant tablespoon for each, to which I added drops of essential oils to create the scents. This was mixed with the dried material and is now in air tight containers under the desk in the dining room to 'cure' until Christmas time. The following one will likely be my favorite. It's scented with balsam and Christmassy aromas. The tiny pine cones are not from my garden.

This one is quite appropriately scented with Arabian rose oil. I purchased the vial of oil many, many years ago in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. A deep, sensuous scent. Some of these petals may have come from bouquets that I allowed to dry out. The purplish flowers are fuchsias and the small yellow ones are 'Tête-à-tête' daffodils.

Finally, the last one is scented with a mixture of 4 oils to create a light, flowery aroma. I need to work on the formula a bit. When I get it down, I'll post my recipe.

The last of the Beatrix Potter characters is done! Tom Kitten is the eighth and final pattern in the set I purchased. I need to find a small straw hat for him. In the meantime I've used a small round straw 'cap' that I had in a set of doll house accessories. I do have a pattern for Peter Rabbit and will make him too, but first I want to get on finishing the Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments I started last year: I had made days 1 through 4.

All eight characters are done and boxed until the tree is put up in December.

At work on day 5 of the 12 days, a golden ring:

I need to get in the garden this week and plant my tulip bulbs! Luckily, it's warming up and will be comfortable for the task by end of week.

I think I'll do a post soon about the music I'm working on.

Pantry is done

The first fire of the season. Lit it three nights ago and it was allowed to go out during the following day. I re-lit it the following night and last night as well, but today I continued to stoke it as it was only in the 30s most of the day. There is nothing like radiant heat; so enveloping and soothing. It makes me happy.

The Tailor of Gloucester is almost finished. I just need to secure his glasses and attach a small bell or bead to his tail!

Only one character remains: Tom Kitten.

The pantry is done! Almost... I want to get some shelf paper for the shelves. I have some very pretty vintage paper but I'd rather preserve it than use it. My neighbor suggested photocopying it and using the copies. I may do that if they can copy it down at the UPS store. What I have is one long strip. I have a printer, and I could scan a portion and repeat it, but home printer ink has become prohibitively expensive.

I'm also going to paint a little decorative border along the partition that separates the broom closet from the pantry. As you can see in the picture below, I took some space on the right side of the original pantry to make a broom closet as I did not have one. The pantry shelves are now narrower, but since I put five of them on euro glides I was able to place them closer to each other. Originally, there were five shelves, now there are seven with room to grow on the bottom. I'm quite pleased with how my DIY turned out. The gliders were a challenge, especially since the walls aren't entirely straight. I put a motion sensitive light on the ceiling within to help illuminate what was once a very dark space.

The partition between pantry and broom cupboard was constructed with wood that was removed from the living room this summer; the shelves are the original ones that I cut to size and supplemented with a few pieces left over from past projects; the paint was also leftovers from a previous project. The only things I purchased for this make-over were the euro glides and some construction screws.

Happy November!

New slippers

 Continuing with all the fall chores this week. Most of the 2 cords of wood that sat across the yard all year has been moved to the shelter; there's about one wagon load left and that will get moved tomorrow. There's almost 3 cords in the shelter now with another 2.5 cords left to bring in. Two of those were delivered just a few weeks ago and will probably not be needed this year.

Most of the 2 cords that were here are now in the shelter. A small pile of kindling in lower right corner of picture will also get moved.

How different the yard looks at this time of year!

The bottom right corner of that picture is where my round wood stacks were stored the past few years. Now that they are cleared, I plan to build new flower beds in this area next spring. How different the yard looks at this time of year!

Another chore that needs doing this fall is tending to this sad sight:

That's my Dutchman's Pipe vine. It was planted about the second year I lived here, so it's now about 8 years old. It took several  years to grow into much of anything but has obviously outgrown the rose pillar I used to support it. It fell over last month! There is no way to remove the vine from the pillar, it is completely intertwined with the supports. I finally had an idea for fixing it a few weeks ago. I'm planning to use three substantial tree limbs, taller than the pillar, to fashion a teepee around the pillar. Then I'll tie the top of the pillar to the top of the teepee. That will hopefully keep the pillar from falling and give the vine more room to spread. That's the plan!

This week saw a pause in the Beatrix Potter ornaments construction. The weather at the beginning of the week was quite cool and I needed new slippers for the winter. So I took a few days to knit up a new pair. They are knitted with rug wool that I've had in my stash for a number of years. Very heavy, rugged, and warm! Toasty warm.

Still, Squirrel Nutkin was finished earlier this week...

As if there wasn't already enough happening, I set about cleaning out the pantry last Sunday. Roughly a bi-annual task to sort out the expired stuff from what's still good. I try to use everything before expiration but it doesn't always work out. While at it, I was reminded how dark it is inside so I decided to re-do the pantry! I'm painting it cream colored inside to lighten it up, confiscating the right 6" to build a broom cupboard, and will build new shelves on euro glides so they can slide out. Wish me luck! Here's what it looks like after I removed all the shelves. Hopefully there will be an after pic by time the next post goes up.

I was out meandering in the garden the other day and found this absolutely beautiful Mallow. It's quite late, but we're luckily and thankfully having very mild weather these three last days of the week, supposed to get over 70 F tomorrow! We've only had the mildest of frosts yet and that seems unusual. Anyway, it must have been included in the packet of wild flower seeds that my neighbor gave me last spring which I scattered over an unused bed. How very beautiful.

Beatrix Potter ornaments: Tools and techniques

 I'm sailing through these characters and enjoying every minute of it. This week saw the completion of Mr. Tod and Pigling Bland.

As I mentioned previously, I'm hand stitching these. I'm using backstitch for most of the seams and ladder stitch for a few difficult-to-reach constructions (such as attaching the inside leg to the body).

The following tool has been very useful in this project. I don't know what it's called, picked it up at a thrift shop if I recall correctly. It's very helpful when turning newly sewn pieces right sides out, and a big help when stuffing batting into small places. It also makes a great needle puller for when I need to sew through a thick seam.

This needle is also getting lots of use, not only to poke holes in the body for the arms (and sometimes legs), but for helping ensure the arms are balanced from one side to the other. It's long enough to poke all the way through the body, so I can check for levelness and position front-to-back and up-and-down.

Some of the pieces have to be tinted (inside the bunny ears, for instance). I am finding these Inktense blocks to be great for that. They are water-soluble pigments and work on cloth. Look at all those beautiful, exciting colors!

And pins! Pins, pins, pins. The trickiest bits to sew are sometimes the ears, but with enough pins to keep them in place while sewing, it works out.

The patterns for these ornaments were purchased from The Cheswick Company (on Etsy).

I took a walk around the yard the other day to forage for potpourri material. I gathered only enough to make a bowlful as I'm experimenting. If it goes well, I'll gather more next year. I also have a bunch of blossom heads drying that I can use as well. Need to make this asap, so I may plop them in the dehydrator, since it will need 6 to 8 weeks to cure and I'd love to have it ready for Christmas.