The projects at hand ...

Two more hats are near completion. The gold one needs ends woven in and a pompom; the red/green one needs to be blocked, ends sewn in and a pompom. This hat design is from the 1700s and is called a Voyager Cap. I don't think I'll be making any more; three should do me for quite a while.



Next on the needles will be a sweater. I purchased the yarn a few weeks ago and I've found the pattern I want to make: Afmaeli. I had better get going on it if I'm going to wear it this winter!

The first of the quilts is under way. I spent a rainy Saturday cutting squares, some of which will become triangles for a pattern called "Match-a-Patch Stars" ... interesting name! But it's pretty, a picture of the pattern can be seen here. Since last evening, I've made 5 of block A (50 will be needed) in the tidbits of time here and there throughout the day. If I could keep up this pace it would only take 10 days to make all 50. But it will be impossible to match today's productivity every day: Wednesday are full because of orchestra rehearsal, and Thursdays are full because of my lesson and cello choir class. When all of block A are made I'll need to make 49 of block B. If I push it, it could theoretically be finished by end of November. We'll see won't we?



There is nothing on any of my looms at the moment--they are all naked! I have a project for the 8-shaft in the kitchen, though. A Spring table scarf. I'm going to weave one and my neighbor is going to weave one. I have all the cotton, we simply need to start winding the warp and dressing the loom. Now that summer is over, it will be easier to find time for this. It looks like this:



This brings to mind a point about having time. I'm often asked where I find the time to do everything. It's not that complicated, really. The important thing--really important thing, is preparation and starting. For instance the quilt: I spent some hours Saturday cutting squares. Now that they are cut they welcome me to sit at the sewing machine in any spare moments I have to start or finish a block, maybe make a whole one. This couldn't happen if I didn't take the time to prepare the squares. Same with the weaving: If I can discipline myself to dress the loom, then it sits there beckoning me to throw the shuttle for 15 minutes or more whenever the time avails. Once I've cast on for the sweater, it will be the same situation: I may find myself with a spare half hour and can simply pick up the knitting and work away. It helps that I don't watch television. But that doesn't mean I don't get my fill of audio/visual entertainment. These days, I have a whole list of YouTube subscriptions which I check up on daily. Mostly gardening channels, orchid channels, and a few cooking channels. But they are not as time consuming or as passive as sitting on a couch with the remote. But bottom line is: Get the project started! I'm so greatful I have multiple projects I can turn to for my free time. One last thing: No UFOs! I just don't have any "unfinished objects". If I start a quilt, I finish it before starting another. Ditto in knitting and weaving, and all. I would not enjoy my time if I had 3 or 4 unfinished quilts going all at the same time. I think it would drive me crazy. Well, that's my method anyway and once the prep work is done, one doesn't need tons of time. Just a little bit, frequently.

On a different subject, I got the new wood stove going yesterday as it was below 40 degrees out of doors. I'm very pleased I managed to do so without filling the house with smoke. That's what happened the two times previous to now that I lit it, to "burn it in". They were both exercises in frustration. Couldn't keep the fire going but managed to make a lot of smoke which had no problem filling the house. But not yesterday, it lit well and quickly. In fact, it was too warm in here last night. The soapstone really absorbs and projects the heat for a long time. It was still going well enough when I got up this morning that I didn't have to re-light it; I just put a few more smaller logs in. I didn't burn it as hot today and it's been very comfortable all day long. It's a good stove and I'm quite pleased with it so far.

Back to projects. I still have a few yard projects to attend to before it snows; I guess I'd better get to it. All the furniture needs to be brought under cover, the dead vegetable plants pulled up and thrown on the compost heap. The deck needs to be cleared: I don't want a repeat of last winter when I tried to shovel around a bench and table. No, no, no. It will go much easier if the deck is completely cleared before snowfall. My snowblower and lawn mower are at the small engine repair guy's shop. I have him put the one to bed for the winter and prep the other to run well over the winter. I'm just not very well versed in maintaining small engine equipment and he's not too expensive. I feel better knowing they are being well maintained.

I just finished the poster (well, it's technically still a draft but I don't anticipate big changes, maybe a few tweaks here and there to clean it up a bit) for our upcoming concert on Nov. 24. I sent it off this evening to the conductor for his approval, as well as the administrative assistant at the music school. Sneak preview here!

Summer's over ...

Well then, that was fast. From beautifully fresh Spring greens to the rusty reds and yellows of mid-Autumn in one fell swoop! There comes a burst--nay explosion--of summer, then it starts to fade. It seems to me the Springs and Autumns in NYC have more summer in them than up here. Here they have more of the cold in them, making the summer seem shorter. At any rate, it was a good summer--quite spectacular in the perennial flower department. Gosh, the beds were pretty this year. I hope they do as well next year.



I dug a new flower bed last month; several new plants needed space. I suspect it won't be the end of my perennial bed digging ventures. I have big plans. I have enormous plans. Unfortunately I don't have enormous funds to bring them to fruition. Ha! But what I wouldn't do with $50k!! It's good to dream. A heated greenhouse, a porch on the back of the house, retaining walls in the field above, a big round raised garden assembled from rocks, a water feature to occupy the water that needs to be directed away from the house! And more!! Yes, I like to dream.



There are, however, more pressing needs. The oil furnace is on it's last legs and will need to be replaced. I am told it is original to the house: 1974. It looks it. That's some workhorse of a furnace if it's true. Since it's viable days are numbered I decided to buy a wood stove late this summer figuring it can supplement and take over for the oil burner after it has vaporized it's last drop of oil. It's also insurance against power outages. For sure, I've been pretty nervous these past 4 or so years since I got rid of the old wood stove.

It was late when I went in search of seasoned firewood and consider myself pretty lucky to have found some in a neighboring town. It was $300/cord delivered which isn't a bad price compared to going rates. I bought 3 cord and hope they will last till at least February. I bought 4 cords of green wood from my neighbor, $225/cord delivered and will use some of that late this winter if I need to. But I hope most of it will be able to sit out all year for the following winter. I do hope the oil furnace will last all winter, it's nice to get the chill out quickly, early in the day, but I don't want to go through any more than one tank the whole winter. When it goes kaput, I'll have it replaced.

The 3 cords of seasoned wood was dumped in the middle of my lawn, right on top of the walkway. I got one cord stacked on a Saturday then 2 wonderful ladies from the quilting guild showed up to help me stack the rest of it on a Tuesday. How very kind of them. We got it all stacked that day then went in for some lovely bean soup.



On the subject of home improvement, I'm chuffed with myself for replacing the pressure switch on my water pressure tank down stairs. The water pressure started waning last week so I went down to have a look and it appeared the switch was at fault. I could get the well pump to come on if I took a wooden dowel and gave some good taps to the side of the switch. Having removed the cover to the switch, I could see blue sparks when I did this and noticed that the contacts were almost completely corroded. I finally found a plumbing outfit in Plymouth that could replace the switch for me but it would have cost over $400!!!! Can you believe it!? To replace a $32 switch!

I watched some videos on YouTube, went down to the hardware store and bought a switch, a new wrench, and a volt meter. It all looked logical enough on the videos. As long as I didn't electrocute myself, I figured it should go ok. Hence the volt meter. I knew which fuse turned off power to the pump, and there is also a breaker above the switch but I wanted to be extra sure the power was no where near that switch when I started poking a screwdriver among it's screws. It went pretty well; it took me 40 minutes but I took my time and thought it all through as I went along. So my water is under pressure again, but the pressure tank itself needs replacing, I think it is what they call "waterlogged". When the pressure goes down, it starts and stop the pump every few seconds. Not good for the well pump I'm told. I don't think I have the confidence to replace that myself and will ask around for a plumber... with reasonable fees.



The harpsichord has found a new home with a local chamber group. I had the piano moved to the living room and my dining area--which used to be at one end of the living room is now in my old music room. It's nice to have a proper dining room, and now I have more room around the piano for parties and much more room to practice cello. It's all worked out very nicely.

I've been knitting some hats. Currently finishing up the 3rd one... all the same pattern. The first one I made with my own handspun wool in shades of purple and orange, the 2nd is golden colors, and the current one is red and green stripes. The current one will be for around the yard, snowblowing and all that.



I finished another wool applique piece this summer. A wall hanging. I saw a picture of it in a magazine and could not resist. All the applique is hand sewn, I don't care for machine applique too much.



Also on the finished pile is the table runner I was weaving in "shadow weave". It came out nice and I quite like it. A little scare one day when I went up to work on it: I noticed a bit of fray at one location along the edge. Some critter (a mouse) wanted some of my new weaving to start a nest! Luckily, it wasn't anything that damaged the integrity of the cloth but I was somewhat fuming about it.



I made a couple new shopping bags. One is made from a bird seed bag; I've started keeping them instead of throwing them away and the bags are ever so easy to sew up. The other is a bit more involved sewing wise, but the results are worth it. A very sturdy, strong bag with pockets on both sides.



I have noticed that up-close work has become a bit more strained for my eyes as of late so I picked up a pair of rather trendy magnifying glasses for those times when I absolutely must see what I'm doing.



I am just about ready to embark on another quilt--two quilts. They will be my winter projects.

Since the last post ...

(pics at the end)

Golly, when it's been so long since the last post, it's difficult to know where to begin. My last was 3 months ago: April 14. I had just finished a quilt, was making bags, and starting Dahlias from cuttings. There have been many ups and downs over these few months. I put a lot of effort into the garden early on only to have uncooperative weather make a mess of it. All the "guaranteed" crops: Lettuce, Arugula, Radishes... a dismal failure this year. I'm hard pressed to explain it other than the damp and cool spring. Germination was very slow and sporadic (I've heard this complaint from people all over the world... I wonder if seeds communicate with one another long distance?). My lettuce finally managed to push itself up to 2" and stayed that way ever since. I wont get a single leaf of lettuce this year. The arugula was anemic, very slow to start--but I will mention it had a pretty good rate of germination--but never became robust. Finally, when the temperatures rose, it bolted right away. I managed 2 salads from it. The radishes seemed to have a better time of things until it warmed up and immediately, as if it were waiting for it, bolted. Half a dozen radishes at best. These are supposed to be the easy crops! Not this year.

On the positive side, the peas are doing well, albeit late, but I expect to be popping peas very shortly. The tomatoes are growing well as are the string beans. I planted Kohlrabi and Kale and they took a very disinterested attitude towards growing until just about a week ago. They are now pushing up quite well. I think the difference is the spell of warm/hot weather we've had these past few weeks finally drying out the soil.

I have left the best garden news for last: It's been a great--nay, super--year for flowers of all kinds. My Irises, which did not blossom last year put forth several beautiful blossoms on several plants, purples, burgandies, and yellows. Interesting tidbit: I learned this spring that Irises should not have the tops of their rhizomes below the soil, for good blossoming, the sun should hit them. My Foxgloves self-seeded liberally last fall and they have reached spectacular heights this year. The Peonies--all three of them--put forth big beautifully scented blossoms. My roses, although they struggled with the winter again (my fault for not taking proper care last fall) are also growing very nicely and blossoming almost profusely. There are currently hundreds of Daylily buds waiting to open, my Delphinium has spiked, the Astibles are showing good strong buds, the Phlox, Salvia, Rudbeckias--all looking good.

Next year I shall have to practice patience. Twice this year I have given up on plants that I thought died over the winter only to discover that they were just taking their time to show. Today I discovered a Malva I planted last year which I had given up on. Suddently and unnoticed, it seemed to shoot up overnight. Since I'd been so sure it was gone, I planted something else in it's place so that now both plants are occupying the same 5" square. I will need to move one of them.

We are at the height of lushness and rampant growth, green foliage abounds all around. The scents, the earthly aroma, the freshness reeks of life. The air in the yard is imbued with the perfume of Sweet William. Oh! I do love those scented flowers, they really make a landscape magical. The lilacs (not everyone's favorite, I know), peonies, scented daylilies, roses... so heady! Be still my quivering olfactory. What a delight!

Fauna. I had a very lovely assortment of wild birds visiting this spring, including a Baltimore Oriole. I almost needed smelling salts when I saw it--as I've never seen one in real life. That's was the highlight of this year's bird watch. All the usual characters have been around: Blue Jays, Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Cardinal (yes, they're a bit more visible this year), Gold Finches, Evening Grosbeaks, etc., The bear. The bears, plural. Last weekend I saw a momma and her 2 cubs in the field above the house. Earlier on in the summer one rather large [male, I think] let himself into my entry room where I had the seeds stored! That was rude and I told him so. The problem is the earth under the entry room: It heaves in the winter which jams the door and it cannot close fully. Last year I had the piers replaced thinking that the old ones were probably not deep enough but the workers told me that the new piers they put in are resting on ledge and can't go deeper. But that raises questions for me: If they're on ledge, why are they heaving? Hm. I need more opinions. So anyway, the bear only had to touch the door and it swung open and there he was: In the entry. I took precautions immediately thereafter and he can no longer come in. The door is latching now, but just barely and I had to remove the latch hardware for it to catch. C'est la vie. Next winter I will buy another door (I'll call it the winter door) and shave off a half inch from the top of it so it will close when the earth has hiccupped. This is the last year the squirrels get to come play in the entry during the winter. Gosh they're untidy. Extremely so.

Indoors. I started another quilt after "Ties That Bind" was finished but it has been set aside until autumn. I was way too busy with the outdoors in May and June. Instead, I've been working on smaller unfinished projects. One was a wool applique table centerpiece which I finished just about a week ago. Next will be a needlepoint pheasant that I hope to finish this summer. As it's July, we're in the midst of "Tour de Fleece" and I signed up again this year so I'm spinning a bit every day. I'm participating casually this year, spinning when I can but not fretting if I can't.

I bought another loom. Oh my word, yes, I did. Naughty. I wasn't going to and my discipline was pretty good: I'd seen the ad on Craigslist twice over the past 3 months or so and simply said to myself, "I don't need another loom." Well, it turns out the seller is one of my neighbors and I know them, so I went down to have a look at it. Mistake. It was so pretty sitting there in the garage--an antique counterbalance loom (my two looms are both jack looms). I knew when I saw it that my will power was going to fail. I was right. The price was very right and the wood of it has such a pretty patina. I'm going to replace the frames that were on it as they don't belong to that type of loom, and I hope to have it working by end of summer. Counterbalance looms are big in Sweden, which is where they originate, I believe. More on counterbalance looms in a future post.

Music. I decided to skip orchestra this summer. I really wanted to focus on the garden this year--for all the good it did what with the weather--but honestly, it was good. I accomplished a lot, 4 new corner beds for dye plants and lots of new plantings. Just this afternoon I went to the orchestra's performance. It was interesting and perhaps slightly unnerving to experience it from the auditorium instead of the stage. I must say I was impressed; it sounded very good. On the program was Schubert's 8th Symphony and Duke Ellington's "Night Creature". The concert featured the Vermont Swing Band which joined the orchestra for the Ellington. It was very special. Although I did not participate, I did design and make a poster for the event.

I don't know if I ever mentioned it--I think I did--but I no longer take cello lessons with my teacher in NYC, I take them with the cello teacher at the music school in Lebanon. Whereas my teacher in NY was a private teacher, taking lessons at the school comes with some differences. For one, there is no summer semester but one can sign up for as many lessons as one would like to take, but they are not mandatory. So I'm taking a lesson every few weeks for the summer. He's an excellent teacher and I'm learning a lot and developing in a way I've dreamed of. At the end of June I got a phone call asking me if I could stand in for a student who had to drop out of the Hanover Street Music Festival due to a death in the family. I had not planned on attending this year, but I did accept, was given first part and had a thoroughly enjoyable 3 days of practicing and performing. So very glad I attended.

I finished reading "The First Muslim" and I'm still processing it; an excellent read, very well written. I'm currently reading "Braiding Sweetgrass (Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants)", a very beautiful book and I highly recommend it.

I've decided--after much thought--to sell my harpsichord. I have not played it in two years and it takes so much maintenance to keep it tuned and playable. I'm on the piano almost every day and that is where my focus is. The harpsichord is taking up quite a bit of square footage and what with 3 looms, 3 spinning wheels (nay, 4 including the "great" wheel), 6 sewing machines (I'm ashamed to admit it) I NEED SOME ROOM! Alright, the 6 sewing machines... I'm going to get rid of 2. I came upon them really cheap, but I don't need them. I absolutely adore my godmother's 1910 Singer Redeye (I'm forever grateful, dearest aunts) and will not part with in. In fact, I'll be quilting my wool applique quilt on it this summer. I treasure the 1850s Wilson & Wilcox and will not part with it. My White Rotary from the 1940s is currently my "go to" for piecing. I will hold onto my expensive modern machine if only because it was so darn expensive. But would you believe it!? It has to go in for repairs again. It's unusable at the moment. That's twice in as many years it's had to go in for repairs. The older machines: They never need to go in for repairs and if they malfunction, they're usually fixable by oneself. Not so the modern one with it's computer circuits. I'm very unimpressed with these gadgets. So in the end, I'll have 3 beloved machines, and one which I'll begrudgingly keep; the others will go. So it's not that bad. Right?

Three of my quilts were on display at the Warren Old Home Day yesterday. That was fun. It was a fantastic display; so many very gorgeous quilts. Some quite old and entirely hand sewn.

A big week coming up. I have a Fresh Air charge arriving on Tuesday for a week. It was going to be 2 children, but one of them cancelled. Although I have a little trepidation having just a single 13 year old for the week, I think I can make it fun and interesting. Two is better, of course, then they can occupy themselves when I'm busy. But we'll manage. I have a feeling this is happening because it's what I and my guest need and it will turn out to be a good thing.

How about some pictures?

Early on this spring I installed a new path from the main walkway (which weathered the winter very well, by the way) to the beds:


The fourth of July:


I bought a netted shirt and hood and it's the best $30 I've spent in a long time. I was able to spend entire afternoons outside while the black flies landed in front of my nose but couldn't touch me! It's a necessity, and made an unbearable situation almost pleasant. This is me mourning black fly season:


I harvested tons of Egyptian onions and made onion jam (it's excellent on hot dogs and burgers):


Some Irises:


Some Peonies:


Visitors:


The centerpiece I finished:


A new project on the 4-shaft loom (difficult to see the design in the picture, it's shadow weave, will take a better picture when finished):


A few pics from the quilt show at the Warren Old Home Day yesterday:


The poster I made for the orchestra's summer concert:


My new loom (with the frames removed):


That's all for now. Hopefully it won't be as long to the next post as it's been from the last!