Blue oyster mushrooms

Ok, here is day 2 1/2 of the blue oyster mushrooms experiment...  These mushrooms thrive on cooler temperatures.  Perfect for the temperatures in our upstairs kitchen.  Harvest should be ready in 12-13 days and counting.  

Will have to watch them day and night...  Hope we don't screw this up!

Dyein

Not sure how but Sundays have become way too busy these days...  I was lucky this past Sunday, and enjoyed some time home without many of the usual vices.  What to do...  hmmm.  Had some tea and headed upstairs.  Went through some Christmas stuff looking for the pickle ornament.  Then I moved some boxes around and made some extra space in the kitchen to dye wool.  I have been holding onto this Peruvian wool in my stash, and it finally called out to me.  Here is a picture of both experiments hanging to dry.

I mixed egyptian red with scarlet red.  Turned out brilliantly red.  And mixed turquoise blue with gold to get greens.  So I am guilty.  Reds and green..  Christmas... I know.  sheesh.  So anyways, I also experimented with black, and made some very black black.  Threw a little yellow on the black.  Curious combinations.  Not chrismasy, and not like a bubble bee.  It is already dry today, I am going to start spinning it after dinner.

Kitchen Creek

The spirits and the children danced as we relaxed for the night at one of our favorite camping spots.  Check it our here:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110502&ttype=recarea&recid=47426&actid=31&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003705&pname=Cleveland+National+Forest+-+Cibbets+Flat+Campground

With good company, and extra food & tents to share we enjoyed hiking, walking along in the creek, and staying up late partying with the boys.  There were so many stars I felt recharged.  Here is a good picture of the boys on a huge log, with their new found friends.  5 boys... sheesh!

The creek and the steep trails are what draw us to this magical place...  And, sliding down the rocks on our butts into the water!  Palu and I opted out this time.  Palu lost a tooth (yikes), and Gabe saw a baby "water snake" and showed it to us.  

Finally I got to see hotel whiskey whiskey, and share moonshine cherries with all.  Cherish these memories already, and planning to go back the weekend after next.

Pieces of my heart

Found these pieces scattered in my stash, turned them into beautiful 3-ply yarn.  Interesting how sometimes the saddest moments can become happy, once again colorful.   And, their meanings can change so quickly.  I plan to get an inkle loom, and want to make guitar straps with this someday soon.  

Sunday Breakfast

We enjoyed a hearty breakfast this morning, couldn't help but think about the family that was visiting us last week, and the week before.  We ate at the Mission at 1250 13th St in East Village.  This place always has wonderful food and brings us fond memories...

no pictures of me, as I am sick!  not the most pleasant sight.  The boys let me take their picture.  

Friday Eve Dyeing

After a very confusing Thursday afternoon, I finally settled down to dye some top.  First time I have ever dyed in the evening, and I will definitely do it again soon.  Thought I needed some for spinning in Old Town on Saturday.  So I divided up two 4oz. skeins of the top.  Always try to make a lot when I dye, in case I end up really liking it...  For the first batch I dyed the gold, nugget gold, and hunter green.  Then at the very end I added a dash of peacock- I couldn't help myself.  So much for sticking to just two colours!  Then for the second batch, I fell into the wrath of the blues.  Mixed copenhagen blue with the rest of the peacock and used a whole jar of royal blue.

 

The royal blue is now my new favorite color.  I will spin that one up first, and will try for a bulkier yarn.

Fall Scarf

I know...  it is a little early for back to school shopping but what the heck.  So, I finally finished this scarf last week, and have been sitting here staring at it.
The repeats are mesmorizing, and I am happy to wear it.  But must wait until Fall or Winter.  This was a color challenge for me, and great knitting practice.

Color test

Try this color test....  

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77&Lang=e


Thank you, to Derek, for sharing.  Munsell is something I can relate to!

I scored an 11. 

A little Janis Joplin

Summer time by Janis Joplin.  A little before my time, but I very much enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txByfXgxxMw&feature=fvst

The blues

When every other color runs out there will always be the blues.

Song for Thursday

Lil' Woody Guthrie.  Thanks Fred.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huicW3AYezU

Colors repeating

This yarn was very fun to dye, with short repeats.  But, has proved to be a challenge for me to get the colors to repeat the way that I would like them to on a project.  I am only making a scarf, but I must have ripped it out three times just because the colors would not flash.  I think I finally like the way it will turn out.  Thinking of felting it when it is done, then again...?

Red Socks

Ok, I am trying my hand at knitting socks.  Here is a picture of the yarn on the day that it was dyed:

wish me luck...

brandflakesforbreakfast

brandflakesforbreakfast

How to live a beautiful life.

Some say to leave the hatchet buried...  carefully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfjdlzLu75E

Balboa Park

Saturday morning Kevin and Rachel went to Balboa Park...

but first, coffee and breakfast..

We made our way to the Park and first found the fish...

Then we went to the Museum of Man.  Second to the Bow and Arrow, this was Kevin's Favorite part:

we played frisbee, and enjoyed the cactus and rose gardens on the way home. 

Flying low at Sugarhouse Park

Who needs wind?

Musica

I've got the fiddle in me.  This fiddle is worth more than any plane ticket, or any other fiddle for that matter.  If you also like fiddles, can you teach me how to sing?

Top off the fiddle

the inside

fitting the pegs

 put the final touches on the bridge...and putting the sound post in place...

and now she is ready to sing again... after how many years?

Weaving and Dyeing

Sunday is the perfect day for weaving and dyeing fibers because no one can stop you from taking your time.  Sunday is also good for many other things, like enjoying family and friends.  Here are pictures from dye day on April 18, 2011.