Needles, potatoes, honesty and various other passing thoughts

At this point, the rug is advanced far enough up the warp to make weaving too tricky by hand or shuttle, not enough headroom in the shed. So I thought I could use a needle for the last section. Only I didn't have one big enough to accommodate roving.

So I made one. This is an old beader's trick. When you can't find a beading needle fine enough to navigate the bead, you make one out of fine wire. I thought that would work for big sizes, too.

Here's the result. A loop of wire, ends wrapped around the middle then taped, to avoid snagging the warp threads, big eye, the rest twisted for better strength.

And threaded, ready to go after I finish this post

The stitching is progressing, bit by bit

Some of these may be overlaid with sashiko, but I think I'll do that after assembly into a hanging, to unify the piece.

And out in nature, the field part of field and fen, I found another handful of abandoned cherry tomatoes, and swiped some twigs of honesty growing outside a neighbor's fence. 

It's grown to weeds, so I think the original gardener has moved out and it's okay to do a bit of gardener's larceny.

Left, seedpods, middle, seeds, now bagged and labeled, right, beautiful silvery inner membranes to add to my dried flower collection. I plan to plant the seeds to try restarting my own honesty plant which faded away after a few good years, don't we all.

On the subject of gardening, I dug Gary's potato harvest, fewer than expected, but welcome anyway

And here's some flowers. Since I noticed a hummingbird and butterflies at the zinnias, I've slowed up the picking, not wanting to disappoint them.

Handsome Son is visiting this afternoon for a cup of tea, a helping or two of plum crumble, a birthday card and a little present folded into it. 

Happy day everyone, I wish you a good day, despite the cold, or wet, or blazing heat, whatever you're getting today. Here sunshine, temps in eighties, breeze, very lucky campers.

Happy Mday, dove, dandelion and sage

Happy mother's day, if it applies. Mine will be celebrated Tuesday, since today's a work day for Handsome Son.

Meanwhile yesterday's cooking involved chutney, since I have no pickle related condiments in the house. Apple and raisin, with onions, vinegar, ginger, lemons, cinnamon, apple juice 

Apples cooking down while jars sterilize in boiling water in the background

Raisins added in with cane sugar, lemons, cinnamon, to cook down slowly till thick 

And final product. I'll try it in about a week, after it's blended. This will be good with curried fish, or cheese sandwiches, or practically anything that needs a condiment.

And while I had the raisins out, being all out of breadesque food, I made a batch of walnut raisin scone things, nice for breakfast

Also for a snack for Handsome Son's Tuesday visit.

This morning's dove sighting, nearly vanished under henbit

The potatoes doing well, and the sage starting to flower

While I was picturing the dove, I picked a handful of greens. Probably a bit bitter for salad, but they'll work in today's fish sauce.

Surprising how much cooking I seem to need, always at it. I wonder what other people do? Maybe eat out, or buy prepared food or something, I dunno, but they don't seem to be always in the kitchen. Maybe they're more efficient cooks, too, though, there's always that.

Happy day everyone! Enjoy whatever's cooking chez vous, in any sense.

Everything everywhere all at once, wheee!

Yesterday was a perfect sitting outside and reading day. Warm enough, but no mosquitoes yet. 

I was reading Lucy Worsley's Agatha Christie bio, and noting changes of the dove guard, and sleeping until the sound of happy kids climbing trees woke me.

I'd made a gallon of lemon scented laundry detergent earlier

The original recipe was for five gallons, so one gallon was very cheap to make. I'll report back on how effective it is.

And knitting, spinning and weaving are plunging on

And, in case you think I've forgotten how to sew, here I am this morning, feeling good and rockin' my handsewn jacket I made from fabric woven by Joanne. 

Outside, the potatoes are coming through, white and red, and I forget which is which.

And Mrs Dove is still at work. 

If my math is right, we should see hatching by later this week. 

Meanwhile, do you fancy a Haggard Hawks puzzle?

Happy day everyone I'm making All The Things, so you don't have to.

Cleaners, art, dance and potatoes

I got up my courage and drove to the library, getting more used to no glasses. I think I'm seeing as well without them as I did before with them, but my brain isn't so sure. Likewise reading is dodgy, and typos abound.

And in the  library gallery,  an explosion of happy color

Acrylic and alcohol inks. Perfect for a summer exhibit.

Meanwhile outside, probably a dance school doing the photoshoot for their fall classes.

At one point a passing yellow lab showed signs of wanting to join in.

And here's some great sidewalk chalk art 

In other news

This year's potato crop, first plant harvested

Like a lot of gardening this year, great foliage, meager yield. All hat, no cattle.

But the volunteer cherry tomato is flowering right and left, and I have a couple more potato plants coming along , so hope springs eternal, as always with gardening.

This afternoon Gary wants to com over and plant white potatoes left behind by a recent houseguest. He'd never dream of cooking them. He grows container vegetables to give away  My experience with white potatoes has been better than with yellow, so we'll see.  

Happy day everyone! Plant hopefully, dance outside, enjoy whatever's available.