Thursday, December 31, 2020

Like a Cat

I'm sleeping most of the hours I should be awake...

If I am not sleeping, I wish I was.

Bill drove me in for another rapid test for Covid.

It came back negative.

The doctor still disagrees.

We drove over the the long line at the Dept of Health free testing site 

and I was tested using the PCR test.

We learned today that the rapid test can be 30-50% INACCURATE!

What a discouraging number.

No wonder everyone has trouble believing the 'figures' 

related to this pandemic!

Needless to say, I will get my results on Saturday 

because of New Year's  Day

being a bit of a  skeleton staff.

It's time for another nap....Yawn!

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Life on 'Pause'

My Camellia bush has so many double blooms--they are so beautiful.  
I am still in creative limbo.  
Even thinking of creative thoughts hurts. 
 I sleep well with my knitting on my lap.  
With a cat.
  It could be so much worse so I will just consider 
this an intense rest therapy to fuel me up
 for next year.....starting in two days!
 

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

COVID X 2


 I had a lot of knitting time yesterday...
I went in to be tested for Covid since I am feeling sick.
It feels like I have the flu but the test came back negative.
Then the doctor's office called to say they believe
it is a false negative and that to be most accurate,
the test must be given 48-72 hours after the symptoms first appear.
Therefore, I am to repeat the test on Wednesday and stay isolated until that time which is fine with me because I don't feel well.
I am going to knit on Bill's socks,
nap, repeat.
Bill is not worse but doesn't feel well either.
This is what Covid looks like right now--
like the flu;
an unwelcome guest who needs to be evicted.

Monday, December 28, 2020

Some Sunshine Warmed Me Up

I was able to spend a little time at the lathe yesterday afternoon 
while Bill took a deep nap. 
 I removed all of the blankets from the plants
 I tried saving with mixed results.  
So what am I making? 
 No, it is not a horn!
It's a twig vase! 
( I have purchased glass vials to glue inside
 so the vase can hold water to use it for a bud vase, too.)
I received the full array of sanding grits and couldn't wait to put them to use.
What a difference! 
 The smooth surface is beyond what I was able to achieve before!
I sure am learning that the finishing touches 
take as long as it does to turn the item!
Sanding sealer has been applied
 and today, I will sand and polish throughout the day 
until I have a deep sheen to show off the grain of this camphor branch. 

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Weathering the Storms

We woke up to 27*F temperature yesterday morning 
and by 2 in the afternoon, 
I could still do this---tap the frozen water!
The Turk's Cap is completely burned back to the ground.
The croton plant which is 4' tall is trying to hang on
 but the bad news is that we were that low again last night! 
 Two nights in a row is killing not just burning.
And yet the Camellias just keep smiling.
I did a lot of knitting yesterday-it was too cold to work in the woodshop
 in the garage so I finished the hat. 
Didn't the yarn make a cool pattern?! 
 It stayed consistent like this all the way around
-not just pooling in only one place! 
 I'm pleased!
And I thought I better get going on Bill's socks;  he is down with Covid.  While he has been sick for several days, 
it wasn't possible to go to get a rapid test until today.
  He is sick;  the way you are with a bad flu.  
He is trying to stay in his own space, I follow him around with Lysol when our paths cross--
I found the last can of aerosol spray 
 --just in time.  
 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Wood and Yarn!

Another finished bowl--this one is 6" wide and 3" high.
The grain is spectacular from every angle!
I have some shellac, polish and lemon oil rubbed in for some sheen.  I had mentioned that is was oak but I was wrong;  as soon as I started hollowing out the bowl, I could smell the camphor! 
 I was asked what I am doing with all of the bowls that I have made so far and the answer is I am stacking them on my knick knack shelf 
to be pretty for now! 
 I am learning how to perfect the process and so I will keep making them!  This is the first one that I can say I am proud of this one!  
No tool marks and the finish is smooth.
Here's to many more!
And I am knitting-one man hat done....
and another one has begun!

Friday, December 25, 2020

Merry Christmas!

The house is all lit up and full of anticipation.  
We have two golden gates at the end of the driveway-they have garlands and lights!  

 The house simply glows.  

I'm singing I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day....it's words still resonate these 150 years after it was written!  

While verses 3 and 4 are more particular to the Civil War , the turmoil of this year seems appropriate today--

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Calm Day

I started out the day yesterday, finishing the blue dyed mitts!  
I know Ms Christine will be thrilled with them
 because they are the bright blue of her eyes!
When I headed out to the wood shop,
 I began with a little cedar bowl and as you can see, it didn't go well!  
It is so dry that there wee no wood shavings,
 just a fine dust that was miserable to work in! 
 When this chip happened-I didn't hesitate to toss it into the burn bin 
and picked out a new piece of wood!  
My blood pressure didn't go up-
I just had a second of sadness for the bowl that wouldn't be! lol
I picked out a nice chunk of oak and it was a joy to work with
 and in no time, I had a beautiful outer shape.  
I sanded and polished it and will hollow it out today! 
 There is a fine line between dried enough to work with and too dry. 
 With cedar-you need to work with it much greener!  
For oak-there is not so much difference since it is a hard wood to begin with!

I hope you have a relaxing day today!
 

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Christmas Visit!

We had an early Christmas visit not from three wise men but from three snowmen!  The boys really wanted to make arms for theirs so we hunted up some sticks, drilled holes and glued!  The arms aren't very sturdy so I hope they make it through the season!   They had fun telling me how to make them on the lathe and then painting them by themselves!  
A perfect family trio--just like them!
While they played outside, I whipped off this little bird house! 
It makes a cute little ornament!
Merry Christmas!
 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Feelin' Blue-In a Good Way!

One of the elderly ladies at church thought she would like some small mitts, \if I would be willing to make her blue ones!
  I dyed the sock blank I had knit in double strand 
to have a pair of matching socks.  
I will make a mitt with one strand
 and then use the other strand to knit the other; 
 this way I will be able to have the remaining blank for socks still!  
The colors are tie-dye pretty 
and it will be interesting to see how it knits up!
Can you guess who came to visit yesterday? 
 How wonderful to see these guys!

Birthday yarn is becoming a hat!  
It's good to have several knitting projects on the needles. 

 I made the boys a snow man and they painted them all by themselves

--pics after the snowmen get noses! lol



 

Monday, December 21, 2020

Mitt'ed Up!

I made another pair of mitts for myself yesterday. 
 The day turned out slow and enjoyable 
which doesn't always happen this time of year!  
I  enjoyed church in the morning with the Kid's Christmas program
 which is such a joy.  Then we had a luncheon which means a nice long chance to talk and interact--so very good to savor.
Once I was home, I talked to all of my kids and even my parents.
I can't ask for anything more.... 
On the way to church, we went over the bridge
 that has been under construction for 2 years!
I think it was a metaphor for this year 
and now we are crossing over into a new phase.
It works for me!

Sunday, December 20, 2020

A Garden Dibber!

Yes, a garden dibber-check out the link for more details but it is a stick for planting seeds or bulbs!  And because you were the only one with a right answer, Jessica, I am sending it to you! I even tried out my new birthday present--a woodburner tool!
Yes, today is my 65th birthday!

While in the garage workshop, 
I put the finishing touches on the latest snowman!  
He's a table one at 6";  made from a camphor branch. 
 (no splits in this one!)

I whipped this off--an interesting knit
 but my carried yarn shows through too much for my taste! 
 I got it out of my system anyway! lol
Now this I enjoy and I have another pair on the needles
 because I can't stand the pain cold weather gives me in my hands especially!  In black, they look like real biker's gloves which the pattern is modeled after!  ( Tough and Toasty)

 

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Mystery Tool


 I sat by the fire and knit for a  long time today.  Then after the usual chores, I went and played on the lathe--I have some finishing to do on several so I will show you soon but in the meantime, here is a mystery tool.  Anyone know what it is?  It will have some modifications on the next one but not bad for a prototype!  I am adding some details with the wood burner , if I can!

Friday, December 18, 2020

A Cold Snap

Another morning in the 30's isn't one of my favorite things!  
But I did have a good time yesterday when a friend and her daughter came over to play at making some stepping stones!  
We were set up in the garage but it was still very chilly out! 
 That northern wind snatched any warmth from the sunshine!
It took a few hours in front of the fire with some hot cocoa 
to  get the chill from my bones!
But I did finish the second pair of mittens! 
 Now I can send these off to Seattle to grand daughters there
 who are experiencing some colder cold than I am! 
(do you see how little yarn is left from the skein?
It was a close game of yarn chicken but I won this time!)

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Building a Snowman

Isn't this incredible?! 
 This plant was started from my Grandmother's so many years ago! 
 She is really shining in her old age!
I built this snowman yesterday--no cracks in this one!  
6" tall.  Face to follow.
 And I even painted one--he's waiting to deliver a hug!

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Quilts and Noses

I tackled the map panel quilt 45" x 48" first thing yesterday and
 finished the work on the frame and applied the binding!
The binding went right on the Christmas Hunter Star 45" x 52" 
and both went right into the washer and dryer. 
 I am so happy with these two quilts!
I couldn't wait to make the gnome noses and in no time, 
I had turned a 3/8" dowel into round tips with a shank 
so I could glue them in place.
I poked the spot on their beards and suddenly it turns into a face! 
 I still have to put the hanger in place
 but I think they turned out well--
thanks for the idea Valerie!
 

FRIDAY FINISHES!

The 3-yard quilt top is all sewn together and ready for the quilting frame!  It was pretty easy to stitch it and even a bit boring to just k...