Local gardens and "weeds", Misfits

Today's morning walk was shorter because I was a bit tired from yesterday's exertion which included a five minute HIIT workout in the evening with April and Eiko.

It's cool and bright-cloudy today, just what a lot of wildflowers like, such as these dayflowers

Blue points of color among the pachysandra 

 Down the street there's a nice show of white daisies and yellow orange daylilies 

And to prove I did the ironing, here's me modeling the favorite pink shirt. I upcycled this, years ago, Liz Claiborne thrift store find, shortening the sleeves and hem and using a cuff to make a pleated phone pocket, and a button band section to make a tiny decorative pocket. 

The fuzzy hair tells you the humidity is up there. Here's a couple of shots of those fancy designer details (!)

And the Misfits bag is out for pickup.

I recently asked Misfits if they did a senior discount, and they replied no, but we do notify you of specials. It was worth a try in this expensive year.

While I was waiting, I decided it was cool enough to prune the sage.

In the foreground a bunch of leaves, which have now gone to friends, one of whom came right down the street to collect and chat.

Then Haleem arrived, effortlessly swinging a box of groceries onto the step.

Some of the canned goods are for the food pantry, the bread is to avoid baking in a heatwave, the chocolate bar is for my nerves, and the fruit needs no introduction. Except the apples are Rockit, small and crunchy. The peaches need a day or two, then I may freeze them.

The graham crackers are a current taste, crumbled into yogurt with lime or lemon juice.

In food and gardening, when I was clearing the counters ready for misfits prep, I notice several tiny potatoes now sprouting. So I sliced off just the sprouting areas, diced and roasted the rest for lunch with malt vinegar, and planted the sprouts in a container.  Waste nothing.

This afternoon is about reading and dozing on the deck, and admiring my pruning. Unless a lot of insurance related calls and messages happen.

Happy day, everyone, seize the day and the potatoes.

More just sayin', then fiberarts

 

Back to now 

Gary's expected home in a day or two, meanwhile a friend is watering his garden 

And we're finally seeing monarchs on the butterfly bushes 

Here's my outfit, ready for the Tuesday Knitting Group, first outing for the linen tunic, tucked in because it works better with this skirt, which yes, does match that curtain. 

That's the rest of the fabric earning its keep as a portiere until I make it into something. I mean, I'm not wearing a curtain.

Tuesday Knitting Group was select and fun, here's a sweater being knitted sideways, clever pattern

Talk ranged over trips to Portugal, birth order, the Duggar family, sock knitting, yarn spun for crochet not knitting, heatwaves, spf umbrellas from Australia, animals not improving knitting, Indian embroidery, fireflies,  goldwork and I may be getting more gold thread from a participant's grandmother, also beads, freecycling and other exciting subjects.

Textiles and Tea was rigid heddle weaving with Betty Davenport, who literally wrote the book on rigid heddle weaving.

The heddle is that comb-like  thing resting across the loom. Also a bigger one at the back, threaded for action.

Here are pictures of the pickup stick in action,manipulating the threads to create interesting weave patterns.

Those little inset shapes she learned from Guatemalan weavers, working on back strap looms

and this is a piece she wove as part of her Certificate of Excellence submission.

Near the top is a page of comments I screenshot so you can see the name of a famous Peruvian weaver she's worked with, and a reference to the Cusco textile center.

She weaves fabric to make clothes on her rigid heddle loom, with knitted finishing bands.  I'm hoping Joanne and Caro will stop in with comments, because they've done a whole lot more with rigid heddle weaving than your humble blogger.

They're probably familiar with her books, too.

So, lovely day, full of interesting events and people, I hope yours is too. Happy day, everyone.

Gardens, lemon balm and nice life

Yesterday I took a walk around the block, as promised,  realizing we're between seasons -- roses finished, daylilies not there yet -- so there's a lot of green.  

The set-up is that trees, shrubs and grass cutting are commonly owned and paid for, tended more or less by HOA board hired "landscapers". Flowers out front and anything at all inside our patios are individual owner operated. 

The landscapers turn into snow removers in winter, which is exactly how they operate with trees and shrubs in summer. It works better with snow, to push, shove, slam and tidy, than with growing plants. Anyway now you know what you're seeing. 

There's quite a bit of cooperation between neighbors, what with exchanging plants and cuttings, so it's a nice flow. Fences indicate back, patio, views 

C, remember giving me this blue solar light you see back there? It's become a local landmark

 

 

Gary will definitely finish planting these annuals in between distractions

 

This is mine, Gary growing collard greens outside my gate because he ran out of space, with, inside the fence,  my Japanese maple which I rescued from his tender mercies years ago.  

It's a nice neighborhood. 

And yesterday because I'm worth it, I made lemon balm cookies from a link at Magpie's Mumblings blog, which is well worth a visit. Mostly textiles, but not always.

Fresh picked lemon balm to mince 

And here's the cast of characters. I can tolerate butter and sugar, I must be well again!

This is half the dough, the other half, the roll in parchment paper you see left of the sheet of cookies, in the freezer for when I need more. 

They're good, though I'd like more lemony flavor and might sprinkle lemon zest on the top of the next batch.

And I've been thinking about age and assumptions about it. I'm old, and that's fine, and I hate it when other old people take credit for being old. I do take care of myself. I'm also lucky. A recurring stiff neck is not a big deal. Plenty of people are just as wise about self care, and not as lucky.

But your DNA is a huge part of everything, from physical to mental health. I'm blessed with a nimble and resilient mind, and a body still in pretty good working order. I didn't earn it, but I do take care of what I've been given. It's a treasure.

Anyway here's a snapshot bio

Harney's tea, expensive and worth fitting into my modest budget, because I love a strong cup of English breakfast or All India blend, milk, no sugar.  One of those small luxuries that make a difference.

And here's my coffee table this morning

Cookbook by Nigel Slater currently giving me some very good ideas, Kindle on which I'm rereading Mrs Dalloway, Haggard Hawks puzzle book and fancy notebook, saved for me by librarian friend from the book sale, with favorite pilot pen for puzzle assistance, lovely freecycled tray,  set for breakfast, with nonskid teapot mat made by a friend, handwoven napkin from another friend,  favorite Chinese dishes, pita bread stuffed with soft dried apricots, morning vital potassium supplement, doctor's orders.

My current life today anyway! It's good. Consider all the connections just on the breakfast tray. 

Happy day everyone, enjoy whatever your day is about! Thanks for being there and especially for comments and emails. They're treasures, too.