We are painting up door casings and mouldings - deep greens and blues.

In fitting with this color theme, I have dyed some silk hankies which will be either spun or used in making silk paper - tbd.

And unearthed from the stash were yarns that have been begging to be made into something - I just didn't realize they wanted to be together.  They are from La Lana in Taos, and if you are every in NM, I highly recommend that you go there. 

For good measure, the block is soaking up inspiration from "The Art of Andrew Wyeth".

Peace & Love,

Liz

Yesterday was lovely - the 4th day in a row with sun and warmer temperatures.

You can tell it's spring because these are now budding:

I just love pussywillows - that fuzz only lasts a little while, then it bursts into this wispy, polleny stuff and you have to wait another whole year to see what looks and feels like a bunny's tail.

The family was busy at the pond -

They were keeping a close eye on this:

The official launch of Alex's yacht.  It had a lovely tour of the pond, avoiding all the submerged cattails that can clog the rudder. 

Today the weather has turned unfriendly - much cooler (40's), rain, fog and general miserableness.  This is supposed to clear out by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  And just when we were getting used to the sun.

This does not help my knitting quandry (I need clarity, not fog) - despite having a couple of fair-sized projects on the needles, I am looking for something quick.  Last evening I knit up a couple of squares - indigo wool and a sage green silk.  Maybe they will multiply and become a blanket.  With little league season upon us, I need knitting that allows me to watch Alex play, but still keep me feeling as though I've accomplished something other than be a bench warmer...

Peace & Love,

Liz

Yesterday, April 1, was a balmy 60 degrees with a light breeze here in upstate NY.  Late afternoon saw rain, then a rainbow, more sun (the above photo was shot at 7:00 pm), then thunder and lightning (plus heavy rain), ending the evening off with high winds.

Today it looks deceptively nice – the sun is shining, but if you step out, hold onto your hat!   The wind is still gusting over 35 mph and the temperature is only about 37.  I don’t have a wind chill calculator, but it feels about 20.  I have taken out my handspun, handknit vest (mohair/wool blend in autumn colors), and this is taking the edge off the coolness, thank you very much. 

I have become a fan of vests these last couple of years.  Not that I ever had anything against them, it’s just that I have always been a sweater person.  I was swayed not because I saw so many women wearing vests, but rather men.  And my pal, Greg, in particular.  Greg extolled the virtues of the vest – keeping the core of the body warm, while allowing maximum freedom of the arms to carry out the untold number of chores that always exist out in the country.  I knew exactly what he meant – the cumbersome barn jacket that makes the schlepping of hay and wood awkward because of all that extra fabric.  And I have ripped more than 1 sleeve reaching over stock panels or trying to grab just one more log than I really had room to carry…

So for outdoor chores, I highly recommend the layers of t-shirt, sweatshirt, then vest.  This is also a nice combo if you cross-country ski or do a lot of walking.  And what works well for outdoors also works well for indoors, in the way of a more dressy, knitted vest.  There are a ton of patterns out there [check out “Folk Vests” by Cheryl Oberle - look over on the website (shameless self-promotion)].  And the great thing about knitting a vest – No Sleeves!  Think of the time savings.

I’m hoping to put away the wool sometime in the near future – if the temperature will break 60 degrees for more than 3 hours.  In the meantime, try a vest as a transition garment.

Peace & Love,

Liz