Summer Days

After the blazing heat of early last week temperatures in the mid-seventies feel chilly. Monday morning dawned bright, clear and breath-in-the-air cool. Perfect for making an apple pie. Gathering fruit from under the Gravenstein tree I had more than enough to make a pie and a batch of applesauce, with apples left over for the neighbor kids. That's one reason to plant an apple tree near the front of the property. :-)

Last week Ed was busy making more Turkish spindles. He was finally able to get his hands on some blocks of hard to find woods he'd been dreaming of using. I spent most of Monday testing and weighing spindles. If we didn't need to sell them I'd soon have an amazing collection of spindles! Now this week he's had several orders for weaving shuttles, and a custom order for a circular crochet hook: two hooks connected with a 24" cord for a shawl that requires 193 stitches. We plan to add the circular hook to our product line after realizing that there are patterns that support these. The pattern that our customer is using comes from Kim Designs

Tuesday morning Aurora and I decided to swim instead of our customary walk before she heads to work. We hadn't been swimming after finding the warm water rather unrefreshing during the hot days. We dashed shivering around the block and down into the creek's ravine to plunge into the water. BRrrr. A week of cool nights combined with water coming off the mountains had significantly cooled the waters. About ten minutes later as we dragged our blue goose bumped flesh out of the water we were amazed to realize the air was the same temperature as the water. Think around 60 degrees! We haven't gotten our courage up to do another polar bear swim. Walking in the brisk air has suited us just fine. Besides Kobie prefers to walk )he hates swimming), blackberries are waiting to be snacked on, and I can spin while walking. This picture was taken yesterday morning. Kobie's not thrilled about blackberries either. See the sun peeking through the trees? Our little village is snugged at the bottom of these surrounding hills.

The quick change in weather has produced the feeling of early autumn in the air. I don't recall sensing the changing season quite this early, usually not until about the last week of August does the feel of autumn subtly creep in with still, chilled breath.

Finally another project is finished. The shoulder strap on Aurora's pouch finally behaved, until I grafted it onto the other side without thinking to make sure it wasn't twisted - guess I was too anxious to start the felting process. I didn't even notice it while I squeezed and massaged it in hot water and soap. It wasn't until I laid it out to shape that I saw the twists. Not such a problem, just twist the entire strap. I kind of like it that way. Aurora is happy with the pouch - she didn't want it thoroughly felted, she likes the knitting to show.

And you thought I'd forgotten to include Hank in this post!

Aurora Pouch
8 ouncesCrown Mtn Farms Corriedale roving - Rhumba Teyani's colorway (This really bled when I washed & soaked it)
#15 Maple Circular Needles 24" (For the bottom)
#15 Maple Circular Needles 16"
#9 Straight needles (I'd use maple but Ed has to make me a set first - he normally doesn't make needles this small)
1 small stray kitten

I appreciate all who've made comments!

Jo
Rho
Anne
Peg
Teyani

I replied on the previous blog though it took me far more days to respond than it should have.