bee creative

thankful

For shelter. 

It's 32 F right now.  The winds have been tapering off but  have been between 14-47 MPH.  The chicken's water is frozen this morning.

For food in the garden and on the plate. 

Photos of food are best in natural light but that's not always possible so I've been playing with filters. I recommend not using red wine for risotto.  It really isn't pretty.  Luckily it can be covered up with yummy roasted vegetables.

For the skills to make things. The fabric that I made this string from is a scrap from the dress I just finished making.

For found treasures.  I picked this up in a parking lot.

For a hot cup of tea and a fabulous book (really recommend this one).

And for everyone who comes by to visit. 

It's another kind of neighborhood....

assignments

At the beginning of the year I gave myself assignments to accomplish. 

It's doubtful I will complete any of them. 

Even a once a month assignment to fill a jar with dye stuff:

I missed June and August.

There are good  and not so good reasons for not following through. Luckily, since there was no true deadline other than the one I had created it's not an issue.

I learned something very important; the goal I can reach is daily and lasts only for one month.

The other parameter that works well for me is one that is like the one for this shawl:

The rules are:

1. Only work on it away from home (bus, lunch hour, waiting room).
2. Change color each week.

I've worked on it every week since it was started. 

Next year I want to give myself some new assignments. 

They will be monthly assignments.

In the meantime, I might still be able to finish the 12 books I assigned myself....

 

holding place

Wool dyed with Eucalyptus.

I have enough wool for a blanket but to be dyed in the eucalyptus I'll need to cut it apart, bundle it, and then sew it back together again.

Thinking about how that is story telling....

layered

It's been glorious sunrises and sunsets this week.

I've been taking lots of pictures and playing with layers and filters.

This morning there was the more typical November rain.

Soup weather.

Yellow split peas + onions + celery + garlic + carrots + a bit of balsamic vinegar + water + olive oil.

And just a tiny bit of stitching.

catching up

It doesn't matter what I am trying to do, the cat wants to be involved; preferably from the shoulder. 

She's been a constant companion as I've finished Robert Macfarlane's Landmarks. I want to dive right into Underland but am making myself wait.  There is no way I am going to finish all 12 of the books I picked out at the beginning of the year but I'm going to see how close I can get. 

The tomatoes are gone for another year.  I used a version of this recipe to make chutney.

Changes to the recipe:

• Chipotle powder for red pepper flakes.
• Regular granulated sugar and a good dollop of molasses instead of brown sugar.  It won't be preserved so the balance of vinegar and sugar isn't as important (other than to taste). 
• No star anise, not my favorite flavor. 

 

The quince crop was small this year. I made a small batch of quince paste. It's lovely as a layer in scones.

The current bus project.

Instead of switching colors daily as originally planned I've been switching weekly.

Marking time, measuring time.