I took this picture today, as the rain was pouring down. We're having a tree cut down (the last of our big oaks, it's very sad), and there are a bunch of these tiny birds living in the pile of branches. The don't seem to mind the rain, and were flitting about, so I got out my zoom lens and was able to get a little closer look.  

I am enjoying the rain by staying warm and dry and knitting. I might even bake a cake later. There will be photos of these happy events later. I learned how to do a provisional cast-on this week, something that has eluded me for a very long time. This video shows what I think has got to be the easiest way, ever, so I thought I'd share (embedding is disabled, so you'll have to click the link). 

Good grief it's been gloomy and dark around here. I attempted to take some photos of knitting projects Monday morning and this was the best I could do:

I know I have my Ravelympics project, and I have been working on it, but it's laceweight yarn, and I needed a break. This is the opposite of laceweight, it's two strands of yarn held together and knit on giant (size 17) needles. Plus, it's a blanket, so it kept me warm while I was knitting it. This pattern is from Lion Brand, it's called Cascading Colors blanket, and it's made with Lion Brand Jiffy and Cotton Ease. I love the colors. It's pretty small, but just perfect for a stroller or car seat, or for a toddler to drag around. I blocked it by throwing it in the washer and then in the drier, and the Jiffy yarn got pretty fuzzy and pill-y. Also, every single end that I had carefully woven in popped through to the front side. I trimmed everything neatly, and now it looks pretty good, If I do say so. 

And now I have some opinions and reviews for you, whether you want them or not. I splurged on a set of Zephyr knitting needles from Knit Picks, since they are on sale right now. They're clear acrylic, and I think I rather like them. They're slick, although not as slick as nickel-plated needles. I switched my Featherweight cardigan from a pair of plastic needles to these, and it's going much more smoothly. The yarn slides nicely, and the tips are nice and pointy, so they're especially nice for this very fine yarn.

I watched Bright Star this week. My goodness, it was boring, but so very beautiful. I'm not really one for wimpy poets, and Fannie was kind of bratty, but her clothes were wonderful and every scene was like a painting. I could look at it over and over. How's that for the oddest review ever? I loved it, even though the story was slow. Maybe I'll just let it play without sound next time, and enjoy the eye candy.

I went to the Asian grocery store and bought ingredients for Tom Yum soup, which is very easy when you use the paste mix from a jar. I got a big bag of shiitake mushrooms for just $2.99 a pound. When I was at Vons a few days later, I noticed their price for shiitake mushrooms was $15.99 a pound. That's just crazy, how can they do that? My cheap mushrooms were delicious in the soup, they absorbed all that sweet and sour broth and just melted in your mouth. I don't think they would have done that if I had paid $15.99 for them. 

I'm sewing today, just because I can (Happy President's Day!). I'm also practicing taking pictures with my new 50mm f/1.8 lens. I went the bargain route, so it doesn't have auto-focus. I have to do it all on my own. It's quite a challenge.

One sewing project: hankies! Just for fun. I found this woven plaid at Joann last fall. It's soft, soft cotton, so it will feel nice against my nose. I love vintage hankies, but I can never bring myself to use them, but this fabric was on sale, super cheap, so I don't think I mind if they get a little snotty.

Look at those dreamy eggs!

And this sweet dog:

I may need to adjust the aperture for shots like this. Still, he's so cute.

This one is actually from a few days ago, when the snow was melting. I like water droplets. 
 
 
 
 

It's knitting week over at APPlesauce, and I've been reviewing knitting apps all week. So I've been inspired to organize my stash, patterns, and needles. I've even cleaned up my Ravelry projects and queue. I've never participated in the Ravelympics before (which basically means you knit an entire project during the course of the Olympics), but I don't have a lot of space for yarn, so I think it's time to work on reducing my stash. I've had this pretty papaya-colored lace-weight since last spring, so it's time to use it up. I'm making using this pattern, and so far, it's nice and easy, and it's moving along nicely. I'll probably lengthen it a bit. 

  
Anyone else knitting for the Ravelympics?  

It's dark and gloomy and wet, so we are hibernating around here this weekend. So there's not much to report, just soup, knitting, sleeping dogs, and Netflix Watch Instantly movies. I recommend I've Loved You So Long and The IT Crowd. The first is poignant and heart-wrenching, the other is bust-a-gut hilarious. 

I also made up a salad that was quite tasty. Mache (Lamb's lettuce), good bacon (I used apple-smoked bacon from Trader Joe's), avocado, grape tomatoes, and a vinegar-y honey mustard dressing. I also had some Almondina toasts from Trader Joe's, spread with Cambozola cheese (a soft, blue cheese). I highly recommend this combination.

If you're disappointed in my lack of creative projects, might I suggest you go see the quilt my sister just finished. You won't be sorry. 
 

 I don't think I need to say anything else.

I think I've almost worked out how to make some pincushions out of the little vintage jello molds that I have. 

 
 A little felt, and a little embroidery, and a little wool stuffing, that's all it took. I do still wish I could figure out how to make the edges smooth and not bunchy. Any ideas?

I also wanted to tell you about a book that you should get. I was super lucky, and the publisher sent me a copy of How to Sew a Button, by Erin Bried.  I pride myself on being pretty self-sufficient, and knowing how to do a lot of things, but this book is just full of great stuff. I will be referring to it often. 

Right now I'm trying to fix a slow drain with baking soda and vinegar, like one of the chapters suggests. 

The author interviewed a bunch of grandmothers, and shares their answers on how to do everything from roast a chicken to make strawberry jam to tying your husband's necktie. It's all written in a friendly, sassy way, as if you were talking to one of these ladies yourself. How to Sew a Button would make a great gift for newlyweds, recent graduates, and anyone just setting out on their own, and not just women, I think anyone would benefit from having this in their library to refer to when they're not sure just how to do something. 

It's also great, especially now when frugality is once again a necessary skill and self-sufficiency is something to be proud of. I can't recommend it enough!