randomised update bits

This afternoon, on the way home from work, stopped at New Seasons to pick up some canning jar lids, for the last of the tomato syrup, and to have handy for pickled beets next week. My word, the lids have gotten rather spendy, for something that is a one use only item.

I'd seen some reusable lids online, when researching non-BPA options (since sadly, all the regular canning jar lids have BPA in the coating, and there is only one manufacturer in North America) The reusable lids are made from some other food grade plastic, with reusable rubber rings, rather than the more common disposable metal lids. (For those with really a lot of extra cash, there are always the gorgeous German "Weck" jars)

Aha, bookmark list to the rescue: Tattler Reusable Canning Jar Lids. A bit of math made it clear that though definitely pricier than disposable lids, they would pay for themselves after only two to four uses! The company has been around since the mid seventies, and the lids are made here in the US, which is reassuring. Anyone out there tried them, or shall the Acorn Cottage kitchen undertake an experiment?

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Portland is really the biggest village ever... my social circle while not tiny, is quite small in proportion to the general population. To have a car honk, and have it be my friend S, who just happened to be stopped at the light, while I was waiting for a bus home from Twisted, in a part of town far from home. Kept me smiling for hours, of course her sweet compliment didn't hurt either!

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Been thinking that this pattern, intended for a bento box carrier, would make a dandy traveling knitting bag. Or any kind of handwork bag. Wouldn't you think so? And the sewing fabric stash is chock full of smaller pieces of fabric, not big enough to make clothing out of, unless you really like patchy-colored clothes. Must try it out and see; having my handwork project be all jumbled with the rest of the tote bag contents is getting tiresome.

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Once the current enamel projects are done, and the prep for Art In the Pearl, there are several personal sewing projects (that have been put on hold for now) which I'm eager to move forward with: the raincoat, and all the jumpers for autumn, fitting the Athena Two blouse, as well as making some Teacher Jumpers for my Olympia pal. I'd like to play along with the Lady Grey sew-along, but realistically, adding any more projects to this years sewing is not realistic. I think.

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And just for fun, though not an activity on my schedule this weekend...