Tuesday trinkets and treats

in which our plucky heroine has a pleasant surprise...

FOUND!! My beloved retractable tape measure, long missing, turned up in, of all peculiar places, between the crock pot liner and the crock pot! When plugged in to start warming up (while prepping remains of last night's chicken legs to make broth for tom kha gai) noticed the inner pot was sitting all cattywhompus, so before it got hot enough to damage the plastic measuring tape housing it was back in the sewing box where it normally lived, and the broth was able to cook properly

※※※
~ peony ~

Not in my yard, but walking (or biking) around the neighborhood there are all sorts of delights for sight and smell. Roses blooming, and fragrant wisteria... Right now the honeybees are so fond of the sage blossoms that they are loud when walking toward the front door

※※※

I had forgotten the Haptic and Hue podcasts, when a post turned up on one of my social media feeds for their recent presentation about the Folly Cove Designers. Not only was that a treat to listen to, but now there is a lot more content for me to enjoy listening to

※※※

As a way to supplement my earthquake shelf, ordered two new bulk food powders to try: coconut milk, and cheddar cheese sauce. it occurred to me that it might be possible to get some of the dried cheese sauce most often found in little aluminum packets inside boxes of Annies mac, or Kraft dinner. A pound bag was worth the taste test. As was pound of dried coconut milk; since it usually comes in largish cans too big for when I make dinner for one. Yes, I freeze the rest in cubes for future use, but it would be very handy to have some shelf-stable option in the pantry . 

The cheese sauce is tasty, (tried that one with rice pasta the day it arrived) and doesn't taste near as salty as the tiny packets. It will do nicely for pasta or other starch or for veggie sauce, even not in an emergency, as will the dry coconut milk, which worked out very well in dinner tonight (faux tom kha kai) Lots of substitutions but a tasty dinner anyway. Ginger instead of galingale, fresh lime zest and juice instead of makrut leaves, brown sugar instead of palm sugar, some red thai curry paste instead of fresh chilies, and the new powdered coconut milk (very easy to rehydrate by shaking 3 tablespoons in a jar with ¼ cup water. The soup was a treat, and there are two more portions for tomorrow and/or the freezer.

※※※

Last week was the annual five days of "Making Zen": free online workshops, and Selina Ben's "Unwritten Folded Treasure Pouch" tutorial was appealing enough that it will be my next small handwork project. Combining as it does almost origami-esque folded design, and a new-to-me decorative fastening stitch, it will be another good use for small pieces of special fabrics.

※※※

May SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Rosa sketch	Bad Smell gone	greenwaste bin
2	boro thread basket	-	recycle bin
3	boro basket 2	-	-
4	boro basket 3	-	-
5	boro basket 4	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- Good podcasts to listen to.
- Lovely scented seasonal flowers, particularly roses and wisteria.
- long missing beloved tape measure found
- honeybees love the sage blossoms
- faux Tom Kha Gai soup
- finished cutting out landscape blouse

Time of Isolation - Day 2132

Tuesday tidbits

in which our plucky heroine enjoys flowers...

The gradual shift in what is flowering made my first glance out the front door yesterday a real treat. Almost gone but not quite little grape hyacinths in dark purple, along with the ongoing paler purple faux bluebells, and the barely starting dwarf lilac. The further distant dwarf apple blossoms peeking through, and the front garden beds are full of dozens of pink violets. 

There seem to be a few more birds this year, at least there are some I don't recognise, aside from the local corvids and juncos. The grassy spaces in the front and back yard are horribly shaggy, but each time I get ready to try and attack it starts to rain.

※※※

~ apple blossoms ~

There is a random dwarf apple tree next to the driveway, and I have no idea what sort of apple it is, though it has been there for well over ten years. It was likely a giveaway, maybe leftover from some tree planting scenario. It is still not as tall as I am, and last year, for the first time, had one flower cluster but set no apples. This year there are four clusters of apple blossoms, and I will be curious to see if there is any fruit to follow. (there are plenty of bees this year)

※※※

Taking a break from my garment sewing shenanigans, and started transferring the rest of my shirt/blouse/pinafore pattern pieces to Costco cardboard before temporarily storing them away. Time to give my brain some time to mull over what I want to do next. Also, whilst perusing the fabric storage shelves, found some Spoonflower prints that Ariadne sent me when Kestrel was a baby, but never had their chance to become kiddo clothing. Will be taking photos of the various fabric designs so we can ask directly what would be the happiest options for future garments, as K has Definite Opinions. It will be fun to sew for them.

※※※

Good news is that the glucose test strips conundrum has been solved as of yesterday, as part of my quarterly medical visit (My PCP is still on indefinite medical leave alas, I hope she is doing okay) Bree, the PA, very kindly lent me a book about glucose and ten suggestions for ways to hack your metabolism, backed by legitimate scientific research, and not involving exotic and expensive chemical or supplemental interventions. Still reading through it, and there seem to be some changes that would be simple to implement

Alas and OUCH! While I felt just fine yesterday, today my left foot has developed a peculiar and intensely painful ache in the area of the long small bones. I have not fallen, or twisted my ankle or foot or done anything out of the ordinary, but the pain is "loud" enough to be distracting. There is no visible change from the usual appearance or difference from the other foot. Just making a note of it here as a way of tracking the issue, in case that turns out to be useful. Bodies are weird, and do things for reasons I don't always understand.

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	glass button shirt	apple tree pruned	recycle bin
2	accordion pouch	tiny beaded star	greenwaste bin
3	bone acorn earrings	electric bill found	recycle bin
4	stripey pinafore	shirt sleeve length	-
5	-	tax papers	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- tax paperwork has all had fair copies made and is tidied away
- all the spring flowers in the front yard
- what appear to be 1 or 2 potential baby pears on the Bosc

Time of Isolation - Day 2112

Monday miscellany

in which our plucky heroine has ongoing insomnia...

I'm tired of being an adult. There is gorram little about it to enjoy, despite the lie all children are told that "when you grow up you can do whatever you want". By the time I was a teen, I was already adding the caveat "if you want to enough and are willing to pay the price". I will, however, admit to one evening last week choosing to have ice cream for dinner instead of a proper meal...

※※※

~ so lovely ~

Everything about the quince is a delight. It is a small tree just outside the south window in the living room. It is one of the first fruit trees here to leaf out, and the flowers are about three times as large as its other pome relatives (apples, pears, and plums). Later in the year those flowers will become the huge golden fragrant fruits quince is renowned for, that get turned into preserves, and jelly, and are added to applesauce, all destined for jars on the store cupboard shelves here at Acorn Cottage, and eventually special sweet treats.

※※※

There is a tangle with my admin paperwork beyond my ability to solve. Things I thought were done correctly weren't. After about a day and a half of not coping at all, it occurred to me that this sort of situation is perzactly what asking for an extension to file tax forms is intended to deal with. Since the extension is only for the forms and not for the payment (still due on the 15th), I've been spending the last two days figuring out what the amounts due would be if there was no tangle, and will send that amount in on Wednesday. Then I'll arrange for some professional assistance (after April 15) and get everything properly sorted. As earlier mentioned, adulting is no fun at all.

※※※

I've been giving self short breaks from admin paperwork to continue with assorted sewing related activity, that being as close as I can get to some sort of "treat". Since I'd already made a sewing kit for the next up pinafore, it has been possible to get the entire bodice sewn together in the last two days. Am quite tempted to make up sewing kits for the rest of my wardrobe refurbishment: 3 more pinafores (one blue/black, one indigo, and one teal); 3 more long janes (one teal, one indigo, and one brown) and the PNW landscape print blouse.

※※※

Another oops! Recently and sadly remembered/realised that it has been days and days since any of the 100 day drawing project activity. There are 29 more drawings waiting to happen. Shall start up again on Thursday. Have been thinking that it would be interesting to find a way to pin all 100 up at once, though I suspect that there isn't any wall space large enough here in Acorn Cottage to make that happen...

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	glass button shirt	apple tree pruned	recycle bin
2	dual fold wallet	tiny beaded star	greenwaste bin
3	-	electric bill found	recycle bin
4	-	shirt sleeve length	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- managed to get up, dressed, and out the door for a walk around the block first thing a few times in the last week, which has been a goal of mine for months, nay years.
- decided that the best option for dealing with admin issues is to file for tax extensions this year. Stress level decreased down to dull roar from complete overwhelm.
- Helga sweetly took me to Costco today
- local transit tax only requires Schedule C's included so that one set of forms and payment can be sent in and crossed of the to do list.

Time of Isolation - Day 2104

taxtime Tuesday

in which our plucky heroine gets ready...

The next week is all about tax prep, and I have another several days of gathering assorted papers before actual arithmetical activity begins. Today several of the necessary pieces were found living in the container of postage stamps, current bills, and blank check registers. There are at least two forms that will need downloaded from online sources. Fortunately, last year Past Me cleverly subdivided the little desktop business receipts file into categories that match those on Schedule C, which should make that part of the process easier and faster. 

Once all the papers are collected together, it usually takes about a day or two to do all the math, make all the multiple copies of forms both for my own records and the various different pages from the national form that get sent in with the state and transit taxes. Then a trip to the bank for a cashiers check, and the post office for postal money orders, and finally hand carrying the packets to be correctly postmarked on April 15.

※※※

~ storefront signs of spring ~

This particular combination is new to me, intensely pointed orange petals shading to sharp green. All of the other green and orange tulips I've seen have been either softly rounded or ruffled. Of course, I am not any sort of aficionado, but these were odd and lovely, and tempting 

※※※

The kombucha culture living on my countertop is doing quite well these days. It has occurred to me, amidst my current cogitation about devolution of supply chains and economic collapse, that kombucha left to ferment too long for pleasant drinking is as sour to the taste as vinegar. While probably not safe it would be challenging to ensure the acidity/strength was at a safe level to use in waterbath canning recipes, it would likely work well as an ingredient for  everyday cookery, or for things like salad dressings.  

※※※

Sadly, I've fallen way behind on my 100 day drawing project. But rather than berate myself, shall simply begin again once the taxes are out of the way. If I can find a large enough wall space, it would be both fun and encouraging to lay out the index cards as a ten by ten grid, so that making more drawings would fill in the spots. It would probably be as satisfying as ticky-boxes. There isn't much in the way of empty wall space here, though.

※※※

As part of refurbishing and replacing my current wardrobe, it has become obvious that collecting together supplies for mending the same, whether it is the specific yarn or fabric or spare buttons, would be very helpful, and avoid massive rummage through all the supplies. My first thought was a shoebox, but there were none empty. Then my eye fell on the pile of picnic baskets. I've more than a few, as rectangular wicker lidded storage was very useful indeed for my (former) SCA camping. They aren't in use now, and could be return to active duty in a different line of work.   

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	glass button shirt	apple tree pruned	recycle bin
2	-	tiny beaded star	greenwaste bin
3	-	electric bill found	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- the organic Cara Cara oranges this year are really good: sweet, very flavorful, and juicy.
- in the process of clearing off the dining table to have room for tax prep paperwork piles, found the current electric bill (that was due 3/31!) and was able to pay it over the phone with no fee or late surcharge.
- using rectangular wicker picnic baskets to hold garment mending supplies.

Time of Isolation - Day 2098

short but very sweet

in which our plucky heroine is delighted...

Most of my Mud Bay pals were headed south this week so Kestrel could visit her great grandmama, and they stopped off briefly on their two day trip south for a bit of a porch visit/drive-by hugging from three of my favorite humans on the planet. Took some time to walk around the yard, stretch their legs, and eat some snacks. I got to meet Leche, their new dog. I love all of them so much (as well as Maeva who was staying home to mind the garden and the chickens) and hope that someday visiting with them in person will be possible again.

※※※

~ proto-pears ~

In January of 2025 I planted the Bosc pear tree in the front yard that was my response to the Urban Forestry permit requirement for replacing the ornamental plum tree removed in 2024 While I suspect it isn't large enough yet to really support fruiting, it has done well enough to open a singular cluster of flowers this year!  The Shipova and the Seckel seem to be doing well but of course are about half that size. With luck, there will be some of my favorite tree fruit in a few years, though I expect to have to baby them and hand water every summer for quite few years to come, particularly given how hot it already is and that the forecast is for a dreadful El Niño season...

Bosc pear planted in 2025
※※※

The disorder in the house is getting to the point where it is interfering with my ability to function. My thought is that once my taxes for the year are done (in the next ten days) I will then take at least the next six weeks or more and focus time every day on creating more order from the current chaos. If I focus each week on one aspect or room, it should make a big difference, and maybe allow me a chance to get some of the refurbishment projects underway as well. I am going to go ahead and order the window awnings that have been on my wishlist for years now; aluminum is only going to get more and more spendy, and while the prices are a lot higher than last year,  it is not yet in the "unobtanium" category, and shading the east and west windows will make a big difference in the summertime .

※※※

Brenda Dayne has connected all her past catalog to her current Substack site. This means that I have a lot of audio content I can enjoy (again). Cast On was one of the first podcasts I ever ran across, and despite looking, I have yet to find any that I like anywhere near as much. Her voice, selection of music, and mixture of content just feeds something in me that nothing else does. I wish I could articulate what about Cast On makes it just right.

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	glass button shirt	apple tree pruned	recycle bin
2	-	tiny beaded star	greenwaste bin
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- Beloved friends Bill, Jen, and Kestrel stopping by on their trip south
- meeting Leche the dog, large and quiet
- "Cast On" with Brenda Dayne

Time of Isolation - Day 2097

wardrobe Wednesday

in which our plucky heroine...

Rabbit rabbit rabbit! and another month begins. March felt very busy with many projects in process, but less completed progress than usual was logged in to the SMART goals matrix, so with effort April shall need to make up the difference.

※※※

~ Fritillaria meleagris ~

A small but constant delight each spring, to see these tiny checquered flowers return. There is only one clump, underneath the star magnolia. They always remind me of my parents 50th anniversary party, when rather than cut flowers to decorate the tables, we filled bowls with arrangements of pots of flowering bulbs which could be replanted, to continue bringing joy and memory forward into the future.

※※※

Yesterday morning I rode back to the Safeway pharmacy to get my vaccine booster. (still no word on my missing test strips). The technician was so new that he asked if I was okay with him doing the jab, or if I would prefer the pharmacist. I chose to give him the benefit of his training, and since he was so very new there, the pharmacist also came in to supervise. Young man did so well that it was not at all painful, indeed was done practically before I felt it. I complimented him on doing better than some of the techs at the big hospital

That afternoon during my video chat with Karen, I was noticeably more tired than usual, (possibly as a result of my vaccine booster), so it was early bedtime and not all my daily chores were completed, much less my intended daily writing. Still catching up today, and still a bit tired.

※※※

Rummaging through the fabric shelves, a shortish length of grey linen turned up, though not quite the same as the worn out grey pinafore, it is close enough that my thought is to simply replace the bodice entirely, and thereby gain at least a few more years of wear. The skirt is only worn right at the center front waistline, where the countertop rubs while I am washing dishes. A shaped waistband could take care of that as well, and give a bit of a different style. Worth the effort, and have added to the list. 

Looking at the closet for further refurbishment, a black linen pinafore that never gets worn any more is also a good candidate. It was originally made as part of my black travel/capsule wardrobe when we went to Paris, and is significantly longer than anything else in my wardrobe. If hemmed to the same length as all the others (ie safe for riding my bike), it then would become suitable for everyday wear instead of only for funerals. I don't want to have things in my closet that aren't being worn, just like I don't want to keep saving fabric for "something special" but rather continue my current practice of making things I will wear now.

※※※

April SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	-	-	-
2	-	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	-	-	-
7	x	x	-
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- Pharmacy tech gave me a painless jab, and I now have had my 6 month booster. Wish there was a way to have the vaccines be a better match to the actual circulating virus instead of being several generations behind; would be great good fortune should that someday be possible.
- the blue-green sock yarn I started knitting into a Sophie scarf has a subtle and pleasant variegation. Given the gauge, it will be a slow project, but it is almost mindless garter stitch, so ideal for pickup work, and when eventually finished, will be a great addition to my coordinated accessories in the teal/turquoise group.
- managed to trap the Very Annoying housefly between the window and the screen.
- my DIY goddess dressing turned out quite good, even though it needed the stick blender to deal with the lumpy tahini

Time of Isolation - Day 2092

somewhat less than ideal

in which our plucky heroine has eye trouble...

I woke up this morning with my right eye very swollen and painful, burning and gritty feeling, and have booked an express care medical visit. The first available appointment was at 8:40 am... And with my right eye so wonky/painful it means I can't do anything at all as sewing, knitting, embroidery, workshop tasks etc all require binocular vision (Last night it didn't feel quite right, so I used extra of my regular before bedtime eye drops).

There seems to be not only an eyelid infection, but it may be spreading to the eye socket, so the plan is for both antibiotic eye drops and daily pills (for the whole system) for a whole week. Yogurt will be a daily necessity, and my sleep wake will become very wonky indeed as every three hours I will be either medicating, or, alternately ingesting probiotic substances, as the pharmacist said to eat with medicines, but not dairy, and then to eat yogurt after a three hour window. Lather rinse repeat.  

※※※

~ was a sunny day ~

The westside esplanade, where the Willamette River bisects Portland, has a short season of springtime when the cherry trees bloom. Usually I only notice this when riding transit over one of our many bridges, but since today was both not-raining, and not-cold, and since I could do none of my usual preferred activites with only one fully functional eye... it seemed that a local "adventure" was a good plan. It turned out that what seemed like half the city also thought it was a good plan! There were dogs, and kiddos, and young families with babies on blankets, new lovers and old ones, folks on wheels: bicycles, and chairs, and skateboards, and rollerblades. There were buskers, and the venerable Saturday Market handcraft tents. It was far more crowded than our plucky heroine prefers to subject herself to, but in this world of trouble and turmoil, it was actually quite lovely and benign.

※※※

The last week has been a challenge in various ways. Never a good sign when I stop writing here, and stop contacting folks. The nightmares that in the Before Times could more often be left at sleeps door when they awakened me in the wee small hours are now far too similar to current events, and have several times made further sleep that night impossible. Fortunately being semi-retired/work from home means that while it isn't ideal, rearranging the daytime to allow for an afternoon nap is at least possible. Reminders from beloved if faraway friends that my being in their lives is helpful and a treat for them, helps my equilbrium. May the week ahead bring, if not fewer daytime horrors, at least some peaceful dreams.

※※※

Lastly, hand stitching ribbon facings to cover the (slightly wonky) steek edges inside the Icelandic cardigan really added a finished look. This was a technique I had seen in some vintage knitwear, but never tried. I found some chocolate brown 1" wide rayon petersham ribbon on Etsy, and the instructions shared by Hélène Magnússon on her blog made the process really clear. It turned out quite pleasingly tidy, and was not difficult. Should I make another steeked cardigan, this will be good to remember...

※※※

Last year a wee baby Victoria rhubarb came to live here, from the plant store at the end of the street. It survived in a pot on the porch next to the front door, where it was very visible, and hence watered often enough. After winter dormancy, it sent out some pencil thin stalks with leaves smaller than my palm, and surely it needed a bigger home. Earlier this week it moved to the raised bed in the backyard. That bed still needs quite a bit of topping up with good soil, but after shifting some all to one end, and adding a few shovels worth of compost, the rhubarb has a new home, where it will get good sunlight all day, and has good rich soil to send roots into. My hope is that if I can manage to care for it well, and feed it richly with compost and worm castings, in a few years I may have homegrown rhubarb. Fingers crossed and notes made on the calendar to keep it watered.

※※※

March SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	ruffle pillow shams	cardigan length	recycle bin
2	clothespin bag	cardigan button bands	-
3	-	cardigan ribbon facings	-
4	-	planted rhubarb	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- I walked five miles today
- cherry blossoms along the esplanade
- being able to get medical attention for my eye, and having the medicine needed be available
- zoom with Jen and a bit of Cathy
- baby rhubarb remains alive and well
- making it back from my doctor visit in time to have some Sewing Nomads zoom this morning

Time of Isolation - Day 2081

Discontinuity

in which our plucky heroine is reminded that we live on a planet...

and not every place has the same time simultaneously.

※※※

~ signs of hope ~

In the side yard, there are buds on the Quinceling, that will eventually turn into beautiful flowers and then with luck into large golden (lumpy) spheres of fragrant fruit. And in the parking strip, forsythia is showing signs that spring is on the way. It was planted there twenty-one years ago, from an alleyway sprig from behind a house that was being torn down. Sometimes what can be salvaged finds a second life...

※※※

Successfully started the I-cord borders on Icelandic cardigan; multiple rows will take some time to complete. Chocolate brown petersham ribbon has been ordered for steek facings. The sleeve cuff ribbing will be removed and a single row of I-cord replace it to coordinate. This alteration/mending project is very satisfying, and will be a constant Dad hug from the past once completed. There are other current and future garments to be friends with it, like the brown chambray blouse, and the next to be made brown linen pinafore and brown ribbed cotton long janes.

※※※

Further enshittification: my local pharmacy is now closed on weekends, as of middle of February. Since I mostly only use them for prescription refills, it was a surprise and not a treat to find this out only after riding my bike over there on Sunday to try and request a refill... on Monday, dreadfully long lines, 14 people ahead of me. Might have been better had I managed to get there right when they opened. Returned to pick up prescriptions midafternoon Tuesday, when in the past there might be only a few folks waiting, and instead, there were even more... I commiserated with the pharmacy clerk about how changes she hadn't asked for had made her job more difficult; she seemed grateful I was sympathetic rather than grouchy..

And a number of TriMet bus routes are being either reduced or discontinued. Two that will specifically affect how I use them are 75 and 19. Line 75 reduced after 6 pm, is a route that extends far across the metropolitan area. And line 19 is being entirely removed, since there are other lines between a quarter and a half mile away. The fact that line 19 also directly serves a major area hospital and other associated medical facilities is irrelevant.  After all folks that need hospital services all have cars, or can easily walk there. If they are going to remove that line, at least they ought re-route the 20 to cover hospital access. Sigh... grrr...

※※※

March SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	ruffle pillow shams	cardigan length	recycle bin
2	clothespin bag	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- made it to the bank before they closed at 5... managed to walk to the bus stop, then bus, then Yellow Line, then Red Line, then walking more.
- payment for pillow shams, and then later a photo text (with heart emojis) of them in situ. My various sorts of work are for making specific things that folks cannot purchase ready-made in shops
- naps...
- the gradation of yarn colors of the I-cord center front cardigan bands looks quite purposeful, in a good way  
- Krups little electric grinder, intended for coffee, but I use it for flaxseed and for spices

Time of Isolation - Day 2071

inky-dinky-doo...

in which our plucky heroine finds an ingredient...

I've never tried making ink, but then I've never found oak galls before. Out for a walk with Wellington early this morning, on one of the nearby streets there was something unusual. At first glance, my thought was mushrooms, but they were far too regular in shape, and there were a lot of oak leaves on the ground...oh, those must be oak galls! One of empty pickup bags served as to hold some to bring home, and there will be another gathering trip on our afternoon walkies. 

According to various online instructions, making ink takes a bit of time and effort, but isn't difficult. Basically you grind up the galls then steep them in rainwater for anywhere from a day to a month. An iron compound turns the brown liquid to deep black, so soaking some rusty iron (or steel wool) in vinegar for a time provides the iron. Combine the liquids after straining them. Gum arabic can be added for a thicker consistency, and some folks advise adding a clove to the finished ink to help preserve it. 

※※※

~ it's beginning... ~

... to look a lot like Advent Swap! About ⅔ of the folks who've signed up have sent in their gifties, and the rest should arrive soon. Alas several folks forgot to include the return postage that allows me to mail back the filled boxes of treats, but hopefully that will also be rectified. It is exciting how many new people are in this year's group!

※※※

Haven't yet become comfortable with Affinity.  I still need to learn how to  properly get the results desired. Something I am doing, or not doing, causes my photos to become less crisp and more blurry, which is the opposite of what I want. And I haven't yet figured out keep forgetting how to save properly either, in the format and location desired. (hint to self : it is via "Export" not either "Save" or "Save As") Patience grasshopper...

※※※

~ mullein blossom ~

most of the plant is not only done flowering but grey-black and completely senescent, but here and there along the blossom stalks there are these new bright flowers.. a little confused as to the season, but lovely nonetheless...

※※※

Earlier this week started some sample tiny owl ornaments, and since the results are pleasing, cut out enough oval discs from egg carton cardboard for another two dozen, which would result in one full set of swap treats for next year... They are the sort of small handwork task I can do while online 

※※※

November SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	clothespin bag	horse kerchief	greenwaste bin
2	5 jars pickled beets	more chopshop repair	recycle bin
3	1# hand weights	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- the camera my dad gave me 20 years ago takes excellent macro photos.
- found the long time missing cap for my turned wood seam ripper
- oak galls!
- nephew Alex sent me his old Samsung S9 phone, which I intend to have activated. I need to replace the battery, since that is its weakness, and get it an Otterbox, but it might be the answer to my current phone dilemma.

Time of Isolation - Day 1962

a modicum of satisfaction

in which our plucky heroine reaches a goal...

As of today there are 23 folks that have said they want to play along in the Advent Swap this year! (not sure they all will, and there may be folks that haven't yet contacted me...) And today I finished the final 13 things for the *four* sets (one for my own, and three more for "bonus" sets) I committed to do for the Advent Swap.

※※※

Took this photo yesterday before the rain and wind blew in, and probably that will be the last of the morning glories till next year. Remember: look up, look down, look all around, while we still have beauty in the world...

※※※

One minor thing really needed, better clothes peg storage. Tired of trying to wrangle assorted plastic tubs of them into my pinafore pockets when hanging laundry up. When this cross body peg bag from Blue Cat Sewing showed up online, it seemed a much more useful idea than the sort that hangs from the line. When not in use it could be stored hanging up in the laundry area... And goodness knows there's certainly enough random remnants and twill tape around here to create something similar. Time to do some sampling to figure out the best size and strap length for my ownself.

※※※

I've started using various bits of baking equipment to keep handcraft projects contained or set aside as needed. Not just the obvious use of cupcake or muffin tins to organise small items. For example: when block printing the origami pinwheels, the ink needed to dry before being refolded; much better to set them out all on a sheet pan than loose all over the work table, they can then be picked up all in one batch and set aside safely.

※※※

Gah! in the "one damnthing after another" digital graphical chronicles here at Acorn Cottage... the printer does not work as a printer, in that it does not communicate through the magic of wifi to the laptop, or else the laptop has annoyingly lost the ability to recognise that there is a printer just on the other side of the room. (so, if I want a document printed, it involves a journey to the public library) And, for some reason, my very very venerable Photoshop, which has been working quickly and delightfully for years has suddenly today become alarmingly slow to open. In this case I deleted it from the laptop and reinstalled it, since when I turned on the machine this morning it was unable to open Photoshop at all! I'm wondering if I need to "remove" the printer from the laptop and reinstall it as well, along with whatever updated drivers it needs?

※※※

Today I adapted the Kale Bulgar Feta recipe to better suit my tastes and what I keep on hand. Cut the bulgar portion by half. Substituted Chinese Rice Wine (pantry staple) for the white wine. Used 1 Tablespoon of canned green chilies instead of 2 jalpeno peppers. Added a tablespoon of raisins at the end for more of a five flavor effect. (Savory, Sour, Spicy, Salty, Sweet)

※※※

October SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	6 lunaria pod ornaments	wheelbarrow tire	greenwaste bin
2	5 more lunaria ornaments	cardigan cuffs	recycle bin
3	5 golden origami dragons	reattach wheel to wheelbarrow	recycle bin
4	5 mini amanitas	vegetable steamer leg replacement	recycle bin
5	18 penny luck envelopes	-	-
6	10 holly&bells ornaments	x	x
7	more penny luck envelopes	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes - 
- the delight of conversation with Mischa
- enough tiny treats for my contribution for the Advent Swap assembled
- a better (to my taste) version of Kale Bulgar Feta salad
- using baking gear to organise handwork

Time of Isolation - Day 1950

the sweet scent of late summer

in which our plucky heroine takes an appreciative sniff...

This is one time of year when there are some of my favorite flower scents drifting on the air. I remember the first time I smelled Clerodendrum, on a trip through the city... we'd stopped for dinner at McMenamins Barley Mill Pub, and parked a few blocks away, and there was this amazing floral perfume that just overwhelmed me. Took me months, and librarian helpers, in those pre-internet days, to find out what the plant was.

※※※

~ Clerodendrum trichotomum ~

Common names Harlequin Glorybower (or/also "peanutbutter plant") it has the most sweetly scented flowers, which turn into small metallic blue berries surrounded by bright red sepals. If you crush or rub the leaves, they smell sort of like peanut butter. The berries make a dyestuff known in Japan as "the other blue"...

※※※

Progress on the elderberrry tincture: after freezing the elderberries for a day or two, they have been transferred into a mason jar, covered with 100 proof vodka, and stashed in the pantry for the next month and a half... the jar gets shaken up at least several times a week as alcohol and water extract healing compounds from the berries.

※※※

Riding my bike on Thursday morning, and heard a sort of strange ping noise, which turned out to be a broken spoke, which sent the rear wheel enough out of true that it was dragging on the rear brakepad as well. Since I was out and about on errands, stopped at the re-opened bike shop in Kenton, dropped it off to be repaired, and headed for home on foot. Turned out that the wheel needed replaced due to age and former broken spokes. Not that bad, considering the bike is over 25 years old.

※※※

Yesterday there was an instagram post from the St Johns Little Free Art Gallery, with photos of their current group show that just refilled the box, so was tempted to take an evening ride (fingers crossed it didn't rain on me)... there, as well as all sorts of 2D artwork was this adorable little 2" ceramic rattle/bell ornament shaped like a the love child of a gyoza dumpling and a grumpy goldfish. This reminds me of my intention to eventually create a sort of blank wreath that I can add the various trinkets from the advent swaps; this little fish would be a great addition...

※※※

Insomnia bit hard last night, and then waking up from a nightmare at 3am didn't do me any favors either, so a long afternoon nap was inevitable. My planned chores and activity for today mostly didn't happen, though I did hang the laundry on the line before succumbing to magnetic bed attraction. First task on waking up again was to water the treelings. Then it occurred to me that the basil surrounding Juliet-the-tomato could be trimmed and the leaves set to dry for wintertime use, the kitchen smells wonderfully of basil.

※※※

August SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	4 jar storage trays	tiger block	greenwaste bin
2	4 jar storage lids	bright rayon top width	recycle bin
3	-	indigotiger popover  hem extension	recycle bin
4	-	bike rear wheel	window AC
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes - 
- Ariadne mentioned Piel de Sapo melon, so when I saw some at the market, had to try it... so yummy!
- we didn't get much if any rain, but it has cooled down a little bit, and is a bit less muggy
- two delightful treats from the Little Free Art Gallery

Time of Isolation - Day 1853

dilatory dilation

in which our plucky heroine gets her eyes examined...

... as happens once a year. Only now, maybe ten hours later, am I able to focus my eyes again well enough to type this post, or do anything else that requires clear vision. I've read that those with lighter colored eyes are more prone to this issue, so perhaps my blue-grey peepers are the cause.

※※※

~ lacecap hydrangea ~

On either side of one of the hillside stairs down to the hospital parking lots, there are billows of beautiful lacecap hydrangeas currently in bloom. As I was attempting this photo, one of the workmen stopped to say "so pretty"...

※※※

Yesterday my (xp3*) sunblock mitts were completed. The cotton lycra jersey does function better than the cotton jersey sheeting, but, discovered that the "long cuffs falling down" issue is not caused by a lack of lycra, but rather because the pattern has the forearm portion at least 1½" larger than my arms!! Now the question is - do I cut into and restitch the current pair or move on to xp4? The pattern will, of course, be adjusted for future use...

* xp = experimental and the number indicates what version

※※※

I hate that the drops take almost a day to wear off, which means I can't do anything at all functional and need to avoid bright light; I'm glad I can get my eye health checked. I doubled up the temporary sunglasses they send you out with afterwards, which helped while taking transit back home to Acorn Cottage. And once home again, even my usual indoor lighting was too dazzling for my eyes, so I gave up even on such non vision critical chores as washing dishes or folding laundry, and retired with an audiobook and eventually an afternoon nap!  

Exam results: no changes to my prescriptions, no significant changes to my eye pressure, and very slight (basically insignificant) increase in lens cataracts, and there are also starting to be slight signs of age related macular degeneration. In six months it will be time for visual fields testing, which is also an annual exam, to check my optic nerve health, since that test and the exam that requires dilation can't happen at the same visit. The eye doctor was content with my current status, since what changes are occurring are part of the ordinary aging process, and not interfering with my daily life.

※※※

Despite the heat today, it started cooling off before sunset, so it has been possible to turn off the heat pump and turn on the box fans. This is rarely the case in the summer, and is an unexpected treat. I also went out for an early evening bike ride, given the cooler air, which brought my "step total" for today to almost 10K, aka 3¾ miles. I use it so I don't lose it...

※※※

July SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Raven scroll	6 prs Beth pants	recycle bin
2	black floral scarf	prune² Wanda plum	greenwaste bin
3	4 jars strawberry- rhubarb preserves	mulch peartrees	greenwaste bin
4	sunblock mitts	Eames top	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- eye are healthy, given my age
- cooler-ish air this evening
- enough rest

Time of Isolation - Day 1820

Saturday snippets

in which our plucky heroine cogitates...

Recently realised I've been writing here online for 18 years... a hobby that still holds my interest, and that I find to be a useful tool for self reflection and positivity. Keeping a journal has for centuries been a practice of record keeping and capturing thought. Something about the blogging interface, and being able to integrate images with my writing, has sustained my activity. Six years ago I added "today's gratitude(s)"as a regular part of my template, that turned into a valuable way to shift my point of view. While some days are more of a challenge than others, remembering to look for the good and be grateful reinforces an outlook on the bright world that makes my life better than it was prior to that innovation.

※※※

Crocosmia just seems so well suited to the middle of the summer. I wish mine was so eager to bloom, as I would love to have enough to bring some indoors as cut flowers. Someday I'd like to plant some rose campion as a companion, as their magenta red and grey leaves next to the orangey-red and spikey green leaves of crocosmia dance together in my imagination.

※※※

Well that was a first... I have been doing water bath canning for many years now, but this morning one of my five jars of strawberry rhubarb preserves cracked in the kettle. No idea why, probably some kind of internal stress. I checked carefully and it appears that the base of the jar just snapped cleanly off. I managed to scoop the jar out of the water along with most but not all of the fruit mixture. The other jars went through the processing with no trouble, but I will need to wipe them down once they are fully cooled, as the outsides will be sticky. Still, four shelf stable jars of one of my two favorites (the other being orange marmalade) will be a treat to add to the pantry, and makes a bit more space in the chest freezer.

※※※

Blue Cat Sewing has a design for this cross body "peg bag", specifically to use when hanging laundry out on the line, which seems incredibly useful. That way the clothespins can be brought outside when needed, and stored in the laundry zone the rest of the time. Is it cheating to adapt this simple concept rather than buying a PDF pattern, if all I'm doing is making one for myself, not making them to sell... I don't think so?A good rummage through the fabric resource shelves and boxes will surely turn up some suitable material. I never bother to make shoulder straps adjustable, as my proportions and height do not change.

※※※

Usually when I make zucchini sauce, I puree the squash-and-onion mixture before adding the flavor ingredients. Today, instead, just slightly mashed up into a rougher sauce, but just as delicious. Good with some feta, or as a  pasta sauce, or to accompany cottage cheese, or with both together as part of a variation on lasagna...

Green Zucchini Sauce

1 onion, cubed
1¼ # zucchini, cubed

saute onion in a little oil until soft and sweet, add zucchini and steam with some added water, then puree (if desired), then stir in the following:

4 oz salsa verde
zest and juice of one lemon
¼C minced cilantro

※※※

July SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Raven scroll	6 prs Beth pants	recycle bin
2	black floral scarf	prune² Wanda plum	greenwaste bin
3	4 jars strawberry- rhubarb preserves	mulch peartrees	greenwaste bin
4	-	Eames top	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- a delicious variation of zucchini sauce, rough instead of a puree
- "The Year Without Sunshine" by Naomi Kritzer
- my Sewing Nomads pals and our ongoing fortnightly zoom meetings

Time of Isolation - Day 1818

Tuesday tidbits

in which our plucky heroine learns something new...

The temperature on the porch this afternoon was again close to 100F in the shade. I sure hope it is at least a little cooler next week when the roof here at Acorn Cottage is scheduled for replacement!

※※※

~ milkweed ~

Whenever I see these flowers now, I am reminded of Bujold's "The Sharing Knife" series, where Fawn mentions them in a metaphor...

※※※

Today the lovely scent of the lindens along the street nearbywas mostly gone, and the ground beneath the trees was covered with tiny fallen blossoms. I'd been reading about folks urban foraging the flowers for tea, and will make a note in my journal to remember to try that, next year in late June...

※※※

Having finished the Eames knit top refurbishment, more handwork is needed. A large square of printed cotton lawn (Alexander Henry "Trios") makes a good headscarf, once the edges are finished with a rolled hem. Today, when I was whinging a bit to Karen about how slowly the process was going, she mentioned how helpful she has found using a sewing bird to be. Well, I actually remembered that I do own such a tool*, though have never used it, and indeed was unsure as to its whereabouts... 

During a break in our video chat, it was time to start hunting. It wasn't in my sewing box, but it eventually turned up in an old Chinese biscuit tin jumbled in with with random serger tools. After a false start, once I figured out where to place the clamp vis a vis my cloth and my hands: Hoo Whee! This is the most excellent improvement ever, and really speeds up the rolled hem handstitching significantly. I'm really glad to have acquired it at some point in the past, and will surely make use of it in future hand sewing projects!!

*sewing bird aka kakehari set

※※※

July SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Raven scroll	6 prs Beth pants	recycle bin
2	-	prune² Wanda plum	greenwaste bin
3	-	mulch peartrees	-
4	-	Eames top	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- homeostasis. I feel much better now than earlier today.
- sewing bird: a tool I owned for years but had never before used, which upon taking Karen's suggestion, turns out to be an amazing assistance in hand sewing.
- The mysterious brightly colored frozen cubes turned out to be cooked sweet potato, a perfect dinner for my wobbly tummy.

Time of Isolation - Day 1814

Saturday snippets

in which our plucky heroine sleeps in...

The noise last night went on long past midnight which rather played hob with my usual morning routine such as it is. Grateful that tonight seems to have returned to the usual, unlike in times past.

※※※

~ blooming agave ~

Figured it was time to take a bike ride along the edge of the bluff and see how the flowering agave was doing... it did not disappoint. The bud clusters are now in spectacular bloom, and surrounded by pollinating insects. When the homeowner offered a chance to step into her front yard so as to use the sequoia trees across the street as a backdrop for my photo I was delighted, and she offered to keep an eye on my bike while I did so! She warned about her friendly dog who would want petted... and it did me good to enjoy playing a few rounds of fetch with her black poodle. 

※※※

Threadloop is sort of but not quite similar to Ravelry, but for sewing. After hearing about it on Brenda Dayne's most recent podcast, it sounded worth exploring. Since I rarely use commercial patterns, I don't know how active I would be there, but did want to check out what folks there had to say about Ann Tilley's "Magic Pants" (which I did buy a pattern for, and which I plan on attempting later this summer). While exploring, I also found this adorable "Moth Wing Capelet" in a list of adaptive patterns for changing bodies. The designer even has a board full of moth inspirations

※※※

Way back when Beth and Karen were here visiting, they helped me salvage some Really Large heavy corrugated cardboard, perfect for mulch. Today I cut up several layers into shapes that will fit around the pear trees in front yard, as my initial attempt to just lay wood chips down has already seen much overgrowth. So I raked that all further away, and put the shaped bits down; tomorrow I'll water the cardboard a second time, then cover it with a thick layer of the chips.  

My hope is that by layering cardboard first, then the woodchips, it will be possible to string trim around the edges, and keep the area around the trees properly watered during the summer. I want to do the same thing around the young persimmon in the backyard, where the very unsubstantial layer of mulch that the Friends of Trees folks put down is already rather totally colonised by the ubiquitous wild morning glory... 

※※※

July SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Raven scroll	6 prs Beth pants	recycle bin
2	-	prune² Wanda plum	greenwaste bin
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- heavy corrugated cardboard, perfect for mulching.
- Mischa's once a month salon
- a friendly dog 

Time of Isolation - Day 1811

throwback Thursday and other thoughts

in which our plucky heroine does her best to cope...

Today is being a fairly busy day, and the middle of the day only a little bit cooler than previous weeks. Fortunately I headed out first thing (before 8am) on my bike, with the intention of picking up some chicken legs at Grocery Outlet, and it was pleasantly cool. Most everything will be shut down tomorrow for the (ironic) holiday. 

Five years ago I was immersed in the dreadful new normal of 2020, committed to a "100 days of creativity challenge", and waxing enthusiastic about growing some vegetables in the yard...

Ten years ago it was all about trying to keep cool, and to keep my trio of Black Australorp hens (Boneclaw Mother, Granny Weatherwax, and Nanny Og) cool, as the weather approached triple digits

Fifteen years ago I first adapted the Japanese Nani Iro dress pattern into my iconic summer staple, the popover dress.

※※※

~ strongly sweet scented ~

Linden flowers are not particularly photogenic, but had we some way to capture and share scent, these might be overpowering. There is a chunk of early midsummer when I ride my bike from scent cloud to scent cloud...

※※※

Today's work is to repair a half dozen of pairs of pants for a patron, all of which have places where the seam joins have blown out. Lightweight rayon, and gauze are lovely to wear in hot weather, but are not usually manufactured in the most durable of construction techniques.

※※※

This morning Braden (estimator) came over to double check the details of replacing the roof here at Acorn Cottage, and once that was confirmed, a contract was signed and a deposit was transfered. Later today Trevor (project manager) phoned to set up an appointment for his walk through of the roof and attics next week. If that goes as expected, work on replacing the roof will start the following week. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

※※※

Apparently the new Albina library will have at least some "makerspace" equipment, and are offering access to 3D printing. Talking to a librarian this afternoon, it will not be limited to just youth, but will have at least some time or instruction allocated to adults. Albina is also a LOT closer than Rockwood!

※※※

July SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	Raven scroll	6 prs Beth pants	recycle bin
2	-	-	-
3	-	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- a phone call from my SIL 
- new library makerspace not limited to youth
- roof contract signed, will start in two weeks
 

Time of Isolation - Day 1809