Monday miscellany

in which our plucky heroine enjoys the serendipity of randomly finding "follow the crows" rather than methodical collection...

~ #1 "Be Kind ~

One of the brightest spots on Saturday morning was finding another beautiful painted crow standing in the dry fountain sculpture

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Was able to easily paint the tiny faux-casters black just with craft store acrylic. Got so excited fitting/gluing together the various pieces of RÅSKOG that I forgot my plan to create a photo essay. Must needs print out a second set. The ends of the curved framework pieces fit into the openings in the tray piece, making it unnecessary to create a jig to hold those parts in place. There is enough vertical space remaining in those openings to be able to glue the thinner sticks in an upright position. Very well designed, once I sussed out how it was all meant to be assembled. Just like the flat pack it is!

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At long last, after years of seeking, I've found an affordable "Micro-Go-Round", marked down several times over ($50 to $19.99, and finally to $5) on the marketplace of FB. The gizmo was first made decades ago, for rotating food in a microwave that doesn't have an automatic carousel. They are, by this time, difficult to find, and often spendy ($50 to $70 +). I've got my fingers crossed that it is in working order, to be a good helper for my venerable tiny microwave.

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On Sunday the T. Kingfisher story "Packing" was my read-aloud volunteer contribution to the SAC presentations this quarter. Was not sure how it would be received, but there was a good discussion afterwards, which went off in a most unexpected direction with many folks rambling in the neighborhood of is there free will? I myself find the tale a requiem and a challenge, and think instead of how every doorway gone through is both an opening and a closing.

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala horse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	more plums frozen	greenwaste bin
5	12+ jars elderberry syrup	new handheld shower	-
6	16 jars Awesome sauce	screen door painted	x
7	kitchen algebra tag	x	x
8	RÅSKOG pieces	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- found a Micro-Go-Round for sale for $5
- I think I set up my 3D print file correctly, which will be helpful in the future.
- The Taco Bell (near the Clackamas Mall bus transfer station) had a bathroom, and after two hours on transit, grateful does not even begin to cover how happy I was that they were open, the door unlocked, and no one in there. Then I walked the mile further to where my medical apppointment was.

Time of Isolation - Day 2263

Thursday thoughts

in which our plucky heroine enjoys the sunrise ~

Getting up and out the door while it is barely dawn is a challenge, but the benefit is a very pretty light show in the eastern sky. Always different, always worth seeing...

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~ e is for experimental ~

The STL file to print this cute trinket shelf has been unavailable for over a year, and the shop owner hasn't responded to my queries, so I decided to find out if I could create my own interpretation using the laser cutter... The first experiment was to see how narrow a structure could be cut, and it was a pleasant surprise that 1mm spaces between the cuts worked well and feels surprisingly sturdy! Definitely will continue with this (albeit rather rudimentary) designing process and create my own SVG cut file. Creating rectangles of specific sizes in the Glowforge interface, and placing them inside a larger specifically sized rectangle might not be rocket science, but one must needs begin somewhere.

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Baby bears portion: the meatball sundae at Ikea. By the time I made it out there, found the Raskog cartons, took photos of the labels, and started back towards the exits it was after 3 and there had been no lunch. Hot dogs or pizza rarely appeal, but then I noticed the handwritten sign at the bistro "meatball sundaes return"... a modestly sized ice cream cup but filled with a scoop of what tasted like actual mashed potatoes, and topped with 3 Swedish meatballs and gravy. It was a treat to be asked if I wanted lingonberry jam. I did. Before Ikea, it never would have occurred to me that jam was a suitable condiment for meatballs, although many folks in the USA eat red jam (aka cranberry sauce) with turkey.

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Today I went to the 3D print workshop at the Holgate Library, instead of Albina. Having done so this once, Albina will continue as first preference since the meeting room there is much more pleasant, being larger, with room to spread out and a whole wall of windows. Now all the pieces of tiny RÅSKOG are printed out. The next steps are to paint the tiny (faux) caster wheels, to figure out what glue to use to attach the extremely small PLA printed bits, and make to make jigs to hold the various parts in proper alignment. All of which was covered in the instructions that came with the print file with two words: "glue together"

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala horse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	more plums frozen	greenwaste bin
5	12+ jars elderberry syrup	new handheld shower	-
6	16 jars Awesome sauce	screen door painted	x
7	kitchen algebra tag	x	x
8	RÅSKOG pieces	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- early morning sunrise sky
- makerspace instructor Gretchen is a good communicator
- I have all the pieces for tiny RÅSKOG

Time of Isolation - Day 2259

it's magnetic

in which our plucky heroine slept well...

and this morning there were unfamiliar sounds from a flock of birds in the front yard tree, and I saw quite a few nuthatches clambering around?! Not something I've commonly seen around here. 

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~ kitchen algebra ~

(actual size 1¼" x 2⅛")

This was my laser cutting project today at the library workshop. My intention is to keep the formula readily available by turning it into a kitchen magnet. What I am particularly amused by is how the red acrylic and the cream color paint marker combine to give the artifact a "science lab" sort of appearance. Once I glue a magnet to the back, it will take pride of place as an aide-mémoire in the kitchen...

It remains Very Enjoyable to keep experimenting with the digital maker tools at the library, even though I'm not yet anywhere near being able to actually get more than one or two steps forward before calling for help in the design and setup stage. I spent some time today (after the algebra tag was engraved and cut) designing a very tiny sample as part of my ongoing wish to have more of the 1:12 scale trinket shelves to play with. Looks like barely over 1mm is possible when using 3mm plywood, and will do more design work at my next chance to play with the Glowforge. 

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In further magnetic adventures, I'd noticed after my most recent preserving session that the plastic lid lifter (used to remove lids and rings from the hot water when waterbath canning), washed along with all the rest of the paraphernalia, was missing its functional tip. This small tool is a necessity, so I was pleased to notice today that there was a small round disc under the kick plate between the sink cupboard and the cushion mat. Tiny magnet had fallen out and was hidden from view. Not sure what will be the best glue to reattach it, but very glad to not have to do unnecessary shopping.

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala horse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	more plums frozen	greenwaste bin
5	12+ jars elderberry syrup	new handheld shower	-
6	16 jars Awesome sauce	screen door painted	x
7	kitchen algebra tag	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- successful laser cutting experiments 
- had a good phone chat with Helga
- leek lentil barley soup cubes

Time of Isolation - Day 2258

Monday miscellany

in which our plucky heroine is amused...

Woke up this morning with a jumpscare mistaking the frayed slightly tickle-y bandaid on my forearm for an insect. Then had to laugh at myself, which all in all was not a bad way to start the day...

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~ finally finished ~

The batik dress, subject of many revisions on the way to becoming a pleasing wardrobe additions, is completed, and turned out quite different in various ways from my other, simpler, popover summer dresses. The original fabric is particularly lovely, and each of the changes have only improved the garment. The neckline is just right in width, and the embroidered canal boat roses are a fun decoration. Using many of my rayon scraps for a patchwork stripe down the center front is a thrifty accent.

I'll have to try and get a photo of the dress as worn, since the additional new batik fabric around the hem edge is a subtle focal point. There won't be many more summertime days this year, but popover dresses are also good layering garments. In my continuing effort to try or learn new things, since there wasn't enough extra fabric to edgebind the hem, it was time to try out the "blind hem" stitch on my trusty venerable Bernette. Considering that I bought the machine new back in the 80's, it is surprising that I'd not had reason to use that built-in stitch anytime in the last 40 years! It was, in fact, the perfect choice for the yards and yards of straight hemming...

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This may have been the last of the really warm summer days, not sure, and so it was a good choice to spray paint the front screen door frame. Another "give a mouse a cookie" project, since painting the frame made the surrounding molding and house paint look even more shabby, but I do prefer the screen door frame being dark bronze to scratched up white. Also makes me think that the house trim really needs to be dark almost-black, at least somewhat darker than the screen door. It will be curious to see what it will look like with the inner door painted turquoise, instead of the current dark purple.

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The last of the plums are in the freezer. Guessing at least 30 pounds, which will be part of many many happy breakfast bowls of museli. The next big harvest season project will be applesauce, using most of the Acantha apples, and what remains on my backyard tree. Yum!

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This week I'll get to play with the laser cutter at the library again. Not sure if the PNG file for a criss cross proportional algebra magnet will work, but worth trying. Since last week I realised that magnets can be attached next to the digital dashboard on the stove. If there is some red plexiglass, that would be perfect. Also made a PNG file of a trinket shelf, again not sure it would be too detailed to be cut, given the very small size of the compartments, but I did figure out how to create a crisp black and white geometric image in Photoshop. Use what you have, before diving into an entirely different program.

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala horse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	more plums frozen	greenwaste bin
5	12+ jars elderberry syrup	new handheld shower	-
6	16 jars Awesome sauce	screen door painted	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- the hand carved tasting spoons, made by Seb
- enough box fans to push the paint smell back out of the house
- spray paint is fast, but the masking and taping to prep is not easy
- organised categories and channels in my Discord server

Time of Isolation - Day 2257

Saturday snippets

in which our plucky heroine has been keeping busy...

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~ not yet flatpack time ~

The most amusing project of the week so far is part of preparing for the miniature RÅSKOG cart, bit by bit. I've carefully downloaded all the pages of instructions from the Ikea website, then resized them down to scale, and printed them out. While the actual 3D printed parts are waiting on more time at the library, there has been this small zippered bag keychain over on Tansu Terrace... 

I've no memory of it arriving here ages ago, or who may have given it to me; it was much too large for 1:12 scale (almost as big as Nandina herself), but it was excellent raw material: a seam ripper and scissors and some rather awkward time wrestling it under the presser foot of the sewing machine turned it into a tinyworld version of the iconic blue bag. (One more trip to the actual Ikea store will have to happen, so I can photograph the labels on the full size RÅSKOG box, to label a cardboard box to contain the wee flat pack pieces.)

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Turned all the tomatoes in the freezer into a double batch of Awesome Sauce, which came out a bit darker and thinner than last year. In the future will make two single batches instead, as the consistency is better. Still, having 16 jars to put on the shelf feels reassuring. Some for me and some to share...

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It took several attempts over the last few days, but eventually was able to properly seal all the connecting joints in the new handheld shower pieces, and the only place the water exits is through the shower disc as appropriate.  Very spa-like compared to the former unit, and a satisfying DIY job, even if it is also a "give a mouse a cookie" sort of project. There are other tasks in the bathroom that need done, like (nonexistent) decorative molding around the sink. 

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My left foot (outside metatarsal) has been sore on and off for months. No idea why. rather worried. Last night it was really bad.

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Almost finished with the batik popover dress, using the machine hemming stitch to complete the folded hemline (usually I edgebind everything, but not this one). Have had that little Bernette since I was in college, and don't think I've ever used that stitch before. 

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala horse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	more plums frozen	greenwaste bin
5	12+ jars elderberry syrup	new handheld shower	-
6	16 jars Awesome sauce	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -  
- that small sound that jars make when they seal
- new handheld shower
- stove grid overlay, very useful for canning, I can slide full kettles rather than try and lift them.
- the two mid/large cookpots from Acantha this year

Time of Isolation - Day 2255

cloisonné process photo essay

in which our plucky heroine shares the way that my cloisonné enamels are created...

Here is the start, bending the wires to create the outlines of the design

And here you see the all the wires for the design

The first several firings locate the wires on the backing

Then more enamel powder gets added

and the colored design is gradually built up

There are many more steps in the process before the enamel is finished and ready to be set as part of the pendant

Once enough layers of enamel are built up, the irregular surface needs to be ground smooth. Here you can see the beginning of the process, which I find the most tedious part of enameling. The grinding is usually done with a white aluminum oxide stick, by hand, under cold running water.

and here it is further ground down, almost ready for firing

After the first "flash-firing", there are often small areas that need a bit of extra enamel to bring it all up to an even surface. This is preferable to grinding down too far, and maybe losing some of the carefully applied shading.

And here is the piece, ready to have a suitable setting made for it...



Just in case you wondered where I do this kind of work, here is a picture of my kiln (nicknamed "Mr Hot" by my friend Heather when she was about 9 years old), and a bit of one of my workspaces, much less messy than usual

elderberry efforts

in which our plucky heroine agrees with William Morris...

The black elderberry planted in the parking strip is both beautiful and useful. The white flowers and dark foliage look wonderful in the springtime, and the cooked juice of the berries are known to be a good and tasty support for human immune systems.

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~ homegrown immune tonic ~

The five tubs of black elderberry cooked yesterday, then drained their juices into a pot overnight. Today they were cooked again with added sugar and lemon juice in a waterbath safe recipe. Since I want to make syrup, I left out the pectin which is only there to turn the juice into jelly and has no effect on the safety issues...

and oops, I just now at midnight Wednesday finished putting up a dozen + small jars of elderberry syrup, all sealed for shelf storage, and only then realised I had miscalculated the amount of lemon juice added by almost half. Bah! I now need to open all the jars, dump the contents back into an open pan, add the additional lemon juice, and re-process all of them with fresh lids. Annoying to deal with, but food safety is not negotiable. As exhaustion has set in, my plan is to tackle this first thing in the morning, since two different extension service websites say that re-canning (with fresh lids) within 24 hours is okay.

11am on Thursday, and the re-canning is in process.  Lesson learned: do not do projects that require calculation after 10pm. (not sewing, not cutting out fabric, and now, apparently, not preserving) 

 
(elderflowers in the springtime)
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The additional rayon batik fabric to complete the summer popover dress has arrived and looks great. I am very impressed that the shop snipped and tore the yardage instead of just whacking away with shears, so I get the full amount I paid for and don't lose inches in straightening the grain! It will be a fairly quick task to make strips of the new fabric and extend the length of the dress to a better length, and if all goes well I will be able to have it finished in time for our Sewing Nomads meeting on Saturday morning...

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Rode my bike to the launderette early this morning to preshrink the rayon fabric in the electric dryer, and since I was halfway to the big grocery, continued on there to pick up some more of the small size canning jar lids. The kindly cashier gave me the "3 for the price of 2" discount even though I don't have a loyalty card for that shop!

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala hrse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	more plums frozen	greenwaste bin
5	12+ jars elderberry syrup	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -  
- Past Me thoughtfully planted black elder
- fabric to finish batik dress arrived early, and looks suitable.
- was able to buy a few more boxes of small canning lids
- a dozen small jars of elderberry immune support syrup

Time of Isolation - Day 2253 

proportions for elderberry syrup:

650 grams elderberry juice (about 3 cups)
130 grams bottled lemon juice
1,100 grams sugar

¼" headspace, process 10 minutes

Tuesday tidbits

in which our plucky heroine is feeling marginally better...

being finally past the various side effects of my shingles vaccine, and thereby also with less sleep debt... Also this morning while looking in the mirror realised that although there are lines on my face, they are pretty much all lines of smiling. Much better than the alternative.

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~ makerspace miscellany ~

On Monday there was an introduction to the Glowforge (laser cutter) workshop at the library. The "beginner" project suggested was to make a keychain, but instead this aide-mémoire for the 3M abrasive bristle wheels was my choice. With this next to the workbench, it will be easy to pick the correct color, and not require tracking down some random scrap of paper which was my former strategy. Not entirely sure what all else I might want to laser cut (other than it would be a great way to make a set of tablet weaving cards, if there is ¹⁄₁₆ plywood) but it is worth further thought.

This afternoon, remembering the earlier suggestion that there are sometimes no-show spaces, and since my usual Tuesday afternoon social time was cancelled, I headed over to the library again, in the hope of getting more time on the Bambu 3D printer. In luck, was able to start learning to print out the miniature RÅSKOG cart. It is a challenge in part since all the interfaces are Apple rather than Android, but perseverence is a given. My overarching goal is to learn enough to remember how to do the steps necessary to print. 

The first attempt to print out RÅSKOG failed, through no fault of mine... the parts at 1:12 scale are so small that they were not sticking to the base plate and ended up in various spots around the interior of the printer. Fortunately I noticed that most of the pieces were not there after only about 15 minutes, so we could stop the job and start over with some changes to help the bits stay attached. There was not enough time to print the entire set though, so that will have to wait until a different future workshop.※※※

Experimental cookery - shrimp rice paper waffle bites... had read somewhere online about this idea, but rather than spend much effort looking it up, decided to wing it. chopped up half a dozen frozen shrimp with a bit of seasoning (powdered ginger, garlic granules, sesame oil, and tamari) Heated up the tiny waffle iron. Moistened a rice paper disc, added half the shrimp, and enfolded it into a small rectangle. Added a second layer of rice paper and popped into the waffle maker. Took a bit, but it gradually cooked and partially crisped. Did it again and had a very yummy snack! and well worth repeating in the future

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Well dang, trade issues mean it is no longer feasible for me to re-order my longtime of many years favorite planning calendar pages from the Etsy seller (who happens to be located in Germany). Not their fault that the shipping+tariff cost has skyrocketed to over 60 USD since my previous purchase. Guess I shall have to DIY my own option, since there is nothing at all similar domestically available. Sigh and Grrrr... I hate this timeline.

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Last night Mischa helped figure out the difficulty I'd been having with the layout of my new Discord server... Turns out it is possible to edit "categories", which was the largest missing piece in my conundrum. Now need to decide how to arrange the space, what to call the various sections, and where to put the sub-groups I already know will be helpful.

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 sm jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	3D print Dala hrse	extension cords coiled	recycle bin
3	3D print plant stands	wind chime suspension	recycle bin
4	3 pr dolly boots	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- Mischa helped answer my Discord server setup questions
- there was space in the 3D printer workshop today
- complimentary words from the person who received the medallion I made earlier this month
- managed to get the 5 Talenti tubs of elderberries out of freezer, simmered on the stove for a suitable length of time, and they are now hanging up above the sink in a cheesecloth bag dripping into a large bowl overnight. All part of the plan to turn freezer contents into shelf stable stuff, so as to make room for more plums

Time of Isolation - Day 2251

Friday fragments

in which our plucky heroine is sore and sleepy...

Am still feeling wiped out after my first round shingles vaccine yesterday morning, slept poorly and still achy today... did all my usual pre- and post-vaccine actions (plenty of water, gentle movement, range of motion on vaccinated arm) but instead of my usual barely noticing it, my arm became more and more painful as yesterday progressed. The actual injection was also much more painful than usual too. Still tis better than having shingles, and worth it for also lowering chances of dementia... 

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~ boots in boxes ~

The finished three pairs of felt dolly boots are now packed into boot boxes made from grocery sack paper and folded with my standard masu box origami. It is quite fortuitous that the size happens to be just right for this project. I'll be making additional pairs of boots for my four tinyfolk, have already made a brown pair and have cut out a blue pair...

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All the bits ordered online for refurbishing the shower here have already arrived from the Showerhead Shop in two days! Impressed with both the speed of shipping and with the apparent quality of the pieces. Each piece is packed in drawstring or bubblewrap bags, and comes with plumbers tape and instructions for installation. Once back to my usual functionality will attempt taking existant shower setup apart and installing the new improved fixtures.

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Have made much progress on the batik summer dress. All the pieces have been attached together, the neckline bound, and the sleeves hemmed. Only glitch was that when the hemline was leveled, the whole dress is dang short, being just at knee height rather than my preferred calf length. There is no more suitable batik fabric here, so had to go hunting online to find something to add length.

The batik shop rayon is all out of both the original color and motif, and the alternate one I added later (after it was obvious the garment had gone awry). This dress is very much an example of getting caught up in sunk cost, all because of being so terribly fond of the first choice batik rayon colorway and motifs.  

Ordered some different rayon batik at a different online shop that should work for a 3" hemline extension band.  It is lighter and a bit more green than the teal/turquoise/taupe of my original fabric, but I figured that using rayon (to maintain the drape) rather than quilting cotton (to maintain the colorway) was a better option going forward. 

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I've attempted to set up a Discord server, so I can use that for Advent Swap and other creative connecting with folks. I still haven't figured out how to set up the various internal divisions, and will have to ask for help on that, once I feel better. Today is rather a bit of a nothing happening other than time to rest and not do anything that requires mental or physical exertion. Easy stuff like washing dishes or folding laundry is okay though...

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 small jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	greenwaste bin
2	printed 3D plant stands	heavy extension cords properly coiled	recycle bin
3	printed tiny Dala horse	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- shower fixtures from Hammerhead appear excellent
- plums, plums, and more plums
- online shopping

Time of Isolation - Day 2247

Harlequin Glorybower and other delights

in which our plucky heroine breathes in a paradisical scent...

Around twenty years or so ago, I drove out to a plant nursery on a country hillside, and brought home a young Clerodendrum tricotomum (common name Harlequin Glorybower) They grow as well here in Portland as in their native Far East, and in early autumn their flowers smell heavenly. Later in the year they have very decorative metallic blue berries surrounded by red sepals; the berries can be used as a dyestuff called in Japan "the other blue".

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The tree is planted just outside the front porch, has filled in to the edge of the porch roof, and even flowers underneath the eaves! Walking out the front door one is enveloped in the fragrance of the creamy white flowers, followed almost immediately by the greatly expanded hardy fuschia with lovely (if unscented) red flowers. 

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This last week I learned a good recommended way to coil heavy extension cords, the "figure 8" or "roadie wrap". Ostensibly it creates less of a chance for the cords to tangle when uncoiled for use. And it makes for a much tidier and flatter coil in storage than either of the three different ways I previously used.

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Noticed a few days ago that the cord holding up my wind chimes was quite frayed in one spot, so took them down and carefully replaced it with fresh braided nylon cordage. No way to know how old they are, since I found them at a resale shop, but now they should be last a while longer. 

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A few weeks ago Young Kestrel asked me for shoes for her tinyfolk. Since we are on the downhill towards cooler weather, felt boots seemed like a good option. Plus boots tend to stay put on tiny feets. So three pairs of boots in three different colors, one each for Hazel, Zinnia, and Xanthy. Here next to the Acorn Cottage keyboard, I've been stitching away over the weekend during assorted online meetings, with Nandina keeping me company. We decided that some origami shoeboxes would only add yet more fun to the project, and brown paper squares cut from grocery sacks will look almost like shoebox cardboard!

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Being interested in creating more 3D printed items for the tinyworld, and not wanting to be limited to just purchasing other folks designs, it will be necessary to learn some new skillsets. It has been suggested that both Tinkercad and Inkscape will be a way to eventually be able to make instructions for some simple objects. There are, of course, many free or affordable SVG files, and I have in fact been tempted and purchased a file to create a miniature version of my beloved Ikea RÅSKOG cart. With that in mind, there will at some point be a tiny box of flatpack pieces, including a miniature version of the Ikea assembly instructions delivered to Caer Cardboard. Our plucky heroine had a bit too much fun with Photoshop this evening, after Karen suggested the idea earlier today.

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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 small jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	-
2	printed 3D plant stands	heavy extension cords properly coiled	-
3	printed tiny Dala horse	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- former me made some good plant choices
- many informative videos on the University of YouTube
- almost 15# of plums in the freezer

Time of Isolation - Day 2244

suddenly it isn't summer

in which our plucky heroine notes the changing season...

wasn't sure about waking up early enough, but it was still barely drizzling and quite cool, so picked plums before breakfast. Then it started to rain in earnest while I was online chatting with sister. Very glad to have finished the Pelican and got it in the post yesterday, as I don't ride my bike in the rain, because spectacles don't have wipers.

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~ time to preserve ~

My friend Wanda gave me plum starts twenty years ago. Before it really began raining this morning, I picked almost 2½ pounds of nicely ripe plums from that small tree, which are now washed, cut up, and put in the freezer. Future breakfasts will be very tasty!

In addition, as for what to do with the too-early-picked alley plums, they have become 8 small jars of "spicy asian plum sauce"* a good homegrown answer to hoisin sauce. Three weeks ago, after the alley pirates plucked all the not-ripe-but-purple plums they could reach, my good neighbors wanted to pick the tall ones using their ladder, and I offered them the use of my fruit picking tool as well. They sweetly left me a bowl full of what looked ripe on the outside but was very much still green and tart inside. Plums do not ripen off the tree, they soften, but their flavor doesn't really get any sweeter or more complex. After three weeks, some were getting too soft to use at all, so since there were just about 2 pounds, it was a perfect fit for plum sauce, and my pantry condiments can start getting refilled. 

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Yesterday was the 3D printer event at Albina Library. It was so much fun to try and wrap my brain around something different, and I want to learn more so as to be able to create my own objects for the tinyworld. But since that complex skillset isn't mine (yet), just used some of the free files from Printables, and made two little mission style plant stands, and a tiny Dala horse. The brown plastic, makes the Dala horse look as if it was made of milk chocolate, a peculiarly large not-Easter-bunny. (in 1:12 scale at 1" tall it is about 12"). I'm wondering if I can scale it down even further and print it in color. 

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The Pelican medallion in a simple setting with beaded wire edging.

actual size 1½" diameter
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September SMART goals (x=extra)

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	8 small jars plum sauce	plums in freezer	-
2	printed 3D plant stands	-	-
3	printed tiny Dala horse	-	-
4	-	-	-
5	-	-	-
6	x	x	x
7	x	x	x
8	x	x	x
9	x	x	x

today's gratitudes -
- homegrown tree fruit
- free tech programs at the library
- Joan Huntley, Britta Hall, and the year of Tigress's CanJam, whereby I was introduced to home canning and encouraged to make it be one of the skills I practice every year  

Time of Isolation - Day 2238

* One of my kitchen tenets is to put effort into making high-flavor condiments that can then be used to add savor to simple meals throughout the year; plum sauce takes the place of things like ketchup, and hoisin sauce, and if homemade, has no weird ingredients that require a chemistry degree to decipher, just things like tamari and garlic and vinegar and cayenne, and plums...

Spicy Asian-style Plum Sauce:

2lbs. fresh plums - pitted and quartered 2½C sugar ½C vinegar 3T soy sauce 1T ground ginger 2 minced garlic cloves 1/8tsp cayenne

Combine all, and bring to a boil, then simmer til the fruit is very tender. Puree, then cook till very thick It will take some time to cook down... Keep watch so it does not catch and burn When suitably thickened, jar and process ≈4 8oz jars - ¼" headspace - process 10 minutes

recipe can be multiplied