sorry for the delay in posting . . . i’ve had a fierce couple of catch-up days.
going away at the spur of the moment is wonderful—i never wouldn’t do it if i could—but it usually means coming home to lots of new and old loose ends that need immediate attention.
i have a jillion photos just of things that have passed my way in the last three days.
we took off from austin sunday morning for a glorious day of flying;
the light, the skies, and the company were nothing short of spectacular. we flew through some rain, some cloud “canyons”
and over so much awesome scenery
i took even more cloud pictures on the way home—i won’t bore you with all of them. but i do have two shots that i love of the ground that i want to share because the patterns are so interesting.
this is a piece of farmland somewhere in kentucky or southern ohio. aren’t those field patterns amazing? and here is one very close to home over a country club golf course
all those different ovals of green and sand in different sizes, sliced through with rows of trees are so interesting.
on the plane we got lots of knitting done. debby finished her morning glory stole in austin and was grafting it on the plane (grafting in mid-air . . . give this woman a hand).
and just in time too; once we got out of texas the air inside the plane grew decidedly chilly and she wore it all the way home. we’ll block it on thursday night.
i worked on lacewing
and got all but the last few edging repeats done. we took some pictures in the brilliant light we had
debby couldn’t stop at just one.
we made it to canton just in time to miss a good soaking of rain which we needed pretty badly. what a trip. i’ll never forget it; i’m ready to go again.
i ran home to teach my spinning class which graciously accommodated my schedule this weekend by moving to an evening time. i was so happy to see them; i’m coming to feel like this class is a little like church on sunday—it leaves me happy and renewed. we welcomed two new wheels into the circle—susan has acquired her first wheel, an ashford traveler, and linda has traded up to a schacht matchless.
nice (sorry, i didn’t think to take picture, dummy me). we got the new wheels oiled and running smoothly and all spun happily for two hours.
i still haven’t quite finished the merino/alpaca laceweight i’m spinning but almost . . . i just have handful of fiber left, maybe two hours of spinning time?
i really want to finish the singles during this week; i’m anxious now to ply it and see what i have in terms of yardage and yarn weight/quality. and i just might because look
although i still hadn’t touched my knitting by 11 pm last night, and despaired of finishing even one of the projects i was SO close to be done with, once i sat down and actually got to work, i managed to get each one off the needles in the next few hours.
the biggest news of course is that lacewing is done. this morning i jumped out of bed to take pictures and set it to soaking so i could block today. before i put it in the bath, i dragged the dress form into the bathroom (the only room that gets excellent morning light) draped the unblocked shawl across its shoulders and snapped away
we have this cool old mirrored door in there that offers ghostly images because its silver is tarnishing and wearing away in back
but i know you want to see something more exacting
so i’ll mix them up
here’s a closeup of the bottom band and edging
and another of the back
the folds will drape much more nicely once it’s blocked. in fact it is stretched out on the living room floor now; i spent a good part of the afternoon blocking it, and also tudor grace—i’ll put those photos up tomorrow.
meanwhile the test knitters are zooming through theirs . . . jocelyn is getting very close indeed on lacewing, and catherine, whose merino laceweight i am knitting with, is very close behind her (catherine had a small setback this weekend when her store site had to be totally rebuilt due to a web provider issue. but it’s looking good now—you should check it out).
vanessa has finished her melanzana stole (the woman knits like her hands are on fire, doesn’t she??). she helped me sort out how the pickup for the second half should be worked over the weekend while i was surrounded by two screaming/giggling toddlers on the chase (thanks for your patience vanessa).
hattie sent pictures of the progress on hers
to which she is adding some beads. they both used zephyr silk/wool for their stoles.
and our other test knitter who is also working with catherine’s laceweight sent even more progress shots
she’s has one half nearly done
i just love it. i can’t wait to see it in person when we do the photos.
things are shaping up for a release of the first pattern over the weekend of august 23rd, yay. the patterns are in rachel’s capable hands for proofing, which is pretty much the final step (aside from the photo shoot).
this project has come together so beautifully so far, i have a good feeling that the rest will go smoothly too.
ok, what else? you want more?
i haven’t even talked about the garden yet.
david was very good to the vegetable patch while i was away and we even had a couple of sorely-needed rainstorms, so everything looked fresh and very green when i got back. i went out early monday morning to pick and saw
happy, thriving greens of all kinds. for which i am eternally grateful . . . looks like i’ll be picking another batch of swiss chard before the week is out. as well as zen greens
these are the best things . . . i just cut the leaves that are ready and new ones grow back every week. i chop it, blanch it, and bag it up for the freezer (or use it in something for dinner). yum—they are sweet and hearty, like collard greens.
all those seeds i planted last weekend are growing to beat the band
squashlets are looking good, and more greens. i’m telling you . . . broccoli rabe (rapini) will make you look like a pro gardener. i think they really REALLY like the asparagus bed; it’s probably a little cooler and less sunny there, so even the chard (back row) has taken right off.
david made some boxes to exapand my growing space for lettuces and other short-run crops of greens (he noticed how much i like my lettuce pot).
these will make it easier to separate the quickly-rotating-and-reseeding crops (like lettuce, rapini, and bok choy) from ones that can stay put all summer (like beets, chard, and zen greens). yay.
i picked a bunch of different vegetables for the table and freezer—we really are getting lots of eggplant (well, helLO-O—that’s what happens when you go nuts and plant 15 of them out of fear they won’t grow). soon i’ll be freezing some of that.
i took all this inside, washed it and then got to work on the BIG bowl of tomatoes david picked over the weekend, which yielded four quarts for the freezer. i also did my first batch of dried tomatoes (click here for recipe)
with all that out of the way i tackled the printing and packing of orders that came in over the weekend and taught class in the afternoon . . . no wonder it was 11 pm before i got to knit.
so that’s it—i think we are all caught up now. i owe you blocking shots and those are all set to go up tomorrow—see you then.
34 thoughts on “i think i’m back on the ground now”
I’m glad you’re back! All safe and sound, too! I really love the scallop-y looking bottom of the Lacewing. It’s great! You did get a lot done. You’ve been gone so long, I forget what the third knitted object is on the couch, next to the pink socks. Mystery. Oh, this is so funny: You mentioned in your post, “but i know you want to see something more exacting,” and the next picture is of the bust, but she is exposed!! I thought it was funny! I could just cry! All of my tomatoes are still GREEN, and I do mean ALL. Not one. None. We’ve had NO red tomatoes. Here, in Maine, we have not hit 80 degrees once this August. Unreal.
NNGGAAAH! It’s so gorgeous! I want mine to be done and hanging gracefully around my shoulders NOW. But then maybe I don’t, because then I can’t be knitting it anymore. Can you say conflicted?
🙂
I’m speechless already and it’s not even blocked yet! I can’t wait until mine is done. I think it’s gonna get alot of wearing. 🙂
Lacewing is beautiful! I can hardly wait to see it blocked. I’m wondering if I can possibly like it any more…
Welcome back. That is some really beautiful lace and those tomatoes…mmm!
you really know how to make me feel less busy – so much on the go. and oh, wow so many pretties! i love the aerials and the shawl is looking gorgeous. (i can’t wait to see it blocked.) and aren’t you lucky that david built those lettuce boxes! i know my mom’s bummed that she’s short on backyard lettuce at the moment (never fear, more is on the way).
Wow! You really made up for your time away with all the pics. So glad you’re back, but am pleased to hear you had a wonderful time, as expected!
Lacewing is just beautiful! I believe that you are without a doubt the most talented lace designer out there. Every design is just more spectacular. Beautiful and well thought out. The knitting world is blessed to have you sharing your talent. I’m amazed.
The shawls are just beautiful! I can’t wait and with Stitches the weekend of release what perfect timing. I will definitely be running to the Knitting Notions booth. Watch out, ladies, coming through! You perked my interest when you mentioned “beads” in it. You’ll have to let me know where she put them!
Wow — I’m exhausted reading about your travels and all you’ve accomplished in the last few days! The shawls look beautiful. Look forward to tomorrow’s blocked lacewing. Your gift extends to the veggie garden, too. Fabulous clouds.
Wow, that lacewing is stunning! I honestly think I’ll need to make that version as well.
Lovely, lovely, lovely photos of that yellow lace.
Lacewing is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it blocked. You’ve outdone yourself–once again.
Those dried tomatoes must be the most delicious thing! Thanks for the link to the details about how you do them.
The lacewing shawl is stun-ning!!!!!! can’t wait for the pattern. Thanks for taking us along on your trip!!
Lacewing is truly a stunning one – the color, the fit. wow. I just love the way the little critters dance across the edging.
And those cloud photos – incredible! almost makes me feel like I’m right there with you.
Wow! Especially enjoyed this post and being able to do some web-side traveling. Your garden never ceases to amaze me, Anne! Nor does your knitting.
Isn’t it just the greatest when you come home and see that the garden has thrived in your absence? Then again, it sometimes makes me wonder about my relevance — I worry and preen over it all the time …and then I go away and it seems just as happy that I was gone. Cripes. 🙂
The thing I love more than anything about your knitting is your fearlessness about color — solids, (which is what I like most), but in such a great variety — and neutrals, too! Yay for wearable knitting!!!
Lacewing is lovely! Another must have & must make pattern for sure 🙂
Love the pictures!! Thanks for the drying the tomato’s idea. I think I will get right on that we have so many.
Lacewing is so beautiful. I love the way the shawl drapes and how it fits around the nexk.
I followed your directions for the dried tomatoes and was very happy with the results. Today I’m going to freeze some tomatoes and that may be it. I still have tomatoes, but they’re not coming along as fast now.
Your lacewing shawl is spectacular! And I am going to dry some tomatoes….thanks for the recipe.
Oh my, I am tired just reading about your day! lol Do you sleep? Where do you find such energy?
Your shawl is gorgeous! And, your garden makes me hungry! We’ve had so much rain and humidity that if you stand still for just a moment, you start to mildew! I’m glad you had such fun on your adventure. I am also amazed you both were able to knit in a small airplane…can you say “motion sickness”! lol
I KNEW there’d be an epic post coming. 🙂 I’m so glad you got to have this wonderful experience, flying (and knitting) in a private plane and getting to have all kinds of fun even on the ground. 🙂
Is there grafting involved in Lacewing? I’m looking at the shot of the bottom band, and (nervously) seeing the “flies” change direction…
Welcome back! The in air photos are fantastic! You have an eye for photography too! I love the shots of the lacewing.
When I found your blog about a year ago I too made several sheets of cherry tomatoes. Thank you for the inspiration!
The photos are fantastic! I really love the bathroom shots-I would shoot everything in there 🙂
Anne- I’m out of breath!
Thanks for the links to Catherine’s Knitting Notions. I’m tickled to see that she’ll be coming to SAFF in October!
As someone who doesn’t fly (except the one time when my sister got married in Vegas), I loved your airplane shots!
Now for a spinning question. I’m a new spinner, got my wheel in May of this year and have been doing quite well with it but I’ve never really gotten any clear answers from the internet about where and how often I should be oiling my wheel. Everyone seems to have a different opinion about what should be done and when. So what are you’re recommendations?
Beautiful photos! I love the sunlight through the lace, and the misty mirror ones too.
Long time lurker, but I had to come out of the woodwork for not the knitting content but the aerial photos 🙂 (though I do love you knitting and read faithfully).
What you’re seeing is actually called contour cropping, where the farmers plow, plant, and till in a pattern that follows the earth’s natural curves and slopes. This can help with erosion and winds. Very cool stuff. Can you tell I’m an Environmental Science major with a fondness for agriculture? 😀
You’re awesome Anne. I love those pic’s of the farmland and golf course from the air, such wonderful patterns.
The knitting is all so amazing, you are so quick 😉
Purty
I am getting caught up on your blog after a vacation. Last year I started drying tomatoes after reading your entry and am continuing this year. I just leave them in the oven for an hour, then puree them, put in baggie and freeze. Ready to make into sauce or soup next winter. This is so much easier than cooking on the stove and trying to get the liquid out and very flavorful too. Thanks so much.
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