Friday, October 25, 2013

Lots to report!

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten. –G. K. Chesterton

Because I am a terrible person who both remembers and CELEBRATES a wide variety of holidays, I decided to do some Halloween reading. Now, I am not a huge fan of most of what Halloween stands for; I HATED having to set the Halloween isle when I worked at Michael’s, and I am totally against most of the ‘ick’ that the holiday has come to mean. I DO however like a good chilling story now and again, and I’m totally in favor of dressing up. Unless I have to at Sakeji. What can I say, I’m an odd fish. So, as Beth and I recently watched Van Helsing, I decided that I wanted to read Frankenstein as I have never indulged in that particular classic before, and I also re-read Neil Gaiman’s delightful novel, Coraline.

I love this book. This is a book about not really wanting everything you want, about bravery, and about doing what must be done. Plus, there is a good dose of spine tingling creepiness that won't keep you up all night. BTW-the movie has some good points, but the book was MUCH BETTER.

First of all, I finished the baby surprise jacket! It's so cute! I even made some matching booties.

The construction is so clever, and I had a lot of fun making this. I might have cast on another one already...

I also finally finished my "Grumpasauras." He has been lurking in the bottom of my knitting basket for a long time. Like, three years. *embarrassed* Why do I so often lose heart right before the end?

Yesterday was Zambian Independence Day. We had our usual little message around the flag;

Some year I want to hear an American give the message; I think it would be interesting! We spent the whole day down at the pool and were rained on on and off during the afternoon, and then last night was our Independence Day bonfire. If I wasn't so tired by that point I might have enjoyed it more. I think we should have a grown-up bonfire sometime this holiday...

Finally, as a parting shot, my cat matches my floor!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Baby sweater week

Not much going on in my little house in the bush this week other than a terrible cold and some baby sweater knitting. I've been exploring EZ's Baby surprise jacket for the first time, and I have to say there is something oddly compelling about watching this odd shape develop. Here is my progress so far:

I'm also working on the neckband of the green baby kimono. I might have to work on adapting this pattern so the back isn't so boring...

Finally in knitting news, I finished my Elvin leaf scarf and it doesn't look aweful!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Kennings and Lace

We have been studying the middle ages in history, and so I got the bright idea to have the kids write Kennings--a type of Anglo-Saxon inspired poetry, and then write the final copy on some 'parchment' or tea stained paper. We used dip pens and illuminated the first letters of the two poems. Here are mine.

I also made non-alcoholic mead to share with the kids. It's basically 1 part honey to 8 parts water with a few spices and raisins thrown in for good measure. I sort of want to play around with the 'loaded' version, but I can't find a small enough recipe. I am so bad sometimes...

I've been wanting to show you the lace I have been crocheting for the hem of the fancy nightgown I'm making. I never thought I'd get so into fillet crochet, but I find the medium fascinating and full of potential. Nerd doilies? Why not!

I plan to start working on a baby surprise jacket for Beth's coming niece or nephew--I have two other babies that I'm planning to welcome into the world with knitting, so I've got my needles full! Oh, I'm also trying to finish off a cross stitch that will be a wedding present. Why is December coming up so fast?

Monday, October 07, 2013

Of ink and weekends

So, proof that I wore garb at Sakeji and didn't get in trouble!

I finished the Indian Feather's shawlette and found that a) I used more yarn that I thought I would (shocking--that happens to me like EVERY time), and b) it's going to need a pretty stern blocking. There is much rollage on the top edge, but I'm hoping to stretch some of that out if it. Pictures after the blocking. I'm currently in the process of swatching for a kimono shell that I hope I have enough yarn to finish, and still plugging away on the green baby kimono. Lots of exciting knitting news today!

I've been having a lot of fun lately playing with my iron gall ink that I bought at Scarborough. When I first used it I was rather disappointed at the uninspiring sooty gray color it first went on the page as, but when it dried it transformed to a beautiful black that made we want to give up teaching and become a caligrapher. Here is a poor picture of the partially dried ink-

I'll post a picture later of the 'illuminated' page I did as an example of how I want my kids final copies of their kenning poems to look. I love the smell of the ink, the way it dries, and how connected I feel to writing history. If you enjoy writing with dip pens, get you some iron gall ink!

I enjoyed puttering around and working on various projects this weekend--the illuminated page, some knitting, naps, and of course some marking. A pumpkin spice latte was enjoyed, a sock knitting lesson was taught, and I had a delightful call from home. Hearing voices is such a blessing--e-mails are wonderful, but there is something special about hearing a person! Getting caught up on sleep was one of the best parts of the weekend because I was so tired after the great longbottom battle of Thursday night. You know you're getting old when your vision of bliss includes lots of naps... Half-term is Friday and Saturday this week, so it will be a bit of a squeeze to get everything in, but I shall do my best. Once more unto the breach!

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Pictures!

Now that I am armed with actual pictures, I’m going to write the entry I had more in mind when I wrote the last one. As I said, I’ve been enjoying some little cross stitch projects—quickly done so I get a finishing rush, and nice to pass off to other people. I love the books in this one,

And of course I couldn’t pass this seasonal one up, now could I?

In addition to the little cross stitches, I’m working on a wedding gift for a young lady out here who will be getting hitched next summer. I can’t wait to see how big this ends up, and how much yarn I have left. To be totally honest, I’m sort of hoping that I will have enough to do another one of these lovely little shawlettes, but we shall see. If I made one for myself it would have green beads in it I think. The pattern is “Indian Feathers,” and I’m just about done with the chart and ready to start working up towards the solid top part.

I whipped out another little beaded baglett with some leftover sock yarn I had here (oh the complications of having stash in two continents!),

And I have the first front done on one of the two baby kimono’s I need to get done before said little ones arrive. Huzzah for productive staff meeting time!

In addition to all the crafty things, I wanted to talk about a book that has really rocked my world this summer-

While I was home God really did a work in my heart about my eating issues, and Lysa Terkurst’s book was a huge help in fixing my spiritual problem manifested in my bad eating habits. Of course, God’s word and Spirit also spoke to my heart, but being able to read the challenging, encouraging, and honest voice of a woman who has finally gotten real about her food issues was such a blessing to me. I am on a new path of obedience now making ‘imperfect progress’ towards a goal of a healthier me who’s heart is grabbed by her God, not food. Gluttony is such a problem in our culture, and while it’s not nice to admit that I look the way I do because of sinful attitudes and habits, I am rejoicing right now in newfound freedom, and some encouraging weight loss! So, I highly recommend this book, and that the Lord for giving Lysa this message that I so desperately needed to hear.

Finally, to close things off, I wanted to review a CD I received recently that I been enjoying.

I remember when Hugh Laurie put out his first Blues CD, but I didn’t listen to it. At my last Starbucks stop in Terrel, my mom bought this for me as a “Happy Labor Day!” gift, and when I arrived back at Sakeji I eagerly put it on my iPod and had a listen. I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. Now, I am by no means a fan of the Blues, but I like most of the songs on this album. I love that Hugh Laurie didn’t make a cheesy narcissistic CD to fuel his ego, but there are lots of other people singing on here and he makes no bones about the fact that he is entirely the wrong person to be singin’ the Blues! The musicianship is apparent, and all in all this is a nice listen. I really respect actors that are good at more than one thing, and are genuinely good at it. If only there were more well-rounded people in Hollywood…

Now I just need to fend off my Christmas music cravings until a reasonable time!