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Snowdrops!

(re-post)

Screeched to a halt!.  No where to park on the narrow road so pulled partway into a nearby driveway and hoped no one was now nervously looking out the window and wondering if they had forgotten about inviting someone to tea.

Whipped out camera - oh, okay, dug camera out of purse - while walking across what I realized was private property and I was trespassing.  But it was  a small worry and I have talked myself out of situations in the past and besides -  these were snowdrops!           

A trail of snowdrops.  In January.

In retrospect I wish I had taken a close up of a single drop with its green markings and snowy cap.

Next bunch I come across I will.

I don't know if this is the earliest I have seen snowdrops here in Victoria.  Doesn't really matter, does it.

Such a moment is for sharing and I considered waving toward the possibly peeking person in the window and pointing toward the snowdrops.

But just then a man walked by and exclaimed,  "Crocuses!  First I've seen this year."

And we  smiled at each other in delight.

   

Posted on February 09, 2021 at 04:57 PM | Permalink

Screeched to a halt!.  No where to park on the narrow road so pulled partway into a nearby driveway and hoped no one was now nervously looking out the window and wondering if they had forgotten about inviting someone to tea.

Whipped out camera - oh, okay, dug camera out of purse - while walking across what I realized was private property and I was trespassing.  But it was  a small worry and I have talked myself out of situations in the past and besides -  these were snowdrops!           

A trail of snowdrops.  In January.

In retrospect I wish I had taken a close up of a single drop with its green markings and snowy cap.

Next bunch I come across I will.

I don't know if this is the earliest I have seen snowdrops here in Victoria.  Doesn't really matter, does it.

Such a moment is for sharing and I considered waving toward the possibly peeking person in the window and pointing toward the snowdrops.

But just then a man walked by and exclaimed,  "Crocuses!  First I've seen this year."

And we  smiled at each other in delight.

   

Screeched to a halt!.  No where to park on the narrow road so pulled partway into a nearby driveway and hoped no one was now nervously looking out the window and wondering if they had forgotten about inviting someone to tea.

Whipped out camera - oh, okay, dug camera out of purse - while walking across what I realized was private property and I was trespassing.  But it was  a small worry and I have talked myself out of situations in the past and besides -  these were snowdrops!           

A trail of snowdrops.  In January.

In retrospect I wish I had taken a close up of a single drop with its green markings and snowy cap.

Next bunch I come across I will.

I don't know if this is the earliest I have seen snowdrops here in Victoria.  Doesn't really matter, does it.

Such a moment is for sharing and I considered waving toward the possibly peeking person in the window and pointing toward the snowdrops.

But just then a man walked by and exclaimed,  "Crocuses!  First I've seen this year."

And we  smiled at each other in delight.

   

Screeched to a halt!.  No where to park on the narrow road so pulled partway into a nearby driveway and hoped no one was now nervously looking out the window and wondering if they had forgotten about inviting someone to tea.

Whipped out camera - oh, okay, dug camera out of purse - while walking across what I realized was private property and I was trespassing.  But it was  a small worry and I have talked myself out of situations in the past and besides -  these were snowdrops!           

A trail of snowdrops.  In January.

In retrospect I wish I had taken a close up of a single drop with its green markings and snowy cap.

Next bunch I come across I will.

I don't know if this is the earliest I have seen snowdrops here in Victoria.  Doesn't really matter, does it.

Such a moment is for sharing and I considered waving toward the possibly peeking person in the window and pointing toward the snowdrops.

But just then a man walked by and exclaimed,  "Crocuses!  First I've seen this year."

And we  smiled at each other in delight.

   

Mystery solved! And boy, is the solution ever interesting!

(re-post)

Here is the photo of the mystery items:

And here is the original blog post three weeks ago.

Thanks to Pat, researcher extraordinaire, who came up with the solution in this blog which is by a man (with a sense of humour) in Montana who has a small artisan coffee roastery and was given one of these items.  (click on the underlined words to access the links).

Of course I will follow the  instructions and make a cup of coffee!  And reflect on this whole adventure and be amazed and amused and - well, grateful to be taking part. 

Posted on October 19, 2013 at 08:04 PM | Permalink

Here is the photo of the mystery items:

And here is the original blog post three weeks ago.

Thanks to Pat, researcher extraordinaire, who came up with the solution in this blog which is by a man (with a sense of humour) in Montana who has a small artisan coffee roastery and was given one of these items.  (click on the underlined words to access the links).

Of course I will follow the  instructions and make a cup of coffee!  And reflect on this whole adventure and be amazed and amused and - well, grateful to be taking part. 

Vintage fair mystery. For tea or coffee?

(re-post)

There was a  half-full bottle of Jergens lotion at the Vintage Fair on the weekend.  I opened it and with the fragrance released memories from sixty years ago.  No, I did not buy it - it was in its original package with other items I did not want (a compact with pressed powder, cologne...).  I have wondered since who owned it across more than half a century, kept it in its original (likely a gift) box.  But that is not the mystery - that is the joy of imagination.

The mystery has to do with the pictured items.  They look like individual filters that fit over a cup.  They are made of glass.  The little bags are cloth with a drawstring which suggests loose tea and the glass disk the saucer on which the used (reusable!) bag would sit once removed from the cup, the saucer (neatly) put back inside the basket type filter.

They are old, from grandparents of the sisters who had donated them to the Fair.  But they did not know exactly what they had been used for - tea?  Likely.  But I associate such filters with coffee - the shape and the reusable filter but the fact that they fit over a cup and are so fancy seems more afternoon tea appropriate. 

 The country of origin might have been England or Scotland or Australia;  but they were used  by the family in northern BC.

I did a google (images) but came up with nothing similar.  ???

At the Fair there  were also the dishes that graced the table when I was growing up back in the 1950's; I seem to recall they were "for best" but then became "second best" and then "everyday".  

I enjoy looking at "Collectibles" but I have no wish to possess them - again.  Except (temporarily) when they present a "mystery". 

Posted on September 30, 2013 at 11:22 AM | Permalink

There was a  half-full bottle of Jergens lotion at the Vintage Fair on the weekend.  I opened it and with the fragrance released memories from sixty years ago.  No, I did not buy it - it was in its original package with other items I did not want (a compact with pressed powder, cologne...).  I have wondered since who owned it across more than half a century, kept it in its original (likely a gift) box.  But that is not the mystery - that is the joy of imagination.

The mystery has to do with the pictured items.  They look like individual filters that fit over a cup.  They are made of glass.  The little bags are cloth with a drawstring which suggests loose tea and the glass disk the saucer on which the used (reusable!) bag would sit once removed from the cup, the saucer (neatly) put back inside the basket type filter.

They are old, from grandparents of the sisters who had donated them to the Fair.  But they did not know exactly what they had been used for - tea?  Likely.  But I associate such filters with coffee - the shape and the reusable filter but the fact that they fit over a cup and are so fancy seems more afternoon tea appropriate. 

 The country of origin might have been England or Scotland or Australia;  but they were used  by the family in northern BC.

I did a google (images) but came up with nothing similar.  ???

At the Fair there  were also the dishes that graced the table when I was growing up back in the 1950's; I seem to recall they were "for best" but then became "second best" and then "everyday".  

I enjoy looking at "Collectibles" but I have no wish to possess them - again.  Except (temporarily) when they present a "mystery". 

DIY Yarn Swift

(re-post)

Before I acquired a 'proper' yarn swift (one that was made specifically for unwinding wool from a skein) I had an "aha" moment while looking at a sock dryer. 

It was at a garage sale;  a woman was holding one up and wondering if all the spines were intact, and as she twirled it I could suddenly 'see' a skein of wool resting on the top and the yarn unwinding nicely and neatly and without complaints (as in kids forced  asked nicely to hold the skein on hands with arms apart saying they can't do it forever and how much longer is it going to take and did this mean extra allowance and whose idea was this anyway etc.)

My doubtful look that implied that the spines looked a bit shaky likely had nothing to do with her not buying it;  in any case I scooped it up the minute she put it down.  It worked wonderfully as a yarn swift.  It did  not adjust to take large skeins as a 'proper' one does but the use of clothes pegs on the spines kept regular-sized skeins appropriately taut. 

This is not the original sock dryer but one I came across at a church sale.  They are available at dollar stores for a buck or two. (click on photo to enlarge)

During the photo shoot a hummingbird sat nearby in a tree with occasional swoops toward the feeder just above the swift and the impatient clicks it made reminded me of those sons......   

Posted on March 05, 2008 at 05:30 AM | Permalink

Before I acquired a 'proper' yarn swift (one that was made specifically for unwinding wool from a skein) I had an "aha" moment while looking at a sock dryer. 

It was at a garage sale;  a woman was holding one up and wondering if all the spines were intact, and as she twirled it I could suddenly 'see' a skein of wool resting on the top and the yarn unwinding nicely and neatly and without complaints (as in kids forced  asked nicely to hold the skein on hands with arms apart saying they can't do it forever and how much longer is it going to take and did this mean extra allowance and whose idea was this anyway etc.)

My doubtful look that implied that the spines looked a bit shaky likely had nothing to do with her not buying it;  in any case I scooped it up the minute she put it down.  It worked wonderfully as a yarn swift.  It did  not adjust to take large skeins as a 'proper' one does but the use of clothes pegs on the spines kept regular-sized skeins appropriately taut. 

This is not the original sock dryer but one I came across at a church sale.  They are available at dollar stores for a buck or two. (click on photo to enlarge)

During the photo shoot a hummingbird sat nearby in a tree with occasional swoops toward the feeder just above the swift and the impatient clicks it made reminded me of those sons......   

Dialogue between kettles

(re-post)

Left:  "So, you're leaving tomorrow - back to the weekly church sale?"

Right:  "Yeah.  I was getting to like this place."

L  "I was getting used to you being here."

R  "Guess she couldn't use two kettles ...."

L  "Stranger things have happened.  But, no, it was your design.  Likely why you got donated, in such brand-new condition, in the first place."

R  "You mean the hot spot at the end of the insulated handle .... yeah, causing burned fingers is not a great feature for a kettle."

L  "You boil water just great ... and your whistle is tuney ....  and you sure are shiney."

R  "I know.  I know."

L  "Sigh."

R  "Sigh.  I wonder if she'll tell the ladies at the sale why she is bringing me back?"

L  "Yes, she will.  It may not be an issue for some people. Best of luck."

Posted on June 20, 2013 at 09:05 AM | Permalink

 

Left:  "So, you're leaving tomorrow - back to the weekly church sale?"

Right:  "Yeah.  I was getting to like this place."

L  "I was getting used to you being here."

R  "Guess she couldn't use two kettles ...."

L  "Stranger things have happened.  But, no, it was your design.  Likely why you got donated, in such brand-new condition, in the first place."

R  "You mean the hot spot at the end of the insulated handle .... yeah, causing burned fingers is not a great feature for a kettle."

L  "You boil water just great ... and your whistle is tuney ....  and you sure are shiney."

R  "I know.  I know."

L  "Sigh."

R  "Sigh.  I wonder if she'll tell the ladies at the sale why she is bringing me back?"

L  "Yes, she will.  It may not be an issue for some people. Best of luck."

Left:  "So, you're leaving tomorrow - back to the weekly church sale?"

Right:  "Yeah.  I was getting to like this place."

L  "I was getting used to you being here."

R  "Guess she couldn't use two kettles ...."

L  "Stranger things have happened.  But, no, it was your design.  Likely why you got donated, in such brand-new condition, in the first place."

R  "You mean the hot spot at the end of the insulated handle .... yeah, causing burned fingers is not a great feature for a kettle."

L  "You boil water just great ... and your whistle is tuney ....  and you sure are shiney."

R  "I know.  I know."

L  "Sigh."

R  "Sigh.  I wonder if she'll tell the ladies at the sale why she is bringing me back?"

L  "Yes, she will.  It may not be an issue for some people. Best of luck."

Trees

Friday April 26 2024 was Arbour Day.  Go online for much information -worth while and world wide -about this event.

I have had a life long interest in trees for many reasons.

A  TED  talk by Suzanne Simard I much enjoyed  and suggest you check it out!

Resident tourist

(re-post)

If the souvenirs you bring home from places you travel to consist of things like locally made soap or a package of grits or the weekly newspaper - you're a resident tourist.

If you  seek out the cafe where the inhabitants gather and find out about grits and where to buy them and how to cook them and the necessity of having them alongside biscuits and gravy - you're a resident tourist.

If you send a Christmas card to the family who runs the Bed and Breakfast - where you plan to return next year - and their card to you passes in the mail - you're a resident tourist.

If you now know how to make chapattis and a lady in India now knows how to make potato pancakes - you're a resident tourist.

If you learned twelve words of Spanish from some kids and those kids can now speak twelve words of English - you're a resident tourist.

If you are a Canadian and the local residents corrected anyone who didn't know you were not American - you're a resident tourist.

If you visited Victoria and now know - and have visited - all the yarn shops (Knotty by Nature,  Boutique de laine,  Beehive)  you must have come across some of us KIP'ing (Knitting in Public) and you are definitely a resident tourist.

Posted on May 29, 2009 at 01:01 AM | Permalink

 

If the souvenirs you bring home from places you travel to consist of things like locally made soap or a package of grits or the weekly newspaper - you're a resident tourist.

If you  seek out the cafe where the inhabitants gather and find out about grits and where to buy them and how to cook them and the necessity of having them alongside biscuits and gravy - you're a resident tourist.

If you send a Christmas card to the family who runs the Bed and Breakfast - where you plan to return next year - and their card to you passes in the mail - you're a resident tourist.

If you now know how to make chapattis and a lady in India now knows how to make potato pancakes - you're a resident tourist.

If you learned twelve words of Spanish from some kids and those kids can now speak twelve words of English - you're a resident tourist.

If you are a Canadian and the local residents corrected anyone who didn't know you were not American - you're a resident tourist.

If you visited Victoria and now know - and have visited - all the yarn shops (Knotty by Nature,  Boutique de laine,  Beehive)  you must have come across some of us KIP'ing (Knitting in Public) and you are definitely a resident tourist.

If the souvenirs you bring home from places you travel to consist of things like locally made soap or a package of grits or the weekly newspaper - you're a resident tourist.

If you  seek out the cafe where the inhabitants gather and find out about grits and where to buy them and how to cook them and the necessity of having them alongside biscuits and gravy - you're a resident tourist.

If you send a Christmas card to the family who runs the Bed and Breakfast - where you plan to return next year - and their card to you passes in the mail - you're a resident tourist.

If you now know how to make chapattis and a lady in India now knows how to make potato pancakes - you're a resident tourist.

If you learned twelve words of Spanish from some kids and those kids can now speak twelve words of English - you're a resident tourist.

If you are a Canadian and the local residents corrected anyone who didn't know you were not American - you're a resident tourist.

If you visited Victoria and now know - and have visited - all the yarn shops (Knotty by Nature,  Boutique de laine,  Beehive)  you must have come across some of us KIP'ing (Knitting in Public) and you are definitely a resident tourist.

Slow crochet ..... unique hook ... mindfully - well, chuckling

 

(re-post)

What a pretty crochet hook, was my first thought when I came across this  with the yarn and needles in the church thrift shop.  And it was unusual in shape, being flat. 

I had to try it as soon as I got home;  worked a few rows of Tunisian crochet.

Anything that varies the process appeals to me and this hook required paying attention and slowly hooking the yarn and keeping the hook flat;  it was quite perfect for the Tunisian method.

It felt nice in the hand, there was a warmth to it, and I wondered if it might be bone or ivory - roadkill, of course.

As I raised it to tap against my teeth and decide on the content,  I noticed writing on the other side and when I had located my glasses and read what it said ....  I found it funny.

For the moment it is resting in the cutlery drawer:  I want to see how it works on an orange.

PS  If you click on the photo it should enlarge it enough so you can read that it says  Orange Peeler  Souvenir of Florida  Made in Japan 

Posted on March 31, 2010 at 01:01 AM | Permalink

 

What a pretty crochet hook, was my first thought when I came across this  with the yarn and needles in the church thrift shop.  And it was unusual in shape, being flat. 

I had to try it as soon as I got home;  worked a few rows of Tunisian crochet.

Anything that varies the process appeals to me and this hook required paying attention and slowly hooking the yarn and keeping the hook flat;  it was quite perfect for the Tunisian method.

It felt nice in the hand, there was a warmth to it, and I wondered if it might be bone or ivory - roadkill, of course.

As I raised it to tap against my teeth and decide on the content,  I noticed writing on the other side and when I had located my glasses and read what it said ....  I found it funny.

For the moment it is resting in the cutlery drawer:  I want to see how it works on an orange.

PS  If you click on the photo it should enlarge it enough so you can read that it says  Orange Peeler  Souvenir of Florida  Made in Japan 

What a pretty crochet hook, was my first thought when I came across this  with the yarn and needles in the church thrift shop.  And it was unusual in shape, being flat. 

I had to try it as soon as I got home;  worked a few rows of Tunisian crochet.

Anything that varies the process appeals to me and this hook required paying attention and slowly hooking the yarn and keeping the hook flat;  it was quite perfect for the Tunisian method.

It felt nice in the hand, there was a warmth to it, and I wondered if it might be bone or ivory - roadkill, of course.

As I raised it to tap against my teeth and decide on the content,  I noticed writing on the other side and when I had located my glasses and read what it said ....  I found it funny.

For the moment it is resting in the cutlery drawer:  I want to see how it works on an orange.

PS  If you click on the photo it should enlarge it enough so you can read that it says  Orange Peeler  Souvenir of Florida  Made in Japan 

Body Friendly Bread: Irish Soda

(re-post)

This is another Edna Staebler recipe (like the Surprise Carrot  Muffins)  that I tweaked to eliminate refined carbs.

This time I used all whole wheat flour; in the past I have used part rye flour;  whirred raw oats in the blender to get an oat flour and used it.  It's fun to experiment. (click on recipe to enlarge)

I use butter instead of margarine;  grating frig-hard butter right into the flour takes care of the "rub in..." step.

This is a wonderfully tasty bread, quick to make, slices freeze well and taste fresh baked when heated in the toaster oven.

The only time I ever had a problem with it was when I invited an Irish gentleman to tea, an Irish gent who loved Irish soda bread and expressed delight at being served it .  When I sliced it - it was soggy in the middle .  Laughter did save the day - but I was embarrassed.

Posted on April 03, 2012 at 10:18 AM | Permalink

 

This is another Edna Staebler recipe (like the Surprise Carrot  Muffins)  that I tweaked to eliminate refined carbs.

This time I used all whole wheat flour; in the past I have used part rye flour;  whirred raw oats in the blender to get an oat flour and used it.  It's fun to experiment. (click on recipe to enlarge)

I use butter instead of margarine;  grating frig-hard butter right into the flour takes care of the "rub in..." step.

This is a wonderfully tasty bread, quick to make, slices freeze well and taste fresh baked when heated in the toaster oven.

The only time I ever had a problem with it was when I invited an Irish gentleman to tea, an Irish gent who loved Irish soda bread and expressed delight at being served it .  When I sliced it - it was soggy in the middle .  Laughter did save the day - but I was embarrassed.

Tutorial : Photo houses

(re-post)

Several years ago, for an art show, I exhibited photography with the theme "Getting Photos Out of Drawers." 

These photo houses were one way of displaying pictures.  One was of the rooms and garden in the house; two were of the fibre art.  Since then I've done one of Grandkid for his first birthday.

They can sit on a shelf or hang.  They are quite sturdy and are a bit finicky but not hard to make.

Each house takes seven photos - I've used 4x6 here. The two sides and bottom use the entire photo unfolded; the two ends require a picture that can be viewed vertically and folded to a point in its top third;  the two roof ones will also be folded along the top. 

 

Lay the bottom, sides and ends as shown.  Make sure the photos are facing the right way - that is, as they will appear in the house shape before you turn them over.

 

Put some tape along the join of one side and the floor and one end and the floor.  I have taped the entire joins in some of the houses, used pieces of tape along the join in others - both worked just fine.  Now stand the side and end up as shown.
Mark a dot where the end piece meets the top of the side piece; do this for both sides and both ends; you will  have four dots, two on each end.
Now mark a dot at the center of the top of each end. Draw a line from this center dot to side dot on end photo.  This is the roof line.

This is what it will look like now.  Nothing else has been taped yet.

 

Score the roof line and fold inward.

 

Now tape one roof onto the top of one side. Check that photos are facing right way.
Lay scored side on roof as shown and mark where it meets the roof. Draw a straight line to other end as shown.  Score and fold.

(click on above IMG to have photo appear)

This is one roof lying on top of one end and about to be folded down.  The other end is lying on the table - not yet showing its lines to be scored and folded. Also the second fold of the end facing us (sky photo) has not been folded down yet.  The second side (on the left) has been taped and raised into position.

It makes sense when you are doing it and you can see the house taking shape. Each taping sequence seemed to be different but mostly I found it easiest to get it all measured and folded and tape sides and ends from inside and then proceed with the roof which, of course, you cannot tape from the inside.  (Just had a thought - hmmm - maybe the bottom could be cut away by slicing through the tape and all the fiddly roof taping done from the bottom, then the bottom reattached.) Otherwise - do as I did and turn bits of tape back on itself to make double-sided sticky and put on fold of end and push roof down on top of it and coax into place from the outside.

The appreciation and admiration you get when it is all finished makes it worthwhile! 

Posted on August 14, 2018 at 02:22 AM | Permalink

Several years ago, for an art show, I exhibited photography with the theme "Getting Photos Out of Drawers." 

These photo houses were one way of displaying pictures.  One was of the rooms and garden in the house; two were of the fibre art.  Since then I've done one of Grandkid for his first birthday.

They can sit on a shelf or hang.  They are quite sturdy and are a bit finicky but not hard to make.

Each house takes seven photos - I've used 4x6 here. The two sides and bottom use the entire photo unfolded; the two ends require a picture that can be viewed vertically and folded to a point in its top third;  the two roof ones will also be folded along the top. 

 

Lay the bottom, sides and ends as shown.  Make sure the photos are facing the right way - that is, as they will appear in the house shape before you turn them over.

 

Put some tape along the join of one side and the floor and one end and the floor.  I have taped the entire joins in some of the houses, used pieces of tape along the join in others - both worked just fine.  Now stand the side and end up as shown.
Mark a dot where the end piece meets the top of the side piece; do this for both sides and both ends; you will  have four dots, two on each end.
Now mark a dot at the center of the top of each end. Draw a line from this center dot to side dot on end photo.  This is the roof line.

This is what it will look like now.  Nothing else has been taped yet.

 

Score the roof line and fold inward.

 

Now tape one roof onto the top of one side. Check that photos are facing right way.
Lay scored side on roof as shown and mark where it meets the roof. Draw a straight line to other end as shown.  Score and fold.

(click on above IMG to have photo appear)

This is one roof lying on top of one end and about to be folded down.  The other end is lying on the table - not yet showing its lines to be scored and folded. Also the second fold of the end facing us (sky photo) has not been folded down yet.  The second side (on the left) has been taped and raised into position.

It makes sense when you are doing it and you can see the house taking shape. Each taping sequence seemed to be different but mostly I found it easiest to get it all measured and folded and tape sides and ends from inside and then proceed with the roof which, of course, you cannot tape from the inside.  (Just had a thought - hmmm - maybe the bottom could be cut away by slicing through the tape and all the fiddly roof taping done from the bottom, then the bottom reattached.) Otherwise - do as I did and turn bits of tape back on itself to make double-sided sticky and put on fold of end and push roof down on top of it and coax into place from the outside.

The appreciation and admiration you get when it is all finished makes it worthwhile!