Jennifer St. Clair's Blog, page 20
November 2, 2013
Preparing for winter.
I picked herbs to dry today, and my hands hold their smell, along with the garlic I planted amid turnips and kale already growing in the garden. A small preparation for the winter ahead and next year's season.
Learning again.
Before, in October and early November, and sometimes September, even, I would prepare for the craft shows that I set up at every year. I would cut fabric, sew, string beads, stuff, name dolls and bears, crochet, and later, weave; spin yarn, and manage a couple of new things as well, depending on my creativity at that time.
Every year I pledged to start earlier, so that I was not so rushed at the end of the crafting time; every year I failed in that pledge.
There were various reasons for that. I...
October 28, 2013
Enough
When, in our relentless striving for more, do we sit back and take stock of what we already have?
When do we stop and say, "I am happy enough. I have enough. I no longer need the desire for more" and then have enough courage to release it and watch it drift away, a little sad, perhaps, but not sad enough to call it back.
What will we truly miss out on if we admit "Enough!" ?
When do we stop and say, "I am happy enough. I have enough. I no longer need the desire for more" and then have enough courage to release it and watch it drift away, a little sad, perhaps, but not sad enough to call it back.
What will we truly miss out on if we admit "Enough!" ?
October 20, 2013
The Last Burlington!
The last Burlington of the year was today, and it was a bit of a frosty beginning! But it turned into a nice day, if cool.
I did make a few purchases, but the only large item was a folding metal rack that will be very useful since my dryer went out again. Other purchases included a personal-sized (one cup) cast iron teapot, a green marble mortar and pestle, two Pyrex yellow mixing bowls, and a red velvet robe type thingie I couldn't pass up.
I sold almost all of what I brought new,...
I did make a few purchases, but the only large item was a folding metal rack that will be very useful since my dryer went out again. Other purchases included a personal-sized (one cup) cast iron teapot, a green marble mortar and pestle, two Pyrex yellow mixing bowls, and a red velvet robe type thingie I couldn't pass up.
I sold almost all of what I brought new,...
October 16, 2013
This Week
So my goals for this week were mostly inside--I wanted to make a good dent in the Junk Room, decide what to do about the Big Green Loom, set up my sewing room, move weaving supplies downstairs, and generally make the house more presentable and less filled with cat hair dust bunnies.
So far, so good.
I've decided that I'm not ready to attempt to use the Big Green Loom just yet. And I've decided that it can stay upstairs in the sewing room. To bring it downstairs would take up a lot of floor spac...
So far, so good.
I've decided that I'm not ready to attempt to use the Big Green Loom just yet. And I've decided that it can stay upstairs in the sewing room. To bring it downstairs would take up a lot of floor spac...
October 14, 2013
Birthday
Today is my 39th birthday. I thought and thought about what to give myself for my birthday, but then I decided that I really didn't need to buy myself a present at all. What I really needed--what I truly and honestly wanted--was to go for a walk in the woods.
So I went for one, even though I didn't bring a walkingstick or wear my hiking shoes or boots; I just went. And I'm very glad I did.
The tree root's bracelet.
Creek Glass.
Footprints in the mud.
In fact, it was such a perfect birthday present...
So I went for one, even though I didn't bring a walkingstick or wear my hiking shoes or boots; I just went. And I'm very glad I did.
The tree root's bracelet.
Creek Glass.
Footprints in the mud.
In fact, it was such a perfect birthday present...
October 12, 2013
Bread Baking Day
Today, I baked 15 loaves of bread. Most went to the baked goods auction up at church. Here are some photos of the process...
Sourdough starters last night, in preparation for Sourdough Rye and Sourdough French.
Sourdough Rye, finished.
Proofing dough.
My baking table.
Sourdough French, Honey French, Maple Multi-grain, Cinnamon Swirl.
Russian Black Rye, Sourdough Rye, Norwegian Rye.
Braided Challah.
It was quite the perfect baking day. :-)
Sourdough starters last night, in preparation for Sourdough Rye and Sourdough French.
Sourdough Rye, finished.
Proofing dough.
My baking table.
Sourdough French, Honey French, Maple Multi-grain, Cinnamon Swirl.
Russian Black Rye, Sourdough Rye, Norwegian Rye.
Braided Challah.
It was quite the perfect baking day. :-)
October 9, 2013
Chopping up peppers to freeze with my nearly 100-year-old...
Chopping up peppers to freeze with my nearly 100-year-old (and very sharp) favorite knife.
October 6, 2013
After
Bread baked.Chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove.Storm outside.Warm inside.Writing, and reading, and battling a cold not quite gone.Rummage sale, bag of clothes for $2.Quilt, and tins, and a few books as well. Kittens sleeping, quiet now. Garlic ordered. Flour ordered. Autumn begins.
September 30, 2013
Wedding weekend
The wedding was wonderful, if exhausting. But we had perfect weather, my sister was a radiantly beautiful bride, and everyone had a good time.
Mom, Dad, and I (and Elsa) spent the night at the hotel Saturday night, so it was with some trepidation that I returned home yesterday afternoon. It's one thing to leave a few cats home alone over a day and night, but eight?!? Luckily, they behaved themselves, and even had a little food left. So that was good.
I started reading Wildwood by Co...
Mom, Dad, and I (and Elsa) spent the night at the hotel Saturday night, so it was with some trepidation that I returned home yesterday afternoon. It's one thing to leave a few cats home alone over a day and night, but eight?!? Luckily, they behaved themselves, and even had a little food left. So that was good.
I started reading Wildwood by Co...
