Unraveled Wednesday 7/29/26

 Good Morning!

The forecast rain did indeed roll in late yesterday afternoon and evening and we ended up with an inch or so of rain!  Much needed and appreciated.  It sounded and smelled so good!!  And, more is in the forecast for late in the day again today.

It is so hard to believe that we are at the end of July.  Where did it go?  It's now the last Wednesday of the month and time to link up with Kat  and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat about making and reading.  I know it's difficult to believe, but I have finally picked up my Honky Tonk yarn and started a shortie sock!

The photo shows that I am part of the way down the heel flap. Honestly, I thought I would finish the heel flap, turn the heel and at. least pick up the gusset stitches.  But, I guess my less-than-stellar nights of sleep finally caught up with me - yesterday I had a two hour nap and woke up just in time to get dinner ready!

A new pattern that has caught my attention is Flyover by Alison K. Lee for Quince and Co.  Has anyone else noticed this one?  I love the looks of it for a nice Fall walk.  No plans yet to make it, but I'm thinking...

Meanwhile there has been reading.  I finished This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page.  This was a quick read and a bit of fluff (my opinion).  A cute story but perhaps overly sweet.  However, it was the perfect book to read after consuming "Land" by Maggie O'Farrell the other week.

After that I read The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry.  Again, an easy read, but quite enjoyable.  And, it's based on a true story which I had not realized until I read the author's notes at the end of the story.  Plus, Beatrix Potter is mentioned, so what's not to love?

Today I'm back to watching Iris and looking forward to that.  Mailing is headed to Boston today for work and Colin & Iris are driving up there tomorrow for a long weekend.  After hanging in Boston, they will head over to Rhode Island for Saturday night.  They will be staying with Jan & Pete (Leslie's sister) and as it turns out, Leslie will be there too.  I'm so glad they will have a chance to see everyone.  I will still be going over to their house each day (twice a day) to care for and feed Talbot.  I also want to cook something to leave in their fridge so that they don't need to think about dinner when they return on Sunday.

More beans and tomatoes were picked yesterday - they are really coming in like gangbusters now!  I'll be able to leave a healthy serving for C&M&I and still have plenty for us!

And a surprise visitor yesterday - Froggy made an appearance!!

The green he is sitting on is a microfiber cloth sitting over the pump in our water feature.  The cloth helps keep debris from settling on the pump, so it runs better.

Well, time to sip some coffee and wake up.  Also I need to pull together a lunch for today.  May your Wednesday find you happily doing something you love!

Unraveled Wednesday 7/22/26

 Good Morning!

Despite some thunderstorms late in the day yesterday, it is still extremely muggy.  Ugh!  And, not that much rain fell here - less than third of an inch by our rain gauge.

Before I get back to watching Iris today, it's time for linking up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers for an Unraveled Wednesday post.  No, I still have not knit or started anything new, and I did not pick up Semplice.  I did, however, make a catnip toy for Talbot using the too-small-sock I knit.

After getting rid of all the stems and sticks from the dried catnip, there wasn't really enough for two toys.  Anyway, Mabel has her REAL plant outside!  I took the too-small-sock and tucked the cuff end down into the rest of the sock so it would have a double thickness, stuffed it with the dried leaves and then sewed it shut.  Hopefully Talbot will like it.  I'll take it to him this morning.

Since I last posted about reading, I have finished two books.  I read Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin.  I don't know why this book never crossed my path previously - so many have read it and loved it.  Food memoirs are one of my favorite genres to read.  However, I did not really care for this book.  None of her recipes appealed to me and I found myself disagreeing with many things she said about food and cooking.  Oh well, to each their own.  I'm glad to have read it anyway.

Next up I read Land by Maggie O'Farrell which many of you have already read.  I think most of you will be very surprised to learn that I absolutely loved this book!  Yes it was bleak and harrowing in places.  Certainly no good fortune but plenty of bad luck.  Yet, I found myself responding to how resilient the characters are and I even found the book hopeful in a way.  I thought the ending was great.  I also kept thinking about how strong the female characters are that O'Farrell creates - not only Rose and Enda and Phina, but also Agnes from Hamnet and Lucrezia from The Marriage Portrait.

Now I'm almost finished another book - much less intense than Land and I'll be able to talk about that one next week.  Fletch and I only have a couple of hours left in our listening to The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane.  I've already downloaded The Wild Places by Macfarlane for our next listen.

What have you been up to in the making department and what have you been reading?

Unraveled Wednesday 7/8/26

 Good Morning Fellow Makers!

How are you?  Gosh!  The air almost feels chilly this morning...I'm in a tee shirt and PJ pants and could almost use another top - a light flannel shirt or sweater!  And yesterday, whilst Iris napped on the couch, I had to turn the ceiling fan off at C&M's.  The door between the living room and sunroom was open and a fairly strong breeze was coming in.  We (Colin, Iris and I) walked outside to check on Colin & Iris' garden before lunch and even with leggings, a tee shirt and flannel shirt, I was cold!  Amazing after last week.  I've also noticed the morning light changing (already).  It's kind of dark now when I get up and the birds are not quite as loud early in the morning.  

Time marches on and now it is Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.

Well, surprise, surprise!  I have a finished object to share:

The first slip stitch sock is finished!  It was finished Saturday morning, July 4th.  HOWEVER, it might just be the only one.  Looks pretty, huh?  But let me tell you, it is small and tight.  Tight as in my foot can't get into it!  Friends, I know I am a very tight knitter (I'm trying to ease up, but...) and this sock proves it.  I used size 1 needles (I really should know better).  There are 15 rows of ribbing at the cuff; roughly 70 rows on the leg; the heel flap and turn and then about 65 rows on the foot before the toe decreases.  This should fit my friend Janet, but I'm betting it's too small even for her.  As proof, all that knitting used only 32 grams of yarn!

There are still 75 grams of yarn left from the skein!  So, I'm debating what to do.  

• I could knit another sock like this and then donate the pair
• I could throw this one in the trash (or make a cat toy from it)
• I could unravel this and use the remaining 75 grams for a pair of socks using #2 needles and have this extra yarn "just in case."

I have yet to decide what to do, so no knitting has taken place.  I'm still looking at patterns and looking at my yarn and thinking I really (REALLY) should finish my Semplice Shawl or I should use the skein of Jane yarn that I wound and cast on a hat or this...or that...  I will cogitate on this a bit longer.

Meanwhile, reading has been good (at least I've been able to concentrate better and finish 2 books!).  Over the weekend I finished Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer.  This was one of those books that I wondered if I would finish.  At first I was confused with all the characters and the various stories, but I got into the rhythm of the book and ended up really enjoying it.  Nothing wrong with a story set in Italy!

Next up was another Bruno, Chief of Police novel by Martin Walker - The Templars' Last Secret.  Definitely not my favorite Bruno book, but the food and wine in the Bruno stories are always so good.  Also, Martini Walker obviously does his research and knows what he writes about.  This book dealt with archaeological finds as well as present day tensions between Palestine and Israel.  

Fletch and I are continuing our usual slow pace of listening to a book for 15 o 20 minutes after dinner.  We are still into The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane and thoroughly enjoying it.  The narration is good and the journey is pleasant.

Meanwhile, I received notice that 2 more books are in for me from the library:  "Land" by Maggie O'Farrell (hoping I enjoy more than Bonny or Kym) and "This Book Made Me Think Of You" by Libby Page.  I've been in the rather long queues for both of these novels, so I'm hoping to enjoy.  My plan is to pick these up on Saturday and hopefully between now and then I can finish 1 or 2 of the library books in a stack on my nightstand!

Have a wonderful Wednesday and enjoy checking out what all the Unravelers are making and reading.  My guess is that you will find something (or many things) to inspire you.  Have fun!

Unraveled Wednesday 7/1/26

 Good Morning!

I'm enjoying the early hours before the heat and humidity really settle in for the day.  Right now it is rather pleasant, but I know what this afternoon will be like....

So hey!  It's Wednesday (the first of July which does NOT seem possible) and it's time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk about making and reading.

Monday early afternoon was actually quite pleasant outside.  I put a small table in front of my chair on the patio and set out my knitting, a book, and a glass of Pinot Grigio.  Bliss!  I had to bring out a different chair as the one I usually sit in is a deck chair with arms which doesn't really work for knitting.  Easy enough to remedy.

My first slip stitch sock is almost halfway down the foot.  I was easily distracted by bird song and Mabel roaming around.  Slow knitting is nice.  No one wants to wear a wool sock today, so there is no rush to finish.

Reading has also been a little slower, but so good.  I finished Whistler by Ann Patchett and loved it!  Honestly, I wasn't sure I would.  There has been so much (so much) buzz about this book and then, of course, Ann Patchett is set to win the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.  So I wasn't sure, but oh my!  What a wonderful book.  Strong, likable characters and a wonderful story!

I am now in the midst (roughly 100 pages in) of Villa Coco which (so far) is proving to be an amusing romp through Italy.  Such fun characters - but so many of them!  I might need a cheat sheet to keep all of them in my mind.

And, finally, Fletch and I are listening to The Old Ways - A Journey on Foot by Robert McFarlane.  We had enjoyed listening to "Is a River Alive?" so decided to try this one.  Very good.  Though I don't retain as much listening to books, it's a very enjoyable listen.  Kat - I think you recommended this one quite some time ago (at least that's what my notes say on my TBR list).

I'm still in queue (long queues) for a number of books (Theo of Golden, Land, Country People, etc.) so I requested some other books to fill time while waiting for the popular ones.  Well, late yesterday I received an email that four of those requested are waiting for me to pick them up!  When it rains it pours!  As I always say, not a bad problem.  I will not pick them up today (I'll be with Iris all day), but probably tomorrow.

Yesterday I did a thing.  I got my hair chopped!!  It had gotten long (like down to my bra strap on my back) and all I ever did with it was pull it back into a pony tail or with a clip or put it in a bun on top of my head.  I was bored and tired with that.  And hey!  Cutting so much off is kind of a weight loss plan.  LOL. Anyway, here is the new (slightly cooler) moi:

Just a chin length bob that hopefully will be easy to "do".  I'm not one to spend a lot of time with a blow dryer or product.  I'm a wash and wear type of gal, so we will see how it works out.  It looked fine this morning when I got out of bed, so that's a plus!

Wishing you a wonderful start to July.  Have some fun and stay cool and hydrated!

Unraveled Wednesday 6/24/26

 Good Morning!

It is just barely 60 degrees out and I am wearing a sweatshirt!!  It feels wonderful.  Yesterday was a cool day as well.  Perfect for making eggplant parmesan for dinner.  I added sautéed mushrooms to the mix and will be doing that from now on.

It's Wednesday.  I'll be back with Iris today (and tomorrow), but before then it is time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat a bit about what we are making and reading.  There has been no unraveling this week.  And, other than a few moments while at Colin's there hasn't been much knitting since I was focused on finishing my Appil sampler (see yesterday's post).  But there was a little and my slip stitch sock is now at the point where I will knit the heel flap and turn the heel.

I'm liking this sock a lot.  The colors and the pattern.  At this point, I'm planning to continue the pattern down the top of the foot (leaving the sole plain).

Reading has been good as well.  The mystery I was in the middle of last week was Missing by E. A. Jackson.  It was good - not great, but kept my interest.  And Fletch and I finished In a Pig's Eye by Karl Schwenke.  We had a few good laughs while reading this.

Most surprising for me was The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout.  I liked it!  A lot!!  Strout is an author who - for me - sometimes hits it right and other times does not.  I think it was Jane who said she felt the book was melancholy.  I did not feel that at all.  I would have preferred less about the current political situation, but that is really my only complaint.  For me, the book was about hope and kindness.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Unraveled Wednesday 6/17/26

 Good Morning All,

It's another delightfully cool morning in Eastern PA.  I know our temps are climbing, but I'm going to enjoy a cool morning while I can.

My eye appointment was a good one which is always nice.  Today I'm back to watching Iris (and tomorrow too).  My days of watching are increasing at a rapid pace!  Bonnie (Mailing's Mom who shares watching times) has a number of planned trips in the next few months:  a 2 week trip back to China; an Alaskan cruise and a trip to Europe.  All of these are 2+ weeks long which means long weeks for me.  I do love caring for Iris and I love being able to help Colin & Mailing...but I sure hope my back, arms and shoulders hold up!  LOL

Now it's Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers for another fun romp through the world of making and reading.  Yesterday ended up being quite busy, so no making time, but I do have a new start to show you!

Oh look!  It's the start of another sock.  I like having a sock to work on when I spend the day with Iris - sometimes I can knit while she has lunch with Colin or when she naps.  This time I am doing a simple slip stitch pattern.  The yarn is from Twisted Owl (I think no longer producing) and the color way is Honkey Tonk Woman.  This is the very same skein of yarn that I attempted to turn into a cowl.  The yarn was not pleased and the cowl was unraveled.  But, now the yarn is very happy to become socks.  Whew!

Meanwhile my swatching was unsuccessful.  Ugh.  I was using Ito Kinu in the hopes of making a Shakerag Sweater.  The pattern calls for a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows in stockinette on size 6 needles for a 4" square with the yarn held double.  I got 3".  Moved up to a 7 needle and got 3.5".  Moved up to an 8 needle and got (just barely) 4" but I honestly did not like the fabric.  I also went on and continued knitting with just one strand of yarn (as the pattern calls for) and I really did not like that on an 8 needle.  So, my Ito Kinu is back in the cone stage while I think about things.  Maybe a little vest...or maybe a little tank top.  I have some old (like from the 90's) Rowan books that have some lovely patterns.  I'll look through them.  Later...

Since I last posted about my reading I have finished 2 books.  First is Kin by Tayari Jones.  This has been quite a "buzzy" book being on the NYT bestseller list and a pick for Oprah's Book Club.  I found it to be average.  Kind of what I expected.  It was good.  The writing was good.  It just did not pull me in like some books do.

The other book I finished is Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg.  I think, like Kin, a number of you have already read this book.  Berg is an author whose books I sometimes like a lot (The Pull of the Moon is one of them), but many of them just fall short for me.  This book was just ok.  Good, but slow in many places and a bit "schmaltzy" in others.

Yesterday three books came in for me at the library and I'm excited to get started (finishing up a mystery before starting though).  Again, many of you have already read them and I am sure hoping they engage me!  They are:  Whistler by Ann Patchett, The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (another author whom I enjoy sometimes, but not always), and Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer. 

Now it's time to pour another cup of coffee, have a bite to eat and get ready to go see Iris.  May your Wednesday find you immersed in something that brings you delight - enjoy!

Friday Cooking and Other Things

 Hello My Friends,

Today is a later-than-usual post from moi.  My morning was busy, but all in a very good way.  Our temps are rising (as is the humidity) and I knew I wanted to get a crostata in the oven before the heat of the day.  And voila!  A blueberry/peach/rhubarb crostata was made.

I wish there were sniffable monitors - this just smells amazing and I cannot wait to try it (but I will!).

My socks were finished this morning!  They are matchy-matchy up until the very tip of the toe.

Sock #1 on the left has a little bit of the next color showing in the toe.  The sock I finished this morning had no need of that additional color.  Maybe I knit tighter?  Maybe the length of colors was slightly different?  No matter...matchy-matchy doesn't matter to me and I am very happy with this pair of socks.  They are now tucked away to be gifted later (recipient TBD).  The yarn is from Fibernymph Dyeworks    - Lisa is amazing with her dying.  The color way is "Mountain House Winter" but they remind me of polo or rugby stripes.  Whatever, they are lovely.  And, if you have not tried Lisa's yarns (I know most of you have), you really should give them a try.

After that, I had a massage booked for 11 a.m.  Bliss!  Mallory, the massage therapist I have been seeing for months now, is a miracle worker.  She found knots I didn't know I had - lol.

When I got home, Fletch and I had lunch and then I started cooking again!  We want a cold dinner tonight, so I set about making a Lobster Orzo Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette.  It's fast to make and quite tasty.  I used Langoustinos (tail meat) that I found at Trader Joe's instead of lobster.  It tastes like lobster but is much, much less $$$.  It is now in the fridge chilling.

We'll have some more radishes from Colin's garden and sugar snap peas to go with this.  An easy, fast, cool dinner for a warm/hot day.

Did any of you see the MDK post about the road trip to Florence, Alabama and The School of Making?  So tempting.  I would love to do that, but I don't think the timing is good for me right now.  Are any of you considering it?

And with that...let the weekend begin!  We have no plans (which is so nice).  I want to get to Target (I need printer paper).  Maybe I'll do some laundry...maybe not.  I'm sure I won't be doing cleaning.  I hope to swatch this afternoon for a Shakerag and maybe pick out yarn for the next socks.  I'd also like to sit down with my stitching.

Here's hoping you have some fun ahead of you!

Unraveled Wednesday 5/20/26

Good Morning!

Mon Dieu but this weather!!!  Yesterday my car thermometer was showing over 100.  The temps are now dropping and rain is coming in.  The high for Saturday (when we are going to C&M's for a cookout...) is only forecast to be in the mid-fifties.  This back and forth is enough to make one crazy (or crazier than one already is).

My cleaning went ok...I did not get it all done, but c'est la vie.  I did grocery shop and wine shopped and we are now well stocked in the fruits and vegetables department as well as wine.  And my wallet is much, much lighter.  Prices keep rising, and let's not talk about gas prices.  Anyway, I will try to finish up a little cleaning and straightening tonight.  The basics are done, now there is just some touch up to be completed.

Between cleaning, shopping and heat wave weather I have not done much making at all (therefore the lack of a post yesterday).  But time marches on and now it is Wednesday, so let's link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat a bit about making and reading.  My 2nd sock is progressing, but not quite as quickly as I had thought.

  The leg is finished and I am poised to start the heel flap.  Theoretically I could get that done today while Colin and Iris have lunch.  But time will tell.

It has been a good week for reading though.  I finished the Bruno, Chief of Police book that I was reading.  Fatal Pursuit was not my favorite Bruno book, but it was engaging and dealt with a car rally.  I am finding this entire series to just be delightful - a bit of mystery and murder, a little romance, and lots of food and wine and life in general in the French countryside.

Cleaning the bookcase in our bedroom I discovered Have You Heard the Cricket Song by Winston Abbott.  I'm sure this was once my Mom's book - just her style.  Inspirational and filled with nature.  It's short (under 60 pages) and reads like a poem.  Very enjoyable.

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst was a fast read.  What an adventure!  A couple sailing the world has their boat hit by a whale and then the boat sinks!  The couple survive (barely) on a dinghy and raft for just over 4 months before finally being rescued.  Yikes!  And (amazingly to me), all they talk about is their next boating adventure (to Patagonia)!  As the title states, a true story of love, obsession and shipwreck.

Last night Fletch and I wrapped up listening to The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson.  This is such an epic tale and I cannot recommend it enough.  Colin gave us a copy years ago that we read out loud and loved.  My Dad then read it and enjoyed it immensely - so much that it inspired/encouraged him to do on-line research (he was in his 80's at the time).  This time we listened to it on audible.  The narration is excellent and we discovered much more humor in this adventure than either of us remembered.

And that's a wrap for me.  Time to fix another cup of coffee and look for some nourishment.  Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Unraveled Wednesday 5/13/26

 Good Morning Everyone!

Once again we find ourselves at the mid-point of the week.  It's time to link up with Kat and her Band of Merry Unravelers to talk about making and reading.  Always a fun day for posts.

If you read my blog, you know that I finished the first "rugby sock" last week and I'm happy to say that sock #2 has been started.

Not only started, but halfway down the leg heading for the heel flap.  You all know that I am not a match-matchy person, but for those of you who are, the stripes on sock #2 line up with the stripes of sock #1.  

Voila!  Matchy-Matchy.

None of the swatching I had intended to do was done...but there is always tomorrow.

Only one book was finished last week.  A Good Animal by Sara Maurer is a coming of age story set in Sault Ste. Marie, MI on a sheep farm.  It was an ok read - not great, but good at the time I read it.  I found it to be a bit predictable and even a little "schmaltzy" but, as I already said, ok.

As I wait for some books to come in at my library, I'm back in the French countryside with Bruno, Chief of Police.  More deaths and plenty of wine and food - perfect!!

Today I'll be back with Iris and am looking forward to that.  I hope your Wednesday is a good one.

Unraveled Wednesday 5/6/26

 Good Morning Fellow Makers,

Hoping this Wednesday morning finds you all doing well.  I'm doing well and looking forward to winding down my cat duties with Talbot.  Still a few days to go, but it is going well.  He's been fairly talkative this week and also a bit needy for affection.

How about we link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk about what we are making and reading.  The sock is progressing:

The foot is about halfway done, so it shouldn't be long now to wrap up this first sock.  The yarn is from Fibernymph Dyeworks and is Lisa's Mountain House Winter color way.  The stripes remind me of a rugby shirt, so I may just call them Rugby Socks.  Just plain vanilla socks, letting the stripes show all their glory.

Though I had hoped to do some swatching this past week, that did not happen.  The yarn is sitting patiently waiting to be caked and swatched.

On the left is Ito Kinu in the color way Cayenne Red (doesn't really look red to me, but...) which will (hopefully) become a Shakerag Top and on the right is a skein of Jane in the color way Caladium with which I intend to make Jacob's Hat by Norah Gaughan.  Or, I may opt to knit up some fingerless mitts with it.  As usual, I seem to have more plans and ideas than I have time!

Reading has been good.  This past week I finished 3 books.  First up, I listened to A Year of Marvellous Ways. by Sarah Winman.  Magical realism is not typically a genre that I enjoy, however I did like this book.  Filled with mermaids war, love, loss, and thoughts on aging.  Marvellous is a wonderful character.

With my eyes I read The Safekeep by Yale van Der Wouden.  I can't remember where I heard about this book.  It is set in the early sixties in a Dutch Province and deals with the aftermath of WWII.  The book is filled with desire, obsession and suspicion and is very atmospheric.

My last read was Under Water by Tara Menon.  This was fairly intense, dealing with the tsunami in Thailand and years later Hurricane Sandy in NYC.  Survival and guilt all wrapped up together.

Now I'm in the midst of a much less intense read!

And, finally, a picture of sweet Talbot who stayed by my side for an hour one day.

The yellow in the above photo is a blanket I knit for Colin several years ago!  Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Unaveled Wednesday 4/29/26

 Good Morning All,

It's a mild morning.  I woke up too warm this morning...thinking it would be cool overnight I lowered the back window in the bedroom and threw an extra blanket on the bed.  Oh well, at least I slept well.  We have rain in the forecast for later today and then, I think, heavy tonight.

Our Iris have started to bloom and they are gorgeous!

Even though Kat is taking a bit of a blogging break, I still want to post about knitting and reading for an Unraveled Wednesday post.  My first Mountain House Winter (Fibernymph Dyeworks) sock is progressing.

I'm a little over 2/3 of the way down the leg and should get to the heel flap soon.  This is what I knit when I go over to feed Talbot.  Yesterday I only got 5 rows completed, but some days I'm able to get 12 or 15 done.  

Yesterday was a little busy at the Wu-Lane house.  Talbot had a bit of an "issue" on the office room couch - not sure if it was a hairball or something (....) else.  But I cleaned that up and then scrubbed the cushion a bit.  I'm afraid the cushion might be a bit stained.  After that I checked on seedlings that Colin has started (cucumber, tomatillo, cantaloup and cherry tomato).  He has trays in the office room window and also in the upstairs bedroom window.  They all got a good spritzing.  I'll water house plants today.  I remembered to get the trash cans out for pick up today.  Anyway, all that left less time for knitting.

Reading has been a little slower.  I did finish The Patriarch by Martin Walker.  This is another Bruno, Chief of Police book.  This series is such a pleasure to read.  Yes, a murder, but plenty of talk about food and wine and life in the French countryside.  When I spoke with one of my brothers last week, it was ironic to discover that we were reading the same book!

Time for me to get moving.  I promised Fletch blueberry pancakes this morning, so I need to mix up the batter for those.  Wishing you all a lovely Wednesday!

Unraveled Wednesday 4-22-26

 Good Morning!

It's a little wet outside this morning.  I heard heavy rain during the night, but looking at my phone, it appears that the rain is over for the day.  However, a sweatshirt and leggings will be my outfit today for watching Iris.  I tend to feel cold when it is damp out.

The other day when I pulled out of our driveway heading to Colin's I stopped and stared.  At first I thought I was seeing a wild turkey (we used to have them all around the neighborhood).  But, it turned out to be a turkey vulture.  Friends, these birds are HUGE!  He/She was in Rob's yard pulling up something with a bone attached.  He/She flew off as soon as I snapped the picture and that wing span was just amazing!

Happy Earth Day!  It also happens to be Wednesday, the day I usually link up with Kat for Unraveled Wednesday, but Kat is taking a little break from blogging, so there is no link up today.  I'd still like to show you my knitting and talk about what I've read.

The second Panning for Gold sock is progressing nicely.  I'm a little more than halfway down the foot.  Some mornings at Colin's I can knit a row or two as Colin and Iris finish up their morning walk.  And, usually when they have lunch I can manage 5-8 rows.  Not fast progress, but it is progress.

This sock will be finished up in good time. 

Reading has again been great!  I finished our next RWU book (our discussion will be in June).   Good People by Patmeena Sabit is a powerful book.  I wasn't sure that I would like the format, but I thought it worked quite well.  Even though I would have liked to hear the voices of the family, I think the absence of those voices gave a certain strength to the novel.  I'll reserve my other thoughts/comments for our discussion in early June.

Next up I read Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home by Sue Bender.  I read and enjoyed "Plain and Simple" by the author decades ago when it came out and enjoyed it.  The story of the Begging Bowl in "Everyday Sacred"was interesting.  The book is a very quick and peaceful read.  Looking in one of our bookcases, I found a copy of "Plain and Simple" and I may re-read that some point (right now I have way too many library books on my nightstand!).

The last book I finished this past week is The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey.  Oh my!  I absolutely loved this book.  So many fascinating details...I almost want to find a snail of my own!!  A very beautiful and thought provoking book.

As if I don't already have enough library books on my nightstand, yesterday on my way home I picked up 3 more!  Two are poetry books that I'm looking forward to reading.  One will go in my bag today when I head over to Colin's.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and tell me what you've been making and reading lately.

  

Unraveled Wednesday 4/15/26

 Good Morning and Whoosh! 

Halfway into April which does not seem possible at all.  Time (and days) slip away faster and faster.

But, hey!  It's Wednesday which means time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers.  Let's see what everyone is making and reading.  I'm betting you find inspiration and, perhaps, a touch of enabling (I know I will).

Last week I showed you my first Panning for Gold sock which was at the toe decrease point.  I did finish it that night and started the second Panning for Gold sock immediately.  No second sock syndrome for me!  The second sock is almost at the heel flap.  I think I have maybe 10 more rows or so and then the flap will commence!

This yarn is just so nice to knit!  It is from Twisted Owl Fiber Studio in Longview, TX and was bought at a fiber festival.  Quite a steal at $11 per skein (100 grams).  I bought two other skeins as well.

On the reading side of things I listened to Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.  Oh my!  Although Brooks' writing is just so good, The Plague is not a happy topic.  Some of Brooks' descriptions were a bit much.  I didn't really feel as though the ending fit, but that's me.

With my eyes I read Sex of the Midwest by Robyn Ryle which was laugh out loud funny.  It's not about sex, but rather about the lives of folks in a small mid-western town post Covid.  In some ways it reminded me of Olive Kitteridge.

The last book is a volume of poetry by Ada Limon that I found at my library.  I found Lucky Wreck to be pretty raw and at times almost angry.  Not familiar with Limon's poetry, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was not really for me.

Lucky me!  I get to have a mammogram this morning...a necessary evil.  Here's hoping that your day holds better surprises for you!  It's going to be pretty warm here.

Unraveled Wednesday 4/8/26

 Good Chilly Morning My Friends,

Yes, a chilly morning.  It is 26 degrees here and the heat is on in the house.  Freeze warnings and watches are popping up on my phone.  And it looks like this up and down weather will continue for some time.  Sigh...

But hey!  It's Wednesday, so let's link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday.  We'll chat about making and reading - both very good things.

On the making or knitting side of things, here is my first Panning for Gold Sock:

The leg and foot - or rather most of the foot - are knit.  I'm at the spot where I will begin the toe decreases.  My plan was to finish this up last night, but a friend called to chat and then I watched some TV with Fletch.  (Is anyone else watching Drops of God on Apple TV?  We've watched 2 episodes and are pretty much hooked now.). Back to the sock - no rush to finish these.  It's not like I don't have any number of socks to choose from to wear.  I may end up giving these to Fletch, but again no rush.

It has been another good week for reading.  I listened to the last available Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion - Volume 8.  The author, Beth Brower, is planning many more volumes, but she is not writing quickly enough!  I thought Volume 8 had some surprises in it and now I can't wait to see where this goes.  Plus the narration is just perfect.

With my eyes I read This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman.  After loving her earlier novel, "Isola," I had high hopes for this book but it didn't quite make it for me.  I found the story (stories) okay, but after a while a bit on the tedious or tiresome side...and a little trite at times.  The writing was good, but I wanted more.

I also read the debut novel by Nancy Foley I Am Agatha: A Novel which I really liked.  All about love, memory, art, secrets.  I was not expecting the ending at all!  The book was inspired by an artist in New Mexico - one I had not heard of (Agnes Martin).  Now I want to find out more about her and her art.  Georgia O'Keeffe is mentioned which was fun.

Having picked up two more books last night at the library, my nightstand still has a large stack of books on it.  One of the books I picked up is Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home by Sue Bender.  I saw this in one of Juliann's posts and remembered liking "Plain and Simple" by Sue Bender when it came out years ago.  I started "Everyday Sacred" last night when I went upstairs to bed, but only got through the introduction.

Wishing you all some delightful making and enjoyable reading on this chilly April day.  I will be caring for Iris, but perhaps will sneak in a little bit of reading when she naps.

Unraveled Wednesday 4/1/26

 Good Morning Everyone,

Welcome to April!  I feel like I'm running behind - after a less than ideal (meaning extremely restless) night of sleeping (or not), I fell asleep early this morning and then slept in longer than usual for a day when I'm scheduled to be with Iris.  I've showered and coffee has been poured, but that's about it!

Yesterday I was able to procure a leg of lamb for Easter dinner!  The 7 hour leg of lamb that I will be cooking (Patricia Wells' recipe) is cooked along with potatoes, onions, carrots and tomatoes and becomes so tender that it falls off the bone.  According to the recipe, you should be able to eat it with a spoon.  I never have, but it's a good recipe.  I need to get a couple of bottles of wine to pour in - most likely I'll use white this time (you can make it with either red or white).  I plan to also have asparagus, but I will pick that up later in the week.  And a coconut pie which I'll most likely make on Saturday.

I also accomplished quite a bit on my long to do list including rubbing all the cabinets in the kitchen with orange oil.  It smelled so good!  And the cabinet doors are no longer dusty!

Now it's time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk about making and reading.

My Panning for Gold sock has not seen any love since Monday, but it is further along than last week.

I'm roughly half way through the heel flap which this time is a simple slip stitch rather than eye of the partridge.  Maybe I can manage the balance of the heel flap and heel turn whilst at C&M's today (while Colin and Iris have lunch together).

Monday's mail included a bounty of new yarn stash!  First up is the April yarn for The Farmer's Daughter's 2026 Sock Squad.  Aptly named Morning Honey.  I love it!

And the yarn I ordered from Lisa at Fibernymph Dyeworks arrived.  Fast!!  First up the set up minis that I requested.  The color way is River Rocks and I couldn't resist it.  There's a bit of Stellina in the yarn, so sparkles!!

And then two full skeins from Lisa:

The skein on the right is her Pollinator Pi color way and the one on the left is Mountain House Winter.  Both are gorgeous!  I've knit with Lisa's yarn in the past and it does not disappoint.

I'm pretty sure that Pollinator will become socks for Colin (bright!!  cheerful!!) since he has talked of wanting to have bee hives.  And Mountain House Winter may become socks for Fletch.  Of course, I need to finish what's on my needles and there are so many other things I want to knit.  More hours in each day, please.

Reading has been good.  I finished listening to Blaze Me a Sun by Christoffer Carlsson about a crime in a Swedish town.  This is the book that Fletch and I had started listening to but stopped when Fletch got bored.  I decided to finish it.  It was good, but I wish I had paid more attention (meaning stayed awake) early on when Fletch and I were listening.  I'm not planning to jump out and find other books by this author, but I did enjoy it.

With my eyes I read Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins - a saga of family, home, identity, love.  It was good though in places it felt a bit long and drawn out.  Still, a good read.

Fletch and I are continuing to listen to The Long Ships by Frans Bengtsson after dinner.  There is much that I had forgotten about this story that we read out loud decades ago, including a lot of humor.  We are both really enjoying this one.

And that's a wrap for me.  Time to pour some more coffee and try to wake up.  Happy Wednesday!

Unraveled Wednesday 3/25/26

 Good Morning My Friends,

I hope this Wednesday finds you doing something fun and enjoyable.  Me?  I'll be with Iris again which is always enjoyable.  Mailing is in Richmond (VA) for work, and Colin and Iris will be joining her there tomorrow.  They plan to meet up with a few members of Fletcher's family.  Even though I won'[t be watching Iris for the balance of the week, I'll be heading over to their house twice a day to feed Talbot.  No rest for the weary and all that.  Honestly, though, I'm happy to do that.  Talbot is a sweet cat and they don't live that far away.  I also plan to do a little baking and leave some treats for the kids to find when they get back home Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, let's link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday.  There is not a lot of knitting to share.  It seems I spent more time stitching than knitting, but sometimes that's how it goes.  My "panning for gold" sock has gotten a little longer.

I managed another 15 rows or so.  Quite a bit more to do.  I've yet to swatch for the sweater I want to make (Shakerag), but perhaps I will get to that this weekend.

More yarn is on the way from The Farmer's Daughter (should be here by Friday I think) and not like I need even more yarn,  but a sale is going on at Fibernymph Dye Works so I naturally ordered some.  Oy!  I will share a picture once it arrives.  I'm excited because one of the skeins I ordered is Lisa's Pollinator Pi Self-Striping yarn.  Colin has long expressed an interest in raising bees and C&M have ordered some pollinator flowers for their yard.  I'm thinking the skein will be perfect for a pair of socks for Colin!

Meanwhile, on to the reading.  Fletch and I started listening to a new book after dinner.  The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson is a book that we read out loud after dinner many, many moons ago.  It is an epic adventure and a wonderful tale.  It is also quite long so we will be listening for some time.  I'm listening to the balance of the other book we had started (that Fletch became tired of):  Blaze Me a Sun by Christoffer Carlsson which is ok...a bit longish at times, but I'd like to finish it.

With my eyes, I read Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May.  How appropriate that I finished this book on the very last day of Winter 2026.  I found the book enjoyable, but it did not quite live up to my hopes.  At times I found it to be bogged down and a bit off course.  Still a worthwhile read.

Thanks to Kat, I requested and got a book from my library:  Bright Scythe: Selected Poems by Tomas Tranströmer translated by Patty Crane.  These poems were just wonderful and I highly recommend reading some of his work.

Lastly I read Ursula K. LeGuin's Book of Cats.  What a fun book!  Colin had seen this and ordered it for me the other week.  It is a bunch of stuff:  poems, musings, sketches (including Cat Tai Chi - LOL), meditations, etc.  A quick book that was just a delight.

You all know that when it rains it pours.  I received an email the other day that there are five books waiting for me at the library!  I definitely need more hours in each day.  Oh well, it's certainly not a real problem to have a wealth of books.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Unraveled Wednesday 3/18/26

 Hi Everyone,

Still chilly here in Eastern PA and I guess we will remain that way for a bit.  You may thank me for taking off the flannel sheets the other week.  Despite below freezing temps, I refuse to bring them back out!

Meanwhile it's Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat about what we are making and what we are reading.  I confess to a bit more unraveling this week.  Nothing major - just the yarn that I kept insisting should be a cowl when it was clearly telling me something else.  After four (yes, 4) attempts, I gave up (sometimes it takes me a little time to get a message or learn a lesson).

But, all is not lost.  The yarn is now happily becoming a sock.

This is the first of what will be a pair of "gold panning" socks.  The yarn is mostly blues and some white with flecks of yellow (gold) throughout.  So, kind of like a cool mountain stream where one might find bits of gold.  I think of my Mom when I work with this yarn since she really did pan for gold when she and her friend Jennie rode their bikes from Vermont to California.

I also managed a couple of rows on Semplice, but it still looks like a lump of purple, so I'll spare you another picture of that (for now).

It was a very good week for reading.  I listened to both the 6th and 7th volumes of "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion" by Beth Brower and I've downloaded (but not yet started) Volume 8 which (sadly) is the last one (so far) available.  I've read on line that the author is planning 24-25 volumes in total which seems amazing or impossible to me.

At the suggestion of my friend Leslie, I requested and got from my library Go as a River by Shelley Read.  Leslie's book club was reading it and she thought I might like it.  I found it good - a bit predictable and an easy read, but still good.

I also finished The Resistance Man by Martin Walker - another Bruno Chief of Police novel which I enjoyed very much.  I'm disappointed that my library does not appear to have the next book in the series.  It has later ones, but not the next.

Fletch and I are continuing to listen after dinner to Blaze Me a Sun by Christoffer Carlsson.  It's not quite as compelling as we had hoped and we both tend to doze off while listening - lol.  TBD whether we finish it or go with something else.

What are you making and reading this week?  

Unraveled Wednesday 3/11/26

 Good Morning!

Yesterday was simply gorgeous!  And warm - it actually hit 80 here in Eastern PA.  For the first time since last Fall, Fletch and I sat out on the patio with beverages before dinner.  A butterfly flew by!  Earlier I had said to Fletch that I'd like to see a bluebird and then we spotted a pair of bluebirds along the garden fence.  They were checking out the bluebird house.  It was a fun afternoon.

Now it's Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to chat about making and reading.  Not much knitting was accomplished in the last week.  There was, unfortunately, a bit of unraveling.  First I unraveled the cowl I had started back in December and then neglected for two months or so.  I was off by a stitch and when I tried to fix it I ended up dropping a stitch or two.  So, the whole thing came out.  I hadn't really done that much - maybe 15 rows or so.

Yesterday morning I unraveled the Hitch on the Move that I started in February of 2024!

There were many times I almost unraveled this project over the past year, but I never did.  But, I realized that every time I picked it up to work on it I hadn't liked what I saw.  I was using fingering weight yarn and I think this really needs to be knit in DK weight.  So, back to the drawing board.  I really like these two yarns together, so I may look for another pattern to use them together.  (The yarns are "Wish You Were Beer" and "Weathervane" and are by Emma's Yarn.  Both are Superwash Merino, Cashmere and Nylon.)

It was a good week for reading though!  I finished both the 5th and 6th volumes of "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion."  These books are just plain fun!  

Fletch and I finished listening to One Wild Bird at a Time by Bernd Heinrich and have started a new audio book for after dinner - Blaze Me A Sun by Christoffer Carlsson.  We are both enjoying this one and once again we have lucked out with good narration!

Finally, with my eyes, I read Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood.  I enjoyed this book, though it began to drag for me a bit towards the last third or so.  Plus, way too much about the mouse plague!  LOL

Now it's time for me to get ready to head over to spend the day with Iris.  I hope your week is going well.

Unraveled Wednesday 3/4/26

 Hello All,

Another bleak looking day here.  Yesterday it rained pretty much all day.  At times quite hard.  When I sit on the couch in Colin's living room with Iris asleep in my lap (such bliss), I can look out through the sun room and see one of the many rain chains that are hanging.  The water was pouring over it!  Luckily by the time I left to come home it had eased up a bit.  Also luckily it was rain and not snow or sleet!  It is already a bit warmer today (37), but the dampness hurts my joints.  Oh well, on the positive side, I can feel the hurt!  LOL

Well, it's Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers for the first Unraveled Wednesday of March!  Did anyone hear the Hallelujah Chorus over the weekend?  No?  Well, yours truly was singing it.  The Family Socks are all completed!  Woo-Hoo. Here is a pic of Colin's finished pair and then the whole family:

And there you have them.  Family Socks or maybe Goldilocks Socks (Baby, Mama and Papa).  I am so pleased with how they turned out and also so pleased to (finally) have them finished.  I started with Mailing's in mid October with the thought of making them Family Birthday Socks.  That thought turned to Family Christmas Socks.  Mailing's second sock was finished just after New Year's.  Iris' were started immediately and finished by mid-January.  So, my thought turned to Family Valentine Socks.  However, Colin's took from mid January to the very last day of February!

There was a feeling of playing a bit of yarn chicken when making Colin's.  The blue skein was fairly large and both Mailing's and Iris' socks are short, but still...I ended up with just 2 grams of blue left and only 3 grams of gold left.  There are still 6 grams of turquoise and 18 grams of purple, so those will be used for something.

We will be over at C&M's for dinner on Saturday (warm weather forecast, so grilling!!) and I think I will take them over then.  Here's hoping they like them AND here's hoping they fit.

Meanwhile, Semplice is back in rotation!  Last night I pulled it out and found where my "issue" was (one extra stitch).  I was able to correct that and knit a couple of rows.

I'm so close to the end of this shawl and I'd really like to finish it up.  I think I have about 24 rows left in the final pattern section and then 20 rows of garter stitch to wrap it all up.   But, there are about 342 stitches on the needle and an additional 4 stitches are added every other row.  Obviously the rows are long and take a bit of time to knit.  Being garter stitch, the last 20 should be fairly quick (fingers crossed).  Anyway, it's good to be working on this again at long last.

Reading continues to be a good thing!  I finished the 4th volume of  The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion  by Beth Brower and now am nearing the end of Volume 5.  I do not want these books to end!!  They are such fun and the narration is simply perfect.

Over the weekend I finished Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.  This is our RWU selection which we will be discussing on March 17th.  I can't say I loved the book.  As I mentioned last week I found it to be a bit laborious to read.  The writing is good - no doubt about that - it's just not a book you can storm your way through.  I would call it a meditation on life, faith and family, but for me parts of it just dragged on and on.  Thank God it is a short book!  LOL

Fletch and I are continuing to enjoy Bernd Heinrich's One Wild Bird at a Time, listening after dinner.  We have just about a half hour left, so most likely 2 more nights.  I need to find the next thing for us to read together.

And that's a wrap for moi.  I hope your week is going well and I hope you will take the time to check out Kat's blog as well as the links to Unraveled posts - I'm betting you will be entertained and inspired.  Enjoy!