Still weaving...

Visit www.knittynoodle.blogspot.com to see my most recent woven scarf, a silk/merino wool blend.  I have been filling these winter days, weaving as well as cleaning up and puttering in the winter garden for upcoming spring planting.  I comment on garden happenings  my garden blog, www.sweetcasita.blogspot.com.  Too many blogs; I know!  I have considered consolidating; however, there is a service where one can publish one's blog entries into a printed book format; they do it all for you.  I have always wanted to be published and self-publishing my journal is a goal.  Therefore, I have four categories which I try to keep separate:  home, garden, sewing and knitting/crafty things.  We shall see how it all turns out; in the meantime, I am busy, busy, busy and very happy as well.
 

There's weaving going on...

There's weaving going on at the Casita!  To make this scarf, I used a skein of wool yarn for the warp (vertical strands) and a skein of silk sari yarn for the weft (horizontal strands).  The fabric is being woven on an Ashford Rigid Heddle Knitter's Loom.  Mine is a small, convenient loom, but it still provides the simple pleasure of weaving.  I'd have to say, hands down, including all of the various crafts that I dabble in, weaving is by far my favorite.  This scarf is all done; it took two days to complete.

Spring ahead

We're at the beginning of January and there's still a winter chill in the air, but spring planting is already on my mind.  Today, rain-drenched grounds, cloudy skies and cold temperatures keep me inside.  This is a good day to curl up with a cup 'o tea and a good book.  I have a selection of books pertaining to herbs, gardening, cooking, sewing, poetry and such; things that inspire, things that I love to do.  There's been a lot of sewing going on, but gardening's always in the back of my mind.  I have another blog you know, www.sweetcasita.blogspot.com; this is where I log gardening happenings at the Casita (Christine! One blog too many perhaps?)  Today I am feeling compelled to read and study.  I really enjoy this book (pictured), The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden, by David Hirsch; this is today's reading for fun and inspiration. 

Calico Quilter's still sewing...

If you're interested, go to www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com to view the bunch of black 'n white tops, just posted.

Joyful, joyful!

Chloe and Natalie

Here are the girlies enjoying post-Christmas fun.  In their jammies and toys all neat and tidy, I'd venture to guess it's probably close to bedtime and their day is nearly done.  Seeing Nat's happy laughter and Chloe's sweet smile; this Calico Quilter grandma is a lucky duck : )

Palm trees swaying in the breeze...

Backyard view at the Casita; photo taken Dec. 29, 2012

Palm trees in the backyard at the Casita.  In my mind's eye, I had dreamed of a backyard with trees of a different kind.  Not King Palms lined up along the fenceline.  King Palms?  Well, there you go; hard to imagine where the road may end.  Temecula boasts freezing cold temperatures in the winter, not so much freezing, but definitely frosty.  When the thermometer does dip to below freezing, the palm leave yellow and sometimes brown and wither, but the trees do not die.  All of that aside, it's a lovely view from the backyard; skies that rival the heavenly skies of Hawai'i or New Mexico; different temperatures, different climates, but beautiful nonetheless.

Happy New Year to One and All!



Little gnome friend viewing the garden in winter; January 2013

Herb garden in the making; back area of the Casita; January 2013

2013...Calico Quilter's Casita is alive and well!  Papa Paz and I celebrate the many blessings bestowed upon the families that make up our family as a whole.  From Hawai'i to Connecticut, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina, California, Idaho, England, New York, we are a diverse group, spread across these grand United States and overseas as well.  Over the past few years bountiful numbers of grandbabies have arrived.  Economic hardship and political foolishness continue, but We, the People, press forward with good intent.  Happy New Year to one and all!