Springing

We are definately feeling the full effects of spring around here, even though it feels more like summer...

We had a nest of baby birds growing in the plant on our front porch.  They made a whole lot of racket to the point I couldn't open the window or front door and I could still hear them.  Not sweet "cheep cheep" noises.  More like an alarm clock! They left their nest last week and I am trying to revive the plant that I stopped watering so I did not drowned the baby birds.


The garden is growing great and last night one cucumber and yellow grape tomato was harvested. I went out this morning with an artist's brush of Rylin's and polinated some squash that was blooming.  We seem to have many wasps but I'm not seeing a lot of helpful bees. 

Monday I turned the last of the season's strawberries into 11 quarts of  jam and filled two gallon bags with washed strawberries and put them in the freezer to top cakes or ice cream. 

The Quilt For Kids quilt has been quilted, hopefully today I can find time to put the binding and label on so it can be sent out tomorrow.  Gilbert as usual was his helpful self! 

We have a busyish day today. Finn and I are going out to check out pre-schools for him to attend VPK in the fall.(He will go from 9 - 12 most likely.)  Then this evening we are going to Rylin's play at the school.

I am off to have a shower, get Finn a shower and give Ole Grandpa Dog a bath so we can get on the road.

Mother's Day, Birthday and Christmas

Yesterday, I was on Craigslist doing a quick check for a spinning wheel as I do pretty much every day.  And one listed literally minutes before I checked and I forwarded it to Bob.  Wonder of wonders Bob called the woman selling it and asked if he or I could come over in the evening and have a look at it!  I never expected him to actually take it upon himself to make the phone call and seriously think about purchasing it. 

So yesterday evening I went to this lady's house in Orange Park and got my Mother's Day, Birthday and Christmas gifts. 

I paid more than I really had expected to pay for a used spinning wheel but I bought it as part of a lot of items.  And there were tons of stuff included.  Unfortunately there is only one bobbin, no lazy kate, niddy noddy or threader but you can't always have it all and sometimes have to make do I suppose.

Here is the list of what's included so you can make your own opinion as to whether or not I got a good deal:

#1 - Spinning Wheel - It is older as the things to the side of the bobbin are made of leather and I can't seem to find a stamp on it saying what brand but the Ashford Traditional bobbins fit it.

#2 - Homemade Yarn Swift - The thing made of pvc pipe. (If I ever have a broken pipe in my home I should be set!

#3 - One set of carders

#4 - One Knit Picks ball winder (which I already have)

#5 - Size F light up crochet hook (The novelty of this thrilled  my kids in a way you couldn't possibly imagine!

#6 - Addi Turbo 32" cir. needles in sizes 1, 3, 4, 6

#7 - Hiya Hiya 24" circ needles size 5

#8 - Straight needles in sizes 10.5, 9, 8, 6  (Also a pair of lighted knitting needles but one of the tips broke off so now they are magic wands!

#9 - Various other circ needles in sizes 7, 8, 1 and 2.

#10 - 150 grams Knit Pick's Imagination in "Looking Glass"

#11 - 150 Grams Knit Pick's Gloss in "Black" (exciting!)

#12 - 150 Grams Knit Pick's Gloss in "Winter Night"

#13 - Two balls Peaches & Cream in "Black" (The excitement continues..)

#14 - 100 Grams Claudia Handpainted Yarn Merino in "Baby Girl"

#15 - 4 bags roving in a "purple turquoise" color

#16 - 2 bags Merino Roving naturally brown, black and cream.  You cannot imagine how soft and silky this felt when I stuck my hand in the bag.

#17 -  8  bags Merino Roving natural undyed.

#18 - A box of unwashed/unskirted wool that appears to be covered in "stinkies". 

I really don't know who was more excited over my fabulous prizes, the boys or me!  I haven't used the wheel yet I just sorted through everything and polished the wheel last night.  This morning while I was making school lunches Finn pulled out the PVC swift (his spinning wheel) and opened the box of stinky wool and said, "Come on Mom, lets do our stuff!"  Then at naptime he asked if we could "do spinning wheel" when he gets up and told me not to do it without him.  When I brought the wheel into the house last night he said,"That's Noodle's you have to give it back!"  I had to explain that it was mine to keep and different from hers so he wouldn't think I was a thief! 

I am off to finish my chores as I don't want to spend the weekend doing them and then look at the Ashford spinning book some more and then I'm going to hopefully give it a test drive.  Maybe on Mother's Day I can get a chunk of unbroken time to play with my new toy.

Quick Quilt Kit

I sent away for my Quilt for Kids kit hoping that it would come while Gage was visitng and also that it might be more of a 'girlie quilt'.  It came after Gage left as well as being an airplane theme which is definately not girlie.

I think the casino pictured in the focus fabric is an extra special little touch for a childrens quilt.  I'm about half way done with it and Gilbert has been hard at work with me as usual!