Birthday

Thank you all for my birthday wishes--that's so nice of you! Here's me getting my birthday cake today, carried in by my sister. (My niece is standing in the background, and yes, I'm holding my old doll Buttons. After talking about her so much, I felt like she deserved a day of celebration herself, and so she spent the day downstairs with us today. Silly? Probably, but you try telling a 38-year old doll that she can't come down for birthday cake!

Dinner came out really well--with a hitch or two. Like an emergency "send Dad to the store" moment for bell peppers which Mom swears she bought but accidentally left at the grocery store, which meant the roast was started late, so dinner was later than we'd planned . . . but everything tasted good, looked good, and everybody enjoyed it. Including Chappy, who got his own piece of pot roast.

I had a very "spinning" gift theme this year. There were a couple other things, but--Aldon Amos' Big Book, which I've been curious about for some time. A Golding spindle. (Gee, apparently Mom picked that up at Rhinebeck--who knew??) A Woollee Winder for my Lendrum. Chappy was very curious, as you can see.

I finished plying my orange and burgundy singles this morning--it gave me something to do while waiting for my sister's family to arrive. I ended up with four and a half bobbins-full of this nifty, tweedy, autumnal yarn. I've got some burgundy leftover, though--not sure why, since I had the same amounts of roving for both colors.

In fact, I now have three bobbins with some "extra" singles, and I really need to figure out what to do with them--I'd kind of like the bobbins back! I suppose I could ply all of them together . . . or transfer them onto one bobbin, end to end. Or (gasp) just get rid of them altogether, but where is the fun in that?

The next decision?? What do I do with this yarn? Sure, first I have to wind it off and wash the skeins to set the twist, and all that . . . but once that's done . . . no idea what to do with this! I like the tweedy look of the yarn, and think the knitted fabric is going to look beautiful, but . . . four skeins . . .  What can I make with that? Too much for socks, not enough for a sweater . . . Any ideas?

I also tried out my Woollee Winder right away--I couldn't wait! For a couple of reasons--one, it was a new toy I wanted to play with, and two, I was anxious to see what kind of color that pretty roving spun into. And it is pretty. The singles I've spun look about like a medium gray with a tint of purple. Very nice indeed--and not too light a shade for my taste, either. See how nice?   

Oh, and happy birthday to Beth, too! She's right, November 6th IS a good birthday!

Comments

[terri]

Cooking pumpkin pie from scratch:

Use one of the small "sugar pie pumpkins" not the big jackolantern carvrs. Cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and put butter, brown sugar, cinammon, and allspice in the hollow, then cover lightly with foil and bake at 350 on a brownie pan or similar. When the flesh is soft, it's done. Cool the pumpkins and then scoop out the goo with a spoon. Use this instead of canned pumpkin in your favorite recipe.

[peggy]

Could you navajo ply your extra singles (so you don't end up with extras from plying them together)? They'd be solid red but I'm sure you could use them for something else.

[Pammi]

Happy Birthday. HOpe you enjoy your spinning. I am totally new this spinning and just still can't seem to get started. I have a spindale and roving but oh well. I have enjoyed reading your blog.

[jess]

Wow! What a great birthday! :D Glad it was a great one. Let us know what you think about the Woolee Winder... I've been thinking about it for my Lendrum.

[Beth]

Cool! A Woolie Winder has to be one of the best things you got. What could be better? A gadget. Fiber-related. Perfect!

[Anita]

Happy Birthday! Looks like you had a great day--which is as it should be!

[Norma]

Happy, happy birthday! And it sure looks like your loved ones know you and got you the right ole' presents! Yay!

[Julie]

Looks like an excellent birthday! Love your little spindle, I have my eye on a Golding myself eventually after having been loaned 3 or 4 to try. I had to go and look the Woolee Winder up- being still quite new to spinning I'd never even heard of the thing.

[Carole]

Now that's some good birthday haul! I bought the Alden Amos book myself just yesterday. Great minds and all, I guess.

[Caroline in NH]

Happy Birthday! I keep contemplating a Woolee Winder for my Majacraft Suzie... Lucky you! Nice batch of gifts there. As far as the "leftover" singles go... I wind them off, end to end, with a ball-winder, then ply from both ends. Voila, no leftovers!

[Julie]

Happy Birthday! And happy spinning on that Golding! I love mine and I'm sure you will love yours too.

[Snow]

I've been very self-absorbed the last few days and haven't been here! I'm sorry I missed the actual day, but Happy Birthday anyhow. I really enjoyed the story about your twin.

[keohinani]

wow, happy birthday!
thanks for the comment on my blog, btw.
your recent entries are incredible--especially the one about your twin sister. i hope you're able to find her resting place one day.
i noticed you have a lendrum! what kind is it? i was thinking of getting one, so i'd love to hear any feedback you have on it. :)
have a great week!

[Janine]

Happy birthday, belatedly! I was fascinated by your trip down memory lane--thanks for taking the time to share your story. And let us know how you like the Woolee Winder!

[Kim]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Looks like it was a very happy one indeed!

[Rose]

Oh boy, look at that loot. You did really well. Don't forget to let us know if you like the WooLee Winder.

[Deb]

Happy Belated Birthday!! I'm sorry I missed it yesterday. You received some wonderful presents. I love that you brought down your doll for cake. My teddy has gone missing during the last couple moves. It makes me sad to lose that connection to childhood.