Cream

Well, it's only taken me about a month to get this far . . .

Today I finished my first bobbin of my Blue Moon Fiber Carbon merino. You remember, the roving I bought at Rhinebeck last year?

I started spinning it on August 6th and with one bobbin now complete, that means I'm a third of the way done . . . since this is going to be 3-ply yarn.

Why is it taking so long? Mostly, I think, because I'm trying to spin it so fine. I mean, it's not perfect, or anything, but still.

See? The goal is that the 3-ply yarn will be sock-weight, something I've only done once before. (Actually, that should look familiar, since it's the yarn in my blog header.)
I'm pretty sure that what I've got on my bobbin right now is more finely-spun than the singles from that yarn, so really, what I end up with is kind of up for grabs in terms of yarn weight, WPI, all that stuff. I'm pretty sure it's going to be pretty, though (grin).

(And, of course THIS bobbin of singles is MUCH more evenly wound than those were . . . I really am ridiculously proud of myself for packing this bobbin so very nearly perfectly. My singles even ran out just at the end of the "row," too. I love it when things are not only done well but are aesthetically pleasing, too. It just seems so . . . efficient . . . that way.)

Now, in today's weather, I regret to inform you that it's still just lovely out there . . . or at least, if you live somewhere where the weather is, shall we say, less than ideal, I don't want to sound like I'm trying to rub it in. It is perhaps a little warmer and a little more humid than the last two days, but still sunny and, really, nothing to complain about. It's just gorgeous. Having  a 3-day weekend with perfect weather is just the cream on top, you know?

Speaking of which, how about this lovely crema on top of this shot of espresso? Alton Brown was talking about espresso the other night and made me realize how long it had been since I took out my espresso maker.

I used to use it every day. It's a number of years old, now, but it's a good, pump-driven Krups model. (I looked, but couldn't find it online, so my guess is that they don't make that particular model anymore.) I'd make a latte for breakfast every morning--a shot of espresso mixed with some milk heated on the stove. (So much easier, really, than using the steam wand--and, frankly, I've always found them difficult to clean, whereas a small pot is easy.) Anyway, that was my daily, morning routine for years.

I only stopped doing that when I did a serious cut-back on dairy products about seven years ago--mostly because of the phlegm/mucus/lung/sinus thing . . . There's a lot of controversy over whether there really is a connection, but I do notice an improvement when I avoid large amounts of dairy products--and also I notice a significant difference when I DO succumb to the creamy white stuff--so while I miss cheese and occasionally do crave a dish of ice cream, I'd rather stay away than take unnecessary chances. I still add cream to my coffee, put milk on my oatmeal, eat cakes made with milk and butter, but . . . no pizza, no grilled cheese, no glasses of milk (not unless I'm really desperate).

Anyway, clearly, if I were going to cut back on dairy, drinking a cup of milk with my coffee every morning just wouldn't do. So I bought an American-style drip coffee maker and the espresso machine was banished to the laundry room closet.

Still, sometimes . . . like when you've been watching Alton Brown raving about how wonderful espresso is and all the things you need to make a perfect cup, well . . . sometimes you just have to make yourself some latte.

And, well, it IS a holiday. I'll just, um, keep my inhaler handy . . . just in case!

And, really, it tasted just wonderful.

Comments

[Christina]

I'm lactose intolerant, but aged/hard cheese doesn't bother me, since the lactose is consumed by the cheez-makin' bacteria.

I'm looking into buying an espresso machine. I've heard good things about Rancilio. Have you been happy with your Krups?

[lisa]

Do you know the accupressure points for clearing bronchial tubes and lungs? I sometimes do them in the steamy shower when I'm congested...don't hurt, seem to help.

[Stacey]

Oh I get the same phlegm/mucus/sinus thing! And I also notice that when I stay away from dairy it's a lot better. I still have my shot of espresso each morning with fat free milk though. We've got a machine at work and who can pass up free espresso?

I also love the spinning you are doing, the colors are gorgeous!

[Morgan]

Beautiful spinning! The roving is great. I need to add some of that to my spinning stash!

[minnie]

i think i'd be lost without my daily glasses of milk. if i don't have at least 2, i don't feel right. and my bone density is through the ceiling! (i'm old e nough to start worrying about it)

[michelle]

I absolutely could not live without dairy. I am the dairy queen :) Drinking my bedtime milk right now as a matter of fact.

Your singles are beautiful! I bought some of this stuff last year at Rhinebeck also, just a different color way. It was my first 3-ply. and came out a little on the thickish side and I just finally used it. It was so soft and smooshy I must get more :)

[Judy G.]

I don't know which would be worse; having to give up dairy or switch to decaf like I did. I used to have capucchino every morning, but when I had to switch to decaf, I switched to a french press. It takes some of the pain out of the process, but still...
Your singles are lovely. Someday I may have to start using my wheel, although I suspect it would lead to a whole other dimension of stash.

[Beth S.]

No pizza?... How do you survive, grrl?... ;-)

[Judy H.]

Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend! I was off to the Oregon coast with DH and some friends, and the dog, of course. (Nothing like watching your dog running on the beach to put a smile on your face.)

The spinning looks gorgeous--that's going to be some lovely yarn.

Good luck with your manuscript! I've got my fingers crossed for you. What genre?

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

Oh man, I've been lusting after an espresso machine for a while now. DH got me a drip maker almost 2 years ago now. It's a small 4 cup, which is a good fit since he is not supposed to drink coffee. I think his motive was to have me cut back on coffeehouse purchases, but drip coffee doesn't really compare. I'm bummed they aren't making your model as I hate to buy one without a personal recommendation. It is always hard to figure out whether the glowing reviews were made too soon after acquisition and whether the scathing ones were due to a fluke or poor care etc.