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Saturday, July 24, 2010

 

a midsummer evening's blog post



Haven't blogged in something like, 3 weeks! A first for Chickenlips. Well, I do have pictures to show you, but before I get to it, let me grouse a bit about life. It was a real scorcher of about 94 today and it's supposed to be even worse tomorrow, and hot weather and I don't get along too well. Combined with the events of the past week, I'm feeling kind of meh. Once it cools down again to ideal Oregon summer in the high 70's, I'll perk up.
Where to start? Last Sunday evening, a dear friend and amazing person passed away. She was a very tough fighter and gave it all she had, but complications from cancer took Bev from us. This evening we attended a celebration of her life. The church was absolutely packed, and the service was beautiful. It's strange, I got all weepy when I got there and saw so many familiar faces - but Bev had so much joy and positive energy that we could actually feel it in remembering her.

The other thing that happened was that Monday night/early Tuesday morning, someone broke into daughter's car - which wouldn't have been a big deal if she hadn't left it full of valuables instead of bringing her things into her friends' house where she was staying! However, this is often how we learn what not to do. Unfortunately she lost her laptop, clothes, makeup collection, notebook full of songs and writings, and two electric guitars. So I've been dealing with the insurance company; got her car window fixed and just finished filling out the claim against our homeowner's policy. At some point, hopefully, we'll get some money out of 'em...


And now to the "meat", if you will, of this post! Here is something other than dyed wool I created in my kitchen: Italian Sausage and Zucchini Soup.

Super quick and easy. I browned 3 mild Italian sausages in a little olive oil. These ones were pork, although I imagine chicken sausage would be good too. Then I took the sossidges out and sauteed 1/2 onion, 1 garlic clove and a sliced zuke. Poured in 1 can beef broth and a bit of water to dilute the salty taste a bit, put the sausage back in and simmered it for about 20 minutes. Then cut up the sausages and sprinkled some grated parm on top. Fabulous!! I didn't add any seasonings - the sausage was spicy enough for me.

Handspinning Revisited

Recently I treated myself to a finely crafted cherry wood drop spindle, which made a big difference in both the quality of my spinning and my enjoyment of it. This is the "Shuksan", from Cascade Spindle Co. in Washington state.



I'm getting better, as the above photo shows. Although my handspun singles aren't great, I can spin finer and am eager to learn how to ply. I am seriously coveting this wheel, or one like it.


Well that's about it outta Chickenlips, folks - now that Totally Awesome Daughter doesn't have her own computer for the time being, we're back to sharing. Stay cool out there!

Comments:
Sorry about Bev, and about your daughter's break-in. And the heat...

We're lucky enough to have a/c at our house; we did it when we put in a new furnace a few years ago. DH was resistant, but he knows I get cranky when I'm hot...
 
I'm sorry for your loss...and for your daughter's as well.

I have an Ashford Traveler. It's not bad, but if I had it to do over, I'd spend a bit more and get a Majacraft or a Louet. As it turned out, I ended up spending more on the Traveler and the Woolie Winder and all the bobbins than I would have on one of the better wheels anyway.
 
thank you, pdxknitterati and yarnhog. Your kind words mean a lot to me.

I also appreciate the input on the Ashford Traveller. Will definitely try out more wheels before making my choice.
 
So sorry for the loss of your friend! (((hugs))) And it really sucks too about your daughter's car! Poor kid...here's hoping your insurance company is one of the rare decent ones and doesn't give you any hassles!

The soup looks deelish, as does your spindle/handspun! I have been fighting the urge to learn to spin, mostly because I'm allergic to wool and such, also hubby would probably have an apoplectic fit if I adopted one more hobby! j/k...but it just looks like so much fun! :)
 
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