Prefer bbq..not yarn chicken

Epic isn't exactly the word I would use for this mess up, but it did have me a bit frazzled last night. I was in the process of binding off (and getting so excited at the thought of steeking today!) when I decided it just wasn't stretchy enough for me. I was just using the typical technique (pass one stitch over the next), which I know better, especially for shawls/scarves, or at least for me. Also, I discovered I probably had enough yarn to do at least one more round, and since we all know how we want to use every last inch....I'm not usually one to play yarn chicken, but I was thinking I probably eye-balled it okay. So, I pulled my bound off stitches off the needles and unraveled it (thankfully, I hadn't gone too far), and then began picking up the stitches. I got down to about the last five or six and could not get them back on my needles. What on earth!?!? The 'ladders' were just too tight and wouldn't budge enough for me to pull them through the stitch to weave them back up. I became so frustrated that I put my project back in my knitting bag and told myself, "tomorrow is a new day!" Before we went to bed though, I quickly shot an email to the designer (Alex Tinsley) asking for some suggestions. I believe she is in Michigan, so I knew she wouldn't get it until this morning probably when she checked her email. She responded right away, which is a huge plus in my books...(see yesterday's post re: indie yarn dyer)!! She had a suggestion for me and I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try it, but after a swim today, I will take another look at it. Once I get those stubborn stitches picked back up, I will do another round of knitting, then use a different bind off (probably Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy BO). It looks like I could maybe even do two more rounds of knitting, but yarn chicken, remember?

Today is looking like it's going to be a real scorcher, so if you happen to be in northern California, make sure you slather on that sunscreen!! I was out early this morning making sure my garden was not drooping already. I am so happy my orange and kumquat trees are looking healthier than ever. It looks like it's going to be a good crop this fall/winter, so my hubby and I will be found in our kitchen whipping up some more marmalade. Kumquats make THE best jam ever!!! You don't even have to use commercial pectin, as it's rich with lots of nature's own. It's a real labor of love though, I tell ya! Each little jewel has to be pitted (4-6 seeds each), and then thinly sliced by hand. It's time well spent together though, since we both enjoy cooking immensely, and are always seeking out new recipes to try!
My tomatoes are still producing, even though I'm still searching for that perfect garden spot in our yard, where they won't get so burnt, but yet, get enough light. I'm still thinking the only solution is going to be a greenhouse, especially after seeing my sister in law's two weeks ago. My strawberries are taking over the container I have them in, and sending our shoots everywhere, so I will need to make a decision soon! Our peppers seem to be happy where they are, and I never though I would ever eat a red chili pepper, but I think someone might have mixed up the tags when I bought the plants. These are so mild, with just a little bit of kick to them...delicious!!! We plan to dry some of them, so we can crush them later for different recipes, i.e., Chili this winter!!

 Nothing like fresh on the vine tomatoes...yumm!!

 

 

 Kumquats everywhere!!

 

And oranges!!

 

I'm one happy gardener!!

I forgot to mention my spinning...boy, I'm just jumping all around in this post...sorry! The Violet Supernova I showed you yesterday...yep, got two ounces all spun up, and have started the second two ounces. I will ply them together for what will hopefully become something close to a fingering weight. This year, since my spinning has improved and I've been more dedicated to it more than ever, I would like to spin enough to get started on Christmas presents with it. How special would that be, right? Fortunately, the people in my family and among my friends all know what a gift of love that would be. Anyway, I'll update with pics of above yarn later on...

The weekend is supposed to cool down some (if you call 95/97 cool), but more than likely, you can still find us in our pool with the grandkids, and I'm thinking bbq'd chicken, steak, and hamburgers. A weekend of fun and relaxation with family around us...that makes me even happier! :)