laundry

This is a picture of my new washing machine that I have been experimenting with. In the past I have been taking our laundry to town. However for multiple reasons this has not been working very well. It's completely hand operated and after putting in soap, water and laundry it takes two minutes of cranking to wash a load. It uses very little soap and water in comparison to a conventional machine. The only downside so far is that it does not do a very good job at ringing the excess water out and I do that by hand. The company does make a spinner but it is electric and I have decided laundry without one is simpler. It is going to be simply wonderful from now on to do laundry at the cabin.

Sent from my iPhone

Candles and plumbing

I understand now I am going to be alone forever. Without a man I need to learn some basic skills for self sufficiency to keep up my way of life. The first of these is how to sharpen my axes, mauls and splitting wedges. I am getting the tools together that I need so I can get started. It requires less strength to work with a sharp axe so I am only making it easier on myself. I've made quite a few beeswax tapers. Not only do they smell like honey while burning they are dripless and cleanse the air. By my bed is a stack of plumbing books. Yes, we live without plumbing. I am about to do something about that. I did slip a knitting book in there.

Why is Frosty a man?

Homemade marshmallows

It's easier and cheaper to buy them but it's more satisfying to make them. I spent 45 mins with the kitchen mixer beating this sugar treat (it was thickening) while my daughter stood on the chair next to me memorizing all the sizes of the dirty measuring cups in the sink. The best memories often come unexpected.

My daughter and I put this nativity set together but I glued Joseph's face on upside down

When I look to God I see genuine committment, love beyond reason and grace I cannot comprehend. I thank God for providing for my daughter and I so that I can be a stay at home mom for even though I work to sustain us I am able to bring my daughter with me. Although we appear to be alone we are not for He is with us. "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to bring you good not harm." Jeremiah 29:11 "He will sustain you." Psalm 55:22
"As your days so shall your strength be." Deut. 33:25 I love you Jesus. Thank you for your loving care. Happy birthday! And thank you reader for reading my blog. We are leaving the island and will be back in a few months.
Sent from my iPhone

The finished hat

Now it is time for mending. Last night Babygirl woke up at 2:45am. We lay there together eating chips and she was drinking from her sippycup. Then in the near black night she put her face close to mine and said hi and then she burped. I laughed and then she laughed to.

The hat that is no more and the hat with a hole (same yarn)

I got this gorgeous mohair and silk blend that I'm knitting a winter hat for Babygirl. I found a cute pattern with "ears" in one of my vintage books. The pattern itself was of little use as it was only written for 6-12 month olds, the gauge was wrong for my yarn/needles that I wanted to use and it had a button closure. (I prefer ties. A button closure is more likely to stretch.) I threw all caution to the wind and cast on and got started. This is my idea of risk taking. By the fifth night I knew it was to small and I should have done a gauge and I was singing the baby blues. I pulled it out and started again with the correct amount of stitches. Mediocrity is never acceptable when you haven't done your best. The hat was coming along nicely until last night. A spark flew off my match when I was lighting a candle and landed in the centre of the hat. Before I could throw my cup of tea on it I smelled burnt wool. I pulled it back just past the hole. Misfortune is not an excuse to give up on perfection.