Does Anybody Know What Day It Is?

I am confused as to what day it is , or even what date it is. This month has whizzed by, I've had 3 trips to the Adirondacks in the last week, didn't work last week and then we had President's Day, which took Monday away, all of these things led to my confusion.

On Sunday I visited Big Tupper with my sister-in-law. Big Tupper is a ski resort in the village of Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks that had been closed for several years. A group of local residents has banded together to try to bring it back. It was a gorgeous sunny, but freezing day. My brother Tim, the coffee roaster, is roasting coffee for the Big Tupper Brewing Company and the profits are going toward helping bring back the skiing to Big Tupper.

There was a coffee tasting, and that was the reason for our trip. I was amazed at how many people were skiing. Right now they don't make snow and there is no night skiing, but the great thing about Big Tupper is that the lift tickets are only $15.00, which makes it affordable for families.

Here's the view from inside the lodge. I sat in the sunshine knitting and watching skiers and snowboarders zooming down the hill.

Here's a photo of our happy group shortly before leaving. That's me, Lisa, Tim, and Lisa's daughter Sarah, who had a glorious day skiing.

My final photo is of my grandkitty Sterling Battleship Sylvia who is living with a big black dog (my granddog Begonia) temporarily and is finding all sorts of places to hide, like this high shelf, behind the green beans. She is staring at the evil Begonia, who was lying on the floor underneath the shelf and had no idea there was a cat right above her head. Smart Sterling.

Silk has arrived in the North Country!

Yesterday was an exciting day. I received an order of recycled silk ribbons and pulled sari silk. I can't wait to get them in the shop and will be working on it over the next few days. I can see so many possibilities for working with the silk ribbons-weaving, add ins for art batts, splitting them and knitting directly with the ribbon, or using the ribbon to knit along with yarn are just some of the ideas. I'm also thinking of making bracelets by wrapping the silk around a bangle bracelet. Having lived through the 80's and not being good at getting rid of things, I may have a bangle bracelet or two hidden away.

I'm also doing a small shop update this weekend with some silks, milk fiber and superwash laceweight merino yarn.

Superwash merino laceweight yarn called "Red Hot Moon".

Milk Latte Fiber

Mulberry Silk brick

This is also an exciting weekend because it is Phat Fiber box drop day today. The theme for the month is Gems and Minerals. I submitted batt samples in Aquamarine and Merino, Cashmere, Nylon fingering weight sock yarn.

Here's the amethyst sock yarn.

And the aquamarine batt samples.

I went to visit my darling children at the beginning of the week, which is their weekend since they work in the hospitality industry. I returned home to find this sight in my shop living room.

I'm thinking the cats had something to do with it. My poor table will never be the same after having such pressure on the leaf, but the lamp survived! Those darn cats.

Silk has arrived in the North Country!

While reading a friend's blog yesterday I was pointed to the online exhibition of an exhibit called Threads of Feeling which is going on until March 2011 at the Foundling Museum in London, England. The museum tells the story of The Foundling Hospital, London's first home for abandoned children. When the children were left a small object or token was kept as an identifying record in case the baby might be reclaimed some day. The fabric was either cut from the child's clothing or provided by the mother, and was attached to a registration form. It was fascinating seeing the array of textiles in this online exhibit, which gives a look at the fabric of 18th century England. I only wish I could visit the museum and see them in person. It's also heartbreaking seeing the little notes some mother's left with their baby. I can't begin to imagine how horrible it would have to be to give up a child because you couldn't care for it.

Snow, Snow, Snow

'Tis a cold and blustery day here in northern New York. All schools in our county, and the neighboring county are closed, which is very unusual. It's 12:30 and I have already shoveled the driveway twice and I imagine I'll have to do it at least one more time before the storm is over. It's finally looking like winter out there. I do love a snow storm as long as I don't have to be out and driving. My neighbor told me that her vehicle had to be towed out of the bank parking lot because the lot hadn't been plowed. I'm glad I did banking and went grocery shopping yesterday so I'm safely ensconced in my warm house with my two cuddly cat friends. Lots of time for knitting and spinning and watching some Dr. Who on Netflix.

I have no snowy photos from today, but I do have some from a stop I made at Cranberry Lake on Sunday. There was about two feet of snow, but I walked in and was able to get inside because of the way the snow had drifted by the door. It was very cold though and I didn't get to walk around as much as I would have liked. I bet there is a lot more snow now and that snowshoes will be necessary next time. The big expanse of snow is the frozen lake.

Today my spinning group was supposed to meet at my house, but we have postponed it until next week. One intrepid friend came anyway and we enjoyed some lovely conversation, some delicious St. Lawrence Valley Roasters Cost Rica coffee and some of Aunt Hilda's Stovetop Rice Pudding. My Aunt Hilda was a most awesome cook, and my recipe book is filled with recipes handed down from her, my Grandma Fish and my mom. I had forgotten about her rice pudding recipe and had been searching for a rice pudding that was made from uncooked rice, didn't need to be baked and was creamy and delicious. My sister Jane reminded me of Aunt Hilda's recipe which was published in 1981 in a cookbook put out by the First Baptist Church of Rome, New York, and the recipe satisfies all of my criteria.

Stove Top Rice Pudding

1/2 Cup Raw Rice (Arborio if you have it) 3 Eggs

1 Cup Boiling Water 1/2 Cup Sugar

1 Quart Milk 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1/2 Cup Butter 1/2 Cup Raisins (Optional)

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon, 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg (Also Optional)

Boil rice and water for 7 minutes. Add milk and butter-boil slowly for 1 1/4 hours, covered. Watch carefully because it boils over easily. Stir frequently. Remove from heat. Beat 3 eggs and sugar until thick and foamy. Add egg mixture to rice mixture and fold in real well till foam disappears. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, spices and 1/2 cup raisins. Pour into a pan or casserole and cool a little, then refrigerate.

I usually add a little bit more rice as I like the pudding a little more solid than soupy.

Enjoy!!!

I wanted to share a pair of socks I made from some of my handspun, hand dyed yarn. They were claimed by Travis when I was there this weekend. He said the color reminded him of the Razzle Dazzle popcorn at Maison du Popcorn at the Massena mall.

No blog post is complete without a cat photo. This was Gerard as I was leaving last weekend. I'm not sure if he was trying to sneak into the bag, or if he was checking to make sure I had everything I needed.

I now must remove Gerard from my right arm and repair to the sofa for a little knitting time. I'm still working on my Peace Fleece cardigan, having finished the Rosemary's Middle Sweater I was making, so I am moving toward accomplishing my knitting goals.