My Favorite Toys

My Favorite Toys
Originally uploaded by Greenberry House.

Another sunny morning with a brisk breeze, after a couple of days of gray skies. Yesterday morning I went out to find Blueberry hopping cheerfully around the bunny house. She hopped right up to me but teased a little, not wanting to be caught. But when I brought out a piece of carrot she snuggled right into my lap to nibble it.

The dull days made me a bit dull; with just computer work and pricing postcards to report, along with some spinning and work on the mohair shawl. I finished a bobbin of the white Coopworth and started another; looking forward to seeing that fleece come back from the processor.

I had some company yesterday that I enjoyed very much. A young family, distant cousins, came by to see the bunnies and ask questions for a report one daughter was doing for school. She's very interested in working with fiber so I gave her some Coopworth to start. I really enjoy seeing such young people with the desire to take up such interests. Even if it never becomes any more than a hobby, she will value the skills she develops.

I'm working on the last color band of the mohair shawl; almost out of yarn so I had to change my design idea. Hope it works because frogging fuzzy mohair would be a pain. If I have enough yarn left I think a fringe would be nice on this one.

The picture above shows my small collection of wooden crochet hooks. I really like working with them, but I'm fussy about how they feel. The Size G short hook, made by Hooked On Needles, fits nicely into my hand, although I'm not really fond of the short size. The colors are nice and the hook has worked well with the fuzzy mohair in this last shawl.

The Size H Brittany hook is one I don't like as well. The shaft is too thin and it's just a little too long (I'm beginning to sound like Goldilocks) for my small hand. But I prefer it over the aluminum ones, which tend to slip out of my stitches and disappear. I also like the warmer feel of wood.

The Size I was made by an eBay seller and I bought it a long time ago. This is a size I use often, even with the finer yarns I prefer, for a lacy effect. I love the feel of this hook (just right) and the length and heft are perfect for me.

Size J has been a hook that I've used a lot lately; I tend to make my stitches tight and use the larger size to loosen them up. This is the new hook I bought on eBay from a seller called Sharky. The hook is beautiful, with nice colors and a glossy finish. I haven't used it yet; I have some ideas for my next project that will probably include this hook as the tool. But it looks and feels like it will be a pleasure to use.

Tomorrow we're hoping to go to an auction in West Virginia. I haven't been to one in awhile and I'm really looking forward to it. More stuff!

Back Home Again

View from Red Oak Mountain, Woodville, Virginia

A dear old fellow in the community always came into the store saying, "It's a pretty world", no matter the weather. When I see sights like the view above it's easy to be thankful for the beauty around us. It's not so easy on a foggy, rainy, cold afternoon, the weather that has replaced these past precious days of warmth!

Sunday, Christmas Day, I spent with my mom, Wendell, my brother Sammy and my uncle. We had a delightful dinner and visit, after navigating across the treacherous sheet of ice that is still my mom's front yard. I've been trying to track down Yax Traks, since Cindy of Riverrim and my friend Kym both mentioned them on the same day to me. I want a pair for everyone I know, the way the weather has been! But the stores are sold out until next week; so there are belated Christmas presents in order.


Farm Below Red Oak Mountain, Woodville, Virginia

On Monday we headed out early to check on things in Woodville and tow my new little Toyota pickup down. It's not so new; right now it's over at the local shop getting some work done, but it's cute! I'll feel like Stephanie Plum tooling down the road (if you don't know Stephanie Plum, you need to go find her right now). At least I hope I get to keep this truck longer than Stephanie kept hers. I meant to take a picture of the truck but ran out of battery and forgot the next morning.


The House Behind the Orchard

We had a beautiful day for our trip; cool and not so much traffic as we took the back roads through the country to Woodville. There were such lovely sights in the mountains and lowlands; handsome houses on large farms, small cottages tucked into hollows, cattle scattered along hay trails down hillsides. It was an up and back again trip, quick to get the tow dolly back to the rental place, so we didn't tarry. The Christmas lights were nice in the night, though, and kept me from falling asleep!


Old Stone Chimney and Boxwood

I was hoping to visit with friends in the area; really should make another trip very soon. There is a bunny here I'd like to get to his new home as well. So if the little truck is roadworthy soon I will probably head to Central Virginia again right after the first of the year, just for a couple of days.

This morning was beautiful, warm and sunny and it was a pleasure to feed cats and bunnies and fill the bird feeder. By afternoon, though, the fog had rolled in and cold winds dashed rain against the south windows. Little birds still fluttered to the feeders in flocks; snatching seed and fussing. Lily curled up on the sofa with me, glad to have company as I crocheted and watched the birds. The rabbits were ready for their evening feed, and I left them cozy and content, munching on pellets and listening to the wind howl above them in the eaves. Tonight I will probably work on the mohair variegated shawl a bit more, and perhaps spin some more of the Coopworth wool. It's a grand evening to stay home out of the fog and wind!

Merry!

Happy Christmas, All!

Silly Stuff

Found on Hillbilly, Please.


I think I made Dr. Who! Try South Park Studio here.

Personality Test

According to experts, my personality type is : Assasin for hire Other people like me display these traits. They can't spell They are good in bed They like boiled cabbage They suffer from road rage Take the Ink Blot Personality Quiz at JokesUnlimited.com

I'm not going to comment, except to say that the person that set up the test misspelled the word "phoenix" on the test, and do you see what's wrong in the box above?

Working...Really

Lily and German Cross Rabbit, Chocolat

It's been a wonderful winter day, warm enough to be comfortable with just enough chill in the air to be right for the season. The sun is bright and the ice is melting in some areas that hadn't budged all week. We got out early to go to the gym and then I came back to tackle chores and get onto some much needed computer work. Uploading pictures and descriptions of jewelry to my web page isn't the most exciting work, but I amused myself with music from Pandora (discovered thanks to Jane). It doesn't mean it's not work if I enjoy it a little, does it?

Then I brought Chocolat in to be sheared, and took time out to take a picture of long suffering Lily with the chocolate buck. Teasing Lily may not be part of the job, but shearing a luxurious coat from a patient creature that settles quietly into your lap doesn't seem much like work, either.

The next job on the agenda is more like work, though, and I'm procrastinating. We've been invaded. By mice. Again. Or still. The cabinets are a mess and a mouse trap disappeared last night. Scary. Worse than rabbits on the Willis Road.

The Rabbits on the Willis Road

Christmas Cheer?

No one seems to know anything about this. These large, stuffed rabbits have been collecting here on the corner of a country road for two or three years. Counting the hats there are eight of them; multiplying like rabbits. The hats are a newer addition for the holidays. Jessica, I was able to get quite close without incident.


Buffalo Mountain from Black Ridge

After morning chores Dad and I headed over the snowy hills to Floyd to run errands. The fields are still snow covered and shiny with ice in most places. The shadows under the trees look hard and brittle.


Small Homestead, with Little Brown Pig

We passed over this ridge awhile back and I commented on the pretty flock of goats ranged out on the hill below us. Then we saw a little brown pig, in grazing placidly with the goats. I got a better look at him later; along with the goats it seems there are a couple of sheep as well. I've always thought this farm looks so cozy tucked in under the hill with the mountains above the little house.

Floyd was especially charming because we ran into some dear friends at the little restaurant and were able to share our lunch catching up on all the news from them. I get out rarely with the work that I do here and they are busy people doing very interesting and creative things. Hope I see them more often!

Around here you make sure to get everything done in town that you need to, especially in the winter when the weather can be treacherous and unpredictable. We did the grocery thing and other errands, banking at the pleasant little local bank where they know you and your kin and there isn't the huge impersonal presence of a corporate entity looming behind them.


Slate Mountain Presbyterian Church

The road home twisted pleasantly through snowy fields and by cozy houses, decorated for Christmas and as familiar as my own little house. Slate Mountain is one of the rock churches built by Bob Childress, and my family has been members there since the beginning. My grandmother, mother, and I were all raised in this church, and my mother remembers Mr. Childress well. My grandparents and great-grandparents, along with other relatives, are buried in the cemetery on the hill above Rock Castle, where my grandmother grew up.


Slanting Winter Shadows

How quickly a pleasant day passes. As we headed back home the shadows were already lengthening across the roads. Last night I settled in to more crocheting with a lazy spaniel by my side.

Here and There

Another cold morning yesterday, with water bottles frozen solid. If it wasn't for the fact that they stay thawed up until into the night, I'd be doing the water bowl thing. It's a lot of work hauling 23 water bottles up, thawing them and then hauling them back down. But the rabbits dump the water bowls and they are getting water for longer with the bottles. In January we'll probably have to switch.


Greenberry's Blueberry Bell

Time for much needed warm tea and toast by the time I was done with morning chores, and then I brought in a bunny to shear. Blueberry is a sweet, friendly bunny who only has one fault when we're shearing; she nibbles on my clothes. I forgot about that yesterday and caught her tugging at my shirt; I put a towel over me and now it has a tiny hole in it!


Owl Bead Work Gourd

While I was working with the bunny my sister-in-law and her son stopped by to bring a present that we won't discuss due to its incriminating nature. She also brought pictures of the wonderful gourd she made as a special order for a friend in California.


Sue's Bead Work Owl Gourd

I wish I had been able to see the original; the work on this one looks marvelous. Sue explained that she cut the design into the front of the gourd, then used beeswax to affix the tiny beads in place. All those tiny beads, placed one at a time in beeswax that had to be reheated often to work. I love the expression on this fellow's face! So, Judy in California?; here is the owl and I think he's something!

I jazzed up the index page to Greenberry House; just wanted to do something a little different and I found some background files I liked. Also changed the background on Lily's Page to something a little doggy. Then I fell off the eBay wagon. I haven't been over there in ages, but my Earthlink start page developed a fault and while I was trying to solve that I realized that they had a feature that linked directly to eBay. So I had to play with that. Found some lovely handmade crochet hooks and I really NEED a wooden Size J. I'm trying hard not to look at any other sizes!

Back Inside

Progress on Crocheted Shawl

Yesterday it was a little warmer and the icy snow melted out of the sunny areas of the field and yard. Shady places are still slick, with an ice pack thick enough to hold me easily. Fun to get to the bird seed on the front porch across an ice floe. The finches have nearly emptied the thistle seed sock; I'll have to replenish my supply soon!

Since it was so warm I sheared a little buck, the black one that is for sale. He was a darling, settling in my lap comfortably while I took off his coat. I left a bit on all over for him, since they predicted cold temperatures overnight. Don't want a shivery bunny.


Close-up of Crocheted Shawl

I'm having trouble getting good pictures of the color of this shawl; there is a difference in the two yarns but the first one isn't really quite so green. This is the commercial mohair that I dyed in the crock pot. It's very fine and a little fussy to work with, although I'm getting used to it. Fortunately I like the colors or I might have thrown this project aside!


Coopworth Natural Wool Spun on Reeves Wheel

Since it's been so cold and icy I've been getting a lot done inside. I really should do some computer work, but the shawl and spinning wheel have been nagging me. And I've had a couple of lovely DVDs to work by, especially a BBC television production, Ballykissangel. It's a funny and sweet story, set in Ireland, with wonderful scenery serving as backdrop. This Coopworth wool, from Deer Run Farm in West Virginia, was one I got several years ago to make rugs. I became more interested in fine fibers and set it aside, but washed up a bit of it so that I could spin a yarn for walnut dyeing. It's working up nicely and I'm boxing up the rest of the fleece to send out for processing into roving. Treasures in the attic!

Dappled Things*

Scattering of Hulls On Snow


Spruce Tree Shadows


Ice On the Ivy


Melting


Ice Shadows


Cat Tracks


*Apologies to Gerard Manley Hopkins and in honor of RJ.

Lily's Mommy Is Mean

Lily and the Bunny Slippers

A trip to town for some last-minute Christmas shopping (the only kind we do, mostly!) and an impulse buy because I knew they would drive Lily wild. But what bunny lady can resist really cute bunny slippers? Poor Lily doesn't know whether to be afraid of them, protect me from them or just ignore them and hope they will go away.

Winter Sights

Malachi pretending to be a cozy house cat.

A brilliant moon in a morning sky of deep blue above ice covered trees on the Parkway.

Ice covered grass sparkling in the morning sun, beautiful above the treacherous ice covered snow pack.


Deer racing across the field in the twilight.

Snowbirds, chickadees and finches bickering over sunflower seeds and darting through the apple tree.

Ice hanging from small limbs by the window, trembling and breaking as the sun warms the day.

Silvery wisps of clouds racing over the empty sky.

A herd of cows trailing up the hill, while the farmer's call echoes across the snow.

Pine limbs bent by the weight of ice suddenly springing straight as it breaks away.

Crows strutting across the icy grass in the low field, peering anxiously around for food.

The shadows of clouds drifting over the whitened fields.

The steady drip past the windows as ice melts from sun-warmed tin on the roof.

The changing light of a winter day.


Lily in her favorite winter place by the heat.

Visitors

Late Evening Winter Visitors

Not as exciting as the bears over at Riverrim, but pleasant to see, all the same!

Wintry Mix

View Out the Kitchen Door


Ice on the Quince


By the Barn


Cold Fields and Ice Wreathed Trees

And We Go On

Some beautiful thoughts on life, love and loss over at Hillbilly, Please; no one could say it any better.

I let Lily out early and she came back looking like Snow Dog. Wonderful day to dawdle the morning away and have tea and fresh scones from the bakery. Snow is falling steadily; the skies were dark so late this morning. The cats crowded the door to come in as Lily went out and little birds decorated the shrubs nearby, waiting for me to fill the feeders.


Crocheted Mohair Shawl, Beginning

And as life goes on, so do chores and projects. Monday I started this shawl, crocheted from some very fine commerical yarn that I dyed in my crock pot. The colors are much more subtle than the pictures shows. Each skein is different; I'm thinking of doing the shawl with bands of the different colors, from light to dark. The yarn is very soft but fussy to work with.

Went to town yesterday with favorite cousin under cloudy skies. Bunny feed was a necessity, along with some toiletry items. We enjoyed our usual lunch and a visit to the delightful bakery, where we stocked up on special breads and treats. It's always a pleasure to make this trip with RJ; we have so much to talk about. We were both a little tired yesterday, though, but the occasional silence is always comfortable.

Last night I set up my new DSL; worked fine except for a small glitch with my business email. My dear server fellow worked and worked to help me, and we finally figured out the problem. That's why I love working with small companies; there's always a real person that cares to talk to when the occasional problem arises. I'm going to miss my local Internet provider for that reason, but costs and time factors have made DSL a choice for me. Hope nothing goes wrong, although the one question I had was answered promptly and with courtesy. Heads up for my email buddies; I have a new personal address. If I haven't notified you, it's listed with my profile on Blogger. I don't want to lose anyone!

Another Finished Object

Dyed Alpaca and Natural Angora/Merino Small Shawl

Seems like I stopped both of these project just before I finished them, but I had items that had to be done before Christmas and I laid them aside. This shawl is for me, inspired by a need for something on my arms while reading in bed without the bulk of my big Coopworth shawl. I like the capelet idea, borrowed from Spanish shawls described in the Interweave Press Crochet magazine. The design reminds me of how the shadows look in the mornings on the snowy fields.

Irridescent Black Button with Cabin Scene

I like to embellish my projects, when I can, with vintage pins and buttons. This is a special button that has a tiny detailed cabin in the woods scene carved into it, touched with irridescence. I've been saving it for a special project and like the final touch it adds to this little shawl.


Country House Button on Crochet Hook Case

The button I put on my crochet hook case to weight the cover reminds me of the Welsh castle where we stayed on a visit to Great Britain. This button is made of metal, with a turreted house on a rocky hill. I treasure it for the memories it evokes, of a special person and a wonderful shared time together.

This morning I saw a falling star in the southern sky as I waited for my friend. The moon was setting behind the pines on the Parkway, and the sky was glowing with a strange dark brilliance. Now the sun is shining bright in clear skies and the air is biting cold.

Crochet Corner

My Winter Crochet Space

I've seen this posted in a couple of places, last at Catena Expressions, I think. During the summer I like my big chair for crocheting, but in the winter I like to be near the window so that I can watch the birds at the feeder. Perverse; it's cooler near the window but I drape my Coopworth shawl over my shoulders on windy winter nights and stay cozy. Fun to think of us all in our many different rooms with a view, creating away!

When I Can't Work Outside

Chenille Poncho and Crochet Hook Case

I spent most of the weekend curled up in my corner, watching the birds busy at the feeders while I crocheted. The brown chenille poncho has been hanging around as an UFO for quite awhile; nice to have it finally done. One a few rows finished it, as it turned out. This was a pattern I made up for some commerical chenille I picked up somewhere on cones. I dyed some of it but this cone was already a rich brown. I have a couple of other patterns in mind for this yarn, although I'm not fond of working with chenille. This is such a lovely color, though, and beautifully soft when it's done.


Close Up

The stitch pattern is very simple, just single crochet and chain stitch. I did a wide band of rows running in a different direction to the main block, to try to add some interest to the design. It doesn't show up well in the pictures, though.

The crochet hook case was made from a pattern by Annie Modesitt in her Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar. Nice collection with some good inspiration. This case was made with hand-dyed, hand spun mohair/wool from Friendship Farm; I had to add extra rows and stitches to get the size right. I felted it but it didn't shrink much; I wasn't sure how well this blend would felt. But since the case turned out bigger than I expected, I can put my larger wooden hooks in it, too. I had dyed this yarn to use in a shawl that didn't work out the way I planned. So lots of mistakes turned out to be a pleasing toy just for me.

This morning only a few of the water bottles were frozen; I keep hoping that I will go down and they will all be fine. That hope keeps me from switching to crocks, which the rabbits just dump, seems like. After a few hours doing paperwork at the shop down the road and a visit with favorite cousin, I came home:


Greeting

Lily stays upstairs when I'm gone. Although she knows better than to rush the door, it takes Dad awhile to get in and out and I worry that she'll slip by or trip him. And sometimes in the summer he doesn't get the doors shut properly. So Lily spends what little time I'm not at home up in my room, with this board to keep her safe. Even when she's not shut up she spends most of her time upstairs, with her toys and bed. Her favorite lounging place is on my pillow!

Loss

The community and family lost yet another wonderful member last night. See Jane's post on her wonderful grandmother, as fine a lady as ever walked these high hills.

Glimpse

Lily from my studio window upstairs.

Musing on Designs

Double Crochet x-stitch and Single Crochet rows

This design works.


Double Crochet cluster and single crochet rows

but this design doesn't work. It should be pretty, but I think I've gotten my sums wrong. Time to take it apart and try something else, or work on this one again. For some reason it didn't inspire me, anyway, or I would have tried harder to finish it.

More Icy Days

Mohair/Shetland Crocheted Scarf

The pond has frozen, a sign that cold weather has settled in for the winter. I can hear the wind rumbling in the eaves, a dull roar that seems far away but makes odd corners of the house feel cold. Ice coats the grass after last night's storm. I looked out my bedroom window early to see that birds are already waiting for me to fill the feeders.

Yesterday hungry cats and the coarse cries of blue jays greeted me when I rounded the corner of the house toward the old apple tree. I moved the feeders a little so that the greedy jays couldn't keep the little birds away from all of them. Before I finished feeding the cats the birds were fluttering around the tree, snatching sunflower seeds and darting away.

Lat night I curled up in my warm sitting room and worked on a crocheted scarf, made from the Friendship Farms mohair/shetland roving that I dyed and spun into a two-ply yarn. This is a pattern I'd been fooling with for awhile. I knew the effect I wanted but was trying to use clusters of double crochet to achieve it. I didn't like the result but then I found this double crochet x-stitch in a recent crochet magazine and it suited the look exactly. There's a row of single crochet between the rows of x-stitch. I started to put a border on it but didn't like the way it looked, so I'm using the yarn that I reserved for the border to make the scarf a bit longer. I'm not sure it's going to want a fringe; I may just add a picot edge to the ends or something. I really like the shimmer of this yarn; there's a variation in color from light yellow to almost orange.

Fluff

Hand Crocheted Ripple Scarf

This was a small project that I wanted to do to use a four ounce package of roving from Cathy at Perfect Spot Farm. She raises Jacob sheep and the wool is lovely; I really enjoyed spinning up this roving and using it to create this soft scarf, trimmed in handspun natural black angora from my rabbits. Lily is my reluctant model.

The pond is freezing over and tonight the neighbor's cows strayed into the field above it. I'm always amazed at how easily people that know how can herd an escaped large animal back. In minutes, it seemed, the farmer had the cattle safely behind the fence again. This morning I had a little doe running loose under the barn again; she was happy for me to pick her up and snuggle her back into her cage. It was too cold and lonely for a girl to be straying!

Songs

Another cold morning, with frozen water bottles but bright sunshine to make it seem warm, at least. Right now I'm only having to change the bottles once a day; things warm up enough through the day to keep them flowing and then they freeze at night. Forecast for cold nights and then some more icy weather later in the week. Winter is here! Last night at dusk I saw deer in the field near the woods; they darted away as I went out to get a better look.

A cousin on my mother's side lost her husband this week, and Mom and I attended the funeral. The drive through the country was beautiful; the icy tops of the trees along the Parkway sparkled in the sunshine and the Buffalo loomed dark above the crystal woods. Even on a sad mission, a trip through the hills of Floyd is always a joy.

A large Victorian house in town has been turned into a funeral home, with a simple chapel. We gathered as a pianist played quietly, and then a small choir sang old, old hymns. Four women and one man, singing without accompaniment in a style I remember hearing in old churches throughout my childhood. The harmony is hard to describe but instantly recognized; a Southern mountain twang that probably has roots as old as time. The words of the hymns, often heard and treasured for their comfort and strength, flowed with the rhythm that is almost a march, uniting a family with friends in a common sorrow and belief.

The minister carried on the rhythm in a voice accented with the style of Southern preachers and evangelists from times past. Love flowed on his words; love of God and love and understanding of the man that was mourned by family and friends. Phrases to honor and comfort, cherishing memory and lifting spirits.

The march of an honor guard in memory of service in World War II. A different rhythm, touching in the sincerity and solemnity of old men united in honoring a comrade that has gone on before.

And the rhythm of family voices, as we met for lunch afterward, talking of friends and family and gathering just to be together, in the comfort of united blood and experience. Women still beautiful in age and grace, eyes shining in pride over pictures of grandchildren and filled with concern at the infirmities of age and failing health in others. Gentle men, fitting the description of gentlemen in every way and manner. The bonds of family, a web of kinship spanning two counties and beyond, reaching back into time like the old song, with precious memories indeed.

Late Fall Turning to Early Winter

Morning Snowfall

After a warm day yesterday and the threat of an ice storm on Saturday evening, I woke up this morning to the stillness of new snow falling on the cold grass. Large flakes fell around me as I hurried to the post office with holiday orders; the hills were white when I went inside. Then, as I tended rabbits, cats and birds, a slight change in temperature turned snow to sleet, and ice coated the grass and small tree limbs outside my windows.

Yesterday I went to dinner with Mom and Wendell, along with Wendell's daughter and her family. Pleasant outing; nice to catch up with the news in the north and of the family. Granddaughter and I went on up to town to pick up a couple of things: birdseed, a finch feeder and some night light bulbs for me. We chatted about the training she is taking to be an EMT with her local rescue squad, admirable ambitions! She has an older brother with two children; I think she adores being an aunt as well.


Lacy Shetland Crocheted Shawl

This morning I finished the special order Shetland shawl while sitting by my big window, watching the birds as they busily emptied my bird feeders of sunflower seed and bread. Even the new finch feeder, a sort of a sock thing filled with thistle seed, is getting plenty of attention. I thought they might be timid until they were used to it, but they've been pecking it steadily since I hung it up.


Wintry Day Outside My Window

Ice and snow are mingling to make a messy day outside; I'm glad to be cozy and warm with plenty of work to do. Lily is snug in front of the fire on her favorite rug and Dad is reading in his room, while I work on the computer and think about what project I'd like to start next. Handspun scarf? Brooks Farm Hat? Angora gloves? There are so many possibilities!