Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Obama Wins
Here at the Ranch, we're still celebrating. These days of sunshine match my mood. It's an amazing and beautiful day. We're not only breathing a huge sigh of relief, but maybe for the first time feeling awkward stirrings of pride and patriotism. Obama is a true leader, inspiring and heroic. The fact that he's (half) African-American is historic, but it's really secondary to his intelligence, his ability to unite and inspire and to lift up this country and its people.
It's good to win.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Something new
About two months ago, I got an impulse. Immediately I knew it was something I wanted to do and I gave it very little consideration before plowing ahead. It just felt right. It's a return to my past and revisiting something that I always sort of regretted. Things fell into place right away and with little effort I found myself in a class, ready to go. For the past seven weeks, I've been working and practicing.
And today I graduated.
Watch the video!
And today I graduated.
Watch the video!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Getting ready for winter
Here's the little wrap-around cardigan for my soon-to-be niece. This was my first complete sweater. It's small, which was nice, and I learned quite a bit while making this. I feel like a better knitter now and want to take on a bigger project.
But first, I made some mittens for myself!
And here's a little jumper in progress...
I started knitting a sock in the round (with double-pointed needles), but got frustrated with the slow pace. I'll come back to it. For now, I want to knit something cozy to keep myself warm this winter.
Speaking of keeping warm, I've been hearing that the hoop house will create only a small amount of heat for the garden. I knew it wouldn't last into the winter, but I'm afraid it's not even going to extend the season much. I'm considering getting a little greenhouse heater. Has anyone heard about these? I'm wondering if it'll work and if the electricity cost is worth it.
This weekend, John and I finally got smart with our stunted Brussels sprouts. John did some googling and learned that we're supposed to pick the leaves once the sprouts appear. This allows the energy to go to the sprouts, not to the big, beautiful leaves. So we did it. And the plants now look like adorable, healthy Brussels sprouts plants that need at least another month to develop. Farmers Almanac predicts an unusually mild November. Let's hope they're right.
But first, I made some mittens for myself!
And here's a little jumper in progress...
I started knitting a sock in the round (with double-pointed needles), but got frustrated with the slow pace. I'll come back to it. For now, I want to knit something cozy to keep myself warm this winter.
Speaking of keeping warm, I've been hearing that the hoop house will create only a small amount of heat for the garden. I knew it wouldn't last into the winter, but I'm afraid it's not even going to extend the season much. I'm considering getting a little greenhouse heater. Has anyone heard about these? I'm wondering if it'll work and if the electricity cost is worth it.
This weekend, John and I finally got smart with our stunted Brussels sprouts. John did some googling and learned that we're supposed to pick the leaves once the sprouts appear. This allows the energy to go to the sprouts, not to the big, beautiful leaves. So we did it. And the plants now look like adorable, healthy Brussels sprouts plants that need at least another month to develop. Farmers Almanac predicts an unusually mild November. Let's hope they're right.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Hoop-de-doo
Last week was a doozy. Had a couple of projects going strong and a proposal to write. Also working on a couple of side projects, including a little something for my soon-to-be niece. While I'm still working on the main part, here's a little extra thing I made just so I would have a gift at the shower.
If you're wondering why I made blue booties for a little girl, let me clarify. They're lavender. Not blue. And, well, I just didn't expect them to look so blue. But they're darn cute!
The other big project around here (which I can only claim partial credit for) is the Hoop House! I helped figure out how to build it, but John takes full credit for making it happen. So, the basic frame is done. John's working on some additional support and then we'll wrap the sucker with plastic and put a little door on it.
On the right, we have Brussels sprouts and broccoli and the unstoppable Swiss Chard.
On the left, the fall crops are coming up: carrots, beets, silverbeet. And the little box is our lettuce/arugula box. It's all growing very well.
If you're wondering why I made blue booties for a little girl, let me clarify. They're lavender. Not blue. And, well, I just didn't expect them to look so blue. But they're darn cute!
The other big project around here (which I can only claim partial credit for) is the Hoop House! I helped figure out how to build it, but John takes full credit for making it happen. So, the basic frame is done. John's working on some additional support and then we'll wrap the sucker with plastic and put a little door on it.
On the right, we have Brussels sprouts and broccoli and the unstoppable Swiss Chard.
On the left, the fall crops are coming up: carrots, beets, silverbeet. And the little box is our lettuce/arugula box. It's all growing very well.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Obama 52, McCain 43
The latest polls show that Obama has a 9-point lead over McCain.
According to ABC News, Obama is pulling ahead.
He's recovered to a 14-point lead over McCain in trust to handle the economy, and leads by 13 points specifically in trust to deal with the meltdown of major financial institutions.
Obama leads by more, 24 points, 57-33 percent, in better understanding the public's economic problems.
Tellingly, after trailing by 17 points, he's pulled even with McCain in trust to handle a major crisis. And Obama holds wide margins in vote preference among likely voters most concerned about the economy.
More economic worry, plus an Obama lead among those who express it, spells a lead for the Democrat: In a head-to-head-match-up he's now supported by 52 percent of likely voters vs. McCain's 43 percent, the first significant advantage for either candidate among likely voters in ABC/Post polls.
Just thought y'all might like to hear some good news. Unfortunately, that's all I've got.
I probably won't be posting for the rest of the week. I'm on deadline for a few projects and am enjoying every last bit of this beautiful weather. I'll be back next week with some garden photos.
According to ABC News, Obama is pulling ahead.
He's recovered to a 14-point lead over McCain in trust to handle the economy, and leads by 13 points specifically in trust to deal with the meltdown of major financial institutions.
Obama leads by more, 24 points, 57-33 percent, in better understanding the public's economic problems.
Tellingly, after trailing by 17 points, he's pulled even with McCain in trust to handle a major crisis. And Obama holds wide margins in vote preference among likely voters most concerned about the economy.
More economic worry, plus an Obama lead among those who express it, spells a lead for the Democrat: In a head-to-head-match-up he's now supported by 52 percent of likely voters vs. McCain's 43 percent, the first significant advantage for either candidate among likely voters in ABC/Post polls.
Just thought y'all might like to hear some good news. Unfortunately, that's all I've got.
I probably won't be posting for the rest of the week. I'm on deadline for a few projects and am enjoying every last bit of this beautiful weather. I'll be back next week with some garden photos.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
