Monday, October 3, 2016

226 and 227: Sunnybank, Disneyland, and the Summer of Adventures!


The Beloved Son and I had SO MUCH FUN on my birthday in Disneyland!



CFR 8 is coming! Oct. 8, 2016!
Sign-ups begin June 1, 2016 for those who have already atended.
Sign-ups begin July 1, 2016 for new folks!

More information here!

The 2017 MOTHER BEAR CAL/KAL IS ON!
Information is here.
3 bears per person can be turned in at the Mother Bear Project booth at Stitches West 2017 (+ $3 per bear for shipping overseas)
Bears can also be turned in at CFR 8, if you are attending--again with $3 per bear for shipping.

KNIT 15 BEARS IN 2015!!!
FINISHERS: SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES for wristbands

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

We have a website at http://www.cogknitive.com/. You can find older episodes there.

You can now subscribe to the BLOG on your Kindle or Kindle app.

I am gemmadw on  Twitter and Pinterest, DoeWalking on geocaching.com, and DrGemma on Plurk and Instagram.

What's On My Hooks, Needles, and Spindles:

Mother Bear Project--the website, for info on making bears.

Love from CogKnitive to our very beloved friend, Gigi Knitmore. We all wish you well and a speedy recovery. As always, the Knitmores handled this like the pros they are, but still...Gigi is simply not replaceable.

Finished

Continental Knit Scarf in my own checkerboard pattern.



Abstract Socks--yeah, okay, I lost control...Matisse in colorway Peacock.


 Lad: A Scarf--auctioned off at The 2016 Gathering at Sunnybank for $330, with his sequel (now in progress) commissioned for the same price. Proceeds go the The Sunnybank Memorial Fund, which maintains the parts of Wayne County New Jersey's Terhune Memorial Park that are specifically related to the author and his wife and pets.


The lower pic is Lad's new owner, who promptly introduced the scarf to her Collie!

The Original Fox Pattern I adapted.

In Progress:

Second Bear from Fiji

The OHM Shawl by Michelle Miller.

Eleanor Scarf--spun from Eleanor's undercoat and knitted in my favored checkerboard pattern.




Dizzy Blondes: 

Project "Spin Everyone on the Ranch"--Still working on Baron's and Eleanor's undercoat. Ramblings about different locations on a dog's body for good coat--with specific breed references.

The final Dog hair yarns: Baron (Newfie Dog) in black and Eleanor (Rough Collie) in cream.



Now addicted to my Spindolyn--a fully supported spindle, like the Royale Hare. I now admit that I vastly prefer the Spindolyn. Another option that I have not investigated yet is here.

The Royale Hare in action:



WOUF--professional haute couture dog hair spinning

Working on a lovely gradient from BeeMiceElf in colorway Abalone.



And a "junk fiber" braid on my drop spindle from Aker.

I try to discuss Akerworks with more accuracy this time! Akerworks spindles and bobbins

Dog Fur Method:

Put a handful of dog undercoat in fine-mesh lingerie bags and zip shut. Wash in cool water with Soak or equivalent, no agitation, no sudden temperature changes. Rinse until water runs clear. bags.

Comb dried fur with fine-gauge combs to make rolags.

Spin on high-speed wheel or on supported spindle. Wash again if still dusty.

Strategy:
226: More Mindfulness: The Phony Virtue of Holding On to What Harms Us.

Yes, I really did forget a strategy in 227!

Put a Lid On It:

226: Juicing cherries and making things from the juice--jelly, drinking, sorbet, jams, ice cream. Black Forest preserves--make as much as you can! All recipes are from the Books listed below.

And Banana Sorbet, of course.

227: No serious canning or cooking, except for the weekly brownies and pizza and iced tea.

My favorite books:

The Joy of Pickling
The Ball Book of Preserving Foods
The Joy of Cooking
The Perfect Scoop

Aw Shoot!

Running at Sunnybank and Disney. 5K and 10K at Disneyland completed (2 days in a row); did not try half marathon, due to pain and also presence of family at park--I decided to have fun with my boys instead of increasing my damage levels.

Sunnybank spinning:





Make YES Happen--Route 66 virtual finished. Now hammering away at the Pacific Coast Run--100+ miles of shoreline with good pictures! Yesfit.com

Six Pack: an iOS app from Runtastic.

The Pebble Core--Stay tuned for future reports.

What is it like to run longer (5+ miles), in case you've ever wondered.

Rails-to-trails--also available as app on ios and android. If you want to get out and exercise in a new place, you want to know this site!

Running the Disney 5K and 10K--really experienced the true "Disney Best". I highly recommend these races--the 5K for your family, the 10K for a darned fun race.

Disneyland days of racing and fun:

Pre-dawn in the starting corrals


 We love Pluto!


Me and Ms Incredible:

2 dawns, 2 racing medals:


Something I Really Like:

The Spindolyn.

The Disney races. Fit-2-Run and Hoka-One-One running shoes. Energy beans.

KT Tape for supporting your injured body parts. Top pic also includes compression sock over the tape.




About racing tube-type belts. I do not recommend the "Flip Belt". Look for a wider belt.

The best phone holster I've yet found: Bondi Band's sleeve-pocket:



Blather:

All over this episode!

BIG thumbs up to Anaheim Regional Transport! EXCELLENT service all around!



Calendar:
August 18-21, 2016: Sunnybank again--northern new Jersey
September 2-4: Racing at Disneyland
Oct 8, 2016: CFR8! Mark your calendars!















227: Sunnybank and Disneyland


Episode 227: Sunnybank and Disneyland is live!

Shownotes are at www.cogknitivepodcast.com or on our group on Ravelry.


Check out this episode!

Friday, July 22, 2016

226: How Many Times Can I Record This?


Episode 226 is live.

Shownotes can be found at www.cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com or on our Ravelry group.


Check out this episode!

Friday, June 10, 2016

225: Glorious Neenach


Episode 225 Glorious Neenach is live.

Please see show notes at our Ravelry group or at www.cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com


Check out this episode!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

225: Glorious Neenach






Ready to terrorize the freeways of California!

CFR 8 is coming! Oct. 8, 2016!
Sign-ups begin June 1, 2016 for those who have already atended.
Sign-ups begin July 1, 2016 for new folks!

More information here!

The 2017 MOTHER BEAR CAL/KAL IS ON!
Information is here.
3 bears per person can be turned in at the Mother Bear Project booth at Stitches West (+ $3 per bear for shipping overseas)
Bears can also be turned in at CFR 8, if you are attending--again with $3 per bear for shipping.
 

KNIT 15 BEARS IN 2015!!!
FINISHERS: SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES for wristbands

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

We have a website at http://www.cogknitive.com/. You can find older episodes there.

You can now subscribe to the BLOG on your Kindle or Kindle app.

I am gemmadw on  Twitter and Pinterest, DoeWalking on geocaching.com, and DrGemma on Plurk and Instagram.

What's On My Hooks, Needles, and Spindles:

Finished

Crazyfoot socks--done and lovely

 

In Progress:

Second Bear from Fiji

Continental Knit Scarf in my own checkerboard pattern.

The OHM Shawl by Michelle Miller.

Abstract Socks--yeah, okay, I lost control...Matisse in colorway Peacock.



Dizzy Blondes: 

Project "Spin Everyone on the Ranch"--Still working on Baron's and Eleanor's undercoat.

 The Royale Hare Support Spindle for fiber with a short staple, such as cotton or dog undercoat. Check other sources, such as The Woolery for these left in their stock--call them first to check before ordering. More info here and here.

Meanderings about spinning dog hair.



WOUF--professional haute couture dog hair spinning

Scarf by WOUF


Village Spinning and Weaving in Solvang, CA 

Strategy:

Dimensions of Mindfulness: Change. It's tough. You're not imagining that. But it is part of accepting the present for what it is.
 

Put a Lid On It:

My favorite books:

The Joy of Pickling
The Ball Book of Preserving Foods
The Joy of Cooking

More to come from the cherry harvest, after all: amaretto cherry jam, cherry jelly, sour-cream-cherry pie, Black Forest Compote, traditional cherry pie.

About marmalade...and stone fruit. Pickling time is close, as well.
.
Aw Shoot!

Plodding along at the level of 2 mile sprints--uphill.
HRC update.
Make YES Happen--Route 66 virtual still in progress

 


Something I Really Like:

Akerworks spindles and bobbins

Good old Casa de Fruta! Jelly will happen!






Blather:
 Retzlaff report!
Favorite author: Garth Nix

Thanks to Barb and Tracie for letting me sneak a pic at Retzlaff!



Travelling the freeways of California--beware and stay safe out there!


Calendar:
 
June 4: Spinning at Retzlaff
August 18-21, 2016: Sunnybank again--northern new Jersey
September 2-4: Racing at Disneyland
Oct 8, 2016: CFR8! Mark your calendars!

Here is Blankets, welcoming me home by greeting my Prius!














Friday, June 3, 2016

224: Cherry Harvest Begins


Episode 224: Cherry Harvest Begins is live.

Please see shownotes at www.cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com or on our Ravelry group.


Check out this episode!

Thursday, June 2, 2016

224: Cherry Harvest Begins!

It's time to get serious about cherries! Cherry Harvest 2016 is ON!


CFR 8 is coming! Oct. 8, 2016!

Sign-ups begin June 1, 2016 for those who have already atended.

Sign-ups begin July 1, 2016 for new folks!

More information here!

The 2017 MOTHER BEAR CAL/KAL IS ON!
Information is here.
3 bears per person can be turned in at the Mother Bear Project booth at Stitches West (+ $3 per bear for shipping overseas)
Bears can also be turned in at CFR 8, if you are attending--again with $3 per bear for shipping.

15 Bears in 2015 is OVER! See below:

KNIT 15 BEARS IN 2015!!! Post a group pic of the 15 bears you've made for Mother Bear Project in 2015 by Dec 31, 2015 on our thread to compete for prizes. POST #93 has the list of who is where in this process.
FINISHERS: SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES for wristbands

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

We have a website at http://www.cogknitive.com/. You can find older episodes there.

You can now subscribe to the BLOG on your Kindle or Kindle app.

I am gemmadw on  Twitter and Pinterest, DoeWalking on geocaching.com, and DrGemma on Plurk and Instagram.

What's On My Hooks, Needles, and Spindles:


Finished

Nothing this time!

In Progress:

Second Bear from Fiji

Continental Knit Scarf in my own checkerboard pattern.

The OHM Shawl by Michelle Miller.

Crazyfoot Socks--one down!


Dizzy Blondes: 

Project "Spin Everyone on the Ranch"!

Still working on Baron's undercoat.

I have finally scored a Supported Spindle from Royale Hare! I got mine from The Woolery, which actually had them in stock when I phoned to check! this is THE BOMB for spindling shorter-stapled fibers, such as cotton or dog undercoat. Here is a video to show what makes the spindle so special.

Spindolyn is another option.



Strategy:

Dimensions of Mindfulness: the Plan

Put a Lid On It:

Ready to pit cherries:

tea towl on counter to contain staining, pitter, sharp knife to check pits are really out, plastic bag to dispose of pits in your trash without leaks or stain, jar to drop pitted cherries into.




Cherry Harvest Phase One: Infusion Recipes:
Vanilla vodka-- use 9 beans from Penzeys, sliced along the edge to open + 750 mil bottle of vodka
Cherry vodka--I just packed cherries into 2 big jars with stoppers and them divided a 750 mil bottle of vodka between them.
Cherry-vanilla Vodka--Add vanilla-infused vodka to your cherries as above,
Cooking Vanilla (Bourbon)--same as vanilla vodka, using bourbon, as is common in cooking vanilla.


Pickled Cherries--from The Joy of Pickling


Then, of course, this happened:


For the first time, I got the custard to firm up nicely by making a few changes to the recipe:


I increased cooking time (but we do live at high altitude, so I must do that anyway) and also placed the pie pan on a cookie sheet to manage spills and to heat the underside of the pie more evenly. I used a pre-made crust of Oreo cookie crumbs, and I used my Kitchenaide mixer to really beat the eggs to a froth, then added the sugar, continuously beating, and then the same with the sour cream. I went a bit more lightly with cherries, as the pie pan was overflowing, and I simply stirred them in by hand.

Planned: Cherry-vanilla vodka, amaretto cherry jam, pickled cherries, cherry chutney, cherry jelly, sour-cream-cherry pie, Black Forest Compote, traditional cherry pie.
.
Recipes from The Joy of Pickling or The Ball Book of Preserving Foods or The Joy of Cooking

Aw Shoot!

Plodding along at the level of 1.5 mile sprints--uphill.
The Pacific Electric Trail and Rails-to-trails programs, in general.
Make YES Happen--Route 66 virtual is really rather ugly (left) as compared to the REAL Route 66 in Upland, CA



Something I Really Like:

Poke bowls!

The Royale Hare Support Spindle for fiber with a short staple, such as cotton or dog undercoat. Check other sources, such as The Woolery for these left in their stock--call them first to check before ordering. More info here and here.

Blather:
I will be at Retzlaff this year!
Cherry harvesting makes me glad of heart.
Allergies torment me!

Calendar:

The Calendar of Upcoming Events:

June 4: Spinning at Retzlaff
August 18-21, 2016: Sunnybank again--northern new Jersey
September 2-4: Racing at Disneyland
Oct 8, 2016: CFR8! Mark your calendars!



Blankets knows that her best bet is to hang out in her cave under the dining room table while the cherry harvesting frenzy takes over the kitchen!











Friday, May 27, 2016

223 Vogue Knitting pasadena


Episode 223 Vogue Knitting Pasadena is live.

Please see shownotes at www.cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com or on our Ravelry group.


Check out this episode!

Friday, May 20, 2016

223: Vogue Knitting Live Pasadena



It is just about time to harvest cherries, so we are teaching the Beloved Son how to bake!

CFR 8 is coming! Oct. 8, 2016!
More information here!

The 2017 MOTHER BEAR CAL/KAL IS ON!
Information is here.
3 bears per person can be turned in at the Mother Bear Project booth at Stitches West (+ $3 per bear for shipping overseas)
Bears can also be turned in at CFR 8, if you are attending--again with $3 per bear for shipping.

15 Bears in 2015 is OVER! See below:

KNIT 15 BEARS IN 2015!!! Post a group pic of the 15 bears you've made for Mother Bear Project in 2015 by Dec 31, 2015 on our thread to compete for prizes. POST #93 has the list of who is where in this process.
FINISHERS: SEND ME YOUR ADDRESSES for wristbands

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

We have a website at http://www.cogknitive.com/. You can find older episodes there.

You can now subscribe to the BLOG on your Kindle or Kindle app.

I am gemmadw on  Twitter and Pinterest, DoeWalking on geocaching.com, and DrGemma on Plurk and Instagram.

What's On My Hooks, Needles, and Spindles:


Finished

Nothing this time!

In Progress:

Second Bear from Fiji

Continental Knit Scarf in my own checkerboard pattern.

The OHM Shawl by Michelle Miller.

Crazyfoot Socks



Dizzy Blondes: 

MUCH spinning news!

I am currently engaged in project "Spin Everyone on the Ranch"!

Baron:


Eleanor (the lighter baggie):

And the camelids, of course (the pale yarns):


Additionally, I have finally scored a Supported Spindle from Royale Hare! I got mine from The Woolery, which actually had them in stock when I phoned to check! this is THE BOMB for spindling shorter-stapled fibers, such as cotton or dog undercoat. Here is a video to show what makes the spindle so special.



Strategy:
Dimensions of Mindfulness: Time and the Now

Put a Lid On It:

Preparing for cherry harvesting. Planned: Cherry-vanilla vodka, amaretto cherry jam, pickled cherries, cherry chutney, cherry jelly, sour-cream-cherry pie, Black Forest Compote, traditional cherry pie.
Vanilla vodka-- use 9 beans from Penzeys, sliced along the edge to open + 750 mil bottle of vodka
Cherry vodka--I just packed cherries into 2 big jars with stoppers and them divided a 750 mil bottle of vodka between them.
All others from The Joy of Pickling or The Ball Book of Preserving Foods or The Joy of Cooking

Aw Shoot!

I am recovered! Back to shorter runs to build up again!
HRC update: Half-Blood Prince Half Marathon
Make YES Happen

Something I Really Like:
.Hey, Siri on the 6s and other voice-controlled tech
Spinning my own ranch!
Annual food harvesting and preserving

Blather: And some interviews!

Vogue Knitting Live Pasadena 2016--the first pic is Sue of Invictus Yarns:


Sandy of RedFish Dyeworks makes her pitch:



Chicken Boots herself is a sister-member of Hogwarts Running Club!


Abstract Fiber came all the way down from Portland!


 Of course I scored some Lisa Souza!!!! But did I take pics or interview them....? AAAHHHHHH!!!


And Lisa reminded me that Sacred Laughter was also there with her amazing pins! MINE!!! Thanks, Robin!



Calendar:

The Calendar of Upcoming Events:

June 4: Spinning at Retzlaff
August 18-21, 2016: Sunnybank again--northern new Jersey
September 2-4: Racing at Disneyland
Oct 8, 2016: CFR8! Mark your calendars!


I'm ready for the cherry harvest!!!!