Episode 164: Candlemas is Coming!

The glorious 3 dozen and some wisdom

This episode will upload January 13, 2024

Comments are welcomed! Either comment here or go to our group on Ravelry.

I have a YouTube channel "Doctor Gemma". Flash tips (1 minute or less) around surviving the pandemic and longer strategy discussions.

Buy Dr Gemma a Ko-Fi, if you're enjoying the podcast and feeling up to it. Remember that I am still working, though, so feel free to give the money to a charity instead.

I will NOT add you to any of my follower groups currently, due to robo-accounts. Please follow me here. You can contact me through our group on Ravelry or on this blog.

Warm Thanks : 

Warm hugs to our own Salpal. Quite a Romjul! I'm glad things are looking up.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 10 (2024): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on Ravelry.

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished:

3rd CFR Sock Cowl—updated.

In Progress:

Stash toss 2024 (0 in versus 0 out) 

Vestuary24 is coming!

Romjul Sweater 2023:

Evolution 23 socks

4th CFR23 Sock Yarn Cowl—nope

200 FairIsle Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting

150 Scandinavian Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Pennsylvania Dutch embroidery--not yet

Dizzy Blondes: 

Still working on more merino from morrobayfleeceworks.com

3rd bobbin (sigh), but no progress

A fuzz ball of Minerva daily continues: 1 per day

Now working on gorgeous alpaca mix fluff from Dani!

My Favorite Resources: The entire list can be found right here.

Yarns skills and techniques links.

Strategy: It’s only a phase!

Fluffy Books: Sister Boniface on Netflix

Something I Really Like: Vivcrochets cat sweater

Put a Lid on It: 

Ketorade:

2 Tbsp Braggs Apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp sea salt (or pink Himalayan)

1/2 tsp Nu Salt (no salt)

5 drops liquid stevia

1/2 lime or lemon

Sparkling water to fill quart jar.

1 quart mason jar

Mix all Ingredients in jar, using sparkling water to fill jar. Shake well.

Tea tastings: PD Advent Calendar!

Day 10 : weaker flavor, light minty fragrance: Candy Cane Cookie Herbal

Day 11: unexpectedly good, fruity, good fragrance--Wonderful Pomegranite Decaf Black

 

Blather:

Daily House projects:

Making 2.5" strips from leftover fabrics for future quilting projects

Boxing unwanted clothes for givebackbox.com--2 more boxes for a total of 6

Making candles:

Cutting apart used up or outgrown t-shirts for making quilts--locating son's baby tees

Developing improved walkway in front yard with cedar planking and solar lights

Garage camera--not yet

Pupdate--  Captain and Queenie--Q has had some solid practice at being in the house. Dog beds!

Watercolors: Taking Andrea Nelson's teach-able class no updates

Hubsdate:  Project "G" progress: oh no. Holiday boxes! The tree is down because Beloved Son wants Minerva to roam freely.

Project T--the first journal of Europe—in small bits, and the second journal as a break. Nope.

Project cookbook! Staggering a bit, but 1 a day, including any recipe that I use as we go.

Greenfingers report: winter garden, dreaming--ZZZZZZZ

Calendar: 

Yarnopoly and Second Saturday Stitchers—meet-ups on the 2nd Saturday of each month (usually)

CFR10—Courtyard by Marriott, Valencia on Sept 28, 2024.

Romjul: Dec 21--Jan 1, 2024-25

And Minerva gets the last word: Happy New Year! Stop doing the hooman crazy.

Episode 163: Feeling Groovy

Check out this episode!

Episode 163: Feeling Groovy

This episode will upload January 6, 2024

Comments are welcomed! Either comment here or go to our group on Ravelry.

I have a YouTube channel "Doctor Gemma". Flash tips (1 minute or less) around surviving the pandemic and longer strategy discussions.

Buy Dr Gemma a Ko-Fi, if you're enjoying the podcast and feeling up to it. Remember that I am still working, though, so feel free to give the money to a charity instead.

I will NOT add you to any of my follower groups currently, due to robo-accounts. Please follow me here. You can contact me through our group on Ravelry or on this blog.

Warm Thanks : 

All the kind people who sent supportive messages during my blitz of Covid!

Sustainablelivin for her LOVELY Romjul sweater pic! (see comments on blog for 161.)

StephieJo for an informed and thoughtful response around the issue of AI replacing humans as therapy providers. Also, StephieJo has added to books to our collection of books worth reading/listening to, over here.

Cutieful Christina for her lovely holiday card. I got mail from a buddy in Australia! With Japanese scenery!

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 10 (2024): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on Ravelry.

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished:

Superstition Sweater - great fit!

In Progress:

Stash toss 2023 (38 in versus 92 out for 2023; 0 in versus 0 out)

Romjul Sweater 2023: Knitting a folded neckline , courtesy of Biscotte Yarns

Evolution 23 socks

4th CFR23 Sock Yarn Cowl—nope

200 FairIsle Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting

Helpful video--Purl Soho on German Short Rows

150 Scandinavian Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Pennsylvania Dutch embroidery--not yet

Dizzy Blondes: 

Still working on more merino from morrobayfleeceworks.com

3rd bobbin (sigh), but no progress

A fuzz ball of Minerva daily continues: 1 per day

Now working on gorgeous alpaca mix fluff from Dani!

My Favorite Resources: The entire list can be found right here.

Strategy: Holidays--brace for re-entry

Fluffy Books: Sister Boniface on Netflix

Something I Really Like: Rise egg bite maker.

Put a Lid on It: 

Gemma's Romjul all-day soup:

(Broccoli-Cheddar Soup--keto)

In a slow cooker of generous volume:

1 chopped onion

1 quart turkey/chicken/bone broth

About 5 heads broccoli, chopped

1/2 cup almond flour

Salt, pepper to taste

1 cup heavy cream

3 cups shredded cheddar

Start by frying the onion in butter. Add to slow cooker on high. Pour in broth. Add broccoli. Let this cook on low overnight or at least several hours until you have soft broccoli. Add flour, cream, and seasonings. Use immersion blender to liquify it all and blend thoroughly. Add shredded cheese and allow it all to melt while stirring enthusiastically. Turn cooker to warm and allow family to enjoy all day.

Tea tastings: PD Advent Calendar!

Day 8 : delightfully citrus, sweet, tasty. Citrus fragrance—good after using one’s voice heavily!

And the excellent Rejuvenation Tea for those achey, cold or allergy events

Day 9: An absolute winner. I love this iced and without sweetener, and now I realize how great it is hot with a hint of sweetener.

Blather:

Daily House projects:

Making 2.5" strips from leftover fabrics for future quilting projects

Boxing unwanted clothes for givebackbox.com

Cutting apart used up or outgrown t-shirts for making quilts

Developing improved walkway in front yard with cedar planking and solar lights

Garage camera

Pupdate--  Captain and Queenie--Q has had some solid practice at being in the house.

Watercolors: Taking Andrea Nelson's teach-able class no updates

Hubsdate:  Project "G" progress: oh no. Holiday boxes! The tree is down because Beloved Son wants Minerva to roam freely.

Project T--the first journal of Europe—in small bits, and the second journal as a break. Nope.

Project cookbook! Staggering a bit, but 1 a day, including any recipe that I use as we go. Added soup and egg bites and Ketorade this week.

Greenfingers report: winter garden, dreaming--ZZZZZZZ

Calendar: 

Yarnopoly and Second Saturday Stitchers—meet-ups on the 2nd Saturday of each month (usually)

CFR10—Courtyard by Marriott, Valencia on Sept 28, 2024.

Romjul: Dec 21--Jan 1, 2024-25

And Minerva gets the last word: Feeling groovy