...those both living and dead, and to those both here, as well as those who are still in harm's way.  

Thank you, to my father who was gunner on a destroyer against the kamikaze during the Second World War..


My Dad, LeRoy Brim.  This is the only one I have of him in his Navy uniform.

.to my uncle during the Korean War...


My uncle Ron as a young Marine

and to all my friends that served in the Viet Nam War. 

Thank you for your service and for your incredible sacrafices...and for the sacrafices of your families in sending you to serve, to keep the rest of us safe and free...even in wars that were started based on lies and deceit by cowardly, wicked men who did not have the balls to join and serve themselves...but sent others to die in their stead.  

Your countrymen love you and appreciate you!  And with the Goddess' blessings, perhaps one day no more wars will ever be fought by anyone.  We will never forget you. 

Happiest of Birthdays to the_thread_lady !!  Wishing masses of every good thing you could want, or need!  Long may you wave, dear!!

And not much else!  Finally pulled out the beautiful gray fleece my SIL gave me for Christmas last year.  I refer to is as the Mistletoe fleece as that is the name of the pretty little ewe from whence it came. 


Mistletoe

Spent several hours skirting, picking, sorting, and piling it into large lingerie bags.  I bought a dozen of them from the Dollar Store and they are just the perfec thing for washing fleece.  The fleece was really very clean though, so didn't have a huge amout of detritus to have to get rid of.  Such a pleasure after some of the filthy fleeces I've dealt with recently! 

After 4 good washings and rinsings, laid it all out to dry.  It is beyond gorgeous!  Wow.  An incredible silver gray color, and very, very soft!  It will make absolutely wonderful yarn. The photo does not do justice to the fleece, at all.  La Mama has already attempted to lay "claim" to whatever goods result from the processing...whether it be a woven shawl, or yardage.  *snerk*   

I had it laid out on towels atop the washer and dryer, but there's just too much fleece for it to dry effectively there.  So it is now taking up an entire queen flat sheet on the living room floor.  In a day or two it should be dry enough to bag, pending carding.  In between soaks and scrubs, spent the last two days hand-carding the very last of the interminable white fleece.  After making 21 roulags, my arms are near dead!!  Meh.  Didn't quite finish today, but am within striking distance.  I think 5 or 6 more  will completely finish the fleece!  WOOT!  Progress is being made...and that's a good thing.  ...more anon...    

For all my fibery friends... This is one of the best demos I've seen for using the English wool combs and drawing a lovely fine sliver with a diz. Amanda is very thorough, and very detail oriented. You'll get some good info out this series. Enjoy!!

Happy birthday wishes to ya_inga , </span> mrq_laurellen and </span> tradarcher !!  I hope your birthdays are spectacular and you each get your heart's desires.  All my best wishes for today and many, many, many more to come!</span>

Autumn is most definitely in the air, which made yesterday's yard work much more pleasant for me.  Have I told you that I *hate* the heat?  Girded my loins early and set to it with a purpose.  Got all the blackberry vine trimmings cleaned up and disposed of.  Most went in the recylce dumpster, but it's so small will have to wait until next week to be rid of the last of it.  Also got the entire lawn mowed this time! 

Ran out of steam halfway through last time, so it was seriously verging on "feral" as monkeybung would have it!  Personally, I think it looks rather pretty, all long, and waving in the breeze, but I know the neighbors preferred a more tailored and controlled look.  ;>  Also got about halfway through the "mountain o'mulch" which has taken over ownership of the main part of the driveway for some time now.  I had 15 yards of the stuff delivered, and it's hard work to get it all placed.  My back and arms are complaining today.  But, the done part looks terrific.  Will try to finish the balance of it up tonight or tomorrow.

Thinking on the Laurel's Retreat at my house next weekend.  Prep for that will keep me out of the A&S Day Camp, for which I am teh sad.  I missed it last year too, and really feel bummed to have to miss it again this year!  Meh!  and for good measure...Wahhhh! 

Saturday, I was very lazy/selfish and sewed all day!  Finished both the fashion fabric, and the lining for the green wool kirtle skirt.  The lining took jsut one small section of piecing, but that was easy-peasy.  Next, I'll work the centerfront opening and the assemble the lining to the skirt.  That'll make a good handwork project for the Retreat.

Also pondering digging out some of the Halloween decorations.  Don't want to do too much, but I just love this time of year, and am feeling all autumny, and want some orange and black sitting about!  Also want to buy some pumpkins for the front stoop.  I'll get those later in the week when I do my marketing.

Not much else to report.  Should be working, and need to get to it.  Hugs all about...  Anon. 

Came across this wonderful little interview with Jenny Tiramani on the BBC, and simply had to share!  This was taped in 2004, I believe.  We met her last fall in Florence at the Costume Colloquium, and was dumbstruck (gobsmacked!) by the quality of her work and research.  Besides that, she is just simple a really great gal!  I liked her immensely, and think she's beyond brilliant.  This interview has a bit of the atmosphere of Jenny's workshop to it, which is lovely to hear about.  Enjoy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2004_50_fri_02.shtml

And now...something a little different for my spinning and dyeing friends...

It sounds like a good time was had by all, despite the wind and cold.  Really wanted to be selfish with my "me time", and stayed home.  My only "plan" was to do some more sewing, or weaving.  I've been busy and away, it seems like, every weekend through September, and last weekend too, and I really needed the down-time for myself. 

Saturday, I got all 26 of the lacing holes done, on the front opening of the green wool kirtle bodice.  Hoorah!  So that's all 70 holes...done!  Actually, I don't mind doing lacing holes, at all.  It's good tv work.  And I like doing handwork. 

Next, I cut the skirt, and have opted for a three-panel skirt.  Two, just seems too skimpy for my substantial form.  It was a struggle for me to stop at just 3, when I normally use 4!  But I am trying to keep this gown simple, lighter weight, and more of a merchant class sort of gown.  Am still tossing back and forth as to whether to cartridge pleat, or knife pleat.  Guess I'll settle on that, when the skirt is done.  I will mock it up with knife pleats first, and see how it goes.  If I don't like that, then I'll do the cartridge pleats.      

Three panels, will allow me to shift the seams to the sides and back, where they will be unnoticeable.  I really don't want a center front seam, in case I wish to wear this kirtle without an apron, at some point.  Am also debating about making it long enough that I could use a small bum roll with it from time to time.    

I have enough left over wool, that I can probably get a new Norse apron dress, and possibly a hat out of the remnants.  Woot!   

The wool panels are done, and pressed.  Next up...the skirt lining panels.  The linen is not the same width as the wool, so that will require some piecing.  Tried the bodice on with the new linen Sture chemise, and it looks good.  Still have to put ties on the Sture shirt, and the ruffles do need some starch, but I like it.  

Also need to get serious about doing the fingerloop braids for lacings and points.  Need to find a better green yarn to use than I currently have in stash. 

I was going to take piccies for you, but sadly the memory card is full, until I finish uploading the Banner War piccies to the hard drive.  So you'll have to wait for that.

Dinner last night was delicious.  Put a lovely fat chicken on the rotisserie, seasoned with garlic, basil, and lime juice, and let the rotis work it's magic.  Nummmy!  It was so tender and juicy with a delicious crusty skin.  It is my absolute favorite way to cook a roast chicken!  Also served two of our favorite veggies...baked Acorn Squash with butter and brown sugar, and some lovely steamed cabbage wedges.  Highly enjoyable!

I am mulling over the idea of making some video demos that I can post to YouTube.  I may have mentioned this before, but I am still struggling with the video editing software.  I think my first effort will be a demo on making lacing holes.   Wish me luck, as I am not the best at the techiness of doing this, and have yet to be able to successfully post a video on YT...but I am trying!  Sooner or later I'll succeed.  If it works, I'll post it here and y'all can critique it.  And, I'll be asking for ideas for other demo vids, that folks may like as well.  

"Thank you" to all those who said they enjoyed the odd assortment of videos I keep posting.  Any time I find something I think might be useful, or just weirdly entertaining, I like to share it here.  

It's a really lovely day out!  Stuck inside "working"...but still...far better than having to be in the office!  Hope everyone's well and happy, and that your day is full of sunshine and happiness.  Hugs all about!  And apologies for any birthday greetings that I missed sending!!  I do hope your special day was filled with goodies and joy!

Anon...
  
   

I'm sorry I missed sending this on  your special day!  It sounds like you had a lovely time.  Hope all your birthday wishes come true!  *big hugs*

You bring so much joy to others, every single day!  May all your own particular wishes and wants be fulfilled on your day!!  Wishing much goodness, joy, and lusciousness today and throughout the coming year.

For those with an interest in leather...

be sure to watch the bookbinder stamping leather. Wow. I've often wondered how that was done.

For tablet_9 and mrq_laurellen, and monkeybung. Birka brocade in silk and silver.

Because this "Smile of Lyon" makes me smile...a LOT! Gosh, I love France!

I thought hrollaug might enjoy this!

This was my first ever time staying in an RV and my first SCA event in one!  And let me tell you...  Much as I love teh "period stuff"...there is much to be said for the ease and comfort of an RV.  Woot! 

More behind the cut...


( Read more... )

We wandered over to our special spot by the river, where we always used to camp, when we were a household together...many years ago.  This is one of my favoritist spots in the whole world!  I just love sitting by the stream.  Sometimes one sees ducks fly up stream a ways and then float back down on the tide, running the rapids.  When they reach a certain spot, they fly back up to the beginning and shoot the rapids again.  Great fun to watch! 



My special little spot by the river.


A few camp spaces down we found baroness_fiamma  in her accustomed spot.  We visited a bit, and helped her unload the last of her kit from the car.  Baron A came along shortly, and we quickly got his truck emptied as well.  At that point, we wandered off in search of a little something to replenish our glassses.




baroness_fiamma

Got back to the RV about 5ish and started dinner.  Gab hosted a super delicious dinner of grilled steaks, which she prepared, as I boiled the lobster tails, cooked the mashed red potatoes, and steamed the fresh asparagus!  Now *that* is the way to eat in the woods!!  Gab had some place to be, and I had promised ayeshadream to help with her encampment, since she was stag at that point.  But, when I got there, she was just finishing up the last of the tent setup so there was nothing much for me to do.  Wandered back to Fiamma's to chew the fat a bit. 

Found some more tasty beverage to drink, and a group of us started our camp crawl.  Found music and riotous people, which made the hours just fly by!!  It was 1:00am before anyone realized.

Slept very comfy and cozy on the couch, in my sleeping bag, and got a better night's sleep than I have had for a long time!  The herald rousted us out at 8:00am, but I couldn't really get moving till 9:00am.  Chorizo and eggs with hash browns, OJ, and masses of strong black coffee with cream got the day off to an excellent start! 

Showered, dressed, and we ventured out to hit the merchant row. 



Merchant row, looking a bith thin...


A very disappointingly small turn out it seems!  Very nice wares...but didn't see much of anything that I couldn't live without.  I wonder if the other merchants were in Tir Righ or at some other event.  There are usually twice this many at this event. 

Ran into scads of dear old chums, and most excellent drive-by rack-smooshy hugs from my very dearest  birdmatrixand the incomparable  fragmentsofnim!  WOOT!!!  You ladies fill my heart with happy!  



ayeshadreamand her R man in a papparazzi moment, as they zoomed by, through town, evidently on a quest of some sort!  


  
Spotted  blondtartan marshalling the rapier competition.  I saw her briefly as they were setting up, and we chatted a little, but not enough...and didn't run into each other again, all weekend. 

After shopping we ventured back up to A&F's encampment.  I wanted to see the judging for the seige cooking competition.  Got to chat with a number of the contestants, and have them explain their dishes.  The food looked wonderful, and it was fascinating to see the different "takes" that they had on their redactions, and their rationales for same! 

Fiamma organized a terrific format, with contestants judging one another, and tasting each other's dishes, and ultimately deciding the winners by consensus!  That totally rocked.  Everyone learned, and enjoyed the experience, and everyone felt completely invested, challenged, and entertained.  What I tasted of the efforts, were very good!  A few broken sauces...but eggs and verjus are tricky...and some chicken was a little too pink in the center for comfort...but live and learn.  This particular contest has been Fiamma's work for nearly two decades, and I am so very happy to see that she continues to inspire, and teach, and promote period food!  Right on!!

Had to leave the contest early as I had to rush back to RVland to get my own period efforts assembled for our period dinner that night.  Made the filling for my Lombardy Tart (beetroot tart), served up the Fine Cakes, and put my Rice Pudding in the beautiful black pipkin that copper_oxidemade!  I really wanted to cook the pudding in it, but I opted to use it for serving this time around.  For the record, it exactly holds one recipe of the pudding, and now that I know that, next time I shall cook it in it!  Everyone was mightily impressed with my pretty little pot, even if it didn't touch the fire.  I made my pate brisee fine pie crust at home, so just needed to roll it, and fit it to the tart pan.  The beetroot filling went together really well, and tasted fabulous!

When I got back to Fiamma's the bread was just finishing baking in the Dutch oven.  I put the pie to bake.  It seemed to take just forever!  Awfully glad I didn't also have the pudding to contend with!  We should have had lots more hot, hot coals.  Terribly difficult to get just the right temp.

Just couldn't get enough heat with the coals to properly cook the crust.  Which was annoyting...but It set, and browned.  The texture was all wrong.  Instead of flaky and crisp, it was soft, and puffy, and light.  We opted to disregard the "coffin" and just ate the contents, which everyone professed to like a lot!  There was so much food, that some of it wasn't even tasted, sadly.  One of the guests brought a large tray of the most scrumptious spring rolls I have ever tasted, and so of course we gorged ourselves on them!  That somewhat dampened our appetites for all the luscious period goodies. 

After dinner, we all headed off on another camp crawl.  We could hear the drums calling from clear across the park!  Enjoyed the "fire" show very much, and partied the night away.  There was much laughter, and merriment, and even tequila tasting...which I wisely avoided since tequila tried to kill me in 1983!  But that's another story...  

The weather was absolutely perfect!  70 during the day...clear, sunny, a light breeze.  Perfect cloak and firepit weather at night!  I got to spend time with many dear, dear friends that I have not seen enough of, and really had a chance to relax and enjoy the time in woods.  It was a very good weekend. 

How could anyone not have a good time in a spot as beautiful as this?

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Must get dinner going.  Hugs all about...  More anon.