sassenach

aww, Miki, I hope Buddy will be ok. Looks like the ladies shared some good info on what to change regarding diet. I guess stress reduction would be the other thing. Could be the flooding and such probably has added to it a bit. Anything to comfort and relax Buddy and your other dogs and pets is probably helpful. A long with for you and your hubby! I found out a lot of animals are attracted to lavender. Even my cat loves my shampoo and conditioner I rub in my hair with the lavender. Of course lavender also attracts predators but inside my home I can use it and she loves it when I'm freshly out of the shower and wants to practically cozy right up to my head I have noticed if I am sitting down afterwards. Otherwise she doesn't, lol. For anyone needing to hunt, off subject, lavender is great bait for bear and deer(?) evidently. maybe other game. I read that in an old trap and snare book btw . I need to re-read that book to be sure exactly what animals are listed. After seeing my cat's reaction to the scent, I guess I can see why??? But it did seem like something that just overjoyed her and relaxed her too after a bit. Maybe a lavender packed dog bed might be soothing to Buddy and the others? or little hand made filled pillows in their bedding if they don't chew them up as toys? Of course you need to be ok with the scent as well. Different things are soothing to different people as well. Or the opposite in some cases depending on past experiences or sensitivities. There may be other herbs that may work for that purpose too that are not poisonous to dogs, pets. Maybe somebody here knows more about that subject.

I like you choice of colors on the yarn, nice that you were able to spin it up . * sitting here listening to Delilah on the radio and knitting the sock foot part tonight. * tossing the mousie for Miss Macy. She is having fun getting a run in this way. She is good at bringing it back and dropping it at my feet. She says: reowwwwwwwwwww , each time she dashes after it, lol. sort of in a tiny cat voice. Makes me laugh.

Necie said : My recipe is similar to CoM's. For my starter, I mix 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup milk with bread yeast. The batch I have now has been going for about 4 months. Where it says to add 1 cup of each again on day 5 and on day 10, I only add 1/2 cup of each. Then take out 1 cup starter to hold back for next batch before I start my recipe. Otherwise, if you add 1 cup of each, you gotta find 2 friends to pass the extra on to or make extra or whatever. Thanks for the reminder Necie I need to start learning to make it and use it! * we need a breakfast thread since I was thinking pancakes with sourdough starter, but my post didn't post...... I love sourdough bread and stuff too! Can one use whole wheat flour with sourdough starter to make pancakes? I think I have seen recipes for pancakes with Sourdough starter used???????

Necie said : My recipe is similar to CoM's. For my starter, I mix 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup milk with bread yeast. The batch I have now has been going for about 4 months. Where it says to add 1 cup of each again on day 5 and on day 10, I only add 1/2 cup of each. Then take out 1 cup starter to hold back for next batch before I start my recipe. Otherwise, if you add 1 cup of each, you gotta find 2 friends to pass the extra on to or make extra or whatever. Thanks for the reminder Necie I need to start learning to make it and use it! But we need a breakfast thread , this is for supper! I love sourdough bread and stuff too! Can one use whole wheat flour with sourdough starter to make pancakes? I think I have seen recipes for pancakes with Sourdough starter used???????

oh, mushrooms and I skipped the tater tots, ha! sounds good dogmom!

Satueed chicken with tarragon some garlic and onion and adobo minus the pepper. It smells good and you just let it slow cook in the pan. Green beans and fresh carrots. Tater tots. LOL. I forgot to get ice cream again......... lol. Have not had any in about 5 months....... what kind would be good for dessert if I had bought it?

Thanks alot for bringing this thread up again.

Update...... sock making skills..... I have succeeded in doing heel turn, the gusset is coming along and have been seeing how it all works as I go, referring to Ann Budds book on basic sock knitting. At last, I am catching on. Almost to the foot part. A few more counts to be sure as I go, and then it should be all in alignment . Phew! I actually stylized it some too as I have knitted. I like what I did although a perfectionist teacher would say no, do it this way and pulled it out. I have seen such styling on socks and I am wondering if it might actually add a custom comfort level. I will test it out and see if it feels ok and does what I think it will. ( I might just be on to something here! ) Miss Macy has been keeping me company and was a real tease earlier, hiding under the bed and tickling the foot I tend to let hang down. She was delighted to make me jump quite a few times.

alot of the yarns for socks can be much higher in price, if they are wool blends especially. I received some sockease from amazon orders recently and want to try it as it is thinner but seems smooth enough to knit well. Its reasonable and each skein is large enough for a pair of standard socks for women's feet. I am using some carons simply soft right now, which also makes lovely clothing and its not bad to work with. mostly acrylic so it won't wear as long as wool blends but it seems stretchy enough as I am knitting it up to be comfortable and fairly thick as a sock. The price is decent through amazon too. It also is often on the shelf at Walmart too. Which makes that handy if you stop in there at the sewing area. With the carons I find a no 2 dpn works alot better than a no 4 dpn for a close enough knit. I will have to try on that first sock and see how it turned out, lol, to give a final appraisal when it is finished but doing the heel flap just now. Gusset hopefully tonight and start knitting the foot hopefully. With the sockease yarn it will be much smaller needles and I will need to play a bit with the dpns to see which will be adequate when I do a gauge patch. It is recommended that if you are not familiar with the gauges of different yarns to do a 6 inch square patch instead of just 4 inches. It tends to give you more accuracy on stitches per inch sideways and up and down if you do, as per Ann Budd I believe. If not her, it was from another pro knitter of socks I am familiar with. One thing to do is make the patches up for gauge and make a notebook with them taped inside it so you can go back and identify what is most suitable for the type of sock or item you want to knit. For me that is a very helpful idea. Off to do some chores and will check back later. one thing about wool blends is that they do stay cool in summer actually. Alot of folks only wear them year round. I am looking at cotton blends too.

Cool CGA! ok.... you want more stretch.... like in the top of the sock ? you can adjust it with same stitches as per usual you use on the sock but with how you do the ribbing. I need to look at the book but I found the description of how to do it for narrow leg, average leg, and heavier legs and chose a roomier type than what the original instructions tell you to do when you are knitting and purling the top of the sock , to alleviate too much tightness, according to my legs... that is. To get more stretch, basically do a triple rib not just double. If you figure it out great, if not I can get the knitting instructions later for you if you want. does this help?

hey ladies! Great about the sock loom. I think I have a small enough round loom that would work for thick socks. Maybe sometime I will try that. I use the dpn knitting for socks at this point, traditional. Just went ahead and ordered another full set for dpns, so I can work on both socks at one time or have extras. Some sock knitters like doing it that way so they can match length of top and colors more exactly and that sounds like that would be helpful to me. Plus I consider these a prep item to have the adequate supplies. I know I could go out and get some wood and whittle some needles if I really needed to but its nice to have the metal ones I am finding I am most comfortable with. Traditional socks use turning the heel and making the gusset area, which I can see how its done with regular needles but does the sock loom do that too? I wonder how that works if its that complex or just to make tube socks? One of the reasons I wanted to learn to do traditional dpn knitting is that I can learn to adjust exactly, where I want on a sock I am making for myself to make sure I have a truly comfy fit once I get the basics down. oh, and decided to order the 3 rubber thimbles, they are rubbery, stippled little bands of thick rubber and I thought that might suit me, if they will stay in position where I need them to protect my fingers I tend to use so much , pushing the ends of the dpn , is a tendency I have and with the fibro and RA and stuff anything that makes my fingers and hands work less hard is a true boon! I also found a lovely short sleeve cotton blouse with a nice easy style ( pattern) I would love to have. I think it would be very comfortable to wear and look very nice. It would be nice during spring or fall or inside wear during winter here. My Icelandic friend even liked its looks when I posted it on FB, and they are the king when it comes to making nice knit wear . ( I still want some Icelandic housesocks! ) Maybe I can learn enough of knitting though to get a pattern for them and do them myself before next winter. Or figure out how to do them myself as they really are a loose fitting type of sock that goes up to under the knees. Traditionally what they put on in the house as they do not wear shoes in the house. They were very comfortable and durable. Well have groceries to put away and nachos with whole grain tortilla chips to make for the superbowl so will stop in later!

Long story, but re starting socks.... had to review sock books, because I figured out the printed out instructions are not clear enough, and lo and behold........ there are great diagrams and illustrations on each step of knitting a sock in this book I have. LOL. It also was appropriate as ticked off as I got at poor Lu Ellen who has been trying to teach me so intermittently. Ok, 2nd go round ended up the dpn needles were too big and the top edge was soft and ripply, reallllllly ripply. It could be nice for a lacey sock but this is just for a boot sock.... k.... well funny how when you look at things after you have had enough sleep again....... and Stephanie came to mind. Her stuff is always so nicely done.... so I undid it, rolled up the yarn and started over with the right size dpns.... and have almost got it perfectly comfortable and its coming together much more quickly, my hands can do a lot more for a lot longer..... and yes, the sock looks much better! Have been busy with clutter stuff and things, kitchen stuff too so it goes in bits and pieces but it finally is beginning to gel and I feel alot more comfortable which lends me confidence as it finally comes together much better~! well we shall see if I picked the right size dpns when the sock is done, lol. The sock will be a bit loose if they are too big, but I have a good array, although it appears size 2 will work with the caron simply soft yarn for me. I ordered a second set so I can do both of a pair at the same time. Sometimes that makes it easier to match the socks as you knit them more perfectly. I can order second sets of particular sizes as I figure it out. It could vary with various yarns too but over time I will figure that out too. It brings me peace to be able to do something that makes something good and useful and looks nice. I did do a nice scarf too that matches my winter jacket too. It was easy. But a year ago it was also a total fumble and I set that stuff aside til I got brave enough. I try to not overdo it as my hands can only take so much and I found some good thimbles to order. I need them for an index finger and a thumb , lol. the wheels turn in my head about more that I would like to do, but this is plenty for now. One thing at a time works a lot better for me anyhow. but I am thinking about sweaters and tops too. I got another great sweater book that is easy to understand. but it is starting to be more natural now and I am figuring it out. that is the most important thing. Eventually the creative side of me can implement variations as I learn more of the basics.

hmmm 3 inches of snow per storm doesn't qualify as winter and then it either warms up to almost 42F , and the snow goes all icky....... sure is different than LAST winter.......

I think the new trash can, made of metal is an awesome idea. I think I will get a small one , isnt there the really small one then a size in between the 32 gal and the really small one? Thats what I am going to look for.... if Im wrong, a 32 gal one would work for emergency radio and stuff and this old laptop that has lots of useful books on it and some info , doc'd survival stuff and books too in case I run across power to charge up the battery so I can read the ebooks. In fact I could pack it just for emergencies. Anything with circuitry might just turn out ok then.

I have been thinking alot of my mom lately. My dad sent me a couple of her blouses and they are getting abit too roomy since I have lost weight. The backs would be perfect for some pillow backs with some embroidery, maybe make it commemorative for her sake? I will be needing some big pillows once I set up the cot as a settee in the living room ... once I can rearrange things again after I do a painting project on a tall bookshelf and stuff like that. I am getting a twin bed to replace the cot. I have all the material but need to put the quilt program on the new laptop after I get it from my son and do the crafting on the program for the patterns I made up for various log cabin patterns and arrange it so it will fit a fully covered and draped twin bed so its big enough to top a double bed later on. I am supposed to be getting a twin bed in good condition , thanks to my diabetic nurse any day now. A real blessing at this point. I have all the quilt makings and hope to start working on that quilt in a while. It will cover up all the odd sized blankets underneath it, aesthetics! Right now I am working on knitting projects so the quilt will be later. Maybe I could make some quilt work on some of my drawstring pants I was going to make with some scraps of material since I am using a med dark blue cloth anyway and it could use some decor? Yea! Little stuff but it would be quilted..... cool idea to dress up some pants? YEA!!!!!!!!! Great idea!

ok, finally got back to the sock knitting today.. doing the heel flap then have to practice the next part where it joins into the instep and knit that part too. Wish me luck.

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I love soft cream cheese and my yogurt maker works good. I could take yogurt from that and make the cream cheese and make another batch of yogurt ..... how cool is that, very easy process. Yummmy.......

Nermalina, do you bake at all? There are some excellent recipes on quick breads and yeast breads and recipes for sourdough breads and such things, pancakes and big batch mixes that are handy to use that you can make up yourself with basic ingredients? There are ways to make an outside oven and oven boxes that fit on grills and on coleman stove tops , some do. Quite a few of us got into making our own bread and such things and there are a good variety of recipes. Even making whole grain muffins is fast and good, cuts down on preservatives and stuff too so its healthier especially for those of us with rheumatological stuff. Fibro is one of the things I have so I understand. Its a way to economically put the best I can find inside me, lol, because it really helps. I use a good whole wheat flour and six grain, gluten and such things, which I order from honeyville....... www.store.honeyvillegrains.com Shipping is under 5$ for an order and UPS delivers to your door. This is just one site some of us use. They have veggies and tvp ( soy based) , dried fruit and dairy products too that are 'instant' , dried, beans and such things in bulk as well. Some of these ladies here do alot more and use their grinder and whole wheat and grains every time they bake already. I am not that far along in my preps but I have been learning alot as I go along. we are all in various circumstances thats for sure and well just the economy the way it is, its helpful to prep. Right now I am learning to knit socks because its not easy to get to a good store very often to find a good pair of socks. Plus the cheapy ones made just don't last, or fit good. So I am working on basic socks just now, skill wise and it will fill a need for me. Ended up finding someone who could show me the parts that are more difficult but I am also understanding things better too as I go, which is encouraging to me, that I can do it and continue my skill building with knitting and with practice I know I can turn out a good product. This is rugged 4 season country and folks all over need a good set of socks. My friend has made five pair in just a few weeks for her own friends and family members. I am sharing my books and showing her what different sock and soft yarns are like because I had them and shes showing me how to do the stuff I couldn't fathom at first because I am a beginner at knitting. Ive got quite a stash of stuff but there is still a few types of things I could still use over the next year to finish off supplies and it took over a year to get what I do have, buying stuff online or when I could get to a book store or a Michaels store to build up those fiber art supplies and such. . Its gotten easier lately and thats terrific for me. I will be able to custom fit my socks and they should last quite some time. Maybe later I can make socks for others once I am better skilled.

Welcome Nerm! You came to the right place. First thing is get more fuel for heat and cooking needs. What about taping or tacking up plastic over the windows that stay shut during cold weather to help insulate? If you need to you can bring mattresses or bed down to main room and block off hall ways and doors to rest of house to conserve on heat use, but may need to leave open if plumbing is diverse in household so it wont freeze You have enough winter clothing and bedding don't you? I am in upstate NY so I know how the winters are when they are rugged ones. I have plenty! the next is water supply, purification needs? storage. Food supply, storage.... there are so many ways of doing things. shoes and clothing, bedding medical and supplements, vitamins, etc how to skills fuel.... amusements for off grid living Children in the household or special medical needs?

CGA I like the sprang, it would be worth learning how, although fibrous and vine like plants are only really available here in the warm months and somewhat into fall where you could soak dried grasses some to revive flexibility. Sprang seems simple enough to learn and surely does not require more than rudimentary things to make ropes and weaving belts and netting, so it would be a very useful skill and looks easy to learn. ( Something even I could remember after some practice! )

I got out my basic sock book last night and chose a basic sock instruction and read it a couple times. I was able to understand more as I found written instructions on the stitch methods for the heel.... the lightbulb in my brain finally went on. Maybe I can manage to do the sock heel, etc by myself and get busy on the second sock . They are just to wear around the house actually. some one else may have no problems catching on faster to such things but I do have a problem with vaguely written stuff or if its too much together. Or a bunch of steps you take, so had to break it down more for myself and usually if someone shows me and I just practice that step til I Have it in my mind well , then I am ok, but I went back and found the info ended up being more clearly written than the pattern xerox'd gave. Maybe I can figure out cable stitch next, its not really difficult, just the actual handling of it will be abit touchy til I do practice it... one more tiny skill that enhances the product.

Got my first lesson for dpn sock knitting today and started on the top... Should probably be able to manage to get the heel parts done to the part where it gets joined to the foot part. ( Not sure about the instructions mean when I get to that point so Lu Ellen will show me next week. ) That gives me plenty of time to work out both pair to that point. They aren't perfect but I know what to do now so the next sock will be better, and she showed me a super easy way to cast on. Skill building feels good :wink (2): Lu Ellen is knitting a pair per week. She was even going to give me the yellow pair she just made but I said no thanks, I want to learn myself! She does a good job. I loaned her some of the books I had so she could copy some instructions and learn some more stitches her self. Showed her what some of the sock yarns I had in my stash were like and discussed circulars and such with her too. Shes definitely going to want to learn to knit on circulars I think. LOL> I have to order another set anyway to make mine be paired up of the bamboo circulars for socks that came in today in the mail. They looked nice, sturdy, really nice cable and very smooth. Lu Ellen has just been using #4 yarn and some #3 . it seems the regular sport yarn is sufficient for people as a general sock, rather thick, so that is really nice to know. I have plenty and the burgundy knits up nicely~ Its also easier to learn with a thicker yarn because my older eyes can see it better. Still need my reading glasses with knitting but once I get used to the stitches it becomes automatic after some practice and thats a really good sign! :wink (2):

If none of the above works, cut it into round slices about an inch thick and let the boys use it as hockey pucks ??? ( Don't smack me now.... ) Score!!!!!!

OH dear.