Spring, Knitting & Yogurt

Well, how CAN you go wrong? Both are very earthy and decadent things J. Nothing like knitting a scarf, stole, shawl, or even a pair of socks using some exotic fiber, and enjoying it slip through your fingers as it comes to life in whatever you are making.

I purchased a pima cotton by Schaefer yarns over a year ago now at a little shop, no longer open, in Mars. It's colorway is called "Catherine the Great" and it is a variegated earthy green that blends into an ethereal pink separated by shades only God can produce. The eye is such a tremendous thing, and sight such a amazing gift! I have mulled over what to do with this gorgeous yarn a hundred times. I have finally said, I will make with I a scarf … so I started one, and it was just not quite right … and I started another pattern with it, and though the pattern is lovely, and I WILL be making it again, I am still not convinced that it is THE pattern for this fine, fingering-weight cotton. Whatever I make with it, it must be perfect, and I am still just not convinced this is that pattern. So I think it will get frogged, and set aside in my stash again until I DO find that perfect pattern for one of the most stunning colorways I have ever come across.

There is still, well yesterday there was still a small, stiff-necked, stubborn patch of snow in our driveway that simply wouldn't give up … looking out the window today I see that it has finally lost the battle and is gone. Well past the time when any other patches of snow, even those in parking lots that were taller than some houses have disappeared, that little patch did not want to leave.

Spring has come once more. Red-winged black birds migrated back with the hundreds (thousands?!) of starlings, and though there is open season on starlings, I resisted the temptation to thin them out because of the red-wings in their midst. For the first time last night I heard spring peepers here in our neck of the woods. Others have heard them earlier, but last night was my first time. The Blue Herons, Killdeer, and Turkey Vultures have returned, all are better indicators of spring's arrival than robins, or red-wings, and though I hadn't heard peepers before last night, I expect they have been out as others have stated simply because the Herons won't return until their food supply has woken up.

Spring has also brought with it excitement of future things as well. We found a Dr. that didn't argue that I should try Chlomid! Yesterday was my last pill, and we'll see what this month brings. Perhaps we'll not see the intended results this month but I am looking forward to at least enjoying the feeling of hope that it gives and prayerful that we see the results we are hoping for in the coming months! Pray the Lord's blessing on us in this endeavor and His guidance in every other area of our lives!

With the advent of the Dr.'s ruling, I have also been doing a bit of knitting of various infant items. If you find a cute pattern, forward on to me the link! Ravelry is saturated with them, and I am enjoying the search for just the right ones. With so many friends pg right now, knitting little items just seems right! And every stitch holds a prayer for my own future bean, or beans!

Autumn rolled to a halt with canning and preserving the harvest, for me that included peaches, preserves, jellies and jams. Now spring brings with it once more the season of preparing for the coming winter. I am praying for a good strawberry season this year, I've missed it so many years in a row now! Strawberries, rhubarb, blueberries, bramble berries, cherries, apples, peaches, maybe even pears! I plan to can as much as I can the fruits and vegetables (well freeze a lot of veggies!) of the year. I did feel so much more prepared for this winter by doing all I did last fall! And will have so many opportunities to use what I have not just this past few months, but throughout the summer when picnics, parties, and gatherings demand desserts and other dishes to be brought and shared with family, friends, and the masses as need be!

The peaches that were canned are scrumptious. My Aunt shared with me some homemade yogurt while I was over helping her to can some last fall, and recently she gave me a good amount of what she had so I could start my own culture. A failed attempt using starter caused me to wonder if I wasn't going to mess up this batch as well. I saved back and froze enough for a couple tries, and following the directions I had from the packet, I started with RAW milk (Pot O Gold RAW) and immediately I knew something was wrong as the resulting curd and whey was more yogurt cheese than that of the thin, creamy yogurt I was aiming for. Contacting her for HER procedures, I then followed her directions and Wha-LA! After setting, covered, on the fridge for three days I had succeeded in creating YOGURT! OH, it is so GOOD!! Poured over last fall's canned peaches, I cannot say there is anything better. It would be delightful over a homemade granola as well, I just have been enjoying it with the peaches so much I haven't expanded to other 'toppings' or 'mix-ins' yet.

A second batch of yogurt is in the process on the counter right now, and I'm excited about keeping it going!!

God Bless and HUGS!