Month: August 2022

Can you spot it?

On By CarynIn Flora

Our very hot, very dry summer killed off most of our clover. Most, but not all. One small clump managed to survive by setting root under the watering manifold (which has a small leak so the soil is damp beneath). The small collection of three-leaved clover managed to provide me with a four-leaf. I did not pick it when I found it, which was good because it hadn’t fully grown. Later the fourth leaf filled out better. Can you spot it in the photo below? Remember to think squares as you are looking, as opposed to triangles.

Clover patch with a four-leaf clover amongst the three-leaved variety
Four-leaf clover highlighted (in case you needed the hint)

Swatch again

On By CarynIn Craft

I attempted another cotton swatch, and tried again for doing brioche knit, vertical stripes, and cables. Uh no. You can see the one row of failed experiment in the photos. I did not rip out this time because it would have been demoralizing (and it is just a swatch that will go in the wash cloth bin). The combination of all the things is possible, but not at my usual level of concentration, which is always split at least two ways. (I am very distractible, if you haven’t noticed.)

Cotton brioche knit with vertical stripes and failed cables
Opposite side

This swatch was a learning experience for certain. I’m getting better at recognizing which way the brioche knit stitches go, and can read the knitting rather than relying on a pattern for each row. Most importantly, I have decided that the next project will use vertical color stripes, but not cables. Brioche knit is not easy (for me) to rip out partially, and cables introduce too many opportunities for error that I don’t catch until many rows later.

Try again

On By CarynIn Craft

I actually ripped something out. Yes, it was just a cotton test swatch, yes it was headed to the washcloth bin any way, but felt I was taking on too much and had to simplify. So instead of trying brioche knit, vertical stripes, and cables, I took out the vertical stripes and concentrated on understanding cables in brioche knit.

Horizontal color change with cables in brioche knit, cotton swatch
Opposite side

The cables in brioche knitting are intriguing, but I really don’t want horizontal color changes in the next project. I’ll try a different swatch.

Toad home

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Since setting up the chicken foot baths to fill automatically, the area around the shallow dishes has been more damp. The little snakes and frogs that move in don’t stand a chance if the chickens see them, but one industrious toad has dug an expansive mansion under the tray, and is big enough that the chickens leave her alone.

Gulf coast toad and hollowed out home

Melon shake

On By CarynIn Garden, Recipe

My eldest and I have been experimenting with fruit smoothies and we have stumbled on a really good combination: Melon and vanilla. I’m growing Aspire melons, which are small 1-2 pound melons with sweet orange flesh. They taste like what I grew up calling cantaloupe. The flesh scoops out of the rind like a dream, and it blends well with our smoothie base.

Using a spoon to scoop out melon

For two shakes:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 3 Tbsp Sweetener (sugar, Splenda) or to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • About 1 pound of melon scooped from the rind
  • 1 cup crushed ice

Add ingredients in order in a blender, blend until smooth.

Melon smoothies

This is reminds me of a treat we would have when I was young: a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a cantaloupe half. Nom nom.