Feet are free

On March 11, 2023 By CarynIn Craft, dog

I’ve started a new crochet project. I’m using up yarn from my stash to make what I hope will be a 1960s style duster length vest. We’ll see how much yarn I have. Since the piece is worked from the bottom up, I figure I can keep working until I’m almost out of yarn, then finish the arm holes. At that point I should know about how much yarn that will take. I’m working from a vintage 1969 pattern, and as per my standard method, I’ve deviated. It is an easy thing to pick up and put down, so makes an ideal chair project. I just have to count to five (5 chain stitches to create the net lace). Missy the dog noticed that even though my hands are busy, my feet are free. Good thing that I can kick the ball and still count.

Missy presenting her ball for a kick while I crochet

A pound

On March 10, 2023 By CarynIn Recipe

Putting in a produce order when picking up groceries can still be tricky. Say a recipe calls for a pound of oranges, which seems reasonable, when considering the average weight of an orange is about 5 ounces. Ordering a pound should get you about three oranges. Unless the oranges are not average. Here is a picture of a pound of orange.

Nap time

On March 9, 2023 By CarynIn chickens

My chickens have a routine. They come out of the coop to eat and forage when the sun comes up and the automatic door opens, but then they go back inside the coop to hang out several times a day. There is water inside, but no food. Sometimes they go back to the roost, but at around 2pm each day they hunker down on the opposite side of their building. I guess this is nap time. I heartily approve of nap time, especially for me. I do try to avoid doing my daily checks and chores during this time. I know how I feel when I get a call as I’m trying to catch a few afternoon Zs.

A different way

On March 8, 2023March 5, 2023 By CarynIn Cats

Sitting in the car in my neighbor’s driveway has worked to catch 17 unfixed cats so far, but the remaining couple are elusive and wary so I have to approach in a different way. I set up a web camera behind my coop to monitor a trap.

I have a water station and insulated box behind my coop for our outdoor cat, and we have noticed that neighborhood cats from both sides also use the area. Even the elusive Momma cat. Hm. I have a trap out there, but upside down so no one gets caught without supervision (a trapped cat panics and can injure themselves if not closely monitored and swiftly covered and moved). I’ve been putting tasty morsels in there to get them used to checking for food. When we are ready to trap, I will set it and monitor through the camera, so the cats can’t see me.

Fingers crossed.

Weights and measures

On March 7, 2023 By CarynIn Craft

I put together seven top/bottom whorl spindles to sell at our local spinning/game store. I put the length and weight on each one on a custom stamped tag. I consider these student spindles, since the whorls are made from wooden toy wheels. I did shape the shaft with a notch on one end, and a reinforced hook at the other end, so they are fancier than the mass produced versions. Each spindle is also slightly different, which I think it good to appeal to different preferences.

Critters and Craft

Month: March 2023