A day of one thing leading to another

Yesterday was about not getting. I went off to the farm for Roma plum tomatoes to make tomato lemon Amish jam. Amazingly, they were out of Romas. Usually a prime crop, and advertised in their current newsletter. 

I was there early, maybe they were still picking. I can try again but will probably buy for the freezer for winter spaghetti sauce.

But I still had in mind jars sterilizing in boiling water and some interesting fruit stuff boiling away in the other pot.

So peaches, not up to eating fresh, pinch of sumac, bit of cane sugar, dash of vanilla, cooked down and blended,  became some sort of butter or sauce or something.

And, one recipe of  pancake batter later, a nice supper, and planned Sunday morning breakfast.

Then later I went walking in the lovely, not too hot sunshine, in search of early possible fallen oak galls for ink. There's a spot close to home where acorns fall in masses.

But the whole woodland edge had evidently been cut back and cleared, as if vacuumed up.  Clean as a whistle. Even the brambles I was hoping to pick were cleared out. Just too tidy. This cleanup must have happened while I was busy last week. Well, I still hope for oak galls as the season goes on.

Back home I noticed the snake plant had a large broken leaf. So instead of tossing it, I thought I could see if it would make good cord.

So I split it and it's drying now. This is one to be a bit careful with, since the sap can irritate mucous membranes if it gets near your mouth or eyes. I washed my hands after this.  This is an interesting plant to propagate. This one I grew from a plant I took care of one summer for a neighbor. It went to camp on my porch, and I took one leaf as a fee.

You can propagate by cutting sections of the leaf and just sticking them in earth. Every part of this current plant grew from that method. 

But here's the cool part -- the plant knows up from down, and you have to plant each leaf section the same way up as it grew, or it won't root. So even plants have a better sense of direction than I have. Sad for me, really.

And last noontime, while my salmon and roast fries were cooking, aka fish 'n chips, here with capers and fresh picked thyme 

I set up a new accordion book display of a series of botanicals, very seasonal.

Right after lunch, Gary came dashing in, he was about to grill, could he make me a hamburger?  On realizing I was clearing up after lunch,  he said oh man, timing's out!

I did a bit of Sally Pointer study later,  reminded of her by the oak gall search and because I'd tried something like this as a kid, always fancied handmaking my own shoes.

Hers are pretty authentic though, style dating back 5,000 years.

She cuts and stitches as shown, then wets them through, eases them on for a good fit, and lets them dry on her feet. Custom fit.

I was pretty young when I made mine, no pattern or leather tools, just an urge.

Somewhere I got a scrap of pink soft leather I was able to cut with scissors and stitch with a darner, and made a pair of sandals with a strap. I cut soles, then stitched the upper on, added a Mary Jane type strap to keep them on. 

I remember they were very thin underfoot, not real suited to the sidewalks, no fields at that point in my life. These soft shoes do better on grass and earth. But I was so pleased about trying anyway, despite side-looks from older sibs, now what does she think she's doing.

I fact I wonder now if I can get a soft leather or suede bag or jacket from the thriftie to try for fall house slippers. I'm putting that on the list. I don't have a leather punch but I have a big nail I use for punching book pages, and a hammer. I'm ready.

I also ordered a fleece remnant in charcoal grey from Firecracker Fabrics,  to make  pants for cold weather, thinking ahead here.

And because what is life if you can't be amused by silly stuff , here's the Dance of the Dish Brushes

One day I really must think about growing up. No rush though.

Happy day everyone! Laugh at silly stuff, it's good for you.