Stitching, renovating, Misfits and cabbage

Early morning start on stitching today and I really enjoyed just doing whatever suggested itself. I've left the book fabric intact for now, so I can see the different pages as they emerge. 

After trotting up and down a flight in search of floss, I finally brought down some of the floss drawers to where I was working on the sofa

Picture is sideways, and the little rug you see on the left is that piece I wove a while back, which saw me nicely through the winter.

While I stitched I listened to Norman Baker, former member of parliament and cabinet minister, examining the finances and secrecy of the British royals. 

The title refers to one of the classic questions put by royals at receptions, to their guests.

It's a good analysis of the general economy of the country and the extent to which the royals seize income and gifts, while spending carefully. 

This surge of stitched book interest is the result of getting some artworks sent out into the world, some on their way soon to blogistas,  when I get to the post office. 

I've picked out a couple of things I think you'll like. The mental space they're leaving causes new energy and ideas to flow, so thank you. 

Misfits came, too, minus a couple of items, but I'm not near starving. The swiss cheese was going on top of the second cabbage casserole, the cheddar into it.

The chocolate covered almond bits are highly nutritious (!) vital dietary component.

Later, here's the casserole 

The top was browned and it was pretty good. That's the cabbage sorted.

Later Gary came over to bring me in to see his latest renovation, or endless renovation. He seems to be rebuilding the entire fireplace wall now. Not sure why, it may be one of those one thing led to another situations that happen to him.

Happy day everyone, I hope good things happen to you today.

Spice bush, cabbarole, wire art

Saturday was icy winds blowing all over, so walking didn't happen. Things like recycling did, which includes walking to the end of the block, the wind blowing me and my flattened cardboard around like helpless prawns, I expect that's some kind of resistance exercise. 

And weight training came in handy when I found some **** person had slung a huge pile of cardboard on top of, not in,  one container so that it also weighed down the lid of the next container, the one I needed to get into. Entailing forcing up the lid, plus the many pounds of cardboard resting on it, holding it with one hand while wrangling my recycle bucket with the other.  Yes, that, and the breathing exercise from cursing throughout,  was some strenuous time.

However, the patio gave me two nice things: the spice bush blooming away and scenting the wind, great experience, here's a professional view, top left, viburnum carlesii aka Korean spice bush

And the honesty, which declined to grow again where it had done well, in the strawberry pot or in the ground, where I'd next flung seeds defiantly, decided it would do this instead

As you see, happily growing in the sage pot. Well, if it's happy who am I to argue? This means I'll get at least a few more silver disk seedpods to add to my collection.

Indoors I did a bit more on the wire and yarn work

I'm going to leave it alone for a day or two then see what should happen next. Add? Subtract? Rearrange? We'll see. Meanwhile I wove a couple more plain yarn squares just to get skillz.

But the main event was the cabbage casserole, heretofore to be known as a cabbarole, which sounds like an antique carriage but never mind.

What it amounts to is salted chopped cabbage, with an egg and yogurt sauce with flour, I used chickpea, baking powder and cornstarch, big pinch of pepper. Then grated cheese on top.  Baked 50 minutes at 350°f.

Here's a serving with fresh picked chives, very oniony because the first picking of the year.  It was good and I now have a reason to buy cabbage. 

Next time I make it, which I can, with the other half-cabbage chopped and frozen, I'll use a smaller baking dish so there's more interior and less exposed top. 

I used this one because I could mix in it and put it straight in the oven, saving dishes. And I think a pinch of nutmeg would be good.  Overall though, it was worth doing, nice texture, bit of crunch on top, nicely blended inside. 

So there's several lunches. This would go nicely with sausage or chicken or something like that, too, but it worked as a main for me today. Also welcome on a drafty cold day.

Yes, this doesn't refer to the kind I cooked, but it's all good.

And creatively speaking, this is possibly me in a previous existence

Happy day everyone, make stuff and decide its fate! 

And let's hope for the best for Ukraine's fate.

Misfits, cabbages, kings, no, queen

 Misfits arrived 

with one small hiccup, one egg broken, which resulted in a refund of the dozen. There doesn't seem to be a way to refund just the damaged one.

The unboxing setup isn't on the counter, which was occupied by the makings of spaghetti, but crowded onto the little island.

Lunch was in the works  on the counter 

Simple sauce, diced tomatoes, fresh basil, chili powder, grated Parmesan 

Two meals' worth of this radiator-shaped pasta.

And the cabbage, some of it, even a small head is a lot, will become a cabbage casserole, a new venture for me,  worth a try.

This is only half of it; you see the other half draining, to be chopped and frozen.

And the current artwork is moving along. I switched to 26 gauge steel wire for this piece, not wanting it to be too conspicuous.

I threaded it around the edges with a couple of extra threads in the body of it, to support the shape.

I like very much how the yarn can take on new shapes, and sit up unsupported.

So here's a trial of related pieces.

This changed several times before I took the photo, and will probably change more before it's done. The pieces are still all separated. More playtime will happen.

I'm thinking of another copper wire piece to add. We'll see.

Speaking of seeing, remember these daffodils in bud a couple of days ago 

Here they are this morning 

Sweet smelling, just lovely. My neighbor came running over to admire them and catch up.  She and Gary want to help me separate iris. 

Lots of luck. We'll need a chainsaw to get through them! They got ahead of me and haven't flowered in years. They don't when they get crowded and the pachysandra covers the rhizomes. They like to be exposed to light and air. 

Happy day everyone, it's good to know when roots should be preserved and when you have to cut em off.

And here's a gift to give yourself. Go here 

Brunello Creatini's YouTube channel, to hear this star operatic soprano  still performing, wonderfully, at 96. 

It's not "good, considering"! It's good at any age. Such breath control, range, strength, beautiful tone and passion. Just go there.  Squillo in action.