Autumn Harvest

Guess what I've been doing lately? Turning this:

Into this:

I love canning. It's one of those things that make people think I'm a grandma trapped in a young person body. Tomatoes are the best because I use them all winter in pasta sauce and soup and I know where they came from and that they were grown in the summer. Tomatoes from the grocery store in the winter are yucky.
This is the first year that our tomato plant decided not to grow five feet tall and produce until October, so these are from Shaun's grandpa's garden. We did get tons of cucumbers and I canned five jars of pickles (yum!)

I requested these awesome books a while ago at the Library:

They are so easy to follow and great for beginners. I haven't had a chance to do much with the Dairy book, but I did make some ricotta that was tasty! Ashley English has two other books that I want to read. Not that I'm at all prepared to keep chickens or bees, but I think it's amazing.

Mobile

Last week I made a mobile for James' nursery. I never liked any of the expensive, stuffed animal looking ones at the store. This one is pretty simple but I think it turned out great. I'll post some long overdue pictures of the finished nursery once it's up.

Valentines Shmalentines

I kind of love Valentine's day, even though Shaun doesn't. It's not that I love it for the flowers and chocolates or anything, but there's something great about expressing love to everyone around you during one of the most depressing months of the year (in my opinion).

(Don't worry, that's my face on an old pinup, not me really!)

Last year for Valentine's day I made Shaun this little pamphlet stitch binding full of dorky things. It's pretty cute in person, even though it doesn't photograph well. I photocopied entries from my journal on important days like when we got engaged and days when I just loved him :)

This year I went simple:

Nothing says love to me more than Victorian embellishments!!

This books got some great things he can use at work.

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day

Baby Book

Just finished this little photo album for Chrissy's baby today.

It turned out pretty nice, and it will look even nicer with photos in it!

(The first three images are before the final label was put on)

It's a good thing she doesn't read my blog or the surprise would be ruined, I say RUINED. I'm hoping to bring it to her in the hospital. Time to have that baby Chrissy!

Hand Papermaking

On Thursday and Friday of this week I went to Tryst Press for my job and helped make beautiful paper for an upcoming project my Boss is working on.

It's not an easy process and it takes a lot of practice, but the paper is well worth it! From pulp to dry flattened sheets involves many many steps. I've included a video that shows one step in the process. In this clip Rob Buchert is at the vat where he uses his handmade paper moulds to scoop up the fibers and form a sheet. He then passes the moulds to Ethan who couches them onto felts. They make it look easy, but it's not!

Whenever I'm in these extremely odd environments involved in processes that are hundreds of years old I'm amazed at what a great job I have!! Just putting my respiratory therapy degree to good use Dad.

You can visit Rob's website for more paper making videos:

http://www.trystpress.com/Paper_Mill.html

My Sweet Husband

Shaun seems to have especially sweet blood and our backyard seems an especially appealing feasting ground for mosquitos. Since I am a chronic jar-saver I think I'll try making some of these homemade citronella candles courtesy of Kate at Design Sponge and see if that doesn't ease Shaun's itching.