Dane County Farmer's Market

This past Saturday's market was the most beautiful day imaginable.  The weather was perfect and the wares for fall were at their peak.  Since it may be one of the last few markets I will be able to attend I went  around five times to take it all in.  This huge white pumpkin, around 25 pounds, was my favorite of the day.

Latest Kumihimo Projects

My kumihimo beading projects are such fun to create and execute.  They keep me sane.

This aqua one is combined with a central Marino Glass bead that I brought back from Venice.  It doesn't show in the picture, but the central bead is both aqua and green.  So far it's one of my favorites.

Lately I've been interested in creating in copper.

My ongoing project is a sparkly red/rose/pink/gold tone set probably appropriate for the holidays.

Labor Day (Canning) Weekend

I finished my canning for the season I think.  So far,  I have made peach, strawberry, and red raspberry jam.  I also made two different hot pepper jellies, trying to figure out the perfect recipe.  No pickles or relish due to the failure of my cuke crop.  But I have canned tomatoes and this weekend I made a batch of Hot Salsa.  We'll see if it's hot enough for Michael.

Nature's Bounty Despite The Drought

With selective watering I was able to save a few things in my garden, the rest has been pulled up for weeks.  My pumpkins survived, but the cucumbers didn't.  My green and wax beans along with the pea pods died.  But I was able to keep the tomatoes alive with watering and they have loved the heat, but if we don't get rain soon, I'm going to give up and pull everything.  Even my onions didn't make it this year, I've pulled a few green ones along the way, but I have no keepers.

Painting the House Step #1: Afternoon

The project continues.

Painting the House: Step #1

They started power-washing the house this morning.  Some parts were fine and the north side (see below) needs a lot of paint in spots.  After it dries comes scraping, etc.  

Italy Trip - October 2011

Just in case you are wondering why there are no Italy pics yet.  Welllllll, I haven't gotten them sorted yet.  I have around 1,500 of them so it has been a stumbling block.  So far only Deb and Suzanne have seen them all, so I guess there isn't a pent up demand by the rest of the world.  But I need to do it soon and will post some of the best before my next trip in October.