An old-fashioned Christmas

Recently I had the pleasure of doing a spinning demo at the Eidem Homestead in Brooklyn Park.  This was during the Arctic blast so it was very cold in the house, but since I was next to the kitchen I could warm my hands by the wood stove and nibble on Norwegian goodies.  I took the photos with my phone when we closed at four o'clock, as I was so busy when the visitors were there.  The rooms of the house had activities for people to try.  I am in many photos and hope to come across one.  Louie Louet was with me and I carded and spun some of the white washed wool on the wheel.  With one of the spindles I spun some of the dyed red Joanne sent me.  I plied the two together to make "candy cane" yarn, which the children loved.
Being in the house was going back in time to my childhood and visiting my Grandma McQueen's farmhouse in Ohio.  Fond memories of happy times I keep in my heart.

The Christmas tree was  adorned with hand-made ornaments.

Fragrant pomanders to make by the Christmas tree.  

The stairway was a perfect spot for hanging the stockings.

Earlier someone was playing Christmas carols.

This photo of an early spin in is a treasure.  

I was in this room on Saturday.  It was very cold!
(Notice the chamber pot--I remember those.)
On Sunday I was just outside this room near the kitchen.

The dolly dishes are set up for a tea party across from me.
My sister would have loved this!  I think I heard her giggling...

Sitting across from this window, I could watch the children playing on the kick sleds.

There was a lot of activity in the kitchen, which was warm from the wood stove.
The aroma of baking was heavenly and included baked rice pudding, Lefse, ginger cookies, Krumkake, and cranberry-apple crumb topped pie!

A fun picture of the Nisser preparing for Christmas.

Pine boughs decorated each doorway and window.

Maybe I will be able to come back when the weather permits to spin or paint on the porch.

In one of the bedrooms, visitors could make paper chains and ornaments. 

Clothes for the little ones.

The well-dressed teddy bear was under the tree.  Such a handsome little fellow.

The barn and out buildings.

I love my doorways.

With some leftover yarn from the Ariana Shell I whipped up the Knitbot Simple Hat (slouchy style) for the shop.

Colorific

I have to say I've had a very colorful fall thus far.  All the projects of late have been with the same oddments of yarn.  I'm thinking it's time for some cables.  I was at the shop yesterday and a yarn rep was there.  She's very nice and it was fun to see her wares and samples.  After I stayed longer than I'd intended (no surprise there) I drove up to Elk River to pick up flint and steel for Jim.  Track of the Wolf wasn't open on time, so I went into town and stopped at Diamond City Breads for some goodies.  I had to get a loaf of Rhubarb Fritter Bread and some rustic Olive Bread--and then I saw the oatmeal cookies.  Since I had a cup of coffee, I thought it would be something tasty--it was!  Of course, the oatmeal is very healthy, the chocolate chips provide energy, and the pecans have "good" fat.  Yup, that's how I see it.  On the way home I stopped to get the ingredients for Hudson Bay Bread.  Tonight is Round Table and Jim's doing a presentation on high adventure for Scouts.  The bread is like an energy bar and very high in calories.  The recipe comes from the Northern Tier.

Today it's really chilly, windy, and the clouds look pretty against the bright blue sky.  I went to yoga class this morning, and now I have to take Eevee for walkies.  The cold air and wind put a spring in her step.

My Mmmittens are coming along despite my inattention to stitch count and a dropped stitch.  Good thing it's a small project and easy to frog and re-knit.  I know they will be lovely, warm mittens when they are finished.  The stranding makes a thicker fabric.  I'm keeping the floats fairly small so my fingers don't get caught.  I'll have to  take a photo before I have to frog back to the dropped stitch...

5.11.10  November is whizzing by!  I have to check Louie out to make sure he's ready for class on Sunday.  
The Hudson Bay Bread was a big hit last night.  It's really good, but it's high in calories--I had to use some restraint not to eat more.  
I'm back on track with the mittens.  I didn't like the green against the natural, so I switched to gray for the background of the hand.  I like it better.  I slip the mitten on now and then to check the size.  Fair Isle knitting can be tricky when it comes to gauge.  You have to knit at just the right tension so the floats aren't too tight or too loose.  So far, so good.  

7.11.10  I just now took some photos to post.  Another frog of the mitten :(--I'm catching the floats every other stitch.  I don't want my fingers to get caught on the inside.  The tension is better, too.  Today is my first wheel spinning class.  I read through my book last night and marked some pages.  I have to copy handouts for the students before I go.  Louie is ready to show his stuff and I think I am ready to teach.  I did a one-on-one with Kathy and she was a quick study.  I've never had this many at one time.  It will be a fun-filled session! 
Yesterday was Sharefest at church.  We made over $10,000 yesterday!  The funds made at the bazaar go to help fight world hunger.  I love the International Table and bought some pewter ornaments from Germany.  One has a pin and the ornaments can be changed out.  I think the Nutcracker will be a good one to wear during the holidays!