Wool peddler's shawl

This is a project that has been five years in the making. Proof that I am not a knitter!

I started this back in 2006, working on it off and on. It reeeeally languished. For two. years. Finally, the summer before my wedding, my friend Keturah and I made a bargain to swap projects. I would sew her a vintage-style dress if she would finish knitting my shawl!

My end of the bargain was fun. I sewed her a dress in blue silk charmeuse, based on EvaDress 7482. I'm not so sure Keturah's part was quite so fun, but she persevered. ;) And this summer when I went to visit her, she presented me with this beautiful shawl!


[The pattern is the English Wool Peddler's Shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle.
The yarn is Brown Sheep Co. Lambs Pride Superwash in Lichen.]

Leek and Apple Cream Soup

• 1 lb. leeks
  
• 1/2 c. unsalted butter
  
• 1 lb. cooking apples, such as MacIntosh, peeled, cored, and sliced
  
• 1/2 lb. red potatoes, peeled and sliced
  
• 1 (14-oz.) can chicken broth
  
• 1 tsp. salt
  
• 2 c. half-and-half
  
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  
• 1/4 tsp. white pepper
  
• Lady apple slices for garnish (optional)

1. Quarter leeks and wash thoroughly. Coarsely chop white portions and reserve green tops for garnish.
2. Melt butter in large heavy saucepan. Add chopped leeks. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until transparent, stirring often.
3. Add apples, potatoes, chicken broth, and salt. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until apples and potatoes are tender.
4. Puree vegetables with 1/2 cup cooking liquid in blender until smooth. Stir into remaining cooking liquid in saucepan. Add half-and-half, coriander, and white pepper. Mix well.
5. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Garnish each serving with lady apple slices, and fashion apple stem and leaves from reserved green leek tops.

Yield: 6 servings.

--from the January 1990 issue of "Victoria" magazine

Blessings of the day

• Edmund sleeping in 'til 8 AM
  
• answered prayers
  
• snuggling with my son under a wool tartan blanket, reading Marguerite de Angeli's A Pocket Full of Posies: A Merry Mother Goose
  
• a full refrigerator
  
• a little extra time to put dishes away, wipe down counterspace, and sweep the floor in the kitchen while Edmund entertained himself nearby
  
• a moment of Joy
  
• a new autumn candle ("Mulled Cider" from Mainstays brand, found at Wal-Mart)
  
• leek and apple cream soup and most delicious spinach salad for supper
  
• a country drive in the rain afterwards

September

The golden rod is yellow,
The corn is turning brown,
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curing in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brookside
Make asters in the brook.

From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odor rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And Autumn's best of cheer.

--Helen Hunt Jackson

Automobiles

On Saturday, our little family went to a large car show and auction where we had the opportunity to admire lots of vintage cars, some quite rare. This is our third year attending so I guess it's becoming a family tradition! Now, my husband loves cars and knows a lot about them. According to his mom, at age two he could identify the make of every car by sight. I can't even do that at age 28. He's passing this love on to Edmund, who has entertained friends and family by correctly identifying cars, trucks, Jeeps, SUVs, etc. Now Douglas is working on teaching him the different makes. He has Pontiac and Chevy down pat, but still needs a little help with Ford and others. :)

The afternoon featured exchanges like this one:

She: (looking at a 1940 Packard) Doesn't this remind you of our wedding getaway car [a '39 Packard]?
He: Yes, they're practically identical, the only difference is that there's an extra portion of grill right here. (pointing)
She: How could you even notice that?
He: How could you not?

So my car knowledge is sadly lacking, but I can still appreciate the beauty and elegance of well-made cars from days gone by.


[Love the vintage font!]