My Spinning is Getting MUCH better!

Now, that I have taken the spinning class at SAFF, I feel much better about my spinning. There was plenty of information swimming through my head during the class, plus it really helped to see other spinners in action. Now, I am finally able to make a yarn worth using. Up til now, all my yarn has been too thin. Tonight, I was able to make a worsted weight yarn for the first time!

Beautiful Spun Yarn at SAFF

I had a WONDERFUL time at SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair) this past weekend. There was gorgeous yarn EVERYWHERE, and I really enjoyed taking my spinning class. I bought some yarn, roving, and dye so I can REALLY get better at spinning.

Sandy and Angora

Today was my first spinning demonstration. I spun angora yarn from an angora rabbit named "Miss Priss" at the Mint Hill Historical Society Fall Festival. I had such a wonderful day. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the people were so nice!

I never imagined that I would be doing this kind of thing so soon in my spinning experience. I really just started learning to spin about a year ago. I always tell people about how much I love knitting and spinning yarn.

My cousin called me this week, and asked if I could possibly take my spinning wheel and spin at the Mint Hill Historical Fall Festival. I said, "I'll be glad to help. Just make sure they know I'm still learning!" She said, "No problem at all. I just want our yarn shop's name to get mentioned at the event." (She owns Cottage Yarn in Mint Hill, NC.)

So, I said, "Sure thing." Then I asked who I would need to talk to about details of the event, and she gave me the number of Farmer Rhonda from Black Swan Farms. http://www.blackswanfarm.com/

When I spoke to Rhonda, she told me that I would be sitting with the angora rabbit, and spinning angora! I had never spun angora before, so I grabbed one of the bags I had gotten on eBay, and took it out to work with it. I studied what I could find on the internet, and finally figured out how to do it. (You have to set your wheel tension VERY loose!)

I've been spinning angora almost every night this week, just to get used to it. It's not perfect, but it's angora yarn!

Yesterday, I worked on getting everything ready for the event, including making a fiber display for my table. That was fun to do! I got a sheet of balsa wood and put some little bags of fiber and yarn on it. I used some alphabet stickers to put a title on the display, and stuck on some wood cutouts of a sheep, knitting basket, and rabbit. It looks pretty good!

Today, I got along just fine with the angora rabbit, whose name is "Miss Priss", even though he's a male! I held him on my lap, and got comfortable pulling out his fiber. It was hard to get just the right touch at first. (You have to pull the hair pretty hard!) Then I put him in his cage, and used the hair to start spinning on my wheel. I finally got it going good, and then the crowds of people started pouring in.

It was non-stop from 9:30 in the morning til 2:00 in the afternoon. It was fun and exhausting! At one point, about six children were watching me, and they all got into the act of pulling hair from the rabbit. I put the rabbit in the cage, and they would pull hair and bring it to me to spin. It sure did make my job easier!

During the day, several people asked for my card. (Thank God I made some last night.) They were also asking if I teach spinning or knitting lessons, so I referred them to my cousin's yarn store. I might start teaching spinning there. Who knows? In addition, several people said they would like for me to come and do a spinning demonstration at their event!

When the crowds died down, I took everything down, and spoke with Farmer Rhonda and her husband Farmer Will. I asked them if they needed the angora yarn I spun, and they said that I worked for it. I got to keep it! A whole bobbin full! Farmer Rhonda also gave me a free bar of homemade goat milk soap!!

All in all, it was one of the best days of my life. So much fun, and very interesting.

BEST Fudge Bar!

BEST Fudge Bar!
Originally uploaded by Unkoine.

When I was a young girl, my mom used to buy the BEST fudge bars. I could sit and eat them forever, because they were so yummy and fudgy and chocolatey. When I got older, I bought some fudge bars myself, expecting them to taste just as good. NONE of them tasted right. They were all too light in color, and just melted away too fast. I think they were made with chocolate ice cream instead of fudge. I was SO mad.

I looked for years and years, trying every brand of fudge bar I could find. They were all so disappointing. The box usually ended up in the trash can before they ran out, because they just tasted WRONG.

Well, tonight I saw a different brand of fudge bar, and looked at the box long and hard. I was very tempted, but was thinking, "They'll probably taste awful, and it will be a waste of money."

I brought them home, stuck them in the freezer and started dinner. A few hours later, I went to the kitchen for a glass of water. I opened the freezer to get some ice, and saw the fudge bars sitting there. I decided to try one, expecting to be let down.

I opened the wrapper, and my eyes popped open. DARK fudgy chocolate was peeking out at me from the wrapper! THIS looked like what I had as a little girl. I smelled it, and it smelled rich and chocolatey. By now, I was almost jumping up and down. I took a bite, then threw my arms up in the air for joy!

FINALLY!!!!! A REAL FUDGE BAR!!!

Thank you, Mayfield Dairy Farms!
http://www.mayfielddairy.com/products_icecream.html

Chick-Fil-A Cow

My husband Marvin is a manager for Chick-Fil-A. He has just been relocated to manage a brand new store in Charlotte. During the grand opening festivities, there was a special visit from Dan Cathy, the President of Chick-Fil-A.

The Chick-Fil-A Cow was there too!! I got my picture taken, AND a hug! I just wanted to take that cow home with me. So cuddly!

Choir Retreat 2006

We had our annual choir retreat today at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a nice day, with lovely music and fun fellowship. :)

The mural on the wall behind us was just beautiful!

This Christmas, we plan on sharing "The Winter Rose" by Joseph Martin with our congregation. I really love that work of music!

Good Ol' Country Cookin'

Tonight, we had a meal to remember. My parents had given us lots of nice, fresh veggies from their garden. So, we decided to put them to good use.

Marvin bought some pork chops at the grocery store, and I put them in a ziploc bag to marinate. I used Old Bay Seasoning, Sea Salt, Thyme, Sage, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Lime Juice. While it marinated in the refrigerator for an hour, I prepped the rest of our dinner.

After shucking the corn, I put a few of the tender green shucks in the water with the corn and added some salt, pepper, and butter. I turned the burner on low, and let it simmer with the cover on.

I washed the okra, then sliced it in big chunks, and seasoned it with salt, pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning. After dusting it with cornmeal mix, I stirred it up real good. I put about 1/4 cup oil in the baking dish, poured in the okra, and topped it with small chunks of butter. It was cooked in the oven at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. (I stirred it once after it cooked for 20 minutes)

When the okra was first put in the oven, Marvin fired up the grill, and I brought out the pork chops. We use the "indirect heating" method. You turn on one side of the gas grill, and cook your meat on the other side. This makes the meat so tender and juicy. We love it! I put the meat on the grill, closed the lid, then set the timer for 15 minutes. When the timer went off, I turned over the meat, and set the timer for 10 minutes. After that time was used up, I moved the chops to the heated side and fired the meat on both sides for a few minutes.

The meat turned out perfect, and the okra was superb! Marvin loved the corn, and the sliced tomatoes added just the right touch. Yum!

Me and Josh 1985 or 86

Me and Josh 1985 or 86
Originally uploaded by Unkoine.

Here's another shot of me in my "fantasy" years. Josh was just a few months old, and I still believed that his dad would love me forever. The dream ended in just a few years.

Thank God I found Marvin 7 years ago. He saved me from my life of loneliness.

Josh as a Baby

Josh as a Baby
Originally uploaded by Unkoine.

This was my son when he was a little baby boy. I can't believe he is turning 21 this week!

Christening Gown Lace Skirt

I've been working on this Christening Gown for the past few weeks, and it is turning out so nice. I am using a pattern I found online, but I've had to do so much tweaking and re-designing, that I really feel like I should claim the design as my own.

My cousin asked me to make this as a sample for her yarn shop. www.cottageyarninc.com/

Great Deals on Books - And a GIFT!

The other day, I was playing piano for the men's quartet at a local church. When the concert was over, my hubby and I were walking out of the church, when we noticed a LOT of books in a little side room that were for sale. Needless to say, we couldn't walk past without taking a look. Good thing we did!

We found the COOLEST books in there, selling for a dollar each. The paperbacks and audiobooks were 50 cents! We were thrilled. We found the Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book, the BH&G Handyman Book (never saw that one before), the Vogue Sewing Book, Erica Wilson's Embroidery Book, and Patricia Cornwell's "The Hornet's Nest" on cassette (Cool! A story based in Charlotte!). I can't believe we got all those books for less than 5 bucks. Unbelievable!

And the GIFT? See that nice tote bag? (Nautical KIP) The men's quartet gave it to me, just because they like me. How cool is that?!

The Memorials in Concert

The Memorials in Concert
Tonight, I played keyboard for our church's gospel quartet, "The Memorials". It was fun!

They sang for the Hornet's Nest Chapter of the American Business Women's Association in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Gotta Touch It" Baby Blanket

I just finished making this super-soft baby blanket. I designed it using all chunky yarns that are machine washable and dryable. I just can't keep my hands off it! I'm sure the baby will enjoy touching it too.

Sandy's "Gotta Touch It" Baby Blanket
Gauge: About 2-3 stitches per inch. (Chunky yarns)
Finished Measurements of Blanket: About 36 inches square.

Yarns: (you can substitute any color combination you like)
Color A - 1 skein Red Heart Bright and Lofty – Beach
Color B - 1 skein Lion Brand Velvetspun - White
Color C - 1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick – Pine 182
Color D - 1 skein Lion Brand Velvetspun - Light Blue ("Bluebell")

Needles:
U.S. Size 13 circular needles (21 inches long)

Start by casting on about 50 stitches.
Knit every row, with this color plan:
20 rows Color A
10 rows Color B
10 rows Color C
10 rows Color D
6 rows Color A
10 rows Color D
10 rows Color C
10 rows Color B
20 rows Color A

If you want, you can add a border of single or half-double crochet all around with one of the yarns. (I used the Wool-Ease Thick & Quick for my half-double crochet border.)

Beautiful, Fast and Fun to Touch!

Here is a view of the blanket, before weaving in the ends and adding a border:

And here is a close-up of my half-double crochet border:

Listen to Me Play Piano!

FINALLY! I have been wanting to put sound files on my website for the LONGEST time. I worked and worked, and finally figured it out.

http://www.geocities.com/unkoine/Midi_Files.html?1151049856310

Last night, I stayed up all night recording pieces that I wanted to put on the website. It was hard, because I kept making mistakes and had to record them over and over again. I'm still not completely satisfied, but at least I have some music files completed.

I'm most happy with "Venetian Boat Song" by Mendelssohn. I just love that piece.

I've been playing piano since I was 11. I'm 42 now, so that's a pretty long time, I guess. Piano is my best talent, I think. I also play organ and I sing. I just thank God that I can make my living doing something that I love to do. It's a real blessing.

I've been a church musician for the past 27 years, and a piano teacher for the past 7 years. I also perform for wedding, funerals and special events. Life is good.

I won!

This past week, I entered a "contest" of sorts. A friend of mine from a knitting forum (www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/forum/) was giving away an extra copy of Interweave Knits.

I won! :)

http://whimsicalknitting.blogspot.com/

You know, this makes me want to give away some things too. It sounds like fun!

Finished Handknit Saguaro Top!

Finally! I've been working on this sweater now for over a year. I put it away over the Fall and Winter, and pulled it back out this Spring. Now, it's finally done! My very first sweater. I'm proud.

The pattern was in last year's Knitter's Magazine (Spring 2005). It's called "Saguaro".

Handknit Sweater Close-Up

Here's a close-up of the detail on my first handknit sweater. There is a half double crochet border on the sleeves, collar and hem. I'm happy with the final result!

The pattern was in last year's Knitter's Magazine (Spring 2005). It's called "Saguaro".

Handknit Socks - Stripes

Here is the updated progress on my handknitted socks. I've finished the heel and gusset, so now I just have to get the length to match my foot before I do the toe shaping. It's going well! I love how the stripes are matching up color for color.

I'm a happy knitter!

Easy Summer Grilling

I have found the EASIEST way in the world to cook on our gas grill. The method is called "indirect heating", and it always makes perfect meats. My husband and I have been cooking this way for the past month, and we can't get enough of it. I have made pork chops, steak, chicken and fish - and they have all turned out PERFECT. The finished meat tastes like it came from a restaurant. I'm not kidding.

Here's how you do it:

Choose the meat you want to grill (steak, pork chops, chicken or fish)
Marinate the meat for at least 15 minutes. (I usually marinate it for an hour for better flavor)

Make sure the grill is nice and clean. Then, turn on both burners, close the lid and let it preheat for about 5 minutes on high.

Now, turn off one burner, and put the meat on that side (YES - the side that is not lit. Trust me.) Turn the other burner down to medium, and Close the lid.

Walk away, and prepare whatever else you want to go with the meat, letting the meat cook with indirect heat for 10 minutes.

Now, turn over the meat, leaving it on the unlit side. You can brush on some sauce now if you want. (Don't use the marinade sauce, since it had the uncooked meat in it.) Close the lid, and cook the meat for 15 minutes more.

Continue preparing side dishes, beverages, bread or salad.

When you come back to the grill, check the meat for doneness, and put it over the flame for a little while if you want, just to get those black grill lines. You can also add more sauce now if you want. I usually "flame" it for about a minute or so. Now, the meat will be done - grilled, moist, and tender - PERFECT!

Here are my variations for marinating the meat. I use a gallon size plastic bag, mix all the ingredients, then add the meat and shake it all around. Then I put it in the refrigerator and turn it over a few times for the next hour or so. When I put the meat on the grill, I put a little of the sauce on top of the meat, then I discard the rest.

2 or 3 Cuts of Steak: 1/2 cup oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Orange Juice, 1 teaspoon Minced Onion, 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of each of the following: Sea Salt, Coarse Ground Black Pepper, Oregano, Sage.

2-4 Pork Chops: 1/2 cup oil, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon of each of the following: Sea Salt, Coarse Ground Black Pepper, Basil, Sage, Oregano, and Ginger.

2 -4 Pieces of Skinless Fish: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice, 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon of each of the following: Sea Salt, Black (or White) Pepper, Basil, and Thyme.

2 -4 Pieces of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: 1/2 cup oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon of each of the following: Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Sage, Cumin, and Basil.

If you want, you could use your favorite salad dressing as a marinade. You could also use barbecue sauce on the pork chops or chicken while you're grilling.

Happy Grilling!

Noah and Danielle

Noah and Danielle
Originally uploaded by Unkoine.

Today is the senior prom, and my son Noah is taking his girlfriend, Danielle. I can't believe that Noah's senior prom is already here. He sure has changed over the years, but he's still just as full of himself as he was when he was just 2 years old!