Water Water Water

Water is a rather big topic this last week in the village and will be for some time to come.  There are about 725 people who live here and for the most part, we have potable water year around.  We get our water north of the village from a creek called Powers Creek.  To the best of my knowledge, there is a tank up there and it fills with water and then the water comes to us through underground pipes.  How old are these pipes? Oh, good question. We have had on and off leakage and repairs at different times over our 12 years in the village.  Low water levels mean we conserve water or even go on boil notice if the water level is too low.  Sometimes pumps break or cause issues, sometimes it is the leaks that cause problems.  The village sits on a peninsula surrounded by water and you would think we would have water.  In August when the cannery is running, and the school district brings in all the new teachers often water level is low.  Winter brings along its own set of issues for the city workers who deal with the water problems.

This past week we have gone from conserving water as the levels were becoming low, to turning off the water overnight to help fill the tank, city workers trying to find leaks, bring in some outside help with equipment to help locate leaks, to a boil notice, to mostly no running water in the part of the village we live in, to watching the con-ex pump being hauled down to slough, to digging out in front of our place, to almost no water in the tank, and no answer to the leak(s) location(s), to hauling drinking water, and the weather has gone from +20s to minus teens making all of this water extra demanding!

If you are a weather person at all you will notice that clear crisp blue sky and think it is really cold up there and you would be right! It is in the negative teens.  The beginning of a big hole int he middle of the road in front of our place.

Yesterday after ski practice and grooming, Christian loads up the 4-wheeler to head up the road to friends who are on a well to get us drinking water. He will drop off trash and drive about 1.5 miles up the road.  He has already been out in -22ºF wind chill grooming.  Now he will drive up the road into a -22ºF on the 4-wheeler which means the wind chill is even colder to get us potable water!

Brrrr . . . Christian is off to run these tedious errands of hauling trash and filling up our water coolers in the bitter evening cold!

Pretty much the state of the road now.  I have not talked to anyone to see what they are hoping to find down there or what the next plan of attack will be with the water.

We are forever grateful to the village workers who are trying their best to solve the water issues.  They are working in really cold conditions with equipment that is cold metal, and not starting up easily.  Grateful to friends who are on wells, who open their homes to all of us and share their potable water.

@!#@@$#%^&**+*&^%$#@!##$%^&* RIBBING!

One of the bloggers I follow stated so eloquently:

I. Hate. Knitting. Ribbing. 

I am in the throws of a major:

"Ribbing could we just be done with you NOW!" 

Knitting project!  One of my goals is to drop a size or two so my sweaters don't have to be so large so the freaking ribbing doesn't have to go on for miles!

Cuff ribbing on a sleeve always seems rather exciting and fast.  I often use a sleeve for a swatch.  I feel this is a productive start to knitting a sweater.

Then comes the body stitches to be cast on 252 in sport weight.  I do place markers every 50 stitches so I am not counting and counting and counting stitches.  K1P1, seems to take forever and one slowly makes progress.  I do keep a coilless safety pin as a marker so I can force myself to say knit 2 rounds at least a night.  When all is said and done, I made ribbing progress! I am now chasing lice work around the body of my sweater.

This photo does not do justice to the rich colors in this yarn.  The sleeves are at the point where I need to make some design/motif decisions.

I am enjoying knitting the body as I get to think about the colorwork that lies ahead.  I have some ideas for the upper arms and upper body colorwork.  Soon I will be working on the fun colorwork section that awaits!

A photo that shows the richness of the yarn far better than the one above.

Good Morning 2018! The Year of The DOG!

Like every year we all think of challenges to tackle or the dreaded resolutions that often last a half a day or a few hours or maybe even weeks, months  . . . but at last a new year filled with new hopes and goals.  I like the words challenges and goals.  Do I have some new challenges----I do----will I share them----hmmmmm I think I will on second thought!

2018 

• spend more time outside with Christian and "The Girls"
• ski, hike, bike, paddle, walk, be as active as possible
• read, knit, use up my stash yarn, knit, read
• develop my drawing/sketching skills (this is a focus challenge)
• stay healthy, eat good food, stay away from processed foods
• a secret goal/wish will share if it happens
• be grateful 

Welcome, 2018 a new year, new challenges, and time to move forward to build on the good and positive in our world!

PS 2018 is The Year of The DOG!  

Thank You All For Stopping by in 2017! Happy & Healthy 2018 To All!

My Miss Sadie who I just love to ends of the earth! She is my buddy who can be by my side or on a village walkabout--ugh!  Sadie has made me a better person. 

Little Miss Tally who loves her guy so much!  She is a dear who is always ready "To Go!"

Skiing is what I love to do . . . nothing is better than gliding on snow on Nordic gear with my Ninja Turtle Dog, my husband and a bunch of ski team kids! 

My dear husband who is nothing but a treat to spend time with and loves to groom ski trails!

Christian with the girls working on ski trails.

Wishing all of you who stop by for a visit now and then a wonderful 2018!  Good health to you all and may you get to spend quality outdoor time with all those people and animals you hold near and dear to your hearts.

Our living room with worn out dogs and drying dog booties which are all the rage for 2018 interior home design!

Wool . . . Knitting Update!

Mittens! Who doesn't love a great pair of hand-knit mittens? I just knitted up a wonderful pair of mittens from this book: Norwegian Mittens and Gloves, by Annemor Sundbø.  I added my own twist to the thumbs as I love a hidden message.  I used Bartlett Sport weight yarn in a rich blue called "Corn Flower" and "Light Sheep Gray."  Bartlett yarns would be described by many as "rustic." I use the Spanish word "ganas" meaning balls however to me it means tough, workhorse yarn that once blocked blooms into a great "hand" a term us knitters of 100% wool get!  This is a yarn that will stand the test of time. It has a great price point for the quantity and quality of yarn you receive.  I have been knitting with this yarn in a variety of weights over the years and it is a favorite of mine.

Mitten #1 on needles and chart highlighted to keep me on track.

I did added two rounds after the ribbing for a bit more length.

Mitten #1 off needles and the fit is perfect.

Mitten #2 on needles with the dark nights/days as we head into the Solstice.

Mittens are done and looking forward to thumbs.

Palm sides and this is when I thought, "I don't really want to knit that palm pattern any more time for a secret personal tough message!"

Done!  Ends need to be woven in and mittens are off for a nice warm wool wash bath!

Approaching Winter Solstice

http://www.stemjobs.com/winter-solstice/

As our days grow darker and darker, I get more and more excited for December 21st to arrive!  I am a fan of weather, seasons and the rhythms of life.  Who knows why, it is just something I like and look forward to each year, each season . . . I swear I am a Druid at heart!  (Catholic conservative mother would just die!)

Out here we celebrate the Solstice with a bonfire, hot chocolate, hot cider and a ski with about 40-50 kids all with headlamps on! I will do a follow-up post with photos of this year's event.

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/55DrO

This photo I have used for the Winter Solstice before on the blog. I like the mittens, pine trees covered in snow, and the glow of sunshine to come!
(This illustration was originally created for The Atlantic Magazine’s Gallery section, published in the middle of the horrible winter of 2011.) http://yukoart.com/blog/happy-winter-solstice/

Happy & Merry Winter Solstice to all!

Weather!

I love weather and I am not sure if there is a name for people like me who really enjoy the weather!  We have a Davis Weather station at our place which works great.  If you want to follow our weather out here on the edge of Norton Sound, which is off the Bering Sea well click on this: KAKUNALA5. This is the current storm warning which I had a good laugh about:

Winter Storm Watch

Issued: 1:11 PM AKST Dec. 16, 2017 – National Weather Service

... Winter Storm Watch in effect from Monday morning through
Tuesday morning... 

* what... heavy snow and blowing snow possible. Travel will be very
  difficult to impossible. Tree branches could fall as well. Total
  snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible.

* Where... eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills.

* When... from Monday morning through Tuesday morning.

* Additional details... winds gusting as high as 50 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Precautionary/preparedness actions... 

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant
snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. 

_____________________________

The part I highlighted in red is what is making me laugh . . . what tree branches?  In the village we have a few trees but doubtful any branches would fall and cause any issues at all!  My other favorite weather tid bit is when they say winds will be breezy at 35 mph really is that breezy?  I guess it does depend on your point of reference.  We have yet to have below zero weather this winter but I am sure it will arrive before long! 

A Native Breed & In My Boots: Shepherding in the Lake District

Two wonderfully relaxing reads!

I stumbled upon a wonderful twitter feed this year by Andrea Meanwell AKA RuslandShepherdess@ruslandvalley.  My discovery of this shepherdess led me to her books.  Yes, I am a huge fan of James Herriot, farmers, and shepherds/shepherdesses. I enjoy reading about other peoples lives and how they interact with their surroundings.  I do not romanticise farming or being a shepherd as something that is quaint and cozy. I worked with horses growing up and on an apple orchard, I know what hard farm work is all about.  I have nothing but respect for the stewards of the land who truly care for their land and plan to pass it on to future generations.  Finding these two great reads was a huge treat for me!  Reading right up my alley: cozy & quaint, relaxing, a door into someone else's world nothing but a treat for me! 

Meanwell's first book A Native Breed was interesting as she got us, her readers, up to speed on how she ended up raising sheep.  A journey of sorts to how she landed on her land.  I could have read this book in one sitting but I rather savored it nightly as a pleasant read before falling to sleep.  A Native Breed is a treasure!  I  will reread this book anytime I want to walk the fells with Andrea.

Andrea's second book an equally great read, In My Boots A Year on a Lake District Farm takes us on a year-long journey. This book opened my eyes to the harsher realities of raising sheep. As Andrea tries to make a living from endless hours of hard work.  I just wanted to cry at some of the auction prices they received for their sheep.

I would highly recommend both of Andrea Meanwell's books.  I would suggest they go well with a nice cup of tea and knitting---100% real wool of course!

Andrea Meanwell's work can be purchased at the following onsite locations:

Hefted Andrea's Etsy shop

HayLoft Publishing In My Boots

Hayloft Publishing A Native Breed

Irigak: A book review

Purchase from Amazon

Irigak is an intriguing children's book about the mythical little people who live on the Alaskan tundra.  Amber Cunningham a local lady wrote this great fictional tale and recently self-published her work.

Review from Anchorage Daily News

I have always been interested in the tales of the Irigak from my early ski coaching days here in Unalakleet.  What are these creatures? Where do they live/hide?  Who sees them? When do people see the Irigaks?  What happens when you see them?  My skiers would fill me in on all kinds of rather gruesome details about the little people of the tundra.

My skin would crawl a bit about how Irigak's have spikes on their elbows to help them pull their bodies across the tundra as they chase you down, short legs, and big teeth. (It seems that different families would have their own variation of the gruesome Irigak.)  I can say when you are out skiing with the howling wind, the snow blasting pass you as you try to ski home in the fading light . . . you start to think of these little people believe me!

Are you yarning, Mrs. P?

I was sitting at my desk this morning before the "official class start." Kids come into the room to grab their bags to put their outdoor gear in as a protection against the joys of bedbugs. One of my little charges came up to me as I was knitting and watching Salomon TV (nordic skiing videos on my smartboard).  "Are you yarning Mrs. P?"  I stopped and laughed to myself and replied, "Well, yes I am yarning."

Last night while I was yarning, I realized I am no longer in love with a project (Carraig-Fhada Vest, AKA Ol'Blue).  I stopped knitting and sent a text to my dear yarning friend and told her I hate this @#$@$##%$%^ project and I think it is time to frog it.  She did suggest setting it aside.  Which I had already done.  Then she said well couldn't you just EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann) it and make it work . . . thinking a bit about this other than I would have to purl to do colorwork.  H m m m m . . . .

I basically have bailed on the present "yarning" project and decided to return to the roots of my "yarning" that would be the traditional Norwegian sweater or an Icelandic Lopi.  I just mailed off a Lopi that I just finished to one of "My Knit Girls."  I haven't had a Norwegian on my needles for some time!

This is the repaired and Wool Washed sweater from the previous post Proud Auntie. The sweater came out great and is back on a very Knit Worthy younfggal.

Felted slipper/sock, unspun Icelandic Wool: this was an experiment which came out pretty good.  I would make the cuff a bit taller next time and knit the next pair with a single strand of unspun.

Lopi on its new owner!  She is thrilled with it and I am thrilled as it fits!  I kept thinking it would be too small.  I knitted this as an EZ percentage system and of course, it fits perfectly.  I will have another photo of her outside with her new Lopi.

I have been ordering some yarn to experiment with for a few sweaters for ME!  This yarn is from Schoolhouse Press and is Briggs and Little.  I have knitted this yarn several times and as people say today it is rustic.  For me, it is real yarn that stands the test of time and only becomes better as it is used!

The morning I was asked if I am "YARNING!" Tea is always a must during the work day and a bit of yarn for the creative juices.

I called in the Norwegians to help me plan for my next sweater for me! I often design as I knit.  I love looking at different motifs as I create with yarn on my needles.

This is a long time favorite of mine and one of the most knitted Norwegian sweaters.  Designed by Stein Eriksen's mother.

Stein Eriksen in his famous sweater the Marius design. 

Stein Eriksen ski legend!

Yarn from Bartlett Yarns which is produced in Maine in a very old mill.  I love their simple yarns and their rich wooliness!

I struggle with colors and what I think will look great often doesn't work. I had picked some colors that just wash each other out.  In this swatch, there are several color combos that just didn't work.

In the end, I knitted a speed swatch which I learned from Knitting With Two Colors. This is a Norwegian motif I was just testing the color combo I will be knitting for my sweater.  A great source for color work is Mary Jane Mucklestone's books.

A speed swatch is done on circular needles and is just that a fast swatch.  I do know the next time I will make it larger but the goal for this one was to see the see the color combo I have picked together one more time before casting on!

Waving good-bye a frozen starfish on our beach.  In the fall we often have hundreds of starfish on the beach frozen in time.

Yes, I have been "YARNING" a lot lately! 

Osceola How Reversible Cable Hat By: Linette Grayum

Hats are just a great knitting project!  The knitter doesn't have to knit up a matching partner as in socks or mittens.  Cast on, knit away, cast off, soak and block and you are ready to go.  If you are just learning to knit hats are a great place to practice new techniques and skills.  A hat isn't a HUGE project like a sweater.  The knitter gets a finished project rather quickly and wa-laaa success!

I recently did a test knit for designer Linette Grayum who can be found on Ravelry. LinetteG, as she is known on Ravelry, has a nice collection of designs.  For you shawl knitters I would highly recommend stopping by her page to see her designs/patterns.  She also has several hat designs as well.

Osceola Reversible Cable Hat

I loved this hat right from the beginning.  I learned a new cast on technique that I will certainly be using again.  The cable work was a blast to knit, and easy to follow.  I did place markers for each cable panel.  I always do this or I just plain forget to stop and think about where I am when working either in colorwork or cables.   The pattern is well written with space to write notes.  I give LinetteG five stars for her Osceola Hat.

Harrisville Highland Yarn purchased at the Knit'N Needle.

I knitted a small but due to my tension it is a very small small. his hat was given to a wonderful little gal.

How cute is this hat!

Didn't I say this was a cute hat and look at my stellar model and owner!  She will be able to use this hat for some time.

Cable work in progress with markers for each panel.

Hat #2 that I knit with one size larger needles to get gauge. I am not sure which cable side I like more. 

Osceola Hat was knitted for this wonderful art teacher, glacier guide,ski coach, bike loving, skijorer, adventurer seeking friend!