Life's a Stitch

Lunch with 17 friends

Certainly not in the time of covid. But here's the story. Over Christmas in California we spent some time at Lake Cohuilla, one of my favourite spots. It's a county park and as we entered the gate we were told that a herd of bighorn sheep were on the hillside. I can't tell you how many times we've looked for those sheep and not seen anything. It's no wonder, as they blend so perfectly into their surroundings as nature intended.

We took our walk around the lake, taking in the scenery and wildlife.

An hour and a half later, returning to our picnic spot we spotted 17 sheep a short distance away.

As we had lunch, the surprisingly curious creatures had their own meal  just feet away from us. There was a sign in the park warning people not to approach the big horn sheep. Apparently that advice doesn't go both ways.

This one was wearing her jewelry, ear tags and neck tracker: 

We complain about the park’s $6 per person entry fee, but this was well worth the cost of admission.

Covid colour therapy

The third Covid blanket l’ve finished. Another opportunity to saturate my bland pandemic life in vibrant colour.

I have been working on this for years, mostly at Christmas. This December, 2/3’s the way through, I vowed to finish it. So, does it count as a blanket in the time of Covid?

 

Project: Desert Sunrise Blanket

Pattern: New Wave Throw by Lion brand 

Yarn: Jojoland Rhythm, 24.62 skeins, colourway M06, dyelot 010,

Crochet hook size: J 6mm

 

I crocheted 2.46 kilometres (1.53) miles of yarn for this project! I like the camel stitch border I substituted, looks like knitted stockinette on the front and seed stitch on the back. 

It's not a scam ham - a sequel to the 2019 Wilbo celebratory ham story

Christmas, 2019, back when we could gather with more than one household for the holidays. 23 from the Wilbo clan gathered together to celebrate. A Spanish serrano ham was ordered, complete with ham stand and knife. We dreamed of a glut of prosciutto style meat, to no avail. Here is the link to the caper of the disastrous deli meat.

Advance two long pandemic laden years. This Christmas there were four of us, in accordance with covid guidelines, triple vaccinated Mari and KC joined us to celebrate. Son, Bryant and partner Sammy had just returned to their home in Bali. On the 20th, there they appeared on facetime, requesting we open their gift early. I protested, preferring surprises under the tree for Christmas morning. He insisted we unveil their gift while they were present. 



What a surprise to find a 17lb serrano ham for the four of us. M had tried to dissuade him from buying it, reminding him that the previous time we had 23 people in attendance. His answer? "Not my problem." and it hasn't been. We've had salty dried meat goodness right off the bone and on pizza, sauteed with veggies, on grilled cheese sandwiches, chopped and scattered on broiled potatoes. Mari has kept a  ham diary and daily photos. Since the 20th, we've only had one hamless day. Who’d have thought a piece of meat could make our low key Christmas special. 

Although far from typical, here’s hoping your Christmastime and holidays were merry, calm and bright.