I was so happy that I could get this completed in time for their visit. I had planned on having this finished over two weeks ago; however, my father was taken to the hospital on 10/15/21, and so my knitting came to a standstill as I juggled work, being there for my mother, and still being the mom to my daughter. My father was moved out of the ICU at the end of last week, and things are slowly settling down. Because of that, I was able to focus on my nephew’s knitted amigurumi. Thankfully; I’d knitted the majority of the stuffed toy. The only thing left was to finish knitting the legs, which I did yesterday. I presented it to him when he and my brother dropped by the house this past Saturday. He told me that he loved it and is now trying to think of an appropriate name for him. 🙂
In the above picture, I stuck it next to my daughter’s knitted green amigurumi (she named it Izzy) for comparison. As you can see, her’s has received a lot of love over the years. I’m hoping for a slow weekend so that I can patch up Izzy.
Yesterday afternoon, I received my VacMaster 215. It arrived a little after 2:00. I was still working, and so I brought it inside and went back to work.
This vacuum sealer has been on my want list since 2017. I’d used them many times at a local Food Bank where I volunteer, so I know they are excellent.
VacMaster 215
The box that it arrived in was huge! Additionally, there was a box inside the box, and it was neatly packaged with thick styrofoam which ensured that the machine was protected.
VacMaster 215 – Unboxing
This machine weighs 83 pounds. I weigh 30 pounds more than the machine; however, although I’m petite, I could pick it up and place it on the island in our kitchen. Who knows, I might eventually purchase a heavy-duty cart for placement. It uses a 1/4 hp rotary oil pump. I added the oil once I’d set it up, and will keep an eye on it and change it when needed. Yesterday evening, after returning from the hospital where my father is, I used the machine. I used it non-stop for a little under an hour.
I must say that I’m enjoying my VacMaster 215, and I’m looking forward to using it extensively today. I’ve already used it on some of the produce from our garden. My one complaint would be that the little booklet that came with the machine did not give many details regarding the suggested settings for the VacMaster; however, I know I’ll be fine. There are a few YouTube videos about this particular brand. My favorite is by a lovely lady named Judy Leach, I stumbled upon her VacMaster videos shortly after she posted her first review, and it’s still my favorite video about this particular sealer.
I plan to set aside a few hours today, going through our deep freezer, and resealing anything that is not vacuum sealed. I’m actually looking forward to this. The machine came with vacuum-sealed bags, and I’d purchased more bags that arrived on Wednesday, and I have more scheduled to arrive later today. I definitely anticipated another round of shortages in the upcoming months, and I’m very happy if that does happen that I’m prepared. Since I’ve always done a lot of meal prep. My parents were and still are amazing role models when it comes to prepping, if there is a shortage, I’ll be prepared.
Several years ago, I knit this voodoo doll for my daughter. I’ve made her a lot of amigurumi’s over the years. What’s amigurumi? Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. She loved that knitted toy so much, that I eventually knit her another one. Nine years later, she still has them displayed on her bed.
Voodoo Doll – Knitted Amigurumi Doll
Two weekends ago, when my brother and nephew were visiting us, my nephew saw one of my daughter’s knitted voodoo amigurumi’s (I made two for her) and said that he liked them. I told him I would make him one. I hunted around for the appropriate yarn; however, I did not find that anything that was superwash wool, and so yesterday I logged onto Michael’s and ordered Paton’s sock yarn. I was happy to discover that they had a sale; buy one, get one free; because of that, I purchased eight skeins of yarn. Does ut take eight skeins to knit one voodoo doll? Of course, it doesn’t; however, the cooler months are always a fabulous time to knit socks, don’t you think?
I’m looking forward to an afternoon of hanging with my daughter while knitting the voodoo doll for my nephew. He’ll be here this coming weekend. I’m hoping to have it finished by that time.
In other news
I finished my first full week of simply working/without training. I must say it feels great. There’s still so much to learn; however, I’m surrounded by a fabulous boss, wonderful teammates, that it makes the career change transition much easier.
