The past few weeks I’ve been reacquainting myself with Windows 7 operating system.
The version we have is the Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 bit operating system. We’ve had this desktop computer for about a year… but it’s not my go to computer. That would be my 17″ MacBook Pro.
So much has changed since I received my MCSE, A+, and N+ certifications several years ago. I won a free N+ book — I figured I might as well study and take the cert. All the certifications, I did for personal enrichment.
Anyway what caused the increased attention with this desktop computer is the sudden change in the computers internet and download speeds (down to about 26kbps), it’s moving at a snails pace. Yeah… definitely not fun for someone who’s used to screaming fast speeds. At least I’m not alone, from my online research it seems that some other Windows 7 users have experienced a sudden drop in their speeds also. I tried a lot of the suggestions but they didn’t work. I even tried reinstalling… nope that didn’t work either. Connecting the modem directly to the computer saw a jump in speeds, so I do think it might be the router.
The upside of this is I’ve ordered a few Windows 7 books… who knows I might update my Windows certifications. 😉
Over the past few weeks, I’ve easily canned over 100 jars of preserves, all from produce growing in our garden.
You should see the storage area in our basement. It’s lined with rows of canned preserves. Jellies, jams, and butters are in the spotlight soon to be joining them will be a variety of pickles; cucumbers, beans, and peppers. Of course I’ll be canning numerous vegetables too. Vegetables are typically low acid foods. Those that aren’t pickled will need another method for canning than the hot water bath method. It’s time to pull out the pressure cooker. But let’s not get hasty…
Today I canned some more fruit and herb preserves using the hot water bath method for canning. I made some more grape jelly and there was also mint jelly too.
What I enjoy about fruit preserves is that they can be added to more things than your traditional fare; toast, biscuits, turnovers, tarts, etc., Preserves can also be added to other dishes too such as vegetable dishes, toppings for risotto, a whole host of rice and bean dishes, and of course… they also make a lovely glaze for a variety of meat dishes — if you aren’t vegetarian (or in my case vegan).
The beauty of making your own preserves, is you can get creative and make your own recipes. I like the fact that our preserves aren’t loaded with a lot of unnecessary junk that our bodies really don’t need, and since they aren’t overly sweet they taste more like the fruit in its natural state.
The past few weeks have been extremely busy completing clients projects, fall gardening, canning, back to school, soccer practice, and numerous other activities that had to be accomplished. But I’ve still managed to weave my fiber arts into my busy schedule.
The featured dress below, was made last evening while my daughter and I were watching Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. It was created for one of my daughter’s Monster High Dolls. Meowlody. Meowlody is one of my daughter’s newest Monster High dolls. Meowlody is sold along with her Werecat twin sister Purrsephone, as a package deal. Since these dolls are new, I haven’t had a chance to make them too many things besides some cable knitted shawls.
Meowlody, my daughter’s Monster High doll, is looking stylish in this This knitted and crocheted ruffle dress.
The above dress has a knitted body, and I added a crocheted ruffle trim to the top and bottom part of the dress. Years ago, I designed and sewed a dress similar to this. It was featured in a local fashion show. Meowlody’s twin won’t be left out of the fiber creations, since I’ll be making something for Purrsephone later today. Since I didn’t have an appropriate lightweight yarn, this dress was done with worsted weight yarn, and I used my size 4 Knit Picks circular needles.
In the future I will knit outfits with a lighter yarn, and nothing above a size 0 knitting needle. I was planning on going to a local yarn store, after church today, but I’ve opted to stay home. Later this week I’ll purchase an appropriate lighter weight yarn for her Monster High dolls. I most likely will purchase the items online. The one drawback of purchasing yarn online is you can’t touch the yarn, because of this, I always rely on others reviews before purchasing.
When I first heard about The Lost Boy Project, I thought it had something to do with the movie, The Lost Boys, starring Cory Feldman and Cory Haim. Ok don’t laugh…
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the project focuses on the First World War, and explores the numerous young lives that were lost during that period. World War 1 was supposed to be the war to end all wars, wishful thinking…
I liked that The Lost Boys Project includes knitting to tell the history of those who fought in this particular war.
From the site… Artists Michèle Karch-Ackerman and Barbara Pratt standing in front of Karch-Ackerman’s The Lost Boys, May 13, 2012. Photograph by Janine Frenken.
Michèle Karch-Ackerman’s Lost Boys is part of a nationally-touring installation ongoing since 2003. It explores the loss of young lives during the First World War and in particular, the Newfoundland regiment who fought in the battle of Beaumont Hamel. It weaves together the story of James Barrie’s Peter Pan with the stories of so many lives lost in the First World War, and expresses loss, remembrance and consolation.
Knit your own Lost Boys Project (WW1) Sweater
If you’re feeling crafting, you can knit your own Lost Boy Sweater. This Lost Boys Project is in Canada, but if it ever makes its way to our area, here in the USA, I’d attend. In Canada, over 68,000 people were killed during WW1.
I must say that this project has me thinking about the Civil War, especially about underage boys that fought during the war. As a child, I’d read accounts of young boys that lied about their age, so they would be able to fight. You also had women who lied about their gender to fight during the Civil War. They disguised themselves as men. I didn’t read about it in history books. I found that out on my own. Back in the 1970s (and 1980s) I had to do most of my research at the library.
In 1861, Sarah enlisted as a private in the Second Michigan Infantry. She used the name Franklin Thompson. Sarah deserted on April 19, 1863. She had malaria, and feared that hospitalization would reveal her gender.
Both the Union and Confederate armies forbade the enlistment of women. Women soldiers of the Civil War therefore assumed masculine names, disguised themselves as men, and hid the fact they were female. Because they passed as men, it is impossible to know with any certainty how many women soldiers served in the Civil War. Estimates place as many as 250 women in the ranks of the Confederate army.
I really love history, and have always been fascinated with the Civil War, and so I’m especially thankful for resources such as Mikes site, Daily Observations of the Civil War, that focuses on the Civil War.
I wish I knew where the OP received it, so I could link to the proper place…
Sheeple, they are amongst us! Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Flee, flee for your lives! Denethor makes that comment in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. What a punk, right? I must tell you, that comment never gets old — at least not for me.
I have so much to write about but recently my time spent online (outside of my client work) has been non-existent.
Let’s see, since it’s my daughter’s bedtime I’ll keep it short…
I’ve wrapped up a few small knitting projects for instant craftification! ok… so that’s probably not a word, but it’s appropriate… isn’t it?
Taking a page from Curls & Q, I finally got my rear in gear and made a ‘project Binder’ for my fiber arts. I have the binder (and it looks plain and ugly) so I’ll be Opalifying it real soon! Yep another made up word — I’m on a roll!
One of my near instant craftification projects was a knitted dishcloth, my daughter has attempted to claim that as an ‘afghan’ for her Monster High dolls. But this dishcloth is part of a spa/kitchen set that I’m making for one of her school teachers. Homemade soap (complete with organic dish liquid, shower gels, and body butters) will be made, for the teacher and others, within the next few weeks. I love this lacy dishcloth, and will post a photo of it soon.
My board meeting went fine, and my written report for that meeting was great!
Oh… my daughter has decided to go vegetarian for two weeks. I’ve been vegan since the early 1990s (still am) and she was vegan up until a few years ago… so it’s not a big transition to make her meals vegetarian or vegan.
Oh, I’ve taken tons of photos over the past week, I just need to find time to post them. 🙂
Edited to add…
Many thanks to Mike of Exit 78 for letting me know the origin of the above comic.
You’re so busy that it can be hard making time for yourself. The past few weeks have been like that for me, but somehow I still managed to squeeze a few minutes to work on some craft. That usually occurred a few minutes before my bedtime. And even though I haven’t had too much time for crafting during those few moments I’m able to get the creative juices flowing, and set aside time for myself.
Here’s the left side panel of my Lacy Fern Afghan.
Recently my creative time has been focused on knitting this Lacy Fern Afghan. I’m almost completed the left side panel. I still have the center panel, and the right side panel to complete. Because of my schedule, some days I only manage to do one repeat, or even a few small rows… but I cannot complain, I’m able to do many things I enjoy — even if (sometimes) it’s only in small doses. The left side panel of this afghan works like this; one repeat = 12 rows; each row has 36 stitches. That adds up to a lot of stitches.There are 17 repeats that make up the left side panel. I’m just starting repeat 14.
This is another shot of the left side panel. I really love the simple lacy design of the Lacy Fern Afghan. Although it’s a large project, it knits up quickly.
This afghan measures 45″ (114.3 cm) so I’m almost completed the left side panel of my Lacy Fern Afghan. If I’m not thrilled with the length at 17 repeats, I’ll go up to 20 repeats.
Since my skin is sensitive to most animal fibers I’m making this afghan with cotton yarn. The yarn is incredibly soft, and I’m looking forward to snuggling in this afghan during the cooler months.
The Lacy Fern Afghan can be downloaded for free. Depending on where you look, you might see it called another name; Hawaiian Lacy Fern Throw. The only error seems to be with the center panel, so be sure to check out the errata page for the Lacy Fern Afghan aka Hawaiian Lacy Fern Throw.
She was a bit nervous, as were many on her team. Her team didn’t win, but they didn’t give up either. I told her that’s all that matters. I went on to say that after a while of playing together, her team will improve, and they won’t be as nervous.
The team they played against plays throughout the year, and it showed with how they played. Our girls are only together for the soccer season but as they practice together they’ll improve. I see this happen every soccer season, first games they’re getting into the groove. Last year they did extremely well, and went all the way to the championship matches.
Yesterday, I was planning on bringing some knitting to the game, but decided to wait. However, I’ll have my knitting with me next Saturday, after all I don’t need to look at simple knitting patterns to knit.
I love sports. I don’t like sitting on the sidelines, so you won’t see me watching it on television or attending a sports event — unless it’s my daughter playing. I played sports throughout school. I would say I was an aggressive player, and extremely competitive. I was also a team player. My daughter is a lot more laid back than myself, and I’m fine with that. I let her go at her own speed. She’s asked me to help her… and I will. A few years ago, we enclosed an area in fence, and it’s her ‘soccer field‘. I’m looking forward to attending her soccer games, cheering and knitting, and occasionally nudging her along, when I think she needs inspiration.
The past few weeks I’ve been reacquainting myself with Windows 7 operating system.
