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Crazy as a Loom

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Back to work.


Well, that thing I said about not having an order........well, that is no longer true.
I am torn.......love to have the income, of course, have to pay the bills. But I was kind of enjoying the idea of having some time to myself.
It was a bit prophetic.....I started putting a multicolored warp on the big Toika, and the phone rang, and I suddenly had an order for a 7' x 10' Solmate Sock rug. Whew!
So yesterday I spent all day winding the warp on the sectional beam.
Today, I spent most of the day tying the new warp onto the old warp.
It really makes a lot more sense than it appears to.
It works well. Honest.
Of course, it helps to have an assistant.
Even if she is laying down on the job most of the time.
The loom is ready. Tomorrow, Tammy and I will start weaving BIG Solmate Sock rugs.
The 7'x10' for the order, and some 4'x6' rugs for the shop.
This is the strangest thing. It is just down the road from my house. This tree is DEAD. But apparently, a seed found its way into the rotting wood. And 30 feet in the air, this little sunflower is thriving.
Pretty unbelievable.

For dinner tonight, I felt creative, which is tough in my house.......neither my husband or my mother would touch this dish with a ten foot pole.
I started with some zucchini and yellow squash, with some chopped red onion, 3 cloves of garlic, and I sauteed them in some olive oil. Some salt, some pepper, some basil. After a few minutes, I added a can of Roma tomatoes, with the liquid. I had chopped the tomatoes in a plastic bowl first. I cooked this over quite high heat til most of the liquid was gone. Then I added a can of black beans (drained first).
It was not only colorful, it was delish! I made some yellow rice, and put this concoction over the rice. Sprinkled a little feta cheese on top.
Husband made a face.
Mother raised her eyebrows.
That's OK, more for me.

Kate, over at Chronicles of a Country Girl, has touched me with her heartfelt blog. She has inspired me to be honest and authentic in what I write. Like her, I am human. I have some great qualities, I have some not so great ones. My life is not perfect. I struggle sometimes. I believe I have a calling to live the life I am living. I enjoy telling you all about my experience in this world, I love sharing with you my passion for family, for weaving, for gardening, for life. I have "met" some special people out there in the blogosphere. Posting on my blog, reading other blogs, is like connecting with new and old friends.

Kate was lusting after a Solmate Sock rug, and her friend,George,approves.
Can you blame him?
I think he and the rug are both stunning.
But that's me.


12 comments:

Country Girl said...

I have GOT to get you a better picture of George. I love the warmth of the one you have on your header with the cat. I need to work on this.
Thanks for the shout out. And that little flower in the dead tree is awesome!!

Candy Duell said...

Your dinner looks delicious! I would of eaten half of it for you at least.
How long is it going to take you to weave that rug? I know you have sent some pretty far away, is this one local?

Have fun!

Hilary said...

Thanks Kate.......I know you will come up with something special. But I do think that one is beautiful. Miss Puss on the header, well, that was pure LUCK.
Candy......it WAS delicious.........
It took me two days to prepare the loom, and it will take two days of two people weaving to get it done.
Makes me tired just thinking on it.

Hilary said...

Great post. I had no idea there would be so much involved to prepare the loom before your actual weaving begins. It's truly a time consuming endeavor and labour of love. That stray sunflower is just incredible and your dinner looks delicious. I'd be digging in alongside you, but I'd probably get those same looks from my people. And George.. he's always a sight for sore eyes. Lovely surprise to see him way over here. :)

Life Looms Large said...

I love the picture of the dog on the rug! What a great combo! (Not to slight your cats in any way....I'm just such a dog person!)

The sunflower in the tree is quite a sight! Thanks for the photo!

The dinner looks great! I make something like that on purpose and my husband likes it. I do smother his plate with cheddar cheese.....maybe it's all about the cheese!

Good luck with weaving the giant rug. It will be spectacular!

Sue

Delighted Hands said...

The rug is a wonderful order-such a delight to weave! (I have a very helpful feline warper, too!) The food looked very similar-color satuated, too; I would have done it justice with you!

Hart said...

Just a few days ago, while visiting with relatives, we were watching a woodpecker go to the bird feeder, get sunflower seeds and then hide them in cracks of a dead tree. We were joking that it would be funny if they would grow at the top of the tree. How surprised I was to find your sunflower photo today doing that very thing! Maybe a woodpecker planted yours too!

Your weaving is BEAUTIFUL!

Hilary said...

Wow, I never even thought of that.....how cool! That is probably exactly what happened!!
Thanks for your visit.Glad you like my weaving.

Gail said...

Your talent is amazing! I could never figure out a loom. I love the one the dog is laying on.

Be careful what you ask for, Mamma always said, and I believe you were bemoaning the lack of orders the other day.

Nancy said...

Wow, so many things on this post - first of all writing with an authentic voice is so important. I have been thinking about writing about that topic. Will have to check out Country Girl.

Also that flower in the tree is so incredible! I love it.

And I love, love, love those rugs! I bought a rag rug of an unusual color after our remodel but I like yours much better!

Hilary said...

Thank you all for all your kind and generous comments. I appreciate each and every one.

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet gift you gave to Kate and to George. Your generous heart says a great deal about you.

Hugs and may you have a wonderful day today and always.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

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