August 27

Women of a certain age are like sunflowers, we know how to turn our faces to the sun.

Greetings!

Well our two weeks of summer was nice while it lasted! Back out came the blankets for the bed, it feels like I just put them away! It's been cool, and was in the 40's this morning. Beautiful and clear and crisp, but a bit early. I've been enjoying handfuls of red and black raspberries that grow in our yard, such a good year for them! My squares of many colors continues to grow, still having a great time with it. I also worked a bit on the green cabled mittens. Cascade 220, pretty green... fun pattern. The boys (plus one girlfriend) were here for dinner the other night (some laundry came along with them) and I wanted to make a dessert. I contemplated a fruit cobbler, but decided to stay away from the flour and made instead a simple custard. It's so easy and simple and was a lovely end to the meal:

Old Fashioned Baked Custard

2 egg yolks
3 eggs
1/2 C sugar
pinch of salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Nutmeg
3 C very hot milk

Beat the egg yolks and eggs, add sugar and salt until just blended. Add the hot milk, stir... then add the vanilla. Pour through a strainer into a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with nutmeg, or cinnamon or both! Bake until done... 25-30 minutes.

I made up a simple sauce of fresh blueberries. I added maybe 1/4 cup of water to a quart of berries, added honey until it was sweet enough along with a 1T. of cornstarch with just enough water to liquify.

Love my new shawl pin! There's a jeweler in Burlington named Doug French who owns 'Fire & Metal' a lovely shop that has been there for years. When I was 18, I worked in a Levis store a few doors down from him. After a break up (> <) I decided to treat myself to a gold bracelet, handcrafted by Doug. It took my entire paycheck (back in the 70's) and I've worn it everyday since. After almost 25 years of marriage, my wedding band thinned, and was in need of repair... but Paul and I decided it would be nice to have a new band made, so of course I went to Doug, who did a beautiful job! Simple and elegant.... so when I thought of a shawl pin I wanted, I turned to Doug again... I explained what I was looking for, he drew it out and I picked it up last week... I'm thrilled! It's prettier than I had even hoped! It is lovely, and just what I wanted. If anyone is interested in having him make one for you, please email me, and I'll send along his contact information. It really does hold the shawls beautifully.

When I photograph the bags each week, I take the three pictures (I'm allowed) that I feel represent the bag the best. But I saw this weeks Manhattan Commuter Bag on a chair in the dining room with some yummy Rowan tweed in front of it, and I couldn't resist another shot. It's a candid shot.... if you will. ;)

Got to run!

Thanks for being here, take good care of yourselves and knit on good women!

Martha.