Episode 58: COVID-19 Sucks

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.

I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 58:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Summer Sanctuary is finished.  Ends woven, washed and blocked.

Charity Hat #2.  Child or small woman.

WIPs:
Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  Took the heel setup out and am just going to do an afterthought heel.
Blueberry Waffle socks for Brian.  Using Lollipop Yarn self-striping in Blue My Mind.  Love it, but wound in ball so can only knit one at a time.
Prayer Shawl #6 is on the hook.

Walk on the Moon started the third color.  Rows are getting looooong.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - Hue Loco Fall 2018 colors.  Still looking for Moss.  Kit for a Bronco's hat, saving for the DCS Pigskin Party.

Spinning Projects -

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects -  One quilt guild holding meetings, the other one not.  
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week. 
Face masks for the family.  Trying different patterns.

Beading more stitch markers.  Fall tree, fruit.

In the Garden:  perennials from High Country Gardens were hit and miss, still have areas to fill in.  Reminding people that it's xeriscape, NOT xeriscape.  Didn't pick hops this year, but they did do well.  Planted strawberries and some herbs, and didn't get to harvest all the basil before the 1st freeze.  Yes, we had snow in mid September. Fires in Colorado have left smoky skies for the last month so it's hard to work in the yard right now.  I've been watching some online courses through the CSU Extension Master Gardeners program and really enjoyed it.

In the Beeyard - n/a

Off Topic:  
Watching/Listening: Brian's been riding his new bike almost every week.  After 3 years, I finally replaced my battery and got my bike running.  Love the feeling of accomplishment (capable) of doing the work myself.  Depression is a sneaky bitch though, because I cried on my first ride and can't believe I've let this go for so long.  Have enjoyed watching football again and of course I'm doing Fantasy Football.  Josh Allen is making me points.  Go WYO! 

Thanks for watching!

Episode 57: Pinky and the Brain

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 57:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  

WIPs:
Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  Took the heel setup out and am just going to do an afterthought heel.

Summer Sanctuary is on the border band.  Might be shorter than I thought.

Walk on the Moon About ready to start the third color.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - Fabric for face masks

Spinning Projects -Braid from 100th Sheep in Violet Headed Hummingbird that I 3-plied.  About 398 yds.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week.  Borders on the red/green quilt.
Face masks for the family.  Using pattern from Frontline Masks.
Hand piecing EPP hexis. Long term project.

Beading more stitch markers, paw prints and badgers.

In the Garden:  Spring cleanup done.  First round of weeds pulled, but it's like Pinky and the Brain.  Ordered new perennials from High Country Gardens that should come this week.  Fill in with plants from Harding Nursery.  Harvested rhubarb twice already.

In the Beeyard - I think I caught a swarm???  Girls are building comb and making honey, but there is no brood, larvae, eggs, or queen sighting.  No clue.  They aren't robbing it out, it was empty.  Now there's honey.  So confused!

Off Topic:  Tired of this pandemic crap.
Watching/Listening: Itchy Boots about a woman riding an adventure bike around the world.  Soooooo, Brian bought a new bike!  It's a Honda Africa Twin DCT and it's pretty neat.  Off-road here we come!

Thanks for watching!

Episode 45: Back In The Saddle Again

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 45:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Lattice Socks out of Oh Loops in Pickett.  Have to find someone they fit.

Cecilliana "You're Healing My Heart" by Lisa Hannes.  LOVE IT.

Added heels in the blue Hedgehog yarn to A's wonder woman socks.

WIPs:
Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Working Flying Wing stitch for upper body while doing decreases.

Prayer shawl for church.

Turning Vanilla socks into patterned socks.  Got bored.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - sock yarn for some men's socks (maybe?)

Spinning Projects - n/a  

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle started new season, playing catchup already.
Hand quilting my pineapple block table runner.  Chalk isn't holding up well.

In the Garden: The yard work continues.  Hops were hit multiple times by hail so not really worth harvesting.  Weeds are the bane of my existence. Doing practical random acts of kindness by pulling my neighbors weeds.  They caught me.  No, I'm not the crazy neighbor lady.  Doing some planning for fall planting of perennials to fill in some of the gaps.  High Country Gardens is still online and shipping.

In the Beeyard - Both hives are alive, but I need to do some serious weed mitigation and throw on 2nd boxes.

Off Topic:  Summer KALs winding up, fall ones starting.  Football!!! Been tired a lot lately.  My LYS, Ewe and Me, changed locations and they have over twice the space now!
Watching/Listening:  SSK recaps from my fav podcasters.  Will 2019 be the year I go to Nashville in July?

Thanks for watching!

Episode 30: Total Eclipse of the Sun

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back!  Glad to be back myself!
It's been awhile so please forgive the umms, nose rubbing, and stumbles.
Hello new viewers!  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 30:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: Kiama cardigan out of my handspan.  From Norah Gaughn.  US size 9 needles.  Handspan with Malabrigo in Glazed Carrots to accent the edge.  LOVE it!
On the Spice Market by Melanie Berg, with yarn kit from DragonFaery Dyeworks. Need to block and take pictures.
Transverse cardigan by Ann Weaver out of Cascade Eco+.  Size 8 needles.  All seamed up.
Etched Rio Wrap by Sarah Smuland.  Made from Handmaiden Fine Yarn Cashmere and Silk in a beautiful blue/green.  Can't say anything more about this yarn.  I rubbed it on my face a lot.

WIPs:
Celestarium by Audrey Nickels.  Using a local yarn from Spruce Mountain called Twinkle in the Midnight Blue II color way.  It's a beautiful merino/nylon/stellina blend.  The super geek in me says I must use different colored beads for the different magnitudes of the stars.  OK.  Someone's already done all the research, anyway.  Thought particularly appropriate to start this weekend due to the solar eclipse happening today.

Prayer Shawl #2 for the prayer shawl ministry at my church.  It's just a very simple garter stitch shawl out of some old acrylic I had.

Stalking - Ley Lines shawl and Lemongrass pullover by Joji Locatelli.  The jojifallkal17 starts on September 1.  My knit group totally enabled me and I may have fallen down and purchased 4-5 of her patterns while they were 20% off.

Acquisitions - project bag from Frog Off Studio, locally made.  My new mug, and yarn for Celestarium.  Yarn and fiber from old LYS.

Spinning Projects -

cheviot from Into the Whirled in the ? color way.  Some merino/silk in a blended green color from Paradise Fibers.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - finished a quilt top with my mother when she visited

In the Garden: Nothing but rhubarb.  Pulled all the weeds.  Then pulled some more.

My perennials are doing well, those the rabbits haven't dug up or ate.  My anise hyssop has been attracting the hummingbirds and I love watching them in the yard.  Haven't done any additional watering this year and it looks like my xeriscaping is doing well.

In the Beeyard - 
nothing

Off Topic:  
Was having a really hard time there for awhile.  Thanks for sticking with me.  
Did some traveling this summer.  Went to Phoenix to see the nieces, and then went camping in Yellowstone with them all.  Amazing that I grew up and lived in Wyoming for my first 30 years, and had only been to Yellowstone once.  Had a great time.  Highly recommend getting out and visiting the state/national parks near you.
Watching:   
Got to meet Kristi from In a Sknit podcast.  So cool.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 21: Quick, Quick, Slow

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!  I'd like to welcome any new viewers we have. 
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 21:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: nada

WIPs: 
vanilla socks, using Zitron Trekking XXL

Celtic Myths shawl, doing the fingering weight pattern and turning out much better on the edging.

Stalking - nothing, trying to finish up WIPS

Acquisitions - quilting ruler, quilters have gadgets too!

Spinning Projects -

none

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Nicole's wedding quilt, some new blocks, past half done point.
1st Thursday mystery block, one of two block finished

In the Garden: landscaper finished and the sod looks great.  Still need more perennials.
Rhubarb is picked, hops are vining already.

In the Beeyard - And the bees are . . . one of the two hives has died out.  Low populations probably couldn't keep brood warm?  Saw queen in the second hive, but also several swarm/supercedure cells.  They haven't swarmed yet, but . . . I reversed the hive boxes (top to bottom) so we'll see if that helps.  Suffered a bit of heat exhaustion doing hive inspection, so it's a good thing Jason and Sarah were there.  Jason ended up hauling everything out that needed it.  Thanks Jason and Sarah!

Off Topic:  
Watching: Suburban Stitcher with Dianne Brown.  Want to play in the Around Your Neck KAL? 
May is flying by so fast, yet I feel like I'm getting nothing done.  The rhubarb needs pulled again, the weeds need pulled already, and the hop needs trellised.  Garden needs planted this weekend.  Where does the time go?
We celebrated the Kentucky Derby with friends and family, and lots of mint juleps.
Been sleeping A LOT.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 9: Hops for Everyone!

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!
Here are the show notes for Episode 9:  

In the Mug: n/a

On The Road: planning a September ride with the gang

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - starting at 
FO's: none

WIPs: 
Atlantic Current Socks, working up the leg, increased.
Vanilla socks in Zitron Trekking XXL color way 156
Tivoli Eileen Tee by Coralie Meslin of Tahki Stacy Charles, had to do math based on my gauge swatch.  Using Tahki yarns Sedona, 90/10 wool/silk, in the Kiwi color way.

I have caked up all the yarn in prep for cast-ons for the DCS Pigskin Party 2015!

Spinning Projects -
WIP: some unknown white fiber, lots of neps but VERY bouncy

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - starting at 
Currently sewing my kaleidoscope quilt borders, set on point with sashing is done

Gone to the Dogs: n/a

In the Garden: starting at 
Harvested my Centennial hops! Dried and bagged.

In the Beeyard - starting at 
How I got into beekeeping.

Off Topic:  My yarn acquisitions.  Yarn along the Rockies 2015.  
Thanks to everyone who introduced themselves in the Ravelry group!

Thanks for watching!

Episode 5: The Queens are Laying

Here are the show notes for Episode 5:  The Queens are Laying

In the Mug: Duncan Donuts coffee with LOTS of creamer, just like my Dad!

On The Road:
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb was this weekend.  Cool to watch the Victory stunt team, but unfortunately the Victory Project 156 bike was a DNF due to crash damage.

Victory Project 156 Racing

On the Needles:
Knitting Projects - starting at 7:40
WIPs: The Crossover Top by Patons, using Universal Yarn Inc. Cotton Supreme Splash in Calm Waters'; I've attached the shoulder seams using mattress stitch (my first time!)
Atlantic Current Socks, I'm ready to turn the heel
Started a new pair of toe-up socks in Zitron Trekking XXL color way 156

Spinning Projects -
FO: Spanish Sunrise singles, dyed by me, BFL (Blue Faced Leicester) 

From this hand-dyed braid of fiber . . .

To this beautiful hand-spun single yarn

WIP: still spinning singles from my Loop bump




Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - starting at 13:30
Waves of Glory quilt top is all pieced, just need to top stitch the curves down

Gone to the Dogs: n/a

In the Garden: starting at 15:15
What's blooming - penstemon, penstemon, penstemon.  And catmint.

In the Beeyard - starting at 18:45

Queen Fiona's hive is doing good.  She's not only alive, but I saw her!  There were eggs and larva.
S&J hive is also good.  Didn't see the queen, but I did see larva, which means the queen didn't get hurt during the move.

REALLY need to cut the weeds down again!

Two hive cutouts that didn't work out. In one, the bees had left, in the next I think they hired an exterminator.  I'm doing another cutout today though, hopefully with a new beekeeping friend.
Beeyard visit with the local group.  Walked through hive inspections, powdered sugar roll for mite check, and created a nucleus hive.

Off Topic:
Been a busy, tiring week.  Sleeping a lot.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 3: Not Much Knitting

Here are the show notes for Episode 3:

In the Mug: Tea, because it's been another rainy week.  Earl Grey with some of my own honey.

On the Needles:
Knitting Projects - starting at 1:50
FO - Drift by TinCanKnits, in Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine in color way 13 (teal).  LOVE the yarn.
The Crossover Top by Patons, using Universal Yarn Inc. Cotton Supreme Splash in Calm Waters

Spinning Projects -
currently still spinning singles from my Loop bump, but check out my cool 3D printed bobbin, free plan from Thingiverse

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - starting at 9:20
workshop on Waves of Glory by Annette Ornelas, Southwind Designs
another UFO, double wedding ring table runner by Carolyn McCormick

In the Garden: starting at 15:50
Trellising my Centennial hops along top of fence now, and Jackmanjii clematis is blooming.
Also blooming - Nepeta Walker Low catmint 

In the Beeyard - starting at 18:00

new Queen Fiona?  why swarming is bad for beekeepers, but good for nature
small (5 11/16"), medium (6 5/8"), deep (9 5/8") supers 
Thanks for watching!

Getting a Late Start

Usually the normal planting time around here is around Mother's Day.  I got a little bit of a late start, and only part of it is my fault!  We had some late snows this year, well into May, then we got busy, then Memorial Day weekend happened, and, well, life happens.  So my garden didn't get planted until May 28th.  At least it wasn't June!

I have some concerns since I'm using seeds from last year, but I've been storing them in a cool, dry place, so they should still be good.  I created a spreadsheet showing the date planted, germination time, and time to harvest as a planning aid (I AM an engineer), and as the germination dates passed I began to freak. 

I don't know if it's because the temperature climbed so high, up into the 90's already, or if it's just my brown thumb.The zucchini, which should have been the last to sprout, was up early.  I haven't seen hide nor hair of any carrots or beets.  I've got some corn, some beans, and some peas.  The cucumbers, lettuce, and canteloupe are going gangbusters.  Wahoo, pickles! 

I've been watering every day, after I get home from work.  I change my shoes, open a beer, and pick up the hose.  I'm not sure why beer and gardening go so well together, but they do.  Normally, Shiner Bock is my gardening beer, but last week when it was in the 90's I chose to switch to my lawn-mowing beer, Karma, from Avery Brewing Co.  What is lawn-mowing beer, you ask?  Lawn-mowing beer is light and refreshing, best served cold, and allows you to drink it down while still keeping the lines on the lawn straight.  For the young or un-initiated, that might be Miller Light or PBR.  For those of us in Colorado, we reach for a nice microbrewed pilsner or Belgian pale ale.  Karma fits the bill for me.

While the garden is hit and miss so far, the lawn is definitely expired.  There's no coming back from dead, and there's no resodding while we're on water restrictions (again).  I've wanted to replace the front lawn with a perennial garden anyway, and figured now's my chance!  So for a carefully compromised budget, I was able to purchase about 50 plants at Harding Nursery, which specializes in perennials that can survive in Colorado.



Some of the 37 trash bags that were filled.

We cleaned up the yard first, one weekend in May, getting rid of 'most' of the weeds.  We're still putting bags out with the trash each week because we had so many! 

I knew I'd regret it if we didn't ammend the soil at all, since the builder laid the sod on about 1/4" topsoil, with nothing but sand beneath.  While I tried to choose plants which would do well in low-fertility, sandy soil, there were a few exceptions.  (Don't judge.  You walk past something beautiful in full bloom without picking it up and then you can tell me how to xeriscape.  Hummphh.) 

We didn't have time to plant immediately, so the plants sat on the front porch for a week.  I had my fingers crossed the whole time that someone wouldn't steal them.  Mr. HPL (High Plains Life.  I have to call him something.) helped with the tilling and the digging holes thing (you know, the hard labor), while I researched and planned the design, picked the plants, and made the final decision as to where everything would go. 

I tried to stick to a bright color palette, that would stand out against all the rocks and grey "bleh" that is our neighborhood.  I wanted reds and oranges, blues and purples, not the whites and pastels that I thought would just blend in and disappear.  I tried to get plants that bloomed at various times, so that I would have flowers from early spring, through summer, to fall.  Some of them will bloom all season, and those I think of as my workhorses. 

Taking a break after all that hard work

I also wanted plants that were bee friendly (who, me?), and would attract other pollinators, while repelling rabbits (I am seriously going on a bunny hunt.  Not kidding here.).  

The plan on paper . . .



When possible, I went with plants native to Colorado or the mountain west.  The area in

the front yard I was planting did have a sprinkler system, but I wanted to reduce my water consumption, and I already told you how sandy the sand, I mean soil, is, so I chose plants that could handle moderate to xeric conditions.  It was a lot of work, and I put a lot of thought into it.  I also admit to cobbling together ideas from some of the pre-planned gardens offered through High Country Gardens.  They are a wonderful resource.



The reality.





What do you think?  We could definitely use a few more plants to fill the space in quicker, but there's that pernicious thing called a budget.  The ground covers will fill out and spread a bit more, some of the flowers will reseed and spread, and all of them will just get bigger.  That's the whole deal about growing things.  They grow. 

I really like how everything turned out, and am pretty impressed with my landscape design skills, if I do say so myself.  Now, to keep it all alive.  Today the front yard, tomorrow, the world.