Wednesday, February 29, 2012

How About a Little Giveaway?


The snow from Monday's storm is just about gone and we're expecting more a bit later today.   And then it's clear sailing for the next 10 days with warmer temps.  Now that makes me happy!


And since nice weather always lifts everyone's spirits (especially mine), why don't we have a little giveaway?  I have an extra copy of the current issue (February/March 2012) of Your Knitting Life magazine.  Our "High Tide Socks" are on page 40 and you might enjoy taking a peek at them.

Just leave a comment on this post and on Saturday, March 3rd, I'll randomly draw one lucky name to win the copy.  Please leave contact info to make it easy for me!  Good luck and I'll see you on Saturday.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Spring and Summer Events

Step sock yarn is one of my favorite yarns to work with.  And the colors are always so much fun.  When you have a small business like ours, it's nice to be able to buy what they call "color packs."  Instead of buying a bag of 10 - 12 skeins of the same color, you can purchase one that gives you 2 skeins in 5 or 6 different colors.  I love variety and this gives us a nice assortment to offer.

Last year we did a craft show that benefited the Bear Valley Springs Pony Club and did remarkably well.  So, I've decided to try it again with the help of my husband and son!  Fortunately, I have a pretty good inventory of socks and have plenty of time to make even more. (April 14th is the big day) 

Then all summer long will be our farmer's market and we may even do that each week.  That can be a bit exhausting, but my son Rick, is a great helper and he really enjoys doing such things.  Having special needs, Rick seems to need a daily outing adventure and activites to look forward to.  And the farmer's market does just that for him!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Veggie & Fruit Hammock for the RV


I've spent the last two afternoons knitting and writing up the pattern for our newest design - our "Veggie & Fruit Hammock for the RV."


It's so perfect for rv-ers as they take those hairpin curves!  Just think, no more squished or bruised fruits!  It's now in our Etsy and Ravelry stores and will make the perfect gift for your friends and family that have rv's.

Also, if you'd like a sneek peek at our wash cloths in the next issue of Your Knitting Life magazine, you can visit their website at http://www.yourknittinglife.com/ and just scroll down that first page to see them.

Thanks for letting me share about our latest news!  Have a great day out there.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

What To Do On A Snowy Day......


Snowy days are usually quite productive around here.  Yesterday we received between 2 and 3 inches (depending where you stand!) and it's so nice to just sit and crank out some socks while watching the snow fall.


Today the sun is shining brightly and I really need to run into town, but will have to wait until the ice melts a bit.  My Chevy truck can usually get down ok, but I have a terrible time trying to get home in it.  My hubby's Jeep has 4-wheel drive, but the "beast" just can't get the traction needed to get back up the icy roads.

Off Grid News:  all our generator problems turned out not to be the alternator but indeed the battery.  Go figure!  My husband took it back to the battery shop a second time and they put it on the charge only to have it fail again.  Yesterday they gave him a brand new one without even pro-rating it.

Have a great day and try to find some time just for yourself today! 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day and Our Winner Is..........................


The lucky name randomly drawn was Lynda from Ontario, Canada (Everyday Life!).  Congratulations Lynda!  I hope we've made your Valentine's Day a little more wonderful.  If you'll write me at tehachapisockcompany@gmail.com with your mailing address, I'll send this fun sock yarn to you.


We finally got a good dusting of snow overnight with some very cool temps.  Living off the grid is always an adventure, especially with laundry.  I do have a dryer, but use it only in emergencies.  Instead, I prefer to dry the clothes by our pellet stove.  My husband always laughs at his "stiff" jeans and t-shirts!


And as with almost every storm that comes our way, a glitch with our off grid system is sure to appear.  About 5:20 last night, our entire power system went down.  At first we thought it was the battery to the generator, but my husband now suspects it's the alternator.  When he got home at 6, he took the battery out of the Jeep and hooked the generator up to it.  That'll keep us going for a few days until he can get the new part delivered.  In the meantime, he'll have the old battery recharged.  Of course, that now leaves us down to one vehicle - guess I'll just have to stay home and knit!


In knitting news:  I've been busy cranking out socks on our antique sock machine for our Etsy shop.

 And cranking.


And cranking!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Tehachapi Local Art & A Little Giveaway


We have some amazing local artists and their beautiful murals can be seen on many of our downtown buildings.  I didn't get a real clear snapshot of this top mural, but the detail work is extraordinary.


The one above was placed on our little movie theatre.  

This mural depics what life was like for the Indians in their villages.  Remember, these murals are all hand painted.

All the buildings are within walking distance of each other and make for a wonderful walking tour downtown.


Ok, now for some knitting news:  My old swift broke and today's mail brought my new one from Knit Picks.  I'm quite pleased with it and what a timesaver it is.


In a matter of minutes, my hank of Yukon from Pagewood Farm became this!

And since this was so much fun, why don't we have a little giveaway to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Just leave a comment on this post and on Tuesday, Feb. 14th I'll randomly draw one lucky name to win this very skein of hand painted sock yarn.  Be sure to leave contact info to make it easy on me.

See you on Valentine's Day!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Yummy Recipe for You to Try.............


It's still orange season down in Bakersfield and yesterday we picked up two boxes from one of our favorite growers.  Their trees are over 100 years old and this year's crop was huge.  They are so sweet and fabulous.  They hand out with each box a scrumptious recipe for their version of an orange Julius.  I thought you might enjoy trying it out.

3 cups fresh orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup milk (or half and half)
10 - 15 ice cubes

Mix in blender for about a minute or so and enjoy!


Since we were down in the "big" city, we stopped at Lowe's and bought 9 more fruit trees.  Their bareroot were available and we bought several.  Our little orchard is now up to 20 trees - apple, plum, peach, nectarine, pear and cherry.  I find it so relaxing in the middle of summer to just walk throughout the rows and watch as the fruit grows and grows.


Our winter is extremely mild this year and most of our older trees are already beginning to bud out.

Just look at our peach tree!  The problem is that we can have snow storms right up to Memorial Day and that would be devastating to our trees.  Still tho, it's so nice to see spring-like temperatures and mild sunny days.

Knitting News:  I have new sock yarn due to arrive any day now and I can't wait to show you the socks that will be made from it.  I love to hear the rumble of the UPS truck barreling down our dirt road!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Population Has Grown By Two...............


As we drove by the Clydesdales the other day, we noticed two new little faces.  It will be such fun to watch them grow up over the next several months.

In knitting news, I've been replenishing our inventory for our Etsy shop and just completed these two pair for a wonderful customer in New Jersey.  The above socks are made from Knit Pick's "Felici" and the bottom pair from Mary Maxim's "Step It Up."  The customer had bought this yarn herself and sent it to me.  I always worry that it might not work well in our antique sock machine, but both yarns did wonderfully well.
I love the bright colors!