Goat or sheep

 It was after the snow had melted. We really couldn't believe it when "Kojiro, my brown male goat died. 　The veterinarians suspected kidney stones first, but the diagnosis was that he had apparently accidentally eaten poisonous plants. His legs were stiff. 

Oh Dear friend, I was terribly confused, because there was no grass growing in the garden.

I cried and grieved for a while, He had a very thoughtful and gentle goat. 

He was six years old

my goats snuggling me tightly often.

Japanese farmers have traditionally kept several goats, which served as emergency food ( Eating goat is rare these days ). Their milk could be used as a substitute for breast milk ( in the past ), goats are resistant to mosquitoes, and they eat Japan's tough grass well. Can be kept in the garden.

Natsuko (Summer Girl) is 9 years old

While we were still grieving his absence, a strange twist of fate occurred, We rescued a sheep and took in.

　That sheep was alone, malnourished, were in a garden full of stones, and terribly dirty. Its age is unknown, female. They had abandoned their care.  I was truly furious afterward. She had been treated terribly.

I always think that sometimes cruel people live as if they were good people. They talk normally. You need to be careful too.

Name her Mary

It's been two months since she arrived. She's gained weight. Her doctor is doing everything they can. As a member of the family, I want her to live peacefully .

Sheep are difficult to raise because they only eat soft grass and they need a certain amount of pastureland because they eat a vast amount of grass.

Anyways,  I've been spending more time gardening. Sometimes, as I sow hay seeds, I think that what I'm doing isn't gardening, but rather cultivating the soil and creating a high-quality Sweater !!

Tea for eye health

 Back when Japan was still in a period of civil war, People made tea from this tree and used it to heal eye injuries. (wash the eyes with cooled tea )　According to legend, it improves your eyesight, allowing you to see up to 400 km away.　This story takes place over 600 years ago.

I suffered from "dry eyes", so I drink it once every three days. It's more effective than the medication prescribed by doctors, but you need to continue drinking that tea.

For eye injuries,　It worked well when my dog ​​injured his eye. I used it by dropping it in like eye drops (Of course, the doctor prescribed three types of eye drops for a week, but it didn't heal well. The tea helped it heal faster.)

The tea is made from dried and crushed branches and leaves, and you boil 10g of them in about 1,5 liter of water for about 10 minutes.　The taste is extremely bitter.

I have planted one tree in my garden, but it doesn't grow big right away. Then, I buy the tea leaf. 

The leaves are characterized by being made up of three leaflets joined together, and they turn salmon pink in the autumn. 

The name of the tree is　"Megusuri no ki ", English name is Nikko maple ? (Acer maximowiczianum)

It is also effective for severe burns inside the mouth. However, for pain caused by a virus, this herb Strawberry Geranium is recommended.

If blindness is a concern, you should see an ophthalmologist immediately, but for preventative measures of Glaucoma and cataracts, I recommend learning and pressing acupressure points as well as this tea.

Second Ribbed Cardigan

 Hello, The cardigan I knitted in January and wore in February was so comfortable that I wore it almost every day. So, I knitted a second one.

 I used rustic, undyed camel yarn. I'm sure I'll wear this one every day too.

 I like to use a circular needle for the sleeves. 

And the pocket , using scrap yarn and then set aside. After knitted front body, 20 stitches are pick up and knit.

ribbed-cardigan.

↑　From Vintage Pattern . Have you already knitted one ?

Progress of interior work

 When I gazed blankly at the miniature house, I feel that there is a world there that brings me peace, just as I did when I was a child.

 There is a world without war, without tax payments, there is wonderful  greenery and flowers, gentle breeze. It seems to be a peaceful world that is simply beautiful.

 I'll post a few photos, but none of the rooms are finished yet. I still need to tile around the gas stove in the kitchen, and I'm planning to tile the bathroom floor as well.

This house has one guest room, has a balcony. Your heart can come and stay here whenever you like. ( The ceiling isn't finished yet, and we're still figuring out the lighting.

I'm in the process of making the walls between the attic and the roof.

Wish on a flower

 I am saddened by how powerless I feel and how I cannot offer any help during the war. Whether I'm sowing flower seeds in the garden, planting potatoes, or browsing in a bookstore, even I am knitting, I feel sorry. Sadness follows me like a shadow. Please, God, protect my friend.

 I designed this motif with inspiration by apricot blossoms . (The name is "Apricot but some types that do not bear fruit.) The flower blooms at the end of winter, it sometimes mixes with snow has beautiful and The flower has a wonderful fragrance.  We feel, spring will come.

Just as a small flower blooms from the bare snow, may you find small joys in your sorrow. 

 This motif is a little difficult.. It's a rare pentagon ( because the flower have 5 petals ) then you will need your art sense when connect them.  

Wishing Flower Motif

Designed and Chart making by Riuko Yamasaki

Writ out pattern and checking by Mona Bahmani

Start with a magic ring:

Rnd1: ch3, dc14, join with a sl st.

Rnd2: ch1, *ch6, skip 2 sts, sc1* 4 times, ch6, skip 2 sts, slip st in the ch1 of the beginning of the rnd.

Rnd3: ch1, *[1sc, 1hdc, 2dc, 1hdc, 1sc in the 6 ch space], sc1 in the sc between 2 ch6 groups of the pervious rnd* 4 times, [1sc, 1hdc, 2dc, 1hdc, 1sc in the 6 ch space], sl st in the ch1 of the beginning of the Rnd3.

Rnd4: ch3, 2 incomplete hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook, yo and pull through all the loops on the hook, ch1 to secure, ch1, *[between 2 dc of the previous rnd work: pop 1, ch1, pop 1, ch1, pop1, ch1], pop1 in sc1 of the previous rnd, ch1* repeat **4 times, between 2 dc of the previous rnd work: pop 1, ch1, pop 1, ch1, pop1, ch1, sl in the securing ch1 of the first pop stitch of rnd 4.

Weave all ends and enjoy !

>> One point,

When I was checking, both my friend and my sis made the same mistake at the same point. It works fine as long as you don't get the very first stitch wrong.

PS: I designed it around 2016. It was 10 years ago, but I'd like to thank Jackie Hodson of Intambo yarn shop for her kindness.( She recommended that I make patterns.)

Go through the stairs

 Hello Dear , I hope you're well.

 I'm still obsessed with making miniature house. The third floor was completed.

I checked often , If there's enough space to actually climb stairs or walk through hallways..  It is a little too tight for him, but he was okay.

None of the rooms are fully finished yet, but we plan to build the attic this month.

These two look happy that it makes me chuckle.