Recent Photos

 Hello, How are you ? How is your winter holiday ? I hope this year bring all your wishes to come true.

 I'm doing well. I go to the city bookstore once every three months, but mostly I work in the garden of my country house and take care of my pets, make jam with garden fruits , read a few books, cook new dishes, nothing special happening, but I feel happy to be healthy.

These are the books I got this month. The book for sock project is for my friend. This cookbook doesn't have any pictures but it is still a good book and I have used some of the recipes. Other, I bought some mystery novels, a book on natural farming, etc.

Summer was too hot, wasn't it ? And then winter came, a month late here.

Popcorn of the garden was knocked over by the summer storm so there isn't much left, but it was delicious.

Vegetables from the kitchen garden.

Sometimes I make up my mind with  mushroom and mend my holes in my socks. I prefer new socks, don't you ?

I'm slowly making progress on a sweater now It's just a sleeve.

Buttons attached on the shoulder.

It was a very big tree, and that is my bag. The tree was in a temple in the mountains.

Backyard Forest

The outdoor cat is fine. He got two electric heaters this year. Unfortunately I can't have them together with inside cat because they hard fight.  That was horrible.

I will post again when I finish knitting the sweater.

Five identical dresses

 I experimented by sewing several dresses from One pattern how they would differ.

This is the first dress I sewed. It's made of wool-based fabric, has three-quarter sleeves, Plastic Button, and is light and warm. It was May. 

This is linen fabric with puffed sleeves. I used metal German buttons.　It was June and the weather was starting to get hot. 

 July, air-conditioned. Sewn with double gauze. Very comfortable. Simple short sleeves, Shell Buttons.　No belt is used at the waist, elastic is sewn in.

It was August and extremely hot. Made of thin linen fabric and no sleeves. Gold colored buttons. It was cool and comfortable dress.

The skirt length was increased. (The garden is a jungle !)

And October. It's finally cooler season. The fabric is flannel, Thick plastic buttons, simple sleeves, I'd like to wear it with wool cardigan. 

 Then, I'm getting bored, to be honest.. There are no more photos. It was a good attempt that the same pattern can have a different look by changing the sleeve style and fabric, buttons and belt or elastic.

This sewing pattern is "Vogue 7615".  

And now I often wear the May dress.

Dog's blanket : granny square patt

 I knitted a new blanket for my dog.

The good point about this pattern is that it uses a lot of yarn. You can use up all the leftover yarn or yarn that only weighs 100g.

This was double knitted with acrylic and wool yarn.

Of course, you can make it bigger with your favorite color.

↓　I still use the blanket I knitted a while ago.

granny-square-blanket

Vertical stripe cardigan

 

Are you enjoying summer break ? We can't go on a trip because of pets. It's very shame, but I want my dog, cats, chicken and goats to live long　:) 

By the ways, I have finished crocheting the beautiful summer cardigan. It looks chilly and it actually is cool to wear, the heat through the lace holes.  

Where I failed was used summer yarn of cotton and linen. The cardigan is stiff and doesn't stretch, tight around the bust and shoulders.

Writ down that I don't forget. Using summer yarn is a good idea, but use a yarn with some stretch, or choice one size up. 

This was a vintage pattern. 

Mosquito repellent spray

 I would like to know the scientific basis for why this liquid repels mosquitoes. I don't know which ingredient is the main cause. I have been experimenting with it for four years myself, and it seems to be effective, so I would like to introduce it to you.

All you need is gin, mint oil, and chinaberry leaves.

Place the leaves in a jar, pour in the gin and leave to steep.

When the leaves change color like this, they are done. You can remove the leaves or leave them on.

Put 30% of this liquid, add mint oil and mix well, then add the remaining water 70%.

↓In a container like this, add about 40 drops of mint oil.

It has a nice scent and doesn't cause rashes. It can be used by children, can be sprayed on the face, and doesn't stain clothes. But It's natural,  the effect doesn't last long.

In places where there are 100 mosquitoes, Stay vigilant. Cover up as much skin as possible. and you need to apply this liquid evenly to your skin. Don't forget your palms, fingers, and ears. 

There are a lot of mosquitoes in Japan of summer. The mosquito repellents sold at home improvement stores are often strong medicines containing pesticides, and have small letters saying not to put them directly on the skin. They are scary medicines. However, they cannot prevent mosquitoes 100%.

Monthly photos

 

My happy dog

Pomegranate flower in the garden

New socks ;)

Slight aroma and a sour taste

Greenpeace from the kitchen garden 

It was a great season to stroll around the garden.