Take two onto the blogophere.

It strikes me that it might be a good idea to resume writing. Not because of some self-righteous "read the word of your master, ye disbelievers" impulse, but because, let's put it bluntly, not writing for a number of months results in ones' spelling, being shot to hell.

So here we go. Errant is hereto dedicating herself to posting 3 (three) blog updates a week until June, with pictures for two, and a subsequent blurb of text underneath each. The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday- Plant/animal/bird update.
With about 50 houseplants, many of which need repotting, three bird feeders, two cats, and a single golden gecko, there's got to be something entertaining to post every week... right?

Thursday- Book update.
Being a stay-at-home fiance sort of leads one to reading an average of 2 books a week, either audio, or otherwise. Might as well review them.

Sunday- Art update.
Some art stuff is still getting done, believe it or not. Lately, it's been gouache on bristol board, rather than metalwork, a fact that may be slightly irkful from Elrin's perspective, what with us finally having a rather decent metals set-up, and all. But, let's face it: I'm not going outside in 20 degree weather to solder.


And that's that.

See you on Tuesday, folks!

Reminder to self.

jgibson0322: By the way, potato cakes according to my mom:

Leftover, cold mashed potatoes. They must be cold & stiff. Anywhere from 1-2 cups of them. Just used however much you have leftover. If it is 1-2 cups, add one egg. If a lot more, you might want 2 eggs. Add lots of onion powder (not onion salt). Add enough flour to make it not runny, but not stiff like dough. Consistency like thick mashed potatoes. Drop by tablespoon fulls in about 1/4 inch hot cooking oil, not olive oil. Brown on both sides. That's it.

Clasps.

Total time- 5 hours. That included a couple of false starts, me accidentally breaking a lightbulb with a hammer and having to clean up (don't ask), and lots of running up-and-down-stairs for soldering.

One weekend later!

Grandparents rented and SUV and drove it out here, bringing the rest of my stuff from Indiana. T'was a hell of a drive, and they got in at midnight, with Elrin needing to get up for work on Monday morning. ... Bright side, I now have a carload of stuff to find homes for.
Also bright side, the base for the table-lamp, along with the clamp and a magnetic tool-strip arrived with the load. And a much-needed bookcase.

Something I don't get is why relatives feel obligated to comment on ones' reproductive choices. We can't -afford- kids right now, what with school loans, car payments, and me not having a job. And there's no relatives nearby to split labor with. :\

Though, truth be told, I kinda want a kid. Someday. Preferably a boy, as we've been getting girls for the past two generations. It's a semi-suicide wish, though, because 've got a 14 month old half-sister right now, and have seen what sort of hell my mom goes through with her. (And Zhyenka's one sweet-tempered kid, too).

Still got a cold, same one that both El and I picked up right after returning from Delaware. Also got two finished chains that need clasps.

Chain 1.

One chain finished. That'd be the 24 gauge, 1/4th in one. Length: 17.5 in.

Need to come up with a clasp.

Making progress.

1.5in, sterling silver pendant.
Two lengths of roman chain, double weave, standard. Fine silver, 24 gauge.

Wouldn't mind turning the lengths into actual necklaces, with, perhaps, an optional floral pendant to each.

The leaflet pendant's going to be a birthday gift for an old family friend.. a much overdue one, might I add.

What's up in the mountain-country otherwise? Well.. Elrin the Fiance and I went walking yesterday, through a rather historic section of town. Lots of old houses, lots of inns. Maple trees the size of 'you wouldn't believe'. Boxwood bushes that could swallow garage sheds. And so forth. It was a rather nice walk, one that beats our usual couple miles up and down a local trail. (Not that the trail isn't gorgeous in its own right, but more about it in one of the following posts.)

Also, I'm sick right now. Some kind of a head-cold, as likely as not. Doesn't feel very pleasant, especially to the person who doesn't get sick often, period. Hopefully 'll finish the slimmer of the chains either today or tomorrow. Not like there's much else to do.

Chain making

1/4th of an inch in diameter, 24 gauge fine silver wire. Holding a handful of these is like getting a hug from a friend. It's like holding a handful of small, silvery fishies that do not quite know yet what they will become. Maybe salmon. Maybe fish-bait.

Granted, the fusing last night did not go as well as expected. (Had to wait till after sunset and use the torch outside, as, being in a townhouse, we're one garage short of a workspace). Either the propane torch isn't getting hot as fast as 'm used to, or I'm just way out of practice. Loss was something like 15 rings per an entire firebrick's worth, which would've been unacceptable if I didn't have anything else to do with the warped parts.

Oh well.