sarah in nyc

 Of course, you are more than welcome to continue reading. Friday afternoon, my washing machine broke. The door was locked and various error messages appeared on the control panel. It was too close to Shabbat to do anything about it. I left the damp laundry in my washing machine and hoped that I could get a repair person to show up before my entire apartment smelled like old and mouldering damp laundry. After Shabbat I got in touch with the vendor who sold us the machine and found out that while we were still under warranty, I needed to get in touch with the manufacturer. I would periodically turn on the machine, and then enter the error codes that appeared on the control panel into Google. I followed all of the various steps one needed to do,unplugging the machine and re plugging it in, cleaning out the waste pipe, and a few other tasks. One step had the user opening and closing the washer lid six times. I didn't to that step. But eventually, I got our washing machine working agai...

 First of all, to everyone who has been sending me messages to delete my data from 23andMe, the task has been done. Clearly so many people were trying to do the same thing that the site was/is terribly slow and glitchy. It took two days to get my code for two step sign in. Once I got into the site it took several minutes for each page to load. So thank you and the task is completed. At long last, the forest stripe is stitched. I clearly still have to trim all of the loose threads. I love drawing with the sewing machine. I guess it is the textile equivalent of carving with a chainsaw.  This is 45 inches of forest all stitched freehand. I suppose I could have sketched out the design on the back of the fabric but i liked figuring out each tree individually and adding bits of color to trees as I worked my way across the fabric. As I worked I thought about Nini's photos and I also thought about my own memories of my first conscious trip to Halifax when I was five and the looming da...

  We are told that we should retell the Passover story beginning with the terrible stuff and ending with the glory. I am following the same precept here in this post. Earlier this week I was recovering an armchair and needed to get my staple gun from the little closet in our maid's room. Before you think that I am a fancy lady with a live in maid, you should know that nearly every Manhattan apartment built for middle class folks in the pre WW1 era was constructed with a little room off the kitchen for the maid. In the days before most people owned electric appliances like washing machines and vacuum cleaners one needed a maid to keep your head above water.  Some people use the maid's room as a home office or as a room for a child. Ours functions as a basement. The plastic bins that hold Costco dry goods are there, some of our Passover pots live there, our kids college textbooks, the washer and dryer and a closet filled with hardware supplies and tools. As I reached for the sta...

 We went for a walk in Riverside Park yesterday and there were snowdrops!. After the walk in the park I made supper.  I made a tzibbile pletzel,  anm onion and poppy board with a rye and corn meal enhanced dough.  I used dehydrated onions. The verdict from my bread loving husband was that it was delicious. As we head towards passover it is time to clean out the pantry. The potato based panko was purchased for last Passover. There is now one less box cluttering up the pantry. I spiced the panko with Bell's Seasoning and baked on an oily tray. The beautiful ceramic fish dish came from our friend Yocheved. We also had a big bowl of spinach and corn. I finally began to tackle the pine trees for the Nova Scotia tallit. I bought a selection of green sewing threads and I think that layering the colors is working. There will be some additional colors added to this strip of forest. And now, a few random topics.... This one handed grogger was included in a  Purim basket ...

 Our trip to California had two purposes. The first was to visit with people that we love. We knew that we had accomplished that goal while we were still in california. The other purpose of our trip was to skip those long and draggy days of winter when it feels like winter will never end. Our second goal was accomplished as well. The bulbs in our tree pits have emerged from their winter bedding and will soon begin to bloom. Spring arrived while we were away. Yesterday, I had an appointment not too far from FIT so I went to visit their museum. The upstairs lobby was showing  a lovely exhibit  organized by students. As promised it was filled with glittery things. I especially loved this draped sarong skirt worn by Gypsy rose lee and designed by Bonnie Cashin. I never would have expected this particular combination of  client and designer.  Bonnie Cashin  is known for her simple, uncomplicated almost utilitarian (yet luxurious) garments.  Gypsy Rose Lee i...