Carrot Storage

This year my second fall crop of carrots I stored.... where they grew. I just left them growing there. And the result?

Carrots harvested in November, and some still "growing" out there even now. I love living this far south! Yay zone 6!

I was trying a couple new-to-me varieties, heirlooms, of course. This picture doesn't really show the sizes well.

They got quite a good size, well, not so much with the Parisians, but the rest were pretty big (compared to past years fall carrot sizes).

That's a quarter - not a dime, a quarter - in this picture with the sliced carrots.

Big! and yet easy to slice through. I love the Royals especially!

And the Winner Is:

S.R. Congratulations!
An autographed copy of The Postmaster's Tale is coming your way!

Still Time to Enter to Win

THE POSTMASTER'S TALE

England, c. 1900, and in our fictional world the scene is set for romance and scandal. The new postmaster of Surbiton weaves together the web of lives to reveal how the contents of one letter impact an entire town. But just what is in that letter? This quintessentially British novel of manners follows in the traditions of great literature and fills the space between Jane Austin and Downton Abbey.

 Available in Paperback and Kindle Editions from Amazon and other retailers.
Or you could win an autographed copy in our Giveaway!

To enter leave a comment on this post (follow link to original post) between now and November 19th. For a second entry, share my news about this book launch on your own blog and leave another comment linking back to that post. 

Drawing will be was done November 20th and the Winner [Congratulations S.R.] recieved will receive a signed copy of the paperback edition of The Postmaster's Tale.

Other Wooly Things

Handspun Alpaca Two Ply Yarn
The first skein is off the wheel and it's lovely. I think I actually got my twist right this time!

New Challenges: Teaching myself Fair Isle
This may or may not be the right size to be a hat for Simon.

And Mittens. Believe it or not I've never knit a mitten before.
Turns out thumbs are really not that hard.

Adding Fair Isle (three strand) sheep to a mitten on the other hand... not that easy.
I'm telling myself it's because I was using leftover sock yarn. Nothing to do with miscounting the pattern or snarling the strands. I just need thicker yarn, and that will solve everything, right? 

Don't forget to enter the Book Giveaway for The Postmaster's Tale (follow this link to comment and enter to win.)

Wooly Bear Winter Forcast

This Wooly is suggesting that there will be an initial warm spell before we get the cold of winter. But look how dark the orange is - this little guy is thinking that even the warm days of winter will be a bit chilly. Soak up the sun while you can. And don't forget to enter our Book Giveaway (follow this link to comment and enter to win.) 

Happy Birthday Simon

Hand Knit Puppy Sweater (from leftover Alpaca Peruvian Tweed)

Modeled by the birthday boy himself.
With assistance from his favorite squeaky bear.

Thank you, Mommy.

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway (follow this link to comment and enter).

Simon Says: GIVEAWAY!

Let me tell them, Simon says as he climbs into my lap. Can I? Please? He pauses mid curl, adjusting his chin to rest on one of my typing hands.

Okay, I say. Since it is your birthday this week I'll let you tell them. He is very smug about this.

This is mommy's book. It just got published.

 Mommy's book is even available on Amazon. Hey Squirrel! Did you hear me? Check it out!

Okay, I'm done announcing about The Postmaster's Tale, Simon says.

You're forgetting something, I tell him. He looks at me quizzically.
Remember, we were going to do a giveaway?

Oh. Yes, Simon says. One lucky winner will receive a free, signed copy of mommy's book. She'll tell you how to enter.

To enter leave a comment on this post between now and November 19th. For a second entry, share my news about this book launch on your own blog and leave another comment linking to that post. If you are interested in writing a review (on your blog and/or on Amazon) please also leave a comment for a third possible way to enter to win a free copy of the book.

Please be sure to provide an email address or some way to contact you if your name is drawn from Simon's hat as the winner. Drawing will be done November 20th and the Winner will receive a signed copy of the paperback edition (it's not really possible to sign the kindle version) of The Postmaster's Tale.

November

 "No Leaves, No Flowers, November"

EXCEPT... We still have leaves and flowers.

The holly, of course, will stay ever green, the mulberry has lost most of its yellow leaves, and the "borrowed scenery" of the neighbor's maple is a study in autumn colours. But the dwarf apple trees (on the right in this photo) are still holding onto green leaves.

Calendula are still blooming. 

Even the peas still have flowers.

Though some are showing the marks of frostbite.

Happy November.