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Help wanted!

If you’ve read my previous posts you know there have been some big changes in Blue Moon land this past month.  I’m starting to think of it as the Blue Moon Exodus of 2011. Stephen and Sam have left us for very good reasons that you can read in the previous posts below.  We are still recouping from those two losses, they are both great people and equally wonderful at their jobs.

Well… my knitterly friends, because the universe is a wild and wacky place and these things come in threes (We all know they do,I don’t know why I did not see this coming. I know better.) yesterday our shipping/customer service goddess Paula, gave her notice. Yup.

Paula and her husband Tom have had their house on the market for close to 2 years now and out of the blue, last week it sold. This means that now she and her lovely Tom can move back to the midwest where most of Paula’s family resides and where Paula’s heart is.

We are very happy for Paula. (Repeat as needed through the day.) Truly we really are happy for her.  We love Paula and when you love someone you have their best interest at heart.

(Again with the repeat as needed.)

So what does this all mean? Well, besides the obvious stress, adjustment and heartbreak for the chick that doesn’t like change or the people she loves leaving. Seriously, I feel like I have been so good about all of this. No big fits or huge crying episodes (at least not publicly).

It means that Blue Moon is hiring:

We are looking for a production dyer and general production worker both of which are full time positions.

Both of the production jobs are physically demanding. Hand painting yarn is not for whimps.  Wool is heavy when wet and with dyeing you have wet yarn. In other words the faint of heart need not apply. 

Rosie says, WORD! 

I don’t mean to be negative it’s just there’s a romantic ideal that some people have about yarn and dyeing related jobs.  We’re just trying to keep it real for all of our sakes. Don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble.

The production dyer job involves standing at a dye table painting yarn by following very specific recipes that I have created for each colourway.

There is a lot more to it than that but that is the bottom line. You have to be able to follow a recipe.

The production job entails lots and lots of yarn touching. You’ll be rinsing yarn, hanging it to dry, bundling, tagging, skeining, balling and packing yarn and fibers. It’s a whole lot of yarn touching. If you love yarn and don’t mind working hard then we are the place for you.  You can roll in it too if you want.

We’re located in Scappoose Oregon so you would need to be local to our area.  We are a happy, fairly well adjusted creative bunch, that love our jobs. It’s hard work but we have loads of fun doing it.

If you are interested and want to know more please email me, Tina ( depravedDyer) here:

Since a picture is worth a thousand words:

Under the weather.

Under the weather. As idioms go, I think this one aptly describes that beginning aspect of sickness that leaves you icky but still functional.  I seem to be fighting off some bug or another today or at least trying to. Kitty Valla and I have gone back to bed to work, sip on tea, eat soup, and hopefully kick this bugs arse.

As you can see from the photo Valla’s idea of working from bed and mine are very different.

Although… she’s a pretty smart cat, so probably hers is the better plan.

My favourite comfort food for under the weather is my Ginger Miso soup.( What’s yours?)

I have been making this for my family for years. All the kids love it and ask for it even now. Sophie and I just polished off a pot of it last week.

I keep getting requests for this recipe so here it is:

Under the weather Miso Ginger Soup

In a sauce pan:

2 cloves of minced garlic

1 heaping tablespoon of grated ginger

4 green onions chopped

I/2 cup grated beet ( red or gold )

1/2 cup grated zuke

Saute all of this in a small amount of sesame oil until garlic and ginger are toasted.

Then add 10 cups of water or veggie broth. Let the water heat to a boil .

Turn heat down to a simmer and add 2 tablespoon of red ginger paste and about an 1/8th of a cup of apple cider vinegar.

If I have it on hand and I almost always do I add in a smidge of umeboshi plum paste.

Let all of that simmer about until the veg starts to be one with the broth and then enjoy.

I usually have to make twice this amount. My youngest Sophie loves it and will easily consume that amount all by herself is a 6 hour period.

The beauty of this is you can add in whatever veg you have or like.  Just keep in mind it’s supposed to be a brothy soup.

Ok I’m off to snuggle a kitty, proof a few patterns, knit on the one Christmas present I’m knitting and probably make some soup.

PS. 1: We shipped out the last of this years sock club yesterday and the loveliest thing happened as it walked out the door. You can see here .

PS. 2: Marisol you are a sweetie! Those are wonderful cookies. Thank you! You made the barn girls day!!

PS.3: I was going to rotate Valla’s picture the way it should be but thought better of it. (under the weather better of it)

Dear Samantha

I was making biscuits for Sophie this weekend, which of course made me think of you.  It always does, such an easy great recipe and one of the many gifts you’ve given me and this Blue Moon family of mine.

Holy cow, hasn’t this fall just been a time of transitions and change. We all seem to be facing that truth about how our lives are not really our own.  I want you to know, Sam, how much I respect your decision to scale back and focus your attention on your family.  I have made very similar choices where my family is concerned. Choices for the greater familial good that I do not regret at all, ever.  You are a wonderful mother, partner, daughter and friend, which is clearly evident after spending just a few moments with you and your family. The love and happiness radiates from all of you and it’s a joy to be around.

What you also are is a very talented designer with some wicked organizational skills.  I was lucky enough to be the recipient of these for the past year. You make you a wonderful design coordinator.

I will – and actually, truth be told, already do – miss you. 

As with Stephen, the only reason I have not run screaming into the woods with all of this is the fact that I know we’ll still be working together on designing and maybe a show or two.

Thank you so much, Sam.

Thank you for sharing your talent and skills with Blue Moon and me.

Thank you for your patience with my schedule, your honesty and willingness to work through just about anything and that great smile!

You are a joy to work with.

See you soon!

We can all keep track of Samantha and what she is up to here:  http://knitquest.typepad.com/

The first of December

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know,

His house is in the village though.

He will not see me stopping here,

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer,

To stop without a farmhouse near,

Between the woods and frozen lake,

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake,

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep,

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

— Robert Frost

I love this poem. It reminds me of the winters of my early childhood and my grandfather.  He loved to takes us walking through the woods in the winter especially when there was snow. I think he loved that insulated silence. If I close my eyes I can still feel the biting cold on my cheeks and the comforting warmth of my hand sheltered in his.

It occurred to me last winter, as I was walking in my woods on just such moonlit evening, that my beloved grandfather would love it here where I live.  As I continued on my way thinking of him and remembering, I could still feel the warmth of my hand in his.

I’m so looking forward to this seasons first snowy evening walk. Almost as good as the walk is returning home, making tea and curling up by the fire with my knitting. I do believe he’d have liked that part too, although his tea would have an extra kick to it.

Happy First day of December!