Licensed2Knit

Lorna’s Laces suggested a Rock Island KAL on Facebook so I bought Jared’s pattern and wound up some stashed Helen’s Lace that I had bought at one of their tour/sales several years ago.  The colorway is Sherbert.  I would have rather have used a solid for this particular pattern but I prefer to use up my stash before buying any more yarn.  I’ve already indulged…fairly recently and do not want to continue that trend.  I am looking ahead to attending some summer and fall yarn festivals and Midwest Stitches (of course) in August…and these are all potential hazards for stash acquisitions.

The shawl turned out loved with no pooling issues at all to detract from the lovely lace patterns.  Way to go Jared!  I love the pattern and the construction of this shawl.  I especially loved how you started big and had shorter rows as the pattern progressed.  Maybe I’ll make this again in a different color.  I have enough leftover Helen’s Lace to make a second shawl in the same shade if anyone truly loves mine as is.

Rock Island in Helen's Lace - Sherbert

Super Food!

So who knew that strawberries were such a super food?  I was looking for California Poppy seeds when I saw this seed packet.  Really?  For menstrual cramps?  Wow!  I wonder who was the marketing genius behind this little secret?   So why aren’t there signs in the produce section?

Well…after more investigation I discovered that it’s not actually the fruit that rids you of monthly discomfort, it’s the leaves.  Strawberry leaf tea, when taken internally can rid you of menstrual cramps, diarrhea, other digestive upsets, mouth and throat inflammations, jaundice, liver disease, poor appetite, anemia and as a diuretic for rheumatism, gout, and arthritis.  The tasty part…the fruit is a good source of iron and can be used as a mild laxative.   The leaves can also be used on skin rashes when applied as a compress.  A poultice (which is an excellent word) made from the fruit itself (what a waste) can be used to relieve mild sunburn and skin inflammations.

So I suppose when I make my fresh strawberry pie it’s not simply a dessert…it’s a fountain of good health!

Fresh Strawberry Pie - Super Food!