Sneaky Memories

Memories are tricky things. There are the memories that you think about so frequently and you just know you'll never forget, even if they get blurry around the edges and then there are the memories that sort of hit from left field and it just seems crazy that you still remember such a thing.

Betsy gifted me a very cool book for Christmas - Knit Green - it's got some great information / articles along with several very cool knitting patterns / ideas (Ravelry link). One I can't stop thinking about is this soft basket - it's made from cutting up a flat sheet and then knitting with that "fiber". We don't use the flat sheets on our beds, so I know I have a potential resource right there (just want to clear it with give hubs a heads up to this project first). Anyway, I also remembered that I had some old sheets from my Nana - she gave me her full dining room set and china set before she died, and we must have used the sheets to cushion our packing. I found the sheets (tossed in a cabinet, where they have sat untouched since they left Nana's house with her stuff, so that's at least 4 years) - they still smell exactly like my Nana's house. They are in the washing machine right now, but still, I was floored. I'll have before / during / after photos on that project soon!

Then I was prepping dinner (making chili, my folks are coming over tonight) - I was chopping an onion, which I rarely do (side note. I just don't like onion. Hubs doesn't miss it either - usually I really shortcut it and add in some dehydrated minced onion so there's some flavor, but I'm coming around - I bought a bag of onions at the last grocery trip.) - I was chopping it up and smelling the onion and wondering if it was going to make me teary and WHAM image of Nana, chopping onions in her kitchen, laughing with tears from the onions in her eyes, making Sunday dinner for the family. A good memory, but still, took me off guard.

I miss all my grandparents that have passed - Poppi's easy smile, Grampa's stories and grin, and Nana especially. I like to think that Nana would approve of my onion chopping and also that she would approve of cutting up her sheets. We don't have any twin beds in the house - not planning on getting one either, but I kept the sheets, and I know Grampa would approve of my thriftyness there. And having the family over for dinner.


My other grandmother gave me this picture at Christmas - from my bridal shower, 2004, good times. Betsy! you're in the background!

Covered.

My sweater is making progress - as of a week ago it was here:

(excuse the iphone claw hand).

In the last week I have finished the body of the sweater, right down the to the bottom cable and lace patterning and even bound off! The sleeves await me now - I need to go dig through my needles to find another set appropriately sized - I want to knit them at the same time.

Not too bad, needs some blocking. The back looked a little "swingy" to me (most likely just from the fact that while I was knitting I switched sizes unintentionally and I wasn't going to rip it out and redo.) - but I turned it around so that the back was in front and I think I might like that fit a little better. Hrm.


Lorelai has also taken initiative to be covered up. On Saturday we were doing our thing when, pet-owner duty called and we had to take Jackson outside for a bathroom break. When we came back in, Lorelai picked up her hat and asked me to put it on and then we went right back to coloring. Um, ok. I'm not going to deny the kid from wearing a handknit hat, ever!


Photos in this post were all iPhone photos - not the best quality - quick and dirty that's for sure. I took a great class this weekend, "Photography for Knitters", lead by Gale Zucker - it was great and I learned a lot! Photos in the future will be much better - I'll get out of the bathroom, promise! I wore my Central Park Hoodie hoping to get a decent shot of me in it and I know that several of the other participants did, so I hope to share those soon. Here are a few of my favorite shots I captured during the workshop:

Ishbel - knit by Brenda (fourpeass on Ravelry).


Seahorse in Orange Yarns - I knit the seahorse. He's still missing his eyes. I am going to keep him and knit a different one for friends that are expecting - I'll use cotton, even though I love the Vanna's Choice, it does have a bit of fuzz and babies don't want to chew on fuzz. I think I have figured out how to make it a crinkly toy as well. More to come.


Purple yarn on yellow fabric background - love that little piece of the skein that is squirming out, beckoning... Knit Me. Now. You know you want to.

Mama's Midriff.

Way back in '09 I signed up for a SweaterKAL with several of the gals from SnB. Then in the early days of '10 I think I have signed up for TheSweatshopOfLove's Sweater a Month Challenge, because yes, I think I can do more than is humanly possible (I will refrain, partially, from telling you about the baby blanket I wanted to knit for a baby that is due sometime in early-mid Feburary, 2010. I have bought the yarn, I have not started. It may be a "Happy Family" blanket for Christmas 2010. hm.) Anyway, I have not forgotten about my sweater which has been hibernating. I almost brought it to SnB this week, but looking at my notes I'm not entirely sure of where I left off. So I figured I would put it on waste yarn and try it on.

(my kid is such an imp and a ham for the camera.)
So, it's not the best representation - I don't have my shoulders down and relaxed, so that lifts it up a bit as well. There's still six inches or so between the bottom of the sweater as it is and my belt. I *think* I'm at the point in the instructions to start the cable and lace on the bottom of the sweater. It's wool, so maybe I can block some of it to a longer length... or I could just knit another inch or two and then start the bottom.

Looking at the pattern I don't quite understand the sizing... "Piece meaures 12 (11.5, 11.25, 10, 11, 9.75) inches from dividing round." I will have to get out the ruler and double check that one. I started out to make the 3rd size but somewhere along the line mixed myself up and have been knitting the 4th size, so maybe if I go back to the 3rd size for length it will be ok?

I want to be able to wear this sweater this winter! It was nice and warm on, even without sleeves and being a mid-riff sweater. Light too, not heavy. Hopefully I'll be able to suss it out this weekend!

Help, Hugs and Hope

Did you see that the signal has been put up?

Maybe you have used your Cell phone to make a donation?

Everyone's budget is tight right now - times are tough. Through this website, others are finding a way to raise funds with giveaways. Every little bit helps.


Want to pick up your needles and Knit a Square - Hugs for Haiti - there's a Ravelry group already set up.

Give a pint, get a pound.

More reason to give - you can get a free pound of DD coffee in the month of January when you give a pint. Not a bad deal.

I really do want this to be something I do as frequently as I can. It takes less than an hour of your time. It will help save lives. So why not?

If I could figure out how to knit while donating blood you know it would be the biggest win of all!

I spy a Lorax

I got a huge kick out of the Incognito pattern as soon as I spotted it in the winter issue of knitty. Not casting it on right away allowed it to stew in my brain for a while and think about things like colors and mustaches. I came to the conclusion that this is the perfect starting point for Lorax inspiration.



It's subtle - the colors are not of a high contrast at all, but I am pleased with the results. I used Vanna's Choice yarn and a fun-fur-ish yarn I traded another Raveler for back in the summer (I held two strands together). I also modified the mustache slightly - I started with the "Poirot" chart and filled it in to get the walrus style.

This was a quick knit - and turning that hem while knitting I find is a lot of fun.

Looks nice and it keeps the edges from rolling too much.

While I was taking photos of the cowl, I spied another Lorax.

She was enjoying watching herself eat her lunch.

Consumed

Consumed
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

No big surprise to anyone if I state here in my blog that I'm addicted to knitting. I am starting to feel the pull of crochet as well. But this was something unexpected. I was gifted a Kindle for Christmas and I started out with some fairy tales (Grimm's and the Blue Fairy Book) and found I wanted something just a bit more... So I purchased "Twilight" - I can't stop reading! I also can't quite put my finger on what is so compelling about this story / writing style. I am totally going to read the rest of the series when I finish this first installment.

Doesn't everyone feel like this?

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by nutmegknitter

If I just put a blanket over my head and focus on my toys, all is good.

Blankets are perfectly acceptable hats.

For the record, her dad put the blanket on his head the night before while I was out and she started to mimic him last night. I didn't know any of that today when she came up the stairs with the blanket on her head. Silly girl.

I love Mail.

I have had several good mail days in a row - and that's probably it for a while. I feel like the delivery truck idles at the mailbox just long enough to make me believe that they must be shoving a fantastic package into the mailbox (regardless of whether or not I am expecting anything).

My new planner arrived:

I swear, working in a stationery store spoiled me on paper goods forever. I am very particular about the quality of my paper. I have a few notepads from Rhodia and they are fantastic - smooth paper for pens or pencils. I was quite excited to see the 2010 planner - it lays flat even without a spiral! It's got the days of the week on one page and a graph paper grid on the opposite side. Love love love. Even though I don't have a whole lot of planning going on - it's small stuff like "SnB" and "Donate Blood" and "Breakfast with family" etc.

I traded some yarn for some stitch markers (Acid pH stitch markers - those are little water molecules!):

Clarissa sent me a message on Rav asking if I would consider a swap of my yarn for her stitch markers - I was so excited, as I have admired her stitch marker work for a while :)

I treated myself to a spot in the Odd-ish Creations "Non Club" group, look at these goodies!

There is a pattern for Migration socks, House Hippo, 2 skeins of yarn from Oddish Creations - the blue one (really a blue-green-teal) is Painted Toes Lightweight Merino / Nylon "Stormy Days", and the purpley one is "Red Cabbage Salad" - Lester Toes, a sw BFL / nylon blend (both are gorgeous!). And there is a bag from Sunshinewalks and a little dachshund stamp and a lobster stitch marker from Yarndemon - so cute!

This "non-club" reminded me of some of the WoolGirl kits - you get a lot of bang for your buck, and Kata tailored the package to the buyer, based on a survey she had us complete. Love love love.

I also did another trade, yarn for yarn and received this lovely skein of Malabrigo Sock, color cote d'azures:


And then, the Intention Yarns club shipment arrived - it's an assortment. Mini skeins are so flipping cute!

It's pretty. Beachy.

I think that covers the mail. What else can I share? I made another round on the granny square:

I don't know if I should stop or keep going. I've done this one, but feel like an expert now :)

I've got a dead Monkey

Gah. Hole in the toe. Don't feel like darning it - wondering about reclaiming the yarn (like Ina did. Same yarn too, spooky!)

I've got half a crocheted headband to finish, 3 blanket squares are done but I want to block them some before showcasing them, one project that is hush hush, and several others to wake from hibernation. Next post I hope!

Pantry Check In

Good post today about the "Pantry Eating Adventure" over on Money Saving Mom. I went grocery shopping today - my list was not the best it could have been, my menu plan is still a bit jumbled up, and I think I'm really still in "stockpile" mode. For instance, a yogurt that I like (and the Lorax likes) was on sale - buy 1 get 2 free, already a score. And I had a coupon for $1 off 6. I ended up with 9 yogurts for $1.25, or 14 cents each. Score. But I still bought the Lorax her own yogurt (on sale and with coupon). I can see that I really need to adjust my thinking. Also, shopping with a toddler is not the best situation to be thinking about meal plans / prices / discounts / coupons / etc. Next week she will not be with me on the grocery trip. I spent less than I usually do, but still more than I wanted. I did get a coupon for $7 off $50 future purchase (and I've got a coupon coming for $10 off $50 in the mail) so that will be a benefit as well, and I might actually stay under $150 for the month. Hm.

Crochet practice

Today I pulled out my crochet books and hooks. I have signed up for several squares for different Schuyler Blankets - I would love to have a "signature", go-to style block - one I could stockpile or know reliably the # to cast on / with which needles / etc. I also want to make them appropriate to the recipient / personalize the squares too, so I'm not sure where that leaves me. I don't think it's going to be a crochet square but today I spotted a few on Ravelry that were crocheted and so pretty - I went and picked up the hooks / books / cheat sheets and gave it a go.


You can see the Granny Square I started with some KnitPicks Wool of the Andes - I really am getting the hang of it - and can see how addicting these are. Ok, I've crocheted 80% of one granny square and I'm already thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice to work on a project like babette, or Fugly Sock Yarn blanket, or whatever else is crochet in my queue.

Crochet Links I like:
Granny Square
Joining Granny Squares
Crochet Basics from purlbee
SarahLondon (someday (this year?) I really want to make a Wool Eater
CrochetSpot
CrochetMe - I would love to crochet the crayon blanket for any of the kids I know!

Pantry Eating Idea

I've got this challenge on my mind. There's a lot of careful consideration going in to my grocery-shopping-list for this week - there are some good meat sales that will allow me to stock up, a bunch of coupon inserts and online, and I've got my new cookbooks. But wouldn't you know it - a recipe that I tried out last night, that was delicious, and was made with ingredients I typically always have in the house was one I found by watching a random episode of Good Eats - it was about tuna, and to my surprise, Alton used tuna in a pouch!

I adore Alton Brown - we have 2 of his books (including the "Early Years" awesome!), DVDs and I love his style. However, most of his recipes tend to intimidate me - I don't have the confidence yet for some meats or fish or I don't have the ingredients on hand. And there have been things I've tried that just haven't worked out. But. Tuna in a pouch? I can do that. Go figure though, we were out of tuna so we picked some up at our Walmart run, along with eggs (another pantry staple that was wiped out with New Year's Day breakfast - we had company over - 4 adults, 3 kids, egg sandwiches for all means running through a dozen real quick.) Anyway, I would totally have this again and it was quite easy.

Tuna Croquettes
Ingredients

* 1 (7-ounce) pouch albacore tuna, drained well and shredded by hand
* 2 green onions, chopped fine
* 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs, divided
* Olive oil, for sauteing

Directions

Place the tuna, onions, mustard, eggs, lemon juice, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs into a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine.** Divide the mixture into 8 rounds and set aside on a parchment lined half sheet pan. Allow to rest for 15 minutes. Place the remaining bread crumbs into a pie plate. One at a time, coat each round in the panko on all sides.

Heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat until shimmering.*** Add the croquettes and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack set over a half sheet pan lined with paper towels. Allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

**I added more panko crumbs to the mix because it looked runny to me. I added them until it looked like it would hold together, totally eyeballed it.
***I'm not sure what shimmering olive oil looks like - I put in quite a bit of oil and let it heat up. Take it from me - olive oil can start a fire - I poured water into the pan when all the cooking was down and the croquettes were out of the pan and some splashed on the the stovetop - WHOOSH! Flames! They died off quickly, but learn from me - don't splash that oil, it's hot! And firey!


Lorelai was also cooking from the panty for Jackson, so to speak. She used what she had on hand to whip up some eggs and mac and cheese. More incentive for me to work on my crochet to make her some food / accessories. Smart girl.

Around the House Meme

PeacefulKnitter posted an "Around the House" photo meme on her blog and I've decided to play along, as my knitting right now is not ready for prime time as they say.

So, I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…just copy the list, take a stroll through your house one day, and post on your blog. Because we all like to see how other people live, right?!

Here are the categories for the Around the House meme:

* In the kitchen
* On the nightstand
* In your work/craft space
* Out the window
* What the pets or children are up to
* On your feet
* Knitting or knitwear in action

(My photos come from the iphone over the course of the New Year Weekend)

Ambitions.

2010 is going to be HUGE, I just know it. I also know I've got big plans right at the moment (right before life happens and shifts my priorities), and I tend to take on way more than I should, and I tend to jump right in, and I know I stink at sticking to my resolutions. SO, this is my list of ambitions (or goals or resolutions, whatever.) for 2010, but several of them will hopefully last me for the next decade. Maybe I'll feel somewhat accountable if I post it and put it out there on the internet. (I have given up on 101 in 1000, so we'll see)

Knit / Craft-wise
**Knit from stash: My goal is to only buy yarn for specific projects, not just because of the pretty.

**Work on the crochet-skills: I've got a ton of patterns queued up for amigurumi and toys for Lorelai.

**10 Shawls in 2010: Having made two in 2009 and I do wear them (bandit style), gives me confidence that I can do this (maybe only 5 in 2010, but why not shoot for 10). I'm lurking on this knit-along, but with my current stash I would love to work up the following:
a. Swirl Shawl b. Milkweed Shawl c. Inconceivable d. Herbivore e. Frost Diamonds f. Citron g. Springtime Bandit h. Ishbel (take two - possible gift)i. Rorschach's Net j.Centrique

**Make us Christmas Stockings that match.

**Rav queue could use a bit more sorting through and tagging.

**More charity knitting (Schuyler Blanket Project, Sharing Our Gifts)

**Sweater a Month Challenge Since I spotted this I can’t stop thinking about it, so I guess that’s a good idea to join. I’m thinking that for myself I’ll be using the following strategies:
a. A mix of adult (me) and baby / toddler sweaters - will keep in interesting and will break things up as needed. I’ve got at least 6 babies that I want to knit for in the coming year and several toddlers as well.
b. I’ve got 1 sweater that was started in 2008, but has been hibernating since october. I am going to let that count as a half-sweater.
c. I’ve uncovered a sweater from a pile of WIPs that was started in 2005. It needs a button band fix, seams, ends woven in :) That will count as a quarter sweater.
d. As others have said - variety is key - bulky / super bulky will help, short sleeves will help. Vests? I want one (or two) and may count those as half-sweaters as well.

**Use my sock books and knit some socks! I need new ones!

**Design "something" or several "somethings" - share the design. Get listed on Rav as a designer.

House & Home & Life
**Stick to the menu planning.
**Try 1-2 recipes a week. Use the crock-pot (make it work)
**General organizing (I know what I need to do)
**Having no income already keeps my spending in check - so that will continue, but I am giving more thought to going back to work.
**Read more! (listening to audio books will count.)

Bloggy bits
**Post more frequently.
**Leave more comments (as Sara says, blogging is a two way street)
**Respond to comments (Blogger doesn't always lead me to a way to respond... gotta look into that!)

That should keep me busy, eh?

Goodbye 2009, I Want A Goat (dot com)

This is copied in its entirety from Craftivism.com - I love mash-ups (even before Glee brought them to the front) and I really want to give a goat.

Goodbye 2009, I Want A Goat (dot com): "

Here we are at another closing of a decade. Thankfully, unlike last decade, we aren’t worrying about technology crumbling or the world ending. Regrettably, however, there are more of us living with our countries in wars and recessions and other problems than in 1999, making us wish Y2K was our biggest problem.

And here at the end of 2009, even though I don’t know half the songs involved, I’m loving the message from this mashup of Top 25 Billboard Hits from DJ Earworm, United State of Pop 2009 (Blame It on the Pop). A song I discovered thanks to a Tweet from @jackgraycnn, reminding us to ultimately “Don’t worry/ Just get back up/ When you’re tumbling down,” something I’d like to think as more of a gentle pop culture directive than merely wishful thinking.

And speaking of Twitter, it seems to have been the buzzword for 2009. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to cast the gruff and tumble year of 2009 good riddance, with its long job searches, skimpy bank accounts, tears of frustration, quickly escalating death tolls, heartbreaks, warring politicians and never-ending worried nights about bills and bills and bills. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to dance.

And ready to welcome a more altruistic buzzword onto our cultural radars in 2010. A buzzword that speaks of love and hope and hugs and helping hands instead of short-and-sweet technological blips of our daily musings. Need a starting place to get ready for that new word? Or a way to jump-start that new feeling? Check out the video below* (be careful, though, as there is some “bad language”) for the awesome project I Want a Goat.

And remember that the $20 it costs you to buy a goat for a needy family in eastern India will go a hell of a lot farther than the $20 it costs you to buy imported organic pomegranate juice. And that doing good means looking a lot further than the nearest mirror.

Asking yourself, “Why goats?” Look no further than the I Want A Goat website:

For tribal people who are landless, raising goats is a great alternative source of income. Families who breed goats can earn a good profit selling the kids in the local market. The extra income provides a safety net for families that can be used for things like medicine, food during lean periods and farm equipment.

Whatever situation you might find yourself in this December 31, 2009, you could do worse than throwing up your hands in a tiny wee celebration, dancing to much needed goodbyes and fully embracing the new decade just waiting for us to greet it.

*This project was brought to my attention by the always illuminating Elephant Journal. It’s based on a Saturday Night Live skit called “I’m On A Boat,” which is linked and further explained here.

"

Retrospective.

I really love the end of each year. I love when looking back or being reminded of events that happened in the year. December's end always feels so far away from January's beginning, or even June's middle. And now, it's the end of a decade - so there's even more to look back on.

Let's take a look at what I knit in 2009 shall we?

~ 66 objects! There is one that is still under wraps for now and a few objects didn't get photographed. We're talking 16 hats (I was going to do 52, hah!), 7 cowls / scarves, 2 soap pockets, a set of reuseable cotton rounds, 12 socks (at least 3 are singles), 1 pair of baby pants, 2 dogs, 2 mice, 4 pairs of mittens / flittens, 1 kidney, 16 sweaters / tops, 2 shawls, 1 bird nest, 1 tiger, 1 bat, 3 blanket squares, 1 crocheted flower clip, 1 crocheted headband, 1 puppet and a teacup handle cozy. Huh. I'm quite pleased by all that. Of course that only fuels my knitting / crochet needles / hooks for what I want to accomplish in 2010 (watch for that post. Ambitious, yes.)

There are some great links on f.pea's blog - top 100 lists and whatnot. Lolly has a good one too!

I'm also going to take a look back at the decade, in short form. It's been a wild one. With multiple fantastic moments and unfortunately many sad ones as well.
2000 I graduated college and started grad school.
2001 I was getting coffee before class when I heard about the planes and the towers. I saw the towers fall on a tv in the administrative hall. 2 months later I went to London with my family to visit my brother who was studying abroad. Love London - can't wait to go back.
2002 I finished graduate school, but it really took a toll on me. Decided to swtich gears and I worked retail for a year.
2003 Started teacher training, got a job as a science teacher for a middle school. Bought my own car. Got engaged in Central Park (on a freezing windy night).
2004 Really started blogging. Got married! Went to San Francisco and Hawaii - beautiful!
2005 My grandfather died unexpectedly. We moved from the apartment to the house. We adopted Jackson!
2006 Traveled to Washington D.C., was a bridesmaid for a good friend's wedding in Bar Harbor. Teaching became increasingly more stressful.
2007 My Nana passed away. We traveled to Ireland (sponsored in part by Nana!) - it was so beautiful there and I would go back in a heartbeat! I stopped working as a teacher. Upgraded to a safer car. Lorelai arrived!
2008 My other grandfather passed away. We took a trip to Virgin Gorda for a friend's wedding. (so beautiful there - go if you can!) I continued to stay at home with Lorelai (best decision ever). I worked for Google for a bit. I started doing sample knitting. Went to NY Sheep & Wool (awesome!!)
2009 I'm still at home with Lorelai, though I would like to find a paying job (ideally one I could do from home, but not sure that will work out). I started tutoring. Went to CT Sheep & Wool and NY Sheep & Wool (super!) I was a "team member" (aka bridesmaid) in my brother's wedding. I was paid for several knitting projects as I expanded my knitting resume.

For me, it was mostly a pretty good year - there were several rough parts, but we made it through and it's okay. I know for others it was very difficult. Ida words it better than I could - love the Etch-a-Sketch analogy.

As for 2010 - I feel like it's still really fuzzy at this point. January should be good, but beyond that... certainly looking forward to it!

Dachshund Noses

Jackson hasn't gotten much play in the blog lately - yesterday he tolerated my playing around with the camera. Macro / SuperMacro + Dachshund Noses = fun photos!



Made with BigHugeLabs.com Mosaic Maker.

He's been a good dog lately - barky, as always, but it's what he does. He's very good with Lorelai - loves when she shares her food, tolerates it when she brushes his back, usually has a kiss ready for her.

What's in your cupboard?

I spotted this idea on the web - Pantry Challenge - so from January 1-31, 2010, the challenge is to attempt to avoid grocery shopping as much as possible and will be blogging what we're feeding our families, creative recipes we're concocting, and how we're pulling this whole thing off. The "We" being MoneySavingMom and FishMama.

I am so curious about this idea. I think I could do it, I really do - Crystal's goals are simple: (straight from her blog)
"Now, let me say right upfront that I am not going to completely avoid buying any groceries for a month. We like to have fresh eggs, milk, and produce, so I plan to buy those at least three times during the month." And then she goes on to post the goals for her family.

I think this would be so interesting to try. Maybe I could do it as a lurker? If I were to do it, and really commit to it, I would love to give myself / this home the following goals:
1) Stop at the store a maximum of three times in January.
2) Spend a total of $150 or less on groceries during the month of January.
3) Make more (so, buy less) bread / treats that could be for breakfast or snacks.

Off the top of my head I made a list and I've got 10 go-to-meals, ingredients are already in my pantry / fridge. I've tried menu planning for the month of December:

You can see there are many rearrangements (lucky for me hubby doesn't mind Annies Mac & Cheese in the middle of the week). Due to life, toddler tantrums, my own personal whims. Thursday's are crossed out because I go off knitting then. On the weekends usually hubby cooks.

I've got the tools:

How To Cook Everything (AKA Bittman Bible - I love this book - had it out on near permanent renewal from the library and now have my own copy!), 6 o'clock Scramble, Make It Fast, Cook it Slow (another Christmas Gift - I haven't given up on my slow cooker!), 30 minute meals from Better Homes and Gardens, and a cookbook that was a hospital fundraiser but has been used in my family forever!

We've got a decent stockpile of food, and I try to shop the deals and use coupons, but it's tricky with a little one. Sometimes she's great in the store - will take her time eating the treat, will walk next to the cart. This week - she finished the donut before we were even out of the produce aisle. She was walking away from me. Oy.

May any trip you make to the grocery store this week be productive!

Casting On

I'm still playing catch up from Christmas - there's a lot to be done and somehow, with the approach of 2010 just days away it feels like time is running out even faster! I know that's just a feeling, but funny enough it also doesn't stop me from casting on new projects.

Casting on brings a special sort of peace, doesn't it? Like there's all this potential that everything will be all right. Have you seen that Quotable Card that says -


Today there is a new project that needs attention to help make things okay, not to end them (though I wish it could) but to bring a little bit of help.

Last month, Lisa, yenforyarn on Plurk and elsewhere, was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. She has had surgery and will begin chemotherapy on December 29. Coby of CJ Creations is lucky to be able to call Lisa “friend.” Coby wanted to find a way we can show our support for Lisa as she goes through treatment. So, Coby–and many others–are asking knitters to do what they do best. Knit. Coby came up with the idea that we should cast on a special project on that day to show Lisa our support. She and Lisa discussed it, and Lisa selected two of her favorite sock designs: Sedona and Manhattan. (Oh, did I forget to tell you that Lisa is a wonderful designer? Check out her Ravelry designer page. I've knit her Playtime Socks - many of you have seen them at SnB!) Incidentally, Manhattan is a great design for men’s or women’s socks - I was going to knit Dan a pair of plain vanilla socks, but I think this will work great for the Intention Yarns - Simplicity for him instead.

Ovarian Cancer is on my mind quite a bit as this is what my Nana battled and ultimately lost. Please educate yourself! Put Teal on your Toes!.

Christmas Chaos

Really, it would not be Christmas for me if it weren't full of traveling to and from the Islands (Rhode and Long), houses full of relatives, lots of food, and luckily everyone gets along so it's all good. I hope everyone had a Christmas like this:

Wide eyed, eating, looking cute. This is what Lorelai's Christmas was full of. Oh, and those sunglasses. They have been off her face for 5 minutes? Maybe?

I can show two more gifts that I made for this Christmas - I knit up Braided for a cousin-in-law. It worked up quickly enough and was fun to knit, but oh those ends!! I stopped several times to weave in ends.



Virginia emailed me a few weeks back looking for a pattern to knit up re-useable makeup removers (like what you can find on etsy and the like, but she does knit, so why not make your own?). Totally ran with that idea and I practiced my crochet again -

Sugar'N Cream stash busting (so, 100% cotton, washable). Very cute, I may have to make some for me!

Lorelai was gifted several handmade items - a fantastic "Lorelai Goes to a Wedding" photo-story book from Uncle Dan & Aunt VA, handmade animal magnets from Sara, and a handmade rocking horse! Stunning.

Wheee!

Today, we are being very lazy. We put things together, organized thank you note lists, photos are uploading.... We are so very lucky and it has been a great Christmas!



Happy in the car!