Snow? What Snow?
March 3, 2013Is It Spring Yet?
March 2, 2013I’ve been grumpy for weeks now. And, well, it’s just not a good idea for me to blog when I’m like that.
After several bad choices, I believe we have finally been able to hang the bird feeder and suet where the squirrels can’t reach, but we can still fill them. Sweetums attached a bracket to the deck railing and put a long metal pipe through it. I can hang the feeder on the hook on the end of the pipe and then, push it out far enough that the squirrels can’t jump to it. (Here I am doing a happy dance. Would that I could with these knees.) There is one problem. It is almost impossible to get any pictures without disturbing the birds. But I have enjoyed watching a large variety of birds.
And so have the girls.
Finding a place for the suet was easy. There was a hanging basket at the kitchen window when we bought the house.
Flo likes to sit in the sink and ‘talk’ to them.
Sachet Bag?
February 10, 2013A little kit for a sachet bag came with one of my club kits. I looked at it. I said, “That’s nice.” And tossed it into my knitting stand. I really had no use for it. I’m not a sachet bag kind of person. Since I go through about fifteen panties a week, I couldn’t come up with a reason to make it. Then Sweetums bought a case of Snapple in plastic bottles, and I thought, “New water bottles!” I only had a few left from the case of green tea. I just keep refilling them.
There was just one problem. My old bottle holder was too small. 
I got the directions for the bag and measured my bottle. I didn’t have to change anything. Well. Not exactly. When it was long enough, I purled one row, then started decreasing. When I was down to three stitches and the bottom was mostly flat, I cut the yarn with a ten inch tail. I thread it through the three stitches, tightened it and wove in the ends. The kit came with a little satin ribbon. I tossed that in with the wrapping supplies. I got some leftover sock yarn and made a twisted cord instead. Many years ago, I realized twisted cord was much better than ribbon for knitted items.
Now. Is this too cute? Or what.
Christmas Yarn
February 9, 2013Normally, the thought of getting yarn for Christmas from a non-knitter is downright scary, but my daughter asked what I wanted. Many years ago I bought an ounce of qiviuk yarn at a fair. I made a close-fitting wimple to wear on cold winter days. I could not believe how warm and soft on my skin it was. It helped me make it through many cold windy days while waiting for the bus or train. I do not miss those days. So I showed her the website and different options that would make me happy. She cringed a little. We don’t go crazy with Christmas presents, but we do try to get something special and are not ashamed to ask for suggestions. I told her to get her brother to go in with her. He’s usually clueless as to what to get anyway. I think I saw her breathe easier. Needless to say, on Christmas morning, I was a happy camper.
I made this beautiful shawl with three ounces of Qiviuk and Mulberry Silk from Windy Valley Muskox. The pattern is called Bigfoot Shawl from Wrapped In Comfort, Knitted Lace Shawls. The main pattern is only a four row repeat and was quick to knit on a size eight circular needle. I bound off on a wrong side row and had about one yard left.
Carnitas! sort of
February 7, 2013
I remember reading the recipe, but when the time came, I couldn’t find it. But, I believe I did a good job of winging it. It called for a boneless shoulder, but the pork loin looked too good to ignore. I also didn’t bother to sear it before putting it in the slow cooker. That’s one less thing to wash. I sliced about half a white onion and put it in the bottom. It was a very big onion. I sat the pork loin on top of it, dumpt in a can of enchilada sauce and the equivolate of one package of taco seasoning. Sweetems believes everything is better with taco seasoning so I buy big jars of it. I don’t, however, let him touch the jar. That’s just too dangerous. Anyway. Put the lid on and set it on high cook. After about three hours, I put in a can of chopped green chilies. Let it cook until the meat falls apart. My pork loin was four pounds and it took about six hours before I considered it ready. I also removed bits of fat as it was cooking. I could not believe how good it was! This recipe is definitely a keeper.
I had to have to sandwich rolls with it. So I made some. I love to make rolls. I make a big batch of dough and keep it in the refrigerator. About an hour before hand, I roll out the amount I need, let them rise, then pop them in a 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes. I try to use it all up under a week. They are always so good. And the perfect complement to carnitas!
Cascade Casablanca Cowl
January 27, 2013
I’ve been wanting to get some more of this yarn ever since I got a sample a couple months ago. The wool/silk/mohair blend feels lovely on my neck. I’m not much of a cowl person, but sometimes I need just a little something on my neck. Usually, I have about ten feet of scarf wrapped around it. This pattern does not have a wrong side and it’s just long enough to look good under your coat. I’m also thinking about making a hat.
One skein Cascade Casablanca, 220 yds, 100 g, color 8. Size 8 needles. Waste yarn.
Provisionally cast on 36 stitches.
- Knit 36.
- Knit1, purl 34, knit1.
- K1, {K 2 tog 3x, (yo, K1) 5x, yo, ssk 3x}repeat, k 1.
- K1, p34, k1.
- K1, p34, k1.
- Knit.
- K1, p34, k1.
- Knit.
Repeat these eight rows until you have about a yard left. Purists will want to end with row 8. Kitchener stitch first row to last row. Weave in the ends.
Enjoy.
I realize that these are not the best instructions, but I wanted to get them down before I forgot. I know I’ll be making it again.
In And Out And In And Out And In And Out And In
January 23, 2013When you have five cats and a dog and its nineteen degrees outside, that’s what happens all day. At least Sweetums is getting some exercise. Me? I’m trying to hide. I haven’t recovered from my ophthalmologist appointment this morning. It took forever to get dressed. There was the silk long johns and the heavy socks and wool clogs and the turtleneck and the wool sweater and the pants. When it was time to go, there was the neck scarf and the coat and Angora Bohus hat and the Sanguhar gloves. Oh, yeah. Don’t forgot the knitting. At this point, a nap would have been nice. But I managed to make it out to van. And, you know what? It started right up. I love my metal box, even if it is sixteen. Maybe it’ll make it to twenty. On days like this, I think about when I lived in California. Then I remember all the heartache and how happy I am in Lower Slower Delaware.
I made apple cranberry walnut spice muffins with the last three apples. The smelled so good. And they tasted wonderful. My son inhaled three and took a bag home with him.
My Tree is Happy Right Where It Is!
January 11, 2013It makes me feel good. I don’t like Winter. It’s cold and dreary outside. In here, its bright and cheerful. Every morning, I get up and plug it in. It helps me make it through the day, especially when aches and pains are really getting me down. Sometimes, Olive tries to help by removing an ornament or two. She likes to sit on the little table and look at the lights. She also climbs in and pretends that she is a decoration. How could I take it down when she enjoys it so much?
I made these for a friend of mine. She’s a mail carrier and wears an old pair that she cut the fingertips off. I just couldn’t stand it anymore so I made her these. I love to make gloves. They don’t take long and every time I finish a finger, I feel as though I’ve accomplished something.
Dreary Cloudy Raw Day
January 1, 2013Am I getting a cold? Or has this weather just put me in a dismal mood. We went for a walk. We went to the market. All I wanted to do was stay home and put my feet up. I even thought about taking a nap. Sweetums naps every day. I tried it. All I did was stare at the ceiling.
Ever try those zinc lozenges? They taste awful. And they kill your taste buds for hours. Nothing tastes right. You might as well eat dirt. Don’t waste your time eating anything good. You know, those things would make good appetite suppressors. The food looks good, smells good. Take a bite and the zinc makes it taste so awful that you may never eat it again. Now there’s a thought.
Oh, yea. Happy new year.
The Joy of Baking
December 29, 2012I’ve got apple cranberry bread baking. With my kitchen in the center of the house and no dividing walls, my house smells wonderful. And it will linger for hours. I love it.
Up a Creek in Lower Slower Delaware 