Of needles n' yarn...

"The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary." - Mary Kurtz

In the wake of finishing not only the Shipwreck Shawl and the Christening Gown, but also getting 3/4 of the way finished with the Hwaet! Old English socks, I've been experiencing some serious knitting lag (if I look at a knitting pattern that uses more than three knitting stitches, my brain might possibly melt).

Therefore, I've been finishing some smaller, easier projects that have been on the back-burner for several months now.

First is this Herringbone Neck Warmer. It's a little tricky to get the stitch right, but this promises to be a favorite go-to scarf.

 


Next is a repeat of my favorite sock pattern. These are going to be a Christmas present for someone.

Third is a repeat of my favorite knitted tea cozy, still under construction, which may also turn up as a Christmas present (hooray for relatively cheap, homemade Christmas gifts).

More knitting projects coming soon...

Autumnal Treats

"The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools." - Henry Beston

Now that fall is upon us, the time is ripe for hearty, cold weather recipes.

• Crab Imperial Pretzels. Planning on making these to nibble on Halloween night in between fending off trick-or-treaters.
• Grown-up Butter Beer. The best thing to come out of the Harry Potter books. Rebecca Crump outdid herself in figuring out this recipe. It does involve alcohol: there are recipes out there that don't, but this is one just too good to pass up.
• Crock Pot Mulled Cider: very simple - just put a gallon of regular apple cider into a crock pot with some of these spices, and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours. Or if you can't get those spices, use multiple cinnamon sticks and some ground cloves instead.
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Need I say more? 

Enjoy!

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

"The nectarine and curious peach/ Into my hands themselves do reach; Stumbling on melons, as I pass/ Ensnared with flowers, I fall on grass." - Andrew Marvell

Since it's peach season, a cobbler is a great way to showcase this luscious fruit. Add some blueberries and you're in heaven (almost).

The recipe can be found here.

Instead of three cups of blueberries, use 2 cups peeled, diced peaches and 1 cup blueberries.

Serve hot, with whipped cream on top.

Enjoy!

Lord of the Rings Evenstar Shawl

From darkness I understand the night; dreams flow, a star shines, Ah! I desire Evenstar. Look! A star rises out of the darkness, the song of the star enchants my heart" - J.R.R. Tolkien

As if I wasn't crazy enough to have undertaken all the lace projects I already have, then I had to run across this fascinating pattern of lace knitting insanity.

Some day, when I finish what's currently on my "knitting plate," when I acquire yarn, beads, needles and any other materials needed, when I've been locked in a padded cell...

"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." - Tolkien


To be continued...

Bacon Avocado Egg Salad

"My salad days, when I was green in judgment." - Antony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare

Salads can be hit or miss - there's so much room for invention and (sadly) error. This particular salad, however, is just too good to miss, and is going down in my recipe box as one of the best I've ever eaten.

I did make some alterations to the original recipe: I used Hellman's mayonnaise (although I do eventually want to make homemade mayo, right before dinnertime was not convenient; and don't get me started on the strange aberration that is "Miracle Whip"...), and I left out the tomatoes.
A good way to make bacon without burning it or the required bacon grease for the dressing is to lay slices on a microwave safe plate without using paper towels, zap in the microwave for the appropriate time (see the back of the package), lay the crisp bacon on a paper towel to drain and tip the plate into a small mug to reserve the grease.
Best salad you'll ever eat!

Wine and Roses Lace Shawl, pt. 1

"They are not long, the days of wine and roses; out of a misty dream our path emerges for a while, then closes within a dream." - Ernest Dowson

So begins a crazy, insane idea worthy of being locked up in Bedlam. Just revisit this post to see what I'm talking about. I've finally acquired yarn, and am making a few alterations to the original pattern...

First, I'm going for a triangle shape instead of opting for the rectangular "wings." Second, I'm using a dark red, variegated yarn instead of white or off-white.

So, here is my very short progress thus far:

To be continued...

Tasty Summer Soup

"There is nothing like soup. It is, by nature, eccentric: no two are ever alike, unless of course you get your soup in a can." - Laurie Colwin

I love summertime soups - when you can go get fresh vegetables in season (which you can only dream about in the dead of winter) and throw them in a pot with broth (creamy soups are best left until colder months, as they cover up the flavors in vegetables), some herbs and spices and other things. A good, broth-based vegetable soup is always a good choice in summer, since it's lighter and sits better on the stomach during hot weather than a heavy meal does.

So when I came across this recipe for soup, I had to try it. Here are pictures of the result:

the soup, before the first round of simmering

The soup before the second round of simmering

The finished product 

Instead of fingerling potatoes or artichokes, I used 1 1/5 regular Idaho potatoes. I choose to puree the soup rather than eat it whole. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup while it's still warm and in the pot, rather than putting it into a blender. Puree the big vegetables first, then add the herbs and puree once more. Add salt and pepper (a little goes a long way) and serve hot or cold.

Enjoy while summer's still with us!