Friday Feines

Hello All,

Happy Friday and Happy December (tomorrow)!  It's a bit grey outside (again) and we expect some rain later on (again).  But hey!  The weekend is just about upon us and that makes me happy.

I did manage to knit during lunch one day this week, but last night saw no knitting at all.  Colin stopped by for dinner and after he left I ended up on the phone with a friend.  Hopefully more knitting at lunch today.

Tomorrow I'm meeting up with Dee at a Mennonite Christmas Market (part farm market and part craft fair) - hopefully that will be fun and then hoping to find a nearby coffee shop and settle in for coffee, chatter and a bit of knitting...and some lunch.

We will get to see these two tomorrow night when we head over to Colin & Mailing's to celebrate Mailing's birthday (which is today).

I love Marcel's crossed paws...and what a fluffy tail he has!

Wishing you all the best of weekends!

One More Finished!

Good Blustery Morning!

Whew!  It is SO windy outside.  I heard on my drive into work that we were having tropical storm force winds.  Let me assure you, our temperatures are not even close to tropical.  It is just around 30 outside...there is snow on the radar map all around us - fairly close - but luckily nothing right here.  But those winds...they could knock you off your feet!  I am cozy warm though in fleece leggings, boots and a beautiful cashmere sweater that was given to me...gosh!  probably 25 or more years ago!

Last night I made a vegetable dish that my Mom always fixed at Thanksgiving - scalloped onions and peppers.  Basically you just saute some bell peppers (sliced) and onions (sliced) in butter.  Pour them into a casserole dish and then make a white sauce and add a boat load of cheese to that.  Pour over the veggies and bake in a moderate oven (325) for 30-45 minutes.  Fletch loves this dish...Colin doesn't eat cheese, so we never have it at Thanksgiving these days.  I enjoyed it, but I guess I'm not used to such rich food because I did not feel so good later on....

But, I did manage to finish the first mitt for my brother in CO:

Again, this is made using leftover Lopi yarn from the sweater I knit myself last year.  The colors are hard to see in this photo, but the bottom part is green and the top a kind of burnished gold.  The second mitt will be reversed.  I hope to get that started tonight.

Each day this week I've brought my sock knitting to work (and my book), but so far I have not had a chance to knit (or have a proper lunch hour).  I'm hoping that changes today.  It should be fairly quiet.

Mid-week and I am looking forward to the weekend!  Hope your week is going well.

Back to Work

Hello All,

How was your Thanksgiving?  Tasty?  Ours was delicious.  And also bitter cold (outside temp - not the food - lol).  It did not get above 28 on Thursday!  The gathering at Colin & Mailing's was smaller than usual as her parents were both in China.  Colin and I watched a few episodes of Monty Python (the original Flying Circus - now on Netflix!!) before dinner.  Fletch and I waddled home around 8:30 or 9 p.m.

It was so wonderful to have so much time off work!  I think I averaged 10 hours of sleep each night!  Of course, last night was the exception and I was awake most of the night (and am dragging this morning).

I did manage to finish the mitts for my sister-in-law.  The colors are not accurate in the photo.  The cuffs are grey, and then the other two colors are purple and blue.  I realized I did not have enough of any one color to make two mitts, so I just reversed the blue and purple and I like them!

The picture above makes them look huge, but they fit my hands nicely.  Being made with Lopi yarn, they are extra warm!  I'm more than halfway finished the first mitt for my brother- they should be finished this week.

I made breakfast bars using Colin's recipe and they turned out great!  They are a bit crumbly and easily fall apart, but the taste is wonderful.  Kathy B wanted the recipe, so here it is:

Breakfast Bars

2 Cups dried fruit (Colin used dates and cherries; I used apricots and cranberries)

2 Cups nuts (Colin used almonds; I used pistachios and walnuts)

2 Cups rolled oats

¼ Cup nut butter (we both used peanut butter)

¼ Cup honey (I used maple syrup instead)

Chop the dried fruit in food processor until it becomes a ball.  Put in bowl.  Either chop the nuts in the food processor or rough chop them with a knife.  Add to bowl with fruit.  Add the oats.  Using your hands, mix all of that together.

Put the nut butter and honey or syrup in a small saucepan and heat on low until it is all liquid.  Pour into bowl with fruit, nuts and oats and mix all together.

Line an 8” x 8” pan with parchment paper and add the mixture, tamping it down.  Put another piece of parchment paper on top and weight that down.  Place in freezer for 2.5 hours.

Pull out of freezer, cut into bars, individually wrap and store in freezer.

 Let me know if you make any!!

Some of you asked about the cranberry and fig sauce.  It was a recipe from the November issue of Bon Appetit and it was good...but I missed the flavors of orange and cinnamon.  Instead there were flavors of shallot and fresh rosemary and balsamic vinegar was added. 

On the reading front, I finished "To The Bright Edge of the World" last Wednesday.  Fabulous!!  Five Stars!!  I did not want the story to end.  Now I'm in the midst of reading The Alice Network which is an easy, but good read.

Friday, the 30th, is Mailing's birthday and we will be back at Colin & Mailing's for a birthday dinner on Saturday.  I think/hope here parents will be back from China and will join us.

Luckily it seems pretty quiet at work today.  I plan to order a few things on line this morning and then knit on a sock at lunch!  Hope everyone is doing well.

Unraveled Wednesday 11-21-18

Good Morning!


Boy did I sleep in this morning!!  Usually I'm up by 5:30 on work mornings and typically by 6:30 or so on weekends.  Today?  I rolled out of bed at 8:15.  What a luxury.


I did manage to knit after dinner last night and finished the first sock.  Lest I enter into Second Sock Syndrome, I promptly started the second:

A little busy on that Fall tablecloth....I have not measured exactly yet, but I think I managed to start the second sock in approximately the same place in the yarn colors as the first one, so they should be close to matching.  I think these will be for Fletch - he has been admiring the texture (Hermoine's pattern) and likes the colors.  Hoping to knit a bit more today, but also want to work on the fingerless mitts.


I did make the cranberry fig sauce this morning.

I'm anxious to taste it when it has cooled more.  While warm it was good...but not my favorite.  However, we all like trying new things, so that's good.  There are shallots and fresh rosemary in this as well as balsamic vinegar (and the only balsamic vinegar I have on hand is honey-ginger...so a few more flavors thrown in).


A few weeks ago Colin had brought over some home-made breakfast bars that were so good.  He gave me the recipe and I plan to make some of them this afternoon...will let you know how they turn out.  I will also mix up the dough for my pie crust.  I am only making a pumpkin pie this year (usually I make apple and pecan as well).  But I think Mailing's sister may bring a pie and there will only be five of us...so no need for a ton of desserts. 


I also need to run out to do a couple of errands this afternoon.  Hopefully places won't be too crowded (not holding my breath on the liquor store though).  Fletch heard that someone is now making a cranberry liquor - hoping to find that we well as some wine to take to Colin & Mailing's.


On the reading front, I am almost finished To The Bright Edge of The World.  So good!  I don't want it to end...but my overdrive loan ran out a couple of days ago, so time to finish it and let it wing back over the airwaves to someone else.


Linking up with Kat and friends this day before Thanksgiving. 

More Fog

Hello All,

Another very foggy morning here (this time mostly outside...my brain isn't quite as foggy this morning).  My bosses agreed I should not come in to work tomorrow.  Woo-Hoo!  I'm going to try a new recipe for a cranberry sauce that includes dried figs in it - I'll let you know how that turns out.  It will be so nice to have the day tomorrow to putter around and get a few things made.  I'll most likely make the dough for the pie crust, but will hold off baking a pie until Thursday morning.  We won't be going over to Colin & Mailing's until mid-afternoon.

I did manage to knit some last night and I only have 8 rows or so until the toe decrease on the sock.  I brought it to work and am hoping that I can take a little time to knit today.

Our weather forecast for Thursday is showing only a high of 28!  Brrrrr.  Meanwhile, here is an image I found on the web years ago and just love:

Wishing you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

Foggy Monday

Hello All,

It is a foggy morning - not only outside...but also in my brain - lol.  I'm having some problem getting going this morning.  Even stopping at Starbucks on my way to work didn't help.

The weekend was relaxed which was lovely.  I met up with Dee on Saturday morning at "our" hangout - Backyard Beans.  Yay!!!  The Cardamom Black Pepper Latte is back.  So good!  We had some of that and then we had some tea and knit and chatted.  For me, an ideal Saturday morning.  I worked on the fingerless mitt for my SIL and got up to where I will increase for the thumb:

(Nothing more has been done on this).

If you read Dee's Blog you know there was a parade in Lansdale that day.  We were almost trapped!!  The main road and many side roads were blocked off, but we managed to make our way to the diner and ended up with front row seats.  It was a little chilly, so it was nice to watch the parade from inside (and while munching on fries!!).  Lots of fire trucks, local high school bands, some penguins on a float and, of course, Santa!!

Sunday I woke up late, but still managed to cook breakfast for Fletch and me (pancakes with Asian pear - yum!!).  We did some grocery shopping and I got a bit of knitting done on the sock:

About another 40 rows or so and I can decrease for the toes.

This is a short week at work.  My office closes at 1 on Wednesday and then is closed Thursday and Friday.  I may not bother coming in on Wednesday.  There are a few things I'm making for Thanksgiving to take to Colin & Mailings and I could use the day at home.  I'll see how things flow today and tomorrow.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!

TGIF 11-16-18

Hello All,

It seems as though Winter is upon us.  The snow started here around 11 yesterday morning.  The snow was very pretty coming down....my 12 mile commute home was not so pretty - lol.  I left the office around 1:10 p.m. and walked in my door just before 4 p.m.  The roads were so packed with folks that I averaged 3-4 mph the entire way!!  Initially I was attempting to take back roads home, but there were so many cars stuck that I headed for the main highway.  I got home safely and that's what matters. 

Meanwhile, our Thanksgiving luncheon yesterday was so nice.  Shortened up quite a bit due to the weather - no one hung around for long, but the food was excellent.

This morning I woke up to more snow - crazy!  It was supposed to turn to rain, but it did not.  Once it stopped around 7 a.m. I went out to clear the car and warm it up.  No problems getting into the office - very light traffic and just slush on the roads.  Breakfast was just delivered, so all is good!!  And...my boss told me to leave by Noon today.  Nice!!

I was pretty tired after the commute home and actually fell asleep at the table knitting - lol.  Here is the start to the Lopi fingerless mitts.  These are going to be SO warm!!

I was not the only one who fell asleep!  Tyg must have been in and out of the house 15 times within a 90 minute span of time.  He'd go out and then want to come in...he'd sit by the door and meow to go out again. 

And here are some more Friday kitties for you.  Colin texted me this picture of Talbot and Marcel this morning:

They look so cozy.  The green trunk/chest that Marcel is sitting on is one my Dad used when he was in college!!

Wishing you all a lovely and snow-free weekend!  Stay warm.

Unraveled Wednesday 11-14-18

Well Good Morning!  It is chilly (about 32 this a.m.), but sunny.  I guess winter is upon us (for a bit anyway).  Tomorrow's forecast is for snow/sleet/rain/more snow/etc.  No real accumulation for us is forecast (Colin & Mailing could get 3-5").  I'm betting everyone comes to work anyway because tomorrow is our Thanksgiving luncheon here - always a tasty time.

Meanwhile, I have nothing to show you!  There has been no progress on the sock.  Last night I cast on for fingerless mitts which I want to make for my brother and SIL in CO for Christmas, but after 5 rows of ribbing I ripped them out:  1) I was using red yarn and red needles (don't ask why - I don't know) and, of course, I was having trouble seeing the yarn and 2) I think they were going to be too small (like kid size instead of adult size).  I've decided to try knitting some up in my left over Lopi yarn from my Sigla sweater.  They should be extra toasty for all the wintry weather they get in CO.

Reading is continuing - I'm still reading "To The Bright Edge of the World" and enjoying it immensely.  I'm taking my time with it because the language is so beautiful.  The Alaskan folk tales contained within the story are really good too.  The only issue I have is that I tend to feel really cold when I read it - lol.  Alaska in April in 1885 with snow and ice and no food and Indians and animals....oh dear! 

Hope this mid-week check-in finds you all doing well!

Weekending

Hello All,

Chilly this a.m.  This is the first morning I had to scrape my windshield!  A frosty (but pretty) world out there.

The weekend has come and gone so quickly.  Fletch and I decided to postpone our day away until Sunday as Saturday was bitterly cold with high winds.  Instead we did the grocery shopping and I picked up my new glasses.  That night I fixed a chicken dinner:

This is such a tasty and easy meal to fix:  I sauteed garlic, red onion, orange bell pepper, sun dried tomatoes and capers in some EVOO.  Added some boneless, skinless chicken breasts and continued cooking.  Added some fresh basil near the end.

Sunday did turn out to be a gorgeous day!  We headed out around 10:30, going West and then North.  We passed some beautiful farmlands and even saw some Amish buggies on the road.  We stopped for lunch at a diner and then continued and ended up around Hawk Mountain - a favorite place to hike (but we didn't stop as it was already around 2 p.m.).  Basically we have turned into "those Sunday drivers" we used to shake our fists at - lol.  It was just so pleasant and for the most part there was not much traffic.

We were home in time to relax before dinner which was vegetable beef soup I had started in the crock pot that morning.  Easy peasy.

I am still in the "lack of cowl" phase, but a new sock has been started:

The colors remind me of an Icelandic sweater - black, grey and white.  I'm almost to the heel flap of the first sock.

Hope you all enjoyed a fine weekend!  And here's to the week ahead.

Friday Creatures

Hello All,

32 degrees according to my phone this a.m.  Chilly!!  Of course, it is Friday which means that rain (quite heavy) is forecast for us today.  But, it is Friday and that's a very nice thing.  I've got conference calls starting shortly, so this will be short.

First up we have the acrobat - Tyg.  He may want to join the circus!!

Fletch had been up on the roof during the day yesterday to look at a few things/do a few repairs/improvements.  Colin stopped by on his way to go out for drinks with friends and as he was leaving, he heard Tyg on the ladder.  I can't believe he comes down head first!

Next up, the latest addition to my brother's family in Boulder Colorado.  Meet Cecilia Maria (Cici for short) who looks suspiciously like the Flying Nun here!

She is part Australian Sheep Dog and part something else...not sure what, but her paws look mighty big to me in this picture.

Fletch and I plan to take off tomorrow and just drive - kind of north and west - and see where we end up!  Should be a fun exploring trip.  Oh and my new glasses are ready, so we'll pick those up first.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - enjoy!

Unraveled Wednesday 11-7-18

Good Morning!

The sun is out and it is a beautiful morning which is a good thing since there has been a lot of unraveling this week!  I posted on Monday about ripping out the socks I had started.  And now I have what I am calling "a lack of cowl."

What had been a gorgeous start to a lovely cowl is no more.  I had finished the seed stitch border and started into the lace work.  On row 4 (I think) of the lace work I somehow ended up with two stitches too many.  I started to tink back, but the entire row was messed up in so many places...not sure what I was doing!

That project plus a new sock project (not started yet) are in the bag I brought to work, but based on the e-mails I've already had today, it appears that I will not be taking a lunch hour.  Another busy day at work...at least the day should fly by!

I did finish Warlight several days ago and enjoyed it.  I give it 4 stars.  The first half kind of dragged/got boring for me, but I really liked the second half.  I started To The Bright Edge of the World the other night and so far, so good!

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday.  What are you up to?

Election Day!

I did...did you???

It is another grey and wet day, but the lines were out the door when I voted just after 7 this morning.  Same thing for my boss and also Mailing.  That's a good sign!  Let's hope for a positive change.

Get out and vote if you have not already!

Another Rainy Monday

Good Morning!

Another grey, wet day here.  Yesterday was GORGEOUS.  We ended up getting tornado warnings Friday night which I slept through!  Luckily the "area of concern" was actually a little northwest of us.

All in all, it was a nice weekend.  I left work early on Friday, did some domestic chores and then headed up to Colin & Mailing's for dinner.  Fletch was already there.  After dinner we played Tokaido which was fun.  It's a board game we gave Col & Mailing 3-4 years ago, and they finally got it out a couple of weeks ago to play.

Saturday was extremely windy and more than a little chilly, but Dee and I met up at the Lansdale Farmers' Market.  We made the rounds quickly (I was freezing!!) and then headed over to Backyard Beans for some beverages, some chatting, and almost no knitting - lol.

I did some ripping though!  The teal colored yarn in the front is mine and it is just too soft for socks.  Luckily I hadn't gotten too far.

Sunday was filled (unfortunately) with more domestic chores (specifically the kitchen floor) and grocery shopping and cooking.  But, I did manage to start Leaving Cowl - a free pattern on Ravelry.  Rather than sport weight, I am using a MadTosh sock yarn.

I forget the color name of the yarn, but it has lovely shades of blue with a bit of copper thrown in and some sparkly bits.  I brought it to work and am hoping to finish the seed stitch border so that I'll be ready to start the pattern tonight.

Still reading Warlight, but almost finished.  I fell asleep with my Kindle open last night - guess I was a little too tired to read.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

A Finished Hat

Good Morning!

Did you all have a nice Halloween?  We did not have a single person/child/animal come to our house for treats.  So...I brought the candy we had bought into the office...it will disappear quickly I'm sure.

Around here, the colors are finally beginning to pop.  I pass this tree on my to and from work.  Yesterday on my way home I was able to stop in the street for a moment to get a shot of it.  It is just brilliant!

Yesterday my office closed early for Halloween.  Lots of other places must have too because traffic was heavy at 2 p.m.!!  But, with the bit of extra time, the Crazy Hat was completed last night.  Just as I thought, a 4th color came in at the top.  This color wasn't as long a repeat as the others, but I like the way it turned out.  First up, my willing model, Fletch, in the completed hat:

And here's the top - I tried to spread the hat out so you could see all the variations in color.

I even tried it on - so soft and (I think) it will be plenty warm.  I love it.  Guess I need to make one for moi!  But I think next up will be some socks (of course) and some fingerless mitts.

Meanwhile, gotta run - more reports to do today at work and also open enrollment starts today.  I need to remember to sign up!  hope your week is going well.