What's for Dinner? 1/19/23

 Good Morning!

Well, I'm happy to say that I survived two days in a row at the office.  The first day was not bad...I had lots to do and much to keep me occupied.  Yesterday?  I was twiddling my thumbs and bouncing around on my chair anxious to get home and do something else (knitting or stitching or napping).  It all worked out though.  There was plenty of left over breakfast and lunch and there were a fair number of people in the office (other than those in for the meeting), so I offered up the dregs and the hoards of folks bounded into the kitchen.  I did not have to clean up!

Today is looking to be a rain event.  It's still dark out, but my computer says it is raining now.

Fletch and I are going out later this morning to shop for a new washing machine.  Yup, mine has bitten the dust.  I did a couple of loads of laundry on Monday and then noticed that it would not stop dripping inside.  Fletch researched and I think solved the problem.  A minor repair - probably just a couple hundred dollars between the part and the repair person, BUT our machine is OLD...most likely over 20 years, so we agreed at this point it makes more sense to just get a new one.  Nothing fancy.  I want a top loader so I can felt things if I want and I don't need lots of fancy washes or loads, etc.  I just do regular laundry.  A delicate and a regular cycle will do me fine.  I wonder if we can find something so simple?

Meanwhile, let's talk food and one of the dishes I made this week.  It's a vegan dish and I had shared the recipe with Colin.  He made it first and said it was really good, so I gave it a try.  It is Beans and Broccolini With Crispy Shallots and has a wonderful dressing to go with it (pistachios, parsley, EVOO and lemon juice - YUM).

I made garlic bread to go with it and thought it was delicious.  Fletch was a bit under-whelmed.  He sprinkled parmesan on his, but even that didn't elevate it for him.  Funny as he likes all the ingredients.  He did not care for the sauce/dressing and honestly, I think the juice of half a lemon would have been sufficient (it was pretty strongly lemon flavored).  But still, it was good.

Last night I was in the mood for something to munch on (I don't usually eat anything after dinner), so I roasted some nuts.

So easy - take some raw nuts (last night I used Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds), sprinkle a tiny bit of EVOO on them and then sprinkle with red pepper flakes, sea salt and rosemary.  Roast at 350 for 5 minutes, take out the pan and shake or stir the nuts and put back in the oven for another 5 minutes.  Bingo - a tasty little nibble.

Well, it's Thursday and time for me to start my Thursday reports.  Wishing everyone a fine day - enjoy!

Unraveled Wednesday 1/18/23

 Hello, Hello!

A little bit of a later post for me.  I was driving to my office before the crack of dawn and thus didn't have time to post from home.  A deer just missed my car (or I just missed the deer) on my way in this morning and then a fox ran across the road.  Wildlife abounds!!

Now I'm at the office, breakfast has been delivered and the meeting is underway (which I am not participating in).  I'll stick around until lunch is delivered around 11:30 and then I may just need to call it a day at that time!  Meanwhile, I can now write and post for Unraveled Wednesday.  As usual, I'm linking up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.

I really enjoy connecting with everyone on Wednesdays - there is always such great inspiration, wonderful recommendations for reading and sometimes a little enabling - LOL.

My knitting has seen a little bit of progress.  First up is the initial green sock.

I will knit another 5 or 10 rows and then will knit the heel flap and turn the heel.  If all goes well, that should go quickly.

Progress has also been made on the cowl for my SIL.

It is hard to see the pattern.  I tried to pull it apart to show it better, but that didn't turn out so well.  Basically after the ribbing, you knit 5 rows and then a pattern row...then 5 rows plain knitting and then another pattern row.  The pattern is just yarn overs and knitting 2 together.  Simple and easy peasy to remember.  I do love these colors together and I think this will be perfect for my SIL.

I also broke down and ordered some Lopi yarn.  LOL  After saying I certainly didn't need any more yarn (and I don't, but...).  A Lopi sweater has been on my mind for some time, but I still want to try Planetary.  So...I ordered two skeins of Lopi (Galaxy and Pink) to knit a hat (and make a pom-pom).  I can use a new hat and I'll see if this gets the idea of Lopi out of my head for a little while.  Of course, there is the risk that it could go the opposite way and just increase my appetite for this yarn!

On the reading side of things, Fletch and I (finally!!) finished listening to The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd.  Not a favorite of mine and by the last third Fletch was tired of it as well.  He said it was a little too much like "Field of Dreams" and I was just totally bored with it.  Last night we started reading (not listening) to Mark Twain for Cat Lovers which I think will be fun.  We only got through the introduction last night before my voice gave out, but will read some more tonight.

On my own reading I am thoroughly enjoying "Middlemarch" by George Eliot.  What a book!  So much dry humor in it and as Mary wrote to me, quite snarky in places.  Colin and I are continuing to read the poems in Nine Horses by Billy Collins which are just wonderful.  I also started The Book of Goose and am roughly a third of the way into it.  I'm not yet sure how I feel about it...I want to continue reading, but I don't think I really like the book.  That doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, but there you have it.

Remember to head over to Kat's space to see what others are making and reading.

Tiny Needle Tuesday

 Good Morning!

How are you this fine Tuesday morning?  Still dark here, but my computer says 33 degrees and partly cloudy which is a little warmer than yesterday.  The winds yesterday were pretty obnoxious...not pleasant at all.  Hopefully those have died down now.

I learned something new yesterday!  One of our cars went in for an annual inspection.  It had not been driven enough miles over the course of a year that we were exempt from having the emissions inspection performed.  BUT...in PA, you are still charged for the emissions inspection whether or not it is performed.  WHAT???  It is true and we have the itemized bill to prove it.  Right at the top it states Exempt from emissions inspection...and then the charge.  Oh well - only $40 and, as I said to Fletch if they don't inspect, they can't make you buy an expensive part - LOL.  The check engine light had come on a couple of times during the year and each time the code meant related to emissions.  At any rate, we got off easy and the bill was light.  Just an oil change, some wiper blades and a filter or two.  That works for me.

Now it is Tuesday and FINALLY I picked up my stitching over the weekend.  I had not put a single stitch in either sampler since before Christmas.  First up, a little progress on the "Praise Loudly Blame Softly" sampler:

Click to enlarge if you like.  The Arrowhead stitch was completed and the small alphabet (stitched over one linen thread) has been started.  I finally feel like this sampler is progressing a bit.

Next up is Ellen Harrison.  A couple of motifs have been added:

A ship with a pretty large anchor (in comparison to the ship) and a couple of birds and a plant.  Here's a close up of the new parts.

It definitely was fun getting back to stitching and I'm looking forward to adding more to both of these samplers in the coming week.

First, however, is the office.  Yup - today and tomorrow are office days for me.  I need to be in by 8:00 this morning.  I have two different groups coming in for meetings.  Tomorrow I have to be in even earlier as I ordered breakfast for a meeting that will be delivered before 8 a.m.  Hopefully I will be able to get out of dodge both days shortly after lunch time.  We shall see.

Meanwhile, I need to have some more coffee and pull my stuff together.  Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Weekending

 Good Morning!

I know for a lot of folks today is a holiday...but it turns out I no longer have ANY holidays.  That's right - July 4th, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Good Friday, Memorial Day - all are no longer days off for me unless I request them.  My company is switching from PTO (Paid Time Off) to FTO (Flex Time Off).  So, I no longer have 4 weeks of vacation or accumulated sick time.  Instead, I have an unlimited number of days I can take.  Weird, huh?  Colin told me that studies show that people with FTO actually take less time than those with traditional PTO...the theory being that if you are told you have a set number of days of vacation, you will be sure to use them all.  This also means that you cannot accumulate time (vacation or sick) and when you leave, there will be no payout of accumulated time.  I'm just curious to see how this all works out.  No one has ever tracked my time off and vacation or sick time has never been noted on my pay check.

Anyway, I usually end up working a bit on MLK Day anyway and this year will be no different.  And even though work has been unusually crazy busy, I still have more "free" time than pre-pandemic.

So, how was your weekend?  Mine was oh-so-nice!  For the first time in weeks, Dee and I met up Saturday morning for a knit and chatter time.  That was wonderful.  I had missed our get-togethers so much (first I was away in TX and then Covid struck).  Hoping we are back to normal now and will be meeting up most Saturday mornings.

Of course I mentioned to Dee that there was no way I needed any more yarn (unless and until I buy the main color for Planetary)...but then on Sunday I was looking through things as one does and decided that I really would like to knit another sweater out of Lettlopi.  I'm thinking of Destination Pullover (love the pockets) and, of course, I've had the pattern for Stopover for years now.  In addition I'd love to make the Shakerag Top (obviously not in Lettlopi).  I need to NOT go crazy buying up yarn!

Last week when I blogged about winning the give away from MDK (all that lovely Kid Silk Haze yarn), I forgot to mention that included in the package was a copy of MDK's 6th Field Guide:  Transparency.

I already have this Field Guide, so I'm offering it up here on the blog.  If anyone would like it, drop me a note and I will ship it out.  If more than one person would like it, I'll do the random number thing.  There are several different patterns in the Guide.  All patterns are by Amy Christoffers and Here's a Link to what's in it.

The balance of the weekend was equally lovely.  I managed to do some cooking (meatloaf, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy - yum!!), a little reading and knitting and even a little stitching (first time since before Christmas!! - TNT update tomorrow).  We also had a nice, long talk with Colin late yesterday afternoon.  Last night we settled in to watch the second episode of the new season of All Creatures Great and Small.

And now, my Monday needs to start.  First load of wash is in the washer and it's time to pour another cup of coffee.  Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week.

Another Walk Along the River Trail

 Hello and Good Morning!

It's Friday the 13th!  I can't believe it is in the 50's outside.  Such weird weather (again...or continuing).

My first week of medical appointments went well.  As I mentioned, my visit to the dermatologist early in the week was a good one (no spots of bother found).  On Tuesday I called to schedule my mammogram and was amazed that I could get an appointment the following day.  Even more amazing is that less than 24 hours after my mammogram my doctor's office called to say the results were in and everything looked fine.  Woo-Hoo!  I'm always very fretful at mammogram time.  My Mom had breast cancer and my paternal Grandfather also did (back in the 1940's!!).  I'm glad to be good for another year.

I had a Field Vision test yesterday and I have a follow up appointment with my eye doctor on February 2nd.  I'm sure that is ok.  And, next week is the dentist.

Yesterday was a grey January day.  Not very inspiring, but it was mild and the forecast rain ended early.  so, I decided to get out for a walk along the River Trail after lunch.  There were a few people on the trail.  Not many which is the way I like it.  About a mile up the trail is an abandoned railroad station on the other side of the river.  Trains still run along the tracks, but no passenger trains.  

Bare trees and cold looking water - a winter scene for sure.  About the same place on the trail is a tree that I always look for.  It is covered in a HUGE trumpet vine.

I'm pretty sure there are poison ivy vines wrapped around the tree as well.  I don't look all that closely.

On my way back I spotted some very pretty fungi on a rotting log.

The white one on the right almost is like a flower.  I love the shades of green in the other ones.

All in all, a very enjoyable walk.  I had to remove my ear band and my fingerless mitts as it was so warm.  I walked 2 miles and my back was fine!  Progress my friends, progress.  If I can get out today I will.  I think it is raining now and more is forecast.  I have a conference call at 11...will see what the weather is like after lunch.

Oh, I made a new (to me) recipe last night.  Bang-Bang Salmon in the air fryer.  It was quick, easy and very tasty and I forgot to take any pictures.  We had some spicy yellow rice to go with that (and veggies).  A friend sent me some red saffron from Turkey (bought at a bazaar in Turkey this year).  I had never heard of red saffron - only yellow, but I added some to the rice along with extra garlic and cumin and it was delish!  Tonight is home-made pizza - yum!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - do something fun!!

Unraveled Wednesday 1/11/23

 Well Hello There!

How are you on this fine Wednesday morning?  It's chilly (28 or so) and it is still dark out.  Yesterday was grey and not very inspiring.  I have not posted a TNT post for quite some time...because...I have not picked up my stitching since before we went to Texas!  I hope that changes soon, but this week is shaping up to be a busy one, so time will tell.  

This month is turning into "see all the doctors and get all your check ups done."  Monday's appointment was with our dermatologist.  Luckily she saw nothing!  (I go every 6 months for a full body check since I've had so many bouts of skin cancer.  Today I have a mammogram and tomorrow a field vision test.  Later in the month I will see the dentist and in February I have my full physical.  Whew!  It's a lot and then it will be time to start all over again - LOL.

Meanwhile, it is Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.  Thanks Kat for hosting us all.  I find these Wednesday posts from everyone to be so inspiring.

My green socks are slowly (very slowly) progressing.  I did put a "tree" pattern on them at the top (just under the cuff ribbing), but it is not all that visible in my picture.  I was too lazy to look for my sock blockers to stretch it out and see if the pattern is visible then.  Oh well.  I'm not going to rip it out in any case.  From here on out it is just vanilla knitting.

Finally I was able to successfully cast on and start the cowl for my SIL.  I think it was the 5th or 6th try that worked (maybe Covid Brain Fog eased up a bit??).

The yarn is Static from KnitPicks (75% superwash wool and 25% nylon) in the colorway Taos.  The colors do remind me of the West (my brother and SIL live in Boulder, CO).  The pattern I am using is Simply Scrappy Cowl by Helen Stewart and now that I'm underway with it, it should progress quickly.  It is a very simple pattern.

On the reading side of things I'm into several books!  First up is Middlemarch.  How I managed to get through high school and college English with never reading anything by George Elliot is a surprise to me.  I had mentioned to Colin that I wanted to read it, so he bought it for me while we were in TX.  I'm only 50 pages in so far but am enjoying it.  It is pretty funny in parts.  This will definitely be a slow read - not something you can speed read through.  

The other book Colin bought me is Nine Horses by Billy Collins.  He bought himself a copy as well, and we are both slowly reading the poems.  So good!  I'm so happy that Colin and I share a love of reading and enjoy so many of the same books (although we also have our individual tastes as well).

Finally I am reading The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.  This is a book my friend Leslie recommended.  It's perfect for breaking up my time with Middlemarch.  I love reading about food, so this is right up my alley.  It's a quick read (I read the first 40 pages while fixing dinner the other night) and very enjoyable.

Finally, I got notice that my turn in the queue came up for The Book of Goose and I will stop by the library to pick that up today.

Time to dry my hair and fix another cup of coffee.  I'm heading to the office a little later (my first time at the office since before Christmas!!).  I have a bunch of stuff to print, some reports to run and I need to order food for some meetings next week.  I will also stop at Trader Joe's for a few things...then the library...and then head out for my mammogram early afternoon.  Too much running around!  I feel tired just thinking about it - LOL.  

Have a great Wednesday!

Weekending

 Good Morning!

It looks as though the sun is TRYING to come out, but it's a bit of a struggle.  Rather like me waking up, or attempting to wake up.  I actually slept a little better last night and got up late (for me) (after 7 a.m.) this a.m.  After writing this post I need to pull myself together for a doctor's appointment at 9:30.

So, how was your weekend?  Mine was fine.  I missed getting together with Dee but thought it best to wait another week.  Even though Fletch and I tested negative for Covid, I was still feeling a bit run down.  I did manage to block out Odyssey and it is now awaiting an opportunity to be worn.

And this next picture will show you the lace detail a bit better:

So delicate and pretty.  I love it!

A little organization of stash was accomplished as well.  I had groups of yarns set out for various projects (all different shawls) and I was tired of having project bags all over the place.  The yarns have been put away and will come out when and if I feel like trying to knit another shawl.  

Meanwhile, there was a bit of stash enhancement!  Before we left for TX, I received an email from MDK that I had won a give-away.  Woo-Hoo.  What I won was a kit for the Albers Shawl (found in the MDK Fieldguide #6, Transparency).  The kit arrived last week.  Six gorgeous skeins of Rowan Kid Silk Haze:

This might be the shawl/scarf I need to knit next!!

As mentioned previously, Dee and I have been (had been) thinking of knitting Planetary.  Fibernymph Dyeworks was having a sale, so I snatched up a set of mini skeins to use in that.  They arrived on Friday.

Along with the mini skeins, a set of stitchmarkers was included (so sweet):

Luckily I have not yet ordered the yarn for the body of the sweater.  After reading the pattern through, I was left scratching my head.  I'm not a very experienced knitter and some of the directions were more than a bit confusing to me.  I could still be suffering from Covid Brain Fog, but I'm thinking this pattern might just be beyond me at this point.  I'll think about it.

Yesterday I finally got out for a walk along the River Trail in Valley Forge Park.  I had to run to the grocery store because someone (Mabel) had consumed just about all her food and we were in danger of running ouy.  (I also wanted to get some scallions to use in the dish I was making for dinner.)  So, after picking up a bunch of cat food I headed down the road.  The trail was a little muddy in places and there were quite a few people out and about.  It was chilly enough that my eyes watered and my nose was running, but boy did it feel good to get some FRESH air!  I am hoping to get out again this afternoon.

Time to pour another cup of coffee and start my day.  Here's hoping your Monday is off to a great start!