Tour de Fleece Days 4 through 6 - Cape Cod!

In my little corner, happily
spinning away!

So I'm a little behind on the whole posting thing for the tour, but hey, at least I'm spinning!  I started off day 4 spinning with several fellow Tour de Fleece competitors at my usual Tuesday night knit night.  When I spin there I get soooooo much done!  It's nice to only have the distraction of laughter rather than all the normal chores which so easily pull me away from my wheel when I am at home.   I just love my knitsibs!  They are a wonderful group of ladies that sympathize,
I was so on a roll I actually finished up with my 2oz of roving in less than two hours!  It was a good thing too because after I got home, hubbie and I headed to the Cape to spend time with his family for the 4th of July. 

12oz of singles done!

On the 4th we spent the day at the beach where I relaxed in my camping chair and did quite a bit of reading on my Kindle.  I just love having multiple books with me wherever I go.  I don't have a ton of books on there yet, but I have a good selection of fantasy and classical literature, which are two of my favorite genres.  Lately, I've been re-reading Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind so that I can pick up the second book in the series and continue reading that.  I'm trying to read better quality literature rather than the easy to read romances I have trended towards for the past few years. 

The 5 seconds our sail was going
just fine!

Most recently I read North and South (free Kindle edition) by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell which was written in the 1850's.  I really liked the story, which is a bit like Pride & Prejudice (free Kindle edition), however it took me more than a few chapters to get to the point where I was taking in all that was reading.  The prose is very dense and required my full attention until I got used to it.  Once I got into the mindset though, I flew through the book.  Gaskell has written several other books, which also happen to be free for the Kindle, so I'm hoping to read some more of her work over the summer.  

My first 340 yard 2 ply skein

After beaching it throughout the afternoon and getting some quality time in with our nephew and the extended family, we went back to the house to watch the Pops and fireworks as per usual.  We didn't have the opportunity to see live fireworks due to the 4th being in the middle of the week, but I was content to spin away listening to all the great music performed. 

The next day, hubbie and I went out for a sail on the family's sailboat.  Let's just say that itwas not the best sail we've had and leave it at that... Hopefully the next time we make it to the Cape, sailing will go much more smoothly.  Other than, that I just spent the rest of my time on the Cape spinning away on my roving.  I made tons of good progress and was able to hang out with family and chat at the same time.  All in all, it was a nice little trip.  Hopefully we'll be able to go back very soon!

My Mystery Project is Complete! The Sarafia Baby Blanket

This blanket project is one I planned for months.  It all started back in December when I found out that my brother in law and his wife were going to have a baby (my first nephew!) this coming June.  After getting thirough the holiday rush I started really thinking about something for the baby back in January.  I looked at numerous patterns on Ravelry and finally decided that I was going to crochet the baby blanket rather than knit it, so I would get some real practice at the craft.   Once I had narrowed that part of things down, it didn't take me too long to decide to make the Sarafia Baby Blanket. 

I love how the pattern is so simple yet beautiful at the same time.  Simplicity was definately key to me being able to finish the project in time.  I wanted something that wouldn't be too difficult for me, since I'm pretty new to crochet, but I did want to challenge myself at the same time.  Most importantly I wanted to make sure to make a blanket that got used... one that could have things spilled on it and be thrown into the washer and dryer like any other thing you might spill on.  Finger crossed.... I think I did it. 



Probably one of my first squares and just about the only thing I posted while working on it.  Keeping this project a secret for two months while I worked on it was just about as hard as doing the actual work!




All the colors I used for the squares.  The yarn I used was Lion Brand Baby Soft, which I have to say is a great yarn.  Each skein has 459 yards and is only about $5.50, which is an insane value. The only issue I came across was that sometimes the yarn was of inconsistent thickness which made some blocks inherently bigger, but I got over that quickly enough. 




The squares are starting to add up!  I had to make 48 in all for the blanket.  Let's just say I could probably still crochet that square by heart :)




After I finished all the squares I had to piece them all together.  I ended up mattress stitching them together so that there wasn't much of a seam between the pieces and the blanket would be very strong when completed.




One row all sewn together.  I grossly underestimated how long this part would take, I will not do the same in the future.



Everything all sewn together, woohoo!





Blocking on our bed... I so didn't even have enough materials to do this.  Must acquire more before next blanket project!



Just opened by mommy to be!



They were even nice enough to pose with the blanket for me.  I have such nice and patient family members don't I? 



Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in my life

I just want to do a quick little post this morning to wish both of my moms and an impending mom-to-be a very Happy Mother's Day!  

My Mom and I at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA

My Sister in Law and Mother in Law at Countryside Park in Avon, CT

I'm fortunate enough to be able to see all my moms on Mother's Day so we can celebrate in person.  However, there are may other moms out there who have had a positive influence on my life and I want to wish you a very happy Mother's Day as well.  I hope you can truly enjoy your day!

Ten on Tuesday: Ten Things I Love About My Family

The Molliwog

I know this is about family, but I do have some very close friends (and animals) who I consider to be family in addition to those both biologically related or via marriage. You know who you are :-)

1) They are always there for me... whether I'm happy, sad, or indifferent. 

2) They love unconditionally despite my (many) shortcomings.

3) They put up with me constantly talking about whatever knitting, crocheting, stamping or other random project I'm working on.

4) They are extremely generous with their time.

5) They are willing to tell me things I don't want to hear, but need to hear anyway.

6) They are ready to give me an opinion and advice whenever I ask for it, or they think I need it.

7) They are excellent at encouragement and suppport me in whatever new thing I want to try.

8) They make me stop and think, not just go through my life in my own bubble, focused on my own issues and wants.

9) They hold me accountable for my actions.

10) And last but not least... they are all wonderful, hilarious, loving people and I am very blessed to have them in my life!

This Hat is DONE!!!!

After about three months of neglect, I have finally finished the hat I said I would make for my husband for his birthday.  Does it count that I started it in October at least?  You know, when he actually had his birthday?  Hehe... oh well!  He seems pretty happy with it tonight when I handed it over anyway.  

The pattern I used is titled "Eat - A Hat" and was designed by Naomi Drew.  It is a free download and can be found on Ravelry if you have an account (which is also free, I might add).  You can download the pattern by clicking here.  

The hat is a fairly simple pattern without being too boring.  I've managed to actually make two hats like this, which is almost unheard of for me.  I tend to be a process knitter and enjoy learning knew things and don't usually repeat the same project over and over.  This time I used a DK weight Baby Alpaca yarn by Misty Mountain Farm that I got when I went to Rhinebeck this past year.  

Rhinebeck, or the New York Sheep & Wool Festival, is the first fiber festival I have ever gone to and I had a blast.  I think I went to Rhinebeck sometime during my Anti-blogsmas period of the year, so I apologize for not having spoken of it before.  I hope to go to more local festivals this year such as MA Sheep & Wool.  I might even venture up to NH or VT to check those out as well.

Well, I'm all tuckered out from all this finished projecty excitement.  Sweet dreams!

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Favorite Cookout Foods

1) Cucumber Salad - my version of what they serve at Tennessee's and Firefly's.  They key lies in the rice wine vinegar.

2) Brian's burger flavor of the moment - whatever he comes up with is always outstanding.  Last week we had burgers with fresh herbs, chipotle in adobo and I believe some bbq sauce for good measure.  Yummy!

3) Roasted baby red potatoes - slathered in fresh dill, olive oil, kosher salt and left on the grill to crisp up.

4) Grilled meatloaf - best meatloaf ever!

5) Cheddarwurst - a pork and beef sausage that has bit of cheddar cheese in it.  Excellent on your run of the mill hot dog bun and over the top good with kraut or spicy mustard.

6) Grilled pineapple rings - these are are best on top of vanilla bean ice cream.

7) Ice cream sandwiches made with home made chocolate chip cookies - had these at a friend's cookout recently and they were amazing.  I happened to stumble on one filled with coffee ice cream.  It was divine!

8) Pasta salad - I have a pretty darn good recipe for this now, with plenty of fresh veggies for crunch.

9) Watermelon wedges - enough said.

10) Cole slaw - great on the side and even better when used as a burger topping!

Ten on Tuesday - 10 ways you know your ready for summer (if you're me anyway)

1) You remember you have a patio and actually decide to use it (see picture of our dinner last night).

2) You sit outside at a picnic bench for 3 hours on the first sunny weekend day and get a (slight) sunburn.

3) You staked out said picnic table in the morning and got mad when you noticed someone who looked like they might hoard it for the entire day.  You have plans for that table already!!!!

4) You arrange for your favorite hardwood lump charcoal to be mysteriously purchased for your husband as an "Easter present."

5) Your large office window is a curse for the sunny world outside begins to mock your inability to enjoy it.

6) The windows of your apartment have been open since the temperature regularly went above 40 degrees.

7) You're already thinking about the beach and sailing and getting sea spray all over you.

8) You've ordered more contacts so that you don't run out when you want to wear your "not a blind person" sunglasses on those nice sunny days.

9) You are thinking of all the cool outdoor only crafting/fiber projects you can do.  Background paper making and yarn dying here I come!

10) You start dreaming of all the combinations of boxed cake mix and jello flavors you can combine to make the perfect summer party jello cake.

10 on Tuesday: 10 Favorite Handknits made in 2009

1) Colorspun Mittens - free pattern by Lion Brand Yarns

2) Orly Hat - free pattern by Sarah Omoroso of Penguin Purls

3) Cowl'd and Frosty Morning Cowl - free pattern by Kelly Herdrich of Kelly Without a Net

4) Jayne Hat - free pattern by Dryope

5) Thayolin Doll - improvised pattern by me :D

6) Fab Silver Wimple/Shrug - loosely based on a free pattern by Mary L. McCall of Wool & Fiber Originals

7) Candle Flame Cowl - free pattern by Julia Allen of Peony Knits (can only be downloaded using Ravelry account)

8) Calorimetry - free pattern by Kathryn Shoendorf of Knitty

9) Greenaway Mitts - free pattern by Isabelle of The Purl Bee

 

10) Noro Striped Scarf - free pattern (more like guidelines) by Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed

On the 85th day of cookies...

Ok, so I've given up on the whole day or Christmas day of cookies thing.  Too much work!  So, since my last cookie post, Brian, Mom and I have made the following:

Lemon-Honey Drop Cookies: These are one of my staples every year.  They are so versatile.  I have made them orange flavored and lemon-lime flavored as well and they turn out great!

Spritz Cookies: Mom dragged over her cookie press and made dozens of these small butter cookies that we decorated with colored sugar and other fun things.

Peppermint Swirls: I found this recipe in a Betty Crocker magazine you can get at the checkout at the grocery store.  It's a pretty easy recipe that is a basic shortbread dough which is divided in half and then one half is flavored with peppermint and colored red and then rolled with the plain dough to make the swirls. As you can see, the swirls take some practice.

Oatmeal Cranberry Sour Cream Bars:  I found this in in the same book as the Peppermint Swirls.  I wanted to make a bar and this was a nice simple recipe, plus is called for craisins and I LOVE those!

Chai Tea Shortbread: I found the next two recipes on the Food Network website from the show 5 Ingredient Fix.  A pretty good little recipe over all and the writer offers some good options to changing the recipe slightly such as adding nuts.

Almond Shortbread: This cookie uses the same recipe as the one above, but instead of using pecans as she suggested, I went for almonds and replaced the vanilla with almond extract.

I have at least one more recipe to go, so I'll post that another day, but whew!  Do you think we've made enough cookies?

On the first day of cookies, my oven gave to me...

I went to mom and dad's after work to start Cookie Extravaganza 2009.   We weren't particularly productive as it was a work night for me, but we got a few dozen of my assigned cookies done and one batch of a set from mom.

My cookies: Molasses Cookies

Mom's cookies: Double Chocolate Chews

Brian joined us for dinner and even helped out with dough for the first batch. 

Mr. Accuracy hard at work!

The cookie scoop or disher is God's gift to drop cookies.  It saves soooo much time and effort.  Especially when you are tripling batches.

I think Brian was getting sick of our shenanigans by this point.  Especially since I kept commenting that he was rolling too slowly and if he didn't hurry up he wouldn't earn his $.10 an hour pay.

Cute little balls of molasses cookie dough, just waiting to meet their oven-y doom!

 

As you can see, things got a little silly (as they normally do).  Mom trying to figure out her new cookies press which looks like it can shoot lazerbeams **pew pew**

Then Brian decided to go home... **pout**

After Brian left mom and I yacked away for a few more hours and managed to get some more work done before I meandered home at around 11pm.  Here's an example of the finish product for the Molasses cookies:

Sailing in the fog

Ok, so these pictures are from the weekend of July 4th... anyone else think I'm a little backlogged on my blog entries? Lol! Anyway, B and I were very lucky to be able to get two nice sails out of the weekend over the 4th. This one was really foggy and resulted in me getting burned because I keep forgetting that UVA goes through clouds (sigh). you think I would learn some day...





















I loves me a good jolly roger!















Seagulls, "mine?"





















It was so neat having all the fog becuase these two sailboats just suddenly appeared behind us. So very cool!





















The bell bouy, complete with annoyed looking seagull for your pleasure.
















Self-portraiture via sunglasses, oh, yeah, and B. :P
















Boom rigging... I love taking shots of sailing gear.





















Dave getting the jib ready.