Monday, February 26, 2007

stuff

Trial layout for the Bookcrossing afghan... Two socks same weight yarn and same size needles - only difference is that the blue sock only has ~1inch of ribbing and the entire leg of the green sock is ribbed..oh, well...

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

In the last week....

I occasionally do a little thrift store shopping - I'm always on the lookout for books, vintage linens and vintage wool suit jackets. Yesterday I hit the thrift store jackpot. First, I found this brand new REDfish design straw tote that will be perfect to take along on my vacation/holiday to Marco Island, Florida next week.


I found several dishes to coordinate with my dishes that belonged to my husband's mother. I love the retro orange, yellow and green flowers and my husband is happy I rescued his mom's dishes from the basement.



I also found several books to add to my collection I'm toting with me to the Bookcrossing Convention in Charleston, SC in April. All this great stuff for $5.50 -my kind of shopping!

Last Thursday, I tried a pasta dish I adapted from a recipe I saw on the Rachael Ray show. I'm not a huge fan of hers but when you're knitting ....well, you just can't control the TV. The sauteed onions, beets, swiss chard, and beet greens were tasty but a little too earthy for my palate. I'll make it again adding a wider variety of root vegetables and reduce the amount of beets and greens. Slowly sauteed beets do have a wonderfully sweet favor....the dish also had a gorgeous post Valentine's Day color!



Yes, I'm knitting another pair of socks! I'm using Austermann Step - what a soft yarn. I'll post a pic of the finished product.

I've been riding my exercise bike and plan to join my running partner tomorrow. Big changes coming up that will free up my time - more about that once it's done!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Random thoughts on a cold, rainy day

The other day I saw an ad in the local newspaper for ear stapling as an aid in losing weight. Based on acupressure(according to their web info),you're guaranteed to lose weight effortlessly! Hummm....don't think I'm falling for that one!

Well, the response to my requests for afghan squares for my Bookcrossing project has been so tremendous that I won't have to make up the difference so I can start on another pair of socks!

The cold weather and my persistent cough and stuffiness have me down.....so today I ordered a beautiful sun hat for my holiday in Marco Island Florida in a couple of weeks. Thanks kimberlinewyork!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Snow finally AND no more socks for awhile!!!

Woke up yesterday morning to ~4 inches of snow and frigid temps! We usually have some snow here every year but not huge amounts like in the higher elevations west of Roanoke.

That said,every couple of years we are surprised with a foot or more of snow..... So what did I do in this snowy weather? I knitted yet another pair of socks - that makes 5 pairs since Christmas!

No more until I go on vacation/holiday the first weekend of March to Marco Island, Florida. I have other knitting projects that need attention until then. I'm organizing an afghan project for Bookcrossing to be raffled off at the Convention in Charleston, SC in April. Donations of wonderfully colorful, creative squares are arriving almost every day
...... so that is my promise - no more sock knitting until Florida.
P.S. I love this story ..... I haven't given up on running - plan on running to the best of my ability for a long time!
Jack Kirk, the Dipsea Demon, dies at 100

Monday, February 05, 2007

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....................

Near record frigid temperatures and wind chills and I'm nursing a cold ....seems like I have one good day followed by one not so good....schools in the higher elevations already delaying opening tomorrow due to the predicted record breaking cold temperatures tonight. Stealing an idea from a fabulous blogger Urban Vegan, I put a great pot of veggie soup on today. Canned seitan, limas, onion, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, celery and corn all mixed together and simmering all day. I added the rest of a bag of Israeli couscous for a yummy pasta taste.


Finished yet another pair of socks...


Now to snuggle up with a blanket and hot tea. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better tomorrow!

Friday, February 02, 2007

Friday rest


Schedule change - I work tomorrow instead of today and good thing since I woke up with a burning sore throat and heavy head. Resting most of the day.....doesn't every cat need a handknit blanket in their bed?