Hittin' the Road

Thank you to every knitting friend - your support through this difficult time has been remarkable. You have helped me cope with our loss. And thank you Kim for the link to the Cleveland Plain Dealer in yesterday's comments; it is a nice article.

Here is today's link for the NY Times article (it is a bit different with a nice picture):

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/26/arts/music/26mack.html

We are hitting the road tomorrow for Indiana for my DH's family event. From there we head west to S. Dakota for a visit to Mt. Rushmore!! Then back to Texas to get back to work. We will be driving, even with the cost of gas! Airlines tickets were out of sight for this one.

I put three projects together to take on the road:

The yellow is my other sock, the blue is that Fern Leaf Lace Wrap (Scarf Style) that has been in progress for the entire summer and the whites are for facecloths. Do you think that will hold me for a week? Maybe I should take my sweater along? Or better yet, seek out some yarn shops along the way!!

At any rate - I will see you when we return, since we have no laptop, I will not have the same internet opportunities of home.

Have a safe and joyful week ~ Ceci.

Three Thoughts

1. The salmon (see yesterday's post for recipe) last night turned out quite yummy. But I would use more tarragon next time.

2. I was finally able to sit down yesterday and knit after a week long opera break. I love to knit and find it so therapeutic, especially needed now because

3. we lost Mr. Mack yesterday. His passing was peaceful and gentle and he was surrounded by his loving family. Godspeed, John.

Sock 'n' Salmon 'n' Don Pasquale

Good Saturday morning! Here is the one Falling Leaf and my meager progress on the second:

And then I saw this and thought how yummy it looked and sounded:

SEARED SALMON ON BABY SPINACH
This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Complete the entrée with a dilled cucumber salad, steamed squash and popovers (from a mix). End with purchased strawberry tarts.

2 7-ounce skinless salmon fillets

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

3 large shallots, sliced

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

3 ounces baby spinach leaves

1/3 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup whipping cream

Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon; sauté until just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.

Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in same skillet. Add half of shallots and half of tarragon; sauté 30 seconds. Increase heat to high; add half of spinach and toss 30 seconds. Add remaining spinach; toss until wilted. Divide between plates.

Melt remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining shallots and tarragon; sauté 30 seconds. Add wine and cream and boil until sauce is thick enough to coat spoon, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Return salmon to skillet; simmer 1 minute. Arrange salmon with sauce atop spinach.

Serves 2; can be doubled.

(From Bon Appétit 30-Minute Main Courses April 1999)

This might be tomorrows lunch for us!!

Last night's performance of Don Pasquale was a bit spotty. We had a few mistakes (I hope the audience didn't notice) and the lead male singer had a couple of memory lapses. I could hear the prompter hissing at him with the words. Lucky she was there! We have the first cast singing again tonight, so will see how they do.

P.S. Sharon - knitting on the beach did elicit a few comments :-)

Friday Findings

Here it is Friday already and I have been crazy busy again. I did finish one yellow Embossed Leaf and cast on the second. It has been an opera week, and I am too exhausted to knit whenI get home.

VACATION PICS

This is our building. We really liked the architecture of this place.

This is the view from our balcony. You can see the defoliation still present from the hurricane last year. It isn't showing well but we could see the ocean.

Here is where we stayed for the entire vacation. Not bad, eh?

Knitting on the beach.

OBOE THOUGHTS

This is my mentor, friend, and teacher John Mack, me and Alain deGourdon (who owns the F. Loree oboe factory in Paris).

John had a massive heart attack 2 nights ago and has not regained consciousness since. This may actually save him from suffering through the ravages of the glioblastoma. We are all praying for JM and his family.

I made a "hot" reed for opera last night and have been dedicating all my playing to John. It helps me get through to think of that.

We did get a good review in this morning's paper which actually surprised me since the reviewer had a somewhat sour look on his face when I saw him. Hopefully those who read it may be more inspired to attend if they had been vacillating.

The Vacation Sock

Yep - one sock that is on it's way:

We spend 5 days on Cozumel at a lovely resort called Occidental Grand. It is an all-inclusive: one price includes airfare, transfers and transportation to the resort and all the food and drink you want. This is one of the smaller properties with 252 rooms. The facilities were lovely, the staff friendly and the beach perfect.

We were true beach bums; we laid on the loungers under the palapas, read, knit, ate, had a few adult beverages and took one snorkeling trip. It was relaxing and recharging. I'll post some pics after I get them developed (we used a print camera this time).

It was lovely to get home on Monday. Now all the laundry is done and I even cooked lasagna for dinner last night in between students!

Friday starts the second of the summer operas. We are playing Don Pasquale by Donizetti. Again, the orchestra is greatly reduced so I am sure the manuscripts will be on our music stands Friday for us to fill in the parts not covered. Next week will be grueling but fun. I love playing opera!

Gotta go make some reeds and practice "fast" (get my chops back after our brief hiatus.) See you tomorrow.

Lots of Topics

First off, thanks all for your kind support. LarjMarj- go for it! GG is a nice knit (once you get in the groove).

I just cast on and knit 18 rows for the latest Embossed Leaves to get a head start. Here is my cuff:

Sharon - I think you should knit these too! They are a lovely pattern, easy enough yet interesting too. The pattern calls for a twisted rib, but I just k1P1.

Here is the last pair I made - but I think this buttery color will be good too. Don't you?

News of my mentor: John had surgery Friday and the Drs. were very happy. They think they got all the tumor out. He is out of intensive care but not yet eating. Once he "decides to eat" (in his son's words) he can go back to the rehabilitation center and prepare to go home. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming if you like.

Fourth of July: my concert is in the afternoon, my DH's is in the evening. Then we leave the house at 5:00 a.m. for the airport for an 8:00 a.m. outbound for Mexico. WooHoo - on the beach by noon!!

You gals are great - thank you for including me in your knitting community. I just am loving this!!!! Have a Fabulous 4th and I'll see you when we return (Monday).

Here 'Tis

Here we are - Green Gable and ME!

Now that I have made this, I guess it could be a bit smaller. But that is okay. I would rather have it looser than tighter.

Blocking

Here is Green Gable all finished and blocking (drying):

I will try to get a model shot tomorrow when dry-

Off to warm up and check reeds for work.

I have a Patriotic/Religious concert today with orchestra and choir and soloists. (Patriotic music in a church with some hymns thrown in.)

Short and sweet, thank you. It begins at 6:00pm and I will be home by 8:00pm.

Then I can cast on my Embossed Leaves socks for the trip.

Yippee!!