Fiber and Food

FIBER

Our wonderful LYS Woolie Ewe is having it's annual sale. I was able to get these lovelies at a nice discount. And thanks to my fabulous students who gave me gift cards, it didn't cost me a cent!

Thank you, thank you dear students.

We have Sirdar DK on the left in a luscious heathered teal (for my DH's sweater), Hempathy in Rose on the right for me! and Lorna's Lace Amish and Sand Ridge in the front. The bright colorway in the back was a gift - Jitterbug by Collinette in Lapis. I am ready for socks!!!!

FOOD

Here is the quick and easy recipe for the Chicken Cacciatore I made on Christmas Day:

1 chicken, cut up and skinned

1 onion, sliced in rings

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz (more or less to taste) quartered fresh mushrooms

2 stalks celery, sliced in 1/2" pieces

2 cups tomato sauce

Italian spices (whatever you like)

Olive Oil

Red Wine - a couple of "glugs" (optional)

In an electric skillet (or large skillet) put in some olive oil and cook onions and garlic in until tender. Remove and save.

Brown chicken pieces.

Put the onions and garlic back in, adding the rest of the ingredients.

Cover and simmer until chicken is tender.

Serve with pasta and a salad.

Yummy!

Merry Sockmas!

Oops, I mean Christmas.

I am like the turtle in the old fable. I move slowly ('specially with being busy with work) but will finish quietly and calmly. Working them two at a time is very slow, but satisfying.Here is my Pomatomus progress:

We finished (performing in) one service this morning and have two more tonight. The free-range chicken and fresh pasta are languishing in the fridge and the tomato sauce is on the stove cooking for tomorrow's Chicken Caccitore dinner.

Merry Christmas from the two of us to all of you.

1 FO, 1 WIP, 1 New Project

The FO:

Streaming Leaves

Fiber Trends Pattern #AC-80, Classic Elite BamBoo yarn (3+ a bit more skeins)

#5 Lantern Moon Needles

I think my friend will be surprised!

Here is the WIP:

Airy Scarf from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts."

I don't know how it will block; this is Patons Lacette.

It is a blend of 36% Acrylic, 39% Nylon, and 25% Mohair.

I really like the color and there is a bit of shiny that will look great against a black top!

This is also a gift.

Hope I get it done - the deadline is quickly approaching . . . . . .

Oh, and did I mention I just bought these off Ebay?

Monday Markers

Oh my - it seems the week has come and gone already! I have been immersed in the Nutcracker for days. It was a *very* long week, but I always love to play the ballet. I was on 2nd oboe and English horn, so I got all the big juicy solos (on EH)! And my principal oboe was Sillyewe!! We had a great time - she is a fine, fine player and lots of fun.

On opening night, she gave me these little lovelies:

Handel's Messiahs begin Thursday and go all weekend, but I should have more time to knit this week. I plan to get the Streaming Leaves finished for my friend. And Argosy in the new Knitty is beckoning me to knit her for another friend. Monkey (in the same issue) look nice too. Uh-oh, I just picked up the Holiday 2006 IK and there are the most lovely Bells and Whistles Socks.

Oh boy, I really need some self control now!

Note to self: Must finish Pomatomus before beginning Monkey and the Bells and Whistles.

Enjoy this sunny and warm Monday.

High Tech PomotaNOTamus

Here is my high tech method of keeping track of knitting from charts.

Notice the teeny, tiny original that I can't for the life of me see:

I blow it up and color code the stitches.

Then I use a piece of posterboard for the guide.

Please notice the high tech bobby pins to keep it in place.

To count the rows, here is my solution:

I do have to remember that I am using a ballpoint pen, so I must be careful and close it each time or move it to a safe place.

You can see where I frogged (the crossed out part on the left sock.)

And after 14 rows, here is what we are looking like:

Now you know the secrets to a NOT high tech household.

Have a great weekend~