Brrrrr. I'm thankful I don't live on the East coast but man, it's windy and cold here. I just can't seem to get warm even with my lovely handknit socks.

I've been busily knitting to get a vest done for mom and just seamed it up this morning. I figured she would need it with it getting colder and she's lost so much weight from eating gluten-free. So she seems to like it.

Here's the front.

And here's the back.

I used Impeccable Loops and Threads from Michael's and it just used one big skein of it. Less than 850 yards. Plus, I used a 50% coupon and got it for under $5.00.  A winner all around. The pattern is the Textured vest from Lion Brand (www.lionbrand.com). Very fast and easy. I've already knit this twice but they were WAY too big.

Been busy cooking also. This week I was cooking from Robin Robertson's "Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker" and it's fabulous. Yesterday I made moroccan inspired stuffed squash with a kabocha squash that is great. And also quinoa stuffed peppers. I wasn't sure that I would like the slow cooker because I never have before but the slow cooker rules! The best part is the fast clean up. My favorite!

Also made some chocolate stout chili and some beer yeast rolls from the leftover beer.

 

 Here are some lovely fall shots. We stopped wherever we saw something beautiful.

 

Which is good, because I think this will be it for the leaves. Especially since we are going to be under a wind advisory for the next few days. I just hope that the leaves all blow out of my yard!

These 2 photos are from a park in the city that isn't particularly safe but there were alot of people there and we just drove through. 

I love mums. They're so pretty.

I drove past this tree this morning and all empty of leaves.

But it sure was pretty.

Okay. I'm not feeling 100% so I'm going to make a cuppa and lie down for awhile. Stay safe and warm and keep knitting.

 

Knitting! I'll be here in a day or two.

Yes, yes, I know. I'm awful. I was really planningto write sooner but had a rush knitting job that I needed to get done. Amanda wanted another Trellis shawl to wear while working at the Renaissance festival so I worked tirelessly on the thing. It's done now! 

I'm glad she likes it.

Finally got some cold weather and wearing socks now. The hardest part was deciding which pair to wear first!

I've been cooking with my slow cookers lately and just got Robin Robertson's book "Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker" and it's fabulous! I love her cookbooks and this one is a big hit. The evening it came I sat down and looked through it trying to find something to make that wouldn't take that much time 'cause I couldn't wait until the next day. So I made the "cheesy macaroni bake". Took less than 2 hours and WOW! Absolutely delicious and so easy. The next day I made her "Grandma Gennaro's Minnestre" soup and also fabulous. I'm not the biggest fan of vegetable soup but this is so good.

Here's what I made in the slow cooker the other day. Stuffed peppers with Israeli couscous, sundried tomatoes, lentils and mmmmmm. Another hit.Topped with a lovely tomato sauce.

These are chocolate stout cupcakes with vanilla frosting and chocolate stout ganache. Oooooh they are out of this world good.I've made 2 batches of these and they go like wildfire. Got the lovely chocolate stout from Trader Joe's and it's very good. At least in the cupcakes.

 I can't believe the stupid fuzzy tree rat that has been hanging around my herbs. Today I caught him licking the pots and eating my thyme. Really???? He was lying across two of them like he was at the spa. I'd hate to have to "relocate" them like the others but if they keep hanging around I will.

Okay. I have to go because I'm making soy milk and it's ready to go. I WILL be back soon!