Busy knitting! Be here soon.

This is my new mug. Red,isn't it? I have been eyeing it for sometime at Starbucks but like to buy mine on sale. I take the chance that they will sell out but the majority of the time I mange to snag one. I found this one in a clearance bin at my local Kroger store!?! There is a Starbucks inside but I don't get drinks there as the employees are not baristas but Kroger employees that now pull shots. And, I might add, quite unpleasant people at that. They wouldn't speak to you when they were working outside the kiosk so why would I have them make my drink? Not. Which is unfortunate since said store is located directly across the street from me. So I would drive 5 minutes to the Starbucks that I have frequented since they built it. Years ago. But the sad news is that in their infinite "wisdom" the powers that be decided to close that store. But it's Starbucks so they are practically on every corner anyway.My stash of Noro for the Grinda scarf that I am going to knit again. The first one I knit in Lion Brand Suede and I knew better than to use it but it was the only yarn in the same weight that I had handy. Well, just like chenille it worms and loops as it sits.

So the Iro it is. It is a nice textured yarn that should hold up well in the sculptured scarf. Considering that's what it called for. The Opal is some sock yarn that was in the same order. I got them from www.LittleKnits.com and just love to order from them. Such great sales! And good service and selection as well. Go browse.


Been cooking every day. Trying to do some different recipes from my collection of cookbooks. Branching out to a bit more difficult recipes rather than just the easy ones I am drawn to. The sandwich is seitan "chicken-style" spread (from The Urban Vegan) on homemade (why yes, I did make it myself) onion caraway dill bread with argula and tomatoes with a wheatberry citrus salad on the side. Delicious!

Yesterday I made a dish from Vegan Yum Yum which was Soy-mirin glazed tofu with snow peas and peanut sauce drizzled over the top and served on rice and it was indescribable. So good. The glaze was sweet yet tangy and the peanut butter picked up the taste of the peas and carrots . I practically licked the plate I enjoyed it so much.

Today I threw together some pesto made with arugula and pecans and some lovely fresh basil (does anything smell and taste better than fresh basil? I don't think so) and froze it. The arugula gives it a tangy fresh taste that is totally different from regular pesto. I use it in savory muffins, on top of pasta and it's surprisingly good just on top of a baked potato. Good for me!

Oh well, it's rainy and gloomy and chilly so a good day to stay in and knit. I have to finish a pair of socks that were promised so off I go to knit!

Springtime mug! I really like this mug. It's so pretty and pastel. Makes me smile just drinking out of it.Here is what I've been knitting lately. I just finished this one, which is the first and did the embroidery the other night. I love the colors.
Here it is before the embroidery. Nice,but the extra touches really make it pop. I am making a pair of socks next that should be really colorful.

Got a bread machine yesterday and spent the majority of the day ....you guessed it,making bread. This is a loaf of oatmeal date. I also made a sweet fruit loaf, an onion soup mix loaf (that one is VERY good) and a rye beer bread. Amanda has a friend in town and half of each goes to her house so they can all enjoy some fresh bread. To me there is nothing that smells better than bread baking. Just fills the house and I practically sit with my nose on the machine waiting for the bread to be done! Although, I have had enough slices to last for several days. Because you have to try a slice of each one as it comes out, right? I don't want to send it to someone and have it not be good. It's only the polite thing to do. Sure, that's what I'll keep telling myself. And you be quiet! Teehee.

I spoke too soon. The weather is dismal. Rain since last night and chilly. Everything is just sodden and damp and I'm very glad to be indoors.

Here is today's mug. I thought it was rather spring-like so used it to cheer up the day. It's filled with a delicious cup of Berryblossom White from Tazo that is quite good. A nice, light tea.

I've been rather lazy today and so far haven't gotten any knitting accomplished. I don't like any of my projects right now and want to start something else. Maybe I'll start on my Swirl shawl. Or maybe I'll just finish what I have been working on lately. I have the first Bloomsbury gauntlet finished except for the embroidery so maybe I'll do that. But first I think I'll have another cuppa.

Pre-spring! First Birkenstock wearing day. The colors didn't show up in this shot-the toes are bright green. Ahhhh,but it felt good to let my toes wiggle. First day at the park. The ducks are enjoying it as well.

Looks like spring came to Trader Joes. They are the cutest little pots of flowers. I love daffodils the best of spring flowers. They are just so cheery. And if you can see just out the window there is some shiny thing casting light all over outside! Now have had a nice, sunny day today. Just warm enough to go down to a flannel-lined jacket. Which is good because my big winter coat was looking kind of ratty. So it had a nice wash today. That's always scary....are you going to open the washer and find the coat or just a string that was holding the hood? The coat survived and thankfully I had my woolen handknit "glittens'' in a covered pocket. Can't believe I forgot to pull them out of the coat. Luckily they did just fine. I think if they had been in the side pocket without the flap they could have been a little bit felted if they had fallen out. Even though the washer is a front-loader it will still felt somewhat. I know because I threw a pair of socks for mom in and ooops, they now fit me. It was out of KnitPicks Palette sock yarn and I really didn't think they would shrink. At least I can wear them. Oooooh and they are soooo warm.I have finished all my ufo's (yes,yes Not the Celtic poncho. Get off my back! teehee). Just seamed up a pair of beaded socks for mom and now am working on the Bloomsbury Gauntlets. It's a pretty fast knit so instant gratification. Which is always nice. They should really "pop" when I add the embroidery.

Deciding on whether to make a vest or a sweater next. I have a cool cabled vest pattern but it's the same yarn as Ragna so maybe I'll go for the sweater. It's a sport-weight Aran-like sweater that looks rather slouchy and comfortable. Those are my favorite kind of sweaters. You know, the ones you've had since high school or college. Those sloppy looking, push up your sleeves, wear it with everything from jeans to skirts with boots to Birks. I think I made up my mind. The yarn is a lovely medium purple, which isn't a color I normally go for but will be different to use.
Finally got my coupon for my free Starbucks drink for my birthday so I think I'll go and treat myself to some kind of "fancy" latte that I never drink but why not?

Woohoo!!! Wild happy dancing abounds. Ragna is FINISHED. I can't get a full shot because there's too much of me for the camera phone to capture..teehee...but you can get the gist of it from some of these pictures.

The only thing that I don't really care for it that I am reminded of a prow of a ship when looking at my profile. I'm not a tiny, little thing (think linebacker shoulders and arms!) but I should have taken that into account when making a thick, cabled sweater.

But it's still lovely so it'll do.
I do like the color though.

Now onto my chullo hat for myself.

Rufus says "HI". He likes to look at the camera...right before taking a bite out of it! They love to have their picture taken. Finally got some decent weather! Here is a picture of the plain "car sock" that I'm knitting right now. I am in the back seat of the car because our neighbor wanted to come out and run some errands with us. She is older and it was still slushy/icy in some spots (especially her driveway) so we picked her up and did some shopping. Found some great vegetable buys at the market where we get alot of our produce. But they were out of all their greens except a few bundles of kale. Guess greens are the thing to eat this weekend.

Got myself a fun treat today. At one of my lys they have a frequent shopper card that when it's filled you get $25.00 free. I filled mine today and brought home the coolest dvd--"50 Socks-50 States plus designs for Canada, Mexico and the US Territories". That's 58 patterns total. I thought that was the best bang for the buck since it was only $24.95. Sweet. As soon as I finish Ragna (got the front done last night!Only sleeves to go) I will pick one to knit.
Here is some fabulous soup I made yesterday. It's lentil, greens and orzo soup. Just delicious and quite healthy. Since it has beans (lentils) and pasta (orzo) it is a whole protein so all that's needed is a tasty slice of bread. Which I have since my neighbor just made a lovely loaf of homemade bread and shared some with me. It looks so good. Of course, to me there is nothing better than a slice of homemade bread right out of the oven with some Earth Balance margarine slathered on top. Mmmmm. Better than dessert in my opinion.

Snow

A Haiku

Snow-it's the white death.

I'm tired of shoveling.

The snow-disgusting.

That's about the only civil thing I can think to say right now. I'm sick of shoveling and the driveway gets smaller every time. I am running out of places to push the snow. And the snow plow just keeps throwing more slushie crud in the bottom of the drive. I have to move it away because I don't want it to freeze on the driveway because I like to get out when needed.

Okay. I bought myself a birthday present yesterday and I just can't decide which project to knit first. Here's the book. I love it. The colors are so vibrant and mixed.

Here's the first one I want: The Bloomsbury gauntlets.

The next: Last minute mitts.

And finally: cuffed socks.

Here are the colors that I have for the project. The dark one on the top left is actually a nice, deep,dark purple. The main color will be the orange-y color on the right side(the colors didn't come up great...the ball in the front is actually red). So what do you all think? Which one should I knit first?

I was going knit in the Knitting Olympics but decided to finish what I have been working on instead. I know, aren't I oh so good? I have been diligently knitting on my Ragna sweater and have only 7" more to go on the front before decreasing for the neck. I'm going to try and finish it this week. In between shoveling.

Tomorrow I am going to try and cook some things because, well, I like to eat. And in this weather it seems all I want is CARBS! But, unless I want to be the size of a hibernating bear, I must make some vegetable dishes! Soup sounds like a good winter meal so I will make lentil and greens soup with orzo. And some bread.

Now my tea is ready (Harney's White Christmas tea..the BEST!) I saved some as a special treat and now the pot is ready to drink. I think I will put on some jimjams and have a cuppa while I slog away on Ragna.

Stay warm and safe all.

Still snowing. I shoveled the driveway 3 times today before we had a break and now it's all covered again. *sigh*. Didn't even get very much knitting done. But I had a great lunch. Amanda made some potato skins for SuperBowl and saved me some of the skins. I filled them and they were sooooo good.
Pictures from this afternoon. I just looked out and it is absolutely POURING snow. Can barely see to the end of the driveway. Well, I suppose the shovel will get a workout. As will I.

Stupid "albino brain suckers".

Here are better pictures of my stuff at the library.

The vest is one that I knitted for mom. We were putting the window together and needed something to fill in the left side. Mom took off the vest and offered it up right then.

Of course, now she misses it!
I really like my felted bag but it needs more pockets. I think maybe I will make myself another one at some point. With more pockets.
The clothesline idea is cute, no? Thanks mom.

All in all I think it looks pretty nice.

I think I have a doppleganger at the library. She always has most of the same books on hold as do I and what are the chances that it's knitting, vegan, alternative health and similar items? Yet I have no idea who she is except her name and taste in books. Very odd.

Lunch! Mushroom marinated mustard (love the alliteration!) greens, mac 'n "cheese" and tempeh/oatmeal loaf with mushroom gravy. Very tasty and a good meal for a cold day.

The "white death" came and it was a pain. The wet/slushy stuff is soooo hard to shovel. But did get the driveway clear. Just in time for the next hit. *sigh* But I made a trip to Traders today and stocked up on things.

Did you ever have one of those days where you just want to stay in bed? I cannot find my size 6 double points and I KNOW that I have a set. I can even see them. They are 4" long, which is the perfect size for a pair of worsted weight socks, and I know this because I have used them to make myself at least 5 pairs with them. So where are they? Not only that but I went to one of the yarn shops today to replace them (and one of them was completely out of 6's! What's that about?) and when I got home and got the bag out of the back...3 of the 5 needles are missing. Excuse me?!? When I put the bag in the car all of them were in there. I have torn the car apart and looked everywhere and can't find them. And why only 3? Don't you think that all of them would have slid out or whatever? Obviously there is some kind of plot that involves size 6 dpn's that I'm not privy to. Fine.

Here's my new cowl. It's on www.Ravelry.com as the Birthday cowl and a fun easy knit and I really like it. It's rather loose which is nice for a little bit warmer weather as it isn't snug against my neck. I also knit a cabled headband to go with it that keeps out the breeze beautifully. As was evidenced by the chilly breeze today. Which is a harbinger of the WEATHER (teehee) to come tomorrow. The "storm of the century" is on the way. Not that bad actually, but accumulating snow is the forecast. Guess I will have to warm up the shovel. *groan*. But it will be good knitting sweater and I really want to get more of the Ragna sweater done. I finished the back the other day and think that the front will go alot faster. I have the pattern done now so it goes much smoother now.I was riding down the street the other day and saw this goose standing in these huge pots. Talk about a goose in every pot! Made me laugh. Actually there were 2 standing quite tall and proud but by the time I could get the cell phone out it was too late to catch both.

Here's today's vegan lunch. Mushroom and walnut marinated mustard greens, mac and "cheese", and tempeh "meatloaf". Yum! I will definately make it all again. And very good comfort food on a cold night.

I have my cuppa strawberry green tea and getting my knitting ready to watch "The Office" and then "The Mentalist". Keep warm and safe!

Not much has been going on here this week. Sooooo cold. Last night it was 5*. On the upside I can just layer on the handknits. Except for the ones that I took down to my local branch of the library to be in their window display for February!I thought they were going to have things from several people but I guess that I was the only one they asked. So I took down a variety of things and they let me set up the display and then they added the knitting books.

Sorry about the cruddy pictures but the cell phone isn't the greatest especially with the glare from the front doors.

One of the librarians took some photos that she is going to email to me so hopefully I will have some better photos.

I was going to cook today but just couldn't seem to get motivated. I did make some "velveeta/sausage"-like dip yesterday using nutritional yeast and tvp (textured vegetable protein) from the cookbook "500 Vegan Recipes". Pretty tasty if I do say so myself. I dipped tortilla chips in it and today made a quesidilla.

Also made a tempeh/oatmeal "meat" loaf that I am enjoying. As well as some lovely mustard greens with toasted walnuts and marinated mushrooms. So good.

Now I have made myself hungry so I think I will go foraging for some dinner. And then off to knit and watch some dvds. I think I shall finish watching the last season of Northern Exposure. Stay warm and knit lots!

I just think the moss is such a lovely shade of spring green. But I don't understand how it can be growing when it's been so cold! Last week it never got out of the 20*s so how can the moss look so spring-like? But I suppose that I shall think of it as a sign that eventually winter will be over and spring will be here. Although I really haven't disliked it so far. Got alot of knitting done and I do enjoy being at home. Especially when it's so bitterly cold. On the upside-I have made quite a few pairs of fingerless gloves and gauntlets. Love them! My hands get COLD and they really help.

Had Chinese for lunch today. Mmmmm. The best buffet is not too far from here-Twin Dragon- and it is fabulous! They have a Mongolian grill that you can make your own dish and they cook it right there. Lots of veggies and the absolute best scallion pancakes you've ever had. Love them! We went for a belated birthday for sis and an early birthday for me. So good.Sunday we went to Hyde Park to get some coffee and tea at Coffee Emporium (the house on the left). They have the best in town. We got Winter Solstice coffee, which has caramel and some other kind of taste that I can't remember) but oh so good. They have very smooth tasting coffee that doesn't have that bitter, nasty aftertaste.

Also got some new teas. Well, a few are infusions of herbs and nuts which are what I try and drink at night. Or I have some white tea. Right now I am really enjoying Tazo's Berry Blossom white. Very tasty.

I would have gotten a closer picture but it was raining that day and didn't really want to be standing in the middle of the street (across from the police station, so they didn't need to see me either!) taking pictures with the cell phone.

This funky house is an interesting thing. We still can't figure out what was going on in this guy's mind! Have no idea if it's a house, a business, or what. But it's very fascinating to see.

Lunchtime!

The plate is a fried tofu pasta casserole and
some marvelous collard greens with pine nuts and raisins that was amazing. I love collard greens the best so I like to do all kinds of different dishes with them.

The sandwich is a faux-Rueben with marinated tempeh taking the place of the meat. The bread is a ciabatta roll and I couldn't get enough of these. I ate one every day until the tempeh was gone. Mmm mmmm mmm.This is a baked macaroni and "cheese" that I would just use elbow macaroni instead of mixing the pastas. That's what happens when you have several small amounts of different pastas around and want to use them up. It has a delicious topping of panko that gives it a nice crunch.

I also made myself some vegan peanut butter cups that are just sooooo good. I think that candy bars are the one thing that I miss alot so these definately hit the mark.

I don't know why I have no knitting pictures to show today but I will have more soon.

Enjoy your weekend!