The sock that I'm knitting for mom had a field trip today to Tire Discounters. As we were turning out of the driveway this afternoon we heard something go "pop''. Thought we ran over a large stick but turned out that it was a screw. How it got in the driveway is anyone's guess.So we went down the street to the tire store because we were afraid that the tire would go flat. And almost 2 hours later we had the tire fixed. At least I had my knitting. And we didn't have to have a new tire. They did fix it though so yah!

On the Christmas knitting front....it's going really well (finally)!

So I'm off to get some more done tonight.

Enjoy the extra hour from the time change. More time to knit!

Lookie here. It's fall! Well, at least it was until we had the gloomy,rainy day all day. But maybe the wind won't blow all the leaves off the trees.But the trees that have turned are gorgeous. Although it's hard to drive when you have to keep looking at the trees!
I love this color...I'd love to have some yarn this color. Although I love the Aspen gold also. Oooooh, I bet a mix would be stunning.
On the knitting front here is what I finished last night. Another shawl. This one is made from Lion Brand's Jiffy (a bulky weight) and is the Easy Triangle shawl. Knit on size 13's (ick!) and used almost 3 skeins. The color is Blush and much lighter than it shows. But nice and warm and it will be used tomorrow. Supposed to have a cold snap and be ...well, rather fall-like. I would like to find a nice pin or something to close the wrap so I will have to keep an eye out.

Since it was non-conducive to being outside today I baked some things. This is actually from last week. They are French Toast doughnuts with maple glaze and cinnamon sugar topping. I couldn't find a mini-doughnut pan so used a mini-bundt pan instead. They are sooooooooooooooo good. Well, they were so good. I put them in the icing when they were still hot and all the glaze absorbed into the doughnut and they got all soft and "sqooshy". I haven't had a doughnut in years and these definately were worth the wait.
Today I made nutty oatmeal raisin cookies and a great cranberry-apple crisp that is very fitting with the fall theme! Had a piece of that with some Cranberry Autumn tea from Harney and Sons and mmmmmm. So good.

This is what I had for breakfast. Looks kinda gross but the picture doesn't do it justice. It's Kale Florentine over toast points. It is just delicious. Sauteed kale in a "cheesy" sauce over a grainy bread with a tomato slice underneath the kale. Baked in the oven until hot and bubbly. It was a superlative breakfast!

Last Sunday I went to the yarn market that is put on by the Middletown Knitters' Guild. Last year it was at the last minute and smaller than the year before but still I found some great yarn at good sale prices. And they had knitters to teach and help; as well as a knitting "doctor". Plus some fun show and tell and an antique sock knitting machine. And the best apple cider that I've had in a long time. And cookies... but nothing for this poor vegan ...lol.

But this year. Bah. I was extremely disappointed. They moved it to Middletown, which was fine, except it was much farther than the directions would lead you to believe. Once we got there and walked in (no sign until you actually were at the door) the woman that was manning the door prize entries was not particularly friendly. I was rather surprised because all the other years everyone was really nice. Maybe she was having an off day. There were only 3 vendors there with very small tables. Didn't find any yarn but did score with a pattern that I have wanted to order for a few years. It's called the Swirl scarf/shawl and was the only one left. Woot! And only $4.00. Which was a way better deal than the $6.00 in the catalog. That also didn't include the $8.00 shipping! For one pattern. It was almost a better deal to buy the kit. But now I have the pattern. I bought yarn for it awhile ago but, duh, it's the wrong weight. Geeze. It is knit with a fingering weight but I bought a lace weight. Do you think I can go down a needle size or two and use that yarn?

Here is the cutest bouquet that was for sale at Trader Joe's. The little pumpkins are real and the colors are just beautiful.

I've been knitting and knitting and knitting and still have 2 1/2" left before I can bind off. Why is it that those last few inches just never get finished.

It was very cold here this week. Rainy and grey and just uncomfortable. Only in the 40*s all week so it was a good week to stay inside and cook some lovely autumn meals.

This is pasta and cannellini beans and Italian-style sauteed broccoli . So good.

An Indian-inspired meal. Spice-stuffed okra and spinach couscous. So good.

I really enjoy when the weather turns cooler and I can wear my cool hand-knit socks and my Birks! Man, these socks are BRIGHT! You can see my feet before you see me...teehee.We've had enough rain that the flowers still look lovely and full.

Been really knitting away on *shhhhh* projects but finished my first shawl. It was a chunky weight yarn on size 13's (yuck....I really don't like knitting on needles bigger than 7's but the knitting sure does fly). Only took me a few days to knit this. I probably could've finished it alot sooner but only worked on it when I was in bed and couldn't sleep.

Here is mom's back while she is the shawl-model! I think it came out quite nicely. She likes it too.

Had a few nice, sunny days but supposed to rain tomorrow and get cooler. I suppose fall is here.

I can't believe that my 30 year high school reunion is this weekend. Some days it seems like just yesterday that I was in high school and then at other times it seems like forever ago. I wonder how many people are coming? I went to a large school and our graduating class had over 750 in it. I bet not that many are going to show!

Well, back to knitting.

Mug o' the day. Nice shot,eh?This is an old mug that I bought years ago at the Disney store. Loves me some tigger.
It makes me laugh when I use it. Today it's filled with Harney and Sons White Christmas tea. Absolutely fabulous. A white tea with almond, cardamom, vanilla and chamomile. I think it's one of my favorite teas. I don't have it very often as it's a little pricey but after such a rainy and gloomy week I deserve a little treat. After 6 straight days of rain and gloomy,overcast skies we actually saw some sunshine! Of course it's supposed to rain again in the next day or two but that's okay. Now I have an idea what it's like to live in Portland or Seattle (without all the cool atmosphere and coffee shops!).

You can't see in the ball but it's the cutest chincilla. They live at the bird store where we were getting some seed for the parrots. They roll around the floor so fast that I really couldn't get a good shot of him but they are a hoot. I really enjoyed watching them and laughing.

Here's what I made yesterday. I love them!! So soft and warm. They are Fetching from www.knitty.com and so fast and easy to knit. I love the yarn. I shouldn't have spent so much on it but I HAD to have it. Even though I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to make with it. It was so soft in the skein that I almost didn't want to wind it into a ball.

But they are lovely and I can't wait to wear them. And they are mine, all mine!! Bwwahhhhahahaha. A-hem... never mind.

I know, I know. I've not been a very good blogger at all. I have no excuse really except haven't really been on the computer much this past week or so. Had a terrible sinus headache yesterday (stupid goldenrod) and just basically sat around and watched "The Big Bang Theory" on dvd. Great show! And good and geeky for Amanda and myself! This is what jumped on my needles to be worked on. I know. Knitting monogamy is just not to be at this knitter's house. But ....I do eventually finish them all.

This is the Textured Patchwork long vest from www.lionbrand.com and it's knit with Peaches and Cream kitchen cotton. I got 2 cones of it and it's coming along fabulously. As are the secret projects! *shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*.
The weather is finally starting to change and in the evenings it's getting nice and cool. My fingers are itching for fingerless gloves and my toes wiggling for some socks. I like when summer ends and school starts. Shopping for school supplies...new, crisp,clean notebooks and pens and a backpack to stuff in everything. This is the time of year when I miss college the most. Looking for textbooks (at least the ones I could afford!) and finding the classrooms. All very nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time.
But as fall proceeds towards the end I get rather melancholy. Everything dries up and dies and the nights are dark by 6:00 pm and I just want to put on my jimjams and curl up with a nice,hot cuppa and some music on the mp3 player and just kind of ....wallow. Rather moody and withdrawn but I've always been that way. *sigh*.
Off for a cuppa and a piece of chocolate.

Flowers for my feet.

My feet are happy in them.

I like to knit socks.

Here's my completed socks! Just your basic Yarn Harlot pattern 'cause I can knit them in the car. I figure the yarn is busy enough that it doesn't need any fancy pattern. The yarn is Opal...something and they are very soft.

The weather is getting a little cooler. Well, not this week but last week it was quite nice. In the 40*s at night. Aaaahhhh. I like the end of the seasons when it's time to start changing clothes from shorts to capris/pants and fall outfits. Doesn't look like anytime soon but it's coming!
Here are my finished Flame wristlets. I really,really like them despite the annoyance of the Mini Mochi. The colors are vibrant and should be nice and warm.
Fraternal but still the same!

A pair of socks that I made for mom. They are Paton's Astra -a sport weight- and she is quite pleased with them. It's an honor to get to knit things for her. She has always encouraged us and told us that we can do anything we set our minds to. Any kind of craft or art that we were interested in, she would buy us whatever we needed to get started and basic tools that were needed. So thanks mom! and enjoy your socks.

Finished sock! I really like the yarn (Aruncia) but not so sure about the pattern (Hedgerow from Knitters Review). By the time I decided I wasn't thrilled with the pattern I was far enough along that I didn't want to rip it out and start again. But still pretty. This color is a little closer to the true color.
The first shot is from the back of sis's car on the way up to Dayton. We hadn't gone on a small road trip in quite awhile and the day was beautiful so off we went. There is a big health food store up there and they have items we don't have down here so it was a fun trip. I did get to run into Wooly Bully but I was a good girl and didn't buy anything (there anyway!).
Been getting lots of knitting done. Finished my lovely wristwarmers made from Mini Mochi yarn. So pretty but not my favorite yarn. Rather "splitty" and thick and thin in spots. But the colors are intense and they made lovely wristlets.
Also working on some unmentionable knitting so pretend you didn't see that! lol.

This is an "omelet" that I made the other day. It's actually tofu with sauteed vegetables. Yum. And I think it actually looks like an omelet. I found the recipe in Vegan Brunch, which is a great cookbook. It's hard to find breakfast/ brunch recipes so I love the cookbook.
And now it's time for me to get something to eat as I am feeling a little peckish.

Okay, now I apologize for the angry post. Aol fixed the problem. Turned out that a ''bot'' had gotten one of our screen names and sent out a bulk commercial email and it alerted Aol and they shut down the account. A very nice woman at Aol helped me right out on Monday morning and now we are as right as rain.

This is my official "I am highly irritated and just want to kick something" post. Or as they say, (who is "they" anyway?) I've got my Irish up!! Went to sign onto Aol today and got a message that the account was suspended!!! WHAT? Excuse me? And you can't even talk to anyone there because there is no one in the office until Monday morning. Yeah right. I'm so sure. It's probably a good thing though 'cause I am irate!!! Thank you for listening and there will be knitting on the next post. *sigh*

Here's what I made the other day. Wee sock earrings!

Too cute!

Well, I posted here last week (possibly longer than that) that the Celtic poncho was almost finished. I should have never said it out loud until it was actually finished. I held it up to myself and it needs to be longer. So I'm going to have to make more stupid triangles. *sigh*.

I am trying to get more knitting done so I haven't been on the computer much. It's been so hot these past few days! In the 90*s and humid. I get hot just sitting here.

It was just a little cooler today. Not much but I had some vegetables that I needed to cook. I made stuffed pattypan squash, stuffed red peppers, garlicky kale with tahini dressing, roasted okra (yum) and apple-ginger cake. It was unbearably hot when I finished cooking and the last thing I wanted to do was eat anything. But it will be nice to have some meals for the next few days. Plus I had some 30% off coupons from Borders and treated myself to a few new cookbooks. "Vegan with a Vengence" by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and "Vegan Lunchbox Around the World" by Jennifer McCann. I really like the lunchbox books because they are chockful of great meals to pack in ...that's right....lunchboxes. And it's great to be able to take my own meal with me.

Crazy weather this time of year. Here's what we saw walking out of the store. The camera on my phone really didn't do it justice...it was beautiful. Such lovely colors. It was raining on one side and quite sunny on the other. One of the sunny days when we were running errands and the flowers in this suburb are fabulous. They line the entire street on both sides for about a mile. At Christmas they have lights all along and it's beautiful to see. Although very distracting when you are trying to drive!

Another shot.They are really thriving from all the rain we've had. I certainly wish it would stop raining though. I'm sick of mowing the lawn!! By this time the lawn is drying out and I can pat the mower as I walk by (snickering all the time).

This is what I've been working on this past week. Feather and fan pattern and the yarn is Bernat Sox. I don't care for it so much. Rather like the Berrocco Comfort Socks, it's soft and I have to really pull tight to get some good tension. But they are nice regardless and the person for whom they are intended should like them. At least I hope so. They took quite a while to knit as they are a size 11. Whew!

A view of the fish tank at the Chinese restaurant where I like to pick up dinner once in awhile. No fish though...lol.

Cool decorations inside and great food. Good price and you get alot of food. Yum.

MMMmmmmm! I can't decide which one to have for dinner.

Isn't this just the best looking Swiss chard? I have really been enjoying cooking with it lately. I made a great polenta vegetable primavera with half of it and the other is destined for chard, fennel and pasta dish. Yum.My newest sock is ready to be knitted. Actually it's all rolled up and I've started on the pattern. It's Hedgerow from Knitters Review and shows the hand painted yarn quite well. The yarn is Arunica and I just love the colors.

Here's another shot of the crazy stuff at Jungle Jim's. Every time I go there is something new there.There's a contest at 1870 Pearl's blog...www.1870Pearl.typepad.com. Go and comment and win a chance for some yarny goodness! Plus, her blog is really fun with some great pictures.

Finally broke down and bought some software to clean up my computer. It was running slow but I am not "techie" in any sense of the word so was afraid to do anything. But went to Target (where they had dvd's of Northern Exposure for $19.99 each season) and found some software by Iolo called Software Mechanic and it's FABULOUS!! Very straightforward and easy to work. And the computer runs so fast now. It's amazing. Only cost $19.95 and well worth the money.
Here's a meme for you: To get ano overview of the kind of music you listen to.
Turn on your player, shuffle and list the first 15 songs,title and artist. (no skipping now!)

1.My Hands are Shaking-Sondre Lerche

2.The End of Outside-Duncan Sheik

3.What Do You Do?-The Proclaimers

4.Anakin's Betrayal-Star Wars Episode 3

5.You're Still You-Josh Grobin

6.Signs of Life-Moby

7.Come on Eileen-Dexy's Midnight Runners

8.God will Lift Up Your Head-Jars of Clay

9.We are the Champions-Queen

10.Don't Talk-10,000 Maniacs

11.Anakin's Dark Deed-Star Wars

12.Everybody Hurts-R.E.M.

13.Sweater Song-Weezer

14.Shock the Monkey-Peter Gabriel

15. Amazing Grace-Sarah Brightman

Go and play your own list as well.

Went to Trader Joe's the other day and the colors of the flowers were just stunning. So bright and sunny. And this way the flowers never die!Been slacking on the blogging lately (well, the computer in general) because I've been doing alot of knitting. Finished another pair of ordered socks and then was working on the project which will never be finished...or the Celtic poncho if you want to get technical about it. I have finished all the pieces (woohoo! happy dance) and am now working on seaming it all together. I may have to make more of the diamonds because it isn't quite as long as I would like. And after all this time I should really like it. So I think that I will put it all together and make sure I have enough yarn to lengthen it. (Here's keeping my fingers crossed.)

Also I've been working on some Christmas presents which shall remain a secret because some read this blog. You won't find out your present here!!

Went to Starbucks yesterday and enjoyed just sitting around with no one around. And my venti soy extra shot latte with no foam was the best ever. It was nice and quite but they didn't have any music playing which was kind of odd.

But the chairs are ever so comfy.

Here are some of the vegetables that I got at the farmer's market last week.

These are pickling cucumbers and I just like to peel them and eat with a little salt. Mmmmmm. Tasty.

I still haven't decided what to do with the eggplant but it's so nice it had to come home with me.

Just a quick shot of today's mug. Lovely and orange isn't it? Also a great sale mug. Yah! for sales.

New "mug shot". It was on sale for $3.00 so it had to come home with me. Quite a deal. I think it's quite lovely and the vine motif is on the inside as well. Won a prize from www.romancingtheyarn.blogspot.com from Barbra Bretton. 2 skeins of this yarn. Isn't it lovely?
I have to find the perfect project for them. Also got a nice canvas tote and magnet and bookmark. Fun contest!

Went to a farmers market (gee, what a surprise!) and got some of the loveliest swiss chard. So fresh that it had a slug on a piece....arrrrrrrrrrgggghhh! But rinsed off and cooked into a wonderful "frittatta" and it's good. Also made up some crispy kale 'cause Amanda and I can't stay out of it. Just delicious.

Here's where I went Sunday evening. Well, Amanda and mom and I went to listen to the carillions. Amanda was nice enough to drive and they were so nice. I really enjoy listening to them and the weather was wonderful. It's supposed to be in the 70*s this weekend (unheard of for this time of year here) and they will be playing some Bach, which is my favorite so maybe we'll get to go down again on Sunday.

They have it every Sunday at 7:00 pm and on holidays in the afternoon and it's just a fun thing to do on a warm summer evening. If we plan ahead this time I'll pack some dinner for us to eat at the park. Plus knitting can be done since it's at least an hour long so it's nice to settle in and knit and enjoy some relaxing music.

I made some coconut sweet curry "ice cream" today and am going to make some apple pie "ice cream" tomorrow. Yum.