Fridays Are Best Spent At Home

Good Morning from Casa d' Wine and Needles.

I'm home from work today for Cesar Chavez Day (I LOVE being a State employee!), so I've spent the morning bumming around and practicing general laziness. It's cold, raining, and blah in Central California, so I can't think of a better way to spend this time. I know i've got to get my ass up and in gear and actually run some errands soon but for now, I'm lounging in my PJs, knitting, rocking out to 80's music, and watching Viva go absolutly nuts for the new toy I knit her.


* yes that is a Sega Genesis. I never grew out of playing Sonic the Hedgehog, Ok?

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First Things First
Check out how absolutely amazing this gift from my SP is.

*Missing are the sour skittle that I ate the minute I opened the package. So much for self-control!
1. It has Andean Treasure. My favorite yarn.
2. In my favorite colors Blue and Red!
3. THERE IS WINE AND CHEESE. I repeat... She sent Wine!!!!
4. I lost my wine stopper about 2 days ago, and through some telepathic power, she knew this and sent another one right away.

"She" is none other than the awesome Sarah, SP7 Hostess, and resident blogger over at Not Scarlett. She let me take a guess this morning, even though I haven't gotten my last package yet. Yes... I still have something else to look forward to!!!! In the meantime, go on over and tell her how great SP was this time around!

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These Boots Are Made For Walkin'...

... right on into 26. How awesome are these? My great score on eBay as a gift to myself. I can't wait to sport these bad boys in public and people think I'm nuts. I love that.

Finally, I leave you with the aftermath of my birthday. My attempt at "mysterious" after 5 vodka drinks.

Time to get back tothe general laziness and the yumminess of the Cathay / Aline Jacket.

Ciao!

F is for Fine Dining

I'll admit it. I am a food and wine ho (as if you didn't have some indication of this from the name of the blog). This is something that I aquired growing up in a family of foodies and wine-o's, and has been both a blessing and a curse.

See, when I was in college, what did you think I was spending my money on? Thankfully I hadn't discovered knitting yet, because every spare dollar I had went into buying nice bottles of wine and dinners at my favorite Santa Barbara locals. Some people may call this over-indulgent, but that was my reward for getting my butt out of bed at 4:45am to go make smoothies 3 days a week.

Then I graduated and got my own place, complete with a full kitchen and access to killer food. I used to walk down to the harbor on Saturday mornings and buy fish right off the boat, then drive down to Watsonville and get fresh fruits and veggies from roadside stands. Then of course there was wine tasting and at literally hundreds of vineyards within a short drive. Of course this was a lot more work, but I was actually saving some $ and feeding (no pun inteneded) my fine food fetish.

Today, cooking every night I am home something I do for fun and leisure, not a bothersome chore. Sure, I still probably spend too much $ at the grocery store every week... but what can I say... blame my mom ;)

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Speaking of fine dining, wait till you see what SP sent me yesterday.... must.. find...camera....

Get 'yer Ends Ready

How effing cute are these yarn flowers?

via MarthaStewart.com

Fun Things To Do With Scallops

On the Birthday....
Thank you for my birthday wishes...

Unconventional gifties this year: My dad let me tear up my car payment check for the month, which was awesome. My mom gave me some $ so I can paint my apartment (Yup, after starring at paint swatches on my walls for the past 3 months, she finally enabled me to do something about it). Finally, nothing says 26 like an impulsive buy, so I went on ahead and got myself a pair of purple leather cowboy boots on eBay. Yup, it was a party over here for 26, boy.

Missing In Action...
My camera has mysteriously disappeared. I know it's in my apartment somewhere because I DO know it made it home from the bar on Saturday... but completely MIA for the moment being. Bummer, because I wanted to show you my progress on Aline (first front is done, with some "creative waist shaping"), The finished kitty bed, and almost-completion of Arden's Easter sweater. I also made a kick-ass dinner last night that I wanted to photograph before I chowed down... but my hunger took over before the camera was located so sorry.

Speaking of the Recipe

Sea Scallops in White Wine with Tarragon / Horseradish Potatoes.


Ingredients:
6 Sea Scallops (about 1/2 pound)
1 Potato
1/2 cup + extra splash white wine
2 shallots
2 T. Butter, divided (I used Smart Balance and it turned out fine)
1/4 c. Milk
1 T. Horseradish (more or less to taste)
1 + 1/2 T. Dried Tarragon
1 T. Whipping Cream

Pour yourself a big glass of red wine. Remove cat from kitchen.

Skin the potato and chop into pieces. Boil water in a pot and add salt, then potato. Boil until mashable.

Chop shallots. Heat wine over medium heat and add shallots, simmer until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Remove from heat.

Mash potatos, add 1 T. Butter, Milk, Horseradish, and 1/2 T. Tarragon. Keep warm on stove.

Add 1/2 T. butter to a skillet. Salt and Pepper the scallops, the sear until brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer scallops to a wide, shallow bowl.

Add a splash of wine to the to pan where you cooked the scallops (DO NOT RINSE) to deglaze. Add wine/shallot mix, Whipping Cream, 1/2 T. Butter, and 1 T. Tarragon. Stir to combine, transfer scallops back to pan and simmer for 1 minute.

Add potatoes to the bowl you had the scallops in, place the scallops on top, then pour the sauce over the entire plate.

Serves 1 for dinner.

Today in History

1755 Rufus King, framer of US constitution
1887 Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, San Jose CA, actor (Keystone comedies) [He was from San Jose?]
1909 Clyde Barrow, bank robber (of Bonnie & Clyde fame) [I was Clyde for Halloween one year.... who knew?]
1911 Joseph Barbera, animator (Hanna-Barbera)
1940 Bob Mackie, Monterey Parks Calif, designer (Streisand, Cher)
1943 Jesus Alou, baseball outfielder (SF Giants)[GO GIANTS!]
1944 Patti Labelle, singer (Phoenix, Tasty, Chameleon) [Somebody Loves you Baby...]
1946 Lee Oskar, Denmark, rock harmonicist (War-Why Can't We Be Friends) [The Rock Harmonica is totally the new Jazz Flute]
1962 Star Jones, attorney/TV hostess (NBC, Inside Edition) [should I go to Payless to celebrate?]
1970 Lara Flynn Boyle, Davenport Iowa, actress (Donna Hayward-Twin Peaks)

1991 "Les Miserables," opens at Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
1987 1st Soul Train Music Awards: Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross
1981 "Nightline with Ted Koppel" premieres on ABC
1980 Capitol Records releases some rare Beatles tracks [I knew today was a GREAT day!]
1967 University of Michigan holds 1st "Teach-in" after bombing of North Vietnam
1962 Mick Jagger and Keith Richards perform as Little Boy Blue and Blue Boys
1958 Elvis Presley joins the army (serial number 53310761)
1955 Tennessee Williams, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opens for 694 performances
1930 Planet Pluto named
1924 Greece becomes a republic
1898 1st automobile sold
1883 1st telephone call between NY & Chicago
1837 Canada gives blacks the right to vote
1603 Scottish king James VI becomes King James I of England

March 24th, 1980: Delia was born in Fresno, today making her 26 years old. Her mother had this to say:

"26 - my oh my - how the time flies by. You were actually born just a few minutes ago 26 years earlier - You were so anxious to get out in the world - I barely made it to the hospital! - and you've been going strong ever since!!. Thank you for all the joys you have given me - I'll try to forget about all the headaches and grey hairs!"

Thanks, mom ;).

Happy as Pi

Happy Cat
Here is my "oh my god did I really knit that in 3 days?" project, the infamous Pi for Viva.

I was skeptical that she would actually sleep in this, because 1) I have purchased her a bed before which she has not touched to this day and 2)Apparently my armpit and/or head is much more comfortable. So imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw her snuggle up into the pre-felted version as soon as I cast off. WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH VIVA!?!?

2 hanks of the recycled Manos, size 11 needles. This was one of the projects that went to San Jose with me a couple weeks ago, along with TSTWND.

Convo. between me and an old co-worked from SJ State:
"Hey Delia, what are you making this time?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you"
"Try me?"
"A cat bed"
(...)
"Yeah, that's a little wierd"

Overhead at my place: I'll leave my toys wherever I damn well please. And that left over ball of Manos? Mine. Oh get that look off your face, it makes you look old, like 26 or something....

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Edited to Add:
On the subjects of cats, I HAD to lift this photo from my girl Kaci and publish it here. This is her cat Lola, who is Viva's BFF. No words, just look.

Viva would effing kill me if I tried to put a knit dog sweater on her.

Vogue, You Forsake Thee...

Thank you all for the great comments on The Cardi... I've almost forgiven it for all the mishaps in the past two weeks.

So I ended up casting on for Aline (by the way, I realized I've been reading it wrong this whole time... it's actually the A-Line jacket, not Aline.... but I like the latter better so we're going to keep going with that, K?) because I wasn't in a Math mood last night. I'm digging the Cathay, it makes very pretty, uniform, neat stitches. And the weight will be perfect for Fresno nights.

Anyhow....

My post about Viva's cat bed has to wait until tomorrow, following my discovery of the horrors lurking over at Vogue Knitting in the March issue. I realized that while some of the designs are positively horrifying, most of my beef with this issue is in the styling of the models.


I didn't know a 95 pound woman could actually resemble a football player. I cannot peel my eyes from the insane bulk on her shoulders, to the point that the massive clash of color/texture/design is not registering in my head.


Has potential. What scares the shit out of me is that someone had the great idea to call this series of designs "SPRING CHICKENS". That poultry definitely looks like it's about to peck her brain out through her ear. (redeeming points for the fact that I LOVE her hair. I'm being seriously this time)


Lion Brand called. They want their patterns back.


This to me is the ultimate sin of this issue. The tank isn't bad, but did anyone else notice that you can see straight up the COMPLETELY SHEER SKIRT to the who-ha region? I mean common guys, I've seen issues of Maxim that haven't even gone this far. I feel a little bit dirty looking at this at work.

Due up tomorrow... blogging from the Central Coast.

The Sweater That Would Not Die

The Sweater That Would Not Die (TSTWND)

So I FINALLY cast this thing off last night, after adding the 5 inches of extra quasi-ribbing on the bottom.

As a reminder:

-Zippered Jacket from Vouge Knitting, Holiday 2005*

-5 Balls Dolcetto from Joann's Sensations Line, in Cream

-Size 10 & 7 needles

After realizing it was going to be too short, I picked up all the stitches along the bottom hem then knit 2 rows st st, 2 rows 1x1 rib until it was long enough. Obviously the ends are still hanging out in all their glory, and lord KNOWS how long it will take to get the zipper in, but I'm overall pretty happy with it. I shortened the sleeves and collar quite a bit, but those were the only other mods. This is my first "completed" sweater. And I really dig this yarn.

So looking to the future, I'm debating whic of two new sweaters to cast on: Vee in E. Lavold Silky Wool (with some mods, obviously) or Aline in Cathay. What do you think?

* I just went to the Vogue website to find this link, and instead was smacked in the face with this. What the HELL. Vogue you have failed me!!! This definitely calls for it's own post later this week when my wit and sarcasam are in full effect.

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The Jaywalkers were FOUND! They had fallen behind my desk at work... I'm actually lucky I found them before the dusty bunnies back there devoured them. I promptly grafted the toe on the first and cast on for the second. Someone had commented awhile back inquiring if 1 hank of Claudia's would be enough for one sock. Well here's what was left:

I knit these exactly as written on size 1s.... I also knit pretty tight and have pretty small feet (sz 6.5), so if you are going to use Claudias and have bigger feet than I, I would recommened shortening the leg. I will post finish photos when #2 is done

E is for Erin Go Braugh

I recently found out 'I's gots a littl' Irish in me', so I thought this would be appropriate (plus I realized I was WAY behind on the ABC-Along, and I only have 3 minutes to post today....)

Our lager
Which art in barrels
Hallowed be thy drink
Thy will be drunk, (I will be drunk)
At home as I am in the tavern.
Give us this day our foamy head
And forgive us our spillages
As we forgive those who spill against us
and lead us not to incarceration
But deliver us from hangovers
For thine is the beer
The bitter and the lager
Forever and ever
Barmen.

The Ides of March have it out for me....

This Monday, I invite you to bask in the humor of the knitting/cat/weather ordeals that are plauging Casa de' WN:

1 - My Jaywalker socks are MIA. Literally. I have no idea where I left the WIP. This may actually cause me to cry if I can't find them. KPixie is out of the colorway, and my beloved dpns were also involved.
2 - After a productive weekend of finishing, bathing, blocking, and seaming all the pieces of the Vouge Cardi, I find that the legnth is about 3 inches too short for my taste. There was an emergency pick-up of stitches around the bottom at 10pm last night, which may or may not have been a good idea at the time (the wine might have been speaking louder than I thought....) and an experimental venture into some additional ribbing is currently underway.
3 - Ran out of yarn on a little something that has a deadline. Craptastic.
4 - I can't knit while I'm on the phone today because I am wearing gloves to combat the fact that it is 42 degrees in my office. Just my office. What the F, man.
5- Last night Viva scratched mauled my arm from elbow to wrist in the middle of what appeared to be a spastic bad dream on the couch. Having my forearm wrapped completely in yellow gauze is probably drawing some strange looks right now.

But, let us forget all that and admire how beautiful this is:

Photos from the cabin, 2 weeks ago. So purty. I'd write more, but I can't type in these darn gloves!!!!

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Edited to add: I only have 10 days left of my 'early twenties'....

Edited yet AGAIN because I had to point out that I really, really adore this getup, noted by the Fugly girls. [Note to self: Must get some cowboy boots soon]

One. Two. Three.

First.
I actually finished a sweater... Sort of.



Pattern: Shrug from Debbie Bliss Cathay
Yarn: Patons Brilliance, about 5.5 Balls (I think)
Needles Sizes: 7+9

The arms caps ended up whack because my gauge was probably off. I never bother to check such things! I think it turned out pretty well, I liked the looseness of the fabric and the fit except for that sleeve thing. Also, I wasn't impressed with the initial try-on but then again it was 10:30pm, with wet hair, and dark circles under the eyes. Will try again at a later date.

Second.
New Sweater Project


Specs in the sidebar. This is an outdated photo from last weekend; I've since finished that front piece, one sleeve, and am working on the second front piece. But check out that motif in the front - look familiar? Look closer...


Even the color is the same. Am I ahead of the trends or what ;).

I'm actually really digging the yarn, Dolcetto from the Joann's line. Doubled up, it would make a great cabled scarf. If I have leftovers, I may do just that (so far the back, 1 front, and 1 sleeve have only taken 3.5 balls out of the 8 I bought)

Third.
Here Today...


Gone Tomorrow


I broke down and got a ball winder. I can't believe I made it three years knitting and never bought one. That was Hot Lava and the disaster-of-a-sweater-I-was-making-up-as-I-went-along. I feel like new beginnings! Tentatively, those neat little yarn cakes will become a Kitty Pi for Viva and Somewhat Cowl, without the Cowl. Sounds wierd I know, but I have a vision. And if that fails, a Ball Winder.

That blue ball is was a skein of Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud. Yeah, nice yarn to experiment with D. It took me awhile to get the hand of the winder.... here's the aftermath.


Whoops.

On that note, it's become all gloomy and sad around here lately. I snapped this photo last weekend right before It started pouring buckets and a wind tunnel moved across the valley

It's only going to get crappier next week, but I'll be up in the Bay Area. Commuknity employees watch out, I'll be on the prowl....

On The Road Again....

It's March, so do you know what that means to a college recruiter? It's that time of year again. Yup, when I get paid to sit in the back of a van and knit on my way down the Interstate to a recruitment fair. Or to hang out in my hotel room, eat dinner on the state, and knit knit knit away. It's also the time of year Viva goes biserk because I have to leave her in the hands of someone else for extended periods of time.

But guess what else is coming up?

I am so glued to the TV for this. This is my knitting olympics!!! I'm listening to the Giants v. Brewers online at this very moment. It's Baseball Season Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

To celebrate: Fiber purchases will be made.

Lots else to share but not a lot of time today, sooooo.... Coming Soon:
- Oh My God, I Actually Finished a Sweater.... Sort Of.
- Here Today, Gone Tomorrow... Delia's experience with a Ball Winder.
- I Must Be Living in Someone Else's Head... AKA My current sweater is turning out to look exactly like someone else's.

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Edited to Add:
God Bless eBay. $11 w/ Shipping! FINALLY!