H is for Hole in One

H is for Hole in One

Ok, so I admit, I struggled with 'H' a little bit. And i'll admit, i've never actually hit a hole in one. In fact, I only took up golf about 2 months ago. But it's fast becoming a favorite activity of mine (even cutting into knitting time!)


There's this great driving range by my house, and luckily pops had a friend who's son had outgrown his old set of clubs so voila! Delia is in business! My dad and I head up there once a week for some father-daughter bonding, as well as knocking up divets and getting really frustrated working on our swings and unwinding.

I'm going to be playing in the University-wide tournament in 2 weeks(!), which should be nothing short of comical because as of current, I am only getting in about 1 good shot out of every 15 I go for. Did I mention I am playing with the Dean? Yes... pure comedy should follow.

Stay tuned folks, this could get interesting.

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PS - Thanks for the encouragment on the yarn binger yesterday. I really have no idea what happened; I woke up after lunch with my head on the keyboard and my debit card in my hand. See sidebar for updated projects and uses of said yarn.

Sanctions

Today I was overcome with weakness (and a nice tax return, and the sale at Webs, and the need for performance-based rewards....) and I got a little carried away.

Self-imposed sanctions are needed.

Let the games begin....

FSEwe

Karabella Cardi

Deb - thanks for your advice - very insightful. If anyone else is making this, she's got a lot of helpful photos about the assembly of this thing over on her blog. I'll wait until I have all the pieces sewn up before deciding on the fate of the collar - maybe if I can figure out how many stitches I would end up with, I can pick up that many around the collar. We shall see.

Here's the cardi as of 4/25/06 at 7:30pm

I finished off about 1/2 of the 2nd sleeve last night, and hope to cast on for the final front panel tomorrow. Despite everything, the actually knitting of this thing is going quite fast. I'm liking the Shine Worsted for this project. This is going to be a PERFECT beach sweater.

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FSEwe

I noticed this yesterday when I was leaving campus. I've never seen them all out grazing during the evening communte. Yes, we have a full functioning sheep unit on campus. Cool, huh?

Salmon Pasta in Tomato Cream Sauce

Salmon Pasta in Tomato Cream Sauce

Ingredients
1/2 onion, chopped
1 T Butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 c. white wine
1 package smoked salmon (8 oz)
1 T. Dried Parsley Flakes
1 c. pomodoro sauce, or other tomato-based pasta sauce
2 T. heavy cream
1/2 - 1 t. red pepper flakes (depending on taste preference)
1/2 bag frozen peas
2 cups rotinni pasta (I used Barilla Whole-Wheat)

Bring water in a pot to a boil, add pasta. Cook until just under-cooked. Add Peas, and cook until peas have soften and pasta is tender. Strain and set aside. In the meantime...

In a large saucepan, heat Butter over medium - high heat. Add Onions and Garlic, cook until softened. Add Wine to deglaze pan, reduce heat to medium. Corsely chop salmon, and add to wine mixture with Parsley. Stir to heat though. Add Pomodoro sauce, stir to mix, then add cream and red pepper flakes. Heat through.

Add pasta + peas to sauce. Toss to coat.

Serves 2 as a main course

A Day of Nothingness

Thanks for all the comments on the tat (heh, I have a 'tat'). Christina, it's not NEARLY as bad as you think, I am the person who passes out when getting blood drawn or measles shots. The knitting REALLy helped - I had something else to focus on! However, I still can't believe I had the guts to go through with it.

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The Fate of Kitty Pi.

Viva has decided that instead of sleeping in it, that she would bunch it up and lay on top of it. It needs another solid run through the wash, but at this point, who am I to stop the fun. She brought it into her favorite toy rotation (along with the cat nip toy and the bouncy-thing from SP7 Sarah, so maybe it will just be a giant blob.

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Karabella Cardi

I sewed up the back, left front, and one sleeve of the Karabella Cardi last night and I think it is going to work. I started the 2nd sleeve and hope to have the whole body sewn up by Sunday. I have decided I will definitely be picking in the stitches around the neck and knitting the yoke that way, as opposed to the directions which instruct a top-down method to be "sewn on" at the end. Yeah, I don't think so!

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Tunes!

Seen at Lollygirl and a few other places, and I thought it was pretty cool. What you'll find in my music collection:

No Pain No Gain

Contest Update: Results are in....

Thanks for all who played along; I decided to go with Victor, nicknamed V (big shout out to Jennifer and Lauren for the suggestions!) It never occured to me to use the Valley V in his name, but I think it fits perfectly. I'm going to get his new name inscribed on his collar this week!

As for the random drawing, Dani is the big winner! (Scientifically determined by putting all names into a jar and picking one with my eyes closed) Dani, email me at delia dot ann at gmail with your address so I can get your prize in the mail!

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How I spent my weekend: No Pain No Gain

Background: About 4 months ago, my best friend Kaci and her husband decided they were going to move back to the midwest, where they are both originally from. One night soon thereafter, about 4 margaritas down, we decided that we would get matching tattoos 1) because I have always wanted one and this was the perfect reason and 2) nothing sounds more fun than getting a tattoo when you've been drinking. Well, what started as a prank turned into reality as both of us had a little too much pride to back down. Kaci called to say she had made us an appointment at Lovedog Tattoo in Santa Cruz, with Cheri Lovedog, screenwriter and rock-chick idol. Too late to back out now!




Yes, I knit through the entire process and yes, it kept me from passing out. According to Cheri, I was the first person she had seen knit while getting a tattoo. Awesome! Click photo for bigger view.

This is a labyrinth; the Hopi indian symbol for Mother Earth.
About 2 years ago, I would have NEVER seriously considered getting a tattoo. I am scared to freaking DEATH of needles (the REALLY sharp ones, not pretty bamboo ones ;) ) so no one actually thought I would go through with it. Ha!

Post-tattoo celebration with awesome food, wine, and tequila!

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Knit Progress

Progress Shots of Aline and Karabella Cardi

~ I'm working on the Aline back panel, which can be seen in the tattoo photo above. I'll forever remember Aline as the tattoo sweater!

~ The Karabella pattern sucks. I have already made so many mods to it, and have about a million more planned. First, tthe written pattern is very difficult to follow, with the ever-frustrating "reverse shaping" and no stitch or row counts. Second, I changed up the front panel because I didn't like the way the cables ended on the back. Third, I did the sleeve in st st instead of 1x1 rib, but added a cuff to the bottom. I finished the sleeve last night and will probably sew these pieces together to see if they work before starting the next sleeve and front panel. Stay tuned for updates if you plan on making this, and save yourself the heartache it is causing me!

Sprummer!

Today is the final day to get a name vote in for the Fresno State Bulldog contest. Get votes in by 11:59pm!

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Golf
My arms are KILLING me after going to town with the 5 metal last night, trying to conquer the art of hitting off the ground. I finally cleared 110 yards, dead-straight, but unfortunately that isn't something I've been doing with any sort of consistancy. I tried to get pops to snap a photo of my now-perfected body form, but he was too busy breaking clubs over his knee and cursing at the ball (kidding).

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Trials and Tribulations of the Ball Winder
I haven't been knitting too too much this week, for a couple of different reasons. First, there was that late night at Bunco on Tuesday. Then this debaucle on Wednesday night:

This is what an oh sh*t moment looks like

1.5 hours later

Success!
This is the part where you might be asking yourself "why are you winding those pre-wound balls into yarn cakes?" "Because it's prettier that way", I say.

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Actual Knitting
I have been struggling to all hell with finishing this sock

Yes, you are correct. It looks almost the exact same as is does here (1 week ago). It's the only thing I've had with me during the week for phone calls, lunch, spare moments, etc... but this is NEVERENDING. Next socks definitely need be be on size 3 or larger needles.

And this keeps staring at me.

Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in Brindle, from this awesome sale at Webs.This is going to become Vee, when I finish one of the other two sweaters I am working on. Seriously, I am already so in love with this yarn. I am resisting buying more while it's freaking $3 off per ball. I mean, I'll use it someday, right?

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Zen

I leave you with this. Sprummer (Spring-Summer) has finally arrived in the Valley. None of this "in the middle" weather... we go straight from 60 degrees to 80 around here! Vintage Days kicked off last night, so for lunch today we'll be wandering Fresno State and eating way too much food. Nothing says Friday like Tri-Tip! (Check out Pat Hill flipping Pancakes!) View from my office; view from Vivas office.

TGIF!

Alpacas On The Loose in LA

Last night I was at my Bunco group and the conversation turned to the newly birthed TomKitten, Suri.

I had to physically stop myself (after a few glasses of wine, of course) from asking in disbelief "they named her after an alpaca?"

Glad you all will understand that.

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PS - Hi Elaine! My SP7 has been revealed!

Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

Let's revisit the Irish Hiking Wrist Warmers today, shall we?

Guess what? You can now download the Irish Hiking Wrist Warmer pattern in .pdf format here (version 2.0, posted 4/20/06)! Yes, I finally stepped it up a notch and gave the thing a proper layout.

Also, I found out the wrist warmers are linked to from the kpixie.com blog. Coolness!


And if you haven't already, stop on over here and give my bulldog a name! Contest ends Friday.

Normal, boring photos of 1/2 finished sweaters to resume tomorrow (the Karabella was found! Huzzah!)

Name the Bulldog

I'll get to that title in a second, but first of thank you all for confirming that I wasn't crazy and accidently dropped a dallop of dishwashing liquid in my knitting bag when no one was looking.

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The Apartment
It's been a mellow few days on the homefront, so I was able to do some more painting and decorating of the apartment. After a lot of 80's music and an assult on Cost Plus, I think it's coming together quite nicely.


* the flash in this photo makes color on the wall with the closet look hideous. I swear it's not that color in real life.
All I have left to do is my bathroom and bedroom, then re-painting the trim on the deck because it is peeling and ugly. I also just used my tax return to buy a big, comfy chair for the living room (if you have not yet discovered Overstock.com, you need to spend some time browsing there ASAP. Yes you read that right: no tax and $2.95 shipping - EVEN ON FURNITURE!) Since I have publicly proclaimed I am not leaving this apartment until I am forced to (i.e. getting married - and lord knows how far off that date is), the extra time and $ put in is worth it.

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Knitting
Last night I got the urge for a quicky. You know, a little break up the three major projects I have been working on. So I decided on the Felted Bowl from One Skein (FABULOUS new book, by the way), in some recycled wool I bought from Elann.com awhile back. So while waiting for my sis to come pick me up for dinner, I settled outside on the deck with the book, size 11 dpns, the yarn, and a hard cider. An hour later, not thinking, I left it laying on the floor of the living room. When I came home, I saw this:


* I just don't get it. Twice now? Viva apparently loves her some wool.
Elsewhere, these have been sharing my time:

Jaywalkers (dishsoap and all)

Aline Jacket

-----------------------------------------------------As for the missing pattern, I finished the back and 1/2 a sleeve on the Karabella Cardi before the disappearance. Unfortunately, I am now at a point where I NEED the pattern so I'm stuck. I'm giving it one more week to see if it shows up, otherwise I am going to have to bite the bullet and get another one.

There is also this UFO project floating around. Hopefully it shall be revealed soon.

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Name the Bulldog Contest

I had my camera at work yesterday and thought it would be fun to snap this guy. Officially, he's a replica of the Fresno State mascot Time Out, but I think he needs a more personal name, since he resides on my desk 95% of the time and sometimes I talk to hime (Kidding!) What do you think? A name-the-bulldog contest, perhaps?

The Rules:
Comment on this entry with a potential name, and why you think it should be such. You can read a bit about the campus traditions here, if you like. I'll pick my favorite for his actual name, but all entries will be entered into a drawing to win some Fresno State-themed yarn and other goodies.

Contest ends Friday, April 21st.