12.31.2007

Go Dogs Beat GT

Ok one more post. I finished something, although it wasn't the allusive sweater:



Bird In Hand Mitten #1, modeled by my lovely fiance. I'm using Cascade 220 in Burgundy and Cream colors.

I finished this while watching my Bulldogs beat the pants off Georgia Tech.

One member of the household was less than enthusiastic.


OK, last post for real. See you in 2008!

12.30.2007

Year In Review

This will probably be my last post of 2007, an epic year for the history book that is my life. This year, I:

A) Bought a house
B) Got engaged
C) Traveled to the East Coast for the first time
D) Became a Dog Owner

and last but not least,

E) Roasted an animal over an open fire

I'll remember that last one until the day I die.

These last few days of the year have been quite exciting as well. Want to see what's new in pictures?

You got it. I've been:

Playing with new toys (I feel like I can get married now - I am now the proud owner of a Cherry-Red KitchenAid mixer! My first batch of cookies turned out STELLAR.)


Trying to seat 375+ people at 42 tables. YIKES.


Cutting 4 inches off my hair - First time it's been this short in 9 years!
BEFORE:


AFTER:


AND

ALMOST finishing a sweater that I have been working on for almost TWO YEARS. Lame, I know. I may have to post tomorrow if it's finished. (Sneak peek here, on a typical night @ Persimmon Lane)

Anywho, just in case I don't because Matt and I have too much wine tonight and pass out at 9pm, have a HAPPY and SAFE New Years!

12.17.2007

Obligatory Holiday Knitting Post

What an INSANE last few weeks. I swear to god it was just Thanksgiving last weekend (a few outdated shots, if you are interested). There just doesn't seem to be enough time for ANYTHING (HELLO wedding in 34 days!!!!) If you've posted here and I haven't replied, I'm sorry. Can I claim Bridzillaness???

However, a couple Monday mornings a month I head into work 2 hours later than normal, and it's such a lovely, indulgent way to start the week. This morning, I got up, jogged with Katy for about 20 minutes, sipped my coffee slowly instead of guzzling it down, and finished up the button bands on a piece of Holiday knitting I am doing for co-worker. I also took some nice photos that I promptly forgot to upload to flickr. Whoops.

I'm not doing much holiday knitting this year, since I find that gifts that are specifically requested are always much better received than those I decide on. My list this year is:

1. Scarf for a girlfriend braving a Michigan winter. - 100%
2. GO BEARS / GO AGGIES! Hat for dad. - 0%
3. Little Boy Cardi for co-worker. - 90%
4. Citrus-Freeze scarf for future-brother-in-law (so he doesn't freeze while he's out protecting oranges.) - 40%

However, I strategically forgot to bring one of those to work today, so I am back to the 1st sleeve of Thermal. I also started a pair of Bird In Hand Mittens on Saturday (don't ask why... or how... it just happened....), and somehow found a renewed interest in the hibernating A-Line Jacket (OMG, Have I really not touched that since March?!?!). I really don't want that motivation to go away because I will have such a load lifted off my WIP list with that thing FINISHED.

All this is fine and dandy since I am on a spending HALT until the wedding, but I have allowed myself one prize for finishing ALL holiday knitting and A-Line:


Flo, by Kim Hargreaves

My head is about to explode over how great that cardigan is. I want it exactly as photographed. I am not even thinking twice about it the minute I cast off that last item.

12.10.2007

The Only Thing Left is 2.5 Kids

Internets world, meet our newest family member:



This is Katy. She's a Border Collie / Australian Shepherd Mix Blue Heeler (thanks for the comments!!!). And what a ball of energy! I think we've walked her about 5 miles in the last 36 hours and she's always ready for more!

This is Matt's early Christmas gift (Merry Christmas, babe!) He's been wanting a Dog for ages, and I basically enabled him to bring her home. I've always been a cat person (never actually 'owned' a dog!) but I am warming up to her.



My only condition when Matt picked out a dog was "no desire to eat Viva". So we are working on introducing them. So far they just seem curious of each other, but then again they haven't gotten any farther than peering at each other through a sliding glass door. This should be fun.



Next WIP: a Doggie Sweater.

12.04.2007

More Soup

I made another yummy, YUMMY soup tonight:


Smokey Tomato Soup (modified from a recipe I found in Rachel Ray's Magazine)

Chop 1 small white onion and cook in olive oil over med-high heat with 3 cloves smashed garlic and 1 T. Thyme leaves. Chop 1 Chipotle Chili in Adobo sauce and add to onions, along with 2 T. of the Adobo sauce. Stir in 2 cans of whole roasted tomatos (14.5 oz) and 3/4 can of chicken broth (or Veggie broth to make it Vegan) and 1/4 cup white wine. Simmer for 15 minutes, then puree in a blender.

Serve with Guyere Toasts (top sliced sourdough bread with cooking spray and shredded Guyere cheese, then broil until cheese bubbles).

Super-simple, and worthy of serving to guests.

In the meantime, I finished the body of Thermal in between planning and executing Matt's 30th Birthday (here we are practicing for the wedding!) this past weekend and writing like 90 thank you notes from my showers:



I hate it right now, because it makes me look WAY too boobalious, but everyone says the blocking wortks wonders so I am keeping my fingers crossed (also: rockin my favorite BEATLES tee-shirt here)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....


Insert witty ending to post here.

11.28.2007

November = Soup



Every year around November I get this overwhelming urge to cook soup like, four times a week.

I made Matt wait like 2 hours to eat this yummy French Onion number, but it was oh-so-worth-it.

11.27.2007

Ever Wonder How We Met?

Deals: tell me a story

MC: once upon a time, in a land not so far away lived a boy

MC: one day that boy went to a friends birthday party, all around the boy were women, some single and some taken

MC: one particular women caught the boy's eye. the women wasn't fond of the boy at first, she thought he was trying to hit on one of the women who was taken

Deals: i like this story!

MC: as the night went on and the conversation deepened it turns out the women and the boy had met before but didn't realize it

MC: the party continued and the boy and the women talked all through the night, they parted ways with a strange suspicion they'd see each other again

MC: a week later one of the women from the party, the most crazy women of all, had a gathering. She invited the boy and many of the same women along with a lot of other people. the boy was very happy to see the women who caught his eye and even offered her a ticket to sit by him at the baseball gaem

MC: thankfully the women said yes, the boy ran off to go get the tickets and met the women at the game. Unfortunately he got there a few minutes too late to see her nearly fall down the stairs, however he did hear the story and how she didn't spill a drop of her beer.

MC: if that wasn't a sign that these two were meant to be together what was?

Deals: fate I tell you

MC: a few days pass and the women is out with some of the boy's friends, they comment on how the boy needs a good women. the women, a bit indignantly says "he's cute" and light bulbs popped up over all the friends heads

MC: later that night, at an enchanted placed called "the elbow room" the boy and the women reunited. The women, tired of waiting for the boy to make a move, challenged the boy to a drinking contest.

MC: foolish as it might have sounded, it worked. From that point on the two were inseperable

MC: they went out on the town and had a blast, met each others familieis and fit right in, met their freinds and fit right in

MC: the signs were on the wall

MC: a few months passed, about 11 actually, and the boy realized it was time to make sure this women was his forever and ever

MC: he went and bought a beautiful ring and took the girl, almost against her will, to the house they had bought

MC: he waited for the time to be right, only to have her move away before he could drop to one knee.

MC: he kept waiting for another moment but it never came, so he created it.

MC: down on one knee, a big smile on his face and ring in hand he summoned the women

MC: she came around the corneer and almost fell over. The shock, and hopefully joy, were enough to make her tremble. tears ran from both their eyes

MC: many months have passed, some fights have been had, but the couple is now mere weeks from getting married.

MC: the boy knows in his heart, mind, and soul that this is the best thing that has ever hapened to him

MC: hopefully the women feels the same

Deals: I LOVE YOU

11.26.2007

On Bachelorette Weekends and Minimalist Cardigans

Sorry for the drive-by posting about R.Williams, but here are the deats:

So my bachelorette party was a couple weekends ago in SF, and on Saturday afternoon we were out and about in the Marina, having a couple beers while I was forced to entertain my friends by doing traditional bachelorette stuff like getting a guy to sing to me and collecting marriage advice on coasters. Anyhow, we decided to take it mellow at this particular bar, and choose to sit outside on Fillmore. So next thing we know, this mercedes that is covered in stickers is parking DIRECTLY in front of us, and my sister goes "Is that f*cking Robin Williams?!?!" Of course we all stop and stare. Very discreet, I know (at least I resisted screaming out "I LOVED you in Death to Smoochy!" - which was an amazing feat given the beers I had been drinking since noon.) He gets out, my sister waves, and my friend yells "Hey Robin, can you give our friend some marriage advice? We're on her bachelorette party!?"



So Robin EFFING Williams walks over, looks me straight in the eye, and says "act surprised on your honeymoon".

Loved it.

Not much else I should talk about here on this blog to protect the innocent, but we did have quite a fun evening at a bar with a slide at the entrance. Highly recommended if you are looking for a wild night out in the City.


In other news, please allow me to introduce
Minimalist Cardigan


Needle US 6 / 4.0 mm
Yarn Knit Picks Andean Silk
Colorway Olive / 12.0 skeins (about 1152 yards)
Ravelry Entry

I freaking love this sweater. So cozy and it fits very well!!!!I've already worn it out like 3 times, and not one person has asked me if I made it. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.

11.18.2007

Starstruck



Robin Williams came to my bachelorette party in San Francisco this weekend. Freaking AWESOME.

11.13.2007

Still Got It

B-Rep Knock-off Hat



Started and finished in about 3 hours, just to prove to myself that I could still complete a knitting project.

Yarn: Reynolds Blizzard, 1.25 skeins
Needles: 8 circ, 10.5 dpns
Mods: None
Free Pattern

Also...
I want my cat's life.

11.12.2007

Bachelorette Weekend

What happens when you are a bachelorette for the 3-day weekend because your fiance has been crusing around Mexico on his bachelor party?

Redecorating

[please excuse Viva's a*s]

Experimental Cooking (Crab and Asparagus Soup w/ Sherry.... SUPER yummy)


Knitting in a Muu Muu

[that's the start of Lara]

and I still have all day today. I should do something wedding-related, but I think a yarn re-org is in order....



A big THANK YOU also goes out to all our service men and women this Veteran's Day. My grandfather was a WWII Vet who celebrated this day with the utmost pride and respect until the day he passed a way. Many, mant thanks for everything you do!!!

11.08.2007

Divert Your Eyes If You Are Looking For Knitting Stuff



That's my cake for the wedding. With layers of oh-so-decadent chocolate mousse and ganache & butter cake with citrus Bavarian cream and fresh sliced strawberries. Oh my god, I don't even like dessert and my mouth is watering thinking about it.

72 days. I'm starting to totally freak out.

10.31.2007

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

It snowed here a couple nights ago:



Ok so you caught me. It's not snow, it's nickle-sized hail. But it's frozen stuff that fell from the sky and that usually doesn't happen here.

A life-long Central CA resident, I have NEVER experienced weather like this. To date, the most extreme has probably been getting snowed in at our cabin and having to dig ourselves out.

I knew the weather was getting nasty, so I was rushing home from Whole Foods (total new addiction since it is now on the way home) and not really paying attention to the emergency storm warnings coming across the radio (we get them all time, mainly because of our proximity to the Sierras and Yosemite). About the time I get home and get into the house, I noticed the lightening. About 10 minutes after that, I opened the back door to get a better look and almost got blasted off my feet by what must have been 30 mph winds. I got all the windows shut (it's still 75 degrees outside around here!) just in time to hear the hail start smacking the windows in our bedroom fast and furious. I pried Viva out from under the bed and shut the door, because I had a bad feeling a window could crack.

So there I sat, with Viva securely clamped onto my should in the living room thinking "YIKES!!" It finally eased off and obviously we survived (except for the shirt I was wearing, that now has 10 claw-sized holes in it), but it was a noteworthy event for a harsh-weather virgin such as myself.

Minimalist is blocking, and I've been in wedding mode so it may be like that for a few more days. I did do some stash cleaning, and ripped out a who bunch of stuff I just knew I would never touch again. Feels very refreshing, I must say.

I did start Lara from the DB Alpaca Silk collection, with some mystery yarn from Knit Picks called Totem that they quickly discountinued. I like it, works up like Cotton Fleece

Other than that, I've just been trying to get the house together, which has been become even more of a job because wedding showers are here and boxes are now consuming my home.



I LOVE me some La Creuset!

Happy Halloween! I'm dressing up as Viva. Now if I could only sink my claws into Matt's shoulder and have him carry me around all night....

10.19.2007

Go Needles GO

SO. CLOSE!

10.15.2007

October: Australian for "No Time To Do Anything This Month"

Follow with me here: Since the weekend of September 29th, we have: Been to Matt's Uncle's 50th Birthday Party, moved out of my mom's house and Matt's apartment, danced the night away at 3 weddings, and been to a big work packing house party. AND, we have at least 5 more major events before this month is over. Add trying to move in ("do you remember what bag all my socks are in?!?" "Where the EFF is that purse?!?" "Dammit! I haven't seem my size 8 addi turbos since we left the apartment..."), a co-workers departure which means 150% more work for me, and oh yeah, the WEDDING (96 days!), and it's been a crazy, crazy few weeks around here. Let's not even talk about how I found out it is possible to sleep for 10 hours at night and still wake up exhausted with dark circles under your eyes.

Party Time!


My knitting actually hasn't suffered too bad, which shocks even me. Since we've last chatted (or whatever you call me typing a blog post and you reading it), i've made significant progress and almost finished the Minimalist Cardigan. This is obviously a totally out-of-date photo (I have all but the last sleeve finished), but it's the best I've got:


(yes, this is the same photo posted last time. Sorry, I'm lame like that)

It's Knit Picks Andean Silk, and I don't even remember when or why I bought this yarn. Or why I even started this in the first place, since I have more WIPs than should be legal. But somehow it's made it past the deadly 75% mark where I usually lose intrest in what I am working on.

My posting will be sporatic at best, but I will try. How 'bout a picture of Viva in the meantime?

She's thinking "Can you PLEASE just live in the same place for more than 1 year? You've had me 5 years and this is the 7th place we have lived!!!! Stop it before I slash your car tires..."

10.02.2007

Tuesday Check-In

Greetings from the Marriott in Rocklin, CA!



Work travel has called me North and away from my computer for a few days. However, thank you all so much for your lovely comments on the house - I cannot tell you how much we love it and how much I wish I was home right now. More to come soon.

PS - My 3-year blogversary was last week. Whoops.

9.27.2007

It's ours!


We're Home!


Come on in...


Ready to fire this baby up


Champagne and a fire at 3pm on a Thursday

9.26.2007

Rockin'


Please don't mind the cat hair on the carpet. We just groomed Vivaness and she's shedding like a mo-fo.

The appliances have been ordered. The inspections have been done. The paint has been selected.

Only one thing left to do: Tomorrow we sign the papers and and will "OWN" our house! This is one of those things that always seemed so far away, and it is quite unbelievable that the day is here. I've been so out of my element lately, with this and the wedding and all, and I am so, SO ready for this to happen.



On another, much needed note:


Eca and Jess have both given me the shout out of a Rockin' Blogger in the last couple weeks. My life has been sort of a mess, I've been getting a bit cranky and my creative side has been suffering, but this brings a big smile to my face. THANKS! ladies, it's quite a honor.

Even though some of these people may have already been recognized (please refer to the insanity that has been my life - I can't remember such things!), but I'm going for it again:

Christie, the original Superstarra - Should I give this to Poppy too?

Stef @ KnitTheHellUp, because I love what she knits (Judith is on my to-knit list in the next few months) and her commentary always cracks me up.

AND

Kimberli, because I always love reading about her world travels and NYC Restaurant reviews. Plus, she designs awesome headwear - what's more Rockin then that?




Wish us luck tomorrow.. There will definitly be some celebrating going on around here!

9.21.2007

More Rippin' Than Knittin'

Anyone have any ideas on what to do with 12 skiens of Andean Silk that used to be an almost-Sesame until the knitter who runs this blog realized it was about 10 sizes to big? Maybe something that has a unique stitch pattern that requires the yarn to look like ramen prior to knitting with it so I don't need to soak it and hang it?

Not the Minimalist Cardigan. Because I already started that.

PS - Knitting at Baseball games is fun. I had no idea I missed the Oakland Stitch & Pitch by 1 day (we were actually sitting in the Rangers team section because Matt's cousins work for the team).

Writing out my pattern so I don't need to lug the magazine with me. I'm a BART-friendly knitter!

Breast-Cancer Awareness Day. You Go Ladies!

One of the Texas player's moms was sitting in front of me, and after her husband alerted her that I was "doing that yarn thing", she turned around and said she was jealous that she left her needles in the car. I love running into knitters in public.

Dinner was had at Franchinos, and I wanted to hug and kiss the great little couple that ran this place because the food was EXCELLENT (and I am picky about Italian food), the wine kept coming, and he tried to hail us a cab at 11pm on a Saturday while smoking a cigarette. I think he even cussed at one that would not stop in Italian. I love my people.

So eat there if you are in San Francisco. I recommend Gnocchi with 1/2 red sauce and 1/2 gorgonzola sauce. It's good for you, I swear.


The cider at the Irish Bar in Union Square was delish, as well.



The next day while the rest of you were in the know and made it to Stitch and Pitch, we assulted Ikea. We needed a new bedroom set for ourselves and a new bed for our friends to sleep off the wine we serve with dinner. I also managed to not spend all our savings in the marketplace.

And here it is Friday again. Seriously, where is all the time going?!?

9.14.2007

Say Yes to Grass

As always, I'm the last person to notice the new knitty is up. I do believe Tussie Mussie is my favorite, because I have a strange fasination with those little nosegay motifs. I have some Cashsoft DK that I've attempted to use in about 10 patterns to no avail, but would be perfect for this. I think I would do something different with the button bands as well.

But that's not what I am here to talk about. Woodins. Dude. They may be the next big cyber-knit thing. (Side thought: How fun would it be to stuff the whole thing with catnip and watch Viva go absolutely nuts?)

Anyway, that pattern took me to the designers website, where it took me about 1.5 seconds to fall in love with knitted grass. How cute would these little dudes be lined up in my kitchen window?

I would also like to see the look on Matt's face the day he comes home from work and has knitted grass living in his kitchen.

9.10.2007

Swoon!

I had a major case of the Sundays last night. Not the "good Sundays" full of BBQ, champagne, sunshine, friends. Instead, the "bad Sundays", full of work-week dread, a over-whelming urge to clean and organize, and general worry of things that need to get done. I consider myself a pretty simple person, and am the most happy when my life is parred down to the basics - cooking a nice dinner, going on a walk, knitting on a sweater, a glass of good wine. Things like moving and planning a wedding and taking on more responsibility at work are all exciting, but have become very, very overwhelming. Like, need to sit down and cry and not really be able to figure out why.

Matt has an uncanny ability to talk me down from these little episodes, bless his heart. A few words, a hug, and a plan to tackle what needs to get done and I'm back to my usual self. Today he went a little above and beyond.

With the big move coming up and the ever-growing list of expenses we are going to have (how long do you think we can survive without a refrigerator?), we've both been on a fairly strict "no-spend" diet. No yarn for me, no eBay for Matt, no new dresses for upcoming weddings, etc. When I saw this I was was dying, but held true. I mean, Joann's will put dress forms on sale for 60% off again soon, right?

So early this morning I'm sitting at the computer and a little IM window pops up:

Matthew C: So I got you a little gift
Deals: what is it?
Matthew C: you'll like it
Matthew C: check your email
...
Deals: BABE! You didn't have to do that!!!!!



I'm happy. What a great way to start the week!

PS - Somebody tell me to stop casting on for new projects! I have about 5 sweaters that are 1/2 done!!!!

9.06.2007

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

I can appriciate what the common man can do with a digital camera, but there really is no substitute for people who actually know what they are doing.









Complete updated set here