Planning

It's the beginning of the third phase of Project Spectrum. The color is red, which fits my mood completely right now. We all need more red in our lives. I've got at least three projects in the works for the next few months. Orangina, in the yarn specified (Rowan 4-ply):

I also cast on for another Liesl this morning in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes, Cranberry:

Additionally, I have to make something with this:

I'm thinking either Ingenue (rav link) or Vaila, but I've still got time to figure that out. I have six skeins, so I'm not really limited by yardage. I just want to pick a sweater that is really flattering so I can do this lovely shade of red justice.

Finally, here's some fabrics that are getting me revved up for red.

Sunday stash #30

More from My Folklore! I know I've said it before, but I heart Lecien.

Food Friday

For Father's day this year, instead of buying my dad some crazy gadget or gag gift, I did something simple.
I made him cookies.
Chocolate chip. With pecans.
He ate them all (except for one lone sad cookie) in one day.

I guess he liked them.

FO: Prismatic Solymar Scarf

I haven't shared a knitting FO in over two months.
I have one finished, waiting to be blocked, but I can't post it yet anyway.
It's a seeee-cret.
However, I finished up this dazzling little number last weekend.

I love it. It's Malabrigo, so of course, squishy soft, vibrant and fanciful. Love.it. Olias loves it too. He told me, plus you can see it in his eyes:

See? Told you.

So, here's the skinny on this scarf:

Details: The Prismatic Scarf by Huan-Hua Chye
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, in Solymar, one skein (every inch!!)
Needles: Size 8
Time: One month
Recipient: perhaps a gift, not sure yet
Thoughts: Ask me how dumb I felt finishing off this baby while it's almost 100 degrees outside. Yeah, incredibly dumb. Even while sitting in the air conditioning, my fingers were a little toasty. I love the way this turned out. This is such a great pattern for variegated yarn. I love the i-cord edging, and both sides of the fabric are lovely. I didn't make any modifications, and it was so gratifying using up all of my yarn.

Sunday Stash #29

Flowery fabric, which I someday hope to make into a skirt.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Food Friday: Fresh fried squash

I think this picture pretty much speaks for itself.

I fried this yellow squash in canola oil. To bread, I dipped in a buttermilk/egg mixture, then in seasoned flour (just salt, pepper, and a pinch of baking soda). It was fantastic, and not too heavy. I used the fresh squash I picked earlier that day (this past Sunday) at my grandparents' place.

FO: Flowery Pouch

Just in time for the end of the East phase of Project Spectrum, and the transition to the South, I finally got around to sewing something, albeit something small. I finished up this zipper pouch (I've made several, and each time, I improve the process slightly). I really want to earn sewing skill points and make something more complicated, but the times I've tried to do so, I get a little too cocky and mess up. Eventually, I'll get there, though. I have big dreams of a quilt, inspired by this amazing little number by Flint Knits. I've got some of this amazing Heather Ross fabric, but in the magenta colorway! So, maybe before the end of the year, I can at least start a quilt. I've also got dreams of skirts and tops. I'll get there.

In the meantime, here's my latest pouch:

I used less than a FQ of each fabric, and I adore the yellow zipper! I think I picked up the fabric at Joann's at some point. I've got plans for a pillow this weekend, so we'll see how that goes. I've also got my Malabrigo scarf to wrap up.

Have a crafty weekend everyone.

A weekend in the country

I visited my grandparents this weekend at a family reunion. Over fifty cousins and relatives were present. I've written about my grandparents' farm before, but it truly is a favorite place of mine. I enjoyed my brief visit this weekend, although the drive back and forth over two days was rough (four hours Saturday and Sunday).

A view of the house from the hill. They've lived in this house since 1951.

The fish pond, just up the hill from the house, has catfish and carp. The water is pretty low this year. There is a pier that sometimes disappears, during a good rainy year.

The garden, full of squash, corn, bell peppers, onions, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and other miscellaneous items, depending on the year, and my grandparents' energy level.

My sister and I helped my grandparents' pick some goodies yesterday morning. I brought home a jackpot of veggies!

Also, as I've mentioned previously, my aunt and uncle breed border collies, and there is a new litter of two week-old puppies.

My cousin Lauren enjoyed holding them with me. They sort of look like guinea pigs at this age, and their eyes aren't even open yet! Oh, the cuteness.

It would be an understatement to say that this place has shaped who I am. I always enjoy my time at the farm.

I can't tell,

but I think Miss Bella here is too tense.

I mean, she just looks like she's got too much going on right now. I think she needs a vacation.

On the other hand, maybe I'm overreacting.

My roommates

Things are back to normal at the house. It's just me and the cats, now that Rhonda's moving in to her OWN PLACE today. Bella and Olias are always happy to see me when I get home from work.

I'm sure it's not JUST because I feed them, right? Right?

How cute is Olias' belly?

Sunday Stash #28

A perfect Project Spectrum fabric selection. I'm hoping to whip up a pillow out of this before the end of the month. I so love yellow, and Amy Butler.

Food Friday

For a few months, I slacked off of making dinner but having a roommate was good for me. I made this for Rhonda and I last week.
I made a version of my homemade pasta sauce, consisting of venison pan sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes (canned-the crushed variety, and fresh), garlic, onions, carrots, red wine. The venison pan sausage was sort of a mistake. I took it out, thinking it was just ground venison, but it was a pleasant addition, adding a little sweetness, without all the fat of pork sausage. I also made a quick salad and we shared a bottle of red wine. It was a wonderful evening with my roommate. I'm sad she's leaving, but Rhonda won't be far! She's purchased a townhome in my complex, so I can make her dinner anytime.

Progress: Prismatic Solymar Scarf

I started this a few weeks ago, set it down to finish a gift, and have since made serious progress. I was excited to make yet another Malabrigo project. I cannot sing enough praises for this, my favorite of yarns. This colorway, Solymar, is one I picked up at Yarns 2 Ewe. I love the stormy sky mix of yellow, blue, gray and black. It's perfect for the current Project Spectrum phase of air.

I'm knitting Orata's Prismatic Scarf pattern.

I'm about halfway through the skein now, so I hope to finish it in the next week or so.

I've been thinking about other projects I'd like to start, as well as several I'd like to finish. Ah, I really love the planning aspect of crafting.

Sunday Stash #27

Sunshiny fabric. Love it.

Food Friday

Rhonda and I wanted to grill last Saturday, but since the thermometer on the patio was over 100 degrees (I know it wasn't actually 100 degrees outside, but it was really freakin hot), I decided to make burgers in the skillet. We did it up right, with avocado, yummy cheese, roasted onions and peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. I used to hate mayo, except in potato salad, but now a burger just tastes better with it. I made some roasted asparagus, zucchini and squash instead of fries. And now my mouth is watering.

Monster Mash

I bought this shirt on Threadless back in December. I wear it often. I love looking at all the little characters, but the best part is that it glows in the dark. Really. How cool is that?

Home improvement: baby steps

It's been almost two years since I bought the townhome. I can't believe how fast the time is gone, and how slow the mortgage is being paid off. I got some new stairs a couple of months ago. It's a nice addition, and a vast improvement from the carpet that covered them previously.

Right now, they are still natural wood, oak to be exact. I haven't been able to choose a stain color, so I've just left them as they are, but I know I need to do it soon, so I don't get them so dirty that the stain is uneven. Here's a color shot, so you can see the golden glow:

They're gorgeous.