by Kat | May 23, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Hello Gentle Readers!
It was the best of weekends, it was the worst of weekends.
Yay in that it was the weekend and boo because it rained for most of it.
There was Happy Houring on Friday. It was really nice, even though the weather prevented it from being outdoors.
There was quite a bit of yard working, despite the rain.
There was lots of reading – I finished Mink River (LOVED!!) and I am over half way through White Nights and LOVING it.
There was some knitting (one sock is racing on to the finish line) and some spinning.
But, all in all, it was a good weekend, in spite of the weather.
Today will be jam-packed full of busyness but, on my ‘me’ list for the week is to get some sewing completed.
I picked up some lovely denim over the weekend and I also have some mending to get done.
See you tomorrow…
by Kat | May 18, 2016 | General, Making
Today is Yarn Along, and the light has finally appeared at the end of the reading tunnel! I finished Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo and I liked it a bit more than I did his first Harry Hole novel. Harry was not drowning in the bottom of a whiskey bottle this time, and again, I did not see the ending coming at all!
And!!!
I should have Mink River done today!
I know, there may even be a bit of a dance of joy with its completion!
On the knitting front, Ann and Kay are having a little mini KAL through the end of the month – the goal to finish that “second sock” which is perfect, because I had finished the first Morwenstowe sock and had started the second one. Since the kickoff on Monday I have been knitting a bit each day and am on the heel flap! The heel should be turned today and then just cruising down the foot in the race to the toe! Perhaps, I can even get this dreaded pair of socks finished before month end.
Why dreaded you ask? Well, dark yarn on size zero needles makes for very difficult knitting. As in, I can only see clearly in bright sunlight to knit the damned things! No rainy day knitting or watching TV knitting with these socks!
Please note, that will only work if the Monsoon Season that has arrived (apparently to stay) in Western PA is replaced with some bright and sunny days.
I am not holding out much hope.
However, tomorrow I have some really fun and exciting news to share with you! I hinted at it last week, and tomorrow all shall be revealed!
Until then, Gentle Reader, what exciting things are you knitting or reading today?
by Kat | May 16, 2016 | General, In This Moment
After having several irregular weekends in a row, we celebrated having just a normal old weekend here at Casa del KatKnits!
There were Rhubarb Mules, mmmmmmmm.
It was nice to start the weekend with something that makes us so happy and relaxed!
We did some Farmer’s Marketing, some IKEA wandering, and some Green House visiting.
There was reading, and knitting, and spinning, too.
While the weather was not spectacular, we did all kinds of things that help in the recharging of body and soul, and makes Monday not the challenge that it wants to be!
How was your weekend?
Buffalo Cauliflower:
- Pre-heat oven to 425°F
- 1 head of Cauliflower, cored and cut up (try and cut the pieces in even sizes so they cook uniformly)
- Toss cut cauliflower with 1 TBSP olive oil and 1 tsp of Chili powder and lay on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or so, until they begin to soften and brown but are not mushy.
- Remove from oven and toss with buffalo sauce, serve with blue cheese dip or ranch if that is your preference.
Steve’s Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ Cup Frank’s Red Hot
- 2 Tbsp Butter, melted
- 1 tsp White vinegar
- 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- Chili powder to taste (add more or less for spiciness)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Dash of celery salt
Steve finds the best way to heat the sauce is in the microwave at 10-15 second intervals on high, stirring as it warms to keep the butter incorporated. You do not want the sauce hot, but just warm enough to combine. If you overheat it the butter separates.
by Kat | May 6, 2016 | General
The Salvia started blooming this week, those rich purple hues are so lovely.
The anticipation is mounting for Maryland Sheep and Wool tomorrow! I have my list, and my camera. I will share the photos and the spoils with you next week! Have a great weekend everyone – let’s hope there is a return of the sun for all of us!
But, it is Friday and I do have some mighty fine links before I head off to succumb to the wool fumes!
Anne Hanson has been very busy lately. Very busy!
I’m just mad about Saffron!
Are you fascinated with caterpillargreen yarns like I am?
Have a knitting problem? Bristol Ivy has the solution with Occam!
Shawl May-nia – free through the end of the month!
Crochet sometimes calls to me…
The New Central Park Hoodie, these cables are so beautiful!
I love gradients, and in a sweater no less!
Something here for everyone!
What to do with those left over bits of yarn!
Have a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
P.S. If you will be at Maryland on Saturday – I will be there too! I will be joining the Sheepspot gang in the grassy area outside the main building at noon! Hope to see you there! (We will be heading to the Fleece Barn after lunch and you are welcome to join us!)
by Kat | May 4, 2016 | General, Making
We have had more than our fair share of rain recently. Although, I believe that this is the direct result of the lack of snow over the winter months. However, this makes for a soggy, wet backyard that has become the cultivator for mushrooms of all shapes and sizes! There is a plethora of dandelions thrown in for good measure as it has been too rainy to put down any weed and feed (and maybe there just needs to be a weed option, sans feed because with this rain, the grass is growing so rapidly it needs to be cut twice a week!)
All this wet weather does not make it conducive to be out working in the garden, but it is a bonus for knitting, spinning, and reading! (Along with laundry, vacuuming, and housework!)
In the finished object category – I finally finished my TTL Mystery socks. I only had about 3 inches of each foot left to knit – so it is really sad that I put the finishing off so long, but the last clues had me concerned as I was not I was not sure how great the leaf motif would feel on my toes. So I changed them up a bit, I continued knitting the top of the foot in the seed stitch pattern to the toe decreases and then changed to plain stockinette to finish the sock off. I think they turned out nicely this way and they will get a little soak later today.
I am plugging along on my Morenstowe socks and will have some uninterrupted passenger time when we head to Maryland on Friday so I am hoping to get them finished over the weekend.
I am working my way through the Sheepspot Cormo on my drop spindle – and I have 2 turtles done. I am enjoying how portable this really is and how fun! I still have a good bit of fiber to go yet, but should end up with about 300 yds of dk weight singles from my spinning.
I am almost done with Mink River and waiting in the wings is Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo.
That’s it for me this dreary Wednesday, I am linking up with Ginny on the Yarn Along today, but I will leave you with the masterful words of Longfellow from his poem, The Rainy Day:
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
