Earlier this week I felt very overwhelmed by my To-do list, but I finally feel like I am getting on top it today! I made raspberry jam again, and will probably be able to pick enough berries to make one more pint. I have had a number of questions about what jam recipe I am using. I am using Nigella Lawson’s recipe that The Spendid Table shared on their site. The first batch I made was really raspberry syrup – it did not set at all. Subsequent batches, I made some changes. I follow the recipe exactly, and after I have combined the sugar into the berries, I add the zest of one lemon and the juice of half a lemon. It is the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, the lemon zest adds a lovely brightness, and the juice is the perfect pectin boost needed for it to become jam.
I also made more peach preserves and roasted a couple of bushels of peppers. I will make some pesto also this week. And, maybe something with all the cherry tomatoes…
My reading this week has been extremely varied – I finished listening to David Sedaris Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. And, I am still reading The Hanging Girl and still enjoying Carl Morck and Department Q! Comedy and Mystery – joys for the opposite sides of your brain! You know, kind of like math and music.
Up next in my ears – Book Two of Inspector Gamache – A Fatal Grace.
I have been plodding along on my Altered Custom Fit sweater – these are some LONG rows and it is not a very portable project. So, it has been relegated to TV knitting when we watch at night.

I have not been knitting much on Triticum but my plan is to get back to this today and try to get the second front done so sleeves can begin. I think this is very doable and it will be the perfect laundry companion!

I also broke down and cast on a new project and got quite a bit done of the yoke. I am about half way through the charts. Thus far, the marriage of handspun yarn with the Briar Rose Fibers yarn is harmonious. This project is reminding me how much I love color work. To me, it is a bit like painting – I feel so inspired while I knit that it is hard to put it down.
What are you knitting and reading this week?
Oh my goodness all of your knits are beautiful and scream FALL!!! lovely 🙂
Wow! I can’t decide which I love more, the Triticum pattern, the gorgeous yarn you’re using or the fact that you have laundry knitting. 🙂
All of your knitting projects are simply beautiful! And I’m impressed with your lovely laundry knitting; mine is a lowly dishcloth!
Your projects, as always, are lovely and inspiring. I am still knitting on The.Most.Boring.Socks.EVER! Tan, plain vanilla, cotton & nylon for the husband…he wanted something lighter weight than wool and something light in color. Bleh. Have not picked up Mick Jagged again. For some reason, I am not good at multiple projects going on. Trying to read “H is for Hawk” but am struggling with it. Too much history of T. H. White…I’m maybe a third to halfway through and would like it better if there were more about her goshawk. Also picked up from the bookshelf “The Lady and the Unicorn” — I may be a little tired of Tracy Chevalier (I did not enjoy “At the Edge of the Orchard”). Waiting for a bunch from the library for my Kindle.
You are a queen of good food! I am a lazyass, when it comes to cooking (anything!). Love the color work and looking forward to seeing it grow. I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow and I loved it! The books I’m reading now have much to do with war and are not as enjoyable. I am picot binding off! Can you believe it? It will take me a week, but it’s going well. Yay for me!
Your Triticum yarn is GORGEOUS! Color/brand?
I’m still knitting the same socks and shawl I’ve been knitting for months. Heh. I’m reading The Night Circus and enjoying it tremendously.
I’m knitting a blanket for the new baby (fingering weight, cables and size 3 needles…it’s not going very fast!) and Portis (I’d love some of your colorwork mojo – I’d rather work stitch patterns than color charts!) – and reading Fall of Marigolds and listening to Excellent Women (yesterday’s Audible Daily Deal and my first time reading Barbara Pym – I like it!)