Green Dilly Beans

Crossing the Finish Line

Hmmm, I don't take statistics until next year, but it seems like there is a direct relationship between the amount of work I have for school and the number of projects I add to my Ravelry queue.  As it stands, I have two major papers due tomorrow and have increased the number of items in my queue by 50% in the last week. Coincidence? I think not.  I've never said that I'm not easily distracted.

I am very ready for these papers to be over and done with.  One paper analyzes affordable housing policy and the demolition of dilapidated housing projects, the other designs a client intervention for survivors of torture.  The combination of subject matter and heavy workload is not making for the most uplifting weekend.  Right now, I'd much rather be knitting.

In anticipation of the end of my first semester, I've been dreaming about the projects that will be cast on once I am a free woman.  My brain will now be capable of taking on projects more complicated than garter and seed stitch.  I'm still blown away by the fact that next semester won't begin until January 22nd.  A whole month and more, all to myself!  Here's what I've got in store for the needles:

• Kiri - will use up stash yarn and introduce my brain to a project beyond the aforementioned garter and seed stitch routine.
• Aran Island Mittens - with Bemidji's Original Homespun Yarn purchased in Duluth over Thanksgiving weekend.  I've yet to see anything that can beat their 225 yd skein for $5.25(!)
• Lotta's Entrelac Beret - will enter into service in the never-ending quest to warm my ears
• Veronik Avery's Layered Skater's Top will finish off the rest of the orange kidsilk haze that has been languishing in my stash.  As a former competitive figure skater, I had assumed that the "skater" referenced by the pattern was of the icy variety.  I checked out the book from the library this weekend and realized that this pattern refers to skaters of the Vision and Vans boarding legacy.  I'm no Tony Hawk, but this is still a top for me. 

Sorry for the pictureless post, the two way split B and I balance between residency in MSP and NYC have us sharing a camera.  Pictures will have to wait until I regain custody next weekend.

The Snowy Day

December 1st brought more than a Midwest snowstorm.  It also brought a baby! 

My sister delivered a yet-to-be-named baby girl at about 2:00 PM CST.  I'll be braving the snow to head up to Duluth and back tomorrow to see her.  Unfortunately, three paper deadlines loom on the horizon next week and will prevent me from staying any more than the day. 

Pending pictures and naming of new baby, I'll leave you with some Wooly Girl moccasins from North Dakota that I picked up for her at the MN Textile Center's Holiday Sale. 

Oh Happy Day

With my birthday, Thanksgiving, and final exams soon to come, I got a package from Heather in the mail! 

The goods: A Rhinebeck skein of Jamie Harmon's 2 ply merino-angora blend, a bar of soap, and a bar of chocolate, a Mo's Bacon Bar to be exact.  Yep, that's a milk chocolate bar with bacon and smoked sea salt.  For any naysayers out there, just imagine the beautiful combination of maple syrup and bacon.  From there it's not a such a big stretch to arrive at bacon and chocolate.  I opened the box with the best intentions to share with friends and family for Thanksgiving.  Alas, all that generosity was quickly washed into my gullet with help from a glass of milk.  Sigh, guess I'll just have to buy another bar (or two, or three).  Read on if you still have doubts.  Who knew there were so many candy blogs out there?  Now that I think about it, I bet that's what people say about knitting blogs. 

The soap is equally appealing, it just lost out in to the chocolate in a battle with my rumbling stomach.  I'm not sure what flavor soap it is, but it is lovely, I assure you.  There is actually a free soap with purchase and blog link offer, so take advantage if you are so inclined. 

Every detail of the package was delightful.  Heather, where did you get your address labels?

         

After eying up the rainbow yarn at Rhinebeck year after year, Heather has officially indoctrinated me into the cult ofJamie Harmon.  I wasted no time casting on for My So Called Scarf.   Yes, that is a puddle of yarn you see.  I couldn't wait to find out what the next candy striping color combo would be.

For the record, pink and blue are on deck. 

Coincidentally, in my own package posting, I'll be sending off jam to Melissa and Heather following the Thanksgiving holiday. 

UPDATE: As proof of the excitement generated by this package, I once again found myself at a loss for my house keys.  Apparently, I was so eager to open my mail that I left my keys in the mailbox lock.  I spent a good amount of time looking for them, but never thought to step outside the apartment in my search.  Thankfully, one of my neighbors tucked them in a pair shoes left outside my door along with a note explaining their provenance. 

Also, I just noticed a small sticker on the Mo's Bacon Bar box.  It reads, "Best if Enjoyed By 1/8/08."  Heh, no worries there.  I'm very amused at the thought that it could have lasted until January. 

Covered

My ears are happy now that my shorn head has a hat to keep it warm.  I squeaked by using just one skein of Cascade from my stash. 

Gretel was knit over the course of a weekend trip to NYC.  Nothing like a whirlwind 36 hour visit to free lots of knitting time in the airport.  More pictures and details can be found on Ravelry.

I would if I could but I can't

If time and money were of no importance, this is where I'd be on Monday night. 

Alas, I'm not really in a position to jet off to NYC for a lecture.  In the spirit of vicarious living, I hope that some of you can make it!

PS Check out this recent spinning article from the Strib.  The accompanying video provides a fleecy fix for anyone experiencing post-Rhinebeck sheep syndrome. 

Bread and Jam for Frances

While I'm not at all ready to join Frances in her "What I am is sick of jam" refrain, my last post made me realize what a wealth of jam I am sitting on.  I'm not ready to fully disclose the extent of my jam stash, but I am ready to share some of the love.  Tell me why you'd like a jar o' jam and I'll randomly pick three winners from the bunch.  Respond by this Saturday the 10th and I'll select and send by next Monday, the 12th.   

PS Proof that there is indeed knitting content on this so-called knitting blog, I thought I'd point out that there are knits to be found on a blog called Bread and Jam for Frances.  Great name, great taste! 

Bun in the Oven - My Sister's, Not Mine

I have been obsessing thinking about scotch eggs since my visit to the State Fair in September.  Melissa, Heather, and I exchanged countless e-mails on the topic.  Turns out you can get scotch eggs in Brooklyn, but nothing turned up in my MN scotch egg hunt.  I would just have to make my own.  What better occasion to make scotch eggs than a baby shower?  At least that's what my sister and I decided when planning the menu for her grand soirée. 

Members of my paternal and maternal family lines descended on Minneapolis this weekend to attend the baby shower I hosted for my sister.  True to family form, what we lacked in frilly baby games and party favors, we more than made up for in sheer volume and quality of food.  Here's what was on the menu:

• Leipaa accessorized with butter, six kinds of homemade jam, and Thill's smoked whitefish and lake trout
• Pickled Delights: dilly beans, quail eggs, herring, and cucumbers - all but the herring pickled by my dad
  
• Tomato Tarts - two kinds - one with gouda and dijon mustard, the other with mozzarella and pesto
• Torta di Riso e Spinaci found on the Accidental Hedonist
• Fresh fruit - sliced persimmons, pears, and apples
• Smoked Sausage, Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Soup
• Mashed Banana Cupcakes, my great-grandma's recipe
• Venison cudighi courtesy of my dad
• Mrs. Alasimi's Pulla
• And last, but not least, scotch eggs.   

They are really quite easy to make.  We used quail eggs from my hometown's local food co-op, which made golf ball-sized bites after the venison sausage wrapping.  A standard chicken egg could end up quite big, but that's not necessarily a bad thing!  The quail eggs are sold to the coop through a high school biology project at Engadine High School.  We used quail eggs that my dad pickled, which added a great brininess to the warm sausage and egg combo. 

The jam selection should not be overshadowed by my scotch egg fixation.  My dad brought six (6!) diffferent kinds of homemade jam and preserves to the party.

Foreground L to R: Ginger Pear Honey, Blackberry Jam, Pear Butter

Background L to R: Apple Butter, Thimbleberry Jam, and Strawberry Jam

In the wake of the party, I am eating very well this week.  Even after sending my sister home with a cooler full of food, I have enough food for another feast.  Last night I used leftover roma tomatoes and crumbled leftover cudighi to make a tomato sauce.  I have it squirreled away in the freezer to eat with polenta during the cold winter months!

Card Carrying Member

I recently had an epiphany.  I am a student.  I have a student id card.  Therefore, I qualify for the myriad of student discount rates available to this impoverished class.  Yippee! 

And where did I first cash in on my new student status?  Well, you'd be right if you guessed it was yarn related......I joined the Minnesota Weaver's Guild! 

Yeah, yeah, so technically I don't really weave, but the guild offers so many fiber related classes of interest that it seemed like the best fit for me.  I am most excited to attend the Whorling Spinsters study group, which meets every month to spin together.  I'm also hoping to take a beginning spinning class in January when I have a break from school.  The guild has more than a dozen really nice spinning wheels for members to use on site, which means I don't have to lug my wheel on the city bus.  While it would be a bit of a hassle, I do like thinking about the reactions I would get if I boarded public transportation with a spinning wheel in tow! 

The Weaver's Guild is housed in the MN Textile Center,  which is also a place of wonder to behold.  Seriously, and I mean seriously, if you are ever in town, you need to check out their textile library. According to the website, there are 13,000+ circulating and reference items on quilting, knitting, weaving, needle arts, beading, spinning, fiber, dyeing, embellishments, surface design, etc.  Forget visiting me, go straight to the textile center library.  Even better, contact me and we'll go there together!

But, enough background information.  I started this post to show you the fruits of my labor.  I recently took my first class, Naturally Dyed in Minnesota.  As the name suggests this class gave me the opportunity to dye fiber with dye plants harvested from Minnesota's woodlands and roadsides.  Very cool.  Here are the yarn samples I took home.   

       

Ash                                                     Cedar  - Northern White

              

Horsetail                                             Tansy

Willow

And for comparison's sake, here's a lineup of all of them together:

L to R: Cedar, Ash, Horsetail, Tansy, and Willow

While the colors are a little more subdued than my usual suspects, I'm learning to appreciate their subtleties.  Conveniently enough, my sister has been doing biology research in boggy areas of northern MN where many of these plants grow.  I'm already planning a gathering expedition next summer! 

Cropped, Round 2

I've been sifting through my blog archives and have come to the conclusion that I am very good at making you promises that I never follow up on, mostly along the lines of pictures that never materialize.  In the interest of turning over a new leaf, consider this one picture promise fulfilled. 

With significantly less hair, I'm finding that my ears are getting cold.  I didn't really think of this seasonal side effect when I took it all off in May.  I love the short hair, plus it gives me an excuse to knit more hats!

PS Anyone have favorite hat patterns to add to my Ravelry queue?

Lucky Stripe

This really is too much fun.  I only wish I had discovered it before embarking upon two baby surprise jackets in a quest to use up yarn scraps.