Holiday Knits
30 Nov 2009 1 Comment
Since we usually spend Thanksgiving with my family, and Christmas with my in-laws, I’ve adopted the habit of getting my holiday gifts for my family ready for Thanksgiving weekend so I can deliver them in person. I’ve been working on the gifts for the past two months, but been unable to post since my wonderful family follows along here! Now that the gifts have been gifted however, I’d love to share them with you.
First up is my mom’s holiday present, a pooling stole. My inspiration for this has been Wenat, a talented knitter who has been perfect the technique of getting yarns to pool in various stole patterns. When I saw Wollmeise’s Agatha colorway, I immediately thought my mom would like it. So, a bit of mathematics and a little more knitting and I had a finished gift.
The Pattern: Falling Leaves Pooling Stole by Wenat
The Yarn: Wollmeise 100% Sockenwolle, Agatha
The Needles: US 7′s
The Verdict: I love the way this stole pooled! The pattern just accentuates the color shifts. I hope my mom enjoys wearing it as much as I enjoyed making it!
Second up is my sister’s present, an Ishbel out of some delicious merino, silk and bamboo Hedgehog Fibres yarn. When I visited my sister this past spring, I wore a shawl of mine. She commented that she liked it very much. So I posed a theoretical question: if I were to knit her a shawl what color would it be? She wanted green, and when I saw this Malachite yarn, and it’s bluey-green tones I snapped it up.
The Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
The Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres, Merino/Silk/Bamboo, Malachite, 2 skeins
The Needles: US 6′s
The Verdict: The yarn is on my stalking list now. The colors were beautiful, but the fibre itself was luscious to knit with – so soft and silky! I also loved the way it opened up with blocking. I enlarged the pattern and the resulting shawl is large and drapey. I hope it keeps her warm!
The wild wild West.
30 Nov 2009 Leave a Comment
in A Picture's Worth 1000 Words, Fabulous Friends, Family, Weekend Update
Happy Holidays all! We just returned from my very favorite family holiday, the Stashbuckler Family Thanksgiving. There was beautiful weather, lots and lots of food, visits with friends, and catching up with family and it was much appreciated!
Wes and I took off a week ago Saturday to drive out to Los Angeles. With no major mishaps we headed cross country and hit Vegas on Sunday night. We spent a night at the Venetian in an amazing room, and then hit the outlets in Primm (getting almost 100% of our Christmas shopping done!) and reaching LA by late in the day on Monday. We had a brief stop to get cleaned up:
Monday night, we had dinner at my favorite Japanese place with Bel, and got to catch up on all that I’m missing in LA. Tuesday we went to lunch with my dad and then saw New Moon with Sean. (I enjoyed it purely for entertainment value…the boys weren’t convinced!) Wednesday we had breakfast with my old roomie, and then helped mom prepare for Thursday’s meal. Wednesday night, my sister and her fiance arrived and the family was complete!
And then just like that the holiday was over. On Friday morning we had breakfast with my aunt, uncle and cousin at the Christmas be-decked Mission Inn. And then we were on the road again.
We arrived into Kansas City this afternoon, and did our grocery shopping and laundry. Then we came home and put up the tree – my very first tree! I decorated with a few ornaments I’ve been collecting and then spent the rest of the evening wrapping gifts! Now I’m settling in to catch up on what I missed being more or less away from the internet for the week. Tomorrow I’ll share photos of the knitted gifts for my family since they all have them now!
A weekend away.
10 Aug 2009 1 Comment
in Family, Knitting Content Ahead, Weekend Update
A while ago Wes and I decided that we were going to take a little mini-trip for our first anniversary. So on Saturday we packed up and headed to the Little Niangua Campground at Lake of the Ozarks. I hadn’t been to the Ozarks before but as soon as I looked at a map I realized how big the place actually was. The Lake actually snakes out in a million different directions so there’s lots of waterfront. We stayed in the south on this trip!
Originally we had decided to go to the Ozarks for some kayaking. We had chosen this particular campground because it sported cabins boasting air conditioning. The pluses were that we were right on the river, we got to stay indoors in a cute cedar cabin and we were fairly far away from the tourist bustle of the marinas. The downsides were that we had campsite facilities (community toilets and showers) and that we were way off in the middle of no where. Unfortunately it was really hot this weekend (think 90′s with heat indexes of over 100′s) but we managed to keep busy.
We arrived Saturday afternoon and dropped our stuff and headed out to explore. After lots of driving around we ended up at The Horny Toad for dinner. The food was fabulous and there was live music that was great as well. We even got to sit on the marina for a bit and enjoy the evening as it cooled off. We arrived home late that night and crashed.
On Sunday morning we got up early to beat the heat and got in the water. The water was really clear and slow moving. It gave the whole body a glassy look and the reflections from the trees and cliffs and sky were beautiful. I managed to get a number of great shots, but this is my particular favorite. We stayed in the water a little over 2 hours and then it started warming up so we headed in (well ok I also got tired… I’m a wuss.) It was in getting out at the shore that I managed to dump myself out of my kayak for the first time. Wes is still chuckling at that!
After a shower and some breakfast we decided to relax outside on our front porch for a bit. Between the shade and a bit of a breeze it wasn’t unbearably hot yet. I, of course, knit for a while and Wes read for a while. I couldn’t resist photographing him.
When it got too hot to sit outside, we got in the car and set off in search of entertainment and food. I knew that there were some caverns and caves around the Lake and had figured it would be a good cool excursion on a hot day. We spent a little time trying to find the place, but we ended up at Bridal Cave for a tour. It was nice and cool, and a pleasant hour underground viewing some of the recordbreaking onyx formations in the world. The cave apparently got it’s name back in the 1800′s when some Native Americans were married inside the cave in front of one of the formations. Today you can still book the cave for a wedding ceremony! The picture is where people get married – they call the structure The Pipes because it looks very much like an organ (and since most of it is hollow, sounds like an organ in varying tones as well!) For dinner last night we relaxed at a more “beachy” resort, Captain Ron’s. Finally we headed back to the cabin for another nights rest.
We had planned to get up this morning and kayak but about 6:30 a huge clap of thunder broke and the great storm started. It was still pouring by the time we packed up and left around 9am. Now we’re home, basking in the post-vacation glow, trying to get laundry done before we have to face another week.
If you’re interested in more photos, I posted the full Flickr set here.
More on my knitting projects to come soon!
Honey, I’m home!
26 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in Adventures in Travel, Family, Farm Fresh Foods, Weekend Update
Wes and I just returned about an hour ago from a great weekend in Chicago. The l’il sis had the starring role in Measure for Measure, so the fam all met up in Chicago for a weekend of theatre, good eats and fun.
Wes and I drove up on Friday/Saturday and checked into our hotel about 4pm. Then we met up with my parents and some cousins for a fabulous dinner at Francesca’s in Edgewater. The food was really delicious, the company was good and the best part is that the restaurant was across the street from the theatre.
We then went across the street and were entertained for two plus hours. The play was really excellent, and we all had a great time. If you’re going to be in Chicago any time in the next few weeks you should catch this one!
Sunday we all met up for brunch, and then the l’il sis went off to her matinee and the my parents, Wes and I went shopping and touring. I caught a few fun photos around the city, and my dad took this one. All we need is a pitchfork!
Now we’re home, attempting to catch up with Mt. Laundry and get ready for work tomorrow. The garden didn’t seem to fare too badly for a few days without water. We’ve moved it outdoors now and we’re seeing some produce! We’re most impressed with our cucumbers:
Some carrots:
And of course, the tomatoes:
Pictoral Update
12 Apr 2009 Leave a Comment
in Family, Weekend Update
I’ve been out of the blog loop for a bit, but I’ve been busy and happy!
Last weekend Wes and I started experimenting with mead. We’re trying new flavors this month: Apple Cider, Ginger/Vanilla/Peach and Blueberry Pomegranate. We’ll let you know in a month or so which one turns out best!
This weekend we headed down to my in-laws’. Little did I know that the Easter Bunny (and my mother-in-law) love showing a 30 year old Jewish girl what she has missed all her life. There’s dying eggs:
And of course… there was an Easter basket with chocolate:
Second Verse, Same as the First
30 Mar 2009 2 Comments
Sometimes when I knit a really enjoyable project, I start thinking about who else might enjoy one. The recipient of my double-dosed madness this time was the l’il sis who’s celebrating her birthday today (Happy birthday B!).
The Pattern: Celtic Tote from Interweave Knits
The Yarn: Lamb’s Pride Worsted in Heathery-Brown and Charcoal
The Needles: US 9′s
The Verdict: I like the teal one for me, but I was sure that l’il sis would like the more muted colors. I also had a little overfelting accident with this one so it’s a bit smaller than I had intended, but I like that it’s sturdier than mine. She seems to like it so I think all’s right with the world.
Two in a Row (aka Happy Birthday Mom!)
04 Mar 2009 Leave a Comment
Although she’d probably rather not acknowledge it, my mother is about to celebrate what we in my family refer to as a “Birthday of Significance.” Based on this I decided to step up my knitting a bit and give her a super-special present. I’ve been waiting to post this until she received the package (don’t want to spoil the surprise!) but she has now so I’m free to post. Her birthday is on Thursday, but she’s already enjoying this:
The Pattern: Ene’s Scarf from Scarf Style
The Yarn: Filatura di Crossa Golden Line Supreme, Cashmere and Silk
The Needles: US 6′s
The Verdict: I love it, she loves it and all is right with the world. As I told her today…. enjoy it for many, many more to come!
Letters to the Editor
30 Nov 2008 Leave a Comment
in Fabulous Friends, Family, Funny, Ranting, Weekend Update
Dear California:
Thank you for the lovely weather during the Thanksgiving holiday. Although some folks like their Thanksgivings to be nippy, I loved our long walk through 70 degree sunshine on Thursday afternoon.
I also have to thank you for your lack of traffic during the holiday weekend. Other than getting in and out of the airport you were an absolute delight. Let’s see more of that m’kay?
Love,
The Little Devil
*****
Dear Kansas -
You were lovely when we left – 50s and 60s and sunny. WHAT happened? Now you’re spitting snow upon us. I hope you know that I’m not planning to leave my house until you get a better attitude. No matter how long it takes.
Icily yours,
The Little Devil
*****
Dear Smoking Man -
When I arrived home from Thanksgiving week last night, fresh from beautiful sunny California to snowy, icy Kansas, I was already a little disappointed in my homecoming. Add to that the fact that it was midnight, I had no heavy coat with me (please see letter to Kansas above for reasons) and that the Blue Bus took over a half an hour to arrive. So please understand me when I say I really didn’t need you to chain smoke through the waiting period and hack that terrible cough in my ear forcing me to HAVE to take an extra shower at 2am just so I could go to sleep without smelling like your ash tray. You could learn a bit of common courtesy about standing away from crowds of people when you feel the need to indulge in your disgusting habit. Because really, if I ever see you again, I’m going to have to resist the impulse not to ash directly on you.
-The LD
*****
Dear Family and Friends:
Thanks for the fabulous time. I miss you all and enjoyed seeing you and sharing wonderful meals. Photographic evidence is below.
Got Mead?
06 Oct 2008 2 Comments
in Family, Weekend Update
One of Wes’ hobbies is brewing mead. For those not in the know, mead is honey wine. It starts as warm water and honey and with the addition of yeast, and sometimes flavorings, as well as 3-6 months fermentation or more, it turns into a wonderful wine.
Today was a work day around the house, and Wes mentioned that he had some mead which was ready for bottling. I’d never participated in this event, but I was eager to taste the blueberry mead that has been fermenting in our apartment since we moved in.
We began by setting up the siphon and filtering system and sterilizing the bottles.
After about 20 minutes we had bottles ready for corking.
And at the end, of course we had the most important part: a taste testing.
Sweet. Mellow. Perfect.
