... for spring to arrive, so the vegetable and flower gardens can be planted.
... for my injured knee to recover and allow me to get back into a running schedule.
... to have a knitting project on the needles that isn't a super-secret gift.
... for the end of the day, so I can start the weekend and spend some time with The Awesome Fiance!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Second-string Gratitude
I had dinner with a lovely bunch of ladies yesterday, and the subject of gratitude journals came up. I think this is such a great idea: keeping a list of the elements of good fortune in your life to give yourself a little perspective. You all can probably guess the major things that are going well for me right now, so I'll spare you the full list, but here are some of the second-string reasons why I'm a lucky gal.
1. I know what's wrong with my knee and why it's been hurting. Bonus: it's (relatively) easily fixable.
2. Directly related to item 1: I once again have health insurance coverage!
3. I found what I think might be the perfect pair of shoes for a big occasion, after fearing said concept might not exist.
4. Oh, oh, just remembered that I have an awesome CD to listen to today. (Them Crooked Vultures. Check 'em out.)
5. Lip gloss with mint in it, to save me from chapped lips *and* perk me up with its minty freshness. Definitely thankful for that.
Feel free to chime in via comments with what your list would include. Second-string gratitude items are so much fun to talk about!
1. I know what's wrong with my knee and why it's been hurting. Bonus: it's (relatively) easily fixable.
2. Directly related to item 1: I once again have health insurance coverage!
3. I found what I think might be the perfect pair of shoes for a big occasion, after fearing said concept might not exist.
4. Oh, oh, just remembered that I have an awesome CD to listen to today. (Them Crooked Vultures. Check 'em out.)
5. Lip gloss with mint in it, to save me from chapped lips *and* perk me up with its minty freshness. Definitely thankful for that.
Feel free to chime in via comments with what your list would include. Second-string gratitude items are so much fun to talk about!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Hmm. Perhaps I should just buy a second basil plant...
I've been meaning to share this recipe for a while, and the day following a quiet three day weekend seems as good a time as any. We eat this for dinner maybe a couple of times a month -- pretty much as often as possible without utterly decimating our basil plant. It's simple and delicious and much healthier than traditional pesto.
Healthy, Tasty, Pesto Pasta
Use a food processor or immersion blender to thoroughly mix the following:
- basil leaves. maybe a third of a cup, packed down. the extent of my measuring is usually "the amount that'll fit in one hand to walk to the sink for washing."
- raw spinach leaves. they can be baby spinach, but they don't have to be. I use about equal parts basil and spinach.
- walnuts. traditional pesto calls for pine nuts, but I've found walnuts work just as well (maybe better), and I'm more likely to have them on hand. I use maybe a quarter cup, coarsely chopped.
- parmesan cheese. you can use the real stuff or the dried stuff in a canister (as long as it isn't, like, the synthetic stuff in a canister. shudder.), either way. the amount is flexible, but you need at least a few tablespoons, then to taste.
- garlic. I've used minced raw garlic before, and hoo boy does it pack a flavor punch. I actually prefer to use garlic powder here, both for texture and its more mellow taste.
- olive oil. I use less than a tablespoon, which I'm pretty sure is a fraction of what would traditionally be called for.
The finished product is a pretty dense paste (see above, about the olive oil amount). Stir it into cooked whole wheat rotini that's been less than thoroughly drained. A small amount of hot water left in the pot with the pasta helps the pesto to be evenly dispersed without stirring for twenty minutes. Smooshing any globs of pesto into the pasta with the back of your spoon helps too, though.
Enjoy with a big salad and a glass of white wine, if that's your thing.
Healthy, Tasty, Pesto Pasta
Use a food processor or immersion blender to thoroughly mix the following:
- basil leaves. maybe a third of a cup, packed down. the extent of my measuring is usually "the amount that'll fit in one hand to walk to the sink for washing."
- raw spinach leaves. they can be baby spinach, but they don't have to be. I use about equal parts basil and spinach.
- walnuts. traditional pesto calls for pine nuts, but I've found walnuts work just as well (maybe better), and I'm more likely to have them on hand. I use maybe a quarter cup, coarsely chopped.
- parmesan cheese. you can use the real stuff or the dried stuff in a canister (as long as it isn't, like, the synthetic stuff in a canister. shudder.), either way. the amount is flexible, but you need at least a few tablespoons, then to taste.
- garlic. I've used minced raw garlic before, and hoo boy does it pack a flavor punch. I actually prefer to use garlic powder here, both for texture and its more mellow taste.
- olive oil. I use less than a tablespoon, which I'm pretty sure is a fraction of what would traditionally be called for.
The finished product is a pretty dense paste (see above, about the olive oil amount). Stir it into cooked whole wheat rotini that's been less than thoroughly drained. A small amount of hot water left in the pot with the pasta helps the pesto to be evenly dispersed without stirring for twenty minutes. Smooshing any globs of pesto into the pasta with the back of your spoon helps too, though.
Enjoy with a big salad and a glass of white wine, if that's your thing.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Crafting minus yarn equals.... fabric!
Like I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I won't be posting any knitting updates for a good long while (unless I lose motivation on the mammoth secret project I need to finish and let my attention stray to some other diversionary project, which is entirely possible).
I do have a craft update, though: a fabric alphabet banner, given as a baby gift for a friend whose twins are thankfully not yet driving (yes, they're still babies -- I just took forever and a day to get this project finished). The letters were fashioned by a group of friends, and I affixed them to their backings and banner-ized the whole thing. Such a fun process.
And so, voila, the alphabet banner:
I do have a craft update, though: a fabric alphabet banner, given as a baby gift for a friend whose twins are thankfully not yet driving (yes, they're still babies -- I just took forever and a day to get this project finished). The letters were fashioned by a group of friends, and I affixed them to their backings and banner-ized the whole thing. Such a fun process.
And so, voila, the alphabet banner:
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I AM A COOL GIRL
Meg over at A Practical Wedding says so.
(Or said so, back in November, if you want to be particular about it. I've been holding off on sharing this so as not to be all-wedding-all-the-time. You're welcome.)
Anyway, even though it's presented in the context of weddings, everyone should go and read Meg's awesome diatribe on confidence and authenticity. It's a great reminder around here as we get into the real planning stage of the process (stumbling across the perfect dress and saying that we'll compile our own music at some point between now and September are not necessarily what I'd call "real planning") that whatever decisions we make will be the right ones simply by virtue of the fact that we made them.
And, to take it a step further, it's a great reminder to take pride in all aspects of your life that have been arrived at with joy and purpose. I'm not making any Resolutions-with-a-capital-R for this new year, but if you are and you'd like to use that one, go right ahead.
But yeah, Meg's more articulate than I am on the subject, so click on over there and read and get all fired up and empowered. (She's also a little more, shall we say, edgy with the language, so if you've got shy and retiring sensibilities -- or literate kiddos near the computer -- be careful.)
(Or said so, back in November, if you want to be particular about it. I've been holding off on sharing this so as not to be all-wedding-all-the-time. You're welcome.)
Anyway, even though it's presented in the context of weddings, everyone should go and read Meg's awesome diatribe on confidence and authenticity. It's a great reminder around here as we get into the real planning stage of the process (stumbling across the perfect dress and saying that we'll compile our own music at some point between now and September are not necessarily what I'd call "real planning") that whatever decisions we make will be the right ones simply by virtue of the fact that we made them.
And, to take it a step further, it's a great reminder to take pride in all aspects of your life that have been arrived at with joy and purpose. I'm not making any Resolutions-with-a-capital-R for this new year, but if you are and you'd like to use that one, go right ahead.
But yeah, Meg's more articulate than I am on the subject, so click on over there and read and get all fired up and empowered. (She's also a little more, shall we say, edgy with the language, so if you've got shy and retiring sensibilities -- or literate kiddos near the computer -- be careful.)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Year in Review (yarn version)
I feel like I should post something before we trade in 2009 for 2010. Some sort of retrospective account of the rollercoaster that was the previous twelve months, progress made, hurdles cleared, that sort of thing. To be honest, though, I'm not feelin' it today, so instead I'll give you a retrospective of a much more narrow scope: That Which I've Knit in 2009.
2009 was less prolific than 2008 (the sweater-a-month year), but the sweater obsession continued. I finished Thermal early in the year, so I suppose it should be included in the tally, even though that feels like ages ago. Francis Revisited has proven to be one of my most wearable sweaters, as the pilling along the sides of the torso shows (sigh). On days that I'm not likely to be eating or drinking anything that would stain if/when spilled, Surface, in white, has been getting some time in the wardrobe rotation.
Two sweaters were knit to the very end, never to see the light of day and be worn out of the house. Picovoli, knit in black cotton with long sleeves, was probably my favorite knit item ever, were it not for the neckline. The yarn drapes beautifully, the shaping and fit were perfect, but the neck edging curled too much even for me. It's been ripped out, and I'm halfway through a second attempt. Camden is suffering a similar, unwearable fate: the raglan cap sleeves are too... roomy, for lack of a better word, and the fabric bunches where it should be snug. I'll either rip this out too, or attempt some sort of sewing/steeking/hail mary rescue project.
Towards the end of the year, I knit this version of the Mrs. Darcy cardigan, and I wear it as often as I can get away with. I heart it. I also heart my second Coachella, but there haven't been too many opportunities to put it to use since it was finished at the end of the summer.
Right, and there was the Waist-Cincher Top, which I've already told you was a feeble success at best, to put it diplomatically.
So. That was my year of knitting. For the forseeable future (well, not really, but it feels that way), I'll be working on a surprise knitted gift of epic proportions -- we're talking 4500 yards of yarn here, people -- so the knitting updates will be nil for a while.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to take a nap so I'll be able to stay awake and ring in the new year by dancing my tail off this evening. Best to you all for a happy and healthy 2010!
2009 was less prolific than 2008 (the sweater-a-month year), but the sweater obsession continued. I finished Thermal early in the year, so I suppose it should be included in the tally, even though that feels like ages ago. Francis Revisited has proven to be one of my most wearable sweaters, as the pilling along the sides of the torso shows (sigh). On days that I'm not likely to be eating or drinking anything that would stain if/when spilled, Surface, in white, has been getting some time in the wardrobe rotation.
Two sweaters were knit to the very end, never to see the light of day and be worn out of the house. Picovoli, knit in black cotton with long sleeves, was probably my favorite knit item ever, were it not for the neckline. The yarn drapes beautifully, the shaping and fit were perfect, but the neck edging curled too much even for me. It's been ripped out, and I'm halfway through a second attempt. Camden is suffering a similar, unwearable fate: the raglan cap sleeves are too... roomy, for lack of a better word, and the fabric bunches where it should be snug. I'll either rip this out too, or attempt some sort of sewing/steeking/hail mary rescue project.
Towards the end of the year, I knit this version of the Mrs. Darcy cardigan, and I wear it as often as I can get away with. I heart it. I also heart my second Coachella, but there haven't been too many opportunities to put it to use since it was finished at the end of the summer.
Right, and there was the Waist-Cincher Top, which I've already told you was a feeble success at best, to put it diplomatically.
So. That was my year of knitting. For the forseeable future (well, not really, but it feels that way), I'll be working on a surprise knitted gift of epic proportions -- we're talking 4500 yards of yarn here, people -- so the knitting updates will be nil for a while.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to take a nap so I'll be able to stay awake and ring in the new year by dancing my tail off this evening. Best to you all for a happy and healthy 2010!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
christmas highlights
Yesterday was a pretty fantastic day. To wit:
- we hosted brunch for eleven without running out of food, plates, or silverware;
- the main brunch dish, spinach strata, was like heaven (if heaven is full of eggs and bread and cheese... and I sort of suspect it is);
- there was much laughter and merriment, and lots of groups of people mingled splendidly;
- the gift we gave with the lowest price tag generated the most heartfelt appreciation, and possibly a little tearing up;
- and we are the proud new owners of a kayak cart, which should allow us to go paddling more often next summer without breaking the muscles in our arms.
Here's hoping all of you fine folks have been enjoying the season just as much.
- we hosted brunch for eleven without running out of food, plates, or silverware;
- the main brunch dish, spinach strata, was like heaven (if heaven is full of eggs and bread and cheese... and I sort of suspect it is);
- there was much laughter and merriment, and lots of groups of people mingled splendidly;
- the gift we gave with the lowest price tag generated the most heartfelt appreciation, and possibly a little tearing up;
- and we are the proud new owners of a kayak cart, which should allow us to go paddling more often next summer without breaking the muscles in our arms.
Here's hoping all of you fine folks have been enjoying the season just as much.
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