Miscellaneous, snacks

I usually blog on weekends, but weekends have been busy lately. Some episodes were lost, but I 'll do my best to catch up, at least with the most memorable things.

On top of the list is the last glimpse of fall, in its full glory. Last week's view from hotel during the conference that ate up my time.



I have been very lucky this year, and got to see the foliage over several weekends in four different states, throughout a period of two months. I never think of having a 'favourite season', because I love all seasons with the same passion for different reasons.


I like how fall pleases the senses with vibrant colours, mild temperatures and diffused light. As it is the season I find the hardest to catch some years, I have been obsessed with it this year.



I bought some tea light holders the other day, which ended up on my coffee table.



They like to be lined up in a row and be lit in unison.




Crafting has been happening, but this year I am trying to keep some surprises for the recipients, so no gift posting until after Christmas. (yes, I have already started making things!) So, I 'll stick to posting about snacks for a while -- now that the last storm yesterday seems to have dropped the leaves even in New York. From now on, it's only dramatic silhouettes and bare branches on cloudy skies for the trees.

Pepper bread with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and buttermilk

Pizza with homemade, whole wheat dough

Hot chocolate, laced with whisky

This one makes me dizzy to look at!

Eyes bigger than stomach

I am swamped! And it is all my own fault. I have the tendency to want to do everything and not miss out on anything, especially if it involves learning. So, in the last 10 days I have managed to add about 6-7 hours of work in my weekly schedule, spread over 3 projects. All work related, but fun and interesting. Unfortunately, over the weekend I also went to the Strand and came back with a new pile of books, that I added to my old pile of books waiting to be read. Fearing that I would get even more swamped and never get to them, I decided to put them in some kind of order, and make sure to read them in that order.


My New Year's resolution for 2007 was to finish at least the fiction books that I started, and that indeed did the trick and it cured me from leaving things unfinished. So I don't actually have to read the non-fiction books in the pile cover to cover, but I hope to give them at least an honest chance.

I gave these two enormous pillow cases to L., as the handmade part of his birthday present. They are 25"x25" with a zipper and a very soft, plain blue fabric for backing. The pillows and about half of the fabric were purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics. The rest is from my stash. They make watching t.v. in bed just a little bit more fun, and that's enough for me.

A couple of weeks ago I was walking down Broadway and 10th (I think), when I noticed these really impressive crocheted corals. I am not sure if there was any more information about them, I was kind of in a hurry, so I snapped a couple of pictures and run off. I think they are a wonderful example of true fiber arts, elevated from the humble but not a bit less enjoyable fiber crafts.

Green things

Today was the first really warm day that I could take advantage of. Inspired by a conversation with a friend, I decided to start my indoors garden early this year - or should I say on time. I tend to put it off, and when I eventually buy the herbs I want it seems to be too warm, and they don't last very long. I went to the Farmer's Market at Union Square, and came back with lettuce, dill, mint, basil and coriander.


Another change for this year is that I decided to keep them on top of the refrigerator, where they get the setting sun, which is milder. I hope this will do the trick. Of course, it is also close to the area where I cook, and I enjoy fluffing the leaves of mint or basil every time I feel like, and take in the scents.

The little pink elephant is very happy to be back in action!

I seem to be in a green mood today. I finished the avocado-coloured wrist warmers. Just in time for the evil air conditioning, which I anticipate will be turned on any day now. Ugh!

These wrist warmers are based on the pattern of the notorious Monkey socks, which I modified slightly to make it a 14-st. repeat instead of the original 16. My favourite number is 56, which works fine with sock yarn! The yarn is Lorna's Laces in envy, and I used my usual 2.75 circular Inox needles. I used about 4/5 of a skein.

Monkey fore paws

For taking this photo, I wanted to play with my tripod and the camera timer. Of course anywhere my attention is focused for more than a few seconds, Seven has to check it out. This is the third attempt. The previous two were all a grey blur.

A weekend of sewing

It has been a while since I spent any serious time sewing. Knitting felt more wintry and relaxing. Meanwhile, however, projects have been pilling up in my list and inspiration. So I decided to focus on fabric rather than yarn this weekend.

customised pins

It must certainly have to do with spring approaching - the cooler, brighter colours and texture of fabric are suddenly very appealing.

quick bookmark

My levels of decisiveness are also given a boost. Especially in domestic matters. Among other things, I am getting in the mood to fix all the little things around the house that I have been thinking of fixing for ages and never did anything about it.

table napkins

Oddly enough, this creativity boost was encouraged by one of my character flaws. My ability to procrastinate is monumental. There are things on my list from 6-7 years ago.

coaster sets

Hard to top the instant gratification of small sewing projects. Especially when one has tons of already cut fabric pieces to the right dimensions, purchased ages ago on e-bay for the exact purpose of playing around with them.

more coasters

Today this worked well together with yet another character flaw of mine (obviously, I have more than one). I can get obsessed with some thing and want to keep making it. Like these super-quick coasters.

even more coasters

All this burst of colour and activity, however, has left me drained. Craft-wise at least. I am now ready to return to my knitting projects. Loyal, slow, steady, grounding knitting projects.

this one is for me

I also kind of feel like watching some t.v. and I can't really do that while sewing.

here it is, in action

For those who may be skeptical about the arrival of spring as yet, here is proof that (at least in the South) spring was already there last weekend.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Weekend highlights

The biggest news is that Lizard Ridge is done!


I made 12 rectangles, that were created out of one extra repeat from what the pattern calls for. Each patch took almost one entire skein, and was about 11x14 in. The end result was a comfortable 'siesta blanket', but no more than that. I don't think I could afford a full queen size version, even though given the length of time it took me to finish it it amounts to less than a skein a month!
Every step was great fun, however, and of course the reason for that was Noro Kureyon, and its never-ending color changes.

Here is the view of the blanket 'in action'

not a bad view right before you doze off for a nap

I also made lasagna, which turned out very yummy


While I was waiting for it to be cooked, I got the urge to sew.
Since the blue table next to my knitting sofa was officially designated sewing table, the cover of my sewing machine has been bothering me (it is always in the background of the Skid as supervisor pictures). It came along with the machine itself, made by its previous owner, obviously more for utilitarian rather than for aesthetic purposes.

I used a piece of some IKEA fabric I bought in Christmas, and whipped up a happier cover

much happier corner

Halloween

Why are weekends so short? Though weekdays pass by pretty fast too.
I must be getting old.

This, all too short, weekend passed in a lovely, mellow rhythm. Saturday it was rainy, Sunday was glorious. There was some shopping

Fabric from Pearl River Mart

Skein of recycled sari silk from friendly Nepalese woman

... and some sewing

Another journal cover. I can't stop making them.

Finally, in the spirit of Halloween, Skid decided to turn from this



to this (note the ferocious fang!)

my yarn was scared!

Sushi for breakfast

I know it's not supposed to be a good idea, but I absolutely love eating last dinner party's left overs. Especially when dinner looked like that:

From top left to bottom right: sushi rice, eel, crabmeat shredded, mixed with mayonaise, carrot, cuccumbers and perhaps some sauce, nori sheets, salmon, spicy tuna, crab sticks. Yum! There were also salmon flakes, tuna with mayonaise (not pictured), wine, margaritas, and lots of sake. I believe the Japanese must have a saying that goes kind of like that, in regards to sake: when it's cheap, drink it cold. We chilled it as much as we could ;-)

...follwed by green tea and Argentinian sweets (sory, I forget the name. Probably due to the copious consumption of abovementioned sake...)


The company was great, and I had the luxury of washing the dishes listening to live music. Am I the most fortunate girl in the world, or what!

Why I haven't been around

I 've been out of town. Yippee! Fresh air and nature!

Meanwhile, here are some pics from last weekend in Ohio:

at the dock (Lake Erie)

Trees! Yippee!

I got a bit obsessed with these beetle-eaten leaves

and my camera's close-up abilities

Leaving again tomorrow, for 2 weeks this time . Double yippee!
Pictures will follow, of course!
Have a good one!

Weekend highlights

Crafty booty from Flushing

Making a necklace

Sunny was on duty for help

Making (and eating) chips