Just Stuff

Recap of the last few weeks. First, my orchid is blooming again! I love it when my green finger works. Our Japanese Iris is also blooming, although I had nothing to do with that. Finally, this is what my desk looked like while I was studying for my algebra final. Utter disaster. I am on break from school until the 6th and have been knitting feverishly on my Sea Tangles pullover which is almost done!! I thought it would take until the end of summer to finish the last panel. Stay tuned for the completed piece, soon! Ooo! One last thing - if you are looking for an easy, tasty low fat dinner item, then try this recipe. I found it on Pinterest a few weeks ago and have been itching to try it. I have to mention that every recipe I've tried from Pinterest has been really, really good. Give this recipe a whirl, it's totally tasty!

Sea Tangles Update

This project has been in the works for more than two years according to my Ravelry post. Progress is slow and frustration level high. Habu is simply not very easy to knit with, although it's cool as hell. Habu has also added a few other metal yarns to their collection that are equally as cool. Check out the color assortment and varieties, very unusual. I am 90% done with the front and both sleeves are complete. My goal is to finish the whole damn thing by the end of summer.

My Birthday, Den's Birthday and Dad's Socks

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Just enough time to post a few pics.

His Technique Is Good...

....but his color choice could use some improvement. I'm not sure you have to be a knitter to find this video funny. I'm not really back, just taking a 5 minute breather from studying. Yes, life as a student sucks. I don't anticipate any improvement. Blah. At least this video provided a little comic relief.

The Fuselage

Denny got a new toy thingy. If you remove the cage on the fan on the back, unbolt the bottom feet, flip the switch this thing will fly you to Cincinnati. Fer real.

Dijon Onion Pizza

This is my absolute favorite pizza. I just have to share it with you. I first saw this recipe in an old Gourmet magazine. I've tweaked it a little and made it simpler. The dough recipe is courtesy of Martha Stewart. If you really want to be the hero cook, make the cupcakes down below too!! Dough: 2 teaspoons of dry active yeast 1 1/4 Cups of warm water 3 (approx.) cups of bread flour (I use all purpose) 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon of salt 2 tablespoons of olive oil Makes 4 smallish pizzas. 1. In a large bowl mix the yeast, sugar and 3/4 cup of water, let stand a few minutes until the yeast starts to bubble a bit. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of water, 2 cups of the flour and olive oil; mix until a dough is formed. I add the remaining 1 cup of flour gradually as the dough shouldn't be too stiff. I think pizza dough is better when it is a wee bit sticky. So add enough of the remaining 1 cup of flour until until get a somewhat sticky/tacky dough. Knead by hand or with an electric mixer for about 5 minutes. 2. Lightly oil a large bowl and add the dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubles in size, about 90 minutes or so. 3. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. You will want to cook your pizzas on a pizza stone, 'cause it just tastes better! So, slam your stone into the oven at about 450-500 degrees. Let it get good and sizzlin'! While the stone is heating up: saute 1 large size onion with a little olive oil and fennel (I like a lot of fennel, so adjust the amount to your liking!). After that has been sauteed, put in in a bowl and set aside for a few minutes. Now, take one of your four pieces of dough and stretch it into a rustic pizza like shape. Don't be perfect! Sprinkle a little corn meal on the pizza stone and then toss your dough on the stone. let it cook for just a few minutes. You might want to keep a close eye on it as it will cook fast. Very lightly cook the dough - 'til it's barely golden. I would say 3 or 4 minutes should be fine. After your crust has cooked a few minutes, carefully slide your oven rack out and spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the crust. Spread the onions evenly around the crust and top with a little Parmesan cheese and cook until the crust and cheese are golden. Repeat for the other 3 pieces of dough or freeze them for later!

Pinterest....

......you are making me FAT!!!!! Argh! If you want to be fat too, then get the recipe here!

Doll

I still love dolls. This little kit comes from Purl Soho and includes everything to assemble it. The included thread supply was a wee bit skimpy but I have plenty of embroidery floss stash to make up for that! My week off from school is MINE, and if I wanna make a doll, I'm gonna make one! So there.

Dog In a Box

Since Sam died I've decided to let Cha Cha sleep upstairs. When Sam was alive they both slept downstairs in the basement. Now it's just too lonely for her to be down there by herself. I scrounged up an old box and put a blanket in it, and voila she is happy as a clam sleeping in her box in the sewing room.

Takin' Advantage of My Short Break....

...from school. All I've done today is bake and cook. I started in the morning with fresh biscuits, to add to that I've made soup, bread and next in line are Quinoa patties. Tomorrow I'm not going to anything but knit. The end. I found the recipe for this bread on Pinterest (my latest obsession). It is easy and fantastic. It requires almost no work, not even a little bit of kneading!

The Collection Expands....

1974 Bultaco. Once again the garage isn't usable, but it was sure fun for a while when it was. I made it almost all Winter without scraping frost and dusting snow. Bummer. With Spring right around the corner we can look forward to hail damage. Yippee!

My Pup

The last 10 days have been a whirlwind. The end of the Winter quarter, tests,a presentation and an essay are all due. On top of all that, we lost our pup today. After 2 toe surgeries we discovered he had cancer. We had to say good-bye to him tonight. He was a puppy 'til the end, minus his sweet spirit. No sweeter dog ever lived. The house will never be the same. We miss you Roo Man. Keeping this short and letting the pictures speak for themselves.....

The Coldest Day of the Year and a Party

A few snaps of Traci's Arctic Party. That wasn't really the party title,I just deemed it that.

Gustov love.

Excuse me, could you move aside please?

The girl on the left knits, therefore I love.

I'm Back!

But just long enough to post this finished sweater! I love this Polly Pullover made with Rowan Big Wool. Gotta love a fast no-brainer knit.

Favorite Accessory

My sewing room is freezing, always. Even in the summer it is chilly. I love this heater that I call the toaster, I wish I could drag it around with me from room to room. The minute I turn it on, Chab runs up to it. How the heck does she not get scorched? Here is the KAL progress. It took 8 days to make the lining due to my freakishly long fingers,

especially my thumb! Weird.