Izzy

Real Women Eat Quiche

| yarn & yarns

And sometimes they even make it. Guess who insisted on having a picture taken with her specialty creation, “Isabel’s Fruit Salad”? (At the risk of blowing her secret recipe, it’s bananas, blackberries, and strawberries with a pinch of sugar and a few sprinkles of cinnamon.)

 

This Spinach & Pine Nut Quiche, which has lots of garlic and sage, is so good that the kiddo periodically craves it, which she did today — after waking up from the late-morning nap she asked to take rather than go to ice skating lessons. (Yeah, it’s been that kind of week.) After getting in lots of knitting time while she napped, I was so agreeable that I said yes even though it meant a trip to the grocery store.

Things to do in Denver…

| yarn & yarns

As I said last night in my Facebook status, “That’ll teach me to besmirch Florida!”

Yesterday was, all in all, a bad travel day. The sister and brother-in-law arrived at the Mpls. airport only to find that their plane to Orlando was canceled. They were sent home, having been given an afternoon flight for today. (Terrible weather out East to blame.)

Since we were traveling from the other side of the country, all was well weather wise. (Which, being the extra cautious soul I am, I confirmed online before we headed to the airport.) All was going well — fastest trip through security ever. But then our plane to Denver had a mechanical problem. And we waited. And waited. Talked with some fellow knitters headed home to Chicago via Denver. Put in a Herculean effort at keeping the over-excited kid busy while we waited 3 extra hours to board the plane. By then, all hopes of Orlando on Saturday had been quashed by the gate agent.

Finally we left ABQ and arrived in Denver, where United put us up for the night at a Marriott. No luggage = no swim suit for the kid (and, of course, the hotel has a pool). My little carnivore’s mood improved vastly, though, when she discovered she could use the meal voucher to order a steak sandwich via room service. And, better yet, eat it while watching TV. (No parental judgment please, a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do!)

 

Headed to Orlando today (god willing) but first plane they could get us on leaves at 5:35 tonight. At least they booked us in first class.

On the knitting front, yesterday was also a bust. Started back in on Deep Peace, my first foray into lace knitting. Or should I say, my first foray that wasn’t quickly abandoned? Here’s where it stood when I set it aside for the Ravelympics:

Even though it’s not a complicated pattern, it proved too challenging with continual conversation from my spirited kid. Think I got about 8 rows done before I realized I had lost a stitch in the process. Going to cast on the other project I brought (thankfully in my carry-on) — the Geodesic Cardigan, which is much better suited to multi-tasking. It’s going to be a trying day; no need to handicap my patience!

TGIF: Spring Break Edition

| yarn & yarns

Have you ever been so in need of a vacation that you don’t even care where you’re going?

Let’s just say, it’s been quite the week month year around here, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be headed out … even if the destination is one of my least favorite places on the planet. Orlando, Florida. Home to hellacious humidity and crowds. (And, yes, I realize that bemoaning a FL vacation in mid-March separates me from about 99.5% of the human race. Then again, what’s new?)

Izzy, on the other hand, couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of Disney World and beach time with Auntie and Uncle. Evidence: Caught sleeping in her new sun hat this evening.

 

And you could say my excitement is building, as well. Evidence: Two knitting projects and a book I’ve been waiting to savor.

Ravelympics Update, Izzy’s FO

| yarn & yarns

And the Gold Medal goes to … Izzy! She started and finished a catnip mouse during the U.S. vs. Canada hockey game. That’s right, during a single Olympic event. (And the crowd goes wild.)

And her mom? Well, she quietly boasts another 2-1/2 blocks (99 garter ridges/198 rows). Meaning the Moderne Log Cabin blanket is now 45 percent finished. Yep, 55 percent left to go.

This sucker (when finished) will keep a small village warm.

FO: Trio of Hats, Ravelympics Fortitude

| yarn & yarns

Just to be clear: I haven’t thrown in the proverbial towel on my Moderne Log Cabin blanket.

Rather, thanks to the wise words of McMary, I’ve reframed my perspective. The new goal? A personal best, which really couldn’t be more achievable given that this is my first Ravelympics appearance. So let’s see just how much I can get done in the remaining Olympics week. And let’s be smart about competing — like the marathon winding session this morning of all remaining blanket yarn (with an assist from Izzy).

 

As the weekend comes to a close, here’s the current standing: one block (#5) down and another well on its way. Not to mention a renewed appreciation of the miles of Zen this project offers.

Oh yeah, and just to appease that crazy type-A part of my personality, I made and attached the tassels on my trio of hats WIP. Knitting was done a few weeks ago, but I just don’t enjoy making pompoms, tassels, etc. Seriously, the amount of angst (and procrastination) produced by these finishing details is crazy.

FO: Askance Cowl

| yarn & yarns

Wanted a scarf better suited for running around ABQ, and I found this one-skein Askance Cowl pattern on Ravelry. It was just complicated enough to keep it interesting, yet simple enough for a relaxing evening project. (Did I mention it was a crazy-busy week at work?)

Pleased with the yarn (soft, washable, light-weight wool) and the colors (green, blue, purple — big surprise — with a nice gold to set them off). In fact, decided to grab another skein from my LYS so I can create a matching set of fingerless mitts.

I finished the knitting on Thursday, while watching Conan. Still love me some Robin Williams. But now as the mother of a spirited child, I can’t watch him without thinking about what he must have been like as a child. Oy.

Anyway, had planned to block the cowl this morning, but decided that I liked it wavy. Of note: It’s also been quite a week for the bulb Izzy gave me for Christmas, which was just barely sprouting last weekend. (Have I mentioned how much I love Izzy’s Garden Club at school?)

FO: Izzy’s New Hat

| yarn & yarns

Right before Christmas, Izzy spied a pair of mittens at the holiday craft safe at our church. I try not to give into these whims — the whole giving rather than receiving thing — but not only were the mittens adorable and fleece-lined wool, they were also crazy cheap. The fact that they were fair-trade wares from Peacecraft is what pushed me to “yes.”

But then, of course, my little fashionista needed a hat to match. And it needed to be a quick knit — we are in Albuquerque, where spring is right around the corner.

Well, I pretty much knit the whole thing up today during a two-and-a-half-hour spelling bee. Mission accomplished plus sanity preserved.

 

And, yes, that is the Christmas tree still up in the background. It’s coming down this weekend. Hey, St. Knut’s Day fell during the week… (I’m Swedish, so that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)

Why My Holiday Cards Were Late Didn’t Happen (part 1)

| yarn & yarns

Just take a look. Is it any wonder both Izzy and I are completely nuts about my coworker’s dog, Truffles? She’s just the sweetest little thing. And after a night of dog sitting, well … let’s just say Izzy has her first big bout of puppy love.

Having spent the past five winters in Minnesota, I can safely say Albuquerque’s take on the season has yet to surpass a 2.5 on the cold & blustery scale. Not that Truffle’s owner, who’s an LA gal, would agree. You’d think hypothermia were always just a degree away, to hear her talk.

Combine that with all the doggy knitting appearing on Mason-Dixon for little Olive, and you can see where this is headed.

Just what every LA dog needs — a little black dress with pearls (hidden in this shot).

It’s lucky the house got cleaned before the family arrived for Christmas.