Deb on the Web

Fun and cool in the knitting world

A new ezine! This is a different style mag.  I'm looking forward to really checking it out.
Did you hear about this contest?  Anyone entering?
Check out Violet's new project--I got mine!

Now in my world--the boy has sadly returned home.  Not a long enough trip, but a fun one:)
Next time we gotta get the whole family over!  (okay Cyndi?)

I am getting weeding done today now that it is getting sunny (always happens the second guests leave town).  We are bonding with goats and bunnies.  Oh have I mentioned that my darling Isabelle is actually a guy named Izzy!?!  The siblings have been separated and we are hoping for the best in the incest area.  Amazing how much happier they are apart. 

Knitting on Lizard Ridge, a baby blanket, the mini sweater from Duet and a pair of socks (two on two needles).
Spinning on the wheel is the multi-colored merino/silk/ angora blend and on the spindle is a black and white Jacob fleece.
Reading Vogue Knitting magazine (this new one is a great issue), Shear Spirit, Barnyard in the Backyard, The Last Empress.
Listening to lots of podcasts including this (new to me) one.

Starting tonight Gino's is getting a face lift.  We will be closed for 3 days to do some serious cleaning and painting.  A new stove too!!

In the mail, on the needles and food stuffs

I've been participating in Marisol's Kitchen Swap for the last couple of months.  We were supposed to send our pal two recipes, a kitchen gadget and yarn with a pattern for a kitchen related project.  I was thrilled to have Marisol as my partner.  Even though we already knew each other we've been learning more about each other's kitchen and cooking lives (quite different from our knitting lives).  My package is still in flight on its way to Marisol, but I received hers yesterday!  As I was hoping--recipes from Nicaragua!
Plus a great recipe organizer (I've never had one!).  Aren't those mug cozies great?  There is tea and chocolate covered espresso beans--be still my beating heart (no really;) ).  There is also Rowan soft 4ply and a pattern to knit a french press cozy.  That will be a fun little project.  Right between the mugs there is a great little kitchen gadget--a garlic roller.  Many a person has suggested these to me, but this is my first.  In the restaurant we just peel too much to keep one around.  I love cooking at home again:)  Thank you, thank you Marisol.  These are all such great gifts!  I can't wait to try some recipes:)

In the startitis category--I cast on for the Mystic Meadows mystery stole today.  This is the signature yarn from Brooklyn Handspun in Budding.  I mentioned that I'd be starting this mystery project for Summer a few days ago.  But I did start to have second thoughts as I have a few other projects calling to me.  But now that I started it I realize I have been missing a lace project.  I love playing with yarn overs and great merino yarns (using Addy lace needles too). 
In the frustrated knitting area--I am almost half way finished with the Slip stitch baby blanket.  I thought I should double check with the dad about colors...doh  Usually best to ask color schemes before going yarn shopping.  Yep, green and yellow are not part of the undersea adventure being painted in the baby room.  I didn't say anything--there are plenty of other babies being born that can receive that blankie.  But I gotta get a move on with a new idea!

On the kitchen counter today--I have taken a final leap into hippiness at the mountains sprouts for your sandwich?  How about some homemade yogurt? I haven't gone out and bought an birkenstokes if that's what your thinking, but I am planning on adding cheese making to this crowd of projects as soon as I finish reading Ricki Carroll's book.

Off to close the chicken coop, check on the rabbits and say good night to the pheasants...

Endings leave room for beginnings

As in I finished two projects and a book last night.  My wrists were sore from the vest edging so I decided to wait until this morning to share.
First up--the perfect buttons for this Baby Surprise Sweater I hope these show up (Peter Cottontail wearing a blue sweater gathering carrots--this is for a cook's child).  This is an adorable little sweater.  I'm planning on knitting some booties to gift along with it.
Next up on the finishing list is Marina While I loved knitting with Taiyo (cotton, wool, nylon and silk blend)  I just don't care for the end look on me (sorry about the photo).  It doesn't gather in the way a 100% wool yarn would in a rib pattern.  So that my medium feels like extra large.  This was mainly going to be something to wear in the yard for gardening this Summer (I like to be warm).  Now I doubt I will wear it anywhere else.  Oh well, lesson learned about cotton again.  One thing I would mention about the edging.  I had talked to Michelle about using the green for the front edging (it is around the arm holes).  In looking at the buttons I had picked out I decided the brown would be perfect with the brown rim of these cream colored buttons
I've gotta tell you it felt so good to finish two knitting projects (complete with seams and buttons) in one day.  My life for the last two years has been a work in progress and so my knitting life has been a shadow of that.  I am looking forward to pulling out a few old projects and getting them finished too.
However, I do have more babies on the way so the Slip Stitch blanket has begun The yarn is Debbie Bliss, pure cotton.  I have to say it changes my mind about 100% cotton.  I love how soft it is!  And the twist makes it hard to split the yarn (a problem with cotton yarn I hate).  I'm totally into knitting cotton blankets as you don't have the fitted problems.  Besides this is an August baby.
Also on the new knitting front is this Summer KAL I realize that the last time (as in last Summer) that I was trying to keep up with a mystery stole kal I failed miserably.  Part of that was my schedule part was that I didn't care for the way the design was working with the yarn I had chosen.  I still haven't decided what to do with that project, but with this one--I ordered the recommended yarn.  I love Brooklyn Handspun yarns --that was how I found the KAL.  Care to join in?  Michelle?  Tammy?

In other finishings--I finished reading Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs last night.   This isn't a usually genre for me, but I loved it.  Was totally unprepared for the ending though (won't ruin it if you haven't read it).  I don't know why knitting themed books have never interested me.  I guess they just seem like two separate subjects to me.  Who knows maybe I'll find another I like down the road.

The next book on the night stand is Three Cups of Tea.  Several people have told me they think I'll enjoy it.  I'm looking forward to diving in.

Another new book on its way!

Did you all know about this? 

I had no idea!  I loved the first book

  having knit a couple of baby gift ideas from it.  I still plan to knit a Log Cabin blanket after seeing Cara's (and other beautiful examples).  I can't wait to see what those ladies have for us next!!

Do you know this blogger?

Now I do believe you have to have been blogging from under a rock to not have read Franklin's blog.  But until recently I was sitting under said rock.  I had heard of him and heard references to Delores, but had no idea how entertaining this daily read could be.  Reading Franklin's blog is such a treat!  Watching his "1000 knitters" project grow, viewing his beautiful knits and of course there is Delores and her friends.
Well, now we will be able to laugh out loud at Franklin's drawings

It Itches, by Franklin Habit will be on shelves in the Fall, but it was on my pre-order list yesterday.  I would love to have Franklin out our way to take photos of Portland knitters (even a real Judy!) for his "1000 Knitters" project.  Hmm, which LYS should I pester about that one?
Delores for President!!--You really have to go back to read Franklin's archives for that one;)

This is going to be a multi-post day.  I have some food for you later and maybe even some knitting to show.  Definitely no garden pics today.  Our week of growing temperatures is only multiplying clouds.

A pre-order kind of week

I was looking up a book this morning and found all kinds of pre-orders I want.  So let's have one a day--
First of all I know you all have purchased the new Yarn Harlot book

I'm sure most of you were lucky enough to have her sign it.  I missed her by a day here in Portland (returning a day late from our trip).  I picked my copy up on Friday and just love it!  Each of her books have been hilarious and different enough to want more!!  Now this morning I found out about this fun little gem

I've got my copy pre-ordered.  What about you? 
I am in the process of recreating my craft area to be more organized and better suited to design work (yep, I'm doing it!) so a desk is in the planning.  How can I not have a little humor there to cheer me on;)

I swear this is the last book I'm showing today.  Stephanie's current project is also available for pre-order.  I will be pre-ordering this since I keep missing her when she comes to town.  Hey, if I am lucky enough to catch up with her I'll be ready;)

What I'm listening to today

Have you read this yet? 

I know I'm a little late to jump on the band wagon, but here I am.  And I love this book!  I am actually listening to it as I am out in the garden (taking an afternoon tea break at the moment).  This book speaks to so much I believe in about sustainability.  I'm glad that I didn't make time for this book until I really had the time to pay attention.
I go back and forth about listening vs. reading here.  The taped version is reading by the whole family.  I love that.  However, I may buy the book as well.  I feel like I want to highlight entire portions for upcoming classes I have planned (more on that as I have some formal ideas developed).
Anyway, if you haven't read (or listened) to it, do.  And then let's talk about it!!

Food and Books

A dear friend of mine started a cooking school last year here in Portland.  It isn't the large class size in an industrial kitchen type however.  The Chef's Studio usually has about 10 students enrolled.  They learn basic technique and a great appreciation for the beauty of fresh products.  Over the years I have taken many classes and attended many dinners prepared by Robert.  He is a great chef!
Robert Reynolds is also an amazing writer.  He is able to put you in the place he is writing about.  I was led to his students' blog and from there realized that his site also is a blog. 

As promised a Michael Pollan review.  Basically, if you ever have a chance to hear him talk don't miss it!  He was knowledgeable and humorous.  A perfect combo:)  He talked about this new book--In Defense of Food, An Eater's Manifesto for a short while and then took questions for the rest of the time.  I loved that!  This was a room of fans.  Very few people didn't already own his books or believe in what he stood for.  It made it very personal.  The main premise of this book is to stop eating to the scientists' specifications and start eating more culturally.  He pointed out how "Nutritionalism" has not worked in this country.  His book goes through the history of government getting involved in the 70's and how the progress of these programs (and the marketers abuse of these programs) has led to the obesity and diabetic issues so prevalent in our children today.  The book gives back ground and specific studies about these issues.  It also gives hope and funny anecdotes (which Michael also encourages us to share on his website) about how our moms and grandmothers were really the people to be listening to all along.  My favorite piece of advice about how to choose what to eat was if it doesn't decay don't eat it!  Fast food?  If you can make it then you can eat it.  In other words-you probably aren't going to peel and chop those potatoes, fry them, figure out what to do with the old oil and clean up more than once a month (about how often you should be eating those fries).  This is a really good one-the whiter the bread the sooner you're dead-I want that T-shirt!!
When it was time for questions a six year old got up there and asked if she could eat candy.  After we were done laughing we looked at him.  Would he really say no?  He said yes.  He also told her that she should be treating it as a treat for special occasions.  It wasn't good for either her or the candy to be eaten so regularly:)

A New Path...take 2

I really hate when I have an almost finished blog post freeze up and then disappear.  grrr

As I was saying earlier today...I am unemployed!  Without a job!  With an abundance of knitting time!  With a messy house and time to clean it (that part doesn't thrill me).  Basically, the husband and I had to acknowledge that the stress of two restaurants along with family matters and other health concerns was just too much.  Our partners over at Nostrana have been very gracious in buying us out and we are now back to one restaurant--Gino's.
And along the whole new path idea we are going to head over to Italy next month to research a new business idea.  If things work out we will be moving over for the summer!  Five months in Tuscany doesn't sound too stressful!
In the meantime there are all kinds of house cleaning and fixing projects to get finished.  My MIL dropped off something earlier and I thought she might fall over from looking at the mess!
We really took it easy this weekend (last week was looooong).  My dad has gone to visit my brother and we headed up to our mountain house.  I spent the weekend watching season 1 of 30 Rock and knitting these Kureyon slippers for the husband.  They are definitely taking their sweet time about felting!  How I wish I had a top loading washer for these moments.  The pattern is Fiber Trends "felted clogs".  A great pattern.  Perfect for a weekend knit!
Here is a work in progress photo of the Icelandic shawl I love how the colors look together.  The will be beautiful when finished!  Which will be a while still...
Off to listen to Michael Pollan tonight with my mom.  I haven't purchased his new book yet so this was a great opportunity as the ticket price includes In Defense of Food.  I have read most of what he has written, but have never heard him speak.  You can expect a review tomorrow.
Yes, I will have more blog time now:)

Reading and Cooking and Knitting, oh my

That is my weekend in a happy little nutshell. We had friends up last night that went snow boarding with the husband. They all had a great time and weren't too badly bruised upon returning. I spent the day cooking a hardy minestrone for them, corn muffins, fried chicken and baked apples (oh there was a sald thrown in too). I loved it. Having the house to myself and a kitchen big enough to really cook in I had a hard time stopping to sit down with them. Sometimes I have a hard time getting my head out of restaurant mode.
Today it is all about sitting with a good book and some knitting. I am using my inlaws' computer to send off a few emails so I'm sneaking in a post. But I am about to sign off pick up My Life in France, by Julia Child and get lost in someone else's cooking.
I also have to finish the edging on the "Raven" shrug and I'm in the middle of a "Raven" argosy scarf (both holiday gifts).
It is pouring down rain here at the moment which isn't as pretty as the snow we had for a couple of days, but I'm not tempted to go play in this:)