Should Be Knitting

Hiatus

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to take some time and figure out what I want to do with this blog. I want to have the love it deserves and that hasn't happened yet. Until it does I'm putting this blog on hold.

In the meantime I've started a project with Becca called List Makers Anonymous. The two of us are planning on making 366 lists in 2012, one a day, with the number of items on the list corresponding to the day of the year. Check it out.

Wordless Wednesday- September 28th

2011-09-28T18:25:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday- September 14th

2011-09-14T15:02:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

On a Hill Lone and Gray

2011-08-11T20:00:00.000-04:00

It's been feeling a bit chilly around here the last couple of days. If it wasn't August I'd assume fall had come early. I hadn't meant for the last couple of days to come together into a sort of celebration of autumn but they have.

Winter's Bones: Watch the trailer then go watch the movie. There's not much more to say about it than that.

photo from myrecipes.com

Pumpkin Pie: I can't think of a food that screams fall more than pumpkin pie (excluding turkey and the fixings of course). I baked up a pie using coconut milk as a dairy replacement. I wasn't disappointed.

Mrs. Darcy Cardigan: (Rav Link) There really is no reason for my obsession with this sweater, but I need one in my life. Granted I've been saying that forever and still haven't knit one. I should change that...

2011-07-21T07:30:00.001-04:00

It's been rather hot here for what feels like forever. I've recently caught up on Criminal Minds (and started a shrug) so I was in need of something else to do. I ended up making this little guy for a friend. He's an incredibly quick knit. The Rav pattern is here.

Wordless Wednesday - July 13th

2011-07-13T09:28:00.000-04:00

A Couple of Old Projects

2011-07-11T23:46:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I think I should rename this blog and turn it into a cat appreciation page but then I come across old project photos or pick up a pair of needles and remember why it is I love documenting my work; there's something magical about turning yarn into something so useful and beautiful.

A simple single crochet stripped scarf:

My first go at a Hermione Hat. The yarn was a horrible choice for this project. I ended up frogging it and turning the yarn into a pair of arm warmers. More on the arm warmers and the finished Hermione Hat in another post.

Wordless Wednesday- June 29th

2011-06-29T10:39:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Kate’s Subarctic Hat

2011-06-08T23:33:00.003-04:00

I get a little excited when my favorite shows have knitted items. OK, maybe excited is a bit of an understatement. If it’s there I have to have it. So, when I can’t find a pattern I make one.

Kate’s Subarctic Hat
Size:

Standard women’s hat (21 inches)
For a larger/smaller size I would (because I’m an authenticity nut) adjust your gauge. Adding or removing pattern repeats also works

Materials:
Size 7 (US) circular needle or dpn’s
Size F crochet hook
Waste yarn or second circular needle

Gauge:
4.25 st/in or 17st/4 in

Yarn Used:
Red Heart Super Saver Solid in orange, black and white. Any worsted weight yarn with the appropriate gauge would work. I prefer the Caron of the three I used.

Pattern:

Earflap (make 2):
Cast on 4 stitches in orange (MC)
Row 1: Purl

All even rows: m1, knit to end, m1
All odd rows: purl

End after the purl row with 22 stitches
Transfer the earflaps to waste yarn or another circular needle

Hat:
In orange (MC) cast on 24 stitches, knit on earflap, cast on 22 stitches, and knit on second earflap (92 stitches)
Knit 8 rows
Knit according to chart

Crown Decrease:
[Note: The original hat has no knitted decreases, instead the top is sewn closed. If you would prefer to do this for your hat, continue knitting in stockinette stitch for several inches. Then bindoff, sew the top of the tube shut, fold in the corners and sew them in place.]

(In black (CC2))
Row 1: K35, k2tog, K41, k2tog, K12 (90 st)
Row 3: *K8, k2tog* around (81 st)
Row 5: *K7, k2tog* around (72 st)
Row 7: *K6, k2tog* around (63 st)
Row 9: *K5, k2tog* around (54 st)
Row 11: *K4, k2tog* around (45 st)
Row 13: *K3, k2tog* around (36 st)
Row 15: *K2, k2tog* around (27st)
Row 17: *K1, k2tog* around (18 st)

All even rows: Knit

Row 19: *k2tog* around (9 st)
Row 20: k2tog 4 times, k1 (5 st)

Cut thread and draw through remaining 5 stitches

Finishing:
Weave in ends.
Single crochet around the edge of the hat and earflaps.

Cut 12 32” lengths of orange yarn (MC)
Fold 6 lengths in half and pull the center of each length through the stitches at the bottom of the earflap. Thread the ends of the yarn through the loop this creates and tighten.
Braid (four strands of yarn in each section) until 5” long.
Tie the end of one piece of yarn around the end of the braid. Do the same with a piece of yarn from the opposite side of the braid. Trim the fringe.

Enjoy!

Adele:: 21

2011-05-28T14:57:00.001-04:00

::Adele:: 21

Tumblr // YouTube // Website // Facebook

About the Album:

This is Adele's second album although the first one I got my hands on. The only things more awesome than the songs on the album is are the live performances plastered all over the internet. The only complaint I have about the album is that in order to listen to it properly you have to crank the volume all the way up. All the way.

First Encounter:

It's hard to tell anymore who's fault it is that I got addicted. It all started with Rolling in the Deep. I'd heard a couple of her other songs before that but hadn't paid much attention (I was clearly insane).

Favorite Songs:

This really is not a fair assessment as every single song blows my mind. That being said I tried to pick out the best fits for the next couple of sections.

Set Fire To The Rain- 'Rumor Has It' may have been my first favorite off the album but this song- I have such a soft spot for piano which I know doesn't help. There's something so incredibly powerful about the lyrics and the chorus is beyond amazing. It had almost 300 plays in less than a (musicless finals) week. It would have more but it's the only part of my reward system that seems to actually motivate me to do anything.

Turning Tables- It still surprises me how soft this song is given how powerful it is emotionally.

Rumor Has It- Fun, catchy, upbeat. You can really dig into his one and have a good time.

He Won't Go- This is my kind of love song. It's not Disney fluffy. It's real, it's all hardship and devotion. I love it.

Least Favorites:

HAHAHA that's funny.

Favorite Lyrics:

My hands, they were strong, but my knees were far too weak To stand in your arms without falling to your feet -Set Fire to the Rain

Under haunted skies I see you, ooh, Where love is lost, your ghost is found -Turning Tables

Other Songs:

From the enormous number of live performances I'd have to say I love I Just Want to Make Love to You most of all. Along with that, everything else on the album live or not. Seriously. Here's a song list. As for her first album, 19, here's a list of my favorites:

Make You Feel My Love

Chasing Pavements

Hometown Glory

My Same

I'm hoping to have an album review up soon because I've so much to say about a couple of those.

2011-05-02T16:34:00.000-04:00

Have no fear, I'm still here. That rhymed. Huh. Anyway, I'm still around just insanely busy with my last semester (hopefully) ever. I'm off to Maine for two weeks when finals are done. I'm hoping by the time I get back I'll be feeling a bit more chatty or at least be in the mood for posting photos. I've done quite a bit of crafting since I last posted so I have some catching up to do.

"Oh the grass is green Everywhere but under me"

2011-02-28T13:54:00.000-05:00

I haven't been feeling very chatty or very crafty lately. I have been working on stuff for some friends and am either waiting for official photos or am waiting to ship the gifts off before I can share. In fact this afternoon I have to put the finishing touches on a couple of things before I mail them tomorrow (I keep saying this so we'll see).

Tomorrow I also need to start another hedgehog. I swore I would give this pattern a break (the loop stitch it uses eventually turns me into whiny knitting girl because it's a bit slow and odd), but it's too cute and it's been requested by JB as a gift for someone. After that I'm back to trying to clear out my queue and backlog or WIPs (story of my life).

January was a bit of a book month which continued into this month. Currently I'm a quarter of the way through the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes and half way through The Golden Compass. This had lead to a bit of a Sherlock kick and really hasn't helped my obsession with period fashion. I'm already planning out summer sewing projects that in no way involve my poor unsewed winter wardrobe or the two summer refashions I started last year.

I think the biggest thing is the rekindling of my farm!love. I can't stop thinking about spring and gardens, baby chicks and canning. I keep catching myself staring at the ceiling grinning like an idiot. It doesn't help I've recently picked my clarinet back up again. I've missed it so much, but all the practicing seems to be bringing out my dreamier side. Oops.

"You are the reason I'm making these tracks in the snow "

2011-02-28T10:56:00.000-05:00

Today we have the spring sort of bad weather, high winds and pouring rain. Last Friday we had bad weather of the wintery sort, snow falling from the sky in droves.

Wordless Wednesday- February 9th

2011-02-09T16:10:00.001-05:00

(Love that won't sit still)

2011-01-31T16:22:00.002-05:00

Wishful Thinking

2011-01-28T16:19:00.000-05:00

Girl in the Mirror

2011-01-24T16:15:00.003-05:00

Thoughts of (Early) Spring

2011-01-21T16:16:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday- January 19th

2011-01-19T04:09:00.001-05:00

Teaser Tuesday- Jan. 18th

2011-01-18T19:08:00.001-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

An Hour to Kill by Karin Yapalater

For some kids it was the smell of homemade cookies in the oven that took them back to their childhood home. For Gurson it was the choke of car exhaust. (81)

Teaser Tuesday- Jan 11th

2011-01-11T20:49:00.001-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan

She’s like an orphan cat, kneading on my heart. She’s been this way all my life, peeling my oranges, buying me candy, admiring my report cards and telling me how smart I was, smarter than she ever could be. (23)

Top Five Crunch Skin Care Products (In No Particular Order)

2011-01-05T22:16:00.001-05:00

Baking Soda

Aside from the fact you can use it for everything. Well pretty much anything, particularly cleaning wise, baking soda is awesome. It makes a great deodorant, it’s a really good exfoliater and mild cleanser.

Bar Soap (Beer and Charcoal)

Bar soap for starters, particularly handmade bar soap tends to be SLS free (*cheers*). Beer soap in particular makes my scalp happy. Charcoal soap does wonders for my skin, an extra oily bar in the winter is moisturizing without being heavy and a more simple bar works wonders in the summer with all the outdoor dirt and grime.

Honey

Honey, I could eat the stuff all day. Mixed with crushed aspirin or alone it makes a wonderful mask. It evens up skin tone and you smell good too.

Oil (Castor, Coconut, Jojoba, and Olive)

I know people have qualms about using castor oil, but since it works for me I’m hesitant to mess with it. Castor along with jojoba make up my OCM mix. Jojoba’s also a nice light moisturizer for my face and hair. Coconut oil is my go to moisturizer. Thick enough to slather on in the winter but light enough for the summer. Plus the unrefined stuff mixed with a bit of cocoa or cocoa butter makes you smell like chocolate cream cupcakes. Olive oil is another nice hair moisturizer. It’s too thick for me to leave in my hair but it’s a good hot oil treatment.

Tea Tree Oil

Out of the five tea tree oil is my favorite, although I’m a bit biased. It smells amazing, it clears out my sinuses better then menthol anything ever could, it makes a great antibiotic cream, it’s a great addition to toothpaste (plaque be gone), and it’s great for clearing up blemishes.

Teaser Tuesday- Jan 4th

2011-01-04T15:28:00.004-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

So I made up my own word. Recouriumphoration. Re for "again," and cour for "courage" and a bit of triumph tacked on, too, for good measure. Maybe it will go into the dictionary on day, I thought. And if it does, everyone will know its meaning: to have one's hope restored. (159)

Thoughts of (Late) Spring

2010-12-31T16:02:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday- December 29th

2010-12-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T15:53:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday- December 22th

2010-12-22T15:59:00.001-05:00

Henna

2010-12-21T21:34:00.000-05:00

I can't find my henna mix anywhere. I've been lamenting this fact for a week now and I can't stand it any longer. I've ordered another batch. My roots are long enough that my bangs match my eyebrows. I am not impressed.

I'm thinking this go around I'll be adding 3TBSP of cloves to my mix to cut down on the wretched smell that is vinegar mixed with lemon juice and henna. Perhaps I could get by without the vinegar. Lemon and henna smells nice. Lemon is acidic. I think I may declare this a grand experiment...again. I like this plan. I do.

(Great Forest Trees)

2010-12-20T16:06:00.003-05:00

Home for the Holidays

2010-12-17T15:49:00.006-05:00

Wordless Wednesday- December 15th

2010-12-15T15:56:00.002-05:00

(Sail on the Wind and the Dark)

2010-12-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

(Black and White in the Grey)

2010-12-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday- December 8th

2010-12-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

30 Days of Knitting Day 13

2010-12-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

Do you have yarn that you love but can’t find a project for?

I have a couple of smaller skeins of wool. Wool being my favorite it's not getting used for anything until I find the perfect project. I have a darker grey, a cream (part of which I used to make Sammy's Victorian ruffle arm warmers), chocolate brown and a fair bit of navy. I also have a couple of skeins of really nice acrylic, my favorite of which is a deep lavender type color.

(Love Will Keep You Alive)

2010-12-06T22:14:00.000-05:00

30 Days of Knitting Day 12

2010-12-06T08:55:00.000-05:00

Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!

I have a set of plastic drawers I stash the majority of my skeins in. The stuff in the top drawer is the stuff I really like most of which I've set aside for projects for myself or special projects for other people. The middle drawer is mainly odds and ends of yarn with skeins of good but not super shiny yarn. The bottom drawer is the stuff I either can't figure what I'll ever use it for or stuff I hope I never use. I also have a couple of copy paper boxes full of yarn, instructions, and started patterns. This is where I put the yarn I've set aside for specific projects so I don't use it for anything else.

I have no pictures because I'm pretty sure no one wants to look at a stack of boxes and because I'm nowhere near by plastic "tub".

(No More Halos On Evergreens)

2010-12-05T22:08:00.001-05:00

We have finally gotten our first dusting of snow for the year. Initially I was hoping for a bit of a photo expedition but the models were being uncooperative and a walk was out of the question. Regardless, I'm quite pleased with what I did end up getting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T12:46:00.007-05:00

I'm taking a couple of days off from the '30 Days of Knititng' meme for the holiday. Before I go and leave you all hanging (trust me my stash isn't that interesting) I figured I'd do one more post. Sort of a 'which of these don't belong' type deal only not as all of the following go together.

Let me set the scene first. It's a late fall/early winter afternoon, gray and a bit rainy. You have a fire going or a row of candles laid out on the table beside you. You're sitting by the window looking out at the fallen leaves and the deep blue of the mountain in the distance. You're sitting in a rocking chair with your favorite blanket and a cat purring nearby. You have the stereo on, a cup of your favorite tea steaming next to your latest book and a basket full of yarn and a new project freshly cast on. This is where the following comes in.

The Civil Wars: Barton Hollow (above) is the first single off their new album. If it's anything to go by February can't come soon enough. Their free EP released after their show at Eddie's Attic is my favorite album at the moment. (youtube, website)

Firefly Chai: Behaving myself means cutting out caffeine, which was a serious problem until I found this herbal chai from Mountain Rose Herbs. It's perfect anytime of day and it's a perfect match to the winter around here.

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier: The movie itself (based on the book) is a thing of beauty but the book will blow your mind. Frazier's attention to detail is amazing. He pulls forth the tiniest of character beats with refreshing honesty. His description of the landscape and the people who live there bring the book alive. It's one of the fastest reads I've had in recent history.

Hemlock Ring Blanket: (Rav link) Knit from a modified vintage doily pattern, beautiful and perfect for cold days.

30 Days of Knitting Day 11

2010-11-23T12:33:00.000-05:00

Do you have a “Knitter Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share!

Becca's my favorite knitty person but this really shouldn't surprise anyone. She's a horrible enabler (and I love her for it), she's forever knitting and sharing the sordid details with me, and she loves her wool as much as I do.

As for the celebrity bloggers of knitty awesome, Yarn Harlot's a fav of mine. Her sense of humor rocks my socks (no pun intended, her knitting is shiny and awesome, and um, hi Canada!

30 Days of Knitting Day 10

2010-11-22T12:15:00.030-05:00

Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?

If we were talking about sewing I'd be directing you all over to Bridges on the Body so you could all stare at the pretty and wonder, like me, why you don't own a copy of Corsets and Crinolines. We're not though so I should probably get back on topic before I go off on some crazy ramble.

As I mentioned I recently purchased a copy of Judy Sumner's book Knitted Socks: East and West. The socks are absolutely gorgeous, definitely some of my favorites. While I was trying to decide if I did in fact want to buy the book, I ran across Modern Top Down Knitting by Kristina McGowan. I've been itching to get my hands on it ever since. I have yet to actually see a hard copy of the book and I can already tell it's going to be my new favorite.

30 Days of Knitting Day 9

2010-11-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

What fiber or yarn do you love working with?

Hands down, without hesitation, WOOL. Seriously anything that comes from one of these guys:

I've always loved wool. I'm not sure why, maybe because it's warm. Surprisingly though it wasn't my first choice when I started knitting. That was until I actually knit with it. I fell head over heels in love. There was no turning back. Nothing compares to the experience, the texture, the weight, the slight elastic nature of the yarn. It's heavenly. Cotton's also a favorite of mine although working with it in the round tends to be a bit trying.

Basically for me natural fibers are the only way to go. I do knit with a lot of acrylic, but that tends to be what I'm gifted and I'm not one to complain. There is some really nice acrylic out there, but I am a crunchy nature girl through and through and if natural fibers can do just as well (if not better) I seen no problem with that.

30 Days of Knitting Day 8

2010-11-20T11:46:00.000-05:00

What’s your most challenging project?

Maybe I'm just insane but I always pick a project with something new, something a little bit challenging (a new lace or cable pattern, an improvised pattern). This makes picking a "most challenging project" difficult. There's a couple of things that to this day that allude me, like the Italian cast on (which I know is similar to Judy's magical cast on which I love but shhh) but these don't belong to any singular project.

Looking at this more broadly I could say, however, that projects with lots of small parts, like toys and dolls tend to try my patience. Working on such a small scale requires lots of casting on and binding off which is fine if it weren't so repetitive and if it didn't require me to eventually sew all these pieces together. I love tedious tasks (really I do no sarcasm here), but I'm not one for final finishing details. Maybe it's the perfectionist in me but it's been known to drive me absolutely batty. I currently have three dolls and a stuffed sheep started if that's any indication.

30 Days of Knitting Day 7

2010-11-19T11:46:00.000-05:00

Your least favorite?

I generally don't finish projects I don't like. I tend to frog them and move onto something else. I'm having problems with my Ron Hearts Hermione hat (Rav link). I love the pattern but the yarn I picked is the worst possible yarn for that project. If I ever finish it that hat will be my least favorite project.

As for completed projects or near completed projects I would have to say the computer case I've got a dozen rows left on. It started off fine, but looking at it now the bottom section's too narrow (so it stretches something horrible) and while the cable pattern's great I'm so sick of looking at it. Plus the texture of the yarn is disappointing. I used the yarn (Carrousel Wintuk) for a cowl a year or so prior to starting the computer case and I love the texture and the feel of it. Knitting it up for this project not so much. For the cowl it's soft and thick for the computer case it's rougher, almost dense.

Needless to say the case is sitting in limbo. I haven't decided what I'd do with the yarn if I frogged the project so it's staying put for now. ...below's a snapshot from the beginning of the project:

30 Days of Knitting Day 6

2010-11-18T14:55:00.000-05:00

What is your favorite piece that you’ve knit?

It's far from my best knitting (the majority of it was knit between 2am and noon for a 3pm deadline aka sleep deprived and between classes) but I'd have to say the final version of my Monmouth cap. It's shorter than it should be and not quite wide enough to fit my head but it's the only hat I've made starting with roving. I spun the wool (on a hand spindle...thankfully the spinning wheel was invented), dyed it using black walnut and knit the final cap over a span of about two months.

30 Days of Knitting Day 4 & 5

2010-11-16T14:37:00.000-05:00

I'm combining these two days as the first question answers the second for the most part...

How did you learn how to knit?/How long did it take from the time your learned how to knit, to finish your first project?

I had (re)learned how to crochet (from my grandma) about a year prior. I was totally in love. I crocheted 24/7. The more I crocheted, however, the more dismayed I became that I couldn't make socks (at least not socks that looked like conventional socks*). So, one day when I was more bored than bored (hard to imagine isn't it?) I asked my mom to show me. She did and I hated it *gasp* I couldn't figure it out, it was painstakingly slow and I gave up after about an hour.

I tried on and off again for about six months before I finally got it. After frogging and reknitting the same swatch to perfection I moved on to dpns and things took off from there (even if dpns I do not love).

*Note: I have since discovered this shiny book in the knitpicks catalogue...I will be getting my hands on a copy...

30 Days of Knitting Day 3

2010-11-15T14:28:00.015-05:00

Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?

I have tons. I'm unfortunately fond of starting stuff and not finishing it. With knitting alone I'm sure I have a good dozen projects completed to some degree. Photos below of two of my older WIPs; the headband I started last summer and the fingerless glove/mitten combo I started the prior winter (which will probably be frogged in favor of another project.

30 Days of Knitting: Day 2

2010-11-14T13:32:00.007-05:00

What is currently on your needles?

As Becca's present's currently sitting in Oz land (and no one else of concern reads this blog) I feel safe answering this question. I have a couple of Christmas presents currently in the works.

I have a GSP cozy (textured stitch, with felt owl for the front), a cabled hat (based off this) and ribbed hat (rav link) currently in production. The cozy's almost done. The side needs to be seamed up on it (yes I knit it flat...I didn't have my circs handy *headdesk*). The cabled hat's halfway done and the ribbed hat's just started. Unfortunately I only have the ribbed hat with me to take photos. No worries though I've made up for it by using one of my favorite books as a backdrop.

The cable in the photo's because I'm using the magic loop method (best thing ever!)...

30 Days of Knitting: Day 1

2010-11-13T13:29:00.000-05:00

What was your first finished project?

I could make you a list of the zillions of projects that I started and frogged or flat out never finished but I can't tell you what the first project I finished was. I know I spent ages knitting and frogging my first swatch....

The first project I know for certain I actually finished was my Monmouth Cap mock up for a school project (it was a bit more than a project but we'll go with that anyway). Granted by this point I happily knit away on dpn's (thanks to the half dozen socks I had started) so I must have finished something by that point.

The cap was made following a pattern by Jennifer Carlson (Rav Link). The yarn used is a double strand of white acrylic I'd been gifted. It makes for a headache of a knitting experience and a useless hat but the material is wonderfully smooth and drapey.

30 Days of Knitting Meme

2010-11-13T13:14:00.005-05:00

Meme and banner stolen from Becca because everyone knows she's a bad influence... (aka I'm not even going to attempt to top shiny circs and sparkly table of crafty <3)

Day 1: What was your first finished project?
Day 2: What is currently on your needles?
Day 3: Do you have any other WIPs (works in progress)?
Day 4: How did you learn how to knit?
Day 5: How long did it take from the time your learned how to knit, to finish your first project?
Day 6: What is your favorite piece that you’ve knit?
Day 7: Your least favorite?
Day 8: What’s your most challenging project?
Day 9: What fiber or yarn do you love working with?
Day 10: Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?
Day 11: Do you have a “Knitter Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share!
Day 12: Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!
Day 13: Do you have yarn that you love but can’t find a project for?
Day 14: What’s the worst yarn/fiber that you’ve worked with and why?*
Day 15: What was your least favorite pattern and why?*
Day 16: Have you ever had a knitting related injury?
Day 17: Have you ever had a project that you loved become ruined? What’s the story behind it?
Day 18: Do you knit English or Continental?
Day 19: Do you watch movies and/or listen to podcasts while knitting? What are your favorite things to knit to?
Day 20: Do you knit in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?
Day 21: Do you knit gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?
Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them?
Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?
Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out?
Day 25: Do you have a knitting book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, size measurements? Post a picture of it!
Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a knit-a-long? What was it? If not, why?
Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favorite?
Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides knitting? What are they, and did learning to knit come before or after learning these other crafts?
Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from knitting?
Day 30: What’s your name on Ravelry? If you don’t have a Ravelry account, why?

*Note: These questions are not meant to bash any yarn dyers, designers, or companies. Sometimes, a yarn or pattern will just gives us a terrible time.

Wordless Wednesday- November 3rd

2010-11-03T19:02:00.001-04:00

You know it's fall when...

2010-10-21T09:08:00.003-04:00

The knitting comes out in full force...

Back at the beginning of the summer I bought a couple of skeins of Knitpicks Swish DK when I bought the yarn for my stockings. It's since been sitting in a box earmarked for a pair of leggings. As excited as it was I never started them as they're for me and I have quite a list of knitting to be done for other people.

That list has since gotten put on hold as I'm currently too broke to buy yarn. Yay for being a student! While this is sad it means I will soon be the owner of the following (sans stirrups):

When these are done I'm contemplating making up a pair of "slipper socks" from the same book Knitted Socks: East and West for JB as she's had her eye on a skein of Red Heart I keep throwing dirty looks at.

Yard Sales are Love

2010-10-13T15:01:00.001-04:00

School has started up again and my life has taken a giant leap and belly flopped. I have managed to finish up a couple of crafty projects but I won't have pictures to post until the recipients get their gifts and take some shiny photos for me :D

About a month back when school started up there was weekend of yard sales. I didn't pick up much but I did get this trunk. I've always wanted one so it was an especially pleasant surprise. It needs some love but for now it's living happily under my desk until it finds a home.

Wordless Wednesday- September 15th

2010-09-15T09:20:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday- September 8th

2010-09-08T17:56:00.000-04:00

wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- September 1st

2010-09-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- August 25th

2010-08-25T10:18:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- August 18th

2010-08-18T12:25:00.003-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- August 11th

2010-08-11T23:49:00.005-04:00

For my last day in this amazing city. Vancouver in 5 words: Amazing, Epic, Inspiring, Perfect, Shiny

Oh Canada- Wordless Wednesday- July 28th

2010-07-28T14:29:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday....a day late

2010-07-22T09:31:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-14T22:27:00.002-04:00

We're off to see the wizard...

2010-07-11T11:13:00.000-04:00

And I'm off for a bit of an adventure in Canada land. I'm not sure what the posting will look like when I'm there but at least it won't be any worse than it has been :D

The Beginning...

2010-06-26T09:26:00.000-04:00

Whhhhhhhhhhheeeeee. Look who's got a new blog just in time to start procrastinating. I have a costume that needs to be finished in six and a half days, plus two dresses, a hat, and a scarf that need work. I'd post pics but I'm procrastinating taking those too.

If you're looking for my old posts they're all over at One Lone Tree.

Wordless Wednesday- June 16th

2010-06-16T15:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Eyelet Lace Wrist Warmers

2010-06-11T16:26:00.001-04:00

Here's another recently completed project....still trying to get used to my new camera lenses :) A rough pattern's is at the bottom of the post.

With worsted weight yarn, cast on 36st (if using 36 st use size 5 needles otherwise (size 4 needles) cast on 40 or 44 adding the stitches to the stockinette portion of the lace pattern)

st st for 2”
start lace pattern (reverse for second arm warmer):
row 1: k2 p1 k2 p1 yo ssk p1 k2 p1 k2 p1 yo ssk p1 k remainder of row.
row 2: knit and purl when appropriate
row 3: k2 p1 k2 p1 k2tog yo p1 k2 p1 k2 p1 k2tog yo p1 k remainder of row
row 4: same as row 2
row 5: same as row 1
rows 6-10: knit and purl when appropriate
repeat until piece measures around 8” ending on row 10

st st for another inch. bind off. seam leaving a gap for the thumb. weave in ends.

crochet picots along the bottom edge (in first st sc, ch 3, sc in next st, continue joining with a slip stitch into the first st)

optional shaping:
decrease 4st at 3” and increase 4st at both 5” and 6”

-- for personal/charity use only

Wordless Wednesday - June 9th

2010-06-09T05:05:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Blogging Blahs

2010-05-28T15:38:00.001-04:00

I haven't felt much like writing lately. I've either been really busy or totally uninspired. I'm hoping to have a bunch of photos done up for Monday as Memorial Day's the official start of summer around here. Until then this little guy's going to hang around and keep an eye on things ;)

It comes in waves...

2010-05-19T15:49:00.001-04:00

No WW for me today, just not feeling like it. So instead I bring you some photos of my latest mini project. Pattern on Rav (blogger link). It all started with an obsession with crochet thread....

Wordless Wednesday- May 12th

2010-05-12T16:38:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday- May 12th, originally uploaded by onelonetree.

Wordless Wednesday

Sunshine on a rainy day

2010-05-06T10:38:00.001-04:00

I recently did some falling in love with various flickr feeds due in part by a set of braided hair photos posted at lovely clusters. After that I had a lot of fun poking around. In the end I'd particularly fallen in love with lesretrouvailles and questionsofscience (photos below, left and right respectively, click for links).

Wordless Wednesday- May 5th

2010-05-05T11:49:00.001-04:00

WIP, originally uploaded by onelonetree.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- April 28th

2010-04-28T09:51:00.001-04:00

wordless wednesday

Teaser Tuesday

2010-04-27T05:14:00.001-04:00

Teaser Tuesday because Becca's quote from Catcher in the Rye makes me wonder what my problem with that book is.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

The various images bounced against each other until she felt a desperate vertigo, as if she could at any moment pitch backward and plunge head first down the well shaft and drown there, the sky far above her, her last vision but a bright circle set in the dark, no bigger than a full moon. (p. 49)

-- Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Wordless Wednesday- April 21st

2010-04-21T15:04:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

//You Show Me How To See//

2010-04-16T13:53:00.001-04:00

Seeing Women in Scifi’s recent Sam Carter v Helen Magnus character comparison post made me realize two things: 1) I haven’t updated my 42 Things post and 2) I’ve been a bad scifi junkie so far this year. I’ve managed only one season of Stargate SG-1 (S9), none of Atlantis barring a couple of episodes both of which are my usual scifi staples. I’ve started Farscape again and picked up a couple of favorites Merlin and Battlestar Galactica.
On the reading front I haven’t done much better (I’m halfway through The Chronicles of Narnia). Although to be fair reading scifi has never been something I’ve really bothered with (which is half the reason I signed up for the challenge…the half other being I’m clearly insane and have to do everything).
I have, however, totally rocked it in regard to watching Sanctuary (for those of you who haven’t watched the show yet, emphasis on yet here’s the blurb from wikipedia “The show centers on Dr. Helen Magnus, a 158-year-old English scientist, and her team of experts who run the Sanctuary, an organization that seeks out non-human intelligent creatures, known as Abnormals, and tries to help and learn from them, while also having to contain the more dangerous ones.”). I’ve rewatched both seasons including the season 2 opening (*sniffle*). I know I’ve said this about a million times before but this show seriously rocks! I’d list a bunch of reasons but I’m not sure I could manage to fit it all in one post, so instead I bring you 12 reasons why I love Helen Magnus (the show’s main character), in no particular order:

image from talkofcake on tumblr

She loves tea
She has the best wardrobe (shoes included)
Her cheeky smile
She has the coolest job ever (her job title has words I can’t even pronounce)
She grew up in Victorian England
Her crying will break your heart but she looks good doing it
Bigfoot is her butler
She’s well travelled
Her sense of humor
Helen in crisis mode is awesome and sarcastic
Her hair
She doesn’t look like a drowned rat when soaking wet

Wordless Wednesday- April 14th

2010-04-14T08:37:00.001-04:00

1880’s Woman’s Chemise- Modern Day remake

2010-03-30T07:36:00.001-04:00

I’ve always been a sucker for historical costumes. Lately though I’ve taken this history obsession to a whole new level thanks to Becca. Insert a bit of back and forth and I decided to make myself up a Victorian dress. Along with this I’m also in the process of refurbishing a bunch of men’s dress shirts I bought last fall at a bag sale. So when it came time to start my dress I went in search of a pattern I could use both for that project and as part of my daily wardrobe/clothing recycling. I ended up with this.

I started off by drawing out the pattern provided and resizing it, then I ripped apart my chosen shirt at the seams, traced out my pattern, cut and stitched. To make the best use of space I laid out my pieces as below.

For the most part I followed the pattern as laid out. I did add two pleats at the back under the row of buttons (as seen below…with one side finished), I did place the sleeve lower than suggested, and I used straight bands for the edging as that was all I had left..

Album- Larkin Poe EP

2010-03-29T08:18:00.002-04:00

::Larkin Poe:: Larkin Poe (EP)
Twitter // YouTube // Website // Facebook

About the Album: This is the first album from part of what was originally The Lovell Sisters. The album’s comprised of a wonderful mix of contemporary americana, folk, and bluegrass to present a heartwarming commentary on life’s ups and downs. Full tracks of all the songs can be found on their site (linked above). For each song I mention specifically I tried to link to a full length video of the song (either the official video or a live taping).

First Encounter: Mention of the Lovell Sisters have been seeping into my life over the last couple of months. I finally took a serious listen a couple of weeks ago and fell in love. If their awesome wardrobe and obviously sincerity weren’t enough their music’s everything I look for in a good americana group

Favorite Songs: I’ve made no comments on the instrumentation, melody of the songs as I feel I’d be repeating myself with a lot of ‘awesome, refreshing, catchy’

Long Hard Fall- This song could be my theme song. It’s an upbeat retelling of the classic life beats you up but with an optimistic spin: be open-minded, don’t let people stomp on you, and appreciate the little things.

We Intertwine- This song gives me the warm and fuzzies up until the point it gets stuck in my head and then I’m bopping around in a full blown gleefest.

Shadows of Ourselves- The best sort of love story, that sort of broken, yearning, joy.

Least Favorites:
I always find this to be an unpleasant task but in this case it’s near impossible. All the songs on the album are equally solid, each with their own unique aspects. They vary greatly but as a whole mesh perfectly.

Favorite Lyrics:
There is room around my table for the open hearted the steady and unstable and we know we can catch, those below prepare to catch cuz it’s a long hard fall from here. -We Intertwine

And when my heart can beat no more I hope I die for all the good that’s left in this world, and when my body gives out I hope you find out just what this whole life was for. -We Intertwine

Other Songs: They’re on my to do list, so none as of yet, but if you’re interested you can check out the Lovell Sisters website.

From Scratch— Chicken Stock

2010-03-26T08:21:00.001-04:00

Making your own stock is a beautiful thing. For one, anyone who’s had anything fresh from the garden knows it hardly compares to what you could buy in the store. Stock is the same way. Add to that the fact that you can make your own stock from items you already have and items you’d normally discard: onion skins, carrot tops and peels, bits of discarded celery (I’ve made a habit of freezing these as I go along so they’re ready when I need them), and if you’re making chicken stock the carcass left over from the roaster you bought or that big dinner you had the other day. Other than that you need a large soup pot, some water, a strainer, and a stove. Easy.
For chicken stock set aside any remaining meat, break up the carcass and add it to the pot, for vegetable stock skip this step, then add the vegetable bits you’ve saved to the pot as well. Cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Leave uncovered at a simmer for several hours, occasionally straining off any film that forms along the top.
When the stock has reached the desired consistency (generally you want it a bit more compact if freezing/storing to save space) remove from heat and strain the contents of the pot. I like to add a layer of cheese cloth or a paper towel to the bottom of the strainer if I used carrot tops in my mix as they tend to produce more sediment within the stock.
Once strained allowed to cool a bit, enjoy or store as desired.

Wordless Wednesday- March 24th

2010-03-24T08:41:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday Meme

How not to Soak your beans

2010-03-22T08:26:00.001-04:00

Last week I put some beans in the fridge to soak overnight to facilitate their cooking. I came back the next day and found them frozen in the bowl. Getting them out proved easy enough, even still I think next time I’ll be checking the refrigerator temperature from the start,

Knitting: A Novel (Anne Bartlett)

2010-03-19T07:48:00.001-04:00

I loved this book beyond what’s normal. It’s hysterically funny, heartfelt, and the characters are weird just like me (yes, I did just admit that). The writing was smooth and descriptive, capturing both character quirks and the essence of the craft itself. I’d love to sit here and tell you exactly what it is about this book that is so awesome, but as the book does that by itself, here’s a couple of quotes:

There was a sniff from Martha's chair, and then another.
Martha was crying, her face heavy with tears, a large hankie held to her nose. Her shoulders were shaking. The other three looked at each other in consternation. Martha kept crying, quietly and thoroughly, then put her head down on the arm of her padded chair and began to sob loudly, with small cries of pain that increased in volume as time went on. Wailing, thought Sandra. Martha is wailing.
"Martha," said Sandra, "whatever's the matter?"
More sobs.
"Did I say something to upset you?" Sandara was quickly reviewing her one story, and Martha's. Was Martha unstable? Had she said too much? Sandra looked at Kate and Tony, then got out of her chair and went to kneel by Martha, putting a tentative hand on her shoulder.
"Martha? Are you all right?"
"I'm all right," said Martha, looking Sanra full in the face. They searched each other's eyes. Martha's face was read and blubbery like a child's. "I'm all right," she repeated. "It's you I'm crying for Sandra." She swiped at her running nose. "Because you can't. You don't know how."

"You really are weird, Martha," said Sandra, then bit her tongue.
"Yes," said Martha cheerfully. "Just like you." She turned to look at Sandra. "Only your trouble is you don't know how to enjoy it."

Cliff didn't know which he liked better, the clinging stretch of bright red or the tease of buttons. Not that Martha would ever give him the chance, but she couldn't stop him from thinking about it, no harm in that. (...) Now Sandra was another matter. If you even thought about stretching out a finger to Sandra, she would bite it off. Besides, she probably wore a bulletproof vest.

//I am home sweet suitcase... //

2010-03-18T05:15:00.001-04:00

I love these guys so freaking much. Really nothing more to say about it other than that.

Wordless Wednesday- March 17th

2010-03-17T06:59:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday Meme

Wordless Wednesday- March 10th

2010-03-10T05:33:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday Meme

Currently Obsessing Over...

2010-03-05T06:12:00.001-05:00

(click for bigger on all the pics)

If I hadn't seen this and this I could've resisted....maybe.

Wordless Wednesday- March 3rd

2010-03-03T07:39:00.001-05:00

Handkerchief Doll c. 1700

Wordless Wednesday Meme

Winter Walk

2010-02-26T10:10:00.001-05:00

We've had a bit of a winter storm the last couple of days...

Wordless Wednesday- Feb 24th

2010-02-24T14:16:00.001-05:00

Worldless Wednesday Meme

Books 1-3 for 2010

2010-02-23T07:36:00.001-05:00

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis

While the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is my favorite of the Narnia chronology this is my least favorite. Not to say the book is without its merits. It’s a wonderful introduction into the history of how Narnia comes to be. It’s filled with imagination and wonderful sense of humor. The story itself, however, is fluffed up with clichés and redundant actions. I understand riding oneself of an evil witch from another world would prove difficult, but surely this task could be completed in a more timely and concise manner. Or perhaps without the constant meddling of the boy’s uncle who proves to be more of a clichéd nuisance than any help at all.

Rating: 3/5 (higher for a younger (or young at heart) reader who may be more inclined to find the magician’s lovesick follies amusing.)

By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

As the she grows the world around Laura shifts, reshaping itself to meet this new perspective. While this subtle shift in narration is present in the prior books, this is the first that addresses this directly. Following her family’s illness and her sister Mary’s subsequent blindness Laura’s view of the world matures while still maintaining that quirky temperament and humorous outlook she’s always had.

Like the books that follow, By the Shores of Silver Lake sheds light on the development of the world outside the Wilder family. The building of the American railroad system is featured heavily, mention of woman’s fashion and of proper education surface more often than in the prior books painting a wonderful picture of American pioneer life.

While it was the first two books (Little House In the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie) that I most adored growing up, By the Shores of Silver Lake in no way lacks the things I love most about this series.

Rating: 5/5 (for both lovers of historical fiction and for those just looking for a good read.)

A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews

I absolutely loved the narrative voice in this book, halfway through the first page and I was hooked. Nomi the narrator paints a beautifully tragic picture of the world from her vantage point within a conservative Mennonite town. Her love of sarcasm and her rebellious nature persistently show themselves as she draws out the tale of her life.

The book starts with Nomi revealing the recent departure of both her mom and older sister, setting the stage for the struggle Nomi endures; as the story unfolds her life unravels. Given the unconventional plot structure laughter becomes sorrow with a turn of the page. Each flashback creates a piece of the puzzle that when put together leaves you at the end of the book much like Nomi. Sitting waiting to see where her life leads and as with the rest of book hoping she finds what she really wants: her family.

The book does have an occasional slow spot, but does pick up rapidly afterwards. There are also several places where Nomi’s intent is unclear as she strings together seemingly unconnected events. This can lead to some confusion, particularly in the middle section of the book. Personally I found this charming; these sequences were the puzzle pieces with the unidentifiable patterns, the oddballs that in their own way draw everything together.

Rating: 4.5/5

Don't break My Heart- Knitted Heart Pattern

2010-02-21T07:29:00.001-05:00

This month’s theme for the Ravelry one skein KAL is ‘February is for lovers’, at the beginning of the month I didn’t have any projects in the running (since then everyone seems to want something ;) ) so I decided to do up a bunch of hearts. I figured they’d be quick, something fun I could do while watching tv or during study breaks. The only thing was I couldn’t find a pattern to make them up in the round, so I modified one by Mochimochi Land.

Supplies:
Yarn
Two circular needles to fit yarn weight (you can do this with dpns as well but you’ll need a different cast on and a stitch marker to mark the halfway point in the round where the pattern repeats)
Yarn or other large-eyed needle
Stitch holder of some sort (a third circular needle or piece of scrap yarn works best)
Favorite fluffy material/fiber fill

Cast on 6 stitches using Judy’s Magic Cast-on
Row 1: k1, kfb, knit to last stitch on needle kfb, repeat on the second needle
Row 2: knit

Repeat rows one and two 6 more times (34 st)

Row 15: k7, kfb, transfer the remaining 9 stitches and the first 8 stitches from the second needle to a stitch holder, k9
Row 16: knit (18 st)
Row 17: k1, k2tog k6, repeat on the second needle (16 st)
Row 18: k1, k2tog, k3 k2tog, repeat on the second needle (12 st)
Row 19: k1, k2tog, k1 k2tog, repeat on the second needle (8 st) Bind off. Cut a 20-24" tail. Pull yarn through both sides of the heart (bring yarn around front and thread to back--to close the top)and then weave tail down to remaining stiches. Stuff bottom section and finished side of the heart.

Divide remaining stitches onto two circs, 8 and 9 stitches respectively
Row 20: k7, kfb, k9
Row 21: knit (18 st)
Row 22: k1, k2tog k6, repeat on the second needle (16 st)
Row 23: k1, k2tog, k3 k2tog, repeat on the second needle (12 st)
Row 24: k1, k2tog, k1 k2tog, repeat on the second needle (8 st) Stuff remaining portion of the heart. Bind off (and add extra stuffing if desired). Close the top of the heart as above and thread tail to the center of the heart to close any gaps. Sew in ends.

For private use only. Credit for the original heart shape goes to Mochimochi Land.

Winter…

2010-02-20T04:45:00.001-05:00

Becca and I have been discussing the merits of the seasons. I’ve been pining for weather warm enough to wear a dress and she’s been itching for snow. Mostly she makes me jealous of blue skies and green things and I tease her with photos of snow and fun wintery things. This is one of those posts, complete with gloomy winter photo.

Wordless Wednesday- Jan 17th

2010-02-17T10:05:00.001-05:00

the Wordless Wednesdays meme

….and the groundhog saw his shadow

2010-02-14T07:45:00.001-05:00

How to tell you’ve got cabin fever

It’s 20 degrees and snowing when you left this morning but it feels like spring
You’ve started knitting a hat for spring weather
You’re currently sorting through projects you haven’t touched in years looking for one to finish/discard
You’ve been baking up a storm
You’re pouring over seed catalogues and diagramming gardens
You’re counting down the days till the baby chicks arrive at the farm store
You step in every mud puddle you can find because it’s MUD
You’re tempted to buy green veggies shipped from New Zealand because their green and springy
You forget to turn the hot water on in the shower until you get in
You run out to get the mail without your shoes on
You picked out a skirt to wear until you realized you’d freeze before you even made it to the bus stop
You think warm weather is almost here…in another three months

Wordless Wednesday- Feb 10th

2010-02-10T06:25:00.001-05:00

click here for more Wordless Wednesdays

Cooking From Scratch-- Crackers

2010-02-03T11:29:00.001-05:00

I’ve got a couple of book/movie posts coming so I figured I should post something a bit more typical of me before I got started with all that. I’ve made mention to several people that I’ve started making my own crackers. This tends to be met initially with surprise and then curiosity. When I first came across the recipe I was quite surprised myself; I’d considered making pretzels but had completely skipped over crackers.

The recipe I’ve included in this post is one shared by an Alberta 100-mile dieter with a knack for picking out some awesome recopies. The original post for anyone interested is here.

I’ve learned a couple of things having gone through this process quite a few times now:

When using whole wheat flour add the extra liquid required (I use about double) but hold off on adding extra flour until after you’ve let the dough set for 10 or so minutes.
Do chill the dough. It makes rolling it out immensely easier.
I prefer my crackers crispy and golden, rolling them out thinner than not helps with this.
Using a dough scrapper works better for removing and transporting the crackers from where you’ve rolled and cut them. Using a knife works well but it tends to fatten up your crackers which is counterproductive to my above objective.
Make lots and lots of these crackers at once. They don’t stick around very long.

Flax Crackers
Ingredients:
1/4 cup whole flax seed
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp butter or non-hydrogenated margarine (I used organic, 20-mile canola oil)
1/2 skim milk (I made the milk from dehydrated skim milk powder left over from camping trips)

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 325F (160C)
2) In a bowl, combine whole flax seed, ground flax seed, flour, baking powder, salt and butter/margarine. Using a pastry cutter or a mixer on low speed, mix well.
3) Using a mixer, or by hand, sitr in milk and mix until mixture forms a soft dough.
4) Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
5) Divide the dough into quarters. place one of the quarters on a lightly floured board and using a rolling pin, roll it into a very thin rectangle, about 1/16 inch (2 mm) thick cut into 2 1/2 inch squares.
6) Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet.
7) Repeat steps #5 and #6 with the remainder of the dough.
8 ) Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, until crisp and golden.

Red Cliff (2008)

2010-01-05T07:24:00.001-05:00

For most of the year the local art museum screens a film every week. A week or so back they showed Red Cliff (2008, directed by John Woo). Going in I’m not quite sure what I was expecting other than something similar to the few Chinese films I’ve seen. I knew it was a war epic and so I expected the usual fighting and talk of freedom or protection of home. What I hadn’t expected, however, was the humanity infused into our heroes and even the villains.
Throughout the film quiet moments between the characters allow us an insight into the culture and its importance to the people. Music and the traditional tea ceremony are woven carefully into the plot ushering both the violence of war and quiet moments of thought, both for the characters and the audience.
The role of women within the film was refreshing and well played. The women were strong but still fit well within their traditional roles, holding true to the underlying focus on history and tradition.
My only complaint is that they weren’t screening the longer two part version of the film. I would’ve like to have seen more of the history predating the war and perhaps a bit more of the culture.
If you like war epics the film’s a definite must see, with the extended battle scenes the film comes out far in front of most recent films. Much of the film is filled with scenes of war, and yet the violence never becomes violence for violence’s sake. It’s done carefully with each battle having it’s own feel. If, however, you’re not a fan of war epics, the film is still worth seeing for it’s breathtaking cinematography and for it’s preservation of humanity throughout.
Personally I’d give the film a 3.5 out of 5. I’d rewatch it again, but would fast forward through most of the battle scenes as that’s not something I particularly enjoy. While never brutal, that much bloodshed doesn’t sit right with me. I’m all for fighting for what you believe in, but I prefer it in a much less literal sense.

Take Two...

2009-12-28T10:18:00.001-05:00

I keep waiting for things to slow down but as they haven't in the past year and probably won't in the next I've decided to revive this blog despite all that. For my first entry, because I'm in the middle of Little House in the Big Woods I bring you maple snow candy, or really just snow because there's lots of that around here this morning. If you'd like to make some snow candy Quaker Hill Farm has a great set of instructions. For those of you in warmer places, shaved ice and ice cream are great substitutes for snow.

Moving Day

2008-07-31T07:30:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow I'm moving into the apartment, so posts will be a bit slower coming than usual as I'll be without internet for awhile.