4th Eternity Scarf

While I was waiting for my yarn order to arrive for three more of these, I used the new Karabella merino that I got on Black Friday to make this version for Judy S. I love making these and my yarn order just arrived, so the needles won't have a minute to cool down. Chop chop!

Shopping at Fabric.com

Thanks to everyone who wrote me with links to the cowboy boot bag. My friend Judy was happy to find just what she needed to make her daughter happy for Christmas.


I am whiling away the hours putting up my fabric and yarn choices on the design wall at Fabric.com. What a smart idea they have. One can compare items and see what works and what isn't right. I am still considering the right fabric combos, but have already ordered and received the yarn for two more projects.
It's been raining heavily here, and that is keeping us indoors. The pup has energy to burn and is taking it out on Dave. He has two squeeky toys and we listen to those all day.

Help with Christmas Shopping

My friend Judy sent me this email today:
I am putting out this request because daughter Em has fallen in love with the purse on that commercial (I think it is for Hartford Insurance). It is a boot purse in brown tones and it sells for a ridiculous price. If you see a knock off of this purse while you are Christmas shopping, please let me know! My girl with the cowboy boots and Ford pickup truck really wants this purse! Here's a picture! P.S. Please keep this a secret!


Thanks so much,


Judy
 
Can anyone help find this purse? If so email me at fibermania at g mail dot com
Thanks,

Crack O'Dawn to Atlanta

Brooke called on Saturday and suggested we run down to IKEA in Atlanta early on Sunday morning.
I got to her house just as the sun was rising and the cold air had steam floating on her creek. Brrrr. But my van has heated seats, so we were super toasty.
She wanted to get a free standing pantry and needed my van to bring it home. I jumped at the idea, as I have been looking for a replacement for the chair in my girly pink, lime and white room. Somehow black leather was never really a good fit.
 
I really lucked out with this Jennylund chair and Klippa ottoman. Yes, they are white NOW but not for long. I plan to make new slipcovers to coordinate with my other furnishings. The chair is feminine enough for me, and just the right size to fit in the corner of my room. Good back support, low enough arms not to hinder my knitting and close enough to the floor for my short legs. The seat itself is butt-hugging, but as Goldilocks said, "It fits just right!"

I found this stuffed animal on the parking lot at IKEA. It's Eric Carle's Very Busy Catepillar and Chums loves it.

PS. I forgot to mention that I celebrated my 6th Bloggiversary on the 24th of November. 2060 posts. Boy, I talk alot!

Tis the Season

Black Friday at my local yarn shop, Three Black Sheep. My pal Judy has just finished her Eternity Scarf in Karabella merino. Gorgeous-amente! She is a tall gall and models and wears knits so beautifully.
The BIG SALE was a lot of fun because every hour and a half different things were on sale, associated with a certain letter. I was patient and stayed almost all day, and got this unusual colorway of Malabrigo Rios, and hit the jackpot with some Karabella merino in two different weights and colors.

And my fave item is this Namaste Needlecase for circulars. Lime leather. Too too! I loved putting my needles away, and will eventually get around to inserting the little number tags in their slots so I can easily find the exact needle when I need it. Turns out I have like 5 sets of #8 circulars. O dear...but then again, they might all be in use in different projects, so it's OK.

 The weather turned sharply colder, and we had this wonderful sunset. It was 28 degrees this morning. Brrr. Good baking and knitting weather.

Since it is the season of good cheer, Chumley meets Popeye and for a split second it appears they could be friends. Popeye vehemently disagrees. Humbug!

PS. the recipe for spicy pecans:
In a large frying pan, (I used a wok) melt some butter and olive oil and add a pound of pecans. Stir in some chili powder, honey, lemon pepper, cayenne to taste, and salt. Toast and taste. Add more honey or sugar and be careful not to burn. Turn out onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet to cool.

The Festivities

Even tho no one wanted their picture taken, I had to save the memory of us all being a family together. The food was glorious and we feasted on new and old favorites. The new dishes were a hit and the best one was the grilled asparagus! Even Dave loved it. So that's saying something.

Brooke doesn't like mushrooms so instead I used cream of onion soup for the green bean casserole and that was really good, so it will have to become another tradition. The two other new dishes were baked honey-lemon plums and spiced glazed pecans.

The turkey lasagna was gobbled down like always.
We ate at 1pm and noticed that the power went out minutes before. It was a sunny warm breezy day and there didn't seem to be a reason why we lost power, but our whole road was out.  We stayed without electricity until 6pm, which meant trying to put the leftovers in a dark refrigerator, already full of stuff. Brooke brought two pies, apple and the new treat pumpkin cheesecake pie.
http://knitterlythings.com/PumpkinPieRecipe.pdf
O man! Sorry I have no pictures...oink.
Dave and I woke up at 3:30am and decided to clean up the kitchen together and wash the floors again and then had a nice soak in the hot tub before the sun came up...in the rain. Deeliciously warm.



The bubble tub room got finished the night before and the cabinet now closes perfectly, sigh. Popeye has his own room for the duration and is quite happy to be safe and pampered. How many cats have a spa to themselves?

Thanksgiving Turkey Lasagna

Here's a repeat from last year. I am doing the same dish this year. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Everything starts with a good ovenproof container. Actually I started a few days ago and roasted the unstuffed turkey in an oven bag, took off the whole breast afterwards and then simmered the rest of the cooked bird and vegs to make a good broth and the O So Necessary Gravy.

Removing skin, bones and icky things with no name, slice in large chunks.

Pour in a bit of the highly seasoned broth, and top with a layer of turkey breast.

Top that with dressing, made with Pepperidge cornbread stuffing mix, flavored with apples, raisins, cooked Jimmy Dean Hot pork sausage, sauteed onions, garlic and celery, broth and lots of butter.

Keep layering meat and dressing until the container is full and looks like a magazine picture.

Pour the remaining broth over all, since none of us wants dry dressing or turkey. Cover with foil and Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until the aroma begins to drive everyone nuts. Un-foil and let the top brown for 10-15. Dig in.

Yesterday I made pumpkin pie for me and my sister. Cool Whip awaits.

And then pecan tarts for the undiscriminating. I intend to eat plenty of both.

I am wearing expandomatics, in black.

 

Love,

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

A Lotta Stuff

Stupid Pet Cheesecake. Click for excrutiating cuteness.

++++++
Monday was starting day to reno the bubble tub room. Unfortunately the help called in sick, or went down for a nap and the work was left to me. I had to clear out anything everything that was in the way.

This was the wall that had the bookcases on it. And here it is with a test removal of the wallpaper. This room has become the new site of the anti-litter box, aka Popeye's puppy pad. It's a revolutionary development, and may have saved Pops from an early demise.


And here is where the library was moved. It looks so nice in my sunny room that I may keep it there. As I moved the books, I rearranged and deleted and discovered. It's always a good thing to go through the stacks once a year. Same with drawers...I arranged by subject, more or less. There was an overflow of magazines that I cannot bear to discard. I am figuring out their new location.
The quilt that was on that wall was moved to the throne room and will suffice for now in that position. I do have plans for new work, but getting there will take some time.
When all that was done, I allowed myself the luxury of some feet-up, radio-on, cuppa tea at my side knitting.

#3 Eternity Scarf knit for Linda, to gift. It is scrumptious Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran. So seductive there oughta be a law.