Twice in less than 7 days. Wow! Are you shocked? I am!

So, I'm still up on the post election high. President-Elect Obama. I love the sound of that. And, I'm extremely proud to have put all the time I was able to spare, into helping the campaign. I have very high hopes, but I'm not an idiot either. Things are likely to get worse before they get better... particularly economically. These times, they scare me... a lot.

In other news, we made frybread this weekend. Thanks to Laura for emailing me MY recipe when I found myself unable to find MY own damn copy! I did find it eventually, but now I have it stored in my email folders as well as on my cookbook shelf. Whew!

So we made up a single batch to go along with some chicken chili (no pictures because I'm an idiot) and it was an awesome pairing. We used this recipe.. sort of. A few things we did different were, dried northern beans from the pantry vs. canned ones. A WHOLE LOT LESS cumin than the recipe calls for because I hate cumin. No canned chiles.. instead we chopped up a jalapeño and cooked it with the onions. The final step of adding the sour cream was the secret to making this a fabulous dish. Its definitely a keeper!

Now one of the best things about making frybread, is the leftovers. They make awesome sammiches, and even better toasted the next morning for breakfast...

And if that isn't enough fat on a plate..

pair it with a bowl of steel cut oats, sprinkled with a bit of sugar, and a splash (or two) of half and half. Its my favorite breakfast, especially on a cold morning.

I also started a new project last night, mostly to escape some of the never ending knitting of this year's spinning guild holiday project, which I can't show you yet.. obviously. Its halfway done, and I have plenty of time. Don't look at me that way.. I needed a diversion!

You may remember this handspun (or maybe you don't - I'll remind you) I tried to knit it into the boutique scarf (rav link here) some time in the last year, but it wasn't the right yarn, and I frogged it. Then I tried to make a mini clapotis (rav link here) out of it unsuccessfully. But after picking up the new Interweave Holiday issue last night, I think I have a winning pattern: Hourglass Eyelet Scarf (Rav link here). I'm really loving it, especially the easy 4 row repeat. This represents only about an hours worth of knitting last night, so I can see it going pretty quickly, which is just the sort of diversion I needed.

Lastly, its Monday. And I totally fell off the wagon doing this...

I only heard about My Morning Jacket through my friend Kira (Hi Kira!) and wow, was I missing out. Its a bit jammy (and you know I like that) plus you can hear a bit of Coldplay in there, and definitely some Allman Brothers (Coldplay and Allman Brothers Band, never thought I'd put those two sounds together!)

Anyway, I really like it and if you do too, there is plenty more to be heard on imeem! ETA: I'm not sure why imeem hates me lately with the shortening of my embeds, sorry about that.. the full song is on imeem however.

P.S. Thank you for all of the wonderful birthday wishes!

I survived not only getting one hat out to my first target, but I got to take out yet another unsuspecting HA2 player, Michelle (seriously, click the link for the funny death notice!)

Funny, the work in progress sent back to me from my original target, is nearly identical to the yarn I picked out for her. I hope that means she really loves it.

So, I'm still alive. It turns out that as of right now, there is not another work in progress heading my way, as someone downstream flaked out, hasn't sent a death hat to her target, much less responded to any emails. I now sit and wait for my death to arrive in the mail, or for a mercenary mad hatter (extra players, not really playing the game until The Oracle calls on them to "make a kill". I know this all sounds confusing and downright silly, but its a lot of fun!

Also last week, I finished up spinning, and plying, my guild holiday wool...

It didn't come out at all like I expected, and I honestly hated spinning this. Because of that, I'm having a hard time figuring out what to make with it for the holiday swap. I've already cast on 2 different projects with it, only to be disappointed. Ugh. A felted stockinette table runner is sounding really good about right now.

Life 'round here is still quite busy. Jill and Danny's wedding is on the 11th and my dress doesn't get fitted for alterations until Thursday. Not that I'm in any rush mind you... the alterations are costing nearly as much as the dress. Highway robbery in my opinion.  If my Bernina was working I could just do this stuff myself. Alas its not, and I'm stuck.

But, mark my words.. I will not ever, be in another wedding. I hate weddings. Huge waste of money, and only marginally fun to attend.  Everyone should just fly to Vegas and elope. Seriously, save the money, elope and buy a house, pay off a school loan.... or something else.  I won't even go into my disdain for the jewelry industry, who suggest men spend THREE MONTHS SALARY on a diamond, probably mined by children in a war torn country. /rant over.

I'm also gearing up to spend weekends traveling to northeast Pennsylvania with other local Obama supporters. New York is most definitely safe as far as delivering for Obama. Pennsylvania is still a swing state, so we're doing voter registration and such, helping out the Scranton/Wilkes Barre offices.

And speaking of my hometown...

Ok, its Fox, so this should be expected, but split decision? Looks to me like the only McCain supporter on camera is the reporter.

After months of having to reschedule, Beth and I were finally able to make the trek down to Loren's farm for what we called, SteekFest. If you don't know what steeking is, and wonder why it might scare the crap out of a knitter, it is in plain English, knitting something with multiple strands of colorful yarn, top stitching the "channel" in which to cut using a sewing machine, then cutting it. Why a knitter would want to cut into knit fabric is very simple. Knitting multiple strands of colors is much easier knitting in the round, but you need to have openings for armholes, right? Chop Chop!

We decided that since we are all steek virgins, instead of risking an adult sized sweater, we would all knit itty bitty teddy bear/doll sweaters, and this way there wasn't a huge time investment if something went horribly wrong. Well, apparently my teddy bear sweater is hiding or mistakenly went into the trash bin during my last stash dive and divide because I was the non-steeking photographer instead.

Loren sewing her sweater...

Beth sewing hers...

Loren cutting hers...

Beth cutting hers...

And this is what the cut steek now looks like, all ready to have a sleeve sewn into it...

And when we were done steeking, we got out Beth's shiny new drum carder...

which turned out four soft FLUFFY batts of Loren's Albert Finney's lovely Finn lamb wool...

And and... then there was the visiting of the sheep...

We had a great time! Thank you Loren and family (animals included!) Oh, and we got to make the drive down in my new van. Huzzah! Now to read other accounts of Steekfest, see Loren and Beth's blogs. There are also several other pictures from the day in my flickr album.

Lastly, its Monday and that means music. I haven't come across anything new lately, but I have been revisiting music I've sort of forgotten about for twenty years, like this song...

There was a discussion on Ravelry's Lazy Stupid and Godless forum (of which I'm a proud member, obviously) about angsty music. I tried to remember my teen years and what I listened to when I was depressed and angry and.. well, I couldn't really think of anything. To this day, when I'm pissed off or worried, or nervous, or sad, I put on something fast and hard. One would think that to be counter productive, right? But for me, yeah, it sort of builds my anger, but before too long I'm dancing, and I'm happy again.

But... someone else mentioned "Dear God" and I remembered the very first time I heard it... And begging my parents to stay up late on Sunday night to watch 120 Minutes on MTV.

I obviously recalled my teenage angst.

Great. Now I have that song stuck in my head.

Its been a week. And I mean that.. its been a week. A rough week. We've had sick kids. John Edwards didn't do as well as I'd hoped in Nevada. And the kicker, Green Bay lost to the NY Giants... bleh. It could have been worse, like a loss to the Cowboys. I generally stick with the NFC team, but this time around I'd risk a case of the hives. So.. GO PATRIOTS!

Anyway.. I have a little in the way of food, fiber, and fun from Chez Martin..

These are the Blue Chip Cookies, posted on Smitten Kitchen last week (Deb has been my culinary inspiration lately.) I like a chewier cookie however, and these were quite crunchy. But the toasted pecans vs. traditional walnuts made them worthwhile and a definite future do-over.

I finished the socks. Nothing special. Just the basic sock recipe from one of the Yarn Harlot's books (Knitting Rules maybe?) Worked on size US1 needles in Shibui Sock "Breeze".

I finished spinning a single of my first bundle of Oompa Loompa BFL roving from Spunky Ecclectic..

And finished plying it the very next day. Navajo ply, not sure of the yardage.. I forgot to count as I wound it. Only two more bundles to go.

Red is impossible to photograph. At least for me it is. This is a little side project which will be revealed maybe in the next week or so. Being worked in a new to me yarn.. Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed. I don't adore the yarn. But I don't hate it either. I do however, love my donkey stitch markers.

Lastly, Gilbert found a new hiding place under my new chair. She didn't appreciate being my subject this morning.

We had an estimate done for some basement/foundation work this morning. In one word: depressing. Let me tell you.. it has set the tone for my day. With the temperature outside, a balmy 48.. and expected to climb higher tomorrow, it only adds to this melancholy feeling. Because, by Friday we'll be back in the deep freeze that is January in upstate New York. In a nutshell, I've discovered over the years, that I'm a prime candidate to be one of those people who spend the summer up north, and the winter down south (that is, if I could find a nice liberal, nicely colored blue locality somewhere in the south!)

Additionally, I have another sinus infection brewing. Saturday was pretty horrid, fighting off the intense pain behind my eyes and forehead - all day long. By Sunday it lessened, but it still feels a bit concrete in there. Oh, and the resulting discomfort while eating, associated with a sinus infection. Bleh. But enough about that.. I've been working through it... and the theme is Gretel!

I just can't get enough of this pattern! You'll recall I did one some time ago for Cassidy in Pink Jaeger Shetland Aran. But I was wearing it earlier this week due to the extreme cold temperatures and everyone said it looked great on me. So stash diving I went, emerging with the leftover custom spun alpaca merino from last year's spinning guild holiday wool. I thought for sure I'd have enough to complete the fitted style of the Gretel hat, but no such luck. A frantic email to Christina was composed, and I was able to retrieve 2oz of this coveted and one of a kind yarn at our spinning guild meeting yesterday. Once I wind up that 2oz skein, I expect I'll be done in one evening.

But after the yarn shortage mishap, I couldn't just let go of Gretel. Another dive in the stash resulted in 2 balls of Karabella Aurora 8 in a "coal" looking color that I bought for a mere song at the Mission Rose yearly sale. I looooove this yarn. I don't like the retail price of it.. and I'll never knit an entire sweater with it because of that.. but I do love it. I cast this on around 3PM on Friday afternoon, and was finishing it up Saturday evening around 10PM (this is how I dealt with the sinus headache, all day long on Saturday.)

Now if that wasn't enough Gretel.. Cassidy reported to me that her pink Gretel is a smidge too big, and that my new black one was "perfect for her". So while we were out on Sunday morning doing some shopping, she picked out this multi blue Patons Merino. I'm not entirely confident that this multi blue will show the cables well, but its what she wanted.

I have so much more to take pictures of, but I'm a little picture lazy this week. There are the breeze Shibui socks.. the Bird In Hand mittens that I started before Christmas (50% done), a Koolhaus hat. But after my lengthy hiatus, perhaps I'll spread it all out this week, so as to not overload everyone. Especially my non knitting family and friends who stop in every day. I can literally sense the yawning over the internet after a knitting post.

Oh.. and Happy St. Distaff's Day. This means I need to remember to get my wheel out of the back of the van, and make some time, once the children are pajamafied and tucked in to do some spinning.

*this is not the best image. darn cloudy skies. damn lack of decent indoor lighting. and where the hell is the tripod?

Its a new year. The kids have returned to school. Connor's therapy schedule goes back to normal. Richard's office and teaching schedule return..

Its a relief, and also a little sad. Vacation is over.

But... the contract project was finished and shipped off (Its a horrid pattern. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone. I'll talk more about it.. if, when, it makes it to the site or catalog.) The previous one I returned is now up on the site, but I'm not telling which it is until I receive my catalog. This all means, I can go back to knitting what I want to knit.. when I want to.

More relief.

I've started another Gretel, a woven stitch scarf, which will likely be frogged - its not coming out the way I expected, the second basic sock is on the needles. I have plenty to keep my hands busy.

With that said, I haven't made resolutions, but I have set goals for myself. They are..

Get organized or be more organized. I'm sick of looking for obscure paperwork. Or for seasonal clothes for the kids. I need to organize them better in the attic so that they can be pulled out easily.

Make a routine and stick to it. Connor's sensory issues demand this. And some behind the scenes family happenings will also require this.

Be more creative. Not just knit already published patterns. Finally get down to brass tacks with the shawl design mulling in my noggin and get.it.done.

Spin more. And ultimately use more self spun yarn (which means BUY LESS commercially spun yarn.)

Family menus, where we all eat LESS meat.

Cook more. I love to cook.. I should be more adventurous in the kitchen.

Research buying a violin. I want to learn to play one. I've put this goal off for years.. its time to research buying one and actually learning!

That little project I was working on last week, only briefly mentioned? Well this is it. This was my mindless, "I need a break from that shawl" project. It knit up so incredibly fast, and the best thing of all, it actually looks good on me. What you can't see in this picture, are the vintage buttons from my Grammy's collection, holding down that strappy thing. I looove the buttons. They are absolutely nothing special, except that the color perfectly matches this yarn.

Pattern: Woven by Thea Colman (a lucky find at Ravelry)

Yarn: UK Alpaca Luxury Alpaca (dk weight) in mossy green

Needles: Addi Turbo US#5 16" circular (dpns for the last few rows at the top decreases)

I'll definitely make this again, though next time I'll make it a teensy smidge longer, like only a half inch or so.

And something not done..

The Boutique Scarf by Pamela Grossman.

I remember Pam posting about this scarf on her blog way back when, and longing for the pattern. Well she came through and put it up for sale as a download at Collage. Its lovely, its easy, and I'm actually more than halfway done! I'll probably be able to finish it up tonight while I wait for Cassidy to finish her Brownie meeting. And perhaps you recognize the yarn? Its the shimmer merino/bombyx from A Piece Of Vermont that I finished spinning at the end of October.

Knitting will seriously slow down now, except for the contract project, as the holidays loom near. I have so much to do. I'm not done shopping.. gifts or feast fixin's. Lots of baking to do. Lots of wrapping. Lots of decorating. My list grows by the minute.

Remember this?

Now that Beth has picked up her package from Christina.. and called me.. and gushed (blush)...

If you've forgotten, this started out as 4oz of alpaca/merino blend roving, spun into a lace single, and I used Evelyn Clark's book, "Knitting Lace Triangles". I didn't like the book at first since it seemed confusing and limiting. But as I worked through the shawl and figured out that there were endless variations when you apply the different lace repeats with their transitions, especially when you think about the visual difference of garter and stockinette. So you can now call me a fan of this book. I was going to sell it off once I was done with this project, but now it will be a staple in my library.

And lastly, let me share a picture of all of the items that were gifted at the holiday guild party..