Just a Pinch of Sage

I know it's been awhile since I've posted any spinning projects, but the answer is Yes! I have been spinning. Certainly not as often as I would prefer, but not letting dust settle on the wheel either;)

Couple weeks back I posted about my latest Merino blend in a lovely Sage color. What I was most delighted about was the other color streaks that run throughout the green. A little canary yellow, a punch of cranberry red and was totally surprised to see a bright cyan in the mix.

I finally filled two bobbins and then on a spur of the moment thing, plied them up. I'm still pretty new at this whole spinning thing, but learning as I go. I never really understood how you can fill two bobbins with the same amount...and then of course the light bulb went off while spinning with Lady A. It's really as simple as dividing them up equally in the beginning before you even start spinning. Well Duh!

Gosh, She's Got A Big Head

Just wanted to say thank you for all your suggestions on creepy Big Guy. We had quite a laundry list of ideas at last nights SnB of how to handle this man in the future. For now, I will sit in another part of the train...I'm not big on confrontation. I do want to say, if by some chance I forget about this man and find myself in this predicament again, I can surly say that he'll have a very bad experience on his way home;)

Do you want some knitting news? Of course you do. The Fulmar is not in time-out nor in jail, but just on vacation for a spell. I don't want to burn myself out on this tremendous project, so little things in between are super nice.

I did want to bring up the damn Sahara...lovely silky Sahara. I'm not pleased with my increases for the waist shaping and will rip back some 20 rows to redo them. No big deal, but I just don't want to. Ya know? The only projects I really want to knit are things I don't have to fix. I'm sure once I rib back all will be okay, but I can't muster the will.

I do have a couple of pictures of my little stinker making a fuss. The hat was actually finished and done...we're talking ends woven in done. Placed hat on Mac and it shot off her top like a rocket. My husband walks away and states "she's got the Carlson head" ... I then yell after him, Hey! It's all hair...besides, it just means a big brain.

All I wanted was a clear, smiley progress shot of the Koolhass Hat and this is what I got:



Don't mention sticky toes while doing a photo shoot...you get toes coming at you.



She then refused to take another picture unless she could stick her tongue out. Oh the joys to be three.

Change in Plans

I think it’s time to change a habit. Why do you ask? It has to do with another person who has fallen into my routine and I don’t care for it. This person was once just some random commuter who is apart of my train ventures. Until about a month ago. I will now forever call him Big Guy. I know I really should have gotten creative with the name, but it’s really not worth my time at this point.

I was even tempted to take a photo of him to warn all those who commute, but I figured with his big stature and all I don’t think I would get away with it. The best I can do is a sketch.



All right...it goes back several weeks. Now I’m sure you can imagine a very busy rush hour train, right? Well, since I board the train at the first stop I can usually grab a window seat, but once we get to the next stop the remaining seats get occupied very quickly. The first time Big Guy sat with me, I just was completely discussed. There are very distinct lines that divide the double seats and he is clearly not noticing these. Obviously by his name you can pretty much guess he is Big. Now, when I mean BIG I don’t mean FAT. Although he might have some pounds to shed...that’s not the visual I’m looking for...No....this guy is just very large. He must stand close to 6 ft 7 something...and weighs perhaps 230. He sits down with his overstuffed winter coat and furry fox hat, then proceeds to open his briefcase and pull out reading material.

I am always curious as to what people find for entertainment on these 45 minutes stretches between work and home. I would say it's mostly split between sleeping and reading. If someone sits next to me I usually check out what they're reading. Is if for pleasure or purpose? This guy? I can't seem to decipher his taste. I've seen everything from Economic Review to Market Analysis charts.

Well, the really nitty-gritty of it all is he is smothering me. I'm certainly not a small woman, but good God! I keep my elbows firmly to my body, not slid back all way where I could poke him with an elbow or needle. Although I've thought about doing that. Imagine if you will your sitting there knitting away and all of a sudden you have this pressure. You become very stiff and feel lodged between Big Guy and Train Window. This certainly does not make for good knitting time. I adjust my self in the seat which involves me moving as far to the window as possible. Yet, his man is not done. He proceeds to undo his coat, so now I not only have Big Guy smashing me, I have his hot down feather coat laying on me to make things worse. I couldn't take it and after a while of him twitching in his seat, I excused myself and move to a different part of the train.

Since that day, he has made a point of sitting with me every time I sit in my favorite part of the train. I'm done. I think it's time to start a new routine. Unless perhaps anyone has any suggestions as to getting rid of this bloke.

A Post For The Senses

Okay, can I just say I'm totally in love right now. This hat is fun, fast and fabulous. I'll totally make one for me and when I get the chance. Because I'm using a different yarn I had to do a little knitting math to make sure this would fit on Miss Mac.



So, now that I've given you something for your eyes, how about for your mouth?

Have you ever been in a situation where you were pressed for time but wanted to spend any spare moment you did have with loved ones? Or, have you ever been to up late and completely frustrated as to ideas for breakfast or just to tired? Well, here I bring you the perfect solution. I make this for Christmas morning, Fathers Day or even perhaps for a Bridal Shower.

Baked French Toast

1 loaf French bread
8 large eggs
2 cups Half-n-Half
1 cup milk
2 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Topping:
2 sticks butter (room temp)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tbs light corn syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Slice bread into 1 inch thick slices. Overlap slices into a 9x13 baking dish. Combine eggs, half-n-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and beat well. Pour over bread evenly coating slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning pre-heat oven to 350. Combine all topping ingredients into a bowl and blend well. Evenly spread over bread and bake for 40 minutes. yummmm!

How Many?

Thanksgiving is always a good time in my house. I love to cook and I love to feed people. Thus the reason for my Getting Skinny for Stash, but I digress. For years I've always invited the whole family out to sit at my table and feast. I only really cook this way once a year, but I truly enjoy it. My husband and son get dibs on what dishes they want, and that hasn't changed. What has changed is that this year I didn't invite ANYONE. Guess what happened? It back fired on me. Yep, I prepared a meal to feed 6 with plenty of leftovers to last a week and ended up with 12 guests.



Lucky I hid that extra pumpkin pie, other wise that would have been crumbs too. I think I have enough turkey to make some yummy chicken soup.. yep, a carcass is all I have. I do want to say that I'm ever so thankful to have family to sit and eat with. I'm thankful that I they have brought a very memorable dinner for all invited. I'm thankful for all my knit, blog, and Ravelry buddies out there. I hope you all had a full-tummy kind of day.

On the knitting front I did get to finish the second skein and pulled out another one for Fulmar.



We did have a small yarn crawl scheduled for today, but as holiday turkey has a way of turning even the most loved knitter comatose, we settled for a meet up at Nana's Black Friday meet up. This is my newest project...and it's not for me.



A fellow Ravelry member posted the most adorable toddler version of this cute pattern from Interweave Holiday Knits. I'm hoping to modify the pattern for Mac. Pink and Purple Debbie Bliss...super soft and yummy.