Yarn Along 26

Joining Ginny to discuss what we are knitting and reading.

Lately my projects are primarily being finished.  I am sssooo very close to finishing my Colors of Fall Meditate.  So close, it is almost painful to knit.

I have begun a swatch for a Gramps cardigan for my nephew. I have frogged it several times and still cannot get the numbers right.    So, I continue to swatch one of the most annoying things to do as a knitter.

Reading wise, I am in the middle of the Real Time Read Along with Discovery of Witches.  The author, Deborah Harkness, is involved with the read along and keeps updating her blog and Facebook with tidbits of the location, her thoughts while writing the book, and fan art for the book.  I am enjoying it even more than I thought I would.  She did right a Read Along book available for ebooks, but honestly her updates and posts have added even more than in the extra ebook.  I highly recommend reading the book and joining in the Real Time Read Along.

I also am caught up with the Count of Monte Cristo done on CraftLit.  I have never been listening along when she posts the episodes.  The beginning was a bit slow for me, but I kept listening/reading it and am really enjoying everything now. It is one of my sister’s favorite books, so that was the main reason I kept listening even when I did not want to.  🙂

On a somewhat similar note, I bought my first pair of reading glasses.  Yep.  They are huge on my face and the hubby says I look like a 1960s nerd… and he likes it.  hehe.  But they prevent me from getting a headache when I read or am on my phone for long periods of time.

 

Yarn Along 25

Joining Ginny today to discuss what we are knitting and reading?

I finally, somewhat finished the Pink Hoodlet.  🙂 Yay!  I am trying to decide on whether to have a tassel or not on the hood.  What do you think?  I also need to make a few bobbles that I missed in the cables.

Ignore the silly look on my face.

I am in the process of finishing my Colors of Fall 2016 Meditate Cowl.  It is fantastic binge watching knitting.  🙂  I hope to also start another pair of socks and the Gramps cardigan.

Lately I have been listening to audiobooks.  I have been listening to The Count of Monte Cristo by CraftLit.  Even though I am a bit behind, I just finished Chapter 33.  I do find myself needing to actually visually read parts of the book because Dumas wanders a bit (I know he has a point, but I get lost if I am not completely paying attention).  🙂  Overall I am really enjoying it and keep coming back it.

Also some very exciting news.  There is a read-a-long with one of my absolute favorite books!!  Deborah Harkness is hosting a real time reading of the Discovery of Witches.  It begins on September 18th (very soon) and follows Diana until the end which is on Halloween.  It is a wonderful book filled with history, tea, love, mystery, and autumn.  Oh and England.  😉  If there was a book out there written specifically for my entertainment, this would be it!  If you have never read the book, I highly recommend it, but I do not know if you will be able to stand waiting to read the day’s readings.  😉  Ms Harkness also wrote a “Real Time Reading Compainion” for ebooks, and it is free.  It is also downloaded and ready for Sept 18th.  😉

So what are you reading and knitting lately?

Yarn Along 24

This month I picked up my Pink Hoodlet again… To finish the hood. 😉 I started out with the opening facing my shoulder, but now I’ve gotten it to where it needs to be. I keep telling myself that eventually I will learn to read all directions, but I still forget this part. 

I started a book featured on the Modern Mrs Darcy’s Kindle Deals. The Lost Art of Dress is a perfect book to read while I transition my wardrobe to warmer clothes. Just today I put up most of my summer clothes, and sorted through some warmer options. Of course it’s not quite fall yet, but the evenings are cooler. 

I’m joining Ginny today. What are you knitting and reading? 

Transitioning to Fall

My absolute favorite season is Fall.  The colors are so pretty, and the aromas inspire comfort.  Plus there are pumpkins… EVERYWHERE!  🙂 Yes I am a huge fan of pumpkin everything.

As much as I love autumn, I am not a fan of hastening a season just because one is tired of the other season.  I get VERY annoyed when Walmart starts setting out Christmas trees in October.  Nope NOPE NOPE!!!!!  But that’s beside the point.

For years I dreaded the end of summer because my heart and mind were already in cooler weather with sweaters and hot chocolate, but… my body still sweats when it walks outside.  Thankfully, California taught me a beautiful and lovely transition.  Harvest Time!  More particularly grape harvest.  When I visited wine country during August and September (still hot months), the excitement and energy in the air was amazing!  It made the fact that fall was still not HERE better.  So much better.  🙂

So if you are not near wine country (which I am no longer, sadly), how do you celebrate the golden end of summer and grape harvest?  Here are my suggestions:

• Last year (2015) Bath and Body Works released the PERFECT collection for Transition.  It was the Wine Country Corks and Vines.  It smelled amazing!  Thankfully, they kept a few of the fragrances for candles and hand soaps.  Wine Cellar Candle smell so much like the wine tasting caves in Napa.  So wonderful!  I encourage you to try it! And burn it until the beginning of Fall.  ;). They also have wonderful scents for their hands soaps. I bought Cherry Merlot and Pear Riesling today. 
• Drink Wine… hehe.  Here’s a few good ones for the end of August
  • Charles & Charles Rose (this is a beautiful sunny wine)
  • Kunde’s Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc (if you can get Kunde’s wines shipped to you, do this!  They are amazing!)
  • Frog’s Leap Zinfandel (yes my favorite wine)
  • Apothecary’s Dark (a good inexpensive red)
• In OK, the evenings are rather pleasant, so sit outside and enjoy the cooling weather. If it is not there yet, it is coming!
• Enjoy the beginning of football season!
• Foods to enjoy:
  • Tomatoes (those fresh from the vine are not going to last much longer)
  • Stone fruits (oh yum!)
  • Blackberries (these seem like the quieter sister of blueberries.  Their richness adds to the richness of end of summer and harvest)
• Oh and this seems counter productive, but… go to Bath and Body Works and get yourself some pumpkin candles.  They will be gone when it is time to burn them! (Sadly).

What are some of your favorite things about the end of summer?  How do you handle the transition to fall?

Yarn Along 23

Hello… Again.

Drinking French Press Coffee with Hazelnut (yum) and joining Ginny.

I toke a slight detour in my reading by reading the Hathways series all the way through again… Does anyone ever do that?  I find that books particularly about loving families are comforting during stressful times in my life.  So… Now that I have finished the series for the second time, I wanted to start something different.  And thankfully my library had a requested book of mine on hand for me!

So… I am currently reading What Alice Forgot.  I read a chapter or two in Barnes and Noble one day when I considered purchasing it.  However, my budget was a bit tight, so I thought the library would be a better route.  I was a bit skeptical about the book; however, just in the few pages I read, I was overwhelmed with sympathy of the main character.  It is written in first person, so I completely felt lost and confused just like Alice.  I am very excited to see where the book goes!

I also cast on a new project.  In the podcast Yarniacs, they have Colors of the Season KAL.  This is an awesome idea.  They take the colors of the specific season from Pantone and make them into garments one can wear.  I love this idea, particularly for accessories.  One will always feel in season!  🙂 So I started the Meditate in two of the colors: Sharkskin and Potter’s Clay.  (Not my favorite of the colors, but they were from my stash.)

This knit is getting me excited for fall, as noted by the coffee drinking.

What are you reading and knitting this week?

P.L.T.

This was written about 5 years ago… I still like this recipe.  Enjoy

Alas, my bi-monthly breakfasts are finished.  The specific times we were holding them no longer works for everyone, but not to worry, we will be having girl’s nights!!! 😉 So the recipes will still be coming.  For our last breakfast, the host had a lovely sandwich that was phenomenal!!  A local restaurant serves it as a lunch sandwich paired with a mixed green salad.  This would be perfect with almost anything, salad, soup, or bacon and beignets.  Think of it as an Italian BLT!  A buttery flaky croissant with a creamy poached egg sits on salty Prosciutto, crisp lettuce, and tomato.  Simple, yes, elegant, totally!  I also discovered another way to poach an egg.  I highly recommend it because you are able to focus on putting the sandwich together without having to monitor the eggs too closely.

P.L.T
Julia Burrage

Croissant
Prosciutto
Green leaf Lettuce
Slice Tomato
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ cup mayo
1 egg
Cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.  Crack the egg into one cup of the muffin tins being careful not to break the yolk. If you are making more, crack the other eggs into the other cups.  Fill the empty cups half full of water.  Bake for 8-9 minutes until the white is no longer opaque.  (This is sooner than you think. 13 minutes is too long!)

Meanwhile, mix together the Dijon mustard and mayo.  Spread over the croissant, layer a tomato slice, piece of lettuce, and Prosciutto slice over one side.  Take the eggs out of the oven, and carefully remove one egg and place on top of the Prosciutto.  Top with the other croissant half.

Makes 1.

Yarn Along 22

(I know I just published last week’s this week, so here’s what’s up this week;> )

Join Ginny today… Again. 

I started a Baby Amanda hat to complete the baby set for my friend. Currently she’s 38 weeks, so I had to get moving! 

I also am thinking of Christmas gifts. Christmas in July seems to be a things, so I am taking it as a time to think of projects for Christmas gifts and Christmas decorations. Any thoughts? Or ideas? Should I have a theme like, everyone gets socks? No. I’m having trouble with sock sizes. Newho just some thoughts. What are yours? 

I started a book called Could I Have This Dance?   A girl at work let me borrow this book and its companion. I’m only about 10 pages in, but so far I am enjoying it. The author is a doctor, so… I’m interested. 

I also am rereading Mine Till Midnight. I needed some fluff but nothing new. 😉

What are you knitting and reading? 

Yarn Along 21

Written last week, however pictures weren’t taken. 😉

Joining Ginny today with reading and knitting.

I just started a new audiobook.  Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood.  It is the inspiration of the Miss Fisher series I love so much.  I even started rewatching them while I am knitting something a little bit complicated.  Even though the script for the TV show is rather different, I am still enjoying it.

Knitting wise I am mainly finishing stuff. I finished my Meg Shawl! And my socks. I finished a pair of Knitted Knockers in honor of a friend who recently was diagnosed (the picture below is them unstuffed). I enjoyed the pattern a lot. The website has TONs of information on how to knit the knocker. I went to the LYS and bought a skein of their recommended yarn, and I hope to make several pair from that skein. 
I honestly do not know what to start next. I have a few big projects in mind, mainly for the coming up fall season, but what to actually start???!!!! Any suggestions? 

What have you been knitting or reading lately?

Tea Tasting

A fellow kindred spirit surprisingly gifted me with 6 new teas and a tea tin.  Just because she loves me.  🙂  Even though, I received this gift a few weeks ago, I have yet to have the time to sit down and taste these!  There are several new teas that I am excited to see what I think.

List of the teas included:

• Spiced Mandarin Oolong Tea
• Peach Momotaro Blooming Tea
• Sakura Allure Green Tea
• Rooibos Chai
• Pumpkin Spice Brûlée Oolong Tea
• Matavana Herbal Tea
• and a tea tin and …
• (my favorite) a box of Twinnings Earl Grey!

When I opened it, I felt a warmth, very close to a hug, which she gives wonderful hugs.  🙂

Here are my thoughts as I taste test each tea. 🙂 Enjoy

Spiced Mandarin Oolong: (I could not find this on Teavana’s website, but I did find it on their app.  Weird).

• Here is their description: “Journey along the Asian spice trading routes and savor the rich exotic flavors of juicy tangerines, lemons, and ripe blood oranges perfectly blended with cinnamon, ginger, star anise, cloves, and pepper.  With its wonderful mix of sweet circus fruits and traditional chai pieces, this delicious flavored Chinese oolong tea is destined to become an everyday favorite.” (Well, if you no longer sell it, what happens when you run out?)  Newho.
• Thoughts: The citrus is very apparent but has a deeper flavor.  I can find the spice in the fragrance but not the taste so much.  I do really enjoy this tea.  I would pair it with my cranberry and orange scones and maybe some dark chocolate.  Yum!

Peach Momotaro Artisan Blooming Tea:

• Their Description: “Hand-tied, this artisanal display tea is both beautiful to behold and tantalizing to taste. With a crown of regal marigold flowers, each peach-scented white tea ball unfurls with flavor and can be infused three to five times.”
• Thoughts: I can definitely taste the Peach.  It is very light, but VERY COOL to watch it bloom.  🙂

Sakura Allure Green Tea

• Their Description: “An enchanting green tea blend, this spiritual coupling of floral and fruit come alive as rose and hibiscus interwine with lively cherry, mango and candied pineapple.”
• Thoughts:  I am not usually a fan of fruity teas, but this tea has floral notes that make it a lovely cup for spring and summer.  I almost wonder how it would be iced!?  It reminds me of the Longbourn Wedding Tea from Bingley Teas.  I think it is the roses. 🙂

Rooibos Chai

• Their Description: “Spicy cinnamon, cardamom husks, piquant ginger and lightly citrusy lemongrass brew to a blissful honey-amber infusion. A caffeine-free chai perfect for watching the sunset over the Ganges River or just enjoying the evening sun in your own backyard.”
• Thoughts: To me, this is a true chai tea.  Though it is not a black base, it is a intently calming and spicy.  I am excited for something to drink on cool nights when I want something a bit stronger.

Pumpkin Spice Brûlée Oolong Tea

• Their Description: “A bountiful harvest of sweetness and spice, this warming oolong is an impeccable accompaniment to crisp autumn days. A balanced swirl of rich pumpkin and flavors of caramel, toffee, butterscotch, and creamy vanilla, this rich and smooth cup is a sublime indulgence for the body and mind any time of day.”
• Thoughts:  Ahh… We all know I love this tea.  It is a perfect fall tea.

MataVana Herbal Tea

• Their Description: “It’s not coffee, is it tea? Taste this coffee-like maté and red rooibos blend. Sweetened with cocoa and chocolate chips, this mochaccino inspired blend infuses smooth, dark rich sips that are soft and robust.”
• Thoughts: I do like this tea a lot.  It is very flavorful and “robust”.  I can taste the coffee notes.  Overall very yummy!

I hope get to try some of these out. Or at least some new teas to you!

 

 

 

Kitchen Skills: Skinning Peaches

I adore cooking and baking! Some of my happiest moments are in the kitchen; however, there are certain skills I shy away from because they scare me.  Julia Child would be sad, and some skills are so simple. Usually, when I have a bout of fearlessness, I attempt these skills.  This new ongoing series is mainly about these skills, recipes, and other “basics” in the kitchen that I try out or have encouraged others to try.  

First up: (well… Since I had this idea to put it under a blog heading ;> ) 

Skill: Peeling peaches!

Courage source: I usually eat the skins, even in cobbler. No, this is not because of health benefits. Yes, it is because I was too lazy and nervous about peeling peaches the correct way. However, today I did it!  My grocery story had huge bags of peaches on sale, and I bought one. I used the peaches in cobbler and a few bowls of yogurt, but the rest of the peaches were sitting in the fridge waiting for me to can (or go bad because I never found the courage or time).   Recently I have been reading (…um… stalking) The Fundamental Home, and the author deeply encourages nothing to go to waste. For a long time I have felt guilty about letting veggies and fruits go bad and meats go rancid simply because I forget they are there. Today, I remembered the bag of peaches and decided to freeze them. I have a few canning recipes I want to try, but that’s another skill for another day when I have time.  So… Instead of wasting even more of the fruit’s flesh, I googled how to peel peaches. 

Instructions: Here’s the website I followed. I used my stopwatch on my phone to count. 
Verdict: It was relatively easy! The hardest part was getting all the small pieces off the peach. The boiling water and ice bath were nothing. Towards the end, I play a game of trying to get the largest piece of skin off. Competing with myself.  I also think the small pieces were due to the age of the peaches and the learning process. So… I will definitely be doing this again although probably not every time I have peaches. But this is one step closer to canning the peaches (which the hubby would be thrilled for me to do). I encourage you to try it for yourself. 

I leave you with these quotes from Mrs. Child: 

The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.

Learn how to cook – try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun.