Let's Get Acquainted

I'm honored & thrilled to be test knitting for Lara Smoot.

Designing like gangbusters, she's quickly

building up a store of knitting patterns that are 

easy to follow, fun to knit and gorgeous to wear.

Above is Mirrored Step, Lara's second sock pattern.

Stay tuned for what promises to be a fantastic 
pair of finished socks, and news of 

the pattern release in mid-late February.

  

What's the yarn, you ask? 

...into the whirled

Saginaw: 2-Ply Superwash Merino
Color: Voila - Variegated

Fingering

 400 yards/skein 

Since it began, I've been following: 

FOLK Magazine

&

FOLK Lifestyle (the blog)  

$10.00 for a year-long subscription...

pretty hard to beat for the refreshing slice of 

authentic, honest modern American life

directly delivered to one's inbox all year round. 

I'm in!  Are you?!

Give It a Whirl

Storm Clouds steadily advances toward completion!

With the quilting nearly finished, sewing

the binding (the icing on the cake!) comes next.

From the very beginning, I've so enjoyed 

the creative process for this particular (Project Linus) quilt 

that for anyone interested in using scraps  

in a beautiful & fun way, I'll provide a free "recipe" 

rather than a precise pattern.

"Recipe" will make more sense once it all comes together,

which will be within the next few weeks - stay tuned!

(Squeal!)

Over the holidays, my dear friend Chris gifted me this 

festively adorned bottle of blood orange olive oil 

from a shop she loves, F. Olivers.  

The fragrance is delicious and delightful. 

The olive oil came with a recipe for Harvest Hummus

which I just had to try!

Throw everything in the food processor & give it a whirl! 

(Thank you for the fresh pumpkin Ellen!)

F. Oliver's Harvest Hummus

  

1-15oz. can pumpkin puree

2 Tbsp. tahini

1 clove minced garlic

1 Tbsp. fresh, finely chopped parsley

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. F. Oliver's Fresh Pressed 

Blood Orange EVOO

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a food processor 

and puree until smooth and creamy.

Serve with pita chips, veggies, 

or use as a sandwich spread.

Optional: sprinkle with paprika, cinnamon 

or toasted pumpkin seeds.

Are you trying new recipes or whipping up cool projects?

I'd love to see and/or hear!

New Year, New Comforts

As a kid, this was the view out my bedroom window.

   

Because I live in the same home today, 

I still get to enjoy this view. 

 One of my New Year's resolutions is to take time 

each morning to soak up peace and quiet 

before moving on to the day's hustle & bustle. 

I can't think of a better place than in my old bedroom.

Another resolution I've made is to give more 

time and attention to my love of all things folk-tale. 

Tall tales. The battle of good vs. evil. Charming illustrations.

Over the years, I've established a beautiful collection 

of children's books, and it's time they came down 

off the shelf. Not to mention that my own sketchbooks 

need a work out, as well as those empty notebook pages. 

Sketching and writing, a 2013 must-do to get back in touch

with that inner storyteller and artist. 

Stay tuned for updates as this resolution progresses 

over the course of the year.  

On that note, classic and not so well known stories 

penned by the Brothers Grimm are getting 

a well-deserved spotlight this year, 

celebrating their 200th anniversary. 

This brief video gives a nice introduction 

and overview direct from their home land, Germany.

You may be familiar with The Little Mermaid, Cinderella,

Little Red Riding Hood...masterpieces.

I want to give a special thanks to my dear friend Vickie 

for opening the door to my new crack-snack, 

Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice Mixed Nuts, 

a la the queen Paula Deen. (Click link for full recipe)

 Beat an egg white and thoroughly toss the nuts, 

then dump in the spices, sugar and Rosemary.

 After a fast (or slow?!) 20 minute wait while they bake, 

indulge! Couldn't be easier...

but a word to the wise, 

let them cool before the addiction takes hold!

What's an old passion you have, 

or a New Year's resolution you've made? 

I'd love to hear!