Sunday, January 27, 2013

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? 
Saginaw: 2-Ply Superwash Merino
Color: Voila - Variegated
Fingering
 400 yards/skein 

Since it began, I've been following: 
&
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?!




Sunday, January 20, 2013

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!


Sunday, January 13, 2013

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, 
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!