Happy 2010!

January 1, 2010

Happy 2010!

"End of the year, new day - Let the past, slip away - Open your heart and
you just may - Transcend troubles and find your way - Happy New Year everyone!
May we all find our way to greater joy, peace and love!" ~California College of Ayurveda

I saw this quote on my Facebook page and I really like it. My first day of the New Year is kind of slow. I was up early or at my normal time around 6 am. I went to bed before midnight last night because I just couldn't stay up. We had a quiet night, my brother wasn't home. He's not feeling well and wanted to stay at his care facility, so I made a homemade shrimp fettucine dinner for Mamacita. I used some Sauvignon Blanc in the dish so I had a glass while cooking too. It was from Robert Mondavi and it was really nice wine. Crisp and clean. I made shrimp stock with the shrimp shells and used that in the dish. It was exceptionally good, if I do say so myself. Some Italians I'm sure would think the dish was not right because I use cheese in the sauce and usually they do not use cheese with any fish/seafood dishes. Well, I do. Sorry. Here is my recipe.

Shrimp Fettucine

1 lb. fettucine, cook as directed
1 lb. large to extra large raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
2 shallots, small dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg. sliced button or baby bella mushrooms
zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tbsp. of zest
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup white wine, like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio
1/2 cup (1 cube) butter
1 cup half and half or cream
3/4 c. grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese
5-7 fresh leaves of basil, stacked and rolled and cut (chiffonade)

Peel and devein shrimp, putting shells in a saucepan and add about 3 cups
water and boil for about 20 minutes. Add about 1 Tbsp. olive oil to shrimp, add
minced garlic and salt and pepper and coat shrimp. In large saute pan, add
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil and 1 Tbsp. butter over medium high heat. Add 1/2
the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add shrimp and saute on each side just
until pink. Add zest and lemon juice. Turn over and by the time you turn all of them they are ready to be removed from the pan. Put in a pan and set aside (they are not fully cooked).

Then add mushrooms and saute, when liquid is almost gone, add about 1-2 shrimp
stock and reduce until liquid is almost gone.

In separate saucepan add butter and cream and heat but do not boil. Add
about 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. white pepper. When butter is melted add 1/2 cup
cheese. Keep warm.

In saute pan, when shrimp stock is reduced, add wine and again reduce by
half over high heat to remove alcohol. Then add cream/butter mixture,
add shrimp back to pan. Mix and cook a couple minutes. Add cooked fettucine,
fresh basil and fresh grape tomatoes if you like. Toss together. Remove from
heat. Serve in a bowl with some basil and cheese sprinkled on top. Enjoy!

We also had peach pie and Vanilla Bean ice cream. Yum!

We watched the Rose Parade this morning. I am such a sap! The stories really get to me and I get the chills and even sometimes well up. Like the School for the Blind group and they had them marching. It was really cool. They had ice surfing bull dogs too. Way cool. It was 72 degrees during parade time they said. Sorry, don't hate us because we have nice weather almost all year long.

I finished another spiral hat. I really like it but not sure I'll keep it. I may put it in my Etsy shop. I'll try to post pics when I do. Now I need another project to do. I may start another mohair cowl. I really like and use my cowl in white so I got some black lace mohair.

Booga Bag

May 5, 2009

Booga Bag

It starts like this. A lovely all wool yarn.

And then you knit furiously for one evening and early the next day you end up with us. I used a 10 1/2 needle on the bag base and then a size 13 for the bag and for knitting the i-cord.


Then you put it in the washing machine with some detergent on the hot wash and cold rinse. And after a couple washes, actually four washes, and finally I wizened up and put in about 3 pair of jeans with it, you get this lovely felted creation.

I dried it overnight, upside down over a tupperware cereal container. It just happened to have the right size to attempt to have the base dry flat and square.

I've known about felted bags and wanted to make one for years. I have felted other items, such as the knit chinese fortune cookies I made one year for Valentine's Day, but a bag seemed like such a big project. It turned out to be so simple. A really quick knit, I mean it literally was knit up in less than 24 hours including me sleeping overnight.

I think I will actually use this bag. I'm happy.

April 2, 2009

I got new glasses!
I was in sore need of glasses. My old pair had a prescription from over 15 years ago and they were just dog ugly. I would only wear them at home. I found a great deal at Lenscrafter's, they still are having a sale on 1/2 off the lenses and I need progressive lenses so all of that was 50% off. They have a 90 day no interest payment too so that helped me. I'm just thrilled. I thought it might take some adjusting to wearing progressive lenses but it's really been no big deal. They are comfortable and I can see!

So today I went and got my hair done! I needed a cut and color really badly. And I'm going on a trip to see my Honey on Monday so I needed to look and feel my best.

Headaches and migraines have been A LOT better. I made it through a whole menstrual cycle without a migraine. That is a big improvement for me. I feel it's because of the acupuncture and ayurveda but I'm sure the glasses may help too although I've only had them for 2 days.

On the knitting front, I've been crocheting these really cool Origami Hot Pads. It's hard to explain, but you start with a chain and then you knit around and end up with a sort of envelope and then you fold it, crochet the circle holder and then sew it down the center and that's it. I love it because it's a 2 sided cloth and so simple, a satisfying quick project.


I'll try to post when I get back home and show you some pics from South Carolina!

Hello...miss me?

February 27, 2009

Hello...miss me?

I have no real good reason why I haven't blogged lately. Just not feeling it. I'm working on it.

It's Friday night and Mamacita and I are enjoying a dirty martini. See...Doesn't it look good? I was given these cool martini glasses for Christmas and they are our new favorite glasses. Easy to drink out of , stylish and pretty. We like our martinis with a nice vodka, a little dry vermouth and a little olive juice and a olive garnish. Only 2 olives, 3 is a meal!

Still unemployed, the market is awful. Just listen to the news and it's all doom and gloom, it's heart wrenching. I'm fortunate and thankful. I have a house and a family and do not have a lot of debt so I'm ok and able to make it. The recession is cutting into my yarn purchases though and that just sucks!

Here's a pair of socks I just finished. I call them Dad Socks because I cast them on February 17 which would have been Dad's birthday. They are for a toe up KAL on Ravelry. The pattern is Diamonds in His Shoes with a few mods. I used a size 0 needle and did the foot in 60 stitches and the leg and cuff in 66 stitches and the cuff in a k3,p3. The yarn is Berroco Sox and it has a little glitter in it but it's very subtle. I really like this yarn.
Here is another pair that I'm still working on, i'm at the cuff on the 2nd sock and I'm kind of stuck. I'll have to give it a go again.
This is a baby blanket. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern but not made with the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn b/c frankly, I could not afford it. It would have cost almost $100 for the yarn. I hadn't made this pattern before, so I decided to make it with a more traditional baby yarn and see if I like the pattern. I did like the pattern, I like the finished project, but the whole body and border is done in a seed stitch, which means k1, p1, the whole way, back and forth, k1,p1,k1,p1....it was really boring. Sometimes I'd get in a rhythmn but it was still hard to finish. But I love the look of seed stitch so I kept at it.

My brother Gary and I are working on a wood doll house kit that he received for Christmas. He enjoys sanding the wood piece edges and I'm really putting it together. It makes me miss Dad, he'd be really good at this. Gary wants it painted inside and out, so Lord, give me patience!

We are going to see a Dr.Phil taping on Monday! We being Mamacita, Julie and her Mom. We have no idea what the show is about. I hope it's something fun.

"The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say to him, 'What are you going through?'" -- Simone Weil

November 5, 2008

"The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say to him, 'What are you going through?'" -- Simone Weil

I went to see an acupuncturist yesterday. My best friend was referred to her awhile ago because of her back issues. She went reluctantly, never having tried anything remotely "alternative". She went because her insurance company referred her, but not thinking it would help her. From the first time she went I've been hearing how amazed she is that acupuncture actually works. She's had remarkable improvement in her back and pain issues. So after hearing me complain about headaches, and I did have a headache for 4-5 days a couple weeks ago, she suggested I try going to her. So we went together yesterday and I love this woman! It was a nice, soothing, peaceful office, she sat and talked to me for a bit for some medical background and then she had me lay down on the table on my back. She put needles on my feet, ankles, leg, all around my belly button and my hands and wrists. Then I relaxed for half an hour with the lights off, she came in half way through to adjust the needles and get my chi moving. It was not painful. Then she had me turn over and she did "cupping massage". I'd never had that done before but would give it a try because my lower back has been bothering me this last week. It's a glass cup, like a bowl and she's able to suck the air out of it and then she moved it back and forth on my lower back and up and down my spine. It actually was a little painful but not unbearable but I had the feeling that I could suffer through it and I somehow knew it would help. It felt like she did it for a long time, because it was painful, but the most wonderful thing happened. When I came out of the office, I instantly felt better! And I sat on a chair to write my check, and I told Julie, look, and was able to get up from the chair, without hanging on to the table, I just sat up with no pain! Sounds odd, but it's the truth. And this morning, I woke up and although I have a lot of soreness from the cupping, I think I slept better, because I woke up early and was rested! I'm going again next week and I can't wait!

I went to Weight Watchers tonight and I lost another 3 lbs! I'm thinking I may stop going to meetings for awhile. I really love WW, but I'm having car issues and I've made meetings about 1x a month, so I may stop and put the money toward the acupuncture.

So I finally took a pic of my February Lady Sweater! I wore it Saturday to a birthday party. It's really warm being 100% wool, but I really loved wearing it. I'm working on another February Lady Sweater in an alpaca blend, can't wait to finish it.

This is our beautiful Christmas Cactus. Already blooming. But there's a little story behind it. I got this plant in Minnesota about 7 years ago and it was in a little pot and it sit in my kitchen in MN and never grew, never bloomed. When Mamacita came to MN to help me move, I was going to throw out the sad, pathetic thing, but Mom said, no, don't throw that away. So whatever, I packed it away. Then it sat in the kitchen window in CA until this March when my Aunt Angie came to visit from MN and she suggested it be repotted into this pot and put outside. And look at it now! I just can't believe it's so huge and blooming! It's glorious.

And this is how I spent some of my Saturday. A birthday party for Julie's twin girls. They had a fabulous time!

"No one can criticize me without my permission." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

October 6, 2008

"No one can criticize me without my permission." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

I've totally lost my blogging mojo but have made a personal goal to blog every day this week, starting today.

Things here at home have been so so. My brother has been really acting up and it puts a lot of pressure on us. He got a good talking to this weekend by Mamacita so we'll see if it improves.

Loved that we had clouds and thunder and rain and drizzle most of Saturday. It was suddenly feeling like Autumn although today we're getting hotter temps again and for most of the week it'll be hot, even in the 90's. Oh well. The cooler temps will be here soon enough.

We went to an adult bday party at the bowling alley on Saturday evening and it was a lot of fun! I bowled 2 games and my first ball was a strike! Surprised. I did OK the first game, bowling a 133 but I got really tired the second game and totally sucked and bowled a 75! It was a lot of fun though.
Tonight I'm going to watch the Viking game against the Saints. Go Vikings!!
I've finished the February Lady Sweater in a pretty Cascade 220 green heather yarn called Irelande, which I just love. Finally, a sweater that I will actually wear! I had almost a whole skein left over, so I made my own design for a February Lady hat. Whatcha think?

I may even get some wear out of the hat!

I started dating someone, we only saw each other twice, he seemed so into me, but he's stopped calling. Not sure why, but whatever. I'm not really upset about it, so I guess I wasn't that into him.

My health seems to be improving, my stomach troubles are not such an issue, thank goodness. I've been taking ayurvedic supplements and they really seem to have helped. Maybe I can go without them now and see if the changes are lasting.

And as things are improving, the headaches are better too, but I got a horrible one yesterday and ended up in bed. I think it was the beer at the bowling party. Beer is suppose to be healthier for me right now, but I don't think it agreed with me at all.

I'm going to a funeral tomorrow, my cousin's MIL passed away. She had a battle with diabetes and just recently had a stroke. The family unfortunately is already arguing about "stuff" which I feel bad about. So I'm off to make an orzo salad and a shrimp mold for the reception tomorrow. Have a great day!

"You can't help that. We're all mad here." - The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland

September 14, 2008

"You can't help that. We're all mad here." - The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland

This is what I've been up to lately. These are the Seaweed Socks in Lang Jawoll yarn. It's a self-striping yarn and the pattern doesn't come thru very well, but I like it anyway. I love the hand of the yarn. I have them on now, because it's warm and comfy.
I made homemade pizza last night. The recipes came from Martha Stewart's site. I used the pizza dough recipe which I will definitely use again, the dough is really good, made 2 pizza's. The dough is just yum. And then the sauce, well we were given some homegrown tomatoes and so decided to make a homemade sauce which took time but was so simple to make. You dip the tomatoes in boiling water for maybe 30 seconds, peel, core and deseed, cut up into 1/4 inch dice. Then I heated some olive oil, put in about 4 or 5 whole garlic cloves and roasted them for about 10 minutes in the oil. Then you add the tomatoes, increase the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, I actually simmered for about 30 minutes to reduce the juice and get to a sauce consistency. I added salt and pepper and about a 1/2 tsp. ground oregano. Then on the pizza dough i added a little olive oil on top to keep the sauce from making the dough soggy. Then add the sauce, sliced mozzarella and fresh basil. We topped with a sprinkling of herbs d'provence on one and salt on the other. They only cook for 12 minutes in a hot 500 degree oven and we put in a pizza stone too. I touched the rack by accident and got a nice burn on my hand. I put ice water on it, ice and aloe, but it has a nice blister on it this morning. But no pain.
These are homemade Crescent Rolls. I got the recipe from Cook's Country magazine. These are another keeper. The dough was really nice and it's isn't hard to make, it just takes time.
Here's another pair of socks I completed. It's the year of the sock for me. I think I've made 10 pairs so far.

Mamacita is making us waffles for breakfast! A nice treat. Have a great Sunday.

Everything is possible if you wish hard enough. -- Peter Pan

July 31, 2008

Everything is possible if you wish hard enough. -- Peter Pan

I'm a bad blogger, I know. I just haven't been feeling it. Also, I've been sucked into the plurk world and find it engaging. I'm mitchypoo on plurk and would love it if you'd friend me. It seems to have turned into a great knitting forum for me. Knitters rule. Wendyknits has the highest karma on the site. Not surprised. She's so popular.

So I've been doing a lot of knitting. Socks! This is La Digitessa in the Wollmeise colorway called Bob, I'm working on the 2nd sock right now. I love this pattern and the yarn is truly a dream. The colors are vibrant and exciting and the pattern, although very difficult and challenging, is fun to knit.

This is Nanners by Wendyknits.com. It's a fun knit and this yarn was purchased on Ravelry, it's Seacoast Handpainted Panda and Mamacita fell in love with the yarn and color, so this pair was made for her.
This is another pair of La Digitessa in the Digitessa colorway which is so gorgeous. I've heard that the yarn ranges from a cherry red to a burgundy red and I was fortunate because I loved my yarn received. This was the first pair of Digitessa's that I made. And this is a pic of me in my interview outfit. I felt good and the interview went well but I have not heard yet if I got it or not. I'm expecting to hear by tomorrow. I heard thru the grapevine that someone else who was in the running for the job was contacted that he did not get it. So I'm hoping that since I have not heard anything yet, that is a good sign. We'll see.

Oh, I've lost 24 lbs. now! I'm happy about it and feeling good about the journey. I've had some stomach issues and headache/migraine issues so that hasn't been fun. I think it's all related to stress.

Bad Blogger...but look what I've been up to.

July 1, 2008

Bad Blogger...but look what I've been up to.

So, we went to Las Vegas last Monday. Four of us girls got on the road around 5 pm and had a welcome uneventful drive to Sin City. I had to fight some car sickness so I was in the back looking outside a lot. This is Caesar's Palace, we walked thru that evening to be sure we knew where to go the following morning to get in line for a taping of The View. Caesar's is really pretty, I'd love to stay there someday.
The lovely Elizabeth Hasselbeck, she really is pretty and friendly, she came up and we touched hands, she was very personable.
I thought Whoopi really looked great. She's so funny. I think she's my favorite.
A group shot and I have to tell you that Sherrie came by us and we got to see her legs because she's wearing shorts. I wonder if she has a dance background, she has strong, muscular and nice legs.

This is some silly woman after having a shot of Tequila at the restaurant Margaritaville. We had a nice dinner there.
The night before while in Caesars we heard he was just there, near the casino, we went to scope it out and I found him! I ran after him and called him and asked if we could take a pic with him. He was so nice! He's just adorable. It was a highlight for me!
And here is David getting ready to perform for us Tuesday. He did a great job and I'm now a true fan. I can't wait for his CD to come out. We hoped to get on TV because we waited in line from 4 am and had #11,12,13,14 and had a good chance of being close but as luck would have it we were sat right behind the main camera. But my cousin and me were on TV for just a little bit when someone was introducing the next guess. I got it on DVR, vut not sure how to get a screen shot to show you!

So, I've been doing some knitting too, a lot of knitting actually. This pair is called Waving Lace Socks from the Favorite Socks book again and I loved this pattern. I used Lorna's Laces yarn and they are really comfy.And this is my version of going green! This is a knit market bag that I made out of recycled plastic bags from Walmart, Vons, Stater Bros. I saw a tutorial on how to cut them to get one long strip and then you end up with plastic strip yarn. I made up this pattern and like it. I filled it with fruit and it works like I wanted it to. So next time I go to the farmers market, I'll bring my recycled market bag! Cool, huh?

I've been busy plurking too! Come join the party. You can go to my plurk page on my left hand side bar, come and add me as a friend! My user name is mitchypoo. Plurk is slightly addictive, but it's fun.

We're going to my cousins on Friday for a BBQ and to celebrate her birthday! Looking forward to it!

Holy Blazes!

June 21, 2008

Holy Blazes!

I got my hair cut and colored today. When I picked up my Mamacita at the airport last week, she mentioned that my "hair looks awful"...thanks Mom. I missed you too. But I was in bad need of a cut and color and I'm very happy with it. These are the Embossed Leaves Socks that I finished, they are for Mamacita. Perhaps she'll let me wear them some time. I really enjoyed this pattern. It took me 4 days to finish, not knitting non-stop, so it was a pretty quick knit.
I immediately started another pair of socks called Waving Lace Socks from the Favorite Socks book. It's the cover socks and this is a fun pair to knit too. I think it was so worth getting this book, there are many sock patterns I'm interested in knitting and so far, the two pairs I have made are a success.

We are roasting here people. It was 100 degrees in the shade of our patio at about 3 pm. Last night while watching the 11 pm news, they were saying that it was still in the 90's in some cities at that time! I slept with the windows open and the ceiling fan blaring. There is not a lot of relief during the day. I think our neighbor who is in her 80's was going to go stay at her daughter's house today, because they have AC. I'm glad, because I was worried about her. I went to her house the other day to help her with something and was in her house for 5 minutes and left dripping wet. She had a stationary fan near her chair but it wasn't on. I told Mom I worried about her.

I'm going to Las Vegas on Monday! It's a quick trip. Four of us girls are going for the night and Tuesday a.m. we'll see The View! Then we're headed home, so a quick trip but it'll be nice to get away.

Embossed Leaves

June 16, 2008

Embossed Leaves

Here's my Embossed Leaves sock I'm working on...

I think this is my first time knitting with Shibuiknits yarn and I really love it. It has a really tight twist and it doesn't split. It has a really soft and lovely feel being that it's 100% Merino but it's superwash and so it can be washed and dried flat.

Dad's Day

June 15, 2008

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day to you and all the Dad's you are celebrating today. I picked up Gary this morning after getting some flowers and some fluorescent paint. We went over to the cemetery and after asking for help finding my Dad's grave, we did find it and I marked it. Now I'll have to go often to keep it marked until we get his headstone. Long story, why it's not there yet, but it will be soon. We felt better finding the grave. There were a lot of people at the cemetery.
Then after the cemetery we went to the bird sanctuary near our house and what a find, we had a nice little walk on a paved walkway, saw wildflowers in bloom, heard the birds chirping, saw lots of fat little lizards, and squirrels. It was nice. This is Miss Queenie! My friend Susan's cat and I fell in love with her. She is just an adorable sweetie Manx, with a cute little stubby tail. And she has a milk mustache, it's the cutest marking I've seen. Anyway, I wanted to take her home with me, but I'm sure they'd miss her too much and she's helping Susan recuperate from a broken leg.

I'm finished one of the Bayerische socks but I'm having really back one sock syndrome. The pattern is enjoyable but quite detailed and I just couldn't cast on the 2nd sock. I needed a diversion, so I started another pair of socks! It's Embossed Leaves Socks from Favorite Socks by Interweave book. I'm enjoying the knitting and and it's going quick. I think I'll finish this pair and then the 2nd Bayerische.

Friday's Feast, etc.

June 13, 2008

Friday's Feast, etc.

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
Optimist. But I do have my moments, like today, I'm feeling a little down and pessimistic.

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?
Black. Fine point.

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I don't like manicures because they file my nails weird and the polish chips off in 3 days. I do my own fingernails. Pedicures~I don't go often enough, but I love to go get my feet done and the polish does last.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

Online, no. I wouldn't sign up probably because I'm not so trusting that you can actually win something without it being a scam.

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

The Garden Room. It's our TV/lounge room. The laptop is on the side of the couch.

Here is Henry, enjoying some catnip and lounging.And here is my Tommy boy and look, I got a picture of him with his eyes open!
Here is the sock I'm working on. It's called Bayerische and it's been very satisfying to knit. Very detailed, but after awhile, you get in a rhythm. It's not really difficult, but I'd say challenging and having a challenge in knitting is sometimes very satisfying. And here are my new clear Skechers Cali Surfer Girl shoes. I love them! They are a sock knitters dream and surprisingly, they are comfortable too.

I have a FO...

June 7, 2008

I have a FO...

I finished these Firestarter socks last night and after having to try and knit them on 3 different sets of needles, I found the right gauge and they are now done. It only took me 6 months, with the other projects interrupting.

Whatcha think?

The details:

Pattern: Firestarter by Yarnissima

Yarn: Mountain Irises Sock and Shawl yarn by Francis Patrick Yarn Sales

Needles: Size US0 16" circulars

I love them! So happy with them. This is my 5th pair started and completed this year. I think my next pair of socks is going to be the Bayerische. Aren't they beautiful? I can't wait to get into the cables but not using the cable needle which the Firestarter introduced me to.

I got my Saucy Spring swap socks in the mail, actually 3 days early before the deadline. So there! Mitchypoo did something early! I did not procrastinate and give myself anxiety. Yeah me! So I should have a package coming with my pair of socks...I can't wait to see them. I've never had a pair of socks made for me before.

Have you heard the news? Knit picks has something very intriguing available. I already placed my order and it's started to be talked about all over the blogosphere and Ravelry. I think it just became available within this last week to order. It's called Sock Blanks and it's a knit piece of fabric, double knit, and white/plain and then you can purchase dyes or use your own or use kool aid to dye the yarn and create your own sock yarn in your very own custom colors and patterns. I purchased green and pink dye to create a Knitting and Losing colorway, similar to my blog colors. I love pink and green together. I cannot wait to dye. And then you knit socks 2 at a time from the fabric. It's similar to the recent offering of Flat Feet which is already dyed, but frankly it's more affordable and I love that I can dye my own, and create the colors I want. So much for my moratorium on not spending money on yarn... I've improved, but I haven't totally reformed I guess.

I had a talk with my boss yesterday and it made me very nervous but it was something that had to be done. And I did well expressing my views and we'll see what happens. I went to work knowing that if I had this talk he'd either listen to me or get mad and fire me, not that it'd be justified, but you never know. So I still have a job.

June 3, 2008

It's been a while since I've posted, over a week which is a long time for me. I just haven't been feeling it lately. Not sure why. It's almost my 3 year blogiversary and I'm now questioning the time I devote to this. It does take some time to program certain things, and to download and upload pics, to write a post and edit. And maybe what I'm questioning is the value I place on posting. I've found myself dissapointed when it feels like no one is reading. And then I say that I'm not doing this for readers (although I love you, my online friends) I'm doing this for me.

So anyway... this is what we did Memorial Day weekend.

I have to give you the recipe because these ribs were so great and simple to make! And the credit for the recipe goes to Mrs. Koretoff, my best bud's Mamacita. This is a keeper.

BBQ Ribs

Par boil the ribs in a large pot of boiling water. When they come back to a boil, boil for 10-15 minutes. Take out and drain.

In a bowl, mix 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce and 1/2 bottle of teriyaki Baste and Glaze, not teriyaki sauce.

Preheat oven to 375. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil, put a little oil on the foil. Then baste ribs with the teriyaki/bbq sauce mix. Cook covered for 1 hour. The last 15 minutes, baste again and take off tin foil cover.

Very simple and fall off the bone tender.

We also made great new potatoes...here's the recipe that we got from Giada Di Laurentiis and Everyday Italian. Click here for the recipe.

Are these not beautiful roses?! They are from Mamacita's garden, she very much loves her roses and when my Aunt Angie was out she helped her prune and feed all the roses and they are now just exploding with roses. It's so fun to come home and see what is blooming, what has changed.

And now for some knitting...

This is a clapotis shawl I made using Francis Patrick Worsted in the Red Rocks color way. I love the color variations. I still have to weave the ends in and now it's too warm to wear, but I have put it on at night while veging, it's like a soft comfy blanket that comforts you.This is a pair of socks I did for the Spring Saucy Swap and will be getting in the mail today to my partner. I hope she likes them and I hope they fit, she seems to have a small foot.

And this is another clapotis, but in a smaller version. It's between a scarf and a shawl. I used Malabrigo Worsted in the Cuarzo colorway. I had been given 2 skeins in a swap about 2 years ago and wanted to find the perfect project for it, and this was it but then I really needed another skein so I found it online and these great people found a skein that matched really really well. I wish I could remember where I got it because they were great.

And I'm also working on socks again, a pair of Firestarters using Francis Patrick sock yarn and I love this yarn so much but had trouble finding the gauge, so this 3rd attempt is really working out.