Sunday, June 15, 2014

Deer


I saw deer from my window for the first time this spring. I always see them in pairs. These two casually grazed the grass mown earlier in the week. 

I washed and wore the Diagonal Rib Socks this week. The Jackalope yarn has that perfect balance of softness (without being limp), roundness in the fibres, and twist. The socks were soft as butter on my feet.
 
I’m on the foot, which I’m knitting in stockinette, of the first Simple Skyp Socks. Whilst trying on the sock, I dropped one of the dpns. Despite my best efforts in and under furniture, the dpn has disappeared. Therefore, I took the plunge and order a set of the Knit Pro Karbonz dpns. One of the reviews on Amazon best summed up my experience: the needles have enough grip to hold the stitches but are smooth enough to allow the easy movement of stitches on the needle. Skimming through Vogue Knitting Early Fall, there is a short article on the Knitter’s Pride company. 

Finally accustomed to the Zitron XXL yarn. It’s a bit hard without being hard on the hands. It really shows the ribbing in the pattern. 

I thought I’d lost my utilitarian pair of glasses. But lo and behold during my weekly tidy up I found the meaning I can postpone my visit to the opticians until the beginning of July. But this experience has taught me that I do need a backup pair. 

I’ve finally perfect my black bean recipe. I’ve been looking for another alternative to tofu and lentils as a non-meat protein. What I’ve been aiming for is sort of a Cuban citrus and vinegar-like flavor. I achieved that today with half an onion, a bit of rice vinegar, the juice of two limes and a variety of spices (Garam Masala, cilantro, turmeric, cumin, chili lime salt, red pepper flakes and ground black pepper) to a cup of dried black beans. Delish!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Another Post about Socks


I kept my vow of knitting from stash for six months this year. Yes, it would have lasted longer had I not gone to Looped Yarn Works to get needles and stitch markers. However, I need blue socks to go with my blue shoes. I found a skein of Zitron XXL sans label and it’s hard to match colorways on the monitor so I’m out of luck. I didn’t want to match either the shoes or trousers I’d be wearing so I purchased a skein that is navy with blue-grey and turquoise in it.

My other purchase was a set of Knitter’s Pride Karbonz needles. They aren’t cheap, but they are light in hand and a dream to knit with.

I finally finished the Diagonal Rib socks. YaY!
Diagonal Rib Socks in Light Brown Hare Jackalope Kitten #2 colorway
In an effort to move out from plain vanilla socks, I settled on the Simple Skyp Socks pattern by Adrienne Ku. I am taking Shirley Paden’s advice: always use stitch markers to separate your pattern. Really loving the Clover XS Triangle Stitch markers for sock knitting. They are just the right size not to wobble around and the triangle shape means they don’t appear to create move space between stitches.

The shawl-knitting urge has passed, but with the sock knitting remnants, I’m thinking about a colorwork cowl.

Toupie spent the entire day—with his usual resettling moves and a few ventures to the food bowl and box—in bed yesterday. Got up this morning and ate an entire can of cat food. I gave him a hard look this morning. Does sleeping burn that many calories?
Sun-dappled paws
 
Sleeping Puss

 
 

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Anticipating the World Cup


I’m off to Baltimore every day for the next three days for a Buddhist class. I am hoping to sit with minimal twitching. Since I won’t be staying in a hotel, it means daily travel back and forth. I have my train tickets and I’m taking Monday off to recover.

The World Cup starts in a week. It’s an that event none of my current colleagues or local friends are interested in. Everyone that I’ve shared the experience with is now scattered: other parts of the US, Germany, Malaysia, China, except of course Toupie.
 


Talk about totally engrossed in England v. Germany in the 2010 World Cup.

What is encouraging is the exponential growth since 2002 in the number of bars, restaurants and other venues showing broadcasts of all or most of the matches.
 
My knitting is suffering from the amount of work I’ve had to do at home preparing for our summer conference. I’m finishing the toe on the second Diagonal Rib Sock. I have recommitted my self to knit at least one project during the WC.

The achievement I’m so pleased with is changing my clothes and keeping them in order by color in the closet for over two weeks. It’s such a simple idea, but it makes all the difference.