Bad Blogger!

Oops! I did it again! I went on a 2+ week hiatus! This was purely unintentional. There were two factors. First, I've been in a winter funk. Why? Because we really haven't had a "real" winter. It's been bone-chilling cold, but there's been no snow other than the two days of wintery mix we had which caused schools to be closed 2 days due to ice. The mercury has gone up then down then up then down. It's been insane. It needs to pick a place and stay there for a while! The second reason I haven't blogged is that I've just been busy with school, DAR, knitting group etc. etc. So let me catch you up on what's been going on.

I don't remember if I mentioned this. Bird came home for the Inauguration--not for the Inauguration itself, but to get a beer. Not just any beer, mind you, but a special limited edition beer. This beer was a special brew that was only getting tapped on inauguration day in NY, Philly and DC. Here's a photo of the keg handle.

The beer is called Obamagang. The keg handle is highly collectible and the bar was guarding it carefully! Bird went to Frisco to enjoy his brew while watching the swearing in.

I finally finished my Silken Scabbard. Here are some photos:



I love the way the braided cables morph into the horseshoe cables:

This sweater is incredibly soft on the skin. Here are the details:
Pattern: Silken Scabbard by Stitch Diva Studios
Yarn: Malabrigo Silken Merino in Topaz, 50% silk, 50% merino--6 skeins
Needles: Addi turbo size 4 and 5

I learned two new techniques with this sweater: The tubular bind off and how to correct a cable boo boo. I discovered that i had crossed one of my cables the wrong way on the sleeve 8 rows after the mistake. I did not want to frog back 8 rows so I just dropped the 6 stitches involved down to the row where they cross, corrected the twist and the picked them back up to the row I was on. It took a while, but I'm glad I did it. I tend not to frog things. I find it just too painful!

This sweater took way longer than it should have. It hibernated for short periods. I want to do another for the SKC knit along. We are making wearables with cables. I have two things on the needles for this. First, I have started the Opulent Raglan:

Mine is in a darker brown yarn called King George by Bristol Yarn Gallery. Boy is this yarn soft! It is a worsted weight blend of 45% baby alpaca, 45% merino wool, 10% cashmere. It feels like a cloud! I think this sweater will be a fairly quick knit if I work on it some every day. I'm hoping it will fit okay. My stitch gauge is right on but my row gauge is off. I always have that problem!

The second item I have started is the Chunky Cabled Tam:

This tam is made out of 2 strands of Manos. I got the same yarn but in a light orange. It is a flattering color and I think it will look good with my winter jackets.

The other project I have underway is a sewing one. I am setting up at the Homespun Yarn Party with my friend Sheila from Wullenstudio. Sheila dyes gorgeous sock yarns. I am selling project bags, mini rolls --little rolls that hold cable needles, stitch counters etc.--and needle rolls for double pointed needles. Most of my designs have cat prints. Here's a photo of some of the project bags which I am using:

The mini rolls fit into the pocket. I can actually cram a sweater in progress in one of these bags but they are really perfect for smaller projects. I will be making a bunch and I have gotten a lot of kitty prints plus a few others.

I decorated the house for my DAR luncheon on Saturday. I always have flowers in the house, but I was delighted that Trader Joes had bouquets of 2 dozen roses on sale. I managed to use one bouquet in the powder room:

On the mantel:

And on the dining room table:


It's the end of high school hockey season, so I am busy with playoffs and all star games. At least I can bring my knitting to the rink!

I leave you with the Kitty Cam:
The two big lugs, Mike on the love seat and Greg on the floor, love to bask in the sun.

There are a few good things about George Bush . . .

Is that the cutest thing or what? I've known that the Bush's had Scotties but the black kitty was a surprise. Unfortunately their kitty who was 18 years old died this week. I never pegged George as a cat guy. I think the kitty was more for the girls. There was a site that had a pic from Jenna's wedding with the girls holding kitty as well as several pics of Laura holding kitty. That Valentine photo is just dear. Here's another one that I found cute:


I also have a thing for Scotties. I had one for 16 years and they've always been my favorite breed of dog.

Today was a day for comfort food. I made meat loaf. My mom always made meat loaf, but I never liked it. Mom did not like highly seasoned food and she didn't cook with salt. I don't cook with salt, but I love a lot of seasoning. This meat loaf recipe has been a favorite in my family since I can remember. I got this recipe from a Sears Microwave cookbook from the 1970's. My parents were the first people I know that bought a microwave. The book that came with it had some good stuff! I've modified the original recipe a little by using ground turkey.

Our Favorite Meat Loaf

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. cider vinegar
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 c. cracker crumbs
2 pounds ground beef (I use turkey)
salt and pepper to taste (I omit the salt)

Combine tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard in a small bowl and set aside.

Combine meet, egg, onion, cracker crumbs, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato mixture and blend thoroughly. Shape into an oval loaf and place in an oblong baking dish. Make a depression in the top of the loaf and pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the meat.

Cover with plastic wrap, leaving a corner to vent and cook at 60% power for 25 minutes.

If you prefer to cook the meat loaf in a conventional oven, you may cook it at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

This meat loaf hit the spot. I served it with Roasted Garlic Smashed Potatoes and fresh organic broccoli florets.

So I finally tried on Silken Scabbard to see how many hip increases I will need to do. It fits quite well and is really stretchy so I don't think I'll need to do as many increases as normal. I need to get crackin' on finishing it. Here's what I have so far:


I'm still adjusting to being back at school. The next few weeks will be quite busy as I have a winter concert coming up on the 29th and the grading period ends on the 23rd. My time will be consumed by grades and rehearsals.

Time is getting short for these:
Bushism of the day:
"Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people." --George W. Bush, Charlottesville, Va., July 4, 2008

Kitty Cam: Harley is making his winter nest. He pulls down my bath towel and kneads biscuits on it by the radiator!

Life with Mikey

This is Mikey:

Mikey has been keeping me busy the past few days. For those who don't know, Mikey is diabetic which typically means that he gets just a little extra care than the other kitties. Usually this just involves getting two insulin shots a day. Last Wednesday Mikey went to the vet for a blood test. Just like human diabetics, feline diabetics often have poor circulation. Being chubby doesn't help either. So the vet had to shave the inside of one of Mikey's legs and probe with the needle before finally hitting a vein. This is not unusual. What is unusual is that Sunday night, I noticed that Mikey was rather grumpy and somewhat lethargic. I couldn't figure out why. Monday night, he was clearly worse. Then I noticed a rather large abscess at the site of the blood test. It was totally gross. It had to hurt like the dickens! So Tuesday night, we went back to the vet. Because of the diabetes, the vet thought that the abscess should be cultured so that we didn't waste time determining the type of bacteria causing the infection--thus being able to pursue to correct type of antibiotics. Was I shocked to see that the culture was over $100! The total bill was $172. Boy, I wasn't prepared for that! He had the abscess drained, got a broad spectrum antibiotic injection and a pain killer. He was much better this morning and he actually ate--so I could give him his insulin which he hadn't gotten in over a day since he wasn't eating. He will return to the vet to be checked out again tomorrow. He's a funny kitty. Most cats hide after medical treatment. Mikey tolerates it well and will cuddle after as if he knows that I put him through it to make him feel better.

That's about the extent of the last few days. I've been knitting and will perhaps show some progress photos soon. I'm at the point on Silken Scabbard where I divide the sleeves and the body.

We've been having some snow flurries. The weather can be such a tease!

Bushism of the day
Keith Olbermann's Worser person addresses Mr. Bush's speaking abilities!


Kitty Cam: Harley's likes to act like royalty by sleeping on a pillow!