Happy New Year!
Lovely day today... took a long walk with Patrick this morning. It was almost 60 degrees outside... what a treat! Spotted a full-grown daffodil - poor thing is so confused. It obviously doesn't realize it's December 31st...
* Please excuse the poor quality shot of this lonely, confused daffodil... it was in a neighbors yard whom I don't know, and I felt shy about getting any closer (although I was dying to!)
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I have to confess that I've been eating SO poorly lately! We received a ton of candy for Christmas... and I have been slowly quickly working my way through all of it! A box of See's candy - dark chocolate with soft centers (my fave!) from my father, a gift set of Vosages chocolates from a client, (my first time eating a truffle covered in curry powder - I'll take it!), a box of french Nestle "La Truffe Eclats Caramel" from another client, Whitman's milk chocolate bars and Lindor Lindt truffles (my hubby's faves) from my mother-in-law. Whew. My clever ruse to keep all of it out of sight in the dining room failed - I simply walk to the dining room to get more to gorge on.
So tonight I was on chocolate overdrive - feeling fatigued from too much sugar (and too much caffeine - now that's a whole 'nother issue...) so I decided to make something somewhat healthy for dinner.
Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, to the rescue... I am a huge (huge) fan of Ina's. She has never let me down. Everything I make of hers comes out outrageously good. And I love her use of fairly simple ingredients, put together in such a way that it is appealing to both the eye and the taste buds. I could go on and on. And on.
I decided to go with an old Ina standby, something that I've made many times before and never disappoints - her Guacamole Salad. It's really kind of a summery salad - and maybe not that appropriate for a cold winter's evening. But I'm not trying to impress and I knew it would be delicious. You can find the recipe here.
... Yum.
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It is quite chilly this week in northern Virginia! I am proud of myself though... Patrick and I still head out on our morning walk regardless of the cold. I did make the mistake of putting my hair in a ponytail this morning however... ears = freezing.
I am working this week... although the pace is a slow one, which I am enjoying. Hubby is also at work this week, and for some reason the house seems extra-empty and quiet and lonely during the day. I love the flexibility and freedom of working for myself, at home. Sometimes though, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Lots of self-discipline and solitude involved!
Here are a couple of snaps of my current works in progress... a little crochet eye candy for a chilly Thursday!
Wavy crochet.
(Cozy) afghan with cables.
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The hubby and I had a lovely Christmas... stayed at the Hotel Palomar in DC, just a couple of blocks from Dupont Circle. We love Kimpton Hotels as we can bring our pup Patrick... there are even treats for him right inside the door.
We had dinner at the wonderful Urbana Restaurant downstairs. The food was very good - but what I will remember is their Sweet Revenge cocktail... quite possibly one of the best cocktails I've ever had. They infused vodka with serrano peppers, and added passion fruit puree and lime juice. I would LOVE to try making this myself at home, but seriously doubt I'll be as successful. It was just the right amount of hot - the serrano peppers did not "finish" hot as you drank it... so you weren't dying and reaching for water and bread. It was just - well, simply perfect.
Christmas Day we went down to Georgetown... walked around a bit and had coffee and scones by the waterfront.
A great time was had by all!
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I actually made this motif a few months ago... but didn't block it until last night. I kind of started it on a whim... had just gotten the new book Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula and this motif caught my eye, (she calls it the 'Magairlin Snowflake'.) So I picked up a hook, and some old Lion Baby Soft yarn (in Pistachio) that I had leftover from a baby blanket I made a couple of years ago. I love this pattern (I've always been drawn to Persian style - check out this house: one of my favorite painters and favorite pieces of architecture.)
And while I love the motif, I really wish that I had taken some care and thought and used some vivid colors in it and a better yarn. Next time!
Now - where to hang it? If anywhere?
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Finished up a Christmas gift... on time - hurray!
I've made this pattern before using Martha Stewart's Extra Soft Wool Blend (in Gerbera Daisy - very nice yarn if you like pink!) and I think it came out much prettier with a less bulky yarn... the lace pattern showed up so much better. This time I used the recommended Martha Stewart's Alpaca Blend yarn in Pea Coat Blue and while it is less striking... it certainly will be warmer! It's a great yarn for winter items. I'd still like to block this scarf as the ends are rolling up at the corners and it's buckling a bit. The yarn is a 40% Wool, 40% Acrylic and 20% Alpaca blend... I think I'll steam block it and see how that goes. The pattern worked up very quickly and although it says 'Intermediate' - it wasn't very difficult and a beginner could use this pattern fine with some patience.
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A few months back my hubby came home with a pretty potted plant with delicate pink flowers. (I don't remember why he was being sweet... I think I was either very busy with work or I wasn't feeling well.)
The flowers eventually died and turned brown, and I moved the plant from my desk (sad) to the window to perhaps give it a chance. I've pretty much ignored it since (I have to admit... I don't even remember the last time I watered the poor thing.)
The plant has turned out to be very hardy - in spite of me. (My thumb is nowhere near green... it is black in fact. Feel bad for any plant that crosses my path!)
And this morning - look at that! It's started to bloom again! Hurray... So I've pruned all the dead flowers away (you're supposed to do that, correct?) as well as a few leaves that had started to turn brown at the tips. And I've moved it back to my desk... at least for today. It obviously likes the window but - there's nothing like looking at little pink flowers while you toil away.
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First post. First of many I hope.
I love crocheting, cooking, baking, reading, spending time with my hubby, and caring for my dog (not necessarily in that order!). I have found a lot of comfort and stress relief in crochet lately, and it has been a true godsend to me. I love creating everything from little flowers to colorful granny squares. I especially love working on large afghans. I love the feeling of literally becoming wrapped in it as it comes together... so cozy and comforting - like you're insulating yourself against the harsh world. :)
I'd like to use this blog to keep track of my works in progress, my finished projects, recipes, and inspirations.
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