Monday Soundtrack

I love this song, and it's great for kick-starting a busy week. Here's to hoping this week is as productive and balanced as last. Some of my crafty projects from last week are after the video. enjoy*


I'm so happy with this scarf::

It's the mustard scarf{ravelry link} by Jane Richmond. The pattern itself fulfills a general idea that I've been trying to find - a short scarf or cowl that's bulky but airy. If that makes sense...I have an idea for another version that I want to try out and then I think it's time to be done with knitting for myself {ETA: as soon as I finish up those knee socks and add a pompom to my new winter hat!} and on to knitting for gift giving!

And what thrills me just as much as the pattern is the yarn I used. This is some Nature Wool that I bought a couple of years ago at Article Pract. It's a variegated combination of shades of green and greenish yellow. I bought three skeins and then they sat in my knitting basket "looking ugly". So I thought that I'd use one skein for this project and then die it after I was finished knitting, but as soon as I put it around my neck, my affection for this color returned. So experimenting with dying will have to wait for another day.

And, the Christmas crafting has fully begun! I'm working on some new edible and drinkable treats. This is the first phase of limoncello making, letting the zest soak in the vodka::

And after one night, the vodka had already turned a brilliant yellow!::

Nature all the way.*

So I have a minor re-use/re-new project to share, and it made me think about how if I had to pick a side {Nature vs. Technology}, I'm going Nature all the way. But we'll get back to that.

A week or so after moving into my new place, I found this lovely item out with the neighbor's trash:
It's a small desk, just the size I was looking for to go in my small room. Something big enough for my computer {or two, but we'll get back to that} or sewing machine, but not so big that it's in the way.

As I saw it, the top of the desk looked beautiful, there was nothing wrong with the finish or the wood. The legs, they were a different story, it still seems funny to me that this top was paired with such rickety legs. But really, a new paint job would hide so much of the juxtaposition between the two and no one would be the wiser.


So, a new coat of paint and this is what I have: Although, you'll notice that the desk is missing a drawer, but I was thinking of just putting a bottom where the drawer should be and using it as a little shelf or opening to store papers in, no drawer necessary.

And in that last picture, it almost looks like I have two fully functioning computers? The picture lies. To write this blog post, I had to upload pictures from the mac on the right (the one set up to sync with my camera... the camera which only works with a fresh set of batteries.... which only takes one picture before it turns off because it's out of batteries... that camera). After pictures are uploaded, I move over to the computer on left, the one with a full set of functioning keys, to write the post (maybe you're wishing at this point that I didn't write and just stuck with the pictures?, maybe you're not on my team?). But then, say I were going to share this blog post with you through a projector? It's back to computer #1 (no lie), because computer #2 wants nothing to do with projectors, and immediately freezes in the limelight. Fun times.

BUT I still have a functioning ipod, and I still love it. It's the beautiful wooden desk top to that set of warn and weary desk legs.

While technology has puttered out on me, fall in New England keeps piling on the charm. Nature, you win.

Here are some pictures (with the f'in camera) from a hike two weekends ago in New Hampshire:



Next up, some new knitting & the start of the Christmas gifts!

*Full Disclosure - The author and a stray cup of coffee may be responsible for the keys on computer #1 not working, but they take no responsibility for the G.D. camera.

Soundtrack Monday

This might be a repeat? I can't remember. I'm going to spend the rest of the day trying to whistle. enjoy*


And stay tuned, there's lots of fun little projects sprouting up around here... I promise.

Get out your pots and pans ~

I have a treat for you!

Roasted Squash and Beet Soup {it's a fan-freaking-tastic new recipe I developed over the weekend}


ETA - for the perfect Halloween meal, serve this with a side of Meat Hand, and you can thank Nik for passing that along!

Ingredients:
-1 medium butternut squash
-1 bunch golden beets (6, give or take)
-beet greens ~ remember to pick beets with greens and save them when prepping the beets
-1 medium onion, diced
-2 large carrots, diced
-2 cups potatoes, diced
-6 cups stock, vegetable* or chicken (I didn't really measure, so use your best judgement)
-1/3 cup olive oil, and a little extra
-3 large garlic cloves, crushed

Roast the squash and beets:
Cut the squash in half and remove seeds. Peel and dice the beets. Cover a cookie sheet with some olive oil, place the squash cut-side down. Drizzle the beets with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt, place them on the cookie sheet with the squash.
Roast at 425 until the veggies are soft and the beets are slightly browned, stirring the beets to help them brown evenly.

Soup:
Saute the carrots and onions in a 1/3 cup olive (use more or less to meet your needs) until the onions are clear. Add the potatoes and broth. Bring to a boil. Add the roasted beets and squash. Let simmer until all veggies are fully cooked.

Take soup of the heat, and blend in batches in the food processor. Remember to use caution when whirling hot liquids.

Beet Greens Garnish:
Saute the crushed garlic in olive oil, being careful not to let it burn. I find that adding a little more oil than I think is necessary, and keeping the heat a little lower than I expect helps to keep the garlic from burning. Wash and chop the greens, allowing excess water to remain on the leaves to help the steaming process. Add to the pan and cover to let the greens steam, adding a little more water if necessary.

Serve the soup with a garnish of greens. Enjoy*

*I have a new brand of veg bouillon that I really love, next time I'll remember to share the details.

Monday Soundtrack

I love this song, you might recognize it because the Dixie Chicks made it popular {and their video for it is a bit scary}. It's a sad one, but a good one. enjoy*

Baby Knits

As Nik mentioned, we had a fun, relaxing craft weekend about a week ago. My goals for the weekend were minimal (some knitting, some sewing), and really, all I did was this*:
A set of baby booties to match the baby sweater that I started back in August. That's EZ's February baby sweater in Lorna's Laces with a matching pair of Saartje's booties - that link takes you directly to a PDF of the pattern.
Both were well received at a baby shower last weekend!

*But I'm definitely not complaining for all the crafting I didn't do, there sure was a lot of visiting that doesn't get done often enough!

Monday Soundtrack

This song has been on repeat all weekend, so it's only right that I share it with you::
Soldier by Ingrid Michaelson

I was lucky enough to be at the Boston show where this video was taped. It was a great show and she's definitely worth seeing in person. yay!
enjoy*