New socks done!
Project Details:
Pattern: My own jerry-rigged sock pattern. 72 stitches, flap heel and gusset construction.
Yarn: Abi Grasso Self striping sock yarn
Needles: 2.00 mm
Started: 5/30/16
Finished: 1/22/17
For: Me
Modifications: none
What I Learned: Sometimes matching socks just happen.
We’re in Guayabitos, Mexico again this year for a week. This is the same lovely place that we’ve stayed for the past 3 years. Here are a few photos.
And one last sock photo:
We may have taken that “magic of tidying up” a little too far.
The furniture all got sent to storage yesterday. The cats and Lewey went to Bark Central this morning. And the rugs go today.
The guy is here today replacing the wood in the kitchen that was damaged. And next week the sanding and finishing happens.
Most importantly, WE’RE going today as well. We head to the airport tonight, and leave early in the morning for Mexico. When we get back, this mess will all be done.
Don’t even think about that yarn stash. The house, including my stash, is well guarded by our house sitter (AKA vigilant neighbor) while we’re gone.
There likely will be updates while I’m away, though the photos will be the same as the last two January trips, since we’re going to exactly the same place.
Excuse me, I need to go pack. The only thing I’ve done so far is get the knitting projects ready.
There are few things that amuse me as much as when striped sock yarn turns out to match perfectly.
I didn't even have to try very hard to make that happen. Mostly I don't try at all, and just have mismatched socks. These are going to be very cheerful when done.
We’re in the middle of fixing the warped wood floor mess caused by the rat escapade from late December. The torn out walls have been patched and everything repainted.
The floor guys are here today tearing out the damaged wood that was warped enough to need replacing. It will need to be open to the subfloor for about a week before they get the new floor in. Then sanding, staining and finishing. The whole main level needs to be refinished since it’s one continuous wood floor. So all of our furniture will need to be warehoused for the duration starting a week from today.
Sigh.
About a year and a half ago, I started my part time work journey. A couple years ago, I transitioned from doing hospitalist work to being “just” in the clinic. That meant more work days (since those hospital days were often 12 hours or more, I “got” to do fewer of them to equal full time), but no nights, weekends, or holidays at work. I’ve missed more family Christmases and such over the years than I can remember.
In June of 2015, I went from 5 days a week to 4. As everyone predicted, I quickly filled up that time with lots of things to do.
As of January 1st, I’m dropping another day, so I’ll only work 3 days a week. Which means that EVERY week, I’ll have Thursday through Sunday off.
Today marks the start of my first four day weekend!
Maybe I’ll get some of that yarn stash knitted up before I die after all. By the way, I’m doing the “no yarn buying” this year again. I last bought yarn on December 3rd, I’m hoping to make it through 2017 without buying any new yarn.
Or,
A Hap* For Lorette
Pattern: A Hap For Harriet, by Kate Davies
Yarn: Elemental Effects Shetland Rustic Lace, 1100 yards
Needles: 2.75 mm
Started: 4/11/15
Finished: 12/7/16
For: Me
Modifications: none, except for miscalculating the amount of yarn I would need for the second half, and having to decrease that end at a faster rate.
What I Learned: Despite all my careful weighing and calculating, I can still screw up and run out of yarn.
This is a well written pattern, knit end to end so the miles of garter stitch aren't so boring. You get to do a bit of simple lace every other row.
We had a relaxing evening last night at home. We had Dungeness crab, steamed artichokes, and a salad, along with enough champagne that neither of us made it awake to midnight. Oh well. We woke up when the neighborhood fireworks started.
Today is football watching day, and then black eyed peas for dinner. Don't forget yours!
Here's my recipe:
Lorette's BEP's
1 biggish onion, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
Celery, about 3/4 cup chopped
1-2 large carrots, chopped
1 Bell pepper, any color will do, chopped
Olive oil
Blackeyed peas, 1 pound bag, picked over and rinsed
1-14 ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained (use the juice if you like it more tomato-ey)
Chicken stock, canned
1 bottle of beer
Splash of worcestershire sauce
Ham hock or ham shank (shank is meatier)
Thyme & oregano, a couple of teaspoons each
Bay leaf
Dijon mustard, a teaspoon or two
Salt and pepper
Cayenne, to taste. I start with about 1/4 teaspoon, and generally add more.
Saute the onion, celery, carrot, and pepper in oil in a big pot. Add the garlic when the other veggies are soft, cook for a minute. Add the rinsed peas, the can of tomatoes, the beer, and enough water or chicken stock to cover by about an inch. I usually use the tomato liquid, too. Throw in the seasonings, except for the salt. Add the ham hock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until the peas are done, about 45-60 minutes or so. Add salt to taste towards the end of the cooking time. Keep an eye on it, and add more liquid if needed as the peas cook.
Pick the meat off the ham bone, if there is any, and add it to the peas. Serve with cooked rice.
Here's to 2017!
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