tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73331038924862743522024-03-07T09:17:50.182-05:00Bona Fide KnitterBona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-78956416108278085392017-01-25T17:45:00.000-05:002017-01-25T17:45:00.393-05:00Time to Knit AgainI've been away from this blog so long I'm not even sure I remember how it's done. It's time to give it new life. I will not try to catch up. I'll just start anew. It's time to knit again. I need it for my psyche. I'll begin with a new pattern that I'm starting today, <a href="http://pussyhatproject.com/">The PussyHat Project</a> pattern.<br />
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For a myriad of reasons, none of which I will use an as excuse, I did not march. However, Sunday, a day late and a dollar short, I decided I needed to do something. I needed to show my support in some physical way. I needed to knit a Pussy Hat. I hope this movement does not stop or falter. I hope it continues and grows. I hope I have an occasion to wear my Pussy Power hat, perhaps in the gallery of the Senate.<br />
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To that end I went on a mission to buy the pink yarn. Nothing less than the suggested Malabrigo Worsted in Fuchsia Pink would do for me although any shade of pink and any worsted weight yarn was acceptable. I searched the Internet. Not only did it seem the Malabrigo Fuchsia was sold out everywhere, there was no pink worsted weight yarn left in stock at all, anywhere. It did my heart good to see that, but did not soothe my psyche.<br />
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I did not give up. At the end of my rope and willing to accept any pink worsted weight yarn anywhere, I tried one last place selling Malabrigo, <a href="http://theyarnattic.com/">The Yarn Attic</a> in Hillsborough, NJ. Their inventory showed ONE in stock! I put it in a cart and purchased it as fast as I could on a Sunday evening Internet connection, hoping to get it before somebody else snatched it up. I was successful and it arrived today, Wednesday! I love the powerful fuchsia color and I will cast on this evening.<br />
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There is more to be said, but as a favorite fictional detective says on occasion, "Tomorrow is also a day."<br />
<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-81396350885782270432015-01-09T18:51:00.000-05:002015-01-09T18:51:58.946-05:00Still Knitting France Socks 2014Yes, I'm still knitting them. I left off when it was time to weave the toe (Kitchener Stitch) on the first sock. I found the darning needles, but by that time I wanted to bake a cake and some cookies. Now I'm back to knitting.<br />
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I finished the first sock and am at the heel of the second. Yes, it's an anklet. The pattern I'm using is the first sock pattern I ever used. It's from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Knit-Socks-Edie-Eckman/dp/0881958719/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420846026&sr=1-1&keywords=learn+to+knit+socks"><i>Learn to Knit Socks</i> by Edie Eckman</a>, copyright 1999, IMHO the BEST book for learning to knit socks. However, it teaches how to knit them on four double pointed needles. Okay, it was prior to knitting socks in the round on two circulars (<i>Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles</i>) and certainly prior to using just one circular (<i>The Magic Loop</i>). I progressed from one to the other as soon as the new techniques were published. I have the books. My favorite method is knitting socks on one circular needle. It's what I use all the time now. Well . . . except for the antique sock knitting machines. But that's a story for another day.<br />
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Anyway, I'm on a tear to get the France Socks 2014 done before it's time to start Beach Socks 2015. I won't bother to mention I'm still working on Beach Socks 2013 and I didn't even start a pair for 2014! I think those 2013 socks are throwing me because I don't really like the yarn. And then I decided to do them them toe up and two at a time. Why?!!! I know I don't like to knit socks toe up! I don't like doing two at a time on one needle! I don't even want to talk about it. I frogged the toe up attempt and started over, top down, after getting past the toe and wasting mucho time procrastinating because I wasn't enjoying working on them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to start heel flap on second anklet</td></tr>
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Although my favorite way to hand knit socks is using a long circular needle (32" not 40"), I am very glad I learned first to knit using double pointed needles. It gave me lots of knowledge and practice on the construction of a sock. From there it was easy to move on to other methods. From four dpns to five dpns, which was my favorite method for a long time. And then on to the newest ways to hand knit a sock: on two circulars (24") and finally on one circular (32"). Needless to say I have quite an inventory of needles. No pun intended. At each stage I amassed many sets of needles in US size 1 to 3. I only like doing two socks at once on separate sets of needles so I have at least doubles in every size. I have multiples of a few odd sizes as well--US 0000, 0, 4, 5 and 10 for the odd sock or slipper pattern. I also went from wooden, to metal, to plastic and back. And then to lace US 1, 32" circulars. Whew! So many needles for knitting socks! I stick to US 1, 32" circulars most of the time. Recently I've been having trouble with my US 1 wooden points breaking at the metal housing. What's up with that, Knit Picks? I prefer using wood in the winter. I have no medical proof, but I believe metal needles are not good for my arthritic fingers in the winter.<br />
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Hey! I found a picture of the first socks I ever knitted! Edie Eckman's anklet from <i>Learn to Knit Socks</i>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My First Hand Knit Socks</td></tr>
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Last week I mentioned I went from Kitchener (the stitch used to weave together the toe of the sock) to kitchen (the place where I go to cook and bake). That gave me an idea for a name for a blog, a blog devoted to my cooking so I can take the food out of my knitting blog. It was a fleeting thought . . . and then it came back when I received my shipment from <i><a href="http://blueapron.com/">Blue Apron</a></i>. I now have another blog, <i><a href="http://kitchenertokitchen.blogspot.com/">Kitchener to Kitchen</a>. </i>I just started it. It's not fully constructed, but has <strike>one</strike> two posts. Check it out when you have a minute.<br />
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Off to add some rows to the heel of the second sock of France Socks 2014.<br />
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Marilyn<br />
Bona Fide Knitter<br />
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Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-79002835258864879572015-01-01T12:50:00.002-05:002015-01-01T12:50:53.800-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!<br />
When last I wrote I was knitting (yes, knitting!) France Socks 2014. I finished the first sock and stopped at the toe because I could not find a darning needle to do the Kitchener. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!<br />
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Well . . . actually . . . I might have delayed the Kitchener for the kitchen. Yes, I've been cooking and baking instead of knitting. So much cooking and baking I considered (fleetingly) starting a blog about it. Anyway, today I will weave the first sock off the needles and start the second. That is first on my 2015 To Do List.<br />
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If you do not follow me on Facebook you haven't seen any part of my baking obsession. I'll leave you with this pictorial sample as I go off to enjoy this New Year's Day by knitting and eating cake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cake with a lemon glaze</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Pie: the beginning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Pie: peeling apples</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ5f-ExwNQNsESFYqRru_z9gSPdHMLmlOCu6CoavPH_tg-x4Qb9v7NM7O1MZkJVjfC1JM_mM3lkMAyO0HvZCCfq41wymMNu36ddOIxnKm-2MxOdAtPj9ClyCMkQ7H2JKpr9-6neTHGIs/s1600/IMG_1438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ5f-ExwNQNsESFYqRru_z9gSPdHMLmlOCu6CoavPH_tg-x4Qb9v7NM7O1MZkJVjfC1JM_mM3lkMAyO0HvZCCfq41wymMNu36ddOIxnKm-2MxOdAtPj9ClyCMkQ7H2JKpr9-6neTHGIs/s1600/IMG_1438.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Pie: the apples cored, sliced and seasoned</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGoVPb9xHME_uDqngpqMsm36A-0dNlq2cg303HILdz5JhxpJ2rfVuagn5uzppUYH4Jpsrvb6zVZu9zRTJoiFKAahk5zFu3JXIvpHE3mJenPrywM_11a-c7mMTr-OCxB-XXgAWMaD41E8/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGoVPb9xHME_uDqngpqMsm36A-0dNlq2cg303HILdz5JhxpJ2rfVuagn5uzppUYH4Jpsrvb6zVZu9zRTJoiFKAahk5zFu3JXIvpHE3mJenPrywM_11a-c7mMTr-OCxB-XXgAWMaD41E8/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Apple Pie Baked in a Skillet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JHrCk1aEWB9rQ6jMyegva0P7j4AG5OSC1SO3dTSvJg9VD4dkIAU4waH4kg4T-WNf1IceDKtTQEFZ7FzFxEIxqAF9rc5JtRGn5w1G7OUB_3Km0NUVeite3NiPSJnTj2ObzMTC88Tmj4M/s1600/IMG_0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JHrCk1aEWB9rQ6jMyegva0P7j4AG5OSC1SO3dTSvJg9VD4dkIAU4waH4kg4T-WNf1IceDKtTQEFZ7FzFxEIxqAF9rc5JtRGn5w1G7OUB_3Km0NUVeite3NiPSJnTj2ObzMTC88Tmj4M/s1600/IMG_0306.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Bundt Cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPe2G2uZ4vdxlpKy75PV3FYMOZH3BvKGxe-TfE8t-2JkjK_o-dhnSmx0v4LUfR0WAVtqVhxFlf2aWLnQ4ZmqFH7lq91NQK7WjymKkYRvcLObueh0Do8TpSalWKQK7IFpQWkdOyCzV4C4s/s1600/IMG_1458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPe2G2uZ4vdxlpKy75PV3FYMOZH3BvKGxe-TfE8t-2JkjK_o-dhnSmx0v4LUfR0WAVtqVhxFlf2aWLnQ4ZmqFH7lq91NQK7WjymKkYRvcLObueh0Do8TpSalWKQK7IFpQWkdOyCzV4C4s/s1600/IMG_1458.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfect color</td></tr>
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Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmjtl6gvNKQON4bZMXnpTyo-rmvGwF9KyacppQEo4Dj6sCKDj-IsJvW_hqYtzQra79DSR5HGdToHek6caRJF97k6btiSI_oa20fF9BiClBKmj4ZoXoP5lXURWAM2srSwqracw7nALMW0/s1600/IMG_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmjtl6gvNKQON4bZMXnpTyo-rmvGwF9KyacppQEo4Dj6sCKDj-IsJvW_hqYtzQra79DSR5HGdToHek6caRJF97k6btiSI_oa20fF9BiClBKmj4ZoXoP5lXURWAM2srSwqracw7nALMW0/s1600/IMG_0309.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake Suzette<br />
an orange flavored cake drenched in a sugar, orange and orange liqueur glaze</td></tr>
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Time to knit,<br />
Bona Fide KnitterBona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-23745225323197532472014-11-09T16:20:00.000-05:002014-11-09T16:29:38.926-05:00Been So Lo-o-o-ongBeen So Long was an old doo-wop song from back in the day. In this particular instance I am referring to how long it's been since I last posted on my blog. I blame two things for this lapse: (1) Facebook and (2) Me. When I have a thought, and especially since most of those are food related instead of knitting these days, it's so easy to just post a picture and explanation on Facebook and move on. No need to have more than one thought or more than one picture. And let's face it, I've gotten very lazy and my knitting has suffered.<br />
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However, meet France Socks 2014:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjtRRxSNB9WaSesxvjUqKobMbVZrZ1DFvFvRNwIdVHXy6kg2tzbVJSeIUJuAvuByn3bGcR5wHVIhMWkUjfU7r_SX4Jro6j2MgBntR70mE3oeF8TFrZG2yJr_iB6Hfd3Q_sOGuNPWuGS0/s1600/IMG_1376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjtRRxSNB9WaSesxvjUqKobMbVZrZ1DFvFvRNwIdVHXy6kg2tzbVJSeIUJuAvuByn3bGcR5wHVIhMWkUjfU7r_SX4Jro6j2MgBntR70mE3oeF8TFrZG2yJr_iB6Hfd3Q_sOGuNPWuGS0/s1600/IMG_1376.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The yarn was purchased in a shop in Valbonne, a little town in the south of France, the French Riviera, in September 2014.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOWgj1jvBaDkObzj8fEl0CwBDLN9TF3YYR0jasdiM9_B8elLbs0mCTdXhNe-iRWIDMe32qR-afNnYwINDLrVwlHXxNDP7tqBHzENJUoK5ZeybQvj_G7r84SeUgahSGBXK1oVq_MaK0Fg/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOWgj1jvBaDkObzj8fEl0CwBDLN9TF3YYR0jasdiM9_B8elLbs0mCTdXhNe-iRWIDMe32qR-afNnYwINDLrVwlHXxNDP7tqBHzENJUoK5ZeybQvj_G7r84SeUgahSGBXK1oVq_MaK0Fg/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't be misled by the first picture. I'm only halfway through the foot of the first sock. This is as of this afternoon, November 9, 2014.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhell8_by7tn-4ETDF-DnTUPdvOTwuDylyfdR2BfE3WDijhuGZvKbiD6SHpB1I92JxGDtAUcw4tBiOZp9kI53TmT3upTgUKI-fny8ciQ90GPYWrdafpaj0KBOiDHdorOmYd_ahzYB5PY/s1600/IMG_1171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhell8_by7tn-4ETDF-DnTUPdvOTwuDylyfdR2BfE3WDijhuGZvKbiD6SHpB1I92JxGDtAUcw4tBiOZp9kI53TmT3upTgUKI-fny8ciQ90GPYWrdafpaj0KBOiDHdorOmYd_ahzYB5PY/s1600/IMG_1171.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I started them when on my vacation after France, a few weeks on Cape Cod with my Snowman in October 2014.</div>
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"What? You woke me just to reach your knitting?!!!"</div>
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So, that is what I've been doing: traveling, planning, traveling, cooking, traveling, baking, traveling, knitting, not necessarily in that order.</div>
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I started this post with knitting content. Wasn't that great since this is a knitting blog? And now I have to move onto highlights of my traveling and cooking/baking because that's what I've done the most.</div>
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Our Cape Cod trip in the spring was chilly and full of walks in the forest spotting wild turkeys and walks on the beach. Not actually <i>on</i> the beach because dogs aren't allowed after April 1.</div>
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Sorry, tilt your head to the left. I can't seem to rotate these two pictures. Been away too long!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp6gsyXggLrtVZgqbEZA1bTVXD_tImCZYNDrP2EyKn0w68keGPuXFUCvKfy6q8wEtiuV1DUe7vQjedXavjQJwMsBUJm0ySoDa0gYudbPN9DWYwiGu3Dyk_OIMTkz3j19jB3rrJfrqFsQ/s1600/DSCF9417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp6gsyXggLrtVZgqbEZA1bTVXD_tImCZYNDrP2EyKn0w68keGPuXFUCvKfy6q8wEtiuV1DUe7vQjedXavjQJwMsBUJm0ySoDa0gYudbPN9DWYwiGu3Dyk_OIMTkz3j19jB3rrJfrqFsQ/s1600/DSCF9417.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLGFnE34WD3xuOZ7wgzv1eytiJBSlIX8P4RKYsvj_Og-RPiDCWS7O9_gdPglmk0VcMNr_HoaN3sn6NWOf1Voywsaf_Whpd_zxWx3uFgPbZCs_lIih2vQ9Mzl8YNahEEKotAkyyd2R1Nk/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLGFnE34WD3xuOZ7wgzv1eytiJBSlIX8P4RKYsvj_Og-RPiDCWS7O9_gdPglmk0VcMNr_HoaN3sn6NWOf1Voywsaf_Whpd_zxWx3uFgPbZCs_lIih2vQ9Mzl8YNahEEKotAkyyd2R1Nk/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Entrance to the beach. Dogs not allowed on after April 1.</div>
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It was so chilly I turned to baking and became obsessed with perfecting a recipe for two popovers.</div>
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These did not pop over.</div>
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Now these are popovers!</div>
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I perfected a lower calorie, lower cholesterol version of the popover based on making smaller portions. You know, sometimes you just don't want to bake half a dozen and be subjected to the temptation to eat them all. (Please note the operative word of my recipe is "lower" not "low.") And the recipe is here. Ooops, no link. It's printed below.</div>
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And then there was France. I spent three wonderful, lovely weeks in a villa in St. Paul de Vence, 1.7k from the city. While there I did knit rounds on my Beach Socks 20<u style="font-weight: bold;">12</u>. (Yes, I am way behind on Beach Socks.) But mostly I enjoyed the villa, the pool, the meals we cooked pretending to be French chefs, the quaint city of St. Paul de Vence, Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo and many other towns of the French Riviera. </div>
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The trouble with postings so far apart is I have way too much to catch up on and way too many pictures I want to include. Before France there was more spring and then summer on the Cape. After France there was autumn on the Cape. I'll have to add more in installments or I will lose the few of you who are left.</div>
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More next time. (Which won't be as long as it has been.)</div>
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BonaFide Knitter</div>
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Two</div>
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Little Popovers</div>
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Lite</div>
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I found the perfect little vintage "Pyrex - Made in France" glass ramekins on eBay, but I'm sure you already have suitable ones or can find very inexpensive ones at Target or Walmart. You will need two ramekins that are about 2 inches high and 3-1/2 inches diameter. (Mine are actually only 1-1/2 inches high.)</div>
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Preheat oven to 450F.</div>
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1/3 cup all-purpose flour</div>
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pinch of salt</div>
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2 tbs white Egg Beaters </div>
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} ---> or 4 tbs of yellow</div>
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2 tbs yellow Egg Beaters</div>
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1/3 cup skim milk</div>
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1 tbs of melted butter (or substitute) </div>
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Pam (butter flavor)</div>
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Mix flour and salt together with a fork.</div>
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Combine Egg Beaters, skim milk and melted butter.</div>
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Stir wet ingredients into dry and whisk until smooth.</div>
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Spray ramekins with Pam and fill equally.</div>
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Place ramekins on a foil lined cookie sheet (Your oven floor will thank you!) and bake for 30 minutes at 450F. Then reduce the temperature to 350F and bake for 15 minutes longer. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR WHILE BAKING!!!</div>
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Best if served at once.</div>
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-39186424534899763892014-04-09T21:27:00.000-04:002014-04-09T21:27:22.588-04:00Snowman in AprilNo it's not an April Fool's joke. I actually have a Snowman in April.<br />
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He started out looking like the Abominable Snowman and now he is just Snowman, as cute as can be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTISvvQleadcVsWXB-yPza8sQeAnUCLwBVygpoKCgWeJzPGYYUiuuORtmGVtyMr-b4nLvOGWiQrom3cANRso6i1LNqhyphenhyphen3al_BxB5R0xZ6Crp_rSzot8IK0nJNVq6Dh9D2jEaCLAGctPeg/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTISvvQleadcVsWXB-yPza8sQeAnUCLwBVygpoKCgWeJzPGYYUiuuORtmGVtyMr-b4nLvOGWiQrom3cANRso6i1LNqhyphenhyphen3al_BxB5R0xZ6Crp_rSzot8IK0nJNVq6Dh9D2jEaCLAGctPeg/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know I said "no mas," "no mas," after Snowball and Icecream, but something was missing from my life. After the sadness was gone, I realized I missed the pitter patter of little Bichon feet. Gradually I found myself back at what I'd decided years ago as Ice and Snow aged, that I would rescue replacements as soon as one of them was gone. Now they were both gone.<br />
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I started periodically checking the Internet for Bichon rescues. There were few who met my criteria: around five years old (negotiable), no more than 15 pounds (not negotiable). I applied to three rescue agencies within a four hour drive and sent an email to one. Nothing.<br />
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One Sunday night three and a half weeks ago I saw a face online:<br />
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Emmet</div>
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I was hooked. I'm not sure why this face grabbed me. The nose? The teeth? The tongue? All that hair? I don't know. There were a few more pictures of him:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUK1DciS4QgXgzTZhcTRFysWvj4uxAW-VTSSiYn3K81kAVz-46kTw0jRABr1-Ft2NbvX49k3YHsKrJ1WabvJwmiOLJLKQgZYDOvB-hGw3KI_6mmuVxKQizl8MSlLFJsIkQvX7k5qhxoo/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUK1DciS4QgXgzTZhcTRFysWvj4uxAW-VTSSiYn3K81kAVz-46kTw0jRABr1-Ft2NbvX49k3YHsKrJ1WabvJwmiOLJLKQgZYDOvB-hGw3KI_6mmuVxKQizl8MSlLFJsIkQvX7k5qhxoo/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got more and more excited.<br />
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It was like doggie porn! Who was this "Emmet," this "Bichon mix, male, 2-4 years old, 11 pounds"?!!! </div>
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It was late Sunday evening. I fired off an email requesting an appointment to meet Emmet ASAP for possible adoption. I didn't expect a response before the next day sometime after business hours began. I received a response later that Sunday night! The response advised me I must submit an application before an appointment could be granted. References must be checked, etc. Yes, animal rescue agencies are almost as strict as child adoption agencies (for good reason).<br />
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PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) is the agency that had Emmet and although had I sent applications as far as CT, of course it was not one of the agencies to which I had already applied. I immediately printed and filled out an application. I scanned it into my computer (tricky, tricky, it took hours!) and emailed it off just before midnight Sunday night.<br />
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On Tuesday I was contacted and invited to come in and meet Emmet and if we liked each other, I could take him home. I was over the moon! Yes, my references had been checked. Yes, he could be mine. When would I like to come in? I wanted to rush right there, but I was on my way out to an appointment that morning. "Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 11 a.m." Yes!<br />
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When he was brought into the room where I was sitting, waiting, my first thought was 'he looks like the Abominable Snowman.' Thus his new name, "Snowman." We took to each other immediately. He licked my fingers tentatively. He stretched up and put his front paws up to my knees. He let me lift him onto my lap where he settled in for petting and conversation. I put him back on the floor. He walked away and come back to me. He ended up on my lap again giving kisses and getting belly rubs. At one point, while he was on my lap and I was sure he was THE one, there was a noise outside the open doorway and he growled. I think he had decided I was THE one and he didn't want anybody coming in to separate us.<br />
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The paperwork was completed. The fee was paid. And shortly after noon on Wednesday Snowman and I were headed for the highway that would bring us home.<br />
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After a settling in time, a trip to my vet, the required one week follow-up with the vet at PAWS and a reasonable time for neutering stitches to heal, I was allowed to get him groomed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxrI4aJnxaA_znpAGZ-ly3bOCgDxUe3AkD8QjxDzbIRq6EZiTcreqb6CRF0pZd31KF4-OyTDkAazyNAVnLzs9PcTheW71DfW4byyv7SPJ4V53Y_AWVAB4BDCi0QMK8SwTDImtZ6HTZ5A/s1600/DSCF9391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxrI4aJnxaA_znpAGZ-ly3bOCgDxUe3AkD8QjxDzbIRq6EZiTcreqb6CRF0pZd31KF4-OyTDkAazyNAVnLzs9PcTheW71DfW4byyv7SPJ4V53Y_AWVAB4BDCi0QMK8SwTDImtZ6HTZ5A/s1600/DSCF9391.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hUbIDZ77O_9ZI84KXriQ3xMgrP91DBCIyMOBXyaBLCimeRiQInomVcR4-BXku9qfta4Ych572e8jtmDewOn-lZuyWF2G_HHn-3WDc7lfqfdeB6e38A3zbPQyDQIktRktCzAumMCfMBA/s1600/IMG_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hUbIDZ77O_9ZI84KXriQ3xMgrP91DBCIyMOBXyaBLCimeRiQInomVcR4-BXku9qfta4Ych572e8jtmDewOn-lZuyWF2G_HHn-3WDc7lfqfdeB6e38A3zbPQyDQIktRktCzAumMCfMBA/s1600/IMG_0140.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAMPFWXeGcib_qJo7hmZgW1YUove_a9wNJWbTVsxsmoav8rFQCHDS0AMetMmPQwLk-bLba7jFxsWJQ5VlwWeuvkW2iTFhO2lYipQEJdEW3oSvzMyD3tutuy2rdbhgv7PDP25Qilb084w/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAMPFWXeGcib_qJo7hmZgW1YUove_a9wNJWbTVsxsmoav8rFQCHDS0AMetMmPQwLk-bLba7jFxsWJQ5VlwWeuvkW2iTFhO2lYipQEJdEW3oSvzMyD3tutuy2rdbhgv7PDP25Qilb084w/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Fun With Favorite Toys<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzLfhy-aoSMoP2uP8R-HIyx9aHwFM01YiVhqcXiFkdFy-yOOkwS2P4y3QGRa3MIRMzuNUw6U_aBc9r7Wpd7a1MK8maHgBTNk1Uvzqhpz-UE8Zr03AzPDVXlt0spKB3HlVSQerOA-aKzg/s1600/IMG_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzLfhy-aoSMoP2uP8R-HIyx9aHwFM01YiVhqcXiFkdFy-yOOkwS2P4y3QGRa3MIRMzuNUw6U_aBc9r7Wpd7a1MK8maHgBTNk1Uvzqhpz-UE8Zr03AzPDVXlt0spKB3HlVSQerOA-aKzg/s1600/IMG_0111.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAb7hABE7YdqmRkDP_RP9E1Ax8ADoxGVkavl7tp0b8-V9xK7R7vE-IH6pexuufObFTyKC5e0-qmaDAa63ltvPfoW_4uVFscod_KOxM8K-F-xZC7vZBiNdFmQEUBPcW_jB78jH33ES92I/s1600/IMG_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAb7hABE7YdqmRkDP_RP9E1Ax8ADoxGVkavl7tp0b8-V9xK7R7vE-IH6pexuufObFTyKC5e0-qmaDAa63ltvPfoW_4uVFscod_KOxM8K-F-xZC7vZBiNdFmQEUBPcW_jB78jH33ES92I/s1600/IMG_0129.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8d5pYCKUz0jFXbC8y7FhkNM44o36yfzYOulSjzBiM_2EXURzlOexg104QS6n3xAyAdLZ6bt-YtTEl0Q818_56NDVYWoKBLcgLM1WeOzFhTJX5oXWndVcNJiStW875qnWK2eZ-GBBY4s/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8d5pYCKUz0jFXbC8y7FhkNM44o36yfzYOulSjzBiM_2EXURzlOexg104QS6n3xAyAdLZ6bt-YtTEl0Q818_56NDVYWoKBLcgLM1WeOzFhTJX5oXWndVcNJiStW875qnWK2eZ-GBBY4s/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pensive at Bedtime</td></tr>
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<br />We celebrate our three week anniversary today. We are both very happy with our circumstance. He is loving, lovable and loved.<div>
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To add knitting content, I have been knitting with him napping in my lap. Perhaps he has brought about the return of my knitting mojo.</div>
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Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-61196657617849754132014-02-24T13:30:00.000-05:002014-02-28T17:00:17.099-05:00Knitting!!!Ha! Fooled you with that subject line. I'm not really knitting, but I did try. The Turkish bed socks from my Christmas Eve Box is the subject of my knitting interest. You might remember I discovered I had already started a pair so I went back to those to finish them. After all, I was past the heel turn on the first sock.<br />
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Well, now I know why I stopped 24 rows (according to my row counter) below the heel flap on the heel bottom. I don't know what the next instructions are trying to tell me. I have really lost it! I could follow written directions even when I didn't really know what the knit or crochet or needlepoint stitch was. Written directions are (were?) my strong suit. That's why directions shown in pictures irk me. I can't read pictures! I know picture directions are done because of the language barriers with so many of our products being manufactured in other countries, but that's a rant for another day.<br />
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Back to the Turkish bed socks:<br />
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After row 24, the instructions want me to seam each side with the mattress stitch, or save the seaming step for later. Since I need a refresher on the mattress stitch, I decided to save it for later. </div>
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Now as you probably know, I am a Magic Loop method sock knitter. You start this sock using just two needles. Easy peasy. After the knitting mentioned in the previous paragraph, the dpns method begins and I need to start to work in the round. Oh yeah? Well, I know how to convert to that, don't I? But what does "knit . . . . . . OMG! I GET IT! It took my reading it to explain my dilemma without violating copywrite for me to GET IT!!! Du-uh!!! Okay, that's enough about that. To make up for my brain freeze, I am determined to get this first bed sock finished <i>tout de suite.</i></div>
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Take two aspirins and call me in the morning.</div>
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In the meantime back to cooking and baking. Seems like that's all I know how to do these days . . . and gain weight.</div>
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I have a new kitchen gadget, a "miracle"meatloaf pan, that allows me to make a stuffed meatloaf with ease and deliciousness. I decided to give it a try yesterday. I made a ground turkey meatloaf stuffed with cornbread stuffing.</div>
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I didn't think to take pictures until half the meat was in the pan and I had made the well for the stuffing. I'll admit I cheated on the stuffing. It's Stove Top. The pan's lid is the secret. You place a layer of half the meat in the pan, then press down the multi-level side of the lid. It creates a well for the stuffing.</div>
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Below you can see the multi-level side of the lid, the side that creates the well, as I press down and shape the top portion of meat with the flat side of the lid and get the pan ready for the oven.</div>
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THE LID DOES NOT GO IN THE OVEN!</div>
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Out of the oven</div>
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Plated and sliced</div>
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Can you see the cornbread stuffing?</div>
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Ready to eat. Notice the portion control.</div>
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Oh wait! I left the wine on the counter. Gotta have a wine spritzer with this.</div>
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Add the spritz. That's better.</div>
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Okay, dinner is served.</div>
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And after a small second slice of the meatloaf, dessert and coffee.</div>
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Red velvet cake curtesy of Entenmann's.</div>
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Note to self: When stuffing this turkey meatloaf with Stove Top Stuffing use 3/4 c chicken broth (half the liquid suggested) and stuff the meatloaf with all the stuffing. (I had reserved a cup of stuffing to use as an extra side.)</div>
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So there you have it, knitting and cooking all in one blog entry. I rock!!! . . . every now and then.</div>
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Bona Fide Knitter</div>
Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-19360893718431800812014-02-14T19:53:00.000-05:002014-02-14T19:55:23.846-05:00Happy Valentine's Day<br />
I hope this day has brought you happy things, fun things, delicious things and hugs, kisses and other expressions of love . . . or that the love is scheduled for later this evening.<br />
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I have been snowed in every few days since sometime in January. I am so over snow I don't even bother to take pictures and post them. I was over the picture taking when my almost branchless evergreen tree dropped ice laden branches against my minivan and dislodged some moulding under a rear window. This whole winter weather thing has been unreal and costly. I pay a teenager for snow removal: my sidewalk, walkway, driveway and minivan get cleared off and before I get a chance to go out and about for more than a couple of days, it snows again! When it's nuder four inches, I do the labor and make a path in the sidewalk, walkway, two tire paths in the driveway, clean off the minivan and hope the sun gets what I leave behind. And then it snows again, enough to need the teen with his snowblower. $$<br />
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So I've turned to baking and online shopping. One would think I'd pick up the knitting needles. Maybe this evening.<br />
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Today I made dough for a Broa. It's a Portuguese cornbread. Unlike the southern cornbread I'm used to, this promises to be different.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6c4BTK9_ZmYYgD_07j46zvZOlExd89u_EdVCGDuM4vhXD1-B-AAB9iyqzyDtlgzAn8VJiUQH3yeb3l1IASIyS9d6fNoVPejxeTySyRt6pQXUX4yqctEi05H_hOOzgLsHkyH1JJok0UU/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6c4BTK9_ZmYYgD_07j46zvZOlExd89u_EdVCGDuM4vhXD1-B-AAB9iyqzyDtlgzAn8VJiUQH3yeb3l1IASIyS9d6fNoVPejxeTySyRt6pQXUX4yqctEi05H_hOOzgLsHkyH1JJok0UU/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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I use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-EC6D43-Enameled-Island-6-Quart/dp/B000N501BK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392420057&sr=8-1&keywords=lodge+6+qt+enamel+dutch+oven">Lodge Dutch oven</a> for baking bread. It is an enameled cast iron six quart pot with a metal knob. Other enameled brands have plastic knobs which might not withstand the 450 degree temperature needed for baking the bread. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeul6AeZyYanNFeg_57vndOQQ4V5wQFo61L3nSKeRl3nmxu3d1gawp4pRDb4HL7Ktjr3dRUdqQ23Wg0H-4TLIHUbtsUo74UMUjNc3gkWeKLsAK5MAnooRibcE5w9LXmh-1ttumnQMS-Z0/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeul6AeZyYanNFeg_57vndOQQ4V5wQFo61L3nSKeRl3nmxu3d1gawp4pRDb4HL7Ktjr3dRUdqQ23Wg0H-4TLIHUbtsUo74UMUjNc3gkWeKLsAK5MAnooRibcE5w9LXmh-1ttumnQMS-Z0/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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The dough has doubled in size and is ready to go in the fridge until baking tomorrow.</div>
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I started this snowbound Valentine's Day off with a festive latte.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu9iiJLR5XfbbutzIg-GcdnvCn4Vo5LAAR6ugqVbNiOzVSQ_BqEPGLdURsECfrDEQHJHzr67kZjzBzCSM-Ggq2UXDc531jrFlBcmUuA6qjOvBESjqDKC1v0yHhCesFCrEbMJg2Sw5bnk/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu9iiJLR5XfbbutzIg-GcdnvCn4Vo5LAAR6ugqVbNiOzVSQ_BqEPGLdURsECfrDEQHJHzr67kZjzBzCSM-Ggq2UXDc531jrFlBcmUuA6qjOvBESjqDKC1v0yHhCesFCrEbMJg2Sw5bnk/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I made a heart shaped quiche for one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEQxw69qehRcdNDO-ohlRtVaml0yHWX3w9Ndr7sKYtzWp-Vd1AtGRLWLxF6ZBjI2ur5FCXo3dQHgFrxQS4esQ1pR93qzSJ12LP3j54dMh3PzwVrZmd5T8sw9_vdqHOK7H-LER8Q3IXW0/s1600/DSCF9378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEQxw69qehRcdNDO-ohlRtVaml0yHWX3w9Ndr7sKYtzWp-Vd1AtGRLWLxF6ZBjI2ur5FCXo3dQHgFrxQS4esQ1pR93qzSJ12LP3j54dMh3PzwVrZmd5T8sw9_vdqHOK7H-LER8Q3IXW0/s1600/DSCF9378.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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I had it for breakfast with a mug of French roast coffee, sections of honey bell, and homemade bread buttered and stenciled with cinnamon sugar in keeping with the theme of the day. </div>
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And then I went out and shoveled, starting with the snow that had blown up onto the porch overnight, then a shovel wide path down the walk, the sidewalk and the drivers side of the driveway. The snow was so wet and heavy! I shoveled just enough to work off the calories of the bread and pie I might eat today. The sun took care of the snow on the minivan.</div>
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Next came a photo op. My little doll Amelia Thimble thought today would be a perfect day to model her designer original, a one-of-a-kind ensemble made by my very generous and talented friend Melissa P. The crocheted outfit consists of a hast, dress (skirt and top), shrug and panties. Melissa also made the shoes! She is so talented! This is a very small doll, about 4-1/2 inches tall. It's not easy making clothes that small and with that much detail. Thank you MissyMiss.</div>
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I ended the day as I began, in the kitchen baking. I baked two mini apple pies, heart shaped of course.</div>
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One for me, one for the spouse. He can have the full crust. I want the lattice. Less crust, less calories. </div>
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And then, off to knit.</div>
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-24720644228427885212014-02-06T18:18:00.000-05:002014-02-10T19:04:29.192-05:00Bread Baking<br />
I've been snowbound, icebound and housebound. I am not complaining. It has not been bad. No, I have not been knitting. I'm not sure what I have been doing. Oh, I remember now. I've been shopping online, baking and reading. Yeah, that's it. That's what I've been doing.<br />
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I have a bunch of pictures on all my "i" devices (iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini) and my camera. Each time I took a set of pictures it was for a blog entry, mostly snow related. Weather talk and forecasts, snow and ice, freezing temperatures? I became sooooo inured that I settled down with some good books. I became immersed in reading and buying cookbooks and kitchen gadgets. Amazon and UPS love me, USPS too.<br />
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I learned a lot. I can bake artisan bread in five minutes a day! "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes-ebook/dp/B00F1R9D9Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392075896&sr=1-1&keywords=artisan+bread+in+five+minutes+a+day">The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day</a>" by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoe Francois is a wonderful cookbook! It's about dough. It's about bread and beyond. It's about baking bread from scratch using four simple ingredients: water, yeast, salt and flour--without proofing, punching or playing around. If you like bread, you'll love this method and the book.<br />
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As usual I'm late to the game. This wonderful no knead bread making method from long ago had a resurgence and became very popular in 2007 after a NY Times article spotlighting Jim Lahey of the Sullivan Street Bakery who was baking bread this way. It was not a new concept, but Lahey and then Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois and others brought it to the forefront.<br />
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In January 2014 I stumbled upon it via a food blog I follow that had a recipe for pumpkin bread bowls for serving soup and the rest is history--or in this case "my story."<br />
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Here is my first no knead bread. They are my pumpkin bread bowls resting before baking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGQSqhM4bycPsGd2yJ3MfIMbIfHnoPOAN3LRxFPZkl3Xa8QKRiOiQru-J8XR_DBKZDdf2yHY480mPNF0SF74oMwg4Fpoojp9yBvNjoeTjyzBV1NTkuxdm0J8SXRAOQJaiZ9s-eXN8ZRo/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGQSqhM4bycPsGd2yJ3MfIMbIfHnoPOAN3LRxFPZkl3Xa8QKRiOiQru-J8XR_DBKZDdf2yHY480mPNF0SF74oMwg4Fpoojp9yBvNjoeTjyzBV1NTkuxdm0J8SXRAOQJaiZ9s-eXN8ZRo/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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One baked pumpkin bowl full of pumpkin soup.</div>
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My fascination led me to many books and You Tube videos. Ultimately I bought the Hertzberg/Francois book.<br />
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Yesterday I made half the basic recipe, let it rise for two hours and refrigerated it overnight.<br />
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When I was ready to bake bread for lunch I took a grapefruit-sized hunk off,<br />
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"cloaked" it, shaped it, let it rest, while the oven heated. Then I floured it, scored it and baked it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwet7HZxxlqnuHEYc9P9tp2NYJ5m7VxhFzF9S0CNPgd5Y9vwmafstgIeOCeyG_J053nFbpYbI4wS3k-o5HWKO6eABvZAF-i2hCe3oaKYb06oDkgUWLyIXg2ibJG48gQlAbH38h_AUBNjk/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwet7HZxxlqnuHEYc9P9tp2NYJ5m7VxhFzF9S0CNPgd5Y9vwmafstgIeOCeyG_J053nFbpYbI4wS3k-o5HWKO6eABvZAF-i2hCe3oaKYb06oDkgUWLyIXg2ibJG48gQlAbH38h_AUBNjk/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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Once it had cooled enough I sliced it, buttered it and had two slices with lunch. So good!<br />
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Although I even take my book to bed with me, you don't have to buy the book. Visit <a href="http://breadinfive.com/">breadinfive.com</a> and find out everything you need to know to make your first loaves of no knead bread.<br />
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-42559564578548104722014-01-01T13:53:00.000-05:002014-01-05T15:03:05.838-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!Welcome on in 2014. I'm glad to see you.<br />
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Last year was so full of trials and tribulations, sickness and sadness for my little family that I was glad to see it end. Out with the old. In with the new.<br />
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Let's start with knitting. Surprise, surprise, I'm on topic! When I was searching for my Kotcha-Kotcha (row counter) to get started on the knitting project in my Christmas Eve Box, I remembered it was in one of my sock knitting totes. Lo and behold the other thing in that tote was not one of my basic socks in progress as I expected, but my first attempt at the Turkish Bed Socks! Yes, I had already started a pair. I think it was right after I came to my senses and frogged the two toe-up on one circular some time around Labor Day. No wonder I couldn't find the one orphan skein of Koigu in my Koigu Stash. I was already knitting with it.<br />
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Confession time: I stooped and <i><u>bought</u></i> an orphan skein from eBay to make up the kit for my Christmas Eve Box. shame.shame.shame Please don't remember how much Koigu I have from the old days at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festivals. I have it all divided and weighed out for making pairs of socks. I didn't want to bust any bundles. shame.shame.shame<br />
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Anyway, here is how much I had accomplished:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_Hfexc2rU_4JbyvLdm6FYSlyC9OL3HtE1B6oKhwByer28IIDbhPvX_NE2N7tyVrE6lklmK8y8r1T92VHWJLf4ezxHqLIJXw1_-tnBtZK8-b40nSDmgRZ4ZcgDZa6kpRLr23JPr1-BNE/s1600/DSCF9273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_Hfexc2rU_4JbyvLdm6FYSlyC9OL3HtE1B6oKhwByer28IIDbhPvX_NE2N7tyVrE6lklmK8y8r1T92VHWJLf4ezxHqLIJXw1_-tnBtZK8-b40nSDmgRZ4ZcgDZa6kpRLr23JPr1-BNE/s400/DSCF9273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is how much I have accomplished to date:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlPvZa8wPWs50ez0jXqmWqSLJwf8MYzbpYknBTWwmpJeRTrarydO9Gyb-YW-MsZSfZgPELkwpi6-P2jcKZALIviwyXVG4Nd1o2NM4XIUDIvy2oIpJ2-4fl6M048E077J21MWZiFKzFqw/s1600/DSCF9307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlPvZa8wPWs50ez0jXqmWqSLJwf8MYzbpYknBTWwmpJeRTrarydO9Gyb-YW-MsZSfZgPELkwpi6-P2jcKZALIviwyXVG4Nd1o2NM4XIUDIvy2oIpJ2-4fl6M048E077J21MWZiFKzFqw/s400/DSCF9307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If it looks the same it is because it is. I have not taken the first additional stitch yet although I take it everywhere I go including upstairs to bed and back downstairs in the morning. But can you see I had already turned the heel? Whoop-de-doooo!<br />
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Okay, My New Year's Eve: I did a repeat of Christmas dinner, using leftovers, right down to dessert and champagne. Spouse and I clinked glasses and gave toasts to a better year to come. I was in sequins, my Ugg-like black boots with glitz. There were no noise-makers or ball dropping at the count down because it was New Year's Eve <u style="font-style: italic;">afternoon</u>. Yes, afternoon celebrations are our time of day. At midnight we woke up long enough to again wish each other a "Happy New Year!" with enthusiasm . . . and then went back to sleep. y.a.w.n. It has become a tradition.<br />
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Bona Fide Knitter<br />
getting ready to knit<br />
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Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-21916259727178884052013-12-25T22:30:00.000-05:002014-01-05T14:58:34.087-05:00Merry ChristmasI hope your day was wonderful, full of the spirit, family, friends and whatever you love. My day was nice and perfectly suited to me. I cooked a full turkey dinner with all the usual accrutremonts, served two plates with dessert and champagne on the side and it was lovely.<br />
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The high point of my Christmas gifts was my Christmas Eve Box. Remember, I mentioned it before? I also made a box for the spouse. Here they are:</div>
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For the spouse I included things he likes at the moment which was not an easy task. I had to think small . . .</div>
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First is a sleep shirt in lieu of pajamas. He likes PJ tops. The long pants bottoms not so much. Thus, the sleep shirt. Longer than a PJ top and maintains some modesty. </div>
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Then a one year subscription to Esquire magazine.</div>
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Next: Okay, if you must, chewing gum in three throwback iconic flavors. And diet soda for the non-coffee/tea/hot chocolate drinker.</div>
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And then the fun stuff: two decks of cards--one Pinochle, one standard.</div>
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And underneath, the Cheez-Its he's currently addicted to.</div>
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On the bottom is an electronic game called FlashPad.</div>
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Fun on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.</div>
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My Box</div>
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The dark red pajama top has coordinating dotted pants.</div>
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Tucked in the neck is my current favorite CD and the DVD. It's Andrea Bocelli's concert in Portofino, Italy. Love it!</div>
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There are hot chocolate K-cups for the Keurig coffee maker: Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate and just in case, one for Chai Tea. And microwave popcorn to eat while watching a movie. There's my Roku streaming device remote control in the box. I watched Love Actually. And the new knitting project making the final cut is . . . . . . Turkish Bed Socks! The yarn is Koigu, a favorite of mine for knitting socks. I kept you in suspense, but I'm sure some guessed it would be the socks instead of a hat. After all, my other blog is <a href="http://thesocklady.blogspot.com/">The Sock Lady</a>. <span id="goog_246048135"></span><span id="goog_246048136"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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One small confession: The things for my Christmas Eve Box continued to increase after the lid was closed. I also got the electronic game FlashPad. </div>
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And a new cookbook.</div>
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Christmas Day is over. I am H O M E bathed in the ambience of candlelight and having a final reflection on the day. And remembering a Christmas Day past . . .<br />
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Bona Fide Knitter</div>
Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-54078158726188250172013-12-15T09:30:00.000-05:002013-12-19T15:38:50.336-05:00Snow, Snow, Snow, NO!<br />
Hey everybody! It has snowed here three times in a week! Is this an indication of the winter we are going to have? Is Mother Nature out for vindication after not mustering up any snow last winter?<br />
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I didn't think of taking pictures of the winter wonderland until a day after the last snow/ice storm.<br />
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View of backyard<br />
with a little electronic enhancement<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E30VqJZsPWSIdo1XhO7SOmLHhXBeMp1Ke4AoFXo5_tTOcco1_CM-zpHcGX7BSwy-9bG8TYyb01UeB5X2LBiVa0OvlVNNyBfYAxgxaHD-rDh_il3kuFeibIPWf0KiFp-g8xua7M4hJek/s1600/IMG_0793-SNOW.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E30VqJZsPWSIdo1XhO7SOmLHhXBeMp1Ke4AoFXo5_tTOcco1_CM-zpHcGX7BSwy-9bG8TYyb01UeB5X2LBiVa0OvlVNNyBfYAxgxaHD-rDh_il3kuFeibIPWf0KiFp-g8xua7M4hJek/s640/IMG_0793-SNOW.gif" width="480" /></a></div>
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without enhancement</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbZ_9ta14ndDsf6nQOzor4muDqV3JQtXZ_0ZR8vPcdW3d7A1dX-TuIahwUjOOJ2L2nkoe3w7-qc8IM8HONm5VflNP35b7pT1kqOfXrfGJOOVh2EvAhuR22TXtehwoqjfMm5y3CPw052Q/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbZ_9ta14ndDsf6nQOzor4muDqV3JQtXZ_0ZR8vPcdW3d7A1dX-TuIahwUjOOJ2L2nkoe3w7-qc8IM8HONm5VflNP35b7pT1kqOfXrfGJOOVh2EvAhuR22TXtehwoqjfMm5y3CPw052Q/s400/IMG_0793.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Right outside my front door I found some interesting footprints. What are they?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGV-kDGTEmD6k1b0s40KEl217uxUr7KaXBZv_ErkrxcpD2nS103qvqJq3fvVcX_8SrU3z09SvgdxKS7n7pFRDR_Eq_29aFpUNYHuGLIia9YM9gK20QxZ_XRhKbFxA8TO9B84kJB-JFwA/s1600/IMG_0460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGV-kDGTEmD6k1b0s40KEl217uxUr7KaXBZv_ErkrxcpD2nS103qvqJq3fvVcX_8SrU3z09SvgdxKS7n7pFRDR_Eq_29aFpUNYHuGLIia9YM9gK20QxZ_XRhKbFxA8TO9B84kJB-JFwA/s400/IMG_0460.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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At first I thought the mailman had taken a tumble and those were his handprints.<br />
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On closer inspection they are definitely animal prints. And they are neither dog nor cat prints. I'm glad I didn't walk out and frighten whatever it was. I would have been the frightened one!<br />
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During this transitional season I've spent some time knitting Beach Socks 2013. At the rate I'm going, I might get them done before it's time to start Beach Socks 2014. I've spent more time making donuts and most of the time missing my Bichon babies. Oh gee, don't get me started on that.<br />
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I want to bake, but I don't want to eat the carbs or calories of baked goods. What to do? Don't bake! But I couldn't resist making my favorite apple cake. Actually it's my only apple cake. It's the only one I make. I adore it!<br />
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I've always loved a well made Jewish apple cake. I tried many recipes, but none measured up to slices I used to get from a cafeteria downtown, The Colonnade, no longer in existence, and from a neighborhood Jewish bakery I've lost track of. There was even a tolerable one sold at my neighborhood Acme Super Market. And then there wasn't. One day while searching for something to watch on a TV-not-hooked-up-to cable, I stumbled upon the Y Arts channel and Deborah Dal Fovo making her <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETDw1ABQ8pc">Nonna's Homemade Italian Apple Cake</a>. </i>I could hardly wait to make one. I've written about it before. It's not Jewish. It's Italian and it is THE apple cake! Just the way I like it: enough apples, moist, not too sweet and pretty to look at as well. Always a feast for the eyes and the tummy. Yum, yum, delicious!<br />
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It calls for just a few ingredients. Buy five Golden Delicious apples. I'm sure you have the rest of the ingredients on hand. A spring form pan, a couple of bowls, a wire whisk, peel, core, slice and arrange, bake in a 350 degree oven, and the best apple cake ever will be yours each time you bake one. And you will make it again and again. Easy, peasy, delicioso. Trust me.<br />
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When it's hot out of the oven my figural measuring cup set and measuring spoon set check it out.</div>
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Plated, Golden and Delicious</div>
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Cut</div>
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Can you see the moistness? Can you see the apple slices inside?</div>
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Perfection!</div>
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I have completed my Christmas Eve box. I can just lift the lid and save the box for next year. No ribbon, not bow, no tag . . . yet. I still have over a week to go. Something else might need to go inside. As for the tag, I won't need one. I know whose box it is.<br />
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I had to do some editing of the contents before I put the lid on. There were three knitting projects vying for a place in the box: (1) a free Ravelry download of a slouchy beret <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/springtime-in-philadelphia">Springtime in Philadelphia</a>, (2) <a href="http://www.abc-knitting-patterns.com/1172.html">American Girl Doll Beret</a> and (3) <a href="http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/products/turkish-bed-socks-pattern#.UrM5_3mQfFI">Turkish Bed Socks</a>. How much can a person do on Christmas Eve while looking at a movie, eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate? I changed my mind many times, but the final decision has been made. Which one, you ask? You will find out after it is a fait accompli. Stay tuned.<br />
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Still a<br />
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-14792394912737479672013-11-28T19:43:00.000-05:002013-11-28T19:43:23.777-05:00Happy ThanksgivingHey, another holiday, another post. Yes, it's Thanksgiving. Can you believe it? Where did this year go?!!!<br />
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Thanksgiving for us has been scaled down over the years. We have a good traditional meal and delicious dessert(s) and try not to overindulge in either. We've taken care of the eating part already. Time to move on to the next thing. My Christmas Cacti (two plants) which I have had for over 25 years as near as I can calculate based on pictures in which they appear in the background, have already bloomed themselves almost to death. Over the years their biological clocks reset and they bloom for Thanksgiving every year. They think it's Christmas. Here's this year's display.<br />
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Last Week</div>
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Today, Thanksgiving, November 28, 2013</div>
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Time to think Christmas. I mentioned in the last post "the Christmas Eve Box." I saw the idea on Facebook. I liked it so much I decided to make one for myself. The idea is to make a box to be opened on Christmas Eve after dinner, in the evening. Open the box, get ready for bed, don the new PJs and settle in to enjoy the other contents of the box. Ideas for the contents include new PJs, (The PJs or other sleep attire are a must!) new socks, favorite treats like popcorn, chocolate, pretzels, fixings for hot cocoa including marshmallows, a book, a game, Christmas movie or other DVD. Let your imagination be your guide.</div>
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So far in my box I have new PJs, popcorn, pretzels, K-cups of chai tea and hot chocolate, the remote control for the Roku (I haven't decided on a movie yet.) and a new knitting pattern with yarn and needles. I have two patterns in contention.</div>
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I'm going to make a box for my spouse as well. So far in his box I have a new sleep shirt, chewing gum (Wrigley's Doublemint, Spearment and Juicy Fruit), Cheez-It crackers and diet ginger ale. I'm stuck on providing entertainment for him. A book? A game? Not sure yet. Part of the fun is picking the right items for the person. I'm sure both boxes will go through a few additions and subtractions before December 24.</div>
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My contending knitting patterns are berets. Shall I start one for myself or one for an American Girl doll. I'm leaning toward the doll beret. I could get a lot done while watching the movie and I could finish on Christmas Day. Patterns for both can be found on Ravelry.</div>
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I'm so gung ho on this Christmas Eve Box idea I've convinced my cousin to make one for herself. How about you? Make one for yourself and family members you spend the night with Christmas Eve. I think it's a great tradition to start. Singles, young marrieds, families with children, empty nesters--Christmas Eve Boxes for everybody!</div>
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Time for another piece of pie.</div>
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-76958787446389620942013-11-19T23:34:00.000-05:002013-11-20T14:05:35.676-05:00Another HolidayWell, of sorts . . .<br />
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Today is the anniversary of the day I was born. I won't say which anniversary. Suffice it to say it is a MONUMENTAL one. And that's enough about that.<br />
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What I want to go on and on about is what the younger generation(s) have missed out on. The electronic age has robbed them of so many things! I sometimes wish I was younger, but I never wish I had not lived in the years I experienced.<br />
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I learned to read and write. I learned to use my imagination, visualize, improvise, add, subtract, multiply and divide. Technicolor musicals at the movie around the corner from home made me appreciate Broadway musicals before I ever went to New York and saw one.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. I also love modern technology. I am amazed at it. I think my computer, laptop, netbook, MP3 players, e-readers, iPhone, iPod, iPad, iPad Mini (a birthday gift today) MacBook Pro (an anniversary gift back in June) are wonderful. I can't get enough of them. What a far cry from my Texas Instrument calculator of the 1970's! It was all unimaginable back when Dick Tracy had a two-way wrist radio. "Dick Tracy?" Two-way wrist radio?" Let me try another reference . . . The Jetsons! We are living beyond even what the Jetsons had.<br />
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I am as sorry for my relatives and friends closer to my age who know nothing about modern technology. Especially those who write it off as something they want to know nothing about. Well, other than having a cell phone. They don't know what they're missing. They are being left in the previous millennium! And that is as sad as not knowing how to hold a pen or pencil correctly, write in cursive and know the multiplication table.<br />
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And on that note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!<br />
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Selfie taken this morning</div>
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November 19, 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJG4UPJmCg7VMzjGR8Rj1YE73MTtbcT98dvDqpUDqVox1nC95fNsMCgGRalX9BFCkyfzZIhNbdBQTpwjdgKobN09k9mo6-MxlSnopaIGUiSl7KHL0G5zSixzX4l7fqzulcN81bOc6Z7s/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJG4UPJmCg7VMzjGR8Rj1YE73MTtbcT98dvDqpUDqVox1nC95fNsMCgGRalX9BFCkyfzZIhNbdBQTpwjdgKobN09k9mo6-MxlSnopaIGUiSl7KHL0G5zSixzX4l7fqzulcN81bOc6Z7s/s320/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Okay, the rant is over. I love my iPad Mini. It's an iPad, Kindle and Nook all in one little sleek, handy body. I had my usual celebratory meal: Chinese take-out and champagne. This celebration called for a cake and that was good too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEORDBoOoSXGeawlM8wlsHsQusoZI7bKr7l7hZg-SHHcU8xFLhUosJou1Zo_5rzlsNmAsApv5I1EOd11o25WijrSd_1q-5E_PGuXSLVwrcFFtGQD_ddLdfSPBI2IgU2fnnNacdGfOKP7Y/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEORDBoOoSXGeawlM8wlsHsQusoZI7bKr7l7hZg-SHHcU8xFLhUosJou1Zo_5rzlsNmAsApv5I1EOd11o25WijrSd_1q-5E_PGuXSLVwrcFFtGQD_ddLdfSPBI2IgU2fnnNacdGfOKP7Y/s400/photo.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Bona Fide Knitter . . . older</div>
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-91236681880524993022013-11-11T23:00:00.000-05:002013-11-17T19:10:29.856-05:00Veterans Day<br />
I hate to miss a holiday post. I'm sorry to be so late in the day with this one. All year I thank, donate to and say prayers for all the men and women who have served and those currently serving the United States of America in the armed forces.<br />
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In their honor I was determined to start and finish the little knitting project that should have only taken about an hour. It took me about an hour of actual knitting and about an hour of frogging and knitting again over a period of a few days, grabbing knitting time when I could. I'd start, get halfway through and forget what I was doing. I'd start again and begin talking and or get interrupted and could not remember what I was doing. I could not look at it and tell what to do next or what I had done wrong on the row below or how to fix it. Holey moley I'd lost my knitting know how! And believe me,"holey" was the operative word when I went wrong. The perfectionist in me made me ripit, ripit, ripit. I thought I'd turn into a frog!<br />
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On Veterans Day I started and made it to the end. Yaaaaay!!! I'm pleased with it and it goes with the coat I had in mind when I picked the yarn colorway. And I would make another if I wanted to invest in another hank of the yarn. It's a little pricey. Maybe when it goes on clearance . . .<br />
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Yarn: Link by Berroco, 1 hank (200 grams)<br />
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Colorway: #3241 Earthen<br />
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Pattern: Wink (included on the band of the hank)<br />
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Needles: Size 35 (19.00 mm)<br />
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Heeeeere's Wink:<br />
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A good representation of the colors in daylight</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJlifXC7XkfvWM-55Ohr3_kk-nwNVF-0SquhUb8vhrXG7N6TmqHFDr-JmBo-zd0drk_n6MQlR2Vn_VJ10iYj9CqUBw-2F6yVwFt5GNyPyf7MEqa0_mBREfRLXudAwQ2tYtwIeyRGopnE/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJlifXC7XkfvWM-55Ohr3_kk-nwNVF-0SquhUb8vhrXG7N6TmqHFDr-JmBo-zd0drk_n6MQlR2Vn_VJ10iYj9CqUBw-2F6yVwFt5GNyPyf7MEqa0_mBREfRLXudAwQ2tYtwIeyRGopnE/s640/photo+1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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With the coat</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwVIdmQufpctHfbtSil52u_PZXat8FW4Vc9HCl1SeMWkcZNmTd-H8zgl-RnQ3MDj83YITvu9CMPH6dsR7huOLqFjacFB3r0WoQ67ySXrYHR579ZFNgSxW_YpREDNhhzZodWz_OhS3zbk/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwVIdmQufpctHfbtSil52u_PZXat8FW4Vc9HCl1SeMWkcZNmTd-H8zgl-RnQ3MDj83YITvu9CMPH6dsR7huOLqFjacFB3r0WoQ67ySXrYHR579ZFNgSxW_YpREDNhhzZodWz_OhS3zbk/s640/IMG_0451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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With the coat reversed</div>
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What happened to the flash? This is what can happen when phone pictures </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62_KhAWNVecZDV8joqUHgtQLrKV_P304QJNR_Um37RLl-ynRzR4D2CaPZ9TO2CmPPm4L4hruHznuAhZShnXtOtM-jbgdH8zsWwKKNqoyq1_mgG3al7Zrk4tTASF2S6lTkNOANtbxh3-o/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62_KhAWNVecZDV8joqUHgtQLrKV_P304QJNR_Um37RLl-ynRzR4D2CaPZ9TO2CmPPm4L4hruHznuAhZShnXtOtM-jbgdH8zsWwKKNqoyq1_mgG3al7Zrk4tTASF2S6lTkNOANtbxh3-o/s640/IMG_0452.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Anyway, it was fun to do once I got my knitting bona fides back. Now I need to gather some photography bona fides. Maybe I'll stop with the iPad and iPhone go back to using a CAMERA. I think I'll go off now and see what other colorways are still available and possibly at a reduced price. I could add it to my Christmas Eve Box. Does "Christmas Eve Box" pique your interest? More about that in another post.</div>
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I am happy to say I am still a</div>
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-83093131737893927292013-10-31T20:07:00.001-04:002013-10-31T20:09:02.241-04:00Happy Halloween!<br />
Not tricks, not treats, this holiday it's all about knitting, MY knitting!<br />
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Expert online shopper that I am, I purchased the Berroco Link yarn from <a href="http://www.nobleknits.com/berroco-link-yarn/">Noble Knits</a> and size 35 knitting needles from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lion-Brand-Yarn-Knitting-Needles/dp/B00114RHT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383263729&sr=8-1&keywords=35+knitting+needles+10%22">Amazon</a> and orchestrated them to arrive today--both on the same day. Actually, their arriving on the same day was just a lucky coincidence. Amazon was a day late. Noble Knits came sooner than expected.</div>
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I chose the colorway Earthen, which is a somewhat muted version of the bright colors of the picture on the ball band instructions. I thought it would go well with a particular coat of mine. I should have a scarf knitted in a "Wink." Pun intended.<br />
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The<br />
Bona Fide Knitter<br />
is about to knit!<br />
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Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-3500596798062493332013-10-23T17:53:00.001-04:002013-10-23T17:53:29.628-04:00Knitting, It's About Knitting!!!<div>
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Okay, so it's not about MY knitting. It's about a couple of new (to me) patterns that have put a little knitting fire in me.</div>
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You may recall my ongoing hexapuff project, the Beekeeper's Quilt. Yes, it is "ongoing." I just took a little (spring) summer (fall) break from them. </div>
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The pattern is from Stephanie Dosen of Tiny Owl Knits, my newest favorite designer because yesterday I happened upon her <a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/moonkoosa-boots/">Moonkoosa Boots and video</a>. I'm thinking the woman is a forest nymph and I'm enchanted by her woodland patterns. The Moonkoosa Boots led me to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woodland-Knits-over-enchanting-patterns/dp/1627100245/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382556407&sr=1-1&keywords=stephanie+dosen">her book</a> which led me to her <a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/wanderwillows/">Wanderwillows</a>, something I have a real use for. I can picture them in yarn colors to match a couple pairs of my shorter boots. They will be an extension of the boots. In my advanced years I'm finding I like more warmth up my legs in the NE winters, but not the bulk and weight of knee high boots.</div>
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Stephanie (I'm using her first name like we're old friends since I've made it through two of her videos which can become a little bit of a trial. If you've watched her Moonkoosa video, you get my drift.</div>
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However, I love her! Her patterns are new and different. She designs to a different drummer. The Moonkoosas are fun, but without orthodics, are not or me. The Wanderwillows are for me. I neeeeeeed them. I can leave the house in them with regular boots on my feet. They will go over the calves of my jeggings or slim leg pants like leg warmers, down into the boots and make me look young and hip.</div>
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And then there is <a href="http://www.nobleknits.com/berroco-link-yarn/?utm_source=NobleKnits+Yarn+Shop&utm_campaign=320da4c425-easy_weekend&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_2b25000e63-320da4c425-35564081&mc_cid=320da4c425&mc_eid=926687d566">this scarf</a>. The pattern is Wink knitted in a Berroco yarn called Link. How cute is that! AND it's giant knitting on size 35 needles. A scarf in an hour! The pattern is on the ball band--FREE!. I decided a quick project like this would be like a shot of penicillin to cure my not-knitting-itis. I could finally get something finished. No excuses.<br />
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I need a doughnut,<br />
Bona Fide Knitter<br />
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Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-67165968117601165762013-10-21T19:40:00.000-04:002013-10-21T19:41:25.871-04:00Doughnuts<br />
PART TWO:<br />
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Two posts in two days? Surely this one is about knitting--NOT!<br />
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I'm still on the doughnut kick even though I did have the knitting needles out for a nano second yesterday.<br />
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I have to keep making doughnuts for quite some time to use all the equipment, tools and food supplies I had to purchase. I vaguely remember saying something similar about my sock yarn stash.<br />
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You're not going to believe this:<br />
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3 doughnut pans<br />
1 electric mini donut maker<br />
1 3-tier cooling rack<br />
6 Mason jars (actually Ball brand, to store the flours and sugars)<br />
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3 kinds of milk<br />
4 kinds of flour<br />
4 kinds of sugar<br />
baking powder<br />
baking soda<br />
yeast<br />
eggs<br />
butter<br />
canola oil<br />
unsweetened applesauce<br />
vanilla<br />
pumpkin pie spice<br />
ginger<br />
Dutch processed cocoa (sub. Hershey's)<br />
sprinkles<br />
maple syrup<br />
molasses<br />
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And all this was for just six types of doughnuts!<br />
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In all fairness to my compulsive self I must explain that I had some of the food items on hand, but needed more or a fresh supply because carbs, cholesterol, sweet things and oils are not frequently used in my diet. Anyway, the shopping for all of it gave me purpose and something to concentrate on while I mourn the loss of both my LWDs.<br />
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Now, as for the eating of all the doughnuts, I am not eating them! For all you Facebook Friends who wonder, most of the the doughnuts are in the freezer. The ones I make in the next few days will be joining them. I have a monumental birthday coming up next month and am determined to be at my goal weight (or so close I can touch it before November is over). Speaking of birthdays, the spouse's birthday is next week and most of the doughnuts that pass the taste test will be going to his celebration.<br />
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I'm spelling it "Doughnuts" today because I made the Buttermilk Doughnuts, glazed, from the book that started this latest obsession of mine, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baked-Doughnuts-Everyone-Everything-Gluten-Free/dp/1592335667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382386051&sr=1-1&keywords=baked+doughnuts+for+everyone">Baked Doughnuts for Everyone</a>,</i> by Ashley McLaughlin.<br />
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They look a little like bagels, don't they? These were baked in the oven in a doughnut pan. They are a regular size, not minis. It was an adventure to bake away from my home oven. I didn't have an oven thermometer to check the accuracy of the oven temperature so I had to play it by ear . . . or by eye in this case. When they looked done, the color of the pictures in the cookbook, I tested for doneness with a toothpick and took them out. Some were more brown than others.</div>
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The darker ones up front in the picture were actually baked in the doughnut cups closest to the back of the oven. Evidently they got more heat than the others.<br />
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I baked the final two using the remaining batter in the middle cups of the pan and tried to center the pan on the oven rack. I think they could have stayed in a tad longer. Their uneven color seems to indicate the oven left something to be desired in having an even temperature throughout. It runs on propane gas. Could that be a factor?<br />
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Cooled and glazed, it was time for a taste test.<br />
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Hmmm, not as good as anticipated. The last two, baked with the remaining batter, were smaller so I picked one of those to taste. There was a slight raw ingredients taste to it. Although the toothpick came out clean and the one I bit didn't look raw or wet inside, I think those two needed to bake longer. Later I had the nice brown one on top and went "Mmmm" instead of "Hmmm." Now that was more like it! Then I put the rest in the freezer. I must remember when I thaw them days from now that the smallest one is a dud and should be throw away like its counterpart was.</div>
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Some things I've noticed about baked doughnuts, both oven baked and machine baked: they don't look like fried, the tops do not brown like the bottoms, the bottoms are rounder than the tops, glazes and icings solve aesthetic problems, the pictures in cookbooks use the bottoms as the tops, the presentation side. And last, but not least, they are delicious no matter how you bake them.<br />
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My next attempt will be Baked Apple Donuts. I found the recipe in a blog. More information after the taste test.<br />
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Bona Fide Knitter<br />
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-13572853893763013372013-10-20T19:23:00.000-04:002013-10-21T07:01:53.222-04:00Doughnuts or Donuts<br />
Any way you spell 'em, they're delicious.<br />
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PART ONE:<br />
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Baked cinnamon-sugar mini donuts. Thirty three of 'em!<br />
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They were baked in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Babycakes-DN-6-Doughnut-Maker-Yellow/dp/B005PO9TT4/ref=sr_1_3?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1382352916&sr=1-3&keywords=babycakes">Baby Cakes</a> electric mini donut maker using a recipe from the book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Donuts-Bite-Sized-Recipes-Sweeten/dp/1440543410/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382309698&sr=1-1&keywords=mini+donuts">Mini Donuts</a> </i>by Jessica Segarra, creator of The Novice Chef Blog.<br />
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The machine is a cute little thing that has somewhat of a learning curve. The first batch of six left a lot to be desired. They were left in too long.<br />
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All six had pale tops (see column 1) and rather dark bottoms (column 2).<br />
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The next batch was an improvement.<br />
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They were taller, which made for more color on the tops and almost perfectly colored bottoms. Too bad the holes darkened so much.<br />
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By batch three I had it down to a science. I needed a good 1-1/2 tbs of batter in each well and I had to work fast or the first ones would bake too much on the bottom before I got the sixth one in the well. The last three, baked by themselves with the last of the batter, had not so pale tops (the middle one), not so dark holes and the bottoms were not too dark.<br />
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The process needed tweaking, but once the tops were dipped in butter then cinnamon sugar, all was forgiven.<br />
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Going . . . going . . . almost gone!<br />
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Bona Fide . . . Knitter?</div>
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Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-88825102768394799182013-10-14T11:49:00.000-04:002013-10-15T09:31:32.490-04:00Happy Columbus Day<br />
The blows keep coming. A week ago today I had to let my little girl Bichon Frise, Icecream, go to the Rainbow Bridge. She was failing. Aggressive treatment for 24 hours overnight at the veterinary hospital ICU didn't make her better. It was so hard. She would have been 17 years old in December. I'd already lost Snowball this year. I am left with their paw prints on my heart.<br />
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French Vanilla Icecream</div>
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(a Bichon Frise, not the frozen dessert)</div>
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December 21, 1996 - October 7, 2013</div>
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So, the days after were a real challenge to keep spirits up and find something else to focus on. I had already had a small seed planted by a blog I read. A new book came out on October 1 and I used all my time and energy trying to get a copy, researching, ordering everything I would need to take advantage of the book's content and generally obsessing. What is this new book you ask? It is . . . drum roll, please <drum roll="">. . . <b><i><span id="goog_1848212352"></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baked-Doughnuts-For-Everyone-Gluten-Free/dp/1592335667/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381759230&sr=8-1&keywords=baked+donuts+for+everyone">BAKED DOUGHNUTS for everyone</a><span id="goog_1848212353"></span>.</i></b></drum><br />
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No, it's not knitting. When the going gets tough, these days this tough girl gets cooking. Actually I find a new cooking/baking skill to get deeply involved in. For this time it's doughnuts. And because I am determined to be "fit and fine" by the monumental birthday I have coming up in November, I decided to concentrate on baked rather than fried. Following this folly might be my downfall. However, I also plan to gift and not eat most . . . err . . . many of the doughnuts I make.<br />
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So far I've amassed two doughnut cookbooks with two more arriving this week. I've purchased two pans and an electric mini donut maker. I've ordered the flours required for making the gluten-free doughnuts. They should arrive this week as well. But I have not made a doughnut yet!<br />
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Knitting? I'm working on Beach Socks 2013 . . . barely.<br />
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Back soon,<br />
Bona Fide Knitter<br />
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P.S. to Melodye: Really soon and definitely before Thanksgiving! ;-)<br />
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-78553897965168426332013-09-02T11:14:00.000-04:002013-09-02T11:14:08.676-04:00Happy Labor Day<br />
Yes, I'm still alive and kicking, even if not very high. The last time I posted was Valentine's Day. Note to self: This is not a holiday blog! It's supposed to be a knitting and other things blog--other things because so many things interest me. However, evidently blog writing has not been one of them recently.<br />
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Since February, things have not been the greatest. Nothing monumental, just enough to have my get up and go get up and leave. There was a little health scare of mine, ongoing health concerns for the spouse, a major pet event that left me grieving more than I could imagine and continuing health concerns for the remaining pet.<br />
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I will go into detail on only one of those. My Bichon Frise and best buddy, Snowball, could no longer fight the fight even with my help and the best veterinarian attention and I had to let him go to the Rainbow Bridge at the end of March, two weeks before his 17th birthday.<br />
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Snowball</div>
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April 14, 1996 - March 29, 2013</div>
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Knitting, my go to for de-stressing, stopped working. I haven't been doing much of that. Even sock knitting has fallen by the wayside. I started a pair toe up on one 40" circular and that was a joke. What ever made me think I would do that?!!! I don't even like doing two at once on one circular so what ever made me think I would like doing two toe up when I've never done a toe up sock before? I think I was not in my right mind and still might not be. Anyway, I frogged them and started Beach Socks 2013 (from the cuff down, one at a time on one 32" circular the way I like to do them). I might actually knit a little on the beach before the week is over.</div>
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So, what do I really have to write about today? I think you've figured that out already. Yep, you've guessed it--NOTHING! I just wanted to put in an appearance, so to speak, and let you know I'm still around. I plan to bring you enthralling content on knitting, cooking, traveling, and whatever I'm finding fun (or not fun) at the moment to keep you reading and get those of you back who gave up on me and left. Hang in there just a little longer please. I'm back.</div>
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For you amusement today, a Labor Day Throwback:</div>
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Atlantic City</div>
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Labor Day 19<u>X</u>9 </div>
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(You pick the year in my youth. I'll never tell.)</div>
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The best is yet to come,</div>
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Bona Fide Knitter</div>
Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-16931140492171355742013-02-27T18:10:00.000-05:002013-02-27T18:10:58.993-05:00My Funny Valentine<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
It all started with my non resolution to eat healthier and move more in 2013. My Zumba Gold DVDs are not seeing much action, but I did start eating oatmeal almost every day for breakfast. No instant, sweetened, flavored stuff for me. My aim was for old fashioned oats, whole grain, no additives, no over processing. I'd add my own natural fruit and maybe a few slivers of almonds if I chose, maybe even some skim milk.<br />
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After a month of microwaving and trying to remember to use the deep, not the wide, cereal bowl for my one-portion size to prevent an oatmealy mess in the microwave when the timer sounded, I thought there must be such a thing as an electric oatmeal cooker. Voila! The rice cooker, my new love.<br />
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When I Googled "oatmeal cooker" and was led to rice cookers I went to Amazon.com where I also found this book:<br />
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It's a great little book, especially if you like Roger Ebert. It's funny, witty and informative. But if you're looking for a rice cookbook, this is not it. There is information and blog posts and charming, witty anecdotes all pertaining to rice cookers, Roger's rice cooking experiences and also those of his blog readers. Although he mentions it quite a few times it only took one <strong>"Get the pot!"</strong> for me to go searching for the perfect least expensive, three cup cooker. After all I only wanted it to cook one portion of oatmeal a day.<br />
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Here it is:<br />
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Roger said you only need a little basic pot, one that turns on, cooks then switches to warm. The name he dropped was Zojirushi. My little Zojirushi pot was advertised as such, but actually does not have the Warm feature. I needed the six cup version for the Warm feature. Oh well, I should have done just a tad more research.<br />
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So as in all things, I went on a mission to "read up on" (a favorite expression of my late Aunt Ruby) rice cookers--brands, sizes, features and cooking oatmeal in one. Google led me to a blog via an "I love my rice cooker" post which included instructions for cooking steel ground oats. I've come to really enjoy the writings of this blogger. She's a young mother, chef, vegetarian, marathon runner and loves her rice cooker. The blog is <a href="http://www.dailygarnish.com/">Daily Garnish</a> by Emily Malone. After reading the post in which she extols the virtues of her rice cooker, a top of the line six cup beauty, I was smitten. I found myself wanting to upgrade . . . badly. And not to the six cup version of the one I had. After reading the blogger's recommendation of a less expensive one comparable to hers, one now sits on my kitchen counter. Sorry, Roger, I found I did need a fuzzy logic, micom with all the bells and whistles. I also needed a six cup size, even for just one portion.<br />
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I bought it as a Valentine's Day gift to myself, My Funny Valentine. At night I can put in 1/4 c steel ground oats, 1 c water, a dash of salt, set the timer and at 7:30 a.m. have hot oatmeal. If I'm not ready to eat then, it will keep warm for me until I am ready. Yes, I have used it to cook rice as well. <br />
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Will the rice cookers please step forward . . .<br />
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No knitting. No knitting content. When the tough can't focus to knit, this tough turns into a foodie. Remember my homemade ice cream? How about the cupcake phase I went through? I guess this is healthier--rice, steel ground oats, quinoa, etc. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Rice-Cooker-Cookbook-Porridges/dp/1558326677/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362001966&sr=1-1&keywords=the+ultimate+rice+cooker+cookbook">The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook</a> now, a real rice cookbook all about types and sizes of cookers, every kind of rice, porridges, techniques and recipes.<br />
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However, I am still a<br />
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Bona Fide KnitterBona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-27726664538580514592013-02-08T14:24:00.000-05:002013-02-09T07:04:57.482-05:00Back to HexipuffsFriday is my newly designated "by myself date day" and the weather forecasters put such a damper on today with their gleeful "Nor'easter" predictions that I decided not to spend the day at the <a href="http://www.barnesfoundation.org/">Barnes Foundation Museum</a> exhibits, then having dinner and staying for <a href="http://www.barnesfoundation.org/events/february-2013-events/radio-one">this evening's event</a>. I even gave up on the idea of going instead to the 10:30 a.m. showing of Argo. Cold rain this morning changing to icy snow this afternoon lasting into the night is not appealing to this driver. Sooooo, I cuddled up in front of the fake fire and arranged the newly acquired tote for my Beekeepers Quilt in-the making.<br />
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It's the greatest little on-the-go project bag for the small balls of sock yarn, polyfil, needles, hooks, pattern, tools, etc. There are six pockets for the yarn on the outside and the inside can hold all the other stuff. It closes with hook and loop strips.<br />
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I filled the pockets with small center pull balls of the Koigu colors from my stash I'm working with at the moment. My hexipuff in progress still on the needles and polyfil peek out from the middle section. Love it!<br />
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Speaking of Koigu, you will remember I mentioned the Grab Bag of Koigu skeinettes I ordered online that I was dissatisfied with. Well, I had written a negative review on the site and I got an email from their Customer Service. They were willing to do everything to make me a satisfied customer including let me keep all the yarn and refund all my money! I didn't want to take unfair advantage, so I sent back the skeinettes I had not opened and they refunded my entire payment including shipping. How great is that!<br />
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I didn't name the site because I have purchased there before and been very pleased with what I received. I didn't want to bad mouth them. I will not mention the name now because I don't want to start a run on the bank. But I will tell you this, they are the BEST!!!<br />
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Back to the tote bag . . .<br />
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The tote bags are sold on <a href="http://www.barnesfoundation.org/events/february-2013-events/radio-one">Etsy</a> and eBay. The are called Bingo Bags and come in two sizes. I got the smaller size. The Etsy and eBay seller does a great work. I ordered mine from Etsy before I read the part where it says, "It will take two to three weeks before I ship." Not good for my desire for instant gratification. The bag arrived in 21 calendar days, a real trial for me! But I'm very happy with the purchase. I picked the owl priint because the Beekeeper's Quilt pattern is from <a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/the-beekeepers-quilt/">Tiny Owl Knits</a>. I know, awwwwww.<br />
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Bona Fide Knitter<br />
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<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-51817118831741574972013-01-20T21:21:00.001-05:002013-01-20T21:21:02.696-05:00Who Says I'm Not Knitting?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In a great spurt of creative energy after I finished France Socks, and after a prod by my knitting and travel buddy, off I went to Ravelry to find out about "<a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/the-beekeepers-quilt/">The Beekeeper's Quilt</a>." I was fascinated!<br />
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Back in my old days of going to The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival I amassed quite a collection of Koigu sock yarn. This was back in the day when Koigu had a booth selling . . . I forget their name for it . . . end of dyelot, end of run, end of the road, mill ends? Well, you get the idea. They were less than full skeins and were sold at 10 cents per gram. Rule of thumb: 100 grams needed to knit a pair of socks. Can you believe it? A pair of Koigu socks for $10!!! You could spend hours searching through overflowing baskets of multi-sized skeins tagged with color and dyelot numbers and find enough of one color to make a pair of socks, sometimes enough of one color to make a sweater. Of course the shading might be a little off if your color choice consisted of different dyelots. Some of the shading was not discernible and certainly wouldn't matter in a pair of socks. But a sweater? I wouldn't venture that far unless I was going for a Joseph's-Coat-inspired sweater and picked many different colors. Dyelot would not come into play. But I digress.<br />
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I would return to my motel room after a long day of fiber overload and band my little skeins into 100 gram bundles visualizing how the socks would be knit, darkest shaded dyelot to start and working down to lightest at toe, or vice-versa. The socks would have to be knit two at a time so that the shadings matched. I'm very anal about matching handknit socks. <br />
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So back to The Beekeeper's Quilt: I went to Ravelry for the pattern, researched the history and nuances, (I'm also anal about researching patterns and yarn.) and made the commitment to start knitting "hexapuffs," the little hexacombs the quilt is made up of. In the end I wasn't sure I wanted to dismantle all my Koigu 100 gram bundles, although they had been laying fallow for years in a decorative basket as part of my "comfort of yarn" collection. I found an online vendor who was selling "skeinettes" of Koigu supposedly big enough to knit one hexapuff. I'm not referencing that vendor because my $25 Grab Bag order of what was pictured as being many blue hued skeinettes contained mostly non blue and each was too short on yardage to make a whole hexapuff, even though they were supposed to have been made just for that purpose. Grrrrrr!<br />
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a skeinette that ran out before hexacomb was finished<br />
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Using the closest match to finish didn't appeal to me.</div>
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So I started using my comfort of Koigu.</div>
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The Beekeeper's Quilt continues on at a snails pace. I complete a puff a night when I'm on course. But here's the thing, during the process <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD8TPFyIjl8">I learned a neat cast on and found a great video</a> to help me get the hang of it. (I'm left handed living a right handed life. Some things are awkward for me.)<br />
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Once I had that cast on down pat I decided my Beach Socks 2012 (being knitted in 2013, far from the beach and in the winter) would be toe up, two on one long circular. I never like doing two at once on one needle but thought the challenge would be good for me. Go figure.<br />
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There is a ridge. It works for hexapuffs but for toe up socks you might prefer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkyd3nq3Yn8">Judy's Magic Cast On</a>.<br />
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Anyway, who says I'm not knitting?!!!<br />
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Bona Fide Knitter<br />
Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-3925711531286458562013-01-11T12:44:00.000-05:002013-01-11T19:31:51.361-05:00Down But Not Out<br />
Written January 6, 2013:<br />
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It's been just a whisiper less than a year since I last posted a blog entry. Life's challenges have been hard and time consuming. Sometimes you just have to drop out. What I've always liked to do is write and what I've also liked to do for the last decade is knit. I didn't do much of either in 2012, not much knitting and the little writing I did here was to bemoan the fact that I wasn't knitting. I apologize to my Dear Ones on the doll list and to my friends here. I plan to do better in 2013. <br />
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I made an attempt and composed the following draft back in July 2012 while on vacation on Cape Cod. I left it unposted because I found I could not add the pictures I referenced. High tech is great except when you don't have access to all the necessary components when you need them. And to add insult to injury, Blogspot changed its format. Another hurdle for me to jump! So here it is at last, four months and an extra five days later, with pictures: <br />
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July 2012 <br />
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Hello!
Is there anybody out there? Do you remember me? I've got eight months worth of happenings <br />
and non-happenings to report. I'm going to start here and work my way back. There will even be knitting content. So let's get started.<br />
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I'm going back now--way, way back in my life.
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A long time ago, when I was a child (I did say it was way, way back, didn't I.), my mother used to regale me with a recitation memorized in French. She studied French in high school and excelled at it. She loved it. Her teacher called her "Marguerite Clement" giving her name, Margaret Clement, the French pronunciation and making my mother feel very special indeed. Anyway, here is the English translation of the beginning of Mar's recitation, "When you take the train from Paris to Avignon you will arrive at the station at . . . " Little did I know way back then that on May 26, 2012, I would actually take the train from Paris to Avignon. Yes, when you wondered where I was in June, I was in France.<br />
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I left here on a Friday evening in May and landed in Paris Charles DeGaulle airport on Saturday morning. From the CDG airport I took the TGV (high speed train) to Avignon. I could hear my mother's perfect French (according to her account of her teacher's high praise) reciting from her long ago assignment.
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When I arrived at the station in Avignon, my travel buddy and knitting mentor, Kathryn, who was there three weeks ahead of me, met me on the platform and we were officially on vacaaaaaay together!
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Kathryn pointed out Avignon landmarks<br />
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Avignon's Bridge To Nowhere</div>
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as she drove from the train station to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syst%C3%A8me_U">SuperU</a>, a French supermarket, to pick up something for dinner. And then on to <a href="https://sablethouse.com/The_House.html">our rental house</a> in the little town of Sablet in the Provence region, 45 minutes away.<br />
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The house was perfect, exactly as pictured. The ground floor bedroom with en suite bathroom was<br />
mine. The second floor master bedroom room was Kathryn's and the other bedroom was Lynda's, our other housemate who was arriving a few days later.<br />
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Kathryn and I spent that first evening catching up over our dinner of rotisserie chicken, salad and wine. Aside from our last meet up at Stitches in 2008 in MD, almost all our communication had been via email. We don't see or talk to each other nearly enough. There was a lot of catching up to do. We talked late into the night, until jet lag overcame me. And that was the beginning of my French adventure. I will throw in some of the highlights of my trip in the coming weeks, but that's enough for now.
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On the knitting front, in the last eight months I haven't done much--knitting or otherwise. I've thought of doing a lot and even accumulated patterns, but as I am the first to admit, I am full of "getting ready" and not much on "carrying on." "Getting ready or carrying on" are terms used to help determine for tax purposes whether a person is starting a business or actually in business. Although knitting is not a business for me, years of tax accounting make me think in those terms. Lately I have not been "carrying on" much. I finally finished Beach Socks 2011 on May 12, 201<u>2</u>, just in time to start France Socks.<br />
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Beach Socks 2011</div>
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France Socks (sock #1 is still on the needles) and it's time to start Beach Socks 2012!<br />
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(<em>Update: The France Socks were completed November 10, 2012 and are pictured below. On November 13, 2012, Beach Socks 2012 were started here at home in my living room. More about them next time.</em>)<br />
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France Socks</div>
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(Can you discern the Eye of the Partridge Heel?)</div>
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My knitting nemesis, Volt, the shawl I love to hate, still lies mouldering in its project bag. I can't seem to bring myself to continue the three needle bind off that caused me so much disappointment during the winter. Should I continue the less-than-perfect looking last side of the bind off or should I frog that part and try again? The indecision has paralysed me.
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As evidence of my scattered state of mind these days, remember I bought green Birkenstocks to wear with the shawl when it is completed? Well, I forgot all about the shawl and the sandals and bought another pair of green sandals in France. Actually they are are a better color and I'm trying not to wear them to death before the shawl is finished.<br />
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Okay, so much for what I wrote months ago. I wanted to get something posted before I had to say "I haven't posted in over a year!" This is it. More to follow sooner rather than later. I promise.<br />
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Happy New Year 2013!<br />
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Bona Fide Knitter<br />
<br />Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333103892486274352.post-88071741094552402032012-01-08T11:15:00.022-05:002012-01-11T18:54:45.727-05:00Need My Knitting Mojo Back<div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div>For months I've been putting knitting catalogs in the recycling container without even opening them. Last week I opened one. I started thinking maybe a new project would bring my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">mojo</span> back. I almost convinced myself buying something new rather than starting one of the new-still-in-their-packaging projects I have would really get me back to knitting. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">culprit</span> catalog is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">KnitPicks</span> newest, Winter 2012. There's a garter stitch afghan, Viola Afghan Kit, that keeps calling my name.<br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696018174527464610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOuppVyjJxcWtgwfzC2VNu54IOSSY0ThFpa_vlSJibJRGCIzw1H_L_BRxjbvdPdQmIE7kDRA3goI3qOtZux9RpYdjnXExEAA2WoZzkzwIgJL3jy-jAOKXbDidI5SR4KF4LpkgM0MLhuY/s320/BlogJan2012+001.JPG" /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">My knitting guru (You remember who you are, right?) was on a garter stitch afghan knitting spree at one time. In fact she continues to do them in one form or another: log cabin, mitered <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">entrelac</span>, etc. I'm lumping them all together as garter stitch because they're all knit, knit, knit the whole afghan. I was tempted to jump on board then, but I know me, I would never finish it. My guru knitted them all of a piece and ones in squares that needed to be fashioned together. But I know me. Even if I finished all the squares, would I ever sew/knit/crochet them together? I hate projects that need further real work after the knitting is done. That's why I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">knitting</span> socks. When they're done, they're done. One day I'll take some pictures of a crocheted granny square coverlet I started when we were negotiating to buy this house . . . 43 years ago. Most of the squares are done, some are even sewn together. However, it's not finished . . . yet.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div>I have an afghan pattern given to me by my prolific guru a few years ago, Fiber Trends' Home Is Where the Heart Is. I bought the bulky red yarn to make it. In fact I made one false start at it which I prefer to call a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">gauge</span> swatch. It could be a perfect <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">entree</span> back into knitting since we are coming up on Valentine's Day. (Afghan pattern has hearts, yarn is red, get it?) And it's knit in one piece. But something new into the house might be the answer . . . or not. Oh, I'm such a mess!<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>But the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">KnitPicks</span> Viola afghan is 206 squares that have to be put together! And it even needs a backing!! Maybe I'll just finish *Beach Socks 2011.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bona</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fide</span> Knitter<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>*Beach Socks, for those of you who wonder, are socks I knit while lounging on the beach. They usually have some cotton content and after a ribbed cuff they are plain stockinette stitch, simple enough to knit in my sleep. Beach Socks are usually summer socks, but not for wearing on the beach.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Bona Fide Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00056436419566388318noreply@blogger.com2