Awards All Around

I haven't been blogging much so I was a bit taken aback when Melodye surprised me with this.


In turn I am nominating the following blogs:
1.Cici
2.Kathy
3.Theresa
4.Vera
5.Deborah
6.Acornbud
7.Monica

Here are the rules for the nominees: 1. Copy the award to your site. 2. Link to the person from whom you received the award. 3. Nominate 7 other bloggers. 4. Link to those on your blog. 5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

I finally took a picture of Mr. Greenjeans sans blocking and buttons. It has been finished since before Christmas but I didn't have any woolwash to soak and block it. I ordered some a few days ago so I should have an FO sometime next week. This color is really hard to photograph so I am unable to get a picture with the true color of the sweater.


Last night I cast on Viveca from Book Twelve: The Walk in the Park Collection by Elsebeth Lavold. I'm subbing Debbie Bliss Merino Aran from the stash for the Silky Cashmere. The drape will be significantly different but it should a very warm sweater.

February Sweater

Prior to my trip to Orlando this past summer, I started the February Lady Sweater for mom as part of the guilds kal. I finished it back in October and mom has been wearing and enjoying it ever since. This past Monday I was finally able to get pictures of her wearing it.



Specs:

Pattern: February Sweater for a Lady by Flintknits
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino Aran
Needles: 8 and 10.5 circulars
Size: XL
Started: August 1, 2008 Finished: October 4, 2008

At first I was hating this pattern because of the garter stitch. Once I got past that portion I found it a pure joy. I did have to start over once because my counts were off. I doubt that I will make this again, I rarely do, but I love the way it turned out and it fits and flatters her so well.

I'm currently working on a pair of generic toe-up socks in Mountain Colors Bearfoot Ruby River for mom while I contemplate my next sweater.


The weather has been perfect for wool socks and I've been mighty slack in making any new pairs for both of us so I'm trying to knock out a few.

Yesterday afternoon I finally broke down and got a new cell phone. My phone was so old that it wasn't a flip and didn't have camera. It's been a constant joke with the family. For some strange reason I tend to hang onto my phones until they are no longer supported. I had to get rid of my last phone when the phone company notified me that they wouldn't support it any more because it was analog. As an IT person you would think that I'd be up on things but when it come to phones, NOT!

I got an LG Shine and even though I'm pleased with it, I'm considering returning it and getting an iPhone. I don't generally get that much use out of a cell which is the main reason I didn't get it to start with. I already have a Palm T|X loaded with apps which is the main reason I didn't get it initially. If you have an iPhone, let me know if you love it and why.

First FO '09

Woohoo! Finally an fo and the first of 2009. These socks have been on the needle since 2007. They kept getting put back and finally got re-worked. I'm loving the plain vanilla socks in this color. I finished them just in time for the 10 degree weather this weekend.


Specs:

Pattern: Generic Toe-Up with short-row heel
Yarn: Trekking XXL color 66 (purples)
Needles: 00 and 1 US dpn's
Size: 9.5
Started: August 28, 2007 Finished: January 15, 2009

Next up is finishing the Bluebell Rib socks. No second sock syndrome here. Two-thirds of the second one is finished.



I've picked out or purchased yarn for the two pairs of socks that will be gifted to friends of the family. I'm going to do a simple rib for Mr. Rainey and Gittertour from Omas Strickgeheimnisse for Mrs. Rainey. The book is a wonderful collection of German patterns. I'm not sure if this book is still out of print, but if you get a chance check it out.

I was reading cold weather tips in the paper and it said that mittens are better than gloves for cold weather. Too bad I read the information so late or I'd have a pair ready for the weekend. It's just another thing to add to the list. Well it's late and another workday looms ahead so ta-ta for now.

Re-appearance

Once there was a blogger named Fiberitis who used to inhabit the blogosphere.
I don't know what has happened with my blogging. It seems that even though I am on the computer fairly regularly I never get around to blogging. Christmas was so busy and hectic that it just flew from one year into the next.

There hasn't been much work on the knitting front. I still need to block both of the sweaters and put one of them together. I am currently working on socks that have been on the needles for way too long.

More of my attention has been focused on food. I've gained an excessive amount of weight, 31 pounds, in the past five months. I've been cooking at home everyday instead of eating out and paying more attention to my portions which have gotten out of hand. My diabetes is very well controlled but it won't stay that way for long if my weight continues to ballon.

On Monday I made Chicken Marsala.





It is from the Cooking Light Chicken cookbook and was delicious. I restricted myself to the 3-ounce portion and had a salad and garlic mashed potatoes. The only change I would make would be to double the wine and broth since there wasn't quite enough sauce in the final dish. I also subbed capers for the green peas. I hate sweet peas.

I would highly recommend this cookbook as it has some excellent and diverse chicken recipes. You will never be bored with chicken again.