WHAT NOT KNITTING !!! YES SEWING

Usually I knit but on this trip I have been working on projects for my friends home. Last year I got a good start, with a ton of things done and this was what was left for me to do. I did the shower curtain and matching valance for two bathrooms. It was a real project but lots of fun. While we were here we helped finish installing the tile and sinks and all of that. Then spent a few days searching for the perfect color of towels, rugs and the like. I thought you might like to see my sewing efforts for this trip. Now back to knitting.....

What have I been doing?

I am on a working vacation, a bit of knitting and a lot of sewing going on. First the knitting and tomorrow the sewing. I started if you all remember making a sock from the "flat sock" blank that I purchased. I knit on the trip to Florida but I must admit I did sleep a lot. Great relaxing thing to do. Listen to the I-Pod while hubby drives. You gotta love it! I did do a bit of knitting on the sock and then every chance I had I worked a few rows. That is the wonderful thing about a sock, pick it up, put it down and soon a shock is finished. I love to read the Yarn Harlot and all about her sock travels and the pictures of the sock so as a salute to Stephanie here is my finished sock!!

Hope there was no body attached to this sock!

Good Food Today

No pictures as I am still on my working vacation. Hopefully there will be new pictures tomorrow but in the meantime here is a wonderful different potato salad. From my very talented daughter who cooks as well as knits>

Warm Green Bean & Potato Salad


Ingredients:

4 Cups - potatoes sliced approx. ¼” thick
2 Cups - green beans – cut up
4-6 slices of bacon

¼ Cup - olive oil
¼ Cup - white or balsamic vinegar
¼ Teaspoon - black pepper
¼ Teaspoon - salt
Dash - garlic powder
¼ Cup - minced red onion

Preparation:

1. Boil the potatoes for ten minutes. Add the green beans and cook another 5 minutes.
2. Drain and cool the potatoes and beans after cooking.
3. Meanwhile, fry the bacon; drain and reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings.
4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and bacon drippings slowly into vinegar.
5. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder into the liquid mixture.
6. Pour the vinegar/bacon fat mixture over the cooled potatoes and green beans.
7. Crumble bacon strips and spread over top of salad.
8. Add red onion and gently toss not to pulverize potatoes.
9. Serve salad slightly warm or at room temperature.
10. ENJOY

Makes approximately 6 servings.

TRAVELS OF A SOCK KNITTER!!!

Now I have started my "Flat Feet" I am using the Jaywalking pattern for these. I enjoy having socks on my needles in the evening when watching American Idol, or tonight for my favorite Project Runway. Need to keep up with the world you know. Just the small amount I have knit with this yarn was pure joy. Absolutely wonderful, flows onto the needles and I can hardly wait for more time to work on them. it seems like the fact it was pre-knit makes the stitches just put themselves around the needle. I am using 2.5 mm needles as suggested on the yarn label. No yarn ball running across the floor.



I have left the cold and snow of the hills of Pennsylvania and arrived in sunny Florida. Lots of knitting time in the car. I finished the Patriotic socks for Louis while riding along. They are just basic socks in yarn from Joselyn Fibers out of the stash of many years ago. Nice and warm and heavier than the regular sock yarn I use. It was great to knit away and watch the snow and ice leave and as we traveled things got greener.

Yesterday was spoil myself with a pedicure followed by a nap. Sure did make that foot that caused so many problems in December feel oh so much better.


There are two kitties where I am staying and as yet they have not discovered that I knit. Whitey and Ducey both don't know about cats and yarn as their owner does not knit. Let me tell you I will have them all educated before I leave here in a few weeks.

I do have the ongoing mitten projects I need to get back to work on. Mittens seemed great fun in the cold but seem to have lost their magic as the days are warm and sunny. I always bring more yarn on a trip so I shall not run out of things to do.

I have not started the sewing projects as yet but soon we will do some decorating and sewing. Pictures to follow.