Is it just me that judges the quality of a blogpost by the amount of pictures in the post? I have a few blogs that I read every word of every post, but the rest I browse the pictures and read the post if something catches my eye. Now, before anyone gets offended thinking I don't read their blog every day, let me clarify. I subscribe to about a zillion blogs via bloglines and if I read everyone everyday I would have to quit my job. Anyway, I assume other people do the same thing, and just browse the pictures. Since I have resolved to be a better blogger, I try not to post unless I have a decent amount of pictures, or at least one related to knitting. So, may I present, a blogpost of good "quality".....
Last time I mentioned a kitchen makeover, and now I have the pictures to prove it. For Christmas, my mother-in-law gave me a ton of red kitchen stuff. I secretly suspect she is redecorating my house one gift at a time, but I don't really mind. It's not like I would buy this stuff for myself unless I really need it. 
Red items from left to right: coffee maker, water bottle, blender, food processor, stand mixer, pot holder and oven mitt
Red items from left to right: toaster oven (it's red, you just can't tell at that angle), spoon rest, pot holder, utensils in the caddy, toaster, sugar and flour holders, cookbook.
So we spent all day a few weeks ago going through my kitchen purging my old unmatched dishes and appliances and redecorating my kitchen. All that's left to make my kitchen completely MarthaStewart-ized is paint, retile the floor, and make some curtains. Whew! After all the redecorating, something amazing happened. I had this inexplainable urge to.....cook! I love all the new kitchen appliances and I wanted to use them. I am still in awe of the stand mixer. You can dump your ingredients in there and just.....walk away. When you come back they are all mixed up and you didn't have to DO anything! Technology is great. My hubby has been extremely pleased with my newfound love of the kitchen. 
(I can't get that picture to rotate for some reason, sorry about the neck-straining.)
Just a sample of the dinners he's been treated to lately. The top (sideways) picture is spinach-stuffed shells, and the bottom picture is lime-pepper-garlic chicken with a salsa and lime garnish. I've also made coffee cake, cookies, egg salad, and lots of breakfast stuff. Cooking is fun! Who knew?
Lest you think I've abandoned knitting for the kitchen, don't be mistaken. It's just another excuse to knit dishrags.
My very first ball-band warshrag from Mason-Dixon Knitting. Love it, ove it, love it. I want to run out and buy cotton in every color and churn out these babies night and day!
I've also been getting paper-crafty. I mentioned that I was co-hosting a baby shower. I was in charge of the invitations.
It took me a little less than an hour to make one. Then I decided to get crazy and make this many.
After making eleven my hand got a little cramped so I store-bought the rest. The guests will never know! I am saving one for the mom-to-be that I'm going to put in a shadow box with some ribbon and other cutesy stuff. (By the way, Jackie I'd love to get the picture and instructions for the diaper cake-I couldn't figure out how to email you back from the comment.)
That's all for now. I am SOOO close to finishing the Christmas presents, but...not...quite....yet. I know I am now exactly one month overdue. I'm already planning for next year.
January 25, 2007
Quality
January 17, 2007
Inspiration
Last weekend my friend Beth and I revived a tradition that’s been hibernating since spring. We went yarn shopping! The thought of knitting a single stitch on any of my Christmas knits (still not finished) was completely unappealing and we both needed a day out of town. We hit up a few yarn stores in the Harrisonburg area. The tone of the day was definitely “indulgence” as I went more than overboard with my purchases. I can justify it though: it’s been a while since I spent any money on myself and I was in need of some pampering. At the first store I stumbled onto a great deal-Manos del Uruguay at 20% off! So I got seven skeins of a variegated royal purple to make a sweater.
I also got a skein of Crystal Palace Baby Alpaca in a light lavender-blue color.
It came with a pattern for a hat that I promptly cast on for the next day. In fact, Beth and I each got a skein (in different colors) and had a race to see who could finish their hat first. Sadly, she won, and I owe her a batch of cookies. I don’t mind though, because I’ve recently discovered my love of cooking. (More on that later) Besides, I still ended up with a super-cute hat!
The best find of the day though, was a total shock. We stumbled across this store that was primarily a fabric store that also carried yarn. We went in, expecting to find an assortment of basic wool and acrylic. Imagine our surprise when there, on the 30% off shelf, was Blue Heron metallic/rayon blend, three shelves worth! I don’t know if any of you have ever had the pleasure of knitting with this yarn, but you should seek it out if you haven’t. I knit my Green Gable out of it over the summer. I got a skein of the Tulip color. Anyone have any ideas on what I should make? I’ve got 550 yards that’s about a DK weight. (I knit it on size US 6 for the Green Gable)
After I knit the hat I swatched a little with the purple Manos to see what patterns I like. I dragged out all my good sweater patterns I have and tried to match it with the yarn. Every pattern I’ve seen with Manos del Uruguay has been either a man’s sweater of something I wouldn’t wear. Any suggestions? I am really considering making the Central Park Hoodie (LINK to Carrioke) from Knitscene, but the varigations and the cables might be too much. Opinions?
Don’t worry, Christmas gift recipients. Knitting that hat and the yarn purchases was just the inspiration I needed to get cranking. I’ve made more progress on the gifts in the past few days than I have since Christmas. They’re coming! It won’t be much longer!
Also, before I forget. I picked a winner from the comments from the last blog post using a random number generator. So, congratulations JENNIFER! I will be contacting you to get your mailing address soon!
January 6, 2007
Happy Blogiversary!
First of all, I’d like to say thank you for the kind comments and wishes of a happy new year. I really appreciate them and so does my family.
I told my husband earlier in the week that my blogiversary was coming up and he almost rolled on the floor, he was laughing so hard. After he regained his composure he said, "what's the custom gift for your 1 yr blogiversary, a hard drive?" No silly, it's yarn of course. I have a ball of lovely soft pink Anny Blatt angora to give away to one lucky commenter. I will pick the name at random, and announce it on my next post.
To celebrate one year of blogging, I decided to highlight some memorable things from the past year.
January
a blog was born, finished two objects, and experimented with dyeing yarn
February
the Knitting Olympics consumed most of my time, although I didn't finish.....
March
finsihed Tubey, started my first pair of socks
April
went to the DC Knit Meetup, bought a house
May
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, signed up for Secret Pal 8
June
made yellow ankle socks, attended Soxperience 2006
July
organized the Flip Flop Swap, started an obsession with quilting, went wedding dress shopping with my youngest sister
August
not much knitting, but lots of home improvement
September
celebrated my one-year wedding anniversary
October, November, and December really didn't hold much knitting content, but I celebrated my birthday, learned to knit continental, and worked on Christmas gifts (still not done!)
Here's to a completed year of blogging, and another good year with more frequent posts and more finished knits! Happy New Year!
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