Zeneedle...needleart as life

Winter

The white feathers of a magpie flash across my view and join the magpie convention in a nearby tree. Winter has arrived and the days are short and cold. There has been little snow accumulation in the mountains or valleys. Utah is in dire need of snow. It's not that I love snow, but it is disconcerting there has been so little. No snow, no water in summer.

Tuesday night, as I drove home from SnB, the full moon sat above the mountains. It highlighted the beauty of their peaks, cast long shadows and lifted my spirit. The next morning, as I drove to an early appointment, the moon was still high in the sky. Its light so bright the sky looked like a sunset.

The landscape is my solace as knitting hasn't fully drawn me in and may even be causing a bit of malaise. I also feel a little blasé about blogging, but I know it will pass. The doctors explained early on that the post-surgery roller coaster could be a rough ride. It has certainly been up and down emotionally. Posting may be sporadic until my voice fully returns. I'm taking it easy, learning to go with my body's flow, and working on building strength. Please don't worry.

Another Mystery

I've got sunshine
On a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside,
I've got the month of May.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My sock. (My sock, my sock)
Talkin' 'bout my Sunset Mystery sock.

The color is bright and even a little shocking, but it chases away the dreariness of a winter's day. How can you not smile, sing, or laugh out loud when this color is on your feet?

After knitting and wearing many, many, many socks, I've become rather snobby about the yarn I use. It must hold its color, it shouldn't pill or shrink, and above all else, it must be durable. The Mystery Socks, both fabulous pair, have met my criteria. The first pair I used Kim's yarn, and this pair was knit with Judy's yarn.

This isn't the first time I've knit with either yarn so I knew they would wear and be beautiful for a long, long time. In 2008 I knit Thelonious Socks in Judy's yarn and the Mystery Sock with Kim's yarn. I love and wear both pair often. They feel good on the feet and in a year have shown very little wear. 

I've got so much honey
The bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song
Than the birds in the trees.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My sock. (My sock, my sock)
Talkin' 'bout my Sunset mystery sock.

Yarn: Ball and Skein – Sunset
Pattern: Mystery Sock 2009 by Through the Loops
Time to knit: Oct 13, 2009 – November 27, 2009
Raveled Here

Happy Monday!

Thanksgiving was wonderful!  The perfect recipe was a long weekend, good food (Smith's lamb was exceptional!), delightful family visits, a movie (weak on plot, but full of great Rock and Roll!), and a ton of time to relax.  It was heavenly.

The yummy food didn't stop because the apple crisp was gone. On Saturday we bought a lemon tart (from Whole Foods) for Sunday dinner (leftovers).  With frozen blueberries (warmed in a pan, crushed as they heated, a good bit of sugar, a touch of lemon juice, dash of salt, and vanilla) a nice tasty sauce was made to pour over the top. Ir made a quick and fabulous treat.

Now, it's your turn to share your favorite T-day memory.

Thankfully It's Wednesday

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and family is coming to stay for a couple of days.  Thankfully they traveled to see us so there was no need for me to fly or drive hours and hours.  Traveling is not in my game plan for the near future.

Thankfully we'll have a bounty of good food on the table and while we're going non-traditional, it's going to be fun.  Smith is Q-ing a leg of lamb, while I make rice stuffed acorn squash.  A green salad will be a nice compliment and apple crisp follows for dessert.

A couple of years ago I posted this recipe and we still make it much the same way, however, instead of flour I use Pamela's Gluten Free Baking Mix.

Apple Brown Zen

5 cups apples sliced about 1/2" thick (a mixture of sweet and tart creates good all round flavor)  Add a dash of lemon to keep the apples from turning brown
Butter an 8x8 baking dish and fill it with apples

Mix together:

1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 stick butter (softened)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/3 cup sliced almonds (optional - for more crunch)
Cover apples with crisp mixture and bake in a 375 oven for 30 minutes. Serve with cream, or ice cream, if desired.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!!

Thankful Tuesday

Today I can't help but be thankful for the beauty of winter, especially as I'm in my warm car, home or office. The trees iced with snow are breathtakingly beautiful against the hope of blue in the sky.

Without beautiful days like this winter would be unbearable.

Mz Norma sent out an announcement:

Have you been working on a Red Scarf for the OAF?  If you have it's time to finish it up and get it in the post ASAP. If haven't started a scarf, but want to join the chorus, you still have time to knit one.  Get your needles clacking!