early spring hike

redbud

K and I recently took a weekend getaway. We holed up in a cabin in central Kentucky, read, knitted, played games, and watched college basketball. We planned to have some lazy, do-nothing days, but the weather was so warm that we couldn't help going for a short hike. We hiked to the top of Natural Bridge, which isn't too strenuous, but is rather steep. The views from the top make it worth it, though. We also saw plenty of early spring wildflowers. 

Virginia bluebells

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The time away from everyday life felt wonderful.  

Where do you go for a weekend getaway?

weekend snippets: homebody

sweet sweets.

 

first attempt at basket weaving. 

as you can see, it's not quite a basket yet.

challah

i've wanted to make this bread for years and finally the stars aligned.

casting on for the knit along. 

 afraid those 160 stitches will intimidate the new knitters in our group.

 big curry noodle pot

perfect for warming up on a lazy winter night.

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how was your weekend? i'd love to hear about what you enjoyed.

favorite of favorites

Saturday mornings move slowly around here. Hours feel like whole days, and Monday's return to the routine seems far away. This morning has been particularly pleasant. I dove into our CSA vegetables and made breakfast burritos. The open windows let in cool, rain-soaked air, but two pots of coffee have kept me warm. A ball of red wool found its way onto my needles. But by far the best part of this morning has been the music. 

Tonight we've got tickets to a Nanci Griffith concert, so I dug out all of my Nanci records and CDs. I've been playing them the whole morning. Nanci's voice is tied with many memories for me. My dad and uncle listened to her music when I was a kid. Certain lyrics transport me across the world and time. 

Bicycles squeezed down alley ways into view

And towels warmed on oven doors
To not freeze
Was the only thing to do

I hummed this song all over Amsterdam for months as I rode my bike through cobblestone streets. Her words reminded me of home and made me feel less alone among strangers.

One winter night in Japan I walked home from work late at night listening to Nanci's album of torch songs. Snow was piled high around me as I trudged through an empty park. The only sounds were the crunch of snow and Nanci's voice singing "Bluer than blue." The whole world seemed cast in blue--the  pale ice, glowing streetlights, and dark sky.  In those moments I felt both melancholy and the happiest I'd ever been.

One of the Nanci Griffith records I found at a shop in Ann Arbor has notes taken during a concert she played on December 7, 1985. The album is also signed by Nanci and includes her book recommendations: Carson McCullers's Reflections in a Golden Eye and Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward, Angel. I think these two need to make it onto my reading list.

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Do you have any special memories tied to music? Who is your favorite musician? What do you love about their music? I'm such a word lover that lyrics are the most important part of music for me, and Nanci's songs always tell stories. She's definitely my favorite of favorites. I can't wait till tonight!

the start of something good

Monday again, huh? Well, I just spent my first weekend as a graduate, and I really think the non-student life agrees with me. It felt great not to have homework hanging over my head. There was plenty of time for knitting, eating at new restaurants, playing games, thrifting, listening to records, drinking beer, and catching up with friends and family that I haven't seen in what feels like years. I managed to get a few photos of the past several days. 

Soft and squishy Madelinetosh sock yarn from my new blog friend, Andi. Andi's knitting productivity inspires me to get my needles out even more. I've been wanting to try out Madelinetosh's yarn, so I was over the moon when this green skein arrived. Thanks, Andi!

So far I've made a yarn house with the Madelinetosh. I'm hoping that someday the house will look like these socks. I think it will be slow going. I've already had to rip back once--not that I'm complaining. Even with setbacks, knitting with this lovely yarn makes it worth it.

K's parents came in for a visit. My mother-in-law brought this turtle cake. Yes, it tasted as good as it looks! The candied pecans are my favorite part. Thanks, Phyllis!

I knitted this Sprout hat for someone new in the world. Now I've just got to get it to him before he gets much bigger! I actually made this hat on Friday, starting with the royal wedding and then working on it throughout the day as I awaited my big meeting with my professors. Busy hands kept my nerves calm. Well, as calm as they were going to be. The yarn is Cascade Sierra, which is a washable cotton/wool blend that seems great for a baby. The pattern is a very basic newborn hat.

We squeezed in some game time. This one is Stone Age, which has been a big hit with the family. K has this amazing ability to find cool new board games. I'm looking forward to playing them more now that I've got more free time.

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What's going on with you this week? 

The Kentucky Derby is this coming Saturday, which means lots of family time and parties. This week promises to be a very good one indeed.

knitting (!) my tea leaves cardigan

Updated to add: I just found out that one of my photos is featured on Your Tea Time today. Hop over there for a visit.

Week's end. Sigh.

I am so glad to have a couple of days of free time (ok, more like a few hours of free time, but I'll take what I can get). I've been watching Downton Abbey recently and in one episode the grandmother of the artistocratic family asks: "What's a weekend?" She can do as she pleases every day, so the end of the week holds no special significance.

But for me (and I'd venture to say most of you, too) weekends are everything. On the way to work this morning I realized how many ways I've already spent those free hours in my mind. I've thought of baking a cake, walking to the farmers' market, eating at my local Indian restaurant, watching more Downton Abbey, and knitting. Will I accomplish all of those things? Maybe not, but it sure is fun to think about.

One thing I will undoubtedly be doing this weekend is knitting. People, I'm obsessed. It's like when I first learned to crochet. I'd wake up every morning *so* excited that it was another day I could crochet. Well, now I want to spend every spare moment knitting. And all the other non-spare moments. I make deals with myself such as, "You can knit one more row and then you have to do your homework." But inevitably after that one row I give in and let myself purl a row, too. And then the next row is knitting, which is so fast that I convince myself I might as well do that row as well. Before I know it an hour has passed in this way of bargaining with myself and no homework has been done, though the cardigan is looking mighty pretty.

There is one thing that compels me to stop knitting (hint: it's not homework). I'll tell you on the condition that you don't laugh too hard about my knitting-nerd ways. My other recent obsession is reading about knitting. Oh gosh, I know, how dorky can I get? Well, the secret is out now so I may as well tell you all about it. I've been reading Knitting Without Tears during the daytime hours and The Knitter's Almanac before bed every night. Elizabeth Zimmermann seems like my own special knitting friend, and she makes me feel less awkward about my nerdiness because she also likes to talk about yarn and needles and stitches all day long. Plus, she's just a good writer. I love that she starts her almanac with a story about why she writes about knitting--her husband had listened to all of the knitting details that he could possibly handle and finally suggested she write a book. I read that part out loud to K because I knew he'd identify with EZ's "Old Man."

Reading EZ's almanac before bed means that knitting has most definitely crept into my dreams. A couple of nights ago I dreamed that I was knitting all night long. It was the best dream I've had since the one where I met Dolly Parton and knew that we were going to be best friends forever (I am letting out all my nerdy secrets today).

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Do you have any nerdy secrets you'd like to reveal here?

Come on, make me feel better about my obsessions.

If you're not a nerd (and I don't believe that for one minute, but I'll let it slide), you could just leave a comment about your weekend plans. I'm always looking for ideas of more things to cram into my free hours, though I think we all know that the only thing I'll be doing this weekend is working on my cardigan (and squeezing in a bit of homework so that the university will give me a degree come May).

weekend snippets + menu: city and country edition

Pink Palace on St. James Court

So it's Tuesday and I'm still basking in the glow of my incredibly full weekend. I wish the events had been spread over many weekends so I could have spent more time enjoying each experience instead of rushing around and exhausting myself. Oh well, happy exhaustion isn't too bad, is it?

We had friends from out of town staying with us, so we got to show them around and play tourists in our own town. We strolled around Old Louisville to take in the Victorian architecture and the local color (haha--I'm talking about you, Pink Palace!). 

Then we drove downtown where our new German friend made himself right at home with the World's Largest Baseball Bat. We also spotted the 21c's bejeweled limo. 

Hood and bumper

(A sidenote: I am dying to stay at the 21c. I don't usually go in for fancy-schmancy hotels or restaurants, but I'll totally make an exception for the 21c. I think a free night in exchange for a glowing review on this little craft blog is completely fair. 21c people, contact me!).

I squeezed in some knitting time in my spare moments. This thick green sock is the one I'm knitting for class. The worsted weight yarn and chunky needles make it easier and quicker than the sock weight version I've been working on. Knitting class has been so much fun! So far I've had two sock classes--in the first we learned to cast on and knit the leg and in the second we learned how to make the heel. In the final class we'll do the toe and finish the sock! That's right, after three classes I will have precisely one sock. 

Maple tea

As if all the running around town weren't enough, Mom, Julie, K, and I headed to the Sugarbush Festival to gorge ourselves on local maple syrup. After stuffing ourselves with syrup-drenched waffles and maple tea, we decided to partake in the woodsy activities. Julie threw tomahawks and we both took up a saw to cut our own slice of wood. We are such city girls. The festival continues next weekend, so if you're in the Southern Indiana area, check it out.

What moments are you savoring from this weekend?

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Weekly Menu

Sunday: Veggie burgers, mashed potatoes, salad

Monday/Tuesday: Tomato and Mushroom Soup with lime, quesadillas

Wednesday: U of L game night/excuse to eat nachos for dinner

Thursday/Friday: Vegetable Lo Mein

weekend snippets + menu: february warmth

shadows mean sunshine

This weekend was full. I want to linger over it a little longer and take in each moment. There were so many good ones. Warm weather. Walking with K. Knitting class. Family game night with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Reading in bed in the afternoon. Cups of tea. 

Sunday night with K. We spread a quilt out on the living room floor, played cards, ate caramel apple pie, and listened to bluegrass music on the radio. Maybe this should be a new Sunday night ritual.

tiny pinecones

the best homework ever--reading in bed on a sunday afternoon

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What moments from your weekend do you want to linger over?

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Weekly Menu

Sunday: Leftover Thai food

Monday and Tuesday: Indonesian Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup

Wednesday and Thursday: Chana Masala

Friday: Out with friends

Saturday: Work Potluck

Bread of the Week: Naan

Ha. Well, I just realized how boring this week's menu is. We are cooking only twice and eating out lots. I'll try to make next week more exciting. Have a good week!

weekend snippets: over the river

old sign in new albany, indiana

Happy Valentine's Day!  Are you doing anything special? 

Valentine's Day on a Monday isn't too much fun if you ask me. I've got work, school, and a paper due tomorrow, so it's just a regular day around here. 

Today might not be special, but this weekend was lots of fun. We had a game night with my dad and sister, got to see a Kathleen Madigan show for free, and went for Mexican food at La Rosita.

I took some photos of our lunch trip. Mom, Jules, K, and I went for lunch across the river in New Albany. It's not far but it felt like a great little getaway.

old theaters make me so happy

monkeys in a tree

the muhammad ali center, louisville, ky

Do you see the faces made out of tiles? I love this building. As we passed it, Jules and I reminisced about meeting Muhammad Ali. i remember shaking his hand at the airport once when I was really young--maybe four or five years old--and then we met him at a restaurant when I was around ten. We both got his autograph then, and he did a magic trick for us. I kept his autograph locked in a small cedar box along with my Christmas money for safekeeping. Once our house was robbed, and the thieves broke the lock and stole my money. They didn't take my Muhammad Ali autograph, though. I was so relieved! I bet that scrap of paper with his name on it is still in that box at my mom's house, smelling of cedar. I'm going to have to find it again.

the start of something new

You guys, I haven't mentioned it around the blog for fear of jinxing it, but I've been knitting. As in, knitting actual things that people can wear. I'm so excited! I'll show you a finished object soon! 

weekend snippets: i *heart* craft

it has been so long since i've done a weekend snippets post! i've fallen into the habit of trudging into each new work week and forgetting the weekend all too quickly. not anymore. i'm here to savor those weekend days so that the good, relaxing feelings continue into the week. 

this weekend i tried to convince myself that i enjoyed reading "mrs. dalloway." look how cozy it is with quilts and a cup of tea, i told myself. i was not convinced. instead i decided to watch "smokey and the bandit"  with k and make heart garlands. 

and look how productive i was as i watched burt reynolds and sally field drive from texarkana back to georgia with a load of bootleg coors! i made these three mini heart garlands as gifts.

then i saw how sweet the heart garland looks on my tea cabinet and realized that i've got to make one for myself. 

i wrote out this week's menu on the board in our kitchen. there's a restaurant nearby that posts its menu on a chalkboard outside. it always looks so good. i thought posting the weekly menu would help me remember what we're making and get me excited to cook.

i spent some time yesterday working on a sewing project that involves buckwheat hulls. i'll post photos when it's done.

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what moments would you like to savor from the weekend?

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weekend snippets: the last good weekend

Well, I think this might have been the last good weekend until the end of the semester. I'll have to savor these moments until then.

Red wine and couch sitting. Two of my favorite things. 

In addition to my pizza-eating challenge, I think I might challenge myself to try all of the Charles Smith Wines. I love a good excuse to indulge challenge.

I found this dinosaur on the table at work. My co-workers are fun people. They make the occasional Saturday at the office less of a drag.

K and I got all glammed up (ok, I got all glammed up, K looked suave) to go to the Moscow State Symphony. I finally wore my crocheted cardigan out in public! At first I was worried that maybe I just go to symphonies for the glitzy bags I get to carry...

But no. The Russians know how to bring it! The music was so intense and energetic. I had no problem keeping my mind on the music this time. Plus, the conductor was such a funny character. He had the musicians play three encores and then tiptoed off stage during the last one.

I spent a Sunday study break playing Forbidden Island with K, Mom, and Julie. What I like best is that it's a cooperative game, so everyone is on the same team. We're not a very competitive family.

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What moment are you savoring from the weekend? I hope you had a good one and that it won't be the last good one for you!

weekend snippets + giveaway winner

Monday, Monday. It comes too soon. I'm trying to get myself in gear for another busy week. It's that time in the semester when I'm in a near-constant tizzy of busy-ness. To get through the week, I'll be keeping these weekend moments in mind. These are the things I loved this weekend:

Kicking off "The Great Pizza Challenge." Sounds official, huh? The Great Pizza Challenge just means that K and I will be eating pizza from all (seven) of the local pizza places in our neighborhood and determining our favorite. One down, six to go.

Organizing recipes. Whew. This has been on the to-do list for a long time. Sitting down with a cup of tea in the sunlight made this chore quite enjoyable. I neatly sorted the recipes into categories and put them in a binder. Now we can easily flip through all of the recipes we've collected from blogs.

Baking Soft American-Style White Bread from this book. Yep, it tastes like white bread, except better. 

Having friends over for snacks, records, and games.

Finally buying new pillows. Now it feels like I'm sleeping on a cloud. It has been so hard to get out of bed ever since. 

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What did you love about this weekend?

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Oh yes, the giveaway winner. I didn't forget! The random number selected was 28, making Cnldesantis the winner of the Stone Blue Cable hat. Congrats, Cnldesantis! I've emailed you. Just send me your address, and I'll get the hat in the mail. You've got until Thursday to claim your prize. 

If I don't hear back from the winner by Thursday, I'll select another.