Later alligator

We've taken the usual guide books out from the library. You can always count on a combination of Frommer's and Lonely Planet to get you where you want to go in a new city. Mr. T and I head out to New Orleans later this week for a few days. It's our first visit to Louisiana and we're looking forward to some good eating. I'm especially looking forward to beignets at Cafe du Monde, po' boys of all kinds, oysters and whatever seafood I can get my hands on. I've picked a knitting project to take along with me that is small enough to fit in my bag and uses the size 10 bamboo needles that I have (no metal on airplanes). Wishing everyone a great rest of the week and a very happy Easter/Passover.

Meeting a Challenge

I've conquered the art of baking bread from scratchety-scratch.  I think two perfect loaves counts as conquering.  Don't ask for a repeat performance just yet.  I'm still recuperating.  It takes a long time.  And I didn't use a bread machine.  Just two noodle-y arms.  Whew!  The rear loaf is whole wheat sandwich bread and the front loaf is cinnamon raisin.  A couple thick slices of the whole wheat with some cheddar made the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich I've had in forever!  MMmmmm.  I used Peter Reinhart's Whole Grain Breads recipe book.  This book is very detailed, and I believe, if followed meticulously, one can not possibly go wrong.  I have a few of his other books on hold at the library.  By the time, my holds arrive, I'll be plenty rested up for another bread baking session.  :)

N

Friday Night Sights

I need to swatch for my EZ Project #4, but while I get my butt in gear swatching, I have been slowly working a row here and a row there on my Lacy Baktus.  I am using Knitpicks Palette from the stash in a nude colour.  I love how it is super squishy and drapey and light - perfect for warmer weather that is bound to arrive shortly.   And it has occurred to me that our Easter decorations have not been unearthed from the basement yet.  I will add that to the list for this weekend.

Happy Friday night!

N

A prize and a pie

Yesterday when I got home from work there was a little box tucked between the screen door and the storm door. At first I didn't recognize the name on the return, nor did I recognize the address. And then it hit me--the booties from Oats 'n Honey!How adorable are these?! Look at the perfect little flowers and the tiny little buttons. Thank you Adrian! You are very talented.
From one sweet thing to another, here is a random picture of a lemon curd tart that I made a few weeks ago. I decided to go for spiky meringue and it turned out looking like some sort of nicely toasted sea creature. Also, lemon curd is my new favorite thing. I can eat buckets of this stuff.

Monday Funday

We were making more gnomes to add to our collection when I soon realized that the glue was not adhering properly.  So gnome-making stalled, and the outdoors beckoned to us to strip off our jammies and get dressed.   A walk to the park was in order.  And when we were finished with that park, we headed to another park.  We're park hoppers.  I think this would make a sweet rapping ditty.  Later.

Let's get this over.  Here is my February Square Blanket  - the third project in the EZ throwdown.  I used Bernat Cashmere (which is a blend of a teensy bit cashmere and mega acrylic).  I started with 8 stitches, then I doubled those stitches, and then I did 8 increases every two rows.  This was great tv knitting, and when I thought it was big enough, I did about an inch of seed stitch while continuing to increase, and then I cast off.  It's soft and cuddly and perfect for a doll blanket.  If I did this pattern again, I would use wool and a bigger needle.  It'd make a great car seat blanket for a baby too.  That crazy dimple-y pucker going on in the middle is driving me batty.  Must.  Look.  Away. 

N

PS.  I thought it was cute this morning when I looked in the Bee's knapsack and saw four giant scrolls with her name written very large and our phone number tied with ribbons.  I no longer thought it was cute after thirteen four hundred giggly random phone calls.

Revolt of the Taste Buds

I got the Spring 2010 Kraft What's Cooking magazine last weekend and was drawn to the vanilla almond strawberry tart.  It looked very pretty.  Appearance-wise, this dessert is a ten.  But I would have liked the graham crust a bit sweeter, and I should know by now that I don't like whipped topping in a plastic tub.   Add this to the list of things I knew I didn't like so changed, but forgot and was quickly reminded.  This list includes knitting with acrylic, shopping in malls, and Aunt Jemima.  I've been whipping my own fresh whipped cream for several years now.  I love freshly whipped cream.  But this recipe called for whipped topping from a tub, and since it was being incorporated into the vanilla pudding, I didn't think I would taste it that much.  Turns out I can taste it from a mile away.  And not in a good way.  So next time, I would substitute this vanilla whipped topping with a good ol' fashioned vanilla custard made from scratch.   This is a case in point for slow is better. All things come to those who wait.  Lesson learned.  Again.

N

PS.  This is not to say we did not eat it.  'Cause we did.  We are weak in the presence of pretty food however horrible it tastes.  Plus a part of me wanted to prove that it wasn't as bad as I describe it.  After eating half the tart, my opinion remains the same.  Bleh.

Five Alive in the Pocket

We drove out of the city to a pancake house and maple syrup shack, and we filled up on pancakes and sausages for the year.  Seriously.  I am good until March 2011.  Now I have a hankering for some greens.  :)

Dear weekend, it's so good to see you.  Please stay a while longer than last weekend, and let me enjoy you a bit. 

N