crafts + recipes + existential dread
Noah has been up since 12:30 and absolutely refuses to go back to sleep. I got a whopping two hours myself, so I can’t even imagine how my attitude is going to suck tomorrow (today, really). Next time someone gives me the “Oh, why aren’t you going to have a third?” I’m sending my children to spend the night at their house.
Coffee anyone?
Today was a good day. That’s all.
My original plan for last night was to cast on for my Flower Basket Shawl. During Noah’s nap I got everything out, wound up my yarn, and was set to go. Of course, around dinner time I decided to have a glass of wine and pulled the Crane Lake out of the fridge (I legitimately needed to taste it for work, to see if we might want to bring it it in as the lone cheap Chardonnay).
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by their Cab in the past, and I was likewise surprised by their Chardonnay. I smelled apple, pear, cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. I kept smelling my glass, wishing I could make a perfume out of it! (Clearly, if you didn’t already think I was nuts you do now. My God, the woman wants to smell like cheap white wine – what’s wrong with her?). Anyway, continuing with my notes… The wine is slightly creamy and easy to drink, light tannins, not terribly complex, but a good value to be sure.
My original glass carried me through the kids’ dinner, baths, and bedtimes (about an hour and a half), and then it was time for me to make myself dinner and kick back. And… well… I almost kicked back the whole bottle. Ooops! Luckily I remembered that I needed to leave at least a bit for Drew. And even though I’m not really a lightweight, I hadn’t eaten much all day, so I didn’t think it would be a good idea to mix cheap white wine with sharp pointy objects.
And that’s why I didn’t start my shawl. But if you’re looking for dirt cheap chardonnay that isn’t completely terrible? Go with the Crane Lake.
In case you’re interested in free coffee, this was in the Hungry Girl newsletter over the weekend:
Free Coffee at The ‘Bucks – Do NOT miss the “Starbucks Coffee Break” and your big chance to get a FREE Tall (12-oz.) coffee this Thursday, March 15th, from 10am ’til noon at Starbucks locations all over the U.S., Canada, Asia and Australia. While you’re there, check out their brewing sale and get a great deal on your very own brewer. Yee-haaa!
Drink up if you’re near one (and even if you have issues with Starbucks, I say free coffee is still free coffee).
A quick, easy, and fun knit. Of course, I realized I did 2×2 ribbing instead of 1×1 ribbing after I finished knitting the base, but that’s okay. Just gives me an excuse to knit another one! And in case you’re wondering, it’s a chocolate cupcake with coconut frosting.
Pattern: from “One Skein” by Leigh Radford
Yarns: Patons Merino Wool (base); Patons ChaCha (frosting)
Needles: Size 5 Balene II DPN; Size 9 bamboo DPN
Started: March 7, 2007
Finished: March 8, 2007
What would make someone think it’s okay to walk into a store (with a carpeted floor no less) and start eating the stanky freaking hot dog smothered in sauerkraut that he just bought at the deli next door? I was floored by the rudeness! I feel bad enough when I get take-out and have to run into another store quick with my food in the bag. I would never, ever even entertain the thought of sucking down a wiener while browsing for my Frei Brothers merlot. But apparently this guy thought it was totally acceptable. At least he didn’t ask me to throw the wrapper and bag away for him.
Shannon wanted to see a photo of the two purses I bought over the weekend, so here they are! I’ll be using the black one over the weekend. Black goes with pretty much any season, so I can use it year-round. I probably won’t break in the other bag until the warm weather arrives. It really has a spring/summer feel. Drew didn’t care so much for that one, but I just really liked the colors. I think I’m probably just wishing for warmth!
It only took about four months, but the Irish Hiking Scarf is finally finished. The stats:
Pattern: www.helloyarn.com/irishhikingcarf.htm
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Deep Olive
Needles: Size 8 Denise
68″ long
I am very pleased with the way it came out. It really is very pretty, however, I doubt I’ll knit it again because the pattern got really boring. But Drew will love it and assuming he doesn’t peek on my blog today (he doesn’t usually read this), he’ll be very surprised when he gets home tonight.
Look at how happy I am that this freaking thing is done! Now I plan on doing a couple small, quick projects. I already have a lace dishcloth halfway done and I am determined to knit one of those damn One Skein cupcakes. I’ve tried three or four different times and because it’s such a small diameter, I keep twisting stitches and keep screwing up the rib, but they are so cute. Then, onto my shawl!
I found this to be very interesting:
Wines sold as rare may be fake
And an article from the local paper:
Scarsdale wine seller subpoenaed in federal probe
Should be interesting over the next couple days hearing what people have to say about it.
I went on a little bit of a spending spree over the last two days. (I think Brooke is rubbing off on me, hee!) It all started yesterday at Kohl’s buy one get one free sale. I knew it was going to be dangerous when I walked in and saw all the signs. Actually, I really exercised restraint. I bought two shirts of this style, one black, and one black/cream paisley; two purses – one small black bag with white flowers embroidered all over it and one in kind of aqua/lime/cream floraly print; and some underthings. Drew kind of rolled his eyes when he saw the handbags, but I was using money I’d earned from blogging, so he couldn’t complain too much. And in my defense, I do have a few older bags that I’m ready to part ways with. I just need an afternoon to clean out my closest. (Why, yes, I am making excuses, and yes I am aware that I have no control when it comes to buying purses. But come on! Buy one get one!!!) And today I finally ordered myself a copy of the Vegan Lunchbox Cookbook. Although I am not vegan, I have really enjoyed Jennifer McCann’s blog and I’ve made a couple of her recipes — all of which garnered rave reviews by my family. Plus, who can resist those cute bento lunches? So I shall be eagerly awaiting its delivery.
Not much else to report. I have to fill out Jake’s kindgergarten paperwork; registration is next week. I can’t take the chance of not registering him and us being stuck here in the fall, so I’m going to get him ready to go and continue to hope that we move before September. Noah’s big thing these days is putting on a hat (either the construction hat or fireman’s hat), saddling up on the rocking horse, and saying “Yee haw!” over and over again. Jake’s really been into having dance parties lately. His moves crack me up. I love how they all have names; there’s “the bad walk,” “the wubbzy wiggle,” and something else that I’m forgetting. Together they are quite a pair, I assure you!