Why do I know about 5th grade graduation? For the last two years, I’ve spent an hour per week volunteering at a public school in Denver. The teacher of the class is a good friend of mine. I started tutoring the kids in math when they were in 4th grade, helped run a reading club last summer and went back to math tutoring this school year.

Most of the kids are Mexican and some are recent immigrants who don’t speak English well. Some of them are bilingual and translate for their parents who don’t speak English well (or at all). After two years, they still don’t remember that I can understand them when they speak their secret language (Spanish). I always loved responding to them in Spanish when they didn’t think I understood what they said.

Going in to see them was often the highlight of my week. Whenever I enter the classroom, they eagerly greet me. When their teacher says he’s going to send a group back to work with me, they all raise their hands wanting to be included in my group.

The kids are awesome and it’s been so exciting to see their progress over the last two years. They’ve gone from apathetic to interested, behind to caught up (even ahead!), discouraged about learning to excited about what they can accomplish. They’re taller, more mature and don’t seem much like kids anymore. I’ll definitely miss seeing them every week when they move on to different middle schools.

I thought about getting them gifts to celebrate, but what do you buy for 27 5th graders that’s affordable and useful? Instead of buying something, I decided to design a card with my newly acquired Adobe Illustrator skills (I’m still a beginner…) The card I made is below…next step is to write 27 notes to the kids! 

I spent a weekend in Estes Park in mid-April. It snowed, but that was pretty much the norm in Denver every week from April through mid-May.

I celebrated my 30th birthday with some friends in NYC. It was really fun to go back to the city where I used to live. We had amazing spring weather, shopped and ate and drank a lot. I stopped by Purl Soho, the shop that inspired me to learn to knit 8 years ago where I bought some fun fabric and thread for a summer sewing project. The photo below is our hotel room at the W Downtown

Last weekend I went on an epic road trip with some friends to Zion National Park and Bryce National Park. It was a 10ish hour drive from Denver so we spent a lot of time driving for a 3 day weekend. The parks were absolutely amazing, though.

I’m headed to San Diego next weekend to visit my brother and sister-in-law. And then I’m staying put for a little while!

Since it’s Friday, here are some fun links for you:

Spring rolls in a bowl look like a perfect summery meal

I made these grilled carrots with dill last night. They’re super easy and delicious!

I’ve been taking some fun classes on Skillshare lately. They’re cheap, super useful and you can go through them at your own pace. Currently, I’m learning more techniques for digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator. I’m working on a redesigned logo and design for the site here!

My latest obsession is green smoothies. I make one every day for breakfast. My coworkers make fun of me, but these are seriously tasty and healthy!

Have a great weekend!

April has felt more like a return to winter than the welcoming of spring this year. In Denver, we’ve had a blizzard warning and several inches of snow each week with a warm day mixed in here and there just to tease us. I’ve spent 2+ hours commuting to work (usually a 30 min drive) and am more inclined to reheat chili for dinner than cook anything new.

The weather has mirrored my mood and my ambition to do anything creative and has left me feeling lethargic, lazy and uninspired. I’ve been knitting here and there. I haven’t cooked or baked anything new for a long time. I find myself watching TV and reading books and extending ski season as long as I can since I can’t road bike yet.

So this weekend, in protest of yet another incoming snow storm, I decided to bake something springy. If winter won’t go away, at least I can pretend it isn’t 27 degrees outside while I’m eating a rhubarb square.

I dressed my rhubarb bars up with some wax paper and washi tape. Why? No special reason. I have some washi tape and figured I’d make these look a little extra special before sharing them tonight with friends. Washi tape isn’t very sticky. I tried using parchment paper at first, but it wouldn’t stick to that at all. Once I thought about it for more than a second, I realized parchment paper is supposed to be non-sticky. The wax paper worked much better.

This season of winter, this season where everything feels difficult and nothing seems to be going my way, it’s just a season. I may not know how long it will last, but I know it will pass eventually. Until then, I’ll make myself feel better by eating one of these pretty (and tasty) little bars.

Recipe for Rhubarb Curd and Rhubarb Squares from Lara Ferroni

I’ve always enjoyed knitting cowls (here and here), but I have a few of my own and couldn’t quite justify knitting yet another one.  So when my friend Sally asked me to knit her a cowl, I was happy for an excuse to make another one.

I started knitting some mittens with size 1 needles in the Fall. And so far I’ve completed 1 that’s a little too small for me. I’ll finish the other one eventually, but this cowl was a welcome distraction.

I almost decided to keep this cowl for myself…the yarn is so soft! And I love the herringbone pattern. But I did mail it…I have an extra skein that I didn’t use, so maybe I’ll find something soft and cozy to make for myself.

It took me a while to get the hang of the pattern, but once I did, it was fairly easy. That’s not to say that I didn’t make any mistakes. I had to go back and repair a few dropped stitches after I finished, but they weren’t too visible.

This pattern is hard to troubleshoot when you make a mistake. I didn’t realize I had holes until I had finished it.

The other mistake I made was when casting off. At first, I did it too lightly…then, I pulled the stitches too tightly, resulting in an uneven cast off.

Instead of undoing it, I finished the cast off and then crocheted a border around it to hide the uneven border. Not ideal, but a decent solution.

So not perfect, but functional and soft and a cool pattern.

I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool in a neutral color called Chapel Stone.

You can find out all the details on Ravelry.  Or check out the free pattern from The Purl Bee.

Stay tuned for some more projects…I’ll finish those mittens soon and I also have a baby blanket on my needles to post about soon!

The thing about advanced knitting techniques is that they always seem intimidating until you try them. Once you learn the terminology to knit socks or how to manage multiple strings of yarn for color work, you wonder why you thought it was so hard.

How do you define an advanced pattern? To me, a pattern is hard when it meets one of the following criteria:

• It involves different pieces (thumbs, sleeves, etc)
• It is hard to memorize
• It requires counting and keeping track of exactly where you are
• It involves colorwork and multiple strands

Here are 20 patterns that require some type of advanced skill. If you’ve never tried something beyond knit or purl, pick one of these lovely patterns and challenge yourself to learn something new!

1. Owl Coffee Cup Cozie

Where: My Knitting Basket
Techniques: Cables, knitting in the round, sewing, embroidery
By: Sabrina Thompson
How to get it: Free on from My Knitting Basket’s blog

2. iPhone Hoodie

Where: ColoradoMoms.com
Techniques: Sleeves, increasing, decreasing
By: Emily Vanek
How to get it: Free on ColoradoMoms.com blog

3. Celtica Jacket

Where: Garn Studio
Techniques: Button holes, cables, charts, sleeves
By: DROPS Designs
How to get it: Free from Garn Studio’s site

4. Rigmors Selbu Mittens

Where: Ravlery
Techniques: Colorwork, thumbs, increasing and decreasing
By: Rigmour Duun Grande
How to get it: Free Ravelry PDF

5. Twin Leaf Blanket

Where: Painting Lilies
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Me!
How to get it: Subscribe to my newsletter for a free download

6. Lace Ribbon Scarf

Where: Knitty
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Veronik Avery
How to get it: Free from Knitty

7. Big Snowy Owl

Where: Purl Bee
Techniques: Knitting in the round, sewing
By: Whit’s Knits
How to get it: Instructions on Purl Bee

8. Mini Sweater Ornaments 

Where: Greens And Jeans
Techniques: Color strands, cables, sleeves
By: Emily
How to get it: Free download from Greens and Jeans blog

9. Bunny Nuggets

Where: Danger Crafts
Techniques: Increase, decrease, knitting in the round, 3D knitting
By: Rebecca Danger
How to get it: Free PDF download

10. Echo Flower Shawl

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Jenny Johnson Johnen
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

11. Two Color Brioche Hat

Where: Yana Knits
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Yana Ivey
How to get it: Free from Yana Knits blog

12. Lamar Scarf

Where: Gail Zucker’s blog
Techniques: Entrelac
By: Gail Zucker
How to get it: PDF download from gzucker.com

13. Reid Kid’s Sweater

Where: Knitty.com
Techniques: Lace knitting, sleeves
By: Brooke T Higgins
How to get it: Free on Knitty.com

14. Baby Chalice Blanket

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Karen S. Lauger
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

15. ITV Monkey

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Seams, 3D
By: Sirdar Spinning
How to get it: Free Ravelry PDF

16. Karisma Socks

Where: Garn Studios
Techniques: Color knitting, sock knitting
By: DROPS Design
How to get it: Free on Garn Studios Site

17. Plaid Baby Blanket

Where: Yana Knits
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Yana Ivey
How to get it: Free from Yana Knits

18. Recess Mittens

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Annie Watts
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

19. Love and Liquor Socks

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Cables, sock knitting
By: General Hogbuffer
How to get it: Free Raverly download

20. Selbu Hat

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Kate Gagnon Osborn
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

Thanksgiving is over, which means it’s time to start decorating for Christmas!

I made these little DIY Christmas trees this weekend with only a few supplies that you might already have around.

Here’s what you need:

• Paper
• Thread or yarn
• Mod Podge or Elmer’s Glue
• Saran Wrap
• A brush to apply the glue (optional)
• Ribbons, buttons, push pins, etc for decoration

Step 1: Start by making a cone with your paper and taping it so it retains its shape. You can make a variety of different sizes

if you want to make more than one tree.

Step 2: Cover your cone in saran wrap. It doesn’t need to be perfect and the Saran Wrap can be doubled. It’s much easier to remove the cone when covered in Saran Wrap, so just make sure all the paper is covered.

Step 3: Start wrapping your thread or yarn around the cone. You can wrap it evenly or unevenly, whatever you think looks best. Make sure that you get pretty full coverage on the cone, otherwise the tree won’t be stable when you remove the paper and Saran Wrap. I found it helpful to put a little glue on the cone before I started wrapping the thread so it stayed in place.

Step 4: Once you’ve covered the cone in thread, cover the entire cone and thread with glue. You can use Elmer’s glue or Mod Podge–anything that will dry clear. Make sure to cover all the thread generously since the glue will give your tree stability once it dries.

Step 5: Let the glue dry completely. Once it’s dry, remove the paper cone, then pull off the Saran Wrap.

Step 6: Decorate your tree! I thought about gluing on beads or buttons, but didn’t have any. Instead, I used little pushpins and ribbon.

I’m currently sitting on the couch, waiting for my Mom to bring over some soup (yes, your Mom can still bring you soup when you’re sick, live alone and are almost 30 years old). And the only thing better than soup when you’re sick is a Hot Toddy. These delicious winter drinks will help you feel better if you’re fighting off a cold or if you’re just plain cold from the winter weather.

There are so many different ways to make the Hot Toddy, making it a very versatile drink.

Here are a few Hot Toddy Recipes to keep you warm! (PS. Are you wondering whether it’s wise to drink Bourbon when you’re sick? I like to tell myself that the honey and vitamin C from the citrus more than compensates for the alcohol…)

The Traditional Hot Toddy

For me, this is a traditional hot toddy. It has cinnamon, cloves, lemon, honey and bourbon. Simply add hot water. It’s warm, delicious and I’m not ashamed to admit I drank two of these last night…

See all the details from The Boulder Locavore

The Intensi-Toddy

This hot toddy calls for spiced rum, tea bags and cayenne pepper in addition to the traditional ingredients. It sounds (as it’s name would imply), intense. I’m not sure it’s best for curing a cold, but it sounds like a fun little twist on the traditional version.

Find all the details for this hot toddy from Joylicious

Grapefruit Toddy

I love love love grapefruit. Since a hot toddy works well with all citrus fruits, why not swap out lemon for grapefruit? I think I’m going to try this version tonight. Grapefruit + bourbon? How can you go wrong?

Edible Finger Lakes has all the specs for this drink

Gin or Tequila Hot Toddy

Traditionally, hot toddys are made with bourbon or rum. But if you’re up for something a little more adventurous, check out these recipes from Shoot to Cook. One uses bitters, another gin and the last tequila. A tequila toddy doesn’t sound too appealing to my sick body right now…but the gin and tequila options would be perfect as a fun holiday drink.

Blood Orange Toddy

One final hot toddy option uses Meyer Lemons and Blood Oranges. I love the color of this toddy. It has the look of a tropical drink, but the taste of winter.

You can find out more about this hot toddy from food52

Do you have a favorite version of the hot toddy?

Excuse me while I go blow my nose, eat my soup and boil some water for one of these…

Fall is one of my favorite cooking seasons. After the heat of summer, it always seems like such a treat to dust off the crockpot and turn on the oven. Squash, pumpkins and soups abound. Chilly nights + warm food = delight

Here’s what’s been cooking in my kitchen lately:

Lazy Chilies Rellenos (from The Pioneer Woman)

Everything about hatch chilies evokes strong feelings of Fall. You can’t get these everywhere (something I learned when I left Colorado the first time). Around late summer / early fall, these roadside stands popup that roast hatch chilies. Sometimes you can find them at farmer’s markets, too. The roasters are large metal cylinders. You throw in a bunch of chilies and roast them over a flame until they’re charbroiled and smell heavenly.

The smell, the sound the site, the taste = quintessential fall.

A few weeks ago, I went with my parents to a local stand and we bought a bushel of roasted peppers. The great thing about the peppers is that you can freeze them and use them all winter.

When I was a kid, I didn’t like hatch chilies. They were too spicy for me to eat. But I still loved going to the chili stand with my Dad. One year, my brother and I were with him and my Dad was sampling the chilies. We happened to also be sharing a can of coke. The chili oils from my Dad’s mouth transferred to the coke can and before we realized what was happening, we all had burning mouths. He was sampling the extra-spicy-make-you-cry-this-is-so-hot peppers.

All that to say that I made this recipe with some of my hatch chilies. And it was so good that I ate it for dinner, lunch, dinner, and lunch again.

Brussel Sprouts

I love love love brussel sprouts. But they seem like more of a fall / winter food. Sometimes I forget about them in the summer. I recently discovered a new way of making them that’s super easy and simple and delicious.

All you do is tear off the leaves, place them on a baking sheet, lightly cover them in olive oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper. Cook them in the oven at 400 degrees until they’re a little charred and crispy.

It took me approximately 3 minutes to devour this plate of sprouts. Mmmm.

Roasted Red Pepper Frittata (from How Crazy Cooks)

I’ve been making quite a few frittatas lately. The great thing about them is you can throw in whatever you have around. Peppers? Tomatoes? Cheese? Garlic? Sausage? Mix in a few eggs and voila–frittata.

Want to see what else is on the menu in my apartment? Follow my Things to Cook Pinterest Board for more fall recipes or check out the Things to Make with Pumpkin Board

Happy Friday!

I’m currently in week two of a brand new job. It’s going well so far, but I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed as I settle into a new routine, new job, new situation.

Before I started the job, I threw a big dinner party for 9 of my friends in my little apartment. I moved a few tables into the living room for a banquet style table. I borrowed chairs from neighbors. For some reason, I only have sets of 9. Nine chairs, nine wine glasses, nine plates. My neighbors (who also came to the dinner party) let me borrow one extra set of everything.

I decided to make an Italian feast to celebrate.

On the menu:

Red wine (lots of it)

Garlic rosemary flatbread (plus a gluten free variety)

Roasted pepper salad with capers, kalamata olives, and garlic

Pasta e Fagioli (my grandmother’s recipe)

New York Cheese Cake with Cherry Topping (from Smitten Kitchen)

The recipe for pasta e fagioli (or pasta and beans) is a “recipe”. My Mom just knows how to make it. She learned by watching her Italian grandmother and her Mother while growing up. When I asked her for the recipe a few years ago, she sent me a 3 page email describing how to make it. So I have a “recipe”, but not in the traditional sense.

The pasta takes a long time to make, but it’s worth every minute. It’s a lot of work and I don’t make it that often–definitely a special occasion treat. And apparently it was so good that I forgot to snap a picture of it. But believe me, it was enjoyed by all.

Someday, I’ll sit down and turn my 3 page email into an actual recipe and post it here. But that day is not today. I need to get to bed early…it’s supposed to snow tonight and I might need a little extra time to scrape the snow off my car and commute.

My dinner party was a success…in fact, it was so successful that my downstairs neighbor complained about the noise. I guess that’s the true definition of a loud Italian feast!

Today happens to be I Love Yarn Day. Even though I think all of these special days are fairly ridiculous, I do love yarn so I thought I’d post a list of some of my favorites here to commemorate the very special day (sarcasm implied).

Before we get to the list, let me share with you my yarn bias. I love knitting with real fibers. Once I started knitting with cotton and wool and alpaca, the synthetic yarns just couldn’t compare. The problem is that real fiber yarn is more expensive than synthetics. In an attempt to be practical, the yarns below are listed in two categories: (1) Yarns That Won’t Send You Into Debt and (2) Yarns to Buy When You Want to Splurge

Yarns That Won’t Send You Into Debt

1. KnitPicks Shine

KnitPicks is a great place to find affordable yarn made from real fibers. They have a great color selection, too. One of my favorite yarns from KnitPicks is Shine. If you’ve ever felt the softness of Modal, you know why. This yarn is so soft and perfect for making baby items, snuggly blankets and other projects that you want to touch. It’s also easy to work and displays patterns well.

Content: 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal natural beech wood fiber

Weight: Worsted

Amount: 75 yards / 50 grams per ball

Care: Machine Washable

Sample Projects: Sand Cable Baby Blanket, Modal-ly Baby Blanket, Lace Beanie

2. Cotton-Ease

Cotton-Ease is my favorite synthetic blend. The colors are amazing. It’s also a perfect yarn to show patterns. This yarn is durable and will work well for projects that need to be washed often. You won’t feel like you’re using a synthetic blend. This yarn has all the feel of real cotton.

Content: 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic

Weight: Worsted

Amount: 207 yards per ball

Care: Machine Washable

Sample Projects: Baby Blanket for Quirk, Basketweave Blanket

3. Wool of the Andes Sport

This yarn is a great go-to for wool. It works well for a variety of projects because it’s a really strong fiber. Make accessories like gloves and hats or use it for a durable wool blanket. The yarn drapes really well after blocking.

Content: 100% Peruvian Highland Wool

Weight: Sport

Amount: 137 yards / 50 grams per ball

Care: Hand Wash

Sample Projects: Twin Leaf Baby Blanket, Bias Blanket