A Southern Expat in NY

Food, Knitting, and the other pillars of existence

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 May 2014 15:47:00 +0000

Yikes! So I have been away...more than I should have been. Oops. Well, I'm here now!

First up, the meal plan

Monday, May 12th: Spicy Sauteed Chickpeas with Ground Beef and Cilantro

Tuesday, May 13th: Tapenade Chicken with Lemon Roasted Brussels Sprouts. I am going to use some premade tapenade that we brought home from Greece. Om nom nom

Wednesday, May 14th: Slow Cooker Lamb Stew with Artichokes

Thursday, May 15th: Chicken Avocado Burgers with almond flour and no panko

Friday, May 16th: basic steak stir fry

Monday, May 19th: Slow Cooker Ham, Bean, and Lentil Soup (Stew)

Tuesday, May 20th: Thai Ground Chicken with Lime and Cilantro

I am trying to work with some of the things we have around because well, planning a wedding is not cheap and I have been spending on some other things....naughty me.

For summer, The CEO and I have been talking about making more cold dishes, lettuce rolls and hummus, so let me know your favorite summer time meals!

On the knitting front, I finished one of Tommy's wedding socks!

The date of the wedding is knit into the pattern!

The pattern can be found here, and I am knitting them with Morning Moon Alpacas lace weight (doubled). The baby alpaca is a wow!

I also finished my mom's You Are My Sunshine socks and sent them to her for Mother's Day. Here they are:

In Dragon Fly Fibers Dragon Sock in Summer Harvest, thanks Knitcrate.com

We spent the first weekend in May at Maryland Sheep and Wool. We saw my amazing little godson, his incredible parents, AND my godson's stunning little sis! We shopped, ate, and had a general blast.

And I came home with a new child...the furriest of all the fur babies!

Meet Rupert Ringo, an English Angora Buck.

Rupert says hi!

I also bought too much stash (The CEO help/enabled and made some fans for his awesome yarn knowledge, willingness to encourage me to buy what makes me happy, and happy sherpa-ing). Here is Rupert modeling with some of the new stash (and there is some prior stash mixed in).

Not pictured is new fiber and The CEO's newly acquired drop spindle. I think I've convinced him to start making yarn!

Finally, the last weekend in April, I was surprised by My Mom, The CEO's Mom, and some other family and friend, with a surprise Bridal Shower.

Wow, I just never saw this time in my life coming. I honestly never thought I would get married. I didn't crave children and when 30 came around with no heart thieving prospects, I got comfy with the idea of being a crazy dog lady.

And then The CEO came along.

I am so glad I waited. But being the bride is surreal. I was so touched. I cannot sum up how special it feels to have people support your upcoming marriage. I recognize that marriage is not easy and having people who are there to help along the way is special and I do not discount the importance of those folks.

Super cute...the towel cake The CEO's mom made for me.

Observe:

So my life is blessed in some many ways. I am so thankful.

And stressed, but holding the feelings of love when I feel like crying. Wedding planning isn't easy.

I hope you are all having an incredible Spring.

NoM

~EK

Actions and Consequences

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:08:00 +0000

I've been thinking lately about our actions and the consequences they bring. I am as guilty as most of opening my big mouth and saying exactly what I think but lately I have been more introspective and it occurs to me that the reactions caused by what we say or do can be so much bigger than we think.

This can be illustrated on a global scale. If we give up a right today (for example, privacy) because it makes us feel safer for the moment, does that mean we set an example of erosion that means our grandchildren will be living in a world without the freedoms we all enjoy?

But what I am really pondering is how our actions can cause problems in the small things in life. We go to McDonald's and encounter a cashier who is having a bad day and messes up everything from the order to the change so we complain to the manager. After we leave, she gets fired...and a chain of events starts.

We go to a store and have an unpleasant experience so we go to Yelp and post a scathing review and the next time we walk by that store, it is shuttered and dark.

I'm not saying one complaint or one action is the direct cause but the negativity we put into the world certainly adds up. And maybe our complaint was the tipping point.

I am trying to remember that we all have bad days. I wonder if we say to that cashier "take a deep breath, I'm in no rush." and offered a smile, things would end differently. Or at that store say "I'm not happy with this, how can we work together to reach a conclusion that makes us all happy."

Or maybe, just maybe, take some personal stock and realize it isn't the other person having a bad day...but you.

If we could all remember that freedom of speech is not freedom from consequence, would the world be a more positive place?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:02:00 +0000

Hi ya'll. So I've been busy. I am working on a new meal plan but honestly, I am running like 6 recipes behind so there is much less rush. To let you know, this scallop recipe, this bean recipe, this pork recipe, and this stew recipe are more than a little amazing. We've been having some awesome wins on the food front lately.

A quick word on wedding planning for anyone who wants to skip this section...I am (not shockingly) in stasis between totally fine and "run screaming from the room" overwhelmed. Most of the time I feel fine but then, out of nowhere, something will occur to me and I feel like the walls are closing in. Does everyone feel this way? Do you wake up in the middle of the night and have to tell yourself there is NO need to grab pen and paper and jot down the 12 things you remember need doing?

On the soap front, I do have a new product to share. It is Primal Elements Sugar Body Scrub in Flower Child. I got this a few weeks back while The CEO and I were in New Hope, PA exploring. I landed at Soap Opera, which I knew roughly because I got an awesome skull soap from The CEO's mom for Christmas from there. (on a side note, if you live anywhere near New Hope and haven't been, you should go).

But this sugar scrub is without compare. It works like a scrub and a soap without chintzing on either front. I used it this morning and took longer in the shower than usual because I was enjoying this soap. There's a video on the link if you don't believe me. There are some chemically ingredients but, for a commercial soap, this one is good. And it is paraben free, which is nice. I just browsed the Web site and there are about 5 others I would like to try...so here we go on that front. I find myself a much more monogamous soaper lately, and I am not sure how I feel about it.

And on the knitting front, things have been more up and down. This year has been way more of a mixed bag than usual. I told The CEO I even had a moment in which I was so upset I contemplated setting aside the needles. That lasted about a minute.

After I ran out of yarn for The CEO's hiking cape and realized Hobby Lobby didn't have it and this yarn is apparently backordered for eternity, I started a bad a$$ cowl I got the materials for at Vogue Knitting Live back in January. I realized pretty quickly the fabric wasn't exactly right but I kept knitting. And finished and The CEO was kind enough to tell me that I made a GORGEOUS scarf...but it wasn't going to end up what I wanted it to be. Turns out the lovely lady I bought it from, suggested a yarn that is completely inappropriate for the pattern. YARG! So I am going to make it with the right stuff next time, which I hope to find at Maryland Sheep and Wool in May.

I made some other stuff that worked out ok...the sparkle socks are nice, I made a scarf, I did make some super cute boot toppers out of yak

I also made another sweater, this one from an awesome pattern that I proceeded to muck up six ways from next Tuesday. The end product looks ok but I could have done better and I want to make another one...correct without surgery!

I also made a sock for The CEO to wear at the wedding. Trouble is, it is too small! I am hoping, since it is alpaca, it'll loosen up some with blocking. But I may have to frog and start over...and it is on size 0 needles. But I don't mind, as I love the CEO...but what is WRONG with me?

And then my wedding shawl. I started one pattern and realized about halfway through the first section that I didn't understand the second half of the pattern at all. Not even a little. I chalked it up to not having much lace knitting experience so I frogged and picked another pattern (wouldn't you know that when I took it off the needles to frog, it looked exactly right.) And I was happily knitting away on it.

But I had been feeling terrible for awhile. Sniffly and achey and ugh...mostly in the mornings and evenings. But like I was fighting something.

And then, The CEO and I road the train together last week. I took out my shawl and was knitting away. By the time we both got home, we were sniffling in unison. The CEO and I had a discussion and both think perhaps the yarn is the culprit. It would seem we are both 100% allergic to 100% mohair.

Did I mention ARG!

So my gorgeous yarn will most likely have to go to another home. And I will have to find another wedding shawl yarn.

However, I am currently knitting these yellow socks (which I think I am giving to my mom) and they seem ok.

For Now...

NoM

~EK

Mammoth List of Foodz

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 18:33:00 +0000

So I have been so out of it lately. I decided this next meal plan would last from paycheck to paycheck. Nothing will spoil and it will all work out. So here we go:

Monday, March 31st: Seared Scallops with crispy leeks and a white bean rosemary ragout (a long time carryover)

Tuesday, April 1st: slow cooker lentils and sausage (another carryover)

Wednesday, April 2nd: our good old beef & cabbage (one of our faves)

Thursday, April 3rd: Coffee rubbed pork (no blueberry reduction) with spaghetti squash with butter and garlic (no parmesan)

Friday, April 4th: chicken with cashews edited not to include stuff I don't like

Monday, April 7th: white beans and sausage

Tuesday, April 8th: shrimp and asparagus stir fry with lemon sauce

Wednesday, April 9th: chicken meatball chipotle chili slightly edited to suit our tastes

Thursday, April 10th: Fish piccata with garlic snow peas

Friday, April 11th: Herbed rack of lamb with lemony greens on garlicky beans (another of our faves)

Monday, April 14th: Salmon cakes with lentils

Tuesday, April 15th: Dijon short ribs with braised kale with toasted almonds

NoM

~EK

Moar Food...man am I tired

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:54:00 +0000

Is daylight savings time making me tired? Who knows?

I have a meal plan...putting it together took more energy than it should. Can I take a nap now?

We're behind, so there is some duplication here.

Tonight, Herb and Mustard Beef with the de Puy Lentils I didn't make last week.

Wednesday, March 12th: dinner with a friend

Thursday, March 13th: Sichuan Style chicken with peanuts

Friday, March 14th: Slow cooker lentils and sausage

Sunday, March 16th: Corned beef and baby carrots

Monday, March 17th: Reel Big Fish concert with The CEO

Tuesday, March 18th: Balsamic roast beef with dijon roasted cabbage

Wednesday, March 19th: Chicken amadine with asparagus amadine

Thursday, March 20th: Curry cod with curried lentils

Friday, March 21st: Scallops with crispy leeks and rosemary white bean ragout

More soon,
promise

NoM

~EK

New Menu Plan and some PA fun

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 19:12:00 +0000

Folks, we have flowers. I agonized over them...I pinterested, I talked everyone's ear off, I had a DIY plan and a half.

And then it all worked itself out in a few hours with a little help from my friend LeRoy and The CEO's mom, Stepdad, and The amazing CEO himself.

I.Am.So.Excited.

Anyway, our meal plan got sidetracked a bit by our own desires and a night out on the town last week. So I am booking it out for awhile. And some things have been carried over again (oops).

Tuesday, February 25th: easy garlic broiled chicken and brussels sprouts with sriracha and cashews (this one keeps getting bumped around...poor recipe)

Wednesday, February 26th: restaurant food after the bridesmaid dress fitting!

Thursday, February 27th: white beans and ham (another carryover)

Friday, February 28th: carnitas and garlicky refried beans (see last week's blog)

Saturday or Sunday, March 1st: shrimp scampi with artichokes

Monday, March 2nd: sriracha injected turkey tenderloin with lemony greens on garlicky beans

Tuesday, March 3rd: The Barefoot Contessa's lemon chicken on a bed of broccoli rabe

Wednesday, March 4th: Rack of Lamb with Brussels Sprouts

Thursday, March 5th: Herb and mustard slow cooker beef with de Puy lentils with carrots

Friday, March 6th: 5 Ingredient Bacon Brussels Sprouts Slaw (with lamb chorizo)

Saturday or Sunday, March 7th or 8th: Sichuan Style Chicken with Peanuts

MOH-H sent over some awesome recipes today which will be making it into the mix after this one...and I anticipate more fish in our future.

Last night I made the pinto stew with venison kielbasa and the sausage was a huge hit. Otherwise, the shrimp pad thai worked out well and the Spanish chicken stew wasn't half bad.

Also, I finished a sock today :)

NoM

~EK

The hat is for my feet, the socks are for my head

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:02:00 +0000

That's how I feel lately. Have you ever had one of those times when, every time you make a decision, it seems to turn out to be the wrong one?

On one of the podcasts I listen to regularly was talking about decision burnout. I really do think this is a thing. I work in a job where I make decisions every day, some are large and some are small, but they often impact important aspects of a client's life. I also have a to-do list 85 items deep and I feel as though I am making triage decisions on which fire is burning brightest at a given moment.

We are also making a million and one decisions about the wedding. It is to the point where even deciding what should go on the meal plan feels monumental. I suck it up and move on but there is this moment of paralysis while I weigh what it means if I make the wrong choice. And yes, I do realize that there is no wrong choice as to what to make for dinner, try telling that to my nervous system.

I find that I am forgetting to do mundane things like lock the door behind me, pack The CEO's lunch, brush the dog's teeth...I wish I knew what is wrong with me. All I can do is keep moving, knitting, and pushing and I will get through it.

But I feel like everything is bass ackwards right now, ya know?

Anyway, I finished the hat out of blue sky alpaca worsted. Here are some photos!

AND

This is my mean look

I like this hat a ton. Not only is the yarn a wonderful thing to work with but it is also extremely warm. My head has gotten uncomfortably warm a time or two...that's awesome since I am usually cold.

The most excellent thing is I have about 150 yards leftover...enough to make a close fitting cowl. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

I am also making excellent progress on the sparkly socks....here they are:

The detail is hard to see and the yarn looks kinda yuck in photos. But it is really a bronze with gold flecks...lovely. I am working my way up the leg to bind off.

The CEO's awesome project is coming along as well, maybe even a little TOO well. I am almost completely out of yarn and nowhere close to being done. My Mom went to Hobby Lobby and they were out but she ordered it. So we shall see when that arrives. I guess the project will have to go on break until it arrives...Boo! I am enjoying it. I know everyone is supposed to hate seed stitch but I like it. It makes me feel more active than knitting row after row of garter but I can watching TV, carry on a conversation, whatever I need to do while knitting it.

So at least knitting is going well too. This weekend is my dress fitting and appointments with the two potential florists. I am terrified.

NoM

~EK

The Next Meal Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 01:58:00 +0000

Hey ya'll,

So I confess that The CEO and have been stepping outside the meal plan occassaionly and leaving dangerously. We've eaten out at some amazing NYC eateries and so we have some leftover menus.

But first, the two restaurants were Raymi and Dish. Raymi was amazing and I may or may not have imbibed some super awesome pisco cocktails. The CEO had a halibut dish that was delish.

Dish was our early Valentine's Day meal (we wanted to avoid the actual VD crowd...in NYC this is a must) and I had been wanting to try this place for awhile since The CEO has been and raves about it. I had some excellent burrata and a papparadelle dish that was TO DIE for...yum. The CEO had a lam shank that I tasted and wow. This place is good. Should you find yourself in Brooklyn, which you should if you are smart, try this joint.

For Valentine's Day, I made a three course meal of Gambas al ajillo (as a tribute to Jaleo my all time favorite place to eat, helmed by Jose Andres, my all time favorite chef).

I followed that up with Surf and Turf with Chive Butter two ways, which was filet mignon with chuve butter coins and broiled lobster tail with clarified chive butter. These were served with sweet and spicy fried brussels sprouts.

For dessert, we had molten peanut butter chocolate cake.

It was, all in all, pretty good and we even shared some with the poodles...they may be the only lobster eating dogs around.

And now for next week's meal plan...the days may rearrange a bit but you get the point :)

Sunday, February 16th: broiled garlic chicken thighs with sriracha and cashew baby brussels sprouts (previously linked)

Monday, February 17th: White beans with Ham in the crockpot (also previously linked)

Tuesday, February 18th: Spanish Chicken Stew (linked last week)

Wednesday, February 19th: Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Pad Thai which we are hoping is the answer to The CEO's love of pad thai that (unfortunately) comes along with an immediate spiked blood sugar nap

Thursday, February 20th: Pintos, smokey sausage, and chard stew using either Lamb or Venison kielbasa...not sure which yet

Friday, February 21st: Slow Cooker Carnitas with homemade garlicky refried beans and some sliced avocado

To name an MVP since the last post, I have to tell you that The CEO LOVED this recipe. He keeps talking about it. He says the artichoke pesto makes it and the chicken thighs too. It is always shocking to me which recipes The CEO likes the most but I loved his reaction!

I'm still knitting on mostly the same stuff, The CEO's cape of awesome, my alpaca hat, and the sparkly socks...but making great progress on all three. I am also asking my lovely mother to look at the local Hobby Lobby for my needed Camo Bamboospun.

Other than that, the snow is driving me completely insane and wedding planning is coming along.

My first wedding dress fitting is next week and we are meeting with the potential florists next week as well.

I will try to do some knitting photos over the next few days too.

Until then...

NoM!

~EK

The One About Knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Confession: All I want out of life is an opportunity to make a living with fiber. The CEO listens to be daydream about this all the time. I'm not insinuating that I would anticipate designing or knitting for a living. But rather, I'd like to bring what I love about the fiber world to everyone. Maybe I will come up with something someday. Until then, you'll have to be my guinea pig and hear all about what I am making.

As I mentioned in my last email, I finished my very first sweater. I was shocked that I was able to do it and it is adorable. The only photo I have at this point is of a close up of the fabric itself. As a reminder, this is a free Berroco Pattern, Espenson, which I knit in Fiber Optics worsted weight yarn in the colors Whacky Khaki and Once in a Lifetime. This yarn. Guys, the yarn! It is so vibrant and gorgeous and amazing. I blocked the sweater over the weekend and tried it on. I wish I could say I am not ridiculously proud of myself, but I am!

The perfect redhead colors...thanks to The CEO for the excellent taste

As I may have mentioned previously, I am knitting something for The CEO out of Yarn Bee Bamboospun in the Camo colorway. I found this yarn at Hobby Lobby, which we don't have in NY and is so awesome I am sad we don't. More on that as it takes shape.

I currently have two bus projects. My goal for 2014 is to always have four projects on the needles. One is the Beekeeper's Quilt. I am knitting up between 15 and 20 hexipuffs a month in hopes I can finish this in the next year or so. Next is a pair of socks. I am knitting through my Knitcrate backlog (and some special sock yarn I have picked out through the past year which is earmarked for someone). The third is something small for the commute...like a hat or mitts or a cowl. And then, I want to have an "at home" larger project, like a sweater, jacket, cape, blanket, etc.

So, right now I have two things in the new backpack The CEO got me for commuting: some socks and a hat.

The socks are the Spring Flower Socks in Kangaroo Dyer Bronze Age Poet Glitter, which happen to be the first socks ever sent to be by Knitcrate. They call for two circulars but I don't love this method much so I am doing them magic loop. I started this morning and I am halfway through the first toe. Observe:

The stellina really adds something. I am loving this yarn

The hat is the Cable Brim Slouch Hat in Blue Sky Alpacas sport weight in Blue Spruce. The yarn is 100% baby alpaca and a dream times five. I am finished with the cabling and now have 8 inches of stockinette round and round and round. I'll live. It is a fast knit and adorable. Here's a picture:

You can see the squish!

This was a pattern and yarn from the January Knitcrate. I was obviously impatient to get it on the needles.

All of these projects are SO FUN!

Last week I finished my Eye Searing Cowl and have been wearing it. But yeah, the yarn is so bright.

Hanging in the coat closet

And that's all for now. The state of knitting is going well. I hope you have making things you love too...from decisions to cures for Cancer.

NoM

~EK

Aching Hands, Growling Belly, and a Tired Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 18:29:00 +0000

So, work has been intense lately. The kind of intense that makes me feel like I am constantly forgetting to do something and what I do isn't right somehow. It is disheartening and soul sucking but we press on.

The wedding vendors are all picked and booked except the florist and the DJ which will hopefully be done soon on both counts. The CEO and I are just knocking it out.

The meal plan has been getting a bit rearranged as The CEO and I have had some plan changing evenings lately. Oh well, I am still excited. So here is everything for the next little while:

Tonight, Febraury 4th: Artichoke Pesto Chicken with Spaghetti Squash

Wednesday, February 5th: Lamb stew with lentils

Thursday, February 6th: Dinner with friends

Friday, February 7th: Boneless short ribs with garlic butter sauce (based on this recipe) with Iowa Girl's simple but yummy looking roasted green beans

Saturday or Sunday, February 8th or 9th (one will probably be a cheat day): Asian Chicken with Bok Choy

Monday, February 10th: Slow Cooker Ham and White Beans

Tuesday, February 11th: Spanish Chicken Stew

Wednesday, February 12th: Easy Garlic broiled chicken with sauteed brussels sprouts with sriracha and cashews

Thursday, February 13th: Cabbage Goulash

Friday is Valentine's Day so we are still undecided on that. That weekend we are off to PA for wedding and family stuff so the plan won't kick back into action until the 17th.

Whew!

Onward with knitting, things are exciting. I finished my first sweater and it is adorable. I LOVE it.

More on all that tomorrow!

NoM

~EK

Meal Plan, an Update, and Wow am I Overwhelmed

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:06:00 +0000

Weddings should plan themselves...just sayin'

This is just a quick update. On the knitting front, I finished my secret project, which happened to be fingerless mitts for The CEO out of Shibui Heichi in canal. The yarn, while 100% silk, is not at all soft and was a real finger buster. They look great...if only they were for someone with bigger hands.

Sigh. I am hoping he can still wear them running.

We also rocked out at Vogue Knitting Live...stashing occured. Next blog post will be all about it. We had a great time.

Finally, I am now making the Holy Cowl! our of Caron Simply Soft in the most eye searing neon pink you can imagine. I love it. I think The CEO is unconvinced.

Anywho, last week's food was tasty. My Chicken Provence was a winner winner (chicken dinner, heh). I overcooked the roast but it wasn't ruined. Ah well.

Next up, the following

Thursday, January 23rd: Beef Stew in the Ninja...like this one but with no pressure cooker....

Friday, January 24th: Ground Beef and Cabbage from this recipe. We had this one before on the recommendation of MOH-H and it is great!

Saturday: Free DAY!

Sunday, January 26th: Primal Peppered Crab Cakes (no yogurt...mustard instead) and a salad

Monday, January 27th: Loaded Kielbasa stew kind like this recipe

Tuesday, January 28th: Lemon Rosemary Chicken Breasts (another MOH-H suggestion) with garlic roasted Brussels sprouts (yum!)

Wednesday, January 29th: Lamb and Lentil Stew with carrots based loosely on this beef stew recipe.

Thursday, January 30th: Artichoke chicken lemon "pasta" with spaghetti squash

Friday, January 31st: Asian chicken thighs with bok choy

That's it. I will, of course, also be scarfing cookie butter, to which I am addicted.

That's all for now, brown cow!

NoM!

~EK

New Meal Plan! And a knitting update.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:41:00 +0000

Knitting is going well. Sadly, I cannot share anything with you as I am still knitting something secret for The CEO. I think it will be done in a few days and then I will show you pics.

Last night I cast on Espenson, which is a Berroco pattern (and free). But I am using Fiber Optics Superwash Merino Worsted in Whacky Khaki and and Once in a Lifetime, which doesn't seem to be on the site. The CEO picked out this yarn at Rhinebeck and I have been itching to try it. So it is my "at home" project. I'm excited and hope sweater making works out for me.

As for the meal plan, the last week has been fabulous.

Everything we tried was excellent. But, for me, the highlights were:

Grainfree "cornbread" that was so amazing, I wanted to eat it for days!
Brown Butter Chicken with Sage. We had this before with MOH-H but it was just as good this time. Seriously, sage is an underrated ingredient.

The CEO and I are running again and it just makes me so happy come home, have some active time, enjoy a wonderful meal, and then relax together. I cannot think of a better life right now.

And now, for the next week:

Thursday, Jan. 16th - My very own artichoke chicken

Friday, Jan. 17th - Chicken tacos in the Ninja and these Paleo friendly tortillas!

Saturday, Jan. 18th - free day (Vogue Knitting Live Day...The CEO is coming to the market with me. He's so amazing!

Sunday, Jan, 19th - Sirloin Tip Roast with prosciutto wrapped broiled asparagus

Monday, Jan. 20th - Burgers based on this recipe, with no Guinness, because it is way too carby for us. The remainder of the recipe seems delicious though. I will serve it with some carrot "fries" with homemade garlic aioli

Tuesday, Jan 21st - My chicken Provence recipe with some roasted artichokes to celebrate the 3 years anniversary of my lap band!

Wednesday, Jan 22nd - MOH-H's balsamic glazed pork loin with roasted broccoli with crispy prosciutto and balsamic

And that's all! The Fresh Direct order arrives tonight!

On the soap front, I feel sort of guilty talking about this but I am loving this Simply Vera by Vera Wang Argan Oil & Fig body wash. We all know how much I love Argan Oil (and fig) and since Vera designed my wedding gown, I am feeling kindred with her maybe. Regardless, I like it.

Also, a plug for the fact that The CEO's mom got me a Clarisonic Mia for Christmas. You need one too. Trust me, you really do.

With that said, maybe I will have a finished surprise gift to show you soon.

NoM

~EK

Meal Plan: 1/9/14 through 1/14/14

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 19:20:00 +0000

Just to hold myself accountable, I thought I would post these here. Plus, then The CEO always knows exactly where to go he wants to know what's for dinner.

Many of these recipes were taken from MOH-H (Matron of Honor - H) but with a few changes.

So away we go!

1/9/14 - Mustard Glazed Chicks in a Blanket. The recipe is here but I will be making it with no honey since that isn't something we eat. I will serve it with Ina Gartens' Warm French Lentils recipe. MOH-H doesn't eat legumes, but we do often...so I threw those in.

1/10/14 - a double order of Pigs in a Blanket. Grain free? Almond Flour? Yes sir...we are in. I did some research and I am using Hebrew National all beef franks.

1/11/14 - Brown Butter Chicken with Sage. We had this at MOH-H's house over the holiday and it was a winner winner, (you got it) chicken dinner. Heh. I will serve it up with some roasted asparagus (per the suggestion of H).

1/12/14 - CHEAT DAY! I am thinking Brooklyn Beet Company for brunch!

1/13/14 - EK's make it up as you go slow carb chili with beans. And...wait for it...grain free "corn" bread. Yes, I know this sounds insane. But you didn't try those tortilla chips last week. When almond and coconut flour exist, I don't know why we use anything else!

1/14/14 - Prosciutto wrapped chicken with mustard glaze. This is another one I will be altering slightly to alleviate the sugar in the recommended maple syrup.

I am also giving Fresh Direct a whirl this week. The groceries are fairly well priced and I don't have to lug them home.

Thanks MOH-H for the inspiration.

Here we go!

NoM

~EK

So Much to Say for 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:41:00 +0000

Where has the time gone? In a flurry of last minute Christmas knitting,a monster trip down South for the holidays, and some additional exciting news, my poor blog was briefly abandoned! Oh no!

Well, let's start with the most exciting news in my life (maybe even thus far)...on September 20, 2014, I will be Mrs. CEO! On December 6th, with the assistance of Teddy and Simon, The CEO asked me to share his life with him permanently. He never ceases to amaze me with how much he gets me. And yes, I know what you are thinking....where is the ring. Well, I didn't put it on Facebook because this marriage is the most important thing. But yeah, it is gorgeous...so here you go!

That's rose gold with a Tanzanite center stone! It is so my dream ring!

I am in full on wedding planning mode, for sure! We have a church, a reception venue, a cake (sooo sooo good!), and are closing in on the photographer. Over Christmas break, my amazing Matron of Honor and I picked a dress for the awesome bridesmaids and yes, I have a wedding gown. So I feel like I have some traction. The CEO is also a huge help, I am a very lucky gal!

On the knitting front, there has been tons! I finished the socks...all of them. Here they are laid out for a final block before being sent to their new homes.

My proud shining moment!

I have a few post-delivery pictures that I will share when I have permission. The CEO and I were not there during the full unveiling but the family is every bit as awesomely knit worthy as I anticipated. So, I am wondering, for 2014 do I do socks again? Hats? Scarves?

I also did my first commissioned project for a colleague...a baby blanket in Knitpicks Brava Worsted! It went over swimmingly, I am told. And I accomplished my tightest deadline knitting project thus far!

Zee babeh blankie

I also made two placemats for The CEO's dad, an ascot for each Teddy and Simon, and a scarf for each of my closest colleagues. Is that all?

Right...I did some swatches for a top secret wedding project! And an alpaca scarf for The CEO.

Currently, away from the house, I am making The CEO a gift and at home I am either making hexipuffs for The Beekeeper's Quilt or making yarn balls! My mom got me a kit from Knitpicks that came with an umbrella swift, a yarn ball winder, a yarn weigher, and a meterage measure. The CEO helps me make yarn balls...he is AWESOME at it and I am liking it almost as much as knitting right now. Soon all of my yarn will be in balls! Yay. And yes, I know I am a dork.

2013 - A Knitting Recap!

In 2013, I knit the following:

1 baby blanket

9 pairs of socks

11 scarves

1 pair of fingerless mitts

2 dog accessories

1 water bottle cover

2 placemats

1 cowl

2 hats

30 projects! whee!

This year, I am going to try and top it...and also be a bit more strategic! Here is the plan

12 pairs of socks (including Tom's wedding socks and a pair of leg warmers)

5 scarves

3 cowls

3 pairs of fingerless mitts (one for Kianna, one for me, one extra)

2 sweaters (the Berocco and the Owl)

1 dog sweater (Simon's eagle sweater)

2 shawls (including my wedding shawl)

2 boot toppers (from Knitcrate fame)

up to 5 random extras!

In cooking news, I am working with the incredible aforementioned Heather on meal planning. So far we have had some awesome beef and cabbage, grain free salmon patties, mexican chicken, paleo chips, and spaghetti squash goulash! It's going really well.

Anyway, I have babbled on enough.

Until next time!

NoM

~EK

Ten on Tuesday: The Ever So Thankful Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Yesterday I mentioned that things have been hard lately. And boy, have they. There have been moments when I stop to ask myself "ok, what on Earth do I do now?" and have no answer. That's really frustrating for me...I am usually pretty resourceful.

But this Thursday is Thanksgiving. I don't typically like this holiday, I think it is often about overeating and tolerating family you just complained to your coworkers that you'd rather not see this year. But thankfulness is important. So, this afternoon, I take stock of the Ten Things I am Thankful For...(in no particular order)

10. My health. I keep forgetting that, 3 years ago at this time, I had to walk around a bit when I first woke up to get the blood flowing to my appendages. It is so easy not to remember that I was on blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Here I am, 136 lbs lighter and probably going to live 20 years longer.

9. My job. I don't always love it, but I am comfortable. I never have to wonder how I will buy food. Or choose between feeding myself and a child. Yes, I have worked hard but there is a healthy dose of luck there too.

8. New York City. I wanted to live here since I was 14, and I made it here at 25. Now, I am celebrating my 9th NYC Christmas Season and I cannot believe I am here. Included in this is the express bus. I love New York, but I am definitely over the Subway at rush hour. The express bus gets me a seat, heat, and minimal crowding and crazies.

7. Knitting. It really does keep me sane...

6. Good food. The CEO and I have been so fortunate to try so many awesome things, from Bacon Cheeseburger Dip to wild boar steak in Greece. I've had some wonderful food adventures.

5. My heritage. Being Southern is an incredible thing. I could go on...but why?

4. My freedom. I don't know if you've been paying attention but people are trying to take this from us...day by day. Hold onto what our Founding Fathers gave us. Guard your liberties, not only for yourself, but for future generations.

3. The CEO's kids. I never ever ever ever wanted kids. I admit that. But loving children, knowing them, if an experience I am glad I got to have in the best way the universe could have given me. I worry about them, I am proud of them, I am SO glad they exist, and I am so excited to meet the adults they become.

2. My family. And I include The CEO's family here. I lost my grandfather in March. The CEO lost his grandmother just a year before. We aren't promised tomorrow.

1. Love. Love is hard. Sometimes it hurts more than it feels good. But what I have found with The CEO gives me love in so many ways. Yes, we love each other dearly. There aren't really words to express that...but loving him has given me the opportunity to love so many other things, food; music; places; people; photography...and a million other things. When your heart is open, it is astounding what will come in.

Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll. Stay warm, stay dry, stay loved.

NoM

~EK

Follow Carole for more thanks

What IS in my Beloved Knitcrate

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 21:52:00 +0000

I recognize that this post came a little later than I had hoped. Seriously, life has been slowly but surely getting in the way of everything fun I want to do. But that's for the next blog...

This blog is all about taking you into the wonderful world of Knitcrate, my Christmas every month. Since I talk about it so much, I figured maybe an insight into it would help you share my excitement...and maybe even give you a gift idea for a knitter in your family.

Stolen from the Knitcrate blog: a photo of me with Andrea of Knitcrate at Rhinebeck

First, Knitcrate is owned and operated by Andrea and Joe, two amazing former Manhattanites who decided last year that we knitter's needed our own subscription service...and Knitcrate was born. I've been on board since month 4. The initial three months were a Valentine's Day gift from The CEO. He was awesome enough to get me the beginner with a sock add on...he knew I really want to learn to knit socks. You can see all of the subscription options here. As time has gone by, I have also added the Indie and the minis as add ons. So I have tons to show you.

The first impression of the Knitcrate is always the shiny red mailer (I hear other colors make appearances for special deliveries. Mine is really special, because it has a note just for me...I told you Joe and Andrea are awesome!

You know something is special when it comes in this!

So, the idea is to not rip into the bag like a crazy person, but I am an admitted crazy person, so here goes!

My first peek in the bag

I like to take things out one by one and THEN review them. Here is the yarn...still covered...I can't see it...it is SO like Christmas.

Yarn Christmas, lovingly wrapped by Knitcrate

Then, to look at the cards. Knitcrate sends a card explaining everything in the box as well as the "perks" for this month. I like to look at this second. Note this month did things a little different. Typically Knitcrate sends the patterns in a very nice binder sleeve. This month, they came via download. I don't mind either way and the codes worked fine for me.

So now I know what I am getting, but I don't know all the details yet

This month had two books...the holiday issue of Vogue Knitting, and a pattern book for my beginner kit...Take a look.

Books!

Vogue Knitting was quickly read and devoured, I need a subscription to this magazine. The Luzia book...well, The CEO and I both think the cape on the cover is just captivating. I will make this as soon as possible.

The thing that sets Knitcrate apart is that each month comes with at least one fun and at least one sweet or soothing extra (most months there are more...but they only promise one each). The Vogue Knitting is one fun thing and here is another:

The Knit Kit!

I have to tell you, this little thing goes with me everywhere now. It has what you need to be a competent knitter in a small package and is transportable. I love it. Apparently, this even made Martha Stewart. I cannot rave enough about it.

For the soothing extra, there was this tea:

How cute is the packaging.

I like the pyramid tea and I am always happy to have tea around. So I loved it. I cannot find for the life of me the brand, so I will update when I figure that out.

EK, you may be asking, "Where is the yarn?"

Oh, the YARN, you say.

It starts with the yarn to go with the pattern book above, Luzia by Louisa Harding:

Mine is colorway 7 (Otter)

Not quite enough to make that pattern but a start, for sure.

For the socks, we had Merrily Socks...by Irish Girlie Knits...a Knitcrate exclusive. The yarn is Miss Babs Yummy in Blarney Stone.

I shall be socks...but for whom?

Next up, the Indie had an awesome pattern for some boot toppers. I had never heard of boot toppers until this season but now I think I need many of them. The yarn, also by Miss Babs, is Northumbria DK in a colorway called Jack's Frost, special to Knitcrate and dyed to remind of Miss Babs' wonderful puppy Jake. Pretty!

The puppy has blue eyes...gorgeous

Finally, the minis were Miss Babs Yummy...here they are

You see that pink? OBSESSED

Considering the Miss Babs booth at Rhinebeck was mobbed, I am excited to cast on with some of her yarn.

And that, folks, is my Knitcrate.

I must note that November was the birthday (their first!) edition and therefore very special. But each month has brought this much of a smile to my face.

You don't have to buy all the things like me but if you love a knitter (and that includes yourself)...this is an excellent gift.

NoM

~EK

Knit A Long and WIPW for this week...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:48:00 +0000

Frustratingly enough, the camera on my iPhone still takes photos that look like they are behind a honey covered pane of glass. It is awful and my 5S is still on backorder. I have taken some photos with Itsy (my incredible iPad) but haven't uploaded them yet.

So yeah. I'm a slacker.

But The CEO's Stepfather's socks are almost done. And they are perhaps my favorites ever. There is something about the fabric that is just delightful and warm and snuggly. I hope he likes them as much as we do. After this, I have a foot and I am done with the Christmas socks.

I picked out a kit from Knitpicks for something for The CEO’s Dad and I have a few things to make for the pups. But I am really staggered that I am finishing everything as I planned.

Hand knit Christmas is fun!

Other than that, I am still listening to the second book in the Songs of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. And I am listening to SO many podcasts. I wish I had something unique to say…I would throw my hat in that ring as well.

That’s about it for now…up next I have a special blog illustrating what comes in a Knitcrate…stay tuned.

NoM

~ EK

WIP Wednesday...what is WRONG with me this week?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:07:00 +0000

Yesterday I had to go to Purl Soho to pick up the remaining skein I needed of Koigu KPPPM for The CEO Uncle's sock (I made an ok match...I hope he is ok with slightly avant garde).

I left my office and walked to Grand Central to pick up the 6 train to take it downtown. I didn't expect to get a seat but did...and whipped out my sock project...only to find my No. 1 40 inch circular had a broken tip!!!!

ARG!!!

Thank goodness I was on my way to a yarn shop. Can you imagine? RIP lovely needles. I know you came from an inexpensive set I picked out on Amazon but I loved you more than any other no. 1 circular and I will miss you.

I made it to Soho and found my Koigu. I also picked up an Addi Turbo, which is a metal circ and, as it turns out, a .5 needle since their 1's are 2.5mm and mine was 2.25mm. These are supposed to make me knit faster. We shall see.

The guy at the shop commented on how gorgeous the yarn is on The CEO's Stepdad's pair and I could only tell him they come from an unmarked skein I got from the bottom of a bin at a slightly shady shop. But yes, they are turning out quite lovely and fuzzy. I may be on my way to very proud of them but we shall see. All in all, I anticipated the Christmas socks this year would be painfully ugly. They seemingly will be only marginally horrifying. So I guess that's good.

I also picked up the cable needles I needed (the bus eats mine...I drop one and it can never be found again...some knitter at the MTA lost and found is probably knitting amazing cables.) What I didn't buy was any more yarn. And it was HARD.

I don't know if it is a trend everywhere these days but I am seeing neon pink scarves everywhere. I really want one and I don't want to buy one because that would be super lame. At any rate, Purl Soho has like a million options for neon pink yarn and I so wanted to grab some.

But I didn't. Because my stash is healthy enough.

As for the aforementioned socks, I am working the heels and keep dropping stitches like I just started knitting heels yesterday. And I cannot show you a picture because my iPhone lens is so scratched I cannot take photos anymore (where is my backordered 5S already?) so I will have to owe you one.

In other news, I was listening to the Knitpicks podcast this morning and they were talking about their new yarn, Diadem, and I realized I really want it and then I recalled something I have been really wanting to knit in a jewel tone. Now, an hour later, I can't remember what that was...oh well.

I am on the second Game of Thrones book now and still enjoying it. I am also reading Yesterday's Gone and trying to get into it. There's just a ton of stuff in my brain so blogs have been a bit more my speed lately.

Remind me I need to tell you about the Bacon Cheeseburger Dip :)

NoM

~EK

You need carbs to knit, right?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:16:00 +0000

I bring you this blog post not to talk about yarn but about what to eat between bouts of knitting.

You know, for strength.

I made this cake this weekend on Friday. By Saturday morning, it was gone. So I baked another. That one is gone too. It's that good. I didn't even take a photo.

If you, like me, aren't the best baker and need some general help keeping things moist: make this cake.

Erin's (adapted from Thai Kitchen of all places) Lemon Explosion of Wonderfulness Cake

Ingredients:
One lemon cake mix (I used Duncan Hines Classic)
One 15 oz can of coconut milk
Three eggs
One small bottle lemon extract
2-3 cups confectioner's sugar
Water
about half a cup of shredded coconut

Directions:
Put the cake mix, stirred coconut milk, eggs, and about one tablespoon of lemon extract. Mix it all together. You can use a mixer, I didn't want to get one out so I hand mixed it with a flat whisk (if you don't have a flat whisk, you need one). Once it is all mixed, taste a little. Lemony enough? Cool. If not, add more lemon extract.

When satisfied with the lemoniness, pour it into a greased and floured Bundt and bake at 350 for 35 minutes or so, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let it cool completely and then put the cake on a cake pan or wax paper...depending on your level of fancy.
Meanwhile. put your coconut on some tin foil and toast it.

Meanwhile, make some epic glaze.

Put a cup and a half of confectioner's sugar in a bowl, add another tablespoon of lemon extract. Then, add water and start stirring. Add a tiny bit at a time until you get the consistency you want. Taste it for lemony flavor...adjust as needed.

Then, poke holes in the cake and pour the glaze over it. Toss on the toasted coconut. I then mixed up a little more glazed and did another coating, but I like to live dangerously.

Eat you face off.

I would add coconut milk to every cake I made from now on if I didn't think it might interrupt the flavor of say...caramel or peanut butter.

This is moist and delicious and appropriate to eat for breakfast. I promise.

Make it!

NoM

~EK

No WIPW...not because I'm not knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 16:15:00 +0000

But because I had to attend a meeting yesterday...in Salt Lake City. So I flew out Tuesday afternoon and back last night. Thank heavens for Delta direct flights from SLC to JFK or I might have been there longer and I hate being away from The CEO.

All of the flying sort of stunk but I had some great quality knitting time to make up for a tiny bit of it. And I was able to cast on The CEO's step father's socks. I know I say this about all of The CEO's family and I mean it each and every time...but I have a huge place in my heart for the recipient of these socks. He is patient, kind, funny, and really loves The CEO's mom. It is a thing to see...and we can all use a reminder of how real love looks sometimes.

Because I like him so much (and know he won't complain even if I give him mismatched wonky looking socks), I REALLY want him to have socks he will love. The CEO's mom was kind enough to show me some of her husband's favorite socks and I set out to make something simple but not ugly, warm but not overly thick, and at a small and comfy gauge. While thinking about this matter, I was reading 2-At-A-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes, and an idea was born. What better way is there to make sure things are even and both the same...to avoid one toe being longer or forgetting rows..then to make both of them at the SAME TIME?

I picked out a very simple pattern and away I went.

In typical EK style, I got the yarn hopelessly tangled and it took me forever to wind it into a center pull ball. I am hoping Santa brings me an umbrella swift and a yarn winder (links in case you don't know what those are) so I can avoid these issues in the future. Or maybe I should just be more careful.

At any rate, I finally got these cast on whilst flying to Utah and have made quite a bit of progress (I think) in the past day and a half...take a look.

I'm pretty excited about these and they may be my favorite way to knit socks...although I would probably still do one at a time for very complex socks or DPNs for something at a tiny gauge I wanted to be perfect. For some reasoning the laddering on the ends is worse on these than others. I have to make sure I tighten the ends quite well.

I'm back to knitting with bamboo needles this time. I like the metal but I was afraid this would slip right off...which would be maddening. I must hold my needles too tightly, though, as I am starting to see a definite curve in my size 1's.

I just saw the most adorable Christmas idea for knitters...I need to stay off the internet.

Halloween tonight...Captain Hammer is my date...and he will be a great one no matter what we do.

Sometimes I am quite certain I am the luckiest lady alive.

Football Foodz this weekend!

NoM

~EK

Football Foodz (the fancier edition)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:32:00 +0000

I say fancy, but it really wasn't...I made pizza dip again and The CEO and I ate it like we hadn't eaten in years. That stuff is like crack, I tell ya!

I also made filet mignon bites. These were super easy. I cooked some salted and peppered filet mignon, cut it into strips, and folded them up with some arugula and blue cheese. Then, I drizzled a simple white balsamic reduction on top. DONE!

And good. Here's a picture:

Clearly The CEO took this photo as it is clear and easy to see what it is!

Also, when we were in Rhinebeck, I noticed that tons of people were waiting in line at the Artichoke French food tent. While I had no desire to wait in a line that did not end in yarn (priorities, folks!) I did want to know what it was...so I found a recipe here and I made it. I tried to make the artichokes as crispy as possible for The CEO...who hates mushy artichokes...but I think he still wasn't a fan.

I was...they were yummy. But awful reheated, as I learned this afternoon!

Caution: Eat at once!

Finally, I made potato peanut butter candy and mucked it up royally. I learned two things: 1. a "little" confectioner's sugar on the wax paper really should be "A BUNCH." and 2. putting things down on the waxed side of the waxed paper is generally helpful.

Duh, EK!

so. While it tastes yummy, it is ugly. I also think The CEO was less than impressed with this food too (it is probably too sweet for his tastes...I should have considered that).

Overall, not a terribly successful Football Foodz day...which matched the Eagles playing. At least we had the pizza dip.

I also finished The CEO's Aunt's socks. However, I've decided to keep the photos under wraps...sorry.

They are pretty.

I'm onto the final complete pair of socks for the Christmas sock knitting...The CEO's Step-Dad...I hope these socks do him justice. I am knitting them two at a time on a magic loop. I will cast them on just as soon as I manage to untangle the second skein which I have turned into an unmanageable yarn blob.

*sigh*

NoM!

~ EK

Yarn Along and WIP Wednesday: socks socks socks...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 18:58:00 +0000

Two posts in one week? yay!

I've been reading all of the blog reviews of Rhinebeck and feeling nostalgic. I really don't want to wait a year for another! But wait I must.

I've also been touching this amazing black alpaca I got from Morning Moon Alpacas over and over and just dreaming of the day I get to cast it on and make socks for The CEO. I want to make plain dress socks he can wear to any meeting during which he needs luck. So that means very tiny stockinette infused with my love, hope, and well wishes in every stitch.

But, before I get to that, I have some other socks to finish. I am halfway finished with The CEO's Aunt's socks having bound off on the first one Monday night. I'll take photos when they are both done. I am pretty proud of these considering the use of so many knitting instruments. I've been reading a ton about knitting cables without a cable needle. I'm not sure what to make of that...the metal circs I am using are so slippery I'm having to pick up too many dropped stitches already. Why invite more trouble?

Can you believe that this is the next to last pair I have to knit before Christmas? I am pretty sure everything will be done by Thanksgiving. And then I want to knit up some other quick things for the holidays. I'm not committing to anything, though.

As for reading, I am still on Game of Thrones...and for actual written reading I am probably going to start The Walking Dead...yet another thing I've been tempted into reading by The CEO/watching the TV shows.

We're still on salads, which is fine because they are yummy. I cut up some peaches the other night for mine and it was delicious. I find goat cheese and white balsamic make everything better. Well, maybe not everything but surely most things.

Football Foodz this Sunday, I'm not sure what exactly it will be but we do have all of that kielbasa...I am sure inspiration will strike me soon.

NoM!

~EK

The One In Which I Try to Describe the Indescribable

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:25:00 +0000

Wise Poodle Says: Go to NY Sheep and Wool!

About six months ago, I was at La Casita Yarn Shop in Brooklyn when someone asked me if I had been to Rhinebeck. I said no and she said, "If you ever want to go to a place where you can literally roll around in a pile of yarn, go there." I was intrigued.

I went home and googled. It turns out Rhinebeck, is what knitter nerds call The NY Sheep and Wool Festival held each October in Rhinebeck, NY. I told The CEO I wanted to go and put it on the calendar. He was, of course, amenable because he is awesome.

Well, this weekend we went.

I wish I could put into words what it felt like to be there, the love of my life at my side, the Fall air making it all the more exciting. But I really can't. I can't do it justice. Guys...Rhinebeck is just that amazing.

We went to the food and wine booth first. The CEO and I had a pretty good time tasting the NY wines. I bought 5 or so bottles, he bought 1 (we have very different tastes). We perused all the food items, bought some appetizer makings for Thanksgiving, and made notes on things we needed to buy the next day, and the made our way over to a cooking demonstration on preparing lamb.

The demonstration was great! I have always been afraid to make lamb because it seemed too complex. This demo helped a bunch. It also gave me a new appreciation for good butchers and sharp knives. The CEO seemed intrigued as well. Now all I want to do is make a lamb shank. Sadly, Wil-Hi Farm was out of them by the time I came back on Sunday to buy. So I got lamb kielbasa and lamb chorizo instead...football foodz here we come.

After that, we shopped. Oh man, did we shop. The CEO has such an amazing eye for both what I would want as well as what would make a great basis for a project I have either mentioned or he can see in his head. Sometimes I wonder how I found such a perfect man for me. I got enough yarn to make two sweaters I have been wanting to make, as well as enough silver mohair for a Boo Knits shawl...sock and scarf yarn for myself and several loved ones and all kinds of other stuff. I got wool (duh), angora, mohair, tencel, quiviut, baby alpaca, adult alpaca...it was like a dream come true. I couldn't find any llama I wanted and bison seemed hard to come by in a weight/color I would use. So those dreams will have to wait (or maybe that's fate telling me I need the Knitting Rose bison yarn).

At the end of the day Saturday, we went to see the animals...there were many kinds of sheep, alpacas, llamas, goats of all varieties, and two Paco-Vicuñas. I had some deep and meaningful conversations with some alpacas (my GOD are they cute) and we cruised through the remaining booths before heading back to our hotel in Poughkeepsie. Next time, I am booking something much closer. We are NYers, we can walk a mile. Whatever.

Sunday found us back bright and early. We got some scones, coffee, and hot chocolate, bought some souvenirs tees and set out shopping again. We met up with Andrea and Joe (and their adorable son) from Knitcrate. What incredible, amazing people. Their son echoed my sentiments when, upon seeing the alpacas, said "I want one." Yeah, me too.

We did some additional shopping, bought a few more skeins (The CEO found a reasonably priced yarn for the Owl Sweater...I could kiss him...I probably did) and then we went off to watch the Eagles game. We won't talk about that...what a terribad day for football yesterday. A loss for the Broncos AND the Eagles? At least Kansas City won (yay Andy Reid).

Around half time, I set back out alone to Rhinebeck to grab food and finish up shopping. By that time, it was pretty quiet and I was able to see some things I missed the day before. I also picked up the smoked mozzarella, aforementioned lamb, and some venison kielbasa we had wanted. I even picked up some organic dog biscuits for the boys.

Then, I went to pick up The CEO and home we went.

Gosh I wish it was longer. Next year, I think we will leave Friday night. This was definitely the first of many Rhinebecks for The CEO and me. Wanna join us next year?

I won't disclose exactly how many skeins of yarn I purchased...lest you judge...but here is a visual:

That's a Soak Carrie Basin and it is full. I don't have a yarn problem. On the far left is a tan colored yarn. It is 100% natural, undyed angora. Simon kept trying to swipe it out of the bucket. He has expensive taste. Little does he know, that Eagles green skein on the top is for him!

This was one of the best times I have had in a really long time (and we've had some darned amazing times this year). I just cannot wait until next year. My wallet can.

Until next time

~ NoM

EK

And so it is, and so it goes, and so it will be

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:37:00 +0000

Wow. Just Wow. Is it just me or did this year just fly? I booked my Christmas travel. It'll be a super fun road trip back to Georgia with The CEO, Teddy, and Simon. Thank goodness The CEO is the best company ever.

Last week was NY Comic Con. It was fun. Next year, if I go, it will have to be VIP because standing in line is perhaps my least favorite thing on Earth. But we got to see a panel with pretty much the entire cast of Archer (so fun!) and we previewed the new Dracula with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. And I got to wear the Dolce & Gabbana kilt I picked up in Charleston. Plus, we found some awesome shirts for The CEO...all in all a winner of a weekend.

Tomorrow we head out bright and early for the NY Sheep & Wool Festival, lovingly called Rhinebeck. All week long, I've been geeking out about the people going. From Amy Herzog to Stephanie Pearl-McPhee...the place is teeming with knitting celebs! There's even a chance I may meet up with Andrea and Joe, the creators of my number one obsession: Knitcrate.

And then, on Sunday, the Eagles play the Cowboys...that's tense...let's hope it ends as it should. That's with the Eagles winning, folks!

On the knitting front, The CEO's mom's socks are done. I don't like the toe on the second sock so, if I have time, I may rip back a bit and redo it.

Now I am about halfway done with the first of The CEO's Aunt's socks. The pattern is called "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes." I think it is really fitting for the recipient. She just sparkles as a person. The CEO's family is just full of great people. Mine is too...we just aren't as close.

But my mom is joining us at The CEO's mom's for Turkey Day this year...so exciting.

Anyway, the yarn for the socks is Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in the Rosebud colorway.

Here is a preview:

Not to much of one, though. The photos don't capture the color well. It isn't yellow at all. It's really really pretty. Plus, it is the first sock I've done with real cables. And it is on 2 circulars. I think people on the bus are afraid of all the hardware. Many people do these with beads but I'm not. I just think beads on socks take away the practicality. What do you think? Am I nuts?

I'm still listening to Game of Thrones and using the amazing grapefruit soap. I've also gotten into podcasts lately...

That's all for me. I haven't really been cooking (the poor CEO is stuck with salads).

Catch ya'll after Rhinebeck!

NoM

~EK

Yarning Merrily Along

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 18:22:00 +0000

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a confused looking Simon!

Well, it feels like it has been a month since I posted but I guess it was only a week, which doesn't bode well for the season...sigh. On the crafting/eating/reading front all is well, though.

A month or so ago, The CEO sat me down and had me watch Game of Thrones. We devoured all three seasons in no time at all. And I just wanted more, so...at The CEO's (amazing, very good, incredible) suggestion, I am now listening to the book on Audible. I just cannot believe how good it is. Well, I suppose I can believe it but I am pleasantly shocked at how much I adore it. The show is awesome and I am stoked for Season 4 but if you are a fan of the show and haven't read the books...do so now.

I finished Patriots and was kind of glad. Finishing the book during the government shut down and with everything going on lately economically and politically, it really frightened me toward the end. With that said, I still recommend it, even if you believe our great nation will always be as it is and was, you'll learn something. You may not agree, but you'll learn.

From a gastronomic perspective, last weeks' Football Foodz were an ode to the cocktail and various times of day they are consumed. There was a bloody mary dip (the morning cocktail), a Rye Whiskey Barbecue Sauce (an afternoon drink), and a martini dip (for the evening...and with vodka, of course.) I also made my layered pizza dip and everything was delicious. Here's a photo. Recipes for any of it upon request.

Clockwise from the top: Breakfast, afternoon, evening

Knitting is going well. I am on the heel of the second sock for The CEO's mother. It is a fun knit, even if the pattern sometimes confuses me, and I love the yarn...it is a merino from Periwinkle Sheep and here is a tiny spoiler. Look away if you want to be surprised!

Magic Loop. Size 1 needles. Good times.

This weekend is NY Comic Con for The CEO and me followed by Rhinebeck the next weekend. Let's hope I don't buy more yarn than our house can hold. I do have a bit of an upcoming destash, though...which I will tell you about next week.

Until then...

NoM

~EK