Marmalade Love

Dh has marmalade on toast every morning, and has been for the past few years. So I have been buying him various kinds of marmalade, some better than others, he says. As I watched C-boy slathering his pbj with the strawberry freezer jam I made last summer, I was struck by a couple of thoughts: 'I could make marmalade' and 'why haven't I ever made some?' Well, I really don't like marmalade and citrus season is in mid-winter when I am not necessarily thinking about canning. But, here we are, smack in the middle of prime citrus season, so off I go to my canning books and the internet to find "the best marmalade recipe ever" to make for dh. And, I think I found it. June Taylor makes her preserves in Berkley and has a world-wide cult following. I was able to find a few of her marmalade recipes online, being the cyber-sleuth that I am. She makes her own pectin from the membranes and seeds of the fruit and uses a lower amount of sugar in a process that can only be called a labor of love. As I love dh and a food challenge, I made a batch of Satsuma Marmalade during one of our snow days this week. Again, I don't like marmalade, it's bitter, pithy taste with large chunks of peel and membrane, but- I LOVE this marmalade. The citrus segments removed from their membrane with thin slices of peel floating in the bright citrus-y goodness accented by the sweet-tang of meyer lemon. YUM. I am in love. It didn't jel as much as I would like, I will do a few things differently next time, but it is luscious. I think so anyway, and so does dh. I do want to order some of June Taylor's to compare as she is the jam goddess, but for now, I have a new obsession. Today I will attempt Pink Grapefruit-Meyer Lemon. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

SNOW!

Is anything more fun than a snow day?!? I have had a grin on my face since I got out of bed this morning. School is cancelled, after we had already decided to stay home and play, but dh had already left for school on his bike. Yes, on his bike, 10 miles in the snow, what a stud. They cancelled after he arrived, so he headed back home via MAX and his bike again. Uncle T made a surprise visit for snowball fun and breakfast, a special treat. So now we sit, enjoying the soft, white view from our front window, listening to Sam Phillips. Snow doesn't happen here very often, so it is quite a treat. Even for a 36 yr-old mama-of-three. "Yay, God!" said E. I couldn't agree more. Off to sled with my children, walk to the coffee shop, and play in the snow, snow, snow.

Sick Day

E is sick today. We have spent the morning lounging on the couch watching Narnia and Samantha. Lil' C is fighting the same thing and grumpy and clingy. I am grumpy, too. Not sure if it is because of needy girls or because of the elimintation diet I started this week. Usually by day 5 I am feeling great. It has been hard eating nothing but protein and vegetables, especially when there are chocolate chip cookies and dh's fabulous cranberry-nut bread in the house. We have 2 family weddings coming this summer and I, too would like to look fabulous in a dress, plus this holiday season I gave myself permission to eat as I wanted and neglect my exercise. I feel so much healthier when I am eating the way that is right for me- no wheat or sugar, low carbs. But I LOVE food. And reading Ruth Reichl this week has been no help at all. I want to be her when I grow up. She describes food with such amazing detail. Alas, I am not. So... I am going to call my sister for a pep talk to help me avoid eating the tater tots coming out of the oven. They are organic and a vegetable, right?

New Year's Socks 101

One of my goals for the year 2007 was to knit socks. Larissa's Socks 101 Test-along allowed me to accomplish that goal already!

Pattern: Socks 101 Test-along
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay #53 Mulberry
Size: Women's Medium- 32st.
Needles: US 10 dpn

Manos del Uruguay wool is luscious to knit with. The pattern was fun and easy and is a great first sock to knit before tiny-gauge sock knitting. Once again, thanks, Larissa!

I can't believe this is my first post in the new year. I have pictures of my knitted gifts, but have yet to post them here. I have so many past posts in my head that I wish I could have actually blogged. Uploading photos and blogging takes more time that I can devote right now, but I hope to become more adept and speedy.

Here is part of what keeps me so busy.....lil' C is such a climber. We can't keep her off the table, couch, in the bathroom sink playing in the water, or the ladder to the bunks. We have been taking the ladder off during the day, but sometimes forget. She managed to fall through the top rung the other day and was hanging by her head, yes, head. Luckily, I heard the thump and ran in the bedroom to swoop her up. She is fine other than a bruise on her forehead. I think I sprouted 10 more gray hairs with that one. I would not be at all surprised if I am completely white by the time she is 5!

Cold here, well cold for our town. There is a possibility of snow. It has been many years since we have had a real snow. I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope.....

'Twas the night before Christmas

The children are nestled, all tucked in their beds. Happy holidays, everyone on this Holy Night. Peace to you all.

Wooly Christmas Ornaments

I was so inspired by Handknit Holidays- I just love that book. I wanted to make oodles of little felted ornaments for everyone I love. Thought it would be a great project with the kidlets. Originally, my plan was to get the roving from the source the author used, but my mil has a friend with sheep, so she got some actual wool straight from the sheep's back and gave it to me.
Dyeing with Kool-aid was fun, my hands turned funky colors and our house smelled like fruit-punch for a few days.

Felting uncarded wool turned out to be not as neat and easy as with roving, the balls are not as firm and symmetrical or smooth as those pictured in the pattern, and after a day of felting balls, many mishapen, we lost our steam. But, we did make enough to make a few ornaments yesterday for e's teachers and they turned out like this:

Sooo cute, I am re-inspired. I have a pile of dyed wool to make more. And there is a possibility that the woman who gave me the wool will card it for me.

Am in the throes of holiday preparation, knitting when I can get the chance. I was perusing here and wondering how these super-star knitting mamas can do it all and here (scroll down to Oct. 12) is cmeknit's answer. If only I could knit from 8 until midnight, but I head to bed with lil'c and she is such a crappy sleeper, I need all the z's I can get. And, I just am not a super fast knitter. Someday I will be a super-knitter, too.

Sorrow in the air

Sorrow is in the air, all around. Today is the 1st birthday of my dear friend's daughter who died when she was just over 1 month old. Another dear friend's cherished neighbor died yesterday after a very brief battle with cancer. This same df lost her father to cancer this summer. Dear friend Tessa's dh lost his grandmother, their dog died and ds injured his foot, all in the same week- they too are weary with sorrow. And then the Kim family....

So many questions unanswered, that most enormous question of "Why?"

And yet, joy infuses my soul alongside my sorrow, creating clarity and a crispness that comes from knowing great suffering. I light a candle or two in honor and memory of cherished loved one's deaths and to remember those who love them. I can only trust and have faith that God is taking care of us all.

Peace to you all.

Unexpected sorrow

My heart is heavy with sorrow for the death of James Kim, a man I do not now and yet his loss touches both dh and I as it has for so many others. He sacrificed his life to save his family. His death is a tragedy. I can't imagine the regrets his widow, Kati must have and the questions she must be asking herself. The Kim family is in our prayers. We wish you peace.

Chillin'

Just sitting here, enjoying the after-effects of a glass of wine, some dark chocolate and a soak in our neighbor's hot tub on a chilly winter's evening. It is so nice to sit here, with no one demanding anything of me. e is asleep on the couch, lil' c is in bed. Aah, sweet silence. Or sweet snores from the couch.

Lil' C's Sweater

Pattern: Knitting Pure and Simple Baby Tunic #211

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Superwash Worsted in Colorway Ruby Slippers
Needles: Sz 8 and 10! to achieve gauge

Here she is in all her glory. I am glad this is finally finished. Took a couple of months for me to finish. Pretty easy pattern. I did the cuffs and hem in seed stitch instead of garter stitch. And omitted the hood tie and casing and did a seed stitch border. I do love seed stitch! Finished with a button from my grandmother's collection that matches perfectly. I love the history it adds- made by mama with the touch of great-grama. Thanks Larissa for turning me on to the pattern!

Now that is completed, holiday knitting frenzy, here I come! Started a christmas present with some simple cables, my first time at cabling. It is turning out cute and fun to knit.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving with the in-laws is always interesting. We acutally had a nice time. I contributed an arugula salad with pear, fennel, carmelized-maple pecans and gorgonzola and a marionberry pie. Someone picked off and ate the edges of my pie crust before we even cut it. Can you believe it? How rude! Brothers-in-law confessed and sheepishly apologized. So, am I to take their crust thievery as a high compliment?

Am almost finished with the 1st sleeve on lil' c's sweater, should finish that tonight. Can't wait until it is done so I can start working on presents. Katie has become a crazy knitting fiend and the hats are flying off her needles. I am so jealous!

I am thankful for my sweet children and husband, dear friends, yummy wine and even whiny 1-yr-olds who are biting my new cashmere sweater.

Done!

Here she is. Knit with 1 skein ofLamb's Pride Bulky in Sable. I had a teeny bit left over. Adorned with a leather flowery pouf and wool bead I felted myself. It's cute and comfy and I love it. Thanks so much Larissa. I have had a blast.

Meathead is knitted!

So, it took 2 days, not 2 hours. Ok, I do have 3 kids to take care of, but sheesh. I LOVE IT! It is so stinkin' cute. I know I will knit many more, in the round probably, though my mattress stitch looks great, if I do say so myself. I will try to post pics tomorrow, haven't mastered that yet. And I still need to find a marvelous embellishment. I was able to knit with 1 skein with a teeny bit of yarn left over. I was doubtful for a bit, there.

Sweet Life

These things I cherish:

• teaching my 5-yr. old, missy lu-lu to knit yesterday (what could be sweeter?)
  
• lil' c's head on my shoulder
• shouts of laughter
• dear friends who "get" me
• low-key weekends with the fam
• celebrating sweet g's life
  
• holiday spirit
• teaching dear friend katie to knit
• chocolate chip cookies, both eating and baking with my girls
• smooth communicating with dear husband
• seeing how tender my eldest son is with us all
• lil' c's 1st words
  

Life is sweet.

Still Knitting

Am I the world's slowest knitter? The meathead pattern indicates that it should take only a couple of hours to complete, but I started this morning and am still not done. Doh! I love the color of the yarn, sable and am looking forward to completing this hat. Though there have been reports that it could take more than my one skein. I have been warned. I am a pretty tight knitter, so we will see. I wish I had knit it on 2 circulars. I forgot I even had 2, so am knitting it flat, but I really prefer knitting in the round. Oh well, if I run out, I will rip out and frog (or is the whole process called "frogging"?) and try again on 2 circulars.

On another note, lil' c is talking. Can hardly believe it. Her vocabulary has exploded this first week of being one year old. Clearly says "up" and "mama" and "papa" and "eye". Today repeated "Shadow" and "Jeffrey"-our cats. She is growing too quickly.

My first Knit-Along

I received the meathead pattern from larissa yesterday. There are 60+ participating and I am sure meatheads are flying off the needles world-wide as I type. Must get knitting! I have a skein of brown LP bulky that will be perfect. Just need to figure out a grand embellishment. Maybe a felted flower? Gotta figure out this blogging thing, like how to post a picture, though I think I just posted my first link.
PS- Happy Bday Sweet G. Mama loves you.

Am I crazy?

I joined my very first knit-along today and I am the only one without a link to a blog! So, I decided, "what the heck!" Surely I don't have enough on my plate, so not only will I join a knit-along, but I'll start a blog. I have been thinking about it for a while, but am in awe of the amazing women whose blogs I read. Often, I am moved to tears by their eloquence, talent and energy. I am not worthy, but here I am. Am I crazy?