The Knitting Bug

Just when I thought my knitting slump had over taken me...BAM! I get bit by the bug and finish two sweaters (and start a third!). Both were started over (a collective) three years ago. Both are Norah Gaughan designs. Both were knit with great yarn. Both make me very happy!


The first: Loppem

Not the best pictures but it was getting dark and I wanted to get my ravelry page updated :) This sweater REALLY makes me excited for REAL spring weather!


The Second: Surface

I used a different and much easier lace pattern for the collar and cuffs but the effect is similar to the original pattern. This was knit with some great discontinued yarn that my sister and brother-in-law gave me for a Christmas present about 4 years ago. It worked beautifully for this pattern.

Now, on to the next...

A Little Something

I finally made a baby blanket for my almost one year old. At this point he's already chosen another as his favorite (aka: blue snuggler) but he was tired enough to indulge me for some pictures.

Weekend Eating

I think I've jumped leaps and bounds in the ongoing bread making experiment. A friend recommended a wonderful book and it blows my mind....Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. Although the title is a bit misleading this bread is fast and really, really good (no kneading! limited active time!).

So if you've been thinking about trying to make bread stop thinking and just try it. This weekend I had some leftover dough and decided to try to make a loaf, you know sandwich style?

The results:


I can't believe I made that! And to go with it we whipped up some really good chicken salad.

I guess we were in a Summery sort of mood. Who isn't right about now?

Chicken Salad Recipe (if you're interested) (For 4-6 people)

Marinade for 2 Chicken Breasts (or whatever kind of chicken you have)
1/4 C. Olive Oil (or oil of your choice)
Juice from about 1/2 a lemon
2 minced or crushed garlic cloves
and spices of your choice (I used pepper, flaked red pepper and a little salt)
Puncture the chicken with a fork several times and let it sit in the mixture for as long as you want (but at least 30 min)

Take the chicken out of the marinade and grill. Then cube or shred (i shredded).

Salad Dressing Mix
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. sour cream
2 tbs. cidar vinegar (if you have it)
juice from the other half of that lemon
Mix.

Chunky parts:
1 c. halved red seedless grapes
1/2 an apple cubed
1/4 to 1/2 c. nuts of your choice ( i used walnuts and stove top roasted them first...put them in a skillet and heat until fragrant...totally worth the extra step!)
1/2 c. celery
1/2 an onion
3 tsp. terragon
1 tsp. sage
pepper and salt to taste

Add Chunky Parts to chicken and mix....this can sit for a bit if you want or not!
Then add the Salad Dressing and mix.

These ingredients are mostly approximate and can be changed in pretty much any way...Yum!