"You Should Sell These"

That is what Jeff told me this morning during breakfast. I guess that means he liked it! 

I took the Hatch Chile scones and made "breakfast scone" with a turkey omelet and Munster cheese. I toasted the scones with butter.  Yep, it was yummy. 

Happy Sunday!  Now, I am going to go work on my knitting. I think this may help bring the Fall weather to Texas sooner. 

Cheers!  

Market Weekend

Friday, I split work the minute the clock struck 4:30 and headed straight to the Hatch Chile Festival at Central Market. I look forward to this every year. There are tons of Hatch Chile's to choose from among tons of Hatch Chile Foods...breads, cakes, fajitas, quiches, meatloaf, crab cakes, risotto cakes, and the list goes on.

I stuffed my face with several of my food items before I could get a shot of them but there are 2 things I cannot live without when I go to the Fest...

Hatch Chile Scones and....

 Hatch Chile Chocolate Brownie! Yum!

Today, I went with my parents to the Cowtown Farmer's Market. I always head straight for La Latte Dairy.  They have the best goat cheese ever. I picked up some onions and split squash with my mom.

Here is a shot of my veggies and the Hatch Chile's! I am going to roast the Chile's, chop them up, and freeze some for later use. 

Something else I cannot resist from the Market are the tamales from Hot Tamales. They are to die for!

Jeff ate practically all 12 of them by himself! 

After the Market we stopped into Amaryllis. It is a great plant shop right next to the Market. The store owner is so nice and come to find out her daughter-in-law is a Social Worker!  She is very knowledgeable on her plants, has great deals, and some great succulents. 

I picked up a combo pot for my Grandmother that is very cute!

For myself (of course I could not resist) I got a cute Fittonia.  All I need to do is plant it.

The Fittonia is going to take the place of the succulent I had in this pot that actually shriveled up and died because it could not take the heat. Now, I thought that was unheard of! It is almost impossible to kill as succulent! 

To finish the day off, a bit of knitting and a girlie movie! 

Cheers! 

Monday In Santa Fe

Another beautiful day in Santa Fe.  We took it easy this morning which was really nice. My dad and I went for a little hike and when we came back to the casita my sister made banana/granola and blueberry pancakes along with fruit salad and a bird in a nest! Hiking in this altitude is tough so we were hungry when we got back!

Then for a bit more relaxing and hanging out be fore we took off for the day. My poor little V is sick. We had to pick up meds for her and I hope that she will be good as new soon so she can enjoy SF with us.

Mimi stayed back with V and the rest of us had lunch at Upper Crust Pizza. My sister and I shared the whole wheat sunny chicken pesto pizza. Fantastic! The pizza is great. You can't get a whole wheat pizza back home that I am aware of unless you make it yourself. This was dang good! Thank you Upper Crust! We sat on the patio. The weather was great and there was a nice breeze. The people that worked there were great too.

A shot of the nice little area we ate in. Great views all around.

After pizza we went shopping of course. My younger cousin Phoebe got a cute little purse she had her eye on yesterday and also picked up a few buttons to put on it from Santa Fe Hemp. She is 11 so I am sure she found the store very interesting. But, I love this store and my sister did too so I am glad about that! I could not resist this necklace.

I love owls and this necklace is so very charming. 

We also went to Todos Santos! The best chocolates and confections in Santa Fe if you ask me plus it has a Dia de los Muertos theme. I mean, you can't possibly beat that! The people the work there are consistent, the same people that have been working there since I started going several years back, and they are friendly so that is an added bonus.  As usual I had to purchase a "box of chocolates" and a few little extras. I also had to get a little something special for V since she has been sick.

We also stopped by Miriam's Well. I love this store and go here mainly for woolies to spin.Miriam is a very eccentric and lovely lady that owns the place.

Unfortunately, she was on vacation. I guess we can let this one slide since everyone deserves a vacation. The very nice lady holding down the fort said that Miriam will be back on Wednesday so my sister and I will go back. I think Thursday will be the day we go to La Boca as well. That will be a good day! I wish we had a place like La Boca where I am from.

Well, geeze, back to what is most important...the woolies!

I picked up 100% Targhee and a Merino pencil roving. Pencil roving is so easy to spin with. For me, there is no predafting required and is it very simple for me to spin a thin and consistent yarn. There is something about Santa Fe that makes me feel even more creative and makes me want to create even more than when I am at home. It must be the calm spirit of Santa Fe. I could just knit and spin all day in Santa Fe. So, that is what I have been doing, the knitting part anyway. But, as usual, I brought the old reliable wheel too so I am going to spin some too while I am here. I have been working on knitting a hat for my uncle. I really have never knit a hat before so we will see how it turns out. I figure if I can knit socks I can knit a hat!

Oh, Santa Fe, if it were not for my hubby staying back home while I am here I may never leave!

Cheers to another great day in Santa Fe!

I Love You Mail Man

I was sitting in the living room this morning watching the Cooking Channel when I heard the mail man drop mail in my box. I figured for sure I would be getting bills and such, as usual. But, when I went out on the front porch to get the mail, I saw that I received my Fall edition of Spin Off Magazine!  I have been waiting for this to arrive. I love the fall and winter editions of this magazine! 

The feature is an introduction to natural dyes. They actually dye wool with red cabbage! I have been wanting to dye my own wool for a while now. I tried this once before (you can see here and here) but it did not work out that well. I needed a mordant and did not realize that at the time, ha! So I basically went into it blissful and blind. But, now I have detailed instructions and I can't wait to start! 

I also finished up a little something that is part of my secret project that I will reveal in October. I am exited about it and can't wait to share what I have been up to! Here is a little sneak peek at what I finished today. 

 After I finished that little project up I started knitting like a mad woman on a cowl that I have been wanting to knit for a while. This is my present to myself to wear on the honeymoon in Victoria. I knitted for about 5 hours solid, straight through 500 Days of Summer, Bride Wars, and Sex and the City.  Do you gage your time knitting or spinning by how many movies you watch?  I sure do! So, I guess that adds up to almost 6 hours of marathon knitting! I'm going to end up with arthritis at this rate but that can be treated with medication and occupational therapy. 

Here it is! My Cowl neck. I love it! 

I just knitted on size 13 circular needles. Casted on 70 stitches and knitted until I ran out of yarn. I absolutely love this yarn, the colors are wonderful. I spun it while on vacation in Ruidoso. There is nothing better than making something all on your own, from scratch! I can't wait to wear it. I wish it would cool off here in Texas darn it! 

Cheers! 

Spinning, Knitting, Felting, And Needle Felting

This is a little project that I have been working on. I spun the yarn myself, knitted it, felted it, and the did a little needle felt work on it.  I think I am going to needle felt more spirals on it. If I do I will post the final product.  I think it looks a little Alice In Wonderland-ie.

I love the little mushrooms. I sewed glass beads on to make the mushroom spots. 

There is something very gratifying about making something from scratch!  Now, all I need is my own sheep then I can say I really made it from scratch! 

Cheers and happy spinning, knitting, and felting! 

Potato Soup For The Viral Pharyngitis Soul

So, I went to the MD today because my throat has been insanely inflamed. I get strep throat about once every other year so I tend to be hyper sensitive when I get a sore throat. But, the MD just told me that I have Viral Pharyngitis. No, treatment, just some Ibuprofen and Mucinex...and a little potato soup will fix it right up! Well, I added in the potato soup but what can't potato soup cure, right? This was the easiest recipe ever.

After my MD appointment I went home and got back in bed, watched the holiday, and worked on a bit of Christmas knitting. I wish I could do this everyday, without the sick part.

This little knitting project is for a certain someone that probably does not read this blog often so I bet it is safe to post a picture.

After I finished up the mitts, I started working on a "Man Scarf" for the DH. I think I may needle felt then ends with some of the roving I have from my huge roving stash! Ziggy joined me and my tissues in bed with me today. He loves to take naps...so do I and that is exactly what I did after I worked on this for a bit.

So, previously I mentioned roving stash. I bought some more. My name is Elizabeth and I am addicted to roving. Is roving hoarding a proper medical diagnosis? Well, anyway, a few years ago, when I was in New Mexico, I stopped in the most fantastic yarn store in Arroyo Seco called the Taos Sunflower. I purchased the best Corriedale wool there and have been looking for more like it. I happened upon her Etsy store and sure enough, there it was.....and on sale! So, I snatched up as much as I could and now it is on it's way to may house! I can't wait! Merry Christmas to me! So, that roving stash just got even bigger. I need to start spinning to make room for more roving!

I think I am going to get back in bed and cozy up with Ziggy and watch another movie.

Cheers!

Seasons of Color

Fall is my favorite season. There are so many beautiful colors! I enjoy looking out the windows of my house because every angle is full of fall colors, so many colors!

This past weekend I worked on the usual house cleaning but also on getting ahead in my Christmas shopping. I refuse this year to be stuck in traffic trying to shop! I live in a highly populated area. Soon, the access road to the major highway next to my house will be barricaded off because there will be too much traffic. I love the area I live in because it is close to everything but I despise living in this area this time of year. Several years ago, when I was in high school, I had an immature moment and went shopping at the mall on Christmas Eve and got stuck in parking lot traffic for an hour, never again! So this year, in my older...more mature 30 year old state, I am getting a handle on this shopping stuff early. Yes...there is a possibility this may be all talk because there is a part of me that likes shopping when all the decorations are up and the Christmas music is playing but...we will see. I think online shopping is going to be my best friend this season! Amazon.com here I come!

Crafting is also back in action! I have picked up the sticks again and am also going to get out the wheel, Christmas crafting here I come! Oh, and there will be more blog entries for sure. I have neglected my poor little blog recently because, you know, I have had wedding magazines to look at. But, since I have looked at about every wedding magazine there is this season, I can now be preoccupied with blogging and crafting once again!


Cheers!

First In The Series

I happened across the most intriguing mystery series. I was looking at all the roving that I picked up while in Santa Fe. The roving that I picked up from Miriam's Well, she found in Colorado at a little cozy yarn store called Lambspun of Colorado. So, I started to wonder if the store had a website, googled it, and there it was! As I was navigating through this fantastic little web page, I happened across a book by Maggie Sefton called Fleece Navidad. Only a fellow knitter and spinning lover will understand how overjoyed I was to find out that there is mystery novel based around knitting!! So, naturally I googled Maggie Sefton and found her site. Then, after navigating through her site realized that it is a series! So, tomorrow after work, I am heading straight to Barnes and Noble to pick up the first in the series; Knit One, Kill Two. I am a big holiday dork so, it would be great if I could get them read in time to read Fleece Navidad around the holidays. But, I am not going to hold my breath on that one.

Cheers!

The Comfort Of A Sunday...

I think Sunday is probably one of my favorite days. Usually, the house is clean, because I took care of that the day before. All of my errands have been run, because I took care of that the day before too. So, on Sunday, I can just relax! This morning I worked on the new socks I have been knitting. These are turning out rather cute. The colors are so vibrant. My sister gave me this yarn for Christmas, thanks Sissy! To me, there is nothing better than sitting on the couch, kitting something sweet, and sipping coffee while watching No Reservations on a Sunday Morning. I love Anthony Bourdain and I also just discovered his blog today.

I spent the afternoon along the same trend. After shopping for a very needed new pair of shoes at DSW (I actually ended up with 2) I needed a post-shopping snack. So, I had my usual...Quattro Formaggio Triscuits and Laughing Cow herbed cheese, yummy!

Then, I sipped on some hibiscus tea (through a fancy raspberry straw), flipped through the pages of a couple of my favorite magazines, and worked on the socks some more. Unfortunately, the No Reservations marathon was over so I ended up watching the Discovery Channel instead. There was something on Discovery about the Earth narrated by Sigoruney Weaver (I think). That really is Jeff's doing. He must have been watching it before he left for work. We had a meaningful conversation about entomology earlier in the day. He likes that kind of stuff. So, since this show is not something I would usually watch on my own, I guess I kept watching to determine if it really was Sigoruney Weaver narrating. I remember her most from Ghostbusters! "When there's something strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!" Um, ok, I am over it. My apologies, got off track with this here blog entry.

Anyhoo, I received another Amazon shipment.

This book is really is great and has some quick and easy sewing projects. I think I want to make one of everything in this book!

My first project from this book will be to make the ironing board cover. My ironing board needs it! And, it will make ironing exciting!

Cheers!

Making The Heel Flap..What???

Well I have successfully knitted the sock leg, for both feet. Now, I come across this foreign talk about a heel flap and then after that there is some gibberish about knitting the heel. Knitting in the round is pretty easy, easier than I originally had thought but, knitting a heel flap? I can knit, I can semi crochet, I can even spin yarn, so surely I can knit a heel flap right? I need to pull out all knitting resources for this! Where is Vickie Howell when I need her? Wish me luck and I will certainly keep you posted! Oh, have I bragged yet that Vickie Howell taught me how to crochet? ;-) Awesome!

Easily Distracted

Well, since I am never able to focus on just one project, I have been researching oilcloth fabric this evening. I love the vintage look of oilcloth. For those of you interested, this place seems to have pretty fair prices. I also stumbled across Oilcloth International and they have a blog completely dedicated to oilcloth! So, of course being the compulsive crafter I am...I had to purchase some oilcloth. I want to re-cover my kitchen chairs with it and maybe also make some placemats to match. I also have some ideas for a few new Etsy items. Ah, I need to focus and complete one thing at a time...but...what is the fun in that?

I have been knitting with my own spun yarn. It is really satisfying. I think I am going to make this into a coin purse, felt it, and then needle felt a little decoration on it. If I can ever manage to complete that little project, I will post pictures. Focus....I need to focus. I think I have crafting ADD.

Cheers!

Spin Me Right Round...........

Well....I said a few weeks ago that "I think I may see a spinning wheel in my future!" Well, my future recently arrived in the mail. I heard the doorbell ring, which does not happen very often. I thought to myself "who could that be?". I had completely forgotten that the wheel would be arriving soon, even sooner than I had expected. So, I opened the front door and the most magnificent thing was sitting right there! Jeff immediately put it together for me...but, it took him about 2 hours. There are so many parts to a spinning wheel! It is so easy to operate though. I have been hesitant to purchase one because I have always thought there was so much more to it but to my surprise, it is a cinch! Well, I may not be the best at it yet but, I think I know what I am doing and am certainly getting the hang of it. Can you see the cute little birdie on the right treadle?







I have spun some the turquoise roving that I purchase at the Taos Sunflower. I can't wait to spin some more and not to mention knit with it! That will be so gratifying! There is a great magazine called Spin Off by Interweave Press that you must check out. If you are a knitting lover, you will really love this magazine. I feel like a shameless promoter or something. I swear I do not work for Interweave Knits. :-) There is also a fantastic book that has really helped me learn about my wheel and about the art of spinning. It is certainly a must read for any knitting artist. It is called, Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning. I am very much a visual learner and need pictures to figure things out. This book did the trick!

In the spirit of knitting, here are a few cool knitting websites you should check out:

*Check out Ashley over at: http://www.neauveau.com/

*Taos Sunflower has a blog too: http://blog.taossunflower.com/

*Vicki Howell always knows how to keep it real when it comes to knitting: http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/

*If you are into knitting, sign up for the Lion Brand newsletter: http://www.lionbrand.com/

*Vogue knitting brings the Chic back to knitting: http://www.vogueknitting.com/

*Check out blissful knitting over at Debbie Bliss' web page: http://www.debbieblissonline.com/

*Need a little therapy, Knit Therapy? You can get some right over here: http://needknittherapy.blogspot.com/

Ah, my love of fiber arts is never ending.


Right now I am reminiscing about our little wonderful parties on the patio in Santa Fe and want some of Daddy's fantastic guacamole!

I leave you with a little guacamole appetizer recipe:

2 avocados peeled and seeded

chopped tomatoes, to taste

chopped garlic, to taste

kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

chopped onion, to taste

jalapeno pepper, to taste

chopped cilantro, to taste

*Mix it all up and dive in! Tostitos Whole Grain Tortilla Chips are mighty tasty!

Cheers!

Oh, P.S. you gotta check out my sister's blog!