Frosty monday

I've turned the heel on the first Rimefrost sock.

I love this pattern. It actually knits up pretty quickly. I've actually started the second sock and am working the two of them in tandem. Twice the fun!

Saturday was a jammie day spent knitting and watching MI-5...kind of an oxymoron that one. If you're a fan of MI-5, you know that your knitting is put on hold during the exciting parts (i.e. you must look up and actually watch, not just listen) of the show, which if you're a fan you know that is darn near the whole program, except for opening and closing credits. I persevered; thank goodness for the rewind button, right!!?

Happy Monday!!

Love your stash: BFF at play

Meet Rare Gem and Downpour

They both grew up in the same zipcode (BMFA)

They grew up to become Child's First Sock and Tesserae

But they never lost their sense of "play".

Not ever.

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw.
"I just wanted to be sure of you."
~A.A. Milne

Spring love

It's been so chilly, I've been worried that spring would never get here...I was taken by surprise today to find spring not only in the garden...but in the mailbox, too!

Madelinetosh 'Clover' in Woolgirl's Easter kit!

A darling bag, chocolate, stunning handmade notecards, an awesome box with a vintage bunny on it, a little notebook, bunny themed tissues and cute stitchmarker, eggs filled with chocolate...Mercy! Jen!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You so made my day...Nothing like an unexpected WG treat after the grant writing marathon...

I think we'll be back to chilly and rainy tomorrow...but me thinks the daffodils will keep the garden sunny, and a dear and special friend will keep my heart warm!

“For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”
~William Wordsworth

Late

I'm late, I'm late.
For a very important date.
No time to say "Hello."
Goodbye.

The grant is in.
The socks aren't done.

My feet are bare...

a chill is in the air.

I must run...cuz'

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late.

(with immense apologies to Lewis Carroll!!)

Love your stash Friday: Verde

What do you think? Falcon's eye for knitting the Shur'tagal socks for the next STR KAL on Ravelry?

I'm not sure whether the color change is too decisive and will obscure the pattern. Mossay (better to match the veggies) has been taken...Decisions, decisions.

Asparagus inspires gentle thoughts.
~Charles Lamb

Forecast: Frosty

As in Hoarfrost.

What better way to introduce Rimefrost then along side a frosty bowl of cool vanilla ice cream!

I'm honored and delighted beyond all reason to be test knitting this pattern for the lovely and talented Knitspot Anne! I have her blessing to post my progress...so be forewarned...it's going to be a frosty spring here at Chez NK!

The yarn is a lovely offering from Deb of Fearless Fibers in the colorway Hoarfrost. I've never knit with Deb's yarns before, but I'm thinking I could easily become a convert!

Yum!!

AI speak: Poor Alexis. I liked her. Sadly, the judges probably made the right call not to save her. However, I can't believe that Michael was safe over her...another robbery. I was quaking in my socks that Adam would be in the bottom three...phew. I only saw snippets of his performance (recording issues...big pet peeve when equipment doesn't work as advertised). Mr. NK really liked it (he saw it live)...I thought the snippets were too edgy.

Happy Friday-eve!!!

of sight and taste

There have been so many awesome cookbook sightings in blogland. These are three recent acquisitions. I first came across Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson here. (Do check out Kristi's site...she is an outrageously talented designer and a lovely photographer). Back to Heidi...Wowza! This book rocks! The photography is lovely and the recipes look delicioso! I like how the book is organized, including a section by color!

I hooked up with Sammy on Saturday for a lovely afternoon spent at Powell's, followed by gelato and coffee and some knitting fun! She is a fellow foody and we've been sharing blogsites and cookbook stuff. We were on a mission to find A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg, which I first came across here. Let me tell you, you need to run, not walk, to Molly's blog Orangette. SweetbabyGibson! What an amazing site. I'm so bummed that I missed her book signing at Powell's, but will be looking for an encore visit from her. Her book would fall into the category of gastronomic literature, I think...not a cookbook per se.

Finally, Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros. A stunning book. I saw it first at Carrie's, and again at Peaknit. Mercy. Another winner. And did I mention the photography?!

I've not made a thing from any of these books yet...And I'm in no way a book reviewer. Visually, they are drool worthy enough for me, and Molly's seems like it will be a good read. From what I've read around blogland, I don't think you can go wrong with any of these offerings if taste is important to you, too! Me, I'm a collector...I have boxes and boxes (and more boxes) of cookbooks that I had gathered over many years...It's been awhile since I've systematically added to the collection, but I'm thinking now is the time to start.

And yes...knitting was accomplished, too. One sock is finished and the second is coming right along! Mr. NK found these old binoculars in some boxes his mom sent to him...I thought they were really cool.

Happy Tuesday! Happy St. Paddy's day!!

Fall in love with your stash: Pink!!

Ahhhh...pink.

Don't you just feel all the stress go away? I do.

It has been a terribly busy two weeks. I think I hit the ground running after returning from Stitches. I'm ready to stop and catch my breath!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."
~Charles Dickens

March Madness

Not basketball.

The weather.

Snow on Monday.

Frost this morning, with chilly wind this afternoon.

A perfect opportunity for some hot cocoa and knitting!

And what about those Idols?

My faves: Danny, Lil, Adam, Jorge, and the teen rocker.

I'm ok with Jasmine going home.

Jorge was robbed. Bad voters. Very bad.

Hearts

Look at Mr. NK! Doesn't he look happy! He is a CASA.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate...for kids at risk.

To be a CASA you have to go through quite a few weeks of training and observing court cases.

It culminates in a swearing in by a judge (note the signature!!) and a graduation party.

CASAs are very special men and women, and I'm so proud of Mr. NK!!

We celebrated with special treats (I didn't bake these).

The kids helped us!

One more than the other!

I squeezed in a little knitting since last I wrote, too...