Saturday, October 13, 2007

Holiday knitblogging and the usual suspects

OMG it's still October, right? Then why the #%$*@ is there xmas stuff everywhere? What happened to xmas decorations and advertising after Thanksgiving? I can understand how greed has convinced merchants to start the xmas push right after Halloween -- xmas is the biggest holiday after all. But we've now seen this stuff since the first week in October. And one store was even playing carols. Ugh!


The xmas displays did prompt us to make our holiday knits lists. And we've started buying the yarn and collecting patterns for the gifting. And then today I realized: I cannot blog about most of those projects because our families read our darned blog. Ahhhh!


Therefore, there isn't much to report in knitting news. The Opinionated Knitter arrived. Immediately thereafter I bought a bunch of Koigu Kersti and CO for the BSJ. The yarn is heaven and the price . . . geez. But it is worth it. Now if I only had a baby. But only as a model. I'm not having vomit on my Koigu BSJ.



Otherwise, we bought yarn and needles. Whoopie! Too bad I can't talk about upcoming projects.

In construction news:


The shed is painted and shingled! We bought two small windows to install. The shed must have a ventilation system and we decided that shutters and flower boxes would be way cuter than stinky old vents.


Plans have begun for the spring gardens. We bought a bunch of bulbs -- tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, crocus -- that will be going in the ground soon. And we've set up the indoor greenhouse to overwinter a few plants and to store all of Tony's Orchids that we still need to move over.


In baking news:


This is Confetti Bread: shredded carrots, zucchini, green onions, red bell pepper, thyme and yeasty goodness. It's like a salad and bread all mixed together and it smells like a Mazzio's Pizza restaurant.


This is my fourth loaf this year. We made two of the pumpkin breads and one plain white loaf prior to this one.


Before anyone thinks I'm a bread genius I should disclose that all my bread recipes come from Better Homes and Gardens: The Complete Guide to Bread Machine Baking. Which can be found here. I think this is an excellent book and have yet to make a bad loaf.


Finally, we have two orchids in bloom. I think this one is very sweet.




This one, on the other hand, is just scary. Of course, it is Tony's favorite.




She sits on my desk and perfumes the entire room. Not in a good way. Tony loves the scent but I think shes a bit stinky. To me, she smells like old people: flowers and ointment. blech!

Later all,

Eric

11 comments:

cpurl17 said...

Looks like you're ready for Fall (ignore that Christmas stuff, it bugs me too!)

Oh, and teddy bears make a good baby sweater model if you don't have a cute baby handy.

Amy said...

The BSJ is really awesome! Seeing it vomited on would make me weep. :-) And personally, I like the weird orchid. Beautiful!

I gotta agree with cpurl17; ignore Xmas for now, except perhaps in the context of gift knitting.

Anonymous said...

Those orchids are definitely polar opposites; each beautiful in their own way, though.

I keep telling myself that I need to make a BSJ; so far I haven't been listening to myself. Yours is looking great.

And that bread? OMG, it looks so delicious!

Kyle William said...

you crack me up - I think we should go into business - renting out babies just for the photography of our baby items! :) - since I'm in L.A. I bet I could find enough willing parents...

that bread looks yummy too - wish we lived closer to you - Gregg and I would come knock on your door to feast on the bread - I'd knit with you and Gregg could work with your sweetie in the garden - everyone would be happy! :)

Anonymous said...

I love the new photo on the top of your blog. makes me hungry--to knit!
And stop with the bread photos--they look just too delicious! My hubby threw out a bad batch of dough and the paddles went along with it. Now no bread at my house ;(

Marianne said...

Havala told me a few weeks ago (still September at the time) that xmas crap was up in the stores already...er... I guess you can tell how I feel about the holiday...
BSJ looking gooood! I'm still trying to find a few minutes here and there to work on mine... the pattern is sheer genius.
The orchids are both beautiful, each in their own way. :^)

hmmm...that bread..I'm drooling..

Eikon said...

Orchids are always lovely although that one is lovely in a Castle Dracula sort of way.

Jen said...

Your BSJ is looking great! I love the colors! :)

Knit and fall back in it said...

Those orchids are breathtaking, both of them. I love the BSJ. I don't have any babies in my life right now, If I did I would have them him/her model it for you.

Andy Baker said...

Your BSJ is beautiful (as is your shed. Read: I have shed envy.) I started a BSJ and I think I'm going to rip it out again. I just realized that I screwd up and mixed up the front and back and...I sigh. The colors are beautiful. And the craftsmanship? Superb!

kaoticorchid said...

I love the phal, but of course my husband would love the yellow-green stringy thing.

I keep telling myself that I will knit a BSJ instead of a blanket for the next baby that comes around.