My Sister's Knitter

A little bit of this and that...

The extended weekend allowed me to do a little bit of this that.  Cleaning and organizing chores were done. As much as I don't like to, it sure does feel good when it is done, doesn't it?

Oh and some knitting was worked on this weekend as well. Rebecca and Shannonare hosting a KAL. It is the Warm Up To Winter KAL, and I could not resist. I have been itching to cast on hat for myself for a bit. I went back and forth over a couple patterns and settled on Pasha. In the spirit of  Winter, I cast it on in some lovely white Cascade. It has been a quick knit and I should have it done within the next couple of days! Let us all forget that I already have tons of WIPs on the needles-heh.

In addition to chores and knitting, I baked and cooked. I know, I was on one crazy roll this weekend. I baked up these cookies and made a big pot of soup.

Just your basic throw everything in type of soup. I added some cooked chicken, a bag of frozen veggies, and some whole grain pasta to some chicken broth and seasoned. I had to balance out the cookies I made with some healthy soup. Who hoo- dinner and lunch for a couple of days.

How about you did you do anything fun this weekend? Make any good grub that you would like to share with me? I will share with you some recipes I would like to try in the next couple of weeks.

• Any of these soups from Jody. I love it when she posts recipes!
• I have been seeing Brussel sprouts and bacon all over the place this year. I must try these very soon.
• This time of year I am on a soup kick, so this soup has me drooling.
• Don't get me started with my love for Cajun food! This recipe will be made very soon!

Hungry yet? Don't worry I will share (maybe).

Have a wonderful week everyone!

XO

Andi

 

 

Gets better with age...

I don't know what it is , but as I get older I appreciate the holidays and spending time with the family more and more. I hope you all got to spend some time with the people you cherish this season.

All my Christmas knitting was completed in time. Can I get a "Whoot whoot"?

My dear friend Melly's scarf is off the needles. There are others but I did not get a chance to snap a pic before gifting them. Oh well.

However, I did take a picture of some of the goodies I received from my mom and sister. Wanna see?

A couple additional goodies from my bestie Ruth.

 

Ruth had these project bags she made on her blog. I drooled over them...then what do you know? She sent me 4 of them. Each one more incredible than the next. All four have WIPS in them. As you can see above..they fit perfectly. She amazes me everyday with her generosity, talent and spirit. XO Ruth!

I received so many wonderful things, but the best present is always time with my family. On Christmas we all gather and do Christmas breakfast. I love this tradition. We all make one dish, I always make this. Mom makes a couple things, but my favorite is her biscuits and gravy, (I may or may not  have brought home a gallon size container worth of leftovers). Heh!

I also have enough cookies to keep me on a extreme sugar rush till next Christmas. Let me tell you, these aren't even 1/2 of what I have. I think I'm in trouble! ;)

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and now have some down time to do rest.

 

 

XO

Andi

Living up to the name...

The name of my blog is my sister's knitter, as of late I haven't been living up to the name. There have been hats, blankets, and lots of socks for me. Not that the sister minds at all, but she has put in a request. I have crocheted my sister some face cloths before, but she asked for some new ones.

The other ones did not get lost, but became completely useless when something appalling happened. According to the sister, my brother in law used one in the shower. She could not use them on her face now, because she was worried that at some point they may have come in contact with his "man parts". 

  
The pattern was a freebie on Ravelry and the yarn is some cotton from my stash.

Okay on to a more savory topic. Food! I loved hearing about some of your favorite comfort foods. Soup seems to be on everyone's list. I whipped up this recipe today and it was delicious! I added some carrots, corn, green onions, parsely,and thyme.  ( I never can leave well enough alone)

 
I could eat soup everyday.I have been looking for some good vegetable soup recipes, do you have any? Please share!

Happy Knitting everyone and hopefully your knits are "man-part" free.

XO

Andi

***I forgot to add....Ruth has just opened her Etsy Store! ***

I'll Take Saturday For The Win Alex....

Here's the question. My favorite day of the week! Ding Ding Ding...Saturday!

 This Saturday began with a wonderful breakfast with my two favorite girls, my mom and the sister. It included fabulous birthday gifts, all cooking related. Yeah me! I am currently pouring over this cookbook from the sister, blurred above because of copyright reasons. :) Wonderful cookbook, reads just like her blog. I received many much needed kitchen utensils and the cadillac of hand mixers, believe it or not I do not own one. Mom was appalled when she called and I was beating egg whites (by hand) for 30 minutes plus-hehe!

See whining does work!  I can't forget my favorite cookies, that I specifically asked for. Of course I always ask for something homemade from mom, because quite frankly she is the best cook in the world. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise! My request this year- her sugar cookies.

NOM! I always get the bonus serving platter with it, because I am the baby in the family and that is a rule,(I make up rules all the time). Okay enough about my birthday, I am sure you are sick of hearing about it.  

Knitting, yarn and new blog loves are up next.

I am not sure if you know this about me, but I love Malabrigo. At one time I wanted to be the queen of a land called Malabrigo. I say at one time, because I have a new love. It can't be helped, the heart knows what it wants. Sanguine Gryphon- Bugga was love at first stitch. I am knitting a fall sock of it right now and I don't want it to end. The fall sock is pictures above with the blurred cookbook image. A tad pricey for sock yarn..but man, well worth it.

Now for my new blog crushes.

• I can't remember where I found Bethany's blog, but I am her #1 stalker. Her images, pottery, knitting, photos, ugh..everything has me with one big ole' crush on her blog.
• I received a comment on my blog, if it's a new commenter then I will always check out their blog if they have one. Lucky me this new commenter did and I am so happy to have found Audry. She seems to have a recent addiction to sock knitting and drink beer while knitting-my kind of girl.
• Adorable and lovely Mikka. A girl who knits beautifully and looks even better in them! Her blog is just simple and pretty.

Just because the simplest of things cracks me up,watch this video and have a wonderful week!

 

XO

Andi

 

 

 

 

WOW Wednesday...

I am whippin' it out baby! This week's project that is now officially off the needles. It is the the Spring Scrunch.

The yarn is Malabrigo Yarn Worsted Merino. The color is Mariposa.

It hasn't been blocked and I don't think it needs to be. I did a slip stitch edging, to make it neater. It is a ready to go scarf! Most of you may notice these colors are far from my norm. I have really been trying to explore colors other than pink. ;) Fun, simple and easy to memorize pattern. A super quick knit, I used size 8 needles, so this scarf really could be a weekend knit.

I haven't decided which project is going to be next week's WOW, it is a toss up between these socks and these ones. It is going to be a very busy weekend for me, so I think the No Purls are going to be on tap. Do you want to see some of the Birthday goodies I have received so far? You have already seen my spoils from Ruth. Oh, and today I received this gifted Raverly pattern from her, ( I think I am going to make us both a pair). Now my other dear friend Emily, whom I refer to as my knitting Guru, got to visit WEBS, and bought me these goodies!

 
Shhhh...I already cast on the self-patterning yarn, because curiosity got the better of me. You would too! And yes there is more, since I took the day off from work for my birthday tomorrow, one of my coworkers made me my own mini cake!

 
Another friend made me 6 ginormous lemon cupcakes. Which I shared with others. They were the most amazing cupcakes I have ever had. I don't have a picture because they were gone so quick. I will try and get the recipe from her, because you need to make them!

Whew, sorry for the long post. I will post this weekend, because I am dying to share with you 2 new bloggers that I have found. They are quite amazing. I know you will thank me.

Now, if any of you could get Damien Rice to sing me Happy Birthday, I would indeed be forever grateful! ;0

 

 XO

Andi
 
 
 

 

A Movie and Some Love(s)...

Ahhhh...it has been one of those Saturdays. Perfect combination of getting things done and enjoying the day.

Did the weekend housecleaning last night, so that I could wake up today without worry. By taking care of that chore last night, it freed up my afternoon to catch a movie and lunch with the sister.  The movie was even better than I had hoped. The sister had read the book and was really excited to see the movie. According to her the movie was a very good mirror of the book. I recommend it highly.

Lunch was just as good as the movie. I took her to my favorite place for Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Normally I am not one for adding things other than what I consider the norm on pizza. For instance, I don't order salad pizzas or bbq chicken pizzas. So when a friend told me that BJ's has the best buffalo chicken pizza, I was hesitant. Well, after one bite and many visits later, I crave it like a mad woman. With an ice cold beer it is perfection! Now I warn you it isn't much to look at(a least in it 's leftover state), but wow.

 
 Want to know what else I am in love with, this fine Saturday?

• Everything she knits. The green tweed on the needles especially.
• Reading her week in a life. Something about her posts makes me feel peaceful. Can't explain.
• Admiring these bowls, as I imagine having the will to make some homemade oatmeal to fill them.
• Imaging myself making this, with my leftover sock yarn, yet knowing full well, I never will.

Have you found any new loves this week?

XO

Andi

***The scarf above is one of the many WIPsI have on the needles. I have been good about trying to focus on one WIP at time, but the color was just too scrumptious not to share. Yarn is Cascade Heritage Sock in Blood Orange and the pattern is the Checkerboard Lace Scarf.

 

Fun day...

There is a lot of happiness going on at Casa de Andi today. I received a super fun swap package from my Ravelry International Sock Swap Group. My gift giver sent this from Louisiana,not international I know. Want to see?

I am overjoyed! I am especially excited to try the coffee,oh and the chocolate. :) The socks fit perfect, but I could only try them on long enough for the picture before I had to tear them off. It is just way too hot here for socks.

My swap package is going in the mail tomorrow. I had to wait on one thing to come in the mail. Now since we are on the subject of socks, (since when aren't I lately?). My mystery sock is in full swing. We received our first clue Friday and I could not wait to cast on.

Got my goods all ready to go...and we're off!

Super fun pattern, so far, so good. The yarn is Sweet Georgia Toughlove Sock-Pomegranate. Picture does not do this color justice.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! I am off to make some ice coffee with my new New Orleans coffee and nibble on some chocolate. Sending some love out to all of you, especially to my dear friend Marilyn,who had a devastating loss this week (xo)

Now because I am at times a complete horse's arse and I like to share my misery. Check out the song that has been playing in my head all morning, and soon to yours. :)

 

XO

Andi 
 
 
 

Some like it hot...

I feel for you all I really do. Temperatures are soaring for most and the humidity beyond miserable. Here in AZ we try to stay indoor and keep hydrated. Then there are those of us who like to defy the sun gods and bake our butts off when it reaches 103 and then some.

I am not saying it is sane, I am just saying this is how I roll! :)

Other than baking, I caught a movie this weekend and had some incredible Cajun food.  I am working on finishing up knitting projects this weekend. So I won't bore you with more progress pics. Next weekend I should have some FO photos.

If you are looking around blogland, you can check out some things that had my attention this weekend.

• I am completely smitten with this video podcast.
• A must for my coffee cup stash.
• Making a promise to myself that I will knit this lovely for myself in a charcoal gray this winter.
• Having a mad crush on a scarf and blog.
• Decided that my August socks will be Mystery Sock KAL.

Just thought I would check in and see how you all are fairing the heat. Hope you are all cool in your homes and knitting happily away or maybe you get some pointers from Marilyn on how to stay cool.

 

XO

Andi

 

***My thoughts and prayers have also been with the people in Norway and their devastation***

The Conversation goes...

"No, I love you." " No I love you". This goes back and  forth and ends with me winning as usual. "No Sunday, I love you the most!" Sunday resigns. :) It has been one of those Sundays where you sit back and go ..ahhh. What has made it so? Some hooking, reading, cooking and winning.

We will start with the hooking.

 
I needed a little break from knitting. Decided to hook a couple more grannies. When I laid them all out, I realized that I don't have much further to go. Yeah! ( look at all those ends that need weaving, I really need to start crocheting them in as I go)

I picked up a book, that I know everyone has read before me. Sometimes I am late to the game. The movie coming out has prompted be to pick it up. I prefer the books to the movies.

Craving some fresh veggie pasta and baking bread. Although my bread was not the pretty, it sure was tasty.

 
So we have covered hooking, reading,cooking,...oh on to WINNING!

Nova had her annual Novakkah celebration. I won one of her many fabulous gifts!

 
You are wicked jealous aren't you? Heck I am jealous of myself! 2 skeins of Shibui (Wasabi), A skein of Wollmeise (Fratello) and Interweaves Knit magazine. I already have the patterns picked out for the yarns! Nova is most definitely the most fantastic person, to gift on her own birthday. Happy Birthday Nova, you wonderful soul and thank you!

In other news I finally got to see, The King's Speech. Beautifully shot and the acting was perfection. Great movie.

You tell me, what is not to love about Sunday?

XO

Andi

Titillating Tuesday...

Not really, but isn't there something about if you think it, it will happen? Not that is was a bad Tuesday, it was just Tuesday. Although dinner tonight did take it to the next level.

I had some homemade pizza dough at the ready, topped it with some carmelized onions. Viola-dinner! Oh, and a dark brew added just to round it out. Don't worry the slice wasn't nearly as big as it appears. :) I have to add that because my friend (personal trainer) may be reading this and I don't want her to work me out harder tomorrow.

Let me tell you a quick story about my workout at the gym yesterday. Sometimes odd things happen to me, the kind that make me think I am being filmed by a hidden camera crew. So, I am on one of 10 empty treadmills and this guy jumps on the treadmill right next to me (personal space anyone).  He is running next to me and everything is fine till his sweat starts spattering on me. I am talking that super stinky man sweat! At first I just wiped it off my face, but then after about 10 minutes of the sweat shower I had enough and went to bicycle for a while. Has anyone ever had that happen to them? I do have another story, but it involved the ladies changing room, and I will save you from that.

Okay on to knitting...

 
Dream Striped is coming along. A couple more rows and I am on to the lace.

 
My May socks, loving the simple rib. On the topic of sock knitting, I have been noticing a lot of socks jumping on the needles in blogland. Some seem to find sock knitting as addicting as I do. Others  have the same socks goal as me. Then there are those that every time I visit, I yell aloud "Are you friggin kidding me- another amazing pair?!?"

Do socks seem to be a common summer knitting project for you? Or is there something in particular that you gravitate towards during the warmer months?

XO

ANDI