Pischi Days

Too Many Socks, Too Little Time

I have been so taken by my new iMac that other important aspects like knitting have been neglected. My time has been consumed by moving files, installing new programs, and just getting acquainted with this new machine. I have even been able to  install a program called Parallels so that I can have the best of both worlds and enjoy Windows on a virtual machine.
My knitting consists of a rotation between Lady Eleanor, the Horcrux socks, and the Springtime in Paris Socks, courtesy of the 6Sox Knitalong.

The Springtime in Paris sock is my choice for my Hurricane Sock Party partner. The pattern resembles raindrops on a window and when turned inside out the sock is peppered with small Eiffel Towers. The yarn is STR and called "Downpour". The yarn and pattern seemed appropriate for a "Hurricane Sock Party." The intriguing tin DPN holders were a present to myself. I am always on the hunt for tools that are functional and attractive. These holders are still made by hand, one at a time by a little old man in Connecticut. The come in different sizes and are worth every penny.

Susan Lawrence's "Horcrux Sock"  pattern is a repeat for me. I knit the socks in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and sent them to Germany as a birthday gift for my aunt. These are knitted in KnitPicks Memories in the Cape Cod color-way and are a belated birthday gift for my next door neighbor and sock model.
My mail man delivered two fabulous packages.  Woolarina sent me a citrus threesome. One of the skeins shall be sent to my Knitters Treat Exchange partner. I can't decide what to send and what to keep. I have knitted a pair of Jaywalkers using Woolarina yarn. "Shear" pleasure.
Socks That Rock didn't disappoint. This installment yielded a silky skein of sock yarn, a blend of merino and silk fiber along with a lacy sock pattern. My sock queue is increasing daily.

Lady Eleanor

I have been spending more time becoming familiar with my new friend, Mac Apple. It’s a learning curve, one that I enjoy traveling along. The experience sharpens the mind and opens, pardon the pun, new windows into the technological vortex. I have spent the last few days transferring my files such as pictures, Microsoft files, calendar items, contacts, and emails. As I said yesterday, today a wee bit of knitting content.
Lady Eleanor has been my focus as of late. My interest in entrelac peaked after I knit the Kaleidoscope scarf from the Debbie Kooler Encyclopedia of Knitting. It was so satisfying that I just had to repeat the experience but on a larger scale. My admiration for the Lady Eleanor pattern translated into a purchase of 15 skeins of Noro Silk Garden in color-way 37. I obtained the bulk of the skeins on the Destash site and the rest on eBay. I cast on several months ago, and the project languished in a bowl for a few months while I completed several other knitting projects. Lately, I have had a yearning to finish this beautiful shawl.
I have read many negatives about knitting with Silk Garden. Among the complaints are frequent knot, sticks and small pieces of nature entwined in the strands. I have experienced some of this, but not enough to keep me from purchasing this yarn again.

Big Mac Attack

After having bid adieu to my Dell, I headed to our town geek shop and had them cobble together a working PC out of three that I had. It worked for a while. Then my Nano died and I was given a replacement Nano a few days prior to my warranty running out. The Apple folk impressed me so much that I decided to take the plunge.
Yesterday FedEx delivered a refurbished iMac, a 24" wonder. I have been engrossed ever since I opened the box.
I think that I am a convert! The machine has only one plug, no unsightly wires. I plugged in my printer, and it said, "Yup, looks like an HP," and proceeded to function as a printer should, immediately!
Tomorrow, actual knitting content.

Death and Taxes

For those of you, self- employed and who pay quarterly taxes, the trepidation of the annual tax return familiar. This was my eye candy for today, Friday the 13^th. A refund is something that I haven’t seen in years! Usually I am the one writing the check along with the estimated taxes for the following year.

Happy Tax Day Eve all.

Oy...Another Questionnaire

Forgive my tardiness Hurricane Sock Party person. Here are my answers. Short but sweet. Its not been a month for loquacious paragraphs.

2. If your pet(s) wrote a paragraph about you to describe you to us what would they say?
More attention, more food, and keep the catnip in munching distance.
3. What is your favorite hurricane supply snack?
Trail Mix
4. Do sock patterns normally fit you "as written" or do you usually modify them for size in any way?
If I pay attention to gauge, they fit!
4a. What are your foot measurements, not just shoe size?
My foot measures 8 ½”.
5. What one city abroad would you visit and why if money was no object?
Tokyo
6. Do you wear socks all year round or just during the winter? Do you prefer them tall or short or regular height?
I have a drawer full of socks that I rarely wear. I’m a sandals and open toe shoes girl.
7. The last time the power was out during hurricane season did you knit by lantern or were you lucky enough to knit to the hum of a generator?
I was blessed to knit by generator.
8. Make a wish for your favorite sock yarn that you've already used once. What would it be?
I enjoy knitting with Lorna’s Laces, KnitPicks Memories, KnitPicks Gloss, Yarntini…I am staying away from the garish colors and knitting with more sedate colors these days.
9. What is it about sock knitting that keeps you wanting to knit more and more socks?
The process.
10. Make a wish for a sock yarn that you are dying to try but haven't bought for yourself yet.
I have been hearing about Lisa DeSouza, Black Bunny, and Posh Yarns.
11. What size needles do you knit socks for YOURSELF with the most? Are they circular or bamboo needles?
I favor the Clover bamboo needles and go through a lot of the size 1’s.
12. If you could only take 3 yarn related books and one previously knitted project that you love with you when you evacuated what would they be?
I would take the Sensational Socks, Scarf Style, and Wrap Style books. My mohair knit throw would accompany me as well.
13. What knitting notion do you wish you had that you just keep putting off getting for yourself?
A good row counter
14. What is your favorite tv show?
Masterpiece Theatre.
15. Do you want a lacey sock or a "solid fabric" sock from your hurricane partner?
Lace, if its not too much trouble
16. It's midnight and the power has been off for two days, it’s hot, and you have a craving for something sweet! What would it be?
Ice Cream!
17. Tell us a story about any of your hurricane weather related experiences.
After suffering sleepless nights, our neighbors would gather for an early morning stroll around the neighborhood to check on others, share supplies, and remove debris.
18. What was the one thing you wish you had remembered to get last year for hurricane supplies that you swore you wouldn't forget this year?
A larger generator.
19. What color sock would you like to receive from your sock partner?
I currently enjoy muted tones.

Baby, Baby and a Good Recipe

Happy Easter Monday

Sesame Lemon Cucumber Salad
Serves 4

¼ cup rice vinegar
1  tablespoon juice from 1 small lemon
2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8  teaspoon dried red pepper flakes plus more to taste
1  tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted in a small skillet over medium heat until golden, 4 to 5 minutes
3 medium cucumbers, sliced salted and drained, peeled and seeded

Whisk all ingredients except cucumbers in medium bowl. Add cucumbers; toss to coat. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Tastes great days later as the cucumbers marinate further.
Recipe courtesy of Cook’s Illustrated

I am trying to play catch up after a particularly busy workweek, spring break, and a foray to the west coast for an overnight/baby shower/family reunion/Easter celebration. Toms family is experiencing more new growth with the addition of a baby boy. Our contribution was a sweater that I made. The yarn is Elann’s Sonata, the pattern, Knitting Pure and Simples Top Down Sweater, a combination that hasn’t failed me yet.
The recipe above is another no fail winner. It was our family’s contribution to an Easter meal. It may not look glamorous but the taste wins over many who tried it.

 
Incidentally, I purchased a shuffle, my new baby. This, filled with podcasts make my hours on the elliptical more bearable. My precious Nano died (don’t wear into the sauna) and I am trying this smaller version. Conclusion: I want my Nano back!