seasonal socks

Hello and happy Sunday! Just wanted to post a quick sock update. The sock knitting has really slowed down this year, especially since starting two blankets and several shawls. These things tend to go in cycles so I am hoping my sock knitting mojo will return soon. I did manage to recently finish a few that have been hanging out on the needles for way too long.

{Winter solstice socks} pattern: charade, yarn: endoftherowyarns

{Spring wildflower socks} pattern: blueberry waffle yarn: lichen & lace

So I guess instead of a pair a month, my new goal will be a pair each season. Guess it's time to pick out some yarn and a pattern for summer. I can't believe how fast the seasons are changing!

Leaving you with some pictures of my Mother's Day present. According to my little guy, the fairies who live in this garden love to knit, eat pie and drink tea :)

colors of summer

Started some new projects! The Shelter is for the third hat in the fringehatalong. I figured I should finish this one before the fourth pattern is announced in August. So far so good. I love lace patterns that are simple to memorize. Just finished with the lace back panel for the Morning Mist tee. A little concerned about how big it's looking, so planning on giving it a good soak and then some time in the dryer. My past experiences with Hempathy is that it tightens up a bit after a wash and dry. Fingers crossed!

There are lots of marigolds popping up in the garden. The tomatoes are also starting to come in. I should keep better notes of what varieties were planted. One tomato plant that I thought were just of the plain cherry variety are coming up a rose color. Pretty and sweet but I have no idea what kind they are. I also need to trim out my hydrangea bushes. They are taking over the front yard!

And as you can probably figure out from the Camp Tolt goodies: 1) I went on a little shopping spree 2) which might have involved the purchasing of some yarn and 3) another item can be checked off the summer bucket list. I hope that you too are enjoying every minute of this beautiful summer :)

coming up roses

Some random things that are making me smile:

L'Arbre. The stitch pattern was so much fun to knit and is a lot easier than it looks. I've decided to indulge in new-to-me yarn for each of the hats in the fringe hatalong. This pretty rose colorway is one of my favorite colors and the softness of the Malabrigo Twist did not disappoint.

Hitofude. It's funny how the sight of two sleeves can suddenly make a drawn out project interesting. It only took me a little less than a year to get to this point but now I can finally see the finish line. Boy, once you get past the scarf-like beginnings this knit turns into a fun but still easy ride. Too bad that it's a little snug. Nothing a little heavy blocking can't fix (hopefully, fingers crossed!)

Impulse Shawl. I rarely knit a pattern more than once, but when I saw this yarn (Spun Right Round SW Sock graffiti colorway ... click on that link at your own risk) on the Woollen Wilderness blog, there was no doubt that it was going to be another slipped stitch shawl. This is my mindless summer travel project since I am in no rush to get it done. Just savoring all the beautiful colors of the yarn.

Flowers and Herbs. I planted a whole bunch of flowers (mainly marigolds for dyeing) and herbs. It has been very peaceful to sit in the garden with a cup of tea and my knitting. The strawberries are so plentiful right now that we have been treating ourselves to a bowlful of strawberries and ice cream topped with whipped cream almost every night this week. Love this time of year in the garden.

A New Toy. More on this later.


What are some of the things making you happy lately?

a recipe from the garden

I continue to be amazed, grateful and delighted by this little garden of mine. Mainly because before this year, everything that I attempted to grow pretty much didn't, with the exception of weeds mint & rosemary. So it has been very thrilling to be greeted by all the thriving plants this season and to be able to enjoy their offerings. The strawberries were a big yummy hit with everyone, so next year we will be planting lots more of those. Nothing like fresh strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream to herald in summer. Now that strawberry season is over, we are looking forward to the tomatoes ripening. I already have a stockpile of fresh mozzarella waiting to be made into Caprese salad. And a few weeks ago, I think I scared the neighbors with my shout of glee when I spied a couple of eensy weensy baby watermelons among the jack and the beanstalk like vines. Yeah, call me a gardening newbie, but little things like that really add sunshine to my days. And now that the herbs are coming in full-blown, I need to start thinking of ways to use them. Please let me know if you have any good recipes or ideas for fresh basil, thyme, Italian parsley or lavender. The last will be interesting to experiment with, since I have never used it in cooking. Today, we are enjoying one of my favorite sandwiches of all time, pan bagnat, which is a specialty of Nice, France.

There are many versions of this sandwich floating around. Here's how I make mine:

one large crusty round loaf of bread 

extra virgin olive oil

red wine vinegar

one clove garlic, minced

freshly cracked black pepper

kosher salt

2 cans tuna in olive oil, drained

a couple of anchovy filets (optional)

3 hard boiled eggs, sliced in half

one small red onion, sliced thin

one ripe tomato, sliced 

a large handful of fresh basil

Cut the loaf of bread in half. Pull out some of the bread's interiors from both the top and bottom halves. Drizzle a good amount of olive oil and red wine vinegar on both halves. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt and pepper, then the minced garlic. Lightly flake the tuna and spread it onto the bottom half. Then layer on the anchovies (if using), eggs, red onions, tomato slices and basil.Cover with the top half and tightly wrap the sandwich in some plastic wrap. Press down gently but firmly. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Enjoy!

*sometimes I also add in some chopped kalamata or nicoise olives, red bell pepper slices, radishes, cucumbers, capers (depending on what I have on hand and what I'm in the mood for).

happy hodgepodge

sweet basil, italian parsley, lavender, thyme

lavender

cherry tomatoes

❀ Watching all the lovely things growing in the garden. 

❀ Admiring my mom's latest Macgyvering magic: a flower pot grill. So cute and it works wonderfully.

❀ Adding the final finishing touches to Siri.

❀ Loving this beautiful Peerie Flooers kit that arrived today. The project bag is printed with hand drawn illustrations of some of Kate's loveliest sweater designs.

May ♡

♡ Setting up a couple of raised garden beds in the backyard. One is for vegetables and the other will be for my herbs. This is our first attempt at raised-bed gardening so hoping that all goes well. The little guy is excited to have his own strawberry patch. That is if the bunnies don't get to it first.

♡ Enjoying all the pretty things that came home with me from Maryland Sheep and Wool. I can never resist cheerful Spring colors and handmade soaps & lotions.

The button selection at Jenny The Potter was dangerous. I could have easily spent my whole budget there.

The line of knitters buying yarn at Miss Babs was out the door but I managed to grab this gorgeous set in the Veronica colourway in order to make the Albers Cowl. This will be a great summertime beach knit.

♡ Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel on two sweater projects. Vasa is finished except for weaving in the ends and blocking. And Siri is finally off the needles. Just have to decide on buttons. I might attempt to reinforce the button bands with grosgrain ribbon if I can find a good how-to on the internet and if my limited sewing skills are up to the task.

 

♡ Basking in the beautiful Spring sunshine. Perfect weather for picnics, real and pretend.

Sunshine and Shade

Out in the sunshine, we are...

Being greeted in the morning to the sight of these little glories (and my favorite Oasis song going 'round in my head).

Watching out for the first grape tomatoes. Hopefully, maybe soon?

Continuing to enjoy these lovelies.

Seeking shelter in the shade, we are...

Enjoying some time together making things. So many fabulous projects in this book for all ages and interests.

Practicing and (re)learning how to crochet. Maneuvering a hook does not come as naturally as knitting with two needles, but having lots of fun anyways.

Waiting for the Yarn Shoppe to be opened for business and being thankful for the imagination of little ones. More room for the stash!

Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier

Finding some quiet time to knit on this at the end of a busy day.

(check out these wonderful blogs participating in WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS)