Twice in a Day

I was missing my blogging mojo for a while, but I think it's back...for today, at least.

While I was gone, had a couple of out-of-town jaunts. I went with the husband to Madison. He was on business so I tagged along. I hit a couple of LYSs, one of which I recommend highly. Lakeside Fibers is a lovely shop with a fab cafe tucked in behind it. On a cold, windy day, it is a bit of a hike from downtown Madison (it was me and the ice fishermen out by the lake), but well worth the effort. The cafe has WiFi and serves salads, soups, baked goods, and wine.

I also took a trip back to PA to visit friends and family. I have finally discovered the key to visits home: keep moving. I stayed a maximum of two days in any one place, so I didn't have time to get tired of anyone, nor they of me. (Wasn't it that famous Bostonian-turned-Philadelphian, Ben Franklin, who claimed that fish and guests both smelled after three days? I shower daily, but you get the point.) I also managed to squeeze in quick stops at Rosie's Yarn Cellar and Loop on the way to the airport. I also got to see my cousin's baby in her "Blu" jeans. It was nice to see a gift knit "in action."

My Journey Wheel has arrived, and I am trying to get used to it. It is a very cool piece of engineering, and I can't say enough about the Bosworths' customer service. I really am happy to own one of their creations.

My friend, Liz, and I took a field trip out to The Fold. It was great to see Toni again, and Liz was able to find the perfect yarn for a project she was planning. If you are ever in the Chicago, do make the trip out to Marengo. It is a bit out of the way, but so worth it.

My new dietary restrictions have gotten easier (or I have become more resigned, and having to buy a smaller pair of jeans didn't hurt.) There are a few cravings that still get me (the sound of a cocktail shaker practically brings tears to my eyes), but I am mostly making do. I did find a recipe that I have made twice that you might want to try, Harvest Wheatberry Salad. I do not add the sugar substitute (it's not needed), and I have made it with both dried cranberries and dried cherries, and both taste great. Go easy on the cinnamon, especially if you have good, strong stuff from somewhere like Penzey's or The Spice House. It's crunchy (from the walnuts and celery), chewy (from the wheatberries), tangy (from the lemon juice), and sweet (from the cranberries or cherries.) It's good stuff. (The page takes a while to load when you click on the link.)

I have laundry, chores, and homework to do before I head out for Sock Camp on Monday. I'm sad that my camp-buddy, Liz, won't be going, but I'm looking forward to another trip to the PNW.

Color Study

One of my assignments for Sock Camp is to make a study of the colors to which I gravitate. Over the years I've noticed that I love combinations of dark reds and greens. When I was a kid, we used to pass a house on the way to the mall that had dark red siding and green shutters (or maybe it was the other way around), and my mother always commented that she loved how it looked. I never thought much of it (I was hung up on the architecture, which I didn't love), but clearly it struck a chord with me, too. (I also love blues and greens together, but don't most folks?)