1st Blogaversary! ~ Giveaway

One year. Wow, I can't hardly believe it. I'm surprised how much blogging has become a part of my day, my leisure and my social life. I get so much pleasure from it ~ especially reading all the comments ~ that I want to give back, 'tis better to give than to receive.

I'm sharing one of my passions: Books. Love them. Love. Seriously. I read quite a bit online, but there's nothing nicer than the tactile pleasure of a book in hand while reading. This giveaway it's an assortment of subjects that interest me: knitting, quilting and cooking/entertaining.

The Knitter's Book of Yarn, The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn by Clara Parkes is a must have on any knitter's shelf. From fiber foundations, making yarn, types of plyes, care of your yarn to patterns this book has it all.


Celebrate! by Sheila Lukins with Peter Kaminsky is a wonderful cookbook with 43 Celebrations/350 Recipes. Can't go wrong with this one.


Tips for Quilters by Rachel T. Pellman is 'a handbook filled with hints, shortcuts, practical suggestions from Experienced Quilters'. Lots of useful ideas in this little red book.

If you'd like these or could use some books to enhance your gift giving for someone special leave a comment to be included in the draw. Enteries will be open until Friday, October 9th at 4pm EST ~ when I start my weekend.

Thank you everyone for the get well wishes for us here with the flu.
Love 'ya all,
Renee

Kim Hargreaves ~ Precious

It's that time again ~ Kim Hargreaves newest book is available and it looks gorgeous! I love the colours these knits are sampled in. There's no such thing as too much gray or blue as far as I'm concerned.


I'm not a hat person. I wear them to keep from freezing ~ but they look dorky on me. I just don't have a "hat head". I really like the texture and cables of this pattern. It might look ok on me, maybe even presentable, since the model has a long narrow face like I do. If it could make me look like her it would be some sort of magic hat...

My favourite knit from this release is 'Vivienne'. Described on the web site as:

FITTED SWEATER WITH WIDE NECK

A sweater with button trim on a garter stitch yoke, knitted in Rowan Pure Cashmere DK.

Oh, yum!

'Ronnie' in Rowan Big Wool for those weekends by the fire after being out snowmobiling really appeals to me too. I'd shorten it to just past my hips, I'm not keen on the length.

If you haven't tried a Kim Hargreaves book yet, check them out. The patterns and Rowan yarns are lovely and the photograph in the books is exceptional.

A peaceful Friday evening

Thank you everyone for the help with my spinning questions, especially Celeste! I've spent a lot of time visiting Ravelry spinning groups as recommended by Joansie and watching spinning clips on YouTube.

After work today Ryan and I went to Chapters where we picked up a novel for him and these goodies for moi. Why did I pick these in particular? Well, mostly because while there's a ton of spinning books online from Chapters and Amazon, this was the extent of spinning material in stock in the actual store. I'll be enjoying a peaceful Friday evening reading them.


These blooms have survived all the wind, thunderstorms and hail we've had of late, a lot of others have been shredded or crushed. I haven't watered the garden all summer and there's plenty more rain in the forecast.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Giveaway!!

I've planned a few random giveaways over the next few weeks from my bookshelves, yarn bins and fabric stash. As the house gets freshen with white paint I'm also purging and want to share some of my stash.

Are you interested giving "STITCH 'N BITCH NATION" by Debbie Stoller a new home? The front cover proclaims: "50 Hip, Even Funkier patterns by Stitch 'n Bitch Designers Across America. Plus: How to make any knitting pattern your own, insider tips, profiles of groups, and more."

Leave a comment by Sunday, August 2nd if you're interested!

I've been feeling a bit blue

Good thing I have ample blue stash. This is a sampling of blues, there's plenty more of each yarn.

Since I have 4 new projects in the planning and starting stages I can't blog about ~ or I'll ruin the surprise ~ I've decided to cast on something new for myself too. I'm leaning towards the Kidsilk Haze in shade 592 as Kim Hargreaves Trinket, minus the beads.

If you haven't seen Carolyne Roehm's books check them out. They're filled with incredibly photographed home, garden and recipe ideas. Her web site is inspiring. Be sure to read her bio, she's a multi talented woman who is also a dog and horse lover.

I have all but Carolyne's first book that is no longer in print. At Home With Carolyne Roehm is by far my favourite. It's set up by the seasons, page after page of gorgeous photos and recipes. Have a look at it next time you're in a book store ~ it's eye candy and a oft browsed coffee table book here at our house. Charlotte Moss's Winter House is one I pull out every winter too.

When The Blues strike me it's a good thing! :) Have a lovely day everyone!

Christmas Baking Recipe #3

Lemon Cake is great for any season and is my only not-made-from-scratch recipe. This cake has been a staple in my baking repertoire for over 25 years. Brand names are really important ~ I've substituted other cake mixes and pudding brands ~ it's the Duncan Hines and Jello together that result in the best taste and texture. These instructions are not the ones printed on the cake box ~ but they should be!

LEMON PUDDING CAKE:

1 Duncan Hines Super Moist (Extra Moist) Lemon Cake Mix (used to be called Supreme)
1 Jello Brand Instant Lemon Pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/2 cup Mazola Oil (you can substitute vegetable oil if you want)

Combine all of the ingredients in a mixer on low for 1 minute, then on high for an additional 2 minutes.
Bake in a lightly sprayed spring form Bundt pan (so the centre bakes done or it stays wet). It doesn't always bake through in the centre in a sheet pan but does make nice cup cakes.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 46 - 50 minutes or until the cake top cracks open and a cake tester comes out clean.

ICING options:
1. Leave it plain.
2. Sifting icing sugar over the top of the completely cooled cake.
3. Make icing by combining icing sugar and lemon juice. Make it thick so it will drizzle off a spoon over the top and sides of the completely cooled cake.


Mom's lace scarf is about 20" long now unblocked and there will be a knitting frenzy this weekend to complete it. I used fingering instead of lace weight so it's growing quickly. It's so nice that another skein or 2 of my sock yarn will be knit in this pattern again.


There's a fun Christmas Carol Quiz on Teresa's Knitting The Blues. Give it a try, I scored 90%. Do You Know Your Christmas Carols? Test

We're in the midst of our 2nd major snow storm today. It just keeps coming down and has started to drift with another blizzard expected on Sunday. I have some new books to keep me company during this storm: It Itches from Franklin Habit as recommended to read by Norma, Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders and I've pre-ordered Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. I plan to curl up with them and my knitting this afternoon. It Itches is hysterically funny and the perfect stocking stuffer for a knitter, I have yet to have a chance to check out the One Skein Wonders. Be well and hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

ETA: Ryan wanted to me add that Lemon Pudding Cake is his all-time favourite cake EVER! I've also made this recipe by using Duncan Hines Chocolate Devil's Food Cake mix and Jello Brand Instant Chocolate pudding mix. It is the best chocolate cake ever too.

Knitting Books

I love books, knitting books especially. I'd like to have a library full of them. There's a list of my growing collection on Ravelry. While reading my emails this morning one popped up from Kim Hargreaves site. A new book release. Oh, be still my heart! Yeah, I ordered it. How could I not? It looks fabulous! I have Kim's book Heartfelt: The Dark House Collection and it's beautiful.


There are several projects that appeal to me. I like the fit of Ginny as well as this colour. I rarely make a project in the colour it's styled for a book in. This would get a lot of wear at work and going out.


Nell would be wonderful for the in between seasons and in the house when we're in the depths of the coldest and blustery winter days here in Canada. I can picture myself wearing it hunkered down for the evening by the wood stove reading or knitting. It looks like a warm hug.


Allure in a soft powder blue Kidsilk Haze (from my stash) over a white layer for New Year's Eve would be lovely. Great with my favourite pair of denim jeans for a little dressed up yet casual look. This one is the pattern that made me decide to order the book.


And finally Trinket is fabulous. I wear a lot of scarves because of an old back/neck injury and this one is classically elegant, yet fun and trendy. I'd like to make this in white or off white. Nicole would borrow this one when she's feeling tres chic.


I love books, but a new one is even better! I'm looking for a great pattern book for lace. Any recommendations? I just can't decide and I'm finally feeling brave enough to attempt lace knitting with my new addi-turbo lace circs. Have a great day and happy knitting!