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| Learned at conference yesterday: If all insects magically disappeared tomorrow, within 50 years almost all life on earth would be gone. But if all humans magically disappeared tomorrow, within 50 years almost all other life forms on earth would flourish like never before. |
Literally! Actually it got pretty hot this afternoon and needed to take a break. If you haven't planted all your seeds for Summer this weekend is a great time to do that. I have found that seeds I have planted 2-3 days before a full moon have full germination and are stronger plants.
I leave you with a photo 
Yep, a sad little picture today. Luckily, everyone walked away (the car even hobbled away). The husband was driving home the other night when a deer jumped a fence and ran into the side of the car head first. He bounced off a little and fell back into the car with his whole body. Considering the top was down Marc was lucky not to have hooves in his lap! The deer shook it off, looked at the husband with a "what are you looking at" stare and walked away.
The crumpled car will be getting first aid soon.
Well, I feel there were enough posts from me yesterday that I'm not thinking too hard about it today. It is lovely out and the weeds are calling.
I do want to bring to your attention that Summer of Socks 08 is upon us. And today is the last day to sign up! Also, Wendy has a contest where you will receive a copy of Lynn Rosetto Kasper's new book. Today is the last day for that as well.
Make sure to stop by Claudia's blog and donate to her MS ride.
Okay, carry on...
I was ready to sit down and share a nice Spring recipe with you. But as I checked my emails before visiting here I was led to an article a friend of mine wrote this week for Culinate. This article raises food buying issues (and huge eating issues) that I really strongly agree with. and have been thinking about lately. Kelly and I used to have great conversations about these issues when I was at Nostrana (she is one of the Chef du cuisine there). So go read the article and please leave me your opinions (even if you don't agree). I do have to warn any vegetarians--this is a lamb centered article.
On to other food. I put my cooler in the back of my car Saturday so that I could stop at the farmer's market on the way to my knitting class. Our Saturday market really has a great variety right now and I especially wanted eggs from Square Peg Farm. I was tight on time so I flew around the market- stopping now and then for a quick hello to friends. I came away with asparagus, spring onions, eggs, lettuce, baby beet greens, cheese, strawberries, morel mushrooms and nettles (all in 15 minutes!).
We oven roasted the onions and asparagus and ate this along with the wonderful morels (sauteed with butter and fresh herbs) tossed with pasta. For dessert that night we put out the cheese (a soft cow's milk from Ancient Heritage Dairy) with the strawberries that we drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar we brought back from Italy (you need just a touch).
Yesterday I wanted to use the nettles while they were fresh. Some of you may be shocked to find out that this is my favorite Spring "tonic" herb. Some (ahem Gina) will be happy I am not forcing them upon you daily.
I truly believe our bodies crave seasonal foods. Nettles are one of those greens that pop up in lightly wooded areas in the Spring. You do need to wear gloves when picking them and preparing them for cooking 
These are the Stinging nettles. A slight brush will give you quite a lingering burning sensation. However, just a 30 second drip in boiling water or freeze drying will take the sting away.
Nettles are high in vitamins A and C, rich in nutrients (which makes for a good overall strengthening tonic for the body), opens the cells in the bronchial tubes so it is great for people that suffer from allergies or asthma (me) and helpful to people with anemia. I am not prescribing this green plant as different plants, herbs and medicines work differently on each body. But this is a plant that works (in a mild way) terrifically for me and it tastes good to boot. 
This Spring nettle soup started with a sautee of onions, garlic, jerusalem artichoke and potato. After adding broth ( homemade chicken broth for me) and some chopped kale I let that simmer until the potato was just cooked. I then turned off the heat and through in slivered marjoram, parsley and nettles. These herbs cooked in the still very hot soup, but kept their bright green colors. With the soup we had a fresh spinach salad that was topped with bacon, blue cheese, toasted walnuts and minced chives 
Having had such a filling lunch (we all had 2 bowls of soup and there was homemade bread for dipping) dinner was light. There was enough soup left for a bowl each (DH and I) with fried egg sandwiches (those beauties from the market). After a morning frittata today of herbs and nettles we really have done a good job of using what is local and in the fridge at the moment (I have been the queen of the last minute run to the market for many years now).
I am headed to a smaller local market today. We'll see what foods end up on the table over the next few days. I would like to add that all of these dishes were decided upon based on the ingredients in house not buying for a recipe. I love my cookbooks, but as the market and garden season begins I really feel using what is fresh now is the way to go!
Debby (love that spelling;) ) created this. I think lists are great! And blog posted lists tend to keep us (somewhat) honest about them.
To Do
1. create a pattern and knit up a lace piece for the Renaissance Dyeing design contest.
2. finish Marc's Aran.
3. spend as much time as possible in the garden.
4. start and keep a swatch notebook to generate some fun designs.
5. keep up on my sock/spin club projects.
6. try to blog daily.
Not To Do
1. buy more sock yarn!
2. get down on myself if I can't finish the above list (or the Mission Possible list)
3. get sunburned in the garden.
4. start too many new projects before finishing some that are on the needles!
I love that I can't think of 6 things not to do!
Now I do believe you have to have been blogging from under a rock to not have read Franklin's blog. But until recently I was sitting under said rock. I had heard of him and heard references to Delores, but had no idea how entertaining this daily read could be. Reading Franklin's blog is such a treat! Watching his "1000 knitters" project grow, viewing his beautiful knits and of course there is Delores and her friends.
Well, now we will be able to laugh out loud at Franklin's drawings
It Itches, by Franklin Habit will be on shelves in the Fall, but it was on my pre-order list yesterday. I would love to have Franklin out our way to take photos of Portland knitters (even a real Judy!) for his "1000 Knitters" project. Hmm, which LYS should I pester about that one?
Delores for President!!--You really have to go back to read Franklin's archives for that one;)
This is going to be a multi-post day. I have some food for you later and maybe even some knitting to show. Definitely no garden pics today. Our week of growing temperatures is only multiplying clouds.
I was looking up a book this morning and found all kinds of pre-orders I want. So let's have one a day--
First of all I know you all have purchased the new Yarn Harlot book
I'm sure most of you were lucky enough to have her sign it. I missed her by a day here in Portland (returning a day late from our trip). I picked my copy up on Friday and just love it! Each of her books have been hilarious and different enough to want more!! Now this morning I found out about this fun little gem
I've got my copy pre-ordered. What about you?
I am in the process of recreating my craft area to be more organized and better suited to design work (yep, I'm doing it!) so a desk is in the planning. How can I not have a little humor there to cheer me on;)
I swear this is the last book I'm showing today. Stephanie's current project is also available for pre-order. I will be pre-ordering this since I keep missing her when she comes to town. Hey, if I am lucky enough to catch up with her I'll be ready;)
With that title I have to start with this photo of Fiona Ellis 
This is my favorite wrap right now! The pattern is in here Two rectangles knit (and beautifully cabled) separately, then grafted together. This is definitely on my "to knit" list. The natural V created in the back makes a no slip garment. Also in this book is a cabled scarf that is perfect for someone just learning about cables. As the scarf grows you learn more difficult cables. You can really begin to understand how the cables work (yes I do love cables). Once you create that scarf you can really move on to any project in the book!
Fantastic day yesterday! The morning was about cables and morphing cables. I had it in my head that we would be learning to create patterns, move into cables and then back out again to a different pattern. I could have done that, but my piece went it's own way. 
Fiona started us off by saying CO 39 stitches. Purl 4, Knit 3 across the row. Knit 4, Purl 3 across the next row. Okay now create your own cable pattern. I don't know if anyone was as terrified as I was, but we all just stared at her when she asked if anyone felt a little nervous. Then we all got to work. I was knitting with Lamb's Pride so I got fixated on the purl stitches being a bulky cord traveling across the piece disappearing off the side. 
Some people created very symmetrical patterns, some very traditional patterns. We all had something different from everyone else. It was really a creative way to approach designing. 
Between this class and the design class I now have some exercises I will continue weekly.
The afternoon was dedicated to color. Specifically using slip stitches in patterns. We created this sampler 
of different slip stitch techniques. My brain was pretty fried by this point so I didn't get any farther, but some ladies played with variations on the theme and/or added more colors into their work. I love the slip stitch idea. It is an easy (read non fussy) way to add color into a border or an interesting striping. This technique adds texture as well (I am a big fan of texture). Fiona had sample sweaters from this book
where she often used the techniques along with fair isle or striping. I love how you can use a bit of a bright color in this way to really make a garment pop. Oh and that muffler on the front? To die for!!
As this event was hosted by BMFA you had to guess there would be yarn for sale! I couldn't resist (although I did create a wish list for future reference so I didn't embarass myself). 
WuBu in MidSummer night. The perfect yarn for a light Spring/Summer shrug (I get cold easily). 
STR lightweight-Doctors without Borders colorway. I really have sworn off purchasing any sock yarn outside of club packages so I can use the stash, but I love that $3 of this purchase goes to DWB. I wanted to help out, honest! 
There is a baby arriving soon (to a friend) and the little guy will be cuddling an adorable (and wild) Funky sock monkey(STR heayweight--Count Cluckula and Jade). I have an idea for a piece that I can't share yet, but this yarn is perfect for it! 
Laci--Mossay colorway.
This Silk Thread--Malten colorway was the one purchase without an exact pattern idea. I can see it draping beautifully over my shoulders, but I need a patten. Anyone have suggestions?
I am adding photos from Saturday to that post so take a look there again. It is rainy today which is fine with me. Simple knitting, spinning and surfing are about the only things my brain and body want to do today. Did I mention that I was moving my mom during this weekend? It was good to have some physical labor to balance the brain work, but I am fried all the way today!
The design class yesterday was great! We looked at photos. 
Made some notes, 
sketches or charts (depending on how your brain works) and then knit swatches of these ideas. 
Everyone had different photo inspirations, different yarns, different technique ideas. I thought I would end up with several swatches. However, I knit one that kept evolving throughout the day. 
I took pics at each point I decided to take it a different direction so that I could document what I might have done differently at that point. What started as a border idea became a cardigan plan. I didn't take a ton of pics (my needles were clicking), but I did take progress photos of my ideas.
I was thrilled to see a few friends there as well. Tammy of course. And Heather and Stevanie from Abundant yarn and dyeworks. 
Here is Heather showing she can enjoy knitting outside her comfort zone 
There were some new faces as well. Dawn is a member of the PDX Knitbloggers. I have seen her posts to our Yahoo group, but it was Sunday before I put a face to a name. New creative ideas too! Lots of color work and some cool rib and cable ideas. It was a small class-9 ladies. Tina brought some BMFA yarn--yummmm. I got me a Sock Monkey (Count Cluckula with Jade for appendages) pattern and yarn. There is a baby coming that needs a cuddly guy!
Today will be Cables in the morning and Slip Stitch color work in the afternoon. Posting on that with photos of both tomorrow.
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