Tryptophan - Excuse of the Ages

While the "How Stuff Works" website may say that tryptophan in turkey is not enough to make one sleepy, I think there really is a compounding effect when combined with the chemicals in sweet potato balls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dumplings, oriental slaw, cranberry jello salad, yeasty rolls, and dutch apple pie.

Mom and my nephew enjoying dessert.

Now that Bingo is no longer the post turkey-feast activity, we were all looking for a flat surface to place ourselves for napping. Apparently not everyone indulged in the turkey like I did (after all, I made it and couldn't wait to get taste after taste) and instead of napping, our heads were filled with the "sugar plums" of the Friday-sales ads. It sounded like we did when we'd get the Sears "Wish Book" catalog as kids.

Speaking of kids, here's my 13 month old great nephew - he's such a cutie!!!!!


The Turkey?
Okay, I couldn't resist so here's a picture of the succulent bird. Third year of using the recipe from Alton Brown at foodtv.com. Always a hit!!


Do you always carry so many projects with you?
Asked by my nephew's beautiful new wife of 5 months, as I pulled out the necklace from DIY Network's Teen Knits episode with author, Jennifer Wenger:

The red hat with Twilleys of Stamford's Freedom Wool (to begin working on; here it is finished)


The woven-stitch patterned coaster (which if changed to 16 stitches wide instead of the 30, could be a wonderful belt -- the fabric is sturdy and kind of looks like fair-isle without all the yarn carrying):


The Close-Knit Cafe mascot's scarf of SRK yarns:


Is it cold where you are?
I am sitting here with Cathy (red poncho) and Gigi (Elegant Gauntlets) on as the temperature reminds us that winter is on its way. It's been getting down to the low 30s at night already. I've already begun sleeping under an electric blanket, which actually causes me to have to get up when my alarm sounds. The snooze button doesn't recognize me with the odd electrical charge eminating over me, so I have to either uncover (read GET COLD) and hit the snooze, or shut off the alarm, or get up. Unfortunately the latter is the most realistic option for getting my arse out of bed and on to the day's work.

Samson Sez
"Ha ha ha ... ha ha ha ha... oh shoot ... ha ha ha."

I'm "Dying" To Show You !!

While I've not been blogging as much recently, I've been busy doing other things (forgiven?). Dying with Kool-Aid caught my attention so I had to give it a try. Using Tahki Donegal Tweed Homespun 100% Wool and four different packets of Kool-Aid, I began with microwaving the colors in: (a bit blurry, it's not your eyes, and the pan is cranberry color [how fitting?!])


Became these beautiful colors after drying overnight. Yarn with a fruity smell adds a whole new level to enjoying knitting!! Top is Ice Blue Berry Lemonade followed, in clockwise order, by Grape, then Orange, and, finally, Lemonade. It was a fun first try, and now I think the rest of the 3.5 oz. skein is going to be done in Lemon-Lime, Berry Blue, and Black Cherry. I loved the color samples shown on knitty.com


Looking Up - At Night


Knitting?
The knitting continues, but I already donated the hat knitted with Baby Alpaca Grande -- it was so soft!! I'm working on a scarf for Purl, the Close-Knit Cafe mascot. It's in what might be considered the shop's colors: purple and gold.

Chores
I have been busy with housework, since I took the day off from work. When I was doing laundry, Samson decided he needed to help. For some reason he's particularly drawn to the "red load" -- could it be his love of red (afterall his tail is certainly a lovely red!!).



Pomegranete's are in season through December and Samson is so very happy. He's been having a little trouble transitioning from saying "papaya" to "pomegranate".

Samson Sez

"Pa-pomegranate?"

(sorry for the blur - Samson hates to pose!)

Measuring Time By Knitted Items Not Days

So my kid sister calls the other day and said, "Rather than say how many days it's been since we've talked, tell me how many items you've knit up since we talked." We both laughed uproariously!! Same with you, I've been away knitting and pondering and sniffling and knitting ... oh yeah, and working a lot!!

Here's what's happened since last we met...
Hat with Sockatta yarn and a provisional cast on (thanks knittinghelp.com!)


Hat with Plymouth Yukon and a little Reynolds Lopi (the gold) since I got over zealous with the number of stitches I cast on.


A woven stitch pattern using the Carousel colorway of Super 10 cotton. I'm really liking this stitch with this yarn (thanks, Shanti, for the inspiration from your socks!!!)


The nearly completed Sampler Scarf from Plymouth Baby Alpaca (psst! It's actually done, more tomorrow).


Scarf with Schulana Caramba (by Skcel) and Tahki Select Lucky ribbon - started 2004, found this week and finished!!


SRK Pom and Stylecraft's Gypsy mixed together for this big softy: (not blurry, just very fuzzy soft!!)


Gigi is fine' !!! Here's a blurry picture - I think I was chilly without them on and was shaking the camera.


Okay, more when I have a chance to type up what else has been going on in a bit.

Samson will also make his appearance later. Thanks for stopping by -- and for not losing hope that I was still around.