Worrying
It figures. My site receives flattering acknowledgment from Miki of Theory of the Daily, and I stop posting.
This is mainly because I'm in worry mode over a school reunion a friend and I are planning. The whole thing seems rather daunting. It's nothing that can't be figured out, but I suddenly have profound respect for people who are initiators and organizers of events. Now I've got to go figure out how we can become an official organization of some sort. Banks don't just let you set up a checking account and slap any name on it you want. In the end everything will turn out fine, and the reunion will be a great success. It's just that, in the meantime, step by step, all the logistics have to be dealt with. Dealt with—not worried over.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Tupperware
For those interested in American domestic culture and history, the PBS series American Experience is playing an episode about Tupperware tomorrow night.
For those interested in American domestic culture and history, the PBS series American Experience is playing an episode about Tupperware tomorrow night.
Coffee hour
One of the traditions I enjoy at my small church is the "coffee hour" after the English-language service. Different people take turns each week to prepare something to eat and drink. (The amazing women who prepares the snacks when nobody has signed up is 88 years old.)
Over the years, the church has invested in a kitchen and plates, cups, silverware, etc., for serving groups of people. As much as possible we try to avoid using paper, plastic, and Styrofoam, although it means more dishwashing.
It was my turn today. I've learned from the women—and the men—who've been at the church for many years, that it's not just about serving food. It's also about setting a beautiful table using what's at hand.
Yesterday I found a large white sheet at a garage sale, which became my tablecloth today ($2). I did buy some red roses from the Farmer's Market (usually it's something from a home garden, or the church's, in a pinch) and added a couple red candles in crystal/glass candleholders. I put out the glass punch glasses and punch bowl for the orange and pineapple juice. I found a round, red cheese tray at the garage sale, too, for the cheese and crackers. I also served mini-bagels and cream cheese with strawberry jam (a hit the last time I served), dates, carrots, and carmels in red wrappers.
Of course, there was coffee, as well. The coffee is made each week by a man from a group home, who is faithfully brought to church each Sunday by one of the church members. Although he has certain problems, he does know how to make coffee in the big coffee pot and gets it prepared before the service starts. Then he makes sure to carry the pot from the kitchen into the parish hall after the service for people to drink.
I didn't have a chance to do much standing around and talking. I was in the kitchen washing coffee cups and punch cups.
One of the traditions I enjoy at my small church is the "coffee hour" after the English-language service. Different people take turns each week to prepare something to eat and drink. (The amazing women who prepares the snacks when nobody has signed up is 88 years old.)
Over the years, the church has invested in a kitchen and plates, cups, silverware, etc., for serving groups of people. As much as possible we try to avoid using paper, plastic, and Styrofoam, although it means more dishwashing.
It was my turn today. I've learned from the women—and the men—who've been at the church for many years, that it's not just about serving food. It's also about setting a beautiful table using what's at hand.
Yesterday I found a large white sheet at a garage sale, which became my tablecloth today ($2). I did buy some red roses from the Farmer's Market (usually it's something from a home garden, or the church's, in a pinch) and added a couple red candles in crystal/glass candleholders. I put out the glass punch glasses and punch bowl for the orange and pineapple juice. I found a round, red cheese tray at the garage sale, too, for the cheese and crackers. I also served mini-bagels and cream cheese with strawberry jam (a hit the last time I served), dates, carrots, and carmels in red wrappers.
Of course, there was coffee, as well. The coffee is made each week by a man from a group home, who is faithfully brought to church each Sunday by one of the church members. Although he has certain problems, he does know how to make coffee in the big coffee pot and gets it prepared before the service starts. Then he makes sure to carry the pot from the kitchen into the parish hall after the service for people to drink.
I didn't have a chance to do much standing around and talking. I was in the kitchen washing coffee cups and punch cups.
Aran hat
I will be heading to the east coast in a short while, and my guess is that it won't be the balmy weather in the 60s and 70s we've been enjoying here in So. Cal. So I need some warm clothes, namely hats and gloves.
Friday afternoon I just had to get started on something, so I began the Aran Watch Cap from Hats On! 31 Warm and Winsome Caps for Knitters by Charlene Schurch.
This is what I finished Saturday afternoon:
Pattern: Aran Watch Cap
Pattern by: Charlene Schurch
Pattern source: Hats On! (Down East Books, 1999)
Yarn used: Plymouth Galway, 100% wool, 100 grams/210 yards (1 ball would have sufficed, but I had made a swatch for another project from it. Larger sizes might need slightly more than 1 ball.)
Where purchased: Skein, Arcadia, California
Needles: 3.25 mm (U.S. 3), 16 inch circular and 5 inch double-points
Gauge: Not quite sure. See What I learned below.
Started: 2/6/04
Completed: 2/7/04
For whom: Originally for me but now for my 6 year old niece
What I learned: Read the pattern and pattern book carefully! "7 stitches to the inch over cable and k/p pattern" does not mean the K1P1 ribbing. (Thanks for the enlightenment, Larry!) Also, do not use a stretchy piece of wool to measure one's head. Find the tape measure and use it. My head is 23 inches around. Per Schurch, subtract 2-4 inches to determine the circumference of your hat, which will stretch when you put it on. Also, Small and Medium in Schurch's book often refer to children's sizes. All this to say, I thought I needed to knit the Medium size—I hope it fits my little niece, at least!
Second, now that I've started TKGA Level 1 program, I'm scrutinizing my knitting much more critically. Sarah Peasley mentioned a loose knit stitch in knit/pural ribbing. (See the January 9, 18, and 19 entries of her TKGA Level 1 Archives.) I noticed the left side of my K1 column was looser than the right side knitting in the round. However, on the reverse side, which is the exposed side of a watch cap (the brim gets turned up), the columns are lovely and even!
Third, I executed my second attempt of a yarn-over tubular cast-on, a nicely finished, flexible cast-on for a hat brim.
That the cap is too small does not disappoint me too much because I don't really wear pink; it was the only wool at hand when I wanted to start knitting right now. Now I have loden green wool for a second attempt!
Thanks to Anaïs at Path to Freedom for taking the digital pictures when I dropped by this afternoon to pick up my lettuce.
I will be heading to the east coast in a short while, and my guess is that it won't be the balmy weather in the 60s and 70s we've been enjoying here in So. Cal. So I need some warm clothes, namely hats and gloves.
Friday afternoon I just had to get started on something, so I began the Aran Watch Cap from Hats On! 31 Warm and Winsome Caps for Knitters by Charlene Schurch.
This is what I finished Saturday afternoon:
Pattern: Aran Watch Cap
Pattern by: Charlene Schurch
Pattern source: Hats On! (Down East Books, 1999)
Yarn used: Plymouth Galway, 100% wool, 100 grams/210 yards (1 ball would have sufficed, but I had made a swatch for another project from it. Larger sizes might need slightly more than 1 ball.)
Where purchased: Skein, Arcadia, California
Needles: 3.25 mm (U.S. 3), 16 inch circular and 5 inch double-points
Gauge: Not quite sure. See What I learned below.
Started: 2/6/04
Completed: 2/7/04
For whom: Originally for me but now for my 6 year old niece
What I learned: Read the pattern and pattern book carefully! "7 stitches to the inch over cable and k/p pattern" does not mean the K1P1 ribbing. (Thanks for the enlightenment, Larry!) Also, do not use a stretchy piece of wool to measure one's head. Find the tape measure and use it. My head is 23 inches around. Per Schurch, subtract 2-4 inches to determine the circumference of your hat, which will stretch when you put it on. Also, Small and Medium in Schurch's book often refer to children's sizes. All this to say, I thought I needed to knit the Medium size—I hope it fits my little niece, at least!
Second, now that I've started TKGA Level 1 program, I'm scrutinizing my knitting much more critically. Sarah Peasley mentioned a loose knit stitch in knit/pural ribbing. (See the January 9, 18, and 19 entries of her TKGA Level 1 Archives.) I noticed the left side of my K1 column was looser than the right side knitting in the round. However, on the reverse side, which is the exposed side of a watch cap (the brim gets turned up), the columns are lovely and even!
Third, I executed my second attempt of a yarn-over tubular cast-on, a nicely finished, flexible cast-on for a hat brim.
That the cap is too small does not disappoint me too much because I don't really wear pink; it was the only wool at hand when I wanted to start knitting right now. Now I have loden green wool for a second attempt!
Thanks to Anaïs at Path to Freedom for taking the digital pictures when I dropped by this afternoon to pick up my lettuce.
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Writing about blogging
Via a summary entry at ever so humble, I found out about a series of entries at Heart @ Work on why people write blogs. The entries are quite thoughtful and open up yet another unexplored corner of the web.
Via a summary entry at ever so humble, I found out about a series of entries at Heart @ Work on why people write blogs. The entries are quite thoughtful and open up yet another unexplored corner of the web.
Homemade yogurt
The other night I made my first (successful) batch of yogurt. I've been wanting to make my own yogurt for a while, using a method that was not too fussy and that did not require electricity to run an appliance.
I found a thermos-like container from New Zealand, EasiYo. The method is so simple. Heat a quart of milk to 180 degrees F and cool to lukewarm (110 degrees). Mix the dried starter with a little milk and then mix with the rest of the milk. Put the milk mixture in the smaller, inner container. Then pour boiling water into the large, outer container, set in the smaller container, tighten the lid, and let the yogurt develop overnight.
The first time I tried to make the yogurt, I used fat-free milk and store-bought yogurt that probably wasn't the freshest. The yogurt never "set." This time I used two percent milk and a dried yogurt starter, Yogourmet. The texture is just like store-bought and tastes really good (if you like plain yogurt!).
Next time I'll try using the yogurt itself as the starter. (If you use the EasiYo starter/sachets you don't need to heat milk—just add water.)
The other night I made my first (successful) batch of yogurt. I've been wanting to make my own yogurt for a while, using a method that was not too fussy and that did not require electricity to run an appliance.
I found a thermos-like container from New Zealand, EasiYo. The method is so simple. Heat a quart of milk to 180 degrees F and cool to lukewarm (110 degrees). Mix the dried starter with a little milk and then mix with the rest of the milk. Put the milk mixture in the smaller, inner container. Then pour boiling water into the large, outer container, set in the smaller container, tighten the lid, and let the yogurt develop overnight.
The first time I tried to make the yogurt, I used fat-free milk and store-bought yogurt that probably wasn't the freshest. The yogurt never "set." This time I used two percent milk and a dried yogurt starter, Yogourmet. The texture is just like store-bought and tastes really good (if you like plain yogurt!).
Next time I'll try using the yogurt itself as the starter. (If you use the EasiYo starter/sachets you don't need to heat milk—just add water.)
Sunday, February 01, 2004
Viking inspired
For fans of Elsebeth Lavold who've not yet seen her newish book Designer's Choice (The Viking Knits Collection: Book One), pictures of the sweaters may be seen along with kits for purchase at FuzzyMabel. (I don't know anything about the company; I linked to them because of the pictures. The prices seem comparable to the few other sites I checked for Lavold's Silky Wool yarn, though.)
I really like the patterns in Lavold's book Viking Patterns for Knitting too, but her new collection is more wearable here in Southern California.
[Update: I clicked on the errata page for the new book and realized I had seen the information about Lavold earlier in a newsletter from ThreadBear, which I forgot until I saw the page again. So this is probably old news to at least those who keep up in the knitting world.]
[Update 2: I just saw on the tag board at Rob of ThreadBear's site that Lavold has Book Two coming out in a month or so.]
[Update 3: Now I just came across an entry at BoogaJ. Julie started working in Liv earlier this month.]
For fans of Elsebeth Lavold who've not yet seen her newish book Designer's Choice (The Viking Knits Collection: Book One), pictures of the sweaters may be seen along with kits for purchase at FuzzyMabel. (I don't know anything about the company; I linked to them because of the pictures. The prices seem comparable to the few other sites I checked for Lavold's Silky Wool yarn, though.)
I really like the patterns in Lavold's book Viking Patterns for Knitting too, but her new collection is more wearable here in Southern California.
[Update: I clicked on the errata page for the new book and realized I had seen the information about Lavold earlier in a newsletter from ThreadBear, which I forgot until I saw the page again. So this is probably old news to at least those who keep up in the knitting world.]
[Update 2: I just saw on the tag board at Rob of ThreadBear's site that Lavold has Book Two coming out in a month or so.]
[Update 3: Now I just came across an entry at BoogaJ. Julie started working in Liv earlier this month.]
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