Well, hello! Has it been since March that I’ve posted? Tempus fugit. In the meantime, I hope you all have been well and happy.
As my month of selling at Bierwagens is over, I’ve started making stuff for myself as I do every year at this time. I know, most knitters create for other people, but call me selfish because I want to wear what I make! I am currently working on a pair of socks using the basic construction from my Cozy Fireside Socks pattern and using the chart from Tellybean Knits “Boneyard Sweethearts Hat”. I realize most people associate skeletons and ghosts with Halloween, but I am determined to make these, and I love them!
And speaking of Bierwagens, I must admit the most serendipitous thing happened my first weekend there. None other than Ashlee of @ashandherknits popped into my little stall with her husband and mother-in-law. I was over the moon! I mean, what are the odds? She really is sweet and considerate. I also discovered that she’s been working on her masters for teaching while working on her sweaters. That is truly commendable.
After that visit, the rest of the month was a bit flat for random Instagram celebrity appearances! That, and the weather rained me out for another couple of weekends. Not my best turnout. It happens.
Contrary to my “linear projects” timeline, I am also working on a sweater, “Metropolis” by Tanis Lavallée. I have a sleeve and the turtleneck parts to finish. It went so quickly because it’s a chunky weight sweater and I am grateful for that. I am also using plain old acrylic so I can throw it in the washer and dryer – yay!
BTW, I finished the Caitlin Hunter “Caribou Hills” in plenty of time to wear it. I get so many compliments on that one and I am proud that I made it.
As for the cookbook, I currently have 46 solid recipes. I realize that this will be a few years in the making. Coming up with unique ideas that are also I.C. safe is a challenge. I also have been working on revising old classics and making them safe. I want the food to be tasty enough so it won’t seem like a restricted diet, just different. I also realize I will have to include a few mushrooms in some offerings because that is a thing…and I’m not too keen on mushrooms. Do you think anyone would notice if there weren’t any? *sigh* It will be worth it. I’m considering starting a YouTube channel featuring me making food from the cookbook. Should I wait to be closer to the publication date or should I start now? I would really like to hear some feedback on that.
One of the many blessings that has happened since my last entry isn’t so much a personal one, but it felt like it, nonetheless. The wildfires were muted this year as opposed to the last several years. Yes, there were some big fires, but nothing like we’ve seen recently. Now this is when it gets personal – the fires that did happen weren’t anywhere near my neighborhood. My family and I were not in an evacuation watch zone poised to flee at a few moment’s notice, not choking on thick smoke, not dealing with fine ash on every surface, and not waking to hazy, amber-hued mornings that turned into sickly puce days.
So with Christmas, and winter, around the corner, I must admit that I’ve been lazy. I normally have all the holiday cheer out and flashing by now. The lights still aren’t up, the garlands are still in their storage bins and my little nativity set is not gracing a side table. In my defense, there are a few random decorations out. At least the autumn wreath and Halloween skeletons have been packed away!
But most importantly of all, we now have a snow blower and a cord of wood. I wish there was a way to insert animated fireworks because that’s what it feels like! We are experiencing a rather wet, not snowy, cold season so far, and being in the middle of an El Niño here in Northern California, we may not get enough of that white stuff to use our very expensive appliance. We don’t mind. Snow will happen again eventually, and we’ll be ready.
Until next time, dear readers! See you in the funny pages.
Nittin' Ninja 