Month: July 2016

July Review

Whew, July was a busy month! I have been doing a lot of wedding planning (and spending). I’m to the point where most of the big things have been taken care of, so I am left with a long list of details that need to be attended to (but even if I leave them undone the wedding will still be nice).

I have been knitting faithfully on my Wedding Shawl. I have also started a Christmas gift sweater – knitters start gifts early. This week I participated in a design challenge put together by Frenchie at Aroha Knits. We were given instructions to make 5 different tiny shawls in 5 days. I’ll write more in-depth about this soon.

This month I also made the decision to stop teaching voice lessons. I have been teaching as a side job for a year and a half now. Thursday was my last day teaching, and as much as I will miss it, I cannot wait to have a whole entire day to myself!

Here’s to an amazing August!

I Like Camping

This past weekend I went camping with my fiancé and his brother and sisters. We packed our bags, added more stuff and then repacked, and then it was off to the campground. After a few hours drive we arrived and hiked in. Let me tell you, hiking with a 20 lb backpack is not easy – especially when you are not used to it! In due time we reached our camping spot (ok, it was only 1/2 mile from the parking lot, but it seemed a lot longer) and set up camp. At which point I took out my spinning and spun until it was too dark to do so (since the light was bad I have no pictures of this). Then food and s’mores and sleep.

The next morning after breakfast and knitting (again, I have a lack of photographic evidence, but it’s not for lack of trying. My phone died.) we packed back up and hiked out to stash our heavy packs in the car before hiking to a neaby waterfall. This was my favourite part of the weekend. The water was cold, but we quickly got used to it. We swam and waded and even went behind the waterfall. I couldn’t help but think of the waterfall scene from The Last of the Mohicans.

Then it started to rain. Which was no big deal, since we were already wet. It rained more heavily, and then slacked off. We got out of the water, and a few minutes later it started thundering. Alas, no more swimming for us. We set off back to the vehicles.

A few hours later we were home and showered and dry and eating a wonderful dinner.

I like camping.

Chili Mac Recipe

I love Mexican-ish food. Having grown up in the Southwest, Mexican, and all its variations, is comfort food for me. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1/2 onion

1 bell pepper

1 can black beans 

1/2 box noodles

Spices to taste

Cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top

 

Method:

Brown beef in a large pan. Chop onion and pepper, add to the pot when the beef is nearly done. Add black beans and season to taste (I used onion, garlic, pepper, and fajita seasoning). Cover pot and allow to cook over medium-low heat until onions and peppers are soft.

In a separate pot boil water. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Drain, and add to the beef mixture, stirring to combine.

Serve with cheese sprinkled on top.

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Yum!

Yarn!

Yesterday a friend was destashing and asked if I wanted some of her yarn. Do I want free yarn? The answer is always yes!

My best score was a skein of ivory mohair stuff – no ball band. It feels very fluffy and silky…I wonder, is it Kidsilk Haze that I have read so much about?

Also, look at this old Lion Brand label!

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I Swatched

To save time, take time to check gauge.

How many times have we all read this instruction? In theory it makes a lot of sense. You want to make sure that the project you are spending hours and hours of your life on will fit the intended recipient. But how often do we decide to skip this step and plunge straight into the (more) exciting part of starting the project?

I have decided to be a better person. I am taking the high road this time. I swatched.

I swear it’s actually green…