E.W.W.

What do erasers, a dpn, yarn, and a MD's coupon all have in common?

They are the supplies I use when knitting up my latest project, the Every Way Wrap or E.W.W. for short.

Every time I get an IK issue, I pour over it making comments on the different projects-some good some bad. Every once in awhile a project will jump out at me that I really like, I'll add it to my queue and then forget about it. The E.W.W. was different, I found myself flipping back to the page and really liking it and realizing I could use yarn from my stash-Bonus- and decided to go with the momentum and cast on immediately, dropping all other W.I.P.'s. Here's what it looks like after the ribbing and 3 repeats of the chart pattern. BTW there is an error on the chart in the magazine. Errata is here.


I'm pleased so far, even with my unintentional design flaws/features. I think this is a pattern that looks even better knit up. After bringing it to SNB last week I think a few more people may even want to knit it.

I'm only planning on using mine as a wrap and not do the button thing in the back-buttons do not belong on my butt. The Knit Picks Comfy Worsted yarn I'm using is super soft-I love it!

How do my supplies help? Well, the erasers I use as counters for which repeat I'm on within the row (although I'm not using them as much now as I was in the beginning), and the dpn I'm using as my cable needle. I tried one of the metal cable needles and didn't care for it and with this being my first time with cables didn't want to try and mess with doing it without the cable needle.

The coupon I use for keeping track of which row I'm on the chart. When I started working on the chart I remembered these cute pattern tamers I bought awhile ago and decided to try them out.

The middle one is the right size for my pattern. Notice anything?

Maybe this will help:

Why would a person put that type of fabric for something to be used with a chart. Confusing! When I pointed this out to DH he offered to spray paint it, so now it looks like this:

Which is much better, but I still prefer my MD coupon or the back of an envelope. Live and learn I guess.

I have to say it's been really fun being one of the early knitters on Rav with this pattern and immediately acting on that initial thought of "I want to knit this!"

Farmer's Market Lunch

One of the things on my list to do was to find a way to use up all my Farmers Market tomatoes along with some other veggies. Boy, did I find a recipe!

It's a very simple recipe, but oh so good! I ended up making Roasted Tomato Soup and served it with a Veggie & Cheese Bagel.

First off, the soup. Here's my version (I made a few changes from the original recipe based on the reviews).


Slice tomatoes (farmers market/home grown are the best), peel some garlic (put a few more cloves than you think you'll need), and slice an onion or two. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on some kosher salt and roast in a shallow pan at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes, until veggies are carmelized. (Note: I was glad I put some extra garlic cloves in because a few of mine got burned and had to be tossed).


Place veggies in a stock pot along with some bay leaves, chicken stock (save some for adding later), herbs (I used some rosemary and thyme from my herb garden) and some butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Strain out the herb stems and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender and puree the soup til smooth. Add more chicken stock if needed to thin it out. Return soup to low heat. You can also add some cream right before serving if you want a creamy taste. Even my husband who does not care for tomato soup, LOVED this!! He heated some up for a midnight snack!!

Now for the sandwich.


I pretty much followed the Pioneer Woman's recipe except I left out the avocado (didn't have one on hand) and used onion & chive cream cheese instead of the green onion one she made.

Put it together and viola! You have a Farmer's Market lunch!

List for Today

I was awake earlier than normal this morning and couldn't relax enough to get back to sleep. I go back to work officially in 13 days but have a meeting scheduled and will be working in my classroom before then so really I'm already in work-mode.

Because of that, my brain has kicked it up a notch with all the things that need to get done in the next few weeks. I'm one of those people who finds cleaning and organizing a stress reliever. This morning, my stress relief began with the making of lists..only 2 so far.... Feel free to giggle at my obsessiveness!

List #1: Today

• Call for hair appointment
• Cancel Dr. appointment
• Post on blog
• Mail movie/bills/Betsy box
  
• Look for recipes for my abundance of mushrooms and tomatoes from Farmers Market
• Read (trying to get through The Time Traveler's Wife before the movie comes out)
  
• Put clothes away
• Put outlet shopping goodies away
• Wash water bottles (just bought some refillable ones)
  
• Pictures
• Gather yarn from stash for new project (Knitpicks Comfy-Worsted)
  
• Go to SnB-swatch for new project
• Work-out options (planning on getting back into working out once school starts)
  

List #2: Soon

• Get room ready at school
• Return poster frame/buy school supplies
  
• Brown sugar bacon
• Plan lunch with Teri and Juanita
• McNay Museum
• Movies to see: Julie & Julia; The Time Traveler's Wife
• Begin seaming fish blanket together (learn mattress stitch)
• Cast on for entrelac scarf

Whew!!! I feel better now! Of course these lists are just a start. I will then create lists just for knitting, reading, work, shopping, cleaning, etc.... LOL

What's on your list for today?

The 3/50 Project

I stumbled upon the 3/50 project a few weeks ago, LOVE the concept and figured it would be good blog fodder each month. Click on the link for more specifics, but basically 3/50 stands for spending $50.00 a month total between 3 different local independently-owned businesses.

Here are my 3 for this month:

1. Rowan Colourscape Chunky from Yarnivore, a LYS.


2. Breakfast from Il Sogno while checking out San Antonio's newest Farmers Market. I enjoyed a panini sandwich along with some fresh squeezed juice from this restaurant that has only been opened 1 week.

3. Goodies from the Farmers Market (bread, jams, veggies, and some local grass-fed beef).

I obviously spent more than $50.00 but its just the idea to go out of my way to support local businesses when I can. As for the new Farmers Market, it's really nice and hip, but I think there's a certain charm to buying your fruits and veggies from the overall wearin', beat-up truck drivin' farmer I see at my usual Farmers Market but will definitely visit the brewery every once in awhile too.