Day 25: Norah Gaughan

To those of you who celebrate Christmas, --- Merry Christmas! I send wishes for a joyous and wondrous day full of blessings, love and laughter.

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The final installment of Knitting Contrisstmas, (before we go back to the more ordinary Knitting Contessa) is an interview with Norah Gaughan. Author of “Knitting Nature”, Norah Gaughan Volume I and the just published Norah Gaughan Volume II as well as many other patterns for knitters that are interesting, unexpected, and extraordinary, Norah is also the driving force behind the Berroco Design Studio and hosts a wonderful blog as well. It would be hard to find a knitter who had not seen something that originally sprung from the creative mind of Norah!

(NG) I blush..... I am so ridiculously just me.

(KC) Never “just you” I don’t think Norah! Thanks so much for spending a bit of Christmas Day with your many fans via the last installment of Knitting Contrisstmas! My first question will be quite easy---- how DO you pronounce your last name? This seems to be quite the fact for argument among knitters!

(NG) Gone - like Vaughan with a "g".

(KC) Just as I thought------ thanks!

(KC) When Norah and I were working on her interview I told her that I’d close Knitting Contrisstmas with her. I might have said something like there was nothing that said HO HO HO like Norah Gaughan! J

(NG) Or as Pogo would sing (think of the Christmas carol line .... now we don our gay apparel ) "Norah's freezing on the trolley, swaller, dollar , cauliflower ala ga roo... or something like that.

(KC) And who said that knitters weren’t funny???? Maybe that is the crux of it, we’re all just a little bit touched?

(KC) People today have a mixed bag of thoughts about this time of year, how do you feel about the holidays?

(NG) I like the Holidays now that I have someone in the house to share them with. I spent many years living and, often, working alone. I fared well, was basically happy even, but the holidays could be rocky and could result in my yelling at my perfectly sweet, and very cool, mother. Having John around is MUCH better for me.

(KC) Without a doubt, having a significant other around is pretty great all the way around. And lucky John to have you to share the holidays as well!

(KC) What has been your greatest gift in 2007? I know, that is a hard question that tends to make you run a bit sappy, sorry about that!

(NG) This is where is seems imperative to put a sentimental phrase about family or love, but I've just done that. Maybe my greatest gift this year was keeping sane (and having so many loving friends). See I just couldn't help it.

(KC) Are you a holiday gift knitter?

(NG) Some years I am.

(KC) This year? Like----- what are you gifting and who in the world are the lucky recipients?

(NG) This year I am "gifting" many of the original items from "Knitting Nature". They are very precious to me, but I don't want them molding in a box in the basement. I want my friends and family to enjoy them. No more hoarding.

(KC) You DO have my address----- right? :)

(KC) As a very prolific knitter do you have any tips for maximizing knitting time during the holidays?

(NG) Don't do housework :) Of course, that's pretty much my year-round strategy.

(KC) Amen. Although I talk a good talk, when the house gets too nasty I really lose all creativity.

(KC) What things do you do just for yourself in this crazy busy time of

the year?

(NG) I watch a lot of TV and Netflix movies while I am knitting - oh and chocolate, chocolate is important.

(KC) Mmmmmmmmmm, knit one, purl two, chocolate three. Got it.

(KC) Anything special on your needles that you're knitting just for yourself?

(NG) Anything not for a gift is for work. It's pleasant work though.

(KC) Time for my favorite question, and I’ll kind of be sad not to hear the answers for awhile! If you were to consider a very special knitting friend what might the perfect gift be this year? If cost were no object, what would you choose? How about if you were budget minded?

(NG) Hmm, I'm not good at thinking of things with no limits. I like parameters, but I'll give it a shot. I would like my best knitting friends to all have full sets of some lovely wooden needles and a full sweater's worth of 100% cashmere in a dk weight in black or prune with an i-pod touch thrown in for good measure. On a more realistic budget I would give those lovely hand hammered silver stitch markers on a silver pin (sorry, I don't know who makes them) or a coat's worth of Ultra Alpaca (yum). On a small budget I would give a hat kit with pattern, yarn and needles.

(KC) Wonderful---- and again, you have my address, right??? Hmmmm?

(KC) Santa might have time for a last minute delivery---- can I talk him into bringing you anything special?

(NG) I just don't know, but I do love boots (size 6, large calf).

(KC) You have knitters from all over the world who consider themselves fans of yours, do you have any holiday greetings you'd like me to pass along for you?

(NG) I would like to thank every one who likes what I do and wish that their hand knit gifts are well received and that they have time to relax and indulge in a project for themselves (one of those projects where you really learn something new) some time soon.

(KC) I echo that sentiment Norah! We’ll hope that around the Internet and on Ravelry we are blessed to see many great projects that will be cast on after the holidays wrap up.

(KC) After the last bit of the holidays have been celebrated, as you are relaxing with great tv or movies----- what will you be doing?

(NG) Designing for Fall 08-09!

(KC) And of course we can’t wait. Speaking of great Norah Gaughan designs, can I ask you how you came up with the creative names for your patterns?

(NG) Patterns from Knitting nature were named for their inspirations, of course. At Berroco, we had a tradition of naming items with woman's names. As you can imagine it's getting difficult to think of new names so Margery and I search on the internet. For Norah Gaughan Vol. 1, I used Finnish baby names for one story and French baby names for the other. Some items in NG vol. 2 (just now being shipped to stores) are named after actions needed to make them - like flow, loop, ruffle & pleat. Some of these words are nouns too, and so have a bit of a double meaning.

(KC) Ah! Thanks! And I have to tell you that I can’t wait to see Norah Gaughan Volume 2! (Note to Rachel at my LYS, hold a copy for me and let me know when it comes in, okay?)

(KC) As I’ve told knitters over the past weeks that Norah Gaughan is going to be part of the holiday blog this year, the comment I get each and every time is "THE Norah Gaughan????" That has to make you smile! So, what is the secret behind becoming THE Norah Gaughan? How did it happen that you are the quintessential knitter?

(NG) Geez, I do so like being THE Norah Gaughan, but the quintessential knitter part is going over the top! I can't stand the thought of not getting better at what I do. So I keep trying to get better - if there's a secret, that's it. (It helped to have the quintessential big brother who told me I'd never be as smart as he is. Thank you, Brian! XXX)

(KC) In my mind that is the mark of a really great knitter, the desire to keep getting better. Very well put.

(KC) I’ve heard a lot of knitters love the star from the Berroco website and your blog. Rachel asks if there is a trick to making it sit up on the top of the tree??

(NG) About the star - we manipulated our artificial tree to hold the star. I was thinking of under-stuffing the center, and pushing the last point it into the center forming an indentation. I think I'd want to stuff it fully after Christmas though.

(KC) You’re right it would look great around the house……. Very sculptural.

(KC) Thanks so much Norah----- I sure do hope you get those boots!

I have enjoyed so much bringing you Knitting Contrisstmas this year! It’s been a pleasure. I hope you stay around to see what else might happen, it would be a pleasure and an honor to see you back.

Many Holiday Blessings, and wishes for a healthy, happy, knitterly 2008!

Hana and Prince (above) are singing a last Christmas Carol for you----- you can tell, they really enjoy it!
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Day 24: Christmas Eve Musings

Can I insert a bit of an edit right off the bat???? Somehow, inadvertently I used a cache copy of the interview with the wonderful Carrie Barraco from Socks and the City---- for which I apologize. It’s been corrected on the post from that day but I’d like to give you the correct copy here----- I’m so sorry Carrie!!!!

(KC) Not only are you an early shopper but also a gift knitter! Wow! What are you gifting?

(CB) Every year I do something for everyone, but really only the closest family and friends get projects, and they are small. I suppose I would do a big project if someone really wanted it, but really the holiday knitting is for me more than it is for them, so, small projects that feel good to me fit the bill. I also try to make them useful and they are truly appreciated. Just last month, my Dad brought out his Fuzzy Feet from last year to show my grandmother. My brother wore a hole in his Fuzzy Feet by March, so he got a pair of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs for his birthday in April. This years projects vary a bit. DH is getting the Felted Clogs, my best friend a crocheted shawl from Teva Durham (totally insane project--and a challenge, but a relatively quick challenge--more a mental crunch than a time crunch. I've already given my daughter her chunky (Colinette Point Five) hat and mittens, and a toque to her boyfriend. My brother's girlfriend is getting a Caloriemetry, and the big obsession has been felted mittens. I used the Charitable Crafters pattern for chunky weight (it's written for lopi, but I used a bunch of different yarns), and my Mom is getting a pair with Disco fun fur cuff, my Dad a simple stripe (ran out of the original yarn), and my brother is getting a flip-top adaptation (also with supplementary stripes).

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I have had a wonderful time bringing some notable knitters to the blog! I hope you’ll indulge me a bit as I wax on about many of the same things we’ve talked about during the 25 days of Knitting Contrisstmas.

One of the things I miss more than anything is Christmas with my Mom. She loved the holidays and I can see her little ceramic tree that always sat on the coffee table. It was one of those made in the 1960’s trees that lit up and played Silent Night. That girl could decorate I’m telling you, our house always did the straight up Christmas thing. From the time I was a very little girl to her last Christmas 7 years ago there was always a present (under the tree or in the box shipped to me) with an angel on it. It was the same angel actually; I always returned it to her. Little miss angel was sort of beat up looking towards the end, but that extended the magic. The angel was one of those with the body made of tissue paper honeycomb; you opened up the belly and used a clip to keep it open. 3 D, very fancy. Over the years, the little white clip was lost and I think the last 10 years or so it was replaced by a big old paper clip. The angel package always contained THE GIFT. Needless to say I opened it last. It was always something I wanted desperately, my Mom was the greatestwith those Mom Super Powers that knew just the perfect thing that would make a Christmas magical, and I miss her with all my soul. Like everyone in America who read “For One More Day” by Mitch Albom or who saw the movie I had to ask myself who in the world I’d want to spend one more day with, and what I’d do or say. Without question that person would be my Mom, there were so many things I’d like to take back, things I’d like to add, and things I know I could do so much better. But isn’t that how life goes? We don’t do all the things we should do when loved ones are alive---- and when they are gone and we can’t re-write history we wish we had done things differently. I would love to see the stats on how many people around the world would choose to spend another day with their mother, I bet that number is staggering.

I love the holidays although I have to say that now that the kids are all grown and on their own it has morphed a bit. I think it is more pure…. And that’s probably not the right word. Perhaps when you are a tad less busy with all of the inherent holiday details you can focus more on the spirit of the season. On people. On LOVE, because as I say all the time it is all about the love. I do miss the wild years………….. don’t get me wrong! Some of my very favorite Christmases past are those where I was so tired by the end of Christmas Day I could hardly swallow!

As all of my Blitters know, I am a holiday gift creator. This year my gifts are 100% hand knitted although in the past (and perhaps in the future) there might be a hand quilted gift, or something craftily created. For me, if I don’t have time to handcraft at least one gift the season is not complete. My first Christmas as a newlywed 35 years ago I made a counted cross stitch pillow for my Mom, it was 18 count Aida and a floral design of some sort. It was quite pretty and she kept it forever. I also made among those years a shawl for my (then) husband’s Mom---- it was made out of a length of a purchased knit and textured fabric and the edges were turned under twice and stitched by machine to secure them. It was, looking back, a pretty skanky gift. Made from the heart absolutely---- which is after all, the only thing that matters but perhaps, just perhaps it had something to do with why the marriage didn’t work? Nope, I don’t think so either!

This year was a hat-a-thon for sure and like most giftors, I can’t wait to hear how the giftees like them! Especially my son who is here after all and I will have the supreme pleasure of watching him open his hat (Swell from Knitty, the mirror image hat knit for my oldest grandson who is 10 this year). Daughter number one was gifted with a knitted ‘furry’ shrug, the ribbon cloche and vintage pin and scarf, all of the grandboys received a knitted hat, my youngest daughter and her boyfriend received hats as well. If you think for a moment that my daughter received the wee teenies from the handknit category, her choice this year was cash, cash, cash. Then there was the wonderful pillow with the re-purposed knitted envelope style flap for my birth mom. I think I got so much done by settling on small easily accomplished projects, starting at the end of October, and carrying my knitting with me everywhere---knitting in every available moment. (But of course I do that anyway!)

I’ve asked everyone else how they celebrate the holidays so it’s only fair to comment about mine. Really, the celebration has already been taking place! I firmly believe that to fully enjoy this season of love we have to be the love and spread the love. It is a celebration every time I go out, even something as daily as the grocery store. When we smile, and chat and generally be a good egg, we spread the holiday spirit and joy. Heck, in those terms we can celebrate 7/24/365. More close range, my partner’s Mom will arrive early on this afternoon of Christmas Eve and we’ll all gather with my Son and have a few delightful holiday cocktails and a baked brie and crackers while we putter in the kitchen a little. We’ll pop a turkey in the oven and when it comes out around 6 ish we might eat it……. Or we might save it for Christmas Day. Decidedly laid back, sort of a change up from the days of standing rib roast and Yorkshire pudding! I decided to cook early because my son is heading back to La Guardia at 5 on the 25^th so I didn’t want to waste my time with him being in the kitchen. We’ll take the turkey out of the oven and pick at it, or not---- and get dressed for church services. Arriving home late on Christmas Eve will put us all in the mood for eggnog and being together as a family before we head off to bed. Christmas Day will have us up drinking coffee, having juice and Christmas Eve Casserole and Orange Biscuits after we open gifts. The gift opening is pretty low key---- definitely not like it was when there are smaller children in the house. But the stockings will be hung and full and lots and lots of fun. Then about 1:00 my partner’s niece and her boyfriend, and one of the nephews will come by and we’ll have turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and dumplings. The dumplings are from the Mom in the house, created in her family tradition and delicious. She makes the ‘slimy’ kind not the fluffy kind and they are just wonderful. And the rest of the day we will play games, laugh and just love to be together. I am fully expecting and anticipating a wee nap when I get home from the airport tomorrow afternoon as well!

I have asked all of the great knitters featured during Knitting Contrisstmas what they do that is special, just for themselves during this busy time of the year. Almost everyone does a little something to keep up their energy and spirits and I’m no exception. As a Reiki Master, I try to give sessions because they are relaxing and restorative to me as well. I’m also a big fan of the mani-pedi, somehow when you get into the thick of the season it is so appreciated! Really, I think just sitting down to knit is about the best thing I (and probably all of us) can do for myself. It’s always good!

As far as anything special on my needles that is just for me------ I just finished that gorgeous Byzanz scarf, and the yummy Malabrigo hat that I’m sure we’ll fight over here at Casa KC. I am fighting with myself over what I want to cast on to do my jammie knitting starting the evening of the 25^th. I’ve yet to decide completely although I do have the yarn ready to go and it is down being between 3 patterns, all sweaters. Two a little more complex and the third a lovely stretch of simplicity.

My favorite question asked of those interviewed this month was what would be gifted with an open budget and if there was a more cost conscious gift to be given. And it is a hard question to answer because there are so many fabulous knitting related items out there! More than likely I’d give an Amy Butler bag filled with a sweaters’ worth of cashmere yarn. A few Lantern Moon needles, and some great accessories I made myself like the tape measure, etc. On a budget this year I gave knitty friends wreaths, and tucked in a pattern or a fun pair of needles or knitcessory and they were very well received. You know, the truth is that any gift assembled with thought and care is a winner!

When the holidays are over, for me ‘over’ is a relative term, what will I be doing? Easy. Leopard. Pajamas. I will cast on for whatever I have decided I will be knitting during the next week where I will laze about like a professional sloth doing whatever in the world I want to do and nothing I don’t. Under my lovely Christmas tree are knitting magazines I have not touched yet (even to crack the covers), two Nigella Lawson books and the new bio of Sandra Lee. I will read, I will nap, I will knit, I will relax. Doesn’t it sound lovely? And of course there is always some online shopping if I just can't quite venture out---- can you say The Loopy Ewe?????

I do not have a really favorite designer, I appreciate them all. However I do favor Norah Gaughan and her innovative and fresh designs and Norah herself will wrap up Knitting Contrisstmas with a huge bang tomorrow the 25^th. I love Cat Bordhi’s socks for their wildly creative approach--- not to mention the fact that she is such a great teacher. And to all of the designers out on Ravelry???? You guys rock, every one of you!

I’m a woman who loves to knit----- who has known for quite a long time that the act and art of knitting is that which serves to calm, inspire, energize, transport and serve. This art is one that we share with others--- isn’t that what it is all about? My son told me that he was amazed to see so many women knitting on the subway going into Manhattan every morning! He was shocked that not only were there a lot of knitters but that they were such young women. I of course tried not to read in (you know Mom, old like you!!!) and smile and say---- oh yes sir! We knitters are legion and we are everywhere!

Isn’t it great?

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, enjoy a wonderful Christmas Eve doing whatever it is that your family does to enjoy the season. Don’t miss Norah Gaughan tomorrow!

Day 23: Christmas Eve Casserole

Another recipe is just imperative----- truly. I would have to say that it is one of my longest running holiday traditions and something I make every Christmas Eve for Christmas morning brunch. Fabulous. And delicious! Don’t ask me why but I never make it any other time, which is pretty weird, but perhaps it just solidifies it as WHAT you eat on Christmas Day!

The first time I made this my youngest daughter was enjoying her first Christmas. She as the 'end of the road' child was super special on so many counts. First of all perhaps because she grew in my heart and not my body, she joined our family from Korea as this perfect, tiny, always squalling little person with a head full of thick black hair that stuck up all over her head like Don King. Every one of my noble attempts to slick her hair down, or put it in tiny barrettes fell short of the mark and her hair just did its’ own thing. She had (and has) the attitude to match so it was all good! I’d gone to one of the pricier grocery store in town, at that time in life it wasn’t the store that I did the majority of the family food shopping at but surely did enjoy popping in for specialty items and just to look at all of the goodies. They had, as many of the higher end stores still do, a tv show kitchen and a staff of home economists who created all manner of culinary delights. Christmas Eve casserole was such a dish but one they made for purchase and didn't necessarily give you the recipe for. This was a 'begged for' recipe. I remember making it that first Christmas Eve with my precious baby sleeping like an angel and knowing that the night would be a short one as the older siblings would have the house awake at o’dark’thirty to check and see what Santa brought them. Getting up the next morning I preheated the oven while coffee was brewing and I could slip away and put the casserole in the oven and know that when the gifts had been opened, brunch was ready. The kids have all asked for the recipe and make it for themselves on Christmas Day if they are not home for the holidays. Bless their hearts they always say it never tastes as good as when the family enjoyed it together. I agree with all my heart! We won't have full crew on board this Christmas Day but somehow it will taste great knowing that this delight will be enjoyed in two households on the U.S. mainland, each sending hugs over the miles and toasting each other with love and laughter.

Christmas Eve Casserole aka Jenny’s Eggs

• 6 cups (generally one large bag) frozen hash browns, thawed
• 3 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
• 2 cups milk
• 16 ounces bacon, fried crisp and crumbled
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 10 eggs, well beaten with the milk
• 2 packages of broccoli florets cooked and drained
• 1 package of fresh mushrooms, sliced (I use Baby Bellas)
• 2 packages of Knorr (or good quality) hollandaise sauce mix
• 3 teaspoons of lemon juice

In a greased or sprayed 13x9 pan layer the potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, bacon and cheese. Pour over the milk/egg mixture.

Bake, covered with foil for ½ hour in a 350 degree preheated oven

Uncover and bake for another 30-40 minutes

In the last ten minutes of cooking, prepare the packaged hollandaise sauce adding the lemon juice

Cut into squares and serve with the hollandaise sauce.

You can make this the night before, or the day of--- just adjust the cooking time a bit upward if preparing from a refrigerated cold state.

I’m telling you, this is just amazingly wonderfully ho ho ho good.

Of course, we serve this with Orange Biscuits and a variety of juices.

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A GREAT Saturday before Christmas was enjoyed at my house yesterday! My son and I sat and watched a movie (his choice) while I knitted a bit on my hat. It’s over halfway done and I think I must have had a brain freeze because somehow I had to get more yarn. The beauty of that plan was that a run into my LYS, Knitorious was in order. Thanks Rachel for reminding me about the big sale after Christmas. Not that I needed the reminder you know!

We all went out for the yarn expedition and did a bit of afternoon bummin’. Lunch was enjoyed at Fitz’s, St. Louis’ extraordinary stop for burgers and root beer right across from Blueberry Hill. My son bought his girlfriend a fabulous piece of jewelry (a necklace if you must know) from a gallery in the Loop. It was by a local artist and really and truly great, she will love it! I don't think Miss Thang reads the blog (yet, she's a somewhat new girlfriend) but just in case I won't give you a photo or more details. Then it was time to stop by Starbucks for my beloved Venti Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha. A last minute stop just before getting home took us to Gringo Jones and The Bug Store, local favorites for eclectic and really fun merchandise.

It’s Christmas Eve Eve Blitters! Finish up your loose ends (and maybe pick up the makings for Orange Biscuits and Christmas Eve Casserole while your out buying the necessities) so you are ready to relax and enjoy.

After all, the day will come whether you are ready or not so you might as well get ready to sink into the spirit of the season and smile.

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Oh----- the Gingerbread Martini? Seriously good. Getting back into the fitness groove is just going to deeply and profoundly suck.

Day 22: Stockings and Yet More Martini’s

It is December 22 but my guess is that you don't need me to tell you that!!

The downhill stretch is on us and I’m amused by knitting and crafting blogs everywhere that detail the frenetic activity of the season! Schedules made, schedules abandoned--- and some that have no schedules at all. I think I like those best! I am enjoying so much reading about fellow knitters who are knitting away madly at school concerts, in the car, on the bus---- and generally full of the season. It’s great and I send you all my best with fingers crossed for easy schedules and a weekend to finish projects for loved ones. Are you done? Will you be?

What to do when you forgot someone? Or need a filler? How about a stocking stuffer???? It quite frankly happens and laying in an emergency goodie or too is a spectacularly great idea. Personally, I think stocking gifts are the very best and I have more fun with them than anything. My Mom was the Queen of stockings! From her I learned not only that the stocking itself needed to look great and reflect the owner but that filling it was an art form. Mine always had certain things you could count on, those chocolate covered cherries that were filled with the sugary glop that ran out if you bit them, Andes mints, and always things that were so fun! Usually a magazine to read in pj’s when all of the Christmas mess had been cleared away, and silly things that made me laugh (then and now). Some of the things I’ve picked up for the 3 stockings I have to stuff this year range from handwarmers to hair scrunchies, disposable razors to gum and my favorite--- a pez dispenser for dogs. Seriously, how great is that???? I am insanely in love with last minute stocking stuffer shopping at Walgreens! It is the coolest place in the world to assemble an awesome collection of wonderful crap! Every year since my Mom has been gone I always buy myself that box of Cello chocolate covered cherries and eat like 5 of them in the car on the way home. Mom smiles every single time.

In case you’re in a jam----- or need a good backup (it happens)----- how about a little chart that can fit into a purse or notebook that a knitter can list what needles are owned???? I think I own five of them and they’re in different knitting bags and notebooks—but they have saved me more than once!

Print it out, laminate it maybe if you’re hard core. My favorite idea is to give it with a little certificate for what needles do you really need…………… my treat card. I gave a card like this to my niece last year and she wanted to know if a set of Denise’s counted. That’s my girl! (And no, they didn’t!) She chose a pair of lovely Lantern Moon needles, I believe they were rosewood. If nothing else I did teach my child about the quality things!

Some of my very favorite gifts are wonderful gift cards that offer things like breakfast, giving the dog a bath….. you know what I mean. I would personally love a card from my significant that said----- “you can sit and knit whenever you want and ignore anything in the whole wide world that is just pissing the boogers out of you by presenting this card. Really.” But you know what? That pretty much is my life, can I get an amen?

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It was a lovely day yesterday! What a treat to spend the day with my son just hanging out and talking. And laughing. And eating! We even made dinner together which was pretty great. (Coconut chicken, cauliflower gratin and a nice salad). You have to admit that it is nice during the holidays not to have to actually MAKE dessert with all of the sweet options hanging around the house! Bless that childs' heart, a young man shouldn’t have to hang out with his mother on a Friday night so he went out with some friends leaving me to knit. (Candy Cane Cocktail knitting!) On the subject of those minty cocktails, they are addictively good little suckers. I wouldn’t be partial to drinking a peppermint martini any other time of the year but baby--- you mix equal parts of vanilla rum, Godiva white chocolate and peppermint schnapps, rim that glass with some crushed mints and you have yourself a little Merry right in your glass! Cocktailin’ aside, the scarf from Artful Yarns ‘Broadway’ was finished and I absolutely love it. One of those yarns with enough mohair to be really interesting and the colors and segues were fabulous. The best part was the metallic flecks, not a gold or silver but the coolest sort of marbelly metallic glint. I absolutely love this! And mine. Ho Ho HO!

I had to seriously crop this photo. We’ve discussed before that I hate my neck worse than just about anything and if I won the lottery big or small I’d make a plastic surgeon my new best friend. Which makes me doubly love this scarf---- it hides a multitude of sins (i.e. my neck) and is cute to boot! I think I might have to knit one in every color in the rainbow. Hey---- you can wear cotton neck hiders (er, scarves) in the summer, right? Just in case that windfall doesn’t come anytime soon that is!

News from my oldest daughter------ a Wii will be under her tree for the grandboys! She's feeling smug and exhausted! Those toy people do such an excellent job of whipping the public up into a froth about one thing or another every year. The search for the Wii was even on The Today Show today, sheesh.

I’ve just cast on for yet another hat. I know, the hat a thon around here has just come to an end but I did need one for ME, so I happily cast on for another “unoriginal hat” in Malabrigo Aquarella, the colorway ‘tranqueras’. I'll get my very own hat done by Christmas (I hope) so that I'll be able to do---- well, something wonderful.

What makes me happiest? I think it is probably my first holiday season in recorded history (and perhaps beyond) where it is 3 days before Christmas and I’m done. And relaxing. Enjoying the season. It is a heckuva concept and I think I’ll have to try and replicate the feat in years to come. For now I’m practicing the days after Christmas when it’s jammie time.

Know what? I’m going to be really, REALLY good at it!

Day 21: Socks in the City

Day 21, it is hard to believe how fast the season is flying! I hope this Friday finds you full of joy and peace. "Virtuous" hit the nail right on the head in the last comment--- it is about celebrating the love, especially during this season that IS after all about love. Yes ma'am. Northland Community Church in Orlando Florida is still the place I call my home church although I have not lived there in quite a few years. I do receive their daily evotional and this week the focus has been on increasing your capacity for joy this season. I have to tell you, that really resonates with me. How to increase your CAPACITY for joy. That is such a rich thought, and there are so many ways that we can accomplish that, each in our own individual way.

On to the interview today...... which of course brings me joy! From the popular podcast “Socks in the City” (I just love that name, it makes me laugh everytime!) comes Carrie Barraco! This popular podcast hosts show notes, and Carrie also has an etsy shop. As a working woman, a wife, a mother and an avid knitter, I know you will enjoy getting to know her a bit better!

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(KC) Carrie, talk to me about the holiday season. With small children in the house I know it is busy and lots of fun!

(CB) Overall I really like the holiday season. We celebrate a lot of them—usually it begins with my birthday on Dec 18, and then my immediate family celebrates the Winter Solstice—usually that's on the 21^st, Christmas Eve with my father's side, Christmas Day with my mother's side and then we see my in-laws around New Year's. We live far away from our family and loved ones, but this is an opportunity to see everyone. It's fun now to show off Roman and how big he's getting, plus he's so social that he makes everyone happy. It also helps that I am an early gift shopper—not an all-year-round shopper, but finished by Thanksgiving.

(KC) I know that there are a lot of Blitters out there that still have a lot left on their lists so you can do the happy dance about being DONE! And by Thanksgiving? Good on ya!

(CB) If you had to choose just one wonderful gift that you received in the past year, what would you tell us?

(CB) My greatest gift of 2007? Well, there are really so many! This is the year I started the Socks in the City podcast, and that's been so wonderful to connect with all these sock knitters all over the world! Sometimes it's hard to keep up, but I'm planning on sticking to it. I also get so much from the kids I work with (I do Child-Centered Play Therapy with Elementary-aged children), and every session (well, nearly every one!) really is a gift. Plus, Roman is happy and healthy and social, DH got a new job that gives him more days off to be with us, Dad's helping us fix up the house...I could really go on and on...

(KC) I bet you are a holiday gift knitter, are you?

(CB) I am totally a holiday knitter!

(KC) Not only are you an early shopper but also a gift knitter! Wow! What are you gifting?

(CB) Every year I do something for everyone, but really only the closest family and friends get projects, and they are small. I suppose I would do a big project if someone really wanted it, but really the holiday knitting is for me more than it is for them, so, small projects that feel good to me fit the bill. I also try to make them useful and they are truly appreciated. Just last month, my Dad brought out his Fuzzy Feet from last year to show my grandmother. My brother wore a hole in his Fuzzy Feet by March, so he got a pair of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs for his birthday in April. This years projects vary a bit. DH is getting the Felted Clogs, my best friend a crocheted shawl from Teva Durham (totally insane project--and a challenge, but a relatively quick challenge--more a mental crunch than a time crunch. I've already given my daughter her chunky (Colinette Point Five) hat and mittens, and a toque to her boyfriend. My brother's girlfriend is getting a Caloriemetry, and the big obsession has been felted mittens. I used the Charitable Crafters pattern for chunky weight (it's written for lopi, but I used a bunch of different yarns), and my Mom is getting a pair with Disco fun fur cuff, my Dad a simple stripe (ran out of the original yarn), and my brother is getting a flip-top adaptation (also with supplementary stripes).

(KC) That is quite the extensive list!!! I think I’ll just slink off to my corner with my parade of hats!

(KC) It’s crunch time----- what ideas or tips do you have for knitters and crocheters who need a bit of help in the time management department??

(CB) My best tip for holiday knitting is to keep it small and bulky. Brian's hat will be in (stashed) Colinette Point Five, and all those mittens were written for Lopi. Sweaters are out of the question (at least without a lot of notice...), and socks are of course my love, but I only like knitting them for me... I hate to give them up! I use every available second. Waiting in line at the post office, red lights (don't tell anyone), DH drives everywhere so I can knit. I knit between clients, and on my breaks. I knit in the evenings and weekends. Basically, any time I can eek out is fair game. I might also recommend making a chart of what you need to do, and mini-deadlines along the way. That's how I got through grad school.

(KC) I do love an organized knitter! The knitting at red lights kind of scares me though! Ha!

(KC) Everyone knows that a favorite question for me to ask this season has been what your pick would be for a favorite knitter! Something splurgey and something with a smaller budget.

(CB) Ooooh! A very special knitting gift for a dear friend... It sort of depends on what kind of knitter they are. My first instinct is the Knit Picks Harmonies full set—and if cost is no object, then all the other sizes to round out the collection. Those are sooo pretty! I wouldn't think of one for myself, but for the right recipient, a Jordana Paige knitting bag. On a smaller budget, I would probably make a little sock knitting bag, tuck in a set of Knit Picks DPNs and dye up some sock yarn. Even if you bought everything new and did it up nicely, $5 for high-quality quilter's cotton fat quarters, $5 for needles, and under $10 for sock yarn blanks. And you could do it for less, too.

(KC) Fabulous ideas! I especially love the idea of the ‘smaller budget’ gift that you make yourself. That would be really great!

(KC) You know I can bend Santa’s ear for you…………… what would you like me to casually mention you’re looking for on Christmas Day?

(CB) Since you're such a close, personal friend of Santa, I might ask for, uh, the Harmonies set. Or maybe the DPN set. Or some hard-to-get indie sock yarn....Wollmeise! Oh, wait, I know! A ticket to Sea Socks '08. Yes, that's it ;)

(KC) All of those would be pretty great to receive, wouldn’t they? A trip to Sea Socks ’08? Yes indeedy!!!!!

(KC) Carrie, you have a lot of listeners to “Socks in the City”, many fans from all over the world---- that is pretty cool, yes? You have a nice ranking on the iTunes listing!

(CB) Thank you so much for your kind words and it is a little stunning to me to think of having “fans!” It makes me think of back in grad school—5 years ago I was finishing and one of the exercises I lead in Career Counseling was to visualize yourself in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, etc. to elicit a vision for one's future. I'm not sure which “year” it was at, but I want to be on Oprah—sometimes it feels like that!

(KC) What gave you the push to start “Socks in the City”?

(CB) What made me start? DH had bought a podcasting kit to start his own—it had a mike, a mixer, software, etc. Since he already had the stuff and knew how to use it, and I was listening to every podcast I could, and I was really getting into socks (thanks, L&V!!), and mentioned it a few times. I had the concept to focus on sock knitting, since it's a niche that no one was doing in a dedicated way, but as we know lots of knitters are passionate about their socks. We settled on a name, and bought service from Libsyn, I thought up a few shows and the rest is history. It can be hard to keep up momentum and a flow from show to show. I try to take it easy, and keep it casual and fun. If I polished it up and made it all pretty and fancy, I wouldn't get to do it, or at least far less often. Really, all people's comments and emails keep me motivated, and I really like to reply to everyone, but Blogger doesn't let me know how to find you , so that stinks.

(KC) I agree! I do wish that Blogger had better commenting!

(CB) And, I don't think I would keep up with it if it weren't for people listening. I really don't trust Libsyn's stats, but as of today there have been over 50,000 downloads! It averages around 2500-3000 per show by the time it's been up awhile. That's insane! We are a bunch of obsessed people, don't you think? All this, and the show is always a good excuse, I mean, reason to buy sock yarn.

(KC) A lot of fans, I told you! Yes, we are obsessed people, and not just sock knitters—although I do think they march to their own drummer! I think today’s knitter are super obsessed! We know what we like, we know how to find just the perfect thing and we know how that thing should be priced!

(KC) You know I have to ask, and I’m sure that everyone wants to know, are you exclusively a sock knitter?

(CB) I do knit things other than socks! I probably knit sweaters most often (I just got the Fleece Artist Garter Stitch Jacket kit—I HAD TO HAVE IT after the Yarn Harlot blogged about it), but also hats. I also did a bunch of dishcloths when Mason-Dixon Knitting came out, several scarves and toys. I really like a very quick project for that easy satisfaction. What was it that I just did? Now I can't even remember....it was that quick.

(KC) I’m laughing, you know we can all appreciate forgetting! AND that wonderful thing that happens when we read about a great project on a blog or hear about it on a podcast. The “that knitter has it and I want it now” thing!

(KC) One of my favorite things about your podcast is that you do such a great job of critiquing sock yarn, and different patterns, designers and projects. Do you have any one that is a favorite? I know that is a terribly unfair question!

(CB) Choosing a favorite yarn or designer is of course impossible. As far as yarns, I really love the ones that have unique “stamp” on them—where you KNOW who dyed it. Rachel at Dyeabolical is like this, the Wollmeise, Pigeon Roof Studios, Sundara, Twisted Fiber Arts, Brooke at White Willow. As I write this, I really CAN'T choose a favorite, but these are certainly ones I admire. I could add another hundred; I really could. Pattern designers-- I love Norah Gaughan and wish she'd do some socks. Cat Bordhi without question, and Cookie A.

(KC) Great list! And y’know………….. Norah is wrapping up Knitting Contrisstmas!!!!!! J

(KC) Are you a knitter who cooks? Any fave recipes that are so standout that you would like to pass them along?

(CB) I have two recipes to share—one is just a tip that my Mom's famous apple pie is actually straight from the checked Betty Crocker cookbook.

(CB) The second is my memory of a beloved cranberry sauce. Put equal parts fresh cranberries and sugar together in a pan and cook down until it's a nice consistency. You could also add some cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or whatever you like. Before serving, stir in brandy. It originally came from Emeril, but I can't find it anymore.

(KC) Now I’m hungry!

(KC) I’d love to pass along any special greetings to your fans old and new Carrie, do you have any?

(CB) I think if I were to send out holiday greetings to everyone it would be in the form of a traditional Irish blessing:

May the stash rise to meet you,
May the sweater be always at your back,
May the wool feel warm upon your feet,
The rains fall soft upon your sheep and,
Until we meet again,
May the Knitting Gods hold you in the palms of Their hands.

(CB) At least, I think it went like that.... ;)

(KC) When everything has been opened, your friends and family are nicely tucked into their knitted finery and the holidays are over— what’s up for Carrie?

(CB) When the holidays are over, what will I be doing? Sitting on the couch knitting of course!

(KC) Get Knittin’ girl! And thanks a lot for a great interview. I look forward to many more episodes of “Socks in the City”!

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My partner arrived yesterday afternoon just before we walked out the door to collect my son---- with a cup of peppermint mocha espresso from Park Avenue Coffee AND a pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. Divine. Gooey Butter Cake is a St. Louis EVENT----- and heck, no calories there. It is completely fabulous. I can feel my butt getting larger just thinking about it---- ack! The very best news of all is that they mail order these incredible babies all over the world! If Oprah is allowed to have Favorite Things, lambchop this is one of mine! Dale and his crew have them in 64 flavors-----SIXTY FOUR FLAVORS of Gooey Butter Cake------wow. Pop right over there and have Dale send you one too, you'll thank me-- really you will. Tell Dale that I said you simply had to!

From Wikipedia (how did we live without Wikipedia anyway?) comes their definition of GBC, "Gooey Butter Cake is a type of cake traditionally made in the U.S. city of St. Louis, MO, with a bottom layer of a buttery yellow cake and a top layer of either egg, and cream, or butter and sugar. It is generally served as a type of coffee cake and not as a dessert cake."

Actually, GBC is an anytime cake and it makes a fine dessert cake! I have to leave you with a recipe, it is that good and dammit I have to get fat alone!!!! This recipe for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake (which can’t possibly be as good as mine from Park Avenue Coffee but there you have it) makes you just want to go make it. So do. Please. Or order one from Dale at Park Avenue, just get to one!

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Variations: For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

*Recipe from Paula Deen (who does seem quite adept with butter!)

Off the topic of food, at least momentarily---- and definitely about love--- my son is home and it is great to have him here! The dogs adore having someone elses' lap to sit on! He did bring bagels from NYC and I'm off to make coffee and enjoy one!

Day 20: Holiday Love Challenge

For all of the many things that the holidays are (and they are many because we are all different and bring our own customs and traditions) what it is is love. Love that is spiritual, love that is familial, love that is marital, love that just IS.

Today I’m celebrating the LOVE and I invite you to join me. A challenge of sorts! I’m taking out an hour of my day (give or take)---- time my friends, time--- and I’m calling three people I have loved and lost. For me it is lost touch with. A friend that I went to college with and have not spoken to in years and years, my Mom’s best friend in Florida (I haven’t talked to her since my Mom’s funeral), and lastly my Pastor when I lived in New Jersey, moons ago. Time is what we value so dearly during this busy season, and people that have meant much to us will value our time, our thoughts and our love. It is going to be really great!!!! I hope you will make some calls too and celebrate the love. If everyone took the challenge and reached out to three people, we'd make a big impact today. And you know what? It warms our heart too!

I finished my last big project at the studio today, right down to the last detail. (WOO HOO!) Not that there won’t be something from the work column every day (as there always is) but I have to say that my leopard jammies are much, much closer! When I shoveled my desk off, the grocery store called my name and what a blessing the cashier was just a doll and a half! $350.00 later, I came home to unload. We will not discuss how much of that was alcohol. (thanks!)

Another batch of those pretzel/kiss/M&M delights was made (we call them Belly Buttons) and another tray of the easy Ritz snowflake cookies. And, so there will be cocktailin’ tonight when my son arrives, there is a batch of Crabmeat Canapes in the freezer. Delightful indeed.

Knitting? Mmmmmmmm, well, I’ve thought about it but that is pretty much where it lies. I finished wrapping after dinner dishes were done instead. A very few rows happened on the scarf, and even a few were bliss -- I know you understand completely! I went to finish the buttons on the Pocketbook Slippers and completely struck out! I used those “Create a Button” mesh blanks. With a tapestry needle you go in and out of the plastic mesh button top and before you know it, poof, it’s a button. Well, all of my needles that would carry the yarn had eyes that were too fat to go all the way through the mesh---- ack! How frustrating! So you know what? The slippers will not get buttons, so there. During my time of irritation I test drove (someone has to!) a Candy Cane Cocktail. It was really, really good. I only had one, in case you’re counting!

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Can we talk gift tags???? I love gift tags almost as much as I love the gift itself! There are some great tags available but the handmade kind is always the best. This year I’m printing my own using the commercially available muslin backed with stiff paper for the printer. (You can pick it up in a package with about 4 sheets in it, I even saw it at my local Kinko's.) Or make your own to run through the printer by cutting out sheets of muslin and ironing them to waxed paper but it is a trickier process that has the potential to muss up your printer, I take the safe route and purchase my sheets. My collection of antique holiday images, postcards and cards over the years has served me well. I have them all stored on the computer as .jpg's. The image is chosen, sized, and a bit of PhotoShop magic is applied, and they can be grouped to save paper and then run through the printer. Once they are printed and dry for a bit, I give mine a good ironing to set the ink. Layer the muslin with a plain sheet of white paper on the front and back to protect the iron and ironing board cover. Then, I can add a backing with a layer of fusible web and a layer of felt. You can also print to cardstock and cut out with those foofy scissors. Then again, if you are a crafty sort you can take the printed tags and just embellish them to your hearts content. Just punch a hole and hang with pretty coordinating yarn.

My tag fetish started about 10 years ago when my best friend and I would exchange a Christmas gift each year. There were rules y’know. Gifts must be handmade, they need not be expensive, and they don’t have to be practical--- fanciful is fun too! Most importantly is that they have to be wrapped really pretty and there has to be a cool gift tag, also handmade. Over the years the tags grew more elaborate, sometimes artistic, sometimes funky, always wonderful! My collection of beloved gift tags disappeared in the divorce, we won't go there it makes me cranky and that is just not fitting to the season! I love to give (and receive-- dare I say it) at least one gift each year that is wrapped in a way you wouldn’t for ‘ordinary’ giving. You know what I mean….. kids don’t appreciate it, much of your family wouldn’t really get into a package that is wrapped over the top.

It is the 20th day of Knitting Contrisstmas and I am gifting a few of my gift tag designs. Use them as you like----- be creative and promise me that you use at least one of them for a very special and wonderfully creative gift! Or step out and create something uniquely yours!

If you would like to use them as the starting point for your own lovely gift tags, right click on the images and use the 'save as' option to save to your computer.

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My son arrives in a few hours………… I’m smiling very big! I'll be smiling bigger when the house is clean, there are dustbunnies the size of cats I fear. I've been less than diligent with all of the other things going on around here and I do so love a nice clean house. When Mr. Manhattan comes home he always stops en route to the airport for real live New York bagels. (That sounded like one of those salsa commercials didn't it.... New York City!!!! Ha!) I bought extra cream cheese yesterday in preparation, yum. He's a great kid, and so tall and skinny you wonder how he came from this body! The only problem is that he is a dead ringer for his dad............ I try not to hold that against him! :)

Thanks to those of you who have added me as a friend on Ravelry! How fun is that???? I love it!

Tomorrow on Day 21 is an interview you won’t want to miss!

Day 19: Still Considering Food

Wasn’t the interview with Jenny and Nicole from Stash and Burn yesterday great? I loved being able to hear them, and of course they’re funny. Very funny. Thanks again ladies, it was wonderful! All of the S&B fans thought that they'd taken their holiday break so of course it was really fantastic to have them back for a podcast---- just for us! I have more really great interviews planned until the 25 Days of Knitting Contrisstmas are over.

I’m on the downhill slide of work that makes me crazy------ and entering into a season that has the possibility of being more relaxed! Okay, okay---- I've made it an effort to remain calm and cheery up to this point but still! Personally, I think it is the lure of those after Christmas days that promise to be amazingly peaceful. The last deliveries were made today (I think) and definitely the last time I made a Fed Ex run. I was there twice yesterday, I should be on payroll. I’ve decided that January, which is known as bridal show season will be a walk in the park. Meeting with herds of brides and talking until my lips melt off will actually be kind of a nice reprieve from the holiday season in a photo studio!

That means that I can see full time jammies from here!

I have to add that our last bride’s Mom picked up her wedding proofs yesterday morning at the studio and brought me chocolate! Not, mind you, just any chocolate but a big white beautiful adorned with a gold bow box of Lindt Truffles…. The assortment. Please do not tell a single soul that I have already eaten five of them. FIVE! And I haven’t been on the treadmill or elliptical in a week, the shame of it all. (But they were SOOOOOO good!) I’ll tuck one or two into the knitty baskets going out this weekend, it is my only defense I think.

Before I get to the jammie point there is a bit of menu planning and cocktail planning before a morning spent grocery shopping. Not fun, but necessary. I have decided that libations will be all out and tons of fun! The Food Network Stars special had some Sandra Lee cocktails that are on the agenda, the Gingerbread Martini’s, the Candy Cane Cocktail, and the very festive (and blue with a coconut rim) Frosty Cocktail. I’ll be stopping by the liquor store and loading up. I absolutely adore h’ors d’oeuvres and cocktails, who needs dinner when you’ve enjoyed a good happy hour anyway? It is something I never indulge (okay, rarely) during the year outside of the holidays so in honor of my son in the house (who is quite of legal age) I’m planning some great munchies. My favorite recipe is super easy and when I make it, everyone asks for the recipe and can’t believe the ingredients. This is what I'm planning---- we have a few toddies and some lovely little canapes and nibbles and who really needs big elaborate meals????

Crabmeat Canapes

1 package of English muffins (I like Bays for this recipe)
1 jar of Old English cheese
1 stick of butter (yes, one stick) VERY soft
garlic salt--- I use a teaspoon but I like garlic
2 cans of crabmeat

• Open the crabmeat, drain and pick it over well so there is no shell
• In a medium bowl, beat up the cheese you have wedged out of the jar, and the butter. It should be nicely mixed up with no cheese or butter lumps
• Add in the crabmeat and stir to combine
• Split the English Muffins and cut into quarters
• Top each quarter of the muffin with a good tablespoon of the crabmeat mixture, spread to the edge--- but you still want a nice little mound of crabmeat
• Pop the completed muffins into the freezer in a single layer until they are frozen hard
• That step is important---- really it is!
• When they have frozen you can prepare them or you can put them into a freezer bag for later use
• Pre-heat broiler
• On a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed lightly with cooking spray, place the muffin triangles topped with crab
• Place the canapés under the broiler and watch carefully
• You want them to be nicely browned but not overly brown.
• Place on a pretty tray with some nice holiday napkins and enjoy
  

Another great favorite for a party or family gathering is Sweet and Hot Pecans. something munchy and crunchy and spicy and sweet. And hard to stop eating, that is the problem!

Sweet and Hot Pecans

2 cups of shelled whole pecans
½ stick of butter, melted
½ cup of light brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. cayenne

• Mix the all of the ingredients except the pecans. Taste a pinch to see if you would like it hotter. It gets a bit hotter when it is baked!
  
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
• Toss the pecans in the butter and coat well
• Add the sugar mixture and give it a good mix up
• On a baking sheet covered with foil and sprayed with cooking spray, arrange the nuts in a single layer
• Bake for about 8 minutes and give a turn----- bake for another 2-3 minutes
• Watch carefully, you don’t want the sugar to burn
• Let cool
• Place in a pretty bowl and munch away
  

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No knitting happened yesterday, anything serious anyway. I did manage a few rows of the diagonal ‘Broadway’ scarf, it is turning out so pretty! I'm liking this season of I'M DONE instead of the rushed and cranky knitknitknit thing! Instead I worked on the grocery list so I can get that done and over with, ran errands to pick up the last of the ordered gifts (a sewing machine was the request of my very spoiled partner’s Mom--- shhhhh don’t tell her!) and when I finally got home from work and grilled cheese and tomato soup was about all I could muster up---- I watched the finale of Biggest Loser and read a little bit of the holiday Debbie Macomber book, Christmas Wishes. It is pure and simple mindless reading, and sometimes this time of year that is okay! CW was an early Christmas gift from my daughter along with some bubble bath---- both sound delightful right about now! Being domestically responsible does have to have a payoff somewhere along the line, don't you think?

I’m finishing up some gift tags for my knitterly friends----- instructions to come. Super easy and they do make you look like you did the big ole’ fuss over.

On the knitting front I have still been wandering around with Norah Gaughan Vol. I in my hand. I love everything in there and because I can't twitch my nose like Samantha in Bewitched and magically have everything in there, or knit 12 items at once with lightning speed I think I have to choose. And I can't. Manon is so great----- it is still the front runner but it isn't like there is anything easily crossed off the list. Well except for the fabulous skirt made of lacy hexagonal shapes. Not that I don't love it but I think my tush needs to be a bit tidier first. Decisions, decisions. This is all your fault Norah!

While I'm stocking the pantry, and getting a couple of studio projects off my desk I'll be hoping that the Blitters get a lot accomplished today and are feeling as merry and bright as the law allows!

Day 18: A Wonderful Holiday Surprise

I’ll start of by saying that I did buy jammies today! Two pair, a flannel gown in red with little black terrier dogs and snowflakes, cozy and cute. Definitely not street wear, I wouldn't parade around with pups on my clothes after all. I'm actually wearing them right this very minute, trying them out to see if they are appropriately wallowy. I know, I know, the thought of a woman in red flannel doggie jammies tells you right off the bat that I am just HOT! :) The second pair---- oh honey the second pair. They say very loud and clear, get the bloody heck away from me because I’m being lazy and doing whatever I doggone well please, there is no serious work happening here! They say it in stronger language but why give my Mom a hissy eh? Even if the doorbell should ring (with my order from Webs, the new Melissa Morgan-Oakes book, “Two At A Time Socks” my mailman will know---- leave this woman alone! There will be no cooking, no cleaning no nothin’!!!!!!!!!! My seriously off-the-clock-relaxing jammies are LEOPARD!!!!!!!!! FLANNEL LEOPARD. They’re fab. I love all things leopard, my addiction started about 5 years ago, heck I made leopard lampshades for the chandelier in the dining room!

Secondly, I had a nice time doing a little shopping today. I do find as always that shopping is seriously overrated. (Unless you are in a yarn shop but that's different!) I did manage to pick up a couple things but mostly the afternoon was a leisurely stroll through the mall with no agenda. Except jammies. I walked by Abercrombie and Fitch and saw a fantastic sweater in the front of the store and had to see it up close. It was brown and cream and knit on a huge fat, very soft yarn…….. a bit of color work and a pocket in the front. The hang tag said hand knit and it was almost $400.00. Four Hundred Dollars, are you KIDDING me? Probably knit by someone who got paid .50 cents for her work. Yeeesh. Clearly, my nephew who loves all things Abercrombie needs to be one heckuva lot nicer to me!!!!!

Prince thanks you all for your kind emails regarding his poor paw! He’s on the mend and seemingly back to his old self. The bandage is off and he’s getting around beautifully. Now he will have to find something else to be able to beg for extra treats and attention!

I’ve cast on for a little scarf, a one skeiner from the Artful Yarns ‘Broadway’. Just a simple little diagonal scarf but fun and NOT holiday gift knitting, woo hoo! I'm still weighing options for the coming big wallow knit. You know. The knitting to be done wearing my leopard jammies. While ordering pizza and eating the cookie and candy remnants. With no makeup on (but that kinda' goes without saying, yes?)

And tucked away in a location so secret I refuse to tell myself until December 26th are new knitting magazines------------- ah!!!!!!!!!!

If you’re on Ravelry---- add me to your friends, that would be great! Don’t look at my stuff, I confess to being a real slacker when it comes to adding projects, yarns or the like. Sorry about that! I’m (what else) Knitting Contessa.

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Now, onto todays’ Knitting Contrisstmas Interview! It is a HOLIDAY SURPRISE!

I love a surprise---- and this is a good one, I promise!!!

The interview is a clickable one----- more than print Blitters (Knitting Blog Readers)---- it is more!!!!!! I'm not telling you right now because, well, that would ruin the surprise and I'm all about the Big Buildup!

To claim your Holiday Surprise:

CLICK HERE

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See you tomorrow! Get Knittin'!