Likely Story

FO's and WIPs

Good Morning!  I have made some progress here in the last few days.  FOs first!  I have rescued a lovely sweater from its stained, Good Will existence.  It now has a new life and new career in my closet, with the help of some left over Brown Sheep (I stiched on the flowery things to hide the sweater's sordid past).
See?  Pretty!  Not bad for 3 dollars.

Speaking of closets, have I mentioned Project New Year?  The first rule of Project New Year is we don't talk about Project New Year, but I invented Project New Year so I am breaking the first rule.  We are going through every ounce of all of our crap and donating, purging, repurposing, recycling and out right throwing away everything we don't need.  Yesterday was Phase 1, Bedroom Closets (ours and the spare rooms).  I am pleased to report Phase 1 a success.  Notice, cedar planks for clothes to rest on, new hooks on the wall (off screen) and new closet shelves, installed by me:

Finally, a WIP that is actually progressing, Tree Jacket!  I only have about 6 more inches to go on the body then it's time for the sleeves and then fini!  I like the way it's turning out so far, but I don't know if my gauge went ka-blooey or what, but I went from knitting myself a Large down to an Extra Small.  I prefer a snug sweater, but there is no way on this earth or in any other dimension I should ever be wearing an Extra Small.  Ever.  Even with heavy plastic and reconstructive surgery.  Not even if I have my torso removed.  Really.  But, whatever, it fits.  And now we're all caught up.

And To All A Good Night!

Santa was good to us this year!  No knitting projects - THANK GOD - I have enough of my own!  But plenty of cookbooks, dvds and an amazing quilting kit!  We ate a cruelty free holiday dinner consisting of a lentil/potato loaf, roasted carrots and parsnips, cauliflower gratin, port wine cranberry sauce and a massive yorkshire pudding!  No pictures of the dinner, but here's some pictures of the loot!  Now that the holidays have passed, I can FINALLY start knitting for myself - I have the complete Twin Peaks to see me through!!  Progress pics to come!

Betta Band

So, our across the street neighbors had to move out of state this week.  As I was checking my mailbox, she shouted across the street at me, "Do you want any fish?"  I like fish, steamed, broiled, grilled, fried - you name it.  Fish is tasty.  However, I had just eaten lunch so I replied, "No thanks."  She then said she might just put them in the pond out back. 

Obviously, we're not talking fried grouper sandwiches here. 

Apparently, she was moving in 1 hour and forgot she had two betta fish she had bought her young children a few months ago.  Rather then she these poor fish travel 12 hours in a plastic soda cup or have to fight for their lives in a tilapia stocked pond, I said, "Sure, bring them over."

So after a change of habitat (they were in plastic bowls) and a change of name (they were named Annika and Noodle), I now present you with Moss (blue) and Roy (red).  See It Crowd for name explanation ( and because it's the best tv show ever).  See pictures below for pretty fishies. 

Pre-Holiday Updates

Well, I have been frantically trying to finish one final present for someone who I am 99.7% sure does not read this.  In case they do, I only have this to say:  "Hey!  Look at the insane thing I made you!  Ain't it purty?"  Otherwise, this thing, this craft, this monstrosity snowballed from a simple idea into a project that was a bit over my head.  But I faked it 'til I made it and this is the result of my labor:

It doesn't look like much, but I promise you it is 5 feet of blood, sweat and tears in addition to multiple pin pricks.

On a MUCH happier note, my friend Rachael sent me a lovely xmas present that I opened early and it is BEAUTIFUL!  The pattern for Hanami, the beads, the teeniest crochet hook in the known universe, some delicious yarn - Buttercream by Yarn Chef, and one of her famous, homemade project bags!

Now, if only the presents I ordered her 3 weeks ago would hurry up and bloody well get here!  Grrr!  I haven't forgotten you Rachael, Baby!  There's something lovely coming for you!

Holiday Baking pt. 1

Double Ginger Gingersnaps (with crystallized ginger bits):

and a veritable TON of Bea's Rumballs (there are at least 4 layers in that container):

Fuerst Pueckler Torte

Well, here it is, your last, belated Saturday Torte.

The Fuerst Pueckler Torte:

This delicious little beauty is composed mostly of flavored whip cream (my favorite).  It begins with a thin layer of chocolate sponge cake.  A small, centered dome of pineapple whip cream is centered on the layer, then covered with raspberry whip cream and finally chocolate whip cream, sculpted into a perfect dome.  Then, we pour warm dark chocolate ganache over the whole thing and decorate it with whip cream and candied cherries.  So festive and so delicious! Enjoy!  Here's an interior shot of one we cut open: