2012 Summer Sweater Knit Along.

Setting the scene:  me, standing in front of my wall unit that houses my stash, drawers open, glass doors flung wide, just staring.  (for a long, long time)...  

oldest:  Uh, mom.  Whatcha doing?

me:  Thinking.

oldest:  'bout what?

me:  What to knit.

oldest:  For who?

me:  Well, that's part of the thinking, see.

oldest:  And the wall's gonna tell you?

me:  No, silly.  The walls can't talk.  I'm listening to the yarn.

Because yessiree...it's here!  The second Summer Sweater Knitalong hosted by the lovely Shannon, aka, Luvinthemommyhood.  

I have such affection for this KAL.  It's hard to believe it was only a year ago that I discovered the group on Ravelry and set about knitting my Narragansett.  Since then, I've met and connected with so many wonderful knitters--I truly love my virtual knitting friends and enjoy being a moderator for the group.

I had always read Shannon's blog but it wasn't until I fell for knitting and she began her KALs that we "met"--and I feel so lucky to be a part of the community.  If you're a knitter, hope you're joining the fun, too.  Sign ups and information can be found in this post and in the Ravelry group here. See you there!

Sandra

p.s.  I have three (three!) projects planned for the KAL.  I'm starting with a linen shrug that should be a great knit to take to the beach next week, followed by a lovely pullover, and finally, I hope to at least start a long overdue sweater for Charlie.  I'll post pattern detes and yarn pictures asap.

Summer bag.

 

My knitting guru, Jenn, knit the cutest bag last summer.  Yup, last summer. She planned to line it but wasn't sure she could/would, so I happily offered. She handed it over at the end of the summer with some cute fabric.  She also tucked in a skein of Shelter as payment--which she shouldn't have.  No really.  She shouldn't have...read on!

Because then fall and winter came along and there was "no rush" as it's such a seasonal bag.  But I finally got it lined in spring.  But then!  Then a whole bunch of strange scheduling snafus prevented a handoff of her bag.  And suddenly (well, it felt like suddenly) it was summer and she was still without her bag.  I think she might have suspected some ownership via possession was afoot.

But we finally met up at an impromptu knit night and I am happy to report, the bag is with its creator.  Lined--with pockets and a key fob--and everything.  

Enjoy Jenn!

Sandra 

Salsa staple.

Since I discovered it, I have made this salsa nonstop.  Here is a weekly vignette on my countertop.

I like this salsa far better than any ready-made jar version I've tried, even though it starts with canned tomatoes--which, by the way, is another reason I love it.  Sure, if we're having company or headed out, I will make my signature salsa and plan for the chopping.  And more chopping.  But this one?  This one comes together in no time in the blender with ingredients I always have on hand.  And it can sit in a huge vat in the fridge for up to two weeks--though I'm guessing on that as it has never lasted past a week.  Yes, we like our salsa.  This one especially.  

Restaurant Style Salsa, via The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice 
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies) (*I use one can mild, one can normal*)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Onion
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin (*usually omit*)
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!) (*usually 3/4 to a full cup*)
• 1/2 whole lime (juiced)

Preparation Instructions

As the Pioneer Woman notes, this makes a huge batch*.  I put mine in my Blendtec blender but she recommends using a 12-cup food processor.

Blend ingredients until you get the consistency you'd like---we like this particular salsa pretty smooth.  Add additional seasonings to taste.

Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour.  Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.

Enjoy!

Sandra

*it makes so much, we often send over a jar to some fellow foodie neighbors (pssst, Harriet, this is what we send over when we're feeling share-sy). 

Summer snacking prep work.

The other weekend I thought I'd get ahead of the game and bake several loaves of banana bread and put them up in the freezer.  As summer officially starts next week, I thought this would put me in good shape to have something on hand for snacking.

Problem is, I haven't baked banana bread in a while.  The boys went nuts, eating an entire loaf in an afternoon.  And then they inhaled the second loaf the next day.  I didn't tell them where I hid the third.

I was left with merely an end slice (which was delish with my morning cuppa).

I went with the Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze again.  I can't believe this but I need to head to the store to buy ripe bananas for baking this week--I've also alerted the non baking neighbors to drop off any black bananas (yes, I totally do that).  I figure I have a fighting chance to stock the freezer if I do the baking while they are out of the house.  I have new recipes to try--both banana based and not--and will report back.  And maybe, just maybe, I'll write down and capture the chocolate chip cookie recipe we've finally deemed our "keeper"...it's only taken me 2.5 years to decide.  I am so fickle.

Sandra

Memorial Day, 2012.

Oh, the annual water fight.  As usual, I took a ton of shots while trying to stay dry.  I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves for once (flashback to 2011 and 2010).

But first, I should back up a bit and toss out a reminder that our neighbor's son declared war on our boys three years ago at the Memorial Day cookout.  It's important to note that our neighbor's son is fully grown.  With a job.  And discretionary income he happily spends on fancy shmancy squirt guns each year.  In contrast, our poor boys are usually stuck with last year's broken bits because their momma has yet to make it to the store to replenish the armory.

But not this year!  This year Santa brought all new water guns.  And we started early in the day preparing water balloons.  

We also called in some additional troops.  I think everyone had fun. 

 Even the dads, in the end, could not resist getting into the action.  

The kids pulled off another victory.   

And I've rarely seen Max happier.

It's a great way to welcome summer.

Sandra

p.s.  We had a special guest that weekend.  My dearest, sweetest friend who got me running and is an organizational whiz.  Miss you Hallie!  You will be so proud to see how I'm continuing to tackle some spaces...