We moved on Octover 29th, there, was a hurricane, there was complete chaos at work, then there was a gala.
I knit a shawl for the gala:
I have to say, after the series of events, I don't think I was a charming conversationalist for the actual event, but I showed up, I drank, ate, and applauded in the appropriate places, and there it is.
Then I bought a Moroccan cookbook and decided to make non-instant couscous. Who knew that a couscoussier was a real thing? I'll give you a clue: Not Me. So I made one with a pasta pot and cheese cloth.
And this:
Turned into this:
And if you're inclined, I have to say it was the best couscous I've ever had outside of a Morrocan restaurant. It wasn't hard, exactly, it was complex and it took about 2 hours, but I assume it would be less work each time I did it. So, I'll probably do it again, and make much, much less. Much less. Next - Tangines!
Then I used my gorgeous new kitchen
to make yeast rolls (seriously, yum, why had I never tried these before?)
And I learned that my new oven cooks extremely unevenly. Eh. What're you gonna do? I'll have to adjust. My pecan pie was almost burnt on top and not quite done in the middle. (but it tasted fine!)
We stayed home for Thanksgiving and spent the weekend doing things around the house. I have a love/hate relationship with Lowes at this point...but I cooked us the whole Thanksgiving meal, I couldn't NOT do it and the leftovers more than made it worth it.
Pixie enjoys the new house quite a lot - she loves the windows.
And I love that she has something to watch all day.
While I was in the madness, I started a blanket for the new living room, I used a square shawl pattern, Manzanita, I used Palette yarn double stranded.
I knit and knit and knit and knit in circles for a month, this was a lifesaver. I couldn't possibly have done anything more complicated, and the color changes gave me motivation to keep going when i might otherwise have stopped.
And I am very pleased with the finished product. In fact, I might just have to make another one for another room.
Very poor lighting in here first thing in the morning, but it matches the green on a pair of chairs (my new living room, btw), and the blues and browns match the other colors in the room nicely...and it is soooo cozy and warm.
There it is, the last 4 weeks of my life. It's been a whirlwind. I have some gloves to show you too, and I am casting on a beret to match later this evening...and hopefully this is the end of the 1/month blog posts. I really am going to try very hard to do at least one a week going forward - maybe I should do a resolution, except I never do resolutions because if you're going to make a change you should just make it. So, there it is. I'm going to try to make a change.
Whew! What a month!
And... what a stunningly beautiful shawl, delicious looking rolls and pie (Pecan is my fav!), and lovely blanket/throw!
Posted by: KathleenC | December 02, 2012 at 08:43 PM
Both FO's are really lovely...great knitting!
I have the same problem with pecan pie. Haven't decided whether to brave one for Christmas or not.
Posted by: Barbara Seiver | December 03, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Beautiful shawl and afghan. Isn't it the best feeling to walk into a kitchen you love. Every time I walk into mine I think "WOW! I get to cook here"
Posted by: Connie | December 03, 2012 at 12:25 PM
I forgot to ask, what's the pattern for the shawl or did you design it yourself?
Posted by: Connie | December 03, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Oh, I truly sympathize with months like that. I am glad that you survived - and even survived while looking so beautiful! I very much also like the blanket - does the yarn do that color changing itself, and did holding two strands together affect that?
Posted by: Jocelyn | December 05, 2012 at 07:31 PM
I hope things are settling for you and you're off to the start of a wonderf holiday season! The shawl and blanket are both gorgeous! And all the cooking...I'm so hungry now. :-) The new house looks quite amazing. Hope you're relationship with Lowes is improving. I find them to be much better than one of our smaller local specialty stores. Prices can't be beat and surprisingly enough, the quality seems to be better as well. Totally worth the hour drive.
Posted by: Kerry | December 09, 2012 at 10:01 AM