Knitting the Blues and California Oranges

Miles and miles of gorgeous silky blue.  That's the best way to describe my new Caer Idris  scarf which is the second installment of the Ysolda 2015 shawl club.  This time it's all about the color and silky yarn that was specially dyed for Ysolda and it couldn't have been a more perfect choice for an early spring accessory.

The fiber artist Caerthan (of Triskelion Yarn and Fiber) who dyed the yarn for Ysolda has this to say about the color:

The late dusk sky was the inspiration for the colorway.  Idris was a legendary Welsh astronomer and giant, famous for watching the stars from his "chair" at Cader Idris.  The idea of a Welsh Kenning for the dusk sky caught my mutt (Welsh/Anglo/Saxon) imagination, hence "caer Idris" which means the fortress of Idris in Welsh.

I have no idea who or what he's talking about but I can tell you that this is one of the most beautiful yarns I've ever had the pleasure to knit with.

While I knit this scarf exactly as written I deviated dramatically is one small but important way. Instead of giving the finished knit a heavy block to create a superlatively long "wrap" I chose instead to not block it at all.  This created a scarf which I felt would be a more wearable accessory for me than the 120 inch wrap with large triangular shapes that a heavy blocking would create.  It's still voluptuously long at 81 inches but has what I would describe as a serpentine shape with soft curves undulating along one edge.  It's decidedly a scarf and not a wrap and the texture is amazing, so soft and warm and silky. And so while it makes a beautiful spring accessory I'm really looking forward to wearing this next winter wrapped around my neck multiple times for a cozy pop of color and warmth.

It's hard to see in these pictures because I did not give it a heavy block, but in person this pattern has a wonderful texture and design and *bonus* it's reversible which is a huge plus with any scarf.

Particulars:  Caer Idris, designed by Ysolda as part of her 2015 Shawl Club (this pattern - as all the club patterns - will be available for general purchase one year from date of club release); Triskelion Yarns and Fiber, Branwen 4-ply yarn (50% silk / 50% extra find Falklands Merino) exclusive dyed colorway Caer Idris; US 4 and US 5 needles.  I used the US 4 needles just for the first couple of inches at each end to provide a little more density but otherwise used US 5 needles.  I washed but did not block this scarf, i.e,. I laid it flat to dry.  Finished dimensions 81" in length.  This pattern is much easier and enjoyable to knit if you are comfortable "reading" your stitches and if you are unfamiliar with "reading" your stitches I provide some tips on my Ravelry project page.   If you want to see the first installment of Ysolda's 2015 shawl club it's blogged as Stac Shoaigh.

My Dad and his Oranges

My dad is a wonderful role model for his character and discipline but also for his healthy lifestyle. At age 86 he is a picture of health and he's pretty sure it has to do, in part, with his daily intake of the orange juice and since that's an easy healthy habit to incorporate I thought I would share it.  My dad uses his own homegrown oranges that produce the sweetest and juiciest oranges on this planet but if you are like me and don't have your own tree then you must make do with buying oranges.  Although, as his daughter, I am often shipped boxes of his oranges or given bags to take home with me when I visit. Thank you Dad!  Incidentally I used his oranges in the pictures below.

But do you squeeze or juice, that is the question.  My dad is a squeezer but I believe juicing is a better method because when you peel an orange for juicing you can leave on the white pith and that gives the juice a nice creamy flavor. Whereas my dad prefers to squeeze because he loves all the pulp that you get from squeezing.  Or there is always the option of simply standing over the sink and eating it by the slice as juice runs down your face and hands which is probably my favorite way of eating an orange.  

As I mentioned above my dad's oranges are the sweetest, juiciest and most delicious oranges you will ever eat which is the result of his loving attention and the perfect orange growing conditions of Southern California.  The only problem is that his oranges have begun disappearing.  It began gradually years ago and at first he suspected raccoons, which made my mother and I roar with laughter.  We asked each other if we had ever seen a racoon carrying an orange? Or could it be they brought a basket with them for transport?  Or maybe they rolled them down the road like bowling balls?  No, we laughed, we were sure it wasn't raccoons, but then again we didn't have an explanation for it either.  As it turns out the neighborhood children and hikers walking up the street have discovered his delicious oranges and collectively they are picking his tree bare.  An unfortunate dilemma.  I rather wish it had been raccoons.

Until next time be well and love well and make healthy choices!  Next time you are asked to bring something to a picnic consider bringing a healthy choice such as a platter of sliced oranges instead of a bag of chips.

Mara Madelintosh Shawl and Orange Muffins Recipe

Some things need to be seen in person to be appreciated and so it was with me and the Mara Shawl. When this shawl first came out several years ago I saw the pictures and thought it was a nice shawl but not anything I was too excited about knitting.  But this summer when I saw it in person at the Ball and Skein, a yarn shop in Sebastopol, California, I fell in love and had to make one myself.

I'm old school in the sense that I like to add one or two key wardrobe pieces each season to update my look and yet classic enough to be enjoyed in years to come.  This fall I chose the Mara Shawl and Frye riding boots (I'm wearing the boots in the picture above).  I actually just realized that had Simcha posed in the picture above as well we would have looked likeLittle Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. No matter, I'm still thrilled with the outfit.

I knit this shawl to be larger than the original design consistent with the sample I saw in the yarn shop.  I think the additional length makes it a more practical and wearable garment and transforms the look of the shawl into a cape changing the design in a way that I really like.  While I have knit a lot of the smaller lightweight shawls that are fun to make and wear I think you also need a few of these larger shawls for warmth on cold blustery days too.

Particulars: Mara by Amy Hendrix (free pattern); US 7 needles; 4 skeins Madelinetosh Tosh DK (multi-strand), colorway Steam Age; I finished with 40 gm left, i.e. I used 60% of my 4th skein); finished blocked dimensions: 58" x 27" (4" ruffle total).  I used 31" circular needles and was hard pressed to get all the stitches on after starting the ruffle (which doubles the stitch count).  N.B.  The pattern only calls for 3 skeins so if you want a larger shawl you need to purchase one extra skein.

N.B. If you need more convincing that this shawl is for you, just head over to Renee Knit's Too and look at her gorgeous Mara shawl!

N.B.  The Frye boots are true to size.  I wear a size 7 in tennis shoes and that's the right size for these boots.  The style I'm wearing are the Phillip Riding Boot in dark brown.  I recommend before wearing to treat them with Fiebring's Water Protector (Amazon link) and use a brown shoe polish and always wipe them down after wearing.  These boots are expensive but with good care will look good and last.


Orange Muffins Recipe

Keeping with a Little Red Riding Hood theme what better way to welcome visitors this fall than with a basket of delicious homemade muffins!  These muffins are wonderful, reliable, and delicious.  I found the recipe many years ago in an old Harrod's cooking book that my mother had laying about.

They really are exceptionally nice homemade muffins and they remind me of the time I visited my sister when she was in college living in San Diego, California.  San Diego is a great restaurant town and in the area where she lived there were a lot of fun restaurants that catered to the students.  I remember we went out to breakfast at a place where along with your breakfast they served a basket of delicious warm muffins and it seemed such an over the top treat.  I thought it was the height of indulgence to begin the day with a wonderful breakfast complete with coffee and muffins with the rest of the day and our lives lazily awaiting us.  We left there to spend the day at Sea World.  It's a particularly happy memory.

Orange Muffin Ingredients:

1 cup butter - room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup golden (light colored raisins)
grated rind of 2 oranges
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups sifted all purpose flour

Orange Topping Ingredients:
Juice of 2 oranges
1 cup light brown sugar
* I typically use only half this amount (i.e. 1 orange and 1/2 cup brown sugar) it's a matter of personal preference.

Steps:
1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees;
2.  Prepare muffin tins - this batter makes enough for 12 cupcake sized muffins
3.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs 1 at a time beating well after each addition.
4.  Dissolve the soda in the buttermilk.
5.  Alternately add the flour and buttermilk mixture in at least 3 portions mixing well after each addition.  Begin and end with the flour. Mix well but don't beat the batter while incorporating the flour and buttermilk.
6.  Stir in the orange rind and the raisins.
7.  Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 25 minutes or until cooked through.
8.  While muffins are baking combine the orange topping ingredients.  Stir until sugar dissolves.
9.  Remove muffins from the oven and immediately poke holes in the muffin tops and pour orange topping over slowing to allow maximum absorption.   Turn muffins out onto a wire rack. Serve warm.

Enjoy with a friend!


Until next time be well and love well.  And whomsoever should arrive thorough the woods at your doorstep this holiday season be sure to offer them warm homemade muffins.  They'll be happy you did.

The Fleur Wrap and Marmalade Tea Cake

I have to admit that fancy occasions are always a little awkward for me because I don't enjoy getting dressed up and never know what to wear.  Luckily for me I've discovered that wearing a fancy wrap is an easy way to be warm and comfortable and yet appear suitably festive.  And for warmth and wow there is nothing that compares to a mohair lace shawl and, for that type of shawl, I love Heirloom Knitting designs.

The shawl I am wearing is The Fleur Wrap from Heirloom Knitting and the dress was chosen for me by Steve.  That's right, Steve.  He will look through the dress racks to pick just the right one.  And he will periodically announce that we need to have a night on the town.  Really?  Must we??  I do resist an evening out.  I'm a homebody and prefer relaxing at home in a pair of jeans with a glass of wine.  But society and relationships require some conformity and how can I resist when he chooses the dress and makes all the arrangements.  And, truthfully, I always enjoy an evening out.

I also think this shawl is versatile enough to be worn in a less dressy way.   I just haven't figured out how yet.

Particulars:  The Fleur Wrap by Heirloom Knitting (designed by Sharon Miller); 3 skeins Colinette Parisienne; US 8 circular needles.  This was an enjoyable knit and I'm very happy with the finished wrap.   My only modification was to substitute Colinette's Parisienne for Rowan's Kidsilk Haze.  Other Sharon Miller designs that I've Knit are the Birch Shawl; Dove Shawl; and the Cora Shawl (a Shetland hap shawl).


Marmalade Tea Cake ~

To be considered a tea cake I think the cake needs to have more substance than the typical American fluffy white cake that I associate with a birthday cake.  Almost a European cake style.  I love this Marmalade cake because it has the heavier texture while still being lighter than, say, a fruitcake.  This cake is a favorite of mine and a staple with my afternoon tea.  It is wonderful served with a black tea (I prefer Taylors of Harrogate's Yorkshire Gold) and I hope you enjoy it.

Marmalade Tea Cake (recipe adapted from The Baking Book):

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 Cup + 2 Tablespoons extra fine white sugar
3 extra large eggs
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, scant (i.e. scant = 2 and 3/8ths teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon salt, scant
7 tablespoons Seville orange marmalade, gently warmed (check to see that Seville oranges were used on the label.  Regular oranges make too sweet a marmalade for this cake).  I use a marmalade made by James Keiller & Son's, Dundee, sold by Trader Joe's.
2 tablespoons whole milk.

ICING:
1 Cup confectioner sugar, sifted
2 Tablespoons whole milk

Steps:
1.  Butter and flour (or use parchment paper to line) an 8 inch round cake pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
3.  Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together.  Gently fold flour mixture into the butter mixture using a wooden spoon.  When thoroughly combined add half the warmed marmalade (approximately 3 1/2 tablespoons) and add both tablespoons of milk to the batter and fold to combine.
4.  Pour batter into cake pan and level with a knife.  Bake cake approximately 45-50 minutes or until a cake tester comes away clean.
5.  Turn cake out onto a wire rack and while still warm brush with the remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons warm marmalade.  I like to place a sheet of wax paper beneath the cake to catch any marmalade that drips off.  Allow to cool completely.
6.  Prepare icing by whisking the confectioners sugar with the milk.  I like to pour this mixture into a small plastic bag (i.e. a sandwich baggie) and cut away a small corner of the bag to drizzle the icing over the cake.  Allow  icing to set, about 1 hour.

This cake would be delightful enjoyed in the afternoon at a tea party wearing, say, a lovely shawl.

Until next time, be well and love well and enjoy the occasions in life that take you out of your normal routine whether that is seeing a live show, enjoying a fancy dinner out, or listening to jazz music in a club.  You might find that you enjoy it more than you expect.

My Colonial Scarf

I love the Colonial period of United State's history. It was a time of great hardship but also a time of extraordinary events for our country. I also related to the puritan philosophy of that time and the simplicity of ideas and values. Or so it seems until you look closely. I suppose every generation faces their own troubles and political difficulties.



In any event, this simple scarf reminds me of Colonial America and I couldn't resist knitting it in time for Thanksgiving.


My interest in the colonial period was recently reinvigorated when I watched a couple of videos about that period. If you are interested in this period, you might also enjoy watching them. One was John Adams (an HBO miniseries) and other was a movie The Crossing about George Washington's surprise attack over the icy Delaware with the future of our country in the balance. Both were very strong men who knew a thing or two about facing opposition and difficult odds.

A blogging friend, Tracy of Pink Purl recently featured this post reviewing the book My Dearest Friend, Abigail and John Adams, which is a closer view of this extraordinary couple.

Particulars: Cinnamon Grace (free scarf pattern courtesy of Knitworks by Katie Harris); 3.5 skeins Blue Sky Alpacas - Melange; US 3 needles - circular 40 inch; modifications: none. The pattern states this should be 72 inches long. Mine is a 46 inch crescent shape. I washed but did not stretch or block this as I think some of the flounce might be lost if you do that. Or, perhaps mine turned out so much shorter than 72 inches cuz I was doing something wrong. Who knows. I am happy with the length, in any event.



Sorry for this short and rather disjunct post. I'm tired and feel as though I have worked a thousand hours these past few weeks. Wanted you to see my home office (in the upper corner of the above picture) where I unravel complex accounting frauds. I'm afraid I'm not very tidy, but I know where everything is. I'm currently in the middle of a large case that is in full swing with pretrial filings and discovery work.

But, since the holidays are coming whether we are ready or not, here's a nice recipe (picture from last year) that is a favorite of mine.

Holiday Salad Recipe ~ Mixed Greens with Oranges, Cranberries and Pecans

Keeping with a colonial theme, this is a rustic but tasty salad that compliments the flavors of the Fall harvest. It's a great dish to take along when meeting knitting friends for lunch or a large gathering of family. I mix the dressing ahead of time along with the pecans and then just pour it over the green salad just before serving. I hope that you will enjoy this salad as much as I do!


Ingredients:

6 Servings:

1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons orange juice
6 Tablespoons dried cranberries
3 1/2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon grated orange peel
6 cups mixed baby greens
3 oranges peeled and white pith removed, segmented
3/4 cup pecans, toasted

Directions:

1. Bring 1 cup orange juice to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Mix in dried cranberries. Let stand until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain well and discard soaking juice.

2. Toast pecans for approximately 10 minutes in a low oven. Set aside to cool.

2. Whisk oil, vinegar, orange peal and remaining 3 Tablespoons orange juice in small bowl to blend. Mix in cranberries. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper (can be prepared 1 day ahead). Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

3. Place greens in large bowl. Toss with 2/3 of dressing. Add the orange and pecans. Serve remaining dressing on the side.

Mr Puffy Update



Busy yes. But not too busy to buy Mr Puffy a pumpkin. He continues to do well and be cheerful, bless his little heart. Until next time, be well love well and celebrate togetherness this holiday season!

It's a Vintage Thing

I've just returned from a couple of fun days visiting my parents in Santa Barbara where we shared lots of laughs and cups of tea and even a roaring afternoon fire to chase away the chilly afternoon weather!

Fortunately, despite the coolness to the air the days were sunny and perfect for picture taking!


This is my Mom wearing her newly finished vintage cardigan. She used Rowan Classic Cashsoft and has nothing but good things to say about this yarn and, considering the number of froggings (i..e. unraveling and starting over) I must say, I too, was impressed with how well this yarn held up. Bearing in mind the multiple albeit minor frogging episodes it should come as no surprise that I can not tell you the name of this pattern as, apparently, my mother felt it was not well written and has thrown it away....

I also took this opportunity to snap a few pictures of the Coromandel Capelet that I gave to my Mom. It is a pattern written by Mel Clark who used to own a LYS in Santa Monica, CA (the same Mel Clark who wrote Knit2Together a pattern book from which I have knit several patterns including the Rowena Cardigan ravelry link and the felted House Slippers ravelry link both of which I am very happy with).

For the Capelet I used Jaeger Extra Fine Merino which is now discontinued, much to my disappointment. If you find any on the clearance shelves snap it up! This pattern was designed for Rowan Wool Cotton (US 5 needles/5 skeins) and I think might actually be nicer in that yarn using a bright shade with a tie closure - similar to the store sample that sold me on the pattern to begin with. As an aside, that's one reason I really enjoy visiting a knitting store as often I find that the store samples are so cute I have to knit them for myself!

Notice the copious quantities of oranges in the background. My Dad grows the most juicy and sweet oranges in the whole wide world and I came home with a whole sack full!

But so much for vintage - my mother is ready for a something easier to follow more modern. She has settled on this Sirdar pattern which I think is a good choice. So, sitting amidst her 12 balls of Debbie Bliss DK yarn she is happily starting on another sweater. I'm sure it will look beautiful on her.