Of Bread and Knives

I think it's already established that as a modern career-oriented young woman of the late twentieth century I was a, well, not a failure, but not a die-hard, either.  I modeled myself more after my great-grandmothers than I did the roles being touted.  I loved and still do, all things home, knitting, quilting, baking, big pots of soup, and so on.  

This morning as I was cutting my latest loaf of bread, I pondered.  I wondered how many loaves I've sliced over the years. I made my first bread when we were newlyweds.  I made bread off and on for a number of years, but then Dan gifted me with a Kitchenaid mixer about 1980 and I began to make all our bread. I did this until I got a bread machine and used it to continue.  So, lots of loaves of bread.  

When we emptied out my parents' house, there weren't many things I said I wanted, but there was one thing I was adamant about: my dad's bread knife.  No one fought me over it; I think they knew I was serious. Dad had taken over most of the cooking years before and making bread was one thing he really got into.  He did it using a bread machine.  Dad was a true lover of gadgets--and a sharp knife.  

I used it this morning. Whenever I use his knife, I can see my dad's hand so plainly, holding it, slicing.  ♥

Algebra Rules!!

I grew up in the '50's and '60's--you know, back in the last century.  It was a new time for girls and for the first time in history (or so they told us), women could be any thing they wanted to be.  I was a pretty good student, and so it was assumed I would go forth and do Great Things.  I could become an engineer and design new things, I could learn to fly! Oh, the list was long and impressive.  No more careers in nursing or teaching for the new women.  So I took math classes.  Algebra I and II, geometry, and "advanced math", a would-be trigonometry class. And then . . . I became a teacher.  

All those math classes (and more in college), what need did an elementary teacher have of them?  Well, I do use geometry in my quilting.  And just this week, algebra came in very handy.  How you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.

I loved the doll hat pictured in my last post so much that I immediately set about to make another. (And I really wanted to try out a pom pom maker.)  I found some left over lilac yarn and churned one out in short order.  But now my doll needed a sweater to match!  I had downloaded a simple cardigan pattern from the Norwegian lady and liked the looks of it, but it called for finer yarn than I had.  What to do?  Then I remembered that a blogger I follow who knits had recently mentioned that any pattern could be knit in any yarn.  Hmmm... She also suggested that a knitter knit a test swatch with recommended yarn and needles to be sure it comes out true to size.  (Here is where I confess I have never done this. Apparently I like to live dangerously, at least in my knitting.) 

After a brief pondering, I choose a needle size and picked up my yarn and knit a swatch.  I knew from the pattern directions that 30 stitches was supposed to equal 4 inches.  My swatch came out five and a quarter. Algebra to the rescue:  5.25x=4, x=4/5.25, x=.76. Yes! All I had to do was multiply all the stitch numbers in the pattern by .76 and I was ready to go.  Did it work?

Why yes, it did!!  It fits little Amalia like a glove!  And that pom pom?  Perfection!

Who says we'll never use algebra in our regular lives? Not me!!  ♥

Snow, A Finish, and New Little Gadgets

It's four days later and winter has indeed arrived . . . and stayed.  We've had at least a foot and a half of snow, alog with wind, and cold temperatures.  As I type, the wind is howling and I'm thankful to be indoors, dressed in a cozy fleece top, jeans, and warm slippers. Ah, the life of a retiree!  

I finished the doll outfit and I'm so happy with how it turned out.  The directions were easy to follow and it was actually fun to do.  My American Girl doll, Samantha, is happily wearing it and is glad to be so cozy and warm in this weather.  

The kit came from Mary Maxim and I also ordered the black pants, top and boots because I really wanted those boots! They make the outfit.

I followed the directions in the pattern to make the pom poms at the ends of the scarf and for the top of the hat and they turned out okay, but not very full.  I'd like to make at least the hat again, and if I do, I want a better pom pom since it'll probably be a stand alone piece, so I googled pom pom makers and found one made by Clover with great ratings.  I ordered yesterday and the UPS man dropped it at my front door this morning.  

A set of four, making different sizes, wasn't that much more than ordering one singly, so I went with the set. There are lots of videos on YouTube showing how to use these, so I'm looking forward to trying them out soon.  ♥

Snow!!

Wow!  Winter has arrived!  As I type (I'm old school, I don't think I'll ever use the term key-boarding), Dan is out on the 4-wheeler plowing at least 8" of the white stuff.  It's been coming down heavily as he's plowed so I'm sure it's continuing to pile up.  As this storm winds down sometime later today, another is slated to arrive tomorrow, followed by much colder temperatures.  

Plowed and already turning white again. . .

Brrrr. . .

As I sit warmly inside, I've found this to be perfect knitting weather.  I'm currently working on a doll sweater set for my American Girl doll.  I've finished the front and back, and am alternating between the sleeves (almost done) and the scarf.  With this weather, the doll is in need of some warmth.  :-)

Oh, and I need to show another potholder.  I found the snowman fabric and matching snowflake design in my stash.  I had no idea it was there, but then I remembered back and realized I'd bought them to make a table runner.  Well, potholders seemed to be a better idea.  I was only able to make three because of the amount of the snowman cut, but they turned out so cute!  I gave two away, and still have this one.

The red/white stripe was just the perfect choice for the bias tape and was leftover from a pillowcase project from last year.  I love puttering in my sewing room and knitting in my living room! ♥

Anniversary Time

Today is our forty-eighth anniversary!  How can that possibly be?  And yet, it's true.  And about at this same time--four o'clock in the afternoon, only it was a Sunday.  

I got a text this morning from Bruder Bear offering congratulations which caused me to remember how he'd gotten his hair cut (it was 1972 remember, and his hair was over his ears) without any asking from me.  What a brother--both for the haircut and remembering the date and the year!  

We're going out to eat tonight, probably not any place fancy, because that's just not us, but it will be a celebration.  

It appears that we were a wee bit younger back then! 

♥♥

Settling In

January is upon us and it's time to settle in for a time of coziness.  Never mind that all our Christmas things are still up, and will be for a while.  They bring a smile to my face and the tree lights brighten the long evenings. Everything will have to come down sooner or later, but for now . . .

We woke up to about four inches of snow this morning and it continued to come swirling down for some hours. When we looked out the windows, it was as if we were looking at a snow globe.  So beautiful!  Strangely, I have been totally energized all day and have a list of accomplishments that I'm quite proud of including two bright and shining bathrooms, a pot of stew simmering in the oven, fresh bread to accompany the stew, sale pork vacuum sealed and in the freezer, and now I'm working on a blog post!  Must have been the snow!  

We had a lovely Christmas that stretched over almost a week.  First up was a trip to niece Kirsten and husband Tim's house on Christmas day to celebrate with them, Bruder Bear and Karen, and nephew JR, wife Mariah, and their little guy, Bennett, who arrived in July.  We feasted, opened a few presents, and visited and visited.  We stayed over at the nearby hotel and rejoined the gang the next morning for another day of relaxing.  And eating.  

JR, Mariah and little Bennett

Taylor with her new toy puppy

After a busy weekend for Ann and family, we were able to celebrate with them on Monday night at our "off holiday" (they hosted Eric's family) "Pizza and Present Extravaganza."  After consuming two giant pizzas from Papa Murphy's, we retired to the living room and commenced to open presents.  Piles of wrapping paper later, we surveyed our booty and declared everyone well satisfied.  

New Year's Day we trekked to Tina's for her annual Italian New Year open house.  I don't know how many years we've been attending, but it's always such fun and filled with amazing food.  I don't even pretend to cook authentic Italian food, so I made a family favorite of wheat thins filled with peanut butter and dipped in melted white chocolate bark.  Yum!! I even decorated with a small tasteful tap of red and green sprinkles.  :-)

And Friday night we, along with a few other couples, enjoyed an evening of visiting and more treats at the home of some longtime friends.  So much laughter!!  

And so, you see, hermit that I am, I'm ready to settle in to January.  Cozy food, some crafting, some knitting, some quilting.  I'm ready!!  ♥