Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Smoky Mountain Morning Mist


I finished another lace shawl!!

They take so long to knit, that this is always a red letter day!
I took this photo while it was blocking.

I used my old fabric cutting board to block it on, and I loved being able to use its grid to make sure things were nice and straight.

I thought I was going to get some fancy blocking boards last year for Christmas, but they didn’t have a grid printed on them.  And then I read a blog that suggested using a regular fabric cutting board.  Well, I already had one of those from 2 or 3 lifetimes ago, when I used to do Stretch and Sew.  J

Since you blot the knitted piece in towels first, it really isn’t too wet for the cardboard.  I was surprised.  And happy.

And I think I will buy some more T-pins.  I found myself wanting to use a ton of them!

Anyway, this piece was knitted with Alpaca Sox yarn by Classic Elite Yarns in a lovely tonal grape color.  It was very nice to knit with.  And although I usually use laceweight yarn for my lace, I really enjoyed knitting this in a sockweight this time.

The scarf is knit from bottom to top, and has 2 edgings built into the pattern, which is a very cool design.

The pattern is “Smoky Mountain Morning Mist Scarf”, which I bought on Etsy.  The shop is called “Lavender Hill Knits”.   Here’s a link:  Lavender Hill Knits

And I enjoyed knitting it so much that after I finished this scarf, I cast on with a gorgeous turquoise mohair laceweight yarn to knit another scarf with the same pattern! 


It will be fun to see what changing only the yarn does to the pattern.

Go forth and knit!

XOXO,
Lucky Dog



Friday, April 18, 2014

Recipe -- Pecan Pie Squares



Here is the recipe for Mr. Man's favorite treat.

They're easy and yummy,
so you get a lot of bang for your buck.


PECAN PIE SQUARES

Cover a 10x15 jelly roll pan (something with sides)
with graham crackers
.   (24 sq.)

Ingredients for mixture:

1 c. dark brown sugar
2 sticks real butter

1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place dark brown sugar & butter in a 3 qt. saucepan. 
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Boil exactly 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and add vanilla and stir.
(It kinda erupts at this point--don't freak out.)

Pour mixture over the graham crackers.
Sprinkle pecans on top.

Bake for 10 minutes. 
Let cool on cooling rack.
Break into squares and store in airtight container.

(Sometimes I make this with my graham cracker crust recipe instead of the g. crackers, and it is so decadent!  I use an 8x8 pan, and have to cook the crust and the dish a bit longer (because it’s all thicker), but oh my!)   

Enjoy!

XOXO,
Lucky Dog



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Lunar Eclipse Photos




I took these photos with my iPhone
held up to Mr. Man's telescope.

"Afocal", I think he called it.

Another memorable celestial event!
Good times.

XOXO,
Lucky Dog




Friday, April 11, 2014

Funny Kitty



Mr. Man took the best photo
of the kitten last night.

It reminded me of how often
I see this little kitty with his arms outstretched.


Sometimes it's both arms...


A lot of the time it's only one paw.

(We joke that he lost the other one somewhere.)


It looks very uncomfortable to me.
The elbow is really out there.

But it must not be for him.


Even as a kitten, looking back on my photos,
he did this.


He's so funny.
And cute, and cuddly, and crazy....

But I don't know what's going on with those arms.
J

XOXO,
Lucky Dog






Tuesday, April 8, 2014