Domestic

This was a busy day - Staples, Costco, massage. In between Costco and the massage I spent :45 mins portioning and vacuum sealing all the meat that I bought at Costco. 

Since I was a kid, I’ve always had at least one freezer (and the tiny one above the fridge doesn’t count). It’s a great way to take advantage of sales, put down veg/fruit for the off season, save leftovers and prep meals. It’s a frugal necessity. 

When I moved out on my own after The Separation, I bought a food saver since I couldn’t possibly use the meat before it was freezer burnt beyond usefulness. 

For the life of me, I don’t know why I didn’t buy one sooner!! Costco should offer these up as a membership incentive. 

I saved $10 on $80 worth of meat and that represents 16 meals worth of meat, each meal with leftovers. Knowing that the meat will be good for months and that I’m

not wasting the savings has paid for the machine multiple times over. After 7 (8?) years, it’s still realiable. The little accessory that seals special bags no longer works, but it was a nice-to-have extra, not essential to the machine itself. 

I normally buy boneless skinless chicken breasts  I know, not super economical, but my fave. Costco had thighs on sale so I changed up my go-to. I took the skins off to freeze them and I remembered that the chefs on Masterchef Australia often crisped them up and it was a bit of a treat. So I did a Google after my massage and came up with this recipe. 

O. M. G. So delish!!!

I have gotten more done on my sock - no 2^nd sock syndrome here!!
Yes, that’s my comfort pile beside where I sit. lol I like to have my projects to hand; it just makes me more calm to be close to all my favourite things. 

I’ve only had one day off, but it’s felt like two even though I’ve been busy. Days like these are truly gifts. 

Mama needs a new pair of socks

I’m blocking out my Throwback before I continue. Best to find out now if it’s a giant swatch - lol. 

I know about the magic of blocking, but I’m still impressed at how much it improves a wip!! This is looking so excellent - I have impressed myself with the spincycle dream state colours that I picked!! (Shades of Earth, Robin’s Egg, and Melancholia) Maybe it’s just how they line up from where I started them from the balls, but they contrast and complement each other nicely. The light blue of the woolstok is more challenging to capture, but it’s a perfect foil for the more intense colouring in the patterning. 

It’s just finishing up drying, so I’ve managed to get the 1^st Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock socks done and started on the 2^nd.

My go-to sock needles - 2.5mm Signature Needles - are showing some wear. 

No noticeable impact on feel or function, but you can certainly tell that they are my faves!! 

I have also cast on for my go-to baby gift for Jenny’s next child. 
While I am generally more of a natural fibre lover, I have to give props to Bernat Blanket for being a fantastic yarn for (baby) blankets. It just wears and washes so well, great colour range, and I just enjoy knitting with it. 

A small step

It’s been a busy week at work, but I have managed to make some small progress on my most recent WIP. 

I am pleased with my mod on Throwback  especially since it saved me the grief of knitting, then *gasp* purling back with three colours. The last increase round is a bit bubbly on the surface; I’m hoping that blocking will sort that out. 

I’ve just separated for the armholes and I’m on the nice relaxing stockinette straightaway - maybe I’ll work on that after this posts. 

I finished knitting the heel flap, then realized that I hadn’t changed to the contrasting heel colour. D’oh!! So after ripping that back, I’ve made so visible progress on my Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock socks from Turtlepurl. 

Or maybe I’ll work on these ... 

I had a lovely visit with my grand babies this afternoon. Mina’s little Entrechat for her perfectly, and the colour is so complementary. She is so close to making her first steps; there was a camera in her almost every time she was standing. These children make me feel so much love. 

Or maybe Amin’s blanket that I have promised for his birthday in 2 months. 

Or, or, or ... I really do need to finish a thing or two! But you know as well as I do that I’m just not happy enough unless I have too much to do! 

Truncated

I had my St John Ambulance refresher course today to renew my certification today. It was informative - there are always minor changes to the procedures - and productive; I started my Turtlepurl Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock socks. 

I also managed to do the zig zag portion on my Throwback cardi. I don’t hate the truncation in the pattern that was needed to take out that 3^rd colour in a row, and I certainly love it more than knitting with a 3^rd colour in a row!! 

So that was my day - how was yours? 

Done, Done, Started

I finished Cheryl’s Jelly Rolls!! 

Then I knit up the cutest wee Entrechat shrug for our Ramina. 

It’s blocking now, then I need to find the Perfect Button. The Essence of Autumn yarn really carries this sweater across the line!! I don’t recall the exact yarn - I have misplaced the ball band. These reds are so deep and saturated; I can’t wait to see ‘Mina tucked into it! 

Now I’ve started my Throwback Cardigan  The Needle Emporium ladies decided that this would be our Frolic sweater and while Sarah and Lynn are done theirs, and Julie’s already got a good start on hers, I’m playing catch up. Fortunately, speed and deadlines are my specialty - lol!! 

So. I may have to purl back in fair isle, not as much fun as knitting it, I assure you, because I’m not willing plan out steeks, but I’m a grown woman, and I refuse to use three colours in a fair isle row!! Nuh-uh, and you can’t make me. 

I have tweaked the pattern to adjust to mainting only two colours per row, and while I’d like nothing more than to knit a few more rows to see how it looks in yarn, tomorrow is going to be a long day after a few preciously long days. 

I’m still on the defense against The Dreaded Lurgy, and I can only ask so much of the Loathsome yet Effective oil of oregano. I leave you with my progress thus far, and ask you to join me tomorrow to see how it grows.