This morning really felt like winter. Cold air, just a touch of frost on the leaves on the driveway, a rumor of snow on the morning news. I had already broken out my winter coats, and just need a few more sweaters (that's don't make me itchy) and I'll be ready.
I've been doing a good bit of knitting, I have a few nice projects on the needles. For Dave, I'm making him a ribbed scarf in this beautiful dark grey color. It's slow going on #6 needles, but it's great tv knitting. For myself, I'm knitting an Anthropologie-inspired capelet that I found on Craftster. I needed something to wear with my spaghetti strap black velvet dress, and wasn't excited by a wrap. I'm using Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk dk in Celery... it is so soft and is a rather quick project.
After those two projects are off the needles I'm considering a long-sleeved version of the One Skein Wonder. Since all of my wool winter sweaters are making me itchy, I'm trying to think of alternatives. I have lots of t-shirts, so knitting up some sleeves is a good thought. Or I could try the Hourglass Sweater.
In other news, Dave and I got a chance to see our friends Peter and Goody this past Saturday, along with our friend Kerry and her new (and fantastic) boyfriend Mark. Peter and Goody had been working on recording Peter's new album (which comes out in April 2006 by the way), and Peter said that it's going to be his best album yet. I love all of Peter's albums but I am very excited to hear this new one when it comes out. Peter will be touring Ireland in February, and Dave and I are planning on going and following part of the tour. Very exciting! Our first (long overdue) trip to Ireland, and it'll be really nice to see Peter playing there.
Last night (after Dave took a nasty fall outside of our door - poor guy!) we had dinner with our friends Norris and Tony. Norris made his famous vegetable soup with okra and Chi Chi's corn cake, I brought an apple spice cake. Tony has a day off today, and is planning on baking 4 pies (one to bring to Thanksgiving with Norris's family). We also got to see our favorite dog Calvin, who is as cute as ever.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, we have got some cooking to do this afternoon (thank goodness the office closes at 3 today!). We're having dinner with friends in Brooklyn, I think it was 14 people at last count. Our contributions include:
- Stuffing (I'm planning on a somewhat classic version with celery, plenty of caramelized onions and roasted chestnuts. I might go crazy and throw in some walnuts too).
- Apple pie (recipe from Saveur). It bakes at 250 degrees for 3 hours, and the test version passed with flying colors.
- Roasted cauliflower with parmesan and lemon.
- Cranberry orange relish from Trader Joes.
- Cranberry chutney (my own recipe - that I haven't written yet).
- Beer bread (whole wheat and a scallion cheese version) thanks to Farmgirl's recipe.
- Contemplating something chocolate - I've got good chocolate and heavy cream handy, so signs are pointing to truffles.
Safe travels everyone! I'll be posting some knitting pictures over the weekend (I should at least finish the capelet by then, if not the scarf too).
