Saturday, May 19, 2007

Gentlemans Socks are FINALLY DONE!!!

DH's Gentleman Socks are completed except for weaving in the ends. These socks were a challenge for my eyes. Knitting black socks at night wasn't easy. Dh's socks were knit with DPNs. It's the first pair of socks I've knitted only with DPNs or even cuff down. I can't say they worked up faster. The first sock did seem to go pretty quick but, the second sock took FOREVER. It could be that the second sock had to be ripped out a couple of times. Yesterday when I finished them, I couldn't wait for DH to come home and try the socks on. Little did I realize that I knitted the foot of the second sock 2 or 3 inches longer than it should have been. With much disappointment I frogged back and redid the toe. I'm happy they are done but, disapointed in my Kitchner Stitch. There are plenty of mistakes in both socks but, hey that's what happens when they are hand knitted mostly at night...I can accept my mistakes.

Today, I did a few rows of the Lovely Hearts Afghan and started another pair of socks. The new socks are for me on DPNs cuff down...I need to master the Kitchner Stitch. The pattern will be very simple with a K2P2 cuff. Right now, I need a mindless project and these socks will be perfect.

Random meme
I've been tagged by Jennifer!

(I have to post this first:)
Here's how to play...
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.


1. The only chocolate I enjoy is Hot Fudge. Besides hot fudge I could careless if I ever had chocolate again.

2. I enjoy peace and quiet.

3. TV puts me to sleep. I can never sit down and watch TV without falling asleep. I have to do something while watching TV to prevent me from falling asleep.

4. When I clean the house I blast the stereo.

5. About five years ago I lost 30 pounds by joining Weight Watchers. I'm proud to say I've kept it off and lost an additional 5 pounds.

6. In the 80's my family camped year round in a 32' trailer. We went from Maine, (near the Canada border), down to Florida, (Disney), in one summer.

7. I love my husband dearly but, wouldn't date him in Jr. High or High School :).

8. My favorite recipe is Garlic Herb Crusted Roast Beef.

Garlic-herb Crusted Roast Beef
By Associated Press Modified by Patrice

1 boneless beef round rump roast or beef bottom round roast (3 to 4 pounds)
Salt and Pepper

For The Rub:
2 teaspoons garlic-pepper seasoning
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves, crushed
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves, crushed

Heat oven to 500 degrees you will cook the roast for 10 minutes at this temp.

Combine rub ingredients in small bowl; press evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast at 500 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours for medium-rare doneness.

Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135 degrees, for medium-rare. Transfer roast to carving board: tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10 degrees to reach 145 degrees for medium-rare.) Carve roast into thin slices; season with salt and pepper, as desired.

NOTE: If you prefer your meat to be cooked more than medium-rare cook longer. 140 is medium and 160 degrees is well done. Remember the temperature increases about 10 degrees while it rests.


Now I am supposed to tag. After looking at the blogs I check every so often it looks like Melissa you're the only one not tagged yet....TAG!!!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

It's been a LONG TIME!!!!

I know it's been a REALLY LONG TIME since I posted. There has been some knitting over the past few months but, no finished projects. Between working and the kids activities there hasn't been much time to knit. Today, I did knit several inches on DH's socks while DS#1 was having his teeth cleaned. It felt good to sit and knit even if it was dark outside due to the thunderstorms.

DH's socks are almost done. One sock is completely finished and the other sock has about 4 inches left in the foot. The kitchener stitch on the first sock wasn't mastered. Hopefully, it will be easier the second time around. My sweater hasn't been touched in months. I keep telling myself that I have to finish it by the fall so I can wear it. If it needs to be frogged for the sleeves (which I think are too wide), I'll have to get my rear in gear soon. There is a new project which was started in March. It's an afghan for my niece. Below is a picture from April.



Since this picture was taken four rows of hearts have been knitted. My wonderful DS#1 made me the yarn caddy for the yarn out of KNEX. The caddy has been revised to a third of it's original size and two rows.

Off to knit and drink my tea. If the forecast for the rest of the week and this weekend is correct I'll have time to sit back and knit Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There's always a brighter side to dreary days.