Say CHEEZE!!!

Finally, finally, I finished the Garter Stitch Kimono Sweater from Compassionate Craft Week!

I was doing well but some health issues sidelined me on the last two days of the week. Wee One and I both got some colds and there was a lot of discomfort at nighttime, meaning lots of sleep intertuptus. Once I missed the deadline I sort of got lazy about it and then just knit when I could between everything else, rather than put things on the back burner so I could knit.

All in all, it was a great experience and I will do it again next year. I hope to package up the sweater, booties and hat and mail them out to One Heart, One Mind tomorrow.


A new recipe was also tried! My Vegan Cookbook has some intriguing stuff on there but nothing made me as curious (and hungry) as the Smokey Cheddar Cheeze Ball. Made with firm tofu, cashews, almonds and spices, I was curious as to how it would compare to the memory of the dairy-heavy original. I also thought it might be the perfect fall snack in the evening with friends around the table, or even an appetizer for Thanksgiving or the holidays. So I finally whipped it up this past Sunday, during the triumphant return of Big Ben Roethlisberger to his Pittsburgh Steelers in a lovely grudge match with our neighbors, the Cleveland Browns. Ok, I mixed up everything that morning but you have to refrigerate it for at least 5 hours before it's firm enough to make it into a ball. At halftime, I managed to first run upstairs for a bathroom break, then we hit the "concession area" (aka kitchen) where I formed the cheeze ball and rolled it in the paprika and almonds. I admit, I was in a bit of a rush as to not miss any of the game so I did not have much luck getting the almonds to coat the cheeze ball as fully as you might like.

I then snapped a pic for you and posterity, and dug in. I am just going to say it: MAKE THIS. Make it now. You will not be disappointed, it is delicious! Nature Boy, a strict carnivore, tried it, then ate three more crackers spread with this stuff! Unheard of! Oh and the spread, the spread. It is so velvety and glides over your cracker, I was amazed. I did use hickory-flavored liquid smoke but that was the only substitution I made on this one. It does make a lot, which in my case was welcome, but I think the next time I make it will be when company calls. It will most likely grace whatever table I'm at for Thanksgiving.

We have been having so much fun, from RAD Days at the Pittsburgh Zoo...
...to hitting the Punkin' Patch!
Now to get working on a Wee Halloween Costume...oh my...

Weekend Update

So I know you are all out there wondering, how is Ms. Knitsburgh doing amidst Compassionate Craft Week? Is she triumphing over time and yarn? Is she sinking amongst a sea of unfinished chores and projects?

Here is my daily progress:

Day One (Friday): Owlie Hat knit to decrease rounds.

Day Two (Saturday): Owlie hat finished, bootie knit to double needle bind-off.

Day Three (Sunday): Baby Bootie #1 sewn together and some ends woven in; Baby Bootie #2 knit up to the decrease rounds for the sole; Owlie Hat ends woven in.

The Estate is not looking its best, but every night after Wee One goes to sleep I knit and knit and knit until I can take it no longer and go to bed. I am feeling good about what I've completed so far and am excited to start my next project later this evening, a sweater. I have to say I almost feel guilty if I have a moment to do something and I'm not knitting, so even blogging is making me feel bad right now. I took some time yesterday morning to update my Coupon Notebook and my coupon organizer and then felt guilty about that "wasted" hour or so. Making things for someone who needs them seems to really motivate you, which is fantastic.

I hope to finish a sweater and matching hat by week's end. If I finish before the 8th, I will try to make something else, maybe some more hats.

I am very sad to report we have run out of ink for the printer at the estate, which is making me lean towards a baby sweater pattern I already have on hand versus a new exciting pattern I've not yet knit. The likelihood of me securing more printer ink before this evening is not looking good, so once the "second string" pattern is selected, I'll let everyone know.

Last week before Compassionate Craft Week started I made two apple pies. I froze one before baking it so we have one ready for company; we ate the other with lots of vegan vanilla So Delicious ice cream on it, it was really yummy.

We also took in the RAD sponsored Hay Day this weekend (yes, another awesome free event) at a local park and had a blast!

Hope your weekend was fun too!

RADical!

Dahlia Field

Orchid
Green Man
Up late baking some yummy autumnal goodness so I thought I'd quickly post about our day. The Wee One and I went to Phipp's Conservatory for FREE!!! That's right, for FREE.

We had a great time and I wanted to let everyone in the Pittsburgh area know how many great things are scheduled to take place and they are all free! Go HERE for the calendar and information on the RAD program. One of the best things about living here, at least in my humble oppinion, is all of the great cultural, artistic and historic opportunities we have within our reach (oh, and also the Penguins and Steelers of course). This is a way to check out some really great things--the Carnegie museums, the National Aviary, Pittsburgh Filmmakers screenings, dance troupes, opera, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Andy Warhol Museum, to name just a few offerings. These totally free events run through October 24th so there is probably an event and date that would work for anyone. I'll see you out there in the city!!