Five Flowers

I Used To Be A Blogger, Part Deux

I am sorry to say that I have neglected this space as of late.  Have you missed me?  I've missed you!  So what have we been up to?

the flu

car problems

chicken pox

more flu, and a week of being unable to think

That just about sums up the last month!  There goes all the "plans"!  I am still attempting to get my life reorganized and back on track.

Hopefully your spring has left you healthy and active... what have you been up to?  

p.s. I am having a give-away next week in celebration of my four year blogiversary... so be sure to keep checking in!  I am so excited!

xxoo

Knit Dilemma

You know how sometimes you don't do some thing for so long that you get overwhelmed by all the choices?  Well, that is where I am with knitting.  I am having a hard time committing to a new project- there are just too many cool things to make.  Ravelry has totally exploded with goodness lately, and with Twist Collective around now, I feel like Knitty is trying to take it up a notch.

Some finalists:

I really want to make a scarf like the one pictured below.  This is from some designer a blogger mentioned online (can't remember who), and I just knew I had to make it.  I am thinking alpaca and wool, in the same gray.  It looks like a nice seed stitch.

Also on the list is Pamela Wynne's February Lady Sweater (the designer at Flint Knits)(ravelry link):

Oh, I am already having a hard time choosing what to show!  Okay, so this February Lady sweater is most likely what I am going to make.  I love it, I need a basic cardigan, and with this sweater there are so many yarn choices.  Perfect.

Also on the list:

The Cherry Fizz scarf by Kate Gilbert at Twist Collective Spring 2009 (ravelry), and this slouchy hat called Elizabeth (ravelry)

What have you been knitting?  I think I just need to make a decision!

Molly's Scones

I had been waiting to get this book, and finally something convinced me it was time: Molly Wizenberg, creator one Orangette (one the first blogs I started reading regularly over 3 years ago) was coming to do a book signing.  I found out the day before on her blog, and I knew I just had to make it!  Ellis and Kit joined me to hear her read from A Homemade Life.

First, let me say that I knew Molly was a gifted writer, but it is clear from this book that she is flat out talented.  This book is really about storytelling, and food is the metaphor that carries her on a journey.  There is a passage in it that she wrote when she was seventeen that is so well written that I feel a little, well, in awe.

What I love about her writing is her voice: she has a clear voice as a writer, and is a wonderful speaker, too.  Her writing is like a bit of her on paper: elegant, calm, grounded, graceful.  

These are the lemon scones I made from the book: I left out the ginger this time, since the kids are weird about it.  I am telling you, this book is full of recipes I can't wait to try.

This is my geeky blog-fan shot: yes, that is me on the left, really excited!  And she is just the coolest!  I am not sure why I waited so long to get this book, but I am glad I finally did.  This week is going to be full of yummy things around here!

Spring

Oh, I am enjoying the little taste of Spring over here, how about you?

I have so much to write about I am going to burst!  A new collaborative project!  A blogiversary!  A shop opening!  A new workshop (if it all pans out...)!  Molly's book signing (the creator of Orangette)!

I will have to get it all out this weekend, all the nitty gritty details.  

Have a great weekend!

Napa In Winter

Last month, the husband and I took a little weekend get-away alone to Napa, as I first mentioned here.  It was a beautiful time to be there: the mustard was in bloom in the vineyards, everything was wet from the rain, and it was quiet.  I love the off season.

Three x Three

{Three x Three, 2009 (10-" x 10"}

So, I think this one is done.  Three birds and three gum nuts, inspired by one I found on a walk somewhere.  This is pretty much the last time I am going to work with so much paper I think.  Paper can be nice for backgrounds, but I am finding that now I am wanting to paint more layers, and the paper was getting all funky.  So I will have to paint my under layers from now on I think.  

I do love how it turned out, and I think it is done.  It needs one small thing, but I am not sure what that is right now.  This one was a ton of fun to make, and I am liking the fact that I can't draw.  I love the irregularity of my lack of skill, and the shaky impermanence of it all.