Tuesday, March 30, 2010

My Earth HourS

My earth hour lasted a few hours. Here's a few pictures:















Here's SP, getting the fire ready as I light my candles.
Those 5 candles spell out P E A C E :D
















Dinner's in the oven with the non-electric timer going.
We planned our breaker switch with only a few minutes to spare.
This
is
my
bathroom.
I
am
glad
you
can't
actually
see
the
toilet.
I
like
candles!


and then then moment of truth.



























SP! Move your hand back a bit if you are trying to cover up your thinning hair!
Spending the night on the couch with SP looking at this = priceless.
SP

built

this

Rumford

Fireplace

B

T

W.







In honor of the earth...

I'm cutting myself off

I just finished my fourth and final Noro hat for Daughter's assistant teacher.

I

must

diversify.

I

am

seeing

stripes.

Help

me.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The Noro hat is done... and a new one is begun

Daughter and I wrapped it up this morning for her Kindergarten teacher.
We hope she loves it!



Here is the top view:

Monday, March 22, 2010

Sustainable Socks the Done Roving way!

I've been thinking about making some socks. It's a bit of a family joke actually, because my mother used to knit. HiHo once made a pair of socks for an old boyfriend in Stonington. He still has them, but we only learned about them when HiHo died - it was one of those stories that made us all laugh. Why did it make us laugh? Because HiHo only managed to make one sock for my father - Garro never got a full pair. I am thinking about making my first pair of socks, and mustering the courage to start such a feat, I realized that I might have to put down my Noro and move on. Noro does not seem to be washable. I was at the yarn warehouse in Bath called Halcyon on Friday. While searching for washable Noro yarn, I found that there is SOCK YARN! oh my... it's a whole new world out there when it comes to socks. I left with hands empty of sock yarn - but with one skein of bluesy Noro for the next Noro hat I will make. Anyway, after a long wonderful weekend of hockey tournaments, I wandered through Camden Maine and found a yarn store (cleverly hidden as a sweater store - almost tricked me). Low and behold, I found a new Maine yarn company that has some awesome yarns, including a sock yarn!!!!













SO I wanted to give a shout out to the new company I found!!! Done Roving Farms of Charlotte Maine - "Celebrating Rural Living and Folkart Tradition in Downeast Maine" They raise grass fed meats, "Our beef and lamb are grass fed eating only grasses, hay and supplemental minerals . We don't use growth hormones, steroids or antibiotics. All meats are processed at federal inspected butchers, packaged and labeled in this manner as well. We raise all our animals in the same manner while being committed to good pasture management practices to leave the smallest footprint behind on our land. "
I'm pretty excited to see they posted some Done Roving recipes but the best thing I found - A sock Pattern!!!
Looks like I am heading in a new directions, well I guess that will happen after a couple more Noro hats!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Want to make your own yogurt?

I do!
Someday...
I will...
from the milk of my goats.
Anyway...
This nifty article is quite timely!
I've been really into Greek Yogurt this winter.
From The New York Times:
The Minimalist By MARK BITTMAN

A Recipe Secret Wrapped in a Towel

"Producing yogurt cheese is quite simple. It takes a couple of hours, but your presence is required only for minutes. All you do is strain some of the water out of yogurt, until it reaches the thickness you want. For straining, I recommend a colander or coarse strainer lined with a clean cotton dish towel of fairly fine weave, what used to be called flour sack. (Many recipes suggest the use of cheesecloth, but you’d have to use about 10 layers for the same results.) Dump a quart (or whatever quantity you like) of yogurt in there, set the colander over a bowl in the refrigerator, twist or tie the top of the towel, and wait.

To speed the process, squeeze every now and then, or don’t bother. When the yogurt has reached the consistency of sour cream, twist and squeeze once more and scoop out the yogurt, which will have been reduced in volume by about half. (I suppose you could save and drink the yogurt-water, or cook with it, but I don’t.) Store the thickened yogurt in a covered container and use it within a week or so for best quality."

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Nuts for Noro























I might need my head looked at.
Those 3 hats are all Noro - Daughter's on the bottom, mine in the middle, and the one in process I am making for daughters teacher. Seriously, tell me your favorite color and I will make you one.
It's a surprise every time. It's a magic show unfolding at your finger tips. LOVE MY NORO!
I'm coocoo for Cocoapuffs, I mean I am nutty for Noro.
Seriously, it's addictive. Take a look at how yummy this is.
ok - horrible blurry picture taken far too close to do this hat any justice, but I don't care - I'm in love... again....


























SP has some pretty tough competition in terms of getting my attention and making me weak in the knees...just one more row... now let me purl... purring as I knit... I'm one happy cat! :D

Great find at the market!

These were PERFECT for my St. Patty's Day meal! They made such yummy potato bundles!
(click on that for the original recipe, but know I am updating it next year for ease of use!)

Anyway... I found these potatoes at Hannaford's.

Sadly, I can't find any more information about them.

They were yummy! So go look for them while supplies last!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

SIgns of Spring

I think I have spring fever.
It's not fair, as I should have spent the last few months engaging in all the winter recreations I so love. But the weather has not cooperated.
This morning I had the urge to walk Baby to preschool.
So close, and yet so far on a cold March morning.
I will have to take solace in the fact that I have spring blooming inside, while the outside remains brown, wet, and gloomy.
Soon enough... soon enough.

Finally getting Moo Milk out here!











The best part is my kids ask for it by name!

























Is there any chance you will start selling it by the gallon?