Tortoise Shell Sunglasses Needed

Why does this pair of sunglasses from 1996 outlast any other pair I've purchased in the past thirteen years? They're my new favorites again, since my cheap ones keep killing themselves.



Philadelphia has been gorgeous. After the two sunless weeks, we've been treated to bright, cloudless days, and weather that is not too hot. I have yet to hit the beach this year, but I hope to remedy that next weekend.

I've been doing some reading, drawing, biking, walking around town and seeing friends. I'll show you some new drawings soon!

I was so sad to not enjoy a Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpet for the storming of The Bastille with the Degenerate Knitters, as Hostess Twinkies sponsored the event this year. That was nice of Hostess and all, but as Lisa pointed out, Twinkies just do not have the impact resistance that Krimpets have. The Twinkies exploded and smashed on impact, and were not one bit appetizing. I went home and made a microwave S'mores instead.

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

07.08.09.

Today is a special day to me, because it's the day my mom and her twin sister were born! She is an amazing person, and I'm so lucky that the stars aligned so that her and my dad could meet at a picnic in Ohio and my brother and I could be born. She's the greatest.



Happy Birthday Mom! I really wish I could be there to celebrate with you.



But alas, your card will have to suffice!

Why I think we'll make it.

Because we're crazy, Mike and I found ourselves baking lasagna. Giada's delicious recipe. But yes, lasagna, on July 3rd. Mike has been jonesing to make it. Me? Not so much. It's summer time. Time for fresh foods, light fare and cereal when we're lazy.

"Do you really want to make lasagna?"

"Yeah. We can eat it for days on end. It's very economical."

"Do you think we're the only people in the history of the world who baked lasagna on July 4th weekend?"

"It is pretty funny. Let's make a tradition to do it every year! But you know we'll probably forget."

"Yeah! But yes, we probably will forget." (recording it via the blog for next year)



And this is reason #341 why I should marry this guy.

We do make a pretty good team. I agreed to make the bechemel sauce while Mike did the prep work. This is how I know we'll make it as a couple. Cooking as a couple requires compromise and cooperation. For example, I smile nicely and don't voice my opinion about the sheer volume of small dishes that he's using for prepwork that will have to be washed. He pretends that I'm the saddest act in the planet for having a slight cold this weekend and does all the dishes. (wink)

Okay, after all that sweetness, here's something tart for you. It looked pretty enough for a picture, until it fell upside down (wrapped in plastic, thank God!) at Olivia's house. It still won the taste contest against the reigning supermarket in New Jersey, the famous Wegmans.



Afterwards, we watched fireworks with thousands of people and I treated myself to a $1 glow in the dark necklace. All in all, a pretty great weekend.

Okay, I must go and choose between cereal or sixth serving of lasagna before Quizzo.

Manos del Uruguay Illustrations

I had the opportunity to do illustrations for Fairmount Fibers last fall. They included some of the drawings in their new Manos del Uruguay pattern book. The new book includes patterns for seven blankets that highlight their Cotton Stria yarn. You can pick up a copy at Rosie's Yarn Cellar.

There is a lovely blanket that features Concentric Squares. It would be an adorable baby blanket.



My favorite one to draw would have to be this colorful Log Cabin type blanket. It must be the rainbow colors!



There is a cozy double blanket in a sophisticated color palette of dark brown and a subtle blue.



If people want to challenge themselves with new patterns, there are three color variations of a blanket that features twelve different stitch patterns.



There is a lovely Hexagon blanet, that I've heard are completely addicting to knit.



The last two blankets include one that features a Quilted Lattice stitch with a unique edging, and a sweet blanket with a hood that will swaddle a wee one. Pom poms or tassels may be added, and you know that I sure hope they are!



This was such a wonderful commission, and I loved drawing and painting one of my favorite hobbies. Thank you for the opportunity, ladies!

Asian Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Each summer, I find myself standing in front of my refrigerator (not with the door open for too long though!) at a loss of what to cook. Not to mention, that I just spent all this money at the grocery store, and feel like I don't have actual meals to make. We don't have an outdoor space, so grilling isn't really an option. (Insert dramatic and pathetic sigh).

Last week, we planned out some meals to make, and shopped for the ingredients. I've decided to find interesting summery recipes so that I don't have to think of anything. After all, I just follow the directions, I'm no expert! It also goes along with my Make, Bake or Buy project. I cannot stop drawing my food. It is way too much fun.



So for Week one, we made Martha Stewart's Asian Rotisserie Chicken Salad. It was so refreshing, that I'm getting a bit more excited to cook this summer. What meals do you guys make when you're uninspired in the kitchen?

100,000 Stitches +/-

My hardcore knitting friends know that I'm not the most dedicated of knitters. So you can imagine my surprise when I finally cast off (well twice technically, since I did it the first time, almost ruined and burned the whole thing) my Pi-Shawl. I did a quick tally, since it's based on Pi (3.1416....) and it comes out to approximately 100,000 stitches.



You heard me. One hundred thousand stitches. Not to mention the three times that I knit the garter edging which may bring my count up another 50,000? I washed it and blocked it last night, but was "glowing" too much from my workout and bike ride home tonight to model this for you guys. We don't want to ruin that cashmere. All shall be revealed soon, I promise.



After all that accomplishment, I thought I deserved a little treat! Don't you think? (Purchased for one Washington at a tag sale down the street).

Illustration Friday: Unfolded

The Northeast has been under a blanket of clouds and rains for much of the past week, and next week as well. I'm not complaining, I'm sure we need the rain... However, it has made me notice other people's colorful umbrellas. The shots of yellow, leopard prints and plaid are making me smile. Whatever happened to those umbrellas with ruffly edges? I think I need to find myself one of those!



I must enjoy the fleeting sunshine now. So I'm off to bike home, scrounge up dessert for dinner with friends, a rudimentary button sewing lesson and holding an adorable little girl!

Here's hoping you get lots of sunshine this weekend.

Note to self: create new header for summer. That one is tired.