Friday is my favorite Day of the Week

Friday morning knitting at Barnes & Noble.  Not pictured are Celeste, Marilyn and Mary Ann.  I took a picture of them but it was not flattering, so I did not post it.

Vilma is my Spanish mentor.  She is from Columbia.  It is a delight and joy to spend time with her.  Here she is knitting on her Sampler Scarf which is turning out beautifully.

Connie (left) is helping Wendy (right) with a new crochet pattern.

Koley is back in town...for Spring Break.  I spent the afternoon knitting with Connie and Koley and then we went to Eat-n-Park for a light meal.  It was fun being around Koley again.  Believe it or not she is 17 years old.  I can't believe it.  She is a good kid.

I cast-off my Nora/Pastaza Striped scarf.  One more finished object down.  I still have two open scarf projects.  The Noro Plaid scarf and the yellow reversible cable scarf.

Hoy es casi fin de weekend.

Today is my Friday.  I feel so happy on Thursday nights.  I went to K1N tonight to knit with the Thursday night knitting group.  Vilma and I were the only ones there.  We conversed in Espanol.  and English.  Honestly, mostly in English as my espanol is very limited.  I help Vilma with her knitting and she helps me with my Espanol.

My Noro Plaid scarf is coming along nicely.  My camera is out in the car, so I will need to post a picture at a later time.  Maybe I will finish the scarf this weekend, then back to the yellow cable scarf I go.

I have heard the name Elizabeth Zimmermann for a few years, but only recently have I gotten to know her.  I love her books.  I bought several skeins of Cascade Pastaza in blue and green and plan to make an EZ sweater using the EPS system.  I will log my progress on the blog so you can follow me and the results.  I have high hopes that the sweater will be wearable.

I am very conscious of the dangers of my current eating habits.  Diabetes is preventable, so I am trying to eat a lot healthier and get my weight down.  Slowly old habits get transformed into healthier habits.  More fruit.  My vice is Southern-style sweet tea.  I think I need to cut it out of my diet altogether.  Because once I indulge once I am off and running and indulging every day.  I'll let you know how I do.  Tonight I ate a Morning Star Veggie burger with Avocado.  I won't tell you what else I ate with it because it was not a healthy choice, but I am working on it.  Small change by small change I will get to a big change which will result in me looking and feeling better.

I signed up for the Wellness program at work today.  It is a 13 week all inclusive wellness program which includes a weekly personal trainer and monitoring of nutrition.  A year ago I did this with the goal of improved mood.  This time I am doing it with the goal of adopting much healthier eating habits, along with a moderate exercise program.  I am excited about the program and plan to commit to working out 3 times a week plus doing 30 minutes of cardio 4-5 days a week.  I think I will join the local Y and start swimming--an excellent exercise with minimal impact to the body.

Today's Quote

Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody is watching. - Mark Twain

Life is Good...

... and getting better.  Mom tells me I am in the prime of my life.  I agree.  Life is the best it ever has been, minus the facts that Molly and dad are gone.

K1N had a 25% off sale on all 100% wool yarn this weekend.  I bought yarn to knit a ______ for mom.  I am so glad I have her to knit for.  She wears things that I would not.  Clothing that I think is pretty, but would never wear.  I am crocheting her a Plaid Noro scarf  with Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn.  Mom, please do not click on the scarf link.   I cannot tell you what the next project will be because I want to surprise her.  So stay posted for pictures.  It is absolutely gorgeous.

I took a nice walk with Doina this afternoon in 60 degree warm sunny weather around Bradford Woods.  My friendship with Doina started as walking buddies.  She is a treasured friend.  Very kind and giving.

I cooked Spinach Fettucini Alfredo with Steamed Broccoli tonight.  A New Years resolution was to cook at least once a week.  I figure I have all year to achieve this goal.  This is a beginning.  Here is the recipe given to me by Gayle from work:

Quick & Easy Alfredo Sauce

1/2 stick of butter (salted)

3-4 gloves of garlic (to taste)

1 pint heavy cream

3/4  cup of parmesan cheese

1 T. flour

1/3 cup cold water

Salt & pepper to taste

Melt butter in medium sauce pan.  

Press the garlic cloves and heat with butter.

On low heat, add cream stirring constantly.

Add cheese, continue to stir.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

In small container add the flour to water and shake until mixed well.

Slowly add small amounts to the sauce, stirring constantly until thickened.

 

I cooked spinach fettucini.  Topped with steamed broccoli and alfredo sauce.

It was easy and tasted delicious.

Today's Quote:

Change always comes bearing gifts.  It is our choice whether or not to accept the gifts.
- Price Pritchett

Life is Good ...

when you wake up and hear the birds singing.

What's wrong with this picture?  Molly is missing.  I am thinking about getting another dog.  It is camping and hiking season and I need a buddy.  I am making plans for my first camping trip of the season.  I cannot wait to go.  I may head south where it would be a little warmer.  But I am always hesitant to go to a new and unfamiliar campground. 

I went on my first hike for the year at Morraine State Park.  I hiked the 'short trail' which took me about 30 minutes.  The trail had a few hills which was good for my heart and respiratory system.  I need a hiking buddy.  I looked for sign of greenery, but only found it in the moss on the stumps and the pine trees.

I am knitting the Jared Flood Noro scarf to go with dad's winter coat.  It is knit with Cascade Pastaza yarn: 50% Llama 50%, instead of Noro Silk Garden.  Pastaza is made in Peru.  It is my all-time  favorite yarn to knit with.  Soft yet warm. Just luscious.  I would like to make a sweater out of it.  I'll have to keep an eye out for sweater patterns knit with heavy worsted yarn.

I finally cast-off Pam's reversible cabled scarf.  It will go in the mail this afternoon.

I crocheted these washcloths for the Free Crochet class offered at Knit One North this coming Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 1 - 3PM.   I take my favorite items camping with me.  These are for my camping gear.

Life is sometimes good and sometimes not so good.  Today was somewhere in between.  Tomorrow is my day off.  I am looking forward to finishing up four knitting projects, photos will be posted tomorrow.  I currently am working on two scarfs which I hope to finish up soon.  I knit a swatch gauge for the Central Park Hoodie.  AFter knitting the swatch I am thinking twice about the project to knit with the yarn.  Part of me wants to knit the same sweater I knit for my first sweater.  Something I would get a lot of wear out of.  I don't know.  I really like the yarn.  I'm undecided.

Happy WARM Saturday!!!

It is warm today.  OMGosh am I happy wearing my cargo shorts and crocs.  It was a warm 73 degrees.  I started my day going to the theater to watch Slumdog. I was thinking that Slumdog must be a great movie because it won so many awards.  It was not meant to be though. The sound system in the theater was not working so I was refunded my money. 

 I drove to Knit One North to knit and Connie, Dawne, Rose, and several of Rose's female family members were there.  Karen was working.  What a wild time it is when you spend time with Rose and her family.  A delightful afternoon.

I called mom around 4pm to tell her I wanted to come over and cook dinner but she had already eaten.  Do senior citizens eat their meals early?  So I will have to do that another time.  I know, I did not give her advance notice.  That was my fault.  

Tomorrow is a busy day.  I am having lunch with my nephew Alexei, then spinning with a spin-along at Knit One North. It sounds like it will be  an enjoyable day.