Knit 65, Slip -- repeat

I have been knitting practically non-stop for the last week. I'm working on a replica Season 12 Doctor Who scarf (which is slightly more than 20% complete, as of this afternoon -- see the photo below), and the sensory perfection of repetetive garter stitch is making me so ridiculously happy that I can't bring myself to stop.

That being the case, I've accepted the futility of fighting the knitting bug.  I found two emails in my inbox when I came home tonight -- an announcement about the annual Interweave HURT books sale, and the monthly announcement about WEBS sale yarns. Unable to avoid the lure, I've spent the last hour placing two orders -- nearly a half-dozen new knitting books at prices so low I'm afraid they may qualify as theft, and yarn for three projects from them.


Books

• Laura Irwin's Boutique Knits, a collection of accessories -- including hats, mittens, a vest, two scarves, and a hood that I fell in love with at first sight. 
• Classic Knits: the Marianne Isager Collection -- a Danish designer praised for using simple techniques to great effect, I've had four experienced knitters recommend Marianne's work to me as being high quality and something that will work well with my personal style. I'm particularly enamored of the ZigZag Top.
• Favorite Socks: Twenty-Five Timeless Designs from Interweave and
• Folk Socks: the History and Techniques of Hand-Knitted Footwear -- I am head over heels for knitted socks, particularly because my too-large feet keep poking holes in the toes of my socks, and I would like to make a few pairs for myself that are a) durable, b) beautiful, and c) of higher quality than I've yet found available in a shop. And I have enough yarn for 6 pairs available in my stash basket!
• The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years

Projects

• From the last, I chose the Union Square Market Pullover. The sweater itself looks like such a soft, drapey, cuddly bit of love to wrap up in on a chilly fall day, and the asymmetry of the collar and the medieval-style bell sleeves call to the bit of my soul that's in love with John Keats. I selected Bristol Yarn Gallery's Buckingham in a dusky green, with a creamy beige neck and sleeve accent -- and can't wait to wear it on a lazy Saturday in October. (Considering the trajectory of my life, I probably will make my way to the Union Square Farmer's Market in it.)
• The other two projects were both from Laura Irwin's book. I'll be making the Silky Wool Vest with a much longer torso, and will knit it from the recommended Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, in the now-discontinued vintage rose color.
• Her Side Slip Cloche is the hat pattern that tipped my decision to crop my hair, even though I hadn't found it yet. I think it's just gorgeous, and plan to work it up from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in a rich blue-purple colorway.  I ordered enough yarn to have a significant amount left over, and will use the remnants with a skein of the same in a dark gray to make a neck wrap -- together they'll look  beautiful and cheery with my winter coat.

I can't wait for the packages to arrive at the office! Except that I can, really, since I have 800 rows of garter stitch still to knit on Michael's scarf...

Being Neighborly

One of my favorite neighbors is a man in his early 60s who lives a  half-block south of me in Fort Greene. I only see him on Sunday mornings, when he spends a few hours washing, drying, and polishing his car by hand, while his dog -- a beautifully even-tempered Pomeranian, keeps a happy, watchful eye on him and everyone walking by. He always wears the same uniform: a long sleeved white dress shirt and a crisp white newsboy style cap. Seems impossible that anyone could look crisp, cool, and comfortable while so clearly engaged in what should be sweat-inducing manual labor, but he always appears to be just that. "Dapper" describes him well.

Every time I see him and wave good morning, I imagine his story. Is he a chauffer? A musician? He's a quietly cheerful guy, but the shy, introverted side of my personality comes out whenever I pause to say hello; I don't know how to make small talk, so have never asked his name. All of my questions are just imagining. I should fix that.

Has the makings of a good homework assignment...

The sun through yellow curtains and a rainbow on the wall*

Color is so very magical. I've lived in rooms with colored walls since I was a tiny girl -- no boring white walls until I lived in the college dorms, and only one flat since then has been devoid of color. (My study in Saratoga had what is still my favorite color palette: the sheerest hue of electric lime accented with navy and white and bamboo.)

Now that I've decided to avoid moving as long as possible, and want to hang in Fort Greene for awhile anyway, I've cajoled my landlord into letting me paint "any color you wish except red." I was heartbroken for a few weeks as I would love a cherry-colored wall in the living room, but after moping for awhile I started to dream in other shades. After snatching every purple- or green-tinged paint chip while on vacation, and spending several hours with different tones spread out on a blanket or taped to the wall, I've decided.

• A combination of green and white in the living room and kitchen -- Lyndhurst Shady Grove (a warm but light shade of green from the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and Pale Pasture with Muslin Wrap for the ceiling, soffits, and window recesses.

 

• A lovely array of blue-purples for the bedroom, which gets so much light I could paint it black and not feel closed in -- Orchid house for the walls, pale violet for the ceiling , window recesses, and closet interior, and the sinking depth of purple valley for the recess above the mantel and as a base for the Trompe-l'oeil mural mom will be painting on the fireplace screen.

Painting walls is so easy -- if you don't like the result, there's no commitment that a little elbow grease can't cover up -- and yet it feels like such a big commitment. Suddenly this "move to New York" thing isn't just a lark for the career opportunity, it's a real decision with consequences and something that feels like a degree of permanence. All because of a $25 gallon of paint. Or six.

Weird.

*Chelsea Morning by Joni Mitchell, a song that always speaks to me of love and spring and fresh starts in familiar places

Moods

I have had a lovely day full of many wonderful things (Relay For Life at IKEA, finding a lovely solid wood wardrobe in my bedroom remodel price range, reading a fantastic new memoir Aja picked up for me at  BookBloggerCon, a lovely Japanese dinner, contra dancing to a fabulous band, brainstorming dance program and fundraising ideas) and many fantastic people (colleagues from Brooklyn whom I don't get to see often, volunteers I haven't seen in a year, the herbalist at my Greenmarket, Corrin and her Mom, many of my dance friends). But I am hot, and tired, and sunburnt *again*, and that is making me grumpy.  Plus, large groups of people and loud conversation -- even those of each that I like a great deal -- are making my head ache.

I think I need to recharge my introvert batteries a little bit -- I've been neglecting them horribly of late. Plan quiet things with one or two people at a time. Read more, talk less. Write, a lot. Build a new playlist for relaxing, meditative music (Secret Garden, Clannad) and make it a staple part of my day. Stock my cupboard with the ingredients for Noodle Bowls and spend a few hours julienning veggies by hand. In other words, all that stuff that grounds and centers me.

Starting tomorrow, after I've slept.

Relay For Life: Progress Report

I received a great email today about the Relay For Life event I'm participating in this fall, and wanted to share the incredible progress we're making to plan this massive festival that will rally people to join in the fight against cancer. So, I've decided to do so with all of you. :)

I hope you have been well and are getting excited for our up coming Relay! Here is an update of everything that has been going on -- while some you might already know, some might be exciting and new!

1. We have a HOME! The Relay will be taking place at the World Financial Center in the beautiful Atrium also known as the Winter Garden. 


2. We have an HONORARY EVENT CHAIR! Robyn Streisand, CEO of the Mixx and co-founder of the NGLCCNY has agreed to take on the fight against cancer with and is committed to raise over $50,000 in honor of Catherine Reade, the mother of The Mixx’s COO, Rob Reade. GO ROBYN and the Mixx Team! 


3. We have a SPONSOR! Showtime Networks, Inc has joined us also in this fight by donating $25,000.00. That is AMAZING! 


4. We have a THEME! Red Carpet Relay! Please feel free to name your team after your favorite movie, TV or Broadway show. Please dress as your favorite character or movie star. There will be prizes for best costume, teams with most spirit, and much more aside from top fundraising teams and individuals.


5. We are making a VIDEO! We have partnered with the amazing Nathan Manske and Marquise Lee from Imfromdriftwood.com and we are going to be making a series of videos where members of the LGBT community will be sharing their very personal stories involving cancer. Please let us know if you would like to share your story. I'm From Driftwood is a great site where people submit personal stories about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. They have collected 700 stories in just over a year…WOW!
   
   [Side note: I'm going to be interviewed for this -- if you want in, leave a comment!]


6. We are going to the TONY AWARDS! This screening of the Tony Awards is special fundraiser to benefit BROADWAY CARES, EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, and the RELAY FOR LIFE OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS. Clearview Cinemas will raise the curtain and roll out the red carpet for the LIVE broadcast of the 2010 Tony Awards presented on the big screen, hosted by Hedda Lettuce. The $15 admission fee will be donated to the two charitable organizations: purchase yours today at movietickets.com Please join us, it will be a great opportunity to meet everyone.
   
   [Side note: my gorgeous girlfriend and I are getting all dolled up for this -- if you want to join us, order your tickets online and leave a comment so we can plan dinner!]


7. We are tabling at PRIDEFEST! On Sunday, June 27th we will have a table at PrideFest, the annual LGBT street fair. PrideFest seeks to bring together local residents and families, community leaders, and area business owners to celebrate in the street. Please stop by and visit us on Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St.
   
   [Side note: I'll be volunteering at our vendor booth for part of the day -- come visit me!]


8. Join our Facebook Group! Relay For Life of the LGBT Community and Friends. I try to send out updates as the happen on there.

So as you can see we have been busy, but we need your help. There is strength in numbers we are a brand new event and need everyone to help spread the word! Invite your friends to join your team or start their own. We are going to have a great time together and we are going to make a difference in the fight against a disease that has taken to much from all of us.

Your support of Relay For Life is helping save lives, and creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Myrna Duarte

Since so many of you-who-read-this-blog have asked, "how's the Relay going?", consider yourselves updated. And know that the appeal for more people to get involved in this event is incredibly heart-felt and necessary; we are struggling to reach all of the people who need to hear about Relay, who may find it the lifeline that they need to the services that the American Cancer Society provides. If you can help spread the word -- or if you want to get involved yourself -- please do! I'm happy to help you with more information or "first steps."

Cheers!

P.S. I'm doing superbly well with my fundraising thanks to the support of 25 VERY generous donors. I'm currently $250 from my (revised) goal of raising $1,000 to support the work of the American Cancer Society. If you'd like to support me with a donation of any amount, my donation form is right here.  Thanks!

Slow Food Quickly

As readers and friends well know, I love to cook. I started arranging dates with my Great Aunt Dawn to learn her recipes when I was 10, and every time I had the opportunity to help Nana in the kitchen I took it. When I found the Slow Food Movement (a side trip down Curiosity Lane during my greening experiment phase), I was thrilled to find a community of real live people who derived great pleasure from preparing -- and relishing the taste of! -- complex dishes.

But somewhere along the way, I never really learned (or studied) how to make a meal requiring less than an hour of preparation. This wasn't an issue when I lived in a house full of people and only cooked sporadically, or when I cooked in batches once a week. But now that I'm making dinner three or four nights a week (which I've done for most of the last month) and am packing lunches that aren't just leftovers from the night before (because cooking smaller recipes for more people often translates to a lack of leftovers), this isn't working so well. I still love to cook, don't get me wrong. It's just that I would like to do more with my life than go to work, come home and cook/clean the kitchen, and then go to bed.

Enter Rachael Ray. You know, she of the "30 Minute Meals" fame, who hails from the great Adirondack north and was a local celebrity before she started shilling for Dunkin Donuts (and became really annoying). Her cookbooks are designed with entire meals -- appetizer, entree, side, and dessert -- that go from her prep list to the table in 30 minutes, and can go from whole ingredients to table in approximately that time frame if one has a sous chef. I've made some of her dishes in the past (the garlic-stuffed pork tenderloin is fantastic, and makes a great Easter centerpiece), but not as entire meals. Tonight, that changed.

I read through ("pored over" might be a more apt description!) the 30-Minute Get Togethers book yesterday, and copied down a number of recipes that looked promising for me. Tonight, I mixed and matched to create a fabulous dinner -- with leftovers.

• Browned Butter and Balsamic Ravioli 
• Braised Kale with Prosciutto and Pine Nuts (my recipe, inspired by Rachel) 
• Rosemary Toast with Goat Cheese and Honey 

I am (happily) too full to attempt dessert, but working alone from whole ingredients, it took me 29 minutes from unpacking the Whole Foods sack to sitting down with a plate. (Granted, i don't think I've ever worked so quickly in a kitchen, but I'd set a timer and was testing myself.) Yum! 

Recipes are below; I'm off to finish eating, listen to the Yankee game, install the air conditioner, and read. How lovely to have an evening of leisure!

Browned Butter and Balsamic Ravioli

• 16-ounce package of fresh ravioli (I snagged the mushroom variety of 365 Organic)
• 3 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 handfuls grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (I used 1/3 of a pound, as packaged at Whole Foods)
• 1/4 cup fresh, flat-leaf parsley, chopped (I omitted this, as I don't have it on hand)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Bring a large pot of boiling water to a boil Salt water and drop ravioli in water. Cook 6-8 minutes or until raviolis expand and float to top of water and are al dente. Drain.

2. (After you've added the ravioli to the pot) To a cold skillet, add butter and turn on moderate heat. Let the butter brown. If you start with a cold pan, the butter should be lightly browned by the time it comes to a bubble.

3. When the butter has browned, add cooked ravioli to the pan and turn in butter to heat through. Add balsamic vinegar and cook a minute or two longer to reduce the vinegar and glaze the ravioli. The vinegar will become thick and syrup-like. Add cheese, parsley, salt and pepper to the pasta and remove the pan from the heat, then serve.

Braised Kale with Prosciutto and Pine Nuts

• Bunch of kale, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 3 slices of prosciutto
• Dab of cooking spray
• Handful of pine nuts
  

1. Over medium-high heat, cook prosciutto until crispy. When done, remove from pan.

2. Pile kale in pan with fat; turn quickly to coat, then place lid on pan; reduce heat to low.

3. Working quickly, slice prosciutto into narrow strips. Add to kale, turn once, then remove to serving dishes.

4. Add a quick hit of cooking spray to the pan (which will be dry); toss in a handful of pine nuts and turn heat up to moderate. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 6 minutes, until lightly browned and crispy. Disperse nuts over kale and serve.