Banana Bread Heaven!

Hurray...the weather will cool off for a couple days, at least that's what Paul Douglas, the local weather guru claims! Since the temps today will only top out in the mid 70's it is a perfect day to bake. I turned the AC off last night because the overnight low was 54! It was actually chilly...I love it! But even with the AC off the house is cool and comfy. I pulled Big Blue out of his garage (BB is my cobalt blue Kitchenaid Mixer I got for Christmas last year) and made a double batch of the best banana bread in the USA...no, world...no, universe! I wish I could take credit for the recipe but I cannot, at least not honestly. It is from an old church cookbook that I got as a wedding gift many, many, years ago. I remember when I opened the package at my shower and thought...what the heck am I gonna do with a cookbook?? Aren't we gonna eat out every night? Oh how I've changed! I love to cook and bake. It is second in line, next to knitting, for one of my favorite ways to spend time. That old church cookbook is one of my favorites, I have gotten some of my best recipes from it. In honor of the ladies who donated their wonderful recipes for the cookbook, I have renamed the recipe "Church Ladies Banana Bread". Enjoy!

Church Ladies Banana Bread
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature (no substitutions)
2 eggs
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
3 ripe bananas
2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix. Mix buttermilk with soda and vanilla. Add and continue to mix. Mash bananas with a fork until smooth and add to mixer. When bananas are mixed in add flour and beat until well mixed. Prepare pans with cooking spray or grease and flour. Pour batter (it will be thick) into a bundt pan, or 4 small loaf pans, or one large loaf pan. Bake at 350º for 30-55 minutes. The time varies depending on what pan you use. 4 small loaf pans only take about 30 minutes, a bundt pan about 45 mins and a large loaf takes the longest at about 55 mins. So check often to be sure. Cool for 15 minutes and de-pan. Great with butter! YUM

I have made this bread recipe at least 50 times and it's never failed me. It's pretty fool proof. Just keep adding the ingredients to the mixing bowl and beat away. It's easy, and delicious.

The sock I am test knitting is so pretty. I am enjoying the pattern, it's easy enough to memorize and looks so feminine. I'll post a picture as soon as I get permission from the designer. I don't know if she's going to sell this pattern or if it's a sock of the month club pattern. Either way, I feel lucky enough to be able to test it out and see the final results. So far the results are awesome!

I think that Church Ladies Banana Bread has cooled enough to cut a slice! That will be my lunch...maybe 2 slices! I better call my sons and tell them there is a loaf waiting for them at mom's house. That's why I always double the recipe and use the small loaf pans. I have to keep the kids happy!

One Project Done...but it's Not Knitting!

While I was on vacation last week I did manage to get the ugly green nightstand sanded, primed, and painted. It turned out so cute, I am very pleased with the results. In the above picture it is in the living room, it has since been moved into my bedroom and resides in a place of honor. Now that I finished it I want to get the little table done for the other side of my bed. It needs more work than the nightstand because the paint on it is peeling. I may work on it this week, while I'm still excited to paint. Painting is one of my least favorite things to do.

I am doing something that I do like to do! I am knitting a sock...actually, I'm test knitting a pattern for a sock designer. I can't say who since I haven't asked her permission, but rest assured, this is one cute sock pattern! I will see if I can post a picture when I am done with the first sock. It is a top down, very feminine sock that will appeal to most any female sock knitter. I am using KnitPicks Essential sock yarn in Dusk, the denim blue color. It is really soft yarn, way softer than many of the more expensive sock yarns. I am really impressed with the feel and how nice it's knitting. And, not to keep plugging KnitPicks (although I do lov'em), I am using their 24" size 1 (2.5mm) circular needles and LOVING them. They are equal to Addi's in comfort, quality, and speed. I am using the 2 circular method and have really come to like it. I have to say, these needles are a third the cost of Addi's and just as nice. The cable (which is purple on all their circulars) is very flexible, but I was concerned that the tips would be too sharp. I had read on some blogs that they were so sharp that they were painful. Evidently KnitPicks heard enough complaints and changed the tips because they are very comfortable to use. I definitely will be buying a couple more size 1's (for those multiple sock projects!) and a couple size 2's for knitting sport weight socks.

Well, I better go get the chicken breasts out of the water so I can make some chicken salad. It is very hot and humid today so we only need a light meal. I love chicken salad made with grapes, mandarin oranges, macaroni, almonds, and green onions. Yum.

Am I Too Young For A Shawl?

What comes to mind when you hear the word "shawl"? A little old granny with a wool shawl wrapped around her stooped shoulders? That's what comes to my mind! Am I too young for a shawl at the middle age of 55? Nope. I have found a pattern that I would like to knit...it is a shawl. Years ago I bought some coned cotton and linen yarn from Elann. It is a beautiful denim color and would make a great shawl. I have about half of the Fiber Trends Landscape Shawl done using this yarn and I'm not sure I like it. Today I will reassess it and decide if it is to be frogged. I have no problem frogging something that I am not pleased with. I look at it this way, I'll never use it if I don't like it, and I get double the mileage out of the yarn since it gets knit twice. The shawl I want to make is from the Elann site, the Adara Rainbow Shawl. I don't like the colors they used so mine would be a solid color. Has anyone knit this, it looks to be a fun knit with interesting shaping. I need to start another project like I need a toothache, but, you know how it is...you see something that draws your attention and before you know it, you've cast on and have 6 inches done!

My daughter and grand daughter leave tomorrow morning. It will make me sad. I have really enjoyed having them here for the last 10 days. I probably won't see them again until October when I go to the Keys to visit them. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they come here for Christmas this year. In a perfect world they would live near by and I could see them everyday...maybe someday we'll live in a perfect world.

Last night was our monthly knitting group. It was also the knitting groups 5th anniversary! When Janet and I started it 5 years ago we never thought that it would actually be successful. Oh we of little faith... it turned out to be all we had ever hoped for. We have an average of 12 people a month, we've had as many as 24 and as few as 3. All ages, all levels of skill, every knitter is welcome. There are the regulars and there are some who come only once or twice and we never hear from them again. We have some knitters who knit stunning garments and some who knit dishcloths (I am NOT dissing dishcloths, I love to knit them!). It has a been a wonderful group and I have made many new friendships that I'm sure I will treasure for my lifetime.

I Wish I Could Do That!

It was hot again today in the Twin Cities. We had a slight reprieve for the last 2 days and now the heat is back. But that didn't stop the unstoppable Mia Belle from running through gramma's sprinkler. I wish I could do that...and not have the neighbors saying "Look at that fat goober running around in her back yard! What is she thinking?" Nope, the running through the sprinkler days for me are gone forever. Not so for Mia who had lots of fun and cooled off...so cool that she got the "blue lips I've been in the water too long" thing going. She is having a good time at gramma's and tells me everyday that she wants to stay in Minnesota. Gramma would like that too!

NO, that is NOT me in the above picture, even I don't have that bad of hair days! ;o) I promised a picture of the never-ending red sweater. I took the sweater, all 6 inches of it, out of my knitting bag to photograph. It's so boring that I didn't even want to take it's picture, but I did! It is a dreaded garter stitch Tyrolean Sweater. You know the one...all garter stitch, sort of boxy, with those cute little metal clasps near the neck. What was I thinking!? I am using the pattern pictured above by Mary Rich Goodwin (the picture is from the pattern book)...awesome patterns by the way. It is a top down so you do the whole body at once. You increase 8 times (2x in 4 different spots) every other row for the shaping. You stop when it is whatever armhole length you need. The longer you knit the armholes, the wider the body will be. The yarn I'm using has slight colors changes like the yarn in the picture, only mine is reds, rusts, and purples. I know, it sounds hideous but it is really pretty yarn. So pretty that this is the second sweater those skeins have been knit into! Yup, I frogged half a sweater I had knit with the red, rust, purple yarn already, and I was sure that this garter stitch Tyrolean Sweater was THE one for this yarn. Now I'm not so sure. Honest opinions please...

Shoe Woes, Painting, and Knitting

I love Keens, they make a cute, comfortable, hard wearing shoe. The above Keen clogs are one of my favorite pairs of shoes that I own. I bought them specifically to wear to work since they are so comfortable. Unfortunately, our new HR doesn't seem to like Keens as much as I do. I got in trouble for wearing them...in fact, I got written up. This all happened the week before my vacation. Not a good thing since I have worked at my present job for almost 15 years and never been in trouble before. Let me rephrase that, I've never been written up before. The new HR, fresh out of college (and very experienced I'm sure!), is quite willing to "discipline" the employees, even us old-timers. I guess I have a problem with a 26 yr. old telling me what I can and cannot wear. First, she needs to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff. Really now, I think these shoes do have backs, they're just a bit shorter than most shoes. And what difference is it going to make in the long run if I wear these shoes or another style? Come on! Are the shoes I wear going to cause the Earth to spin off it's axis? I think not. Will world peace be impossible because I have on Keens? Pretty doubtful. So what did I do? I went to Target and bought the cheapest, butt-ugliest shoes I could find and now I wear them to work. I can't wait to retire...

I have sanded and primed the ugly, green nightstand and tomorrow it will get it's coat of fresh white paint. As you can see in the before picture, it is ugly. Not the style. Actually it has really nice lines and is quite cute, but the color is gross. It was painted back when "antiquing" was all the craze. The little table next to it was also going to get a coat of fresh white paint...but, it needs more work since the old paint is peeling. I have decided to wait on that one until later, in the fall. Don't want to get too many projects done!

My plans to get a lot of knitting done have fallen by the wayside. Or in other words, I've been a real knitting slacker! I will work on some socks tonight while daughter and I watch the movie "Redeye". Did I ever tell you about the never-ending red sweater? Well, check back tomorrow and I'll explain and have a picture. Don't get excited, it's nothing great. Off to walk the greyhound...

Dead or Alive?

The above picture is of my sound asleep greyhound known as Summer. Yes, she looks dead, but trust me, she's not. She sleeps like this quite often, on her back, on the couch. I guess she also looks like she's snarling...impossible, since she is asleep, she cannot snarl. Not that she snarls anyway since she is a wonderful ole gal (10 1/2 yrs old) that loves people. I can't stress enough how great these retired racers are. I have had her for over 8 years and I would adopt (here's the great organization I adopted her from) her all over again! She is starting to slow down a bit but there are days she still acts like a puppy. Most people think that greyhounds are hyper and always wanting to run...not true. They are loving dogs that border on lazy (sorry Summer, but we both know that to be true) and require less care than most other large dogs. They have very little inherent health problems since any problems, such as hip dysplasia, were bred out of the breed long ago. Remember, these dogs were bred for speed and a profit so health problems were NOT allowed. They like to walk, and with a little encouragement they can be great jogging partners. There are a few hard and fast rules that do apply to greyhounds. First and foremost, they can never be off a lead. They are sighthounds and they are fast, very fast, some say the second fastest land animal on earth right behind the cheetah. They need to be contained in a fenced yard or walked regularly on a leash. Unless you can run 40 mph to catch your loose greyhound, a leash is mandatory. They can see something a half mile away, take chase, and be lost before they even know it. Plus, a leash is a protector and safeguard and all dog owners should use one. Second, they are house pets. If you're looking for a dog to keep kenneled outside, a greyhound is not for you. They have very little undercoat and body fat. They get hot in the summer and cold in the winter. They need the protection of a shelter with regulated temperatures. Personally, if you don't want a dog that you will keep indoors, maybe you don't really want a dog.

Today I went shopping with my daughter and grand daughter. I returned 2 books that my aunt gave me for my birthday (shhh, don't tell her!) and bought a book I wanted. What book? Why, "More Sensational Knitted Socks" by Charlene Schurch, of course. Her books are awesome and so well laid out. I love how the patterns are all in chart form and easy to follow. I find her books helpful when you need numbers for a basic sock pattern. She has lots of ideas for making your socks "fancy" and even has stitch patterns in the back of the book. I guess that if I could only have one sock pattern book, hers would be it! Although I also love any book by Nancy Bush and Ann Budd. After we were done shopping we had lunch at Big Bowl, one of my favorite restaurants. We had dumplings and I had Pad Thai noodles. They were good. I am enjoying my time with Stacey and Mia and will miss them when they leave on Saturday.

I am going to paint my little antique nightstand today. First sand, prime, then paint. I really don't love to paint...if fact, I really dislike painting. When I moved into my house over 3 years ago I painted almost every room. It was torture. I think it's the boring factor...it's so damn monotonous. But today my little ugly green nightstand will be reborn as a beautiful white piece of heirloom (dare I call it that?) furniture. Thank goodness the temps are normal and the humidity is gone so I can comfortably work outside.

Today Is My Birthday!

55 years ago today a baby girl was born at Swedish Hospital in St. Paul Minnesota. That was me! I am getting old, but as my husband would say...getting old is better than the alternative. Tonight I will go out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with my 4 children, husband, mother, and the visiting grand daughter. I love it when we can all be together. So Happy Birthday To Me and hopefully many more!

I am officially on vacation starting today. My daughter and grand daughter arrived safely yesterday and we have been having a fun time. Mia is talking like crazy and what she says is so funny! She makes us all laugh. It will be nice to relax for the next ten days and just take it easy. I want to paint my nightstand white (it is a puke olive green now, that green that was so popular in the 60's) and distress it. My daughter thinks I should paint it white then sand it to let a bit of the green show through. Since most of my furniture is antiques that style would fit in well. I'll wait and see how it looks once it's white. It is a cute little antique table with drawer and door on the bottom. Usually I don't paint antiques but the wood on this was so stained and blotchy that my dear mom painted it years ago. Hence, the lovely green.

My aunt gave me some books that I am going to return (shhh, don't tell her!) to Barnes and Noble and get a knitting book I want. I don't know what one I will pick but since I am on vacation I can take my time browsing.

I also will get all my purple Wool of the Andes Chunky wound so I can start the cardigan. Of course, it has been 90º so knitting with 100% wool doesn't sound too appealing right now. Maybe finish the Peach Petal Socks for my mom's birthday next month. Either way, I am gonna get some knitting done while I'm off work!

Rainbow Morning

The days that I have to work I get up at 4:30am. I have to walk Summer, the greyhound gal, before I leave so I give myself that extra 20 minutes. Some mornings I am running late and Summer gets the abbreviated walk, not so this morning. I had lots of extra time and when I opened my front door...this is what I saw! I took the picture standing in my driveway. The colors aren't nearly a bright as the real rainbow was and it was a complete bow. A perfect arch that was full spectrum colored and beautiful! The sun hadn't risen yet so the picture looks dreary but it sure started my day right!

In less than 48 hours my daughter Stacey and my grand daughter Mia will be here, in my house, visiting for 10 days! I will take lots of pictures of the cutie...isn't that what grammas do?

Cable Needle Bling!

Woo-Hoo! Yesterday the mailman brought me a little package. In that little package was the hand forged bronze cable needles I had ordered from Molly at Celtic Swan Forge. These needles are beautiful, a true work of art, hand made by a metal artist extraordinaire. They are so pretty that they practically qualify as jewelry. Check out Celtic Swan for hand made tools for knitters, spinners, and crocheters. You won't be disappointed.

Only 3 more days of work and I start my vacation. I am off from this Thursday until the Sunday 10 days later! Yeah! My daughter and grand daughter will arrive Wed. afternoon for a nice long visit. I can't wait...not only to see them but to have some time off and relax a bit. I am going to try and finish a couple socks and maybe cast on the Lisa Lloyd cardigan I want to knit so badly. I have loved this pattern ever since I first saw it at Lisa Lloyds web site. She has some very pretty sweaters that I would call "classic" more so than high fashion. I like classic, I know that I can wear this sweater for years and it will never look "dated". And now, thanks to Bev, I have been able to figure out the charting system that Garnstudio uses. And you know what that means?? I can knit the other cabled cardigan I covet! I will be putting my new cable needle bling to good use the next few months!

Today is hot...I really don't like hot weather. I'm one of the twelve people in Minnesota who actually like winter. I know, hard to believe. I like summer too, just not the heat. So now I am trying to decide...is it too early in the season to turn on the AC? Decisions, decisions. My daughter will feel right at home in this heat since she is coming from the Florida Keys. I guess I shouldn't complain, it's really hot down there.

I am off to get ready to watch the final episode of The Sopranos. I have watched it from the very beginning and seen every episode. I am hoping that they don't kill off Tony in the last show, how depressing would that be? Okay, I know the guy's a real snake, but hey, I've grown to love him over the years.

What Would YOU Grab In A Fire?

While watching Paula Deen on the Food Network the other day (I'm a knitter and a foodie!) she made a comment that got me thinking, which is always dangerous :o) Anyway, she said that if her kitchen started on fire she would grab her microplaner! A microplaner?? Hey, Paula, they only cost about $12.00, I think you could afford to replace it quite easily. Then I thought...hummm, what would I grab if the ole hacienda were to go up in flames. Of course the first thing out the door, or window, would be anything human! And next would be anything canine, especially greyhound canine! Then I would have to make choices. What would it be...I can tell you right now, it ain't no damn microplaner! But in all fairness, I would like to save "Big Blue", the beloved nickname of my cobalt blue Kitchenaid Mixer. And while we're still in the kitchen, definitely my Braun Water Kettle...the one appliance I use all the time. Then I would head to my bedroom, and my knitting supplies! Grab that black tote that holds all my dpn's, then the basket that has the sets of circular needles and my straights, and finally, toss the Circular Solution with all my loose circular needles out the window! Phew...all are safe, but what about the yarn? Well, after much thought, and unlike Paula Deen who wants to save a microplaner, I think it would be fun to replace the yarn. Who doesn't like to shop for yarn? And what a good reason to shop and rebuild your stash. Yup, Paula can have her microplaner...I'm saving my knitting needles!

Anyone out there ever used Hiya Hiya circular needles? They look very similar to Addi's but without the big price tag. I am always leery of the joins, since that is what seems to make or break a circular needle. I love the Addi's, and who doesn't? But when the average price is around $14.00 and you know that eventually you will need every size and length, it is a bit pricey. I bought the KnitPicks Options set. I like the needles, the join is smooth and the cord is nice and flexible...but I'm not sure I like the tips! They are almost too sharp and pointy, to the degree of being painful. After Paula Deen got me thinking about what's important (I am just jesting here, if I really could save anything in the event of fire it would be my antiques that are irreplaceable) I realized just how much I've invested over the years in needles! Holy Moly...it's a LOT! In fact, I don't even want to think about how much. Maybe it is time to try those Hiya Hiya circulars.

Every Thursday a group of local knitters, many of which are in our monthly group, get together at a local restaurant to have lunch and knit. I have only gone a couple times and met some very nice people. But then, aren't all knitters nice people? I am fortunate to live in a community that has good yarn stores and many local knitters. Isn't it funny how knitters seem to "find" others of like obsession? I am lucky enough to have met many wonderful knitters over the last few years, and made friendships I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make without knitting. Knitting rocks....

Why Knit Dishcloths?

For our knitting group last month my friend Janet challenged us all to knit a dishcloth. Some of the ladies were happy with the idea, some groaned. Personally, I like to knit dishcloths. It's sort of like knitting a big swatch that you get to use...for cleaning your kitchen. Of course, if you don't want your beautiful cloth lying in the kitchen sink you can always call it a bath cloth and use it in the shower! They make wonderful gifts too. My mom loves the cloths I've given her over the years. A great gift idea is a pretty round cloth bunched up to look like a flower, put in a cute basket with some fragrant bath soap and lotion. One of my favorite round cloths is the Annie Cloth (picture above). It is a free pattern listed here. There are many cute patterns there, be sure to check them all out if you love to knit cloths!

One week from today my daughter Stacey and granddaughter Mia will be coming to Minnesota for a 10 day visit. I am so excited. They were last here in March and I plan on visiting them this fall. Mia is getting so big and talks so much. With out of town family coming that means one thing...cleaning house. Yuck. Why can't I win that Powerball? The second thing I would spend my millions on is a housekeeper...to clean the first thing I would buy...a ginormous house. But, regardless of the size of my house (and mine is too big when it comes to cleaning it) next week it will be filled with people I love and the laughter of a child. I can't wait!

I am plugging along on the second Peach Petal sock and still loving this pattern. I knit the leg portion on size 2's (3.0mm) since my mom doesn't like anything restrictive on her ankles, and these socks are a gift for her. I switched to size 1 1/2 (2.5mm) for the heel and foot. I think that I would do the whole sock on one's the next time since the lace top is very stretchy anyways. I feel like I have my sock mojo back! Maybe this is the boost I need to finish all the mates for my single socks.

I have given myself permission to cast on the Lisa Lloyd cardigan. I doubt I will work on it a lot this summer since it is knit in bulky wool and would be too hot to handle, but I would like to start it anyway. I hope to have it done by winter, it gets mighty cold in Minnesota.

My 2 youngest boys (19 and 21) just walked in, I guess the cold rain has stopped their work for the day. They work construction for their dad and today is cold, windy, rainy, and all round miserable weather. They are both hungry so I am off to make them a ham and cheese omelet. A cup of tea sounds pretty good to me.