Cool Contest

If you haven't been over to Fine Martial Fiber, go check it out. She's having a cool Contest for some yarn and needles. You just have to recognize some famous smiles. Go check it out!

My favorite!

As this is not very calorie friendly, I only make this at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm working on a healthier version for the rest of the year (it's really delicious, and cranberries are very good for you.)

Cranberry-Apple Casserole

3 C peeled chopped apples (make them about the size of cranberries)
2 C cranberries (fresh)
2 T flour
3 Pkg instant oatmeal (cinnamon spice flavor)
3/4 C chopped pecans
1/2 C flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C butter, melted

Combine apples, cranberries, 2 T flour, tossing to coat fruit. Add 1 C sugar, mixing well. Place in 2 qt casserole.

Combine oatmeal, nuts, 1/2 C flour, and brown sugar. Add butter and stir well. Spoon over fruit mixture.

Bake uncovered at 350F for 45 minutes.

You can make this a day or two ahead of time and bake just before serving. You can garnish this with extra cranberries and pecans -- make Holly shapes at Christmas!

We serve this with the meal, but it would also be wonderful for dessert with vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Christmas is coming

I am working on two Christmas projects, and the one is killing me. I'm making a throw for my mom. It's easy. Very pretty, but very easy. And thus, boring as hell. But it's super soft and plush, and I know she'll love it, so I try to do 12 rows a day (which takes awhile since it's almost 4 feet wide), and eventually, it will be finished.

The pattern is Scallops and Squares from the BHG book, "Knitted Gifts." The yarn is Knit Picks Shine Worsted in "blush."

Garterlac Washcloth

The engineer wanted me to make something for her that was pink, and she picked out this pink varigated cotton. So I tried a few different patterns, and then I found this washcloth pattern over on Criminy Jickets. When he says cast on really loosely, he ain't foolin. But despite my less loose cast-on (next time, Dave), I think it came out pretty well.

All Done!

I finished the scarf for ISE5. I need to do a little touch up blocking, but I think it came out pretty good!

What do you think? I know it is a little shiny in the photo due to the silk. It's not shiny at all in real life.