December 22, 2004
Mini Harlot
Now that Amy has opened Ainsley's Christmas present, I can proudly show of what has to have been the most satisfying project I've worked on to date: Ainsley's Mini Harlot Poncho. I based it on the Yarn Harlot's free poncho pattern (PDF) and some pint-sized alterations she described in her blog. I used some super soft cotton tots, the remainder of which was traded away in last week's yankee swap. It was so fast and easy to knit and the yarn felt so nice in my hands. I had it finished in about two hours (not counting the fringe, which felt like it took another two) for nearly instant gratification.
Posted by criminal at 5:09 PM | Comments (0)
Winter Sale
Eddie Bauer is having their winter sale right now. Everything on my wishlist is on sale, including the down vest, super soft cable turtleneck ($65 extravagence becomes a $40 wardrobe staple) and the one and only properly sized pea coat ($100 instead of $168). Hooray! I can't wait until the holidays are over and I can buy for myself without feeling too guilty. I'll even swear off the huge post-holiday ornament/decoration sales this year if it means I can finally buy a coat that won't leave my wrists and forearms exposed. Notice it specifically doesn't leave out gift wrap. I need to replenish that on the cheap as I've plundered my stash of gift bags this year.
Posted by criminal at 2:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2004
Brrrr
It was very cold in my apartment last night. Not quite as bad as my first apartment where bottles of water on my nightstand froze, but still cold. It wasn't too bad huddled under a blanket on the couch watching the Pats, but when I wandered back into my room to make my bed, it was a whole new world of chill. With freshly laundered flannel sheets, a feather bed, fluffy mattress pad, fleece blanket, bedspread, and quilt, I was able to keep myself warm while I slept. It was bitterly cold when I woke up -- -1 outdoors, 58ish indoors -- despite the fact that the heat had been on most of the night. Getting out of bed and taking a shower in the cold wasn't nearly as traumatic as pulling on ice cold underwear and sweater. Tomorrow my clothes will be waiting for me all toasty and warm, having spent the night drapped over a radiator cover.
Posted by criminal at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2004
Quick Thoughts
- The Pops concert was great. Steve really came through with the tickets. We were just a few yards from the stage, close enough to hear the violinists chattering during rests. It was nice to see that even one of the most famous orchestras in the world is a little snarky and giggly.
- I had venison at Grille 23. Mmmm, Bambi...
- I finished most of my Christmas knitting this weekend while watching football. I'm hoping to finish the project I'm working on now before Christmas Day and have a simple scarf started for the plane ride.
- Miami has our number.
- It snowed this morning. A lot. Only 2" in Chelmsford, but 6" in Worcester. Which means it took me about two hours to get to work today.
- The president's holiday luncheon is tomorrow. Yay for free food. If only I could get my digestive system as excited as my mouth...
Posted by criminal at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2004
Five on Friday for December 17, 2004
CHRISTMAHANUKWANZAAKAH III: The Celebrations
1. How many holiday cards did/will you send out this year? Don't remind me that I haven't sent them yet. I expect to send at least 20, because that's all the cards I have this year. The only time I think I have a too many aunts and uncles is when I have to address my cards every Christmas.
2. At how many locations will you be exchanging gifts this year? 6? Work, the Jay's, Aunt Jean's, Grandma's, Mom's, and Dad's. I think that's it. Although that doesn't include Wednesday's yankee swap.
3. Do you have any special holiday traditions? Having breakfast with my dad on Christmas Day (or the day after Christmas Day if I fly home on Christmas Day). Eating nut rolls at Grandma's. Everything else varies from year to year.
4. Do you have any favorite holiday memories? The time my sister nearly fainted when she got scotch tape in her stocking. Or maybe the time Grandma and Grandpa Dick clogged for us. Oh, and sitting in an airport holding Jon's hand on Christmas Day as we waited for our plane.
5. Do you have any stories of interesting holiday mishaps? You mean like the time my dad got my mom a totally awesome cordless drill to keep in the house and hid it so well he didn't find it for six months and spent the entire two days before Christmas tearing apart the house and garage with a barrage of curse words?
Posted by criminal at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
December 16, 2004
Yankee Swap
Yesterday was our first ever Knit One, Crochet Too! yankee swap. Joan came up with the idea after last week's meeting. It sounded like a great way to trade away our stash, so we went for it. We used pretty standard rules that let each person choose an unwrapped gift from the pile or steal an opened one from someone else. A gift gets "frozen" after it has been stolen three times. If your gift is stolen, you get to make your choice all over again. Because I knew I would like it, I chose the beautiful Berroco Candy FX in Mythic Jan that Amy brought. (Cheating? Maybe, but choosing what you want is half the fun of a yankee swap, so it's not so much cheating as getting into the spirit.) She originally bought it to embellish the raspberry colored poncho she's making for Ainsley, but scrapped the idea when she discovered that the stuff wasn't machine washable. Apparently clothing small children in handwash-only items can cause irreparable damage to parental sanity. So I get to make something with it now. Whee! I brought a kit of sorts to make a toddler sized poncho (based on the famed Harlot Poncho) with some leftover Bernat CottonTots, a couple stitch markers, and a copy of the adult pattern with my recommended modifications. Joan snagged it from Amy, which I totally expected. She was smitten from the moment I showed her the yarn a few weeks ago and determined to knit something for her granddaughter with it. I think everyone had a great time and found some new project ideas. I'm thinking we should try a "Christmas in July" swap just to keep things exciting.
Posted by criminal at 6:13 PM | Comments (0)
Holey Socks, Batman!
For the third day in a row I have come to work with holey socks. In each instance I didn't realize there was a hole until it was too late. First it was the trouser socks. A giant hole opened up in the toe sometime after lunch, shortly after my shoe fell off while I was walking up the stairs in the Campus Center. Then it was the super cute Grinch Christmas socks, whose hole was positioned in such a way that my big toe spent most of its time outside the sock. Today it's my nice black and tan argyle socks. This hole is thankfully smaller than yesterdays, making it much less annoying. Albeit no less frustrating. Three days in a row! It's not like I have dozens of holey socks. I'm beginning to think that I should check all of my shoes and floors for sharp, sock-snagging objects. Or Jon's washer. It could be snacking on them...
Posted by criminal at 3:10 PM | Comments (0)
December 15, 2004
I've Got Soul
| You Are a Visionary Soul |
 You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness. Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connect to your soul. You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable. Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings.You have great vision and can be very insightful. In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself. Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend. You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul |
Posted by criminal at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2004
Merry Christmas Sweetie
I got a Christmas card in the mail today. At first I thought my grandmother was getting senile because the return address was S. Allen. When I opened the card I found this picture and the following message:
Come see me over Christmas.
From the Red Hat Lady,
Sweetie Allen
Sweetie is my grandmother's cat. She is obviously much more spoiled that I first suspected. I think she would love a hand-knit red and purple wool mouse stuffed with catnip for Christmas.
Posted by criminal at 6:42 PM | Comments (0)
Heater
[To William as he plugs in a borrowed space heater...]
Sarah: And if you forget to turn it off we'll ostracize you and laugh at you even more than we usually do. Like you're Liz's red-headed-step-child.
Posted by criminal at 3:54 PM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2004
Santa Baby
[Browsing sites for sexy Christmas gifts...]
Justin: I kind of like the tartan "santa panty." Looks like it has one of those nifty easy-access mechanisms too...
Troy: Only an engineer would use the word mechanisms
Posted by criminal at 5:07 PM | Comments (0)
Not the Shoes Again
After several agonizing weeks running from store to store, I managed to find an outfit to wear to the holiday pops. Simple, wide-leg black pants, cranberry satin tank, and classic black sweater. Elegant and black, with a hint of color and shine. My only problem now is the accessories, the most important of which are the shoes.
I found these cute slingbacks online last week only to have them tell me it would be 3-4 days before they could even think about shipping them on the slow boat from China. Now they're not even available online in my size. I did find a pair of moc croc pumps in a dark berry color at the Payless in Nashua, but they didn't have 11s. Just size 10s which were a half inch too short. I'd love to find those again, but they're not showing up online. I've been eyeing these kitten heels for a few months now, and I'm honestly quite tempted now that I have a reason for them. However, this is not the time of year I can afford to waste money on frivolous shoes. I'll keep looking at the local Payless stores and T.J. Maxx and Marshall's this week to see if anything shows up. If not, I may be wearing the boots Jon (and my feet) dislike for lack of anything more appropriate.
Jewelry is also an issue. I'd like to wear pearls, but the standard white/off-white don't look quite right. Liz and I found some berry colored ones at Afterthoughts that might work if I don't find anything else. I actually think I'd like some sort of ribbon/medallion thing, but we struck out at the mall yesterday. The stores are already starting to stock spring things.
The whole thing is so close to being pulled together, but I suspect I won't be able to find the pieces I want.
Posted by criminal at 3:34 PM | Comments (2)
December 10, 2004
Of Pottery in Barns
[discussing a very elegant tray from Pottery Barn]
amymarrmobile: I loathe pottery barn
good parzlee: i loooove the pottery barn ;-)
amymarrmobile: argh
amymarrmobile: they suck
amymarrmobile: but I love them
amymarrmobile: seekritly
Posted by criminal at 5:41 PM | Comments (0)
Five on Friday for December 10, 2004
CHRISTMAHANUKWANZAAKAH II: The Gifts
1. Who is your favorite person to Christmas shop for? Who is your least favorite person to Christmas shop for? My sister! I have a list of things I'd like to get for her that's several feet long. She's still a starving college student, so she doesn't get to spoil herself much, leaving me lots of room to spoil her. Last year I even bought us matching t-shirts and sweaters, just like Great used to. Jon's family is still hard for me to shop for because I don't know them and their collection of stuff as well as I know my own family's. (Although my own family is getting harder now that I only see them a couple times a year and don't get to track every acquisition...) But I think my mom is the hardest. Like Barbie, I know her style by heart, but unlike Barbie she has oodles of stuff. I like to buy things for people that they wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves. Which often means upgrades to practical things that my mom is unwilling to admit she needs. One year I bought her a matched set of rubbermaid storage containers, threw out all of her old mismatched ones, and reorganized the cupboard they were in. Last year I bought her a serrated bread knife, which she now uses on almost everything because it's the sharpest knife in the block. Since I'm around anymore (and she has a whole new house) it's harder to find out what she needs.
2. Do you ask people what they want, or do you pick out things on your own that you think they'd like? I do a little of both. I keep an eye out for special things all year round and often have a nice stash built up before December ever rolls around. Having a list is nice though. Even if I don't buy something off it I can get ideas for a lot of other gifts from it.
3. Do you buy something for yourself while Christmas shopping, or are you able to resist the temptation? I don't usually buy myself a "Christmas Gift," but I do buy things for myself while I'm out shopping. Like clothes, shoes, or christmas ornaments/decorations.
4. Is your Christmas shopping complete? Not by any means. I haven't done very well this year, partly because I've been so indecisive about choosing gifts. So it's only about 25% done. I am proud to report that I have at least decided what I'm going to get 75% of the people on my list.
5. What's on your wish list this year? You even have to ask? There's a link to my wish list on my sidebar this year.
Posted by criminal at 3:54 PM | Comments (0)
December 9, 2004
Christmas At Home
I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
So please have snow and lots of mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Jon and I will be flying to Michigan on Christmas Day. We hope to rent a car and drive up to Flushing in time to celebrate at my grandmother's house. Sometimes I feel guilty, like I'm stealing him away from his family. But then I remember that we're spending Christmas Eve with them. So we get to spend the holiday with both of our families. I'm thinking we'll have to start rotating holidays (Thanksgiving with one, Christmas with the next) in the coming years. Flying on Christmas won't always be this exciting.
Posted by criminal at 5:47 PM | Comments (1)
Hallelujah Everybody Say Cheese
Carve the turkey turn the ball game on
Mix margaritas when the eggnog's gone
Send somebody to the Quik-Pak store
We need some ice and an extension cord
A can of bean dip and some Diet Rite
A box of tampons and some Marlboro Lights
Hallelujah everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the family
[Merry Christmas From the Family, Robert Earl Keen]
Posted by criminal at 5:26 PM | Comments (0)
Nog
Drinking egg nog is a lot like drinking melted ice cream. I've been limiting myself to "silk nog" (yay soy milk) and light egg nog, so when I drank real egg nog today it seemed too thick and sweet. I want more spice and less sugar and cream.
Posted by criminal at 5:22 PM | Comments (1)
December 7, 2004
Slip 'n' Slide
When I got up this morning, getting into the office before 8 a.m. was looking like a real possibility. Then I had some trouble with the outfit I decided to wear. Turns out I'm bigger than I was the last time I wore this particular oxford shirt last winter, so it gaps around the buttons in a rather unsightly way. Eventally I fixed it by throwing a V-neck sweater over the top, but not before I tried several other shirts. By 7:45 I had only made it as far as my ice-coated front porch.
That first step was a doozy, sending me to one knee as a struggled to keep from falling face-first onto the brick walkway. Luckily, I saved the nut rolls. Not so much my knee. I half crawled, half walked the 20 feet to my car, setting my purse and pastries on the sidewalk before making my way over it. Then I tried cleaning off my car. I had to use my scraper on the street to break up the ice under my feet because every time I'd use it on the windows, the pressure would make me slide down the street. 20 minutes later, the windows were clear enough to get to work.
The open house was a big hit. I didn't hear a bad word about the nut rolls, just people oohing and going back for seconds. I made 8 dozen of the damned things, which appears to be my quota for the year. Once we had the last of the snowflake garland hung from the ceiling and people started streaming in, I was able to sit down and ice my aching knee. With frozen chicken vindaloo, of course. Yvette and Steve from the ATC conspired to get me a bag of real ice from my knee, which was a godsend, because the place was starting to smell a bit like curry.
The rest of the day has been pretty low key. A few fixes, a crash course in digital recorders, some zipped files, and an alumni helpdesk call later, I'm ready to call it a day. Now I just have to make my way through traffic and ice to find some greeting cards before I go home to rest.
Posted by criminal at 6:08 PM | Comments (1)
December 6, 2004
Nutty
I could kick myself. I was so confident that I knew the recipe for Great's nut rolls that I forgot something. I made the dough at Jon's last night so that it would be able to chill overnight. I didn't have the recipe card to refer to, but I was so sure that I knew exactly what went into it that I didn't bother to call anyone to double-check it. As I was putting it together I had a nagging suspicion that I was missing something, but ignored it. It wasn't until I was driving home from the grocery store tonight, walnuts and milk in the seat next to me, that I realized I had forgotten eggs to brush the tops. And where do those egg whites come from? Why, they're leftovers from the six yolks that go into the pastry dough.
D'oh.
The moral of the story is that the egg yolks aren't really necessary, just nice. They give the pastry more body and depth. So, this batch isn't quite as rich as usual -- a little more like pie crust than the pastry I'm used to. Still tasty, but just a little off. Family would notice, but the crowd at tomorrow's open house won't know the difference.
Posted by criminal at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
Snow!
It's snowing. Hooray! Just enough to brush off, but hey, beggars can't be choosey. It will at least make tomorrow Winter Wonderland in the WDO much more wintery. Speaking of which, I have to run to the store then home to finish a batch of nut rolls for the open house.
Posted by criminal at 6:50 PM | Comments (0)
December 3, 2004
Five on Friday for December 3, 2004
CHRISTMAHANUKWANZAAKAH
1. What puts you in the holiday spirit? Lights. Lots of snow. And pumpkins. As soon as fall rolls around and I start seeing pumpkins on front porches, pumpkin-flavored coffee, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie filling displays I start thinking about Thansgiving and that leads me to Christmas. All that earthy, spicy food makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
2. What is your favorite holiday carol? And is there a carol you can't stand to hear? The Huron Carol. It's so haunting and beautiful. Part of me should despise it because it was used to convert Native Americans to Christianity, but it's so darned crafty. I've never been overly fond of Here We Come A-Wassailing or Ding Dong Merrily on High.
3. What is your favorite holiday TV special or movie? I like the Peanuts Christmas Special. And of course Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.
4. How many holiday parties will you be attending between now and Christmas? I honestly don't know.
5. How do you decorate your house (inside or out) for the holidays? Do you put up a Christmas tree? If so, is it real or fake? I have candle lights in my front windows, a colorful tree, garland around my entertainment center, and a mantel (that's right, a real live mantel) decorated in garland, candles, stockings, pinecones, and a stuffed santa I've had for ages.
Posted by criminal at 4:29 PM | Comments (0)
Sailing to Philadephia
We stayed late decorating the office for next week's open house. Amy bribed us with dinner. At O'Connor's. We're only halfway there, but it's actually starting to look like a winter wonderland. Because we got such a late start, I didn't leave until 11. Which means no parking spaces in the neighborhood. After making a couple loops and not seeing anything I was starting to get nervous. Then I spotted a space on the side street I had just passed. But by the time I waited at the light and got around the block, a Becker student had just pulled into it. Before I could hit the ceiling, a new song came on the radio: Sailing to Philadelphia by Mark Knopfler. I'm not sure why, but the charming little folk song about the Mason-Dixon line just soothes me. I did eventually find a space even closer that the one I lost.
Now hold your head up, Mason
See America lies there
The morning tide has raised
The capes of delaware
Come up and feel the sun
A new morning has begun
Another day will make it clear
Why your stars should guide us here
Posted by criminal at 12:56 AM | Comments (0)
December 2, 2004
Ugg
I found this adorable pattern for itty bitty Ugg Booties and have an irresistable urge to knit them. And the matching hat. The problem is that I don't have anyone to knit them for. Ainsley is probably too big by now and Makenna is definately out of the size range. Maybe they would fit Luka... My friends and family need to have more babies now that I know how to knit.
Posted by criminal at 4:01 PM | Comments (2)
In a Pickle
Troy: What would you do if a man came running at you with a toothpick?
Alex: After I stopped laughing? I'd whip out my pickle. Then after he stopped laughing I'd beat him over the head with my pickle.
Troy: I think I saw that in a movie...
Sarah: I was gonna say, I saw pictures of something like that on a Web site.
Posted by criminal at 3:19 PM | Comments (0)
Sweet Sixteen
"Quit talking to yourself" -Uncle Art
"Why? it's the most intelligent conversation I have all day" -Uncle Len
[My father and Uncle Len, courtesy of my cousin Jen's AIM profile]
Posted by criminal at 3:16 PM | Comments (0)
December 1, 2004
Knit Nite
Our knitting workshop went off without too many hitches. Despite feeling somewhat disorganized at the outset, we were able to settle in and get right to teaching. Or maybe it was just me that felt all frazzled because I was signing people in, taking money, explaining the package, and then distributing needles, yarn, and directions. Eleven students showed up, including two boys, so we had close to a 1:2 teacher to student ratio. I think 10-12 may be an ideal number for this type of event. In any case, it was a good learning experience for everyone involved. I think we'll all get better at teaching as we go along. Personally, I may have been a little over-ambitious, including purling and basic stitch patterns (like seed stitch and ribbing) in the instruction booklet I put together. In the short hour we had together, most students barely got through casting on and knitting. A couple that had knitted in the past were able to pick up purling, but I didn't have the time to show them how to use the patterns. I hope they'll show up at our Wednesday knitting circle to learn more.
Posted by criminal at 7:22 PM | Comments (0)