Glynis Socks by Cookie A and Boo! Toe-Up Socks

Even though I absolutely LOVE the little hexigon pattern created when knitting these they were a booger bear to knit.  I knit very tightly and the SSSK and K3TOG were almost impossible, never going through on the first swipe (or second and some times third)!!  I even broke a couple of needles.  I completed the first sock a long time ago but put them down.  I'm really glad they are finished and I love the way they look and feel!  Used Bernat Softee Baby in Fern green on a US size 1 needle!

Glynis by Cookie A from Sock Innovations

 

See the little hexigon pattern?  LOVE it!

I also finished up a pair of socks I've had on the needles since Halloween 2011.  I know, that's what I thought too!  These are Boo! Toe-Up socks and I find I really do not like a toe up sock.  I can screw that up SO fast!  The heels are always an issue and I usually bind-off too tightly so after all that work, the darn things don't fit at the ribbing (which is last with a toe up).  I do, however, like the little wailing faces of the Ghosts on these socks!  Fifth pair done for 2013!  YAY!

Boo! Toe-Up Socks

 

 

 

Golly Socks by Nicki Miller

Golly http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/golly-2 Socks

"A toe-up mansock, this pattern with traditional textured Scottish gansey stitch patterns was inspired by Compton Mackenzie’s novel Monarch of the Glen (also a BBC television series of the same name) character Golly Mackenzie, who was the gilly of the Glenbogle estate. These were designed to be boot socks, therefore long socks. My husband is a fly-fisherman, and these are perfect for wearing with his felt soled boots. They could also be kilt socks with just a bit more length and a deeper cuff to fold-over."

Chris LOVES Monarch of the Glen and he actually asked for a pair of socks.  In all these years of knitting socks he has never done that so I decided he really wanted these. 

Knit them cuff-down because I don't like a toe-up sock and had to them create a heel flap and gusset that worked and also a basic toe of decrease one round, knit one round, decrease, etc. until 20 stitches were left which I then grafted together.

Nice masculine sock in a neutral color.  Hope he likes them and gets much wear out of them.

Wow! It's been 9 months since I've been here!

I seriously had to request the password just to get back in! 

In 2012 I knit 14 pair of socks.  Several for KALs or Knit-A-Longs and then my usual Grace Ennis.  I was also lucky enough to FINALLY get ALL of Grace's patterns for my collection!  YAY!!!  I had a little help motivation-wise by joining the KALs and also a group on Ravelry, 12 in 2012.  Such beautiful socks were knit by this group of people and so many patterns to add to my list of future projects!  Here are some of my completed 12 in 2012!

Angee by Cookie A

 Noro Enterlac Socks by Jamie Fritz

Whozit by Rebecca Mercier

Cauchy by Cookie A

Sunshine by Cookie A

Eunice by Cookie A

Khotan from Silk Road Socks

Water to Sky Anklets by Thakshayini Shanthakumar

Winter Garden by Betsy Lee McCarthy

Toe-Up Socks with a Difference by Wendy D. Johnson

Hot Rod by Grace Ennis, Graphic Knitting Patterns

 

The 12 in 2012 group was just a huge hit that they have extended it into this year:  13 in 2013.  I've completed 2 for the year and will have #3 finished by this afternoon, hopefully!

 

Weeping Angel by Marie Martin

Harpa Socks by Natalie Jacobs

Golly Socks by Nicki Miller

 

I have Glynis by Cookie A on my needels as well as Boo Socks and The Gardener.  I have Pixi Dust too but not digging the heel so far so I may frog or at least change the pattern up to fit my comfort level!  Not a bad start to my 13 in 2013!!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Conchas!!!

Well, the little masks really didn't work out as planned so nix the Teenage Mutant Ninja part and just focus on the TURTLE CONCHAS!!  haha--yum!

This is the recipe I always use http://allrecipes.com/recipe/conchas-mexican-sweet-bread/ when making Conchas-a Mexican Sweetbread found here in Texas everywhere. They are a yeast bread that isn't too sweet with a butter/sugar coating that is baked right on.  The design in the coating is made to look like a conch shell, hence the name Conchas.  I made a few little changes in my Turtles.

I used the McCormick FALL liquid food coloring for my nice dark green "shell".  I also added 1 1/2 teaspoons of Matcha Powder or Green Tea Powder.  Kinda mixing things up here just a little but the coating is really yummy with the Matcha and it is very good for you!!

I followed the above recipe exactly as written.  I've made them before and they've always worked very well for me!  Instead of making just round Conchas, I saw on Pinterest where someone made little turtles and I just had to make some too!  http://pinterest.com/pin/195414071301574155/.  So, here are my little yeasty naked turtles before rising.

Then for the coating, I added the vanilla and the Matcha Powder to the butter, flour, sugar mixture and created the shells.  After mixing your "shell" ingredients together make little balls and flatten in your hand.  Lay on the top of your little turtles.  If you have some left over then gently press the extra pieces evenly among the turtles.  There are little gadgets to create the "perfect" patterns in the coating but I just use a knife and make any shape I want.  Swirls, turtle shell shapes and little squares.

Now let your little guys rest and rise for about 45 minutes before baking them.  See how the design "pops" after the buns have risen?  Yay!!

I had TOO many turtles on my cookie sheet and there was fusing!!  Doesn't change the taste at all and they turned out the perfect texture, density so I've got a happy tummy.  They won't be winning any beauty contests sadly but oh well. 



There is some green on the front of his head from the turtle shell in front of him.  Also, from this angle you can't see his little turtle legs but they are there.  No so purdy, but Oh So YUMMY!!  



 



Oven Roasted Salsa for 2!

Ever want yummy homemade salsa but not a Gallon of yummy homemade salsa?  Chris is a Pace Picante (Hot) guy so there is never a need to make more than a cup and I rarely ever go to the trouble.  I had 3 Roma tomatoes in the frig today though and they were screaming SALSA!  Since I also had FRESH HEB tortillas, I decided today was the perfect day!  So, here is what you do for a little salsa!

Preheat your oven to Screamin' hot.  The thermastat in mine is trying to decide if it wants to die or not and I am having a heck of time getting a true oven temp reading.  My little hanging thermometer said 450F.  Line a sided cookie sheet with foil.  Cut 3 Roma tomatoes into wedges.  Peel 2 garlic cloves.  Cut and wedge an onion.  Cut and quarter 2-3 jalapenos.  The seeds and veins are what make a pepper hot so toss 'em or leave 'em in, it is up to you.  For mine, I left the seeds in 1.  Drizzle with EVOO and a quick little sprinkle of Kosher Salt.  Pop the tray into the oven and keep an eye on it.  You want the veggies to get some color and soften up but you do NOT want CHAR. 



My garlic cloves were done a good while before the other veggies so really do keep an eye on it.  Your tomatoes will have oozed, keep it, after putting all the other stuff in the blender, pour the juice in. 

I know, dark picture but see the veggies, soft, a little color...just right.  Get your blender out!  Pile the veggies in with the juice from the cookie sheet. 

See, pretty huh?  Now blend!  It is just that easy!  Here's the To Taste part. I put in the juice from half of a medium lime. (Not a huge lime fan) A small amount of fresh cilantro (I AM a HUGE fan but Chris doesn't love it) some Kosher Salt and a little Cumin. Cumin is a personal choice here. I LOVE IT but you don't have to use it at all. TO TASTE. Add a little then taste. It is easy to add more of something and almost impossible to remove it!!!  This stuff will be HOT since you've just taken the ingredients out of the oven.  Let it cool!  You can even put it in the refrigerator.  Your salsa, it's up to you.  I like mine cold.  Even if you like it warm give it a little while for the flavors to marry and get happy with each other.  YUM!!  Serve with chips!  =)

Fresh Oven Roasted Salsa for Two

3 Roma Tomatoes

2 garlic cloves

2-3 Jalapenos (more or less to taste)

1 small onion or 3/4 large onion

fresh cilantro

1/2 a fresh lime

Kosher salt

EVOO

cumin





Flippant Socks! It's That Time of Year Again!

I actually finished these in April of 2011 but never posted about them and they did turn out really cute.  These are called Flip Flop Socks.  WHAT?  You don't wear socks with Flip Flops...Yes, you can!  These are designed to keep that annoying toe thong from rubbing and they do a really good job of keeping the ball of your foot cleaner.  Here is Texas we wear (read I) flip flops all year long and these little guys are just great any time.  This is a FREE Ravelry download if anyone is interested in making a pair.  I used Premier Yarns Serenity Garden in Gems for these on size 2 needles.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flippant 

Cookie A Cauchy Socks!! Cookie A Sunshine Socks!! Water to Sky, OK, LOTS of Socks!!

I found a sock pattern book at Half Price Books and couldn't resist.  These are NOT Grace Ennis and there is no colorwork involved.  Lots of exciting texture though!  I do NOT like the way the colors of this variegated yarn pooled but I do like the design and they are nice and stretchy!  The yarn is TLC Baby Multi in Snookie.  Size 1 needles.

These are Cauchy Socks by Cookie A.  All of her sock patterns are interesting!  They look all complicated and intimidating but are actually LOTS of fun!   Here's a link to the Ravelry site but this is not a free pattern.  You can purchase it individually or (cheaper) just get the book!!  =)  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cauchy

These are called Sunshine and only one sock decided to make the trip into the office with me!!  I hope I didn't actually drop it somewhere between home and office to tell you the truth!!  LOL  Again, these are Cookie A from Sock Innovation.  The yarn here is Caron Simply Soft in Mango on size 1 needles.  Link:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunshine-11

These little ankle socks were an experiment at Toe Up construction.  I don't have any issues with the Toe Up part, or even the foot or leg but the toe up heel is totally beyond me.  There is Wrapping and Turning and blowing my mind!!  These are called Toe Up Socks with a Difference and I thought "what the heck?"  Still some wrapping and turning but I muddled through.  Don't look very closely at the heel because I'm sure I didn't do it right!!! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/toe-up-socks-with-a-difference.  These are a FREE Ravelry download.  If you've never attempted a Toe Up sock then do so sometime.  The really great part about it is you can try your sock on without trying to squeeze your little fat foot between 3 pokey needles, oh wait, MY little fat foot, sorry...

The yarn here is Bernat Baby Jacquards Florals in Pansy on size 1 needles.

These are a lacy patterned "hidden" or "invisible" sock.  I made them using Hobby Lobby's Yarn Bee Snowflake Wool blend in Apple Blossom.  I wish you could see the pattern better because they are really pretty.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/water-to-sky-anklets  These are a FREE Ravelry download as well!  ENJOY!

And last but not least my Grace Ennis Graphic Knitting Patterns Hot Rod #7251 Socks for the Grace Ennis Group on Ravelry's KAL.  SLOW going but there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!  These are FUN!!  And Oh So CUTE!!  

This is where I stand to date.  But below is what the image looks like in case you were wondering!