Favorite Things: Arizona

There is always a lot that you can do when you visit a place that is chock-a-block full of sunshine and warm weather, especially when you are coming from someplace cold, rainy, grey, and where the misery of winter has gone on one month too long.

I love the desert. There are probably a lot of reasons why I love it but here are the top few...

1. My mom lives there half of the year...Mom could live in Antarctica and I would love it, so it's possible that I'm biased on this point.

2. It's not lush and green...don't get me wrong, Washington is beautiful and it is the EVERgreen state...but one can look at green for so long and it needs a breal, well this one can. I find the desert and it's bare earth, knarly looking cactus plants and desert flowers delightful. The fact that they live in such a harsh environment is inspiring for you to just keep going.

3. I love cactus. All kinds of cactus, even the Choya that sent mom to the Urgent care last year a few times when she bumped into it...when it rains the Saguro get all fat from sucking up the water which it hilarious...and I love that most of the cactus also bloom in the spring time, transforming the landscape from desolate to looking like someone threw a bag of jewels across it.

4. Everyone looks healthy. It's true. You see more people out and about when the weather is warm and they look vibrant, healthy, and happy. Thank you natural Vitamin D.

 I have a few favorite places I love to visit when we head south as well and try to make a point to hit all of them, although this last visit mom and I missed Kierland Commons...Oh well there is always next year.

1. This is the number one for sure: "That's Amore" Gelato on Pinnacle Peak, you can see their website here 

Mom introduced us to this place two years ago and when D and I finished dinner on Sunday night we decided we were going to find it again...one hour later driving around in the dark thru strip malls that are all the same low profile adobe style, we had just about given up when we passed a parking lot (in the dark) that look vaguely familar...Shazam! There they were, after a flurry of excitement explaining to the owner (who thinks I'm 100% off my rocker) that we had been there two years before and I fell in love with his Spicy Chocolate Gelato, I quick ordered up a waffle cone of Spicy chocolate and Raspberry...Seriously, go to Scottsdale and get this gelato. Be adventurous and get the spicy chocolate...trust me, you'll never forget it and you'll never find it anywhere else.

2. Kierland Commons. A shopping center with some very cool local boutiques as well as a few upscale chains like Sur la Table, Pottery Barn, etc. But it's all outdoors and it's wonderful. Mom and I love going down there just to look around and have lunch...which brings me to number three...

3. Zinc Bistro, located in Kierland Commons. You can check their website and menu here It's a great French Bistro. Get their Frites and remoulade...they are delicious served in a paper cone!

4. I love Mexican food, love it and I especially love Carne Asada... Well if like me you enjoy good Mexican food then you must go to the Spotted Donkey located in the Boulders. (if you are a hiker as well you can kill two birds with one...boulder) The Spotted Donkey is great and they do have an amazing menu. They charge for everything though, even your chips and salsa but they are worth it...My recommendation though is to go for a late lunch when it's less busy and you can enjoy the outdoor dining. D and I went for dinner when we were here last week and I insisted on sitting outdoors. Not a good idea, they crammed us in next to another group and then seated one more family right next to us. Plus the tables are big so you have to talk louder which then includes others in your conversation. So, if you go to the Donkey go for a late lunch where you can enjoy your beer and carne asada all loungy on the patio without worry of someone eavesdropping/joining in your conversation. The Spotted Donkey website is here

5. Looking for Italian food (besides Gelato) in Scottsdale? You won't do better than Uncle Louie. The first night we went mom and G had the veal piccata (no judging on the eating of veal people, to each their own) D tried the lasagna and I had the rigatoni with meat sauce. All of it was delicious. Their sauce reminds me of the sauce my mom makes and the pasta is cooked to perfection! The do offer desserts but seriously if you make the trek to Uncle Louie then you can surely stop at That's Amore on the way back down Scottsdale Road...

D and I loved Uncle Louie so much we went back Saturday night for dinner and tried his pizza as well as sharing a greek salad. The salad was fresh and delicious, especially with the warm bread they bring to the table to sop up all the extra flavors! We ordered half a Brooklyn Bridge and the other half Rush Street, which is a straight up pepperoni...The Brooklyn Bridge was awesome with sliced homemade meatballs, sweet red onions and roasted red peppers. Thin crispy crust and of course the delicious homemade sauce...best pizza ever. You can check out their menu and location yourself by clicking the link here 

6. Go to Old Town Scottsdale. The shops are awesome and, if like me, you enjoy cheesy souvenirs to give your friends and family there is a great shop for it there. I recommend the little envelope of Rattlesnake Eggs...at a $1.00 a piece it's the gift that keeps on giving. There are a lot of great shops in Old Town not to mention a Saturday Market where you can find some amazing eats...anyone say 'homemade tamales'! However, if you are looking for a nice sit down lunch you have to go to Cowboy Ciao. Don't even browse the menu go right for the Cowboy Ciao Stetson Salad. It comes with smoked salmon (blech) but they will happily replace that with chicken (yum) You will wish they gave you a bigger bowl of it! After that, get their bread pudding...Stetson Salad with chicken, a nice glass of chardonnay (you're on vacation so have a drink at lunch for goodness sakes) Bread Pudding dessert...Then head back out into the sun, do a couple laps around the block and order another salad (I wish I'd thought of that) You can read more about Cowboy Ciao here

7. Last but not least. If you are in Phoenix/Scottsdale Arizona anytime during the month of March you have to take advantage of the spring training and catch a few Cactus League Games...See your pro ball club play for a lot less money and you get closer than you ever will in the big home ball parks. Plus each teams ball park brings a little bit of home to it.

Dear Mom,

Remember that big ball of wool that was on your bakers rack? In your office in Scottsdale... and on the rack below was a couple balls of Noro in neutral colors...

Don't they look nice together?

I'll be shipping this out to you next week... since it's currently taking me 15 minutes to knit across a row.

xoxo
carmel

p.s for those of you wanting to know more this is the pattern 'multnomah' by Kate Ray

I could have used another week...

Last week was wonderful...

D and I traveled to Scottsdale, AZ to spend time with Mom and G as well as attend some Cactus League Spring Training Baseball.

The weather was amazing (after Sunday and Monday's rain storms) High 80's the rest of the week, and sun sun sun and more sun...

Waking up in the morning and being able to lounge on the patio with my coffee.

Wearing shorts for a week...

and finally...

Finally I got to see a cactus bloom! We always come to early in the season for it and it bums me out, but not this time...Nope, this time I got to see it.

And it was wonderful

more pictures to come as well as a 'Favorite Things' post on what I love to do when I am there...

Dear Mom,

I love you!
Thanks for a great week!
I'll miss you!!
Xoxo

Finished Object

I am loving slouchy beret's right now and we all know my love for any pattern by Alana Dakos...I'll stop talking about it so much just in case there is a restraining order in the works... 

Well this is another one of her patterns. It's called Molly. The beauty of this pattern is that it goes from baby all the way to adult. I love bang for my buck and a pattern that I can knit in multiple ranges always delivers. 

This one went incredibly fast. I knit it up for my new niece Annika and can't wait to hear how she likes it! (she's shy of 3 months but I'm thinking her mom is going to love it) 

It has a simple lacey brim and then a nice swirl detail created by decreases at the top. 

Perfect for an unpredictable spring in the midwest. 

Details

Pattern: Molly by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting 

Yarn: Blue Moon Fibers Arts Socks that Rock Medium weight from the 2009 Rockin' Sock Club in colorway 'Happy Go Lucky' 

Needles: Size 1 and 3 

Completely in love with this pattern. 

Happy Thursday! 

Stolen Moment...

coming soon...

A couple cute finished object photos...Just waiting for the sun to return so I can take them outside by the fountain. 

p.s. 

mom told me I have to wear sandals in case I step on a scorpion...

Finished Object:

It's done! It's done! Another Rustling Leaves by Alana Dakos is done!
It's not blocked though and I know there are some of you out there who would tell me it's not done till it's blocked.
It's on my head and I consider that done...I'll block it later when I have more time.
I was up till 11:00 last night finishing this and getting the next hat on the needles. The next had is for my niece Miss A. It'll be a perfect spring beret for her sweet little head. I know I know Minnesota is having a very warm past couple of days but I have faith in the weather system back there and believe that they will get another flurry of snow and some maybe a couple more cold days so a hat will be on it's way to the little one.
I only have 3 rows of it done so I won't show you that... Instead I'll show you this...

Details:
Pattern: Rustling Leaves by Alana Dakos found in the book Coastal Knits

Yarn: Dream in Color Starry in Black Parade

Needles: Size 2 (brim) Size 3 (main body) size 3 dpn's (to close it off)

I'm sure I don't need to tell you that I'm in love with this hat as much as I am with my purple one and that Alana Dakos is one amazing pattern designer/writer!

Right now, since it is unblocked, it fits more like a skull cap, however I do plan on blocking it according to pattern instructions so I will post those photos later...

In the meantime, the hat that I'm making for Miss A is 'Molly' by Alana and I'm using Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Happy Go Lucky colorway...
Pattern info is here
Yarn info is here 
The pattern goes from baby straight up to adult and lucky for me I know lots of girls in between that will all love a slouchy beret like this...including myself!
Happy Thursday!

Leaves...

Finished Object: Smocked Slouch

That's right.

I knit another Smocked Slouch.

I can't help it. I'm on a hat kick right now.

Maybe it's because spring is being so nasty to us here in the Northwest.

Nasty cold winds whipping around, snow, downpours of rain, hail, and every once in a while a warm breeze that teases us into believing that winter will end and spring will come. Well, in the interim, I will knit hats to get as many of us through as possible...So here is Lisa's Smocked Slouch. It matches her Nacho Getters that I made for her...

Details:

Pattern: Smocked Slouch by Jill Zillenski. Check her block here, she also does graphic design work for knitters so if you are looking for a logo you couldn't do better than Jill.

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (no idea what colorway i lost the label)

Needles: Size 7 in circular and dpn's

Love this pattern!

I think Lisa is going to love it as well!

Speaking of teases... here is MY next Rustling Leaves Beret designed by Alana Dakos... stay tuned for more updates on this!

Saturday: the end of 'one of those weeks'...

It wasn't a bad week but it was a busy week...
Between my car getting repaired for a third time in a month, three hockey games, and bowling league on Friday night followed by one of the three games (the third one is tonight) I just haven't had much knitting time. I get a little bit each day at work but the evenings were just crazy! So instead of having a finished slouch to give my friend today I have an 'almost finished' slouch to show her. Today is going to be just as busy as the week has been, which is why I'm brewing a second pot of coffee!
A Lacrosse game that my friends son is playing in (i've never seen a lacrosse game so I'm  pretty excited about this)
A trip to Pacific Fabrics for some pre-ruffled fabric to make myself a skirt to wear to Scottsdale
The usual trip to the grocery store
followed by the Silvertips hockey game tonight!
Plus I want to put together some St. Patrick's Day treats for all my nephews and nieces!
So, here is what Lisa is going to see today when I meet her at the lacrosse field...

Hopefully tomorrow instead of a 'still not finished post' I can show you a finished object post and the start of my next rustling leaves beret...

Happy Saturday! 

I'm off to Snohomish to cheer on some lacrosse!!

xoxox 

Carmel 

One Hat to Lead Them All...

If you haven't guessed by the title I'm in a Lord of the Rings phase right now. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I watched the trilogy...aren't those the best... of course they go faster for me because I fast forward a lot of the parts with Gollum...he freaks me out and I put him on the fear level of the flying monkeys from Wizard of Oz.
I love my Rustling Leaves Beret. LOVE IT. I've worn it 3 out of 4 times this week...I leave it on long after I've arrived at work, and put it on at least a half hour before I leave.
So this morning, would it surprise you, I had a notion to knit another one (or six) most will be gifts for others and 3 for sure will be for me...what's lovely about this is that you only need half a skein of most sock yarns so you easily get two hats p/skein! Bang for your knitterly buck!
Well, instead of heading out the door to work in a timely fashion I pulled out my hoard of sock yarn (the unwound bin) and right off the bat found the 3 4 that I want to use...The top three though are as follows in order...
1. Tanis Fiber Arts hand dyed yarn, Blue Label Fingering in the color Sand
2. Socks that Rock medium weight in the color Bosenberry

3. Dream in Color Starry in the color Black Parade (don't you love the sparkle in it?)

Truth:

“I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.”


― Mae West

I've said this a lot to myself in the past few weeks. When I'm tired and don't want to do what I'm supposed to do, when it would be easier to order a pizza rather than cook something healthy at home, walking on the treadmill instead of sitting on the couch... They aren't daily struggles but they do get me sometimes...but when I push thru and cook dinner at home, walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes simultaneously kicking the ball Gabby drops on it, my night goes better, I feel great, and I still get a couple hours of guilt free knitting in before I crash to sleep.
 
Happy Wednesday.

another FO and not of the knitting persuasion...

I might have mentioned (I know I did) that I was taking a beginning adult sewing...
well, TA-DA! I completed the 6 hour course (3 Sunday's in a row) and I was the only one who left with a completed bag (i'm not counting the people who chose to make the pillowcase instead).
The stitches aren't straight and the measurements could be a little iffy but I figure that I'll approach sewing much the way I approach parts of my life, with reckless abandon... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but at the end of the day you sometimes have an amazing story to tell.
Well here is my finished bag...I'm pretty ecstatic about it...so much so that I carried it around the office all day yesterday showing it off to people.

It's supposed be a grocery tote but I don't have that much faith in my sewing yet to trust putting groceries in it.

p.s.

Not only did I weigh in today 3.4 pounds lighter...my hat dried enough in time to wear to sewing class making me feel less like a failure in the sewing arena...

Finished Objet!

OH My GRILLED CHEEZUS!
I cannot CANNOT begin to tell you how excited I am about this hat. I'm not happy that it's not dry all the way yet but great things come to those who wait and this great thing can decorate my noggin tomorrow!

First: I need to thank Marcy who very generously gave me this yarn as a gift! Thank You Thank You THANK YOU from the bottom of my knitterly heart!

Second: I need to raise up my hands in praise of Alana Dakos who's designs make me ridiculously happy every time I knit one. Every. Single. Time.
This one caused me to almost fall off the bed in delight last night as I did the final ten rounds...

Third: If you haven't done it yet you need to do it now...Go buy Coastal Knits by Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig. All the patterns are amazing. This is where this hat pattern is found as well.

So here goes...

Pattern: Rustling Leaves by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting, you can find her blog here 
The book is Coastal Knits and it's website is here
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts in Tanzanite
Needles: Size 2 and 3
Love: Of the freaking charts baby! Off. The. Charts!
I am going to wear the snot out of this!

I suppose you want to see the pictures right?
The ones I took in a proper light just minutes ago?
okay okay
here you go!

the top of the hat

It's Gorgeous!

Blocking now...more details to come tomorrow.

The Chores are Winning...

Saturday is technically chore day around my house which means 

the dog hair gets swept up in force instead of the sad little attempts I make during the week. 

The grocery shopping is supposed to be done and an ungodly hour because I hate shopping when everyone else does. 

All the stuff that gets pulled out in the bathroom during the week gets put away and at least 2 loads of laundry are supposed to get done. 

However...

las night was bowling league night (i still suck by the way) followed immediately by a Silvertips Hockey game against our biggest rival the Seattle Thunderbirds. We whooped em', whooped em' to the tune of 4-0. 

On top of that we met D's brother and wife afterwards for a beer. I stuck with water since I was the DD for the night. 

Needless to say I didn't get home and in bed till 12:30....The dogs woke up at 5:00 a.m. and I bribed them with a cookie to let me sleep a little bit longer. That lasted till 7:00 when all bets were off and I was going to feed them or become the feed...

I immediately went back to bed.

9:30 is when I officially woke up and decided to make breakfast for us...I'm trying to cook more at home, breakfast out on the weekends was always something we did, not healthy and definitely not budget friendly. 

So my whole plan went up in smoke. I had to shop at the store with a bunch of people I consider rude. 

Got nailed by the little Brownie Girls selling Girl Scout cookies at the door. Now I have 4 boxes of cookies that I can't eat in my purse. I'm a sucker for the girl scouts and CampFire girls...having been both, so I always drop a ton of cash on their cookies, plus who can resist the cuteness of them all dressed up in their uniforms trying to figure out money and how to get you to buy 6 of each box? I can't...

So my schedule is off for a bit and I'm going to let it ride, there is always tomorrow to catch up on what I didn't do today...with that thought in mind there is a purple beret calling my name from the living room, not to mention a bottle of advil, a cup of coffee and huge bottle of water. It was cowbell night at the game and my head is still ringing...Still trying to figure out how I ended up with 3 cowbells...wonders never cease. 

maybe I'll snag a nap too but I really really want to get that hat done today! 

Happy Saturday! 

Carmel 

p.s. 

Mom, there is a box of thin mints coming your way, do with them what you will! 

Photo of the Week

Rustling Leaves Beret by Alana Dakos...I'm a bit further along than when this was taken but I love the texture....
Details will come in the FO post (a day or two from now)
Happy Friday