Getting The Ball Rolling

Who doesn't love pictures of cats? They're so distracting from a lack of initial content. The entire staff at my work was recently laid off, so now I have the time to start a blog. Incidentally, I'm working on a murder mystery set at my former workplace...

What I'm up to (besides job hunting):

Reading: White Teeth, by Zadie Smith (for book club), Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Portrait in Sepia (Isabel Allende), Murder on a Bad Hair Day (Anne George).

Knitting: Heirloom Silk Shawl (from Knitting for Two) for a friend's baby (in RYC Yarns Cashsoft 4-Ply in Cream), Belle Epoque (from knitty.com) for me (in RYC Yarns SoftLux in Ciel), Heavenly Stole (from Exquisite Little Knits) for someone to be determined (in KidSilk Haze in Heavenly). I will add knitting photos as I finish things, and figure out how to add a sidebar list of projects OTN. I finished an amazing list of Christmas presents last year (39 items from slippers to sweaters), but didn't have the foresight to photograph everything before giving them away. D'oh! I mostly regret not having photographed the four scarves I made for my aunts and cousin in different lace patterns. More on this when I have a slow day. I also recently finished the Opera Scarf from Exquisite Little Knits (love that book!) in wonderful purples. Completely impractical, but a nice gift for myself for having Christmas stuff done on deadline. I also have to re-knit the collar of the sweater I made my husband for Christmas (Leo from knitty.com in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk in Mocha), because it's too tight. It's fine once it's on, but it's a bit painful for him to pull the sweater over his ears. This has happened to me before when picking up and knitting a collar in the round. I picked up the right number of stitches, but I must do it too tightly, because this has happened to me before. I'll re-do the collar on a larger needle, and maybe pick up a few extra stitches.

Writing: The aforementioned murder mystery, a ghost story for children

Cooking: Making vegetable broth to freeze today (the first batch I made in the fall just ran out). I make gallons of it, then freeze it in those 3-cup Ziploc containers so I can make soup all winter.

Vegetable Stock

3 parsnips, peeled if waxed, cut into large chunks
1 pound carrots, scrubbed, cut into large chunks
1 bunch celery, washed, cut into large chunks
5 small onions, peeled and quartered
3 large leeks, washed and cut into large chunks
1/2 head garlic, cloves peeled
8 oz. cremini mushrooms, wiped and quartered
8 oz. white mushrooms, wiped and quartered
1 bunch parsley
3 tsp black peppercorns
2 pinches thyme
4 bay leaves

I make this recipe divided between my two stockpots (8 quart and 6 quart). Divide all ingredients proportionally between pots. Cover with water. Bring to a boil. Simmer 30 minutes. Strain through a colander or pentola insert, reserving liquid. Discard vegetables. If clearer broth is desired, strain through cheesecloth. Ladle into 3-cup, freezer-safe containers. Cool, then cover and freeze. Substitute vegetables or add additional seasonings or salt if desired.