Wednesday, February 08, 2006

No Reason at All

It's cloudy today, but the last couple of days have seen more sun that we usually do in winter. Mirando likes the pappasan chair in the sun. Geronimo either likes to lay in the sun under a blanket or in the kitty bed below. That's actually a kitty bed for a much smaller cat, turned on its back. The cats rarely used it in its designed manner, so on a whim, we knocked it over and it's a Big 'N' Tall kitty bed for Geronimo. In normal-sized cat beds, he can't curl up all the way as he is below.







Above is the Heavenly Stole. It had languished in my knitting bag for ages, but I needed something to knit between finishing the shawl, Belle Epoque, and Leo, so I'm back to it. The shot in the pappasan chair shows the color best, but you can see the stitches better on the dining room table. I like the pattern and the yarn, but I've started thinking...what's the purpose of a stole, anyway? It lacks the warming size of a shawl, and it's really too wide for a scarf. But it's pretty and soft, so I'll figure out something to do with it.


Writing: I think I'm ready to go on to chapter two today. I'm about 5% through in terms of word count (3500 out of about 60,000). I might have to make a progress meter to post on the sidebar.


Reading: White Teeth continues to be a wonderful book.


Cooking: I didn't really cook last night, but yesterday I made a really good, really easy potato-leek soup.


Quick and Easy Potato-Leek Soup


1 tsp olive oil

2 medium leeks (about 1 1/3 cups), sliced lengthwise, cleaned, and chopped

3 cups vegetable stock

2 medium yellow potatoes, scrubbed and diced (about 10 oz.)

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper


Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add leeks, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Add vegetable stock, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to heat, adjust seasonings, and bring to a boil. Servings: 2 bowls or 4 cups.

2 comments:

String Bean said...

I love the cat bed! Where did you get it? My cats would love that, but then again, I don't know any cat who wouldn't love a cat bed.

Every time I see a stole or a shawl I want to knit mine. But then I start it and think "where the hell am I going to wear this?" The original plan was to use the yarn - Jagger Spun lilac silk-wool - with the English Mesh Lace pattern out of Barbara Walker's 1st Treasury and knit a long wrap jobby. But then I saw the Luxurious Secret tank top in Summer 2002 Interweave Knits that used the same yarn. I just can't make up my mind!

allisonmariecat said...

Petco--I e-mailed you the link.

I have quite a stash of yarn bought for shawls or wraps...I think I'll be doubling some of it for sweaters...