Thursday, March 9, 2017

Thursday Thoughts

I remember there was a time I knit other things besides stockinette baby blankets. I can't really even use that "s" in good conscience since I know it's really only one baby blanket I've been slaving away on. Still haven't finished color 3/4. Whisper words of encouragement from your own needles to mine, friends ;)

I am still utterly and completely disgusted when I try on something new or get dressed in the morning and I'm ... unsatisfied but after all these decades I have to talk myself down from the ledge and remind myself that a number, a specific size does not matter as much as the actual fit of the garment.

I exercise and I exercise just to break even. I know it doesn't matter what size things are as long as I am healthy and things fit appropriately -- whatever it is you like to wear, yoga pants, crop tops, burlap sacks, they all have a best fit for you. Yet I get upset when I get something new and I feel like "it should've fit." and yet, back it goes. I work too hard for my money to shove myself into pants that may or may not put me into "sausage" territory.

Mmm. Sausage. If you're a vegetarian have you ever eaten soyrizo? It's soy chorizo, it's a fun way to jazz up some meatless dishes. breakfast burritos, mmm. Perhaps it's not your thing, but I do enjoy saying soyrizo. LOL.


I learned to make BAKED cheese sticks this weekend. I was trying to bake a strawberry teacake at the same time so I over baked them and they oozed everywhere, but the teenagers hanging out didn't care and agreed it should be "put on the list" of things to make when they gather. The first trick is the freezing. The second trick is to not be fooled by their pale color. They are finished, do not overbake. Pretty sure I used this recipe,


I'm such a weirdo, aside from desperately wanting to knit some "fun socks" I want to knit cardigans. -- This is what I think when I look at all my friend's sock pictures, "oh look, those are so fun! Look at those FUN colors! I might be able to do that FUN pattern!"

But I think I'm trying to manage my crazy cardigan desires by first deciding the next baby knit (or 2) will DEFINITELY be a cardigan. I might have to do her favorite Gramps pattern. I love it too. Apparently I made one for a baby who will be turning 2 soon and he still wears his too small version. Time for an upgrade.

Two best compliments: Someone asks for a recipe. Someone wears what you knit.

Life is busy but it's good. Miss you. Keep at knit.

34 comments:

  1. You're right, they're great compliments. The baked cheesies would go down very well in this house I think. I'm knitting a small stocking stitch blanket at the moment, I like the easiness of it to be honest, I have very low brain capacity by the late evening! CJ xx

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    1. I agree with you CJ, the ease to knit this thing with the t.v. on, even the irritating political news makes it a good project. On the otherhand I have been horribly tired these days, barely managing dishes and a shower after dinner.

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  2. I will tell you that sizing has changed drastically and to the smaller-not joking at all-I have lost 15 lbs recently and have noticed a major shift is sizing to try and find new clothes.
    And maybe it IS the fit-we don't like to be poured into our clothes anymore. We like them to fit our shoulders but not in a squeeze everywhere else! It is hard to find stores and clothing lines that cater to real women!!!!

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    1. It really is. I'll have that weird gappy thing on my waist but if I went any smaller there is too much business in my butt and thighs for it to look very nice. Oh well. I think people are pretty clever and eventually find some way to feel comfortable.

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  3. Oh yum - the cake and cheese sticks look great! And, yes, I think sizing has changed...or at least the cut of clothes if that makes sense. I'm thinking of an adult sweater!! We'll see.....great ideas, but putting them into reality is sometimes daunting.

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    1. Thank you Vera! cuts of clothes for sure. I love holding things up in a store, making a face, and thinking who can pull that off?!?

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  4. you have been quite industrious in your kitchen. I love that you are exploring new recipes, I'd like to do that but I sit and knit too much!!

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I do feel like I have to choose more between knitting and the kitchen. It started just from being the consistent team baker and then I wanted to try something else for myself ... it will slow down eventually. ha!

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  5. Sizing has definitely changed. I used to make all of my own clothes, and recently curiosity lead me to check out some patterns. Trust me, sizing has changed a LOT. Purchase what fits, regardless of the size on the tag.

    Your baking and cooking skills are amazing!

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    1. Yes, Nancy! REgardless of what the tag says!! I do wish you all were nearby I could share a treat or two with.

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  6. Keep at those baby blanket stitches. What a labor of love!!! pun intended.

    Encouragement: its a number. Pants sizes lie. You look amazing.
    Your workouts are really important to your heart so pat yourself on the back!!
    Making baby cardigans is a great idea.

    I want that tea cake.

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    1. The tea cake was a hit Kathy and I'm keeping at the blanket I'm finally on the last color block!! And yes, my workouts are very important to me. :)

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  7. Definitely do baby cardigans!!! They are so much quicker than blankets, more useful than blankets, after all, usually babies have tons of blankets and barely use them, and you get to try out all kinds of techniques and styles. Unless like me you just keep using the same one, gramps, and never stray. LOL

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    1. I was trying to reference YOU, Chris! I know you love that Gramps cardigan for good reason. I will do it!

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  8. I'm thinking of branching out into sweaters too....more of a summery kind that I can wear most seasons here in Florida. But, I'm kinda tired of socks all the time. However, I have a LOT of stash to knit down first.

    The tea bread looks very tasty and I'm sure the kiddos sure enjoyed it.

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    1. You know do one garment just to break it up, the stash will be there, you will knit it and as the weather warms up you will NOT want to knit the sweater in public. The socks will remain your travel piece!

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  9. The teenagers are so lucky to be in your kitchen. You can do it, you can do it, for that baby blanket. I tried on jeans yesterday, was a bit depressing, but I remind myself I'm busting cardio 4x a week and weights 2x a week. I'm doing the best I can and being as healthy as I can be. I will not give up my chips or sweets. Muscle weight is what counts, not looking like a celebrity.

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    1. Thanks Stef, the kids are good kids and very appreciative of all the households in the village that host them. I'm with you. We are doing what we can when we can and it does count! And yes, I enjoy my chips and the sugar and milk in my coffee, thank you very much!

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  10. Me and pants are not on speaking terms unless it is the black yoga pants I skate in. I've been wearing them for at least 15 years and they are so forgiving because I am NOT the same size I was 15 years ago. No way. I live in my comfy jumpers with leggings. It's my new uniform. I think I look like an old hippie. My kids think I look homeless.

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    1. I have definitely crossed over to the land of yoga pants. I'm more self conscious in leggings and tunics when not working out, though I wear them in a gym pretty regularly. Yeah my son questions my fashion choices. And then when I ask "I don't know?!?"

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  11. My one SIL is 72. SHe is short, short waisted and has a large bossom. She is in a battle with her weight every single day of her life. She talks about it, tried every diet, exercises like mad. Yet she is the same size. I think that we should all be careful but maybe, just maybe she is supposed to be that size and actually enjoy her life. She is a lot OCD, so that explains so of her behavior. Yet I just want her to be happy. I just want to be happy with my size and my life when I am 72. I want her to take a bite of cake and not berate herself. So my friend. Take care of your health and be happy with you, because dear Ellen you are wonderful.

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    1. Thanks Mere, and I definitely get that the exercise is a bit of OCD even for me. I set everything to the calendar and start palm perspiring when I don't think i can make 4 days. Whatever, where you can. But yes my build is my build, just need to keep it healthy.

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  12. Whoa, those baked cheese sticks are a revelation! Frankly, anything with cheese in the shape of a stick are LOL! I go through the same ordeal when trying to buy new khakis for work. That's why I rarely shop and wear the ones that I have until they are rags. A baby cardigan sounds like fun knitting to me! I'm thinking about making a Gramps too but need to figure out a good easycare yarn choice for it.

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    1. Easy care yarn for babies, INDEED! I think this is especially important if the parents are not wool or fiber friendly. I might need to start remaking the t-shirts that say, Cheese. Good.

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  13. No wonder the teens congregate at your house!All those yummy goodies just asking to be eaten. There are lots of cute baby sweaters out there that go way quicker than a blanket. Have you ever made EZ's Baby Surprise jacket? It's a fun knit and a real surprise the way it all goes together.

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    1. I haven't done Surprise jacket. I'll put it on the list!

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  14. As much as I love knitting socks, cardigans are such great things to knit. So useful. So many good patterns. I have one hibernating that I really should get out!

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    1. I love a functional knit. useful has such a nice sound to it doesn't it? Can we knit both cardigans and socks please?!?

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  15. you are so right about those 'compliments'....i add another. for me the biggest compliment is when something i knit and gifted is brought back in shreds for some repair work!!!! my heart soars!

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    1. Yes, this is soo true and you remind me. I have a pair of socks that have been waiting 10 mos. for repair!

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  16. I had a good laugh over the baby blanket. I've been knittttttting one that will not be finished! I love them when they are finished but while I'm knitting I promise myself I will never knit another baby blanket.

    I am so sorry to hear that you are going through that "I hate clothes" phase. My daughter is going through the same thing and only because she is getting older and we sort of spread as the years go by. I try to convince her that she looks beautiful in everything she wears, and life is more than a dress size. Live, love and enjoy the blessing of all those teenagers you have hanging around your house. You are so lucky!!

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  17. I am with you on the hate the body thing right now. For me it has been one cold after another. I would really love to get my body to a healthy fighting stage where I can ward off the icks. Just know that I am whispering words of encouragement across the lands to your ears and letting you know I think you are beautiful!
    Good luck with the blanket. I too am dreaming of knitting all the socks, but instead am knitting monogamously on a never ending project.

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