The Wednesday Whatknot

I'm happy so many of you enjoyed my travel / packing commentary post. Kathy mentioned she was going to share it with her boys and I have to say I really enjoyed packing the boys. They require extra socks and lots of adapters, cables and expensive @ss noise cancelling headphones. We used to have one pair that were supposedly a birthday present of mine. In 3 years I have never worn them as someone else needs them more. That's ok with me. I'm very happy with my little earbuds, the other noise doesn't bug me as much.

Have knitting will travel with a smile.

What else? Well it seems nature is having her way with the Nation's summer temperatures ... again. Flooding, ridiculous heat. I worry for people that do not have the necessary access, support and infrastructure for such extremes. Some areas have patterns so they are prepared, some ... not so much.

Well not to humble brag, but I'm gonna. Here's a tweet regarding the bubble I live in:

Come to San Francisco in July they said
It'll be warm they said pic.twitter.com/11nxnnF4RA

— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) July 25, 2018

For the record. July is never warm in SF. It's infamously foggy. You get sun from 11 am - 4pm -- maybe in SF proper. I would say our warmer month is end of August - first week or so of October but I may be recalling my youth and not the shift that we've been recently experiencing.

Look at me, full blown grown up chatting about the weather. Ha! 

I am reading YA right now. "To All the Boys I Loved Before." It's young, so easy and makes me laugh outloud. For whatever reason the main character reminds me of my sister. It's told first person, so that's the voice I hear when I read it. You could read this thing in like 4 hours, but I'm busy! I will finish it this weekend for sure. Then I will give you my final verdict on this summer read, along with a book I finished on vacation. I know, I will have read two books. WHO AM I?!?!

I am knitting a pair of socks, meaning I'm knitting 2 pairs from the same yarn for a mother / daughter team. One pair is done, I'm half way through the first sock of the second pair. Give it a little time kids. I'm working on it. I'm a very monogamous knitter these days. It's odd.I used to be such a project slut, but you know there's no shame here. Knit your life how you want to as long as you're enjoying yourself and all projects are consenting.

There are some people I think that were hoping for a few items a while ago, but it is what it is. I never made promises. I have to follow the knitting mojo.

Whats your whatknot? What's got you happy and what's got you fraying and fretting?

Ellen's Travel Items

If you're anything like me, you like to keep it efficient when you pack. Even if I over pack a tad, I want to know there was a specific purpose I expected out of an item. In this post I'll discuss winning travel items, and things that weren't used.

So this was a cross between a site seeing and beach vacation (though technically the coast of Croatia is very rocky. )

Winners:

1. My new duffel from Everlane.

This thing was easy to pack, easy to carry in 2 ways and took a beating. Love it. Very reasonably priced for the quality. Can be used for carry on I think, Quick weekend get aways, and yes, in my 40s still dragging my laundry to our parents house when we visit. (City apartment living, man)

2. Steve Madden Dina Sandals.

These were light weight to pack, though I wore them home -- I threw away a pair of Sketcher wedge mules I had worn and then beaten up on the way over. These sandals were surprisingly manageable on the cobblestones and were flexible with shorts and dresses for dinner.

3, Linen

I wore 2 linen dresses from Madewell and a pair of shorts from Marine Layer. I wear the dresses regularly at home when the weather is right and I figured I might as well have a nice pair of shorts if I'm going to wear shorts, because ugh, shorts give me some seriously unhappy middle school insecure feelings. But I think I conquered my issues this trip, at least for travel in warm weather. Don't think you'll see me sporting them to the grocery store.

4. Leggings

Whatever you like, these and a tunic shirt make for a feeling much like traveling in your jammies but a little more put together. I admit, I like expensive high waisted leggings that hold everything in if you know what I mean. There are leggings with pockets now. Did you know that? Did you know Spanx makes leggings?!?

5.Lightweight crossbody bag from LeSportSac

Oh the irony. I was actually going to donate this 2 months earlier because I never used it. I bought it last year for my trip to Germany to visit Mom and I used it very little (because my mother is always pulling things from her closet she thinks are better. "Ellen, that is too small, what can you put in there? One Euro? EEGADS!"

But I digress. This my friends is a winner. After getting pickpocketed 3 years ago, I made sure to get something with zippers, snaps and cross body. I think last summer I did find it a little small, but I'm carrying less so it worked this time around. I even managed to stick a sock in knit progress in there. Though that did take up a bit of space.

6. Turkish Towel

The husband and I each have one of these that we cart around to the beach, river, etc. They are super lightweight and way better to pack than a beach towel. I bought a pack of them on Amazon and gave one to each of the boys that were traveling. They all had their own color so it was easy to identify. On top of this, it served as makeshift blanket and folded pillow, scarf on the road and general comfort item.

7. AE Wireless bra

This is a mall discovery. I love this wireless bra I got on sale that is super comfortable and easy to pack. It's soft but has structure and it doesn't make my boobs look weird. I've got this thing about wireless, I've always assumed it was a young girl or for girls of a certain size game. Well, this works for me. My bestie who is small in body but bigger in boobs has found her own version from the same mall rat brand.  Hey if it works, it works.

Ellen's Losers:

1. I forgot traditional flipflops so I bought some over priced ones there, but my friend Mrs. B. helped me pick them out and that means they are pretty cute, ha!

2. Lightweight sneakers. Didn't slap them on once, yet I would pack them again. What if?!?

3. Long dress. Nice idea, but I didn't pack the right undergarments. Just too high maintenance. 

4. Scratched reading glasses. Check and double check. First day back to work I sent them out to be re-lensed. LOL

5. I never pack enough toothpaste. Dental hygiene is important.

Pro tip: Always pack the following in your carry on.
1. Freshies (clean underwear)
2. Travel Deodorant
3. Toothbrush & toothpaste
4. Hairbrush/hair band
5. Scarf/Wrap pashmina or turkish towel style
6. Purell and/or hand lotion
7. Refillable water bottle.
8. Pain reliever, anti-inflammatory of choice
9. Lip balm

International:
1 set of  clean clothes in case your luggage is lost.

What are your essentials or lessons learned?

Summer Holidaze

Well, last time I posted I was speeding along in the beginnings of summer. Trying to enjoy some knitting mojo. I was also trying to prep at work and home for our family summer holiday.



We went to Croatia and met up with two families filled with good friends. Our boys all met in Kindergarten and brought us all together, and well it's been so fun growing up together.



For a few reasons, we couldn't all be out at the same time. One of the families was kind enough to chaperone H. for the first week or so until we were able to fly out.



The first week the families along with some other friends sailed along the Adriatic. Our friends were sweet enough to send us some photos and keep us posted on how everything was going. It sounded like the Kid did alright and was well behaved enough. (Though our friends are so polite and sweet, I doubt they would tell us if he was a little sh*t -- but I'm pretty sure he saves his tough stuff for us.)



Teenagers lounge a lot. It's exhausting you know, teenaging while on vacation. He said it was really fun and relaxing. Living the dream right?



When the husband and I got there we met them at their final port in Split. We drove to the Marina and met them for dinner on land, it was full of outside restaurant seating and happy tourists and World Cup being shown. We got a chance to say hello to some other people that would not be traveling on with us. The vibe settled it, we were on vacation!





The next week we drove up the north of the Croatian coast. Our friends had been there previously and so we just enjoyed their previous experience and were happy to follow along their itinerary. They are such easy going and fun people. It was nice to feel like we could all travel together. I hope they felt the same.





It's beautiful. None of us had ever been to the Adriatic. It was salty and blue and easy to float in. The dining was heavily influenced by the sea and Italy I want to say.






We had a 5 hour drive back to Split to fly out so we checked out a day before everyone else so we wouldn't be rushed to make our 10am flight. We had just enough time to wander around an odd neighborhood to find some late night eats and get a glass of wine in the hotel lobby.

The next morning we flew to Copenhagen where we had a 22 hour layover. It might sound exhausting but actually it was enough time for us to get a chance to explore the city center which is great for walking and biking. We had a nice dinner outside in the Meatpacking District and as an extra treat before returning home we stayed at a nice hotel. (Though to be completely honest, everywhere we stayed was pretty awesome in it's own way.)





My husband returned to work the next day and I took one more day off to shake off the jet lag. Unlike my young son and my early rising husband (they are both morning people -- gross), I don't bounce back quite so quickly.

I have not stop daydreaming about taking another trip since. I had such a good time with my friends and family. :)

Looks like knitting is back on the menu.

Yes, I have found a little more knitting time. Enough to finish that pair of socks for my friend, Miche.



Shes says they fit and I'm delighted. I hope they bring her some cozy happiness.

My name is Ellen and I love German sock yarn.

I also started that giant knitting project my mother gifted me LAST year in Germany. I tried to follow the basic instructions/pattern variations/cast on my mother included from the woman who was selling the kit, but I added some stitches for the cast on and settled on doing a stockinette throw. I didn't slip the first stitch, because I read that somewhere in her general instructions, I thought it was a big yarn, big needle directive, but I wished I had. I don't wish it enough to undo what I have. LOL.


The yarn is actually 4 strands that make up an almost ribbon like look. Gives me some idea for some random yarn I have not actually purged myself of yet but I shouldn't get ahead of myself yet, and just focus on finishing this project first, right?

I thought it would go faster than it has, but even though I'm knitting more, I'm not knitting every day. I just can't. That's how it is.

I've already got another pair of socks on my needles for when I'm out and about. However my next thinking project (means home knitting only) will be another baby sweater. People and their babies. Sheesh.

* speaking of menus here was afternoon tea on Sunday:

Trying to enjoy the hours: Highlights of the happy

It's been a long time since I last posted. A number of reasons. The main one I think is that I'm not knitting as much. I was baking a lot since soccer and softball were underway, but it was much of the stuff I've shared before.

And this is what's been happening, much of the same stuff as I've shared before.

It's ok. I've worked really hard at being as boring as this.

But I'm not bored, and honestly I don't think I'm all that boring. I like stuff, I like to do stuff. I know some nice people that like to hang out :)

(I think I'm pretty funny, but my son thinks my jokes are super bad. Bad like they stink, not like Michael Jackson Bad which is cool. in case you weren't sure what we all mean.)

Lately, I'm trying to think and SAY good things and not just be the natural snarky snot of commentary that runs in the back of my head. It's important to back down if all you are about to do is yuck someone else's yum. I think I have been working on battling some of the inner negative. I was wound a little tightly coming out of the winter, more than I like to admit.

I miss knitting. I started up again this week. Yes, normally I miss a day or two but never as long as it's recently been. I'm knitting some socks for my friend Miche that I hope will fit.

The last pair I knit were for my friend, Georgia.

I still have big knitting dreams, but I'm tired a lot. I sleep better, I exercise more and I'm trying to stay on top of my laundry more. Laundry is so overwhelming it really is. So instead of knitting when I'm watching sports, I've been doing laundry. Remember 1 machine for 6 units in the building, I gotta be on it. ha!

The world, the grind. I'm keeping pace. I'm ok. So here are a few highlights of happy:

Molasses Cookies

Strawberry Buttermilk Cake w/crusty sugar top!

Smitten Kitchen's Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Coffee Cake. You fold the whipped egg whites INTO the batter. FLUFFY.

Any Yay! It's Time for the World Cup!! Send me all your duplicate stickers ;)

Find your happy. xoxo

Buttermilk Biscuits

Since a few of you asked about the buttermilk biscuit recipe. I thought I'd post the link/recipe I used.



Here are a few notes from me.

1. I melt one stick of butter for the actual batter in a small sauce pan to add to my chilled buttermilk. While the biscuits are baking I melt an additional tablespoon to then brush on the finished product. Melting all 9 tablespoons to then divide after seems silly to me, but whatever works for you.

2. My oven doesn't do well over 400 degrees. I rent so getting a new oven isn't really an option and I want my landlord to like me so I do not ask/request much. So I baked them at 400. I just kept an eye on them for the timing. Not a problem. I check them at about the 15 minute mark. If you are not sure how your oven runs, check at 10 mins then 15 and watch the color.

3. I've used these for breakfast sandwiches, fried chicken sandwiches, plain as a side or in the morning just with jam. They definitely stand up by themselves. There are only 3 of us in the apartment so I keep them in a ziplock bag. I will often put them in a fridge if I'm worried about them going off/stale and then toast them back up in the toaster oven. I don't know bread storage rules so I just make up my own.



I think I've posted about this breakfast bread as well that I converted into biscuits, but just in case... Really lovely served with soft scrambled eggs with sauteed veggies. I take the batter and ice cream scoop it into a muffin pan :)

For those of you trying to determine what the posset is like I would say it's a citrus cream with the texture of pudding? Smooth and bright. I highly recommend regular lemons instead of Meyers or mix with the meyers to avoid being too sweet.

This and that

I don't have any finished knitting for you right now. I'm knitting but it's very slow and methodical. A pair or 2 of handwarmers in a chunky-ish weight yarn.

I have not been knitting as much as I'd like mainly because by the time I have time, I'm exhausted.

But you know, I'm busy. It's not crazy. I might be crazy, but things aren't. I'm just busy. But here are a few highlights of the past week. (I know you were just dying  for the info.)

My son has not been very active since Fall soccer finished. We didn't push it. We thought we'd give him some time to continue focusing on his first semester in High School. We thought, you know, he can use this time to maybe see if there are other interests or sports he'd like to explore besides soccer. (We can feel the interest waning)

Well what the heck to parents know? Squat. The Kid does better with some structure. He does not self explore without a nudge out the door.

So I signed him up for a 5k. He was not excited to be there.

I was even less enthused. I've been really good about being consistently active but the running thing? Yeah not feeling it. The things we do out of love ...

I haven't been baking much either. Just biscuits. I'm kind of obsessed with a new to me buttermilk biscuit recipe. It's so easy and so rewarding. But that will change. Next month both soccer for him and softball for me start up. Cookies for spring sports.

The Teen took a turn in the kitchen after his Dad brought home a bunch of lemons. A lemon posset so simple and so delicious. Give it a try. Bonus points if you can get someone else to make it for you.

This Tuesday I went to a Silent Reading Party hosted by some local do gooders. People come together in a public space to read silently for about 2 hours. Drink purchases and donations go towards a local underfunded public school library. I used to tease a  good friend of mine who served as hostess this month about this concept, but I really enjoyed it. I think that I haven't been able to read for more than 30 mins at a time before that. I was home in time to spend most of the evening with my family ... and hopefully I left a small donation that will put a book in some students' hands.

Wishing you all a good weekend. Be happy, healthy and crafty.