Snow, Swanson, Seed Catalogues and Stocking stitch

The snow came back. This time properly.  The wind blew drifts that closed the roads and sealed us neatly and tightly into our little old house. It was like a big soft white wooly scarf was wrapped right round it.  The fire crackled, we were warm and cosy and it felt a bit like the Christmas holidays all over again. 

Before you knew it, seed catalogues and reading books were out and knitting needles were dancing again.  Promised half done projects got finished and new ones started.  

Knitting:

• Bergen cowl by Carrie Bostick Hoge
• La La Simple Shawl by Laura Linneman
• Chunky tweedy pullover, copied from an old favourite 
• Finished long promised leg warmers and mitts
• Working test swatches with vintage wool 

Reading: 

• Her Every Fear, by Peter Swanson, 2017... Enjoying this easy to read thriller. The first of his novels that I've read and I like his uncluttered use of words. 
• Pouring over new seed catalogues. Sarah Raven's is always a favourite even though some edible flower seeds I bought didn't germinate. It's such a pretty one. Chiltern Seeds too... 

I'm joining Ginny Sheller for her yarn along link up...

are you coming too? debx  (you can link over to her here

yarn along

SOCKS...I made so many pairs last year that the pattern was indelibly ingrained in my mind. I've promised to make some for a kind blogger friend whose organised a thoughtful project... I need some too...The first pair is on the needles. I'm using some randomly died sock yarn from here because it's a cool colour and because it's 75% wool and 25% polyamide, nice and soft but won't wear too quickly. I go through tons of socks...all that running about in stocking feet. The pattern is my favourite Quickie Socks in The Joy of Sox (love that title). 

My annabel pullover's almost finished and I can't wait to start wearing it. Just one more sleeve to knit and thread in those pesky yarn ends. Like the annabel cardigan, the garter stitch makes it a little bulky and because of the boxy unshaped body, it's not the most flattering sweater. But it's going to be so cosy and comfy to wear. It took hardly any time to make  and half the amount of yarn I expected...so there's lots spare...Just think how many socks I could make...

There's been little time for reading lately except for catching up on friends' blogposts. Oh and Hannah's  latest article about the Bristol school of artists on The State of the Arts magazine where she's the Museums, Galleries and Exhibition section Editor.

In  the beginning :: the Bristol School of Artists

photo credit: Hannah Emadian

I'm proud of my little bean...

Best get knitting those socks in time for Thanksgiving.

I'm joining with ginny and nicole to share projects.
Are you coming along for a peek?
debx

Golden days...

My needles are flying again. This Annabel pullover seems to be magically growing.  The Blue Faced Leicester yarn is amazingly soft and comes in lovely shades. The Gold reminds me of the golden wheat fields down the lane and my favourite Elan Valley. The pattern is so simple that I can knit on the go. I don't want to put it down, and find any excuse not to. 

Maybe it's because I had a bit of a brain freeze with the Cobblestone Pullover...My fault, not the pattern (it's an easy one too). I just had a minor wobbly when it came to the wrap and turn. Or maybe because the Icelandic lopi yarn, which I love as well, isn't quite as soft as this. This seems like a dream to work with. 

This will be the second Annabel sweater that I've knitted. I made the last one with linen yarn. I've decided to make it a few inches longer than the pattern. I cast off the body but left the yarn attached so that I could try it on. It's still a little shorter than I want, and as it's a boxy pullover I've decided to increase it at the sides to fit snuggly over the top of my hips and prevent it riding up at the back. That's the plan anyway, I'll put the notes on ravelry if I manage to do it.

I feel guilty knitting in the daytime when there's lots of work to do. But the bread is rising in the pantry and the washing spinning in the machine and and I have to do something while I'm waiting don't I? Just a couple more rows... I told, you...I can't put it down...

Reading: I'm still in the cotton fields with A Painted House: John Grisham
knitting: Annabel Pullover: Carrie Bostock Hoge
My ravelry page
My spelt bread recipe, made without the seeds this time

The bread is ready now...decisions, decisions...More knitting or freshly baked bread with my favourite Oxford Marmalade...

...maybe a bit of both...


I'm joining Ginny and  Nicole,
...are you coming too?
dx

Weekend :: Christmas Knits and Cosy comfort food :: Chicken pot pie

"  ...The chill creeps in, 
    whispers suggestions: 
    it's time to go in..."            
Hannah Emadian, 2015, Descending Days : A Separate World.

A cosy autumn weekend, a copy of  an earlier one. It felt like Christmas, knitting first stocking fillers, using fun yarn from here for someone who can't wear wool. Old fashioned land army girl style mittens attached with string. I'm using this simple pattern. But there will be pompoms. Ahmad and Hannah were like bookends, one reading, one writing. I dawdled but eventually finished reading my comfy Inspector Gamache murder mystery. Then picked up John Grisham's, A Painted House and burrowed into 1950's rural Arkansas cotton picking.

We wrapped up for autumn walks and came home with vintage finds. Hungry for Chicken pot pie, apple strudel and the first fire of the season. We celebrated another first, Hannah's first published article; a review of an art installation in Bristol. Then chilled with Nina Simone and Bach. The soundtrack for a relaxed weekend, punctuated by conversation, Scandinavian Murder, and a collaboration stitched together by musical souls. Try to catch this if you can (the whole episode four not just this trailer) It will melt your heart...Yey for Agnes...she's awesome...(Hannah too...)

Chicken pot pie

Equipment:

• Heavy based saucepan
• Four small, or one large oven proof pie dishes
• Wooden spoon
• Brush, to egg-wash the pie
• Rolling pin
• Sharp knife
• Sieve or sifter
• Baking bowl
• Baking tray

Ingredients for four people:
Filling:

• Four chicken portions with the skin removed
• Two smallish leeks,peeled washed well, and finely sliced
• Four banana shallots, peeled and cut into pieces
• One clove of garlic, peeled and crushed or chopped finely
• Two carrots, washed and finely sliced
• Four small waxy potatoes, washed and cut into 1cm slices
• Sea salt and black pepper
• Fresh herbs of choice. I used rosemary and thyme. Sage works well with chicken too.
• About a litre of hot stock 
• Olive oil or alternative 

For the pie crust:

• Six ounces of strong flour (or favourite) plus a little extra for rolling out
• One teaspoon of fine sea salt
• Three ounces of chilled butter or non-dairy alternative
• One beaten egg, plus a little milk

Method:

1. Pour a little olive oil into a heavy bottom pan. Heat up the oil and then add the chicken portions, browning slightly. Take them out and reserve for a little later.
2. Place the sliced leeks into the pan and soften.
3. Add the shallots and cook a little further. 
4. Add the sliced carrots and do the same. 
5. Return the chicken to the pan along with the herbs and potatoes and season. Taking into account how salty the stock is.
6. Pour over the stock. Turn up the heat to ensure the stock is bubbling and then reduce to a low simmer. Cover and cook until the vegetables and chicken are tender and the stock has reduced to a thick and tasty gravy. This should take about thirty to forty minutes.
7. Remove from the heat and leave to cool whilst making the pastry.

Make the pie crust:

1. Sift the flour into a bowl.
2. Cut up the chilled butter and fold it into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Add the salt if using and stir well.
4. Add most of the egg and combine the crumb mixture until it forms a soft but firm dough. Form this into a rough ball shape and wrap in baking parchment. Chill in the fridge for half an hour or so. 
5. When ready to make the pie heat up the oven to 180/200c 
6. Dust your work surface with a little flour and rolling pin and cut the dough ball into quarters.
7. Form each quarter into a rough ball/egg shape depending on the dish and roll until a couple of centimetres (about an inch)larger. Wet the lip of the dish with a little of the egg/milk mixture and then carefully place the pastry over the dish. Press the edges firmly. Cut any excess and decorate if you like.
8. Paint with the egg wash. 
9. Do the same for all four pies. Place on a baking sheet and place in the middle of the oven.
10. Cook for about twenty minutes to half an hour until the pastry is golden brown and the contents piping hot. 

Lovely served with lots of seasonal greens or Hannah's colourful coleslaw that she makes for us. Perfect comfort tray food to eat in front of the fire after a bit of autumnal exploration.

Hannah's colourful coleslaw

Ingredients:

• About a quarter of a medium sized red cabbage
• About the same amount of white cabbage
• Half a red onion
• Two medium sized carrots
• One green apple
• A little mayonnaise
• Sea salt and black pepper

Method:

1. Shred all cabbage very finely.
2. Slice the onion as finely as possible.
3. Grate the green apple and carrot.
4. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl
5. Season lightly.
6. Put a couple of blobs of mayonnaise on top and dress the salad. You may like to add a little natural yoghurt with the mayonnaise for a slightly lighter dressing. 

I'm linking here and here today...
and to my ravelry page

cosy days...
dx