Confessions of a Ravelry Addict

I'm addicted to Ravelry.  I know I'm not alone but feel the need to confess it.  Not only do I add projects that I've finished since joining, as I discover older projects in my cupboard, I add those too.  Today I added 2 more.  Both have been completed for at least 2 years.  The first, a Wavy Scarf from Handmaiden was a little kit with one of the patterns they attach to the yarn.  It was a really fast knit and I get tons of compliments when I wear it.  It looks lovely with a nice blouse.

The other is a sweater from the first Mirasol Collection which I didn't really like at first but I have been wearing it this winter and I really like it now.  It's comfortable, cozy and very soft.  Just like a favourite sweatshirt.

I love reading the Ravelry forums and probably my favourite part is the people section where Ravelry finds other people who have projects in common.  I love looking through their projects to see what else I might like to make.

Ravelry also spurs me on to complete projects (most of the time).  The addiction to putting projects up means I have to complete them.  This is a very positive side effect and should result in lower stash but, alas, all the yarn stores would have to close for that to actually work.

I'm almost ready for Christmas, just one or two small things left to buy.  I did abandon 2 Christmas knitting projects.  I probably could have gotten them done ... two small sweaters for my nephews ... but that is all I would have been doing for about 3 weeks and I decided to give myself a break.  They have birthdays.

We had our first family Christmas get-together last night.  My job was to make cookies which I love to do.  I made about 7 different kinds and I think they all turned out really well.   I would love to bake all the time but don't seem to be able to eat just one!

Still Gardening!

I did my last bit of 2010 gardening yesterday.  I have been watching for the foliage on my 2 Jerusalem Artichoke (JA) plants to die in the frost so I could harvest.  I think they have been ready under the above definition for a couple of weeks but I finally managed to get out there with a shovel.

And what a harvest.  Now the research begins on what to do with all of them.  I've eaten them before but only in small quantities with other roasted veggies.  I've been over to epicurious.com and found several recipes.  I also learned that they can be eaten raw.  There is an arugula salad with shaved JA's that could work but I need something that uses a big quantity so I'm thinking soup.  The small problem there is that my freezer is packed.

The reason for the full freezer is partly due to a trip a friend and I took to Supperworks yesterday.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  It is a meal preparation company and I've known of their existence for a few years but didn't think it would be the thing for me.  But as I understood more about it, I thought I'd give it a try.  Essentially, they have a number of recipes a month with all of the ingredients prepped on site.  We went in, threw all of the components together and took them home.  I liken it to cooking with a sous chef.  You save all of the shopping and chopping time but still get real ingredients and recipes like the ones I would generally make for myself anyway.  And it was pretty fun.  A social engagement while getting ourselves set up for weeknight cooking help.