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December 29, 2006

Eye Candy Friday

Holly from the King Caesar House. How appropriate for the end of Christmas week.

See you next year!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (23)

December 28, 2006

Z is for Zeppy's

Bagels were not mainstream when I was growing up in the late 60s and early 70s. But my mother's best friend was Jewish so I was eating bagels long before they were a popular breakfast food. I was also eating noodle kugel and Goodman's Noodle Soup and potato latkes, in case you're wondering. But this post is about bagels. Specifically, Zeppy's Bagels.

This Jewish bakery has been in existence since 1925 and you can read more about it here. I'd never actually been there myself until I had Dale drive me there the other day to take the photos for today's post because nowadays you can buy Zeppy's bagels at the grocery store. But, as I said, you couldn't buy bagels just anywhere when I was a kid. Or, at least, not good bagels. So, on Sunday mornings before church my dad would drive to Randolph and get Zeppy's bagels. My favorite was onion but I'd settle for egg if the onion bagels were sold out. I liked Temptee Whipped Cream cheese - you know, the one in the pink tub - the best. With lox, please, although that was only on special occasions. And don't toast it.

And you know what? An onion bagel with lox and cream cheese is still one of my most favorite things for breakfast. So much so that it's what I requested for breakfast on my wedding day. Both times. Ahem.

And from Zeppy's, of course.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (33)

December 27, 2006

Random Wednesday

I think all the shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking and entertaining has turned my brain to mush. I can't seem to get my act together today for a coherent post so you're going to get one of the Random Wednesday variety.

*It's hard to get a shot of the grandchildren that's good of both of them. Especially when one is 18 months old and the other is much more interested in his new video game than in having his picture taken.

*The only knitting I've been doing is plain stockinette on an Opal sock. I can't even seem to muster the energy to work on a very basic red scarf.

*The new wheel is fun but, like any new wheel, it's going to take some adjustment. I have a hard time getting it to spin consistently in the same direction. Any advice from you hitchhiker owners?

*Yarnival submissions are still open but only until January 1st. If you haven't entered yet, now is the time.

And finally, because my random stuff doesn't seem all that entertaining:

My Fortune Cookie told me: The skeletons in your closet are rattling. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (22)

December 26, 2006

Post Christmas

I didn't make my usual 7:00 am posting time today. You see, I usually write my posts a day in advance and then they are ready for posting in the morning. But the weekend was such a whirlwind of Christmas activity that I never got a chance. Forgive me for being late?

Our Christmas was wonderful. Family and friends gathered at our home on Christmas Eve to eat and celebrate with us. We had traditional Swedish foods, of course, and mostly just spent the evening enjoying everyone's company.

Christmas morning got off to a slow start. You know you have a teenager when she doesn't even got up until 9 am on Christmas! We spent the morning opening gifts, drinking coffee and eating leftovers. Then we spent the afternoon leisurely preparing the prime rib and some side dishes for dinner at my father-in-law's house. Thirteen of us gathered for an early evening dinner and it was so nice to have everyone together at the same table! The food was fabulous, everyone helped and it was a great meal.

Let's see. What's left to tell you? Oh, my gifts. I got some wonderful things from Dale and the kids and other family members. In the end, everything fit in my new, gigantic L.L. Bean bag.

Well, everything except this.

My new Hitchhiker Wheel. Thanks, Dale.

Posted by Carole at 8:26 AM | Comments (42)

December 22, 2006

Eye Candy Friday

I still get excited about gifts under the tree! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (42)

December 21, 2006

Christmas Prep

I may not knit for Christmas but I do plenty of other things to get ready for the holiday. There's wrapping and baking and cooking. Some of that's done and some it still left to be done.

The wrapping is done. Yes, I make my own bows. So what.

The baking is partly done. Wednesday I made Polish Tea Cakes, Peanut Butter Balls and Dropped Sugar Cookies. Today I'll be making Chocolate Crackles (thanks to Kim and Cindy), Gingerbread Men (thanks to Minty Fresh), Spritz and fudge. Someone at work the other day observed that a Gingerbread Man is her idea of a perfect man. I think she's got a point there.

The cooking is barely started. I've made the Chex Party Mix but there's a lot left to be done. I've got to make Swedish meatballs and baked beans and deviled eggs and finger sandwiches and more for Christmas Eve. I don't vary the menu much from year to year because if I change it people get upset that their favorite thing isn't there. So, I've learned to pretty much leave it alone.

Christmas dinner will be a prime rib, oven roasted potatoes and some sort of vegetables. The meat is ordered and let's face it, it doesn't get much easier than "meat in a pan" so there's not much to stress about over that. I should have help from various sisters-in-law with the side dishes so it will be a very simple meal.

And that's that. How are your Christmas preparations going?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (43)

December 20, 2006

Christmas Knitting

If you've been around this blog for a while you'll know that I don't knit for Christmas. I used to, but then I smartened up. I gifted too many things that went unappreciated and my knitting time is way too precious to knit for people who don't "get" what it means to receive something hand knit. So, I save my hand knits for birthdays. And only for the birthdays of those who get it.

The nice thing about this is that when Christmas rolls around, I'm the one who winds up with new socks.

Vesper Sock Yarn. Peaks 'n Valleys pattern from Knit Socks. This makes my 18th pair of completed socks in 2006.

Happy Christmas to me, me, me.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (51)

December 19, 2006

Christmas in the Camp

We did some time traveling on Sunday and went back to December, 1863 to celebrate Christmas the way the Civil War soldiers did. The weather was fairly mild and I was able to work on my second red scarf while chatting with friends, drinking hot chocolate, and trying my best to look "period correct." Here's a recap of the day:

We roasted chestnuts on an open fire. I've never done this before and it was pretty cool. People loved seeing them cooking and they were absolutely delicious when they were done.

We strung popcorn and cranberries. This is Sarah, my friend Wendy's daughter. She had a regular "pattern" going with the popcorn and cranberries and managed to finish 2 really pretty garlands before the afternoon was over.

We had a visit from Civil War Santa. During the Civil War the famed cartoonist Thomas Nast drew a rendition of Santa Claus in patriotic attire. Our friend Willy made this outfit himself and he really loves visiting the troops. Those are handknit socks he's offering to the soldiers!

We even ended the day with a visit to the field hospital! Poor Dale. He's had an infection in his finger for several days. Little did he know that dinner at Blogless Sharon's house would include surgery on his finger by our good friend, Dr. Al! But we fortified him with some good bourbon and he handled it with his usual good nature and grace.

It was nice to get together with friends and celebrate in an old-fashioned way. I sure do feel fortified with the Christmas spirit.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (48)

December 18, 2006

Do You Know The Muffin Man?

I would say that Jan is truly the Muffin Man Aunt. She makes loads and loads every year for her family's Thanksgiving gathering. Me, I'm not all that crazy about muffins. They're good but I don't get excited about muffins the way I do about a donuts. Or mashed potatoes and gravy. Ahem.

Now and again, though, I do bake muffins. And last week, when I had an early morning meeting with Scrooge and Marley (aka the Town Administrator and Town Accountant) to discuss the library's FY 2008 budget, I decided that blueberry muffins would be a thoughtful bribe gesture.

The recipe is from an old Penzey's catalog and I think they are the best blueberry muffins I've ever had. Not too sweet and bursting with blueberries.

Blueberry Muffins

1 3/4 cups flour
1 TB baking powder
4 TB sugar
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
5 TB butter, melted
2 cups blueberries

Preheat oven to 425. Combine flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl, set aside. In another bowl mix the eggs, milk and melted butter. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. Fold in the blueberries. Insert paper muffin cups into a 12 cup muffin tin. Fill the cups to the top with batter. Sprinkle generously with more sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Eat.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (40)

December 15, 2006

Eye Candy Friday

Every year for Christmas my sister-in-law Mary makes me a wreath. She gathers the greens and the other decorations herself and always comes up with something spectacular.

This year, she has outdone herself. Thanks, Mary.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (47)

December 14, 2006

Holiday Meme

This part is for Kat. My entry in the XXmass Contest.

The minute I read about this contest I knew exactly which house I would photograph. Amazing, isn't it? Of course, to get the full effect, you have to be there. They even play Christmas music on outside speakers. I'm so glad I don't live in this neighborhood.

Now this part is for Maryse. But you're all encouraged to read along.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate. With Peppermint Schnapps and a candy cane.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Oh, puh-lease. Santa does not have time to wrap.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights in the windows. Colored lights outside and on the tree. But not those mini lights that come in pink and lime green. The big, old-fashioned bulbs that are red and blue and green and orange.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Oh yeah.
5. When do you put up your decorations?
Right after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Swedish meatballs.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
I can remember getting up with my brothers, emptying our stockings and then putting everything back in the stocking exactly the way it was so that no one would know we had already looked at the stuff.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What truth about Santa?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. It's a Swedish tradition. When I was a kid it was always a new nightgown.
10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree?
Ornaments I've bought at craft fairs or old-fashioned things that the kids have made. There are actually two glitter pine cones, one that I made in kindergarten and one that Hannah made when she was in kindergarten. And there are lots and lots of ornaments on there that I've had my whole life because when I was a kid I had my own tree in my room. It was a gift from my godparents and every year they bought me a new ornament to hang on it. Those are really my most treasured ornaments.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread?
I do love it. I don't like driving in it, though.
12. Can you ice skate?
I used to be able to so I assume I still can. Then again, I assume I can still do a cartwheel but I wouldn't want to try it.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes. I got a playhouse when I was about 5. It was a big plastic thing that I could sit in. I went inside and announced that I would be opening all my presents from inside the playhouse. I was swiftly pulled out of the playhouse and made to open my presents so everyone could see.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Being with family and eating Swedish foods.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Christmas cookies!
16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
We have everyone over to our house for Christmas Eve and I really love that.
17. What tops your tree?
We've had various toppers on the tree over the years. This year it will be an angel.
18. What is your favourite holiday book?
How funny is it that I'm a librarian and I don't have an answer to this question?
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?
Yummy.

Thanks for reading. Now it's your turn.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (24)

December 13, 2006

Y is for Yuengling

As much as I love my martinis, I also love a good beer. Several years ago, Dale and I had the good fortune of being introduced to Yuengling beer. It's the oldest brewery in America, you know.

It was June of 2001 and we were staying at the Cashtown Inn, just outside of Gettysburg, PA. And Dale ordered a Sam Adams. The waitress asked him if he had tried a Yuengling yet and when he said no, she insisted that he give it a try. It's better than Sam Adams, she said. Dale loved it and has been hooked on Yuengling ever since.

In fact, I have a funny story about this beer. We were in Gettysburg for our first Remembrance Day visit. We met up with friends at a bar/restaurant after the parade and everyone was drinking pitchers of Yuengling. We joined in and had a great time laughing and reminiscing and drinking this wonderful beer. Later in the evening, other friends of ours joined us and we headed upstairs in this same restaurant to have dinner. The waitress came over to take our drink order and we asked for, of course, a pitcher of Yuengling. She came back a minute later and sadly reported that, "there was a really big party downstairs and they drank us dry. We have no more Yuengling." The look on Dale's face was priceless. He was disappointed that he couldn't get anymore of his favorite beer. But he was also hugely proud of having been part of the group that drunk them dry!

Unfortunately, we cannot buy this beer in Massachusetts. If we have reason to be in New York (like for Rhinebeck!) we always bring some home. And, our trip to Gettysburg for Remembrance Day every year always involves a stop at the "beer store" to stock up on Yuengling. Usually 5 cases make their way home with us. We try to ration it and make it last but, well, you can imagine how that goes.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (40)

December 12, 2006

A Day Fit For a King

Can you believe, in the midst of the busy Christmas season, that Dale and I had nothing we had to do this past Sunday? It was a beautiful day for a drive so we headed to Duxbury to visit Christmas at King Caesar's House.

This historic home is a place we've visited before as a friend of ours is the Director of the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society but we've never been at Christmas time. Each room in this historic mansion was decorated to fit the theme "A Storybook Christmas" and it was fun to see how the different designers interpreted a few classic Christmas stories.

There was The Grinch. Everything in this room was in the signature lime green of the Grinch. And there were polka dots and fuzzy squiggly decorations and even little Cindy Lou Who.

I loved the room for The Elves and the Shoemaker. I'd like to have some of those shoes under my Christmas tree!

My favorite of all was the room decorated for The Gingerbread Man. Everything was old-fashioned and charming and it all looked good enough to eat!

There were greens and berries and decorations everywhere. And the smell! It was like being in a pine grove. Truly wonderful.

After we were done touring the house we walked the grounds. I took some photos that you'll be seeing on Eye Candy Fridays. And I took this last photo of Dale.

I think he's waiting for his ship to come in. Or something.

We hit the grocery store on the way home and got brie and French bread and nuts. We also got some King Crab Legs. Mmmmm. It really was a day fit for a king!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (36)

December 11, 2006

Knitting As Peer Pressure

I have a cute story to tell you.

But first, a word about Yarnival. I'm glad you guys are so excited about me being the editor of the next issue. It's wonderful to have such positive feedback from all of you and your support is overwhelming. You know what would be even more wonderful, though? Entries. Seriously, my friends. Don't be shy! Please consider submitting a post for consideration. I know you're thinking you don't have anything good enough, that your blog isn't clever or witty or fancy enough, but I promise you, your stuff is better than you think. And I won't have much success as an editor if I don't have anything to edit. Go ahead. Just click on that link up there and submit something.

We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging.

The other day Hannah asked me to cast on a dishcloth for her. So I did. Gleefully and perhaps a bit smugly. Ahhh, I thought, she's returning to the fold. She's knitting. Finally.

This is a transcript of the actual conversation we had when she sat down to knit:

Carole: I thought you didn't like knitting.
Hannah: I don't. Sigh.
Carole: Well, then, why are you doing it? (thinking silently, this is the part where you tell me that you're just trying to make me happy, Hannah)
Hannah: It's peer pressure.
Carole: Peer pressure? To knit? Ummmm?
Hannah: Yup. My friend Gianna is bugging me to knit with her. Besides, I don't have any money left for Christmas presents. I figure I can knit things for people instead. And Christmas is, like, two weeks away. I've got plenty of time.

She's doomed.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (41)

December 8, 2006

Eye Candy Friday

I know what it's time for when the frost is on the punkin. But what's it time for when the frost is on the leaf?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (37)

December 7, 2006

Yarn Aboard - Sock Style

You guys know all about Yarn Aboard 2 by now, right? It's a really simple but fun swap. You get a package filled with goodies for you. You take out your stuff. You say thank you to the person who sent you stuff. You blog about the stuff. You put in stuff for someone else and you send it on to them. And then you're done. Simple, right?

And yet, people signed up for this swap and are now blowing it off. One person hijacked two boxes. Someone else hijacked another. And then someone else received a package, got mad at Amanda, and then refused to send stuff to the next person on the list. Personalities aside, when you agree to participate in a swap, you agree to follow the rules. And the number one rule of this swap is that you send the package on to a new person.

Luckily for me, most people are following the rules just fine.

Look who made his way to my house from Portugal New Jersey. It's the long lost explorer, Vasco De Gama.

He sure came crammed with goodies from Ina. Don't you just love the lime green tissue paper?

Let's see. There's Fleece Artist Sock Yarn. I've only knit with this yarn once before and I loved the experience. I'm quite thrilled to have the chance to knit with it again. And Regia Silk. Silk Sock Yarn - woot! There's candy and fruit crisps (which were absofreakinlutely delicious) and macadamia nuts and cappuccino espresso coffee beans. There's also a very cool sock pattern.

Ina did a fabulous job stuffing this box with things I love. Thanks so much, Ina! I love it all!

And honestly, given the recent drama that has befallen the whole Yarn Aboard swap, well, I feel really really lucky to have my explorer arrive safely. Thanks, Amanda for organizing the swap and replacing packages and sending reminder emails and just generally being a terrific swap hostess. I had a blast!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (38)

December 6, 2006

WIP Wednesday

Now that the Knit Unto Others is over it's back to selfish knitting over here at Carole Knits. (Although, I am still committed to a square for Comforting Jenn and my heart is being tugged to help Rachel H. with the hat drive for her school) But I digress. Want to see what's on the needles at the moment?

More ManLace in the form of Obstacles. Yes, Anne has done it again! The pattern is fabulous and I highly recommend it. And the yarn. Oh, the yarn. It's Karabella Boise, 50% cashmere and 50% extra fine merino from my grrls over at kpixie. As RR would say, yum-O!

This sock is clearly off the needles and the second one has been started. I just thought you'd rather see a picture of one finished sock than 1/4 inch of a started sock. Anyway, I finished this one Monday and I'm determined to finish the second one by the end of the month as this will make 18 pairs of socks for me for 2006. My goal for the year was 12, a pair a month, so I've surpassed my goal by quite a bit. Not too shabby. And yes, that is Vesper sock yarn.

And at the moment, that's it. I frogged the Old Shale Scarf I had started in the Brooks Farm Mohair because I just wasn't feeling the love for the pattern and the yarn together. I'll be searching for something else appropriate for that yarn. I've still got that cabled hat/swatch somewhere in the bottom of the knitting basket but I'm not in the mood to practice new techniques right now and I don't think it will ever be anything other than a practice swatch so I'm not counting it as a WIP.

I have plans for mittens and cabled mitts and other wool-y things but for right now, I really do only have two projects going. It's a Christmas Miracle, I'd say.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (42)

December 5, 2006

A Tisket, A Tasket

A charity knitting basket

What you see here is my newest Longaberger basket with the items I finished during Knit Unto Others. One red scarf and three hats for Christmas At Sea. You'd think I would have more two show for two weeks of exclusive charity knitting but that's all folks.

The prizes have been posted over at Knit Unto Others. Margene and I want to thank you all so much for the knitting you did during these two weeks. It really warmed our hearts to see so many participants this year. And you can bet we'll be back next year to harass you about this again.

Oh, yeah. In case you're wondering, yes, that is snow on my deck. Now that we've had our first snowfall of the season I suppose I might be persuaded to roll down the back window of the Jeep down. Maybe.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (29)

December 4, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOGLAND, USA - December 2, 2006 (Knitting Blogs Press) - Eve of Needle Exchange is pleased to announce that the January 15, 2007 issue of Yarnival is being edited by Ms. Carole of CaroleKnits. The brain child of Ms. Eve herself, this Blog Carnival for knitters has been in existence since the summer of 2006. It has quickly gained popularity within the knitting blog community for its fresh approach to finding new and upcoming blogs. Previous editors include the distinguished January One and the clever and witty Fricknits.

"I'm thrilled to join this team of editors and excited to start reading entries," said Ms. CaroleKnits. She would like to encourage everyone to submit an article for consideration for inclusion in this edition of Yarnival. "We're looking for new bloggers and established bloggers to submit their articles. Don't be shy! The more, the merrier," said the enthusiastic new editor.

Article submissions will be accepted at the Yarnival Site beginning December 3, 2006 and will continue to be accepted until January 2, 2007.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (33)

December 1, 2006

Eye Candy Friday

Well, what do you know. There are pretty things to photograph in December.

Happy Weekend, everyone. Even you, Bloglines.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (37)