We weren't home from our glorious three weeks in Europe before we decided to keep the vacation buzz going. I hoped on line got tickets and rented an apartment in Buenos Aires.
So here we are until early August enjoying the crisp winter air, tasty parilla meats and alfajor cookies. It feels just right.
Our European odyssey was a success. We saw family and friends, ate wonderful food, enjoyed incredible sites and relaxed. What a difference three weeks can make.
Seeing my stepson and his family was the highlight of the trip. He has grown so much. Three years ago he was only an inch or two taller than me. Now he towers over me. Height isn't the only difference. This time I noticed that his face had lost a little boyishness. He is growing up. Fortunately, he hasn't lost any of his sweetness.
Our first stop was Madrid where the food is incredible and wine is even better. We enjoyed art, tapas and a little too much sangria.
Next we went to the Ukraine. The food there was incredible. The scenery breathtaking and our friends gracious hosts. From there we went to Germany.
And our final stop was the always lovely Amsterdam. Home to mouthwatering restaurants, stroopwaffels, canals and coffeehouses. A good time was had by all!
Ladies and germs, I need help. Packing for a three week trip is an overwhelming task for a shoes obsessed clothes horse. So I have uploaded a few pics of possible outfits to my flickr account. So log on and tell what you think.
If you think I've missed a must have outfit or accessory leave a comment. Who knows I may be so grateful I send you a souvenir from my trip.
Being down, under the weather, depressed, whatever......it sucks. Trying to dig yourself out of an emotional black hole is tough work. Before anyone remarks, I barely passed astronomy in college but do know there is no digging out. Black holes crush and that is exactly how I feel, as of late...crushed.
Fortunately, I have a trip coming up and am looking forward to the distraction. Thank goodness.
Last year I took a jewelry making course and got hooked. I am still taking classes and hoping that someday soon I'll be able to sell my work. Currently, I am in the process of setting up a work station with torch and all. So keep your fingers crossed that I don't accidentally burn my own house down.
In early February, I finished Fern Glade from Knitty to take on my whirlwind trip to Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Las Cruces and El Paso. Fortunately, during my trip I had time to visit with Chris (above) and hang out in a gorgwous yarn store. I don't get to do either in Costa Rica. So it was a real treat tht fortified my soul before doing a road trip with my dad.
Not that my father is such a pain but his insistence on commenting on every aspect of my driving is exhasuting. I am driver who is legally licensed in Arizona and Costa Rica. They believe I know how to use cruise control. So whay doesn't he? Perhaps it is my tendency not to come to complete stops in empty parking lots. My dad makes it sound like I've kidnapped a busload of toddlers who I intend to sell to sweat shops whenever I refused to screech to a halt in the Walgreens parking lot. He also took it as a queue to discuss traffic laws in general in depth. I am so glad his citizen assistance classes with the sheriff's offices paid off.
But back to my pretty pretty Fern Glade. Years ago, I bought two skeins of Lorna's Laces DK Swirl. They sat in my closet patiently waiting for the prefect project. Then one magical day I realized I needed a hat for an upcoming trip. So I began the search, skeins in hand. And voila I stumbled across the Fern Glade pattern.
Of course, next time I am going to do a fair isle hat that says, "I Know How to Drive." Take that!
Anyone who has been to a Mexican restaurant knows pico de gallo. The yummy fresh tomato based condiment lifts the taste of chips, burritos, eggs and burgers. Really it makes everything and anything better.
Pico de gallo literally translated means "rooster's beak." Recipes vary but all include chopped tomato, onion, cilantro (aka coriander) and lime juice. If you like a little spice add jalapeño or green chiles. My version is non-spicy but uber tasty, if I do say so myself. And even better is that it can be made in less than five minutes.
So here goes......chop tomatoes being sure to reserve juices and seeds. I think they add taste and texture. Generally I use the roma variety because they are meatier but any ripe tomato will do.
Next chop onions. They should be more finely chopped than the tomatoes. To get an idea please see the photo above. The onions should equal half the amount of tomatoes. If you like a stronger onion flavor chop away.
Next chop cilantro to half the amount of onion. Cilantro leaves are great but include a few stems too. They tend be very fragrant. Again, if you love cilantro add more. Just keep in mind too much cilantro can be hard on the tummy.
Finally, it is time for the lime. I add about 1 tablespoon per cup of solid ingredients. To finish up mix all ingredients. I like to allow the pico de gallo to stew in it's own juices for about 15 minutes before serving. At this time you can taste to make sure you have the right mix of flavors.
Pico de gallo is best fresh and sadly doesn't keep well. So eat up. And remember pico de gallo is all veggies which means it is a healthy. So put it on anything and everything.
Enjoy!
My beloved Koshka passed away this morning. Words cannot express how much we loved her and the joy she brought Van and I. The house feels empty and our hearts are broken. But we were fortunate to have her these past years.
(Me at a Holiday Inn Express in New Mexico wearing a lovely lace hat - travel and crafting!)
Despite the relative quiet on my blog, I have in fact been living up to it's name. I have kept my hands from being the devil's playthings by crafting, most definitely eating, doing plenty of the travel thing and sleeping when the need arises. Sometimes when there isn't a need but I just feel lazy, I'll catch a wink or two. And yet my poor little blog is essentially abandoned. Left to fend for itself in the ever growing blogospehre.
So no shock that I am not one of those bloggers plucked from relative obscurity to write a book about crafting, travel, eating or sleeping. Although, to any potential publishers, editors or literary agents out there.....I am more available than tipsy cheerleader on prom night. I'll happily go on book tours, read to adoring (or even just tolerant) masses and hock the book with the kind of enthusiasm that would make QVC stand up and cheer. Keep in mind, I am bilingual so I've got almost all of the American continents covered. I am open to faking Portuguese fluency and am willing to go English in Quebec. Not entirely sold? Well stay tuned, as I intend to kick things up a notch in the coming year; in between naps that is. You think on a title and get back to me.
Speaking of kicking things up a notch, I started the Two Hundred Sit Ups program yesterday because clearly I don't like myself and love self flagellation. Apparently, I don't like my friends either because I guilted a few into doing the program with me. So far, I am sore with no results. I am aware that I only started yesterday but I am of the microwave popcorn generation and my kind don't like to wait. Nonetheless, I am sticking with it because I am vain. Thanks to the fat genes on both side of my family, I work out like a maniac just to stay on the chubby side of thin. So no matter how many miles I run, my love of bread and butter means an eternal tummy pooch unless I do a gagillion crunches or maybe just two hundred.
In six weeks, my newly toned tummy should look awesome in Zephyr Style's Glee sweater. I just cast on and given my slow knitting rate coupled with my tendency to frog five to six weeks sounds like a reasonable timetable. Of course, you never know with me. I have goofed the simplest of patterns while an intricate lace pattern is easy-peasy. There is no rhyme or reason, although I suspect wine consumption and television have some effect. So who knows if this simple little pullover will be one I put in the win column. Or a project I pretend never happened. If it all goes south please do me a favor and act like I never mentioned it.
The yarn is a gorgeous aubergine color of Debbie Bliss' Prima which is a delicious bamboo and merino blend. The yarn is super soft with a just the right amount of body and drape. No stiffness or scratchiness just pure snuggly-wuggly-ness. It may be a bit splitty, especially for a tight knitter, but the aforementioned snuggly-wuggly factor helps one overlook this singular flaw. I suspect that if I finish it my Glee it will be the kind of thing I wear all the time.
I suppose I should confess that I will have help. A ringer, if you will. I am shite at picking up stitches so I enlisted Liz to help me out. She, like my friend Chris, is a knitting wunderkind. These gals crank out breathtaking projects without breaking a sweat. Socks, fair isle vests....you name they can make it. And they cook too. Add to that their cuteness and you've got yourself a triple threat. Anywhoodle, Liz has been kind enough to agree to help pick up stitches so they will be lovely and even. Me alone? They would have an alligator tooth like quality that screams amateur. Thank goodness for Liz without her I'd have to fly Chris in.
Well, my pretties the sky is rumbling which means rain and a fairly good chance that the power will go out. Life is never dull in Costa Rica. In the coming days I'll post pics of knitting and jewelry projects. Hopefully......{yawn}.....now a little nap-sito.
