Swap Questionnaires

Here are my Swap Questionnaires--If you like, you can read them all because they each have slightly different info.  Happy Swapping!

#1: Saucy Knitters' Swap

Hot Sauce:

1. What kind of sauces do you like? I have different tastes at different times--sometimes I'm in the mood for something tongue-searing, and sometimes for something sweeter with a bit of heat.  

2. Any sauces you don't like? So far, I haven't tasted any I didn't like.

3. What do you like your hot sauce on? My most favorite thing to put hot sauce on is eggs--scrambled, or a feta cheese and onion omelet.

4. What kinds of recipes do you put hot sauce in? So far, I've just thrown it on things already prepared, but I'd love to try a recipe with hot sauce.  I'm game if my partner wants to share a recipe with me, because I do enjoy cooking!

5. Any allergies? Nope.

6. Recipe you'd like to share? I don't have one, but would love someone to share one with me!!!

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet? I do both, and enjoy them equally.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with? I love a nice cotton (like Rowan cotton glace) for making colorful granny squares.  I really enjoy whipping up a washcloth or two with Peaches n' Creme in bright colors.  And I love silk blends and cashmere blends (like Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino).  Also sock-weight yarn.

3. What's on your needles? Still too many projects to name, including at least five afghans, myriad socks, and scarves.  I love having a lot of projects going at once, so I can dip into things when I feel like it...

4. favorite colors? Any you wouldn't want? I love colorful colors, and am open to anything.  I've been surprised and delighted in recent swaps by what people have chosen for me.  I'm easy to please. Oh, and regarding hot colors--I love the idea of getting something "hot" like hot sauce! I love reds, yellows, and oranges of all shades!

5. any preference in hooks/needles? I love different materials for different projects, but I favor aluminum and polished wood.  I really like the crochet hooks with ergonomic handles.

6. Notions? I can always use measuring tapes; I only have one raggedy one, and it was my granny's, so I don't like to carry it around with me lest I lose it.  I love getting stitch markers, so if my partner likes to make them, I'd enjoy getting some! I also love little scissors, for some reason.  One can never have too many little scissors.

7. Any fiber allergies? I've always said no to this before, but I've come to realize that mohair makes my nose kind of itchy, so that may be an allergy after all.

Stuff

1. Are you snacky? Do you like candy? Oh, I'm a consummate snacker.  I love sweet and savory treats of all sorts.  I've rarely met a snack I didn't like.

2. Are you into recipe magazines? Knitting Mags? What kind of quick, stash-it-in-your knitting bag reading do you like to have on hand? I like recipe mags, knitting and crochet mags, very much.  I almost always have a knitting catalogue or notions catalogue stashed in my knitting bag.  I also like puzzle books, of the sort of silly word seek variety.  And fun thrillers for a quick read.  

3. What cheers you up? Well, color really cheers me.  I like to look at my stash when I'm gloomy.  And I love getting a letter, email, or comment on my blog when I'm feeling down.  Reading words written especially for me is comforting and cheering.  And hugging my dog until he grunts.  He doesn't really mind, though.  And watching sitcoms on DVD.  Pretty much any sitcoms.

4. Do you collect anything other than yarn? vintage knitting and crochet patterns, blank notebooks, beads, stationery, little stash bags, bath products like scented soaps and lotions, stickers.

5. Do you have pets? A dear old dog, a hamster, and a fish.  I love and adore and worship animals.  My dream is to have a dachsund and a small bird of some sort to add to the menagerie.

6. Any other allergies? Nope.

7. Are you a swap newbie, or have you done this before? Any good advice for newbies you'd like to share? I've been in quite a number of swaps.  Here's my advice: Have a ton of fun, because swapping is after all only for fun.  Keep an open mind about what you receive--it's neat to see what someone else, usually someone who doesn't know you very well, chooses for you.  And I always like to take time with the presentation--wrapping the items, and packing them up.  Also, make sure to write a friendly note to include in your package! And to thank your spoiler immediately and publicly.  Okay, that was probably too much advice...

Previous Swaps:

#1: Knitters' Scavenger Hunt Swap

1) Do you knit, crochet or both? How long have you been doing it?

I've been crocheting since childhood--my grandma taught me. I've been knitting since high school (just lopsided scarves back then.)

2) What is on your needles/hook right now?

Too many things to mention. But some highlights: several ripple afghans, a Charlotte's Web shawl, my second Baby Surprise Jacket.

3) What is the most frequently used tool in your knitting bag?

Probably my scissors.

4) What are your 3 favorite yarns (fiber type or brand)? What are your 3 least favorite?

My three faves are: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Rowan Cotton Glace, and Koigu premium merino. My least faves are Lion Brand Homespun. Gosh, how I hate that stuff. It looks perfectly nice, but ooo the feel is like dusty potatoes.

5) What is your favorite color?

I just like color--saturated color

6) If you had a 5 minute shopping spree in your LYS, how would you plan your attack?

I'd go to my three faves and get multiples of every single color.

7) What is your favorite FO and why? 

My first Baby Surprise Jacket, and the three pairs of Koigu socks I've made.

8) What are your favorite things to knit/crochet?

Probably crocheted ripple afghans; they're so relaxing.

9) Do you collect anything?

I collect ribbon; yarn (!); old horror and romance comics; vintage textiles; cookbooks.

10) What are your five favorite things (not necessarily knitting related)?

I won't mention my family, because that's the sine qua non. Instead, coffee, music, knitting, Brooklyn, the Adirondacks.

11) Are you on Ravelry? What is your ID?

My ID is leahsimone

12) Do you drink tea/coffee/cocoa?

Java, java, rah rah java

13) Favorite Sweets?

chocky.

14) Any allergies?

nope.

15) Do you have pets? kids?

dear little girl, dear dog, and hammy and a fish.

Swap #2: Longing for Spring

1) Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft?

see above

2) Favorite yarns? Least favorite?

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Rowan Cotton Glace, Noro Silk Garden.  Least Favorite: I tend to like natural fibers, although the exception is Vanna's Choice.  I like the colors very much, and it's really very nice for acrylic.

3) Favorite colors? Least favorites?

Favorites--saturated colors.  Garnet, teal, orange.  I love color.

4) Warm weather project I'm looking forward to:

Finally finishing my Charlotte's Web Shawl in Koigu, and making lots of amigurumi for my daughter and whoever else takes a shine to the little creatures.

5) Favorite scents? Least favorite?

I love unusual scents that you don't smell coming and going.  I'm addicted to several of the Fresh scents, like Fig Apricot and Pink Jasmine.  I like woodsy scents, and fruity scents (pear and orange especially).  And almond.   I'm a total perfume and scented soap/lotion junky.

I'm always up for trying a new scent, so I won't say I have a least favorite.  I'd love to experience a swap pal's favorite scent.

6) What is your favorite flower?

Oh, gosh, do I love flowers.  Geraniums, daffodils, tulips, Gerbera daisies, regular "sunny side up" daisies, carnations, roses, tiger and lemon lilies, lily of the valley, hydrangea...I'll stop now.  those are some of my faves.  I can't narrow it down.

7) What are your favorite springtime hobbies/activities?

Walking around my Brooklyn neighborhood, enjoying the surprising amount of lovely greenery--trees in bud and bloom, tulips, forsythia everywhere.  I also like to revel in the longer days, leave the kitchen windows open while I cook dinner, and take my daughter to the playground with friends.  Boy, I cannot wait for Spring...

8) No garden.  How sad.  I'm thinking of growing some herbs in a window box, however...

9) Favorite sweets:

Chocolate covered fruit (like orange peel, cherries, ginger, etc.) is my fave.  I also loooove cake of all sorts.  I'm always up for a cake recipe!!!

10) Do you collect anything?

See questionnaire above, and I'm adding: yarn, knitting needles, pretty blank journals, stickers, amigurumi patterns, perfume, beads.

11) Allergies? Nope

12) Pets? Dog, hamster, fish

 

You Can't Fight City Hall

Here's Pippin in "his" chair. Actually, A chose it for himself, with visions of putting his slippered feet up after a hard day of work. Then Pippin coopted it. For several years, A refused to call it Pip's Chair (as in, "go to your chair, boy!"). He insisted, misguidedly, that it was still his own. Then, two nights ago, I heard A utter the fateful words. It seems that you can't fight city hall indefinitely. City hall will win. And a dog cannot be swayed from the dogged pursuit of abject comfort. After all these years, A has finally admitted defeat. Pip won't crow over his victory, however. In his generous, doggy way, it's enough for him that he snooze the hours away undisturbed by territory battles.

My Spruce and Maple Romance

My new vintage 1915 Gibson mandolin. He is so loverly. A present from mimmy. I knew he was the one for me--our eyes met across the room. He whispered his name to me:



And I was smitten...

In one hour it's my birthday! I love my birthday. I'm turning 38 and I don't think I'll ever outgrow the birthday feeling.

Goodbye, 2007, for Once and for All

I found a very nice list on a blog, and decided to use it myself:

(Some of) What I Learned in 2007:

1. To play an instrument purely for my own enjoyment: without self-criticism or pressure, the violin has become a delight. I've never enjoyed it so much in 33 years!

2. Playing duets with a loved one (in this case, A) is romantic. It's put me in touch with a very sweet form of communication which I'd never experienced before.

3. Live music, with everyone bringing a voice or an instrument, creates shalom in the home. We have Dan Zanes to thank for this.

4. I should have finished my dissertation several years ago. It only gets harder to motivate yourself.

5. I love to write. I'd forgotten about this side of myself. Interestingly, my cheesy Potions Master romance reintroduced me to it.

6. I'm good at writing romances.

7. Yelling at E is counterproductive--it doesn't stop her from bad behavior, and it raises my blood pressure. It's not like I'm one of those constant screamers, but I've come to believe that even a little isn't a good thing. One of my only resolutions for 2008 is to have a completely yell-free household. Okay, maybe it's a little unrealistic, but I'm going for it.

8. "Children are where they're at," is my mom's parenting mantra, and it's a great one. In 2007 I finally started to understand it a little bit.

9. I love technology and gadgetry.

10. I don't have the patience to finish hand-knit garments properly, and that's totally okay. I just won't knit any grown-up sweaters. I can knit whatever I want! (this one seems incredibly silly, but hey, it's something I learned)

11. I'm not that into television.

12. I'm a goth. I've always been one. Who knew?

So, what did you learn in 2007?

Happy New Year!

A lovely New Year's Eve with dear friends and dear family...and Moscato di Asti (which, as sissy says, is like alcoholic Sprite--but sooo tasty) and Faycat's incredible--something--I can't recall the name--I'll get back to you--with a creamy rice-pudding-like filling of faro and orange flower water, among other ingredients, with a sweet crust that managed to be both light and dense...sublime. I made chocolate gelato, which froze like a chocolate rock, but when tempered, became pretty yummy. A made up a fire in the fireplace. Pippin nosed around hopefully for brie bits. Dr. Frizzle stuffed his cheeks with carrots and yogurt nuts. Then I fell asleep face-down on the rug. Happy New Year!


p.s. "pastiera napoletana," as Faycat commented. Check out her ordeal here, but I can personally attest to its utter deliciousness.

Pawn to King 4

Today in the coffee shop, two middle-aged men at a corner table near us were playing a fierce game of speed chess. It was really exciting--the moves unfolding at lightning speed as they slammed pieces, took pieces, hit the clock. It looked like the battle that chess is meant to be. E was entranced. And it got me reminiscing about high school--how the boy I crushed on my senior year played chess and I would look on like some sort of strategy groupie. Now I ask myself--why didn't I play?

I think Hedgehog is so lucky to have Sgt. Pepper for a dad. He's like Man Archetype (going by his career choices alone) but also a deep feminist--he wouldn't call himself one--but he is in the truest sense of the word. He has every faith in and expectation of Hedgie that he would for a boy (including his fondest wish that she become a fighter pilot--not much chance of her having the prerequisite 20/20 vision, though, with my genes!). I'm really hoping that she'll be the girl playing chess with the guy she likes, not the one watching.

On another note, Sarge, who is seeing my fan fic unfold, and following, amused, my consequent descent into delusion of reference (i.e., I'm pretty sure now that Snape really really likes me, although he is both a fictional character and a dead one) and asked out of the blue: "have you ever been to a sci fi convention?" Now, we've been together almost two decades, and he knows I haven't. But I think he's thinking that there may be a side to me that he wasn't, er, entirely aware of. Not that there's anything wrong with a convention--au contraire, if there was one that suited my particular delusions, you'd better believe I'd be there in costume. I warned A that it's only a matter of time before I go "Mazes and Monsters" on him, and he laughed. Boy, that guy is tolerant.

Another Fairytale of New York

We're going to the Pogues show at Roseland in March! I sort of happened upon tickets. For those of you who love them, well, you know. For the rest of you, hie thee to "If I Should Fall From Grace with God," "Peace and Love," and "Rum Sodomy and the Lash."

The only drawback might be that it's their St. Paddy's weekend show and it's general admission at Roseland. Drunken mob, anyone? Or maybe A and I will be our own personal drunken mob. That'd be fun.

Now don't forget to vote for your special Boyfriend! No has secret yearnings for Voldemort? And nobody voted for Severus! Come on people, it's not like he's taken...

P.S.

Your Brain is Purple

Of all the brain types, yours is the most idealistic. You tend to think wild, amazing thoughts. Your dreams and fantasies are intense. Your thoughts are creative, inventive, and without boundaries. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking of fictional people and places - or a very different life for yourself.

What Color Is Your Brain?

Eerily accurate for a crappy 4-question online quiz. Or does this describe every single person I know? Hmmm.

Fairytale of New York--the Most Beautiful Christmas Song Ever Written--And Now You Too Can Sing Along!

It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day

You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy f****t
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

--The Pogues
(yes, I expurgated that one little word--but you know what it says)

Happy Winter Solstice

What holidays? I'm Jewish, after all, and Chanukah is over. So I thought, just skim lightly over the holidays. That was my personal resolution. No stockings to fill, no tree to decorate. But in between baking for A's work events and E's school parties, and attending this and that, conceptualizing presents, it is a little more intense than I imagined. Well, so be it.

I have to say that I enjoy the festive feel and the lights everywhere. This is the darkest time of year--there's a reason we all, no matter who we are, try to light a candle against the gloom. And the baking is always fun. It makes me feel capable. The funny thing is, A came home yesterday with the tragic (and embarrassing) tale of how he spilled the entire platter of office Christmas cookies all over the floor. I asked if people were mad, and he said no, they just stood around looking sadly at the ruination of the snacking. So he's requested a big batch of my specialty, molasses ginger crackle cookies (have any of you had these? they're unfailingly glorious) to bring to work on Monday. That's the kind of task I love.

And tonight is the Solstice--my dad always marked it, and now I find it worth marking myself. It's a scientific measure of time and season, but also a little magical. So, Happy Solstice!

***

In the meantime, I've been working on a gazillion craft projects. I've joined a truly congenial stitch marker swap, and here's what I did for that:











Also, I'm working on really simple garter stitch baby blankets for two extremely preemie twin girls. I decided to go with muted neutral colors in slightly different combinations:



And finally, a new ripple. I was inspired by Faycat's ripple in Knitpicks shine worsted, all the different colors (except black), which I had the chance to admire at a crafting Sunday I had at my house a couple of weeks ago (bagels, lox, knit and crochet projects, and gossip--what could be better?). But my camera wouldn't capture the cheery melange of colors.

Please Master

That's Coney, a wicked little dog of our acquaintance, begging my mother-in-law with haunted eyes: "'Suffering has a peculiar attraction for me. Nothing can intensify my passion more than tyranny, cruelty, and especially the faithlessness of a beautiful woman...'* please, I beg of you--roast beef, before another moment passes unsatiated..." I just finished "Venus in Furs." All I can say is, either you're the hammer or the anvil. And although this dog seems to be the anvil, in fact he's the hammer. And therein lies the secret to life and relationships.

Every waking second of the last four days not spent reading "Structural Change in Large Municipal Police Organizations During the Community Policing Era" and "Venus in Furs" has been spent obsessing over my latest oeuvre, a very long and winding piece of Severus fan fiction. After reading so many (many) variants on my beloved Potions Master by all and sundry (some, I might add are darn good writers), I decided to add my own voice to the slightly maladapted but fun-loving choir. It's like sitting around eating bonbons, that's how much fun it is. 55 pages and counting. Guess how many pages my dissertation is?



*from "Venus in Furs," von Sacher-Masoch