November?

Look at our lovely lemons! These are the first two from our new lemon tree. They’re super juicy and pink inside!

Life in NO

This morning when I took my walk, the thermometer said 77 degrees, 89% humidity. <Whew!> Not complaining, mind you, simply remarking. What was really weird about this morning was the light. I’ve never been a huge fan of daylight savings time. What, after all, is the benefit of cranking up Mr. Sunshine when most people are still in bed, then turning off the lights at 6 pm? I’ve heard the argument that it saves energy, but how? We’ve got to turn the lights on at 6 instead of 7. Gaaah! And frankly, I like taking my morning walk in semi-darkness. I feel as though I have the world to myself for a minute.

This morning was a prime example of how deeply the habits of human beings are hooked to daylight. I usually leave the house between 6:30 and 6:40. I rarely see a soul until I reach Whole Foods, my coffee destination. This morning, it was madness out there! People were walking dogs and bicycling and lining up at the grocery store and showing up for work early! What the heck?!? Every year at this time I consider just not doing it…just letting my days begin and end an hour earlier. I’ll let you know how that works out.

Life at St. Jude

In other news, it was another busy weekend here. Saturday was our monthly day to feed the hungry at St. Jude Community Center on the edge of the French Quarter. We all shared in the cooking and served 8 turkeys with fixin’s to some really lovely people. One of our gentlemen, in a wheelchair with his cherished little dog, composed and recited a poem for us. We all stopped to listen and I don’t think there was a dry eye in that kitchen.

Food!

On Sunday after Mass, we all had brunch at one of my favorite places, Paladar 511. It’s in the neighborhood, Faubourg Marigny, and has recently been added to the list of New Orleans best restaurants. It is truly a little gem for brunch…Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, anyone? Yes, please! It was sweeter still because we got to share it with our friends and Tipsy Knitters Marshall and Sarah and their lovely little girl Laila.

The Knitting

I made some progress on Father’s socks. I’ve got them both to the heel position and now am wondering which heel treatment I’d like to use. Usually, I have this figured out in advance, but I got a little distracted with reading about some new methods I’d never tried before. I’m trying not to get stuck in my ways! 😀 I did end up having to order another skein of this yarn. I think I mentioned being a little disappointed about not being able to get two socks out of two skeins.

I received this lovely acquisition this week. Since knitting the Boysenberry Mittens (released by Love of Knitting as the Jagody Mittens), I’ve become a huge fan of Cumbria by The Fibre Co. I love the soft, hairiness of it. It feels real and toothy and useful! I am working on a new hat design to match the mittens. Watch for it! I’m hoping to publish it in the month of December.

Speaking of new publications…I’ve got a neat little cardigan returning to my catalogue this week. The Olwen Cardigan is a combination of two interesting slip-stitch patterns that make for a really interesting and energetic fabric. The fit is loose and straight and features set in pockets. First published in Knit.Wear, the Olwen Cardigan will be re-released on Friday, November 9 in a fresh new format. I hope you’ll pop in and pick up the coupon code on that one!

That’s all the news that’s fit to print today, knitters! See you soon and happy knitting!