Saturday, April 26, 2008

bluemuffler2


bluemuffler2
Originally uploaded by samassey
A test really to see if this works. A knitted muffler using roving.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Hot Sauce Questionnaire

Hot Sauce

What kinds of sauces do you like? Do you like ‘em hot and spicy or more toward the sweet? Do you like four alarms going off at once, or a heat that builds?
Spicy rather than hot with some hidden sweetness (like surprises). Heat that builds is always interesting, especially with the first bite.
Do you have any sauces that you do not like at all?
Not that I can think of. Ready to try almost anything.
What do you like your hot sauce on?
Chili, seafood primarily. Haven't been able to handle it with eggs, except mixed in.
What kinds of recipes do you like to work your hot sauce magic with? Do you BBQ? Throw it in take-out? Put a dash into your eggs in the morning? Do you like to cook, or do you prefer to just dress up a good take-out dish?
I usually mix it in with sauces and don't use it directly that often. Mostly add it to chili and seafood dishes (lived in New Orleans so gumbo and jambalaya get the treatment). No take out up here in Vermont but we do have good Mexican food. Don't BBQ except chicken sometimes.
Do you have any particular food allergies that should be avoided when picking out a hot sauce?
Nope. Pretty easy in that area.
Recipe you would like to share?
Need to get some out and pour over. Usually just sort of throw things together and improvise on the fly! Do have a really good chili recipe that I've developed over the years.



Yarn

Do you knit or crochet?
Knit, primarily, although I learned to crochet as a kid and just finished a pair of "Granddaughter Socks" that have a granny square cuff.
What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
Anything. I am a member of a fiber cooperative so am hooked on handspun using a blend of fibers (alpaca, mohair and fine wools). Favorite wools are Coopworth and Cormo. I do move on to cotton in the summer.
What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
What don't I have? UFO's abound. Always have a pair of socks going and am addicted to doing them on one circular needle (2 at a time). Triangular scarf, scarf on roving and a sweater in the works (well I have it layed out and the yarn is spun. Does that count?) Working on squares for an afghan.
What are your favorite colors to work with? Are there any colors you wouldn’t want caught dead in your stash?
Earth tones, yellow greens in particular (at least today). Also enjoy playing with brights. Not a blue person, tho denim colors are really attractive.
Any preference in your hooks/needles? Prefer bamboo over plastic or aluminum? You’re good with whatever you’ve got to work with? Let us know.
I have them all!! Keep switching around depending on the project. Actually like the Swallow casein needles when using straights. Have gone over to circulars for most projects but really don't like Addi's except in smaller sizes for socks. Is that weird?
Notions. C’mon, let us know – if you get one more measuring tape, will you run screaming from the room? Or are you the type that loses stitch markers constantly? What notions do you love and loathe?
Love notions and have duplicates of everything, especially Knit Cheks (the metal thingy with the holes to measure needle size). Have them all over the house. Point protectors are the only thing I can think of that I never use (can't see the point?)
Any fiber allergies we should know about?
Nope. I can knit with everything, even dog and cat hair.

Stuff

Are you a snacky type of person? Do you like candy? Chocolate? In between hot sauce applications, what would we find you snacking on?
Pastry, including cookies, is my downfall. Give me a donut anytime!! Not really a chocolate person, except really good dark on occasion. Chocolate cake is a real turnoff - does that put me out of the loop?

Are you into recipe magazines? Knitting mags? What kinds of quick, stash-it-in-your-knitting-bag reading do you like to have on hand?
Used to read recipe magazines when I was single and wanted to impress. Cooking dinner every night for the family put me off being really creative. Do have quite a collection of cookbooks however! Knitting mags galore and I'm a bookaholic. Think I have them all!
What cheers you up?
Getting together with my fiber friends. Sheep and Wool festivals (tho I am in a 12-step program for buying fleeces). Travel.
Do you collect anything other than yarn?
I say I don't, officially but do have a large amount of vintage buttons. Used to be an antique dealer so have some interesting glass and pottery pieces.
Do you have pets?
Three cats, two wonderful Bearded Collie dogs.
Any other allergies?
None, except fire ants.
Are you a swap newbie, or have you done this before? Any good advice for newbies you’d like to share?
Definitely a newbie. Hope my spoilee is patient! Looking forward to my first!!!

Hot Sauce Questionnaire