13 eggs, six days

About a decade ago (gosh it has been a while), I tasted the best. cake. ever. The quality that made it my ultimate was texture: divine. Moist, just sweet enough, light, crumbly. Almost, but not quite, melt in your mouth.

I couldn't shut up about it. I described it to anyone who'd listen and was soon told, "It's all about the egg whites." I went home and tried and tried to no avail. Eventually, I gave up.

Fast forward ten years to Wednesday. My dear friend Nicola along with the scrumptious Gwen, braved the horrid weather to visit. This deserved something a little special. Cake. I set about measuring correct quantities into bowls, pre-heating the oven...

Then, a thought (or was it a memory?), "I have just six days to get through 13 eggs, why don't I substitute two egg whites for one egg?" whaaaaat? it was worth another shot besides, I had nothing to lose. Anyway things are different this time around. I have a mixer now = no more hand mixing + better results.

It turned out well. We polished it off with a pot of Lady Grey tea and a good chin wag while Gwen napped.

There is something so comforting about watching Gwen sleep. It's in the way she bends her little body, the rise and fall of her baby chest. She often has her teensy fist in her little mouth. I think she is figuring out which is to be her preferred digit to suck on. Sweet.

and now the sun?

It's been raining all week. Very heavy, unremitting rain.

I've been waiting for this coat.

It arrived today.

Followed closely by gorgeous blue sky and a glorious sun.

Oh well, it will rain again another day.

but ain't she pweeeeetty?

getting there

I'm counting down. Not quite excited yet but I'm getting there. I set off on my holidays in six days!

{downtown Seattle from Kerry Park}

Seattle. My spiritual home, centre of the universe - mine at any rate. As usual, it's gonna be awesome! I'm making lists and checking 'em twice. In my luggage there will be less of the 'just in case(s) and more of the multi-tasking, multi-purpose, "look how many ways I can wear this outfit" outfits. With luggage allowance down to 23 kilos, I will have to be ruthless. Time to start thinking of the knitting project I'll be bringing with me.

While there, I plan to: take a couple of specialist sewing classes, attend Sock Summit 2009 in Portland, spend a day or two on Bainbridge Island exploring its fabric and knitting stores.

There are the old faves: Gasworks Park, our old 'hood of Fremont and its Cold Stone Creamery (only my absolute favourite ice-cream!), as well as popping into PCC for old time's sake.

The Henry Art Gallery - one of a handful of places that cater to my artistic sentiments exactly; they always hit the nail on the head - such a pleasure.

Summer evenings will be spent barbecuing with friends just like the good old days, maybe a weekend hike or two.

Then there is the promise of the unknown, those undiscovered, as yet uncharted corners of the city. It's gonna be quite the adventure!

But what I look forward to most, is S and I together in our city of love. I'm a different me there. think rose tinted spectacles.

Right, back to my lists.

a productive day

The boy's away (business) and I'm home alone for a while. Fortunately, I love my home and am very comfortable in it - so spending time with myself is not a bad thing.

I got off to a brilliant start. So far, I have:

• done 3 loads of laundry,
• written letters thanking folks for birthday gifts,
• run errands and
• got my vaccine! not swine flu (I'll take that like a man should it come my way and I don't mean in the 'man flu' sense more like a 'real man').

All this and it's only day one! Methinks, a little treat is in order.

In other news, I've just found out there is yet another little angel in my life; a girl. First there was Gwen Helen, followed closely by Ceri Elen and now there's Amelia Jane. Bless their little hearts.

what a week!

I had one of these last week.

It was good. The best I've had in yonks. We've spent the last 4 years living abroad, away from family and dear friends. I've found birthdays particularly tough: cards and presents not arriving on time (sometimes not arriving at all), the time difference making phone calls difficult (or impossible), old age meaning less calls from elderly relatives and a myriad of other excuses that were thrown my way.

But this year, this year people it was great!

I got some paper products from Anne and John; i just love sticky notes!

My mom absolutely knocked my socks off! She got me these books I'd been eyeing for a while. According to her, I've been going on about making my own clothes for some time now. She told me to dive right in, tells me I'll be good at it. She's lovely - most of the time.

There was bubbly! (compliments of pop) but neither S nor I drink alcohol so we'll be saving that till some lucky friends visit. I do wonder about the parents at times. Every member of my family drinks alcohol and I swear they're bent on turning me to the dark side.

Then there is the gorgeous, lovely, adorable, couldn't-ask-for-anything-more-in-a-man boy! He is too good to me and I probably don't deserve it - he would disagree - but he spoils me anyway.

7 years ago, I bought what would be my favourite pen and pencil for the following seven years. The co-ordinating fountain pen wasn't made at the time.

It's made now. And I'm making up for lost time. Isn't she (above) a beauty?

He also began my Grey's Anatomy collection. It's only the only show I am always home, washed, fed and ready for. Every week.

Friday I really let my hair down and was out late having loads of fun with friends: A+J, B+J, S+I (as in me).

There was also money. Always an excellent present. Some of which is to be spent on a very good gore-tex jacket (which I couldn't otherwise afford). It's gonna be pretty {teal + aqua}. Up till now, my outdoor gear has been strictly utilitarian.

We didn't get the house - it went for asking price yet needed a minimum of too much money to make it habitable. There was no central heating, no double glazing, no/questionable damp proofing, atrocious energy ratings, wall paper that's been on since the 60's, an asbestos garage....I'm not heartbroken about it. The right house will come in time.

It was a good week.

2 houses

I'm getting there. Finally. I'm done knitting Ms Marigold - just need to sew down the ruffles and collar. I'm not doing that today cause I am not in a 'clean finishing techniques' kinda mood.

I will cast on the February Lady Sweater (again) in a small, not because I am a small but because the pattern is that generous. - i really should have listened to Iwona!

In other news, we're off to view 2 houses tomorrow! Our first viewings! How grown up.

I really like one house. So much so, I can live with its number. I have a thing about numbers. The liked house looks slightly haunted/derelict from the outside but upon closer inspection, is in fact inhabited (pretty flowers in the window). We're checking out the second house simply because it's on the same street and is being sold by the same agents, so why not?

We've been keeping an eye out since March and this is only the second house to pique my interest. The first was way out of our league.

Still, one may dream.

♬Wish me luck, as you wave me good bye.

Cheerio, here I go, on my way♫

Goodnight m'ducks. Tomorrow will be magical! and it's only 19 mins away!

cats, dogs and soup

It's raining cats and dogs today. hmmm what are the origins of that one? It's a wet, grey, miserable day here. I've been knitting but the light isn't great and there's something not right about having lights on in the day.

So, comfort food it is. A big bowl of soup with some home made bread, maybe. Just the ticket on a day like today.

How does 10 bean soup grab you? Ooooo, I think I'll make it spicy!

berries

Berries, berries, everywhere berries. Unfortunately, this year we haven't managed to get out to pick strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries ... BUT it isn't a big deal as they are everywhere! They're fresh and from local farms and gorgeous and yummy. Everything you want in a berry.

Now I'm not a jam-making type of girl (seems a lot of kerfuffle besides Aunty Brenda keeps us well stocked) but every so often, I do like me a warm berry coulis. With pancakes, of course.

It's a lovely, sunshiny day here. You know the type; the ones made just for knitting in the garden with a tall glass of cordial, your favourite playlist and that timorous rabbit that is yet to make its mind up about you.

take 2

This week i've been doing over.

I possess perfectionist tendencies and in the last few years have somewhat overcome these. I'm learning that imperfection does not negate an object's beauty or usefulness.

Then: everything folded and in its place - please do not touch.

Now: go on, cop a feel.

Then: I wouldn't be caught dead with a wrinkle on my shirt or a hair out of place.

Now: as long as i don't smell noxious, i'm good

Could it be something as simple as:

Then: my life was out of my hands and fate tossed me about on the wings of chance

Now: I am in control of my life and don't have to focus on the little (read inconsequential) things anymore and can just live.

Yet, I am driving myself around the bend due to poor finishing techniques re:knitted projects. So, I will:

re-block Nightsong: 1st time around was a piss poor effort

frog and re-knit my February Lady Sweater: it's 2 sizes too big(!)

re-sew in the ends on my Ms Marigold to ensure no yarn bits end up in my pits.

deadlines

I'm on a deadline. It's by no means a 'do or die' type of deadline but more of a '... would like to do this by ...' deadline. My mind is spread pretty thin and there are just not enough hours in the day. Or maybe there are just not enough mes. Yes, I realise that is not even a word but you know I meant it as a plural for me. What do you mean I can't just go about making up words?!?!

I seem to be falling short all around, if I'm to be honest, it's starting to get to me. I'm not getting as much done in a day as I used to, S - a.k.a. 'the boy' - says it's just age. Well, if this is what growing up is about then thanks, but no thanks! You can shove your ageing.

I want to bite off more than I can chew; without choking, I want to be able to keep up with myself, to put my ideas into actions, to dance like no one is watching. I don't want to fear failure anymore.

Where I'm going is so far away from where I am. Then I look back and see how far I've come.

2 Saturdays

I'm still getting used to sharing bits of my life as it unfolds, thus you have today's details at the same time as last Saturday's.

Last Saturday, my lovely friend, Tina and I attended Woolfest.

It was an assault on the senses (especially the nose) but what an experience it was; stuff to see, feel and inspire! I heard it likened to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival which I've never attended but imagine to be on a much larger scale.

It was especially fun talking to UK breeders of alpaca,

angora rabbits,

angora goats, Wensleydale sheep and other wonderful fibre producing creatures. Apologies for the fuzzy pictures, I was unwilling to dazzle the animals with flash.

Today, I rode the X59 past windmills and golf balls on the A59 to an early birthday present which of course I'll share in due course.

Now I'm knitting Nightsong and so far so good.