Knits

I took the opportunity this weekend to be incredibly lazy. The weather was dry up until a few minutes ago, but it was overcast and cold so I managed to sleep in, have naps, do minimal amounts of household chores, finish Shedir, and listen to a lot music.

I have always loved music. I was far more likely to be found in my room listening to music, making mix tapes for myself or friends, or recording music videos in the wee hours of the morning (we didn’t have cable) than I was to be watching TV. Most of those series that define my teenage years? Never seen ‘em. And the only reason I saw some of them was because I went away to University and lived w/ people obsessed with things like Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place.

Anyway, I’ve gone through phases in adulthood where I listen to music obsessively — looking for “new” bands and buying things up; a lot of this is due to expendable income although with the ease of obtaining music via illicit means these days, well… So this weekend I did download a number of albums (most of which I actually plan to buy because I like them THAT MUCH) of bands I’ve heard a song or two of and wanted to hear more.

Here’s a sampling of the bands/songs I am absolutely obsessed with right now (no particular order):

These are only the “new” bands and not old things I’ve rediscovered. (How come I bought the Pete Yorn album musicforthemorningafter when it was released, listened to it often, and now, I can’t even remember listening to a single song? So weird as I loved it when it was released and it’s still a good album.) Outside of The Fray, I’m not sure how much of the other bands are known outside the UK, but if you are a fan of Joy Division, then listen to Editors ’cause I think Tom Smith might be Ian Curtis incarnate. Also, hello cute.

Pictures of Shedir forthcoming.

This last week has had surprisingly little knitting. I really thought I’d have Bad Penny done by now, but no such luck. I’m still on the waist band and have a few more rounds to go before I do the lace bit of it. I might be able to get started on the last bit tonight. The hat for my sister still sits halfway through the first round. And the Falling Leaves socks have had a couple more repeats completed, but I’m still not at the heel. Another inch or so and I should be there. The problem with these has been that for whatever reason, using the small needles right now is hurting the fleshy bit of my palm near my thumb. I only got through a half a round (the instep on both) before I had to stop today. I later went back and finished that round, but did no more. And as I was at The Boy’s house, I had no other knitting with me. Boo.

Dakota after being coerced into being content with laying partially on my leg while I tried to knit instead of full on my lap.

I did more cooking this weekend. My first ever Chicken (Pot) Pie. I love these and have wanted to make one on so many occasions over the years, but I always chickened (ha!) out because I imagined they’d be difficult. It took me a bit longer than the recipe said for the preparation, but that’s because I’m slow with the knife and having to convert from American measurements to UK. Anyway, it turned out pretty well. It wasn’t a true pot pie with the double crust, but a single flakey pastry crust instead. The only thing I’d do is reduce the amount of broth as it turned out too brothy. I also made a Chocolate Pudding Cake or sometimes called a Hot Fudge Cake - it’s the one where you can mix it and bake it all in the same vessel and it makes it’s own chocolate sauce. Yum.

Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie

Other events from the week… Having my time wasted by a recruitment agency on Tuesday. Seeing the Shins on Wednesday! They were so good! Go see them!! Having a “Christmas” meal out with work colleagues … we do normally do this in uhm January for some reason, but no one was interested and it was decided to do it anyway and now. I took to calling it a Jesus-related meal. And also on Friday I got my letter from Domesticat! What fun! I’ll be penning a letter in return. I also received the name of a person to write to as part of Domesticat’s Knitterly Letter Swap.

The Shins at the Forum in London.