Madrona FiberArts Winter Retreat

This year's winter retreat earned it's name. Tacoma was wintry indeed and very snowy.



Coming from Hawaii it's always a challenge to know what to bring in the way of crafts and clothes. Lucky me I brought my Beaverslide CPH Vest with the thought of getting into the zipper mini-class. No openings were available but I sewed it in because it was the warmest thing! It was very handy to cover my ears when the wind picked up.

The lovely Hotel Murano was buzzing with like-minded fiber-loving people all spinning, weaving, knitting and sharing their outstanding creations.




I got to meet the weebug and couldn't resist giving her a hug. She was wearing a wonderful hand knit green sweater with the coolest buttons! (I think it was Ginny) Waah! I didn't get a picture.

The Most Illustrious and Mysterious Landcaster has successfully defended his thesis on Server Scheduling and will be granted his MS when the term ends. Congratulations! This momma is proud!

He pointed out to me this trip that my new iPhone (who I named Won Bin after the Korean action star) has more megapixels then my trusty Canon Powershot. As it turns out it is also very convenient to use and I did not use my Powershot at all. Perhaps I will have to get some camera apps now. I'm often trapped in the iTunes Store these days, sigh.

My traveling companion, blogless Sandy set the tone with great advice from her DH. "Don't hold back." I took her advice:)

Kapiolani Community College Farmer's Market

In one of those eye-opening moments, I finally went to the KCC Farmer's Market. I had all kinds of lame excuses for avoiding this weekly event...long drive, too early, big crowds, no parking.... My usual Hoomaluhia walking group decided to do the market and I had another one...shingles. I had a very atypical case just two months shy of the date I'm supposed to get my shingles shot and although I'm almost all better, I'm still a bit whiny. I'm glad I kicked myself in the butt and went! It only took me 15 minutes to drive there and lots of parking. What a variety of foods, flowers and fresh produce! I got some golden beets and pickled some (who knew it was so easy to pickle beets thanks to the Victory Garden cookbook!) and a bunch of fresh Manoa lettuce. There were lots of samples and interesting people to watch. It seems to be very popular with the Japanese tourists who were eating up a storm!

I especially loved the varieties of hibiscus in one booth. I ignored the state flower for many years, but lately I have come to appreciate the many colors and shapes, and the glorious blooms.


KCC is a pretty campus, nestled on the back side of Diamond Head Crater. It was a beautiful blue sky morning, in spite of the forecast.

"Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent."
--Samuel Johnson

"Life is always walking up to us and saying, "Come on in, the living's fine," and what do we do? Back off and take its picture."
--Russell Baker

Jo's Salmon Quiche

Lunch was pretty special prepared by blogless Marlies, who really knows how to entertain! We started with a beautiful salad. The dressing was an aromatic vingrette with hints of curry.



The main course was a very tasty Quiche! The recipe originally came from blogless Peggy's friend's mom (Jo) and prepared by Marlies was very tasty and beautiful as well! When I entered the house I could smell it baking and knew I was in for a treat.



Here is the recipe:

Crust:
1 c. whole-wheat flour
2/3 c. grated sharp cheddar
¼ c. chopped almonds
½ t. salt
¼ t. paprika
6 T. oil

Combine and press into 9 inch pie plate or quiche pan, saving ½ c. to sprinkle on top.
Bake 400 deg. for 10 minutes.

Filling:
1 (15 ½ oz.) red salmon. Drain and save juice
3 eggs, beaten
1 c. sour cream
¼ c. mayonnaise
¾ c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 T. grated onion
1/4 t. dried dill weed
3 drops Tabasco (or to taste)


Turn oven down to 325 deg.

Add enough water to salmon liquid to make ½ cup. Flake salmon, remove skin and bones. Set aside.
Blend eggs, sour cream, mayo, and salmon liquid. Stir in salmon, cheese, onion, dill and Tabasco

Spoon filling into crust. Sprinkle top with reserved crust mixture.

Bake 325 degree for 45 min. or until firm in center. Serves 6.




We finished the meal off with beautiful Chocolate and Coconut Lacy Cookies. There is no picture, because I ate them. The recipe is by Giada De Laurentiis, on the foodnetwork.com

Totoro Tuesday, Let's Hear it for the Greys!

18 grey Totoro sitting on the stairs, causing great happiness all around! I didn't think I would ever say this, but maybe I have enough for now. If fact maybe I need to liberate some and observe them in the wild instead of keeping them captive.

I'll keep knitting them. In fact here are 3 more, knit from stash.

They are a happy bunch!

I passed my Advanced Life Support re-certification exam on Sunday. I recall the first time I ever took this class it was really tough and so I always get stressed when this comes aroung. Over the years the algorithms have been simplified and the new guidelines are even simpler still. Still, I'm happy this may be the last time I have to take it. The focus now is on quality CPR with chest compressions taking a front seat to breathing.

I've upgraded my beloved red razr flip phone to an iphone4. There is definitely a learning curve and there was a bit of cursing going on tonight...but tomorrow is another day!




The knitting has stalled as I try to psyche up for my next big project. Since I'm attending Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat I'm thinking socks are a good thing to start. Kim wants to do Amelia but I don't have enough Malabrigo Rios for this, and I'm not sure Madelinetosh Worsted colorway is the right one. I kind of like Thea Coleman's Cranberry Capelet
for the Rios and I love the cable.

I managed a couple tiny sheep.
Pattern: Eco Ewe by Andrea McHugh for Rowan, and Knitted Sheep from Flutterby Patch.

Yarn: The cream yarn is from a little boy sheep on the Big Island. I've never met him. The wool was quite dirty and did not have any lock structure and my overzealous washing partially felted it. I spun what I could on my drop spindle and made a two ply. The rest makes very nice stuffing. The black is some mystery black sock yarn from stash.
Needles: Size 2
Comments. Ewe Sheep is a bit odd looking. Knitted sheep has a "coat" in the pattern, and I covered it with 3 stitch bobbles. I think he'll need eyes.