The square dance was fun -- not the wild dancing extravaganza I had planned, but fun nonetheless. This square dance was a benefit for the Pick and Bow program at Appalshop, an afterschool traditional music program for kids. So there were A LOT of kids there. The calling was less dance and more dance-related games for kids, but I played along a bit and when I got tired, I did a little clogging on the sidelines. I also sat in with the band and worked a little on my old time banjo skills.... still a long way to come, but progress is being made.
The best part of the night, far and away, was the cake auction. It got a little rowdy, with cross-bidding and out-bidding, re-bidding and joint-bidding. I never got it together to make my own cake (too many last minute details to whip something up, and I am morally opposed to cake-mix baking). But, as displayed in the last post, I did bid on and win the pie baked by my friend Julie. It went for a pretty penny, but let me tell you -- that baby was worth every single cent. It was a fudge pecan pie -- really, it was fudge poured into a pie crust and topped with fresh strawberries. I'm embarassed to admit how much of that I've eaten on my own. It is sin in a metal pie dish. I've made her promise to give me the recipe, and if she doesn't mind, I'll post it here. Because really, there is nothing better than knitting while juggling a plate of really good pie, a cup of coffee, and a good movie.
[Oh, and by the way, I hung the crepe paper streamers in that photo -- pardon me for being irrationally proud about that. The room was octagonal, and the streamers looked awesome. I felt like I was on prom committee or something -- it was very 80's movie]
I think the highlight of my friday, though, was my pre-dance trip to the grocery store. I accompanied my friend Suzanne on a party-favor expedition, which turned into a photo expedition extraordinaire. For example, this:
Ugli fruit. I was tempted to buy one -- I wonder if it tastes ugly? Is it a citrus fruit? Is it related to mangos? I can't tell... but I want one. I really want one.
Also pretty amazing:
In case you can't read it, let me give you a close up of that:
This sign was posted next to this:
Cake mix. Apparently, in case of natural/national disaster, FEMA suggests we all stock up on cake mix. Hmmm... I'll spare you all my thoughts on FEMA before I saw this little sign, and, given my aforementioned stance on cake mix, I'll leave to your imagination my feelings now.
No good pictures yet of the elfines. I was out most of today and missed good natural light. I've got second thoughts about the garter stitch 'ribbing' around the top. I think that after wear, it will stretch out and not hug the leg. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel like it's too late to fix, and maybe I should just let it be, but... I put so much work into these, I hate for them to be anything other than (close to) perfect.
After finishing the elfines, I immediately cast on for a pair of jaywalkers for myself (at last!) in the Socks That Rock color "Fire On the Mountain." I was nervous, because I know that Courtney experienced pooling with her STR jaywalkers, but these are perfect. Little bands of color, you never get the same color-stripe combo twice. I love it. Pictures to come...
P.S. I forgot to mention -- I was watching the Kubrik "Lolita" last night, and toward the end of the movie, when Humpert and Lolita are in the car being followed and they have a blow-out, Lolita is wearing the most spectacular hooded cardigan sweater. You can only really see it from the armpits up, but its got wide chunky rib cuffs, a hood that has a squared shape, a neat button band with no ribbing, and big buttons that button all the way up part of the hood. It's awesome and inspired me to start considering my first large garment of my own construction. Does anyone have any tips? I'm not sure where to begin -- I think I understand the shaping of the hood, but not how to connect it to the body. It had shoulder seams, but was seamless between the body and the hood. I'm looking for a picture which I will post as soon as I find it. In the meantime, any advice on designing?
2 comments:
My mom used to do "fruit of the week" when I was a kid - she wanted to expose us to random stuff she found in the grocery store. Ugli fruit was one of them - I don't remember much about it, though.
Sounds like fun! Wish I could experience something like it...
I really like your blog. Just found it today, but you seem very cool. (:
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