Pumpkin Pie and Other Fallish Things

This last weekend we started digging into our pumpkin pile, and preparing the pumpkins for pies, bread, and spreads. O, and I found a pumpkin cheesecake recipe too! So the pumpkins were cut, baked, pureed, cooled, etc. Things got really busy, though, and by Monday night, we still had not made anything.

Monday was an “off” day for me, for the silly reason that I had to go into town to run some errands, and I normally don’t go on Mondays. So all the things I normally didn’t get done on Monday didn’t fully get done. On top of that, the kids were still on a Halloween candy high. So by the time they went to bed Monday night, I’ll admit, I was a grump.

Knut tried to turn my eyes to the fact that making a pumpkin pie together that night would be loads of fun, but I was thinking of the diapers I wanted to work on, and the stuff I’d like to do. I had just finished cleaning the kitchen, and I didn’t feel like dirtying it all over again. He was so persistent, though, that I said if he made the filling, I’d make the crust. So away we went.

I was rolling out the crust with a slight headache and a bad attitude, and Knut was cheerfully discovering each new spice with enthusiasm. He had never used some of the spices before and wanted to know everything I knew about each one, like what other things they’re used in, etc.

Then he went downstairs to work out, and asked if I’d babysit the fire in our new fireplace, as it was having difficulty taking off that night. I was again annoyed, because I just wanted to sit on the computer. So I picked up some knitting, and moved into the living room. I had to work with the fire, and then wash my hands before returning to my work several times. By the time Knut was done with his work out, I was still pretty grumpy.

Knut tried to cheer me up again by asking if I wanted to have some pie with him. It did sound good, so I said sure. He came back a few minutes later with the news: “Um, Gretchen, I guess I was so excited about the spices, that I forgot to put the sugar in.” He insisted that if we just sprinkle sugar on top, it would be fine, but I didn’t think so. I did try some of his the next day, and it really wasn’t bad with sugar on top. The aftertaste just wasn’t as sweet.

Yesterday I was in a better attitude, but I started eating a bunch of roasted pumpkin seeds, and I think they started messing with my system. I don’t even like them that much, but you start crunching one, and you keep eating them all the while thinking “these are alright, but not that great. This is going to be my last handful…well, maybe I’ll have a few more since I’m the only one who seems to be eating them.” I had a tummy ache all day, and the pumpkin seeds are all I can think of to blame for that. So that’s why there was no post yesterday! I was not inspired.

And here is my current knitting project. I’ve put my sweater aside because I think it’s turning out too short, and in order to fix it, I need to undo about 15 rows of stitches. I’m kinda bummed about that, so I’m putting it aside until I get the momentum to fix it. Hopefully it won’t be set aside for too long.

This will be a blanket for one of my nieces/nephews on the way. I won’t say who, but I do have a particular one in mind.

Isn’t this skein of yarn huge! It’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen. It’s supposed to do a whole baby blanket. Knut and I have nicknamed it the rugby ball. I’m knitting it on a circular needle which is why it’s not laying flat now. Once it leaves the needles it will.

I’m doing the whole thing in seed stitch, which I’m hoping will result in a thin textured, but elegant and reversible blanket that I’m thinking about putting a satin ribbon boarder around. I know it will take awhile, but this is already 1 1/2 nights of work on it. It may take a month or so, but it will so be worth it.

I’m knitting it in a baby acrylic yarn. I’ll have to admit, I’m becoming a yarn snob as acrylic just doesn’t feel the same as the wool or bamboo or cotton I’ve been working with lately. It is much to expensive to make a baby blanket out of one of those, and I’ve always made them in acrylic before. I’m just trying to imagine the yarn into being some divine blend of wool/silk or cotton/bamboo. That would, multiply the project cost by at least 10, so my imagination will just have to suffice.

I’m competing in another “stash game” on diaper divas message board where we see who can get the most stuff done in a month. I’ve never won, but have come in the top 5 before. My goal this time is to make it to the top 3. So with the game going on, you may be seeing a bunch more craftiness posted than normal. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, and “spinning” (which I don’t have a spinning wheel) count in this game. I get points for each hour knitting, so while I finish up the diapers, which will be my big points, I can keep the points coming with the knitting.