Dawn Brocco's Life & Design Blog

I've been on an oatmeal kick lately. And not always for breakfast, usually for dinner! I'll make a 2-3 day batch and refrigerate, heating up some as I need it. It must be autumn and the return to warm, comforting foods, like apple crisp and homemade stews.

I'm really enjoying knitting up this new Peace Fleece design. I've made a pair of socks in their DK wt and I don't remember liking it as much as this heavy worsted wt yarn. It can be used for socks, but reinforcement is necessary. As I'm brutal on my socks, that DK wt pair are long gone.

I received the new merino wool yarn samples from Chester Farms today - nice! Their fine merino comes in some great colors. Their superfine merino (I can't feel the difference, at least in the color cards) comes in just a few colors. Again, in my favorite - heavy worsted - wt. They also have sheepskin slippers and steering wheel covers. Hubby's hands are always cold in the car in winter. I bought him gloves, but he doesn't always wear them. As his fingers get SO cracked and split in the cold, I think the cover will help, as he won't be gripping an ice cold wheel.

I think I'll order a hank at retail to try it out, to see how it wears and if it pills, as merinos tend to do. I like that it's not superwash, and it could be a more inexpensive option for my cashmere kits, yet still be a soft yarn. We'll see.

Sat seemingly forever, yesterday, at the doc's office yesterday. We got home in just enough time for hubby to pack his lunch and head to work - whole morning shot. But the repairs to the eye are holding up. Gotta get yet more drops, this one for the increased eye pressure it has since the last visit 5 days ago - so now, there's 4 different drops to put in every day - 2 at twice a day and 2 at 4x a day. At least she gave me a tip about how to keep the drops from entering the sinus cavity and sliding down my throat. They are disgusting in taste, and I had been putting up with it for 2 weeks.

Looks like I'll be having some fellow knit designers for a visit next week! I've never been fortunate enough to meet up with other designers, but one designer will be in the area from Oregon, as she's been travelling and teaching and will be bringing some cohorts. So, I'm planning homemade scones, devonshire cream and hot apple crisp with tea as a mid afternoon repast.

I lucked out on Saturday when hubby took me shopping. He dropped me off at the mall, as he hates following me around, whilst he went shopping for plumbing parts so he can get that new steam boiler put in. I flit here and there, quite quickly, stopping mid stride to check something out and it makes him nuts! But I found replacement stretch cords in a chino color to replace that pair from Cape Cod that shrank, and at half price. I also found some herringbone-patterned cozy slacks for house wear at 66% off! The only 2 things I paid full price for were 2 cotton ribbed v-neck pullovers from Old Navy at $12 each. Worth it - very comfortable.

I saw a wonderful cardigan that would make a great part of a holiday outfit. Soft pink cardigan with pink faux fur collar with silvery clasp closure. They had some sort of skirt with it, but I envision it with a full silver skirt. Taffeta or organza or even something soft, but over a crinoline. Very 50's, with strappy sandals. I can picture it, but, of course, I have no place to wear such a beautiful outfit.