Bean Counter's Knitting & Stuff

Bean Counting Knitter

February 21, 2011

Thia Red Curry Stir-fry


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
Over the weekend I made a yummy stir-fry and thought I would share it with you.

Ingredients

package of extra firm tofu
olive oil
onion, large slices (cut to your preference)
asparagus - broken into bite sized or preferred pieces
crushed garlic
Trader Joe's Thia Red Curry Sauce

Directions

Heat flat pan with olive oil
Slice brick of tofu long-wise down center of brick
Fry until golden on both sides
Remove and cut into bite sized cubes

Heat wok with Olive Oil
Toss in garlic, onion and asparagus - cook until desired texture and done-ness is reached. Stir often. It is stir-fry after all.
Toss in tofu and stir-fry a bit more.
Add desired amount of sauce and stir-fry for a few seconds to heat up/distribute sauce.

Enjoy!

February 16, 2011

Managing my balls!


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
I am quickly learning there is need for attentive management of my balls when knitting two cuffs at a time.

Last night I cast on my two thermal sleeves. I cheated a bit though.... I cast each cuff (one at a time) onto DPN's and knit three rows of ribbing and then slipped the stitches onto a 47 inch size 3 Addi Lace Turbo circular needle. As a side note these are by far my favorite needles. I love the deadly points. I have a hole in my right index finger to prove it. ;-)

I was able to knit a few rounds on these this morning, however I ran into a case of "when knitting attacks" as the Knitmore Girls call it.  Let me show you:

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See anything wrong?

Yep! When I moved from the right cuff to the left cuff I neglected to drop the yarn for the right cuff instead of picking up the yarn for the left cuff. I had inadvertently joined my cuffs together. UGH! I TINK'ed (knit backwards) back to unjoin them and was soon back on the right track.

I asked hubby take a picture of me trying on the body of the sweater.

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I think it is going to be perfect!

February 15, 2011

Where to start?


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
So much to share.... I will jump right in.

This morning, before work, I finished the second front by using a three needle bind off on my Nermal Thermal. Tonight I plan to start the sleeves two at a time using the Magic Loop method. Woot!

Yesterday was Valentines day. There seemed to be two sides of the road with this day. Either you really enjoy it or you really despise it. I was a lover of it even though my husband was out of town. We got all lovey dovey over the weekend so it was all good yesterday. Then a box arrived from my husband at the office. OMG

The box:

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I didn't open at the office it for fear he might have sent me something totally inappropriate for the office. ;-) Anyone that knows my husband understands my fear!

At home I discovered this:

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You might be scratching your head. It is a kick ass juicer. Last summer he bought me a Vita-mix and I explored making green smoothies. They were OK but I just couldn't commit for the long haul. I fing myself using the Vita-mix for my morning protein & fruit smoothie and the greens just not happening. That makes me sad.

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I realized my problem is pulp. I hate pulp. Pulp in orange juice creeps me out most of the time. I just don't like it. And that is OK!

This juicer will take a twig and extract any liquid within out. Last night's juice was from 2 stalks of celery, 1 green apple, 1/2 lemon, 6 strawberries and 2 carrots. It ended up being about 12 oz and was my dinner.

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All I can say is AMAZING!

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day! I received a package from an Etsy purchase late last week from Kala AKA Vegancraftastic. I love the items. I will be giving away two of the pins and I bet the recipient will love them too.

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This project bag is screaming for a sock project:

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February 14, 2011

Italian Semolina Bread


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
Want to make bread in about 5 minutes (prep work) a day?

Get this book:

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking

Super easy bread and amazing! I made the dough for this bread last Thursday evening in about 5 minutes. The batch made enough for 4 loaves the size of these two.

We had a couple friends over for dinner Saturday night. So Saturday morning I took out enough for two loaves, let them rise and baked them. The instructions are easy and step by step. The bread was a hit.

Very easy peasy !!

Kiki Catnip Bed


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
OK here it is.... The Kiki Catnip Bed

I finally got her to hold still long enough to get a picture. It is the best of the bunch I took. She is a wiggly kitty!

February 9, 2011

Knitting Podcasts

I have been trying out some podcast lately. To be totally honest I was pretty pissed off with the sudden exit of Lime & Violet last year. The way they left so abruptly was a disservice to their fan base. I know there was something underlying causing them to leave so hastily but it was still like a death to me. I had to go through my grieving process.

What I learned is I can't be podcast monogamous. Just like with my knitting, I can't have just one podcast. So I have found 5 podcast I enjoy on a regular basis. I have listened to them for a few months now. I haven't caught up from the beginning of them as of yet but plan to eventually.

Below are the five I listen to and I hope you will give them a try. If there are any you enjoy please leave a comment with the website link so that others, including myself, might give them a try too.

Listed in no particular order:

1. Knitmore Girls
2. Manic Purl
3. Yarngasm
4. Spin Control
5. Knit Knit Cafe

February 6, 2011

2011 Finishing Project - 2/6/11 Update

Here is an update for 2/6/11


Blanket # 2 (2011 Finish # 1) - resurrected this project into a Kiki bed. She is loving it. Pictures soon I promise! 

Swirl Shawl (2011 Finish # 2) - I have decided I am not going to finish this. Not sure if I am going to turn it into some sort of art or frog it.





Stonewashed Sport (2011 Finish # 7) - FINISHED prior to 12/31/10

Secret Project (2011 Finish # 8) - FINISHED prior to 12/31/10



Maize Emmaline (2011 Finish # 11) - Most of this has been frogged. Having trouble locating the end, since I wove it in so well, to frog the yoke and shoulders. 

to be a scarf (2011 Finish # 12) - FINISHED prior to 12/31/10


Gary's Beanie (2011 Finish # 14) - FINISHED prior to 12/31/10

Bean Counter's Baudelaire (2011 Finishing # 15) - I am stuck on the foot of the second sock. I am not motivated to finish these at all. 

Secret Project # 2 (2011 Finishing # 16) - This project was finished 1/22/11 :-)

February 5, 2011

Kiki's Catnip Bed - Finished (Blanket # 2 (2011 Finish # ))

Kiki's Catnip Bed is finished but I have yet to get a good pic of her with it. The ones I took were blurry so I dumped them. Stay tuned!

February 4, 2011

Nermal Thermal (2011 Finish # 9)


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
I started the Nermal Thermal on January 17, 2010. It is the Thermal pattern, which was published in the Knitting Winter 2006 issue.

I give anyone knitting kudos that finish this project. Yesterday while working on this I decided to estimate the number of stitches I had knit to that point. I estimated it was around 65,000 ~ let me say that again ~ SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND stitches. OMG That was only to somewhere in the button placket rows. I still have the shoulders/neck and sleeves to knit. Oy vey

In all honesty I am very excited again about this project. I can't wait to wear it. I think I may be almost monogamous with it until it is done. Well I want to finish Kiki's kitty bed this weekend. Did I tell you I am going to sprinkle my homegrown catnip inside with the fiber fill? I am evil like that......

February 3, 2011

2/14/11 Early?


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Originally uploaded by bean counting knitter
I am the worse at keeping gifts a secret (just ask Molly). I get so darn excited giving gifts. It didn't help when the one I love said he needed a scarf last week.

I purchased some Noro at The Yarn Shop annual sale, which happened to be the same week the man was in Ireland. It helped me focus any nervous energy I had of him being out of the country into loving and happy thoughts. I hope he feels them while he is wearing it for many years to come.

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