(no subject)

[bedlamsbard]

Agh, one of my more useless weekends on record -- the water situation totally threw me off, and instead of doing things like reading Snorri Sturluson and writing my Homer/Ovid paper, I watched a lot of TV and finished my Calais shawl (Ravelry link). I am pretty sure I coculd have made it bigger, but I wasn't sure at the time because I'd added an extra border stitch and was knitting on needles a size up -- I think next time I'll do another five repeats of Chart A. I am also completely caught up on Weeds and mostly caught up on Criminal Minds.

I did write a bit of Dust 21; some of the research reading I did this summer is finally coming into play, somewhat belatedly.

I am not going home for Thanksgiving; it's way too much hassle to travel for anything shorter than a week, considering that it's essentially a full day of travel either way. Which means that I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner! I refuse to do a whole turkey for four people, one of whom is vegetarian.

Comments

[aella_irene]

Do a smaller bird? A small chicken, maybe? Or pick another joint entirely, if you want to roast something?

[bedlamsbard]

I am doing herb-roasted turkey breasts! I don't like dealing with whole birds, even if they're more useful -- I can tell too easily that they're, you know...birds. And I have a problem with birds. (It's the wings that are the big problem; I had to dismember chickens in my Foods class in high school, and none of the other girls at my table wanted to break down the bird, which meant that I had to do it, which I feel is just a bad idea when one has a phobia of birds. Usually it's too hard to tell EXCEPT WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH WINGS. Although at least breaking down whole birds is one of my life skills.)

I think I might do stuffed squash for Alaska, the vegetarian.

[aella_irene]

I am fine with chickens except when I pull a leg, and it moves like a leg. Other joints are so much easier...

(I was looking for something in the freezer today, and eventually came in to say: "Mum, I can't find the dough, the freezer is full of dismembered animal."

"Honestly, it's one lamb!")

[bedlamsbard]

Mmmm, lamb.

Joints are TERRIFYING. I mean, yes, that was a useful life skill and I'm glad I know it, but now I know it bothers me, too!

[dogstar]

That shawl is lovely and makes me want to learn to knit properly instead of just loom knitting.

[sporky_rat]

I always found loom knitting to be too hard. I'm totally a five needles at a time girl.

[dogstar]

I do not know HOW people manage that. :P Loom knitting is easy- you only have to hold the loom in one hand and the hook in the other and it's all good. There's not tons of needles and stuff.

[sporky_rat]

Well, you're only ever using two needles at a time, the other needles are merely stitch holders.

[bedlamsbard]

Knitting is fun! Needles are fun, and poky.

[harpers_child]

just to let you know, i haven't seen any decently sized winter squash at my usual grocer. we're talking acorn squash slightly larger than a fist. whole foods may have something better. on the other hand i've been seeing a lot of largish sweet potatoes. i've successfully substituted sweet potato for winter squash in a couple of recipes.

this one in particular works nicely. i spice with salt, pepper, basil, and thyme. i put my food bits into a 7x7x3 dish and stir it halfway through the cook time.
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/Stir-It-Up/2010/1018/Perfect-roasted-squash