Chicago

Art institute 3

Art institute of Chicago 2

Art institute of Chicago 1

Indianapolis

Where we went on the way to Chicago, for New Years 

From Chicago

Stuff

So much to catch up on!

First, new washer and dryer.   Sigh. It's a lot of money on what feels like nothing, but then we've been watching them all morning like we're people out if an insane national geographic special. Maybe it's good to join the 21st century and save some water, but I had a sentimental attachment to our old ones because we got them when Liam was a baby and just having those cheap, kenmore appliances was such a step towards sanity, post-first-baby-life-disruption. 

Second - <a href="http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/213251/liege-belgian-waffles-with-pearl-sugar">liege waffles! </a>  In Salt Lake City this summer we had the best waffles at <a href="http://www.brugeswaffles.com">Bruges </a> and I've been trying to recreate them for a while. They're pretty good and I used regular sugar. 

Over Christmas we went to Chicago and I'll post some pictures of that, but tonight we're going to make deep dish pizza. Or try. I'll let you know how it goes. 

Finally - knitting!  I made lots of stuff for Christmas this year and it was very fun. I'm going to try and do more all year instead of just cranking on small things starting in December. I don't usually do themes, but this year I'm going to do some stash busting and redo a bunch of Fassett patterns in fingering weight. 

I'm working on the Persian poppies vest, here's some WIP photos. 

I brought it to knitting group this week and got asked if I could do one on commission. :) well, duh. 

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a fantastic time - we're doing nothing, which is great and next week we're going to Chicago. 

I did a whole bunch of Christmas knitting which I'm finishing up on now. This is for my sister in law in NH who is great to knit for because she's tiny (so it's quick and everything looks grat on her) and she appreciative and she knits. I'm excited to be done with this soon so I can block and send it and pick out a project for the trip. I'm thinking of Kaffe Fassetts circles vest to use up some sock odds and ends. 

Last soccer game of the season today

The little one just got back from a school field trip, so I made breakfast

And the cat attacked him

And we have a little friend in our beds

And now we have our last game and after party (yay), then maybe we'll go see Thor. I should be able to finish Larry's socks and get started on a shawl. 

Morning run walk

Ran 5, walking another 4-5 while the spouse runs 13. Ouch. 

Here's my street at sunrise...

Health stuff

So, I realize that I sort of glossed over the phrase "health issues" kind of fast. I'm not into personal oversharing on this blog, but I'd like to get more specific here in case it helps anyone else. 

In September I had a laparoscopic myomectomy to remove benign uterine fibroids. Very minor procedure, went great, I was up and around in 24 hours and running again in 3 days, my doctor was great.  So why do I want to share?  

Because I think too many women my age don't take the symptoms of these things seriously enough or complain soon enough. I can't tell you how many peers I mentioned this to who said "it happens, it's just your age" "menopause sure stinks". But no, you can (and should) do better. If you experience changes in how your body behaves - major back pain, passing lots of clots, bleeding through multiple sanitary products - talk to a doctor. If you get a well intentioned brush off, get a referral and see another doctor. Fibroids are common and rarely life threatening, but some aren't benign or it could be something far more serious, like endometrial or cervical cancer. Time can mean a lot if you're dealing with cancer and even if it's just fibroids, anemia is no joke for someone facing menopause. 

So people, here's my PSA: floss, go to doctor, be an informed patient, and listen to your body. Going into your 40's/50's does mean its normal to feel like the victim in a Wes Craven film two weeks a month. 

Long time

Well, I have projects to post, but what with one thing and another (2 jobs, some health issues) I kind of got waylaid. 

So, until I can get some snaps of my Xmas knitting , here's my recipe of the week - "meatloaf that people who don't like meatloaf will like" (I should explain I was a horrible eater as a kid and feared mixed foods like meatloaf, soup etc. I don't remember my poor mother trying to  feed me meatloaf, but I'm sure I would have been a total pain about it):

Loaf:

1 shallot minced

2 gloves garlic minced

1 tab butter

1 teas ea salt and pepper 

1 lb 90% lean ground beef

1 cup panko

6-7 crushed ritz/club crackers

1 tab sour cream

1/2 can tomato paste

1 egg

1 teas worstershire sauce

Glaze:

1/4 cup Marsala 

3 tab ketchup

1/2 can tomato paste

1 teas worstershire sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar (you can cut this down or out if you're not cooking for kids)

Equipment:

Sheet pan

Parchment paper

Preheat oven 375

Sauté first 3 ingredients for 3-5 minutes at medium low

Mix all remaining ingredients with sautéed shallot mixture, form into a loaf about 2-3 in deep on parchment covered sheet pan. 

Bake for 35 min. Meanwhile ...

Simmer all glaze ingredients together on medium low heat for 20 min, stirring intermittently, then turn off heat and allow to sit.

Remove loaf from oven, spread with glaze, return to oven for 10-15 minutes. 

Rest 5 minutes before cutting. Internal temp should hit 160 degrees.