I Swear....

I swear I am not going to buy any more yarn. I have yarn stored for projects that have not even begun to see the light of day, and I do not need any more undone things waiting for attention. Isn't that what we confess in church every Sunday--things we have done, and things we have left undone?

So, an act of responsibility--the mere recycling of plastic bags becomes an act of obligation. I have bought those reusable bags for the grocery store, but still we accumulate plastic bags at an unconscionable rate. I save them up on my back porch, until the big bag is stuffed full, and then I take them out to the Materials Resource Center, which reuses them for their customers, and they always seem happy to see me show up with my supply. Unfortunately, I never seem to be able to just drop off the bags and leave empty handed. I try not to go until there is something there that I actually have a use for, and in that way minimize what I bring back home.

The item that I was looking for, unfortunately had been snapped up by someone who had a use for 500 antique wood spindles, and there were none to be had. Well. That took the wind out of my sails. But there on a shelf were cones of fuzzy thread. I picked one up, and it said 7700 (yardage?) kid mohair. Oh my. Too good to leave behind. Just what everyone needs--lace weight yarn. The last project I attempted with lace weight ended back rewound into a ball. Since things are sold there by the pound, I had the man weigh it up, and the whole kit and caboodle came to $4.62. Who could just leave it there, I ask you?

Sooooooo, it came home with me. I wound it into balls (I keep putting off buying a yarn winder, since I am not knitting, and not buying yarn, I do not need one....) and pulled out my new knitting stitch book that I received for Christmas from my lovely niece, and cast on for a scarf. It is lovely soft stuff, and if I will just knit it, should work up into some gorgeous lacework Christmas presents for next year. All I have to do is stay upright in the evening when the tv goes on and knit, instead of just lying on the couch vegging out. I'll consider it self-improvement. A New Year's resolution for 2010--Lord knows, there weren't any others!

Got My Christmas Present--From Two Years Ago...

A couple of Christmases back I was supposed to get a nice flat screen tv for my bedroom. They had them in all the stores, and they all looked great, with gorgeous pictures on the nature shows, and terrific color. The change to digital hadn't taken place though, and no one could say what was going to happen, least of all the salespeople. I confess at that time I knew zilch about the new technology, and when the sales talk started flying, I would get a headache and leave the store without my new tv.

We all finally got digitized, and low and behold--we still get great reception with our good old roof antennae. The added benefit to waiting was that the prices have all come down, and the tvs are even better now that some of the glitches have been worked out. I always hated the distortion that appeared on some screens--stretching everyone's image and making them look tubby. Time to check out what is in the store, and make a selection.

I went to one store, where the salespeople were helpful, and listened and learned. I went back with MyTreasure, and the prices were all different, but there were two models that were an excellent value. I went home and did a little more homework, and decided that store had the best deal. We returned, and pointed out our choice, and the man said those dreaded words "Let me see if we have that one in stock." Well, well. Guess they can put any kind of a bargain price on it if they don't have any to sell. "I can order it for you!" Never mind, I'll just go next door where I know they have the boxes piled up, and they will price match it for me (plus give me a $25 gift card). We got our box, which weighed almost nothing, with a convenient carry handle on the top, put it the PT, popped it on the dresser in the bedroom, and plugged it in. Yay! Beautiful reception, lovely picture, everything works!

I'm still chuckling at the saleschild in the second store who looked at us with sympathy when we said that the tv would be hooked up to an antennae. He explained that we could get a cable package for as little as $20 a month. (What does he know? I know they have basic for less money than that!) I think I'll drop back and tell him I'm buying plane tickets with the money I am not paying for cable. Merry Christmas to me!

About Those Potatoes....

I confess I enjoyed the buzz on Facebook about the food we all fixed for the holidays. Cooking is something that gives me great pleasure, and of course the second part is having people around who like to eat it up. I am getting better at preparing appropriate amounts so that MyTreasure and I are not eating leftovers through Valentine's Day, and even took the advice of the WeightWatcher people, inviting our Thanksgiving guests to fix themselves a plate to take home, in foil containers which I had purchased for just that purpose. Saved myself a few calories there!

At Christmas I made a batch of what we call "CIA Potatoes". It is a recipe that we got directly from the kitchens at the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park. After enjoying a dishful, and remarking upon it to our waiter, he went back into the kitchen and to our delight came out with a paper with the recipe written out for us. The name must have been intriguing, because when I mentioned it on Facebook, there were questions. So here's the answer:

CIA Potatoes

5 lbs potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
1 quart heavy cream
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lb shredded Gruyere cheese

Heat the cream with the garlic, add the salt and pepper. Stir in the potatoes, so that they are well coated. Put them into a baking dish. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Pull the baking dish out, and top with the Gruyere cheese, and return it to the oven for another 30-45 minutes.

Not complicated, just really fattening! This recipe can be halved for fewer people. The 5 lb version is good for 12-14 people as a side dish. Enjoy!