New Book

my new book Getting Started Knitting Socks arrived today. i read through it this morning and i'm looking forward to getting some yarn and needles and knitting my first pair of socks.

More Felted Bags

i knit these bags with two strands of patons classic wool held together on US 11 needles. the grey purse and the olive purse are bags i designed myself. the green bag and the beige bag i used a slightly modified design from Fabulous and Flirty Felt: Stylish Handbag and Accessory Patterns to Knit and Felt by darlene bruce.

Sweater

i've been working on this sweater for about 3 1/2 weeks and i finally finished it yesterday. today is my first day to wear it. i'm very excited about it because i designed this one myself and it turned out how i wanted it too. i recently bought the book The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges by ann budd. i was able to use this book to come up with my own pattern. another thing i did when knitting this sweater was to knit both sleeves at the same time. i just cast on two sleeves onto one needle. it was great because i was knitting them at the same time i didn't have the problem of one sleeve longer than the other.

Blue Baby Sweater

i finally finished this sweater today. i had started it sometime this fall when i was in between other projects and needed something simple to work on. i had all the pieces finished and they just needed to be put together. so today i did it. i got the pattern free from lion brand here.

Felted Purse

this is the latest purse i have felted. it is the first one i've done that is my own design. i really liked how it turned out. the little string that you see is the closure. it just ties together. it is small, but still roomy.

Merry Christmas!

very very late...
as you might have guessed i've been a bit bored with blogging lately, but i thought i'd let you know what the passerellis had to eat for christmas day.

breakfast
cinnamon rolls
spinach artichoke quiche

lunch
a selection of meats and cheeses
fresh fruit platter
hot crab dip

dinner
boston lettuce wedges with vinaigrette, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts
marinated rib roast with wild mushrooms
roasted potatoes

and for dessert tiramisu

my sister amber has been here with us for the holidays and that means we have some great photos of our christmas week. to see them visit her website at www.amber-mckee.com. just click on portfolios and you'll see an option for christmas. go soon i don't think she is going to keep them there for long.

Brown Basmati Rice with Vegetables

i made this last night to go with chicken. i came up with this dish to try and use some of the vegetables that came in box delivery. i really liked it because the vegetables still had some crunch to them. here's the recipe...

...recipe my own creation
1 cup brown basmati rice
1 clove garlic, minced
spring onion, sliced
carots, peeled and diced small
radishes, sliced
zucchini, diced small
olive oil

Cook rice according to the package instructions, set aside.

In a large saute pan heat oil. Add garlic and the white parts of the spring onion, cook 3-5 minutes. Add the carots and radishes, cook 3-5 minutes. Add the zucchini, cook 3-5 minutes. Add the cooked rice and stir around. Sprinkle with the green parts of the spring onion.