January 15, 2010
allergy woes
i have been experiencing more and more allergy reactions to fiber over the last several months. first i thought it was everything but i found that the allergy is actually more specific. how specific? i'm still trying to figure it out.
gaia shoulder hug (a reversible triangle shawl by anne carroll gilmour) in noro silk garden sock yarn (40% lamb's wool, 25% silk, 25% nylon, 10% kid mohair) -- got this far (a few hours on the weekend) and ended up with hives on both hands, face and neck which lasted for two days.
aestlight shawl (a traditional shetland shawl by gudrun johnston) in windy valley muskox (majestic blend: 80% merino wool, 15% qiviut, 5% silk) -- shawl is nearly complete (i ran out of yarn, which is another story) and have had no reaction thus far to knitting this fiber.
superfine alpaca (11.5 oz) - attempted to spin this last night and this morning -- no more than 5 minutes last night with no discernible reaction. then, sat and spun for 5 minutes this morning and left hand (drafting hand) turned red, bumpy and ITCHY. itching spread to neck and face. i stopped immediately and boxed up the fiber, marking it with a note about the allergic reaction so that i don't stupidly pick it up again. i'm still waiting for the reaction to subside and it's been at least 20 minutes since i stopped spinning.
wahhhh!
January 06, 2010
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December 31, 2009
December 25, 2009
November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving 2009 - At Home
Surprise Cocktails by Cheryl
Dinner and Dessert by Leslee (I don't think I've cooked a Thanksgiving meal for about 30 years!!! This should be interesting!):
Brined Roasted Half-Turkey Breast and Thighs
Chinese Rice Stuffing
Nana's Bread Stuffing
Slow Roasted Yams
Roasted Fall Vegetables (green beans, asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, baby reds)
Biscuits
Cranberry Jelly
Gravy
Pumpkin Crumb Cakes
12:20 p.m. - bread stuffing is done
cheryl is making brunch for us with latte
yummy:
rice is cooking; mushrooms have been soaking for a couple of hours now; the house smells wonderful!!! i am wearing my new apron which i got on sale at paper source for an unbelievable $9 (?!?) on their bargain table.
1:40 p.m. - rice stuffing is done and it is delicious! veggies have been prepped for roasting. time for a little break and then pop the veggies into the oven.
3:15 p.m. - roasted veggies -- yummy done! forgot the cauliflower though :-(
4 p.m. - dessert needs to be a coordinated effort -- too many steps and we're running out of time! we split the tasks and now the pumpkin crumble cake is in the oven; time for an aperitif and a break!
5:30 p.m. - turkey is roasting with the yams; cheryl has made us a couple of long island teas and some appetizers; we are getting ready to toast!
we have toasted to the Swiss -- I don't know why?!?!?
we have now toasted to the squid appetizers (??!?) with harpoons.... i think we are now drunk. cheryl is still talking.
these are the best damn long island teas EVER... we have toasted for the last hour to various characters from all of the star trek series. i am nearly falling off my chair. cheryl is in the kitchen preparing biscuits. the turkey is 15 minutes away from resting. I don't know if i can make it....
ahhhh.... time to eat:
that was yummy!!!!
i've cleared the dishes.... cheryl has passed out on the sofa.
happy thanksgiving!!!
