Sunday, January 09, 2011

the best of what's around

on the needles
In a fit of whimsy I cast on for my Oatmeal Pullover on Thursday. Inspired by Amanda Soule's gorgeous version, I'm using Quince & Co. Puffin in Bird's Egg. It's one of my all-time favorite colors, and the yarn is rustic yet cushy --  "a faux singles composed of two barely twisted strands of fiber that have been plied together into what appears to be a singles," according to Knitter's review guru Clara Parkes. So far it's knitting up very quickly! It may be a bit too bulky to be flattering, but I think I'll be happy just wearing it around home while curling up with a book or typing away at my Mac.
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in the kitchen

I used Williams-Sonoma store credit to buy an ice cream maker last weekend, and yesterday was the trial run! I made a super-basic vanilla ice cream from the Cuisinart manual and then sprinkled in some mint chips and mini chocolate chips near the end of the churning cycle. Yum! You can really taste the vanilla goodness. I did leave the ice cream in the freezer overnight to solidify a bit more -- straight out of the ice cream maker it was still a bit too soupy for my taste.

I'm really excited about trying creative pairings -- cheesecake ice cream, brown sugar-sour cream, goat cheese-fig, lime-basil sorbet, etc.  Jeni (of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams fame) has a cookbook in the works that sounds awesome. Anyone have recipe recommendations?

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on the tube
Downton Abbey is coming to Masterpiece Theatre tonight. Hooray!

22 comments:

Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours said...

Enjoy Downton! I so enjoyed it!

barefootrooster said...

so pretty. i love wear-around-the-house sweaters. i can't wait to try some quince yarn!

Samantha said...

I'd never heard of Downton Abbey... I hope I still remember to watch it 7 hours from now! It sounds like a good one. Thanks for the heads up.

Rue said...

That Quince yarn is absolutely gorgeous! (I'm pretty jealous at the moment because I can't wear greys like that - not a flattering color on me at all.)

Chris said...

Woo Hoo for Masterpiece THeatre, if it is no good (whch I doubt) a knitting project will fill the time

Chris said...

Woo Hoo for Masterpiece THeatre, if it is no good (whch I doubt) a knitting project will fill the time

Sharon said...

The sweater looks great - don't know what you're talking about. I especially like the neckline.

Katie M. said...

That is a very cozy corner. Around-the-house sweaters are great -- especially when you wake up to snow. Like I did this morning. Also: can't wait to hear more about the ice cream maker!!

Joan said...

Epicurious Cream Cheese ice cream - one of the easiest and best ice creams I've ever made.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Cream-Cheese-Ice-Cream-107998

it's fantastic with cherries or strawberries.

listipton said...

We've both been hit with the Jane Richmond bug (I secretly call this sweater my 'flat belly-flaxen hair' sweater, lol)! I cast on my Oatmeal Pullover this weekend too! I hope you're having as much fun with it as I am.

Kara said...

That sweater is going to be so lovely. And i am in love with that crochet blanket it is on!

Oh, I loved watching Downton last night. It is going to be a good January because of it!

Carrie#K said...

I loved Downton Abbey last night.

Your sweater is going to be darling.

Chris said...

Oh, a plied pseudo-single? Does that keep the garment from twisting as you knit it in the round?

Seanna's made a lot of really creative ice creams - maybe she will have some ideas or tips?

nicole said...

Downton Abbey starts this weekend for us. I can't WAIT!!!

Bird's Egg is one of my all-time faves too. That's going to be a gorgeous sweater!

elizabeth said...

Wow, that sweater is definitely instant gratification! I love my oversized, comfy sweaters best - yours will be great!

I tried a new ice cream flavor over the weekend that was incredible - Hagen daaz's Amaretto Almond Crunch. OMG. Must buy more!

Mia said...

I may have to get that pattern now. I am actually knititng sweaters. Slowly but am knitting them. ANd I am going to have to try some of the yarns by Quince soon.

ANd I think adding some hot cocoa mix to your blen would be intersting. Or chili powder. Maybe use some goat's milk instead of cow would change things up too. And I know some one who has taste tested some of the recpes from Jeni's book. SHe said heavenly!

Michael Wurm Jr said...

i have an ice cream maker but use it less than i should. :(

your post has inspired me to get it out and try something. or maybe it is the 7 inches of white fluffy snow following to the ground tonight?

who know?

Gigi said...

Great looking Oatmeal, Jodi! I've had my eye on that one -- can't wait to see yours. I know it will be perfect!
And thanks so much for the gauge problem solution -- you are truly the most clever girl!

G

Entre Nous said...

LOVE the colour of the sweater :}

keri said...

I love your quince project - I'm so happy to hear about the great experience with the yarn.

You're so lucky you get to try out a ice cream maker - that has been on my to-do list to learn for a long time, it looks like so much fun!

abbsQuake said...

Loving Quince & Co...made right here in Maine! :) Also, jealous of the ice cream maker - those concoctions all sound like winners to me! We bought my nephews an ice cream maker for Christmas (they live in CA, so cold treats are advisable all year long).

marycatharine said...

The pullover looks great... especially on the granny-square afghan. Have fun with your ice-cream maker, I love mine.