The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity here in Apple Valley.

On Monday, my mother taught me how to make my favorite Iranian dish, Ashe Reshteh. We spent pretty much the entire day in the kitchen making a big pot-full since it takes forever for each ingredient to simmer in the soup before we add the next ingredient. The final result is well worth the time investment!

That afternoon, I baked an apple pie, using Ali's incredible recipe. It was so easy to make and such a big hit with my entire family. I can't wait to make it again and again and again... I'm also really excited to use Ali's recipe to make banana nut muffins for everyone, too!

I miss NJ terribly, but it has been super nice getting to hang out with my brother's family the past couple of days. My niece is incredibly adorable, though still a bit shy. My nephew is finally old enough to joke around with and play a little rough. I'm excited to go watch his Karate class later today.

My mom and I checked out the LYS yesterday morning. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and made me feel quite at home. There was a huge selection of yarns and completed projects on walls and on counters that I lovingly gazed at and touched. Despite being determined not to purchase any yarn, I couldn't stop myself from buying this beautiful Malabringo sock weight yarn. The purples in this yarn are much darker and richer in real life than in the picture to the right. The combination of purples and greens reminds me of something an evil step-mother would wear. I can't wait to knit it up into a nice fall shawlette. I just haven't been able to find the perfect pattern yet.

I've made decent progress on the crocheted blanket I started making in NJ right before I left. I've already run out of the first ball of beige yarn and might have to stop by the store and pick up another one, depending on how far this second ball will get me. I really like the teal blue I added and plan to continue using it on the blanket. I can't wait to finish this and start using it on cool nights while cuddled up on my couch, watching tv and knitting. I really wish I had my cat, Jack, out here with me, too, but I'm trying not to think about that.

Almost complete fetching gloves

I don't have much to report on the crocheted blanket I started a few days ago, except that I'm experimenting with a few rows of teal yarn. I like it thus far, but I need to see how it continues to play out with the other colors. I can't wait to use this blanket in my apartment in Los Angeles. I have a feeling I will spend many evenings curled up on the couch while watching movies and knitting.

I am almost done with my first pair of fetching gloves though! I knit them both up and weaved in the ends. I just need to make thumbs. I'll do that later tonight after I get back from a day trip to Smithsville(?) and then a date with the boy.

Crochet and a slightly fumbled Fetching Glove

My boyfriend's mother taught me how to crochet two nights ago and I must say that I am addicted. This is a very simple afghan throw, but I think it is coming together very nicely.

Thus far, I've only used the beige, chocolate, and barley (Vanna's Choice by Lionbrand), but I'm thinking about adding in some of that muted turquoise (Berroco Comfort) into the mix as well.  I'm not sure if that is a good idea since the yarns are made of different fabrics, so washing it may be a little difficult. I'll try it out though and see how I feel about it. The great thing about crochet (aside from the fact that it goes so quickly) is that even if you need to rip something out, it's very controlled. I hate having to unravel knitted things because I'm awful at picking up live stitches. I usually end up just frogging the whole project instead, usually giving up hours of work.

Case in point: a pair of fetching gloves I started as a holiday gift for my boyfriend's younger sister.

I started knitting these gloves last night while I was watching and listening to my boyfriend's band rehearse for a benefit show they are putting on this Saturday night.  The show is taking place from 7pm-2am on Saturday, September 18th at the Beach Comber in Seaside Heights. Proceeds from the show will go towards ending Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in our troops.

While the glove looks good from this view, I actually forgot to do the first cable row for the last three cable sections, resulting in a glove that looks like this on the other side:

I noticed this error right before I started the 4x1 ribbing section for the palm. I thought about frogging it and starting all over, but then I decided that I sorta like the way it looks and will keep the three poorly cabled sections in the palm of the hand and will adjust where the thumbs need to be to compensate.

I really love the color of these gloves, even though I was hesitant when picking it out at the yarn store. I also love the way this yarn is knitting up and will definitely go back to the yarn store later today to pick up some more.