I have been pondering (obsessing is more like it) the definitions of the word “compromise” and the power that they yield. In one respect we come to an agreed status such as a battle where the opponents come to a cease fire. Another aspect is when self values and beliefs are held back between parties to ensure one another’s happiness such as a pair of lovers who do not share similar feelings about certain habits or tastes. Upon hearing the word, it is easy for some folks to feel angst.
For myself, personal situations arose in which I would staunchly compromise even though doing so would go against my internal gut feelings. The first is my battle with type 2 diabetes. I am constantly having to compromise what I cannot eat with what I want to eat. The deciding blow was the realization to perform more cardio exercise in order to burn up more of the sugar in my bloodstream. I love food and have accepted what I need to do in order to have more of it in my life.
The second was when I discovered Rufus the Rough had been beating up my Mischievous Julius so badly that Jules was terrified of leaving his sleeping spot outside my bedroom. I was blind to when I placed food in front of both of them in the kitchen — Jules would take his dinner and run back to his spot while Rufus stayed put on his side of the pen. My deciding blow was when I saw Rufus actually lunge and bite Jules in the same shoulder that was previously torn open. Needless to say, Rufus is back home with his warren.
The last personal situation I will mention was realizing what I was doing in order to have friendships. The past few months have shown me that I do not have to force myself in staying with an unhappy relationship just to look good for others’ eyes. I want to be friends with the folks who appreciate me and I do not need to compromise every single personal belief in order to do so. Constant compromise in that respect will lead to resentment, fighting, and overall a bad atmosphere.
As for being compromised in social media, so far the only issue is when I discovered I was being stalked recently. It scared me because I took it for granted that I do not publicize where I live or even the addresses of my friends whenever I visited them. The shock is slowly wearing off, but I am more cautious now of what I share on Twitter and Facebook. So please forgive me for not updating as I normally have, but I am a bit shy at the moment. Sometimes compromise can lead to wake up calls. In my case a few of them were screaming nightmares. =:8
If there is one thing I love, it is running around any yarn-fiber event. The busy time at TNNA was both exciting and fun, and I am grateful to all that met up with me. With Knitters Connection right afterward, I had the chance to take a class on a pattern that has been confusing me since I first read about it.
What you see is a miniature version of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Tomten, which I learned how to make in Franklin Habit‘s (of the infamous “The Panopticon” blog) class. Now that I understand how to make it, I will be sending this first one back to the charismatic @Ron of Buffalo Gold as one of his samples after machine washing and drying it. It was modeled at one point by a very angry bunny, my Mischievous Julius. The second bunny-sized jacket will be a tad bigger than of Franklin’s original number. (Sorry, but you have to take his class to find out his version of the jacket’s specifications!) Hopefully this Tomten will be more roomy and will fit Rufus too.
Oh! Please forgive me in forgetting my manners. There is a new family member in the house thanks to Christina (aka RabbitRescuer in Ravelry). May I introduce Rufus the Rough. This big lug (his size is almost twice that of Jules!) has earned that title because he is extremely shy and very wary of human contact. He also is a food pellet FIEND and it took me a bit to get him to eat romaine and cranberries. At least he loves carrots, so that is a good sign. Jules and I are still working on his timorous nature. It will take time but will be worth it in the end to see him come out of his shell. And yes I still miss my boy Caesar.
As for love of food, lately I have been making some pretty flavor and time intensive meals. Before I left for TNNA, I made my lasagna and had so much leftover I gave it to my buddy V to finish. While in Columbus, I ate so much Jeni’s Ice Creams that I could not photograph each of the trios I put together. I did however bring back a few pints. So I leave you with a few shots of the trios and what I dined on the other night… Hope you get around to trying out the ice cream if not in Columbus at least in one of the shops who sell the pints! And no, I am not paid to talk about @JenisIceCreams. I personally love the wholesome goodness of what Jeni stands for in her products. =:8
Though I have many friends who not only gave up eating meat, but also gave up eating any animal products, I cannot do the same. Why? I have a love for ribeye steaks, boiled lobster and king crab, roasted lamb, and most and foremost — BACON. It would seem that I should share a recipe I created when I wanted to be somewhat healthy one night during dinner but did not quite succeed…
Bacon and Cheese Caesar Salad
Ingredients
1 pound of thick-sliced bacon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion sliced into thin rings
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 head of romaine lettuce, torn to bite-sized pieces
up to 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese
Instructions
Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces and fry in a large skillet, Dutch oven, or 8-quart stockpot until the pieces are crisp. Set aside the bacon onto a plate and remove all but a tablespoon of the grease. Add the butter and saute the onion and garlic until the vegetables are translucent. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, and pepper. Toss the cooked contents and the bacon pieces into a large bowl to coat thoroughly. Add the romaine and cheese, then serve immediately with a light red wine.
Bon appetit!
=:8
Though I have been in Blacksburg since Halloween 2009, not until I met the folks at Main-Lee Art Gallery did the phrase “First Friday” ever reach my ears. The words reference an open house occurring once a month for art galleries across major cities in the United States. I was excited to participate in Main-Lee Art’s very First Friday hosting since they opened. The artists and I were not sure who would attend, but we all wanted a fun night.
There was a nice crowd which appeared right at 5 o’clock that evening, and in an hour Main-Lee was packed. The fingerfoods were a delight and some of the more savory ones were gobbled up faster than expected. The gallery hopping continued to Judy Garbera’s Art Pannonia where she and her son Andy were hosting their First Friday. All I can say is that Andy makes an awesome foie gras pate, and that the paintings featured in that gallery would make wonderful additions to any room.
Of course since the London Underground Pub is nestled in between both galleries, we had a MUST stop for a bottle of champagne. Why the bubbly? Well every Friday the Blacksburg Martinettes meet between 5 and 7 o’clock for a TGIF Happy Hour and toast the end of the week with at least a bottle of champagne. From all the fun we had, this First Friday is only the beginning! =:8
A week ago I was looking for donations of yarn, needles, and notions towards a charity event (see my last blog entry) in which absolutely no profit is made. I am pleased to announce that the owner of Kollage Yarns, Susan Moraca, is donating all the yarn. Her generosity is not going to be unnoticed, and I want everybunny around the world to hear how her gesture is a great example of one of “My 3 Words” for 2010 — CARE.
Inspired by Justin Steinman’s recent blog post, I must admit that I needed to take my reins back into possession and have done it close to ten days time. So for a slight moment I am popping up out from my rabbit hole to catch a breath of the gorgeous warm air that enveloped Blacksburg this past weekend. Spring became my favorite season back in 1999 when I walked away from a bad beginning to create a better life for myself. I hope others will do the same when the opportunity knocks.
Currently I have been involved in a quick and fast move of events. In ten days’ time I have gone from a car accident, to changing where I work locally, to moving into new living quarters. If anybunny ever wants to visit little me in the New River Valley area of Virginia Tech, I can be found volunteering at the Main Lee Art Gallery instead of the LYS. Being there with the artists and their clients gives me a vibrant glow, and I also will be assisting them in their social media areas pro bono. See you there or at the London Underground Pub! =:8
Sometimes I feel like there is something “off” inside. It could be my mind, heart, or even my whole body. Whatever the case, a dose of comfort beckons me. Recently I found myself lunching at Hokkaido Buffet in the hope that their prepared foods would soothe my soul.
As I tasted my selections, I reflected on the various Asian restaurants that would have driven me to Hokkaido. The first thought was the obvious in my last visit there. When Rich came into town for New Year’s, we had popped into the restaurant after seeing the “Sherlock Holmes” movie. It was a quickly eaten meal; it barely made a small dent in satisfying our craving for Asian cuisine. The next thought was when I visited a former friend in Ohio this past summer. Throughout the meal he controlled what we ate and drank. Everything was his decision; I barely had a say even on how much to eat! Both the memories of Thai Star with Judy and Rihm Nam’s with Steve are hoppy ones filled with fabulous conversation and listening.
While pouring over these thoughts, I realized that ironically I could not recall the names of the two restaurants that triggered my stop. Memories of eating at both places give me warm feelings of fondness for my friend Rasha. We would often meet at one of those two places when we worked at The Corporation. I miss her Arabic accent-laden frankness and witty insight. Recently I found the silver and tiger eye choker necklace that she gifted to me for Christmas 2007. It might have been years since I saw her, but I know that when I wear it, I have her in my heart. Rasha, this memory is for you! =:8
As of late I have been dipping my foot (well, okay more like diving in head first) into areas that I have not been in touch with for years. My taking up of throwing darts has been a nice challenge. I find myself improving each week in every league match, and concentrating on form is paying off. The throwing motions seem to complement the ones used in knitting. While each dart must be precise to the target, each stitch must be knit to turn a pattern into a well-fitting garment. The latest result of that steady work is winning the “Luck of the Draw” tournament with Jack (my team captain) as my partner. We split the first prize of $50 and each received a tee-shirt from Awful Arthur’s.
Now that I have found a hobby to balance my awesome knitting-related occupation, the need to address my physical activity is next on my agenda. Early yesterday morning I received a phone call from Shannon, a co-worker of my friend Charlie. He had told her that I played rugby years ago, and she wanted to know if I would like to practice with the Blacksburg Rugby Club men’s squad. Before I could think about the consequences (aka a sore body from running in freezing weather and being tackled on the icy ground) my answer was “Of course!” She then forwarded me some information and I attended my first meeting last night at The Pub (London Underground Pub in Blacksburg). I look forward to getting back into shape with the crazy amounts of running. The improvement of body coordination is also a benefit I want. The one question to answer is “How can I convince ten women to form a sevens team to play this summer?” Stay tuned to see if I bite at the bait to recruit women in the area to play with me!
In case folks new to my blog are wondering how darts and rugby tie into the “Making Eggs” topic, please read “Making Eggs – Part 1” when possible. To “Let me sum up” (a skein of sock yarn to the first person who comments which movie that quote is from) I came back to Blacksburg to discover myself. Whether it be in going back to school, a new job, a temporary place to live, or a new group of friends, I am trying to figure out how I like my eggs. So far the Boys and I are doing okay, even with the downs from the apartment and low available funds. As for the latest favorite way I am making my eggs? I have been frying two in unsalted butter yolks broken with coarsely ground sea salt and black pepper. I then cover the seasoned eggs with melted shredded sharp cheddar and sprinkle bacon pieces on top of them. I have named it my “breakfast pizza” and yes, it is oh so good. How good? I ate the pizza before taking a photograph of it because I did not want to eat it cold! =:8
When I turned thirty-nine last year, I spent it alone against my wishes. I had never done so, and I was terrified. Richie was in his bowling league that night, and all my local pals were away on Thanksgiving break or had family visiting. Even the knit nights at the North Attleborough Borders and Sue’s Yarn Basket were canceled, so there were no knitters around. I ended up making the most of the evening and treated myself to one of my favorite meals at L’Attitude – A Modern Eatery: a French toasted grilled brie sandwich accompanied with a glass of zinfandel.
This year, I was determined NOT to be alone. I made sure of it by coming back home to Virginia Beach and spent this birthday as I should — with folks that I love and who love me.
The above shot is my birthday cupcake tower, and it was accompanied by what I consider my gift to me: pints of Jeni’s Ice Cream. As I am often heard saying to my closest friends and family: “Never let it be said that I had bad taste.”
“Da Boys” were so cute during their visit. They never failed to make me smile with their antics. It took 3 years for them to bond, but I think the photos show the waiting was worth it!
Not only did I spend time with my amazing family, but I also visited with my dearest friends Anita Garrison Kulp (Roommate from our days at Captain George’s and beyond) and J. Brett Swindell (old surfing buddy and former beau). In fact I ended up buying up some fabulous Festive Fig and Vanilla body wash from Bed & Bath Bodyworks thanks to Brett when I dropped in at Pembroke Mall’s Artistic Creations to see his incredible work of fish printing.
When Anita picked me up from Ace’s (my family name for my sister) home, we had a plan on celebrating both our 40th birthdays at the Jewish Mother. My one birthday request was to hang out there for the guacamole and hummus, and then have a slice of spicy pizza from Chicho’s (aka Cho’s to us native “Block” busters). We had awesome fun in checking out the band Bimini Road, and of course becoming “Forty and Fabulous” was our mantra that night.
All in all this Knitting Pirate handled turning 40 pretty well. And I am loving that most folks cannot believe my age! =:8
When I drove into Blacksburg on October 31st, it was not to play in the holiday festivities. I was coming into town to seek new opportunities and investigate what I had to do in order to go back to school. Due to financial circumstances, I did not bring the Boys as expected. Doing so was a smart idea since I was going into an unseen apartment on blind faith. Richie and I both figured the move would be temporary, so why chance it with the Boys?
Meanwhile, as I am settling in the new digs, I figured that I should test out another theory inspired by my friend Erin (aka LittleWit on Ravelry) of the “Half Acre Goods” blog. In the movie “Runaway Bride” starring Julia Roberts as the leading lady, is Maggie, a woman who is known to get cold feet on her wedding day. Richard Gere, as the reporter Ike re-covering her story after writing one based on false impressions, is the antagonistic leading man. At some point of the movie, Maggie is asked the question how she likes her eggs. It turns out that she has no idea because she always chose whatever way her fiances ate them. In other words, she has never found herself and known what she truly wants. That is the situation I recently discovered. I have always hated eggs (Richie will vouch for this fact). It took me years to tolerate eating them (one egg scrambled wet with 8 ounces of cheese) and I had no idea how I truly liked my eggs, myself, and my life.
So when I drove in the other night and stopped at the grocery store, I picked up a dozen eggs for experimentation. I already knew that I liked both Greek/Mediterranean omelets (feta, spinach, tomatoes, and olives with sliced up bacon) and my twisted version of Spanish eggs (scrambled wet with cheese, tomatoes, garlic, bacon, and sauteed onions). Both omelets however are ingredient-heavy and would be more fun to make with another person, not when I am living alone. Now I am willing to try new recipes. Currently I have added to the list:
- Swedish egg pastries: Put phyllo or pastry dough at each cup bottom of a sprayed mini-muffin tin, crack a whole egg into the cups, sprinkle with Swiss cheese and pepper, then bake.
- Old Bay Hard-boiled: Place 2-4 eggs in boiling water for 5 minutes, turn off the burner and leave the eggs for another 3 minutes, crack open and serve with Old Bay seasoning. (Completely accidental because I only had celery salt and white pepper at the time, and spied the Old Bay.)
With my search on discovering eggs, I am slowly discovering myself. I will be shaping my place to what I envision and not to another person’s expectations. For those reading, be advised that I may be posting entries on my latest egg experiments. It should go without asking, what are YOUR favorite egg recipes? =:8
For weeks I have been anticipating Amy Singer’s lecture on September 24th and her lace class on September 25th to WEBS, which is proudly touted as the world’s largest yarn shop. To those folks who are curious, Amy Singer is the founder and publisher of the online magazine (“e-zine” in many circles) Knitty. In its seven years of publication, Knitty has been a vital name in many a knitting-oriented household. The various articles offer concise instructions of techniques, free access to talented designers, and informative notes on types of notions, tools, yarns, and fibers. When she is not knitting, spinning, and working, Amy plays the ukulele and takes care of her two mini-Rex houserabbits, Boeing and Squeezle.
Her lecture on Thursday evening encompassed non-wool yarns and how to substitute them in place of wool-based ones. Amy’s light and friendly presentation described what to expect with non-wool yarns in ways of texture, composition, and weight. She provided various swatches knitted up in the non-wool yarns and proudly showed the Ishbel she knitted. After her lecture, Amy chatted with Debbie of Glastonbury Glassworks and her daughter for a bit about ukuleles. Amy even graced us with her talent by playing on the one they recently purchased.
My friend Jan Anderson of the “Yarn Yarns and Store Stories” blog and I ended the evening with a light supper. I forgot the name of the restaurant, but she had met up with me for Amy’s lecture. Later I was able to visit my friend Aaron at his home. Both he and I knitted for a bit and talked about various items in the yarn world. Saying our good nights, I went to bed anticipating Amy’s lace class in the morning.
The next morning, the class was packed and filled with lively students. I spied my friend Kate “bigevilgrape” on Ravelry, and all of us sat down to listen to Amy’s instructions. Amy had split us up into two groups: rectangular stoles and triangular shawls. Kate was on the triangular side, while I was on the rectangular one. The object of the class was to learn the mathematics of combining different lace pattern repeats and turn them into a custom design. Below is what I chose: the Squeezle pattern which is named for one of Amy’s rabbits.
After class was over, all of us students shopped around WEBS. I managed to take a photo of Vivian before leaving. I am so close to finishing this cardigan (aka, my labor of wearable love)! =:8
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