Birthday Wishes...and Oyster Dreams

Lots of folks have asked me what I did for my birthday. Here's part one of the full accounting.

First off..I went to work. Ordinary some may say...but I wore pink. This may not be shocking to some, but for those in the know Kelli doesn't do pink. I got mucho compliments. Since I usually wear casual wear (jeans and cardigans), it was quite the shock to my co-workers and my students.

After work, I went to dinner for these:

First Course

I'm a sucker for a good raw bar.

Second course

That weekend, I went to the New Jersey Quilt Guild in Somerset and walked around. I didn't buy a lot but I picked up these little beauts on clearance. They remind me of the time I've spent in the Caribbean. Not sure what I'm going to do with them but I am registered for a hand quilting class here in April and I need to make a little ditty to practice on. This might fit the bill.

I ran by MY and picked up a couple of skeins of Malabrigo sock yarn.

One day, I hope these will grow up to be knee-high socks. Since my calves are 16" around a lot of yardage is needed.

Outside of the stuff I bought myself (I believe in being a good gift-giver), I also received some really great gifts. More on those items next time...~ksp

Glad I Have Joy

On March 4th (3/4) I turned thirty-four years old.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I claim and celebrate the entire the month. I love everything about my birthday. The month reminds me of the love my parents give and the sacrifices they made for me. Birthday parties throughout the years some of which were wild times.

My mother often tells the story of my birth (especially on my birthday). How it was nothing like my older brother's, how they had to fully sedate her and nearly (accidentally) smothered her with oxygen (she laughs about it now). It reminds me of the good times and the troubling times I've had throughout my life.

When talking to an old friend about my many birthday festivities she said "I'm glad you have joy". It made me stop and realize all of the reasons I have to smile, all of the support I get from people who truly love me...how truly, truly blessed I am.

I too am glad I have joy. ~ksp

Only Because She Asked

When I was in DC for the inauguration, I stayed with a friend who swears that she is a good cook even though I have seen little (if any evidence) to this effect. Throughout our many year relationship, I think she may have cooked once or twice for me. Ironically, a few moths ago when my sister visited with her. She was greeted Saturday morning with a huge breakfast spread (go figure).

Whenever I visit, there is a list of items she would like for me to cook. This time the request was for red beans and rice. So because she asked, I opted for a "one-pot" method and used all turkey meat products. On a recent business trip to Louisiana, she brought back some original Cajun spices so I cracked them open and got to work...the result...

I used more hot pepper than I should have...what can I say "some like it hot".

---

Meanwhile on the knitting side of town, I have been busy plugging away on Azalea (raverly link). It's a doily pattern from Marianne Kinzel's First Book of Modern Lace Knitting. As this will serve as a baby blanket, it will be considerably larger than a doily. I am using Dream in Color Classy in the Gold Experience colorway on size 7 needles. My girlfried Az (a new mom) loves bold colors and I love semi-solid yarns so hopefully this choice will make both of us happy. The baby is due in July so I may actually be ahead of the game. ~ksp