I love the fall. The weather gets cooler and you find yourself under a pile of blankets when you wake up in the morning. Today is about perfect around here. It’s about 60 degrees and cloudy (ok, I like it a little bit cooler, but I’ll take this.) Time for soup! Do you make soups in the fall and winter? I have some favorite soup recipes, but am always looking for other good ones. Do share, if you have a family favorite.

Here is one for Steak Soup from my friend Diana that is wonderful. This is crockpotting at my house today. I will admit, it doesn’t look that great in the photo – but it will look and taste great by the end of the day. (You don’t add in the broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn until the last hour – so you’re seeing it in its beginning stages.) What I like about this recipe is that it’s so thick and hearty. (4 lbs. of hamburger and tons of vegetables.) Speaking of vegetables, I learned a good trick for slicing onions without the tears. Oh, I know the regular tips – burn a candle nearby to get rid of the fumes (that does help), leave the root end intact while you cut (not sure that really helps), etc. But at a cooking class that I took last year in CA, they told us that we should cut the onion in half and then put the cut-side down on the cutting board. Next, cut into wedges and then dice. This one really does work the best out of all the onion tips that I have tried. Since you need 3 cups of onions diced up for this recipe, you will need to know how to do it without tears. (Unless you can take your tear-stained face into the room where your family is parked, announce that you just need some time to “find yourself and pull it together because it has been a stressful week”, and then can sneak away for a few hours of uninterrupted knitting. In that case, tear up good and enjoy.)

Diana’s Steak Soup

1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
3 cups chopped onion
2 cups sliced carrots
2 cups sliced celery
2 lbs. (or 4 cups) mixed veggies
2 (1 lb.) cans diced tomatoes (I use Zesty)
1 Tablespoon Accent
8 cubes beef boullion
2 teaspons black pepper
2 envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix
8 cups hot water
4 lbs. ground beef, cooked

Melt butter in a large pot. Stir in flour. Add water slowly and stir. Add cooked meat, veggies, and seasonings. Bring to boil. Simmer until veggies are cooked, about 1 hour.

(Or use your crockpot. In that case, add in everything except your carrots and mixed veggies. Simmer all day long. Add carrots/mixed veggies for the last hour.)

For a really great meal, add Janice’s Corn Bread Rolls with this soup. (her 9/18 entry)

On the knitting front: I am working away on my Log Cabin Quilt. I liked the strips better when they were short and each color went by quickly. I’m on the longer strips now and am forcing myself not to get bored. I have also started the twin to my Regia sock that I finished at my meeting last weekend. I am determined to get all of my twin-less socks under control. I have also figured out a knitted-gift solution for the people on my list, which I’ll share with you next week.

On The Loopy Ewe front: Have I mentioned how much I love my Namaste Vintage Knitting Bag? It holds several projects, and I love that I can put my favorite pairs of needles around the sides. We have these in Camel, Black and Red. Did you know that red leather is “IN” right now? And did you know that the red leather Namaste bags are hard to find? I have just one left. I’m tempted to snap it up for myself because I just love the red, but then what would I do with two of these bags? Be sensible (she tells herself.) Actually, we have just 2 camel and 3 black ones left, too. When I took mine to my knitting guild meeting two weekends ago, several people asked about it – it really is that great. So did you want to treat yourself to one of these?

Sheri Ihopeyourweekendplansincludelotsofknitting-that’swhatI’llbedoing

It’s September. Do you know what gifts you have to have knitted by December? It’s only three months away – time to get crackin’. I have been pondering which of my own projects are going to turn into gifts for friends and family. Here is my list:

1. The Cherry Tree Hill Java socks. I have one done, and just need to knit the twin. This is the colorway that reminds me of fudge and coffee. I love the Wildhorse Farm pattern that I’m using on these. Never mind. Those need to stay with me.

2. The Yarn Pirate Viola socks. I have one done, and just need to knit the twin. I don’t have any other purple socks and I’m trying to make a collection of every color under the rainbow. Plus, I also love the Wildhorse Farm pattern that I’m using on those. So, never mind. Those need to stay with me.

3. The Socks That Rock socks in the no-longer-available colorway. I have one done, and just need to knit the twin. Never mind. Until Tina-The-Wonder-Dyer decides to let us carry Socks That Rock, my STR sock-knitting is few and far between. (Well, because I have so many wonderful sock yarns to choose from here. How can I justify buying more sock yarn when The Loopy Room is overflowing with sock yarn wonders?) While my STR knitting is limited, those need to stay with me.

4. The Fleece Artist Jester Fall Socks. I have one done, and just need to knit the twin. But these are MY fall socks. I’m working on socks for each season. Never mind. They definitely need to stay with me.

5. The blue/purple color-stacking bag that is half completed. I ought to be able to finish it in just a few hours. But it’s such a pretty little bag. It would be perfect for winter. Never mind. I can use that bag myself. That needs to stay with me.

6. The lime/green sweater. It would be great to have a deadline for that sweater, and three months is definitely do-able. However, I did pick the lime/teal colors out just for me. And it will make a great spring/summer sweater. Never mind. That needs to stay with me.

7. The Log Cabin Quilt. It’s turning out so pretty and would make a wonderful gift. No doubt I’ll be able to finish it up in a month or two. However, it does remind me of Vera Bradley Java Blue, and I’m the one that is into blue/brown. Never mind. That needs to stay with me.

8. The blue/turquoise scarf. I just have a few inches done, but you know scarves – they are quick to finish. I guess I did pick this out to go with one of my sweaters. And I do still love the color/yarn. Never mind. That needs to stay with me.

9. The brown/green felted bag that I have not yet started, but bought the yarn and pattern for. It’s going to be beautiful and I can’t wait to knit it. Or use it. Ok. Never mind. That one needs to stay with me.

10. The cashmere fingerless gloves that I have not yet started, but bought the yarn and pattern for. They are to-die-for. Can you imagine wearing cashmere on your hands in the cold winter air? Are these not going to be great? Might have to make a scarf to match. I will love these. Never mind. They need to stay with me.

“Houston – we have a problem.”

Apparently “someone” is too attached to her knitting projects. How did that happen? I guess everyone on my list is getting Barnes & Noble Gift Certificates instead. (Quick and easy to buy, insures more knitting time for me. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?)

Please inspire me with your knitting gift lists and encourage me not to be so selfish with my knitting to go out and buy more yarn to make wonderful things for others this season……

Sheri nextyearI’mstartingholidayknittingearly,likeinJanuary.right.

Hi everyone,
Thanks to Marianne for letting me know that no one can leave comments on the blog for some reason. I will look into it and will get it fixed post-haste! I thought I must’ve just written a really boring post and no one felt the need to comment. Marianne also wondered if it was Prairie Dogs that I saw in Texas. Do they have heads and tails like squirrels? Hmmm. I’ll check that out. Meanwhile, off to check on the comment-less blog problem……….

Sheri haveImentionedhowmuchIreallyreallyreallydon’tlikethingsthatdon’twork?

(Updated note, 1 hour later: it’s fixed now. Talk to me!)

I’m back! Nice trip. Here’s what I discovered while in San Antonio:

- they have nice hotels. (I stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country and was glad someone else was paying for it. I also liked their spa. Hard to believe I went there on business, right?)
– I need to find a good recipe for Tres Leches Cake (not sure of the spelling, but very sure of the wonderful taste. Probably best not to know all that goes into it, calorically speaking.)
– I loved visiting Max Lucado’s church (I snuck over there on Sunday with a few friends. Do any of you read his books? They are so good.)
– they have weird squirrels. They are longer than Missouri squirrels, they walk like dogs, the upper half of their body is black short-hair, and the lower half of their body is “regular” brown fluffy squirrel. Every time I snuck up to take a picture of them – they disappeared down a hole in the ground. Very strange. Googling Texas Squirrels did not turn up a picture of this unique creature, so you’ll have to use your imagination. So can any of you Texans enlighten me? What’s up with those squirrels?
– I love Vera Bradley’s Java Blue pattern. This has nothing to do with Texas, except that one of my friends at the meeting kept showing up with different bags in this pattern and now I think I need something in it, too. I’m trying to resist.

This is the sock that I completed during my meetings. It’s one of the two Regia colors that I have no color sample for, and we have only 8 balls of it left. I’ll have to post this picture on The Loopy Ewe, too. It is a discontinued colorway, but I loved the colors in here (and in this other one that I just took a quick picture of to show you), so I bought them right up for us. You may wonder why I started yet another sock, when I have several “twins” that need to be knit up? (I’m sure there are a couple of you out there who keep track of these things. Unfinished projects and such.) I needed a mindless pattern to work on, so that I could pay attention in my meetings. I find that people running meetings don’t mind you knitting, if you can still look alert and participate. It’s when you have needles clacking, yarn balls rolling, patterns crinkling and scissors snipping, that they think your mind is on your knitting and not the meeting. The socks I have waiting on “twins” were all sock patterns that I had to think about too much, thus the need to start a new yarn. I may break tradition and knit up the twin to this one right away. Can you believe that?

A special thanks to all of you who placed orders while I was gone. Wonder Husband and Knitting Daughter had so much fun packaging them all up for you! Here is the stack from Day One. (And then they got a real workout, thanks to Wendy’s wonderful 9/21 post at www.wendyknits.net while I was gone. Wendy’s blog is one of the very first knitting blogs I ever started reading, and one of just a few that have their own icon on my toolbar. Her posts constantly inspire me to get more knitting done, as she seems to do so much with the hours in her day. Plus, she has a very cute cat, Lucy.) Of course now I click on all of your blogs when you leave comments on my blog, because I’m always interested in getting to know who you are. I really ought to leave comments every time I do that, because I know how much I like getting comments from all of you.

You did a great job of guessing yarn delivery dates! If you have not left a comment with your guess, you can still do that. I have dutifully copied your name and guess onto a calendar, so that as soon as the first delivery comes in, I can post a winner. Did I tell you that I had to expand The Loopy Room already? I have more new shelves, just waiting to be filled with Yarn Pirate, Sweet Georgia, and All Things Heather. (Still trying to re-do things a bit for the other yarn line that will be coming in in October or November – a wonderful cashmere blend from Posh Yarns that I ordered about a month ago.) So many wonderful yarns, so little time to knit them all up……….

Sheri whyistheresomuchtodoafterbeinggone?whatI’dreallyliketodoisjustsitandknit

Too many things going on to form a coherent post today. So, I’m giving you snippets of information as they run through my head. (That’s scarey, isn’t it?)

I am heading out of town today, and will be gone through Sunday. That means no post on Friday, and I will miss that. That also means that Knitting Daughter and Wonder Husband will be filling all orders that come in on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. (be still my beating heart.) They’re saving Saturday and Sunday orders for me to fill when I get home. Now, they have been well-trained to do this. I have left lists and instructions, and they are intelligent. I have every reason to believe that this will go just fine. Really. It’s just that I’m a bit picky about everything that goes out of here I want to make sure it all arrives to you correctly, safe and sound. So, they’re doing it together and double checking each other. I’m counting on them to do a great job. I know they’ll have fun sending packages out to you (and will no doubt proudly relay their efforts to me on a daily basis.) They were just thrilled to pieces about me wanting to take an action shot for the blog. Thrilled, I tell you.

Did I mention to you that Knitting Daughter has now secured a job at Starbucks? This is what comes home to our house every single week – a free pound of coffee. (One of the many benefits of working at Starbucks.) She is having a great time working there. After 14+ years of being around Wonder Husband (aka Wonder Dad) and I with our home-based businesses, her customer service is second to none. I always told her that would come in handy some day!

Speaking of coffee, I thought I’d share a great gift idea with you. My friend Monica gave me a set of these coffee syrup dispensers one Christmas, and we have used them ever since. You can buy these jars at kitchen stores, and you can buy the coffee syrups at World Market (or coffee places). It’s easy to make up personalized labels on your computer. That way, you can keep all of the wonderful knitted items you’re making all for yourself and give coffee syrups to everyone on your holiday list instead.

While I’m gone – I thought I’d spice things up with another blog contest. You know that we have three GREAT yarn lines on order, and expected in any day. Well, actually I expect them any time between now and mid-October. So here is the contest – guess which yarn shipment will arrive first – All Things Heather? Sweet Georgia? Yarn Pirate? (I just listed those in alphabetical order, so there are no hints in the sequencing.) And secondly, guess which day between now and 10/15 they will arrive. List your yarn and date guess in the comments section, and the winner will receive a free skein of whatever company came in first. (If there are multiple correct answers, I’ll draw a name.) And yes, of course I will let you pick exactly which colorway you’d like!

Have a great rest of the week – and please do give these two characters some orders to fill. They’ll be so proud of themselves and you already know you’ll love the wonderful yarns that you pick out. I will be working on knitting under the table, during my meetings when I can fit it in between important meetings.

Sheri sadthatIcannolongerknitontheplaneguessI’llhavetoread

“Cat for sale. Cheap. Promises to leave your balls of wool alone if you keep them wound up nice and tidy. Vows to bite every stray yarn in half when loop portions/strings are pulled out. Not a lick of remorse to be found in said cat. Email all inquiries, or to add your cat to the ‘wool snipping for sale’ list.”

Well, I was a bit alarmed at taking my WOOPs list down so quickly (from 10 to 6 projects in a blink.) I just don’t ever want to feel too “together” with my knitting projects, you know? It doesn’t seem right not to have a long healthy list of Works Out Of Progress. So, I remedied that this weekend by starting another. (No, my Fall Socks are not yet finished. Thanks for asking.) I started the Log Cabin Quilt that I have been dying to knit ever since Kay and Ann tempted me with this book. Since I want it to be warm, I am using wool. Since I want it to be easy to wash, I’m using Superwash. The common sense solution to “what yarn to use”, therefore, was Regia. I am so into the blue/brown color combination right now, so those are the colors that I picked. These things are addictive, I’ll tell you. Each strip seems to knit up fast, so you think, “Well, I’ll just do one more strip before bed.” (Kinda like, “I’ll just have one more Oreo before putting the bag away.” You must know how well that works.)

Here it is, so far. Not sure if the browns are photographing right – I have a light, medium, and dark brown, a light and dark blue, and a cream color that I’m alternating. I am knitting it double-stranded on size 4′s and it’s knitting up beautifully. This will be a wonderfully warm blanket. I’m noticing that the cat is volunteering to sit on my lap more often, now that I’m knitting this. Which brings me to this delightful photo. This is what happened when I went to the kitchen for some coffee, got distracted for a minute by my coffee syrup choices, and then wandered back into the family room. Snipped. Right in two.

When I found her (lounging nonchallantly on the back porch), I had a word with her about her fondness for imitating a scissor. She loudly proclaimed her innocence. In fact, you can see her here, mid-sentence. She denied the whole thing. Can you believe it? Blamed it on the dog. (The dog has a fondness for all things edible, and not one ounce of fondness for wool. I don’t believe the cat.) She simply needs to go. I can’t have a cat with an attitude about wool-snipping and a propensity for lying to pass the blame.

Sigh. Ok. I’m lying. She’s not for sale. In fact, I’m actually very fond of her. So I found a solution to my problem. Have you ever spent $$$$$$$$$$ (oops – got carried away) a little bit of money on these lovely baskets made in Ohio? Have you ever purchased one with no idea what you’re going to use it for? (You haven’t? Oh. Me either.) Well this one seems to be perfect for knitting my Log Cabin Quilt. Not only can I keep the different colors of yarn in different compartments, but it has a lid. (Which will be perfect, if I remember to put in on when I’m done knitting.) A heavy lid. It weighs a ton. Solid wood, about 3/4 ” thick. A no-cat’s-gonna-get-in-here-to-bite-yarn lid. It’s such a good thing that I bought this all those years ago. I knew I’d need it someday.

One last note before I go back to knitting working, for those of you who guessed “All Things Heather” for the next yarn line we’re getting in – you’re right! Heather has amazing colorways and yarn, and I can’t wait for us to get it in. (I’m still so thrilled that she said YES to us, as she is in high demand and has to turn down most requests. One talented person can only do so much, you know.) Actually, it’s going to be an exciting couple of weeks pretty soon, because I have a feeling that All Things Heather, Sweet Georgia, and Yarn Pirate will all be arriving around the same time – all from incredible one-woman yarn businesses. (Poor Wonder Husband. Lots of photographing for the website. I’ve already warned him about it.) I don’t know why I started this Log Cabin Quilt. I have so many sock yarns that I want to knit up in the coming weeks………….

Sheri dogissnoringundermychairasItypeforpete’ssake