New Holiday Cowl Pattern
Hello! I’ve finished a new cowl. Every winter, I crave something red to go with my black sweaters, especially during the holidays. So, in an attempt to feel like a real knitwear designer (#goals), I decided to get some yarn (Highland Duo alpaca merino wool blend from Cascade Yarns), chose a stitch pattern I liked and tried something on my own. I cast on 50 stitches and knit until the cowl was about 11 inches deep. This yarn will forever be my favorite for things that are close to my neck. It is so soft! I made a blue cowl with it a few years ago. Interested in the pattern? Check out my new Etsy store (a work in progress).
After trying the cowl on, I realized it was snug enough to pull over my head like a cap. This got me thinking about the balaclava craze that’s going on in the knitting world. Have you noticed? I first saw one on Petite Knit’s Instagram account and thought they were adorable for babies. I wasn’t too sure about adults. But as it happens with fashion, the more we see an item, the more it grows on us. This is a pattern I liked on Etsy. Or, you can knit my Holiday Cowl and use it as a cap that will still be useful once this fad passes. Although some think these are here to stay. Better start knitting!
Babka Morning Rolls
I made the sweetest bread two days ago: Babka Morning Rolls. I’ve made lots of bread over the years and was intrigued by this recipe, which calls for buttermilk, and sugar syrup. (Have you ever used buttermilk in leavened bread before?)
The recipe is from the Staub cookbook we got from our kids last Christmas, a collection of recipes by Amanda Fredrickson with contributions from well-known bloggers like Molly Yeh and others like Hummingbird High, who you can thank for this recipe! This book has gorgeous photography, and so far, I can say, well-written, easy-to-follow recipes that home cooks like myself will appreciate.
Traditionally, babka is made like cinnamon rolls, but instead of slicing the roll of dough into several pieces, you split it lengthwise to create two lengths that you then braid and bake as a loaf. This recipe skips the braiding and uses a large cast-iron pan as a mold.
If you love chocolate (like my kids), you will love these buns. The dough is easy to prepare if you have a stand mixer with a dough hook (this is how I like to make bread). The sugar syrup is a must; it adds moisture to the bread and sweetens it, helping bring all the flavors together. I only used half the amount.
This bread turned out so soft and pillowy that I now want to try other fillings. I think I might add a little honey to the dough and use orange zest and sugar or almond paste (my favorite!) instead of chocolate.
Book Challenge Audio Book: Taste: My Life Through Food, by Stanley Tucci
I’ve been a terrible reader this year, so I’m trying to get a little closer to my (tiny) goal of reading 20 books by December 31 by binge listening to some audiobooks.
I LOVED listening to Stanley Tucci’s memoir, Taste: My Life Through Food. I also recommend getting the audiobook, which he narrates. (Well, if you like his voice.) I could listen to Stanley Tucci talk all day long 😍. It might be because ever since I can remember, I have been enthralled by airplane pilots’ voices (Is that a job requirement?) This man could be a pilot, his voice is great.
The stories are funny; I don’t know how many times I caught myself laughing while walking my dog, Estelle, around the neighborhood as I listened to the book. I really appreciate anything and anyone that makes me laugh these days, and the book was like a sip of medicine for my soul. (Do I need to say I am sick of this pandemic?) Towards the end of the book, Tucci and his family are sheltering in place. And like most of us deemed “non-essential” last year, their household situation sounded familiar: home offices, remote learning, parents and kids in the house 24/7… all of us losing our minds, slowly.
More stories, please!