Knit First, Swatch Later

So, I knit a February Lady Sweater.

It's...

It's done.  It's colorful.  It's big.  It's ugly.

Sometimes, I get caught up in the excitement of something new.  The entitlement of getting to enjoy myself.  The idea that I should be able to have what I want.  So, I knitted a sweater without swatching.  Did I mention that I also knit a sweater without measuring me?  Which may not seem like such a huge deal, except I had a baby in October and I have no clue what my current measurements might be.

My solution?

Knit the largest size.  Knit the largest size in a crazy hippy variegated brown and an avocado green.

I'm sure I don't need to go into details about the outcome...  Needless to say looks of horror grace the countenance of even the kindest citizens when I wear it.

I blame myself entirely.  I read and hear comments every day where people are righteously indignant that life involves work.  Whining that folks may not have what they want with head-spinning immediacy.  You mean I might have to do something to get what I want?  Life occasionally requires drudgery.  Swatching is my drudgery.  Swatching makes me WAIT.  If I had swatched for the February Lady Sweater I would have had a lovely garment, something I could be proud to wear.  I would like to give my "Don't let the February Lady Sweater happen to you" lecture to every person I hear complaining about the necessary - but perhaps less than thrilling - tasks that need to get done before...

Life is one giant sweater people.  Don't skip steps, and don't whine about the details.  Those details can make or break the end project.

Wine Time! Wisconsin Belgian Red

A bottle of beer with over a pound of Door County cherries in every bottle.  Oh yeah.

So this isn't wine, but the brewery - New Glarus Brewing Co. - website describes Wisconsin Belgian Red like this:
You hold the marriage of wine and beer. Belgian Red is a tapestry of flavor. This beer is brewed with whole Montmorency Cherries, Wisconsin Farmed Wheat and Belgian Roasted Barleys, lagered in oak tanks and balanced by Hallertau hops we aged in our brewery one full year.

See, "...the marriage of wine and beer."  This is a totally legit review.

Newfangleddad and I had this with some delicious bacon, lettuce and avocado sandwiches and it was heaven on earth.  Buy it.  Buy it now.

I am going to sum up my review with the comments of Goblinmunke7 found on www.beeradvocate.com because, really, I couldn't say it any better:
Holy hell. This is the most ridiculous fruit beer ever. It's barely beer, and yet it's everything a fruit beer should be.

You said it Goblinmunkey7.  You said it.

Rekindling Lost Love

Most people trip through life leaving a small trail of lost relationships; boyfriends, girlfriends, high school friends, work acquaintances, roadbikes...

What, roadbikes?

This is Tucker.  He and I have quite a history.  We used to spend hours together - mornings, evenings and weekends.  For the last couple of years he has been relegated to a dark corner of the basement.  I have recently decided (and it has less than NOTHING to do with a New Year resolution) that it is time to rebuild my relationship with Tucker, after all a good friend is worth keeping.

Even if the a gym membership was in the budget (it isn't) I don't know where I would find the time.  Somehow that extra step of needing to get to and from the gym makes it much more daunting.  I have no intention of training for a triathlon any time soon and I don't imagine that a century ride is the in cards for me this summer.  It seems, somehow unfair, to spend the only precious family days we have on the weekends leaving for a long ride that will take me several hours. 

However, I do miss the idea of riding.  I miss sweating.  I definitely miss having calf muscles.  As a result I have opted to drop Tucker off at Bike Fix for a tune-up.  This time around his basement home will be out in the open, where he can spend the winter accessible in the bike trainer.  I can simply sneak down after Gummy Bear and Jelly Bean go to sleep.  It will give me the opportunity to catch up on all the reading I am currently letting lapse in favor of knitting.  It will give me a reason to listen to all the music I am ignoring in favor of podcasts.

I wonder if I can knit while I ride...

Wine Time! Grande Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2008

Never judge a book by its cover, never judge a wine by its bottle...

I would sum Josephine Dubois Grande Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2008 as wildly underwhelming.  It didn't really taste like anything.  That is not to say it didn't taste like anything, however it didn't taste like anything I could identify.  That doesn't sound any better does it?  I admit that our household wine rules of $15 or under and easily accessible for purchase does not leave me with the most refined palate. 

Usually I can pick out the berry, buttery, grassy, citrusy.  Nothing in this glass of wine really inspired me to try and harder or think any more about it.  I expect to find a nice acidity in pinot noir along with an earthiness.  There just weren't any notable flavors here for me.  So while the bottle may look like an old world wine wonder - you can probably do better for the money.

Name - Grande Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2008
Purchased - Whole Foods
Actual Cost - 11.99 + tax
Price Range - 8.99 to 11.99

I Resolve... or Not

Today is January 3^rd, 2012.

Hmmm, no resolutions blog on the 1^st?  Shocking.

Change of any kind, especially the paradigm-shifting life changes people like to declare on January 1, is hard.  Difficult.  Challenging.  So naturally it seems like an awesome idea to get dressed up, drink to excess and declare to all present the intent to climb Everest while simultaneously losing 20 pounds and reading every classic book ever written.  Sweet!  Let me know how that goes for you.

If something is important enough to pursue why isn’t it important enough to pursue March 11^th or July 21^st?  Why wait and attach our goals to the New Year?

In 2012 I resolve to do it now.  Whatever “it” might be.  I look forward to a year of achievements large and small.  I expect a year of moments – some will be memorable but lots won’t.  It will undoubtedly be a year of decisions – some will be wrenching but most will pass without hesitation.  2012 will have friends old and new, experiences that make me laugh and cry, knitting that gets finished and knitting that gets frogged...  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy New Year.