Really missing the blog and the regular writing terribly so I’ll try to squeeze out a little sumpin’ for me, if not for you.
First, lesson learned: If you’re a terrible cook, which I am, when planning for your company’s Christmas potluck, avoid any recipe which says, clearly and concisely, in the recipe itself, that it takes three days to make. Not a good recipe for someone who gets completely lost and flustered halfway through the five minutes it takes to boil a hotdog. Fortunately, I saw this before my brain glommed on to the recipe and declared, “There it is! That’s the recipe I want to make!” Instead, I picked a Mediterranean saffron, apricot, currant, clove, and almond pilaf for which I had to take out a 15-year bank loan in order to acquire the ingredients. (Never understood why some mega-supermarkets have bank branches in them...until now.) Even more ironically, I'm rapidly being felled by a winter bug, so the chances of my actually making the saffron, apricot, currant, clove, and almond pilaf for which I had to take out a 15-year bank loan in order to acquire the ingredients is practically...nil.
I will also share with you this most remarkable find—and I can’t believe I’m even going to write this—squirrel armor. Yes, squirrel armor. Tiny armor for squirrels. Fighting armor, complete with plates and hinges and all the bits and pieces and a shield and a sword, and a frozen-forever-in-time squirrel model. Here it be.
And here, since the theme for the day seems to be "tiny animals and how to clothe them," instructions for how to turn an argyle sock into a sweater and hat for a Yorkie. Good God, but I love stumbling across this stuff.
It also occurred to me this morning that the reason I couldn’t find the barn-or-commando sweater pattern on the Oat Couture site was because, well...er...(you can see this coming, can't you?) it’s not from Oat Couture. It’s actually the Woodlands Tunic from Cabin Fever. A handsome, tailored beaut it is, no?
Don’t have pictures yet but seven new items have come in for as-yet-unborn Baby Harris: three pairs of socks, matching mint-green sweater and booties, a beautiful Prussian-blue crocheted blankie, and Melinda’s quilt (scroll down a wee bit). I’m getting more excited by the minute about giving these items to my co-worker! What a fantabulous box I’m going to be able to put together!
Squirrel armor?! The squirrels in my neighborhood are tough enough without anyone giving them armor. :) That Yorkie sweater set sure is cute, though!
Hope you're feeling better soon! Drink lots of tea, and knit. Works every time!
Posted by: jules on December 12, 2007 12:13 PMDressing small animals is a worthy and time honored tradition. Even the most noble corgi looks better with ribbons.
Posted by: Elaine on December 12, 2007 12:15 PMSince you like small animal armor, check this out - http://jeffdeboer.com/Galleries/CatsandMice/tabid/77/Default.aspx
Cool, no? :)
Glad to see you back. You've been missed! Hope you are feeling better soon.
Posted by: Denise in Kent, WA on December 12, 2007 12:25 PMFeel well, good luck with the recipe (I generally stick with "brownies" and let the others get fancy), and nice sweater. I recently saw a pit bull in armor. Mine would tear down a whole house, just by wagging her tail.
Posted by: Carrie on December 12, 2007 12:51 PMOMG, where do you find these links?
Posted by: Kat on December 12, 2007 01:14 PMI've been invited to a potluck this weekend. When I asked the hostess what I should bring, she said, "well, what are you good at?" My reply: Buying Things. So we've decided a nice cheese platter will do nicely. :o)
Posted by: Rachel H on December 12, 2007 01:22 PMIs it possible that maybe, just maybe, the person who made the squirrel armor has too much time on his hands? Just a thought. ;-)
Posted by: Kris on December 12, 2007 01:48 PMRyan, I have the best potluck recipe. It is easy and SO good! I mean killer good (always the first thing gone on the table). And how easy? you cook and serve it in the same bowl you mix it in. Yeah!
Corn Pudding
Ingredients:
2 cans creamed corn
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 box jiffy corn bread mix
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together in a 2 quart casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
I just had some cornbread similar to what Laurie describes. It was killer good. this one had sauteed green peppers and onions and some regular canned corn and grated cheese in addition to what Laurie lists.
My bib hit the mailbox today. First class, which the post office lady said would get there Monday same as priority mail (which would have cost 3X as much).
Posted by: kmkat on December 12, 2007 05:47 PMHmmm...potluck fare. The cornbread looks really good! I'm also all about the frittata; I saute up whatever veggies or maybe cut-up sandwich meat sound good in a cast-iron skillet, and while they cook, I mix together a mess of eggs (maybe 8-10) and some cheese of whatever sort also sounds good (goat is very yummy, or grated swiss). Pour the eggs and cheese over the veggies, and shove the whole thing in the oven at about 350 until it's set. You can serve it room-temperature, so it's great for potluck.
Glad to see you here in the blogosphere :)
Posted by: jocelyn on December 12, 2007 06:07 PMHey Kris, I dont have any spare time on my hands, I do that for a living. Thank you guys for the positive comments. Take care, The Pitbull
Posted by: Pitbullarmory on December 12, 2007 10:46 PMThe squirrel armor is the funniest thing I've seen in days! Thank you so much!
Oh, and I will email you for addy soon. I realized that I missed the mailing faerie yesterday, and have to get a move on to make the mailing faerie today.
Posted by: Seanna Lea on December 13, 2007 07:40 AMI love the squirrel armour! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: crzjane on December 13, 2007 07:33 PMNow I'm worried about the squirrels. Why do they need armor? Are the racoons trying to stage a coup?
Posted by: Ruth on December 14, 2007 08:16 AM