No Hookin' but lots of Swimmin' and Cookin' and Stitchin'

It's been so long since I've pulled a loop, it's crazy. Must be a record. These nice summer days have been filled with water time and stand up paddle board time and the very best things about summer.

Actually, I pulled a few loops to show some guests how hooking's done. Also showed them punch needle and pulled out lots of projects for a big "show and tell". And demonstrated the Bolivar. It's always fun to do that. And both the husband and wife are big fans of rug hooking in general - and of mine in particular (probably because I'm the only hooker they know ha ha)

The trickle of guests has also had big rewards in the kitchen. It's just much more fun to do great food for company than for just the two of us.The eating occasions are more enjoyable too. I've discovered a new Corn and Black Bean salad that uses a spicy corn relish as the dressing - yumm. And I've made it twice and served it with blackened chicken.

Here's a picture of the salad and the recipe card - and here's a link to the recipe. The jar was a little pricey at our local fresh produce market, but I'm sure you could make your own if you wanted.

Here are a few more things I've been doing instead of starting a new hooking project:

I embroidered this patch for a favourite grey t-shirt. Underneath the patch is a funny little thing that the kids and I did for Rick's post-renovation celebration and mine ran in the wash. But I did want to save the shirt, so voila. Here's the patch with some fancy stitches and here's the shirt.

I can tell you that the many hours of needlework far exceeds the value of the sad little grey 't', but what the heck. At least now I can wear it.

At the same time, I was finishing a baktus scarf that is cotton and linen and coincidentally the colours are the same. How odd is that! (the colour representation in this picture is the most realistic)

And while the second zig zag baby blanket is in the works, I cast on yet another knitting project - following Jennifer Manuell's lead with this sweet light weight sweater, Alga. There's just something about getting a new pattern plus getting yummy yarn that breaks down my resistance every time.

Don't you just love the little pleating in the midriff?  The wool we are both using is Madeline Tosh Merino Light - and the colourways are amazing.Jenn is knitting hers in a beautiful teal/green/blue/black mix (called Baltic) and mine is variegated dark blue denim.

So, certainly no lack of projects.

I'm sure that come September, and cooler days and fewer guests, I'll cook and eat less and hook more. I'll have to keep swimming to wear off all that great eating.