Sunday, October 9, 2011

Easy Skillet Apple Pie

This was SO good.  I wasn't sure if The Gardener would think it would equal Mrs. Smith's apple pies (that's what he knows as a comparison). But, hey! he and The MIL raved about it. 
 Several of my friends have baked this pie and it is just as yummy as they insisted it was. The crust is light and flaky with  four pounds of sugar/cinnamon covered apples baked in a 10" cast iron skillet.

This will be an addition to the usual Pumpkin Pie served at my house on Thanksgiving....And don't forget the Butter Pecan ice cream!
Here's a quick look at the two sweaters on my needles.  They couldn't be more different. One (The Austin Hoodie) with lots of stockette knitting in a pretty blue fingering weight fiber while the other (Adez) is a chunky purple oversize cable sweater. Gosh. it's been a long time since my last cable piece and I've come to realize just how much I have missed them.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

it's all about Stephen West Design

Take a look at my second Stephen West knit.
 I chose to knit this shawl with Blue Sky Baby Alpaca using a sport weight!  Everyone that knows me knows how I seriously love Alpaca and these colors are pure eye-candy.
   The Gardener didn't take any shots worn as a scarf, but it's soft and also fabulous when wrapped around the neck.

 OK...I'm really diggin' Stephen's Designs!  Look here at the first shawl I knit and here will be my third one!  And yes I already have the Yarn for the third one too.
Enough with the shawls now...it's time for some sweater knitting and I have two in the works. The Austin Hoodie knit with Madelinetosh merino light in the color, Window Pane and Aidez knit with a bulky Cascade Eco+, color #2450.   

Sunday, October 2, 2011

bring on fall

Every Fall a day spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a must!  Usually it's just me and Mom, so this year was especially fun when my son joined us! 
There were pumpkins everywhere! Pumpkins for carving, decorating or eating. So many selections it was hard to make a decision or select only one.
With temps in the 40's, it was the perfect day for my Sweater Cardigan. I had forgotten how much I like the color and coziness of this tweed wool piece. 

Ohhhh,,,how beautiful the fall mums and pansys are this year! My Gardener would have wanted one many of each.
 This was our favorite roadside market.
 On the way home we made a stop to snap this scenic shot of Pilot Mountain, a North Carolina State Park.
Prehaps Fall was meant as a period of the year to prepare the soul and spirit for the special holidays ahead. Hope your family members are enjoying this season as much as my loved ones!