Tricotine

Just because...

I was looking for a clever way to introduce this photo here but I could come up with nothing!  But, here it is anyway just because this is MY blog and I do what I want I love that photo and I hope you enjoy it too...

Autumn Poetry

For those who are a bit interested in History, in 1944 - during World War II, the first verse of that Paul Verlaine's famous Poem was used as a code by the British Resistance in London to inform the French Resistance that the Debarquement in Normandy was imminent. The second part of the verse was actually THE signal that everybody was desperately waiting for; it was announcing the D-Day...

And the rest is History... 

I remember learning that beautiful Poem (the translation in English here doesn't do it justice) back when I was in Elementary School and I studied it again (by choice this time) years later in College.  Although I am not a big fan of Poetry, Paul Verlaine's has always spoken right to my heart. He certainly is one of my favorite French Poets.

Chanson d'Automne         Song of Autumn...... 

Les sanglots longs Des violons De l'automne Bercent mon coeur D'une langueur Monotone. Tout suffoquant Et blême quand Sonne l'heure, Je me souviens Des jours anciens Et je pleure. Et je m'en vais Au vent mauvais Qui m'emporte Deçà, delà Pareil à la Feuille morte. Paul Verlaine (1844 - 1896)

The prolonged sobs Of the violin In the autumn So lull my heart With languishing Monotone. Suffocating And listless when The dread hour strikes, I remember The days of yore And I cry. And I wander In evil wind Which carries me Hither, thither Like a dead leaf I would be. Translated by Thomas D. Le 30 June 2001

 

Purple Potatoes

I have tried Green and Orange Cauliflower, but I had never eaten or seen Purple Potatoes before! I am curious though so I had to give it a try. 

So, I prepared them the way I prefer - baked wrapped in aluminum foil - and I was stunned when I realized that in fact there is no difference of taste between Purple and Regular potatoes!  I guess I was expecting something really unusual...

Topped with a bit of Olive Oil spread and a pinch of salt, they were DELICIOUS!  Besides, that Purple skin is thin and can be eaten without a choke.

Aren't they cute? The cut potato looks a lot like an Amethyst Crystal.
Amazing Mother Nature, huh?  Or, is it some sort of Organic denominated Laboratory Product? Anyway, Purple is my son's favorite color and I wonder what face he would make if I served him Purple Fries!

Good resolutions

When I start to wear my Husband's jeans, I know it is time to do something! Again...    I let you guess...

Sock Blocker Key Chains

They came in the mail Friday, the Sock Blocker Keychains. Aren't they the cutest things ever?!

Four more tiny socks to knit and I will be done...

The Baby Blanket

Now, this is the Baby Blanket I have been working on, about 1/3 done.  Photo is Black & White for a better view of the stitching.

[Click on photo to enlarge]

The baby is due in May and the Mom-to-be is hoping for a boy but we don't know yet...

So, I am using a neutral color, White - Red Heart Giant Pounder yarn (from my stash) and needles #9US. I like to use pounders for blankets because I know that there won't be any joining yarn.  A pound is usually what is needed for a good size baby blanket.

Fixing a Sock Damage...

Remember my Sock Boo boo? Located right on the top of the foot...

Using a real hard boiled egg like my Grand-Mother use to - but she had a special wooden egg for fixing socks - I have done my sock repair following to the letter the instructions that Ellen wrote in the comments area of my post.

[Click on photos to enlarge]

... and TA DAAAA!!!

A brand new looking sock! The scare is barely visible...  

Thanks again, Ellen, you are the best! 

And what happened to the egg, you ask?

Sorry... But I couldn't resist...

Top Down Cardigan completed

Although it was my Tuesday Knit, this weekend I finished my Top Down Cardigan.  It is getting colder here, you know...

I have used all of the 7 skeins of Wool Ease Bulky that Trish has traded against some of my stash yarn. Good destashing operation! 
Thanks again, Trish!   

Deciding which buttons to add to that Cardi was a real hassle...
I wanted silver color metal buttons and I had 3 options... 

With the help of my family, I have finally opted for the flowery ones.  The Rounds were too thick and modern, the Squares looked too"cheasy" (said my DH)... Personally, I thought they were not easy to insert into big stitched button holes...

[Click on photos to enlarge]

Now, about the way the Cardigan fits me. Wellll... Considering that I have made the smallest size - and I am NOT a size S - I would say that it is not the most flattering fit; it is a little baggy around the waist.

If I had to do that pattern again, I would shape the body for a little closer fit...

But hey! That is not the point here...
I have made that cardi to wear under my parka. I just want to be warm this winter and I am sure that this sweater IS going to do the job right!  Besides, it is easy care...

Zip Up The Back Hooded Baby Sweater... Zipped!

 I finally found the right zipper for the Zip Up The Back Hooded Baby Sweater that I completed a while ago. A non-separable 22 inches zipper was what actually fitted the best. I have to say that sewing that zipper gave me some sweat!

As mentionned previously, that was my first time at knitting a Zip-in-the-back and I have never used one of those for my kids either, so I have no idea how convenient it might be but I believe the Moms who told me so... 

Anyway, despite the name of the pattern (Zip-Up) I decided to place the zipper so it would zip down... It makes more sense to  me that way.

Photos are in black and white for better view

L'ile aux Enfants

   "Voici venu le temps            des rires et des chants..."      

 

Like millions of other French kids, this is the TV show I grew up with.

I have missed you, Casimir...

I wonder if that show was on air in other francophone countries...(?)

 

Those are only few flags but here is a complete list of countries where French is spoken.