Fun Little Knits!

I think today, was the last bath our dogs are getting this year. The pool steps are repaired, and I've been letting the hose run for two days now, to fill up the pool just to the level for pool closing. Biko jumped in way before the level she was used to, and did miss the tennis balls every time. Normally she jumps in and lands with her mouth closing around the ball. It's another hot and humid day today, but I don't think this will last much longer. I'm quite fed up with this unseasonal weather. Even the A/C is running again. Enough is enough! It was fun though to get Sam wet to the level where we could put on some shampoo and rub it in deep. In the process we all got quite wet, especially the hose down was not so fun, with the cold water, but hey, what has to be done, has to be done. His skin infection cleared up nicely. He's healing well, poor guy. It's always him, getting the short end of the stick. After being inside for a couple of days, with only walks for excercise, because of the pool guys and lawn guys out back, they were running until they dropped.
Enough with the dogs, you say? Want to see some knitting? Here you go ....

pattern: Saartje de Bruijn, Noro Hat

yarn: Noro Kureyon # 150, 1 3/4 balls

needle: 5mm DP

mods: no modifications, it turned out BIG, but will be just right for cold, windy days.

Two words describing this hat - LOVE IT!

Newfoundland mitts - pattern: Creative Whimsy

yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, color peacock, Noro Kureyon color # 150

needle: 3.25mm DP

I changed the needle size - this is another fun knit!

pattern: Amy King, Fake Isle Hat

yarn: Patons Classic Woll Merino in black, Noro Kuryeyon color # 126

needle: 4mm 16" circs and DP

size: large - it really is large, just right for the recipients hat ;o)

It's a nice hat and I liked knitting it a lot!

Second pair of Newfoundland mittens. I'm using Noro Kureyon left overs from my mitered squares blanket. I really like this mitten pattern, but after the 4th was done, I was glad it was over. They are thick and warm, and I made long cuffs. And best of all, I've already got me some finished Christmas gifts! Yeah!

Besides fooling around with the dogs, I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen the last couple of days. It's my sons Birthday today (22), and my husbands is tomorrow. I've been backing a "Punchtorte" as requested by my son (who usually likes his chocolate cake very much). The Torte tastes fine, but looks aweful. I couldn't get the glaze right. It's supposed to be a "Fondant glaze" where you boil water and sugar until when dropped from a spoon will make fine strings or something. After that drop some lemon juice on it, and wait for a fine skin to appear (or something), after that stir with a wooden spoon until it gets thick and turns white. Anyway, I've never done this before, and it did not work. It got all syrupy thickish, but never hard enough. I still put it on the Torte, but it ran off in a hurry, and even now, after a day in the fridge, it's still dripping down the plate (and it's pink)! ;o) As I said, it tastes good, it's sweet, that after a slice you'll be in a sugar coma. My son said, it's O.K., but he thinks change is bad, he should have stuck with his chocolate cake. Would have been easier for me too! ;o)

The other cake is a poppy seed Gugelhupf, which I made just in case the other one was not eatable. Now we have two. It's not necessary to put pictures of my failures up here, so use your imagination, if you can.

And of course, I always cook what the birthday kid wants for dinner. It's Schnitzel today. I'm ready to fall down on the couch and do something, other then cook, but first I've got to clean up the mess. Tomorrow smile and repeat! ;o)

Oh, before I forget, happy birthday David, happy birthday Karl! ;o)