Resolution '11

In spite of all the loaded foods you saw in my last post, I've been making marked improvements in my healthier lifestyle (remember those were for me to taste and share). The advantage of having those habits established before the new year is obvious, to avoid one of those resolutions that don't stick.

This year I decided to make one I could enjoy...I'm learning to knit! Every Saturday a group of knitters meets at the library for 2 hours. Most are there to knit, but the program is called "Yearning for Yarn," which could include crocheters, for example. It was started by Kristen, one of the librarians who, incidentally, worked for the Park Service my first summer -- time to reconnect, extra incentive.


Kristen knows a thing or two about knitting, and she has also acquired lots of knitting books, through inter-library loan, such as the one pictured. You would think knitting for kids would be easy, but don't be fooled!


You might notice the needles in the picture are as big as tree trunks. I started out with size 13 needles and multicolored yarn to make it easier to figure out the basic stitches. Just be aware when you see my finished product that the needle size greatly affects the stitch size and tightness!


No, that's not my finished product; that was just me learning the knit and purl stitches the first day. I wanted to make something I could finish soon enough to feel accomplishment, and I found just the thing in the kids' book...


...and Smoky loved it! Well, she played with it for a while. My toy can't compete with the one my parents got her for Christmas, though.


I've now moved on to smaller needles and a slightly bigger project, slightly, a pot holder. Hey, don't mock it until you've tried knitting! By the way, how are you doing on your resolution for 2011?
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In the Kitchen

I mentioned that I'm working out regularly now (when I'm not traveling), and I'm also spending more time cooking. Remember those restaurants I blogged about? I haven't been to one since the end of November. I'm sure they all think I moved!

During my Christmas visits I sampled a few dishes that I wanted to duplicate, and I did try some of them out once I got back to Kotz. My friends and co-workers have been thrilled because I've made these to share, not to eat myself (you'll see why)


My sister-in-law is known for her baking skills. Unfortunately, since I don't spend much time back home, I usually only get to hear about good things she makes, but I did get to try some cookies like these. I spent an evening baking cookies with her family, and she made these spritz cookies. You can't go wrong with cookies that call for colors, sprinkles, & lots of butter! The coolest thing was that they're squeezed out of a cookie press -- something new to my tiny repertoire of kitchen gadgets. When I stumbled across one like hers, I took it back with me and made some of my own.


A blizzard kept me from going to buy sprinkles, but no one complained. It didn't take them long to disappear at work!

That was Saturday. The next thing I knew I caught myself saying I'd make tamales and take them to work on Monday (I brought leaves back from TX). You've seen tamale production here before, but this was more than I've ever made. I had brought lots of (perishable) leaves, and I wanted to have enough for all who were interested. Let's just say Sunday was a long night. Fifty-something tamales later...


It was worth the effort. Those who partook learned just a little more about a place that's an inextricable part of me, and everyone sat, chatted and enjoyed the whole lunch hour -- a good thing for our workplace.


That was a Monday. The same night a neighbor invited some folks over for a dinner party. That's where I tried out the apple dumplings a la Grandma! She made them for Christmas dinner. Rich, sweet, and oh so good. I was running behind, so I literally pulled them from the oven and rushed next door, so the photo is of what was left. They may not look like much, but they were a hit!


As I got caught up in the day-to-day again, my culinary endeavors were scaled back to simple and single, but I'm looking forward to another production. On my way home from travel now, I'm already planning to duplicate a meal my aunt made -- sausage & sauerkraut. Yum! I'll make it happen, but I don't want to load up the fridge much just yet. I'll be eating jerky & pilot bread in Kobuk next week. Fortunately Mom & Dad got me some really good jerky, so it'll be a treat compared to the usual gristly stuff from AC.
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Holiday Break, Plus Some

Once again I've fallen off the blog wagon and have to climb back on. The last time I wrote I was in the air headed to Las Vegas, and then...silence. It has been a source of concern for some, but in this case it's true that, "No news is good news." My first trip to Vegas was good -- good conference, enjoyable enough time -- but I wouldn't want to live there!


One good thing about the trip was that I decided that since most people let themselves go in Vegas (gambling, buffets, etc.), I would do just the opposite. I made good food choices and started a workout regime which has now become a habit. Change is slow and not always obvious, but it is happening.

I was back in town just a couple of busy weeks before taking some personal leave. It had been 2 years since a visit to Antonio's family (and his gravesite) in Honduras, and I hadn't spent a Christmas day with my family since 2002, so I did both. It was a fast trip, and I heard all the way around that I wasn't spending enough time, but I suppose that's better than being told I stayed too long! I'll write more on those visits later -- good pics from Honduras & great time with the best nephew ever!

Two days after returning to OTZ, I was back in the classroom and working on our websites. I finally got some time to ski on the weekends.


I had a couple weeks of dog-sitting. I started working on my New Year's resolution:


Yes, knitting! More on that later as well. Between settling back into the work routine and adding in skiing, knitting, working out, and cooking more, I've been neglecting my social media obligations!

At the moment, I'm out of town again, have a slight break in activity and so will try to begin to catch up. Last week I was in Washington D.C. for work.


Of course any time I can get my way paid out of the state, it's nice to tag on a personal trip, which I have -- to Michigan to visit family. I begin to head back tomorrow night.

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