Knitting@roosterhillfarm.com

Dear Secret Pal - I must be the lousiest swap partner. I have neglected this blog and you. This summer has been so busy with my job, we just bought a house, and our normal farming activities that I don’t even know what day it is most of the time! I have made this very difficult for you and I am sorry.

I will now attempt to answer all of the outstanding SP12 questions. Here goes.

Question 1What is your favorite summertime drink??

That would be a tie between iced tea and beer! Depends on what I am doing or plan to be doing

Question 2 As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

Sleeping in and going to camp!

Question 3 What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

Answered <a href=”http://knitting.roosterhillfarm.com/2008/06/thank-you-secret-pal.php”>here</a>

Question 4 1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?

If this were a month ago, the answer to the first question would be Wollmeise. But now I have lots! I am now on the quest for Sknitches Syncopated yarn. But seriously, is a stash ever complete?? To answer #2, I think I could never be without sock yarn. Anyone’s sock yarn.

Question 5:1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
2) Where is one place you’d like to go?

My favorite place is my husband’s camp in Ontario Canada. It is a small cottage built by my father-in-law at the end of a small lake. There are hardly any other cottages on the lake - at least last time I was there. I have not been there in about 3 years because of work and farming. The fishing there is excellent. One place I would like to go to is Alaska. Or Texas. But definitely Alaska.

Question 6 What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

I don’t go on vacation much! But I take socks with me everywhere. I went on a business trip last fall to Chicago and packed 3 skeins for socks: I think I knit about half of one sock during my whole trip. But the best part was I used my project bag as a hiding place for extra spending money. Imagine my surprise months later when I unpacked an unused skein from that project bag and found a wad of bills. Yahoo!

Question 7 What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit? and What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?

I usually knit sitting on the couch while my husband watches tv. The perfect supply would be a cold beverage.

Question 8 What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening?

Hmmm that would be a couple things I think. A very easy meal is taco salad. I use refried beans, warming them in a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil, minced garlic, cumin and chili powder. And more cumin. I shred cheddar cheese and set it aside. Slice some black olives. Chop up whatever other veggies may be hanging around in the fridge - tomatoes, peas, onions etc.  Make a bed of lettuce. Add veggies. Add beans. Add cheese.  Add olives. Add salsa and sour cream (I use non-fat!). Crush a handful of tortilla chips over the salad. Enjoy!

Another dish I like to make is grilled salmon. Although the best salmon I have ever had was in Seattle, it is possible to find some good salmon back east. I make a marinade with OJ, honey, chili powder, dash of red pepper flakes and cumin. And more cumin. Leave salmon in marinade all day, then grill. If this is a filet, do not flip, just cook on the skin side. If it is a steak,flip and add more marinade. Good with a nice salad and some rice, and maybe some nice chardonnay.

There! I think I did it! SO Secret Pal, there is more information about me probably that you cared to know. I am caught up with my questions. If only catching up with my knitting was so easy.

I will try to be better and more punctual in the future, secret pal. Thank you for being so understanding!