Sahara done

Yup, it's done. And yup, that's the inside of the very important

government building where I work.

Weekend update - glow in the dark version

Traif sock #1 has a heel.

I've started a shawl. It's the Scribbling Lace one from Mason Dixon Knitting. The yarns are Lousia Harding Sari Ribbon purchased at Mass Ave Knit Shop in Indianapolis and Madil Kid Seta I got at Nana's Knitting ShopI'm very happy to say that Sahara is done. I'll be posting a picture of it on Sexy Knitters Club tomorrow when I can get someone to take a nice picture. I feel like a very sexy knitter in this sweater. To recap, it's made of Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora and a Kool-Aid dyed silk throwster yarn with metallic beads. It was knitted top-down on size six circulars. I've done 3/4 sleeves because I like 'em.

Tonight I'm nursing a mild sunburn on my cheeks, nose, and forearms. I have a farmer's "tan." This weekend's been filled with adventures in the great outdoors. Yesterday I got out for a run, and today I went on a hike at the Palos Forest Preserve. I went on the hike with a guy and chose the location of the hike to show him an interesting historical monument in those woods.

Yes, this is the place where the products of the original nuclear fission experiments from the University of Chicago and Argonne is buried on top of the glacial moraine. You can just walk up to it. The text on the monument says:

Caution - Do Not Dig

Buried in this area is radioactive

from nuclear research

conducted here 1943-1949. Burial

area is marked by six corner mark

ers 100ft from this center point.

There is no danger to visitors.

-US Department of Energy 1978

Someone has taken great pains to chip out the "no" from the granite in the last sentence.

Wild woman

After my demonstration of extreme knitting kung-fu the other night, you must think that I'm a wild woman.

Hoo-Whaa-aah!

Ignore the cat ass and running shoes. Like yarn, these are constant fixtures in my life.

Getting back to tonight's mission...to show you what I wild kung-fu knitter like myself does on a Friday night. Base jumping? Fire eating, perhaps? Krav maga with my cats?

Nope.

First I did some powerful knitting with my new toys. They are Denise interchangeable knitting needles purchased on today's trip to Mosaic Yarn Studio in Des Plaines. I've been checking out sets like this for a while, and decided on this one today. It has size 5-15 points and umpteen cables. Some of the components have already been put to work. The purchase was actually an act of sobriety and will power, as I had gone on the trip to investigate a rumor the The Precious might be sold there. Indeed it is, but I bought the needles instead of the yarn. But I promised my precious that I would be back for it another day. I covets it.

I will bring the set to play at both SnB groups soon.

Then I gave Scott TC a bath...

Then I lit the candles, ate the challah and dinner, and curled up on the couch to watch Planet Earth. That's what a knit-fu master does on Friday night to keep her skills sharp.

Traif socks

Rock and Weave is still resting comfortably on my coffee table, awaiting weaved in ends and buttons. Of course, as soon as they were done and my favorite sock needles were free, I cast on a new pair. This is a Jaywalker in the Tofutsies yarn. I want to get this pair of socks done ASAP so I can start on the Entrelac socks straight away after the GREAT SnB TRIP TO THE FOLD.

...And that's the sock on my paw, and not my hoof in case you were worried.

This occasion makes me feel obliged to write a review of the Tofutsies yarn, just in case anyone wants my two cents.

I like the yarn. It's thin and soft and works well on my size 1 needles. As I use very pointy metal sock needles, splitting is not a big issue. However I could see a problem with it on bamboo needles. Although the yarn is not stretchy, I'm getting a nice lightweight elastic fabric with a good drape. I expect to have a good pair of summer socks. The down sides to the yarn are the colorways and the smell. First of all, I was not excited by the colorways. The yarn would have a bit of a stripe but for the fact that there are multi-colored plies twisted together. It's very busy stuff and I'm getting crumby stitch definition. Secondly, this yarn stinks. Literally. I kept it in my stash box with bug repellent incense for over a month and it still stinks like shellfish. I'm hoping washing will help.

Yes, this yarn has a 2.5% content of shellfish chitin. So it's traif (not suitable for observant Jews to eat, not that I'm planning on eating it) but I don't know if its forbidden as shatnetz as well. I'm not sure if the prohibition against shellfish applies to uses other than eating. I'm still realizing a benefit from the yarn, so it might. Perhaps someone who knows Jewish law and assuage my slight guilt or lead me to giving them away.

It's about 10am now, and my sixth day of work this week. I'm so looking forward to going home and preparing for the Shabbat. I need the rest. Hopefully I will leave the very important government officeby 11:30.

Ankle surgery

Those poor socks. Only just born, and already needing major surgery. I finished the second Rock and Weave to discover that indeed the socks had two right feet. Tragic. Quite tragic. And sad.

I had to run a lifeline and sever the poor thing's foot from the cuff at the ankle. Anesthesia was not administered, as the surgeon wanted to be alert for the reconstruction.

Reconstructive surgery took about 90 minutes. The last inch of the cuff had to be taken out and reknitted to ensure proper placement of the button holes. Then the cuff was grafted to the sock foot. The socks now have a left foot and will lead a normal life. They are recovering nicely and will have weaved in ends and button shortly.

Confessions of a bored civil servant

I have a serious fear of commitment when it comes to the Rock and Weave socks. I can't decide on buttons for the darn things. I've spent countless (well, far too many) minutes staring at the selection of buttons at my local Jo-Ann and can't pick four lousy little pieces of metal to close the socks. I mean, are four buttons that embody my personality as well as my passion for knitting really too much to ask?

I also have another confession. Perhaps you already know. I knit on the Shabbat. If I believed in hell, I'm sure I'd be going there because you can't roll on Shabbos, and you certainly can't knit. But I do my best and most prolific knitting on that day of rest. Sometimes I'm a bad Jew.

Sigh.

Crap!

I'm working this Rock and Weave sock during my lunch hour at work, and a horrible thought has occurred to me. I think that I may be making a second right sock. These socks are definitely right and left, and based on previous pictures, I think that my last sock was a right sock as well.

The right or left footedness of these socks is based on the position of the cuff opening. If it is the case that this sock is another right sock, I may be able to fix it rather than taking the whole thing apart again. The cuff and the foot are two separate pieces. I broke the yarn in between. The cuff can be removed, turned around, and grafted back on.

I really want to get these bleeding socks done. Not only am I tired of re-knitting what should be very easy socks, but I can't wait to wear the garish socks. And I have others that I'm champing the bit to get on to doing. Tofutsies Jawalkers will be next, followed by Entrelac Socks in yet to be purchased colors of Socks That Rock.

Boy, I hope the grafting will work. I'd like to finish the foot of this darn thing tonight at SNBWB.

Sunday yarn porn

My hands are slowly getting happy again, and knitting has recommenced. Thank goodness. I may even be able to do some knitting in the evenings over the next week. This Sunday, I, Merry Gentlemen, will be bringing you sexy pictures of Sahara, Rock and Weave, and Project X.

I'm doing Sahara, of course, with the Sexy Knitters Club. Which BTW is back up and running. The sweater is made of Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora and a silk yarn that I dyed with Kool Aid. I'm doing the sleeves 3/4 length. I type a lot at work so long sleeves always end up pushed up to just below my elbows and short sleeves make me feel naked. 3/4 sleeves are always perfect for me. There's a closeup shot of the trim as well.

Rock and Weave was released from prison today, and the heel and gusset are re-re-knitted. This is the point at which this sock was thrown in prison before, but it seems it's learned its lesson this time.

Lastly, here is a closeup of the stitches on Project X. Can you guess what it is?

Working on Sunday

It's Sunday, and I have to leave for my very important government job in a little while. I have to admit that no one told me I have to go, but I don't really want to. I have to. I'm working on a project that requires resident surveys door to door and the residents are not cooperating by being home while I'm at work. So off to work I go.

I have to admit three good things about working today. One, it's going to be a beautiful day for walking in the sun. Secondly, I have to walk for the 3-Day training. Last, I will be able to take most of the day off on Friday. But those positives may be outwieghed by the fact that this is cutting into my weekend knitting time.

Speaking of walking and the 3-Day, why don't you take a minute and click the Save Boobs button over there and give a donation ===>. It'll only take a minute, and will make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Project X

Project X is finished, and with this much of the precious left over. I wish I could have found a way to use the entire precious on the project, but doing so would have made X too big, even for me. I have to say it was an easy knit, and in a couple of weeks I'll post it here.

I suppose with my hands better and X finished, I should parole Rock and Weave.

Cops and doughnuts

This is another story from the annals of strange things people do in the town I work for and how the police chief handles them. It actually happened last week on the big schmooze-a-thon.

During this schmooze-a-thon, important government dignitaries went on a bus ride around the town looking at places where the village will be doing construction and other sprucing up over the coming summer. I was along because I'm working on funding for some major sidewalk projects, and had to show off where the sidewalks will go.

Near the end of the trip, we stopped at the town athletic facilities to look at the baseball stadium that is being renovated. We ooed and ahhed over the new bullpen and lights and then got back in the bus. Just as we were, some young people at the other end of the parking lot started pulling doughnuts in a blue station wagon with the doors open. Besides the silliness of doing something like that on dry pavement and in that car, they did it in front of the Chief. Oops.

So the Chief got back off the bus and walked over to the other end of the parking lot making the universal cop gestures for "Stop your car." When forming the mental picture of this, remember that the Chief is a cheerful bald man who stands at five-foot-nothin. Of course, we're all in the bus grinning at the stupidity we witnessed and wondering what the Chief was saying. Shortly after, a squad car pulls up to take over, and we pull up alongside the car to pick the Chief up and go on our way. The officer in the car can take it from here.

As the school bus driver pulls up from behind the car and next to the Chief, she leans out the window and says to him, "Did you see? They have a tail light out, too."

Bacon arrives out of the blue

The last two days have been so distractingly fortunate that I almost forgot that my hands hurt.

First of all, I have to report knitting news. I can knit a bit more, and so have been working on X. However, X cannot be shown here again until May 8th when my friend receives it as her birthday gift. Sahara is patiently waiting until I can handle holding a knit that heavy without my hands hurting more. Don't worry. Sahara's not in jail. It's on holiday. Rock and Weave is still in the can. I have to admit that it's not being treated fairly at this point and not receiving due process, but it's my legal system. So there.

Yesterday I did some knitting in an unexpected public place, and it did cause a bit of a sensation. About two months ago I got a ticket, and last night was my defensive driving class mandated by the court supervision. (It is really too bad that I don't run that legal system as well.) I was surprised and delighted that the instructor both did not suck and that he allowed me to knit in class for a while. He did make fun of it publicly, but that's ok. At least he didn't say "just don't."

Insidious seems to be healing slowly now. My hands and other joints are improving, and my tummy is being less yucky. And this without a course of steroids. Yay. I may be back to normal life and eating foods that taste like something again soon.

I have to celebrate something else, and to tell you about it. Yesterday I received approval for a $5,000 grant at my very important government job. Then today I got a gift in-kind worth about $40,000. I've now surpassed the amount of bacon I was to bring in this year for the town, and have sealed my creditability in the organization for a while.

One yarn to bind them...

Oy.


For the last week or so, I've been having a nasty flare of my insidious and chronic tummy illness. The tummy pains and other tummy related unpleasantness that come with it is bad enough, but sometimes it interferes with my knitting. This insidious tummy illness is a auto-immune thing. That means that my body's immune system attacks my own body parts as if they didn't belong there. Like they were germs or perhaps somebody else's. Well, when my immune system gets this bright idea that my colon is not my own, it also goes after my joints. My hands, elbows, and shoulders are rather stiff and painful lately. So knitting (or typing) is not easy now. The good news is that it will go away. The bad news is that my order from Knitpicks arrived today and I can't take it out to play.

Those are two skeins of CotLin, a chart keeper, a book, and two hanks of Alpaca cloud. So especially for Mandy's interest, I got that book. I also got a circular needle to start Mystery Gift Project X. I cast it on with the bit of knitting my hands had in them.
X is a specially requested birthday gift for a friend. But she doesn't know she's getting it, so don't tell her. I must really love this friend, because it is being made out of a lavender hank of my precious with iridescent glass beads. Look at how that cat glares licentiously at the yarn. He wants it! I knows it! But you know, I still have one more precious. I keeps it in my stash and takes it out to pet it when the doors are closed. It's safe.

Penguin jumpers

Aw. Look at the penguins in the little sweaters. Penguin rehabilitation project in Australia that's collecting little penguin jumpers for Aussie penguins that get caught in oil slicks. Check out the link for the pattern and the address to send your teeny tiny penguin sweater.

Crisis

I have a knitting crisis. I am here at my very important government job with no needles and no yarn. Normally I would never put myself in such a position, but I expected to be working late (or in traffic school) every night this week and therefore not be able to go t0 SnB after not have any knitting time during the day at all.

But...

Plans have changed. I don't have to work late tonight and can go to SNBWB. But I still have no yarns and no needles. There is a chance... a small chance... that my new yarns and needles from Knitpicks will be delivered to me here at work today, and my evening will be saved. What do you do in such a crisis?

Speaking of SNBWB, we went on a (almost) non-knitting outting Friday night. Those with husbands and boyfriend brought them along for Chinese food. It was a great evening overall, but the best parts were when we (the girls) would dominate the conversation for too long with yarn, and one of the men would pipe up to talk to the others about cars, dead mounted animals, or some other topic attractive to those with a Y chromosome. Here are some pictures of the outting.

Orange prison jumpsuits

My Rock and Weave sock has betrayed me again. I got the heel turn done and discovered that once again the sock was misbehaving. So it's frogged back to the cuff. The judge in the case is not showing any leniency with this multiple offender. It's going straight to jail for at least several days. But at least that will give me time to put sleeves on the Sahara, which is turning out to be a very obedient knit.

I have two cells for bad knits. One is occupied by a crapotee with a life sentance, of course. But this is where bad knits go for rehabilitation. It's really better for society to keep them locked up. But they do wear orange in case of a prison break.

Sahara

Sahara does fit! The bodice is blocked, and it's beautiful. I picked this color combination because it reminds me of the color of Egyptian faience against the sandstone of the desert. Ok, I am still a bit of an archaeology geek. I'll be putting long sleeves on the garment and sewing the bust a little more shut. This shows a little too much boobage for my taste.

Deja vu all over again

Remember when I got the gusset done on my first Rock and Weave sock and then had to tear it out? Well, I've had to do it again. This time the reason was purely operator error that I did not detect until I could try on the sock. I knitted the heel flap over the wrong needles, positioning the cuff opening on the front of my ankle rather than the side. You can see the problem here. So it's ripped back to the cuff. Good thing this sock is a quick knit. This is much unlike the second Roza'a sock. I don't think I'll ever work a sock on size 0's again. It takes so long. Or perhaps I'll buy a different set. Mine are very long, over 8" and have blunt tips, making them clumsy to use.

On another note, the bodice of my Sahara is all done. I'm blocking it to see if it will fit as knitted before I add the sleeves. Really, I've blocked it to withing an inch of it's life to make the lace lie nicely and eliminate some unwanted negative ease. I should have a snap of it on my tomorrow with a verdict on it's future.

Knitting ambition is really getting the best of me. SNBWB is going up to The Fold next month. My mission will be to procure semi-solid colorways of Socks that Rock to make the Entrelac Socks by Eunny Jang from Interweave Knits. Before I start, I'd ask the entrelac gurus out there to give me some advice on sizing the socks. The pattern is designed for a woman much larger than me. As designed, the foot is to be a full inch longer than my own, and the leg will be 3" taller than appropriate for me. (I really possess no shins at all, just ankles fused directly to knees. The length between the top of my foot and the bottom of my knee less than 12" and I'm 5'3" tall.) I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to make the leg shorter, but what about the foot? Is there a way to make the circumference smaller as well?

Wigs on the green

Last night I listened to a talk from a woman in my master's degree cohort. At some point in her story about her job, she was quoting a phrase one of her colleagues said to another. The phrase was "You don't believe that fat meat is greasy." Apparently, it means that one does not believe the obvious unless it is observed first hand. After the talk, the professor brought up the phrase and asked who had heard it before. All the black people in the class had, and but none of the white students. She used the example to start a dialogue about how the differences in people's backgrounds influences how they're able to communicate.

This incident started me thinking about the subject, and I came up with several odd ethnic phrases that were thrown around in my home while growing up that certainly people living down the street but who were not of our heritage would never understand. One such phrase was "There'll be wigs on the green." Usually, it was used as "Sure enough, there'll be wigs on the green this day." This meant that a conflict or fight was the certain outcome of a situation.

So I thought to ask my readers, "Reader, what strange cultural phrase is used in your home?" I'm not looking for extreme examples of Yiddish insults or something, but really a phrase that was used regularly in your home that would probably not be understood by people outside your community. Please comment, and tell us what it means and the etymology if you know it.

Overindulgence

Ah... For those of you who were concerned or who sent thoughts of baked goods my way, brownies magically appeared last night. I had a late schmooze-a-thon with very important government delegates last night that lasted until almost 8pm. When we returned from our bus tour...gasp...sigh... there was a table of brownies and sammiches waiting for us. I took a pile and escaped to my office for a feast. Thank you, whoever made that happen.

Speaking of feasts, I made another order from Knitpicks today. You know, because I need more yarn. Actually, I ordered a book, and chart holder, some needles, two balls of CotLin for future quickie washcloth or towel projects, and some alpaca lace yarn. That alpaca yarn will be my new kitty. And I bet it will never shit on my bed.

Kate took this video at the Harlot's talk in Oakbrook last week. I wish I could have been there.

Obsessed

I'm supposed to be doing some big time government ass kissing today, and also to have a TV interview. I'll be staying at the office late tonight to take care of these things. I should be nervous or preparing or something, but all I can think about is that Passover ends tonight, and at sundown I'll be able to eat COOO-KIIEES.

Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite food, and I've been without them for a week. Actually, I've been without carbs of most types for a week. With my active lifestyle, this is a rather uncomfortable state. I mean, Passover is my favorite holiday and everything, but I want some freakin bread.

All I have to say is that if I'm staying late at work tonight someone better arrange for cookies to magically appear before me at sundown. Or else.

Can I have a "Wee Hoo"?

I just got the email that I won a spot on the lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon in the half marathon event. This is the third year I've tried to get in, and now I have. The race in in October.

This is totally a chick event, and I'm so thrilled to be going. I mean, there's a chocolate mile, and pedi-care station, and men in tuxedos at the finish line to present us with our finisher's medals that are designed by Tiffany & Co. Chocolate, pedicures, handsome men, and jewelry. I've had worse dates.

I'd better start running more. I'm sucking wind and burning at three miles after my winter of sloth.

Kris and Knitterary at Yarn Harlot

OK. This is really my last post today. Kris and Knitterary totally made the Yarn Harlot's blog. Look at this post. It's the first picture of the Oakbrook event, and they are the grinning out-of-focus pair of ladies right in the middle. Kris in the green shirt and orange scarf and taking a picture. Knitterary is right next to her. A little further down is Kris with her t-shirt. Yay Kris, Knitterary, and Stephanie!

What did you make with your Tofutsies?

One last post today.

I have one skein of Tofusies sock yarn in Get Your Feet Wet, and will be starting to knit with it within a week. My Melon Ball sock is done, and my second Rock and Weave will be done sometime this week. The second Roza's sock is being worked on slowly. So, I will cast on a new pair of socks as soon as the Rock and Weave is done.
The yarn is totally traif, having crab and shrimp chitin in it. But I like it, and think it will make some nice summer socks. I'm considering Jaywalkers, but not sure yet.


So I'm looking for advice. What did you make with your Tofutsies? Post a comment about your experience with this yarn. Also, I'd like to start using the Magic Loop method for sock making and need some advice on that. I'd like to avoid second sock syndrome. First, how long should the needles be? I'll be putting in an order to Knitpicks this week. They make my favorite sock needles.

Updates

This week was not as prolific as the last two, as Passover and work intervened. However, I've made progress on my Sahara. (For your information, I'm using Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora, a lovely soft yarn) I'd hoped to be able to model the bodice for you today, but it was not to be. The trim is very time consuming. But here it is anyway:I'll post the finished and blocked image on Sexy Knitters Club and here hopefully in two weeks.

I've also finished the second Melon Ball sock. The pattern is a slightly altered version of Shimmer from Magknits and my first attempt at a toe-up sock. Shockingly, I never once checked gauge, measured for, or tried on this sock in the knitting. It's a sample sock for Froebe Fibers and not meant to be worn. But it fits me perfectly! The Shimmer pattern produces a stunning texture that not only shows off handpainted colors, but produces a lofty and warm fabric. I'm trying to decide what yarn to use to make myself a pair. This is the finished product:And a closeup of the fabric. Only very simple knitting kung fu is required:

I don't even like eggs

Last night I attended an Easter egg coloring contest with my friends. This is a very long standing tradition; I've been going for something like 20 years. It's become a multi-generational event, and last night we had 16 people enter eggs for voting.

Part of the fun is making a catastrophe of Mrs. Jager's kitchen.

But it brings a lot of joy. Just look at Jenn, all smiley and happy. Isn't she cute with her little turtle egg?
A dozen of the entries. Mine is number 7, tied for something like 5th place. I've never won. My craftiness apparently doesn't apply to Easter eggs. Maybe you actually have to celebrate Easter to understand how to make a winning egg.
Madi Jager won with her alien head egg. Personally, I think Gavin's red car (#10) should have taken the trophy this year, but who am I to question the will of the masses?

Eureka!

I've figured it out:

SNBers at Yarn Harlot

I've been examining photos from the Harlot's talk in Oakbrook, and have found that the SNBers from South Suburbs and SNBWB captured each other in photos. This on was taken by Knitterary, and shows Mandy and Kate clearly near the back of the room:
SNBWB girls, did you catch my South Suburbs homies in your pictures?

Good news

Today was a promising day, and I have several items of good news to report.

1. Good has triumphed over the weasel. That's right. It looks like my salary will be renewed for the coming year.
2. With my position being saved, I now have permission to do my very important government job again, and can get back to work on the two big projects that will consume most of my time for the next five months.
3. All that being said, the children will have sidewalks.
4. I am currently the master of all my yarns.
5. I had a date this evening with a man we will call Q (that would be this Q, and not that Q thank goodness). A fairly impressive guy. Good looking, Jewish, educated, and athletic. I didn't ask him if he can make fire without matches. It's probably too early for that, or too much to wish for.
6. I passed a Lush store today without spending any money.
7. There are Passover brownies in my fridge.

Ah, I will sleep soundly tonight. After the brownies are gone.

Movies last weekend

I'm just now emerging from my food induced coma to be able to put together a (semi) coherent post.

Netflix was nice enough to send out two movies in time for last weekend. I have to say that they were both very good and should have been engrossing. However, I was knitting at the time, and did not give them my full attention. I'll have to watch them again for full effect. First was Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. For the few people who have not heard of this movie, it's a documentary about global warming. Not only as it about as entertaining as a documentary can get, it was very informative and passed the critical thinking test. I couldn't find any flaws in the logic. And Al Gore is a funny guy. At least to me.

The second movie was The Prestige. This is the dueling magician movie. Not only was there some fairly nice eye candy in the form of Christian Bale, but it had a good plot with a very interesting and creepy surprise ending.

Due to my need to see these movies again, I'll not have new movies from Netflix this coming weekend. Perhaps there will be something nice on TV.

Work on the Melon Ball Sock has resumed. The missing stitch was located, albeit without cooperation from the witness. More details to follow.

Besotted

I've not posted much for the last few days because it's the beginning of the Passover holiday. I celebrated both Seders at Aleta's house with her family and Kris and Knitterary of the SnB South Suburbs group who came as guests. Kris even brought her whole family to take part in their first Passover meal with us. I always love seeing people, especially children, at their first Seder. I recall my first with fondness. I was 18, and the experience prompted me to choose to start observing Judaism. Passover such a powerful experience, and I really think that the Seder illustrates in only a few hours what has kept our community together this long. Thank you to Aleta, Jan, and Becca for putting on two great evenings.


Kris is too cute. She's been so starstruck with the possibility of meeting the Yarn Harlot, and now she has. See. There's a picture of them together at last night's Chicago Represent event. Kris even made a t-shirt. She's such a talented lady. Congratulations, Kris. I wish I could have gone, if for no other reason but to watch you glow. (BTW, does the Harlot's T-shirt say "All your yarns are belong to us?" And I know, I am a huge geek of many colors.)

Knitting. What have I been doing? Not much. I'm too besotted.

Chametz weekend

The Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach) begins tonight. In preparation for the holiday, observant Jews rid their homes of all chametz, or leavened grain products. Being a semi-observant Jew, I spent a good portion of the weekend ridding my house of chametz. Many Jews sell their leavened grain products to a non-Jew and buy them back after the holiday is over. I've done that in years past, but now I use the opportunity to do serious spring cleaning in my kitchen. And serious carb loading. I ate pasta or cereal at every meal for the last four days.

Now, now. Before you get all upset about wasting food. I don't throw out much food; most of what I throw out is almost a year old, having been bought in the first half of the previous year. For a couple of weeks I've been working on eating all my chametz and not buying any more. What I ended up tossing was few things things like half used bags of flour and half gone boxes of pasta in the back of the pantry. After tossing spoiled things like that I had only a few granola bars, a can of soup with noodles, and one unopened box of whole wheat penne that were still edible. A nieghbor happily took them off my hands. After the cleaning, I went outside and made a small bonfire of old spaghetti and my kitchen was free of leavened products and clean for spring.

What have I done this week?

I've worked on Sahara to the exclusion of everything else. In one week, I've completed the bodice:

I tried it on, too. It fits very closely, which I think it's supposed to. I made a size small, since I have a 33 inch bust. However, I'm on the modest side and don't like to wear very tight blouses. Hopefully I can loosen it up with blocking.