-because I'm blogging again. I know, it's amazing. And I even have a few things to show for myself.
For one, Peter and I just got back from a trip to Oregon. We took in some amazing scenery, a serious amount of moisture, and quite a bit of wine. Sake, even, with a visit to the Sake One sakery.
The shop was pretty chaotic since it was the day after Thanksgiving, but we did manage to pick up and safely transport home a couple bottles of their Daiginjo sake. (uh, not the super expensive stuff - we got some on sale.) I've got a special Japanese meal planned for later this week for the unveiling of the new sake! Vegetables are already being pickled...
Another highlight of the Willamette Valley winery tour was the trip to Elk Cove. Seriously, all their wines were delicious and the grounds we breathtaking. I hear you can get their wines in Chicago at Sam's Liquors, so next time I'm in I'll be keeping an eye out.
And finally, in knitting news - we finally have a Christmas present that I can post about on the internet!
I know, it might not be immediately apparent which knit I'm talking about. See, I have a hard time keeping warm in Portland. I swear. The wet is hard to deal with. Here's another clue:
They're the manly mitts from knitty, way back when, in Dale of Norway Hauk and on US5s. That is some wooly wool, and those are some warm mitts! They're for Peter, of course, the manliest man of them all, and he's already received them. Poor guy - I had to bring SOMETHING to knit while I was in Oregon, and it couldn't be my parents' gifts, so I had to knit these right in front of him. At least that means he got a perfect fit. I don't know why I haven't knit more mittens - seriously, these were fast as hell, and they look great, and they were a blast. Everyone else I know - MITTENS for Christmas for you!
Those mittens look awesome. I love all of the orange in this post, too. I think I would probably die in a sakery (the smell of alcohol is a migraine trigger), but my husband would love to visit that place!