Cabled Hat

Also, got one more item finished in 2010.  It was a little cabled hat (good for early morning dog walking):

Pattern: DROPS 66-15b Hat
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted (Color: TW11)
Needle: US6
Ravelry: Cabled Hat
Modifications: provisional cast on

I started it in early December 2010, but set it aside to do some last minute hats for Christmas presents (2x2 ribbed hats for quick production.)  The cable band has cable crossings every other row, so you need to pay attention, but it goes quickly.  Anyhow, was able to finish it last night.  Of course, it was 39 degrees F this morning and so didn't really need a hat, just a headband to walk Girlfriend.  But, I'm ready for when the next cold snap arrives! 

This morning, Dad and I walked the outer loop in the development (about 3.2 miles, I think) with our dogs.  It was a nice day and perfect for an extended walk.  The dogs certainly loved it!!  I still need to find something to do with Girlfriend as she is bored, bored, bored.  (More on that later.)

It was better than the picture!

Yet another fast, quick, and easy meal.  (Hmmm, I see a theme, here.)  This was whole wheat chicken & prosciutto in a browned butter and balsamic vinegar sauce with toasted walnuts, grated fresh parmesan and chopped parsley.  (The last added for some color - way too much brown!!)  And although it may look less than thrilling, it was very good. Giada De Laurentiis' recipe here.

It's taken me a long, long time to appreciate pasta and Italian food.  When I lived in Upstate NY, Italian food was always filling, heavy and loaded with garlic and thick tomato sauce.  And everyone there seemed to love it that way.  The only restaurants that seem to make it there were Italian restaurants that served food this way.  Yuk!

I'm glad I've gotten to learn that there is something to Italian cooking besides your grandmother's secret [heavy] tomato sauce! 

Yesterday, I heard Ina Garten, on the Barefoot Contessa (cooking show), mention that Julia Child didn't like Italian cooking because it was so easy it didn't seem like cooking.  Hello!  Something I can get behind.

Simple, Quick and Easy

I received the "Cook This, Not That!" book for Christmas.  I love to flip through this series of books as some of the choices are surprisingly and the numbers can be staggering!!  Anyhow, on page 102 of this book is a GREAT Greek salad.  I finished up a rotisserie chicken and almost everything else was stuff on hand.  Very easy and very good!  Great choice for lunches.  So easy I don't know why it never occurred to me to do this before.  Anyhow, future salads may include artichoke hearts or whatever else happens to be on hand....