On Thursday, I was feeling kind of Blah and checked out time off bank and saw there was time off for Friday. So, I snatched it. The plan was to make a fabulous Pakistan inspired baked fish and rice dish with green chutney that night. So, I went shopping for some of the ingredients. Somehow, I found myself at a LYS and I bought this:
I would've liked to have slept in on Friday, but the puppy seems to be getting up around 5:15 a.m. I managed to slip her in her pen so I could grab about an extra hour of sleep. The major thing I did on Friday was do a uber cleaning of the kitchen. I feel like I just did this not that long ago. But, we cook a lot, and things seem to pile up. I felt like we had about 2 square feet of counter space to cook on. So, I got everything cleaned. Countertops, microwave, oven, stove top--you name it. It didn't really take all that long. I thought it would be a good way to start the weekend. After that, I piddled around with some knitting. I've finished my first project for 2008. Sheesh--it's about time. A black beret using Malibrigo. The only thing is that black is so hard to photograph. 
Saturday, we went to the River Market in seach of Shao Hsing wine. We went to Kim Long market and found everything on our list. As we left, there was a parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Drums and cymbols and several giant Fu Dragons. With Buddha in a strange mask at front. As I was watching, Buddah stepped away from the parade and gave me a hug! Maybe this is my lucky year. I even found this Health Rice at Kim Long, which is a mixture of all types of rice including Forbidden Rice, red rice, and brown rice. This is what I will have with my Natto for breakfast.
After Kim Long, we went to this nearby HUGE Asian Market for a look-see. The produce was incredibe. We bought bunches of basil to make Pesto. Everyting was CHEAP. We even went to the fish and meat department and found that they have live crabs, lobster, clams, and oysters. And tons of fresh, FRESH whole fish. Fish cooked in a salt dome is coming soon. I even found Panch Phoran.
We bought some dumplings for lunch and then Sam took a nap. But I was still so jazzed. So, I took off for Cottage Fiber and bought a Lazy Kate and some funky yarn for mitts. I also scheduled time for a lesson with the wheel this coming weekend. She had another student there while I was shopping. Some know-it-all Ho that I recognized from a Knitting Guild event. UGH. But, it was still cool to watch PJ show the know-it-all Ho how to spin.
Saturday night we made Ocean Broccoli Beef. We added Thai chilies to the recipe and those things were HOT. It turned out well, though. However, the dishwarsher broke. Good thing it's still under warranty and the dude is coming tomorrow.
I'm still working on the socks and I've cast on for Chinese New Year. A beret using the new yarn and this pattern. I think the colors will go with everything.
Here is the progress on the socks. I took these pictures yesterday and I'm working on the gusset of the Snow Squall socks now.
