2008: A Year of Closure

I would like to wish you all my very best for 2009. May all your wishes come true and may all your loved ones stay happy and healthy.

The past Christmas and New Year's Eve was not only special but also particular. It was our first Christmas in our new home and almost all of my family got together for a wonderful and fun reunion.

As the joy of remembering those moments with family is still vivid, now that this new year has started I cannot help but to think about what 2008 meant for me. It was definately a year of conclusion where not only a chapter in my life came to an awaited end, but also I got rid of heavy "luggage" that I had not been courageous enough to throw away before. I feel so much lighter! :) It was also a year that allowed me to get to know me better and challenge myself a bit further. I also got to knit and cook a lot!!

So now with lighter spirits and great expectations for this 2009, a year that will change my life forever, I was finally able to finish my most challenging knitting project so far. My "Primo Fair Isles" from Interweave Knits Fall 2007. I feel so proud after 8 months of suffering with it!

Here is a picture of the back:

And as usual, starting the New Year I started a new project that is both fun and fast. I am planning on finishing it within a week:

Here is a picture of one of the dishes that were served at our Christmas Dinner: a very easy stuffed loin pork roast. Thanks Martha Stewart! If you care for the recipe just ask!

Ciao.

Something Original to See!

Hello everybody!

I received the following link that absolutely caught my attention. I think it is a wonderful way to both celebrate Winter, Knits and Music together.

It is a video from the canadian group "Tricot Machine" made out of more than 700 machine knitted images by the artist Lysanne Latulippe.

Check it out!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO0-1GKXZEA

Goodbye November 2008

So this is the last week of November, my favourite month ;) It was my birthday last week and I had a very nice day and celebrated it among loved ones with a favourite cake of mine (above). No, I did not bake it because it was purchased at the same place I usually go to on my birthday for cake. Yumm!

So, I do not know about you, but here in Mexico City the Christmas season is everywhere. Sometimes I get surprised and a bit annoyed of the way commerce works. We are not mentally ready for a particular season but our local store or bakery pushes the experience into our lives. It is still November and I just saw a few days ago at my bakery the famous "Rosca de Reyes" that is baked on January. I mean, is this right? I am still in the Thanksgiving mode.

So unfortunately because of Santa Claus and his dwarfs I am no longer able to find any pumpkins anywhere. (Sorry Santa, I know it is not your fault, it is just the way things are in Mexico City!). So unlike other cities I know, I am forced into the Xmas Season early on.........but before I forget all about autumn I decided to post for my mexican friends my recipe for "Pumkin Bisque" (aka Pumpkin Soup). Sorry I took until the end of the season to do it.

Because I guess that cooking with pumpkins is quite common for my friends in the US, Canada or Europe I will not try to impress any of you here. Instead, for my loyal mexican and latin american readers here is my method for cooking pumpkins in spanish:

Ok Chicas! Perdonen si hasta ahora les paso mi método para cocinar cualquier tipo de calabaza de Halloween, lo que pasa es que no pensé en encontrarme más de una vez con alguien que me pidiera la receta. Vaya, pues hasta en Superama andaba dando tips a las clientas en la zona de frutas y verduras!

Bueno pues, aquí está para todas uds, y es más fácil de lo que creen! Lo primero que necesitan es tener un horno de microondas, con esto ya vamos de gane.

En la casa de Uds. mi abuela y mi mamá cocinaban la famosa receta de "Calabaza en Tacha" que es un dulce mexicano muy sabroso, pero nadamás. Así que como a mi me encanta el sabor de la calabaza de Halloween (no confundir con la tipo "zucchini") rica en betacarotenos, pues me puse a investigar.

El método de cocción que empleo no es mérito mío, sino de Martha Stewart, pero lo que es mío es que lo he adaptado a cualquier tipo de calabaza. Aquí en México venden varios tipos de calabaza, y otras que aunque son de la época, no son propiamente "calabazas" sino "squash". Para ambas el método es el mismo. Si se acuerdan, aquí en México se venden las siguientes calabazas: Calabaza de Castilla, Calabaza Halloween (la más grande y que tradicionalmente se le hace la famosa carita Jack o' Lantern), Calabaza Brujita y Calabaza Pay. Bueno, no todas son calabazas salvo las tres primeras, porque las que venden como "Calabaza Pay" son más bien "squash", ok? además éstas últimas son las más caras (a $24.00 pesos el kilo vs. $12.00 pesos el kilo de la de Castilla). En cuanto a sabor y color las que más recomiendo son la Calabaza Halloween y la Calabaza Pay anaranjada. De todos modos todas saben sabroso, sólo varía la intensidad.

Además del color y sabor, el peso es importante pues tengan en cuenta que mientras más grande sea, pues tendrán más materia prima para hacer varias recetas. Con una chiquita del tipo "Pay" les basta para la receta de la sopa.

Nota: la única calabaza que no puse a la prueba es la tipo "brujita" pues es tan pequeña que ni el gasto valía la pena hacerlo.

Una vez que se decidan a un tipo particular de calabaza es importante que tengan en cuenta que debe caber en el microondas. Algunas como la "Halloween" y la de "Castilla" son enormes. Pueden pedir que se las corten y se llevan lo que gusten recordando que en la cocción perderá agua osea que traten de llevarse alrededor de 2 kilos como mínimo.

En casa la van a lavar muy bien, si está abierta procurar no mojarla por dentro, ok? La secan bien con un trapo y la colocan en un recipiente de microondas, y la tapan ligeramente con papel de cocina.

Las fotos que verán a continuación es mi método ejemplificado con una calabaza conocida en EU como "Spaghetti squash".

Una vez tapada con papel de cocina, la meten en el micro y lo programan a la máxima temperatura por 10 minutos. Pasado el tiempo, abran la puerta y si pueden perforar la piel de la calabaza con la punta de un cuchillo quiere decir que ya está, si no, vuelvan a meterla igual a máxima temperatura por otros 5 minutos más o hasta que puedan clavarle el cuchillo. Cada calabaza es diferente, y hay algunas con la piel más gruesa que necesitan más veces en el micro.

No es necesario añadirle agua al recipiente, nada, sólo el papel de cocina. La calabaza solita se cocera por dentro y notarán que "sudará".

Cuando ya se le clave el cuchillo sáquenla y con cuidado y sin quemarse (estará muy caliente!) ábranla con el cuchillo para que empieze a enfriarse como se ve a continuación:

Notarán en seguida que la calabaza está, si no al 100% cocida, sí a un 90%. Ésta es la consistencia ideal, si notan que tiene partes duras, metan sólo éstas otro poco al micro igual con su papel de cocina.

Éste es el famoso "secreto". Nada más fácil, no creen? Una vez logrado ésto ya podrán preparar múltiples recetas como sopas, arroces y claro, el delicioso Pay de Calabaza del que puse un "post" en este blog hace unas semanas.

Cuando la calabaza se haya enfriado y la aguanten con las manos, con la ayuda de una cuchara o como aparece en la foto, una para hacer bolas de nieve, remuevan la pulpa de calabaza y deshechen la cáscara. Para las semillas usen un tenedor, y luego podrán tostarlas si así lo desean.

En la siguiente foto verán porqué se llama "Spaghetti Squash", pues su pulpa cocida parece fideos de pasta!

La pulpa de cualquier calabaza la pueden guardar (una vez fría) en el refrigerador para futuras recetas por una semana.

Para nuestra receta de Sopa de Calabaza se necesitan para 4 personas 1 kilo y medio de pulpa de calabaza ya cocida, y van a picar finamente cebolla blanca, 3/4 de taza, y ponen a derretir una cuchara de mantequilla en una cacerola.

Una vez derretida la mantequilla agregan la cebolla, sal marina y pimienta al gusto y lo dejan sofreír hasta que esté clara la cebolla. No dejarla quemar y mover continuamente.

Una vez lista la cebolla agregar toda la pulpa de calabaza, una cdita de tomillo y cuatro tazas de caldo de pollo a temperatura ambiente.

A flama alta permitir que el caldo alcance el hervor. Mientras, mover despacio la cocción y eliminar cualquier semilla de calabaza que se nos haya escapado.

Cuando alcance el hervor bajar la flama a nivel bajo y cocinar otro poco por 10 minutos o hasta que la calabaza esté totalmente suave. Cuando esté lista la cocción retirar del fuego y proceder al licuado.

Les recomiendo que licuen la sopa por partes y para evitar cualquier accidente con nuestra licuadora y la sopa caliente no tapen totalmente el vaso de la licuadora. Coloquen solo el anillo superior (tapa sin parte central) para así tapar el hoyito o alimentador de manera manual con papel de cocina doblado y sujetado con una mano. Ésto es muy importante hacerlo, ya que la alta temperatura de la sopa y la velocidad de la licuadora pueden hacer que la tapa salga disparada y se haga un batidero. Notarán que al accionar la licuadora sale "vaporcito" a través del papel, ésto es normal.

Una vez licuada toda nuestra sopa regresarla a la cacerola y a flama baja añadirle más sal, pimienta y tomillo al gusto.

Como toque final agregar 3/4 de taza de crema y mover hasta que se incorpore bien y la sopa tenga una consistencia tersa.

Listo! Al servir agregar si desean un poquito de tomillo encima o croutones.

Espero les haya gustado.

Con cariño para todas Uds.

Hasta Pronto!

Shorter Days Ahead.

The autumn is in full force now and it reminds us of its presence every day that goes by. Time is flying and after preparing everything for Halloween and "Día de Muertos" in Mexico, it's a week later and now all stores are showered with Christmas '08 stuff. I like this but the abrupt change can be stressful, especially when there is so little time and so much to do.

To say Goodbye to Halloween '08 I baked again a Pumpkin Pie, I think I found the easiest and quickest recipe around. It obviously gave me time to make a little decor and take its picture before it would be tasted. This weekend will be my last chance to cook more "pumpkin" recipes; so far I've cooked a Pumpkin Bisque, 2 Pumpkin Pies, a Pumpkin Cake, a Pumpkin Risotto and a Pumpkin Bread.

So to celebrate Autumn I finished an Ascot from Interweave's Crochet Fall 2008 issue with whom I learned how to do Tunisian Crochet. I loved it. It was quite addictive and I finished this project in a wink!

Next is a picture of another finished project I started while having the cast on my left hand. It is my own design and it combines three techniques: loom knitting (for the back), circular knitting (for the short sleeves and all-around-collar) and crochet (for the seams and flower pin). I like the results very much.

And now a little update on the Fair Isles project that I really want it to be over. I am done knitting the body and gathered up enough courage to do the "steeks" and cut my knitting (!!) Yeap, it was scary but I made sure to sew the knitting very well while practicing my sewing skills. I just need to join the shoulders and do the ribbing at the cleavage, which I hope won't be to revealing (!) Looks quite nice on the mannequin, doesn't it?

So now the list comes down to 8 projects and the above Fair Isles is at 75%

A presto!

Pumpkins and Casting On.

I love autumn -I know, I have already mentioned it before-, but I do. This autumn has been particularly cold in Mexico City where the sun shined for just a week or so. The present days are very humid, due to our vicinity to the Gulf of Mexico, so I suspect that the winter is going to be difficult. I know mexican winter has nothing to do with the one our neighbours on the north part of the hemisphere have to endure (Canada in particular), but there is one thing that does not help us down here: almost 95% of houses in Mexico have no heating system and are not made of wood but rather concrete........so houses are always cold.
Oh well, this is a perfect excuse to have hot coco and enjoy great winter time food, like one of my favourite ones ever: Pumpkin pies. I love their color and varietes, but most of all I love what I can cook with them. At the end of this post I will share an easy and successful Pumpkin Pie recipe for anyone interested.
One of the things I miss the most about Europe is the culinary culture. To be honest with you, before I ever lived there, pumpkins for me were just for "Jack-o-lanterns", or at their best, for an extremely sweet mexican pudding known as "Calabaza en Tacha". What converted me was an amazing pumpkin bisque I tried in Europe and it was love at first sight. The european markets with a real autumn background would offer endless varietes of pumpkins, squashes, etc. I only knew one, the famous "Calabaza de Castilla" sold in all mexican markets. In Europe I was at awe, as the variety was overwhelming. So I decided to put a remedy to my pumpkin ignorance and it has been quite a trip. Now living in Mexico, I do miss that autumn markets experience as I keep on seeing the same boring pumpkins sold at supermarkets, which are mostly used for Halloween. Sometimes I see squashes, half priced because no big Jack-o-lantern can come out of them, so nobody buys them. If they only knew what they are missing, oh, but I take advantage of it!

So Casting On. I always thought I was immune to endless casting on but I am starting to realize that perhaps I need a vaccination. I remember sometime ago, at a yarn shop, a lady who was buying yarn for her daughter to knit would say to her "promise you will finish the project". I was around her daughters age, still a teenager and did not understand what that lady was talking about because for me, knitting would absorb me so that my mother would even try to put my mind out of it especially during exams. I would always finish my projects, so finishing was not a problem. Nowadays it is still not a problem as I do finish what I start but there is something going on that I was not expecting: endless casting on, so instead of having to finish one or three projects I have around ten. Yes, I should be ashamed, right? but I am not. Why? because I think there is a very understandable reason: my feast for knit and crochet projects has developed over the years and now I am no longer satisfied with just one or two things going at the same time: my mind needs more, so I wonder why some people should say that it is a bad habit to cast on. So this puts my initial idea of vaccination totally off. I believe that knitting is a journey into discovering ones abilities and likes, so if you cast on, it means you are excerting it. It is pretty much like starting a new book. My rule of thumb: if it doesn't "catch" you at the very beginning, you might as well leave it and look for another one.
So now a realistic (and truthful) list of my current projects:
1) Fair Isle pullover (70%)
2) VK Tunic (40%)
3) Off the shoulder pullover (45%)
4) Granny Squares sweater (15%)
5) Turtleneck pullover (35%)
6) Vest (95%)
7) Crochet Ascot (50%)
8) Red Mittens (15%)
9) Crochet Cardigan (20%)
10) Scarf (30%)

This weekend I finish #6 and #7. I have been working on #1 for sometime now as it has been a surprisingly challenging project.
Balance: 5 of them are knitting projects (1, 2, 3, 5 and 8); 3 of them are crochet (4, 7 and 9); and finally 2 of them are done with a knitting board (6 and 10). My goal is to finish all of them by the end of November, I hope this is possible!

So now the recipe: "Prize Pumpkin Pie" by Canadian Living Magazine

Serves 8. Ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 can of pumpkin puree (140z/ 398ml), 1 can (300ml) sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1tsp cinnamon, 1/2tsp salt, 1/4tsp each ground cloves, ginger and nutmeg, 1 unbaked 9-ich (23cms) pie shell.

Preparation: In a large bowl beat eggs, blend in pumpkin, condensed milk, sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Pour into pie shell. Bake in 425 oF (220oC) oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 375oF (190oC) and bake for about 35 minutes or until pastry is golden and knife inserted into centre comes out clean. Let cool in rack.

Hasta Pronto!

Un vistazo al Hemisferio Sur/ A Glimpse of the Southern Hemisphere.

Esta será la primera ocasión que escribiré una entrada en dos idiomas, en español y en inglés; y esto es por el bellísimo regalo que recibí de una nueva amiga, Elisa, de Chile.

This will be the first time I will be posting in two languages, in spanish and english, and it is because of the gorgeous gift I received from a new friend, Elisa, from Chile.

Elisa, MIL GRACIAS, tu dedicación es evidente en cada detalle. La bufanda me encantó, es la primera que tengo en crochet; las tres revistas de crochet, las agujas de colores, los seguritos, el block de notitas, tu postal, y el bello alfiletero (que descubrí fué hecho por tí) iluminaron mi día.......en realidad, toda mi semana.

Elisa, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, your dedication is evident in every detail. I loved the scarf, the first crocheted scarf I own now; the three magazines, the colorful knitting needles, the safety pins, the little note block, your card, and the beautiful pin cushion (that I discovered was made by you) illuminated my day.......actually my entire week.

El momento de recibir el paquete no pudo ser mejor, pues recién me enyesaron un brazo por andar haciendo cosas que no debo.......ahora estoy felíz, pues pienso que podré trabajar en crochet -el yeso esta en la izquierda- y las revistas traen modelos de crochet encantadores!

The time to receive the package could not be better because I just had one hand and arm being casted because I do things I should not do........now I am happy because I think I will be able to do some crochet -the cast is on my left arm- and the magazines have enchanting crochet projects!

Este es un close-up de la bufanda, no les parece hermosa?

This is a close-up of the scarf, don't you find it beautiful?

Elisa, muchas gracias de nuevo, ha sido un placer conocerte!

Tu amiga, Marie.

Knitting Magazine Models.

This time I would like to write a bit about the way some knitting magazines, especially two, approach their readers. I am talking about Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting which happen to be, in my view, the most influential knitting magazines in North America.
Not only as someone who works at the Fashion Industry but also as a subscriber and knitter I think I have an opinion about the messages I have been getting lately by these and other knitting magazines.

We have all heard about the way some magazines can affect the way we live. In the Knitting World, knits being an undeniable part of the Fashion Industry, either you agree with me or not, in knitting magazines they reflect the trends and styles of the current fashions. What distinguishes one magazine from the next is the way they communicate the latest trends, the way they translate them into wearable items, and the way they perceive their readers. Not at all an easy job to do as inspite of all the market research done, consumers do have the final saying: they either buy the magazine or not.

Vogue Knitting was the first American knitting magazine to arrive in Mexico City at the early 90's, and Mexico City knitters very soon discovered it. It is a fact that as soon as it arrives it disappears from newstands, hence my subscription. It was until the late 90's that Interweave Knits started to be sold here too. We were then introduced to two very different ways of viewing knitting trends and up to this day I can't seem to be without the other, precisely because they are so different: one gives me what the other doesn't and vice-versa. I had found an interesting balance.

Time went by and I was happy to mantain such balance between those two magazines until I started to notice that Vogue Knitting was changing at a much faster pace and giving mixed messages as it seemed to not only try to keep on being very fashionable but also it would embrace many opposite and strange styles. I was not surprised when I heard that they were having trouble in the Editor's department and then their competiton, Interweave Knits, was expanding itself and evolving into a magazine highly regarded by a vast number of knitters as the best knitting magazine. To make things even more difficult Interweave launched last year their newsletter "Knitting Daily" (a total success) and even a new magazine "Interweave Crochet". They are trying to do the same with "Felt". So while Interweave was reaching higher levels Vogue Knitting seemed to be a bit lost. So lost that it would not even have a working webpage for many months. With all this I lost the balance I used to have between them, why? because inspite of how much I like Interweave Knits I missed much more fashionable knitting projects.

Why am I writing all of this? because I think that the key to becoming a "sold out" knitting magazine relies on how much such magazine tries to know its readers. This brings me to a point of view I think most knitters would agree on with me: knitting is a very personal craft. It can be fashionable but in its origin it is a highly personal activity. What can be more personal than making something with your hands and something meant for you, your family or loved ones? not to many things out there. So, it is my wish that Vogue Knitting drifts away a bit from way to edgy styles and comes back to approaching its faithful readers to much more wearable -and yes fashionable- knitting projects. The remedy is on the way, the recent Vogue Knitting Fall 2008 has Ms. Trisha Malcom back again as its Editor and this is wonderful as I am sure she will do a great job. I have just one tiny complaint with its latest Fall issue: as opposed to its wonderful "Made in Canada" or "An English Garden" sections, "The Alluring Drama of Black and White" would have been really nice if only they would have chosen a different model. I find it so disturbing to see bony models in knitting magazines.

Shiri Mor's shift dress would have looked rather stunning in a curvy model. What did Interweave Knits instead include in its recent Fall issue? a beautiful full figured model that could be my next door neighbor. This is what makes both magazines so different and in the end, makes Interweave Knits much more approachable than Vogue Knitting to the average knitter in North America.

In the last Vogue Knitting Holiday 2007 issue the editors had a very good idea, they decided to include Ms. Paulina Porizkova. I liked this issue because while Paulina was a top model in the eighties I was a teenager devoted to Vogue magazine, so seeing her at Vogue Knitting helped me relate much easier to the magazine. This is being stylish without going to far. It was a good move by Adina Klein.

The above brings me to one of the most appreciated characteristics of Interweave Knits: they always use models who are just regular people pictured in regular environments as opposed to bony, cold, and unreachable models. I was glad to find out just recently that one of the models is the daughter of former Interweave Knits Editor, Ms. Pam Allen. Below, pictures of my favourite Interweave Knits models:

While living in Europe I encountered other knitting magazines being sold in numerous newstands. There I was introduced to Verena Stricken magazine from Burda that in my view seems to be a combo between "fashionable and wearable", something the above mentioned magazines are not alltogether. No surprise that I have been since then their subscriber. Here, three designs from their latest Fall issue (Herbst 2008)

I also was introduced to many other magazines like "Le Idee di Susanna" or "Mani di Fatta" who are still being edited. There was another italian magazine though, "Benissimo", that in its latest issues started including designs and models like the following:

I think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think you would agree with me that the sight of that models' back is awful. "Benissimo" went out of print in recent years. No wonder.

So, it is my wish that Knitting Magazines never forget that knitting should never be put in an unapproachable environment with too much gloss and slickness. Most of the knitters I know like fashion and love looking pretty. In the real world, edgy styles although may look great in fashion shows don't do so well when it comes to editing a magazine for knitters who approach knitting with a warm heart. Trends and styles I think, should be communicated in a more reachable manner. It must be so difficult to edit a knitting magazine but I think that as long as you do not miss out on where you are standing and who are your readers then it will all work fine.

Thanks for Reading.