Yet another new project, and nary an FO in sight. Ah well. I was seduced by this Rowan tapestry yarn on a recent trip to Churchmouse Yarn and Tea. Actually, I was seduced by their sample mistake rib muffler. After a few minutes of heavy petting, I snagged a few skeins and started my own. I love the subtle color changes, and this yarn is so very soft. It's a little prone to splitting, since it's single-ply, but it feels so good I'll forgive it anything.

Back when I was a novice knitter, I picked up 2 balls of Patons Kroy in a lovely grape shade (they call it Purple Heather Mix, but whatever). Just recently I picked it up and began knitting the Hello Yarn Cable Twist Socks pattern, heavily inspired by Grumperina's beautiful green pair. But damn, I'm knitting these puppies on size 0 needles. Zero! Progress is slow, but they're looking good. I predict a raging case of second sock syndrome.

I just realized I never posted a glamour shot of my completed rescued Clapotis. Here she is, in all her glory. Man this Claudia yarn is sweet.

Like you've forgotten something? Me neither.

Ever since I read about "real" grenadine on the Slashfood, I've been itching to try it. Lo and behold, I found a bottle in the endcap at my local grocery store. Even though I am morally opposed to impulse buying, I snagged a bottle. At $6 for 12 ounces, it costs about twice as much as Rose's "fakey" grenadine. A taste test revealed almost no resemblance between the dueling grenadines. But I think both have something to offer. Rose's grenadine has a stronger candy flavor, and just screams "Roy Rodgers!". But that certainly has its place. The Stirrings grenadine tasted sharper, with a definite tinge of pomegranate pith. It's also much less viscous than Rose's, even though Stirrings includes pectin as a thickener. Although I haven't tried it, I'd bet money (or yarn) that the "real" grenadine won't layer as well as the fake stuff, and a bead of grenadine at the bottom of a martini glass is a great visual element. So my verdict is that there is a place for both grenadines in your bar, although "real" grenadine has to be refrigerated after opening, so I'm planning to use it up quickly. Grenadine is an integral component of the El Floridita cocktail, which is kind of odd tasting, but a fun departure from the usual Manhattans and cosmopolitans. And you gotta love a drink with a cherry in it. Next step - homemade grenadine. I'm betting this will turn out to be even better (and cheaper) than my impulse purchase.

This has got to be the dorkiest thing I've seen in a while: the Handler, a hand held, push-button retractible hook that lets you avoid touching things that are often coated in fecal coliform bacteria. Like door handles, ATM machines, and that guy on the bus. I watched the "how it works" video and had a good laugh. See the Handler turn on the water faucet! See Handler turn off the water faucet! Of course, it's impossible to wash your hands while holding the Handler, but don't worry about that. Ask yourselves, would you rather be coated in your own fecal coliform bacteria, or someone else's?

Maybe the Sili Sling looks like a cross between a turkey bra and a chicken slingshot, but I want one. I've coaxed several slippery, scalding turkeys from roasting pan to cutting board in my time, and it's always a nerve-wracking process. Maybe blowing $20 on a Sili Sling would make life easier. But think of all the Koigu that could buy. Yeah, not even enough for a pair of socks. But still!

As seen in the Tiffany's window at Pacific Place.

I'm currently searching for the perfect cocktail to start off Thanksgiving chez moi. A few years ago it was POM-spiked champagne, then my signature Northwest Cosmopolitan. This year, I might try the Ginger Rogers, via Daily Candy. This drink has three of my favorite ingredients - mint, ginger, and gin, and it sounds great. And anything that starts with homemade ginger simple syrup is OK by me. Now I just need to arrange a few trial runs before turkey day...