Hello from my corner of California

It's March but that means its almost sunny season here in California. I can't wait to spend my Friday afternoons out here with a cold cocktail, my pups and some knitting!

Introducing: Metalico Cowl Knitting Pattern

Hello, pretty yarn! I received a hank of Metalico by Blue Sky Alpacas during our Christmas yarn swap at my knitting group. I hadn't seen the yarn before and I fell in love! Metalico is a blend of baby alpaca and raw silk. The yarn is shiny and luxurious and I wanted to make something I'd wear a lot. So meet the Metalico Cowl! This cowl is knitted using just one skein of this yarn and it's the perfect size. 

Metalico Cowl – #211
Size: 6" high x 21" circumference
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico - 147 yards
Color Cinnabar #1615 – 1 skein
Needles: US 5 16" circular needle
Supplies: stitch marker, darning needle
Gauge: 22 sts to 4" in stockinette stitch

The Metalico Cowl knitting pattern is available for sale in my Ravelry store. Click here to view on Ravelry.

My little Lola

I don't know what it is about this dog but she makes me laugh at every turn. Lola is either on or off. There's no in between with her. She's alert or she's passed out like a champ. See, here she is completely interested in what I'm doing, am I going to get her a treat? 

Of course I am! How could I not after that little face? 

But then there's this. Did she have too much bourbon? Passed out cold!

Oh, Lola! 

{Recipe} Honey Chipotle Spiced Pecans

Meet your new favorite party treat. The Honey Chipotle Spiced Pecans are a crowd pleaser. They're spicy, salty, sweet and totally irresistable. They are easy to whip up and they'll disappear fast!

Honey Chipotle Spice Pecans

2 tbsp honey

1 tsp chipotle powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

3/4 tsp cinnamon

2 cups pecan halves

2 tbsp granulated sugar (I use raw sugar)

3/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine the honey, chipotle powder, cayenne and cinnamon. Warm through. Stir nuts into warmed honey mixture to coat well. Spread honey-coated nuts in a single layer on to a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until fragrant, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1 minute. In a clean mixing bowl, combine sugar and salt. Add hot nuts to bowl and toss to coat. Return nuts to baking sheet and allow to cool completely. Yum!

Take a tour of the ISS

I have always been a big fan of space from as young as I can remember. My sister taught me the basic constellations. I learned all the planets and their specs from book after book. I was even lucky enough to take astronomy in high school inside the school's planetarium!

A few nights ago we were sitting outside watching the sunset just as the brightest stars were appearing in the sky. A friend and I were figuring out which they were, Canis, Jupiter, what's that one? A new one appeared, too bright to be a plane but moving to fast to be star. I whipped out my iPhone, launched SkyView and figured out it was the International Space Station! I hadn't seen it before since it's only in the sky a maximum of seven minutes at a time and this was a real treat. How amazing would it be to be one of a handful of humans to circle the planet? In this video, Commander of the International Space Station, Sunita Williams gives a great tour of the orbiting vehicle. It's about 25 minutes long but worth the watch.