Hour: Mutual Friend*

Yes, at last Daylight Saving has ended and we all gained back the lost hour. This means, of course, that we are waking up an hour early. Sigh. The Labradors are all perky-eared and bushy-tailed at 6-30am and have to be very persuaded to lie down again until it is time for a walk. This morning it was drizzling and then raining hard so it was a very happy walk. There's not enough rain for puddles, or even the greening of the bush, but there's enough for hope.

The When You're On A Shawl Thing? Well I've stuck to it and it's finished.  Donna at Random Knits was so right: it is the blocking that makes a shawl!! This is just a little shawl, but I am still extremely pleased with myself. I couldn't believe how a little soak in some warm water could turn the crepey, bubbly knitted fabric into such a soft and smooth lacy swoosh. I left it all night and here it is, pinned on some poplin on the back of the couch, and badly photographed. I may be able to talk someone at Sewing on Wednesday night to do some stylish modelling!!! So, it's The Swallowtail Shawl from IK Autumn 2006, I used 2 and a tiny bit balls of Merino and 3.75mm circular needle. Started about the 28th March and finished 6th April. 

I was then bereft of a new handy project. I hadn't started any socks, I had sewing up to do, and you can't start a cardigan you're knitting a Stargate into, or The Sherlock Hemlock Blanket while watching the last episode of Life on Mars. So I started the cuffs of MrsDrWho's as yet un-named cardigan. I think I should call it The Pop Tart. Any other good Doctor Who names you can think of??? It is supposed to be knitted on 6.5mm, which means 7mms for me, but I am using 12 ply on 5mm for the cuffs and then Making up the pattern for the frou-frou black yarn.  In another handy way I'm making March Wife, or Annie Modesitt's June Bride, for my nextdoor neighbour. The picture in the book bears no resemblance to the actual pattern, so I'm a bit disappointed, but soldiering on nevertheless. They are in a burgundy or maroon colour to match the colours on her stall at the Market. They should keep her warm now Winter is coming.

Life on Mars?? Most excellent thing I have watched or read in recent times. Absolutely wonderful. Great ending, fabulous characters, writing, music, John Simm: Everything!!!

The passionfruit and lemon cake was delicious, served with some vanilla bean King Island Yoghurt and more fresh passionfruit squeezed over the top. However, I made a mixed berry topped brownie, more or less from Donna Hay's Chocolate book, for MrsDrWho. Recipe follows. There's not much green in this post. I had better get my act together and whip up some green things pronto!! Tomorrow I'm making Things Rhubarb: more Autumnal Harvests!!! (Karen Martini's new cook book: can anyone recommend it? It's a bit expensive to buy without the nod from someone)

Berry Topped Brownie

• 220g good dark chocolate, 70% is nice
• 250g butter
• 200g cups brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 200g plain flour
• 1/4 tspn baking powder
• 40g cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups berries: I used mixed frozen berries

Preheat the oven to 180*C (350F) and grease and line a 20- 23cm square tin. Melt the chocolate and butter together gently, cool slightly then add the sugar and eggs. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into the tin and then strew the berries over the top. Bake for about 45 minutes or until it is set in the middle. Take care, as all the chocolate will burn easily. Cool in the tin. I think it is nice, I can't eat it:-(

*Our Mutual Friend

Comments

[Jennifer]

I'm with you 100% on the "Life on Mars" comments.

[Tinkingbell]

Looks gorgeous - Life on Mars rather passed me by - missed the first couple and then it's always hard! Brownies - mmmm! Off to get proincess out of the tub and up to bed - kids waking up too early too!

[Carly]

MmMMm . . . brownies are my favorite. . . I'm totally stealing the recipe :)

I think it's funny that dogs can be 'morning people' or not, too. Zosia is UP and ready to get going as soon as an alarm goes off. She jumps off the bed and waits by the bedroom door for us to get going. Jimmy Ray, however, is a morning grouch and sometimes takes a good 15 or so minutes to FINALLY come downstairs to go potty :)

[Cindy]

Brownies look absolutely delicious - thanks for the recipe!

[Tigers]

On waking up an hour early...here I am an hour early, couldn't sleep. I'm with you on that one :)

The shawl looks great.

The brownie looks yummy, thanks for the recipe.

[kms]

oh i looooove life on mars and was very peeved to have missed the last ep because of dog training. stupid dogs! the dvds are not out yet but i want to watch the whole thing from the beginning again. and the shawl looks lovely, they are very addictive arent they?!

[Sue]

Looks like you have been very busy as usual! You are always so motivating :-)

Yummo to the brownie. I love those berry fruits. Sounds like a nice combination.Thanks for the recipe.

[Ann]

Your shawl is gorgeous & the I love the color. I think blocking is magical & I love seeing the pattern bloom!

[Olivia]

Oh yes Life on Mars just got better and better and then they finished it properly, bless em! British shows are a bit better at that than US shows. I like the shorter seasons. Nothing worse than a TV show that seems to have a bigger point to make or at least an overall story, then stretches it out waaaaay too long and it becomes obvious they are just toying with the audience. Lost, for example.

And oh, the shawl is lovely.

[Katie]

That yoghurt sounds divine & vanilla is my favourite flavour, it's hard to go wrong with Vanilla!

[fitknit]

Your shawl looks beautiful. Thanks for the yummy recipe!

[Bells]

did you just think the ending was so good because it didn't give clear answers? that was my view in the end. Not predictable at all!

Ah, lace blocking. So good. Yours turned out beautifully!

ps John Simm is MINE!

[Sarah]

Fab job with the shawl! I'm going to have to look for that Life on Mars series, it sounds like something Jeff and I would enjoy too.

[Kari]

The shawl looks good. That is interesting how the blocking made it look a lot better.
The berry topped brownie looks delicious.

[Nora]

Beautiful shawl, berry brownie and puppies. [Especially the puppies!]

[rosie dean]

what a gorgeous shawl! it would look absolutely fabulous draped on my person. you are very clever!

[amanda j]

I'm afraid I am with Tink. Missed the whole Life on Mars business and have no idea what it's even about.

Blocking rocks!

[linda]

oh yes, as you already know Cindy Life On Mars was just superb!! The best thing ever, the 2nd series was even better than the first, and John Simm, well what can I say???? He is not in the 3rd series so it may not be worth watching in my opinion!!!! Love the shawl, I am making one too!! yes, but in my knitting style of course - it is just a VERY wide scarf!! :O

[AmyP]

I thought the ending of Life on Mars was perfect. Sad, but perfect! Ashes to Ashes (the sequel) has had mixed reviews in this country, but I quite liked it.
Nice job on the shawl - the blocking really, really makes or breaks a lace project.

[Kate]

That shawl is so pretty! Go you speed lacer, you!

I'm coming up blank for Doctor Who names - the only ones that jump out are the bad guys!

We actually liked the end of daylight savings - it has made getting up for work much easier!

[Monika]

Excellent puppies picture again. Love their faces. The Berry Brownie looks very delicious!

[amysue]

I love the Jansdotter book! And my new car is sporting a new bumpersticker (yay!)

[jae]

I completely agree with Donna that blocking is what makes lace worth the effort! Your shawl looks lovely.

And the brownies sound so delicious!! Yummm!