Ah, Valentine’s Day. The holiday cooked up by restaurants to ensure that they have a packed house full of couples, effectively banishing those pesky single people who linger around with their books and knitting.
This year, I’ve decided to try and focus on the positive things. For example, I’m saving so much money right now, since I’m not at a fancy restaurant buying a $60 / plate dinner! See, look how positive I am? So here’s some more things I love.
1. I love felted slippers.
I finished these last week, and I am absolutely in love. The pattern is so great, and the slippers come out so well defined after felting. I’ve made felted socks before, but they just never fit my feet right. These slippers are a different approach, that makes such a nice shape, it really feels like you’re wearing some store bought slippers. And using your own hand-dyed yarn is even better!
- Pattern: Felted Clogs by Fiber Trends
- Yarn: 1 skein of Yarn Nerd 1700 MHz BFL in an over-dyed shade, and 1.25 skeins of Cascade 220 in Jet.
- Needles: US #13 (16″ and 24″ circulars)
- Felting: Tossed in the washing machine for about 30 minutes with some towels and hot water.
Then to give them some extra traction, I used zigzag stitch’s awesome tutorial for suede bottoms. This technique is inexpensive and easy, and it really helps on my tile floors. When you’re a klutz like me, you need all the traction you can get!
I think Dallas loves them too :)
2. I love Beer.
I just couldn’t resist (sorry Mom!), because a good beer is just so tasty. Especially when paired with the takeout you picked up, since sitting in a restaurant on Valentine’s Day is kinda crummy. It’s much better to eat delicious food at home, paired with a tasty brew and some mediocre TV. (30 Rock, I miss you! Come back soon ok?)
3. I love Brussels Sprouts.
Yeah, you read right, Brussels Sprouts. I’ve gone 23 years without ever trying one, and I decided it was high time that changed. So armed with a bag of the suckers, and this fantastic recipe, I remedied this grave injustice. And man oh man, what have I been missing all these years? Those little guys are phenomenal! So crispy and tender, and perfect when nice and charred on the bottom, with a generous dash of salt and pepper.
Just pretend that stove isn’t dirty ok? I’ll clean it first thing tomorrow, I promise.
So there you have it. This year, my Valentine’s are Slippers, Beer and Brussels Sprouts. Pretty exciting eh? Maybe next year I’ll have a lady to add to the list…although if my most recent blind date is an indication…
Oh wait, I’m supposed to be positive! Drat! ;)
I was with ya all the way on a perfect evening - knitting, time with furry critters, and fine adult beverage but then ummm…are you serious about the brussel sprouts? Because I’ve never been able to choke the little bastards down.
Heh, I had Valentine’s Day brussel sprouts too. They are, in fact, delicious!
Brilliant. I consider myself an optimistic realist, so I totally agree with you! I definitely love felted clogs (especially when they look like yours) and well, beer is a no-brainer. I’m actually not anti-brussel sprouts, but I don’t think I’ve ever had them more than one time in my life. I will definitely pick some up at the store and take your word for it. I’ll keep you posted…
Happy belated V-day, and happy knitting!
Hi Adam,
I only recently started reading your blog, but I have to say it is one of those that make me really happy when I see you go bing on my bloglines! So, this is my Valentine’s to you - thanks for posting! I’m not so much with the brussel sprouts (bad memories of mushy, grey boarding school cooking, shudder) but I toast you with my beer and salute you with my slippers!
Best,
esmerelda
I think slippers and a dog (or two!) qualify for a good Valentine’s day. :)
You had me until Brussels Sprouts. Other than that, your Valentines evening looked better than an expensive restaurant meal any day.
Heh. I’m with you on the crappiness of Vday. I hate this holiday. I used to really dislike it when I was single and now that I’m married, I hate it. I think it’s an excuse to spend tons of money, make people feel bad and in the end, you express your love one day a year but what about the rest? Ick. Call me cranky but I’ll take February 15th any day. ;-) I hope the sprouts were good. They looked delicious!
Slippers, beer, and brussels sprouts sound like the perfect Vday to me!!
It appears you have made yourself a wonderful singles’ awareness day. Hope the rest of the weekend continues on the lovely trend.
Love your felted clogs! Hehe, I love brussel sprouts, only me and my MIL. The rest of our family shudders when I cook them, hey, at least I don’t make them eat ‘em! Off to check out that recipe.
The slippers are awesome, and I, too, waited till I was an adult to try brussels sprouts, and they have become my favorite veggie!
I always thought Valentine’s Day was the florists’ holiday… blink, blink
I think your V-Day looks just fine.
My Valentine was a 12-lb dog & I was pretty happy w/ that.
I say “bah, humbug!” to yesterday’s fake holiday. Glad you have cool slippers (very nice, BTW!), a good beer and a new veggie to enjoy with the pooches!
I waited 36 years before even trying Brussels sprouts! And you know what? I like ‘em! I liked ‘em!
i think your v-d is great. joe surprised me with flowers but if he hadn’t, it would have been ok with me.
Slippers look great! Mmmm…beer. I agree, brussels sprouts are surprisingly good for the bad rep they have.
Love love love the slippers…can’t believe how fast you finish your projects. Glad to see you have a healthy attitude about Valentines day. You know how I feel about all these “Hallmark” holidays…just a way for someone else to make money. No thanks, I’ll grow my own flowers! I don’t care for the taste of beer, but I do love that pear cider you bring over every now and then.
It is especially nice when I am stressed out!!! Your brussel sprouts look yummy…glad you finally came over to the cabbage side of life!
Mom
it’s a little tacky looking, but instead of the suede on the bottom of the slippers, i’ve used bits of that rubbery, meshy stuff that you line your kitchen cupboards with to keep your glasses from sliding all around. it works pretty well! kind of like those slipper-socks with the little painted on rubber grips.
Love the clogs! The suede bottoms are a definite must! Yay for brussel sprouts! As a waitress, believe me, I hate Valentine’s Day. The restaurant is full of couple who rarely go out and spent too much on flowers, candy, etc. and don’t want to spend too much more. Tips on Valentine’s Day are the worst compared to the rest of the year! Which is why I take the day off! Come in anytime alone with a book and knitting and I’ll bend over backwards to make your meal special!
Schanuzers, knitting and beer make for a good day, be it a made up holiday or a random thursday evening. I don’t hate the sprouts, but I would not include them on my list.
Hey, sounds like a good celebration of V-day to me. I hate the poor excuse for a holiday, so this year I ignored it. (Or I did until I tried to walk into the grocery store and was assaulted by a huge display of idiotic pink balloons. Who wants balloons, anyway?) Felted clogs, beer, and good food (sprouts or otherwise!) sound good to me!
Sounds like a good day to me. More special than around here I can tell you! I need to get that pattern out and make myself some slippers. Ok, I am with ya on brussel sprouts but your’s look lots better. What have you sprinkled on them?
Yummy…Brussel Sprouts! I recenly discovered them as well!
Don’t give up on blind dates…that’s how I met my hubby! you never know sometimes.
I love Heidi Swanson’s Brussesls Sprouts recipe. I’m a huge fan of hers!
Love your felted clogs. I’ve been seeing this pattern all over and have started falling in love with it.
As for Valentine’s Day…I’m really ehh on the whole day.
I looooooove brussel sprouts and I had them on Valentine’s Day as well! I’ve been making them all the time this winter. Check out the carrots and brussel sprouts recipe on epicurious.com. Deee-lish! Hoping your Valentine’s next year is overflowing with sticky romance and unabashed happiness!
Mmmm, Brussels sprouts! I’ve loved them since I tried the recipe for roasting them Eunny Jang posted long, long ago. The slippers look fabulous, too!
I actually kind of forgot Thursday was Valentine’s, and my roommate and I went to Border’s downtown and decided to get something to eat at the Hard Rock Café, since it was next door. Oddly, there were tons of single diners there, and lots of families, and a group of Freemasons, but we only saw two couples the whole time.
Thanks for posting that recipe; I’ll definitely have to give it a try!
Ok, I think my favorite part of your posts now is when your mom writes a little cheery, ‘buck up, kid!’ message. Love her!!
Those are fantastic slippers Adam! I so want to knit some now too!
it sounds like the perfect valenitnes dayy! especially when the slippers are the most awesome handkit felted cool clogs!!!!!!
i LOVE those!
I love brussel sprouts!
nothin’ like ‘em when you get the young tender baby ones, steam ‘em up till they’re just softening a bit, and then put butter and salt on…. simply, easy, DELICIOUS!
Let’s hear it for the sprouts!
(and the slippers….)
I hate mayonnaise. You know, as a general rule, like slathered on bologna sandwiches. BUT! Did you know that mayonnaise was developed in the kitchens of medieval France as a dressing for green vegetables like Brussels? Try some fresh steamed sprouts just dipped in a tiny bit of mayonnaise. Gives them a sweetness unexpected. (Also - add just a tiny bit of lemon juice to the mayo, that’s yummy too.) I made some of those slippers but mucked it up,and I’m going to try again (when I’m done with my current Project Monogamy, which is preventing my casting on so much as a warshrag, but while seeming interminable, is NOT). Just sayin’. Have you ever tried “Modit” beer? Has a fabulous illustration of a flying canoe full of voyageurs on the label. I’m not much of a beerdrinker but that’s particularly good paired with pizza (and if you eat the pizza with a knife and fork it looks dorky but doesn’t befoul the knitting).
have you tried the sprouts with mustard mixed in the skillet? i have many many recipes, my dad used to cook these little nuggets bi or tri weekly! you have made some beautiful things!
Hito! where are my fuzzy feet slippers you promised me? I would have totally been the first to have a pair and would have felt no remorse about it but you were selfish and made them for yourself. Thats ridiculous!
I feel that brussel love. ALso try cooking the same way but tossing with a little bacon and red wine vinegar.
here’s my favorite brussel sprout recipe! it’s converted many family and friends =)
http://28cooks.blogspot.com/2006/01/not-your-mamas-brussel-sprouts-ive-had.html
Love the slippers! I’m felting mine tonight. I haven’t decided on what to do about the bottom yet though. And HOORAY BEER!
Just want to tell you that
a) anyone who sees the beauty of the brussell sprout is A-1 in my books.
b) I am sending you the You Make My Day award…see my blog for why! http://hettyknits.wordpress.com
Have a great day.
Oh you know, that reminds me, you make my day every day; but, you did so particularly two weeks ago and I mentioned it, so yes, you are making a lot of days out there. And I will rethink my stance on the brussels sprout because of you, and possibly beeer; but, definately the brussels sprouts.
You should have come to the Madrona Fiber Festival. Tons of yarns and there were lots of single girls…. girls who knit! Just sayin’!!!!
Loved the post.
yarn + beer + Brussels sprouts = awesome!
This recipe for brussels sprouts is amazing, can’t wait to try yours.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/241514
I do adore pics of your dog. He’s such a cutie.
The slippers look great.
Yuck on the beer. LOL. Hey I survived two college degrees in the middle of BFE in Alabama without touching the stuff. Give me vodka any day. ;-)
And I, oh she that despises all things that grow from the earth, cannot wait to try that brussel sprouts recipe. The basic one in Joy of Cooking is pretty good too.
Bravo! The slippers do look store bought and oh so comfy! Nicely done! Coupleship is overrated, I think the h o li d a y (and use the term loosely) is made to have us all feel obligated to spend and to be one of two. meh. Your sprouts look so yummy! The only thing I can stock up on and no one eats them on me. I’m fairly new here, so who’s the adorable fur bunny?
Hey there Adam! You are awesome, so no surprise, so is your blog. Brussel sprouts cooked this way are nothing short of divine. Everyone should be required to cook them this way and try them. Keep up the good work on the old blog-o. Your pics are publisher quality.