Happy Christmas From Our Family to Yours


Merry Christmas from our family to yours

Saturday December 25 2010File under: holidays

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The Economics of Knitting

This evening, while having a stitch & bitch with Per and Kris to get a jump on all those handmade Christmas gifts I hope to give this year, I started to think about the economics of knitting.

I am, by no means, a fast knitter*, but I get the job done. I've never timed myself on a project, but I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes me to knit, say, a hat*. I'd guess it takes me between 10 and 15 hours (depending upon how interesting the t.v. show that I am watching happens to be).

If I were to pay myself minimum wage*, I would have to charge between $85 and $130 for a hat, plus materials (probably about $10-$20 in yarn). That's a darn* expensive hat. It's a good thing I do it for the other reasons knitting is good instead of to save money.

Anyway, these economics of knitting are worth keeping in mind when you receive that misshapen sweater from Grams or an ill-fitting stocking cap from a good-intentioned friend. No matter how hideous it might look, at least try it on because someone put a lot of work into it. In fact, that 3 armed turtle neck sweater might be worth $6500.
Sunday December 19 2010File under: holidays, misc

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Pfeffernusse

Anyone that's been through the Studer/Schultz household during the holidays knows what pfeffernusse are. These little round hard cookies are possibly the best holiday tradition we have going. Kind of like gingerbread with a hint of anise, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Each family has their own recipe for pfeffernusse* so even if you had them somewhere else, you haven't had ours. Our family's recipe came from Germany with my great-grandmother and was translated into English by her daughter. While my mother doesn't exactly follow that traditional recipe*, there can't possibly be a better version on earth.

So if you are in Anacortes over the next couple weeks, stop by and grab a handful. But if this is your first taste, let me share a warning: just like Lay's potato chips, you can't just eat one. You'll be hooked and the other 11 months of the year will become a cruel cruel waiting game. Take it from me.
Sunday December 12 2010File under: holidays, food

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Christmas Lights in Portland

Back in the day, I used to do up our house real nice with Christmas lights. Okay, so maybe not "real nice" but there were a lot of lights and that counts for something. Lately, however, I haven't been around Anacortes for the holidays so haven't had the chance to put up any lights. But opportunity would have it that I've found a new tradition.

This year is the second year that I've helped* Andrew put up lights on his house. Last year we started from scratch and this year added a few more strings. By 2017, look out Griswalds!!

Here's hoping that the tradition continues!
Sunday November 28 2010File under: holidays, misc

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Twas the Night Before Christmas 2009

Twas the night before Christmas as we pedaled along
The wind and the rain were frightfully strong
The wind was no problem for it was blowing due east
It help us to cruise at 18 mph at least
The rain however was not quite as nice
Despite the warm weather the drops felt like ice
The trip to this point has been almost a breeze
We earn every mile but stop when we please
We take in the sights for to me it's all new
I walk on the beaches and take in the views
But now the sky grows darker and threatened still more
We see an oasis just down the shore
The casinos of Biloxi with their neon light
Might be our savior on this dreary night
We duck in the first one for a big bite to eat
Those epic buffets are a real treat
It's still raining so I try my luck
At the gaming tables, I win 15 bucks
So now stuffed to the gills with shrimp and ice cream
Our thoughts turn to sleeping for our sugar plum dreams
We could sleep in a field or a barn brought to ruin
But tonight is not last night so a hotel we'll be pursuing
In the lobby of the Hard Rock we work internet and phone
To find some cheap beds before we're soaked to the bone
Now as all my clothes hang o'er the sink just to dry
My thoughts turn from practical to friends far and nigh
For tonight is a night that goes beyond chimneys and toys
It's more about sharing life's little joys
So I offer this wish to my friends near and dear
Have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thursday December 24 2009File under: holidays, poetry

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Ready Set Eat

What could be more American than gathering together on the 4th of July for a BBQ with friends? Doing exactly that but adding in an eating contest, of course. That's exactly how I spent my 4th and I have to say it was a hoot.

Recalling antics from college, I decided to put together a watermelon eating contest and get as many people to play along as possible. In the end, I could only convince 3 others to join me, but we had a good time with it. As we all stood by with our first piece at the ready, the proverbial gun sounded. We all dove in and immediately burst into such hard laughter that our times suffered dramatically. Perhaps competitive eating and having a sense of humor don't go hand in hand.

With the exception of me (who couldn't stop laughing long enough to get down more than 3 pieces), the competitors were neck and neck until the end. While Tone looked like he had it sealed up, judges ruled too much meat left on the bone so he had to go in for a second pass. Nater, who had been meticulously cleaning the rinds as he went, pulled ahead for the win.

The whole thing was so much fun that I'm inclined to do it again next year. In the meantime, I've got some practicing to do (and that's no laughing matter).
Wednesday July 8 2009File under: holidays, food

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3rd Annual Roses are Red Poetry Slam

Red roses and candy
Is what she really wants
Instead of this poem
Written in funny fonts

I'm posting this a little earlier than usual in hopes that it gives everyone a chance to get their entries in for the 3rd annual BdW Roses are Red Poetry Slam*. As always, your poem must:
    * be 4 lines long
    * follow the standard ABCB "Roses are red" rhyme/stress pattern
    * make reference to either "red" or "roses"
For inspiration (or glorious, glorious diversion) check out entries from year 1 and year 2.

Submit your entries via the comments portion of this post. Feel free to use a pseudonym if you'd rather not have people know it was your poem. Feel free to submit more than once. Feel free to cover any topic and be as creative as you like, as long as you follow the rules*.

Now let the poems roll!
Monday February 9 2009File under: poetry, holidays

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Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the bay
All the cruisers were snoozin' for it'd been a long day
Up with the sun for coffee and the Net
Gossip, news, and weather more fun you'll not get
Breakfast in the cockpit is fruit and fresh bread
We chat and we laugh til the sun's overhead
Next we load up the dinghy and head to the dock
To get Maggie to her flight, we keep an eye on the clock
She makes her flight and soars o'er the sea
And now just like that, our four becomes three
But no time to dawdle there's more work and more play
Then over the radio hails a boat 'cross the way
"Can we borrow some milk to make up our pie?"
So I swim it over, hey what a guy
Along with the milk, we send a bone for their dog
As I paddle I chuckle, This'll go great on the blog.
Next on the list of our social to-dos
A picnic and dinghy drift, bring whatever food you choose.
The dinghies all convene and tie off together
Luckily for us it remains such fine weather
Now back to the Starshine to settle in for the night
Sure it's only 6:30, but we're losing light
Sea cruising people are quite social it's true
But its safe to say they'll be in bed before you.
So now all is quiet, we do our own things
Steve's on the computer checking on the Vikings
Hope reads her book, the third one since noon
Luckily there'll be a book exchange soon
Me, I just sit here and soak it all in
Reflecting on what a great day it's been
And I think of my friends wherever they be
Wishing them the same happiness and wonder as me
So now this is posted I'll sign off just right
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Wednesday December 24 2008File under: poetry, holidays

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Panoramic Overkill

Over the past week, as I've been thinking* about what I am thankful for, I came up with a great number of things. If I was to list them all, it would take from now until next Tuesday. Instead, I thought I would just call out one thing that I am thankful for, which happens to have a fitting picture to go with it.

I'm thankful for this place which I get to call home. So taken am I with its beauty, I went a little overboard with the camera yesterday. Here was my view morning, noon, afternoon, and sunset.

The beauty of Anacortes, Washington: just one of the many things I am thankful for.
Thursday November 27 2008File under: holidays

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Rate My Mullet

I'm usually not one to dress up for Halloween, although recently, I've been getting more into it. When I commented recently how I was due for a hair cut, someone suggested that I do a mullet for Halloween. A good idea is a good idea, so I put the plan into action. Since a mullet by itself isn't really a costume, I tried to branch out a little. This is what I came up with. 72 hours later and the mullet and mustache are still here. The question is how long should I keep it?

Halloween is slowly growing on me. While it used to be one of my least favorite holidays, I'm realizing how neat it can be when you surround yourself with creative, cool people and lots of candy. I hope you all had a great Halloween too. (If you have any leftover candy, I know someone who could give it a good home.)

(P.S. Occasionally, over the weekend, I joked about rateMyMullet.com not knowing that it is a real site. Weird.)
Monday November 3 2008File under: holidays, beard

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