Creamy Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

 Creamy Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup from Prajna

This is a perfect savory soup to warm your body on a cold winter’s night!

This simple recipe will add fuel to your internal fire and provide lasting energy.
Serve with local delicious sourdough bread!

Ingredients:
4 T Olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
4-5 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp chili powder
4 – 5 cups vegetable broth
1 cup coconut milk, canned

fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot on medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, sauté until slightly golden.
2. Add the spices and stir for another minute.
3. Add the sweet potato and carrots, keep stirring for 5- 10 minutes, or until tender.
4. Add vegetable broth, cover and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
6. Add the coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes longer.
7. Take off the heat, then use a blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Serve with fresh parsley, toasted gluten free bread, and drizzle of your favorite specialty oil

Silk Camisole Continued

 I'm starting my decreases on my silk camisole. Hoping to finish that this week.

Des Moines Delights

 Angelika and I went to Des Moines for an end-of-semester Bestie Retreat. It was ZO fun! We started out with lunch at St. Kilda's (kale and salmon salad -- delish!), then we went to a yarn shop, A Tangle of Yarn, and hung out for a couple of hours just browsing through the yarns. The shop has a little seating area that's cozy (sort of String of Purls-ish), and free coffee and whatnot, so we hung out and talked and knitted for a while. Then we went to The Picker Knows, a little antique-type shop, and bought some straight up treasures. Angelika got a vase for her mom and a lantern and a Pooh mug for Herbie and a cool bowl. I got Mike a bird clock and a couple things for my office (a little mirror shelf and a Mexican doll made from a coconut). Then we had dinner at this little organic farm that had chickens and ducks and lambs and came home. It was a GREAT day.

At the yarn shop, we bought some locally dyed yarn to make the Ripple Bralette (Ravelry). We also got some of this Blue Sky Cotton we found to make wash cloths. We each got two colors so we could split it and have four different colors, but I've started mine and I'm worried we won't get two projects from a single ball. TBD. I'm including pictures of the yarn shop treasure here, and I'll try to get our "Two Hot Chicks" pic on here, as well. Although, if you look closely, the chicks are actually cocks. So there's that.

Going Camisole

 I'm done with the lace portion of the Silk Camisole pattern from LMKG. I'm using the linen yarn Patty gave me. I love the drape. It was supposedly a practice pattern so I could decide if I liked it (or needed to make any changes) and get some silk yarn for it, but we'll see. 

Does it bring you joy?

It feels good to let go of things that don't inspire joy. I ripped the Bumble hat made from that beautiful Art Fibers yarn. I can't remember what kind of yarn it is, except I think it's worsted weight. I think it has some silk and maybe some merino and a nylon or something? I don't know, but it's pretty. I want to make something out of it, but not that hat. I never wore it.

I also ripped the turquoise-flecked mask. Again, I don't think I'd ever wear it. I love the yarn and would rather repurpose it.

The Year of the Frog

 I feel like I'm UNknitting more than I'm knitting, but it's cool. I decided to frog the blue hat I made a long time ago. I just never wore it -- it's too loose. Marie Kondo would say, "Fuck it - Frog it!" I'm also going to Frog the two masks I made and the first Standing whatever hat. 

I was having a hard time deciding what yarn to use to knit the Silk Camisole from LMKG, but finally landed on the linen from Patty. Haley suggested using it as a sort of "trial project." Then if I love it, I can get some pretty silk to knit it in. Or just be happy with the one garment 🙄

I also LOVE the way the silk I have looks next to that blue Noro I got in Cape Cod. I am going to try to figure out how to knit a sweater or a tank top with it using the silk as border yarn. If it's hideous, well, Ribbit!

Spring Break

I spent spring break mostly taking care of myself -- reading, relaxing, and even finishing a few knitting projects. 

I knocked out the Standing Rock Hat. Love the yarn, not crazy about the pattern. I prefer the Toft pom poms, but this one will do.

I also finished the Lotus Flower Beanie. Same comment as above. Meh.

I decided to Frog the Filigree scarf. I really love the pattern. Though I doubt I'd wear the scarf much, I like actually knitting it. I didn't like that I ran out of yarn. I have leftover elsebeth lavold Silky Wool from my Shadow Shawl. I probably have enough in the green to do the full scarf, so maybe I'll take it up again sometime.

Not sure what I want to focus on next. Maybe a sock or finish the eye pillows or masks. I'll add FO pics ASAP.