Ok. Where’d the weekend go? Did it whiz by as quickly for you as it did for me??? I meant to post sooner, but the weekend just got away from me.
I did get a lot done though. Lots of sewing, and of course, being the time of year it is, I can’t show any of it here on the blog. That’s one reason I enjoy the week between Christmas and New Year’s in blogland — everyone shows all the goodies they made for holiday gifts. Anyway, other than sewing, I had a fun, quick trip with MeMum to pick up this quilt from the quilter. (Binding will have to wait until after Christmas!)
I also managed to bake a quick batch of cookies. When we were in a grocery store in Scotland, I noticed (and bought) some custard powder because I don’t think we can get it here, and I remembered seeing some good recipes requiring custard powder around blogland. Fortunately for me, Lisa posted about her little Custard Shortbreads just the other day and saved me a bunch of time searching through archives.
OhMyGosh! We LOVED them. They’re quick to make and they were a HUGE hit with TheManoftheHouse who doesn’t really like sweets. He loved them so much he’s making it his mission to figure out how we can get custard powder! Lisa — thank you so much for posting the recipe!
I also haven’t shown you my finished Mockery Socks (pattern here).
I finished knitting them on the flight to Scotland, and Sirius and I worked the kitchener magic to get them off the circular needle. I love them. They’ve already been worn and washed three times. They’re SO warm!
These socks also have a new to me heel pattern. I think it’s a little different than the eye of the partridge pattern, but maybe they’re the same? In either case, I’ve always just done a standard stockinette heel but this heel is very cool and I WILL be making it again.
I love this yarn too. I wish I could remember what it is. I bought it from Cami over a year ago and I’m just awful at keeping track of the ball bands — partly because it takes me so long to make a pair of socks and those ball bands get lost. Maybe Cami knows what it is — I’d sure like to know ’cause it’s awesome yarn.
I think these will be my new favorite socks. I took them off and laid them down in the leaves for one last picture. Just as I was about to click the shutter, a little wisp of wind plopped that perfect maple leaf right onto my socks. I love it when that happens!
XOXO,
Anna
We are able to get burd’s custard powder here in northern California. Some of the nicer grocery stores sell it in their international sections. You might look next time when you are in your local gourmet grocery store.
Those cookies look yummy. Think I’ll look at Meijer’s international section next time I’m there for the custard powder. Love your socks too. I’ve just started knitting and a friend and I may try a sock class next spring. Not sure if I’m ready yet though!!
Sure tempt us with something that we can’t get here – you stinker, LOL. I’m a big fan of custard (OK what don’t I like) and those sound yummy. Your blue and white quilt is so pretty and I bet all quilted up it’s BEE-U-TI-FUL. Looking forward to seeing it binded (is that a word) up and ready to go. LOVE LOVE LOVE those socks – one of my 2009 goals is to get this knitting thing down (yes I’ve already started with goals, not New Year’s resolutions, but goals for 2009). When I see all the knitted beauty out there in blogland I feel the need to jump on that train. You know I’m weak, LOL.
Hugs – Karen
yes! my weekend flew by quite quickly, too! i worked on one sewing project today that is a Christmas gift, but I’ve already blogged it. I don’t think the receiver of the gift reads my blog and even if they did, they wouldn’t know it was theirs. *sneaky laugh* :)
i’m so jealous of your socks! i’ve never handmade a pair of socks, but would really like to try. seeing the multiple needles on the sock projects in the yarn stores make me kind of nervous, but everyone says they’re easier to do than they look. I guess I’ll find out one day.
anywho, awesome job with the socks – congrats! the cookies look super yummy, too!
have a great week!
:) Diana
Love the socks…what size needle did you use. It looks tiny. The weekend went by fast for me, too. I’m going to check out recipes for custard powder. If it’s Scots, then I’m in : )
I bet those cookies are sooooo good. And love the socks. Very cute. Nice blue color. Man I wish I could knit. But it’s not happening for me. LOL!!
okay, why are they called MOCKERY socks.
i love those socks.
i need you to come to california for a couple of weeks and teach me and my fat fingers to make socks for myself.
i’ll try to find custard powder for you. i’m a search-artiste. i bet you didn’t know that about me.
:raises an eyebrow like “the rock” (okay, so i can’t really do that)
that quilt you got back from the quilter is spectacular. blue is my fav. color, so i love it more than you can imagine. i was going to say it made me swoon, but that’s pretty much set aside for men with scottish accents (that you didn’t take a freaking picture of). they’ve had me swooning since kindergarten!!! aye.
YUM! To the treats AND the socks! And from those pictures, I would guess you were hot when you were younger. ;-) Still laughing over that one…
the socks are great, and custard powder? can’t believe its not in every grocery store like it is here??
My grandma puts some in her apple pie crust.. and sprinkles it on the base of the pie before the filling goes in.. very very yummy…
Lissa
Australia
Oooh, thanks for the link to the custard shortbread. Bird’s Custard Powder seems to be a Commonwealth thing – it’s also an old standby in Canada, but almost unknown here in Germany. I have scouted out a British store that sells it, though, just haven’t bothered to go get it yet. Now I have the incentive.
And your socks are absolutely gorgeous! One of my very favourite colours and so pretty against the fall background.
Custard Powder is essential in my pantry. I never make custard with it, but I make cakes and cookies. So glad you were able to try something new.
Love the socks by the way and the styling in the photos was fantastic!
What beautiful cosy looking socks!! Love the pattern you used and your photos are just awesome! Glad you enjoyed the custard shortbread recipe – it is firm favourite in our home too!
The weekend is over?!?! Oh no!
Where does the time go?
Beautiful socks Anna. Darn it, didn’t I mention that I’ve got a thing about custard too!!! However, the photo of the custard powder takes me right back to my mum’s kitchen when I was little, watching her make the Christmas trifle (which I loved, once I’d spooned off all the custard!)
Kimx
I’ll happily send you some custard powder! Love the socks…love the secrets too!
Around here we have a little “historic” area with small shops and restaraunts. There is always a import shop in those places where they carry that kind of stuff. (And if she doesn’t our shop owner will order it for you.) Maybe you have one near you? Google british imports or irish imports or something like that. (We have both a British shop and an Irish shop and it’s essentially the same stuff in each one.)
Lovely socks! I am officially signed up for a knitting class in January. Socks WILL be on my list of things to do soon after. Really, they will!
Exactly what does custard powder taste like? Does it taste like a pudding? You have really intrigued me with this recipe and powder. My hubby is not a sweets person or chocolate, but this sounds like it may be up his alley. The socks are fantastic. They look terrific among the leaves, better on the feet!
Those socks are gorgeous Anna! I’ve just started knitting my first ever pair (not counting the three previous failed attempts!!)
My weekend flew by meeting up with Lucy Locket – and Thank You so much for my beautiful bunny!! She is gorgeous and I will never be able to use her as a pincushion!
xxx
your first commenter (anita without a link) says it’s available in northern california.
ahem.
you have a blogbuddy who lives there.
perhaps she’ll send you some.
she’ll trade you for a reverse wilson.
What a fun color for socks! Love them. I’m tempted to learn (again!) how to knit because I really want to knit some cool socks. I *heart* socks!
Jen :)
I wish the weekend could have been twice as long too! But I’ve never heard of custard powder in biscuits before so I’m definitely going to investigate that link! Your socks look fab but could you please show us what the Pesky Quilt looks like now it has been quilted???
Lucy xxx
I wish I could knit socks! I’ve never had a pair. But they look so wonderful! I tried to knit once. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. I have crocheted for years, they are so very different. Someday I’m gonna learn now to knit me some socks! ooxx`jod
I love your socks. I plan on knitting my first pair of socks as soon as I finish my mittens. I can’t wait:) I love yours and the color:) How fun:)
Yeah! You finished your socks! Good for you – they are beautiful. Sounds like you are having a very, very productive time! Send some of that productivity my way – I think my get up and go, got up and went!
I just learned about custard powder but haven’t really looked for it yet. I read about it on Mamma Lalla’s blog when she made bread pudding. I love those socks and wish I could make me some. I’ve never tried to make socks and I’m not a very good knitter. Would you come over and teach me? It it hard to do?
What’s this fancy heel pattern? I like it! I just finished another pair of socks with a slip-stitched heel, and I like how that turned out. Could I be ready for another pair of socks?? Who can say?
Looks at those socks. . .they just look happy.
Sign me up for custard powder posting duties.
Lovelovelove the socks.
I love, love, love those socks!!!
Anna, you have inspired me to learn how to knit in 2009. I’m serious, I have a sock fetish to begin with and that yarn looks so scrumptious.
I just LOOOOOOOVE everything… the quilt, the socks, and the cookies. Custard Powder?? Let me know if you find it in the states. At this very moment my wonderful husband is in the kitchen making some sugar cookies to have with my tea and our evening movie.
Enjoy those warm socks!
Joni
They look like blue suade sox! So warmie.
I have never heard of custard powder…hmmm, something to look for. I love the pretty blue socks.
Anna: We can get the Bird’s Custard Powder here in my neck of the woods at Cost Plus World Market. I have two cans in my pantry – one I bought in Victoria, BC. I can’t remember what recipe I bought them for, so I will have to make the cookies. What is the conversion for the butter? If you cannot find the Bird’s let me know and I’ll send you some.
Wow, those socks are just beautiful!!
I have never even heard of custard powder but it sounds like something you could make yummy things with!!
Wow, beautiful socks !!!!!!!!!! Clarice
oh, i love love LOVE the socks!!!
Yes the weekend went really fast here too! Can’t wait til after Christmas to see all your goodies. those cookies look fabulous :)
Sirius is taking a bow as we speak. He’s such a good knitter, isn’t he? Hidden talents…
Those socks are just lovely! And what a beautiful zingy blue. If you ever find out what the yarn was, do say!
Love the socks! I bought a book and I’m going to try my darnedest to get a pair made! I hope you find out what the yarn is, because that’s what I’m going to need help with – what kind of yarn to buy.
Okay, now that was a crazy statement – I’m going to need help with everything to get a pair made! THEN I’m going to need help with some great yarn to buy.
Love that pattern. You picked a really pretty color. I have only made on pair of socks and I love wearing them.
Weekends have a way of getting away from me too. Lovely socks, btw.
Oh my gosh, I love those blue socks! I think they’d be my favorite pair too, Anna. It’s a lovely pattern, but that yarn is such a lovely color of blue, and looks wonderful next to those autumn leaves.
I love shortbread and make if every Christmas. I’ve never heard of them made with custard powder. That sounds really good!
The heels are lovely!
If you have a little look through Nigella’s Feastm it’s positivley awash with custard powder!
Oooh I can send you Custard Powder (Birds of course)!!Sandra.xx
Anna, Lovely socks. I love the color. I asked my SIL about Serendipities, and she said IF we can get in. She already had that on our list of places to go. She said that Yoko Ono stood in line and waited an hour to get in. She also mentioned a place where Ralph Lauren’s daughter has a candy store, I can’t remember the name, but she said it’s fabulous. So far she has 2 quilt stores to take me to. We are also going to go on the tour of the Radio City Music Hall and go behind the scenes and see the Rockettes and you can have your pic taken with a Rockette. I can’t wait. Hugs, Tracey
Love the socks!! I must say I am quite curious about this custard powder and shortbread cookies. Very interesting, I’ll have to see if I can find some.
Hi Anna, love those socks! One day I will knit like that! I was just looking at my shortbread pan yesterday thinking I need to use it this fall/winter. So what does the custard powder do anyway?
Love the men in kilts! You sure had a fantastic trip to the UK. I am amazed custard powder is so hard to find in the US. Do people not eat custard much? Or do they only buy it pre-made?
Yummy post! I have never heard of Custard Powder, but it must be a delicious addition to shortbread. Your mockery socks are a thing of beauty. The color and the sitching add up to one gorgeous pair of socks! All you need now is a cup of hot chocolate, and you’re all set to curl up on the couch in your warm socks with a plate of shortbread in hand. Perfect!
Thank you so much for the link to the custard. It’s a normal part of any good aussie hot pudding, and I’ve been trying for months to find a store here that had it… Loved the kilt photo’s..