Favorites

I spent a weekend in Vancouver, B.C., recently, and discovered (by way of the NY Times and Bon Appetit) an amazing restaurant, Vij's. I was mesmerized the entire time we were there...It's beautiful, bustling but not too loud, has a lounge/bar with plenty of atmosphere that still fits into the restaurant; the service was impeccable (I think it might be termed "zone service", in that anyone could and would help you, in the most gracious way possible). The food was perfect - from their house-made Chai to the nibbles they pass around while you wait, to the jack fruit (who knew? tastes like artichoke hearts), to the wonderful curries. I loved it and while it is Indian, it's somewhat nontraditional. It reminds me of a Tom Douglas restaurant, in a way.

I visited Birkeland Brothers Wool (not a store for the claustrophobic) - I picked up some mint green Canadian wool that may turn into some felted slippers.

As to knitting, I am tangled up in Daria yarn...I'm reknitting a clutch for the third time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's useful.

I picked up Nancy Wiseman's Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques a few weeks ago, and it's so handy! I've already learned a new method for the provisional cast-on (includes using a crochet hook).