Well, I’ve done it.  I’ve started the Self-Imposed Sock Club 2011 storm o’ knitting.

Mingus no. 1
The subtle beginnings of a January sock

The pattern is Mingus, by Cookie A (here).  I thought it most appropriate to start the year off with a Cookie pattern, since it was her new club that got me on this track in the first place.  This picture does nothing for the color of the yarn, a wonderful Sundara creation called “Bronzed Forest.”  It’s the most warm and lovely caramel and copper colors overlaid with bright, vibrant green.  It’s lovely.  I’m knitting these up for my dearest Lis as a belated Christmas present.

Tonight, exciting cooking is happening at home!  Mr. Boyfriend broke out the pasta maker today to craft some homemade noodles for a delicious lasagna.  We’re having some friends over for dinner, and we wiffled about with the menu for quite awhile before settling on the idea of layered cheesy pasta.  My contribution will be dessert, in the form of a jam cake from the Flavors of Kentucky cookbook (here) The Banana got me a few Christmases ago.  It turned out pretty darn good the first time I tried it, so I’m hoping for another success tonight.  Mr. Boyfriend is most kindly making my blackberry jam for me to cut down on my prep time, even though he’s currently up to his ears in noodles.

Lasagna noodles
The fruit of his labors

In weekend news, we went to go see Alan Rickman perform in John Gabriel Borkman at BAM.  It was my first time seeing a show at the Harvey Theater, and it’s a really interesting space.  It is also pretty darn cheap, considering our tickets (though far in the rear of the house) were only $35 each.  I think we will have to make this the year we see lots of shows at BAM, especially if we can expect them all to be of the same caliber as Borkman.  The production was imported from the Abbey Theater in Dublin, and it runs through the end of February.  If you’re around and have the time, I highly recommend it.  The performances were stellar and ranged from subtle and powerful (Rickman) to wild and captivating (Fiona Shaw).  I was particularly impressed with the sound design, which was epic but not overwhelming.  The scenic design incorporated large piles of snow all around the stage to frame domestic scenes that remained undefined from the encroaching darkness, and lots of side lighting let the characters meander in physical shadow as well as those in their thoughts.  The women were outfitted in period costume, which meant the short trains of their dresses dragged the snow all over the set, lending their all-consuming desire to leave their mark on their world a physical embodiment on the stage.  It was a pretty great show to watch.  I’m not crazy about a lot of classical theater (and Ibsen is not something I typically enjoy) but I’m very glad we went.  Though to be honest, I’d probably pay $35 just to watch Alan Rickman read the phone book.  Swoon.

So Snowpocalypse pt. 2 is supposed to arrive sometime Wednesday, with 6-12 more inches plopping down upon us before all is said and done.  Today was the first day post-blizzard I felt the streets were dry and unhindered enough for me to ride my bicycle without injuring myself or others, and now it’s all going white again.  Boo.  Ah well, it just means I have more time to finish my scary balaclava.  Right?

In any case, the kitten is quite mystified by fluffy white stuff falling from the sky.

snow kitten
Cougar watches the snow, perplexed

Last Wednesday she perched in her favorite viewing position (high) to observe it as it started to fall.  I feel certain she’s trying to puzzle out a way to attack it.

I’m doubtless she will succeed.