Hello from Allergy-land

I received some emails asking if regular sausage or red meat could be substituted for Goan sausage. Thought I should add a note here. If you use un-marinated meat or sausage, do not forget to add garam masala, meat powders, and an extra dose of vinegar. A google search for Indian meat recipes should help with regard to quantities, spices, etc.



Meet my two new best friends. I have the worst seasonal allergies--all clogged up with the cold, and have terribly itchy, watery eyes. Resident doctor aka Suketu says that it will pass soon and hey, I am waiting. Been waiting for the past TWO weeks. Still waiting. Tick, tick.

There has been good news during this wait. For me, postal mail is very great news. I love postal mail--in my mind, it is real mail. I remember my Dad and I used to spend most of December writing holiday cards to our family, friends, and his business contacts. It seemed so real, so personal, so us.


This is what I received from yarny-blogger friend, Leslie. Thanks much! I really appreciate that you thought of me.

Then came along a big package all the way from Sweden from Christina, my swap partner at Fair Square, a cross-stitch exchange. This is what she stitched for me.


The square also has my initials and location. How cool is that. How thoughtful is that. When Christina asked me what I would like, I requested if something local/indigenous would be possible. Christina says that the pattern in the center is a reworked pattern from an old weaving technique called "opphamata". It was used around Sweden as far back as the 16th century. Christina: Thank you! This is so perfect.


Christina also collects vintage items...and she sent me three things from her collection. The linen tea-towel is handwoven in a old technique, "angle brackets"; the potholder is in a "nordic" pattern, and since I like buttons, she sent me some. Bliss.

Thank you again, Christina.