Well, last night was the closing of the 2008 Summer Olympics, and sadly, I did not finish my “unfinished object” for the UFOlympics. So, I’m officially declaring myself as a DNF, or “did not finish,” for that knitalong. I think I could have had a fighting chance to finish the entire project if I’d had more free time to knit over the past few weeks.

However, all is not lost. Even though I didn’t finish, I’m quite pleased with what I did accomplish. I give you: the first of two anniversary socks.

This being my first sock and all, I wasn’t quite sure how much sock yarn I’d actually need to finish a pair. The fact that I’m using sport weight yarn for this pair (rather than fingering weight) didn’t help. Since I only purchased two skeins of the variegated Claudia Hand Painted yarn, I decided to supplement the socks with some Classic Elite Wool Bamboo. I briefly thought about saving some of the Claudia Hand Painted to do the toe, but wasn’t sure how much I’d need to set aside (again, this is my first sock, so cut me some slack). So, I opted to simply knit up the Claudia Hand Painted until I ran out, and then knit the rest of the sock in the Wool Bamboo. I actually like it. It’s kind of quirky.

I’m really enjoying watching how the variegated colors end up striping in these socks.

And, I have to say that my favorite part of the sock is the heel. Yeah, it’s just your basic flap heel. But look at how fun the colors came out thanks to the slipped stitches! (Plus, I had ripped out this heel twice, so I had even more reason to love it the third time around.)

Kris has tried on his one anniversary sock and declared it comfy. It appears to fit well, which made me breath a huge sigh of relief. (Early on in the project, I asked him if he wanted to try on the cuff to see if it fit. “No,” he said. “I trust you.” Trust me?!, I thought? Are you crazy? This is my first sock, man!)

I’m already itching to cast on for the second sock… maybe tonight?

Every year, Natalie and I try to get together for a weekend — a time to hang out, catch-up in person, and (of course) knit. This past weekend, I took a little road trip down to Ohio to spend a few days at her place.

Of course, when I arrived late Friday afternoon, we immediately headed to Lambikin’s Hideaway, Natalie’s local yarn store. I was too busy fondling yarn to take any pictures inside. But I did manage to snap this picture of the gorgeous — and gigantic — flowers outside the store.

It’s pink in color. It’s gargantuan in size. What else could you ask for in a flower?

Natalie and I started to get hungry, so we began the dinner making process. On the menu: Vietnamese eggrolls (my mom’s secret recipe) and stir fry. Look at how colorful all our stir fry veggies were!

Yum, garden fresh veggies!

We didn’t just fondle yarn and stuff our faces over the course of the weekend. Knitting did actually occur. I give you proof:

Look at her hands go!

Natalie’s working on her Sanquhar gloves for the UFOlympics 2008 (Ravelry link). I’m so totally impressed by her precision and colorwork on these gloves. I’m nowhere near ready to tackle that kind of project! Nowhere near, I tell you!

And — believe it or not — I actually made quite a lot of progress on the anniversary socks (which is my UFOlympic 2008 project).

Note that the Olympics are on the television screen in the background. More proof that I actually knit during the Olympics for the UFOlympic knitalong. Shocking, I know.

I will admit, however, that it was extremely easy for me to get distracted from my knitting during this visit. Namely due to this:

Natalie’s daughter, Sam, and me.

How could I resist such cuteness?! And I’m told that sitting on people’s laps for long lengths of time is not normal behavior for Sam. (She is two, afterall. The world — or at least her living room — is her playground.) Thus, I was assured we were now BFFs.

And, perhaps the funniest thing of all about the visit is that I learned I’m quoted in a knitting book, and didn’t even know it.

“Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together” by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown

Natalie had been interviewed for this book, which profiles knitters, knitalongs, and knitting blogs. Apparently, the authors found my blog as well, and quoted me talking about my grandma (most likely from this post back in 2006). I vaguely remember Natalie telling me she was being interviewed for something. But I don’t recall ever being contacted by the authors. Being a writer myself, I am curious about copyright protection (or at least, citing sources)… but I’m not that upset about it. As a knitter, I am flattered to be part of the publication. Now, of course, I have to buy my own copy and show it to my grandma!

In celebration of the Olympics, my office recently had an international carry-in lunch (otherwise known as a “potluck” lunch). And, seeing as I’m half Vietnamese, I thought it only appropriate that I bring in an authentic Vietnamese dish. Since I didn’t have a lot of time to make anything (Vietnamese dishes can sometimes be very time and labor intensive) — and I didn’t have time to run to the Vietnamese grocery store that’s 30 minutes away from my house — I chose a recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients in your average American grocery store.

I give you: Banh chuoi (or, Vietnamese banana cake)

(Apologies for the poor lighting in the photo above. I took the picture at the last minute. We can blame the flourescent lighting in my windowless office!)

The recipes for Vietnamese banana cake vary, but I’m happy to share my version with you. Go ahead — have some banh chuoi tonight!

1 1/2 pounds ripe bananas
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup sugar plus 2 teaspoons
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Extra butter, oil, or cooking spray to prep the pan

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (Fahrenheit). Oil an 8-inch round baking pan, loaf pan, or cupcake pan (depending on what shape you want your banana cake to be in). Set aside half of a banana for decorating your cake top.

Peel the remaining bananas and cut them into thin, 1/8-inch thick slices. Place your slices in a mixing bowl.

Lightly beat the egg. Add the butter and milk, mixing well, and pour over the bananas. Add 3/4 cup sugar; combine well. Add flour; mix well.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Peel and slice your reserved banana half into even thinner slices. Use these slices to decorate the top of your cake however you see fit.

Sprinkle the cake top evenly with the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours (or 35-40 minutes, if making cupcakes), until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely. (And I do mean completely.) Use a knife to gently loosen the cake from the side of the pan, and remove.

I don’t know what my deal is. I’m usually a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal. But for the past two weeks — even though I’ve had zero knitting time available — I’ve been itching to knit. But not on my current project. No, I’ve been itching to start something new.

Of course, I haven’t done it. (See reference above regarding zero knitting time.) But there are a few projects that have been so tempting to me.

Like the February Lady Sweater (which has apparently become all the rage on Ravelry, but I swear I liked it before I knew that!).

And the Minimalist Sweater (I don’t know if I could take that much moss stitch, but it looks so fabulous!).

And the Felted Doctor’s Bag purse. (So cute! But I need another bag like I need a hole in the head.)

And, most recently, Linden from the new Twist Collective e-mag. (So comfy! And what a great excuse to try cabling for the first time…)

And, of course, when I’m dreaming of these projects and picturing the yarn I would use, is any of that yarn in my stash? Of course not. Because, you know, in my dream world, I have money to buy tons and tons of new yarn for every single one of my dream projects.

*sigh* So much for dreaming. I need to concentrate on my current WIPs. Tomorrow is the start of the Olympics, which means I can pick up the Anniversary Socks for my UFOlympics knitalong. Hopefully, that will satiate my itchy fingers.

I just learned that I’m one of the finalists for the Tour de France knitalong’s final intermediate sprint! I’m honored and flattered that my Bob and Craig commentary is considered worthy enough for such an acknowledgment!

The prize if I get the most votes? A selection of real Tour de France souvenirs, which were collected in France by Heather, a TDFKAL participant who was actually in France during the Tour. How fun!

The other finalists all have great entries, too. You should read them all. (Two of them are from my Quick.Stitch team, as well!) And if you feel inclined to vote for me, thank you!