Roots, Resorts and Rockage.
Heya, strangers! Sorry for the big ol' gap in posts, I've been battling a bit of bronchitis over the past few days and before that, I spent a couple of nights at the Lake Austin Spa and Resort. Next month I'll be teaching a couple of knitting workshops there so as payment, they let me stay and enjoy the facilities. If you ever happen to be in Austin and have several extra bucks to spare, I'd highly recommend checking this place out. It's serene, beautiful, and offers a ton of great classes and ways to relax. The days that we went happend to have fallen during "Culinary Week" so we took a vegetarian sushi class. Now, I never thought these words would pass through my fingertips but, cooking can be so much fun! We brought wine and learned how to work with rice wrappers and make the best spring rolls I've ever eaten. It was good times.Here's a picture with our instuctor, who's name I'm totally spacing. Even though my new camera has failed and made her look somewhat poltergeistish, she's actually a lovely woman...
..And this one below is of me chopping up ingrediants for the spring rolls. I'm showing it to you not because it's at all that interesting of a shot but because the occasion is so rare that I step into the kitchen to do more than assemble food, that I thought the moment deserved to be noted for posterity.
Ok, well that's all I have to say about that. I'll give you more info on the workshops as it's up and available on their website.
Under the category of suckage, last week I got a call from one of the editors at Budget Living telling me that the magazine is folding. They had been up for sale for 60 days, weren't able to find a buyer and are now closing their doors. Selfishly, I'm really bummed. Not only because it was one of my favorite magazines but also, because I had two more projects set to be featured with them, had joined their advisory board and was *this* close to getting a regular crafty column with them. What's a real drag though, is that there are some really talented people that work at the mag and now they have to look for new jobs. I'm sure they'll have no trouble finding them, but it still blows. Angela Matusik especially, the new editor-in-chief was doing some really amazing things with the overall look--it'll be interesting to see where she'll take her career next.
Under the category of R-O-C-K-age, I got an e-mail from the Knitty Gritty executive producer checking my availability for this summer to possibly go back into studio. This doesn't mean anything for sure...but it's possible that our little grassroots campaign is working. Power to the people! Keep your fists high and fingers crossed.
Alright, I've gotta head out for a parent/teacher conference. Knit strong! ;-)
--Vic
posted by Vickie Howell @ 4:59 PM
12 Comments:
Yeah, my favorite mag Violet
http://www.violetmagazine.com is going through some financial low times. It's off for now. Very sad. It's actually produced in someone garage, but AMAZING quality.
More shows? May I suggest a show for moms with toddlers at their feet and into everything? Maybe tips? Distractions, etc.....I'
l'll bring mine!
Bummer! I too adore that magazine. But I'm telling you as a person working freelance for a new magazine, and it's a daily struggle. Magazines are so iffy. Still, quite sad.
Love the spa and how 'bout a recipe for those spring rolls, oh domestic goddess?
Good news about Knitty Gritty- I wish they would show the taped episodes already!
Hey Vickie,
Welcome back. Hope you're feeling better - I've had bronchitis...it is NOT fun! The spa sounded very cool - and now I'm quite hungry for sushi. Sounds so yummy! Methinks I will have a chat with the husband about going out for Japanese tomorrow. :)
Sorry about Budget Living, but Knitty Gritty is still there for you, right? They had best get some new taped shows on the air. I'm needing more! And it would be so wonderfully awesome for them to release BOX sets sometime this century!!!! I will keep after them about that. ;)
Take care, Theresa
Mmmmm, spa vacation - I've always wanted to take one of those. Being able to hang out for a week with massages, good food, and fun classes; heaven!
I posted info about Budget Living folding in my blog as well. I heard about it the day it happened and, to say the least, it sucks. I'm surprised that they couldn't find anyone to buy the publication - it obviously has a market. I had planned on submitting some ideas for articles to them as well, but I've heard some iffy things about getting payments from them.
Oh!! New KG episodes eh??! So, how DOES one become a knitster??? :)
I think it was my threat about leaving DIY for the greener pastures of Oxygen's new Lily Chin knitting show that did the trick.
You can thank me later!
;-)
I hope the new KG episodes air soon, 'cos the crafting show that is airing during your time slot is killing me .... (how to make plastic painting aprons? Not!)
Hola...I lucked out and was able to chill with vickie at the spa and make some crazy good spring rolls. Heres a good recipe if any one wants to tuck in themselves.
Here ya go..
You'll need all this stuff....and since I have a little addiction to Whole Foods Market you'll want to go there for all this goodness.
* spring roll wrappers (rice paper)
* julienned tofu (the pre-marinated and baked kind is the easiest)
* Peanut butter
* thin rice noodles (vermicelli) <-only if ya want
* fresh mint leaves
* head of red lettuce
* julienned (just cut thin and long) carrots
* julienned cabage
* bean sprouts
* Jalapenos, avacadoes are good in em too
* soy Sauce or brags amino's<-just like soy sauce but better
Now you are ready to assemble them. I could go intohow to assemble them in detail but there is really no rules......
Soak the spring roll wrappers in warm water for about a minute (untill they get nice and flexible) and carefully spread it out on a cutting board. Add a leaf of lettuce over the wrapper, ad some peanut butter and a little bit of the other ingredients. Fold the bottom of the wrapper over all the goodness, fold in the sides, and continue to roll up. There ya go....have a spring roll party and have everyone assemble their own........its crazy cool fun.........ad sake bombs to set it off!
SYLVIA! It's so great to hear from you. I'm thrilled to hear that you're doing well and are a mama!
THERESA: I think they're test marketing DVDs of a couple of DIY shows to see if they sell. Hopefully they'll do well and then Knitty Gritty will be next!
HEATHER: Once the show is back in pre-production (I'll be sure to post about it) then you just e-mail the production company. We have a producer in charge of Knitster wrangling.
MARY: Thank you. ;-)
BEV: Which show, Creative Juices?
Thanks to NILS for posting a freestyle version of the Spring Roll recipe I mentioned. He's chefilicious!
Vickie,
Right, it was "Creative Juices." I can't get into it. I get my juices are primarily flowing on the needlework front.
I did get to read your article in Knit 1 today--I really like this magazine!!!!!
Glad you're feeling better and sounds like a neat time at the spa. Thanks for the update on Knitty Gritty!
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