The Ea Z. Baby Quilt

“Dan, how long is the  baby?” “15  inches, why?”  Washed, blocked, and pressed — this baby quilt is done and done! I wanted to make make sure it was big enough before I caught the G train for a visit. Ea Zarathustra Davis is the man of the hour and what a handsome little fellow he is.

This is the “Ea Z. Baby Quilt,” a modular hexagonal knit that’s surprisingly simple to make, although it took me a few collective weeks to design and knit. It’s soft and durable, made from Lang Cashmere Tweed and Cascade 220 in shades of pumpkin and tangerine. It’s about 30" at it’s widest point, but since it’s modular it can be made larger.

Wardrobe is very important to a growing baby. As soon as he outgrows his AC/DC T-shirts, he’ll have a new Pantera onesie pressed and waiting for him. I'll also have some hats ready for him by then.

More late nights are ahead for Dan and Carrie, and there will be some adjustment for Casandra the cat. But this little trouble maker is worth all of that. Maybe Casandra needs her own quilt.

Truck Stop Meatloaf Made with Potato Chips

A moist delicious meatloaf and a salty waitress — these are some fond memories of a college road trip and a truck stop diner. I love meatloaf, especially when it’s made with potato chips. The best part is having enough left over to make sandwiches the next day. I’ve heard the life span of a good meatloaf is four days, but there's rarely enough left over to find out.

The tangy ketchup sauce is very important, it keeps everything moist as it bakes‚ I call it the protective ketchup barrier. Although people balk about using Liquid Smoke, I think it gives this meal an extra BBQ flavor that kicks the cold out of a chilly evening.

For this Truck Stop Meatloaf recipe and more, visit GardenFork.tv.

A Quilt for a New Womb-mate

I better get more coffee going, I have to get this thing out sooner than later! The baby arrived a week early and I’m a few weeks behind. Two days before Christmas, Dan and Caroline’s son, Ea was born, You might say they gained  a new womb-mate.

This baby quilt is a hexagonal modular knit made in varying shades of Lang Cashmere Tweed, a very soft, warm cashmere and fine merino blend. I made it a bit larger than infant size, Carrie can use it as a lap warmer as he outgrows it. This would also make a great pillow sham.

At 6 lbs. 12 oz and growing, he's a handsome little guy. Just look at that smile. I think orange will suit him fine. Christmas has passed, the New Year is here, and I'm still picking broken glass ornaments out of my foot. Hang in there kid, Uncle Tony is already half way there.

New Year’s Day 2012

My friend Paul James said something T-shirt worthy the other day: “If you've survived 2011, you win.” The Year in Review reminds me that 2011 left behind a wake of challenge for so many people: world wide natural disasters, the repercussions of global financial collapse, political unrest, the ravages of war, a weak job market, record unemployment. It’s difficult for most to look up and see stars when there's so much garbage afoot.

But today the sun set beautifully over Coney Island on a chilly New Year’s day. With a new year comes a breath of hope and a fresh start. A woolly blanket of clouds pulled over a clear turquoise sky as stragglers on the pier waited for the first star to appear. With hands in the pockets they looked up to make a wish before they headed home. The sun winked its copper eye and sunk into the ocean, then all bade Coney a sweet good night. Coney Island, you are the unpolished jewel buried in a drawer in a second hand store.

Nathan’s still stands on the corner of economic change.

The masters of the sky look for a stray hot dog bun on the boardwalk.

Stragglers and gulls comb an empty beach for treasure.

The Polar Bears were here...

and here.

The boardwalk stalls were closed...

but Ruby’s celebrates an extended lease on life.

The sun set quickly over a raging tide.

Some gathered on the pier waiting for the first star to appear.