Red Velvet

But first another word about my toenail fungus! (Appetizing thought, isn't it?) Over the years I've tried knocking it out with Vicks, Miranol, vinegar, bleach, and many bottle of tea tree oil. Plus, vigorous clipping and filing with sterilized equipment. All the over-the-counter and witch-doctor self-help ministrations known to man. I'd say that slow progress has been made. The good news is that my nails and nailbeds are actually in pretty good condition as a result. Except for the stubborn fungus. #$%^&@*&!

What finally drove me to the podiatrist is that one nail has become so raised and misshapen that I can't wear normal dress shoes anymore. This is not necessarily a big problem now, but it might be when I am truly geriatric, God willing I should live that long. If I ever become truly elderly, I may not physically be able to care for my toenails as thoroughly as I do now. I want to go forward in time with my body in as good a condition as I can get it (given my love of food and fat... ahem). That's why I had my hiatal hernia fixed. That's why I joined a health club and do lots of yoga.

Another reason I saw a podiatrist is that the FDA has recently approved laser treatments for toenail fungus. However, after discussing all the pros and cons of various approaches with the podiatrist I decided to follow his recommendation to try oral medication. What the heck; why not. Tea tree oil. Pills. As of now, I'm doing both simultaneously. My concern is more with results than it is with method. If I can't get that one misshapen nail under control now, it might eventually have to be removed altogether. Ick. Don't want to go there at all.

So, yes. Right now I am taking oral antifungal medication AND continuing my use of tea tree oil, at least twice a day, as a topical treatment. (Stuff stinks, though.)

On to Red Velvet! Cupcakes, that is. I finally used my new Breville stand mixer (which I now love, love, love). Last night I made nearly 2.5 dozen red velvet cupcakes using Bobbie Flay's recipe. This morning, I made his cream cheese frosting and finished the little cakes. YUM. I'm looking forward to making more cupcakes, which I love, love, love; and using the Breville again and again. It's a gem. Very intuitive to use. Very easy to clean.

Oddly, the potluck group where I took the cupcakes was not impressed. I didn't think Randy and I could eat 2 dozen cupcakes on our own. So, I stopped at one of my favorite eating spots, Fig Good Food here in Atascadero, and shared them with the staff and customers there. Got good reviews, too.

Another hot event today was the Central Coast Weavers' first Pay-It-Forward event. Members who wanted to participate brought books, yarn, equipment and supplies they no longer wanted and took home new stuff that other participants no longer wanted. No money was exchanged at all. Several looms changed hands, lots and lots of yarn, some spinning fibers, and a wealth of books and miscellaneous stuff. The only firm rule is that you had to take your own stuff home if no one else took it.

As you might guess, I was thrilled with the stuff I brought home since it all speaks immediately to things I'm interested in right now. My first pick was some fine mohair weaving yarn that is of a quality I don't think you can even buy anymore. It's a rich golden yellow color, and used to belong to the grand dame of our guild, Ena Marston, who passed away a few years ago at nearly 100. I want to weave a twill scarf with this yarn as a memory of Ena and the encouragement she gave me, and many others, as a beginning weaver.

Which reminds me. Ena's mother was pregnant with Ena and living in San Francisco at the time of the Great Earthquake there. A pretty cool memory.