Remember Henry? Yep. He’s still itchy. Yesterday morning I took him to a new vet where they did a few skin scrapes and found that his bacteria and yeast numbers are through the roof, even though he had a bath less than twelve hours before the appointment. He is now on another round of antibiotics, an antihistamine, and an antifungal. Luckily, this veterinarian firmly believes that he’s entirely too young for a food allergy, so I can once again give the pills in a tiny piece of hot dog. Do you have any idea how much my quality of life improves when I can give a dog a pill in a hot dog slice?
Speaking of The Improvement of My Life, let me tell you a story about an apple. Last year, a friend of mine told me how excited she was that SweeTango apples were back in season. I’ve never heard of anyone getting excited about an apple before, so I headed to the store and grabbed a few for myself. Immediately, my entire world was turned upside down. These are the most delicious apples I have ever tasted. EVER. They’re crisp. They’re sweet. They’re perfect. I must have eaten 25,000 SweeTango apples last fall, and the day I went to the store and found that they were no longer available, I was horrified. “What? What?! I have to wait until next FALL for ANOTHER?!”
I’ve been following the SweeTango page on Facebook. In other words, I’ve been keeping up with orchard news for the past few weeks. I even sent a quick note to them and found out that the apples would be delivered to St. Louis “during the week of September 12th.” On Monday, September 12th, I went to the store that carries the SweeTango apples. They weren’t there. I went back on Tuesday. Still not there. I went back on Wednesday and Thursday. No apples. Last night after Jeff left the house and the girls were in bed, a friend of mine posted a photo of a SweeTango that had just been taken off of the truck in St. Louis. I actually squealed. (And then I cried because I refuse to leave the house when I’m the only adult and the girls are in bed. I hate that I’m such a good mom like that…)
The girls boarded the bus this morning at approximately 8:17. At 8:18, I was in my car on the way to the store.
Oh, people. I spent $11.49 on seven apples, and I could not be happier.
I’ve already eaten four today. (Yes. I should probably slow down. Just remember: They’re APPLES. Not shots of booze. I’ll be okay.) ((Is it weird that I’m making a list of things I can sell to support my SweeTango habit?))
True Story: A few minutes ago, I called my doctor to see if she wanted to talk about a new medication I’m going to try. (Long story.) She doesn’t want to see me! She’s just going to give me some samples! Four apples a day kept my doctor away!
And another thing: Other than the SweeTango, this is my current favorite thing.
It’s a scarf made out of Berroco Link yarn. It’s knit on size 35 needles, which is like knitting with big bass drum mallets, and it comes together in less than an hour. The scarf I’m wearing in that photo was started at 1:00 this afternoon. I wove the ends in at 1:49. (I made this one last week.) Hint: If you’re going to buy the yarn, I recommend going to your local yarn store. If they can’t get it and you have to order it online, I highly recommend NobleKnits. The shipping is free, and the price is slightly better than most places. Merry Christmas to everyone. ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>
I’m intrigued by the apples! I don’t think I’ve ever had a SweeTango, but if it’s anything like a Honey Crisp, I totally get your obsession. A mental note has now been made to keep an eye out for the SweeTango….
Your scarf is amazing! Love, love, love those colors.
I had to google. What an interesting backstory those apples have! Developed by a university and fought over!
http://www.mndaily.com/2009/09/07/sweetango-apple-hits-market
http://www.mndaily.com/2010/06/17/apple-growers-sue-university-over-sweetango-agreement
Oh, I saw that yarn in the Webs catalog and I resisted…. I love, LOVE chunky yarn. I’m going to try to forget I ever saw that photo of your scarf – it’s fabuloso!
Is that the acacia colorway? Gorgeous!
I saw the yarn at Knitorious this week & it looks cool & I like the scarf in under an hour thing.
I spent $9 on 4 apples after work today and NUM YUMMY. I’m gonna have to do all my shopping at that store until the apples are out of season again (or maybe just go there for the apples). Also, it’s possible that I won’t need dinner because THESE APPLES ARE THE SIZE OF MY HEAD. Okay, maybe not, but they are large.
Sooo….how many skeins to make a scarf like yours, and also what stitch pattern did you use?
I’m thinking Christmas Gifts for Daycare Teachers!
Gorgeous scarf! I’m a honey crisp apple fan myself, but I’d happily buy a scarf as pretty as that to help support your SweeTango habit!
1. SCARF GIVEAWAY!!! Don’t argue. Just hand over the scarf and no one will get hurt….
2. That wasn’t really a threat. Unless you were just about to give me that scarf. Then…maybe.
3. SweetCrisp. WIll try. In other news, have you tried Grapples? (pronounced Grape-ls). They are apples that have been cultivated to taste all grape-y. Which is good if you like that kind of thing. Although now that I’m all organic at my house, I’m seriously wondering how much of that constitutes a GMO. Dern.
Still love your posts. Keep ’em comin’.
I’m with minimom – I’d gladly buy a scarf like that to support your apple addiction!!! I love those colors!!
Seriously though, ever consider selling to those beauties?
Dammit, now another obsession I’ll develop hunting down those apples… do they come with purses so I can kill two obsessions with one shopping trip?
I’m e-mailing you some Henry itch info
Have never heard of those apples…am on a mission now to taste test them! Love love your scarf…such pretty colors!
Now I must go buy those ridiculously expensive apples! The must be in NJ by now. That scarf is gorgeous, the colors are so perfect.
I saw your scarf on Ravelry and was instantly smitten, despite my dislike for a) novelty yarns and b) bulky yarns. But you know I’m going to have to buy some now.
You know those paper chains kids make? I made a bunch of scarves for the women in my family that look like paper chains. I loved knitting them. This scarf kind of reminds me of that in a more complicated way. Now….I want to knit some things.
I’m in lust with your scarf. And trying not to cry over missing apples and autumn. Sigh.
When I was in college in the middle of nowhere northern Iowa, I once drove an hour in the middle of the night to get to the only grocery store open so I could buy some apples. I am now considering the merits of flying back around the world with three small children in tow just to enjoy autumn and eat a ridiculous amount of apples.
There was a line outside the U of M Arboretum this morning waiting for the SweeTangos! Those things are dang tasty.
GIRL. I’m just back from a visit to Minnesota, and JUST TODAY, I had a taste of my first SweeTango apple. SWEET MOTHER OF GUMBY. This apple is so good, I am mad at all other apples for perpetratin’.
Seriously. I may never eat another type of apple again.
That’s like a p0und an apple. They so should have booze in them.
Oh my after that rousing review must find those apples by me. And hopefully take up knitting again.
That scarf is GORGEOUS! *covet*
My fave apple is a honeycrisp. I’ll have to see if they have those in my area and give them a try.
Go see Dr. Tiffany Whitten in the Valley (you know, at the giant pet place…). She has done wonders for our Doberman and his crazy skin allergies. A raw diet (actually less expensive than Blue Buffalo if you shop well) and a few beandryl when things get really bad has stopped our round after round of steroids and antibiaotics.
Cool scarf…I might even try that. I’m one of those people who take a year to knit a scarf so…that sounds like the project for me.
They just had a story on the news about the University of Minnesota’s huge Apple Breeding program, and about how people go crazy about the SweeTangos. They said they are so special, they rarely leave MN, so treasure those St. Louis imports! I sure feel bad for everyone else whose mouths are watering and they’re not here in MN to enjoy them!
nice scarf (but… if it’s cold enough for a scarf how come you’re still wearing sandals???)