Author: Verónica

Te Dejo Madrid

| Verónica 
Te dejo Madrid
con tus avenidas amplias
tus edificios y palacios resplandecientes

Te dejo Madrid
con tus mil sabores
patatas bravas y albóndigas
queso manchego y aceite de oliva arbequina
escaparates luciendo la pata negra
cenando a media noche
las calles repletas de gente

Te dejo Madrid
con tus tesoros nacionales
el Prado con "Las Meninas" de Velázquez
las imágenes de la guerra en el "Guernica" de Picasso
"Muchacha en la Ventana" de Dalí
la poesía de Lorca

Te dejo Madrid
por las calles sinuosas del Rastro
las antigüedades del mercado de sellas y monedas
la pasión del flamenco
y con un brindis a Don Ernesto bajo la sombra
de los árboles que rodean la Plaza Santa Ana

Te dejo Madrid
pero tu no me dejas a mi

(Título prestado de la canción “Te Dejo Madrid” de Shakira).

Click on any image to view on a larger screen. 

I leave you Madrid
with your wide boulevards
and your resplendent buildings and palaces

I leave you Madrid
with your thousand flavors
spicy fried potates and meatballs
manchego cheese and olive oil
black hoofs on display in shop windows
dining at midnite
the streets bursting with people

I leave you Madrid
with your national treasures
“Las Meninas” by Velázquez at the Prado
the images of war in Picasso’s “Guernica”
Dalí's “Woman at the Window”
Lorca’s poetry

I leave you Madrid
through the circuitous streets of the Rastro
the antiquities at the stamp and coin market
the passion of flamenco
and a toast to Hemingway beneath the shade
of the trees that surround Plaza Santa Ana

I leave you Madrid
but you do not leave me

(Title borrowed from the song “Te Dejo Madrid” by Shakira).

Mantón Bordado

| Verónica

When I travel, I always try to bring back something that will remind me of the place I visited. Something a little more meaningful than a key chain but not too excessive (and that will fit in my luggage).

I brought back this mantón bordado (embroidered shawl) from Madrid. They told me it was hand embroidered (although I have some doubts). Nonetheless, the vibrant flowers and flirtatious tassels remind me of Spain.

I also picked up this set of toallas bordadas (embroidered towels) with a crocheted border. I like their simplicity and elegance.

Here are a few other images captured on the streets of Madrid.

This 20 ton bronze statue of a bear under a strawberry tree (el oso y el madroño) is located at the Puerta del Sol. The symbol of the bear (which apparently used to roam in the forests outside the city) and the strawberry tree are emblematic of Madrid.

A shop window with traditional flamenco dresses.

I couldn’t help but snap a photo of this storefront. Why can’t we all just get along?!

Los Petrificados (the petrified ones), one of many street performers in Madrid. At first glance, I thought it was a statue until someone dropped a coin in a box in front of them. The woman’s eyes moved and the man looked up while he poured the water.

I have other pictures to share. Hasta la próxima. (Until next time).

Oodles of Needles

| Verónica

Over the years, I have accumulated all sizes and types of knitting needles. I prefer to keep them all together to avoid rummaging through baskets and drawers in search of the right size. This needle organizer from Lantern Moon does the trick. First of all, I like the look of it with the two complementary fabrics. Beyond the aesthetics, it is quite useful. By opening it and laying it out flat, I have a birds-eye view of all my tools.

I can insert my circular needles in the center pockets. I place them from largest to smallest circumference, top to bottom. The right flap has long narrow slits for my straight needles, double-pointed needles and crochet hooks.

The left flap has a zippered pouch for all my various and sundry notions – scissors, tape measure, stitch markers, pom pom maker, stitch holders, etc.

When I’m on the go or just need to stow it, I can roll it up into a neat bundle and wrap it closed. The inner flap helps keep everything nicely tucked inside.

I have had this particular organizer for several years. I’ve had to stitch up the tie once (I tied the bow too tightly) but otherwise it has held up very well. I’m quite pleased with my needle caddy. It works for me. How do you keep your needles straight?

Knitting Portraits

| Verónica

Ever since I started knitting, I have a tendency to look for artwork featuring either women knitting or spinning on old-fashioned wheels when visiting museums. I have been fortunate to visit both the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) in New York. It was there that I discovered these first two paintings.

The first is called “By the Seashore” by Auguste Renoir on display at the Met. The woman is beautiful with her ruddy cheeks and penetrating eyes. According to the museum catalog, Renoir most likely painted this portrait in his studio and rendered the images of the sea and cliffs from memory. There is a distinct difference between the clear outlines of the woman (his mistress and later his wife) and the looser brushstrokes of the landscape behind her. After her gaze, I noticed the items in her hands – a knitting needle and something she is working on.

By the Seashore by Auguste Renoir
1883 – Oil on canvas

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This next painting, “The Lacemaker” by Johannes Vermeer, is at the Louvre. Her face is so intently focused on her craft that it draws my eyes to her hands. My eyes then rest on the pillow with the loose threads spilling over.

The Lacemaker by Johannes Vermeer
c. 1669-70 – Oil on canvas

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I wish I could see this next one in person but it is in a private collection. The painting is “Young Woman Knitting” by Vincent Van Gogh. The girl stands out against the barren room. I am immediately entranced by the deep blues of her apron. The colors are in direct contrast to the browns of the floor and walls. You can just see her yarn trailing along her skirt to the ball on the floor. The scene feels so familiar.

Young Woman Knitting by Vincent Van Gogh
1881 – Watercolor

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This last painting is “Girl Sitting in the Garden” by Edouard Manet, also in a private collection. You can hardly see the girl’s face hidden under her hat as she watches her knitting. Even the knitting is loosely implied against the gray of her dress accented by that blue bow and the greenery in the garden.

Girl Sitting in the Garden by Edouard Manet
1879 – Pastel on paper

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If you were to google “paintings woman knitting,” many other options will present themselves. I like these and hope one day to see them again or for the first time in person.

Knitting On The Go

| Verónica

Like many knitters, I try to take a project along when I’m on the go. I sometimes tote my WIPs around in this bag by Crazy Aunt Purl available at CafePress. It’s roomy with long handles and it’s darn funny.

I recently received this bag and it is now one of my favorites. It was a gift from my sister who also sells them (full disclosure). It’s from a line called Thirty-One Gifts which specializes in home-based sales of monogrammed baskets, bags and other organizational items.

I like:

  • the colors – there are several patterns to choose from
  • the fabric – just wipe it down with a damp cloth
  • the size – just right for most WIPs plus a pattern, book or iPad
  • the shape – it stands upright on its rectangular base
  • the pockets – to store balls of yarn or tools or a water bottle
  • the personalization – have your name (or your blog’s) embroidered on it
  • the price – mine was a gift but they go for about $30

Here’s a look inside with my current work in progress. You can even spot my red tool bag tucked in there.

I’ve tried many other bags and was never quite satisfied with them – yarn catches on zippers, lack of extra pockets, easily tips over, or not very attractive. So far, these two are my favorites.