knit one, purl two...

Here we go. Drawing from my father's vast array of talents/love of any hobby Ive now decided I want to try knitting. With winter fast approaching and my garden needing less tending I figure this would be a good time to start. I have a friend that says she can teach me (we'll see about that) it doesnt seem like rocket science and am now wondering if a good book is all I need. Ive actually wanted to try it for a few years and just never had the time with the kids needing so much attention but now that they are amusing themselves a bit more on their own I think I might be able to give it a go. I picture long, fluffy scarves wrapped securely around each child, dressed in a warm, sweater w/a pattern of their choosing on the front, *snicker* um right. I have a vision of sitting on the couch in the evening, snow falling outside, a glowing fire sending its warm arms all around us as I sip my '94 Warre's. "oh honey!? I could use some more blue-cheese w/my port, please" the knitting needles clicking away as the pattern from some exquisitely spun and baby soft yarn evolves right before my eyes into an heirloom my children will surely pass on to their own brood. Unfortunately that is the dream, the reality is I will have finally settled into my spot on the couch after relegating the kids downstairs for 242nd time to "PLAY NICELY W/EACH OTHER!!!" I cant get the fireplace to light because the pilot has gone out mysteriously AGAIN so Im wrapped in the one 1 blanket I have kept w/the least amount dog bite holes in it and FINALLY settle w/my same glass of '94 Warre's in my attempt to make it aaaallllll better, when the frantic pounding of feet on stairs from my previously sequestered children come full bore into view onto me and sending wine, needles, yarn and dreams flying. oh and eric's eatten all the blue cheese. hehehe sorry had to throw that in. So we'll see how this goes, not sure when Ill start it yet, I have to email my friend first to see if she can help, oh I need sooooooo much help.
Last night's dinner was this soup I love. I actually got the recipe about 15 years ago from the newspaper it was a soup from Olive Garden that they were running on special at the time (no I never had it at Olive Garden so I dont know how it compared) I then tweaked and made it my own and really need to remember to make it more often, 1c each carrot, onion, celery sauteed in 1/4c olive oil w/3 cloves garlic and 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon (cook till soft about 10min) add 2 cans drained and pureed garbanzo beans and 1 can chopped tomatoes (I also puree the tomatoes since my kids wont eat them if they see them) 1 tbls finely (no one wants to eat a twig) chopped fresh rosemary and chopped cooked chicken (I use about 6 chicken breast tenders or 2-3 whole breasts) let simmer together indefinitely to marry flavors, before service add about 1c cooked pasta (I like bowties, penne or rotini) salt and pepper to taste and top w/Parmesan at table. so good especially w/fresh bread sticks!