Life With...

My Valentine

2009-02-17T11:39:00.001-08:00

In the past it hasn't been a really important date, but this year I must have seen about 1000 hand drawn hearts around the house. So I couldn't help making Valentine's a little extra special this year.

These are the beaded hanging hearts we hung on the kitchen light.

I made a garland like one that I had seen on Crafty Crow, but is no longer on the Web site.

And I embellished a couple t-shirts with felt Love Bugs that were inspired by the Martha Stewart Show Love Bug cookies.

The Summer of Food

2008-11-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

I think that what I have been doing lately can be summed up by two book recommendations from my summer reading.

I have long believed in healthier eating and home baking and generally knowing where our food comes from, but this past spring and summer I really made a plan to find what staples are locally produced and buy those items rather than relying on the grocery store for everything. I will say it was time consuming mainly because it involves really nailing down what we eat, and finding places to buy it, and a bit of driving. But now that I have a system in place for getting what we need it has become habit and therefore a lot easier.

One book that reassured me that it is all worth while is Apples to Oysters by Margaret Webb. This is an every person's alternative to Michael Pollan (whom I also enjoyed reading this summer). The stories are warm and make you want to thank your local farmer.

Aside from food, my eldest daughter has started school and that has thrown me head first into the next phase of my life, PTA mom/volunteer. Is it just me or does it get a little more hectic around the house when the first school days hit? It has been cool to see what my youngest is like when she is alone to shine. It has also been cool/scary to see the affect that school has on a little one. She loves it and I had no doubt she would be just fine, but it as been like a minefield mitigating all the outward influences that come from other students.

When she is not in school we like to do a lot of crafts, and practice scissors skills, which I had not realized as such an important skill until I witnessed 6 kindergartners wielding sharp implements in close quarters. A friend told me about The Creative Family, by Amanda Blake-Soule. This is a beautiful book to leaf through and we are looking forward to our own family art nights during the long cold evenings in winter.

Lately I am hoping for an upturn in the financial markets and peace and prosperity for all. Sounds a little Dickensian, but if Santa can wrap it I will take some under the tree this year.

If I could, I would

2008-11-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

I have been following the U.S. campaign. I have two words for it--Barack Obama. Wow! He has the presence of a great leader at a time when the U.S. (and the world) needs it most. He is cool under pressure, he is thoughtful, intelligent and respectful. And believe me, he is impressive to people who don't live in your fine country. I am hopeful that he will be the next U.S. president. I wish I could vote for him.

My message to all of you is vote! Bring a friend, bring two. Have a tailgate party.

Earth Hour

2008-03-07T08:14:00.001-08:00

Maybe you have already heard about this, but if not on March 29 World Wildlife Fund wants you to join the movement to turn off the lights for one hour to reduce energy consumption. My city is participating in the challenge too, though this is a global effort that started in Australia. Check out the Earth Hour site to see if you can participate in the challenge too. In fact, why don't we have a little competition between ourselves to see who can rely on the fewest resources during that one hour. Bragging rights are at stake here. Of course how hard will it be for me not to wash the dishes or do the laundry at that hour—not very? No, the hardest part for me will be shutting off the t.v. and PVR.

And the winner is...

2008-02-29T17:15:00.000-08:00

Sabrina, SMF Sporty Chic

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who played along. Let's just say that there was such a variety of collections. I was very impressed. Collections varied from pearls to recipes, dust (yup, we all have that one) to horseshoes, bottles to Playboys.

My collection is hand made pottery. I love that they are mini pieces of art with a practical application. When I tried throwing a few years ago I grew to appreciate the effort that goes into making a piece of pottery even more. So that brings me to the prize. Sabrina will get a gifty of some of my favourite things: a box of Stash Morroccan Mint tea, chai lip balm from Moonsnail Soapworks, and a mug for tea (artist to be determined).

Please check out everyone's fabulous collections. I posted links below:

Kristin, A Few Things to Say
Suzanne, Yarnhog
Leslie, A Friend to Knit With
Sabrina, SMF Sporty Chick
Sonya, Knitting Issewes
Mellow Being
Meg—Vintage hankies
Kim, Chronic Ennui
Lydee, Thoughts of a Sometimes Stay at Home Mom
Sophanne, Becky Knits Too
Valerie, Wandering Cat
Clara, Bloomize
Romi, Rosemary-Go-Round
Patty, Fibreholic
Senja, Senja Knits,
Temperance, Cookie cutters and Tea Pots.
May
Keanalee

Good night!

It's a Contest Baby!

2008-02-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

I am excitedly "collecting" items for my (first eva) contest prize. Bring on the entries, I will draw names after the contest closes Feb.29. If you are really stuck on ideas here's one—and I might add that this is very embarassing for me and I am very glad I do not have a photo of it—when I was about 7 I collected eraser shavings. Seriously. Not a highlight of my youth, but I blame it on a particularly non-attentive second grade teacher. She was not very engaging. To put a positive spin on it I will call it my deconstructionist period. Since I don't have a photo of that very early collection I will leave you with an image from Brita Hansen's crayfish collection.

Please note: I (almost absolutely) guarantee there will be no eraser shavings in your prize (probably definitely.)

A Stitch in Time and a First For Me

2008-02-19T11:11:00.001-08:00

There is history in every stitch. I can't help but think of my Nana and my mother when I am sewing with this machine. I feel a connection to them—maybe the excitement over a new project, the monotony of an ordinary mend, the feeling of accomplishment over a job well done or just plain finishing another item on the to-do list. I wonder about the things on their minds as they worked away—foot to pedal, hand to fabric—maybe we shared some common thoughts. It gives me a feeling of past meets present meets future,

I finished the apron with a large front pocket perfect for hiding the collections gathered by young children. Photo number two is of snack bags I made, inspired by A Friend to Knit With, though I made a pillow fold as a closure instead of a zipper. Truth be told I have already ripped them out and re-sewn them since this picture was taken but they aren't nearly as nice now as they were before my adjustments "to make them better."

The idea of a collection has got me inspired to hold my first-ever contest. Anyone game can post an image of their special collection, or the collection of someone near and dear to them. My example is a collection my daughter put together of found objects near the cottage we stayed at last fall. I will assemble a "collection" of items as a surprise and draw names for the winner. Please post your images on your blogs and let me know in my comment box that you have participated by midnight Friday, February 29, I will post the outcome of the draw Saturday, March 1 (not February 29). I can't wait to see them.

House Keeping.

2008-02-12T18:27:00.001-08:00

I have been keeping track of the photos I owe you so I hope you all forgive their lateness.

First the hat I knit for daughter one. I started with a twisted stitch for the brim continued the twisted knit in the body of the hat then decreased to eight stitches at the top, increasing between those to create a little sea anemone effect at the top. And because I learn as I go I realized the hat was too small after I finished it and picked up the stitches around the brim to lengthen it to fit. I am still in the process of knitting one for daughter two (but I have been a very, VERY lazy knitter lately so I am not sure when it will be ready.)

Here is the Monkey sock using Fleece Artist sokomo from Fibreholic (thank you again), the colourway is brilliant. I tried to get a bit of the accumulating snow in the background but was unsuccessful. Trust me on this it looked very winter wonderland.

Lately I have been re-bitten by the sewing bug. I have long admired A Friend To Knit With's sewn objects, and now Lululollylegs and A Few Things To Say add to my itchy stitchy fingers. These are some very talented people and I have been inspired by their many beautifully executed projects and fun and funky fabrics. I can't wait to build up my stash (which pales in comparison.)

Last week I brought my 1961 Singer for servicing and picked it up today. I forked over $84 for the servicing and two packages of needles and was feeling really confident about all my future sewing projects when it tipped over only seconds away from home. The fall caused my spool posts to snap and let's just say that I was "slightly" miffed. The girls were so concerned that if I hadn't been so grouchy as a result of the horrible accident I would have been chuckling at the worry on their faces. Luckily the glue gun came through once again and I was able to complete the better part of two matching craft aprons. If you don't look too closely at the stitches it looks not too bad. Have I already mentioned I learn as I go? The second attempt will likely look more tailored than the first. I used Ikea fabric, polka dot lined with an animal print, and I am going to add velcro to the neck ties, and a pocket on the front. Oh, and my other little girl, my standard schnauzer, decided that you would like to see her behind in the shot. I like to think she was being protective. So that is my big update. I have loved reading your blogs and peeking at what your up to. Yarn bee and Musindigo really got me with their fair isle mittens which are to die for—you have to check them out if you haven't already seen them.

Happy Snow Day Everyone!

2008-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing new to report so I thought I would post a pic of a most excellent snow person made by three very talented people close to my heart. I am enjoying the snow—especially when inside by the fire!

I've Been Memed

2008-01-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

This is a quick post to fulfill a meme from Fibreholic. Patty, I would love to say that I am reading one of the many decent works of fiction waiting on my shelves, David Adams Richards' Friends of Meager Fortune borrowed from a dear friend who seems not to mind that I am a book-return deviant; Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner which has become a movie in the time I have wasted not reading it. Instead the non-fiction world takes up most of my time. So I give you my current read's page 161, fifth sentence: "Add garlic and hot pepper flakes and cook gently for a few minutes until tender and fragrant but not brown."

Yes, sadly, this is how exciting my life gets lately. On the other hand we are eating rather well. Oh and I highly recommend Bonnie Stern's Heart Smart: The best of Heart Smart Cooking. I am on my second week of recipes from this book—dee-lish.

What Would Katherine Say?

2008-01-01T17:14:00.001-08:00

The following recipe was served as desert at our New Year's Eve Dinner and let me tell you they will rival any brownies you have had. They have a beautiful sheen on the top, and beneath that crispy layer is a fudgey chocolate heart. Hepburn once advised a woman with these simple rules to live by: 1. Never quit; 2. Be yourself and 3. Don't put too much flour in your brownies. The proof is in the brownies.

The recipe came form the Gourmet magazine cookbook, which has almost every recipe you could ever want for. You can find it here as well: Epicurious.com
Please note that I used bittersweet chocolate because I did not have unsweetened.

Katherine Hepburn's Brownies

1. Melt together 1 stick butter and 2 ounces chopped unsweetened chocolate and take the saucepan off the heat.

2. Stir in 1 cup sugar, add 2 eggs and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and beat the mixture well.

3. Stir in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

4. Bake the brownies in a buttered and floured 8-inch-square pan at 325°F for about 40 minutes.

You can cut these brownies into 16 squares, once they have cooled, or eat them out of the pan. We enjoyed them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a side of the other desert I had made, Creme Caramel. The caramel sauce was divine on the brownies.

You may be wondering why two deserts? Well I started out intending to make chocolate pudding, but I burnt the bottom of the pot (I am still getting used to the ceramic top stove) in a may-be-better-just-to-throw-the-pot-away kind of way. So I made the creme caramel as a back-up. However I thought it had failed because my sugar caramel seemed too much like hard candy when I put it in the glass pie dish. So I went with my no fail desert, brownies and vanilla ice cream.

The creme caramel did work. Once flipped onto the serving tray the custard was floating in caramel sauce. I am glad I made both deserts because I am as it turns out not a huge fan of the custard—the caramel was to die for. Anyway, now you know. As an aside I did get the pot cleaned. It took a lot of boiling with water, scraping, boiling with soap, more scraping, boiling with hydrogen peroxide and soap, more scraping, and a ton of elbow grease.

This could have been two posts but I waited so long to post the first half that I came up with more things to write about in the meantime. This post is purely cooking/baking related as it turns out so it works out all right. Today I found the biggest avocado I have ever seen. I am in awe of its size though I realize for those of you living in California or Florida this will look like any other avocado. How is it I had never realized the potential for a simple avocado to reach this enormous size? (Have I ever mentioned my slightly nutty interest in joining the avocado-of-the month club? If I had I may have known of their potential size sooner.) Look, it is as big as my hand (which isn't exactly petite.)

No more buying and slicing and pitting and scooping 3 or 4 hass avocados. No, from now on I am just buying one of these bad boys and voila, guacamole! Oh and it was was delicious too!

We're Home

2007-12-20T11:03:00.001-08:00

Here are some after photos for you. We are really pleased with the result and compared to the before. Please note they have been edited to exclude obvious signs of the destruction inflicted on a house when two children, one dog and two adults crash into it (meaning I moved the mess off to the side). In the midst of moving, unpacking, shopping, playdates and the usual stuff I have managed to fit in some baking. I included a photo of my favourite turtle squares From the Dec 2006 issue of Fine Cooking. Fortunately it is free recipe on their site, because they are a must try.

Caramel Turtle Bars
by Nicole Rees

Yields about 4 dozen 1-1/2-inchsquare

For the crust:
Non-stick cooking spray, vegetable oil, or melted butter for the pan
7 oz. (14 Tbs.) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to just warm
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. table salt
9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached allpurpose flour
For the caramel topping:
2 cups pecan halves, toasted and coarsely chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup heavy cream
4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 tsp. table salt

For the ganache:
6 Tbs. heavy cream
2 oz. good-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

Make the shortbread crust:
Line a straight-sided 13x9-inch metal baking pan with foil, letting the ends create an overhanging edge for easy removal. Lightly coat the sides of the foil (not the bottom) with nonstick cooking spray, oil, or melted butter to prevent the caramel from sticking.

In a medium bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar, and salt. Stir in the flour to make a stiff dough. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Refrigerate the pan for 30 minutes (or freeze for 5 to 7 minutes), until the dough is firm.

Meanwhile, position a rack near the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.

Bake the dough for 20 minutes, and then decrease the oven temperature to 300°F and bake until the crust is golden all over and completely set, about 15 more minutes.
Make the topping:

Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the crust.

In a heavy medium saucepan, bring the brown sugar, cream, butter, corn syrup, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until all the ingredients are melted and smooth. Let the mixture continue to boil, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 240°F, about 6 more minutes. Turn off the heat and immediately (but carefully) pour the caramel evenly over the prepared crust. Let the bars cool completely, about 2 hours, before garnishing with the ganache.

Make the ganache:
Put the chocolate in a small heat proof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until combined and smooth.

Fill a plastic zip-top baggie with the ganache, snip the tip off a corner, and drizzle the ganache decoratively over the caramel bars (you don’t have to use all the ganache; keep the extra in the fridge for 5 days). Let the ganache set for 30 minutes to an hour. Carefully lift the bars from the pan using the foil sides and transfer them to a cutting board. Separate the foil from the bars by sliding a spatula between them. Cut the bars into 1-1/2-inch squares. They will keep at room temperature for 1 week.

From Fine Cooking 82, pp. 74

Where we are going

2007-12-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Here are a few before shots for you. Even without all the rooms painted the house already looks very different from these photos. I haven't taken knitting pictures though I have been knitting. My recent FO is a hat for daughter one. I am making one for daughter two which will hopefully work out some of my earlier versions kinks. Hope you are all well preparing for various holidays.

Daughter

2007-11-28T17:12:00.001-08:00

For those of you who have them or are one
Daughter, performed by Loudon Wainright III

Happy American Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

I have FOs to give thanks for sadly no photos yet. I have also started monkey socks with the Fleece Artist sock yarn that Fibreholic spoiled me with back in September. It is a treat to knit with it and I am loving the pattern (I think this Monkey Sock craze may really start to catch on.)

I have updated the button file so please, switch it with your old one, it will look prettier against your coloured backgrounds.

Button Up

2007-11-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

For Yarnhog
Download the gif file here

I am almost ashamed to admit that I was ripping back a pair of socks I had intended for my mom for Christmas when I read about Suzanne's movement. Realistically they were not likely to be ready in time for Christmas anyway. The button is my first and I forgot to save is as a gif file for you so it will not have those unsightly white corners on your lovely coloured backgrounds.

Update

2007-11-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Leslie A Friend to Knit With for her idea for casting on for the Bones backless shrug which was a total aha! I had thought about casting on from the shoulders but the splits for the arm holes had me flummoxed but now that I have had a little more sleep I can see that she is right. I will redraw the pattern, try a fabric version and swatch some choice yarn for it and keep you all posted. Nobody hold their breath mind you but I will try to keep this timely. It would be nice as a Christmas gift if I can get on it.

Thank you for all your support!

I Call It The Bones Backless Shrug

2007-11-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

As I watched Bones (on Fox) the other night the lead character, Temperance Brennan, had on the most adorable shrug over a blue silk shirt. I have searched for a photo of it to no avail. To the best of my recollection the illustration above is the closest I could come to re-creating it. I thought, "Maybe I could knit one?" The problem? I am not so good at knitting that I can tackle knitting my version of the shrug without a few tears and maybe some hair pulling. So I am appealing to you if not just for me, but for the sake of my hair. Does anyone out there know of a pattern like this one? Maybe something I could use as a rough guide? I would even accept some advice as to how to cast on for this sucker. I was envisioning having to start working it in two parts casting on the valleys below the armpits, working the armholes sections separately increasing stitches on the right front and left front to achieve the angles I want, working the middle section with increases on the left back and left front eventually adding several stitches to connect the back section across the upper back and neck and then sewing up the to connect the shoulders. My brain has flipped over in my head. Is this even possible? Does it makes sense to anyone else? Maybe I need to start in the round at each sleeve and join it at the neck? I apologize if my thoughts read a little like Latin. Unless you read Latin in which case they read a little like Greek. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In Remembrance

2007-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

— John McCrae

On August 4, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Canada, as a member of the British Empire, was automatically at war, and its citizens from all across the land responded quickly. Within three weeks, 45,000 Canadians had rushed to join up. John McCrae was among them. He was appointed brigade-surgeon to the First Brigade of the Canadian Forces Artillery with the rank of Major and second-in-command.

The day before he wrote his famous poem, one of McCrae's closest friends was killed in the fighting and buried in a makeshift grave with a simple wooden cross. Wild poppies were already beginning to bloom between the crosses marking the many graves. Unable to help his friend or any of the others who had died, John McCrae gave them a voice through his poem. It was the second last poem he was to write.

In Flanders Fields was first published in England's Punch magazine in December, 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries.

– taken from the Veterans Affairs Canada Website

Boxing Day

2007-11-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

Every day is boxing day around here. I have tackled packing about 12 boxes to date (35 days until the move). Today the kitchen cupboards got a little lighter. I like having my Tupperware cupboard emptied out, that's right Kristin I am operating on a limited Tupperware supply over here (gasp!). By the week's end I hope to have my kitchen down to the bare essentials. Knitting has been slow, I have tried to finish daughter number two's socks but I am stalled at three inches down on the second sock. My first daughter has been wearing the socks I knit for her to bed. This works out well since a) they are warm and b) she refuses to sleep with a blanket. Is this weird? (I say knowing full well that anything a child does is probably not unique but out of sheer frustration I will say it anyway) I have had the thought that because she used a Grobag for three years the shock of not sleeping with it anymore has driven her to this. I am thinking (hoping) that by the time the temperature drops to sixty degrees at night, inside, we will effectively freeze out the no blanket thing. I don't know how she can do it. I can't even get her to wear a sweater.

This weekend I made a little heaven on a plate. If you have never purchased Fine Cooking before and you like cow — as we say to our daughter who is reading Charlotte's Web and is now more aware of where her meat comes from — then I urge you to get the latest issue for the Fennel & Rosemary Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mustard Sauce (there are many great recipes in it in addition to this one).

I have tasted this recipe once before (thank you Mama Mia) and it turned out delicious both times. As an aside we used yogurt instead of creme fresh both times for the sauce with great results. Mashed or roasted potatoes make ideal sides. Yum!

Colour Blind

2007-10-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

...Elmira white, white cloud, stone house, old montreal, delaware putty, chestertown bluff, yukon sky, beacon hill damask, lemon grass, muddy york, cedar key, baby fawn, autumn leaf...I am living in a blur of colour at the moment. We are planning on painting nearly every room in the house we are moving into and the task of choosing all these colours is daunting. I have "fallen in love" with over five different shades of taupe and I am starting to wonder if that means something about my personality. Benjamin Moore is my new best friend. He has great taste, but is sure to leach my pocket of all its loose change.

With paint colours being chosen, a mover hired, and carpet cleaner booked our move is starting to feel very real. In the meantime I am busy making costumes for Halloween. Not as much of a challenge this year which should mean no late nights. I am looking forward to seeing my two beans running wild from house to house.

Has anyone else out there been watching Pushing Daisies (I am hooked)? One of the characters, Emerson, has an unexpected love for knitting.

Did you notice the knitted file holder and kleenex cozy in the photograph? I wish I had a better head for quotes but this week he said something to the effect that daddy needed some new yarn. I heard it, it made me chuckle, then I promptly forgot the quote and kept the sentiment.

Now where was I? Oh yeah, thousand islands, seaspray...

Cooked Books

2007-10-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

I would like to confess that I have an addiction to cookery books also that I am totally guilty of judging a book by its cover (that's the graphic design nerd in me, some of you might share this compulsion namely). Yesterday I fell in love with Apples For Jam, by Tessa Kiros (jacketed in a matte stock with a varnish over print of some sort of scrolling vine motif—yummy!). It was the title I was first attracted to (she has really great titles for all of her books). I was browsing the recipes at the book store, but ordered it online last night so haven't had the chance to try any of the recipes (though they look very appealing). The whimsical writing is impossible to resist. I am most fond of Tessa's anecdotes about her young daughters and how she wants these recipes to be a fond memory for her kids to enjoy long after she is gone. In it she muses about things like finding apples all over her house with little bites taken out of them (something that happens around here every fall). Also hard to resist is that the chapters are colour coded. For instance the "stripes" chapter includes a recipe for Chocolate Toffee Nut Squares. I will let you know how it turns out. I can't wait till the mail get here!

Snacks anyone?

2007-10-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Pull up a chair and have a bite. Pumpkin bar squares or banana bread? I couldn't resist throwing in the purple cauliflower, purple broccoli and brussel sprouts too. Have a great week-end. P.S. We sold our house! I may actually miss it being so tidy.

*For those of you wanting to try any of these recipes (especially Kaet) I have now included them for you. The spiced pumpkin chocolate-chip squares are from Martha Stewart's Holiday Halloween issue. The banana bread recipe comes from the Bonnie Stern Heart Smart cookbook. I have enjoyed many recipes from it especially the date squares.

Virtual(ly) Knitting

2007-10-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

In the midst of buying (and selling) houses I forgot to post about my recent invitation to Ravelry (yet one more computer activity that keeps me from any real knitting). I am there as, LifeWith, me and my five little projects. I am enjoying the ease of finding projects on Ravelry and it got me thinking about a possible new past time—virtual knitting. Virtual knitting will involve finding new projects that I will one day knit. As part of this past time I will also drool over things like Alchemy Fibre Designs, because it is fabulous and who doesn't need another scarf?

Oh and I have begun a work out routine. It is at a local wellness centre that includes three half hours a week of stability ball and weight training, plus one weekly learn and burn session. If you should ever have someone offer you a learn and burn session my suggestion would be to RUN! My learn and burn involves spinning—anyone else had the pleasure?—probably I am a big wimp, but it was HARD people. Not so much the spinning but at certain intervals we have to lift our bottoms off the seat (which is a relief because let me tell you my butt was on fire after) but it totally winded me. I am looking forward to having a lot more endurance for that activity soon. This recent work out routine is part of my endeavour to be fitter at 30 than I was at 20. There is also going to be an Isagenix cleanse ( I am a bit of a skeptic). Anyone familiar with this particular process? Should I run now?

Catch Up

2007-10-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

I am finding it hard to keep a blog so I am going to unload all that I have been up to lately in a free flow random thought kind of way because that is how my life rolls

Bought a house; signed a bunch of paperwork; "staged" our house to get it ready for sale; started a fitness program; shuttled the kids to and from various activities; cleaned the house; listed our house for sale; panicked over it selling fast; cleaned the house; nagged the family to keep the house tidy and maintain that un-lived in quality, that "ready-for-you-to-move-right-in-and-call-it-home" look; cleaned the house for pictures; listened to David Suzuki speak (AWESOME, I feel compelled to tell everyone about this!); panicked about the house selling; cleaning the house before sleeping in it and leaving it; feeling not really at home in my own home, which is usually comfortable but never this sterile—it doesn't feel like my house.

So here is where I intend to spend my summers for the next, well many, many years. It will all be worth while.

All Better

2007-09-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

My Mac is a happy Mac again after getting a new power source. All is right with the universe again.

Offline

2007-09-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

My intentions to catch up with all of you are falling through. My computer is in need of repair and might take a week or more. See you all in a week or so.

Just Blew In

2007-09-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

Back from the cottage today. It may take me a while to catch up with all your posts this week (looks like you were all quite busy).

I leave you with an amazing sunset over the lake and the prize package from FibreHolic. Thank you so much Patty—my daughter has officially marked the swirly soap as hers. I love the colour and feel of the yarn, and the bracelet is really cool, and I was especially impressed by the which she made by hand!

I didn't knit a stitch, but I am halfway through Clara Callan by Richard Wright. It was too good to put down.

Oh, I am now an official member of local knitting guild. I attended the first meeting and hope to get to more if they don't coincide with my husbands basketball on Tuesday nights. There are some really experienced knitters so it should prove to be a great place for advice and learning.

90 Degrees in the Shade

2007-09-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

I started this post last night. This was how I felt...

It was hot today. It was grumpy, sweaty, stinkin', surrounded by a bubble of hot moisture, hot today. My mood still hasn't improved. I really want to dip into the sweet little sparkling treat I bought...

...but feel too guilty to drink it alone. Plus I didn't drink that much before I was pregnant and now I barely make it through a glass of anything.

Really cheerful, non? I would like to say that I am much better today, but I didn't sleep a wink last night and, well, I am sure you all know how well no sleep goes over when you can't take the next day to nap. Still I am nearly packed for our cottage trip this coming week, (so I will not be blogging or reading your blogs until I get back) and I am very excited to get away and enjoy the outdoors in the comforts of a cushy cottage. The weather is supposed to cool down next week so I went out and bought my oldest a new pair of slippers so my younger daughter could wear the old pair. Have you seen these before?

They are called Padraig's
and they have a super soft sheep skin insole and hand dyed yarn outside. They look really cute on their feet. I wish I had knit them, but sadly I am not that clever. I hope I will have more knitting to report after I return. Until then I hope you all stay well!

Small Change

2007-09-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

A powerful thing happened here this weekend. My first born decided she would no longer wear a diaper at night. This came the night before visiting my parent's house and lets just say that my mom was nervous about the idea. I reluctantly put a diaper back on her the first night of our stay. She got up several times before finally falling asleep at ten and when I went to bed at eleven (why do we not have to sense to go to bed earlier?) I debated getting her up to go but decided to let her sleep instead. I had no idea how this strategy would work but wouldn't you know it she got up at three in the morning on her own. My mom got up to assist her and I came along a short while later to get her into bed and was about to put her diaper back on when my mom (who was so proud of her first grandchild) stopped me and said, "any little girl who gets up at three to pee doesn't need to wear a diaper." And with that my little girl, bolstered by her nana's confidence in her, hasn't looked back. It may take me some time to recover from this major milestone. It is like she has shed the last remnants of her babyhood. Needless to say I am very proud but also very emotional about this "small change".

I do have more knitting to report, because I finished a sock for daughter two. My favourite thing about sock knitting is just before the toe is stitched it looks as though a lone sock just magically appeared on the needles. Like Natalie would say, voodoo magic—I like that analogy.

Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Labour Day weekend.

What a pair!

2007-08-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

An FO for you! A pair of socks (more or less equal in size). The second was a breeze to finish. It helped that my daughter was excited to have a pair and insisted I keep knitting.

Two size two Addi circular needles
Ocean Wind Knits, super wash merino
Started: Sometime in July finished August 27

As an aside I was doing some research into Cheingora and thought you might all get a kick out of this little feud between dog fur spinners. There are companies out there that will collect and prepare your dog's fur so you can knit with the final product. Seems there are some terms that have been copy written by one company. The battle has been a public one owing to the internet. Aw, technology, the modern day soap opera. Trademark law may never be the same. See Furever Creations for the details.

If We Could Do It All Over Again

2007-08-17T11:29:00.000-07:00

That is my mom to the left, my sister to the right. Vic is at the far right. It is my favourite photo taken just after we were married.

We wouldn't change a thing...well maybe just a few minor things. It has been five years today since we made honest people of ourselves. We may splurge on dinner in tonight—I know seems a bit too crazy for you mild mannered folks out there. Maybe we'll even get to turn in early.

Enjoy your weekend and thank you to everyone for their sock love. I have started on the second and am into the miles long stocking stitch portion (five inches with fingering weight yarn and size two needles!) It would be really great to finish it this week-end so here's hoping.

Pick A Pear

2007-08-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well I didn't actually pick them, I chose them and aren't they gorgeous? I am feeling a pang for the fact that the fruits of summer are winding down. The fruits of my labour however are just getting started. Check out my finished left sock. We love a good sock puppet in our house. It is the left sock because it doesn't have a technically perfect heel but after restarting so many times there was no way I was going to do it again. Now to cast on for the right sock—I am aiming for perfection. Wish me luck! Oh and please excuse the lint on the floor— I'll will try for perfection in house keeping, ah, later...

I Turned My First Heel!

2007-08-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

And as it turns out, it looks like a sock after all. I will post a pic soon but I am currently unmotivated to go to the trouble of getting the camera, uploadhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifing the photo, and sending it to blogger—I am downright lazy. I was knitting the sock while watching Because I Said So, which turns out to be a good movie to knit to. I did look up whenever character was on. He is fine!

So stay tuned for a picture. Hope you all had a great week-end.

The Case of the Disappearing Cheese Crackers

2007-08-08T19:10:00.001-07:00

This week-end someone in our family let a bag of cheese crackers fall to the floor (Late July crackers—YUM!) spewing cracker bits and crumbs under the kitchen table. Since I didn't actually see the crime in progress I can't assign blame, but I have my suspect based on who was last seen holding the bag. Wearily (while saying in a mildly sarcastic tone, don't worry, I'll get it, under my breath) I bent down to clean it up. My husband jokingly said using my oldest daughter's tone of voice, just leave it, mom (which sounds more like m-aaww-m), it'll just disappear. From her, er, rather his perspective this is true. A mess left is gone by the time anyone gets back to the scene of the crime. And don't I wish there was magic! But no matter how many times I have tried I couldn't fold a single piece of laundry by simply wiggling my nose, and no matter how hard I wish I still don't have a magic wand. If I did, I would banish all other clunky manual cleaning devices from the house. Sorry, I am getting lost in my own fantasy.

What is the problem here you may ask? It is just a few crumbs on the floor. Well consider this: a Mafia godfather, was discovered—after forty years on the run!—when his clean laundry was followed from his wife's house to his hideout. You would think that doing your own laundry while on the run from the polizia would be a no-brainer. But it doesn't end there. While in prison he still gets to send his laundry to his wife once a month! Don't get me wrong I don't expect my children to be organized criminals, but I do want to instill in them the importance of doing their own chores and, I guess, to never leave a paper trail?!

What I am trying to say is, crumbs do not disappear. Probably someone swept them up, or vacuumed, or maybe the dog ate them. But if it wasn't the dog it was likely me, Sarah a.k.a m-aaww-m.

**Added this morning: When I read Yarnhog's comment to this post I was reminded of this Invisible Mom commercial. Apparently it created a lot of outrage because some people thought they were invisible to their families because their hair didn't look good. We all know it doesn't matter what your hair looks like. I could wear a duck on my head while cleaning the kitchen and still they might not offer to help. So if you were offended by this commercial, please don't view it, it will only bring up past hurts. I thought it was kind of funny—although it didn't make me want to run out and buy Suave.

No Post

2007-08-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am preparing a post and deliberating whether I will post it or not. So in the meantime I thought I would link to one of my favourite posts this week by Yarnhog called So Much Cooler Online. I have often had those thoughts too.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

2007-07-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I participated in a Row For Heart regatta. The regatta came at the end of eight weeks training (1 night a week). It was fun and challenging and I will miss the workout.

Hope you all had a wonderful week-end.

Bad To The Bone

2007-07-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

I am a bad blogger lately. The truth is I have been kept fairly busy at nap time and night again dealing with my daughter who is teething. My mother likes to say that the teething excuse can be used from infancy to adult hood (what with wisdom teeth and all) so I am cashing in on it now.

So here is what I have been doing besides reading all of your blogs because I lack anything to write about in my own.

I downloaded a really cute sometime-in-the-future project to do for the kids from Anny Purls site called Buddy Bags.

We got rid of the old fridge we had been keeping from the early eighties realizing that it is the fashion trends you hold onto, not the appliances—who knew? The newer model is a couple years old in case, by some miracle, we find and move into a house we can leave our appliances for the new owners. It is must more efficient and doesn't heat the house like our old one.

I went to see a movie, alone, I have never done this before and found it oddly liberating. I didn't have to worry about getting two seats together, I got to sit in the very back row so no one could kick my seat, and I didn't have to wait for my husband before I butted into the queue leaving the theatre—I hate waiting in a slow moving queue when there is clearly enough room to manoeuvre around. The downside to this miraculous alone time came when the woman next to me, who I had only moments before been praising for helping me find my comfy seat, turned to her partner and said "If you have any questions during the moving just ask". What the? No, this is a movie! You know quiet please!, cell phones off! So for the whole movie she kept updating him on things during the film (even though he never asked once). Then she lamented about a group of girls who had giggled at a point in the movie "chatty lady" deemed inappropriate. Hello pot, it's the kettle calling...

I have been reading a few books. First, my guilty pleasure is the Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Plum series. I love a quick read in the summer it is better than watching t.v. and I share many of the main characters theories on food and happiness and also my hair does the same thing hers does when it is cut too short. Second, a great book by Adria Vasil called, Ecoholic. Third, I am reading the latest and final HP book. So whatever time is left in my day will now go to that. I can't imagine it will last longer than the week-end which is a relief because if I take any longer my 9 year old nephew will spoil the ending.

Well, better get back to my reading. This isn't going to do anything for my lack of energy of late, but it is too good to put down.

Thank you for missing me!

The Great Food Debate

2007-07-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

My alternative title for this post is "Help—My Daughter Won't Eat Tomatoes, or Vegetables, or Drink Milk."

I am inspired by a lot of things and, even though I don't write about it a lot, I am passionate about food (not in a romantic way—although I could be convinced to marry chocolate if I weren't already committed to someone else). What I find challenging is making meals everyday, three times a day, for three other people. Not just because of the work load but, with kids especially, it isn't always easy to get everyone geared up about the same meal. I try to offer foods that get me excited to eat dinner. Items my three year old may not eat now served along with foods she is sure to eat with the hope that one day she may appreciate a variety of foods. Yesterday I was totally inspired by these Ontario grown heirloom tomatoes. The colours are amazing, and they made an awesome salad which I ate (Vic was golfing) while the kids ate grilled chicken sandwiches and, of course, feta cheese.

My salad (in case you all eat your vegetables) was made with red leaf lettuce, thinly sliced heirloom tomatoes, with crumbled feta cheese. I made an onion vinaigrette with red onion—finely chopped, 1 part white wine vinegar to 2 parts olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, some dried oregano—rubbed, a little honey, salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste. Ah, I almost feel like I travelled to Greece for dinner tonight.

My point in all of this is, when do children change from picky eaters (a.k.a. little dinner control freaks) to being a little more adventurous, try-it-just-once-before-saying-you-don't-like-it eaters?

Now I feel a little guilty for complaining. Daughter one does eat a lot of things other kids may not even touch, it isn't all bad. Still, what has she got against a cute, little, delictible tomato?

A Sock Is A Pocket for Your Toes

2007-07-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

A Sock Is A Pocket for Your Toes is a very cute book the girls and I have been reading lately. I was inspired to start a pair of kiddie socks for the girls on two circular needles, thank you Sarah for the pattern. I have never knit socks before and the pattern is perfect for a beginner like me. I like using two circulars, there are only two visible seems, I think on dbl points I would have a ribbing pattern going on. The yarn is Ocean Wind Knits fingering in Ahoy colourway, daughter one loves blue. Daughter two will get a pair using the same yarn but in the shiraz colourway. It is a soft yarn that knits up well and the variegated pattern is really very subtle, very beautiful. I am loving it! If you check out her blog, Lori has knit two incredible shawls freshly knit.

Baby's Got Her Own Stash

I was at the LYS twice this week for circular needle buying, then exchanging. The first set were sharp at the join where cord meets needle, I am still not completely happy with the second set of Addi's because they have a bit of a noticeable join in the same spot. They don't snag the yarn so far, but the yarn does slow down when pulling it onto the needle part. Would you exchange them again if you were me?

While at the store my daughter adopted a sizable stash for her tender age. Sure the yarn is scratchy and completely un-wearable, but it is a pleasant looking purple and green stash complete with a miniature yarn basket. She is currently mastering the corking tool we bought. I envision many long cords sewn into pot holders, or necklaces. I thought it would be neat to use one cord as a flower and felt it to decorate my clutch—a collaborative effort between mother and daughter.

Hope you all enjoy a fun weekend.

Please Pass the KD

2007-07-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

In honour of my country's 140 birthday I thought I would post some fun canadian factoids I found—some I knew, some I had no idea about—for my friends north and south of the border. Before I go upstairs to crank up the Avril Lavene, Michel Bublé and Feist while I wash the kitchen floors I want to say Happy Canada Day and Happy fourth of July too!

Canadians consume more Kraft Dinner per capita than any other nationality in the world. (I did not know that.)

Canada has more donut shops per-capita than any other country in the world. (So true, I think Hamilton must have one on every corner—I don't drink coffee though.)

More than 75% of the world's supply of maple syrup comes from Canada. (Yum! Where would the beloved pancake be without us?)

Myths about Canada:

Canadians all say "eh" and "aboot".
Sure, some of us do, but Canada is a big country with many different people who speak many different languages with different dialects.

Canada's national sport is Hockey.
Not completely true. While Hockey is very popular, and considered national pastime, our national sport is Lacrosse. Oh, and we invented Baseball too. ~ with regards to the baseball tidbit, it is a hotly contested fact. I did not make it up and I don't support or deny the claim. If you are a very confirmed baseball fan and want to pour over the opinions, I found a few sites that might be of interest to you but the Beachville, Ontario Museum is a short but sweet account of an earlier game than the Cooperstown game by Dr. Ford, with a woollen ball reference worth noting on knitting blog.

Canadians policemen are all Mounties dressed in red uniforms.
Our cops are the same as American cops. The Mounties usually only dress up in red for for special occasions.

Myths taken from Canadians.ca

Happy Anniversary

2007-06-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

I am not great at math, but by my calculations I had my fiftieth post on the 26th. And because today is the ten year anniversary of the first day I met my husband at Edgefest in Barrie, Ontario, I am feeling especially nostalgic. He and I were at the Molson's V.I.P. beer tent—high class, non? He was impressed by my eating prowess, I am not sure what impressed me about him—probably he was a hottie—never-the-less we finally got it together to talk three months after we first met and here we are ten years, one dog and two beautiful babies later. He is my best friend and the only person I trust to tell me things straight up, to make me laugh even when I feel like screaming and crying, to still find me attractive at times when I, quite obviously, am not. Back then I couldn't have imagined how rich my life would be.

So, in addition to recalling the past, I wanted to say thank you to all of you for reading, making generously nice comments, and for sharing my day-to-day (and yours) with me.

Speaking of nostalgia, Spice Girls comeback?! Maybe ten years haven't really passed? Maybe this is all just a dream? Thankfully I don't get a chance to listen to the radio these days otherwise I am sure their annoyingly catchy tunes would be one of my new guilty pleasures.

SWA Designs 2007

The Clutch—Pre-Felt

2007-06-26T18:07:00.001-07:00

Thought you would all like a little proof of knitting. I will post a finished pick, maybe after I buy an embellishment for it. A hot pink clutch needs a little something to make it real purdy.

The One Thing She Asked For Her Third Birthday

2007-06-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

And I am, of course, a slave to Her very "simple" request for a birthday present: "A regular Diego Cake." Only a one-glass-of-wine project—but I am a slow drinker. You should also note that using cocktail umbrellas to prop up the foil so it wouldn't touch the cake, is a bad idea. Think, Bridget Jones'—blue soup.

Whine and Cheese

2007-06-19T19:17:00.001-07:00

We spent a lovely night out in Niagara at the Niagara New Vintages Festival with two really good friends, about 70 wineries, gourmet cheese, various little plates of food and some home grown celebrities—Anna Olsen and Rob Rainford. That is me in the picture, with Anna Olsen behind who, although lovely, has never made her own vanilla so she could not answer my question about the sediment in the bottom of my bottle and whether that is normal. Anyone out there know the answer?

It was an enjoyable night and the weather was great. I got to dress-up, wear jewellery, AND make-up—I felt so grown-up. I drove, so I had to be selective and only tasted one wine, 20 Bees and their very worthy Chardonnay, yum!

I am knitting a little felted purse (rather fulled, for Kristin) from the One Skein book. It is hot pink and almost finished, which for me means sometime before summer's end. Stay tuned.

Warning...

2007-06-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

...This blog post contains gratuitous information about the environment and may cause some to run screaming. I realize they sound a little goodie goodie, but be assured I still do a lot of really contrary things like throwing out a container in the fridge rather than open it to see its probably hideous contents. I am sure your list could be longer than mine.

Kristin tagged me for a meme. There are no rules to follow really, just a list of your efforts to support the environment.

A few years back I worked at a botanical garden and had the pleasure to meet and work with many true naturalists, ecologists and taxonomists. In particular one of my friends, we'll call him Carl, would get the restaurant on site to use his plastic containers when packaging his take out order. I know it seems small, and maybe this is no new thing for some, but it really occurred to me then what a person can do to make a difference. He ate out at that restaurant at least once a week for the year so he saved more than 50 containers from the landfill. If we all had it would have been a much more impressive number.

I am not a real outdoors person. I remember my first camping trip with my parents was torture for me. The toilet—which wasn't nice to start—had BUGS in it. I was beside myself. This early experience aside, and even though I rarely camp anymore and still don't really care for bugs (don't even get me started on ants!!!), I would not want nature tainted for others or my children's children. I do my part—I could do more—but I try to be a steward for the environment.

What we do:

• refuse to use bug spray on the afore-mentioned ants. They seem to find their way into my house every spring. They are little ones, but VERY annoying and, though I have entertained thoughts of flame-torching them away, I have managed to keep them at bay using the least toxic methods I know—squashing, vacuuming, applying soap to the entry way (they apparently don't like hygiene), a 50/50 split of icing sugar and baking soda which is supposed to make them explode because they cannot digest baking soda—but I have my doubts as this is the least effective method, lemon rind, boiling water which is highly effective but good for outdoor use only, and talking to them in a very stern and commanding voice to "leave my house!"—did I say the icing sugar method is the least effective. I digress, onto the next thing I do;

• clean with green cleaning products, and various home-made recipes;

• we use low VOC paint, and other building materials with low environmental impact;

• I compost a lot, but should compost a lot more;

• we pick up garbage where it ought not to be, like at the park, and hope to teach my kids by example to take care of the places we derive enjoyment from;

• we try to buy local produce, but this really works best in summer. In winter I look for hothouse tomatoes and cucumbers;

• As it becomes more accessible we are buying organic whenever practical, and intend to check out this not-to-out-of-the-way organic farmer's market;

• For laundry I use hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine bleach;

• Drying laundry on the line as much as possible;

• I try to conserve energy and water: using the dishwasher and dryer at night, recycle, turning lights off when not needed, using cold water, use compact fluorescent bulbs, have a motion light in high traffic area, try to follow these guidelines;

• the babies use un-bleached diapers, and used a cotton service for baby one. I use a recycling service for the unbleached diapers;

• make use of cloth bags for groceries and shopping, or no bags if I have forgotten to bring them to the grocer—that went over really well;

• I donate unwanted items in the house to charity;

• use rags for cleaning;

• buy 100% recycled paper towels and toilet paper (tp isn't something the husband has adjusted well to)

What I would like to do:
• I would love to own a healthy home and live off of the power grid;

• would love to have solar panels;

• would love to sign up for BullFrog power—but am, admittedly, too cheap thus far. Maybe when we move;

• would love a hybrid for trips around the city, for those times when the kids aren't in the car. For now we keep our cars well maintained;

• wish I composted more and didn't get lazy about;

• want to upgrade our aged refridgerator, and washing machine. Honestly, they could collect a pension they are so old. I am told we have to wait for our move, so keep your fingers crossed that I get a freezer bottom fridge and front load washer soon.

This was a longer-than-expected post. Thank you Kristin, for tagging me. I am surprised at how long the list is. It never really seemed like all that much effort until I wrote it all down.

The Ugly Step-Sister

2007-06-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

I found this on a friend's blog and thought, o.k., for a laugh I'll do it. But, clearly, I am the ugly step-sister. Maybe with a little make-up...

http://www.myheritage.com

How Do You Hold Your Yarn?

2007-06-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

I have heard much talk of toe-up knitting. Everyone who tries seems to love it, so I am jumping on the bandwagon too. All eager to get started, I sought out a little guidance on starting the technique. My KnittingHelp.com had the video guidance I was in need of.

What struck me about this video assistance is not how neat and simple the technique looks, but how she holds the string. She holds the yarn in her left hand, taught, and works the right needle into the stitch to snag the yarn and pull it through. I hold the yarn in my right hand put the right needle through the stitch then wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through to make the stich. I have tried her way of doing and it makes sense, but it got me thinking, is that the way most knitter knit? Have I been doing it the remedial way? Help out here with an impromtu survey and let me know, how do you hold your yarn?

Fortoul, For SMF

2007-05-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Got some new things in the mail the other day. Here is one of the items. Pardon the really bad photos! Thank you again Sabrina.

My Favourite Things...

2007-05-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

If Oprah can do it, so can I. Although I am sure my list won't get as much attention as her list usually does.

I always feel very good this time of year. I get to go to the outdoor farmer's market that opens every spring and runs until the end of October. We can run out of the house without first gearing up in coats and boots. We can enjoy the park, and sunshine, and wind. There isn't a lot of humidity yet, so it is bearable outside. It seems that we get to enjoy our friends more this time of year too. There seems to be a BBQ every other week-end.

I feel that my posts have been lacking photos lately and since I appreciate a visual blog as much as the next person there are a lot today.

Here are photos of my, incomplete, list of favourite things: Clean laundry hung on the line to dry; my butternut/beechnut tree—we're not sure which; hostas under my tree; my daughter going head-first down the 'big' slide; my other daughter climbing everything; my iris bed about to burst open into a display of beautiful and sweet smelling blooms; blue and yellow pansies; finally getting to the armholes on the 'mile-long' bath robe pattern.

In the Name of Progress

2007-05-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have finally gotten to within an inch of my 17 inch goal for the bath robe. Yay!

No picture—very sorry—it just wasn't in the cards today. I was doing some serious house keeping today. Not much else new to report. Except that I am very anxiously awaiting the arrival of two packages. The first from So Much Fun—can't wait! The second from aeroplan. We had some points to use up and there is no chance we will be travelling this year, so, my husband is getting an ipod (finally) and I am getting a le Creuset set which goes great with my mother's day gift to myself a Mac santoku knife—it is soooo slick, makes me feel like a chef! When they arrive I can't wait to whip up a ragu in my new cookware, while wearing my clock-to-pus shirt and carrie hoodie.

The Deadly Number Seven

2007-05-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

All right I have been tagged. Thank you A.D.D Knitter!

I don't mind sharing these seven things about myself. Usually I am fairly chatty, so sharing is second nature to me. Hopefully you are all still interested to know more about me.

1. When I was in grade one my mom and I were hit by a deer crossing the highway we were driving home on. It totalled the car we were in, but we made it out o.k. When I see deer along the highway I feel nervous and weepy. It has definitely shaped who I am and how I drive.

2. I lost the tip of my middle finger in the double hung window at my Nana's house. I was three, thought I was being helpful and lifted it, only to have it slice my finger when it came down by itself.

3. Clowns scare the bejesus out of me.

4. In addition to yarn stores, love stationery stores and kitchen supply stores.

5. One of my favourite things to do is watch t.v. with my husband. We find the same things funny—others might not find us nearly as amusing as we find ourselves—and it makes us laugh that we were thinking the same thought. See, t.v. can be good for you.

6. I like 60 Minutes—the show, not the allotment of time.

7. I have been lucky enough to travel to Germany, Austria, Holland, Lebanon, Aruba, Turks and Caicos, and various parts of the U.S. Although I enjoyed each trip, ,y favourite place by far is my home—Canada. I hope to see every part of it in my lifetime.

Here is an unsolicited fact, I do not usually follow the rules of a chain/tag. Haven't since I received my first chain letter when I was six years old. So, rather than tag you, this is what I will do. If you read me, and you are willing, please feel free to list seven things about yourself, on your blog, which I would be glad to read about you.

And, in keeping with the power of seven, I will list seven blogs which I enjoy reading in no particular order:

So Much Fun
A Few Things to Say
Strands of Me
January One (not really sure if she reads me, but I find her obsession to be very interesting)
A Friend to Knit With
Big Girl Feet (also not really sure she reads me, but she is a kick ass Graphic Designer and artist)
Musindigo (got her awesome, yummy yarn in last post, she may not read me either. probably you have already sensed that trend)

The A.D.D. Knitter (doesn't count in the list of seven because she tagged me for this post! But it should be said that I enjoy her blog too. And her current post, which includes her seven things, has a point about blogging and our blog personas that I was just thinking before I read her today. Point of contention: is that not a picture of you from the yarn festival with your daughter?)

What Colours are They?

2007-05-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

I should have mentioned this before, I left the yarn colours out of my last post. They are, in the picture from yesterday's post from left to right, 'ahoy', 'shiraz', and 'sweetgrass'.

A Lot of Yarn

2007-05-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

This photo does not do the yarn justice. I cannot wait to knit something with it. I bought two of skeins of each in case I knit socks, but I really have no idea what pattern to knit. I am sure I will have fun figuring it out. Also, i am really running out of space to stash my 'stash'. I must get going on my knitting!

Hope you all had a wonderful time as, or with your mothers.

Knitting and the V&A

2007-05-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

"Ruth: I learned to knit about 3 years ago, when I was about 22. I knitted a (very long) striped scarf in garter stitch. When I took it home to show my mom, she commented 'It's like something a five year old would knit!' (she started knitting when she was 2, apparently). I was slightly miffed at such a comment and was proud of my scarf. However, I was not put off. I am still knitting today and have even joined a knitting group that I go to every week. I have progressed from scarves to bags, and am now making one for a friend. To please my mom, I have now learned how to do moss stitch!"

Taken from Your Stories of Learning to Knit

I found this today while looking for a fun anecdote to relay to you all because I didn't want to bore you with the details of my bath robe—it is like watching grass grow to knit it. I am 7 inches into a 17 inch length on the back but thanks to a really gripping episode of Lost I had to stop knitting and watch. (Wasn't Jacob creepy?)

The reason Ruth's story struck a cord in me was that I can't imagine this happening in the blog-o-sphere. Even though my bath robe might be a bit (no, VERY) dull unfinished, I feel your support and thank you for not saying so. I am sure we have all had to contend with a fairly boring knit. And can you imagine a mother poo-pooing any sophomore knitting effort? By the time my girls are 22 I'll feel pretty good if they feel a shared interest in anything I do. After all knitting a scarf in garter stitch (which as I am learning is all purling, right?) must have required a lot of stamina.

I leave you with a visual on the bathrobe progress. The photo may look familiar, I doctored the original photo until I could come up with an interesting way to shoot it although it looks pretty accurate.

Got My Pottery Fix

2007-05-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

Once again I have nothing to show you as far as progress on any of my knitting projects. I have been unusually busy with design projects. Bear in mind that for me two projects at the same time is busy. I have been squeezing in the work after 9 p.m. when daughter two goes to bed so I have had some really late nights. Plus, I was forced (it didn't take much really) to join Facebook, which isn't my favourite past-time so far. I get the novelty of finding out what people have done in their life, but then what? Still I just can't help but login every day to see what's to see. On the other hand it has given me a new perspective on my younger sister. I get to see her from her friends' point-of-view. O.k. maybe that made it worth while.

This past week-end I got to indulge my pottery-tooth. Twice every year the local pottery guild has a sale with over 100 potters in attendance. There is something for every taste. Here is my taste:

Thank you for the support. Apparently I am not the only 'bad' blogger who hates to purl. Sabrina's efforts to avoid it sounded quite inventive, I have had those thoughts too.

I am eagerly anticipating my new yarn purchase which will arrive this week. I can't wait!

Popple Gets a Tan

2007-04-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

The sun stopped by again this past weekend, much to the delight of my daughters who enjoyed a turn or two around my parents backyard. It is lovely to get out and take in the sun, even the popple got a little fresh air. Not sure how my parents feel about having their home littered with toys, but I like the fact that my girls are enjoying some of my old favourites.

My diaper bag is dubbing quite nicely as a knitting carryall, bringing new meaning to the name "mothership". As you can see from the photo I made very little progress on the Knit Cafe Bath Robe it carried to my parents' this week-end—only about 10 rows. At this rate I may finish it before my second daughter turns five.

This week-end taught me some more things-I-know-because-I-knit. I learned that knitting and driving (as a passenger) makes me a little carsick, and that my childhood hate-on for purl rows is coming back to me. Am I the only one who has this preference to knit rather than purl?

It was a Beautiful Weekend

2007-04-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Over 50 people fed, 5 dozen cupcakes baked, watching my kids get icing all over their faces—priceless.

Last year, on earth day, I woke up in labour. I got my hair done, dragged Kristin along in case I couldn't drive home, called my parents to come look after daughter one (while the hubby and I were gone), and waited for the arrival of daughter two. When she came out—very quickly—I got to hold her while she was still attached (between my legs after standing to deliver her) because the second midwife hadn't had time to get to the hospital before she debuted. She was tough and strong and beautiful.

Now she walks, talks (I can understand her) she climbs, and falls, and finds herself quite funny. She is tough and strong and cuddly, and every bit as sweet as daughter one.

I am lucky, very lucky.

Her birthday weekend was beautiful, warm and sunny. Everyone enjoyed being able to sit out after so much cold, wet weather.

Enjoy a virtual cupcake from the party! Coconut, morning glory and black bottom, yum!

I should also point out that I do shower or bathe almost everyday. Not sure if I made myself clear in my last post, it was late when I wrote it and I was a bit loopy. Hope I didn't scare too many of you away ;—) Not that I stay clean after a day spent with the girls. I usually wear most of their meals by days end.

Earth Day Birthday

2007-04-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

Some ideas start small, but what if we could do something huge? My husband, who ordinarily is not interested in the blog-o-sphere actually asked me to find out what people think of an idea he has.

We were watching 20/20's episode about the environment and he was inspired by an idea. What if we had an international or—is it even possible?— a worldwide don't-take-a-shower-day? How much water could be saved in that one day? I reasoned that I already have those days, but he insisted it had to be on a much larger scale, still I try to do my part.

Furthermore, what if we had a do-not-drive-your-car-day? We decided that these days would have to fall on a week-end, say earth day, maybe even the two actions could happen simultaneously. We could all be government sanctioned to stay home in our pajamas that day. He is arguing that a try-not-to-drive day would be easier to accomplish, but everyone will think their reason for driving anyway is valid. Also we are tossing around all the fun sayings like, "two and out" and the ever popular "If its yellow let it mellow..." (you may know the rest).

So, let me know what you all think. Look at how many people celebrate St. Patrick's Day? That has me thinking, maybe there needs to be a wine, beer or spirit involved? How about a do-not-shower/try-not-to-drive day Appletini? (30 ml vanilla vodka, 10 ml Sourze Apple)

Stir with ice and strain into an ice cold cocktail glass.
Decorate with an apple slice.

Or maybe a Gin Fizz? (60 ml gin, 40 ml lemon juice, sugar, club soda to top with. Shake all ingredients except the club soda in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a rocks glass. Top off with a small dash of club soda just to add the fizz. Decorate with a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry.

Well, happy earth day everyone!

You Can Keep My Tea Warm Any Day

2007-04-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

And the tea cozy winner is...

...The Felted Tea Cozy. Too fun! I will cast on soon. I was so inspired by the designer's wool blanket cozy (pictured in the same Knitty.com article) that I started a temporary cozy similar to it with some fleece I had on hand. (Sorry no photo yet.)

I was a bit limited in colour choice since I bought the fleece this year for Halloween costumes. Daughter 1 wanted to be a blue animal!? (thank god for birds), daughter 2 got to be a pile of autumn leaves.

Did I mention I need a new kitchen? That is my portable dishwasher in the background. Useful, but pretty U-G-L-Y

It is hard to tell, but the hat has a green leaf on the top

I am up to my eyeballs with schedules in order to get everything ready in time for Saturday (about 26 ppl) and Sunday (about 30 ppl). Not sure how I will get it all done in time, then again it always goes well in the end. Miraculously there is always time for blogging (thank you for reading). Hope you all enjoy your week-end! The weather here is finally spring-like. Yay.

Tidbit #3: I, like Sabrina, also went to art school. So there was lots of (nude) figure drawing—we were so, a-hem, mature that my friends and I could never keep a straight face in these classes.

Birthday Anticipation

2007-04-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

We (I mean me dragging the kids around town buying this and that) are busy preparing for a big week-end. My baby turns one! It isn't that I can't believe it, it is just that it happened in a flash.

Saturday is a get-together with friends, Sunday will be a family gathering. Don't get me wrong, I love parties, but it is a lot of work to get them to go smoothly so I am gearing up for all the hours on my feet in the kitchen.

What is on the menu? Saturday will offer roasted chicken, roasted red pepper and goat cheese sarnies, macaroni and cheese (for the children, of course), sun dried tomato dip with veggies for munching, and a roasted garlic white bean dip with toasts. For dessert, CUPCAKES! I am going to make coconut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and black bottom cupcakes with chocolate frosting, and fruit with yogurt dip.

Sunday will offer chicken kebab, pork loin roast, turkey burger (sticks), red pepper rice pilaf, some green veg of some sort, roasted potatoes, hummus, green salad with vinaigrette, some sort of pasta, birthday cake (which I haven't decided to buy or make yet) but if I make it it will be carrot cake, and fruit.

Why am I telling you all this? Well I really need to keep it in my head. I need to see it written to know it is enough food because our families will eat it if it is on the table and I am always afraid of running out as a result. Believe it or not, last year we did run out, not even my butcher saw that coming. Also, it will explain why I am not going to be writing about knitting until this week-end is over.

I will leave you with a tidbit and a recipe to share a taste of what we are having.

Roasted Garlic White Bean dip

1 head garlic, roasted or 2 clove raw garlic
1 19-oz can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed or 2 cups cooked beans
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
1/2 tsp hot red pepper sauce
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
salt to taste

Place beans in a food processor. Squeeze garlic out of skins and add to beans. Blend.
Blend in lemon juice, oil, hot pepper sauce, cumin, and pepper.
Taste and add salt or more lemon juice if necessary.

Tidbit #2: I am itching to get a food processor, a new kitchen, and I have a school girl crush on chef Gordon Ramsay (ala Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's Kitchen).

Bag 'O Yarn

2007-04-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I purchased a whole whack of yarn for two new projects--neither one started mind you. My daughter picked Nashua Cilantro for her bathrobe(she had help choosing the brand) in aqua with fuchsia for the trim. As a purist, I feel a little guilty buying a blended fibre (cotton, polyester), but it makes it very washable. I may change my mind before it is knitted we'll see.

For my slouchy cardigan from Greetings from the Knit Cafe, I chose Berroco Ultra Alpaca in denim.

The consensus among my blog friends is that a tea cozy is, in fact, not lame! So I am searching for a pattern. The Knit 2 Together pattern is an option. But I found this one while searching which made me laugh. The illustration is something else. The contenders are this one from Knitty.com and this one will catch Kristin's attention, the pentafold tea cozy, A lace cozy and a cabled cozy. It would seem there are no shortage of patterns available on the web.

O.k. so this one is for Sabrina over at So Much Fun, which by the way is also a really cool store for clothes and accessories. My something new that you don't know about me is that I am a foofer. I like to fix tags sticking out of peoples shirts, I flick fluff from their shoulders--I can't help it. So when I worked as a hostess at a restaurant in university I sat a very nice couple at a table one night. Immediately after seating them I saw it--a long hair coming out of the gentleman's collar. Without thinking I move to foof it away. I am not sure how long it took me to realize, but it seemed like forever, that the hair was ATTACHED!!! It must have been three inches long! But I was so mortified I didn't let go right away. His wife kindly said "He's hairy, I call him my hairy man". Hairy is right! you could have braided his chest hair. I finally released the hair and apologized profusely and secretly hoped I would never have to see them again. So embarrassing.

And with that, good night!

Finishing Details and What Next?

2007-04-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

I thought, how hard could it be? Well, apparently, finishing takes a bit of practice (sorry Kristin's baby, you get to be my guinea pig for this bolero.) I have taken away valuable lessons for future projects so I suppose that is an upside. It should get better from here, right?

This photo was taken on the week-end. The bolero is now drying after a wash and I am dog tired and not photographing it today. It looks great from the outside, a little slapdash (a term from a kids book, Pish and Posh Wish for Fairy Wings my daughter absolutely loves which loosely translated means sloppy—or silly, we're not quite sure but we like how it sounds) from the inside.

Now I am itching to buy wool for my next project. Is it lame to want to knit a tea cozy? I have a great tea pot that needs some lovin'. I would also like to do a head band, and comfy pants for the kids. I still want to knit the bath robe from the Greetings from the Knit Cafe book, but I am scared of the yarn. What to do, what to do?

If you have ever been fascinated with the thought of dyeing yarn, check out Scout's Swag Site today for a demo of Scout's Ghetto Warping Board. She makes it look easy. I have been tempted since reading the Knitty article about kool aid dyeing. The colours are really vibrant. However, this doesn't give me the urge to want to drink the stuff.

Spring has Sprung!?

2007-04-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

So this was the scene on Easter morning here. Can you believe it? Ordinarily, Easter weather is bright and at least on the warmer side of 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). Of course this weather did not put a damper on the egg hunting, which went something like this: Daughter number one finding eggs, excitedly putting them in a basket. Daughter two finding eggs, excitedly showing mom and dad, daughter one saying "thank you" and taking the eggs from daughter two, then putting them in a basket. It was quite entertaining. I was up late finishing the baby bolero and hiding eggs was the last thing I did before bed at 1 a.m. Not very wise considering as soon as daughter one woke she was very eager to "hunt".

I did manage to scrape up enough energy to boil our breakfast eggs in three fun colours for extra oomph to a staple meal around here. Lots of photos for you to enjoy. I thought the eggs looked neat bubbling along with the colours and some oil for speckling.

The baby bolero is finished, hear the heavenly music playing? It took a lot of ripping out, and frustration, but it continues to shape up as I sew in more loose threads. Better get back to it while I can.

Hope you all had a great week-end!

Things I Know Because I Knit

2007-04-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

I know that the term "knitting", for me, means more time ripping out work to fix a mistake, then actual knitting.

That sewing fabric and sewing knitted work are two very different things yielding very different results. I have spent the last week sewing, and re-sewing the knitted sleeve of the baby bolero, despite the very appreciated help from Leslie.

That sewing on the second sleeve goes much faster than sewing the first.

Knitting requires patience—I am getting better at that one...slowly.

In addition to being a design snob, am now also a yarn snob.

My LYS is closed at 4 p.m. on Saturday! Closed on Sundays AND Mondays! What mother can work within those hours? I need another LYS.

Did you know you can crave a yarn much like craving chocolate. I have been pretty itchy to buy lately! Dear Cadbury's, please understand I am not saying yarn is better than chocolate! Sincerely, your devoted fan.

I can knit my own hat! And because of this I also know I can knit my own socks, mitts, pants, blankets — anything. This knowledge is very empowering even if I don't take advantage of all the possibilities (or know how to sew them properly.)

I would love to hear what you know now because of knitting.

More Yarn I Admire

2007-04-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

What an original blog post title.

Looking for Canadian content for this next round of this topic I was getting discouraged. I suppose I am a design snob, so let's just say that there were a lot of sites I entered and exited really quickly.

For those of you who like a really down to earth feel Nature Song Yarn are a good bet. Think subtle and relaxing.

I started to get excited when I found Ocean Wind Knits. In addition to some really beautiful colourways they have fun patterns too.

I started to salivate when I found Sweet Georgia Yarns. This was exactly what I had been searching for. With names like honey fig, afterglow, libertine, boheme, the colours are a promise delivered—vibrant, modern and fun! Now for the bad news—HIATUS—that's right no Sweet Georgia for at least six months starting April 15. Bummer, I just found her and poof! she's gone.

Can't go to bed until I mention Handmaiden a division of Fleece Artist. Great colours and, as with all of the previous options, a worthy blog too.

Yarn I Admire

2007-03-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

I admit that there has been a knitting dry spell in this blog of late. I apologise for it and hope to remedy it today, not by showing more of my knitting progress—of which there is none to date—but by sharing some of my favourite yarns.

My current fav is by Scout at Scout's Swag. I think prepster looks good enough to eat, but I would definitely follow that with fraises des boise and needles on fire for dessert. Can you tell I like pink?

While I was searching for more yummy hand dyed yarn, I came across Hello Yarn. Colourways I love here include laughs, puzzled and syrup.

I will continue with more on this topic later, but really I am using this post to secure my Technorati profile. Hope I don't end up regretting it. I was really motivated to CLAIM MY BLOG.

Technorati Profile

What a Difference a Year Makes!

2007-03-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

I was looking through my iPhotos and feeling very nostalgic. I thought I would remind myself what it was like around here by this time last year. It really is amazing to me how much can change in just one year. Judging by the photo you may have had the same thoughts about me, I was about ready to burst by the time that photo was taken, but still had more than a month before daughter two came along.

This photo makes me feel that while I am not ready to be pregnant again right now I definitely want to be pregnant again. Also, I remember that I had spilled supper on my pants that night and the stain is really evident. Hard to work around a belly that size.

Makes me want to wake up the kids and give them big hugs and kisses before they change again tomorrow.

Anyway, because Kristin is about ready to pop I write this in her honour. We were pregnant together for our first borns, now I get to watch from this side of the fence. Can't wait to see what's in your belly!

Technical Difficulties

2007-03-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Not really sure what I did, but somehow I took away the comment option to my post yesterday. All is right now, but it is a real bummer because I don't want to make it difficult for anyone to post. Especially while attempting my first blog tea party. Technology is great, but relying on me to operate it is bound to cause some glitches every now and then.

Tea and Crumpits

2007-03-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

I made some yummy treats today so I thought I would welcome you in with a snack.

These are chocolate surprise cookies made fresh today, from the Holiday Cookies issue of Martha, which is a favourite of mine. The surprise in the cookie is a marshmallow filling. They really are more like a brownie—VERY rich. Anyway, enjoy!

Surprise Cookies (Hope Martha doesn't mind my sharing) Makes about 2 dozen

1 3/4 Cups all-purpose flour
3/4 Cup cocoa powder
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 Cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 Cup milk
1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 large marshmallows, cut in half horizontally
Chocolate Frosting for Surprise Cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla, and beat until well combined. Add reserved flour mixture; mix on until combined.

Using a tablespoon or 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto ungreased baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies begin to spread and become firm, 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove baking sheets from oven, and place a marshmallow, cut-side down, in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly. Return to oven, and continue baking until marshmallows begins to melt, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Makes 1 cup
2 Cups confectioners' sugar
4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 Cup cocoa powder
1/4 Cup milk
1/4 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in butter and cocoa powder. Add milk and vanilla, and whisk until well combined.

Spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting over each marshmallow until marshmallow is covered.

That's a Wrap

2007-03-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

I am a sometimes environmental nut. Mainly this means that I am prone to bouts of major recycling and composting, and a strong urge to hug the trunk of the beautiful butternut/beechnut tree in our backyard (not sure which it is, but it is pretty). I also go back and forth on wrapping paper and the evils of using it.

I must be on an ecological downturn because in a moment of weakness last week-end I bought some beautiful wrap, by Papyrus, and a gift bag for an upcoming girls birthday party. The wrap was for a baby shower and it allowed me to work in my favourite colour, hot pink, quite nicely. The hot pink envelope held a card made by the same company that made the wrap. Lots of fun designs.

Today I was sewing shoulder seams on my bolero. Three needle bind off is my new best friend! Thank you Kristin. Still having trouble with the sleeves which involves sewing a salvage end (edge the has been BO) against a side piece so I am up for any suggestions (see picture below). I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but the sewing yarn is visible as a twist on the RS of the bolero.

Hope you have a great week-end!

Rainy Days and Thursdays

2007-03-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

After an exciting evening drawing up an offer that, admittedly, was low but justifiably so, we did not become the proud owners of a new home. We are just the proud owners of a lot of guilt that our calculated decision to offer the price we did may have been a mistake.

What if we never find a house that nicely finished? What if I have to live with two young children through a renovation? What if I have to LIVE with my MOTHER-IN-LAW during a renovation?! What if we never find a house in this neighbourhood we like? It is supposed to be a good area for schools. Which has got me thinking, how important is a good school to my children? I mean really, I still made it through University and design school despite a mediocre early education.

Knitting helped work out my nerves over the whole thing, probably I should have napped instead, but look at how cute this is. This is the baby bolero, which I am trying to sew together, I may need a bit more practise before I master finishing techniques, but I am confident. It practically fits in my hand—which is, I think, a fairly normal size womanly hand. The little lace section, according to the book, is believed to bring luck and protection to the wearer. The camera wasn't handy, so I cleverly used my scanner, hence the rough looking backdrop.

I promise not too many rants about this house hunting thing. I am optomistic it will be over before we really get into the heat of summer, I hope.

No News Is Good News

2007-03-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, nothing new to report on the home front. We have not placed our bid on the house we saw, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. Also, no new knitting news either. I have been a bit obsessed with reading blogs on the internet. It is addictive. I have found some worth mentioning though.

Knit Cafe, they have a wicked soundtrack and an intersting Web site worth visiting.

January One has an example of a mitered blanket I will put off for a future knit adventure. Also a funny commentary on how addicted she is to these squares of colour. Makes a really stunning blanket, complicated to arrange, yet seems simple enough to knit.

Well, back to watching the Idol. Husband got me hooked! Go Chris and Lakisha!

A New Address

2007-03-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

We are looking for a new address. It has become a little tight for us in our lovely just-perfect-when-we-were-two bungalow. I love this little drafty house, don't get me wrong, but our growing family is just needing a bit more space.

The problem with looking for a new address, aside from dragging the poor kids to each viewing, is having to look at a bunch of not-so-perfect houses to find home-sweet-home. Also, Kristin will not live just around the corner which is funny in a way, because mostly we talk to each other over the phone.

Today I am heading out with the girls to view a house on a street with a name I can barely pronounce, Aurora, say it over and over and it stops sounding like a word at all. I am also sure it is going to need to be spelled out every time someone asks for our address. So with spelling that and our last name umpteen times I am going to be tongue tied.

It has been updated quite nicely, and the master bedroom has room for a King size bed (see photo below). With all the kids in ours with us (in the mornings) it is like that song that goes "...four in the bed and the little one said, 'I'm crowded, roll over. So they all rolled over and one fell out..." Usually it is daughter 2 falling out, and daughter 1 saying "hey, get off my pillow."

Hopefully we find one soon, the anticipation is killing me. Of course, then we have to get down to the work of selling our house and deal with keeping it clean with two children and a dog living in it. Oh dear!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!

2007-03-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

I tried to search for an appropriate Irish knitting proverb but no such luck. Instead I found a cute rhyme someone's irish aunt used to teach her to knit.

In the little bunny hole, around the big tree, out the little bunny hole and off goes she.

Hope you all enjoy your green beer. Slainte.

I started the baby bolero last night and so far I think I like the Densie needles. They are very light, but my wrists and hands seemed a lot less fatigued as a result.

Ain't it Sweet

2007-03-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Denise Interchangeables came today! Now I can start on the Baby Bolero, a more challenging project for a newbie like me. I am not sure I can keep up to the same pace as my fellow knitting bloggers. I will cast it on to get a feel for the needles and put it aside until the second baby hat is done.

I am really intrigued by this knitting jewellery I have seen lately. Might have to give it a whirl.

Today was a whirlwind. We went to a nearby heritage village and enjoyed pancakes and syrup. Between my sister-in-law and I we have six kids under nine. Our youngest ones are going to be the ages one, two, three, and four in the next few months so it is busy when we all get together, but quite fun. I am pausing for a moment to imagine if they were all mine — gulp.

All these kids make me think of one of my favourite books of last year, The Birth House by Amy McKay. It is a great book about friends, mothers, midwifery and the Occasional Knitters Society (everyone should be a member). And so, I leave you with this nugget of knitting knowledge to impress your friends with:

During World War I many women all across Canada joined together in the practice of knitting items for the soldiers. The Red Cross slogan, "Knit Your Bit" and songs such as "I Wonder Who's Knitting for Me" became part of the popular culture. Thrumming - a knitting technique used in Newfoundland and most of Atlantic Canada - is a process where pieces of roving are worked into mittens, hats, and socks. It makes them amazingly warm and almost waterproof. (Which is why soldiers were known to trade almost anything for a pair of socks knit by a Newfoundlander.) Borrowed from www.thebirthhouse.com

And I Will Always Love ...

2007-03-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days that shakes the dust off winter and puts you in a great mood. It makes me wonder how people feel who live in climates that don't really change seasons?

The girls and I suited up and headed for Costco. As a treat, the sun decided to come out for our trip. The walk there was (and I am just guessing here) about 5 kilometres, pushing a double stroller through some slushy, wet snow and over some small hills, while wearing on my back a relatively lighter version of what is ordinarily packed in my backpack-diaper bag. By the time we got to Costco I was feeling good, a bit tired from lack of real exercise but still it took the expected half an hour. The walk home, seemed more like 10 kilometres, uphill, sweating all the way, I feared that I may have to force daughter 1 to push daughter 2 and I the rest of the way. Not so unfair considering the seemingly boundless energy she possess most days.

In the afternoon I shopped for knitting needles. I decided on the Denise Interchangeable Needles set from Needle Emporium. I thought the Off Hand Designs bags she sells were very cute and seemed like something A Friend to Knit With could whip up on a week-end.

I am looking forward to testing my new needles out. Here is what the Knitty review said about them, but feel free to advise if i have made a terrible mistake, they can be returned.

Days like today make me think of music. I read in Real Simple magazine about the positive impact a theme song can have on bolstering your confidence. To make it work it has to be a song that you happen to associate with a great moment in your past. Like song playing before a winning basketball game. Then, before you enter a tough meeting or whatever it is, you have to belt out the song. This is meant to make you feel confident and nail it.

I have many songs that could fit in this category, but the most fitting is, of all songs, Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You. I would love to hear your equally embarrassing, and or better songs.

These feet were made for walking

2007-03-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

Big news happened over the week-end. My 10-month-old started walking! A very cautious, wide stance version of walking that has been progressing since Saturday. It is amazing watching this very internal struggle — her mind forcing her legs to respond — each "step" of the way. Of course, once walking is mastered, I am sure she will be running to catch up with her big sister, who would not slow down for the photo of her new favourite shoes.

A fairy day was had by all today — even daddy joined in too! I am sooo glad to be home for these moments. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who does the "dirty" work so I don't have to. Isn't he something?

My baby hat is finished. This represents my second completed work from a pattern. It is very satisfying seeing it completed. I am going to "whip" up a bigger version for daughter number two.

Beret Today...

2007-03-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

It is a very beautiful day today. The sun is shining, the snow is melting yet it is still cold enough the dog hasn't started bringing in the mud, my daughter has a new pair of pink rubber boots, and I have a new beret, that now fits, and a very small baby hat almost complete. Oh I also have a very beautiful copy of Greetings from the Knit Cafe which I am sharing with my friend Kristin. Custody arrangements are in negotiation.

Enjoy the first days of pre-spring sunshine! (And the new pics).

Also, pardon the photo of myself. I rarely get a chance to have my hair look so smashingly, and it was taken in the hair salon not because I am so vain I have photos taken of myself at the salon, but because it was my daughter's first official hair cut.

Scalloping Complete

2007-03-10T20:06:00.001-08:00

Very glad this is a baby hat (Interweave Press, One Skein) because at least I don't have to redo a lot of work (like with my beret which is also now complete and fits much better after a bit of on purpose shrinking). Sorry, no photo, although it is now done, properly, and looks just like the photo in the book, thankfully. I think I would have poked my eyes out if I had to rip it out AGAIN. It is very hard to get knitting done, photos taken, uploaded from camera to computer to blog, and write a note all in one day.

I am very tired from many nights up past midnight to get these projects done. This hobby is kicking my butt!

Simply Sublime!

2007-03-08T19:04:00.001-08:00

P1010379.JPG,
originally uploaded by swa2.

Starting baby hat next. Casting on is kicking my butt. Can't figure out how much I need to get the desired number of stiches and keep having to rip it out.

This fabric is sooo beautiful, I wish I could wrap myself in it. Alas, only enough for two baby hats. From Interweave Press One Skein.

Blogging takes too much time away from knitting.

Awww, Nuts!

2007-03-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

Three great obstacles for my new hobby, knitting, are as I have come to learn — Huge!

Obstacle A: Kids. Kids are great don't get me wrong. Everyone should have at least one or two or a litter, if you are so inclined but, let's face it, they require a lot of care and attention. Unlike the dog who pretty much has to fend for herself these days (all you Peta people need not worry, that last one was a joke (mostly)). I suppose the most obvious reason is kids and knitting needles don't go together very well. So, each night I wait until they are put to bed before I knit. This does not leave a lot of time to knit making even the smallest project, my new beret, seem like a never ending story.

Obstacle B: Time. As I said before, obstacle A decreases the amount of time I have to devote to knitting. Which also influences time in another way, the time of day that I knit is usually quite late — 9 p.m. is late for me and those of us with obstacle A in our lives!. Obstacle B leads naturally into my next obstacle...

Obstacle C: Fatigue. Knitting late into the night is a problem for two reasons. The first being fatigue the next day. Cannot look after my two lovely little Obstacle A(s) very well on little sleep. The second problem is that Obstacle B — late night knitting — leads to horrible mistakes that are usually not discovered until a few nights (and a little more sleep) later.

So, I have just had to do the gut wrenching job of ripping out, or frogging — a term that must have been coined by some other late-night knitter, my beautiful hat back before my huge mistake was made.

And, while I am quite sure my hat will be knit before long in spite of all my obstacles, my fear is that winter will be long gone. So I vow, snow or no snow, when it is complete I will wear the heck out of my Pink Beret! So, if one day you happen to pass by a tired looking mother with kids walking around in the sweltering heat of a canadian summer wearing of all things, a woolen pink beret, you will understand why!

2007-02-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

So, I have done the deed.

My dreams of knitting a hat are finally being realized. I am almost done, but have a photo of the early stages. Very proud of myself. It is an easy pattern, but building up my confidence for my dream project the Slouchy Cardigan.

There's a dino in my pasta, and other great inventions.

2007-01-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

It has been a dream of mine for quite a long time now to become a product tester. I realized that dream through a Web site that sent me an appliance to test. I kind of blew my first attempt at it, to be perfectly frank, as I sort of cheated my way through the review. But we won't get into those details. This is a new year and, as such, I get a second chance.

So in honour of second chances I give you my review of two neat products that my children found under the tree this year.

The first is the Dinnersaurs Utensils. These are by a company called Fred. Aside from being colourful and fun to eat with, they are meant to be ergonomic and easy to use. Though I cannot support or deny that they are ergonomic because my daughter has not yet grasped the pencil grip, the silicone dino-shaped handle is very comfy. So far, my daughter has enjoyed the utensils immensely and has even eaten broccoli AND sweet potato since getting them (whatever works, right?)

Over all these are cute and practical. When resting the utensils on their "feet" the fork tines and spoon head stay off the table and, as a result, the food that is on them says off the table. And they may, or may not, get your kids to eat their broccoli. Though not necessarily a must have item, I think they make a great gift for a boy or a girl and retail for $15.99 CDN at Grand River Toys.

The second item is the Nalgene (pronounced NAL-jean, not Nag-lean, as I was embarrassingly calling them) Grip 'n Gulp kids' bottles. The company states that "The new Nalgene Grip'n Gulp™ is tough enough to survive being thrown form a moving minivan, spill proof enough to compel parents to blame the rug stains on the dog, and odor proof enough to allow leftover milk to go undetected under the couch for months. Most importantly, its a great way for little kids to reach new heights."

All those claims aside these were an instant hit with both my girls (ages two, and 8 months). My oldest loves drinking from it, and because it is nice and tall she can reach it when it is placed in her car booster cup holder which, uselessly, provides a beverage holder that she cannot ordinarily reach cups from because someone put an immobile armrest in the way—but that is a review for another day. My youngest liked to chase after the bottle as it scooted along the floor—a toy and a water bottle in one really.

The colours are very attractive, it is comfy to hold and it seems very easy for my daughter to tote around with her either in hand or tucked into her arm. I have found that it is hard to damage even the cheapest tumblers too badly before they are lost. Despite being handled very roughly by both girls, it has suffered only minor bruising. That being said, all of the tumblers I have purchased have shown most wear at the mouth piece where teeth scrape at the spout. This product is no exception. I am a little concerned the lid's rubber-like coating might start to peel off, but we'll see—that is certainly not going to harm the effectiveness of the container—it has a very secure lid that screws on easily and it is a snap to remove and wash the valve (replacement valves are available). Before you rush to buy one, consider what beverage your child consumes—they are not suitable for pulpy drinks like orange juice and are not leak proof—like most other containers the spout will drip when inverted. At $6-$7.99 CDN it is a great value for a durable kid targeted product. Retail info available at Nalgene USA.

I love to find fun and innovative products, so if you are interested, check back for more reviews or to just plain catch up on what I am doing lately.

Happy dining!

What just happened here?

2007-01-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it, but this was Christmas. It came and went in a flurry of wrap and carboard, and those impossible to open plastic boxes. Maybe it is the scrooge in me, but it was not very festive this year. I haven't been in school for a little while now, but I remember how much anticipation there was over the holiday arriving and being away from school. Those were the days!

Now my committment to the holiday is finally sinking in. I am the present buyer, cookie baker, wrapper, card maker and signer (it is the signing that is the most work, why did we choose such long names for our children?), turkey baster (this year it was chicken, but you get the picture), in addition to my regular stint as house-keeper, cook, nose wiper and so on.

It was exhausting. I think I will now look forward to the after holiday calm. That will be my time to relax and kick into my regular routine.

The Best Ginger Cookie Ever!

2006-12-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Crackled sugary surface, moist and chewy centre, and the warming zing of ginger make this one a winner.
I have made it twice and loved it each time.

2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2 3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp table salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup plus 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
1/4 cup molasses
3 tbs finely chopped crystalized ginger

Position racks in upper and lower thirds of a 350 degree preheated oven.

In medium bowl whisk flour, powder ginger, baking soda and salt. In large bowl beat butter and 1 cup sugar until well blended (with a hand mixer). Add egg, molasses, and crystallized ginger;beat well. Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed until well blended.

Pour remaining 1/3 cup of sugar in bowl. Use a tablespoon sized scoop to portion out cookie dough, then roll in sugar and place 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets.

Bake rotating sheets halfway through baking until cookies are puffed and bottoms are slightly brown, 12 to 14 minutes

--Fine Cooking Magazine, December 2006, no. 82

Christmas All Wrapped Up

2006-12-18T12:38:00.000-08:00

Big job, but I have finished. All presents are wrapped. I don't know how Santa does it. My goal next year is absolutely all online purchases. It is just so easy. When you have two kids to get in and out of vehicles, and you need to go to multiple stores each day, it is the best way to go.

Can't wait till the kids open their pressies. I think tht is my most enjopyable moment.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Turducken, Turducken...

2006-12-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

What a big week. I finished the canvas and passed it on to my friend. Hope she was being honest and liked it. She made Turducken, a chicken in a duck in a turkey with stuffing. It was really yummy. Lots of other food to be had that night too--curried carrot and parsip soup, lamb shanks (braised), ground lamb bites with sweet potato puree, root veggies roasted including beets, wilten mixed greens, chocolate mousse for dessert. She went to a lot of trouble. Our friend Billy, her husband, de-boned. Crazy work required to make one, but well worth it I thought. Though I would pay extra so the butcher could de-bone.

Enjoy the pics!

Picasso? Phew!

2006-12-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

Done, well almost anyway. I am pleased with the way that it turned out. This is one of three commissioned so I have more work to do, but this was needed as a Christmas present. Best of all, the kids BOTH slept while I worked -- yay! Maybe I can jump back on the bandwagon to an artistic career after all.

Life With...

2006-06-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

Life With...

Well, we are now a family of four! We pretty much fill a van when travelling with the dog and our gear. We now occupy all of our three bedrooms. It requires a lot of time to update this blog and I have once again used up all the time baby two will give me before feeds.
Later

Carrie and Me, plus the bumps

2006-04-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Took this last week.

Baby coming?

2006-04-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

We are in the waiting stage at the moment. Any minute baby two could come into the world, and we won't know it until it happens.