Row, Row, Row Your Boat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

...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

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?

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

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...

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

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

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?

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

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

"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

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!