The Important Thing Is That Everyone's Okay

Yes, we are all fine. Wish I could say as much for the computer, aptly named "Myturn". Myturn has been hospitalized for the past two weeks. He suffered greatly. His sister's fought over him when he was here and when he was in rehab they missed him terribly. Myturn had so many maladies. Much more than a computer his age should. The sisters just would not listen and continually took him to places he was NOT allowed to go. Sometimes they took him to Limewire and once, on a real bender they went to...Kazaa! Well, Myturn is back. Totally rehabed and almost ready to roll. His therapy was not cheap. At one point there was even talk of opening him up. Without insurance, we would have been up to our gigabytes in debt. As it happened he was okay after some specialists worked on him. But it wasn't pretty.

As a result, I have not re-installed my camera stuff or any other extras.

Knitting is going...slow. Still having probs with hubby's sweater and am working on another pair of socks. That's about it. We're pretty busy the next little while with a 65th Birthday in the family, Easter, DN3's communion and DN2's confirmation. So if things are not updated (as if) as much as usual, you'll know why. Heck, there probably wasn't anyone missin' me anyhow ;)

"Crash" goes my life

"Mrs. Jamieson, if your son is a fruitcake, I need to know about it."

Detective Inspector Jack Frost



I just love this quote. So very Jack. This is one of my favourite detective series. As I have said before, the British do the best detective series.

I tried, unsuccessfully to watch "Crash" on Friday night. It was on satellite and I was really absorbed by it til the phone started ringing and the clothes dryer kept beeping then the doorbell rang. I gotta see the last hour of this movie. How thought provoking.

The Soprano's premiere is tonight. Please, if you know me, don't call between 9 and 10 or I may have to kill you.

Elizabeth has politely pointed out that I may have been remiss in my duties as a blogger. It is true. I am a naughty blogger but my life keeps getting in the way. I will try to do better. But I have been busy with these crazy socks.


I must say they turned out beautiful. My husband has cosy feet. Most important in Toronto these days with temperatures in the low to mid TEENS! I told him three weeks ago when I started these things that by the time I finish them it will be 12 degrees. My psychic abilities never fail to astound me.

My cousin was over last night and as we were chatting in the livingroom she glanced over to the corner and exclaimed "Holy Crap you've got a lot of wool!" What she doesn't know is that this is just one of the mounds. There. Are. Others. BTW, I've taught this one how to knit. She has become addicted.



For many years, I have loved British artist Mimi Roberts. Still life is her specialty but I especially love her vegetables. They are stunning. Here is a sample of her work. She does the occasional commission. My birthday is November 1. There's still time.

Off to the land of Bally K

It's official. DN1 is going away to study for one month this summer in Ireland. But does she realize how lucky she is? To be studying at Trinity? The oldest university in Ireland? Founded by Queen Elizabeth the first? I doubt she understands, I just wish it was me. Not that I'm complaining. She's also the type that happens to run into celebrities all the time so I'm sure there will be stories of her meetings with Bono, Cillian Murphy or Liam Neeson. Not that we, as parents, ever live through our children. No way, not me.

Knitting? Why yes I have been knitting. Small scale. And slow. Why slow? Well, I finished the first sock for my husband and thought I would try that 3 needle bind off thing for the toe instead of the kitchener stitch (which I love by the way so what the hell posessed me?). Anyway, it sucked. I could feel that ridge at the toe and I wasn't feelin' the love. So I ripped out. A tad too much but why should I divulge more stupidity to you than I have to? Let's just say I need to do the decreasing again.

Not much more to say than that. I have to go online and figure out the passport application thing for DN1 and DN2. DN2 is going to Cape Cod this summer with her friend so I guess I'll get her one as well. Paper shuffling when I could be knitting. Crap.

PS Mother has me searching for a cardigan pattern for my dad. She purchased the yarn and pattern book a while back and the patterns turned out to be way too small for my father. She has me searching the net for plus size patterns (3X). Do you know how difficult it is to find plus size knitting patterns? Are there no plus sized knitters out there? What's up with that?

Hey, Good Lookin'...

On tonight's menu we have a lovely rigatoni pasta served with homemade italian sausage lovingly made by my MIL and FIL. This will be served with Ace Bakery Artisan Bread and freshly grated romano cheese. These homeade sausages are stored in oil until they are ready to be eaten. The texture becomes harder but the taste intensifies. This is our family's favourite choice for sausage. This little baby would cost you about $20.00 (if not more) if you were to purchase this in a store here. They left for a 2 month vacation to Florida and were concerned about our possible sausage shortage during their absence, hence the hefty supply. I am also lucky enough to enjoy other italian delicacies made by my husband's family. They roast and jar peppers, eggplant, olives (some of which are snuck over from olive trees in Italy) and of course they can their tomatoes every year. This provides me with homeade sauce year round.
Now for a knitting update. I am ecstatic with the yarn I am using for my husband's socks. I purchased it at a yarn store here in the city but it seems to be little known on the internet. It is called Batik by Zwerger Garn (yarn) and I am over the moon with the quality and ease. It is producing the most gorgeous, cosy fabric and I am duly impressed. I am using this pattern and it is looking marvy.

And looky what I have! Trekking XXL and Regia Surf! I cannot contain my excitement. Both were ordered off the internet. The Trekking came from theknitter.com and the Regia came from littleknits.com. Both provided excellent service and I will use them both again (how soon depends on my nimble yet still unexperienced fingers). Will the madness never end?

Confessions

Am I the only one that thinks these guys look like they were separated at birth? The top guy is Rex from Canadian Idol. The bottom guy is, of course, the goaltender, Jose Theodore. Well?

I have a confession. As knitterly as I am, I have a knitting confession. I am afraid to do a sweater for myself. I do not feel confident enough to spend 100 bucks plus for yarn on a project I feel destined to screw up. I am working on a sweater for DH but for myself, nada. I think it is the seaming thing. I. Hate. Seaming. Get the picture? Perhaps I am in need of some kind of Fibre Therapy? Hypnosis?

The Answer to the Cookie Question and More!

Answer:
Both 1 and 3. I smushed two on to the cookie sheets and ate the rest. I am a pig.

I finally finished the Fleece Artist socks. My kitchener stitch is the bomb. How satisfying is it to accomplish a new technique? And do it well? But really, I have tried it so many times and failed. The best instructions for this, ever, are the instructions from that Knit It! magazine. Believe me, I tried a gazillion different sources before this one nailed it for me. (I tried to show you my lurvly kitchener stitch but the picture did not come out very well. Another testament to my amazing photographic skills.)

So I sew in all the ends and show the socks to DN2. She says she loves them and can she have them? I unwillingly give them to her. So, today I want to show you guys the socks, right? Schlep my arse up to the bedrooms and find them stuck in the bottom of the sheets on her bed. Come down to the basement for the camera, no camera. Back up to DN1's bedroom to find camera. Back down to main floor to take pictures. Camera is full of pictures and must first download these total waste of time and battery use. Download pictures, go back upstairs to main floor where light is substantially better to take pictures. Digital photography made easy!

Oh, and for your blogging entertainment, I give you one of those pictures that are a "waste of time and battery use". I guess the idea behind the picture is the comparison between DN1's bra size to DN2's bra size. DN1 is a 34 AA and DN2 is a 36 C. DN1 is the tall, now thin, model-ly type and DN2 is the athletic, hockey playing, sporty type. Life is NOT fair.

In case you didn't notice, I am on a total sock trip. Addiction at its best. My latest obsession? Trekking and Regia Surf. Now to find the cheapest in Canada. Can you not hear the collective sighs of all my friends and relatives? "Holy Crap, she's knittin' socks now. Are none of our digits safe?"

Breathing Fibre

Still sock knitting and luvin' it. I will post a picture of the finished product the moment I am done (and when I can find the cord thingy that hooks the camera up to the cpu). I am also still working on the Meadow Flowers shawl from Knitter's Stash. Oh, and I picked up Sarah Dallas Knitting at the library today. Really lovely stuff.

I also have a question for you. Not sure if it falls into the "ethics" category or perhaps the "morals" category but here it goes. Baking cookies the other day and the 2 cookie sheets are full, baking in the oven. There is enough dough left over for 4 or 5 cookies. What do you do with this dough?

1) Try and fit these four or five cookies on the other sheets, possibly smushing some in the process.

2) Get out a third baking sheet/broiler pan/tin takeaway container and bake them on that using up a huge amout of energy for these 4 or 5 measly little cookies.

3) Eat the freakin' dough and be done with it already.

Can anybody guess what I did?

Knogging

Isn't this what knit blogging should be called? Just a thought.

I am trying to finish the Fleece Artist Basic sock pattern and I am a little confused. Am I the only one that thinks these instructions are, dare I say, ambiguous? I ended up using another pattern for the decreases and it worked out fine, but damn, I had a hard time trying to figure out what they wanted me to do.

Although today is Monday, I feel the need to do a "Tuesday is for Blogging" post. Check out these people that are so much more clever than I will ever be.

Soulemama, even her aspirations are more creative than mine.

Blue Rose Knits with colours I would always choose.

Jane Thornley now has a couple of free patterns.

Feel free to throw in the term "knogging" in your conversation today, my postman loved it. He threw in the word "therapy" but I ignored him.

Scusi, Excuse Moi, Sorry for the Delay

"God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die."
Bill Watterson

Hello, dear friends (if I still have any out there after my prolonged absence). I am here, not "vacationing somewhere warm" although living in a crazy weather challenged city like Toronto, you would never know. I have been inundated with chores. You know the ones. Gift returns, cleaning up after the post Christmas explosion and aftermath. And you musn't forget, we had the wedding last Saturday. Which meant we had various relatives visiting from around the globe (Australia, Italy and Ohio). There has been way too much espresso and biscotti consumed by this blogger. If I did the Dove commercial how would I explain that I have the "buddha belly" AND "popeye arms"? Oh, and don't even go there with the chocolate. My face closely resembles a pre-pubescent that has just sampled every sweet at the chocolate factory.

Santa was once again, very good to me. I was obviously a good girl all year and was rewarded accordingly. Loot includes:

Books (Charles Todd, totally hooked)
CD's (from children, God luv 'em)
DVD's galore
-Charlie and the Chocolate factory
-Christmas with the Kranks
-Mean Girls
-The March of the Penguins (amazing!)
-The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
-CSI fourth Season
-Madagasgar (totally unimpressed)
-Sky High
-The Polar Express (again, unimpressed)
-The Three Faces of Eve (original Joanne Woodward 1957)
And many more I can't recall. Of course, some of these were the children's but they all interest me.
-two track outfits from my husband, though the girls do not like their mother "pimped out like JLo" which is apparently how I look with "Roots" across my arse
-more clothes
-parfum
-a "Best Mommy" teddy from DN3
-Purdy's Chocolates (had better, Elizabeth do you like?)
-Laura Ashley knit slippers (divine!)
And can't think of anymore, it was sooo long ago!
No knit related items, really.

Speaking of knitting...guess what I completed, really? A pair of socks!!! My first and I love it! Kitchener stitch and all. The camera is out of batteries so let us use imagery, shall we? I used this yarn. I used the pattern from this magazine. Kitchener stitch made easy (after 5 attempts) by these instructions. The Knit It! magazine had the most comprehensive kitchener instructions I have ever used. They were absolutely brilliant. First try and gosh darn it, you cannot tell where the knitting ends and the stitching begins. Miraculous.

Well, better not bore you anymore but I will leave you with this bit of reality. Enjoy.

Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah

The ability to laugh at one's self is truly the greatest gift of all. This is for you. And a very, Merry Christmas.

Should I Have Said "Holiday Baking"?

Read what is going on over there. Read the comments. Interesting.

Scarf Knitting, Chili Making, Christmas Baking

No picture of the scarf. DN2 was nice enough to tell me last Thursday night she needed a scarf for a Kris Kringle on Saturday. She said that the girl requested a hand knit scarf to go with her school uniform (is this child available for adoption?). So out came the 25mm needles, extra chunky yarn and I was off to the races. It came out beautiful and the girl loved it.

Regarding my last post. Catastrophe was averted by a case of the stomach flu. DN1's friend came down with it so the sleepover thing was cancelled. But makes you think about the next time mmm?

On another note. DN1 has asked if she can go here this summer to earn a credit and get, and I quote, "the experience of a lifetime". My heart is warmed for a second time this week. My italian daughter (she refuses to acknowledge the "British" side of her heritage) wants to visit Ireland. Although she feels she will look out of place amongst the fairer Celts. I tried to explain to her what a black irishman was but she still thinks she will look like a Mussolini amongst the Hitlers.

The Christmas baking is done. The cookies are the Chocolate Chunk shortbreads from the Cottage Life cookbook. And the Spice Cookies are from Yarnstorm. Both are amazing and festive. Thank God I can eat as much as I want and not gain a pound. Yes, I was just struck by lightning. I've disintergrated into a pile of wool dust and wrinkles too dense to penetrate.

For those that have been consumed with curiosity...

The mystery is solved. I received this email today from Marc Brown.

Dear Perplexed,

This question comes up a lot. To clear up the mystery:

Arthur, Baby Kate, D.W. are aardvarks

Francine and Muffy are monkeys

Buster is a bunny

Brain is a bear

Binky is a bull dog

Prunella is a dog

Sue Ellen is a cat

Hope that helps!

Marc Brown Studios

Question of the Day

I have a dilemma. Not a huge one but a dilemma none the less. DN1, as you all may well know, goes to an art school. As a result, many of her friends are somewhat bohemian. They come from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds etc. Her close friends come from all of these varied groups and on the whole they are great group. Some of them have been her friends since she started there back in grade 7. One of these compadres has been with her through thick and thin. They are almost inseparable. Now here is the predicament. They are going out as a group on Friday night and she wants to know if she can sleep at his place afterwards. Now being the mom that I am, normally I would say, and she knows this already, I would give a very emphatic "no". But this situation is different. Why? Well let's put it this way, if they were television characters, she would be Grace and he would be Jack. Yes, he is gay. Not flaming (like her other close friend) but still gay. He hopped out of the cupboard in the summertime and his parents are well aware of his preferences.

So, as you can see it is a bit of a quandry. Basically, I don't see a problem. Their relationship is more of a girlfriend/girlfriend thing so I don't really see any difficulties. My husband on the other hand is a different story. He comes from an old fashioned Italian background that does not really understand these modern relationships. I don't consider myself a prude, but I can see where he is coming from. What would you do?

Fresh From the Aga

Or alternatively, "Tea and Scones on a Blustery Day". Bloody wintery out today. Just what the doctor ordered. Crazy weather, crazy house, crazy lady. Crazy weather cause it is 8 degrees below zero, we got 5-10 cm of snow and the forecast is saying it will be 12 degress by Monday. Crazy house because I got downstairs to load these pictures and I could not find the keyboard. It is cordless and the kids, for some godforsaken reason had it on the floor, almost under my husband's desk (if you saw a picture of the condition of this office, you would understand but that's a post for another day). If I was in a more fiesty mood, I would have keyboarded with my toes but alas, after the next story you will understand. Did you know I can knit with my toes? Off on a tangent again. Sorry. Couldn't find the cord for the camera downloading because they had moved/hidden it for the iPod downloading. Crazy lady because I must be going through the dim-witted stage of menopause. Why else would I choose to wear high heeled black spikey boots and a thin leather coat today of all days? Talk about begging for Trouble. The equation looks something like this: Spikey boots + Thin Leather Coat= Big Tumble. Was kinda funny in retrospect. One of those you think you know where the curb is but you really don't because of the huge pile of snow? Then you are so full of snow in the car and the heat kicks in and you become just wet. Twisted my ankle a bit but I was much more worried about who was watching. Although why I should care, I don't know as I am now relating it to you, my devoted public.

Now do you understand my need for hot tea, hot scones and a little sympathy?

Okay, I'm a Slut

I tend to fall in lust with every innovative design I see. This woman has absolutely stunning creations and an eye for colour and detail. And again, why the hell didn't I think of that. Go visit her at Jane Thornley Knitwear and Jewellery. Oh, if your wondering what my home address is for gift sending, email me.

Guess What I Ate Last Night?

And it was delish!!! Harvey's Poutine. Not bad if that is your closest source. Damn good. American amigos wondering what it is? Go here. And if you EVER have a chance to try it, just do it! I never realized how many truly Canadian dishes are really my favourites. I just couldn't carry on without buttertarts (make them once every couple of months), peameal bacon (case in the freezer right now), Nanaimo bars, and gave the kids Pogos the other night as a treat for dinner. If I moved to the states or anywhere else for that matter, I would be gastronomically challenged. So would insurance cover shipping Canadian grub to me for health reasons?

Remember "Lou" from Rowan? And the Fiber Trend Clogs?

Well, here they are. The collar of the sweater was finally sewn up by my mother. It is a little short but very stylish. Dn3 looks adorable in it. It's suppose to have three buttons but the look is cuter with just the one.

The clogs are done but they came out a wee bit on the large size. I did the medium ladies but used different yarn this time and they came out bigger. After nine (9!!!) agitations, I figured the suckers were not going to get much smaller.

I am still working on hubby's sweater and the lacy scarf. Then I will be starting Christmas knitting. Not sure what yet, but indecision has never stopped me before.

Went shopping with Dn1 and Dn2 on Monday night looking for formal outfits. We have to attend one of these on January 6, 2006, so I got my butt in gear and got them to go here.

It was a very draining evening. Dn1 was not happy with anything she has tried on although she has lost like 30 pounds in the last 6 months and Dn2 has short muscular legs with a, ahem, large chest protection area making almost any lowish cut top kinda tarty. We ended up with pinstripe dress pants and two dressy tops. She also has confirmation and graduation this year so I bought a back up. There are still shoes/boots to buy for them and I still have to take Dn3 formal wear shopping as well. You all envy me don't you?

Amazing, What A Little Hair and Make- Up Can Do?

Well, how was your Hallowe’en? Mine was a little shaky. Have had a bladder infection and just got a cold. It rained here almost a full two weeks before Hallowe’en so decorating was not really priority around here which is totally out of character for me but when you are not in top form, these things tend to suffer.

I have been trying to duplicate (duplicate being the operative word here) a lovely scarf my mother gave me a little while back. It is this jewel toned wine coloured lacy bit and I simply adore it. However, it is on its last legs and I am trying to make a suitable replacement for it. That’s how I fell in love with this. I mean I love Fleece Artist but this is like having an orgasm while eating chocolate. Possible, but never felt before. Who can say no to 100% Silky goodness? Then, of course, the big decision was what pattern to use? The original is crochet. Well, I can do a mean chain stitch but that is the end of my crochet repertoire. So, after many, many false starts I ended up with a Feather and Fan type of pattern that is sooo working with the yarn. Now normally I am not a FF type of gal (too reminiscent of the Granny Afghans I was exposed to as a child, I am still blocking those memories for the sake of my craft and sanity) but this looks simply divine with the Handmaiden.

I am also close to finishing (who is kidding who here, I have barely started the second one) the Fiber Trends slippers/clogs for DN2 and plan on posting some really handy dandy tips for these cozy little marvels after completion. There seems to be quite a bit of speculation on sizing, the best wool etc. and damn it, I’m here to set the record straight!

I also wish to thank Michele for the help with the security for spamming thingy. Everyone knows my tekky skills are almost nil (read: nonexistent) so I can comfortably go back to posting my rubbish without further ado.

And in the totally insignificant section of my post (betcha can’t wait for this one), has anyone seen the Disney Hallowe’en special, “Twitches”? I am totally mesmerized by the woman that plays their Queen mother. The woman is breathtakingly gorgeous and I never caught her name. Stunning beyond belief. Now before my regulars start to think I am tipping the velvet, the observation was made because she reminds me of this KnitBlogger. Just sayin’. See what happens when I don’t post for a while?

What time is it Mr. Wolf?

I am beginning to fear time, just like in the game we played as kids. I don't have enough of it and it seems to be getting away from me somehow. Anyone else feel this way? I just am NOT getting everything done I need to get done. Simple as that. However, I have been busy knitting. And reading. Could this be why I have no time?


Can you read this? The instructions for the felted slippers are amazing and concise but bloody hell, I cannot do this pattern and watch tv at the same time!
And looky what came in the mail yesterday. Not particulary impressed with the Vogue issue. Nothing practical and usually I love the Vogues. Easy Knitting isn't too bad and the bag on the cover is cute but really, I find quite a bit of info in the mags I already know so they just don't have the power to excite me like they used to.

Fantastic book. If you have not read this yet, get it. Very informative and she is not as dumb as some people think she is. She has it together and is a very brave and innovative person. It's all good. The other books are A Cold Treachery and the knitting bible Knitting in Plain English. Oh, and for other Anglophiles (like you Elizabeth), I have been reading this book I found in my bookcase:
It is The Royal Book of Lists and the author, Matt Richardson, is actually from Richmond Hill, Ontario. We royalists are everywhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just to get off of the reading/knitting subject for a moment, I have a shower to go to on Sunday. Your typical italian shower, at a hall, with probably 100 or so women. My problem is, it is a monetary shower. Which means, of course, I am not to bring a gift but give money. Personally, I think these are tasteless. I do not think you should ask for money at a shower, but regardless I must attend but I have no idea what amount to give. Should I give what I would have spent for a shower gift? I guess so but it still rubs me the wrong way. We will be attending this wedding in January and that in itself will be well over $1000.00 when you take into account the money gift ($500.00 to 600.00) plus outfits for three girls and myself well we're actually looking at well over a grand. Okay, I vented. I feel much better now.

Thanks. And have a great weekend. We are going here Saturday night, should I be afraid?