I'm getting there - for the most part the cold is gone; there is just some lingering congestion. I feel like my ears are popping whenever I yawn and that is a very disconcerting feeling. I made the mistake of taking a Benadryl tablet after lunch and spent most of the afternoon in a fog. An uncongested fog, but fog nonetheless.
Mom's comment problems solved themselves when she switched to Mozilla - so I am not sure what the problem was in the end, but she has worked around it.
Can I tell you how happy I am that new television shows have started again? True Blood, Heroes, Bones, and tonight, Chuck! (I have such a crush on Zachary Levi, and am a bit perturbed that I am eight years older than him!) My knitting is speeding up and my behind is slowing down... must... find... a... balance...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Quick Question
Has anyone besides my Mom have trouble recently leaving comments on my blog? She says she gets a javascript error. I'm still getting comments from others and I haven't changed anything to my comments platform, so I am not sure what to say. If you are getting this same error message, please email me at jochibi AT yahoo DOT com.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Quiet Friday
Well, what else would you call it when you have had a cold-medicine induced sleep for the last three hours and your spouse and child have high-tailed it to the Y to play and leave you alone? I hate being sick. This came out of nowhere. Two afternoons ago I was outside picking stuff in the garden and I sneezed twice. That night I said to Andrew that my throat hurt. The next morning I was a phlegmy, drippy, watery-eyed, throat-clearing, gutteral-whispering mess.
Knock on wood no one else in the house has caught it yet.
Knock on wood no one else in the house has caught it yet.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
WIP It Wednesday: The Cool Pool Edition
I love it when pooling actually turns out the way you want it to:
I've got a few other projects on the needles right now, but some of them have to be kept secret as they are intended for someone even more secretive than me!
Andrew and Willow went out for a bike ride after work (well, more like Andrew spotted Willow while she rode her bike) and the cat had to sit at the window and wait for them to come back. He didn't take kindly to me trying to take his picture:
"Woman, put the camera down if you know what is good for you!"
It's a little blurry because I was taking the picture on the sly through the screen - but Willow was riding all by herself. Next step, no training wheels!
I've got a few other projects on the needles right now, but some of them have to be kept secret as they are intended for someone even more secretive than me!
Andrew and Willow went out for a bike ride after work (well, more like Andrew spotted Willow while she rode her bike) and the cat had to sit at the window and wait for them to come back. He didn't take kindly to me trying to take his picture:
"Woman, put the camera down if you know what is good for you!"
It's a little blurry because I was taking the picture on the sly through the screen - but Willow was riding all by herself. Next step, no training wheels!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
First Day of Autumn
"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
- George Eliot
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
- Albert Camus
"No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face."
- John Donne
(Quotes from eGreenway)
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Lazy Saturday
You Are France |
 You are very proud of the culture you come from. You can't help but be a bit snobby. You cherish your food, history, language, and art. You feel like other people can't match your taste. Elegance is important to you. You rather stay with the past than love a new trend. When in public, you look good and say the right things. Only your close friends and family know the real you. |
D'accord!
*************************
You Are Treason |
 You are motivated by greed. You yearn for power and riches. You are easily tempted, and are sometimes desperate to get what you want. You are only loyal to yourself. You don't really have a strict code of ethics. It's hard to admit, but you would turn on your closest friends or family members for the right price. |
Really? I like to think I have a strong code of ethics.
******************************************
You Are 90% Yankee, 10% Dixie |
 You're so Yankee, it's possible you've never even been to the South! |
That 10% must be from living in the US for the last ten years...
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ouch
It had to happen sooner or later. The weather was finally cold enough today (it struggled to hit 70'F) that I couldn't really justify wearing sandals and wore dress shoes all day instead.
My poor feet!
It's hard to reconcile - on one hand I love it when the weather turns cool because I am so not a summer clothing person - but on the other hand, I hate covering up my feet.
My poor feet!
It's hard to reconcile - on one hand I love it when the weather turns cool because I am so not a summer clothing person - but on the other hand, I hate covering up my feet.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Three Hat Weekend
Some weekends are just like that.
First off the needles was what was supposed to be my UPS hat:
Supposed to be. I was worried about the hat being too deep as it designed as a man's hat, so I jumped the gun on the decrease shaping and now the hat is too shallow for me... but fits Willow perfectly. She and Papa will look like twins.
Next came the Boy Hat:
I hadn't intended this one for anyone in particular - I toyed with the idea of giving it to Raul because he loves orange, but he may have a thing or two against acrylic hats (nothing but the best for Raul, you know!) The hat doesn't stretch out enough on Willow's head, but it does have some cool decreases:
The last hat was an mindless hat. Willow had a birthday party to go to yesterday and I knew I was going to be sitting around for two hours, so I quickly cast on for a Rolled Brim Hat out of some leftover balls in my small-ball box. Everyone has one of those, right? With all the balls with maybe 20-30 yards left on them? Anyway, this one is mostly made out of leftovers from a baby outfit I made for my friend Teri's daughter, Mikayla:
The only problem was there wasn't quite enough yarn to finish out the top of that hat, so I dug through my small ball box and found this little bit of superwash merino I had dyed with Wiltons icing dye and it matched fairly well:
Mikayla is 16 months old now and the hat may be a little big for her, but I give it to her anyway - a girl can never have too many hats.
Unless you are me and it has been a three hat weekend... and you still don't have one of your own. Oh well - doesn't really matter today - it is 90 frickin' degrees outside!
First off the needles was what was supposed to be my UPS hat:
Supposed to be. I was worried about the hat being too deep as it designed as a man's hat, so I jumped the gun on the decrease shaping and now the hat is too shallow for me... but fits Willow perfectly. She and Papa will look like twins.
Next came the Boy Hat:
I hadn't intended this one for anyone in particular - I toyed with the idea of giving it to Raul because he loves orange, but he may have a thing or two against acrylic hats (nothing but the best for Raul, you know!) The hat doesn't stretch out enough on Willow's head, but it does have some cool decreases:
The last hat was an mindless hat. Willow had a birthday party to go to yesterday and I knew I was going to be sitting around for two hours, so I quickly cast on for a Rolled Brim Hat out of some leftover balls in my small-ball box. Everyone has one of those, right? With all the balls with maybe 20-30 yards left on them? Anyway, this one is mostly made out of leftovers from a baby outfit I made for my friend Teri's daughter, Mikayla:
The only problem was there wasn't quite enough yarn to finish out the top of that hat, so I dug through my small ball box and found this little bit of superwash merino I had dyed with Wiltons icing dye and it matched fairly well:
Mikayla is 16 months old now and the hat may be a little big for her, but I give it to her anyway - a girl can never have too many hats.
Unless you are me and it has been a three hat weekend... and you still don't have one of your own. Oh well - doesn't really matter today - it is 90 frickin' degrees outside!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sock Meme
A Sock Meme
Stolen from Karen:
When did you first learn to knit socks?
I taught myself about four years ago.
What’s the first sock you ever knit?
The first socks I ever knit were based on Ann Budd's sock pattern in her The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges. They were knit out of red Wool-Ease and they were for my Dad. I seem to remember they were a bit small for him - I believe he gave them away.
Favorite Sock Pattern?
I still like the Ann Budd pattern best because it allows for multiple gauges - it doesn't matter what yarn I use. Plus it walks you through it step by step - and I really needed that idiot-proof method when I started.
Favorite needle method?
Two circular needles - although I still haven't mastered casting on for socks using the two needles. I usually cast on with the dpns, do a few rounds, then switch to the circulars.
Favorite sock needles?
Knit Picks Circulars in the Options line
Who do you knit socks for?
The last few pairs have been for me, but I have knit two pairs for my Dad and a few for charity. I have a last sock in a pair of Jaywalker socks (Ravelry link) that were supposed to be for me but they are too narrow for my feet, so they will go to my sister Teri once done.
How many pairs have you knitted to date?
Maybe about ten.
What is on your sock knitting to-do list?
Yes, the Spring Cable socks and the Cut and Paste socks.
What kind of socks to you like to knit?
Pretty much plain vanilla socks. All my socks so far have been top down - some day I would like to try an easy toe-up sock. Can anyone recommend a pattern?
Striped?
Only if the yarn does it all by itself.
Colorwork?
Not deliberately. I am not a fan of doing colourwork in any knitting medium.
Plain Stockinette?
Please and thank you.
Cabled?
I definitely want to try (see above planned socks).
Lace?
Not my style.
Anklets?
I have never made any, but most of my store-bought socks are anklets, so I am not adverse to them.
Knee Socks?
With these cankles? To quote Karen, "Not in a million years."
Solid colors?
I prefer semi-solids to solids - just to make it a bit more interesting and less uniform.
Bright and crazy?
Have you seen my Silk Garden Socks? Business up front, party in the back.
Faux Fair Isle (the yarn doing all of the work)?
The only kind I would even attempt.
Okay, I don't deliberately tag people - but if you are interested, let me know you picked up the meme so I can see your answers.
Stolen from Karen:
When did you first learn to knit socks?
I taught myself about four years ago.
What’s the first sock you ever knit?
The first socks I ever knit were based on Ann Budd's sock pattern in her The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges. They were knit out of red Wool-Ease and they were for my Dad. I seem to remember they were a bit small for him - I believe he gave them away.
Favorite Sock Pattern?
I still like the Ann Budd pattern best because it allows for multiple gauges - it doesn't matter what yarn I use. Plus it walks you through it step by step - and I really needed that idiot-proof method when I started.
Favorite needle method?
Two circular needles - although I still haven't mastered casting on for socks using the two needles. I usually cast on with the dpns, do a few rounds, then switch to the circulars.
Favorite sock needles?
Knit Picks Circulars in the Options line
Who do you knit socks for?
The last few pairs have been for me, but I have knit two pairs for my Dad and a few for charity. I have a last sock in a pair of Jaywalker socks (Ravelry link) that were supposed to be for me but they are too narrow for my feet, so they will go to my sister Teri once done.
How many pairs have you knitted to date?
Maybe about ten.
What is on your sock knitting to-do list?
Yes, the Spring Cable socks and the Cut and Paste socks.
What kind of socks to you like to knit?
Pretty much plain vanilla socks. All my socks so far have been top down - some day I would like to try an easy toe-up sock. Can anyone recommend a pattern?
Striped?
Only if the yarn does it all by itself.
Colorwork?
Not deliberately. I am not a fan of doing colourwork in any knitting medium.
Plain Stockinette?
Please and thank you.
Cabled?
I definitely want to try (see above planned socks).
Lace?
Not my style.
Anklets?
I have never made any, but most of my store-bought socks are anklets, so I am not adverse to them.
Knee Socks?
With these cankles? To quote Karen, "Not in a million years."
Solid colors?
I prefer semi-solids to solids - just to make it a bit more interesting and less uniform.
Bright and crazy?
Have you seen my Silk Garden Socks? Business up front, party in the back.
Faux Fair Isle (the yarn doing all of the work)?
The only kind I would even attempt.
Okay, I don't deliberately tag people - but if you are interested, let me know you picked up the meme so I can see your answers.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Blah Blah Blah Blah BLAH!
Frickin-frackin - GAH!
I was having such a good day at work. Met a deadline I was worried about, was pleased with the results, got some work done.
Pick up Willow from school and there is a note from her teacher about the work she did (not) do in class and what she needed to finish at home. There went my plans of looking for new shoes and going to the grocery store.
Lectured her all the way home on how school is her job and it is her responsibility to listen to the teacher and do her work when the teacher says, not when she feels like it.
Got home, set her up at her homework station, and she started working. It took her ten frickin-frackin' minutes to finish the bloody work she didn't finish in class. Made dinner from what I could find in the freezer and gave her more work to do.
Saw the new Knitty and the only thing that remotely sparked for me was Hermia and even that one is a half-hearted spark.
Off to supervise more 'extra' homework.
Bah humbug.
I was having such a good day at work. Met a deadline I was worried about, was pleased with the results, got some work done.
Pick up Willow from school and there is a note from her teacher about the work she did (not) do in class and what she needed to finish at home. There went my plans of looking for new shoes and going to the grocery store.
Lectured her all the way home on how school is her job and it is her responsibility to listen to the teacher and do her work when the teacher says, not when she feels like it.
Got home, set her up at her homework station, and she started working. It took her ten frickin-frackin' minutes to finish the bloody work she didn't finish in class. Made dinner from what I could find in the freezer and gave her more work to do.
Saw the new Knitty and the only thing that remotely sparked for me was Hermia and even that one is a half-hearted spark.
Off to supervise more 'extra' homework.
Bah humbug.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Feme Meme
Stolen from Bezzie.
I've highlighted all the books I've read, and starred the authors I've read, but not specifically the book listed. If they're highlighted and starred, then I've read more of that author's catalogue in addition to the book listed.
Allison, Dorothy. Bastard Out of Carolina, 1992 ***
Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
Atwood, Margaret. Cat's Eye, 1988 ***
Bainbridge, Beryl. The Bottle Factory Outing, 1974
Bambara, Toni Cade. Gorilla, My Love, 1992
Barnes, Djuna. Nightwood, 1937
Barker, Pat. Regeneration, 1992
Brookner, Anita. Hotel du Lac, 1984
Brown, Rita Mae. Rubyfruit Jungle, 1973 ***
Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth, 1931 ***
Byatt, A.S. Possession: A Romance, 1990 ***
Carter, Angela. Nights at the Circus, 1984
Castillo, Ana. So Far From God, 1993
Cather, Willa. My Antonia, 1918
Chopin, Kate. The Awakening, 1900
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street, 1984
Compton-Burnett, Ivy. Elders and Betters, 1944
Desai, Anita. Clear Light of Day, 1980
Dinesen, Isak. Out of Africa, 1938
Doerr, Harriet. Stones for Ibarra, 1984
Drabble, Margaret. The Radiant Way, 1987
DuMaurier, Daphne. Rebecca, 1938
Emecheta, Buchi. Second Class Citizen, 1974
Erdrich, Louise. Tracks: A Novel, 1988 ***
Fitzgerald, Penelope. At Freddie's, 1985
Flagg, Fannie. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, 1987
Frame, Janet. Yellow Flowers in the Antipodean Room, 1969
French, Marilyn. The Women's Room, 1977 ***
Goldstein, Rebecca. The Mind-Body Problem: A Novel, 1983
Gordimer, Nadine. July's People, 1981
Gordon, Mary. The Rest of Life, 1993
Hall, Radclyffe. The Well of Loneliness, 1928
Head, Bessie. When Rain Clouds Gather, 1968
Highsmith, Patricia. The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1955
Hobhouse, Janet. The Furies, 1993
Hulme, Keri. The Bone People, 1983
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God, 1937
Jackson, Shirley. The Haunting of Hill House, 1959
Jhabvala, Ruth Prawer. Heat and Dust, 1975
Jong, Erica. Fear of Flying, 1973 ***
Kincaid, Jamaica. Lucy, 1990
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Trees, 1988
Kingston, Maxine Hong. Tripmaster Monkey, 1989
Kogawa, Joy. Obasan, 1981 ***
Laurence, Margaret. The Fire-Dwellers, 1969 ***
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960
Lessing, Doris. The Golden Notebook, 1962 ***
Lively, Penelope. Moon Tiger, 1987
Loos, Anita. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1925
McCarthy, Mary. The Group, 1963
McCullers, Carson. Ballad of the Sad Cafe, 1951
McMillan, Terry. Mama, 1987 ***
Manning, Olivia. The Balkan Trilogy, 1981
Miller, Isabel. Patience and Sarah, 1969
Mitchell, Margaret. Gone with the Wind, 1936 (Started, but never finished)
Moore, Lorrie. Anagrams: A Novel, 1986
Morrison, Toni. Beloved: A Novel, 1987 ***
Mukherjee, Bharati. Wife, 1975
Munro, Alice. Lives of Girls and Women, 1971 *** (One of my favourite Canadian authors)
Murdoch, Iris. A Severed Head, 1961
Oates, Joyce Carol. You Must Remember This, 1987 ***
O'Brien, Edna. House of Splendid Isolation, 1994
O'Connor, Flannery. A Good Man is Hard to Find, 1955
Olsen, Tillie. Tell Me a Riddle, 1979
Paley, Grace. Enormous Changes at the Last Minute, 1974
Parker, Dorothy. The Collected Dorothy Parker, 1973 ***
Phillips, Jayne Anne. Black Tickets, 1979
Piercy, Marge. Braided Lives, 1982 *** (You should read 'Woman on the Edge of Time')
Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar, 1963 ***
Porter, Katharine Anne. Ship of Fools, 1962
Powell, Dawn. The Golden Spur, 1962
Proulx, E. Annie. The Shipping News, 1993 *** (Fantastic book!)
Rand, Ayn. The Fountainhead, 1943 (Always mean to read her books)
Renault, Mary. The King Must Die, 1958
Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea, 1966 (Very dreamy - read this before I had ever read 'Wuthering Heights')
Robinson, Marilynne. Housekeeping, 1980
Roy, Arundhati. The God of Small Things, 1997
Sarton, May. Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing, 1965
Shields, Carol. The Stone Diaries, 1994
Shreve, Anita. The Weight of Water, 1997 ***
Silko, Leslie Marmon. Almanac of the Dead, 1991
Simpson, Mona. Anywhere But Here, 1986
Smart, Elizabeth. By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, 1966
Smiley, Jane. The Age of Grief, 1987 *** (Read 'Moo' for fun!)
Sontag, Susan. The Volcano Lover, 1992 ***
Spark, Muriel. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, 1961
Stead, Christina. The Man Who Loved Children, 1965
Stein, Gertrude. Three Lives, 1909
Taylor, Elizabeth. Angel, 1957
Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club, 1989 ***
Tyler, Anne. If Morning Ever Comes, 1964 ***
Urquhart, Jane. Away, 1993
Walker, Alice. The Color Purple, 1982 ***
Weldon, Fay. The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, 1983 *** (Way funnier than the movie!)
Welty, Eudora. Selected Stories, 1943
West, Rebecca. The Return of the Soldier, 1918
Wharton, Edith. Ethan Frome, 1911
White, Antonia. Frost in May, 1933
Winterson, Jeannette. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, 1985 *** (Probably my favourite author on this list - read her books!)
Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway, 1925 ***
*************************************************
Okay, if you decide to do this meme, please let me know in the comments so I can check out your list.
Thanks, Bezzie!
I've highlighted all the books I've read, and starred the authors I've read, but not specifically the book listed. If they're highlighted and starred, then I've read more of that author's catalogue in addition to the book listed.
Allison, Dorothy. Bastard Out of Carolina, 1992 ***
Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
Atwood, Margaret. Cat's Eye, 1988 ***
Bainbridge, Beryl. The Bottle Factory Outing, 1974
Bambara, Toni Cade. Gorilla, My Love, 1992
Barnes, Djuna. Nightwood, 1937
Barker, Pat. Regeneration, 1992
Brookner, Anita. Hotel du Lac, 1984
Brown, Rita Mae. Rubyfruit Jungle, 1973 ***
Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth, 1931 ***
Byatt, A.S. Possession: A Romance, 1990 ***
Carter, Angela. Nights at the Circus, 1984
Castillo, Ana. So Far From God, 1993
Cather, Willa. My Antonia, 1918
Chopin, Kate. The Awakening, 1900
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street, 1984
Compton-Burnett, Ivy. Elders and Betters, 1944
Desai, Anita. Clear Light of Day, 1980
Dinesen, Isak. Out of Africa, 1938
Doerr, Harriet. Stones for Ibarra, 1984
Drabble, Margaret. The Radiant Way, 1987
DuMaurier, Daphne. Rebecca, 1938
Emecheta, Buchi. Second Class Citizen, 1974
Erdrich, Louise. Tracks: A Novel, 1988 ***
Fitzgerald, Penelope. At Freddie's, 1985
Flagg, Fannie. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, 1987
Frame, Janet. Yellow Flowers in the Antipodean Room, 1969
French, Marilyn. The Women's Room, 1977 ***
Goldstein, Rebecca. The Mind-Body Problem: A Novel, 1983
Gordimer, Nadine. July's People, 1981
Gordon, Mary. The Rest of Life, 1993
Hall, Radclyffe. The Well of Loneliness, 1928
Head, Bessie. When Rain Clouds Gather, 1968
Highsmith, Patricia. The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1955
Hobhouse, Janet. The Furies, 1993
Hulme, Keri. The Bone People, 1983
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God, 1937
Jackson, Shirley. The Haunting of Hill House, 1959
Jhabvala, Ruth Prawer. Heat and Dust, 1975
Jong, Erica. Fear of Flying, 1973 ***
Kincaid, Jamaica. Lucy, 1990
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Trees, 1988
Kingston, Maxine Hong. Tripmaster Monkey, 1989
Kogawa, Joy. Obasan, 1981 ***
Laurence, Margaret. The Fire-Dwellers, 1969 ***
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960
Lessing, Doris. The Golden Notebook, 1962 ***
Lively, Penelope. Moon Tiger, 1987
Loos, Anita. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1925
McCarthy, Mary. The Group, 1963
McCullers, Carson. Ballad of the Sad Cafe, 1951
McMillan, Terry. Mama, 1987 ***
Manning, Olivia. The Balkan Trilogy, 1981
Miller, Isabel. Patience and Sarah, 1969
Mitchell, Margaret. Gone with the Wind, 1936 (Started, but never finished)
Moore, Lorrie. Anagrams: A Novel, 1986
Morrison, Toni. Beloved: A Novel, 1987 ***
Mukherjee, Bharati. Wife, 1975
Munro, Alice. Lives of Girls and Women, 1971 *** (One of my favourite Canadian authors)
Murdoch, Iris. A Severed Head, 1961
Oates, Joyce Carol. You Must Remember This, 1987 ***
O'Brien, Edna. House of Splendid Isolation, 1994
O'Connor, Flannery. A Good Man is Hard to Find, 1955
Olsen, Tillie. Tell Me a Riddle, 1979
Paley, Grace. Enormous Changes at the Last Minute, 1974
Parker, Dorothy. The Collected Dorothy Parker, 1973 ***
Phillips, Jayne Anne. Black Tickets, 1979
Piercy, Marge. Braided Lives, 1982 *** (You should read 'Woman on the Edge of Time')
Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar, 1963 ***
Porter, Katharine Anne. Ship of Fools, 1962
Powell, Dawn. The Golden Spur, 1962
Proulx, E. Annie. The Shipping News, 1993 *** (Fantastic book!)
Rand, Ayn. The Fountainhead, 1943 (Always mean to read her books)
Renault, Mary. The King Must Die, 1958
Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea, 1966 (Very dreamy - read this before I had ever read 'Wuthering Heights')
Robinson, Marilynne. Housekeeping, 1980
Roy, Arundhati. The God of Small Things, 1997
Sarton, May. Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing, 1965
Shields, Carol. The Stone Diaries, 1994
Shreve, Anita. The Weight of Water, 1997 ***
Silko, Leslie Marmon. Almanac of the Dead, 1991
Simpson, Mona. Anywhere But Here, 1986
Smart, Elizabeth. By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, 1966
Smiley, Jane. The Age of Grief, 1987 *** (Read 'Moo' for fun!)
Sontag, Susan. The Volcano Lover, 1992 ***
Spark, Muriel. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, 1961
Stead, Christina. The Man Who Loved Children, 1965
Stein, Gertrude. Three Lives, 1909
Taylor, Elizabeth. Angel, 1957
Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club, 1989 ***
Tyler, Anne. If Morning Ever Comes, 1964 ***
Urquhart, Jane. Away, 1993
Walker, Alice. The Color Purple, 1982 ***
Weldon, Fay. The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, 1983 *** (Way funnier than the movie!)
Welty, Eudora. Selected Stories, 1943
West, Rebecca. The Return of the Soldier, 1918
Wharton, Edith. Ethan Frome, 1911
White, Antonia. Frost in May, 1933
Winterson, Jeannette. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, 1985 *** (Probably my favourite author on this list - read her books!)
Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway, 1925 ***
*************************************************
Okay, if you decide to do this meme, please let me know in the comments so I can check out your list.
Thanks, Bezzie!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sunday Catch Up
Despite getting rained out this weekend, it went pretty well. We were supposed to have my company picnic at Dorney Park on Saturday - but we took one look at the rain when we woke up and decided we weren't driving two hours to get rained on and then drive two hours home. Instead, we called up some friends of ours (who were also supposed to go to the picnic) and they invited us to go see the 3D version of Journey of the Center of the Earth. I am not sure if I have ever seen a 3D movie before - documentaries yes, but not a movie. In any case, the movie was a lot of fun.
I stayed up very late (let's just say I didn't get 8 hours last night, and that includes sleeping in and having a two hour nap this afternoon...) to get things straightened out on the Offset Wraplan. I ended up scrapping the directions for both the button band and collar and doing it intuitively. I still need to get some buttons for the sweater - but in the meantime I've used some nickels to show where the buttons will be:
I also started another UPS hat last night - this one for me in Brown Sheep Lanaloft (which reminds me a lot in texture of Manos del Uruguay yarn).
It will be a sturdy winter hat. I think I want to make another in a light - maybe part cotton - yarn. I have bushy hair and the length it is right now I have to 'do' it regardless what I want to do. If it were longer I would just pull it into a bun or ponytail to do yardwork. I want a hat I can pull over my hair to keep it out of my eyes, but won't overheat my head in the process.
Okay - I will leave you with another video by Willow. I thought I had right-sided it before I downloaded it, but apparently it didn't come through that way. Don't hurt your neck! (ETA: Turn up the volume on your computer to hear it - it is quiet.)
I stayed up very late (let's just say I didn't get 8 hours last night, and that includes sleeping in and having a two hour nap this afternoon...) to get things straightened out on the Offset Wraplan. I ended up scrapping the directions for both the button band and collar and doing it intuitively. I still need to get some buttons for the sweater - but in the meantime I've used some nickels to show where the buttons will be:
I also started another UPS hat last night - this one for me in Brown Sheep Lanaloft (which reminds me a lot in texture of Manos del Uruguay yarn).
It will be a sturdy winter hat. I think I want to make another in a light - maybe part cotton - yarn. I have bushy hair and the length it is right now I have to 'do' it regardless what I want to do. If it were longer I would just pull it into a bun or ponytail to do yardwork. I want a hat I can pull over my hair to keep it out of my eyes, but won't overheat my head in the process.
Okay - I will leave you with another video by Willow. I thought I had right-sided it before I downloaded it, but apparently it didn't come through that way. Don't hurt your neck! (ETA: Turn up the volume on your computer to hear it - it is quiet.)
Friday, September 05, 2008
Music Meme
Top 100 Hits of 1990/Top 100 Songs of 1990
Pilfered from Pam (who, I have to say, has come up with some cool memes of late!)
The rules:
A.) Go to Music Outfitters.
B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year
C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you hate and underline your favorite. Do nothing to the ones you don’t remember (or don’t care about)
1. Hold On, Wilson Phillips
2. It Must Have Been Love, Roxette
3. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor
4. Poison, Bell Biv Devoe
5. Vogue, Madonna
6. Vision Of Love, Mariah Carey
7. Another Day In Paradise, Phil Collins
8. Hold On, En Vogue
9. Cradle Of Love, Billy Idol
10. Blaze Of Glory, Jon Bon Jovi
11. Do Me!, Bell Biv Devoe
12. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, Michael Bolton
13. Pump Up The Jam, Technotronic
14. Opposites Attract, Paula Abdul
15. Escapade, Janet Jackson
16. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, Heart
17. Close To You, Maxi Priest
18. Black Velvet, Alannah Myles
19. Release Me, Wilson Phillips
20. Don't Know Much, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
21. All Around The World, Lisa Stansfield
22. l Wanna Be Rich, Calloway
23. I Remember You, Skid Row
24. Rub You The Right Way, Johnny Gill
25. She Ain't Worth It, Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown
26. If Wishes Came True, Sweet Sensation
27. The Power, Snap
28. (Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection, Nelson
29. Love Will Lead You Back, Taylor Dayne
30. Don't Wanna Fall In Love, Jane Child
31. Two To Make It Right, Seduction
32. Sending All My Love, Linear
33. Unskinny Bop, Poison
34. Step By Step, New Kids On The Block
35. Dangerous, Roxette
36. We Didn't Start The Fire, Billy Joel
37. I Don't Have The Heart, James Ingram
38. Downtown Train, Rod Stewart
39. Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
40. I'll Be Your Everything, Tommy Page
41. Roam, B-52's
42. Everything, Jody Watley
43. Back To Life, Soul II Soul
44. Here and Now, Luther Vandross
45. Alright, Janet Jackson
46. Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
47. Blame It On The Rain, Milli Vanilli
48. Have You Seen Her, M.C. Hammer
49. With Every Beat Of My Heart, Taylor Dayne
50. Come Back To Me, Janet Jackson
51. No More Lies, Michel'le
52. Praying For Time, George Michael
53. How Can We Be Lovers, Michael Bolton
54. Do You Remember, Phil Collins
55. Ready Or Not, After 7
56. U Can't Touch This, M.C. Hammer
57. I Wish It Would Rain Down, Phil Collins
58. Just Between You and Me, Lou Gramm
59. Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Phil Collins
60. Black Cat, Janet Jackson
61. Can't Stop, After 7
62. Janie's Got A Gun, Aerosmith
63. The Humpty Dance, Digital Underground
64. I'll Be Your Shelter, Taylor Dayne
65. Free Fallin', Tom Petty
66. Giving You The Benefit, Pebbles
67. Enjoy The Silence, Depeche Mode
68. Love Song, Tesla
69. Price Of Love, Bad English
70. Girls Nite Out, Tyler Collins
71. King Of Wishful Thinking, Go West
72. What Kind Of Man Would I Be?, Chicago
73. Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over), Technotroic
74. Here We Are, Gloria Estefan
75. Epic, Faith No More
76. Love Takes Time, Mariah Carey
77. Just Like Jesse James, Cher
78. Love Shack, B-52's
79. All Or Nothing, Milli Vanilli
80. Romeo, Dino
81. Everybody Everybody, Black Box
82. I Go To Extremes, Billy Joel
83. Whip Appeal, Babyface
84. Oh Girl, Paul Young
85. C'mon and Get My Love, D-Mob With Cathy Dennis
85. (It's Just) The Way That You Love Me, Paula Abdul
87. We Can't Go Wrong, Cover Girls
88. When I'm Back On My Feet Again, Michael Bolton
89. Make You Sweat, Keith Sweat
90. This One's For The Children, New Kids On The Block
91. What It Takes, Aerosmith
92. Forever, Kiss
93. Jerk Out, Time
94. Just A Friend, Biz Markie
95. Whole Wide World, A'me Lorain
96. Without You, Motley Crue
97. Swing The Mood, Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers
98. Thieves In The Temple, Prince
99. Mentirosa, Mellow Man Ace
100. Tic-Tac-Toe, Kyper
**************************************
I didn't know growing up on the West Coast made that much of a difference, but there are so many of these songs that I just don't know. My tastes at the end of grade 12 ran more along the lines of U2, The Smiths, Sinead O'Connor, and Depeche Mode.
Pilfered from Pam (who, I have to say, has come up with some cool memes of late!)
The rules:
A.) Go to Music Outfitters.
B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year
C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you hate and underline your favorite. Do nothing to the ones you don’t remember (or don’t care about)
1. Hold On, Wilson Phillips
2. It Must Have Been Love, Roxette
3. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor
4. Poison, Bell Biv Devoe
5. Vogue, Madonna
6. Vision Of Love, Mariah Carey
7. Another Day In Paradise, Phil Collins
8. Hold On, En Vogue
9. Cradle Of Love, Billy Idol
10. Blaze Of Glory, Jon Bon Jovi
11. Do Me!, Bell Biv Devoe
12. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, Michael Bolton
13. Pump Up The Jam, Technotronic
14. Opposites Attract, Paula Abdul
15. Escapade, Janet Jackson
16. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, Heart
17. Close To You, Maxi Priest
18. Black Velvet, Alannah Myles
19. Release Me, Wilson Phillips
20. Don't Know Much, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
21. All Around The World, Lisa Stansfield
22. l Wanna Be Rich, Calloway
23. I Remember You, Skid Row
24. Rub You The Right Way, Johnny Gill
25. She Ain't Worth It, Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown
26. If Wishes Came True, Sweet Sensation
27. The Power, Snap
28. (Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection, Nelson
29. Love Will Lead You Back, Taylor Dayne
30. Don't Wanna Fall In Love, Jane Child
31. Two To Make It Right, Seduction
32. Sending All My Love, Linear
33. Unskinny Bop, Poison
34. Step By Step, New Kids On The Block
35. Dangerous, Roxette
36. We Didn't Start The Fire, Billy Joel
37. I Don't Have The Heart, James Ingram
38. Downtown Train, Rod Stewart
39. Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
40. I'll Be Your Everything, Tommy Page
41. Roam, B-52's
42. Everything, Jody Watley
43. Back To Life, Soul II Soul
44. Here and Now, Luther Vandross
45. Alright, Janet Jackson
46. Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
47. Blame It On The Rain, Milli Vanilli
48. Have You Seen Her, M.C. Hammer
49. With Every Beat Of My Heart, Taylor Dayne
50. Come Back To Me, Janet Jackson
51. No More Lies, Michel'le
52. Praying For Time, George Michael
53. How Can We Be Lovers, Michael Bolton
54. Do You Remember, Phil Collins
55. Ready Or Not, After 7
57. I Wish It Would Rain Down, Phil Collins
58. Just Between You and Me, Lou Gramm
59. Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Phil Collins
60. Black Cat, Janet Jackson
61. Can't Stop, After 7
62. Janie's Got A Gun, Aerosmith
63. The Humpty Dance, Digital Underground
64. I'll Be Your Shelter, Taylor Dayne
65. Free Fallin', Tom Petty
66. Giving You The Benefit, Pebbles
67. Enjoy The Silence, Depeche Mode
68. Love Song, Tesla
69. Price Of Love, Bad English
70. Girls Nite Out, Tyler Collins
71. King Of Wishful Thinking, Go West
72. What Kind Of Man Would I Be?, Chicago
73. Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over), Technotroic
74. Here We Are, Gloria Estefan
75. Epic, Faith No More
76. Love Takes Time, Mariah Carey
77. Just Like Jesse James, Cher
79. All Or Nothing, Milli Vanilli
80. Romeo, Dino
81. Everybody Everybody, Black Box
82. I Go To Extremes, Billy Joel
83. Whip Appeal, Babyface
84. Oh Girl, Paul Young
85. C'mon and Get My Love, D-Mob With Cathy Dennis
85. (It's Just) The Way That You Love Me, Paula Abdul
87. We Can't Go Wrong, Cover Girls
88. When I'm Back On My Feet Again, Michael Bolton
89. Make You Sweat, Keith Sweat
90. This One's For The Children, New Kids On The Block
91. What It Takes, Aerosmith
92. Forever, Kiss
93. Jerk Out, Time
94. Just A Friend, Biz Markie
95. Whole Wide World, A'me Lorain
96. Without You, Motley Crue
97. Swing The Mood, Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers
98. Thieves In The Temple, Prince
99. Mentirosa, Mellow Man Ace
100. Tic-Tac-Toe, Kyper
**************************************
I didn't know growing up on the West Coast made that much of a difference, but there are so many of these songs that I just don't know. My tastes at the end of grade 12 ran more along the lines of U2, The Smiths, Sinead O'Connor, and Depeche Mode.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
More Laziness
Oh, how I love long weekends...
And husbands who do the cooking...
And tomatoes from my garden...
And handspun yarn picked up at the local fair...
And pooling that looks cool...
And beautifully even stitches...
And husbands who do the cooking...
And tomatoes from my garden...
And handspun yarn picked up at the local fair...
And pooling that looks cool...
And beautifully even stitches...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saturday Laziness
What else do you expect on the first day of a long weekend? We went to the Arden Fair this morning, but I forgot to bring my camera. Willow went crazy on the midway rides, especially the big slides, we bought her a cool tie-dyed t-shirt, and consumed the largest bag of kettle corn (and it was still hot!) that we could find.
Food Meme from Patrick's Place:
1. What was the last meal you ordered in a restaurant?
We went to the new hot dog restaurant (it's really cool) that opened up down the street, and I ordered a fried cod sandwich and chocolate milkshake. It was delicious - but huge, so I only at half of it.
2. What was the last meal you cooked for yourself?
It's been a lazy week in my house because of work this week. The last meal I put on the table was rotisseries chicken and store-bought sides from the grocery store on Thursday. If you are talking about the last meal from scratch, I made couscous with tomatoes from my garden and diced chicken on Tuesday.
3. Who was the last person you shared a meal with?
I had lunch with Willow and Andrew today.
4. Take the quiz: What Pasta Dish Are You?
Me?
That makes sense - I love pesto.
5. If you could only have one pasta dish for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?
Baked tortellini with creamy tomato sauce.
6. Check your pantry: counting products like soups that contain noodles, dry pasta and boxed meals like Hamburger Helper, how many items do you have that contain some pasta?
Ten. Hmm - I was expecting more. I guess that means I need to go grocery shopping. Incidentally, 4 of that 10 was White Cheddar Kraft Dinner.
Food Meme from Patrick's Place:
1. What was the last meal you ordered in a restaurant?
We went to the new hot dog restaurant (it's really cool) that opened up down the street, and I ordered a fried cod sandwich and chocolate milkshake. It was delicious - but huge, so I only at half of it.
2. What was the last meal you cooked for yourself?
It's been a lazy week in my house because of work this week. The last meal I put on the table was rotisseries chicken and store-bought sides from the grocery store on Thursday. If you are talking about the last meal from scratch, I made couscous with tomatoes from my garden and diced chicken on Tuesday.
3. Who was the last person you shared a meal with?
I had lunch with Willow and Andrew today.
4. Take the quiz: What Pasta Dish Are You?
Me?
You Are Spaghetti with Pesto |
 Compared to most people, you have complex tastes. You're a bit of a walking contradiction. You like a little bit of everything, even if the things you like don't go together. You aren't picky at all. You can find something to like about almost anything. You don't judge on appearances alone. You like to experience something before you judge it. |
That makes sense - I love pesto.
5. If you could only have one pasta dish for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?
Baked tortellini with creamy tomato sauce.
6. Check your pantry: counting products like soups that contain noodles, dry pasta and boxed meals like Hamburger Helper, how many items do you have that contain some pasta?
Ten. Hmm - I was expecting more. I guess that means I need to go grocery shopping. Incidentally, 4 of that 10 was White Cheddar Kraft Dinner.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Let's Parler French Test
Your result for The Let's Parler French Test...
100% LikelyToSurvive!
You scored 100% Likely To Survive in a French-speaking country.
Obviously, you get some negative points if you say 'shit' instead of thank you, or 'fuck off' instead of sorry!
Take The Let's Parler French Test at HelloQuizzy
I found this on Tez's blog.
To be fair, I did have to take a gazillion years of French in school (even if British Columbia is the most anglo of the provinces).
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Foodie Bandwagon
I have a book review to write, but am not sure if it will get done tonight, so I was pleased to see this meme on Pam's blog. I'm a fairly adventurous eater and have been to a few different countries - so check my answers out.
Here's what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you've eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at Very Good Tastelinking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore's Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding (We have had this for Christmas many times.)
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp (I couldn't! They're pretty and insidious.)
9. Borscht (I *love* borscht!)
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB & J sandwich (Always a favourite.)
14. Aloo gobi (The Indian place near me has a great buffet...)
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns (oh, this brings me back to Japan!)
20. Pistachio ice cream (blech - don't like pistachios)
21. Heirloom tomatoes (in fact, have some growing in my back yard)
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras (Yuck!)
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese (courtesy of my maternal grandfather)
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters(just thinking of it makes me want to vomit)
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32.Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (Sourdough bowl, yes - but I can't stand bivalves)
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut (not a favourite, but a childhood staple)
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with afat cigar (Don't smoke. Ever. But I like cognac.)
37. Clotted cream tea (In England, no less.)
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (Oh, the decadent uni years. We made them in jello egg molds)
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (Um, no thank you.)
43. Phaal (See #26)
44. Goat's milk (Goat's milk cheese - does that count?)
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more (It used to get very cold in Japan with no central heating...)
46. Fugu (I like not to be paralyzed, thank you very much. Plus it is bloody expensive.)
47. Chicken tikka masala (oh, yum! I love Indian food!)
48. Eel (It's called unagi in Japan)
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut (But I prefer Dunkin' Donuts Sour Cream Glazed)
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi (Again, lived in Japan for 3 years)
53. Abalone
54. Paneer (Did I mention I love Indian food?!?!)
55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV (Canadian, here.)
59. Poutine (Canadian, again.)
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads (Courtesy of my Dad who wouldn't tell me what it was until after I had eaten them.)
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst (But I would probably like this.)
65. Durian
66. Frogs' legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake (I'd have to say three of the four - I don't think I have ever had beignets.)
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (Never say never. My sister says in the Yukon people sign up to get the roadkill.)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail (urgh..)
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky (And many different kinds at that!)
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers (We used to get a cake at work that had candied flowers on it.)
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam (My FIL *loves* this stuff!)
92. Soft shell crab (For the first time at Asami and Gara's wedding.)
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish (I am honestly not sure on this one)
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox (Many bagels - I'm drawing a blank on the lox, though)
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (Andrew loves this - I'm ambivalent.)
100. Snake (Again, courtesy of my sneaky Dad.)
***********************************************
Try it out - and if you do, let me know you put up your answers.
Here's what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you've eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at Very Good Tastelinking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore's Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding (We have had this for Christmas many times.)
7. Cheese fondue
9. Borscht (I *love* borscht!)
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB & J sandwich (Always a favourite.)
14. Aloo gobi (The Indian place near me has a great buffet...)
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns (oh, this brings me back to Japan!)
20. Pistachio ice cream (blech - don't like pistachios)
21. Heirloom tomatoes (in fact, have some growing in my back yard)
22. Fresh wild berries
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese (courtesy of my maternal grandfather)
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32.
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut (not a favourite, but a childhood staple)
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a
37. Clotted cream tea (In England, no less.)
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (Oh, the decadent uni years. We made them in jello egg molds)
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (Um, no thank you.)
43. Phaal (See #26)
44. Goat's milk (Goat's milk cheese - does that count?)
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more (It used to get very cold in Japan with no central heating...)
47. Chicken tikka masala (oh, yum! I love Indian food!)
48. Eel (It's called unagi in Japan)
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut (But I prefer Dunkin' Donuts Sour Cream Glazed)
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi (Again, lived in Japan for 3 years)
53. Abalone
54. Paneer (Did I mention I love Indian food?!?!)
55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV (Canadian, here.)
59. Poutine (Canadian, again.)
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads (Courtesy of my Dad who wouldn't tell me what it was until after I had eaten them.)
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst (But I would probably like this.)
65. Durian
66. Frogs' legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake (I'd have to say three of the four - I don't think I have ever had beignets.)
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (Never say never. My sister says in the Yukon people sign up to get the roadkill.)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky (And many different kinds at that!)
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers (We used to get a cake at work that had candied flowers on it.)
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam (My FIL *loves* this stuff!)
92. Soft shell crab (For the first time at Asami and Gara's wedding.)
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish (I am honestly not sure on this one)
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox (Many bagels - I'm drawing a blank on the lox, though)
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (Andrew loves this - I'm ambivalent.)
100. Snake (Again, courtesy of my sneaky Dad.)
***********************************************
Try it out - and if you do, let me know you put up your answers.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Don't Touch That Dial!
Why is it that I am not even an American citizen, but I am addicted to watching the Democratic National Convention?
One of these days (probably sooner rather than later) I will have to pony up and get the citizenship paperwork done. I've lived in the US for ten years now, and as much as this probably breaks my mother's heart, I don't see us ever moving to Canada. Andrew couldn't practice law there and I don't think I would ever get the job I have now (which I love despite that it is running me a bit ragged right now) or anything close to it in Canada.
I suppose it is the identity that is harder to give up. I know that the Canadian government does not recognize the renunciation of former citizenship statement you must make when becoming an American citizen. But it's a part of me, you know?
Oh, it's much too late at night and I'm getting a bit maudlin. I hope Andrew appreciates everything I slough off to be here with him. Name, country, citizenship... my head hurts thinking about it all.
One of these days (probably sooner rather than later) I will have to pony up and get the citizenship paperwork done. I've lived in the US for ten years now, and as much as this probably breaks my mother's heart, I don't see us ever moving to Canada. Andrew couldn't practice law there and I don't think I would ever get the job I have now (which I love despite that it is running me a bit ragged right now) or anything close to it in Canada.
I suppose it is the identity that is harder to give up. I know that the Canadian government does not recognize the renunciation of former citizenship statement you must make when becoming an American citizen. But it's a part of me, you know?
Oh, it's much too late at night and I'm getting a bit maudlin. I hope Andrew appreciates everything I slough off to be here with him. Name, country, citizenship... my head hurts thinking about it all.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Vacation Photo Round Up
Brace yourselves - I wanted to present some more vacation photos, but I am afraid there isn't much rhyme or reason to the order of the pictures.
This one is for Disco, who sent me two onesies for my niece, Dharma. The Sweet Pea one was too small, but that is okay - I will keep it for another baby I know is coming. Thank you!
This was the sky over Nanaimo as we approached the Duke Point Ferry Terminal - that mountain is called 'Jingle Pot Mounatin' - isn't that hilarious? The weather was so breezy and cool that day we had to break out our fleece jackets and wear those - I was in heaven.
My sister Teri wanted to straighten Willow's hair for her - and was shocked that Willow managed to sit somewhat still for it (with only minor gnashing of teeth from Teri). I think we were all shocked at how long it was.
My Dad told her it was much prettier curly and would she please go back to normal the next day. I agree. It's a novelty to have straight hair, but her curls are so adorable.
I'm not sure what is up with this facial expression. She and I were walking through a wooden park near my parents' house and this tree had a little natural seat at its base so I told her to sit so I could take the picture.
I wish I had put something else in this picture just to give the scope of this maple leaf - you will have to trust me when I say it was 12 - 14" across.
This picture was taken at the Duke Point Ferry Terminal on our way home. I love seeing these things in different cities - we have dinosaurs in Wilmington - and we have seen pigs in Seattle and cows in Denver. Apparently Nanaimo has orcas.
This is the swimming area near my parents' house - I didn't do any of the swimming this time because the days we could go swimming just weren't warm enough for me. Willow had no such concerns and was in the water every chance she got.
This is the apple tree off of my parents' back patio - the tree is going crazy this year - I foresee plenty of baking, freezing, and canning in my mom's near future. That is, if the bears don't get them first. Yes, I said bears.
Now, what are those little globular things between the apples? Grapes! My Dad thought he had trimmed back the grapes so much that they wouldn't grow, but apparently that isn't the case - there are grapes all over the apple tree. On the other side of the yard they have even started growing up a cedar tree!
My Mom, Dad, and Etu the dog:
The whole fam-damily. You don't even want to know how many pictures were taken to get one where almost everyone was looking at the camera and smiling. Thank heaven for digital cameras.
The water off of Duke Point. Once again, we don't have colours like that here. The water here is a greyish-blue - not pretty like this at all.
This is a famous creation statue in the Vancouver International Airport. It has great natural lighting above.
I love how there is this burnished area in front where so many people have touched the statue.
And - since I started this vacation series a few posts back with the first picture I took on vacation of the Thunderbird statue, I now give you the last picture I took on vacation - a wooden raven statue in the International Departures area of the Vancouver International Airport.
Willow and I had a wonderful time - I love going back to visit my family. I always wish I could stay longer and that our vacation times weren't limited to the summer or winter when Willow is not in school.
Here is a list of things I want to do the next time I go to Vancouver Island:
1. Take Willow for a fancy tea at Murchies or The Empress or the Oak Bay Tea Room.
2. Walk leisurely through Beacon Hill Park.
3. Tube down the Cowichan River.
4. Take Willow camping.
5. Drive out to Ucluelet and Tofino.
6. Eat fish and chips on the beach.
7. Eat more timbits.
8. Hang out in Chapters or Bolen Books and buy a bunch of books by Canadian authors for Willow.
Shan? Tara? Any more suggestions of things I need to do on the Island?
This one is for Disco, who sent me two onesies for my niece, Dharma. The Sweet Pea one was too small, but that is okay - I will keep it for another baby I know is coming. Thank you!
This was the sky over Nanaimo as we approached the Duke Point Ferry Terminal - that mountain is called 'Jingle Pot Mounatin' - isn't that hilarious? The weather was so breezy and cool that day we had to break out our fleece jackets and wear those - I was in heaven.
My sister Teri wanted to straighten Willow's hair for her - and was shocked that Willow managed to sit somewhat still for it (with only minor gnashing of teeth from Teri). I think we were all shocked at how long it was.
My Dad told her it was much prettier curly and would she please go back to normal the next day. I agree. It's a novelty to have straight hair, but her curls are so adorable.
I'm not sure what is up with this facial expression. She and I were walking through a wooden park near my parents' house and this tree had a little natural seat at its base so I told her to sit so I could take the picture.
I wish I had put something else in this picture just to give the scope of this maple leaf - you will have to trust me when I say it was 12 - 14" across.
This picture was taken at the Duke Point Ferry Terminal on our way home. I love seeing these things in different cities - we have dinosaurs in Wilmington - and we have seen pigs in Seattle and cows in Denver. Apparently Nanaimo has orcas.
This is the swimming area near my parents' house - I didn't do any of the swimming this time because the days we could go swimming just weren't warm enough for me. Willow had no such concerns and was in the water every chance she got.
This is the apple tree off of my parents' back patio - the tree is going crazy this year - I foresee plenty of baking, freezing, and canning in my mom's near future. That is, if the bears don't get them first. Yes, I said bears.
Now, what are those little globular things between the apples? Grapes! My Dad thought he had trimmed back the grapes so much that they wouldn't grow, but apparently that isn't the case - there are grapes all over the apple tree. On the other side of the yard they have even started growing up a cedar tree!
My Mom, Dad, and Etu the dog:
The whole fam-damily. You don't even want to know how many pictures were taken to get one where almost everyone was looking at the camera and smiling. Thank heaven for digital cameras.
The water off of Duke Point. Once again, we don't have colours like that here. The water here is a greyish-blue - not pretty like this at all.
This is a famous creation statue in the Vancouver International Airport. It has great natural lighting above.
I love how there is this burnished area in front where so many people have touched the statue.
And - since I started this vacation series a few posts back with the first picture I took on vacation of the Thunderbird statue, I now give you the last picture I took on vacation - a wooden raven statue in the International Departures area of the Vancouver International Airport.
Willow and I had a wonderful time - I love going back to visit my family. I always wish I could stay longer and that our vacation times weren't limited to the summer or winter when Willow is not in school.
Here is a list of things I want to do the next time I go to Vancouver Island:
1. Take Willow for a fancy tea at Murchies or The Empress or the Oak Bay Tea Room.
2. Walk leisurely through Beacon Hill Park.
3. Tube down the Cowichan River.
4. Take Willow camping.
5. Drive out to Ucluelet and Tofino.
6. Eat fish and chips on the beach.
7. Eat more timbits.
8. Hang out in Chapters or Bolen Books and buy a bunch of books by Canadian authors for Willow.
Shan? Tara? Any more suggestions of things I need to do on the Island?
Friday, August 22, 2008
YPF: The Scenic Version
Stay with me - it's worth it.
Last Thursday my sisters and their children headed back home, so the population at my parents' house dropped from nine people to four people. Before we came out to Vancouver Island, I told my Mom that there was only one thing I absolutely wanted to do - I wanted to spend a day in Victoria.
A little background - I lived in Victoria for 5 years while I attended UVic and the place is just chock full of nostalgia for me. When I graduated and left for Japan, I honestly thought I would live and work in Japan long enough to pay off my student loans and then would head back to Victoria to live. I never anticipated meeting a tall, handsome (American!) man in Japan and getting married - much less moving to the East Coast when all was said and done.
So, as soon as Teri and Jaime left, Mom, Willow, and I hopped in the car and headed down the Malahat to Victoria. It was the perfect day to tool around a city on the water. After eating a quick lunch outside of the city, our next stop was the Beehive Wool Shop - and I know that those of you who have been on the knitting cruises know this shop very well. Incidentally, when I was in university (and barely even crocheted) this was not a wool shop, but rather a suspect place that sold all sorts of tacky gifts from Mexico and Central America.
Beehive is far enough out of the downtown core that we didn't have any trouble finding anywhere to park, but we were out of luck when we tried parking downtown. For a Thursday afternoon, every single parkade we came across was strangely full (damn tourists!). So, I ended up taking a lot of pictures from the car, such as The Empress Hotel:
Some of the hanging baskets that Victoria is famous for:
British Columbia's Parliament Building. I never considered how European this structure before - many government buildings here are very utilitarian (well, maybe with the exception of Philadelphia's City Hall which was designed after the Louvre).
While looking for a parking spot, I saw a couple of electric boxes on street corners that had been painted to look less of an eyesore. I wish I had thought to take pictures of some of the others, but here is one painted with apples:
And another hanging basket:
After circling the downtown core for far too long, we decided to head out to other areas of Victoria. We drove through Beacon Hill Park and parked a little south at Clover Point to walk down to the water.
Walking down the ramp I found this boulder (easily 3 feet across) that someone had carved a face into. It was beautiful - I just can't imagine how long it took someone to do that.
On our way back up the Malahat, Willow was determined to stop at one of the look outs - so my Mom stopped at the Split Rock lookout and I took this picture. I had to make it small here - but click on the link and go to Flickr and look at the larger size - the scope of the picture is amazing.
Okay - now for what you all have been waiting for as it is YPF - the yarn I bought in Canada.
This skein is Ultra Alpaca sock yarn, which I have never seen down here in Delaware. The colour is deceiving - at first glance you may think it is a denim blue, but when you get closer...
... you will notice strains of purple and dark green in it as well.
And of course I had to get some Canadian yarn! Here is my Fleece Artist Seal Wool sock yarn:
I like the muted colours and I am eager to see how they knit up.
And best of all - it is machine washable!
I also bought some Araucania Ranco Multy sock yarn:
I thought it was more blue and less purple when I bought it - but I still like it.
My LYS sells Panda sock yarn, but I have never seen the Panda Silk yarn there, so I had to snap it up. I struggled between the green colourway and the red colourway - and in the end the green won out because I know I have red sock yarn at home.
Aren't the greens pretty? I think these will make for exceptionally soft and shiny socks.
And lastly - a Willow original. She told me this is a picture of her and Lucky looking at themselves in a mirror. Pretty inventive, don't you think?
Now don't you think that was worth the long post?
*************************************************
On a personal note, thank you for all the emails, comments, and IMs. It really means a lot to me. I'm feeling better and I will be okay.
Last Thursday my sisters and their children headed back home, so the population at my parents' house dropped from nine people to four people. Before we came out to Vancouver Island, I told my Mom that there was only one thing I absolutely wanted to do - I wanted to spend a day in Victoria.
A little background - I lived in Victoria for 5 years while I attended UVic and the place is just chock full of nostalgia for me. When I graduated and left for Japan, I honestly thought I would live and work in Japan long enough to pay off my student loans and then would head back to Victoria to live. I never anticipated meeting a tall, handsome (American!) man in Japan and getting married - much less moving to the East Coast when all was said and done.
So, as soon as Teri and Jaime left, Mom, Willow, and I hopped in the car and headed down the Malahat to Victoria. It was the perfect day to tool around a city on the water. After eating a quick lunch outside of the city, our next stop was the Beehive Wool Shop - and I know that those of you who have been on the knitting cruises know this shop very well. Incidentally, when I was in university (and barely even crocheted) this was not a wool shop, but rather a suspect place that sold all sorts of tacky gifts from Mexico and Central America.
Beehive is far enough out of the downtown core that we didn't have any trouble finding anywhere to park, but we were out of luck when we tried parking downtown. For a Thursday afternoon, every single parkade we came across was strangely full (damn tourists!). So, I ended up taking a lot of pictures from the car, such as The Empress Hotel:
Some of the hanging baskets that Victoria is famous for:
British Columbia's Parliament Building. I never considered how European this structure before - many government buildings here are very utilitarian (well, maybe with the exception of Philadelphia's City Hall which was designed after the Louvre).
While looking for a parking spot, I saw a couple of electric boxes on street corners that had been painted to look less of an eyesore. I wish I had thought to take pictures of some of the others, but here is one painted with apples:
And another hanging basket:
After circling the downtown core for far too long, we decided to head out to other areas of Victoria. We drove through Beacon Hill Park and parked a little south at Clover Point to walk down to the water.
Walking down the ramp I found this boulder (easily 3 feet across) that someone had carved a face into. It was beautiful - I just can't imagine how long it took someone to do that.
On our way back up the Malahat, Willow was determined to stop at one of the look outs - so my Mom stopped at the Split Rock lookout and I took this picture. I had to make it small here - but click on the link and go to Flickr and look at the larger size - the scope of the picture is amazing.
Okay - now for what you all have been waiting for as it is YPF - the yarn I bought in Canada.
This skein is Ultra Alpaca sock yarn, which I have never seen down here in Delaware. The colour is deceiving - at first glance you may think it is a denim blue, but when you get closer...
... you will notice strains of purple and dark green in it as well.
And of course I had to get some Canadian yarn! Here is my Fleece Artist Seal Wool sock yarn:
I like the muted colours and I am eager to see how they knit up.
And best of all - it is machine washable!
I also bought some Araucania Ranco Multy sock yarn:
I thought it was more blue and less purple when I bought it - but I still like it.
My LYS sells Panda sock yarn, but I have never seen the Panda Silk yarn there, so I had to snap it up. I struggled between the green colourway and the red colourway - and in the end the green won out because I know I have red sock yarn at home.
Aren't the greens pretty? I think these will make for exceptionally soft and shiny socks.
And lastly - a Willow original. She told me this is a picture of her and Lucky looking at themselves in a mirror. Pretty inventive, don't you think?
Now don't you think that was worth the long post?
*************************************************
On a personal note, thank you for all the emails, comments, and IMs. It really means a lot to me. I'm feeling better and I will be okay.
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