Christmas Baking Part 2

I love how my home smells right now!



These cookies are based on this Ginger Molasses Crinkle Cookies recipe I found in a Canadian Living Magazine a few years back. What I love about this recipe, other than the flavour, is the fact that the fat in the cookie is vegetable oil, so it is a cookie whose dough takes about 5 minutes to make and you don't have to worry about having to soften the butter or anything like that.

Of course, I made changes to the recipe. I approach my knitting the same way - I always have to make it a bit different. These are my changes:

1) I added 1/2 tsp of cardomom to the dry mixture.
2) Rather than rolling the balls in normal white sugar, I roll them in turbinado sugar (raw sugar with large crystals) for that extra crunch and richer flavour.

I love the texture of these cookies when cooked - they are crispy on the outside, but still retain some of the chewiness in the middle.

And because I couldn't resist another picture:



Enjoy!

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I even have a WiP to show off:



It doesn't look like much right now, but it will be a present for a little boy I know.

Christmas Baking Part 1

I love baking. And you might expect that for someone of my size it would have a lot to do with loving to eat what I bake - but that really isn't the case. I mean, it tastes good, but for me it has almost everything to do with the process. I love measuring and mixing everything together and seeing what comes of it - and I definitely subscribe to the Alton Brown scientific cooking theory.

I was finally able to get some Christmas baking in this weekend - not as much as I would have liked, but it was a start.

Cherry Ice Box Cookies



This recipe is based on this Cherry-Pecan Icebox Cookies recipe, but I have tweaked it a bit.

Number 1) I can't stand nuts in cookies (so no nuts!)
Number 2) I add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract so bring out the sugar cookie taste.
Number 3) And this is a guess - I use one small container of green cherries and one small red container - that probably comes to more than the 3/4c the recipe calls for.

The recipe says it is supposed to yield 13 dozen cookies - I'm lucky if I get 5! I think I slice mine on the thicker side.

Why do I like these cookies? Well, other than the fact that they do taste good, it is so neat to see how every slice makes the next cookie different from the one before. Sometimes they are all red, sometimes all green - and every permutation in between. And on a practical note, with my schedule being the way it is right now, I love the fact that I can make the dough, put the logs in the refrigerator, and pull one out and bake a dozen or two at a time, when I have time. It's just less stressful that way.

Enjoy!

Tara's Question

Tara asked in the comment section:

Hey, did you add the "books I'm reading" when you changed your layout? I just noticed it. I was wondering why you didn't have one. How is the 100 for 2008?

Glad you asked! I have been trying to update the "Books I'm Reading" section as often as possible, but I miss some of them. I need to finish Krakatoa before the end of the year. I actually was inspired to put his widget on my blog from seeing it on your blog!

And as for the 100 in 2008 challenge, I'm really close! I am not going to give away numbers because I am going to have a blog contest at the end of the year and people can guess how many books I have read and I will have some prizes to give away. I also have this massive spreadsheet that will have statistics galore for those geeky number people (like me) who get off on knowing these things.

What Color Is your Rainbow?

Blatantly pilfered from Pam:

Your rainbow is intensely shaded indigo, green, and blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a proud person. You appreciate friends who get along with one another. You share hobbies with friends and like trying to fit into their routines. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

More Entertaining Stuff

One of the best things of having a kid is sometimes you get to watch some cool cartoons. One show that Willow has been watching lately on Nickleodeon is called Making Fiends and I think this is definitely one of the cases where I get more out of the show than Willow does. If you go to Amy Winfrey's website and click on "Original Web Episodes" you can get a taste of this funny cartoon.

To Entertain You While I Am Out

...but not down. It's just that this is the busiest part of my work year, I have less than three weeks of work before my holidays and when my parents come, and my mojo for anything creative is in hiding.

So, I leave you with one of my favourite MadTV skits - enjoy!

One Sock Finished

Yarn Pirate socks B, originally uploaded by jochibi.

Don't worry - this one isn't a Christmas present - this one is mine.

For the first time I am deviating from the sock pattern (Ann Budd's basic sock pattern). When I got down to the heel flap I realized I had two too many stitches (78 rather than 76). I knit my heel flap with 38 stitches, then decreased my gusset right down to 76 to correct my mistake. I knit a woman's large for the sock, but started the toe decreases as if it were a woman's small. I also knit a rounder toe than I usually do - I started the kitchener stitch at 18 stitches on each needle - I think that suits my short wide feet better.

Thanksgiving Meme

In which Jo blatantly shows off her Thanksgiving ineptitude.

Pilfered from Stray Thoughts.

1. Which do you like better: cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?

Okay, here goes. I have *never* cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I have never cooked a turkey. I've cooked turkey breast in the crockpot. I have roasted a chicken in the oven - does that count? I guess you could say I prefer going elsewhere for Thanksgiving.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?

I've never bought one. That being said, I would prefer buying a fresh one because it's weird how you need to defrost your dinner for a few days.

3. What kind of stuffing?

Stouffer's Stove Top Cornbread Stuffing. I didn't know I liked stuffing until I had this. Sorry, Mom.

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin! Oh my - you just reminded me I get to have pumpkin pie today!

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?

I love having turkey leftovers - turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches, open faced turkey sandwiches and gravy, turkey soup - it's all good.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?

My side of the family? I think it would have to be a toss up between turnip fluff (baked mashed turnips with brown sugar, eggs, and butter) or pudahha (perogies). Andrew's side of the family? His mom's pineapple and carrot cream cheese jello mold (don't let the description phase you - it's delicious!).

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?

Yes - I help my MIL do this.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?

A bigger oven - maybe even a dual one, and definitely a spare refrigerator / freezer to stash things.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?

Again, I've never prepared this meal myself, but my MIL likes to have it at lunch time because then she is not spending all night cleaning up and putting stuff away. I like it that way too because it leaves the afternoon still to do other things. I especially like walking through the neigbourhood and smelling everyone else's turkeys.

10. If you go to somebody else’s house, what’s your favorite dish to bring?

Something easy. Andrew's family has not always been fans of my ethnic dishes (I know - a baked turnip casserole does sound odd!), so I am just bringing over cut up veggies and dip to snack on.

11. What do you wish one of your guests would not bring to your house? What would you like them to bring?

I'm not sure - I think you should always be gracious if someone brought something to your dinner. Although, most people would let you know or ask what they could bring - and not just spring something on you.

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you’re happy to see?

My last few Thanksgivings have been small affairs - just us, Andrew's parents, and sometimes his brother, Stewart. Growing up it was a much larger deal - my Mom is one of seven kids and everyone would be there with their respective others and children and sometimes even extended family members beyond that.

13. Is your cranberry sauce fresh or canned? Whole or jellied?

Jellied and canned - I like the fact it is like jam and you can spread it on your sandwich. Willow will eat all of her cranberry sauce before anything else on her plate gets touched.

14. What’s your absolute favorite thing on the menu?

The turkey! Although, if I am with my family, pudahha is going to get eaten first because I don't get that here in the US.

15. Share one family tradition.

In Andrew's family, before we eat dinner, everyone has to say one thing they are thankful for - even Willow.

And I'm adding another one:

16. Tell us a good Thanksgiving memory.

When Andrew and I lived in Boulder, Thanksgiving was so low-key. There was no point in cooking a turkey for two people, we were into full-blown Weight Watcher mode, we had no family nearby. Our normal plan was to go see a movie and troll around until we found a restaurant open. (We actually had turkey burgers at Denny's one year and they gave us a free piece of pumpkin pie each!). This one year I decide to make turkey burritoes (a good alternative when there are only two people!); the WW side of me was satisfied: ground turkey, whole wheat tortillas, tomatoes, lettuce, low-fat cheese, salsa, and avocados. It was a beautiful sunny day and not terribly cold, so we decided to go for a walk. A few weeks prior, Andrew had gone on a ghost walk around the old area of Boulder, so he replicated the tour for me. We must have walked for two hours - then we made our way down Pearl Street and found Starbucks open. We had lattes in front of the fire, then walked home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another 100

Pilfered from Karen because I need to do something else other than eat cheezies.

Bold the things you have done, strike out what you will never do:

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (The day we found out we were pregnant with Willow we had woken up at some ungodly hour to watch meteor showers)
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world (Tokyo Disneyland!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped (You have to write your weight on your hand!)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (Took me a loooooong time to eat shrimp cocktail again. Still can't eat sushi because of food poisoning.)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables (And plan to grow more next year.)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (Okay, I won't say never, but it is *highly* unlikely I will ever run a marathon.)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (Don't like deep water!)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language (tried to at least…)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (See cruise comment #32)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Again, see comment #32)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (One of my earliest childhood movies is seeing some king fu movie in the drive in.)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (Every 6 weeks or so I do plateletpheresis.)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (Knock on wood!)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (ook!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury (And won't as long as I am a Canadian living in the US.)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

Rose Garden Offset Wraplan

Your eyes do not deceive you! This is a finished object!



Isn't it pretty? I think the little flower-shaped buttons set it off perfectly.



Yes, it is a Christmas present, but since the intended recipient isn't even a year old yet, she probably doesn't read my blog and I hope her mommy can keep her mouth shut.

The Particulars:

Pattern: Offset Wraplan (Rav link)
Size: 6 - 9 month size (not sure about this - I got gauge, but this looks awfully big)
Needles: Size 5 circulars and then DPNs
Yarn: Patons Decor in 'Rose Garden' and Red Heart Soft Solids in 'Wine' for edging

I had a lot of problems with this pattern - and that isn't to say that pattern is difficult - it isn't, and it makes a lovely little sweater, but it seems to me that the math is off in so many places. They were easy fixes, however - I have knit enough top-down raglan sweaters that I was able to work through the counter-intuitive moments.

There are some great examples of this sweater on Ravelry, and that is where I got the idea for the three buttons at the top rather than buttons all the way down. I think it is easier for babies and makes a swing-coat like shape.

Enjoy!

12 + 25 = 37

I think I like it when Christmas is further away.

Willow and I were driving home from school today and she asked me how many days was it until Christmas. Great opportunity to do some math! Okay, there are twelve days left in November, and Christmas is on the twenty-fifth of December, so:

12 + 25 =

37

What!??!

Oh crap.

Artsy-Fartsy Quiz

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Traditional, Vibrant, and Tasteful

20 Islamic, 0 Impressionist, 13 Ukiyo-e, -16 Cubist, -25 Abstract and 14 Renaissance!

Islamic art is developed from many sources: Roman, Early Christian, and Byzantine styles were taken over in early Islamic architecture; the architecture and decorative art of pre-Islamic Persia was of paramount significance; Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences . Islamic art uses many geometical floral or vegetable designs in a repetitive pattern known as arabesque. It is used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of Allah.

People that like Islamic art tend to be more traditional people that appreciate keeping patterns that they learned and experienced from their past. It is not to say that they are not innovative personalities, they just do not like to let go of their roots. They like to put new ideas into details and make certain that they will work before sharing them with others. Failure is not something they like to think about because they are more interested in being successful and appreciated for their intelligence. These people can also be or like elaborate things in their life as long as they are tasteful. They tend to prefer geometric patterns and vibrant colors.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

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I'm not sure about this - the results may be from the choice of paintings they showed rather than any real inclination. I do like Islamic designs (or any designs like that for that matter), but I wouldn't necessarily say it is my favourite kind of art. I like everything from Gustav Klimt to Norman Rockwell (hey, don't knock it until you have seen the real paintings up close!).

Six Squared

Happy Birthday to Me!

Hmmm...

Just fiddling with the settings - all of a sudden I had a weird grey line through my blog on all the computers I use.

Mellow Happy - Catching Up

I just got back from my birthday dinner with my friends - my birthday isn't until this Thursday, but this is our normal knitting day so we knew it was a day that we all could meet. We decided to try a new restaurant in town - Rasa Sayang, a Malaysian restaurant that opened up a few weeks ago. I'm so happy we chose this place - it was so delicious! We each ordered an appetizer, ranging from Achat (Malaysian pickles - think sweet/salty/sesame), Roti Canai (potato and chicken pancake served with curried potato sauce), Roti Telur (like a thin chapati pancake served with curry sauce) and Chicken Satay skewers with peanut paste - and shared them all. I had the house curry - Rasa Sayang Chicken Curry with lemongrass and chilli paste - oh my :) I love finding a new food I like! I can't wait to go back again - and next time I want one of those pomegranate martinis...

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I didn't want this to get lost in all the fibery goodness that was my apres-Stitches post, but I got to meet someone whose blog I read all the time - and she picked me out of a crowd! Kathy and I had just turned the corner on the 200 aisle when someone yelled, "Jo!" I looked around and this tall woman was looking at me and I was confused... until I saw her Ravelry nametag - it was Kemtee! You could have knocked me over with a feather! It was so nice to meet you in person, Kelly - and even more so because it was so unexpected. I hope we get to meet again soon!

Stitches East ReCap (a.k.a., 'The Haul')

or perhaps, "It's a damn good thing my husband loves me so much!"

We just got back from Stitches East, and I am feeling pleasantly exhausted. We didn't do too much outside of the hotel this time as we weren't on the Inner Harbor side of Baltimore, but we still had a wonderful time and had some fabulous food. I know you are eager to see what I picked up, so here goes:

Perhaps my new favourite colourway: Yarn Love's Bayfield Apple:



As soon as I finished my current Yarn Pirate socks I think Bayfield Apple will be on the needles. The ladies in this booth were so nice, and I love how the yarn types are named after literary characters (the yarn I bought was called 'Marianne Dashwood' from Sense and Sensibility). I also bought this yarn, Strawberry Shortcake, from Yarn Love:



Miss Babs Baby Bamboo and Superwash Sock in Light Turquoise:



It's hard to make out in this picture, but there is a vein of darker turquoise that is in here and I am really eager to see how it will knit up.

Storm Moon Knits Twilight Sock in Rockabilly Blues:



Lisa Souza Sock! in Lapland:



Valley Yarns Northampton from WEBS:



I have a hooded cabled vest in mind for this yarn.

And lastly... and this was the first thing I did buy because I expected it to be much rarer than it was, my Malabrigo Sock yarn in Boticelli Red:



It's so soft - and the yarn is shiny almost as if there was some silk in it.

The only bad thing about this whole weekend is that it is now over and I don't have time to dig into my expanded stash!

Can't Wait!

People, it's been quite the week. The Phillies win the World Series, all the election excitement... and tomorrow I leave with my friends to go to Stitches East in Baltimore!

I heard that WEBS sold out of all 200 skeins of the Malabrigo sock yarn they brought with them before the Market was even opened to the public on Thursday night (those pesky students!). Oh well, I am sure I will have lots of other things to choose from!

Public Service Plea

This election, more than any other, had made me wish I could vote in the US - but as a Canadian citizen (here legally and married to an American and all), I cannot. Don't assume your candidate will win or lose - vote because every single damn one of them counts.

Thank you.

Happy Halloween!

(Some fantastic jack-o-lanterns we saw while trick-or-treating tonight.)

Willow had a grand old time being a cowgirl in the fabulous costume given to her by her friend, Soren. People in our neighbourhood we didn't even know said the neighbours were calling them to be on the look-out for the cute cowgirl. For the most part she remembered to say "Trick-or-treat" and "Thank You" - but also had an odd tendency to ask complete strangers if they had a dog. We aren't sure what was up with that.

Here is a picture of Willow and her friend Rowan (get it? Both are tree girls - and I didn't even have to finagle that one!) at their school's Halloween parade:



To be honest, I am not sure what to make of the parade. Or rather, some of the costumes these kids were wearing. Her school is only K-3, so I am assuming that in 3rd grade they would be 8-9 years old. Wait - how can that be? I was 11 in 6th grade. Anyway - for the sake of argument I will say 8-9 years old. I saw one girl in a devil's costume that consisted of a spandex mini-dress, freakin' fishnet stockings, and 2.5 inch heels. Another girl - and I am effin not kidding one bit, was wearing a french maid's outfit - ruffly underpants and all. This treatment of little girls (I don't even want to give it the s-word because I don't want to attract ickiness to my blog) just disgusts me.

There were some cool costumes - some pretty realistic werewolves, a girl dressed up in a lovely sari, and a boy dressed up as Michael Phelps (8 medals and all!). The majority of girls seemed to be dressed as a Disney princess or Super Girl - and as for boys, Batman and Indiana Jones seemed to rule. One boy in Willow's class was dressed up as Iron Man - and he turned around to me while we were walking back to class and he said, "Wait - who am I again?"

Happy Halloween!

Beautiful Socks That Don't Fit Me

...remember when I said I was in love with the socks I was knitting?

I finished them tonight.



Aren't they pretty?

The Particulars:

Yarn: Ellen's Half Pint Farm Merino in Rose Garden
Method: Two circular needles
Needles: Size 1

This really is a very easy pattern to memorize - and I am very happy that Grumperina has come out with more sizes, because I will try to knit this sock again.

Merry Christmas, Teri!

Sweet 100 List

Stolen from Georgiann.


How many have you tried? If you'd like, feel free to follow the same guidelines:

1) Copy this list into your site, including the instructions!
2) Bold all of the sweets you've eaten
3) Cross out any of them that you'd never ever eat.
4) Consider anything that is not bold or crossed out your "To Do" List.

1. Red Velvet Cake
2. Princess Torte
3. Whoopie Pie
4. Apple Pie either topped or baked with sharp cheddar (Why would you *want* to do that? I'll take mine a la mode, please.)
5. Beignet
6. Baklava
7. Black and white cookie
8. Seven Layer Bar(also known as the Magic Bar or Hello Dolly bars)
9. Fried Fruit pie(sometimes called hand pies)
10. Kringle
11. Just-fried (still hot) doughnut (When Krispy Kreme still was in Wilmington - it's long gone, though. Now we can get freshly made apple cider donuts from Linvilla and I like them better.)
12. Scone with clotted cream
13. Betty, Grunt, Slump, Buckle or Pandowdy
14. Halvah
15. Macaroons
16. Banana pudding with nilla wafers
17. Bubble tea (with tapioca "pearls) (I love, love, love this - but you have to get it from an authentic place - the last time I had it was from the mall and it gave me an upset stomach.)
18. Dixie Cup
19. Rice Krispie treats
20. Alfajores
21. Blondies
22. Croquembouche
23. Girl Scout cookies (And Girl Guide cookies!)
24. Moon cake
25. Candy Apple
26. Baked Alaska
27. Brooklyn Egg Cream (This is a drink, right?)
28. Nanaimo bar
29. Baba au rhum
30. King Cake
31. Sachertorte
32. Pavlova
33. Tres Leches Cake
34. Trifle
35. Shoofly Pie
36. Key Lime Pie (made with real key limes)
37. Panna Cotta
38. New York Cheesecake
39. Napoleon
40. Russian Tea Cake / Mexican Wedding Cake
41. Anzac biscuits
42. Pizzelle
43. Kolache
44. Buckeyes
45. Malasadas
46. Moon Pie
47. Dutch baby
48. Boston Cream Pie
49. Homemade chocolate chip cookies
50. Pralines (Oh, I could eat these 'til I was sick.)
51. Gooey butter cake
52. Rusks
53. Daifuku
54. Green tea cake or cookies
55. Cupcakes from a cupcake shop
56. Crème brûlée
57. Some sort of deep fried fair food (twinkie, candy bar, cupcake)
58. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting
59. Jelly Roll
60. Pop Tarts (Honestly, I don't know if I have ever had one. My Mom would never buy them.)
61. Charlotte Russe
62. An "upside down" dessert (Pineapple upside down cake or Tarte Tatin)
63. Hummingbird Cake
64. Jell-O from a mold
65. Black forest cake
66. Mock Apple Pie (Ritz Cracker Pie)
67. Kulfi
68. Linzer torte
69. Churro
70. Stollen (I want to learn how to make this.)
71. Angel Food Cake
72. Mincemeat pie
73. Concha
74. Opera Cake
75. Sfogliatelle / Lobster tail
76. Pain au chocolat
77. A piece of Gingerbread House
78. Cassata
79. Cannoli
80. Rainbow cookies
81. Religieuse
82. Petits fours
83. Chocolate Souffle (I don't know why, but souffles just don't appeal to me.)
84. Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake)
85. Rugelach
86. Hamenstachen
87. Homemade marshmallows
88. Rigo Janci
89. Pie or cake made with candy bar flavors (Snickers pie, Reeses pie, etc)
90. Divinity
91. Coke or Cola cake
92. Gateau Basque
93. S'mores
94. Figgy Pudding
95. Bananas foster or other flaming dessert
96. Joe Froggers
97. Sables
98. Millionaire's Shortbread
99. Animal crackers
100. Basbousa

That was fun. What else would I add to that list? How about butter tarts? McDonalds Apple Pie? Rosettes? I don't think fudge of any kind was mentioned. Oreo ice cream?

100 Canadian Foods to Eat

Found here:

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) Post a comment here linking to your results


Maple Syrup & Poutine's 100 Canadian Foods to Consume

1. Arctic Char
2. Ketchup flavoured chips
3. Wild Rice Pilaf
4. Caribou Steak
5. Gourmet Poutine (Poutine, yes - but it was from a fast food place.)
6. Screech
7. Beaver Tails (It's a donut!)
8. Maple Baked Beans
9. Bison Burger
10. Bumbleberry pie
11. Nanaimo bar (Love, love, love! Do I get bonus points for actually having relatives who live in Nanaimo?)
12. Butter Tarts (Mom makes them every Christmas.)
13. Cedar Planked B.C. Salmon
14. Wild Blueberries
15. Pure Local Cranberry Juice
16. Chocolate from Ganong or Purdy’s (I depend on Auntie Daryth sending me Purdy's chocolate every Christmas!)
17. A cup of warm cider from your local orchard
18. Caesar
19. 4 of the following types of apples (Cortland, Empire, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Spartan, Greensleeves, Liberty, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Golden Russet, Idared, Gala)
20. Freshly foraged mushrooms
21. Dinner cooked by Michael Smith, Susur Lee or Rob Feenie
22. Fondue Chinoise
23. Dish created from a Canadian Living Magazine recipe
24. Peameal Bacon Sandwich from St. Lawrence Market in Toronto
25. Lobster bought directly from a boat in a Maritime harbour
26. Handmade perogies from your local church or market (How about just by my Mom?!!?)
27. Alberta Beef at an Alberta Steakhouse
28. Leamington Tomatoes
29. Roasted Pheasant
30. Wild Game hunted by someone you know
31. Ice Wine (No, but I really want to try it!)
32. Habitant Pea Soup – entire can
33. Any Canadian Artisinal Cheese
34. Bannock
35. Tourtiere (Another thing I would really like to try.)
36. Flapper Pie
37. Jellied Moose Nose
38. Saskatoon Berries
39. Fish and Brewis
40. Screech Pie
41. Fiddleheads
42. Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich
43. Flipper Pie
44. Montreal Bagels with Smoked Salmon
45. Toutins
46. Jam Busters
47. Bakeapple Pie
48. Bridge Mixture (Oh, I am so addicted to this!)
49. Canadian Style Pizza (bacon, pepperoni. Mushrooms)
50. Shreddies
51. A cone from Cow’s Ice Cream
52. Lumberjack or Logger’s Breakfast
53. Jigg’s Dinner
54. Rappie Pie
55. Pemmican
56. Lake Erie Sturgeon Caviar (ook.)
57. Belon Oysters (ook. No bivalves, please)
58. Brome Lake Duck
59. Beer from a stubby bottle. (When I was a kid I didn't know they came any other way.)
60. A beer from Unibroue or Phillips Brewery.
61. Salt Spring Island Lamb
62. Fry’s Cocoa
63. A bag of Old Dutch Potato Chips
64. Every Flavour of Laura Secord Suckers
65. Chicken Dinner from St Hubert’s or Swiss Chalet
66. Hickory Sticks
67. An entire box of Kraft Dinner (To the detriment of my waistline.)
68. Candy Apples (NOT caramel apples)
69. Corn from a roadside stand (This is how my family always buys it. My inlaws, however - grow it in their backyard!)
70. A meal at Eigensenn Farm
71. Okanogan Peaches (And even picked them!)
72. Berkshire Pork
73. PEI Potatoes
74. Something cooked in Canola oil
75. Figgy Duff (Hmm. But I do have the album...)
76. Blueberry Grunt
77. High Tea at the Empress Hotel (Not even in the 5 years I lived in Victoria)
78. Fresh maple syrup hardened on the snow (And had the sugar headache afterward to prove it!)
79. Oreilles de Christ
80. Nova Scotia Beer Warmer
81. A cheese plate containing Bleu Bénédictin, Friulano, St. Maure and Oka.
82. Black or red currant jam
83. Maple glazed Doughnut from Tim Horton’s with a Large “Double Double” (I really like Tim Hortons' Chili.)
84. A glass of Mission Hill’s “Oculus”
85. Alberta Pure Vodka
86. Chokecherries
87. Canada Day Cake
88. Boulettes
89. Canadian Iced Tea (How is this different?)
90. Mead
91. Fricot
92. Grandperes
93. Local honey
94. Creton on toast
95. Glen Breton Rare
96. A whole box of Smarties, where the empty box is then used as a kazoo (Yes! Especially the kazoo part!)
97. Grilled cheese made with Canadian Cheddar
98. A meal from Harvey’s
99. Lake Erie Perch
100. Red Rose Tea

If you are unsure of what the item is, look it up! Please pass the list on to your friends and fellow bloggers - whether they are Canadian or not.

The Great Pumpkin Carve Carve

Last night we went to the Great Pumpkin Carve in Chadds Ford, PA and saw the most amazing carved pumpkins. I can't believe that we have lived here for over seven years now and I have never heard of this event! We met our friends Jenny, Stefan, Soren, and Sammy there at 5pm - both of our families have small children so we thought it was better to get there early (a - before it was dark, and b- before it got too crowded). Here are some examples of some of my favourite carved pumpkins:

The Dragon



Bad Hair Day



Spooky Window



Where The Wild Things Are



Sea Turtle (for Cristi)



Cinderella's Coach



Dia De Los Muertos



Death Star



There are plenty more of the pumpkin pictures in my Flickr set if you would like to see them. I think what impressed me the most was the 3D cut-outs people had made - I had never thought to carve anything than the pumpkin shape itself. We have four pumpkins at home right now - one big one and three little ones - we will have to brainstorm some creative ideas for our carvings.

And then figure out what to do with all that pumpkin - I don't just want to throw it away!

Serenity Now

I'm trying to find peace and joy in little things.



These leaves are from the trees that line my library's parking lot.



I've been meaning to take pictures of them for about four years now.



They only get more and more beautiful as the season rolls on.

Just In The Nick of Time

While still very sunny and dry, the temperatures took a huge dive this weekend. I am not even sure the high was 60'F today. I finished Willow's legwarmers tonight as she and Andrew were reading together - and as soon as they were off the needles she pulled them on. And then promptly requested another pair.



And a close up:



The Particulars:

Yarn: TLC Essentials in denim blues
Needles: Size 6 DPNs. (I wish I had a circular small enough to handle only 40 stitches!)
From start to finish: Maybe 3 hours altogether? It's a 14" tube with 10 rows of 1X1 ribbing on either end.

You Know It Will Be A Successful Finished Object When...

... only one leg of the legwarmers is finished and she insisted on wearing them to bed.

Incidentally, this is how Willow sleeps. Invariably perpendicular to the bed with her legs hanging off.

Had Dinner Yet?

Well, don't.

I found an interesting website today - when was the last time you ate ramen? I haven't had any in a long time, so I thought it would be neat to see some haute ramen cuisine.

Then I saw this.

I don't think I am eating ramen ever again.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What am I thankful for?



(L-R: Stefan, Soren, Willow, Jenny, and Sam at Dorney Park)

I am thankful for new friends.

What Crayon Am I?

You are most like: You are Purple
You are vibrant and strong, and often associated with royalty. Your power may cause other a little discomfort at time, but only because they are weaker than you.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

Really? I would never have thought myself purple.

Snow Hill Fiber Fest Roadtrip!

So, what would have me giving up watching Bill Maher on a Friday night and waking up at 6am on a Saturday morning? It must have something to do with yarn, because everyone knows I don't do weekend mornings**.

Andrew dropped me off at Michelle's house at 7am, we picked up her Mom, then headed south down to Maryland to see the Snow Hill Fiber Fest. I wasn't planning to spend big - Stitches East is coming up next month and I need to save my mad money for that - but I had never been south of Ocean City, Maryland before so I was happy to make the trip.

I understand the little fiber fest has doubled in size from last year, and I hope they continue to grow - there were about 20 or so vendors, kids' activities, plus a local church was having a barbeque for anyone wanting food. It was interesting because the vendors ran the gamut from local farms that brought alpacas and sheep to show, quilters, the SCA, and yarn spinners and dyers. The festival was on the banks of the Pokamoke River at Sturgis Park. There was also a Ravelry meetup at 1pm, but we had left to have lunch in Berlin, MD by then.

I have seen llamas and alpacas at festivals before, but this is the first time the farmer would let us touch the animals - these two alpacas are 6 years old and soooo incredibly soft. They were making these little purr-y/growly noises and stood very calmly while people pet them. As far as I can tell the farmer wasn't selling anything, just teaching people about the animals.



I love peppermint soap, and was so happy to see a handcrafted soap stall selling the strongest smelling peppermint soap - they were called Coastal Cottage Soaps. I can't wait to use this soap once my current Peppermint and Rosemary bar from Saltspring Soapworks gets used up. Trust me, this smell is invigorating in the morning!



This is the only yarn I bought - it is superwash sock yarn from Crash Into Ewe in the Cherry Chocolate Chip colourway. I was almost seduced by Avocado, but decided I needed some pink and brown socks to wear to work.



All in all we had a great, leisurely time. Michelle drove down Rte. 113 which I had never been down before, so it was interesting to see all the little towns I normally miss when we drive down to the beach. We had lunch in a little town called Berlin, MD which (unfortunately for us and the time we had to wait for our lunch) was having a classic souped-up car show on the main drag. I think I would like to go back there when the car show wasn't there because there were plenty of small shops I would have loved to go through if the streets were not so crowded.

*********************

** Weekend mornings? I love my husband. Most weekend mornings he wakes up with Willow, the two of them watch cartoons together, and they let me sleep an extra 1 - 2 hours and wake me up with hot coffee and pancakes. I'm a lucky woman!

Finished Object At The Farm

One secret project revealed!



Ty in his new hat! A few weeks ago my friend Asami asked me to knit her a hat for her son Ray because she couldn't find one she liked for him in the stores. So, I accepted and went a step further - I knit new hats for Ray, his younger brother Ty, Asami herself, and her husband, Gara. And I was knitting them until the last minute - the brown and blue striped one was Asami's and I was weaving in the ends as we waited for her and the boys to arrive at Linvilla Farms.

Willow and some of the multitudes of pumpkins:



(We came home with two - a small one for the front step and a larger one to carve on Halloween.

Willow the witch:



How can you not like a place that has these:



Linvilla is a cool place to go - they have probably twenty different kinds of apples and pears, and at $1.49/pound, cheaper than any commercial grocery store around here. We made out with some Empire apples, red Bosch pears, apple cider donuts, and an orange cheddar spaghetti squash (I'm eager to try that one out!).

WiP It Wednesday

So many projects going right now... and I can't reveal a single one.

Secret Project #1:



Secret Project #2:



Secret Project #3:



Secret Project #4:



Secret Project #5:



Projects 1 - 4 should be revealed soon, but #5 will take a bit longer (but I also have a bit more time with that one). Anyone want to guess what they all are?

Snippets

My world been a swirl of homework and work of late. My work and Willow's homework. Granted, it has been a loooong time since I was in first grade, but I don't remember having homework every night when I was six years old. Or having to write my own word problems. Not solve, but write. She is given an equation and has to write a scenario for it.

**********************

I went for a walk with my friend Carrie this afternoon and she mentioned she loved Halloween because it meant Christmas was right around the corner, unlike in Canada. I looked at her sideways. "Um, Carrie? Halloween is the same day in Canada as it is in the US." She responded, "You're not listening - I'm talking about Thanksgiving!" Oh. Yes, I think Canadian Thanksgiving is this coming weekend. My American friends react oddly to it - as if by virtue of the fact the pilgrams landed at Plymouth Rock that they have some proprietary claim to a holiday called Thanksgiving. I looked up Canadian Thanksgiving and found this, "As a liturgical festival, Thanksgiving corresponds to the English and continental European Harvest festival, with churches decorated with cornucopias, pumpkins, corn, wheat sheaves, and other harvest bounty..." There you go.

**********************

I found out tonight at my SnB that my favourite barista is leaving... because he graduates from high school in the Spring and has lots of work to do between now and then. Bad, huh? I told Andrew this when I got home and he said, "Cute boy?" Gack. Am I that obvious? Yes, very cute boy. Very nice, too. And I know I am not the only one in my knitting group to think so!

Is It So Bad...

...that I bought some Avon body wash with no intent* to use it only so I would get a discount on this cute little bag??



I saw it in the catalog and thought right away, "Aha! Sock bag!" It even has a little drawstring closure up top. I love it!

Now to christen it with a sock-in-progress!

* It won't go to waste - Willow loves herself the smelly stuff.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom and Dharma, August 2008

I love my Mom! Please wish her a happy birthday!

10 Reasons My Mom is Wonderful

1. She knits! (And really, isn't that reason enough?!)
2. She loves white chocolate.
3. She instilled in me a love of reading.
4. She bakes the best pies in the world.
5. She indulges my desire to take pictures wherever and whenever.
6. She lets me rant and actually listens.
7. She likes playing card games (no one plays with me here unless it is one of Willow's card games).
8. She gives good hugs.
9. She is a cat magnet.
10. Not only is she my mother, but she is my friend.