I had a big post all typed up last night and then the internet ate it. So now you are stuck with whatever blather I come up with this time.
Got back on healthy track today. The trip kinda derailed that for both of us. Mille Feuille (spelling?) after supper the other night at Grandpapa's, wine at Grandpapa's, assorted snackings and meals while away althought I did try to make healthier choices.
A thought on portions: I like 'em big...how else did I get like this? But seriously, the portions at some restaurants are insane and have increased like crazy over the last decade or two. We went to Baton Rouge for supper on Monday night. I had ribs (ofcourse) BUT I had steamed veggies instead of the potato. HM had baked potato (loaded). When it came his potato was like some sorta genetic mutant it was so frakking huge, plus with all the cheese etc on it. My broccoli and cauliflower was alot too. The plates are platter style and they have to fill them I guess.
I was extremely over stuffed by the end because I of course tried to clean off my plate... Another problem. Apparently humans as a species have some sort of knee jerk reaction to eating an entire meal because, as cave peaople, we never knew when we'd be full again. Nowadays, with meals a plenty for most of us in North America, this reaction to meals is troublesome.
Smaller plates are a good start. And don't fill them two or 6 storeys tall. Divide thusly: Half plate veggies and/or salad, one quarter protein, one quarter whole grain or startchy veg.
Today I bought a popcorn popper. Here is why: Have you heard about people who got cancer from breathing in microwave popcorn fumes? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050601089.html
I have been considering cutting my microwave popcorn crazed monkeys off for some time. Also, its LOADED with salt. And fat. So I bought a $15 air popper today, and some popcorn, and this Becel spray (look in the margarine area of the dairy cases) to add buttery flavour and some nutritional yeast to give a "cheesy" taste. Verdict: airpopped popcorn is better than I remember it. it used to always come out kinda tough for me before. This was nice an crunchy and fluffy if bland as hell compared to microwave movie theater style flavoured popcorn. The tastebuds need retraining on this. Ben enjoyed his with the spray. Cameron will like his with either the spray or his alldressed seasoning. I am happy about this switch. Biggest plus? Lower calories mean I can eat more popcorn.
What was that I said about portion control???
Cameron's sweater: not done but I really will get back at it. Really.
While we drove I cast on sock one of a new pair for him. Am on the gusset decreases. I can pick away at both but will I make the two week deadline I gave myself two weeks ago? HAHAHAHAHA No. And thats ok. I forgive me.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Friday..Day 3..
Its is day three. Everyone still lives...but for how long? mwahahahahaha
Just kidding. It has had its severe cranky craving "FEED ME" moments but we are both holding up very well. HM missed lunch Wednesday so he had many calories left to indulge in chocolatey goodness..bastard. Lucky for him he did it while I was out.
My saving grace is chocolate herbal teas. Chocolate Spice by Four O'clock is danday. Carob instead of chocolate so no caffeine at all. The one I got today is Chocolate Chai by Presidents Choice. Not quite as herbally as Four O'Clock but the store didn't have what I was looking for...Oh wait...I forgot to check the health food section. DANG.
Anyways, I was running late for my nail appointment because it took me too long to pick out an omega-3 supplement for Ben and a Glucosamine supplement for my sore knee. I figure it might help, (will help any other joints anyway), and it can't hurt so may as well try it. I am forty y'know. Gotta keep Arthur Itis (he's the worst of the Itis family you know) at bay. My hands hurt with some of my knitting so maybe it will help that too.
So, what else is new.....
Not much. Cameron's sweater is into the raglan shoulder decreases. I hope I am doing them right. Plus the colour work on the front chest. I will have many ends to weave in when done. I give myself two weeks to clear this from the decks (less now than when I first said 2 weeks...).
Our largest clown loach went belly up...two fish left.
I think thats about it. I am very dull this week.
Just kidding. It has had its severe cranky craving "FEED ME" moments but we are both holding up very well. HM missed lunch Wednesday so he had many calories left to indulge in chocolatey goodness..bastard. Lucky for him he did it while I was out.
My saving grace is chocolate herbal teas. Chocolate Spice by Four O'clock is danday. Carob instead of chocolate so no caffeine at all. The one I got today is Chocolate Chai by Presidents Choice. Not quite as herbally as Four O'Clock but the store didn't have what I was looking for...Oh wait...I forgot to check the health food section. DANG.
Anyways, I was running late for my nail appointment because it took me too long to pick out an omega-3 supplement for Ben and a Glucosamine supplement for my sore knee. I figure it might help, (will help any other joints anyway), and it can't hurt so may as well try it. I am forty y'know. Gotta keep Arthur Itis (he's the worst of the Itis family you know) at bay. My hands hurt with some of my knitting so maybe it will help that too.
So, what else is new.....
Not much. Cameron's sweater is into the raglan shoulder decreases. I hope I am doing them right. Plus the colour work on the front chest. I will have many ends to weave in when done. I give myself two weeks to clear this from the decks (less now than when I first said 2 weeks...).
Our largest clown loach went belly up...two fish left.
I think thats about it. I am very dull this week.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I walked.
So There.
LOL
40 minutes(to B and C's school and back)at lunch hour.
Day one is already better.
Question: Why is it that my thighs itch like crazy when I take a brisk walk? Its been happening since I was a teenager and drives me absolutly insane. It lasts about 10 minutes and feels like the itchiest itch you can imagine. Is increased blood flow or fat jiggling or what?
I hates it.
LOL
40 minutes(to B and C's school and back)at lunch hour.
Day one is already better.
Question: Why is it that my thighs itch like crazy when I take a brisk walk? Its been happening since I was a teenager and drives me absolutly insane. It lasts about 10 minutes and feels like the itchiest itch you can imagine. Is increased blood flow or fat jiggling or what?
I hates it.
Wednesday February 20
Wasn't quite ready for morning when it arrived. Cammie as usual puttered in for a "thnuggle" while we lay listening to the news etc. Its a sunny day but cold for the winter carnival at school.
Next week is break and I seriously cannot wait. I am sleeping in as much as possible come hell or high water. Am very growly and tired the last couple of days and we all know what that means every month.
Today is day ONE of the new healthy lifestyle. So far we have skipped our walk BUT I did do 2.5 minutes on the unused elliptical trainer last night at a steady pace. Its like jogging but doesn't have the impact. Except on my lungs and heart. Holy f&ck. Since it sunny out I really need to get out and catch some rays so walking later on is on my agenda. Maybe that will help with the desire to kill.
There is a weight loss support group on Ravelry that I joined and one woman inparticular is very inspiring. She was quite heavy...got diagnosed with cancer and with tteatment gained the big water weight... She decided to take her second chance at life with gusto and since then has lost 75 pounds and gone from a size 24 to a size 8. One year after diagnosis she ran a half marathon.
Now, I hate running. I seriously do..even as a kid hated to run.. but she is very inspiring is she not?
Some of the gals are trying the Couch To 5K program.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
http://www.c25k.com/
Amazing non?
So while todays morning walk was a blow out, there is hope. Baby steps and not beating myself up are two of my mantras. I have had 40 years of bad habits. i cannot fix myself overnight.
Also, why is it that when you declare yourself to be trying to live healthier, and then you don't do your exercise or whatever, other people feel they have the right to call you on it or push at you. If I am pushed I push back in the opposite direction and how defeating is THAT in this situation. For me that makes everything worse. I know I fall down but I don't plan to stay down. I need support not MORE guilt than I carry everyday. This is noone in particular but has happened in the past and it really doesn't help a person to pick themselves up and go on as before.
Goal: I do have one.
My goal is to see a 10% result in 6 months. Just 10% will make me a healthier person. After the 6 months I will revise. So in 6 months (AUGUST 20) we shall see how I made it.
And even if I don't make the 10 I will take what I can get and not punish myself and make the disappointment worse.
Another goal: Try to stay motivated no matter what. Even if weight doesn't change (which would seriously SUCK) I will be more active and eating healthier than I have been.
The lady that lost 75 pounds eats a healthy diet and does not deny herself her favorites all the time. She has a rule: it can't come into the house, no more than one serving, and she has to walk to and from the source. So say she feels like chinese food...she cannot bring home leftovers, she must walk to and from the restaurant, and she may only have one reasonable healthful serving (Not a plateful heaped). Good idea huh?
Plate appearance helps to: half the plate is non-starchy vegetables, 1/4 plate whole grain serving or portion, 1/4 plate is lean protein. This is a reasonable healthy meal, non?
If this blog deteriorates into food obsession please bear with.
KNITTING: Camerons sweater is coming along. I may be able to join it into the round today. Am trying to get both sleeves the exact same length. Was hunting for my raglan instructions yesterday and then realised I had loaned the book Knitting Without Tears to Kadi. Whoops...luckily Knitting Workshop has some info on the joining and decreasings. Fingers are crossed for finishing this sweater in two more weeks if I can stay monogamous enough. Am dying to wind my chunky baby alpaca and start the Unoriginal Hat by Stephanie Pearl-MacPhee (yarn harlot). Must resist.
Tonight is knitting in NDG. I love my NDG peeps.
Next week is break and I seriously cannot wait. I am sleeping in as much as possible come hell or high water. Am very growly and tired the last couple of days and we all know what that means every month.
Today is day ONE of the new healthy lifestyle. So far we have skipped our walk BUT I did do 2.5 minutes on the unused elliptical trainer last night at a steady pace. Its like jogging but doesn't have the impact. Except on my lungs and heart. Holy f&ck. Since it sunny out I really need to get out and catch some rays so walking later on is on my agenda. Maybe that will help with the desire to kill.
There is a weight loss support group on Ravelry that I joined and one woman inparticular is very inspiring. She was quite heavy...got diagnosed with cancer and with tteatment gained the big water weight... She decided to take her second chance at life with gusto and since then has lost 75 pounds and gone from a size 24 to a size 8. One year after diagnosis she ran a half marathon.
Now, I hate running. I seriously do..even as a kid hated to run.. but she is very inspiring is she not?
Some of the gals are trying the Couch To 5K program.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
http://www.c25k.com/
Amazing non?
So while todays morning walk was a blow out, there is hope. Baby steps and not beating myself up are two of my mantras. I have had 40 years of bad habits. i cannot fix myself overnight.
Also, why is it that when you declare yourself to be trying to live healthier, and then you don't do your exercise or whatever, other people feel they have the right to call you on it or push at you. If I am pushed I push back in the opposite direction and how defeating is THAT in this situation. For me that makes everything worse. I know I fall down but I don't plan to stay down. I need support not MORE guilt than I carry everyday. This is noone in particular but has happened in the past and it really doesn't help a person to pick themselves up and go on as before.
Goal: I do have one.
My goal is to see a 10% result in 6 months. Just 10% will make me a healthier person. After the 6 months I will revise. So in 6 months (AUGUST 20) we shall see how I made it.
And even if I don't make the 10 I will take what I can get and not punish myself and make the disappointment worse.
Another goal: Try to stay motivated no matter what. Even if weight doesn't change (which would seriously SUCK) I will be more active and eating healthier than I have been.
The lady that lost 75 pounds eats a healthy diet and does not deny herself her favorites all the time. She has a rule: it can't come into the house, no more than one serving, and she has to walk to and from the source. So say she feels like chinese food...she cannot bring home leftovers, she must walk to and from the restaurant, and she may only have one reasonable healthful serving (Not a plateful heaped). Good idea huh?
Plate appearance helps to: half the plate is non-starchy vegetables, 1/4 plate whole grain serving or portion, 1/4 plate is lean protein. This is a reasonable healthy meal, non?
If this blog deteriorates into food obsession please bear with.
KNITTING: Camerons sweater is coming along. I may be able to join it into the round today. Am trying to get both sleeves the exact same length. Was hunting for my raglan instructions yesterday and then realised I had loaned the book Knitting Without Tears to Kadi. Whoops...luckily Knitting Workshop has some info on the joining and decreasings. Fingers are crossed for finishing this sweater in two more weeks if I can stay monogamous enough. Am dying to wind my chunky baby alpaca and start the Unoriginal Hat by Stephanie Pearl-MacPhee (yarn harlot). Must resist.
Tonight is knitting in NDG. I love my NDG peeps.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sunday Update.........
DIET: begins Wednesday.
CURTAINS: Up but am hemming today.(fusible hem tape RAWKS!!)
MOVIES: Spiderwick Chronicles was seen last night. Scary in places for Cameron (9 yrs) but Ben had no problems. I LOVED it but I have not read the books. Apparently, book four is skipped (according to Ben) and they happy ending-ed it a bit. Did I mention I LOVED it?
MOVIES I MUST SEE: Nim's Island with Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, and Abigail Breslin. Yeah its a "family" movie but A) Gerard Butler is HOT and B) Jodie's character is funny and C) it looks hugely entertaining with strong female characters! Girls rule!!
FAKE ISLE HATS: Done and turned in.
MY NEW YARN: My pay for the Fake Isles= Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky....oooooooohhh.. We won't mention the Lopi yarn I bought for the felted rug project.
NEW BOOKS: Friday I bought the EatingWell Diet book and Friday night I got Knitter's Handy Book Of Patterns...one book and my collection of books will be done for awhile...c'mon back into stock Enchanted Knitting..
UNO: I beat HM and Ben BIG TIME in an hour plus length game today. YEAH BABY!!
CAMERON'S SWEATER: one more increase on the 2nd sleeve and then its stockingette to length. Join sleeves to sweater body tomorrow maybe?? WOOT WOOT!
That is all. I now return this blog to its regularly ubscheduled programming........
CURTAINS: Up but am hemming today.(fusible hem tape RAWKS!!)
MOVIES: Spiderwick Chronicles was seen last night. Scary in places for Cameron (9 yrs) but Ben had no problems. I LOVED it but I have not read the books. Apparently, book four is skipped (according to Ben) and they happy ending-ed it a bit. Did I mention I LOVED it?
MOVIES I MUST SEE: Nim's Island with Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, and Abigail Breslin. Yeah its a "family" movie but A) Gerard Butler is HOT and B) Jodie's character is funny and C) it looks hugely entertaining with strong female characters! Girls rule!!
FAKE ISLE HATS: Done and turned in.
MY NEW YARN: My pay for the Fake Isles= Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky....oooooooohhh.. We won't mention the Lopi yarn I bought for the felted rug project.
NEW BOOKS: Friday I bought the EatingWell Diet book and Friday night I got Knitter's Handy Book Of Patterns...one book and my collection of books will be done for awhile...c'mon back into stock Enchanted Knitting..
UNO: I beat HM and Ben BIG TIME in an hour plus length game today. YEAH BABY!!
CAMERON'S SWEATER: one more increase on the 2nd sleeve and then its stockingette to length. Join sleeves to sweater body tomorrow maybe?? WOOT WOOT!
That is all. I now return this blog to its regularly ubscheduled programming........
Thursday, February 14, 2008
More thursday/VD
I should explain my anger in my last post. Bridgewater Nova Scotia is quite a small town and was the location of our business a few years ago. We had a store on KIng Street right in the heart of downtown, two doors down from the library. Its a town where just about everyone knows everyone else or is related to them (its like that in Lunenburg County). As picturesque and cozy as NS is, its not without its problems. Addiction and low employment rates are a way of life for many. We have had our horror stories of crime and abuse. It just saddens and enrages me that in such a stereotypically "safe" place, a child was robbed of her life.
Enough of that. Moving on the what was good today:
My dye book arrived!! "Dyes From American Native Plants" is a book that explores natural dyes native to North America with an emphasis perhaps on the midwest since it was written by professors in Oklahoma. May I just say its awesome???!
Also in the mail was a BIG surprise. Remember I told ya about Bohemian Bubbles Spa Soaps? ( http://www.bohemianbubbles.com/ ) Its my old homesteading pal Terri and she makes awesome hand crafted soaps. I was a fan when she made fairly plain utilitarian soap that relieved her kids' eczema, then she started experimenting and I loved it more...her's is the bar I hold other hand crafted soaps to (pun intended) and she has only gotten BETTER!!! In the mail today I recieved a soap care package from her!!! Squeee!!! Natural soapy goodness, 8 bars full(sized), 2 half bars. I hopped in the tub this afternoon with my new book and the cake of Honey I Love You soap. Sweet sudsy goodness. Oh my gracious lovely lather and no tight dryness. MMmmmmmmmmmm..sensuous soap. Her soaps do not overwhelm with scent so you needn't worry about upsetting someone's sensitivities, but the bars do smell niiiiiice all the same. She's got some new products in the works for this season including a retriurn to her goats milk soaps, since she again has goats (Alpines this time). I still miss my goats Cocoa and Marigold, Nubian baby girls I got from Terri and her small flock back in the day. Good times.............sigh Then HM finally got home at 7:15 pm and had flowers, Alicia Keys latest cd, and the Essential Eating Well Cookbook (wrong book...was supposed to get the diet book but this was all he could find). WTF!!!? :o0 I was really surprised and touched because i wasn't expecting anything since I was told that my knitting book order last week was my gift. Isn't he great folks????
I had a card and chocolate covered marshmallow heart waiting for him...
Oh Yeah..and CAKE. I baked a yellow cake in a bundt type pan, frosted it, and scattered red cinnamon heart candies over it. So pretty!
The guys recieved valentines in the mail from their wonderful aunty Jessie. They were VERY pleased.
I hope someone showed you some love today.
Blessings!
Enough of that. Moving on the what was good today:
My dye book arrived!! "Dyes From American Native Plants" is a book that explores natural dyes native to North America with an emphasis perhaps on the midwest since it was written by professors in Oklahoma. May I just say its awesome???!
Also in the mail was a BIG surprise. Remember I told ya about Bohemian Bubbles Spa Soaps? ( http://www.bohemianbubbles.com/ ) Its my old homesteading pal Terri and she makes awesome hand crafted soaps. I was a fan when she made fairly plain utilitarian soap that relieved her kids' eczema, then she started experimenting and I loved it more...her's is the bar I hold other hand crafted soaps to (pun intended) and she has only gotten BETTER!!! In the mail today I recieved a soap care package from her!!! Squeee!!! Natural soapy goodness, 8 bars full(sized), 2 half bars. I hopped in the tub this afternoon with my new book and the cake of Honey I Love You soap. Sweet sudsy goodness. Oh my gracious lovely lather and no tight dryness. MMmmmmmmmmmm..sensuous soap. Her soaps do not overwhelm with scent so you needn't worry about upsetting someone's sensitivities, but the bars do smell niiiiiice all the same. She's got some new products in the works for this season including a retriurn to her goats milk soaps, since she again has goats (Alpines this time). I still miss my goats Cocoa and Marigold, Nubian baby girls I got from Terri and her small flock back in the day. Good times.............sigh Then HM finally got home at 7:15 pm and had flowers, Alicia Keys latest cd, and the Essential Eating Well Cookbook (wrong book...was supposed to get the diet book but this was all he could find). WTF!!!? :o0 I was really surprised and touched because i wasn't expecting anything since I was told that my knitting book order last week was my gift. Isn't he great folks????
I had a card and chocolate covered marshmallow heart waiting for him...
Oh Yeah..and CAKE. I baked a yellow cake in a bundt type pan, frosted it, and scattered red cinnamon heart candies over it. So pretty!
The guys recieved valentines in the mail from their wonderful aunty Jessie. They were VERY pleased.
I hope someone showed you some love today.
Blessings!
Where are the children safe?
It doesn't matter where you live or how careful you are, there are predators everywhere. Rural areas, small everyone-knows-everyone towns, the big city....
For all the people who bitch and moan about kids being indoors and sedentary instead of running all over the neighborhood and in a park like "when I was a kid...", this is part of the reason. As parents we are afraid to let our kids roam with any kind of the freedom that we enjoyed as children because no one knows when or where the next predator will strike (Trois Riviere? Bridgewater?). Then when you think, ok...they are older now...they know how to look out for strangers etc...you get this kind of news...
Bastards.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9005548.html
For all the people who bitch and moan about kids being indoors and sedentary instead of running all over the neighborhood and in a park like "when I was a kid...", this is part of the reason. As parents we are afraid to let our kids roam with any kind of the freedom that we enjoyed as children because no one knows when or where the next predator will strike (Trois Riviere? Bridgewater?). Then when you think, ok...they are older now...they know how to look out for strangers etc...you get this kind of news...
Bastards.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9005548.html
Thursday
Every morning...well...pretty much every morning... I drag my butt down to the family room, click on the tube for Canada AM and Ellen, and boot up the 'Puter. While I blog read etc I keep and ear on the TV for interesting ness but I don't turn it off after Ellen even though MARTHA (aka The AntiChrist)is on after. I don't pay much if any attention to that but I have had the osmosis effect of noticing that all the time she has dogs on...WTF? Is Martha the new TV dog experts show? Cesar the dog whisperer better wtch out..bitch is movin' in on his canine turf..
Today she had a yarn made out of dog hair (Paw-Paw). Dog dog dogs all the diggety dog time.
Must have run out of floral arrangment ideas and ways to re-use broken dishes.
I am sorry if this offends any Martha lovers. She has been a bee in my bonnet for a few years now. For those of us without the superwoman, happy homemaker gene, she is source of external peer pressure to strive harder and be more than is possible without lots and lots of drugs and therapy and a 28 hour day. Oh and more arms...and maybe a cloning machine. ( That'd be sweet, eh? One me for laundry, one for each kid so there is no rivalry, one for cleaning the frakking bathrooms.... MARTHA use your powers for good!! Make me a clone machine from papier mache and old photocopiers!!!)
Ok...lets see. As I mentioned its THURSDAY and its also VALENTINES DAY!!
What do you have planned for your loves? I got nothin'... Maybe this afternoon I will bake a cake. I have mix and frosting...this is doable.
Last night i went on my first Laval Knits evening. It was just me and Tara. We wondered if we can keep LK alive and discussed how the group we have branched out from, Montreal Knits, started slow but with perserverance and time, grew to be the big bag of funness it is now. We have about 9 members I think even though we were two last night..there were more last time and thats all part of it. My point (and yes there is one eventually) is that I think if we core members don't get too discouraged and keep it going, we can have a small group of devoted knitters that become friends. Thats what its all about.
I enjoyed my time with Tara. We met once before so it wasn't completely strange. We are at different points in our lives, me with school aged kids and her with preschoolers, she will be returning to the work force while I am a full time SAHM for the foreseeable future,...but this is why a group WORKS!!!!!! We are all different and its exciting to talk with OTHERS. To get differing perspectives on life, the world, and of course our unifying love of yarny goodness and its uses/allure.
So, was I disappointed it was just two of us? Only a little...the good company made up for that.
Happy VD!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
LOOKIT!!!!
Thats an Earth Box.
This is a DIY link.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-your-own-Earth-Box/
I am...intrigued.....
Uh Oh
The caffeine has befuddled my brain and I saw that Eating Well has a "diet" book out now.
While HM was ironing his pants for work I said "How would you like to go on a diet with me?"
DOH.
He said YES if I would start an exercise regimen with him.
DOH!
So, we have decided that we will buy the book and will walk togther each morning after the kids go to school.
Someone shoot me.
While HM was ironing his pants for work I said "How would you like to go on a diet with me?"
DOH.
He said YES if I would start an exercise regimen with him.
DOH!
So, we have decided that we will buy the book and will walk togther each morning after the kids go to school.
Someone shoot me.
More Frakking snow
(This is my new wonderful bureau and the only picture I have of me in the dress I had made for Hawaii by Daniel Beaudet, designer in residence at Effiloche. Barb, stop pestering me now.)
I have tried to be cheery about winter. It hasn't been to hard actually. I like that the fresh snow covers up the dirty snow and all looks fresh and clean and bright. Its beautiful. Its a marshmallow world!
I am so f%cking sick of shovelling "marshmallows" I could scream.
COME ON!!! I don't even like to talk to my KIDS before I've had some coffee let alone clean off the car AGAIN and shovel out the end of the drive so I can get them to school. Seriously. Enough is enough already. Thank gods for wonderful neighbors like the guy whose name I don't know (but i know his wifes name so I just call him C's husband)who was clearing his drive way end at the same time and trotted over to speed my job up. How sweet is that??
The backed up traffic was NOT sweet. Why is it that when snow is on the road simple things like manners or common sense are just thrown to the wind? The highways are VERY backed up this morning and as a result so are all the streets that have access to the exits. But does that mean you have the right to block intersections so that other people can't get around? Where I come from you keep the intersection clear while you sit and wait for traffic to move. Not everyone is going in your direction, dickheads, and it would be nice to get out and into the lanes going the other way! Or to be able to turn onto a street when I have the right of way. Dickheads.
Ok...what else is annoying me.. The Manly Fake Isle is being persnickity. To do the decreases necessary I will end up with a ginormous hat so I need to rip back and start them sooner OR do more of them. Thatc oupled with the math to figure out how many decreases I needed and how many stitches to knit in between near had me in tears. Math not good for me. Make me sad and cranky. Ug.
While I was doing some knitting last night my darling first born wanted to be full of the helpy-ness so he requested the permission to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer. Sure i said. he knows what buttons to press but we went over it again anyways.
Later he came to me to tell me how WET and DRIPPY the clothes had been and that it got water on the floor but he was good and wiped it up with a towel from the hamper.... AAAACK!!!! I ran down stairs to see that there was still some water standing in the washer (front loader), hit the power button on the dryer to shut it down and then slammed the washer shut to turn it onto the shortest cycle in order to get it to drain. It must have unbalanced or something and shut down and Ben assumed that all was well. Once washy was empty I opened the dryer and removed the absolutely sodden dripping clothes back to the washer to again attempt getting them clean. Then I had to sop up the standing water in the dryer and off the floor. Holy crap. There was a burnt smell whick I assume may have been from the belt of the dryer trying to tumble the very heavy soaking clothing. Ben and I had a quick tutorial on how clothes should never be drippy when going into the dryer and if this ever happens again, come get mommy. Oh the joys of scaling Mount Washmore.
I needs more coffee.
Washy and his brother are working fine by the way. The washer is running as we ...type/read...? There are still a couple loads to be done to eradicate all the dirty laundry. I did MANY loads yesterday and thanks to the wonder substance known as caffeine I even put my clothes away in my new bureau. And do you know WHAT??? Thanks to the wonder spatial event known as more drawers, my clothes FIT in the bureau!!! The drawers can open and close with ease and nothing gets caught.
There is even room for more.... shh don't tell.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
On top of Ol' Laaaauuuundryyyy
There is quite a view...its getting so taaaallll there should be snow tooo......
Yes the laundty mountain is STILL not a foothill despite yeasterdays efforts. Its not the Everest it was...but its defininitly not levelled out. ARGH me and my laziness. See this is all because A) HM went away and while the cat is away the mouse totally slacks on the housework B) when HM returned he brougfht with him his laundry ($&*rassafrackin&#!...grrr)C) we had company so housework was not attacked this weekend as planned D) Cammie wet the bed.... These all added up to crazy laundry madness. No back to bed for me today. Laundry..only laundry..and maybe some knitting...and making supper...and hanging my curtains...
I assembled the laundry hamper and I am very pleased with its addition to the bathroom. Its already full, too. Whoda thunk it?
Last night for supper I made a recipe from the current Eating Well magazine. May I just say this is an awesome food maghazine? Its fantastic food but healthy and there are lots of healthy food articles too. We had a customer at our shop whose daughter worked for the magazine at that time and he recommended it as a title we should carry and thats how I got hooked.
Anyways, here it is:
Linguine with Escarole & Shrimp
NUTRITION PROFILE:
Low Calorie | High Fiber | Low Sat Fat | High Potassium | Heart Healthy | Healthy Weight
VIEW COMPLETE NUTRITION GUIDELINES »
Lots of tangy lemon, fresh tomatoes, escarole and shrimp create an incredible sauce for whole-wheat pasta. Serve with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and whole-grain bread.
Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
ACTIVE TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy
8 ounces whole-wheat linguine
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound peeled and deveined raw shrimp (16-20 per pound)
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
16 cups thinly sliced escarole (2-3 heads) or chard leaves
1/4 cup clam juice or water (see Shopping Tip)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
6 lemon wedges for garnish
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook linguine until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat 3 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until pink and curled, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add garlic and the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add wine and cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes. Add escarole (or chard) in handfuls, stirring until it wilts before adding more; cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Whisk clam juice (or water) and cornstarch in a small bowl then add to the pan; simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Return the shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan, add lemon juice, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
4. Drain the linguine and return it to the pot. Add the sauce; toss to coat. Serve with lemon wedges.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 271 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 112 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrate; 20 g protein; 10 g fiber; 502 mg sodium; 751 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (70% daily value), Folate (55% dv), Vitamin C (30% dv), Magnesium (25% dv), Potassium (21% dv).
2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 lean meat
TIP: Shopping Tip: Some bottled clam juices are very high in sodium, so salt the recipe accordingly. We like the Bar Harbor brand (120 mg sodium per 2-ounce serving). Look for it with the canned fish or in the seafood department of your supermarket.
USER COMMENTS
The best that can be said for this is that it is healthy and filling. But extremely boring. Some grated paremesan helped a little.
Susan, Ottawa, ON
I used spinach instead of escarole or swiss chard because I couldn't find either at the market. HM put parmesan on his like the User Comments. And it didn't make 6 servings in THIS house. More like 3 1/2. heehee
Yes the laundty mountain is STILL not a foothill despite yeasterdays efforts. Its not the Everest it was...but its defininitly not levelled out. ARGH me and my laziness. See this is all because A) HM went away and while the cat is away the mouse totally slacks on the housework B) when HM returned he brougfht with him his laundry ($&*rassafrackin&#!...grrr)C) we had company so housework was not attacked this weekend as planned D) Cammie wet the bed.... These all added up to crazy laundry madness. No back to bed for me today. Laundry..only laundry..and maybe some knitting...and making supper...and hanging my curtains...
I assembled the laundry hamper and I am very pleased with its addition to the bathroom. Its already full, too. Whoda thunk it?
Last night for supper I made a recipe from the current Eating Well magazine. May I just say this is an awesome food maghazine? Its fantastic food but healthy and there are lots of healthy food articles too. We had a customer at our shop whose daughter worked for the magazine at that time and he recommended it as a title we should carry and thats how I got hooked.
Anyways, here it is:
Linguine with Escarole & Shrimp
NUTRITION PROFILE:
Low Calorie | High Fiber | Low Sat Fat | High Potassium | Heart Healthy | Healthy Weight
VIEW COMPLETE NUTRITION GUIDELINES »
Lots of tangy lemon, fresh tomatoes, escarole and shrimp create an incredible sauce for whole-wheat pasta. Serve with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and whole-grain bread.
Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
ACTIVE TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy
8 ounces whole-wheat linguine
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound peeled and deveined raw shrimp (16-20 per pound)
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
16 cups thinly sliced escarole (2-3 heads) or chard leaves
1/4 cup clam juice or water (see Shopping Tip)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
6 lemon wedges for garnish
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook linguine until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat 3 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until pink and curled, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add garlic and the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add wine and cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes. Add escarole (or chard) in handfuls, stirring until it wilts before adding more; cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Whisk clam juice (or water) and cornstarch in a small bowl then add to the pan; simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Return the shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan, add lemon juice, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
4. Drain the linguine and return it to the pot. Add the sauce; toss to coat. Serve with lemon wedges.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 271 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 112 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrate; 20 g protein; 10 g fiber; 502 mg sodium; 751 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (70% daily value), Folate (55% dv), Vitamin C (30% dv), Magnesium (25% dv), Potassium (21% dv).
2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 lean meat
TIP: Shopping Tip: Some bottled clam juices are very high in sodium, so salt the recipe accordingly. We like the Bar Harbor brand (120 mg sodium per 2-ounce serving). Look for it with the canned fish or in the seafood department of your supermarket.
USER COMMENTS
The best that can be said for this is that it is healthy and filling. But extremely boring. Some grated paremesan helped a little.
Susan, Ottawa, ON
I used spinach instead of escarole or swiss chard because I couldn't find either at the market. HM put parmesan on his like the User Comments. And it didn't make 6 servings in THIS house. More like 3 1/2. heehee
Monday, February 11, 2008
Monday is my new favourite day
Why? Because the boys are in this English reading program at lunchtime so that means I have the whole day, from the time they leave til the time they get home after shool, to MYSELF. Oh sweet UNINTERRUPTED peace and quiet how I have missed you. And what did I do so far? I slept.
Sad but terribly true, but I am exhausted from no sleeping in this weekend, and y'know how I loves my sleepin' in. We had early rising company visiting so we were good hosts and got up to make coffee and be sociable even though my sociable doesn't kick in til later. Sunday we took advantage of the getting up for guests to go to Ikea EARLY (unheard of!). By 11:30 we were back in the car with...ahem...a lot of stuff. 2 new dressers for our bedroom to deal with the ugly dresser and drawer shortage. A new laundry hamper of which I say we need about 50 to deal with the dirty laundry this house creates but oh well, we got one. A low table/coffee table thing to go next to my knitting chair, a duvet. a duvet cover, curtains, rods, finials, brackets, coordinating pillows....oh and lightbulbs. The car was packed. As soon as we were home and unpacked HM started assembly. this was a disaster for the largest bureau because the parts weren't right at all. Holes and pegs and drawer bottom slots did not line up. The half assembled bureau went back into the car with the smi assembled drawers and went back to Ikea. Oh and smaller bureau was perfect...but big bureau was seriously f%cked up. HM returned home with new boxes of bureau and by bedtime had it assembled. It looks lovely. We moved the antique loveseat from the dormer window nook to the end of the bed and put small dresser in its place. Tall dresser is where my white one had been. I washed the new duvet cover and the throw pillow covers and the assembled it all on the bed. Holy warmness!! That one duvet (the 365 duvet(year round)) is warmer than the two blankets it has replaced together. I was seriously warm...too warm. But its so poofy ... Today sleeping it was like nestling in to a comforting burrow. Aaaaahhhhh...
We went skiing on Saturday which was ok. i only managed one run thanks to the foot cramps from my boots and the terror that alpine skiing has for me now. In 2006 I was coming along very well! I was exhilerated and enjoyed it and did several runs each trip. Now I am terrified the whole time that I am going too fast and the other people are going too fast and they are going to crash into me I just know it and Godds why do skis have to be so f&cking FAST..... Going slow and VERY controled is tiring on the ol' quads lemme tell you. I spent the rest of the afternoon knitting...or trying to. Devising stranded knit earflaps for a project. I got both done and when home attached them into the cast on BACKWARDS...had to rip and re-cast on Sunday. I was just too tired saturday night(see above about no sleeping in) when the problem arose.
So that, in a nutshell is why today is my new favourite day. I sleep in, I do SFA more or less althought I do have a load of laundry in the washer now an will be doing at least one more, I will most likely knit or clean the kitchen too. And I suppose supper should be thought of....
Yup...
Until I meet the boys for their 4 PM hair cuts, my time is my own.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Remedies and an Idea..I has one
Cameron came home at lunch with mildly bloody socks. Seems he has contracted himself a case of Athlete's Foot. Not surprising given the fact that his feet get wet every day in his boots which may not dry thoroughly overnight (he has TWO pair and we rotate them wet for dry) plus wearing his maybe wet socks in his indoor shoes all day. Now that he showers himself (mostly) I haven't been going over him with the eagle eye like when I did the scrubbin's. Anyways, today was the day when his feet lost enough skin to weep a bit so I kept him home from school for the afternoon to go shopping. First he had a tea tree oil foot soak.
One pair of his boots literally has a hole in it now so they went into the trash. His other pair were dry this morning but wet by lunch hour even though I spray them with silicone spray (they aren't rubbery..kinda quilted vinyly stuff). We hit Walmart and I found boots for NINE bucks(regular $35). I bought two pair. They are not super fantastico like Kamik or Sorel but will do to finish off this winter. Colour me happy at such a deal. also found kids sweat pants for $6. Woo Hoo.
Hit Jean Coutu for dry green clay and searching for an essential oil thats particularly good for athlete's foot (tagetes). Could not find it anywhere I searched (2 drug stores, 3 brands of essential oils) so I got Cypress instead. Also got some zinc oxide cream.
Now, y'all might say "You don't have babies...why zinc oxide cream???" Well, lemme tell ya. Zinc oxide cream is indispensible in any home. Use it on : zits, cracked heels, cracked finger tips, jock itch, and other irritations besides diaper rash. Zinc is bactericidal and speeds heeling while the petroleum jelly and lanolin in the cream moisturises.
Once we were home I made a foot powder with the green clay, a bit of baking soda, and essential oils of : Tea Tree, Cypress, Lavender, and Eucalyptus.
I made a foot rub oil with olive oil and : Mint, Tea Tree, Cypress, and Lavender. It smells really nice but it tickles Cameron to have me rub his feet. LOL
Now for my IDEA:
I was visiting the gardening group on Ravelry and was inspired by a discussion on knit items for gardeners: one suggestion was a handle cozy for when you are raking or hoeing. My thoughts are these: one could make one by knitting in the round a sleeve for the straight handled tools It could be felted for durability and cushioning one's grip. The choices are to make it openended at both ends and glue it in place, or close one end with decreases etc like a glove finger and leave it loose so you can take it off and wash it. Bye bye blisters and slivers but not sure if it would slide too much.
Other Idea: THICK Felted knee pads or kneeling pad to protect tender knees from the ravages of kneeling in the dirt. Maybe Lambs Pride Bulky held double with a 12 or 15 mm needle? Maybe two layers of such? Or 3 layers of regular felted knitting?
By the way, dollar store flutter boards make awesome CHEAP kneeling pads.
What thinkst thou, oh knitters and gardeners?
One pair of his boots literally has a hole in it now so they went into the trash. His other pair were dry this morning but wet by lunch hour even though I spray them with silicone spray (they aren't rubbery..kinda quilted vinyly stuff). We hit Walmart and I found boots for NINE bucks(regular $35). I bought two pair. They are not super fantastico like Kamik or Sorel but will do to finish off this winter. Colour me happy at such a deal. also found kids sweat pants for $6. Woo Hoo.
Hit Jean Coutu for dry green clay and searching for an essential oil thats particularly good for athlete's foot (tagetes). Could not find it anywhere I searched (2 drug stores, 3 brands of essential oils) so I got Cypress instead. Also got some zinc oxide cream.
Now, y'all might say "You don't have babies...why zinc oxide cream???" Well, lemme tell ya. Zinc oxide cream is indispensible in any home. Use it on : zits, cracked heels, cracked finger tips, jock itch, and other irritations besides diaper rash. Zinc is bactericidal and speeds heeling while the petroleum jelly and lanolin in the cream moisturises.
Once we were home I made a foot powder with the green clay, a bit of baking soda, and essential oils of : Tea Tree, Cypress, Lavender, and Eucalyptus.
I made a foot rub oil with olive oil and : Mint, Tea Tree, Cypress, and Lavender. It smells really nice but it tickles Cameron to have me rub his feet. LOL
Now for my IDEA:
I was visiting the gardening group on Ravelry and was inspired by a discussion on knit items for gardeners: one suggestion was a handle cozy for when you are raking or hoeing. My thoughts are these: one could make one by knitting in the round a sleeve for the straight handled tools It could be felted for durability and cushioning one's grip. The choices are to make it openended at both ends and glue it in place, or close one end with decreases etc like a glove finger and leave it loose so you can take it off and wash it. Bye bye blisters and slivers but not sure if it would slide too much.
Other Idea: THICK Felted knee pads or kneeling pad to protect tender knees from the ravages of kneeling in the dirt. Maybe Lambs Pride Bulky held double with a 12 or 15 mm needle? Maybe two layers of such? Or 3 layers of regular felted knitting?
By the way, dollar store flutter boards make awesome CHEAP kneeling pads.
What thinkst thou, oh knitters and gardeners?
A Plan...we has one
Spring (ish) Break is coming up here at Chez AliP at the end of this month. This has been an adjustment since we moved here...March Break in February? WTF?? back in NS ALL the public schools have the March Break vay-cay at the same time. Here in the Qc its staggered. Another adjustment because you say "We have break at this time" and someone is bound to tell you you are wrong because they have break at another time...but thats another story for another time...
HM arrived back from Va Beach last night full of love for that lovely place and this morning we had a discussion as to what this family will do for Break. Will we driv many many hours and lose two days to travel and go to his new favourite place in the 'Verse,or stay in province and do winter fun stuffs. Trust, it was a bit difficult to decide. I was kinda thinking that strolling on a vacant beach and not having to wear heavy duty outer garments would be a novelty in February...sigh. But the fact is thats a lot of driving for 2 or thress days of no snow. We are Canadian. We decided to embrace the snow. Plus if we don't go to Valcartier, the kids may kill us in our sleep.
SO, the plan is made. A room is booked at the Hotel Quebec in Ste-Foy for 3 nights. Its our favourite because of the pool area and good food in the restaurant. We have stayed there a few times now. Winter fun and shenanigans will be had at Village Des Vacances Valcartier. http://www.valcartier.com/page.aspx?GP=223&SID=241&LA=EN
If you have never been to Valcartier in winter OR summer you are missing some serious fun. Our first time was when the boys were pre-schoolers and we were here for a family visit at Christmas.
There...a vacation plan. We has one.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Whirlwind weekend
Friday we had snow. BIG snow, little snow, ice pellets...we had a storm that dumped big time. My friend Dana was scheduled to spend the night here Chez Nous after our knitfest at Effiloche. Well...Effiloche didn't happen for us thanks to the storm but Dana, being resourceful and wise in the ways of public transit, took the Metro to Laval and hopped an express bus right to the station which is only a couple blocks away from here. I got totally stuck trying to get out of my driveway and it took our wonderful neighbors Luc and Helene plus some random snowstorm pedestrian to push the $%^&&ing Acura out of the driveway. I tell you, I never woulda got stuck if I had the Volvo BUT someone has that in Virginia Beach where he's whooping it up with clients.
I finally made it to the bus station, got Dana, we went and grabbed pizza etc and rushed back home to the kids who were watching TV. Luc snow blowered my driveway Friday night during the storm. I owe BIG.
Saturday we lazed around in our jammies and ate pancakes and chocolatines and drank coffee and talked gardens. Then we decided we would get out so we showered, dressed, made the kids dress, and headed into Montreal. When we came out to shovel our way out because the plow had been by again and more snow was in the drive and on the stairs etc etc etc we discovered Luc had blowered out the end of the drive AGAIn. I owe SO big..
We hit Carta Magica for cards to bribe the kids with and then went to Effiloche to visit Ginette, whom I adore. Mucho hugs from G and Daniel. Ginette and I discussed a business proposition she had for me in knitting samples for her shop in return for compensation. This is kinda exciting! Daniel was also curious if I would do some for him at some point and we will discuss later if he still wants.
So, for Ginette I have two Fake Isles to knit. I love that pattern SO much. Easy but looks amazing!!! After we left Effiloche Dana treated us to dinner at Faste Fou. YUMMY fries there.
I wanted to cast on for the Fake Isle when I got home but I needed to call my mom and get scolded for not calling in days, read to the boys before bed, and then I was POOPED.
Today I have laundry piled so high...oh boy..
However, through LaineyGossip.com I found this clip of Sarah Silverman and I link it here because it HILARIOUS.
Backstory : Jimmy Kimmel has a running gag about bumping Matt Damon at the end of his show...Matt Damon has played along spectacularly..this clip is in retaliation for being bumped all the time. Sarah Silverman is Kimmel's long time girlfriend.
Enjoy: http://www.break.com/index/shes-screwing-matt-damon.html
An excellent finale to a great weekend.
I finally made it to the bus station, got Dana, we went and grabbed pizza etc and rushed back home to the kids who were watching TV. Luc snow blowered my driveway Friday night during the storm. I owe BIG.
Saturday we lazed around in our jammies and ate pancakes and chocolatines and drank coffee and talked gardens. Then we decided we would get out so we showered, dressed, made the kids dress, and headed into Montreal. When we came out to shovel our way out because the plow had been by again and more snow was in the drive and on the stairs etc etc etc we discovered Luc had blowered out the end of the drive AGAIn. I owe SO big..
We hit Carta Magica for cards to bribe the kids with and then went to Effiloche to visit Ginette, whom I adore. Mucho hugs from G and Daniel. Ginette and I discussed a business proposition she had for me in knitting samples for her shop in return for compensation. This is kinda exciting! Daniel was also curious if I would do some for him at some point and we will discuss later if he still wants.
So, for Ginette I have two Fake Isles to knit. I love that pattern SO much. Easy but looks amazing!!! After we left Effiloche Dana treated us to dinner at Faste Fou. YUMMY fries there.
I wanted to cast on for the Fake Isle when I got home but I needed to call my mom and get scolded for not calling in days, read to the boys before bed, and then I was POOPED.
Today I have laundry piled so high...oh boy..
However, through LaineyGossip.com I found this clip of Sarah Silverman and I link it here because it HILARIOUS.
Backstory : Jimmy Kimmel has a running gag about bumping Matt Damon at the end of his show...Matt Damon has played along spectacularly..this clip is in retaliation for being bumped all the time. Sarah Silverman is Kimmel's long time girlfriend.
Enjoy: http://www.break.com/index/shes-screwing-matt-damon.html
An excellent finale to a great weekend.
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