Clapotis? C'est fini!

On Thursday, we got on the road to Ottawa at about 10:30am. As we were driving through Cobourg, it began to snow and continued pretty much for the rest of the drive. Near Brockville, traffic completely stopped just before an exit so we decided to take the exit and drive on a lesser highway beyond whatever stopped the traffic. It was a slippery road parallel to the big highway. We didn’t actually see what stopped the traffic but were able to get on the highway at the very next exit. By this time so much snow was falling that we stayed in the right lane for it was to ‘slithery’ to try to get into the left lane to pass. I drove until we started up the 416 - the highway up to Ottawa from the 401. We switched drivers and continued on our way; quite surprised the road had not yet been plowed even though there was quite a bit of traffic, this first business day after Christmas.

We gratefully arrived at my cousin, Jeannie’s at about 5:15pm - just in time for dinner! We were both very glad to get off the roads. I don’t have snow tires and was unable to back up the hill to get into Jeannie’s driveway. I attempted to go around the block but was unable to get up the hill one street over and ended up sliding backwards down the hill with the ABS grinding. There were no cars on the street so I just turned the steering wheel and back up to the curb and then was able to turn and go down the hill. I returned back to Jeannie’s street and was able to get enough momentum to get into the driveway.

We had a lovely dinner - a variety of leftovers from previous dinners. Yum. Jeannie and Robert went to a Senators’ hockey game and my aunt, Margaret, Skip and I stayed in and watched “The Queen”. I finished the clapotis (pronounced cla-po-TEE) with only 1 inch (2.5cm) to spare!













Here's a closeup:



Then I noticed that I hadn’t dropped one of the stitches and had to frog it back to redo it. I wanted to frog it back one repeat further so I wouldn’t have to sweat the last few rows.

This morning we slept in but finally got going just before lunch. We headed to Bank St. to the Indian Restaurant we had eaten at last time we were here - the New Nupur Restaurant on Bank Street in the Glebe. After the buffet lunch, we went to the yarn store next door, Yarn Forward. I bought 4 skeins of Bernat Cottontots yarn for the modular baby blanket for Carrie’s baby.

We then went to the War Museum which I was able to enter for free with my Ontario College of Teachers card. We had toured the cramped, old one a few years ago. The new museum has all of the old artifacts and more but more spread out and impressively displayed. We had to rush through the post WWII section because the museum was closing. We didn’t get to see the War Brides exhibit so may return tomorrow. I can also get free admission to the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC (formerly Hull, Quebec).

Back at Jeannie’s I recommenced the finishing of the clapotis. This time I remembered to drop all the required stitched and still only finished with 1 inch to spare again! I must not have ripped back one repeat as I hoped to. I was getting really nervous for the last few rows. I wove the ends in too soon to get a picture. I will block it when I get home but for now, it makes a very fetching scarf.

Yesterday, we walked over to the Rideau Centre and had lunch at Richtree. I had rosti and a Napoleon pastry. Yum. We then wandered over to Chapters for coffee at Starbucks and just to browse. They didn't have any "Hairspray" DVDs. It was a nice day for walking - temperatures just above freezing and sunny. The wind dried up a lot of the melting snow.

Last night Margaret treated us to ordered-in Chinese food. We then just relaxed after dinner. Skip watched football, Jeannie and Margaret read the paper and I knit. I started a mitered square baby blanket for Carrie's baby, due in February. We know she's going to be a girl so I selected 4 different colourways of pink and white yarn. The squares are about 7.5" square. I will make 16 in a patchwork quilt pattern. I knit 3.5 squares the last couple of nights and almost two squares in the car today in only 2.5 hours.

Here it is to this point:

"Let Nothing You Dismay"

Well, it's all over but the leftovers.

Monday, Scooter opened his gifts at about 4pm - his mother was coming at 6 to collect him. He was pleased with all his gifts. I forgot to give him his gift from Lorna so he'll have something else to open when he returns on New Year's Day.

Scooter and his new golf clubs.














After Scooter left, Skip and I went to Norm and Lena's in Scarborough (West Rouge, actually) to enjoy their Swedish Christmas Eve feast - our second Christmas dinner. There are usually several family members and a few friends in attendance.

Pictured are Lena, myself and Marion, Lena's sister-in-law.







We enjoyed glogg (mulled red wine with raisins and almonds), dried Swedish ham, beets and cabbage, an apple salad, Mr. Johansen's Surprise (a potato and fish dish), boiled potatoes, cheeses and rye crisp crackers, Vienna sausage-type sausages, ribs, and for dessert, wonderful rice pudding and lingonberry sauce and caramels. Mmmm. I restrained myself and didn't go for seconds but I sure could have.


Norm and his brother-in-law, Gord.








Christmas morning, Skip and I got up and had a leisurely morning. I put the burning log channel on the TV and we opened our gifts and had breakfast. After lunch, we dropped in at Skip's brother's house and visited with his wife and family. We then dropped in to visit Skip's mother in the nursing home and then drove on to Lorna's for our third (and last!) Christmas dinner of the season with her two kids, Scott and Megan. She served a delicious stuffed turkey,cranberries, scalloped potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, cauliflower and broccoli casserole and a delicious raspberry ripple for dessert.

This morning we slept in and after breakfast, Skip went back to bed for a wee nap. After lunch he had another nap. We're not sure if he was hung over after his glass of wine last night but he sure was tired. Today we just puttered around. All in all it was a wonderful series of holiday celebrations.

Tomorrow we go to Ottawa until Sunday. I decided to start the CeCe sweater but am having some 'issues' with gauge. I'm going to re-knit it with needles one size larger. I finished A's socks and will send them next week when we're back home.

They're ribbed and striped with alternating yarns left over from other sock projects.






I need to finish the hedgehog I'm sending his mother. I just need to attach the eyes, stitch the nose and stuff it.

One Down, Two to Go

I spent most of today preparing a Christmas feast. We are celebrating early because Scooter will leave us tomorrow to spend Christmas with his mother. We'll see him again on New Year's Day for the rest of his winter vacation. I did zoom over to Canadian Tire to pick up some more light bulbs for the new chandelier. It poured rain all day - bleah! I'm not happy with the light bulbs. The lights flicker. I'm going to have to test the chandelier with other bulbs to see if they flicker. If they don't, I'll know there's something funny with the new bulbs. If they do, I'll know there's something wrong with my wiring.

Lorna arrived in time to eat chicken, cranberry sauce, green beans, scalloped potatoes, turnip, plum pudding, pecan tarts and cookies. We had a very nice dinner.













It sure was a good excuse to get the house cleaned up.

I spent most of the day on my feet so I'm going to take it easy tomorrow. We go to Norm and Lena's for their Swedish Christmas dinner, Swedish dried ham and all the fixings - a tradition we've participated in since Christmas of 1995. Skip and I will have a lovely quiet Christmas morning and then go visit my MIL in the afternoon on the way to Lorna's for her Christmas dinner. Mmmm - turkey.

Life is sure good.

"Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat"

Well, the capon is pretty fat. We picked it up from the butcher today. That place was a zoo!!!

We met Skip's brother and his wife for lunch near my MILs nursing home where they had been visiting. After lunch Skip, Scooter and I dropped in for a visit at the nursing home. Jennie was in a pretty good mood and didn't snipe at Skip. We dropped in at the butcher (the zoo) and the liquor store. After we dropped Skip off, Scooter and I went Christmas shopping for Skip's Christmas gift. I then dropped Scooter off back at home and headed out to try and find more light bulbs for the lovely new chandelier I installed yesterday. I got the bulbs home and RATS! They're not the same 'colour' as the ones I bought the other day. Back I'll go tomorrow and try and return them and will have to go back to Canadian Tire and buy the lower wattage bulbs.

I went out, yet again, walking this time, to the IGA to finish up the grocery shopping. I started to get checked out and realized I hadn't even brought my purse with me. By some miracle, I had my cell phone in my coat pocket so called Skip to bring it to me. Oh brother.

After dinner, I scurried around and started some of the food preparation for tomorrow's Christmas dinner: chopping celery and onions for the stuffing. Lorna's going to join us so it's a good excuse for me to finally get things done around here and make the house (at least the main floor) presentable. I don't know why I never have motivation to do it for ourselves. Then I got the dining room all organized for our dinner tomorrow.

On the electronics front, I figured out how to hook up the DVD player to the new TV. However, I haven't figured out how to run the signal through the DVD player to the TV so we can either watch TV or we can watch a DVD. That's doesn't sound like a big deal but to go from one thing to the other, I have to change the cables behind the TV. I'm relieved because now we'll be able to watch DVDs which is something I like to do this time of year - especially the Christmas DVDs.

I only knit a couple of rows on the black alpaca ribbed scarf. I have to find the rest of the yarn because I'm almost finished the first skein.

Tomorrow (after I get the light bulbs) will be dedicated to preparing our Christmas feast.

4 Days to Go!

Today was a day to get lots of errands done: pick up a Purolator package, exchange something at WalMart, return something to Canadian Tire, pick up groceries, help Skip take the 20th Century 80s TV to the car so he could take a load to the dump, put up a new light fixture in the dining room (it took three tries before I got it right) and clean up after myself. The house has been a complete disaster area this week with the new TV and home theatre system coming in and moving things around. Last night, every room on the main floor except the kitchen was in disarray and it was making both Skip and me crazy!

Order has been restored. Skip went and collected Scooter from school in The Big City this afternoon. Scooter will be with us until Christmas Eve and will return on New Year's Day until the 6th.

While I was up on the ladder putting the chandelier up and listening to the local classical FM radio station I was reminded of the Sing-Along Messiah this Sunday. Rats! I had planned to go and I completely forgot that I am hosting a Christmas dinner then. Pooh! I even have the ticket. Oh well, it's more important to spend time with friends and family - maybe next year - sigh.

Tomorrow we're meeting Skip's brother for lunch near my MILs nursing home. We'll visit her after lunch. I have a couple more errands to run in the afternoon.

I was thrilled last night to get a comment on my blog from the gal who created the now famous (at least among my knitting group) Rolo Pretzel Turtles, Jaden Hair. She is quite the Internet personality and blogs about food. She creates and photographs delicious fresh Asian and fusion cuisine. She also KNITS! Again, I am not a confident cook, however, I have printed out her recipe for German Oven Pancakes and Spam Fried Rice to try out on Skip and Scooter. Here's a link to a video of a radio show she appeared on. She certainly makes her dishes sound easy to prepare.

I am also posting a link to the garterlac dishcloth from the Criminey Jickets website. I knit it back in the spring to get more confidence with knitting entrelac patterns. I called it the 'Neapolitan Ice Cream' garterlac dishcloth.













I then modified the pattern to 16 stitch diamonds for lovely, sunny yellow bathmat.













Once the technique is mastered, there are lots of patterns using it. For example, in the winter Knitty.com catalogue is the Quant headband and these very cool Annetrelac socks from Interweave's Knitting Daily store. There's also this soft Danica scarf from Knitty.com and Pam Allen's Lady Eleanor Stole from "Scarf Style".

I haven't knit a single stitch today. I'm going to take another stab at getting our new big-ass TV hooked up so we can at least watch it; forget the DVD/VCR player and the home theatre system. I'm really tired. I think I'll go relax.

Clean as a Whistle

I had my screening colonoscopy today and it went fine and everything looked 'normal'. The consultation beforehand was very easy - just filling out forms and answering all the questions. The doctor was very cute and the sedation very effective. Last thing I remember was rolling over on my left side and then waking up afterwards. Skip dropped me off and then went to visit his nephew's wife, Linda, who just works 1 block away from the clinic. He was there to collect me after I was OK to walk down the stairs. We went and had Mexican food in Ajax at Mexico Lindo. I'm sure my guts will rebel but it sure was good.

The 'clean out' last night was not so pleasant. I had to drink 2 litres of a solution in 250mL (1 cup) portions every 10 minutes. Before the second litre was finished, I was 'cleansing' my colon. Of course, this was the time Skip and I chose to move our very heavy 20th Century TV to make room for our lovely 21st Century TV in the family room. It was comical actually; every time I tried to lift the old TV, I'd have to put it right down and run to visit the 'loo'. We finally gave up and the TV is still sitting on the TV stand in the front hall. The new TV is sitting on the floor in the family room and I'm unable to get it to find channels. Arggghhhh!

I remembered after 6pm that I was going to make some treats for tonight's Sit 'n Knit. I had bought the ingredients for the Rolo Pretzel Turtles a couple of nights ago so I whipped them together and threw them in the fridge to cool down. Now, I'm not the most confident person in the kitchen but this recipe is a snap. I don't even use Rolos, I get the generic caramel chocolate cups at Walmart and I'm pretty sure you can buy them at Bulk Barn as well. And to make cleanup easier, you could use parchment paper or cheaper yet, aluminum foil on the cookie tin. I then just slide the entire batch on the aluminum foil onto the cooling rack. Once cooled (I use the refrigerator for 20 min. or so) I just peel the treats off. Then I recycle or throw the aluminum foil away and put the cookie tray away - no washing! It's the easiest treat to make and has always been very well received.

The Rolo Pretzel Turtles were a big hit again tonight at Martina's festive Kniterary Sit 'n Knit. Lots of people were there, too. I met Shawna (below on the left) who was allergic to what she was knitting; yet she soldiered on.

It reminded me of when my step-mom (who later legally adopted me) joined our family and she was trying to win over my teenaged brother by knitting him a Mary Maxim sweater (it was the early 60s so they were ubiquitous - now they're 'vintage') . It had a motorcycle on the back and goggles on the front with checkered flag pockets. I think my sister has it. It was 100% wool and Mom was allergic to wool. It didn't bother her eyes and nose until she had knit for a couple of hours but the wool irritated her hands and arms so she wore kid gloves that went up to her elbows (gloves were big then, too). The sweater was a big hit with my brother, thank goodness.

I sat beside Kathryn tonight and she was knitting the ribbing of a hat with some lovely Norwegian yarn. I introduced her to the magic loop method (third technique under Small Diameter Circular Knitting). She has the same aversion to dpns that I do and instantly saw the merit in using only one circular needle. Here's a link to a webpage that describes the crossover join method, however, I usually just cast on one extra stitch and move it over to the other needle and start the round by knitting the first two stitches together.

Lisa (in red above) brought the Christmas cardi for us to admire. We all remarked that we didn't realize that it was a child's sweater - it looked full-size in all the pictures.

One of the gals showed us the comfort dolls she is knitting.

They get sent to Malawi and are handed out to orphan children (many of whose parents died of AIDS no doubt). It is a project with ICROSS (International Community for the Relief Of Suffering and Starvation). The 5" tall dolls get shipped among medical supplies. Several of us took patterns. The pattern is also available here. They were SO cute, particularly the ones with black Afros. And they look like they have their hands in their pockets! She has 122 done and will sent them once she has 150.

I really enjoy my time with this lovely group of women.

Counting Sheep ...

I guess I shouldn't have had that latte this evening. I ordered a 'decaf' latte but I think they slipped me a high test 'caf' latte. Rats! I hate lying in bed trying to relax and breathe deeply to try to fall asleep and nothing works. I gave up and got up and did a few semi-productive things. I wrapped a Christmas gift for Skip, I threw some more stuff out from my desk, I searched for some cardigan patterns online and now I'm blogging. It's 4:30am and I'm sure going to feel like crap when I get up in the morning.

I have also begun my fast as step one in my 'clean out' (for the lack of a better phrase) for my screening colonoscopy on Thursday. I made a double batch of lime jello (anything red is verboten) which will be one meal and possibly a snack. I thought there might be a trace of red in orange and grape jello and I didn't see any blue jello - whatever flavour it might be. Also on the menu is some chicken broth and black tea and coffee. Step two involves drinking 2 litres of a solution in 250mL (1 cup) dosages every ten minutes starting at 6pm tomorrow to accelerate the process, I guess. Then for 'breakfast' on Thursday I have to drink another 2 litres of the solution with the same dosage starting at 6:30am.

I do not have any concerns which warranted the screening test. But I am getting 'of an age' and my maternal grandmother died from colon cancer so I thought I'd get checked out. When Skip picks me up after the procedure on Thursday (which should be complete sometime around noon) I hope I'm feeling well enough to go eat.

This afternoon I was smugly thinking I'd had my Christmas shopping done for some time now but realized I needed to pick up a couple of things for Scooter. He finally submitted his Christmas list (I got it as a Facebook message which he wrote me in Business and Information Technology class. What! Facebook's not blocked? It sure was at the school I taught at as well as Hotmail, Yahoo, msn messenger, etc. etc.) Anyway, while at an electronics store this afternoon, I asked a very cute and charming sales person about a deal he could get me on a 42" LCD 120HZ TV with a home theatre system in a particular price point. Luke - who sported a Nick Lachey hair style but with some blue gel - seemed very knowledgeable and taught me a couple of things that I didn't already know about 21st Century televisions. I learned that if the TV is 120HZ, it doesn't blur with motion. That is a good thing as Skip gets motion-sick when there is too much motion on the TV. Heck, he can't even look down in a car or he feels queasy. That's why I always navigate when we're in unfamiliar surroundings. Anyway, I told Luke I'd have to bring my husband in for the final decision.

After dinner I returned to the store with Skip in tow. We hooked up with Luke and did the deal which ended up costing about $600 more when all the required cables, extended warranties and taxes were factored in. To his credit, Skip only blanched a little bit when Luke rang up the total.

Then came the task of fitting the two enormous boxes in the back of my small, hatchback car. We ended up having to take the boxed components of the home theatre out of the main box and stuffing the separate boxes into the car, just barely fitting so I could put the hatch down. Luke came out and told us he forgot to sell us a couple of additional cables. There went another $100 or so. With the satellite provider we use, we'll get 6 months free HD service and rental as they currently are running a promotion. Woo hoo! We just might have HDTV in time for the bowl games!

So, while I'm fasting tomorrow (today, actually) I'll run out to the TicketMaster outlet to pick up our International Bowl tickets (we're sitting on the Ball State side - go Cardinals!! The Rutgers side was sold out - waaahhh!) and then I'll be trying to get the new TV set up. If I ever get out of bed, that is... Merry Christmas to us!!! Ho ho ho.