Halloween candy shuffle

After last year's candy debacle, I decided to stock up on Halloween candy.

2011 was our first year in the neighbourhood. Unsure about how many spooks and goblins would visit our door, I asked our next door neighbour. She said to expect 20 to 25. Halfway through the night we ran out of candy. At the time, my daughter was three and easily distracted while I rummaged through her candy bag to give out to the neighbourhood kids. Luckily, she had lots to spare. A couple of days before we attended a family-friendly Halloween event where she loaded up on candy. And on Halloween day we hit up a kids event at the mall. As a last resort, I was prepared to hand out individual bags of animal crackers, along with juice boxes.

When the Glee-inspired teenage girls quartet left my front door, I was out of candy. There was no more candy that I could squander from my daughter's bag without her noticing. I quickly shut off the lights and hid out in the back room.

This year I'm prepared. In addition to the photo shown, I've got 21 candy bags prepared, a box of 50 bags of chips and another mega bag of chocolate bars. I've also got half a box of Sunkist treats.

The kids better come. I don't want to be stuck with all this candy.

Rhinebeck: A primer for newbies

I'm currently working on an article for my knitting guild's newsletter. At last week's executive meeting I had let it slip out that I went to Rhinebeck. People's ears perked up and I was encouraged to write an article. So I decided to write a primer for anyone thinking of going to Rhinebeck for the first time. Although Rhinebeck has been over for a week, I really should stop obsessing over it. Regardless, I'll share my ideas that any Rhinebeck newbie should know.

If you are wondering about the photos, they were taken at the front gates. The first photo is of the line in front of me. The second photo is the line behind me. 

Rhinebeck: A Primer for newbies

Rhinebeck, NY. It's the holy grail of everything fibrey. Taking place on the third weekend in October, tens of thousands fibre enthusiasts from across North America and beyond make the pilgrimage to the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival.

Want to go, but don't know how to go about planning your Rhinebeck adventure? Here's some tips from a novice Rhinebeck goer. I've gone to Rhinebeck twice and here's some pointers that may find helpful when planning your trip.

Plan well in advance

One of the main hurdles to planning your Rhinebeck adventure is booking a hotel room. Book early. You may want to make reservations as early as February or March to secure a hotel room. Places to stay include Kingston, Saugerties, Fishkill and Poughkeepsie. If you rather stay in an inexpensive hotel to direct more money to your stash acquisition budget, you can do that. Browse through the threads on the Ravelry Rhinebeck group where you can find honest reviews about hotels. If you want more information about a particular hotel, send a private message to a Raveller who has stayed at the establishment in question. Also, visit TripAdvisor to get more reviews. Renting a house is also a possible option, as well as renting a campsite cabin.

Travelling as a group

Want to travel with other knitters? It's very doable! Start putting out feelers to your knitter friends now to see if they are interested in making the six hour trek to the Hudson Valley area. If you've got a large group, consider renting a vehicle that will comfortably accommodate you, your passengers and your purchases. The key in travelling in a large group is to pack lightly so you can accommodate everyone's stash acquisitions.

Budget

Start saving now! Putting away money from every pay cheque will add up over time. Not only will you be spending money on yarn, fiber and equipment, you will need to direct money to lodgings, gas and food. You may want to divvy up your stash acquisition money if you plan to shop on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Take cash

Cash is the best way to pay for your purchases. Although many vendors do take credit cards, Internet access can be spotty at the fairgrounds. This year some vendors have had to turn away customers because they simply can't process credit cards. While there are ATMs at the fairgrounds, its likely best you hit up at ATM before you arrive to the festival.

Take a class

Rhinebeck has classes that run over a period of four days: Thursday to Sunday. From natural dying to beginning spinning, there is a class for about everyone's tastes. Classes are announced in the spring. Again, if you are interested in taking a class reserve your spot early as they do fill up fairly quickly. If you sign up early enough you will take home a gift bag.

Navigating the fairgrounds

The Dutchess County Fairgrounds open at 9 a.m. and Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. To beat traffic leave your hotel early. Traffic will be particularly heavy when the fairgrounds close at 5 p.m. One way to beat the traffic is to leave early. Or have dinner across the street at the Eveready Diner to wait for the traffic to die down.

Go with a plan (or not)

If you are a planner and to visit specific vendors at Rhinebeck, make a detailed list that includes the vendor's name and location. Festival organizers compile an up-to-date vendors list on the show's website. Vendors can be easily found by noting their building and booth numbers. Going with no plan is a good strategy if it's your first visit to Rhinebeck as you will likely be overwhelmed with the number of vendors.

Meeting spot

Since the fairgrounds are vast and the crowds are large you will likely get split up from your group. After entering the fairgrounds, pick a meeting spot and time. This ensures that if you do decide to shop alone or inadvertently lose your shopping partner that you can reconnect before the fairgrounds close.

Pack your patience

Pack your patience is key when at Rhinebeck. Tens of thousands of people travel to this festival yearly, many of whom have the same goal as you: buy fibre and yarn. Booths such as Miss Babs, The Fold, Cephalopod Yarns, Jenny the Potter will busy and the line ups to pay for purchases will be long. Time your visits to big name vendors wisely. Also, food lines will be long and slow. It may be wise to pack a snack to nibble on while waiting in line or to tide you over while you shop.

Bring your knitting

You can only shop for so long before the yarn and booths start to meld together. Take frequent breaks. There is adequate seating throughout the fairgrounds so take advantage of it. To relax, take your knitting. Also, knitting in line ups will help kill time.

Chat with others

One of the best things about Rhinebeck is connecting with other knitters. Knitters from around the world make the trek to the festival every year. This year at Rhinebeck I met a woman from Virginia who came specifically for the podcasters meetup, a sheep farmer from Michigan, an avid quilter who was saving her money for an upcoming quilting festival in Houston, Texas, and I even saw a couple of fellow knitters from Ottawa. Take the time to chat with others. Everyone has a story. Keep an eye out for Ravelry meetups, too. There are usually meetups on both festival days.

Have fun

In my opinion, having fun is the main goal of Rhinebeck. Despite your purchases, the weather and traffic, you will make memories that you will cherish for years.

Plan for next year

If everything has gone according to plan you will likely start thinking about next year. It's never too early to plan for your next visit to Rhinebeck.

Fine tuning

When I went to Rhinebeck, I took a beginner's spinning class.

When I signed up my plan was to experience spinning, decide if I liked it and possibly buy a spinning wheel. Since paying my class fees in May, I've gotten addicted to spinning and built up a huge fiber stash. Please note that I'm currently in denial about large it has grown since July.

The spinning class was helpful. I learned that I was treadling way too fast. I need to keep on reminding myself that it is not a race. I'm tempted to post a little sign on my wheel that says slow down. I also learned how to correctly attach fiber. (Apparently the correct way is not to cross your fingers and hope for the best). And I've also learned the long draw drafting technique.

Today, I finally got to sit down at the wheel and practice what I learned. The long draw method, which I'm working on perfecting, is helping me to produce a consistent-looking yarn that has no corkscrews. I found some leftover practice Corriedale to use and spun two bobbins. I'll ply them together tomorrow.

As for the challenge I'm doing well. The only day I didn't manage to spin was last Thursday, which is pretty good considering I was at Rhinebeck.

Why I shouldn't return to Rhinebeck anytime soon (but will likely be back next year)

My name is Yarnitmomma and I've got a serious fibre addiction. I lay out the following evidence to back up my claim. 

This is my haul from Rhinebeck 2011:

Out of the above acquisition, I've used the following: two skeins of sock yarn, the knitting needles and roving. Although beautiful, I don't really use the yarn bowl. However, it looks great against the fire place, filled with braids of fibre. So in that sense I'm using it.

For those who don't know the lingo, Rhinebeck is the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, held annually at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY on the third weekend of October. It is a huge festival. HUGE. Thousands of people come every year. Hotels rooms are booked months in advance. People block off the third weekend of October in their calendars every year. Fellow knitters plan their vacations around the festival. 

Any reasonable person would say, "Hey Yarnitmomma, maybe you should take a pass at Rhinebeck this year. You've got about 10 skeins of yarn to use up. Perhaps adding to your stash isn't necessary. Just saying."

But that's what a reasonable person would say. As my friend L says, "We aim to corrupt." Meaning, no knitter worth her knitting needles would use logic to dissaude a fellow knitter from acquiring and/or adding to her or his stash.

So I returned to Rhinebeck this year. I even extended my stay by taking a spinning class. Despite only having one market day to enjoy, I managed to do some damage. This is what I brought home:

This year's acquisitions focused on fibre and equipment. I've been hanging around spinners too long. I finally caved in earlier this year and started spindle spinning. It was an instant addiction, resulting in me buying a spinning wheel in July. Between the wheel and the two Bosworth spindles I bought this year at Rhinebeck, I have no excuses not to turn all the fibre into yarn by next October. What is not shown is a Romney fleece I purchased. It is likely now at a mill in Michigan, slated to be processed.

Now, my stash acquisitions may not look like much or impress seasoned knitters. However, I've been in stash enhancement overdrive since the beginning of the year. It's a bit crazy. Well, it's more than a bit crazy, it's just darn crazy. I don't even want to look at my fibre stash. It started out humbly, but grew out of control around mid-summer when L got me a ball of BFL roving the size of my head as well as a pound of Merino Cashmere and Nylon mill ends at a festival in Quebec. And then there have been the miscellaneous fibre purchases.

When we left Rhinebeck on Sunday, I said no more! No more going to Rhinebeck until I do something with the out-of-control stash. But after looking at everyone's fibre and yarn photos in the Rhinebeck group on Ravelry, I started to relent. Soon, a plan started forming in my head. "Hey," I said to husband. "Why don't we go to Rhinebeck next year as a family? Lots of yummy food, kids activities and fun for the entire family."

He's thinking about it. And I'm thinking about next year's shopping list.

Shopping in America!

I just returned home yesterday after a five-day visit in the States.

I was fascinated with the food options you can get across the border. Not only is the selection wider, the prices are cheaper. On our first night we ate at diner. I got the following: soup, salad, drink, a huge entree and dessert. Grand total: $13.99. A couple of weeks ago I ate at Kelsey's. I ordered an appetizer, drink and a dessert. Grand total: $23.

Craziness!

The yogurt selection is better in the States than in Canada. And it's cheaper, too. I bought four huge cups of Chobani Greek yogurt for $1 each. I can't find this brand of yogurt in Canada. And if I didn't, I doubt it would be $1 per cup.

Then I found some slightly disturbing things, including sausages on a stick. Not only can you eat your sausage on a stick, it is surrounded by pancake batter. Artificial blueberry pancake batter. Not all that appetizing, if you ask me. But what do I know? It may be tasty. I would have picked up a box to take home, but I didn't have a freezer to store it in for five days.

However, I really wish I could find yogurt and M&Ms together. Where have you been all my life?

Why you should get your mammogram done

Mammograms are not fun. No one likes some stranger positioning you in awkward position so your breast can be pressed and squished into a pancake. However, getting one done can save your life.

I'm not even 40 yet and I've had two mammograms done. My latest one was done yesterday. Luckily I walked out of the breast health clinic in less than an hour of my scheduled appointment. This was a vastly different experience compared to my first mammogram.

Earlier this year I was told I had breast cancer. I ended up at the breast health clinic after my family physician  discovered a cyst. With a requesition for an ultrasound in hand, I made an appointment at the clinic. A routine ultrasound turned into a me getting a mammogram and a second ultrasound done. The radiologist told me that she believed I had cancer. There was a dark, but subtle, area in my left breast that raised alarm bells.

More appointments were made, this time for a biopsy and a MRI. For almost two weeks I walked around thinking I had cancer. I started making plans. I arranged for child care for my daughter. I called relatives. My husband made arrangements to take time off for appointments.

While I was counting down the days to meet the surgeon, I received a phone call from my family physician who informed me the area in question was actually dense tissue. No cancer. I didn't light up the MRI.

It was a surreal experience. I have no ill will towards the breast health clinic. They take this stuff seriously. I was just lucky. After reading some statistics and talking to professionals at the clinic, about 90 per cent of the time the radiologist is correct in his or her's assessment after reading the ultrasound and mammogram results. Luckily, I just happen to fall in that 10 per cent.

After meeting with the surgeon, he told me they follow up on every case. He also told me that the worst thing a doctor can do is dismiss that you have breast cancer because of age.

When my family physician discovered that cyst, she could had easily said, "It's a cyst. Don't worry about it." Instead, she followed up on it.

This whole experience has showed me that breast cancer screening is important. If you need to get a mammogram done, get it done. Again, no one likes there breasts squished into pancakes, but a bit of annoyance can save your life.

Spin challenge update

I've been spinning in earnest. Every day I've been spinning either on the wheel or spindle, but mainly with the spindle. I'm not too sure what it is about spindle spinning that makes it so satisfying. Maybe it's the act of the fibres sliding past each other with ease. Or maybe it is the meditative effects of the twirling spindle. Whatever it is I just can't get enough.

I've been spinning a braid of BFL roving from Turtlepurl. This is my second time spinning her stuff and I love it. What I don't love is plying on a spindle. I've learned from experience that spindle plying will send me into a tear-induced fit of rage. I now ply on the wheel. Much, much easier.

So here's a photo of my progress. I'm plugging along. I'm over halfway done the braid. I should be done by the end of the month.

He's like freaking CityTV: He's everywhere!

Remember my post earlier this year about me meeting a robot on my front doorstep? If not, let me refresh your memory. (Linky here!)

Today, while meandering downtown on a Thanksgiving Monday on Wellington Street, we bumped into Robbie the Friendly Robot. Robbie, who seems to be a robot with a heart, was collecting money for the food bank. We made a donation. We took another photo of Robbie and my daughter. Actually, he's quite a photogenic robot.

For a robot, he gets around. This is the fourth time I've seen Robbie. The first two times were on my front doorstep and the third was at a cancer run in June. I've seen a picture of him on Meanwhile in Canada's facebook page. Robbie is like CityTV in Toronto. He's everywhere!

My day in a Haiku

This morning someone posted a thread in a Ravelry group asking people to describe their day in a Haiku.

This is what I posted this morning:

Today is gloomy
Husband’s servers are down now
Thanksgiving solo

It pretty well summed up my morning. I woke up to a wet and cold October morning with no husband in sight as he drove to work at 5 a.m. regarding computer issues. This meant I'd be travelling alone to Thanksgiving celebrations at my grandmother.

This is what I posted 11 hours later:

I love pumpkin pie
Sweet, delicious pumpkin pie
Don’t make me fat, k?

I love pumpkin pie. Not sure where this love stems from as I avoided it at all family functions when I was a kid. My mom brought a couple of pumpkin pies at a local farm stand and they delicious. She gave me one to take home. It will likely make me fat. Damn flaky pastry crust.

Spinning challenge

I've fallen back in love with spindle spinning again.

I started spinning on a spindle back in May when I borrowed a friend's Bosworth. I was instantly hooked. Although I don't own a spindle of my own, I love, love, love spindle spinning. At one point I had two Bosworths (both borrowed) going at the same time. I eventually gave the spindles back to my friends when I got back into knitting at full speed. But ended up reborrowing a Bosworth two weeks ago. Glad I did because I'm pretty happy with the results. Also, I've been spinning every day this month.

The reason I love spindle spinning is that I can take it on the go. I can spin at the park, cafes, restaurants and outside my daughter's school. People are fascinated when you bring out the spindle. I will admit when I spotted a knitter spindle spinning at a knitting guild meeting I didn't have a clue what she was doing. Kids are particularly spellbound with whirling spindles. They look like toys. Cool toys that they've never seen before. When I was spinning at Ikea this morning a friend's two-year-old daughter looked at the spindle with delight. She even "helped" me spin the spindle. It was just too cute.

So this month's challenge is to spin every day, regardless if it with a spindle or spinning wheel. My hope is to spin and ply the Turtlepurl roving I've got on the Bosworth by the end of the month and start kntting socks. (See, everything relates back to socks!) 

Last harvest

Today, I pulled up my garden.

It was time. It's October. The days are getting cooler and we're bound to get frost soon. I should have done it sooner, but I formed a weird attachment to my bean plants. The beans served me well. I can't believe how much beans they produced. If summer had lingered a bit longer I'm sure they would have produced more beans.

I pulled out some peas, along with peppers and tomatoes before ripping out the plants from the garden. Peppers did not do well this year. As such, they won't be planted next year. I've got big plans for next year and they will likely center on beans. I'll likely try cucumbers again, even though we had disastrous results this year.

Three copies, please

Apparently, two copies of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar isn't enough for my daughter.

Today was library day at my daughter's school. Each week they go to the library, pick out a book and bring it home to read. On the walk home, I casually asked what book she picked. I was flabbergasted when she told me she chose The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

See, we already two copies of this book. One belongs to the public library, which I still have yet to return. She loves the book so much that we got her own copy last week. She now knows it off by heart. Obviously her love for this book runs deep as she thought that she need a third copy. Now we've got a soft copy version of the book to go with the board book we bought last week and the hard cover book we've borrowed from the library.

I hope she's hungry for storytime as we've got three copies of the book to read.

Community

My daughter started school this week. Our school is at the end of a nearby street. It is a far enough walk for a four year old. Before we started school I had my doubts that we'd do this walk everyday. Actually, I was a bit disgruntled about the whole entire situation. Before summer, I had a conversation with the school's vice-principal who informed me that we were just too close to the school to qualify for the bus.

Driving isn't an option. Not only is the school near a busy corner, it is in close proximity to a main arterial road. It is just too congested with parents dropping kids off and neighbourhood traffic trying to get through that particular intersection. The school sent a letter home to parents, explaining that 85 traffic violations were observed during a traffic study last fall. In my opinion, cars and kids don't mix and I rather not add to the congestion.

So we walk. And surprisingly it is going well. During our walks, I've noticed that there is life on our streets during the mornings. We walk past a home day care that is busy with active children playing in the side yard. We observe local high school kids getting on a yellow school bus. I've noticed that one of the neighbourhood dads cycles with his son to school. The local city bus rumbles through the neighbourhood, picking up commuters heading downtown. Then there are the dog walkers. Yes, our community is teeming with activity.

I look at walking as a way to stay active. Although I run on a regular basis, walking will help to my activity levels. It takes about 12 minutes to get to school. In theory, I'm walking about 45 minutes a day, five days a week.

So by walking to school I feel that we are contributing to our community and health. And that feels good.

Handknit socks kind of day

Fall is coming. I can feel it in the air and also on my feet.

Currently it's a chilly 13 degrees C currently. Before walking the little munchkin to school this morning, I checked the thermometer. It was below the 10 degree mark. Almost freezing, considering the hot summer weather we've had for the last three months. I cheerfully marched to the closet and picked a pair of handknit socks to wear. I chose skews: a fun, but functional, pair of socks.

Wearing handknit socks is hit and miss this time of year. Sure, it's chilly right now, but by the middle of the week the weather will turn warm again and we'll be slathering on sunscreen and strapping on sandals on our feet. Handknit socks will be put away for another day.

But right now I'm enjoying wearing my handknit socks. They are a little treat on my feet before the summer weather returns.

Half a pair

This is my latest sock.

Instead of pair, I say sock. Why? Because I only made the one. No, second sock syndrome isn't to blame. A Raveller on Sock Knitters Anoymous was looking for sock knitters to knit her one sock for charity for a project she's co-ordinating. Since I was between projects I was only too happy to oblige.

Volia! I give you half a pair. The sock pattern I used is called No Fear Sox by Claudia Olson. I was looking for a simple pattern that would challenge my sock knitting capabilities. This pattern involves an alternative cast-on and an afterthought heel. I'm loving this cast-on. It involves casting on four stitches, knitting several rows of stockinette stitch before picking up stitches along each side. It is my new favorite way to cast on toe-up socks.

The yarn I used was from mini-skeins I dyed before summer for a charity fundraiser for Run for the Cure. Since this sock is for charity, I thought it was fitting I use the mini-skeins.

I really like how the finish product turned out. However, I was not a fan of weaving in a zillion ends.

Yeah . . . the challenge . . .

You know that blog challenge I set for myself on August 1? You know the one where I stated I'd blog every day during the month of August? Yeah . . . it didn't turn out so well, did it?

I was doing great until I hit August 18. The following day I posted a post where I was out of ideas. And them blammo! No more posts. Not a single one for the rest of the month of August.

Although I did come up with more appealing blog posts than I-don't-have-any-ideas-so-here's-a-lovely-and-colorful-yarn-photo, I just ran out of steam. August 20 was the start of the week from hell. And this past week I was on vacation recovering from the week from hell. There was simply no wind in my sails for me to write more posts.

So I'm back. I'm not going to write a post every day as that's simply crazy talk, but I will be posting regularly from here on in.

And before I go, here's a photo of the latest yarn that came out of the dye pot. It took three times to get it this red.

Out of ideas

So it's day 19 of the blog challenge and I'm simply out of ideas when it comes today's blog. Maybe it's Sunday. Maybe it's because I'm still fuming over encountering so many cheap people at yesterday's garage sale. Or maybe it is because it's pretty grey outside and I'm a bit annoyed that I haven't been able to use my clotheslines for the last week.

So I leave you with a photo of yarny goodness, taken during Tour de Fleece. Enjoy!

Open letter: Charity garage sale

Oh man, oh man! Although I've helped to run several garage sales in the past, this is the first time where I've nearly lost my cool. And I wasn't the only one. My friend had to walk away from customers a couple of times because of insulting monetary offers. Yes, we do expect a degree of haggling. But offering us ridiculous sums of money for good quality merchandise is just plain insulting. At one point I had to snip at someone to put down the merchandise if they weren't going to buy it. This was after I was offered 10 cents for a book. Apparently 25 cents was just too steep of a price.

Sometimes it's painful to bite your tongue.

And the kicker was all proceeds of the garage sale go towards charity.

So here's my open letter to all the cheap people who attended this morning's charity garage sale for Run for the Cure:

Dear cheap people attending my charity garage sale,

Stop being cheap! We, meaning the garage sale organizers, do expect a bit of reasonable haggling. However, what some of you offered today was downright insulting. Expect no apology from me about my pissy behaviour after offering me an insulting amount of money for good quality items. I almost spit out my watermelon after one of you offered $2 for a pristine luggage set. None of the money we made today goes to us. One hundred per cent of today’s proceeds goes to Run for the Cure, a fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Also, I don’t appreciate you rolling your eyes at me when I point out to you that this is a fundraiser for cancer.

My friend almost wanted to post signs that said, “Thanks for not haggling as this is a fundraiser for Run for the Cure.” She thought it may be rude. Now, I think it is appropriate and we should definitely do this next year.

And to the guy who let his kid play with all the kids toys for 20 minutes before leaving without spending a cent … you stay classy!

Sincerely, 
Sunburnt and peeved Yarnitmomma

Photo Friday

It's been a cookie kind of day, today.

Speaking of sandwiches

This dinosaur cutter I purchased at Wal-Mart has been a huge hit at our house. I initially bought it to cut up sandwiches for my daughter's birthday party. Since then, she has been asking for dinosaur sandwiches constantly. She enjoys biting off the dinosaur's head before eating its body. That's the way she rolls.

A BLT sandwich in my future

It hides among the leaves. But I can still see it. Slowly but surely it's turning red. And once it turns bright crimson, I'll pounce. My bread, turkey bacon and lettuce are all on standby. Although impatient, I'm determined I will make a BLT sandwich by the end of the week.

The tomatoes in my garden have been slow to ripen. To date, I've only eaten two tomatoes. One ripened on the vine, the other my husband saved from rotting on the ground. It sat on the counter for more than two weeks before it decided to turn red. 

I'm unsure if (a) weather or (b) growing location have contributed to the problem. Despite being a farmer's daughter, I've got zero experience in the gardening department. I'm flying by the seat of my pants. 

Ironically, I'm not a fan of tomatoes. Unless I need them for a recipe, I don't consciously seek them out in the grocery store. But when it comes to growing your own food, everything seems to tastes a bit better. Also, I do enjoy a good BLT sandwich from time to time. 

So here I wait. Waiting for the tomato to turn red. I just have to be patient. 

Busy morning

It has been a busy morning at Little Suburban House, which happens rarely around here.

I kicked off the morning by making more chocolate chip zucchini muffins. I had leftover shredded zucchini in the refrigerator from the batches of muffin I made on Sunday. So instead of chucking it in the green bin, I made more muffins.

While the muffins were baking, I threw on a load of laundry, packed my daughter's preschool backpack and got her ready. Once the muffins were done, I set them aside to cool, turned off the oven and got the kidlet out the door for school.

After dropping her off at school, I zoomed back home, cut up watermelon and veggies for tomorrow and started on baking chocolate chip cookies for an upcoming bake sale. Word to the wise, traditional cookies and sweet bake goods do well at bake sales. Healthy treats do not, unfortunately. So I now stick to cookies.

I threw the clothes into the dryer before tackling dishes. I continued to work on baking the cookies while I folded clothes. And in between chores, I snuck in lunch before chopping up eggs I made last night for egg salad.

So it is not even noon yet and I feel pretty productive. Great morning. Hopefully I can relax some before I've got to schlep to preschool to pick up the kidlet.

The end of fiber challenges

It has been a busy month and a half in my fibery part of the universe.

I spun every day during Tour de Fleece. Tour de Fleece is a personal spinning challenge that runs during Tour de France. I think as a newbie spinner I was over . . . what's the word? . . . enthusiastic. By the time the tour ended, I had acquired an Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel and a fiber stash that competes with my yarn stash.

I had a couple of days break before the Ravellenic Games. Like Tour de Fleece, the Ravellenic Games coincide with the Olympic Games. By the time the Games were over, I had made two knit shawlettes and spun 100 grams of some lovely blue Merino.

So the challenges are done and what's a spinner/knitter to do? Well, in my case, continue to work on my Rhinebeck sweater. I'm holding out on casting on another pair of socks on the needles until a new Sock Knitters Anonymous year begins in September. I'm currently spinning some BFL. Even though the Olympics have been over for less than 24 hours, I am enjoying the fact that I've got no knitting or spinning challenges on the go. Although they are productive, they can suck the fun out knitting and spinning.

Text me, maybe

When it comes to cellphones, don't call me. Text me. 

I've got the cheapest plan out there. I can text all I want, but when it comes to calling, I've only have 50 minutes to spare. 

And that's okay with me because I hardly use my cellphone to communicate with the outside world. It's only for emergencies. These days, the only person I seem to text is my husband. We talk about mundane stuff, such as, Can you get some margarine at the grocery store? Oh yeah, we need ham, too. I'd rather have artificial vanilla extract instead of the real thing because I'm cheap like that. Thanks!

I'm starting to enjoy texting. Instead of pressing one button on the keypad multiple times to get a letter like I had to do on my old phone, I've got an virtual keyboard at my disposal. I think the text bubbles are really cute. Reminds me of VH1's Pop Up Video. 

I really should have made the switch to a smart phone years ago. Now I've just got to find more people to text with. 

Dryer Days

As I write this, it's pouring rain outside, making my retractable clotheslines useless.

I've had to turn to my dryer this weekend to complete my laundry. For the most part, the dryer has been sitting idle since I started my clothesline challenge. Since we've been in a drought situation for the entire summer, I have no excuse other than to harness the hot summer sun and dry my clothes outside. I'm not sure what kind of impact, if any, using clotheslines will have on my electricity bill as the central air system has been running full tilt since the beginning of summer.

Even though it has been a couple of days, I miss using my clotheslines. The clotheslines force me to me more efficient when it comes to putting away laundry. When the clothes come off the line they immediately get put away. But the clothes seem to languish in the laundry room when I use the dryer.

However, I may need to change my ways, if the forecast by Environment Canada is correct. The rain continues through the weekend, with a brief break for Monday and Tuesday, and returns Wednesday.

Oh laundry, it's the never ending chore.

Photo Friday

Too bad I couldn't implement this rate schedule.

Technologically inept

I'm technologically inept. I was hoping to amaze you all with some awesome after-a-thunderstorm flooding photos I took with my cell phone last night, but unfortunately it won't co-operate. After waiting for it to install drivers, I still can't figure out how to take photos off the darn thing. Not impressed. Obviously I'm not computer  or cell phone savvy. 

To make a long story short, we had a huge downpour of rain yesterday and it flooded the intersection. Not as badly as last year, but bad enough that cars had a difficult time getting through the intersection. 

So I leave you with a photo I took last year after one of two major thunderstorms that flooded said intersection. 

Crazy eh? 

Sweet, glorious rain

This morning when I strolled through the back yard I was greeted to this sight:

A rain puddle in a chair. One may consider this as an annoying part of a summer thunderstorm. I think it is simply a glorious sight.

Here in my part of the universe we've been a drought situation for the entire summer. It has only been in the last day or two that we've been seeing regular rain fall. It rained on Sunday, resulting in the rain barrel being replenished. It rained again last night, which was simply icing on the cake. With all this rain maybe by the end of the summer my lawn may resemble a lawn again, not a crunchy, brown straw field.

My vegetable plants love the rain. Although they been getting regular watering via either the rain barrel or the water hose, watering can only do so much. I think some of my plants, in particular my pepper plants, have grown an inch or two since Sunday. They are much greener and happier. Hopefully all this rain and less hot weather will have them producing peppers in the next week or so.

On life support

Rest in peace little Motorola flip phone. You did good.

My five-year-old Motorola cell phone is slowly dying. I've known this for a month. Two weeks ago things looked to be improving when it could hold a charge for more than a day. Must have been a blip as now its capacity to hold any kind of charge is 12 hours max.

It's on life support. In order for it to work I've got to plug it in on a regular basis. This is no way for a cell phone to live out its remaining days. I realized this morning enough was enough and it was time to take action on the cellphone front. 

Old cheapo here (meaning me) bit the bullet and bought a new phone. I went to my current cell phone provider and had abysmal results. System was down. Told to come back later. Customer service lacking. I immediately had flash backs to five years ago when I had to replace my old phone because of a malfunction. I remember getting horrible customer service then. Things haven't changed in five years.

Getting all huffy, I went to the mall, talked to a discount cell phone provider, walked out with a smartphone and no contract. No contract! Yay for me. The last time I signed a contract I swore no more contracts. Contracts are horrible and I no longer wanted to be a slave to them, despite the carrot any cell phone company dangled in front of me.

So now I've got a new phone that doesn't require me to press a phone button multiple times in order for me to text. I may be able to text like a pro. Or not. But at least I will be able to text without swearing under my breath.

Out of the dye pot

Since it's a holiday Monday in my world and I'm not that eager to write today, I leave you with this photo. Ain't it pretty? Unfortunately I've give it up as a prize for the Ravellenic Games. I hope the lucky winner enjoys knitting with it. Although it reminds me of a blue Freezie, I call this colorway electric blue dreams.

Since I was such a keener, I made a ball band. 

Yummy zucchini muffins

I planted zucchini for the first time this year.

My zucchini plant hasn't been a disappointment as it is producing lots of zucchini.

I bring you this recipe that I've tweaked from a banana bread recipe I acquired nearly four years ago. You will notice in the photo that there is only 11 muffins. I ate one. I couldn't help myself.


Fairly healthy zucchini muffins

Dry ingredients:
1 cup of oatmeal (I use the quick cooking kind)
1 cup of whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/3 cup of chocolate chips


Moist ingredients
1/2 cup of apple sauce
1/2 cup of plain yogurt (if you want the muffins to be moister, add a couple of more spoonfuls of yogurt).
1/2 cup of honey
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Shredded zucchini (I don't measure it, but you'll need at least a cup of it)

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together moist ingredients well. Make a well in the dry ingredient bowl. Then pour the moist ingredients into the well. Mix dry and moist ingredients together with a spoon.

Pour batter into muffin tins. If you don't want to clean up a mess, use muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown, at 350 degrees F. Makes 12 muffins.

Cool and enjoy!

To the finish line with two grams to spare

Sometimes knitting is a leap of faith.

I finished my first Ravellenic project with two grams of yarn to spare. It looks like the remnants won't make a lone hexipuff, let alone anything else.

I chose to knit Gaenor as my first Ravellenic project. It's a lovely shawlette pattern designed by Corrina Ferguson. When I chose the skein of yarn I wanted to work with I had my doubts as I was concerned about yardage. But I decided to throw caution to the wind, which isn't necessarily a good thing when it comes to knitting.

I had a quandary near the halfway mark. Do I try to get one last repeat out before starting the decrease section? Or should I play it safe and start decreasing now? I decided to risk it. Since I'm not a person who likes the concept of risk, I decided I should thread a lifeline in my knitting in case I decided I needed to rip back.

Glad I did because I had to frog. Halfway through that last increase repeat I soon came to conclusion that I wouldn't have enough yarn. Glad I listened to my instincts because I would have been SOL without a paddle.

Despite frogging, I started to get worried as the yarn cake grew smaller and smaller as I continued with the decreases. It wasn't until I was at the third last decrease repeat that I started to breathe easier. It was a sprint to the finish.

Although it was too close to my liking, I've since started on a second shawlette project. But I've knit this pattern in the past so I know what to expect.

As my first shawl project of 2012 I'm hoping to gain a couple of inches when I block it.

Nothing like a knitted penis on a toy bear to get some people riled up

I'm a big fan of Ravelry. One could say that I'm addicted to it as I'm always on it.

In the last 18 hours I've read three, well make that four if you were to count the project comments, threads regarding the Knit Dicks (penis) pattern on Ravelry. Before I possibly offend your sensibilities the pattern is of a knitted penis on a bear. Amazingly this has caused a bit of an uproar on Ravelry. As of today at 11:40 a.m., this pattern was the number one pattern trending on Ravelry in the "hot right now" section.

Some Ravelry users have used terms such as "poor taste," "disgusting" and "abomination" to describe the pattern. Some are offended and some have gone as far to say the pattern should be removed from Ravelry. I don't think there has been such a kerfuffle about a pattern since the hexipuff/purl-oined debacle, which happened almost a year ago.

According to pattern designer Camie Rigirozzi, she posted the pattern after receiving requests by many Ravelry users to make it available. The pattern is marked as mature content. Also, the bear's little penis has been censored so you can't see it when you read the pattern description. Personally, I'm unsure why people are clutching their pearls so hard about one particular pattern. It's a knitted penis. If you are so upset about a knitted penis then you seriously got some first-world problems to resolve.

As one commentator has said, if you don't like, don't knit it.

As for me, I know what pattern to download if I'm ever in need of penis garland.

Clothesline challenge continues

If there is one area of my life where I have not been lazy this summer it is using my clotheslines.

This past post explains the no summer dryer challenge I set back for myself in May. Except for washing bedding and drying a couple of loads of clothes from our Toronto trip, the challenge is going well. Actually, I've become militant about it. Because of the drought, I figure I don't have an excuse not to dry clothes outside as almost every day is sunny and hot. I've only used the dryer about 10 times since launching the challenge back in May.

However, I'm pretty lax when it comes to washing. We've got time-of-use electricity pricing here in Ontario. It's cheaper to run the washer during non-peak hours, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. My normal routine is to throw a load on at 10 p.m. and hang the clothes out the next morning. Depending on the amount of dirty laundry I've got or my schedule, I sometimes end up running the washer after 7 a.m. I dislike doing this, but sometimes I've got no choice, especially if I need clean clothes.

I'm surprised how durable these retractable clotheslines are. If I've got a particularly heavy load, I'll run one of the lines along a branch of my cherry tree for support. Works like a charm.

The neighbours may think I'm a tad weird for hanging out clothes, but I don't care. I'm having fun, while trying to reduce my electricity bill. What more can you ask for?

Update and new blog challenge

Well, it's been awhile, hasn't it?

My poor blog. I'm neglecting it like I've neglected the rose bushes at the front of the house. I know it exists. I know I should pay attention to it, but I just don't have the time. That's really not true. When it comes down to it, I really don't want to. The dog days of summer have made me lazy with a capital L.

Well no more, I say! I have issued myself the following challenge: post one blog post for each day for the entire month of August. I may have set the bar a tad too high since I've only got 10 posts since I started this blog in May. But we shall see if I live up to the challenge.

Lots of things happening at Little Suburban House. I've taken up spinning and that's a whole new (or multiple) post in itself. The garden is growing despite the drought. Summer is plodding along. May get a job (fingers crossed) and I'm participating in the Ravellenic games.

And if you are wondering what the photo is, it's actually a photo of my neglected rose bushes.

When robots come to call

Forget Zombie Apocalypse. Think Robot Invasion.

I kid you not, a robot came to my front door the other night. At the time, I was busy pinning pins on Pinterest when the door bell rang at 9:15 at night. Having solicitors come to your door at 9:15 at night is quite unusual. Kind of peeved, I swung open the door and I instantly saw blinking red lights. Confused, I stood there. Once the robot started talking in its electronic voice, I was almost tempted to slam the door shut. What the hell was the first thought that ran through my head.

To make a long story short, Robbie the Friendly Robot was soliciting donations for an upcoming run benefiting men's cancers. Unfortunately, I was broke, but made the promise I'd give a donation if he came back another night.

And he did! When he came back last night I snapped this photo. My husband, who didn't really believe my mumbling about my first encounter with the robot, came to the door with our young daughter. She just stared. I was giddy. I got two photos and me and Robbie shared a fist bump.

We may encounter Robbie again. My husband is running in the same run. Robbie is running the 2K, which is a very ambitious goal considering he moves slow and it will be fairly hot day as most June mornings are in Ottawa.

Crock Pot chicken fajitas

This recipe has been floating around Pinterest for about the last week. So I decided to give it a try. It was pretty darn good. The only thing I'd change about the recipe is adding the peppers about an hour to 45 minutes before making the fajitas. I detest mushy peppers and cooking them along with the chicken is a guaranteed recipe for mushiness.

Also, it didn't take eight hours to cook. I used fresh chicken breasts and they were done in about four hours.

No dryer summer challenge

In an attempt to reclaim a piece of my childhood, we've installed a retractable clothesline. Growing up in the country, hanging your clothes outside was mandatory. Using the dryer in the summer was unheard of. Despite your clothes drying like a stiff board, I love the smell of clothes that have been dried by Mother Nature.

However, the retractable clothesline has its draw backs. It doesn't take much for it to start sagging. I'm really unsure if I could hang bedding on it without the bedding falling to the ground. But I was pleasantly surprised that I could hang wet jeans on it without it sagging too much (or breaking for that matter).

The retractable clothesline is what it is: it's cheap and it works for what I want it for. And when you are done with it, it easily retracts into storage container. I liked it so much that husband bought and installed a second one.

I've set myself a no dryer summer challenge: unless it is absolutely necessary, don't use the electric clothes dryer.  We got the first clothes line on Saturday. We've used it at least three times. I'm hopefully that we can use the dryer sparingly this summer.

Post Race Crash

Today, I feel like I have a hangover. I forgot what my yearly post race crash feels like.

Yesterday, I ran the 10K in Ottawa's Race Weekend. Despite the less than humid weather conditions, I did not get the time I was hoping for. I could blame it on the crowded race route, but in reality I wasn't motivated to run it, nor did I fully commit training for the race.

This is my third time participating in Race Weekend, and my second time running the 10K. Last year's race went quickly. This year, it dragged on. I eventually limped over the finish line with my battered ego in tow. See, slacking off doesn't pay, kids.

So two things are about to happen: a break from running and attempt to train with the Running Room when the time is right. Running no longer inspires me. It has become a chore. I was passionate and committed when I first started running. I want to get that feeling back. Also, I'm not that keen on running in humidity for a third summer in a row. I rather use my gym membership and exercise in the confines of air conditioned comfort. So a break is needed.

Once fall arrives, I will resume running again. Once Race Weekend approaches, I need to sign up for a 10K training program with the Running Room. I need to focus and improve my time. Although I've done great on my own for the last two years, I need help and guidance.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's Race Weekend. Despite my whining that I'll only be running the 2K next year, I will likely see you all out on the 10K course.

Rain boot planters

Earlier this spring, a friend of mine was telling me of her plans of creating a rain boot garden. Interested, I asked for more details and she directed me to Pinterest. Luckily, I asked the question in the right place at the right time as I was able to scoop up these four pairs of rain boots for my own rain boot garden. (At the time we were at a charity kids clothes sale).

Today, I finally got around to asking my husband to drill holes through the soles and nail them onto the fence. I added some stones for drainage before filling the boots with soil and planting impatiens. They do make for cute planters.

Sock Mojo Reclaimed

I've reclaimed my mojo and it feels good. I finished these socks earlier this month. They were a yarn test knit for my friend, L, who will be launching her own yarn line soon. I'm excited for her. And I'm excited for me as it looks like she'll be specializing in self-striping yarn. And that means I'll have a local source for self-striping yarn that is gorgeous and fun, unlike bland commercial yarns I've come across in big box stores.

The pattern is Roundabout Socks by Ruth Greenwald and it's a free pattern on Ravelry. It was the perfect pattern to get my sock knitting mojo back as it consists of one pattern round followed by a knit round. Simple and easy!

I'm in the midst of another pair of socks for the Sock Knitters Anonymous challenge. This month's challenge is lace and I've settled on Cookie A's Monkey sock pattern. There are more than 15,500 projects related to this sock pattern in the Ravelry database, which is astounding. That almost rivals Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket, which has more than 17,500 projects.

I'm hoping to get my latest sock project done soon as I'm trying to combat second sock syndrome from setting in. I find this a problem when knitting socks one at a time. Only plugging away and knitting steadily will ensure I will have two completed socks on my feet instead of one.

Double Whammy

It was a double whammy in the mail department today. And it was a much needed yarny goodness and pattern book boost.

My books from Chapters arrived today as well as a package from Acme Fibres. From Acme, I bought two skeins of Merino superwash sock and another two skeins of Blue-Faced Leicester superwash sock. I also bought five ounces of Shetland roving for spinning.

I borrowed Sock Knitting Master Class from a friend last month. I soon discovered that I wanted (must) knit most of the patterns. I had two choices (a) not give the book back in hopes my friend forgets she owns a copy or (b) buy a copy for myself. I bought the book.

I bought Repect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont. Although it has been a long time coming, I think I want to learn how to spin. Last fall I went to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (known as Rhinebeck in spinning, knitting and crochet circles) with two spinners. I regret not buying a drop spindle from Journey Wheel. My friend, M, generously lent me her favourite Bosworth, so now I've not no excuses as to why I can't spin. I tried my hand at spinning last weekend with some Fleece Artist Merino roving but it was a disaster. My friend recommended I should try spinning Shetland first. Since she's an avid spinner, I did what she suggested.

With the new books, yarn and fibre, I have no excuses to be bored. Now I just have to find the time to fit in dyeing, spinning and sock knitting.

An atomic jellybean green mess

When my acid dyes arrived in the mail last week I decided I needed to get right to work.

I'm partial to green. I've always though blue was my favorite color, but since knitting socks I've been finding myself leaning towards green colorways. So it wasn't surprising that I went directly to the brilliant Kelly green dye bottle when prepping the dye pot.

Although I was pleased with my initial results, I decided the yarn needed to go back into the yarn pot to be over dyed. The results were certainly retina burning and bright (and very pleasing). However, the results were messy as my skein looked like this:

Unravelling this mess consumed three hours of my Saturday morning. I painstakingly unwound and untangled this mass of green yarn that I have dubbed atomic jellybean green. I am proud to say that not once did I want to grab my scissors and start hacking myself out of this situation. Perhaps it was due to my persistence. Or it could have been the fact that I would have shed tears. Lot of tears.

Finally I unravelled the last tangled and caked my yarn. It now looks like this:

Although this skein of yarn has a happy ending, I've learned an important lesson that I need to secure my ties better during the dyeing process. If not, I'll be giving up more future Saturday mornings to unravel tangled messes.

Everyone loves variegated yarn

I can't get over how bright this skein is. I absolutely love it. And I think this skein has initiated my interest in yarn dyeing. Although this is hand painted with three different colors, Everyone loves variegated yarn. It's bright, it's colorful and it's eye catching. However, it can be a pain to knit with, especially if you encounter pooling issues. Also, variegated doesn't work well with patterns with certain stitch patterns, like cables.

Trying to find solid or tonal sock yarn is a pain. Locally, it is hard to get. And if you do find some the colorways are limited. Since learning the basics of yarn dyeing, I've come to the conclusion that I'm quite capable of dyeing my own yarn to match my projects goals.

But there is a problem. Again, variegated yarn is bright, colorful and eye catching. This is why I have so many of variegated skeins in my stash. Yesterday I was practicing with Easter Egg dyes and ended up hand painting three skeins. I couldn't help myself as I love variegated yarn.

Photo Fridays

Check out my dyed beauties dyed with acid dyes. (Note the bright skein on the end. Can't wait to cast on that colorway). The green skeins were dyed in the oven in a turkey pan; the periwinkle skein was dyed in the crock pot; and the mult-colored skein was handpainted. Thanks to my friend L, who gave me a tutorial.

I've lost my sock mojo

Like a sock that has gone missing in the dyer, my sock mojo is nowhere to be found.

I'm an avid sock knitter. Well, I used to be. If you are knitter, you will be well aware of the existence of Ravelry, the highly addicting social networking site for knitters and crocheters. On this amazing site exists an amazing group called Sock Knitters Anonymous. Like the name says, members knit socks. And most members have an addiction to sock knitting and stashing copious amounts of sock yarn.

From September to July, the group holds monthly challenges. I've successfully cast on and completed socks for every challenge, except for April. Now, it isn't from a lack of trying. I've tried three times. And three times I've had to rip out my work. Damn you slip stitches! (Insert ragey fist here).

And since April is now in its dying days, it looks like I will completely miss this challenge. I'm kind of sad, but at the same time it cannot be helped. It is hard to knit socks when you don't have sock mojo.

Right now I'm trying to decide to hold off for May's challenge (it's lace) or continue with the socks I've cast on this afternoon. I'm only eight rounds in, so it won't be a total loss if I decide to rip them out and recast stitches so I qualify for the May challenge.

Not even this lovely yarn could get my mojo back. Sob! Sock mojo, I miss you. Please come back. So dear readers, I'll leave you with this photo of the lovely yarn my lovely friend dyed just for me. Hopefully it will inspire you to pick up a pair of knitting sticks and get knitting.