Planning Is KEY

The overwhelming amount of suggestions by readers that followed my last posting was inspiring. In fact, I had so many ideas of things to do while my friend was visiting... that we did a lot of nothing. Haha... actually, that makes it sound like it was a bad time. True, we didn't really have a lot of places in mind to go or anything, but just visiting was plenty of fun in and of itself. Oh... we ate nearly 2 litres of icecream - "we" as in just two people - during the course of only 3 episodes of Family Guy... back to back episodes. One night. Yeah.

And I got up the courage and temporarily silenced the little budgeting voice in my head, and signed up for the TTC Knit-A-Long. I'm really looking forward to meeting new people. I really hope some of those new people are under 40. Under 30 would be a wonderful, wonderful bonus. Not that I have problems with the over-thirty crowd... I just really really want to meet some more people in Toronto around my own age! (Ok... maybe a knitting group isn't the best place for that... but I'm guarenteed good people, reguardless!) If you're going to be there, leave a comment! I look forward to meeting you!

Wanted: Awsome Things To Do!

Hello Hello!

I'm super excited - one of my very best friends will be coming from Ottawa to visit me! She only has one week off between the end of her co-op and the start of her summer classes, and she's going to be spending a few of those days with me! Now, when I visited her last summer... there were dinosaurs involved.




So I must top this! So far the plans include Thai food, and three stories of kinky. And that's about it.... we're going to need more things to occupy our time! Anyone know of out-of-the-ordinary things to do in Toronto? Things that wouldn'tve been included in a high school field trip. Suggestions are very welcome!!

(oh! and here I'm adding this in, practically as an afterthought.... shame... Second cousin number three arrived a whole month early! She's happy and healthy from what I hear, and I'm soooo greatful I'd decided to knit a six-month sized sweater for her, because otherwise her knitwear wouldn't be ready for her in time!)

Gads, I need a job!

So... the novelty of "holiday" is wearing a little thin. And budgeting is weighing heavily on my mind... not to mention I should look into starting to pay off my OSAP before it gets to the point where they charge interest (they charge a LOT of interest).

I'm trying to get over my shyness enough to drop in on a knitting group, because they're getting together sooo close to my home it would be just plain lazy not to check it out. I'm also considering signing up for the TTC Knit-A-Long the next day. It sounds like a fun day, and I was feeling a little silly for not participating in the last one in the fall.

Oh. I won 2nd prize in a draw, and got a one-month free gym membership... except really they mean 10-day guest pass (which doesn't come with the health/body assessment a membership would), and they really tried to lay on the pressure for me to sign up for an expensive one-year membership. Uuuh, no thanks. That's a bit of bait-and-switch there I think.
Since I'm a wuss, my boyfriend called them up to try getting me my one month membership... the guy told him if I wanted it, I'd need to pay a $99 deposit. We checked them out on the Better Business Bureau, and found out they had complaints reguarding contract issues, billing/collection issues, and refund/exchange issues... I decided to keep my $99 to myself and be content with my 10-day guest pass.

Perfectly Pink

Feeling a bit guilty for all the times I've gone to the boyfriend's family's dinners and events without bringing anything, I asked his grandmother what I could add to their Passover dinner. The answer: Strawberry Mousse! She gave me the recipie, and declaired that it was a lovely, light dessert to follow a heavy meal.

After pureeing the strawberries and sugar, then adding it to a mix of beaten egg whites, lemon juice, and more sugar, I looked skeptically at the mixing bowl. "Do you think I should make a double batch?" I ask the boyfriend. Beat until mixture doubles in volume... here goes....



This was awsome fun to make... and the fantastic pink pouffyness of it all was extremely exciting! I think it would be just the thing to make while hostessing a gathering of little girls, or babysitting, or a tea party... Although the 24 hour freezing time might try the patience of anyone (even unfrozen, it was delicious.... I had to sample a little!). This frozen dish certainly turned out delish, and I recieved many compliments, and a recipie-request. Success!

On the knitting front... I've made a lot of progress on the baby sweater. At the 6-month size (I wasn't anticipating feeling in such a knitterly mood), it's the biggest sweater I've worked on yet! At this rate, it won't take me longer then just one more week to finish... although I'm kind of hoping I don't find myself with quite that much time on my hands!

Babies in Sweaters

I'm sure somewhere along the line, I've promised to post pictures of the babies in the sweaters I've knit. And so, without further delay...

This is my very first second-cousin in her sweater:



My mom says the static-y hair reminds her of me at that age.

And here's my very second second-cousin in a smaller sized sweater:




As you can see, the arms on both are too long... the boyfriend asked if I was "knitting for an orangutan"... but that's what the pattern instructed. I think both sweaters still look like they have a bit of room to grow.

Currently knitting a different style of sweater for second-cousin number three, who will be making their debut in about a month!

I'm Still Around! Promise!

Ok! After an entirely too-long period of silence, I'm back to post!
To catch up:

A few weeks ago, the Boyfriend and I invested in this furry girl, Ginger:


Isn't she cute?

After much researching and debate, we realized she would be much happier and well off with a friend. And so, a week later... Meet Lulu:


Quite a handful!

Both seem to be adjusting well, and still get bolder by the day.

Co-op is finished. Haven't done much knitting in AGES. Lewiscraft is apparently closing, I bought some very nicely priced sugar & creme cotton, and last night started knitting a dishcloth. So exciting, I know.

This past weekend, I went to a baby shower and the baby of honour was wearing the sweater I knit her! The sleeves were a little long, but otherwise it fit beautifully, on a beautiful little girl. Don't you worry... pictures will come as soon as I get them off my camera.

So, I should be posting a little more regularly now. Hopefully once I find that real job (real soon, cross your fingers), I'll manage my time a little better then with co-op, and will continue regular posting!