303. My Happy Hallowe’en

Happy Hallowe’en! I had a good time. Worked during the day, then got all dressed up (sorry, no photos of me seeing as I had the camera) and went first to Rideau Hall. That’s right, we went to trick-or-treat at the Governor General’s house. They had a bit of an outdoor haunted house set up, nothing too extravagant, but still it was pretty cool. We got loot bags (chips, a chocolate bar, a piece of gum, a sucker, and rockets), and then we proceeded to go downtown for the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was a blast and a half. I’m very glad that of all the guys in drag that I saw, they all pulled it off quite well. I do believe that I will be finding rice in everything for a while though, it’s worse then sand.

-Cheers folks!

302. My Return to the Kitchen

I missed two days, so to make up for it, here are some pictures of my kitchen.

Dirty dishes, half from supper, half from desert.

My kitchen. Small, but functional.

Supper today was SO GOOD. Besides going for groceries in the rain, setting off the smoke alarm, nearly putting a rotten egg in with the meat, not having a big enough frying pan for the meatballs, nearly spilling all the sauce while putting the dish in the oven, accidentally dumping the pot with the potatoes in it on the floor, and spilling the sauce while taking it dish out of the oven.... it was a good supper and totally worth the three hours. Yea, I went for groceries at 5, and I put my plate with the dirty dishes at 8. Totally worth it though. Sweet and Sour meatballs (all from scratch). That includes making the meatballs, I fry mine, some people bake them, but I find that dries them out. Also, making the sauce. So easy. Take a can of condensed tomato soup, a bit of mustard, double that in ketchup, add a heap of brown sugar (I don’t know, half a cup or so), and a touch of vinegar. Mix, and done. Told you it was easy.

I took an hour or so, knitting and watching TV, then realized I wanted something sweet. I had nothing on hand, so it meant going out again. Thankfully the rain had stopped. I decided on making peanut butter cookies. But of course, me being me, I didn’t want just plain old peanut butter cookies, I wanted the ultimate peanut butter cookie. With chocolate. I used this recipe, but opted out of peanut butter cups, and was going to use Hershey Kisses instead, but I couldn’t find any of them at the store. I guess that’s what happens when you’re at the 24-hour grocery store (which I don’t care for too much anyways because their selection is sparse to begin with) at 10pm on a Friday. They didn’t have any baking soda either. I fixed that by adding more baking powder and leaving out the salt. I used chocolate chips in the middle of the cookies, which I put into muffin tins instead of on a cookie sheet. Partly because that’s what they did in the recipe, and partly because I didn’t want to dig through the kitchen to try and find a cookie sheet. Oh, another thing I was missing: measuring cups and spoons. Oops. I used a small Tupperware dish that I’m pretty sure is half a cup, in any case, I used it as a measure and worked things around that, except the flour, which I just poured in and mixed till I got a consistency I liked. I made 21 balls, pressed them into the muffin tins (which I greased with butter then coated with sugar), made a little divot in the middle of each, and added a few chocolate chips. Pop them in the oven, then 12 minutes later, voila! Chocolate peanut butter cookies. So moist, and very tasty.

Now to clean up. I can do that tomorrow. I already did one load of dishes today, I’m not doing another.

-Cheers folks!

300. My Happy 300th

Today is the 300th day of the year. That means 65 days until it’s 2010. Scary isn’t it? Well to celebrate that I went out and splurged. I had been thinking about it for a while, and today was the day. I traded in my PSP which I hadn’t used in ages, as well as a bunch of games and bought a Wii. I popped back out later to pick up Mario Kart. It’s great fun, and one of my housemates is going to pick up another controller so we can all play together. Well, two of us can play while the other one waits their turn. Maybe we’ll pick up a third one at some point. But for right now, it’s awesome.

-Cheers folks!

299. My New Shirt

I went into work today and was given a new shirt. I have never been a Michael Jackson fan, and the work shirt which is too big for me just adds to my dislike. No one in the store seems to have a shirt that fits properly. Our standard shirts are black, which is much easier to wear the wrong size of, but white shirts show all. Oh well, it will be over before long.

-Cheers folks!

298. My New Place

All moved in now. I love love love my new place. It’s so nice to have a closet again, as well as a square room. I didn’t realize how much those slanted ceilings cut off of my living space. This place has a smaller footprint, it feels bigger. And much brighter. That could be due to the color of the walls. I love it. Have I said how much I love this place? My room mates are great. The location is wonderful. And the rent is cheap! Happy Happy Happy.

-Cheers folks!

297. My Something or Other

I finished another mitten. Yellow with navy thrums. I haven’t gotten on to the second mitten yet, today was a busy day. I worked 11-6:30, then it was out with a friend to get Hallowe’en supplies. Hello, Rocky Horror Picture Show participation screening! And then we came back to pack up my room. It didn’t take too long, but we got it done. Busy day, but another busy day tomorrow.

-Cheers folks!

296. My Thank You

I worked the Agatha show tonight. It has actually worked itself out. I’m very impressed. When I got there, there was a card for the sound crew. Thanking us for all our hard work. I liked how it was written though: “To the sound guys and girl.” It make me chuckle, and then there was a good night with a sold our house. Tomorrow is sold out as well. Gotta love when things are good at the theatre.

-Cheers folks!

295. My Makeup Overdone

I popped into a store to pick up a compact. My old one was done for, so I needed a new one. Not that I use them that much, I just like to keep them around for those “cast and crew photos are being done today, you’re up in five minutes” moments. Well, I walked in and saw all these price tags indicating a sale. I had to double check a bunch of times because I didn’t believe it. The pressed powder I use was on for $2.99. It’s usually $7.99. Concealer was the same. The compact wasn’t on sale, but the mascara was, it was on for $4.99. I ended up saving a bunch of money, and now I don’t need to pick anything up for a while now. I’m set! Can you tell that I like Rimmel? Seriously, I love the stuff.

-Cheers folks!

294. My Keys

I picked up the keys to my new place today. Just two of them this time! So that means, in the last six months I have had … let me do some math here … 12 keys. Twelve keys that I have had in my hands and used. I hadn’t really thought about it, but wow. That’s pretty insane. Not all of them to were places that I have lived in, but still. In any case, I’m excited to move into my new place. It’s right in the Market, 5 minutes from the theatre, and 10 minutes from work. Can’t get much better than that. Oh wait, I can. It’s cheaper than what I’m paying right now. Yea, I don’t understand, but I’m excited. It’s a little smaller, but I don’t care. It’s not teeny tiny, and the location is amazing. Absolutely amazing.

-Cheers folks!

293. My New Deal

I ordered Business Cards from Vista Print last week, and they arrived today. They’re free, just pay the shipping, so of course I jumped on it when I decided to start selling mittens. I’ve got my contact info on the card, and I’m writing care instructions on the back. I’ll write what they are made of on the front, and I’m thinking of numbering them too. That way I can keep a database. I’m a geek, I know, but I like to know what I’ve got. I do wish I had a small single hole punch. Using a three hole punch gets annoying, and I think the holes are too big. Oh well. It’s fine for now.

-Cheers folks!

292. My Theatre

 

I realized while at the theatre that I don’t have any photos from the place. I spend enough time there, so it’s pretty darned amazing that I don’t have any photos. Well, here’s one. A horrible cell phone picture that is way over exposed, but it’s a photo. You can see the quality of the set which is amazing. Those books on that shelf, are real books. They have a HUGE props department, and there’s even an entire wall of boxes dedicated to flowers. And it’s all organized by color, and type. It’s amazing. We’re currently doing “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. The Dress Rehearsal went well, and the audience enjoyed it. Yea, we have an audience for Dress Rehearsal. It’s all friends and family, but it’s still people beyond production crew in the seats. On this particular night we had CTV there as well. You can see him in the front row, stage right (left side of the photo). Ottawa Little Theatre is wonderful, and I highly recommend coming out to see a play or two. This is my second show, and I’m also designing sound for the musical in December. Then there are two plays I’m doing for sure in the Winter/Spring. I’m going to be busy, but I love it.

-Cheers folks!

291. My Thrums Up

Sorry for the pun. I took the picture, uploaded it, and it was just as I was writing the title that I thought of that line. I finished the first mitten of this pair earlier today, and I’m close to finishing the second, except for one problem. I ran out of roving. I need to use a different colorway that’s close but it’s not even the same fibre. Oh well. It’s close enough, and I doubt anyone would ever even notice. Just me. I think that the next pair I make will be bright yellow with navy blue thrums. Something nice and contrasting. Also, the navy blue roving I have is superfine merino, very soft, and awesome.

-Cheers folks!

290. My New Sweater

I got a new sweater today. I had realized that pretty much all of mine were either too thin for the cold weather, wouldn’t fit under my leather jacket for the cooler weather times when I don’t need a winter jacket, or are just too worn out. I have this one hoodie that has a sherpa lining in the hood and I love it so much. I popped into the mall after spending the afternoon with a friend, and headed right to Bluenotes. I’d say that 90% of my clothes are from there. It’s one of the few places that does women’s jeans with waist and inseam measurements and not just sizes with one length. Anywhos, they also always have really great prices. I managed to find a sweater that has a really soft fur like lining on the hood and the body, with double fabric on the arms. It’s so warm. I had to go with an XL because there were no larges and the medium was a tad on the snug side. In any case, it’s awesome. Very warm, and just what I was looking for. It’s a really nice blue with a floral print all over it. I can see it becoming my new go-to sweater in the winter months. Best of all, it was only about $20. Do I know how to shop or do I know how to shop?

-Cheers folks!

289. My Mittens Progress

I’ve made good progress on mittens for sale. I’ve currently got 3.25 done. Yea, I know… a quarter of a mitten? Well it’s true, although it’s more like 2/8ths of a pair of mittens. I’ve got the cuffs done for another adult pair of thrum mittens. I’m going to use some random roving that I’ve got in my stash for the thrums though, not the white merino I used for the other two pairs. It' has gotten boring. I just hope I’ll have enough of the stuff.

-Cheers folks!

288. My Brights

I said I had purchased some Cascade 220 when I was back in Halifax, well here it is. Some wonderfully bright colors that will be wonderful for mittens. I’m planning on using some brighter roving for the thrums as well, the white merino is getting boring. Fine for one or two pairs of mittens, but I need a change. I’ve got a bunch of multicoloured roving that I got in a sampler pack from Etsy that I got a while back, which I never spun up. I guess it will go to use here.

-Cheers folks!

287. My Mail Call

I’ve always been a fan of retro. Anything in that styling is awesome. While I was perusing Etsy one day I came across this print. I instantly fell in love and had to have it. It’s a full sized poster, done by hand, and signed by the artist. I’ve got it pinned up on my wall with just the edges of the push pins holding it up, not actually going through the print itself. At some point in time I’d love to get a nice frame for it, but because of it’s size I think that would be fairly expensive. All in time I suppose.

-Cheers folks!

286. My Flight Home

No picture again. My phone died, so I didn’t have that to take pictures with on the plane, in any case, it was dark and there was nothing to see. Also, my camera was packed well down into my bag, so I couldn’t use that. Just imagine me on a plane. Boring as it is.

My flight leaving Halifax was delayed by an hour getting in from St.John’s, so it was over an hour late leaving Halifax. It did mean that I got an extra hour with my folks, and my nerves were eased because I didn’t want to think about being late (I’m a very punctual person and when it comes to doing things for the first time I like to be super early). Earlier in the day I went for lunch with mom over in Halifax, and then popped into my favourite LYS. I picked up some Cascade 220 for more mittens. A few bright colors and a natural as well. Here’s to more and more mittens. I’ve got two sets of cuffs done, now it’s just for the hands, and the thrums… all those thrums. Wonderful.

-Cheers folks!

285. My Turkey Day

No picture today at all. Not even one that I will be putting up later. Imagine a table surrounded by family, all filled with food. Turkey, dressing, potatoes, corn, carrots, broccoli, cranberries, fresh baked rolls, gravy. All the fixings. So tasty.

Happy Turkey Day. I hope you all had a wonderful feast with friends and family. And for those of you who celebrate Turkey Day later in the year, happy Monday. I hope you all had a good day. I'm filled to the brim with good food, I hope you all are too.

-Cheers folks!

284. My Party Time

Picture of a friend, whom I yet again, haven't seen in far too long.

We went down to the Tract of Land today to pack up some stuff and to apparently start the winterization process. It was a beautiful trip down the shore, and then on the way back we went up the Valley, which yet again was beautiful. We tried to stop by the yarn shop up that way, but it was closed. I had figured that, but I was still game to stop by. Then it was party time. Good friends, lots of talk, and some Wii. Rockband is fun. We have figured out that sometimes two people on the drums is a good thing. Especially when there might be a touch of drinking involved. It was fun though, an absolute ball. It's going to be tough to go back to Ottawa, but I've got committments there now. I've got to go back.

-Cheers folks!

283. My Bridge

No picture, imagine the Old Halifax bridge (MacDonald) from North Street in the evening.

Today was filled with lots of fun. Out with my Aunt, Uncle, and little cousin, visiting a friend I haven't seen in over a year, and then seeing a friend who I haven't seen since he left for two months in Europe. It was a full day, but a very fun day.

I'm feeling the pain of only bringing one project to work on. I finished the mittens, and now I've got nothing to work on. So I'm making cuffs. Not the full mittens because I don't have any fibre here for the thrums, but just the cuffs. I've got one pair of cuffs down, and I'm nearly done the first of a second set of kids mittens. Note to self, even if space is at a premium, bring a second project. Always.

-Cheers folks!

282. My Home Coming

no picture yet, I left my adapter back in Ottawa by mistake. Just imagine an arial view of Halifax from the plane with one of the props in the picture.

I'm home. I'm back in Halifax for the weekend and I couldn't be happier. The flight down was quick, and uneventful. There was cloud and fog for about 90% of it, so not even much in the way of scenery. That's okay though, the guy sitting next to me was a decent guy and we had a nice chat. Now I'm off to bed becayse 2 hours sleep in about 40 hours... even though I can function, I want sleep. In a nice bed. In my bed. In my room. I'm happy to be home.

-Cheers folks!

281. My Mittens Redux

Once again, no picture, camera is packed with picture on it.

I finished the Newfie mitten #1. I’m not sold. First off, I put the thumb up too high, didn’t do enough pattern repeats, and the gauge is very loose. They don’t fit me, but then again I have weird hands, my thumbs are long, as well as my fingers. Hopefully they’ll fit someone, just not me. I’m going to knit the other mitten, just because I know they’re not for me. If they were for me I wouldn’t do it. Not worth my time. I think I might make some kids thrummed mittens. They’re quicker to make, and smaller. Gotta love that.

I don’t plan on sleeping tonight, getting up at 3am to leave the house at 4am just wouldn’t happen, where as staying up till 3am is easy for me. I’ll just have a nap sometime tomorrow. Because I’m not sleeping, I’m hoping to get a bunch of knitting done. I’m also going to wind up some yarn and I’ll prepare a bunch of thrums so if I finish the Newfie mitten #2 while on my way back to Halifax, I can cast something else on. I had thought of packing the Garter Stitch sweater in my suitcase so I’ll have something else to knit while home, but I decided against it. Mittens. Mittens mittens mittens. That’s my focus right now. Everything else is on hold. I’ll finish things… eventually.

-Cheers folks!

280. My Mittens

No picture today, I already packed my camera and forgot to transfer the pictures. oops.

I finished the thrum mittens and love them. They’re so soft and yummy. I’m definitely going to make a million more pairs of them. I’ve got enough fibre to do so, I just need to stock up on some Cascade 220 to get a bunch of different colors. I think that I might use up a fair bit of my stash, but I don’t have much in the way of worsted that I’d have the yardage of to make a pair. I’ll most likely end up striping a bunch of pairs. I need more to sell, and I’ve cast on a pair of Newfie mittens. Let’s see how they turn out.

-Cheers folks!

279. My Night Out

First off, I was up and awake without an alarm at 8am this morning. It was weird. Normally I do wake up if the guys downstairs are loud getting ready in the morning, but then I just roll over and it’s right back to sleep. Not today for some reason. So I rearranged my room. I now have a lot more natural sunlight coming onto my bed, and what seems like more floor space. Then one of my roomies made crepes. They were tasty. I spent the afternoon finishing a Thrum mitten and getting well over halfway on the other one. My evening was taken up with a meeting at the Theatre for the Musical in December. Can I just say how excited I am. I even got the music script. all 200+ pages. Gwen is happy. Very happy to be back in the Theatre, and this time it’s a musical. Then I went to the mall to pick up a memory card for my phone so I could take some pictures with it and have a way to transfer them to my laptop. I came home, punched holes in my script to put it in a binder, and then it was off again. I went with my Crepe making roomie to The Royal Oak. It was open mic night. Everyone was good, but the dobro player was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Oh, and the Scotch was good too.

-Cheers folks!

278. My New Mitten

I cast on a new pair of mittens this afternoon. Thrummed mittens. I have decided that I’m going to try to get a booth at one of the local markets here to try to sell some knitwear. First thing I need: stuff to sell. I’m figuring that since I’m nearly halfway done the first mitten, and it’s been maybe 5 hours of work, I can crank out a pair of mittens easily in three or four days. Easily. I’ll also be making some traditional “Newfoundland Mittens”, those ones with the honey comb patterning. I’ll also do some beanies and maybe a few cowls. We’ll see. I guess It just has to be whatever strikes my fancy at the time.

-Cheers folks!

277. My Good Meal

Note: I didn’t take a picture on Sunday. Oops. So this is a photo from Monday, but still, 365, one post for every day.

Such a yummy supper. And once again, I’ll break down the cost:

Chicken: $4.22

Canned Potatoes: $1.29

Broccoli: $1.49

Montreal Steak Spice (barely any): $3.99

That’s it. A little bit of oil in the bottom of the pan to keep it from sticking, but that’s it to make a wonderfully tasty meal. And not just one: three. I might have to put a new page on my blog for all my random meals, cost breakdowns, and any recipes that I have. Anyone want that? Leave a comment to let me know if it’s worth my time.

-Cheers folks!

276. My Diet Dilemma

Apple, or Danish. That is the question. Guess who won. Ask my hips, they’re complaining already.

-Cheers folks!

275. My Design

I finished my single Kiila sock out of the Cheery Tree Hill that I had been working on, and I decided that instead of casting on the second sock, I would cast on some fingerless mitts. Because I couldn’t find a pattern that I really liked, and I’m still on an intricate cable kick, I used the chain link fence pattern from the Bayerische pattern. It’s going fairly well and quite quickly, my only concern is what I’m going to do for the thumb because I really have no idea. Time will tell I guess.

-Cheers folks!

274. My New Phone

For the last three months I have been here in Ottawa, with my Halifax phone. That means that I had a Nova Scotia number as well. It didn’t too much matter with me, but it did mean that when I gave my number to people they gave me funny looks as I said my area code. But today I went out, was looking at the Koodo booth, and decided that it was time. I was going to go for el-cheapo, but I thought better of it. I’ve had the baseline model for years now, always picking the free phone, and well, you get what you pay for. This time I picked the middle of the pack. It’s the LG Keybo. I love it. It’s taking some getting used to the QWERTY keyboard, but I’m getting there.

The outside is pretty cool too. You can text from just there, as well as make phone calls. But I tend to flip it open to the bigger screen and full keyboard. I really really love my phone already, and the plan that I’ve got is great too. We shall see how Koodo actually works for me, but the guy who sold me the phone was great, the plan is great, and I’m happy. Yay for me!

-Cheers folks!