Two Wooden Sticks and a Ball of Wool

Donate to the Red Dress!

Annie Modesitt is an amazing and innovative designer.  She is a phenomenal knitter.  I have taken her classes and can say from experience that she is generous, gifted, organized, funny and entertaining.  I truly believe she has revolutionized knitting with her style of knitting and the designs she creates.  She is humble, independent and self-effacing.

Annie's husband Gerry has been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.  It is a terminal disease.  One of my best friends Julie, died from this disease on December 28, 2004, leaving behind a 6 year old and an 8 year old.  Annie and Gerry have two children, 9 years and 10 years.  Gerry has been given 2 years - it could be more, it could be significantly less. 

Annie is now the sole bread winner.  I am fortunate enough to live in a country where, regardless of your socio-economic status or particular situation, everyone is entitled to the same level/quality of health care.  While I realize there are some flaws in this system, I know that there are treatments that would be available to me regardless of whether I could pay for them or not.  Gerry is set to have a stem cell transplant in August.  This costs money. Lots of money.  If I could, I would send Annie enough money so she wouldn't have to be on the road all the time making money to support her family and take care of the medical costs inherent with Gerry's illness.  She should be able to stay at home and take care of him.

Reluctantly and at the urgings of others Annie has set up a donation fund to help cover the costs of her husband's treatment.  I don't think she feels comfortable about this.  In order to ease some of her discomfort, she has offered to sell the pattern to her red carpet dress.  It is amazing.  And so is Annie. 

And while I completely understand her discomfort, I am thrilled I can help in some way. 

I say compassion is an under valued commodity in our world today.   Compassion and generosity are abundant in our community.  We have seen it in so many various causes that have swept blogland.

So. I have donated.  Much more than the suggested $4.50.  I will donate again.  I want you to donate.  I want you to put the button on your blog and write about it (particularly those of you with large readerships - use it to help Annie).  I want us to use the power of our community to help one of our own.  Please help. 

The button and link are on my sidebar.  Thank you.

Sunday Sock Summary

There has been some knitting over here at chez Two Wooden Sticks (the irony of my blog name always makes me laugh - my preferred method of knitting is usually Addi Turbos). 

Today is a summary of my current sock knitting.  Rhonda, Miss Scarlett and I started a wee mini KAL of the Math Whiz socks.  I got mine started yesterday and of course I am doing them top up (no shocker there).  The pattern is wonderful; intuitive and simple to follow, and, best of all, the same from top to bottom as bottom to top.  The colourway is Water from Cherry Tree Hill and I am positively ecstactic about how they look so far.

I had started a pair of Merino Lace Socks by Anne Woodbury from Ann Budd's Favorite Socks (love this book!) prior to deciding to start the Math Whiz socks.  This pattern is very easy and moves along quite quickly.  The yarn is STR's Midsummer Night.  The striping is lovely and I think it compliments the pattern well.

A closeup of the pattern.  Obviously it is hard to see the lacy part without some stretching.

Lastly, for your viewing pleasure, are the Two Patterned (Basket Weave Rib and Wave and Shield - i got my pattern for the Wave and Shield from Barbara G. Walker, ), Two Colour Socks ( STR's Jasper and Farmhouse) I started and posted about here , and had contemplated using as my socks for Margene in the Bloomin' Feet swap.  I ended up sending Margene another pair of socks and although the pressure is off, I am almost finished these.

The finished one with more pattern detail showing. I did make them a bit longer than I usually wear as I wanted to get enough of each pattern and colour in the sock.  I have tried it and it looks fabulous!

Some heel detail. I am really happy with the blending of the patterns.  I know there are those who may not like the combination of the two colours but I really quite like them and love the look.  They are definitely eclectic.

I am quite pleased with the socks so far and I am looking forward to seeing these finished!  They will make a great fall and winter wear.....

The Green Meme....

I have seen this meme around and I feel very inspired to write down what we are doing for the green (reduce, reuse, recycle) movement. 

We are very fortunate to have one of the most comprehensive recycling programs in our province (since we moved here 11 years ago) which has been excellent for us. 

Living in the country has also been an excellent experience and education with respect to the natural cycles of life and how important green space really is.

1.We compost all veggie, fruit, yarn, etc. scraps.

2.We have digestors for meat, bones, and other non-compostable food items.  I couldn't find an appropriate link but it is this large cone shaped container that is dug into the ground where non-compostable scraps, pet feces and the like can be put to digest/compost more slowly.

3.We use only all natural bio-degradable hygiene, washing and cleaning products.  Ed only uses cold water when doing the laundry and he uses this great product line called Bio-Vert. He swears by it (and he is one picky laundry man), it is very economical and it is great for the environment!

4.We use ceiling fans throughout the house and have one room air conditioner in our bedroom which is only used on really hot, humid nights.

5.We use energy efficient lightbulbs and have energy efficient appliances.  We turn off lights (I totally hate the hydro bill so there is additional incentive!) and have lowered the temperature of our water heater (which is new and well-insulated).  Even though we live off a well and a septic system we work from a water conservation point of view.

6.On the advice of Carole I went and checked out Green Dimes....and joined (the Canadian version of course)!  It is only $36.00/Cdn a year and it is totally worth the two or three skeins of sock yarn I am not going to be able to buy...they stop junk mail and plant a tree each month as well - that is pretty good value for your money and not a huge sacrifice. Thank you Carole!

7.Warkworth has a huge garage sale every year in June (called the Donnybrook) where people are encouraged to bring in their unloved 'junk'  which is sold and the proceeds are used by the Warkworth Community Service Club for local children.  It is an amazing event and the volunteer brigrade is phenomenal.

8.We really don't eat junk food but we limit our use of drive thru's (i.e., Tim Horton's) and their bevy of disposable containers. 

9.We have cloth bags and bins for shopping.

10. We try to buy (and grow) organic as much as possible.  Not only is it better for your health but organic means sustainable farming, less stress on the earth from pesticides and chemicals and a healthier environment.

Our biggest sin is probably the use of our cars.  Because we live in the country everything is a distance so we try to multi-task projects and errands and we are looking into Carbon Credit programs to offset our vehicle use. 

We are also looking into having Geothermal heating installed in our house. 

I never feel that I can pat myself on the back for what I really should be doing anyway...living consciously, respecting the earth I walk on and knowing that the incredible gift we have been given shouldn't be taken for granted. 

Every little bit helps and we strive every day to do what we can for those who will be here long after us.

It's not knitting....but it DID get finished!

To say that we are foodies is a bit of an understatement.  The hardy boys (haha) Ed and Nick love their grub.  We are particular eaters; I have always been a conscious eater and being sick has made me even more dogmatic about what I put in my mouth. 

Lately we - when I say 'we' I mean Ed and myself; Nick eats and eats but cares less about the preparation - he used to but it appears he is too busy being an adolescent these days to bother with that (or a bunch of other things for that matter.....) - have been really focused on simple.  I am on an anti-condiment kick - getting rid of the sugar, the additives and all the extra junk.

So I made this supper salad.  I admit that most of the idea for the supper came from here, with a few modifications (you know, what we had on hand).  The whole thing was pretty easy. 

I marinated large shrimp and scampi (Ed says that in Jamaica they would be crawfish which are different than crayfish but hey I was raised to think of them as scampi) in chopped garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. I cooked Orzo pasta (normally don't do the white pasta thing but I have never seen whole wheat Orzo) in chicken broth.  Zucchini, orange and red peppers were slightly grilled and sliced.  The shrimp/scampi were grilled and then the whole thing was assembled.  The Orzo was drained and poured into the bowl.  On top of the Orzo I put several handfuls of Mache, the sliced grilled veggies, chopped fresh dill and parsley, black pepper to taste, some olive oil (really good organic first cold pressed...), one squeezed lemon and one squeezed orange.  Toss and serve.  Simple and oh so good. 

Nick and Ed managed to leave a bit for the next day which tasted just as good as the night before.  I think we will continue the fresh and simple trend for a while....

la la Lavoisier...

I have started a new sweater for Ed.  Lavoisier from Alice Starmore.  I have to say I am in love.  Love the pattern, love the twists and cables, love the yarn, LOVE everything.  The yarn is Hebridian 3 Ply which is used double stranded throughout.  It is a joy to knit with.  Glorious actually.  The yarn is springy and substantial and just feels so wonderful in my hands and my lap. 

The colour is Sea Ivory and I am in love with the heathery olive texture (the colour more accurate above - it is a skillfully and subtle colour blend).  The picot edging is really nice and I am enjoying the 'development' of the pattern; there is a 9 row border and then a 16 row starting pattern which flows into a 40 row main pattern.  It is just so lovely.  I can't wait to get this baby finished.

Now, sweaters aside, Rhonda and I have spontaneously decided to do a mini KAL with the Math Whiz socks designed by Anne of Knitspot.  Rhonda has already posted her yarn (the yummily scrumptous Grandma's Blueberry Pie from Sophie's Toes), so I figured I better decide on a yarn.  The colour choice is unusual for me.  It is Water by Cherry Tree Hill.

While I am not one normally drawn to greens, I think this would make a fabulous choice for Math Whiz (what do you think Rhonda?). 

BTW, Rhonda works at M.I.T., which gives her a seriously qualified math whiz type personality; my only claim to fame is winning the Math Award in Grade 12 (and gee knowing what a math wizard I am now - NOT- I have NO idea how I pulled that one off).  The prize was interesting - a book named The Ape Within Us - seriously (I am still not sure what the connection was there!). 

Anyhoo, we have decided to start the socks next Friday, June 15.  So, if you think you have the math whiz skills (LOL) and if you want to join in let me or Rhonda know - we are happy to have more math whizzes whizzing along!

Movin' Along.....

Okay..... so I have moved.....here. I do hope you come over and visit. And maybe even stay!

Seven Random Things in a New Place

So I have a new home.  I have to give a ton of thanks to Amanda who helped me immensely with the conversion.  I hope you like it.  I am still getting used to Typepad but I have to say it is much easier and more intuitive than Blogger.  Now I just have to get my old posts transferred and I am golden.

Susan tagged me with the seven random things oh, about two weeks ago and I am finally getting around to it - woohoo!

So, in no particular order here they are:

1. When I was a teenager I had a pet snake.  A rainbow cobra.  I loved my snake.  I also had a couple of budgies and two cockatiels along the way...now just dogs and one cat.
2. I have my name on a plaque at York University in Bethune College for "Outstanding Contribution to College Life."  I think I got it in 1994 or 1995 but I don't usually think about it.  Once when I came to a Children's Aid Society for a meeting and announced my name to the receptionist, a woman across the office yelled out,"I recognize you - you're on a plaque at Bethune!"  I wanted to sink beneath the floor.
3. I ruptured my left achilles tendon playing squash while at York.  When the Doctor at emerg (the second emerg because the first one told me I had sprained my ankle) told me I would require immediate surgery I laughed at him....I guess he got the last laugh because I was on crutches, after the surgery, for about 4 months.
4. One of the peak experiences of my life was horseback riding in the mountains at Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta.  I can still see, smell and hear it in my head.
5. For about 7 years after getting sick I couldn't read a knitting pattern.  It was all just gobblyguck.  Sometimes it still is.  Ditto on reading manuals (and everything these days comes with a 150 page manual - crap!).
6. When I first went to SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) where I majored in Printmaking and Textiles (weaving), I decided that I would instead go to University to become a Medical Illustrator...until I took my first course with cadavers at the University of Toronto.  Between the smell of formaldahyde and the way the other students treated the bodies I had to quit.  I also stopped eating turkey (I was already not eating red meat).
7. When I was a teenager I had a great gig doing catering for locals in the Winnipeg area.  I was also approached by two local galleries asking to exhibit my artwork.

I hope you find the list interesting and I know there is nothing there I have ever shared before.  Great way to start my new blog.  Keep posted though because I have a great contest coming up.....I promise it won't be weeks before I post it.

And I will end with a picture of the Travelling Vine socks I knit for Margene for the Bloomin' Feet swap.  Thanks for visiting!

And, please if you can, go check out Kirsty.  She is looking for support for her half-marathon to raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma.  Thanks!