Today's THE DAY!

The Professor did a big long thing about the CRTC Do Not Call List, and then my radio station jumped on the bandwagon, so I thought I'd better alert all the non-scientists and non-classical music enthusiasts to the latest GREATEST news! These are the facts and the links. DO IT!!! I'll bet the system will crash in a big way with all the influx. Really.

If you’re tired of those incessant calls from telemarketers, today is the day when the long-awaited Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) National Do Not Call List (DNCL) takes effect.

Up until now, each company had its own do-not-call list, and you had to register with each one.

However, with the DNCL you simply have to register your phone number in one place — a master list that telemarketers will be required to use. Bell Canada will be responsible for it. The DNCL also has a complaints process to make sure companies are following the rules.

Registration is free.

Once you register, your number will stay on the list for three years. Remember certain organizations are exempt from using the DNCL, including:

- Registered charities
- Political parties
- Market research firms
- Newspapers selling subscriptions
- and Companies you deal with.

There will be a designated toll-free number where you can send a fax to register your fax machine line.
To register - Call 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) from any phone number you want to register. Or register online at the National Do Not Call Listwebsite. You will be able to enter up to three numbers at one time.

The Latest Zoomer Reports: 08/09/29
Telemarketers

More Pears

I spent a great deal of time yesterday trying to track down a recipe that I had found years ago in Alexandria Virginia. We were at Sutton Market, which apparently doesn't exist any more and I got one of those recipe cards from a "Hay Market" display that was touting red wines...specifically pears poached in red wine. I remember this dish as being particularly delicious and this month in Canadian Living they have a recipe that sounds like it may approach my original tastes....Mulled Poached Pears

MULLED POACHED PEARS

3 cups dry red wine
1½ cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
6 Bartlett or Anjou pears

Spice Bag:
2 each slices ginger root and strips of lemon rind
2 cinnamon sticks, halved
½ tsp each peppercorns and whole cloves

Spice Bag: In cheesecloth square, tie together ginger, lemon rind, cinnamon, peppercorns and cloves.

In large deep saucepan, bring wine, water, sugar, lemon juice and spice bag to boil over medium heat. heat to low; simmer for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel pears, leaving stems intact. Using melon baller and working from bottom, remove core. Add pears to wine mixture. Cover with parchment-paper circle and lid; simmer, basting occasionally,until tender but still firm, 15 to 25 minutes. Remove pears to shallow dish. Discard spice bag.

Boil remaining liquid over medium-high heat until about ¾ cup, 25 minutes. Pour over pears. Refrigerate until chilled 4 hours. (Make-ahead Refrigerate for up to 8 hours). Makes 6 servings.

[Canadian Living October 2008]

Poires Belle-Hélène

In a phone conversation last night I happened to mention to Dana that I had decided to make Poires Belle-Hélène for dessert. She had not heard of combining pears with chocolate and was wondering what that might be like. I bought a flat of pears last week at Costco and inevitably pears ripen way faster than you can ever consume them.

"Beautiful Helen pears" were invented in Paris in the 19th century and were named after an opera by Offenbach. What a romantic introduction for this French dessert par excellence, a true classic"

This seemed like a great idea when I was in Michaelangeolo's and came across a jar of "Tipsy Chocolate and Cappuccino Liqueur Dessert Sauce", by Sable and Rosenfeld.

My pears were room temperature and ready to be eaten. I simple peeled them, and drizzled with this excellent chocolate sauce et voila! Hold the ice cream, hold the almond cookies....I'll get some of that for tomorrow nights' dinner!

For Dana and all those of you who may want a little more traditional recipe, check out this one

[photo and quote "My French Cuisine"]

To Whom it May Concern

It's that time of year again. The new t.v. shows are starting again, school is in session and charities are back in the swing of canvasing.

I'm not sure if I approve of preprinted address labels, sent to me hoping that I would make a donation to their organizations.

I always feel guilty about using the labels, unless I donate to the cause. I suppose I get them because I may have donated in the past.

My frustration is that these charitable groups are producing the literature and "gifts" and sending them out using costly postage. Wouldn't that money be better spent on the groups immediate needs?

I know lots of people who are worried about where their donation money actually goes and fear that what they assume is to be used towards research to combat the usual offenders cancer, heart disease, arthritis etc. etc. is actually being spent doing this sort of 'awareness advertising'.


Others say they use the free labels, arguably feeling badly about doing so, but rationalize that since they are already printed and sent, they'd feel worse if they threw them out! Some I know have absolutely no problem using up an item that they neither asked for or promised any donation to. No guilt here at all.

The latest round of guilt inducing stick-ons arrived with my name spelled incorrectly. Mr. Leslie Jane Moran would be just too weird to keep...so they get thrown out immediately, and I didn't obsess about that at all. In fact, it's sort of insulting isn't it? Particularly when it was the hospital where you had a colonoscopy done begging for funds. I'd like to think they had my name correct!!


How do I not respond to War Amps Key tags?? My Dad always had a key tag.

If it's not labels arriving in the mail, it's things like the Royal Ontario Museum, The Art Gallery of Ontario, TVO, and many of the other places to which I belong and to which I pay a membership fee, wanting me to donate MORE! These are generally via the unsolicited telephone call which invariably comes through when I'm watching Coronation Street!

My stock answer now is that I donate my budgeted funds to one charity each year and that's that. For many years I have donated generously to the Canadian Cancer Society, and via my brother's rides, to Multiple Sclerosis. They have not sent me stickers.


"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."
-- Mother Teresa

Chick Flicks

This past weekend I watched three chick flicks. Nothing else seemed to appeal to me on the Video shelves. If you can get through the first twenty minutes or so of Miss Pettigrew, it does turn out to be a fun, vapid little movie that entertains. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 78%.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day




Made of Honor got terrible reviews and is admittedly a bit of a formulaic, definite chick flick, but it was cute enough. Sometimes I wonder if the reviews are done by men.

Made of Honor



Then She Found Me

Produced and starred in by Helen Hunt, this is a smart, wry little movie. The cast intrigued me and I think I can say....this is a good movie...not sure what the "formal reviews" were..probably another chick flick. YAY!!

Women in the Wilderness

It all started when Ingrid announced that she was going "hikin'" in the mountains for her 50th. birthday. "Not without me, said I!"

It was July, 1998....10 years ago, the year of celebrating our 50th. birthdays. Thank goodness Ingrid had this brainwave then and not on our 60th. Ingrid's niece, Helen Rolfe was involved with Golden Alpine Holidays and was starting up a program called "Women in the Wilderness". This involved being helicoptered up into the Esplanade range of the Selkirk mountains in British Columbia, and hiking from lodge to lodge, 15 pound packs on our backs, in the backcountry for 5 days.

Lake Kinbasket awaiting air lift
We started our "training" run in Lake Louise where the elevation 5,000 ft. is a mile higher than that of Toronto. We were to hike up to Lake Agnes another 2,000 ft. The incentive was the Tea Room at the top, which we heard, from more "acclimated" sightseers [read: children in flip flops, and obvious locals used to this altitude], was serving marvelous tuna salad sandwiches and apricot tea. Gasping as we were, we needed no other encouragement. 7,000 ft. was where we would start from once we hit the real trek.

At 8,000 feet you are above the tree line and walking in a lot of rocky scree and boulders. Mountain goat territory!

When it got hot or buggy you could jump in a lake....or NOT. Some intrepid people can actually jump into ice water and still breathe! Others are required to take the photos :)

Our two guides, Helen Rolfe and Alison Dakin. This is what it was all about. Being on top of the world. The views are stunning and aside from being breathless from the climb, high altitude and thin air, there is something humbling and quietening about these vistas.



The sun sets on a perfect alpine meadow and a huge adventure.



It took longer than normal for this post to appear as I have had to rip apart a scrapbook whose glue has had 10 years to cure and cement itself to the pages!! Sorry Barb...I'm putting it all back now. The complete video version is available on request:)

"The Wild Colours" Photo by paul Gilbert

Women Explorers

My friend Margaret Rolfe popped in yesterday with a very special birthday gift. Ten years ago, we were participants in Golden Alpine Holidays "Women in the Wilderness", a trek in the Esplande Mountain range in Golden, British Columbia. Helicopter access only!!

We hiked, did high ridge walks, plunged into crystal clear glacier-fed alpine lakes (well, some of us did)...enjoyed abundant wildflowers and heather meadows. We stayed in rustic lodges with home cooked meals and programs developed for women by women.

One of the women in charge was Helen Rolfe, Marg's daughter. Helen has since had two children and now lives in Canmore. She has also written a book which is included in the school curriculum in Alberta. I am now the proud owner of one of these books!

Canadian women have been conquering mountains for more than 100 years. The early pioneers set the standard for the women who followed. This group of extraordinary women include the founder of the Alpine Club of Canada and the first North American woman to summit Everest. These women were all strong and determined, and shared a love of adventure.

Tomorrow I will post on our adventure in the mountains.

The Pile on the Stairs

I have a bad habit of collecting books that I fully intend to read. It's like a lot of things that I collect. Indeed, there may never be enough time in ones life to complete all the "collections" that I'm mad about.

I've taken to piling books on the stairs, this way I am reminded of all the reading I have to do. You can click on the image to see the titles. Don't hesitate to record your book reviews in the comments.


The latest one is by Miriam Toews. "The Flying Troutmans"...the one with the glossy cover that reflects the camera flash. Sorry. [I'm just firing things off, not obsessing about correct format!]

I see that Oprah has a new book club selection out....sounds like a great read! Are we all on the same page? I think I'm once again in a place where I can read more than magazine articles in one sitting. I'm still in India in "Shantaram" which means man of peace

"I don't know if they found that name in the heart of the man they believed me to be, or if they planted it there, like a wishing tree, to bloom and grow. Whatever the case, whether they discovered that peace or created it, the truth is that the man I am was born in those moments, as I stood near the flood sticks with my face lifted to the chrismal rain. Shantaram. The better man that, slowly, and much too late, I began to be."

...Dana has been back for many months, but I linger in Bombay.

"'No, no, you do not understand. You must be careful, here, with the real affection of those you meet. This is not like any other place. This is India. Everyone who comes here falls in love - most of us fall in love many times over. And the Indians, they love most of all. Your little friend may be beginning to love you. There is nothing strange in this. I say it from a long experience of this country and especially of this city. It happens often, and easily, for the Indians. That is how they manage to live together, a billion of them, in reasonable peace. They are not perfect, of course. They know how to fight and lie and cheat each other, and all the things that all of us do. But more than any other people in the world, the Indians know how to love one another.'"

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Suffrage

I received an interesting email today. I have not checked the facts, but it sounds plausible. Even though this pertains to the US suffragette movement, it is relevant to all women everywhere. I hope it will encourage all of us, men and women of the current voting generation whether in the US or Canada to get out there and cast our ballots in the upcoming elections.

Text and pictures are copied from the email:

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.


Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

(Lucy Burns)

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping
for air.
(Dora Lewis)

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

(Alice Paul)

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege.Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said.
'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.

We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Remember to vote.

P.S. In Canada the women of Manitoba got the right to vote in 1916 thanks to the efforts of Nellie McClung and her colleagues. The rest of Canadian women were allowed to vote in federal elections when the Women's Franchise Act was passed in 1918. However, it was not until 1940 that the women of Quebec got the right to vote in provincial elections - the last province to accord them this right of suffrage.

(Nellie McClung)
Nellie McClung

Knitting Sources

Last week I was searching all over for some special wool. I thought I had to comb the streets of the Big Smoke to come up with my exotic fibres.

Much to my delight, I found a fabulous knitting shop in my own backyard. In Port Credit you can find Linda's Craftiqueat 275 Lakeshore Rd. East, Mississauga (A couple of blocks east of HWY 10 and Lakeshore).

This is a real find, let me tell you. Linda, who you see pictured, is not only the fastest knitter on the planet, but she really knows her yarn!!! She loves natural fibres and stocks an amazing array of inventory. If you ever need any knitting supplies...she's got it - or can make an educated substitution which is sure to please.

I'm into supporting local shops and they are becoming few and far between. I purchased my supplies in Chautauqua this summer and after phoning dozens of shops could NOT find the wool I wanted. Linda not only had the wool, but a sample of the shawl I knit in her window. Great find.

If I'd a known you were comin' I'd a

Baked this cake!

The picture is a little "tipsy" how appropriate for this cake! I'm not about to go in and fix things up in photoshop. How bizarre, maybe I am getting there :)

Here is my favourite recipe from my 1973 Good Housekeeping torn out magazine pages.

Quick Rum Cake à la Maison
1 package yellow-cake mix for 2-layer cake
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup light rum (or more if you want!)
Whipped-Cream Frosting (recipe follows)
Rich Chocolate Frosting (recipe follows)
1 1/2 cup chopped California Walnuts

Day before serving:
Prepare cake mix as label directs for two 9-inch round cake pans but fold grated orange peel into batter; bake and cool.

With long sharp knife, cut layers in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Sprinkle each layer with 2 tablespoons rum. Pace first layer on cake plate, cut side up. Spread with one-third of whipped-Cream Frosting. Repeat with 2 more layers. Top with last layer, top side up.

With Rich Chocolate Frosting, frost sides and top. Sprinkle nuts around sides of cake. Refrigerate overnight. Makes 12 servings.

Whipped-Cream Frosting

2 cups heavy or whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

In small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat cream with sugar andsalt until stiff peaks form; fold in vanilla. Keep frosted cake refrigerated until serving time. Fills and frosts 2-layer cake; frosts tube cake.

Rich Chocolate Frosting [I have come to use only half of this frosting]

6 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted [this makes a very "unsweet" Euoropean-type topping- you can also use semi-sweetened chocolate - a little milder taste.]
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

In medium bowl, with mixer at low speed, (or with spoon), beat chocolate with sugar and 3 tablespoons hot water until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add butter or margarine; beat until smooth. fills and frosts 2-layer cake; frosts tube cake, 13" by 9" cake, 2 dozen cupcakes.

This is a real oldie that I remember my parents singing ....only if you want to hear it...Eileen Barton sings "If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake"

Reading the Fine Print

Years ago, I saw an article in a Victoria Magazine article on Sara Midda. She is such an interesting illustrator. At the time, I tracked down her book somewhere in the USA. The size of her miniature artwork is astonishing. I do hope you can find this book to have a look at it. I did not realize she had a second edition. I'll be tracking it down with my magnifying glass!

SUZANNE SLESIN of The New York Times in an article
Published: April 9, 1989 writes:

''If anyone asks if I was born with a paintbrush in my hand,'' said Sara Midda, an illustrator, author and designer, ''I say, 'Maybe not exactly,' but I have been drawing since my earliest recollection and certainly since I was 2 years old.''

Born in Brighton, England, Ms. Midda, who is 37, lives in London and is still drawing, drawing, drawing. But it was in her first book, ''In and Out of the Garden'' published in 1981 by Workman Publishing, where her incredibly detailed and lyrical style made a big impact.

''That was when I started drawing so little,'' she said of the book of intricate work. Her technique employed minute lettering as an integral element of the design. ''I had so much information to get into the format,'' she said.

Mitsukoshi, the giant Japanese department store chain, soon discovered the appeal of Ms. Midda's sensitively drawn and thoughtful bits of old-fashioned lore about gardening, fruits and vegetables. Now her work appears on more than 500 products sold in the store. Now working on a new book for Workman, titled ''A Sketchbook From the South of France,'' to be published in February, she sees her drawings as being ''a millimeter larger, and I hope looser.''

How does she come up with the hundreds of ideas that get translated into her art? ''One thing sparks off another,'' Ms. Midda said. ''Mostly I absorb what's around, mostly everyday things.'' That can include, she added, ''going to a market or a stationery shop, or just sitting in a garden. You can get ideas from anything.''

[found via "Vic" http://lost.net.au/vic/?p=122]

Attention to Details

This is the time of year when I have to pay attention to details. The cars need to be registered again for license plate stickers and this year my passport expired.

There is a new format for "renewing" your Canadian passport. It's so much less complicated these days. You can print and download the completed forms on line, get two photos done...I chose Black's and had the latest ones done in black and white, thereby covering a myriad of flaws. If you are renewing, you just have to name two people (not relatives) no guarantor business now. You don't even have to have the pictures signed if you've had them done where the shop stamps the date taken on the back.

I had my pictures done, filled in the forms, went to the passport office in Mississauga and waited about forty minutes all tolled ...they say the passport will be in the mail in 3 weeks, but reliable sources have told me that it's usually much sooner. DONE.

I'll be foot loose and fancy free to travel again for another 5 years - in a couple of weeks. Don't forget to renew!!! Lots of countries are only allowing you in if your passport has 6 months or more valid date.

Defining ART

New Baby

In honour of Benjamin Joseph, born September 12, 2008

This picture on my flip calendar from the National Gallery of Art appeared on September 12. I love this picture by Klimt [Baby (Cradle)1917/1918]. The significance became clear when we got the phone call from dear friends about the birth of their new grandson.

It's a baby boy, all that blue...congratulations to the new little family.

CUPCAKES

Still on the subject of cupcakes, I have come across an interesting old friend.

Catherine Holman is a folk artist that I used to follow in the days when I was painting. I even took a course from her, and really enjoyed her style. Since I have not been as involved in this pursuit, I'd lost track of where all these talented people have gone.

To my surprise, I found that Catherinehas her own blog!!! She is also featuring a new line of paintings 'cupcakes' on her etsy site. This is another blogger that uses the music widget that I've been thinking about, I like hearing what others are listening to....do you???

Funny how when you get focused on something, it pops up all over the place. Susan Williamson had a fun post yesterday on artists and sweets.......I knew there had to be some connection!!

There are entire blogs dedicated to my addiciton... This onewas linked to the picture I captured.

Seeing Catherine's blog makes me want to paint something again. I'm going to spend the weekend cleaning up the house and dragging out a couple of projects. I think I'll try and get at a certain papier-mâché pumpkin ....Catherine's place is getting decorated for the holidays and it reminds me of this favourite piece that I gave away and now lives in Connecticut. Aren't her chalkboard doors great!!??

I think the Christmas tree skirt I have tucked away is Catherine's design as well. A good quiet project to start back with.

Irene! If you're not too busy with the upcoming election ............

Cake Day

This is so funny!!

When I was asked by people what I planned to do on my birthday, I said "A cake and a fork would be a good idea!" Totally unaware of my decision, my friend Ingrid, came by with this card. It's even funnier because she was a day early with the card and a cheerful bouquet of sunflowers. Thanks "Ing".....you made my DAYS.

Later in the afternoon, convinced that the cakes would be "rolling" in today, and in a valiant effort to be first......Jilly dropped by with two cupcakes from a cupcake shop in Streetsville !!! How this establishment has escaped my knowledge is totally perplexing...Jill was delighted to be the one to initiate me to one of the finer purveyors of our little community. How could I not have known???? "Swirls"
She chose a "Red Velvet" and a "Raspberry Beret"!! Oh My Goodness

Now there's a HUGE problem. I am devoted to Dufflet, the undisputed Queen of Cakes!! What's a girl to do???

In an effort to be totally fair, I have decided to start the day by a destination fact finding mission to Swirls, and then swing by Longo's and pick up a Dufflet. I know I can do this.

Those in the know realize that "EAT CAKE" is my favourite birthday motto and I'm sticking to it!

P.S. If you DO drop by, for heaven's sake bring your own fork!

[Photo credits: Pigment Productions, Swirls, Dufflet]

Thank You

Natalie Merchant says it for me......

To all of you who have been so supportive in these difficult times, indeed when life feels a little like a circus ...you know who you are....




You can enjoy more of Natalie ...by clicking here

Christmas Knitting

I love knitting kits. This way, you get the amount of wool that you need and the pattern instructions...just add needles and you have....in this case - a Christmas Stocking.

Judy's Colors
Years and years ago....40 to be exact, I knit the Professor and I Christmas stockings. They were big. We decided that we loved stocking surprises so much that we'd rather have them than other gifts. Not to mention that we were graduate students and it was all we could do just to stuff a stocking, let alone a turkey! Nowadays, the stocking-stuffers cost more than some very elaborate gifts, so there may be more than the one traditional orange and a few nuts in the toe from now on, or a revamp in our thinking.

In my home, as a child, we had a small version of Christmas stockings. They were red flannelet and had our names emblazoned in red on the white turn-over cuff. When little brother came along, big brother had already left the nest, and in her inimitable frugal way, my Mum crossed out big brother's name and wrote little brother's name in by hand. I don't think it ever donned on little brother what had actually happened until years later when it came time to clear out the familial house and the old Christmas stockings were discovered. This is another of those unforgettable family trauma's that make us laugh until we cry...unless of course you're little brother and get mad and throw out the stocking! This is his Betsy Wetsy affliction :)

As our family has increased, so has the pile of knit stockings. You can never have enough of these festive decorations.


Another great Chautauqua find.

[Judy's Colors photos and kits]

The Oblique Shawl

These are views of the project I am currently working on.

Oblique: Having a slanting position or direction; neither perpendicular nor horizontal; not level or upright; inclined.

Isn't that a perfect knitting description??? This way if things get a little crooked, you just say..."well, after all, it IS an Oblique Shawl!!

I am using "Invernal" wool which is 50% angora, 25% merino wool and 25% polyamide. It's hard to describe when you are telling someone on the phone about the little kangaroo-pouch-pass through that secures the front. I hope picture clears up any confusion :) I am knitting this in a neutral green shade, and hoping it turns out to be as ample on me as it is on the skinny model!

[Credits: Oblique Shawl by Dina Mor
Season's Change Pattern Book]

Knitting

Knitty.com
I've gotten back into knitting this summer. It's one of those things you can do with your hands when you are as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. This activity starts at Chautauqua each year where there are many inspiring ideas by equally wonderful knitters. I have handed in my "Peace Shawl" and it is on it's way to some war torn country, where women have so little.

I am currently working on a shawl while watching the US OPEN tennis. I love the rhythm of the needles and the court play.

Click on the link to "Knitty" and see if there is something you might like to start! This is an amazing site with free patterns. I saw these gloves in a shop at Chautauqua and will give them a try. I am going on a hunt for wool in "The City", I'll let you know soon of my sources for this delicious yarn.

[Photo from Knitty.com Wendy Niamath]