Sunday 31 January 2021

Knitted cocoon and baby beanie

I knitted a cocoon and baby beanie for Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine's baby, who is due in a couple months.

I used Bernat Blanket Yarn (Faded Blues), the same yarn as the blanket I'd made for the baby for Christmas, and 6.5mm circular needles.


Cocoon

Cast on 56 stitches.
  • Knit four rows
  • Knit four rows of K1 P1
  • Knit for 13.5 inches
  • Knit 3, *sl2 K1 p2sso K6* 5 times, sl2, K1, p2sso, K3
  • Knit
  • Knit 2, *sl2 K1 p2sso K4* 5 times, sl2, K1, p2sso, K2
  • Knit
  • Knit 1, *sl2 K1 p2sso K2* 5 times, sl2, K1, p2sso, K1
  • Knit *2 together* to the end
  • Bind off and weave in the ends

Beanie

Cast on 30 stitches.
  • Purl one row
  • Knit one row
  • Purl one row
  • Knit until the length is 3 inches from the beginning (row 1).
  • Knit 1, *sl2 K1 p2sso K2* 5 times, sl2, K1, p2sso, K1
  • Knit
  • *sl2 K1 p2sso* 6 times
  • Bind off and weave in the ends

Saturday 30 January 2021

Book ~ "A Crime of Passion Fruit" (2017) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionary cafe to royal pastry palace. 

Meanwhile, Jules's estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come aboard his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carlos but Jules can't resist an all-expense-paid trip, either. If only she knew that a dead body would find its way onto the itinerary.

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world.  She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school.  She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that.  She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret.  With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out.  It's been almost a year and she now happily shares ownership of Torte with her mother, Helen. 

Torte is undergoing renovations ... Jules and Helen are expanding to the basement and there is a lot of work to be done as it's been a while since the space had been used.  Just as the work is about to start, Jules gets a call from Carlos asking her if she can fill in on for a few days on the cruise ship he's on until the new pastry chef can start.  He sweetens the deal by inviting Helen and Helen's beau, Doug, to come along and stay on the cruise for free for a vacation they both need.  How can Jules say no?

The cruise has barely begun when Jules finds a young woman dead in the pool.  No one knows who she is and the captain asks Doug, who is a police detective in Ashland, to investigate.

And in the meantime, Jules comes to terms with what she wants to do with her life.  Step back into her old life and be with Carlos or go back to Ashland to the life she's come to love?

This is the sixth in the Bakeshop Mystery series and I liked it.  I've been reading the books in this series and have read all in this author's Sloan Krause Series.  This book works as a stand alone ... there is enough information provided.  It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice.   It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity (Helen and Doug , who have been dating for a year or so and are in their 50s, have their own staterooms, though they do have a connecting door). There are recipes at the end.  I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Friday 29 January 2021

Knitted baby beanie

Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine are having a baby who is due in a couple months.  I knitted another baby beanie tonight.


I used 4 ply yarn and 3.75mm double pointed needles and cast on 64 stitches.
  • Row 1 - Purl
  • Row 2 - Knit
  • Row 3 - Purl
  • Row 4 - Knit
  • Row 5 - Purl
  • Row 6 - Knit

Knit until the length is 3 inches from the beginning (row 1).

Decrease:
  • Row 1: *K6, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 2: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 3: *K5, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 5: *K4, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 6: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 7: *K3, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches 
  • Rou 9: *K2, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 10: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 11: *K1, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 12: Knit all stitches
  • Row 13: *K2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Knit the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight.  Weave end inside.

Levetto, Toronto, ON (Sudbury Street)

Gord picked up some lunch today from Levetto, which is in our 'hood (at Dovercourt/Queen W). 

We both ordered large pizzas so we'd have leftovers for supper ... and they were delicious!


Gord got his usual Affumicato pizza ...


And I got my usual I got a Pepperoni Italian pizza ...


For a treat, we split a piece of Chocolate Fondant Cake and Torta Della Nona cake. Yum!


The chocolates were a nice surprise ...

Wednesday 27 January 2021

Knitted baby beanies

Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine are having a baby who is due in a couple months.  I knitted another baby beanie tonight.


I used 4 ply yarn and 3.75mm double pointed needles and cast on 64 stitches.
  • Row 1 - Purl
  • Row 2 - Knit
  • Row 3 - Purl
  • Row 4 - Knit
  • Row 5 - Purl
  • Row 6 - Knit

Knit until the length is 3 inches from the beginning (row 1).

Decrease:
  • Row 1: *K6, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 2: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 3: *K5, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 5: *K4, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 6: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 7: *K3, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches 
  • Rou 9: *K2, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 10: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 11: *K1, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 12: Knit all stitches
  • Row 13: *K2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Knit the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight.  Weave end inside.

Here are the baby beanies I made this week:

Tuesday 26 January 2021

Book ~ "Downfall" (2021) Robert Rotenberg

From Goodreads ~ Detectives dig into the dark side of Toronto when a serial killer targets homeless people who are camped out near one of the city’s most exclusive enclaves in this latest crime thriller from bestselling author Robert Rotenberg.

Exactly what is one person’s death worth?

For decades, the Humber River Golf Course has been one of the city’s most elite clubs. All is perfect in this playground for the rich, until homeless people move into the pristine ravine nearby and tensions mount between rich and poor and reach a head when two of the squatters are brutally murdered.

The killings send shockwaves through the city and suspicion immediately falls upon the members of the club. Protests by homeless groups and their supporters erupt. Suddenly the homelessness problem has caught the attention of the press, politicians and the public. Ari Greene, now the head of the homicide squad, leaves behind his plush new office and, with his former protégé Daniel Kennicott in tow, returns to the streets to investigate. Meanwhile, Greene’s daughter, Alison, a dynamic young TV journalist, reports on the untold story of extreme poverty in Toronto.

With all the attention focused on the murders, pressure is on Greene to find the killer - now. He calls on his old contacts and his well-honed instincts to pursue the killer and save the city and the people he loves. But then a third body is found.

A riveting page-turner ringing with authenticity, "Downfall" is a scathing look at the growing disparity between rich and poor in Canada’s wealthiest city.

When a homeless man is found murdered near a ritzy golf course, no one cares.  When a second homeless person, this time a woman, is found murdered near the golf course, people start paying attention and demanding answers.  Ari, the head of the homicide squad, is in charge and he and fellow police officer Daniel are feeling the pressure as they investigate.  Ari's daughter, Alison, is a TV journalist reporting about the murders and as she gets to know a doctor who is fighting for the rights of the homeless, she becomes more involved in the cause, which may put her at odds with her dad.

This the sixth book by Rotenberg I've read and I enjoyed it.  Though it's the six in a series, it works as a stand alone because there is enough background information provided.  It is written in third person perspective with the focus on wherever the action is.  I like the writing style and it moves at a good pace. 

I like that this series is set in Toronto.  The author is quite specific about the locations so I know exactly where the action is taking place and I have been to a lot of these places.  Ari enjoys Caldense Bakery, which is just north of me on Dundas Street W.  I went for a walk on Monday to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, near where the golf course is supposed to be, and walked across the bridge on the cover of the book (about a 15 minute drive south of me).


I look forward to the next book in the series!

Monday 25 January 2021

Sunnyside Boardwalk and Sheldon Lookout, Toronto, ON

It was a sunny crisp day (0C) and I wanted to get outside for a walk.  I drove about ten minutes away and parked near Sunnyside Pavilion and walked towards Sheldon Lookout and back.  There were lots of birds in the water.

I walked along the Sunnyside Boardwalk.

It hasn't been that cold
so I was surprised to see part of the lake frozen

Sunday 24 January 2021

Knitted baby beanies

Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine are having a baby who is due in a couple months.  I knitted another couple of baby beanies today.


I used 4 ply yarn and 3.75mm double pointed needles and cast on 64 stitches.
  • Row 1 - Purl
  • Row 2 - Knit
  • Row 3 - Purl
  • Row 4 - Knit
  • Row 5 - Purl
  • Row 6 - Knit

Knit until the length is 3 inches from the beginning (row 1).

Decrease:
  • Row 1: *K6, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 2: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 3: *K5, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 5: *K4, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 6: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 7: *K3, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches 
  • Rou 9: *K2, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 10: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 11: *K1, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 12: Knit all stitches
  • Row 13: *K2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Knit the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight.  Weave end inside.

Saturday 23 January 2021

Knitted baby beanie

Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine are having a baby who is due in a couple months.  I knitted another baby beanie tonight.


I used 4 ply yarn and 3.75mm double pointed needles and cast on 72 stitches.

Knit until the length is 5 inches from the beginning.  As a head's up, the end is going to curl up naturally.

Decrease:
  • Row 1: *K6, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 2: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 3: *K5, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 5: *K4, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 6: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 7: *K3, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches 
  • Rou 9: *K2, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 10: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 11: *K1, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 12: Knit all stitches
  • Row 13: *K2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Knit the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight.  Weave end inside.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted beanie baby

Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine are having a baby who is due in a couple months.  I knitted a baby beanie today using the Honeycomb (aka Newfie) pattern and they are the colours in the Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens I'd given Ken for Christmas.


I used 4 ply yarn and 3.75mm double pointed needles and cast on 66 stitches.
  • Row 1 - Purl
  • Row 2 - Knit
  • Row 3 - Purl
  • Row 4 - Knit
  • Row 5 - Purl
  • Row 6 - Knit

Pattern
  1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
  2. Repeat this row 3 more times (4 in total)
  3. Purl 2 rows with A
  4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
  5. Repeat this row 3 more times ( in total)
  6. Purl 2 rows with A
  7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
  8. Repeat this row 3 more times (4 in total)
  9. Purl 2 rows with A
  10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
  11. Repeat this row 3 more times ( in total)
  12. Purl 2 rows with A
  13. Knit row, decreasing two stitches

Decrease:
  • Row 1: *K6, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 2: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 3: *K5, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 5: *K4, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 6: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 7: *K3, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches 
  • Rou 9: *K2, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 10: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 11: *K1, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 12: Knit all stitches
  • Row 13: *K2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Knit the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight.  Weave end inside.

Book ~ "Fudge and Jury" (2017) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ It’s almost spring in Ashland, Oregon, and the town is preparing for the Shakespeare and the annual Chocolate Festival. Business is cookin’ at Torte, and the store is expanding as Jules’ team whips up crèpes filled with mascarpone cheese and dark chocolate. Torte stands a chance of being this year’s confectionery belle of the ball! Life couldn’t be sweeter - unless murder taints the batter. 

Evan Rowe, of Confections Couture, makes a chocolate fountain that would put Willy Wonka to shame, and his truffles are to die for - literally? Yes, the world-renowned chocolatier has just turned up dead … right after sampling a slice of Jules’ decadent four-layer chocolate cake. Now all eyes are on Jules as she tries to find the mysterious ingredient in her own recipe. Can she sift out the truth before another contestant bites the buttercream? 

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world.  She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school.  She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that.  She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret.  With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out.  It's been almost a year and she now happily shares ownership of Torte with her mother. 

Ashland is quiet as it's not theatre season.  The Chocolate Festival is happening this week, though, and that's keeping Jules and her staff busy getting ready for it.  Evan Rowe is the owner of Confections Couture and has been the winner of festival for many years.  Before the festival begins, he is going around checking out what everyone else has to offer.  He collapses and dies right after tasting some of Torte's samples.  Murder is suspected and since Evan wasn't a nice man, there are a number of people who could have wished him dead.

In the meantime, Torte is undergoing renovations.  In addition to painting, the long awaited ovens are arriving.  Plus Jules and her mother are considering taking over the basement under their bakery and expanding.

This is the fifth in the Bakeshop Mystery series and I liked it.  I've been reading the books in this series and have read all in this author's Sloan Krause Series.  This book works as a stand alone ... there is enough information provided.  It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice.   It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.  I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Friday 22 January 2021

Knitted baby beanie

Gord's son's girlfriend, Jasmine, is pregnant and due in a couple months.

I've never made a baby beanie and thought I'd given a try.


I used 4 ply yarn and 3.75mm double pointed needles and cast on 64 stitches.
  • Row 1 - Purl
  • Row 2 - Knit
  • Row 3 - Purl
  • Row 4 - Knit
  • Row 5 - Purl
  • Row 6 - Knit

Knit until the length is 3 inches from the beginning (row 1).

Decrease:
  • Row 1: *K6, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 2: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 3: *K5, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 5: *K4, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 6: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 7: *K3, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches 
  • Rou 9: *K2, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 10: Knit all stitches 
  • Row 11: *K1, k2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Row 12: Knit all stitches
  • Row 13: *K2 together; repeat from * to end of round. 
  • Knit the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight.  Weave end inside.

PG Clucks, Toronto, ON

I've been hearing about PG Clucks on College Street for years but have never gotten around to checking them out.  They recently moved into our 'hood at Queen Street W/Dovercourt.  Gord headed there today to pick us up some lunch.


Because of COVID, I had to order online ... their online ordering system is cool and efficient.

Gord ordered 3 Piece Meal ... 3 pieces of 24 hour brined, double dredged dark meat chicken. Choice of 1 side (he got German potato salad) and spice level. Includes 1 each of ranch & hot sauce.  The chicken was boneless thighs so the meat was tender and juicy.  He said his meal was really good and he'd get it again.

Thursday 21 January 2021

Icicles knitted dishcloth

The Year of the Dishcloth is organized by the Kitchen Sink Shop. January’s pattern is an Icicles dishcloth.



Cast on 38 stitches.

Rows 1-4: K38

Icicles Pattern:
  • Row 1: K3, *P1, K7* 4 times, K3
  • Row 2: K3, *K1, P5, K1, P1* 4 times, K3
  • Row 3: K3, *K2, P1, K3, P1, K1* 4 times, K3
  • Row 4: K3, *P2, K1, P1, K1, P3* 4 times, K3
  • Row 5: K3, *K4, P1, K3* 4 times, K3
  • Row 6: K3, *P2, K1, P1, K1, P3* 4 times, K3
  • Row 7: K3, *K2, P1, K3, P1, K1* 4 times, K3
  • Row 8: K3, *K1, P5, K1, P1* 4 times, K3

Knit Icicles pattern (rows 1-8) six times total.

Finishing:

Rows 1-4: K38

Bind off and weave in ends.

Tuesday 19 January 2021

Nova Scotia's Community Haul ~ January 2021

I received my January Nova Scotia's Community Haul subscription box today.

Weddings and school concerts, charity bake sales and chase-the-ace - our community halls are where Nova Scotians have come together for generations to celebrate and support one another. Since we’re together apart for the foreseeable future, we’ve transformed the community hall into a Community Haul. 

Community Haul, partnered with Symplicity Designs set out to create a safe and fun way to help the small business community through the next year. Our product forges connection, creates community, and offers you the opportunity to explore Nova Scotia - all from the safety of your home. 

We've launched a 12 month subscription box to celebrate Nova Scotia business owners and help reboot the regional economy. By pledging your community support with a subscription, you can help keep the lights on for dozen of small businesses during these economically stressful times. What's more, every box sold will support the IWK Foundation to provide care for the women and children in the Maritimes.  
Support Nova Scotia businesses by opening your doors to our Community Haul!

I'm originally from Nova Scotia and thought it would be fun to receive stuff from "back home" and help support their economy.


Here is what I received ...

Monday 18 January 2021

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting another pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  They are fun to make.


I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist
  1. With A, cast on 42 sts
  2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
  3. Purl
  4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern
  1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
  2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
  3. Purl 2 rows with A
  4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
  5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
  6. Purl 2 rows with A
  7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
  8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
  9. Purl 2 rows with A
  10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
  11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
  12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb
  1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten
  1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
  2. Knit 1 row
  3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
  4. Knit 2 rows
  5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
  6. Knit 2 rows
  7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
  8. Knit 2 rows
  9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
  10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
  11. Weave end inside

Thumb
  1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
  2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
  3. Knit to fit length of thumb
  4. Knit 2 together all around
  5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
  6. Weave end inside

Saturday 16 January 2021

Book ~ "Olive, Mabel and Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs" (2020) Andrew Cotter

From Goodreads ~ "Olive, Mabel and Me" is the new book from broadcaster Andrew Cotter and his now internet famous canine companions, Olive and Mabel.

Olive and Mabel went viral on social media with their sporting contests during the COVID-19 lockdown, with Andrew Cotter’s unique commentary propelling the videos to over 40 million views.

Now Cotter shares stories of his adventures with his loveable (and occasionally exasperating) canine companions in this beautifully written, touching and laugh-out-loud funny new book.

I first became aware of Andrew, Olive and Mabel in the spring when I came across his "company meeting" Zoom video with his dogs, Olive and Mabel.  Around that time, I was starting to do more and more live webinars since COVID locked us all down and I couldn't do face-to-face meetings (which was about 75% of my job).  I thought the video was a hoot and I started following them on social media.  I love reading books about animals so was looking forward to reading his book.

Andrew is a Scottish sports broadcaster working primarily for the BBC, covering mainly golf and rugby union.  When COVID arrived and all the sports he covered were cancelled, he didn't have anything to do.  So he was bored and spontaneously filmed Olive and Mabel eating and put a funny sports-like commentary with it.  He uploaded the video and was pleasantly surprised at the response.  He's since done more videos, including the Zoom company meeting.  And that led him to write this book.

The book starts with his childhood, where his family always had dogs, and that started his love of dogs.  He always wanted one but he and his partner, Caroline, didn't get one until they settled down away from London.  They started by doing a lot of research to find the perfect breed of dog for them.  They determined that a Lab fit the bill and got Olive as a puppy.  Four years later, puppy Mabel joined their family.  Olive is a black Lab and Mabel is a yellow Lab and they have distinctly different personalities, which Andrew amusingly explains.  Andrew is very much into intense mountain hiking, sometimes with a lot of snow, and Olive and Mabel often join him on his day long treks.

I liked the writing style and enjoyed this book.  It was informative but amusing.  It's obvious Andrew love love loves his dogs.

Humber Bay Park West, Toronto, ON

It was such a nice sunny day today that Gord and I headed to Humber Bay Park West for a walk.  It was good to get outside ... it's been a while since we've had a nice day.  There were quite a few people out and about so we all had the same idea.

We've been to Humber Bay Park East many many times and don't know why we've never gone to Humber Bay Park West, which is less than five minutes from it.

There are a couple parking lots and we found a spot in the one in the middle.  We walked around a nearby point and then head southwest and ended up at the dog park.  Then we turned around and headed to the beginning of the park, doubling back to the car.