Book ~ "Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Dogs: And the People Who Love Them" (2004) Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

From Goodreads ~ Dogs. Our best friends. From thedawn of civilization, we have cherished them as our loyal companions, exuberant playmates, healing and gentle souls. 

From adorable puppies with floppy ears and wobbly steps to full-grown guardinas of our love and trust, there is no other animal that compares to the dog. A playful growl, a boisterous bark, a cock of the head, an inquisitive stare - each inspires us with love and adoration. 

The stories and photographs in this wonderful volume celebrate the humor, loyalty, love, courage and healing power of our canine companions. Each page in this book rejoices in the wonderful and poignant moments we share with our furry friends and the lessons of love they teach us each and every day. 

I love reading stories about animals.  And I've read a few Chicken Soup for the Soul books over the years.

This is a cute quick read.  There are ten short stories about people and their dogs.  Plus there pictures of dogs throughout the book.

Fan and feather dish cloth

I knitted a fan and feather pattern dish cloth today ... I like this pattern and have made many over the years.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Green Dream) and size 4.5mm knitting needles

Cast on 42 stitches (or a multiple of 18 plus 6)

Knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the border

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K 3, P to last 3 stitches K3

Row 6: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, rep from * to last 3 sts K3

Row 7: Knit

Repeat Rows 4 - 7, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter stitch, until piece measures desired length

Knit 3 more rows of garter stitch to make the bottom border

Cast off and darn in ends.

General Assembly Loving Cup Pizza Kit for 2, PC Chef

In the last couple of weeks, Gord and I have taken advantage of  PC Chef's promotions of ordering one of their meal kits and getting one free a few times ... and they've been good!

I love love love pizza and have been wanting to try General Assembly's pizzas.  I saw they are on PC Chef's meal kit list so I ordered two Loving Cup Pizza Kits for 2 (regularly $19.95 a kit).  They arrived this morning and we used one kit this evening for supper.  The kits are good for a week so we'll probably have the second kit on Friday for supper.

Each kit comes with EVERYTHING for two 10-inch pizzas all measured out. 

Here's my pizza ...

Before

After

Yum!  I'm so glad we have the second kit!

Penne alla Vodka with Chicken, PC Chef

Last week I'd ordered the Jerk Chicken with Rice & Beans, Sweet Plantain and Coleslaw meal kit and Gord had ordered Korean Gochujang Chicken from PC Chef (I'd gotten an email from them that I could order one of their meal kits and get one free).  They were both really good.  

They have been posting a code on social media for the same deal so we ordered again ... I got Penne alla Vodka with Chicken and Gord got Korean Gochujang Chicken again (both regularly $12 each) and they arrived today.

And that's what we had for supper tonight.

The kits come with EVERYTHING all measured out. 

I'm not a fan of parmesan cheese so didn't use it (Gord likes it so will use it on something).  It was really good.  In fact, I had planned on having half for supper tonight and the other half for lunch tomorrow ... but I ended up eating it all.  Yum!

I'd get this again!

Fan and feather dish cloth

I knitted a fan and feather pattern dish cloth today ... I like this pattern and have made many over the years.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Emeral Energy) and size 4.5mm knitting needles

Cast on 42 stitches (or a multiple of 18 plus 6)

Knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the border

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K 3, P to last 3 stitches K3

Row 6: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, rep from * to last 3 sts K3

Row 7: Knit

Repeat Rows 4 - 7, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter stitch, until piece measures desired length

Knit 3 more rows of garter stitch to make the bottom border

Cast off and darn in ends.

Fan and feather dish cloth

I knitted a fan and feather pattern dish cloth today ... I like this pattern and have made many over the years.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Mod Ombre) and size 4.5mm knitting needles

Cast on 42 stitches (or a multiple of 18 plus 6)

Knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the border

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K 3, P to last 3 stitches K3

Row 6: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, rep from * to last 3 sts K3

Row 7: Knit

Repeat Rows 4 - 7, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter stitch, until piece measures desired length

Knit 3 more rows of garter stitch to make the bottom border

Cast off and darn in ends.

Remembrance Day

The federal department of Veterans Affairs Canada states that November 11 is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated.

Remembering my father, Frank (1935 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's dad, Ken (1925 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's paternal
grandfather, Sid (1890 - 1963)

Book ~ "Everyday Hockey Heroes, Volume II: More Inspiring Stories About Our Great Game" (2020) Bob McKenzie and Jim Lang

From Goodreads ~ In this uplifting and entertaining volume of stories, Canadian broadcasters Bob McKenzie and Jim Lang bring together hockey players, coaches and refs, as well as those behind the bench - the parents, scouts, analysts, and agents - to tell us, in their own voices, why they love the game and how they’re shaping its future.

Meet Dallas Stars’ winger Andrew Cogliano, who captivated the hockey world by playing 830 consecutive games, despite various injuries, and hear how hockey and his parents instilled in him the strong work ethic that made his streak possible. Learn about how Jeremy Rupke found his passion and created the popular website, How To Hockey, to help young hockey hopefuls who might not have money for professional lessons develop their on-ice skills and give them the confidence to achieve their dreams off the ice. Read about players like Jack Jablonski, who didn’t let a life-changing spinal cord injury at age sixteen stop him from being a part of the game, and is now using his experience to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research. From LGBTQ players like Jessica Platt who are breaking down barriers to the women such as Danièle Sauvageau who are breaking glass ceilings as coaches, refs, agents, and analysts, these are the everyday heroes who are using hockey to inspire change.

Featuring incredible stories of comebacks, milestones, and friendship, "Everyday Hockey Heroes, Volume II" highlights the very best of hockey: the power it has to unite us to be the best we can be - for ourselves and for others. 

I'm not a big fan of hockey but I do like reading stories about real people and that's why this book caught my eye.

This book is a collection of stories about people connected to hockey and some are Canadian ... hockey players, wannabe hockey players, a gay hockey player, a trans hockey player, scouts, referees, statisticians, agents and more.

Though I'd never heard of anyone discussed in this book, I found the stories inspirational.  I liked the writing style and found there was just enough enough information.  Social media accounts were listed after the stories and I sometimes checked out the Instagram accounts.

Hockey fans will enjoy this book.  Non-fans (like me) will also like this book and it deals with real people.

RIP Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek passed away on Sunday.

He was originally from Sudbury, ON, and received a plaque on Canada's Walk of Fame on King Street W in 2006.  I'd heard that people were creating a memorial to him near his plaque so went for a walk this afternoon to check it out (it's almost a 3km walk each way).

Roasted Jerk Chicken with Rice & Beans, Sweet Plantain and Coleslaw meal kit, PC Chef

I’d received an email from PC Chef that I could order one of their meal kits and get one free. 

I’ve had my eye on their Roasted Jerk Chicken with Rice & Beans, Sweet Plantain and Coleslaw meal kit and figured it was an excellent reason to try it ... so I ordered two (one is usually $18.99). Gord ordered a couple meal kits too (Korean Gochujang Chicken and Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo). 

The kits come with EVERYTHING all measured out. I made one of mine for supper. 

Coronation Park, Toronto, ON

It was 18C and sunny this afternoon so I went for a long walk to Coronation Park and back.  Needless to say, it was a lovely walk!

On Saturday there was a ceremony in remembrance of the
3,452 Torontonians who fell in the Second World War
... 3,452 flags were planted to honour our residents
who made the ultimate sacrifice in that war

Fan and feather dish cloth

I knitted a fan and feather pattern dish cloth today ... I like this pattern and have made many over the years.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Fruit Punch) and size 4.5mm knitting needles

Cast on 42 stitches (or a multiple of 18 plus 6)

Knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the border

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K 3, P to last 3 stitches K3

Row 6: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, rep from * to last 3 sts K3

Row 7: Knit

Repeat Rows 4 - 7, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter stitch, until piece measures desired length

Knit 3 more rows of garter stitch to make the bottom border

Cast off and darn in ends.

Diagonal stitch pattern cat blanket

Muffin likes to sleep on a shelf so I'd put some blankets on it to make her more comfy.

I've been knitting Crumpet blankets lately (she has more "favourite" spots than Muffin) and decided that Muffin needed one too!

I used a diagonal stitch and Bernat Baby Blanket (Little Lilac Dover) and 5mm needles ... it's so soft!

Muffin approved!

I cast on 40 stitches and kept going until I ran out of yarn.

Row 1 (wrong side): Purl

Row 2 (right side): * Knit 2 stitches together but don't slip stitch from needle. Insert the right hand needle into the top stitch of the two you just knit together, knit the first stitch again, then slip both stitches from needle. Repeat from * to the end of the row.

Row 3: Purl

Row 4: Knit 1. * Knit 2 stitches together but don't slip stitch from needle. Insert the right hand needle into the top stitch of the two you just knit together, knit the first stitch again, then slip both stitches from needle. Rep from * to the end of the row. Repeat from * to last stitch. Knit 1.

Keep repeating these four rows until desired length.

Cast off in purl.  Darn in the ends.

Knitted cat blanket

I made my sister's cat a third (and last) blanket for Christmas (basically it's a big dishcloth).

I used Bernat Blanket Yarn (Little Roses) (it's a 6 ply) and 8mm needles.  It's so soft!

• Cast on 3 stitches
• Row 1 (wrong side): k3
• Row 2 (right side): kfb (knit front and back of stitch), k1, kfb 
• Row 3: k5
• Row 4: kfb, k until 1 stitch left, kfb
• Row 5: knit
• Repeat row 4 and 5 until you have reached the desired size (it's the first half)

• Row 1 (right side): k2tog, knit until 2 stitches left, ssk (slip slip knit)
• Row 2 (wrong side): knit
• Repeat row 1 and 2 until only 3 stitches remain
• Last row: Bind off the 3 remaining stitches

Book ~ "Without a Brew" (2020) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ It's winter in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, which for local brewmaster Sloan Krause means lots of layers, pine and citrus-flavored craft beers, and getting the new guest rooms at Nitro into pristine condition before visitors flood in for IceFest - a local tradition filled with fireworks, ice carving, and winter games of all varieties. But Sloan and her boss Garrett quickly learn that being brewkeepers turned innkeepers may not be as idyllic as it sounded. 

While one couple staying with them seems completely smitten, a flashy group arrives in the evening demanding rooms. Sloan and Garrett are less than impressed but agree to rent to them anyway. The night takes a turn when brewery patron Liv Paxton finishes her frothy pint and, with no previous plan for an overnight stay in Leavenworth, eagerly takes Sloan up on the offer of sanctuary from the snow - until she has a strange run in with some locals and the other guests. Sloan could be imagining things but when Liv's room is found trashed the next morning, a hateful message painted on her car and Liv herself is nowhere to be found, Sloan is convinced another mystery is brewing. With many of the potential suspects hunkering down under Nitro's roof, she knows her co-workers and friends won't be safe until she serves up the killer a hoppy pint of justice. 

I like beer and I like mysteries so that's why this series has caught my eye.

Sloan had recently discovered her husband, Mac, had cheated.  She was working for his family's brewery and got another job working with Garrett in his new microbrewery/pub, Nitro.  Sloan is enjoying working with Garrett in his smaller business as it gives her a more hands-on opportunity to create interesting craft beers with him.

It's a busy weekend in Leavenworth.  Garrett had been considering opening up some rooms to rent out as a B 'n B and because of a shortage of hotel rooms in the village, goes ahead at the last minute.  There is a couple celebrating their anniversary, two couples who arrived together, and a woman named Liv who gets the last room.  Liv causes a bit of a stir when she arrives at the pub that night but causes even more when she is found drowned the next morning.  There are a few people who could have killed her.

In the meantime, Sloan is ready to move forward with her life.  Though Mac is trying to woo her back, she knows they are done.  But she wants to make sure that their teenage son isn't caught in the middle.  She has her eye on a cottage in the village and is considering buying it so she doesn't have to worry about the upkeep of the house she and Mac shared that is a short drive from the village.

Sloan grew up in foster care and she is starting to delve more and more into what happened.  She has always been close to her mother- and father-in-law but she recently discovered that they know more about her past than they've let on ... and they may be secrets of their own that they have been trying to keep hidden.

This is the fourth in the Sloan Krause Series by this author and I liked it.  I've read the first three and this works as a stand alone (there is enough background provided).  It's written in first person perspective in Sloan's voice.  There is a lot of talk about beer (which I found interesting) and there are also explanations about what was being talked about (what hops are and the varieties, for example).  It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity.  I look forward to reading others in this series.

Other than murders, Leavenworth sounds like a fun place to visit!

Free samples at SampleSource.com - November 2020

A couple weeks ago, I had answered an emailed survey from SampleSource and a box of free goodies arrived today. This is the tenth box of samples I've gotten from them over the years.

Here's what I received ...

Butterfly stitch pattern dish cloth

 I knitted a butterfly stitch pattern dish cloth today.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Tie Dye Stripes) and size 4.5mm knitting needles.

Cast on multiples of 10, plus 7 stitches ... I cast on 37.

Knit three rows.

Here's the butterfly pattern:

Row 1: Knit 1, purl 5, * with yarn in back slip 5, purl 5 *, knit 1

Row 2: Knit row

Row 3: Knit 1, purl 5, * with yarn in back slip 5, purl 5 *, knit 1

Row 4: Knit row

Row 5: Knit 1, purl 5, * with yarn in back slip 5, purl 5 *, knit 1

Row 6: Knit 1, * knit 7, lift the 3 strands then knit 1, release the 3 strands, knit 2 *, knit 6

Row 7: Knit 1, with yarn in back, slip 5, * purl 5, with yarn in back slip 5 *, knit 1

Row 8: Knit row

Row 9: Knit 1, with yarn in back, slip 5, * purl 5, with yarn in back slip 5 *, knit 1

Row 10: Knit row

Row 11: Knit 1, with yarn in back, slip 5, * purl 5, with yarn in back slip 5 *, knit 1

Row 12: Knit 3, lift the 3 strands then knit 1, release the 3 strands, knit 2, * knit 7, lift the 3 strands then knit 1, release the 3 strands, knit 2 *, knit 1

Repeat rows 1 to 12 until desired length (I did 10 rows of butterflies).

Purl row

Knit 3 rows.  Cast off and darn in ends.