I'm still here...

...but not much is going on.

At 48 inches around, there's really not alot I can do that won't put me in a super uncomfortable state. There hasn't been much knitting (a tiny bit of baby socks...), and definitely no sewing, and I have to take sitting breaks when making a meal that takes only like 1/2 to make. How many times have I been stuck in the middle of the stairs while going up because I run out of energy. BOO! So, with 3.5 weeks to go, I really hope that the baby comes early. I think he/she wants out too. When the baby moves about in there, he/she is so rough, that it seems like he/she is trying to break out of there. It makes for some uncomfortable-ness.

The husband and my brother are planning to attend a Popculture Fair in March in our city, so in anticipation, I've been making buttons and mirrors to sell there. Many of them are posted in my Etsy shop for the time being. There might even be a plan to set up an Ebay store for buttons and mirrors after the baby is born and we're set into a routine to help supplement some income while I'm on my maternity leave.

Salted Eggs

Sometimes I have a craving for congee (jook). My husband doesn't like it at all, so I don't get to eat it all that often. Now that I've bought a new rice cooker that makes the congee for me (I don't make congee very well), I know I will have it more often. One of my favorite things to eat with the jook is salted egg. However, I've read that poisonous red dye has been found in the yolk of the eggs from China to make it look more vibrant. So I decided to make my own salted eggs. Recipe adapted from here.

6 eggs
kosher salt
chinese cooking wine

Roll each egg in the cooking wine to coat, then roll in the salt to completely cover. Put the egg in a ziplock bag. I didn't want to waste the salt or the wine so atthe end I combined the two to make a kind of sludge and added it to the bag to help coat the eggs. Put the bag in a container and place the container in a cool spot that is not in the fridge (I put mine in the basement). Let sit for 20-30 days. I also smooshed the salt around in the bag every few days to make sure the salt coated the eggs properly.

Delicious!

While Mom does some sewing...

Who Wants a Cookie?

Too cold for a walk outside with the dogs, so I made some cookies for them! Of course it was to flurry on my first weekday on my early maternity leave...

Dog Cookies

2 cups Rye Flour
1 1/4 cups Rice Flour
1/2 Tbs Cinnamon
3/4 cups water (plus more if needed)
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce

Combine rye flour, rice flour and cinnamon in a working bowl. Combine water and apple sauce. Add the wet to the dry to form a dough. They dough may be a bit dry, add little bits of water as necessary until the dough comes together. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick and cut cookies.

With egg wash (1 egg + a little water), brush each cookie. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes I normally just turn off the oven and let the cookies sit to let it crisp up more - Daisey seems to like them better that way.

I tried to take a picture of them enjoying the cookies, but none of them were clear. Boo. They were a little over zealous while eating them. An oven picture was the best I could do.

Happy Halloweenie!

Green is my New Favorite Colour

Well, not really. Finally, after 2 weeks of main colour (4 coats), accent colour (3 coats) and 2 hours of hand painting (x3) the baby's room is finished. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to bother to paint the baby's room, but after some deliberation, I thought that it would be nice. I browsed through the internets and found exactly what I was looking for. Thanks to design dad to pointing me in the right direction.

Before:

Nothing special about the room before. The colors in our house are pretty dark, so it wasn't really 'baby ready' or anything like that.

After (but before the furniture came in):

After again (with furniture this time):

The other wall:

The room is pretty small, so that's pretty much the whole room. I was going to give the baby the bigger room, but I have so much craft stuff, the baby will just have to live in the smaller room until he/she needs the big room. We came to the conclusion that the baby will either grow up loving giraffes or hating them.

On the other side of things, I've completed a pair of baby socks and have started another pair. I'm not sure how many pairs I'm going to end up with, but socks seem to be my project of choice for some reason.

Satisfying the Cravings

I purchase these puff wheat squares on a regular basis from the coffee shop when I'm at work. They are kinda like rice krispie squares, but...different. They are chocolately and gooey. So delicious. I figured it'd be a good idea to make a batch and satisfy the craving instead of paying $2 per square. It probably costs me less than a dollar to make the whole batch. Adapted from The Casual Baker's recipe.

Puffed Wheat Squares

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups puffed wheat

Measure out puffed wheat in a bowl. Lightly grease a 9"x13" baking pan. Set both aside. Combine butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon (I used a silicone spatula) for 2 minutes before removing from heat. Add vanilla and stir briefly to combine. Pour measured out puffed wheat into the pot and quickly stir to coat evenly. Pour the coated cereal into the greased baking pan and use a damp spoon or hands to press the mixture evenly into the pan. Cool and slice.

Finally, Some Baby Knitting Done

Pattern: Slip On Booties from 50 Baby Booties to Knit
Yarn: Socks that Rock - I forget which colorway (I think pebble beach)
Started: September 26, 2007
Finished: September 27, 2006

I used the left over yarn from here. It was a pretty easy knit, about an hour a night. I do need some practice with the seaming though. I hope to knit a few more items for the baby, even if they are easy booties/socks, but our next big project right now is painting up the baby's room. We did the first coat this morning, and even it it was only about an hour's work, at 25 weeks, I felt pretty tired after. But it's all good. I just took a nap. =)

The Big 5

Happy 5th Birthday to my boy, Milo.

I had always wanted a pug. It got to the point where I finally convinced the husband (bf at the time) to get one. Milo was supposed to be small, like pugs are. Instead we got this giant of a pug, 40 pounds when he's trim, 50+ when he's not.

At first look, Milo looks so menacing. So many people were afraid of him...until they got to know him. They all concede that he's the most gentle dog anyone has ever met. He doesn't like when people put on masks, he doesn't like Yoda on the TV but he does like rotisserie chicken, roast beef and spam.

He's good with kids, good judge of character, and gentle to those who he knows are good people. After 3 years of living with Daisey, he's finally able to protect himself and hold his own. No more getting pushed around by little Daisey, now he's doing some pushing of his own.

So Happy Birthday to Milo. Sorry there's no cake for him this year, Mom just wasn't able to make it with the heavy belly, but we did get to go for a nice walk in the neighborhood and I'll be sure to give him that extra cookie...

A Popular Conversation

"So when are you due?"
"January."
"Really? That's still a long ways away. How far along are you?"
"About 21 weeks. So just over half way."
"Are you having twins then?"
"No. There is just one in there."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep."
"But you are so big."
"Big babies run in my family."
"Um. Yah. Good luck with that."

Repeat conversation with several people.

And One Makes Three.

I guess it makes 5 if you include Milo and Daisey. This would be the main reason as to not posting in so long. The first 3 months were mostly full of morning sickness and lots of fatigue. I have never felt so tired. Ever. Once I got into the 4th month, I graduated from nausea and phantom gagging to constant indigestion. We're into the 19th weeks (almost half way!), so I'm pretty aware as to what foods will make me sick and whatnot. I heard from friends about food aversions, and wasn't sure what mine would be. Turns out it's chicken, beef, and eggs. Blech. Just thinking about it makes me want to gag. So as long as I avoid those, it's pretty much okay. Baby's due date is January 13th. We tried to find out what the sex of the baby was at the ultra sound, but the technician really couldn't tell. I guess we'll have to keep waiting. I'm finding that the baby is sensitive to sound. Crappy players at guitar hero seem to make the baby restless (All I feel is random thumpings in my lower abdomen), as well as my friend's 20 month old playing the drums. He/she also doesn't like any pressure on my belly. He/she was really upset at the ultrasound technician when she was pushing down on my belly with the ultrasound wand. LOTS of movement there. The tech was having a hard time getting the pictures she needed to get.

So, there hasn't been too much on the crafting front. I practically even stopped cooking supper. I hope to start some crafting soon -- sweater, some socks, a quilt (even if it's a cheating one). Now that I'm feeling a little better, hopefully I'll be able to do more and post more. Speaking of the bun in the oven, it seems to be up and doing his/her morning exercises, ie, kicking me in the gut with it's tiny feetsies.

Inspiration...for perogy making.

While browsing garage sales a few weeks ago, I came across 3 of these perogy makers. They are like my perogy maker shown here, but they were for smaller/mini perogies. She only wanted 50 cents for all 3 of them (although I only need one). How can I say no to that?

So with my perogy making inspiration renewed, I made 200 perogies the next afternoon.

Then the husband and the brother ate like 50 or 60 of them perogies I slaved over...

It was a Secret...

I was lucky enough to be able to catch the White Stripes Secret Show held at a inner city youth center before the offical concert yesterday. I sat front and center, about 5 feet from the stage. It was awesome! WOO White Stripes!

The 'stage' before the 150 people showed up.


White Stripes in action!

Do Do Do Da Da Da

Went to the Police concert tonight. Had fun. But regretted not bringing my camera. The ticket said no recording devices/cameras, and I didn't want to get in trouble so I didn't bring one. Everyone brought one except for me, and no one cared. Dammit. At least I got a nice concert tshirt.

Mini Post

Things are getting a little crazy here in the household. Landscaping, getting some finances in order, computer problems, not to mention some other stuff that I can't get into yet.

So for the time being...

Daisey likes to eat her hands before she goes to bed when she's having an allergic reaction. This was my solution to stop it...

Socks are from here.

It happens to everybody...

Computer problems. This might take a while...boo.

Icky Thump.

Woot! The White Stripes are coming! I don't think I've ever been excited for a concert before. I guess that's due to my extreme selectiveness of music. I can't wait!

Delicious!

#97 of my 101 in 1001:
Take a Pasta Making Course.

Taken at NAIT on a Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty fun. Mostly full of older retirees, so I probably was the youngest one. We learned to make pasta dough, tomato sauce and al fredo sauce.

Now I can make it at home and kinda know what I am doing...

Daisey and her Funny Noises

Daisey doesn't like to be bothered when she's concentrating on eating her bone...

ETA 04/23/2007: The last video was too dark and you couldn't see anything. I took a new one!

The Nerd...

...that is my husband. 24 wrestleman figures thrifted at goodwill for about $1 each.

Best Hello Kitty Product Ever.

Now, if only I can find a set somewheres...

Time for Night Night

Milo and Daisey's cousin Dukes in some PJs I made but didn't fit anyone until now...

Pika Pika!

I made my little brother a birthday cake. He turned 23.

Toe Ups!

My first pair of toe up socks. My apologies for the crappy picture.

Pattern: Toe up socks from Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook/Modified Jaywalkers
Needles: US 3
Started: February 7, 2007
Finished: March 12, 2007
Yarn: Socks that Rock, I think the colorway is 'Pebble Beach' (but don't quote me on that one)

Notes: These are the fastest socks I have ever knitted. They look fuzzy in the picture because I've already worn them a few times. I wanted to try some toe up socks but didn't want the boring stockinette so I took the basic idea of the Jaywalkers and adapted them to the number of stitches. I like these socks, but not as much as my original Jaywalkers. But I really do like knitting socks from the toe up. I'll just have to keep practicing that hourglass heel...

Peh heh heh heh Rogies, Peh heh heh heh Rogies...

Has anyone else seen the feature on Sesame Street all those years ago where they show a perogy factory and sang a song with the words "Peh heh heh heh Ro-gies, Peh heh heh heh Ro-gies..." over and over? Maybe it was just the Canadian version.

Anyways, #98 on my 101 in 1001 list: "Learn how to make perogies"

My husband (being of ukrainian/polish descent) loves homemade perogies. We go, regularly, to a shop where they sell authentic kielbasa and homemade frozen perogies, amongst other things. Tired of spending $7 on like 15 perogies, I (of Chinese descent) vowed to learn how to make them for my husband.

I used this recipe, but instead of following the techniques for 'making' the perogies, I found this handy dandy tool that makes 18 perogies at a time.

I wanted to make the following types of perogies:
1. Cottage Cheese and Potato
2. Saurkraut
3. Cheddar Cheese, Potato and Bacon
4. Dessert Perogies -- Apple, Blueberry

Unfortunately, I only got to the first 2. I think the problem to getting more out was that my rolling pin wasn't heavy enough. That's what I get for buying a $5 one.

I plan on making more, since I had made all the fillings and didn't get to use it all.

But I think they turned out well...

101 in 1001

Gak. It's been a little while....

I've got a few projects that I can post, and will get to those soon. They include a pair of socks and the startings of an afghan.

I've also decided to joing the 101 in 1001. It is described as follows:

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

March 1, 2007 – November 26, 2009

Now, I'm not going to be posting the whole list here. But it does include things like:
17. Pay off my car
20. Put down total of $XX on the principal for the mortgage
29. Apply for my passport
35. Visit Mann's Chinese Theatre
43. Sew 5 skirts
78. Flood the backyard one year for a back yard ice rink
87. Go curling
98. Learn how to make perogies

However, I would like to post about some of them as I complete them, so hopefully it's not too confusing when I do. But you never know. Maybe I will post a link to my 101 list.

Happy Valentines Day

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy!

Centerpiece setting for a friends wedding we attended last night.

Cuddly McCuddleson

No More Clunky Containers in My Purse

What I have been coveting recently. At $69Cdn, I'll have to save up my pennies for it.

One, One Cake...Ha Ha Ha *Cue Thunder and Lightning*

Birthday cake made for a friend.

More Green Tea

Tonight I felt like more green tea cuisine. I tried Mariko's Green Tea Muffin recipe.

Putting it together was easy enough. Love that shade of green...

The muffins came out nicely. The inside was a little more dense than the muffins I normally make, but the consistency was more like a velvet than heavy muffin.

Green Tea Cookies

My brother's girlfriend made some green tea cookies for Christmas that were delicious. So. Delicious. I didn't want to have to keep asking her to make them yummy cookies, so I tried to make them on my own.

Adapted from Martha's Basic Sugar Cookies Recipe:

Green Tea Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) margerine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp matcha powder

1. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, matcha powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined. If the dough looks a little dry (because of the matcha powder), add a tsp of milk at a time until the dough starts to combine. Divide dough in half; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic; freeze until firm, at least 20 minutes, or place in a resealable plastic bag, and freeze up to 3 months (thaw in refrigerator overnight).

2. Preheat oven to 325°. Line baking sheets with parchment. Remove one dough disk; let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Roll out 1/8 inch thick between two sheets of floured parchment, dusting dough with flour as needed. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Using a spatula, transfer to prepared baking sheets. (If dough gets soft, chill 10 minutes.) Reroll scraps; cut shapes. Repeat with remaining dough.

3. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden, 10 to 18 minutes (depending on size). Cool completely on wire racks.

I'd have to say that they turned out pretty good. These were first batch of cookies I've ever made that didn't stick around for more than a day!

Cousin Nobi

Milo and Daisey's cousin Shinobi (Nobi for short) came to visit today.

A Night of Over Endulgence

Happy New Year!