'Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out, Contagion to this world. ~ William Shakespeare

It seems appropriate to post about my latest obsession, Twilight, on Halloween.

A few weeks ago Polyhymnia lent me the 4 book series. In all fairness, she did warn me that Twilight was addictive. But I didn't take her warning seriously and now I am stuck - obsessed with a neo-gothic teen vampire romance. I called her when I was half way thru and accused her of being a literary crack dealer.

Yes, I know how cheesy that all sounds - teen vampire love. And the books are not without flaws. The author's gratuitous use of the words "dazzle" and "smug" are reason enough for censure. However, the world and characters she's created are compelling. Love blazes in the all-or-nothing, forbidden fruit way that the teenage girl lurking in the back corner of your mind will devour. Fans have even been saying that Edward (our hero) is the new Harry. Nonsense, I say. Harry was never as sexy.

OK, so am I encouraging you to read these books? NO. Absolutely not. Consider yourself warned: Twilight is like crack- highly addictive, chocolate coated crack. Thank god I only have to wait until November 21 for my next fix, when the movie comes out. Other addicts are welcome to join me and Poly at the midnight showing.

Bike Ghana

Right now my trusty (and now shamefully slightly rusty) bicycle is in a shipping container bound for Accra, Ghana.


On Sunday my dad finished his "Bike Ghana" fundraising and bicycle raising drive for Bishop Dominick's parish in Techiman, with a collecting and packing party. He was hoping to send 50 bicycles, some donated clothing, and a few odds and ends, and collect enough in donations to cover the $4k shipping and container rental fees.

In the end, he received 150 bicycles, a large amount of clothing, 2 computers, 4 sewing machines and some religious art destined for Bishop Dominick's diocese. He also received enough in donations that he could pay the overhead and still stock up on spare tires and parts. Since the container only fit 100 bikes he was able to send just the best/most suitable ones (mountain and hybrid bikes in good shape). The remaining bikes are going to be fixed up and sold on ebay to make further donations to the Ghanaian diocese.

My Pop is a constant example to me of how one person can make the world a better place. He saw a need and worked to fill it in a meaningful and creative way. I was so happy to see him pleased with the success of his efforts, and to see him share that success with the many volunteers who came to support the bike drive.

New Star (nee Wing Shing)

Aaaaaaand...... we're back!


On the way to my folks yesterday, Phineas and I were both hungry. On a whim I suggested that we swing down Avenue U to see if any dim sum place had opened to fill the gap left when Wing Shing closed suddenly. We've been in denial - not accepting, refusing to move on. Phineas was skeptical.

As we drove down the street, I could see a banner outside of where my long gone dim sum joint of choice had been.... open under new management!!! I was thrilled, but apprehensive. What if it really was new management? Would they still serve dim sum? Would it be a different style of cooking? Was it too much to hope that it would be similar?

When I swung the door open, a familiar smell and sound greeted me. And a familiar waiter!!! I knew I was home. Hurray!!! Same staff, same decor, same food, same, well, everything. Oh, except for the flat screen tv on one wall. I have no idea what it is doing there, but if that is all that has changed, I am as happy as a clam... in black bean sauce, of course.

Unexpected

This week I received a very unexpected package in the mail: a belated birthday gift from 2BSewing. The box was stuffed with all kinds of sewing goodies including gorgeous vintage buttons, a rainbow of embroidery threads, 2 pin cushions, satin pins and an assortment of other fantastic goodies. I'm going to have so much fun using it all. I've already put the pin cushions to use (um... I am red-faced to admit that prior to this gift, I had been using my ironing board as a pin cushion), and the awesome luggage tag with my initial (my chosen initial, not my given one) is currently dangling from my small suitcase.

Thanks again, 2B!!! You made my week!

Altered: Sometimes the simple idea is the most elusive.

Why did it take me a year to figure out that I could just take this tee shirt in a bit to make it fit better, rather than letting it languish in my drawer? DOH! Anyway, it fits much better now that it isn't too big.


Also, this was my first mini-project on a knit fabric, rather than woven. I used a small zig zag stitch rather than a stretch stitch - 2b had recommended this and it worked beautifully. So, now I am feeling a little less fearful of the black jersey I recently purchased.

Naturally, now I am planning to go thru all my tee shirts to see which ones could fit better. Oy vay, another can of worms has been opened.

Finished: Harry Potter Robes

On Saturday, I had my nephew try on his new wizard robes. I am pleased to report that they fit better than I had hoped. The shoulders and top fit with room for a sweater or sweatshirt underneath. And the length was pretty good too. So on Sunday, I finished the project by hemming the bottom and front, adding the ties and ironing on the Hogwarts patch.

After Halloween I will post picture of the boy wizard.

Cookie Monster Experiment: 48 Hours

Last night I had a work related event, so Phineas baked up batch #3 for me. When I arrived home, I inspected the cookies - they didn't look much different than the 24-hour version. I took a slow, deep inhalation: the aroma was positively luscious. Science be damned! I gobbled up three cookies on the spot. They were definitly a more grown up cookie - not overly sugary, much more mellow and rich in their sweetness; even more melded and complex. So much for dinner, I thought to myself as I wolfed down another cookie.

The superior version of the chocolate chip cookie.
BTW this photo is a dramatization. There was no plate involved in last night's binge.

So the final verdict: It really surprises me, but resting the cookie dough makes a HUGE difference. The article was totally right. The 48 hour batch was even better than the 24 hour version and totally blows the unrested dough out of the water. I will be resting my cookie dough from now on. Well, at least for as long as I can exert some will power...