My Penguin Challenge!

Late last Fall I was given a large batch of Penguin Classic books. Being close to the end of the year, I decided that my New Year's Resolution would be to read at least five. I think I am doing pretty well, being that it is almost June (halfway through the year).

I first started reading Virginia Woolf's, "A Room of One's Own," as I have always enjoyed her novels. I struggled through it (to be honest, I probably have a chapter left). It is based upon a essay/lecture she wrote in 1928.

It reflects her rather elitist personality that she was apparently renown for. It's not flattering. On the other hand, she tells a story where she researches to find famous female novelists and comes up rather empty handed, due to the obligations put on women and the restrictions of the female sex in society.

Wonderfully feminist!!! The solution: a room of one's own to write and possess an income that can care for the writer. (She doesn't say marry a rich man to do this, ha ha!) It is still a book worth reading as many of these issues still exist. Smart Chick Lit.

Nice ugly cover, eh? This is the cover of mine. You can see why they re-do them!
Hell, if they kept this cover, no one would read this book.

Out of my selection, I chose D.H. Lawrence as my second Penguin choice. Why? Cause of all the stories about him writing rather naughty things of course! And yes, there are some steamy scenes but nothing like we see on television nowadays.

A wonderful coincidence with this book is the fact I had just finished watching "Edwardian Farm."

Edwardian Farm has Alex, Peter and Ruth live much like Edwardians had in the cold, wet English weather for the course of a year. It is absolutely wonderful to watch - you learn all these things like using seaweed as ground fertilizer! how to make Devon cream! how to train a wild horse! and my god, the cider they make looks AMAZING!

BBC's Edwardian Farm can be viewed on many a Public Broadcaster in Canada and the US.
It is one of the few fun history shows! Plus Ruth rocks! Check out YouTube for clips.

But it isn't all fun, that is for sure. They go into the pit mines (as the father, Mr Morel does, in Sons and Lovers). Women make lace or do laundry to attain income (like Clara and Mrs Morel do). The television series shows the popularity of growing flowers for the cities to attract income (and there is a lot of talk about flowers in the novel, that is for sure).

My point is, if you really want to enjoy this book and visualize it, watch the series. It provides so much context, so much so, they should show the series in classes where they study this book or any Edwardian book.

Okay back to the book ---if this "Sons and Lovers" was written today it would be called "Mama's Boy." It actually breeches on ridiculous how Paul (the son) is so devoted to his mother. Some descriptions of their love are almost a tad...um....incestuous. Paul is attracted to lovers but heaven forbid if he leaves the nest of his mummy.

"Sons and Lovers" is a little bit feminist too. Clara (a lover) dabbles with the suffragettes and the beginning of the feminist movement. She is fiercely independent, is not reliant upon a man, but struggles with society who forces her to live within its rules.

Quite fun! Would recommend it along side of the "Edwardian Farm." One compliments the other terrifically! And it is great to scream at Paul for being so tied to his dear Mommy. The man has serious issues.

A Super-Duper Fast Lunch

This could not be more simple and to make it better it contains cheap ingredients that are in a lot of people's fridges at home.

Mexican Chickpea Salad

You need a can of chickpeas, salsa, cilantro and the juice and rind of a lime.  Directions: rinse chickpeas, add salsa, big handful of cilantro, juice of lime and rind. Chill to let the flavours mingle. You can add salt and pepper if you like. That's it!

Another version of this salad involves combining black beans, fresh tomatoes, red onion, avocado, a squeeze of lime and cilantro. Happy eats!

Melvin the Machine

http://vimeo.com/41980603

My friend Renee posted this great video and I had to share it with you. It is named "Melvin the Machine" by a design collective HEYHEYHEY and as a lover of written letters I LOVE IT!

Check out their awesome website too!: http://www.heyheyhey.nl/

Cleaning to Label, Labeling to Clean

As of late, I have had a little break in my employment. I haven't been in the doldrums about it (yet) and I am thoroughly enjoying my break! After working 7 days a week, missing family and friends, countless special events and not having a life outside of work, I have been mastering a very, very long to-do list. Yes, it has been a round of catch-up.

Much of my list consists of cleaning and organizing, you know, the little things you don't get around to? Yup, I am tackling my heap of chores. Sorry if you aren't excited by that.

One of the fun projects I did was labeling and organizing my Ikea storage boxes.

Using small stamps from Dollarama, a heavy white paper and a waterbased marker, I organized all my DVD's and boxes of stuff.

It's pretty addictive. Though you always have a box just with stuff you really don't know where to put anywhere else.

Then I tackled my art supplies...(f.y.i: this Ikeas cabinet is great for such items!)

A future collection?

Did anyone notice the amazing collection of string holders Mario Batali had on The Chew today? If not you can see his fabulous collection here.

What fascinating things! These were a staple in many a household where you would need to tie meat or kitchen items. Batali said they were popular in butcher shops as well. How neat! Quickly looking around on the web, they come in a variety of styles. They are not all chefs heads, slurping on spaghetti. Cats are quite popular (although there are some very ugly ones) and black face items. And Dutch Girl heads. Can't understand the meaning there....but I seem to like the rod iron ones best.

They average about $100 although the chef's head on ebay is getting quite a lot of attention because of The Chew episode. Ah! I think I must start a collection to join my pie birds!

Comfy Jeans

Patiently, I have been curbing my dream of owning a pair of red jeans. I think I have waited about a year now. Finally I have succumbed to loverly red.

These red beauties are from Reitman's and are now on sale for $34!

To be honest, they aren't comfy though. While they are a great colour - a slight hint of burgundy to stop them from being too loud - they do not hold up to the bend test (i.e. does your underwear show when you bend over?) These suckers hang so low your butt crack nearly shows. It ain't cool. And my bubble is sorta burst.

Do you know how hard I worked into my investment of a red pair of jeans? It started last fall at H&M. I couldn't buy them. Red. It was loud. I - JUST - COULD - NOT - DO - IT. Would I look like a clown? A co-worker had a pair of red cords...but on me? I was scared.

Then this spring, voila, colour is all the rage. I went to the Gap. But they had red pants - not jeans. Later, I saw Old Navy ads and sought out a mall (a place I hate to go). And guess what? There weren't any on the floor. This was turning out to be a full time job! In the same mall, Reitman's had the above jeans, and they were a great colour. Okay - I'll get those.

But they didn't have my size.

Typical.

Now I have what I want I am not happy. I want another red pair. A comfy pair. It doesn't help I spoiled myself at Christmas with YOGA JEANS.

Sometimes, you have to treat yourself. Yoga Jeans is the way to go.
Price: $125 plus your loverly HST.  And to make things even better : they are
Canadian (!!!) and made in Canada (!!!)

Seriously ---YOU MUST TRY YOGA JEANS. These suckers wear like track pants, do not cut off at the knee, have a high waist (goodbye Britney Spears!) and guess what, they now have red! EEK! 

Now a quick advisory: everyone in the ads are skinny and skinny jeans are the trend at the moment. Do not be put off by this. An older woman (45+) was trying on a pair of Yoga Jeans the same time as me. She was a size 10 or 12 and she was no fashionista; just an ordinary woman. Well, they looked great on her. 

To add fuel to the fire, Second Denim is based in Montreal and are made in Canada! This warms the cockles of my heart and no more am I buying $30 Joe Fresh jeans. I bought mine at Shop Girls in Parkdale, Toronto and locations can be found on the Second Denim website here. Treat yourself.

Sparkles and Easter Bunnies

Last year, I purchased a bunny cookie cutter at Loblaws and didn't have the time or energy to try it out. It was pretty neat - coming with 3 stencils to use with powdered sugar. Boring! I want sparkles!

For the recipe, I used Nigella Lawson's, 'Cut Out Cookies' from her cookbook, "How to be a Domestic Goddess." I had a bit of trouble figuring out the British measurements and after calculation after calculation, I went to the food network for their adaptation. Sooo much easier!

The reviews on this recipe are mixed. Those who say the recipe tastes like cardboard I think are trying the cookies sans icing or sugar. This is a cookie recipe that is meant for decorating, hence why it is called what it is people!

The trick to make your sparkles stick is to lightly brush them with water. Otherwise they just fall off.

It does help to lightly press them into the surface of the dough too.

Hippity Hop!

I made a little tray for my boyfriend's co-workers and added some "Just Ears" chocolates (the best bit of the bunny) from Walkers Chocolates. Happy Easter!