Song of the Spindle

The whale that I painted during the G8 - guarding the oceans and waters of the world.  Steward of the waters.

Which makes me love the connection here with this whale video.  The odd thing is, today *Mila* and I walked home talking about the brain size relative to body size of an animal.  I used a whale as an example of a large brain, then we got hung up on the pea brain variety of birds (and humans).  Fast forward 2 hours and I run across this video.  It starts off talking about brain size of animals.  The singing connection between human and the whale is so unusual.  It haunts me.  I love whales and I remember why. It was that flippy, floppy paper-like record, that arrived in the National Geographic magazine in the early 1980s, proving that whales too made music.  My grandparents went to Hawaii and more whale songs soon arrived on vinyl.  We all pretended to enjoy their deep dark songs from the ocean realm.  Honestly, their songs were sad, morose and told a story.

This is their story.  Enjoy the film.





Song Of the Spindle from Drew Christie on Vimeo.



signed, the willow

Save the Whales & Dolphins AGAIN

Please help save the dolphins in Japan and while you're at it, save a whale too!

SaveJapanDolphins

Would you eat a dolphin?  How would you feel if you had already consumed one and didn't know? 


signed, the willow

Eye for an Eye

When certain crimes hit the newswave, I sometimes turn a blind eye. Mostly because of my disgust of the actual crime. And most often when children and animals are the victims of the crime.

But I can't ignore this one. I lived in Winnipeg for years off and on and in the last few years it began to change. For the worse. In fact, a few years after we moved away there was a police shooting across the street from our old home. Our home. It wasn't the best neighbourhood, but it certainly wasn't the worst. Just honest people making a living. Seniors rocking on their back porches facing the back lane of Winnipeg, swatting mosquitoes that drift in off the Red River.

Nikita Eaglestick, 19, was charged with attempted murder and abduction after she was seen smashing a 14-month old girl's body into a sidewalk. According to the news report on www.globalwinnipeg.com, "Witnesses say the baby's mother was at the home but left for a short time while the baby was sleeping." But first, let me tell you that there was a house party going on. So, the report continues that Nikita must have snuck into the house and abducted the young child. If it weren't for a neighbour, who thought he was witnessing an attack on a cat, the little girl might already be dead.

What the? Seriously, what kind of drugs do you have to inject, ingest, or inhale to commit such a heinous crime? I don't think I want to know. I do know this, I once bought some fish close to where the incident happened, from a fish market. The whole time *Steve* and I were in the store perusing the fish, I wondered if the windows in his car would be smashed in when we came back out. Luckily, we were safe and so was the car, but it was not a neighbourhood I wanted to go near or dare dream of having my child sleep in during a house party that I hosted while intoxicated. Source of the whole problem, not poverty, drugs. Bad drugs.

As much as *Mila* drives me up the wall some days, I could never imagine my life without her and I know she couldn't imagine life without me. So, I look after me for her sake. Keeping booze and drugs out of my body. Heck, even preservatives are toxic to my system. Meat too. Lots of beans. Lots and lots of beans. Red lentil burgers with walnuts are my new fave! LCBO's Food and Drink Summer 09 issue. Check it out.

signed, the willow

My Water Friends

In case you were wondering if your summer could get any more depressing, I'm here to tell you that "YES IT CAN~!"

Here is the reason why. It's a documentary called "The Cove" and the dolphins need your help. Please sign this petition endorsed by 'Heroes' Hayden Panettiere. She certainly proves to be a role model, if not a hero. A part of me doesn't want to witness this film. While the other part of me says that this is my passion: saving marine life. I don't know why I didn't study marine biology. I suppose attending a University on the Canadian Prairies played a major role in that decision. Anyhow, so what the filmmakers want you to know is that there is hunt on dolphins. These mammals are slaughtered in a cruel manner and sent to grocery markets in Japan and labeled as whale meat (like that's any better). What can you do? I don't know what we can do, but I can guarantee, we will do something.







If you need a reason to be a vegetarian, this just might be yours. *Steve* sent me this link and I sent him this in return. We reciprocate a lot in our marriage. "Sharkwater" is another film with a similar message. It involves the human 'need' for shark finning. Much the same as removing the tusks of an elephant. Senseless and inhumane.

With a box of tissues near by I can't bear the anger and frustration that this damage causes to our fellow living members of our planet. Please, please, please sign a petition. Write a letter. Do something. One action to save one living thing. The power of the e-signature can be mightier than the spear.

signed, the willow

Stop Eating my Friends!

Dear Pig Friends,

For a long time now I see you pass by in trucks that carry you to be slaughtered and every time a tear falls on my cheek as I wonder how senseless it is to take your defenseless sweet pink body and slaughter it to oblivion for some pulled pork sandwiches. The rotten flesh to be carted back down the highway for recycling and poured into some dog food creation or god knows what.

Well, hello. Now all of a sudden it has become apparent that pigs carry disease. A virus that is deadly to humans and now people everywhere don't want to eat you, be near you or even think about you. Good. Things happen on this planet for a reason. I'm not going to give you poor little piggies the God speech. You'll read my blog and be able to tell that I don't always capitalize the word god (see above) and sometimes I do believe *Steve* when he says that aliens planted life on the planet and come back to visit every so often for an anal probe or too to even up the score. See, this earth planet of ours is a closed system, it is finite. What we do here stays here and it never disappears. When we get decide to act carelessly on this planet and treat the world as if it were infinite pumping piggy poop out left, right and centre, we get what we deserve. A swine flu.

If you care enough to read more about my piggy friends and want to make a difference by limiting your bacon intake for a little while or longer, please read about this Factory Hog farm in Tewksbury, Delaware. No relation to our fine Olympic swimmer, Mark Tewksbury, who now hosts "How Things are Made" on the Discovery Channel and once shook my mother's hand.

signed, the willow

Forgive me Banana Republic, for I have sinned

About 5 years ago when my belly was full of chocolates and baby, I promised myself that within 2 years I would waltz into Banana Republic and barely fill out a pair of size 2 jeans. Okay, so that didn't happen. I dreamed about those jeans and yes, I did even find an old pair of American Eagle pants in a 2 that I literally stuffed myself into. After consuming no meat and downing a a bottle of "Liquid Bum Party" pills and the purchase of a treadmill, I can safely say that I will officially scratch Banana Republic off my list. Sorry, I really wanted it to happen but it won't be happening.

This Sunday we went in pursuit of a Sleeping Beauty costume for *Mila*. Being February, there aren't a lot of costumes around and she was pretty adamant that she wanted one for her birthday. In talking to a friend, she suggested we try a second hand store.

Second hand stores when I was a little girl consisted of stinky old black plastic garbage bags full of moth-eaten sweaters in an over-packed Sally Ann. And yes *Steve*, I believe I spent a good chunk of my childhood there with my grandmother as she volunteered a good chunk of her life to sorting and bagging and selling and providing to the needy. We used to uncover a lot of great treasures there and I can remember my mom cringing when I would ask if I could take home the spit-stained peach or turquoise dress from 40 years ago, so I could wear it to school. Hey, Gran suggested it might be a clever look for the Spring.

So, theses joints have changed an incredible deal from where they were 30 years ago. The clothes are hand picked, clean, scent-free and come from top stores like...ahem...Banana Republic. Yep. So, what was I worried about. Maybe after I picked up several pair that looked like the ones that were currently in my closet, i.e. ripped to be cool, I decided on a cute little pair for $5, in a size 4 (sorry, no 2s for me ever again).

Last night I was up watching the Oscars until the bitter end. Can we say "Slumdog"? Why is there always a clear winner at the Academy? I don't get it sometimes. When Sean Penn won for Best Actor, I yelled out excitedly "BRAD PITT!!!" *Steve* glanced over at me with that look that husbands sometimes get for their wives when their wives yell out Brad Pitt at random on inappropriate occasions. I guess I was just so happy to not hear Mickey Rourke, that Sean Penn was the closest thing to Brad Pitt. Have you seen Mickey Rourke lately? Can we say "Slumdog"? (Sorry Slumdogs).

signed, the willow

'Egg Roll' with the Punches

After drawing 10 squirrels (no, seriously), I felt I better make myself useful around here and made these:

Egg Rolls a la Vegetarian way. These egg rolls had nothing to do with squirrels, nor should any egg rolls!

signed, the willow

Banana & Beeswax

My obsession with bees this week continues. I do want you to go out and get a jar of this. Burt is not paying me for this endorsement. I mean it. I was desperately seeking some handcream that is not tested on animals and does not cost $100/oz. This was my option at the grocery store today and I'm so glad I chose it. It smells so delicious and has me craving banana flavoured Mojos now! Maybe the vegans won't approve, but I think the vegetarians will.

signed, the willow

Buzz Buzz Pamplemousse Shampoo

For scrubbing down your extraordinarily dull hair. I have decided that *Mila* should have hair that is cruelty free too.

signed, the willow

Yo! You been lookin' faw me?

I have been on a blogging holiday. It has lasted over 3.5 weeks and has been luxuriously spent on the shore of Pelican Lake, driving home to my abode and listening to the gushing drips of a broken toilet in Owen Sound.

I won't bore you with the grim details of the toilet scenario in Owen Sound. I will just tell you that no matter which motel/hotel we choose after we step off the Chi-Cheemaun it includes insect life or dilapidated bed with cracked toilets. We will find a winner next year - I promise!

*Mila* is preparing to enter her first year of many in the confines of a classroom. I hope that we have chosen her a suitable school and that the adjustment will come easy to her. Worry is my middle name and I have sensed that *Steve* too is now losing many nights of sleep tossing over who will be more emotional: *Mila* or I?

Appetites have seemed to dwindle around here lately. But I dug this one out of the archives and decided to give it a spin last night:

Mexican Corn Bake

1 tbsp olive oil

2 crushed to oblivion garlic cloves

1 red bell pepper finely chopped

1 green bell pepper finely chopped

1 yellow bell pepper finely chopped

1 celery stalk, diced

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

28 oz can of chopped tomatoes

12 oz can of corn, rinsed and drained

19 oz can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 tbsp chopped cilantro

salt and pepper

Topping:

1 cup cornmeal

2 tbsp flour

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp baking powder

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp olive oil

1/4-1/2 cup milk

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

- Fry the garlic, peppers and celery for about 5 minutes in the olive oil

- Stir in chili powder, tomatoes, corn, beans, seasonings

- Boil the mixture and let simmer for 10 minutes

- Stir in cilantro and transfer to oven proof casserole dish

- For the topping, mix together the dry ingredients

- Make a well in the dry ingredients, add the egg, oil and milk (adjust to get a cake batter consistency)

- Beat until smooth

- Smooth the topping over the corn mixture and sprinkle with the cheese

- Bake in a 425 oven for 25 or 30 minutes

- Serve with cilantro sprigs immediately

signed, the willow

IKEA will be here when we return

*Mila* and I are heading up north to the land where IKEA is only dreamed about in catalogue. That's right. I will be IKEA-less for the remainder of the summer. No frozen yogurts, no quick stop for groceries at the neighbouring Fortinos and the odd cabinet at IKEA. Nope. I will have to suffer and endure the pain of the lack of IKEA.

But the good news is....I bought these 2 cabinets for my kitchen and after having a panic attack while reading the box which read the dimensions as 85 cm x 41 cm, I decided that today was the day to try and put them together anyhow. You see, I bought these horizontal cabinets to put above my dishwasher in a 79 cm wide spot. And according to *Steve* you cannot "fudge" a 6 cm difference. So, I cracked open the box and decided I would make bench seating from the two cabinets I bought. I put one together twice (since I put the back on the wrong way - with the brown side facing out instead of white) and measured it. TA-DA! It was 77 cm wide. I'm assuming that 85 cm was the width of the box itself? I don't get it. It is not like IKEA to make up measurements. It IS, on the other hand, very likely for me to buy the wrong thing at IKEA and make *Steve* return it. I heard him once say to the guys working the return desk: "Ok. So we'll see you tomorrow?" True. And I did send him back the next day with something. I swear to you that I could probably just go down to IKEA buy something, put it together and have *Steve* return it for the sheer fun of it all. IKEA furniture unpacking and assembling is like the thrill of the "hunt" for me. Not that that was a good analogy since I do not condone hunting whatsoever. Don't even think about that! I saved a baby bunny tonight from my dog who scared the frightened thing out of the tall grasses. I'm positive that the baby bunny had endured enough in the storm we had on Saturday. It was borderline tornado.

Alright, so now I have the cabinets and they still need doors. Help me pick the doors okay? I will be painting the remainder of my cabinets WHITE and the walls in the kitchen will be painted apple white for the main wall and our backspash and countertop will be dark slate grey. I've also acquired 2 small VATTERN cabinets from IKEA for the side of the dishwasher. This little "blank" area has become the home to crayons, plastic plates, napkins, you name it. Time to hide it up with these. So which door style shall I pick. ABSTRAKT? AVSIKT? ADEL in white? LIDI? STAT? Time to vote!

signed the willow

Environmental Working Group

I triple dog dare you to go down to your local KFC and order a veggie burger. I tried to tonight since PETA sent me some coupons to receive a free veggie burger with the purchase of one of these fine meatless specimens and the answer to my question was this: "HUH? We don't even sell burgers." Okay hillbillies. I understand that the concept of working in the food industry strips out all of your ethical bones but bear with me. I think you are missing the point and obviously she missed the PETA protest that day too. So I went home burger-less and happily ate my kidney bean, rice, guacamole and salsa wrap that contained way less fat, more protein and did not involve sitting beside the smelly family that jumped out of the back of that camper and hadn't showered for a week.

So, where was I? Oh yeah right HERE. This is the Environmental Working Group. They are the most excellent resource of information and news regarding the anthropocentric impact of chemicals in the environment. Sorry, we are only here for ourselves aren't we? Use their Tuna Calculator, find safe cosmetics that aren't tested on animals, and opt for the kiwis instead of the peaches due to their pesticide in our produce report. The world is a scary place and we have to just start admitting it and doing something about it. Today is gone. We have fewer and fewer tomorrows for our children. If you don't have children, go get some or stare at this picture for a really long time and think about who is harmed.....and yes she is floating like that. She's my Indigo Child.

Heck, if she doesn't make you want to change your ways (because you have heard her scream over a bandaid) then maybe my friend from Sioux Lookout (click on Sioux Lookout to see why my hometown is now so famous - thanks Wikipedia) that now lives at Mountsberg might threaten you the same way his habitat has been threatened and is now living his last years in a cage.

signed, the willow

Smooth Criminal

In honour of the police checks that *Steve* and I are enduring in order to volunteer at *Mila's* school this fall, I dedicate this smoothie to all the non-criminals out there who have been wrongly convicted. Take 1 cup of your favourite milk. I'm currently enjoying a little soy in my coffee. Pour the milk into your blender. Get ready for some blending.

Then add at least 1/2 cup of frozen woodland blueberries to that blender. Europe's Best is our new standby. *Mila* eats them by the gallon, so we always have at least one bag on hand. Look how impressed she is that I am blogging about HER blueberries.

Next get the vanilla extract away from the dog. Add in 1 tsp of vanilla to your mixture.

And no smoothie is complete without a splash of orange juice (1/4 cup would be plenty). You can also try lemon, which I'm sure is delicious. Next time I'm adding a teaspoon of wheat germ as well. So, blend up all your ingredients well and drink immediately through a straw. Remember to adjust your ingredients if you like your smoothies thicker or thinner.

signed, the willow

Make a Salad Fun, Would Ya?

Now and again I just whip up a salad. A different salad. Make it fun, would ya? This one here has:

2 generous handfuls of fresh baby spinach

1/2 English cucumber - sliced (peel left on)

1 green onion sliced

a handful of trail mix with assorted nuts, raisins and seeds (mine had smarties - I took them out and gave them to um...er....*Mila*)

6-8 PC sea salt & pepper Calabrese bread croutons (they are the HUGE croutons)

1 tsp of watered down Ranch dressing

signed, the willow

$1.01 for a Bag of Groceries

My family had a grocery store back "in the day". Here is a little memorabilia that my mom found in the old Fort Knox safe and decoupaged it onto a block of wood. We didn't own the store at the time. Although, I do know that my grandfather would have been there working.

I love the fact that the customer's name is on there and look at the date: Jan 1, 1937. And the company motto at the time was of course "High Class Meats and Groceries". Too cute.

signed, the willow

Not to be or to be? That's the Question.

*Mila* and I have been reading the Barefoot Book titled 'Shakespeare's Storybook: Folk Tales that Inspired the Bard'. To be completely honest with you, if you have never gotten into Shakespeare and you don't have anyone young to read to, don't fret. We took this out from our local urban library and I've been enjoying it so much that I've decided we need to own our own copy. It's Shakespeare without the "doths" and the "me thinks". What *Mila* got out of the "Ashboy" aka Hamlet story was "Not to be or to be? That's the question." that she reiterated to her dad when he arrived home.

A DOOCE FAN note: Dooce will be on ABC Nightline tonight at 11:35 pm according to her blog and the ABC website. If this was somehow misinterpreted by me I will officially take myself to the optometrist and get some damn glasses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (see Dooce's affinity for exaggerated exclamation marks) Personally, I always dreamed I would be on Letterman. I hope she doesn't get on Letterman, then my days are over of ever getting on his show for having a yodeling dog that can spit noodles from her nostrils whilst I balance on her head.

For Mother's Day I was sort of expecting the IKEA teapot that I've been hinting at for several weeks. Since it's only $9.99 I thought I'd see it stuffed into a Zellers bag on the kitchen table in the morning. But, instead when *Steve* got out of bed he whispered in *Mila's* ear the words she was supposed to utter 3 hours earlier when she woke me up from my slumber at 6:30: "Happy Mother's Day! We're going to Niagara Falls today!" I guess she was pumped to go and I have to say she kept her secret safe from me for the first time. We get there at least once a year, as it's just a short little drive for us. In fact, I think we clocked in at 40 minutes this time due to good traffic on the way there and about an hour and 45 minutes on the QEW coming home. *Mila* wasn't too interested in getting out in Niagara-On-The-Lake (which happened to be Ontario's prettiest town at one time, I believe...if you've ever been there you'll know what I'm talking about) and I can't say I blamed her as it was super busy with several of sweater-over-the-shoulder dudes. As *Steve* said "Your Dad would never live here because he doesn't tie his sweater around his shoulders." For one second of my life I actually remembered thinking how wonderful it would be if I met some guy named Brad, Chad, or Tad who would wear his preppy sweater tied over his shoulders like that. It was 1984. Okay, okay, enough of that talk. We got out and a kind young lady offered to take our picture at the Floral Clock. *Mila* and *Steve* played Hide-and-Go-Seek for 30 minutes (something she'll remember for the rest of her life.

Here is *Steve* stuffing himself between two cedars.

And here is *Steve* grabbing our four-year-old by the scruff of her neck to hold still for 10 seconds so I can take her photo.

Down the Niagara Parkway we went and we finally found a parking spot after driving thru the Clifton Hill strip 10 times and seeing what lurks on the streets behind the tourist traps. Advice to visitors who have never been to Niagara Falls before: Spend the $12 and park close to the Falls on the Parkway unless you clearly look like a thug and want to buy some illegal drugs down a back alley and only pay for the $5 spot.

There they are being blown away by the wind and *Mila* had given up eating her Dipping Dots by this point.

She must have stood there (along side another 4-year-old girl) watching this water fountain for 5 minutes until we dragged her away. We never did get to see the largest tourist trap in North America after this time-waster.

Since the weekend was all about the women of the family, today I've got a little secret recipe from our family that the men do love: BEER BREAD

You heard me right brother, BEER BREAD. It has real beer in it. Or you can add the non-alcoholic variety if you so choose. It goes great with your other BBQ fare or it always goes really really really well with pickerel if you are fortunate enough to catch some fresh from Minnitaki Lake.

2 & 3/4 cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp dill

1 can of beer (or bottle - you do the math)

Mix all ingredients together well, pour into a loaf pan and bake in a 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes. Serve warm with butter.

signed, the willow

Scones and "Devonshire Cream"

I am so going to be in trouble for this one. In spirit of the local tea house that we visited for a spot of English tea and scones.

Scones

Preheat oven to 450

Blend or sift together:

1 & 3/4 flour

2 tbsp sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Cut in finely

1/3 cup vegetable shortening - I substituted with "my fave for baking with" aka olive oil margarine and it worked out great

Combine

1 well-beaten egg

1/2 cup milk

Add to dry ingredients and stir lightly with a fork to make a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 8-10 times. Roll flat and cut into individual 4" diameter circles. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly. Dip in melted butter and then dip in white sugar. Yield: 8-9 scones

"Devonshire Cream"

I made this one up, so bear with me.

Take about 1/4 cup of butter/margarine and mix with 1-2 tsp of sugar to taste. Whip up with vanilla and a heavy cream. I used about 2 tbsp of 10% cream and it separated a bit after, but it worked. Whip together and spread on warm scones. Yum. Delicious.

It goes great with lingonberry sauce from IKEA which is just slightly sweet and barely tart. Perfect combo. The Swedes, the Scottish and the Brits provide the Earl Grey tea to go with the whole thing.

signed, the willow

Okey Dokey Recipe Time Again

I am on an easter egg hunt for a wheat grass juicer for the house that is not going to cost me a fortune. I found one for under $40, but it had about $900 in shipping costs to Canada. .

Roasted Red Peppers with Feta & Garlic

4 Red Peppers - remove seeds etc.

250 g Feta Cheese - crumbled

100 g cream cheese

2 cups (or less) of Basmati rice

3-4 cloves garlic - minced

Salt & pepper

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp Chili Powder

After you have finished removing the "lids" and seeds from the red peppers, toss rice with crumbled Feta, cream cheese, garlic and chili powder. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the peppers and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast or broil until mixture inside is hot. Alternatively, you can pre-broil the peppers alone and stuff them and continue to roast them. Um, this is pretty much supper for me. But you can serve along side the rotting flesh of dead animals, if you so chose.

signed, the willow

Rear view of turtle

Who in their right mind in 1960 illustrated this book? Believe me, we were grasping at straws for things to do and I found this book. Something tells me it was my brother's before it was mine.


My favourite, the rear view of turtle. That's right, shove it!


Look at how you can make veggies into puppets. A whole chapter dedicated to this!


I'm not sure I could categorize a rubber ball in the vegetable section, nor the produce section. I'm not quite sure I could balance a cucumber on my middle finger with a carrot stuck in it for a nose either. It was the 60s, I guess. Rubber comes from a plant, I suppose you could try and eat it.

signed, the willow
(time for recovery and to become less dependent on cough syrup)

Were the Gladiators Vegetarians?

Last night I caught the tail end of a show on History Television called "Gladiator Graveyards". Nothing I would ever turn on for myself, something *Steve* would watch. I care more for the useless banter on "reality" shows that make me dumb and dumber. What was amazing was how these archaeologists found the remains of several (68 to be exact) Gladiators. Exenius was the Gladiator who stuck out. He must have been a trainer they figure since he was at least 50 at the time of his death, while the other remains were of men around the age of 30. Now, scientists and the average person believe that these strong men would have to eat a primarily high protein diet consisting mostly of meat, right? Wrong. They studied their bones and checked for strontium levels. The higher the levels of strontium, the more the accumulation of vegetables in their diet and concluding the absence of meat. It turns out that these guys were running around fighting each other for entertainment in front of live audiences (not much has changed there) and they were almost completely, if not completely, vegetarians. Vinegar and ash drinks mixed with barley and beans would substitute for their pre-show Gatorade. Get it? Prior to a big fight night they'd be allowed to feast on some protein (i.e. meat). But up until that night, their diets were void of meat. These dudes were vegetarians. This interesting fact about strontium has led scientists to now research its effects on osteoporosis and the absence of calcium in the diet. Can you imagine if we eat our veggies like our mothers tell us to, we can avoid osteoporosis better then those who listen to their mothers who say "drink your milk"? Very interesting. Because we could hook a tap up to a cow in the backyard for someone in our family! And me, I'll take my veggies over milk any day of the week. Go Gladiators! You can read more about it here on bbc.

signed, the willow