A time to remember

Mom phoned me last night. My Aunt Flora passed away this week. She must have been at least 90, so she lived a wonderful and long life. Aunt Flora was one of my favourite people in the whole world. She was strong willed, stubborn, spoke her mind and didn't take crap from anyone. She was also one of the smartest people I ever met.

Aunt Flora, who finished high school and went to University at the age of 15 and was a principal of a school by the age of 18, moved from Manitoba to the Okanagan over sixty years ago, when her husband decided rather than continue farming on the prairies, he'd like to try his hand working in the orchards. I remember being amazed when Aunt Flora asked me to guess how much they had paid for their two lake front lots. $175.00 bought both lots, that the orchard company deemed useless for their business. Uncle George and Aunt Flora built their house room by room, not ever believing in credit. As they built up a little bit of cash, they would add another room. The little house reflected the manner in which it had been built, but there was never a more welcoming place to me in the world!

When I was young, my Mom and Dad would pack up the van with all the camping gear and we would head West for holidays. I can remember the excitement of driving up to Aunt Flora's where I knew, I would be welcomed with cream soda pic-a-pop (Aunt Flora always remembered that it was my favourite) and the encouragement to run up the "mountain" behind their house, or the command to climb a tree, or pick the cherries growing on the tree in the front yard. I loved those moments. Even back then Aunt Flora's house was like a museum. A veritable treasure trove of shells, photos and antiques; a monument to her love of nature, travelling and the never ending quest for knowledge.

We stopped going out to BC every summer by the time I was eight. In 2003, the kids, their dad and I packed up our truck with the camping gear and headed west for our own family holiday. A stop at Aunt Flora's was a must - I wanted the kids to meet her, to get to know her. The place was just as I remembered, except the cherry tree was gone (had to be cut down after a delivery truck ran into it and broke the branches), and there were huge mansions up the back mountain. Houses or not, Aunt Flora was quick to tell the kids to climb the mountain, and explore. We had a wonderful time, visiting with her, sitting on her lawn, playing in the lake and listening to her stories. The kids were just as enthralled with her and her house as I had always been.

The next year, we went back again. Only this time, we could see a difference in Aunt Flora. She was into her late eighties by then and simply didn't have the energy to visit or tell stories as much. We would drive over from the campground we were staying in, and visit for a while, then head down to the lake, while she rested or slept in her lawn chair. We didn't make it back in 2005. By that time, our marriage was all but over, I was recovering from a car accident, and there was no point trying to pretend we were a happy family on vacation. That winter, Aunt Flora went into a nursing home over the hill from her house. She didn't mind, she was the one to choose it.

Last summer, G, N and I went to the Okanagan. We didn't know what we would find. Unsure if the propery was sold and the house torn down already, or not. I had to go, one last time. As I drove down the road that runs along the lake I came to a sight that I had come to associate with a sense of peace and tranquility.

If the sign was there, and I could see the house through the trees, then surely it was still Aunt Flora's and I could go sit on her lawn and have that sense of re-grouping that I so desperately craved. I parked the van and walked up the hill and found my cousin. She had moved in for the summer until the house would be sold. What a wonderful day we had. Even though Aunt Flora wasn't there, Elisabeth did a fine job of taking over where her mom left off in the family history, and the science and geography lessons. We played in the lake, had cold drinks on the front lawn and for the first time in a over a year, I had that feeling again. The same one I always got when I was at Aunt Flora's. A knowledge that everything would be alright. Aunt Flora wasn't well that day, and was too tired to visit with us, but sent her love and then we were on our way. It could only be a short stop in the Okanagan as we had to start heading back home.

I always admired Aunt Flora. She was a heck of a lady, posessing all the qualities I always wished I could have. My friend Tammy said a very lovely and comforting thing to me today. She told me, "you can honour her by trying to live out the characteristics you admired". You know, Tammy's right. I hope some day I can be as strong a woman as Aunt Flora. I don't have a picture of my Aunt right now. She didn't want me taking any of her the last time I saw her. So instead, I will post a picture of her "secret garden" that led up from the road to her magical lawn, where troubles melted away, imagination took over and you were expected to play and be a kid no matter how grown up you were supposed to be.

Good bye Aunt Flora, you meant more to me than you probably ever knew.

It's been a long time...

I've been completely neglecting this blog as of late. Not for want of blogging, just lack of time! I've been ridiculously busy over the last few weeks! We've been trying desperately (in between rain and work of course) to get our yard and deck finished. It feels like it's never ending, hopefully this will be the magic weekend though!

So - in light of all manner of busy-ness, I've hardly had time to knit at all! Kristina did provide me with some much needed motivation to get back to working on Samus, and I've managed to get one sleeve finished, and the second one started (only done the cuff and three rows, so not much progress unfortunately). She also kindly provided me with the much needed extra needle when I lost mine in a tragic knitting in transit incident (needle fell through the seat never to be seen again), so I've managed to just today finish the first sock of my lace sock from Knitting Vintage Socks that my wonderful spring fling partner sent me. I will reserve pictures for when I finish the complete items thus providing me with incentive - I will have to get them done. It's only right if I'm promising pics!

What I will show you pictures of are the following:

N, the night of his Annual Parade for 553 Sgt. Tommy Prince Army Cadet Core where he was just awarded his green star level badge and was promoted to Private. Following in Mom's footsteps, he's off to Vernon, BC this summer for 3 weeks for pipeband camp.


G dancing the Sword Dance at the Mid-Canada Championships at the Winnipeg Forks on Saturday, June 9th (she placed 2nd in the sword and was 2nd runner up in her age category of 13-15) Oh by the way she's the dancer in the middle.


Last, but certainly by no means least, may I present to you the newest additions to our family; Guinness and Lucky who will move in with us in about 2 1/2 weeks when they are old enough to leave their mama.



Well, hopefully soon I'll have some knitting pictures to share with you, but for now that's it for me! Pumpkin hour is upon me and I must head off to bed. 4:30am comes way too soon!

I've hit the jackpot!!!!!

What a great 24 hours in the postal delivery department!



First of all... look at the lovely parcel I received from my Coffee Swap partner, Barb yesterday in the mail! Bavarian Chocolate and Irish Cream Coffee, beautiful heathered green wool, gorgeous lopi (How to describe such a rich colour...), the Bernat cotton, which you can never ever have enough of, some really sweet stitch markers (as I'm finding out these days, you can never have enough of them either!!!), and carmel kisses. I've never even seen caramel kisses. YUMMY!!!!!

Barb's parcel with coffee goodness came at the perfect time as I was frantically, madly trying to write my final philosophy essay. Right after supper I brewed a pot of the chocolate coffee and it kept me fueled well into the night as I wrote! Only about 500 or 600 words more to go give or take and then I'll be sending it off to my prof! Which means I'm only about 500-600 words away from being finished the course! Yippee! I succumbed to the call of the chocolate coffee this morning too... I'm telling you! You just can't get better than chocolate coffee first thing to start your day off right!

I'm really hoping to get Barb's parcel sent off to her this weekend! I just need to get out to the store for a few small things (ok - the coffee actually) and then it'll be ready to go!



Today's post brought another parcel o'goodies for me! My wonderful Spring Fling SP sent me a treasure trove of treats! Body lotion (which is the hint as to who she is, still working on that one apparently I'm a little thick), candle, lip balm, Lorna's Laces in Bittersweet and Knitting Vintage Socks. Now, I'm sure my entire neighbourhood heard me squealing in delight. I actually was hopping up in down in the kitchen when I saw the book!! I've had my name on the list for it at the library for what seems like forever now. They haven't even taken it out of processing yet, and given the fact I'm not the first person on the list, I had lost all hope of clapping my eyes on it anytime soon... but now... I HAVE MY OWN!!!!!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! I didn't even want to take time out for supper! Of course the hunger pangs in my belly won out and I ate, but as soon as I'd cleared the plates away I grabbed a skein of the Lorna's Laces, and (BF) G's hands (he's now more than ever determined to make my swift lest he be employed as one himself again) and am ready to cast on for a new pair of socks. Now... which ones to make?

I've found a new source of entertainment on my bus ride to and from work this week, in the manner of coffee cup sleeves. I made one from the One Skein book, but didn't really like how it turned out, so I set to work making one of my own design. I've now made three. It's like an obsession. I must be stopped. But I figure, one for at work, one for in the car, (BF) G wanted one... what's a girl to do when there's such a demand like that???

Well... I suppose those last few paragraphs aren't going to write themselves, so I'm off to the world of Socrates and Chuang Tzu for now! Well and maybe just casting on for the new pair of socks...

I've been tagged!

Well!

Kristina has tagged me.

Here are the rules of the game according to Kristina, (who got the rules from Julie McC.

List 7 random things about yourself on your blog.
Tag 7 others.
Leave a comment on their blog to direct them to your site to get the rules.

Oh yeah... and we figure no tag backs...

Thankfully unlike most chain mail these days there were no threats of dismal predictions of what my life would become if I didn't send this out right away to contend with! Phew!

Anyways here goes....

SEVEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME!

1) I am third youngest of eight kids. My oldest brother and youngest brother are 33 years to the day apart and my oldest brother is only 10 years younger than my mom. This one stumped the security clearance people back when I was in the military. They kept rejecting my application for clearance based on the fact that I must have listed the birth dates incorrectly. Apparently, what they couldn't understand was the term half-brother. My oldest three siblings have a different mom than the rest of us. (well I guess that's more a random family fact than one just about me - but whatever!)

2) I am frighteningly organized in my work life (good thing being a library technician), and woefully unorganized in my home life! My book truck and desk at work are always kept in order - yet at home I currentlly can't find my tax return statement that I got in the mail last month. Aggghhh.

3) My favourite place in the world is my Aunt Flora's front lawn, which unfortunately is no longer available to me because when I was there last summer, my Aunt had gone into a nursing home and her children were selling the property. It will be gone now I'm sure, as it was prime real estate on the Okanagan lake.

4) I almost always re-read my favourite books. For example... I read Anne of Green Gables when I was seven. It was my favourite book. In grade nine, when we had a choice of what book to study in language arts I chose Anne of Green Gables. I didn't tell the teacher I'd read it for the first time seven years earlier and re-read probably a hundred times in the time in between.

6) When I was fifteen I had the biggest celebrity crush ever on Tom Cruise. I find it embaressing now, but when I was a teenager, I loved him in the movie Top Gun and had a huge poster of him on my bedroom door. Well that is until the night the tape gave way and the poster fell down making the worst noise ever, frightening me half to death. Poster never went back up, and well, now Tom Cruise is just weird.

7) Snakes make me cry. I am that afraid of them. Even harmless (but terrifying) garter snakes. I don't even like to see them at the zoo behind the glass.

There you go! Seven random facts about yours truly!

Now it's your turn should you have the time and inclination...

Bumblefee
Duchess
Colette
Ladylungdoc
This Kitten Knits
Barb
Prairiedaun

Wow! I had a comment already this morning in regards to this post! I've removed it, because really this is all about fun, and I don't feel like having someone's insulting, rude comments regarding my current thoughts on Tom Cruise sitting here spitting venom at people who enjoy my blog. I feel that it's completely within my right not to accept comments that call me names, say derogatory things about an entire nation based on whether or not I like a movie star etc. Some people are odd. It kind of boggles the mind, but I guess it takes all types! Now, go forth and have fun with your random facts, ladies!

Lovely Lush Pampering!

Look what wonderful treats were waiting for me in the mail yesterday!! Wow! I especially love the Sonic Death Monkey, a product that my partner says every mom of a punk rocker should posess! It smells divine. Good enough to eat that's for sure! And bath bars... oh relaxation here I come! And look at the Virtue 100% cashmere there too! Wheeeee! So much fun! Thank you my SP! You are so generous!

In other news I FINISHED MY PHILOSOPHY ESSAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Just one more to go. Granted it's got to be about 2500 words, which shall prove to be challenging at best... but I can do it! No knitting for the next few days mind you. Focus focus focus. Have to have said essay in to the prof before May 31st. But that's ok. I'm not panicking tonight! Really...

I looked after my baby nephew on Sunday! He's so absolutely adorable and so well behaved. Not a single complaint out of him the whole afternoon! He was good as gold for auntie! He's grown so much in the last few months though!

Baby R and the fishies


And finally cause it's just too cool for words... I just have to show off my new book truck that I got at work. I've had it for a couple of weeks now - just never got around to bragging about it. Check it out... Aren't all you library people envious! It's purple-ness sure caused a stir in the office the day it came in! And it's mine! All mine! Teee heeee heee! Makes me happy (apparently it doesn't take much today).

Well I'm off to relish in the fact I've actually got the old essay done and sent! What a relief! Well actually. I think I'm off to bed. My brain is kind of hurting from said essay!

Things that make me happy!

I am a very happy person these days! Why you ask? Because... Wheeeeee! I have a lawn! An honest to goodness lawn!!!!!

Last July we bought our house and the yard looked like this:



On Monday night our yard was transformed into this:

(Side view - but best light to show the grass!)

In other news I made another cel phone cover for (BF) G the other day. It seems to be a bit of a better fit than the last attempt. I used Paton's Classic Wool. Cast on 26 stitches on 5.5mm needles, divided between three needles, knit until appropriate height (about an inch taller than phone), knit strap by picking up three stitches at bottom of cover and knit until just slightly shorter than the top edge cast of these three stitches along with the corresponding stitches on the top edge, casting off all but 9 stitches, knit these stitches for desired length for flap doing slight decrease along the sides, cast off, sew up bottom, throw in washing machine and voila! A manly cel phone cover!


Last but certainly not the least... some Yarn PRon. OK, I know people normally do this on Fridays, but I couldn't wait, and I've never been a conformist so here is my latest addition to my stash. Some gorgeous Lorna's Laces in Lakeview. I'm thinking of trying Pomatomus by Cookie A.

What a week!

The Agitations in concert - Ragpickers, Winnipeg - May 3rd

Between Punk shows, and highland competitions, plus trying to write an essay and get yard work done, it's been quite the week!! J had a gig the other night down in the exchange, so being a good Mom, I first of all helped load the van with amps, guitars, drums, mics not to mention three jolly green giants of teenage boys, plus one not so jolly green giant like 12 year old. Got all the equipment and jolly green giants to the exchange district then went back for the others. I was treated to quite the show, which all took place in a tiny upstairs studio above a vintage clothing store. I though briefly that someone had broken my toe in the madness that was an overflowing mosh pit, but turns out it was just bruised. I found out quite quickly just how old I really am I guess!

I took the day off of work in order to start really getting the yard ready for the sod that was being delivered on Saturday, unfortunately, it rained and rained. Matter of fact, we might have been better off building an ark rather than considering a lawn. It rained all weekend. Well until tonight anyways. So now we have a lake of mud, and a gigantic pile of sod sitting in the driveway. Oh well, I didn't have the worst of it. Although it put a damper - pardon the pun - on my yard work, at least I could stay warm and dry inside!! Poor N was off on an army cadet exercise all weekend out in Caddy Lake.

All the rain at least that gave me ample time yesterday to really get down to business with the philosophy essay that has become quite the monkey on my back. Just a few hundred more words to go - get my critism and conclusion done and fire it off to my prof by Tuesday I hope, so that I can jump head on into the next essay. Sigh... I will NEVER attempt philosophy through distance ed again. I am just not disciplined enough. Three weeks, though. That's all that's left to finish it in. Ack! That's enough to send shivers of panic down my spine!

G and her teacher - Manitoba Provincial Selection Competition - May 6th

G had provincial championships today. Not the best day for her, but she did well considering not practicing like she should have been and falling down the stairs on Monday night. She placed in the Fling and the Seann Tribhuis, which was great and had she not touched her sword, and tripped up in the Strathspey, things might have worked out differently for her results wise, but she's not unhappy and feels pretty good that at least she could still dance today. Kudos to her for a job well done!

I had a spectacular treat waiting for me when I got home this afternoon! My Knitty Spring Fling secret pal went all out with yummy treats for me! I don't think the picture will do the mug justice enough, but it's covered in pictures of Tartan and pipers! Which is perfect for me! She also sent a lovely scottish tin that had been her aunt's (which makes it really special to me!) And the treats, oh the yummy treats! Coffee candies, fruity candies and chocolate. A girl just can't go wrong with treats like that! Plus tea - oh how I love my tea!!!!! She also sent the cutest little wind up critter - I think he's an inch worm the way he inches along! I'm so easily amused! Oh and I can't forget the container of Burt's Bees hand salve, something that I've been really wanting to try! Thank you so much to my awesome SP!!!Q

Another FO and some more gorgeous yarn for the stash!

Well, my "bus-knitting" project is finally done! I am pleased to present to you, my Party Lace Scarf knit in Rowan Kid Silk Haze (wonderfully provided to me by Duchess!)


The pictures aren't that great - my camera just doesn't do a good job of picking up detail, but I kind of liked the soft feel that the picture with the flowers had and then thought at least you might be able to see some detail on the picture of me wearing it. Thanks to N for taking the picture of me! I dragged him outside, away from the TV while he was still in his PJs to be my photographer!

The talented Duchess also sent me another lovely skein of yarn in the mail the other day. It's her own handspun merino and it's gorgeous and has now inspired a mad search for a drop spindle for myself. I've been toying with the idea for a bit now, but after seeing this lovely skein, I've decided I want to try this new skill for myself. No where in Winnipeg seems to have them though, and shipping through ebay makes it so much more expensive, so not to be deterred, I've scouted out the instructions to make one for myself and am going to try and hit Michaels this afternoon for a toy car wheel, then it will be off to Rona for a cup hook and dowel. I am convinced I can do this! Anyways, without further adieu, here's the skein of yarn in question:



Clapotis is going really well, although I've set it aside this weekend to work on the spa set in the 101 One Skein book. (can't remember the exact title right at the moment.) I'm knitting it out of Jade Bamboo. I like the feel of the bamboo. It's soft and has a lovely drapy feel to it. I also learned how to crochet this week. My friend Kathi from work has generously offered to teach me! I finished learning the single and double crochet while making a dish cloth the other day. I had bought the newest Interweave Crochet magazine two weeks ago and decided I really need to have someone show me the intricacies of crocheting. I do have the "Happy Hooker", which is great, but somehow I learn better by watching someone actually do it. Well, it's just too beautiful to be cooped up inside so I'm off to enjoy the warmth and sunshine outside!

Coffee Swap 2

I'm really excited to be taking part in the 2nd Knitter's Coffee Swap. We were asked to post some answers on our blog so that our partner can get to know our likes and dislikes, so here's mine!

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean... I love the smell of fresh ground coffee beans in the morning!
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded or what's the point?!?
3. Regular or flavored? I really love flavoured coffees
4. How do you drink your coffee? With milk and sugar
5. Favorite coffee ever? Mexican coffee served at a resort in Mazatlan. It involved flaming glasses, kaluha, tequila, coffee and cream that tasted like ice cream! And the waiter who prepared it wasn't bad to look at either!!
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I am not fussy - pretty much any ol' bean will do!
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Biscotti, cookies, scones, muffins... apparently I'm not fussy about that either!
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? I like a medium roast rather than a dark roast
9. Yarn/fiber you love? Natural fibres are my favourites!
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Right now, fun fur unless it's just a little accent. I did way too many fun fur scarves a few years ago!
11. What's on your needles? Clapotis, Samus, (both from Knitty) and Party Lace Scarf (from MagKnits)
12. Favorite colors? Bright or rich colours - not crazy about pastels.
13. Allergies? Nope
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? I really look forward to getting to know my coffee swap partner! I think meeting someone new is the best part of these swaps!

Yarn-y delights

Well, it's been almost a week since I finished them at the dance competition, but I am just finally getting a chance to show off my very fabulous (well to me anyways) Monkey socks! Cookie A. is a sock genius! I loved everything about the pattern, the fit, the design, the way I was able to zip through knitting them in only two weeks! So here I present to you Monkey. Knit on bamboo needles (I love them for socks!!) using Sweet Georgia's Berry.



Now on to other yarn-y delights...

I can't remember if I mentioned how very weak I am when it comes to having discipline in NOT increasing my stash. I might as well come clean right here and right now. I have no self control. I have a problem. I really do. That being said, I don't think anyone can blame me for snapping up a lovely bag of 10 balls of Jade bamboo. I have no idea which project it's destined to, but I just had to have it. It came a few weeks ago, and so far has been sitting all forlorn in my closet. I thought it should come out into the beautiful sunny afternoon just for a few minutes so I could really get a good feel for the colour. I think I love it even more now!!

Now, my latest little aquisition is some absolutely gorgeous Araucania Nature Wool that is destined to become my very own Clapotis! I've been wanting to find the perfect yarn and then I stumbled across these little gems on ebay one night. Such a good price, shipping to Canada was awesome, Canada customs however was less than awesome and charged me another $8.77 tax. Grrrr. Still worth it though. I am so eager to start my "Clap" tonight!

In other knitty news, I am having a ball (ha ha pardon the pun) with my Spring Fling Swap Partners! I've been sending and receiving e-cards, messages and emails with my partners and it's a hoot! And a shout out to my Knitty SP8 partner, Duchess, who sent me such lovely lovely gifts - (BF)G absolutely loves his socks made from the wool you hand dyed for me, and my Party Lace Scarf gets compliments from everyone who sees me knitting it! Your generousity and thoughtfulness are so very appreciated! And I would be terribly remiss not to mention Colette from right here in Manitoba who was my secret partner in the International Tote Exchange III. She knit me a fantastic bag in terrific colours of yellow, green, brown and blue! I actually have the perfect spring outfit to go with it too!

Well, I'm off to go print off the pattern for Clapotis! Until next time... Happy knitting!

Some more FOs!

I finished the Green Bean socks and (BF) G is very happy with them. He claims that they are perfect! They did turn out very nicely and actually fit him, so no wonder he's excited. His sweater I made him last summer was a disaster. Turned out very very large on his less than large frame. Actually body of sweater was short and stout, and arms were meant for a gorilla I think. But hopefully he'll get use out of it camping or something. Anyways, I think the sucess of the Green Beans really makes up for it all! I was mighty pleased with myself too, because I taught myself a new trick in finishing them. I've always been terrible at grafting. It turns out more like a haphazard tangle of thread than a nice smooth finish, but not this time! Instead of avoiding it like the plague (which I normally do in light of bad results), I embraced the challenge. I followed some great instructions every step of the way and it worked. I am really excited about this! Yes, I do realize that I'm obviously very easily amused, but I've learned to embrace that as well!

Once the Green Beans were off the needles I felt rather bereft and needed a quick project before starting anything new. I made a cell phone cozy for myself based on a pattern I had found last year and then lost (can't even remember the pattern company so unfortuately cannot give credit where credit is due.) so had to go by memory as to what it looked like. I used a bit of dishcloth cotton and an unknown fun fur that was lurking in my stash cast on 20 stitches in the round, did seed stitch until it was almost the height of my phone, then a couple rounds of stocking stitch with the fun fur, and voila. Within an hour I had a cell phone cozy. In retrospect I wish I'd used a few less stitches so it would have been a tighter fit, but oh well. Not a huge concern - I may just run a quick elastic through the top to cinch it in a bit. I think it's kind of cute anyways.

I'm still working away on the Party Lace Scarf, but got sidetracked a week ago Thursday with my Monkey Socks. They were just begging to be cast on, and honestly, this has got to be the fastest sock pattern on record. With very little knitting time I'm done sock number one and more than half way through the first sock! I love this pattern, I love the way it looks already and I love my Berry Sweet Georgia! I think socks are my new addiction.

Unfortunately, poor Seamus still sits in the basket, the body and one cuff done. Probalby wouldn't take long to finish it, I'm just not feeling the love for it right now. Not sure why. Maybe once I get Monkey Socks out of the way, I'll finish Seamus before I start the Janet Lace Shawl or anything else.

I also got somewhat sidetracked last week making my friend L's dress for her friend's wedding social that was on Friday night. After a minor fitting disaster - note to myself - next time, warn the person being fitted to wear the proper undergarments that will be worn under the finished garment - ie: NO PADDED BRAS if said padding is not going to be underneath the very fitted top in the end! Early Friday morning I was remaking the entire bodice of the dress to fit to actual size. Grrrr. In the end it did end up looking lovely though and I was really pleased.

Well, the two younger kids have been busy helping make Easter dinner, so I should go put the finishing touches on and set the table!

I just can't help myself...

Well... I went and did it! I bought more yarn. So much for being good with the Stash & Bust Along. I had already caved a few weeks back and bought my gorgeous skein of Sweet Georgia in the Paris colourway. I know exactly what it's destined for. After searching and searching for the perfect shawl pattern, I've settled on theJanet Lace Shawl from Knit Picks. I think it will suit the yarn perfectly seeing as it's a similar colour itself.

I had justified the Sweet Georgia with the fact that it was about to become very hard to get my hands on in light of her upcoming hiatus. However, I can't think of a single justification for my next self induced stash increase other than it was a great bargain. (I wish my mother's words would stop running through my head... It's not a bargain if you don't actually need it. Hush, Mom! You've never really lived by those words yourself, so really stop saying that - and by the way while you're at it, could your voice please get out of my head for awhile? It's disconcerting the way you pop up by surprise that way!) Anyways, I splurged on a bag, yes a whole bag, of Bamboo. How could I not? It worked out to only $58.00 Cdn. for 10 balls, and it's pretty certain that it's SWTC's Bamboo given the colours are the exact same. And now, Yarn Discontinued appears to have Cherry Tree Hill sock yarns available for a great price too. Oh. The injustice of all this temptation.

I am patting myself on the back though for working on UFOs - ok in reality they weren't even WIP until a few weeks ago, but I'm going great guns on them! I've been working away on my Party Lace scarf and a new pair of socks. This time I'm making socks for (BF) G. He begged. He pleaded. He bribed. I gave in. After all, I really do appreciate his understanding and support, and let's face it, when I catch him at a weak moment, his enabling of my addiction. He's even promised to either make me, or buy me a swift and ball winder after helping me untangle the mess I made of the skein of yarn for his socks and hearing me rave on after I took a little reconassance mission to the LYS to check out the efficiency of swifts (I think I'm in love. I really really want one.)

So tonight, I hope to really motor through what I'm calling his "Green Bean" socks. I'm using the lovely green yarn my SP sent me a couple of weeks ago, and they remind me of one of our favourite veggies, so thus the name! Well, I'm off to go hide my credit card away so I can't easily grab it in a weak moment of online "window" shopping.

Some FOs and my very favourite WIP

So, I feel it's time to show off some of my accomplishments of late!

First off, I finished the second Hot Tamale Sock awhile ago, and decided to make G a pair of ankle socks with the left overs. I finally got them finished last Sunday morning while watching Coronation Street. Amazing that I could knit with all the stress over Ronnie trying to get poor Steve blamed for the hit and run - I never did like her one bit. Sorry... I digress! Back to knitting. So as I was saying I finished her socks and she's quite pleased with them, as I am with mine, although truth be told, they're a wee bit baggy, but that's ok. They're cozy and colourful to say the least!

Next on my list is my brown and pink purse that was originally destined for the International Tote Exchange. However, after felting it, I decided it was a little small for what I thought my partner would like and I decided that I would just keep it. And no, G if you're reading this. This is my bag. I am NOT giving it to you and no, you may NOT steal it either. I'll be watching you. Remember... Mom's see all and know all. Ooops, sorry. I digress again. It's just that I live with a knitted item thief and I have to keep a close watch on her or my knitted things tend to wander down the hall into the abyss of her bedroom.

Moving right along is the tote that's going to a new home. I love this tote! It's big and roomy and just feels right! I have plenty more wool where it came from (a random purchase of about 8 balls of Paton's chunky last summer - the tote only took two) so I probably will make one for myself. Although G was eyeing up this one too. I'm telling you... I have to be constantly on my guard against eyelash batting and flattery. "Oh, Mom... I love that! Can I have it? Please? Can I just borrow it?"

Now for my very favourite WIP! As I mentioned in my last posting, my very fabulous SP8 partner gave me a delicious ball of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. I'm in love with this yarn. I really am. It's beautiful and it's like knitting with a cobweb it's so fine, but it's so soft and is working up surprisingly fast despite some issues with dry skin (bad combo - fine yarn and lizard lady skin) and losing a stitch and then having to try and frog back to find where it went. I definately don't recommend frogging this particular yarn! I'm loving the easy lace work of MagKnits party lace scarf

So there you have it! That's what I've been up to lately!

Jumping up and down squealing, "Look what I got in the mail today!"

Well, it is completely official. My SP is fabulous and wonderful! I already figured as much, but it's been absolutely confirmed by the lavish parcel I received in the post today!

This time she spoiled me with some patterns which are definately ones that I want to make for sure, some wonderful yummy orange scented body lotion (does she somehow know that in the winter I simply can't get enough lotion???) and soap. I love orange... happy sighs... She also sent a really cool mug, and then the yarn. Oh my gosh! I'm in heaven! I got a ball of Rowan Kidsilk - my first ever!!! It's gorgeous, it's beautiful... I want to fondle it too along with the alpaca she sent in the last parcel. I don't even care if people think I'm weird. Anyone who knits will understand. And that's not all! She also sent a huge skein of hand dyed fabulous sock yarn in the most awesome shades of green. I am the luckiest SP recipient ever I think!

She also sent a little hint as to her identity... I believe I've found her. Although my cataloguing skills are faboo, apparently my reference searching skills suck! It took me an eternity to rummage through knitty postings and find her or at least the one who I think it is! ha ha

Well I am off to go fondle yarn-y goodness! Happy sighs (again)

Could spring be on its way???

Bliss... It's been lovely warm here in Winnipeg the last few days! It's been snowing on and off, but who cares! It's only -2 *C today! Whooo hooo! I didn't need my sixteen layers of clothing today. (You know, long underwear, wool socks, fleecy, parka, scarf, toque, mitts etc.)

It's been a busy week! Had little nephew Robbie's 1st birthday on Monday. I can't believe he's one already! He's my little man, always full of grins and cuddles for Aunty! What a sweetie!

Yesterday I was over at my friend Geri's house and she told me she's going to be doing the Weekend to End Breast Cancer here in Winnipeg on the weekend of June 8-10th. For those of you who may not know about this phenomenal event, participants do a walk of 60kms over a weekend and have a goal raise at least $2000.00 each, which here in Winnipeg goes to CancerCare Manitoba. There's walks taking place throughout the country. If you would like more information on the walk, click on the link in my sidebar. I'm so proud of Geri taking on this endeavor to walk as she says, "for those who can't."

Now, onto much more trivial matters... such as well... knitting! I've been having a really hard time not ordering any Sweet Georgia this week! I may break down in the next hour and phone and place an order. I missed out on my favourite colours at Pick up Sticks because I was too slow to order, but then I got an email notification that Lettuce Knits has some laceweight and superwash sock yarns. Aggghhh. Why must the gods of knitty-ness continually tempt me. I am not that strong! I figure I have another forty minutes to either call the store in Toronto or not. Maybe I should call, and then if they don't have the colour I want, then I can hold out, and if they do have it? Well then clearly, it's fate and meant to be! And everyone knows you shouldn't mess with fate. Right?

In other knitty matters, I finished a little present for my Knitty SP8 partner and mailed her parcel off to her. I hope she likes it! Not saying what it is 'cause I don't want her to stumble across this and then it wouldn't be secret anymore would it? I also started a new tote for the International tote exchange III. I am not sure that my brown and pink bag is as nice as I'd hoped and perhaps not as suitable for my partner, so I'm doing a cabled bag from Patons instead. I think I'll do a few minor changes to the pattern, but am really hoping to have it done by tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest so I can mail it off to her! I found some nice treats to go with it, so I'm looking forward to her reaction!

Squeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Wow!!! I've been spoiled. No question about it! I went to pick up the parcel last night before pipe band practice, and I was so excited that I was trying to open it little bit by little bit at every red light. Boy oh boy, my SP had taped it up well. But I persisted and by the time I'd got to practice I had the top of the box open so I brought it in and started taking everything out right there and then. We then had to take a moment to fondle my yarn and oooh and ahhh over the rest of the contents!

I've just recently been introduced to Alpaca, but hadn't bought myself any yet because of the Stash & Bust-Along (I'm trying sooooo hard to be good). I've never felt anything so extraodnarily soft. What fabulous yarn-y goodness! And the colours are perfect for me. And then there was the tea... did I mention anywhere that I love Raspberry tea? I didn't think I had, but it's one of my absolute favourites. Of course chocolate is always a very very welcome treat and between the hot chocolate packets and the huge orange chocolate bar, I've got lots!!!!! The kids better not get any ideas. I'm not sharing. Then of course she'd included tons of Kool-Aid for my dyeing pleasure. I can hardly wait to get going on that! The terrific little notebook will be perfect for in my knitting basket. I almost forgot the candle. I love yummy scented candles and this one is apple pie. Mmmmmmm. Delicious! Ohhhhh.... this is sooooo much fun! Thank you thank you thank you my wonderful, thoughtful SP extraordinaire!

I wonder if it would be wrong to take my yarn to work with me this morning so I can fondle it whenever I want????

Well, it's been ages again since I last posted. I have been busy. Doing what exactly I'm not sure. Just life stuff I guess. In between all the life "crap" I have still been knitting. I think that goes without saying.

Here's the updated list of what I've been working on:

- Hot Tamale socks (again) - this pair is ankle length, one is done, the other on the needles and was started today on the bus ride home from work
- Tote for the Tote Exchange - it's felting as I type
- Poor old Samus - who I've all but abandoned

Here's what's going to be worked on next:

- Small project yet to be determined for my SP8 partner
- Wrist warmers to match my IHS
- Monkey socks from Knitty in my beautiful skein of Sweet Georgia - sniff sniff (for those of you who may not have heard, she's taking some time off from dyeing for at least six months - I am bereft
- A black and red striped sweater as requested by J (pattern yet to be determined)

I suppose I really should finish the darned bunny and bear slippers at the bottom of my basket too. Ahh, but they can wait a bit longer. Easter's not for a while yet.

I've been really good about the Stash and Bust Along. I haven't finished all that many projects compared to some, and my stash hasn't really decreased, but by golly I've been good about not allowing any yarn purchases. I'm like a junkie needing my fix though. I've been trying to bribe (BF)G into buying me yarn in the logic that it would be a gift and therefore not me buying it ergo, I would still be complying with the rules. He won't budge though. Which I suppose is good. Probably would be a bad thing if he was an enabler. Sigh. I did go into Ram Wools though to buy some yarn for my SP8 a couple of weeks ago (Imagine the strength it took to not buy any for myself!) and I bought the yarn for my tote for the exchange on another trip to Ram Wools and again, came out with just that and nothing for me. I felt that was deserving of a big ol' pat on the back. (BF)G however, feels that as I bought the wool for myself to knit with that's actually like getting a fix and therefore should be a strike against me. I tried to explain that there was just simply nothing in my stash that would do, but he's adamant that I'm fudging the rules to suit my addiction.

Oh and here's the pic of the work that's in the machine right now hopefully felting itself to beauty!

A bit of this and a bit of that...

Well, I realized that it's been quite some time since my last posting here. I've accomplished quite a bit (in my humble opinion anyways!)
My Irish Hiking Scarf was finished some time last week and I've been awfully glad to have it done! After much concern about it being un-wearable due to scratchiness, I am relieved to report that as promised it did soften after washing. I think it could still come out nicer, but the mercury took a nose dive again and it's been too bloody cold to be without a nice big scarf here in "WinterPeg." In the pat myself on the back category, I have had lots of compliments on the scarf and it's colour, so yey me! I'm tickled especially given the fact I wasn't overly thrilled with my first attempts at Kool Aid dyeing. As for Samus, well I am mighty pleased to announce that I made it! I actually accomplished my goal of getting the body finished by Robbie Burn's Day (January 25th)! I'll save pics of Samus until I'm completely done, so you'll have to wait on that one!

I had to take some time out of knitting last week to make G a new National costume for her highland dance competition that was on Saturday. I'm a little embaressed to admit that I bought the Dress Red Scott fabric back in July in Calgary at InterProv and just never got around to it. Was a little panicked when I realized it was Wednesday night and she needed to wear it on Saturday, but it got done and looked really pretty! It's a nice change for her seeing as she's worn the same Royal Stewart costume since she was eight! I even took my camera to the competition so that I could take a pic of her in it with her hair all done, but as per my ususal, I left the camera in my purse the whole time and didn't think of it till later that night when she was in her jammies, just out of the shower. Maybe next time.

Back to all things knitty.

As I had suggested earlier, I've been quite busy lately! During Friday's bus ride to and from work, the dance competition (of course when G wasn't dancing), waiting through the show she had to dance at on Saturday night, and about another hour on top, I managed to finish this!
Yes, it is one sock! Rather funky yarn if you ask me. It's Bernat Sox in Hot Tamale. I really couldn't decide if I liked it at all, but it was in my stash (my sis had unloaded it on me from her stash) and I figured, well... why not? I think G will be the likely recipient of them when I get sock #2 done. She seemed to be quite taken with it, and I'm tired of her being the sock thief!

Tonight, whilst watching Coronation Street, and two episodes of friends I made a camera bag for G's digital camera.

All in all... a good knitty week! Now, to plan some goodies for my SP8 swap partner, as well as figure out what pattern I want to make for my International Tote Exchange partner.

Neglected UFOs

Earlier I forgot to post the picture of my UFOs. A requirement of the Stash and UFO Bust-Along. So here they are. Samus and my Irish Hiking Scarf. I'm really pleased with Samus, and I've neglected my IHS for so long I now feel a sense of guilt.

Also, in other news, I've been trying to take pictures of my FOs from 2006 and add them here on my blog. Today I had J's girlfriend K bring over my version of Pasha. I made him last year for J to give K for Valentine's as he couldn't find the perfect stuffed penguin for her. I am still quite proud of Pasha as it's the first project I was ever brave enough to change the type of yarn on. He is made out of two differnt types of eyelash and then crafter's cotton. Apparently he's been well loved.

I really don't think I've got a big problem

So, as discovered and already mentioned on Stash & UFO Bust-Along, I don't think I have nearly the stash problem that I feared I did. Really, I only have 128 balls of yarn. That's not really that much. (at least not in my humble opinion) I even found a couple surprises of yarn that I'd forgotten I had. Like Christmas, it was!

You see? It all fits nicely on my bed...

(BF)G apparently thinks 128 balls of yarn is alot. Little does he know. Ha ha ha! He'd probably be afraid if he knew just how bad this little addiction could be!

In other news, I finished two pairs of wristwarmers for G. They took no time at all really.
Fetching only took me two days. I started them Wednesday morning before work and had them done Thursday evening. I want to make more. What's not to love about a quick pattern like that? And G loved them so I was even happier.

I showed the girls at pipe band on Thursday evening and we were thinking that maybe it would be good if we made each a pair to wear when piping outside in the winter. Our bass drummer who is a knitting fiend like myself was making her own pair of wristwarmers, from Dr. Who, I think she said. She'd already made fetching in the fall, but the new pattern was really nice too! Hmmm.... I see many, many wristwarmers in my future! Ha ha!

Well, here's G's hands posing with one of each wristwarmer. The colour isn't as bright as it should have been so you can't really get the idea of the pattern, but I thought I'd post it anyways!

In other news, I almost forgot to mention, now that G's wristwarmers are done, I am back to focusing on Samus and my IHS. These are both projects that I'm using for the It's Not A Gift KAL. I needed something to draw my attention back to those two projects... after all, I think they've been on the needles since November. Is it wrong to use the same projects for multiple KALs? I wonder? I hope not! Especially since those two are definately on my Stash and Bust-Along KAL as well. I think that what ever it takes for inspiration should be fine!

Well, I should go on upstairs and do something about organizing that stash of yarn (that not terribly large stash), so that at some time I can go to bed tonight!