the gods of good knitting are smiling on me

I have finished (BF)G's scarf and it turned out well! Perhaps they were satisfied by the sacrificial clapotis afterall. Although, really - how could I mess up a basketweave stitch scarf? I started the scarf on Thursday and finished it last night. I knit it to (BF)G's specifications. Not too long, no fancy pattern (I insisted on the basketweave lest I poke my eyes out with my knitting needles out of sheer boredom doing endless rows of garter or stocking stitch), and it has to be soft, but washable. It took two balls of Bernat Cashmere Natural Blends and at $4.00/ball was a bargain! I am well pleased with how it turned out. Perhaps now I can safely venture back to knitting socks and sweaters and shawls.

I also was reminded yesterday that I should be casting on for some wee hats for the Hats for Alex project. For more information on this very worthwhile endeavor check out the blog dedicated to it (either by clicking on Hats for Alex or the button on my sidebar). I did four hats last year I think and hope to do as many this year. I encourage you all to knit at least one, afterall, baby hats can be made from those left over balls of yarn from previous projects and take no time at all.

Well - it's off to physio and then work for me.

And may I present a somewhat altered Samus

... that after almost a year is finally off the needles. I've been wanting to finish this sweater forever! Especially considering that for the last several months all it has been wanting is the attached i-cord trim. My problem in finishing it lay in the fact that I misjudged the size I needed to make. A simple matter of doing so many repeats of the pattern for the bottom, wrapping it around my hips and saying to myself, "Well, it fits nicely, I'd better not make it any wider or it will be too big." Of course, it would have been to big. For my hips. Unfortuately, what seemed quite logical would have been fine if my chest were indeed the same size as my hips. It is not. It is considerably larger. Ergo, I had a lovely Samus that wouldn't have met in the middle for love or money. So, it became obvious that a wee i-cord trim was not going to do the trick. I muddled over what to do for weeks. I kept hoping that somehow, maybe if I left it alone in the knitting basket the gods of ill-fitting knitted garments would smile favourably upon me and see fit to either make the sweater miraculously grow or my chest miraculously shrink. As you can imagine, neither has happened and so the other night, after being inspired by Kristina's ingenious fixing of a unco-operative UFO, I picked up the offending sweater and my needles and did a six stitch garter border along the whole thing. I now have a sweater that I can wear (even wore it to work the other day) and although not quite what I hoped for, it has at least been salvaged and I'm not completely displeased with the look of it. (please excuse the messy kitchen!)


So actually wearing my Samus in an attempt to thumb my nose at the gods of ill-fitting knitted garments for their lack of interest in fixing my predicament, I began to knit my Jelly Bean hat from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. I wanted a cute little hat that would be perfect for jaunting about town this fall. It would match my new fetching and was going to be great! Who knows what I was imagining really - it brings to mind the time I was going horseback riding after school in grade three, and all day I pictured myself riding across the prairies like a right proper cowgirl with my long braids flapping gloriously in the wind. What in fact happened was I was unceremoniously plunked on the horse's back, sans saddle, where I proceeded to hang on to the poor creature's neck for all I was worth as I was led around the driveway of my friend's farmyard. Anyways, I digress. Back to Jelly Bean. It's not so much suitable for dashing here and there in the height of fashion as it is to prove to the world that I, for one, have a freakishly large basketball-esque head. (and no - you don't get to see me modeling it, it's just too humiliating right now)

It occurs to me that in light of recent trials and tribulations in my world (my felted clapotis, the too-small Samus, the teeny beanie of a hat), perhaps I would be best to make some sort of sacrificial offer - but honestly, I would have thought that my felted clap would have been sacrifice enough.

My Not So Lucky Day that Turned Lucky after all!

I had a rotten day. I will not go into details, suffice it to say though, it well and truly sucked. I was feeling sad and sorry for myself. But then I got home. Waiting for me on the kitchen table was a super duper surprise from my wonderful SP! Just take a look!!!



Yes. That there skein of loveliness would be sea silk from a shop which is local to my partner. Along with the silkie goodness is some dye in which to hand paint it (and the instructions to go along with it). My partner also sent along a magnet with the cutest sea otters on it from the Vancouver Aquarium (I've seen the otters in person and they are really quite sweet swimming around holding each other's hand). I also received a wonderful case for my DPNs (with a great set of sock worthy needles inside it) It's actually a cigar case but is just perfect for DPNs... No more losing them! Wheee! And because it's a cigar case and says Cuba on it, my partner went on a bit of pirate theme and sent me a Pirates of the Carribean Lip Balm and a grow my own pirate. How much fun is that I ask you? So you can see why my day instantly perked up and I felt loads better! Oh and you can't really see it maybe, but the card is really cute too! Thank you my wonderful SP whoever you are... You are awesome!!! (My SP is very good at not giving me any clues, so I am completely in the dark about real identities here)

Don't mind the picture - I was trying to get creative with I-Photo and can't seem to get my original back. So here's my Fetching that I made on the flight from Toronto to Lima. I somehow forgot to do one pattern set so they're a wee bit short in the wrist but that's ok. I love them anyways and wear them every morning, now that it's gotten so cold here in the wee hours! They are knit from Aruacania Nature Wool. I must remember not to throw them in the washing machine like I accidently did to my Clapotis. Sniff, sniff. I am not quite over that one yet! Note to self. Next time I need a wool that felts in an instant, in cold water, choose Aruacania Nature Wool. Yes indeedy - it felts like a charm. Sigh.

Last but not least. Here is a picture of a hot air balloon that was flying over my house the other night. The sky was what I always think of as a Prairie Sky - crystal blue without a cloud in sight and the balloon was so low you could hear the whoosh sound that the flame makes when it goes up into the balloon. Ain't it purdy??

And by the way, check out Bezzie's blog "Random Meanderings". She's reminding every woman to get their annual pap test done! Such an important thing to do yet so many women fail to do so for whatever reason. Please remind your aunts, sisters, girlfriends, daughters, all the women in your life to get checked. It only takes a short time and could save your life. Thank you Bezzie for taking the time to remind us all!

Peru 2007

A few more pictures from Peru...

The beach in Huanchaco

Huaca de la Luna

Taken from Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu


A very friendly llama

Christmas Around the World Swap Questionaire

1) Are you religious?

I think I am. I believe in God - just not organized religion at this point in my life

2) How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced?

About 28 years on and off. I feel my skills are at the intermediate level

3) Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting?

Scrapbooking when I have the time

4) Favorite color(s)?

Rich colours like plums, purples and blues, but also bright (not neon) colours as well

5) Do you collect anything?

Thimbles - a collection that started when I lived overseas for a year. It was a small, manageable souvenir for myself that was easy to transport. I managed to get one from every place I visited that year! And snowmen - I have a wee obsession.

6) Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?

Nope! :)

7) Do you have any pets?

Two puppies, two cats and numerous fish

8) Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?

Yummm... all of the above!

9) Cookies or Sweets?

Hmmm. Can I use the "all of the above" answer again? I have an incredible sweet tooth!

10) Do you knit socks?

I love knitting socks!

11) If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits)

I'm also a big fan of knitting bags, and other small quick to finish items!

12) Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do?

Yes, Christmas tree goes up every year around the kids' last day of school before holidays

13) Favorite holiday treats?

Shortbread, mulled cider, chocolate

14) Favorite holiday smells?

Cinnamon, cloves... I guess spicy baking type smells

15) Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate.

Pretty tradional. (Christmas tree, baking, Santa, turkey dinner etc.)

16) What are your favorite holiday traditions?

Picking out and putting up the tree with the kids

17) Finish the sentence: "For me Christmas is all about...."
Spending time with my loved ones

18) If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? Oh... probably a snowman. I am a freak for snowmen!!!

19) What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given?

It wasn't actually a Christmas gift, but a random gift from my youngest son, Nicholas who was 11 at the time. I have an Italian charm bracelet and one day when we were shopping in the dollar store, I lost Nick for a few minutes. I found him standing at the front counter where they had a display of charms. He was so intent on looking at them and when I asked him to come with me, he stopped me and said, "Mom. You can pick out a charm. I'll buy it for you." I told him that was ok, he could save his money for something special for himself because he never had any money of his own. I couldn't afford to give him allowance and so the only money he ever got was from his birthday or Christmas. He'd got this particular bit ($5.00) of pocket money from helping a friend of mine do some chores. Nick insisted that I pick out a charm for myself and then changed his mind and insisted I pick out two. I was going to decline his offer until he said, "Mom, I really want to buy you them, because it will cheer you up and make you feel better." Nick's Dad and I had just separated a few months before and I guess I wasn't doing as good a job of hiding my sadness as I thought I was. I picked out two charms through teary eyes, and to this day they mean more to me than any other charm on that bracelet.

20) When do you start your Christmas?

I start digging out my snowmen decorations and Christmas CDs at the beginning of December the rest follows gradually!

21) Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them?

I try to send cards, but don't always manage. I usually buy them although always have great plans to make them...

22) What is your favorite Christmas dish?

Turkey and all the things that go with a turkey dinner. Can you tell I like food? Hmm. Wonder what that says about me?!?

23) Carolers are at your door. What do you do?

I live in a pretty rough neighbourhood - so carolers haven't come to my door.

24) When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning?

The kids are allowed to open a present on Christmas Eve (a long standing tradition from when I was little and the waiting was too much to bear!) but the rest are opened Christmas morning.

25) Do you celebrate with family or friends or both?

Both, friends on Christmas Eve and family on Christmas Day

"Oh... Peru"

Arriving in Peru... about 2am (small delay getting the swords through customs, and a very slight scare of the guard not believing I was G's mom (love him and flattered that he thought I was too young, but a little worried about trying to prove she was mine - all's well that ends well though and a simple mutter... "I was young when I had her" sufficed and he let me go). Little did we know we were about to board an 11 hour bus trip from hell on a bus that smelled like the inside of an outhouse...

Wow! What a time we've had! I can't believe we've been and come home already from Peru. Words just don't do the trip justice! Nor do pictures!

The dance festival was surreal to say the least! Beatlemania had nothing on the crowd's response to "Escocia"! I ask you, no, I challenge you, to think of a time when you didn't hear the bagpipes when they were being played! Or here's another one... Have you ever seen a need to mic the pipes? Well, in Trujillo we did just that!! We had such an incredible response of cheering and screaming everytime we took to the stage (well, I say we, but I mean them of course - I was merely in the wings waiting to help with quick costume changes) that the pipes were completely drowned out! What a trill for the dancers!

And where to start on the universally known "chicken dance". We couldn't believe our ears (and eyes) when everyone from Venezuela, Honduras, Philippines and us (Scotland) were all doing the chicken dance to pass the time during opening ceremonies, and everyone knew it! Ok, understandably we and the Philippines (group also from Winnipeg) knew it - but really Venezuela and Honduras was a complete surprise! I think perhaps we should take the "Chicken Dance" to the UN - maybe it is a means to world peace! After all - language barriers are all but forgotten, and who can stay upset with their neighbour when doing something as funny and silly as the "chicken dance"? The surprisingly widely known "chicken dance"

Oh... Peru!

I don't even know where to begin! The sights were incredible to! Chan Chan, the Moon Temple, and Machu Picchu are clearly highlights of sightseeing. Unfortunately we only had one day really in Cuzco, but all wish we'd had several more! It was a city like I've never seen before. Walking through it was like taking a step back in time in so many ways, yet in other ways it is so modern with internet cafes on every corner. It is quite a juxtaposition between the old and the new. Cobbled streets and people dressed in tradional garb mixed with the latest in modern technology!

The only down side to the trip was my little mishap in Huanchaco last Saturday morning. Really my own fault and I shouldn't be blaming the good people of Huanchaco for putting rather large boulders in the middle of sidewalks, where unsuspecting tourists who aren't paying attention to where they are walking can trip over them. I was so busy talking and admiring an interesting building that I managed to not only stub my toe on aforementioned boulder, but set in motion a chain of events which led to me trying to break my foot. Thank you Tam, for catching me before I could split my head open! Turns out, according to the doctor I saw two days ago, that it is just a very bad sprain and no broken bones as far as he could tell from the xrays, but ultimately incredibly painful and really I am not sure what got me through the remaining five days of my trip which included the trip to Machu Picchu and at least two hours of walking on a tour of Lima, not to mention numerous miles walked in airports between there and here, and a couple nights of limping around the festival, attending a fiesta (no - I couldn't dance, which actually worked out in my favour... thanks Kathy for taking on the creepy little man who didn't know the meaning of "No, I've got a broken foot, I cannot dance with you.") and a few trips to markets! Of course G, who dilegently got ice packs, advil and tylenol, wrapped my ankle each morning with a tensor bandage and generally performed the role of the human crutch wins the award for best daughter ever!!!! To hear her tell it one would think that she actually flung me over her shoulder and carried me around Peru for five days. Don't believe it! Really I just leaned on her arm (alot - especially on the stairs. My God! There's alot of stairs at Machu Picchu!)

But, sore foot and all - we had truly the trip of a life time!

G on the beach in Huanchaco - they still use the old style of reed boat in the ocean town

The Opening Ceremonies parade...note the traffic - apparently stopping traffic for a parade is not high priority in Trujillo! This may be the most dangerous dancing the girls have ever done... "Blue Bonnets" in traffic!

Music truly crosses all language barriers as we traded songs back and forth with the Honduras on the busride from Trujillo to Huanchaco


Chan Chan

Machu Picchu in the mist

PS: Oh... and on a brief FO note... I started and finished a pair of fetching for myself on the flight from Toronto to Lima! :)

Two new FOs!

Well, actually, I finished Clapotis last week and just haven't had a chance to get someone to take a picture of it for me! I love my Clap - yes, I do realize that sounds bad, but all you knitties know what I'm talking about! Tee hee! It's been great in the mornings while I'm outside with the pups. I can't believe how cool the nights are getting. Last Saturday was the turn around in the weather. It was super hot and sticky during the day, and by about six thirty the wind came up and their was a crispness to the air. I guess summer is drawing to a close.

My other FO is Monica which I started about two weeks ago in the blistering prairie heat for (BF)G's great niece Alexandra. Maybe she can wear a little t-shirt under it so that she can actually use it this summer. Really - this cooler weather came as a surprise!

In other news, the Peru trip is fast approaching! After a big scare on Wednesday night with the earthquake devestating some of the southern parts of the country I wasn't sure the wisdom of continuing on with our plans, but we've been reassured by festival organizers in Trujillo that all is ok and that the festival is a go-ahead. I guess given that Trujillo is about 800kms from the epicenter of the quake makes a big difference. Three of our dancers are already in Peru and were visiting Machu Picchu when the quake struck - through the wonder of Face Book, G talked to one of them after the quake on Wednesday night and the girls were doing fine. They'd heard about the quake, but hadn't felt or noticed anything where they were.

So, my money has been exchanged, I'm starting to think about what to pack, and generally I am starting to get enthusiastic again. Admittedly my enthusiam was dwindling slightly given the fact that I've been so bad with my asthma lately, plus there was a whole disaster of the stained kilt debacle, which is yet to be sorted (damned careless people who drink blue liquor backstage - Don't even get me started on that rant), and then of course the earthquake. But, it's a trip of a life time and G and I are going to have a wonderful time no matter what!

As a bonus, there's only a few more hours till my N comes home from camp! (his flight is to land at 3:55am) Little turkey who apparently has completely forgotten that he has a family he should phone at least once in a while! I haven't heard from him since three days after he got there. Oh well - I guess that means he's had fun and wasn't homesick, and afterall, that really is what I wanted for him! I just miss the little (ok not so little anymore) guy!

And just for some puppy cuteness, check out the latest pics of Lucky and Guinness! They're almost four months old now - time flies!

I've been so spoiled lately!

I just wanted to quickly post a couple pics of what some lovely partners have sent me in the last week! With Folklorama in full swing I've finally just got the chance now!

First my fantastic SP9 partner sent me this wonderful parcel!

Look at the gorgeous sock wool and the soft soft alpaca! I also received yummy chocolate (missing from the pic 'cause I ate it long before the pic got snapped!) and all sorts of coloured pens and highlighters and supplies for making life easier! Check out the funky case to put them all in too! Plus, to top it off my partner put little notes on each little gift making it even more fun to open! I can hardly wait for my flight to Peru, so I can dive into sock knitting again! :)

Secondly, I received the most beautiful tote from my partner, Kris in the ITEIV! Isn't it gorgeous? I love the colours and the treats... goodness I've been spoiled to a high degree wouldn't you say? Book, magnet, candied popcorn, tea, coffee, candle, little knitting accessories, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers, a fun little sheep to grow in water! Such a lovely and generous package!


And finally, I thought I'd post a pic of the girls (oh and Connor! Mustn't forget our lone boy in the group!) dancing Rebel Piper at the Winnipeg Forks last Saturday for the Opening Ceremonies for Folklorama! Don't the hats look great... grrrr... I finished them mere hours before they hit the stage.

Check a few things off the list!

Well, this week was the week to check a couple more projects of the WIP list!

First of all, I finished my Strawberry Tote from Knit Scene. I think it's really cute, but highly impractical! Not sure who will be the recipient of it yet, but I'll figure that out eventually!

The next item on the list is the cotton tank for G. After many starts (see post from a couple weeks ago!) I finally got going on it and had it ready to be blocked actually on Monday. G loves it and I think it looks stunning on her! I added a strip of elastic along the back so that it would be a little bit tighter for her. She was worried about gaping. It the Cantata Cotton Jeans "Summer Top" pattern. I used Cantata Cotton Crepe DK (just over three skeins for the small size) and did it in the round rather than back and forth. I also made it a halter top rather than a tank top and added a row of eyelets under the bust line to accomodate a ribbon. We bought a couple different colours of ribbon so that she can change them to match her outfits. I think this might be my favourite project yet this year! I'm so happy with the outcome! :)

Still working on Samus; it is all sewn together and is just awaiting it's attached I-cord trim. Maybe this week I'll get to that! And my Clapotis is down to the final section. Only five more repeats of decreases to go, then the final little finishing off section and it'll be done! I am looking forward to getting it off the needles and onto the back of my chair in the office so when I'm chilly I can just throw it on over my shoulders and be cozy warm! (darned air blowing through the vents in that place - I tell you it's either the North Pole or the Sahara Desert in that place, there's no happy medium!!!) Best of all though has to be that I've done 19 out of 23 blouses for Ena Sutton Highland Dancers! Whoo hooo! Only four left to go, then the four shirts and YEEEEE HAW! I'm done my Folklorama sewing (or I think anyways, given the pavilion opens on Sunday. Surely they won't ask for anything else)

And for some puppy cuteness... The boys have really grown! This was taken on Friday evening. It's hard to believe they're already three months old!
Well, I actually really want to get the last four blouses at least cut out before bed time tonight, so I should stop rambling on and get back at it! Adieu for tonight.

An honest to goodness FO!!!

Well, today the purse got lined and given handles! I am really happy with how it turned out and wishing I could keep it for myself now...

Tomorrow I'm off to the post on my coffee break to mail it to my ITEIV partner. I should have had it done ages ago, but alas... ever the queen of procrastination, it's down to the wire. It has to be in my partner's hot little hands by the end of July. Eeek! Good thing Canada Post is pretty speedy to the US!

So without further ado, I present the Periwinkle Cotton Bag:

Here's the specs!

Pattern: Ram Wools' Cotton Bag
Yarn: 1 skein Super 10 Cotton (have I mentioned before how much I love this stuff?)
Modifications: I accidently did too many stitches I think, well that's my best explanation for the larger size then the pattern called for, but I think it's better bigger anyways. Ok back to modifications, I ran out of yarn to do the handles so bought some lovely beaded ones at Fabricland. I think they make the bag a little dressier too, so I like them better than the original idea anyways!

I loved this pattern! The peacock stitch was incredibly simple to remember and easy to do. The bag was knit solely on the transit bus, and provided great entertainment for one gentleman who would sit and watch me knit and was amazed by the whole process. It's funny. I've not seen him on the bus since I finished the purse! Ha ha!

In other mad WIP news, G's cotton tank is coming along really quickly after it's initial bad start. I'm already to the bust, so whoo hoo me! Won't be done for tomorrow night when she comes home from her Dad's, but maybe by the end of the weekend! Samus has been blocked and just awaits seaming so I can do the trim around it. And I have 15 eyelet blouses in various states of done-ness for Ena Sutton Highland Dancers. Only seven more after these ones are done! Then four shirts and by then Folklorama will be starting and I'll shift gears from creation to alterations and fixings. I really hope they don't wear the blue pants this year. Those pants were terrible. I think I repaired at least three pairs a night. Who makes non-stretch fitted pants for dancers' costumes???? Well, if I keep typing those blouses aren't going to sew themselves... guess I should get my hiney in gear and get up to the machine!

Let's all say it together... RIBBIT

Yep! I'm off to visit the frog pond. Oh, woe is me! Two days ago I started a fitted tank for G. Figuring it looked way to big, I ripped it all out and did a guage swatch that turned out just fine. (Upside to story... I'm learning the importance of doing guage swatches) Cast on again, but this time figured what the heck... why not do tank in the round. Whoo hoo... no seaming! So I pat myself on the back for realizing I need to decrease stitches because I no longer need a seam allowance as such, and promptly cast on two too many stitches. Pattern doesn't work out and I don't realize it somehow for three rows. Rip all the way back to the cast on and take two stitches out. Start knitting again. All the while patting myself on the back again because this time the pattern's working out perfectly. I have exactly the right number of stitches, it's smooth sailing. I'm invisioning having the tank done by next weekend when G comes back from her Dad's. After all it's going so quickly, and I always have the bus commute in which to knit. And it's of course going to go even faster on circs. Then much to my horror I notice this...

How could I not notice this small disaster? HOW I ask you? How on earth does one do an entire inch or so with the whole thing twisted on the needles? So... there's nothing to do but ribbit ribbit ribbit... I think I will rip it out tonight and then put it aside until tomorrow. Must remain positive about the whole thing though, must resist the urge to toss the tank in the knitting box (not even the basket... a disaster similiar to this deserves the box, in the back of the closet where I can't see it taunting me!) Like riding a horse, must get right back up in the saddle. Such an easy pattern too, there's no reason for all the mistakes. It's depressing! Sigh...

On a bright note, my pups are doing well for the most part! My lawn, you know the newly laid lawn does not fair so well unfortuantely, but we're working on impressing upon them that their favourite game of destroy the lawn is not a good one. Hopefully it works soon, before we're back to mud. But how could anyone get upset with faces like this?

Happy Canada Day Weekend

I hope everyone had a great Canada Day yesterday! I meant to post this yesterday, but between running around after the puppies who just came home on Saturday, and going to the annual Canada Day BBQ at, Geri's house, computer time was just not happening for me!
I made my usual cake for the festivities yesterday and was really happy how it turned out, other than a bit of whip cream on top of some of the berries, and that was thanks to a certain four legged beastie who thinks that when I'm in the kitchen he should stand right on top of my feet! But I think it still looked great if I can toot my own horn!

Speaking of four legged wee beasties, Lucky and Guinness came home as mentioned on Saturday. They've been pretty good, just busy, busy, busy. They are very loveable though, which is a good thing given the fact that the first night Lucky cried the entire night long. One of their favourite things to do it would seem is romp around in the back yard so I've been spending huge amounts of time out there with them. They don't seem to be as bothered by the mosquitoes as I am. And if they can find a wet muddy spot to play in, all the better.

In terms of knitting, I managed to get some done yesterday while they were napping. I've been concentrating on my knitting for the ITEIV that wraps up at the end of July. I haven't taken any pics yet, but will as soon as I am finished with them. Yes, I said them, I'm actually knitting two to send my partner's way. There is a method to my madness and all will be revealed eventually! Ha ha! My only disappointment with the first one, is that I ran out of yarn, and Ram Wools has no stock left in the colour I was using and a contrast just didn't seem to work. All I had left to do were the handles, so it's back to the drawing board for a different handle option. I love the pattern I chose though and will definately make it again for myself! I used Ram Wool's Cotton Bag pattern with SRK Super 10 cotton. By the way, Super 10 is fantastic to knit with, and there are more colours in their line than you could ever imagine!

Well, it sounds pretty quiet upstairs in the kitchen... maybe I have a few minutes of knitting time before I start round number four of outdoor, mud and muck fun!

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.