Great New Beginning

 Finished my Nuvem and it is everything it promised to be. The last two skeins were brutal. It would have helped if I didn't have to reknit 2 whole skeins! My own fault. The pattern is elegant in its simplicity and at one point that was lost on my.

This was my birthday present to myself.

 There were parties and cake. My kind of cake! Date squares and a Welsh raisin quick bread that our family calls Snickerdoodle.

 Emily designed and knit for me a lion and Celtic scarf with beads. It is wonderful.

She also dyed a skein of fingering weight yarn for me in the Rainbow Fish colourway. Her first attempt and it's the best yarn ever! I wound it by hand and have cast on a new Martina Behm shawl, Lintilla.
Today is like a New Year's Day for me.
Some years I start a new journal, but I'm half way through one.
Some years I make resolutions and start projects.
 I hope to finish writing my novel this year.
I hope to practice gratitude daily.
I hope to continue walking and cycling and being fit.
I have my last shift at Hospice this week and will need to structure my days to include writing.
Now that I'm a grown up, I hope to have the courage to enjoy my life as a child would.

Long Summer Rows

 My wee carrots were sweet. I pick them as babies because I can.

 The pots are filling out and requiring watering every evening. There is a rumour of rain tonight. We have been lucky with summery days and temperatures up to 30. Over 30 is a bit beastly and we retreat into the cement lined bunker of a basement to watch Netflix. I'd rather be sitting out in the shade.

 Lots of growth on my trail. Canadian thistles taller than me and trying to reach the poplar trees.

 Piggy mittens are being cranked out for the great nephews. I just finished pair 4. It is the perfect foil to the long rows of Nuvem. I love making Christmas presents in July!

 With the fan on and facing the oven, I can cook and bake to my heart's content. Which means one day. Wee banana breads for a win.

 They made round bales of grass feed for the young calves. Giant marshmallows in the field behind our creek.

 Mornings are especially lovely on the deck with the heavy dew and the sun not up above the magnolia.

Oh Nuvem. After my second to last shift at work, I picked her up with some Dr. Who in the basement and found a lighter stripe. Hand dyed yarn. Not so careful planning. But I've already spent 2 weeks reknitting this section. Heart Break! Put it down and go to bed! The rows are getting so long! Almost put her in a time out basket. But would I ever finish her?
My BFF emphatically declares that it matters not. She knows to say that even if it's hideous. When I finish this ball, I can do the ruffle and block her and be pleased that I can now knit something else. Probably another Martina Behm crazy giant knit. I know. But I still have my Spilly Jane piggies.

Summer Yum.

 I have started my Christmas knitting. These are scrappy piggy mittens for my one great-niece. I have 5 pairs to make for the boys. I'm using Spilly Jane's pattern, but with a thumb gusset instead of afterthought. So much fun!

 I did cast on the Dew Drops shawl of my birthday yarn from last year. But I really need to stay with the Nuvem. It took two hours to rip it back and get it back on the needle, but I'm back to 40% knit and dedicated to getting back to the ruffle.

 Operation Sock Drawer is ahead of schedule. These are June and July socks. No Purl Monkeys. I think I would do regular monkeys next time because the purls add a bit of stretch.

 For the Fair Share class at our local fair, I have knit a baseball layette. These are judged and then donated to our hospital.

 For Canada Day I went to find some strawberries, but they're already gone. I bought cherries instead and made some good muffins with ricotta.

 My sweet radishes are ready. Today I'll pick some carrots. Summer Yum.

 The skies have been so active. It's been hot and muggy, then chilly with a breeze. Very unsettled.

 The flowers love it. I hope to harvest lavender this year for sachets. I'm still planning to do more embroidery. And sewing. Only 2 shifts left and I have August free.

 This is my morning. Loving the cold oatmeal parfait a la Dr. Gemma of Cogkitive Podcast. Loved Brideshead Revisited. Already finished another book and another audio book. Summer reading love.

 The corn is almost up to my shoulder. That's the rule for my birthday at the end of the month. I'm looking forward to seeing my kids on the island and helping Scott set up his futon and the gate leg table I had refinished for his bachelor suite. Emily is playing with a band called Bucan Bucan and having fun with its Eastern European Gypsy music.

Each day is made brighter by my bank of Queen Elizabeth roses. I'm walking the trail behind our creek and just trying to enjoy lemonade in the shade this summer. Yum.

Celebrating X 50

 Such a lovely 50th birthday party for a friend turning 50. We sat in the sun in our pretty dresses and hats and enjoyed scones and tea.

 A Dutch family, her daughters aren't used to tea time, but did a great job with help from friends. This is something from my own tradition.

 Butterflies came to the table.

 Lots of goodies. In our town, I am guaranteed to know someone in common with my new friends.

 Her grandchildren, like flowers in her garden.

I miss the quiet calm of Ryder Lake hill. We had property at the top when I was young, and I rode my horse up there. We stayed with school friends and felt at home in the rolling hills and forests.

There have been other 50th celebrations. A friend came home from Maui to have a party with friends and family. D's band piped at a 50th wedding celebration. When the sun is high and the the berries are fresh, everyone feels like celebrating.

The Nuvem was up to the last ball of CashSilk Lace. But.  At one point I started the wrong decreases. I know. 

My friend is also knitting it and brought it to my attention. I curse her and thank her in the same breath. It took almost 2 hours to rip it back to the correct decreases. Sigh. It was the only thing on my needles and I was wizzing toward the ruffle. Now I shall continue plodding. It is good knitting for celebrations.