Brave and Crazy

In my quest for colour, I bought a yellow bag. It is way out of my comfort zone, so I feel very brave. And just a little hip. But you would laugh at that if you knew me.

 The snow drops have bravely made their debut. The weather has suddenly turned cold and rainy and grey. I got caught in the rain. I was wearing a brown shirt with my brown sweater. How dreary it feels when it was cozy in the fall. I bought some bright t shirts and a new raincoat.

 And, to take myself more lightly, I picked up some colourful notebooks for journalling. I no longer keep my journals (process not product) and the leather bound ones were sitting on the shelf, waiting for the real writing. Just write.

The silk mittens are at the top of the queue now that the linen shawl is finished. I went to knitting yesterday morning and had great success knitting on Dahlia. It is our Knit A Long (KAL) so I plan to knit on it when I am in company with those friends. My stitches are smoother and more even when I don't try to impose the gauge.
D is away teaching about milking cows in another province, so I can flit about, or sit and work.
I pick up the boy this evening for his reading break from university. But it is a working break for him with mid terms coming just after. Emily only gets two days, but they were in school later after the Christmas break. It doesn't seem fair.
I work this weekend. The Hospice is quiet on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but heavy work if we don't have volunteers to help. Still I look forward to my time there with the great nurses and the dear patients. I always get especially attached to one or two. It is foolish, but we can't help it.
In my knitting I am bravely learning new skills and new successes. I pray I can sneak that into real life.

Escaping the February Blahs

 On Saturday I drove to UBC in Vancouver for a conference on the children in the church. Awesome! I love being around people who care if there are enough crayons to go around and who can join in singing at any moment. The February fog was all around, but there is no longer the haunting fog horn I used to hear from my dorm window.

 Today is bright and clear, though the wind is a bit biting. The big black dog was up for a real walk, so we did the 5 km block. I couldn't manage a walk yesterday after a steady shift. What I need is a pedometer and a definition edit.

 Here is Em's Moody Kerchief. I was asked for a photo. The top is Alpaca and the bottom is Silk Garden Noro. She wears it quite a bit and has great bravery in mixing colours. I have been wearing my Noro Sock Taize shawl. The conference was about youth worship in the Taize tradition, but I didn't get to share how excited I was with that divine coincidence.

Here's the bandana picnic blanket with the leather belt for storage and transport. Looking forward to my first picnic!

Searching for the Beautiful

 I work tomorrow, so I had to get lots done today.
I added a trip to the local bead shop and had a ball picking coloured beads for this bracelet. On Saturday I go to UBC to a Children in the Church gathering. I'm taking a class from Doris Kizinna, a friend from camp who wrote a great book on Youth Leadership called Go Deep. I've read it before, but in preparation for the class, I read it again and went way deeper. It was really fun. I can see myself doing it again and doing every single exercise. I don't have a youth group right now, but I want to do some of the fun things with young families.
This bracelet is a prayer practice and each colour suggests a certain idea.

 I made one for myself with natural stones. Oh yah. It is heavy and comforting and I am excited about spending time taking it for a drive.
In the "8 weeks to a better you" project, spending 15 minutes of uplifting reading or scripture study. This is a good addition to my discipline of eating better. My diet also includes journalling which is encouraged in the 8 week plan.
I'm not sure I want to cut out all sugar. I made a banana bread yesterday without sugar or fat and I love it. Go Pinterest. I am not part of the sugar conspiracy theory, but, that said, probably take in too much of it.

I'm sprinkling flowers all through the house in a effort to combat the grey skies. The Ott lights are also sprinkled around the work spaces. We  have had some sunshine, but only in short spurts. Hope you take the time for a cup of tea and a sit and knit.

It Must Be Winter

 After several days of perpetual motion, I have sat down at the computer and linkes my passions. There are new blogs from favourite bloggers. New shows, like BBC Sherlock! I don't even have cable. I can watch episodes on line!

 And of course, the great enabler, Pinterest. Where I find new knitting projects, healthy cooking and overprices jewellery. It really is a most relaxing, if not productive pass time. Probably as good as baseball.

And the details! This is Doctor John Watson's mug from the first episode. I love it. I served in the Reserve Forces Medical Corps. In this cold weather I am drinking all my best tea that I have been saving for when the Pope visits. It is delightful and a good way to keep from chowing down on baked goods.
The down side is I can't knit while surfing. But I can while watching episodes. Next: Downtown Abbey. I don't know. Maybe from itunes.

The Most Beautiful Yarn

 Not this. Although the superwash 220 is amazingly soft. I bought too much because I didn't have a plan yet. This is an adaptation of Jared Flood's Noro Two Strip Scarf that has been such a successful gift to the boys. I just started knitting with a stripe in mind. I'm happy how it turned out. When we are in Arizona, friends are taking us to a Canucks hockey game and this will be the thank-you. I have to block it yet. It's the first completion on my 12 for 2012 list. I'm following along with the Knit Bits group on Ravelry.
I'm trying to make room for a travelling scarf project toward the Green Heart Warm Heart initiative. I have cast on for a reversible cable scarf in some lovely grey and lavender mix that I before Emily was in school(!
And our Scooby Doo turned 21 on Thursday. I had his Keurig Coffee maker wrapped and delivered when I picked him up for Christmas. His delightful girlfriend surprised him with a trip to his favourite restaurant, The Noodle Box.
I worked and then went to choir, and then worked. Thank goodness D and I had a night together last night with supper at Earl's and then a DVD. The movie was awful (!!!) Cowboys Versus Aliens. I was so angry that they had stolen the music and premise from Firefly. Let it be known that this movie is not the first time they mixed genres of wild west and space. Thanks to my knitting podcast friends, I'm a huge fan.

During the movie, I worked on the silk hankie mittens. This is the most beautiful stuff. It's Blue Moon Fibers in Farmhouse. It's listed as Mawats/ Silk Hankies. D bought me one for Xmas and I was so excited, but had to buy a second one for a pair of mitts. I'm doing a top down construction to use all the fibre, and knitting them at the same time, to ensure similarity. The pattern is free, but more of a recipe. That suits me because I had no idea what gauge I was going to get. I adore the fabric, but the process is a bit boggling. Thanks to Carin from Round the Twist for demonstrating it.
Don't you marvel at the things you don't think you can do?
I am starting a new eating program from the author of The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron. It's called the Writing Diet. The first time I tried it, I thought she was too new age, but now I'm getting into it. I journal daily, or aspire to, so this is encouraging me. I can take tips from when I was a Weight Watchers leader, and explore what worked for me. As well, there are good ideas from 12 step programs and psychology. I just got to the Clean Eating chapter and recall how well that worked for Wendy Knits. That is encouraging as well.
How are you faring with the post holiday bloating? Mine was made more pronounced by the week of snowbound cabin fever. I want to be fit for our travelling coming up.
Today I walked the dog in cold snowy rain and hail. I'm glad we went out when we did, they were just closing the soccer fields.
Now I can curl up with an audio book (Neil Gaiman's The Grave Yard Book) and my beautiful silk mittens!

Not Knitting (much)

 When we bought our house, 15 years ago, it was decorated within an inch of its life in green and white. I have done so much undecorating! The big chair is being recovered and I had to tackle the drapes, which I bought on sale in the summer. I dream of more blue in my life. So I took down cheesy fabric valance, attached only with thumb tacks, and then had a look at the heavy damask drapes.
Next was painting the existing valance to match the walls. It kind of matched the drapes so I left it a while. Two coats of Kansas Grain by Benjamin Moore. I chose honey and cream colours to counter act the grey winter skies. It helps.

 The existing rod has to stay, so I slipped out the undulating wire rod and all the carefully inserted pointy,  mean hooks. then came the ironing of the new "silk" drapes, rethreading the rod and reinserting the hooks.

I may have to hem them. They are 'puddled' right now and I can't decide if I like it. I had to hang them anyway to find the hem, so no waste. But my hands are cranky and don't want to knit too much.
Soon the blue chair will be home and I can sit in the winter sun and read and knit and read your blogs on my ipad.
Looking forward to it.

Not Amused

 My little Japanese Snowbell tree is covered in snow, as is the deck, the bird feeders, the van and the roads. We are not used to such a lot of snow, and not used to it sticking around. I went in to town today and only did half my errands because I just wanted to get home. Drivers are crazy and careless! In my home, I can knit and read and sip tea. As well as write and get down to a few other crafts.

 These frames were given in our annual office gag-gift-o-rama. The funny thing this year is that everyone really appreciated their chosen gifts. These frames were from our book keeper's ex and she thought they were most hideous. I saw potential.

A coat of flat black paint and two musical pictures make a charming pair. I am definitely amused. Now where to hang them.
I worked yesterday and the snow was a big bother. But I was able to get in and get out. D made a big batch of chilli and tonight I made corn bread in a cast iron skillet like it was meant to be made.
Settling in for a quiet evening with choir cancelled.
Loving the Sherlock series from BBC and the book, House of Silk, a new Holmes mystery by Anthony
Horowitz. I do know how to amuse myself.

What Would Lala Do?

 It's snowing. Close the highway kind of snowing. If it warms up during the day, that just means there's a layer of refrozen ice on top of the snow. Slippery.
It is beautiful. If you don't have to go out.

 Saturday I went out and started shovelling the driveway. We are 300 feet from the road and have a big area in front of the garage for parking. I was raised on a farm where you were careful where you put things. I like the snow to go on the edges of the parking lot and on the grass, not on the plants or where I park. This means I have to do it myself. But D came out and did the long drive. I did ask him to open up as much of the pavement as possible. Not just a little path.
Speaking of doing things myself, I loaded my giant "dog and man" chair into the van last night by myself because I was tired of whining when I asked for help.
Today Emily offered to shovel the driveway. Why yes, thank you. She can't go to school because it's 40 minutes down the Trans Canada Highway and there are many cars in the ditch.

I started Thin Ice by Lala. I love this yarn and the shawl is going quite well. But it's pages and pages of writing, where I usually choose to knit from charts. How can I keep this in order? I remembered Lala uses the iphone app for counting rows, and I have used it before. So it's keeping me on track. Bonus, if you have to rip back, there is a frog button that you hold down and hit the minus button.
I have too many projects on the needles and have to priorize.
Finish the Thin Ice. Gift Canuck scarf for Feb and gift linen shawl for Feb. Then I can cast on nephew #8 sweater. And the baby layette for the fair. And the cotton shawl for our trip.
Actually, Lala would just cast them all on.

Almost Mind Blowing

 In the spirit of being more light hearted, I have been lusting after this wig. It's a cap with i-cord applied in the lobes of the brain. I "heart" it. Too many people think this is way out of character for me.
A few smart friends/family commiserate with me that it would be way too much i-cord. Soul sucking.

Enter the brilliant I-cord machine. This was actually ordered for me to borrow from a delightful friend, knitwitty26, and fellow moderator of the Chilliwack Common Threads forum on Ravelry.
I love this because it is based on technology from the 1850's, I think, when the Industrial Revolution began developing textiles. So beautifully, simply, complex. Did I mention it really works?
I cranked out an entire skein of Red Heart soft touch in the "Brain Pink" colourway, which it called for.
Now I'll make a cap and start mapping the hemispheres.
Maybe it'll make me look brainy.

Birthday Girl

We had a little gathering last evening to celebrate my baby girl's 19th birthday.

We didn't have to worry about snow and ice storms, like the day she was born. It was mild and sunny.

Lots of friends and family are away in warmer climes. But we were lucky to have lovely guests. We couldn't go to her favourite Vietnamese restaurant because they're closed on Sunday, but we brought in Chinese food.

And I made a pineapple upside down cake. I also knit her a Moody Kerchief out of alpaca and Noro Silk Garden. Happy Birthday!

Win At What Cost?

 I was so happy to finish my sister's 50th birthday shawl in time. It was hard to take time to do the knitted on edging (see abacus post) but I wanted to make her something special without getting too lacy or frou frou. I think this was a win.
This is a very traditional pattern adapted from the Shetland Islands where Border Collies live a life very similar to Jake and Dexter's on her own ranch.

 

 But, on Christmas morning, when D and I were unwrapping our stocking, I remembered his hat. I like to make him a hat every year that he can lose in the barn or whatever. I knit most of this hat on the road to the Sisters' Lunch and then just dropped my brain in the zip bag and forgot about it. (fail)
I handed him the knitting bag and apologized. Didn't go that well. But I did finish knitting it before breakfast and even knit on an extra brim to make it look better on him. It's the Dean Street Hat (terrific pattern!) in Vanna's Choice worsted. I'm embarrassed to say how much I liked this tweedy yarn. It took less than one ball! (win)
I also have an unfinished scarf on the needles that I hope I will finish for her birthday in the fall. (fail? win?)
I hit the local yarn sale and bought some linen and Mission Falls cotton for more shawls and gifts.
I'm on my second day of a terrible head cold, grumpy and phlegmy.
Thank goodness I bought some alpaca and Noro Silk Garden at electrictree yarn when I was there. I'm almost done a golden Moody Kerchief for Emily's birthday. My third. It was a bit expensive, but it is from my family's store and going to my (almost adult) baby girl.

I'm trying to start a euclidia-along from my sister's awesome shawl pattern.  Pat is working on making the pattern more extensive. But it's the type of pattern you can make any size, with any yarn. It hangs up in the shop and is beautiful. Let me know if you're interested in joining me. Perhaps I'll use my bollywood fuchsia and tangerine silk and camel Marakesh from Hand Maiden. When you visit electrictree yarns, take a good look around because there are delightful surprises in every nook.

Blue New Year

 The super surprise gift was revealed yesterday, so I can show you: Brooklyn Tweed's Bridgestone Shawl. It is huge and soft and not too lacy for my cowboy sister who turned 50. Her daughter-in-law gave her a surprise party with over 50 guests and more tears than I've seen her shed before.

 Licorice is still in the ranch house, even though he is a knitter's menace. In response, the little dogs are friendlier.

 We included a visit to electrictree yarns in downtown Kamloops. A very special store. Another sister owns it with her daughter. Fun.

Here is the unwrapping. She looks a bit afraid of it, but not to worry, it is strong in the Shetland Shawl tradition.
I worked New Year's Eve until 11 pm and D picked me up. We shared a glass of champagne and some hopes and dreams. Then we packed for the ranch.
Hope you had a Happy New Year's Eve and are embarking on all things good.

Breaking Out In Song (As Usual)

On the twelve months of 2011, I truly knit for thee
12 Project Mexico hats
11th Baby Surprise Jacket
10 Single socks (5 pair)
9 Lacy shawls
8 Common Threads Knitting Circle new friends
7 single skein gifts
6 baby blankets
5 kilometer Stash Dash
4 Knit Girlll Afghan Swap Squares
3 colourful cowls
2 cabled sweaters
and 1 entrelac graduation blanket.

Thanks for stopping by and for maintaining warm and friendly blogs.
Friend me on Ravelry, I'm LoriAngela

Hope you had a fun and productive year and are looking forward to rewarding projects, exciting new skills and squeal-worthy stash enhancement.

For the Birds

I find myself stopping on my walk to take pictures of the trumpeter swans as they fly over head. We have only had them here for about 5-8 years and they still seem special. I barely remember the book, The Trumpeter Swan, by EB White. Maybe I'll read it on my ipad, or listen to it on audible.
I did finish my book club book. I finished my super secret knitting in time.
The celebrations are over, but the decorations are still up.

The rare Chilliwack snowman. The weather has been warm and wet. Lots of walking in the rain. Met up with some friends and we walked the Vedder River Trail. Haven't been there for years because my dog doesn't do well with other dogs being off leash. My friend's Brittany Spaniel puppy did really well. I especially enjoyed playing with her 10 year old son.

I'm working today. I went in to work and asked about the slow period. Then I get called in. So I won't be shy next time. I work today and New Years Evening until 11:00 pm. I asked D to pick me up and we'll come home for some bubbly.

Spent yesterday making Emily a birthday banner. Looking forward to her party.

But first we go up to Kamloops for my sister's 50th. We have gone up for the past 2 years and enjoy being with them and capping off the holidays. Her knitting has taken off and she loved the Madeline Tosh I gave her for Christmas.

Now that I can knit what I like, I'm reworking the Dahlia cardigan to get rid of some of the rowing out. If I don't try to influence the gauge, I get a better stitch. When we were at Black Sheep wool shop, there were sweaters there with beautiful stocking stitch. I was inspired.

I'm also working on the Kid Silk Haze diagonal loop. Yummy.

I did sneak in to Hanne's wool shop to pick up some 50% off yarn. Some cotton and linen for striped shawls, some colourful yarn for a monster, and some blue cotton to make myself a sweater. Not that I needed more yarn.

I reviewed my knitting goals from last year and did pretty well. There were some things that fell off the list. Some biggies were completed.

In the new year I hope to finish my Black Flaming Flowers stole and my Philosopher's Wool sweater. Two big UFOs. If I make two nephew sweaters I'll be done the nephew project of many years. Not sure I want to put that first. I'm looking forward to being brave and a bit crazy.

Settling Down

The family and friends have come and gone for the Christmas Eve open house lunch. This year I added BBQ Beef on a bun to the French Onion soup and goodies. It was a lively gathering and I appreciate my big nephews coming and bringing their friends.
Settlers of Catan was a hit again.
I made a wicked sticky toffee sauce for the Christmas pudding.
There is a little left to have with a cup of tea while watching Alistar Sim in the Christmas Carol, between services at church.
Christmas came over a longer period this year, with an early concert, in laws celebrating and then heading south. It seems every week we have had Christmas.
One of my favourite things was carolling at the hospice with some altos from my choir. They want to do it again next year.
And now my big kids are home and we are all settling in for a quiet break.
Merry Christmas to all.

The New Technology

I made an abacus.
Because I couldn't count to four.
I'm doing a knitted on edge of eight rows, four of which are "pattern" and I was really failing. I put it down for two days. But the deadline only got closer.
So I devised a plan. I have solutions to all sorts of problems. Just not the ones in my own life.
I am a nurse and a mother, and no spring chicken. I can do this.
See those four clementine oranges? Every time I knit a pattern row, I put one in the second dish. Yup. That easy.
 I am not afraid on my 1,000 stitches knitted on edge.
Boy does it ever work.
Except at Common Threads knit night when one of my counters rolls under the couch.
Or when everyone eats one.
But there were more clementines at home.
And lots more knitting to do before we rest.

"The woods are lovely, dark, and  deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
Robert Frost "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".

Surrounded

We had a house full of gracious family guests yesterday. Lots of food. I had all the trays lined up with post it notes before I went to church so I wouldn't forget anything.
The ham was awesome. I had ordered one from the local butcher, but missed the deadline for picking it up. What to do? Went down the road to my usual meat market where we found they were selling the same ones! Score!

The little ones were so charming! I would post all their delightful pictures, but I haven't asked permission. The moustache tattoos for our fingers were a hit!
This was all salve for my heart aching. Friday night was a trip to Emergency for one near and dear to me. We haven't talked about it yet, but I am glad my automatic "nurse mode" was appreciated. I thank the staff who know me for treating us with extra care. What to do? Try to find some supports this week.
I am thankful for family around us who are relaxed enough to help themselves to all the fare.
Christmas Eve is my family and friends, another big buffet at lunch. These are the things that memories are made of.
Surround yourself with those who care about you even though they know you well.

Wrapping Up

 Taking time to get all the baking and shopping and wrapping done is seriously eating in to my knitting time. I made a big mess this morning while watching "The Muppet Christmas Carol" my perennial favourite. We now have it on DVD, but I think they missed a solo, "The Love Is Gone". I hope I'm mistaken. I have a dream of doing a Christmas Eve service with this Muppet music.
All the presents are wrapped and most are already given away. We had an early celebration as the in-laws left for down south for 3 months.

 My Raisin d'Etre (trail mix) is especially good this year with organic cranberries, chocolate covered espresso beans and giant raisins. It also has mixed nuts and granola. I finished the baking, but didn't take pictures because it's the same stuff I make every year- only less. Each of us was allowed one pick this year. Scott chose shortbread, D picked butter tarts, Em loves peanut butterscotch squares, and I made my Christmas cake in October.

 Wednesday was the annual Sisters' lunch. It now includes nieces-in-law if they can come and the two daughters are welcome. We didn't have a full cast, but we met in a pub in Merritt and had a rollicking good time even without imbibing. You've gotta love a place where the big meal deal includes a beer. Each of us brought a present, because we love presents, and we got to pick our own from the wrapping. I got a penguin much with hot chocolate from Candace, plus a glass reindeer ornament. Yay.
Debbie drove Mom and I in her new Jetta and I got to knit all the 1 1/2 hours each way. D's hat was cast on and knit to the decreases!

 There has been travel. Last weekend we went into the city for our annual shopping with friends from UBC. Bonus: they had tickets to Sting, so we joined them. Awesome music and entertainment. We stayed in the Hotel Vancouver which is a swanky Fairmont Hotel because there was no room at the (usual time-share) inn. We loved the dignified heritage touches.

 This is the moulding on our mirror. Love it.

 They have a mail slot in the wall. This makes me feel so Canadian. We had one in the hospital where I trained. Remember mail?

 I have already admitted to a Christmas knitting fail. It will not be done. One reason: I made myself a second Moody Kerchief of Malabrigo in browns. Yes I am selfish, but my neck is warm and it matches my new brown purse.

Further adventures of the sleeping dog. When we got home from our mucky, drizzly, walk today, Carly fell asleep on her back. Here she is snoring. Yes those are my guitars and drums. And in the back is proof that gifts are wrapped and out the door.