Seasonal Moves

 My daughter has a full time home on the Island where she studies, works and teaches. I was so sad that she wasn't coming home for Easter (right before finals) but it was a sign that maybe it is the season to change her room into my office. There were many boxes of papers and books. More boxes of clothes and shoes. Everything is carefully marked for her future use. But it was hard to move on.

 What helped is that I'm really excited. Soon I will add the wall of book shelves (another trip to Ikea for Mom and me) and then my knitting and writing and study books will be with me. Already I am liking the privacy. D likes the more open sunroom and it will look even better without books and yarn on every surface.

 Today was 22 degrees C! Uncomfortably hot after wool socks and scarves for so long. But we are enjoying a glorious spring.

 This is my back garden from the trail. You can't see the purple rhododendrons, but they are happy to bloom along with the yellow daffodils.

 Determined to enjoy Easter, we had a little feast with friends and some family that worked out very nicely. 

Easter morning was busy with early service outside (I accompanied with guitar), extra choir music, an unscheduled Sunday School lesson and D playing his shofar from Israel.

And hot cross buns!!!!

I think that's just about enough chocolate and coffee and candy.

 The old girl is liking my physio stretches on the carpet. I also lie there to read most afternoons. Sitting is the new smoking.

Mom went up to the ranch for Easter and they had a bit of a snow storm, so I had to show them our snow.

 Easter Monday was a day off after all the cooking (and piping at the curling rink). I did some gardening and finished our placemats. Learning quilt as you go and not being afraid of binding.

 Stash and Burn podcast has a Keep It Small KAL and this month was mittens. These are for me and I really missed the obvious window, but I am so glad I persisted.

Somerset vs Norway pattern in wool from Nova Scotia. It may be 20 degrees, but rabbits are part of the season, right?

Country Mouse

 This is a building in my neighbourhood, a traditional long house First Nations building for the Sto:lo Nation. Our property backs on to their Coqualeetza land, but all the land is our area is the traditional lands of the the Sto:lo Nation.

 I enjoyed sharing a day with each of my kids when their class had an interpretive lesson. The long house is where families traditionally lived and had all their ceremonies including masks and dancing.

 The forsythia is an early bloomer around here and its yellow blossoms cheer up the grey raining skies.

 I took a trip to the city for a conference with people who work with youth and families. It was held at a lovely old church which happens to be across the street from where we stay in Vancouver.

 The weather was mostly nice but we were busy most of the time, so I couldn't sneak out to any wool shops. The first day, I found it hard to connect with people the first day, so I bought my lunch and dinner during the lunch break and I just ate in my room. I may have needed the rest, too.

 On Saturday we had small groups so I connected better with some other leaders. I was the only one from my end of the valley, too. There were some great, shocking ideas, and some very practical ones. Now I need to share them with my home churches.

 Back at home, I cast on the Somerset Vs. Norway mittens again because there was a KAL on the Stash and Burn podcast, and it is still chilly enough for mittens sometimes.

 Mom and I had a trip to IKEA and I snuck in a trip to 88 Stitches. We are celebrating Pi Day next week by eating pie and casting on pi shawls! I bought a cart for my "craft room/lab". I am slowly starting the process of taking over the space that is Emily's room. All the precious things need to be carefully boxed up and removed from the room. I have asked for new book shelves. D is very excited to get my books out of many of the rooms in our home, and to have a nice, welcoming sun room with cozy chairs and a round table for breakfast and coffee.

 In preparation, I wanted to finish my Duchess of Devonshire shawl. I didn't want to pick it up and make decisions, but I did, and learned the pattern for the applied lace edging. In the process, I found I don't have enough hand dyed Sweet Fibre Winter yarn. There's no more in the shop, but I dropped a message with the dyer. Perhaps I can pick some up at Fibres West.

Today I went back up the hill to tackle the 240 stairs and come down along the gentle trail. With the home making and craft making, I do enjoy my country life.

Try Something New

 At coffee last week, my friend served monkey bread, a sweet bun with snips of bread roll in cinnamon and sugar. She told me where I could source the frozen bread roll, so I bought some on my way home and made a garlic parmesan version for dinner. Comfort food in the midst of winter.

 The skies have been alternately singing spring, or drizzling grey. February hasn't been as dreary as some years, but I have armed myself with distractions. The walking, hiking and swimming are probably the best things. I make sure I visit with at least one live person per day (in addition to DH). I'm cleaning house and decluttering and a veritable tornado of change.

 On my long walk, I took a different route and enjoyed all the gardens I used to be familiar with.

 There were creativebug.com classes and craftsy classes. I took some leftover t-shirt and jersey fabric and made strips for crocheting a mat. This idea has been in my head for a long time, but Cal Patch is a great teacher and I just up and did it. Actually, I did it twice because the first mat was even more wonky. It takes a very short time, about a day. But the large motions do stress my hands.

 I'm happy I stepped out and picked up 2 m of navy for a pittance to make a border. This will probably be a gift.

 The first daffodil is out. Unlike the groundhog, she loves her shadow and will soon be joined by friends.

 This is the problem stash. No complete skeins, no labels, some to rustic for hats or cowl. Too much to throw out, but not enough to plan something with. Plus it's all leftover from lovely projects.

Enter some more crochet. The colour block basket was the first idea, a free pattern on Ravelry that I think I found on Pinterest. This girl does not waste any time! The basket and two trivets equal 1 kg of worsted (held 6 together like the Garter Squish Blanket). Right away, I think the basket is too nice for me to keep, so I filled it with yarn and now it's used, so it can't be a gift. Three bins are empty. Plus a large bag is going to a friend for her neighbour to make afghans for charity. So glad I popped into the knitting circle for the first time since the summer.

I haven't been buying knitting magazines, but I read a review of the new Interweave and was intrigued. Bonus, classes on short row shaping in a trivet project. I love trying something new in a bite sized attempt. I'm also trying to use up this kitchen cotton, odds and sods, some from D's Grandma. I really love the dishcloths I made for my kitchen after Xmas. Here is another one in a new shape.

The promise of something new does not always end up with success. But with the right attitude and the right materials, you can give yourself a better chance. Plus I am not such a perfectionist. I delight in the character of something that shows it has been made with love by human hands. I wonder what new thing I will try next?

Walk Toward the Light

 It has been very February here this week. Lots of rain, short days, short tempers. My friends ask about symptoms of soreness and allergy. Only about a month before we are surrounded by spring flowers. Keep busy, make connections with each other and get some stuff done while you're a bit housebound.

 Enjoyed a Fish Lips Kiss party to make our templates and push past the math. Next we will cast on some socks to try this heel. I bought the pattern years ago, but was daunted by the 16 pages of instruction. Sox Therapist is now diagnosed with severe breast cancer, so our community is trying to support her by gifting the pattern and knitting it together.

 Fun distraction: elder college. I am enjoying Wednesday mornings with our former band teacher learning about the history of jazz.

 And continuing to swim laps at the pool. I am so surprised I can still swim. I thank my SIL and my BFF, Jen, for the late in life lessons. 

 Galactic Hat Knit a Long. Really a great pattern. Doesn't hurt to make it in Malabrigo.

Couldn't decide if it needs a pompom, so I'll make one and give it separately. Uses up more yarn stash. Maybe I'll make one in each colour.

 She doesn't believe she can walk around the block, but she likes to get out several times a day. It's a bit like having a cat that wants in and out.

 Sewed a cover for my wedge cushion. I am not going to sit on it all the time, but am getting to know it. I think a key for my back is to not sit or stand or do anything for too long.

 More exploration of new ideas. This is my first English Paper Piecing. I am thinking of making a small quilted object. Trying to use up some of my fabric stash.

I was given this silk yarn as a gift with an order from a hand dyer. Slowly I gathered the idea to knit a bluebird of happiness. And then I had to make a clutch of them.

 This gives me such delight. Now I can add the left over yarn to my sock yarn blanket. There are some Easter stuffies in the queue.

And I'm actually moving forward on Emily's quilt. She made the squares years ago but made some mistakes and had to put it away. I tidied some edges and sewed them together. Last night I made the quilt sandwich, pinned it and did some hand basting. Next step is to sew long strips of machine quilting. I didn't think I could have it done by Easter, but now it is possible.

We had a lovely quiet Valentines Day. I like to celebrate every season. For Groundhog Day, I tried to live a day I wouldn't mind repeating. Valentines is a good excuse to snuggle and eat chocolate.

Like my bigger knitting projects, I break down the steps into smaller goals, I break down these days and weeks into small steps for small victories. And get out into the sun as much as possible.

Chasing Rainbows

 We are in the late days of winter when the rain comes and goes and then seems to stay forever. Getting outside to the local hills is a great antidote to the grey.

 As is the Suburban Stitcher Rainbowalong KAL. I love this Raincity Knits kit of rainbow minis in superwash worsted merino. The Monster Cowl was introduced to me by Must Stash Yarns and I'm so glad I got to knit it. 

 I'm also swimming at our local pool, once a week. It delights me to see people in all their all weather gear, dodging the raindrops, when I am truly wet.

 Outside the pool is this fragrant shrub. My sister says its Oregon Grape, but it is much more delicate than the stuff I have grown.

 D and I travelled to UVic to see Emily's concert and visit with our kids. It was a spectacular program with the Naval band. We loved having dinner and breakfast in Oak Bay. We even got to see Scott's apartment and his roommate's cool cat.

 Camelias are blooming in Oak Bay.

 Brass Needles is hosting a February Finishuary. It gives me hope that I can work on this Featherweight cardigan in Sweet Georgia Merino Silk Lace and make it fit. Mom took my measurements. I wasn't off that much. Now I have separated the sleeves, I can just knit straight on the body till I feel it is long enough. It was a good travelling companion. My hands like the small movements of light yarn.

 Coming home on the ferry we noticed the late brightness (this is about 5:30 pm). Hope for spring.

 And my snow drops welcomed me home.

 I played around with strip sequences on the cowl. It is rather bright! But it looks different when you wear it. I also want to show my support for the Pride events that will be happening soon.

 I walked the big block and enjoyed the familiar scenes. 

 I must remember to try this in my front yard. The naturalized crocuses are so cheerful.

And in the end, there were ends to weave in. Actually I did quite a few as I went along. It did block longer (from 46 to 60 inches) and I will wear my rainbow KAL cowl with pride.