Fresh and New

Everything is coming up blossoms here in the Fraser Valley. We are spending time in the garden, but I don't call it gardening because it's spreading bark mulch or edging: that's landscaping. Making everything tidy for us sit next to the blossoms and enjoy.

 My Handbrake cowl finished up quickly and very successfully. I knit it as part of the Gratitude KAL with The Fat Squirrel Speaks and it was a delight. The colour, the soft single merino yarn, and the pattern were all a pleasure.

 I am delighted by the fungi that show up in our garden. With a north facing back yard, lined by fir trees, poplars and cedars, we get our share of the rain forest ambience.

 Finished another Waffles blanket. I had already knit an ivory one for this baby, but I couldn't resist breaking out the blue stash when they announced they are having a boy. This is one lucky baby to have such a sweet nurse as its mom. Not due till August, but I couldn't resist.

 Another of my favourite things? The soft as a kitten's paw new growth on the evergreen trees.

 One of our knitters is spear heading a cat blanket drive for the SPCA. I used some of my FIL's yarn he needed for rug hooking and practiced crocheting in the round. I like crochet, but it hurts my right hand. There are subtleties I need to explore. When I read Attic 24's blog, I am drawn to ripple blankets.

 This is the beautiful and perfect Rosalie. She was born just 4 days before this picture. Her mom is one of my favourite people and knitters. I got to give a bath demonstration. Can't tell you how happy that makes me. I started as a paediatric nurse and I gave the bath demo both times I was in hospital having my own babies. But there is no post artem in hospital now. We had such a fun knitting baby shower for these two, and I won the baby pool- which is yarn!

 Over the moon about my lilacs. They seem so early. At their feet, I have planted lily of the valley. And a duck, apparently.

 This is for Rosalie. She has another shower this week. I couldn't resist. I have had this yarn and patten for almost 3 years. A new tack in my stash down is to just knit those things I have planned. It doesn't matter if they go in the gift drawer or turn out to be something for me. All the indecisions around what to cast on need to be calmed down. I am enjoying carving into my queue.

 My trail is glorious. The poplars have baby leaves and they offer greater privacy now that I can see people using the trail from my sun room/lab.

 One of my favourite flowers. The dog wood is British Columbia's provincial flower. This tree is really giving it her all this year.

Jean thought it would be a good idea to use up some of the donated yarn to make blanket squares. I was hoping for a bigger response. But I have to thank her, and two of the Barbs for joining me in knitting 12 inch squares. It's not the prettiest blanket, but it is soft and warm. The blocks are now sewn together (only took one evening) and I'm crocheting around the edge until I run out of the blue fuzzy yarn. I think it was from my sister's stash. This blanket, with the other blue one, will be donated to the local youth shelter.

And we are off again on a trip. Carly's health has levelled out. We are headed to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Can you say bucket list? I am taking my Melassina shawl in a soft bamboo silk blend and the neglected cross stitch Christmas stocking for D. Not sure how that will work out, but I shall pack my good intentions with the sunscreen and warm weather gear.