Palomar Observatory

 A two hour road trip is not necessarily bonus knitting time. We drove from the desert floor on the palms to pines road, over the mountains. It was a pretty winding road toward San Diego (where my sister was visiting and I didn't know) and up to the Observatory at Palomar. It is a 200 inch telescope and was the largest in the world when it was built. The dome weighs 1,000 tons.

 Having been built in the 1930's, it has beautiful wooden doors with brass handles. The visitors' centre is gracious and inviting. The dome was built with visiting areas and the foyer has a bust of George Ellery Hale, the driving force behind the project, with his quote, "Make no small plans, Dream no small dreams." He died before its completion.

 I love the classical shape of the pure white dome. D is a big astronomy geek. This telescope helped unlock some of the mysteries of black holes and mapping the galaxy.

 On the way back, I did manage to do some knitting. I started the grey stripes on my Daybreak shawl. We stopped and took pictures of the green golf courses in the valley of Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

We loved the variety of plants and wild life. There were roadrunners on our Desert Willow golf course, and creepy white lizards. They have now been joined by long legged bunnies. The gum trees remind us of Australia. The bougainvillea of Hawaii (and maybe North Vancouver) and the palms are just happy.

There Was Knitting

 I worked on the Daybreak stripes on the way home from Palomar Observatory. Even though it was a windy road, I got a good start and more when we watched Six Feet Under in the evenings. I have had the blue handpainted Cascade Heritage sock yarn for quite a while. I was worried that the charcoal would be too cliche because I feel it's obvious, but I love it.

 At home I cast on and started the Wendy's Summer Mystery Shawl of some periwinkle I bought in Palm Desert. I'm almost done the first clue. It feels a bit scratchy, but I love the colour progressions. It has the stupid name of 'Charming' and has the stupid label of 100% wool, made in China. But it's periwinkle blue and I wanted a souvenir for this shawl. The store is full of 'novelty' yarn and the owner said, "I don't do subtle". Too true. I did score some awesome lace weight black silk and alpaca because I need a black shawl, not because I want to knit one.

This grey Suri Blue alpaca from Fleece Artist was bought in the sale bin from Twist of Fate at the Fibres West show. Jean and I were going to do a knit along for a 'whisper cardigan' but neither of us chose that pattern and I think she's already done. I have done a champion job of ignoring it in its lovely piddalee bag.

What really got play on the plane and even back at home is this orchid Diamond cotton. Such a luscious colour. I bought and iphone cover to match and had my pedicure done this colour as well.
I'm almost done the centre of the Swallowtail shawl and will begin the lily of the valley edging. I'll use a crochet hook to do the nupps.
But I will join Carin from Round the Twist in the 'evil plan' of not finishing it until the Stash Dash 5k begins. Imagine finishing the Lady Emily entrelac blanket in time for grad and counting 2500 meters? Wow.
It feels good to be home, but I'm so tired from flying. It's like doing a 12 hour shift. I think the dog is happy to have me home and walking her and giving her treats, even though I ran the washing machine all day.
Scott worked on my camp's website while I knit and Emily is at camp for the weekend, an annual youth retreat. Nothing to stop me from more  knitting.

My Bags Are Packed

We had a great week in Palm Desert. The Desert Willow is part of our Whistler Intrawest time share and so comfortable and familiar. We came about 10 years ago with the kids. do I need to tell you this was a different kind of holiday? The kind with no zoo and no Disneyland trip.
Yesterday we did drive 2 1/2 hours to Palomar to see the beautiful observatory. D is a bit of an astronomer. No he can't read your star chart. We have some lovely pictures, it was quite the trip over the southern mountains toward San Diego. The next time I go to San Diego will be next spring on a mission to build a house for a Mexican family. I knit on the Daybreak shawl on the way home despite the winding roads. I've almost done the stripy bit.
Today I was able to catch up on some video podcasts while D was in the gym. Then we went for our usual 1 1/2 hour walk, a coffee at the Starbucks in the Marriott across the street and to the pool after a light lunch. I embarrassed both of us by laughing out loud while reading the fourth (?) book in Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series, Left Early, Took the Dog. So great and tight and dark and funny.
We had dinner at Roy's. We had another nice dinner at the same restaurant in Waikaloa over a year ago and they fussed over our 22nd anniversary. Sweet.
Tomorrow we fly home. Scott is having a party tonight and Emily is at camp for the weekend. Scary? We'll see.
It's so quiet and relaxing here, and it finally warmed today to 90 (32 Celsius). I feel like staying a few more days. That makes it easier to come back to.

Recharging Batteries

 D and I flew to Palm Desert on Sunday. Saturday was the fundraising dinner and a great success with the help of friends and family. Our camp was guaranteed to make a profit because I did the cooking for eighty (ham and scalloped potatoes, smores for dessert) and the auction items were donated.
But I was beat. There were a few sleepless nights when I didn't think we could pull it off.
But we are here and relaxing and walking in the warm desert sun and taking photos.

 Until my camera battery died. Oh well, I can walk without the heave Nikon D60 around my neck. We already bought groceries for our timeshare kitchen. We found beautiful pearls and some aquamarine gems that match my ring. Also an apple store and an anthropologie. Happy happy happy hour at Tommy Bahamas and home for vids in the room. We're so exciting.

 Did I mention there was yarn? I bought some black alpaca and silk lace weight because last summer's attempt at a black shawl ended up frogging and beads and oh my. Plus some beautiful periwinkle blue sock weight for the new Wendy Knits mystery shawl.

I resurrected the orchid cotton, because it matches my pedicure and iphone, but bought a turquoise dress for my nephew's wedding this summer. Matches the new gems. I ran into JC  Penny and tried on 14 dresses in about 15 minutes. This one has the flattering details of deep v neck, nipped in waist and a line skirt. All good. Today we'll do more walking and maybe explore the old town of Indio. It's all about going with the flow. We are enjoying the 'winter' temperatures of 74 Fahrenheit. Don't feel bad for us, we're getting a tan and brushing off the winter moss. Just recharging our batteries.

Kinda Sorta

Last night was the Chilliwack Common Threads Knitting Circle. The knitters are getting used to the space and helping themselves to tea. Great conversation, another new knitter and plans for Worldwide Knit in Public.
I finished something, kinda sorta: a sleeve on my nephew#7 sweater. The cables are going more smoothly, but they don't pop in the Berroco Vintage.
I'm on my last row of rectangles on Emily's grad blanket. Then one row of triangles and I will have a 4 by 6 foot Lady Eleanor entrelac blanket.
I have to shop for the smores brownies today. I'm cooking for 80 and starting to doubt my choices. I ordered hams from the local butcher and scalloped potatoes from our university cooking course. Salads and buns are brought by the other board members. I call today to find out if the young cooks can help me. Hope I can count on them to help me set up the buffet and plate the dessert.
I squoze in a pedicure because D and I are going to Palm Desert for our anniversary.
I will bring the Daybreak shawl and the laceweight Simplicity cardigan. It sounds so easy. But I'm not ready. Not even kinda sorta. Better get the self tanner out.

First Mac Update

 I can now upload photos from my Canon D60 to my macbook.  Yay. And get them onto the blog. I'm so excited. I haven't had a laptop since mine crashed during my online nursing course.

 The new pink dogwood is not planted yet, but I want her in the front with the same exposure as the other. Maybe my yard boy will dig the hole today.

The azalea at the front door is trying to attract attention her way.
Off to meetings for camp. Have a successful day.

Another Mothers Day

After working two day shifts, I felt a bit off kilter heading into Mothers' Day. My mom's orchid and historical romance novel were ready with the card, and I had plans, but I didn't know what to expect. D bought me a pink dogwood which really pulled at my heartstrings because that's what I got my first Mothers' Day and we had to leave it behind when we moved. I can still see it two blocks away. But this one is beautiful and so sweet.
The kids gave me charms for my bracelet which is pretty well full, now. And Emily gave me balloon red wine glasses like at the restaurant. Great for capturing the bouquet.
We went to a cream tea hosted by our Music Academy and my kids did the serving. It was so awesome of them to do some volunteering and they were very professional. Mom is proud (so is Grandma).
This will be a crazy week with plans for the dinner on Saturday and flying to Palm Desert on Sunday. But I want to keep up my gym/exercise routine.

New View

 The grey gull baby blanket is finished way before the baby is done gestating. I think they look forward to their third baby in the middle of June. They don't want to say they want a girl, but they have 2 boys. This blanket is meant to not be too... too. You could mix it with hot pink or just blue. Butterfly Cotton is hardwearing and their kids love the other blankets I made.

 This was knitting for me, though the cowl is not for me. I love the Malibrigo worsted. It's not quite so retina searing in real life. Now I get to buy buttons and put it in the gift drawer. Doing pretty good with the gift drawer.
I already cast on a Daybreak Shawl by Steven West in Cascade Heritage Handpaints and solid. I stole some quiet time for beginning the set up. After our 2 concerts this weekend, I need a break and I just sort of slid off my to do list. Caught up today, though and I went to the gym again and had fun and I'm not to sore to go again tomorrow.

 The forsythia at the front door was ready to be planted. Scott took out a big magnolia that wasn't getting enough light for its whole life. This will be our spring bed. I can see it from my computer desk. D spent some time retrieving my old files that never got out of storage in the last round of "fix Angie's computer" Then Scott spent most of Saturday transferring them to my new MacPro Book. Yay. I'm into the 21st Century. But I'm not blogging on her yet. Give me time.

 The Mothers' Day Magnolia is glorious again.

And when you come for tea, these purple plants will greet you. The azalea will be out soon. As soon as it warms up?

Community

We had a grand Easter. I worked Good Friday, days. On Saturday, I drove over to Victoria to collect Scott after finals and bring him home. We packed up his kitchen, went out for lunch, bought some wool,  and had a glorious ferry ride. I made him drive home so I could knit.
Easter Sunday morning, it's our tradition to have a "sunrise service". We are blessed that the mountains keep the direct sun from shining till about 7 am. This year 40 friends joined us in our country cemetary for guitar and singing. My dear friend led the worship and I picked the music. We had three guitars this year and that made it go much more smoothly. The fingerless mitts I knit our music director helped, too.
At church there was a gorgeous anthem, I did story time with my big ostrich egg and D and Emily played some bebop on trumpets for the offeratory. We ended with the Hallelujah Chorus. Remember how I spent all fall learning that? What a pay off!
We had burgers for supper. I was out of steam, and that's what they wanted. It's nice to have BBQ man back. Then we watched the King's Speech which the kids hadn't seen, weren't interested in, and ended up loving.
On Monday I was to work nights (maximizing holiday pay) so I put a roast in the oven and the kids sat down to teach me Settlers of Catan. It is just as awesome as everyone says. We will play more of that.
I loved Miss Kalendar's episode of Brass Needles Podcast that spoke of Community. I really believe in this. I like to sing in a choir, volunteer in the Sunday School and work with a great team. I am trying to nurture a knitting circle for our own to share ideas and mistakes and quirks. It's starting to pick up steam. I am so thankful for the on-line knitting community. You made such a difference in the way I enjoy my craft and I look forward to reading your blogs, stalking you on Ravelry and listening to your podcasts. Where do I find the time? I steal it for knitting.
I hope to cast on the Daybreak shawl soon, to knit along with several podcasts. If you listen, you may get a code for $2 off. One of the fun things about this Knit A Long (KAL) is that everyone is spreading out their sock yarn stash to see what two skeins look good together. None of mine did, so I bought some Misty Alpacas at Beehive with that in mind, but it's too fuzzy to knit right now. So at my LYS, I found some Heritage in a plain colour (charcoal) to go with my variegated lake blue skein. Yay.
First I must finish this big cotton baby blanket in gull lace and grey cotton. Plus I have a nephew sweater on the needles, but it's brown. (My family is a big part of my community) I started the Meliabella's Pedestrian Cowl in gorgeous red Malibrigo to cut the dullness. It's a KAL from months ago, but Fibrenymph won't mind. I already had the pattern in my favourites. It will go in the gift drawer for Christmas when it's done.
Next week I am helping my sister, the forester, cast on a chunky sweater. She taught me how to knit, but hasn't done it in years, and suffered some set backs. No problem returning the favour.
Also my LYS asked it I could teach crochet. I offered to help in the shop or teach. Crochet is what they need. So I'll make a proposal for a beginning class for Monday afternoons and go way too deep into research and sourcing. They have just started promoting the knitting of "Boomer caps". This is a local effort that I will jump into. I actually spent a few days at the Comox base learning about search and rescue when I was in the Reserve Medical Corps.
We may use these caps as a KAL for the World Wide Knit In Public event Saturday June 11. We will be at Decades Coffee House, a locally owned cafe that gives back to the community. Maybe see you there.

What Have I Missed?

 Did I tell you I scored some Wollmeise from a destash? Leslie and Lala were giving complicated instructions on how to obtain this holy grail of yarns. I chose the simplest route of finding someone who wanted to sell theirs, and I made a new friend in the mix.

Can't say enough about Fibernymph's yarn. Bright and cheerful colours like the podcaster. This is destined to be my next favourite shawl.

 My least favourite is this alpaca lace. I tried to knit the Diamond Fantasy Shawl last summer, but couldn't keep my brain on it. I don't remember taking scissors to it, but that was the impression when I was frogging it (into sad little bits). I saved the beads. Perhaps I'll make the Percy shawl? I need a black shawl to go with my musician black clothes.

This is the beginning of a Butterfly Cotton baby blanket for another cousin. I chose grey because they don't know yet if it's a third boy. The lace pattern is gull stitch from EZ.

 Blue Ripples is done. It blocked funny: longer on the edges. But that doesn't matter.

It goes with the others to Ladysmith, South Africa to a hospital via the Ruth Mailbag Group. I guess Joy found me on the Ravelry knitting for charity group and invited me to a Lenten knit challenge. Tomorrow is Good Friday and I knit every day on these three blankets. The cotton log cabin is donated on behalf of Jess and Casey's new baby. Rather than drown the sweet thing in knitted items, some of us are paying the blessings forward.
I'm back on the Able Cable sweater for nephew #7. I like the cable pattern on the sleeve, but it's a 51 inch chest and will take a while. My other long term project is the Lady Eleanor blanket for Emily's grad. I really have until September, if she moves out to a university, but I'm on track.
Sock? I can't even hear it calling.
I'll take the grey gull blanket to work tomorrow for my breaks. There aren't many nurses on that floor and I usually get my break alone. I'll listen to podcasts and knit.
Then Saturday is collecting the boy from his second year at UVic. Sunday is playing guitar at the sunrise service and maybe ukelele at the regular service. How can I wangle a nice meal without cooking too much? Maybe the family will help.
Best wishes for a blessed Easter.

What's Next?

Is it because it's spring, or because it's still snowing that I feel the need to start new things? I walked the dog up the hill on Saturday and took this photo toward the valley. Today I sign up at a new ladie's gym, a special offer for hospital employees.

I am giving up my computer again for the rest of its fix up. I look forward to ordering my mac book soon.
The blue blanket is finished, I need to steam block the curling edge, but carefully because it's acrylic.
I started a new blanket for another cousin. It's grey and so is the swap square I'm knitting. If I add the lace weight cardigan, I have no colour at all. I want to start a pi shawl in black, but I need to get some colour in my knitting first.
Listening to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere on my iphone is delightful. Reading Laurie King's Language of Bees on my ipad is going well. Now I add learning Spanish in case I can go on mission to Mexico next year like my husband did last month with Project Help Mexico.
My delightful 12 string guitar has been neglected. I really haven't connected with it. I always choose my 6 string. But the music store said it was no problem to return it and exchange it for a bass guitar! I first wanted to play bass in 2001!
This is a week of to do lists for choir, fundraising dinner and Easter. Whew! I think being at work on Friday will be a nice distraction.

Good Neighbours?

 Yesterday was a big project day. We have had trouble with this neighbour for about 4 years. Biting dogs, raging daughter, late parties, and dead cars. But the worst was their closing off our shared driveway because we are bad neighbours.
Our last neighbour rented the basement to drug dealers and thieves, but we had less trouble with them.
So I talked to my friend and realtor (years ago) and she said it would be OK to make a barricade to hide their barricade of broken items and garbage cans.
I fretted. I struggled with my anger.
Finally, I went to the gravel pit.

 The guy who works there, and loads my Dad's gravel truck was in my home room. He sat right between me and this same neighbour! He let me take a few cans worth for a pittance if I shovelled it myself. the pile was huge!

 I filled the planters and went in search of cedars. Brian Minter said that only cedar hedging would survive the winter in containers. I had hopes of wild roses or bamboo. But I settled on these. There is a new Home Depot in town and the workers are extraordinarily nice. So 15 trees later, and some pretty sore muscles:

 I needed narrow containers to not take too much of our driveway. I'm really happy with the little soldiers. They'll need a lot of watering to begin with. They sprouted before the neighbours could say anything so I don't have to talk to them . The last time she asked me to pay for half the fence to keep her dogs in her own yard, I said, "I have nothing to say to that."
I didn't meam to channel Joe Versus the Volcano, but it was so ludicrous and I wanted to spew bile.

When Jesus said, "Love your neighbour." he included the person next door. It's hard. But my solution gives me something I am happy about instead of an ugly chain link fence that would make me angry every time I saw it. The cedars are also impermanent because it is a legal easement and I follow rules. Let it be.

In knitting I am chugging along on the blue ripples blanket and even updated my Ravelry page. I was just reminded at the MIL dinner on Monday that another cousin is expecting a baby in June. I had just given away my back up blanket. So as a reward for the hard work, I bought some butterfly cotton in grey and am making a third blanket for this family. Their kids love my blankets and the parents are certain to let me know. Flattery will get you everywhere. If only I had a few good words for my neighbour.

Brighten Up

 I love white flowers. I wouldn't want all flowers to be white, because then my favourites wouldn't stand out. But I love to have white flowers around.
Our trip to Victoria was surrounded by sunshine and blossoms. The day before, at home, it hailed. And the day we got home was gloomy, cold and rainy. The sky was veiled in stagnant grey like a death veil.
We had a great visit with some of our favourite people who served us smoky Rooibus tea and marmalade pound cake.
The marvelous euphonium player came to the campus to give Emily a tour of the music building, introduce her around and set her up in a practice room. Can't thank him enough. Em gave him the Mr. Rogers sweater she knit and decorated with a bass clef.
Our rooms on campus were way too comfortable. I don't think they should encourage parents to loiter.
Here's hoping her audition and interview are enough to join the good people there.

 This is one of my favourite trees. It lost its little house a few years ago and can look quite spooky in the fall. But today it is celebrating with bouquets.

My CPR class was cancelled, so I walked the dog before the rain came back. The long walk. The one that I couldn't manage for several years. I am tired, but thankful that I can get out and move around.

The pink baby blanket, she be done. The blue ripple baby blanket is well on its way. I will certainly make this one again, maybe with my sock leftovers. It's the one that so many Grandmas knit in the 70's. I'm learning that just because a lot of people like something, that doesn't mean it's crap. It proved the perfect knitting for the ferry ride. Plus I had Em drive the way home. Benefits of parenting teens.

I cast on the JapaneseGarden shawl in my clearance find of Diamond Luxury Collection superfine Egyptian Cotton in orchid purple. Yum. Can't get serious with it until I finish the baby blankets.

Plus we visited Boutique de Laine which is close to the campus in Cadboro Bay. What a great shop to buy bags of yarn. I have had trouble in my travels finding a sweater's worth of yarn. But there Em got enough Comfort DK for another boy's cardigan and I got a bag of Noro Kuryon 211 to use as the neutral in my Mitred Cross blanket. This I can't cast on until the grad entrelac blanket is done. But I got my stash on. Planning for the next big project can help get you through this one.

Looking Up

 The forsythia is brave enough to come out, eventhough it is still cold and rainy parts of the day.

 The pink baby blanket is coming along. Its simple enough to knit through a fever and unpleasantness. I'm feeling better, too. Well enough to attempt a crochet cast off from entill.typepad.com. It's pretty neat, but a long way around. The wool was already knit and frogged before it was donated to my charity stash, but I have faith that blocking will asuage the gauge.

The cotton baby blanket benefitted from blocking (and thwacking). I have already cast on a blue ripple blanket to round out my Lenten knitting. These are destined for an HIV hospital in South Africa. I was invited through a charity knitting group on Ravelry, but I still felt special as it was a good fit for me.
Tomorrow I take Emily to UVic for her audition to music school. We're staying on campus so we can bug Scotty and later having tea with some of the best people on the planet. Look forward to typical ferry crossing shots. I'm going to take my good camera because I really miss it. Maybe the sun will peak out. Here's hoping.

Under the Weather?

How could I possibly feel worse than freezing rain and highwinds? The front spruce trees have added throwing cones to the dropping of needles. And I didn't sleep much last night. Not because I was at work and had planned to stay up, but because my whole body rebelled against my take-out dinner. It should have been a treat, but they have a new cook and I think he is fast and loose with cumin. I cannot manage that spice and have to cut out most Indian and Mexican cuisine.

I'm lucky to have an autopilot knit in the Pinwheel baby blanket. The colour, as Missouri Star mentioned, is Pepto Bismal, so that my go toward healing. I missed my knit and movie afternoon and pulled the plug on tomorrow's yarn crawl.

I am well enough to go through some blogs and podcasts. Looking forward to some rest and reading.

Cutting Through the Grey

 There are some cheerful sights and some sightings of sunshine in this mostly dreary spring. Walking the dog is a tonic to get me out of the house. It seems my greater allergens are behind me.

 Be careful what you ask for. Actually, I don't remember asking for yarn for the Common Threads Knitting Circle, but it's arriving. I have a couple of bins of "thrifty acrylic", suitable for charity knitting. I hope to get it divvied up among the other knitters. I'm still trying to get rid of my long-pining acrylics.

I chose to keep the watermelon coloured Lanett superwash from my former drum instructor and current co-worker. I've knit very successful baby blankets in this and look forward to a dash of brightness when I'm (still) knitting the grey-blue log cabin baby blanket and am swatching (unsuccessfully) for the Simplicity cardigan which will be miles and miles of laceweight grey.
If you look up at the clouds, you may find some beauty and inspiration. I read an article in the New York Times this morning about the Cloud Appreciation Society. Gavin Preto-Pinney was quoted, "Happiness does not come from wanting to be somewhere else. Happiness comes from finding beauty and a stimulation or interest in the everyday surroundings in which you find yourself."
I'm all about that.

Weekend Wonder

Just two weeks ago I was at UBC enjoying my favourite gardents.
Today is warm and sunny and I'm running from church to a baptism to a youth group event. Whew!
Last night was the 40th birthday of our "old" pipe major.
This week as I was going from work to choir to knitting circle, I tried to bring to the surface that I am not missing out on events, but enjoying the choices I have made.
For over a decade we went to pipe band practice every Wednesday night. We had a super babysitter who now wants our daughter to babysit for her. This is living deeply.
At work I am priveleged to meet intelligent and fun nurses, those I would never have met otherwise. But if I worked full time and shifts, I would have no other life.
The church, the camp the Music Academy keep me hopping, but I am engaged in my community which is my biggest goal.
And sometimes that means the knitting goes slowly.