Ready for the Next Thing

D. is well and seems to have recovered his very scary episode. My life is ravelling back together. I'm exhausted and a bit flakier than usual. I am so thankful for my good friends who are sincerely there to support and encourage us.
In a fit of being overwhelmed, I cancelled a bunch of stuff this weekend and I am so glad. I need to just sit and knit next to hubby.
I am so ready to be done this angel blanket. But I have a long border to go. Just keep working through it. There are 4 other babies- one is imminent. Must try the 5 hour sweater. I've set aside some cotton for that.
Plus Brooklyn Tweed has an excellent toque pattern that will be luscious in all my pink and purple stash bits. It has been a long, cold winter. I woke up to snow this morning! Right now it's warm and sunny.
But I still have a wish to wear my new (half-finished) mohair shawl and the hat that is not yet on the needles. Maybe if I really prepare for the cold, the daffodils will come out. I win either way.
I should be knitting.

It's Just a Spot

My husband had a small TIA last night. That's transient ischemic attack as in stroke. He's 44. We were singing and playing flute/ pipes at a Shrove Tuesday celebration last night when he kind of went numb.
Overnight in the Emergency ward- thank goodness his brother the internest got us on the fast track.
He's out now with no abnormal results other than a "spot". We're off to the neurologist in the next town. I'm the one who's numb now.

Don't Curse the Angels

I obviously have too much going on. The Skating Carnival was yesterday and I'm so glad to have that over. Such an overwhelming amount of volunteering. I did enjoy being the MC and hearing my Noodle-Pie sing O Canada.

But this baby blanket is just not my cup of tea. I usually design my own blankets. They are not blocks and do not include tricky little reperesentational pictures, though they may have letters.

I have to admit they are charming angels, but I feel like a sheep blindly following stitch to stitch on the pattern. I normally read the stitches on the needle and enjoy the rhythm of the pattern.

Oh well, one and a half of the little blighters to go. I decided to ask my friend, the new grandmom to be for a gift cert from my LYS. That way I'm not being paid, but "gifted" and I'll get something I really want because I'm on a stash diet and this won't count. I know, now I'm tricking the angels and using them for other ends.

Let me throw myself into the last squares now and then I'll work on the mohair shawl I snuck into the project list because I was feeling so overwhelmed. That doesn't make any sense either but a least I could do some mindless knitting at the rink.

This week is Piano Festival. What shall I bring to knit?

Dearest Cupcake

I made these last night for my family. Valentines isn't a big holiday here. I remember when cupcakes were the appropriate celebration for every occasion. I rather miss the little ones.

Noodle-pie asked last night if I had bought her any candy hearts to give to her friends. She forgot she had told me she was too old. I would have been happy to play along.

D. gave me an emerald ring and earrings in Texas so he's off the hook. I gave him a Starbucks card. Practical but a little luxurious. What do you buy the Scottish piper who wants to save money?

The angel baby blanket is coming along with more glitches and hopefully more prayers than expletives. I need to add a few rows to each plain lace square because the stupid way the instructions were written. Also each angel is like a gimmicky magic trick. Each row is random mixes of yarn overs and k2tog's. Not the pleasing predictable tracks of my usual cable or lace work. Still, I'll work three or four or all of them before I decide I don't like the pattern. That's the difference between now and before I had knit a lot. If I didn't like a pattern, I would give up. Now I don't give up until I'm done.

Blessings for a Baby

It turned out a little bright and busy, but it's possible that my friend's baby will be the same. My baby is 14 years old and knitting her own sweater. But I feel a need to connect with this old friend who so graciously shared her family when I was far from mine.

It hasn't been a great week. What with "Skating Carnival" and "Piano Festival" you'd think my life was a rollicking party. But it just means extra duties and driving. The sewing of sparkly costumes if really over the top and I object. In addition we had an extra long Sunday with meetings and lessons. At the end of a very nice supper, my husband was called out to look at a sick colt and I had to lead yet another meeting into the night. Phew!

I did say no to two meetings last week and I cancelled my band because I was under the weather with my asthma. I'm a bit perkier now. The trick is to not overdo it.

The angel baby blanket is started. The acrylic yarn is actually soft and easy to work with. It's also worsted weight, so I'm going great guns. Three plain lace squares finished. I'll do a fourth and then start on the pretty cabled angels. I'm doing this as a favour for the mom-to-be's mom. This isn't as fun as knitting on my own steam. I had planned to knit her a sweater anyway. I may have enough yarn left over from the blanket to make a matching one. I'll get there when I get there.

One Sure Thing

I'm shorting out. Skating Carnival. Piano Festival. It sounds like my life is a party. But this is a tough season for the mother of two busy teens. Extra practices and lessons toward performance and real excellence.
But little excellence in my own life. Knitting helps me to focus beyond the dirty floor and the unreturned calls.
I worked hard to do my follow ups this morning. I said no (!!) to two requests. That was hard. But when will I get my own stuff done? The house had its big weekly clean, so it can just shut up and get in line. I want to write. I need to read. These things are getting burried.
But the knitting is always available while I'm waiting or gearing up for other(s) things.
The sleeves are almost done on Cecelia. Such a joy. And actual evidence that I'm getting somewhere.
My deares knitting friend and I poked around "the other" wool shop yesterday. I succumbed to rosewood dpns. It's not like me, but on the weekend I found myself without 4mm dpns. How can that be?!! I can't tell you how many needles I have in my cupboard and the binder that holds my circulars. So I bought the plain ones at Zellers on Sunday so I could continue with my colourful sleeves. But now I have lovely - not to share- rose wood ones. Hmm. What can I make?
I have to get to this knitting for a friend. It's hanging over me. It won't take that long once I begin, but I can't enjoy planning other knitting or the quilted knitting bags I long to create until I meet the agreed terms. What should I ask for in return? I don't want cash.
Tomorrow I must spend a little time in the garden if it's not too wet. I want to welcome my spring bulbs in proper beds.
I want to just play with my knitting, but I have to be a grown up, too.
Looking forward to this evening when I return from band practice and can whip up a few stitches.

There She Is

Captured in the garden of the Chilliwack Academy of Music.

Feast of St. Brigit

Today is the feast of St. Brigit, according to CBC Radio2. They are playing a feast of Celtic music this morning which feeds my soul. She is the patron saint of blcksmiths, midwives and hand crafters.
From Deborah Bergman's "The Knitting Goddess":
Brigit was Abess of Kildare Abbey when Patrick started a religious revolution. There was much uncertainty. February 1st was Imbolc, the day of the feast of the Queen of Heaven and cakes werer baked for her. It marked the first of spring and the lambing season as it means "in the belly" and also "ewe's milk".
She was known for eternal beauty and grace. She was able to ease the pain of childbirth. Brigit's fire marked the change from the pure white light of the winter solstice to the "earthy, amber light of transition and birth. It fed the blacksmiths' forges and the hearths of the spinners It emanated from her hair and flamed out of her sparkling eyes. Some saw it ffrom the wriling of a twelve-spoked fiery spinning wheel. It is customary to clean out the hearth and lay a new fire on this day.
Her warm amber light is symbolized by butter, honey, beer and Irish whiskey. All the best things.
Celebrate the divine light of this new season by enjoying your knitting projects.

To Comfort Me

I finished the green goodnes of Malabrigo merino. It is a very soft "single ply" (I believe). I already started it in Li's (Life's a Stitch)reversible herringbone scarf, but it just came out like 1970's shag rug.

In San Antonio I spent too much money on a cab to get to a bookstore. The wool shop was just out of the question. S.A. is like Calgary where you have to take a super highway to get anywhere. Not good for a walker.
I ended up at a Borders where I spent several lovely hours and treated myself to Wendy Knits which I haven't been able to find. She is so charming and I knew this Fir Cone scarf would be perfect. More than perfect, I still have one skein left. You can see the scarf resting in the morning winter sunlight.

This morning when I took my daughter to her 7:15 Jazz Band practice, the sun was already coming out! Forget the groundhog- I'm encouraged by mother nature that spring is coming. Today I will try to take pictures of snow drops and blossoms.

In the continuing story of stash diet, I'm pleased with the Lamb's Pride for Knitty's Cecilia. It's time for some colour work and I can go randomly at this beautiful little girl's cardigan. It is such a blessing that my classmate finally has a baby of her own and I want to surprise her with a gift. I haven't seen her for almost 20 years, but she was a strong person who shared her family when I was so stressed out and not at my best in Nursing School. I'm the same person, but I respond so differently to everything. Can I apologize enough?
I'm so lucky to have such great friends now. I have to make sure they know they are appreciated.

Happy Hats

"Can you show me the thing with the sticks?"

One of our skating coaches' 5 year old daughter asked me that when I was knitting these hats at the rink. It's a bit like knitting a kitten. Not a sweet pretty kitten.

I chose the most objectionable colours I could find because I think the chemotherapy kids in Boston would like a bit of attitude.

It scared me when a few friends remarked that they thought I was knitting something very pretty. Hmm. They never say that about my silk laceweight or my Fleece Artist socks.

I was a pediatric nurse, trained in oncology before I quit to stay home with my two kids. I actually worked for three years after they arrived and it was too hard. I wasn't getting enough hours to keep my registration so I just said don't phone me. Do I miss it?

I miss caring for people and I know now that I'm good at it because everyone is dreadful when I am sick. I had surgery two years ago and I was so proud of the high standard of nursing here in Chilliwack. But the administration and the government have been driving full speed into disaster with total mismanagement of the health care system. For me it was when they took away my head nurse. No thanks. That's like trapese without a net.

They have doctors in the building round the clock now and medical and nursing students. It was just glorified rural nursing 10 years ago.

I'm working hard to find a place to channel my not insignificant knowledge, my teaching skills and my love of working in a team. Perhaps X-ray technician? I'd love to work with Cancer patients again.

So these hats are to the brave and strong young souls who didn't choose to be in the hospital and fighting for their lives. Hope it brings a smile.

Your Luggage is in Barbados

We had a good time in friendly San Antonio. I think Texas lives up to every one of its cliches. Friendly, loud and fun. We were right on the river and enjoyed walking along its banks, eventhough the weather was cold and wet. Just like home.

Our luggage did not arrive home with us. I helped the airline track it until they stepped up their hunt just to get rid of me. It's disturbing that I had more information on my computer than my contact.

It did come home just after the sewing of numerous skating outfits and a birthday party for my son's 16th with 22 family members.

I brought my thistle leaf shawl. I dyed the yarn blue a few summers ago. That was a real kick. I had bought an extra skein of teal laceweight in a fear of running out before I finished my Fibertrends Pacific Rainforest shawl. I didn't run out. The only wool they had was an ugly mushroom colour. But I thought it was better than two teal shawls. They dying was success because the inconsistencies lend to the denim nuance.

You can see I have anally prepared by copying Barbara Walker's pattern in large and cutting out each line for a card. I did this for a lace scarf and it worked so well. It's worth the effort if you remember that I pick up and put down this shawl several times over the years. My hope is to have it ready for the summer trip to Scotland. Note: hope not goal. Who knows what knitting will cross my path before that?

I have quite a long list of must do knitting: a worsted weight angel baby blanket for one of my Sunday School students who is now expecting. Her mother asked me to knit it and unfortunately I couldn't encourage her to just get the pattern and not the acrylic kit. I remember believing in the power of kits. But it will be sweet and washable. I also have a stash sweater for a nursing classmate who is finally blessed with a baby girl. We graduated 20 years ago! Must send a sweater to Utah!

D. bought me some lovely emeralds in Texas. A suite from my sweet. So I must make the green scarf to compliment them. I know. What is the appropriate knitting for new jewellery?

I have some good shots of the Alamo. The weather was cold and overcast which means the lighting was good. Unfortunately blogger won't accept them. Maybe tomorrow

Insert Expletive

More snow. More shovelling and, oh joy, Skating Carnival.

This means I have not been walking, hardly knitting, and bruised on my butt.

Yesterday was a singularly horrible day. Did you know that if you don't use your sewing machine for over a year, that the symbols can lose their meaning? I totally forgot what to do for stretch sewing. Thank goodness the store I got it from (10 years ago?) is just around the corner and open at 0930h. The fabric the other Angie gave me for my Noodle-pie's costume is stretchy satin. Horrors. Worse yet- only one was stretchy. So I had to sew toward and away with the pink side up and blah blah. Grumpy. But not to be conquered.

When daughter got home from school (driven because of weather) and after skating lessons, I tried it on her and laughed. Thank goodness for my knitting experience. I pinned it and just cut away to make a shape. Imagine going off pattern! Actually I wasn't given a pattern. Now we have a gold and orange go-go dress.

On my way to post the sweater to nephew #1, I tripped and dropped a stack of library books in a slippery puddle. I just about cried and threw up and kicked the new car. But instead I laid them on the dining table (with the sewing) to smother them in towels. I think only one is truly ruined. Poor books.

Going to lunch was a high point. Though my dear friend has just lost one of her dear friends. So sad. We think we're too young.

I gave the zamboni guy his DNA illusion scarf and he was tickled. So I was tickled.

Unfortunately, my skater is in yet another number- line dance. "We" have to come up with a costume pronto. I talked to the two other moms who were available and we're going with jeans and a bandana. I'm going to make gingham peasant blouses (toward Daisy Duke) for each. They are simple to sew and more importantly, simple to fit. We have girl's size 8 to my daughter, ladies 14. Still, I think it could be cute.

I received the Mary Maxim pattern and yarn for the "Gift of Angels" blanket. This is knit for a friend to give her expectant daughter. They have been involved in Sunday school and camp for many years and know my kids well. The grandma-to-be refused knitting lessons. I refuse to be paid. I'm trying to think of a suitable barter. Too bad she doesn't cook. I have another friend who will sew for cabbage rolls.

The fun fur chemo caps are definitely cheering. I made one yesterday and one the day before.
The packing may do me in today. We fly our at 11 am tomorrow, but need to leave the house at 8 am.

If I don't post for a few days, please imagine that I am relaxed and happy exploring San Antonio.

Completed, Except

Last night I finished the top down raglan. I think my son looks pretty hunky in it. When he was a baby, we called him "Hunky Boo" because he was such a big Ukrainian baby (D. is half Ukrainian).His eldest cousin is a very similar size.

I think I will make it just a little longer in the body. Because I can. That's one of the treats of the top down. I think I changed my mind on this pattern after Hanne remarked on the decreases. I figured it out. It was a quick knit and I think Boo would wear it. How about dark blue or charcoal? He doesn't like the masterpiece aran sweater I knit him of special anti-tickle.

I had intended to knit my daughter, my Noodle-pie, a perfect aran before embarking on the nephew project. But the cotton cable hoodie, Mariah, was knit too loosely and eventhough I knit a size down, the cotton stretched and came out a size too big. Sigh. It is destined for my niece who is second in line. This means I am set to start sweater 3. I was going to knit Noodle a red Rogue hoodie, but she has started her own from Sally Melville. I win.

So today I will extend the bottom of the cable raglan. Then I will knit one or two fun fur caps to send to January One's friend. They will be collected for the chemo kids in Boston. I love to knit for medical babies. This hat will cheer me up after I shovelled the drive yet again. I torture myself that the neighbour who so rudely barricaded our shared driveway will oportunistically use mine as she doesn't clear her snow- nor do her lazy children or her little boyfriend. Wasted energy to fuss about others. I hate having a sociopathic neighbour. I want her to move. I want her to stop speaking to me in abusive language. It's up to me to tell her that I need more respect, but she's a sociopath, so it won't help. As long as my family is safe, I'll just walk away. Too sad after living here for almost 10 years. We pay off the mortgage next year. We've put up with drug dealers and car thieves, but it's never been so bad. We really love our privacy and she's in our face. Breathe. Knit. Make music. Nurture yourself.

Despite the Chill

We had an eventful weather week. I guess just about everyone could say that these days, especially in Canada where we always talk about the weather.

The trunk is finished on the top down raglan. It really looks like the trunk of a tree in the brown shades. I'll start the sleeves today. It will be simple, but it will cost some thought and intention.

I have had the good news that a nursing classmate has had a baby girl. They have been married for at least 14 years because they visited me when I was expecting my daughter. I checked the stash- I'm trying to stick to the stash diet. There was some beautiful Brown Sheep in pink, purple and green from another sweater. I'm planning to make the Cecelia from Knitty. It has the cutest petal collar. I'll adapt it to the yarn I have. I can get away with the smallest size, I think.

I plan to take the blue thistle shawl to San Antonio next week. I wanted it for our trip to Montreal but I broke the addi turbo wooden needle in packing. Tears. Now it's replaced, and I really should admit that I have this project on the needles. Can I finish the nephew sweater by then?

We've been enjoying BBC videos from the library. Great knitting content.

What's Under the Blanket?

Yesterday we got the new car. It's a civic sedan and I love it. It satisfies the practical need and still has room for zip and little bit of style. You can't see the beautiful dark blue because of the crappy weather. I scraped our drive way and three of our neighbors because I was worried about freezing rain. I'm big on safety and we have some old people and some who work all day.

Don't look at the decrepit RV in the background. We have the WORST neighbors. I know we should love our neighbors, but it's easier when they live in Somalia, or at least Surrey. We have had less trouble with the old renters who were variously drug dealers, car thieves and deadbeat dads. The widow sold the house to a classmate of mine from school and we have lost all our privacy. We refuse to tangle with her. No tolerance of bullies means moms too.

Enough energy trying to be passive on that one.

I had to rip out the trunk of the top down because I hate the instructions. I was in my LYS and Hanne said, oh, it looks like you just....

Of course. She solved it so well I had to frog a portion. She also let me trade my leftover balls of Crystal Palace kidsilk in turquoise for some lovely bright green. I'll make D's aunt a Kiri for her 70th. I have until September when she takes her villa in Umbria.

And I can stay on my stash diet.

The power was out lastnight for 6 hours. My son BBQ'd in 100 km winds. We had a great supper by candlelight and then everyone read by their book lights with ipods. Blessed quiet. When the wind died down, the quiet woke me.

I have lapsed from my runagogo. But I did

shovel the whole stinking drive. I'm not counting the mileage. Confident I can still make it.

Walking in the Rain

I'm really hooked on this Run-a-go-go. Thanks Rachel and Scout. I went out in the slushy snow this morning with the dog, Carly and it went well, thanks to Melissa Etheridge.
Yesterday I ran away to Vancouver with one of my best friends. We shopped and saw the Painted Veil at the charming 5th Avenue Theatre. What grown up fun. We brought our knitting, but didn't make it up to W. 10th to Urban Yarns. Just as good as I'm on a stash diet. I'll take her later.

Tonight we potluck with all the friends from our book club and their families. I am disappointed that my family is not more enthusiastic. But I've been disappointed before and survived. They'll have a great time once we're there. The good news is they missed me yesterday.

I hope to knit while I prepare my potluck goodies. The trunk of the topdown raglan is growning. I was so discouraged on Wednesday. My scale said I had gained 5 lbs. The heaviest I have been since my surgery July 04. But today it went back down. Still, reason enough to accept that my own behavior might be involved in my weight and my health. I'm trying to be back on the core diet. It is the best choice for my wellness. Wish me luck.

Top Down and Off the Chart.

I've started the top down raglan sweater for my oldest nephew. It was coming along lickety split despite the strange language in the pattern. It's from Knitter's Fall 2001. I know now how blessed we are with the internet knitting sites. The abbreviations are rediculous. All in the name of fitting in another picture or fitting in more ads.

I just about frogged it last night. It was off the needles. And eventhough this Scheepjes Figodon is a bit splitty, it held its stitches. I gave in, put them back on the needles and counted. Only two out. I don't care if I missed something in the "AT THE SAME TIME" tunnel. I had to go off road, but I made it out to daylight on the other side and I'm dividing for the sleeves in the picture above.

I'm not a big fan of Knitter's, but there was a time when it was the only magazine I could get.

Thank-you Knitty and Magknits and all the wonderful designers. Opening up the communication to the designers is one of my chief kicks. Jodi Green is wonderful, Grumperina is the best and Kate Gilbert is amazing.

In other news, the birthday party/new year's eve sleep over was a bad idea. I thought my daughter could overcome her disappointment at having an early new year birthday. But it was like being under seige.

No cake. They made a cake. Won't that be fun? I hid in the bedroom. Then, you guessed it, they went outside to play in the dark after leaving the cake to cool outside. On a table you ask? On the BBQ? Not even on the hot tub. On my lawn chaise. Carly ate the cake. She didn't feel well. We had flaming sundaes.

I think we'll not repeat this experiment.

Frivolity, Not Just an Illusion

There has been much eating and drinking and opening of gifts here, at the farm and assorted family residences. Eventhough I didn't knit for Christmas (much) , we have two out of three babies already born this holiday season. I haven't got to hold any of them yet, but the gifts were well received.

Except for the heavily gravid SIL who deemed it best to open the gift later in the week when she's alone.... you're welcome.

Some people are so strange.

This Magknits illusion scarf was as quick and easy as it was interesting to knit. It goes to the zamboni guy at the rink where my daughter takes figure skating lessons. Years ago we always had her birthday at the skating rink. These young people go out in public skating like life guards. Therefore I don't need to skate and supervise them. We gave zamboni guy some pink cupcakes when he was about 16 and he said, "No one's ever shared before". That captured my heart.

He's been such a help at turning on the parent "toasters" in the bleachers, chasing away dangerous young men doing drug deals in the wrong place and dressing up for our carnival. When he asked, "When are you going to knit something for me?" I undertook to find a pattern in our club colours.

I don't like the rink. I have issues with the self-centered young women and their shallow pit bull mothers. But I knit there. I have failed on the board, so I just do joe-jobs. I have found a few friends. I stay less than I did when she was very young. But I always look forward to seeing zamboni man. I hope he likes it.

I intend to knit the cabled DNA scarf as well.

Overwhelming yarn choices, reading choices and goodies to be saved from going stale. I must take the big dog for a walk first to earn my rest. I was at the doctor at 0900h this morning for care of an ear infection. It just about struck me out of the holiday fun, but I managed to overcome the misery and now I have backup meds if I need them. A sure cure.

Embrace the Unexpected

What a joy and delight it is to knit from this kettle-dyed pure merino wool from malgrigo.

I am not normally content to accept change and surprise. I like to know what's being flung at me. But through knitting I am becoming a better mother, wife, teacher, everything.

Just because I can't control or anticipate something does not make it bad, scary or evil. In the case of handpainted yarn, it is a blessing. What's coming next. How will my action (stitch, guage, pattern) affect the cosmos.

An unexpected Boxing Day sale. 40% off. Yay! I had my eye on this emerald mix. I want to see how Li's scarf knits up in it. I want to wade into the water eventhough I don't know what's under it. The year I went surfing I had to practice being brave. What's the worse thing that could happen? Falling off didn't hurt, it wasn't violent. I just got back on.

I hope this will be a year of embracing the unexpected. Getting out of my sun room and walking into the depths of life.

I need all my courage to work on my novel. It's already helping because my journal is filling with parallel and unrelated ideas. I'm working in pencil now to give myself the feeling of jotting down thoughts. Nothing important. Nothing in stone. No risk.

Life is all risk. Going to Christmas dinner at my in-laws is all risk. But we've grown past the days when my BIL and I poked each other with verbal turkey forks. The new SIL is megolamaniacally pregnant. But I am almost 14 years from that situation. Our new addition this year will be a cello for my daughter. Embrace that unexpectedness.

Embraceable You.

I just love my little ipod. I just downloaded my first song from itunes: Jane Siberry and K.D. Lang "Calling All Angels". Such a beautiful piece. I hope to sing it one day. I'm lucky to have a few new favourites. Not too many Christmas songs this year, but that's OK.

This is his little basket of wires and where he rests and sleeps so I can ever find him if I need to listen to a knitting podcast or a book while I walk.

I'm already excited about the 40% off sale at my LYS on Boxing Day. I'm swatching a knit from the top raglan for my eldest nephew. If I get enough for the next guy, it doesn't count for knitting from your own stash year. I may buy some beautiful emerald hand paint, too, to make Li's reversible herringbone scarf. I have some Noro Silk Garden, but I probably wouldn't wear it. Who knows what it would look like knit up.

I'm enjoying a little break before tomorrow's three musical services at church. I love my flute and I'm so pleased to be playing. But I will be exhausted after the midnight service. It will be great to be surrounded by my three part brass family. It will be so wonderful to hear the trumpets and trombone players who are my husband and kids. Maybe I should take up the tuba.