Lately...

Been pretty busy lately with work, snowshoeing and xc-skiing. Now that we have enough snow I try to get out there at least every other day with the skis or snowshoes. We had a bit of a cold snap that kept me in....but when it warmed up to -24C I was out there again. Yeah, I'm crazy! LOL.
Todd had the dogs out with his Red-Green sled aka Tim the Toolman sled. When the season is early or the trails are not established yet, he uses his home-made contraption to run the dogs instead of the fancy dog-sled. Saves wear and tear.
Had a few items to finish off for Christmas gifts. I love this Birthday Cowl I have made three now. Here's a pic of the latest one and also last minute gift for a couple of sweet girls.

Finally

Finally my friend has given birth! Nov 14th, 8 lbs 9 1/2 oz! Not a little girl. When I first found out way back in February I decided to make a little cardigan and matching hat. Now that she is here I finally sewed on Pink buttons...to frou-frou it up a little.
I made this cute bag to put it in......directions here

and finally.....I finally got my flu shots!

Nov 1

Nov 1 marks the day I started running again...yay me! Finally after a summer of injuries I can finally strap on my Saucony's and get out there! I took one of the dogs and did a short (3k) run through the fields on the way to the mailbox. Once on the trail I let him off the leash so he could really run without dragging me behind or yanking out my arm. Just before the old horse field I noticed a tree down with the bark scraped off and moose (...or deer?) prints all around. Wow, nice! They made it through hunting season:) Just around the bend, we spooked the moose (OK, so they weren't deer) and her TWO calves. The dog took off running but he came back almost immediately when I called to him. I really didn't want that moose mama to be chasin' me down so I hooked him back up again.
When I got back I decided to take a different dog to some different trails. She's about 16yrs old so a bit slow and pokey but she still can run and jump. Anyway, we were almost to the end of the trail when I came across so rather large bear prints. They looked to be about a day old but even so, I decided I should probably have my bear spray in hand rather than neatly tucked into my backpack. After struggling with the clip on my pack, fumbling with the zipper, pushing my mail and newspaper out of the way and finally grabbing the spray with my mittened hand, I thought it was a good thing those prints were old 'cause I would have been dinner by now:(
Last month I knitted my first toe-up socks. They turned out pretty good so I made another pair. Also made a few hats for Knit-for-kids...still working on those so I'll post some pics later.

Apples to Zucchini

Just found this Dee-Lish salad recipe that, conveniently, uses up those ubiquitous zucchini. It is from Backpacker Magazine's book called 'More Backcountry Cooking'. It is meant to be dehydrated and later reconstituted in camp but it is good just to make and eat Now!
Shred 1 Large but not gigantic Zucchini, 1 Large Apple and combine them in a bowl with 1/4c Lemon juice and 2T sugar.
This recipe looks to be very adaptable....I might add some shredded carrots, maybe some raisins and some hot sauce or toasted nuts......
Just taking some Zucchini Spice Muffins out of the oven....yum. Gotta go have one with a cup o' java.

Apples!

Yum! Apples! Don't they look beautiful? I have lovely colourful bruises to match! My own fault completely. Always make sure your ladder (or the one you borrowed...LOL) is placed on solid, stable ground or it will tip over and you will land (hard!) on your back/butt/shoulder etc. Trip to ER found me un-broken but in need of some Toradol and some T-3's.
I am going to make applesauce, fruit leather, apple-crisp and maybe some canned apple pie filling.
Thanks to D for the apples and K for the ladder:)

what a day!

What a productive day today has been (especially compared to yesterday which was just a stupid day all around...basically all I got done was the lawn)! Got up a 6a.m.....got coffee going (organic fair-trade ethical bean 'Lush Sumatran....very yum!), made 4 loaves of whole wheat bread, took the dogs for a run with the bike, made a huge Kale salad....picture shows only 1/4 of it....pumpkin date muffins, Sarah's Hot Greek Salad, Meat Free BBQ Balls (from my new fav site have cake, will travel) also Pumpkin Fauxsage from the same site, a huge Rosemary Garlic Foccacia (already ate some...good but a bit salty...will reduce salt on top next time) from rebar cookbook, did all the laundry and now I am just waiting for the veggies to finish roasting so I can throw together a Lasagne! MMMMMMMMMMMM. I was going to make Polenta, Seitan Chorizo crumbles, and Crispy Seitan Bacon but those will have to wait for another day.
Went to knitting group at Starbucks...had a coffee when I should have had a Decaf!! Oops. Took an Opinion Poll about my Darkwood cardi and am now satisfied that I can continue along according to the pattern...Yay! Thanks gals.

Back to Normal...Almost

A hundred years ago in July I hurt my back at work and it's been a frustrating struggle to get back to normal. Many people could argue what normal is but for me it means that I can go running, hiking and biking without pain (or almost) and to be able to go to work (though I would rather stay home if they would still pay me....good luck with that) sit to knit instead of trying to do it while standing and pacing, stand for ages at the stove creating a fabulous dinner...you know...NORMAL things!
I am still going to Physio but that will come to an end soon I think. I did manage to knit a few things...socks, a mobius shawl, a doll outfit (which is another story altogether!). Also attended my first yarn swap and it was soooooooo much fun! Lots of new knits planned.

Too Cool

My Dad is so cool. How cool is he? He is so cool that he finished my #19 dbl-pointed needles for me:)
I wasn't quite sure how I was going to get the ends like I wanted them but he worked his magic with the lathe and voila!
Now I have no excuses for not making that Urchin Beret I mentioned months ago! I am going to use Cascade Magnum.

Vacationing

Just got back from Nelson, BC. It's a great place full of heritage buildings, funky shops and interesting people. It's also where my parents live and I had a great time visiting. Took in biking, hiking and canoeing with them. My first trek into town to find the LYS was a bit disappointing because both were closed. *Note* Don't go on a Monday. Had better luck the second time around but was shopping with my Dad and he is not into yarn like I am. LOL. I did manage to pick up a few things.....a gift for a friend, some nice Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and some LanaDesignsKnits Allhemp6 for making a bag.

modern times

Well, let me say first of all, hats off to the women of a previous era. I can appreciate the hard work that went into what is now a simple task.....Laundry! My poor hands are red and raw feeling from wringing out the wash. At least I didn't have to actually scrub it clean on a washboard and feed it through the wringer! Though a wringer would be handy right now.
My front-load washer that I (USED to) Love is now not spinning out at the end. This is one of the reasons 4 years ago that I decided to splurge on a new washer. That and the fact that it uses less energy and water than my old style one. I called Repair Guy and he saved me a call-out by suggesting that the floor was 'sprung'...what's this ? Well! At 2000 rpm these suckers really move the floor! After months of vibrating it's socks off...the floor actually lifts from the joists and is no longer supportive. Sort of like when your bra sags out. Useless!
So, we replaced the floor. Nada! Still not working. Guess I'll call Repair Guy again:(
Now I have two options for hanging the wash out on the line. Open the window to access said clothesline and allow 3 million mosquitoes to invade my space.....or invade the space of the mosquitoes by going outside and risking 6 billion mosquito bites, blackflies, west nile, swine flu...oh, ok not swine flu but still...
I guess option 3 would be to use the dryer in the house but that is for the dead of winter.
OK, 2 it is. Shall don proper mosquito attire....long pants, long sleeved shirt and a bug net over my head. OK, move along, move along. Nothing to see here.
LOL.

Tuff Socks

I finished my Dad's Tuffy work socks and I am now working on a pair for my step-mum. Since I didn't have enough of one colour, I decided to do stripes. What do you think? Cool or what?

sick again

Here I am, Sick again! I am miserable and not worthy of your audience. I cannot believe I have not posted ANYTHING! for over a month!!! The last three weeks have been trying at the least. Disheartening also. I wish that people would pay attention to policies at work and not wear/use fragrances. I may not be in the state I am now.
Well, I am tired of lying down but my energy level sitting upright is limited so I will be brief. I have just read Jodi Picoult's 'Nineteen Minute's' and it was a really good read. She always has such controversial topics. I have learned that I can knit lying down! LOL...who woulda thunk it? Haha.
Well the good news is I have time to knit...currently working on my Dad's socks. Surprise! I chose Ann Budd's Basic Sock Pattern again. It's the one I feel most Comfy with. I am using Briggs & Little Tuffy as they need to be tough socks for my workaholic Dad. I will be sure to get pictures (read: Evidence) of the event so he will Remember this time:)
Bad news is I cannot exercise! Getting worried about that but I know I need to rest right now.
Hope you got out to Vote.

Restless

I seem to have excess energy today or something. I am very restless and panic-y. Pacing...pacing...all day! Maybe I should go for a walk outside. Todd said lay off the coffee but I think it is not that. Cabin fever???
Tonight we are going to the Blues Club to see James Rogers. Here is a clip. Tried to just post that You-Tube clip but I seem to be techno-challenged. So, you'll have to click on the link.
I picked up Briggs & Little Durasport in Oatmeal and some B & L Tuffy in Smoke. Also got their patterns for Fine Socks and Heavy Socks. Guess I'm in sock making mode. I have completed one of Aaron's socks and am about to cast on the second. Still planning a felted rug.

April Showers?

April showers bring May flowers....hahaha...not if it's snow showers. Sigh. Oh well, I guess I still have more xc-skiing time.
Speaking of which, my ski yesterday was more like resistance training! Take one Sunny Spring Day, Fresh Snow and a set of Skis and there you have it. The snow stuck to the bottom of my skis and actually stacked up like high heeled shoes!!! I discovered it is actually possible to 'trip' while wearing skis. It's really more like a body in motion stays in motion...only the skis have stopped! LOL.
Feeling a bit 'run over' today but it was fun.
Finished the Cat Hat for G-babe #2. All I need is a nifty button to complete. Also finished the Ninja hat for G-kid #1.

on the go

Finally picked up the needles I needed to cast on the cat hat. They are long enough to poke someone's eye out across the country but they will do. I can always cut them down. So, the hat is on the go. So are a pair of socks for my son. I want to make a felted rug for under the dining room table because the floor gets so cold but I need to start (and finish a pair of socks for Dad before he accuses me of forgetting...LOL).
I think the rug will be done in Earthy colours with a bit of Red thrown in for fun:)
I am still skiing because we still have snow. 3ft of the friggin' stuff! Still!
Oh! I almost forgot...I needed some #19 (15mm) Double points to make the Urchin Beret by Wenlan Chia but I couldn't find any so I bought some wooden doweling to make my own:)

Knitter's Block

I seem to be having all sorts of difficulties with knitting lately. First, I decided to get started on my Dad's Re-soleable two-yarn socks but I didn't like how I cast on....it seemed HUGE and I was tired and couldn't put the energy into making my brain figure out the sizing. Then, I knit up a cute Poodle Pink cat ear hat for g-baby #2 but Frogged it due to the fact that unless she has a head the size of the Great Pumpkin (Charlie Brown) then it wasn't going to fit. Sigh. Decided to cast on with smaller needles and realized I didn't own the size I needed. AARGH! Shopping again. Just when I'm trying to Not Spend Any Money right now. Cast on different socks for my son then immediately pulled them off the needles because I just couldn't do it with a needle poking me in the eye. I wish this stupid headache would get lost!

Last Night

I went for a great long (ish) ski yesterday...about 2 1/2 hours. It was such a beautiful day. I sorted of cheated for the first bit and the last bit because I took one of the sled-dogs with me and did some skijouring. It's not something I really enjoy but I wanted to get her past temptations like traffic, the grumpy neighbour and the other dogs. Once we were past all that, I let her go and she was really good about sticking around.....treats in my pack didn't hurt.
After I got back I started supper, had a nice hot bath and knitted up a little cozy for my phone.

Then we got ourselves beautiful or at least presentable and went to the Blues Underground show. What a blast! It was so much fun. Danced all night..well until it was time to drive Cinderella home....LOL he will kill me for calling him that. He had to work at 0700 so we had to leave.
Here is a you tube clip of Julian Fauth.

The Amazing Missing Socks

I had a chat with my Dad the other day just to catch up on things. Somehow we got to talking about knitting and my then current project of socks. Here's how it went. I would like socks. I made you a pair. You did not. Yes I did! When? 4 years ago. You did not! AAARGH! Then he asked my step-mum and she said no (she wasn't even there) Then I said...I can tell you exactly when I gave them to you because they were a late birthday present. OK tell me. I gave them to you at the Vancouver airport sitting at the big window looking out at the planes while waiting for our flight to England! They were dark blue and not wrapped but in a big brown envelope! When you opened it you let out this big loud laugh! (he barks out a big loud laugh)...yes like that I say!
In the end it was decided (by him) that I never gave him socks; my memory must be failing (whose memory??) but he would appreciate some. Amazing! Anyway, I guess I know what I am knitting next.

Time Change

Hahaha...forgot to advance the clocks last night. Only realized it after I got up and turned on my mobile phone. Reason for laughing???......Todd was late for work. Can't wait until he gets home to find out how that went over.
Started the socks for my DIL. The pattern I chose was Broken Rib Socks. They are turning out OK but I don't like the big gap that the short row heel leaves when you re-join the instep stitches. Next time I will pick up an extra stitch to close the gap or follow the toe-up socks short row heel instructions. This bit of advice thanks to knitvanpurl. My plan today was to have an 'in' day and do nothing but bake and knit but the lure of Fresh Air and Sunshine took me outside for an hour long xc-ski. I thought it was cold out therefore I was totally overdressed! I was also totally Starving by the time I was done......anyone who knows me well knows that I am always starving!....but I really was. I didn't eat enough before I went.
p.s. I did do some baking.....Blueberry Yogurt Muffins and Raspberry Almost Nutri-grain bars.
YUM!

Getting my stuff together

Finally! Things seem to be getting back to normal and I have Energy again. I think a lot of it has to do with the longer days:) I started a regular fitness routine again. Mon, Wed, and Fri I am skiing and running. Tues, Thurs, Sat I am doing the 200 crunches program and the 100 push-ups program or some sort of workout with my resistance bands. Sunday, I am falling over dead...LOL.
Also, I am finally getting some of these knitting projects finished. Nothing like knitting under pressure! Two friends are due to have babies this month and I have been procrastinating about getting their gifts done. All I need now for the little cardigan is some buttons and blocking and for the blanket all that needs doing is the blocking. What a relief to be finished these. Next to come off the needles is a pair of Silk Sleeves for my DIL. They are a birthday gift...not until May but I want them finished! I found out though that she really wants a pair of pink socks so while I was in Vancouver I picked up some Mission Falls 136 Superwash 100% Merino. I know she will LOVE the thickness of them as she is always cold. It's called Mallow 025 and on my monitor the website shows the colour as sort of purple but it is pink. I haven't picked out a pattern yet but I'm sure I'll find something she will Love!
Today Todd & I took in a little night skiing and it was fabulous. There was only half the moon but it lit our way in the open field giving us these funny little shadows to ski besides:) We needed the headlamps only in certain sections of the trail that were treed in.

New projects

Have not been working on my little baby cardigan for a while but I did start a couple of new projects. One was a blue car seat blankie for Monica's baby to be.....a boy. I got tired of that and so I started and finished (because it was so quick) a Birthday Cowl for a friend who is having...you guessed it....a birthday! I bought the Drops Silke Alpaca in Vancouver while I was there recently. I have decided that Urban Yarns in one of my fav stores. I still need to block the cowl before gifting it and finish the blanket before the birth of the little one.

Made with Love

I am so looking forward to a few days off work. Some brainiac scheduled me for 2 evening shifts and then a day shift! Too tired to even think about this except for that the person that makes a schedule that jumps around so much only works m-f 8-4. Sigh.
Started and finished the cutest little newborn hat on Valentines day. It is for a baby in the making.
Two of my friends are due in March...so hopefully one of them has a girl because I think this hat is a bit girly.

200 crunches

Woohoo! I have discovered a new fitness website. 200 Crunches! It is from the same guy who developed the 100 Push-ups site. My plan is to take the initial test to see how many I can do and then start the plan. It is a good idea to take a day of rest between the test and starting the 6 week plan. During that time you can knit. LOL.
I was doing the push-ups but I sort of quit or faded away from doing them? Anyway, I should start that again. Running has sort of gone by the wayside again......but the roads are crappy for running right now and I don't feel like being the next candidate for the surgery wait list game.
Besides, I would rather xc-ski or snowshoe right now. The last time I was out on the snowshoes my binding broke and I had to do an emergency field repair with a zap-strap. Ha! Take that McGyver!
Almost finished my nephews sweater! Yay! One more sleeve to go....good thing there are only 2.

Plodding along...

Here I am slowly plodding along through this sweater for my nephew. I started great guns to get this done by Feb 13th...his birthday but WORK! has interfered once again. I hate that 4 letter word sometimes. Sigh. Plus it would have helped if I didn't read 3 novels in the meantime. LOL. Been out snowshoeing and xc-skiing lots too but for me that is a necessity so it doesn't count for having no time to knit. Well he's turning 4 and I think he will be OK with a late prezzie from an aunt he hardly sees since we live so far apart. Hoping to make a trip this spring or summer. OK, off to knit at Timmy's.

Happy Day

Oh happy happy day! I found some yarn:)
I contacted Ruth (from the Willow Basket) and she HAS SOME of the yarn I need to finish my baby cardi!!!!! Yay. I know someone would come through for me.
Of course I still have to drive out to her studio to get it but that is OK. Her website is unfortunately having technical difficulties so it is unavailable right now. I remember taking a business card when I made my last purchase at the store and I tucked into my set of Denise needles just in case. Glad I did:)
I decided after the very full day that was Sunday that I needed to take Monday off. Got the laundry done, tidied up around the house a bit, sorted through the bills etc. and made a big veggie lasagne and a spinach salad. Is it still a day off? Whatever....it felt like it.
Went skiing again on Tuesday though.....for about 3 hours. Hot bath and knitting was all I was good for by then.

yarn miscalculation

Darn! I did it again!
I miscalculated the amount of yarn I had left. I started a cute little cabled cardigan for my friends baby to be and I used a ball of yarn that I had hardly even started to knit up from a previous project. Apparently I knit up a bit more than I thought. If anyone has any King Cole Big Value Baby DK in white ( or cream I guess it is....colour #046 anyway) that they would be willing to part with, I would appreciate it. I am not concerned about the lot # because I have only the 2 sleeves and the button bands to do. It is a very small cardi...sz 0-3 months. The lot # is 35386.
The last few days here have been pretty cold but it hasn't stopped us from getting outside for a bit of xc-skiing. We have a few fav routes that we like to do and the one we did the last couple of days takes about an hour.....though on Saturday we went around twice just to get the ski tracks established. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. Once you get out there and get moving it is hardly cold at all. Felt pretty good actually.
On Sunday we did the same trail and then I went roller skating with Karen. Fun, Fun, Fun. Went to stitch'n'b but I found it a bit too crowded so I quickly said hi to everyone, enjoyed a cup of javva and went on my way. Decided to see if Todd stopped by the bass players house to jam and while there I got an impromptu invite to dinner. Yum. I had wondered what I was going to do about dinner...
Got home at 1 a.m. Very tired.

Time Flies.

Well. I can't believe how much time has flown by since the last time I blathered on about anything. I finally got back to see everyone at SNB....was great to catch up:) Well at least I went 1 week (in a row?...LOL).
Todd & I decided to check out the property and shovel off the roof....just in case. No need to have to shovel the snow from INSIDE the house. What a beautiful day! We brought the snowshoes so that we could actually walk instead of trying to wade through thigh high snow.


I started a cardigan for my friend's baby-to-be even though I told myself NO new projects until I finished off my other wip's! Ha! Good Luck with that. I did manage to finish a pair of cabled ankle socks for g-baby #2.

Long day

Thursday seemed like the longest day ever. I had to go to Vancouver for an appointment, so I set my alarm for 0430 since I would have to leave the house by 0515 at the latest so that I could drive to the airport so I would make my flight. Inevitably, I awoke at 0342 instead. This always seems to happen when I KNOW I cannot sleep in! I tried going back to sleep but the snowplow whooshed by so that was the end of that!
Spent the day in Van but was not armed with names of knitting shops or addresses so I didn't buy any new yarn. I know, some of you are appalled at this moment.....however all is not lost as I picked up some wool at Michael's yesterday to start a cabled scarf or a fair isle hat.
I arrived back at the airport in Plenty of time to make my 1935 flight back only to find it had been Delayed by 1 1/2 HOURS!!!! Luckily I had my knitting with me and merrily passed the time doing that. In my peripheral hearing I was amazed at how some people could go on and on chatting mindlessly about not much of anything.....to complete strangers! Luckily I was able to tune out most of it:)
Anyway by the time we landed it was 2205 and by the time I walked in the door of home sweet home it was 2315. I was done.

chaos

Chaos invaded my house for about a day......(not sure if I could handle any more than that) and now I just have damage control to deal with! The kids stopped by with g-kid #1 & #2 for an overnight visit before embarking on the homeward voyage. I could not believe how quickly my house went from clean & tidy to bomb site. Amazing....I guess it has been a while since my kids were that small. Were their toys ever that... noisy, annoying, hard plastic that hurts so much when you accidentally step on it while carrying a stack of crystal to be returned to the china cabinet....LOL.
Well all that met it's fate was one plate that g-kid #2 decided that she didn't like, so she frisbee'd it off the table after depositing her french toast on the placemat. Oh well, it was the ugly plate anyway. Swept that up and deposited it in the trash, did a bunch of laundry and now all that's really left is to run around with the vacuum and polish the spit off the windows (from g-kid#2 kissing the windows to say hi/bye to the puppies outside:))
Had some nice skiing in before the home invasion. I wish I had had my camera. It was so beautiful out. The trees were white and frosted with a backdrop of med grey sky while the sun was a mere glow through the clouds. It would have put an Ansel Adams print to shame.
Now g-kid #1 wants a Knitted Helmet hat (see previous post). He calls it a Ninja hat! LOL. I wonder if I should make it in black? I have some nice dark grey....maybe I'll use that.
p.s. still no Jeep:(