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.