Saying Good-Bye to the Old Year

And good riddance! Here's hoping that the New Year will bring with it a more positive outlook.

I definitely know that the New Year will bring a lot of changes. There will be much de-cluttering, physically and metaphorically speaking. Let's see: Our house is sold and we have to be moved out by Feb 1st. Majority of our furniture is on it's last legs (how it survived our kids this long is beyond me!), so before we move there will be a rather large bonfire lighting up the evening sky as the barely standing dressers burn to ashes. Outgrown clothes, or ones not worn in over a year, will be either donated away or put out of their misery on garbage day. More acrylic yarn will be donated to The Daisy and the FRC in Bridgewater. I tried to give some away at the Wired Monk on Saturday but no one wanted to take it home with them. This "vintage" yarn is starting to develop a complex! I bought it way back when (I didn't know any better/it was on sale!) Eatons was still around. Any takers?? It is FREE! I can't help that I've become a yarn snob over the past few years.

There is all that emotional garbage I'm looking forward to getting rid of, as well. Think good, happy thoughts and let the good and happy stuff happen to me and all that. Yeah, we'll just have to see about that. See, what I mean?

Of course there is the job. I already gave notice. Anyone out there that knows how to sew/do alterations and has some retail experience is encouraged to apply at the Quick Cobbler in the Bridgewater Mall. They have an excellent reputation and are wonderful to work for. You must be willing to work evenings. No weekends.

In knitting news:

Don't get too excited. That there is my yarn haul from the Tangled Skeins in Dartmouth. They had a huge sale during the Boxing Week and I couldn't resist.

There was other yarn purchased too, because Michael's had a sale on yarn and accessories, and because my partner in crime, Ali P is such an enabler!

See that? A finished pair of wrist warmer in Briggs & Little Heritage. They're actually more turquoise than blue. My own pattern. Naturally Brianna is already trying to stake her claim to them. Silly child. The EZ Knitter's Almanac and sock yarn were scored at Have a Yarn in Mahone Bay. Four balls of sock yarn and the needles in a kit, at 25% off. Heather had lots there a week ago, among other kits also 25% off. You should go!

Lookie what I won during the Ninja Knitter's Advent Giveaway. I love it! Just for doing a good deed. The Ninja is truly a lovely and generous person. If you join the KOL ladies at the Wired Monk on Tuesday evenings, you will see for yourself.

And speaking of that get-together on Saturday, where I knit on the Lopi sweater, not one of those nice ladies wanted to volunteer to help me to sew in the ends on that pink monster. Not a single one! I was positively shocked. (not really)

I did get to lurk around and snap a quick photo while Henry was making nice with George (which was so much better than what he did to the Duck!). It was fabulous meeting so many cool knitters. And the Wired Monk is a seriously awesome place to spend a couple or three hours knitting with like-minded people.

I had a fabulous time. I will try to make it to one some of the Tuesday KOLs.

Tripping Down Memory Lane

After dropping the man/child off at the Digby ferry, we headed towards the Valley to scout for housing. Along the way, I instructed hubby to take a little side trip, to the old Cornwallis Basic Training Base. Both hubby and I spent a few (10 long, mostly sleepless) memorable weeks there, during the bitter grip of winter. Back then, we had real winters.

I remember marching or running in formation, trying not to slip and fall on the icy or snow-covered roads. Or doing push-ups in front of the H-huts, the living quarters, before being led off to the mess hall for breakfast even before the sun had the decency to wake up. Ah, those were the days...

A Cabin in the Woods

Two pairs of gift socks in two days. I even shocked myself. But my hands didn't thank me the next day. The yarn is Briggs and Little Anniversary twist. Matching socks for the 18 year old dude and his biggest fan, the 9 year old dude.

The blanket under the socks is coming along too. Slowly. I admit it's already been put into service. Maybe another 18" or so and it will be big enough for a king sized bed. Then I'll have to consider some kind of trim or edging. Something nice to dress it up a bit. But I tell you, there is nothing like wool. This sucker is heavy, and warm! Long live sheep, long live wool.

That's me in our semi-finished addition. See that wool blanket being put to use? (The date on the picture is wrong... it was taken two days ago when I was gabbing on the phone with Alison, and knitting on one of those socks pictured above. Multitasking: how else do you think I managed two pairs in two days??) The Olympic sweater and the blanket, and the three kittens on my lap and legs were totally necessary as the addition is unheated and tends to be on the cold side.

This was our annual trek through the back 40 to select a Christmas tree. It was a long easier walking last year without all that white stuff on the ground!

Getting a tree off our own land: one more reason I love living in the country.

The View from My Desk

Taken this afternoon at 5:14pm.

Kitten Update

Just thought you'd all be happy to know that the "Thief" has found a new home, at Marla's. It really didn't take all that much convincing that her life would be so much more complete with a fluffy ball of cuteness demanding her attention.

Now, only four more need homes. Any takers? How about this oh-so-cute tabby? We've been calling him Sam and he is so very playful!

Belly Laugh Out Loud

A little cartoon courtesy of my drinking buddy, Michelle:

And for a fabulous cookie recipe, go visit Alison (the one of KOL).

Here to Stay

Snow. Yup, I don't think it's going anywhere.
*
Me. Yup, final decision made not to leave NS. For a while there, a very tense couple weeks, Ontario was in the running, Kitchener area specifically. Unbelievably, I was offered a job in my home town to the tune of double the wage and then some of what I am earning now. Plus a partnership if I wanted it. In a tailor shop. A huge opportunity that needed closer consideration. But in the end, there was more to lose than to gain. Well, to gain too I suppose, if I were to count the extra stress of full-time work and rarely seeing my kids. However, that's neither here nor there. We're staying in NS. We're all quite relieved that that monumental decision has been made. Holy loss of sleep Batman!

Look Up

Thief!

Really, I could have, and would have, finished fixing the second front of the Lopi sweater, if I didn't keep having kitten issues. That's not the only culprit, oh no. He's the only one caught on film. Naughty kitty!

Pay It Forward

Here's the deal:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days. That is my promise. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

AmpuTeeHee is doing it. So is No-Blog-Rachel. And StickChicky.

I now know what I will be watching with my knitting tonight. Have a good one!

Because There Are Always (at least) Two Points of View

*Martha's Way* vs *Maxine's Way *


Martha: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
Maxine: Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway!
Martha: To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Maxine: Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix, keep it in the pantry for up to a year.
Martha: When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
Maxine: Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you.
Martha: If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up." (Do you really think Martha would admit to a screw-up like over-salting?? I think not! She's innocent, remember?!)
Maxine: If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!"
Martha: Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
Maxine: Celery? Never heard of it!
Martha: Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
Maxine: The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't.
Martha: Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
Maxine: Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink!
Martha: If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Maxine: Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.
Martha: Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
Maxine: Leftover wine??????????? HELLO !!!!!!!(Not at my house, either!)

I Must Have This

BOOK: Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael. So many adorable little knits within its shiny pages, and by adorable I mean grown-up loveliness. Lots of pretty. It's a brand spankin' new book at the library (I found it through the on-line catalogue) and I am the first person to get my grubby hands on it! Oh the joy of it! HA HA HA I must add this book to my library. Hubby says "..so buy the damned thing. You only live once..." See why I love the man?

The maniacal knitting has come to an end. For the time being. We had three (3!) showings in three days. The last one resulted in an offer. Not a great offer but we are negotiating. The three days also resulted in money from two pairs of finished socks for our mechanic (I hear he's been showing them around too; free advertising!), a pair of wool mitts for hubby (for which he's been bugging me for a number of weeks), a finished pair of those cushy heeled socks for hubby, and a finished "spring" sock and a started cuff on a second one. I've also been knitting on another eyelash scarf; almost to the end of the second ball. Cheap project, that one. Got the yarn from the dollar store in the mall. I'm planning on this scarf for me but I suspect my fashion princess might attempt to swipe it on me. She likes it as much as I do.

Two for the Money

Last night I finished an order for two pairs of wool socks. I'll deliver them later today, after the house showing (that's number two in as many days). Okay, the thing about these showings? Yes, the house is for sale, therefore it must be shown so people can see what's on offer. Yes, I want to sell this house so we can move. But the whole "strangers poking their noses into all my nooks and crannies" thing? I don't love that part of the selling. I know it's unreasonable, but there you have it. I get cranky and bitchy when we get notice of a showing. I can't help it. I'm trying to down-play it today by knitting obsessively. Actually it started last night; our real estate agent called around 9pm-ish and it's been a knit-fest ever since. I knit a mitt for hubby from the time of the phone call to bedtime, and finished the thumb this morning. The second cuff is already about half done. Grrrr...

Thank You So Much

I received a big envelope in the mail... I had to check the mailbox after Alison asked if I received anything interesting in the mail lately. Got me curious so I finally crawled my (still)sore behind out of my warm comfy bed and trudged down the hill to the box. Lest you think that I'm a completely lazy slob, I had by then done all my barn chores, and made two big pots of drop noodles (it's a Polish thing), then crawled back into bed with a book to rest my screaming muscles. Anyway, no picture, but trust me when I say, I found some fabulously fresh bay leaves from her own bush, and a couple recipes, and.... Some totally cute stitch markers! Squeee! Soooo cute!! Trust me. Love you Alison! You're totally the best.
Gotta get ready for work. Picture tomorrow, maybe.

Back to "Farming"

Isn't that a lovely deer? He had no problem finding the apples and carrots under all that snow!

Monday evening the cow got escorted into the barn for the winter. Fudge, on the other hand, is a bit strong-willed so I just let her make her own way in, in her own good time. Actually it wasn't too bad. I left the electric fence open while I was dealing with the cow, and eventually Fudge wondered out, and following Moonlight's bellowing made her way into the barn. I had a bit of a wrestle to get her into her own stall, and with the exception of a single trampling of my foot, all went relatively well. Fudge is somewhat disgruntled since now she's completely cut off milk, but at least I finally have a regular supply of milk in the house. Hey, I believe letting her be milk fed for 11 months is quite long enough. Boy, oh, boy, that will be lovely beef. I taped her last night on a dairy Holstein tape, on which she measured out at 902 lbs! Now, considering that she is part Limousin, and looks the spitting image of her daddy, I dare say she weighs more than that! Her neck is way bigger that her mother's, and she stands almost as high! An incredible animal.

***

I might as well confess. Yesterday afternoon, after a lenghty nap, as I was going downstairs, I slipped and had a terrible fall. Spilled my coffee and everything! Hubby freaked of course, but I did appreciate his help getting me up off the floor and onto a soft chair. I smashed my left elbow and butt bone just below the cheek, which makes it extremely sore to sit. The scariest part, however, was how dizzy I felt after I managed to sit down. But I am in one piece and working for the next three days.

The kittens all got bathed last night, because I discovered fleas. Not so good, since the fleas had to be picked off by hand. I couldn't use the flea shampoo on them because they're too young. This morning I clipped their little bitty sharp claws. They're seven weeks old now and wildly playful, oh my goodness. Funny, too. Soon I'll be finding them new homes.

It Didn't Rain

Every Remembrance Day in my memory has been a somber and very rainy event.

This year, this was Remembrance Day, Lest we Forget. Even during power outages, let us never forget our war heroes. They fought for us. For Peace. For Freedom.

Question: why don't people wear the poppy year round?

There has been knitting. Socks for me. Isn't this a fabulous colour? Makes me think of spring.

These are going to be socks for hubby, with their super duper extra squishy comfort heels.

And this sweater for Colin needs a zipper, a collar or hood, and a bit of finishing. It's made of 100% wool, and he proclaimed it soft, on bare skin! There is something to be said for small victories. (At the moment, he's quite P-O-ed at me because there is no milk in the house.) Do I need to point out how short lived these victories are? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Have you seen this? A Glass Spinning Wheel by Andy Paiko Glass. Amazing!

And what's a blog post without some kitten cuteness?

...The Sky Is Falling, The Sky is Falling...

Not really, but the hurricane (post tropical storm) is getting closer and letting itself be felt. When it first started raining around lunchtime, most of our storm preparations were done. Except for the laundry. I've been doing laundry for a better part of the day just to get caught up and so we don't get caught without clean panties and socks if there is a lengthy power outage. We were scheduled to have a showing tomorrow as well, but in the late afternoon hubby finally came to his senses and allowed me to call our real estate agent to cancel. I mean, jeez louise! Let's show a house at it's worst, why not? On the other hand, it could have been a good thing to show the house still standing and everything intact. I wasn't quite willing to bet on our getting through this storm unscathed.
Oh, here comes the lightening. We lost power for a few moments just as we sat down to eat dinner. My biggest concern? I had bread in the oven with at least another 15 minutes of baking to go! Hey, I gotta be prepared. But now, we're good to go. We got milk, lots of water, four very fresh loaves of bread, lots of sandwich fixings, and the eliminator is charged up and ready for service. Emergency radio and flashlight (crank type) at the ready. Candles--check. Animals inside? Yup. Except the cows. I'd like to see this storm try to move those two! Cancel last. No, I'm not asking for trouble. Nope, nope, not me.

Here's a news flash! I was chit-chatting with Marilyn and Crystal at the library (SSRL Bridgewater) and naturally conversation turned to knitting, and I may have mentioned that it would be nice to get a knitting group going at the library, and they said, "...sure, you could use the conference room....". Almost too easy. But is that not a great idea or what??? It could be a great place to get together to work on secret Christmas presents! So, anyone interested? Any ideas on days or timings? I would prefer either mornings of Wed, Thurs, Friday. The others days, it wouldn't matter what time, just dependent on when the room would be available. I could distribute some posters, maybe advertise over the radio. Because we all know that knitting groups don't have to be held in knitting stores--too much distraction, not to mention that we all probably have lots of yarn to work with already... (Wow, lightening!) So I'll think on it this weekend, what's left of it, and post the details here once everything is confirmed with the library. It'll be great to meet other local knitters! (Wow, double wow! That lightening and thunder now are getting close!)

It's starting to sound nasty out there. Heart racing.... Better sign off before this post is fried...
Take care!

In the Bait Pile

Just feeding the locals...

Nosy...

That there is a little boy.

Bath time...

Would you believe we just had our first trick or treaters in five years??! Wow. We tried giving away a kitten or two in treat bags, but sadly, we had no takers. No, I am not kidding.

I made Brianna a witch costume (which I was just informed is no longer a costume but part of her clothes!), a dress and cape. Hat was store-bought. She loved it. Is planning on using it as a nightgown tonight...

Trick or Treat

Happy Canadian Halloween!

(It's supposed to be a beaver, okay?)

That's a female, with extra toes like the mama.

"What you lookin' at?"

Blogger nixed me from adding any more photos for the moment.

Fluffies

Because what Alison wants, Alison gets. Here are some kitties.

The one on the far right is a girl, the other two are boys.

I wish we had high-speed here. It takes forever to get pictures up.

In other news, there was white fluffy stuff falling from the sky before lunch. I'm not going to say the S word in case it comes back. It's lovely out there right now. At least the house is bathed in sunlight.

**

Hubby got his deer this afternoon. We won't starve, seeing how Fudge is still on the hoof. I should pick up some hay for the cows soon. There is very little pasture remaining. Occasionally I've been letting Moonlight roam around free, mowing down the lawn, which she does so well. Of course she is far from dumb and knows where all the drop apples are, and fills up on those too; you know, so they don't go to waste.

**

It's funny how long I've waited for my invite to Ravelry, and now that I am a full-fledged member, I rarely make it on there. If you go looking for me, I'm woolfoolBarbara.

In knitting news, the past couple evenings I've been working on a little baby sweater, pattern from One-Skein Wonders. I have decided to make two: first one for one of my favourite librarians and the other for a favourite customer at work. The first of these lovely ladies has recently become a grandmother for the first time, and the other will become one in another couple weeks. I am so happy for them. Hey, it's an excuse to knit teeny tiny things again, okay?

It would appear I have to start knitting mittens very soon. Really soon. Like tonight. I hope. Everyone needs mittens for some reason. I could have sworn we had at least two pairs for every body in this house! Huh!

Where's the Time Gone?

This morning, just after the sun came up. Striking, isn't it? I think I still love it here.

No, I haven't gone and moved without blogging all about it. We've had plenty of showings, and even an offer or two, but nothing serious enough to warrant a second thought. We have been thinking about where we eventually want to end up, and it turns out, after much discussion and soul searching, that it will not be New Brunswick. Let me explain...

When we first decided to sell the house and move, it was largely based on wanting our kids to be closer to other kids their own age, closer to activity centers, etc. Halifax was out of the question; prices of housing, the increasing crime, traffic, crime, ridiculous housing prices, crime.... You get the picture. We didn't want to have anything to do with Halifax. (Which is why we had moved to the country in the first place, but I digress.) I/we realised, to have decent services, that we would definitely have to move closer to a town, possibly within town limits (gasp!). But we didn't want to end up working just to pay a mortgage and taxes on a place in town. I am sure I don't need to point out that accommodations in town are way more expensive than in the country, but there, I said it anyway. (I'm like that: stating the obvious.) Anyway.... I think more than anything else, we simply chickened out of the whole Miramichi, NB idea. Don't get me wrong: there were lots of schools, elementary and secondary, lots of libraries, quaint town centers, plenty of services. The Miramichi River running through it all made it pretty as a picture. There even reasonably priced homes. Within our means. But the shock to the systems of moving off a 150 acres to a lot 150' by 150'? Of being reminded just how small the average town lot is? Too much. I don't know. Having to whisper in your own house so your neighbours don't know your business? Actually, the neighbours here seems to know my business... Even as I write this, it sounds like I am just making excuses. I do recognize the need to move from this particular area. I guess what it comes down to is that I really and truly like Nova Scotia. So. What I'm trying to say is that we've started looking at Annapolis Valley as a possibility.

In other news, this pair of socks is now completely finished. Did you happened to notice that there are three?? Yup. Talk about a colossal screw-up! I knit the first two, not realizing that I had cast on a different amount of stitches. The first sock was all kitchenered up and everything. That's the one that had 8 (!!) extra stitches. How in hell did that happen? Good grief. Anyway, I didn't realize the size difference until the second sock was done. Don't ask how I could have missed it. So. I started knitting the third sock. See, I didn't want to deal with all the unpicking of my ever-so-clever sewn in ends. Had to anyway as you can plainly see, because the rest of yarn had been dyed quite a bit darker (not by me). I know some people (Alison) that are quite happy to see the grandeur of my freakish knitting accident.

And last but not least, feeding time at the zoo.

The kittens will be ready to go in another three weeks or so. Any takers?? They're really cute, and playful, and have been handled a LOT so they'll make great pets...

Socks, Finished and Otherwise

And this is how we knit his socks, knit his socks, knit his socks...(this was when I was evicted from the house for a showing; we went to the elementary school playground so the kids could play; I'm leaning up against hubby, practically laying down on the bench)

Like I said before, fraternal, not identical. I used this funky elastic/nylon yarn with my strand of wool for the heels to see if that will strengthen them up more. It sure made them cushier. Hubby loves them. Here they are after their first wash. I wash socks in the washer (cold water) but always hang them up to dry.

These are my lovely knee-highs. They're very soft and comfortable but that works against having them stay up. I plan on sewing in an elastic so they stay put, and already I am planning another pair. I love these. May need to knit a pair of bloomers to go with them! There was a cute pair on Knitty....

It's a blustery fall day out there. I so adore fall. Sweater weather; book reading with a hot cup of tea weather...

Guess what!? I tried belly dancing yesterday! I borrowed a video from the library and finally had a go at it. Talk about a workout! But fun. Great for legs and butt. It should help with coordination too. Brianna was doing it with me! We had a blast. Fun, fun...

Trashed House

Knitter on a rampage. All in the name of wool. Last night I started knitting socks out of the same wool (Patons Classic) from which I made my March Madness Sweater. I got to the end of a partial ball and went looking for more. There began the madness. I knew I had lots and lots. It wasn't in the bar with a couple other current projects. Not in the wall unit cupboards. Other wool and patterns and accessories went flying every which way. I knew it had to be somewhere close.... Finally I went to the barn to check if it accidentally got hidden out there with the major part of the stash. Four boxes later, and I finally found it. Went back into the house and realized how much damage I caused. It resembles much like a hurricane had blown through.
Now, hours later, the mess still hasn't magically cleaned itself up. Welllll.... It will have to wait til tomorrow. I am rebelling against the strict spotlessness that I have been attempting to maintain in the name of selling this house.
I deserve a break.

Feel Good Weekend

Another Monday morning. Oops... it's Tuesday already, isn't it? Okay then. Moving right along.

To update, Saturday evening hubby and I went up the road to Charlie's camp (a short way past our back 40) for a drink and a chat around the camp fire, and I had the pleasure of meeting his wife Maggie and their friends Mary and Ray. We had a great time. It's nice to get out of the house and visit with people. It turns out that Maggie is a knitter. She commented on my socks when I slipped out my feet to warm them by the fire... It was a rather cold evening. "...did you use variegated yarn or your own pattern...?" I must have had a smile a mile wide, I was so pleased that she noticed they where hand-made! Totally cool. Originally from Cape Breton, she also knows how to spin, and told stories of evenings at home when she was young, picking and carding fleece and of course spinning! Now she and Charlie live in Blandford on the ocean, and invited me down, to try kayaking. Wow! Did I mention I got on really well with her and the others and had a simply wonderful time? I sure did. Yes, I did! LOL
* * *
Sunday morning while I slept in, hubby and Brianna went up Lake Pleasant Road scoping out places for deer hunting (she's an early riser just like hubby). I knew they were planning on going to the camp after that, because Charlie and company had said they would drop by on their way home. Eventually, after bringing the house to rights and doing odd jobs around the house, the boys and I decided to ride to the camp on our bikes. Another beautifully crisp, sunny day. We ended up staying at the camp for lunch (partridge that hubby got on Saturday morning's hunt with the kids). We headed back home after I finished one of hubby's patchwork socks and didn't have other knitting with me!
That evening we watched a video I borrowed from the library, Medicine Man with Sean Connery. Brianna fell asleep half way through. It was a nice cozy family evening. I loved it.
***
Yesterday's highlights:

• While Colin stayed home with me, the rest went up the road looking for more partridge. No luck. Hubby claimed it was because Colin didn't go, and he was the good luck charm. Hubby did say he saw a huge buck just on the other side of the small lake. He was so excited I kept hoping he wouldn't have a heart attack.
• I sized up the turkey, but she ended up getting off with her head intact. A male meat bird wasn't so lucky. He met his end in a quiet and dignified manner. After throwing some grain down, I just sneaked up behind him and grabbed him by the legs which I tied together for later hanging. The bugger had it coming that's for sure. He's one of two that sometimes would peck my leg or foot when I was throwing leftover bread to the chickens. Nasty.
• I made more bread, this time rye and organic white. The 12-grain that I made on Friday wasn't a big hit as usual, and the leftovers get hard after a couple days (the chickens never complain!). On the other hand, the two loaves of plain white bread? One was gone even before I got home Friday night!
• Chatted with artist friend on the phone, since couldn't go visit with bird in the oven.
• Still reading The Time Traveller's Wife and loving it!
• Read three chapters of Colin's book, Icefire by Chris D'Lacey. We're getting close to the end but I couldn't keep going. My throat kept getting too dry. Very good book. About dragons. It's a trilogy and now I wish he had gotten the first book so we could have read them in order. A nice mother/son quality time together. He likes it, and so do I, when I read to him.
• Finished hubby's patchwork socks: they ended up being fraternal, not identical. He said he doesn't care. I made them, and they're wool and that's good enough for him. He loves wool socks. I may have mentioned this fact before. But he has standards: they must be Briggs and Little wool socks, not fancy skinny wool socks!

Today? I don't know what today will bring. Hopefully my books that I bought on crack-bay. Hubby is in the woods, working. Sawing lumber for Bob the baker. That means I have the house to myself. I've already been tidying up and the dishwasher and washing machine are going. It's so quiet. Lovely. I originally toyed with the idea of cleaning out the kids' closet under the stairs, but that will be a humongous job. But it desperately needs doing. I wonder how long I can avoid it... After all, I have a great book to read and lots of pretty wool to play with...

Laundry

You know, I think the laundry in this house has been taking tips from rabbits, or something. Really. Because it sure multiplies like freaking rabbits. Every time I turn my back! I can't keep up, or just barely.
I've been doing laundry better part of the day. Thank goodness it was warm and breezy so I could hang it out on the line. It irks me to no end when I am forced to use the dryer.

Anyway, after a morning of tidying up and the laundry, taking quality time outs to spend time with the little people, and do some reading, I finally managed to get out late in the afternoon for a visit with my artist friend. We sat outside with our wine and chatted until the temperature started to drop below comfort level. It was a lovely and thoroughly enjoyable time. Then I hopped on my bike and headed home.

A perfect Saturday.

To Clarify

Alison (the other one) asked what we do with all those carrots. No, they're not just for the kids to have sword fights with. Actually, for the most part, they will be bait for deer. I do set aside quite a lot for my cows, rabbits and chickens. Yes, chickens do like carrots. And the turkey does, too. Imagine that! Also while filling buckets for the animals, I pick out some nice ones for the house. I love carrot cake! Yummy...

I've been busy today doing laundry, making bread (two different kinds), milking the cow, making beds, more laundry, folding and putting away...

Hubby just got back from the woods and he's making lunch for us. I better get moving and start getting ready for work.

Oh yes, it is the most glorious autumn day out there! Beautiful.... Don't feel like going to work today. Would rather stay home and enjoy it!

Cables

Ughhh. Another showing. A re-showing, I should say, but not until 4pm. The guy from last Friday is bringing wife and kids. Hubby is elated. Me, not so much. The guy was a jerk. Or maybe it's just that my first impression of him was less than favourable. I suppose it really doesn't matter what his personality is like if he has enough cold hard cash to buy this place. Must remember to keep it all in perspective. At least it's a gorgeous sunny day, and not pouring like last Friday.

Valley trip continued, in pictures. That's hubby, spreading the carrots around so we don't lose any on the way home. We managed to get two bins on my truck. One bin's weight? Between 700-800lbs! There is a good work truck, working. As it's meant to. Not just a toy. hee hee

Check this out! Cables! And twist2tog!

What would be the point of getting a truck load of carrots if not for a carrot sword fight?

The Valley

We had a showing today. Noon-ish. A very good time for a showing. The kids gone to school and still enough time to make the house shine, and even grab a shower. Did I ever tell that I don't do mornings all that well?

This showing was a very pleasant experience, compared to the last one this past Friday. Maybe it's that we've passed the insane cleaning stage. Maybe we've finally gotten into a grove, a rhythm, of getting a house ready for a showing. Maybe we've gotten back to living full time, and selling house as an afterthought. It's now as stressful, either way.

Oh yes, and today's prospective buyer? Total eye candy! WOWweee

So, the looker (hee hee) and real estate agent weren't down the driveway yet when I suggested we take a drive to the Valley. Hubby didn't need to think twice. This is the best time of the year to visit the Valley, if you ask my opinion. We were going to get a bin or two of carrots from Sawlers (cull carrots for the deer, and my farm critters) and of course get some fine fresh veggies in bulk at wholesale prices. I love it! 50lbs of beets; 25lbs of onions; 10lbs of turnips and cabbage respectively...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I am thankful for a good growing season. And local produce. (Have you read The 100-mile Diet? A must. An eye opener!)
The apple trees are so tremendously burdened by the fruit this year, that we saw the odd tree laying on it's side, trunk snapped under the weight (2nd picture). Hubby's good friend and friend's family own several large orchards around Berwick (that's one of theirs directly above). Visiting this time of year is out of the question. Once all the trees are bare and only clean up remains, then will be time enough for stopping by and chatting.

A New Obsession??

Here are some of my most recent acquisitions:

Plus quilting needles and rule, and a stack of quilting books courtesy of my local library.

After admiring the quilts at Suttles & Seawinds, hubby says to me, "... you could do that. Make your own...". So I think I will. Because I have too much time on my hands and all that.

And a tiny bit of cuteness to sign off with.