Not too bad. I knit until midnight yesterday. Today I try it on to check fit. I'm procrastinating on that. I am not quite ready for bad news this early in the morning. In other news, on Saturday, Brianna and I had SPA DAY. She was totally thrilled and I must admit it felt good. A soak in the tub, fancy lotions and massages, matching pink bath robes, a bit of make-up, trying on my fancy earrings (she just had her ears pierced a month ago!)...
A general lovely feeling of pampering and quality time spent with my daughter. I don't remember the last time I received so many hugs! And all in the comfort of our home. Doesn't get any better than that. She was SO Happy, she positively beamed!

Yesterday, I slept in, ignoring the whole time change thing. My animals were very forgiving. I finally had water in the barn, the weather was balmy and I felt in a cleaning mood. Even the bunnies got squeaky clean cages now.

After supper, Hubby packed up the kids and they all went to the camp overnight. FREEDOM. Precious time to be totally alone, if you don't count the dog and cats. With TV as background noise, I knit, and then I knit some more. And I had the most glorious gab on the phone with Alison, which seemed to go on forever. Totally uninterrupted. Miracles happen! Thank you Alison. It was priceless.

Today, I tackle the chicken condo. Then I tackle the sleeves. And laundry.

Smooth Sailing...

You may oooh and aah now! Not that I want you getting the idea I may have ego problems. Sometimes I just impress myself so much, I can't help it.
The colour work is done, and the rest should go smoother and hopefully a lot quicker. I think I managed to catch any mistakes I made and fix them. There were some. Serves me well for working on this last night and attempting to watch tv. I gave up around 11 pm with about 8 rows to go. I just didn't have it in me to go on. The house was so cold from this miserable cold snap and wicked wind. It's a marvel my hands didn't freeze. I had a blanket on me and was surrounded by cats, one even on my lap, and still it wasn't enough. Big fire going. Nope. Not enough. Same story this morning. You know it's cold when....

...my barn water freezes that I can't even turn the tap! Hauling water from the house for the animals is always such pleasure in these temperatures. I love being a farmer in the winter.

Madness Update

This is my March Madness Sweater. I'm half way through the colour work, then just plain knitting. That should speed things up a bit. Since I didn't knit at all yesterday, I'm quite a bit behind the others, especially Holly, who already has the body of her sweater finished. Check out the The March Madness site for more.

Mr. Darcy Lives On

I am a huge fan of BBC's Pride and Prejudice. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is the stuff of which dreams are made.

I recently discovered that for some, the wedding scene was not nearly enough. Two authors have continued the story of Mr. Darcy and his outspoken wife.

Linda Berdoll penned Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continues, as well as Darcy & Elizabeth: Nights and Days at Pemberley.

On the other hand, Pamela Aidan has a different view of the "happily ever after". Four of her novels are inspired by the Darcys.

1. An Assembly Such As This: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman
2. Duty and Desire...
3. Mr. Darcy's Daughters...
4. These Three Remain...

I haven't read any of these. Yet. I certainly plan on it. All in good time.

Have any of you read these? I invite you reviews!

Power of the Sun

I love the sun. It is my lifeline. Quite often it is the kick in the arse that I need to get things done (even though I am a night person) during daylight hours. Can't very well start vacuuming when the rest of this house sleeps. Can't blast Phantom of the Opera or Queen to get me in a cleaning mood at midnight. I could, but I am unwilling to live with the consequences.





The sun makes my garden grow. Makes my animals happy. Makes ME happy. And makes me feel relaxed. And almost makes me think I don't need my happy pills. Above all, the sun enables me to deal in a calmer way with the stupid stuff I do on a daily basis.

I did stupid stuff yesterday. After the sun went down. Check it out.

My cats and I: Nosy Sun Worshipers.

Storm Anticipation

You all know that I have a problem with committment. We shall not think of all those ufo's demanding my attention.

I do want to show you what is holding my attention at this moment. (Not to worry, it probably won't last.) In Briggs and Little Sport, one ply, on 2.75mm, making 'em up as I go, a new pair of socks for yours truly. I cast on 64 sts and after the ribbing, increased to 70. I am hoping that will make these wide enough to go over my calves. Warm knee socks. For under long skirts. I will knit both of these at the same time so I remember what I'm doing. I'm not much for writing patterns down, and when the kids were born, the memory department went on a permanent European vacation. I hope it is having a very good time without me!

That's my pretty amber bracelet at the bottom of the picture. You must go visit Kitchen Witch at their new location on King St. The store is huge and so many temptations.....
Since Alison flashed her new basket, here is one of my new baskets. I like it lots and lots. The second one is smaller. I like the shape, I like the colour, I like the handles.... It was made for me!

Now I should get some work done before the storm hits. I'm not holding my breath but you never know. I bought more hay yesterday evening, and stacked it nice and neat in the now clean barn. I might get inspired to deal with the chicken condo, all the while dreaming of my new chicken barn. We have big plans for this year, bringing new animals in and expanding our holdings. Store bought food sure loses it's charm after a garden-less winter. I do believe it's time to start some seeds.