tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82753722012-02-04T19:55:19.686-04:00Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.comBlogger4661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-48293610379504124212012-02-04T19:17:00.002-04:002012-02-04T19:55:19.695-04:00

I have finally learned to spin, well enough that I am starting to acquire a fibre stash (HEY, don't you look at me that way!) I was almost caught up with my spinning but I may have had a weak moment in the face of a 50% off sale on BFL at Gaspereau Valley Fibres. I think I came home with slightly over a kilo in two different colourways. It's so pretty. I'll show you, maybe tomorrow. It's way

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-52749987661704476692012-01-30T10:04:00.005-04:002012-01-30T10:26:15.846-04:00

Dorothy had a little contest and I won! Woot! Interwoven is lovely and will be on my needles before the week is out, or as soon as I finish the second lace sock (I finally finished the first one last night). The socks are a priority as you can see from this picture. Well, I may be over-dramatizing the need for new hand knit socks. My drawer is stuffed full with them, but not a single pair is

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-64349487999234625842012-01-27T06:53:00.009-04:002012-01-27T07:08:21.047-04:00

What are You looking at??

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-87673131776609182292012-01-13T15:59:00.006-04:002012-01-13T16:18:49.868-04:00

Friday Felines are brought to you via inspiration from the Delusional Knitter. So here is Zeus, and let me tell you that he likes alpaca just as much as I do. I dug out a jumble of alpaca from the stash (at least 4 tangled skeins) and started pulling them apart in preparation for winding. Then Zeus joined me on the couch to make sure I was doing it right. Well, after a trip to the kitchen for

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-1506935987811916142012-01-09T11:00:00.003-04:002012-01-09T11:08:16.379-04:00

Look what I just got:Isn't it pretty? It's Gamine from Lachesis & Co. I really, really like Tori's designs. Now I only have to decide what yarn to use. It is the year of Surmounting the stash, after all. P.S. Yes, I admit I may have to ignore some of those projects currently on the needles. Shhhh. Don't tell them.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-2043869045479941022012-01-06T10:28:00.004-04:002012-01-06T10:42:45.045-04:00

Kind of like a yarn diet but better. Revelations of a Delusional Knitter is the leader in this grand adventure. I have way too many projects on the needles and a major job will be to simply get them all in one place and come face to face with them all at once and set priorities. Like that 20 year old sweater that still needs sleeves. Or the 2010 Olympic sweater that needs sleeves. Or a

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-80631138084030548812011-12-31T23:13:00.002-04:002011-12-31T23:24:16.328-04:00

So another year is almost done. In some parts of the world it's been done for hours. I wonder what it looks like on the flip side? From where I sit, I can hear unknown bodies setting off fireworks. Are they celebrating the end of the old year or getting a start on the new, I wonder?My day consisted of wrapping up some issues so they don't follow me into the new year, and that may not have

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-66152459068331762512011-11-02T21:31:00.004-03:002011-11-02T21:52:44.693-03:00

Seriously. Ever since I turned 40 last year, my birthdays have been treating me better and better.Case in point: today was a pretty stellar birthday, with hubby taking me out to my favourite place for lunch (Union Street Cafe in Berwick, NS. If you haven't been, you don't know what you're missing. Their lunch buffets are always absolutely delicious!), Then there was the trip to my favourite store

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-1463918009829600882011-10-19T21:48:00.001-03:002011-10-19T21:50:47.036-03:00

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-39253938452755994312011-10-14T12:41:00.007-03:002011-10-14T13:18:18.111-03:00

I thought this day would never get here. I waited and waited. Patiently. Don't laugh. I am capable of patient, even if more often I hope/desire instant gratification. I mean, I wouldn't be a knitter if I wasn't capable of patience, right??Anyway, I'm not talking about knitting, yet. It's time for the Spinning Retreat at the Old Orchard Inn this weekend! Woot!! I'm excited. Can't you tell? Ha!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-68577806502831612192011-10-09T17:14:00.003-03:002011-10-09T17:19:36.013-03:00

I feel it is my duty to introduce you to a blog you may or may not have come across: Murrmurrs. I found her by way of Holly. Thanks Holly! This woman is a gem!! I snorted, more than once. If you need a laugh, a good belly-shaking laugh, and I recommend everyone should engage in such a laugh at least once a day for the good of your health, go visit Murr.Happy Thanksgiving! (Turkey is in the

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-75673316705966736402011-10-08T19:36:00.002-03:002011-10-08T20:06:34.619-03:00

It was so beautiful and warm in Nova Scotia today that it almost makes you forget those freezing temperatures yesterday. Apparently these unseasonably glorious temperatures are supposed to stick around for a couple more days but I won't hold my breath. Technically an exercise in stash busting, I started knitting another blanket as well as continuing to work my granny square blankets. One can

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-41553940322818777342011-10-05T21:39:00.002-03:002011-10-05T21:46:32.636-03:00

And suddenly there is a Demand (yes, with a capital D) for wool knits by my first born. He might have mentioned in passing last week that he needs wool socks because it's going to be winter soon and he's outgrown most of his other pair. Today when he came home from school, soggy and cold, the need turned to demand. As in "how fast can you knit me a scarf and some socks in blue and gold (the

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-69744635195250404352011-09-28T20:35:00.002-03:002011-09-28T20:45:33.306-03:00

At least it's not summer anymore. I would have been much more cranky if there was frost in summer. Hubby must have known I wouldn't believe him so he dragged me out of bed at 6:20am, giving me only enough time to throw on a bathrobe, and told me to "Shhhh" as he led me outside. I figured there were deer in the garden like the last time he pulled this kind of stunt (about a year ago). I mean, it

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-6668607564641149772011-09-21T22:48:00.002-03:002011-09-21T22:56:53.530-03:00

By a week! The Kitchener Knitters' Fair. I should have stayed at mom's an extra week. To heck with the kids starting school on time. It's not like they do any actual work that first week, right? Oh, well. Something to consider for next year. Even if it seems soooo far away! On a bright note, I will be attending the Spinning Retreat at the Old Orchard Inn in less than a month. Woo-hoo! I have to

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-2733253442011210432011-09-10T12:32:00.003-03:002011-09-10T12:47:00.787-03:00

Yes it is! Nights are definitely colder, days are cooler and we all know that means knitted goodies get to see light of day once more. Told you it's the most wonderful time of the year. Especially since there is no snow to shovel yet. With kids back in school I should be having more knitting time. Yesterday was my first knit night after the summer so I'm on the right track.At home I'm still

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-33351058461357783512011-08-02T21:04:00.001-03:002011-08-02T21:11:55.867-03:00

I turned this: into this: I plan on knitting a pair of socks with it. They may even be for me.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-55768425735390161122011-07-13T15:16:00.009-03:002011-07-13T15:37:29.137-03:00

I finally got around to photographing some of the yarn I've spun.Before and after:I finished this BFL last night after taking a three day break. I'm playing catch-up now. Last night I spun for 3.5 hours.Today I will be back to spinning with Merino, in another dark colourway.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-14528509906456463132011-07-03T21:59:00.003-03:002011-07-03T22:07:21.709-03:00

I spun for 2 hours last night, the first day of Tour de Fleece. I plan to spin for 2 hours tonight, too, and tomorrow and so on. Before:After:Tonight I hope to finish the rest of this colour and maybe even ply some. Happy Spinning!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-5831546551434441012011-07-01T20:11:00.001-03:002011-07-01T20:12:58.080-03:00

I am an import. I am proud to be a Canadian citizen. Happy Birthday, Canada!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-47117926892041201372011-06-30T18:28:00.002-03:002011-06-30T18:49:54.775-03:00

That was the sound of my yarn diet getting blasted. OH Well! Almost lasted 6 full months. See, it all started with a find of two balls of Lopi (one green, one purple) at Frenchies. Total cost: 70 cents! Could. Not. Resist. Looks like I may have to get back to slipper knitting. Then I accidentally (yeah right) ended up at Have a Yarn in Mahone Bay. Heather had Merino/Cashmere for 50% off. I would

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-29206440171478124552011-06-15T23:01:00.004-03:002011-06-15T23:32:14.089-03:00

A while ago I finally finished this little quilt. It's my first following an actual pattern; more or less anyway, since I actually made it bigger than the pattern called for. It's a perfect size for tucking around me while I read, except that I keep finding it on my daughter's bed. I love it. It makes it seem like spring/summer inside even though the temperatures have been unseasonably low.Which

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-8770342847410619732011-06-06T11:00:00.004-03:002011-06-06T11:10:56.721-03:00

Remember back in March, the March Sweater Madness? I won! And amazing Michelle of The Sweet Sheep fame sent me 2 x 4oz braids of custom-dyed Corriedale Superwash as a prize. I love it! I can't wait to start spinning with it! I know this stuff won't have second cuts in it. Heh. And if I'm any good at spinning this lovely fibre I might have to order more for a bigger project! I even love the name

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-84818720359839718372011-06-06T10:13:00.009-03:002011-06-06T10:59:26.698-03:00

First project from my home-spun: a slouchy hat. I forget which knitting book the pattern came from. Spun from 100% merino purchased at Gaspereau Valley Fibres. The granny square blanket is done at long last! 100% wool, felted down lightly, it measures 62" square. I have at least another six on the go, in various sizes, stash busting at its finest. The Ruched Yoke Tee is done and has been getting

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-76303314556663779172011-04-21T21:32:00.001-03:002011-04-21T21:42:18.216-03:00

Swatching is on the horizon for this one. I'm thinking of attempting a short-sleeved top from the Spring 2011 Interweave Knits: Ruched Yoke Tee by AnneLena Mattison.I'm thinking of using either Cantata Cotton Crepe DK (100% Mercerized Cotton), or Bernat Soy Natural Blends (50% soy/50% acrylic). Swatching will definitely be required to see if I can get relatively close to the 20sts=10cm gauge

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-20014597392745237602011-04-18T15:58:00.002-03:002011-04-18T16:03:16.762-03:00

Because little girls need high quality socks too. Here's Sophie with Grampie modeling some Fleece Artist socks, made with leftovers from my socks. (Not a single knot in her pair!)

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-39086481161694284002011-04-09T21:19:00.004-03:002011-04-09T21:46:56.594-03:00

At long last, my first born is starting to recognize my obsession with all things farm and sheep related. Proof: He built me a barn and a sheep! How awesome is that!? LOVE!Did you notice that the Spring + Summer Knitty is out? This is my next project: Corinne. I can't wait to go stash diving!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-49976916123939297882011-04-05T20:40:00.003-03:002011-04-05T20:44:24.517-03:00

Three pairs of Fleece Artist socks in as many months. Time to cast on another pair.I'm trying to reduce my sock yarn stash (an overflowing Rubbermaid tote) so I have an excuse to buy new yarn.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-72115215818467576832011-03-31T13:19:00.003-03:002011-03-31T13:43:47.317-03:00

Done! Done! Done! For all the gory details please visit March Sweater Madness (link in the sidebar on the left). Hmmm. So what's next? Maybe I should get back to the Olympic Sweater.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-38666859549138351592011-03-21T14:58:00.002-03:002011-03-21T15:10:00.109-03:00

I got bit by the spinning bug. I can't get enough. I finished with the two colours of merino that I bought from Gaspereau, and the plied yarn is hanging to dry and set twist. I'm quite happy with it. Today I started spinning fleece from my own sheep. Wow, what a difference. Although far from being as soft as the merino, the spinning is still going well and the singles seem to be more even

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-70989217654593556402011-03-08T11:03:00.006-04:002011-03-08T11:20:58.565-04:00

Progress comes in many different guises.For one, this is something I'll call extremely small progress, based on past performance. On the other hand, Monday was for spinning again. I've had to put a yoga mat under my wheel to stop it from sliding on the hardwood floor. Thanks to Tina's encouragement and a full afternoon this is what I will call Major progress. I stopped when my back couldn't

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-75705493715215824252011-03-01T21:07:00.003-04:002011-03-01T21:14:30.686-04:00

At long last, I finally finished a pair of Fleece Artist socks for myself. It was a skein that was gifted to me by Karen. Thank you so much Karen. My feet thank you too.As for the other Fleece Artist pair in deep purple, I've finally reached the heel flap.I'm planning on two-timing those socks those since today marks the start of March Sweater Madness and I haven't cast on yet. Better get my

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-21110227164956384722011-02-26T17:57:00.005-04:002011-02-26T18:05:34.146-04:00

March is just around the corner and so is March Sweater Madness (see link in side bar). Anyone want to play along? Just pick a sweater pattern and knit during the month of March. If all stars and planets align in your favour, you shall have a finished sweater before April shows its face.I'll be knitting Turn of the Glass from Knitty Winter 2011, from stash yarn which still needs to be

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-18882078762329831062011-02-24T19:34:00.003-04:002011-02-24T19:59:45.310-04:00

I've been recently told by a friend while we were chatting on the phone that I was being horribly negative. Really? I felt the need to apologize and shortly thereafter we said our goodbyes but that statement made me think. I like to think of myself as a basically positive person, the glass is half-full not half-empty type. I have bad days and I've been known to spend those days in bed with a

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-66633333074420545872011-02-20T13:15:00.005-04:002011-02-20T13:32:47.583-04:00

Lately reading has been stealing time from the knitting. I'm not going to list all the different books I've been reading but I've finally decided that I don't have enough time to read crappy books. That is not to say I only read classics or things your Literature professor would approve of, but I have been giving myself permission to not finish a book that doesn't hold my attention or is just

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-63019471589480818152011-02-19T18:34:00.000-04:002011-02-19T18:36:19.033-04:00

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-90399901175630645022011-02-09T22:43:00.002-04:002011-02-09T22:58:13.293-04:00

The granny square is now 62" X 62". Big, but not quite big enough.As for the yarn diet, it lives on. You guys were NO help in trying to help talk me out of adding more to the already monstrous stash. But thanks for all the encouraging words. In the end my laziness prevented me from having to explain to my dear husband why I was bringing more wool into the house. I had to drive my daughter to

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-84160525604693556432011-02-01T20:48:00.002-04:002011-02-01T20:55:53.241-04:00

I'm thinking of breaking my yarn diet. I know. It didn't take long. But I'm helpless in the face of a sale and there's going to be a good one at Gaspereau Valley Fibres this weekend. They're hosting Winter, Wine and Wool with some local wineries. Taste testing of Ice Wines, and a new batch of Fleece Artist seconds for about 50% off. Would you be able to resist? Want to join me?

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-49044290864864788992011-01-26T21:52:00.003-04:002011-01-26T22:01:58.339-04:00

I'm sick. It's just a cold but I suffer it terribly and very great misery. After all, drugs can only do so much. My nose won't stop running and I swear I get a mini-concussion with each sneeze. Even the cats won't cuddle with me. So after a trip into town do run a few errands early this afternoon (I usually don't go out and share my germs when I'm sick, honest!), I've been spending my day

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-25454723873278251922011-01-23T13:21:00.005-04:002011-01-23T13:47:30.013-04:00

Having finished the 5 Day sweater, I was as a loss for a mindless knitting project. A stash busting one. Far be it for me to get back to all the UFOs I promised to give my attention to this year. Ah, you know how it goes...lots of time for all that. And it seemed like to much work that actually had to be done. I was not in the mood to be dictated to by my knitting. No way. So what did I do? Got

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-19611949637087334062011-01-20T20:10:00.004-04:002011-01-20T20:26:49.457-04:00

My stash is obscenely out of control. The numbers do not lie. I'm still not finished counting.On the other hand, said stash has been brought to its knees by my ripping from its clutches enough Fleece Artist to whip up this sweater:The Five Day sweater. I've lost the tags for the two yarns long ago, but one was a boucle and one was worsted weight. I designed it on the needles as I knit along

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-65272147225377818052011-01-06T21:33:00.002-04:002011-01-06T21:44:29.798-04:00

Inventory and sorting of yarn and fabric has begun. I'm counting and weighing and recording the yarn (oh my!) and just sorting the fabric into Rubbermaid totes by type: flannel, fleece, cotton, pant-weight, Christmas, etc... Two days in, and I feel like I've just begun. So what's the state of your stash? Minor, manageable or obscene? Curious mind wants to know.Finished objects this year so

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-38308298030852036132011-01-02T18:03:00.003-04:002011-01-02T18:18:16.117-04:00

I intend on making knitting resolutions. Sewing resolutions too, since I've been slack in that department as well. They haven't been spelled out yet, but I've been giving them a lot of thought. Inventory will be a given, of yarn and fabric. Also inventory of works in progress. There are a few of those. Call me Queen of Understatement. Yesterday I declared another yarn diet, effective immediately

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-27928990988340005442011-01-01T19:23:00.007-04:002011-01-01T20:06:44.510-04:00

This year we spent Christmas at Mathew's home in Saint John. We stayed for a week and that was plenty. Long enough to enjoy each other's company and get to know the grandson better, not long enough (I hope) to get on each other's nerves and wish to never do it again. Just right. Here's Brianna snuggling with Rylie. They got along famously.I knit, I visited with old and new friends, I shopped, I

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-73974132125305661392010-11-21T12:49:00.003-04:002010-11-21T14:19:38.455-04:00

First, let me inform you know disappointed I am with Blogger eating my brilliant post that I finally got around to writing Friday. Doesn't saying I was disappointed make me sound calm and in control of my emotions, unlike what I would sound like had I said how furious I was and how stupid and useless Blogger was? Heh. I realized I was disappointed and perhaps even somewhat perturbed; after all, I

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-55266176708585088622010-11-14T21:02:00.005-04:002010-11-14T21:43:25.428-04:00

There has been a fair amount of knitting going on here, and not necessarily on projects that have been waiting to be knit. (What can I say? I'll never be a monogamous knitter.) Although it would probably make sense to get back to work on my long-janies since there has been significant frost overnight lately. I've only got one leg started on them, and I'm only up to the knee at that.In my

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-82297130552194830642010-10-26T14:29:00.006-03:002010-10-26T16:22:47.992-03:00

My youngest celebrated her 11th birthday last Wednesday. Judging by her expression, the baking book was a good gift selection. Besides the book, I also gave her lots of art supplies: from paint brushes and watercolour pencils and sketching pencils to artist workbooks and oil pastels, and charcoal. Those were a big hit too. We celebrated with her favourite foods: chicken wings and baby back ribs.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-14863715813354918222010-10-18T10:05:00.004-03:002010-10-18T10:21:14.236-03:00

Yesterday we attended the Annapolis County 4-H Awards Banquet. I couldn't be more proud of all our winners. 4-H Lucky Stars Award winners! That's my boy! And on Saturday evening, I finally finished this pair of socks. I believe it had lingered for almost a year and a half. I came across the pattern on Sheri's blog, and it turned out to be perfect for the stretch yarn I had on hand, although not

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-31378831935509127622010-10-13T17:59:00.002-03:002010-10-13T18:18:44.191-03:00

Frost. Hubby actually scratched at it on the roof of his truck early this morning to prove it to me, so I wouldn't call him a liar. It was thick frost, not just the stuff that melts away the moment you touch it with your finger. It seems the Yarn Harlot and I think along the same lines. I almost stole her title, since that was my topic of choice for today. I don't like to seem like a

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-87589575092720860202010-10-05T15:35:00.010-03:002010-10-05T16:19:40.373-03:00

Beware, as this post is heavy with pictures. Yay! Turns out that I killed the camera, not the memory card. I couldn't be happier! So let me show you some of my favourite moments from the 4-H Provincial Show Weekend. I love sheep, yes, I do!Alison Made a Friend Getting Sheep Love! Me and Dorothy with our Pay It Forward purses (just a little bit wet!) Hooked sheep... So cute! The Champion

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-41268308251988993202010-10-04T16:26:00.002-03:002010-10-04T16:40:06.864-03:00

I hope this is not the start of a really bad trend. You want to hear what I did this time? In my opinion it's much worse than braking the yarn diet. I knew that was bound to happen eventually. This broken? Totally unexpected and uncalled for. I dropped my camera this morning and it would appear that I damaged the memory card which had all my pictures on it from this weekend. Totally sucky.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-88993442312534043122010-09-21T11:40:00.006-03:002010-09-21T12:30:23.300-03:00

I spent all day yesterday on the run. Technically behind the wheel of my (now fixed) truck. I had to go to Bridgewater for a Dr. appointment. (Why yes, Susie, there is a Dr. shortage in Nova Scotia.) The #10 Hwy is still in terrible shape, but I do enjoy the drive over the South Mountain, especially now that the leaves are starting to change, and the drive also provides my brain with a chance to

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-3521018164680352722010-09-17T23:10:00.009-03:002010-09-18T00:34:31.731-03:00

Recently I finished two major projects, ones that I am very pleased to say were major stash busters. First there was daughter's blanket tube, busting down the acrylic stash. She loves it, and I love the fact that so much yardage is not lingering and collecting dust anymore. Second, was son's blanket tube, knit in Briggs & Little Atlantic, making for very heavy knitting. I am ashamed to admit that

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-67209791684984717042010-09-10T22:13:00.009-03:002010-09-10T23:52:25.911-03:00

At long last, an update of sorts, heavy on the photos. First, my little cat whisperer: Next, a small (and late) tomato crop. I'm quite surprised that I am actually getting any tomatoes off my plants this year, considering how many times the plants have found themselves under water after heavy downpours. I am starting to ponder the wisdom of even putting in a vegetable garden next year. Third,

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-46844348466033837052010-08-11T22:43:00.005-03:002010-08-11T22:56:49.220-03:00

Actually, hummingbirds don't really humm but they do make a racket when communicating with a spouse! I've had a breeding pair dining in my flowers for the past few weeks and they haven't failed to fascinate me yet.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-70078791563974685932010-08-09T22:14:00.006-03:002010-08-09T22:24:34.216-03:00

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-41323858286604697702010-07-20T19:10:00.002-03:002010-07-20T19:40:44.584-03:00

What a way to spend half the day. I'm not complaining. The Lawrencetown library has excellent air conditioning. That's almost as good as rain. Earlier this afternoon the kids attended a computer workshop, learning to edit video and voice. Apparently it was very cool. Also the last of the three week series. After a couple hours we aimed for home for dinner, making a pit stop at Dan Haas for

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-56971859320738468712010-07-09T13:57:00.004-03:002010-07-09T14:05:36.819-03:00

Huh. I finished my cotton cardi yesterday. So what do I see today on the Fall Knitty? Iced Cardigan. Now check out My design: I knit both sleeves last year and set them aside for brighter, newer projects. On WWKiP Day I cast on the body. I considered the shawl collar. Thank goodness I didn't go there. Spooky weird coincidence.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-90123232102873346262010-06-19T22:08:00.003-03:002010-06-19T22:25:45.276-03:00

Middleton's Friday Nite Knit Clubfrom left to right: Cathy, Debra, me, Karen, Valerie

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-16148296238362336152010-06-18T22:01:00.003-03:002010-06-18T22:14:31.033-03:00

WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAYSATURDAY, 19 JUNE 2010Join me as I knit with hundreds of other knitters around the world on the same day! Where: Cinnamon Creek, 65 Commercial St, Middleton, Nova ScotiaWhen: We'll be starting at 10am Bring: Chair, water(lots and lots of water; it's supposed to be a hot one!), sunscreen, money to take advantage of tax-free yarn sale, and of course your knitting! To

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-72038663700858779822010-06-09T17:55:00.016-03:002010-06-09T18:36:22.387-03:00

On Saturday, I journeyed to Gaspereau Valley Fibres to take in the Annual Back to Back and Sheep to Shawl competitions. I am proud to say that my yarn diet remains intact, although I do confess to fondling lots and lots of delicious and very beautiful wool, and even carrying some skeins around with me for a time. Watching the very talented women spinning (dirty) fleece, inspired me to purchase

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-68110372074797181362010-05-31T22:44:00.012-03:002010-05-31T23:14:25.553-03:00

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-88891797246815445542010-05-20T21:15:00.002-03:002010-05-20T21:34:24.997-03:00

It's been demanded of me, in no uncertain terms. An up date. Two words. Not one. Thanks, AliP for that kick in the seat. (Note that she's not Miss Keep-My-Blog-Updated-On-A-Regular-Basis either. HUH)So...I've been knitting socks. Lots and lots of socks. Between annihilating dandelions in my lawn and in the garden at NSCC, that's kept me busy and tired, it's provided me with a great sense

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-2729193210942938302010-05-05T21:33:00.002-03:002010-05-05T22:12:59.514-03:00

That would be me. I have a hard time believing that I've actually gone a couple days without turning on the computer! Appointments, meetings, harassing the school, exercise.... Bleh...I miss the good ol' days where I could sleep half the day and spend the second half either reading or knitting. Darn good weather. I haven't even had time to spy on the birds as much. Happy news: my backyard has

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-40813201589538914542010-04-19T22:19:00.006-03:002010-04-19T22:42:15.906-03:00

I should have left well enough alone and not commented on the weather. Remember that Blah post? Where I said "it hasn't snowed"? When will I learn that those are fighting words with Mother Nature? And she always gets her shots in? And that I should never, never complain, not even in a back handed sort of way? To wit: A bit hard to see in that picture? How about this next one? It looked like the

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-74733370321363071002010-04-18T21:32:00.004-03:002010-04-18T21:41:25.383-03:00

Actually there were two different males, but the pictures of the one on the lawn didn't turn out well.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-23352458631752309012010-04-16T13:38:00.008-03:002010-04-16T14:40:37.173-03:00

Taking lessons from my cats, although my intentions aren't for a nice light snack.Yet the sneaky Cardinal remains elusive.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-20794165109463605242010-04-15T13:56:00.002-03:002010-04-15T14:14:00.086-03:00

April is turning out to be a big let down. Sure, it's been more sunny than not, it hasn't snowed (KNOCK ON WOOD!), grass is green, the birds have been singing their little hearts out, we finally got the approval from town hall to start a Middleton Community Garden (I've set up a blog site but have not blogged a single word about the trials and tribulations of starting something from nothing),

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-2235851228656415732010-04-01T21:32:00.004-03:002010-04-01T21:48:52.555-03:00

Almost unheard of. Yet here I am. I sewed today. Want to see?This is what the patches will look like.Sewing gazillion triangles together.This is how far I got before my back gave out. Progress! I like it!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-91537457863645327082010-04-01T14:26:00.005-03:002010-04-01T15:05:38.898-03:00

I enjoyed Canary Knits' list so much, I thought I'd like to make one of my own (and because several of her items are also on my list):getting coffee in bed (apparently not every husband delivers coffee to his wife in bed...that makes me pretty darned lucky, and definitely cheerful (once I get that caffeine into me!)cooking books, mainly Joy of Cooking and Food to Die For (which has the absolute

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-44622760565878150072010-03-24T21:48:00.002-03:002010-03-24T21:53:47.237-03:00

Look what I did today:It's for a quilt called Ribbons from a book by Carol Doak called Your First Quilt Book (or it should be!). Now you know why the sweaters (plural!) are going so slowly. Ooops!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-17452323870120973172010-03-22T21:49:00.003-03:002010-03-22T22:00:20.100-03:00

Not our lawn, not yet. FYI, this colour is not even a little bit accurate. It's almost 10pm and the light here sucks. The actual colour is a lovely soft chartreuse. This feather-weight of a sweater-to-be makes me very happy.There's also been moderate progress on the Olympic sweater. I can't get over how slowly these sleeves are knitting up, but I suppose it's all relative to how much actual

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-87697348103064395322010-03-21T21:27:00.003-03:002010-03-21T21:42:47.703-03:00

To welcome Spring, Nova Scotia pulled out all the stops including 20 degree Celsius weather. It was nothing if not spectacular. But Nova Scotia weather being what it is (fickle), today's temperature barely crawled over +5. Talk about a reality check. That's fine. Really. Hubby made a nice fire in the fireplace. I even got back to knitting on my Olympic sweater, seeing as I may actually

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-16958716625765637582010-03-13T22:14:00.006-04:002010-03-13T22:55:38.901-04:00

Yes, indeed. The lambs arrived early and have been sticking around. Knock on wood.And because such glorious weather is hard to resist, I have been venturing out of the house, chaperoning various activities at the kids' school, and basically trying to wake up from my winter hibernation. The sunshine and blue skies definitely help. What they don't help is getting my knitting done. I've been an

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-9192466971509916022010-03-04T21:57:00.002-04:002010-03-04T22:09:59.090-04:00

True enough. Notice how if someone has nothing better to talk about, they'll revert to talking about the weather? Yup. So. Ever since the rain and warmer temperatures have taken most of the snow on our property, effectively turning the back yard into a swimming pool, I take it as a personal affront when more seasonal weather occurs. Like this wet snow and hideous winds. Brrrr Just listening

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-70088783121772308472010-02-28T19:29:00.006-04:002010-02-28T19:57:24.101-04:00

14 GOLD medals for Canada! How incredible is that?? And how about that hockey game? So close to blowing it, but Crosby came thought at the last moment.So. Canada is GOLD tonight. Not so here. I'm a DNF. Again. But I can live with that. There is always 2014. I'm a lot like our Men's Hockey Team, slacking off when it mattered most, except they managed to pull through in OT. My OT will begin once

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-24335310630219488032010-02-24T15:16:00.003-04:002010-02-24T15:29:32.944-04:00

This is how far I was at the end of Canada/Germany Hockey game last night. Good thing Canada won, I tell you.And this is where I am as of 2pm:Back to knitting very shortly. Turns out that when I started knitting today I wasn't even half done on the body. OMG! The pressure. My goal is to get most of the body done today, if not all of it. I will quit by midnight. I shall watch more Dexter, and

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-50307208780385868942010-02-23T08:21:00.003-04:002010-02-23T08:39:45.858-04:00

Unless I put in a couple full days of knitting this cardi is not going to be done by the time the flame is extinguished. That would not be an ideal situation. March Sweater Madness is just around the corner and I don't want to be working on this sweater as yet another UFO. Now for the excuses: see, I've been reading some really good books. I've tried to limit the reading to the morning and

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-33093513922951321462010-02-21T14:23:00.004-04:002010-02-21T14:50:27.830-04:00

Well. It's starting to look like that GOLD may be out of my reach. At my Friday Night Knitting Club I only managed to knit a couple rows, and not only that, we all got a bit overly loud and there were complaints to the librarian. I guess this means we either have to keep the giggling down to a delicate roar or find another venue. That's what we get for enjoying ourselves. Hee hee heeYesterday I

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-81024824065955699382010-02-18T22:09:00.002-04:002010-02-18T22:15:58.638-04:00

Canada has 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze medals.I have this:

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-59265756104048006672010-02-17T21:14:00.002-04:002010-02-17T21:23:58.234-04:00

That I have the option of staying in the house all day if I so choose. With a rather respectable snow storm outside, and no school, it was easy to stay indoors today. The kids were eventually booted out to shovel the drive when they wouldn't stop fighting with each other, and hubby did drive to the post office. Me? I stayed in and finished reading Rough Country by John Sandford, puttered

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-49727227562078842572010-02-16T22:49:00.004-04:002010-02-16T23:04:08.901-04:00

Yeah, Canada rocks! Another gold, plus a shutout (8-0) in men's Hockey after an unimpressive start. But I ask you: curling an Olympic sport? I don't buy it. Whatever happened to "Faster Higher Stronger"? Curling faster, higher, stronger? Not so much. But it did provide me with perfect knitting time, during which I may have glanced at the TV less than a dozen times. Watching the hockey and

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-58932118332842929362010-02-16T00:12:00.003-04:002010-02-16T00:28:18.698-04:00

First a confession. Although 600 stitches sounds like a great deal of those itty bitty stitches, it only equals to two rounds. Seriously. Thanks for the life line tips, but I am definitely not putting them in every row. Each round has 303 stitches if I don't count the four stitches that mark my steeking line. Missing one yarn over was purely accidental and I chalk that up to trying to knit too

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-12144251165142266892010-02-14T21:18:00.004-04:002010-02-14T21:34:12.948-04:00

I'm back on track, having suffered time penalties during the tinking. I missed a yarn over early on that threw the count off and so I tinked back over 600 stitches. Not that I counted or anything. Heh. Then into the second round of colour work I realized that I didn't pay close enough attention to the chart and ripping was in order to set up the colour work row again. Hopefully there won't be too

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-31038551938363125132010-02-13T01:30:00.003-04:002010-02-13T01:33:56.153-04:00

Let the Games Begin!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-76967486449650531352010-02-12T20:52:00.007-04:002010-02-12T21:37:33.011-04:00

Just waiting for the Opening Ceremonies to begin. Have all my knitting equipment, drinks to keep hydrated (Rum Runner and water!), and camera to record my progress.On a very sad note, I was devastated to hear about the Georgian Luger, Nordar Kumaritashvili, that lost his life in a training run earlier today. I was extremely angered that TSN and CTV chose to televise footage of his final moments.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-21836660379454126732010-02-11T18:53:00.004-04:002010-02-11T19:39:41.171-04:00

I am now an honest-to-goodness Knitting Olympian. At the time of my registration, 1624 other knitters had already committed themselves to this grand challenge. So very thrilling! Now let me share a most pleasant surprise:

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-24062488368957883822010-02-10T18:49:00.006-04:002010-02-10T19:04:47.267-04:00

What better way to warm up for the great Knitting Olympics than knit with the intended supplies. Sock knitting qualifies nicely for me.I finished socks for Hubby on Monday, recorded for posterity with a goodly portion of sock yarn stash. Here is a sock I started this morning for myself. Nice, light, spring-like colours. Surely all those groundhogs didn't know what they were talking about. 6 weeks

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-80164636218051310232010-02-09T20:20:00.004-04:002010-02-09T20:53:06.286-04:00

Olympic swatching took place today after another round of stash diving. Turns out that a lot of my sock yarn stash logs in at a gauge of 28 sts over 10cm on 3mm needles. Who knew? It's not like I've ever checked gauge before knitting socks. Seriously.Anyhoo, after a desperate call to my dear friend and advisor, the AliP, I saw the light at the end of my tunnel. She provided advice. I listened. I

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-31499727887046601932010-02-08T23:36:00.005-04:002010-02-09T00:06:41.735-04:00

Knitting Olympics that is. I'm even revealing my intended pattern. I have a bona fide swatch in random colourwork. I got gauge. No, not with the Lana Grossa Lambswool. (God help me, but I actually looked on eBay for possible back up were I to run out of yarn. Then I realized how ridiculous I was being considering that the Olympics begin in 4 days and there was no possible way to get yarn here in

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-46575168728893855312010-02-07T22:48:00.002-04:002010-02-07T23:25:08.257-04:00

Besides reading for most of this snowy Sunday (Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs), I started swatching for my Olympic Knitting project. Six swatches and counting with different yarns and couple different sizes of needles. I might have to look through my patterns again tomorrow and perhaps choose a different one. I had settled on a pattern from Dalegarn No. 121, Lotus. The gauge is quite fine though

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-83299799278360947982010-02-06T22:10:00.004-04:002010-02-06T22:25:55.413-04:00

There should be traffic lights on Nova Scotia roads for these critters. I had just picked up the kids this morning from 4-H Outdoorsman where they had gone snow shoeing, and I was driving down the mountain to head into town for groceries. I ended up coming to a complete stop while this guy strolled across the road, without a care in the world. Pheasants are beautiful and plentiful here, and

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-10956262214583291602010-02-05T21:59:00.002-04:002010-02-05T22:14:52.102-04:00

How the weeks fly. Our knit group meets every other Friday and so we all gathered at the Middleton library on this frigid night. How tempting it was to stay home but the kids and I bundled up and walked over. I love living in town and the convenience of having every necessity within walking distance (as I may have mentioned once or twice before...forgive me).We had two new ladies join us

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-49731330748070526892010-02-04T23:02:00.003-04:002010-02-04T23:10:10.967-04:00

I love the ocean.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-66204939316177760642010-02-03T23:53:00.003-04:002010-02-04T00:15:00.800-04:00

Sometimes it pays to get up early. Even if you don't have to. I usually don't have to because hubby is the morning person in this house and he gets the kids out the door on school days. (Mind you that comes to an end 1st of March when he goes back to work. Damn.) Anyway, yesterday I asked him to wake me up early because I wanted to get up to make a hot breakfast for the kids since it's been so

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-56771954923503007932010-02-02T20:07:00.002-04:002010-02-02T20:17:48.000-04:00

Mother Nature is, that is. Doesn't she get it that the Olympics are only 10 days away? Doesn't she know her geography? Vancouver is on the other coast. Where she's seen fit to give them temperatures above zero degrees Celsius. Where they are trucking snow to the Olympic venues, for crying out loud! That just seems wrong to me on so many levels. The earth is screaming with discomfort over

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-65185521998979513192010-02-01T18:42:00.002-04:002010-02-01T20:09:37.899-04:00

It's been 25 years since so many (young) music stars recorded We Are the World. There will be some of those same ones as well as new stars that will re-record the song once again, for the world.Did you watch the Grammy's last night? Although the performance was absolutely stunning, could Pink have possible worn any less??And the mess that was Lady GaGa? OMG! Gag me!

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-66058711899229079652010-01-31T15:31:00.006-04:002010-01-31T16:04:13.622-04:00

Although I've been getting small things done around the house, like projects that have been sitting around collecting dust for months and years, such industry has cut into my blogging. Maybe not. Time to call a spade a spade. I am a slacker and a procrastinator. An accomplished one at that.A week and a half into the Lion Brand knit-along? I've got the ribbing done, the set up rows and a couple

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-28301583193864568252010-01-25T16:11:00.004-04:002010-01-25T16:39:54.555-04:00

To distract you from the blah that is Monday, I direct your attention to decorative lettering. Do I ever wish I had such a talent.Here's hubby's finished sweater:First photo shows the cable better, but the second one is more colour accurate.

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275372.post-24249360083489005382010-01-24T18:19:00.002-04:002010-01-24T18:45:35.389-04:00

No, I don't mean emails. The pen and paper kind. The kind where you take time to pick out some nice stationary. Perhaps even pick out a stamp at the post office from the philatelic collection for a truly one of a kind gift that the recipient is sure to treasure. After all, presentation matters just as much as the words. It's proof positive that you've dedicated time, that most precious

Barbara from Nova Scotiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10153159534633872465noreply@blogger.com2