Definite Signs of Spring!

My first Ever Snowdrop.  Thanks to a good friend.

Dirty Rotten Lily Beetle!  A little early, considering snow has been gone less than two weeks.

A Blizzard in Spring

I'm really hoping that this will be the last one of the season.  I might be fooling myself.  Mother Nature sure likes to mess with us here in beautiful Nova Scotia. 

 

This is a really bad picture of me and Purl after a little 4.17km jaunt through the blizzard.  Us girls needed to get out and stretch our legs. I worried that we might get blown away a few times but we persevered.  We encountered flying shingles on our walk/run/stumble so you know some homes didn't fare so well.  We should be thankful that we still have power, flickering but we have it.  Purl and I were on the home stretch when everything went dark in the neighbourhood.  Very eerie. Kind of spooky. The power outage only lasted a few seconds and slowly one street lamp came back to life.  The gusts pounded us with snow.  We kept on.  And get this!  About midway through our walk:  lightning! So bizarre. 

If you will notice, picture.  After a long hiatus. Turns out that Firefox was the answer.  Thank you, RobinH.

Holy Cold Snap!

I am so glad today is a bit warmer.  I've been hanging out laundry on the line all week, and sometimes it felt like my fingers would fall off.

The cold hasn't stopped Purl from wanting to be outside, playing fetch, even though as the snow has melted over the weekend, the flash freeze turned the whole back yard into a bumpy skating rink.  (I admit to fits of laughter when her poor doggie legs fly out from under her as she races to get the ball before it stops moving.)

Round two of a nasty cold hit me yesterday.I always enjoy it when my hubby tells me I look like hell.  Gee, dear, that's really  helpful and makes me feel so much better.  There are times when I would prefer not to hear the truth.

But you want to know something??  Spring is just around the corner!  Honest!  I kid you not!  I do hope Mother Nature got the memo.

I Did It!

I raced in my first half marathon!  That's a pretty big milestone in my running career.  It's not everyday that I go out there with the intention of running a 21.1km and think, eh, that's was easy. 


The Hypothermic Half, with its pathetic excuse for an organized event, was a pretty decent run, as far as the route went.  Even Mother Nature cooperated by not making it miserably cold.  Granted, it did start to snow rather heavy during the last 7 or 8km and between the melting snow and steam on my glasses I seriously wondered if I would end the run with a spectacular wipe out (for which I'm starting to get a reputation) by not being able to see.  All is well that ends well, as the saying goes.   I could have done better if I put more effort into it (I was so not feeling the love for this race) but for me, finished in 2hr23min16sec is perfectly acceptable.  I got the bling.  I ate a very overpriced brunch at the Atlantica Hotel.  I will not run in this race again unless there are some major improvements.  Like access to changing facilities, and more than 2 port-a-potties.  And something more at the finish line in terms of refreshments than water.  And the hat and glove combo instead of the standard t-shirt that came with registration?  Don't even get me started! 


So yes, I did it.  Got the bling to show for it.  Now onto bigger and better races.  Maritime Race Weekend is going to rock!

Because You Asked

March Sweater Madness can be found here!

Thanks Toni for the following quote:

"Knitting is NOT for those with a strong sense of reality or moderation."  I believe it will be my new knitting motto. 

Too late?

I don't know if you're noticed but we can say goodbye to February in 3 days.  Yup.  There it was, almost gone.  And that brings us to March.  Obvious much?  Why yes, indeed!

My point:

March Sweater Madness!

Is it too late to organize this?  Do we dare drop the ball after all these years? 

I have mixed feelings about this.  The Olympic Sweater didn't happen.  I just didn't feel the love.  The Olympic Sweater from 4 years ago also did not get finished, if I'm being honest.  I've been thinking of putting it away though.  It's been sitting on my coffee table collecting dust for a couple weeks without a single stitch added on.

In the interest of full disclosure, I did cast on a new sweater yesterday, knit on it for 3 hours, producing 8 stripes of 6 rows (it's a top down sweater), ignored the pattern, royally messed it up (no kidding, right?), riiiiiipppped every stitch back and started again, actually following the pattern this time. I have made fair progress though.  It's plain old stocking stitch, and relatively fast.  And it's cotton. 

Anyway, sorry about that.  Got side tracked.  We were talking about the March Sweater Madness.  I'll post it on the Madness blog, and hope for participants.  I'll once again provide a prize, just as an incentive.  I plan on digging though my stash and find an appropriate pattern.  I could use another sweater.   I finally threw out the one I made years ago (4?) from Noro Silk Garden, but it has served me well.  The Lopi cardigan also needs to hit the bin but I need a replacement first.  It's funny how wool felts a little bit each time you don't take supreme care with the washing.  Because the grey Lopi cardigan I made a few years ago for this Madness business?  It's suffered.  It could stand to be replaced, too.  Sigh.   Yeah.  My sweater stash needs a thorough overhaul.  March Sweater Madness could help in this endeavour. 

So.  Are you in?

The Olympics Approacheth

I was kind of hoping to brag about another Olympic sweater at the end of February, but that's not going to happen.  It doesn't seem right considering that the status of the my last Olympic Sweater remains unfinished.  Sad but true.  I'm on attempt three or four (I lost count) of the sleeves, this time being work simultaneously.  I may be a glutton for punishment where knitting is concerned but for once, I'm hoping the sensible part of me keeps me from casting on during this Olympics, no matter how disappointed I may feel.


I am also feeling somewhat perturbed about not being able to upload photos today.  Blogger: always a love/hate relationship. 

Hello, 2014!

I promise to be good this year and post at least once a month.  Okay, maybe even once a week.  I think I can manage that. 
I've been working on my non-resolution resolutions, ways of making my life better, but ways that wouldn't make me feel like a loser if I didn't achieve my goal/resolution or fell off the wagon, so to speak.  You know what I mean.  To that end, I've just finished a rather inspirational book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  For some reason I was unsuccessful in linking you up to the book at Amazon.  Carrying on.  Wonderful book.  Wordy in some spots but definitely worth the read.  It will open your eyes.  It will make you want to be a better person so you can be happier than you already are.  Honest.  She even has a blog.  Tell me you're not surprised. (Hey, that was kind of interesting: I was able to link up to her blog but not to Amazon.  Maybe Amazon doesn't need new customers. Whatever!)

So.  I'm working on being a nicer person.  To that end, I'm working on a good deed.  Since the beginning of the year, I've been knitting hats and mittens for the homeless in the local area.  Because I believe that charity starts at home.  I also rounded up a bunch of scarves and hats that have never been worn and packed them into the bag.  It's almost full and when it is, it will be time to deliver it.  I currently have two pairs of mitts on the go; one pair needs thumbs only, and the other pair has a mitt and a half done.  That's a January project.

Now on the personal knitting note, I'm going to finish knitting those darned sweaters that have been lounging around way too long.  Remember there is one that's over 20 years old!  That's older than my kids!  And of course the other one is that beautiful Olympic sweater from 4 years ago that still doesn't have sleeves.  Slowly but surely.  I'm even giving thought to organizing a knitting group again. 

Summer Sizzle Stash-dash

Toni (she of the A Little Yarn On the Side fame) came up with another stash buster:  Summer Sizzle Stash-dash.  Of course I'm playing along.  Knitting has been kind of slow here lately.

Between July 1 and August 31 fill your most summery basket with any combination (or all) of the following summer-themed items:

Ice pop: complete your oldest WIP or use your oldest yarn
Fresh strawberries: make something red
Fireworks: make something with beads or sparkles
Weeding: give away or donate one item (does not need to be knitting related)
Beach: make a bag or something else you might carry to the beach
Sunburn: make a hat
Walking barefoot in the grass: make a pair of socks or slippers
Summer vacation: make something for a baby or a child
Swimming: make something blue or green
Summer reading: read 1 book
Lemonade: make something yellow
Allergies: make something that ISN’T made of wool
Bonfires: make something out of the warmest yarn you have
Vacation: arrange a day or a weekend all to yourself

 

I will pick out the basket and things to put in it later today.  Right now there is a nap with my name on it.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Let me share something with you, because things of beauty should be shared.  This crocheted blanket!  Isn't it stunning?  I adore the wide edging!

 

I need to learn how to attach the squares as she has done too.  I may have to borrow a crocheting book from the library.  Never thought I'd say that!  But I am inspired. By crochet, no less. But seriously, Coco Rose Diaries is a beautiful blog!  I found a link to it this morning on facebook. 

Yes, this post is out of order.  Turns out I forgot to publish it, but I still wanted to share.