Frosty Morning

Yes, literally. It's so effortless to pick up knitting on a chilly morning, where you don't have to worry about sweaty hands slowing the progress of yarn over needles. I started a new pair of Briggs & Little socks for hubby from leftovers. They will look like a patchwork quilt by the time I am finished.

Speaking of patchwork quilts, the family did go to Mahone Bay yesterday afternoon. We had a wonderful time. It was a truly glorious day! The quilts? Well, there was one shop opposite Mom's Buy and Sell, I don't recall the name... The shop was filled with quilts, naturally. I asked the proprietor if the quilts were made locally. "A few, but most are made in Thailand... We support a village there." Sure, I thought to myself. As opposed to supporting the people right in your own community. What a farce. He was so pleased to tell me that the quilts were all hand-stitched. Yes. Of course. But I didn't dare ask what kind of "fair" wage the quilters were receiving in that supported village, so he could still make a big fat profit.

We eventually ended up at Suttles and Seawinds. Oh my! Outside the display barn, there were local ladies demonstrating quilting. I wish I had brought my camera. There were live musicians, playing most skillfully and beautifully. It was a lovely atmosphere. And the quilts in the barn? YES, all hand made by area quilters, each one more stunning than the previous. Oh, the colours!! And there were more upstairs, some displayed on walls, railings, and from the rafters, others on those high, old fashioned beds. I was awe-struck. So charming, so delightful... I purchased some fabric! I think I shall give quilting a try. Because you all know I don't have enough hobbies already and way too much time on my hands! *Grin*

Alison, She is NOT Subtle

I know I don't update this blog on a regular basis. I don't do anything on a regular basis. Except be late for most anything I do. That is a fairly regular occurrence. Call my brother on his birthday? Oops. Hey, what's a day or a few between siblings. I'm busy, he's even busier... Such is life.

Maybe this place is what has made me so complacent about my loose interpretation of schedules.

Can you say less stress? Yeah, baby!

I did get to spend the afternoon by myself yesterday. Too bad I kept feeling twinges of guilt. I had planned on taking the kids to the SSRL Book Sale and then to Mahone Bay for The Annual Great Scarecrow Festival & Antique Fair. However. The kids kept scrapping on and off most of the morning. That didn't bode well for an enjoyable afternoon. So after I was showered and dressed I hinted to my hubby about maybe just staying home, and he suggested I go by my self. Just sneak out he said. I hummed and hawed, and then grabbed my wallet and keys and took off.

I did enjoy myself. I just wish I hadn't that guilt lingering in my conscience. Ah, well.

I bought books. Not a lot. Then I somehow ended up at Have a Yarn in Mahone Bay. Acquired yarn. Had a chat with Heather about the service, or lack thereof, the day I wanted to abuse my hubby's credit card. Yes, Alison, I will post photos of my stash enhancement in (relatively) short order. (snicker)

Here. See that? My lavender actually bloomed this year. A first for everything.

Eyeballs

I have not been wanting to update.

However, we all do what we do not want to do, every so often.

The fabulous offer on the house? The buyer pulled out on the last possible day that they were to meet their conditions. So we're not going anywhere in the foreseeable future.

The future looks bleak. Especially now that hubby sold our tractor with the plow blade and he is completely convinced that this will be an exceptional year for snowfall. Irony is so loud.

Actually, now that fall is here and the woods are inviting and the apples are finally ripe and the bugs with their nasty teeth are (mostly) gone, I think I still like it here. This land that still belongs to us. Yes, I still love it here.

The community? I could do without.

This one is mine.

This one is Colin's (9 years old; my baby!).

No Pressure

Gee, Alison. Pushy! I'm updating already, ok?

First of all, thanks for all your encouraging comments. It never occurred to me that giving them (the community) something to talk about could be a good thing. Then I started thinking about it, and you're all absolutely right. In your face, you narrow and closed minded people!! I have nothing to hide! I did nothing wrong! Maybe it's jealousy. Who knows. Who cares. I have been back a couple times and had lovely visits both times. Unfortunately from my friend's point of view, he feels his privacy has been invaded. So the question remains: is no place sacred? Is it really all that necessary to erect walls and fences to ensure our privacy and peace? Why??

* * *

On a lighter note, I've been knitting. I've also been reading. And as of late, have found myself strangely sucked in to watching the Animal Planet channel. Fascinating.

Reading: Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. I have the large print version and that is 797 pages long. Wonderful story. Set mostly in norther Scotland and England. Beautifully written. I won't write any more about it since I will most likely write too much. You should read it.

Knitting:

1. My urban camo vest is ready to be finished.





2. Colin's urban camo sweater needs half a second sleeve and then will be ready for finishing as well.





3. The Autumn socks have the both legs done. I may have mentioned that I screwed up the heel (I am learning a new technique) and so ripped it back and haven't attempted another go. Problem being that I usually knit socks watching TV, and for a new technique I naturally have to concentrate more on that than some poor animal getting rescued. What a dilemma.





4. Yesterday was awards night at the junior/high school and I started a new sock. Regia in 6 ply. They will be knee highs for me, warm ones. Winter is coming. Did you hear? (Sorry about that...) I got a good amount done in the couple hours we were there, even with all the clapping. I knit when my hands got too sore to clap. And through the principle's speech. Geez, that man can go on. **As an aside, I found out that last year, the grade 8 students participated in a national scholastic testing. Disturbingly, the national average was only 53%. Now is that something to be proud of?? I was shocked. Even more so that the school felt a need to recognise those students that achieved the average or above. Believe it or not, only a handful of students received certificates. The highest mark from NGRHS? 73% Shouldn't the focus be on why the scores were so pathetically low??? Surely we want our students walking away from school with more than 53% of the knowledge they are supposed to be receiving. **





5. This is not technically a knitting point, but it's about yarn. LOL Last Saturday, hubby took me out on a "date", meaning we managed to get out of the house without the kids! Yahoo! We had a lovely time. Part of the date was spent strolling around Mahone Bay and visiting various shops. Naturally we stopped at Have a Yarn, where, get this, he had a falling down accident with his credit card. Because he loves me. I did pick all sale items so the injury wouldn't be so painful! *Grin*

Today we get to find out what is going on with the sale of our house. If the buyers secured financing and remove the condition, we're going to NB this weekend house hunting. If they ask for an extention, we would quite realistically be here until Christmas. That's not to say I haven't been rounding up boxes for packing. I have hope. *Grin*

In cat news, there is a strong possibility that I may have found a home for Rosie, the SPCA cat I've been fostering. It's a good thing.

Also, Brianna's cat, Sugar, had her kittens yesterday. Five in all. All are doing well. We'll most likely keep one and find homes for the rest once the time comes. Not to mention get Sugar spayed once she's ready.

SQUUUUEEEE 3!!!

Like I said before, all good things come in threes, and then all hell breaks lose.

So some goodies before I tell you about the crap (or one more reason this small piece of what used to be my paradise won't be home for long).

First real harvest, 100% organic and totally natural:

• *one zucchini (there are more, still itty bitty);

*two yellow tomatoes (yes, that's the variety; can't wait to try them at supper time);

• *plums (there are lots but I need a chair or ladder to get more); and

*a single peach (only took 5 [*&#%$!] years for the tree to produce!!); it was fabulously juicy and delicious. I made hubby taste it. I was so proud. I am not bitter at all that this will be the one and only peach I will ever consume off that particular tree. I mean, what's five years? I can plant another tree.... (NO, not bitter at all!)

You want to see what came in the mail today? From my magnificent friend Alison I received that gorgeous card (she must know how much I love yellow) and those oh, so adorable earrings!! I squealed when I opened the envelope! I kid you not! Ask hubby. Happy! I am so happy! I love you Alison. You are the bestest in the whole wide world! I definitely needed this bit of happy.

Look at that: a washcloth. No pattern, first time for this type for me. The diagonal thing, that is. Usually I just cast on 40 sts and knit each row until it looks square. I think this was actually faster and probably used less yarn. Hmmm. I know I goofed in a couple spots and it's not fancy or anything, but it's a washcloth for crying out loud.

And you all know that I can't stick to one project if my life depended on it. Yup, I started something new. Got the idea from a Patons Cool Weather Accessories booklet. They call it a "chill chaser vest" but I cast on with what I had on hand which was Bernat Felting instead of Patons Shetland Ragg. Naturally I spent time ripping because the gauge was off. No kidding, eh? I adjusted the cast on amount again and now am almost finished the back, and on my third ball. Fast, pleasant knit. Hubby calls it urban camo.

* * *

So we're getting kind of close to when the buyers are supposed to meet their conditions. Last week an appraiser went through the house and property, presumably because the buyers are trying to secure alternate financing in case they don't sell their house quickly enough. Hubby is driving himself crazy with worry. I have been trying not to think about it, but now even I am getting anxious. Yes, during the past several months I have not felt the love for this land like I once did. I feel isolated and not in a good way. We have been feeling the pressures of a small, closed community that this area is since we moved here, but all this time we held out hope that eventually people, the locals, would open up and make us feel like we belong. It hasn't happened. It will not happen. I know this now. Astonishingly, I lived in denial for nearly six years.

Let me tell you an abbreviated version of the eye opening event. Couple weeks ago, hubby did a sawing job for a neighbour. I've seen this neighbour in passing, but knew nothing about him. Turns out he's quite a famous artist. After the job was done, hubby and I were invited for "refreshments". The three of us spent hours talking and "refreshing" ourselves. Turns out this particular neighbour is not only a talented artist, but educated and well-read, and an exceptional conversationalist. Did I mention he has an amazing book collection? The following weekend I was invited over for a visit, and we spent many hours chatting about every conceivable topic, and eventually I went home with a borrowed book. I hadn't dreamed I'd find anyone whose company I'd enjoy so much in this rural area. (Unemployment abounds here; education is not a priority.) I had finally found someone to talk to. Seemed so simple. Until my hubby got a call from an anonymous woman: "You better watch your wife. I seen them together..." I don't think I've ever felt such a white hot fury. So that's the end of that.

Back to the dungeon for me.

Oh, I can't wait to leave this place.

Re: Askew

I was reading through the pattern and it turns out that it's knit in three pieces: two fronts and the back. Well.... that sounds like too much finishing to me. I am currently scheming how to knit it on circulars with practically no seaming required. Anything is possible if you spend (read: waste) enough time thinking about it.

Down Side of Dial-Up

Yummy...

Lene: The Elvis video? You have any idea how long it takes to download that bit of yummy with dial-up?? But so worth it! *Grin* Thanks for the link.

P.S. The eye photo still needs to be taken.

In the Morning Light

I woke up to Oscar cuddling into my face, patting my nose with his paw. At least it wasn't his tail end in my face. Shortly thereafter, hubby presented me with coffee and a couple Tylenol. Good man. Michelle and I may have over did it (a tiny little bit) last night. Again. Bob is home from the rig for only two weeks this time because he was late getting off, so when he called from the cottage to invite us down for a visit there was no say no. Bob is hubby's best friend; Michelle is Bob's lovely spouse. Left to our own devices, Michelle and I have a habit of over-indulging in red wine. Every time we get together. Probably a good thing it's not all that often.

Lake Torment was peaceful and serene when we arrived. Most of the cottagers had already left for home after the long weekend. Michelle and I sat on the deck, chatting, me knitting, while the guys gossipped out of sight, at the other end of the building. Summer is over. The cool wind was intent on confirming that fact as it picked up strength the lower the glowing orange sun dipped behind the trees on the opposite side of the lake.

Quiet (with exception)

Go get a laugh. I'll still be here. (Sorry! I fixed the link.)

All the kids are gone. The house is unnaturally quiet (except for hubby's horrific snoring that is). They're staying in the camp at the back of the property. They're getting freedom and I am getting a complete, peaceful, can't-wait-to-be-an-empty-nester sense of relaxation. I am at peace. Hey, I love my kids and all that, but sometimes, you just need to be able to look around and say, "Ahhhh". Let your hair down, breathe out, feel the tension seep out of your body.

Hop, Hop

It's a lovely Sunday morning; cool, bright, clear blue sky...

I went to bed quite early last night, and because of that I was up and about uncharacteristically early. For me, anytime before say, 9am, is early. Today I was drinking my first coffee by 7:30. I must admit I like "the idea" of being an early riser, but it's so against my nature that I rarely do...get up early that is.

So... I'm blog hopping this morning.

• I visited Lene of The Seated View. She is such a wonderful writer. If only I had such a talent. She gave a stunning review of Body of Work: Meditations on Morality from the Human Anatomy Lab by Christine Montross. And so the book is yet another one added to my growing list of "Must Read".


• I visited David of the Sweater Project. Did you see his completed Marshmallow Hose? This time it's just the hose, not an inch of skin; don't get all excited.


• I found Jenna through David's comments. She has some yummy looking bugs at her place. Best of all though, she inspired me. She has a blocking shot of her Askew. I followed her link. And Eureka!! I found the perfect project for my Noro Silk Garden. I am thrilled to pieces! It looks so much more exciting than a scarf. And I may get more wear out of it. Thank You so much Jenna!!