Broken

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 wander and relax. Kind of like driving on auto-pilot. Worries about the laundry and kids fighting and dusting stay at home while I move further and further away. Not unlike a mini-vacation. Sad, I know this. I am going to brag a bit now, don't say you weren't warned. I lost another 3 lbs, and that's a really good thing. And: my Dr. told me I should feel free to frame my cholesterol test results, they were that awesome! That deserved a bit of a celebration. Naturally.

That's where the "broken" comes in. I drove to Mahone Bay, and Have a Yarn. Ooooooh, all that loverly yarn. Good thing I didn't have all kinds of time to drool over all those beautiful skeins. The yarn diet is officially dead. I am not sorry. I was a good girl for such a long time!! My purchase was very virtuous, I'll have you know. I bought two skeins of Fleece Artist fame, and they will be used for Christmas presents. So that's the extent of my sharing. No show. Just know that I am positively gloating over my fabulous choices. They were meant to come home with me. It was fate, it was destiny... Clapping my hands with glee...

About The Knitting

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 I still have more of the hunter orange Atlantic left over, but I foresee knitting a few hats for hunting season.

AliP, all that complaining I did about sewing in the ends? See this picture? Do you feel my pain yet?

And finally a test drive, checking for fit. I think he approves.

These blanket tubes were inspired by the striped blankets from The Morehouse Farm Merino Knits book by Margrit Lohrer. My many thanks.

It's been a Long Time...

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, have I told you all about Kerry Reichs? What a wonderful author. I finished reading her first book today, The Best Day of Someone Else's Life. I laughed until there were tears running down my face! But I think I may have said that about her other book, as well.

Knitterly update will follow tomorrow.

Here's more:

The end of August I ended up at Lake Torment with the family. It was especially hot and we were glad when all the running around and chores were finished so we could take a much deserved break.

We visited with our friends, the ones with a lakeside cottage. Hubby got there first, after work, to shoot bow with his best friend. I didn't get there with the kids until mid-afternoon after a trip to Kentville and Berwick. While the guys did guy stuff --shooting bow and then building gates for the deck--Michelle, always the perfect hostess, the kids and I went swimming. We got invited to stay for dinner. Other than the leeches, it was positively blissful, the water warm enough to be comfortable yet ever so refreshing. The leeches surprised us all. And perhaps freaked us out more than we will ever willingly admit. But obviously not enough to stop the kids from begging to go back in the lake after supper! Kids...(shaking head...) Did I mention how blissful the afternoon was?

Michelle had all three of her dogs with her that kept the kids entertained: an aging beagle named Spot and brother and sister Miniature Schnauzers named Zack and Cookie. That's Colin with Zack! What a little butch. The dog, not Colin. And Cookie is a darling, terribly shy and oh, such a girl. So cute!!

Brianna with Cookie.

Hummm....

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.

A Bit of History and A Bit at the Beach

At the Library

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 fresh veggies and half off perennials. Tomorrow might involve putting in a new flower bed. There is a garden club BBQ scheduled for tomorrow evening, although I haven't decided if I will attend. Lately, evenings find me hiding in the house from mosquitoes. Nasty blood suckers!

Tonight the kids are enjoying the 'tween lounge, which is highly popular. Activities vary: they sometimes watch a movie, do a craft, play Wii, meet other kids. It's great! And they're not at home complaining of boredom or fighting. Yay!

Other news... The Friday Nite Knit Club has moved to the Greenwood Mall food court, since we got booted out of the library. If all goes well, I'm considering keeping it was our new permanent location instead of returning to the library once September rolls around. More room, food and drink are encouraged, and no one tells us that we're laughing too loudly. Heh

I've discovered a new writer: Kerry Reichs (Kathy Reich's daughter). Wonderful writer. I read leaving Unknown last week. I laughed. I cried. I was sorry when the book was over! I wanted more. What a talented story teller. And completely different style if you are not a fan of her mother's writing.

What else... I am still on a yarn diet, unbroken. I am so proud of myself! Currently I'm working on a Briggs & Little sweater for sale, out of Anniversary Twist. I'm using a pattern from Patons Back to Basics II. It's flying. Back and left front done, and half done on the right front. I like. Excellent stash buster. Yes, for the moment the long janies I started are on the back burner and will be my travelling project, the one that I take to knit nite. Yes, Olympic sweater is still snoozing. Do. Not. Judge. Me.

Too Close for Comfort

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.

WWKiP 2010

Middleton's Friday Nite Knit Club

from left to right: Cathy, Debra, me, Karen, Valerie

WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY 2010

WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY

SATURDAY, 19 JUNE 2010

Join me as I knit with hundreds of other knitters around the world on the same day!

Where: Cinnamon Creek, 65 Commercial St, Middleton, Nova Scotia

When: 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 find out more about the WWKiP Day visit wwkipday.com

Knitting Up a Storm

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 one of Debbie's (not Barnhill) lovely fleece, with Tina promising to teach me to spin in the near future.

There were sheep-shearing demonstrations:

There's Double-Time Deb Barnhill:

There's Amanda:And the rest of the team Sheep Thrills. That's Debbie (whose fleece I purchased) at the forefront of the photo:

Sweater for Brianna. Started it yesterday evening. It's going super fast in the round. (Don't judge me: it's acrylic; from stash.)

Baby and small child hats.

Baby socks, probably for sale.

The blue socks on the bottom are for Colin, made at his request. The other two pairs will probably be sold.

Brianna's Jessie gets a new hat and booties. So cute! I must admit this is the most productive I've been in quite some time where knitting is concerned. All above items have been knit within the past 10 days or so.