Monday, May 28, 2012

Monday Check In

On Friday I posted a little check list of things I wanted to get done this weekend. Here's the fun part about blogging... how did I do?

1. finish up Mr. Man's room, do a photo shoot and post about it - um... well I bought knobs for the dresser and B put them on for me. But I failed on the photo shoot part, my excuse - it's raining (yes still) and when it wasn't, we were outside. I'll get to it as soon as the sun comes out, I promise!

2. plant the rest of my garden, no tomatoes - that was a big fail. It was too cold. Then it started raining.

3. finish up a wip or 2 - I did this, just not the ones I thought I'd finish. I started and finished the Bluebird toy (pictures with the sun), I felted the roofs for the gnome homes, and I knit and frogged and recast on the mitts (details when I finally finish them, they're going to be stunning).

4. sit in the sun and read or knit or just sit... - well... I did lots this weekend but it was too cold to sit in the sun. I did get outside when I could and I did knit, so I consider that a win.

So not bad... the darn weather is driving me crazy though. I should try to change my attitude and enjoy the rain but it's cold and I'm a wimp.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Cathedral Street Fair 2012

Just a few pics of our day at the fair (which was yesterday). The Superstar had basketball all day so it was the boys and myself. It was cold, just like last year but no rain this time... Next year I may wear a parka though and mittens. I was freezing.




Highlights: french fries, balloons, the giant hotdog bus (complete with hotdog hat wearing serving guy), tons of people, tents everywhere, finding the sweet girl that makes the skirt of my dreams and putting in a custom order (so breathless!), kettle corn, fresh saskatoon berry pie, that guy (should have gotten a picture) that does the still life/statue poses (he's amazing), and buying our weekend passes to All Folked Up!

Had a great day! Good thing we went and enjoyed it, it's back to pouring rain. Buckets and buckets... Hope the sun shines soon.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Walking the Boomerang Dog



Greetings to you on this Saturday evening. Last night we took the family for a walk at the Ex. It was a lovely but chilly night. There were no bugs, a light wind, lots of muck and a found boomerang. The boys even saw a beaver. Fun times!







Have a grand weekend, and get outside!


Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday is Here!

Well thank goodness. Let me paint you a picture of how my week has been.

It rained. All week. Hard and lots and I'm so glad I got my potatoes in the ground last weekend and that I didn't plant anything else. Yup you heard me right. I'm glad I didn't get my garden planted. Want to know why?

It snowed this morning. Not enough to stick but enough to coat my back steps in ice and make me curse at 5am when I took the pup out to pee. My neighbors have upside down 5 gallon pails placed all over their garden and I bet there are more than a few blankets spread out in back yards protecting precious tomato plants!

B had a birthday mid week and the Superstar was away on Band Trip so we opened a few gifts. He'll get his Maple Cheesecake today and lots more hugs and jokes about his advancing age (from me).

The Superstar is back from her trip and about to do tryouts for the Summer Games (basketball of course). Here is a photo of last weekends tournament. The girls were funny and upbeat and I think they all had fun, at least the Superstar did.



B and I went to a parent meeting yesterday for Kindergarten. Yes, Mr. Man starts school in the fall. I can hardly believe how fast the years have gone. We decided on a theme for his birthday coming up. He's loving Kung Fu Panda so there you go. I have some fun games planned and a cake to make (panda style) and some martial arts dohickies to find for goodie bags... I think it'll be fun to turn the house into a dojo for 5 year olds, or maybe I'm crazy. That could be.

And today we have sun (snow is gone), it's still cold but I'll take it! I finished some socks. They turned out nice and cozy and green.



This weekend I'm planning to:
- finish up Mr. Man's room, do a photo shoot and post about it
- plant the rest of my garden, no tomatoes yet, in case there is more snow (really I think I need to talk the weather people, this is ridiculous already, it's almost June!)
- finish up a wip or 2 (the Gnome Homes and Catching Butterflies)
- and sit in the sun and read or knit or just sit...

How about you? Any big plans?

Monday, May 21, 2012

Garden Journal 2012

Ok, this isn't a grand gardening post or anything. Basically I'm trying to journal my garden this year. I'm pretty lax when it comes to gardening. I throw some seeds in the ground, usually pound some kind of stake in so I know there's something there, water whenever, weed a little and pick the veggies when they're ready. Really simple right?

I bet I can do it better. I'd like to study planting by the moon phases more. And really watch the watering this year. Maybe do some companion planting and get into saving my seeds for next year.

So today, May 21st, I planted my potatoes (it's a new moon tonight, apparently I'm not supposed to plant today but bah, I'll pay more attention next time). I have 5 rows and probably about 50 hills. The morning is a wee bit breezy, it's almost 14C and there's a chance of rain. It's certainly cloudy enough.

Also my apple tree is blooming and my little lilac is really close. I haven't done any weeding in my flower bed and I still need to plant the rest of the garden. Hmmm... I best get busy.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Patchwork Sockalong

Susan B Anderson is doing a Sockalong over on the Itty Bitty Forum on Ravelry. There are over 60 ladies participating and sign ups are still open. The theme is "Patchwork" as in use your scraps to make socks. There are already some wonderful socks turning up.

My Scrappy Socks fit right into the theme and I finished them last night too.







I've cast on another pair. Not patchwork socks but a pattern called Vanilla Latte Socks, a free Ravelry download. I'm making them with this nice bright green yarn I have. I seem to be on a bit of a sock kick lately. Which is good. I have a bit of sock yarn to work my way through.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The End of the Odds n Ends

Do you remember this post from early April? I finished the runner and it looks exactly like I wanted it to. In fact it had me twitching to cast on another and make it a full sized throw. But that would be crazy. Right?




Currently it lives on my dining room table and acts as a catch all for the days activities, mail, books, knitting, toys and dirty socks (don't get me started on how dirty socks multiply in corners and then take over the house. I have one word for that, kids). It's pretty and fun and made me realize how much I like earthy colours but also how I much I'd like to push past that and knit up a crazy bright one. Next time.

I'm still plugging away on these socks. I've finished the first one except for kitchnering the toe (I know that isn't a word but I'm good at making them up and it's really early in the morning). The second sock has a ribbed cuff and not much else so my plan is to get it finished this week.

We're doing an ongoing KAL over on the Itty Bitty board for Susan B Anderson's Itty Bitty Toys book. This month is the Egg to Bluebird and a Little Nest, Too. Around here we have these bright bluebirds at the lake. They're called Mountain Bluebirds and they look a little like a Smurf with wings. I always get startled when I see one, they're so electric blue. I'm going to knit a bluebird this weekend and the nest too... as soon as I finish those socks!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Scrappy Socks

I joined a little knit a long over on Susan B Anderson's blog (we also have a fun sock thread in the Itty Bitty Knits group). She's knitting a pair of socks using scraps from other projects. I'm using most of my scrap sock yarn in the Epic Sock Blanket but there are some colours I won't be using like pink.



I pulled those balls of yarn and cast on a HIMMS sock. I'm striping randomly and adding in some hearts for fun. They're flying off the needles! Mind you there's going to be a major weaving the ends session when they're done.



I'm having so much fun knitting these I may need to cast on for another pair!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone! Happy Mother's Day weekend! Around these parts it's supposed to be sunny and hopefully warmer than yesterday (and maybe less windy too). There aren't any big plans for this weekend other than a book sale and some yard work, painting Mr. Man's room (so close to getting it done) and walking the puppy.

Yup, we got a puppy last month. Her name is Josie and she's a German Shorthaired Pointer. She's sweet and funny and chews a lot, mostly her toys but she likes wood. I have a fair bit of wood in my house from furniture to baseboards, so if you have tips to stop the gnawing please share! She's also full of energy! Full! I get up at 5:30am to take her out and go for a 30-45 minute walk, then after work I take her out for another walk (same length) and when B gets home, he takes her after supper for a run off leash for an hour or 2. She still pulls on the leash all the way home. She's crazy!

And cute! Did I mention how cute she is?



These pictures were from a walk at the PFRA a few weeks ago. She's just about doubled in size since we've gotten her. She's now over 9kgs. She went for second round of shots at the vets yesterday (and did wonderfully, she was so busy eating treats she didn't even flinch when the needle went in) and she's perfect they said. So don't be surprised if there are a few gushing "I sure do love my dog"  posts over the next um, say 13-15 years... :)

I kids news, Mr. Man is swimmer, taking lessons every week. Now that the outdoor pool is about to open here we'll get him into some summertime lessons. He loves swimming and I have high hopes that one day he can be one of the kids life guarding in the summer. The Superstar is busy with school and basketball camp starts next weekend. Then she's off on Band Tour. She had a formal dance at school last week and I'd love to post some pictures. One of her friends that's in dance did her makeup.

My knitting has slowed considerably since we got Josie. I kind of expected that but I didn't realize how going to bed at 9pm means next to no evening knitting time. I managed to bang out about a dozen dishcloths and this Greek Key pattern is my current favorite. It's a free pattern, check it out.


I also got pictures of my Whippoorwill Shawl that I finished in March. I like it but I'm not in love with it. I find it a bit tricky to wear and the colours are great, but not totally what I wanted. Of course if I knew what I wanted that would help a bunch wouldn't it?!


And lastly here are a few of the knits I did for the Hedgehog and Hippo swap on Ravelry.

Hedgehog Mittens
Hippo  
Hippo Dishcloths
Now this is the part where I promise to post more regularly but we're moving into summer and to be honest, I fully expect to be outside with the family enjoying it. But I'll try ;)

Little Sheep Virtues

Happy Friday! I'm pretty excited to be sharing this cross stitch project with you all. Pattern: Little Sheep Virtues 1-12 by Litt...