Garter KISSes

Our holidays didn't really afford me the time I thought they would to tackle anything other than cloths. I wanted to try some socks when I was sitting on the beach, soaking up the rays, but so much to do so little time!

When we got home, I got this uber urge to power knit! I went to my big box yarn store and found some Bernal Stripes and Twists and had to buy them. I needed to relieve myself of this "knit-craving" that had built up. The cure was KISS work. Keep It Simple Stupid, Garter Stitch Cloths. In about 24 hours, I did 3 pretty, simple cloths.


The last one a slip stitch cloth, and even though its on same size 9 needles, its alot smaller than the others. I love the colours of these cloths.

Oh, here's another mooshy shot just to make you want your own....


They are big and squishy. Just what the doctor ordered.

Life's a beach, tunnel, mountain, and river.

So, how was your summer? Getting ready to go back to school? Work? Yeah.. I don't even want to think about it. We had such a relaxing time on Vancouver Island, even though we put about 5,000 kms on my car. Ate lots, played lots, visited every spot we had time for.



We couldn't have asked for better weather. Sunny, warm.

It was just what the doctor ordered.


We enjoyed hunting for crabs to look at, then letting them go on their way of course, when the tides were out. I'm sure the locals don't appreciate the tourists coming in and messing with the ecosystem, and for that, I'm sorry. But we did try not to have too much of an impact. The live sand dollars were left behind, while, we did bring home a couple of ones that had went to the "big beach in the sky". Last time we went, we got a seastar in Ucluet, but, our dog ate it... Yup.


Jealous yet? ;D



This little guy let our beach bum try his skim board. We ended up getting one for him. This boy was so much fun to watch. He was obviously still learning himself as he'd land on his backside more often than not, but you could tell he was having a blast!

Good times...
Anyone ever been to Hope, BC?

How about the Othello Tunnels? How amazing are these!

They were built from 1911 to 1918 to complete the Kettle Valley Railway. Cut through solid granite to allow the railway to span the 300-foot-deep (90-m) Coquihalla Canyon, at a whopping cost (for the time) of $300,000. Plagued by washouts and rock slides, the railway line was closed in 1959.
Its so interesting to walk through the pitch black, cool, humid tunnels.

There's 4 to go through, then a hike along what would have been the track. We just did the tunnels. No bats, that I know of. As you walk along the pedway, you can still see the train tracks underneath.

Then there was Clearwater, BC, and Wells Grey Provincial Park. We went to visit my folks at they're home away from home, and pick up our dog. He had a nice vacation too hanging with his grandparents.
That's my Dad the German Mountain Sheep scaling that rock. He was picking up fishing line that people had "left behind". I just want to know, why didn't they take it with them in the first place?
My folks just love it there. Can't really blame them.


All the big trees. The cool, clean water.





The dog even nibbled down a few of these wild onions. Silly beagle.

Then, it was off home...


What a great 2 weeks, hey pups?!


There, now you all came with us... ;D

Oh yeah! I did some knitting too. None of it made it home with us as it was all gifted to our hostess, but I did snap a few pictures. Dishcloths, of course....

A single colour ballband, and

... Gee, I can't remember the name of this pattern! I will though, I've got it somewhere, Very fun knit this one was. Then I also did one that a certain Miss Wolly Knits would have loved. It was a variant on her Whiskers cloth. A Granny's Favorite Whiskers that my mom stole before I got to take a photo... Yes, its not alot of knitting, really only 3 cloths, but I was so busy looking out the window, enjoying my family time that I just couldn't do it.

Awwww.... Holidays done.

So what do I get for having 2 weeks for freedom from the regular grind? Sadness that its over.

More on the "Holiday of the Year" when I download all 512 photos to my machine. Prepare to be bored.

LOL

Wordless Wednesday

WIPing Some UFOs into Shape

After cleaning house and doing laundry, I was able to make some time to go through my stash. I pulled out a couple of things from my UFO landing pad I'd like to finish, before I started another.

Here's my Irish Hiking scarf from last fall.

Yes, I know the KAL is way over and nothing more than a fond memory for most. But for me, I got about 18 inches into it, and started having problems. I don't know why, but the pattern and I were bumping heads. I had to set it aside. I'd do a few rows, get to the cable row, and mix up the cables. Frog my mistake and try again. After fighting and losing, I decided to set it aside.

I picked it up again this spring and almost finished it. For some reason, my interested wained again and I set it once again aside, almost finished. Looking at how much I have left of on the last ball of "Cozy Wool in Paprika" (size 11 needles,) I'm going to finish this scarf this week. There's only seriously, maybe about 4 inches left... Did I mention, its almost 6ft long?

Then there's this.

My tea towel for under my desk rack. I'm knitting it from Ecofill in Dark Purple. Love the colour! I just hope it doesn't bleed. Its a nice cotton blend to knit with. I should have gotten more when I had the chance, now the big box store I bought it at doesn't carry it anymore.

This one is taking a bit, even though I'm doing a simple YO K2tog pattern for half of it, then simple stockinette, then cell stitch surrounded by a seed stitch border. Again, I lose interest so easily. Yet, it really is lovely so far. It'll be nice took at it when I doing my dishes. Very Mason-Dixion-esque, don't ya think?!

These are the two I've decided to WIP into shape before I take on my next project. Whatever that'll be... I'd love to try socks.

Of course, I'll have to do a dishcloth or two in between because you know how my attention span wavers. So many patterns, so little time.

Besides, I think my cotton's have babies in my stash...

Fickle Woman

Yes, it happened. I had to! The other template was just horrible! I couldn't control any aspect of the layout or even read the html properly to fix it. Everytime I posted an image or post, it would bump things around so bad. I spent more time fixing than blogging, I almost lost it. Truly. I almost jumped ship.

I'm over it. I have a new, pretty, clean, easy to read, easy to maintain blog now. ;D

The only problem is, I didn't save all my links and stuff again so I'm rebuilding... again. What else are Sunday's for?

Summer. Good.

Isn't summer grand! The warm weather, long days, delicious fresh food... Seems to me we eat better in the summer. More green salads with every colour of the rainbow of veggies mixed in. I especially love a salad with extra protein. Grilled chicken, or tuna, or cheese and egg. Ham works well too! I've even tossed a few cooled small potatoes in a salad. With tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow and orange peppers, garlic croutons, and some bacon bits... mmm quite yummy. Okay, now I've made myself hungry.



Anyway, the boy went with my Dad to the beach today for some fun in the sun and sand. I was, and still am, a little jealous. I love the beach! I've always wanted to live in a little sun kissed cottage right on the sand... California style. With white linen curtains that flow in the breeze. Old wooden floor boards that creak hello everytime you walk into the cozy living room that smells like salt air and suntan lotion.

Okay, now I'm getting lost in my own fantasy again... Where was I when the guys were out playing? At work of course. Stuck behind a desk, doing everything I could not to daydream the hours away. But, now its over, its Friday and maybe tomorrow I'll go to the beach.



We had such amazing Canada Day Long Weekend! Filled with family, giggles, and great food. My brother was able to come "hang out" with us this time. He's usually quite busy with his buddies when he comes home, but this time at was all about the nephew. They played video games together, told goofy jokes, teased each other. Did the "man" thing. I loved it. The boy thinks this Uncle is so super cool, its not even funny. I'd have to agree with him. What's in store for this weekend? Guess we'll wing it and see.



Anyone ever want a maid? What a silly question! LOL. I've often thougth having someone to come in once a week to dust, vaccuum, maybe do a couple loads of laundry would be such a big help. When I was about 10 years younger, I couldn't even fathom the idea. A stranger in my home, cleaning up after me!? It seemed ridiculous. Now, my opinion has changed... Maybe when I win the "6-49". Speaking of which, yes, money would change me. These people that say it wouldn't, I'm sorry, but I don't believe you... Its like saying having children won't change you. Heheh, us moms, we know better. Its a good change. I wouldn't change that change for all the change in every couch in the world.

Lotus Knits!: Yarn Contest!

A Weekend in Pictures

After our picnic along the North Saskatchewan River.

A special visitor lands for a hello.

He's one hot dog.

A backyard BBQ with my family.

The Elves have it....

Love Lord of the Rings. Love the Hobbits. But, even more so, I wish I was an Elvin Princess. When Diana included a link on her blog to a site that gave you Hobbit or Elvin name, I had to do it.

Call me, Tári Telperiën (ooohhh so pretty)
Maybe my new Second Life name? hmmmm