Tusal 2011

Here's my jar.

welcome to January 2011

We enjoyed a quiet New Year's Eve with DH, dog and I watching movies and sharing popcorn. 

Over the holidays I've found time to stitch every day.  It is nice, even if just a few stitches.   I guess I call it found moments.   This will be part of my new routine for 2011.

Also, trying new recipes.  There are lots of yet untried recipes so at least once a week I'll try something new.  This week it was cooking fresh guavas.   OK I admit I bought the package of them a week ago but the time got away.   Online I found a recipe/directions for what to do with them.  Peeled first then scooped out the inside seeds and pulp and then  in a pot of water and boil for approximately 1 hour.   With a change or two to the recipe as I was making a small batch, then added sugar and lime juice and continued cooking for another hour.  The liquid had changed to a beautiful deep rose and thickened.  The flavor is yummy.   I plan to use this as a glaze over a white cake.  Definitely will try again to cook something with fresh guavas.

This afternoon it was the stash.... fabric and precuts have a new storage bin so it was time to start on the floss.  Great progress but not nearly done.  I've abandoned winding each skein on a bobbin (at least for now) and have gone with numbered snack baggies. 

It has been a wonderful break between Christmas and New Years.   Work beckons tomorrow.  The evening weather report suggests a new snowfall for the morning commute tomorrow.  

Below are a few pictures of Christmas 2010.

till next time  ...................

a new year coming...... and I'm ready

While some parts of the world have already rung in the new year it's still early morning of December 31st here...a light dusting of snow on the rooftops and quite chilly outdoors (minus 6 or so) We've had a really mild winter thus far.

2010 was filled with far too many family health issues and hospital visits/stays, so here's hoping for a better and healthier 2011.  My Dad had his cataract surgery yesterday morning and everything went well.  Quite a way to mark their 60th wedding anniversary!   He will have his other eye done early in the new year. 

We had a wonderful Christmas with the family.  Our grandsons enjoyed the day for sure.  The mid day meal worked out great, lots of food.  Everyone was sent home with their own 'doggie bag'. And our leftovers were yummy.

On to stitching, I've got 10 items listed for the Up for the challenge.  This past week I started sorting through the stash cupboard and  have come up with a couple of other projects to add to my list.  Next up should be my 'waiting in the wings' of new charts, kitted and not that I would like to stitch in 2011 as well. 

Good progress to report on the Palm by Dimensions.  My ILCS group has had a Stitch a thon for Rene.   I've managed to add many stitches and will continue, with  thoughts and prayers to Rene and her family. 

At least a few stitches a day, every day, is my goal for 2011. 

Wishing everyone a Happy New year!

Christmas Eve

These past few weeks have flown by  and now it's here, Christmas Eve 2010.

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

till next time ...............

welcome December

Welcome to the first saturday of December!

Outside my window the rooftops are frosty white with the morning sun now casting a warm glow over them. 
Inside the fireplace is giving it's own warm glow.  The recent new look to the mantle is ready for Christmas boughs.  It is amazing what a coat of paint can do to for an outdated mantle surround.  Once a worn oak is now shiny and white.

Later this morning DH and I will put up the outdoor lights.  Yesterday the gardeners pruned  the trees so it will make it easier for us getting the strings of lights up.  In our complex December 1st is the start of Christmas lights/displays so we're a bit late this year.  Maybe, just maybe, we will start the indoor decorating as well.....  :)

I finished a small stitchy gift yesterday, yeah!  This one is destined as part of a Christmas exchange.   I'll post a photo soon.

Have a great weekend!

till next time.......

Brrrr .....it's cold outside

It's late November, we've  already enjoyed the first snowfall of the season and now a cold front has moved in and looks like it will linger a couple more days!  Temperatures of minus 17 with the wind chill are not the norm.

So the house is warm and cosy. Though its too soon to bake, it just wouldn't last till Christmas!

I'm so close to finishing two crochet lap/reading blankets for our grandsons.    And as for the stitching projects projects, I'll be back to them soon.  Mind you I've been  checking out some knitting patterns and yarns, the colors are to die for!  What's another project?

till next post ........

to points far away and now home again

It is what dreams are made of, those destinations far from home, the journey travelled and the people we met along the way.

It has long been a desire to visit Venice, Italy.  In the best laid plans, we were to arrive mid day in Venice, have the balance of Thursday, a full day Friday and Saturday morning to explore in Venice.  Mid day became a late day arrival due to flight delays.  Luggage collected, water bus tickets purchased we started the first of luggage treks.  If only luggage came with a remote control to just 'walk' along beside you!.  Once aboard the water bus our journey towards San Marco included a stop in Murano and the Lido before reaching our destination of San Marco.    From the waterfront we headed towards the Doges Palace, the Basilica, through crowds of people standing in awe of the Basilica and headed towards the opposite end of the Square looking for our destination of Locanda Orseolo.  It took a bit to confirm we were on the right direction as the directions we had didn't include crossing over a small bridge.  In front of us, a gondola moored at the edge of the small canal.  And to our left at the bridge many more gondolas.  Thanks goodness DH managed the larger suitcases  up and over the bridge.  Then through a courtyard to a large iron gate, one more courtyard and we made it to our destination.    Locanda Orseolo is wonderful.  Our room faced a canal.  The view was wonderful........and the steps to get to our room...good exercise.  Next time we will opt for a first floor room!!   

More of our travels to follow, where we headed next and photos to post.

Yesterday was Venice to Vancouver, a very, very long travel day.  We're happy to be home.  Quincy is even happier that he's home too!

back to September

It's September, already, just where did the summer go? 

In between some very soggy grey days there is sunshine.  Today is no exception as there is a beautiful sunrise happening outside. These days are shorter and the evening comes much earlier seems to stretch much longer.  Next it will be time to put the fireplace on!

This is the bookmark that I received from Linda B (ILCS bookmark exchange).  It's beautiful!  The picture does not do it justice.   Along with the bookmark were two skeins of floss and Crystal light drink mixes.                                                         

All things family are good (well fingers crossed).  At this point there seems to be a status quo on my Dad's health.  Likewise for my Mom.   The younger folks are settling in to their new home.  And our grandsons, growing so quickly.   We see them often but I miss them just the same.    As for DH and I, well we are counting down the days till October and a holiday. 

till next time ..................

                    

  

a finish at last.. the Mermaid

She's done, finally, and I'm pleased with the results.  Now to find the right frame.  Right now I'm just enjoying being done.    And then it's on to the next UFO!!  

August has been a very long month.  Two weeks after Dad having a stroke he had a heart attack on the 17th and stayed in hospital till the 20th.    Fingers crossed that things will get back to an even keel for him...it's been a week and there haven't been any hospital visits.   It is a changing time for all of us.   

During all the recent hot weather I made a very humble bird bath/watering dish for the feathered ones.  This dish is perched on top of a cedar hedge.  The word must have spread because it's now the watering hole and bathing area.  Trying to get a group shot picture...not much of a chance!  One sparrow did wait for this shot.  Otherwise we've had a few chickadees visit.  It is fun watching from our family room window.

 
One of the local markets had a selection of garlic from the Okanagan.  I selected one of each, Italian, Russian and a couple of other types.  Next trip I'm going to write on the bag what each one is.   The flavor has been excellent!!

The local market also grows and sells summer zinnias.  I love the bright colors and all the details on each bloom.  And yes, I enjoy taking pictures of them.

The fall mums are out now and the colors are beautiful!  Grocery stores, markets, gardens stores, everywhere you go, there are mums from the bright yellows, golds, rust, red and these pretty pink ones.    Today's shopping included two small containers of grasses which should go nice with the mums in some large tubs.    The summer baskets have done their dash and it's time for a fall look on the patio!     

till next time ..................

                                    

Fall colors

I'm making some progress on the Halloween project.  It's a good thing that I have a magnifier for this one.   Another hot day in most parts of   BC.   A good reason to keep cool indoors and stitch!