flying gazebos

We managed to get the errands done and home again before the rain hit.   Nice, so I thought.....
and then the winds picked up (still ok at this point) but the next gust picked up the gazebo frame and shifted it over two feet.   Thankfully the cedar hedge provided a good buffer otherwise the gazebo would have been gone landing on the driveway.  So the best laid plans for a new look for the patio might be changing again.   In lieu of a boat anchor, the legs of said gazebo are currently held in place with bags of soil at one post, a large heavy planter wedged at the second, the third wheel in a bucket and the fourth, hey go for it  because as far as I can see it won't be going too far.

And this was to be a quiet day.

where does the time go

My efforts to stay on track and blog regularly seem to get derailed....by me....be it hand spinning (oh this can use up a lot of time), looking at more roving online, looking at sheep and their fleece online, sort of a trend here.....

anyways, Spring is here (finally), it is warmer (finally)  and it has been possible to have the doors and windows open.   Hibernation is done!

The patio shuffle has started.  This week I found hellebore one gallon plants on markdown for $5.00 each.  All they needed was a good drink of water to revive them.  Once potted up this resident has found a  new favorite spot (last year's mum plant is no longer in vogue for this ladybug).

Today marks four years since my Mom passed away.   Truly, where does the time go?  Life is different for sure.   I don't think that you really ever get past missing a loved one but there does come a point of acceptance.   Both my parents died within seven months.   Hopefully we can do their lives proud.   Gone but never forgotten.

Remember...... share smiles, be kind.....think of others.....

till next time.

almost out of February

My blog has been sorely neglected......I blame it on the weather.....hibernating and doing this,

lots ( and lots) of  hand spinning.  Here are my Summer Blues for the challenge.

The above is part of the Feb/March challenge in the Jenkins spindle challenge on the Ravelry group.

 

OH Baby

For this challenge we will need to dig out the old photo albums and find a favorite picture of ourselves as a baby/toddler! Once we have made our photo pick, we must pick our fiber to match the photo in some way. Maybe match what we are wearing, or what someone else in the photo is wearing. Match the background or the scenery. Maybe it was taken at the beach and you have fiber with beach in the name…be creative! We will need to make a starting post with our photo and a photo of our fiber stating the connection. Then we just spin!

 

These are the oldest photos I could find.....vintage 1955 and 1956. 

And one more oldie, just because.....  a Sunday outing at Stanley park.

and yes, I do miss them.

We missed many snowfalls but when it did snow we received our fair share....all at once.

And in between the skies provided this.

And for the resident hummers, nothing but the best (well, almost).  A plastic dish lined with thin styro insulation and a shoelace string hanger made an ok holder for the feeder dish.   Only one night was the feeder content frozen solid.   So all was well in their world.   

Lots of other yarn spun as well.  Photos to come.   

And as for winter, please let it be done soon!!! 

Spring is coming......

stay tuned.

so, has winter arrived???

Winter so far in southern BC has been a non event, just the grey days, rain and cool temperatures........well that is until today..the Arctic front has moved down  the province and now snow!  None of this 'better late than never stuff'.

The Groundhog Day forecasters seemed to come up with a split decision of more winter or Spring to come.


In one planter, last year's primula with new blooms.  They're a bit ragged as something has been munching. 

A recent purchase outside the slider door.  Definitely a welcome addition of color.

Yesterday there was sunshine, some rain  and then  sighting of a beautiful rainbow.  Of course I didn't have a camera handy.   Next was a unicorn balloon along with brightly colored round balloons.  It too would have made a good photo.   And then the eagles overhead gliding the currents.   All three sightings were meant to be enjoyed in the moment (all this within two blocks of home). 


Much of my time (last month too) has been devoted to hand spinning on my Jenkins turkish spindles.  The Ravelry group has a year long challenge.   I'm pleased with my progress to date.   And yet still so much to learn.

Daily spinning is helping with arthritis is my hands.  My right hand ring finger had stiffened  during work years (too much time with hand wrapped on a mouse).  Now I'm finding that it almost catches up with other fingers  in a closed fist.   It sure makes hand writing easier.

Let the countdown till spring begin.....March 20th  and just before that March 10th, the time change to Daylight savings time....

Welcome January 2019

For what has felt very much longer, I think it's safe to declare that the colds/coughs have left the building.  It's taken till this week to actually feel human again....and accomplish things on the home front.   Christmas bins are now stowed away.

Brilliant blue skies and sunshine outside, enough so to have the slider door open with just the screen across.  The streak of good weather should last till next week.   So nice to air out the house.   Yes it gets a bit cool.

Hand spinning is about all I've mustered in the past few weeks.

And my first turtle of Blake's roving.  It's a delight to spin!
 

 



Yesterday's Abbotsford News featured an article on Challenger Baseball including a photo of Noah.  Meanwhile Nate went with his class outing to the top of Grouse Mountain.  Apparently riding the skyride to the top was pretty cool.

www.abbynews.com/news/new-baseball-fields-will-include-diamond-for-players-with-disabilities

Compliments of the baker, the taster and the instructor....... Nate was very precise in the cake decorating instructions.  Noah does quality control so that leaves Mom, the baker.

And a question for anyone using a spindle..... How do you deal with the rounding  ie spindle is 22.99 gr and the scale reads 23 gr...is it practical to always round down or?

till next time.....

unwrapping Christmas

Our Christmas Day was lovely.  Five of the eight in our group were feeling less than 100%.  It's been that kind of winter for colds/coughs, they just linger......and linger.....

This year instead of gift bags we tried the snowmen.   The hardest part was finding boxes in the right size.  The arts and crafts department deferred to online free clip art for the decorating.  To make it easy for kids (parents really) the back of each box part had a name tag.  Also carry bags were available to stow their gifts as each part was opened.

My plan to make from scratch a gingerbread house went to plan B (again).  Kuddos for a kit that provided a decent amount of icing to glue together the house.

We tried a new location for our Christmas tree.  It worked out quite well.  The lights reflected off the glass and around the room.

Now there was one critter that really, really wanted the hats......

sooo much better once Sully had his own presents to open!


This time of year when the weather isn't always so bright, any (all) sunsets/sunrises are truly appreciated.

It snowed yesterday, not for long mind you.  It looked lovely and then thankfully it was done.

The hummers stayed close in the bottom of the lilac tree.  This one looked festive ( and probably a bit cold).

And the reasons for the season and every  other day of the year too.  

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!    Any goals, resolutions for 2019??

till next time ......

with warm wishes

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Enjoy the holidays.  Spend time with family and tell them you love them.

2019 is just around the corner...........any plans???...any predictions???

till next time......

catching up the days

In between raindrops and wind gusts last week we took a drive to South Surrey to deliver a Christmas remembrance for my parents.  December marks Mom's birthday, Christmas of course and their anniversary.  The Christmas greens basket is simple (we've been warned by staff that anything too nice disappears). 

The cemetery is expanding so we couldn't park anywhere close due to equipment and vehicles in the way.  As it was DH had trouble getting through the walkway to deliver the basket.   I waited in the car taking in the vista of old trees and watched an eagle swoop down and around before flying back to a grove of tall trees.
 

Sunday lunches with Vanessa and our grandsons are always fun.  This past Sunday Vanessa pulled out a project bag and proceeded to crochet.  It warmed my heart to see that she has kept up with some sort of hand work, something passed along from one generation to another.  My Mom didn't get much opportunity for handwork.  She did some embroidery as did my grandmother.   Simple traditions.
An added bonus was the bag was one I'd made for her, so nice to see it being used and likewise a knitted purse also in use.    In that moment as tempted as I was to reach for my camera, I didn't.  Instead I just sat and watched.  Simple pleasures to warm the heart, mine at least.

The view to the south often looks like this.  The tree branches serve as a watchtower for the hummers.

Earlier this morning to the south east this view and then it was gone as we're now back to rain and wind.

On rainy days   it's easy to spot a hummer perched in the trunk of the lilac tree.

This morning's finish, Santa's Helper by Mosey n me.   There is something about sheep.


till next time....

counting down the days

Here I sit, it's December...already.....since my last blog post in early November, has it been that long???    What have I been doing???

Hand spun wool knitted up now  a cowl and fingerless mitts.  The pattern is a one skein infinity cowl.   As I worked with two colors I omitted the twist at the seam and tried to make an overlap with the colors.

Hand spinning on my Jenkins spindles...pure bliss.  And not to forget cross stitching...

The outdoor lights are up across the patio.   In the evening (actually early afternoon ) when the lights come on, it looks like this.

The hummer is more concerned of the nearby chickadee than the string of lights sharing space close to the feeder.

Our tree is up awaiting the decorations, maybe later today.  Cards have been mailed.  Outgoing mail seems to be working  but incoming...ever so slow.   I thought I did ok ordering online early  lol  a few items are in the system somewhere.    Eventually parcels will arrive. 

Cold weather is perfect for making soups, stews and trying new recipes...

Sweet Potato and Feta Pide.  A bit of time spent waiting on the dough to rise.   I did change up the ingredients a bit other than the sweet potato as I had items in the fridge to use up.  The recipe is a keeper.

As busy as December is, take a moment to give thanks....for the gifts that you don't find under the tree......

to family and friends near and far,

for a roof over your head and food on the table, 

and for special memories of those no longer with us.

till next time

29 and counting

Yes, 29 years married today.   A low key day at home for us and that's just fine.  Last month we had the opportunity to cruise to LA and back via a cruise.   That's more than enough an anniversary gift.

This was one of the views we enjoyed.  San Francisco, Pier 39, the harbor, the barking of sea lions, maneuvers overhead by the pelican fleet, Alcatraz and of course the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

Even though we returned home early October both DH and I managed to catch colds.   More so one of us caught a cold and then shared.  And so went the rest of October.  here we are the calendar page turned and the clocks back an hour, welcome November.

Recent wind and rain storms have left most tree bare.  The last of the leaves on the Japanese Maple turned this lovely orange brown.

 

This time of the it seems the hummers are a bit willing to linger for a photo or two.  Rainy days are the best while they sit in either the fig tree or the lilac.

For the September October Challenge with the Ravelry  Jenkins spindle group, a finish.   The cowl is soft and warm. 

Now it's time to get busy with knitting (and other projects)  Dare I say the countdown is on.

till next time...