tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89756387862719977712024-03-12T22:42:58.545-04:00Mrs. AMrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-10567468683561693762017-07-28T16:54:00.001-04:002017-07-28T16:54:01.522-04:00A Funny Thing Happened......in the yarn store yesterday. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O9zLrr_RC4rPxma8VYDY6WBhGLFxxl6ETOEbRNT12NvtE4Y_qnTBZbXTwdLtrZ4FYGYjEZOKVooH9YFIrCeaNdl-DD_vjR7mG44DUcogFqxA8CcMqUOM2N1U6NBObRgDSWWkK4eNS5s/s640/blogger-image-1404036008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O9zLrr_RC4rPxma8VYDY6WBhGLFxxl6ETOEbRNT12NvtE4Y_qnTBZbXTwdLtrZ4FYGYjEZOKVooH9YFIrCeaNdl-DD_vjR7mG44DUcogFqxA8CcMqUOM2N1U6NBObRgDSWWkK4eNS5s/s640/blogger-image-1404036008.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took these two monkeys to the dentist in the big city next door. They're both official adults now..but I suppose not quite official enough to adult themselves to the dentist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Through careful planning, while in the big city, I was able to run into the local yarn shop for fifteen minutes exactly. The Girl Child accompanied me as timekeeper. She was not at all helpful at preventing impulse purchases. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Her Purchase: (please turn your head)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD7fCG0zDg5BI430jUbnYVh5wnCstAEBi-hDXbxhIDDlWl8xQYxVPZ5CHfyCHNJ6KnxMhl8W40F_nE5adGImLZlIfe7C6wxdYdJFQAuzEdm8EVyK7cig9Cla66_Qz_N5D31s-D6mwMw4/s640/blogger-image-1939069330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ-1iMQf9E6y21vmOV0k0Vh_-w9uPOxlw8GBazW5wm3Ez_2KHZHDa_AcHlrRDzVgZW55x7uq5fzVCmO5HzFIoNwZAdna4DKCZfefG0XxcfIh_PfWZBf3tCp1VSisjDleqXKSnb05MYt8/s640/blogger-image--1106430377.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My Purchase:</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh7BZZRr0v1upmNcGVOLYkKf-6JeMlHz5wtvb66r39rgd4OMT-njaCygSHpGEGAZEdsXdixQr_5kZ1DlisIjfywUQNWLT412dX3cUDnCdN36mzEvdpqpQVKRME1hgEKE_nZVdTaa9EkE/s640/blogger-image-1186296521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh7BZZRr0v1upmNcGVOLYkKf-6JeMlHz5wtvb66r39rgd4OMT-njaCygSHpGEGAZEdsXdixQr_5kZ1DlisIjfywUQNWLT412dX3cUDnCdN36mzEvdpqpQVKRME1hgEKE_nZVdTaa9EkE/s640/blogger-image-1186296521.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure I've come across these cuties on Ravelry at some point. The designer is Kerry Lord and the company putting the kits together is TOFT. To see the book displayed in the store so attractively with the crocheted example and all the kits around it was just too much for us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The TOFT kit comes with everything you need to complete your project. Like <i>everything</i>. Crochet hook and wee wool needle for stitching kind of everything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJX3dP7seSsbH-kVeonjxOid86ZPX7HTyGogkrR9LCBYyHXylrvkU4TWMUjlauJ00Rtef2pvHPoQ8BYIMpa9aMiDDj_LYTDhkp96ypC7dRB_dIqDvHvlsKrpVnY1GAWZcYiezcvC4Gh0/s640/blogger-image--138202840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJX3dP7seSsbH-kVeonjxOid86ZPX7HTyGogkrR9LCBYyHXylrvkU4TWMUjlauJ00Rtef2pvHPoQ8BYIMpa9aMiDDj_LYTDhkp96ypC7dRB_dIqDvHvlsKrpVnY1GAWZcYiezcvC4Gh0/s640/blogger-image--138202840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Never mind that I've not had time this spring or summer for much knitting. I'm sure I'll have more time as fall sets in. And when I do, I will be crocheting my new friend Hank, the Dorset Down sheep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also picked up the new Vogue Early Fall. I'm saving it though, for a chatter free, un-working, un-wifeing, un-parenting moment so I can savor it properly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cheers,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Mrs. A. </i></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-83336290221727824872017-05-30T18:34:00.001-04:002017-05-30T18:34:31.005-04:00Prince Edward County Fibrefest 2017In the deep of Winter, on our time off between Christmas and New Year's, Mr. A and I decided to book a Bed & Breakfast and actually commit to taking a 'holiday'. This is a big deal for us as we frequently talk about going away, taking a trip, enjoying a holiday...but we never actually <i>do</i> it.<div><br></div><div>We decided to go to Prince Edward County, a beautiful part of the province two hours south and west of us, commonly called 'Wine Country'. The thing about PEC is that they are a unique little pocket of ideal weather and geography just different enough from the surrounding countryside so as to be perfectly suited to grape growing. And therefore, wine! However, that was not our primary purpose for choosing this particular destination. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk_b16isZvXRizO1VK2w4gKLxAxWUtdStpnRI3yY9hGzIjjtJnteDV33EF8286b8uxQvVBBEs92gRz8pqfbysiuKPxTzovSu8p-297TmcE8xV8r13lWtdqwUbre2rtM67_FbQwJ1TRm0/s640/blogger-image-2110772717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk_b16isZvXRizO1VK2w4gKLxAxWUtdStpnRI3yY9hGzIjjtJnteDV33EF8286b8uxQvVBBEs92gRz8pqfbysiuKPxTzovSu8p-297TmcE8xV8r13lWtdqwUbre2rtM67_FbQwJ1TRm0/s640/blogger-image-2110772717.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The First Annual Prince Edward County Fibrefest was scheduled for this past weekend (May 27, 2017). So Mr. A and I decided to make a weekend of it and treat ourselves to a weekend away. Not that we're counting, but it was our first weekend away as a married couple without kids in 18 years. (18 years ago we were married and 'enjoyed' 20ish hours away...the kids were 19mths and 2mths old...but that's a story for another time.) I had a sudden rush of anticipatory excitement and crammed in a nail appointment at the spa just before we left town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYV5MwFeVx7pYKwX81G9AG-hJHBQqyVBgPj7r-yp9CEdeRIHDvvRAerJpAVkpR5FlqUJAkj1-aMxZIYMnm07LOYxh4zXKyCLZp0BRDyvYp79ZkTDAmviWUC90S1QE04gTx7PkAfek7agg/s640/blogger-image--708791090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYV5MwFeVx7pYKwX81G9AG-hJHBQqyVBgPj7r-yp9CEdeRIHDvvRAerJpAVkpR5FlqUJAkj1-aMxZIYMnm07LOYxh4zXKyCLZp0BRDyvYp79ZkTDAmviWUC90S1QE04gTx7PkAfek7agg/s640/blogger-image--708791090.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAeUWuRQ3abgYB5iASqlpmMUAEmXSLjPcOzjD6Dy2Fu5kE6tmF5T3ZMCj3yNeEA8bDB1XHT3upqv1E91vaW4HE_Gt1sCUfh9TBFMTSQwNaPpgPJJow2L5QEx_Lb23GE2FjIM1pwsNSXw/s640/blogger-image--1470342772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAeUWuRQ3abgYB5iASqlpmMUAEmXSLjPcOzjD6Dy2Fu5kE6tmF5T3ZMCj3yNeEA8bDB1XHT3upqv1E91vaW4HE_Gt1sCUfh9TBFMTSQwNaPpgPJJow2L5QEx_Lb23GE2FjIM1pwsNSXw/s640/blogger-image--1470342772.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4Wn5urLWy6iP-KEm8eWHIUHidbHjH8vW_egXAFLjFEj_S4O03JH5e3WRTqoeeK-J-S-JVmoL0GnFwQiOq0iMrIXs2YZt5aZBM-ELfY9vJ1N7l3185HQQZ7viNg9DAAoItEE1f7lBfoA/s640/blogger-image-2103332374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4Wn5urLWy6iP-KEm8eWHIUHidbHjH8vW_egXAFLjFEj_S4O03JH5e3WRTqoeeK-J-S-JVmoL0GnFwQiOq0iMrIXs2YZt5aZBM-ELfY9vJ1N7l3185HQQZ7viNg9DAAoItEE1f7lBfoA/s640/blogger-image-2103332374.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZnQKApoBu2-Iz_3GKBErfeck-3PMJONTWeHp7fH7c5favSXVA1e9s6paCdB4o_tAM_0C-APQsd5pLenfuBVt8IcWJppejWxOfC7WbpQ-eYW3zdIWc1FE7BMbWFNuyU9TPpuaCOLXbUY/s640/blogger-image--647723941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZnQKApoBu2-Iz_3GKBErfeck-3PMJONTWeHp7fH7c5favSXVA1e9s6paCdB4o_tAM_0C-APQsd5pLenfuBVt8IcWJppejWxOfC7WbpQ-eYW3zdIWc1FE7BMbWFNuyU9TPpuaCOLXbUY/s640/blogger-image--647723941.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our B&B was amazing. We were a bit nervous never having stayed at one before. Breakfast with strangers was not nearly as nerve wracking as we thought is was going to be. We may have been distracted by the food. We commonly are. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHgpFObr1cEIKrqVqES6ZZ5iVpFpu2_gg434-X13pW9ao_RW4O9fYP2k0AvxIShgJX8XObcurfIbGzvMFOOFWh50JB2NVG6PdaoOysYlNmyDE4Q0sc96FfppBfVusCMf6wp22Qs8n4m0/s640/blogger-image--94540728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHgpFObr1cEIKrqVqES6ZZ5iVpFpu2_gg434-X13pW9ao_RW4O9fYP2k0AvxIShgJX8XObcurfIbGzvMFOOFWh50JB2NVG6PdaoOysYlNmyDE4Q0sc96FfppBfVusCMf6wp22Qs8n4m0/s640/blogger-image--94540728.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XhWsUmWIccjp8J4NpJmPhk_honvjgFStqk6rXnkhFMLQvj9alSvrbutUHTWVVLIt1rQNd87EYn-XtjU2CleUzPdLpBCEUnxsG0CMXGrsjVfnFi2sFUys39JxHfUs-tQ0m32Vihp760M/s640/blogger-image--348060929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XhWsUmWIccjp8J4NpJmPhk_honvjgFStqk6rXnkhFMLQvj9alSvrbutUHTWVVLIt1rQNd87EYn-XtjU2CleUzPdLpBCEUnxsG0CMXGrsjVfnFi2sFUys39JxHfUs-tQ0m32Vihp760M/s640/blogger-image--348060929.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have no pictures of the Fibrefest. I was distracted by yarn. Oh, that's a lie! I have pics:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoEQMZY9CpGUYBU34HenhXLkewF-21bQHcoK6FpOyUVmxhXOrNNKDT1ywUa1EaH2s_ZiSQP9shxlIo2Psyc2tHznljAW5Q6xeSKl0z48Kp4WqF6_7nqeHwE28S5NGDmgBo2yI4dd4PcM/s640/blogger-image--27922655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoEQMZY9CpGUYBU34HenhXLkewF-21bQHcoK6FpOyUVmxhXOrNNKDT1ywUa1EaH2s_ZiSQP9shxlIo2Psyc2tHznljAW5Q6xeSKl0z48Kp4WqF6_7nqeHwE28S5NGDmgBo2yI4dd4PcM/s640/blogger-image--27922655.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkSPKgkRtD6KenzqMU7SNf56cmJq6xJS9tAolqLg16yV33cPK4KGky1sEgyi9WX6RqZeKY9vT5Lvy4tpYaWpUcGJYCUSq8CT5O1CXU6jZziNWwVUwkUYqW8zNj5Q0geCtuJbFmYyU14A/s640/blogger-image--1989194364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkSPKgkRtD6KenzqMU7SNf56cmJq6xJS9tAolqLg16yV33cPK4KGky1sEgyi9WX6RqZeKY9vT5Lvy4tpYaWpUcGJYCUSq8CT5O1CXU6jZziNWwVUwkUYqW8zNj5Q0geCtuJbFmYyU14A/s640/blogger-image--1989194364.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijShhpMfHuH1XlWyyJXi1Oc5FqIpcduhBHcOr2ZlbdC7Y_s67eF7-haiQelNy2e1ubjFIk6t9TghOekU5rDlBPEhPri9ilC8JquxVHIoW5LMQ5ofJAe6nteOshzGUAgzfd2HQcb91SbZg/s640/blogger-image--2050038217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijShhpMfHuH1XlWyyJXi1Oc5FqIpcduhBHcOr2ZlbdC7Y_s67eF7-haiQelNy2e1ubjFIk6t9TghOekU5rDlBPEhPri9ilC8JquxVHIoW5LMQ5ofJAe6nteOshzGUAgzfd2HQcb91SbZg/s640/blogger-image--2050038217.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So cute. I may need an alpaca. For fibre purposes. And they could help with the grounds keeping. It's a future project I have in mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The remainder of our time in PEC was spent trying out local pubs, beer and cider. We also visited a distillery and a winery, never having experienced wine- or spirits-tasting at the source before. I made sure to visit a cafe because Mr. A and I love our coffee dates. We enjoyed being 'kidless' and not having a schedule. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRADfGAB6pj7cxDz-jRQzYIP_k9m4-0XTwdxv28f8h3nGEArYnu6Z_P0ZYqftmFz5EVDpBoiPyMTf5jDMPO-MQDEfHlLfjwnBYvoCJ_mvBlJDyLHT-W_HXkvhHp-EUtc_TNe5-EjE3S0E/s640/blogger-image--1424269245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRADfGAB6pj7cxDz-jRQzYIP_k9m4-0XTwdxv28f8h3nGEArYnu6Z_P0ZYqftmFz5EVDpBoiPyMTf5jDMPO-MQDEfHlLfjwnBYvoCJ_mvBlJDyLHT-W_HXkvhHp-EUtc_TNe5-EjE3S0E/s640/blogger-image--1424269245.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe0Gf7sU6GBJB0ZmOs8F8HPo6bmW-b2f5XmI1F7sMyIBluYynB1_4DGIj4VCHXvxtISmIyD-4klYhXKrRnksMFsK2yqoMigiQwyFN97jYJtoM82OiEeE8EBbSOQHO_4GOhcFnvR0YJ1Y/s640/blogger-image--1589410248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe0Gf7sU6GBJB0ZmOs8F8HPo6bmW-b2f5XmI1F7sMyIBluYynB1_4DGIj4VCHXvxtISmIyD-4klYhXKrRnksMFsK2yqoMigiQwyFN97jYJtoM82OiEeE8EBbSOQHO_4GOhcFnvR0YJ1Y/s640/blogger-image--1589410248.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpNIrD6ttq44B61-oZaMziNYxFDrZ9MTRvA-etsXQ3QpnsERZP4BLCxxzZgPEDRNrNtPWOE8EQCVTUNljAEm0qaW3vjTE_GtWyBsLJQjoy9et7JrOqSbmWvyFdveS15hsxAgIBY4g67o/s640/blogger-image--850433248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpNIrD6ttq44B61-oZaMziNYxFDrZ9MTRvA-etsXQ3QpnsERZP4BLCxxzZgPEDRNrNtPWOE8EQCVTUNljAEm0qaW3vjTE_GtWyBsLJQjoy9et7JrOqSbmWvyFdveS15hsxAgIBY4g67o/s640/blogger-image--850433248.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCTr0BnG6Ify8eDX4Tk50zfSJTnSLoPW_TBAorhQNeIXFsnk3504msiAyw54MdhF_KDQF98b4QIW7fShIQXCNRcSn3PCF_UTwnpT8QjDCOo7q7DQb5aECcBI4JoK4q28PhIOKkOlmZFw/s640/blogger-image-355229345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_OvGdt4pj4SeWLxMzQ9i7rs8C4H0YR0m7_yrPk02HVHPcQLI6ltAzPU_gmVFP2vnA0mVLm6d2TXJSaFiBgwAiKz3AVKZqW0oy0PNcGaBkuzYNhDZMyE27nn3SoVlRsSRT1fS824S3zE/s640/blogger-image-476777322.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLkEMNDqvDnYHdx6gf_hlYaye2m5EGjMQMN67Zox-1h3xyNnqmcGEEfxlW-dsB-hOC5iY3t-ktYr2su3hxFULBtOv1o7BCXsgvCRtwLPo52MLOZVwnmxhS52_wWLdI1pIiUjDaD_KgDk/s640/blogger-image-365749562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLkEMNDqvDnYHdx6gf_hlYaye2m5EGjMQMN67Zox-1h3xyNnqmcGEEfxlW-dsB-hOC5iY3t-ktYr2su3hxFULBtOv1o7BCXsgvCRtwLPo52MLOZVwnmxhS52_wWLdI1pIiUjDaD_KgDk/s640/blogger-image-365749562.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD946kXIl4fW-3gK3d2r_a-yQqMNpMNTyrw-GlPr6AhQL_qjOM20DnINZtL39_qt84mgFpilCCI-ddkvlergMCEOb-lmsnjBNX1A9XlqmZwbtIPujJuBdB1zwnHADkCkprI2K1LCDGln4/s640/blogger-image-577820835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD946kXIl4fW-3gK3d2r_a-yQqMNpMNTyrw-GlPr6AhQL_qjOM20DnINZtL39_qt84mgFpilCCI-ddkvlergMCEOb-lmsnjBNX1A9XlqmZwbtIPujJuBdB1zwnHADkCkprI2K1LCDGln4/s640/blogger-image-577820835.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqFctEBHduFctdna-gCb8tZRhtdCXEHIvhG3o6HppVEuiqAqywxftQP2hINzHaQ1HLWSBZ10rDNbdDqjb30zRPtdiSXIzTiQnPtVXRqwAG9ZJ_TeWdsmSWk4l1Bxi5spn8SVKpH-KUmM/s640/blogger-image--1007084550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqFctEBHduFctdna-gCb8tZRhtdCXEHIvhG3o6HppVEuiqAqywxftQP2hINzHaQ1HLWSBZ10rDNbdDqjb30zRPtdiSXIzTiQnPtVXRqwAG9ZJ_TeWdsmSWk4l1Bxi5spn8SVKpH-KUmM/s640/blogger-image--1007084550.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We meandered home taking a route that I had never taken, but that Mr. A had spent quite a bit of time on before I met him. There's a ferry and it was a beautiful drive home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmmvF0I5pWIq9RPtle08c4oCQIjYkV6uJPDlLfY9jVdvj7H6-2qzWzdJHxEE9oE5C3O8Jhqwgic4JPwoEPARzTQUK5kWW58e7Le-crYjPIj9UC0pVeM-Tk5r3TIdcHHpVmNogPJSnV-o/s640/blogger-image--1213480720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmmvF0I5pWIq9RPtle08c4oCQIjYkV6uJPDlLfY9jVdvj7H6-2qzWzdJHxEE9oE5C3O8Jhqwgic4JPwoEPARzTQUK5kWW58e7Le-crYjPIj9UC0pVeM-Tk5r3TIdcHHpVmNogPJSnV-o/s640/blogger-image--1213480720.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mZSfyzVoBLdNSpa-ACR1GMCW3-i1FKYFnp8GGN0oPR9cilFUCkJgm-KFIoedGpIEWvK0R70u1SKUJsMvglzj4wfzupSz8QIPf6pTBhPHhjm0b9WZiZIe00p61t4um8B3VmEolwJLSjY/s640/blogger-image-879213141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mZSfyzVoBLdNSpa-ACR1GMCW3-i1FKYFnp8GGN0oPR9cilFUCkJgm-KFIoedGpIEWvK0R70u1SKUJsMvglzj4wfzupSz8QIPf6pTBhPHhjm0b9WZiZIe00p61t4um8B3VmEolwJLSjY/s640/blogger-image-879213141.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure it's not international news, but locally, there's a very serious water level problem going on. Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River are at record level highs. Much of the riverbanks and lake shares are flooded and there is a lot of water damage. Driving through a couple of the villages in the County was a pretty serious affair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the ferry, a third of the spaces for vehicles was taken up by a huge dump truck with trailer. Both were filled with cement to make the ferry as heavy as possible. The lake levels are so high that it is nearly impossible to dock the boat. In the photo above, you can see temporary raised bumpers made of cement blocks and wooden logs. </div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think we'll definitely go back...especially if there's a 2nd annual PEC Fibrefest. I started out our weekend begin concerned with fitting it all in. But I quickly came around to Mr. A's way of thinking: we can come back. I was much more relaxed and enjoyed our time after that realization. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stash enhancement:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc62E_hzswM-l7ovk76p9Q4MUeFABlJjKVXOHt7h6JTZnEobn0fWinWojjd7H29l8BMgPgxgc_WILEMTNMuBY73RFWNcx2OgB3XczGJVP6hACKDPHzYnbEvTVZMTECw4O2PL_vepPxrI/s640/blogger-image--1280401433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc62E_hzswM-l7ovk76p9Q4MUeFABlJjKVXOHt7h6JTZnEobn0fWinWojjd7H29l8BMgPgxgc_WILEMTNMuBY73RFWNcx2OgB3XczGJVP6hACKDPHzYnbEvTVZMTECw4O2PL_vepPxrI/s640/blogger-image--1280401433.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyVKllcRvSBz4t0Idm84T5kWYJ-u0i7rrovQsAN-i15vwYmf8_CTO-vT2wYzX3ZLBjruyU0LGh59MbAhVZ-oYvfjyC3xKEuU6e8oerM8sPF29AEsjnnrt0JlRqkk0l-TeN6RCPSvYchU/s640/blogger-image--2008616273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyVKllcRvSBz4t0Idm84T5kWYJ-u0i7rrovQsAN-i15vwYmf8_CTO-vT2wYzX3ZLBjruyU0LGh59MbAhVZ-oYvfjyC3xKEuU6e8oerM8sPF29AEsjnnrt0JlRqkk0l-TeN6RCPSvYchU/s640/blogger-image--2008616273.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8P3GdFHjcfCMpmVPeEd7v_kwAveOdtF3jkY__vPVtk8g8vEP2SJtqBV0mISDD0FQVXml0E2ECnOoTleHlnO-fzVL67bxWV0aFCY5aMNqlpEnqnqMHxyGCc3Z3yyL6_VQ6cT0M-lfXqU/s640/blogger-image-482120849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8P3GdFHjcfCMpmVPeEd7v_kwAveOdtF3jkY__vPVtk8g8vEP2SJtqBV0mISDD0FQVXml0E2ECnOoTleHlnO-fzVL67bxWV0aFCY5aMNqlpEnqnqMHxyGCc3Z3yyL6_VQ6cT0M-lfXqU/s640/blogger-image-482120849.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So this trip was our practice run, in a way. We got a nice surprise halfway through our weekend - The Boy Child texted that he had made a decision as to which university to attend in the Fall. As we had been waiting on his decision for <i>months</i>, this was very welcome news. Come September 2017, Mr. A and I will officially be Empty Nesters. Crazy. We will distract ourselves with little weekends away, I think.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~<i>Bonni</i></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-829676205496755742017-05-24T21:56:00.001-04:002017-05-24T21:56:25.532-04:00Coffee Date<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycdqQBwTAWtTWTG7D9iO3fYJrAQYyx087K-CkB_BFqWqfzsqj2B_Dmeq85OBHnOVW-8LRof4jtwVvVzXtwEZZ1ZYFHSXVTkQe4wm_oz4xDaALmGFM6RpgW9TzgbCN3X6GOhktjFAzYuA/s640/blogger-image-1482600708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycdqQBwTAWtTWTG7D9iO3fYJrAQYyx087K-CkB_BFqWqfzsqj2B_Dmeq85OBHnOVW-8LRof4jtwVvVzXtwEZZ1ZYFHSXVTkQe4wm_oz4xDaALmGFM6RpgW9TzgbCN3X6GOhktjFAzYuA/s640/blogger-image-1482600708.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~<i>Bonni</i></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-84079062491411961212017-05-23T22:09:00.001-04:002017-05-23T22:09:02.566-04:00Squares!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrPMLb6nBi7wPTg0ErKuVkAoEwhY77nf79QT0QqmPWrCGaPYaEymTHeuLClyROzl4rDilGyHl5LAnnh5BfaV1m9EaIgnZFVjW4m557Qbb33GTvYVmAqYEMQmo8qWQL7lBhyphenhyphen9U_TtO5aE/s640/blogger-image-2029303703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrPMLb6nBi7wPTg0ErKuVkAoEwhY77nf79QT0QqmPWrCGaPYaEymTHeuLClyROzl4rDilGyHl5LAnnh5BfaV1m9EaIgnZFVjW4m557Qbb33GTvYVmAqYEMQmo8qWQL7lBhyphenhyphen9U_TtO5aE/s640/blogger-image-2029303703.jpg"></a><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my tiny collection of Koigu. Mostly KPPPM. It's my new favourite. It's my new favourite not only because it is lovely all on its own, but also because it's solved a long standing problem for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Years ago I was looking for a scrappy pattern to solve the What To Do With Sock Yarn Leftovers problem. Of course I found the famous Sock Yarn Blankie as well as the Hexipuff of The Beekeeper's Quilt fame. Neither stuck although I gave each the good ol' college try. I tried a few related off-shoot modular things as well. Nothing stuck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I learned a few things though. I wanted a modular pattern for a long term project. I wanted something easy to memorize. Something that travels well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think I have finally found it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG3AgOqdcEPmHSoWnW-YNe7_F5yJKtqNhU_SnB56ZGEFbaFyNIY9j0_Gu4zd11whI9iaG0fcAwEyuPP_KheQa7GB99HR-RFwsgPOFpJ_jCeWUuN8Vwv5ZD9B0T8W-7346YV2Et7SEymU/s640/blogger-image-601321346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG3AgOqdcEPmHSoWnW-YNe7_F5yJKtqNhU_SnB56ZGEFbaFyNIY9j0_Gu4zd11whI9iaG0fcAwEyuPP_KheQa7GB99HR-RFwsgPOFpJ_jCeWUuN8Vwv5ZD9B0T8W-7346YV2Et7SEymU/s640/blogger-image-601321346.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For posterity, I will share the story of tracking down the pattern with you. It wasn't easy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While reading the recent Vogue Knitting magazine, I saw an ad for a pattern called Pastel Squares Scarf. The scarf excited me as it seemed to be exactly what I had been looking for. The ad was advertising Koigu yarn and the small print mentioned the pattern being available in Koigu Magazine 8. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finding Koigu Magazine 8 was my next challenge. My 'local' yarn stores - the closest of which is 45 minutes away - didn't have it. The very cool and excellent Yarn Truck answered my inquiry though...they would have it - and save a copy especially for me! - in a few weeks when they opened for the season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I waited and Mr. A and I made a day of driving an hour and a quarter to a very small town north of here where the Yarn Turck was having its opening day for the season at a craft fair. I spent a few minutes picking out a couple of skeins of KPPPM to go with my Magazine and, mission accomplished, I was happily on my way home. (Also, it was a lovely day with Mr. A.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I swatched, if you can imagine that I would do such a thing. I even washed the swatches and laid them out shaped nicely to dry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And now, finally, I have begun to knit. And I am very pleased with the outcome. Which, for some reason, I must show you sideways:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_TpE9uVM2QQkpLDNiVaFWDJml7lvUZgUuGxl9_lhQ9RW3b9Qo6EnIaY9QXLhznVvWpU_sPgq9Q3GXLN277vLg1e4unvB5QTs6ruYPlfzxf4qt9oUkphIQfziwausmBy1F7IqOHKHPFI/s640/blogger-image-483591862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_TpE9uVM2QQkpLDNiVaFWDJml7lvUZgUuGxl9_lhQ9RW3b9Qo6EnIaY9QXLhznVvWpU_sPgq9Q3GXLN277vLg1e4unvB5QTs6ruYPlfzxf4qt9oUkphIQfziwausmBy1F7IqOHKHPFI/s640/blogger-image-483591862.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The funny thing is, the Pastel Squares Scarf pattern has not shown up on Ravelry yet. There was a bit of online discussion as to whether the scarf pattern, shown in the Vogue advertisement, was included in Koigu Magazine 8. It is, I can tell you with certainty. But when Koigu 8 went live on Ravelry, it was not included in the database entry. Curious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am looking forward to amassing a collection of squares and then arranging them in a pleasing layout and perhaps making a bed sized blanket with them. They knit up so quickly that they are a wonderful solution to that 'I never finish anything' feeling. I've made ten or so in the last few days and I feel pretty proud of myself. Hopefully all continues as established...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">~<i>Bonni</i></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-52890738542920896222017-05-21T14:22:00.001-04:002017-05-21T14:22:08.897-04:00Birds! ...by Arne & Carlos<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0HMHH3Av6rZ6D3_k_KZfjFuniQZMs7aX9drPqofItpJlQGkhldnUFkk_3iEokoA9qQRYufjzcBk5385-AUz_jJD-oe-G7I0p0huVVMv2wMhqmKXsNLJKoFq8y-NHkKYp_WXRhYsfeWQ/s640/blogger-image-1359695751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0HMHH3Av6rZ6D3_k_KZfjFuniQZMs7aX9drPqofItpJlQGkhldnUFkk_3iEokoA9qQRYufjzcBk5385-AUz_jJD-oe-G7I0p0huVVMv2wMhqmKXsNLJKoFq8y-NHkKYp_WXRhYsfeWQ/s640/blogger-image-1359695751.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In honor of Jean's (www.jeanmiles.blogspot.com) recent question about Arne & Carlos' newest book, I though I would revive my ancient blog and post a few pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am a new Arne & Carlos fan, although I have known about them for quite some time. I have been watching their YouTube videos with much amusement. I was watching for the English publication of their book <i>Field Guide to Knitted Birds</i>. The American publisher did not have a user friendly online shopping solution and I ended up ordering through the UK based Book Depository. Highly recommended. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB7GJloxVfMjQ2Ob6ciTEL_bfxECCbPyEVINfHjtJzrlwSeVJRP2vW0WvwM_L0OlANOtENE-LnII__wIodvWyjlHcGRJvPKwPLli-5BrArULMlw6DwJibQY8wI8NGQZtJIavL9x57wlM/s640/blogger-image-1728273420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB7GJloxVfMjQ2Ob6ciTEL_bfxECCbPyEVINfHjtJzrlwSeVJRP2vW0WvwM_L0OlANOtENE-LnII__wIodvWyjlHcGRJvPKwPLli-5BrArULMlw6DwJibQY8wI8NGQZtJIavL9x57wlM/s640/blogger-image-1728273420.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am quite smitten with the book. Lovely quality, a beautiful addition to any coffee table. Inside the front and back covers, there are impressive fold-outs. Lots of inspirational photos as well as good information to make a flock of your own.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFXSOf4T5vxizYRn54rEdIhTYVlCKt2CIrAqKQrinUMOsI4YrVbs2zJinFqygyjItONyTl5r5seA2hL0j3XAC-5VDF-x0bLc1uYyaiFvtPwMsDAzbePaBwjQAOY_EKE3_UNaZtmdU_SI/s640/blogger-image-859180984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFXSOf4T5vxizYRn54rEdIhTYVlCKt2CIrAqKQrinUMOsI4YrVbs2zJinFqygyjItONyTl5r5seA2hL0j3XAC-5VDF-x0bLc1uYyaiFvtPwMsDAzbePaBwjQAOY_EKE3_UNaZtmdU_SI/s640/blogger-image-859180984.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk-zjiub4wZYhygjXeYGOOWb8WOxf4ddNtfr6-UPGlozn5ipC6gsxFqyhaCqhGSWCRnId6PP43ymoOz1WorqdBl706yj4wYJjqlkOVdTi2imkncBxW642ts7ANpyLbG3mTW15dLQrILM/s640/blogger-image--2002386120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk-zjiub4wZYhygjXeYGOOWb8WOxf4ddNtfr6-UPGlozn5ipC6gsxFqyhaCqhGSWCRnId6PP43ymoOz1WorqdBl706yj4wYJjqlkOVdTi2imkncBxW642ts7ANpyLbG3mTW15dLQrILM/s640/blogger-image--2002386120.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga17TGkY6d9h-B_IYcMOcvl9dpu3FTxKbBuIdpVj9emo6wvIiPUBAZEcr36jghLtzG3owlRnu32i3pBYZ140yRg430dq-TM5q8BuY2NR-UBAJsTcoil26P4EiZN46iS_rhginOZ-b6SGY/s640/blogger-image--1670270410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga17TGkY6d9h-B_IYcMOcvl9dpu3FTxKbBuIdpVj9emo6wvIiPUBAZEcr36jghLtzG3owlRnu32i3pBYZ140yRg430dq-TM5q8BuY2NR-UBAJsTcoil26P4EiZN46iS_rhginOZ-b6SGY/s640/blogger-image--1670270410.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk43qs-Zs_hhmO1ptuam5kHAXC3mZkKxVxJei4AMLP4hpd8l-a2tUzX8nRe_6cBMNqddW0iHhMNuMomt8h3p6SZl0EfO7p3RmxeGhgfRPpIclK5-i3WW8yQ0q_-VFeE0kH5WxbtwPwcQA/s640/blogger-image--1833902974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk43qs-Zs_hhmO1ptuam5kHAXC3mZkKxVxJei4AMLP4hpd8l-a2tUzX8nRe_6cBMNqddW0iHhMNuMomt8h3p6SZl0EfO7p3RmxeGhgfRPpIclK5-i3WW8yQ0q_-VFeE0kH5WxbtwPwcQA/s640/blogger-image--1833902974.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A chapter is devoted to the general construction of the birds and all their parts. I find the videos for the making of the beak and the 'supports', the adorable wire feet, quite helpful as I'm not sure I could have muddled through with just the written instructions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffD0_Kzq-yqNesx2uWYo4-vbh-0zGfZd6Idfg4Nw0caqegbcuBUUSYC0Gf2ilZZTjTd_rNjrlCfd3zj67e_Dlcfjs8qMjXMX0TrV9L1435U35cmaUWZzyN0GNtX_5lbDqirzKh5O6DsM/s640/blogger-image--780594291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffD0_Kzq-yqNesx2uWYo4-vbh-0zGfZd6Idfg4Nw0caqegbcuBUUSYC0Gf2ilZZTjTd_rNjrlCfd3zj67e_Dlcfjs8qMjXMX0TrV9L1435U35cmaUWZzyN0GNtX_5lbDqirzKh5O6DsM/s640/blogger-image--780594291.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since birds are not necessarily required or justifiable knitted items the same way a sweater or mittens might be, I appreciate the many suggestions Arne and Carlos provide as to how your birds might be displayed around your home. The tea cozy that Jean mentioned in her blog is very cute. The wreath can be reinvented a hundred different ways for every season and holiday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQUup0lwy4x64M8R9lxrtXczXyE1yMAvqIc97FNzRP0_v1NmwxSlTfuUfdXltEytdXPzrXxeTDmv1mEmNA6GfP8rIwcitNMLR9QPEdOTCQ7lwlfsO3fAso1WmOGqKDDUkxqcsPetpz8Y/s640/blogger-image--2117707691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQUup0lwy4x64M8R9lxrtXczXyE1yMAvqIc97FNzRP0_v1NmwxSlTfuUfdXltEytdXPzrXxeTDmv1mEmNA6GfP8rIwcitNMLR9QPEdOTCQ7lwlfsO3fAso1WmOGqKDDUkxqcsPetpz8Y/s640/blogger-image--2117707691.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The back cover fold-out, shown above, has a handy section on the right-hand side. On one page is the written pattern. On the other is the chart. So no matter which you prefer, you can fold out the final page of the book, close the book and knit away to your heart's content with all the required details available at a glance. (There are a couple of errors on the fold-out that are not present in Chapter 3 where the Basic Pattern is first presented, so user beware. And if you are an experienced knitter, the errors really aren't cumbersome at all.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitITwsLvAudyNSd_jXBQnBwgAJWn60GVYuD7KQR51A8dRuIt9OamwVm13vm1BJ4ajYQAjybDQQ7TFhnDKiambD0ZOCy2g53FzEgKv9ew0bJsM06RQgCiZ_ExJnl2fo9KCkdTQEcOVvBGs/s640/blogger-image--1756352877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitITwsLvAudyNSd_jXBQnBwgAJWn60GVYuD7KQR51A8dRuIt9OamwVm13vm1BJ4ajYQAjybDQQ7TFhnDKiambD0ZOCy2g53FzEgKv9ew0bJsM06RQgCiZ_ExJnl2fo9KCkdTQEcOVvBGs/s640/blogger-image--1756352877.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am very pleased with my bird knitting so far. The most recent creation is a Koigu masterpiece of rainbow persuasion. I am using Briggs & Little Roving to stuff the wee birds as I have a whack of it on hand. It has a very pleasing finished feel to it: slightly dense yet still light and enough memory to hold the finished bird shape. Not near so floofy and light and bouncy as polyester fill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure I'll expand from the plain basic pattern eventually and try decorating with feathers and sequins and trying a display or two for my fireplace mantles. But for now, I am quite amused by the differences in character created by different yarns and wrestling the wire into bird feet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So a solid 10/10 to Arne & Carlos for a beautiful and inspirational book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>~Bonni</i></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-73634756243735699592014-09-05T09:12:00.001-04:002014-09-05T09:29:53.707-04:00SchoolishnessI think this is the first year we'll be adhering to a 'regular' school schedule. I suppose there was the year that The Boy was at Montessori and The Girl was officially a first grade Homeschooler. Dropping and fetching one child does make the family toe a certain line. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSYbS3BPUo6Z0EIJmQINAVgoM3PPDr3KVdvynQWDH5gg4FWne45SSOLaPn-NnSVqmNV2VI5NGaJVXdrb1AYKp2AwiePnIz_4NEiG9GS8p62azRa2xULaMK-GnYAOd8eFky_Zje1O8pnk/s640/blogger-image-1919686907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSYbS3BPUo6Z0EIJmQINAVgoM3PPDr3KVdvynQWDH5gg4FWne45SSOLaPn-NnSVqmNV2VI5NGaJVXdrb1AYKp2AwiePnIz_4NEiG9GS8p62azRa2xULaMK-GnYAOd8eFky_Zje1O8pnk/s640/blogger-image-1919686907.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Schoolwork this semester will include live, online lectures, regularly scheduled across the week for 9am. The work area for the kids has been tweaked so a second computer is available. They used the iPad over the summer when their classes ran concurrently. It worked out, but a full size monitor, keyboard and mouse is the more desirable setup. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4uPqlhLwDwvvP5_yI1VO2aAY_EPFoLaHiyY2-q9BOAK26VQ-OzJs8a7XeahpCi8pa6mdOoqiQUgN0Y7GQMPQ7TloyHX_DsrPp5htnVAc9s2npJQX8A5uHz7CX7EQW2jJRG_4166iVQ8/s640/blogger-image--538337494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4uPqlhLwDwvvP5_yI1VO2aAY_EPFoLaHiyY2-q9BOAK26VQ-OzJs8a7XeahpCi8pa6mdOoqiQUgN0Y7GQMPQ7TloyHX_DsrPp5htnVAc9s2npJQX8A5uHz7CX7EQW2jJRG_4166iVQ8/s640/blogger-image--538337494.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To answer Miranda's comment of earlier this week, the kids are enrolled in an Ontario virtual school called Virtual Learning Centre. It's run through the Lyndsay area school board and offers homeschoolers who are not attending a bricks and mortal school the chance to earn high school credits toward their Ontario Secondary School diploma. It's the more desirable alternative to the province's correspondence learning setup, in my opinion. It's also free - as compared to the other online high school options I've found which charge around $400 per credit/course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Girl has signed up for Biology 11, Computers And Information Systems 11 and English 11. Each class requires 2.5-3hrs per week of class time with a teacher. Then there are the assignments and course content to work on. At home, with materials most homeschoolers might recognize, she's doing math and a college first-year (so senior high school?) Anatomy & Physiology. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKWKuwyK54TLEPsXg5jX08AuEjaRb5eaJJNG9dYwDRn53Hq_6apgVq8KYnL0WE-zCePuhJotOcsretnKT3ViAOUB_IvA_s1sTjPpxNUddAlmIOqRM88j42jBZofYF3NyMYaJKHmwa3Xk/s640/blogger-image--2011578081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKWKuwyK54TLEPsXg5jX08AuEjaRb5eaJJNG9dYwDRn53Hq_6apgVq8KYnL0WE-zCePuhJotOcsretnKT3ViAOUB_IvA_s1sTjPpxNUddAlmIOqRM88j42jBZofYF3NyMYaJKHmwa3Xk/s640/blogger-image--2011578081.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUlqaT1p-up-Ky46hagLlvUdFsgucSIqFNcKaWG7LlOhblg5Xiz5twm-01uVfPXXU1-JdXUcNzerVNBHvsuy0vuKN1UX_3jLWw9T2xEeQr6i6oMvoY17OuE5eapzOS0s9mIqjzNnA56s/s640/blogger-image-1090182789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUlqaT1p-up-Ky46hagLlvUdFsgucSIqFNcKaWG7LlOhblg5Xiz5twm-01uVfPXXU1-JdXUcNzerVNBHvsuy0vuKN1UX_3jLWw9T2xEeQr6i6oMvoY17OuE5eapzOS0s9mIqjzNnA56s/s640/blogger-image-1090182789.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We've been sure to add work time for each course to her weekly schedule. She's pretty much booked 9am to 3pm or 4 pm every week day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'll have to talk about the registration process and the user interface another day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today is up and running. The kids are logged in and waiting for their lectures to begin. It's English for The Girl and Science for The Boy this morning. The Boy is trying to organize his life and assignments as he's leaving on Monday for a week to visit family. After this morning's work, we're off to put an appearance in at the annual homeschoolers picnic. I've got treats ready and it's supposed to be the hottest day of the summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ed7V97Ktv4Qp4cJfc763faQDgbKfz9YQ_qxXf86G5IKX70EhuZjHlyXCN8jdXKk3tbJ5OSV_RJ2nHGpBo_gbGDxmuNqqE5UJtk5n0tMSrSNOKcfwPRItS_KYRJmtONcqd4Se3mlQnA/s640/blogger-image--277274552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ed7V97Ktv4Qp4cJfc763faQDgbKfz9YQ_qxXf86G5IKX70EhuZjHlyXCN8jdXKk3tbJ5OSV_RJ2nHGpBo_gbGDxmuNqqE5UJtk5n0tMSrSNOKcfwPRItS_KYRJmtONcqd4Se3mlQnA/s640/blogger-image--277274552.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Treats are pound cake and strawberry freezer jam and lemon balm and honey jelly. I'm sure I'll also have to take a full compliment of drinks and snacks and bags of outdoor accoutrements so as to look the part of a good homeschooling mother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-4391126419328537922014-09-04T08:36:00.001-04:002014-09-04T08:36:26.265-04:00SeptemberSeptember landed yesterday. <div><br></div><div>The kids' course assignments came through, the deadlines for extracurriculars have hit, calendar is full and the daily schedule is mostly set, whether we like it or not. We have small 'moments' about the workload not being as expected, the schedule being different than discussed, the free time and screens being curtailed. I call it September Stress. </div><div><br></div><div>If I recall correctly, it only lasts a couple of days. </div><div><br></div><div>Things I'd like to tell you about but don't have time this morning. Hopefully, I'll get around to it in the near future...</div><div> - I made a gravel driveway. I have obtained the tools required to keep it a gravel driveway and not a wildflower field that we park in. </div><div> - The registeration process for high school classes at the provincial virtual school. Not a lot of anecdotal info out there. I'll use a bunch of key words so as to hopefully pop up as an option to read when people are searching. </div><div><br></div><div>That's all for this morning as I am herding teenagers to the school table so we can get oriented with the weekly class schedule and I am determined to tackle plans for lunch so it's not the usual gong show where I make 3 different lunches and cobble together something for myself from the leftovers. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-82809243183085204942014-09-03T08:19:00.001-04:002014-09-03T08:19:11.288-04:00On The NeedlesAfter a very long time, I've finally finished knitting a mitten. Sort of. And just one so far. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICZHJQAztL7s4uIUWBl96ol-z7Ran4AA4MII1GUoYE9N9cOmEYeo82K6d06MQAMfXtQIqPNcgZexTu4tgQRnkb7osOoNw_-KMbOHc3FCVmf4jmDlUV2iTiq9k_3MOvGsQ0arFWByd7uU/s640/blogger-image--1648724065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICZHJQAztL7s4uIUWBl96ol-z7Ran4AA4MII1GUoYE9N9cOmEYeo82K6d06MQAMfXtQIqPNcgZexTu4tgQRnkb7osOoNw_-KMbOHc3FCVmf4jmDlUV2iTiq9k_3MOvGsQ0arFWByd7uU/s640/blogger-image--1648724065.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Denim blue and white, I think it's sport weight. I started it last winter while watching The Girl at her sporting events. The pattern is called Winter Wonder Mittens. It's free on Ravelry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a foray into learning to do stranded colourwork. I'm making myself learn two handed as people tell me that, eventually, it will get faster/easier. With the 5 needles and the two yarns and worrying about getting the flat parts to lie flat, it's mostly been an exercise in frustration and hope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I like the finished mitten! Even though it's going to be too big for my hands, methinks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W9Tep-a1l2JPOstBcZT3UJpG1OE3-qrnza39IERyWrlts_rQ6icZzCqr_S-_F_tpKenfFdCQKqHD9RTI5pnlYXXwKdCQ7G8iXwb11NxlFTdBAoZObQ6Coyl2RI_Zh18J8-OdG-YLR60/s640/blogger-image-1205942206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W9Tep-a1l2JPOstBcZT3UJpG1OE3-qrnza39IERyWrlts_rQ6icZzCqr_S-_F_tpKenfFdCQKqHD9RTI5pnlYXXwKdCQ7G8iXwb11NxlFTdBAoZObQ6Coyl2RI_Zh18J8-OdG-YLR60/s640/blogger-image-1205942206.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has a picot edge to the cuff that I still have to sew down. And a thumb, of course, to be knit on. If the body of the mitten was fiddely with all the needles, I'm dreading having to knit the thumb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I keep reading through the pattern to see where the sort is that says to full or felt the mittens when you're done. Because this is a big mitten. But it is what it is. I will finish both mittens because I like how fast the rows go once you get going and I like the pattern a lot. I may just have to find someone with much bigger hands than mine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure after all the finished bits are on and done and they've had a good bath and I've tidied up a blobby stitch or two, I'll be very happy with these. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-39209623211978605362014-09-02T08:26:00.001-04:002014-09-02T08:30:25.165-04:00A 'Monday' Morning If There Ever Was One.Coffee on the deck this morning. It's damp and gloomy. Warm, though.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRWKZh00PuDNeoSeVXC5VmZSDYBG4h7-ONziseB6zewqNqj4RK10fm997c8rUPYOpMxvdP_NxPgpob44ZyKpJYfIarPVJjA6Qc8Gc6Ej90x6v2l-xnC7HS5B0xWTNhczL_HHeP4gE6yc/s640/blogger-image--1240530350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRWKZh00PuDNeoSeVXC5VmZSDYBG4h7-ONziseB6zewqNqj4RK10fm997c8rUPYOpMxvdP_NxPgpob44ZyKpJYfIarPVJjA6Qc8Gc6Ej90x6v2l-xnC7HS5B0xWTNhczL_HHeP4gE6yc/s640/blogger-image--1240530350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My tomatoes and hot peppers are tying to grow, but with the cool temperatures lately, it's slow going. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today is 'Back To School' for most of Canada. In my mind, it's the Monday morning to beat them all. It's like everyone is to returning to the way they think life should be. It's like the whole summer was ramping up and waiting for this morning. I hate it. The little boys across the street are on week #2 of school. The French board always goes back a week early. The bigger girls across the corner from us have been out on their deck since I came out with the dogs at 6:50, waiting for their bus. It's 7:40 now and they're still waiting. My teenagers are still sleeping. I'll go annoy them awake at 8. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back to school for us is looking great - for the last 24 hours. Before that, I was getting increasingly stressed and annoyed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On one front was the virtual school that was on holidays (well deserved and traditional, I'm sure). No fall classes confirmed, no communication, not a lot of information on their website. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The other front was the absolute inability to sit uninterrupted for more than 10 minutes before being needed for something. Normally this wouldn't bother me as I would use September to plan and prepare our schoolwork. This year, not being able to sit and plan was A Problem as both kids have chosen to be Scheduled and Schoolish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All was resolved in one website update. The virtual school posted one of those messages that makes neurotic homeschooling moms settle down. Don't contact us, we'll contact you. We're rolling out classes as we can; grades 9 and 10 first, 11 and 12 following. Watch your email for updates. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I'm quite pleased to be able to be so Scheduled and Schoolish, yet to have this gentle start to the school year. We'll take in the local Not Going Back To School Picnic and that's about it for today. It's the way I prefer to do it. As the fall weather gets cooler, we find ourselves indoors more, ready for some bookwork and reading and diving into interesting stuff. Taking the time to renew our journaling habit, thinking about personal goals and looking forward to the kids' sports and extra curricular activities. A couple of weeks for getting books and paperwork in order, making lists and still being able to drop everything for a nice day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Girl Child has planned 5 courses for first semester (Sept.-Jan.). Algebra 2, Biology, English, a computers/programming course and Ananomy & Physiology. She'll be fencing at the university and working as a library page. There is also a boyfriend and plans for an additional job and volunteering. We're calling this year Grade 11 1/2. By age, it's her Grade 12 year. She could be graduating and heading off to university this time next year. But we decided to have the extra year of high school. Plans are to do a co-op placement for second semester.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Boy Child has planned English, Algebra and Science for first semester. Science will be at the virtual school, math is a homeschool course and English will be cobbled together as usual. He will keep up his music - focussing more on piano than the guitar, but hoping to add in a new guitar teacher and do some performance. Once the planned work is under away, we'll see about adding in something else more interest based (astronomy or physics probably) and maybe a new part time job. Hockey and volunteering on the ice with the young hockey players is planned. It's his Grade 10 year and the plan is to attend the high school for second semester. </div><br></div><div>That's the plan so far. It's interesting I to write it out and see it look so prepared. I wonder how it will all play out. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-28696539490134374502014-08-28T07:36:00.001-04:002014-08-28T07:56:14.302-04:00What My Girl Did On her Summer Vacation<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZ4nhTLct5OG0MPlmucPg47KGe9m7tDOd8zTE24gnhi0mZXGLnnDB_4wi5NV4ABn3HzVGXcpWG92SigQY1YKfQG1REKS9oYVztIj895KC4HnhVZUkVfqPz29Kv9h9k8sGpe4rSCnWHTI/s640/blogger-image--1740696090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZ4nhTLct5OG0MPlmucPg47KGe9m7tDOd8zTE24gnhi0mZXGLnnDB_4wi5NV4ABn3HzVGXcpWG92SigQY1YKfQG1REKS9oYVztIj895KC4HnhVZUkVfqPz29Kv9h9k8sGpe4rSCnWHTI/s640/blogger-image--1740696090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My Girl Child made it home from her adventure at fencing camp on the Prairies. She had a wonderful time and is now looking for a job that will earn her enough money so she can return to camp next summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just about everything that could have happened, happened. All the good: food, friends, fun, admirable fencing foes, tomfoolery and shenanigans. And what we're calling 'challenges'. Namely a very interesting sports injury and unexpected travel interruptions on the way home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On her last day of camp I received a call from the coaches. They wanted to let me know about a situation they were having 'difficulty' dealing with. The Girl Child had developed a most vigorous case of muscle spasms while on the piste. They'd moved her (a project involving a ladder and six young men) to a salt bath, but six hours in and she her muscles were still seizing. A most painful and exhausting situation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The staff had consulted the knowledgeable head coach and trainer. Another coach went to the nearest pharmacy for rehydrating salts. A massage therapist made himself available to her. What else was there to do?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She managed to get some sleep. In the morning - her travel day - she packed up early, with help, and headed to town with her coach and the camp's head coach. A carefully timed massage and a trip to the pharmacy where muscle relaxants were obtained. As long as she didn't move very much, the spasms weren't too bad. Her calf muscle had settled and most problematic were the quad and glute on her right side. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As her coach was flying out an hour after she was, she had company at the airport. Then a bunch of fencers showed up. They were also flying home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But then her flight was delayed. So much so that her connection would be missed. Once we convinced her that it was more important to take care of her flight than it was to wait with her new friends at their gate until they boarded their planes, she managed the situation well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She obtained a new flight and a different connection. The longest leg of her new flight ended up being first class. On the same plane as her coach. Serendipity if I ever saw it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6es0ZsWY9GW5DGUJJapydniR7WYcUNcebLHZ5ipw_N7WmLI1i9RVq60kQK4dPggvIekwfrVJrT9TPamcaK0DBgVOkehex_FH3ORLIAE3CvOIzjQ6h1mLXeOdPz67zE4z1sqp3oMosWY/s640/blogger-image--1212084062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6es0ZsWY9GW5DGUJJapydniR7WYcUNcebLHZ5ipw_N7WmLI1i9RVq60kQK4dPggvIekwfrVJrT9TPamcaK0DBgVOkehex_FH3ORLIAE3CvOIzjQ6h1mLXeOdPz67zE4z1sqp3oMosWY/s640/blogger-image--1212084062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had great fun tracking her flights home. When she made her connection at Pearson International in Toronto, we waited until it departed its gate before heading out to meet her at the Ottawa airport. The plane arrived as we were parking. Perfect timing....for once that day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She was tired and sore, limping and her glute was still having spasms. We made jokes about her 'twerking' at the baggage carosel. But her spirits were good and she was looking froward to bed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'd planned a welcome home dinner for her the next day...the same day, really. My family and her boyfriend came. We had BBQ corn and chicken kabobs and for The Girl Child, a giant pot of comfort food: Mac and cheese with peas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM77TrWW1DEFygNdzDPO_23kGDt-ALJb_cgbosWViPbp1SlQ4wOWZBIM3ZVF3YLBEdn-O01O7rRjeLek_q7TCcU8EeR-5CDOTJauwjOaYSgoTVzD9qLLBS3j66CX0aybtJTwufVPHknGo/s640/blogger-image--1811819043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM77TrWW1DEFygNdzDPO_23kGDt-ALJb_cgbosWViPbp1SlQ4wOWZBIM3ZVF3YLBEdn-O01O7rRjeLek_q7TCcU8EeR-5CDOTJauwjOaYSgoTVzD9qLLBS3j66CX0aybtJTwufVPHknGo/s640/blogger-image--1811819043.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So her first 48 hours home were filled with taking care of her. As much food, drink, rest, massage and salt bathing as she could handle. And sure enough, the muscle spasms slowed down and stopped and today she is back to regular activity, next week she's back on the piste. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-49938465206949992912014-08-24T09:11:00.001-04:002014-08-24T09:39:07.186-04:00I was trying to sleep in. Although, that's hard with dogs. But sometimes I can trick them into thinking there's still half an hour before they have to get up and go outside. I was hoping this morning might have been one of those mornings. <div><br></div><div>Not to be. </div><div><br></div><div>I was lying there in bed, holding my eyes shut, hoping sleep would come back if only the intermittent honking would stop. Not regular car honking though. This was a boat. And it would not. Shut. Up. </div><div><br></div><div>Every minute there was a Seaway freighter blowing its bloody horn. And someone was hauling on it pretty insistently. How do the people in my family sleep through these rackets? I think they're pretending so I have to be the first one to get up....the one to take the dogs out. </div><div><br></div><div>Living here, on the edge of nature, the River is that much closer and there's a fairly clear path to the water - no downtown traffic, buildings or highway to buffer the watery going-ons. Not that it's usually very noisy. It's a lovely river. </div><div><br></div><div>But it is a working river and every day the Seaway is open, many large cargo freighters go by. We've always called them freighters....most locals do. They don't very often blow their horns.</div><div><br></div><div>I wondered if one got stuck. It happens every so often. The water was very low the last couple of years. A sea going freighter got stuck around Montreal. One headed to the Great Lakes ran aground in the <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">islands just west of town. Much local excitement ensued. Another ran aground east of the closest lock station. We couldn't drive by and see that one. It took a couple of days to get it unstuck. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">However, this is where my mind goes. A ship is blowing its horn and I wonder if it's stuck....in the very deep and clear portion of the river we are near to. Also, I was annoyed. It's Sunday morning. I've slept for 4 hours after a long day. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So I popped into my little car and took a little Sunday morning drive down to the river's edge. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vsp-YI4aYfDHtMQcOmF6AEnD6rB5Rtk-VlSQnt080eGCg4S0KIzPkXSwzyOq8RYEjn-MMehGihrNgWrSHnvSvObF_UtfovZmD5Cn9pIUx6T-DwPD0_dfxRyurojBvjWfHecWPaKVGsQ/s640/blogger-image-2097912234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vsp-YI4aYfDHtMQcOmF6AEnD6rB5Rtk-VlSQnt080eGCg4S0KIzPkXSwzyOq8RYEjn-MMehGihrNgWrSHnvSvObF_UtfovZmD5Cn9pIUx6T-DwPD0_dfxRyurojBvjWfHecWPaKVGsQ/s640/blogger-image-2097912234.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">It looked lovely....in the fog. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6niyZQPWJMxNFkJ8xlm-M7DS2Wf-VePbcx5re_pmQcqdGm2ry6nI4gubpGGhqa3mlc204pXid1a9OuGL-LAjnqKlmBJSpythOdhs37IazWzBOdU7CnJypmkcibIIxv_xuuhogE44tiNg/s640/blogger-image--673434902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6niyZQPWJMxNFkJ8xlm-M7DS2Wf-VePbcx5re_pmQcqdGm2ry6nI4gubpGGhqa3mlc204pXid1a9OuGL-LAjnqKlmBJSpythOdhs37IazWzBOdU7CnJypmkcibIIxv_xuuhogE44tiNg/s640/blogger-image--673434902.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii58Pq5imt2PkY5_fTGCQYrpQJFjfVgnApRboexCS-WnlDUedBlBbT4LtVprlK7913F19LNMmV39KjU0A1IG5HgnO37SX6fLsDFCFoPPi-r5JseWQDN8tatg22Ps7djj90dyeopajaxm0/s640/blogger-image-1975321780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii58Pq5imt2PkY5_fTGCQYrpQJFjfVgnApRboexCS-WnlDUedBlBbT4LtVprlK7913F19LNMmV39KjU0A1IG5HgnO37SX6fLsDFCFoPPi-r5JseWQDN8tatg22Ps7djj90dyeopajaxm0/s640/blogger-image-1975321780.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Normally, we can see New York and not just two feet past the rocks at the river's edge. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEDVhLOFPlfhfYjiK40BkJQ20oCHrW_iGcy4ldjL8f5BS0iYT7Vbct9mweT10Gb_9GSjZLSucOTPnO4g2kX_BM13gCiunpz6Vo_OrfJplYGoxEhtRktzZ2l8GlerMD2wCQVcKYmYBKiI/s640/blogger-image--13216409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEDVhLOFPlfhfYjiK40BkJQ20oCHrW_iGcy4ldjL8f5BS0iYT7Vbct9mweT10Gb_9GSjZLSucOTPnO4g2kX_BM13gCiunpz6Vo_OrfJplYGoxEhtRktzZ2l8GlerMD2wCQVcKYmYBKiI/s640/blogger-image--13216409.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Of course the poor ship was blowing its horn every 100 meters. You can't see a thing out there this morning!!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">I drove home for coffee. But I thought you might like to see a snap or two of my new village. It's pretty and historic and I love the old parts of it. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9T0-NQPW62j7fE4EjD4wCk52x5kkAI4aYrW0PeJtEva3YTXKIz24DuEu-S5pnYYyOEsorvu1PMYoa5fIxBdLnIXUv5DZjavn90RRPgTvDudXwEDtcHr4Y7xCUWTkkCMkwoXb-pU6RgY/s640/blogger-image-154296930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9T0-NQPW62j7fE4EjD4wCk52x5kkAI4aYrW0PeJtEva3YTXKIz24DuEu-S5pnYYyOEsorvu1PMYoa5fIxBdLnIXUv5DZjavn90RRPgTvDudXwEDtcHr4Y7xCUWTkkCMkwoXb-pU6RgY/s640/blogger-image-154296930.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">We have a tower. It's awesome. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSTqhkMHONYvvoZdh0UnOGhyL-qjWprS9BhvReXyLlOU23yDvOpBQSxfd5JpLSKWDvjq9Vfl4FHyoFE-5aKZzBhTLxoDAyfvwXlx8SgMOAk0UN7gnxXaDq_ACky0knbttiNRwyr70YpU/s640/blogger-image-2130854565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSTqhkMHONYvvoZdh0UnOGhyL-qjWprS9BhvReXyLlOU23yDvOpBQSxfd5JpLSKWDvjq9Vfl4FHyoFE-5aKZzBhTLxoDAyfvwXlx8SgMOAk0UN7gnxXaDq_ACky0knbttiNRwyr70YpU/s640/blogger-image-2130854565.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">We have a beautiful Anglican church with the most lovely graveyard. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">One day I'll walk about and take pictures of all the lovely old things in the village. Not this day, though. The boat has moved on to annoy the next town to the east and I have planned a Welcome Home corn roast for The Girl Child to be held later today. She arrived home in the wee hours of the morning after a Friday of managing a most curious sports injury situation and a Saturday of travel complications, cancellations and delays. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">I'm off to clean the pool, husk the corn and dig out the Thomas trains and Playmobil for the wee cousins. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-76641110753324460822014-08-22T08:52:00.001-04:002014-08-22T08:53:29.917-04:00One More Sleep!One more sleep and my Girl will be home! She's having a great time. She reports the food is good, a massage therapist is helping to manage the hurting muscles, she's not sick of the people and she didn't get caught being out after lights out Tuesday night...unlike a few others who are enjoying a 9pm lights out for the remainder of the week. <div><br></div><div>The Girl Child also reports she gave a talk about the importance of having and using a training journal. I knew this was important to her coach, but I did not realize that she herself was qualified to educate others on this important training tool. I love it when my kids surprise me. (If I had told her there would be 'required public speaking' at camp alongside the good stuff she was anticipating, she never would have gone.)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWv-TgplhDCPXcwY0gkQp0UD8ZtJBmbZps4ljj-d-wFjIuBYBNRNzelO9TeF3WPaa_t1NbVyZeeIWR0UnILOzwTLQ7EXm41Q4To1CMpXMvfj0XBAooC7NruvLO_MtFS4mABdRilNx_j8/s640/blogger-image--518862860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWv-TgplhDCPXcwY0gkQp0UD8ZtJBmbZps4ljj-d-wFjIuBYBNRNzelO9TeF3WPaa_t1NbVyZeeIWR0UnILOzwTLQ7EXm41Q4To1CMpXMvfj0XBAooC7NruvLO_MtFS4mABdRilNx_j8/s640/blogger-image--518862860.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coffee this morning is being enjoyed beside the dining room window. This is where I identified a new-to-me bird with a handy app I have on my iPad. The app comes with examples of bird song and calls which I played while sitting at the window. The Blue Eyed Bandit has been staring at the window for almost five minutes since the bird songs, waiting for the bird to appear. She can hear it. Now she wants to see it. It was a White-breasted Nuthatch, in case you were interested.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Miranda's comment earlier this week is good food for thought. For years now I've been thinking about amalgamating my blog posts from over the years into one platform. For reasons of privacy in a small town where my extended family is well known, I went fairly anonymous a few years ago. And before that blogging change, I had found myself blogging on what turned out to be a strongly religious homeschooling site. It wasn't a good fit and I moved. So my project this weekend will be to look at Wordpress, as Miranda suggests. I expect less hands on teaching time with the kids this year and a good use of that extra time would be to get all the homeschooling records together - and that includes these meandering blog posts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_NXg6seUiVjUSLEfIofYIrCV2fSn1r5AJYA6p5cbNAzIl-kFs0K1Hykqnq6v8XI4qVVaL4dL4Sc04RMPw-OFmi22-FLUPtgtH9Is4JN_Nz6k7VktIPMT4y9qnieVXSRLNTtwTVWL6pM/s640/blogger-image-1956882707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_NXg6seUiVjUSLEfIofYIrCV2fSn1r5AJYA6p5cbNAzIl-kFs0K1Hykqnq6v8XI4qVVaL4dL4Sc04RMPw-OFmi22-FLUPtgtH9Is4JN_Nz6k7VktIPMT4y9qnieVXSRLNTtwTVWL6pM/s640/blogger-image-1956882707.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday was 15 official years of marriage for Mr. A and I. We had a quiet working day at home, having had a special date last Friday which we called our Anniversary Celebration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the schedule for today is a stop at the post office to mail off my mini-skein swap packages. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl_65oDKW2atU6UKzKYQI4HaJjKh4nlA7s5eFx5FJwFRJDjVZ49OnWh5Sx-95dlUoYuRFu9X34ASKKjtlqqAUQTBzgBnAgKlEBSYrspTsLHrsrUh1hgz7NOLMrB83mknfdpGr7oCgo7A/s640/blogger-image-1530971136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl_65oDKW2atU6UKzKYQI4HaJjKh4nlA7s5eFx5FJwFRJDjVZ49OnWh5Sx-95dlUoYuRFu9X34ASKKjtlqqAUQTBzgBnAgKlEBSYrspTsLHrsrUh1hgz7NOLMrB83mknfdpGr7oCgo7A/s640/blogger-image-1530971136.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Inside is lovely sock yarn for 8 Americans, a Scot, someone Down Under and a lady down the road in Ottawa. I'm hoping the lovely lady at the village post office is helpful and kind as many involved in this swap have had problems mailing off their packages. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As well, I'm supposed to call the people at the local quarry and get a load of gravel delivered to the house. I was supposed do it yesterday so the gravel would arrive today, but they're calling for rain and the only thing I can image that is worse than shoveling gravel in the first place is shoveling gravel in the rain. Also, if the gravel comes on Monday, The Girl will be home to help letting me 'manage' the project. Here's the driveway before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfLaywuqhlYfxXA4dSb_wT0hjsYQDCuRgnNDVcv5BWE5dtv0o-AOR3iQNeRZf-Hf5EC1H1A4zB3ktLSYJICSfI5MeoszB-C5tv4D3hobUnNq7QN7qTLxamAoMjjodn3u8bV_Nym-Khd8/s640/blogger-image--1114473878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfLaywuqhlYfxXA4dSb_wT0hjsYQDCuRgnNDVcv5BWE5dtv0o-AOR3iQNeRZf-Hf5EC1H1A4zB3ktLSYJICSfI5MeoszB-C5tv4D3hobUnNq7QN7qTLxamAoMjjodn3u8bV_Nym-Khd8/s640/blogger-image--1114473878.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've been torching and trimming the weeds and will do another good treatment before the gravel comes. I'm debating weed cloth around the edges where the weeds are the worst. Hopefully I've calculated enough coverage to stop the grass from coming through. It really bugs Mr. A. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Onward!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-9818848755630454052014-08-19T08:52:00.000-04:002014-08-19T08:57:12.475-04:00Byte Size Blog #9<br>
<ul>
<li>I so appreciated the comment the other day in regards to stepping back from my local homeschooling efforts. It's nice to know there's others who know how I feel. </li>
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<li>Somehow I fell into the role of dealing with the garbage and recycling at our new house. This means a dump run this morning. </li>
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<li>The Girl Child is alive in Outlook, Sask. She was told to maybe focus a little more on the camp experience and a little less on keeping her friends informed by text messages and it seems my punishment is no update phone call. I did learn that there was a walk to the convenience store during which The Girl saw a buck on someone's lawn. She must be on the edge of very big nature out there. </li>
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<li>Yesterday was a dentist trip that normally is an hour's drive there and an hour back - it took twice as long as usual due to construction on the roads. </li>
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<li>Due to the construction, shopping time was eaten up and all I had time to do was to dash into the mall and - after placating The Boy Child with a booster juice smoothie - run into Lush to buy a tiny pot of shower gel. I'm looking forward to trying it. It smells like citrus and FRESH!!</li><li><br></li>
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<li>Today is a local trip to the optometrist for The Boy. Since he won't wear his glasses, he's going to ask about contacts. </li>
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<li>Except just then I pushed the little picture icon and crashed my browser, so a picture will be a little more involved than I thought. You might just have to appreciate the bullets. Which are more populous than I had initially intended. </li><li><br></li><li>In the end I had to revert to the Blogger App. You can't imagine the back and forth it's taken to get this wee post published. Fun times. </li><li><br></li><li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></li></ul>
Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-27952559903093643942014-08-18T08:52:00.001-04:002014-08-18T08:52:11.803-04:00AdventureWay back in December, we began planning an adventure for The Girl Child. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh2U96wUi1J_MqPtYqhr8GmkXc0AYnHvdmPilltgN6NsrWXvwX0pVGlLknHKtDLLEch9myE9ZNwWhq4B3xS5MBZdIwZ98Zmg2Oplsu0WqnCAKIxsHCKrnZ0oPZG5kWEfaaWwv8jjR65g/s640/blogger-image--1750927262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh2U96wUi1J_MqPtYqhr8GmkXc0AYnHvdmPilltgN6NsrWXvwX0pVGlLknHKtDLLEch9myE9ZNwWhq4B3xS5MBZdIwZ98Zmg2Oplsu0WqnCAKIxsHCKrnZ0oPZG5kWEfaaWwv8jjR65g/s640/blogger-image--1750927262.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We felt it was time for a her to have an opportunity to use all those life skills she's been collecting, excercise that independence she's got, have some fun and broaden her horizons, if you will. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz5E_nIKJZZhaRALmQKSuDuq2meuSP_j3fD246_fhG5MQLkfWtH14aY6zSvb2Z1v7cv9xLD4YiD2uRfkG8lNlcx8V6wSoQt7ItICYB4atL-XmFXmVP286eB2gaG291paZ4wf2hJvfYhI/s640/blogger-image-131116747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz5E_nIKJZZhaRALmQKSuDuq2meuSP_j3fD246_fhG5MQLkfWtH14aY6zSvb2Z1v7cv9xLD4YiD2uRfkG8lNlcx8V6wSoQt7ItICYB4atL-XmFXmVP286eB2gaG291paZ4wf2hJvfYhI/s640/blogger-image-131116747.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday we took her to the airport and sent her across the country, out West, to the Prairies.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I think she'd had just about enough adventure by the time she reached airport security and realized Mr. A and I wouldn't be continuing through with her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgrW2R_Ecp8hnnJ6WOlgIp2HQJDq75imLU5WpzYUhl4hy_n1jlQitr0AjYvPisN060rH402cDsH5Zjz5Qs_PCIc0yJAxMuGY_2N-YcpS05ZWxvaXjZU26A9-WHLU7dz5paMzY532V7Tk/s640/blogger-image-564503121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgrW2R_Ecp8hnnJ6WOlgIp2HQJDq75imLU5WpzYUhl4hy_n1jlQitr0AjYvPisN060rH402cDsH5Zjz5Qs_PCIc0yJAxMuGY_2N-YcpS05ZWxvaXjZU26A9-WHLU7dz5paMzY532V7Tk/s640/blogger-image-564503121.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She quickly rallied and got into the groove of traveling. We left her to wait at her gate until departure - two hours - while we drove home to take in The Boy Child's soccer tournament. We knew she was fine because she texts a running commentary of her life to me at the best of times. This time was no different. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05zcQUGNRO1qsgqd4q2iK_laScY9F1rTfMdGwFVd4-6Iby1sbXMZE8vOgd89elG9UEIZTMqygjjkg-UN5O-KUAnzsIjJ95hYd7eg3-4YVfIgqMLUcvQa-l0ou0mVIFTcv38Fxc5nA3II/s640/blogger-image-1043530098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05zcQUGNRO1qsgqd4q2iK_laScY9F1rTfMdGwFVd4-6Iby1sbXMZE8vOgd89elG9UEIZTMqygjjkg-UN5O-KUAnzsIjJ95hYd7eg3-4YVfIgqMLUcvQa-l0ou0mVIFTcv38Fxc5nA3II/s640/blogger-image-1043530098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She's a very funny girl who likes making us laugh. Also, bagels at the airport cost $2.79, not the regular $2.09 that she is used to paying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2C13yoXZN2X6j5zrBO7oWujdoxsXZSlnylyK-zvoHtKSi72Ia_w9WdGZTSTApsn-1UmhXTHgIAXZTDbKJ7Ct3nhyphenhyphenTvJnsa8hX7NdGw-AVGp9pmxUUcReoxwaOXtx_v1Bcr7p0JOZtFE/s640/blogger-image-1011630701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2C13yoXZN2X6j5zrBO7oWujdoxsXZSlnylyK-zvoHtKSi72Ia_w9WdGZTSTApsn-1UmhXTHgIAXZTDbKJ7Ct3nhyphenhyphenTvJnsa8hX7NdGw-AVGp9pmxUUcReoxwaOXtx_v1Bcr7p0JOZtFE/s640/blogger-image-1011630701.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I may have found an online tool that tracks flights. Because we all know that tracking her flight online makes for a safer journey, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She arrived and all the plans put in place were executed nicely. She found the people she was expecting to find. She travelled to her destination with another bagel and a Booster Juice in hand. She settled in and met all sorts of people she's excited to get to know. She commented about the landscape and told me all about just how big the sky can be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk2XajplNwC5Z9WPLhYKxBw2Ehd8-qBFq9Q90kmvnmrsO0uP7WP_CeCdzEWVjHE07X5d3jmYutySo-9wWdJxrkmSReTXbWLOHJMeEU6LekApZYD8GuGoNQ2Y8j_VZ5NzJZHmY9U63q8I/s640/blogger-image--1925140639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk2XajplNwC5Z9WPLhYKxBw2Ehd8-qBFq9Q90kmvnmrsO0uP7WP_CeCdzEWVjHE07X5d3jmYutySo-9wWdJxrkmSReTXbWLOHJMeEU6LekApZYD8GuGoNQ2Y8j_VZ5NzJZHmY9U63q8I/s640/blogger-image--1925140639.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning Fencing Camp properly gets under way. At the end of the week, she'll reverse her travels and arrive home with a big experience to tell us about. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the meantime, I'm glad she's away. I'm glad she's excited about this experience. I'm glad she's trying something new, meeting people, being independent. It's different without her at home, but I'm not sad. I'm happy that this separation comes when she's ready and willing and feeling equipped to take care of herself. I know she'll come home having learned more about herself and feeling confident because she's done real, big and sometimes difficult things. She'll have made great connections in her sport. She'll be excited to think about the future because she knows there's a very big sky out there since she's seen it for herself and she can get back to it - or anywhere - if she wants to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-19628359997945054732014-08-16T09:32:00.000-04:002014-08-16T12:50:01.992-04:00Happy WeekendIt's been a wee bit dismal here this week.<br />
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We froze at The Boy Child's soccer game the other night. It's jeans and hoodie weather this morning. Two mornings ago there was a break in the week's rain and the neighbours on three sides all rushed out to cut their grass. If this keeps up, we're going to have to backwash the pool just to get rid of the excess water. </div>
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Coffee this morning was terrible. My fault. A brewing disaster obviously. The remedy is to brew another cup properly. Coffee #2 has commenced. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAs02TO6TTPpd1MaoymER1DSsAEdXZvDDm8tdqUWp4MrRiZ2xwijduXKdOzdCGlX87_i2oey_w7v7HjDoEIuLekyQVlxL26lqj2EI6Ng6vy-g61ebHC67m04jxGBJMHRyCu_JCqlhhtU/s640/blogger-image--648760102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAs02TO6TTPpd1MaoymER1DSsAEdXZvDDm8tdqUWp4MrRiZ2xwijduXKdOzdCGlX87_i2oey_w7v7HjDoEIuLekyQVlxL26lqj2EI6Ng6vy-g61ebHC67m04jxGBJMHRyCu_JCqlhhtU/s640/blogger-image--648760102.jpg" /></a></div>
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A coworker of Mr. A's dropped by some homemade hummus with pickles and olives. He even called beforehand to see if we had pita on hand. We did not so he brought that too. This is a traditional Syrian recipe and it is so good. If I want, I can have a cooking lesson. I am the only hummus eater in residence, so I've been eating this for lunch the last few days. Such a treat. </div>
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I ran into a couple of local homeschooling moms at the library this week. I really like them but I have confirmed I'm finished with my organizational efforts on the local homeschooling front. I've put out a few feelers and even a firm poke in the hopes of passing off my responsibilities with little success. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">People seem to want local homeschooling supports but are putting little effort forth to plan or help with them. I've learned that when all the planning - for anything, really - falls on one person, eventually no one is happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's time to me to step all the way back. I think I may have said this last year at this time. I remember planning an August open house for local home learners and those interested in homeschooling. I said at the time it would be my last one. I did the bare minimum September picnic planning. I told people far and wide that I'd book the space and advertise, but if anyone wanted events or a schedule or activities for the kids they'd have to step forward and plan it. Next week I will pass the real job in our homeschooling community - the local email tree - off to a very nice mom who is willing. Others will be unimpressed because she's not local but somehow I have a problem giving weight to their argument when they're not willing to step up and help out. I've passed responsibilites for program planning and drop-ins to the Children's Librarian, the Museum Educator and a children's Theatre group. I've made sure the Facebook Group is linked to other area groups and has a variety of administrators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At this point, I'm more interested in hibernating in my own little microcosm than participating in our local homeschooling community. Is that bad? I feel like a bad homeschooling mom. I'm excited to just be the manager of my own kids' learning. This year I will be approaching administration on many fronts and I think that's plenty for me to juggle with the kids' high school course load. We're looking into a semester of high school in a brick and mortar, co-op, dual credit with the community college and varsity sports at the University again. I did a bunch of pre-planning back in the Spring which will get the kids going and occupied with independent, self-managed courses. I'll be spending my time setting up the above learning opportunities and fleshing out their course load with interesting and/or necessary material. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, while I wrap my head around those plans...what else is going on? </span></div>
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The Girl Child flies out to attend a fencing camp tomorrow morning. That should be a week full of adventure for her. </div>
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And there's a pic of some yarn that I have to get ready to send out. One to Scotland, one to Austrailia, one to a Canadian city an hour away from me and the rest to the USA. I should be getting the same amount back should all go well. That will be my own end-of-summer adventure...all those little surprise skeins in my mailbox. </div>
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The only other activity of note is The Boy's end of season soccer tournament tomorrow. I have to track down a local family member to drop him off at the field as Mr. A, The Girl and I will be at the plane station. I wonder if I can convince Mr. A to make a side trip to IKEA while we're there...Should make for an interesting day.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div>
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Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-9961439053571139202014-08-12T08:37:00.001-04:002014-08-12T08:37:06.985-04:00We Have Proper Chairs!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED-4jbEcRTvTmk_Dffbo5FB1ZfOvKSOI6t-5FICOvmeJgvy1e6oF4pGb28Jwkw4wObvLqVOL-FqF4ldFx73tWLX0cLNHHLaoHSPVXILddOHwSg9elTCuaYovw8iV_YW3XONVMex3TecU/s640/blogger-image--221928528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED-4jbEcRTvTmk_Dffbo5FB1ZfOvKSOI6t-5FICOvmeJgvy1e6oF4pGb28Jwkw4wObvLqVOL-FqF4ldFx73tWLX0cLNHHLaoHSPVXILddOHwSg9elTCuaYovw8iV_YW3XONVMex3TecU/s640/blogger-image--221928528.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coffee this morning is Raspberry Chocolate Truffle. It's good. I picked it up at the local Winners so I may never have it again. I try to make sure I enjoy it while I have it. The Winners always have a selection of flavoured coffees, but you can never depend on repeat appearances by the same brand. For the same price as boring grocery store regular coffee, I get to try fancy flavours. Adventure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The dark blob is my resurrected Age of Brass and Steam. After finishing my Henslowe with its knitted on edging (I feel so accomplished) this one seems basic. I tracked down some modifications to the free pattern on Ravelry to make it a little bigger - the pattern is written for DK weight yarn and I'm knitting it up in fingering - and to make a little embellishment at the corners. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmZbvlBsW-wrFoG_ZHYKh0yHGdWUOwoFNQuXonL1x5cmGJIvwvBmU4pPprQGJc0mZ3G0k3bITG-AYXcPdAxxStESRgg4cgiv9Th7qlldI4PhU8YOJLH5E3MVEJHKZbEt1fHoxYrwr4Qc/s640/blogger-image--514463880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmZbvlBsW-wrFoG_ZHYKh0yHGdWUOwoFNQuXonL1x5cmGJIvwvBmU4pPprQGJc0mZ3G0k3bITG-AYXcPdAxxStESRgg4cgiv9Th7qlldI4PhU8YOJLH5E3MVEJHKZbEt1fHoxYrwr4Qc/s640/blogger-image--514463880.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Onward to the real news....we have chairs! The Unfurnished Room is no longer. Now I must come up with another name for it. The Bonus Living Room? The Dogs' Preferred Lounging Area? The Sitting Room? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAu0eh-QOC4QWoeXsYP21XxmznIOmjH_VPTr5Ud8CnzK6HMtHWI6BnP6eaH4Ky7An6UgSWxIHh3gTnCdAECfO-Iz8seVgazG2tliNkCiWRq52moWJu_g1SWMdF3zsQE_RcyE4jn6Z1Cg/s640/blogger-image--999984359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAu0eh-QOC4QWoeXsYP21XxmznIOmjH_VPTr5Ud8CnzK6HMtHWI6BnP6eaH4Ky7An6UgSWxIHh3gTnCdAECfO-Iz8seVgazG2tliNkCiWRq52moWJu_g1SWMdF3zsQE_RcyE4jn6Z1Cg/s640/blogger-image--999984359.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is how we used to use this room. Very casual. Definitely not a place for anyone over 40 to relax in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhRYl0_0NcxdsC9Mz9rs552fa2vYdU8vJ-KaPnnZmubMa6Egz8Np44rKXg_mnEY8Ki-JmzvomcKXUDds5wNBzvFBWPtwXsZXdkWqBohdV6YtHIJq7ATIgiw6FJgE7qteATMkFr_UzL3w/s640/blogger-image--1420996403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhRYl0_0NcxdsC9Mz9rs552fa2vYdU8vJ-KaPnnZmubMa6Egz8Np44rKXg_mnEY8Ki-JmzvomcKXUDds5wNBzvFBWPtwXsZXdkWqBohdV6YtHIJq7ATIgiw6FJgE7qteATMkFr_UzL3w/s640/blogger-image--1420996403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. A's trip to Ikea fell on a day when we had visitors. So the kids and I stayed home to entertain and Mr. A got to go to Ikea on his own. With extra people about, there were many hands to get our new chairs unpacked. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJGJxshg9S-noKf8lmgLbb8ZdqHclVp_9WzsgXlhrgFFRelzbDF1b7qLlgyTRyFS-qAlmKwhSNo_UcHGviFSqdBWnmjBi1xFiDgFe5xJLF1x5KJ2Yd-s11tcSmadD7KHcFeS2IhMI4Ok/s640/blogger-image--32844988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJGJxshg9S-noKf8lmgLbb8ZdqHclVp_9WzsgXlhrgFFRelzbDF1b7qLlgyTRyFS-qAlmKwhSNo_UcHGviFSqdBWnmjBi1xFiDgFe5xJLF1x5KJ2Yd-s11tcSmadD7KHcFeS2IhMI4Ok/s640/blogger-image--32844988.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not much is left to the imagination when it comes to Ikea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxg1r5Yq4kEq2qFHBm215S_kzOP3uZAAavhaW6mz48DByDAbF1xwkAcxBzxDrJc1JbTGciz6UOuMwz0oy0lTba_57Ox6vXWUSixQe70zbkNfb8uV6IK0gOd2Xx1Yob8bt13dRdYCzTEk/s640/blogger-image--1436154019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxg1r5Yq4kEq2qFHBm215S_kzOP3uZAAavhaW6mz48DByDAbF1xwkAcxBzxDrJc1JbTGciz6UOuMwz0oy0lTba_57Ox6vXWUSixQe70zbkNfb8uV6IK0gOd2Xx1Yob8bt13dRdYCzTEk/s640/blogger-image--1436154019.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wuDQ-L7NFN74W8yy93CW6qBFcRK02r_NmgiAfbf9tmA45nnDJiFGJsRQb-jYilp336YLLE8IN-l_pB1nAjjSkrZav4wi2PYlSbBK4meG1-HGkmBdnAxgsJTauqnncgqCPPsE5Vaun7U/s640/blogger-image--1172433446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wuDQ-L7NFN74W8yy93CW6qBFcRK02r_NmgiAfbf9tmA45nnDJiFGJsRQb-jYilp336YLLE8IN-l_pB1nAjjSkrZav4wi2PYlSbBK4meG1-HGkmBdnAxgsJTauqnncgqCPPsE5Vaun7U/s640/blogger-image--1172433446.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So there you have it. A lightly furnished room. The chairs were supposed to be grey, but at the last minute we chose the brown. Now all that is left is to properly decorate. A coffee tray, a couple of throw pillows, a blanket. Perhaps I could get around to finding a place to hang the pictures instead of having them sitting on the hearth. Although, they're the only thing keeping Mr. A from having a fire and since it's still summer, they need to stay to another couple of months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP3ZzTs7Pv33Zxna4ySF7eFAtT9wRJpYj7jRaW7PB-deFptwjDW9RtNBdLVHi-nGyEf9pPVAgMwsRq68rxgwabPp91zX2UNiyMzFMKQfglJcrNIX2M6Bg2FgNPMSCfrkhBorddYZcdCw/s640/blogger-image--899953392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP3ZzTs7Pv33Zxna4ySF7eFAtT9wRJpYj7jRaW7PB-deFptwjDW9RtNBdLVHi-nGyEf9pPVAgMwsRq68rxgwabPp91zX2UNiyMzFMKQfglJcrNIX2M6Bg2FgNPMSCfrkhBorddYZcdCw/s640/blogger-image--899953392.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ottoman was also a last minute decision. A good one, though, as it is used a lot. I figured it matched and served a purpose and it saved me from finding a side table or footstools.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think that's the last bit of furnishing to do in our new house. Now we move on to decorating and cosmetic updates as money and time allow. First up though, I need to get our school year planned and prepped. Then I will have the headspace to lend to decorating decisions. Saying that, I am considering decorating The Girl Child's room while she is away at camp next week. The poor child has a stash of boxes she is refusing to unpack until her room is 'done'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-24338007603434171392014-08-11T07:50:00.000-04:002014-08-11T09:22:06.777-04:00Summer :-)Goodness, it's been two weeks since I checked in! I would have bet money that it had been only a week.<br />
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It feels as though I've had a bit of a summer vacation. That's novel, because we don't really holiday as many people do. </div>
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So...what's been happening on my summer vacation? Many adventures. Not really. But I'm loving having a house and a yard that's mine. It's like being at the cottage. </div>
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<b>Mr. A Breaks The Car</b> One morning, shortly after my last blog, I got up early, packed Mr. A's cooler and sent him off to go fishing for the day. Not an unusual occurrence. What was unusual was the phone call I received an hour later. The car had stopped working while he was parked on the boat ramp. The men, trucks and boats collecting to use the ramp were very understanding. A tow truck came and brought my car home. </div>
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Mr. A stayed at the lake and fished for the day since the boat was already in the water. Luckily, his fishing buddy for the day had a hitch on his truck and he brought Mr. A and the boat home that evening. </div>
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<b>I Made Steps </b>Last blog I showed you a piece of the garden I had started to reclaim. I got a little excited about the possibility of having my own compost heap, so I decided to make the area a little more user friendly. </div>
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<b>Summer School Complete! </b>The kids are officially done their summer school course. It was a steep learning curve, getting used to the requirements and demands of a condensed course. I think both kids were super successful. After a weekend of no assignments and a bit of studying, there was a final review lecture on the Monday. Tuesday afternoon was the exam. It needed a proctor so we booked the quiet study room at the local library and did the exam there. </div>
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I learned that final marks will be mailed to the students. That's fine, just a little surprising given all the online communication for every other aspect of the assignments and grading. I wonder if they're mailing back the $50 'deposit' I paid for the free course?</div>
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<b>A Celebratory Pool Party </b></div>
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The kids' pool party looked doomed. The morning was rainy and awful. We prepared anyway - no sense cancelling since it's so hard to get people together in the summer. I fully expected to be indoors which would not have worked out very well as Mr. A finds it difficult to work when the house is full of OUR teenagers with free time...goodness knows what would have happened if I'd packed the house with extra teenagers!</div>
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So there we were, vacuuming the pool in the rain. 1 o'clock - arrival time - rolled around and the sun came out and we had a perfect afternoon. Much fun had by all. </div>
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<b>Book Club Sleepover </b>My book club is awesome. One of the ladies hosted a book club dinner-sleepover and I went. I wasn't going to sleep over, because that seemed weird to me. But after a couple of glasses of wine, sleeping over didn't seem like a weird idea at all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eqqm_fSX75DjaaGcDU88jNwKGLF77N1UY1msGBpnTK09V1CizFziAASvAhWwwwGaozJcRsYij4iKUbwVPHIVVs3duCcb6-fKDgu0WjVhyC_l7teawjTJIiGFydBKtnGlj7bDWYVWPLo/s640/blogger-image-64674967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eqqm_fSX75DjaaGcDU88jNwKGLF77N1UY1msGBpnTK09V1CizFziAASvAhWwwwGaozJcRsYij4iKUbwVPHIVVs3duCcb6-fKDgu0WjVhyC_l7teawjTJIiGFydBKtnGlj7bDWYVWPLo/s640/blogger-image-64674967.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dinner was awesome. We had roasted chicken, a warm pasta dish with baby potatoes, fresh pesto and green beans and this amazing Cobb salad. There was wine and dessert and before all of it there were amazing appetizers. I think we mentioned the book we were supposed to discuss. It was 'Zetouin', non-fiction, an account of the flood in New Orleans during hurricane Katrina. I didn't like the ending and was even more disappointed after learning the fate of the main character's family. </div>
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<b>Gardening</b> In the garden, I'm quite impressed with myself. I've brought tomato plants back from the brink of death. I've fought off digger wasps - seriously, google Great Black Digger Wasp, they're huge and remove a great deal of earth in a short amount of time - both black and red varieties. </div>
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I've also been able to identify Jewel Weed growing behind our seperate garage. It's a native plant with a beautiful flower. The whole plant is tall, spindly and has a translucent quality to the stalks and stems. The flower is a hanging orange pitcher type thing. Hummingbirds apparently like them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA9SP_zP3kylcLYmmGxnQ6b_75EowjoqFqRDo5ZBkmpjaTVybFVo4lKGjfoKHUhGGxQIjW2SRPtAtpqoDhTCAx34rWSJApnlqnk-6TP6sEtzgBAkdf-f-SdpDt8WU24Y8lv_h8kzxBUA/s640/blogger-image--1747028914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA9SP_zP3kylcLYmmGxnQ6b_75EowjoqFqRDo5ZBkmpjaTVybFVo4lKGjfoKHUhGGxQIjW2SRPtAtpqoDhTCAx34rWSJApnlqnk-6TP6sEtzgBAkdf-f-SdpDt8WU24Y8lv_h8kzxBUA/s640/blogger-image--1747028914.jpg" /></a></div>
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Once the flower is done, a small pod of seeds hangs there. When you touch it, it explodes. It's alarming if you're not expecting it. The pod bursts so fast you can't even see it. The seeds spray all over, many feet away. I like cupping my hand around the seed pod and collecting the seeds. The pod becomes this little curly bit of nothing and you're left with a few black seeds. I am playing Mother Nature a bit by spreading the seeds to an area where they will hopefully grow up next season. Jewel Weed does not like to be transplanted and does not have a very robust root, so it's best left where it grows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFCHc6d6IhtUaxl57NB8_xdDmvBdykNqrS573YAuugdcLWiLaLzCpzQy5EolimQvp3mq_X_FT_NyiEHEI82PoW7I7ccfE-ghYjvGUShrzVmzZbKfzlxkhzMpP4kFYWZi9-fRWVEXJ-Rk/s640/blogger-image--474616520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFCHc6d6IhtUaxl57NB8_xdDmvBdykNqrS573YAuugdcLWiLaLzCpzQy5EolimQvp3mq_X_FT_NyiEHEI82PoW7I7ccfE-ghYjvGUShrzVmzZbKfzlxkhzMpP4kFYWZi9-fRWVEXJ-Rk/s640/blogger-image--474616520.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The Kids Leave For Days </b>Family friends took The Girl Child and The Boy Child camping. They have a beautiful pop-out trailer with every convenience so it was 'glamping' more so than actual communing with nature. We dropped them off at the campsite in New York State one evening and I went to pick them up three days later. It was the longest I've been childless since I became a parent. </div>
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Our friends spoiled the kids silly. There was a field trip to a dam and lock system on the St. Lawrence River but the outing that most amused my nearly grown children was the trip to the Price Chopper, a grocery store. It seems 'Pop Tart' is a food group and they discovered 3Litre Pop bottles, not to be seen in Canadian stores. </div>
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<b>Knitting </b>As August got under way, I remembered I was supposed to be participating in Stash Dash 2014. This is a personal challenge where you try to finish projects that amount to 5 kilometers of yarn. I'll have to blog about this separately, but I failed dismally. I prefer to think about it as 'setting a benchmark' for future years of Stash Dash challenges. I think I may have knit a single kilometer's worth. </div>
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I knit these 14 Hexipuffs, 2 pair of summer socks, the Sweet Poppy baby jacket and a Henslowe scarf that has not yet been photographed. I started my Rams & Yowes blanket and another scarf called The Age of Brass and Steam. </div>
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Wrapping up my Couple of Weeks That Felt Like A Vacation was yesterday's surprise trip to the yarn shop. Mr. A has been doing his best to take care of me since I've come down with a terrible cough and sore throat. Two consecutive nights of 'sleeping' upright on the couch does not make for a very energetic Mrs. A. So Mr. A put me in the car yesterday afternoon and we zipped up the road to the little village with a wonderful yarn shop. </div>
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It doesn't look like much, but the wonderful things in my chair show that Mr. A has been paying more attention than I thought. While I was busy squishing yarn, he was casing the joint for a swift. He grabbed it and added it to our purchase at the very last second so I didn't even see it coming. He asked the shop lady if she had any blocking wires - they're in the brown tube - and we also picked out a most amusing yarn cake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjp8BoRtgbQm3AH6ZWpvU96-JzfLC9XkSrVtRkNnd_oRULf7B20C2sbty4wQ-AGvUxufZ7T6TEGNYCOrXlJDibjA4Gic3P0glfN_cPUN-mqTfkAoS3m8sD4ROVYq-L0aXrLmDF-IuBHE/s640/blogger-image-465456286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjp8BoRtgbQm3AH6ZWpvU96-JzfLC9XkSrVtRkNnd_oRULf7B20C2sbty4wQ-AGvUxufZ7T6TEGNYCOrXlJDibjA4Gic3P0glfN_cPUN-mqTfkAoS3m8sD4ROVYq-L0aXrLmDF-IuBHE/s640/blogger-image-465456286.jpg" /></a></div>
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The yarn is 480 yards (440m) of 4ply cotton fingering. There's hardly any twist to it. I love the colours and I look forward to seeing if there are simple colour changes or if the yarn blends through a gradient, light to dark. The yarn is Shirley.Brian and there is a maddeningly short supply of information online about them. I believe they're a local independent but it's hard to say. The search for an appropriate pattern for this yarn has begun. </div>
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I've gone on long enough. I have other adventures to tell, but I will leave things here for now. I feel as if the summer has crested and today begins the downhill run...and it's quickly gaining momentum to the end of summer, school year planning, part time jobs, extracurricular activities and a new season in our new home. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div>
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Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-43675804341121199622014-07-25T08:37:00.001-04:002014-07-25T08:37:47.255-04:00FridayCoffee this morning is on the deck with the good company of the mint. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VeqAmJhr_JCSp9v5kxwyED66a3qRYbQAUhFP4L6JcTFcr9hu0hY0MK7WGf96Kbaqc0jbp1cNneaYyRQo-KmT04IjPxa0aT5CBARi8AYW8nC0hsO1Xx4gc_48q0CUNA_EyAbRv87anNU/s640/blogger-image--1618709877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VeqAmJhr_JCSp9v5kxwyED66a3qRYbQAUhFP4L6JcTFcr9hu0hY0MK7WGf96Kbaqc0jbp1cNneaYyRQo-KmT04IjPxa0aT5CBARi8AYW8nC0hsO1Xx4gc_48q0CUNA_EyAbRv87anNU/s640/blogger-image--1618709877.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. A seems intrigued that we are growing mint. (It was here when we got the house.) Mint, of course, is a garden thug, but since we both like it, it's a small bonus. I read somewhere that it is best harvested when flowering. Yesterday I yanked a bunch of it and today I will figure out what to do with it. My first thought was Mojitos, but Mr. A was not convinced. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ55V6hilkD66gX7tj_l3g1kB0qjWq5Vv482BYXR4Pt3fXbHDyWSKLGm_c_k-PiU9rPuADop_49rOpAOnrRRUfzkro0RU1t-86nh7SFJ7hWMuMOf9jtXY6OHP4xIDT8Mdfxrm-sSHa0E/s640/blogger-image--936106338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ55V6hilkD66gX7tj_l3g1kB0qjWq5Vv482BYXR4Pt3fXbHDyWSKLGm_c_k-PiU9rPuADop_49rOpAOnrRRUfzkro0RU1t-86nh7SFJ7hWMuMOf9jtXY6OHP4xIDT8Mdfxrm-sSHa0E/s640/blogger-image--936106338.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spent some time in the garden yesterday afternoon. It's been wonderful watching things come up. Mr. A called it 'fireworks'. Every few days something surprising is exploding in another part of the garden. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This spot is at the side of our property, next to the road. North facing, if that matters. I'd decided to just let it go this summer and see what we get. It's an established garden. That variegated groundcover plant is also a thug, I'm learning. It grows everywhere. I pulled out some weeds yesterday then uncovered a small path to the compost bin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Interestingly, the compost bin contains the remains of a marshmallow roast, metal cooking grate included. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3iIooprTJH3VXP_syv5TUiYNqyp-EqnZbaDwBFCUqK90nuWTy3RfbyloUZix3m-lVnBy_m8ShzXHHb-IFIp6w0WDMAwv6xJuoTAAiy4yz5vyRMh9h2NpubpsUrBVeqVpfrCqidWwAV0/s640/blogger-image-749985193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3iIooprTJH3VXP_syv5TUiYNqyp-EqnZbaDwBFCUqK90nuWTy3RfbyloUZix3m-lVnBy_m8ShzXHHb-IFIp6w0WDMAwv6xJuoTAAiy4yz5vyRMh9h2NpubpsUrBVeqVpfrCqidWwAV0/s640/blogger-image-749985193.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joining me this morning...sort of...are the two beasts. If you look closely, you'll see they've both slipped their Halties off their noses. I slept in a bit this morning so I'm combining my coffee time and 'walking the dogs'. Efficiency at its best. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In other news, the kids have handed in all their assignments for this course they're finishing. I have their exam scheduled and the exam proctor in place. They have a couple of exam review classes to attend (virtually, of course). They've worked really hard all through July. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm trying to convince them to have a bit of a pool party to celebrate the completion of their course next week. We'll see how that shapes up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So cleaning and chores today. I'm also trying to track down a coupon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8zlwYCBenl0Op-eM9KNfUTE0NGPpfzBdS4jY7kFVIGNVOe41THxCC-zcQJkGM5A5CjHzNDv_BtMWToqARvBeJgUZ3EmNTLzhvOsEpjwoDArCENKjMefKdvAWC7PIouDACgLloJZA3ao/s640/blogger-image--1039494246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8zlwYCBenl0Op-eM9KNfUTE0NGPpfzBdS4jY7kFVIGNVOe41THxCC-zcQJkGM5A5CjHzNDv_BtMWToqARvBeJgUZ3EmNTLzhvOsEpjwoDArCENKjMefKdvAWC7PIouDACgLloJZA3ao/s640/blogger-image--1039494246.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. A has agreed to make the trek to IKEA to get some chairs for out unfurnished sitting room. (I know it's a sitting room because even though it has no furniture, people insist on sitting in there. Awkward as it's been, almost four months in and we're still trying to sit in there with no furniture.) We did a practice trip recently where we parked at the loading area and entered the store through the back door. We looked up the item we wanted at the handy kiosk and went directly to the aisle of the warehouse to pick up the boxes we needed. Mr. A was very impressed that I didn't drag him through the lengthy showroom. It turned what is normally an hour-long meander into a 15 minute retrieval mission. Of course since he has to go to IKEA, he might as well visit the outdoor store for fishing supplies. As long as I get my chairs....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-39042583022858788072014-07-24T08:57:00.001-04:002014-07-24T09:04:22.076-04:00I Really Must Take A News VacationSometimes the news gets to me. This is one of those times. So I think I will distance myself from it for a while. CBC Radio might be ok...I find its news to be somewhat less sensational than tv and website news. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Let's talk about knitting! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5iuI0nvzQSZFcERSYfjWl8qCbGU-59zUo5Eup-GXF6LbqFEmY3Y2VQUFu7IaPzZps-aHWNxMkwJI95cLfVT_W9MJUhLhXMNWFSEURElag50N27n0Pw4kwOGfBaRGFtJ5eSf9oXQO1FM/s640/blogger-image-1933337620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5iuI0nvzQSZFcERSYfjWl8qCbGU-59zUo5Eup-GXF6LbqFEmY3Y2VQUFu7IaPzZps-aHWNxMkwJI95cLfVT_W9MJUhLhXMNWFSEURElag50N27n0Pw4kwOGfBaRGFtJ5eSf9oXQO1FM/s640/blogger-image-1933337620.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is my current Works In Progress cabinet. I say current because I'm not sure that this is the cabinet's true calling. But it's working for now and I'm going with it. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftsQpJuL2-IuxUrNnL1tAseoLPyt12VFoURVJRQzJQWB53vMOVXM0B4QdKEU9R4HCJiicCIp70IZiIdGUz16YY-pJTuax1ST5N13MgVqw2akbCUAeC2JUjZhu9NqzBP5tJYq0xuyO4Hg/s640/blogger-image--2012780617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftsQpJuL2-IuxUrNnL1tAseoLPyt12VFoURVJRQzJQWB53vMOVXM0B4QdKEU9R4HCJiicCIp70IZiIdGUz16YY-pJTuax1ST5N13MgVqw2akbCUAeC2JUjZhu9NqzBP5tJYq0xuyO4Hg/s640/blogger-image--2012780617.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This lovely dark red thing is a Henslowe scarf. I'm knitting it as written. I think many people would like to upsize it a little, but I love the pattern so much and I'm still new at scarf/shawl construction that I'm going to just do what I'm told and appreciate that it will be awesome in the end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not usually one who likes a garter stitch fabric, but I'm finding it ok here. I liked the beginning: cast on 2. Very amusing. I'm sure the novelty will wear off after I've knit a few scarves. There's a very clever yarn over edge that I'm meant to pick up and knit the edging on to. I'm just happy that it's my first attempt and it seems I'm doing it correctly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGLYMiwmB10Eb3-V8BiamoL9w19sXgooPHJAzLz9zeZF_KLM5ryMJvmt_ZRNfwpPimDFGfjsTFK-MnuqZkdAoqkl9A0oARhFcUBz0AyrTsx5PeBm3EMr5oVl9J56qzmj3QhyyOZUyMHA/s640/blogger-image-1133944236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGLYMiwmB10Eb3-V8BiamoL9w19sXgooPHJAzLz9zeZF_KLM5ryMJvmt_ZRNfwpPimDFGfjsTFK-MnuqZkdAoqkl9A0oARhFcUBz0AyrTsx5PeBm3EMr5oVl9J56qzmj3QhyyOZUyMHA/s640/blogger-image-1133944236.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my Age of Brass And Steam. Also a scarf. Also in its beginnings. There's was a wee garter tab cast on. I found it different and it's very difficult to determine where to pick up stitches when there's seven rows of only two stitches in a row and everything gets muddled. We'll just hope that's not noticeable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Reading through these projects at Ravelry, I found a simple set of notes that outlines how easy it was to make this scarf a little bigger. I've attempted to do so, but am kind if second guessing myself. On a row of 'yo, k2tog', I had a stitch left over. After double checking my stitch count, I just knit it and went on - good practice for my perfectionist tendencies - but I still think of the single knit stitch in a row of knit2togethers. I think I should press on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIdj04as37Du1eqXCfrVwtaOh7RDJD__gW1wgw642RvDqpAhJMd2A7HzeMlvoJeb1g2tHAZKlCeoHKeh7cXnEsm7MMbxaEvJ7iizMIK2wVTjAeEKJFqY_UDvehR2NNkT8G-dxDtPyIIg/s640/blogger-image--6712801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIdj04as37Du1eqXCfrVwtaOh7RDJD__gW1wgw642RvDqpAhJMd2A7HzeMlvoJeb1g2tHAZKlCeoHKeh7cXnEsm7MMbxaEvJ7iizMIK2wVTjAeEKJFqY_UDvehR2NNkT8G-dxDtPyIIg/s640/blogger-image--6712801.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rams and Yowes was pleasing knitting yesterday! I finished the first row of yowes. A colour change is up next. The next yowes will be 'moorit'. That's the brown colour in the basket. I'm keeping the tension very loose and it seems to be working out. I'm not sure if I need to catch the longer floats in the back or not? The longest is a 13 stitch float. The yarn is super sticky and it is recommended to give the back a good rub when it's done being knit and having its bath. So far I've been catching the long floats. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All my people are home and working today. The kids finish up the content of their Civics class and move on to exam review. Exam on Tuesday. I'm being the mean mom and making them submit their independent study essay today instead of on the last day of the course. You can imagine how impressed they are. But, I think they will thank me after having the weekend 'off'. We'll see. They might be distracted by exam stress. It will be The Boy's first official exam. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. A is in his little home office in the basement and is quite satisfied. He's travelled for work twice this week - that's more than usual. He commented that this morning's commute - coffee in hand, down one flight of stairs - was much better than yesterday's hour long drive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-75469206204307028972014-07-23T07:43:00.001-04:002014-07-23T08:30:27.674-04:00I Don't Have To Be Anywhere on Wednesdays.July is flying by. <div><br></div><div>This Civics course the kids are doing is pretty intense. Good, though. We're all learning lots....not necessarily about civics, though. The exam is next Tuesday morning. The Independent Study Essay - which seems sort of rushed and glossed over given the pace of the rest of the work - is due Tuesday as well. I'm encouraging the kids to get it handed in before the weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>The Girl Child will be off to Saskatchewan next month for a weeklong adventure. So preparations for that are ramping up. </div><div><br></div><div>Knitting continues. I'm impressed that I've got two scarves on the needles: The Age of Brass and Steam and Henslowe. Rams and Yowes has reached the first colour change. I will drop the grey 'shaela' colour and pick up 'mooskit', which is a light brown. The picture below shows the legs of the first row of Yowes and there's Mooskit in the background, all ready to go. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudc0F-u80r4IjzAFmwMysQTtLtmDfaKulL_vguxtuPOLza9HNY-wH3Zst1MzdAQQ1WMRdUjhrt-vRJy1nxs9y9EaVyIvoDgUDPP5pDLPJEFAm6xWovtW7Rl1_d6vZKZlsac3_8j2P9x4/s640/blogger-image--409443334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudc0F-u80r4IjzAFmwMysQTtLtmDfaKulL_vguxtuPOLza9HNY-wH3Zst1MzdAQQ1WMRdUjhrt-vRJy1nxs9y9EaVyIvoDgUDPP5pDLPJEFAm6xWovtW7Rl1_d6vZKZlsac3_8j2P9x4/s640/blogger-image--409443334.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I've received a wee swap package (pic below)!! This amuses me to no end. I'm part of a Ravelry group that has to do with knitting Hexipuffs out of small skeins of yarn. I qualify for participation because I have knit these little 'puffs in the past and imagine that I'd like to knit more of them given all the time in the world. Last month I noticed a friendly swap was being planned so I jumped in not really knowing what to expect. I received a lovely little package from a lady in Ireland. This month I received one from just up the road in Ottawa. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWE9YTJP2XeQ_zdN1lbQkKGVEO2JqhC4aYT9eN7JhB9wC_pbtB-guTdYTY5LNyDa-7CVhRatsR09t_AQXcptgIFshbCaE21GkPNZDyqf8Ymw7HlqHB24SzK0JYyghyphenhyphenWLEi0orAW2uu5s/s640/blogger-image--190218951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWE9YTJP2XeQ_zdN1lbQkKGVEO2JqhC4aYT9eN7JhB9wC_pbtB-guTdYTY5LNyDa-7CVhRatsR09t_AQXcptgIFshbCaE21GkPNZDyqf8Ymw7HlqHB24SzK0JYyghyphenhyphenWLEi0orAW2uu5s/s640/blogger-image--190218951.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been enjoying your comments lately. I always find good for for thought after receiving a comment. Yesterday I found myself considering complaints all day. Good thoughts, believe it or not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I bought a flame thrower. Not really, but it's fun to joke about. The weeds in the driveway are a little out of control. It's bothering Mr. A. Paving of any sort for a large driveway is not in the budget. So I started looking at options. Fire seemed the most earth-friendly and economical. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKkvPJ4KdLYJOWXGa_OW3wkb2HdJcsP8vCxlWPqvlFv9rAJH0F4U748oFVHLj57MSAJUiTFYluwKCFJgAG8YAt-MaepTSYnaFMaYeKz-I70cyX58SWaO8dqNGMaMAjBzvdEeGsr-cL4Q/s640/blogger-image-296041337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKkvPJ4KdLYJOWXGa_OW3wkb2HdJcsP8vCxlWPqvlFv9rAJH0F4U748oFVHLj57MSAJUiTFYluwKCFJgAG8YAt-MaepTSYnaFMaYeKz-I70cyX58SWaO8dqNGMaMAjBzvdEeGsr-cL4Q/s640/blogger-image-296041337.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. A was not convinced. Normally he is the one who has to convince me that something is a good idea. This time he thought perhaps vinegar would be a better option for weed killing. I couldn't imagine killing off the amount of weeds he'd like gone with vinegar. So while The Boy Child was at soccer practice last night, I dragged Mr. A around looking for a propane torch. Four stores and an hour later, we found one dusty, lonely specimen and brought it home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JItKJsKsID0UCI8e7LdWMPetEjqfSfGYTeUsqh2I9ELJSefzVkpFaNlNhg1FL9NsAAm4_8ykMUwg-WZcJVlV2wmcm6e4x6A44uDBiO3rsL3OrP-BidgtPWX6wqdODX9L-fF329oeU0I/s640/blogger-image--2020295112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JItKJsKsID0UCI8e7LdWMPetEjqfSfGYTeUsqh2I9ELJSefzVkpFaNlNhg1FL9NsAAm4_8ykMUwg-WZcJVlV2wmcm6e4x6A44uDBiO3rsL3OrP-BidgtPWX6wqdODX9L-fF329oeU0I/s640/blogger-image--2020295112.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See? It's not like I can set the house on fire, or anything. Thankfully, Mr. A is at the office today so I will see how far I get with a pound of propane without interruption. Look forward to before/during/after pictures next week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thunderstorms seem imminent today if the sound of the sky is to be believed. I'm off to herd teenagers, feed dogs, flammenwerf the driveway and hopefully knit the top half of the first row of sheep. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-27828100213179097242014-07-21T07:46:00.001-04:002014-07-21T07:52:32.360-04:00Complaints...Last week I read a little tidbit on Facebook. It went something like "Don't complain for a week and see what happens to your life". <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Normally, I find Facebook to be full of useless time wasters and slack-tivism. It's a love-hate relationship for me. I love to see what friends and family are up to but I hate how useless and stupid it can be. </span><div><br></div><div>This particular saying, though, stuck with me. I thought that perhaps I should define 'complaint'. I wondered if 'complain' was the same as 'voicing a frustration'. I thought that, surely, I could stop complaining for a week. </div><div><br></div><div>Mr. A hates it when I complain about things. Which is curious, since our entire relationship was built around a cup of coffee, sitting on a curb late into the night complaining about what was wrong with the world. </div><div><br></div><div>As I went to sleep last night, I was seriously considering challenging myself to a complaint-free week. I wondered if anyone would notice. </div><div><br></div><div>I was thinking about it when the dog woke me up at stupid o'clock to go outside. I thought about it while I was out there, avoiding mosquitoes in the starlight and noticing all my solar garden lights weren't lit, waiting for the dog to do her thing. </div><div><br></div><div>Then I was still considering it at 4:30am when I couldn't sleep any longer. And at 6:45am when I was noticing how covered in dog hair I was while I walked both dogs. </div><div><br></div><div>I was still thinking about it after Mr. A left for work and I was making myself a coffee.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavLHX5hj6ysexPimJbiJMKh42mywceyOD4Q8whdo6BhB0Xxwe55-Z3G1wgDmLHmWP7tHrJCQSdYVRxYrhOdMQNmNFISR4KTBXfy-33uaIQlr4TiF9smG_f5Nk3_3pTOeEFIFzKktANSc/s640/blogger-image-1862399338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavLHX5hj6ysexPimJbiJMKh42mywceyOD4Q8whdo6BhB0Xxwe55-Z3G1wgDmLHmWP7tHrJCQSdYVRxYrhOdMQNmNFISR4KTBXfy-33uaIQlr4TiF9smG_f5Nk3_3pTOeEFIFzKktANSc/s640/blogger-image-1862399338.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No cream. It's like the universe is laughing at me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So now I'm thinking perhaps I should maybe try just one complaint-free day. And I wonder if the complaints in my head count if I don't say them out loud? I would hope there's points for trying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It seems there's a book!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5y3SA9Y46MxNJlMl-VCVU0eY2q0_tflsv_rgFO_zhf2b7wBjBqUss6GsL_LOsWPUPvE3sPjMBv12H9iPfk9K1Gt6fckqTwK-8j5iSWQrN2NnktLsXTwj-3Z19uMXzu0FZ4yV9nzmuvM/s640/blogger-image--430403005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5y3SA9Y46MxNJlMl-VCVU0eY2q0_tflsv_rgFO_zhf2b7wBjBqUss6GsL_LOsWPUPvE3sPjMBv12H9iPfk9K1Gt6fckqTwK-8j5iSWQrN2NnktLsXTwj-3Z19uMXzu0FZ4yV9nzmuvM/s640/blogger-image--430403005.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure all the answers are in the book. I'm not generally one for the self-improvement genre. I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">'ll have to order this and see if I can get though it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Until then, I'll continue to think about the complaint-free challenge. Maybe if I start with a short time and work on increasing it? Perhaps I should first consider if I complain excessively? What's an acceptable level of daily complaining? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I didn't expect this to be so complex....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div><br></div><br></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-64373325968327357262014-07-18T08:14:00.001-04:002014-07-18T08:17:43.647-04:00What Didn't Happen.Yesterday happened. But it happened in the way things do sometimes when the universe is laughing at you. <div><br></div><div>I went kayaking, but didn't see the particular island and bay I was hoping to see. A map would have helped. </div><div><br></div><div>I got the paddling route guide to print, but not the last page: the map. </div><div><br></div><div>I left the house a half hour after I was supposed to, putting me at the launch site a half hour late. My paddling buddy had brought a book, thank goodness. </div><div><br></div><div>My brother and his wife showed up a day ahead of schedule but didn't tell anyone. Thankfully they stayed over at my parents' place where Mom and Dad have had experience waking up to people who have arrived sometime in the night. </div><div><br></div><div>I didn't get to clean the bathrooms, the kids did it while I was paddling. Recommended. </div><div><br></div><div>I didn't get to make a nice family dinner of ribs and coleslaw. Family dinner happened - without my kids (working and soccer) - with all the extendeds at the local sushi place. </div><div><br></div><div>And finally, I didn't learn to get the pictures off my phone. Perhaps today. </div><div><br></div><div>I don't think I'll share my plans for today, though. One mixed up crazy day deserves a day of the expected afterward, I've decided. </div><div><br></div><div>But coffee and knitting first. I've accidentally started a Henslowe shawl. It's pretty awesome. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-6926241298264919642014-07-17T06:36:00.001-04:002014-07-17T06:49:24.522-04:00This Is The Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xjkHXBuO2yOrw1-QetIs0rtCkriJMZqrSeZweI1ymModnFEwsQ4lOUcBuJji25mI0P98ekJT3jqGzq7Li_vneALnbaIoe8KqnzOnBzONQ0rCc1mD_-RDxv8zU9bYjPG1ZLbNBKG_WRI/s640/blogger-image-1548566315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xjkHXBuO2yOrw1-QetIs0rtCkriJMZqrSeZweI1ymModnFEwsQ4lOUcBuJji25mI0P98ekJT3jqGzq7Li_vneALnbaIoe8KqnzOnBzONQ0rCc1mD_-RDxv8zU9bYjPG1ZLbNBKG_WRI/s640/blogger-image-1548566315.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm up early this morning. What's up today, you ask?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well, first a little Rams & Yowes. That tiny bit of insignificant knitting wrapped on the needle there in the picture represents two days of knitting. Not really but kind of. The first chart requires one to count to six. If you knit at all, I'm sure you know that this can be a challenge. I got a few rounds done then ripped it out and began again. I'll never catch up to Jean at this pace! It's just as well because when casting on the required 197 stitches, I got to 189 and ran out of tail. I cheated and just tossed a few backward loop cast on stitches to make up the rest. But, all is good now. Correct number of cast on stitches all in one style, correctly knit first row of colourwork. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a little knitting and after Mr. A gets up, I will make his coffee then head out for the morning for a little kayaking. My boat and gear are loaded and ready to go. Since we don't live in the 'hood anymore, it's safe to do that and leave it in the driveway overnight and yet still sleep without worrying that when I wake in the morning I will find my stuff molested in some way by misguided nocturnal troublemakers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The goal today is to paddle about the islands and see a place where they've held floating, non-denominational church services during the summer for 125 years or so. I'm also hoping to figure out how to post photos from my phone when I get home. Keep your fingers crossed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This afternoon, I get to look over the kids' school work, clean the bathrooms and make ribs and coleslaw for dinner - a dinner which Mr. A and I may get to sit down to eat between chauffeuring kids about to their activities. I also get to figure out if I have house guests tonight or tomorrow night. My brother will be visiting and making plans with him is always an impromptu adventure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br></em></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-34190803370766372292014-07-16T08:37:00.001-04:002014-07-16T08:38:33.683-04:00Well, That Didn't Last Long.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S7VGp14Z3NyKP3lTySrw7m368XN3CQ6qyhf8K-3b-22yEhya8n08WsW5OQFdd-Cf4zmTeRtAj2II8szoWwphyNjc1oyqmPA281R19ZMWkOTRc8rkaFwfwRjNmHfMS6y7U5Z-bwtwGrA/s640/blogger-image-856093208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S7VGp14Z3NyKP3lTySrw7m368XN3CQ6qyhf8K-3b-22yEhya8n08WsW5OQFdd-Cf4zmTeRtAj2II8szoWwphyNjc1oyqmPA281R19ZMWkOTRc8rkaFwfwRjNmHfMS6y7U5Z-bwtwGrA/s640/blogger-image-856093208.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Blue Eyed Bandit came to us as a wee rescued pup, one of a litter of 8. She had this little stuffed chicken she carried around with her. It was made of fake fleece. She loved it. Until it was a scrap too small to find. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TwvUlZBdKLAqGrZPcpUfQsv6ECKYsJOotbXhuyOw_DxwNmsNT_hkQe_2O19WeHUy0ETb_kr7tO_bL12MLQWiFUj24_GNvUFrvnHAOUfog1iPus0Fx7VhfAAB_nMU3nXcd5f7uaWCT4Q/s640/blogger-image--2119876087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TwvUlZBdKLAqGrZPcpUfQsv6ECKYsJOotbXhuyOw_DxwNmsNT_hkQe_2O19WeHUy0ETb_kr7tO_bL12MLQWiFUj24_GNvUFrvnHAOUfog1iPus0Fx7VhfAAB_nMU3nXcd5f7uaWCT4Q/s640/blogger-image--2119876087.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So she graduated from sucking on a chewed up stuffed chicken bit to grabbing on to the side of the giant dog pillow - also fake fleece - that we kept in our living room. She would suck on the side of the bed and knead the pillow with her paws. Very puppyish...and she didn't outgrow the habit very quickly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0Kpw7UzflDGEzHSiTU6QoOOpEQaAB2lRBi-kPs4i59Izu16dwQ7hlwmnhS2GzadluWF-qCOA_HHHdzfdJLKooiCjdIXlehALA_BqSx8qDmhLFSt-JkQ1m68kUiscAgWNNbnJm5eUwQE/s640/blogger-image--129125293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0Kpw7UzflDGEzHSiTU6QoOOpEQaAB2lRBi-kPs4i59Izu16dwQ7hlwmnhS2GzadluWF-qCOA_HHHdzfdJLKooiCjdIXlehALA_BqSx8qDmhLFSt-JkQ1m68kUiscAgWNNbnJm5eUwQE/s640/blogger-image--129125293.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The dog pillow, like the little stuffed chicken, also died a scrappy death. It's been a while since we've had any fake fleece hanging about the house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQxbZFwxzC0peh9YN-FybL8kUbCmKO4xUHe4Ur2OTSj_iRD7xT5ou0OoAZPKkguLjtlERHNCF_ZQx3xzhIFSj4c3k_wgmUntwZ4ndiDWgC2LA90J-8XZMbqUMjSGg7DYBkS90QVyrsME/s640/blogger-image-300171972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQxbZFwxzC0peh9YN-FybL8kUbCmKO4xUHe4Ur2OTSj_iRD7xT5ou0OoAZPKkguLjtlERHNCF_ZQx3xzhIFSj4c3k_wgmUntwZ4ndiDWgC2LA90J-8XZMbqUMjSGg7DYBkS90QVyrsME/s640/blogger-image-300171972.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Last month we were at the store and fake fleece pet crate liners were on sale. So we bought one for our creature. She lay on it, very proudly, then settled in to do her nails. Because she's weird like that. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx9F9vCBa6LmzJShyphenhyphenGXlxwRjF1gVRB-Yf5CDFVS2B2GyQCh3vJ_NCgWdXxesuq9auf0jzHaIi4J2QswqWds9JHcrCZ9mV83gSYxJzDuL7vbvsjde1YGF01LPdv02TycpHCxLQZlkEsuE/s640/blogger-image-1513399815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx9F9vCBa6LmzJShyphenhyphenGXlxwRjF1gVRB-Yf5CDFVS2B2GyQCh3vJ_NCgWdXxesuq9auf0jzHaIi4J2QswqWds9JHcrCZ9mV83gSYxJzDuL7vbvsjde1YGF01LPdv02TycpHCxLQZlkEsuE/s640/blogger-image-1513399815.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I suppose I knew that it would get chewed up and that the edge would get unstuffed. For some reason our huskies insist that nothing remain stuffed if they can help it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJNbLBgJBPQqD4W6m6jId9XmaneCgnu0tMyPpDlzr233OCwlJJu8s5MrkBkXjYgQqhmvRuDUTmQrPtTYNhBrUKR0K8T43gU1TCm9DskTtyNIRbkEhTRQ7xIbCfNiIZVgVB9lbG2WTqdI/s640/blogger-image-1547579575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJNbLBgJBPQqD4W6m6jId9XmaneCgnu0tMyPpDlzr233OCwlJJu8s5MrkBkXjYgQqhmvRuDUTmQrPtTYNhBrUKR0K8T43gU1TCm9DskTtyNIRbkEhTRQ7xIbCfNiIZVgVB9lbG2WTqdI/s640/blogger-image-1547579575.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I also thought that since it was a bedtime thing, only in her crate, it might last a little longer than the chicken did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTRI68YKY3A7hPqr3u3hp0r4zw_hbzJIJw1Cvo_vUx77DOrZv66kcAKWpOPVqBnjMuiuc73eohz5mDMoI52jvH66RStilZ45CRYfvZSvD-aCRd0ZoMSItbOly_-iB9Q3zoys_ZTdxZ7c/s640/blogger-image--1316195544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTRI68YKY3A7hPqr3u3hp0r4zw_hbzJIJw1Cvo_vUx77DOrZv66kcAKWpOPVqBnjMuiuc73eohz5mDMoI52jvH66RStilZ45CRYfvZSvD-aCRd0ZoMSItbOly_-iB9Q3zoys_ZTdxZ7c/s640/blogger-image--1316195544.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm glad a took a few pictures and only paid $17. I'm not sure Mr. A will be so easily convinced next time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kH9ygvcq8eSNaAaasvsAOm0vI-DE3wnORYYuaIPeYCZwO09II_IPd-yC0JyHorMYWqfFsqY1h6qdR4fVSz9H7VvAe1-B7SEe5p3ZMgY7jk3rE7ye1kAY-5D-x552V-j9G15Zm3pO9IQ/s640/blogger-image-1478152208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kH9ygvcq8eSNaAaasvsAOm0vI-DE3wnORYYuaIPeYCZwO09II_IPd-yC0JyHorMYWqfFsqY1h6qdR4fVSz9H7VvAe1-B7SEe5p3ZMgY7jk3rE7ye1kAY-5D-x552V-j9G15Zm3pO9IQ/s640/blogger-image-1478152208.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Because it's unstuffed and very, very loved right now. On special days, and who knows how she determines special days, she drags it out of her crate, takes a lot of trouble to kill it just right, then naps with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When people come over and see that my sweet puppy-dog sleeps on tattered bits of rag, I feel bad. I really do. But then I tell them that this is why the dogs can't have nice things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8975638786271997771.post-60616456288741967512014-07-14T08:23:00.001-04:002014-07-14T12:30:50.699-04:00Rams & Yowes<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIR0dWWJDtQoW65QxbGAMLDm-C8uvcwRDS_4JT9XJEfqrOJrF1YX2YAUsnPmi09sEaGX7qxZT63E_jUwtekom6YYT_uwB8XP2WKlz7eeZfxZrJQf-SYnt3dOyIi1QcgM6IqnLtYVccxs/s640/blogger-image--1577313082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIR0dWWJDtQoW65QxbGAMLDm-C8uvcwRDS_4JT9XJEfqrOJrF1YX2YAUsnPmi09sEaGX7qxZT63E_jUwtekom6YYT_uwB8XP2WKlz7eeZfxZrJQf-SYnt3dOyIi1QcgM6IqnLtYVccxs/s640/blogger-image--1577313082.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You know how sometimes when you put something a away for a while, you're surprised when you pull it out again? I surprised myself this morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A couple of years ago this pattern, Rams & Yowes by Kate Davies, a lovely Scottish lass, was published. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchfi14B1dY-b6OK5MsuIFkKUs0L888FS3FDO3TuRBtahxsvylvEQB7qd-xX3FVQWgyUlq7-0Sy3mEq2wW1XJwoQ2MYUfVP0b8-BVMiu9ZHQERs1gmS8PHpACGE7T0b6QKrY2m7Bt2lPY/s640/blogger-image-1016341622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchfi14B1dY-b6OK5MsuIFkKUs0L888FS3FDO3TuRBtahxsvylvEQB7qd-xX3FVQWgyUlq7-0Sy3mEq2wW1XJwoQ2MYUfVP0b8-BVMiu9ZHQERs1gmS8PHpACGE7T0b6QKrY2m7Bt2lPY/s640/blogger-image-1016341622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a lap blanket, knit using the many natural, undyed Shetland sheep colours. It's knit in the round (a tube shape), steeked (cut open so it's a flat square), then finished with an ambitious border that will test me beyond my skill. In fact, I first bought it because just looking at it made me want to master stranded colourwork. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At one point, I had begun knitting with some success. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPWi1knqhcr3Ty92pP-EXZVIh31KFa5NT7ILgFr7wY4Gt2bquO3ud_iG_0IysBa56RUWnTx_fFpdQMbp6-E3e-W3IYrEDTc5lspyek_0Rj8pfw7CBMO1Ip9Ws4mBjLrpM3uxAojqXtJI/s640/blogger-image--35072020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPWi1knqhcr3Ty92pP-EXZVIh31KFa5NT7ILgFr7wY4Gt2bquO3ud_iG_0IysBa56RUWnTx_fFpdQMbp6-E3e-W3IYrEDTc5lspyek_0Rj8pfw7CBMO1Ip9Ws4mBjLrpM3uxAojqXtJI/s640/blogger-image--35072020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">However, this morning, when I pulled it out of hibernation, I found something that I didn't really recall doing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VHrH1NV7V-T_2tD4xa9w5PplMIbL9OVOTN2x8D2A78D9T1VwOflTBrxAi18AC0yDT70aCv8g4iyPhgRMHaHNoc94SCnOYuPMLi6sL2FZasZIH_p5zr_ulNACgiuccxZbiPTcZMWJ98k/s640/blogger-image--1208878926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VHrH1NV7V-T_2tD4xa9w5PplMIbL9OVOTN2x8D2A78D9T1VwOflTBrxAi18AC0yDT70aCv8g4iyPhgRMHaHNoc94SCnOYuPMLi6sL2FZasZIH_p5zr_ulNACgiuccxZbiPTcZMWJ98k/s640/blogger-image--1208878926.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There it is. All 12 balls of it. Safely tucked away into a zippered plastic bag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczREhgF71G39rSOv1iGo1apqyX9VQmnB3-vYz_wsQVMBkgqLjr6uzRXSv8wk1fcc3TKjQh_taggJuT3kT_BLJR5ZrRntKiE4u2PwYpFd4WEKaVt3o3Rf5GE4S_PmIB7cmJFJM9GyK9Us/s640/blogger-image-510058468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczREhgF71G39rSOv1iGo1apqyX9VQmnB3-vYz_wsQVMBkgqLjr6uzRXSv8wk1fcc3TKjQh_taggJuT3kT_BLJR5ZrRntKiE4u2PwYpFd4WEKaVt3o3Rf5GE4S_PmIB7cmJFJM9GyK9Us/s640/blogger-image-510058468.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It seems I even packed away the pattern and needles with it, too. How thoughtful of me. What isn't there is the knitted tube of yowes (ewes) that I had started. So off to Ravelry I went and I dug around in my projects until I found my notes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Project Notes:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jan 20/12 - Pattern & Yarn ordered. <em>I</em> bought nothing…my husband, however, is very generous!</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Jan 30/12 - after a quick email, I’ve determined that J&S has ‘dispatched’ my order either on the 27th or the 30th.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Feb 3/12 - Yarn arrived bright and early this morning. Only about a week from door to door! I found a nice basket for it to live in while I scrape up the courage to start this project.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jul 24/12 - I’m still waiting to start this project. Since I did not plunge in directly, I’ve had too much time to think about it. After reading many notes, I understand I will need the recommended needles. Mr. A and I have planned an anniversary date which will include the opportunity to pop by the yarn shop and pick up the required needles.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jan 22/13 - holy Hannah this is taking a long time to start. Acquiring needles was delayed , but I finally ordered them at the KP Cyber Monday sale. They arrived and there were problems with two of the three needles. Replacements have now arrived and I am ready to start. I have some reservations about beginning. I’m afraid that my colourwork will improve throughout the duration of the knit ad there will be a noticeable difference between the beginning and end of the blanket. As soon as I get a few hours to myself I will sit down with my supplies and a couple of refresher videos and get going on this beast.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Feb 10/13 - hold background colour in my right hand. Hold foreground colour in my left hand. SWITCH HANDS FOR FACES!!!</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Feb 23/13 - I’ve knit one repeat of the Yowes and stopped. I needed to take my beginnings to knit night to get the ladies’ opinions on whether my stranding was too tight. Consensus is that I’m doing fine! Very encouraging as I was prepared to rip the first (and only!) bit out and begin again. I do hope that there’s not too much noticeable difference in my knitting between starting and stopping. This is quite the ambitious project to be learning stranded colourwork and two handed knitting on. Hopefully as I go on, I’ll get less anxious about this project!</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Feb 27/13 - finished row 27 of chart B1. Rams &Yowes travelled with me this week to Ktown where we accomplished one row at the dentist. 2 rows tonight.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mar 9/13 - Finished chart B1. Had to drop down down two stitches 3rows to fix a Yowe’s ear. Used a float. Not sure how that’s going to end up. Tried my first spit splice with a length of grey when starting chart A after the Yowes. That worked like a charm! Finished up with row 5/6 chart A.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dec 10/13 - I’ve decided to frog and start over. Frogged and spit spliced yarns back together. Will begin again soon.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jul 14/14 - pulled out the bag this morning. Had forgotten I’d frogged it. Project installed in the living room and, if I can keep it safe from wool-loving dogs, should be available to knit on daily.</span></p><p style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sure enough, I had frogged the part I had started in December. Then in January Mr. A and I decided to hunt for a house. In February we bought a home. Packed in March, moved in April and have been settling in since then. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm very much looking forward to starting over again and actually finishing this time. I think it will be an excellent project to knit as a bit of a housewarming present to myself. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">♥</span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mrs. A</em></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392701183567830086noreply@blogger.com1