Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Snow is falling!!

A couple of days ago we had our first snow snowfall overnight...just a bit of a skiff, it did not stick to any of the roads. Today though...today I was sitting indoors, I was watching the snow falling and thinking how lovely it was. But then it was time to go home. 

I had been quietly enjoying the snow for over 3 hours...I had to sweep the snow off of the windows and doors, it was a bit slippery on the side streets as they were not plowed. I went to the service station to fuel up for the ride home. Slow going, busy traffic and they were all worried about the snow. Westside Rd. Plowed, but not well. Went about 40 - 60km the whole way home. It took a lot longer than usual. Passed a few people pulled over to avoid hills. There were still quite a few deer on the road (stupid deer -- don't they know it's so much harder to stop in snow!), also one coyote. Made it to the resort. Stopped for mail..and then couldn't get going again. Took a run at the hill 5 times. Nothing doing. Had to park it down by the pool and walk up that snowy damn hill. This is not a little crest, it's a big effing hill!! Close to 400 metres up hill in the snow with my hands full. NOT FUN!!!

So the lovely snow is not seeming so lovely. I put a call into the landlord to ask about plowing...so hopefully that will improve!! Also, gonna sandbag the back of the van.

Knitting?! Working on some Christmas gifts...the snow is definitely inspiring in the knitting department. I listened to a podcast the other day. Two people, I found it a bit confusing, a bit unorganized, and a bit boring. But yesterday I decided to check out KnitPurlGurl as she has been doing video podcasts lately. I dig. I knit while watching, though I was often distracted because I could SEE the yarn, and SEE  the projects. So I dig knitting VIDEO podcasts, also the audio ones are not for me so much.

Not much for news either than that --- can't really post photos of objects as they are pressies - but perhaps tomorrow will be a bit of a snow day?!?!! ooooooooooOOOOOoooOoOoooohhh

Saturday, November 5, 2011

First time blocking...

I know that every knitting book, blog & bit of info I read tells me that blocking is essential. However, I never have. Partially because I think things look OK as they are & partially because I don't have a blocking mat & I am a little afraid of wrecking things if I block them incorrectly...but I'm working on a Christmas gift, and there are a bunch of little pieces that need to be a certain geometric shape & then be sewn together. This item is being made from acrylic...so today when I finished weaving ends in (oh how I hate little things with many ends!!!) I pulled out a piece of cardboard, some straight pins and my iron. I pinned each piece into it's shape. I loaded up the iron with water, and steamed each bit. Hopefully it worked?!?! I guess I'll find out in an hour or so. If it worked out I should be able to start seaming it all together & soon it will be completed. Yay me for getting the jump on Christmas!

I have a very strong urge to knit something for EVERYONE -- this hobby is fast becoming an obsession! However, I know that a lot of people don't appreciate homemade gifts, and for the Aussie's on my list it's harder to imagine what they could possible need as well. Canadians are always good for  warm socks, mittens, scarves & toques!

After this project is done I think I will spend some time playing with my drop spindle. Seeing if I can create some yarn that I can actually knit an object with!! That would be so rewarding...

Also - travel is becoming a nearer thing for me as I got back my renewed passport, and have gotten a bit further on my visa application. A few more things are needed & then we should be able to send it off. Once I get approved we will book our tickets for Sydney, Australia! Because the length of approval on this particular visa is about 6 - 10 months (trust me - we are praying that I look like an exemplary citizen & it happens a lot more quickly) we will probably miss summer. On the up side, this past summer in the lower mainland was about the same bloody temperatures as winter in Sydney. So I think that's OK **plus it gives me more time to try to get this bod into a beach worthy shape**