HOPPY APRIL!

Did you have a good Easter? We sort of did. On Saturday night we had a BBQ with the family (that's right BBQ for every occasion!) and made some cupcakes with Ellie.
 

Makin' cupcakes with the girls

On Sunday we went to the Sydney Royal Easter show. Which is kind of a big deal, but also WAY overpriced. It's a massive 2 week event, at which there is:

A time for Easter Eggs & KALs!

Hello & Happy Easter!

Since my last post we finished the townhome, and the couple was delighted with the results..we left them with a "new looking" space and all the work ahead of re-organizing their home! Also, we finished up the drywall portion of our friend's garage, and when we headed to the Interior for Easter - they tackled the paint themselves.

My good friend & her  man just moved into a new place together, so we visited them in their new home before we left for a week...it was still a work in progress and I am sure we will see it a bit further along next time, but it was a nice space in a nice neighbourhood and they are excited about the changes.

On Monday, April 2nd we headed up to the Shuswap to visit my family for Easter. We left a week early because we had a job to do in Salmon Arm! The drive up was nice, we took the Fraser Canyon instead of the Coquihalla because it's only an extra hour & a half, and it's much easier on our elderly van! We arrived in plenty of time for dinner and to help a bit with dinner. Monday night was mostly just hanging out with mum & dad.

Tuesday, we stopped in at the job, and helped pick colours & make some decisions, and explain the process; then we went to pick up the paint! Stopped in at a friends for a visit on our way back to my parents...and went for a run when we got home. It was a week of 5&1s.

Wednesday & Thursday we worked! Repainted a fair bit of their home, but as the prep had all been done before hand to save on labour, we worked quite quickly! It was a small refresh on some walls & a massive change on others. Overall, they feel like it's more their space now, and are loving it.

Friday we visited, helped around the house a bit too...all those Easter preparations!!! Saturday, my sister & her fella showed up with the dogs. There was eating, basketball (I did not partake), tetherball, cooking, frisbee, eating, hiking, cooking, visiting, eating...you know, the usual! Overall, it was a good week & a great weekend. 

The view of White Lake from the Lookout

Easter Eggs!

Needles:

I completed the Purl Ridge Scarf by Stephen West in Peruvian Alpaca Tweed #111 by Jane Stafford Textiles for the Knitabulls Stephen West KAL for April, and the Knit1HeartToo Neck KAL

Softest Cowl EVER -- for ME!

After a couple of visits to my LYS I have TWO things on the needles (it was three until I completed the cowl!)

1. I am trying to do my second pair of socks, two at a time on two circs using the pattern: Harvest Dew by Rose Hiver Designs in  Kattikloo Plumage Handpaint Warbler for the Knitting in Circles April Sock KAL

Slow going for me, but excited anyway!

2. The Lily Pond Scarf by Maggie Magali in Malabrigo Sock Yarn - Caribeno (held double) for my cousin!

The skein looked Purple & Teal..but it's a bit more blue & green...

Upcoming:

1. Cafe au Lait Mitts by Paula McKeever

2. Adaptation Shawl by Kirsten Hipsky

3. Tuck by Susan B. Anderson

4. Elefante by Susan B. Anderson

Spinning:

 Zip. Nada. Nil.

Fitness:

During our week away I sucked at the strength training, but maintained the running. Completed my week of 5&1s, and this week we have begun 6&1s! I am officially the furthest I have ever gotten with the Learn to Run program...and stoked that I am able to do it! In 38min we went 4.75km. So it's not terrible!

Also, we worked our butts off working last Wed/Thurs, we went for a hike to White Lake Lookout on Saturday and played a bit of tetherball & frisbee as well. Now I am home, continuing with the jogging, strength training, and planning to get in a bit more yoga/pilates type stuff.

My last weigh-in I was down a pound, not sure about this week with all the Easter goodies...but here's hoping!

Travel/Visa:

No word on Australia... 

 

I love Spring, but not allergies!

What have I been up to?! 

My good friend was in town last week, so Sunday evening after my last post, was dinner with her family, Tuesday was a pub night and Friday we went out for Thai at a new place in town, Smile Thai - there were 4 of us and the consensus was that we all loved it!

Also, we have a bit of work happening. A friend needed to drywall his garage, so Spyros & I went to help with that last Saturday (Mar. 24th). It was fun, but our bodies have certainly gotten used to lying about the house. It felt good to use muscles that haven't been used in some time! It was fun to spend a day with friends too. My dad was in town, and as it was Saturday he didn't have to work, so he dropped by and helped out a bit too. He's of the generation of men who literally have no "couch potato" in their makeup! 

Sunday we went to brunch with my dad & sister, she was in town as well for a birthday.  After lunch I tried to go to my LYS, but it was closed! (I thought it was closed Mondays, turns out it is both Sunday & Monday) After that we drove out to the dykes for a jog. My dad met us there and after our jog we went for another hour long walk with him.

Needless to say, my body saw a lot more activity last weekend than it is used to - but it felt awesome to be feeling muscles, even if they were sore it was nice to know they are there!

Today is Monday, March 26th, and we began a job for a friend today. Repainting their townhouse. Made a good start on it and probably have another 3 days or so. These last few days I have been getting out of bed at normal hours and getting tired by 10pm. This is also a welcome change!!!

Needles:

I completed my Honey Cowl by Madeline Tosh in Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Irwyn

Green Honey Cowl

I also completed my version of the Munchkin Hat by Jeannie Kubricht in Sirdar Crofter DK in 0042

Long Tailed Baby Girl Hat

I currently have nothing on the needles!! Not for lack of wanting, but because the next few projects I want to begin I do not have the correct needle size for, and my LYS has been closed when I have been free!

Upcoming:

Oh so much loveliness! 

 

1)Cafe au Lait Mitts by Paula McKeever 

2)Purl Ridge Scarf by Stephen West  for an April KAL w/Diane of Knitabulls 

3)Harvest Dew by Rose Hiver  for an April KAL w/Aimee & Darren of Knitting in Circles

Spinning:

I wound the single from my drop spindle onto something so that I can ply it. I then started spinning the Ashford Corriedale that I won at Fibres West...only a teensy bit as I was showing a friend how I drop spindle.

Fitness:

The lifestyle change continues!! I made it through 2 and 1s, and will be starting 3 and 1s tomorrow!! 

My Friday weigh-in was a no-change weigh-in, but that is better than going back UP! I know that my activity level will skyrocket without me even having to think about it if I start working more, and I look forward to the auto work-outs on top of my planned/specific work-outs!

Travel/Visa:

Nada on Visa.

Soon will be heading up to the Interior for Easter with the family - on that same trip will also be getting some working in, as a friend of mine has a family friend that wants us to do some painting! WIN WIN!

Thanks for reading! Have a super week!