I've always loved October!

Welcome to my month! October is a great month, back home in Canada it's becoming fall (autumn), everything is changing colours, it is gorgeous. Also, my sister & I have our birthdays, my cousin has a birthday, my good friend has his birthday. Even when we were young there were several kids whose birthday's were in October. (Pretty obvious what everyone was doing 9 months earlier when there was loads of snow on the ground!!!)

Here it's a little OPPOSITE - we're experiencing spring. Which of course has a beauty all it's own:

Fun flower that popped up in our front flower bed one day

Lots of goodies...

Happy June! Back home the weather is warming up and it's heading into summer, my niece just graduated High School in the US, and school is nearly done for my brother in Canada. He's in grade 11...he just got his drivers license (which is scary as all get out, but apparently he's a very good driver) and he's looking forward to summer. He's not coming to Australia with my parents, instead he's going to go stay with my sister and work this summer. I dunno, if I was 17 I would want to go to Australia for free rather than work in a mill, but I've always had the itch to travel!

Soccer is still happening. Last weekend my fella got into a "challenge" and ended up with some guy kneeing him in the ribs. So this past week has been a lot of cursing, moving slow & groaning while trying to sleep. Just bruised though, not that they do anything for ribs anyway! 

On the topic of the fella - it's his BIRTHDAY today! He's 32 (old butt) and so far we've slept in, had pancakes, and opened some presents. We'll see what else the day holds. I see a fair bit of couch time & some Spartacus in our future! 

Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes for brekky!

 

It's beginning to look a lot like progress...

Happy February! The month of love & hearts & red & chocolate...and I am trying to lose weight! It's OK, I can do this! It's a lifestyle change!!

For Australia Day we didn't do anything, we hung out at home and missed out on the fireworks. Since then we haven't done too much. We've done a bit of texturing and painting on the outside of our place, so it's about half-way done. Also some laying of pavers around the house to make a nice pathway. However, it has been storming and raining a lot because of cyclone Oswald. It didn't really come too close to us, it was in the water in the North of Australia, but it definitely affected weather throughout most of Australia. Which has led to quite a bit of flooding in Queensland state and the storms here.

Too much vitamin D!

Last Sunday I did not work. This is no surprise, I don't generally work on Sundays - however on this particular Sunday my friend called me to say he was going to go for a hike & invited me along. Now I have been longing to go for a hike or a canoe in this gorgeous weather & so I jumped at the chance! I hurriedly finished up my breakfast & got my camelback ready. We headed up Golden Ears; it is a hike I have never done, and I definitely want to do again.

A month later?!?!

Hi there...June got to be a crazy month apparently! Here is a prime example of how time gets away on me. I am always saying "the other day" when really it turns out that I meant up to 6 months ago! Oi! I thought it had only been a couple of weeks since I wrote, but it looks like it's been a month!

June was mostly just working & getting ready for Spyros to leave. He had his ticket booked for the 27th. We went up to my parents about a week before he was due to leave. Got to spend some time with them & say goodbye. We had big plans, all outdoor - and none of them happened. It was rainy & terrible & flooding all around us. We were meant to go White Water Rafting, but it was canceled because it was too dangerous. One poor soul did end up losing his life to the river that weekend. The river has been so crazy, fast & full because of all the rain. 

Instead we just played Risk, I knit, we ate, we watched movies...just hanging out. 

Spyros left. I took him to the airport. We got him checked in & spent the rest of our time holding hands & waiting until he had to go through the gates. It was sad. It had been seeming much bigger & more intense as we were packing up all of his clothing & toiletries. It's like he was never here, the closets are empty. Very strange feeling. 

He had a good couple of flights, we chatted on the phone & we have been Skyping quite a bit since then. The time difference doesn't make it the easiest. However, we are used to being together almost 24/7 so it would be harder not to talk!

My friend was here when I got back, I was invited up to dinner & then my friend came down to the suite to learn to drop spindle...she's hooked!!

I have been working a lot since Spyros left. About 6 days a week! I am tired, but it keeps me out and about...not so lonely.

Needles: 

I am working on my Grandma's Shawl which is the Adaptation Shawl by Kirsten Hipsky using my 100% wool yarn I purchased on eBay. On my 4.5mm Knit Picks Interchangeables.

I am also working on my Broke Rack Shawl which is the Yvaine by Liz Abinante using my Rabbitworks Fibre Studio, Fingering Weight 100% Superwash on 5mm Knit Picks Interchangeables.

I did receive the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight from the Knitabulls giveaway!!! It's lovely.

I have been spindling like crazy on my Spinatude spindle for the Tour de Fleece! I am spinning up my Smith & Ewe 100% BFL. It's going pretty great! Slowly...but so thin & I am still not sure whether I am going to be making it 3ply Navajo or just a 2ply!

Fitness:

Meh!

Visa:

The trip to my parents was good. Awesome weather on the drive up & back, also we drove a rental car & that was nice to be in new wheels even though I hated the car itself. 

I emailed our Case Worker to update Spyros contact information. I received an auto reply email that my case worker was on holiday. So I forwarded the information to the person who was meant to be filling in & now I wait yet again! Aw geez...

Grey days and sad news...

I know, I know, it's been a couple of weeks! I wanted to have some stuff to talk about & show you!!

Two weekends ago we had company...a good friend from Fort St. John came to visit, but she got a bit of a crummy visit as I had my 5K, and another friend had just purchased a new home & it was the weekend they were moving in. Of course I had promised to help!

Friday night when she arrived we visited the Richmond Night Market for some tasty food & to see what the offerings were. Ended up with some nail art stickers, and that was about it!

At the Night Market (best we could do, no flash on my phone!)

Saturday we had breakfast out, did some running around in preparation for the 5K, and got in some crafting & visiting time. I knit, she cross stitched. 

 

Sunday was the Run for Water & then moving, then dinner, then she went home!

After the 5K - our time was 36:36...not terrible for a first time!

Wednesday we didn't work, so I went over to my friend's house to help with the unpacking & getting organized. It was fun, I like organizing & making a house a home! It was a fun girlfriend day!

 

Last weekend we worked Saturday and on the way home our van overheated and started spewing coolant out as soon as we parked it. So we let it cool down. Topped it up with water, and then we drove it home. Had some help trying to figure it out. We have known that it has issues and a coolant leak before, but it's never done this, so obviously the leak has gotten worse! We figured we only needed it to last us another month or so, we added some weird stuff that is meant to block any holes. After that we realized one belt was shot. Replaced it. Topped up coolant & haven't had the same bizarro issue since!

 

It pretty much killed our weekend because all of the things we did to it were over 3 days and we were worried to drive it too much before we did them.

 

Fun things?! I won some yarn on a podcast!!! Knitabulls I was SO excited. I haven't gotten it yet though, and it was over a week ago that I found out I won. I am excited, first win on a podcast give-away & it will make a cute baby something I think! I was hoping to be able to show it, but that's not happening.

 

Worked all week, went to the movies last night with friends. Snow White & the Huntsman. I liked the movie, quite a lot. I don't know that I liked the liberties that they took with the movie. I like adaptations, and I like when stories are told from a different POV. However, this was a bunch of stuff that was not in the story, was not following the storyline, etc. Also, I felt Kristen Stewart's character was almost identical to Bella in the Twilight series. Very similar reactions & behaviours, I have seen her in other roles and liked her, so was a bit annoyed this was so similar. I enjoyed the movie though!

Today we worked, but on a friend's parents place, repainting some rooms. Tomorrow my cousin and his lovely lady are coming for dinner!

 

Needles:

I finished all of the washcloths & took a photo (there are 2 missing from the photo as they had already been delivered to recipients!)

 

I finished up the SWAP fibre and navajo plied it - here is what I got!

1oz, 48 metres, navajo plied, DK/Sport weight (144 metres in singles)

 

I made two stuffed animals for my niece & nephew! My first creatures...they are cute!

Tuck the Turtle

Ella the Elephant

I have started working on some booties for a friend and the baby-to-be. Once those are done I will be getting back to my regularly scheduled programing of Stash-Busting!

I got my drop spindle from Spinatude and its beeeeeautiful I am going to be spinning up some 100% BFL from Smith and Ewe but I haven't started yet...

Spindle with the roving

So incredible Steam Punk inspired spindle!!!

Fitness:

So lazy, have not run since the 5k! I did pilates once. I need to get back to it!!!

Visa:

Ok, I called Immigration. News?! Still looking, not going to reach the stage where they know if I am approved or not anytime soon. Spyros has to leave by July 7th, and it looks like I am going to be here through July at least. It sucks. It was be SO weird to be apart, we are literally together 24/7. We live & love together, we work together, the only time we are apart is if I am having a "girl night". I am going to miss him. I am going to talk to myself a lot. He thinks it might be good that he is able to get all of his paperwork & things in order before I get there. Still frustrating though!

So the only traveling on my horizon is a trip to my parents, so they are able to say goodbye to Spyros, and to & from work!!! I would love to get up north and see my friends & family up there, and I would love to get to the Island to see my friend's place there. I just don't think it's going to happen. July sure snuck up on us!

Have I mentioned lately how frustrating dealing with government can be?????????

So much crafty time!

Hello again!

Last week was a lot of working. We did not do the long weekend thing, we worked Friday & we worked a half day yesterday.

 

I slacked off a lot with the exercise. Ran Monday and then did nothing until Sunday when we did another hike. A smaller hike, but a hike, with a couple of friends. This time the hike was in the rain...but it was still fun, no hot sun, but it was muggy.

My mum had a birthday! However, she & my dad went to Montana to watch my nephew graduate, so we were unable to celebrate with her. She had some fun though & was thrilled with the Ipad from my dad.   

Saturday was a FIBRE day for me! We ran a couple of errands, I tracked down from Hemp yarn to do my mums washcloths (yes I am still working on those!!) I am on the last cloth & will post the photos next post!

A friend was in town & I got a bit of a visit in with her & her man. Brief as she has been working like crazy to finish up her Masters. It was good though! Next weekend will be crazy as a friend is coming to stay with us for the weekend, and another couple of friends is going to be moving into their new home, and the 5k!

Needles:

I am on the last of the washcloths ... I was doing them for the May KAL with

Knitabulls and have used up all of my cotton, and I purchased 2 skeins of hemp to use for specific projects! I will post photos of all of them when I am completely done.(Next post!)

 

I am also spindling up the fibre that my swap partner sent me. I am not sure what it is, but it's spinning really thin! It's only 1oz so it will go quickly, but I thought I would take the opportunity to spindle it before I took on the BFL. (Plus I may have taken advantage of the Knit Me Happy podcast discount and purchased a gorgeous, gorgeous, spindle from Spinatude and wanted to give it time to get to me!).

The other things I accomplished???

I plied up all the yarn I made from the batts of miscellaneous sheep wool I received from Lynne @ Fibre Arts Bootcamp during my drop spindling class. Also, the fibre I won at Fibres West - Ashford Correidale. I Navajo Plied them & washed & "thwacked" it.The FAB very thick & thin & very slubby - and I broke it into 2 sections. The Correidale was more consistent, but after the Navajo still came out Super Bulky.

#1 - 2.2oz and I got 44 yards

#2 - 2.5oz and I got 38 yards

#3 - 3.5oz and I got 70 yards

ALSO - I had purchased some sock yarn at Fibres West from Pollika and I finally dyed it. I wanted to do something easy that I didn't have to purchase a bunch of new dishes, so I bought 2 packets of Grape Koolaid, and 2 packets of Blue Raspberry Lemonade Koolaid. I scoured the internet & tried the easiest method...in the microwave. I just did half the skein one colour & the other half the other...here's what I got:

After drying...

Re-skeined

I am pretty happy with it! There are a billion other things I want to try now, but they will have to wait. Now I am not sure whether this is going to be socks or a shawl though!!!

Lastly, my non-fibre related crafting, the stepping stone for my momma! It turned out pretty good...I have a couple of issues, but it's concrete, so it's done now! hahaha Here you go:

 Fitness:

Lazy last week. Hiked Sunday. Ran yesterday, and will be running tonight. Still doing the 5k - this weekend! Yikes! Yesterday we ran 5.83k so that was good!

 

I also plan to get back into doing strength training this week too. One week off was plenty, I need to keep this up!

Here's the my gal and I at the top of the Minnekhada Regional Park:

 

 

Visa:

I heard back from Immigration. I received an email and it said "we need more proof of this...." so I found some documents and sent them. Now we wait! However, it does feel really good that we now have a case worker and someone to speak to directly!

 

 

Short & Sweet

I don't have a lot to say! We have been working & the working is really cutting into my knitting time! Also, working means less "doing stuff" time!

Last weekend we went to ANOTHER movie on Friday night. We saw the 5 Year Engagement, it was funny, but not the best movie I have ever seen. Saturday we went to Nanaimo with a friend to go car shopping. Walked onto the ferry, had a car to drive back in!!!

I found some incredible buttons at Black Sheep Yarns in Port Moody, BC. I have been to this yarn shop many a time for yarn, but this was the first time looking at the button selection; what a selection it is!!! Needless to say, I sent off the package to my SWAP partner on Monday!

I am still knitting on the scarf for my cousin. I believe I only have a couple of pattern repeats left, so we're nearly there! For May I am doing a washcloth/dishcloth KAL with Knitabulls so I need to start on that soon too! It's just an easy peasy KAL, and I wanted to do a couple of cloths for my mum for Mother's Day anyhow - so it's all good timing!

Exercise?! I am running 10&1s now. Doing 2 in a row. Next week planning to do 3 in a row. I started a challenge on SparkPeople. So hopefully that helps too, however we have been working, and working HARD at work. I was cutting in 5000 sq ft house with 8 - 12 ft ceilings, so I can't even conceive of how many stairs I am climbing going up and down that ladder all day!! My thighs were BURNING the first day, so I did skip a day of running because I was so sore LOL. But I felt that if I was that sore, I must have been getting a good workout all day! 

The hardest part is being hungry when we get home, but if we make dinner, eat dinner, and then work out it's SO late! Why does it have to be hard for me to try & be more fit!?

Tuesday I skipped Knit Night again. Bad?! I was spinning up a storm and didn't want to stop. I finished the Corriedale! Now I need to make a Niddy Noddy so that I can measure my yardage & then ply & finish it all up!!!

 

Lator Gators!!!

GO CANUCKS GO!

Is April half over already!?  Where does the time go!

Last week was pretty quiet. I tried to knit a lot, I did my runs...we watched a fair bit of hockey, and I know, our boys just cannot seem to get the puck in the opposing net. It's been a rough week. I discovered a new podcast: Knit Me Happy and she is adorable.

This Tuesday (yesterday) I went to Knit Night at my LYS Once Upon A Sheep! YAY! It was awesome, except that I forgot my pattern. Being as it was the heel flap in my socks, and I haven't DONE that, I needed the pattern. So I didn't knit much. However, I brought my spindle. Also, two of the ladies there are spinners - one had her wheel! So I was in heaven. Fibre samples were passed around & I was thrilled to see other women cuddling & sniffing & being fibre crazy. No one in my life understands me in this respect, so it felt good to be amongst friends. Needless to say I am sad it took so long & I will be back next week!!

That's about all I got up to though, not too much to tell! 

 

Needles:

1. I am still working on 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...I am just starting the heel flap. I don't know if I will get done in time, but man, they do look cool!

About 1/3 through the leg...

2. Still working on the Lily Pond Scarf by Maggie Magali in Malabrigo Sock Yarn - Caribeno (held double) for my cousin! Actually picked it up last night and knit a couple of repeats!

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:

I did some spindling!!

I am working on the free roving that I got in my basket from Fibres West. It is Ashford Wheels & Looms Corriedale Stripey Sliver it is 4 colours, pink, purple, chocolate and baby blue. It's coming out OK. The Corriedale is...sticky!? I think I am getting a more consistent diameter of yarn, but it's not coming super easy. I could probably have done this thicker, but I find it harder to get consistency with it being thicker. So I am doing it thin and planning to Navajo ply. I need to spend more time on spindling, but I still enjoy it!

It's coming along!

Fitness:

Last week we did 6&1s. I did 5.22km in 38min! I have been better about my strength training days, and yet my weigh in Friday was just THE SAME. Urgh.
This week is 8&1s. That's right...this gal with the crappy cardio has to jog for 8 minutes in a row. That may seem like no big thing to a lot of people, but for me - impossible! However, I did it! 5.22km in 37min! Tomorrow is Day 2 of the 8&1s. But I survived Day 1 and did not think I would, so I am happy!

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!

Swaps R Us!

So I joined a SWAP. My first swap on Ravelry, I have been stalking a few for a couple of months, but I have been nervous to partake. For all non-ravelers and non-knitters - a SWAP is when you are partnered up and send one another a package. Now this package can vary greatly, but when it comes to Ravelry, it generally will include yarn or a knit/crocheted item. It can also include chocolates, books, postcards, knitting notions, fat quarters for sewing, needles, patterns, etc. etc. etc. The swap group I joined is one that changes each month. Yarn + Something Else, and the something else changes. This time it was Yarn + Chocolate (so you see why I had to join!).

My Swapper was from New Zealand, and I was lucky enough that she is also a member of Three Irish Girls Yarn Skein of the Month Club. I have been scrolling through these amazing handpainted yarns at Three Irish Girls for a few months now. Such incredible colours and great reviews. I have definitely decided to join the SM Club once $$ allows - so imagine my amazement to open up my package from NZ and find a gorgeous skein of Three Irish Girls DK merino!!! Oh happy day! Also, some gorgeous dark chocolate mint chocolate and a dark chocolate chili lime chocolate as well. (I won't lie, I am already well into the chocolate).

Pretty stoked about my first Swap! Here it is:

Naturally, I sent a message with much thanks ...and then started trolling other swaps to see what was going on. Now I have joined another that is a February - make something red Swap. This will be fun because I will be receiving a handknit something in this swap!!

Needles: I have been wanting to work on my thrummed slippers. I have been NEEDING to make myself some thrummed slippers!! However, it has been snowing off and on a fair bit, and we live in the bush...up a hill. So I do not go to town unless I must for work, or groceries. Since we haven't been working much, I haven't been out much! I did make it to town on Friday - I bought the needles, but when I got back and looked at the pattern again, it says "3.5 & 4.5 double pointed needles"...but the bloody pattern is knit in the flat and therefore I got the wrong needles! Oi!

To pass the time I have been spinning. That's right - ages ago I took a drop spindle spinning class.   I haven't touched it since. I always have such a fear of messing up something I don't know very well. But I pulled out the spindle and the roving and started on it. I made a fair bit of single ply VERY thick & thin, very artsy, very inconsistent yarn! But that's ok - at least I am working on it! I want to spin the rest and try to ply it together. Or else I might just Navajo ply the whole kit and caboodle!

Today I cast on a hat, a cute bay boucle hat to be sent to my friend for her photography studio. Soon I shall conquer those blasted slippers!!

Visa: Finally received a reply, the gist of which was, "Yes we received all of your info.  You will not be contacted unless we need something from you. This may take 5 - 12 months."

Well thanks so much Immigration for your understanding of my state of limbo! So we wait...