Graduate Knits

August 22, 2011

2011-08-22T19:58:00.000-06:00

She likes to "help" me work...

August 3, 2011

2011-08-03T20:01:00.000-06:00

Brought cake to work for a celebration - I really enjoy feeding people.

Note - the veggies and potato recipe is in Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home - Roasted Vegetable Salad with Garlic and Rosemary

August 1, 2011

2011-08-01T13:21:00.002-06:00

Yarn: Dancing Dog Dyeworks in Tropical Twist
Pattern: Tropicana
Ravelry project page: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CatieCat/tropicana

July 30, 2011

2011-07-30T21:57:00.000-06:00

Ellie loves to sit near me while I knit (or do just about anything - she gets up to come with me when I leave the room at least 50% of the time). My project bags are apparently comfortable.

July 29, 2011

2011-07-29T09:21:00.004-06:00

At the end of the run I was exhausted. Today I am sore (I was a little sore yesterday too).

July 27, 2011

2011-07-27T10:29:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I managed to miss the same bus twice - and it was raining - the day improved from there.

July 22, 2011

2011-07-22T10:11:00.000-06:00

We got our second delivery from our Oxyoke Farm (half share) CSA yesterday- a massive amount of lettuce this week, swiss chard, and onions. Last week was rhubarb, Chinese cabbage, lettuce and onions. I need to remember to finish what we get each week...

Also, there was an awesome little kid at the delivery truck - his shirt said "I'm 3 years old, what's your excuse?"

July 21, 2011

2011-07-21T22:08:00.002-06:00

Another winning recipe from Celiac Teen - Gluten Free Banana Bread - her recipes always seem to work and taste so yummy :)

July 18, 2011

2011-07-18T14:00:00.002-06:00

The shelves are hung, lined up, and (thankfully) level.

Now I just need to print more photos - perhaps some wedding photos hmmm?

July 15, 2011

2011-07-15T19:58:00.002-06:00

9 times out of 10 (or more) I travel by public transit to get to work on weekdays.

July 14, 2011

2011-07-14T13:43:00.000-06:00

A stuck hot water valve and a leaky faucet are the current reminders that there are things I can control and things I cannot control. And in order to have control I need to act - that is the way to a solution not stress and procrastination.

Pattern is Irving the Icebox Monster from Rebecca Danger's Big Book of Knitted Monsters. He is the reason that the laundry didn't get done and the bathroom was not cleaned this weekend...

July 13, 2011

2011-07-14T10:00:00.001-06:00

First shipment of Dancing Dog Dyeworks Socktastic Summer of Socks finally arrived yesterday - Canada Post had been holding it hostage. This shipment is a self striping colourway called Tropical Twist on the Twist Sock base - looks tightly spun, like Louet Gems or Cherry Tree Hill. I can't wait to cast on :)

July 12, 2011

2011-07-12T07:45:00.002-06:00

Ellie always wants to know what I'm doing - she loves to keep me company. When I put my makeup on in the morning she watches me in the mirror. And her current favourite spot in bed is where my pillow should be - right in the corner. Sometimes she even meows at me to make space for her there.

I feel loved :)

July 11, 2011

2011-07-11T18:34:00.003-06:00

It had been over a week since I'd been at the gym - between work and my cold - it was rough to go back but I'm so glad I did. Sure is motivation to go regularly...

July 9, 2011

2011-07-09T12:32:00.000-06:00

5 years ago yesterday we were married - you still make me laugh so much - I don't feel old enough to have been married 5 years...

July 7, 2011

2011-07-07T19:10:00.002-06:00

Lately I've been struck by how beautiful this area of campus is. I walk this route nearly every day I travel to work. The trees are numerous and large.

July 6, 2011

2011-07-06T19:04:00.000-06:00

This cold continues to kick my arse - but at least I have windows while I convalesce.

July 5, 2011

2011-07-05T19:58:00.001-06:00

It's a blanket made of sock yarn - long term project by definition - takes some of the pressure off. Plus I get to use up every last bit of yarn and get it out of the stash. Feels good.

July 4, 2011

2011-07-04T19:26:00.000-06:00

Despite me feeling a bit under the weather we went for an adventure yesterday to Kananaskis - it was a beautiful day and C. got me to be a little adventurous - I'm so glad we went and that I allowed him to convince me at least a little.

Note - I haven't posted in forever, the idea I'm trying out is to mimic Habit at least several times a week - who knows where it will lead

Coptic Bookbinding - success!

2011-02-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

I did it! I bound a book with coptic stitch - a binding I've admired for years. I sense that there will be more books in my future. I used a kit from Evalicious - and the PDF instructions included with the kit are amazing - very clear and with lots of pictures. Shipping and customer service were great - I'll be a return customer for sure.

Photo of the Day

2011-02-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

You are likely wondering why on earth am I posting a picture of my sink full of dirty dishes? Well it has something to do with a concept that I've recently been introduced to called Photo of the Day. The idea is that everyday life is beautiful - and worth capturing for posterity.

So I took a photo of our dirty dishes yesterday because today we're having our new dishwasher delivered! After procrastinating for almost 2 years (May would be the anniversary of that issue) we've decided to go out and buy a new one. I will post a picture of the new dishwasher when it gets here. I'm excited. But still you wonder, what is it about the dirty dishes. Well, last night Cory decided to prioritize the dirty dishes - he washed only the pots and other large dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher later today... I just laughed. But I couldn't stop thinking about it. And honestly this sort of interaction is pretty typical in our house. I wouldn't want it any other way.

This Moment - February 18, 2011

2011-02-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

Inspired by SouleMama {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Wishing you a lovely weekend

This Moment - February 11, 2011

2011-02-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend

This Moment - January 28, 2011

2011-01-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend

This Moment - January 21, 2011

2011-01-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

This Moment - January 14, 2011

2011-01-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend

This Moment - January 7, 2011

2011-01-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend

Resolutions 2011

2011-01-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

First off, Happy New Years!

I typically don't make New Years resolutions. I usually think that if I want to resolve to change something it doesn't matter what time of year it is. In June I started running - and kept it up for 3-4 months - I stopped when it became too cold outside and too icy and I had my big exam to study for. I didn't have time to check out gyms and prices much less join one and go to it. It didn't matter that I formed a resolution in June - just that I resolved to get off my arse. And I kept going even though I got some small injuries - I just modified the plan and got help.

This is all to say that normally I don't make resolutions that coincide with the majority of the world. So I was thinking though that I have some changes that I want to make - that I could make, not should make. Well I suppose both really. I'd been mulling it over - some of the resolutions started to form back in November but recently I came across a blog post that had a novel concept that I've decided to adopt.

The idea is to pick a word (or several if you must) that become your talisman for the year. A touchstone of sorts. This post describes it better than I can, for my understanding is still developing. So I thought about my ideas, resolutions, and goals for the year to see whether they might all cluster around a word or two. And I think, to some extent, they do. The main word that I need or want as my touchstone for the coming year is Balance. It subsumes all sorts of things. This past semester my life got progressively more out of balance - not that it had started in balance but it was better than it had been for awhile.

Balance

I want to exercise more, stress less, prioritize creativity, focus on family.

I want to be healthy (this is almost a different touchstone but I think it can fit into balance if I try)

I want to simplify and organize - and I think that will be possible if I realize some balance in other areas of my life - the idea is to become more organized in a balanced fashion - incorporating small measures or techniques so that they become natural and habitual - not approaching organization in a dive into the deep end fashion but rather in a more balanced fashion.

So now I've put my resolution out there into the world - I will try to be accountable. By telling someone else I've increased the likelihood of success. And I have plans, at least for the start of the year.

I've signed up for an e-course on art journaling - Inside Out - I've always liked keeping a journal and am excited to learn a different way of expressing myself that is also highly creative. Something about the course just spoke to me. I thought about it for a few days, even tried to convince myself not to take it but it didn't work. So I signed up.

And I have some books - my inlaws gave me two books for Christmas that I'm going to try out - Everyday Calm: 365 Ways to a Better You and Everyday Happy: 365 Ways to a Better You. The idea of these books is to make small changes and to give you a lot of ideas that you can try out. I'll be sharing some on this blog, I think. And to help with organization, I bought a book called Organize Now! A week-by-week guide to simplify your space and your life. Again, the idea is baby steps. There are bits in the book that aren't applicable - like organizing a move - but the majority are.

Have you made resolutions for this coming year? What do you think about the touchstone word idea?

This Moment - December 31, 2010

2010-12-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend and a happy New Year!

This Moment - December 18, 2010

2010-12-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Inspired by SouleMama {this moment} - A Friday ritual (a day late...). A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Candidacy = DONE

2010-12-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd share the good news:

Candidacy: Passed
Brain: Fuzzy
Feeling: Relieved

This Moment - December 10, 2010

2010-12-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

This Moment - December 3, 2010

2010-12-03T11:26:00.002-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

This Moment - November 26, 2010

2010-11-26T11:54:00.002-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Antonyms, Synonyms and Other Lexical Relations - Oh My!

2010-11-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all, My research focuses on children's understanding of opposites (antonyms) and synonyms - and because of a post by Amy about her Zoomboy I have a question.

At what age and/or grade did your child start being taught these and other word relations in school/preschool/daycare? And if you don't mind, what country are you in?

I'd like to get a feel for what is going on out there in the 'real world' and how similar (or different) practices are in different countries.

Thanks so much! I'm interested in what I hear back. When I eventually finish a set of research to form a coherent publication, and it is published I'll let you know. On the off chance that any of you are also academics, I'll be presenting some of my stuff at the Society for Research in Child Development next April in Montreal. I was at another conference this past spring in Ottawa and bought souvenir yarn - which I never showed you - bad blogger! I'll save it for next post perhaps - posting has, yet again, become a welcome distraction from work I should be doing (last time this occurred was when I was writing my Masters thesis in the summer of 2008 - fun times that was)

Spinning update

2010-11-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

I've not been spinning all that much - and that trend will likely continue until after the exam - knitting is easier to pick up and put down... As before, links are to Ravelry entries. I should put more details in this post - but I don't usually measure wraps per inch, and yardage isn't that interesting...

Some Greenwood Fiberworks BFL - nice stuff, like the product, trying to figure out what to knit with it. I'm starting to order 8oz of fiber instead of 4oz in the hopes that with more yardage I'll find patterns that fit the yarn with greater ease

And some organic merino that I used to knit my cowl that I posted about yesterday - thick and thin, but for the most part not too bad.

Picture Heavy Finished Objects Post

2010-11-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, I haven't done a knitting post in a LONG while - late may, apparently! Well here is a round up of a bit of the stuff I've been doing... All links are Ravelry links

Queen Anne's Lace - crochet scarf
there was a bit of ripping out with this one - the yarn held up relatively well - pattern is nice, but the scarf is a bit floppy when it is worn. Though I have gotten compliments on it while I was out and about so it can't be all that floppy :)

A moebius scarf/cowl for my mom - Infinity Peacocks Moebius Wrap
The pattern was okay - the cast-on was cool - the yarn a bit splitty but the bind off was too tight and it was a pain in the arse to block.

Lots of babies this summer
I made several apple hats - fruit hats always seem to be a hit

My first Zimmerman pattern - February Baby Sweater
The yarn and pattern were great - and the mom loved it

3-in-1 Felted Baby Booties - so cute, a bit on the small side but they did fit for awhile - and the mom LOVED the booties

Some baby hats that still need to be delivered to the charity...

A quick Baby Beret for a friend - again, appreciated - and bonus, it used up some leftover yarn

And another baby hat for another friend - like I said, a lot of babies so far this year - I learned to pick up stitches in pattern for this one

Some crochet washcloths to practice - these Venice Beach ones were my favorite

Cat toys - these are the best - the cats LOVE them - and they get destroyed quickly as a result. Ellie seems to know when the knits are for her and Zoie loves to chew the tail off...

Felted Calla Lilies - nice pattern - a lot of issues with getting the wire in the stem - but in the end I prevailed

A gift for a very close friend - Biology 101 - she LOVED it - saying that a lot in this post but looking back I've had some big gift hits - always a pleasure when people like what I knit for them

Cory actually made a request - and was insufferable until it was finished :) It has met his approval so I'm happy
A computer chair - using the Big Dotty Cushion pattern from Mason Dixon Knitting

A cowl - I call it my Snowdrift Cowl - knit with handspun and super warm, which is useful right now - not quite what I had envisioned but the warmth makes up for that

And a flower on a bobby pin

I've got some other projects on the go - but they are either awaiting parts (like wooden beads for heads) or awaiting blocking (Wisp shawl) or are related to Christmas gifts. I've also been spinning but it is time for bed and there are more than enough pictures in this post

This Moment - November 19, 2010

2010-11-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

This Moment - November 12, 2010

2010-11-12T09:26:00.001-07:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

{cheating a little bit with some words - I'm currently studying for my candidacy exam (aka comprehensive exam) that is coming up in December - still alive and will try to blog more after it is over}

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Buns

2010-07-21T13:45:00.000-06:00

I've made Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef's cinnamon buns 3 times now and they are marvelous! The second time they were more like cinnamon pieces because the dough was too wet but they were delicious anyways. This last time I remembered to take pictures.

I think I overcooked them a bit and didn't put enough sugar in the filling - but regardless, they were all gone quite quickly.

Verdict: highly recommended!

Gluten-Free French Toast

2010-07-11T21:35:00.000-06:00

The other day I made gluten-free cinnamon quick bread which I then used to make french toast. It was ridiculously good and I'll definitely make it again. It was very filling - so I was lucky that the day that I forgot my lunch coincided with the day that I made this french toast. I forgot to take a picture of the bread pre-french toast.

I'll definitely make this again :)

Rosemary (Oregano & Thyme) Crackers

2010-06-19T15:54:00.001-06:00

I've struggled with store bought, gluten free, crackers. They either taste like cardboard, are too hard, or taste funny. These don't quite taste like gluten-filled crackers - at least not the mass market ones that I used to eat - but they don't taste like a pale imitation of something I used to eat - they taste like a gourmet cracker.

The recipe is from Elana's Pantry (she seems to use only almond flour) - Rosemary Crackers. The only thing I changed was the herbs because I didn't want to decimate my small rosemary plant.

I'll be making these again!

Pretty Please Socks

2010-05-24T18:29:00.000-06:00

I just finished my Pretty Please Socks - from the January 2008 Sockaholics club (Make 1 Yarn Studio) - in Cherry Tree Hill Merino Sock Yarn.

I loved knitting the socks but I'm not sure how they'll wear because I went up to a US1.5 needle to get the lace to go over my heel but I was getting stockinette gauge on US0...

Just a few modifications - I worked 15 rounds of ribbing instead of 6, picked up more stitches at the start of the gusset, and twisted the stitches in the first row after picking up the stitches on the heel flap.

Kale - Garlic - Tomato Pizza

2010-05-19T21:11:00.001-06:00

I wasn't going to post about this meal. I was going to knit on my second Pretty Please sock (no pictures yet, sorry). But as I sat here, looking outside, I kept thinking about how good the pizza was, and how great is the taste that currently fills my mouth (aftertaste? that sounds somewhat negative). And I thought that I couldn't not tell you about it, especially seeing how little I post around here.

It doesn't have a fancy name - Kale, Garlic & Tomato pizza - and it doesn't come with a pizza crust recipe (though there are gluten free crust recipes on the same blog - I used a different one) - but the taste! My only real modification was to use 6 cloves of garlic instead of 3-6 T... It was plenty garlic-y, so perhaps the author meant clove instead of tablesppon. I also used less chilli flakes because I'm pretty sensitive to spice. She isn't exaggerating when she instructs you to pile on the kale - I spread out the kale pretty evenly to start and then added more in the centre, I used 4-5 leaves minus the stems, but my pizza could have handled more. In the future I might add more tomato so that its flavor is more prominent.

I definitely recommend this recipe - for gluten and non-gluten eaters alike.

Second Weather Related Post in a Row

2010-04-29T10:00:00.005-06:00

Does anyone know who I speak to about the weather we're having - I'd like to file a formal complaint about the current winter storm warning. Last week's snow melted in the next two days, this stuff looks like it will last longer than that.

As my husband was joking yesterday, we're Canadians, we live in igloos and it snows most months of the year...

Also, the frequent power outages are getting annoying - I think we're up to 4+ in the past month and a half. Last night we had 3 outages, 2 of them over 30 minutes.

Snow Again

2010-04-24T18:28:00.001-06:00

Apparently that warm weather we were having was a teaser and we're not into spring yet... This is Calgarian weather right now.

Green Smoothie Challenge

2010-04-20T21:50:00.000-06:00

As a result of several medical tests over the past 2 months and they've left me feeling like my digestive system is a little worse for the wear. Nearly every day I've been having tummy aches - even when I'm certain that the food I was eating was not cross-contaminated. That, combined with an urge to eat more vegetables made it that when I heard about the Green Smoothie Challenge via Heather of Shivaya Naturals I immediately signed up.

I was quite uncertain about the taste of the smoothies but I figured I'd go for it. And if eating them doesn't produce any of the benefits that other people have experienced, well, at least I'd drastically increase my fruit and vegetable intake for at least 2 weeks. It turns out that I love the taste of green smoothies - though the ones that I've made so far taste largely of fruit.

They are astonishingly green. This was my smoothie yesterday:

It was Basic Balance + an apple + 1 extra cup of water. Today I had Apple + Kale + Lemon + some romaine lettuce that I had in the fridge. I liked both of them - the greens got blended smoother today than yesterday - but the apple didn't blend completely. If these things become a daily habit I could see the value of investing in a good blender. I drank all of the smoothies each day - so over a liter each day. I don't want to over do it - but perhaps on the weekend I'll increase my intake. On my way home tomorrow I have to pick up more fruit and vegetables.

Sweatermaker Socks

2010-04-19T09:00:00.000-06:00

Ravelry tells me I started this pair of socks last September (September 22, 2009 to be exact). I have finished one sock - I had issues with the heel flap being too long and having to rip out a lot. That stalled me beyond the ripping. I think patterned socks are knit faster because I knit by a repeat and so if there are only a few repeats the sock goes quickly. That said, the foot and heel of this sock went pretty quickly once I actually knit - so you may see this sock having a mate relatively soon.

Smocked French Press Cozy

2010-04-18T14:40:00.001-06:00

I heavily modified a hat pattern (essentially took the stitch pattern from it) to make a cozy for my french press - my Smocked French Press Cozy.

I know that if you are a coffee purist you would decant the coffee after steeping so that it stops but I'm not a purist and I'd like warm coffee later in the day without having to warm it up.

Plus, this looks way cuter.

I've also been working on a sock that I cast on back in September 2009 - turns out that socks go fast if you work on them... And I've been spinning but I have no photos of that.

Ishbel & a Bib

2010-04-05T19:40:00.004-06:00

I've been crafting - knitting and crocheting away - sometimes with no recipient in mind.

A lot of my friends are pregnant - so I am trying to stockpile some baby knits. The latest:
Frog bib

And for me:
Ishbel

What? Not everyone uses a large protractor while blocking a lace shawl? I felt pretty geeky while blocking but very pleased with the results.

Oh, and with the wider middle column it is easier to pull photos from Flickr and so I'm posting more because most of the pictures I want to blog about are already in Flickr because they are already in Ravelry. I don't know how long the increased posting will last...

Spinning

2010-04-04T17:34:00.003-06:00

My wonderful husband bought me a spinning wheel for Christmas. Well, I bought it (because I went to Shuttleworks to try out a few) but he suggested it. I tried a few and decided on the Ladybug by Schacht. I really like it, and am having some success with it. I've tentatively named her Aurora, but that is subject to change on a whim.

This is the only photo that has much of the wheel in view - these are the first singles spun on the wheel. The fiber is Northern Lights Wool Top by Louet - another Christmas gift.

Which ended up becoming this

Since then, I've spun the following:
Fiber Optic Yarns 80 BFL 20 Tussah Silk (a batt)

Fiber Optic Yarns Superwash Merino and Tencel Roving

Mystery brand Merino and Tencel

and finally, Fiber Optic Yarns Footnotes Unspun (a pencil roving)

The Footnotes yarn has already been made into a Lacy Baktus

So you see, in the past 3.5 months I've added a craft (crochet) and greatly expanded a craft (spinning).

Modifications

2010-04-03T20:17:00.002-06:00

As you can tell, I've been making some changes to the layout of the blog. I was going for an increased width of the main column so that medium sized pictures from Flickr would come in easier - what I found was Blogger Templates in Blogger in Draft. It was super easy to change the width of my main column and so many choice of background and other things. Ridiculously easy to customize - I'm not sure I'm quite done yet.

I have been knitting, spinning and a bit of crocheting - which reminds me that I haven't shown you my spinning fun. Perhaps tomorrow... hopefully this week.

Crazy Lace Hankering

2010-03-08T13:24:00.005-07:00

I want to knit doilies - preferrably intricate, and the ones I'm tending towards are in German (and by Herbert Niebling). I don't know German - I know Italian and English with a side of French and Spanish. As my mom says, I love the crazy :)

For those of you on Ravelry, this is what I'm looking at right now (mom, I'll show you when you visit next weekend):

Niebling patterns:
Nadelblatt
Mallins 44
Frosted Ferns
Lyra
Hannelore
Schleuderblatt
Gloxiniaeflora
Handarbeitschnitt 44 (not in Ravelry - link to purchase)

Others:
Egeblad
Coronet Design
Azalea Design

Most of the Niebling patterns would need to be sourced - any recommendations?

EDIT: I credit Julie over at Samurai Knitter for introducing me to Niebling designs.

Eye Candy Friday

2010-03-05T22:21:00.001-07:00

Quick Cupcake by Hannah Kaminsky

2010-03-01T12:15:00.001-07:00

I made 5 penguins for the man for Christmas - somehow he was surprised even though I knit them in in the living room while he played games.

Linux-like penguin - pattern by Hannah Kaminsky

Bunny the Penguin (originally a bunny pattern - Blob the Bunny) - pattern by Emily Stoneking
All modifications explained on Ravelry

Penguin (Ravelry link) - pattern by Jean Greenhowe - this is my favorite of the 5 penguins so here's 2 pictures

Penguin (Ravelry link) - pattern by Amy Gaines

Macaroni Penguin (Ravelry link) - pattern by Fuzzymitten

Beginning to Crochet

2010-02-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

So as I mentioned on yesterday - I've started spinning and crocheting. Not much in terms of productivity in the crochet situation but I like it well enough. I've just done straight crocheting - nothing in the round yet. I thought I'd be really frustrated by the product because I'm fairly good at knitting - and I thought I'd feel super limited by the beginner patterns - I was wrong on both counts. It's oddly liberating to have a limited selection of patterns and what I'm producing looks pretty enough. I know some of you crochet - if you have any suggestions for beginner patterns I'd love to hear from you.

Here's what I've done so far:
Coasters (link to my project page on Ravelry) - just practicing different stitches

Washcloths (Ravelry link)

Nitty Gritty Washcloth (Ravelry link)

Little Double Blossom Crochet Flower (Ravelry link)

The Finished Object Parade

2010-02-27T10:46:00.003-07:00

This is going to be a long post:

You can find all sorts of details on the individual projects on my Ravelry projects page. I'm Catiecat on Ravelry.

October:
Catnip mice - Zoie keeps ripping the tails off... these are a HUGE hit in this household

Autumn pumpkin (Ravelry link)

Flower magnets (Ravelry link) - brightening up my office

Eggplant hat (Berry Baby Hat pattern) - so many of our friends are pregnant or have newborns - baby hats are on the menu (and so much fun & so addicting!)

Foliage

More baby hats (Ravelry link to my project page) - one for charity, two for friends

Fortune cookies - put fortunes in them for a Christmas gift for my man

Lavender sachet

Gossamer shell scarf (Ravelry link)

November:
I started to make 5 penguins for my man's main Christmas gift - they're so cute that I'll post them on their own.

Baby mittens - I think they look like Christmas lights, that was unintentional

Fuzzymitten felted stars - my first foray into hand felting small items - loved it

Cell phone sock - turned out way too small because the yarn was too thin - so it ended up being a tree ornament

Mini sweaters - I like this pattern better than the one that I used before, could be that the yarn was better suited to the project

December:
A pair of orange gloves - not photographed yet...
More penguins - getting their own post though

January:
Happy belated new years!

Cairn (Ravelry link) for Dad

Baby hats continue - Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap, 6 month size in worsted weight yarn (instead of fingering) - already fits the baby (at 6 months despite the increase in yarn weight)

Baby's first DNA model - well received by momma and baby

French Press slippers (Ravelry link) - Zoie keeps stealing them at night

Evangeline fingerless mittens (Ravelry link)

February:
Ballband Bib O'Love (Ravelry links)

Baby genius bibs (Ravelry links)

Baby Bib O'Love

3 Tiny Tethers - one used for my keys because the stem was too short on the first one

Sackboy - for a colleague's son (cape is a Fuzzymitten pattern)

Bird pin - from the Bird in Hand mitten pattern (Ravelry links)

Apple hat - so cute and so fun - I'll make this again

Owl coffee cozy (Ravelry link)

Cabled baby hat - love the decreases at the crown - I will also make this again

Charity baby hats (Ravelry link to my project page) - I think I want to make about 10 (revised from 50) of these for a local hospital - they are so relaxing to knit because I've got the pattern memorized, it is super simple, and I know which needles to use to get the size the hospital wants

In other news - the man got me a Ladybug spinning wheel for Christmas so I'll show you what I've been up to on the wheel. And about 2 weeks ago I taught myself to crochet - so far just wash cloths and coasters. The decision was along the lines of why I decided to take up spinning now - there will never be more time. In high school I felt like I was SO busy... then I got to university and I felt like I had so much time in high school but that now I didn't have time... then I got to graduate school and I felt like I had mountains of time in high school and lots of time during my undergraduate degree... I figure it just keeps going as life progresses up until children are grown up (and they aren't planned for a few more years) and I'm retired.

Not Dead

2010-02-26T10:27:00.003-07:00

I'm not dead, maimed or impaired - just busy, and when I'm not busy I'm lazy and/or knitting. I'll try to get my butt in gear later today or this weekend to show you what I've been up to. Part of the lack of posting is that it has been so long and with so many knitted objects, that I want to post everything. But the amount of pictures etc. is a bit overwhelming. I'm trying to get over it - hence this brief note.

Blocking

2009-11-12T13:50:00.002-07:00

Doesn't everyone soak small items like this :) I looked at my counter the other day and thought it looked funny

GF Caesar Salad

2009-11-08T17:05:00.003-07:00

Since going gluten free I've been missing Caesar salad dressing. Everything I've seen in the grocery store has wheat. So when I found the following recipe on a box of GF croutons, I had to try it.

From the back of a box of Gluten-Free Pantry Olive oil and garlic croutons was a Caesar Dressing recipe that I tried and enjoyed

Dressing (beat to combine)
125 ml (1/2 c) extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 2 Tbsp)
15 mL (1 Tbsp) gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
5 ml (1 tsp) gluten-free Dijon mustard
125 ml (1/2 c) grated parmesan cheese plus extra for garnish
1 anchovy, mashed
2 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Notes: I didn't have gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, luckily I checked the stuff I had and it had soy sauce. I didn't put the anchovy and I may have put extra garlic (which was possibly a bad choice, and I like garlic). So I made it a bit different from the recipe and it was still quite good. It seems to be missing a little something which I'm figuring is likely the Worcestershire sauce so that is now on the grocery list.

The croutons? Not so great, very dense - but they give the illusion of a full caesar salad...

GF Cream Puffs

2009-10-28T21:39:00.002-06:00

Cream Puffs from Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise G. Roberts - same cookbook that I used for the bread I posted about a month or so ago. Definitely yummy and they tastevery similar to the original glutenous versions I made. The recipe was wonderfully detailed.

I've also tried the Chocolate Chip cookies but those were an epic fail 3+ times... I will try again at least once more, just not right now.

FO: Mitered Square Blanket

2009-10-17T10:37:00.003-06:00

You know a project has taken awhile when it feels weird to think that it is done. I've finally finished my Mitered Square Blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting! I started it back in January 2008 and finished it yesterday. Some delays were due to laziness (especially towards the end), heat (also towards the end - who wants to knit the edge on a blanket in the middle of summer), running out of a colour and Michaels not having it because Patons changed their colour line (found a place online that still had them, luckily), and needing more colours (found them in Kelowna). There were also a few extra squares made because I knit them before I figured out the pattern that I wanted... They went to my mom's knitting group who knits blankets for charity - I figured they'd fit in somewhere.

There are 80 miters in this thing - 13 colours - and 9x4 rows of garter stitch in the border (9 colours, 4 rows per colour). I knit some icord to cover the seam at the corners because the seam was messy and I couldn't stand not being completely satisfied given the time investment in the blanket.

Ellie and Cory have both claimed the blanket.

Wordless Wednesday: Vancouver Island #2

2009-09-30T09:06:00.000-06:00

This quick trip has provided me with pictures to post for the next little bit

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
19/9/2009

More Finished Objects

2009-09-28T16:15:00.008-06:00

I don't quite know why but I'm drawn to more of these small projects - I do one of them and then settle in for knitting on a project that takes more time.

I finally finished the Embossed Leaves Socks that I started back in April - the hang up was that I didn't want to spend the time casting on (or so it seems). So when we went to visit Cory's relatives it was all I brought and I wouldn't let myself cast on with the sweatermaker yarn until the Embossed Leaves Socks were finished (including weaving in the ends). Worked like a charm. Here is a photo of the first sock - I haven't taken a picture of the pair yet - but trust me they are done like dinner (well not tonight's dinner but let's not get too picky).

I've knit two mini-sweaters - the second one is a mini-baby surprise jacket. I swear, Elizabeth Zimmerman was a genius to come up with the original (which I intend on knitting).

I made another one of the knitted flower things with a button in the middle. I meant for this one to have 6 petals but ran out of yarn after 4. It is adorning my knitting basket for the time being.

I've had a spurt of bookmarks this past weekend... Not quite sure what I'll do with them but they were enjoyable.

Backbone Bookmark

Gertrude Bookmark (ravelry link)

and the Sylvia Bookmark (ravlery link)

And finally, I've cast on the SweaterMaker Socks using the Yarn Harlot's Basic Sock Recipe from Knitting Rules!

In terms of blogging - that's all I got, pictures and not a lot of words. I've been a bit under the weather for awhile (sore throat that comes and goes) but it has gotten worse this past weekend. Still just a cold, and a mild one at that (knock on wood) - but enough to cause me expend all of my energy on a paper that I'm writing for a class and not leave me enough to think of much to type here. As always, yardage requirements etc. are on Ravelry. If you aren't on Ravelry and want details on where to find the pattern, yardage etc send me a comment and I'll get the information to you.

ECF: Sweatermaker Yarns

2009-09-25T09:03:00.000-06:00

I somehow restrained myself at Uptown Yarns - I got two skeins of hand dyed sock yarn - Simply Sock by Sweatermaker Yarns. I've already wound the top skein into a ball and am swatching. If anything it is even more beautiful in a center-pull ball... I'm going to just do a basic sock out of Knitting Rules! by the Yarn Harlot. I am so excited about how this will knit up that I barely want to take the time to type this. I've already scoped out how to obtain more of this awesome yarn without travelling back to Vancouver Island - it appears to be available at Fun Knits (this link is as much for me to remember as it is for you guys - right now there is some lace weight available)

Wordless Wednesday: Vancouver Island #1

2009-09-23T10:05:00.000-06:00

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
17/9/2009

This is just the start of the beauty that is Vancouver Island...

Wordless Wednesday: The One With the Weird Grass

2009-09-16T13:07:00.001-06:00

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
18/06/2009

The One With a Lot of Finished Objects

2009-09-13T10:29:00.015-06:00

Just over a month ago one of my childhood best friends, that I've managed to stay in contact with over the years and across a distance, had her first child. This summer I had meant to knit a stockpile of things but the summer flew by (where did it go? I start TAing tomorrow!) and all I got was a list of queued and favorited items on Ravelry. So the kiddo was born and I had nothing knit! I dropped all of my current projects and knit a little set of accessories - booties, legwarmers, mittens, and a hat. I mailed it off on Friday - I hope it all fits him. I don't know baby sizes very well - and I don't know how well he fits the averages...

I also made another set of booties but they look like they will fit a doll so I sent them home with mom for the doll that she is dressing for a church bazaar or donation or something

I worked on and finished a lace scarf for one of Cory's aunts - it is the Trellis Scarf from Interweave knits. I think she'll really like it - we go to visit her this Wednesday in Comox

And you may remember that in May we re-did the floors. Well my favorite red chair kept loosing it's felt pads so I made some booties for it and they stay on. At first they seemed really noticeable but now they seem to belong.

Winter is coming so I made myself another hat. The colours are so off in this picture that I almost don't want to post it but I might as well. Anyone have tips on photographing red? Anyone know why it seems so difficult?

And then I got on a kick of knitting small things - started this Friday and may continue today too. Essentially I wanted to tidy my stash in Ravelry of small quantities of yarn but I have some arbitrary idea that the amount has to go below say .1 of a skein before I'll designate it as all used up - when I suppose I need to change that to some yardage amount. Anyway, small items.

Coffee Cozy the first - don't like it so much

So I made another one - Coffee Cozy the second - I like this one much better. I needed at least one of these cozy things because one of my travel mugs heats up a lot if you put a hot beverage in it. Plus it had a logo on it that I didn't like and that was peeling off. So I made the cozy to go over it.

The madness continued in the form of two stash busting flowers - not sure what I'll do with them - perhaps put a magnet or a pin on them...

And finally, something that was supposed to be a coaster that turned out too big. Which really isn't that surprising because the pattern was for a trivet and I should have either used a thinner yarn than called for or cast on a smaller number of stitches. Will do the next time. Now it is under a pot in my study and looks great there. What I really liked about this pattern is that it shrinks equally in width and length because it is knit in the round - so I didn't have to guess how many more (or less) rows I had to make relative to the width so that it would felt square.

I'm lazy so I'm not putting up pattern and yarn details - those interested can either email me or look on Ravelry (username: Catiecat). I have explicit details there about yardage etc because I weighed the items so that the requirements are accurate.

Still knitting on the epic mitered square blanket - but it is large so I can only work on it on days that are pretty cool.

Oh and I finished another sock - the mate to this one.

I haven't weaved in the ends or tried it on - I'm scared, plus the first one didn't fit well. The instructive part of the project is that I now know that I much prefer a gusset to a short row heel. I need more space in the instep and at the ankle than a short row heel provides. The project had bad mojo or juju or whatever - it took me a good month just to bind off after completing the ribbing! Oh well, it is done and over with.

And to end, I've been watching a lot of Buffy episodes - somewhere in season 6 now - because I can't stand most of the summer television stuff. Luckily shows start soon and hockey too.

ETA: and in all this I forgot another finished object (that's what I get for not posting these things as they were finished - or at least in the week they were finished...) - some more feline dim sum for a friend's cat - apparently I've got good catnip and Dixun had killed beyond repair the last one I made. How could I say no to such a request?

Cat Blasphemy

2009-09-09T09:26:00.003-06:00

I wasn't going to post today but Chris's post made me reconsider - Urlesque Announces a Day Without Cats on 9.9.09

Seriously? All I have to say on the subject is:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
23/04/2009

On another note - iPods confuse me. 3 years ago I thought my mini had kicked the bucket so I bought an iPod video - which I use a lot and which now has kitty teeth marks thanks to Zoie carrying around the knitted case while the iPod was still in it. A month or so ago, out of curiosity I plugged the mini into the computer and it started charging (didn't do that 3 years ago). Then yesterday it seemed like the iPod video was having issues - the center button was stuck. I was all set to open the sucker up tonight (voiding any warranty that it might have - but I think I'm out of warranty because I don't remember getting the extended warranty) and I looked at it this morning and it was working again - the button is still slightly depressed but it works... I don't understand but that doesn't matter - it works.

In other news, I am knitting away - mainly on baby items because my best friend (who I've known since we were about 5 years old) had a sweet little boy. I don't want to post pictures yet because I don't want her seeing - though I don't think she has a reliable internet connection... Still slogging away on the blanket and some other things - my ravelry page is up to date (username Catiecat). I hope to mail the stuff to her this week and post lots of pictures by the weekend. We'll see if this actually happens though.

Things Are Looking Up...

2009-09-05T17:51:00.004-06:00

I made the Basic Sandwich Bread from Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise G. Roberts. It turned out amazing (on my first try!) and I'm hopeful that I will have good gluten-free bread that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

At the start of the cookbook she gives you tips and tricks to help make your attempts successful - and she doesn't just give you recipes, she tells you why the different flours are necessary and what they do for the taste/texture/etc. so that you can, with experimentation, adapt your favorite recipes to be gluten-free.

Personally, I'm going to attempt to make my Grandma Gross' Peanut Butter Cookies and her Sand Tarts. Come Christmas I will miss the Sand Tarts. If/when I do figure out the adaptations I'll post both the original and the adapted versions here.

I'll definitely be trying more from this cookbook, and will let you know how it goes - but honestly, if I only ever make the bread recipe I will still consider this cookbook money well spent.

Wordless Wednesday: I've been knitting and I'll show you more later this week or next

2009-09-02T08:44:00.002-06:00

28/8/2009
Canon Powershot SD1100 IS

ECF...

2009-08-28T14:19:00.000-06:00

Ellie inspects the stash...

Ten on Tuesday

2009-08-11T13:13:00.004-06:00

This week is supposed to be 10 Fads You Just Don't Get - but I missed last weeks topic and it is so much more interesting so I'm doing that one instead.

10 Favorite Characters from Television

1. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) of The Big Bang Theory
2. Kaylee Frye (Jewel Staite) of Firefly
3. Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) of How I Met Your Mother
4. Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (I like the ditzy high school Cordy more than the Cordy from later seasons of Angel)
5. Spike (James Marsters) of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
6. Dr. Temperance 'Bones' Brennan (Emily Deschanel) of Bones
7. Winifred 'Fred' Burkle (Amy Acker) of Angel
8. Topher Brink (Fran Kranz) of Dollhouse
9. River Tam (Summer Glau) of Firefly (she plays crazy so well!)
10. Joy Turner (Jaime Pressly) of My Name is Earl (I don't know why, normally I don't like this type of show at all... but I love My Name is Earl)

Okay, well the theme/pattern is pretty clear - I love me some Joss Whedon characters. The topic almost could have been list your 10 Favorite Joss Whedon characters seeing as only 4 of the 10 would have to be changed. And it would have been easy to name 4 more of his characters - Billy (Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Neil Patrick Harris), Anya (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Emma Caufield), Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Seth Green), Hoban 'Wash' Washburne (Firefly, Alan Tudyk).

Update

2009-08-08T19:37:00.010-06:00

I haven't posted in a ridiculously long time. A lot has happened in that time including

- issues with doctors - still no diagnosis and a long wait is occurring before I will get to see a specialist - prior to the referral I changed doctors, the one on campus was frustrating me.

- our 3rd wedding anniversary - went to shakespeare in the park again but got rained out, had a lovely time none the less.

- British Columbia is having a horrendous forest fire year. Two fires broke out near my home town (Westbank - they call it West Kelowna now but that just sounds weird to me). A lot of people were evacuated (over 10,000 evacuated, another 7,000 or so on alert - the town is only about 40,000 people...), and the apartment that my parents were buying was put on evacuation alert.

- We went to Penticton for a wedding of some college (undergrad) friends. Saw a lot of old friends and got homesick for the Okanagan. The dream is to move back there some day. The issue is that there aren't many employers for me...

- Cory drove home and I stayed to help my parents move - what a gong show that ended up being. Since I was there for longer I saw some more friends - one that I hadn't seen in years and another that I don't see much of. Also spent time up at the cottage and saw a niece and nephew and brother - brother I saw within the last year (still good to see him though), niece I hadn't seen in 2 years, and nephew I hadn't seen in 3...

- introduced said niece and nephew to the wonder that is the Ames Brothers and Rag Mop (my happy song - I should go see if iTunes has it - okay I'm back, they do and so now I need to go buy a copy - also a fan of Sentimental Me on the other side of the record) via my grandparents gramophone. I've been told that my grandpa Gross had this gramophone while he was courting grandma Gross.

- While in the Okanagan I cast on the Trellis Scarf by Evelyn A. Clark (Interweave Knits, Spring 2006) for Cory's Aunt Paula. She saw the scarf I made for his Nana (branching out, pink kid silk haze) and requested one. I think she'll really appreciate it so I'm knitting the Trellis for her in KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud - Peppermint. Love the yarn and pattern - am about 7 repeats into the pattern, but it doesn't seem very long - I have a spare hank of the yarn if need be. The cats are "helping" and unfortunately are somewhat interested in the ball of yarn - not sure if it is the alpaca (they like merino for sure) or the way it is wound.

- wound the ball of laceweight by hand because I was at the cottage. Luckily I bought my mom a swift for Christmas this year. I swear it took 45 minutes or more. Niece and nephew found the whole process very interesting for almost the whole time - and laughed hysterically at me when I would drop the ball and it would roll on the floor.

Okay, well that about does it for the past month. I'm feeling pretty fatigued lately and sleeping a lot. Also watching a new-to-me show that I find hilarious - Big Bang Theory. I just wish I could relate less to the geeky scientists...

A Sheep-Shearing Good Time

2009-07-06T21:25:00.006-06:00

On Sunday we went to the Calgary Stampede: the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Since last year I've wanted to see the Sheep Shearing Competition - but last year I couldn't go because my thesis was behind schedule (or something like that). So we didn't go - but for the past year I've been talking about going this year. Was it worth the build up? Was it awesome? Yes and yes! Cory thought it was okay - he liked that I was so happy I suppose.

My only regret is that I didn't have my good camera with me - but it is always so crowded that Cory thought the small point and shoot was a better idea. I think next year I'll bring the faster camera because it was medium-low lighting and fast movements.

There were "official sheep shear-leaders" and a "shear-off" and piles of wool at the end of each shear-off. It. Was. Wonderful.

Wordless Wednesday: Reflection

2009-07-01T19:59:00.003-06:00

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
18/06/2009

Some Days I Realize That I Should Have Just Stayed in Bed

2009-06-30T09:49:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was one of those days. It started innocently enough - Ellie even let me sleep up to when the alarm went off... But from there it went downhill. I don't tend to blog about non-knitting problems but yesterday was too much to not tell.

I strongly suspect that I have Celiac Disease, and I've suspected/feared this for awhile. A few weeks ago I went to the doctor for a prescription renewal and some blood work. My symptoms were worsening but not too bad. Instead of my doctor I got a resident - which is fine, normally, I'm all for helping educate the doctors of tomorrow. I let interns come in during my appointments all the time. I didn't realize that my normal doctor wouldn't also be there but whatever - it was a prescription and me telling them that I needed a specific blood test, not difficult. She listened to my symptoms and family history (2 siblings diagnosed, 1 niece, 1 nephew, 1 cousin, 1 cousin's daughter - plus 1 niece with the appropriate DNA and 1 cousin's daughter with the appropriate DNA) and said that it was likely that I had Celiac Disease and that she wanted to check for that and some other things it could be - sounds good to me so far. And she said that given my symptoms and family history, if the test came back negative she recommended a biopsy - the blood test is usually accurate but just in case, the definitive diagnosis is a biopsy - sounds great to me. So I got the tests and waited for my annual (which is next week).

But the symptoms have gotten way worse - and I couldn't wait the extra week. Until I get the diagnosis I have to keep eating gluten. So I went to the walk in yesterday and found out that the resident FORGOT to order the CELIAC test! Sorry for the yelling but seriously! So the other doctor ordered the test and I got it done right away. I've had a copy of the results sent to a friend's sister (who is a doctor) so that I can get the results faster than from my regular doctor. I'm pretty stressed about the results - I want a Celiac diagnosis because if it is negative then the doctors start from scratch trying to figure out what is causing my symptoms. I'll let y'all know when I know.

So I went home early - I was feeling pretty sick, hopefully because I'd had gluten the day before. And then as I was flossing I popped out the filling I got last week! At which point I decided I should have stayed in bed. Today is going better so far :)

Spindle Acquisition

2009-06-24T18:32:00.004-06:00

We interrupt your regularly scheduled posting (Wordless Wednesday) for an important announcement - the newest addition to my spindle collection arrived today - an Art Nouveau Filigree Golding RingSpindle! I decided that since I didn't buy myself an present when I finished my masters I was entitled, or cleared to purchase this beauty. Now when I want to buy another one I'll have to come up with another excuse. I blame my weakness on the Spindler's group on Ravelry.

And this is Ellie inspecting my spindle stash - the other spindles are a large Schacht spindle (2 3/4 oz), a smaller Schacht spindle (2 oz), a small unfinished (for now) Louet spindle (1 3/8) and a Tiger Mountain Cascade Spindle (less than 1/2 oz)

Now I have to go play with my new toy - but what to spin? I ordered some fiber from an Etsy seller (FiberOptic) but because it is coming from the states AND was ordered the day after the spindle - it hasn't gotten here yet.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T09:38:00.002-06:00

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
05/06/2009

Ten on Tuesday

2009-06-16T11:08:00.003-06:00

10 things you'd bring on a deserted island

1. A spindle - likely my new golding one if it gets here before I'd have to go to the island
2. Fiber to use with the spindle - something natural in colour
3. A knife - a swiss army sort of thing so that I could make whatever size knitting needle I need - it would take awhile but how much is there to do on a deserted island?
4. A sewing kit - to darn the clothes I am wearing when stranded and to sew up the pieces of whatever I knit
5. My vitamins - they treat my depression and if I'm on a nice island, which is hopefully warm but not too hot I'd want to be happy
6. My computer - hopefully there is a way to charge it and some internet so I could get knitting patterns and could find books online.
7. Ellie - because so long as there are birds, with Ellie I wouldn't need TV as much
8. Zoie - because having only one of the cats would be trouble
9. Some way to make fire - like flint or something - and instructions on how to use the stuff
10. A mattress - i like my sleep

What about you?

First Handspun

2009-06-15T11:03:00.006-06:00

JessaLu (yep, I'm stealing another post idea from her) posted an image on her blog of her first handspun and the spinning that she is most proud of. I have the former but not the latter - I'm still very new at the spinning thing. But without further delay, my first handspun (though this picture only shows one skein I'm pretty sure there was more - and that I have left overs at home).

And what I made out of it

In other news, thanks to the Spindlers forum on Ravelry, I've purchased a Golding Spindle which I'll share once I get it (naturally I bought some fiber on Etsy so that I have more choices of what to spin when the spindle gets here).

We also finished the last of the flooring this weekend. Cory has a new thing that he doesn't like doing - now right up there with removing wallpaper is putting a toilet back on. All I can say is thank goodness my dad was here to supervise and give recommendations of what to change/fix when the water tank was leaking.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T18:00:00.001-06:00

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
09/06/2009

Ten on Tuesday

2009-06-09T09:54:00.002-06:00

... the one I stole from JessaLu with the stuff I like to do with 'me' time (but in no particular order)

1. Knit - this helps me turn off my brain. I have issues with truly doing nothing - though sometimes I can watch TV without doing something else, has to be a captivating show though, like the Dollhouse (which was renewed!)
2. Read - I often do this on the bus
3. Nap - I don't let myself do this one often because if I do, I get less done and then I get upset at myself for "wasting time" - I do like napping on the bus though and haven't missed my stop yet
4. Watch girlie movies - Cory will stay in the room during these movies only because his computer is in the same room as our only TV. He puts in headphones.
5. Ravelry - I do this everyday, and it is often part of my morning email routine (it is my home page...). I check the recently added patterns, a few of the forums (particularly the spun to finished forum in the spinning knitters group), and check my friend's activity.
6. Blogs - I don't need to be alone to do this though.
7. Journal - I used to be much better about this than I currently am. I have volumes from when I was younger that I want to go back over, it should be a bit of a riot.
8. Coffee - not really 'me' time but it is my socializing time while at work so it is time that is not work time which while at work is me time. I like to go with my best friend - we chat and gossip
9. Spinning - I have a spindle (or 4 and want more) and hope to add a wheel too - eventually
10. Listen to podcasts - most of them are knitting - and the only knitting one that Cory likes is Lime 'n Violet - cuz he says they barely talk about knitting.

K, that was hard. I don't do a variety of things with my time - mostly knitting. I might make an effort to go to a knit night this summer. Just to develop friends and connections outside of the university, and outside of the internet. Though the internet is great, face to face contact is good too.

Accumulation?!

2009-06-06T09:24:00.003-06:00

7am this morning:

It is now almost 930 - the snow is still there. It is supposedly +2C (35.6F) and supposedly feels like -2C (28.4F) - it still looks solid-ish while falling but there is maybe less snow on the branches - still the same on the ground though. The leaves look sad.

Solid Precipitation in June

2009-06-05T19:06:00.003-06:00

Snow in June! Seriously! It's not much, but it has just started.

Commuter Challenge 2009

2009-06-04T09:34:00.002-06:00

I should have posted about this before - Commuter Challenge 2009. This is a national program designed to encourage Canadians to use transit methods that have less impact on the environment - from using public transit to carpooling to biking. Cities and companies compete to be the one who has the best participation rate. There are prizes and incentives (like free transit passes) etc. The challenge runs from May 31 to June 6. Like I said, I should have posted about this before - but there is still time to register and fill in your results from the past few days (that is what I did yesterday - I had forgotten).

Most of the time I take the bus to and from school - it increases my transit time from about 20 minutes to 45-50 minutes but I don't have a choice, Cory needs the car most days and we are a 1 car family. I kind of like the time I get on the bus - I read a book, listen to podcasts, nap... and it is good at the end of the day, sometimes, to have a bit of break time. A time to settle down, relax my mind etc before getting home to make dinner, clean, knit... I considered getting a phone that could receive email - and I still kind of want one - but I didn't want email/work intruding on my time on the bus.

Calgary has the highest number of participants (but not the highest percentage of the cities population), has saved the greatest distance, has saved the most green house gases, has burned the most calories, and has saved the most in fuel costs (results found on this website). But most importantly, as of today the University of Calgary is the top company in Canada!

Wordless Wednesday: Mission Hill Winery

2009-06-03T21:36:00.004-06:00

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
02/05/2009

Mission Hill Winery, Kelowna BC

Marcus VS HP deskjet

2009-06-02T21:55:00.002-06:00

Another funny cat video of someone else's cat:

Teeny Tiny Thoughts

2009-06-01T09:26:00.017-06:00

I stole this idea from Totally Together Journal, we'll see how it goes. The idea is, I don't Twitter but I'm interested in the idea of short blips of thoughts. I'm starting at 9am so this might be a bit long, we'll see

I had a vacation minus the vacation last week - I feel like it should be Saturday, or at least Friday but it is Monday
We didn't finish the house yet - still the laundry, a little hall and the bathroom. New estimated finish date is next Saturday because we're both back at work now
I liked all the time I spent with Cory though
I'm tired today - but my SAD lamp is helping more than coffee (for seasonal affective disorder - I have regular depression but the light, somehow, still helps - I'm not sure it is supposed to though)
This is kinda fun - but distracting, which is not good or helpful.
Because we were doing flooring I had taken my wedding band and engagement ring off and put them on a necklace - I just put them back on
It feels nice to have them on - natural etc.
I don't want Detroit to win another Stanley Cup - they should share it with others
Hopefully the Penguins will start winning
I dislike email spam
But on my "official", university email some is not a bad thing - it means that although it looks like I have a lot to respond to I actually don't
That email doesn't have a spam folder and doesn't catch a lot of the spam
It really should be better at detecting spam messages than it is
I wish I had windows in my office - even on cloudy or rainy days
But then I'd also need to be out of the basement of my building - otherwise I'd just see dirt
I wonder if I can make that part of my hiring agreement in a few years - must be able to see the sky...
I just looked up a book in the library database that I'm 99% certain we have but couldn't find it - so I requested that it be requested from another library - they will email me back saying that we have it and then give me the call number
I feel bad for making them find it for me - but the search engine isn't very easy to use
But then, perhaps the university doesn't have the book...
I'm researching adjectives right now - to help with the wording of the instructions in my study
I'm so very close to being ready to start
I'm excited and nervous about it - I've never tested children before, only undergraduate students
I think the kids will enjoy the tasks though
Hopefully
I just ate a cheese string
I'm not sure how good the cheese is in them
But they are ridiculously fun to eat - and doing so makes me happy
I know that that is weird
Most days Cory calls me at the start of his lunch break to say hi and I love you
I like it - but he always calls my cell phone and not my office phone
This is okay because I use so little of my minutes
I had leftovers for lunch - I prefer that to sandwiches
How is it already June?! Where is the time going? Is this reflective of getting older?
I miss being excited about things like my birthday and Christmas - I used to get so excited, the feeling was so intense.
I had to change my password on my email accounts last week because of a spam email that I accidentally clicked - I keep forgetting that I changed it.
I like this tiny thought thing but I fear that it is pretty boring. Perhaps next time I'll just put the thoughts that occur to me that are funny/strange - or I could pick a topic, like spinning...
It would keep it shorter too
I like how Bells does "a day in the life of" but I fear it would be dreadfully boring if I did one.
I can never remember when it is... I think it is on the 14th but I'm not sure
Yep it is on the 14th - I'm dreadfully distracted today, perhaps it is this post... if it is then it is a good thing I'm not on Twitter, or Plurk (whatever plurk is)

Even though it is only just after 1pm and I'm not done work for the day, I'm gonna call this Teeny Tiny Thoughts post complete. It is too distracting - fun - but distracting. We'll see if I do this again.

Flooring Progress

2009-05-26T21:14:00.004-06:00

Well, flooring continues apace. We're a bit further than this now and will be doing the first of two bedrooms tomorrow (the spare room). All this updating is mainly for mom - I know she is very interested. We MIGHT be done by Friday evening or early Saturday afternoon (I'll keep you updated) - but not the baseboards (which all need to be replaced), that will happen one long weekend.

The cats are still 'upset' by the movement of things but have found many interesting places to take naps. I think what confuses them most is that we are both home but no one is paying attention to them whenever they want attention - which is almost all of the time.

Allure Flooring

2009-05-23T22:09:00.002-06:00

We are in the process of going from this:

To this (it is a high grade linoleum tile called Allure).

What you see here is a day's worth of work (it goes quickly except when you have annoying angles - and we had two sections with annoying angles...). Side note - why do they even make off white crappy carpet - I mean, if you are going to have white carpet, it shouldn't be crappy because cheap carpet doesn't come clean well.

Ellie figures it is a hard day's work by 1 hour in and naps on the porch.

Wordless Wednesday: Ellie Close Up

2009-05-20T22:02:00.002-06:00

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
01/03/2009

Lace: My first knitting love

2009-05-15T20:01:00.003-06:00

I had, somehow forgotten how much I love lace... my head had been turned by the allure of sock knitting. But the yarn called my name and I cast on the Swallowtail shawl by Evelyn Clark... It was like reconnecting with an old friend.

I cast on at my parents place in Kelowna - April 29th and took it off the blocking wires less than an hour ago. I suppose that is one good thing about the horribly dry air in Calgary - knitting dries really fast. It took about 345 yards of Louet Kidlin lace weight, and was knit on 2.5 (3 mm) needles.

The pattern was wonderful (and free because I downloaded the limited edition ebook during the appropriate time period - though I think I also have the correct issue of the magazine) - my only concern/warning would be against learning nupps on a yarn that contains linen, but for me, in the end, the nupps were fine and completely worth the effort.

Wordless Wednesday: More Kelowna Sunshine Edition

2009-05-13T09:04:00.000-06:00

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
29/04/2009

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T20:28:00.003-06:00

Our first picture together (or darn close) - 25/11/1982

Happy Mother's Day Mom, you're the best!

Wordless Wednesday: Apricot Blossoms

2009-05-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

29/04/2009
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

Wordless Wednesday: Cozy Cove Cupcakes

2009-04-29T07:12:00.001-06:00

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
23/04/2009

Commercials

2009-04-28T15:30:00.003-06:00

Sometimes there are commercials that are so amazing you remember them years later. Here are 3 of my favorite commercials - this first one is the best, the second is really good, and the third is one that is on right now and that I think will be a classic. I'm also fond of the Kia Forte commercials right now but I don't think I'll remember them when they are gone.

Baby Shower

2009-04-26T20:53:00.000-06:00

In addition to the stuffed animal that I posted about yesterday, I made the following for my friend's little guy.

I wasn't sure that this hat would fit him, but it looks like it will work for a few weeks, which is really when he will need it here in Calgary...

And I made a few bibs - this first one is a Ball Band Dishcloth with straps attached

And this is a Baby Bib 'O Love
Both are on the large size, but seeing as he doesn't need them right now that should work out fine.

In addition to this knitted loot I put 2 onsies in the present, not hand made - I wasn't sure how the hand knits would go over with the friend, luckily she loved them.

The hardest thing for me was knowing what size a newborn baby is... I'm still not sure I have a good handle on the whole baby size thing. Like the rest of us they vary in size but I don't even have an approximation or average. Does anyone know of a website with good baby size averages?

Elijah

2009-04-25T22:18:00.003-06:00

My friend had a baby and thus there is a baby shower coming tomorrow and I've been on a baby item knitting bend for over a week. One item I just finished is Elijah by Ysolda Teague. A wonderful and cute pattern

As Ellie demonstrates, one thing that helps is having someone help you read the directions.

He is a cutie of a project - and I think that the trunk and arms will be good for little hands.

I decorated the bum with a little daisy stitch flower

The one thing is that I found it was relatively easy to lobotomize the toy while knitting each of the arms... :P
I'm sure I'll knit this again - perhaps with a nicer yarn - I didn't have many choices in the house because I wanted it to be machine washable...

I'll post pictures of other projects I've made soon.