Falling

Just a quick note...

It's been a wonderful August... and I haven't posted once about it!! Oh dear...

Dorcas camp was wonderful with Hannah and Amanda. Girl time! I was inspired by a number of craft ideas, and I walked away from the week renewed spiritually and emotionally. I came home a better wife and better mother.

Our anniversay dinner with our family and friends was amazing. It was great to celebrate ten years with some of the people who have been there for us, good times and bad, encouraging us and praying with us. I'm thankful to have been blessed with such wonderful parents... and I am doubly blessed to have received such a special second family of in-laws.

Mum Joy and I are starting a Daniel fast this week. It was her suggestion as a kick-off to the year... a time to focus on the Lord, set ourselves apart and seek after Him. A few years ago when I did my 40-day Lenten fast, I realized very quickly how much our lives around food and we seek after it to fill us and fulfill us... but it is utterly incapable of doing so. I want to begin this year focused on God's plan for our homeschool. I want to spend extra time in prayer for Hannah especially... I love her exceedinly but she tests me to my limit... I want a breakthru for us.

I want just one thing in my life... God.

All the rest will just fall into place.

Strong trees

10 YEARS!!! Wow! I can hardly believe it! Ten wonderful years... sure, some of it was a little up and down, but I love how my mom used to say that storms make strong trees... and our marriage is going strong after all this time because of the lessons we have learned thru the good times and bad. I love this man, more now than ever!

Now for knitting news...

Woo hoo! my Branching Out scarf is finished and all set to block... I even have a little alpaca left for another project... perhaps the cuffs of socks or stripes in a simple scarf... we shall see. For now, back into the stash pile.

I am thrilled with how well it turned out. It's soft and beautiful. It feels like such an accomplishment... my first truly successful lace knitting. (Pictures to follow.)

happy news #2: my ebay parcel arrived with the rest of my Tootsie yarn and so I'm back to the Meadow Flowers shawl. I love it!!! I also got 4 balls of yummy soft yarn that will hide in the stash for just the right project. What will be worthy enough?? hmmm...

Prep for Dorcas camp is under way. We've tested our new tent, assembled our gear... and Hannah is totally thrilled. I'm praying that it is a real building time for us, and that God will bring us closer together.

Knitting Inukshuk

Once again... the wip's are flying off the needles... here's what's been happening. Sorry I've been slow to post the progress...

for Helen and Tafari's beautiful little girl... a wee tiny thing.

I loved this yarn! Helen hates pink so I knew I had to find something that was a little different. The colours were perfect... something I could imagine Helen wearing... ruby red, with a thin variegated strand that changed from violet to blue to green to gold. The picture does not do it justice. The pattern is a basic, yoke-down "five-hour baby sweater."

I finished grumperina socks. I can't wait to pass them on to Genevieve. (It's so much fun to knit socks for someone who loves knit socks!!) She sent a postcard from Ireland... and to be honest, my first thought was about how much wool these sheep were representing!! ;)

Now, ladies and gentlemen, what a treat we have for you! Our model for the day will be the lovely Bosco...

I started the meadow flowers shawl... I got itchy fingers and cast on this Tootsie yarn from my stash before I got out to the lys to buy something wonderful and flowy... I don't mind at all though... I'm liking the density of this yarn. It's hard to see the pattern with it being so chunky, but I'm sure that it will block out a bit nicer. To be honest though, I don't mind either way. It's cozy and cuddly. A nice flowy shawl in a beautiful hand painted lace weight will follow without a doubt...

I did manage to pick up some spinning fibres in a colour scheme that's to "dye" for... hardy har har... I think I'm gonna turn it into a pair of slipper-socks for Aunt Pat, seeing as she was really loving the colours... we shall see... I have only spun yarn twice, both times resulting in slubby textured yarn. This time around, I'm being a little more patient and I'm liking how it's turning out. I think it's a wee bit too thick, seeing as I still have to ply it... which is why I think it will be something worsted or sport weight... we shall see. I'm still learning...










(This was just to see if Bosco would actually sit there... and he did! Though the look of "I'm just tolerating this because you give me food" was not lost on me.)

Mum came home from BC with a wonderful surprise... Alpaca from the Farm!!! SQuee!! It's soooo soft... what to make from 100gr??? Although it's enough for socks, I can't get past the fact that I hate (wearing) socks... and even if I knit them out of alpaca, I would barely wear them, and that would be a shame. I I thought it would be great to turn it into something that would be near my face... so I've started the Branching Out scarf. I made this for Annie a few years ago, and I remember wrestling with the pattern. It was my first venture into lace... and I was such a straight'forward knitter up until then. Well, I've had a few more years of experience so I thought I would try it again... it's been a lightbulb experience this time around. I've come to understand how stitches relate to one another, where yo find their homes, and the basic flow of creating movement in a pattern. Before I was muscling my way thru... trying to memorize and decode the chart... this time, I find myself barely looking at it!! Mind you, I've had to frog a few rows, but overall, I'm thrilled to be at a place of understanding. Knitting this lace is intuitive and flowing and some of the most meditative, deep knitting I've ever done. I'm absolutely moved by it and what it represents for me. It's a landmark. It's my inukshuk. It's true, I'm a Knitter (capital K).

A round of applause folks, for our lovely model. (Thanks for being so co-operative Bosco!)

And this is next... this absolutely gorgeous sweater for Mark as a 10th anniversary present... he's going to look completely yummy in it. He's such a good sport too... he's coming to the open house at Spun tonight to make his colour choice. He may not be a knitter, but he's far from a muggle. (And he's just as hunky as the model!)

Drawn Deeper

One year ago my grandmother died suddenly.

My inspiration. My encourager. My teacher.

She had been excited about having another great-grandchild and she wished that this little one would be born on her birthday. To lose her so suddenly and not be able to attend the funeral was extremely difficult for me. I had to hold onto the faith that she had taught me, and sing my way through the hard times, another thing she taught me.

Home by and by, when our journey is o'er

There we shall meet on that bright and happy shore

Safe with my Saviour, in His arms forever more

Glory to God! I'll be home by and by

This was one of her favourite songs to sing, a hymn from the tiny Salvation Army church in Newfoundland that she attended for years and years. I can hear her now, as if I were standing beside her... a strong alto, singing with great conviction. Oh how she longed for heaven, especially after Pop had already gone to be with Jesus! The night before she died, she had a dream that Pop had come to lie beside her in bed, and wrapped his arms around her. The next day, she was wrapped in her Saviour's arms and reunited with her life-long love.

Some days I find myself reaching for the phone because it feels strange to have not talked to her for so long... and then I remember. I think that is part of what has drawn me deeper into knitting... it's my connection to her. It's how I feel close to her.

Punishment Pie

Today, I dutifully worked away in the kitchen, working culinary wonders to transform the fresh rhubarb from Genevieve into delicious rhubarb custard pies. Four of them.

Now, I don't bake very often. (That's a bad sign.) It's not that I can't, but I find it tedious to follow an exact list of ingredients, in exact proportions. (That's a bad sign too.) I love to cook, where I often add a little of this and a little of that. All that being said, I was very proud of the fact that I was not just going to make one pie, but I thought I'd use up all the rhubarb and make extra pies - one for Mark for celebrating Father's Day, one for the freezer, one for the neighbour who resodded our dilapidated lawn, and one for our friends, the Windsors. There, four pies.

When it comes to baking, I rely heavily on trusted sources. People I know can bake... and I've tasted their recipe before. Mum's recipe for apple bundt cake can't be beat for a delicious, not-too-sweet dessert, that begs for french vanilla ice cream. She also passed on her recipe for brownies, which I must say, cannot be beat. There is not a better recipe out there for brownies. Stop looking. I have it... well, Mum gave it to me. My other trusted source is my mom. Pineapple squares, rice pudding, and rhubarb pie are her classics. I look forward to this time of year when summer begins because it means I can pull out my recipe box and dig for the rhubarb custard pie recipe, made with Bride's pastry, which has been passed down for generations of Newfoundland brides, one to another. Thus, I've learned to make amazing pie crust. I don't mind tooting my own horn. Well, you know how it goes... pride goeth before the fall.

We had homemade pizza for supper tonight - yummo! The house had been filled with aroma of baking for a while, and we were all so anxious to get to dessert. However, in the midst of getting it ready, the kids got into a bit of a row and it was Time Out on the Naughty Spot. Once the episode was over, we all regrouped around the table. The suspense was too much. Hannah dug in first...

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!! This is too spicey!!!"

I took a bite... it took 45 minutes for my face to unpucker and come out of its contortions. It was obvious that I had forgotten to add something... sugar. After diligently chopping 16 cups of rhubarb, 4 cups of strawberries... beating 12 eggs... grating fresh nutmeg... adding a bit of flour... I neglected to add even a speck of sugar.

We peeled back the top crust of our pies and sprinkled a spoonful of sugar, much like Mary Poppins, to help the pie go down.

Mark's brilliant comment: "Hey, instead of the Naughty Spot, you could just make the kids eat the pie!" Yeah, thanks.

So now, I have 3 pies for the freezer...

I give up.

Paging Sparkles, the Tooth Fairy

Yay!!!! Party time in the house! Mark got the job! Woo hoo! (I told you Mr. Employer that it would be worth it!!)

Good bye traffic jams... crummy commute! He's close enough to come home for lunch if he wants to! Thank you God!

btw...making good progress on sock 2, just turned the heel... I always feel like it goes quickly after that. Sock 1 is really nice... I love the pattern. It's a dream to knit - just 2 pattern rows, one of which is soooo fast, the round just flies! I totally recommend this pattern! A pretty pattern, good intro to lace-ish type socks... I'm hooked. Hannah's were variegated, but with one colour, the beauty of the stitches totally shines. I was bummed to find a wee mistake... is it really a mistake or just untidy stitching?? Hmmm... does it bother me enough to rip it out? No... but seeing as they are destined to be a gift for someone, I'll just have to make another pair for them after these are done (and I do Mark's socks, and then this....)

It's my summer project planned for Dorcas camp. More about that on another day...

It was a big day around here... Jordan lost one of his top front teeth... the one beside is ready to come out any day as well...gotta love a kid in the summer with front teeth gone! I'm trying hard not to giggle at the whistle when he speaks... he's finding it weird (and not as cute as I think it is...) He's sporting his new shirt, feeling goofy about the gap in his teeth and raring to pose... I think he totally looks like his daddy... (not necessarily the toothless goofy part...)

Ok, this one's a little more normal... He's all set for Sparkles the Tooth Fairy to come tonight.

Also captured this photo... they have the same expression... way too cute...

Dear Employer

Today you will meet an extraordinary man.

You will not meet a man who is more faithful, diligent and hard-working than he. He is brilliant at what he does... he speaks to computers in their language, causing them to swoon and bend to his every desire ( it might be the Italian in him...) He has won accolades, awards, and contests for his abilities (Google his name if you'd like) and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who would be a greater asset to your company.

I implore you.... hire my hubby.

There's a place I know in Ontario...

Marineland!! Thru the homeschooling network, 194 people showed up at Marineland to enjoy a fabulous, fun-filled day. I can't figure out what was the highlight of the day... it was so amazing... but I was bummed out when... ah crap... the battery died midway thru the afternoon.

Our indoor show pics didn't turn out that well... it was really dark in there... but I will never forget the startled expression of glee on the kids' faces when a massive walrus entered the stage! His rumbling bark resonated thru the auditorium... it was so cool.

Hannah and Jordan both loved the rides...

but to varying degrees as can be seen here...

the faster the better for Hannah... the smoother and more predictable for Jordan, the better.

Jordan is in the third car... he grew paler and paler each time the ride went around the track. Hannah screamed at the top of her lungs the whole time... she got off the ride and exclaimed, "That rocked!"

We couldn't get Jordan off the space ships (where he could control the movements of the ship)! Daddy had fun on it too...

They enjoyed feeding the deer and walking amongst them.

This is when the camera died. sigh.

They fed the belugas and touched them. Jordan said that he would never forget the experience for as long as he lives. Jordan was tall enough to reach over the side of the aquarium, and give caplin into the mouth of Baffin, the largest beluga at Marineland. He could see the teeth, tongue... all the way down her throat, he said. he touched her smooth skin, which felt like hard jello to him. For Hannah's turn, I had to hold her in my arms so that she could reach over the side. I thought her heart would pound out of her chest! She was speechless afterwards... a rare occurrence... so I know that she was moved.

Black bears were wrestling and swimming and climbing trees... and there was a little romance going on by the trees...

I am amazed by the vastness of Creation and the Creatures that live amongst us. There is such diversity and beauty, it overwhelms me.

Excerpts from Psalm 104

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

O LORD my God, you are very great.

How many are your works, O LORD!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teeming with creatures beyond number

— living things both large and small.

These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;

when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face, they are terrified;

when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works-
he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,

as I rejoice in the LORD.

Cash, credit or... yarn??

I went to the grocery store.

I went to the check out.

I opened my purse to pull out my wallet... and there it was... the long lost sock! ... and no wallet.

I guess in choosing my priorities when preparing to leave the house, I (subconsciously) decided that my knitting was more valuable than my cash and i.d.

Mark, my darling, you are not (entirely) a muggle, and I am very sorry for blaming you. I know you didn't hide my sock, and while I may prefer to believe that evil knitting fairies did it, I (probably) put the sock in my purse. I'm sorry lovey. I promise, when grumperina is finished, your socks are next. Perhaps in time for father's day.

Represent

Gotta reclaim the good mojo... I'm still recovering from the sock ordeal, so I will go back to Friday and relay the awesome events of YarnHarlot "Represent" Tour...


Travelling to Toronto is always a big deal for me... I grew up in the country... I love the country... I love the wildlife, the grass under my feet, the space... that's not to say that I'm a redneck, but I have saltwater in my veins and a zealous appreciation for Creation (and the Creator). Anyways, Toronto makes me hyperventilate... too many people, pushing and shoving, weird smells... I generally feel like I have to shower when I get home. All that being said, it was quite an adventure trying to get to Indigo for Friday night, navigating the (non-wheelchair friendly) Go train, Union Station, and the subway during rush hour. Ugh... only for the Harlot would I dare such a feat.

The anticipation was killing me and I just about burst as I walked in the door. I couldn't believe how many people were there!!! It was incredible!!! It was wonderful to be part of such a large fellowship of knitters, but I was also really glad for the YarnHarlot. What a victory for her - a great turnout for her hometown. I wanted her to be blessed... and indeed, she was... who could stand in the midst of so many affirming, beautiful knitters and not be??? I know I was! And I was in the peanut gallery!


Her humour was unforgettable! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! I loved her explanation of CHOKE - Cultural Humilation of Knitters Everywhere... how we struggle against so many stereotypes and judgements. As I was standing close to the store entrance, it was pretty freaky to witness people's reactions as they came in, responding in very a CHOKE-like manner, oblivious that they were the visual aids! It was worth a good snicker amongst those of us stuck on the balcony.


Indigo was completely overwhelmed. YarnHarlot has posted repeatedly how bookstores never believe many people will come. In Toronto, two celebrities from HGTV were presenting the night before and that was supposed to be a big deal... She wanted to see if she could at least beat out those guys. I heard that they ended up with just 30 and she had about 300!!!! Indeed! 300 supporters crammed into every nook and cranny of the store! The staff were scrambling for chairs... velvet rope to section of areas... it was chaos for them! And most of us were snickering on the inside... some on the outside... :) I loved how the staff kept coming over and telling the group of us that we weren't allowed to sit on the stairs... it was a fire hazard. I love it!! Knitters are a fire hazard!! That's amazing.


From my vantage point, this was all I could see between the slats of the railing...

























Nice, eh? Well, I could hear her and that was most important. I took a peak around to try to capture the scope of knitters....



the place was crawling with them! It was filthy with knitters!



While waiting to have our book signed, we noticed Swatchy and had to introduce ourselves. (there's a pic of me and the kids! Jaden is seriously debating taking Swatchy home!) Swatchy is not just unbelievably cute... but Swatchy has a good heart... someone Swatchy loves very much suffers from CFS and so Swatchy goes out into the world, and then carries back the tales of the adventures had. I love that. I mean it... I really love it. Having a hubby with MD has opened my eyes to many things that I have never thought of... such as the sinking pit he feels everytime he is faced with a flight of stairs, little things like having to bend over to pick up a dropped coin or put on shoes... What Swatchy represents - kindness, sharing with one another, carrying one another's burdens - that's pretty cool. And being a cutie doesn't hurt either. ;)


Noricum was Swatchy's chaperon for the night. She's a ray of sunshine. Gotta like anyone who wears a frog shirt. She's holding on to her hat to donate for StreetKnits... part of YarnHarlot's plan in the Represent Tour. Not just show up en force... but make a difference in the process. btw... love noricum's hat... fun pompom action going on there.

Oh... Hannah and I brought hats too, but I forgot to take a picture of them. Rats. You can see them on YarnHarlot's site. One is 4th from the bottom left - a cream colour chunky 2x2 rib, and the other is a little to the right and up from centre - it's pink and fuscia. Ok... I admit... I was using up my stash. The rib hat was intentionally using up some yarn I picked up at a yard sale, started knitting with it, but hated it. However, using 4 strands together gave it this awesome spongy texture. Didn't hurt that it used up 4 of the 10 balls I have! Regardless... May whomever wears these hats know that there is a knitter praying for them, that their hearts would find their true home.

There are many things that I admire about Stephanie, one being she's a doula as well. In chatting with her during the signing, it was so cool to connect with her on that level... show off my homebirthed babies. You know how it is, when you share one thing about yourself and it fills in a lot of blanks. One word speaks volumes. "Doula" is one of those things... it speaks of the joy of (home)birthing, babies, breastfeeding, embracing who we were created to be... tack on being knitters, and the connection is that much cooler.

When it was time for signing, she announced that those "with babies in their bodies, or outside their bodies and with them" could jump the line. That was very cool. And not just because I got to jump the line. ;) When I asked for a photo, she said "Sure! Got your sock?" Out came Grumperina! They look lovely together.



I'm sure I could ramble on about the evening... it was just so incredible. I'm still "full" a week later. But I better call it a night... tomorrow is our Family Vacation Day! Woo Hoo!