How will I ever manage?

Hey Babies- It looks like this here summer is pretty well done-so this is Bear, stretching as much sunshine into my day. Yup, pretty soon, all my people(my staff) will be going back to work and school. I will have to learn to be an independent doggie again-no people to cater to my every whim and wish.
How will I ever manage?????????
Bear

PS (from Deb)- To Carrie and Diane- I haven't sent your gifties yet- having a hard time narrowing it down- I will email when they are on the way!

PPS (also from Deb)- There are still a couple of spaces in the Lace Knitting workshop I am giving on October 4th at WoolTyme. Go and sign in before it is full!

A funny

We were at the soccer game last week, and, of course, had to bring the bear along. Sitting next to us was a little boy (maybe 2 years old) and his parents. He pointed to the dog and said ,"Puppy?" I said ,"Yes. His name is Bear." The little guy got this sort of scared look on his face and grabbed his dad's hand and said, "Dat's a bear?" So, of course, his dad decided to be funny and commented on polar bears and such. Then the little guy gets way confused and comes over to Bear and quietly asked if he wants to be cold.
Kind of cute.
I have been knitting (honest!) but don't really have much to show for it. I can't seem to keep my interest on just one thing lately, and it shows up in things like my knitting, and all the other little projects I keep working on. And then, of course, there's school. Gonna start soon. Hate that guy who sings, "It's the most wonderful time of the year...." Wanna stop him.

Well Done!!!! A+!

http://www.twistcollective.com/ What an amazing magazine! Well thought out- lots of " nerdy gimmicks" to make reading this mag easy. Wonderful wonderful patterns. Great size ranges on most. Interesting articles. A free sock pattern by the amazing Cat Bordhi. And the yarns...oh the humanity.......

It is absolutely perfect. Go and see for yourself. Start with the contents page to orient yourself. (notice I did not say "orient-tate" which makes me incredibly insane when I hear it on the news or out of the mouths of supposedly educated people).

Now....to figure out which pattern(s) I want for myself.......Linden? Bonnie? Gnarled Oakwoods?

Hmmmmmm............................

from Bear

Hi. This me, Bear, coming to you from Alison's cottage. There was this lounge chair, all by itself, looking specially lonesome, so what is a poodle guy to do? My momma was acallin' me and I was being all quiet, and she came down by the water (huh- she thought I might go into the water?? Silly momma) and there was little me, all curled up for my afternoon siesta. Gee, it is tough being a poodle. (Even though your momma laughs at you and tells you to consider getting down. Hmm. Not me. No sirree)

The two ladies who wons some fluffy stuff from my momma are here-

Carrie said "Daddy, this is the last time I play Lassie with you" and Diane had one, too- but it is saved on the other puter and I is way too lazy to go and open it up. My momma tells me I is sloth, in person. Wouldn't that be sloth, in dogdom?

Well, if you two ladies could send my momma an email with yer addresses, she will sendee you some stuff. Kay?

Night night. I go sleep now.

The contest

I am down to a choice between 2 captions- if I can't decide- there will be TWO winners!!!
I am right now getting ready to go to "Wicked" in Ottawa-more when I get back!

Deb's Big Adventure...and a CONTEST

Oh man- I had the most amazing day yesterday!!!!!!! The night before, a friend, Rachel (also a teacher) called up to see if I wanted to join her on a big adventure. "Of course!!!" I said, and off we went. Our first stop was to visit an amazing artist- Loretta Moore-in the Westport area. (She doesn't have a website, but this is a snippet from the upcoming Fall Studio Tour http://www.artatwork.ca/westport_studiotours/fall-colours/FCstudio2.htm ) What an amazing lady!!!! She brought us into her home (which was "Home and Garden" amazing), gave us a tour of her studio, and then gave us a mini lesson on rug hooking. I gotta tell ya, after seeing her stuff, I wanna be a hooker!!!!! (Geesh- wait until the search engines get hold of THAT little turn of a phrase- I should get some, um, interesting visitors who are going to be some disappointed). She has kits- beginner and up. But her studio- wow- yards and yards of hand dyed wool fabric-she has a little "thing" about beiges and sage greens-and she also has many of her kits made up and ready for sale. My choice? The one Rachel got, actually- a "primitive" sheep- I loved it!!!! I did not buy anything, by the way- mostly because I really do have to tidy up some other projects first. But that doesn't mean I won't try it at some point!!!! But all in all, an amazing lady.

And today- the start of the Kingston and Area Sheepdog Trials (see it here- http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/recreation/events/sheepdog/activities.asp)

It is always a great place to go and see the dogs (who are, by the way, amazing) and then look around the crafter's market. Today, however, is raining. And I love the whole thing, but not when I am standing in the rain. Puh-lease!

Another "must see" this weekend is a show called "Women's Work", curated by Carolyn- a fellow Kingstonian and also amazing designer. She talks about it on her blog- here- http://theartofwool.blogspot.com/ . Since that one is inside, it might be the right thing for today.
My sisters are taking my mother to Westport tomorrow- I wasn't invited (hey-- I'm not bitter) (just confused).
What else? Oh yes- Bear has been progressing with his swimming lessons. Sean takes him into the pool, carrying him under his arm, until Bear starts to move his legs in normal "poodle swimming" motions, and then lets him go. The Bear makes a beeline for the stairs (of course), but hey- at least he is swimming!

You can click for BIG.
Check out the look on Bear's face-hey! I've got an idea! Send me your caption ideas (to debDOTseanATsympaticoDOTca-replace the words with the dots and such)-and if I like yours the best, I will send you something yarny!!!!! Please include your snail mail addresses in your entries! As to what the yarny goodness will be, I will negotiate with the winner (or winners- who knows?). And let's put a deadline on it for, say, Monday, Aug. 11th, at 5:00 my time. Let's get those entries rolling!

Not much new....

(I know I have had this shot up before, but I just love it)
Sometimes no news is great news. The household goes on holiday mode at the beginning of July, and we stay that way until the third week of August. Because we are teachers, we get to have a great holiday, and spend time with our daughter. So, while her buddies are off to day camps, Annie is splashing in her pool, or playing her piano, or reading, or goofing around. With us. Some may feel they need to pack in all kinds of experiences into their holidays. We do take Annie to different places-we just don't get all caught up in the "have to, must go, gotta gotta" kind of craziness. For example, next week, we are taking her to "Wicked" in Ottawa. But we have spaced things out a bit. It makes for a stress free, fun summer. Sunday night, she had a sleepover with a friend. We ended up giving over the living room to "sleep over central"-because it has the bigger television, and more space. I went in at about 2:00 am-they were still chatting and playing with their glow necklaces and bracelets, and telling secrets and being 10 year old girls. Bear grumbled a bit at them- I think he felt he needed his beauty sleep!!! This week, Annie is taking pottery classes. She is very "arty"-she draws and creates and comes up with new things all the time. (but isn't knitting ....yet!) One of the students in my class last year, a lovely, lovely girl, asked if she could take pottery classes as well-so the two girls are off every morning this week. It is kind of an introductory class, taught by a very caring, very talented lady.

This week, a family on our street (with whom we have gotten very close) moved back to "The Rock"-they haven't lived in Newfoundland for over 15 years, and wanted their children to "feel the love". We are really going to miss them-they are great neighbours, wonderful friends, and absolute riots. Bear, however, has already gotten over missing them-because the family that moved into that house has TWO dogs- a chocolate lab and a big black standard poodle (named William)(but say it with a French accent-WIL'yam). Bear is OVERJOYED. They have only met "over the fence"- not yet face to face-but he is quite excited.

And since this is a knitting blog-I have finished my "boyfriend sweater"- and I LOVE it. Sean will take photos- but I am going to wait until it is a bit cooler-it is 100% wool in an aran weight, after all. I am now working on a top down sweater, knit with Fleece Artist Ottawa-in Woodland (I think- it is all greens with a touch of taupe and tan). I want to incorporate some lace in the "skirt"-it is ribbed from the high neck to the high waist (just under the bustline) and I will either make a lace skirt, or do a modular thing- or hey-maybe lacy modules- I don't know. Speaking of lace- go on over to http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/ and hook into her lace course-to make a sampler shawl.
Happy summer!

Sorta Secret Project......

Well, I was asked to proof a kit for a friend of mine-and, of course, I jumped at the chance. I can tell you it is a sock kit. But from there on in- lips are sealed. I CAN tell you that this yarn is "like butta". The colours are really wonderful- warm, shade on shade of colour-very, very appealing. So that is going very well. Annie is in heaven today-as is the big Bear-Sean's sister and children are coming for a visit. The kids always have fun together. And I am going to get in some knitting time! And Ruby- da package is in da mail!!!

What is happening chez ici.

One day, Bear found some interesting looking big black things out in his yard. "Hmmmm-," said he. "I wonder what the Daddy Man is up to today."

So he looked up on the roof, and, lo and behold! There was his beloved Daddy Man! "Whacha doin' up there, Daddy Man?" he asked in his most precise Poodle-ese. DaddyMan hollered down- "Yer Ma wants a warmer pool. So she's going to get a warmer pool."

"Far out," said the Poodle.

Later in the day, the "little sister who must be avoided at all costs unless she has food" said-"Hey dad. The pool temp is 85 degrees F."

(Please ignore the crazed look in the eyes and the attachment of the hand to a water gun. They are both figments of your imagination. And the picture taker did not get THAT wet)(Although the kidlet was told to walk away from the water pistol. Quietly and without any sudden movements.)

Even the gigantic dragonflies seemed to like hanging out with the new warmer temperatures in the pool.

Gee, solar heating for the pool is nice. 85 is such a nice number.

I love these questionnaires.....

you are turquoise #40E0D0

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well. Your saturation level is higher than average - You know what you want, but sometimes know not to tell everyone. You value accomplishments and know you can get the job done, so don't be afraid to run out and make things happen. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

I found this from Wanietta's blog (see sidebar)-and of course, it is soooo true to life (yeah, right!!!) But I do get a kick out of them anyway!

My knees and hips are killing me today-I usually don't let it get to me, but wow- it is a real problem. I have housework to do and all matter of things to finish- but what am I doing instead? Oh, knitting and watching old movies. But it does make my joints feel better- truly it does. So knit I will!!!!

For my friends, Abby and Gusmeister

Dear Gus and Abby,
I was starting to look too shaggy- kinda like these guys........

And da Big Bear was getting too hot!

But I is way too tired to show off my new do.

I is dreaming of romping around with two bulldog peoples. I promise I play nice!

Love,

Bear

PS- My momma says I is way too big for this girlie little rocker, but I promise- I very comfortable!!!!

Musings......

There are times when I wish that I either 1)didn't sleep at all (I already sleep shortened hours-much less than anyone I know); or 2) had 6 arms so I could knit multiple projects at the same time; or 3) had a magic wand so that the boring parts could go ever so quickly and I could concentrate on the fancy shaping/design parts. I am almost finished my Filatura di Crosa 127 Print sweater. I LOVE this yarn. It is soft, lovely to knit up and has surprising colour changes to keep things interesting, but long runs of solid colour to keep things flattering on this body. This yarn needs to be knit in solid stockingnette stitch, or else the patternwork would get lost.

Please excuse the poor quality of this photo-but it is to try to give you an idea of the beauty of this yarn. I used the same yarn (in the wine colourway) for the sweater in Big Girl Knits-this is from the book.

I am very proud of this sweater-it isn't showy, but it has some very flattering elements in it for larger ladies-and it also demonstrates a way to use self-striping yarns in a different way. The centre panel is knit in cables, in the traditional bottom up. Then side panels are picked up and knit towards the back (back panel is plain, with ribbing at the waist to cinch it in a bit, although one could simply knit another cabled panel). There are gussets in the armpits to give extra "give" in the bust area. There are also instructions to add short rows to the hip area, should one need extra space there. And a funnel neck is so much more tailored than a cowl. (one needs tailored with so much else going on!) I have 20 balls of this yarn in black, and I was playing around with a short row design (thinks lots of triangles that fit together). I really am not sure what it wants to be yet. But the red (above)? That is going to be my "long, roomy, wear with leggings on a Saturday or on a dress down chilly day" kind of sweater. I considered purling all of the coloured bits to make them stand out, but I didn't. (although I think it would have looked very neat). But an extra set of arms or a magic wand would be great to zip through the finishing, or the plain bits, or the blocking. I am also working on the Goddess Knits Mystery Anniversary Shawl KAL- great fun.

Now to go and grow that extra set of arms.....maybe I need to go hang out at a nuclear waste site..........

Lace Class

My LYS has asked if I would teach a lace class, in the fall, and, of course, I said yes! I like teaching (good thing, too- since I have been teaching full time since 1981!!!) But teaching knitting is a bit different. I understand that the class is going to be made up of newbies, some middle of the road knitters- the ones who knit very well, but need a little push to get started on a lace project, and probably some veteran lace knitters. Soooooo-what to teach to that group??? I will probably have 2 hours-enough to intro the stuff, talk about different types of lace, demonstrating usual symbols on charts and a typical cast on-but they might want some kind of hands on activity. But in 2 hours????
Anybody taught one of these workshops, or have been to one and can suggest ideas? (or flame others?)
Email me (debDOTseanATsympaticoDOTca -just change the words to symbols- you know what to do).

Woolmeise

Okay, it's official- there's a new kind of crack cocaine in town. It comes up to you quietly, slinking into your neighbourhood without too much excitement. They call it Woolmeise. Yeah, I'm sure you've seen all the craziness on Ravelry-why is it so addictive, so smooth, so rich in colouration, why oh why do we want it so?


Be prepared- the images following are not for young children, faint of heart, or those weak willed in the audience (ask me how I know that last one). I got up at an ungodly hour, I started the vigil to the posting of the yarn, I had my Paypal and credit card all lined up and ready.....and ......and....and....one week later, I have the makings of a beautiful shawl/wrap, or else I have a lovely "reach out and touch me" display-if I don't ever get the right nerve up to crack open one of these babies- and please, keep in mind, that my camera does not like to catch "red" in its images, so multiply the beauty of the yarn that you can see by about 72 jillion (that's a technical knitting term)-
And yes, the blurriness does exist- but it is the truest colour of all my shots. (These babies, by the way, are resting comfortably on yet another red loveliness- my Filatura di Crosa 127 Print "Boyfriend Sweater"- for me. It still needs a sleeve- but it is truly an amazing yarn, in an amazing colourway.)
Why not go over to the Wollmeise website, click on the different yarns, and go and drink in some yarny goodness. Ya know ya wanna.

The Homestead......

Lately, we have been working like crazy to tidy up and clean up the yard. I have noticed that now that we have a pool, there are many more requests for visits. Oh well- that's part of having a pool. I just want to make sure the yard looks nice. I don't have a bright green thumb, so my gardens will never be spectacular. But we manage. See for yourself! (sorry about the weed eater lounging on the swing-there should be a cushion there instead!)

I have taken on a challenge- the "Goddess Mystery Anniversary Shawl Knitalong". It is a circular pi-type shawl, and I wanted one with a bit of weight for the winter (love the look of a wooly shawl wrapped around one's coat!)so I went with Fleece Artist blue faced Leicester 2/8 (sort of a light fingering weight)in a hot pink/blue/greeny colour- I think it might be "Jester" or a forerunner of it (it has been marinating for quite some time in the stash!!!) But I am almost done Clue 3, and Clue 5 comes out on Friday. So I had better get cracking!!!!

I am not sure how to properly take a photo of it- I might take it off the stitches after Clue 5 and put it on a thread- just to look at it. I will take a photo then.

Looks Can Be Deceiving.........

My next door neighbour is having a birthday-and I made cupcakes.
These are the cupcakes (No kidding!!!)
All instructions are in a great book called "Hello, Cupcake!" by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. Worth a look!!!

Bear says he no like dem boom booms

BOOM BOOM! Ta Ta Ta ta BOOM!

We, however, really did. We went over to RMC and watched them over the water. Great Canada Day!

This is our "group".

And our view (isn't Kingston lovely?)

And THIS is the amazing basket that I got from a student. I just LOVE it. It is lightweight, large enough to carry a book or two, some knitting, the telephone- whatever! And I could even put a picnic in it (as it was meant to be).

And today is the day to sit and knit a bit until the rain stops, then go out and weed!! (should be a major job)

14 Years ago today......

I was out buying a pair of shoes and finishing off a headpiece- I think I even cooked a couple of things- for the big event that changed my life (for the better!!!) I married Sean.

We got married in the evening, in his parents' backyard, with about 40 people. We didn't have a head table, I had new white Birkenstocks, the weather was fabulous, Sean wore a tuxedo (whoo baby-what a hunk!), and we both cried (I would have been okay, but he started first- and well, that broke me).

Here's to another 14 years, at least!

I love you, honey!!!!

Happy Canada Day!!!!!!!

And here it is again- a beautiful day, weather-wise, I am on holidays, life is good! And here are 10 best reasons to love Canada (courtesy of sympatico) http://lifestyle.sympatico.msn.ca/100+reasons+to+love+Canada/Living/NEWContentPosting_HM?isfa=1&newsitemid=258711&feedname=TRANS-HOMEMAKERS&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False
Interestingly enough, the tenth good thing is actually Tim Horton's!!!! (Since I am a teacher, there are always gifts at the end of the year-I feel kinda funny taking them, but at the same time, quite honoured. Anyway-this year, I got $35.00 (!!!!) in Tim Horton's gift cards (among other things) Oh my! I usually start the day with a thermos of coffee-I guess the kids were paying attention!)
I also got the neatest thing- it is a storage basket-given to me as a picnic basket-and since I can't seem to get Blogger to insert picture here- you will have to wait until Blogger is over its hissy fit!
Off for a swim-Gee I love summer holidays!!!

Summertime, and the Living is Easy........

First of all, Guides is finished for the summer, school is over (hurrah! hurrah!!!!!)(Annie's report card was good, thank you very much)


And my class built their solar cookers-we all cooked hot dogs on the second last day and had lunch. That was pretty cool. Sean had come in last week and taught the lesson and got them all started building the cookers.

The pool is now open- still a bit cool for my tastes (but the solar heating will go on it this summer), but you can see that Bear is slowly improving his stroke (still can't swim very well, poor dear).

And I finished up a little baby hat- the pattern is on line-email me/leave me a message if you want it. I made it out of a heavy dk/light worsted that had been gifted to me on a swap. The baby is a boy, and the mom didn't have any blue things, so I felt obliged to make something very blue. Great pattern, by the way.

And this is what happens around here when Bear wants to watch TV (I think it was an "Air Bud" movie- the crazy dog is simply mesmerized! Just like a little kid!)

And me? I got a new hair cut (along with relatively new glasses) I love the haircut, but you can imagine what my naturally wavy/curly hair tries to do!

Now- off I go to finish my housework, so I can work on the mystery shawl KAL! (I will try to post a picture when the shawl looks more shawl - like!)

Happy Summer Holidays!