Alive and kicking

I'm back from my trip to my Dad's. Actually, I've been back since Tuesday night, but I've been so exhausted from the drive and keeping the kids busy and the suck-your-will-to-live-ness that that entails that I just haven't had it in me to sit down and write a proper blog post.

Not that I'm feeling particularly inspired today, except that I hear that even Kate-the-Enabler's husband Chris is getting concerned that I haven't put up a post since my return. "She's been home 2 days already!, he says". Okay, okay, I get the hint.

Our plan to drive to Markdale at night worked brilliantly, and we were able to make really good time while the kids slept in the back (mostly) the entire way. We arrived at around 1:30 AM, transferred the kids to their respective beds, then hit the sack ourselves.

Saturday we woke up bright and early (oh Joy), and promptly woke everyone in the house by breaking a glass pitcher of juice on my parents' kitchen floor. "Hi! We're here!!!". :) Friggin' thing must have broken in about a zillion pieces, and I think we were still finding pieces of glass when we left, despite vacuuming repeatedly. Most of the day was spent around the house, without power no less due to a series of thunderstorms throughout the day, with the kids playing together. In the "Mother Nature has a sick sense of humour" category, it turns out that the secret to keeping kids happy and occupied is to have more kids, preferably older ones.

My nephew Keenan and Émilie

Yup, my nephews were visiting Dad and Margot while we were there. They live in Alberta, so we really only get to see them once a year, but they're phenomenal kids, and wonderful with little ones (they're 13, 11 and 8, respectively). If you can manage it, I highly recommend picking up some kick-ass older cousins to entertain your children during the summer holidays. Trust me, it works.

Sunday we all hopped into the cars and drove out to Sauble beach, a place which holds many a fond childhood memory for me. Unfortunately, it was absolutely FREEZING that day (probably due to Saturday's weather), with waves like I've rarely seen. Since MY kids are too small to bodysurf, this posed somewhat of a problem. I had spotted a sort of wading pond area (where water had collected during the previous tide, I expect), and thought this would be a suitable alternative. Unfortunately, Maxime just couldn't grasp the concept of sitting in the water, and kept trying to crawl around in it, getting in deeper and deeper and eventually getting a faceful of freezing water. Coupled with the high wind, it wasn't long before both kids were blue and shaking all over. Of course, I hadn't packed any warm clothing (because, you know, we were going to the BEACH!), so I was forced to submit to extortion at the local souvenir shop and buy 2 Sauble Beach sweat shirts for Émilie and Maxime. It was worth it though, because we wound up having a fun day.
Sunday night we also had a little birthday party for Émilie (she'll be 4 this coming Sunday), and she got some great presents from her Nana and Bumpy and her cousins (a deluxe art easel with accessories, a voice modulator mask thing, and a pack of foam beads to make necklaces and bracelets). Sunday night was also the night I taught 2 of my 3 nephews (Keenan and Nolan, the 2 eldest) how to knit! I think Nolan (the 11 year-old) got into it most, because he was still knitting away on Monday afternoon, and was actually a bit disappointed that I didn't buy him any yarn when I visited a yarn store in Owen Sound on Tusday (more on that later). I'm really glad he got into it, and I hope he keeps it up, despite the crapiness of the yarn I had at my disposal at the time (Estelle Mystik DK that I had brought along to cast on for Sizzle, which I'm now reconsidering, the yarn was so friggin' splitty).


Monday the boys met up with a friend in the morning, and Émilie spent pretty much the entire day doing this:
Catching frogs. Frogs, frogs, frogs!!! Look at the frog!!! My Dad has a little artificial pond/waterfall on his property, with an abundance of frogs. Seriously, it was all she wanted to do. And she certainly wasn't squeamish about holding them! I think she would have kissed them if we hadn't been there. Who knows, maybe she did!

Tuesday the boys were heading back to Alberta, and after much debating, Phil and I decided to head back home as well. It was really too short as far as visits go, but Dad and Margot were absolutely exhausted from having the kids for three weeks, so we decided to let them recuperate! (Not that they made us leave or anything! They wanted us to stay). Besides, they were predicting more rain for Wednesday, so we wouldn't have been able to go back to the beach anyway. Still, I was sad to go. They might be moving further East in the next few months, so I may not get to visit that property again, and I really love it there. If they DO end up moving, Phil and I are considering renting a cottage near Sauble beach next summer.

Before leaving however, the boys wanted to make one last visit to a hobby store they're partial to in Owen Sound (apparently the guy's got great hockey stuff), and I wanted to visit a LYS Margot had told me about. It was a really nice shop, and they had really nice stuff, but nothing was unique enough to tempt me into breaking my pre-Rhinebeck yarn fast, so I came out empty-handed (Yes! It IS possible to walk out of a yarn store without buying yarn!). We grabbed lunch at East Side Mario's (I hadn't been there in years!), then headed back to Markdale to pack. Here's a picture of my nephews Nolan and Sean drinking their "Monkey Business" (chocolate milk and bananas - eeeeewwwwwww!!!)


We left my Dad's at around 6 in the evening, and pulled into our driveway at just under 1 AM, making excellent time. Wednesday was spent around the house, and today we went to Funtropolis with the kids, which in retrospect turned out to be the easiest part of my day (and THAT'S saying something! The place is a madhouse).

OK! It's 8:45 and I've been hammering away at this post for an hour. I want to get some knitting done already, so I'm off.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Radio Silence

I meant to post a little sum'n sum'n at lunch today, but I wound up being frustrated in my pursuit of Fall knitting magazines at Chapters, Indigo and Maison de la Presse Internationale. Grrrr... (this is sneaky posting - Shhhhhh!!!)

The fam and I are heading out to Ontario tonight, and rather than try to post using my Dad's 56.6 kb/sec modem (which might lead to insanity and impalement with my knitting needles), I'm going to take a wee break from posting for the next week or so (it IS supposed to be a vacation, after all).

I'll be back late next week, with pictures, tall tales and, who knows, maybe even some knitting.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

There and Back Again

A Knitter's Tale, by Dear Knits

Our story begins on an unusually dreary July morning. Having arrived a few minutes early at work that day, our heroine sat at her computer and perused the contents of her email account. In it she saw there was a preview for the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits. Intrigued, she eagerly clicked the link and sat back as project after project unfurled before her.

Many projects got her attention (the Bacchus Socks, the ZigZag Beanie, the Braided Pullover). But, perhaps because of the weather, perhaps because of her yarn fast, perhaps solely due to its striking colour, the New Peat Coat struck her to the very core.

Dazed, she sat back and muttered "Dude... I have to make this".

She gave a cursory glance to the yarn requirements, and did a quick mental inventory of the stash. "Leaping Laceweight!, she cried. I don't have what it takes!".

Moving quickly now, she started to go over her list of online purveyors of yarny goodness. She quickly settled on Webs, and more particularly on some beautiful Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in a stunning, rich red. Before she could think "yarn fast", she had scooped up 10 balls and entered her credit card information.

She sat back, out of breath. The deed was done. She had not only fallen off the wagon, she had jumped off it headfirst and into an unending abyss of guilt.

Thanfully, the guilt was short-lived. Positive reinforcement from fellow knitters quickly had her feeling enthusiastic about her new project, if a bit perplexed as to how she was going to smuggle a big honkin' box of yarn into the house without her husband being any the wiser (all previous attempts of this nature had failed). Throughout the morning she went back to the preview pictures and dreamed. "My precioussssssssssss", she'd whisper.

Then something happened. For some unknown reason (perhaps prompted by a gentle nudging from the Knitting Goddess?), she re-read the yarn requirements.

Yarn: Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham River (90% cotton, 10% cashmere; 103 yd [94 m]/50 g): #8 poppy (red), 9 (10, 11, 13, 14) balls.Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham Moss (85% merino, 15% nylon; 163 yd [149 m]/50 g): #10 crimson, 6 (7, 7, 8, 9) balls. Yarns distributed by Tahki Stacy Charles.

"Huh, she mused. Two yarns. Must be knitter's choice." Appeased, she went back to her blog reading, I mean work. This explanation didn't satisfy her for long, however. She went back and read the information again.

Gauge 14 sts and 13 rows = 4" in woven st with one strand of each yarn held tog

One strand of each held together. There was no denying it. It wasn't knitters' choice. With a sense of dread, our heroine realized that to knit this project, she'd need to purchase an additional 1200 yards of an Aran weight Cotton/Silk blend.

How can I convey to you the sadness felt by our heroine at that moment? Frantic, she went through her Ravelry queue, searching for some project, any project, that she could make with that morning's yarn purchases.

But the magic, dear reader, the fire just wasn't there anymore. After searching a few minutes longer, she made the call and waited. When the message finally came through, she read Michael's words with regret: "Thank you for Writing! I have cancelled your order from our system as per your request".

And that is how our tale ends. Let it be a lesson to you all, lest you experience such bitter disappointment as our heroine. Before buying the yarn, ALWAYS READ THE PATTERN.

Much Ado About Nothing

I've spent the last 10 minutes searching for a Spike quote that fits what I want to talk about today, all for naught. I'm feeling really scattered today, the weather's crummy, and I'm bored out of my frickin' wits at work lately. Friday won't be here soon enough, my friends.

What's up with little old moi, lately. I had a fine evening with the kids on Monday, and Phil was back home safe and sound in time for dinner yesterday, which was nice. Émilie is always very demanding of Phil's attention whenever he has to go away on business, and last night was no exception. Lots of "Papa, Papa, Papa, Papa, Papa, Papa..." Couldn't get a word in.

Last night I checked my vegetable patch and saw that 2 zucchinis were ready to be picked! Actually, one was MASSIVE (I see your large zucchini, Robyn, and raise you one medium zucchini and one cherry tomato!), almost to the point of being extreme. Check it out.

Now, tell me you can look at this thing WITHOUT your mind running straight to the gutter. Go ahead. I didn't think so.

The weather was looking a little iffy last night, so I just grilled the smaller one indoors (we'll try the BBQ tonight), and it was delicious. Maxime couldn't get enough of it! I wish I'd filmed him, actually. As soon as I set his plate down in front of him, he dived straight for the green stuff. Then when he was done, he reached out towards MY plate and made these insistent Mmmmm! MMMMMM!!! sounds (translation= "Gimme that!!!"). It's funny, kids usually have a sharp drop in appetite when they hit about a year old (which is totally natural, since their growth slows down quite considerably around that age), but not so with Maxime! He'll eat pretty much anything. Kids gonna be a tank, I tell you. It's hard for me to imagine that he'll one day be taller than me. Crap, if he keeps this up, my food bills are going to go through the roof when he's a teenager!!!

OK, slow down there Mamacita... he's 14 months old. :)

That's great, T. Now get to the knitting already!

I'm happy to report that swatching was successful with the Maple Creek Farm, and I've made nice progress on the leg of Phil's Luxor sock. Funny how much faster I knit when it's with a sense of smug satisfaction at my own brilliance.

I'm considering making this my "commute" knitting, because the Pinwheel Baby Blanket is getting rather unwieldy.

I moved it onto 2 100cm circular needles so I could get a better idea of it's size (and also so that people would stop thinking I was making a giant Rasta Hat). I like the way it looks so far, though I'm not loving the knots in the Katia Jamaica cotton! I'm going to have to investigate edgings pretty soon. Once I have one selected, I'll decide when to stop knitting (the final stitch count will depend on the edging).

That's about it, gentle reader! It looks as though tonight's LavalKnits meeting is a bust, which is just as well, as I want to get some laundry done so most of our clothes are clean for packing tomorrow night. We've decided to drive to my Dad's right after work on Friday, so the kids can sleep in the back most of the way (easier for them AND for us). I'll try to get a quick post out on Friday before I leave, though.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Catching Up

The trouble with not posting during the weekend is that I invariably have a plethora of little tidbits I want to mention on Monday's post, and I've a limited time to do it (most of you know that I write these posts during my lunch break, then input the pictures from home once the kids are in bed). Today's post is no exception, so let's get to it!

First off, may I present my Firestarter Socks!

To recap: Firestarter sock by Yarnissima (Ravelry link here, non-Ravelry link here). Knit with Shibui Sock yarn using 2.75 mm needles.

I loved knitting these socks. Even though I knit them with dpns instead of 2 circular needles like the pattern called for (I didn't have the appropriate needle size to get gauge), there were a few techniques I'd never done before, so this was a great learning project. And they feel great on the feet! Yum yum yum.

I also cast on a new sock for Phil. (Well, actually I purchased the pattern, realized that the original yarn I had promised Phil wouldn't have enough yardage, debated about which yarn to use instead, selected a yarn I thought would work, cast on, decided that the yarn I was using wasn't suitable for the pattern, frogged, and am now poised to swatch with a new yarn tonight.)

Here's a shot of the sock with the original yarn (Regia Bamboo Color). The pattern (Anne Hanson's Luxor socks) calls for a bamboo or tencel blend yarn, so I thought this would work great. But while the yarn itself is very nice, and I'm sure it'll make a great pair of socks someday, it was just too colourful for this project and the stitch pattern was completely lost.

Never fear, I had the perfect yarn in the stash. As a matter of fact, it was among those I had proposed to Phil when I realized that the All Things Heather Merino Tencel yarn he's been mooning over just didn't have enough yardage for this project. It's a really beautiful Merino Tencel blend from Maple Creek Farm I bought at Rhinebeck last year, and I was actually jealous that they were going to be for a sock for him. But all he had to say when I showed it to him was "It's too brown".

Too brown? Remember, this is the man of the perpetual blue sock we're talking about. I was confounded. Brown???????? Luscious and rich and sensual, yes. It's not "brown".

When it became painfully obvious that the Regia just was not going to work, I pulled the Maple Creek Farm out of the stash again, and maybe because it was now being presented in daylight (or possibly because I had changed into a strapless sequined gown to showcase it as the glorious work of art it truly is), Phil reconsidered. "It would probably work with khakis".

Good enough! No sooner said that Émilie and I wound the skein into a ball (Phil took pictures, but sadly they turned out blurry), and I'm looking forward to swatching and possibly casting on tonight.

I say possibly casting on, because Phil's in Quebec City tonight, so I'll be pulling double duty with the kids, and will probably collapse in a heap of exhaustion once they're in bed (and I've posted pictures to this entry, of course).

What ELSE did you do this weekend, you may be wondering? Well, Saturday Émilie and I hopped on the Metro (I love how taking the Metro is an exciting adventure for a 3 year-old) and met my cousin Jessica in town, hit our noses on Itsi-Bitsi's door (they're closed for Summer Holidays), then doubled back to Laval and spent the afternoon in the pool with Maxime and Phil.

Sunday we ran various errands and I discovered that it is indeed possible to spend hours on end pulling weeds in your flower beds and vegetable patch (whenever I read that people spend 2-3 hours at a time working in the garden, I always think they're crazy people who need to get a life). I hadn't done any weeding in my flower bed (you know, the one that sent me into premature labour with Maxime last year?) in, oh, a month? So it took a little time to get back in order.

When I came back in, Phil said something along the lines of "Wouldn't it be great if my mother called and we could just drop the kids off and go to the movies?".

"Yeah, that'd be sweet" I replied, washing my hands.

"Well, she already did!" replied Phil.

WOO-HOO!!! When Maxime got up, we packed up the kids and dropped them off at their grand-parents (who hadn't seen them in about a month, they were in South-Korea), and we got to see The Dark Knight. I thought it was excellent (Phil thought it was alright, but he's not much of a Batman fan). A few random impressions:

• We're both total weenies that we never queued in on who Harvey Dent is (I won't say in case some of you are reading this and going "Harvey Who?").
• Despite a sincere love of Christian Bale (which may be called into question soon - did y'all know he was going to be in the fourth Terminator movie? Whyyyyy????), his gruff "Batman" voice was really starting to get on my nerves by the end of the film.
  
• I heart Gary Oldman. 'Nuff said.
  
• I'm profoundly disappointed in Heath Ledger, and feel that, despite the fact that he didn't know me from a fart in the wind, he personally let me down by dying. So much talent.

Finally, I'll relate a story in which my ego took quite a beating this morning. Weekday mornings, Émilie's taken to going downstairs to get her apple juice when she gets up, then coming back upstairs to sit with me while I get ready for work. This morning when I stepped out of the shower she was there gulping away. What should she comment on this morning, but my butt! "Your bum is jiggly, Mom! (Tes fesses bougent toutes seules, Maman !)".

Thanks, kid. That's just what I needed on a Monday morning. Now where's that cannoli? :)

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Final Lap

Things are nearing their inevitable conclusion at Chez Dear. The week is finally coming to an end, I've got another week left before we're all off for our summer holidays, and I'm this close to finishing my second Firestarter sock. (In fact, since I'm writing this from the office during my lunch break, I might be done by the time I post tonight!).

I usually work on these in the evening, but since all I'm doing is ribbing at this point, I brought it with me to work today, and got a few rows done on the metro. As a matter of fact, I was so engrossed in my knitting this morning that I almost missed my stop! I looked up and realized with a start that it was time to get off (about 2 seconds before the doors closed), so I hobbled out of there with all my stuff in total disarray. Distracto Girl in her natural habitat.

I loved this pattern, I loved this yarn (Shibui sock, from Robyn's Nest). I will be keeping these for myself, thank you kindly. Christmas is still months and months away, after all (plenty of time left!).

I'm really looking forward to taking some time off. I think we're all getting sick of the daily grind (even Émilie was whining about wanting to be on vacation this morning, and she gets to play with her friends all day!), it'll be good to have a change of routine. We're going to be spending some time at my Dad's, as usual, but after that it's sort of up in the air at this point. As I said to Phil this week, we're probably going to spend our entire vacation whining "What are we going to do today????". Big fun ;)

In keeping with the theme of Summer Vacation, here's the Secret Pal 12 Question for this Week:
What is your favorite type of project to take along on holiday/vacation?

I usually pack multiple projects to take on vacation, because I find that, just like at home, different situations lend themselves to different types of projects. I ALWAYS have a sock with me, but if I'm going to be on a train or somewhere I can actually pay attention to my knitting, I'll pack a more complex, yet transportable project (like lace knit on a circular needle). I don't tend to pack something I have to knit in pieces (like a garment).

And just for scuz:

Tell us about a time that you packed too much knitting or were stranded without knitting.

I totally packed too much knitting when I went to Japan in March. I think I had wound enough yarn for 3 pairs of socks (not counting the pair I already had on the needles at the time), I had Cluaranach with me, and Maxime's Trellis Cardigan as well. I was there for 18 days. No way I was going to need that much. But as it turned out, it was a good thing I had brought so much with me. In Japan it's customary to give gifts to show appreciation when someone does something for you, so when 2 lovely Japanese ladies offered to hook up with me and be my guides on various excursions, I was able to give them each a skein of sock yarn.

Happy Knitting Everyone!

PS: For those of you who encouraged me to just go ahead and buy the red shoes I mentioned last post, it's my sad duty to inform you that when I went back the following day, they didn't have any left in my size. I was heartbroken! Honestly, who does a gal have to garrote with a circular needle to get her hands on a decent pair of red heels, for Pete's Sake!

Random Wednesday

Every time I post, I've always got a bunch of random "Oh, and I should mention such and such" stuff, and then the narrative flow or whatever you want to call it just takes on a life of its own, and I forget to mention whatever I wanted to mention. Still with me?

So today's post will be decidedly lacking in narrative flow. I'm just going to blurt it all out.

• Maxime is walking!!! He actually took his first steps on Father's Day (almost a month ago, how awful a mother does that make me that I haven't mentioned it until now), and while crawling still appears to be his favoured mode of transportation, he's getting better every day. It's so wonderful when he decides to "give this walking thing a go". He looks as though he's crossing a high wire or something (except for the fear!), taking these halting, tentative steps. He's always got this big grin on his face when he does it. Clearly, he's absolutely delighted with himself when walking.

• He's also very into hats right now. He just loves putting stuff on his head. For instance, Émilie's witch hat from last year's Halloween costume. He loves to put it on, and actually gets upset with us when we take it off. Hey, maybe he's trying to start a new trend? :)

• What else? Saturday night I watched a movie I hadn't seen in about a gazillion years, Lucas. Does anyone remember that movie? Classic '80s flick. Corey Haim? Kerri Green? And a debutante Winona Ryder (who looked so much like myself at that age, I couldn't stop laughing every time she graced the screen - but for geography and talent, you know?). Good times... The next day they were playing another classic '80s film, License to Drive. Made me wonder whether Corey Haim had kicked the bucket or something, but apparently no, the good people at MoviePix were just feeling nostalgic, I guess.

• I finished Guitar Hero on Medium! I totally kicked arse! I rule!!!! Of course, I can't even finish one song on Hard. Stupid orange button. Grumble grumble...

• Not buying any yarn sucks. I'm really finding this whole "no yarn until Rhinebeck" thing to be a total bummer. It's completely ridiculous! Even though I don't really knit garments, every once in a while something catches my eye, be it a particular yarn or pattern, and I get an itch. I start to feel the urge to splurge. Never mind the fact that once I've pet the yarn or read the pattern, it'll all get buried in the stash. I still feel that urge. Lately it's for some uber-liscious Malabrigo Silky Wool that Michelle's just put up in her shop. Mmmmm, Malabrigo....

• I spotted some red shoes on sale at Feet First while on an outing for work this morning that I think I just may have to get. First, they're on sale. Second, they're red. Now who can resist a red shoe that's on sale???

• In the "It's a Small World After All" category: while listening to my She-Knits podcast this morning (I'm not quite up to date yet, but getting there!), I was delighted to hear Sharon do an interview with Kathleen who I had the opportunity to meet when I was in Japan in March (seen in this picture on the right, reading One Skein Wonders). As a matter of fact, she probably recorded the interview while I was there.

I promised some progress pictures of my Lace Ribbon Scarf last post, so here they are.

I got about 60 inches out of my first skein of Sea Silk (Mmmmmm, Sea Silk). I'm probably going to knit another 40 inches (I likes me a long scarf), and I've got a small project in mind for what's left of the skein (it's for my Secret Pal, it's a secret).

Happy Knitting Everyone!