Ouch...

The Devil Himself invented Pilates!  Oh my goodness, it hurts to laugh today.  Now that does not mean I will not go back, I think Pilates will defiantly get my belly in bikini shape, by does it have to hurt so much?!?  I am most grateful the class schedule only allows me to go to one class a week.

Yesterday for breakfast I made a delicious vanilla polenta from Joy the Baker I followed her advice and put the leftovers in a loaf pan then for dessert last night I fried a slice (or two) in butter and served it with ice cream…  Mmmmmmm…  I love Joy, I wish my blog be as great as hers when it grows up.

That is all I have to say today, it hurts to raise my arms enough to type.

Have a great day!

Had a day off

So I took yesterday off of everything but my job.  No gym, no blog, no crochet…  It was good then but today I feel like I wasted the evening, I have to learn to get over that.

I am still working on the Prayer Shawl for my friend; I realized yesterday that she is also expecting her first grandbaby in January.  I had hoped to knit an afghan for the baby but I think I may be running short on time with everything else I have on the go.  I think I may just do up a few simple baby quilts on the sewing machine instead.  I take a meter each of coordinating baby flannel and quilt them together, it is simple, quick and it can be the blanket that the child drags around with them everywhere as it washes like a dream.

Today I am back to working on my tasks, I have already mopped the floor, I have to work today, then to the gym tonight for Pilates and afterwards work on the Prayer Shawl.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Happy Halloween!

Hello all,

It is a chilly evening here in Carleton Place; the little ones are bundled up so think it is hard to see the costumes...  All the more reason to knit some more toques!  I know, I know, get off the toque kick already.  Well I am, I started the Prayer Shawl today, I am using a simple cotton yarn as my friend has some allergies and I would hate to cause her any issues. 

Today was a great day.  I walk my dogs early, then hit the gym with my son, did groceries with my son (I was shocked that he wanted to come), then made some great curried sweet potato soup and now giving out candy to cutie pie kids.  Life is grand!

Tomorrow is back to work, which interferes with my yarn time, sigh, if only the bank took handmade dish clothes for mortgage payments…

Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween.

ps. here is a picture of the bad but cute dogs.

The one in front with the ribbon is Boo (short for Peek-a-boo) and the big dog in the back is Finnegan.

Hello Blogosphere,

So bikini shopping today was a bit of a bust… Apparently the selection in Canada at the end of October is slim, but the very nice little girl who helped me said they were receiving the winter line in a few weeks. I am unsure of what a “winter” bikini is but I am willing to try one on.

The good news story for today is I have started the process to replace all the floors on my main level of my home! YEAH. The flooring is on order and the work begins 3rd week of November.  I will post before and after pictures.

The bad news story for today is I tried to buy more yarn today but alas Michael’s did not have the colour I was looking for… There is always tomorrow.

Tonight is a glass of wine and the National Geographic Channel night. Tomorrow, groceries, Halloween candy shopping, hopefully some new yarn and an afternoon of baking and soup making. I may have to make a roast of something as it is currently snowing here in Carleton Place and it seems to be staying. Sigh.

Here (finally) are a few pictures of 3 projects.  I am really not that good at taking pictures of my finished work, that changes today!

Happy Halloween all...  Question:  Is it wrong to give out knitting needles and yarn in lieu of candy?

This is a baby blanket I designed and made for a friend.  I love the bubble stitches.

A plum cabled toque for a co-worker who lives in chilly Winnipeg. There was to be a scarf as well but my puppies decided that the toque was enough (they like yarn as much as I do).

Yes another toque… Hey this is Canada, we need toques! This one was a favourite pattern, it is easy-peasy to knit. I used an alpaca wool blend yarn and it was a dream to use.

A bit about me...

I think it only fair that I share a bit about my recent motivation for the slightly obsessive knitting.  In the last year I have separated from my spouse, moved 1300 kilometers (granted back home), bought a house all by myself and I am for the first time in 20 years without a partner in life.  I am not looking for any sympathy, in fact I feel better than I have in a great many years.  I have lost 37 pounds, started going to the gym, changed my eating habits for the better and in general living a “whole” lifestyle.  I am happy, I experience try and utter joy on a daily bases.  All that said I still have stuff to work through and knitting for me allows my brain to stop thinking about 100 things at once and focus on one thing.  It is very therapeutic; I have been surprised at what comes out of my knitting sessions these days.  As Forest Gump says “That is all I have to say about that.”.

Now on to the truly important stuff…  I have decided that for the first time in my adult life I am going to wear a bikini and feel good about it, ETA on belly to the world, July 2011.  I am going this weekend to buy the itsy bitsy bathing suit, I figure now is as good of time as any…  I still jiggle a little in the wrong places, I am pasty white and I figure if I don’t shave my legs I will have the perfect tri-factor for bathing suit shopping (I am kidding about the leg thing).  Please friends wish me luck.  Once purchased the 2-piecer will be proudly on display in my bedroom as a reminder of why I am getting up before the sun to punish my poor old body.

I finished another little project last night, a toque for a friend, and I have selected the next project, a prayer shawl for a dear co-worker.  Pictures are on their way, I promise.

Have a save and happy Halloween!

Hello,
I am glad you stopped by...  I am not entirely sure why I am starting a blog, I like to look at blogs, I feel a need to share stuff with the world, and I guess the natural progression is for me to blog.

I knit, crochet, and quilt but today the yarn arts have my attention.  I have been knitting since I was in Brownies (I guess about 6) and have been off and on until 10 or so years ago.  I now knit or crochet on a daily bases, it clears my mind.

In the last year I have taught myself to cable knit and knit on the round, the next thing to try is to knit socks.  In the next few days I will post some pictures of my projects, old and new.

Thanks for dropping by, I hope you come again soon.
Sheila