~Merry HoHo~

Phew, so I survived another Christmas/Birthday :P My daughter just turned 16 on the 24th so this time of year is always very, very busy & filled with some stress...lol. We had our usual party (family only) on Christmas Eve, lobster chowder until we all had to unbuckle our pants and of course the Dairy Queen Cake...YUM! Everyone always asks her if she hates having her birthday on X'mas Eve and her reply is always the same..."Nah, I'm an only child so I pretty much get everything I want, when I want it, so on my birthday & Christmas I just get ALOT of stuff all at once." Tehehe~ How true this is...although I must say that she has always been the type to be sooo appreciative, and she's never been one to say "Oh, I want this!" or "Oh, I need that!". She's an old soul, was straight from birth! For her 16th she got a set of pink purls with ruby insets in the clasp..>TO DIE FOR! They are soooo her...we all cried :S

I've been trying to watch what I eat since I've given up smoking to avoid any serious weight gain...I think I might have gained a few pounds from the holidays, but I'll probably shed it soon...lol. As a reward for my good choices I'm getting myself a membership to our local Aquatic Centre...WOHOO! I think I'll go & see if anyone is around today & get it started, my daughter will appreciate this as well, she loves to be active too~

TODAY IS "LUCKY" 13, nothing unlucky about this number as it's been 13days since I've quit the habit. I can honestly say that I've not really craved, however, I've been tempted to take a puff or two, and the addiction is always telling you "why are you doing this, look at that guy over there enjoying HIS cig, what's the point?" This is when in a feverish voice my conscience pipes in and says "NO...YOU DON'T SMOKE, YOU'RE A NON-SMOKER, WHY WOULD YOU WANT A CIG?"...Lol. It's worked for meeeeeeeeeeeee~

KNITTING...>I cast on the Campfire Socks before X'mas for a gift for my neighbour & got 1 and 3/4 done & realized I was going to run out of yarn>>GRRRR~ I NEVER DO THIS. I frogged & cast on the Wicker Cafe Cowl for now, she'll get this as well as a pair of socks & I had to apologize for the hold up on the gift :S

Next year when I think about Christmas knitting...>SOMEBODY STOP ME! K...Off to do some serious Boxing Day Shopping :) CHEERS & HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT HOLIDAY!

~Week One~

Wohoo, so i've not smoked ONE SINGLE CIG for a whole week~I can't believe it. In 22 years I've not gone without a cig for even 6hrs without pulling out my hair :P Chantix if you asked me is a BLOODY MIRACLE! I've heard some bad feedback on this drug but I've not experienced it at all. The only thing I have noticed is that my hot flashes are back a bit heavier than then were before (yes, I'm only 38 & completely 'fixed')...more info than what you really needed right? Well, I can't help it, I am really, really, really excited & proud. After 24hrs I knew that I would never smoke again, and I think of it less & less each day. To be honest, I've not really CRAVED one, there are times when I would normally stop for one, like at work on a break & I think 'smoke', but then I remember...I'M A NON-SMOKER FOLKS~ No more going out in the rain/snow/cold for a stinking fag...WOHOO. Merry Christmas to Meeeeeeee!

Now, off to knitting~ My fingers have been flying here trying to get everything done & you know.."SINCE I DON'T SMOKE ANYMORE" I can get a lot accomplished in a day :) I found a pattern for two needle mittens (i've not done these before & they looked quick) they are sweet! The link is the PDF to download. . The yarn used is Walmart's Sean Sheep...I am a bit of a yarn snob, but these are knit for two little boys that don't give a darn about what yarn was used, I just needed something woolen & warm & you know, it was a little lumpy & not really any kind of twist to speak of in places, but they will be great for little boys mitts . Some cowls & fingerless mitts for DH's nieces, acouple of bags, two pairs of socks, at hat or two, felted clogs...yeah, I'm in pretty good shape. I've not finished my sister's sweater yet, I have a bad feeling that it's not going to fit :S Aghhhh, will have to wait & see.

It's calling for a winter storm today, think I'll crank up some Michael Buble Christmas music, have a nice hot bath, put on some hot apple cider & sit in front of the tree & knit awhile. Ah, LIFE IS GOOD *right Tess*!

~Lil' Dumplin'~

Another bag hot of the needles. I am really diggin' this pattern folks, now if I could just be daring enough to try needle felting them. I've got loads of carded fleece in different colors, but with soooo little time to get my Christmas knitting finished, I would hate the thoughts of messing a bag up and having to frog & knit it over again! This one I embroidered some snowflakes on (hard to tell what they are from photo), it's pretty cute off camera, I really like the effect of the glass ring, a personal touch. I didn't mess with the handle here, just attached!

I've also completed yet another pair of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs for my Auntie M for Christmas hopefully they fit her like a glove. I am a bit tired of knitting these as I've done so many, but everyone loves them and they make such a great gift~



I worked a 12hr shift yesterday & came home to find that my "O" was in the midst of decorating the tree~ Ah...life is good, the Christmas music was playing and the Mr. Coffee Cocomotion was busy doing it's thing...I love this season!

I'm not working today, so I'm off to sit with Tess sip & knit in front of the tree...fingers crossed that it snows ~ I know, WEIRD HUH. I'm on day 5 of my Chantix, feeling good so far and excited...my 1st day of no smoking i've decided is my Mother's 60th birthday...it will be the best gift of all that I could give her<3

~Kickin' the Habit~

It's crazy how the time flies, I've been very neglectful of this blog as of late, possibly as I've recognized that I needed to spend more time taking care of myself. I've been a smoker for over 20 years now~ Wow, I am old! My Dr. recommended Chantix, I'm on day 4. I've spent alot of time reflecting on my life lately and concluded that there's no worse of an enemy than yourself at times. It's been an uphill climb this life, some bad memories and experiences in the past...I'd like to think that I'm forgiven for my errors, and it's high time that I forgive myself. I guess that the smoking is a form of punishment, that holding on of that 'other' person that I once was...a long time ago. I don't want to be that person anymore, I don't want people to see me smoking, I'm embarrassed to say that I do~ when back in the day I didn't want people to think that I DIDN'T, Oh what a world~ Funny how addiction tells you that you MUST do this thing, it's your comfort, your friend...all the while killing you slowly~ I've seen it over & over again. I've long let go of the days of old, I live a clean and sober life...no other bad habits to speak of, just the smoking. I look in the mirror and see the lines on my face and know that I earned them. It's difficult to be hard on the inside and remain soft on the outside, I think I've pulled it off pretty well, but I am getting older and I can use all the help I can get. I want to be the Mother than my daugher can be proud of, I want my DH to look at me and see a strong, healthy woman, someone he can always look to for support & softness.

I'm sitting in my pj's still, it's 2pm and the snow is falling softly outside, my house is clean and warm, the dog sleeps quietly in the rocking chair by my side. My DH got my daughter up & off to school today, just to give me a bit of a rest. I have a wonderful job, an amazing family...lucky beyond belief. I want to live in this world as long as I can, when my number is up, I want to be spent...nothing left. I will overcome this last obsession...I will be a non smoker <3

We are going to pick up our tree tonight, a perfect night for it I might add. We usually pick an evening when it's snowing, pile into the truck & head for the cities square. The vendor has many, many trees to choose from & we take our time to pick the perfect tree. Last year it was my pick, I chose a tall thin tree, it was beautiful, but DH & daughter like the HUGE ones, so I'll need to get at it and make room for the 'forest'...lol.

I've been knitting more than usual with the onslaught of Christmas. Acouple of "Dumpling Bags" from Interweave Knits. I'm also in the midst of acouple of hats, two cowls, two sets of fingerless mitts....lmao. I'm in over my head I know...but I love this season, I love to give...even if they have no idea or appreciate how much work these items have put into them... 'tis the season <3

~Knitting the Abby~

My budget has been a bit tight as of late (well, I always find the $$$ for yarn, but since my episode with paypal I've not purchased online) I was going through my huge stash to find something to start some Christmas knitting and found this I'm not exactly sure what this, but I thought it might make a sweet Abby So far so good, it's little heavier than what the original was knit with, but alas, our winters are sooooo cold. I'm thinking of taking my last ball of this and make some fingerless mitts to go along with~ Ahhh, I love Christmas knitting, especially when I've got abit of a head start *yeah, I consider starting now a head start* lolololo~~~

It's snowing here today, Tess(the shih tzu)was totally excited this morning, like a little deer she was bouncing all over the yard...tehehe. Feels like Christmas to me!

~Happy Halloween~

Hmmm, been awhile since i've posted...busy as a bee here! Unfortunately not enough time knitting though, none of the projects I had been working on are yet finished? Maybe i'll get to sit & knit abit tomorrow (although the spooks will be out) This week i've worked loads & i've experienced my teens first heartbreak with her. Remember when you were in grade 11/12 and you and your first love split :S All I could do is hold her while she cried...BUT on a higher note, being a female I knew Zzzzactly what was called for....RETAIL THERAPY & A NEW HAIR DO...good as new & feeling like a million bucks $$$ *hurt my pocketbook, but soooo worth to see her smile*

In celebration of the season ('tis my favorite time of year...I LOVE ALL HALLOWS EVE) I bought a book at our new Indigo called "The Witch of Cologne". Although very graphic, is was FANTASTIC! Being a history buff the author really took me there...you know? I've not offered my Mum the book to read (we always share great books), i'm just not sure how to pass it over to her without blushing...not for the faint of heart...tehehe *wink*

Just finished listening to Lime-n-Violet and they are saying that Sheri over at The Loopy Ewe has got a MEGA stash of Cascade 220 now...I had to go & look...AMAZING, pages & pages...so for all you Cascade lovers you know where to go~

~Happy Halloween, Happy Samhain ~

~Sip-n-Knit~

This weekend three girls from Ravelry and myself managed to set a date and meet for a sip and knit, a good time had by all! Kelly aka: CelticCastOn, Heidi aka: Lilibeth's Garden and Areli aka:Knittypants all brought their knits, everyone knitting something different of course...and me...well I was just so excited to be out and talking to other people that love to knit (as I) that I hardly picked up my needles...and when I tried to knit...well, I had to unravel the whole thing as I lost my place. (note to self, next time bring something in stockinette)

After sitting for afew hours we walked across the street to visit with our local haunt, Cricket Cove, I picked a huge hunk of soap and a skein of Cascade 220(can you believe i've not knit with this before) Anywho, I've not knit it yet, but I did manage to get it into a ball straight away...now what to knit with it..maybe I should finish one or two of the 10 different things i've got on the needles first? Will see~

We are already planning our next get together, and even considering a road trip, Freddy and then Briggs possibly~Would be great fun to watch others spend their money with reckless abandon on yarn that they really DON'T need :P Does this sound vaguely familiar...Can you see it now, the four of us in the middle of the Briggs shop, cheering each other on..BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT...tehehe. Well, maybe not that extreme, but to have someone stand beside you that has the same kind of appreication as you for the artistry of yarn~

Well off to see the child out the door for school, then get back to knitting those socks that I unraveled!

~Celtic Colors~

I've left my heart in Cape Breton~ Seriously, we just got back from this years Celtic Colors Festival , it was amazing! I'm still looking over the photos of our trip, trying to keep the colors of the hills fresh...the photos don't really do justice. It actually took my breath away at times, to have soooo much color in every direction you looked. I'll never stop talking about it...a trip of a life time...and so close to home..WHO KNEW?


We got to see Ashley Macisaac , Mary Jane Lamond , as well as a few others at the night of "The Cutting Edge" concert played at the Inverness High School. It was an awesome show...YES, I am going back next year.


Of course I got to check out Baadeck Yarns ...FINALLY! We arrived on Saturday afternoon & I got a chance to talk with the owner for abit...she is a wonderful lady, very happy to offer any help she can and loads of knowledge about the knit :) I could have stayed all day & pondered if she would allow me to stay & work for yarn, but alas, my DH came & swept me away before I managed to ask...lol.



On the way home ( I was soooo sad to leave) I got DH to take me back to Baddeck, it was such a wonderful little place filled with loads of interesting shops. As we headed out of town I asked if we could just pop into Baaddeck Yarns just for fun :P They were closed, but as luck would have it the owners DH was outside doing yard work & advised that I could go in even though they weren't opened!!! The owner opened up & let me in, I managed to buy more yarn...Yeahhhhh! I'm still swooning over my purchases wondering what I'll do with them...I really happy that I managed to get a skein of Curlylocks in the Celtic Colors colorway...it's alll for meeeee! I'm going to the knit the Soft Shawl Wrap from Fleece Artist...the pattern is an older one & I had a terribly hard time finding it...but with some perseverance I managed to track it down...


I'm off to knit & dream about the Cape Breton Highlands , I'm booked for the same week next year as of yesterday, I just can't get enough of a good thing & this my friends was THE BEST<3

~Give Thanks~

Been knitting up a storm here in between trying to stay on top of the 'vote' and Thanksgiving~phew~glad it's over :)

I had my family over for Thanksgiving and everyone had a great time. My Dad had purchased a bottle of "Newfie Duck" wine on one of his travels to Newfoundland, it was great~ I'd been saving it but since I'm not much of a drinker and I had nothing else to offer in the house, we cracked it open....THANKS DAD<3

I stayed up until 2am this morning (had my fingers crossed that I wasn't going to get a call for work at like 530am this morning let me tell ya) I cannot believe that Canada just spent allll that money...for what??? So the conservatives won a few more votes...the liberals lost a few, NDP came up some as well..bottom line is...EVERYTHING IS AS IT WAS BEFORE! With North America on the verge of a recession could we have not found something better to spend our money on...it's infuriating! No wonder only about 60% of Canada got out to vote...



So, I finished my Clapotis...picture shown above, I really love this, and am going to have a hard time parting with it. It's going to be a Christmas gift for someone<3 I have just cast on the Airy Lace Wrap from Fitted Knits and am presently waiting on some feedback on the pattern on Raverly...Thank Goodness for Ravelry...HELPPPPP!



K..I'm out...making homemade turkey soup and doughboys for supper...YUM. I'm posting a copy of my Grandmothers recipe...it's a winner everytime!

Nanor's Doughboys<3

2cps flour
1tsp salt
3tsps banking powder
2tbsps shortening
1cp milk

Cook 10 to 12 minutes by dropping Tbps into soup/stew..NEVER LIFT THE COVER UNTIL DONE!

Enjoy<3

~Identity Crisis~

HELPPPPPP~

For the past 5 years I've been making purchases on Ebay, Etsy and loads of other places that offer yarn, knitting needles...anything to bulk up my stash. I've never had any problems to date, but all that has just changed!

On Monday, Oct 6th, I just happened to check my online banking and I found 10 charges to my account...YES>>>10 CHARGES! All for the same dollar amount of 26.45! That's 260.00 dollars my friend...with a 400.00 NSF fee added for good measure.UGH~ I couldn't imagine for the life of me what was going on! I immediately logged onto my Ebay account and there were no charges there, so I switched over to Ravelry, etc...nothing! I then thought PAYPAL...yep, there is was...10 charges of 26.45 going to a company called SKYPE...who the hell is SKYPE? I've never heard tell of this, so I called paypal right away. After several minutes on the phone, LONG DISTANCE by the way as they have no 800 number, I was advised that there was an email address on my account using my name with a hotmail address attached...I couldn't believe it! I don't have an email using my name with hotmail. I was dumbfounded. Also Paypal advised that they run on a automated system that will go back in for the money in three days if they don't get the money one the first try!!! WOW...to think that you can call a company and advise that you are being charged for something that you DID NOT purchase and they will go ahead and try to take the money twice~~~~I DON'T THINK SO!

This company claims to be the 'safest way to send money'...and here these charges were...staring me in the face. I immediately advised that this was a BIG case of fraud and wanted to dispute these false charges. The gentleman on the phone was quick to file a report for me and advised that even though I am telling them that I didn't make any kind of agreement with this 'phone service' (this is what SKYPE is) they have to wait up to 10 days for this company to respond...WTF?

I've called the bank, they have stopped any and all payments from paypal...so my online shopping is coming to a dead halt...I am sooo upset as I have always loved buying different yarns, etc that I've not tried before. I feel violated...like how people say they feel after someone has broken into your house...same deal.

I am soooo thankful for my bank helping with all of this...I don't know what I would have done without them. They returned the payments back to paypal and said "No, we will not pay this" as well as removed the NSF and blocked ALL future payments to paypal...now I've got about 4 people I have to reach out to and advise that I'll have to send them a money order for the items they have already been paid for..how embarrassing.

Anyone else had this problem...lemme know!

PS...>I have finished the Clapotis and it turned out beautifully, unfortunately I've been so preoccupied with all of this I haven't taken a photo...I'll get it on here in my next post...a happy post (fingers crossed)

~Comforting Knits~

I remember being a much younger girl and hearing my parents/grandparents, etc. saying "How the time flies". Funny, I thought the days were so long back then, almost as if time stood still( especially the school years). The time I wasted dreaming about being old enough to drive, wear make-up, buy my own clothes..the list could go on and on. Now, with the 40yr old mark looming up ahead I know exactly what they were talking about.

This past week I lost an Aunt...she'd been sick for awhile, and although she's in a better place, it still hurts to see her go. Her name was Joy, and it suited her so well. This is what she was to all of us...a joy! She always had a warm smile on her face, a shoulder to lean on, always made you feel special and if you had a problem it was the only thing that mattered to her at the moment. I am blessed to have known her.

At the memorial I looked around at this group of people that I call my family, each one of them very different from one another, but connected all the same. Some of us share the same height, or the same color hair, some of us older and some very young, but young and old we all sat together and listened to the Minister talk about "Our Joy". Nodding our heads in unison about all the things that we think of when we hear her name, laughing and crying at the same time. It was a wonderful way to remember her...all together in love for this amazing woman.

I imagine her in heaven now, looking down on us, and can't help but think that she must be so happy to have had this group of people to call her own...I know that I am...bursting with pride actually...I love each and every one of them! There were tears, but not of sadness FOR her, she fought a good fight, she was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Aunt, Sister and Friend and has certainly earned her spot in the heavens. What we cried for was ourselves, after so many years loving this person and then to have to let them go...well, it isn't easy.

I've spent alot of time at home in my rocking chair knitting on my Clapotis over the past few days, it always gives me great comfort. A hot cup of Tension Tamer Tea , my dog at my feet, and OH how it rained...like the heavens themselves were in mourning for my Auntie Joy. Rest in Peace beautiful lady, you were and forever will be loved.

~Battening Down The Hatches~

So here's a picture of the Apple Harvest sock that I've been knitting on. It's kind of hard to see the pattern that runs up the back, but kinda cool...don't think i've seen a sock with the pattern running this way...hopefully my Mum will love them.

The weatherman is calling for some nasty weather out there. What was hurricane Kyle is now a possible category 1 or less? One thing is for sure, we 'Maritimers ' are usually quite prepared..phew! We have a 24' pontoon boat and it is presently sitting in my backyard with the biggest tarp I've ever seen wrapped around it...no chance of it blowing away I don't think...tehehe. I am hoping that we get afew more decent days of weather so that I can get at least one more run on the river...Ahhhh, I love fall and digging out that heavy wool...but I so hate to see summer go. I'm fine once it's gone....just it's leaving that makes me sad :(

I'm off to work tomorrow, was hoping to get to sit inside and watch the weather go by but alas I'm needed. I have the greatest job..working with Veterans<3 So spending the day with them will be pretty darn good too (just not quite as good as home in my pj's with my yarn and my lazy boy) but close, real close..lol.

Hope everyone weathers the storm well....stay dry out there!

~Making New Friends~

So the mailman arrived this past week with a package, I think he hates me pretty much with all the stuff that I order online..tehehe~ I can't help myself and from what I gather I'm not alone. To find yarn that you've not seen before & the desire to want to try it...well let's just say that my willpower isn't that great.

Ravelry is the culprit, my enabler this time...it's better than Ebay for sure since it's Alllll about knitting and such. Jessi from Germany, another yarnaholic, was getting rid of some of her stash "Tausendschon Lace" 1760 yards! Since I've never even seen or heard of this before I promptly sent her a message asking how much. Less than a week later here it is in all it's glory, beautiful shades of green (YUM). As I just purchased Victorian Lace today I'm sure that I can find something to do with it, now to figure out how to read those crazy lace patterns (Mum HELP). Enclosed in the package was a sample package of Soak (one that I haven't tried) and a treat named "Haribo Roulette"...Thank You Jessi<3 size="2">
So, since adding Jessi to my friends list we've been talking back and forth. I love meeting other people that share the same passion as I do. Laying in bed last nite perusing the lace book and trying to decide what to knit, I got to thinking about Jessi and how she had said that she's never been to Canada. I got to thinking wouldn't it be fun to send her something from 'my neck of the woods'. When I told her of my idea she asked "what does this mean, from your neck of the woods"...tehehe...Ah, the Atlantic coast and all our weird sayings and lingo. Hmmm, i'll come up with something...I was thinking maybe some dulse & a skein of something from home...but what...any ideas?

The daughter is standing over my shoulder, she's patiently waiting for me to finish this up so that we can get to the mall & get a pair of uggs ($$$UGH$$$) Ciao for now~

~So here I go~

So, I have the day off today, home alone, daughter off to school and DH at work....hmmm, what to do? After grinding my beans and set the coffeemaker up, I settle in front of the computer to see what's happening new on Ravelry (a knitters paradise) here's where it all started!

Hours later I am still sitting here in front of the computer setting up a blogger account...coffeepot empty & I'm totally confused! I am still wearing my nightgown(a flannel number from LLBean that my parents bought for X'mas last year, yeah it's my DH's fav (NOT) but it is that chilly) and my rubber boots (I had to take Tess to the back yard mid set-up and haven't taken the time to remove them) Hopefully I'll get the hang of all this eventually. Honestly I've spent some hours perusing the blogger pages of afew people ( all knitting related of course) and I didn't think it would be so overwhelming..tehehehe*need more coffee?

Yes, I cannot speak badly of DH for not reading the instructions as much as I would like at times, as it seems that I have the same problem with not reading or preparing how to do certain things before I dive in head first...Ah, so spontaneous!

So knitting...I'm working on a pair of Casbah socks at the moment...my Mother is going to FLIP over this colorway (Paris) that is if I can bear to part with them after I'm done...lol. No...I love my Mum and these have her name written all over them. The pattern I got from Nothern Sunshine Designs called Apple Harvest...suiting for this time of year!

I think i've had my fill for the computer for the day. Back to something I'm good at for the moment...Later Gator~