Canadian Soldiers

These are the weeks many of our troops (fr. Atlantic Canada) deploy.

It's not a question of whether we support the war, if it's our war to fight, or if we should or should not be there. Right now, it's our duty to support the people we know, love, and live with in our country. To let them know we think of them, appreciate and honor their courage and recognize the time they are away from their loved ones.

I was so proud when my SIL sent me the below pic. taken at CFB Gagetown (my home) with a few of her friends wishing the troops a fond farewell and safe return.

Good speed - Canadian Soldiers! Return home safely and soon.

Photo taken for the Oromocto Post Gazzette, CFB Gagetown/Oromocto, NB. Jan. '07

I'm addicted

Fair Isle...

I'm supposed to be studying... then I do a few lines.

Then, I'm supposed to feed boy child... then I have to do a few lines.

Thank you Eunny.

Word from Missing Mitt

Could it be? FleeceArtist Multi Mitt is still out there?

Today I received an email from someone who calls themselves DGPipetr. I'm not sure whether or not to believe this mysterious person. Have they made contact with my mitt? Did mitt write this or, is it some other hand?

The day started out with family, having lots of laughs and fun.
Around the rink we skated. I thought I was the lucky one.
You put me on your hand and said, "You fit just right".
So what made you leave me there alone, on that dreadful night?

I remember feeling the cold on the bench where I lay.
I kept hoping you would come back. For that I did pray.
I was left behind, it was not my choice.
It has been so long, since I heard your familiar voice.

The lonely hours turned to days, and days turned into weeks.
With all kinds of people touching me, and some were such freaks!
Strangers liked to pick me up and give a tight squeeze.
I hoped someone would send me, back to my home - please.

People would try me on, but none of them were the right fit.
They all wanted me, as they thought I was the most beautiful mitt.
I got so tired of all the touching, I started not to care.
I hope I never hear again, "I wish the owner left the pair".

People would touch me, then throw me in the box on the floor.
I got so tired of hoping you would walk through the door.
Getting so bored, lonely, and stretched I got myself in a slump.
I didn't care anymore when I heard them say, "Friday this box goes to the dump".

Then the other day someone picked me up and put me in their hands.
I was waiting for them to hold me, then throw me in the box or in the stands.
This person was nice and she seemed glad to take care of me.
She told me in a few days I would be home - I just had to wait and see.

I am happy, and hope to have no more days of gloom.
As for my Owner, I hope she checks her mail. I will be home soon!!!

I want to hope.... I will check mail mitt. I will wait for you...

Holidays (in review)

Since I have been absent from the blog world since the summer, I have so much to catch up on. Most recently - the holidays.

We went home to be with family - it was wonderful! We spent a lot of time hanging around and eating - MIL loves to bake (thanks for the peanut butter balls mamma K), and drinking - BILs and brothers influence :), and of course - knitting.

Was knitting a pair of shorty Gauntlets, when MIL commented on how she would like a pair. My mission - to finish before it was time to leave. They were knit in Sweet Georgia (Angel) - sorry Lynn, I took only 1 skein... They're short - that's all I needed... I don't have a pic of them, but here's a pic. of my SILs long Gauntlets - She Knit Them Herself. I'm so proud!

psst ~ I think she took this pic. at work. I see a rolodex... that's ok L, we understand. Welcome :)

We spent a lot of time playing poker, watching hockey - MIL and Mom both owe me a $20. Sorry, Toronto has too many men in sick beds - I'll collect when I'm home in March :)

Santa & Mrs. Claus even came to visit. Santa paid particular attention to our newest addition - Isabella (named after nannie - I know nan would Love her). Thanks Santa & Mrs. Claus, for your presence. By the way she looks a lot like someone I know, but I just can't place her...

Of course Harley bear had a great time with all the festivities.
He was trying to be an elf, but he scared all the children with his CRAZY EYES. Not to mention, he was afraid to move. He only moved his eyes.

He got lots of treats and Santa brought him new babies to play and snuggle with.

We rented a rink (site of missing mitten - I think), and played hockey and skated.

Here's a shot of husband, brothers and FIL pretending to be in NHL:

Toronto still has lots of fans - even though they can't win (heeee heeee).

We ended the trip with a big New Year's bash in the back yard around a fire! There was a little bit of snow, some fireworks, children running, and a few beverages.

All in all - lots of Kareoke, lots of presents (my main one being satellite radio - bye bye commercials - hello 80s music All Day looong :), and of course lots of *Caps.

* A game of skill played with beer bottle caps. We are so good we've taken it to a new level - Extreme Caps. Seen below:

This is E & D in a Cap Off. Of course, E won! That's why they call us the HRM/Kings County Ambidextrous EXTREME Caps Champions.








Team photo:

Faulker - OUT

Catching up

Other than losing a wonderful mitten - life has been great. Speeding a lot of time hiding behind books. Yes, I decided to go back to school. I feel way too old to be in school and going from an office environment to a classroom has not been a comfortable transition, but I think I'm settling nicely into my jeans, and sweaters while learning about Holistic Nutrition - and no, it is not taking a concoct 3 days after a full moon, while standing on one foot - as one person casually said to me over the holidays (a nurse at that - for shame!).

I guess as soon as the word Holistic comes into anything it is assumed it's wizardry (that would be cool). I'm going to change that about this crazy world. Big Plans...

I have big plans.

Ready for this? I'm changing Holistic to Natural - That's it. Throwing it out into the universe and see what happens.

It is hard to knit while studying, but I have managed. In September I completed the Hour Glass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Because Tangled Skeins brought in Cash Iroha - in red - I couldn't resist. This was an easy knit while reading... knit on the round - Love It!!



Just finished a Single Cable scarf from OneSkein. I used 2 skeins of Jaeger ComO (off white), so it's Loooong. Matches new winter boots.

Also finished socks - wanted to do self patterning in st. st., so I could knit and talk to non-knitting friends at the same time. Yes, I do still have a few non-knitting friends. They are slowly being converted - one - by - one.

And, have been working on these socks since September... They are Gem Opal - not loving the yarn. It's thick and bulky. This pattern Interweave Spring '06 - called for this yarn, but I'm not loving it - so only 1.25 socks complete. I do like the little bag I tote it around in though.

WARNING: We are about to go into a Sewing Conversation

- This came about when trying to put a lining in a knit purse - one lining was too small, the other too big - together they made a cute little carrier for sock project :)

Since we are talking about sewing - I don't do a lot of it because, frankly I don't like to measure. It's really that simple. I often think sewing would be faster than knitting, but - it just doesn't Lure me. I did, however manage to put together a quilt for my mom for Christmas. Yes, without measuring. I think I had a guided hand (wink to heavens).

My nannie left this earth last May (yes, I have her knitting needles - thank you nannie). When my mom and her sisters were going through her things I asked for some of her dresses and sweaters. They looked at me oddly and filled a bag.

Going through the bag and the process of sewing a quilt was therapeutic. I know it's not perfect (I'm not a quilter), but it is her dresses and her sweaters. I could smell her and feel her around me while I put this together. This was a my mom's Christmas gift. I figured since it was the first Christmas without her mom - she could use warmth around her.



PS
Started these in mourning of my lost mitten (Interweave, Winter '06):

I've always wanted to do thrummed mitts. Now I know they're not all they're cracked up to be. I will finish the other one though. I have made a promise to finish all UFPs before starting another - mainly to get free some needles up :)

jak

Missing Mitten

Missing - Hand Knit Mitt
Description: Mohair & Blue Face Leicester ~ Fleece Artist, Multi-color burgandies/blues/browns)

Age: 1 month

Last seen: Lord Beaverbrook Rink, Fredericton, NB (Canada) ~ December 27, 2006

This mitten is terribly missed by hands of knitter, and by other mit. If anyone has seen this beautiful, warm mitten please let me know.



Reward - a pair of mits for you - hand knit by me :)

jak