Tuesday, January 10, 2012

a new year

Our dog, Xena, is very much a social butterfly. She loves when company comes over and is sad to see them go. After Mike and Dyanne went home on Sunday, she had this "hang dog" look.
While they were here, Dyanne tooks loads of pictures. Her photography style is much like Carol Browne... very artistic. I lust after her camera. Here is one of her shots of our boar pig.
While on the subject of animals, some of you know that we are supposed to be getting a couple of goats. Before Christmas I found a farmer in Smithers who was giving away two goats. I had email conversations with him and we made a deal to go and get them after the holidays were over. One goat is pregnant and the other "might" be, so we would have a kid or two running around in a month or so. We were quite looking forward to it. Art was excited about learning to make cheese and got the barn all prepared for their arrival. We even borrowed a livestock transporting thingie from a friend. A couple of days ago, I sent another email to the farmer to make a date for picking up our new pets and he informed me that he gave them to someone else.

I have to say, I was a bit taken aback. We had built up a bit of a rapport. I invited him and he went onto our blogs to see the new home of his goats and he seemed to approve. So, this turn of events is quite a surprise.... and a disappointment. More than not getting the animals we were looking forward to, I feel very let down by someone going back on their word to me. It says volumes about he type of person he is. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. So, if you are thinking of dealing with a farmer in Smithers, and you wonder if he has any integrity, let me know and I will tell you his name.

To switch gears, I have been making hats lately. Some were gifts for Christmas. This one is knit and the tie undoes to allow it to open up and slide down to be a neck warmer.
This one is also knit and I was intrigued by the design. It is made as one long tube, then twisted and turned halfway inside out and sewn closed (sounds confusing, doesn't it?). This causes it to be open at the top, but the folds keep it closed. If you get too hot while wearing it and don't want to take it off, you can open the vent a little.
And it could get too hot, I suppose, because it is double thickness... and reversible.
This one was for Sophie and is crocheted.
Another knit one....
this one is crocheted...
All those hats were fun to make and are cute, but this one seems to be the favourite. Not only does Art love to wear it, I enjoyed making it.
For those of you who know about knit and crochet, the very cool thing about this one is that it looks like knit (and is stretchier than knit ribbing and springs right back), but is actually crochet. I love the result of this technique so much that I'm making socks right now just to see how it turns out.

Look what I found in the grocery store yesterday.
Check out those flavours! YUMMMMMmmmmm!
Here's a sign that's up for interpretation. I'm curious ..... what do YOU think it says?

9 comments:

Carol Browne said...

That farmer is MEAN. Ah boo to him! I hope someone else has goats for you! I love goats! :-(

You knit SO FAST. You're a great knitter. I think you need to make Art a hat just like Sophie's! He needs a pompom, don't you think? :-)

Endako Jo said...

Ah, Carol, I knew I could count on your support! I think we're gonna look for some sheep now. At least they will mow the lawn, which apparantly goats aren't that good at. Art says to tell you how he feels about pompons (you aren't the first person to mention this to him.... personally, I think it would be adorable!).

Cathy said...

Those hats are fabulous, you should sell some? Maybe those goats were old goats anyway.

Dyanne said...

If I could crochet like you!! I also think Art needs a pompom. Just finishes it off....don't you think??? Sheep are nice...we had one..Cindy-Lou. They need "GOOD" fencing...

Art Blomquist said...

Pom Poms r fer gurls!!

Denise E said...

Well, that set is one diverse looking group of books.

Endako Jo said...

You get it though, right? It was at a library book sale, so we know that it says "$10 for set", but Art read it differently. Turn your head a little sideways. Maybe it's just a guy thing.

Art Blomquist said...

That's sexist saying only guys could see it!

Denise E said...

LOL!!! I didn't see it until I tilted my head. ART!!! It's a guy thing, Jo. Oh you have an imaginative mind Art.