I'm baaaack

Yup, I AM still alive and well. Sorry for being blog neglectful.

I can now report that I finished the big surprise project mentioned in my last post. It was an Icelandic knitted lace shawl that I made for my sister for her birthday. More than anything, I wanted to make this for her, but to have it ready in time I had to drop everything else and set to knitting like a maniac.

The beginning pictures are in my last post. These are some "in progress" shots (this might be boring for some, but I know you knitters out there are interested).Once completed, it seemed way small. I only hoped that blocking would solve that (and it did....sorta). I'd never blocked anything before so this was new to me. First I got the thing thoroughly soaking wet....Art nailed some styrofoam sheets to the sunny side of a shed wall........but the stretching and pinning didn't hold, so I had to try a different tack. I laid the styrofoam down horizontally, put a big sheet of cardboard over it, then a towel over top and that worked much better.From a different angle....some close-ups (can you tell I'm proud?)...
The final work of art, being modelled by it's recipient....my lovely sis.

look who's back

My sweet little hummers have returned. It's so good to see them. Only have 2 so far, but the rest can't be far behind. In anticipation of their arrival I started getting the feeders ready.I've hung out 2 for now. The rest will go up soon. I am a little concerned, however, because we have 2 new cats that both go outside and one is especially interested in the birds. Lee Valley has something called CatScat and I think I'm gonna get some.While we were in Vancouver recently, I had a birthday. Art gave me a new lens for my camera. It's a 70-300mm zoom with image stabilizer. VERY nice!He also gave me this cool camera bag. It's called a "sling shot". You wear it like a backpack, but when you need it it swings around to your front (without having to take it off) for quick access.I have been practicing a lot, trying all the different settings on my camera, but I don't know what I'm doing. My friend Rockey has given me some quick lessons via email (which have helped alot.....thanks Rock), but I'm going to take a course.

Here's a group shot of "the kidz". It's a rare opportunity to get them altogether like this.The only one missing is Boose, but she's rarely in the house. And when she is, it's not harmonious. Blackie doesn't like her much and will try to pick fights with her. I don't know what his problem is....just a grump, I guess.

I am working on a new knitting project. Working like a fiend on it because I have given myself a deadline, which is fast approaching. It's a secret, so can't tell you any more right now. Later.This is my new favourite treat. I don't mind yogurt. It's OK. Nothing spectacular .... until NOW!I know you can't read the writing on it very well, but it's called "chocolate cherry fondue" .... CHOCOLATE ! My biggest weakness is chocolate. My favourites are Guylian Belgian seashells with Cadbury's Dairymilk coming in second, all of which I gave up 4 months ago. As soon as I tasted this yogurt, I was in love. It's like eating chocolate covered cherries with that little tang that yogurt adds. It's not Belgian pralines, but dang it's GOOOOOD. And it's fat free .... only 35 calories. I immediately went online trying to find it in the big containers, but alas it only comes in the variety packs.

out of sorts

Been having a tough few days here. I can't go into any details right now, but Art did allude to it a bit on his blog. In a few weeks, when things are settled down, I will fill you in. At present, we both feel like we've been gut-kicked. It's a sad thing when friends betray.

on his way

Just after midnight last night, Art picked up Sara & Kevin at the Vancouver airport. Once he had them safely home, he hit the road to come back to Endako. I was a little worried about him driving all night but he said he slept most of yesterday and felt well rested. The sky was clear, the moon was bright, he's got those new super cool driving lights (which I'm pretty sure you can see from space) and he had the "tracker" on. So....no problem.This was another VERY worth it investment. It's called a "spot"....satellite personal tracker. There have been many times when we've been out in the wilds and ended up in places we had no intention of going. This would have been great to have. Yes, we had a satellite phone, but in all honesty, that thing cost way, way too much money and only worked part of the time. Not impressed. This little contraption is perfect. It will send "I'm OK", "send help", or "911" messages. It will also track our routes. It works with Google Maps, so people can pinpoint our exact co-ordinates.

So, while Art is driving home today, he has the device on and sitting on the dash. Every 10 minutes it transmits his location and I can go online to see where he is. Now I know exactly how much time I have to scurryfunge.

did I mention mud?

Yup, we got plenty of it. Yesterday's 2 inch snowfall has now melted and added to the soup we call a driveway. While in Vancouver, Art and I both made a little investment in these.They are called Bogs and we bought them at Lee Valley. Without a doubt they are the best rubber boots I have ever found. They're toasty warm and cushy soft, which are pretty nice features, but the number 1 for me is that the calf is stretchy. Never in my life.....EVER....have I found a boot that fits my foot and my calf at the same time. I am in love with these boots.

After we got home from Vancouver, Art made a trip back down on his own. He's been there all this past week, house and dog sitting for Sara & Kevin while they take a much needed vacation to Mexico. While he's been gone I've been on "chicken duty". During my daily outdoor trek, Xena and I play fetch ... in the mud. Well, more Xena than me. I mostly just stand there. She does all the running around. And she doesn't seem to mind getting thoroughly filthy.But not all of the driveway is horrible. The parts that Art, Tom & Eddie worked so hard on last summer .... putting in culverts, clearing ditches and laying gravel .... those parts are draining beautifully.There's still a lot of snow around. This was taken from part way down the driveway, looking back toward the house.Back to the subject of chickens. Ewie is very curious about the critters inside this coop.The other day they got out (I don't know...) and he was only too happy to lend a hand with the "roundup".He did pretty good, too. Trouble was he'd get 'em all herded together and then ........ pounce .... right into the middle. And they'd scatter.

So, I had to capture him (which was no easy task) and lock him in the shed while I finished the job. It was no big deal really. They all just wandered back into the coop on their own.

did someone say "spring"?

Not today. This is what I woke up to.....

...and home again

We finally made it back home to Endako. Winter is still hanging on here, but the slow spring thaw is creating a lot of mud.Hey...notice the nice new fender flares? Kinda had to add those because the rust was starting to eat away at our little truck. A real problem around here.This is what the yard looked like.......but then, here's how it looked yesterday morning.....It really can't make up it's mind.

One of the many reasons we went to Vancouver was to retrieve our yard rock collection from the old house.I'd say we got about 1/3 of it (or less). Trouble is, rocks are heavy. Can't haul too many at a time.

We also did some shopping. Stocked up on some delectables that we can't buy up here, including a bunch of Weight Watchers approved items that can only be found in the USA (Art & Sara did a run to Point Roberts one day).As we wander around the yard, things are being revealed that were lost months ago when the snow first came. And nature does interesting artwork, too. This barrel is still frozen to the ground while everything around it has melted. Someone might pay big bucks for that if it was sitting in front of an art gallery.I was very happy to see Chickie......and Blackie.Art missed his kitty, Boose.......but I think Xena and Ewie missed each other most of all.He looks a little dishevelled after that greeting. Normally he's a very pristine white.But they kiss and make up....for now.Ewie gets HIS later....After all the "hello's" were done, Art checked the garden.Yup, a fine crop of clover goin' on.Xena is just LOVING her freedom.Rolling and running are way fun in her books.But sometimes, so is just sitting and contemplating. It's good to be home.