The night before

The last night of 2008. Hard to believe the year has gone by so fast. There were so many things I meant to do this year, too many to list.

So the goal for next year is to not have too many expectations and to take things as they come.

The snow has finally let up and given us a little breather. I think anyhow, they're forecasting more this weekend. I don't know if we'll ever get a chance to meet up with my family in Vancouver. Every planned effort has been thwarted by weather.

The weather didn't stop us from getting into Vancouver on Monday to catch the Moscow Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker at the Queen E theater. Imagine - a question about every 20-30 seconds for 2.3 hours. She was in awe with it all. Loved it so much. It really was funny. There was a couple in front of us that kept tossing looks back but c'mon, its a matinee, what do you expect? Someone is very excited to be starting ballet lessons next week.

On the knitting front I've stalled on Autumn Rose as I'm actually going to have to read the directions instead of just following the chart so what did I do? Cast on for Selbu Beret in Manos Silk Blend. Oh heaven, this yarn is fabulous. A bit big for this project but its lovely to touch and should make a nice cozy hat.

Because this is supposed to be a knitting blog

DSC_0039.JPG, originally uploaded by wotocho.

Here's what I've been working on lately (among other suprise items that I'll post once the belated birthday person gets it). I so love this sweater. And I learned all about colour dominance and which yarn to carry over/under. All these years and I'm just figuring this out now. Wow, sure does make a difference. Almost so much so that I'm tempted to make me redo one sleeve. I'll finish the body and see how I' really feeling about that when I get there. I hope that bit of curl on the waistband comes out or it will drive me batty I'm sure.

First Cookies and Milk

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This is the first year someone in this house has really been excited about Christmas. Its been terribly cute and this note almost makes up for the crazy moodiness that came out of such a small person. Almost.

When life hands you lemons

The lemons in this case are sub zero temperatures and crazy snow that lasts for more than 2 days, a rarity in these parts. Our lemonade was to take the kids out to the elementary school (that both of us went to so long ago) and toboggan down the hills. It was sooooo cold but the kids had a blast. Lots of screeches, screams and laughter. Such a fabulous group of friends this little girl has.

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another awesome Grosgrain spectacular. I want to be her daughter! What a fabulous model.

Oh Christmas Tree

Something about getting the tree up really solidifies the holidays for me.  This year we were able to get a tree taller than me for once.  Our first Christmas in the new house.  It still feels to big and fancy but its slowly starting to feel like home.  

On the knitting front, I started two wee hats for the daycare's twins.  Using Brown Sheep Lambs Pride worsted - feeling a little too thick for this project but its got to be done by Monday.  Hopefully I'll figure out how to link ravelry to this post at some point.  

Sparkly

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Originally uploaded by wotocho

Oh its finally done. For the past few months I've been haunting the thrift stores collecting vintage ornaments to make a wreath like this one http://pixigenne.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/the-ornament-wreath-words-of-advice-and-caution.html

After many sticks of glue, burnt finger tips and one rather sliced thumb (should have taken a photo of that - lots of blood) its finally done. There are still some gaps that I admittedly started to fill in with non vintage baubles but stopped m

yself because it didn't seem right. I'll fill in the gaps with those that I collect over time. There were actually some ornaments that I just had to put on the tree they were so fabulous. A 50 cent box of 9 ornaments of the most fabulous shades of Christmas, made in Eastern Germany. I was rather nervous putting it up, wondering if I'd have a big fall like pixiegenne but its still hanging on the wall and looking lovely. I lurv it.

Threading wick

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Originally uploaded by wotocho

Candles

We got to do the coolest thing today (other than go select our Christmas tree). There is a local monastery of Orthodox monks who make candles for churches all over Canada. Once a year they are allowed to sell them and the mill where I work is one place quite a few get sold, due to a church connection at work. Graciously they agreed to give us a tour of the monastery this year. You often see the monks walking down the road when you're driving into work or going home and I've always wondered about them, where they live and what they do. Today we got a small glimpse into their lives and it was truly wonderful.

We got to see where and how they make candles, wine, bread and their art, chapel and daily life. It was such a wonderful experience. They were so welcoming and humble. I brought Sophie along, thinking she would like to see how candles were made and they were so kind to this small wiggly person running around their monastery - which in itself is incredible as they built the entire thing themselves. The place was immaculate and every single thing in it had its place and purpose.

I still don't know how to upload photos so check out the uploaded photos on flickr. It really was special.

Twitchy

Is it bad that I get all twitchy whenever the new Knitty is released?  Pretty much the whole world stops while I go through all the fabulous new patterns and dream about what I'm going to knit next then I look at my UFO pile and come back down to reality.

I'm still figuring this whole blogging thing out so I'm going to take my 10 minutes of computer time before having to make dinner to try and sort some of this stuff out.

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Or this?  Bright green?  I think a certain small Sophie would look pretty fabulous in this.

Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

How could you not want this.  I want it in my size!

Mainly because I want to win a Grograin dress

Hi - I read too many blogs, knit too much and spend alot of time thinking about crafting things when I really should be working.  The main impetuous to starting a blog is to get a chance at winning one of those fabulous Grosgrain creations.  Selfish?  Maybe.  We'll see if I get beyond that.