Weekend in January

I got a red amarylis for Christmas.  They shoot up so fast once they get growing, very exciting.

(I still want a green one some day.)

My current knitting obsession is Franklin Habit's 1840 Night Cap.  I have no idea why I want to knit this - I don't wear night caps, who does these days?  I won't be wearing it in out public.  I already had this fine cream wool, so it's not like I spent money on it.  Guess it's just a change from sock knitting; something a little different.

It's cold, wintry and snowing outside - a good day to curl up in a cozy spot and stay warm.

Back and Forward

In the spirit of Charlotte's idea (via Metscan) to look back on the year past before making resolutions for the year to come, I'm listing some of my accomplishments for 2010:

I've knit five pairs of socks, three shawls, three vests, two cardigans, two scarves, two hats, two dishcloths, a pair of gloves, and a coffee mug cuff.

A large room upstairs has had plaster and lath removed and disposed of by me, new wiring by Phil, new drywall by Trevor, primer and paint by me.  I'm still working on paint removal from trim before I reinstall it.

I got a dog last summer.  We still need to work on the relaxed walk, but he is adding joy to my life, plus getting me out for more excercise.

I've edited my closet, and I'm being slightly more adverturous in what I wear. 

My weight is pretty much the same as last year, which I count as a win.  At this point in my life If I'm not watching what I eat the pounds can easily slip on and not off! 

So Resolutions -

1. lose 4 lbs.
2. eat less white sugar and crap, more vegetables
3. sell or dispose of certain items I'm not using
4. train the dog to be a good canine citizen
5. finish the room upstairs
6. set up a workroom, and use it
7. less TV, more blogging
8. finish the Highlander sweater
9. go on a trip, Montreal, east coast, Slocan Valley
10. add to my retirement fund

Nothing too difficult there, so we shall see what 2011 brings.

I hope all my blogging friends have a happy New Year, and continue to share their fascinating lives with me.

Time to let go?

I had this pottery pitcher that I used to fill the cats' water dish.  Sadly I left an inch or so of water in it one day.  One of my cats tried to get at this water, knocked it off the counter and broke the handle.

I love the glaze, the colours, the way it goes over the top to the inside; I am finding it very hard to toss it out.

I've found this unusual japanese vessel in a thrift shop, that I now use to fill the water bowl.  The glaze is plain brown, but the shape is pleasing, especially when the water pours out.

So is it time to let go of the old and broken, and just keep the new functional object, or is there room for a pretty but useless article?

Audra makes herself comfortable

Don't even think about getting up.

Fast knitting

Lately I've been starting many knitting projects then setting them aside for various reasons.  A shawl where the wool is too heavy for the lace pattern.  Socks that there may not be enough yarn to complete. Another pair that should be ripped out an started again in the next larger size.  Hat that may be too small also, needs to be taken off needles and checked.  Colourwork sweater that I'm just tired of knitting.  Cardigan ditto.

So it's good to have a finished object in the middle of all the dissatisfaction.

Every morning I get a coffee across the road from my office.   Now that it's freezing out I try to keep my coffee container protected with my hands, and it occurred to me I should knit a coffee warmer for it.   Hope it works!

Moving on

Speaking to an old friend about how I'm trying to declutter a bit.  She said that shouldn't be a problem for me as she's seen me let go of stuff before.  She's right, I've had events in my life I've pretty much left/lost everything - including my planned future with someone (twice). 

On the other hand, I still have a few items from my Vancouver life when I was 21.  A glass jar that I use for sugar, it probably was a candy jar in a general store. 

It's good to have things around a long time that I still use.

A rare occurance

I wore a skirt to work on Thursday.  I can't remember the last time I wore a skirt to the office, probably a couple of years ago, summer time.

I saw this look on a very chic woman last year, and thought to myself "I could knit a vest like that" so I did, but never got the courage to put it all together.  Now vests are in according to A Femme d'un Certain Age so  that's a bonus, and the skirt I purchased last winter on sale still fits which is also a good thing.  Adding knitted bulk around my middle, plus a belt is perhaps not so flattering.  But it was warm and cozy, and at least I pushed my comfort limit a little.

Photo taken in the room I'm renovating, for an uncluttered background.  Then Rory got in the best shot anyway;)