Knit On...

Has it been a week since my last posting? Didn't I just post yesterday? Wow! What a busy seven days. It must be the end of the semester. Well, things should slow down. After all, it is exam time now...and I am a drama teacher. How nice not to have a stack of English exams and culminating tasks to mark. Shhhhh...

Don't worry, though. I'm still as busy as the rest of the world. I've been writing plays, rehearsing plays, marking plays, and begin auditioning for plays tomorrow. My life is about plays.

And about banana-mashing.

And about finally finishing my crooked rug-hooking project (almost)...

And about making blueberry-applesauce...

And about knitting...

Shari and I had an official knitting lesson from Jackie last week. I opted for a project that doesn't require a pair. That way, once I finish making my hat, it's finished. I don't have to start all over and that simply increases the chances that I'll complete it.

There's something to this knitting thing. I know why Jackie "gets her knit on" during times of stress and why Ruthie has been encouraging me for years. One can chat while knitting (unlike the anti-social hobby of writing or reading) and at the same time, produce a home-made item that's good for the soul. So, rather than sit around with friends and talk about our worries/fears/problems, we kind of work them away. We might talk about the dark side but our hands are busy so somehow it's cleansing. I find that, at the end of the day during this long and emotional week, knitting gives me solace.

Writing gives me escape.

Knitting grounds me.

But I never expected my little knitting project to be so coveted. That's why the photo above shows my knitting laying on the floor. It's not because I'm a slob who just tosses things onto the floor--don't worry, mom. It's because my cat finds it no matter where I put it. It's because my three year old likes to "twirl it so fast." I have to hide my knitting and I can't knit in front of child or feline. Strange. I always pictured myself by the fire knitting while my cat slept beside me and my child read on the floor. Instead, it's like I'm defending the Holy Grail from falling into the wrong hands.

I think Mike is after my knitting as we speak. What diabolical dead is he planning?

Better go.

Merry Christmas

Nothing makes a cat happier than a cardboard box.

Photographic evidence : yes, there really were THREE wild turkeys in our backyard...

And thanks to everyone for the suggestion that this would make a nice Christmas dinner--we are big fans of eating locally.

Kieran's homemade wrapping paper...

"And Mole pops corn to string upon the tree..." from Bear Stays Up (For Christmas)

We made some popcorn and cranberry strings the other day. Kieran thought we should move them outside to feed the birds. Awwww...

Merry Christmas everyone!~

I'll be back in a few days...

Must make merry!

Home-made Christmas

Every year, I vow that I'm going to make as much as I can for Christmas: gifts, decorations, cards...

Every year, I get a few things done, but never as much as I imagine.

I so ENJOY making things--there's just no time.

Here's my best effort this year--and my friend's best efforts.

Shari collected these boughs and arranged them in my urn. Last year I made the dog's breakfast of the project. My designer friend couldn't bear it. This year, she rescued me from this decorating travesty. Now I have a lovely urn of which I can be proud. Thanks!

Shari also taught me how to make these little snowflakes from rolled paper (not rolling paper, although that might work too). Just cut the paper into strips (or use a shredder) and roll the paper around a skewer. Glue the end to form a little spiral. Then, glue them all together in any shape that looks snowflakey.

Kieran painted coloured paper with glitter. Then, I cut out shapes and made this card. I also used his finger paintings to make snowflake cards. Maybe if I start now, I'll have enough for next year.

Happy Hookin'

Made you look. My girls and I have taken up hooking. It's cheap, easy, and we can do it at home. Yes, I'm talking about rug-hooking.

The summer before last, while on the island, I went with my mother and sister-in-laws to see a traditional rug-hooking studio. The pieces they made were so beautiful, I decided I'd like to learn. Along with two other friends, I signed up for a course at Picket Fence Fabrics in Brockville. Our first project is a "Welcome" sign. I thought it would be funny to pick a more random word like "Surprise." Everyone seemed to want to stick with "Welcome." So predictable...sigh...

We're hoping to move into using recycled fabrics to make rugs..."upcycling!"

Here's Jackie working away at my place (wearing the beautiful sweater she made). She's a bit of a hooking prodigy, having sped past Shari and me. I'm still only on the "O" and Shari's on the "M."

In this photo, Jackie's rug looks a little frightening, like she's writing "OMEN" in blood.

Home-Made Cards

Since my son first expressed interest in art, I've rarely had to purchase a greeting card. Whenever I need a card I just tell him whose birthday it is and off he goes. Of course, I tend to "supervise" a little too much sometimes.

So, it was lots of fun to have a helper over the other day to make birthday cards for Jim and Krista.

I figure that he's making the art anyway, so we can save paper by transforming it into cards. Last year, he even made the wrapping paper for his cousins' gifts.





With our 100-mile diet just a few days away, I thought I'd get a head-start. I roasted a chicken so I can make stock tomorrow. Then, I'll make a batch of squash soup. I think this is going to be a lot of work!

I apologize for the unfortunate view of the chicken. Martha Stewart would have turned the bird the other way and her herb sachet would be wrapped in pink gossamer rather than hanging out like the dog's breakfast.