A Rainy Saturday Morning

November has been grey and wet in Vancouver. I really can't complain because we had a long hot summer, but the single day of crisp, clear skies yesterday was a welcome respite. However, I was born and raised here, so if I'm not used to the wet, who would be? I don't know any different. And my advice for lifting sprits in this weather? Awesome rainboots. Trust me, it works. At least until mid-February or so, and then it wears off during the rains of March, April, May and June...(sigh)

But I digress. On this rainy Saturday, with Jay out helping a friend move, and me at home with the kids, we are hanging out in front of the fire. I am knitting, which is what I'm doing Every. Single. Moment. in the lead up to Christmas. Lots of handmade gifts this year. At one point I looked up and saw this:

Three happy kids sharing (sharing!) Lego and buttered toast (which Faire made so I didn't even have to get up!). The room felt so peaceful, I almost didn't recognise it. Life with Isla isn't so very peaceful for us these days. Small But Deadly, we call her. And she's eating Lego, not toast, but we'll overlook that, shall we? Jay left Faire in charge of keeping the fire going while he was out (he knows I always neglectfully let it die down) and she was doing a fine job of it. Shawn Mullins was playing in the background. I had my well-loved slippers, legwarmers and new flannel pyjama pants on, and knitting on my lap:Does it get any better? I'm working on the second Toasty. Love this pattern. This set is for Faire's teacher. I'll make another for Shea's. I'm using Rowan felted tweed for the first time and I love the feel, and the colours. This photo is a little dark but it is a lovely plum colour. I believe there will be many more of these in my future. I need them in every colour!

If this is what rainy Saturdays bring, I say bring 'em on.

Happy Birthday Dear Friend!

This is Sarah and I back in 1997. We lived on Trout Lake then, in a funky little house that is no longer there. We met in college but it was in this house that our friendship and sisterhood truly began. Oh, we had some damn good times in that house! And in the one that followed, but this little spot on the Lake holds a special place in my heart.

We navigated young adulthood together, and although our lifestyles were different, our hearts were the same. When my daughter was just about a year old, we both found ourselves pregnant (together!) and gave birth five days apart to boys. We began navigating motherhood together, and, really, we are still navigating, because Mamahood is never quite a smooth sail. But she is my lighthouse, and I am hers, and often we don't need advice from each other, but simply a confirmation of what our instincts told us anyway. We think a lot alike.

She is now a Mama of three, like I am, and we are thrilled to share girl clothes (finally!) and share chaotic but wonderful afternoons or evenings together with our 6-pack of kids. Sometimes we even get time alone (or nearly alone, but Juma is so easy-going she hardly counts!), like last weekend when we hit a craft fair and then had a leisurely lunch afterwards. Bliss! And even after all those hours together, I still wanted to call her about an hour after I got home to continue talking. Her husband will sometimes say "Didn't you just spend the afternoon together???" because he can't imagine what more we'd need to talk about.

What does my husband say?? "She's pretty much a better husband to you than I am".

You know, he may be right.

Happy Birthday Girl! I love you dearly!

Late Summer Art Project That I Forgot To Post

This is what happens when you have a child who LOVES anything to do with Star Wars but who has a Mama that hates buying licenced prodects (especially clothing!)

You know, he looks a little like Young Anakin to me so I guess it's fitting that he chose Darth Vader to draw on his shirt! This boy of mine is all about the Dark Side!