Days 9-14 - Time Flies

Oh, blogging is just not as much fun without some accompanying photos. Alas, the weather in Vancouver is so, well, grey, right now that all my pictures turn out dark. It just doesn't inspire blog posts, truthfully. However, I really enjoyed looking back on last year's holiday posts, if only for ideas this year, and I'd like to look back on this time next year (hopefully to see how frazzled and busy I was and chuckle because Christmas 2011 is soooo relaxing) so continue I must, even with dark photos.
So, what have we been up to this week?
First, the tree was bought and decorated. It is smaller than our usual tree, and fit into the living room easily. Not good. Christmas trees must come with furniture rearranging. Luckily I married someone who agrees (if only because he wants to sweep up dust bunnies) so after pretty much all of our furniture was moved, we are quite pleased. I love the light a tree gives off. I always mourn the loss of it when it is gone.

Only about 1/3 of my decorations fit...I got to pick my favourites so I love it all the more!

A few new birdies were added to my tree this year (this one was gifted to me last year from Sarah)
Remember this one? Love it!

Isla and I have started baking...

I told her I wanted to take a picture of her in Faire's apron and she held this pose while I found the camera, adjusted, took multiple shots...in fact, she wants to do this pose in all photos right now! Hilarious!

She helped with a bit of adding and mixing, but really, she just wants to lick the spoons...
Jay moved the TV down into the living room for the next couple of weeks. It seemed a shame to go up the the TV/Playroom to watch a Christmas movie when the tree and the fireplace are down here. It's quite blissful, although we don't have cable and I've already had my fill of CBC Holiday specials...



And, of course, I've been knitting. So has Faire, actually. She plans to knit gifts for everyone. The fact that Christmas is 11 days away does not faze her. I could probably learn something from that. But, most of my knitting is done. I'm feeling quite Zen about it now, which means I am growing as a person, or I am heavily under the influence of homemade Irish Cream liqueur. I have a sneaking suspicion thatI've forgotten something that I'm supposed to be knitting and that's why I'm so calm...

Sugar Overload: Days 7 & 8 of Advent

On the 7th Day of Advent, my Mama gave to me...

Hot Cocoa in the Bathtub!

Wow, young kids are easy to impress. I remember this being a highlight last year. Once again, I got top Mama points. Even Faire, who'd rather shower these days than soak in a tub, was excited. I didn't take any photos, because, well, most of them seem to old to have bathtub photos on the internet, you know?

Today they got to eat their Gingerbread House. Finally, the whining has stopped. I can't remember the last time the house was so quiet as when they were tearing that house apart. No bickering, no way, wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves because then Mama might change her mind about the whole thing!

They didn't think the house tasted very good (not surprising to me) so they just ate the candy. Sigh...

Tomorrow we are getting our tree! Can't wait!

Now I'm off to knit, which is what I've been doing pretty much every spare moment. Hats, and wrist warmers, and cowls, oh my. I'm trying to be Zen about the whole thing, but it's hard to admit I might not actually be able to pull it all off and have any semblance of a relaxing holiday. I'm slowly coming to terms with it...I've got other things up my sleeve if the knitting doesn't work out!

The Next Shawl

This one's for my Mom, for the holiday...you know, that one that happens in - dare I say it? - Winter??

Finished!

Citron

Knit with Zephyr Laceweight (50% wool/ 50% tussah silk) Less than one skein. Added an extra repeat, and wondered why it still seemed so much smaller than I wanted. As I knit the last row, it came to my attention that I was knitting it with a 3mm needle, not a 4mm needle. I have no idea how that mistake came to be, but the next one will be knit with the 4mm. Oh yes, there will be another. I'm casting on with Sweet Georgia laceweight in the Botanical colourway. So beautiful.

It's soft and lovely and perfect for all seasons. Love love love.

Time is Ticking Away...

...and I am frantically trying to complete my Knitting Olympics Challenge. I am knitting the Reindeer Sweater for J, and his arms are just too long, people! Never knit a long-sleeved item for a man that is 6'5". Other than that, it has been coming along so quickly that I was a little too sure of myself. Let it go a bit and read a book (gasp!) instead. Now it's the last few days and all the finishing is daunting.

The plan is that he will wear it to the Canada-Norway sledge hockey game we are seeing in the Paralymics.

The other plan was that I would be making these sweaters for all of us, but after those sleeves I am going to need to rethink that. Or at least buy a lot more wine.

Anyway, just a quick post to let everyone know why I haven't been posting!

Day 23 of Advent: Wrapping It Up

Ahh, the final preparations for the Big Day(s)...

J and I had a small list of errands we hoped to accomplish today and Graham and Kyla graciously took our kids off our hands so we could do so.

Not wanting , or really needing, to do the "mall" thing, we hit South Granville Street. We knocked off our to-do list quickly, strolling hand in hand, and breathing crisp winter air, and even had a late brunch at cafe Barney before picking up the kiddos. Oh, that is surely the way to shop!

I noticed all my family wearing hats today handknit by me, so I had to get photos.

Kim's Hats, from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Love this pattern. I have knit so many now I can do it in my sleep (hmmm, much like the Toasties!) Nearly every one of my family members has one now. They keep requesting, and I can't say no!

Sweet Baby Cap for Isla, and Side Slip Cloche for moi.

If nothing else this winter, our heads are warm!

Advent Activity of the day: Faire went to work on our old holidays cards, cutting them up and making tags for our gifts. And Sarah's boys, Kai and River, have joined us for a sleepover. We loaded up the van and tried to take them all to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen, but when we arrived at 8pm, the line up was 45 minutes long. Ummm, no. Hot chocolate, popcorn, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version) was decided by the five (five!) of them.

Now they are tucked into bed, and have fallen almost instantly, amazingly, to sleep (told you they got the crazies out at your house two nights ago Sarah! haha!) I am knitting the last few inches of my last Toasty and then I am DONE. Knitting accomplished, which I am ever so proud of, especially with lots of holiday merry-making taking away from knitting time, and a funeral in there to boot. Knowing me, I'll pick up needles tomorrow and "just whip up another gift since I have an extra day"... J will confiscate my knitting basket if I do that, I think.

Two more sleeps!!

Day 15 of Advent: Tower of Toasties

Christmas Gift Knitting Update:

Major progress. All it takes is a movie or two, really. I forced myself to take the "second sock" to the couch while we watched Julie and Julia and powered through the worst of it. The next time I force myself to knit it, I will finish! I am thinking I may not be a sock knitter after all...oh well. They will be well-loved by the recipient, I just know it.

I am finishing up my fifth Toasty. Love the pattern, but perhaps getting a tad bored of it at this point. I think I could knit it while sleeping now. However, through an unforseen series of events (which is really not very interesting) I now have a pair for myself! Yes, amidst all the gift knitting, I have a little something to keep! Bliss. Another pair is for my niece to match her hat, one each for the teachers, and one for...Vicki. Yes, you, Vicki. The ones with turquoise that you loved. Because I love you. And because your hands are cold, as you say. And especially because I want you to embroider something for me and the thought of embroidery makes my eyes roll back in my head.

After school, we ate a mini cupcake and had local, hot apple cider for a snack. It was so yummy, and felt so Christmassy. I am feeling like the next couple of days will be busy so hopefully I will remember to post! I'm trying for the whole 24 days of Advent, but we'll see. Tomorrow I am baking for the kids' school Bake Sale, the Out Of The Cold Project (the kids make gifts bags for less fortunate folks in the school community) and also for my Grandma's funeral. I am going to attempt that %$#&* fudge again, so tomorrow I may be too drunk to post. Just a warning.

Off to put my feet up and watch a holiday movie. But I'm not knitting that sock!

Day 3 of Advent: Snow Fairies and the Perfect Afternoon

What a sweet little project.

I bought the Snow Fairies kit a couple of years ago from Natural Pod. I didn't think the kids were quite old enough to manage it without a lot of help from me until this year.

Faire is always down with the crafty projects, although she struggled a bit with this one so she was frustrated. She wants me to get the supplies to make more so she can do it "the way she really wanted to".

Shea was surprisingly keen. He's so excited each day to see what the Advent activity is. It's pretty awesome to see that excitement about something other than Star Wars Lego! And he happily tried sewing for the first time!

Concentration

Sweet little snow fairies on a dusty chandelier ;)

***

On another note, I had a perfect afternoon.

I was knitting for the first time with Noro (love!), there was a ginger cookie within easy reach, the toddler was sleeping (at least that's what I thought but she appeared ten minutes later) and the sun was shining through the window. I looked down at myself and thought that I needed a picture of this perfect moment. What you don't see is the bowl of popcorn and cup of tea within easy reach to my left. See what I mean? Perfect moment.

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.