Wishing for Peace, Happiness and Prosperity

To all my readers, that take the time out of their busy days to read my little ramblings.

I know so many of you have been busy, shopping, cleaning, wrapping, decorating and all the other duties that still need to be performed, holiday or not. I know it is left up to you, my readers, to provide the spirit and warmth that is Christmas. So much responsibility for us at this time of year! But please take the time to appreciate the season and remember it doesn't all have to be done. It does NOT have to be perfect and, as my list states, will it really matter five years from now?

All the very best to each and every one of you.

"My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master"

The title of my post is a quote that some of you may recognize. It is from my all time favourite (I cannot express this enough to you) Christmas movie. It is A Christmas Story. If you are one of the unfortunate people that has never seen this movie I strongly urge you to rent or buy it. We all watch it every single year. Traditions die hard in the Knitty, Vintage and Rosy house.

So this is what I have been doing with my precious time. I know it doesn't look like much but this is as good as it will get for the livingroom. Do you like the light on or off? I wasn't sure so I posted both. This view is from the diningroom. I only discovered this wonderful view when I was hiding behind the draperies in there, playing hide and seek with the dog. Am I the only one that does this?

Notice the drinks tray? I was thinking about nipping into the sherry a few minutes ago but put the kettle on instead. It is mightily cold in these parts tonight. And, we are suppose to get 5cm of snow tonight, possibly 15-20 on Friday and perhaps more on Sunday. Yayyyy!

This is a handmade card I received from my husband's aunt about 15 years ago. I love it to bits. Isn't it lovely?

Mercury glass ball. New. Couldn't resist. (We needed more decorations like I need a hole in my head.)

Handpainted ball from a local artist.

That is the livingroom.

If I am as organized as Anthea Turner, and we all know I am (writer lets out shrill laugh and guffaws) I shall return with more dribble and orange like pictures.

Green Knitting

I spent the better part of Sunday trying to find a quick pattern, that I liked, for a dog sweater/coat. I came across many but I needed a quick knit and something that would be compatible with "in stock" yarn. The house is full (not kidding here) with yarn. I have it artfully displayed in baskets, shoved into dresser drawers (so full, in fact, I may need to butter the sides to get the drawers open), and some, get this, still in their original bags packed in the back of cupboards. Sometimes, while tidying, I see a bag and say what is this? Wow, that's nice yarn, when the heck did I buy this? That would have been perfect for _____.

Eventually, I decided to make my own pattern and go with some Briggs and Little. But I did come across some fantastic patterns for dogs. Here are just a few in case you have been looking:

Basket of Daisies (adorable, just not for my male pug)

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A whole list of Knit and Crochet Patterns

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For a small dog or pup

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Cable Knit

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The plan here is to knit two rectangles, one slightly smaller than the other. The larger will be the top and the smaller will be the bottom (room for, you know, the business area). I will sew the two together, leaving openings at the front for the paws. Then I will pick up stitches around the neck and make a turtleneck. I will also pick up the stitches around the holes to make wee sleeves. Is this making any sense to you? I have loosely based it on a pattern I have in the Stitch n Bitch book. I am just expanding on it a bit to suit what I like. And while you anxiously wait for the results, you may be interested to know I won an award.

The lovely Therese has sent me this award. Of course, I am now to pick other worthy recipients. How do you do that when you read and enjoy almost 200 blogs? More dilemmas...

Chilly

It is -12 here tonight.

These are really the only two things on my mind.

Hot cup of tea.

Lovely books to browse through.

Ahh, the comforts of home.

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I was given an award today! I will post about that shortly.

Nothing to do with kitchens...

Yesterday was spent cooking and crocheting. We had a big full breakfast late then an afternoon of crocheting. In between single and double crochets I roasted a lovely joint of beef for dinner with all the necessary bits. I have decided to take a page out of the Dottie Angel's book and crochet some coat hangers. What a smart cookie she is. And a fantastic way to use up those bits of yarn from the ripple blanket. The wee pink one was just white wood so it needed a pretty sweater. The blue one (done in double crochet, not as nice as single) was a slightly torn satin one so it needed a new look. The other one will be done this afternoon when ironing is complete (little joke there, is it ever complete?).

In between cooking, baking and crochet, I finished this new book from Susan Hill. I wept. Did you? Are there any Simon Serrailler followers out there? I am now reading Agatha's Spider Web. I must say I am not sure where this ironing thing is suppose to be squeezed in.

Finally, Kitchen Pictures

Before: Ugliness, Blech

After: Clean

Organized

Shiny

This is the "drop everything here" area. Don't judge ;)

Sigh

Happy to do dishes

I am a pack rat and I know it. A major purging has taken place over the last two weeks. There will be some very happy shoppers in the charity shops over the next little while. I cannot believe the stuff we/I keep. All the cupboards have been painted, cleaned and re-papered. I put new knobs on all the drawers and doors and we had the backsplash put up.

It looks so fresh and clean now. I was so sick of that washed look that has been there for 15 years. It was so popular in the 90's. I am pleased.

Sidetracked

Changed the bedding

Gazed at new chandelier

Hung pictures

Filled basket

Almost There

Sooo close to finishing the kitchen. Why do we collect so much junk over the years? I am finding it impossible to find space to put everything back, nicely.

In the meantime, I received this in an email today and it is lovely.

A COPY OF THIS SHOULD BE ON EVERY MIRROR !!!
HOW TO REALLY LIVE
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to be a light in someone's life today.'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good..
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. Faith in something is important
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change, and you will survive.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following
Statements: I am thankful for _______. Today I accomplished _______.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. Please send this to everyone you care about.

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Will see you soon with pictures.

Lisa xo

Kitchen Ideas

Help.

I have so many ideas running through my head right now. The painter is coming tomorrow to paint the cupboards and put up some beadboard. I am supposed to be packing the kitchen away right now. I am not doing that. I am searching through all my stored pictures looking at my favourite kitchens.

I know I want white/cream cupboards. That is a start. I also know I want to change colours a wee bit. I seem to be leaning towards a more simple background with splashes of colour and prints.

I seem to lean towards greens, blues and pink/reds for colour choices lately. And of course, that vintage feel.

I love collections, too. But I don't want that "too much" look. You know, when there are so many bits and bobs crammed onto the dresser shelf you can't really absorb everything?

I think I am looking for soothing, cosy and practical.

I am not quite sure if I can achieve all three.

So there you are...

Did you think I dropped off the face of the earth? Busy little me. My birthday was spent with kids and hockey. We did manage a brunch together before DN2 had to go away for the hockey Nationals. I've had better birthdays. Of course, the week was crazy going back and forth 3 or 4 times and it is a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. Glad that week is over.

I tried my hand at a lamp shade cover a couple of weeks ago. What do you think? I just love the ones some of the bloggers have on their sites so I gave it a try. Just a practice run, really. I will try it with nicer fabric next time. It was very trial and error. A basic tube with a gather at the top. I am sure many of you seasoned sewers out there are saying "easy peasy". I will make another attempt when time allows. Oh, and a picture of some of my china that really has no where else to go now that the dresser is filled with all my blue and white transferware. But this will be moved shortly as I have the painter coming on Monday to start painting the kitchen cupboards. Yayyy! I have been trying to nail someone down to do this for over a year!

A few books I am trying to get through. I just grabbed a few as DN2 injured her knee on the weekend and is requiring therapy 3 or 4 times a week. Hence, the need for serious reading material.

And I finished the little hat for the baby shower. We are not sure if it is a boy or girl so I figured blue with the crochet flower and that way they can take the flower off if it is a boy. I still have to sew the baby granny square blanket together. Yuk, I hate the sewing up part.

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I think that is all the catching up. Oh, one other thing. Bloglines is acting really weird. Today I have 7896 unread posts. I know I have been away from the computer for a while but puleeeze.

Salutations on this most Hallowed Day...

In celebration of this Hallowe'en day I present to you one of my most favourite set designs of all time.

The Practical Magic home.

This home was featured in a Victoria magazine shortly after the film debuted. I have this magazine somewhere but how divine is this chair? This set designer is a genius.

How gorgeous is this conservatory?

This aubusson is stunning.

Aga love.

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Happy Hallowe'en

Source: Amasveritas and Google Images

Trying to fit my birthday in...

I am sitting at my desk trying desperately to figure our schedule over the next week or so. Friday night is Hallowe'en and DN2 has a hockey game. I must stay to give out sweets while my husband takes her to her game. My youngest will go with a neighbour for the trick or treating part. Saturday is my birthday. We have two hockey games so any kind of celebration will be postponed.

Sunday is a whole other matter. We must drive DN2 3 hours east of here as she has been chosen to represent Ontario at the 2008 National Women's Under-18 Championship. She is then gone for the whole week til the following Sunday. We then have to be back here to prepare for a charity function at 5:00. Not sure when I will eat cake?

Perhaps just a celebration with my bloggy friends?

Canadian Home and Country Magazine

You simply must go visit and order a subscription. They have a brand new website with tips, forums and wonderful pictures and ideas. You know I have talked about them before.

Still in love...

A Day in My Life

Not that it is exciting by any means. My days consist mostly of driving children to and from schools and subway stations. All three girls go to different schools, the oldest in university. In between jaunts I shop, cook, bake, knit and crochet. Notice I didn't mention cleaning, ironing and laundry? But there is that too. Today I went directly to the supermarket after dropping off the oldest, specifically for barley for the beef soup I am making from the Sunday prime rib roast.

That being done, I found a recipe for yummy brownies and decided we were in need of a chocolate fix.

My little man has been wondering when there will be time for a walk along the ravine. Poor guy. Mummy hasn't taken him for a good walk in days. Today is a definite coat and wellies day. The temperatures have really started to drop and leaves are blowing around like a true autumnal day.

And, finally, last night I did another row of the ripple blanket. And guess what? The yarn ran out about 15 stitches away from the end of the row. I do not have any more of this particular yarn. Don't you just love it when the wool gods are not on your side?

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Please forgive the super lousy photos. As you may have guessed, the camera is not fixed and I am still using the not so brilliant one.

PS I just loved all the comments on my rose fabric post. I am elated to know there are so many people out there just like me that totally love fabric and buy it with absolutely no plan for it whatsoever.

Knitting (The Planning Stage)

Grab your bag, you are coming on a knitting tour with me...

I love to knit when the weather turns, like it has here. I have so many projects in mind I do not know where to start. There is a baby coming in the family soon so I must concentrate on that, I know.

The problem is I already have a couple of things on the needles and hook. I have not finished the Ripple blanket yet. I have a granny square baby blanket I have to sew up (yuk) and one or two other items that need finishing.


But I sooo want to dive in and knit something for myself. (Selfish thing that I am).


Don't you just adore Rowan? Their patterns are always shown so well in their magazines and books. Don't you just want to grab your carpet bag and hop on a steam train?


So lovely. I am also a huge fan of Louisa Harding.


Well, for heaven's sake, go knit something!





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Have a great weekend!



Sources:



Rowan

Kim Hargreaves



Louisa Harding