Amazing Graze Alpacas

I went on a lovely road trip with my friends, Linda and Cindi last Wednesday.  I came down with a cold when I got home so haven't had time to post any pictures.  Now, I'm feeling better but my poor mother, Helen got a much worse dose of it.   She's still under the weather but getting a little better.

The first stop we made was just outside of Stirling, Ontario at Amazing Graze Alpacas where we received a warm welcome from Marj, even in the pouring rain.  She was even willing to take us out to the paddocks so we could visit the alpacas. We loved it!

Her basement is like Aladdin's cave with jewelled skeins of alpaca...

It is so soft...all I've done so far is pet my wool.

This is the great stash of wool I got at Amazing Graze.

In the bag is "roving" because I want to learn how to make those wonderful Newfoundland mittens.

If you are in southern Ontario and you're a knitter, make sure to give Marj a call to plan a visit.  If you can't make it in person, check out her website....I'm sure you won't be able to resist.

Julie

Hurry Up and Wait..

Tuesday was one of those days. I spent most of the afternoon taking my Mom to a medical appointment.  I did get some grocery shopping done and a nice dinner put together but I didn't end the day with a feeling of accomplishment.

In the morning, I got up late and spent my usual hour with coffee and e-mail.  I did a little knitting. I'm still working on some cowls for family and friends.

One of my friends, Deb was coming over after work to pick up her cowl so I made up a pan of lemon squares.  Her boys like them best.  I pulled out my Kitchenaid food processor, plugged it in and measured out the ingredients.  I pushed the button and nothing.  So frustrated but I won't rant about it again.  I'll be doing my research before buying another one.  I want to buy appliances that are manufactured in Canada or the States.  So hard to find but you can't count on a company's past reputation any more.  I think the only way to get manufacturing back to North America is to put your money where your mouth is!

I had to transfer everything to my blender which doesn't work as well for this recipe.  It took the shine off my good mood.  Even though we are still freezing here in Ontario, the sun was shining brightly this morning.  I started to grate my lemon and aromatherapy really does work.  Just the smell and bright strips of lemon rind makes me happy.

It's been so cold this year that most of my Christmas bulbs were late flowering. My dining room is cold when I don't have the fireplace going. One of my favourite Christmas activities is planting my paperwhites and amaryllis. I got a red one for the dining room and pink one for the living room this year.

The paper whites went in my white ironstone casserole.  I've added some moss and tied them up when they got too tall.  These are one of my favourite things about Christmas and they lasted right through to the first week of January.

My red amaryllis bloomed just in time for Christmas and we've already cut off one of the stalks.  The pink however is just blooming now.  It's quite nice to have something in bloom in the house when I am longing for spring.

Poor stick!  He really doesn't like the cold and every day is a struggle for him.

Here's Miss Lucy.  As soon as the camera comes out, the girl strikes a pose!

Julie

December 2013 Roundup

I haven't been posting a lot in December and no, I wasn't one of the unfortunate Southern Ontarians who lost power over Christmas.  We did get the ice storm but didn't bear the brunt of it.  The trees were covered in ice and looked pretty.  The roads and the sidewalks were treacherous and prevented me from venturing from home for a couple of days but we were lucky.

Honestly, I was busy with Christmas and friends and family and making gifts and baking and basically having fun.  Stopping to write a post felt like work, not fun and I promised myself that I would not continue to blog if it wasn't fun.

I'm not saying that I am stopping, just that it felt natural to take a break.  I don't have advertisers or sponsors to answer to so I don't have to blog every day.

Big changes are coming in my world...tomorrow I am officially retired so I guess I now need to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life.  I think I'm looking forward to it.

yum...ginger cookies

I did a lot of little projects this month but I didn't take pictures or share them because they were Christmas presents.  I might see if I have anything to show  you later.

Today was definitely a R & R day.  I spent the day in bed....catching up on reading your blogposts, e-mail, Facebook and started knitting a cowl for my Mom in teal.  Tea and cookies.....Downton Abbey and Victoria magazine.  A couple hours wasted on Pinterest.  It was a delight.  I need more days like this.

"Mom, are you done yet?  When can we go outside?"

I'll let you know how retirement goes...

Finnie using his Martian mind meld to try and shut my laptop down

Julie

Snow, Knitting and a Lovely Present from Migonis Home

It's Saturday night and we are having a big snowstorm today.  I hope it stops soon and doesn't accumulate too much.  I want to go visit a friend in the country tomorrow but I won't drive if the roads are too bad.

Yesterday was spent baking for Christmas and it was just one of those days.  Things didn't work out well so I needed a rest from baking today.  I'll try again tomorrow...sometimes it's just better to wait out the bad luck.

This morning I took my Mom over to the mall.  She wanted to get a couple of new sweaters to wear for bowling.  She often finds the alley cold.  At 88 years old, she's still bowling every week in a league. We were lucky and found a big sale at Cleo's.  I got a couple myself but I bought cardigans. Still having hot flashes so I'm not ready to wear pullovers, ha!

I did work on a knitted cowl today.  It's a gift for a friend...

I also got a gift this week. I was the lucky winner of a gorgeous mercury acorn tree ornament from Jen's blog Migonis Home. If you haven't visited yet, make sure you do.  She has such a beautiful blog.  I love following her posts and I never win anything so I was pretty excited....

I love it and decided to add it to my dining room table vignette, instead of hanging it on the tree.  I thought it would be noticed more on the table and it's definitely one that you want to show off.

Are you all ready for Christmas??  I'm not and I'm tired of people asking me...especially in stores. I'm making most of my gifts so I'll be busy every day til Christmas!  Any time I try to buy a gift, I usually just end up buying one for myself  :).  I've been very indulgent this Christmas.  Budget starts January 1!

I just bought myself some locally grown and ground flour.  Hopefully the bread turns out and I can share the recipe.  I went to a Christmas pop-up store at South Pond Farm last Thursday evening with friends and ohhhhhh I want to live in the country on a farm! It might be too late for that dream to come true but when you see a beautiful farmhouse like this one, you just want to move in.  I was able to get a few Christmas gifts here.  All local artisans selling their wares.  I'm really trying to support local business whenever possible.  Maybe it's time to start some wrapping.

I hope your weekend is lovely and warm,

Julie

Frugal Friday #6 - Homemade Gifts

I know this isn't a new idea.  There are so many blogs and pins out there that show very inspiring DIY gifts. My homemade gifts come from the heart but they are easy on the pocketbook.  Often my gifts are food-related and I've been doing that for years.  Tins of Christmas cookies, home baked bread, pickles and jam and chili sauce...my nieces and nephews love being the recipients of my frozen dinners.  At Christmas, I'll make up extra dinners for the two weeks before and package them up for the freezer.  The buck store has aluminum and cardboard "take-out" boxes that make it easy.

This past year or so I've been learning how to knit.  I'm still quite a novice but I've discovered round needles and infinity scarves and I just love them.  The round needles let me knit without my arthritis seizing up my hands and my new ergonomic needles just feel like someone made them for my hands.  Using Michael's coupons and yarn sales, I've been able to make scarves for $5 to $10 (not including the love!).  So fair warning, if you are on my gift giving list this year, the chances of receiving a scarf are pretty high.

This one is for my brother-in-law, Bruce

Gorgeous Morgan's Birthday Gift

I still need to weave in the ends and hand wash and block my completed scarves.  Sounds like a good job for Saturday!

My sister, Connie will get this one to match her new winter coat.

I am working on this one for my lovely niece, Brittney.

Still haven't taught Eilish proper knitting etiquette but she is getting better.

So find something you like to make that doesn't cost a lot and give a gift from the heart.

XO Jules

A Little Spring and a Gorgeous Girl

I stopped by Griffins' for a little spring today and then paid a visit to my lovely great-niece, little Miss Hannah.  I gave her the scarf I made for her.  She looks beautiful!

Julie

My First Scarf

Today I finally finished my first scarf.  It felt so nice to finally complete a project.  I've spent a lot of time lately starting things that I haven't finished.  That's a bad trait of mine that I'm hoping to correct.

It was a beautiful sunny day here and I spent most of it in my sunroom.  The melting snow almost sounded like rain on the roof.

I crocheted a little edging onto my knitted scarf.  Just the garter stitch but I'm starting to feel a little confident.  I may just be able to become a knitter after all.

I also found time between stitches to make some banana bread  (recipe here) and stop for a tea break.

I must get over to Shawna's this week and give this scarf to my great-niece, little Miss Hannah before all the snow goes away.

Julie

Simple Sunday

I am joining Elaine today for her Sunny Simple Sunday link party.  I'm having a lovely relaxing Sunday, lounging around in my jammies, watching movies, reading blogs, knitting and drinking tea.

I'm just learning how to knit and my goal is to make something wearable by Christmas 2013.  So far I am just "knitting" but I'm planning something a little more difficult for my next project.  This will hopefully be a scarf with a crocheted edging for my great-niece (fingers crossed).  For today, I'm just enjoying warm tea and the relaxing rhythm of knitting while a chicken roasts in the oven.  I hope you are having a relaxing simple Sunday too.

Julie

Homemade Comfort for Some Crazy Weather

Okay, first off can I take a minute to do a little happy dance?  It appears my laptop is fixed and I can blog again, yay!!!!  I had no idea how much I'd miss it when I couldn't do it.  It's like having no where to go until your car is in the shop and then you feel trapped and want to go everywhere.

Anyways, I promised to show you the amazing Christmas gift I got from my very talented friend, Linda.  Sorry for the long delay but it is very appropriate considering the crazy weather this week.  Spring one day and the middle of winter the next.

A beautiful knitted hot water bottle cover.

So cozy on this frigid, wind whistling day.

a detail view of the gorgeous stitches

"Mom, what is this?" says Miss Nosey-Parker

"Oh, it's warm and wool - right up my alley.  Can we use it now, Mom?"

"Oh Lucy, this isn't for kitty girls..."

Did you happen to notice my open clothes closet in the background?  I'm getting ready for a major redo of my bedroom.  I'll start sharing that soon.....Bye for now but I'll be back.

Julie