Button-tab Knitted Hat

I found this knitted hat on this blog awhile ago and was quite taken with it.  I made two of them on holiday and had to wait until I got home to my button jar to finish them off. 

What is it about a pile of buttons that little fingers can't resist?  E swooped in to grab one just as I was taking a photo and W couldn't resist them either.  I used to always play with my mom's buttons in her jar too.

I didn't find quite what I had in mind for buttons but I found some that look good.  Here is the first hat, made with the leftover yarn from this vest. 

Here is the second one made with some thrifted very soft cotton.  I chose some mother-of-pearl buttons for it.

Since being home I made another one (with more of the leftover vest yarn) to give to the person who took care of our home while we were gone.

Two of them might be gifts (I had that plan to get all my gifts made early) or one might just end up being for me.

A Month of....

Sunshine and sunsets

Beaches

Fresh eating

Waves

Journaling

(in a different sort of way...I'm calling it my cutty, cutty, paste, paste journal)

Thrifting (of course!)

(a 1971  Thermos - love it! and my own copy of Pride and Prejudice...my white-shirt lovin' heart be still)

Hiking (naturally! and more on these hikes later)

I can never help myself from taking too many photos of these gorgeous trees.  They're huge and beautiful and I love the way their bark peels off to reveal such gorgeous colours in their trunks.

All sorts of beauty

( I love finding heart-shaped rocks so I was tickled when I saw this - a heart-shaped hole in the lava)

Knitting

(details on finished projects later)

Critters of all sorts - birds, turtles, geckos, humpback whales...

(E spotted this gecko with no tail, they can drop their tail as an escape tactic when necessary)

(E's  photo of one of  his favourite birds there)

And I know it isn't a good photo but one day the whales were in very close to shore all day. We were eating dinner and looked out to see this whale in very close. S snapped a photo as she did a fin slap and then we ran across to the beach to watch her. Some others had been watching her for an hour and said that at first she had been on her own and now we could see there were two whales...they figured she had her baby within that hour. Wonderful.

Not to mention lots of planning and dreaming, snorkeling, reading and a whole lot of relaxing.

Hope you had a wonderful month - the first month of this new decade.

Snowshoes and a Bit of a Break

The snow was thick and powdery yesterday so I took the boys and set off right after an early lunch to enjoy another goal on my list.

We put on our snowshoes and headed down the trail.

It was gorgeous and sunny and we enjoyed seeing all sorts of things...even elephants.  Yes, that's right!  See?

No?  How about this one?

  See his head and trunk (on the left) and eye and front leg?

Can you see it?  The boys and I have enjoyed a couple exercises in this book and we've been looking for 'faces' in our hikes and outings.  After seeing the first 'elephant' we were on the lookout for more and we certainly found them. Fun!  Have I mentioned how much I love living in the woods?  :-)

******

I'm going to be taking a month long break from this space...a blogging pause.  There will be very little computer time, lots of planning, dreaming, resting, enjoying, adventuring and family time.  I love taking a "pause" from things every now and again - even things I enjoy very much - and then coming back to them refreshed and re-newed. ;-)  I'll enjoy my time away and I'll enjoy returning to writing about our days in February.  I hope you'll return then too.

Wishing you a beautiful month.

More Snow

Yesterday the boys and I took all the decorations off the tree. 

The boys pointed out that the tree is pushing out new growth and we marvelled at the pale green soft needles.

We left it up last night with just the lights on so we could enjoy it for Just One More Night.  We none of us want to let it go this year, not even Kitty, as she has made her bed under it for the last month. 

Yesterday we got another 6 or 8 inches of snow and everything looks even more beautiful.  The tree limbs are heavy with snow and look just as they should.  Everything is fresh, white and clean looking.  The boys are enjoying having the space to sled to their heart's content.  And what a wild ride it is down this hill, I went out to join them for a bit too. 

Dog likes to join them and can usually be found chasing down the hill after them but yesterday he came charging too quickly down one hill in deep powder and lost his footing only to go face first into a heap of snow.  He decided to sit the next run out and waited patiently at the top of the hill with me.

Today there is enough snow for the snowshoes so we will go for our first tromp of the season later. (Which is one of the things on my list, I got to cross one off yesterday when I finished knitting the hat for S.  I'd show you a photo except he liked it so well that he put it on right away and took it with him this morning before I had a chance to even take a photo) ;-)

Skating on the Pond and Garlic Tea

New Year's Eve day found us at the pond with a group of friends.  The boys (especially the adult one!) LOVED skating outdoors and want to make this a regular part of our winter days.  I'm thinking if I bring my own shovel next time I'll be able to use it to help me keep my balance on skates.  Good plan, don't you think?

Yesterday we started the new year off "just right" and had a great day.  E and I took a break in the afternoon to enjoy a nice mug of garlic tea.

Sound yucky?  Not at all.  We originally used it as a cold prevention or remedy but we like it so much that we sometimes get a hankering for it when we're feeling great.  Directions to make it are here if you'd like to give it a try.

101 Things in 1001 Days

The last day of the year...and what a surprising year it was for us.  If someone had told us we would sell our home and move to the woods temporarily we would have been very surprised indeed.  It's true that life is full of surprises and yet, I still like to plan some things each year.  I put together this list (quite quickly as I don't like to spend too much time on the actual details) and S noticed when he numbered it for me (I've no idea how to use Word table) that I had more than 101.  Quite a few more.  But then I somehow lost my Creativity section (again...I've no idea how to use Word table) and couldn't remember what I'd had on it when I went to type it in again...so now I'm down to 112.  Seems a good number to me.  ;-)

So, here's my list of things I want to accomplish.  It is funny to me to notice how different this list is than a list I would have had any other year - no garden improvements or house renos or improvements - living in a temporary home certainly frees up time to add more recreational pursuits on the list.  In some ways I found it a little bit difficult to make a list like this not knowing where we will be living or when we will be moving but most things I put on will stay the same even once we get our new place.  The only thing that would differ is that there would likely be a few less camping trips. Anyway, a very fun exercise.  Would love to hear from anyone else doing something similar.

I'll be coming back to this list often and marking in bold the items I have accomplished.  Anyone want to join me in 101 things in 1001 days?

HOME


1. Find and buy our farm!! And in the meantime…trust that all will be well

2. Plan new garden for said farm. (see whole other 101 list just for new garden – so exciting!)

3. Get chickens

4. Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. Know this and live this!!! Now…before moving again.

5. Go easy on yourself this first Spring without your home and your springtime garden and rituals



DAILY ROUND

6. Empty 1 freezer by April 2010

7. Consistently keep 3 week menu plan

8. Shop at grocery store only once every three weeks

9. Listen to music whenever cleaning (order CDs from library)

10. Use up all 2008 canning (by June)

11. Keep inside of car clean and organized. Check each Monday.

12. Make homemade perogies monthly. Freeze extras. (I laugh, ha ha, at the thought of extras)

13. Go back to making homemade tortillas (make lots and freeze)



READING/WRITING

14. Re-read Jane Austen

15. Read (or re-read) all of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books

16. Read (or re-read) all of Leo Buscaglia’s books

17. Read one inspirational/motivational book per month – ask friends for new suggestions

18. Read a book from a new (to-me) Canadian author

19. Re-read Stretching Lessons

20. Read a book (fiction) from bestseller list

21. Read a book (non-fiction) from bestseller list



LIVING LIGHTLY

22. Increase local food %. Figure out what % at now and improve by 10 % by end of Summer 2010. (100 mile challenge)

23. Reduce garbage from one small bag a week to less by changing cat litter to wood chip product

24. Handmade/no paper wrap Christmas and Solstice 2010

25. Buy nothing new for 3 months- Feb, Mar and April 2010. Then…do it again.



WITH BOYS

26. Start reading “classics” aloud each morning again – everyone takes turns

27. Learn a new bird each month with E

28. Learn one new word a day with both boys

29. Research Britain trip – each pick top 10 must-see/do things

30. Stick with learning routine of mornings for “bookish” and afternoons for creativity/activities/friends/outdoors

31. Brainstorm with W re Teen learning workshops – start Feb 2010

32. A Writer’s Book of Days – do two exercises per week with W

33. Continue with W’s brilliant idea of each doing a “priority” each week

34. Savour, Savour, Savour each moment with my boys each day…they go by only too quickly!!

35. Write a letter to the provincial government

36. Write a letter to City Council

37. Go to “lake” in Spring 2010 to learn more about building, car repairs and welding

38. Make homemade rootbeer with boys, Mom and Dad – Spring 2010

39. Take mushroom course with E Autumn 2010

40. Make 6 new mixed CDs for road trips



JUST FOR ME

41. Solitary walk (or with four-footed companion) 3 times a week

42. Enjoy bi-monthly massage from S

43. Make another sun bonnet just for fun

44. Get rid of any clothes I don’t LOVE and feel good in!

45. Spring 2010 Nettle Cleanse (as soon as nettle is up)

46. Sing…every day!! (dancing is good too)

47. Continue practice of turning off phone in the mornings

48. Host Girls Night each Spring , Fall and Winter (at least)

49. Re-watch The Up Series

50. Watch The Waltons

51. Find a beautiful shawl at thrift store



FAMILY

52. Visit D and S at home this Summer

53. Visit C and A at home this Spring

54. Holiday with family in tropics

55. Send photos and updates every two months (at least) to family members

56. Take more family photos to capture each holiday/trip/event



STEP-BY-STEP

57. Learn to make own soap – Spring 2010

58. Make lovely fold-up shopping bags for self to keep (do not give away!)

59. Find refillable source for dishsoap to reduce plastic bottle

60. Continue to always eschew dryer (no hard feelings) even in wintertime ;-)

61. Learn and use one new “weed” each month during growing season

62. Make own “herbamare” from own herbs

63. Read more on off-the-grid living and “green” remodelling

64. Make own Mozzarella

65. Make extra cloth shopping bags and give away to people (strangers, even!)



RECREATION

66. Camping – Conkle, Wasa, Kokanee Creek, Rathtrevor, Long Beach, Mt.Robson, Haleakala, Blanket Creek, Cape Lookout, Florence

67. Hot Springs – Ainsworth, Halcyon

68. Vancouver Island Camping trip with boys

69. Morel hunt in fire region – Spring 2010

70. Hike – parts of Juan de Fuca trail with boys

71. Hike – High Rim Trail in entirety (overnight/with packs) with family

72. Hike – Cathedral Park overnight with S

73. Hike – Illicilleweat Glacier with family (overnight this time at alpine hut)

74. Hike – Mt Robson

75. Hike – Mt. Revelstoke with S(overnight)

76. Hike – Haleakala crater

77. Hike – West Coast Trail Summer 2011

78. Bike – Part of Trans Canada Trail Summer 2011 and another part Summer 2012

79. Snowshoe twice each Winter (2010 - 1/2) (2011 - 0/2)

80. X-Country ski twice each Winter (2010 - 0/2) (2011 - 0/2)

81. Practice archery Spring and Fall

82. Try rock-climbing with boys Spring 2010

83. Sunrise at Haleakala (and sunset too...plus a bonus full moon!)

84. Kayak Bowron Lakes circuit with Family Summer 2010 (or 2011 depending on move)

85. Kayak (on own or with friend) while boys mountain bike on Summer weekends

86. Snorkel with turtles and dolphins and octopus and Humpback song, oh my!

87. Body board in warm tropical waters.



ORGANIZATION

88. Take one bag to thrift store each month

89. Sort through trunk and box of childhood stuff and let go of some

90. Start and complete photo albums…or be very nice to S (neck rubs?) while he does it!

91. Use up or give away any fabric that is not a natural fibre and sort remainder

92. Go through recipe binder and toss any recipes I won’t use and try the rest in 2010

93. Start using household binder again for menu plan, grocery list and daily to-do list

94. Keep computer cleaned out and up-to-date (delete, delete, delete)

95. Go through binders from work and college and Chuck Stuff Out!



JUST BECAUSE

96. Have a candlelit dinner

97. Write a thank you letter to someone I appreciate them

98. Dinner out with S - 2 times (1/2 )

99. Time on own with W each week

100. Time on own with E each week

101. Identify 100 things that make me happy,write them out and frame



CREATIVITY

Handwork

102. Make duvet cover for E out of favourite old t-shirts (striped)

103. Knit plain beanie for S

104. Knit woolen toque for D

105. Make felted sweater quilt

106. Finish Einstein coat by May 1 2010

107. Make embroidered bookmarks for rest of family

108. Make embroidered tea towels for gifts

109. Have all main gifts (Solstice and Christmas) done by December 1 each year


Music

110. Make time for guitar again each week. Learn 2 new songs on guitar (Long, Long Time and Edelweiss) by December 31, 2010

111. Learn one new Christmas song on piano by December 2010

112. Tune harp!

Afterwards...

I love these days following the holidays.  After all the busy-ness and focus of preparing (gift making, treat making, preparing for company, etc) it feels good to have more time to do our own things.  We've been enjoying daily walks in the woods and feel very blessed to be in the SUNSHINE almost all the time. 

Living this high above the valley amazes me and, no matter how often I see the beautiful view or how often we're in the sun, I feel constantly blessed (a far cry from our old home in the shade of the mountain in wintertime).  We make a point of stopping each day (several times a day, actually) to enjoy the view and the sunsets and to be out in the sunshine each day too.

There's been time for sledding each day and time for reading.  Lots of time for Lego and Lego stop-motion animation.  Time for enjoying the tree each evening by the fire.  Usually we get rid of our tree quite soon after Christmas but this year we want to keep it as long as possible.  I'm sure part of that is just from living in a bigger house where there is more room for a tree but most of it is that I can't think of anything  lovelier than sitting by the fire, looking out at the snow and having the tree lights twinkling.

Dog has been slighty interested in all the going-ons.

But not overly so. ;-)

Time for felting slippers (for S not, as it may appear, for a giant)

Time for enjoying these days of cold, crystal snow and long shadows.

Time for walking with the boys and on our own. 

Observing creatures.

(these rabbit "highways" are everywhere here and signs of squirrels too)

Enjoying natural "snowcones" and caught in the act of enjoying. ;-)

And talking, dreaming and making plans.  We always do at this time of year but this year we are even more motivated to make goals, I think, in part, because we are already in the midst of such change.  I've been inspired by Rebecca to make a list of 101 things in 1001 days.  I worked on it last night while my guys were all out at a film festival.  I've got a rough list that I'll add a bit more to tonight then I'll number it, print it out and post it close-to-hand.  I've always been a goal-setter and a believer in writing down specific goals with steps towards accomplishing them.  This habit has served me well in living a life I love to lead.  I've never done a list with so many goals before though so am interested to see how this works for me.  The rest of my family is interested in making lists too so we will be enjoying that task over the next two days as well.