popping in...

just wanted to say a quick hello with a few pictures from the past few days. i've got more images to go through, and hope to share more soon! hope you had a restful holiday. i don't have to be back at work until wednesday, so am enjoying a little recoup time back at home after lots of family time over the weekend.



we had a miserable southeaster come through, starting on the 23rd. on christmas eve, the wind was howling and the rain fell sideways. i snapped a few shots on the way up island, but there was no way i was getting out of my car! thankfully the ferry to my parents' island was running, although it was a bit a of rocking ride!



inside my parents' house, all was warm and cozy as the wind swirled around outside. my parents are from denmark, so we celebrate with a big dinner and present opening on christmas eve.



my dad got the tree this year with the help of my niece (7) and one of my nephews (8). and then my mom and niece did the decorating. i think it looked wonderful.



the day before, we had watched the birds frantically feeding in the cold. they had trouble with the suet feeder though as it whipped around in the wind. this fox sparrow had a bit more luck on christmas day, when the wind died down, at least for a little bit.

mouth watering...

just checking in before the holidays to wish you a good one. i have been baking up a storm tonight, as well as some treats made over the past week. above are super delicious smoky bacon ginger cookies. i actually got the recipe from the current edition of martha stewart cookies, but the linked recipe is almost exactly the same. these are so deadly, but how could you go wrong with bacon? yum.



a few people have been making these cheddar jalepeno cookies, and i'm glad i finally got around to it. flaky and delicious, i think they'll be nice when the sweet overload of christmas gets too much. who am i kidding, they're delicious anytime.

obviously neither of the above are particularly healthy cookies, but 'tis the time of year, no? i did try and sub in some whole wheat flour, and even a little ground chia/flax seed mix, but let's not kid ourselves. i also made some orangettes the other night (yummy but messy to make) and last week made my usual chewy chocolate gingerbread cookies. so you could say i am well-stocked with treats, many of which i will be taking with me tomorrow as i head to the small island where my parents live for a couple days of family and relaxing.

unfortunately, i did not finish the big present. yup, i had to admit it just wasn't going to happen. but i am confident the recipients will be accepting of getting a present that will then be reclaimed for a few more days of work. i could have rushed through it, but i felt that i would be unhappy with the hurried result (and ever after just seen the things i wished i'd done on it), plus my hands and shoulders were suffering from the constant stitching. so you'll have to wait a bit longer to see it, although i will probably share a bigger look at it once it has been gifted tomorrow night.

for now though, wishing you all some comfort and joy. whether you are celebrating or not, i think this time of year is good for a bit of reflection and rest, and i plan to spend some time with loved ones (and good food and drink!). i should be back in a few days with some more gift projects to share, plus some new things in the works. peace, k.

his n' hers...

just back from a week on the mainland - an attempt to go climbing all week in Squamish, but the inclement weather only allowed two days before sending us to the big city and shopping. needless to say it's starting to feel a lot like fall around here, which actually isn't the worst thing, for a knitter anyway.

in the last bit the hat bug hit again, and in between my other WIPs, I fired off two quick toques for A and I. First up:

A's hat is Turn a Square (Rav link) by Jared Flood, in some delish Silk Garden and Sublime wool/cashmere/silk. At first I wasn't sure about the colours, as the Noro turned out darker than I expected, but I think it works out well and fits the colours A likes. Plus the dark bluey-black of the stripes slides right in with Project Spectrum.

Great pattern - knits up fast as most hats do.

My hat reflects my current pre-occupation with the slouch. This is Natalie Larson's Star Crossed Slouchy Beret. I decided to make it even more fall-appropriate, and knit it up in some Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed, which is nice and slubby. Had to do a bit of playing around as I used smaller needles, so I cast on 81 stitches, and added an additional 9 right after the ribbing. I'm pretty happy with the fit of the hat, although I think I would like it a bit tighter in the ribbing as it sometimes slides forward and down on my head.

However, this is the first of what I hope will be a few slouchy hats for fall, so I'll figure out the perfect shape as I go, I'm sure.

The sun has of course come out to celebrate my return home, which is a bit unfair since dry weather would have been a bit more useful for my holiday and the climbing of rock. But must enjoy it where I can get it - I still have a whole long weekend before I return to work!

recent images from tofino...

clear christmas day...

today is mostly clear and quiet after a loud and happy christmas eve. our family celebrates on the eve, as is standard scandinavian tradition, and we had all 11 of us at my parent's house for lots (and lots!) of food and drink and presents and so on. now will give me a chance to post some of the gifts i made for people, although i forgot to take photos of some! will see what i can dig up. here is a toque and mittens ii made for my three year old niece. i also got a store-bought hoodie (i was a bit last minute, okay) and added a matching trim around the hood. they are resting nicely on the snow we had last week but has since left the ground. yesterday the wind was howling and we though we might lose the power for christmas eve, but abruptly it died in the afternoon, with only the rain to remind us.

elk and other oddities...

another pic from our november road trip - so much stuff i want to show before i even get to climbing pics! came across a small herd of elk in someone's yard on the side of the road in northern california - i was standing within 20 ft of this guy when he posed so nicely for me.
ah, last week before christmas, and i'm feeling even more behind than usual - if you haven't received a christmas card i totally apologize, but seem unmotivated to get them done. i'll be lucky if i finish my presents. after the weekend i will post some shots of my newest finished creations - can't let anyone get a peak until the receiver has unwrapped them!