Oh Joy....I could not have expressed it better!

I found this wonderful photo at a favourite blog of mine - www.susanassketchbook.typepad.com

My feet....in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, October 2005.

My Blundstones look positively new...wow you should see them now!

I have a cold...I have avoided the bug all season long and *wham* it got me and it got me good.

And yesterday it snowed. And last night it snowed some more. On this fine spring day of April 7, 2009 we have about 6 inches of snow on the ground; a white blanket for my lovely white snowdrops that have been flowering for weeks! Now snow in April is not that unusual, but it is unusual for it to continue and not melt the same day.

Come back spring come back. I wonder if the squirrels think that maybe they missed a whole season! Their gathering season. The squirrels are certainly running around the backyard crazy-nuts.

This cold has knocked me down; so I decided to go with the flow and relax. I picked up a book I received for Christmas, "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and I can't put it down; the most beautiful prose that flows and oh my, the stories.

My feet on the beach in Veradero

My feet on a Havana street

Yes, these are cars on the roof garden of a building!

The veranda of a pretty little house in Varadero

Restored building (right) in Havana. The building on the left is waiting it's turn for restoration to return it to it's original splendor

Ahhhhh Cuba....

The holiday is becoming a distant memory but I won't forget the beautiful, friendly, and happy people of this Island, rich in history and natural beauty, and I know I will return.

The most incredible thing I noticed in Cuba and in Havana on a busy Saturday afternoon, was the feeling of safety. In fact one is safer in Havana than in Toronto, I'm almost sure of this; Cuba having very little crime and petty crime for the most part. The section of police that are present in the city, do not carry guns...but billy sticks.

No one talks politics of course but everyone comments on the improvements to their lives and lifestyle over the past few decades. Everyone, we are told, has a "dwelling" provided by the Government and everyone, whether you work or not, receives a certain sum of money for food and necessities. I am sure this is a small amount but I never saw homeless, hungry people, and only a few little (children) beggars at the market. Our guide told us these children do this (begging) for a lark and also to provide some extra income, but these children do go off to school (free) in their bright and spotless uniforms during the school week. Although the monthly income amount seemed very low to us, there wasn't that huge, humbling and enormous difference between educated people - i.e. doctors, nurses, teachers, skilled labourers. Education is free to everyone and anyone right to the end of University. How many North Americans cannot afford to send their children to college or university? Too many I'm afraid.

Old Havana is breathtaking and the renovation of the buildings is a positive move; there is so much to preserve in this old city. At one point I stopped in one of the many very narrow cobbled streets and I had two thoughts simultaneously...one, I felt like I was in a film set, everything looked so authentic to the period of the structures...and two, I felt like I was in Barcelona again (I was there briefly 35 years ago).

Some other (positive) thoughts I had about Havana and the part of Cuba I experienced....no one was plugged into cell phones or communication devices; in fact I don't think I saw anyone with a cell phone - very refreshing. There was no litter destroying the look of the city or along the highway into Havana. Cubans are very proud of their country and they should be.

In the resort area of Varadero, I got the impression that Cuba has an attitude of "this is us, take us as we are" and for that I admire them. It would seem the Government takes care of their people first and the tourists second (the biggest source of income)...I did not see the profound poverty one sees on other islands and then the tourist is transported to 4 and 5* luxury resorts. Not so here...the resorts are clean, comfortable, maybe in need of a little decorating and updating, fresh food is offered, but no means gourmet and best off all Cuba is an affordable holiday. I hope Cuba does not ever change it's way for the tourists.

Havana and Veradero

Our holidays are coming fast...on Thursday afternoon we will be in Cuba. My knitting has taken a back seat while I finish up some holiday sewing. I have always liked the idea of zip-off shorts but didn't like the many pockets that are usually on this style of pant. However useful the pockets are, my body does not need any extra buldges anywhere! So I took out my trusty drawstring pants pattern and made my own zips. Very clever I think, and they fit pefectly...like they were custom made for me :>). Hey, they were!

I'm about 3" into this lovely silk and sea-cell scarf that I will take on my holidays with me..... something light and cool and an easy knit as well.

It's February...the snow melts...but is promising to return. "Three more storms" a man predicted today while we were sitting in the dentist's waiting room. Oh well.

Lives are changing...jobs are lost...don't know what to make of it all.

So, we will take our little stash from the sock and run away to a warmer place for a week. Cuba.

I had a tooth filled today...a repair job...ouch. I am needing some ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. That follows the advice of having only "soft foods" for the rest of the day.........doesn't it?

I'd like my bedroom to look like this...the colours...yum

L

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Cuba is a "go" at the end of next month. I'm excited about a type of holiday I thought I would never want to do again. An all-inclusive beach holiday. But there is something about this long and horrible and snowy and ever-changing weather that has me excited. And there is something about the beautiful pictures of white sand and turquoise water and temperatures of 28C.

.

Oh yes!

.

Sadly I won't be able to take the Clapotis workshop at "Unwind". That's the Clapotis shawl in the picture. I just might have to try and do this one on my own. Everyone I meet says "oh it's not that difficult once you get going" - famous last words.

Cuba it is....at the end of February...to this resort called Breezes Bella Costa in Varadero. Warmth, R & R, history and sights in Havana, more R & R, did I mention WHITE sand and turquouise water?

More Snow
That's all....just snow and more snow
A Downy Woodpecker visits the suet cage daily...such a treat to see
Jobs cut
Everyone is frightened about something
New President for the USA ... I wish him safe
More Snow...oh I said that already
And thoughts of Cuba
CUBA???
Yes perhaps a last-minute booking to Varadero http://www.solmeliacuba.com/cuba-hotel/sol-palmeras/facilities or a similar place
To sit under a palm..listen to the ocean...read
Cuba...visit Havana
We're preparing...just in case
Jobs cut
So close to the edge for many of us
Should we take Cuba for one week?
Should we gamble for the moment?
Snow...and more snow

http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/01/08/the-employment-storm-of-%e2%80%9909-is-on-its-way/

What to do????

Gracias for listening...I think I know what to do

Should I bring knitting to Cuba...silk, cotton, seacell?

Eeeekkk it's a New Year already. The day is clear and so very bright, blue skies and cold temperatures -15C but without a bit of wind, the day is perfect. Perfect for a walk. Perfect for getting my 10 minutes of Vit.D. So why am I here?

I'm going outside now! There is plenty of time left in this day to sit back and knit. I think this just might be a Knitting/Golden Globe evening. A time to plod along with the millions of garter stitch rows on my blue cardigan-in-progress.

More pretty things....

I received this pin from Adam and Sabrina....I like the old-fashion look to it and the movement in the feathers

a feather in my new cap!

and the little portable docking station for my ipod nano

oh...and the best for last ..... Namaste knitting bag....isn't she a beauty?

Christmas time...some traditions were left behind this year, given a rest....some new ones tried...I enjoyed every gathering we went to this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...our turkey is cooking today...yummm.

I'll let the pictures speak. My Solstice Fire

The tree on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning breakfast

yummy

Namaste...The most beautiful (knitting) bag I've ever seen...it's a treasure and a gift from my best pal Leslie.

The felted hat Leslie made just for me...very clever.

..a gift from Karen...for my Moroccan theme patio next summer

The loot from "Unwind" Boxing Day sale.

More sale yarn in the process of being made into "Urchin".

The Campbell clan...

Our wintery front...before the BIG snowfall....always a ready chair front and back because I do sit out there, even for a few minutes from time to time, with a big mug of tea, wrapped in a wooly scarf and sometimes I even bring the car rug - my grandfather's old wool plaid blanket - out with me.

Silverbells hanging by my front door.

I agree with my pal, that this will be a long winter...but maybe not! Maybe it will end early - like this week with a forecasted meltdown due. Crazy weather. The snow is pretty if one does not have to drive anywhere. I love the quiet muffled hush of the snow covered earth.

Do you ever wonder.................who might be lurking around your blog......someone from the past perhaps? I wonder all the time if ________ is here, or if _______ ever pops in, that's if _______even remembers me. Crazy.



This time of year, 2 days ago in fact, I always think of Christine Thea Partridge, my childhood friend, it would have been her 59th birthday on the 18th but she left this world 3 days before her 54th birthday. Christine was an original technogeek and started me on this blog 6 1/2 years ago when one could only write and the choice of templates was limited to two, I think. She would be so happy that the blog is now so easy and colourful and I can even add pictures!



More Christmas baking is done...tiny mince tarts, butter tarts with "soy nuts" instead of peacans. Because of Sab's allergy, I'm making a nut-free platter of treats.

It's beginning to look...............

Outside and.....

...... inside

I baked these cookies last night...the tray is empty tonight

The tree...it's skinny, it's fake, and I like it

Thank you Morocco.....delicious and sweet

This weekend I focused on Christmas preparations. I wrapped gifts. I went to the mall with son #2..yes the mall but it wasn't too bad and the best part is, that I don't ever have to go back there for some time now.

I baked sugar cookies - little stars and jam sandwiches. Our annual Campbell "Do" is this coming weekend and my contribution is to be a tray of Christmas treats. I still have some teeny-tiny butter tarts to make as well as mincemeat tarts, shortbreads and perhaps a Cardamom cake..yum.

Mild snowy nights, Friday and Saturday, muffled sounds, sparkle-y snow, stillness.

Ice blue sunny skies and air that is so very cold, that was today, Sunday.

Getting the house ready for Christmas. Making lists. Shopping plans.

Last year's tree and this year's "Season" is coming ffffffffffast!!

Some gifts are ordered, some are hiding, some need to be finished (knitting), some need to be started (knitting) - who would have thought my boys would like the toques I made for the gift drive to go with a toy? Son #1 already plucked one out for himself and I need to make two more now for hubby and Son #2. A little gift knitting while watching Christmas movies sounds like a good way to spend these dark cold evenings. My favourite Christmas movies...Bridget Jones -1 and 2 of course, The Holiday, The Family Stone, About a Boy, Love Actually and of course the classics which for me include Little Women (the new one).

On the night of the solstice I always burn a log in our outdoor fireplace...it's the last fire for the year...to "drive the cold winter away". Sometimes I'll sit outside and watch the fire, all bundled up and sipping something firey...like Irish Mist or Bronte Sherry.

If you shop at the LCBO (ha!who in these parts doesn't?), each season, they offer a huge magazine filled with recipes both drink and food and I have to say each and every recipe is fantastic. Last night I made a chicken recipe - boneless, skinless breasts and stuffed into a big pocket you put, slivered almonds, fresh rosemary, brie, finely chopped dried figs, pepper and fold it closed; dip in egg, coat with a breadcrumb and slivered almond combination; brown in a bit of butter/olive oil; finish off in the oven. Yummmmmmmm.

I have to say this was DELICIOUS and I was the only one who thought so. Both Mr. and Mr.Son moved food around their plates like children. Figs? Brie? Together with chicken? You would think I was trying to poison them. And I wasn't...honest.

It's not my turn to cook tonight and I think they will be happy for that :>). Sheeeesh.

I'm going to start this little cardi very soon...I swatched and came out with the perfect tension for once in my life! I'm looking forward to a big session of garter stitching while watching TV and finally I found a pattern for the Debbie Bliss merino I was saving.

I'm looking for all the "greys" that everyone says are NOT there. Hah! Liars...see they're there and there are lots.

Corkscrew Hazel losing it's leaves for the season...I like the glass balls that decorate the tree in the winter and enjoy the curly branches best of all.

Yarn swatch for my newest project...the cardi.

Some finished cowls and just in time...the temperatures have dropped.

Anniversary #34...can you believe it? I can't.....look what Bryan came home with...haven't had time to give it a go yet.

Vegetarians look away....this is a serious hunk of meat...our Anniversary feast surrounded by our family - our kids and my folks.

Whenever I make a "roast" of anything...I place the meat on a bed of luscious veggies, add a bit of salt & pepper and olive oil...this mixture leaves tasty drippings that make the best gravy...onions, garlic, baby bok choy, celeric root, carrots, squash and a sweet potato.

The Tina Turner concert was also an aniversary gift to ourselves. Fabulous concert...68 and still rocking...she is a woman of grace and style. If anyone has had a chance to hear Tina chant (a clip can be found at youtube), you know how her voice can resonate through your chakras.