I decided to take a little break from my invoicing work and stroll on over to eBay to see if there were any exciting yarn sales. Lucky for me, there were 2 items to bid on and I won both of them. Total savings $100!

I did say I wanted to knit the "Claude" cardigan again adjusting the size and tension and so I will using this pale green colour of Debbie Bliss cotton/angora.

The next batch of Debbie Bliss merino was the sale of the century. I'm not sure what this will end up being, but I love merino and I love the colour.

Yup!

Beautiful weather....hot days....lush surroundings....blue skies....and cool nights. I am loving it. With the "Claude" cardigan out of the way (still have to take some pictures of the finished object) I'm going to start this scarf. I like working with seacell.

And I need to continue on with this hemp summer top; my colour is pumpkin.

I just learned that "Snowcake" is now out in DVD. Oh boy...tomorrow I'm renting it for sure and will settle in with my popcorn ration and an Alan Rickman fix....it has been far too long. http://www.snowcakemovie.co.uk/

"Claude" the cardigan, before blocking and buttons. I like the drape, I like the yarn, I like the pattern...but....despite accurate measuring and swatching, it is still too big! So, it will be a big comfy sloppy sweater and perhaps one day I will knit this pattern again, going down a size in needles and pattern. I will take some pictures of the finished project.

Fuscia....such tropical lush colours and perfect for my north-facing porch

Hens & chicks....like hostas, I have them everywhere; so this year many of them went into pots and I placed them around on tables and in spots on the porch.

I painted the little bistro chairs and then we found a matching side table in the garage...I am thinking they give the porch a little French Bistro feel?

A few of my favourite places around my home.

My gourd water drums...such fun

My (big) boy, Adam - the drummer - I hope he takes up drumming again some day.

My girl Sabrina....well actually she's Adam's girl but Sab has been a part of our life for 7 years now and she feels like my girl.

My (baby) boy Ryan

My lettuce & herb spill-over garden at the side of the house

Along the side retaining wall...hostas and ferns everywhere

View from the side door

Ryan, son #2, dressed for the end of uni/college/it's summer break "theme" party - love those socks and hat. The theme....Golf Pros and Tennis Somethingorother that rhymes with pros...ahem, tsk tsk tsk.

Around the garden

Love these colours

One hanging herb garden

A little extension Adam made for me.

Rants....The Weight.

I replaced the old scale, the one that that lied, and besides it was too hard to see those tiny lines. Now I have a trusty new digital one that almost flashes the number at me. I knew I fell off the W. W. Wagon but I just didn't know how far off I fell. Not to worry, back on track now, anxiously waiting for the numbers to drop.

Rants....Rosie..good hearted Rosie.

I admit I watch The View (only since Rosie has been moderator) and yesterday's fight...oh my....I too was yelling at Elisabeth. Can she be more dense or what? Elisabeth needs to spend the weekend with the Dalai Lama...God knows Rosie has tried to teach her compassion.

Rants....Summer

I don't wanna work...I just wanna bang on ze drum all day...and sit outside and knit with very natural and summery yarns - hemp, cotton, silk, seacell....I want to read a "summer" book.

That's all.

The "Twisted T"...finished awhile ago and now it is time to wear it. I am happy overall with the top but I think I would make it again with a little more underarm ease, although it doesn't feel tight through there. I'm happy that the neckline isn't too low. Basically I'm happy I don't have yet another item in the discard pile!

The pattern was from knitty.com and the yarn, Debbie Bliss 80% cotton and 20% angora, colour: aqua.

All of a sudden I realized just how much knitting I have to do. The list grows but the completed projects are lagging. I have cotton projects and a hemp project, both perfect for summer knitting. Soon. I'm still settling back in to real life after a vacation. First vacation in 1 1/2 years. Nice. I want to plan the next trip (despite the flight problem on our return from Miami) soon. Trade off the list of house projects - sort the wants and the musts - and put something away for this mystery holiday to happen. It is humid tonight and it is raining softly now. One thunderstorm just went through and now the sky is that eary grey-red-yellow colour and the atmosphere is silent. Still. The calm before the storm. Ah-ha here we go again, thunder, lightening. Signing off.

Mothers

A very old Banyon tree

Trouble in NYC....upon landing we were surrounded by these guys...but we had to get into another plane to get home!

Niagara Falls!

Pictures for my boys....Miami Ink...studio was closed, too early in the morning for a tat....an inside shot taken through the window.

Beautiful Art Deco in South Beach....Bryan on the beach