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.

At 68, Turner is still simply the best (From the Toronto Star, November 14, 2008)

Nov 14, 2008 04:30 AM

Unlike her last concert here eight years ago, Tina Turner didn't have an agenda last night: no new songs to plug, no threat that this was her last tour of big stadiums.
The two-hour show before a sold-out crowd of more than 16,000 at the Air Canada Centre was simply a celebration of her 50-year, eight Grammy-winning, 180 million album-selling self; or, as the most successful female rock artist of all time humbly promised the audience – "a recap of my work done in the past."
Backed by a potent seven-piece band, she opened the show some 20 feet in the air on a pedestal that slowly descended to the stage and launched that gravely voice in full throttle with "Steamy Window."
She was very loud – even in her "Hi everybody!" hello –and there were times when it seemed like you could've heard her from the rafters without the mic. That meant slight distortions depending on your seat. She laid back for a three-song acoustic set after the intermission, singing from a stool, then bounded up before the last note had quelled and delivered a spirited version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" as if being still had been penance.
Turner changed outfits several times, favouring sequined capri sets and micro minidresses. At 68, the Nutbush, Tenn., farmer's daughter is a well-proportioned size 10-12 with legs that seem to start just under her bosom. With just a shimmy here, and a shuffle there, she left most of the choreography to the nubile young dancers, but never seemed lacking in energy in the eye-popping show, which featured pyrotechnics and elaborate technical staging.
She embodies triumph over expectations, aging, the music business, her rural origins, and especially over that famously abusive ex-husband, Ike Turner, who died of a cocaine overdose at 76 last year.
But Turner holds no mean grudge. Ike figured prominently in the memory lane footage that opened the second half.
Even though she stoked the Mars-Venus division for a "What's Love Got To Do With It" singalong – "Fellas, are you going to let us girls beat you at your own game?" – she had the genders united by the end of the song.
Turner is a nonpareil blend of strength and grace. I heard 27-year-old Beyoncé, with whom Turner kicked off this year's comeback in a Grammy Awards duet in February, say that she's over being known as a hot girl and desires to become an icon.
Tina Turner is proof that you can be both.

Thursday night....Air Canada Centre....we'll be there!!

My latest yarn purchase...I'm going to make another cowl (in a tighter gauge) for my new winter coat and perhaps a hat as well. The colour is beautiful..soft mint-ish green with a hint of blue and turquoise. I can't wait to wind it off and get going.

My new up-lifted look! Looking at the picture of me with my cousins I really really and I mean REALLY noticed that I had to do some serious underwear shopping...I was looking more than a tad "droopy". On Saturday, Sab, her mom and sister and I headed to Toronto for a bra fitting and low and behold the girl found me two bras that were underwired AND comfortable. I didn't think those two words go together. Like most people who go for a professional fitting, I was amazed at the size I was wearing that was totally wrong and what my new size really is. 36C is really 34F!!!

The garden last Tuesday....way too early for snow...we always get this tease mid-fall...just to get us prepared - snow tires, find the shovels, find the gloves and hats and put away the summer furniture!

This weekend was about finishing incomplete objects....visit with family...enjoy the cool sunny days. I did not get to Toronto for my shot of inspiration...I slept in Saturday morning. I was enjoying that sleep so much...the thought of getting up and ready for a bus trip to the city...well I just drifted back to never never land. I woke up gently and took my first cup of coffee out to the swing. This "Claude" sweater has been haunting me...I changed the top part which was way too open. But, this size is so all wrong for me...it must be at least 2 sizes too big and too short...It will be my going-out-to-dig-in-the-garden sweater!! Sad. Disappointing when things don't turn out. But we learn.
This is the real "Claude". So pretty and functional and perhaps I will have another go at it some day.
I love this sweater...by Stella McCartney
Cousins...Lynne from Denmark whom I hadn't seen in 41 years, me in the middle, and her sister Heather on the right..who normally doesn't scowl like that. The girls were here to help their dad sort things out.

On the knitting front, I'm going great guns with my socks. Watched two movies over the weekend "Then She Found Me" and "Before the Rains". Enjoyed both.

On my 20/20/20 or 30/20 thing...I'm doing ok...not walking as frequently as I would like, nor hitting the floor for crunches as often either...managing 3 X week and I have to push my self every time! And yet I feel great after walking - dah! I have no problem getting in the 20++++ part for knitting or reading though.

Shopped for fresh vegies and fruits today....in hopes of beginning to change my diet a bit this week.

What I need I'm going to get! ................ maybe

I need a great big shot of inspiration and I think I know just how to get it.....a little trip via the Viva-Blue (bus) and the Red Rocket (TTC subway) down to the MTCC (Metro Toronto Convention Centre) right downtown - yay - to spend a day at the Creative Needlework Festival .

I'm playing with the idea of doing this bright and early Saturday morning and spending the entire day there...all by my self...'cuz poop-head isn't interested in doing anything that doesn't interest him! So much for compromise in a relationship...I'm one that does a whole lot of that (compromise) and I've just about had it. Besides poop-head isn't fun if he isn't following his interests (sounds like a child doesn't it...ahem) and lacking a fellow knitter/crafter in my area, a little solo trip will be enlightening.

All sorts of yarn under one big roof...there is also sewing, scrapbooking, stamping, beading and other needlework...but it is the knitters I want to visit.

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND It was a perfect day today to sit outside in the back, listening to the little girls next door play..really play - make believe, hide & seek, etc. - yes kids DO still play...while I organized my knitting bag. I sorted projects, inventoried my needles, tidied up, and things like that. I've started another Reading Shawl in that scrumptious pumpkin colour you see above...it actually is more pumpkin than red as it appears here...the yarn so soft.
....and socks...yup still unfinished socks...but since I learned of Lolly's idea of knitting 2 pairs at the same time on different sets of needles...I can't wait to finish this sock so I can do it's partner and then get back into making socks once again.

some fall foliage around my garden
cosmos...lots of cosmos in light, dark, white and everything in between.
urn on the front porch
Thanksgiving dinner yesterday with the D'Alb's...I managed to fit 8 into our little dining room and then completely neglected to get pictures with people and food!!! The turkey and the whole dinner was yummy and the company delightful.

Finished object....cowl for winter...made from 2 strands of pina cotton...so soft.
cowl with my new "un-black" winter coat...yay...some colour this winter.
and if needed....a hood
the pie pumpkin that didn't get away....boiling....now smashed and waiting to be made into a Thanksgiving pie
the pie pumpkin that did get away....a little fall display for my front porch

This has been a strange week...one to reflect...to think...to ponder...life...and plan for the weekend dinner....prioratize....make lists....lists of things to make....to do....to read...to dream.

I have started 20/20/20/20...or maybe 30/30...you get the idea. This is 20 minutes of walking each day while plugged into my iPod so I can listen to my music. 20 repeats of abdominal crunches at any time during the day I feel like hitting the floor. 20 minutes of reading for pleasure. 20 minutes of knitting. Balance - and a gentle start.

I'll address the food and wine issues later...after the Thanksgiving feast!