I'm back.....after a few nasty days....new hard drive is working well but not all information could be saved. This is not such a bad thing for my personal computer...but for my work space....oh not good at all. But, I'm going to look at it this way...I have a brand new blank page to start again. Oh I'll be working late into the nights rebuilding all the company information and billing details. What is lost is actually in the file folders - the good old fashion file folders.

It's back to work I go.

The day was perfect today. B left early for work. The morning was bright and blue and there was no rain in sight. I decided to break from my usual Saturday tradition of "laying in bed just like Brian Wilson did" and called Brenda; we took the path walk to the local farmer's market downtown. Along the way we saw the biggest snapping turtle in the mucky river waters...he was huge!

I stocked up on lots of local goodies and home grown produce; bought some heirloom tomatoes, and using herbs from my potted garden, I made this wonderful pasta dish of Jamie Oliver's . He never disappoints me. Some red wine...yumm.

I contemplated life today too.

The little jacket I just finished for Sienna. Sienna is our nephew's daughter and they will be here from Korea for a visit at the end of the month. I can't wait to meet Sienna.

This is my lavender harvest so far. I am pleased with the amount I got this year. Can't you almost smell them ?

Just had a blast from the past....from the long long ago past. I love how the world wide web can connect us to so many people.

We went for a drive in the country today....gosh this is a beautiful part of the province...lush farmlands, green valleys and the lake. I picked up my djembe which was in the caring hands of Phil Shaw of Shaw Percussion. He tuned it very well I must say considering it was a 'bad' purchase. At least the price was low, I learned from my mistake of buying such an item on line...what was I thinking??? I met Phil and saw his beautiful drums, all hand made by himself and his son. I will be saving my loonies and buying a drum from him. My 'bad' purchase looks good and will fill a corner of the living room if nothing else. The sound isn't that bad but it isn't great either; don't know that I would join a drum circle using it.

Show and Tell Time.

This year I wanted to give my humble front porch a Moroccan feel. I did a little research about Moroccan gardens and learned of some of the elements I would need. Water, tile, THAT blue, lush greenery, perhaps some cane or wicker, those fabulous lanterns, bright colours and a feeling of privacy to reflect private inner courtyards.

Here's a peek at my attempt so far.

What's up with this great big space here ???????????????

Lilith Fair When this page opened....I got a little excited...next year my (girl)friend(s)...we're all a'go'n to the Fair.

I have been itchy, anxious and scattered lately. I felt the need to drum. I drummed. I felt the need for a BIGGER drum. I bought one! Just "won" this little beauty on eBay. I'm told the sound is "wonderful". The price was excellent. This djembe is 20" tall; my first djembe, which I still love is a little 14" drum.

Knit knit knit and more knitting and may I present "Clapotis the First". I have lusted after this scarf-shawl for a few years and finally took the workshop and have completed my own. There will be more to come. This fibre is 100% sugarcane and produced the most silky, soft and drapey fabric ever.In my lovely corkscrew hazel tree....this first week of June and the garden is so luscious...so many beautiful shades of green.

I love the magic of this project, this design. The piece can stretch out to be a light summer shawl and then it folds in on itself to make a narrow, warm and light scarf.

Ahhh coffee and my Morocco travel book.

The bride's bag...silk yarn with tiny beads, lace pattern, lining is hand gathered and hand stitched into place. Just big enough to hold the bride's essentials - tissue, mints, powder, lipstick.

The very blingy salwar kameez I picked for the wedding.

Bride's bag.. (this isn't my finished project) .... mine is done but needs some finishing touches before I take some pictures. The bag I have made for our niece's wedding is made from Tilly Tomas beaded silk, lace weight in robin's egg blue. It's very pretty and I'm pleased with the results. I made modifications so the bag won't look exactly like the pattern picture below. And the wedding. What to wear? We spent the afternoon on Gerrard St. in Toronto and I bought a new salwar kameez for the wedding. The style is very similar to this one but the colours not. Mine is sand coloured silk with turquoise trim, pants (salwar) and turquoise beads and bling...just a bit of bling..well maybe more than I would normally choose but I felt adventuresome. When I find my camera charger I will post my own photos.

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

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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.

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Oh yes!

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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.