I'm really late with this for chavvah and pyroclasticgrub, but here it is. Man, I actually miss being out in Lac du Bonnet.

Listening to the new Panic snippet, and I do enjoy it (all 30 seconds or whatever, but still).

Working on the Noro project, and pleasantly surprised by the pink that showed up in this colourway. Who knew I'd enjoy a shade of pink so much?

This morning after completing a whole bunch of errands and small jobs I went and uploaded some new icons that I quite enjoy. Then later this afternoon was the wedding rehearsal and dinner- I finally made it back home around 8 or 8:30. Long day.

Tomorrow actually promises to be somewhat relaxing: I need to finish my toast, shower and pamper myself, fix the wedding garter and possibly meet up for one more big errand before the big day.

I also started a new knitting project, one that involves two balls of Silk Garden sock yarn and miles and miles of garter stitch. I needed a new mindless knitting project since I've also started a pair of Kai-Mei socks that require a fair bit of attention.

I know I've mentioned this to a few people, but I'm putting it up here as a life goal: before I'm 30 I want to do one of these trails (preferably the coast to coast one)

(Although Offa's Dyke path has a lot of cool history and would be quicker to get into Wales for some sight seeing.)

(But, Hadrian's Wall.)

(And James Herriot.)

Crazy, crazy day. Woke up late after _jibberish_'s "bachelorette" party (ie, the four of us sitting around playing video games and watching Four Weddings and a Funeral), then got up and watched a tape of curling from the Brier while knitting. coleman_genie came over and we walked to the mall.

After some seriously uncool shenanigans with an ATM machine (two hours of waiting! Without our knitting!) we went to the makeup department at London Drugs and holy shit, you guys, the most amazing Aimée helped us pick out makeup and got my comfortable with the idea of putting stuffon my face.

We then met up with Karen's boyfriend and looked some more at jewellry and such, then I went home and waited for mom to arrive so I could head off to knitting. I was kind of overtired and wired at this point (and really hadn't eaten much at all.) I'm really very nearly done my Baudelaire sock (only a few more rounds of twisted stitch and then the sewn bind off).

After that I went to Osborne and checked out Music Trader for Life on the Murder Scene, but no go. I may need to get this on Amazon, I've been looking for weeks. I did pick up a War Child compilation, and started listening to that on my way home.

At home I was greeted at the door by the very welcome smell of lamb. Mmm, perfect. I'm ready to drop off to sleep now, but I needed to note that today was a good day.

D::

It does kinda feel like foxxcub puts it, like you're fifteen and having your heart broken for the first time. But, brightside: two different kinds of music to listen to from a group of guys I quite enjoy.

However! My original reason for getting on the internets this fine day: in a few days, I will be making a toast to the bride. Any suggestions for highlights/things to avoid? Any memorable toasts you've seen/given?

This is the crafty project that's currently caught my attention. Sorry, Baudelaire socks.

I bought it for a few dollars at a craft shop near Old Pinawa on one of my last days in Lac du Bonnet. I was driving back to my boss' place for lunch when I saw a sign for Carol's Quilts and Crafts and I thought "I like quilts and crafts!" so I turned in and drove up and found a church, so I asked the woman outside (Carol, as it turned out) if I could take pictures of it and get a bit of history on the place.

Inside is gorgeous, full of quilts and supplies, old knitting books and Clover needles, cross stitch pattens and vintage/antique dishes, furniture and things. Seriously, I'd reccomend it to any crafty people heading out that way in Manitoba this summer- you may not find anything you'd head out looking for, but you'll definitely leave inspired.

...ooh, check out this embroidery transfer.

In honour of the weekend.

Last night we (ananasananas, coleman_genie and myself) (with an invaluable assist from Shannon's moma nd my own) put on an awesome bridal shower for _jibberish_.

(One more week! When did that happen?)

There were balloons, jello shots, embarassing games (not too embarassing), stories and usefyl gifts and such. \o/ I feel like we really rocked the shower. Also, afterwards we got some things sorted out for the wedding day.

However, when I got home... okay, backstory: for about a month now the sewe's been backing up (or almost backing up) whenever we would run the water too long, run the dishwasher, bathe etc. And last night I made a point of not sleeping in my room because it was just so... ugh. Anyway, mom finally made the call and hey! We can shower freely now- or at least, be able to wash our clothes in our own home again. \o/ And my room doesn't stink like sewer!

I had a weebit of a fall down at knitting the other night and bought some Handmaiden Casbah- merino and cashmere sock yarn, in a dark purple and black colourway. It's gorgeous and incredible to touch. Mmm.

Also bought some red Cascade 220 in order to make the knit crab in the latest Knitty, mostly because I'm so very hooked on this season of Deadliest Catch. My boys! All of them! What is going on? Sig! Phil! Andy&Jonathan! Keith! ...new guy with the mustasche! Seriously, every week is fraught with danger and angst, and the hot thing that gets me tuning in every week: competent people doing their jobs well (and not dying). *thumbs up*

Donating blood tomorrow morning, then getting things ready for the shower. Mom and I went flower shopping on this fine Canada Day, and I planted pansies, snapdragons, petunias and something new and fancy. I'm still kind of muddy, but I made my home and country beautiful today (and managed again to not touch any worms. \o/)

I've been cleaning today and knitting and reknitting the garter for _jibberish_. First one, even with the gauge swatch was way too small, second way too big. I'm pretty certain about the current one though, but I'll see how it is tomorrow.

Also, I'm currently staring at my (new!) embroidery hoop trying to figure out what kind of a design to do. I don't know if it really matters all that much, but I'm excited. The possibilities!

I only really mentioned it to a few people before, but I did a fanmix for bandombigbang for the fic From Wilde, With Love, by bloodygoodgirl.

I had originally wanted to do a more steampunk/mannerpunk mix to fit the theme of the story, but I had trouble putting something together that I'd want others to listen to so I decided to go with my strength, canadian indie pop/rock/alternative/etc.

Cover art, download link and really awesome fanart by guinsky can be found here.

ETA: You know what would be awesome? Bon Cop, Bad Cop bandom AU. Or crossover. Or Bon Cop,Bad Cop fic in general.
.

<3

I heartily recommend the current series of Cast On to pyroclasticgrub, rosie_riviter, meletor_et_al and any and all others with an interest in craft, reuse, sustainability, and the make do and mend mentality. It's a knitting podcast, yes, but this series is focussing on making do, (re)using what you have and the satisfaction of making it yourself, especially in these uncertain times. The first episode is here (The Bill of Goods) and the description of the series and a pre/overview of the series is here (To save buying new, mend and make do).

I've always wanted to be one of those people who made all their clothes and harvested their own garden vegetables and made loaves of bread. Granted, I knit myself shawls, socks and sweaters but it's summer and I can't wear those and I still pay to get the materials anyway. Of course, I'd be paying for cloth, seeds and ingredients, but that tends to get ignored in the grand dreaming of the lifestyle in which I'd like to live. But, details. Maybe it's from having relatives on the farm who actually do those things- I mean, they still buy clothes, vegetables and premade food from the grocery store, but whenever they make stuff I always think that they're so clever, capable and talented.

Don't get me wrong, I take pride in my shawls, socks and sweaters. I just feel like I could be doing more.

So I'm putting it out here, now: I'm going to try. I'm not expecting big things right away, but I will try.

o.O

I'm pretty sure I would have been fine if I could have kept sleeping, and not been woken up by a 6 AM phone call from my aunt.

Shower, Starbucks, Lac du Bonnet to take pictures of a house and hopefully an old transmission line. My life, what?

Novillero: excellent, as always.

Seriously, I drove through a damn thunderstorm to get to town for this last minute show. I dance, I laughed with alaira, I had a beer. Basically, I shook off the last 4 weeks and did something spontaneous and fun and I'd totally do it again.

Of course, I say this now before I have to drive out again in the morning. Nnnrgh.

Updating via dialup now that the phones are working again:

Super last minute Novillero show at the Lo tonight at like, 11. Tempted to drive in to town tonight, party it up and drive out again in the morning. Then wondering what more I can accomplish out here since things keep getting called off or pushed back. Technically, my contract ended Sunday, so really I'm just tying up loose ends, it's just a question of what else can get done before I leave for good.

Despire all rhe complaining about the drive, heat and living away from home, my job is pretty sweet.
( Pictoral evidence! )

( Bonus! )

Half of the joy I get from farmers markets and other summer festivals is in baby and dog watching. Adorable!

Also, I met a wonderful crafty lady who makes the most beautiful fabric collage bags. If I were a person who was more into purses, I'd totally get her stuff. Hercard says Some Hats & Bags & Fabric Stuff by Marlene and there's no email or website but I totally wish she had an Etsy shop because I'd point all of you towards it. She recycles fabrics for her purses and things and she was all excited to show me a bag that had a swatch from a dress from the thirties or forties.

I really wish I'd had a camera, because there were some other bags of hers with flowers and things and just... yes. And we talked about how our crafting keeps us out of other mischief and it was awesome.

Mom and I have just stopped home to get cold drinks and a bit to eat before heading out again. Oh! And we got four small vinaetarta cakes in different flavours, and we'll be taking them out with us tomorrow for a father's day get together because my aunt loves them. Mmm, vinaetarta. (Remember that's the one with all the prunes.)

Ugh, it's hot and sticky and it's been hot and sticky all week and dudes, I don't do well with hot and sticky at all.

I read both Jarhead and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in 2.5 days. Jarhead is a pretty good read, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies... not so much. Honestly, I know so many of you can write both Austen and/or zombies so much better. The zombies were kind of written for laughs instead of horror which, okay. I can understand in some ways, but I prefer horror zombies (to be honest, my favourite Zombies so far are the World War Z type of zombies.) Also, way too many jokes about balls. Yes, the word "balls" is a euphemism for testicles- may we please move on?

I finished my Lettonia socks on Tuesday, using up two different bits of leftover sockyarn and they're pretty sweet. And then I cast on for a pair of Wanida socks in KnitPicks Gloss in Parsley on Wednesday and I'm already almost done the first sock. I love this stitch pattern- I want to use it for a cardigan on the sleeves.

And yes, I did get quite a bit of work done this week, despite technical difficulties. Unfortunately, these difficulties mean I'm going to need to make some work phonecalls this weekend as well as working until probably the end of this week. The technical difficulties are with the phone, and considering that half the job is talking on the phone arranging things... yeah.

Man, I feel like I've been missing out on so much here while I've been out there. Dudes, what is up?

gnarh, horrible night's sleep. now off to lac du bonnet. hope i don't crash.

kisses!

chavvah and others who've gotten Sock Innovation, be sure to check the errata before starting any socks.