What Are You Doing Here?

It was a very long day today. I ended up staying late at work because an incident had come about. When these sort of things occur, I get the pleasure of staying until everything is tidied up. It is actually something I am very good at. Anyway, I was sitting at my desk, all by my lonesome, trying to finish what I was working on when I felt eyes on me. That is a weird feeling. I look around and cannot see anything out of sorts. I do not hear anything. Then finally I spot my new friend:

I'm not exactly sure what it is. It resembles a ladybug, but it does not have the colourings that I recognize more easily. If anyone can tell me what it is, I would love to know.

I was a little disappointed with the start of this month. As some of you, I enjoy being a part of a group on Ravelry called the Sock Knitter's Pentathlon. Every two months, a new pattern is released and we all try to finish it before time runs out. This month's pattern has been delayed. Many of us suspected something was not quite right because midway through the previous sock, there was not a release of the type of materials that would be required for the June edition. OK, not a problem. Perhaps they will release the information at the end of the wait period some of us thought. That was not to be the case. The moderator finally provided a bit of information as to why there would be a delay on the release. She was going through some personal episodes. Instead of June, the next pair will commence in July. Aw well. Some things are just beyond our control and we just have to grin and bare it. My friend had an awesome idea of doing our own sock knitalong while we wait for the release of the now July sock. Maybe some of you would like to join us? The pattern is called Boyfriend Socks created by a clever lady, Alice Bell. I showed the pattern to the Husband and he really liked the look of them. We decided over the week end to find the perfect yarn to create them.

We found this yarn:

at a place in Guelph called Greenwood Quiltery.

I really like this yarn with the exception of one thing:


Every so often, I come across a point that has been knotted. I understand that sometimes a skein/ball of yarn cannot go without seams. I just wish sometimes that perhaps we can place a warning on the label. Caution, this product of goodness might have knots. I have to remind myself to keep on eye on the skein/ball and stop knitting so I can undo the knot and re-join with the method I prefer.
There is another thing I am trying to adjust. I have to be mindful of my tension. This is quite a stretch creation. That was the appeal for Husband. He likes clothing to have a bit of give for comfort. This is a great exercise in trying to maintain my tension.

I am quite happy with the progress so far:


I am really starting to love cables. I liked them before but now, I think I finally understand the direction they take when you hold the needle in the front vs. back.

Early yesterday morning (07h15), we received a phone call. I must have slept through it, but Husband heard the phone and answered. My mom was on the other end. My parents are making their way towards us. They should be here by Saturday in time for the Farmer's Market. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I love them to death, but they make me a bit nervous. Mom sees everything. Including that little dust bunny that likes to hang out under the bed. The dust on the top of the lamp shade that is well above the eye level of most people, does not stand a chance. To compensate, we have been tidying up like crazy.

The cats are actually quite worn out from my nervousness.


It is almost like someone hit their off switch. I sort of like them like this. My yarn gets to stay in the same place and not worry about being dragged all over the apartment. I wonder how long it will last.
I am off to watch Hapers Island. I hope you all have a great night and we will chat soon.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Things....

What a super cool Sunday. Last night (Saturday), I was on Ravelry (I know, big surprise :P), and in the forums was this post of a fiber festival. This peaked my interest. I saw that it was being held in Grimbsy, which is not very far from where we live. In that area are a lot of wineries. We have not been on a wine tour in quite some time. We are thinking perhaps when we were first married was the last time we did something along those lines. We decided to go for it. We set out early this afternoon. The weather was beautiful. It was a tad cooler than I would prefer, but we can't complain. There was not a dark cloud to be seen.



The fiber festival took place at a farm in Grimbsy called Silmaril Farms.


There was all sorts of things to capture your interest.
There were a few artisans and spinners,


Lots of adorable livestock.



Husband enjoyed petting a future skein.

I came home with a bright skein,


and a few cat toys which were greatly appreciated:


After we saw what we could of the festival we drove on in search of vineyards. Our first stop was Mountain Road Wine company in Beamsvile:

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Then we skipped down the road to Angel's Gate, also in Beamsville:




Not very far from there is Thirty Bench:

We also enjoyed our lunch at this point and just watched the scenery.


After we staved off hunger, we traveled to Jordan's Station and visited at Flat Rock Cellars:




Moving on, we drove through St. Catherine's.


At one particular intersection we came across this interesting piece of metal:


When we finally got our bearings, we found ourselves going towards Niagara on the Lake. I wanted to visit Coyote Run. I just like the sounds of the name. It was a bit trying to find.


When they say unimproved road,

they are not kidding:

I think I almost lost the truck in one of those holes.

Coyote Run has something that is quite interesting, two types of soil:

This might account for the variety of wine.


We also visited the only winery that just makes ice wine in this region.



I was getting a bit snacky once again and turned into this little market.


I couldn't resist the jams. They are another weakness of mine. I love toast and jam at any part of the day.

I had a wonderful day. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and discovered a few parts of southern Ontario that I had not yet visited. If any of you are interested, this site, Niagara Falls Online: Wineries in the Niagara Region, I found quite helpful in planning our day.
I'm off to enjoy our score. I'm a little sleepy. That was a lot of action for a Sunday. Have a good night everyone.

That There is a Big Ball of Fun!

There has not really been anything terribly exciting going on. The rain has kept most of our activities confined to the indoors. I am very OK with that by the way. It leaves me more time for different kind of fun. For instance, I have a big ball of yarn and I think I know what to do with it:

This is a skein of Fleece Artist's Hand Dyed Donegal. At least that is what is says on the label.

It is a bit scratchy at the moment. I have worked this before and know that the scratchiness will wear away. As you are working with it, a fine oily layer seems to coat your fingers. I'm not sure if that is just a quirk with this particular yarn or it is something that belongs to this brand. I am enjoying the process all the same. I am really liking how it is knitting up. I trust my little project to look pretty cool by the end.


I have also found a lost project among the little baggies while I was tidying up this past week end. My Olympic socks from last session's Pentathlon on Ravelry.


Rebel seems to like the process


Which leads to my next question. I wonder if I missed out on an information file for the current session of the Sock Knitter's Pentathlon? I keep checking, but see nothing new happening. I guess I will just enjoy my drink and not worry about it. Eventually I will learn new information.

This is what I am enjoying at the moment:


I am actually a bit sleepy at the moment which is my cue to head to bed. Good night everyone. I hope your Fridays go well for you. :)