Double J Searching for Adventure

And by adventure, I mean, fueling up vehicle and trying to find interesting things to take photo's of....
Jackie loves going for a ride in the truck.
Unfortunately, she does not like her picture taken.
I can't say I blame her, I avoid that dreaded at all costs as well.

I do wonder what this puppy thinks of this giant thing that moves faster than she can run fast and magically transports us to new places to explore.

We came across this field of sunflowers.

What I found really fascinating, is all the flowers are pointing in the same direction! I had not noticed this until Hubs pointed it out to me when we were going over my photos.
I like the idea that plants have means of communicating with each other, even if it is to agree on which way to face.

The reason we were searching for interesting items to photograph is because my studio is almost finished!
All that remains is to install the light and add some frames for the window and door.

Hm. I could probably start painting in that room now that I look at it in the photos.

That will be my plan today.
I will find all my paint supplies and start to set up shop!

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their week!
Later.

Victory is Mine.....

...I think.
We noticed that my lilies were suffering at the hands of some venomous creature.

I wish I had thought to take a picture of the culprit, but I just was not thinking straight.
I had never before seen this sort of bug.
It was like a very badass ladybug.
I think this may prove inspiration for a villainous comic figure in my future.

Did you see the size of that bug?

It was huge!!!


After quite a bit of internet research, I discovered this was not just unique to my garden. Out there, were other victims!
The bug in question looks like this:

Aptly named, The Lily Leaf Beetle!

All the forums were suggesting the use of this Neeem product. All I understood about this substance, was that it was difficult to obtain in my location.

Some brilliant mind suggested a mixture of garlic water and dish soap.
You boil bulbs of garlic in water until the bulb becomes mushy.
Next add the dish soap which will prevent the little buggers from gaining purchase on your prized plants.

For now, the garden is safe.

I was only able to save a handful of the lilies but I will know better for next season.

I'm thinking, I will probably plant some sort of defensive flower that may drive away the little red pests.

On a completely different train of thought, I started knitting up another pair of villain socks.
These are my Whiplash Socks!

The only part of this pattern I found confusing, was the use of different symbols to represent certain stitches. It gave me pause.
I'm really happy with how they are coming together.

Well, Jackie and I are off to catch up on Pretty Little Liars.
Have a good week end everyone!

Status: Almost Complete.

The Little Man's room is almost complete.
I just need to add the finishing touches, like drapes, wall plates, pics....

We installed a floating floor:

We were looking for a colour that was rustic but, fairly light in colour.

I finished putting up a decal this morning, after coffee:

It was a little tricky to get all of the sticker off of the back, but the end result is fantastic.
I found that particular wall decal at this etsy shop, Creative Wall Decals.
It is just such a fun detail that I do not have to paint by hand. It has me thinking about other possible options in other rooms....

Finally, the almost finished result:


I know the colour choices are not for everyone, but we are extremely happy with the results. As long as the young man sleeping in the room is happy, all is right in our world!

Fun!!!

Since the other person was hired to help with the night shift, I have actually been able to do things I have been postponing.
Important things!
Hanging out with my family!

(alcohol might have been factor here...)


Just being outside and enjoying all those amazing things are showing up in my garden.




Found a place for my bat house.

That is the garage, not the house.

Checking in on the fruit and vegetables.






My carnivorous plant is finally taking root.


I finished my I Heart Socks.


The recipient was floored when she received her new socks.

I started a new sock project titled Whiplash Socks by RedScot.



It is one of the skeins from the Holiday Yarns, Heroes and Villains yarn club.

Hmmm
I think that summarizes my weeks.
All this recap makes me feel like I have accomplished a lot of items on my list.
It makes me HAPPY!!!!

There Goes Another Year!

Time goes by so quickly.
This past week end, I celebrated another birthday.
It was a little different this year.
We were a few more in number.
Nothing fancy.
Just some regular home cooking, music, booze and a lot of fun.
So much fun in fact, a few people who are normally quite introverted decided to get down with their bad selves.
I had to have a video to remember this moment.

I know have quoted this before, but, "this is not the woman who raised me".
When I was growing up, I would listen to all sorts of music. My favourites were always the really loud tunes.
My mom without even a few bars passing by, would demand "we turn off that racket".
I like this version of my mom a lot better.
A little more easy going and not so ready to say no without hearing the rest of question.

I received quite are few interesting presents.
This is my favourite:

I have the perfect location for this bird house.
It just needs the base to be completed and then it will be installed!

I also received this giant tea cup planter.
I'm using to hold yarn!


You see that brown coloured yarn in the front?
That is the coolest thing.
I purchased it from Moose Manor Hand Painted Yarns.
It actually changes colour under different light sources.

The one I purchased looks brown under fluorescent light, then a more greeny look under natural, outdoor lighting.
My photos are not doing the yarn any justice.
Betty, the designer, has all sorts of interesting yarns over there in her neck of the woods.

I hope you are all well. I'm off to recover from all the festivities.
Night everyone!

Hello Summer!

It has been wonderfully hot for the last few days. What is even better is I have had the opportunity to enjoy them because someone else has been trained to help cover my night shift.
We were all able to enjoy the garden. See all the new things in bloom.

The tomatoes:

The peppers:

My Begonias:

and one of my Butterfly plants has started to flower!


In the last few weeks, Jackie has grown leaps and bounds.

If we can just get her to be a little less afraid of the dark and every noise imaginable, we will have this potty training in the bag!

We also found this Red Dragon Maple tree to put in the front of the house with my stump from Gaspe.


I even managed to knit a little bit on my Trickster sock!


..and bake a banana cake.

It is a bit on the heavy side. Peanut butter smeared on top goes a long way!

That's about it for now.
Happy Canada to all my Canadian friends!!
and a Happy 4th of July to my American neighbours!

Newest Member of Our Family!

Everyone meet Jackie!

She is a two month Australian Shepherd.
I had never heard of this breed before she wobbled into our home last week.
Right now she is a bit high maintenance, but we can see the difference daily as she gets used to the routine of our family.
The cats are not really sure what to make of her. Everyone however, is adjusting.
If I am unable to have human children, at least I can have fuzzy ones!

We spend a lot of time outside checking out the garden.

I do not really remember planting some of these, but I am happy they showed up in our garden.

Here is one of the Butterfly plants:


At work, I am the only person available for the night shift. This puts a cramp in much of my activities. I have managed to find a bit of time to knit. This is the progress on a slipper that someone has requested.

The yarn is phantex. I have two very large grocery bags with this newly acquired stuff. I'm trying to explore all sorts of slippers ideas. Something other than the ones that my grandmother knit. I really loved those but after 30 years I imagine there would be other patterns available yes?

Oh! I also made a strawberry pie


....and some very messy tarts:


I guess that covers everything.
I'm going to try and watch Vikings before the fuzzy child wakes up.
Have a great week everyone!