Sadness

I had a bunch of things I wanted to talk about this week, but it is not going to happen. At least not this week.

Reno suffered his third urinary infection in as many months.
We had to make a decision and it killed us both a little inside.
At our last veterinary appointment which into major surgery, we were told that his little heart was getting incredible weaker and the next time, he will not be so lucky.
Seeing him in pain, is something I would not wish on anyone.
So,
Reno's final day was yesterday.
He was an incredible cat.
Reno was special because it was like he came with the house, on that faithful day when Jo was renovating the garage and spied that tiny fuzzy bundle in the corner.
He came a long way and it was a miracle he lived as long has he had.
We are grateful that he chose us for his family.
Ever present in whatever tasks we were preforming whether it was artistic, culinary or involving heavy equipment.
Thank you Reno.

Outer Space

Have you heard that they were able to grow a flower in space? After looking for a link to better explain my statement, it would appear to not be the first ever grown in space.
I still think it is pretty cool.
So much so, it inspired me to try watercolour paints for the first time in decades.

I'm not totally happy with the final result, but it will do as a first try. I just need more practice.

I have also been trying to draw more frequently. It would seem my fingers have forgotten how to hold a pencil.


The shadow belongs to my supervisor, Napoleon.


To get ready for the premiere of X-Files, I have been cross stitching while binge watching the previous seasons.

This is the easier choice to make as it hurt to breath as you step outside during this week.

Stay warm everyone!

The Hunt Begins

After a mani-pedi
We have a squatter in our midst.
He (or she, I respect their privacy) is a clever little thing.
He managed to climb up to the top shelf in our pantry and liberate a graham cracker.

He didn't even eat a hole in the box. He managed to climb inside, drag it out and knock to the floor.
We only found it because he was unable to push it through the little hole in the back of the pantry.

Reno is very excited about the hunt.
He has been unwavering in his guard post just outside the pantry doors.
We do not want a repeat of last year's adventure with his urinary infection so we are keeping a close eye on him to make sure he does not open those doors.
Just to be on the safe side, we have trimmed his nails/weapons of destruction.


I don't like this one bit.


Do you see what he is doing? Are you allowing this?


Now how will I catch that mousy?

Oh! It's Winter Again!

Happy Belated New Year!
I hope you are all happy and enjoyed the festivities!
We all had a rather nice time.
We decompressed.
Ate probably too much.
Drank a bit.
Enjoyed everyone's company.

We spent New Year's at my parents' house.
There was just a dusting of snow but it was enough to make the toboggan careen down the hills.
The tree survived, no thanks to Reno who did his best to become a live action ornament.


Then Reno and Napoleon set up a location to wait for Santa.


When the big man did arrive, he spoiled everyone.


There was a ball attached to this toy at one point.


I received a bird house that Jo made from an actual bit of a tree.

I cannot wait until we can place it outside!

My other present was the family making Christmas breakfast!

Anytime someone else is cooking, I am happy.

I have also been crafty during our downtime.
I completed a toque for Little Man's employer for who he dog sits.

Jo is happily modelling for me.

I do not know whether I will work out the pattern details or just try another version.
I'll see what next week brings.

I have been cross stitching quite a bit lately while watching Orange is the New Black

Ok. I see what the big deal is now. I have really been enjoying this show.


At Mom's there are always a lot of feathery and fuzzy creatures to enjoy. It makes up for the temperature in the house as being the sameas on the sun. How can you sweat watching t.v.?

All joking aside, it was a lovely visit. There were no weird conversations or subtle put downs. No comments on how I cook or clean. Just a lot of heat and weather network.

We were all pretty tired on the drive home.


I am going to go and continue binge watching Orange is the New Black.
I hope you are all well and recovered from the holidays!

'Tis The Season

Have you found your holiday spirit?
Mine is around here somewhere in all this yarn and paper and ink spots......
I have been knitting up a storm.
I don't want to ruin the surprise, but a lot of people on my list are receiving mittens.
Not like these mittens though...


More like these:

These are made in just your basic mitten pattern.
No Muppets were injured for this yarn.

These are Jared Flood's Green Autumn mittens from Vogue Knitting Fall edition 2008


I knit this scarf with yarn inspired by the Walking Dead, Boy and His Bow

The pattern is Dovetail Scarf which I found on the Purl Soho webpage.

I finally found a pattern that works with my Berroco Boho yarn.


I think I need a model with a bigger neck to really show it off!

The pattern is Sanibel Cowl.


After all is said and done, we did finally get the tree up.


We may have to place it in a witness protection program. Reno does not have many good intentions towards the poor tree.

He has zeroed in all the shiny and glittery decorations.

I hope you are all well and enjoying the holiday season.
I'm off to put a turkey in the oven.

Lot Going on in the World

It would seem like I have awaken into a nightmare setting.
I turn on my news feed and all the chaos that has flooded the internet has erupted.
It just looks absolutely terrifying.
I can't seem to find words to describe what is happening.
My way of coping is to delve into my own personal space.
I have been watching Supernatural and reading. A lot.
I am very thankful for my library card.
Right now I am reading Frankenstein: A Cultural History.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has always been one of my favourite reads. This review and exploration of the fictitious work and how it was influenced and is influencing society, even today, is a great read for me.
In it, Hitchcock uses a quote by Jean Jacques Rousseau that has currently, for me, hit home. "...the imperfections and suffering in human life arose not from nature but from society. Human beings had only to free themselves from social oppression and prejudice in order to regain their native joy and liberty.

As I mentioned, I have also been knitting.
My current project is from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2008: Green Autumn, by Jared Flood

It is a fun knit, but very difficult on the hands with all of the cables and bobbles.

Wherever you may be, I hope you are all safe and secure.
Have a good day.

Victory!

Any time I complete a project, be it with yarn paint or from your usual domestic goddess itinerary, it feels like such an accomplishment. A victory if you will.
I do not consider it a completed project until every last detail has been fulfilled. With regards to my knitting, that would mean all of the loose ends are tied in and secured.
Loose ends.
That could be applied to all my projects really.

Here are my completed Why So Serious? socks. The pattern, created by Jennifer Vancalcar


Now I am starting on a few Christmas knit items. I'm always a little late to this planning stage.
The beginnings of a mitten.

The pattern is Green Autumn and I found it in one of my Vogue Knitting magazines from 2008.
I can't wait until I get to the cable bits.

There are also non-knitting happenings.
Like this very unique situation:

For these two to be in such close proximity is truly amazing.
Napoleon (black) and Tom (orange) always to seem to have this epic struggle on hierarchy. Napoleon is constantly sneaking up on an unsuspecting Tom and smacking him repeatedly in the butt. Tom is forever on the look out for the crazy Napoleon who takes great pleasure in causing chaos at every possible moment. I just had to take a picture because I might never see this event again.

Meanwhile, Jackie forever struggles trying to carry items up stairs.

I usually just take whatever she wants up the stairs for her. It's little things like this that make her happy and I am happy to oblige.

I am off work this week end. I have no particular plans.
This is my favourite kind of week end!
I hope you are all well.