On the Road Again!

Hi from the US of A!  We got as far as Georgetown, KY  yesterday and stayed at the Super 8 there.  The weather was fine all the way.  It was overcast as far as London, ON where it threatened to snow.  However, we managed to miss it somehow and just after Detroit, MI the sun appeared and stayed for most of the day.  We were up and about early this morning and headed on down the highway.  Tonight we are at the Days Inn in Adel, GA.  That means we have a short day tomorrow - another 4 hours will get us to our final destination........... the villa that feels like our home away from home!

All is well here - hope it is the same for all my readers!

Good night for now!

Here We Go!

Today Poppa took down the Christmas tree....

...and put everything back into its place in the parlour.  Then he took the wreath off the front door...

... and then he headed outside, where he packed away the polar bears and took all the lights off the house.

As you can see - I took this picture from inside.  It was chilly out there!  Besides, while he was doing that I made sure everything we needed was in the suitcases....

.....and packed various bags with yarn, books and other necessities....

..... as well as a few important things that I wanted to go on top of everything else, so that I could be sure to reach them when I needed them..... you know..... snacks, cameras and documentation!

Once we had a sufficient amount of our tasks accomplished, we headed over to Aunt Peggy's to make one last supper for her before we leave for Florida.

Goodness - Poppa looks so tall beside her!  On our way back home we stopped at New York Fries for our supper.  Now Poppa is loading the car while I write a blog. Guess I'd better go and see if I can help him! 

We will be on our way bright and early tomorrow morning - hopefully be on the road by 7a.m.  Watch the blog for a post on nights I can get the internet - if I can I will let you know where we are...and perhaps some kind reader can contact Great Grandma Grace and Aunt Peggy and let them know our location??  Thanks!

Merry Christmas 2010!

We had an early Christmas at our house - last weekend.  It was so fun!  Mommee and I made the gang wait until after breakfast to open presents.  Munchie was less than impressed with that idea!

Once we all had a bite to eat - the madness began!  There was a great big box for Daddee - and he couldn't figure out what it was.

Daddee was helping Munchie open his presents and get them out of their packaging.

And Munchie was helping everybody discover what was in their packages.

He got a robot that helps him learn letters and numbers and colours and such.

Daddee was still trying to open that great big box.

Curtis got an aquarium to hang on his crib - the one you often see advertised on TV.

 Isn't he cute?  Hee!  He seemed to quite like that fish in there.  And.......................Daddee finally got his big box open!

Happy New Year!

As Promised!

All right then - first things first.  Here is the pullover that I completed for little Matthew in New York.  I am going to take it with me to Florida and send it from there.  Even though the distance is less - the postage is significantly less from US to US!  I have seen pictures of Matthew and he is adorable.  His Grandma has promised me more pictures soon.

Last weekend I babysat Munchie, while Mommee, Daddee, Poppa and Cujee went to look at houses in another city, a little further from our house than where they currently live.  This would get them out of their smallish apartment and into a house of their own.  Munchie was very good.  We played for quite a while and then he went for a nap - after Squeegie did some serious convincing that it would be a good idea.

He was still sleeping when I got a text message saying that the rest of the family were on their way home.  I went in and got Squeegie to wake up little Munchie so we could have supper when they arrived.  The big news is: They bought a house!!!  Everyone is so excited and happy!  I don't have any pictures yet, since closing date is Feb. 7th, 2011.  As soon as I can get a picture I will post it for you.  Hopefully Mommee gets her computer fixed so she can send me some pictures while I am in Florida.

We lucked out that weekend for travelling to Munchie's house - the weather was clear and cold.  The very next day it started snowing again.  As it turned out, our area got less than some of the surrounding areas, but we got our fair share.  Poppa put all his bundles on and went out to shovel.

And when I peeked out the front window in a few minutes - he had already started.

It took him several hours to get all that snow moved - and that included using the snowblower for most of it!  And then - he had to go into Aunt Peggy's and Grandma Grace's and do some more shovelling there!  Florida is looking more inviting all the time!  Hopefully we won't get too much more of the white stuff before we leave.  We are planning on leaving on the 27th of December - but we will watch the weather reports and use our best judgement.

I got a new bag for transporting my knitting.  It looks like this:

Sometime during the summer, Gramma asked if she could borrow some pictures of Mommee in dancing costume.  Of course, I have quite a few of those, so I picked some of my favourites and sent them down.  This is the end result!  I was absolutely thrilled to get this - I adore it!  I am soooo looking forward to using it on my trip to Florida and to keep my knitting tidy while I'm there!  The artwork demonstrates Gramma's artistic talent.  She took the picture of Mommee and created this lovely interpretation.  Momme is now a whimsical dancer in an impossibly lovely forest!  Here is a close-up shot of the detail - a little grainy since the weave of the bag shows.

Isn't it great?  I am honoured to be the recipient of something so special and so personal to me.  Thank you Gramma!

After I stash the pullover for little Matthew in there, I will finish filling it with all my odds and ends of sock yarn and create some silly socks for anyone who wants them.  I would like to use up all the sock yarn stash, so I can start a new one!  When that is done, I think I will start on the heavier yarn stash and make toques and mitts!  I'll do the socks first though since that yarn is easier and lighter and less bulky for travelling to Florida.  I did do a new touque, mitts and scarf for Munchie - he was still wearing the toque I made for him last year!  The first one was a little snug, so I have made another one a little larger, so it is more comfie for him.  He already took the mitts before I got a picture, but here is the new toque and the scarf.

Poppa and I are going for breakfast now -  a treat before the busy-ness of the Christmas celebrations tomorrow!  I have finished a balaclava for Munchie in preparation of the January cold temperatures, and started a matching bowknot scarf.  Then I will do mittens and he will have another ensemble!

New Blog...

...coming soon.  Been crazy busy with shopping, wrapping, grocery-list filling, Christmas planning, baby-sitting.  I have some knitting pictures for you finally.  Tomorrow morning I will download pics and post.  We are having an early Christmas this weekend and Munchie will be here with the rest of his family.  We have had more snow since I took this picture.  More to follow - thanks for reading!

This and That...

I have been very remiss at posting lately.  We seem to be very busy all the time.  Lots of running around and a couple of stints babysitting.  Not to mention, getting ready for Christmas.  One night recently, while we were out shopping around Poppa noticed this....

....I would have missed it there among the measuring cups!  We shopped for quite a while that evening and managed to purchase most of the stuff we needed to complete our Christmas shopping.  Of course, we had to stop in the baby section to look for stuff for our little boys - and guess what we found....

Yes - seriously - two in one evening!  Once again - I was so busy checking out all the baby gadgets, that I completely over-looked this speciman - but Poppa was alert and pointed it out.  I was so glad I had brought my camera with me.

Another day we went to Munchie's to keep an eye on him while Mommee took Cujee for his checkup.  I had a wonderful break.  Momme and Cujee left for the doctor's office.

And shortly after that, Poppa and Munchie left to go to the Mall for a coffee.

And, there I was all by myself.  I read a book, did some knitting and watched the View.  After a while, they all came home.  Cujee pleased the doctor with his progress since his last visit.  Poppa and Munchie had a nice time at the mall.  And I had a good time too!

The following week I glanced out the front window and noticed Squeegie sitting outside, so I went out to investigate.  This is what I found...

Hmmm.  I wonder what they are doing?  It was a nice day and they were busily working away at something.  The next day after I found them doing this, Mommee and Daddee arrived with the little boys.  Mommee and Daddee were leaving again, to go house-hunting, and then to a Christmas party hosted by Mommee's employer.  So..........they were leaving the little boys with us for the night!  Needless to say I was quite busy and didn't get very many pictures!  I did find out who was in the appliance cupboard though.....

I bet you had already guessed - right?  And Poppa found a few minutes to interact with Cujee while I made one of the meals.

After supper, once Munchie had finished his pink cookie....

Poppa bundled Munchie into his winter toggery and they went outside to look at Poppa's house.

At this time, I figured out what Poppa and Squeegie had been doing out there on the ladder.  It looks quite lovely - don't you think?  Poppa did an excellent job!

The next morning Mommee and Daddee arrived to take the little boys home.  It sure did seem quiet in our house that day! But, they will be back on the 18th of December for Christmas dinner with us.

Snail Days

Oh!  Another picture from Auntie Colleen!  And another interesting descriptive paragraph regarding the picture!

Now - I  bet you want to read that paragraph!  Here it is:
I had to add this guy to the snail parade of photos. I love how Shaun got so close that only part of the shell is in focus. I looked up parts of the snail and those tentacles on top that look like eyes (that are also out of focus, which I actually love in this shot)? Those are ... eyes. Below those, the shorter tentacles are just that... tentacles. I just know you wanted to learn the parts of a snail. This little guy is obviously just as interested in Shaun as Shaun was in him. "

Everything you ever wanted to and didn't know about snails! 

I haven't got the knitting photos yet - as I worked until 9pm last evening and am going back in today to help finish off that inventory.  There isn't a whole lot left - so I should be home by lunch-time, unless something un-toward happens!

Here is a photo from my files for you - guess who I found in my small appliance pantry!

Abandoned Again!

Much to my delight I received a picture from Auntie Colleen today!  They have been more scarce of late, since she is busy with Uncle Shaun doing things they need to do.  With the larger amount of shoppers around these days, preparing for Christmas - there are probably more people drinking coffee out in the cold............well it appears that way anyway..........someone abandoned this speciman.

And since I have been quite derelict recently about posting pictures of what is going on - due to business regarding Christmas and a couple of days at work.............here is a really cute picture of Cujee relaxing in his little lounge.........

My knitting projects are progressing nicely, I just haven't taken the time to get pictures.  I am working today, so I will try to get the camera going tomorrow!

Have I Mentioned......

....how much I look forward to leaving the north country and heading to Florida each year?  I took this picture out the back door this morning..........November 19th, 2010.

At least it is melting in the driveway, so Poppa shouldn't have to shovel it - but our walk to the coffee shop isn't going to be as much fun as usual!

We went to visit Munchie and Cujee on Wednesday - just to see them. Everyone was doing just fine.    Munchie came racing down the hall to meet us.  Poppa scooped him up quickly and Munchie wrapped his arms around Poppa's neck and declared "I miss you Poppa".  This was a new sentence for us, and we were both impressed by his eloquence.  We went for a walk to the mall - and when I tried to get a picture of the little people in the double stroller that Aunt Tricia kindly let Mommee borrow - we discovered that it has reflective strips on it for good visibility......awesome!

It was kind of chilly outside so before we left we made sure Cujee was bundled up nice and warm.......I adore this outfit - especially the little tail!

See Mommee with her little teddy bear - actually - Munchie calls his little brother "Curtis-Mouse" when he wears this outfit - Hee!  It looks equally cute from the front........

Anyway with both little boys bundled up appropriately off we went.

Munchie insisted on wearing his new winter boots and clumped along in the mall.  Eventually we returned home and Poppa spent some time with the boys and I convinced them all to sit still for a moment while I got a picture.

Shortly thereafter Munchie declared himself ready for a nap......and so we headed back to Poppa's house.  When we arrived there, Squeegie was tired from the long drive and took a nap in Cujee's swing.

He has always loved that swing - since way back when Munchie used to sleep in it - about two years ago!



Meanwhile, back at knitting central.  I finished that last piece of baby tear lace this morning, and started a new one from the Nicky Epstein book.

And as promised - here is a picture of the pullover I started for the little fellow in New York.  These are the sleeves.  I wanted it to match up with the rest of his layette, so I am using the cream as the main colour with stripes of the confetti blue to match the overalls.  These are the arms.

The lighting in my knitting area is focused on my chair and capturing the colours is difficult - but this gives you an idea.

A New One!

Here is the latest in the abandoned series.  Poppa spotted it the other day while we were shopping at Wal-Mart.  It has been such a long time since we got an abandoned shot that I had to post it right away!

Cute huh?  Did they really think nobody would notice?  Or what?

I have started back to knitting lace, and I have also started the little pullover for baby Matthew - to match the rest of his ensemble.  I will post pictures soon.

Another Week Goes By

Last Saturday we went to a lovely wedding.  Remember the cousins we meet each year in Florida?  Well - their son was getting married and we were invited to attend, which we did with pleasure!  Everyone had a good time - we enjoyed visiting with relatives that we don't often see - and we had a couple of dances, which I always enjoy. 

This is a picture of the groom's family, from left to right, Poppa's cousin Denis (father of the groom), Poppa's cousin Leon (uncle of the groom), Ashley, Poppa's Aunt Rita (grandmother of the groom), Andre, Janet (Leon's wife) and Liz (mother of the groom).  What a nice picture.........and the official photographer waited patiently while I took it.......well, maybe a little impatiently, but I got the picture!

On Sunday little Munchie arrived with Mommee and Cujee.  They stayed until Tuesday, much to Poppa's delight.  Munchie and Poppa played and played.

One of the highlights of the visit for Munchie was that he got a ride in Poppa's truck.  Poppa took him to visit Great-Gramma while I was at Aunt Peggy's.  He talked all the way into town and back again about Poppa's truck.  Then after we arrived home and had supper, Mommee and Kev-Inn decided to go to the movies - a nice break for both of them.  I babysat with Cujee - and all he did was sleep!

Next day Mommee sat with little Cujee, I made supper, and Poppa left with Munchie to get something at Canadian Tire.  Cujee fell fast asleep.

Mommee took advantage of this short respite to grab a bite to eat.

Once again - all too soon it was Tuesday and they were heading out the driveway back to their place.  Then things settled back into our normal routine - except that Kev-Inn was off for the week to do some deer hunting.  He was home for a couple of days and went with us for the walk to the coffee shop in the morning.

And I got Aunt Muffy's mittens all done.  She lives quite far north and it gets very cold in her city.  So....since I had lots of the yarn she picked from the stash I made two pairs.  A normal sized pair for when she is driving or walking on a moderate day, and a larger pair to slide on over the first pair for days when she needs to shovel snow, push stuck cars or walk on a frigid day.

And then I got Auntie Colleen's lace out again - Yay!  I had to look up the pattern since I had totally forgotten how to do it, but it didn't take long to get back in the groove.

One more image to leave with you.  Mommee thinks that Cujee is trying to be an elephant.  He slurps up as much milk as she can give him, and he keeps getting larger.  I took a close look and have reason to believe that she may be right about this.

And as you can see - he is finding her theory kind of funny.