Yarn On A Garden Tour

I've gone over to the Tanis side.  Tanis Fiber Arts seems to be everywhere lately.  It's spread throughout the blogoshpere and was one of the most popular booths at the Frolic.  Then, I was gifted a skein by Debi for my birthday.  So the other night, at The Purl, I just felt compelled to support local business by purchasing another. 
Today, my new yarn went for a stroll in the garden.  Good thing they went early before the skies opened up washing away much of  the city, though not unfortunately, the G20 fences. That's the Teal and Stormy colourways admiring the purple flowers and checking out the huge tomatoes.

Tasting The Yarn

Last night's Knitty Roundtable (aka Yarn Tasting) at The Purple Purl was, as usual, a success.  It was a full house of knitters happily knitting their way around the five stations, testing out five very different yarn samples.  In the Knitty spirit of no ill will, I won't tell which of the five I really disliked.  I'll just say that my least favourite seemed to be one that everyone else liked.  That's often the way at these events (this is my third time attending).  I guess I just have weird taste. I'm OK with that.  I will however, say this:
"Ah, Regia.  We've been apart too long.  I'd almost forgotten the joy of your self striping goodness.  Let's make plans to spend some quality time together real soon."

OK.  Why Does Jen look so perplexed as she watches Amy draw for the prizes?  Does she disapprove of prizes or is she just cranky that, as event co-host, she's not eligible to win?

Well, I like prizes and I won one. Yay! This beautiful book came home with me.  To be honest, it's not the type of book I'd be likely to buy, so winning it makes it more special.  It's full of accessories I never knit, like cushion covers and bags.  They're gorgeous items, beautifully designed and crafted.  I just don't make them.  But the Cabled Beret?  The 1965 Arm Warmers?  Mine, mine, mine. Those socks on the cover are in the queue as well.
I don't know about you but whenever I look at knitting books published by STC Craft I feel driven somehow. The styling is so lovely, the models so fresh and urban.  One feels that if one just knits those gloves or that pair of socks, life will be as pleasant as that girl's seems to be.  Of course, that's the aim of the publisher and I'm completely aware that I'm being manipulated.  I just don't care.  They do it so very, very well.

Spicy!

Today was spice cupboard sort and clean day.  Woot!  I tell ya, the fun never ends here.  Actually, I like doing this.  It's a job that appeals to the categorizing mania side of me.  You know what I mean - all you people who photograph and catalogue your entire stash on Ravelry.  You know who you are.

Out come all those grubby, half full jars for a wipe down and a refill.  Torn labels get repaired. Inventory gets taken.  Then the cupboard get a thorough scrub down before everything goes back. Nice and shiny.  Very satisfying.  Tomorrow, I'm off to the bulk store to fill my shopping list.

One advantage to having a grasp on the spice cupboard is that it made it easier to prepare this evening's dinner: Lobhia aur khumbi or Black-eyed Beans with Mushrooms from Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery.  It's served with yoghurt cucumber relish. Mmm...sublime.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Knitting is failing me lately.  However, the lillies are in bloom,

the kitchen garden in the park is budding and welcoming,

and there are cool thing to see on a walk.  All in all, a good day.

New Pretties

Last weekend, I had a little birthday celebration here and while I appreciate all the gifts my dear friends brought that day, the most special is probably this painting.  The artist is Lily, a friend of The Daughter whom I have known since she was four years old.  She's now an art student in highschool - a very talented student I think.  It gives me such pleasure every time I pass this small water colour hanging on my wall.  Can you see the little faces peeking out from the trees?

Another recent acquisition is this cute cereal bowl we picked up in Kensington yesterday. The Daughter insisted she must have it, and who could argue?

Mulberry Silk

I'm taking a break from structured projects which are weird (crazy knitted lapels!) and am knitting lovely, rhythmic, stitches.  The SweaterKits silk I picked up at the Frolic is giving me actual joy. Every colour change causes a little thrill, especially when I knit in the sun.  These are my colours.  The good old drop stitch wavy scarf, while simple, is the perfect pattern for this yarn.  I initially considered feather and fan but the long drops here show off the dye so much better.

Today's Show Is Brought To You By The Letter...

is for Yvette and the fact that it is but a few days until her birthday.


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