Three in a Row!

What a great start to the new year, I've posted three days in a row, counting today, four if you count the last day of 2013. :) It must be some kind of record!

My day today = Laundry Day. Oh Joy!
A Photo A Day #3

Yesterday I mentioned that I was going to start on the Reading Mitts and I did, however I was really not that keen on the yarn I'd chosen, a worsted when the pattern calls for a DK yarn. It was going to be the right fit, but they felt too thick, too bulky, and I knew I wouldn't like them so I ripped them out. I don't have any DK yarn in my stash, other than baby yarn, so I went on a hunt for the yarn the pattern calls for (Berrocco Ultra Alpaca) and I ordered a lovely skein from eBay, however, when I reviewed my order (after paying for it -- AFTER I got the shipping notice) I came to realise I'd ordered the wrong weight of yarn. Ooops. Oh well, it's LOVELY and I'm sure I can find something else to knit up with it.

I'm sure Valerie laughed at me when I emailed her my error (we'd been emailing back and forth all day about knitting, her kitty and whatnot) ... actually I'm pretty sure her words were "LOL lemme look in my stash" ... MY HERO! She's going to mail me a surprise (as in I have no idea fibre or colour) skein of yarn to knit my Reading Mitts. Thanks again friend!! :)

So rather than mope in defeat I went on the hunt for another something to knit. I wound up buying Pagona by Stephen West and cast on immediately with Wandering Cat Yarns Alley Cat (sock) in Firestarter. Last night I was able to get the first section done. I could have done more, but my eyes were buggy from lack of sleep the night before so I quit while I was ahead.

Pagona - Section 1 complete - WCY Alley Cat in Firestarter

Well I'm off to rule the world of laundry folding now, because the sooner I get it done, the sooner I can hunker down and get knitting.

Mooser the Birthday Boy!!

Today my little Moose turned a year old. He's come a long way in a year. From a little ball of squishy puppy to a handsome, sweet and gentle dog. Here's a picture I took of him this morning. You can see the deck boards behind him because he was wagging his tail at me and sweeping away the snow. Too cute!

Mr. Moose quite enjoys these cold temperatures!
It's -15C outside today!

Of course, with age comes wisdom and maybe a little laziness, because Dozer had to be literally pushed out the door this morning while Moose went out excited and happy. "Yay snow! Yay cold!" says Moose. "Just five more minutes Mom," says Dozer. 

I'm trying to use the first photo I take in a day as my Photo A Day photo, and the first picture I took this morning was freaking adorable!

Dozer, on the other hand, would rather stay inside snuggled with a blanket.
A Photo A Day #2

Teal is definitely a good colour on him.

Last night it snowed and it's still snowing. The driveway will need to be shovelled later ... maybe even tomorrow. My neighbour is kind when it comes to snow removal and usually snowblows the sidewalk along our entire block, so at least that will be done. Until I decide it is time to shovel I think I'll sit back, watch some episodes of Sons of Anarchy (my new Netflix addiction, however it isn't 100% up to date!!) and knit some fingerless mitts. Reading Mitts. I don't have any DK yarn so I'm going to use worsted and hope for the best. I think I'll go with size small and try it on a I go. I like a snug fitting fingerless mitt so as long as it doesn't cut off the circulation in my hands it's all good! Thanks to Valerie for the idea. :)

Twenty-Fourteen

Happy New Year!

Wow, 2014 -- it's hard to believe it's been so long since the Y2K panic and the ever so pressing end of the world prediction of 2012 -- we survived and, I don't know about you, but I'm excited about the upcoming year. 2014 is going to have some tough moments, I know, but mostly it's going to be great.

In 2014 I'm going to attempt to do the Photo A Day thing. I'm hoping to get them all posted here, but I will definitely post them on my Instagram account (r5samantha) under the tag #aphotoaday. I have had my Instagram account for quite sometime but just recently started using it. It's fun. :)

Today's photo is bought to you by the letter C for Coffee, because when I stay up that late I need lots of it the next morning.

My coffee cup is nearly empty, I am going to have to remedy this.
A Photo A Day #1

Last night while my kids happily played together on the Wii U I watched episodes of Sons of Anarchy and worked on knitting slippers. I am finished all but the weaving in the ends (striped slippers) and seaming them. Hopefully, with the help of more of SOA and coffee I will have them finished later today. Pictures to come!

My knitting goals of 2014 are to knit things that make me happy. I've got plans to knit myself another cardigan and a few other projects I'd like to have, but otherwise I'm not planning anything. Just picking stuff on a whim. 

My running goals of 2014 are a little more complicated. I'm looking to PB my 5km and 10km distances. So speed is the goal. I have a race at the end of January (8km) and a few more already booked throughout the year. I won't be working beyond the 10km marker (I don't think so at this point anyway) but I will be cheerleading Michael as he works towards greater distances. He has a 50 mile race (80km) in May. Crazy. I could do that. 10km at a time over a few weeks. Easy! LOL

The one thing my knitting and running goals have in common are to have fun and enjoy myself and no injuries! I've already done the running injury thing, and I'm still working to repair my body 100%, and a knitting injury has the potential for something even scarier, I mean geesh, I could poke an eye out!! Anyway, what's the point if I'm not enjoying it?

My life goals are simple. Be happy and kind, love strong, share glorious moments with my family and friends and have fun.   

I wish you all the best in 2014.