Winter Dome

The dome that covers the nearby soccer field in winter went up very slowly this year. Terry and I watched the progress and wondered when we would actually see it on the field.

One day a crane appeared.

It lifted the heaviest pieces of the dome out of summer storage. It seemed that everything might be ready...

But then it snowed.

A bundle of plastic lay on the turf for a few days covered in snow.

It reminded me of the brown lumpy mystery in  the book "The Little Prince"...

What's hidden underneath?!

(That's a game my grandkids and I could enjoy!)

Eventually the snow melted ... and one morning... there it was!

Last Pottery Class

Last Monday was my last pottery class for this session.

I haven't worked on the pottery wheel for some time, so it was nice to get back and see if I could remember how to do it.

I brought home a few small pots that were glazed (above).

But - as usual - I had to leave some, that were still drying - to pick up later.

I also glazed three owls that didn't get glazed the last time I did hand-building. You never know what they'll look like when they come out of the kiln!

Latest Ladies Detective Novel

I wasn't feeling great - "under the weather" a bit - as often happens when cold weather arrives in fall and I get the sniffles. My mind and body suddenly had to adjust to wearing a winter hat and coat - all that extra "baggage" that comes with winter.

So I was really happy that I had a good book to hunker down with - the latest "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" novel - that was released in October.

Alexander McCall Smith, the author, usually releases only one book a year in this series. I'm not the only one who looks forward to it. By the time I discover its title (sometime in summer) and put a hold on it at the library, there are usually already dozens of holds on the soon-to-be purchased 20 books.

I won't reveal the story, but it doesn't disappoint. It occurred to me that this slow-paced mystery story is totally charming not because of the action, but because it reveals the thoughts of a wise woman from another culture.

I'm already waiting for the next one to come!

Beautiful Knitting Patterns

I've recently come across some really beautiful sweaters designed and knit by a British knitter, the "Knitting Man" - Gary Ray Smith.

I first saw him on an Instagram explaining how he carries a strand of yarn on the back of a multi-colored project.

I'll have to look for that clip again!

I really love this coffee cup sweater design!

I'm tempted to get the pattern. Not sure when I'd get to it - I have so many projects I want to finish! But it would be nice to have the pattern!

(He has an Etsy store but I think he also sells his patterns on Ravelry.

Inspiration... for Later!

The colourful crocheted blankets on the cover of the book attracted my attention...

The word MODERN, too. 

"Modern" tends to be more colourful or more relaxed: not as symmetrical.

But these ideas will have to wait for future reference. I really need to return to some unfinished projects first...

For me, starting is easy, but persisting until I finish is hard!

Beginning of Winter?!

Last weekend felt like the beginning of winter.

We took the kids outdoors to play. At first the sky was blue...

Then clouds appeared. 

The kids didn't mind the cold...

But it was chilly to stand around and watch them play.

Our younger son and Terry managed to do a few outdoor chores.

... while a cow across the road stood watching us with great interest.

Then a snow squall arrived, chasing us all indoors.

Time for a new (winter) frame of mind.

Back to Sewing!

My main crafts at home this past little while have been knitting and crochet. So when I decided to try to make a pillow for my grandson's birthday, I had to dig my sewing machine out from under a large pile of (unfinished) mending to get to it!

I noticed this lovely "reading pillow" in the mall and thought I'd try to make a similar one - with a pocket to hold books.

I hope he enjoys it!

Color Blast from the Past

Walking around the mall, I saw this sweater ... and stopped to stare...

That was so ME... when I was in my early 20's! Could I still pull it off?!

(These days, I'm more into greys...!)

Then I noticed this fleecy jacket ... almost the same color!! 

Is hot pink is coming back in style?!

Then I received an email from Ikea... advertising equally flashy colors in home furnishings.

Who makes these decisions  - about what colors will be in style?!

For someone like me, who LOVED these colors on the '60s, this is an emotional turn of events.

Pink... in the West!

One of my daily joys is watching the sun rise and set - and the cloud formations in between!

It amazes me that SOMETIMES the sun rising in the EAST makes the WESTERN sky turn pink!

How does that happen?! Reflection?!

Merrickville Visit

I love day trips - with frequent coffee breaks!

En route to Brockville, a few weeks ago, Terry and I stopped in Merrickville.

We had decided to drive to Brockville a more scenic way - taking country roads rather than the highway.

As we often do, we stopped at Violet's Bakery in Merrickville for some treats to take home.

Then we had coffee in Main Street, where Terry caught up on Merrickville news.

This historic town on the Rideau Canal is such a relaxing and beautiful place to visit - especially midweek - once summer tourist season is over.

Pakenham Bridge

One day recently, Terry stopped to show our older son a historic site: the only 5-span stone bridge in North America, in Pakenham, an hour's drive from Ottawa.

It's been repaired and is still in use - though vehicles can only cross in one direction at a time.

The day was chilly - especially by the water.

So we didn't linger. Winter is a-comin'!

4th Birthday!

Our little grandson turns 4 today! 

He's in kindergarten - loves taking the bus.

Loves helping Grandma and hanging out with Grandpa...

Google reminded me of some of the fun times we've had with him over the past 4 years! Looking forward to more fun times ahead!

Almost Four

My grandson is almost four years old.

The first two years of human life are so full of change - every few months brings a new stage.

But I've been noticing changes in this almost-four-year-old as well: An interest in playing sports has been added to his interest in cars and trucks.

Not only colouring pictures but carefully cutting them out as well.

It's so interesting to observe these subtle changes - now that (as a retired grandma) I have the time to do so!