Thursday, January 8, 2015

Looking ahead to a Happy Creative Year

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Gnomes Chomsky, Engels and Marx debating New Years revolutions

 Here we are again, and here I am again, a little late to the party. I have enjoyed my fellow blogger's warm Christmas and New Year's wishes. I really can' t add anything more eloquent or more thoughtfully expressed. However I do wish all of you a happy, calm and creative year ahead!

Christmas here was fun and very relaxed . There was a lot of eating, laughing, knitting (on my part) and general multi-slacking activities. Just perfect. I have lots of knitting done but alas, no pictures or glam shots have been taken. Santa brought us a new laptop as our old one bit the dust a few months ago. I am having issues with MICROSOFT 8 as I can't load Blogger Dashboard. Does anyone have any thoughts? I am using my iphonefor pics on my kids laptop still. Hopefully all be resolved soon and I can use my camera...etc. In the grand scheme of things its not  a big deal but I do like things running smoothly.






 
 
 


We had a mega dump of snow at the beginning of the week, over a foot and a half. It was crazy!!!
Unfortunately Mr Sciatica had an episode (my man) and I was the chief shoveller. After several inches had fallen, I opted for "let's not clear the driveway and just keep a path open!" I survived and it warmed up and the town is now a big slush bowl. Good excuse to stay in and knit, drink tea and finish up some Christmas chocolate!

I would like to share with you some really nice thoughtful gifts I received from a couple of my knitty buddies.



 
 



My friend Shannon knit me this lovely cowl using Crazy Zauberball. She used the September Cowl pattern. I love this pattern as it takes a yarn with long colour runs and transforms it into such a interesting lacy piece. Honestly you couldn't plan these colour changes out!. She also made me a super cute project bag. I love them both! She has some upcoming knee surgery so I will have a captive audience....mwhahahaha, I have lots of knitting planned for her down time.



My friend Wendy gifted me this gorgeous woven African basket. I was instructed to find a small project to put in it...now there's a tough job.  She also gave me some of her delicious apricot jam, it is sooo good. I have been the lucky recipient of her jams and jellies and they are such a great treat! Thanks a bunch Wendy!!



Our daughter gave me these. They are pretty funny. I have a  (cough cough) considerable hand knit sock collection and there have been a few jokes made about this. Gotta laugh at yourself!

The gnomes were knit using an Alan Dart pattern. I love his knit toys but all those pieces! Sewing them up is a real patience builder. I think our three sages our discussing that Hot Pirate Babe found in a garden. Hope springs eternal fellas!

I will be back with some more completed projects and I am sure you are all missing out on another exciting and riveting update on cooking with squash. I did make a pumpkin cheesecake for Christmas, it was really good. Counts as a vegetable in my books!

Keep smiling friends

Chris

14 comments:

  1. Lovely post. I really like the African basket. It looks like it's from Ghana. I have 3 different ones myself. What do you think goes in them? ;-)

    I wasn't quite sure what you meant by not being able to load your Blogger Dashboard. If you can't get into the dashboard how are you posting? Are you doing everything from your phone?

    I too had issues opening photo files from my camera phone after installing Windows 8.1 (I think that is the name). Turns out it was a driver problem.

    Try this forum for Windows 8.1 to see if you can find your problem. Here is a link to camera device issues (copy and paste the link into your browser and hit send) but you can search out whatever you need. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=can%27t+find+camera+device&x=0&y=0&CurrentScope.ForumName=Windows&CurrentScope.Filter=windows8_1-performance&ContentTypeScope=#/Windows/windows8_1-performance//1

    You could also search out blogger help or just do a google search using key words that define your issue. Best of luck.

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    1. Hi Joyful, thanks for all the great info. I don't think the connection between my browser and blogger is made. When I sign in I just get a blank screen, even though the computer says yes there is a browser loaded and ready to go. I have googled the issue to no avail. I have another plan of attack percolating in my little grey cells! I love my Ghanian baskets, I have a couple of large circular ones, they are so pretty and great for storing knitting projects. Thanks for popping by!

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  2. So lovely to catch up on all that you have been up to - being a very busy lady is what it seems you have been doing! The gnomes have obviously been having a good time too. Re Windows 8, I use it and can access blogger, but I am afraid I cannot tell you how. I can say that it is quite possible though if that is any help to you. Well, I think it is! Once you get to grips with it, it is fine, but it does take a while. I got my new computer almost exactly 1 year ago and it took a few months before we were happy together and I am still finding things out now! You will get there. Make your computer a heart - that is what I did - and we seemed to get on better after that. Totally daft I realise, but true! xx

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    1. Thank you so much Amy, I am feeling more positive about this now. It will get sorted out soon I just need to sit and think the process out and start hitting buttons!!! I love it when everything runs smoothly!

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  3. Happy New Year! I thought of you during the snow storm. Kelowna isn't used to such massive amounts of snow. I laugh at the severe weather warnings we get here. They are issued if there is even a chance of the white stuff falling from the sky. I love your gnomes, and your African basket!

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    1. We always have to laugh watching the Vancouver weather forecasts. artic Chill warning - it's going to be -1 overnight! We both grew up at the Coast and its utter pandemonium when it snows. I love Victoria, they have two snow plows and the whole town shuts down when it snows!

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  4. Those gnomes are outstanding Chris! I LOVE THEM!!! The cutest I have ever seen! And your gifts from fellow blogging buddies are perfect as are those socks from your daughter! Those gave me a good laugh for sure! I'm horrible at computer issues...glad to see some others had some advice for you! I can't get over how much snow you all got! We got some but not that much! Here is to you friend...may you be blessed with all good things this year! Nicole xoxo

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  5. Thank you Nic! My little gnomes are a funny bunch, the designer is so talented. Those socks, what a hoot, she really made my laugh! And yes we got a dump of snow in just over 24 hrs, broke a record from 1937! The kids in town got two snow days, totally unheard of. It sure is pretty though. Great to hear from you and all the best in the New Year to you and your family! stay warm and well.

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  6. Those socks are hysterical! I definitely get a creative itch in the winter. I just finished a quick fun little piece for the garden but it took about 10 sec and now I want to make something else. Actually, I have an idea but zero ability to create it so I end up surfing Etsy to look for people with the mad skillz I lack.

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    1. those socks are pretty funny, I got her a wacky pair too!! Looking forward to seeing your garden art!!

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  7. The gnomes are great; each looks like quite the character. It sounds like the big dump of snow allowed for some enjoyable indoor time. I'll look forward to seeing your projects.

    Karen

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    1. Thanks Karen. It is great knitting weather, not like I need an excuse!!

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  8. You got some great presents. The woven basket/bag looks great. Happy New Year.

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