Happy Halloween!

Here it is yet again.... the end of a month that has whizzed by faster than I care to think ABOUT. Is it our age that makes time fly, or is it our busy lives, that one day turns into the next? I don't know, but it is disturbing at times. On the plus side, only a few more months till our son is home! YEA! And that, I am very thankful for. Without the aid of modern technology, I am sure this past 5 months would have been unbearable not hearing from him or knowing that he is healthy and somewhat safe, if that is even conceivable with where he is at......but it is, what it is......Be safe my son........

Happy Halloween to all of you Halloween lovers! Me not so much......seriously it's not even about cute and funny anymore, so therefore I dislike it even more than ever.....so don't mind me. But I do love pumpkins, so October and Thanksgiving are what I love about this time of year.

I have been incredibly busy these past few weeks. With working all last week, time was very limited for crafting or running. I only managed to get one run in last week, but I've been making up for it this week and I do believe I am back on track. The race weight is just about on target, thank you Haylie Pomroy, The Fast Metabolism Diet, couldn't have done it without you! The best diet ever, which I can't really say it is much of a diet, other than they tell you what you can and can't eat and duh! it is not rocket science but the chemistry of it all.

I did get the baby blankie finished and I LOVE it! It is so darn beautiful!

 

 

It is the perfect size for the cradle that I have, so into the hope chest it goes.

I have bought many fat quarters of baby flannel in pinks, yellows, greens, to start a rag quilt for Sophie. My goal is to get them cut into squares today between, my reflexology appointment and whatever gets thrown my way. I want to get it done this week to get it in the mail next week.......mmmmmm.... I wonder if I can take my sewing machine to work? Probably not going to happen, its been a tad busy these days, time to paint indoors people!

The latest batch of soap is a keeper and quite lovely. We were a little worried about the colors but really.....they are quite pretty and smell divine!

 

My inside joke was to send a batch of this to our hockey team (because they stink)since its their colors, but Torts is doing an amazing job of keeping these guys on a winning edge......oops ....I hope I haven't jinxed them! Keep up the great work Kes! He's one of my favourites!

Then there is this yummy looking grapefruit combination.....

And then there is the Sweet Orange............

Now I need to get started on a few hats for my GF Pam and her little grandsons.......never heard of these guys but apparently they are all the rage. Who knew!

You have to admit they are pretty darn funny, and I can sure see Lane and Kelson in these!

Well I have twisted your ear enough for one day. Hope your day is a fun one and you can do something that you truly love and enjoy! My foot reflexology is my indulgence....OMG! best thing ever! Gotta run! Be safe and take care!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Back again....

Sorry to be away for so long but I get in a forward motion and forget to come back to present day! I have been very busy, but then when aren't we when we are creating! Not to mention I am back running and trying to get in three or four days a week which is a challenge. The days aren't long enough and with not many street lights, it makes for rather dark and dangerous. So I would rather do classes of weights or what have you. Our mornings are REALLY foggy this past week, you can't see across the water most days.... but sometimes the afternoons are quite lovely but then I am usually at work so there is no running.......any who~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apparently, as the Hubs pointed out in my last post I mentioned a "new baby" in our family, well it is in my family but my cousins new granddaughter and since we are like sisters. she's in my family just not ONE of OUR children's child. Sorry for the faux pas Lee! Any baby is fine with me. I don't care who it belongs too. I like to take ownership! And what better reason to make something, so I am.

This is the pattern I am making with the Bernat Softee Chunky yarn........this is not Sophie, the little girl I am referring too, is three weeks on Friday. But I'm starting to think that I might keep this one in my hope chest............for my own future little noodle, :*)

I had a bit of a challenge figuring out the pattern as it didn't make a lot of sense, but after a few times of starting over it is very simple, so I can mindlessly pick it up and start. But I think it is going to use more yarn than the store had in stock so unless I can get more this weekend at Michael's, I will have to edge it in a coordinating color, but it will look very pretty with a scalloped edge.

Now with winter approaching, the seas are starting to get a little rougher so the driftwood has been arriving on the beaches and I have a few ideas I would like to try, and I have a friend who would like a driftwood sailboat....... and these would look great on a scarf, vest, hat........



Driftwood Buttons

Fairy Doors, I have many ideas for making these!

Hanging Driftwood Sconce

How easy these lights would be to make. They would look great hanging around a deck for the evenings.

Driftwood Sunburst
 

With all the left over bits I have....... I know I can pull this one off. Well time to move on to my next project. Lunch!

 

 Have a wonderful day!

Oops I did it again!

Well I have committed to another race....not a big one as far as distance, but a race none the less. The greatest distance is getting to where it starts!

Yup you got it! California here we come! My running friends from PG decided to do this marathon in honor of a near and dear friend who passed away this past year while running a race himself in Australia. So his wife got the idea wouldn't it be nice to go to the first ever marathon he ran, which was the CIM, well then a bunch of others got on board and now there are a dozen of us going. So thankfully there is a relay and that's what I will be doing, because there is no way I could run farther than 10 km at this point.

I'm going to run today hopefully for an hour and a half and yes there will be walking involved in order to go that far in this town, there are too many hills not too, because I cannot for the "love of God" run uphill for any length of time. Mostly because I am still struggling to get my aerobic level back up after being off all summer.

I'm really excited about going to Sacramento and seeing all my running buddies. I haven't been to a race with them for two years since we all went to the Okanagan Marathon and that weekend was life changing, my first half and the weekend we took the plunge and the Hubs applied and got a new job 500 miles away. So let's get started with the training. Time for toast and peanut butter, then back home to tidy up and start a new crochet project.......... there's a new baby in the family! Have a wonderful day and see you soon!

On lighter side..............

Let's talk dessert! Who doesn't like dessert? Okay I have to admit, I am guilty of hardly EVER making anything in that department.......my kids and the hubs never requested dessert so it wasn't something I ever got into, but I do love making desserts and it loves me too, too much! So I refrain but I know lots that do and I am even willing to give this one a try because it is my favourite part of Fall. You got it! Pumpkin something!

This recipe is from the blog "I should be mopping the floor", Pumpkin Dump Cake. I changed it up a bit just so that its a little more heart healthy and it really doesn't need to be too sweet and buttery. Isn't that nice of me to think of your heart? Your welcome!

PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE

 Y'ALL NEED:

• 1 {15 oz.} can pumpkin
• 1 {10 oz.} can of evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup white sugar 
• 2 eggs
• 3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box of yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup of butter, cut into pats
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

DIRECTIONS:

I always start out by breaking up my eggs and their yolks before mixing anything else in.

After your eggs are sufficiently mixed, add your pumpkin, milk, sugar and pumpkin pie spice to this.

Mix well with a whisk to make sure everything is incorporated.

Pour this mixture into a greased or sprayed 9x13 pan.

Now, dump your cake mix on top {hence the name...a lot of dumping going on}.
Spread it out to cover all of the pumpkin mixture.

Sprinkle your walnuts or pecans on top.

Dot the entire thing with butter.

Pop into a pre-heated 350-degree oven and bake for 50 minutes.

OM Gosh now serve with vanilla ice cream! And enjoy!


A week from Monday is our Thanksgiving in Canada so some of the kids and partners are coming home for the weekend and we are having our first family dinner at my mom's new house! Should be lots of fun! Its time I got out the Fall décor and put up a few pumpkins and gourds. Time to get crafty! Have a great weekend!

The Value of Friendship

I recently had a visit from a couple of friends whom I've known for years and it always amazes me the value of true friends. The hubs and I had the pleasure of an afternoon coffee with a friend from our old home town, Sharon and her sisters, Pat, Carol, Diane, and their mom Irene. What a great visit we had! Sharon and I lived close and often spent time together doing crafts in our weekly "Stitch and *itch Evenings" with a few of our other close friends. It was like time had stood still, a true friend is that person when time and distance do not matter.

The Heart Of Friendship

© Sandra L. Pierce

The bond of friendship is everlasting
True friends never say good-bye
There is pure truth between us
That will never die
The miles between will be rough
So carry the memories with you
Because the power of friendship
Will always carry you through
Remember, never forget
To follow what's in your heart
Because true friends
Will never be apart
We will soon see each other again
Our Lord will keep us strong till then
My heart holds you deep as friend
Praying that the Lord brings you home again
The Lord will comfort my heart
Washing away the ache with the tears that I cry
So I will say see you soon
And never good-bye

Then no sooner had Sharon and her family had left I went to pick up a dear friend from the ferry for a few days of girl time. Julie and I have been friends for 14-15 years, our boys played sports together and were partners in crime. I think if she hadn't help me with my son at times, I could have been in trouble. She has three sons!

 

So we spent a few days hanging out and I refreshed her memory on how to crochet. She's a smart cookie to catch on so quick. It's really hard to teach someone how to crochet because I'm a doer and I had to let her do it herself and not just take over! lol! It's always bitter sweet to say good-bye to a friend, but that's when you realize, it's not "Good-bye" but "See you soon!"

 

Sharing good times with good friends is the greatest joy. This is the stuff that makes life worthwhile. Whether sharing a meal together or a good conversation, there is nothing more fulfilling then spending time with friends. We must be thankful for the friendships that come our way for not all are blessed with the skills to form deep relationships. Those of us that do have friends must never take for granted the gift bestowed upon us.
So that has been my week, I am truly blessed to have so many good, good friends in my life. Time and distance just don't exist with true friends. So to all my dear friends, near and far, even if we do not speak for days, or months, just know that I value our time we had and your friendship is near and dear to my life.

 

Have a great week! Take time for yourself and reflect on the good things in your daily lives.