Knitting a Men's Sweater for Dave

 So I finally found a pattern for Dave. I having been looking for months to find the perfect turtle neck sweater that he would love. It is my Christmas gift to him. I wanted to get started early as we all know things get pretty busy in life and I wanted to make sure I had enough time.I found the pattern on Ravery and had to make some adjustments. Getting the right gauge took a few tries but I know in the end it will be worth it. I would definelty say this pattern is small fitting as it turns out I am knitting the extra large size with larger  needles than they recommend and Dave is a medium size normally.

 These are my first attempts at the sweater which I ended up taking out and starting over as they turned out small. So it took three tries to get it right......

I am going to keep on knitting and see how it goes.

May Family Weekend Fun and Creative

This is a painting my mom painted when I was about 4 years old. It has been in our lives for a long time. She painted this in oils as a representation of a Mandala.It was orginally in our house in West Vancouver. Later, it was on the side of the house in Roberts Creek and we took it down when we started the renovation on the house. We put it on the shed and it looked good in the garden. But recently I thought maybe it was time to let it go.

 Norma and Kathy have always really loved that painting and mom said if they could get it off the wall they could take it. Why they didn't I am not sure? So the time felt right that I could let it go and give it to them this weekend. It was a bit of a surprise to Norm. It isn't easy to surprise him but I think he was happy.I know they will treasure it and I can go see it whenever. Right?!

                                                       Enjoying some snacks on the deck. Enjoying the view.

 Some flowers I planted while we were hanging out. I love the colour the annuals add to the deck and hanging plants. I got  these flowers for Mothers Day! I am so lucky to get so many flowers for Mother's day!

                                       A bracelet I made and custom fit for Kathleen, my cuz.

                                       The first night I made a ham,  and scallop potato dinner.
 So Norm, the chef, as usual planned and cooked up and amazing dinner the second night-  a roast on the barbeque.

                                   Norm made yummy baked, roast garlic mashed potatoes.

                               Yummy perfectly cooked asparagus, with a touch of lemon juice, I added...

                                           Gravy homemade...

                                                                     The girls....

                                                       Norm, Kathleen and Odelia

                                                                  Pearl and John

                                 It was a great weekend and hopefully we will do this again soon.
                                     It was fun talking about mom and dad, and all our memories.
                                       Family is important and we need to make time to be together.

Lhasa musician with so much beauty and creativity....

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/wordsandmusic/archive/2010/01/03/montreal-singer-lhasa-de-sela-dies-of-cancer-at-37.aspx
http://lhasadesela.com/lhasa_de_sela/menu.php?lang=en
http://snowdayforlhasa.com/


This musician is heartbreakingly talented. She is a Mexican and American, who lived for some of her life in Canada. She will amaze you with her voice.I wish I had heard of her before she died but feel blessed that her music lives on and we can enjoy and be touched by her forever. She received a Canadian Juno Award for Best Global Artist in 1998. Check out the links I have added to find out more about her life and death and most importantly her music.