Annual CPKC Holiday Train 2024

 Such a yearly treat! Enjoy!

I've got closure ....

I have FINALLY finished a quilt I started in 2002. I originally blogged about it on February 11, 2007 as part of a UFO compilation project and again on April 2, 2018. 

The issue I had was, how do I finish this project? I had originally started to hand quilt it. That was before I knew better about batting. I used Warn & Natural, which is not the easiest to hand quilt, especially their earlier version. I knew that I did not want to continue with the hand quilting, however ... how do I complete it? I also did not want to do any ditch/ruler work. I just wanted it done and out of my brain space!

Then, on June 9, I decided to load it onto Penelope and go for it ... it's Panto time!

I kept the hand quilting and machine quilted over it.

I like how it turned out. I don't have a problem with having both hand and machine quilting. I'm, going to let the historians figure out what happened here! lol 

As you can imagine, having that quilt sit around for over two (2) decades, it needed a good washing. There were some stains from the cats sitting on it that I could not get out, I can live with that ... patina! 

I'm just glad that it's finally done! 

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Trip down memory lane ...

As I mentioned, I wondered around Newfoundland with no plans. It was wonderful not to be tied down to anything. It is such a beautiful province. I found this spot, overlooking the north Atlantic.  

I could see myself spending time there ... reflecting. If you hang out long enough, you will see whales at a distance ... doing their whale thing. 

Such beauty all around.

I explored various fishing villages. I could not resist taking this picture. It so reminded me of the 1940's.

I just love it!

So much to explore ....

Miles and miles of beauty ... being on the coastal line, you're bound to run into some lighthouses.

Another one ...

And ... some gorgeous sun sets

I loved my trip ... however the only negative thing I have to say about this section of Newfoundland ... the food stinks. Everything is fried. 

There wasn't any fresh seafood to be had any where. I was hoping for a seafood feast vacation but that was not the case. 

I even went to a fancy hotel restaurant and ordered seafood fettuccine .... OMG ... was it out of a can? The shrimps were so small .... oh, can you spot the scallops? 

I've had better seafood fettuccine in Vermont! Towards the end of my trip, I did come across a restaurant that had an amazing lobster roll and I could get a salad, as an extra.

I was never so happy to see greens! 

Thanks for stopping by. Catch you all later!

Trip down memory lane .... Part 2

 My next stop was in St. Lunaire, there I booked a whale watching tour with The Dark Tickle Company. By the way, a dark tickle in Newfoundland is a narrow salt water strait. 

My ride ....

Me, all suited up and ecstatic for the journey ... it does get cold out there!

A site along the way. For some, a boat is their only means of transportation. Roads do not access all places in Newfoundland.

Roads do not access all places in Newfoundland.

Although, the guides had warned us that the prior groups that day had not seen any whales, they came out for us. They are such magnificent beauties, so graceful, so majestic. 

I love whale tales!

Another beauty!

I have the privilege so seen two (2) whales breach ... I was in such awe that I did not press the shutter fast enough ... 

And of course ... some feeding time.

Coming back to shore.

Thanks for stopping by ... Cheers!

Trip down memory lane .... Part 1

 Last year, my summer vacation took place in Newfoundland, Canada. I have always wanted to visit this province, it is far but so worth it. It did not disappoint, well one thing did but that's for later.

My focus last summer was on the western side of Newfoundland. 

I took the overnight ferry from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basque, NF. My ride!

The ferry ride was wonderful and I managed to capture this lovely sun rise as he headed towards inland.

Once on land, I was free to roam as I will. I had no plans, no reservations, no nothing ... it would be a vacation full of unknowns, just me and my camera. I would camp where ever was available. It all worked out fine. 

My lovely home while in NF ... it was cozy!

I worked my way up the eastern coast and, let me tell you, it is absolutely gorgeous ... miles and miles of ocean coast interspersed with small quaint villages along the way. 

I stayed a couple of nights at Gros Morne National Park. There, I witness some beautiful sunsets.

The beach was close to my camp site and so accessible. I would go there at night and gaze at the stars. There was no light pollution, it was a crystal clear sky, miles and miles of stars. I had never seen the edge of the Milky Way and there it was, in all its beauty. I was in awe! 

I worked my way up the northern coast to L'Anse aux Meadow National Historic Site and visited a viking settlement dated over 1,000 years. Ah, Columbus was not the first to North America! 

The Viking shore.

Viking village and homes.

I have to hand it to the Government of Canada for preserving historic sites and making them accessible to the public. I have never been disappointed with any Canadian National Parks. 

Stay tune ... more to come! Catch you all later!

And so it goes .....

Life has been somewhat quiet. With my mom gone, there's such a void in my life. I miss her dearly.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying a small break before the hectic sets in again. I've started a new knitting project, a shawl. I wanted to challenge myself and a challenge it is. The shawl is worked bottom up. The pattern is called Skovbund by Fiber Tales 

Photo from Fiber Tales

The yarn that I'm using is Julie Asselin, Anatolia (60% Kid mohair & 40% Silk), and Leizu Fingering (90% Merino & 10% Silk) in the colour Purple Carrot. Such lovely yarn ... oh so soft!

So Far, I haven't made much progress ... I've been frogging more times than I would like to admit. I cannot seem to get the stitch count to work out.

I need to put this project down for a bit .... I need to figure something out before I frog one more time! Sigh!

Catch you all later. Thanks for stopping by.

A part of myself is gone ....

I love you so much mom!

Rest in peace!

Frittata kick .... !

I've never been much of a frittata kind of gal. Never made it myself until now. To me, it just tasted like an omelet, bland and yuck! So it was never a dish I would make .... That is .... until I came upon a recipe from Mary Jane Butter's magazine MaryJanesFarm. That's when I fell in love with frittatas and have not looked back.

I have since adapted the recipe to what ever is in my fridge.  Today I made a Broccoli Frittata and it's delicious! It taste even better the next day! Just warm it in the oven ... Voila! ... you have lunch!

BROCCOLI FRITTATA

8 eggs

1/4 cup of milk (whole fat milk or cream)

1/2 cup of grated Sharp Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp of kosher salt (to taste)

1/8 tsp of pepper (to taste)

2 Tbsp of unsalted butter

1 small minced onion

1 minced shallot (optional)

1 minced garlic clove

1 head of cooked broccoli (pre-cooked/can use frozen or fresh)

Preheat oven at 400F

Combine eggs, milk & mix until smooth. Stir in the cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.

Melt butter in a 9inch cast iron pan (or pan of your choice); add the onions and shallots. Cook until translucent; add the garlic and cook stirring frequently. (approximately 5 minutes). Add the broccoli.

Brush side of pan with butter (prevent eggs from sticking), pour the egg mixture. Distribute evenly.

Pop it in the over 400F for 20 minutes (or longer depending on your oven)

Let it cool for 5 - 10 minutes.

ENJOY!

Thanks for stopping by my little corning in cyberspace! Cheers!

Such a wondrous event ....

It's one of those once in a life time event ... right in my own backyard!  

It was such an eerie feeling .... for a moment it was total silence! 

March already?!

 I really had the intentions of posting regularly on this blog ... somehow that went out the way side. 

It has been an interesting year so far. I've been pre-occupied with lots, mainly personal life stuff. 

For me, thus far, it has been a year of evaluating what is beneficial for me? What can I cut out that has become a chore? I'm looking to have more joy in my life. Although I've implemented many new decisions, my life seems busier. How can that be???

I am still knitting away every chance I get. Seems quilting has been placed on the side line. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's because I feel ... gasp ... I have enough quilts?!!!! How can that be?

As a form of relaxation, knitting seems easier for me at the moment. I like connecting with the yarn. I do not use commercial yarns and do like to support small crofts. A new stage of creativity for me, perhaps all in acquiring new wardrobe pieces.

I started a new project. A shawl!

The pattern is called ... Aito by Melody Hoffmann

Photo taken from the first page of the pattern

This is my finished version of the pattern. I love the lace work!

It is knit with Istex Plotulopi unspun Icelandic yarn, which I absolutely love. 

It requires six (6) different colours. 

Since I had some left over yarn from the first project, I decided to knit another shawl but in reverse. In other words, I used the last colour first. I didn't have enough of the second colour so I interspersed the first colour in the second colour segment. I do love how it's turning out.

That's pretty much it for me at the moment. I'm actually procrastinating and do need to get to some other "stuff" ... Thanks for stopping by ..... Catch you all later!

Take three ....

I decided to attempt the Spruce Sprig mitten pattern from the book Maja's Swedish Mittens by Maja Karlsson.

 If you recall, my second attempt was using Jamison & Smith yarn. They did not feel warm and cosy, which was due to the size of the needles.

Third attempt, I went back to the original yarn I had purchased from Nova Scotia many many many moons ago and for the green I held it double using Rauma Garn Finull PT 2 (4130) and Kidsilk Haze in Jelly (597). 

I love how they turned out ... nice and fluffy!

Pattern wise, I made the mistake of not reading the instructions for the left mitten, which has you reading the chart from left to right. I was way too far into the mitten to frog and decided to let it be. I don't know what the difference would be ... and it's ok. I'm good with how they turned out. 

As for the thumb instruction, I did not follow the pattern but did it differently. I tried the pattern's method on the second attempt and could not figure out how to catch the stitch properly. I reverted to using a true and tried method. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Back to our regular schedule programming

 Wow! The holidays are over. It's back to a regular work week. I do hope you've had a wonderful holiday season.

We FINALLY had a snow storm in way up Northeast New York. I know that some are not a fan of snow, but I am. It's gorgeous out there!

This year, I decided that it was time I knitted myself a pair of mittens. Little did I know that this simple project was going to turn into quite the production with lots of frogging. 

The first attempt was from the book Maja's Swedish Mittens by Maja Karlson, the pattern is called Spruce Sprig. I used a wool I had purchased in Nova Scotia many many many moons ago. I didn't like the yarn I used for the trees. Frogged .... Rip it ....  

Then, I decided to used Jamison & Smith Jumper weigh yarn and found the mittens to be too flimsy. This was mainly due to the size of the needles I was using.

I put that pattern aside and decided to go for a tried and true mitten pattern, Bromont Mitts designed by Dianna Walla for Espace Tricot. This time, I used Rauma Garn Finull PT2 colours, navy blue, gold and gray.

Although I liked the feel and thickness of the mitten, I did not like the gold accent and the blue didn't do it for me. Frogged .... rip it!

Switched things around a bit and went for the gray as the main colour with the navy blue as the accent colour. I had one mitten done, minus the thumb, brought it for show and tell at a luncheon with friends and realized that I had made a mistake on the chevron. Frogged .... rip it!

Finally .... we have a pair of mittens!

I haven't blocked them yet. I'm just so happy to have finally finished them! I tweaked the patten a bit to fit my hand. They are warm and cozy!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!