Christmas Tree 2010

 

 

 

Our tree in the wilderness and our tree in our home! It is a beauty and fits so nicely in the corner. We had to use a ladder to reach the top. It felt good to finally get it decorated.

Snowy Views

 
 
I love waking up to the view outside our bedroom window. Lots of snow on the pine trees - so beautiful. Winter does have some good points.

Hot Hot Wood Stove

 
 
The stove is completely installed now, the fire has been on for four evenings now and just in time for all the snow and cold weather. Just a mantel needs to be installed so the stockings can be hung! Christmas decorations are coming out now. Exciting as I have not seen some for two years so I forgot what I all had purchased.

Wood Stove Background

 
We decided the Eldorado Stone which we had purchased for part of our house outside would look great inside. It has now partially been used for the walls behind our wood stove. The empty space is for a mantel that Hubby will construct. The floor still needs black grout. All in all, I think it turned out great and certainly will add a lot to this new house interior. Somehow when you live in a house/cabin at a lake, it needs that added touch of a wood burning stove or fireplace. I can't wait to smell the stove on a cold winter day!

Chimney Reno's

 
 
 
So of course when our ceiling in our family room is complete and looking lovely, we decide to cut a hole in it. Hubby rigged up a tyvek surround to hopefully keep the sawdust in one area. It looked pretty strange but did seem to contain most of the dust. This was all done to accomodate a chimney for a wood stove we recently purchased. Today Hubby will have to climb on to the roof and cut the rest of the way through. Our daughter, Jennifer, didn't know how she was going to sit and knit at Christmas without a hot stove in front of her. Well, of course, we did not want to disappoint her so the job is getting done! We had wanted a stove or fireplace but just couldn't decide earlier on. I think we will be glad to have the stove when it grows colder. Since we are cabinet makers, we also have lots of scrap wood to burn. We especially like to burn oak as it gives off the most beautiful flame that dances in mid air at times. Today it may get as high as 13 degrees Cel. so it will be a good day for Hubby to be outside. No frost and no snow on the roof either. It has been a wonderful fall with our lake still wide open.

Scrapbooking Week-end

 
I recently attended a week-end of scrapbooking. These week-ends are always fun and you finally have time to finish some projects. I wanted to try something different and so using chipboard, I made this picture/stand for our guest room. I am able to change the 5x7 photo as the seasons change here at the lake. I really enjoyed making this and hope to make some more chipboard items. Now I just need to find the time.....

Sparky's Haircut

So Sparky had an ear that was absolutely one big matted mess - first time ever so the groomer had to trim his ears right down to nothing. Oh he does not look like our little dog. Guess the hair will grow back.

More pictures of New House

This is the family room upstairs.

More Pictures of our New House

So I have not blogged in ever so long, partly because we took a much deserved vacation this summer and since September have been swamped with work. The house is however moving along and we were excited to move into the upstairs this last week-end. Our bedroom, and family room are basically done except for trim, baseboards and some doors. I love the black and white flooring in the bathroom - wakes you up in the morning. We will install it in the downstairs bathroom and front foyer also. More inexpensive lights in our family room. The scones above (I have two) were 7.50. What a deal! Our bedroom has a very high ceiling and two big windows with pine trees outside. No curtains yet! Our closet is under the eaves so Hubby had to use his imagination to figure out how his wife could get all her clothes in there - well, he did a great job.

Knitting

 

 

 

As many of you know, both of my girls are great at this craft called knitting. I must say that I have never had any desire to knit and thought it too difficult. Then Hubby and I go into a knitting, etc store near one of our wholesalers and I see this darling little sweater and suddenly I want to knit!!! I don't purchase the pattern and walk out without any product even though it is a wonderful shop. My mind continually remembers the photo and how cute it was and how the owner said it was only knit and purl stitches. I keep thinking I could do that - sounds fairly easy! Next trip in guess where we have to go and guess who makes purchases - pattern, yarn, and needles. So the pictures show the results so far. I must say it has not been to difficult....yet. No babies in my life but would this not make a great gift! I may just catch this knitting bug too. Now we need to get a fireplace for me to sit in front and rock and knit!!!!

Hubby with Scarf

 

Knitting Machine

 
 
 
 
So we were given a knitting machine that belonged to Hubby's sister. We(actually Mel) have spent a couple evenings trying to figure out how it works. Well, tonight we did knit a sort of a scarf although it wants to curl. We were impressed that we did get to that point, however we could not figure out how to cast off so hence it can be unravelled quite easily!!! I think one would have to take some classes to learn to use this equipment - there are so many pieces, also a ribber attachment and cards to insert to make patterns and so on. It looks interesting but complicated! I think sewing would be much easier!!!

"The Dolphin"

 
 
Pictures of the second kayak Mel built.

Birthday Dog

Sparky celebrated his birthday on August 4th. He is now 4 years old and some days acts like he is way older. Mostly likes to sleep a lot although he just was at the groomers and seems to have a bit more energy now. Maybe he was just too hot with the extra hair. This picture was taken in Jenn and Tom's minivan. Jenn and myself were in the back seat and I guess he thought the cup holders were just right for his feet when he turned around to look at us..

Knitting

So we have been on holidays for over a month now and did it ever feel great. We will be getting back to work on Monday starting with some smaller jobs that we need to finish up.

We travelled to Saskatoon yesterday to pick up supplies and one of our wholesalers is next to a knitting/weaving shop called Prairie Lily. We decided to go in and it is a wonderful shop with some beautiful yarns. We discussed alpaca wool and knitting machines including sock knitting machines. No leads on one though.

On our way out, I saw the most beautiful baby cardigan made with a very soft nubby kind of yarn. I found out it was only knit and purl which I actually know how to do. It was very tempting to purchase the pattern and yarn. Of course, it would have to be a gift for a "girl" baby. No babies in my life though but I guess it could be put away for a later date. I think that shop will see me in there again.

Both daughters and a son-in-law knit so I could get lots of advice if I started this craft.

We now have two knitting machines so perhaps on a cold rainy day we will have to set them up and see if we can figure out how they work.

Mel was presented with a Cowichian sweater when we were in BC. This was knit by our daughter, Jennifer. It is beautiful. I will have to take some pictures of it and post them later.

Sun is shining so time to head outside!

Insect House???

 
Now if anyone can tell us what this is that would solve a mystery. This is being built on a shed we have out at our industrial lot. It started out with a short tube but now the tube has gotten quite long. I have yet to see anything crawl in it however Hubby did seem something black which he thought might be a hornet.

New Light

 

Mel hung our new light in the front foyer. The picture is not too good as the pine was causing some glare issues but I really like it and think it suites our Cape Cod home.

Plants

 

 

 

My outdoor pots are all doing well. We even have eaten some of the tiny tomatoes already. I love my red daisies and wish I had planted more of them. So far the deer have not come close to the deck and done any taste testing.

More Mennonite Food

 

 

Another of the Mennonite food groups that I made this week are Rollkuchen. These are made with a flour, egg, baking powder and cream base. This is rolled out and cut into shapes. The shapes then have slits in them. They are then deep fried and can be either done crisp or soft. I prefer soft and fluffy. They were traditionally served with watermelon as a complete meal. Any leftover Rollkuchen could be eaten with jam or Rogers Golden Syrup. Yum Yum!