Thesockladyspins

With an arctic outflow headed my way and window in bedroom still cracked open figured I'd better flip down comforter over. This is a pretty good one from LL Bean but over a bit of time the down shifts, when I wake up cold I know its time for a good shake and flip. Did so yesterday and with rice bag for my feet and comforter flipped was perfectly warm all night. And its looking like a white Christmas, been snowing since just after 9am and its still coming down at -8°C (18°F). With the arctic air on the way not to much chance it will melt. Have a small turkey breast for Christmas supper, lots of leftovers then the best part turkey noodle soup. Have enuff carrots left to make a small carrot salad, a yam would be nice but not much chance of finding any out here.  Finished the teal socks and another pair of shorties. Will yet today starting winding the yarn for Andrea's socks, 7 or 8 colours all needing to be wound into center pull balls. One of my neighbors stops and pic...

Got a little bit over an inch of snow last night and now sun is shining and its in low 30's F snow is melting fast.  Usually means it slides off the car and melts on the porch, so far haven't had to clean car off yet this year (am sure that will change). Plan on going out for KB on Thursday and will have blood checked for INR (been almost a month). Latest socks moving right along, first sock is finished with all ends worked in, second sock is still in the ribbing stage. The pix does not show true colors. Likely second sock will be fraternal, same colors but in different places. After this pair is finished will work on the pair for Andrea.    Then down on road and likely over the holidays will give this bear pattern a shot. Have long wanted to try the bear and now that I've found the pattern looking forward to seeing if my knitting is up to it. Can't get pix to load. But it is the Arne & Carlos bear made with the Regia sock yarns. The new book from Arne ...

Same ole, same ole. On weekends I knit, watch football, do dishes, knit and sometimes to vary the routine do laundry and cook enuff on Friday to last the weekend. So not terribly much to write about. Did finish a pair of socks the all leftovers reds and oranges. These I think I'll keep for myself(I think). Took a bunch of colors to last KB for Andrea to pick out colors she wants in her socks. The blue on the left (Hazel Knits) will be the main color, she wants patterns right down to the toe, only thing I don't know is if she wants fraternal or identical. May see her again this week and will find out. And got a pix of Kristie wearing her socks, was hoping for a full shot but will settle for just the feet. She waited a long time for the socks (thru the evacuations of the summer) and many other things that got in the way..... Had heavy snow warnings posted on environment Canada's weather page for the last two days and what came down didn't amount to mu...

Started snowing Thursday morning and just a bit over 5-6 inches and then the temps dropped, Fridays night time low was -20°C, Saturday-21°, Sunday -19·. Wasn't able to get main house furnace back up and running until Saturday, turns out the ignite wire has become unhooked. Neighbor Len K got it back in proper place and I had heat straight away. My car Friday morning. The queen is home and running as smooth as it could do. Bought the Schacht Matchless from a friends estate, Sue Wilson passed away sometime this spring. I sold the one I had a couple of years ago and almost instantly regretted it so when I had the chance to get this one with a woolee winder, the wheels for transporting, extra bobbins just felt it was the right thing to do. Am delighted to have it back in my wool room. And I don't usually name my wheels but this one will forever be called 'the Queen'. I did go to Tatla Lake last Tuesday for INR blood check was good at 2.2 and the annual flu sho...

Came down my driveway 3 pm on Friday, Dorian car unloader extraordinaire arrived via school bus at 3:30 had car unloaded in about 10 minutes, then we gathered up all the empty water and juice containers, so with $20 and all the empties he did OK. Bought a rotisserie chicken while in grocery store, had it Friday supper along with a largish salad, then lunch and supper Saturday and one more meal on Sunday. Its now been boiled, deboned, with all bones to go to the dump, skin and other bits to Christine"s big dog, cut up meat, carrots now back in stock, celery will go in next. With single digit temps In forecast ( 5°F the low) soup will be just the ticket. First trip out on 11th got snow tires on the car, then down to Cache Creek for Desert Mesa, was as usual a good time. First two pix shows almost empty room with just a few showing up after lunch. Next two assorted spinners at work. From Desert Mesa I headed down to Monroe, WA for Fiber Fusion, held at Evergree...

Crossed the border yesterday noonish, no problems, only had 2 flannel shirts and some groceries to declare. Since I'd been down since Friday I would have been allowed the high limit. Fiber Fusion was great, a bit wet out and cool in the big building , once people started arriving it soon warmed up. More once I get home and download pix from my camera.

At Gail's down close to Vancouver, will be heading down to Monroe for Fiber Fusion Friday. Got to go to Wednesday nite knitters tonight with Gail. First time in prolly two years. When I left Langley was in pouring rain, don't think I've ever driven in such a downpour, took an extra 20 minutes to get here, saw several fenderbenders on the way. had planned on stopping at Mickey dees for an iced coffee but in the rain drove right by. Desert Mesa was as usual great fun, but man o man do I get tired, must be a combination of all the spinning and up and down flight of steps to meals. Have to go slow and hang on to hand rail. But it's to much fun to give it up.

I finally finished the pinky Monstersocks, on the needles since last May. Feeling guilty about having them hang around decided with nothing else pressing to just get the deed done. I'm hoping after a bath with Eucalan that they will freshen right up. Now on the needles socks for an almost year old little boy, his grandma stops every other Friday and hauls my stuff to the dump, every other trip I have a pair for the boy and or a pair for almost 3 yr old girl, works for me especially when the weather gets snowy. Been saving this pix for some time since I don't have a whole lot to write about now would be a good time to add it. My philosophy for sure.

Windy enuff that leaves are coming down as yellow snow. Everything started turning color about a month ago now far enuff along that they've started coming down. And with rain in forecast they will fall then even faster. Rain is most welcome especially after the fires this summer, some won't be completely out until snow flies (and some of the bigger ones not even then). Have been working on Monstersocks, white pair I started and finished straight away, the pinky pair were started in May (hangs head in shame), other things I liked better got in the way. But am determined now to finish them and one other (not as old) project. Then and only then will I start something new. Hey its been a pretty tough summer. I am really looking forward to upcoming Desert Mesa, sure to hear even more fire horror stories. After that will go down to Monroe, WA for Fiber Fusion then home for the winter. While in town before heading south will get snow tire on the car, mandatory after October 1st f...

Fall is in the air, -4° C, at 7:15am Tatlako and Puntzi were the two coldest spots in BC, pretty much a hard freeze. New snow on most of surrounding mountains yesterday morning. AND the cooler damper weather has slowed down a bit on local wild fires. All areas out my way have had the evacuation orders and alerts rescinded. Finished the second pair of ankle high shorties last night and this morning I kitchenered the toe, then worked in all ends. Have enuff of the bits to easily make another pair. Plans right now are to use them for bed socks when weather is really cold, I will be using the rice bag for my feet but every once in a while I get it to hot so that's when bed socks will come in handy. Len and Denise are coming out this weekend to finally set screen door and framing in place. Right after the inside door was hung with half inch gaps to outdoors, the big washout took place then as soon as that was repaired the fires took off and they were evacuated for almost a month. ...

Arrived in Tatlako just after 3 pm today to practically clear mountains. Was out this time for 10 days, won't go again unless it's a mandatory evacuation..... Lucked out again with the place I stayed, Denise is a spinner-knitter so we had lots in common. But be it ever so humble there is no place like home. Did bring 10 lbs tomatoes and a couple cartons of cottage cheese, so will have this for lunch likely every day. No fires that I could see on drive west, just the smoke in the distance. KK fire still active, its about the closest to my valley. Almost 2 million acres has so far burned. I finished a pair of shorty monster socks for Denise can't find the pix on my iPad when I do will add to the blog. White Opal with patterns in leftover Lorna laces.

Left home Saturday morning from my heavily smoked valley, in Williams Lake with friends now hopefully until smoke clears or it rains hard enuff to put some of the fires out. Just registered with Red Cross after waiting 3.5 hours to see someone, other than time all was good. Had my knitting with so it wasn't to bad. Next will be blood work up at hospital tomorrow for INR, blood Wednesday seemed to go astray so will redo. Stopped Wally World while out and picked up a few groceries for here, then down to SaveOn for the cold stuff like cottage cheese to go with real tomatoes, Rosemary ham and cheese for sandwiches. Finished spinning the refugee yarn from PG, will likely be plied tomorrow or Thursday for handspun socks for me. Other than above news nothing else exciting in my world, except for fires out west. Nothing I can do about them except pray for much rain.

For Tatla Lake as of 9 pm tonight, have suitcase packed and enuff knitting stuff. Will access situation in the morning but will load up car and be ready to go. Hopefully enuff gas to make it to Redstone.

For everyone worried about me I am OK. The smoke cleared yesterday and breathing was normal. Its back again today, but cool enuff to leave windows shut up tight. -1° at just after 6 am the coldest spot in BC and after the heat wave in here the cooler air is most welcome. Instead of sleeping on top of comforter last night was underneath and it felt great. Finally finished Kristie's socks, this pair was on the needles since last February, was almost difficult to make the socks identical. And see now that the last pattern isn't the same, just a sight bit of difference. Will get them washed today so hopefully they can go out with Wednesdays mail. Had some rain yesterday and was most welcome, even stood outside until my head was pretty wet, with the rain came blessedly cooler weather. Not much of a fan of temps in low 30's, when its cool like this really easy to just put on a sweater.

First thing exciting was the big washout on the only road into Williams Lake (detour available for the hearty and brave), after road was repaired, the next biggie was the start of the fires, so many big ones that it truly was scary. I left on the 16th (while I still could get out of here) because of breathing issues from the heavy smoke. Made it to Avola and Fay & Monty's place late Sunday afternoon. There for two nights, then followed the Yellowhead highway to Prince George (total of just under 1000 kms from home). Jim & BJ's place was the perfect hideout for this refugee-evacuee. Felt towards the end that I had overstayed, but had to wait until Highway 20 was opened so that I could get home. Finally Friday 28th fire had allowed #20 to open again, relief. Some of the fire activity that I saw on the way out on 16th, some places still had small fires burning right up to edge of highway. Now more or less back to almost normal activities (still under evacuation alert...

Down my driveway 5 ish yesterday, brought in perishables and planned on the rest today and tomorrow but instead Vera from the Harris ranch came along and brought everything in, in just minutes.

Highway 20 reopened last night 6 pm so loading car and will head south towards Williams Lake, planning on stopping there for a bit of produce then west towards home. Will be tough seeing all the fire damage especially the big Hanceville-Riske Creek fire (still burning) but now not so close to the road. When I left home thought I might only be gone 3-4 days, over stayed my welcome with BJ and Jim. Was either here or shelter in one of the big evacuee camps. Ever so glad to have been here but time to go. Will likely still be on evacuation alert, with temps predicted to be high and hot (33C-91F) for a couple days next week will push fire rating back to extreme. Was glad to have had my spinning wheel with me, finished a braid of BFL, spun fairly fine, will do second braid of same stuff and eventually ply it and will make myself socks (to forever be called my refugee socks).

Still staying in PG waiting for two sections of highways to open, highway 27 is still closed from Williams Lake to McLeese Lake and WL still empty because of the evacuation order there, highway 20 heading west from WL still closed and that is the only way home for me. Working on second sock for Nolan, sock for Kristie and spinning some everyday. Didn't come close to getting the yarn spun I wanted for the T d F, for some strange reason evacuation plays head games. But I have felt safe and away from the fires and especially the smoke filled air. The fire known as the Hanceville-Alexis Creek is now the largest so far this fire season. It's a Mell of a Hess.

Left home Sunday morning, due to RCMP roadblocks in various places only made it Avola stayed two nights with Fay and Monty. Then Tuesday headed north for Prince George, staying with a spinner friend (met at OFFF) several years ago she & husband were there shopping. The town of PG has done a wonderful job assisting evacuees (over 9000), discounts on lots of stuff. I brought my spinning wheels (both Louet S90's) so got the one set up and started spinning a dyed BFL. Felt good to be sorta back to almost normal stuff. Also brought knitting of course, several pair of socks on the go. BJ has several skeins of Wollmeise that I am interested in (if'n I can afford it). After seeing her stash there is no way I could ever run out of either spinning fibre or yarn.

Williams Lake now under evacuation order.6pm. Tatlayoko evac alert. So far. Means to have stuff ready to move towards my car. More later.

Power went out just after noon last Saturday, followed shortly thereafter by phone service (and of course no cell service out here). Approximately 78 hours, and I counted every single one. No power meant no water pump, being so very careful and only using it to wash my hands after, I did make it thru. No shower, dishes or laundry etc. Power poles (and I am assuming telephone poles) burnt in one of the bad fires east of me. Fires on Highway 20 in both directions west at Kleena Kleene and several east including a biggie around Williams Lake, they are on evacuation alert now for two or more days. Road in and out of town have been closed. Power came back up yesterday (Tuesday) around 5:30 pm, relief. I certainly appreciated my shower last night, even washed my hair twice. The smoke in the valley was a bit difficult to get around, kept all windows shut but could still smell it. And wonder of wonders thunderman and lightfoot expected to visit the area later today, hopefully lightening won...

Company arrived just as I thought I might finish the first bobbin, not to be. Instead waited until yesterday to do so. They came so boys (now 15 and almost 18) could fish in the river, they both had license and river is legal for rainbows on July 1, both with worms as bait caught their limit, even Mom and Dad had their limit, fish cleaned and packed in ice to take home. They did bring lunch, fresh sub buns, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and 5 kinds of deli meats. Most was all eaten before they left, had enuff rosemary ham for breakfast, scrambled with eggs. Oldest young man was a straight A student and will be off to MacGill for Univ next month. So the finished T d F, using a merino-nylon blend from Kinfolk Fibre from Vancouver, I call it camouflage. Once the second bobbin is finished the singles will go into plying queue. Day 1 on the left. Have another 4 oz of the same fibre and will start on it today.

Day 1 of the TdF, have nearly half a bobbin of a variegated light green merino-nylon, if'n it doesn't get to hot should come pretty close to finishing bobbin today (about 6-8 oz). And ta da have 8 empty bobbins 4 of the regular and 4 for my Woolee Winder, enuff I hope to see me thru. The big washout is repaired, road reopened noon yesterday, I wouldn't want to guess how many dump loads of fill it took to fill the hole. I'd bet half the valley headed to town as soon as it was open, after all its been two weeks since some people couldn't get to the grocery or liquor store. I did finish plying the two bobbins of a variegated red-pink, been sitting on the bobbins so long I forget what the blend is, Have 2 more of the same batch done and in the plying queue. The beast is back in action.

Last batch I made just over two weeks ago was for lunch when Len and Denise and her parents were out to install new door in back room. Salad was so enjoyed (some had 3's) that I only had enuff for supper the next day. So this morning I made another batch, 4 hard boiled eggs, 4 cups small pieces celery, 1 1/2 c small pieces sharp cheddar cheese, made the dressing first 1 1/2 c yogurt 1/2 c mayo, a pkg Uncle Dan's dressing, let it sit in fridge while everything else was being worked on. Looking forward to having some for supper on this (supposed to be the hottest day so far this year). 28°C (82°F) salad all done before it got so hot. Most of June was called Juneuary because it was often miserable. Repairs to the big washout on Sheep Creek Hill going slower than they thought because of water still running down the cut. 150 meters across (500 feet).

With the TdF coming up quickly I decided I had better empty 2 more bobbins. So cobbled up a belt for the old electric plying wheel (the beast). Very carefully using a candle joined in two places one of the belts I had gotten from Susan's Fibers (they lasted less than 15 minutes) did the joining 3 days ago. So today thought I'd give it a shot, so far so good. As much as I dislike plying felt pretty good to be back at it. But before I could start plying had to skein off the yarn from the big bobbin, ended up with a bit over 600 yards of the light gray and approx. 450 of the variegated stuff. Added kid mohair randomly to the green and hoped for fuzzies to show up and they did. For now will just be added to my handspun stash, by and by something will show up to be knit from same. And (drum roll please) finished the first sock for Kristie, sometimes my hands were almost to sore to carry the second colour in my left hand (its the arthritic one). Am verra glad she went with a sol...

About 25 km west of Williams Lake, wonder where all the water came from. Glad I hadn't planned on going to town anytime soon. Think it will take a large amount of fill to fix this mess. According to Dept. of Highways its just over 500 feet wide. Click on pix to make it larger. Finished a pair of socks just needing the afterthought heels added, started working on them the end of November last year, prolly have been sitting since around Christmas just needing the heels. Really no excuse for not doing it sooner. Also nearly down to toe decreases on Kristie's first sock. I sorta bet my stash that sooner or later would have grizzlies in my yard, last night just before 10 pm saw movement over to the east of my fence, sure enuff Mom and 2 of last years cubs ambled along the fence heading for the swampy areas (aka stump patch). Any pix taking would have just shown darker shapes up again dark bushes. Got my bed changed yesterday, every Sunday rip sh** or bust. Still using flann...

Black bear #3 so far this season. Everyone in valley reporting more than usual amount of the critters. Woke up this morning to cows bellowing for their calves, prolly 30 head + calves in my yard and neighbor that they belong to isn't in any hurry to remove them. Not much I can do to get them out. Cows on green grass leave behind big deposits Len and Denise are coming out tomorrow to install the two new doors on the back room of my house, will be nice to be able to leave big door open on upcoming hot days. Can't do that now with no screen door, house would soon be full of skeeters and other flying critters. Will make a big bowl of macaroni salad for lunch and Denise is bringing two rotisserie chickens. This morning at 6am Tatlako was again the coldest spot in BC +1 C. guess weather doesn't care that it is June. PS One rider and one dog got all the cows out of here in about 10 minutes, altho rider is still looking for stubborn cow & calf up in spruce swamp. Hope...

The bears are winning the count, so far I have seen 3 grizzlies (not in my yard yet), two blacks right in the yard. First one was to late in evening for a pix but yesterdays was right up close and it was just 11 am so perfect for picture taking. The griz were in what we used to call the upper hay field and much to far away for a pix with just my point & shoot camera. However I'd bet my yarn stash that sooner or later they will show up much closer, likely right in the house yard. I am keeping a camera in kitchen for west shots and one in the wool room for east shots. Took some time from KH's socks to make a couple of pair of booties for CF in town. With sock yarn and 2.4 mm needles they are I think newborn size. But with most of bootie in garter stitch they do stretch in all directions. Weather is finally looking like early summer temps, for only the second time this year I have windows open in my wool room. High today predicted to be 28°C (82°F) and even a touch warme...