tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61621954633649129272024-03-13T09:37:56.761-07:00The Knitting Instinct The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-1231644080006204212016-12-31T17:36:00.003-08:002016-12-31T17:36:45.692-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBo98jUm0ZBgz__ERGCZX_V3v8prz8geBhz2pBf8CxFYFBxGOOnDTXEuS9-kBcyVsFFVxpAVXRDS4tWKEoUcLMFNHeMrkl4LGkdWcNM9ddSHTyR1kOqkr4YRnRlqAFLEsBucOzrwXTI8Jo/s1600/a-christmas-dole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBo98jUm0ZBgz__ERGCZX_V3v8prz8geBhz2pBf8CxFYFBxGOOnDTXEuS9-kBcyVsFFVxpAVXRDS4tWKEoUcLMFNHeMrkl4LGkdWcNM9ddSHTyR1kOqkr4YRnRlqAFLEsBucOzrwXTI8Jo/s640/a-christmas-dole.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Holidays!<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Looking forward to much Knitting fun in 2017!</td></tr>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-73466246043210272792015-05-12T13:29:00.002-07:002015-05-12T13:29:30.264-07:00For Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not quite three years ago we bought this house in a very pretty neighbourhood near the ocean. We've now decided that it is time to move on (again). This time we're thinking about a small home on one of the southern Gulf Islands. So the house is for sale and I'm sure I'll miss it. We put a lot of work (and money) into renovating and re-finishing it to our taste. I hope the next family who lives here will enjoy it as much as we have.</div>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-64675971155024809812015-01-12T18:39:00.000-08:002015-01-12T18:39:00.862-08:00Cheerful Reminders of Summer on a Grey January Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QihfsPCv434Dsa5Wq4anobv3IFqXeRqtURbsSnYx2R2keiJfmUriQ86yh4Ggo00SUnZsx_LkeKjDVy8RM8Kbj0YJyMw8uLJEByULKzs_6KT8bPXgkF_kQ7N-i2itw5_KTwxaXO_o7v_w/s1600/IMG_6421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QihfsPCv434Dsa5Wq4anobv3IFqXeRqtURbsSnYx2R2keiJfmUriQ86yh4Ggo00SUnZsx_LkeKjDVy8RM8Kbj0YJyMw8uLJEByULKzs_6KT8bPXgkF_kQ7N-i2itw5_KTwxaXO_o7v_w/s1600/IMG_6421.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Garden </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip9DwRSaLQfDBC3UQTJ1kSJtOlSRAV9IauUh2Op4FRasmSRmSYp9F6JDRumpbdku9hXAdkAIBhG4-GRX004Mbwrb-qrvHAVFLupF0apEFF77P2brrwi18mLR2B5ys7mdfyMlKeDkHZEut/s1600/IMG_6462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip9DwRSaLQfDBC3UQTJ1kSJtOlSRAV9IauUh2Op4FRasmSRmSYp9F6JDRumpbdku9hXAdkAIBhG4-GRX004Mbwrb-qrvHAVFLupF0apEFF77P2brrwi18mLR2B5ys7mdfyMlKeDkHZEut/s1600/IMG_6462.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside knitting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oURVkl3o5TQQKudPH1xkijnrcNxRC35dHchRmebtqSQIkx6IUUtlHDZlxmJLiMNQdS1Klt-fhf4tLvG8wnoUsSKFXewPrQsYChyphenhyphenRl9OtbUFKVvdKd_Fmt2iCU6TGpDIq36BBcD1_nyRC/s1600/IMG_6463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oURVkl3o5TQQKudPH1xkijnrcNxRC35dHchRmebtqSQIkx6IUUtlHDZlxmJLiMNQdS1Klt-fhf4tLvG8wnoUsSKFXewPrQsYChyphenhyphenRl9OtbUFKVvdKd_Fmt2iCU6TGpDIq36BBcD1_nyRC/s1600/IMG_6463.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All that's needed is coffee and a book </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WqzAKQd-ZaP-t00x1eBuFdvURsFJtThye5rM2BAvVvAqP9Vd91qwmbQUFGEYIZKtXsWosiPL9kx1UgXlFveY7qk9Guwm_M6EKbTKSa9jW4BTE7dz6mGJ6u96fd5ZL_-xW9ESK46VCUpx/s1600/IMG_6558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WqzAKQd-ZaP-t00x1eBuFdvURsFJtThye5rM2BAvVvAqP9Vd91qwmbQUFGEYIZKtXsWosiPL9kx1UgXlFveY7qk9Guwm_M6EKbTKSa9jW4BTE7dz6mGJ6u96fd5ZL_-xW9ESK46VCUpx/s1600/IMG_6558.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gardens near the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQyT2MWTh-qGpkOnL5kNuk7YHmOYcYXp0Y6GX9x8AkC8yzn6GptuR5MwFu2It1hxOrOYxasw7LLXJ0ih3qa73CdO0BVthxpj7Kt9aJ1yJ-r5ooi0nW2pFGr-LXbUJhBmP0rfgJmqUfbyl/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQyT2MWTh-qGpkOnL5kNuk7YHmOYcYXp0Y6GX9x8AkC8yzn6GptuR5MwFu2It1hxOrOYxasw7LLXJ0ih3qa73CdO0BVthxpj7Kt9aJ1yJ-r5ooi0nW2pFGr-LXbUJhBmP0rfgJmqUfbyl/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet peas - reminds me of my Granny</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPVZ8CYpQOOzAyY5HX82wosg5wqQ2OEE4p3hgajt0tuMBkVxO7hHGzr9PaqqA-CWABq-hZNFqQj4emfyUCqAuShLEsEqE-87kWwKDb4t1vhlmWvpru5zZWpGAjyaOhJhdDSZ8AXTap4bD/s1600/IMG_6685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPVZ8CYpQOOzAyY5HX82wosg5wqQ2OEE4p3hgajt0tuMBkVxO7hHGzr9PaqqA-CWABq-hZNFqQj4emfyUCqAuShLEsEqE-87kWwKDb4t1vhlmWvpru5zZWpGAjyaOhJhdDSZ8AXTap4bD/s1600/IMG_6685.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious </td></tr>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-31459983480573763042015-01-12T18:19:00.001-08:002015-01-12T18:19:33.064-08:00Dreaming of Italy (again)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAFWH7-NGZDlVewHhUnxclXLQs8pR8zc5g8NiPiFQn-kEog4YNKJYL-ZYRnYXi1pnU6bf8NSFPJThVIU9iJwKErKkAMzh8TJ1szeoXMAb77uIuZvbpdC_D83_PzWxRnpYytpL5hJqEXVS/s1600/IMG_5495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAFWH7-NGZDlVewHhUnxclXLQs8pR8zc5g8NiPiFQn-kEog4YNKJYL-ZYRnYXi1pnU6bf8NSFPJThVIU9iJwKErKkAMzh8TJ1szeoXMAb77uIuZvbpdC_D83_PzWxRnpYytpL5hJqEXVS/s1600/IMG_5495.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzi3DvzMxvA0HYNePkwmUiWYrRJWoD-8-_ZCLZ914ycIW7sSdsKoObok1nfG9rHG0NeJiPmLw1aQ5Qpu3srDBqIIWNFn7fSCjacsqkXVvG4BJApEEEbNwE5vX4loZIw0Ya1R9rKURvbub/s1600/IMG_6076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzi3DvzMxvA0HYNePkwmUiWYrRJWoD-8-_ZCLZ914ycIW7sSdsKoObok1nfG9rHG0NeJiPmLw1aQ5Qpu3srDBqIIWNFn7fSCjacsqkXVvG4BJApEEEbNwE5vX4loZIw0Ya1R9rKURvbub/s1600/IMG_6076.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riomaggiore - my favorite village in the Cinque Terre</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8rM2LtT-vTbBR0dRVbhmPCNyiNjFff05k6oHFY_UCXT1QfhiOBMj5gjEx9i0f74kp-fKtEuLYp1GKHUyv6gsOxIqgphpx1KwQj_qjzCWW1RLT8lvKTs1I2q4yQbykVsRiSXGy6jsKMfV/s1600/IMG_6090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8rM2LtT-vTbBR0dRVbhmPCNyiNjFff05k6oHFY_UCXT1QfhiOBMj5gjEx9i0f74kp-fKtEuLYp1GKHUyv6gsOxIqgphpx1KwQj_qjzCWW1RLT8lvKTs1I2q4yQbykVsRiSXGy6jsKMfV/s1600/IMG_6090.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh seafood for lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBmuKgNaqt7zzeQVLODP_4WsLUg0hq3efRgD2Et_W9UaGBDLHMuGKC7N9Q3vahR8kKbYOozJJrcaMfSGnTFNxEk8-dq2AS-dvM4fUvyYaxrOc2oW7clOC64dHkKmbebc9VUHJkXVBJ3Z1/s1600/IMG_6237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBmuKgNaqt7zzeQVLODP_4WsLUg0hq3efRgD2Et_W9UaGBDLHMuGKC7N9Q3vahR8kKbYOozJJrcaMfSGnTFNxEk8-dq2AS-dvM4fUvyYaxrOc2oW7clOC64dHkKmbebc9VUHJkXVBJ3Z1/s1600/IMG_6237.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francesco in Volterra</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like spending the morning sight seeing then coming back to a cool swim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVRKs4XdzJj2nOqSEwbOL5aPLgPm2eaB2T_0y72GG3Rr2BCwggwbsW32JeRA7u2L_VbgF6NRtgXaGY7krYSbmAjhi8v8PINxXS_HPrznTDZIDIzqaxzj8IcwSxlCIcSaTlMfuC6iKGk63/s1600/IMG_6392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVRKs4XdzJj2nOqSEwbOL5aPLgPm2eaB2T_0y72GG3Rr2BCwggwbsW32JeRA7u2L_VbgF6NRtgXaGY7krYSbmAjhi8v8PINxXS_HPrznTDZIDIzqaxzj8IcwSxlCIcSaTlMfuC6iKGk63/s1600/IMG_6392.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Countryside between San Gimignano and Volterra</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d_lJ1bow4jOm6spegX2xXe10IU0lcqUYGFklIjhyphenhyphenicLEPME0RQ7OL8nncmufTo8LHivyiN4hkGcRHHNtKi4pn3n6ZQEm9ZtaMCYRkVe5XjDsPFYLp5_sG1yi5FxkvZCkXFwyoAs-0H0x/s1600/IMG_6394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d_lJ1bow4jOm6spegX2xXe10IU0lcqUYGFklIjhyphenhyphenicLEPME0RQ7OL8nncmufTo8LHivyiN4hkGcRHHNtKi4pn3n6ZQEm9ZtaMCYRkVe5XjDsPFYLp5_sG1yi5FxkvZCkXFwyoAs-0H0x/s1600/IMG_6394.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient fountain in Volterra</td></tr>
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There really is something about January that makes me dream of Italy. These are a few photos from our trip last June. We spent some time in the Cinque Terre, Bologna & Tuscany (near San Gimignano). Those days spent on the beach were truly unforgettable and among my happiest travel memories. <br />
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-36005271146351617662013-10-09T14:38:00.000-07:002013-10-09T14:39:03.263-07:00TartineI have two memories of Avignon that will stay with me - <a href="http://pinkrosecottageknits.blogspot.ca/2012/06/bad-things-happen-in-threes-week-in.html">one involves a lost / stolen bag</a> and the other one involves a tartine.<br />
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Here in Canada we'd call this an open faced sandwich. That really doesn't properly describe it though. A tartine is so much more than a slice of bread with something smeared on top of it. It is a large crusty piece of good bread - toasted and than embellished with any number of different toppings - but the key is that it is toasted and broiled in the oven. And, don't forget the fromage! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgRZ6bliZZeaZhGoAVIw8ONgkHo2MMgBE3ki3MjcQH4-8UGR1P7YymoyMkXfMF_SaLLmgLHh3IZ2d4hruBP6uiLiufaw_VG8nnCPtSrbHX_VEcuhOnlDzgfCVyM4d47hYG25srvHBAF2C/s1600/IMG_4796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgRZ6bliZZeaZhGoAVIw8ONgkHo2MMgBE3ki3MjcQH4-8UGR1P7YymoyMkXfMF_SaLLmgLHh3IZ2d4hruBP6uiLiufaw_VG8nnCPtSrbHX_VEcuhOnlDzgfCVyM4d47hYG25srvHBAF2C/s640/IMG_4796.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bar at Ginette et Marcel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGIa-e0ImbRVqUtsMezg0i3fVO0TB741kMdYPFdVHtLDkDWze-1jUyJToVEl6vdD8eh0z82YnhU07qCi1D4r2hVkIgbsY1QouLiaxSV78EAcRWTSkbCksUuyt0esj6WvkTEmd38kaBU6x/s1600/IMG_5334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGIa-e0ImbRVqUtsMezg0i3fVO0TB741kMdYPFdVHtLDkDWze-1jUyJToVEl6vdD8eh0z82YnhU07qCi1D4r2hVkIgbsY1QouLiaxSV78EAcRWTSkbCksUuyt0esj6WvkTEmd38kaBU6x/s320/IMG_5334.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My homemade tartine</td></tr>
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On our day in Avignon we stumbled upon <a href="http://www.restovisio.com/restaurant/ginette-et-marcel-778.htm">Ginette et Marcel</a>. Ginette et Marcel is the kind of bistro you imagine when you think of France. It is quirky, colourful, elegant yet casual. It is quintessentially French. If I ever opened an eatery I'd want it to be exactly like this. I loved the old wooden tables, the stemless glasses for wine that you see all over France (cheap there and super expensive here), the bar with all the bottles of French liquors lined up, and the glass case containing the tempting and beautiful pastries. I was somewhat surprised when I fist saw the menu and realized that the bulk of the options were "open faced sandwiches". Then I saw the tartines starting to come out from the kitchen and I knew we were in a different land - oh yeah, France of course. </div>
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Once back home I kept thinking about the magical tartine. I looked on foodgawker a lot for tartine recipes and found very few. Finally after more than a year I decided to just wing my own tartine - "recipeless". You know - its pretty darn simple. The biggest factor is good bread. Dense, crusty bread - preferably home made. I used Jim Lehey's recipe for no knead bread. First I toasted the bread in the oven for a few minutes and then I loaded it up with mashed squash which I had heated along with some blue stilton and walnuts and voila - tartine. </div>
The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-80032030130972630282013-09-26T18:55:00.001-07:002013-09-26T18:55:06.854-07:00What's New Pussycat?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzg_7vgnPjak7Tzbs8s5BKBMlFxNycnTP3-a6eMy2nTZ2cIbbGqysFDGNOjf7nbLonEp3GLV0Q4JOulPFwA3_3RCei6Vs0kdp1gdy-L1FZcckNPLoXHxs1-ObW4sVpwQbaeCzQ0UBXfsI/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzg_7vgnPjak7Tzbs8s5BKBMlFxNycnTP3-a6eMy2nTZ2cIbbGqysFDGNOjf7nbLonEp3GLV0Q4JOulPFwA3_3RCei6Vs0kdp1gdy-L1FZcckNPLoXHxs1-ObW4sVpwQbaeCzQ0UBXfsI/s640/IMG_8136.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Car: Electric that is! No gas ever again for us. Nissan Leaf I love you (her pet name is Eva)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yrRzOLE7dev1BwkSYm7DS5AhF3u8pdWR02gGaIWxQHZuC1Nytj6bPDh1GPrj0X5PE1y-jguVas7dYkfG-iUmTL2DhuF5XWMEounD9PGMU7v3bVQXwmpyyf06o_m-sMbn-tUFs5gD0AOd/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yrRzOLE7dev1BwkSYm7DS5AhF3u8pdWR02gGaIWxQHZuC1Nytj6bPDh1GPrj0X5PE1y-jguVas7dYkfG-iUmTL2DhuF5XWMEounD9PGMU7v3bVQXwmpyyf06o_m-sMbn-tUFs5gD0AOd/s640/Image.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birkenstocks for the winter. Shoes are so ugly they're cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkxCIH6jLFm2hEYAmrLDXn8lcnQSD6G2XTdPi7_KGRFkGdW7pDOL4gB-L9wJ_V97xPBF2-FKu4ikjmxNyIAHI1je_v9xHv4H6DaodPUuavrBZo61816ohmfiKFx76H6A_cDK3WPWYGiuD/s1600/IMG_5307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkxCIH6jLFm2hEYAmrLDXn8lcnQSD6G2XTdPi7_KGRFkGdW7pDOL4gB-L9wJ_V97xPBF2-FKu4ikjmxNyIAHI1je_v9xHv4H6DaodPUuavrBZo61816ohmfiKFx76H6A_cDK3WPWYGiuD/s640/IMG_5307.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to my Keith. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lnwyKyAARj5pJeDZD5c_N1P1KDIU12UPh36prMS7JR_u24NfpeVeWDxiXyYIVBF4vpbt2XCq0xDcqDIlhVwWKK6H-MPSmwvfuJHDJfmV9W4sBFLSuA2QxqoOP2hnXPc1PeM_eBMLqLcG/s1600/IMG_5320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lnwyKyAARj5pJeDZD5c_N1P1KDIU12UPh36prMS7JR_u24NfpeVeWDxiXyYIVBF4vpbt2XCq0xDcqDIlhVwWKK6H-MPSmwvfuJHDJfmV9W4sBFLSuA2QxqoOP2hnXPc1PeM_eBMLqLcG/s640/IMG_5320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with my two handsome sons at Starbucks. #1 is gone again - playing trumpet on the high seas, #2 is in grade 12 this year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9i2Rwg8XNjBlcukDri__e3iifaOkMULkdsv3blYR9V57URHpYl1rYnhrBJAkkUWg1EmdI01mJv7pNfcausfOL5yg9dn0p17Sm5_niXOIgSU58hbqzi0eblj98ZQtetx1K7Z-tBzKbXCi1/s1600/IMG_8097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9i2Rwg8XNjBlcukDri__e3iifaOkMULkdsv3blYR9V57URHpYl1rYnhrBJAkkUWg1EmdI01mJv7pNfcausfOL5yg9dn0p17Sm5_niXOIgSU58hbqzi0eblj98ZQtetx1K7Z-tBzKbXCi1/s640/IMG_8097.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So thrilled to finally be in construction on this amazing church reno / addition. Ladner United Church, Delta, BC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9Q0Xgr1WvX4fxIGsqSNVdAWWFdqS0JENRvaBL-rE8PIaLk5xIQBpuN_ice31TitziDawLAGjhdUqaYR-_O_XYJvay3P34yC9qbKWV5PaVFlrNeBL8KNvNOcJ2J9YExKiXwrNOaX6yEYI/s1600/IMG_8167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9Q0Xgr1WvX4fxIGsqSNVdAWWFdqS0JENRvaBL-rE8PIaLk5xIQBpuN_ice31TitziDawLAGjhdUqaYR-_O_XYJvay3P34yC9qbKWV5PaVFlrNeBL8KNvNOcJ2J9YExKiXwrNOaX6yEYI/s640/IMG_8167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most beautiful weather this summer and its drawing to a close. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7AhFmm8OTE3IfkiSshhe7W_tropZFpyP0FJvzHTlDk1PHCM5io2cvSHqx_e_IDHeG-L9_Elbu8lrkWayQGbzuw5SYrD3QW-Q3jGESbKYLYEwhH_3DIS0U0Yt95RI9i5a0UHony3jVXKo/s1600/IMG_8210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7AhFmm8OTE3IfkiSshhe7W_tropZFpyP0FJvzHTlDk1PHCM5io2cvSHqx_e_IDHeG-L9_Elbu8lrkWayQGbzuw5SYrD3QW-Q3jGESbKYLYEwhH_3DIS0U0Yt95RI9i5a0UHony3jVXKo/s640/IMG_8210.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally overcame my fear of colour work and knitted this awesome Icelandic sweater. So much fun and a real thrill to see it come off my needles. Pattern is "Strokkur" by Ysolda Teague.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22DhaTrUG0rJqEaXfbIn5m1WRLy5CvTMV0neFhe9OGegEMEWaVre72KdCOkBNDrY5m2u93-d5p6ADzkdDMzNodEx05yDZYfsSbs_sMj29TXcTh2BCT08faZZ6gB-P7iXXaLC5LCRQVpJO/s1600/IMG_8175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22DhaTrUG0rJqEaXfbIn5m1WRLy5CvTMV0neFhe9OGegEMEWaVre72KdCOkBNDrY5m2u93-d5p6ADzkdDMzNodEx05yDZYfsSbs_sMj29TXcTh2BCT08faZZ6gB-P7iXXaLC5LCRQVpJO/s640/IMG_8175.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next up: another sweater for me - this one is called "Toast and Tea with Jam" but Im renaming it Toast with Rosemary because Im hoping to do a knit along with my buddy, Rosemary.<br />
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So, what's new with you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22DhaTrUG0rJqEaXfbIn5m1WRLy5CvTMV0neFhe9OGegEMEWaVre72KdCOkBNDrY5m2u93-d5p6ADzkdDMzNodEx05yDZYfsSbs_sMj29TXcTh2BCT08faZZ6gB-P7iXXaLC5LCRQVpJO/s1600/IMG_8175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Fi</span></a></div><br />
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The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-21851635032748917262013-08-19T18:21:00.000-07:002013-08-19T18:21:04.423-07:00What's with all the baby knitting?Honestly I don't know what's gotten into me. Too old for more babies and too young to be a granny but I really am having fun knitting baby clothes. Here is the latest project. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MichelleDonald/rio-dress">http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MichelleDonald/rio-dres</a>s<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwSY2HrsiH2xWhwzHbSiN4FUCfDZqyNQ8fjPkm4maDt4uGfTIxFWjHcVpuTNLVfk0Oyq0wken6zjaqJQfZtRvXPFmrGdmkdofAOMT9yQF_r6ra8Eh9O5Q4EH3T-WV6ED9SfWzTZsoXHun/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwSY2HrsiH2xWhwzHbSiN4FUCfDZqyNQ8fjPkm4maDt4uGfTIxFWjHcVpuTNLVfk0Oyq0wken6zjaqJQfZtRvXPFmrGdmkdofAOMT9yQF_r6ra8Eh9O5Q4EH3T-WV6ED9SfWzTZsoXHun/s640/Image+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitting, Reading and Drinking Tea.</td></tr>
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I am really enthralled with Edward Rutherfurd's latest book "Paris". I can't remember the last time I got so absorbed in a novel. Unfortunately I had to buy a copy for us because this one is due back at the library tomorrow. And speaking of books, we went to the book sale hosted by the local Rotary Club last weekend and picked up a whole lot of reading for very few $$!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTNIXIogQBeyRI95sgpDOPHN5aoXMMrsEGxZ30qrn5LJLngDpuSjR7gKqxmNSR2F17vvzPGrNPuBoJZp7CpgWRNi2R5c5-g-pG8qzCqqZpNixUGmb4D6Vxqg5KipIDPThfGMJTc738iWt/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTNIXIogQBeyRI95sgpDOPHN5aoXMMrsEGxZ30qrn5LJLngDpuSjR7gKqxmNSR2F17vvzPGrNPuBoJZp7CpgWRNi2R5c5-g-pG8qzCqqZpNixUGmb4D6Vxqg5KipIDPThfGMJTc738iWt/s640/Image.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of reading ahead.</td></tr>
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The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-57479992351086050582013-08-13T13:51:00.001-07:002013-08-13T13:51:13.019-07:00Summertime...We are having a lovely summer here on the west coast of Canada. We've had only one full day of rain since the beginning of July (almost unheard of here). Every day we wake up to another glorious sunny day - but not too hot either. Perfection!<br />
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We took the week off of our anniversary and stayed close to home with short trips to Lummi Island in Washington state as well as to Point Roberts. Lots of reading of cookbooks and novels and knitting too. Basically just shear laziness. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWHyWdnuTQSKaQvna4Rkjy29zedeXrSbIZfk7bWGz2J14vQwi-PdBLJTK0QxchDOPhfHy_nvBWt80S_sc4qep1uXtv7sVRo3xuwNFb4toq7SbMKf7L_3l3NJ-QSfFoL2xzBxmfsmY-b1M/s1600/_DSC0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWHyWdnuTQSKaQvna4Rkjy29zedeXrSbIZfk7bWGz2J14vQwi-PdBLJTK0QxchDOPhfHy_nvBWt80S_sc4qep1uXtv7sVRo3xuwNFb4toq7SbMKf7L_3l3NJ-QSfFoL2xzBxmfsmY-b1M/s640/_DSC0578.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern: "In Threes" modified with sleeves, Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in "Provence"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7oW-JeOYW1TZ0ALwOeOXQPd1HAWx4n_N6pX3cGhyphenhyphenUdXytNSGg6h7okRyVGCxky3EF-KjJv9BZpyPIUtdN26jSTR9lJx9O6sl7Ba6UF44PIkfBYNqW28Krik2Z8Kzg_eJ6ppVM9D3vs9h/s1600/_DSC0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7oW-JeOYW1TZ0ALwOeOXQPd1HAWx4n_N6pX3cGhyphenhyphenUdXytNSGg6h7okRyVGCxky3EF-KjJv9BZpyPIUtdN26jSTR9lJx9O6sl7Ba6UF44PIkfBYNqW28Krik2Z8Kzg_eJ6ppVM9D3vs9h/s640/_DSC0607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern: "In Threes", Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAHSyHex6cb_vi0cMwvD_DsImfe_rgYqaRUUztPp4lM8krPz9I1beTBu3yaeIKUqGr_90meC-M770HjZJOSz9jRIw1ceZXJnHHZKs4WnLu9SPbNe547VujzYv9RX6ljrB1UptKfzRotGf/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAHSyHex6cb_vi0cMwvD_DsImfe_rgYqaRUUztPp4lM8krPz9I1beTBu3yaeIKUqGr_90meC-M770HjZJOSz9jRIw1ceZXJnHHZKs4WnLu9SPbNe547VujzYv9RX6ljrB1UptKfzRotGf/s640/IMG_7867.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the view in our nearby park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmLFVTuMPmUI1VKMdTG62buf35tgZy0rIrbV80qCuVfGsCtBjIiTIloxlj0lt31UncR18_H3iNM0vWulIa2hjXx0orjIx7p4q1nvRaXL9wD34CyFDNBGtz5Wc9_EJH-p6ImxbMVd0Plxm/s1600/IMG_7875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmLFVTuMPmUI1VKMdTG62buf35tgZy0rIrbV80qCuVfGsCtBjIiTIloxlj0lt31UncR18_H3iNM0vWulIa2hjXx0orjIx7p4q1nvRaXL9wD34CyFDNBGtz5Wc9_EJH-p6ImxbMVd0Plxm/s640/IMG_7875.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking our first day trip to Lummi Island, will definitely not be the last!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5eLJxyI2MZ5ZFvLopq06QvBAtL-H8J5foWa9KuPdNBX_Jpt23n0CvJhMd71FZipg2sV6_VBY4xV0P8CFxgUBlto9ILMSBnJm536F0LXvvGUV0zq2udPgGWGa24tgqfmfv9oPEWySrrwi/s1600/IMG_7891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5eLJxyI2MZ5ZFvLopq06QvBAtL-H8J5foWa9KuPdNBX_Jpt23n0CvJhMd71FZipg2sV6_VBY4xV0P8CFxgUBlto9ILMSBnJm536F0LXvvGUV0zq2udPgGWGa24tgqfmfv9oPEWySrrwi/s640/IMG_7891.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating our 14th Anniversary at Point Roberts, Washington</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI98ibGrDF4x2DsobQR7ItCoZtAsvnWj80WdQHFtlTU9Roj69N_XejBF05zg7yh_rqiCOsy3fwfEDzCNjg4raGIETUviQw-jMR8Z-9UGUoDutYFS9Sc_0Xj9iYJIiBASLXT5plgHH4-aTG/s1600/IMG_7897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI98ibGrDF4x2DsobQR7ItCoZtAsvnWj80WdQHFtlTU9Roj69N_XejBF05zg7yh_rqiCOsy3fwfEDzCNjg4raGIETUviQw-jMR8Z-9UGUoDutYFS9Sc_0Xj9iYJIiBASLXT5plgHH4-aTG/s640/IMG_7897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of blackberry picking</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX0XWbgQlEz8qvC7oriCdLz28ltGAXDlkC8jGZxH5uOzud_Gb4emEDKufp6uz_nbcbTOlOVxdOz0WQuTZtbfQpmNB52718A3f7w85MTHYPNku60F5sFxgrqha0ntvcT-zJ34QwdgABwg6/s1600/IMG_7911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX0XWbgQlEz8qvC7oriCdLz28ltGAXDlkC8jGZxH5uOzud_Gb4emEDKufp6uz_nbcbTOlOVxdOz0WQuTZtbfQpmNB52718A3f7w85MTHYPNku60F5sFxgrqha0ntvcT-zJ34QwdgABwg6/s640/IMG_7911.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tried to make blackberry jelly but it didn't set so I made blackberry cordial instead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw9Tif2a-nd6nukNnvzl51ZKUtbcQh232ItXYIU-aiWcuuhUT09O2Iq01PDftFPz6rqhM_F5pY73nZHdiwJVFuW11rcYJKHtSf_SDtiSRjHsVS0FrY9qz5B5QOYtGMCflHvhCDJ3pYWpe/s1600/IMG_7919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw9Tif2a-nd6nukNnvzl51ZKUtbcQh232ItXYIU-aiWcuuhUT09O2Iq01PDftFPz6rqhM_F5pY73nZHdiwJVFuW11rcYJKHtSf_SDtiSRjHsVS0FrY9qz5B5QOYtGMCflHvhCDJ3pYWpe/s640/IMG_7919.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttermilk scones with fresh figs and crystallized ginger.</td></tr>
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The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-47716228888869014032013-06-26T12:23:00.002-07:002013-06-26T12:23:54.825-07:00Roma<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNbAlvJasGuOpiFlQK5j9nHhcA5ihLAAGGdxjH3ltrn3T_-bzCZhiKQrAtwxVzWaWuquaoT4OGAqOOnoQh8NuXiCPJnk0myRBQQ2UaTc-bJIE_JhULBNMrqPy8oyWbIZWQLL1wEzHGwPR/s1600/IMG_6654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNbAlvJasGuOpiFlQK5j9nHhcA5ihLAAGGdxjH3ltrn3T_-bzCZhiKQrAtwxVzWaWuquaoT4OGAqOOnoQh8NuXiCPJnk0myRBQQ2UaTc-bJIE_JhULBNMrqPy8oyWbIZWQLL1wEzHGwPR/s640/IMG_6654.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish Steps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKj86H32-Yjo2PaOl2i4tXmZYNgQK3Iia9sHLdNPLqq0KqeZcdvK_C_zBBJ4jAGNZVWHH96IcAtFqZjtOTfQzoyfsq2aaRoOCHrQjfKZmT2Rk7E6qEJd4_OdZiXrIAh5xSw1NkZA5szEm/s1600/IMG_6656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKj86H32-Yjo2PaOl2i4tXmZYNgQK3Iia9sHLdNPLqq0KqeZcdvK_C_zBBJ4jAGNZVWHH96IcAtFqZjtOTfQzoyfsq2aaRoOCHrQjfKZmT2Rk7E6qEJd4_OdZiXrIAh5xSw1NkZA5szEm/s640/IMG_6656.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">le scarpe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUKeqXUWU5_6FcPeH3A0N5gPvlgWYvawAS3AxylRQt5qzN6b4LWAOb-LP9V0Y-B2QCC_Wisu7JXXJml2WTbZBBfXSD7uyUXlkxu2NuaxlfaRcR9Cd0ntB029R3kID_zoeMHuc-jTUC77p/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUKeqXUWU5_6FcPeH3A0N5gPvlgWYvawAS3AxylRQt5qzN6b4LWAOb-LP9V0Y-B2QCC_Wisu7JXXJml2WTbZBBfXSD7uyUXlkxu2NuaxlfaRcR9Cd0ntB029R3kID_zoeMHuc-jTUC77p/s640/IMG_6663.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf6v6CLIQzBgwh0sSAmV82gQhTcKuj86IOIsDNBrElnQFgR5cbIQRDDAQxIwQwIp2c22-6Mc66xlNFywTO78vE2sPZ77tgo-axHZqYOSrWftXW_fROrdqXIH5Fd3BIqsEqadircEf5EJV/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf6v6CLIQzBgwh0sSAmV82gQhTcKuj86IOIsDNBrElnQFgR5cbIQRDDAQxIwQwIp2c22-6Mc66xlNFywTO78vE2sPZ77tgo-axHZqYOSrWftXW_fROrdqXIH5Fd3BIqsEqadircEf5EJV/s640/IMG_6703.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Tiber</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw2U2YAW75iPRsl6POdvC8w4dMPq-65JqMp7QdqKs-qDG4Lpgji4_iGo2rrHZe5hcEW9N8DXKqGktg9PKNmvx4877paVt0PYxEDG0iX6rPDsQL1DD-Om87hl2WOCKiiaaRhQ1DD8SlQq6/s1600/IMG_6727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw2U2YAW75iPRsl6POdvC8w4dMPq-65JqMp7QdqKs-qDG4Lpgji4_iGo2rrHZe5hcEW9N8DXKqGktg9PKNmvx4877paVt0PYxEDG0iX6rPDsQL1DD-Om87hl2WOCKiiaaRhQ1DD8SlQq6/s640/IMG_6727.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restaurant featured in Anthony Bourdain's Layover. Don't even bother without a reservation.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pRKVS7AGQs2t3lqbpegPp-j7dWtOSiT4IVWWvSWQYfKE4VgFqbnf04sFjNN4jh2WCwzdGT-tzrNtPGu0QcbY4I2S5uXI1BC5aPBaMe7B1VRoXIcDxPNaoovfwvqrbpMtQKbISaOGBSgV/s1600/IMG_6736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pRKVS7AGQs2t3lqbpegPp-j7dWtOSiT4IVWWvSWQYfKE4VgFqbnf04sFjNN4jh2WCwzdGT-tzrNtPGu0QcbY4I2S5uXI1BC5aPBaMe7B1VRoXIcDxPNaoovfwvqrbpMtQKbISaOGBSgV/s640/IMG_6736.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman specialty - Cacio e Pepe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieNUkkb7ixmfvdcOTIZVRLMhvtdfM5r3suwW_iu2mOa_AZOVt-aU24flW3I-7rkvJjrAoP5V7pFuAJrx0bLWTeLwKlHuzHVSC6E3xg1z2SDmV7d8ExbkzIe4e6FHuL1SZ3zc1BGg7DVj0/s1600/IMG_6750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieNUkkb7ixmfvdcOTIZVRLMhvtdfM5r3suwW_iu2mOa_AZOVt-aU24flW3I-7rkvJjrAoP5V7pFuAJrx0bLWTeLwKlHuzHVSC6E3xg1z2SDmV7d8ExbkzIe4e6FHuL1SZ3zc1BGg7DVj0/s640/IMG_6750.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A river runs through it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7uZ5-l1Ho5c_3-g7gqdc74W7zfCjaFeuX16EVafHmUMmuSHzxeTX_1_U-MRSqolsEHdS4ZbFDleEHd3LWr4DDucDXRMnBLOZTJB8-wYHVT0F_Y8caIAe4HBgUBiyH6YaeSycpImDBvzD/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7uZ5-l1Ho5c_3-g7gqdc74W7zfCjaFeuX16EVafHmUMmuSHzxeTX_1_U-MRSqolsEHdS4ZbFDleEHd3LWr4DDucDXRMnBLOZTJB8-wYHVT0F_Y8caIAe4HBgUBiyH6YaeSycpImDBvzD/s640/IMG_6772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible Antiquity</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNNgdtkPA1n1pUFXaVRj53FrEcu4gqwvBEuvZIZ5YX-u2NbRVPIfvUV6H0r12h91colC7x1lqbq5rZwlQnQOCOGlmzhIjqMD5fEUcnnQ0ukkqzECeIzzVuginUOSAuX9n6D73LOc619pv/s1600/IMG_6850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNNgdtkPA1n1pUFXaVRj53FrEcu4gqwvBEuvZIZ5YX-u2NbRVPIfvUV6H0r12h91colC7x1lqbq5rZwlQnQOCOGlmzhIjqMD5fEUcnnQ0ukkqzECeIzzVuginUOSAuX9n6D73LOc619pv/s640/IMG_6850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No gladiators on this day<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rome, beautiful Rome you have redeemed yourself.</div>
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This was my second visit to Rome. The first disastrous visit being a couple of years ago tagged onto the end of a visit to Tuscany. That day was a very hot 40 degrees and I was a very stupid tourist. I mistakenly got into a potentially dangerous position by being naive and too friendly - luckily all's well that ends well. But I did learn my lesson and this time I was smarter.</div>
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We arrived in Rome late on a Saturday night this May and luckily we had the forethought to arrange a car to pick us up from the airport and take us to our B & B in the Pratti district. It was well worth the sixty euros to get there easily and quickly after 12 hours of travel. Sunday morning is clearly the time to see Rome in its full glory. Nobody is up early and it is incredible to see all the major sites with so few people around. We were in Rome for only a single full day but if we had been staying longer I would've gotten up early each morning to do our sight seeing and would rest in the afternoon. As it was though, we walked for 10 hours on that Sunday. We saw way too much to really take in but at least we got a glimpse of things. What an incredibly beautiful city it is. Oh Roma, I'm so glad we came back and gave you another chance. Tornoremmo (we will return).</div>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-72793997208019577572013-04-04T15:05:00.000-07:002013-04-04T15:05:03.945-07:00after shots of renovationsIts taken me forever to get around to this but if there is anyone out there at all who is interested in this - here are the after photos.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCQK-cQDFpmYB5ZWya44XrAV4YN4A7Tb1tablunsHGdObB9HroEolSQlDTQSky5ciMfq9J_eVJ1BV9-RcsrW6SYtpnigltyJUAKVG8mP-YD6-Vt8d626KalPK5oLSgbkYKk4FoVJZz9PA/s1600/IMG_6356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCQK-cQDFpmYB5ZWya44XrAV4YN4A7Tb1tablunsHGdObB9HroEolSQlDTQSky5ciMfq9J_eVJ1BV9-RcsrW6SYtpnigltyJUAKVG8mP-YD6-Vt8d626KalPK5oLSgbkYKk4FoVJZz9PA/s640/IMG_6356.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Area & Corridor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQUqCQCjXo7aoZ58EwaK3vB3aHYDsFApLR3kD-hMIF4hmO6dPFPlPUGAJZm-AA9bFZ71QPBIkH08RHoOP2stlphVjEc7O2Ri0nTc0tA89OOLK51NulAWBQnro8kKeDNsWRFh4DhCUfb7h/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQUqCQCjXo7aoZ58EwaK3vB3aHYDsFApLR3kD-hMIF4hmO6dPFPlPUGAJZm-AA9bFZ71QPBIkH08RHoOP2stlphVjEc7O2Ri0nTc0tA89OOLK51NulAWBQnro8kKeDNsWRFh4DhCUfb7h/s640/IMG_6361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room. Repainted. Didn't change the fireplace but would like to.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q9YY032xb67P4BKCvhdc4-PHtXXpsYl10rGBc4r9y_V3toM2hi5td2q5CnYKLUJmc9egjEytfmzJk0V13K7ZFLI2dvK_KY6yZOx0-bEzowMSUzF5M-5p4ADl5EQpEOiVxEYUpXGdhf6y/s1600/IMG_6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q9YY032xb67P4BKCvhdc4-PHtXXpsYl10rGBc4r9y_V3toM2hi5td2q5CnYKLUJmc9egjEytfmzJk0V13K7ZFLI2dvK_KY6yZOx0-bEzowMSUzF5M-5p4ADl5EQpEOiVxEYUpXGdhf6y/s640/IMG_6357.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Area opened up from kitchen & repainted</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIO7ZpuLp6IYprvKaP5zVMem7DD_ttCEs3jhHhji6RAx5rg8VP-MHsrOnk4ggC0xCStJpZ36knNJGNgTuwK2rz42boqSlQyRtV6VNQS-s-33Lce3fYXWy96seFYmcDVE0I7SSFCuZIj22/s1600/IMG_6403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIO7ZpuLp6IYprvKaP5zVMem7DD_ttCEs3jhHhji6RAx5rg8VP-MHsrOnk4ggC0xCStJpZ36knNJGNgTuwK2rz42boqSlQyRtV6VNQS-s-33Lce3fYXWy96seFYmcDVE0I7SSFCuZIj22/s640/IMG_6403.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New marble food, subway tile backsplash & granite counter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAyb6iV6hfSuKSUAptk_g9ZayrzY4FMblDyFGORJaZ_fWI3n-C2abl-aN8lzIlhYlihUfqhhVKkkT9N4zV9UVbynZ8lbnt0A0WyGOge2E6B17BzkgDcLH2QmLhkniKG5Pw08C9Ak17T8S/s1600/IMG_6405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAyb6iV6hfSuKSUAptk_g9ZayrzY4FMblDyFGORJaZ_fWI3n-C2abl-aN8lzIlhYlihUfqhhVKkkT9N4zV9UVbynZ8lbnt0A0WyGOge2E6B17BzkgDcLH2QmLhkniKG5Pw08C9Ak17T8S/s640/IMG_6405.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New counter, sink & faucet (Kohler) I love this cast iron & enamel sink but it weighs a ton!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KBvrd8lB7oyIMxFzdmRIZS9-O7a9-HccgLs-X10x_A34B0jti6y-CWLB8ngAidmAPovFsJJN6gKab6p1IqKAr5Ed254cqJLxwQdibt3Un23R4qAH3levRhqEALo1tVem4VO9Z_Gtb6LP/s1600/IMG_6404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KBvrd8lB7oyIMxFzdmRIZS9-O7a9-HccgLs-X10x_A34B0jti6y-CWLB8ngAidmAPovFsJJN6gKab6p1IqKAr5Ed254cqJLxwQdibt3Un23R4qAH3levRhqEALo1tVem4VO9Z_Gtb6LP/s640/IMG_6404.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHNJXMubNZ9VK2LLNppmIXT4TBgBf0fZLWq8Sa_O-Ee7Y91A4cet7O9PdXgj4yRAbK3cARvmbp7ndKN5iCuxRriVcqhQTsQnHR2_ntBhj9wbN04h41vex0xcAXU7HOypH2w3FH801tLji/s1600/IMG_6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHNJXMubNZ9VK2LLNppmIXT4TBgBf0fZLWq8Sa_O-Ee7Y91A4cet7O9PdXgj4yRAbK3cARvmbp7ndKN5iCuxRriVcqhQTsQnHR2_ntBhj9wbN04h41vex0xcAXU7HOypH2w3FH801tLji/s640/IMG_6408.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry foyer with new granite tile, removed closet, repaired bottom stair & repainted </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17d2lu1aLulGx97H19ZxFU_kK37ji5EJk6NG4Bq2RCSbO2IVyATKL8kQi93KF2hcvUfa8chh0B-TeoU-xeTafZu3V1vvFwH-0ZwP8RXEBZAFcc-y9qBGYZmMJlNOIS6JQ7zCI_sYgidyr/s1600/IMG_6406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17d2lu1aLulGx97H19ZxFU_kK37ji5EJk6NG4Bq2RCSbO2IVyATKL8kQi93KF2hcvUfa8chh0B-TeoU-xeTafZu3V1vvFwH-0ZwP8RXEBZAFcc-y9qBGYZmMJlNOIS6JQ7zCI_sYgidyr/s640/IMG_6406.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry foyer - new door and side lights<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyhivW0sArAzeuPQyoYlK5Xlgv_oRTxBAmBAZQytE3BrenzBQSPxHWx4P22OM3WGE6A_vPshYxSNXYA8q35fXVqht79QQJ4_OwsgRMG0aXNClxTynSQLPgFlURkzbLWxK8om0WwKmosIU/s1600/IMG_6407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyhivW0sArAzeuPQyoYlK5Xlgv_oRTxBAmBAZQytE3BrenzBQSPxHWx4P22OM3WGE6A_vPshYxSNXYA8q35fXVqht79QQJ4_OwsgRMG0aXNClxTynSQLPgFlURkzbLWxK8om0WwKmosIU/s640/IMG_6407.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique coat rack to replace closet</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB3AQAkNb-zAsLZAX_bpz9hniRr-CchrAEeci1UxS2OU-ZMBY1e3skkAqWMagc1e7KF5rP_fzox8psM_BmLAq9f_-ZzieCHuOWimf_UhBGfo78QnqQ1mTViMbuskYsLzO0oMKJvBfXuyN/s1600/IMG_6409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB3AQAkNb-zAsLZAX_bpz9hniRr-CchrAEeci1UxS2OU-ZMBY1e3skkAqWMagc1e7KF5rP_fzox8psM_BmLAq9f_-ZzieCHuOWimf_UhBGfo78QnqQ1mTViMbuskYsLzO0oMKJvBfXuyN/s320/IMG_6409.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPdjJMEjMWCezoZAcRkELH0v-1fqbN9SNqpilQA-LFfBdoiLo1dvvNsh7vrRVIJQ1I-Pbw7Ard2H2A-87dX-l6PpvVDPocYIw5kNx15RUxqwjGv2tV71MI9CwjMGCJIeZ9MOojJS1Z6v9/s1600/IMG_6426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPdjJMEjMWCezoZAcRkELH0v-1fqbN9SNqpilQA-LFfBdoiLo1dvvNsh7vrRVIJQ1I-Pbw7Ard2H2A-87dX-l6PpvVDPocYIw5kNx15RUxqwjGv2tV71MI9CwjMGCJIeZ9MOojJS1Z6v9/s640/IMG_6426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bathroom sink and countertop </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgNsxpnwihP7LQoqtqETdtRIsVvs5d855OJ4mkAQbLOVs3rO8SqG9WV9Qpd_uHPHl0YzAS5Qjghkj4ZzJVv8HnyykHb2pr5xkGg8fMBvdFsXh3WUvxhjWvlY_7ZkeAT9W5oMkdlkCsUaK/s1600/IMG_6422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgNsxpnwihP7LQoqtqETdtRIsVvs5d855OJ4mkAQbLOVs3rO8SqG9WV9Qpd_uHPHl0YzAS5Qjghkj4ZzJVv8HnyykHb2pr5xkGg8fMBvdFsXh3WUvxhjWvlY_7ZkeAT9W5oMkdlkCsUaK/s640/IMG_6422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master bedroom - new maple foor, repainted and room (along with bathroom and dressing area) reconfigured. All rooms painted.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaf4egY6HmKCjcyhUCC-0AJ8frnM2hCUQbiUi_ppSyYU9OpnpR9gkDOfGWF9qhFkjbalWoxajiNYU8jE3XcZUUM30pz3owaygi903qJbnnjTvr-5AI-oj1y-19wAam8SSZFM6UDfsvt-D/s1600/IMG_6427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaf4egY6HmKCjcyhUCC-0AJ8frnM2hCUQbiUi_ppSyYU9OpnpR9gkDOfGWF9qhFkjbalWoxajiNYU8jE3XcZUUM30pz3owaygi903qJbnnjTvr-5AI-oj1y-19wAam8SSZFM6UDfsvt-D/s640/IMG_6427.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New drop in tub, and granite surround. Great for soaking in!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvATROnrVspa8ySLmv2YcX_rHVnKkz2GXc4BZu4IAyoq2jibDm5GIgdCxx7Y6YFzzQbIDhEKOVzXjwNFzUuChiacfidolOiSNiWnoMt3sjkjiZw3c-Kwo4n6Q_oFrS5_-7f8I5brjLEKI4/s1600/IMG_6432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvATROnrVspa8ySLmv2YcX_rHVnKkz2GXc4BZu4IAyoq2jibDm5GIgdCxx7Y6YFzzQbIDhEKOVzXjwNFzUuChiacfidolOiSNiWnoMt3sjkjiZw3c-Kwo4n6Q_oFrS5_-7f8I5brjLEKI4/s640/IMG_6432.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom and Dressing area </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYYQYXplATHzilkZ_sNt7ro6xXLwv_-wjw2awBTknnLjJjR137ycNfdemaU5r78rHg_w0F2WsnhxkEQiecONAfbB_15iJPMtG5ezp8t3SpOgjj2aVu3X_DJz7jv8FEMzt876dFy45z423/s1600/IMG_6430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYYQYXplATHzilkZ_sNt7ro6xXLwv_-wjw2awBTknnLjJjR137ycNfdemaU5r78rHg_w0F2WsnhxkEQiecONAfbB_15iJPMtG5ezp8t3SpOgjj2aVu3X_DJz7jv8FEMzt876dFy45z423/s640/IMG_6430.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New marble tiled foor, vanity reconfigured, new mirror above sink.</td></tr>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-13623854772941244032013-01-18T14:05:00.002-08:002013-01-23T16:34:32.584-08:00Square Foot Garden Plans<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1NGmRyoVMABtUz_hTOBbv0LTckCbR3lW7usp1xAeaGJdAPYWHQmUyJHLAnXTAx_ajUSIt8Wa6VwrqIM0hP78qSX0vr_dpkoQVm094WSydnsxxfnNMHDz6muqhc8LbKBxcbm7eXPkSXU2/s1600/fl.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1NGmRyoVMABtUz_hTOBbv0LTckCbR3lW7usp1xAeaGJdAPYWHQmUyJHLAnXTAx_ajUSIt8Wa6VwrqIM0hP78qSX0vr_dpkoQVm094WSydnsxxfnNMHDz6muqhc8LbKBxcbm7eXPkSXU2/s640/fl.bmp" width="640" /></a><br />
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Gardening thoughts are turning into garden plans. I always think like this in January. My problem is follow through. I've had a garden before and I must admit I have been a garden failure. It always seems so exciting to me in the planning stages then by the time summer comes along and the work part starts to become less of a theory and more of a reality I loose interest. <br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6162195463364912927" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
I really do believe in the idea of growing your own food, even if its just a small amount. This Christmas I got Nigel Slater's "Tender" books. A whole book dedicated to veg in the garden and kitchen and another to fruit. They are truly beautiful books written with much love for the subjects. Im inspired. The other englishman who's feeding my garden bug is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. I'm totally enthralled with his River Cottage programs where he brings us the world of self-sufficiency and small-holding. Now, I don't see myself ever raising my own bacon, but the idea of stepping outside the house and picking my own lettuce a few minutes before preparing lunch really appeals to me. How much more local can you get? I suspect this pull toward growing my own food is the natural progression of the cook in me. I am sold on the idea of local, organic food. Food made with love tastes better to me - it must be better for me. <br />
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Our new garden is lovely, but very much established. There is a lot of paving and there are lots of trees providing lovely shade. There is one small space just under the office window that gets tons of sunshine. This is the spot I've got in mind for the veg garden. There isn't a lot of space here but I think using the "Square Foot" gardening method I can grow quite a lot in an efficient manner. I came up with my garden plan at this <a href="http://vegetableplanner.vegetable-gardening-online.com/">site</a>. Making the best use of this sunny spot should result in 27 cheerful, edible plants. Here is a good illustrated <a href="http://frugaldad.com/2012/04/30/square-foot-gardening-how-to-get-started-for-50-infographic/">set of directions</a> to start your own Square Foot Garden.The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-61966924150505492392013-01-09T12:05:00.001-08:002013-01-09T12:05:32.917-08:00Dreaming of ItalyIt happens every year around this time. Christmas is over and January brings with it longings for travel. Specifically travel in Italy. To be honest, this has become a bit of a habit. Since 2005 (my first trip to Europe) we've been five times. I never really expected to get to see Europe at all. I don't come from a family that does a lot of travelling and when I was younger there was not enough money to consider it nor was there the time. <br />
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I'll never forget that first trip. It was hard to believe that I was actually sitting in Notre Dame Cathedral listening to Mass in french complete with Gregorian Chant. That trip was the first time in my life I had been in a place where I couldn't understand what was being said all around me. I liked it. I liked the peacefulness of being in my own thoughts without being disturbed by conversations around me. A whole new world opened up to me - and not just the physical realm of being in a new place.<br />
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I think that trip sparked a spiritual awakening in me. I don't mean that in a religious way. I got to see the way people live in a far away part of the world. Regardless of the language barrier I realized that even with the cultural differences we have so much in common. And not just the people I saw but those who came before. All those men who built that gorgeous city over time we're also part of the connection I felt. Coming from the West Coast of Canada we don't get that feeling much. Where I live we consider 100 year old building really old. In Europe 100 year old building is considered new. On a trip to Volterra in Tuscany you can walk through the <a href="http://www.castellitoscani.com/volterra.htm">Etruscan gates</a> to the city. These gates are believed to have been built in the 5th century BC. You can walk up and touch them. What an incredible feeling to stand in the same place and look at the same object people did 2500 years ago! <br />
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There are lots of good reasons why we waited until 2005 to make that first trip, but now that the barrier is broken going back is not a question of "if" but "when". I'd rather scrimp on lots of other things to be able to afford it. That first trip sparked a flame that has burned brightly ever since. Europe is in my blood. My grandparents are all European and I wonder what does the DNA have imprinted on it. <br />
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This May we will visit Rome for a few days before going back to Tuscany. We've been to Rome once before - just for a day and what a day it was. It was very hot (mid August) and I was walking around like a gawking tourist and nearly got in trouble. I was too friendly to someone who was talking to me and it turned out that his motives were not good. Luckily my husband was close by and I think we averted a pretty scary situation. This time, Im going to be a little smarter! Im looking forward to giving Rome another try. <br />
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-66509413850050551842012-12-17T16:45:00.002-08:002012-12-17T16:45:20.225-08:00Simple Decorating from Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADKNKIUHUflvK3iSxzCc4lIOHElEnOsIjUHv7Sv75NMWKySRCHTh8lONVW6u8bGkrbGowOpHBRGPOz-TgK2k_I-Dz2vugR8POtc9u2UwwiuK91pK-lxOyNRIP-h91u2UFM3bE9HNXgaX5/s1600/IMG_6193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADKNKIUHUflvK3iSxzCc4lIOHElEnOsIjUHv7Sv75NMWKySRCHTh8lONVW6u8bGkrbGowOpHBRGPOz-TgK2k_I-Dz2vugR8POtc9u2UwwiuK91pK-lxOyNRIP-h91u2UFM3bE9HNXgaX5/s640/IMG_6193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is what I've done so far to decorate our house for Christmas. I seem to be drawn to the simple and natural this year. Normally I'm a big red fan at Christmastime but not this year. I've picked off some great ideas from Pinterest including the candles above - old jam jars with epsom salts and a tea light. Im also thinking about making new garlands for our tree. Have any of you made popcorn or cranberry garland? Im thinking of giving those a try. More of an old country feel than the glitzy ones I normally use. Tomorrow the tree finally goes up. We've got a Fraser Fir waiting outside. The painters have finished up today so its time.The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-61417137071933168202012-11-07T18:52:00.000-08:002012-11-07T18:52:11.826-08:00What's Been Coming Out of the Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
November is the beginning of nesting season for me. Every year I do this. I retreat into the house and start baking and cooking up a storm. Add that to knitting and cleaning and you've got a real domestic scene in front of you. I think I've turned into a 50's housewife (but in the happiest way). How is it possible to get so much satisfaction out of these simple things? I don't think its for everyone, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowboy Cookies (Moosewood Cookbook)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausage and Pumpkin Stew (Fine Cooking)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Apple Cake - Dorie Greenspan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crusty No-Knead Bread (Jim Lahey)</td></tr>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-16756566045337866712012-10-29T18:42:00.004-07:002012-10-29T18:42:52.384-07:00The Colours of Fall<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarn for my current knitting project, a warm blankie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path through our park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the view at the end of the path</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin, chard and sausage stew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZI6-a7wlXwodbUiXlMBU5g46l60kQHhHhIGi3-fld-ddayVF81Pq0oUV57c1f-pzTb3vDJhLCXXJpdCsasM7cgc8fdPGHB-3qax2gOIeMweiiedGcYBFhcU8ulzne4uCb45ZRFupYF8t/s1600/IMG_6094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZI6-a7wlXwodbUiXlMBU5g46l60kQHhHhIGi3-fld-ddayVF81Pq0oUV57c1f-pzTb3vDJhLCXXJpdCsasM7cgc8fdPGHB-3qax2gOIeMweiiedGcYBFhcU8ulzne4uCb45ZRFupYF8t/s640/IMG_6094.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Apple Cake - oh soooooo nice</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9eAQqOsiMatKKYAeiYQF6YRXawQlUDtyHycv0qmSGOH0a14YXL2W0jZsvvTbhTa7Eb4l6OfI7at7njDHdaFQJ-OmCZHmlFKbQltxv-n-yZbvhLGUAi6ZNSVlMF5pnW0P2WMBZa6l6Zeb/s1600/IMG_6096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9eAQqOsiMatKKYAeiYQF6YRXawQlUDtyHycv0qmSGOH0a14YXL2W0jZsvvTbhTa7Eb4l6OfI7at7njDHdaFQJ-OmCZHmlFKbQltxv-n-yZbvhLGUAi6ZNSVlMF5pnW0P2WMBZa6l6Zeb/s640/IMG_6096.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees in our garden - loosing all those gorgeous leaves</td></tr>
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We've had quite a lot of rain here in the past week, but we get a glimpse of the sunshine and run outside to embrace it when it comes. Autumn is such a beautiful time. The colours, the slight chill in the air, and all those comfort foods!<br />
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The house is still in transition but at least we are most of the way there now. The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-61702791667681221722012-10-13T19:31:00.000-07:002012-10-13T19:31:20.173-07:00Some Before Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCWIFFNj90XY2IK-Lvy5Nd4h9XMb4TpGs6D-4vW4aYBo8z29BnPz56E4llc-j0QRBEC2LqIRr4eMC0R-54l3NCWw-HAady07t72ojXep-3JYdA6r4BV01_9RGY_A7xfPKQ6RuOfpcygER/s1600/IMG_5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCWIFFNj90XY2IK-Lvy5Nd4h9XMb4TpGs6D-4vW4aYBo8z29BnPz56E4llc-j0QRBEC2LqIRr4eMC0R-54l3NCWw-HAady07t72ojXep-3JYdA6r4BV01_9RGY_A7xfPKQ6RuOfpcygER/s640/IMG_5868.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom Suite (Purple walls, carpet on floor)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuZ5WWgrcIXIp1mbggca22Y5X0THz_94t1Hr7X79ZNbbkSFy0q3s4ahllTcPwVUV3FmedgKffo8mytMAYZJIPQr99jqfrGsVjYI2h-ANVDkNaHHpjjjPH8JMNIS1SfAaNPvc00Ep0Oi3p/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuZ5WWgrcIXIp1mbggca22Y5X0THz_94t1Hr7X79ZNbbkSFy0q3s4ahllTcPwVUV3FmedgKffo8mytMAYZJIPQr99jqfrGsVjYI2h-ANVDkNaHHpjjjPH8JMNIS1SfAaNPvc00Ep0Oi3p/s640/IMG_5885.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room - yellow, small pass-through to kitchen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsDjQAF1e0KSNRRvxkRXp_wZAIZLL_4_OiNiCkfc2XbXyVsRLYumF2X_8KCC39mhAhE60s-mtAqWH5QwM_g4lpXCEOf0QGAnd_9NZE8PLSftvpW6px4xTAuUgMivDbGwaDvIGZvT_GEz_/s1600/IMG_5887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsDjQAF1e0KSNRRvxkRXp_wZAIZLL_4_OiNiCkfc2XbXyVsRLYumF2X_8KCC39mhAhE60s-mtAqWH5QwM_g4lpXCEOf0QGAnd_9NZE8PLSftvpW6px4xTAuUgMivDbGwaDvIGZvT_GEz_/s640/IMG_5887.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen - dream appliances, not so dreamy tile, powder blue walls</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2ZJeFjiVNxpkX6e1SgSL6b5xGUqGIz8kFUHel3_L-4B3DFU2lr-_831UnnoO76mpblzLHlUYKaJZNkClVPDX2os-c48v-gjMyOwXvuNL5Kak0l9FiIOdZbK1MpmW94i9eyRObFikmJTN/s1600/IMG_5892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2ZJeFjiVNxpkX6e1SgSL6b5xGUqGIz8kFUHel3_L-4B3DFU2lr-_831UnnoO76mpblzLHlUYKaJZNkClVPDX2os-c48v-gjMyOwXvuNL5Kak0l9FiIOdZbK1MpmW94i9eyRObFikmJTN/s640/IMG_5892.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry room, same tile, very bright orange walls</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimChpk6WbQZMBEeOUsw0JkcO9DfIUY0EDpIJi8Wwl0RH1kltKtE-JVieZmcCY31sNPpRADt_XGolBIbid2_t-6Vs51ZhUMIBtIiSluvbTRvnDpCmohDuwmEuL6Wk7FCBPzDSx4KO2Ob6mk/s1600/IMG_5896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimChpk6WbQZMBEeOUsw0JkcO9DfIUY0EDpIJi8Wwl0RH1kltKtE-JVieZmcCY31sNPpRADt_XGolBIbid2_t-6Vs51ZhUMIBtIiSluvbTRvnDpCmohDuwmEuL6Wk7FCBPzDSx4KO2Ob6mk/s640/IMG_5896.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Office, gorgeous built-in cabinetry, wine coloured walls</td></tr>
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Here are some shots of our new house before we took possession and started tearing things apart. I don't mean to be critical of other people's tastes in colour - its a personal thing, but I want to document the way the house looked before and show what a simpler colour pallet and some new finishes can do to change the look of a place. Afters to come soon (I hope).The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-24529411976255773172012-10-10T18:46:00.001-07:002012-10-10T18:46:59.238-07:00Slowly <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFcMTVWJJ2vSFyaoX1hgrcTfVyGgE5wfAo_rDh8Dbav-GJLCxNq9VUf5ik4ZFVWGC8rlnwat7HieRLwBQ0O6AySnVJkv1VFfrgwPk9Al-cHTJbYTgv6VnRnZILJw3i_AYo-WBm_EYvH8n/s1600/IMG_6068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFcMTVWJJ2vSFyaoX1hgrcTfVyGgE5wfAo_rDh8Dbav-GJLCxNq9VUf5ik4ZFVWGC8rlnwat7HieRLwBQ0O6AySnVJkv1VFfrgwPk9Al-cHTJbYTgv6VnRnZILJw3i_AYo-WBm_EYvH8n/s640/IMG_6068.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No More Hole in the Wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJKa-oCx2YOp_5Hdmbz2HEeb2Ww-hi4e4qpXGgZVWCY133bgMrLt7w9n2hORVY1fRxTMFgNu0bxpKouq2So-HWaBu2cMIdp8NscvPouTJh8C_dqDFnA4Vm1_hvqjVQDiFjYQyFAv4d85Z/s1600/IMG_6071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJKa-oCx2YOp_5Hdmbz2HEeb2Ww-hi4e4qpXGgZVWCY133bgMrLt7w9n2hORVY1fRxTMFgNu0bxpKouq2So-HWaBu2cMIdp8NscvPouTJh8C_dqDFnA4Vm1_hvqjVQDiFjYQyFAv4d85Z/s640/IMG_6071.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Riddance!<br />
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Somebody at some point must have loved this terra cotta coloured tile and black diamond backsplash. All I can say is that it had to go. Along with the terracotta tiled floor and powder blue paint. Somebody must have really enjoyed all that colour, but not so much for me. I've turned into the "white" paint lady ever since I started reading <a href="http://thegardenerscottage.blogspot.ca/2012/09/adding-color.html">The Gardener's Cottage</a>. I was told by Janet that she used Benjamin Moore's Simply White throughout her house and I've been converted to this beautiful and peaceful colour. <br />
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There have been moments over the past week when I've been close to tears due to the frustration of this renovation. I long to settle in and really make this place home, but this project will not move along according to my time-table. I am trying to take a more relaxed approach and appreciate every little progression that happens - wine also helps. The fellow in the photo taking off the backsplash is a lovely man and great tile setter. He is on his way next week to Mexico to build a home for a poor family. A group of men from his church have done this for 18 consecutive years. In a single week they build a family a house - isn't that impressive! When he told me the conditions in which some of these families live before they get their newly built home I was ashamed of myself for being frazzled about this reno. We are very lucky indeed.</td></tr>
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<br />The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-91536689667859970782012-10-01T21:56:00.002-07:002012-10-01T21:56:30.836-07:00Moved In - Renovations Underway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvfvSmG1usBtMDVhI3CHZjWsj1WQgk9FqpEHxPSyUVg0-n9bvcGRkiwYeYHncob-C1-1Jv5MvY21QcvK9LRvI-fOfFgJTuxi1gxewvOGzAb0QiAcjJdkVNCbgPnHhmne6ZqJ8WlumOB93/s1600/IMG_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvfvSmG1usBtMDVhI3CHZjWsj1WQgk9FqpEHxPSyUVg0-n9bvcGRkiwYeYHncob-C1-1Jv5MvY21QcvK9LRvI-fOfFgJTuxi1gxewvOGzAb0QiAcjJdkVNCbgPnHhmne6ZqJ8WlumOB93/s640/IMG_5903.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We've been in our new house for the past couple of weeks but we're still living out of boxes to some degree. Can't put stuff away until the renovations are complete which hopefully won't be that long, but I'm finding they take longer than you expect. As I write this our bathroom and bedroom are completely out of commission having been torn apart over a week ago and waiting to be put back together again (humpty-dumpty syndrome). To add to the mix, today the tile floors in the entry, kitchen and laundry room were all taken out to be replaced with marble tile this week. So basically we're running on one small bathroom for the family, and no other appliances. Oh, and I forgot to tell you that the new furnace is almost completely installed but not quite. Until the drywall is finished upstairs we won't be able to use it (to avoid the dreaded dry-wall dust entering the heating system). But as long as we don't mind not cooking, bathing, or doing laundry we'll be fine.The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-15542819648615088312012-09-11T19:07:00.002-07:002012-09-11T19:07:26.057-07:00Lovely Garage Sales!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHdIpv-QQ4Uhfa33aO7XfnVFEeYtkX3UYkWMatpzMbd1GqyLMcB91J-NS8EBGVAMdUcEV22MNrysmbPDCnmVOJgdQxLTJAEdkQxUjPj1RnhtMt29tGiVZYFkurTnToj7jvLkZKE5qzIST/s1600/IMG_5861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHdIpv-QQ4Uhfa33aO7XfnVFEeYtkX3UYkWMatpzMbd1GqyLMcB91J-NS8EBGVAMdUcEV22MNrysmbPDCnmVOJgdQxLTJAEdkQxUjPj1RnhtMt29tGiVZYFkurTnToj7jvLkZKE5qzIST/s640/IMG_5861.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
Last weekend I had some time to spend on my own while Keith was rowing in a local regatta. What better thing can you do on a sunny Saturday morning that go garage saling? Armed with my coffee and a bit of cash I went on the search for signs. I found one sale at a Church which was fun - I found some really cool placemats and some cutlery. On to the next sale - a multi-family affair. Here I really lucked out on stuff for the new house - garden hose, trowel, branch trimmers all for less than $10. Since we sold all our garden stuff last year in preparation for downsizing I sure don't want to pay retail to replace them now that the plans have changed!<br />
Here are a few treasures I picked up; china tea cups for 25 cents each and some silverware for 10 cents a piece. The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-38286499892078001572012-09-07T16:58:00.001-07:002012-09-07T16:58:39.705-07:00The Search is Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVNVGznGK8sYURshIu0l32jXGUJjg7HHt1qfiehresBz8dYnkTcyL9yv-F4d9GcbwvJV6jUBOenRRXM1RPUUciWNuBPCR719Woorihp3DipwLRRSx2Tv_poT-JsWvilq7XUnZZuJZ7xY9/s1600/IMG_5784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVNVGznGK8sYURshIu0l32jXGUJjg7HHt1qfiehresBz8dYnkTcyL9yv-F4d9GcbwvJV6jUBOenRRXM1RPUUciWNuBPCR719Woorihp3DipwLRRSx2Tv_poT-JsWvilq7XUnZZuJZ7xY9/s320/IMG_5784.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
What colour is your house? Do you love it? How often does it get re-painted? <br />
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We're hoping to not have to re-paint for a number of years so we really want to love how it looks. A small amount of pressure about getting it right. I know for sure that I don't love the current colour - yellow, even though our last house was a similar colour and I loved it. It seems to be a combination of colour and house - maybe a colour looks great on one house and not so good on another. So there are no guarantees that we'll get it right. I found several online programs that allow you to "try on" different colours on your house and we are pretty certain about our latest decision which is a "grey/blue/green". We found the exact colour on a house we drove by a week ago and today we drove by it again only to confirm the choice. Luckily we noticed that the homeowner was there and we decided to ask him what the colour was. The gentleman told us that his wife had painstakingly chosen the paint colours and that she wasn't home but would call us and give us the info. Aren't people generous? Here is the house that has inspired our colour choice. The colour (on upper shingles) is Benjamin Moore "Mount Saint Anne".The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-65951904431357903872012-09-04T07:09:00.001-07:002012-09-04T07:09:31.625-07:00Lurking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZbiK7YX_Wq-CcmBMNsIL0Je25j5uNFojbdfCvvU5IgGmD4lgVZj0LhO2GUJvae9i0BfENF1BeZ7Z_j6AAEnnCrPd2_HAkRZ8zctghXdXLbzqrR8O4dGvWbXvfTZnU5aG2XJj4MdoSRul/s1600/IMG_5847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZbiK7YX_Wq-CcmBMNsIL0Je25j5uNFojbdfCvvU5IgGmD4lgVZj0LhO2GUJvae9i0BfENF1BeZ7Z_j6AAEnnCrPd2_HAkRZ8zctghXdXLbzqrR8O4dGvWbXvfTZnU5aG2XJj4MdoSRul/s400/IMG_5847.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPkhvVy2o0kfoJxn3pVPO7BQDvk-iPQ5olH9TGJoQeupY3-xZp3yELjLg_D1S4GUOEXPQ3RkCOX4zMdEdGmjZ9X1NeBQjxZZ74QeCLn-fALv5OhJ0GlXFLLed44q3I746dDPQR6i0TWyH/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPkhvVy2o0kfoJxn3pVPO7BQDvk-iPQ5olH9TGJoQeupY3-xZp3yELjLg_D1S4GUOEXPQ3RkCOX4zMdEdGmjZ9X1NeBQjxZZ74QeCLn-fALv5OhJ0GlXFLLed44q3I746dDPQR6i0TWyH/s400/IMG_5852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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September 12th can't come fast enough for us. Thats the day we take possession of the new house. We closed the deal two weeks ago - for purposes of our mortgage we paid for the house already. For those of you who don't know about "porting" a mortgage I'll tell you. If you've paid out a mortgage and paid a penalty most banks will allow you to "port" the mortgage on a new property as long as it is done within a certain time period. We paid ours out in February and our bank has a strict six month policy so we had to fund the new mortgage before that expired. It was well worth it since we were refunded thousands of dollars in penalties. So thats why even though the house is officially ours we are still not in it. Just lurking around it. Every day this weekend we drove by the house and hung out in the new neighbourhood. It gave us the chance to sit on the bench and the park which is just a block away and hike down to the beach and around the rocky point. So peaceful down there!The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-61912371894481581872012-08-24T18:44:00.000-07:002012-08-24T18:44:59.363-07:00Choices and More ChoicesWhat a fun week this has been! <br />
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We have been busy choosing materials for the renovations as well as furnishings. We visited C&S Tile in Burnaby where we found a warehouse full of granite. I've never had a granite countertop before and have always loved them. We were overwhelmed by the selection at C&S! Both of us are big on using natural materials and we felt like kids in a candy store. After browsing for about an hour (oooing and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> aaaing) we sort of made a decision. Then we made our way over to Ames Tile and very quickly fell in love with some 3x6 marble tile for the floor. So excited! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">We got a great deal on a tufted brown leather chair and ottoman on Craigslist. Which is good because we splurged on the Kensington sofa from a restoration Hardware. But it's a classic and will probably be the last sofa we ever buy. Our new motto since the downsizing experiment has been "anything in the house is there because we absolutely love it or absolutely need it". This sofa fits both criteria most certainly. Home Sense came through with a pair of grey leather and chrome office chairs for $99 each and two wood Adorondack chairs for the garden marked down from $200 to $70 each. The last purchase was from The Antiques Market in Vancouver. A gorgeous Canadiana claw foot oak table and set of 4 chairs plus two additional mismatched (but same wood finish) extra dining chairs. This all came in at about what we had budgeted for the table alone since everything was discounted by 60%!</span><br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Fun,fun, fun!</span>The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-59148958583923620342012-08-20T08:21:00.000-07:002012-08-20T08:25:47.476-07:002012 - The Year of ChangesNot too long ago I wrote a post on the success of the downsizing so you'll probably be bewildered reading this post. We're upsizing! For a variety of reasons we have decided to buy a house again. Originally we were hoping to invest our money and get a little interest on it, but clearly this is not the right time for those expectations and in this part of the world the most solid investment you can make is in real estate - as in land as opposed to townhouse/condo type ownership. <br />
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It took a very short time to settle on a house to buy and within a few days we had made our deal. The plan is to take possession in the middle of September. There are lots of things we plan on doing to the house right away and hoped to have contractors get busy and finished those projects before the end of September. Then we gave our heads a shake. Of course there is no way that timetable can be achieved so we are now at peace with the idea that we will be living in the house while it is being renovated. People do this all the time, right?<br />
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Here's a peek of the house as it is now.<br />
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Although apparently the house has just been painted, its not to our liking and it will be painted right away. I have played around a bit with an app that shows you what different paint colours look like on your house and we've come to the conclusion that it will be primarily white(ish). The glass block at the front door will be replaced with a different window and the door will also be replaced. The big window in the living room will come out and in its place will be French doors leading out to a new patio. The funny "Dr. Seuss" tree just to the left of the doorway will come down and a new pergola will flank the two sides of the entryway. <br />
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The location of the house is lovely - in a small very treed older and stable residential neighbourhood. We are about a half a block away from the bluff leading down to a quiet beach. There is a tiny little view of the ocean from the master bedroom balcony in the back. <br />
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We are all excited about having this family home and I cannot wait to have all four of us back together and living here. Its going to be a wonderful place to celebrate life!The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-18594597615866000542012-07-15T16:49:00.000-07:002012-07-15T16:49:22.108-07:00A Bit of Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember the sweater I was knitting? Well its not a sweater anymore. I got about 75% finished and realized I didn't like how it was turning out so it got ripped back and the yarn rolled back into balls. My sister suggested that with all the frustration I've experienced lately with my knitting maybe some simple and achievable face cloths would be a good project. I always listen to my sister (right Melissa?) so I have embarked on some linen face cloths for myself. I am happy with the first one and moving right along to a second one. (I can hardly believe I finished something for a change). The thought is that I will do a set for each one of us in the house. Each one of us will have their own colour. I know colour coded face cloths - how retentive can you get? <br />
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As for the book - It is The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomon. If you like Downton Abby this is your cup of tea. I am trying to pace my reading because I don't want it to be finished. Set at the beginning of WW2 in an English Manor House our protagonist has escaped Vienna and left behind her upper class lifestyle and her jewish family to become a maid at Tyneford. What is going to happen to her family and what will become of the love she finds in her new home? Must be read with cup of tea at hand.The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162195463364912927.post-80001414197795641742012-07-05T14:20:00.002-07:002012-07-05T14:20:49.296-07:00Baking Bread is Easy!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><i>“I would say to housewives, be not daunted by one failure, nor by twenty. Resolve that you will have good bread, and never cease striving after this result till you have effected it. If persons without brains can accomplish this, why cannot you?”</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">’Housekeeping In Old Virginia' Marion Cabell Tyree ed. (1878</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">)</span></span><br />
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I used to have a bread maker but it was one of the things that didn't make the cut when we downsized. I always felt the bread smelled better than in tasted and the machine was too bulky and cumbersome to take to our smaller space. I've always been sort of intimidated about making home made bread from scratch. All that kneading, rising, etc had me thinking it was too much trouble, too time consuming and somehow likely to fail. I am probably one of the last people on earth to hear of the No-Knead method first brought to light by the New York Times in 2006. But, better late than never. I came across this <a href="http://simplysogood.blogspot.ca/2010/03/crusty-bread.html">recipe</a> for no-knead crusty bread and thought it looked simple enough. <br />
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I passed the recipe along to my <a href="http://teatimeramblings.blogspot.ca/">sister</a> and the two of us have been baking bread like crazy ever since. We've both done the plain version as well as some variations. Melissa did a whole grain / whole wheat loaf, while I did a fruit and nut loaf. I am also planning on doing a gruyere, rosemary and lemon loaf as suggested in the blog I found the recipe on.<br />
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I am somewhat amazed every time I open the oven door and find a gorgeous artisan loaf of bread waiting for me. Not only is it incredibly gratifying, it is delicious and amazingly economical. Ive paid up to $7 for a store-bought version of the fruit and nut bread and it is probably less than $1 for me to make it. If you haven't already given this a go I strongly suggest you do. If you can mix three ingredients in a bowl and leave it overnight and put the dough in the oven you can make this. Come to think of it this would be a great kitchen project for kids (as long as an adult is there to deal with the oven).<br />
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I've become a bread baker!The Knitting Instincthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01599163983897836167noreply@blogger.com0