D30 - Days #21 and #22

Day 21

I don't think there is anything much better than waking up to the sound of baking equipment purring away in my mom's kitchen.

We got up early in the morning so we could travel up-island to visit more family, but my mom was already up and making icing for my sister's birthday cake by the time I pulled myself out of bed at 7:30.

She even managed to make a pie crust from scratch before I got my lazy act together - what a lady!

Anywho, as soon as we were ready we met up with my sister, Michelle, and my aunt Maureen before we headed up island to visit a nice visit with more family.

They live on a farm! We got some serious doggy visiting time:

By the pond...

...with lots of slugs around...

...oh yeah, and snails too...

... and chickens!...

...and SHEEP!...

...a wonderful walk through the woods....

...followed by a couple of turkeys. One of which I am related too. (Hi Uncle Ed!) And yes, that dragonfly is dead. I didn't know that at the time; I was suckered into thinking it was just a beautiful opportunity for a photo and not a dead bug he found and stuck on his own shoulder...).

And then, we were fed. For a few hours. Because my aunt is a super-talented French hostess.

Hi Mom!

And then we were fed again.

**Don't worry, I spin most of the time. I did finish two ounces while I drank wine and chatted!**

Then, we partied. My sister's style. Super-hero-House-Party-Birthday.

Cake: Sewer floor, one rat, 4 turtles, and a river of ooze.

Movies: The first and fourth installements of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle series.

Birthday Girl: Michelle, age 26, alias "Wonder Woman"

And yes, I got more spinning done at the party. They just all thought I was a little weird.

Day 22

Happy Birthday Michelle! (Today was her REAL birthday).

Again, got up early and had a fantastic breakfast with Mom. Then we went to our friend Linda's house for a crafting-and-tea date, my favourite kind!

I spun.

They sewed.

And then we shared the beautiful "birthday blackberry pie" my mom made from scratch that morning! Damn is that woman good!

I had to take the ferry back home today - I had to get ready for the work week, plus I just plain miss by husband and kitties after a few days away! I got lots of spindle spinning finished on the bus home though, as well as finishing off the rest of the fibre destined for the Louet wheel.

Overall, a very productive, happy weekend!

D30 - Days #19 and #20!

Day 19

Ouch - didn't get anything done. I brought my spindle to the Greater Vancouver Spinners' and Weavers' Guild meeting thinking I could get some spinning finished during the meeting, but I just had too good of a time chattin' with my chums and watching the presentation. I'm going to have to push BIG TIME on the weekend!

Day 20

Finally! Some spinning was completed!

In the morning I started to spin a fresh ounce on my big bottom-whorl Ashford spindle. I got plenty done on the bus to work.

I had a wonderful day at the studio... I got do a little bit of dyeing, a little bit of packaging, some photography, and quality time working and talking with customers coming into Sweetgeorgia for the Yarn Harvest.  The new colourway we created for Spinzilla has been released, and I am really looking forward to dyeing up some more of that colour way in the next few weeks!

I meet and saw many fellow members of our Sweetgeorgia Spinzilla team - I am so stoked for this event to take place! I am really glad I get a week catch my breath between the Dirty Thirty and that crazy week of creating maximum yardage...!

In the evening, I headed to Victoria to spend the weekend celebrating my sister's birthday! Public transit heading to the ferry was busy, but that didn't stop me from desperately trying to spindle in a cramped bus seat - at least I didn't have to stand!

The spindling went much easier on the ferry - there was more room to stretch my arms without popping the personal bubble of the poor stranger sitting next to me.

Felicia graciously lent me the use of one of the studio's wheels to bring to Victoria so I might stand a small chance of achieving my goal by the end of the month! I packed along a Louet Victoria, and it was whipped out as soon as I got home. Another ounce started!

D30 - Days #16, 17 and 18!

Day 16

Well, I can spin and walk now. I wound of part of my spindle's cob onto an extra bobbin while I walked to the doctor, spun in the office, and figured out how to walk home AND spin at the same time. A new skill set!

I also spent some time plying the singles from my first two drop spindles together, as well as the four ounces I had completed on my Ladybug. Yippee!

Day 17

Didn't get a chance to do ANY spinning today. I taught a WONDERFUL spinning class in the evening though. Man, I have so lucky to have the most enthusiastic students. I have been super fortunate to get to work with the lovely ladies from both the classes I have taught (my current class and the one that started in August). I am super glad I got into teaching, even if it tuckers me out sooo much by the end of the day!

Day 18

I spun on the way home on the skytrain - I have almost finished off the fibre destined for my New Zealand spindle. When I got home, I spent some quality time visiting with my father-in-law and his wonderful wife, ate some delicious delivery (mmm veggie burger goodness...) and flicked about 7 ounces of fibre to prepare for the weekend. I am going to make a big push this weekend to get it all done - wish me luck!!!

D30 - Days #13, #14, and #15!

Day 13

Friday the 13th! And an amazing day indeed! I didn't get a lot of spinning done, but I did have an amazing day at work - my co-workers at Sweetgeorgia surprised me with a birthday treat! Hubert and David and Teresa gifted me with an awesome Lego set (The Desert Skiff from Star Wars - complete with Sarlacc pit! It is going in a place of honour besides Jabba's Place and the Rancor Pit in my living room), a beautiful card with the most wonderful birthday wishes inside, and the perfect "cake" for me - a giant platter of fruit, complete with a candle in a strawberry! Hehehe! I still can't believe my good fortune at finding a job with such a wonderful group of people, doing what I love, and being part of such a creative and inspiring team. Life is good.

I spun on the skytrain home. Then I packed up as quick as I could (including the Ladybug!), and Cameron and I took off for an amazing weekend in Manning Park!

Day 14

Ahh! Happy Birthday in Manning Park!

We started off the day with a visit to the lookout above the Manning Park lodge. Lots of visitors stop there and feed the local wildlife, so there were lots of little friends who felt brave enough to come close to the camera....

Next, Cameron and I hiked along the Paintbrush Trail...

Driving down from the mountains, I got in a little bit of spinning (of course!). But not enough for me to miss seeing more of the local wildlife...

Back to the lodge for lunch! Cameron took a little nap, while I escaped to spin in the outdoor picnic area. Of course I am there for about ten minutes before I ran into a fellow Spinzilla member (Hi Stephanie!). I got two ounces spun out in the open air... nice.

Later on, Cameron and I went for another hike up the Three Falls trail.

... and followed up all that fantastic outdoor excerise with a fantastic dinner (with wine and salmon!) at the Manning Park lodge's restaurant.

Afterwards, Cameron built me a beautiful warm fire behind the lodge in one of the fire pits. We roasted marshmallows and enjoyed the stars while Cameron rested his lungs after trying to breath our fire into life with no kindling. I think that was my favourite birthday treat.

Oh yeah, and I can spin by firelight too.

Day 15

We squeezed in one last hike before we left for home - the Beaver Pond. We always check out this trail every time we are in the area. It only takes about ten minutes to walk the entire loop - it takes us longer though, because we have to look for beavers!

No luck though. 

The rest of the drive home was beautiful. We took the long route so we could enjoy the scenic drive - there was no rush to get back. It also meant I got A LOT of spindling done in the car.

I saw this Jeep too. Yesssss another birthday treat!

Thanks for a perfect weekend babe! :D