Parker Cardigan and Winter Wonderland

Here is the beginnings of the Parker Cardigan that I wrote about a few days ago.  This is the beginning of the back and it is coming along really nicely! I'm using the Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn in a lovely shade of deep purple.

I have the day off work today and I've been organizing my craft room all day - photos to come when it is all set up!  Otherwise, I've just been knitting and un-packing my Japanese Re-Ment miniatures collection, too.  Just quiet stay-at-home stuff for me today....because it is a winter wonderland outside!  C'mon, Mother Nature, I thought it was Spring, so why do you have to bring us more snow?  Poor Paul has to drive home from work in a huge blizzard today.

As I've posted about before, we set up a bird feeder and have been putting seed out for the birds, squirrels, rabbits, and whoever else comes into our backyard that wants some seed.  A pair of Mourning Doves has been eating the seed from a pile on the ground and they were looking towards the back door this morning wondering where the food was, as the remaining seeds were buried under the fresh snow.  I went outside in the back yard and cleared some snow off the deck, and poured out some seeds into a pile.

I went back downstairs a couple of hours later and there was a huge bird party going on out there!  Tons and tons of birds all in the feeder, on the ground, and sitting up on the trees and on smaller plants as well!  There had to have been at least 40 birds in our little backyard.  I took a bunch of photos with the camera, so you can take a look!  I'm happy that the birds can enjoy some food in these blizzard-like conditions!

Difficult to see the birds - a view from the upstairs bedroom window looking down into the backyard.

Still snowing outside....it does look rather pretty, but I'm just about ready for spring!  Besides, all the snow that we had before had completely melted, so now we have to wait for all of this new snow to melt!

FO: Go With The Flow Socks

These socks have been finished for a while, but I just haven't gotten around to posting about them.  They were knitted with the Go With The Flow pattern from the Favorite Socks book by Interweave.  I've mentioned this book in the past when writing about other finished projects from the book, and this is a must-buy book if you are into knitting socks or would like to learn!

I used Patons Kroy Socks Jacquards in the colorway Turquoise Jacquard to create these socks.  They do go a little bit higher up my leg, making them extra cozy!

Have I mentioned my "fear" of wearing hand-knit socks outside of the house?  You just spend so much time making them and they are so wonderful that I don't want to wear them inside of a boot or shoe!  I wear my socks around the house all the time but never outside.  Maybe that will one day change.  It would be really nice to someday have mostly all handmade socks and just wear the cheaper store-bought ones to the gym or working out.

I haven't knitted for a while so I decided that I am going to start a larger project again, the Parker Cardigan by Interweave.  The pattern is up for sale for $5.50 at the Interweave store as it was featured in one of their magazines.  I have some yarn that I purchased a long time ago at a Boxing Day sale at Michaels that I'm going to use.  The last sweater that I made was the Cabled Cardigan and it took me FOREVER!  I think it turned out pretty good, except the hood is a little bit too big (my only complaint, really!).  Hopefully this new sweater turns out nicely!

Kitty Blog Post and the Kitties of Cat Island, Japan

The newest photo of my sister's cats - I went to visit her last week and of course, took a few photos with the kitties (after snuggling with them, of course!).  They used to be our cats when we lived at home with our parents, but she took them with her when she moved out.  Now, I'm just the cool aunt who visits, brings them treats and toys, and loves them!  (said in a high-pitched, squeaky voice)

A moment to talk about Japan - the earthquakes and tsunami are all over the news and it is so devastating. Japan is very special to me - I love Japan and it is my dream to travel there. I have met friends from Japan, both in person and online, and some of my friends either currently live there or have family that lives there.  Thankfully, everyone that I know (and their families) are safe.  I wish everyone all the best in re-building the country and I'm so sad over what happened there.  

Speaking of cats, my favorite online cat, Maru, happens to be from Japan.  Thank goodness that he and his owner are safe.

Also, speaking of cats, the cats of Cat Island, Japan are safe and they are hopefully going to focus on re-building the island.  Cat Island, officially known as Tashiro Island, is a small island in Japan where the amount of cats outnumber people!  The cats all roam around freely, and there are many elderly residents that live there who take great care of them.  There are even buildings in the shapes of cats there, and shrines devoted to cats.

People were uncertain of the status of Cat Island, and it was rumoured to be completely submerged underwater!  Thankfully, the cats and people have survived and are in need of the basic necessities, like water and cat food.  I hope that they are able to get these things, and fast!  A helicopter is rumoured to have stopped there with some supplies.

If you are an animal-lover who is looking to send financial assistance to help Japanese animals in need, please visit the Conscious Cat website for more details.  And of course, please donate to the Red Cross to help all of the people who are in need!

Blog Followers Swap on Swap-Bot

Swap Bot is so much fun, especially if you're addicted to snail mail like I am.  I've posted about Swap Bot in the past - essentially, you sign up to swaps that you are interested in, you get randomly assigned partners from all over the world, and you send them some surprises in the mail or electronically depending on the swap topic.  Here is a direct link to my Swap Bot profile if you'd like to check it out, or add me as a friend on there!  I describe all of the things that I enjoy within my profile, as well as keep track of previous swaps/ratings/groups/etc.  I must warn you...if you do join, it is rather addictive!

The newest swap I have joined is a Blog Follower Swap.  You are assigned 20 partners, and you check out their blogs, post a comment, and follow it if you'd like to keep reading it in the future.  In turn, 20 people visit your blog, you get some hits and comments to your page, and hopefully people like what they read and come back for more!

I'd like to take a moment to post a list of my twenty Blog Follower Swap partners, so if something strikes your fancy, you might like to take a moment to check out a new blog for yourself!

Provadia's blog, Folksy Love - a blog about Blythe and photographs of Blythe dolls.  Beautiful photography, especially if you love all things Blythe!  Be sure to stop by the Etsy Shop as well!


Phoerauf's blog, Screaming Mimi - a wonderful blog written by a mother of two - be sure to check out her photography picture-a-day project!

Madaboutpink's blog, Mad About Pink - Great crafty tutorials and inspirational home decor - I will be checking out this blog since I'm always looking for new decorating ideas!

Starrgazer's blog, Starrgazer Creates - Ooh, I love a good crafting blog!  I adore the mini-scrapbook that starrgazer has created, as well as some other fantastic projects!

Ichigoshortcake's blog, Ichigo Shortcake - an adorable kawaii blog!  Super cute, even the cursor is a small cake :)

Scamp's blog, A Drawing a Day - What a concept...what discipline!  A drawing a day.  A true online sketch book for all of us to see!

AsAlwaysAngela's blog, As Always Angela - Check out the beautiful handmade cards that she makes!  You can visit her Etsy shop from here, or become inspired to create your own handmade greeting cards!

Tanchyka's blog, Tanja's Cupcakes - All of the baked goods on this blog are sure to make you drool!  I am hungry just looking at them!  What's great is that the recipes are all posted, so you can make these tasty treats yourself!

Unvlmom's blog, Unionvale Mom's Spot - Crafting and cooking and more - sound familiar?  Those are things I love to do, too!  Check out the cute FBs and art journal pages she has created!

Hxckendra's blog, Moon Shadow - Inspirational quotes, videos, and insightful articles!

Tamtamlee's blog, Havfaith - Check out the 50 days challenge that she's doing - 50 lists!  As well as other things in her daily life!

Blackbird4's blog, Patricia's Fabric Art - Check out her gorgeous art and sewing projects!

Yarnovers' blog,  Encourage One Another - I can't resist a blog with projects made from yarn!  I'm in love with the super cute cupcake, complete with pattern!

Doreen247's blog, Sew Artfully Minded - you have to see these beautiful quilts that she has made!  Wow!

TheArtistChick's blog, A Papered-Art Life - A brand new blog!  Hope she will post some of her paper art and collages here soon, I'd love to see them!

PinkStitches' blog, Pink Stitches - I am a sucker for the colour, pink!  A crafty blog by a Mom!

Chinnu's blog, Chinnu's Crafts - Some awesome ATCs and crafts - I love craft blogs so I'll be checking back in the future for sure!

Memtree's blog, Consciousness Collection - Crafts....kawaii...need I say more?  Those are some of my favorite things!

Justingrid's blog, IsaTe's Designs - A wonderful crafty blog!  Check out the adorable needlefelted rings!

Amy528's blog, A Random Hodgepodge of Bookishness - Love the name!  A blog by a librarian!  As someone who loves reading and has an English degree, I'm definitely following this one!


Well, if you're looking for new blogs to follow....that should keep you busy! :)  It has been great "meeting" all of the new bloggers and SB users - hope to keep in touch with you guys!

Our Vacation to Niagara Falls and Great Wolf Lodge

A highlight of photos from our recent mini-vacation for two days to Niagara Falls, ON and Great Wolf Lodge.  We visited Great Wolf Lodge overnight for a day, then went to the Bird Kingdom Aviary and Niagara Falls.

To read in detail and view our many photos, be sure to visit my travel blog, The Adventures of Poolie and Loolie!  I also have tons of photos posted over at my Picasa Web Album if you'd like to check those out!  Please follow my travel blog - I update it every time we go on vacation!