WOW!!! Heaven I tell you.

Unbelievable! September already. It feels like summer today in balmy Ottawa though...it's a super sunny day...and warm to boot. It seems if we're not complaining about the weather, we're complaining about gas prices. Reading the newspaper daily has put these trivial things into perspective. My heart goes out to those who have been affected by Katrina. What a devastating loss...there are no words.Here, in the cozy confines of my home and in my car, I have been cranking out a few instant gratification projects. Especially after a visit to this shop. WOW!!! Heaven I tell you. We have a pretty good selection of shops in Ottawa...but none that really carry the yarns I've been coveting (read=buying on ebay). So when I found this website...I nearly passed out! I came out with my Visa still intact, but was able to scoop up a few balls of Kureyon (fingerless mitts), some novelty stuff for a scarf for my mom and some Colinette Fandango for this scarf...The pattern is in this booklet...fun stuff!As a last hurrah, we took the little man to Montreal to see the Biodome...well, really the penguins. You see, I HAD to see March of the Penguins. People...I was the only one giggling throughout the entire opening scene. Such majestic creatures, yes, but man...such a funny sight to see thousands of them, walking along in a line. Hee hee!!! Small things amuse small minds I suppose. Such a great film, and excellent choice in narrator (Morgan Freeman truly rocks!). Anyhoo..off the the Biodome. Which kept the little man's attention for such a short period of time, we decided to introduce him to the Metro. We don't have a subway system in Ottawa...so we thought he'd get a kick out of it. He did...witness below.Montreal is a fab city...so much to see and do. We hit the usual Old Montreal haunts-Notre Dame, Old Port, etc. and grabbed a bite to eat. Grilled paninis...yum. We hopped back on the Metro, and drove on home! I was able to finish a quick scarf for my mom using a skein each of Pom (funky novelty yarn to work with) and some navy eyelash sort of stuff as well. Honkin' needles=done quick. Mom doesn't like her scarves long...just wide...so VOILA...Sunday...my better half was scuba diving near Rockport, along the lovely St. Lawrence River, and Noah and I spent the day shopping for micro clothes. (Read=little man scored bags full of clothes, mommy=nada).Monday we were off to Gatineau Park. I love it here. We spent many days hiking here, before we had Noah and even when he was a wee lad. It's a bit cumbersome to hike now...little man's legs can't quite keep up and there's some pretty rough terrain on some of the trails. We still go up and stomp around the MacKenzie King estate...which is stunning...truly. Here's a few pics of the man hanging out in the ruins..And...well...here's Kureyon hanging out in the ruins too!A quick trip back to Ottawa (not totally unscathed...I ended up with a huge gash on the palm of my hand and a disgusting bruise on my leg...way to go Miss Graceful!)-I was able to finish up a fingerless mitten though...Voila...a fingerless mitt in lovely Noro Kureyon..which, gasp, I can now get at a LYS! YAHOO!!! Pattern compliments of Wendy.Tuesday...Noah started back at his Montessori School. All went well....the only separation anxiety being felt was by Mommy and Daddy. We soothed our aching hearts (enter drama queen!!) with vats of latte...and felt much better. Here's the man in the parking lot...this is the only pic we could snag...he refused to show off his little summer uniform. In the fall he'll be wearing the full dress pants/shirt and tie/cardigan ensemble. So. frickin. cute. Enough said.I rec'd an order from Knitter's Review awhile back and forgot to post...here she is......my little basket full o'stuff! I love this basket, but was a bit surprised by the size of it. It's a fab size, but I honestly thought it was smaller. It had been on back order for a few months, so I was super delighted to receive it, along with some other goodies in the mail. Yay!You may also see a drop spindle peeking out...I took the bait and ordered one from ebay, along with an instructional book and some practice fleece. I have already begged a local shop owner to give me a hand...so this may be my next little hobby. Sigh...so much to do, so little time!Other tidbits...I attended a fantastic little seminar on Buddhism at the local library last night. My Catholic mom went silent on the phone when I told her. Funny...it's good to keep your folks on their toes I think! Hee.Also attended my first stitch and bitch...very weird feeling. Almost like a blind date no? We chatted as though we'd known one another for ages...kinda cool. I'll probably catch up with them again in a few weeks.Quilt guild is gearing to start up soon as well and I'm contemplating joing the Knitting Guild as well. We'll see...there are still some courses I'd like to take at the local college to finish up my Trauma/Addictions counselling certificate thingy.More time please....I'm off...little man is causing some serious chaos somewhere outside...he's awfully quiet which is never good!