May in pictures

Wow! It's been a long time since I posted! I have been battling with my RS injury, so knitting has been out. I have been so busy that not much crafting has happened... but I've been taking some nice photos with my new Canon DSLR camera! Here is a little photo recap of May.

create-ivity

I was perusing through some of my photo albums on my computer, and I found some great pics I shot & edited last fall around this time.



This is Roo, our loveable, naughty, chubby cat-who-thinks-he's-a-people.



This shot is of the fire in our woodstove, which we just got last year. I absolutely love it! The smell of woodstove fills up the house with this warm, sweet pine filed, winter fragrance. We don't actually use that much wood because it heats the house so well. We haven't fired it up yet this year, but with that November chill in the air I sense it will be soon.





These last two shots were used as a part of an online presentation for my bio class last winter. The top eye is my hubby's, and the bottom one is mine. Can you see the camera in my eye?

I've been swamped here with studying for midterms, and feeling slightly hopeless, but I've been taking creativity breaks so that I don't go crazy. So far I've sewn up about 10 items for the impending craft fair in December, and I have loads of ideas in my little idea book for more. I've also got some tricks up my sleeve for presents this year... he he he... you'll have to wait until after Christmas to see~

~Nessa

a cure for the blues

The above pic was taken a couple of weeks ago when fall was in full swing. But now it is almost beginning to feel wintery! And by wintery I mean West Coast BC wintery ie.cold, wet, and grey.

So I have been making some cheerful stuffies to chase the winter greys away.
It is impossible to have the blues when you've got a fluffy frosted cupcake with rainbow sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry on top!! It is like happiness incarnate!



These little guys will be for sale at the Perks Arena Christmas craft fair (more details to come closer to the date).



When I showed these to Jeffy, he asked "but can I eat them?"
Sorry Love, they're full of the wrong kind of fiber.


These little fluffies make me hungry for the real thing, which I admit I've been indulging in quite often this season :-) Can you blame me though?

I've also been working on some other more festive stuffies for the Christmas craft fair, but no pics of those yet.


And what is late Fall/ early winter without some hearty warming soup? Here's what we ate for dinner tonight...

Minestrone With A Colombian Twist



Ingredients:
1 can diced tomatoes (796 mL)
3 stalks of celery chopped
1 handful of cilantro chopped (about 10-12 sprigs)
1 can of beans rinsed, I used white kidney beans (540 mL)
1/2 pkg Mrs.Leepers Corn Rotelli (one pkg is 340g)
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 cup vegetable juice (like V8)
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 cube boullion (I use veggie boullion)
Shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Sour cream for topping

Mix all ingredients together except for noodles, sour cream, and cheese. Heat in a large pot on medium.
Cook noodles according to pkg directions, set aside.
Once celery is cooked, add the noodles.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of cheese on top. Cheese quesadillas, or corn chips would be a tastey side :-)

Happy November!
~Nessa

lacking clever title

This past Monday, I spent the day with my friend Victoria. It was BC Day for all those non-British Columbians, and so the city was in full festivities. It was a lovely day! I didn't even mess with the colours in photoshop, these dreamy colours were what my camera actually captured!



We walked around Beacon Hill Park, and then on to the Inner Harbour to see some great free concerts, including Collin James, Sarah McLaughlan, and Feist.









Then, yesterday I bought a bike! It is a used vintage Italian folding bike in a wicked orange colour. The seat has a tiny hole in it from previous use, so until I get a new one I will use this crocheted cover over it.



I used my freestyle crochet skills to make this cute cover, which I have dubbed the Bella Bike Seat Cover, since my bike was called an Anna Bella model.



I intend to use my new bike to get to & from school & work. I love how it is so compact, and fits my tiny frame very well. More photos when the weather is not so miserable!

~nessa

Tofino/Ucluelet Adventure!

Last weekend, the hubby & I took off on our very first vacation together! Yes, we have been together for five years, and married for three, but nary a vacation have we been on!



Last weekend the hubby & I were supposed to go camping with his friends. We even booked time off especially for it, but at the last minute his friends all bailed. On Friday night, the hubby phoned me at work, and told me to try and find a place for us to stay in Tofino for the weekend.
So that night I spent the evening frantically phoning around up island to find us a campground, hotel, or b&b. I lucked out & found accomodations for both Saturday & Sunday night at a B&B in Ucluelet, which is about 40km from Tofino.




Saturday morning, we hit the road.


Knitting in hand of course...


Along the way, we found a cool glacier fed river to check out.


The water was so green.

After which we hit the windy road up to Tofino, which was an adventure in and of itself. Especially with Jeffy being so new to driving standard, and our new car (btw. we got a new car, well new to us, a buick 2-door). Luckily, we didn't drive off the edge of the mountainous road, and we arrived safe and sound in Ucluelet.

Our B&B was a beautiful new home in a weird little rainforest. They called it Old Growth, but we knew better. It was pretty though.
That night, we had dinner in town, and then snuggled up to watch a movie (the owners had a good DVD collection to choose from).


The next morning, we went to check out Tofino.


We puttered around, and chatted up some of the locals. Had some wicked chai latte, and checked out the many art galleries and shops.


We ended up having lunch at Sobo's (nothing to do with this photo, this was a carving that I liked), a unique cafeteria style restaurant that started out in a van. Then headed back out of Tofino.


Then we went to Long Beach


A couple of times actually...


We would check out part of it, then get back in the car...


and drive to find more...


and walk through some trails, and down stairs...


and there was more....


It is aptly named.

The evening was capped off with an evening stroll through Ucluelet, some Khalua mudslides, another good movie, and some real stars! Seriously, it puts Victoria night skies to shame.

Because of our evening fun, we slept in on Monday, and had a lazy drive back to Victoria.


with more knitting


and more gorgeous views.

It was a lovely weekend, and two pairs of socks are almost complete now. I just have the toes to do on 2 socks!

~Nessa

Sunday Spectacular

Today, and I went photo-shooting at the hill near my house. It is a Garry Oak ecosystem. We got some great shots, including some new ones of the Sunday Market Shawl. The scent of lilacs, and camas flowers was lovely on the warm summer breeze. It has been like summer here this past week!!