It seems like yesterday

Today its has been 31 years since my Grandfather (Pakke) passed away. He left us suddenly on a Sunday afternoon.  My last memory of his is him standing on the proch waving goodbye. Not realizing it would be the last goodbye. Its a good memory though and I guess unlike so many other people who leave us we did get to say goodbye and I love you one last time.
I was 12 and until that day, death was something that happened but I have never felt its cold sting.   I still miss him and think of what a charge he would get out of my kids - Jared is named after him and in some ways is so like him its scary.  My grandfathers kind and soft ways, his mannerisms and most of all his big hands.   Lindsay on the other hand is her own person LOL but she loves sugar the way he did - lots and lots.
He had a HUGE spoon (it held I believe 10 tablespoons on it) that he ate his porridge with every day and my grandmother use to scold him about how much sugar he put on it. He alwasy replied with a smile "but dear I only put ONE spoonful on it :)

My spinning friends will get the joke ;)

Hats, hats hats!!!!

 Three white rabbits hopping around the hat -spoken for :)

 Black cats to bring good luck not bad ;) Available

White horse heads on royal blue -spoken for :)

There are more here in the pile -need to get more pictures -but I can and do take requests -email :)

Back to spinning

I'm taking a break from hats - I think I have knit 10 or so in the last while :)  So I have decided to go back to my favorite thing in the world -spinning angora -and not just any angora satin angora -yummy!!!!

Edited to answer question posted in comments :)
No special prep needed this is plucked from the bunny, put in the bag and then spun right from pluckings.  Is fun to watch it bloom out after it has spun to create that one of a kind halo :)

Remebering......

Yesterday was Remembrance Day here in Canada.  It is especially important to me as my parents are both immigrants here from Holland. For them the words "the Canadians are coming" were the words of freedom and hope.  Yesterday I watched my son march in the parade bright and shining in his uniform.  I watched the proud veterans march past to great applause.  And I stood there crying. Crying at the thought of those brave young boys those years ago bravely going off to fight for freedom. Crying for their mothers and wives who had to watch not knowing what was coming.  It struck me the thought that years ago that would have been my husband and son marching off so brave and bold.  And if they were lucky they would have got to come home.

Last night we went with the cadets to serve coffee and tea at the Waterford. The cadets got to talk to some of the heroes there.  RAF pilots, Highlanders who were on Juno beach and lived to tell the tale, resistance fighters, nurses and war brides.  Jared asked the gentleman who survived Juno beach what was the scariest moment -his answer -the thought that he had to take a second step as he wasn't dead in the first. 

Thank you to all who have ever worn the uniform - we are so grateful for your service. And thank you to the families that stand with their solider we are forever grateful!

Owls everywhere

Lindsay LOVES owls -we have stuffed ones, pictures on the computer and books all about them so when I saw this cute owl pattern for knitting I knew she had to have a new hat. So I knit one.  And she liked it kind of (laughs) but immediately wanted something more so mommy had to knit another one for her.

Here is the first one:

And here is the new and improved version 2.0 -more blue and with earflaps as requested :)

So which would win your vote -original or new 2.0 version? Either way the model is adorable!
Of course today she saw a new pattern with cats in it so who knows we may be knitting another design in the near future. Good thing I love to knit!!

Dona Nobis Pacem - BlogBlast for Peace 2012

Today I'm joining thousands of people, from over 150 countries all over the world blogging for PEACE.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.