Sunday, June 30, 2013

A Kipling Reno

A Kipling Reno
1942 - 2013
                                                
God gives all men all earth to love,
But, since man's heart is small,
Ordains for each one spot shall prove
Beloved over all.


No easy hope or lies
Shall bring us to our goal,



But iron sacrifice
Of body, will and soul.

There is nothing left to-day
But steel and fire and stone!


Though all we knew depart,
In courage keep your heart,


In strength lift up your hand.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You, too, can be like Lim and Kiz and renovate four houses in five years!




Sunday Morning

Realizing my nearly week long absence, I'm posting a mid-morning micro.


 Impatient for Val Webb's course to begin . . . 

. . . and recalling past instructions . . .

 I tried a common house sparrow.

Bunny is not impressed. Grumpy Guts wants her walk.



Monday, June 24, 2013

It's the Little Things


Cupcakes from our neighbour 


 
Julia Child finally opening


The hum of the hedge trimmer


The first clematis


Roses right round the door


Self seeded pumpkins


The dog waiting for elevensies


. . . . and elevensies


Sunday, June 23, 2013

Haiku Memories From the Kitchen Window





A hoary rime



I will not whine




Bunny sublime



When? Six months in time.








Friday, June 21, 2013

The Magic Box 


Well, I'm giving my Little Cotton Rabbits a rest. 
Great Uncle Dave said 5 bunnies in 4 weeks is a good start to his warren.



So . . . abracadabra . . . 



No white rabbit, but 
 the summer Berroco Fuji project . . .



two knitted circles sewn together to form a sleeveless top.



Lots of bobbles and yarn overs knitted in the round . . . 



. . . which fit magically back in the box.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Results of a Wet Spring

I realize people complain about the weather we've had this season, 
but look what you get . . . 



Sky high dutchman's pipe and wisteria, 



smothering zepherines,



 David Austen's Queen of Sweden,



David Austen's Winchester Cathedral,



and David Austen's Mary Rose.


Rain, mild temperatures and the absence of those vile Japanese Beetles 
make the 2013 garden one to remember.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Proper Etiquette

A few posts back I mentioned finishing my LCR bunny, but I neglected to give credit to the pattern designer, Julie Williams of Little Cotton Rabbits.


I'm finishing bunny #5, but this guy is my favourite so far.




His name is Great Uncle Dave. His body is Rowan Felted Tweed and Kid Silk Haze. His pants are Rowan Felted Tweed and his sweater is Rooster Almerino. Only the best, you know.



Great Uncle Dave now has an Apple book written about his daily adventures.


Julie can be reached at  littlecottonrabbits@typepad.co.uk and, of course, through Ravelry.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

A Date with D


Friday was date day . . .  lunch in the village of Alton.


Ray's 3rd Generation Bistro Bakery became our destination.



There are indoor and outdoor eating areas in this cute little place.



Of course, we started with a good mug of coffee.



D plumped for a meat and onion pie . . . 



  . . . and a tuna sandwich on Marathon bread for me. Yum.



Across the street is the Alton Mill Arts Centre  . . .




on the beautiful banks of Shaw's Creek.



Like so many old mills this one now houses artists' studios and galleries.



William Algie built the mill in 1881 with large windows as part of his plan to provide the best of working conditions. 




Algie's Beaver Knitting Mill produced fleece-lined long underwear.



In 1935 Fredrick Stubbs of the Western Rubber Co. bought the property and manufactured all things rubber including balloons, rubber gloves and condoms. That last contract was VERY lucrative during World War Two.



In the 1990s Jordan and Jeremy Grant saw the possibilities of the derelict building and with the support of Headwaters Arts and the Town of Caledon created a place worth visiting. Doors opened in 2009.
Check out www.altonmill.ca for more information.