It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's time for a change!! Hopefully, there won't be too many rabbit holes to go down today, and I need to get back into the swing of things. Good grief -- I've become a slug with bad eating habits, and I don't like it one bit!!! 

The first change -- I'm up much earlier!! And I plan to go for a long walk this morning, since I don't expect M to be up too early. I'm good with that. The good news is that there is no rain this morning. While I came dressed for the cool temperatures, my coat isn't waterproof, so that was a problem. Today is the day!!!

And thanks for the comments about the top-down knitting. I'm not a super-experienced knitter, and I had never heard of that before. Now I know! There is always something new to learn, and I suspect that as I progress on this knitting journey, I might discover a couple more things along the way. BUT first, when I get home, I need to finish that turtleneck cowl and then dig out the garter-stitch afghan. I doubt there will be much to learn with either project. EXCEPT - focus and get the projects done! 

I have no idea why I didn't think to bring some handwork with me. Obviously, I wasn't thinking. Now I wouldn't have brought knitting needles, and I hate to buy some when I have very nice ones at home, but I could have brought my hexie project. Oh well --- remember that for next time! 

OH MY --- you are welcome for the vicarious tour of Capilano Suspension Bridge. Yep -- I remember when I was a kid and came here. I thought we went to Lynn Canyon, but I could be wrong. I was terrified of walking on that bridge! Absolutely terrified. Now - it's just awkward to walk across when the darn thing is bouncing like mad! I swear it feels like you are quite intoxicated! 

Speaking of rain, I took Bear for a very short walk in the morning, and he was all dressed up in his raincoat, which he hates. But not as much as he hates his winter coat. But he's so darn cute!!! 

Bear is dressed for wet weather

In the afternoon, we decided to surprise Dillon and put up the Christmas decorations. They don't have too many, but it was a fun time as we figured out where to put stuff. I strung the lights on the back deck, and all was good. And as we took the decorations out of the boxes, we came across the Advent Calendar that M got when she was not quite two. Oh my -- it's a Playmobil, and it's still in good condition!!!

And the felt stocking that I made her, which I didn't take a picture of, and her Santa sack, which was terrific for stuffing presents into, and saved on wrapping paper! Dillon doesn't have one, so I suppose I need to get busy with that. 

M's Santa sack

We also took a quick trip to Michaels' to see if there was anything neat that we could add to their collection. OH MY—everything was 40-60% off. It was crazy, and then, of course, I asked for a senior discount -- hey, I was paying, I'm entitled. Well, we ended up saving (before the senior discount) more than we paid!!!! It was insane, and I totally get sales, but this is prime time for people to buy new Christmas stuff if they need. I don't get it. 

This Michael's also had fabric! I believe there were two aisles with fabric. Quite a variety, but I didn't buy anything. We were there for Christmas stuff! Gosh, when I went through my photos last night, I didn't seem to pick the "good photos!"

BUT - look what I spotted, and I could kick myself. Yep -- we spotted CHRISTMAS pie candles, and while they were the same price as the ones I bought back home, these were on sale!!!! 60% off. I did use a coupon back home, but still. I did NOT buy another one. But this was the exact type of pie plate I was looking for, and the only way to get it was to purchase the candle! I don't care - I just need to burn down that candle, and I'll have my pie plate. 

Christmas pie candles

I can't help myself -- that little dog is so darn cute. Bear's got quite the attitude as well. Here he is curled up on the cushions on the sofa. Quite content. 

The king of the household

And then sitting beside his toy bear, who is looking a bit ragged. 

Grandma - there's no dog here! 

And then we had a Zoom call last night, and he was pretty happy to sit and watch himself while we waited for the others to join! What a goofball!!! 

Where is everyone? 

Now here's a story about dollar stores. While I frequent dollar stores, I cannot bring myself to buy anything edible at them. I just can't. I don't care if it is a name brand, I don't care if it isn't past the expiry date or best before date, I just cannot. 

However, we were at Fields on Salt Spring Island earlier this week with my aunt, and it reminded me of a dollar store. They had some food items, including packaged cookie mixes, and well, I got pulled in by the packaging. It looked pretty decent (sorry - no picture, and it was buried in the garbage by the time I thought of taking one), and the price was $6.50. Fields is NOT a dollar store, but the items on the shelves are reminiscent of what you'd find there. Anyway, the cookie mix was 50% off or something like that. Well, I decided to buy that package. 

I decided that while we were working on the Christmas decorations, we could bake cookies as well. The darn unsalted butter to make the shortbread cookies was way more expensive than the cookie mix. It's a long time I haven't baked cookies. And I had to hand-blend the butter into the dry ingredients. My arms were thankful when I was done! 

ME - baking cookies!!!

OK -- They are NOT pretty, and I was a little apprehensive to taste them. Would they be stale or bland? 

The cookies

And you know what? They were pretty darn good! Hard to believe, but they are very decent cookies! 

So we had cookies to add to the surprise when Dillon got home! Gosh -- I remember my Mom used to bake dozens and dozens of cookies and squares at Christmas time. How did we ever eat all that sugar and survive? Oh yes—we were young and lived on a farm!!!

Now here's the problem with TV. When I went on that first bike trip to Inuvik from Vancouver (2010), we spent the entire time in remote areas, and TV was not on the radar. You have to realize that I was a reality-TV-show junkie. I watched them all! Well, most of them. 

I came home from that three-week trip and never turned on the TV again. I was cured. I had no desire to watch "silly" shows. I wanted some meaning in my life. I'm not ragging on you for watching what you want, but I just wanted to spend my time on other things. And if I do want to watch something, I try to check it out on a streaming service. I have no idea why, but it's usually not in a comfy spot, so I don't linger.  

Don't yell at me if you watch shows -- we all choose how to spend our time. I have decided not to watch TV. 

Why? Well, here's a very good reason. Last night, M turned on the TV, and we spotted Project Runway Canada on Netflix. OH -- I like that show, and she likes fashion, so we watched the first show, which starts with 12 participants. 

Well, the first episode was fun, as they took a suitcase full of denim garments and created an elegant runway look. When it was over, and that message pops up, the next episode starts in 10, 9, 8, ......... We decided to watch the next episode. And we would have watched the next one, except I was pretty tired by then. 

I am NOT a fan of binge-watching an entire series in a very short time. The same reason I am NEVER up to date with an author's latest book. I love being able to decide for myself when and how often I read that author or watch that show. It's just a rule I had to set for my very obsessive behavior!!!! 

As we went to bed, I said, "Well, I won't be able to watch until she gets up because I have no idea how to turn on the TV or work through the menus to find that show." She gave me quick instructions, but I won't watch it. As I was lying in bed, I realized I had this giant TV on the wall here, so I could watch in bed. But NO -- I'd rather go for a walk. 

Earlier in the day, I managed to input all my missing steps and spin class data yesterday, so that was good! Of course, I'm behind, but not so bad, and I'll likely have to downgrade my 2025 walking goal by about 600 KM, which isn't such a big deal. I'll live! And well, perhaps the goal was a bit too aggressive anyway, but how quickly I got out of good habits, like walking when I traveled. 

I'm not sure where or how that came about. But it was NOT safe to walk alone early in the morning in most of the places we stayed in Africa, so I kind of got out of the habit. If I'm home, it's easy. If I'm not home, I'm becoming a slug. So I'll be out as soon as it gets a bit lighter! 

And soon I'll be heading home anyway, and then I can dig out those knitting needles and get back to sewing. I have a few customer quilts to finish up, and I have more community project quilts that I would LOVE to finish this year. But I don't think I'll quite have time to finish them all, but I'll do what I can! And there are still a few classes to prep for, as well as some clubs like embroidery and UFO. 

And now, for one rabbit hole: QUILTsocial. Here's the link to day two of the week with the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 65. It's all about Embroidery Stitch Out, and again, if you have a Wi-Fi-enabled Husqvarna Viking embroidery machine, be sure to watch the videos, as you are sure to learn something from them. The tools are very similar on all machines. 

I just had a quick look through all the videos I did, and they are great!!!! They are NOT perfect. A couple of wrong words, but overall— not bad, considering I do those videos in one take! It takes a couple of practices first!! I must become better at editing so I can switch a word or two if need be!!!

I also had a browse through the library book on art quilts that M borrowed for me. OH MY -- what fun, and the timing is so right. I have a few ideas to take home to work on my next writing assignment. I can't wait!!!!

OH -- and if you look at some of the pictures, you'll see my backdrop. I'm using the IKEA Decorative Table Top rod and hung a piece of heavy, grey polyester fabric over it. A seamless, wrinkle-free backdrop. I LOVE it. That was a brilliant idea!!!!

Alright -- that's it for today! I hope it's light enough outside to start my walk by now. I have a destination in mind, and let's see how far I get!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!