First of all, my best friend flew in from New Brunswick to spend a long and cold February weekend with us here in Ottawa. Despite the -20C with a windchill of -30C, we had lots of fun! I even managed to smile while sitting amongst a horde of Leafs fans who turned out to watch their beloved team play the Ottawa Senators. Shelly is an avid knitter and maker of things as well. She has a green thumb like no other and can grown anything. We enjoyed many a great meal, took in some of the Ottawa Winterlude festival and even skated for a few feet on the historic Rideau Canal!
My zenbroidery piece is close to completion and yet, not. Filling in all of the last details is taking longer than doing the bulk of the piece. The piece has allowed me to explore embroidery once again, play with colour and repurpose so many of the leftover floss that I have accumulated through the years. I was also fortunate enough to be gifted several wonderful designs on linen this week. The bag is sitting on my dining room table as I mull over what to do with them and how to best honour the person who gifted them to me.
My soapmaking urge kicked in again. I have been searching Michaels and Amazon for fun molds. I was over the moon to find the unicorn mold as a little friend of mine loves horses and unicorns. Her mom told me that the soap that I had gifted her last summer was the only soap that has not irritated her so I whipped up this batch of goats' milk soap with her in mind. The round soap in the forefront has a pair of hockey sticks on them. My photography skills and lack of lighting means you have to squint to see it.
I made a batch of castille soap (olive oil, lye and water) today. There are no photos because one of my neighbours called as I was setting up my work space and he popped over to watch the process as he loves to make stuff, too. The castille soap is for future batches of laundry soap as my current supply should run out around the same time that the current batch in the mold has finished curing.
Last, but not least, I am working on some projects to improve my health. My doctor gently pointed out in a recent appointment that my BMI was way too high and my blood pressure is starting to creep up. I am trying to eat less processed food, get more and adequate sleep, doing yoga a few times a week and get out more for a breath of fresh air. Even if I don't thrill my doctor with my efforts at my next appointment, I am at least trying. My weight has been pretty stable for the past 10-15 years so I am happy with that even though a lower number would be so much better in the long run.
Happy stitching!
Happy stitching!
