An ode to a kitty

When I started this blog I had decided that I would only blog about things that make me happy. Kind of make it my own safe little "happy place". No blogging about work woes, the leaking roof (and it sometimes does!), disagreements with family, and all of life's normal hiccups. It is meant to be a place to remind me of some of the things that I find fulfilling in life. You may have noticed...I haven't posted much in the past few weeks.

Our cat fell suddenly ill and had to be put to sleep. It's been a tough couple of weeks watching him struggle and make difficult decisions on his behalf.

While this seems like very sad news (and IT IS - at least it has been for our family!), I have decided that it was my blog - so I can break my own rule (!) and that I would put up a few pictures and memories of Melvin-the-cat that make me happy (thereby fitting it within the "happy blog" mandate). So without further ado, here are a few shots of Melvin T. Howe. Great cat and major trouble-maker.

Melvin (like many cats, I would imagine) was quite particular about who he liked...and if he didn't like you, he let you know! He used to nip my mother in the bum while she sat for meals at our dining room table. He once tried to back an overnight guest (a grown man) out of our house. He had his group of "people" and if you weren't one of them he wasn't always very kind. HOWEVER...if you were lucky enough to be in Melvin's inner circle you were privileged. Melvin would cuddle up with you, "chat" with you and hold vigil over you if you were tired, sick or unhappy. He was also a near constant companion when I was up at nights caring for my newborn son. He often sat in the chair across from me while I was crafting - just observing the process, unless he was "helping" by sitting on whatever project I was focusing on. Here are some shots of Melvin the "craft helper":

Alright. Now that I have that out of my system, I promise to be back with a few more crafty-type posts very soon.

All hail summer!

Where have I been?

Well, summer has made it's brief, but GLORIOUS appearance in Canada. This means that we have been outside!

It's really the first year that we have had a yard of our own...We have always lived in the centre of our city in an apartment or garden home, which has meant that we've had no yard. Two years ago we moved to a house that has a little garden of it's own (yippee!). Unfortunately the garden was a desert when we moved in, so we spent last summer adding a bit of grass and some plants. We have much to learn (OH SO MUCH) about gardening...but for now, it is our imperfect (but perfect) garden to hang out in.

We relax and drink coffee:

We relax and make chalk drawings:

We relax and blow bubbles:

But we NEVER, NEVER get into the pool (and I mean NEVER!):

Everybody sticks to dry land pursuits:

Riding the waves...

Here is the most recent quilt top completed. Mmmm...love it so!





As I was stitching everything together, I realised that I had given no consideration for the direction of the print. (You can see what I mean pretty clearly in the close up below.) I was certain that this was really going to bother me, but I must say - it doesn't really. When you step back it's all just pattern and colour loveliness!



The seams on the back seem quite thick. Have I missed a clever trick? It does lay flat when pressed.



Other than that I have been working on the crochet waves. The waves look the same as before. There are just more of them...