| You Are Chocolate Ice Cream |
My name is Leigh Ann and I live on beautiful Lake Huron. This blog is about my knitting and gardening experiences. So grab a cup of tea and have a read. I also, enjoy reading, time with my family, and genealogy.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Who's Your Inner European?
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Monthly dishcloth knit along
Bunny dishcloth
Knitter's tea swap
It's a one time swap.
You will mail your secret swap partner three-ish things:
1. A box/tin/container of your favorite tea. It can be hot, iced, green, black, herbal, just as long as it's your favorite!***Edited 4/21 I will try to match prefs as much as possible. Some people don't do caffeine, etc... Thanks!!****
2. A treat to accompany the tea. Cookies, candy, petit fours, etc...
3. 1-2 skeins of yarn from your stash. Must be enough for a small project or socks.
For example, you could send a 100gr skein of sock yarn or 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride. Let's say yarn should retail around $15.00.--Plus a note about your tea and treat choices and suggestions for the yarn.
Interested? I hope so! If you want in, grab a button and then email me at purlygates -AT- gmail -DOT- com with the following info:Name:Blog Address:Mailing Address:Restrictions on type of tea? Only green, black, herbal etc? Yarn color preferences?Sock knitter? Will you take an international pal?Sign-ups end on May 1 and you must mail your package by June 1.Thanks for participating!
A couple of photos of Harleigh
A few photos of Harleigh
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Dishcloth patterns
Theses patterns are from http://www.thingsstitched3.blogspot.com/ blog. She has some other great links for dishcloths as well. I believe that they were apart of the Monthly dishcloth KAL ( so do not print for selling).
Little Shells Dishcloth PatternYarn: small ball of cotton yarnNeedle: 7 US = 4.5 mmCast on 43Knit
4 rows
Row 1: Knit across
Row 2: K3, P37, K3
Row 3: K5 *YO, P1, P3tog, P1, YO, K2* repeat until last 3 stitches, K3
Row 4: K3, P37, K3
Repeat these rows until desired lenght stopping on Row 3.
Knit 4 rows
Bind off. Weave in ends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Little Fountain Dishcloth PatternYarn: small ball of cotton yarnNeedle: 7 US = 4.5 mmCast on 39
Knit 5 rows
Row 1: K4 *YO, K3, YO, K1* repeat until 3 stitches are left, K3
Row 2: K3, P49, K3
Row 3: K5, S1, K2tog, PSSO *K3, S1, K2tog, PSSO* repeat until 5 stitches are left, K5
Row 4: K3, P33, K3
Repeat all 4 rows 11 more times ending on row 3.
Knit 5 rows
Bind off. Weave in ends.
In memory of Harleigh (Octobre 18, 1994 to April 18, 2006)
Harleigh would walk right off of the couch, fall down the stairs, get stuck behind the door and not know how to get out. She would get and then go and pee on the carpet. She even let the kids hold her! We took her to the vets on the 17th and they said she had cateracts and thought possibly she had arthitis and diabetes - she was weighing 25 lb. She's a lapapoo. They wanted us to get a urine sample and they would test it. $134. dollars later we went home. She was actually pretty fine when we took her. She could walk on her own and not fall over and perky.
We decided that night that Brian would take her in and have her go to doggie heaven. At 4:50am on Tuesday morning I heard her downstairs and she was going in circles and falling on the floor. I sat with her for 20 minutes and talked to her and held her and kissed her and telling her she was a great dog and thanked her for the 11 1/2 years that she was with me. Called hubby down at 5:15 to sit with her so I could get my shower and go to work. So he laid on the couch with her. I went to work (why??? had to do something) and he got the kids ready for school. She went outside for a # 1 and 2, fell down the stairs, walked between the rails and the steps and my daughter caught her, my son had to help her out from under the computer wires as she couldn't figure it out. This was all by 8 am.
We believe that she had a stroke or several strokes. Brian took her to the vets and let her with the receptionist. Harleigh had been going there since she was 1 years old. She was put down around noon.
I went in after work and got to say good bye to her. I kissed her and petted her and cried on her She looked so peaceful and at rest. I got the kids and they said good bye to her too. I didn't want to do it but I knew she wouldn't be in pain and wouldn't want to suffer. I know I wouldn't want to suffer neither if it was me.
Its been a helluva week. The kids keep saying they see her by the door or on the couch with me. Especially in the first few days. She was my first baby and my life line that first year of marriage. She always knew when I need a kiss or cuddle from her. She was a great dog!
Harleigh I hope you are having a wonderful time up in Heaven and we will be together one day my friend.
Love always,
Mommy
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Yard work day
After unloading the car and putting everything away I got two of my rose bushes planted! yeah!! I've put them in my veggie garden for now and will move them to the other bed after I get it clean out. Will also plant the third bush tomorrow. Then! I helped hubby unload a truck load of dirt onto the front load. He went back for a second and I said I'd clean the inside of the house. Not getting to far but its getting colder out! Hope my babies are doing okay.
Harleigh is doing better. Her shakes are going down and she's perking up. I cleaned her ears out really good this afternoon. I hope that's all it is as I do not want to take her to the vets.
Well brake time is almost over. Happy Easter everyone!
Leigh
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Name 5 places you knit
Here's my list..
1. around a camp fire at our farm
2. in the car during a snow storm ( I don't want to watch my husband drive during it or to watch him drive!)
3. sons baseball game
4. on a bench in the mall while on a break ( when I worked in the mall)
5. in the staff room at work. I get lots of complements on what I make!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Secretpa8
">Link http://secretpal8.blogspot.com/
Miki's sweater
More UFO's and things

The scarf on the left was made from 2 strands of Roxy yars, the two in the middle from Homespun and the last with 2 strands of Berella.
This was a baby afghan I started ohhhhhhh 7 years ago??? All the babies I decided to give it too are old enough to walk and talk and go to school. I am ripping it out and using the yarn for other things. Great pattern and has a cute dress that matches it.
My moose dishcloth is finished and it has a mate now!
These dish towels only need a button to sewn on. Can you tell I don't like to sew? hehe Hey I do have to find the right button too! lol
UFO"S
This is the sweater I keep talking about. I started it back in 1992. I did work on it a few years ago. Ripped the sleeves out and restarted it. The second photo has the picture of what it is suppose to look like. What do you think if I did a smaller colar and not the big one that they have on it??


My purse that I have started. I may have to start over on this side as some stitches fell of and do not equal the row that my row counter says I should have.
Was going to do a purse for my neice but haven't started it yet.
This sweater was made in two days in 1996. All it needs is a button. I was making it for the baby we were going to have. I miscarried and never finished. No child will ever wear this one. Good news I did have two big and healthy babies after in 1997 and 1999. Miscarried again in 2003.
Flashin' the Stash part Deux!
Oh the embrassment! In this tote (160L) I have shetland chunky, alot of knitted worsted and odds and ends. Just didn't have time to lay it all out. Not sure what I will make out of the 2 big bags of knitted worsted. Was think of a sweater. Hmm... it may just go back to Walmart. Impulse buying at its best.
I bought two great big balls of green yarn to do an afghan. Well I started it and realized 10 inches in that I was using the wrong needles! Ugh!! Lesson: Never take kids shopping when you are looking for knitting needles. Apparently I bought the US size and not the MM's. I have since gotten the right size but haven't started it again. Also took 2 other big balls back last year.

The blue ball is just a leftover and the yellow and green shetland chunky are new purchases this year.
Flashin' the Stash!

Well I guess I don't need to buy any more dishcloth yarn! And that's after donating 12 balls of Christmas colours to my CWL for dishclothes for our Christmas bizzars.

Baby yarn I bought in June of 1997 (I had the receipt and it had the date on it) to make 2 sweaters for my son who was born Dec of 1997. Got far on them didn't I. Baby yarn is NOT my favourite to work with as I find it too fine.

My scarf stash yarn. Not a whole heck of lot of it left now. But I think I will make my neice a scarf out of either the purple or Rocky pink.

I bought this yarn 2-3 years ago from Country yarns. I went back a year after and was able to fine 4 more of the same dye lot and it was still on sale! Jeanne, the owner is awesome and very knowledgable. I'll have to go and visit here again soon. Not this month.
Was thinking of making a cable sweater for my son. Hmmm.. maybe a vest for me. Its Polar yarn. Nice and heavy and thick.

Not sure where I bought this. I think I may make a sweater for one of my kids out of the Patons Aran.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
April already. WOW!
I did finish my moose dishcloth off. I finally found it in the front closet where I thought it was but couldn't find it. NOW I am working on my daughter's sweater and its looking pretty good. NO! I haven't finished Matt's but I wanted to get part of Miki's down. Will try and post pics later. I linked up to TissueTunicKal for a lovely lacey top. Have to find the pattern if not will order it and do with the others. Gotta get the kids sweaters done or they will have my head. Or maybe hands! hehe
Well off to work on the sweater. Don't forget to set the clocks ahead 1 hour tonight.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Help!
Thanks!
Another scarf I've made for our Girl Guide Appreciation Night
I started the scarf last night and about 3 hours later I was done. I used 9mm needles and 16 stitches and just gartered stitched to my hearts content.
Sweater for my kids
My son picked out his colours and they are: blue, white and red). This is the back of Matthew's sweater. I started it at 10pm on Thursday, March 16, 2006. It took me 3 hours to get to the begining blue row at the top of the the last repeat of colours. If I knew it was only going to be about 20 rows I would of finished it that night! Actually I thought I was doing my daughter's sweater and she informed me in the morning that it was her brothers. Oops! She was NOT IMPRESSED!
I started the front on March 17th in the afternoon and got it done that night. Hubby took me out for dinner. Forget what the place was called by the fish was good!
This is a photo of his sweater as it stands as of today. The sleeve was completed on March 18th and I just haven't had time to do the other one. Also, the sleeve is knitted down instead of from the ribbing up. I was kind of impressed though picking up the stitches were a pain in the ass!Needless to say my daughter wants me to finish hers as well. Maybe have to go and visit the in-laws so I can have some uninterrupted knitting! hehe
Final purchase at Lewiscraft
Not sure what I will make with the Shetland Chunky. I just loved the colour!
Already know what I will make with this! A lovely scarf made with a stran of Aquarius and Libra together. Can't wait to get started!Wow! I haven't posted in a Month!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Scarves I've made

This scarf I made last year for my daughter Mikaela. It took two balls and I was surprised as it didn't have the yardage I thought it would. I think it was like 47 yards. Name of it escapes me. Will post it later when I find the band.

Enjoy!
Leigh Ann
Girls Rules!

Repeat of Gold for our Canadian Women's Hockey! Awesome job ladies! The country is proud of you. Congrats to Sweden and the USA and all the other teams for a great tournament. We are parting from BC all the way to Newfoundland and up to our territories. This is our game!

Now if only our Canadian Men's hockey team can get their act together and sweep the hockey for us again! Definitely NOT impress with the mens team. And they're the ones that get paid the big bucks! No disrepect to Switzerland (they played an awesome game) but to loose to them! What were they thinking? Wasn't hockey I think! We should of sent the women in to play.
All comments here are mine and no disrepect to any teams or countries is intead. Just very happy that they won. Also, thought it would of been Canada VS USA again in both divisions.
Leigh Ann
I WON!!


The tag said it was donated by Patons. Here is a view of the pattern books and yarns.





Can't wait to see what I can make.
Leigh Ann
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Happy Anniversary to my parents
I had to drive to Seaforth today and meet my hubby. He and Matt went to the farm but the truck wouldn't start. Sooo, my fil and mil met me half way. Miki and I had a nice drive and it only took 1 hour and 10 minutes to get there. We headed back towards Bayfield and had some nice snow flurries. Really nice to see snow again. Once we hit Grand Bend it was nice and sunny again. Only in Canada do you see weather change this much. hehe
Well off to be the dutiful daughter.
Leigh Ann
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Olympics are On
Some fellow knitters are doing a Knit Olympic and I am not participating in it but will cheer them on. I have decided to finish off projects that I have been putting off for awhile. a 6 cable sweater that I started 13 years ago (give or take a few years).
I just finished a pair of slippers for Miki and they turned out cute. Also will finish a dish cloth that I started a couple of weeks ago.
To finish:
Six cable sweater
Dish cloth
Purse
Baby Sweater (not sure of this one)
I do have a bunch of cross stitches I could finish as well
Well happy knitting!
Leigh Ann
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Slippers
Will post a picture tomorrow.
Well off to bed as 5:30 am comings to damn early!
Leigh Ann
Slipper Pattern
">http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/maggieslippers.htmlLink
Enjoy!
Leigh
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Photos
Will post them later. The batteries dying in the camera.
Off to wash the dog.
Leigh
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Is it really Winter?
Now I don't want a blizzard, just some nice fluffy flakes falling gently down and covering the ground. If would be very peaceful and tranquil. Also, colder temps can help me get rid of this cold that I have had for 3 weeks. At least I am over the flu I had. Ugh!! The whole family got it and we gave it to my hubbies parents (not me I had to work that weekend).
Enjoy the nice weather!
Leigh Ann
101 Uses for Velcro Brand Fasteners
LeighAnn
">http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=ae0373
Friday, January 27, 2006
Questions to ponder
4 Movies You Could Watch Over & Over:1. Miss Congeniality, 2. Kate and Leapold, 3. Legally Blonde 1 or 2, and 4. any romantic comedy with Julia or Meg
4 Places You Have Lived in : I haven't lived in that many places. My home town and where I am know
4 TV Shows You Love to Watch: 1. CSI (actually any of them), 2. The Y&R, 3. Gilmore Girls, 4. Numbers - actually I have way to many to list.
4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:1. Cancun, Mexico2. visiting relatives in Montreal, Quebec, 3. Calgary, Alberta (and surrounding area) just because I always wanted to go there, 4. Pineapple Beach Club, Antigua (my honeymoon), 5. My farm in Owen Sound!
4 of Your Favourite Foods:1. Lasagna, 2. Wendy's cheeseburger's, 3. Orange Ruffy fish, 4. Brocolli and cheese soup
4 most Sweet Things: 1. my children, 2. chocolate, 3. sunsets/sunrises at the farm, 4. and my sweet, sweet niece.
Where's Winter
I am working full time now as a Scheduler at our store. Basically I work for the HR manager. We get along great.
I promise to post more faithfully to here. lol Okay !! Okay! I will try
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
54 Days till Christmas!
Well off to do the carrots finally.
Leigh Ann
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Heather's Bridal shower
Miki and Olivia had fun and were really good. Lauren has lent me some scrapbooking magazines. I am thinking of taking this hobby up now too. Brian will kill me for that.
We just cleaned up the garage and can now get the car in. All the kids outdoor toys are in a tote and the stuff that WAS suppose to go for a yard sale is in the trash. The kids haven't asked about a few of the toys for quite awhile so no big loss. One of these days the basement will be pegged for a major over haul. It just might be a good idea for the kids to be at the farm and Brian and I can go through the stuff and just start sorting and tossing.
Well off to do the never ending job of laundry.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Weeding the Garden
My herbs also are doing well. I have picked them all and will be drying them tonight or tomorrow at the latest. I planted Oregano, Chives, Sweet Basil, Purple Basil, French Thyme, Rosemary, and a Globe Basil. Oh! And Dill.
Later!
Housework
Its 18C out and one load of laundry is out on the line. Working on the next after this post. Hopefully get some of the weeds taken care off too. If not today tomorrow for sure. Have to get the beans picked as that is a priority.
Dam dog is barking at something or someone.
Well the washer is calling me.
Later!
PS If I get this stuff done than I can do some knitting or cross stitching!
Haven't posted in along time
Christmas is less than 5 months away and I have no idea of what to get everyone!
Well its the Civic holiday and I picked up a couple of shifts this week. The Matt, Miki and Brian all went to the farm and will be back on Monday. (hopefully) Just Harleigh (the dog) and me. Hoping to accomplish alot but will probablly get NOTHING done. Well its getting late - time to hit the hay so I can do stuff tomorrow. See yeah! Oh yeah! The 1911 Canadian Census is online now. That so rocks!
Holidays - July 12th
Boy did I pick a week to go on holidays! Ugh!! Hotter than heck and too hot to go swimming. We went to the farm for the weekend (July 7-10) and the kids had been up there from the previous weekend. They were good for grandma and grandpa and as soon as we got there fight fight fight. I can't believe I haven't posted in almost a month. What have I done? hmmmmm... not much. Worked, alittle yard work but nothing overly done. We did paint Miki's bedroom pink and got rid of the bear border and the grey walls. Turned out nice. Now to finish getting the stuffies and suched sorted. Will have to try and figure out how to link this with other peoples and to see how I can link links. hehe That sounds funny. Well should figure something out for supper as Matt has baseball tonight. Can't believe they will play in this weather. Have I ever mentioned I hate this weather! Later!









