There's Just So Much to Love About...

KNITTING!

Knitting is more popular today than it has been in decades. Some call it, "the hot new hobby" and even "the new yoga." Modern knitters are rediscovering this age-old craft- sprinkling it with their own brand of individuality- and basking in the joy of making something beautiful with their hands. It has become one fun way to take time here and there to simply slow down, take a deep breath and relax, balancing out the usually fast-paced, ever-ending To-Do list lifestyle most individuals find themselves in.



I started knitting last year at school. It was a great way to clear your head before studying, as well as something that enhanced friendships. I can remember the countless nights that all the girls on my floor would gather all together with their current knitting projects as we talked and laughed late into the night. Now, being back at school this year I have found knitting to be one way I can just sit in quiet, or perhaps listening to some peaceful music, and relax from a stressful day in class or at the hospital which re-energizes me to complete the next task on 'The List'.


Here are some fun ideas on how to enhance that relaxing time while knitting!

1. Draw yourself a nice warm bubble bath, put on some soothing music and start knitting. (Sadly I have not been able to try this out yet... I don't the showers at school would allow for similar results, however I am anxiously awaiting Christmas vacation when I can go home and spend some time doing just this).

2. Put on a classic, and grab a cozy blanket. Some good films for knitting are:
Little Women (1994)
A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961)
Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Pride and Prejudice (2005/ 1995; the older one is really good but six hours long so maybe save that one for a lazy rainy day)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)


3. Make some home-made Hot Chocolate, sit by a nice warm fire and knit yourself some mitts or a scarf to fend off that cold weather outside.

Here's a good recipe:
(This recipe yields one serving, to make more simply multiply each quantity by the number of people you are serving).

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hersey's European Style
1/2 tsp granulated sugar
Few grains of salt
2/3 cup 2-percent milk
1/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
Dash of cognac (optional)

In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk until hot, but not boiling. Add about 1tbsp of the milk to the cocoa mixture, and stir to make paste. Add the paste and the chopped chocolate to the saucepan of hot milk, place back over medium-low heat, and cook, stirring continuously with a whisk, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is hot, but not boiling. Whisk the mixture until frothy, then pour into a preheated mug. Add cognac if desired. Enjoy!

White Chocolate Ginderbread Cafe Au Lait

When friends come to visit Kara and I in Three Hills, we sure know how to show them a good time... with a long overdue photo shoot session of course! This weekend our friends Janelle and Hannah, who were in Discover with us last year, made the trek back to lil' old Three Hills to surprise us. We excitedly decided that this was an opportunity we could not pass up to relive some key bonding experiences from last year in the form of photography. Last weekend while driving to Banff I noticed this old abandoned farm on the side of the road heading right out of town, and thought it would be a really neat place to take pictures... so off we went. It was a really fun afternoon with great friends... and it all began with a little Starbucks magic. Yum!

Here's some of yesterdays photos. (Click here if other link does not work)

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Lest We Forget

This day, November 11, marks the end of much suffering, mourning and tears. It was today in 1918 that WWI finally ended, and since has been a day to remember and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces, and civilians in all times of war.







Each November, over thirteen million poppies blossom in Canada. They blossom on the jackets, dresses and hats of nearly half the Canadian population and they have blossomed for almost 75 years, since 1921, when this tradition first began. The poppy is the symbol used to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peace keeping operations that Canada has been involved in.

The person responsible for the adoption of the poppy in Canada was a Canadian Medical Officer during WWI, Lt. Col. John McCrae of Guelph Ont, and his poem, In Flanders Fields (France) is still recited on this day in many schools, and memorial services occurring across the country.

In Canada, it is easy to take for granted our current way of life, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms in our constitution ensures that all Canadians enjoy protection under this law. Soldiers who went off to war went in the belief that such rights and freedoms were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."

In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve. These men and women had faith in the future and by their acts gave us the will to preserve peace for all time. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and gallantry of those who served their country.


And so on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I invite you to join in with so many others in a moment of silence on this years REMEMBRANCE DAY.

In Flander's Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander's fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander's fields.

Liet. -Col. John McCrae

A Part of Our Heritage- Flanders Fields Short Video Clip

Harvest Party

Last night for Halloween our school put on a Harvest party and we all dressed up for some mega fun. Check out some of the pictures... some of the costumes are pretty funny! Enjoy!

Left: Just after we finished getting ready, we've got some cowgirls, a Southern Belle, and me, straight from the 80's with bright blue eye shadow!


Right: Thugs, Richard Simmons want to bes, and Kara and I again

It was a really fun night; dressing up is always a good time, and we got to have some fun with our costumes!
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