Completed Raindrop Lace Socks by Fiber Trends, made with Claudia's Hand-painted Yarn, chocolate cherry.



Happy feet!

Unfortunately, these do not and will never match my bright orange Crocs.

John and I spent yesterday afternoon running errands downtown, then we wandered around the Parliament buildings seeking the 'stray cats of the hill'. Although I am a native of Northeastern Massachusetts and currently live in Halifax, I consider Ottawa my real home. The tourist in me never gets tired of wandering around Canada's capital. It's one of four capital cities in the world where one can find neo-Gothic architecture (the other three being Budapest, London and Johannesburg). Next week, John is beginning school at the nearby Algonquin Heritage College, which offers, among other things, a world-famous program in restorative masonry. As you can see, the parliament blocks provide a great deal of work for its graduates.

More neo-Gothic architecture.



Here are the locks, which connect the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River. Across the Ottawa river you can see the downtown core of Hull, Québec (technically the region across the river was amalgamated into 'Gatineau' but I refuse to call it that). In winter time, the Rideau Canal is the world's longest skating rink. Unfortunately, I am a skating klutz. I actually know how to skate backwards, but not forwards.



We eventually found the stray cat colony, but there were no cats! Just squirrels, gobbling up cat food and eyeing the tourists warily.



Ah well. I'm feeling nostalgic. I'm off for the east coast tomorrow (so long Ottawa!). First I'm going to Ipswich, Massachusetts, where I will meet up with my best friend and her 2 year old son. She lives in Hawaii now and constantly tells me I need not KNIT her anything, EVER, as it is always warm there. Isn't that frustrating? However, I'm versatile, and I do have a woven gift for her, of the wall hanging variety.

At the end of next week, it is onwards north to Halifax.

Obviously, with all of this traveling and vacation time looming, I needed a new sock project. Recently, I spied the Baudelaire socks in the latest Knitty. Promptly I joined the Baudelaire KAL. Apparently, I am a glutton for Cookie's punishment - or just helplessly addicted to her sock patterns? My only dilemma is what colour to make them. (Solved: Dark purple)

Oh yes, the wrap with sleeves has gotten about six inches longer, but that hardly seems worth reporting.