All about the weather

One thing that is a constant in Saskatchewan is that we talk about the weather. Good, bad, cold, hot, wet, dry, it's a guaranteed source of conversation. This week started out very cool, with a high on Sunday of only 12C/54F. I managed to get out to the back yard and start on the weeding. It wasn't as wet back there as I expected, but damp enough that digging the weeds was quite easy. I put in about 90 minutes before heading back indoors.

Monday was cold for May, 8C/46F, and wet as the rain started early in the morning, with a short break in the afternoon and starting up again in the evening. It continued through Tuesday and we were cooler still. I did get out on Tuesday to get a few groceries and run to a couple of the thrift stores. I came home with this pottery kitchen gadget holder - it was likely an item painted, glazed and fired at a pottery shop. I say that because there were two of them, one with brown lettering, one with green, and both had a different set of initials on the bottom. I thought it was cute!

I also picked an almost brand new 10" frying pan for my son. He does cook for himself, mostly breakfast type items or bacon and perogies. The old pan is looking pretty worn. There wasn't a single scratch on this new pan. In addition, I found a pretty top, a long sleeved sweater and a pair of pajama bottoms. That's the fun of thrift shopping, I go with little to no idea of what I'll find (though I was looking for the pj's.) 

On Wednesday afternoon, I made my way over to the library, not knowing for certain that anyone would be there for Stitch and Chat. My last visit was in October last year, and there just a few of us. But knowing that three of the women would have returned from their winter homes in Arizona and California, I figured there would be someone else there. Imagine my surprise to find that along with two of those women, there was R who had come a few times a couple of years ago, and three new (at least to me) participants. It was nice to see the ones I knew and meet the new women too! But silly me, I didn't bring the entire project I'd planned to work on, and didn't have the right yarn for a knitting project. So I played with a crochet hook and some yarn for a bit and visited for most of the time. Next week I'll check my bag more carefully!

The rain continued off and on all day, most lightly and the temp reached about 10C/50F.  We had planned to meet with the fence guy the week prior but with the heavy rain, I'd asked him to postpone until this week. He arrived just before 7 p.m. and I went out with him and my son to discuss the work that needs to be done. We'll be getting a quote in a few days, he has contacted a fellow with a skid steer to regrade the back yard, and provided a phone number for another company that does eaves. The garage has eaves already, but they were DIY and have no end caps, and are full of holes. Useless! 

Thursday started off cool, only 9C/48F by 11 a.m. but we were promised sunshine in the afternoon. I wanted to get outdoors to do some weeding in the backyard, but decided to watch the Blue Jays game before venturing outside. I did get out in the afternoon and cleared up more weeds, and met with the guy from the skid steer company. We've got a bit of clean up to do but he'll be able to do the work to move the dirt around, level and smooth it out, sometime in the next two weeks.

On Friday morning, I decided to go garage "saling". It is at this time of year, I most miss my friend Christine. She loved picking through people's tchotchkes, all the while chatting up a storm. Heaven help us if there were a baby or a dog out and about. I'm more of grazer, I tend to look over the tables and shelves, and only stop if something catches my eye. There were many times that we stayed at a sale for much longer than I would have liked. But, boy I miss her company, there was always something to share a giggle about.

While I stopped at several sales, my only purchase was a piece of lightweight purple fleece. It would make a great backing for a quilt...though I don't quilt. If I find a lightweight blanket, I may sew the two together with some batting, and do a tied quilt. At only $3 for 2 meters, I couldn't resist.

There was a stop too at the thrift store where I found a pair of jeans and a t-shirt for me, two pairs of shorts and a short sleeved shirt for Eli. I also found an older Thermos - I think this might be good for road trips, (more on that another time), and a mug for my son. It made me laugh, and he said he's probably going to take it to work.

Since it had warmed up to 18C/64F, another 90 minutes was spent in the backyard doing more weeding. The backyard was sadly neglected by the previous owners, and my son did not do it any favours last summer. I weeded A LOT last fall, but of course there seeds that have morphed into more weeds this spring. I've informed C that he must mow back there this summer, regardless whether I get it seeded before I leave in late June. That should help with getting it ready for the grass/clover mix I plan to use at some point. 

Today, the to-do list includes more weeding, some knitting, more baseball and hockey to watch. My life is rather mundane and boring these days...and tends to revolve around the weather. Speaking of which, check out the next five days! For those who use Fahrenheit, that's a range from 68-73F. 

Have a great week ahead everyone!

P.S. Wednesday's photo was my completed lap blanket. It was very useful early in the week.