I saw the big bowling pin sign outside Commodore Lanes & Billiards and couldn't resist suggesting an impromptu game of bowling. It's been years since I've been there and I almost forgot how great it is. I'm a big fan of the mural, but then who isn't? The only downside (if you can call it that) is you have to do the scoring yourself and you won't get to see an animated turkey on the tv screen if you happen to get 3 strikes in a row. But since that doesn't happen very often, I can live with having to do some math on my night out.

My only disappointment was the shoes. I was given the velcro closure, vaguely orthopaedic looking things on the left and Devon got the traditional, awesome, lace up ones on the right. I mean, come on people, it's bad enough having to wear shoes that countless others have worn before you -  the least you can do is give me the classic bowling shoe design. And did you know that you can get socks at the rental counter for just $2.50? The real question is, do you get to keep them or do they have a laundry service? I'm not sure but, either way, it's new to me.

There has been a fair amount of knitting on the go for the past couple of weeks. When I was in Victoria I made a trip to the Beehive Wool Shop - it was so good! Just look at it! It took me a long time to decide what to buy and in the end I picked up some Berroco Jasper wool and made a scarf. It's kind of like Noro but softer.

I also finished off the Jackyll &  Hide balaclava (except for the embroidery) which makes a super cute toque when it's not pulled down.

And this weekend I went up to Urban Yarns and picked up this Sublime pattern book and started making the retro bonnet. Apparently this is a project that you can complete in an evening. Maybe if your evening starts at 12 noon. It took a consultation call to Trish to figure out how to increase while knitting the moss stitch but so far, so good.

Friday was the annual ECI Student Sale which is one of my favourite events. I always end up spending more than I should and increasing my art collection even though I don't really have a place to display it all. Maybe some day I'll have a house to show it all off. But for now there's a rotating show on my walls.

The gallery was divided up by price range so I headed to the back for the under $50 range. I picked up a couple of things, including the print of the deer in an argyle sweater. Love it!

It was my mom's 70th birthday so I took an extra long weekend to go over and help celebrate. There were many last minute changes to the dinner plan but in the end it all came together. It ended up being a lunch time event with my cousin and his family coming down from Nanaimo and my uncle coming in from Gimli (that's in Manitoba, if you don't know). Freshly smoked goldeye from Lake Winnipeg was brought in a cooler and while I don't get into the whole fish thing, I'm told it was delicious. There was catering from Feys & Hobbs which was delicious! Here is a sampling of the appetizers... 

They were kind enough to include a beautiful flower arrangement which is presented in a hollowed out cabbage thereby making the whole thing compostable. Very clever. 

And we finished everything off with 2 cakes from Murchie's...