The trip to Montréal was

The trip to Montréal was a smashing success and I’m not just saying that because I got my kid back and I finished a pair of socks, although both are true. Besides that, I spent a lovely time with my husband, just the two of us, and we actually had some of those… er, what do you call them? Damn its been so long. What’s that word?  Oh right. CONVERSATIONS.  I had some conversations with my husband.  We’ve both been working so much lately that our communications had sort of been reduced to the essentials.  We talk about bread, money, toilet paper (and the lack thereof) and the girls.  We ask each other to do things (go to the bank, water the garden, pay a bill, find the cat) but we haven’t had a ton of time for just enjoying each other and talking about … well. Whatever we wanted. We saw some wonderful things, walked a million km, went to La basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal –

Walked by the river…watched the locks work,

We drank wine in vieux Montréal and stayed in a hotel.

We had a wonderful mini-holiday, and I even remembered a lot of the stuff I really like about Joe. (Not that I’d forgotten, I just hadn’t really had time to keep it in mind.)  It was grand, but I suspect you care more about Megan and the socks, so –
 Megan and team knit rolled into Montréal on Friday afternoon, all three hundred riders pouring up the street with a police escort, no less.

Unlike last year, when it really seemed like they were all so stunned at what they’d done, this year they were absolutely celebratory.  Joe and I have always thought that doing hard things really changes kids, really gives them confidence to try to be exceptional people, and this year you could see it on them.  Ken was about the same (he was exceptional to begin with) but Pato and Meg were absolutely more confident and grown up than last year.  (Again, Ken’s already a grownup. Not that we don’t think he gets better every year, because he really does.)

There was legal beer drinking (Pato and Megan won’t be of age in Ontario for a few more weeks, but they’re of age in Quebec)

There was hugging:

There was hoisting bikes and metaphoric chest beating.

Julie was too tired to hoist her bike by herself. Joe helped her.

Pato showed off his wicked tan lines-

and Joe and I laughed and laughed,  not just because these people are really, really fine people and it does the world good to know that there are 300 people willing to look out for their fellow human this way, but also that we know three of them so well- and that means we’re having a pretty good life, you know?  We’re proud to death of the lot of them, Pato and Meg for being so young and so brave and decent, and Ken for enabling them to find this out about themselves and ride with them all the way.  Pretty outstanding.

Also outstanding is the extra pair of socks completed this month – though as pretty as they are they don’t hold a candle to Team Knit.

These are Flabella, the January RSC pattern designed by Christina Bain – in the actual yarn that came with the club.  (I know.  It’s stunning that I totally went along with the whole thing.)

The colour is "Happy go Lucky" and I don’t think the pattern or yarn is for sale until this coming January. (Exclusive sock club thing.)

While I’m usually pretty fiercely anti-bobble, these ones are somehow charming.

Charming bobbles.  Who knew?

108 thoughts on “The trip to Montréal was

  1. Wow. Congrats to Megan, Pato, Julie,& Ken. What an accomplishment. Those socks are gorgeous. I’m a new knitter and am amazed at your quality AND quantity. If I can become half the knitter you are, I’ll be happy. Thanks for the great blog.

  2. Great kids! Great times! And, you tell it so well! What did you differently on the socks. I recall they were coming out way to big the first time around.

  3. Beautiful pictures – hope you had a great time! Congratulations on the great human being raising…My 3 girls are heading into all being teenagers – it is nice to see there is hope for all of us Mom’s out there!

  4. Congratulations all the way around on the bike ride! It’s so good to see kids (young adults) having such neat adventures — and for such a good cause! Awesome! (And, by the way, crewing a tall ship? What great kids and great parents.)
    “Extra” pair of socks? Does that mean these count as a spare for July instead of a fast start to August? I admit, I probably would have counted them for August, in case I fell behind later on. 🙂

  5. Pretty pictures, all of them. Congrats to you and Joe for enjoying yourselves. Congrats to les bikers for a great ride and for enjoying themselves after. Beautiful cathedral. Lovely socks. Great post. Thanks for brightening my day!

  6. Congratulations to Meg & Pato & all! Thanks for lovely pictures. Makes me want to visit Canada. I acutally am going to Victoria BC later this month. My first visit above the border.

  7. Awesome job,bike riders. Great socks. Your photography was outstanding, especially the cathedral.
    I am so glad you and Joe had some alone time. It is essential to a healthy relationship.
    Having a problem writing this as a kitten is trying to learn how to type. Not working.
    Thanks again.

  8. Kudos to the riders and their big hearted efforts. Not to mention their fine finish. Good for them.
    Bobbles on socks—-never sounded like such a good idea, but your socks look very nice and I may have to try.
    I can count on you to expand my horizons. I echo my fellow commenters. Thanks for writing such a fun, fine blog.

  9. Congratulations to all the riders, but especially to Meg & Pato. Love those tan lines; you know they earned them!
    Your socks are beautiful, as are all your pictures.

  10. Hooray for Team Knit! Outstanding socks too. I agree on the bobbles – who knew?!?

  11. I loved everything about this post. Montreal is gorgeous. The kids are wonderful. And I’m in love with the bobbly socks!

  12. so glad to see that the event was another success and that all members arrived safe and sound and proud!
    thanks too,for the visual reminder of just how much i love montréal! it’s been too long…

  13. I feel strongly that doing hard things does change kids – but it also changes adults too. We just hide it better.
    Congrats to all the riders and I’m happy for you in so many ways.

  14. I’m not into the bobble thing either, but those are pretty wicked. So are the bikers. Not into that either–the why is TMI–but glad your kin and friends are so awesome that they are willing to endure some tough stuff to help others. That’s even more wicked than the bobbles.
    Love all the photos. Must research that conversation thing. I think it could catch on.

  15. So glad for you and Joe to get away for awhile! Even the miniest mini-vacation is good for the soul, and the relationship. And yay Team Knit! (By the way, Megan has so got your smile, Steph.)

  16. Wonderful holiday, great kids and friends. Life is good. And beautiful socks, too! Who’d a thought bobbles could be so nifty? I’m not generally a big fan either!

  17. I want to be all proud of your kid and your friends (and I am) but:
    You brought back great memories of my honeymoon with those photos and I’m having another teary moment reading your blog. And I also had my first weekend with just my husband in 22 years, and we did that talking thing, too. Really, it all comes back so easily, doesn’t it?
    Ok, now: YAY to the kids and the Ken! Well done, you admirable human beings!

  18. As I read your first paragraph, I was composing this comment, something along the lines of, Isn’t it great when you have some leisure and rediscover just how much you like your spouse? and rediscover why you chose him?
    And then I read you saying the same thing. Awesome.

  19. Oh Stephanie – your pictures of the city brought back such great memories. I’m so happy that you and Joe were able to have those conversations. It’s easy to let them slip by when we’re all running around like crazy.
    Congrats and Congrats to Team Knit!!! You were all spectacular!!!!

  20. Aren’t genetics amazing? A child of yours, liking beer. My mom and I are just like y’all. Except she doesn’t knit and I don’t do amazing Meganesque things.
    Congratulations to all.

  21. Haven’t been to Montreal in 42 years, but I still remember that cathedral…it was that beautiful.
    CONGRATS to all of you, the bike team and to you & Joe for keeping it going!

  22. Yay for bike hoisting and beer drinking! Sadly, my beer drinking is usually limited to non-bike hoisting. More like stuffing-my-face-with-other-food beer drinking.

  23. The inside of that cathedral is incredible. Thanks for sharing the photo.
    Your socks are gorgeous. I have learned to love bobbles as of late although I keep breaking my needles. I will have to make Flabella at some point.
    So happy for you that you had a wonderful weekend!

  24. Congratulations to Meg, Pato, and Ken! And congratulations to you and Joe for taking time off work to spend quality time with one another! You have me really wanting to check out Montreal. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos. And nice socks! I chose to make Cascadia, but still plan to make Flabella one day with other STR.

  25. Hooray for Ken, Megan and Pato, in alphabetical order! I laughed, I cried. They are inspirational!

  26. Go Team Knit! Also, thanks for keeping up that whole faith-in-humanity thing that seems to be good for us all.

  27. Congrats to Team Knit! It’s an amazing accomplishment, two years running.
    The pictures of Montreal make me want to get a passport and fly out NOW. I’ve yet for international travel, but Canada may just lure me out of the states!

  28. Go team Knit!! Cute socks! I am normally not one for bobbles either but those socks are just adorable!! These socks are “extra socks” does that mean you have an extra pair for july or are these august socks so you are taking August off to *dare I say it* not knit socks? I do hope these for extra for July, I love seeing the socks you make each month!

  29. Those bobbles are indeed charming – they make them into Fairy Socks.
    The post-ride pics are great. Such happy faces.

  30. I don’t know you or your daughter personally (only through the blog) but each year that I read of her and Pato’s adventure of riding to Montreal I feel moved and proud and so amazed at their enthusiasm and dedication. So I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for you! Congratulate them both for me (and Ken too!) and congratulate yourself for raising such an amazing daughter (with impeccable taste in choosing a boyfriend!)

  31. also, why don’t my bobbles look as good as yours?
    generally speaking i mean.
    i haven’t made THOSE bobbles.
    you’re going to day years of experience aren’t you.
    damn.

  32. I love it. Way to go Team Knit, lovely socks, and hooray for vacationettes with the DH. I shared your first paragraph with my DH, and he loved it. (We have five young children . . . I’m trying hard not to think about the fact that you have two older children, and you *still* don’t get to have conversations. lol)

  33. I’m happy you shared your amazing day with us!
    Nice sox, great bike race, but wonderful to find the man you married sooooo long ago is actually your favorite person and one who talks, listens, laughs, and explores the future with you. Gotta go now and do QuGong with my husband!!

  34. Pretty socks. Awesome kids. Wonderful mini-holiday.
    Glad you enjoyed it and glad you got to have some of those conversation thingies. I’ve heard that they are nice. LOL!

  35. Hooray for Team Knit! And for Team Stephanie and Joe, too!! (Remember how nice this was the next time you think you don’t have time for a getaway, and GET AWAY — it’s good for you.)

  36. Thank you for the lovely mini-tour of Montreal. I have fibromyalgia, and don’t travel well, so I love vicarious vacations ( makes me sound a little like a vacation vampire). And congratulations to the cyclists. And finally, never could resist bad puns, but you DID post a picture of the socks near the wine glass, so… tiny bobbles… and the wine… (apologies to Don Ho).

  37. I teared-up at the pix of the cyclists riding through the city. Bravo people, bravo junior-adults and mom & dad and Ken. The socks are dreamy.

  38. That Pato is CUTE!
    Congratulations to Meg, Pato, and Ken.
    Church looks breathtaking, locks are cool, socks are excellent.

  39. Right you are about accomplishments confirming one’s life intention. Nice to witness. And congratulations Team Knit.
    Bobbles! Kind of love/hate. Love to knit left-handed to do them (makes them more fun). I love your charming socks. It is fun to do patterns as directed. I do that every once in awhile, too.
    But best of all is all that romantic time with your hunny pie. And in a most romantic environment.

  40. Those are beautiful pictures! I got to visit Montreal on a high school French Club field trip many years ago. I would love to go back.
    I am very proud of your daughter and Pato and I don’t even know them. You are a wonderful and inspiring mother!

  41. Great photos of a great event and mini-vacation. Socks look a lot smaller on your feet! Somehow, they remind me of cupcakes! How’s that for strange!
    Eve from Carlisle

  42. Pretty! And I don’t normally care for bobbles, I think they often look like nipples. But I have never seen socks with bobbles, and I think they are cute here!

  43. Pretty! And I don’t normally care for bobbles, I think they often look like nipples. But I have never seen socks with bobbles, and I think they are cute here!

  44. Beautiful photos… looks like amazing fun! and the Socks are such a pretty color! Love it~
    My 8 year old nephew calls Pato’s tan- “being an Oreo”… he gets the similar tan lines from swim team~~

  45. Congratulations all around on the bike ride. There is nothing like a quest of sorts — something requiring serious physical effort and fortitude, and with a worthwhile goal, to change a person from child to adult.
    I always say I can judge the smarts of a parent when they are able to stop thinking of their grown kids as children and just be proud of the young adults they’ve made.
    In official Southern-ese, “You done good, girl.”
    P.S. Stunning photos all around.

  46. What a fabulous blog entry — you’ve got the lovely, beautiful city of Montreal, the fabulous socks (like you I don’t care for bobbles, but the teeny ones are too cute!) and the wonderful, compassionate trio of Meg, Paco and Ken. 3 Cheers for the bike riders!

  47. it’s such a wonderful thing pride. Pride in your loved ones – especially your children when they do something so special. And the amazing thing is – it’s just shines off the page without the word ever being said.
    x

  48. it’s such a wonderful thing pride. Pride in your loved ones – especially your children when they do something so special. And the amazing thing is – it’s just shines off the page without the word ever being said.
    x

  49. Looks like a grand time was had by all! Your daughter is beautiful, her friends are too. What a marvelous accomplishment, and to have done it twice, oh my. The socks are the bomb, love them, really hope that someday I can show off a pair of my own.

  50. I never thought I’d say this, but those are some nice bobbles. I could see making socks like these for my sister.
    Congratulations, Team Knit!! You all deserve the “spoils” aka brewskies.
    One of these days, I gotta get up to Montreal & Toronto.

  51. Bicycling absolutely brings out the best in kids of any age. While my kids were growing up we rode across the state of Oklahoma, south to north, for 13 years in a row. Many times they have remarked about the lessons in perseverance cycling has taught them. Good job kids.
    PS. the bobble-y socks are nice too.

  52. This twitter thing is a mystery to me, but the part about “Sam’s left to crew on a tall ship” just caught my eye. Cyclists and sailors — what cool kids!!! Do say more, please, about the sailing adventure!

  53. Beautiful socks! They look like cotton candy! Are these the August Sock Club for One socks? Everything else in the post was great too, but those socks were just stunning.

  54. Well done Meg! Congratulations to you and Joe for remembering how special you TWO are… Your sock is lovely, and your legs look fantastic in your sock pictures!

  55. Good on Team Knit and the whole 300 strong. Glad you had a wonderful trip with Joe and enjoyed yourself. Great socks too!
    (Did you ever see “Bobble Man” at the Textile Museum? I howled for two days!)

  56. Ah, but I know the secret to why these bobbles are charming. It is simple, and something women everywhere will realize when they put their mind to it (I’m assuming you’ve been too busy to do so).
    They are not on your boobs.
    I don’t know why, but tons of designs seem to feature bobbles either on the breasts or suspiciously close to the breasts. Now I thinks boobs are fine, but we don’t need artificial nipplage interfering with our lives.

  57. Thank you for the beautiful pictures of Montreal. I’m so delighted about Team Knit. You have wonderful children. You and Joe are blessed! And I love the socks!!!

  58. Those are totally charming bobbles, and I just love to read about the amazing things your girls do. It makes me feel wonderful and hopeful and excited about the years I have coming with my own two kids.
    Thanks for the inspiration as always!

  59. Part of what makes this an enjoyable blog is the whole picture you present, so yes I think it is wonderful that you and Joe had a conversation.

  60. Wow. Fabulous blog entry in every way! Uplifting, beautiful and happy, just like you! thanks.

  61. Wow – Pato is really pasty!!! (i am too, so i find it amusing…) you should be very proud of them. i am, and i don’t even know them!

  62. Congratulations on socks, conversations, time off, bobbles, time away, time with wine and hubby, time being proud of Meg, Palo, and Ken. I’m glad you had such a wonderful experience. Do it again soon.
    You really didn’t mind the bobbles?

  63. I feel the same way about bobbles, but you’re right, those are charming!
    Schooner Socks are also charming, by Charlene Church (I know, I probably butchered the spelling… sorry..).

  64. Congratulations to the kids on their accomplishment and to you for raising them right! And now maybe I will try again to make those bobble socks that I started, got frustrated with and hid them away….

  65. When I first saw the socks on the needles I was skeptical- but seeing them completed, I must say that they are adorable.
    There really is nothing to compare with the realization that the children in our care have grown up to be lovely human beings that we are not embarrassed to claim.
    Congratulations!!
    I love hearing about happy couples getting to spend time together. Makes me have hope that it can be accomplished.

  66. To be denied access to cold beer at the end of an amazingly grueling physical, emotional, and/or spiritual journey = stunned.
    To be given access to cold beer at the end of an amazingly grueling physical, emotional, and/or spiritual journey = absolutely celebratory.

  67. That’s what happens on mini-holidays (VACATIONS). You reconnect and that’s a good thing. (Be glad you were glad when you reconnected. The opposite is not good).
    Congrats to and on the great people in your life.

  68. WAY TO GO, TEAM KNIT! Great job and great Karma that has been thrown into the atmosphere! Beautiful city, wonderful trip for you all! Stephanie, your Blog is such a pleasure and such and inspiration – Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful moments!
    And the socks are BEAUTIFUL! ~~~ Sob! ~~~ I was too late for the sock club this year! Can’t wait till next year though!

  69. Totally stunned to see Bobbles on The Blog! But you’re right; they’re quite lovely. Congratulations to Ken, Meg, and Pato on a truly marvelous accomplishment.

  70. Three cheers for those cycling folks. Makes me happy to see young people caring for society at large. LOVE the cathedral pix. None of those in my part of the world and that one is one of my favorites. So glad you and Joe had some time together.

  71. Stephanie,
    Thank you for sharing. That was a lovely post. It is so great to see and hear about good things happening. Best wishes on the writing….Rebecca

  72. Congratulations to Team Knit!
    Congratulations to the great parents who brought up and taught by example such amazing kids, too.
    The socks are gorgeous! I’m glad you had a mini-holiday – it makes a world of difference when you can spend time reconnecting with the ones you love.
    ((hugs)) to all.

  73. wow! that’s some church! socks! bobbles!! great people! mini-vacation! wow everything.

  74. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time in the city I have come to call home–I am a transplanted Torontonian but since moving here 13 years ago, this incredible city has captured my heart and I never want to leave. Still butchering the language but our daughter is bilingual and she translates in a pinch.
    And it is definitely the city to have a reconnecting holiday with your spouse. Vive l’amour!
    Only sorry that for the second year in a row I have been away over this weekend so unable to go down to cheer your amazing gang of kids/friends who have yet again done a wonderful thing! Maybe next year…
    As for bobbles, I like ’em…just not on “the girls”–especially as I am short as well as endowed.
    Cheers, Barbie O.

  75. OMG I love those socks! I have recently been introduced to the sock world. Well not that recently, umm… 6 months or so, but recently enough since I’m only 1 and a half socks in. I made the mistake of starting off with socks for the Boy’s size 13 feet – I feel like I’ve been knitting forever! But I’m reinspired. If I can hurry up and finish them then I can start knitting beautiful socks for me! Not available until January though? Argh.

  76. I’m sitting at working, reading your entries as I normally do, and let me tell you that wine looks amazing! All your photos look great in fact. I especially love those socks. I’m not a fan of bobbles either, but those are so delicate 🙂 It looks like you had a great trip and I’m glad you were able to reconnect with your husband 🙂

  77. MANY CONGRATS to the bikers, their moms and dads, to good beer and a really good knit. Do take more time for hubby Steph. When they kids are grown and gone, you two will have only each other for a time. Know who is across from you and say HI a lot.
    bjt

  78. Oh, nothing like a vacation. Nothing like a conversation with the husband. But to end it all with your daughter’s triumph, well, that’s pretty rad.

  79. Hooray for conversations! My husband and I recently got away for a few days together and it was so nice to just be together.
    I spent my downtime napping though, so no socks for me!

  80. Bravo to the cyclists! What an awesome thing. Your girls get prettier and more grown-up every time we “see” them. And yay for you and Joe – a little time for the two of you is important too!

  81. Montreal is such a gorgeous city. I’m so happy you and Joe were able to spend some time together.
    Yay for Megan and Pato and Ken! Love the tan lines.

  82. I seem to remember that you are not extremely fond of bobbles- Nice socks and what a lovely daughter you have!! You have reason to be proud, Stephanie.

  83. Find the cat!!! That sounds like the conversations in my house. Why do we always have to be finding the cat?
    Congrats to the kids!

  84. Please. You changed the toe or SOMETHING. We know you.
    Congrats to Meg and Pato and Ken!
    Lovely pics of Montreal. I want to visit there SO bad.

Comments are closed.