I’m an even bigger fan of Martha Wainwright after seeing her show in Toronto last night, at The Great Hall. Truly spectacular.

Martha sings “UN CHANT D’AMOUR” from Martha Wainwright on Vimeo.

In addition to Edith Piaf covers from her latest album – Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris – she sang two of her mother Kate McGarrigle’s songs. One of my favourite moments of the whole show was her version of Kate’s Tell My Sister. I found this version performed by Lisa Hannigan from this year’s Meltdown. A really lovely song.

Lisa Hannigan – Tell my sister (plus intro from Rufus) from Studio54 on Vimeo.

Wishing Jane a very happy birthday today!

My dear friend Lara got married this afternoon at city hall. She gave me her bouquet after the ceremony – a very pretty, simple bunch of lilies of the valley. I’m convinced the bouquet of lilacs I’m bringing to the reception will suit her perfectly! Jane suggested a new shop that opened up on Queen Street West in Parkdale – Coriander Girl. The owner Alison put together this lovely bouquet – I just hope that the lilacs survive the wind en route to the reception. It’s been such a stormy day!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

The kind folks at Streetknit are collecting knit scarves for donation to Toronto’s homeless outreach programs this winter. I finished this scarf quite awhile ago – so long ago that I’ve forgotten the lace stitch I used! I do know that I used Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica in Bramble (114) though.

Knits can be dropped off on December 12 and 13 at the Enchanted Forest of Knit Goods at the Theatre Centre, where City of Craft will be going on.  You can also drop them off beforehand at some knit shops (listed here in the sidebar). I dropped mine off this afternoon at The Knit Cafe – check out their cute pear tree ornaments and amigurumi owls if you’re in the area!

[Photos courtesy of Chris]

UPDATE January 17, 2010: I finally remembered! This is Pam Allen’s Lopi Lace Scarf from Weekend Knitting.

I knit these Dashing Mitts to go along with the Woodman’s Cap I made for my cousin’s birthday. They are a perfect, quick knit, and take a little less than a skein of Malabrigo Worsted.  I love wearing them so much that I’ll just have to knit a pair for myself! The pattern was published in the Spring 2007 Knitty and was Cheryl Niameth’s “guy-friendly” answer to the immensely popular Fetching.

It’s getting to be the perfect weather for mitts like these. This is definitely my favourite time of year in Toronto. The days are bright and the air is cool. I walked across the valley to Cabbagetown today, an area that got its name from the cabbages growing in the front yards of the Irish immigrants that settled there in the 1840s.  The neighbourhood is particularly pretty in the autumn – the tradition of cabbages in front yards seems to have continued. Although now mostly in decorative planters on front porches.