a 1/4 to twenty-10

oh! hello there,

S and I are back home now. the holidays were good: Santa was very good (more on that next year).

So I didn't hit all my targets. I didn't get a whole lotta work done; not a whole lotta knitting either; no sewing at all; no paper crafts at all - I didn't even make Christmas cards this year; no baking; not much in the way of creativity.

What I did achieve was a brilliant time at the John Lewis sale. I bought things that had been on my list for a while (again, details next year). I believe there's only one JL store in all of Yorkshire (and it is at least 2 hours from home) so a trip to JL is a must whenever we are down South.

Last night, I joined Anne's family at the theatre where we saw Aladdin, the panto. It was an enjoyable experience even if the female Aladdin was almost as disconcerting as the Queen songs. By the end of it I was feeling like I'd just seen We Will Rock You (another 2+ hours of my life that I'm not getting back). Gladly on both occassions I was in brilliant company so no regrets there.

Today is for micro-sorting. The junk drawers are getting some much needed attention, laundry is being done, the airing cupboard is getting an overhaul, windows, window panes, window sills all cleaned, cobwebs & skirting boards cleaned, but have I mentioned the junk drawers? - who knew we had so many?!?!

If you were wondering, we haven't the tradition of ringing in the New Year with a home that's spick and span, nor is this a way of proving something to my mother (or anyone else for that matter) it's simply my path to work avoidance. My home is never cleaner than when I have work to do. With that said, starting a new year with a little spit and elbow grease can't be a bad thing, can it?

Lest I forget, HAPPY NEW YEAR! How are you celebrating this year? S & I are having a quiet night in; as the friends we would have celebrated with are under the weather.

Good health, contentment, peace, strength and happiness to you in the coming year.

With best wishes for twenty-10!

winter

The snow that's been causing excitement in more than one quarter has finally made its way up to us.

In a few days we leave for the south of England where we'll be with family over the holidays. This is how we've spent the last few Christmases. It's always such a good time and I usually look forward to it.

This year, however, I'd rather be in my own home. I long to put up Christmas decorations and have a gathering of friends, with presents under the tree, to have a tree! - decorated as I please, Christmas kitsch, stockings on the mantel and many of the million other things that say CHRISTMAS.

But today, I am "working from home" and while at it I:

• am defrosting the freezer (something we are just getting around to having lived here for 1 year, 1 month and 11 days),
• have mailed the Cameron Grace quilt to a dear cousin's newest arrival,
• will wrap up the other two to be given away,
• am (actually just S is) still working on addressing our Christmas cards
• need to buy more Christmas cards (who knew?!)

I'm not quite ready for the holidays this year. It's not that I am disorganised, I'm just. not. ready.

one down, many to go

I've gone and done it now! I signed up to the Nutty Knitters work in progress knit-a-long. The plan is to finish anything/everything "on the needles" by the end of January.

So what did I do? I went and dug out all my hibernating projects, projects I haven't the right needles or enough yarn to complete and signed them all up.

But what was I thinking?!?!? I've got exams, a project proposal, a literature review, a laboratory book and shitloads of reading to get through by mid January!

On the upside, I'm not knitting for anyone but myself this Christmas so no pressure and definitely no guilt.

Here's the first of seven

the sweetest little wrap for tiny people. If I feel it's a little plain when the time comes, one option would be to dip-dye it.

However, that's a long time away, for now I'd love to know which of the following to knit next:

1. Featherweight Cardigan. 2010
2. The Old Favourite - done! done! done! (just waiting for the flannel backing)
3. In-between - is DEAD TO ME!
4. Simples! - done! done! done!
5. Swallowtail Shawl - start. stop., start. stop. 2010
6. Cache Coeur for baby - done! done! done!
7. Baby Surprise Jacket - just to see what all the fuss is about. 2010

earworm: The fear you won't fall

life skills

I'm exhausted but grateful for the holidays because it means plenty of rest and time to centre myself. And they are off to a brilliant start, strength and joy are creeping into my pores.

On Friday I was at Harlow Carr with Nicola and Gwen. We walked, talked, grabbed a bite at Betty's where things were going splendidly till Nicola the brave (and quick thinking) suddenly flipped Gwen upside-down and "patted" her on the back to dislodge the obstruction that Gwen was choking on.

It all happened so quickly, I hadn't a clue what was happening let alone the time to react and so was very grateful to be in the presence of a mother who knew exactly what to do.

A reminder to anyone reading, especially new moms, how are your first aid skills? You never know whose life you could end up saving.

earworm: tears in heaven

'tis the season...

flavours: rum and raisin, Bailey's, chocolate and double chocolate

...to thank those that have had a positive impact on our lives this year.

laminaria 2

From the moment I bound off the last one, I've been wanting to knit myself another Laminaria. There were a number of bits I really didn't like first time around i.e. the asymmetry of the star chart, the very large size of the shoulderette, the fact I ran out of the first skein and finished with yarn that was the same colour but a different dyelot. You know, those little things that just nag at one.

Then something fortuitous happened last weekend. While the folks were visiting, my mother commented on how nice the old Laminaria is. Now it's gone to a good home leaving me with the perfect excuse to knit another. I'm yet to love a pattern so much I knit it for myself more than once.

One thing that's evident is that my knitting mojo is back. All day Wednesday I felt very low and as I drifted to sleep in my melancholy, I thought of knitting a new shawl. I indulged in yarn options, planned what improvements/modifications I'd make, fantasized about making it the perfect size for me... my last thoughts of the day were yarn infused and happy.

Time to get back to work.

honey pot

It would appear I am feeling red these days.

The mobius cowl is done.

My honey pot hat is done.

Laminaria Is done and blocking.

My projects page on Ravelry would suggest I am fond of red. It just might have something to do with the boy saying he likes me in red.

teddy and me

I'm home alone again. Well that's not really true. I've finally got Teddy with me!

Teddy was my first ever teddy bear - had him since I was five! And he's accompanied me on a lot of adventures. Went to school with me till I sat my A-levels. Then we drifted apart and it was about this time that my mother adopted him... as her pillow. I like to think she missed me while I was at uni and so liked to have Teddy nearby.

I hadn't ever spared more than the occasional thought for Teddy until a few weeks ago when I came across this:

a picture of Teddy and I, taken the day after I got him from Hamleys. I was so in love with him and was sure I would never have another favourite thing in the whole wide world!

But time passes and these days Teddy's blind and a bit worse for wear but fear not. I am giving him his groove back! He has spent 2+ hours getting spruced up in the wash and is presently being blow dried; er, still in the wash.

After his clean, I will sew on two black buttons for eyes and sometime in the near future I'll knit him a sweater to keep him warm.

Methinks he'll get on fabulously with Conrad.