Marmite - the spider not the spread!

Our spider tanks are thick glass, with a very heavy duty metal mesh for an air vent. Yesterday the smallest, youngest spider, Marmite, decided he didn't like his tank and tried to eat his way out via the mesh! Neither hole was big enough for him to get through but if M hadn't seen what he was up to, they might have become big enough.

So Marmite had to be moved into a bigger, plastic tank with no chewable bits.

He's been exploring his new home all night.

He's still a handsome boy(?).

A deep breath

Gorran Haven toward Mevagissey/Chapel Point.

Mmmmmm sandy. Lottie loved it.

Chapel Point from Mevagissey.

This morning we woke up really early and by 7.30am we were walking from Ovingdean to the windmill at Rottingdean, it was idyllic. Clear blue sky, rich dark blue sea, boats setting out from the Marina. The Skylarks were in full song and zipping about, we also saw Swallows. Really the best way to start a sunny Sunday.

M was still on holiday this week (up to Thursday) so we have had a chance to recover from all the holiday travelling and trauma of our return....a bit.

J has been busy - mates and cousins to play, stories to write and a massive swimming trip yesterday.

M has rediscovered his love of painting and his artist watercolours have been dusted off and me...?

Well, reading, knitting, crochet and spinning have all been dipped into this week but with nothing concrete to show for any of them really. But it has been relaxing.

And relaxing is just what I intend for the rest of today too.

Ugh

Family funerals - why do we seem to have so many?

*sigh*

Pictures

Firstly, thank you to everyone who left such kind comments about Lou-Lou, they meant a lot and really helped. The house seems big and emptier without my mad spotty buffoon, she gave us so much joy and happiness that we are, trying, just to focus on that.

Secondly, here are some holiday pictures. Above (taken by J) is Golitha Falls on the edge of Bodmin Moor. I loved it here - I think it was my favourite place to visit, quiet, tranquil and amazingly beautiful.

St Michael's Mounts (by J). High tide, so no causeway, but still impressive. Didn't fancy the ferry but enjoyed the view and watching the kite surfers whooshing by.

On the beach at Lizard point (photo by M). Wow!

J took this flower close up on our first full day - I just think it's a great picture.

View from the cliff above Mevagissey - again by J.

Farewell Looby-Lou

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

We lost our 14 year old Dalmatian today. She was a super brilliant friend and we all feel really sad.

Tough decision but the only way to go.

Home with holiday yarn.

Lovely time had by all - proper holiday post will follow soon. This is a picture looking down into the harbour at Mevagissey where we stayed.

Got home to a really ill Lou-lou - next 24 hours will tell what will be.

So until that's sorted and I feel a bit more settled - here's an interim holiday yarn post.


On route to home we stopped on Dartmoor with a little detour to Bovey Tracey, Devon and a wonderful yarn shop called 'Spin A Yarn'. I indulged in a little shopping,

Above is from Touch Yarns in NZ 100g 4 ply pure merino - is pretty?

This is the same brand but 2 ply (lace weight) 900m wool/mohair blend.

Finally more Touch -200g pure NZ wool, very soft and ploofy.

Off to chil-lax

Lottie has a head start on us all.

She has already packed her bag - 2 blue-fings, 2 chew bones, 1 headless pig called Gavin, 2 bowls - one for fud the other for tea, a smelly hairy bed, a big bag of fud and a box of bikkies - NO dog grooming wipes or dog brushes, 1 lead and harness - 2 large pink monkey's and 1 smaller one.

Fish Scales pt 2

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

Close up of pattern detail from leg of sock.

Fish Scales

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

Finally finished this design - it has a couple of bugs I need to iron out but am quite happy with the pro-type pair.

Knitted in Malabrigo Sock yarn - colourway Persia on 2.5mm dpns.


Pattern adapted from Barbara Walker 2nd Treasury p. 136.

Whoosh

That's the wind this morning - a bit blowy.

Am off on holliers at the end of the week - hurrah.

Can't wait - neither can Lottie who is coming with us.

Now I just have to get organised *sigh* here come the lists.

I went to Eastbourne and I bought......

Some shiny, very pretty yarn made from sugar cane - Araucania Ruca Multi - 2 skeins.

A skein of Araucania Ranco - I can see some thicker weight boot socks.

And cos I've not tried it yet some Noro Silk Garden sock yarn.

I also got some Addi lace needles and M bought himself some Artesano Hummingbird.

Great shop, lovely people - well worth a visit.

Charade Socks

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

Love this pattern, though it was a slow knit for me - don't know why, it wasn't a difficult pattern to remember and it was very well written, it seemed to take me forever. Really love them now they're done though.

Charade by Sandra Park via a free download on Ravelry.
Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sock in Montrose - great colour, unusual choice for me - got loads of grey/lavender tones they don't come through in the picture.
2.75mm Knit Pro Circular needles.

Yesterday

I wound up my singles, found the double yarn bowl and.....

started on this. Alternating the colours every 4 rows using 3.25mm Addi Turbo circ - I just had an overwhelming compulsion to knit. I finished listening to 'Neverwhere' on audio book and lost myself in the wonderful softness of these yarns.

Skinhead badger cut for the curious

Singles

As I have mentioned many, many times on this blog - I adore Jo at Limegreen Jelly's fibre. Over the weekend I spun up 2 1/2's of two of her plaits into singles. The pink is my birthday pressie from Jo and is merino/baby alpaca and silk and the silver is cashmere/merino silk. I have 50g of the silver left to spin and and about 15g of the pink.

Inspired by a lady I met at the spinning tent at the Spring Fayre at Ardingly show ground on Sunday I have a plan for this yarn rootling about in my mind and have the urge to experiment with the textural side of the singles. I see a cast on in my not to distant future.

Mmmm more flowers from M - such purty colours.

For those who know me IRL and especially those who know of my recent hair deal with a mutual friend.....I did it! I cut myself a number 3 last night - totally my natural colour. The description 'skinhead-badger' comes to mind. I also remind myself (a wee bit) of the baddie lady in Blake's 7, which is rather bemusing - I'm not as striking looking as her but the evil bit is pretty spot on.

Ruby

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Originally uploaded by loobles2002

You've bought your love to town.

I love this. My first big project knit totally from my own handspun merino/silk blend - took about 400g.

Pattern from 'A Fine Fleece', buttons from a rootle about in Ma's button tin. It needs a wash/blocking - but it's a great fit and a really nice pattern to knit.

Wow

I really, really blew my stack this morning. Can't remember the last time 'ole faithful' gushed forth in such anger - must have been my late teens or early twenties.

Talk about a women pushed to the brink of tolerance,

When will the testosterone war cease? Pre-pubescent skinny runt Vs dashing to work, agitated goatman. I had an overwhelming 'meat in the sandwich-make this stop NOW' moment and shouted like I have not shouted in years. I think even the 'man at the market' stopped pushing his broom and stood to attention.

It obviously needed to come out - normally I just fume and walk away but this morning - whoa out it came. Perhaps it's my middle of the month hormones kicking in or just an attack of morning grouch.

I feel better now though.

J is being very quiet - I don't he quite expected that reaction to him acting a total tit -then again nor did M for being exasperated.

Oh well.

Who can resist?

Not me.

Saturday I taught Part 1 of a beginners sock knitting workshop at a LYS - I think it went OK. Part 2 is this coming Saturday - from gusset to grafting.

Lots of knitting - but little progress to report - ditto that to the spinning.

Starting to think about our up coming holiday to Cornwall.

Listening to 'Neverwhere' on audiobook - OMG I so adore my iPod Touch.

Reading - can't remember title it's sci-fi/fantasy - tis alrightish.

Music - can't stop listening to the latest John Frusciante album 'The Empyrean'.

Cooking - a fat free apple bread,

Mood - very happy :)

Blog - all up to date.

Quicksilver fibre

This afternoon as I sat spinning on the patio in the sunshine, shaded by the old Crab Apple tree, I remembered that I hadn't taken pictures of some fibre that I'd got from Jo.

The sunlight and blossom made a perfect foil for the wonderful subtleties of Jo's colours on the cashmere/merino/silk blend - isn't is beautiful?

Jo's genius can be further admired at - Limegreen Jelly on etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=105164

Macro puppy/knitting

M found the super macro on J's camera and was playing about with it this morning. Hand spun Merino/Silk blend - this is the fold back and right front of my Ruby vest.

My fish scale socks - knitted in Malabrigo sock yarn, colourway Persia.

Paws for thought.

Who's got a big brown hooter then?

Off the sit in the garden now with my Ruby vest - knitting other front but may need to get spinning as I will need more yarn!

Caught in the act!

On M's clean and ironed t-shirts (serves him right for not putting them away!) on our bed!

I should coco little Miss - she didn't look at all guilty at being caught, she groaned, rolled her eyes and went back to sleep - satin bedspreads are made for little Borders apparently.

Good weekend, quiet and chilled - nice.

Handspun Ruby

I've been spinning more of the merino/silk blend I got from P & M Woolcraft at the rare breeds show at the Open Air Museum at Singleton last July. I had an idea that it would make a great vest type thingy. The problem was which one, the choice came down to three and in the end I decided on 'Ruby' from a 'Fine Fleece' by Lisa Lloyd.

It is a compulsive knit. I am really enjoying it and I love the tweedy effect of the handspun.

Everything else is fairly quiet here - not much exciting. Marmite moulted and is now a medium sized tarantula with glossy black legs and a coffee coloured carapace. He made a web mat and moulted overnight and is now back to burrowing around his tank. Dogs, cat and kidlet are all well and dandy. M and I are fine - life is just pottering on.

Haircut and stuff

A bit darker, a bit shorter and a bit more spiky.

Am spinning on the Traveller at the moment - it's like revisiting an old friend.

Plenty of socks on the needles - 3 pairs to be precise.

Reading loads.

Ticking over really, nought earth shattering.

New bed(s)

We bought the girlies new beds - one each, identical, RSPCA approved ones. Lottie peed in hers straight away (typical bloddy terrier) then she stole Loobles bed. Loobles decided that even though her new bed had 'that nasty little dog' in it she was not kipping on the rug, so got into bed with Lottie. She shot the Funster a withering look and turned her back on her - just like she used to with Buster when they first started sharing a bed. Let's hope that this isn't just a one off and that they will soon be snuggle chums......I'm not holding my breath.

Very, very angry....

very, very hurt. Frustrated and zinging with pent up rage.

Why is it that the person who fucks me off most in the world is the one person I can't tell to go fuck themselves.

Being respectful to a parent who is a total arse, when you are an adult, just so sucks.

May her God forgive her for being such a class A, stupid bee-atch.

Your result for What Do Others See You As Test...

41 to 50 Points

You've scored 41 Points!

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

Take What Do Others See You As Test at No comments:

The aliens have landed.....

or maybe it's just Lottie? Cross between a bat and Father Christmas I think.

Had some sad news on Friday. A member of my family has passed away. We knew it was on the cards, she was diagnosed last year as having a terminal form of cancer but it was still a shock as she died on Wednesday but we didn't find out until 2 days later - I don't know why but that felt kinda weird and I was discombobulated by it. Am ok now, sad, but ok. There are so few of my Dad's side of the family left now, I think it is that more than anything that is frying my noodle. The lady who passed though is one of those staples of childhood into adult life, that they are always there in the background. I feel for her family, she was a good Mum and a great Grandma and they are very close. So sad.

My knee cleared for a couple of days but I must of wrenched it again cos this morning it is all swollen again. I also have a sty - happy? No, not really. Getting by would be a better way to describe it.

Am off to to slather my knee is pain relief gel as I couldn't take all the good advice from myself and others, and have just done 20 mins of yoga and I now have a cold, dead feeling patch at the outer top of my right thigh - interesting.

Obbling

About 2 or 3 years ago I ripped a ligament in my right knee. Most of the time it's fine but occasionally it gives me jip. This week it got Lottie'd. She took a flying leap from the floor onto my lap and landed on my knee and then proceeded to trample about on it doing her happy doggy dance. By the following morning my knee was puffy and felt like I had put an elastic band around it. That was Tuesday morning - so I've spent the last two days attempting to rest it (though I spent most of yesterday on my feet). It is a bit better today and the swelling has decreased considerably but I miss spinning!!!! And I haven't done my yoga for two days either - single leg stances are impossible right now. I did meditate and practice my deep breathing but it's not the same as a good stretch out.

I've also not been able to walk the girlie's. I intend to go with them this evening if I manage to rest it enough today and the swelling stays down.

I think that I shall cast on for something new today and maybe that will keep me in my chair for a while, but I have realised this last couple of days that I never sit still for long - I must have ants in my pants!