Xmas 2005 - been there, seen it ........done it!

Or I perhaps a better title might have been 'A 101 uses for a Sonic Screwdriver!' J's top pressie. As for the rest of us, well, Loobles ate her furry squeaky boot and Buster killed his brand new catnip mouse. The spiders had a Locust lunch and Snuffles munched his favorite - celery and sliced pear. Dh and I enjoyed a long lunch with big sis and her hubby - where much merriment ensued. The two boys romped, played and were fairly well behaved.

Boxing day - a very quiet family day, just the 3 of us - lovely. Lots of knitting and reading. Very relaxing.

Yesterday - at Dh's family - 9 adults and 5 kids. We played a quiz DVD which got quite competitive but was fun. Got the pee taken out of me for knitting socks - but as I did better than the others - I claimed it focused my mind!

Today - life resumes - Dh is at work. I am recovering from a dodgey prawn - oh boy was I ill last night! I have plans to hatch & formulate for Dh's b/day on Saturday and loads of chores which I plan to ignore!

Hope everyone had a peaceful and jolly Christmas - does the thought of another mince pie make you want to hurl yet?

Happy New Year etc - see you on the other side!

Luscious punk stitch markers from the wonderful Purlpower. 

This is Suki my new Blythe -Asian Butterfly. She has amazing blue-black hair, which I've washed & conditioned, so it's so soft and silky. 

Lets play catch-up

A big hunormous ((((hug))) and thank you to Purlpower for the bestest punk stitchmarkers - they are so cool (photo soon - promise).

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee my new Blythe (Asian Butterfly) arrived from South Korea today (it only took a week to get here). I will post piccies soon, but first I have to think of a name.

Lots of Xmas knitting - therefore no photos cos you never know who might be peeking.

Am reading like mad as I start my postgrad in the New Year -so much for a nice long study break - ho-hum.

Bought some 100% Alpaca - am now in drool heaven.

Time to spare - take a look at these

http://www.ertdfgcvb.ch/p1/sky.html

http://www.wheredidthetimego.com

http://www.zefrank.com/string_spin/spin_1.html

uteler/leonardo.html

http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/diegotime/time.html#top

Boris enjoys lunch.

Nuff said.

A Christmas Lou-Lou

Where is the mistletoe?

Meet Goomba - a Knitty handwarmer that I've made for J today. A bit fiddly but fun. I used lavender from the garden and he smells lovely. 

J's Sweater

Here it is at last. Only four years in the making!
I'm pretty sure I started this around the time J started school (abeit briefly). I got fed up with it and went on a 'knitfree' hiatus. The back was complete and front half done.

A couple of weeks ago I found this in my stash cupboard. It was a tad short. So I unpicked the back castoff, added a couple of inches, lengthened the front and sleeves and voila. Not a bad fit.

It's knitted in Sirdar Legend on 4mm and the textures are all from rib variations. If I'm honest I didn't enjoy the pattern, but it was worth it because J loves it.

Still here........

but very busy with stuff, hence lack of blogging.

I had S(stash) E (enhancement) X (expedition) yesterday. I bought some fun fur wool *ducks from yarn snob brickbats* I couldn't help myself it was so purty - it looks likes feathers. I also bought some Rowan Big Wool, Kidsilk Haze and Cashsoft DK. And to add to my yarn stash I had a nice delivery of HipKnits silk from the talented Kerrie this week - so soft and beautiful in mauves and pinks *drool*

Other News.

One stickie has moulted and doubled in size.

We are looking/musing over getting another 8 legged buddy (sh don't tell Ma - she'll moan at me).

DH bought me a surprise - the most beautiful dress (a new posh frock). I'm not a dress kinda gal normally but fell for this - exercised great control and didn't buy it. Ahhhh he's such a sweetie.

The cat got another a flea - more Frontline = one very disgruntled cat and dog, as we did her for good measure.

Finished J's sweater (hoobloodyrah) it's now blocking downstairs.

J is still working on geometry with DH - we also looked at fractions and have being doing a lot of stuff about nature and animals. He also finished the book he was reading - he just whizzed through it. (A huge thank you to Penelope for such wonderful books).

I've been out of the house 5+ times this week *gasp* to some that sounds silly - but when you think I didn't leave the house for 11 days, it's a biggie.

Now it's time for a brew and some knitting :0)

Sp 5 - Thank you!!!!!

I received this amazing parcel from Amanda (Skip?) today as the grand finale to sp 5 on the Knittyboard. I have always loved taking part in secret pal rounds and have been so lucky with the people I have been matched with and this round was the same. I have been blessed with kindness and thoughtfulness. So thank you, secret pal. I have loved all the wonderful gifts you have sent me. I've enjoyed all the e-cards and emails we have shared and want the world to know what a fabbo sp you are.

Yarn Pr0n - Louisa Harding - Kimono Angora - yummy! 

Here's Opal modelling the mini Clapotis knitted with love by my wonderful secret pal. I am so made up with this. So much tiny work and it's perfect. 

For Deb.

Posted below is a vicarious weekend feed up - just for you!

Saturday - starting the weekend with a good brekkie! 

Saturday dinner- chorizio with a tomato sauce and brocolli and chilli pesto served with home made oven baked maris piper chips and a fruity glass of red. 

A chilly and frosty start to Sunday - about 8.00am. 

Sunday lunch - home baked sundried tomato and parmesan bread with homemade green onion soup. 

Sunday dinner - green salad with a lemon dressing, roast tatties and an almond and cashew nut roast. 

Knitted this 

and knitted this 

A quick catch up.

It's been quiet - there quick enough for you!

Only joking. Just realised today that I am going through a really tough patch because as of Tuesday next, I won't have left the house for two weeks! Where does the time go? lol. M & J go out heaps, just thought I'd mention this, before people think that I'm cruel to my child and force him to stay in when I'm like this. It was a really stupid thing that set it off, a questioning of my intentions to be somewhere on a set day, it just threw me into blind panic that this person questioned me on would I be somewhere. I think that when I feel pressured (no matter how well-meaning the person is being) I retreat back to my comfort zone. Anyway, I have a bad hip, lots of pain, so resting it has probably helped. I've also had an ear infection so that has also made me a bit more antisocial as well.

I intend to leave the house tomorrow to take J to his HE group. I don't think anyone realises just how hard this is for me. To be thrust into company, with kids legging it all over the shop. I am normally a wreck by the end of it and spend the last hour or so counting the minutes until I can escape.

Now for more positive stuff.

J is learning Geometry with M and doing really well. He has also been looking at English Language stuff and appears to just understand it - like that. He's been a busy chap, full of inventions, home-made comics and just absorbing stuff like a sponge.

Knitting - well I made J fingerless mitts - he's worn them ever since, even sleeping in them. I've finished the front of his jumper and am making myself some Voodoo (Knitty pattern) wristwarmers.

5 out of 6 stick insects remain. We had a loss on Friday. J was devastated. It's too small for a funeral. We discussed Buddhist beliefs and re-incarnation, this cheered him up and he's decided to never kill another bug including flies!

M has been making amazing pottery and generally supporting me while I've been withdrawn. He is such a keeper!

Deb my Sp - has been cheering me up with regular PU's (perker-uppers) a regular smile fest has been a great help.

Plans for today - make onion soup and homemade bread with M. Listen to an Audiobook whilst finishing Voodoo - rest my hip with lots of tigerbalm, heat pad and painkillers. Make a nutloaf for dinner. Drink some red wine and have an early (ish) night.

OK - all up to date - not very exciting - sorry but perhaps the next blogg will be more jolly ;0)

Look what I found.

I've been wanting to make toe socks for ages but couldn't find a pattern. I went for a rummage in Mums patterns and look what I found. Knitted with 4ply on 2 needles - I can't wait to use up some of my sock yarn on these! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Just had to photo tonights sunset. Isn't it totally amazing. 

Glubbies

At last, a year after starting them, here are M's winter Glubbies! They got buried in my stash and I forgot about them. I found them after a stash raid on Friday. As today was Knittys All Day Knit In, I got around to finishing them.
M was in the middle of his bass practice but I rudely interrupted him and forced him to model his gloverly delights!!

Eeeeeeeeeek!

Isn't this cute? It was cold and Buster curled up next to my knitting. A purring, cat dreaming ball of warm black and white, hidden face, fluff. Ahhhh how sweet. Then.....................I saw something on his paw....dirt? Nope, a nerfin great flea! Yuck!! I only Frontlined him in September, but since then he has cultivated a pet. We drowned the sucker, flea combed a totally disgruntled Buster and then we Frontlined him, all at 10.30 pm. We did the dog as well this morning. So neither of my babies are talking to me at moment. I spent all night itching. I know animal fleas don't live on humans but that didn't stop me from feeling cooty. I always Frontline the animals as per the instructions throughout the year as I abhor fleas. I can't believe that he managed to smuggle one in. I'm still all itchy feeling today. I've done all the soft furnishings and the few rugs and carpet that we have but ewwwwwww cooty, cooty, cooty.

We have some new pets as well. J now is the proud owner of 6 stick insects (pink winged ones) M's sister has some and they had babies. They are weeny. I'm still not too sure about stick insects, especially flying ones. I am reserving judgement until they are a bit bigger. But even as littlies they sure do poo a lot.

Can I do this?

Can I hell! I have been practicing with my drop spindle and I'm sort of getting there but dah I feel like a total idiot. I normally pick up stuff so quick but not this. In fact the only other thing that I tried and never got the hang of is driving! Oh well, off to make a few more dents in the floor, then get wool fluff up my snozzle and as J is out for the day I can also turn the air blue with a few well chosen expletives.

Skully

I fancied a new bag fit for Halloween and was too ill yesterday to go anywhere or do much. So here's Skully - a Friday project.

P.S - I still hate intarsia - bleh!

Oh la la

You Belong in Paris Stylish and a little sassy, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine, the men! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Stomp

Biff, bang, clatter, bash, boom, skitter, patter and kapow! Stomp are brilliant. I was enthralled by the whole thing. I loved the skill and humour used within the performance. Wow!!!!!!! I want to go and see them again. If you get the chance to go to one of their performances go - it is amazing.

Our teatime yesterday was a Stomp affair with the banging of cutlery against all sorts of things. Blowing across water bottles and then using empty plastic bottles as drums - lots of footstamping as well, noisey but great fun.

Stamp, thump, clash, bash, woohoo, tap and crash.

Ack!

My secret pal has rumbled who I am! I must have given it away - but how? I didn't mention spotty dogs, tarantulas or kites. Am I really so easy to guess? Obviously.

Warning. - mini rant alert.

People are never satisfied. It doesn't matter how hard you try, it never quite cuts it. I despair that I will ever win. Talk about a round (literally - haha) peg in a square hole.

Why is HEing such a bloomin headache sometimes? I socialize for J's sake as I'd hate him to feel isolated, but there are times when I wish to walk away from the whole thing. I know this is a life thing and if you meet 1 or 2 people along the way you actually like it's a bonus, and a couple of the HE families are more than fabulous - but, there is a but, it's never simple, happy, plain sailing, someone somewhere is dissatisfied or wants change (often, I think, for changes sake). J is such a happy chap and has made some excellent friends and if I'm honest if it wasn't for that I'd just walk away (actually I'd probably run). I'm sure others have moments like this, but this week it's coming to a head for me. Time maybe to step back, breathe and decide what's right for all of us as a family. This will be a hard call to make!

Ok - ranting over. I'm sure no-one reads this much - but apologies to those who do - just needed to verbalize what I was feeling.

I'm off now to drool some more over my latest batch of Hipknits silk.......................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm silk *slobber, drool*

Trainer socks

These are ideal for using up scraps and I am really pleased with how they came out.

A box - for me? Oh you shouldn't have *blush* 

What's in the box? 

I've got goodies, lots of goodies, yes goodies for me. I'm so lucky, yes lucky in my lovely SP!!! (sung to I feel pretty). 

Yarn Pr0n shot - mmmmmm sock yarn - more socks *hurray, goodie, yeehaaaa* 

Another quiz

You are Woodstock!

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by

Socks

After posting about 'never too many socks' I decided to see how many pairs I've made - 12 - with 2 more on the needles.

Bobs and bits.

So another week has just whizzed by - wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesqueakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkboooooooooooooom - look, quick - too late, missed it.

So what has been occurring dudes?

Well, there has been a lot of learning going on this week. From division and Venn diagrams to personal pronouns, a splash of history, a pinch of French and a dollop of Greek mythology - phew I haven't stopped. We have also baked and made a whole family of pompom spiders and a home for them. We have read, made comics and just had a super time all round.

As for me, personally. I've been a bit lack lustre but I finished another pair of socks (as Dumbledore states you can never have too many pairs of socks). I also decided to give ally pally a miss as my agoraphobia is pretty bad at the mo and I can't face the train. M offered to drive but Purley Way is such a nightmare - it's not that bigger a deal to miss it.

M got his new amp he's been waiting for since June and he is finally off call - so a musical, creative, relaxing family weekend is on the cards for us. Sounds good to me.

Mmmm not too sure about this.....

Handholder

You go out of your way to build bridges with people of different views and beliefs and have quite a few religious friends. You believe in the essential goodness of people , which means you’re always looking for common ground even if that entails compromises. You would defend Salman Rushdie’s right to criticise Islam but you’re sorry he attacked it so viciously, just as you feel uncomfortable with some of the more outspoken and unkind views of religion in the pages of this magazine.

You prefer the inclusive approach of writers like Zadie Smith or the radical Christian values of Edward Said. Don’t fall into the same trap as super–naïve Lib Dem MP Jenny Tonge who declared it was okay for clerics like Yusuf al–Qaradawi to justify their monstrous prejudices as a legitimate interpretation of the Koran: a perfect example of how the will to understand can mean the sacrifice of fundamental principles. Sometimes, you just have to hold out for what you know is right even if it hurts someone’s feelings.
What kind of humanist are you? Click here to find out.

National Poetry Day.

Thanks to Glittr for the reminder ;0D

Remember - Christina G. Rossetti

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.


And for J,

The Ning Nang Noo by Spike Milligan

On the Ning Nang Nong
Where the cows go Bong!
And the Monkeys all say Boo!
There's a Nong Nang Ning
Where the trees go ping!
And the tea pots Jibber Jabber Joo.
On the Nong Ning Nang
All the mice go Clang!
And you just can't catch 'em when they do!
So it's Ning Nang Nong!
Cows go Bong!
Nong Nang Ning!
Trees go ping!
Nong Ning Nang!
Mice go clang!
What a noisy place to belong,
Is the Ning Nang Ning Nang Nong!!!

This week I have been mostly....................

knitting socks (see below).

It's been a weird week. J has had a streaming cold so we've been indoors and at home more. It's been nice. We have done so much home baking, bread, two cakes, homemade soup and cornish pasties. I've so enjoyed having everything made from scratch - not just the eating but the process as well. J's been very creative, comic books abound - he's completed the series that he's been creating and today he's been using his car designer kit. He's been choosing to use English and math workbooks, reading loads and doing tonnes of French - for an ill kid he sure has been busy! We've also fitted in a couple a long walks when he's felt up to it - I think fresh air helps to clear a snuffly nose.

I finished this pair. I'm proud of them because I so enjoyed dying the wool. I've finally got the perfect fit for my little chubby feet and these are spot on.