Years End

Well here we are, my last post of the year.

It's been a year of big changes too. I've stopped work and DH has started his teacher training amongst other things and next year will bring even more changes. Some of which I am looking forward to and others I am a little nervous about.

I've really just stopped by to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to hope that 2009 will be kind to them.

See you all next year!

My Bestest Christmas Pressie

There are five of us who are really good friends, Sarah, Lottie, Sarah and Sasha and we try to get together regularly over the year. We decided last year to each buy one person a present rather than each buying smaller presents for the other four. Lottie bought (or should I say made) for me this year.

So this is what I got this year

How cool is that? I am so pleased with it :)

And here it is in action

And here's my finished yarn cake. This one is Still Waters sock yarn dyed by Babylonglegs. It is now cast on so I'll post more pics as I make progress.

I should add that I also got some sock yarn with the swift in the Olivia colourway dyed, of course, by Babylonglegs.

I do love being friends with such talented people.

Christmas Knitting.

I've done a few bits of Christmas Knitting this year though I did limit myself so that I wouldn't end up all stressed out and not get it all finished.

First up I did a string bag for my mum. It's kind of interesting knitting such fine cotton on such huge (15mm) needles. I am very pleased with it myself so I hope she liked it.

I got given some free Peaches and Creme from one of the girls at the knitting group I go to so I made my Mum a quick dishcloth out of it. We had been talking about them the last time I was over at hers so I knew she would appreciate it. I forgot to take a picture though.

I did my Dad a wine cosy from the Knitty pattern with yarn given to me by Babylonglegs (thank you :) ) I am very happy with how it turned out and naturally I gave him a bottle of wine with it.

I also did a couple of bits for our Christmas Stocking swap. I brought for Sasha and unfortunately she didn't make it to our meet up so I can't post pics or disclose details of what was in her stocking till I know she got it.

And out the other side....

..... Here we are post Christmas and I think the kids had a good one. They got loads of stuff of course but they are playing with pretty much everything which is good.

I did pretty well for presents myself too. DH got loads of chocolate from the kids in his class at school which he was very pleased about.

It's been good to have some time off, much needed by DH, DD and DS1 though I don't think Bean is too keen on sharing his Mama with everyone else! Both the boys and DH got the lurgy which has been a nasty one so we've not been out too much but I'm hoping to at least get the kids out a couple of days this week.

Nearly There

Well we have made it to the end of term, just. The kids are hugely excited, DS1 is fighting off the "Hinckley" virus and has a horrid chesty cough, if it doesn't ease up in the next day or so I suspect I will have to take him to the docs just to get it checked out. I've been fighting this same virus for about three weeks now and it is a nasty one.

Still the kids all had a fab last week at school, DS1 was brill in his first nativity. DD spent most of her last week making paper baskets and stars so I have a house full of new decorations.

DH has been given loads of presents by the children in his class at school so he must be doing something right. He has quite a collection under the tree.

I have almost finished the shopping, just want to look for one more thing for DH and DD needs something for her friend, both of which I will get today. Most of the kids stuff is wrapped, just need to do what they are giving each other and the stuff for other family but that can be done with the kids about so won't be a problem. Most of my festive knitting is done and I should be able to finish the last bits over this weekend depending on what else I have to do.

We are all shattered! I have been so tired at times this week that I could have just sat and cried and I am really looking forward to Boxing Day when I can finally stop. I am sure Christmas day will be fab but I'll still have to cook etc whereas on Boxing day it will be a simpler meal. In fact I don't intend doing much of anything for a few days after Christmas.

Apart from knitting that is ;)

Santa's Little Helper

Sleepy Santa
Originally uploaded by Miffy's Knitting

I got DS1 a santa hat yesterday when I was in town. I think he likes it!

I Can't Believe.....

..... it's been so long since I managed to blog. I've had loads to tell, most of which has by now been forgotten but just no time to blog. All of which means that this will be a rather rambling and picture heavy post. Sorry.

At half term we re-painted the front room so apart from one wall it is now all cream. Before and after pictures follow.

We sent the kids to PIL for the day and did about three coats of paint all told plus taking down and putting back the shelves etc. We also took the opportunity to have a good sort out and tidy round so the front is looking alot better now.

The week after half term I managed to go for lunch with a good friend of mine. She is a teacher so I don't get to see her properly as often as I would like. When she is off I normally have all three kids so a good gossip isn't normally practical however this term she had a different half term week to ours so we got to get together on her week off and go for lunch with only the Bean as added company.

That week was also DS1's 5th birthday. I'm really not sure how he got to be 5 LOL He did very well for himself and had a good day and a good party on the Saturday. It was a very bust weekend though as we had another party on the Sunday for his friend at school who was born on the same afternoon. Her mum and I met in recovery!

The week after I went over to see Babylonglegs and got some gorgeous sock yarn in colours DD had picked out herself.

Then on the Friday we had some fireworks at home, just a few small ones which the kids watched from the conservatory. We had friends round for the evening and had a fab time. In the morning we got up to find that one of the rockets hadn't strayed far from home at all!
Just glad neither of the blokes were under it when it came down!!

On the Sunday it was Beans birthday and I made him a cake!!! Sadly for my children that is the first time I have made any of them a birthday cake.

It was OK though and I think I shall try to make home baked birthday cakes standard in the future. It's a good way of being sure there is no milk in there. And by the way, how did Bean get to be two already????? ;)

Then a couple of weeks of frantic sock knitting for DD's birthday only interrupted by a couple of parents evenings. Fab reports for both of them particularly DD's english. Most importantly though, for DH and myself, both of them are settled, happy and behaving themselves.

DD had her birthday, I can't believe she's 8 already, do I sound like a stuck record yet??? LOL I was a good Mama and made her lots of little birthday cakes as requested
.
I thought they looked rather good if I do say so myself. DD was pleased with them which is the important thing.

I managed to make her two pairs of socks for her birthday which thankfully she loves, she is quite a sensitive soul and I wondered if she would get on the the very different feel on hand knit socks. She wore the first pair to school the next day and the other pair the day after so I needn't have worried.

Then I was back to Babylonglegs for the day where I got this.
Isn't it just scrummy. I'd had my eye on it for a while and couldn't resist. I'm looking forward to finishing my Christmas knits so that I can do myself some more socks. I have plans for some toe ups in January - new skill there - so I can use up some of my leftovers.

Saturday morning we picked up DD's friend and all went bowling, I haven't done any for ages and did most of mine with the rack thing as Bean was helping me but I didn't do too badly. DD got a strike on her first go! DD's friend stayed for lunch and the afternoon which gave DH and I the chance to sort out the kids toys. There is a huge box of stuff ready to go the the charity shop and there is now room for the Birthday and Christmas stuff to go.

Yesterday I went over to Northamptonshire to collect a knitting machine that a lovely lady by the name of nightcrickett on Ravelry has let me have. I'm not entirely sure when I will get to unpack it and have a proper play but watch this space.

Today would normally be Wriggley Readers with Bean and friends at the library followed by coffee with the girls after but I have a horrid cold and DD is decidedly under the weather so we are having a PJ day instead. I will have to go into town tomorrow so will just have to go for coffee then.

And I think that brings me up to date. If you made it this far well done and I promise to try not to leave it so long next time.

Feeding the Chickens

I took DS1 and Bean over to my mums last Saturday, the weather was gorgeous and they had a lovely time feeding the chickens and collecting eggs.




When we got home I managed to get some time in the garden doing some end of season pruning and general tidying up as well as planting some winter pansies.

Cup of Tea Anyone

Cup of Tea Anyone
Originally uploaded by Miffy's Knitting

I couldn't resist this cup and saucer when I saw it. It is HUGE!!!!!!! and I do love a nice big cup of tea

It's also nice with coffee in it ;)

Dulcie

Dulcie
Originally uploaded by Miffy's Knitting

My first hat from Woolly Wormheads book Going Straight.

Once I got into it it was really easy and I loved doing it. It was kinda nice to to have something a bit different to knit in an afternoon when it was just me all on my own.

This post is a bit of an experiment as I'm doing it through flickr so will have to see how it turns out.

My Little Bookworm

I love this picture of DD so I thought I would share it, she is reading me Cinderella.

Sleep Over!

We had our first sleep over a couple of weekends ago. Babylonglegs youngest came to stay with us. He and DS1 had a fab time and played really well together. We were lucky with the weather so they got lots of time outside and then after tea DH put Rock Band on and we played that for a while.

They even slept well too, I only had to "get cross" once which I was very impressed with.

On Sunday we all went conkering at a local park, there are several big Horse Chestnut trees there and as the park is in one of the local villages they tend not to be stripped bare, instead you can collect loads of windfalls. When we went last year there it was fairly windy and conkers were falling out of the trees around us! The kids love it so I am making it an annual pilgrimage.

We stopped off to feed the ducks and geese before going for a walk in the wood.
We We also introduced J and my DH to the trees with eyes! Aren't they just fab :) I love them they were just so unexpected the first time I saw them, we just turned a corner and a tree was looking at us. On the way back to the the trees for some more conkering the kids stopped off for a ride on the dragonfly. How grumpy does DD look about having her photo taken? LOL

Neglected Again

Well despite my best intentions life has gotten in the way of blogging once more.

In part because the start of term for the kids, DH and me kept me plenty busy while I caught up with house work and in part because I rediscovered peace and quiet and time to knit without interruption form children and husbands. Long may Bean's afternoon naps continue ;)

Another reason for the lack of blogging this week has been the horrid cold we've all had this week so for several days the last thing I've felt like is sitting at the computer.

All this time away from the pc has meant that lots of knitting has been done. I've started and finished my Cable Twist Beanie, finished my Garter Rib Socks and cast on some Jaywalkers, started knitting Dulcie for which I need to be alone so progress is steady but somewhat slow and I am pleased with how its going so far. The life lines are giving me confidence.

I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at the NEC last Sunday and though I got everything I wanted I was very disappointed with it. I found it smaller than last year and I thought the stalls were smaller as well. I think next year I will try to get to Ally Pally or I just wont bother with the show but will go splurge at a LYS.

Hmmmmm....maybe I have just been spoiled by Woolfest ;) And I have good news there, DH doesn't have to be in university for the Friday of Woolfest so I may still be able to go up in the morning!

Anyway this is my Show stash:

Some Jawoll Colour sock yarn, you may recognise it from the Jaywalkers above.

Fyberspates sock yarn, can't remember which exactly. Jen was just about the only source of exciting and unusual sock yarn there!

Some Possum Paints DK. This is 20% possum fur and 80% merino, the colourway is Bush Harvest.

I also got some 2.25mm bamboo DPNs and some stitch markers. Oh and some Regia Bamboo Colour sock yarn.

Not a bad haul all in all and I'm looking forward to knitting lots of socks!

Knitting Catch Up

It has occured to me that I haven't updated the knitting side of my blog for a while so I thought I would post some recent pics.
First up is my current sock project - Garter Rib Socks from the Sensational Knitted Socks book. I'm loving the book so there will be more socks from it to come.

This is my new found bit of fun - Hyperbolic Crochet. These were done with the increase on every third chain. They are really easy and you can see the shape forming very quickly. The original instructions I found gave me brain ache but then I found these on the My @Ventures blog and all became clear. This is my first effort


I'm on the second one already but I don't have a pic yet. I'm doing them in some left over Babylonglegs yarn.
The Crafts Council are bringing the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef to the Knitting and Stiching show at the NEC and are accepting contributions and being as I already I have my ticket to the show I thought I would do some crochet and take a few bits along.

Here are my September socks, finished on the 1st of the month so that the rest of my month was free for knitting Beans new soaker. The soaker is cast on and the ribbing is done for the waist but as Bean has decided that sleeping bags are no fun at all and refuses to sleep in his anymore he has been put in his longies already. Doesn't look like I'll be needing those shorts till next summer :( Still on the bright side I will need enough yarn (plus time and patience) to knit a pair of longies so I see a little shopping trip at Mamalonglegs in my future ;)


And lastly here is the shawl I have done for DH's Gran. I was planning it for her birthday in October but she is very ill at the moment so I am just hoping that she gets well enough to go back to the home for a bit and she can have the shawl then.

First Day At School

DS1 had his first day at school this week. He suddenly looked all small again when I got him in his school uniform.

He had a fab day though which was a big relief to me as I have to admit to being a little worried about whether he would enjoy it or not. I think he may turn out to be quite a handful for his teacher though. He has really enjoyed the rest of his week too, alternate days this week and then everyday from next Tuesday. He is loving it which is good. I do miss having him around though.

It took till yesterday for DD to really get settled in but something clicked on Friday and she now seems her old self again which is fab as I had been getting a little worried about her.

The Simple Pleasures...

...are almost always the best and it can't get much simpler than just spending time with my family.


I have been relishing my new found status as Stay At Home Mum and just enjoying being able to cook tea for the kids, spend time with them in the evening, pop to the shops after school and put them to bed myself every night. It's been a long time since I have been able to do these things but DH has handed over the reigns and we are getting our new routines organised.
It's so nice to have time to stop and play when we are shopping now.


Last week also saw DH starting at his new job, trainee teacher. He is loving it so far though there is alot of work already and the plans sent by the university for the new year look pretty intense. In some ways it is going to be a tough year but in others I hope it will bring us together as a family and it will start DH off on a new career that hopefully he will continue to enjoy as much as he is doing now.

Last Saturday we went over to my mum's for one of her parties. She hired a bouncy castle for the kids which they all loved and we got to see her new shed! and a new garden ornament
She has chickens too now but I haven't got a pic of the hen house yet. I'll get one next time I go as it is the talk of the lane apparantly ;)

That Calorie Thing 2

Here is my latest finished project another Calorimetry.

I'm quite pleased with it overall, I did it a bit smaller this time and it is a better fit. This one is done in some of my Woolfest stash, Waterlilly from KraftyKoala.

The socks are still in progress but they are (touch wood) going quite well at the moment.

Pickled!!!

This year DH decided that we were going to grow some beetroot in the front bed, mainly cos he really likes the foliage and if we got some decent beetroot then that would be a bonus.

As well as beetroot the front bed also has carrots in and several tomato plants in. We didn't put the tomatoes in they have grown from seeds that were in the compost! There are also 2 or 3 of our "weird" plants - no idea what they are called in real life.

Anyway this weekend we got around to seeing how the beetroot have done and this is what we got.

Not bad eh? Though I think we'll be planting lots more next year.

We knew none of the kids would want beetroot as a veg so we have pickled them. They need to stand for a few weeks yet but I am really looking forward to home grown and pickled beetroot.