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.