Normally , I can see the river from our window , but today freezing fog covers it all. It gets colder and colder all the time , so its wrap up well weather.
And here are some knitterly Christmas gifts before the wrapping - there are still a few more to go , and some are being sewn up as we speak. I finished DH sweater with only two inches of yarn left , so a frantic phone call was made to many sources , and eventually I got some more from John Lewis (with DH being messenger!) The stress!
But its not all been stress - I've been out to a lovely farewell/Christmas event with the Tramwayknits group . Our fellow knitter India, is leaving for Zurich , so we had a little farewell party , along with a knitterly basket . It was a lovely afternoon/evening , and we pulled many a strange look from the other revellers in the hotel , as they passed about twenty women knitting together !
And last night was Flavaknits Christmas evening - a small glass(es) of wine , some cake , Gayles South African Caramel , Secret Knitty Santa , some more wine , and a happy evening was had by all. I think we may have even persuaded young Lewis to sign up for the Weakest Link - more on that later ! And photo's to follow on the gifts (yes I forgot to take my camera!)
Thank You Tash for your comment - thats great that you're going to take up the Pay-it Forward challenge .
I know its difficult to commit to yet more gift giving at this time of year , but it is such a lovely thing to take part in , AND , after seeing Kerries Blog, and having a good think, non-bloggers should join in too. So , in the words of Father Teds' housekeeper , Mrs Doyle , go on go on go on go on (or was it go an go an go an go an - I'm not very good at Irish accents!) all you bloggers and non-bloggers
And I don't want to have to send out this guy - he's mean , don't let the hat or the t-shirt persuade you other wise , look at those teeth!
He's out to do business , not even the fat guy in the red suits going to con him!
Oh well , the tree is decorated , presents wrapped (almost) , there is a smell of pine in the air .
The Christmas stockings are hung by the (gas) fire , awaiting dear old Sinterklaas , Santa Claus , Father Christmas , Pere Noel , Saint Nicholas - well the good guy who brings gifts .
And my Christmas Cacti is flowering - that means.... it must be nearly Christmas .
Footnote :-
And a thought for those whose loved ones are lost in that foggy river above .
tra la la la la lala la la!
The Christmas Tree is finally up - or rather purchased from the garden centre , taken home in the (very small) boot of my car , dressed by the kids , fallen over , set back up , and now sitting in the corner looking.... a bit small! However , it was chosen by two small people (my children) who think its wonderful , but it is... still small.
Now I am suffocating under all the Christmas Knitting , so I've decided to rationalise it . A sweater is about to turn into a hat , and some folk are getting bathrobes from Primark instead of scarves! Once I decided to do this, the headaches ceased . And I'm beginning to enjoy Christmas , and the gifts I am actually making . So much so , that I'm looking forward to making some more AFTER Christmas !
And then I saw this at Heathers - Pay It Forward .
The idea is acts of kindness are done without expecting something in return, in the hope that the person/s for whom you do something kind will pass on their own act of kindness. Et ad infinitum !
So ! I will make a Handmade Gift for the first 3 people who leave a comment requesting to join this PIF exhange . Go on - you know you want to !
The handmade gifts will be sent within 6 months - so I'll have plenty of time to get something really glamourous, gorgeous and delectable to you . It will probably be knitted , as my sewing skills are minimum , or it may be baked , or both! The possibilities are endless .
And now I must go and rearrange my furniture to make my small tree look less ..... small - I'm thinking a table !
PS - remember to leave a comment , in the words of Mrs Doyle - go on go on go on go on !
Listening to Classic FM , they are definitely getting into the Christmas spirit, playing Carols and Christmas Music. They played Christina Rossetti s' "In the Bleak Midwinter" the other day - it always brings a tear to my eye. We were taught the final verse as five year olds in Primary One , and sang it at the Christmas Carol concert (this was before I learned to read!) , so I always find it quite poignant , a link back to my childhood .
Here is Junior jnr re-arranging one of the many Advent Calendars - if you look closely you may see some of the many Christmas toys , along with the usual train sets etc.
Had a wee visit to K1 yarns the other day - and here are some of my purchases - the first is the gorgeous Colinette Iona , isn't that red just so seasonal - its going to become a Christmas gift (*sigh*)
And just look at this Artesano Alpaca Aran - it feels wonderful and knits like a dream - again another present (well two really, I've started the first, a "stripe" scarf , the stripes being made of alternate garter/stocking stitch) .
DHs' Christmas sweater - the photo doesn't do justice to the sheen and texture of this gorgeous yarn - Rowan Cocoon, and a reasonable quick knit since its on 7mm needles . I'm now two thirds done on both sleeves as I'm knitting them together .
And this is a wee sneak preview of another gift I've made - can you guess what it is ? The yarn is Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed , and Limari by Araucania - it was wonderful to knit with, may need to get some more .
I am helping out with the Nativity at the school next week - guess which group I'm overseeing , the SHEEP! Rather appropriate , don't you think .
Today is the start of Advent - "what is advent ?" I ask the kids, "its when Santa's nearly here!" . " No , no, no! Its the 24 days leading up to when we celebrate the birth of Jesus" - blank look , "yeah, that too mum!" Still , on the first day of advent, I let them take out the Advent Calendars (One religious, One for sweeties with Santa, and one that makes up a Winter Scene in the park - don't ask, its a Playmobil toy basically) , and... the Christmas Toys. These are soft toys or mechanical ones that we have been given over the years, the only one we bought being a Pooh Bear and Tigger on a Sleigh , that sings Jingle Bells when you press their paws . That one was a life saver , as it was the only thing that stopped my colicky baby from crying - we love it!
And the remainder are, one Santa Claus on a Trike with bag (!) , one Dancing Teddy Bear dressed as Santa , various Reindeer (none looking remotely like a real one , which we have seen!) , various teddies with Santa hats/bags etc. and a wee Santa Claus thats actually a book (I think that was me , a wee secret santa gift for Junior). Oh , and nearly forgot the various "Stockings" that have been given - Babys First Christmas , Babys' 7th Christmas and so on and so on .
AND..... , this is before we put up any decorations!
On the gift front , Santa knows what all the family will be buying the kids , and he gives accordingly (Knowing wink ;-) . Unfortunately Santa does it differently in everybody elses' house , oooohh , and on the TV too. "And mummy, is there really a Santa ? , because we saw this film/programme ......" Santa , should really be regulated , just to keep the magic ! I blame Coca - Cola myself .
Now these two skeins are going to become gifts for someone - one is baby camel , and the other is Rowan Biggy Print.
I had to suppress a cough when DH said to wait until Christmas to give him his sweater....*!*.... well yes darling , thats what its for !
Was sitting last night waiting for the Jonathon Ross show , where Hughie FW was supposed to be on , then discovered it was on another channel, an hour later - honestly , meant me having to have another glass of wine or two! lol ! Still, it was worth the wait , as a tipsy Hugh FW outwitted the very naughty Mr Ross.
A future member of the Tartan Army , perhaps ?
Today is Saint Andrews day, patron Saint of Scotland (besides some other countries!) The Scottish Parliament passed legislation enabling folk to take the day off , by swapping it for another public holiday! Hmmmm , I think 500 years of Presbyterianism is hard to shake off - Scotlands not very good at doing Saints Days .
I guess today is also the last day of NaBloPoMo - or National Blog Post a day for a month. I didn't sign up for it , but have tried to post more frequently - its help shake the inertia I feel during such a grey month. It also helped push on the knitting - no point having a knitting blog and not post about knitting . Can't show everything just yet - its for Christmas !
Had a lovely evening at Flavaknits last night - hadn't been feeling too well but it certainly cheered me up . Got some knitty gifts finished , and we pulled names out a hat for a knitty secret Santa .
Had a funny conversation about meat - Marion mentioned that one farmer used to have pictures of the cows hung on his stall , before they became the produce on his stall , and it was a bit off-putting . I actually liked the idea , that you could see that the animal had a happy , healthy life before the great stunner intervened (it comes from growing up opposite a farm!) And before I forget, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is on the Jonathon Ross Show tonight on BBC2 at 10.30pm , and publicising his Chickenout campaign. He is trying to get public support, and lobby parliament to change the way chickens are farmed - that is, make sure all chickens are farmed free range, and put an end to battery farming . Go have a look over at www.chickenout.tv
Back to the knitting - now I've knitted a few gifts , its back to DHs' sweater . I've been a bit slower on the knitting this week , as I've been stuffed up on with a cold . I also keep getting distracted by knitting other smaller items . And I'm desperate to get started on the Noro Silver Thaw , so many projects , so little time !
Saturday , children having fun with their grandparents , and DH and I go into Glasgow. A perusal of the shops , and a couple of glasses of Chardonnay in Roganos' followed by a meal at Dhabba , and I felt like I had been away for a fortnight at a spa! Roganos'Oyster Bar (to give it its full name) is a Glasgow institution , the inside is like the restaurant of a large Liner, as it opened not long after the Queen Mary Ship was launched , in the 1930's . And it is STRICTLY for the grownups! Dhabba, is a wonderful Indian restaurant (No Chicken Maryland or Gammon steak served here), and the food is DIVINE .
We were invited to our friends daughters Baptism on Sunday . The service was lovely , short , and full of the noise of children, which is how it should be . Although the parents requested no gifts , a few knitty items did find there way into a bag for them to take home . It was another lovely day, catching up with friends , and seeing DHs' God-daughter, who is still undergoing treatment at Yorkhill. A very brave two year old indeed.
The little Kimono jacket (Debbie Bliss) knitted by my sister for little Jo, for her christening. The Hat is knitted in fyberspates alpalca/merino , by me, for her big sister Ellie .
Little Jo with Dad on her special day.
Ellie with wee cousin Rory and pal Junior jnr.
Well I finished the back of DH sweater, measured it against him, fits well , then started the front. Did I read the pattern , no of course not , I had looked at it previously and thought I knew what I was doing. Well I didn't, so I had to rip and evenings' worth of knitting ALL the way back to the second row - ouch!
The great thing about knitting is that mistakes can be made and sorted over a day. Today, I made much better progress , keeping to the pattern.
Perhaps if those responsible for the Child Benefits fiasco knitted , things would have been sorted before they escalated into chaos and terror. Twenty Five million people (including the Prime Minister , and Leader of the opposition!) have their personal details burned onto two MISSING discs'. Our life literally in their hands. As if fraud and virtual fraud is increasing enough already , the fraudsters have been handed and early Christmas present.
Quite frankly , its a bit of a blunder, MR Darling!
I am "fit to burst" with anger .
Still , a nice cup of tea and Satsuma (chocolate eaten first!) to help calm me down . And some more knitting later .
