Sometimes , I slow down and get rather weary , its an effort to knit , its and effort to blog , and its an effort to bother about apostrophes too!
Its an effort to post on Ravelry , its an effort to go on Ravelry .
Life is missing its zing . A friend told me the Dutch name for it , I forget , but it basically means Spring Tiredness , or maybe its , hurry up Spring I am tired with all this Winter !
Had a lovely weekend visiting my friend in London just there , the weather was glorious , and I got to see my favourite museum ever , after the Kelvingrove . The Natural History Museum . Specifically went to see the Scott of the Antarctic , which was excellent and very busy . It was set up in a model of the Hut they built out in Antarctica , with various objects and letters displayed , along with some audio and video footage . Also there were lots of the original photo's taken by Scott and his team , as well as the maps they drew up of the areas they explored . All in all it was very enjoyable .
Have lots of knitting on the go just now , and seriously need to finish something to give me a boost . I have a 3/4 finished childs sweater , 1/2 pair of socks , 1/6 pair of mitts , and an 1/8 of a sweater . And I've joined in a KAL for a shawl - think I may have bitten off more than I can chew! I am aiming to finish the childs sweater soon , and I desperately need more socks so will charge ahead with them too . (Just a thought , I have finished two pairs of socks already , so thats not too bad. )
I've also made a few wee project bags , and hope to make a few more soon , I've really enjoyed getting bak into sewing . Perhaps that will be my key into Spring Joy!
There was a discussion on Radio Scotland this morning about "all male" Burns Suppers - Don't think Burns would approve , "he was ower fond o' the lasses !"
I like the mystery surrounding this lass !
(Taken from epistle to Mrs Scott)
"...the gust of joy , the balm of woe "
"the saul of life , the heaven below ... is rapture-giving women"
Happy Burns Night
Everything feels a little slow just now , including me .
Slowly knitting DS1's sweater and hat , slowly knitting me socks .
Slowly sorting the house - or trying to get hold of tradesfolk to sort our disintegrating roof! Slowly painting the downstairs WC .
Slowly getting back to cooking proper meals ..... well! All I cook just now seems to taste bland .
Its just that time of year , my body is saying hibernate , but life is saying kick it up a gear .
Maybe its all to do with mt DNA !
Tonight though , is a bath , bed and a good book!
A photo of the kids on Christmas morning - lots of wrapping paper too!
My MIL , delighted with her new knitted jacket - pattern from Debbie Bliss Riva magazine .
Yarn newly plied and off the niddy-noddy , some lovely merino/tencel from Feltstudio , plied with a deep blue corriedale from Ashford .
Yarn twisted into two skeins , approx 50g each!
Now back to the WIPS!
A Happy New Year to you All ! Here's to You and Yours, Health, Wealth and Happiness for 2012 (Or a decent cup of tea and five minutes peace!)
Not only am I getting bad at blogging , my camera skills have gone too ! The jacket for my MIL was finished 3 days after Christmas , but she was delighted with the final result . Photo's to follow soon . A little teddy I had knitted (and forgot to photograph) , was received with great delight too .
I should probably start my Christmas knitting now , but there is so much else I want to knit this year .
Socks ! And lots of them ! For Me , and maybe some others .
Sweaters for the Children (one on the go just now , stripey number from Debbie Bliss 9 to 5 book , its gorgeous but will DS1 think so ?)
Colourwork - can I revive the floral colourwork coat I started LAST January , progress so far 3 inches!
Sweaters for ME - need to resurrect Arisaig , progress so far 4 inches!
And the Kiddyprint sweater definitely needs resurrected and finished , after 6 years!
Spinning ! The Guilds Challenge this year is called Clyde Coast , a piece (or pieces) hand dyed / hand - spun / woven / knitted / crocheted , and to represent the Clyde Coast . Mmmmm.
OK , no more ! (exclamation marks)
It will be a busy year this year , knitting apart . DH will be looking for a new job mid year , as his present one will finish 6 months earlier than anticipated . DS1 is starting Secondary School in August , so there will be two school runs to negotiate . And after the storms there is some work to be done outside and inside the house .
I also want to get back into reading blogs too - some I have missed as the owner(s) have been out of blogland for a while . I will update my blog reading list in the side bar too . And I will need to tidy up the layout of this blog .
I just hope I have energy for it all .
Oh , and the Walnut Tree decoration ? It has a lovely glass pebble inside , reflecting all the colours of the rainbow . Its all away in the decorations box now with the Angel , such a lovely addition to our Christmas tradition. It will come out again at Advent this year .
Advent is almost over and Christmas is nearly here . The children are getting hyper excited , and have tantrums on a daily basis . The adults are getting ratty and tired , and wanting to hibernate for the rest of winter . Soon it will be the holidays , and we can all relax and enjoy ourselves .
I took part in an Advent Swap with the Waldorf Mamas' group on Ravelry again - its been another lovely swap , good to take time out from the Christmas preparation madness .
My swap partner was a lovely lady from Germay called Ramona , who sent me this lovely Angel , and Walnut decoration . Its exquisite .
She also included an lovely postcard with its gorgeous illustration from In the Land of Elves .
This was my gift to her , a knitted angel , pattern courtsey of Elizabeth Zimmerman (Christmas Fiddle Faddle) , knitted in rare breed Wensleydale from the Isle of Arran and Kidsilk Haze .
I have cut out a lot of Christmas knitting , not enough time and I am too tired . Still to finish MIL jacket , but that will happen soon. (The above is a little something for someone! , lol) .
Tonight is my Knitting group night out - I am looking forward to it , as we have our secret Santa too .
Just hope I don't fall asleep!
I know this is a sad and difficult time for may but I read a piece by Charles Dickens which some may find helpful ..... I find it quite lovely .
.....do not select the merriest of of the three hundred and sixty five days for your doleful recollections, but draw your chair nearer the blazing fire.... . Look upon the merry faces of your children . Dwell not upon the past ... reflect on your blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes of which every man has some . Fill your glass again , with a merry face and a contented heart!
Christmas Blessings to you all!
Not content with having umpteen projects on the go , I plunged in and bought yarn to knit DS1 a Christmas Sweater . My DH and sons are not known for their love of the handknit garment , but I have made things for them that they do wear from time to time . I'm hoping I'm onto a winner here , as the sweater is stripy , knit in the softest yarn and is the colours of Gryffinfor House from Harry Potter .
He likes Harry Potter , and stripes , and hopefully will love the sweater . Its another Debbie Bliss pattern from her 9 to 5 knitting book of childrens' knits .
Fingers crossed I finish on time and he likes it .
Just now there is lots of organising for the Moorfoot Primary Parent Teacher Association Fund-raising events . The big one is our Christmas Shopping night this Thursday Evening , its very civilised with Bucks Fizz and nibbles , and wine and soft drinks served all evening . There are lots of tables selling gifts from local shops , Once a Sheep has got one too!
Oh , yes , I've also signed up to another OMA KAL (idea for a christmas gift here) , which is colourwork mitts .
Looks like I won't get much sleep for the next few weeks!
