Monday 29 December 2008

UK Swap - Warming Your Feet

Just in case you didn't already know. I LOVE SOCKS. I almost always have a pair on the go and they are my favourite protable project.

What is your favourite way of keeping your feet warm?

Socks without doubt.

Do you have a favourite pair of socks you reach for to keep your toes toasty?
My favourite socks are the ones knitted for me by Channon for the last sockapalooza. The photo (which I pinched from Channon's Flickr) doesn't do them justice and the colours are much deeper. They are still going strong 18 months and many washes later.



Is there a pair of socks/slippers you have been wanting to make for ages but haven't got around to?

Oh there are soooo many. I mean to do the Hedera socks sometime. Did start them but foolishly used black yarn and gave up in frustration as I couldn't see what I was doing. I'm always adding patterns to my Ravelry queue.

What is your favourite finished object that warms your feet?
My favourite FO is the very first pair of socks I ever knitted just over 2 years ago. They are a bright stretch Regia yarn and again are still going strong. I'm modelling them here at my sister-in-law's wedding. The M6 motorway was shut due to a really bad accident that day so it's a good job we went down on the bike or we wouldn't have made it. We just about got there in time to hear them pronounced man and wife!! Hence the bike gear - no time to get changed!



What is your favourite yarn to use for socks/slippers?

One of the best things about sock knitting, if not THE best thing, is the chance to indulge in a little luxury. You can splurge on wonderful yarn at a relatively low cost as you only need one or two skeins to make a fabulous pair of socks. I'm especially fond of the Natural Dye Studio sock yarn as it is sooooo gorgeous but also like Violet Green, The Knitting Goddess, Fyberspates and Laal Bear. Indie dyers yarn is always a real treat. But for everyday wear you can't beat good old Regia and Opal for longevity and value!

Christmas

Well it's been a busy one with Nativities, pressies lots of eating and all that jazz. Ended up downloading the Ting Tings album as a treat to myself as DH failed to pick up on my hints ("I really like the Ting Tings, wouldn't mind their album!" being a typical example!!) Oh well. He did redeem himself by getting me a nice digital radio/ipod docking station so I can enjoy my new Ting Tings album at work!! As well as listen to the Togmeister as well

The girls ended up doing 3 performances of their "Wriggly Nativity" because the school hall is just too small to accommodate all of the audience and all of the children. Every single child was in the concert. The infants did the nativity and the juniors did some fabulous singing including Bohemian Rhapsody which wasn't half bad!

Here are my two stage stars. One's a slightly grumpy looking pig and the other a very serious angel (in the middle) sporting a new short hairdo - had to dash to the hairdressers for a rescue job after little sister decided to test her hairdressing skills on big sister. Not a pretty sight! Found the locks of hair shoved into DH's motorbike boots a day later!!!



I do hope Father Christmas brought all of you the things you wanted this year. I got the usual array of nice smellies, choccies etc. All nice but this year I did get a knitterly pressie from my lovely UK Sock Knitters swap pal Misselle. Thanks again!



Christmas day was lovely. There was the 4 of us plus my parents, sister in law, auntie Isobel and my friend Tracy. We ate well and chilled. Here's Tracy with the girls and Sally the dog - you just got to wear a tiara at christmas don'tcha!!

Tuesday 23 December 2008

UK Swap - Warming Your Neck

What is your favourite neck warming pattern?
Do you have a favourite FO?
Is there a style of neck warmer you particularly like?


Hmm... favourite way of warming my neck.

There is no doubt about it, you cannot beat a lovely scarf for banishing the shivers on a chilly day. And it is impossible to pin down a favourite one. As long as it is soft and long (I like to wrap scarves around more than once if possible!) Then I am a fan!

I got a copy of Victorian Lace Today recently to conquer my fear of lace knitting and because there is something very cosy about wrapping yourself up in a shawl I reckon. I'm still a bit scared though!! I have the Ice Queen cowl in my queue and the yarn to do it. Just need to pluck up the courage to give it a go!



I've only got one FO on Ravelry which is this Hat and Scarf that I made for my stepson's girlfriend. I have promised to make some scarfs for my girls though and have got some very nice girly wool for that just need to find a nice pattern/some inspiration! They will probably have pom poms or tassels at the ends and I think they will probably be ribbed (keep the shape better when used as tug of war ropes which is bound to happen!)

Also quite like crocheted scarves and have made this one skein scarf a few times for people. I also sometimes make an easy swirly crochet scarf too but can't remember which pattern it was from. It's a row of treble crochet and then 2 in each one on the second row, and 2 in each one again on the third row. It goes all twisty and swirly and looks nice.

Friday 12 December 2008

Warming Your Hands

So, what is your favourite winter warmer for your hands?

Gloves and mittens... don't they just shout out winter cosiness!! Love 'em all. Have a preference for the fingerless variety on account of having quite small hands and tend to find that the fingers flap about a bit at the tops of full gloves.

I was once a bridesmaid at a relatives wedding that was either early spring or autumn/early winter and we wore red velvet dresses and had lovely cream muffs. Maybe we should resurrect the muff!!

If lacking mitts or a muff then it's a case of dragging down the sleeve ends of your jumper to cosy up your hands or shoving them up the opposing sleeve (bit of a straitjacket look though and not so good if you slip on some ice as your hands are all tied up!!)

Do you have a favourite pattern or finished object?

I enjoyed making the Mitt Envy mitts. Used some leftover Lorna's Laces to make them and they were cute. Other mitts I want to have a go at include: Cafe au Lait , Porphyria, Fetching and would like to have a go at some Norwegian or stranded ones too.

What is your favourite yarn for gloves/mittens/handwarmers?

Wool and wool blends. Something soft and not too itchy and not too thick.

Are there any patterns out there you would love to own?

Not especially as there are soooo many fine free possibilities on Ravelry to go at!

Or do you already have a winter warmer and you would like some mittens/gloves/handwarmers to match?

I'm not especially co-ordinated at the best of times! So no need to match up anything in particular!!


Friday 5 December 2008

Hussars, Goodby Mr Chips and fabulous cardigan

Wow! What a week it's been. Firstly there was the weather. Well I am British and it's in my job description to waffle on about the weather!! There was snow, and ice and sadly lots of rain to wash it all away. Chaos ensued - who knows what it would have been like if the forecasts had actually come to pass.

Tuesday was a fun day at work. The King's Royal Hussars were exercising their Freedoms of the Borough and were marching through the town starting from the staff car park. Forgot to take my camera so please excuse the appalling quality of the photos taken on my phone

Here's a big tank

Well come on... how often do you see a large tank parked next to your offices!!

Here's the band leading the way on the march. They were really good and even did a version of Mika's "Grace Kelly" as well as the usual cheery marching music. Brought back memories of when I was in the Accrington Concert Band - just love band music!

Really like their long coats - wouldn't mind one myself! As you can see it's a bit soggy - in fact it hailed like mad when they were drilling and being inspected by the Mayor. Felt really sorry for them.

Here come the Hussars

And here they are again marching off around the borough


It was an enjoyable event which makes you proud to see. Some miserable buggers were wingeing about the cost/pointlessness/archaic value etc of it but they were still all crowding round the windows to watch! Mind you, you couldn't really shout your mouth off when they all had big guns and swords!! I thought it was fab.

One of my colleagues retired today after many years. Sad day will miss his cheery company. Lots of people turned up for his presentation and the leaving do last Friday has already become a legend in it's own stupor!! We all lined up on the stairs to clap him as he left for the last time and many a tear was wiped away. Felt like a scene from Mr Chips.

Finally got a photo of the legendary Elvis cardigan. This was done by a lady at the stitch and bitch and it is awesome. I'm only sorry it's such a crappy photo but nevertheless marvel at it's fabulousness!

Thursday 4 December 2008

Disappointed

Well it was all over the news and the papers, there were severe weather warnings aplenty and I was expecting to look out on a winter wonderland this morning. But alas all I saw was lashings of rain. No snow day for us. Boo Hoo!

Winter Warmers Swap

Handmade Item Swap

What kind of items are you interested in receiving?
Ooh I love, love, love socks. I only have dinky feet (UK3) too. Also adore fingerless mittens (have dinky hands too so the fingers are always a bit flippy flappy on gloves). You can never have too many scarves either but I like them long enough to wrap around a couple of times ( I blame exposure to the Tom Baker Dr Who at an impressionable age for this!). I take the dog out early in the morning so a cosy hat is always good too.

But quite honestly I am super easy to please and would be chuffed to bits to get anything at all made just for me!

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
Knit mostly but dabble in crochet now and again

What is your favourite colour?
I like purples, reds, greens and blues. Also partial to very bright combos as well esp rainbow colours.

What is your least favourite colour?
Not keen on white and yellow as am a bit of a muck magnet and can never keep things looking nice in these colours

What’s your style? (elegant, traditional, glamourous, girly, natural, sporty, outgoing, etc.)
Style? What's that??? Hmm... I suppose I would say I am casual with a penchant for the eccentric. An eclectic (in other words I just throw on any old combo!!). Love traditional and classic stuff too. Not particularly chic or fashionable really! Also as I am now in my 40s I cannot help myself and have to consider the 'comfort' of stuff these days. (Eek it will be elasticated waists and stay press pants next.... noooooooo!!!)

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn?
I like natural fibres best. Love any wool or wool blends, alpaca, silk blends. Any sock yarn is great to me but am particularly fond of the Natural Dye Studio, most indie dyers and good old Regia. Also very fond of King Cole merino blend - such a great all round wool.

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn?
I'm really not fussy about these kind of things but am not keen on the fuzzy fizzy yarns.

Do you do any other crafts?
Not really too addicted to knitting

Are there any knitting accessories you are interested in receiving?
I quite like the idea of having a go a spinning so a spindle would be lovely. Also my addi turbo circulars are getting a bit past it so could do with some more of those (2.5mm 60 cm). Stitch markers are useful too. Also I do need a nice retractable tape measure too - keep losing my ordinary one and I'm sure my girls have been playing tug of war with it!!

What do you like to eat?
Oh I do like food. I like herbs and spices and yummy stuff to add to my cooking. And for treats I like the usual suspects. Chocolate, old fashioned sweeties, biccies.

Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)?
I am blessed with the constitution of a dustbin and have no allergies to anything!

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know?
Can't really think of anything. Like I said I'm easily pleased!!

Saturday 29 November 2008

Life Begins....

This is the big day! I am now 40!

Been a lovely day so far. DH got up with the girls and then woke me up with a nice cup of tea. I sauntered downstairs a bit later and opened my cards. He's got me a balloon ride! I am soooo excited about it. I've always fancied a go in a hot air balloon and now I can. Not until next year though as they only do it from March to September but something to look forward to for sure!

In fact 2009 is going to be a year of adventures I reckon. Got the balloon ride and the big bike trip. Padiham to Istanbul! Can hardly wait.

Girls got me the DVD of Mama Mia which is fabulous. We watched it this morning and they enjoyed it too. Although I think only because of the Abba songs and the dancing. It was a bit like question time - who;s that? What's happening now? Why is he/she/they sad/happy/ angry??? You know the kind of thing!!

Got a giant pepper pot, a Remoska (cult Czech cooking device), a yogurt maker, and some lovely Regia silk sock yarn and other knitterly goodies too. And it's only just past lunchtime.

Just dropped the girls off at my mum's and we are out for a meal tonight.

Having such a good day so far!!

Life is definitely beginning!!!!!

Friday 28 November 2008

Padiham Lights Big Switch On

The title says it all really. Tonight was the switch on of the Padiham Christmas lights. For once, it was leafleted about in good time and very well attended. Some local schoolchildren sang carols on the Town Hall steps and there were loads of folk there. Pretty much everyone with children under 10 I'd say.

The girls saw lots of their pals from school and out of school club and we even spotted their teacher in the crowd.

Father Christmas was in attendance and was practically mobbed by hordes of excited kiddies.

The fireworks started when the lights went on and were spectacular this year. Even Natty enjoyed them this year. It's the first time for this as she usually gets very upset about all the noise so it was great to see her oohing and ahhing with the rest of us!

Tuesday 25 November 2008

UK Swap 3

Yay! It's on again and I'm all signed up. Just doing my bit and pimping the swap a little bit. Sign ups close on 30th November.

It was a really enjoyable swap last time around. This time there is a theme of Winter Warmers which conjures up lots of thoughts of woolly hats and mittens, hot chocolate and wonderful spicy smells.... nice.

Monday 24 November 2008

Just another manic Monday

Just look at my poor little LandRover! I was just strapping my youngest into her car seat when a passing car caught the door, bent it and ripped off the arch trim. I guess the lady just didn't see me. Not what you need right before Christmas though as insurance claims are always a royal pain in the bum. This was so not my fault though. The other driver was either trying to squeeze past or simply didn't see me.

Parking around the school is a problem. It's a narrow country lane and there aren't many spots. I think the other driver was looking further up the road to see if there was a spot closer to the building and didn't notice us. No excuse mind you. It's not as if it's not known that people are picking up children regularly until out of school club shuts at 6. Good job it was coming from behind though as I would have got squashed if it had been the other direction.

Bit of a shocker but there you go.


No one was hurt though which is the most important thing. And you should have seen the other car. Not as robust as the Land Rover so there is a long gouge running down the passenger side and it's minus a wing mirror as well.

Saturday 22 November 2008

Hello Postie

Big shout to Modern Knitting for super efficient delivery. Ordered some new sock yarn on Thursday night and it arrived on Saturday morning. DH a bit naffed off when the doorbell rang at about 8 this morning as the parcel he had was wool for me. I was still all cosy and warm in bed at the time!!

Anyway here's the lovely goodies that arrived

Some of the Opal Harry Potter themed sock wool


Some Opal Rainforest 'Tiger' sock wool



Some Regia Surprise Color sock wool


And some lovely hand dyed Silk Wood sock wool



Baby jacket almost complete. Also started a pair of socks for my brother in law for christmas which are coming on a treat. They are done in Sirdar Town and Country sock wool which has sadly been discontinued.



Other news. Lots of lurgy about at the moment. Youngest has had 2 days off school with it but doing ok now. Big sister bit naffed off about having to go to school and not stay home too... been lots of "it's just not fair" type moaning going on.

My big birthday is fast approaching too. Can't believe that I will be 40 in a week's time. Just don't know where the last 4 decades have gone so quickly! Oh well... they say that life begins so on the whole I'm not overly bothered about it.

Sunday 16 November 2008

Nick's Bloomers

Hello all

Not much to report at the moment really. Nothing finished knittingwise since the Not Waving socks but I have started on a lovely little baby jacket, some more socks and the dishcloth/facecloths are coming along nicely. Also got some scrumptious hand made soap from Miche Wishi to go with the cloths.

The big event of the weekend has been Nick's bloomers! Must be the time of year or something but he had an urge to make bread, by hand, without the aid of a breadmaker and this is what he came up with!

Here they are fresh out of the oven!



And here's a shot of the very first slice



And here are the two thickly buttered slices that we just ate. Mmmmmm... yum yum!


You just know you want some....mmmmmm

Sunday 9 November 2008

Remembrance Sunday


I have to confess that we had forgotten all about this and were heading off to the park when we came across the Remembrance Sunday march. So we stayed and listened to the service.

The piper was good and there was also a brass band. Glad we saw it really. Girls were thrilled to see all the soldiers and had lots of questions about it. They have poppies which they got at school this week. Will be having a 2 minute silence on Tuesday at work at 11 o'clock as well. (11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and all that)

They were lucky with the weather too because about half an hour later the skies opened and it has absolutely thrown it down since.

Have finished my Waving not Drowning socks for the UK Sockknitters Nov Kal and will wear them for work tomorrow I think.

Pretty chuffed with how they turned out. Used Chameleon Colorworks Evolution yarn in a colourway called Taos. Was a gift from my last sock wars victim. Very nice too.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Bonfire Night and Bike Trips

Just got back from stitch and bitch at Sheila's woolshop and it's bonfire night. Lots of people seem to be going for it tonight and it's all foggy and smoky. Love it - it takes me back to childhood. I used to love wandering around in the dark in my wellies checking out all the local bonfires. It's just not like that anymore sadly. No self-respecting parent would let their kids wander around like we used to and the health and safety bods have insisted on making you register your bonfire (not to mention scaring the bejesus out of all of us)... sighs wistfully.

Got some sparklers for the girls which they enjoyed. Didn't get any pics this year though.

Got an admission too! I have finally succumbed to the world of dishcloth knitting! This has been brought about by the availability of Peaches & Creme here in the UK and discloths seemed the appropriate project for such a yarn of legend!!!

Actually, they will end up as facecloths with some lovely handmade soap for christmas pressies. They just about qualify for the fiver christmas pressie that applies to the adults in the family. Only those under 18 qualify for a bona fide gift. Over 18s get a pressie for no more than a fiver!

Will do some socks for one or two bods as well I think. Only cost is time as the yarn is already looking at me ruefully from the sock wool basket!

DH and I are planning a big bike trip next summer. The girls will spend a couple of weeks with the grandparents and we two and the BMW will zoom off into the sunset. This is the infamous 90th birthday trip. I'm 40 at the end of this month and DH will be 50 next year you see. Anyway after much debate we decided to do an extensive trip around Scotland including lots of island hopping which we were both happy about. Having said that, DH has been checking out the Nick Sanders site and wants a bigger adventure so things have changed. It's now a trip to Istanbul!!!

Saturday 1 November 2008

FOs

Lots of stuff done since last time but not all photographed. Really enjoyed knitting Woollywormhead's Loopy Flapper. Lot's of sock knitting has taken place and got bumped off early on in this round of Hat Attack.

Here are a few things I finished recently

Socks for Nick. Sock yarn gifted by Knitternatternoo my lovely UK swap spoiler. Just a straightforward pair of ribbed socks. He didn't mind the pink stripe and wears them a lot


Jaywalkers. A birthday pressie for Charlotte. Good old Regia sock yarn. I was especially pleased with how these socks came out. The stripes looked really good.


Fingerless Mitts. Another birthday pressie. Used my last bit of Lorna's Laces sock yarn for these Mitt Envy mittens. The first skein became socks for the girls. The yarn was another gift from my sockapalooza pal Channon.




Socks for Samantha. Another birthday present. Opal rainforest yarn this time. Nice but not as nice as Regia. Have made some more of the above mitts for myself with the leftovers.

Sunny Sundays

Strangely we had a run of good weather on Sunday for about 4 weeks in October so here's what we did.

Week 1. A walk up Pendle Hill. Was warm enough for shorts and vesty tops. Such a change from all the vile rain there has been ALL summer long


Week 2 - a trip to the Atom. A panopticon at Wycoller. Another gloriously sunny Sunday

Love this place. It's great. You can wander around and inside it and it doesn't look out of place even though it's an odd thing to find in the countryside!

Week 3 - Rivington. Liverpool Castle a folly built by Lord Leverhulme. It's hard to conceive of having so much fortune that you can build a ruin on a whim isn't it!


Week 4 - Girls were with Grandparents as we were going to a 50th birthday bash. We spent the afternoon out on the bike which was brill! Forgot to take the camera so here's an arty photo of the bike in any case. It's a BMW K1200RS for those of you who like to know these things!

France

Hmm... it has been a while hasn't it. Sorry no excuse other than total apathy and a growing addiction to Ravelry!

So what's been happening?

Well went on hols to France which was great. Brittany this time in a little gite in the middle of nowhere really but good base for exploring lots of interesting places and the awesome coastline

Here's a typically impressive Breton sky.


On a boat trip to Isle de Brehat p nice quirky place that reminded us of PortMerion (the village in the Prisoner series)


Cote de Granit Rose - like Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire only by the sea and on steroids!


Intensive and extensive sandcastle construction. Tunnel being dug out!


Mont St Michel... you just got to go don't you

Thursday 28 August 2008

UK Swap Question of the Week #1

Saturday 14th June is World Wide Knitting in Public day.

What are you doing to participate in WWKIP day on Saturday?

Didn't really do anything for this as I knit in public an awful lot anyway.

What is the strangest place you have ever knit?
Depends what you mean by strange. I've knitted on buses, boats, hospital waiting rooms, in the car, in bed, standing up in the kitchen waiting for stuff to cook, at children's parties, in the pub. Any available moment really....

Here I am knitting away at a recent family get together (socks of course!) Not WWKIP day but it was a Saturday!

UK Swap Question of the Week #8

What three items would you want with you on a desert island and why?

1. My husband (for company and stuff)

2. Some sheep or alpacas for my own supply of wool (would fashion some knitting needles from twigs if necessary)

3. A wind up radio (hopefully would be able to find the BBC World Service)

UK Swap Question of the Week #7

Do you prefer to watch films at home or at the cinema?

Prefer the cinema but tend to watch at home mostly these days

What is the last film you saw?
A french film with Jean Reno on French telly while I was on hols - was quite funny.

Have you seen any films more than 10 times? If so which ones and why.

Rocky Horror Picture Show, the Blues Brothers, Some Like It Hot because I never get tired of the humour in any of them.

What film do you recommend that people should see?

Some Like It Hot. A timeless classic and worth it for all of the double entendre in the train scenes! Still funny after all this time.

If you could be any character from a film who would it be?

Amelie - love her quirky whisicalness

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Bit of a do!

Just back from a weekend at Mantha's C&B - thats camping and breakfast. We couldn't all squeeze into the house so four tents in the back garden just about accommodated all of us.

Plus there was plenty of room for fun and games too


Here's the obligatory group shot taken on Saturday evening when we were all feeling rather mellow!

Friday 25 July 2008

UK Swap Treasure Hunt

1. Name 3 participants with dogs

Adrienne(Padiham Knitter aka Me), Alicia (Bajanknit), and Shirley (Sqyguy)

2. Name 2 participants who live in Scotland.

Katherine (KathJ) and Linde (Aardvarkentje)

3. Name 2 participants who crochet - post a link to one of their crochet projects for an extra point.

Machelle (Michewishi) and Helen (Flapjack)

4. Name 3 participants who listen to Podcasts.

Alicia (Bajanknits), Caroline(Craftyfox), and Cat (Snailspace)

5. Name 2 participants who have taken part in Tour de Fleece

Sally (Sallyjoy81) and Kaye (Scarlettina)

6. Name a participant with an advert on Ravelry
Not sure about this one so I'm guessing it's Vikki (Viknits)

7. Name 5 participants who like "Staying In"

Shirley (Sqyguy), Fiona (Scarletprincess), Josephine (Josielefay), Angie (Knittynutter), and Gemma (Gemjams)

8. Name the participant who loves "The Flumps"

Claire (Sleepknitting) likes the Flumps

9. Name 3 participants who like herbal tea

Josilefay, Caughtknitting and Danielle (Delle)

10. Name 4 participants who dislike novelty yarn
Caroline (Craftyfox), Claire (Sleepknitting), Jacqui (Tiggerbee), Katherine (KathJ), and Kaye (Scarlettina)

11. Name 3 participants who have children

Adrienne (Padihamknitter), Ari (Knitternatternoo) and Lucy (Bearium)

12. Name 2 participants whose favourite colour is red.

Hannah (Twigletqueen) and Gemma (Gemjams)

13. Name the participant who has grown an artichoke.

Caroline (Craftyfox)

14. Name 2 participants who have knitted lace stoles in the last 6 weeks.

Lucy (Bearium) and Vikki (Viknits)

15. Name 2 participants who loath Big Brother

Ceri (Carpedyem) and Frances (Goldenneedles)

Thursday 24 July 2008

Ooh! Lots of Goodies

My UK Swap parcel arrived today.

Here's the box with younger daughter getting stuck in straight away


In almost no time at all the contents were visible.... tempting... inviting... mysterious. There were even some special little packages for the girls.




Needless to say no time was wasted. They grabbed their goodies and retreated to a suitable spot to rip away and oooh and ahhh. They got loads of sweeties and a couple of adorable handmade necklaces which they love. Was unable to get a proper photo of them modelling them as they were far too giddy and full of sweeties to stay still long enough!!!



Next came some blissful moments of wrapping ripping..... ah... fab!



And here are the goodies in all their spendor!



There is: a cute sheep that sits with its legs dangling off a shelf, a fab tote bag (much appreciated as I have given up plastic bags recently and never have enough totes - it's also an excuse to fill it with yet more UFOs!), gorgeous scented candles, some lavendar and bergamot bath treats to remind me of France, some sock wool, some hot chocolate, a writing set, treats for the girls, a lovely blue bag the colour of french window shutters, some earl grey tea ( I dug out my special cup and saucer from which I am sipping said tea in an extremely lady like fashion!) and last but not least the all important emergency chocolate bars (just what you need when you lose the ability to count while knitting and then have to rip back!!).

I have been well and truly spoiled and there was also a lovely letter from Ari (aka Knitternatternoo) who tells me there is more to come! I am overwhelmed! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I am now feeling a bit remiss about my own parcel which is not yet sorted. All the knitterly stuff is sorted just the treats to do which I'll be picking up when I am on hols!

Right I need a lie down now.... and maybe a nibble of some emergency chocolate too!!

Monday 21 July 2008

Birthday Fun


A fun time was had by all at Bronia's 4th birthday party! Here's the birthday girl dashing about in the play area at good old Padiwacks!

Friday 18 July 2008

UK Swap Question of the Week # 6

Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most albums by?

All of our music is now in MP3 format on iTunes and I have lots of various artist stuff.
I have the most original albums of Nick Cave and the Badseeds, James and Pulp.
My husband has LOADS of Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbeth, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.

What was the last song you listened to?
Mamma Mia by Abba

What’s your favorite local band?
Blamange (they were quite local at the time)

What’s the worst CD/record/etc. you’ve ever bought?
A Mamas and Papas CD that wasn't the original artists (no wonder it was cheap!)

What was the first single/album you ever bought?
First single I bought with my own money was Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants
First album I bought myself was Dare by the Human League

Strikes, rain and cancelled sports day

Well it's been a busy old week.

Firstly there was the two day strike on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Not the best time to strike given that we are in the middle of a general depression according to the media but I suppose downtrodden local government workers have to make a stand at some point.

Happily the second strike day coincided with Natty's school sports day so I was chuffed to be able to go to it but alas... rain stopped play and it was called off. Never mind.

Bronia will be 4 on Monday and I have got all her pressies and party stuff sorted. Just need to make butties and jelly nearer the time.

DH got into a debate with a Friends of the Earth campaigner while in town today. Poor soul just got a 15 minute tirade about the complete inequity and pointlessness of the newly hiked up road tax and what exactly does it do for the environment anyway until the poor chap glazed over and gave up.

Also tootled off to Stitch and Bitch on Wednesday after not going for a few weeks only to find it wasn't on as the shop owner is on hols. Grr... was all geared up to buy more stash too and will have to wait another week to do so. Natty wants me to knit a pair of socks for her teacher and I was after sock wool. In the end I have created a 'bespoke' pair from leftovers (will post a piccie when finished!)

Friday 11 July 2008

Uk Swap Question of the Week 5



1. Stop or go? Go
2. Going out or Staying in? Going Out
3. Small town or big city? Small Town
4. Happy or sad? Happy
5. Straights or Circulars? Circulars
6. Red or Blue? Red
7. Seaside or countryside? Countryside
8. Fish or chips? Chips
9. Surprises or plans? Surprises
10. Wine or beer? Beer
11. Sweaters or cardigans? Cardigans
12. Pizza or Pasta? Pasta
13. Chopsticks or fork? Fork
14. Early Bird or Night Owl? NightOwl
15. Knitting or crochet? Knitting
16. Hot or cold? Hot


Race For Life

The Three Mad Cows are now the Three Triumphant Cows!!

Here we are sporting our medals and looking rather hot and sweaty... fuzzy cow fabric doesn't really make the best running gear on a hot day.

The day before the race was appalling weather wise, with thunder and lightning and even hailstones in our neck of the woods. I thought we would end up skating through the mud and getting rather wet on the day but the weather gods smiled on us and it was fine and sunny.. a bit too hot at times.

I am so proud of us. We all finished and I even managed to keep going all the way round - no walking at all. I ran the whole way. Note that I use the term "ran" rather loosely as many of the people walking round were going faster than me!!

You see the three triumphant mad cows above (a bit hot and sweaty too)

Here we all are "in action"



Debs looking cool, calm and collected.

















Mantha looking every inch the athlete albeit a freisian one!










And here I am waving merrily on lap one and looking a bit grim on lap two!