Another two 'starts'

A new year, a new beginning?  Yep.  Two today, and I'm excited about both of them!

Moogsmum mentioned on her blog about another 'sock club'.  Well, anyone who knows me, even slightly, will know that I do not need to enter into anymore sock clubs, as I could start one of my own, with all the lovlies in my stash.  So, Moogsmum's sock club is just what I need.  What you do is match up your existing sock yarn, with your patterns.  Put them each into individual, clear bags - yarn and pattern.  Then, you have ready-made access to what you need.  Bingo!  And then, the idea is that you knit up those patterns on a one-per-month basis.  Sounds brill to me!

Here, you can see I am winding on the second skein of my 'Cookie A' sock club yarn, from Last Year's sock club.  Yes, I knitted half the first sock in January 2010, when the yarn and pattern arrived.  Then, I've finished the first one, and the leg of the second one all out of the first skein.  Since taking this piccie this morning, I am now knitting up the heel flap.  I will have plenty of yarn left over to add to some other scraps of sock yarn (as Moogsmum also says) in her post - which I will also copy.  Ooh dear, I promise I'm not a stalker!  Just love reading and enjoying others' blogs.

Speaking of others' blogs.  There is a lot around about people's '365 Projects'  where you take photo a day, for a year, which I fancy joining in for, as well.  However, I am already a failed 365'ver as i didn't take a photo on Friday.  But, here's a picture of my lunch on Thursday, jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn and a coffee;

Sorry, but it's been a knacker-ing week!  On Thursday, I also arrived for an appointment two hours early, so had to miss it.  But, I shall carry on this week. 

I have heard today, that little nanny's lolly-dolly-pop has a v high temperature, so I will be looking after her tomorrow, for the day - wheeeeee!  But, first a visit to the doctor to find out just where this the infection is that is causing the high temp. (It's quite funny as well, as mummy has a hangover from her, in-advance, birthday celebrations for tomorrow.)

What a Great Idea!

Now, this is just the kick up the bum that I jolly well need.  Somehow, while trawling through the web log land, I came accross this darned good blog called Liesl Made where she has set a challenge, which I am joining, for sure. 

What's involved is that you make an item from a craft book that you currently own (erm, I have a couple, or so.... ) one in every month.  Now, I don't know how long the challenge lasts, but I reckon I should be finished by the time my work's pension is due to be paid to me, in about 2014.

I have many, many books on knitting (all kinds), sewing, felting, patchwork all too many to mention here, as I have not yet had my breakfast and am feeling weak. (But, 'Saturday Kitchen' is on and I don't want to peel my backside off the chair just yet.)  Suffice it too say that I will take up this spiffing idea and put it into practice, um, well within the next couple of days.

And, you can post piccies of what is made up HERE on flickr

How cool is that? *stretch*

A photo day?

The weather today was so horrible, foggy and wet that I didn't take anything outside.  However, I happened to be in Dundee at lunchtime, when I heard the lovely tinkling sound of this clock.  The top right butterfly door was opening as the clock struck. Sadly, I didn't see all of the parade, but thought I would quickly get this photo, anyway.

I joined the library again today, and brought home some lovely reads - Cath Kidston's 'Stitch!', one about embroidered textiles and another on soapmaking - talk about a butterfly mind!

*whisper*

yes, a couple of *whispers* One is that I have, for some strange reason unbeknownst to me, woken up with a sore throat, *bah*

Also, Snapdragon is re-introducing her Newsletter, *hurrah*  I did so enjoy reading about new products, what to do in the garden, etc as well as looking at the beautful flower arrangements Jane does. 'Flower arrangement' sounds a bit wet, but Jane's are not, they are so thoughtfully done, with natural flowers home-grown by her, in her Snapdragon's garden. And, as for the blog = a delicious array of beautiful and quirky items, some of which I own.  The mugs are just lovely, and the linen tea towels actually work, as well as looking good.  I keep them for our caravan and, and ..... erm, I suppose I'd better just confirm here that I am not being paid, in goods or otherwise, to advertise Snapdragon here.  At all.  I am just a fan, albeit a quiet one, today.

I had a look at my 'saved' pictures and couldn't find anything I wanted to put here, and that would cheer us all up.  Ah well.  We are off to the city this morning, as I need to get my car tyres checked and possibly changed, as they are close to not being legal.  Before that, I shall load up my slow cooker with veg and stock, so that it will all be cooked and ready to be whizzed up for soup, on our return.  Wish us luck in this snow - it fell yesterday, melted a bit, then froze overnight, *bah* again.

Quick, before another month goes by!

some drawing of the above 'Tracks in the Snow' picture, for my course project

It must just be the 'old age and poverty' my ma in law speaks of, but I don't know how time goes by so, so quickly.  I'm finding, lately, that all of a sudden it is the end of another day, then a week and it's Friday, once again.  I'm kind of keeping up with things ie most forms are completed, on time-ish, laundry is up to date, knitting and some sewing is getting done, as well as making some more of the lovely Whiskey Marmalade, that we do love so much.  I've even been keeping up with some friends, making a point of seeing at least one each Tuesday - which I have deemed 'my day off' otherwise, I don't think I would get one.  And, I do hate not keeping in touch.  Today, I had lunch with some friends and some, well bitches, but we won't talk about them.

The friends I saw remain interested in what I'm doing, how my course, and work, and family are doing, and allow me to be interested in their 'stuff.'  I have been very busy with my student work, and I do love it, and find it so rewarding. Especially, as I have been very lucky to have ones of such a high calibre.  The fostering panel is rewarding in a different way, and though it would be a breach of confidentiality to even discuss any of it here, suffice it to say that the team is always professional and supportive of each other.  Not in a 'soppy' way, but with honesty and trust, and with a respect for service users, as well as each other.

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The room change around has been a great success, and I can find things now, whenever I want to, despite still having fabric stored in the cupboard and bed drawers in the old spare room, as well as in a blanket box and suitcase which both sit on the landing.  I am currently knitting a jumper for nanny's lolly-dolly-pop, and sewing her a cord skirt, with an embroidered butterfly on it, for Easter - or before if I can't resist giving them to her beforehand!

We are all keeping well, in the main, though I am finding that I am very tired, with bags under my eyes all the times, lately.  I have re-started the Floradix with added iron, and plan on a few early nights, and see if that makes a difference.  As an aside - have you been watching the latest series of 'Shameless'?  Isn't it still brilliant?!

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I couldn't believe it this morning, when I woke up to find it had snowed during the night!  I had a very treacherous car drive into the city this morning - I got to a point where I wanted to turn back, but daren't as I would have to go back the way I came on a very curly, snowy and slippery road, eek!  However, it got a little better as I reached the city, and then got worse as I returned home this afternoon, with the news announcing 'extreme' weather conditions.  It has been blowing a gale so much so that I turned the volume up on the telly, at one point so I could hear it!  I hope it has settled by the morning so that I can go and look after nanny's lolly-dolly-pop for my Friday 'job.'