Last post of 2012

This is my last posting for 2012.  It has been a good year. There is too much to recap on but the most important thing to happen was the safe arrival of Laurie in July.






3 days

5 months

Another significant factor this year has been the weather.  To say its been wet would be an understatement.  I can't actually remember such a wet year, ever.  This Christmas break has been wet too.  The only dry days being Boxing Day morning (Wed) and yesterday (Sun).  These were the only days we managed to get out for a decent walk.  When I say walk more like a slip and slide in some places.  Pathways blocked and those that were open were a mud bath in places.  It was good to get out for some air after being forced to stay in (knitting, such a hardship!).  We did go and see the Hobbit too.

Boxing Day walk

As posted a few weeks ago the fields around here were pretty wet. They now are a whole lot worse..... but we are the lucky ones, our homes are dry and safe and whilst one or two people in the village are inconvenienced (see above picture) they at least have dry homes.  My heart goes out to many in the UK who are displaced and their homes wrecked due to the severe flooding.

Anyway back to the walk.

field on the left?

there's a lake in here somewhere

this is a field

we nearly didn't get though

this is a field too

mud

foot path

foot bridge

there's a foot path along there somewhere between the lake and the drain

see there is the start of the foot path

so we won't go that way either

another foot path

the Great River Ouse is in there somewhere

another field

escaped foot bridge

more mud

lots more mud

even more mud

Mere Fen - this floods most winters and if it freezes hard enough then people skate on here - see this link for details

With more rain forecast for today it won't be getting dry around here anytime soon.  New Years Day is looking dry and sunny so maybe we can get out again. We always think we are getting a good long holiday but it goes all too quickly and before you know its back to work.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for stopping by to read my blog; I love to read your comments so keep them coming.  Why not become a follower or LIKE us on Facebook.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy New Year.  

I hope 2013 is kind to you all.

Best wishes Sue xx

He can melt your heart......

 Rufus that is.  He stayed over with us yesterday and as I was tucking him into bed last night he looked at me and said "I love you lots Granny".  To say I was touched was an understatement, he is such a dear little boy.

We had kept back one of his Christmas presents as it was all getting a bit overwhelming on the day, so he got the opportunity to enjoy his present without the distraction of everything else.

Not sure which 'boy' was having the most fun!

We then went on to a bit of knitting and then making a sleigh from a card board box and using a china dog for his reindeer. Amazing what fun you can have with yarn and a box

Making pancake batter - he wanted pancakes for lunch and why not?!

Laurie's completed jumper, this should last him for a while.... I hope

A year in knitting

I have been reviewing my Ravelry project page to see just what I achieved knit-wise in 2012, its actually quite a list, 50 projects and only one frogged, one in progress.  I have used mainly stash. Only buying odd balls where needed apart from a major spend in March and a few odd charity shop hauls.

I have achieved a few knit related goals - learnt how to dye and how to crochet, both of which need practice.  We won't talk about drop spindles, something that needs major concentration!


2012-12-26
In progress
SB12#49 Yoked Cardigan
Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater Carole's Baby Knits

2012-12-17
Finished
SB12#48 Another "L"
Oliver Patons #3413, Play Days

2012-12-09
Finished
SB12#47 He's growing out of everything
Design G - Striped Sweaters Sirdar 260, Trendy Tots 4

2012-11-29
Finished
SB12#46 Shoes for the Boy
Saartje's Bootees Saartje Knits

2012-11-25
Finished
SB12#45 Lucy for Lucy
Lucy Patons #3313, Nursery Days

2012-11-21
Finished
SB12#44 Pudding Vest
British Classic Simply Knitting 55, June 2009

2012-11-19
Finished
SB12#43 Baby Eyelet Cardi
Baby eyelet cardi clickertyclick

2012-11-06
Finished
SB12#42 Childry Shawl
Childry The Scrumptious Collection Volume 1

2012-11-04
Finished
SB12#41 Poppy Time
Poppy Knit on the Net

2012-11-01
Finished
SB12#40 Twice as Nice
Oliver Patons #3413, Play Days

2012-10-26
Finished
SB12#39 Pompom Wreaths

2012-10-25
Finished
SB12#37 Little Deck Shoes
Little Deck Shoes Sublime #6006

2012-10-25
Finished
SB12#38 Smockie
Smockie Sublime #606, The Second Little Sublime Hand Knit Book

2012-10-24
Finished
SB12#36 Rosy Posy Hat
Rosy Posy Hat Sublime #617, The Fourth Little Sublime Hand Knit Book

2012-10-20
Finished
SB12#35 More Hats for the Boys

2012-10-18
Finished
SB12#34 Shocking in Pink
Little Sorbet Cardie and Peach Sorbet Cardie
Sublime #617, The Fourth Little Sublime Hand Knit Book

2012-10-16
Finished
SB12#33 - Headband
141-12 Rainbow - Head band in Big Fabel Drops Design

2012-09-27
Finished
SB12#32 Lady Kina
Lady Kina a pelote masquée / kids tricots

2012-09-13
Finished
SB12#31 Rainbow Hats & Mitts

2012-09-09
Finished
SB12#30 Team Speechley

2012-09-03
Finished
SB12#29 Dress - 200th project
Little sister's dress (Kjole til lillesøster) Tora Frøseth Design

2012-08-27
Finished
SB12#28 L for Laurie
Oliver Patons #3413, Play Days

2012-08-21
Finished
SB12#27 KAL Jumpers
Blank Canvas Kid's Raglan Sweater My Knitting Patterns --by Noirin

2012-08-12
Frogged
SB12#28 Lace Shawl
Lace Shawl Rowan Members

2012-08-05
Finished
SB12#26 Simple Pram Blanket

2012-07-27
Finished
SB12#25 Spiral Bath Mat
Ten Stitch Twist Frankie's Knitted Stuff

2012-07-19
Finished
SB12#21 Slouchy Jumper
Child's Denim Sweater Home: 26 Hand Knits For Living

2012-07-14
Finished
SB12#24 Chocolate Stars
Chocolate Stars/Flower Power/Hearts Hats
Granny's World Blog

2012-07-12
Finished
SB12#23 Heart Hat
Chocolate Stars/Flower Power/Hearts Hats Granny's World Blog

2012-07-10
Finished
SB12#22 Flower Hats
Chocolate Stars/Flower Power/Hearts Hats
Granny's World Blog

2012-06-28
Finished
SB12#20 Ribbed Sweater
Design B - Ribbed Sweater With Round or Zip Neck Sirdar 328, Secret Garden - Supersoft Aran Knits

2012-06-26
Finished
SB12#19 New Arrival Cardigan 3
Design E - Baby Cardigans
Sirdar 301, Early Arrivals No. 2

2012-05-23
Finished
SB12#18 New Arrival Cardigan 2
Seaside Cardi Sublime #617, The Fourth Little Sublime Hand Knit Book

2012-05-09
Finished
SB12#17 New Arrival Cardigan
Design G - Cardigans, Waistcoat and blanket Sirdar 301, Early Arrivals No. 2

2012-05-08
Finished
SB12#16 Yet another Ten Stitch
Ten Stitch Blanket Frankie's Knitted Stuff

2012-04-27
Finished
SB12#15 Subscribers Blanket - NO bike bags
For Your Eyes Only Simply Knitting 93, May 2012

2012-04-19
Finished
SB12#14 Morocco for me
Morocco
Sublime #623, The Second Luxuriously Exotic Soya Cotton Hand Knit Book

2012-04-07
Finished
SB12#13 - A Bit of Bunting
Knitted Bunting. Party Flags Audrey Wilson at The Design Studio

2012-04-03
Finished
SB12#12 Kiddie Cadet
Kiddie Cadet KathrynIvy.com

2012-04-02
Finished
SB12#11 Cotton Beanie
Design F - Baby Hats with Fun Options Sirdar 301, Early Arrivals No. 2

2012-02-18
Finished
SB12#10 Teddy for Mel
Three Hungry Bears Knitted Toy Tales

2012-02-15
Finished
SB12#9 Molly
Molly Cardigan Patons #3313, Nursery Days

2012-02-12
Finished
SB12#8 Belle Cardigan and hat
Belle cardigan
Patons #3313, Nursery Days

2012-02-10
Finished
SB12#7 Lucy Cardigan
Lucy Patons #3313, Nursery Days

2012-02-05
Finished
SB12#6 Spiral rug
Ten Stitch Twist Frankie's Knitted Stuff

2012-01-28
Finished
SB12#5 Spiral Bath Mat
Ten Stitch Twist Frankie's Knitted Stuff

2012-01-17
Finished
SB12#2 In the Mood
Short-Sleeved Cardigans (In the Mood) Sirdar Click DK 9410

2012-01-15
Finished
SB12#4 Its a rainbow
Design B - Cardigans, Ballerina Top, Socks and Hat Sirdar 301, Early Arrivals No. 2

2012-01-14
Finished
SB12#3 Breaking Heart
Design F - Baby Hats with Fun Options Sirdar 301, Early Arrivals No. 2

These are some of my favourites













So what is planned for 2013?  I already have a request for a ten stitch blanket for each of my grandsons. Two more baby cardigans for a friend.  I need to have another try with the drop spindle, get to grips with crochet

and I think that because I was so good yarn wise in 2012 that I deserve a bit of stash enhancement. So watch this space to see what I treat myself too.

Wishing you all a knitty new year x

Our Christmas in pictures

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We did, and here are a few photos.  Enjoy

Christmas Eve morning - wearing his new Gruffalo dressing gown, a present from Auntie Lauren

Christmas Eve - Do you like my hat?

Christmas Eve - leaving food for the reindeer and puzzling with Auntie Rachel

Opening a Christmas Eve present  - new PJ's

Christmas Eve bedtime - No caption needed here - just too precious

Christmas morning - He's been!! Actually wasn't too early!

At this point I think Rufus would have been happy that this is what Father Christmas was bringing. We managed to get up, shower, breakfast and then into the barn for the rest of the presents..............

Just a few for Rufus!

For me? - Not sure why he was wearing wellies

Pop's you do it like this

I love this photo

Granny cuddles

Move over Jamie!!

All got too much

Finally everything was open

Laurie and Great Grandma

Wonder what he's thinking?

And then they were gone; to spend the rest of their Christmas Day with Tim's Mum.... it was very quiet.  Peter and Rachel cooked an amazing Christmas lunch. Anne, Pat and myself polished off a very good pre-lunch port.  We really should have cleared the empty away.

Mother and Son - they were going through old photos and postcards

All got a bit much for Rachel too - post lunch nap

Pat reading war time postcards 

My Christmas reading - I now have no excuse 2013 will be crochet year

Love a puzzle - this is how Rachel and I spent our evening  

So there you have it, our Christmas.  Today in the UK is Boxing Day - in our house it means a long walk, with sausage rolls, mince pies and a warming beverage (usually alcohol laced).  Then home for left overs - cold chicken, ham, and chips (fries). I only cook these twice a year - hate the smell in the house, not yet found an extractor system that will rid you of the smell, in fact I have been known to cook them outside on the patio weather permitting!!