HOLIDAY TIME! HOORAY!

 At last it's the half-term holiday!!!! I don't think I could have lasted another week. It's been a particularly busy and tiring half-term. I've pottered about this weekend, getting jobs done and bits of shopping bought, as tomorrow I'm off up north to see little Sophie! Yes, I'm looking forward to the visit tremendously. Mr Snoopydog has a week off as well, but as Oscar is still on very reduced exercise, he's decided to stay at home with him and spend some time at his allotment.

So, this morning I mooched on down into the city centre. What a lovely Sunday morning it was too! I took the above photo just as I arrived at John Lewis. Our city has many, many churches. In fact, it was once famous for having a church for every week of the year, and a pub for every day, with the highest number of watering holes per square mile in the UK. It is also thought that Norwich's churches were so popular, in part due to activities that resulted from the popularity of its pubs!

I've not been very productive this week, as far as knitting is concerned. I've almost finished the left front of Miss Snoopydog's cabled coat, 'Gayle' and I've completed the heel and got going on the foot of my mystery KAL sock.

I just love this yarn, with it's subtle colour changes and soft, springy texture. I expect I'll take my 'Raspberry Coulis' socks with me. No car knitting this time though! Boo hoo!

We had an unexpected visitor to our bird feeders, early one morning this week. Just look at the antics of this cheeky little chappie.

I'm not sure how much success he had!

Oscar was supposed to start his hydrotherapy on Saturday afternoon. It was a 50 minute journey and we needed the 'sat nav' to find the stunningly pretty little farm, nestled in the heart of the Norfolk countryside. The place has an excellent reputation and is used by vets from all over the are. Oscar was having a 'ball'. Just being out and about, was just the best afternoon! Looking forward to a swim was almost too much to wait for! He was assessed and poked and prodded...... and then came the crunch. Mr Snoopydog had forgotten his vaccination card!!!!!!!! OH NO!!!!!!! He takes full responsibility as he had taken the telephone call from the physio. Hmmm! Oscar was not a happy boy. So, after all that, all he got was a look inside at the pool.

Never mind Oscar. You get to swim on Tuesday.

 It's a short post this week, as we seem to have been experiencing snail pace internet speed over the last few nights. I have no idea why, but it is very frustrating as every manoeuvre takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r! Hope you have a great week, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT and a bit of yarn..........

 Good evening all! Hope you have all enjoyed some beautiful October sunshine, wherever you happen to be. It's been fabulously glorious here in East Anglia. Can't you just tell how much I love, adore, need, the sunshine. It's been just the best thing this weekend. A weekend that precedes a busy week of parent consultation evenings on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the regular Monday and Tuesday 'after school' meetings that take place every week. Oh, how I wish I could win the lottery and give it all up, in favour of a woolly paradise. Now that really is wishful thinking, but it helps to ease the pressure ;).

Knitting has been a necessary evening 'de-stress' this week and Rowan's 'Gayle' by Marie Wallin is coming on a treat. Although there are plenty of cables to contend with, the fabric does grow quickly with the chunky yarn and size 7 needles.  The 'Purelife' undyed pure wool is so beautifully soft; it's a real pleasure to knit with.

I'm up to the armholes on the back!

I need to keep pressing on with this big knit, so that I don't loose the momentum. The youngest Miss Snoopydog would be none too pleased!!!!

I've waited avidly all week for the next installment of the 'Through the Loops' KAL, secret sock pattern. Who would have dreamed, that the anticipation of PART, not even the WHOLE, of a pattern could have caused me so much happiness and excitement ;-) All day on Friday, I thought of arriving home, doing my housey jobs and then settling down to start the leg of my sock. I have to say, I am really liking the pattern so far. There is just enough patterning to keep me interested, but not so much that I have to fire up every single brain cell in my weary brain, in order to avert mistakes. It's looking great so far.........

Last week the rib was completed. This week, the leg has taken shape, Firstly, there is a couple of inches of 'Little Boxes' pattern', which is followed by 'Tiny Trowels'. They really do look tiny garden trowels. I'm loving it!

I've been busy pottering, in the kitchen this weekend too. I don't think I could ever truly admit to being 'busy' in the kitchen. I have my little whims, when I fancy cooking or preserving something, but I'm definitely NOT an avid cook. We've pickled the last of the allotment beetroot  and harvested another couple of kilos of tomatoes. These are now slowly coming to an end, leaving us with plenty of green ones for chutney making.
 I also made a 'Lemon Trickle Cake'. I used to make this years ago, when the children were younger. My son and his close friend always took one back to Uni with them at the start of each term. Then .....shock....  horror..  the 'special' recipe disappeared!  Oh no, I hear you cry. Fear not, the story has a happy ending. Whilst browsing through my 'favourite of the moment' cookbook......

.......I found....the EXACT recipe! Amidst squeals of childish delight, I declared I had to cook one that very afternoon (yesterday). It's delicious!! I think it needed 5 mins less in the oven, but never mind.

Don't ask about the tiny missing 'bite'. Just suffice it to say, I couldn't wait to cut my piece (this was for Miss Snoopydog).

As last Sunday, we are enjoying some roasted vegetables ( red onions, whole garlic cloves, sweet potato, celery, white carrot, butternut squash, swede, with some maple syrup and a little sunflower oil, salt and pepper) with our chicken this evening. I just had to show you as it looked so ....autumny!

Last, but definitely not least, an update on Oscar. The orthopaedic specialist is fairly certain the operation on his shoulder has been successful. He thinkes there may be a similar probelem in his elbow, which is why he is still limping. This seemed like 'good news' as the operation had been successful. He has to go back tomorrow for a CAT scan on his elbow. A scan produces better results for elbow problems, as the joint is more complex than the shoulder. So, once again, I'm hoping everyone will cross fingers and paws, in the hope that the news will be positive and a that a successful outcome can eventually be achieved for him. He has been spending some time mooching about in the garden  this week, which has definitely put a spring back in his step, as he is still on a very restricted exercise programme. It's a good job that he adores playing with all kinds of dog toys, as by doing so, he has been very good at keeping himself amused, at times when one of his humans is busy and isn't there to amuse him! Please wish him well. Have a great week everyone!

'KNIT NATION' 2010......HERE WE COME!

Well hello! All happy and relaxed today as school has finally wound up for the year. HOORAY! Five and a half weeks of relaxation; now that sounds really good, even though I know it will quickly fly by. I don't have too much planned for the summer, except for a family holiday in Yorkshire during August and lots of pottering around at home and catching up with friends. My ideal holiday!

Oh..... but there is one more little exciting outing planned too. My great friend Josiekitten and I are off to 'Knit Nation' in London. We are leaving early on Friday morning and returning late on Saturday evening. I love train journeys! It's being held at Imperial College, in South Kensington, an area of London we already know well from our Promming expeditions. It's so exciting! Knitters and spinners from  far flung corners of the world are attending. We have booked into two courses; one on finishing techniques with Ann Hanson and the second on advanced sock techniques, with Marjan Hammink.

Needless to say, I had paid very little attention to what had to be prepared prior to attending the classes, so came in for quite a shock on Friday evening. For the sock class, participants have to be used to knitting using the Magic Loop method. I've never used it!!!! So, armed with an 80cm 2.5mm circular, a simple 'Magic Loop Socks' pattern , a ball of Trkking XXL from my stash and a 'You Tube' tutorial, I sat down to make sense of what seemed like like a pretty senseless way of sock knitting.

 I LOVE using my DPNs! However, after knitting about a centimetre of the first sock, I had the hang of it and it is pretty simple. The  cable gets in the way a little and it's quite hard to avoid ladders, but so far so good. I really like the yarn patterning. I'm going to continue with the loop to complete this pair and will probably be taking them with me to work on whilst in London.

For the finishing class we have to make quite a few squares (I still have these to do) and take a garment, ready for finishing. I've decided to start a very simple baby cardi for Sophie, that hopefully won't take too long to knit up. Again, I'm using some Trekking XXL from stash. Yes, I'm now feeling very smug..... two balls used up from stash in one week! There'll be some remnants for my 'Sock Yarn Blankie' too and some for Josiekitten.

Again, the patterning is really pretty. I do love using these 4ply self-patterning yarns for plain socks and baby clothes.Hopefully, all will be completed in time and we'll enjoy a fab knitty weekend. I'll show you what we got up to next Sunday.

I'll just leave you with a photo of the boys, Oscar and Scott, taken last week whilst our daughter-in-law was staying for a few days.

'My hero! Do you love me Scott?' I think he does!

Have a great week!

COLOUR IS EVERYTHING........

Hello there! Just feast your eyes on all those amazing colours. Oh my! Well, what a busy week it's been again. I always forget how much there is to get done at the end of a school year. Slowly but surely things are being ticked off and the count down to the summer hols is well and truly underway. Ten more school day 'get ups' then FREEDOM! Just look at those colours!

I have been an extremely lucky Snoopydog. My family and friends certainly didn't forget the woolly birthday goodies! What a fantastic array of colours! The gorgeous 'Laughing Yaffle' sock skein and Wendy Johnson's new sock book were gifts from the younger Miss Snoopydog, whilst the rest were the amazingly generous contents of my birthday parcel, from my great pal Josiekitten. Wasn't I one lucky Snoopydog! There were lots of sock yarn blankie skeins and mini-balls, a fabulous sock skein from the 'Knitting Goddess', the brilliant 'Crochet Borders' book by Edie Eckman and the most beautiful, droolworthy, scrumptious alpacca, specially ferried all the way from 'La Droguerie' in France. I can't thank you enough! I still haven't stopped fondling!

Oh and this beautiful little 'buttons' jug that I had seen on Ozzy Blackbeard's blog a while back. Such a pretty design and lovely colours! It's destined to hold my short needles.

Well, amidst all the birthday excitement and school busy...ness, I have managed to finish two projects. 'HOORAY!' I hear you shout. Are you ready? Well here they are.....

This is the little cardi for Sophie that I began on the journey home last week. Such a quick and easy knit, using only two 50g balls of 'Sublime'. There's enough left for a hat and baby socks too! Do you like the colour?

This little bag was started three or four week ago and although I quickly crocheted all the squares, I couldn't sum up the enthusiasm to put it all together. Now that I have, I'm glad I persevered. It was extremely easy to crochet together and then edge with double crochet, just to finish it off. I know it really needs a lining now, but I'm not too sure how to go about it. I think I'll wait for Josiekitten to do hers and then 'crib' her instructions when we next meet up! I wasn't sure about the colour, but I've decided it's good to try out colours that would not be a natural  first choice, because now it's done..... I quite like it!

We've had a lovely weekend, enjoying the sunshine and the 'outdoors'. Josiekitten came to visit yesterday, bringing my lovely parcel. We always enjoy a good 'woolly' chat when we get together and had the added excitement of finalising plans for our trip to 'Knit Nation' later in the month.

 

As the heat of the very hot sun lessened a little in the late afternoon, we decided on a trip to Aldeburgh, just across the border in the Suffolk. It's one of our most favourite places..... by the sea, traditional and unspoilt. Today the wide, deep blue sky really did go on forever. The fish and chip shop sells, what we consider to be, the best fish and chips on the planet...... unless, of course, you know better!  Fish and chips in their wrapping paper, eaten in the fresh air, to the accompaniment of seagull cries...... wow! A real treat! Oscar had his supper 'al freso' too! It was his first visit and he just loved the sea. He gave us the 'paws up'! I think it might be his favourite place too, now!

It does sound like  a really successful week has just been and gone. Well, it has....... except for one slight hitch. This leather doorstop was a birthday gift from one of my friends.

This is what was left on Wednesday evening.....

Oscar was 'in the doghouse'!!!!!!!!! Not for too long though. My friend saw the funny side and I bought a replacement.

That's about it from Snoopydog's world this week. Just let me leave you this pic of the gorgeous alpacca from 'La Droguerie'. What beautiful colours! Sorry, you can only look. Believe me, if I could let you feel too, I would. ENJOY! See you next week.

BLUE SKY AND A RAINBOW......

Helloooooo there! So nice to see you again. What a busy week I've had! Seems like my feet haven't touched the ground at school; soooo many deadlines and meetings, oh and some children to teach :) Anyway, it's meant there has been very little time for knitting or fun, crafty things.

I managed to finish the little baby cardigan that was begun last weekend. It's from the new Debbie Bliss 'eco baby' book. The pattern is very straightforward, knitted in moss stitch with a pretty crocheted edging.

 It's so lovely to be able to get some outside light once more, now the weather has improved. You can even see some shadows!!! Yes, the sun shone today! Hooray!

I have two more small projects lined up to get started on. Josiekitten has made the most adorable 'Rainbow cardigan' using Trekking XXL in  the colourway 'Rainbow'. I just had to make one too! The pattern is free from DROPS DESIGN and is very similar to the Elizabeth Zimmermann 'Baby Surprise' jacket.

 Just look at those beautiful colours!

I've also got ready to begin the Debbie Bliss teddy bear, that I chose the pattern and bought the yarn for, way back last September; the 29th to be precise! I had just had a phone call to say that my son and his wife were expecting their first baby (our first grandchild). Of course, I had to start choosing some patterns straight away, right then, that very minute.  Poor old Ted has been waiting ever since, but his time has come and hopefully he may be able to meet you all next weekend. That's pretty optimistic, so hows about I say that he'll 'try' to pop along in person, but if not then he'll send a representative arm or leg instead! We'll see how we go.

 The pattern is from the Debbie Bliss book 'Simply Baby'. I'm never very good at making the face look right on a knitted toy, but I'll give it a go.

 Oscar has kept us busy too, although that's a very pleasant busy-ness! He's discovered snails and they have hit number 1 spot on his list of favourite foods! Yeuch! He seems capable of sniffing them out of the most obscure locations and can then manage to stay just out of reach, until he has crunched his way through and swallowed in one noisy gulp. Still, I guess it's all added protein  and  he is acting as chief organic pest controller :)

 He's missed this one though! How strange..... this poor little chap is stuck right up there on top of a fast growing daffodil. Will he ever find his way down? Who knows!

Oscar's been out socialising at the water park this week and seems pretty cool with dogs, ducks and humans alike.

 It was so lovely there this morning!

Let's hope for a sunny week!

See you soon.

HOORAY! IT'S SPRINGTIME.....SO NEARLY SUMMER......RIGHT?

 Hooray! I've woken up today to a fabulous blue sky and some gently warming sunshine. At last! It must be those 'It's Getting Warmer' socks, sending 'sunshiny' messages to the great weather provider in the sky. Here's the first one completed.....

 

  

The pattern is great for this kind of patterned yarn as you can still see it really clearly. I just love the colours, but the yarn itself is a little thin and stringy. But hey! I'll sacrifice perfect softness and springiness this time round, just to knit those gorgeous colours. 

I've also started a new little cardi for my 'soon to arrive' granddaughter. I spotted the new Debbie Bliss 'eco baby' yarn on-line and then found the pattern book in John Lewis. It's full of really gorgeous little items. I want to make them all! That's not going to happen though, unless the Great and Good Knitting Fairy waves her knitterly wand and speeds up my knitting rate to 1 row per second. Then I might make some headway in clearing a small amount of my ever increasing stash. But not That's just not going to happen. So, I'll keep on purchasing lovely books and lovely yarn just in case......... because you never know!

Anyway, here are some of the loveliest 'bits' hanging out to dry .....

 

I'm making the little moss stitch cardi. 

  

The yarn is 100% organic fairtrade cotton and requires 3.25mm needles. I'm using teal (colour14005). The edging is crocheted afterwards.

 

Mr Soopydog and I took advantage of the early March sunshine and strolled down into the city centre for a coffee, nice and early this morning. We took Oscar along too, to begin to get him used to a bit more of the 'hustle and bustle' of life. A Sunday morning, here in our fine city, is always relatively quiet until about 11.30am, so we guessed there would nothing too scary for him. We were right, he took it all in his 'laid back' stride.

It was such a lovely, feelgood morning....

I called in at the local Tourist Information Office to pick some leaflets for school. We are working on a project all about our beautiful city. We stage a big exhibition in the school hall, just before Easter, with the children acting as tourist guides and showing visitors around. They make Tourist Information leaflets, amongst lots of other things.

Whilst in there, I made a rather rash but 'must have' and, of course, very useful purchase. I just couldn't leave without it, especially as the sun was shining.....

I love it! It's going to hold the overflow of my button collection.

Oh, must just show you a couple more Oscar pics. I know.... Oscar, Oscar, Oscar.  I could show you several hundred!!!! Now that WOULD be a little extreme, so I am acting with suitable restraint and showing you just two..... or maybe, three. I'm sure you won't mind. 

He went for his first swim and 'mud roll' one evening last week. I wasn't there to capture the moment, but I did take a few shots of him on his return..................... VERY wet and VERY muddy! The photos don't reflect the high level of muddiness very accurately. Just believe me, he was VERY muddy. He had a good such time though.

 

 

Well that's all there is time for, as we are off to enjoy some afternoon sunshine at the water park. Hope you're all enjoying some sun where you are too. Have a good week :)

LOVE KNITTING.......LOVE OSCAR........!!!!

 Hello there! Welcome back. I had hoped to blog during the week, seeing as it was half-term, but 'puppy watch' duties got in the way. I did manage to finish a couple of things though and get a little further along the way with my Ripple Blanket.

 

  

This is the 'Olivia' beret that I started a few weeks ago, for my youngest daughter. She saw the pattern and the gorgeous Manos del Uruguay 'silk blend' yarn in our local yarn store, Norfolk Yarn . The pattern is specifically for the yarn and is extremely simple to follow. I did an extra couple of repeats of the pattern, to give it a little more 'flop'. It looks great on her!

I've also just finished this little cardi for my, as yet unborn, granddaughter. 

  

It's made from some Rowan baby alpaca DK, that I bought in the John Lewis sale. It's very soft and lovely to work with, but does need hand washing.  The photos don't show its true pale lilac colour. It really is a very pretty shade, called 'Heather'. The pattern is from Erica Knight's book, 'Natural Nursery Knits', which is full of really gorgeous patterns, all using Rowan yarns. The bonus of this pattern is that the garment is made in one piece, except for the pockets. I HATE sewing up!!!!  Do you like my pretty little heart buttons?  They came from 'Knitting 4 Fun'. There are lots of lovely buttons on the site and very reasonably priced.

Well, it's been a very full-on week with little Oscar and we haven't really done a great deal away from the house, except for making a couple of visits to the local pet store to replenish supplies!!!!!! He is absolutely lovely and sooo full of fun. Scott found him a little OTT at times and needed to  put him in his place with a swift swipe of his paw. But, I think they had a great week of fun together. I promise not to bore my 'non-doggy' friends, but I just have to include a couple of pics.

 

Oscar with his puppy Nylabone........ great for chewing sessions!

Big brother Scott putting a protective paw around his 'little bro'. They slept like this for about half an hour.

Little Oscar found his hero!!! Wherever Scott was........ there was Oscar! Not always to Scott's liking, may I add. He had to dish out a quick 'clout' with his paw once in a while to put the annoying little shadow in his place. They entertained themselves in the evenings, by stealing each other's toys; mostly good naturedly! I think Scott is a saint!!!!!!!

Ooh, just before I go..... take a litttle look at these.... spotted in our front garden yesterday....

 

Spring is most definitely on its way! HOORAY!