WALLACE AND GROMMIT STAMP THEIR MARK.....

Good evening too you! My word, how fast the day has gone. Guess what I have been doing for several hours of it? You've got it! Writing Christmas cards. It seems to take forever and 'no' there is NO 'what we've been doing letter inside either. The up side of all this card buying, choosing, writing and posting just has to be these fabulous Wallace and Grommit Christmas stamps. Aren't they cute? There is a 5% discount on 2nd class stamps at Superdrug! Worth knowing if, like us, you mail lots of cards each year.

So, that's the cards 'done'!

On Friday evening we decorated the tree! We have a very small potted real tree in the front window too!

So, now the tree's up too! Hooray! Slowly things are being ticked off.

We decide to take a trip out yesterday, as the weather had improved and most of the snow had vanished. It was a 'spur of the moment' decision really. Oscar had hydro and as we left, the sun was shining and the sky was blue and ....... it was actually quite warm! Quite warm in comparison with the freezing temperatures we've been having recently. We ended up at Snape Maltings for a quick cup of coffee....

....... before continuing on to Aldeburgh, for a fish and chips lunch!

Aldeburgh is a really beautiful, unspoilt, Suffolk coastal resort. We just love it!!! Oscar does too!

We headed back home, stopping off at the Ofrord smokery on the way. The sunset across the water was stunning.

 We were treated to some absolutely beautiful skies as we drove homeward.

We had a really lovely day out.

Whilst captive in the car, I managed to finish the second of the 'Man Socks', for my son's Christmas stocking. I made them to fit a man's size 10 foot, but still had some yarn left from two balls of Regia. I think I'll knit up a little pair for Sophie, to pop in her stocking too.

Now then, I can take a little breather, and relax now my 'must do' Christmas items are finished. I only had to complete two this year, the socks and Mr Snoops' hat. Anything else I manage is a bonus!

I really can't wait for the end of term to arrive. It's been a long and very busy one. We have our Christmas concert tomorrow afternoon and class parties on Thursday. I have a few bits and pieces to finish up with the
class and then it will Christmas card and tree decoration making, a Christmas film. We are going to watch 'The Polar Express'. It's just the most perfect Christmassy film ever for seven and eight year olds.

 I also have the Raymond Briggs duo of 'The Snowman' and 'Father Christmas', in case of emegencies. They always keep their young audience spellbound.

So, I'll say 'goodnight' and 'hope you all have a good week'. Christmas is coming!!!!!!!!

OSCAR ON THE MEND......

Hello there! Good to see you again. I hope you've had a good weekend. It's been glorious here in Norfolk today. Just right for sitting in the garden and catching up on a bit of knitting, whilst Oscar soaks up some 'recovery' sunshine.  He had his operation on Tuesday. We didn't know beforehand, quite how the orthopaedic vet would tackle the problem. There were three possibilities, the most cutting edge approach being keyhole surgery. Luckily that was the decision, so at least he has only a very small entry lesion with three stitches and has been a brilliant boy and left them alone, which means he hasn't had to wear the dreaded 'halo'. A flap of cartilage, about one and a half centimetres across, was removed. Mr S collected him on Thursday at about 5pm. He was still not over the anaesthetic properly and spent much of the evening feeling very sorry for himself, moaning and groaning and looking as though he wasn't really too sure where he was!

However, come Friday morning and being a 'let's get on with life' kind of guy, he was pretty much back to the Oscar we know and love. He has a very pronounced limp and only wants to put his toes to the ground at the moment, but we have been told this is normal after such a procedure. He is supposed to be confined to a small room, with no running, jumping up etc. for four weeks, save for 5 to 10 minute slow walks to see what's going on in the world and to do what dogs have to do! Hmm, easier said than done with a ten month old exhuberant, 'isn't it great to be alive' lab. We're doing our best and he now seems a little more resigned to the regime. At least today, he could lay outside with me and soak up some September rays. The operation has a. 80 to 90% success rate. So, fingers crossed.

Between Oscar nursing and entertaining, school paperwork (a lorry load!!!!!) and general first week back at school 'oh so tired' ness, not too much knitting has been done. I did finish the first of my Jules socks last Sunday.

The pattern works perfectly and I love how the ridges run on down into the heel. Hopefully, it's twin will be under way this week.

I had planned to make a little short-sleeved cardi for Sophie, with the yarn from Kate Blackburn, but decided there probably wouldn't be quite enough. So, I've started this gorgeous drop stitch scarf instead.

I love this simple, fun, but very effective pattern The two 50g balls of Artesano Inca Cloud baby alpacca yarn will be plenty to make a soft and snuggly neck warmer. It knits up so quickly.

I've also started a little hooded coat for Sophie. I bought the Debbie Bliss 'baby cashmerino' a while ago, especially to knit this pattern. I got started this afternoon.

I love this beautifully soft yarn and the colour is so pretty. Just right!

Just before I go, Oscar would like to thank everyone for their kind good wishes and says he'll soon be back on top dog form.

Well, that just leaves me to wish you all a happy and successful week, whatever you are doing.

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.