11am

Yarnival - adventures in fibre

2012-01-26T16:18:00.000Z

Ooh - this is all so very grown up

Yarnival

adventures in fibre

Wool and fibre festival

Just look at what we have for you!

Follow the link

Hope you can join us :)

In which I have a mini crochet-athon.........

2012-01-25T09:38:00.000Z

I put it down to nervous energy. I also put it down to new-startitis and a severe case of never-finishing-itum and oh yes I definitely blame short-attention-span-icum and butterfly-brainism......
So... what am I getting to?
Well.

I present exhibit A

A classic granny square.

In a nice chunky cream wool.

I have frogged it back several times as I was never completely happy

(still not)

It no longer looks like the photo.....

Aah.. this more like it.

Not quite finished and probably about to be frogged again.

I ran out of wool

and had to eke it out very carefully.

Fortunately fav sis-in-law has a cone of it left

and generously offered it to me!

Woo-hoo!!

Yes - my toe nails are different colours....

S'pose I could be forgiven then for not finishing my granny mat w.i.p..

I now present exhibit B

Bright colours in cotton and buttons

A quick and instant gratification fix

Bunting.

I oohed and aahed at it's bright little bunts

and the happy little buttons.

Himself asked where I was going to put them.

The catlings (yes - they have grown) thought

they were brilliant and tried to steal them.

They now reside in a box.

(bunts not catlings - although that is an idea hmmm)

*sigh*

I also present (part of) exhibit C

A slipper clog for Eldest.

Made with two strands of pure wool (pre-felted)

The wool is something out of my stash,

a bag of 4 x 50gm balls .

He loves it (it? - where is the other?)

here.................

Youngest is waiting for his slipper clogs too.

I present exhibit D & E

String bags - I am at it again.

Thought that making 17 over the festive time would have been enough....

Apparently not.

And the reason for all this nervous energy? Well - I have so much going on in my head regarding our YARNIVAL that I feel that it will explode! Never mind, at our next knit and natter we are going to get down to the serious side of things.

*watch*this*space*is all I can say!!

Ooh how exciting!

Shame I have to do this boring thing called work!

YARNIVAL - Yarni-what??!

2012-01-23T08:42:00.002Z

VENUE:
Trawden Community Centre
Church Street,
Trawden,
Lancashire
BB8 8RZ

DATE: Saturday 17th March 2012

TIME: 10 - 3pm

WHAT'S HAPPENING:
We are celebrating 'all things wool' at the YARNIVAL, come and join us! There will be spinners, weavers, kumihimo braiding, knitting and crochet and much more. We will have mini demonstrations running through the day. A knit 'n natter table where you can sit and join us with your knitting or crochet. We will be sharing tips and hopefully learning some along the way too.

Getting involved too are our local BP groups (Cubs and Guides) who have learnt to knit and weave for the weekend.
Wool, yarn, fleece tops, kits, buttons, needles and other delicious yarniphernalia as well as finished items will be on sale.
There will also be a cafe running (adding to your stash is thirsty work!) with tea, coffee and some delectable nibbles.

For more details for both the event and if you fancy having a yarn-related stall please contact me on:

hawthorntreewool@gmail.com

I will also be keeping you lovely lot up to date with regular postings here :)

Oooh this is both terrifying and exciting - hope you can join us :)

YARNIVAL YARNIVAL YARNIVAL YARNIVAL YARNIVAL YARNIVAL YARNIVAL

Guess what!?!

2012-01-16T09:52:00.000Z

I have been invited to feature on 'Best of the Web' by Craft Corners - what a good start to the week :)

I will link up when my little bit is posted - oooh how exciting!

In hushed tones......

2012-01-15T22:01:00.000Z

......Has winter arrived?

The tip of my nose confirms it...

My toes agree.

My fingers this morning, as I tried to open the hen's gate, were icy cold too.

The car's windscreen was frosty white.

Fingers of ice crept across the greenhouse glass.

The grass was crisp and crunchy.

And in all this cold crisp air, was the flash of orange from my Hamamelis (witch hazel).

Monday tomorrow. Not sure if I want this weekend to finish. Hey ho.

A simple day

2012-01-14T21:31:00.002Z

A clear and crisp sky - a delightful change. We exhaled 'dragon's breath' when we stood out in the frosted garden.

A need for air, we went for a gentle walk. After jarring my knee last week I needed to get out but it had to be easy.

Yesterday's muddy pathway was today's crunchy and dry track.

Stone pathways kept our feet from the worst of the ice-filled footprints

We wandered by old gateposts with their carved holes and lead-held ironwork

I wondered at how long the rusty chain had languished around this post

I loved the way the low sunlight glowed through the protective tree tube

Years of weathering has exposed the rings in the wood

Time to retrace our steps, the sun was going down and there was a definite chill in the air. Time to go home and make a lasagne and snuggle down by the fire for the evening. Bliss.

PS Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I have some crochet projects to share with you soon!

An open letter to the kittens

2012-01-12T11:47:00.000Z

My dearest Kittlings,

As your 'mom' I feel that I must gently let you know that there are some ground rules about living in this house.

Knocking down the little bowls of bulbs off the window ledge is a no-no. No matter how funny it is to watch the bulb soil cascade down the wall, on the chair, over the table and on to the floor and yes those little bulbs do roll around in the most comical way especially when battered with a paw. I can understand the first time might have been an accident, but I do suspect that it may just be deliberate by the time you have done for the fourth time- I might be wrong here, but I do have my suspicions.

Also, while on the subjects of plants - mine - please do not create those delicate lace edges on the leaves for me. Yes, it is very pretty but I don't think my plants care too much for that airtex look...

And talking of delicate little holes - why are there teeth marks along my diary edge? Do you two girls know anything about that? I thought not, s'pose you are not too sure who chewed the aerial off the remote controlled car either?

I know that in this household we do tend to share most things, chairs, floor space, cushions, cheese but there are some things that are mine and mine only.....wool. My dearest little Lily, please DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT go upstairs and carefully select a hand spun, hand dyed hank of rather precious thread and then carry it downstairs (no - it - did - not - fight - back - and - need - killing....) and proceed to give it a good bashing under the diningroom table.

While on the subject of things thread like - electrical cables really don't make good trapeze equipment. I realise that you thought that swinging on the fairy lights was sheer joy and you suspected that we thought the same by the look on our faces as we watched you travel through the air on a single cable while the attached lightbulbs came crashing down after you..... I might be being a tad over cautious here but PLEASE DO NOT DO IT AGAIN.

I can understand if my boys, when charging around the house make thudding sounds and so they should they do have size 5 and 6 feet, but you my dear little dainty kittlings have feet no bigger than my thumb yet you seem to create the illusion of a stampeding-herd-of-crazed-elephants as you lightly trip your way across the hall. My heart and my nerves are feeling a little tense.

I L*O*V*E the way you like to get personally involved with any activity in the kitchen, particularly when it comes to your dinner time. But do you, I hesitate to ask, do you really have to get so personal as you leap up and climb my leg in your enthusiasm to be fed. Your claws are delightfully needle-like and you are justifiably proud of them however, my leg does now resemble a well used dartboard. All I need to do is rub in a little Indian ink and I will have a permanent tattoo as a reminder of your affection.

Please, my dear little fuzzballs do not think that you are in the dog house, on the contrary, you have brought such laughter and life to the house that all (most) of your transgression are forgiven, just lay off the plants, my wool, my leg, electrical cables, toys, the settee (oh my poor settee), paper, plastic, my laptop, the curtains, the dog, shoes, cushions and ANYTHING ELSE you might think is worth killing/chewing/tasting/playing with/all of the above.

Above all just keep on being you - kittlings - and keep us smiling

lots and lots of love hawthorn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx =^.,.^=

PS SPIT that plant out and get off that table NOW!

Basket weave bag ta-da

2012-01-11T10:29:00.000Z

I'd previously shared snippets about the garden twine bag I was making and now I can officially say that it is finished and I am chuffed~to~bits with it!!

As usual, in my haste to get it finished so~that~I~could~play~with~it I did things in the wrong order - but hey ho, if I didn't then it wouldn't be me.

I am so-oo in love with it (is that wrong? to be so in love with something I have made for myself??)

Oooooh!

Right, now for the fairly sensible details.

'Yarn': 2 different but equal 'ply' garden twine chrimblymas pressies

Hook : 4mm

Pattern: Not really, more of an inspired start then a gung-ho finish. But the gist of it is the base is double crochet increased until it is 66 stitches, changing to a basket weave effect which is 11 stitches of treble BLO and 11 stitches of treble FLO until I was happy with the height of it (read between the lines - until my thumb could take no more...)

Handles : The same twine just twisted and folded until a desired thickness and tied off. The 'ends' were combed out (thanks kittlings for the use of your comb) to fluff them up. They were then stitched on to the body of the bag with a very strong waxed cotton thread, forceps and a 'crow-bar' of a needle which I promptly stabbed into my finger twice *//**!!

Lining : Originally had ideas of a flowery fabric, but when tidying up (post kittling play) I remembered some brightly coloured fat quarters I'd been gifted and chose the green. (It was at this point I had already started to stitch in the lining when I decided to add a label - not a good plan)

Cost : Only time, which was freely given as all the materials had been gifts :) as well blood and bruising to my left thumb - worth it!

Happiness factor: Delirious!

So, what's next?
Well, thanks to Angela for showing me this link, a sky scarf, it will take a bit of preparation for me, seeing I can't knit, however my fav sis-in-law is going to show me how whilst I am convalescing post surgery on my knee. So, until then, I am keeping a record and collecting wools/yarns and colours. It will be made completely 'free' coz no wool or yarn will be purchased, only stash wool, gifted or re-cycled wool, - fancy joining in?

A work colleague has chosen to do the dawn sky so her scarf will include shades of pinks where as my Mom has wondered about doing sunsets - so you can just imagine how different each one will be!! My colours will be of a 'whole day' , so shades of blues and greys, cloud and sun - I am really excited about it ! Go on, it will be quite a pleasurable, gentle project.

Fiona from tizduster has already started and we will be linking up and sharing progress and photos, what fun!

It will, for me, be in keeping with my need to re-connect with the earth - a wonderful way to record and be aware of the changing weather and sky colours.

❇❊ღ❄ °•.☼.•°✳ღ °•.☼.•°ღ ❊°•.☼.•°❄ღ ❇✳

Degrees of naughty

2012-01-10T09:29:00.000Z

The house is more of a whirlwind state that it has been for a very long time. Toys strewn every where, cushions repeatedly tossed to the floor, curtains awry and all small ornaments, pots of pens and paintbrushes as well as homework and above all my precious woolly things have been lifted higher...and higher and higher and still they are being played with.

Is nothing sacred? *sigh*

How many furry-scrapes can you get into today?

The kittlings are getting bigger and stronger and faster and more able to scale barriers. They now delight in collecting a chosen object and dragging it off to play with. No item is too small or too large. Milk bottle tops are collected from the recycling bin, chewed and tossed about and left in a 'decorative manner' in front of the woodburner. The boy's dressing gowns are dragged across the carpet and made into wonderful 'nests' by little industrious paws.

And despite the fact the kittlings have grown they are still slight in stature, however, do not let this slightness belie the thud of their feet across the hall and down the stairs as they hurl themselves around as fast as they can.

Holly (torti) has been nicknamed 'the princess' seeming to veer from being absolutely angelic with huge eyes and a smudged nose to an a*b*s*o*l*u*t*e manic diva.... leaping up in twisted gymnastic vaults. Her eyes and toes wide open. She can scale the curtains from a standing start and be back down again before I've even had time to draw my breath to shriek a NO! Her favourite' pawkour' movement is to bound from a seated pose like a coiled spring over the settee and land - briefly- then fling herself backwards and landing paws-down almost on the identical starting point, pawsing for a nano-sec then setting off at break kittling-speed towards the patio doors only to be stopped by the glass with a resounding thud....... think I better put some sort of 'markings' on the glass at her eye height so she will see it next time.

The other ~~monster~~ kittling - Lily (marmalade) wavers from low grade general naughty to full scale atomic~strength naughty. She has a fetish for plastic - stealing bags and triumphantly dragging them between her front legs - just~like~lions~do - she tells me as I desperately try to grab the bag before she tears it up and accidently swallows any. She doesn't restrict her 'acquiring' to just plastic, oh no - precious balls of yarn, paper, cushions, the controls for a remote car, paper clips, emory boards in fact - if it is out of bounds then it is perfect~for~puss~cats - well that's what Lily keeps saying to me as I wrestle with frantically grabbing kittling with one hand and rescue yarn/toy/paper/cushion with the other.

As I put the kittling on the floor, there is a slight huff of disgust, a definite shrug of furry shoulders then a quick cast around for the next bit of nonsense and then she is off to wreak her revenge!

This level of 'activity' is lasting longer as they get more stamina then suddenly they remember they are still babies and turn on the charm, purring and kneeding, wanting a lap or a bed for a nap and even sometimes falling asleep on the floor surrounded by their ~~destruction~~ play. That's when I melt and forgive all their furry transgressions, when they look at me with sleepy eyes and purrrrrrrrrrrr - butter wouldn't melt in their mouths but thank goodness they can't open the fridge and try (but give it time, give it time I am sure they will.....)

Quiet - at last.

Please note the headlock Lily has on Holly.....

PS - as I sit here typing, I have to hunch over a kittling as she purrs on my lap, her front paws on the keyboard as she 'adds' a letter or two, the other kittling is in the bed I made for them on the shelf next to my desk, purring as she plays with something she has 'acquired', think I better check it is something she is allowed to have! Excuse me while I go and see......

Sellotape - stuck to her paw. *sigh*

Birds, beads, bells, buttons, bag and brooch

2012-01-09T09:07:00.000Z

Thank you everyone for your encouraging and kind thoughts about my knackered knee. A part of me is relieved at the knowledge of the actual injury and a part of me is scared witless!! Never mind, the next step (sic) is my pre-op appointment but until then.......

What a miserable and soggy weekend? Did you have one of those too? I felt sorry for the boys - it was their last-weekend-before-going-back-to-sshhhhhh (school) and it was pretty low key and wet. Eldest's laptop joined in the misery and had to be carted off to the computer shop - he is bereft!

So...what to do, what to do..... crafting of course (silly me).

Did you in your past ever have those fabric birds on a cord with bells and beads?

Remember the type? Mine must be about 20 years old, a faded reminder of a semi-feral youth living in a static caravan on a farm in Devon. Surrounded by 300 year old woodland and within walking distance of the sea. These birds have travelled with me from home to home, between the UK and Africa and back again. Now the birds, like me, are showing their age, the beads and bells however are still fine.

Well - I hate throwing things away when I can recycle them and I have a crochet hook and am not afraid to use it!

I had happy hooky-time and made 6 birds. It was wonderful fettling through my buttons collection (I was lucky lucky lucky to receive some beautiful buttons for chrimblymas pressies) for the bird's eyes and the boys 'helped' as did the kittlings (sigh) to make the cord for the birds to hang from.

They are now hanging up and I smile each time I see them - I wonder if they will still be around for the next twenty years? *probably not - the kittlings have just noticed them and are trying to leap up and catch them...........grrrrrrrr

Remember I posted about receiving some lovely string as a gift? I was given two gifts of beautiful garden twine. I must have had my crafting head on rather than my gardening one coz I instantly though of a bag!

Ooh it was tough stuff to work with, my left thumb felt like it had been through a mangle after a crafting session, but I persisted coz I could see what was coming off the hook and I was so in L*O*V*E with it!

Again, with the boys and kittlings' help, I made the twisted rope handles. I had to use forceps (a relic from my veterinary nursing days) to stitch the handles on.

All that is left to do is to line the bag, think it needs a pretty flowery fabric.

Then, fairly late last night, I had an urge - a crafting one! So started a button brooch for someone who is off to hospital today and I want give it to her before she goes - so better finish it and stop waffling!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend

and wishing you all a Happy Monday!

On a kneed to know basis....

2012-01-06T23:51:00.000Z

Well, my knee.... umm. I keep being asked what is happening to my rather duff knee and up to fairly recently and despite being seen by 2 specialists (both of them surgeons) and despite having an xray and MR scan I was completely confuddled to what was actually 'broken' and needed mending but what I did know that 5 1/2 months after injuring myself, I still can't walk properly, I still can't fully flex or bend my knee and it is still damn sore!

Until tonight, when my boss (a GP) gently and thoroughly explained to me about my crook knee - now I understand!

Now I feel justified why I limp, why it constantly hurts, why I am being so pathetic about it - he did express his surprise at my 'stoicism' - and do you know what? I felt relief that someone in the know listened to me and understood how I felt.

I have completely ruptured my ACL (anterior cruiciate ligament) - completely torn through and (note this - AND AND) I have also torn the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

Now...this means two possible lots of surgery - a definite with the meniscus and if that does not fix my knee, then a second lot of surgery on the ACL (whic apparently is rather MAJOR) and entails lots of chopping off bits and re-attaching new bits of ligament and being in plaster for weeks and weeks *groan*........

If I am lucky then the lesser surgery on the meniscus will solve the nagging pain and limp and the locking and giving way of my knee and let me get my mobility back.
And if I am not lucky...... I don't even want to think about it!!

hey ho.

Out with the old and much less of the new

2012-01-05T13:58:00.000Z

I have been increasingly frustrated by the amount of 'katunda' ( excess stuff) in my life, you'll know what I mean when I say that I will open a kitchen drawer and over the years I have amassed 4 sets of measuring spoons...and have kept them all - why?
Or I will open a cupboard and find I have several serving dishes that I have not used for years....so why do I keep them? I don't even LIKE them.....
I have piles of books under my bed and in my cupboard - because my bookshelves are full - and I know I will never read them again - so why do I have them in the first place??! Does any of this ring true with you?

Then I read this and was inspired!

So, armed with enthusiasm and several bin bags and boxes - just look what we achieved - ooh it felt so-oo cathartic!

I also went through the boys clothes, they both have grown suddenly and we were able to pass on a big bag of clothes to a smaller friend who was delighted - and that felt good :)

I've not really sorted my New Year's Revolutions out yet - but this one is definitely a keeper - it is going to the top of my list!

crochetfest photos

2012-01-03T21:34:00.000Z

Wow - What a lovely response to yesterday's posting, thank you for your positive comments and suggestions. If you do try out one of my 'How-To' posts please link it back to me and let me know how you went along :)

Ju24 - you asked about the pinking shears - I take you are a leftie too, mine are right handed, I just learnt to use them. My Mom once bought me left handed scissors but after years and years of having to use right handed ones, I struggled and kept misjudging my cutting line!
artteachergirl - V - I like the idea of the bookmarks, think I will get the boys making some for birthday gifts
Lovely Lady - I agree with you - bookmarks sound a brilliant idea.
narkeymarkey - T - so glad you have your on board - hope you post the photos :)
Thursday and Anonymous - some cards are definitely made for keeping and not cutting up - especially if they have been written or made by someone special :) and Happy New Year Thursday!
Angela - never thought of using the envelopes as tags, I try to re-use ones that have not been written on but tend to throw the others in the paper-skip, hmmmmm you have got me thinking now!

Any way - if you have any ideas, please share them so we can all benefit and just think of the fun trying out new ideas!

********************

Leading up to chrimblymas I was busy crocheting away but wasn't able to post any pictures coz I knew that there were many eyes that must not see their gifts! Then Jane suggested a post Christmas crochetfest - a brilliant idea!

So, apologies now - lots of crochet photos about to be posted!!

I made several crochet soap cozies - they reduce the amount of lather and help make soap last longer and not wear away as quickly. These cozies were made in cotton aran,

but if made in a coarse garden twine are excellent when used to wash garden-grubby hands.

I also made a few mug cozies too - but this is the only mug I photo-ed.

I had a couple of secret Santa's to craft - this one for my Mom - a neck cozy (there seems to be a theme running here with all this cozy making!) and a elf hat for a dear friend. I have pinched her photos from her blog, I am sure she won't mind!

I crocheted lots of flowers and added them to most gifts.

The kittens thought that I'd made the flowers just for them

and kept stealing and running off and playing with them!

String bags a-plenty!

In the end I made 15 bags - I can now make them in my sleep.......

I think I've waffled enough now, just need to share one more photo - as I sit at my lap top - this little face is watching me..........

aaaaaawwww =^.,.^=

Ps - I was given this beautiful garden twine and was instantly inspired, now I am busy making something with it.......

Any guesses???

Yours in crochet madness - hawthorn xxxx

First post for the new year in which I waffle and do a 'How-to'

2012-01-02T20:25:00.000Z

After having posted for 30 days consecutive I thought that I would need a break. Strangely after just one day, my head is buzzing with ideas so I am back!

Something I am a firm believer of is recycling, up-cycling, reusing, re-purposing, remodelling, remaking (which ever word you know and use) and this year I want to try and improve my track record and aim to decrease my carbon footprint as much as I can. As I go along I will share with you the highs and lows and invite you to suggest anything tricks and ideas I can try out.
To start the ecologically friendly ball rolling, here is with my first 'How-to' for 2012.

We get, every year as so do you, Christmas cards. We hang them up for a while but as soon as the decorations come down (usually on New Years Day) so do the cards. I have never been comfortable just tossing them away - albeit into the paper recycle box, so I cut them up to make tags for next year's gifts. I love the selecting process of choosing the best angles and really enjoy the simple pleasure of cutting and trimming.

HOW-TO 1 - making free gift tags

Remove the back of the card, checking the reverse of the picture side doesn't have any advertising or writing. This particular card quite happily provided two tags.

I use both straight scissors and pinking shears to cut the tags and then punch a hole in a corner ready to have a thread or ribbon added.

Some cards have writing - I love having tags with script or poems as well as festive images

This card gave me three separate tags - each so different. A cutesy cottage, a festive greeting and a gold and holly tag. I try to match the tag with the person I gift to and this card has given me such a good choice.

There! - tags made and awaiting their ribbons and cords (all saved through out the year from received gifts) and all for free - now that can't be bad :)

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

1♥ New Year's Eve...... New beginnings await.

2011-12-31T16:41:00.000Z

Within the flower there lies a seed,

within the seed there springs a tree,

within the tree there spreads a wood.

In the wood there burns a fire,

and in the fire there melts a stone,

within the stone a ring of iron.

Within the ring there lies and O,

within the O there looks an eye,

in the eye there swims a sea,

..and in the sea reflected sky,

and in the sky there shines the sun,

within the sun a bird of gold.

Within the bird there beats a heart

and from the heart there flows a song

and in the song there sings a word.

In the word there speaks a world,

a word of joy a world of grief

from joy and grief there springs my love.

Oh love, my love, there springs a world,

and on the world there shines a sun

and in the sun there burns a fire,

Within the fire consumes my heart

and in my heart there beats a bird,

and in the bird there wakes an eye.

Within the eye, earth, sea and sky

Earth, sky and sea within an O

lie like the seed within the flower.

KATHLEEN RAINE -MAGIC VERSE

2♥ - 2011

2011-12-30T20:02:00.000Z

Friday - a brief but busy week. Glad it is over.

Just 2♥ days left and one of those is almost finished!

2011♥ - almost over, where to start?

Lots of beginnings and some endings. Good stuff and good friends, sad moments and a huge OUCH! New kittens and lots and lots of crafting :)

I have a lot to be thankful for♥.

3♥ can you see it?

2011-12-29T19:17:00.000Z

Earlier on in the year, we were out walking when I suddenly spotted this..............

Can you see it? 3♥

****************

The weather has been atrocious today but not proper winter weather - just wet and blustery.

A good excuse to lie in front of the fire and dream whiskery dreams.

A lovely reason to be cuddled to sleep without a care in the world

Oh what it is to be small and fluffy and to be loved.

=^.,.^=♥

4♥

2011-12-28T12:25:00.000Z

Slight variation on a theme............

4♥

4 days left of 2011............ it is a strange feeling, the end of one year and the imminent beginning of a new one. It is also the excitement of the potential still to come!

5♥

2011-12-27T12:17:00.000Z

6♥

2011-12-26T11:48:00.000Z

A quiet house, two boys curled up on the settee reading books, two kittens curled up on a chair tired out from frantic play, Himself pottering around and I am about to wander into the kitchen and do 'things' not sure what, but suspect it will involve tidying up.

It is a mild warm boxing day, strange weather for this time of year but it does mean we can get out later for a bit of fresh air.

♡♡ T*H*A*N*K Y*O*U♡♡ for all your festive messages and greetings

6♥

Happy Monday to you all

In which we celebrate chrimbly-mass and number 7❤

2011-12-25T20:18:00.000Z

Firstly - Merry Christmas

Secondly -

Thirdly - I was about to do my next themed run of images and waffle but I seem to have lost the photo - oh well, never mind, got a bit much going on here - so not going to do it!

What I am going to do is to wish you peace and blessings.

8♥ and Christmas eve

2011-12-24T14:25:00.003Z

On Thursdays I finish early enough to have time off in the afternoon. Usually it is just me at home but all my boys were off from work and school so it was a wonderful opportunity to get out and get some fresh air. We walked along the canal letting Giddy dog run and sniff. The boys chatted and ran on ahead while Himself and I just enjoyed companionable silence.

Moored on both sides were narrow boats of all shapes and sizes. I decided that naming of boats is a very personal thing - there are the obvious monikers like 'Just Sailing' and the cutesy folk-style such as 'Rosie' and 'Water Wanderer' and there are the types that raise a giggle like the interestingly named narrow boat - 'Floater'......... but the most curious are the ones that must have a personal reason for their name only relevant to the owner.....'Ossey Gobbin'.

This means nothing to me but to my northern husband it was obvious - 'Ossey Gobbin' means somewhere on the lines of 'Idiot from Oswaldtwistle'.......Any hoo, where this waffle is meandering towards is today's number which is 8❤

I just want to thank you for your lovely comments about our silly-kitties, they are bringing such joy to us, it feels like the whole house is smiling at their antics.

Well, it's Christmas eve and we are off to celebrate with family - we eat our main meal tonight. The table will no doubt be laden with crackers and table presents. My Mom and Dad are hosting and do such a beautiful spread - I am definitely taking my camera!

Enjoy tonight and hope that Santa brings all that you have wished for! I am sure the kittens will love all that wrapping paper tomorrow - just for them obviously!

❇❄❊❈❅ ❤ ❄❇✳❄❊❄❊❈❅ ❤ ❄❇✳❄❊❄❊❈❅ ❤ ❄❇✳❄❊

9♥ and furry festive fun

2011-12-23T20:11:00.000Z

Today, the number 9♥ is brought to you by a pile of sleepers.....

.....and just a thought,

have you had a.....

Hard day at the office?

do you have to do loads of pre-festive washing?

Finding it hard to get round all those family phone calls?

Lots of tidying up to do?

No time to rest ?

Never mind - it is the festive weekend - here's wishing you all have a

purrrrfect yuletide time

=^.,.^=

10♥ and a quick reminisce

2011-12-22T17:40:00.000Z

During the summer months (and pre-knackered-knee situation) a wonderful friend and I would walk with our collective pack of dogs and children up over the fields and on to the moors behind our village. One of our regular spots we'd pass through is this gate. I had eyed up the speed sign for ages but kept forgetting to take my camera. I think I finally remembered on the last walk before I hurt said knee - phew!

I've so so so very nearly finished the last of my hand-made pressies so mustn't chat for long - still to take some photos before I wrap them up.

eeeee

oooh .... It's Friday tomorrow - woohoo - that means it is nearly the weekend and I get to spend 4 very precious days with my family. ❤❤

eeeee

11♥ Winter Solstice celebrations

2011-12-21T23:54:00.000Z

Firstly - today's number - 11♥ taken on the 11th of November this year..... I'd sat quietly with the radio broadcasting heavy thoughtful silence and I realised that this time and date would only happen now and not again in my life time.

11♥

We celebrate winter solstice. We fill the house with candles and fairy lights, we fill it with music and laughter. We usually take a turn at singing or playing music or reciting poems and this year was no different. Youngest sang and danced and Eldest played the piano. Himself had cooked a wonderful meal so he was allowed to sit back and relax and I found and read a lovely winter solstice poem*.

Summer is on it's way - the seasons turn, spring is next - let it be a good one !

*If I have a surplus, may I pass it on,

may the sharing return as the weak winter sun,

may it grow stronger until it has won,

and the day of the selfish be over and done,

like night fog I pray hunger fades and is gone,

may abundance return like the weak winter sun.

May the hunger for justice be all that remains,

may we all count our blessings and break hunger chains,

may we make human chains down the country lanes,

may we honour connections and take on natures pains,

may the whole of the world sing this heartfelt refrain,

and as the ice breaks may we break hunger chains.

By all that is generous all that is giving,

so may this be felt in the land of the living.

craft of the wild witch - Poppy Palin

blessings hawthorn xxxxxxxx

♥ COUNTING AGAIN - 12♥

2011-12-20T09:36:00.015Z

A couple of chilly weekends ago, I sat shivering in the car as we waited for a partying Youngest, he was at a bowling alley tucked away in an industrial estate. We'd only just parked up and had a few minutes to go when I saw, amidst the cars and trucks - a doorway - with the magical number I needed. The fading yellow door with it's turquoise phoenix rising seemed almost like an unworldly portal from this functional work area into an unknown space. There was no signage, no names, no telephone numbers....just a small door, quietly proclaiming it's own importance, set in a huge industrial building. Perfect!

Yesterday, having chatted about (but omitted any pictorial details) about the kits and having received some gentle reminders about lack of said pictorial details - here are some brief (and non-blurred) pictures of my fur-babies.

Top row - Fascination with reflections

Bottom row - cat napping

Holly has just walked over my laptop and some how switched off the internet and Lily is chewing on a plant - excuse me while I rescue it (plant not kitten)!

All my boys finish today for the festive break - but alas not me, I work right up to Friday evening. We will be celebrating our mid-winter meal this Wednesday - I am looking forward to that.

Better get going, still at the weaving-in-million-ends stage of my crochet goodies. I have already wrapped and given loads away so the pile of handmade looks quite small for the amount of hooky time I have been having....

Have a lovely day where ever you are

xxxx

13♥ days to 2012

2011-12-19T11:26:00.000Z

I'm still in recovery mode after the weekend so I am fully embracing the fact that the house is quiet and empty apart from Giddy Dog and the kits. Mind you the kits more than make up for the boys being at school - they are just as bad as the boys at leaving their toys all over the place. I will, over the course of a day, have to pick up cushions and blankets, rescue toppled over pots of pens and paintbrushes and rehang the ornaments on the tree....

Any hoo - enough waffle -

today's number is 13♥, not one of my favourite numbers - 13. As a teenager I was incredibly superstitious and would go to great lengths to avoid saying, thinking or seeing the number. Made maths a bit tricky (Mind you maths was a bit tricky for me any way!)

The kits are galloping up and down on their dainty elephant-sized feet and the washing machine has become silent....better get on, got work to get ready for and I am still trying to finish my crochet pressies - the deadline draws closer and I keep kidding myself that starting another woolly based handmade gift is a good idea....I start off in good time and as chrimbly-pressie-swap-day gets closer, my crafting becomes more frantic and instead of going with the flow and finishing them off in good time, I hastily start the next one as I convince myself that weaving in ALL the ends and stitching on ALL the buttons and sewing on ALL the labels is a good idea if only I would actually get on with it and do it!!

And the hardest thing of all? Not sharing the pictures with you, oh well, will have to have a show and tell after everyone has opened their pressies :)

A Happy Monday to you all!

15♥ and14♥ and festive fun

2011-12-18T15:11:00.000Z

Apologies for not posting yesterday but it was a whirlwind of a day.

It was our annual festive decoration making workshop and along with all the foliage and friends and fun we were 'blessed' with some rather wintery weather.

But first - 15♥- taken in 2009 (yes I do plan and photograph that much in advance - but not necessarily always successfully!)

We were on holiday up in the Orkneys on a wild-weathery-break. Some days the weather was fiercesome enough to drive us to hiding in museums and cafés.

We drove over to Stromness and I fell in love with it's tiny part-cobbled part-flagged streets. Some were so narrow it felt intrusive driving through them. So we parked up and wandered the quiet streets. The wild winds seems to be kept at bay by the twisting of the roads and streets, almost thwarting the breeze.

It was here I found a superb number 15 and wonderfully named street -

My next offering was only taken last weekend, a quick drive by photo - nothing special but just what I needed.

We had such fun yesterday at our festive workshop. A slightly different format but nevertheless, a yummy and successful day.

There were, as usual, such a wonderful array of door wreaths and decorations.....I mean just look at this creativity!!.....

...and this is only some of them, I have just realised I've not photo-ed them all!

I must admit to eating well too - such gorgeous bakings happened and it would have been rude not to try them all at least once, if not twice erhem....

Sadly some of the delicious offerings were scoffed before I realised I'd not photographed them, but believe me - they were yum!

The entire weekend was filled with family and friends, sleepovers and meals, chatting and nibbling, and now in the quiet house, Youngest and the kittens are sleeping on the settee, Eldest has wandered over to find sanctuary with a friend, Himself is bumbling about (he is always busy doing something)and I have finally found a moment to catch up with all of you - enjoy what is left of your weekend.............

blessings - hawthorn xx

Ps can't finish a posting with out gratuitous cute-overload - the kittens and Youngest snuggling on the settee after a seriously hard weekend of fun and friends

*in whispered tones* awwwwww xx

16♥ days to 2012

2011-12-16T08:17:00.000Z

♥16 - this year has quickly flown by and I've not fully realised the HUGE list I created myself in my Revolutions - I have managed to get through a fair few but some have definitely fallen by the wayside.
Of the 17 ideas/plans/wishes I listed, only 3 I've not managed to do, the rest I have either dabbled in or have made a start - not too bad I suppose (*note to self - have a less ambitious plan with less things on it next year!*)

Any way - I'm off on a jolly with fav-sis-in-law and my mom to Skipton, so got to get ready byeeeeeee!

Oops - today's photo - all BT (British Telecom) telephone posts have numbers on them. Each one a personal identity. It amazes me that from the centres of towns to the wilds of a Scottish moorland you can find each and every post labelled, dated and numbered. Some numbers are so faded and weather beaten that it is difficult to read, while others - like this one today, have new shiny and smart details. How many thousands and thousands of posts are there out there?

Any hoo 16♥

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Happy FRIDAY to you all❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

17... Sweet 17♥ counting on memories

2011-12-15T20:28:00.000Z

There are some days, some walks, some views, something that etches a memory deep deep in to me and every now and then it re-surfaces and I find that I smile just at the thought of it. I can easily fall back into that walk, that view or that day.

This walk, gentle and definitely designed with me and my sore knee in mind, is one of those wonderful ones.

We'd walked along a canal, admiring the narrow boats - we have a little game we play. The boys and I 'choose' a narrow boat - extolling it's virtues, admiring the paintwork or marvelling at the bric-a-brac on the tops. Then as we walk along we either 'swap' or 'keep' our boat with the next one we see. On this particular walk we were spoilt for choice with a glorious hotch potch of narrow boats all recently painted ready for winter, chimneys chuffing out woody scented smoke and wheelbarrows filled to the brim with firewood. The autumnal colours were at their richest and the reflections in the still water were clear and precise.

We had followed the canal, diverted into the town (Ju24 will know which one I mean) then back out again to meet the canal. On the way we found a humpbacked bridge........with this sign - perfect for today :)

Once we'd rejoined the canal, a young swan slid alongside us and very politely asked for a nibble - which we quite happily provided. We lingered, admiring the bird and marvelling at the beauty of her plumage.

Our walk then returned back along the water's edge back to the car. Bliss.

Today's post was a little later than usual - I spent a lovely afternoon chatting with a good friend. Tomorrow will be another good one - I am on a yarn shop forage with fav-sis-in-law and my mom - what wonderful way to start a Friday :)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

18♥ and still counting down

2011-12-14T08:19:00.000Z

As I sit in the gloom of an early wintery morning, the house empty of boys and Himself.
Just me.
And two tear-away terrors as they rampage through a box full of things.
The kittens see a game in anything and everything. But why do they insist on climbing up the inside of my pyjama trousers - ooOUCH!

18♥ days and still counting down.... today's picture is a boat filled canal. They chug up and down, plying their trade. Some are 'bus-boats' taking folk from one side of the town to the other, some are tourist attractions with sight-seers shivering as they pootle passed swans and floating litter. Their faces appear grim - they don't seem to be enjoying their treat - it's too cold.

Some of the narrow boats are homes, cheery and warm looking as wispy trails of smoke waft from little chimneys. These boats have pots of herbs and piles of fire wood balancing alongside bicycles and wheelbarrows on their tops while others are for hire with brightly coloured folk art flowers adorning their sides.

I've been in one that was a home, briefly visiting a woman to drop off a letter. She shared her boat with her 14 year old son, two dogs (something small and energetic and an irish wolf hound) and two cats....there wasn't much room to move let alone live. It was a strange disconcerting feeling looking out of a porthole and seeing a duck at eye level.

Any hoo - 18♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

ERrrrrr counting again? 19♥

2011-12-13T08:31:00.000Z

The festive lists are getting longer and more urgent for this week - so this posting will be brief but probably will have a gratuitous kitten photo....or five.

In the grand scheme of counting down - I now present to you 19♥

At the beginning of May this year, we spent a couple of weekends up near Appleby in Westmorland. We explored the villages and walked all over the place. One of the villages we bumbled into was this one, where the green was long and winding, filled with casually grazing sheep and busy hens. A narrow strip of cottages and houses were sleepily nestled either side of the green while a gently moving stream meandered through it's heart. We had parked just outside of the village and were enchanted as we walked through. The boys spotted the swing so we wandered over for a closer inspection......

Of course to youngsters - swings were meant for swinging on - but we were rather taken by the iron work on the top -

19 E☼R 53

it was interesting to think how long the swing had been in place and how many children's bottoms had sat on those seats........!

As I type, the girls (kittens) are racing about on elephant sized feet, killing their toys and beating up a small card box that they have claimed for their own. For such small and potentially delicate creatures they don't half make a mess when playing! There is such a stalking and a pouncing and lions and tigers and rough and tumble that I fear for the safety of my feet and my house!!Oh they are such a ( naughty) delight =^.,.^=

Holly-butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth

Lily - 'helping' put the decorations up, she is now in the process of 'helping' take them down again......

Holly doing the cute thing and 'helping' the decorations not fall off the foot stool. You mean you didn't know that a cat makes a perfect paper weight?

Holly -- err once again showing her 'helpful' side and lighting up our lives!

Lilly has been as equally helpful but she does it a such speed that all her photos are blur of red fluff!

Must go,

Have a lovely day and wishing you happy thoughts

hawthorn xxx

I present to you - 20♥

2011-12-12T09:03:00.000Z

Morning!
Firstly I'd like to thank you for your comments and thoughts, its lovely receiving them - I still get a squeeeee feeling when I see I have comments needing moderating.

Hello Grateful4crochet, welcome to my rather random world, lovely to 'meet' you, I will pop over and visit you shortly :),
Carolina Artesanias - your festive tree comment is gorgeous! How long did that take you?
Angela - a sun cake is a fruit cake (very similar to a Christmas cake) but represents the returning of the sun. We eat it on the 21st December - our Yule, when we celebrate the ending of winter and the returning of spring. We have a special meal that night, loads and loads of candles and tell each other stories, songs, poems and music. I don't sing - I wouldn't wish that on anyone, but I recite poems while Himself sings (beautifully) and the boys play the piano - we usually end up laughing a lot, eating too much and generally have a lovely evening.
Jane , Jak, Ju24, Cat,Liz Sarah and Lovely Lady - kittens = scrummy gorgeousnuss, fluffy yummy naughtiness! They are still quite small, each one fitting in a hand, but they make up for their Lilliput stature with their godzilla catitudes!
Yes, I will share/show off crochet and other handmade goodies in the new year - good idea - thanks Jane
Lyn and Lovely Lady - my post for the 22♥ and still counting down also reminded me of that warm week, silly how quickly you forget. We all generalise about the weather but when you look back, in between the wet and cold there have been some lovely summery days - thank goodness for blogging :)

Now, back to the matter in hand, today's number for counting down to 2012.

I present to you - 20♥

There are two today, the first is the thermometer in the dispensary where I work, we have to maintain a regular temperature in the room to keep the medication at an optimum environment. This little one is a magnetic version clipped to a metal cabinet.

The second offering for 20 is a speed sign as you enter into the town of Settle. Taken last weekend when we tried to watch the festive lights switch on and failed!

Right, enough waffling, must get on with wrapping, finishing, writing, tidying, sewing and feeding the kits - this next week is going to be full on - I've two festive parties - one on Tuesday with friends since my vet nursing days and the other on Wednesday with our knit and natter for an end-of-crafting-year-celebration and then on Saturday we are going to do our annual festive decorating making thingy! I posted about it here and here. We've doing this wonderful workshop since 2003 and it is still going strong :)!

Now, I must really stop -

Happy Monday to you all xxx

CAN YOU COUNT ON THE PIRATES? 21 ♥

2011-12-11T13:04:00.000Z

A couple of holidays ago, we were doing some geo-caching which needed us to follow various clues into an ancient church yard where we had to find gravestones with numbers and names. With these details we were then able to complete the clue. I find old graveyards very interesting, brimming with history and personal lives and in particular there is something intriguing about gravestone inscriptions.

This one, in a few words, raises so many questions.

So, due to some pirate-type-action - today's number 21♥ is now presented to you -

It is a soggy Sunday, but we don't mind. We've got homework to do, chrimbly pressies to wrap and cards to write.

We have finally put up the tree (with a fair bit of help from both the boys and the kittens...)

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday - looks like it has finally stopped raining :)

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

ps - I can't share ANY crochet updates - which I am finding frustrating coz various recipients read this blog!!

22♥ and still counting down

2011-12-10T17:21:00.000Z

Last summer (eek that seems eons ago) we spent a glorious warm week in Northumberland. Our holiday spilt lazily into southern Scotland as we trundled around from stream to stream, from coastline and wooded valley to keep cool. We stopped at a small barely moving ford. The stream slipped languidly over the road and dropped into a rocky pool. Flies hummed in their thousands above the water but thankfully showed no interest in us.

Himself pulled up and parked the car in shade and we delicately dipped our feet into the surprisingly cold and refreshing water. The boys and the dog ventured through and back the ford, relishing the relief on hot feet. Himself and I sat back and watched, and all the while, we were being observed........
by the provider, and the rest of his herd, of number 22♥

The kittens are fast asleep on the shelf next to me and I can hear tiny whispy snores and little cat dreams.

Later we will be putting up the decorations - so am expecting kitten and boy chaos! The kitchen is calling as it gently emits festively spicy smells, our sun cake is waiting to go into the oven and I better go and finish it.

Enjoy what's left of today.

♥ COUNT DOWN - 23♥

2011-12-09T20:30:00.000Z

Today's heart -
Organised for me by Eldest. L♥VE

We had gone over to watch Settle festive lights switch on (oops - missed it by 10 minutes........ *sigh*) so we wandered around the town looking at the lights and the shops and Eldest spotted this one for me. He took my camera and voilà thanks to him I can now present to you:

23♥

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

COUNT-DOWN-TO-2012 - 24♥

2011-12-08T23:29:00.000Z

Today has almost gone and I still haven't posted the number - it is not as if there is a shortage of them, I actually have three to share.
No - it has been a combination of work, kittens, crochet, kittens, crochet and did I mention - kittens. Now at the end of the day, the girls are fast asleep in their basket and I am finally knuckling down to blogging.

So, before today finishes I now present to you in my COUNT-DOWN-TO-2012 - 24♥

My first offering are the proud words of a father for a son lost in a far off land in the days when America was so very distant from the land of his birth. I tried researching William, Lord Dunglass (spelt as Dunclas on the Cenotaph)and found very little on him bar a few lines on an ancestry site and these words from an American Revolution fact site..............

HOME - Captain William (Lord Dunglass) - Coldstream Guards - died of wounds - December 1781.
Wounded at Guildford, 15th March 1781. Memorial in Royal Military Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London - "In memory of William Home, Lord Dunglass, Lieutenant and Captain, Coldstream Guards. Died December, 1781, of wounds received at the Battle of Guildford, North America. Placed by Lieut.-Colonel Hon. W. Home, Grenadier Guards, 1880."

My next two offerings offering are far less grand and historically interesting but do have the magical number of 24 on them -
One a 'danger of death' electricity sign and the other from a supermarket carpark (other supermarkets are available......)

I promise not to be so tardy tomorrow, right - off to bed, but not before one last little peak at sleeping furry-babies - hummmmmmm, just want to snuggle right into that gloriously gorgeously soft and floofy fur xx =^.,.^=

Please excuse the cardboard box. They insist in sleeping on a shelf near my desk when I am at my laptop, and after falling off a couple of time whilst fast asleep, I thought a little box would stop any further 'dropping off to sleep' incidents!

Right then, definitely off to bed now - good night!

Fluffy and cute and Oh yes COUNTING DOWN♥

2011-12-07T10:36:00.001Z

Today's number - 25♥ - is brought to you by yesterday's silliness..... and sale at a hardware store

But enough of that - just look what

I have to share with you!

I would like to introduce to you Tiger Lily (Lily) a gorgeously naughty FEMALE ginger and white ball of fluff and Holly her beautiful torti and white sister who has the cutest black smudge on her nose which makes her look like she has been sniffing a piece of coal.

I am officially in love with two wee beasties - two balls of fluff with purrs reminiscent of a distant diesel tractor and little spiky claws they use with no inhibitions as they race up your leg to say hello - bliss!!

We have been a cat-less house for far too long and now these two little furry monsters are a wonderful addition. Heaven help the festive decorations and tree when we put them up this weekend - what a hoot!

And the random number graffiti? It is Holly's first typing as she walked across the keyboard to see what I was doing. Aaaah bless - her first words!

877777777777499999999999999999999999999999999999999999088888888888888888881222222222224588888888888yyyyyyyyyyy

Oops - nearly not COUNTING AGAIN - 26 (yes 26)❤

2011-12-06T09:22:00.001Z

Last night, just as we were winding down, the boys were asleep, the fire gently crackling away, Himself asked if I was organised for a number for today.
Yeah I yawned, trying to remember which photo it was, I have some that I have collected through out the year and saved in my 'December numbers count down' file and I have some that I found this last weekend. I couldn't quite bring the image to mind.

I thought I would just check before turning the laptop off.....good thing I did coz there was no photo for 25!

Good grief - Himself and I rattled around the images for a while trying to see if I had taken one and not saved it in the numbers file but he soon got bored and went for a shower. I continued. I searched and searched, even to the point of getting out the external hard drive that holds our previous years and years of photos and trawled through those. Himself returned from his shower, pronounced himself clean and tired and said he was off to bed.

I decided to check though the cupboards to see if anything had a 25 gm or 25ml on it....no, I looked at the boys Tshirts for a 25, nope......I decided against using a page number - too easy too boring, I discovered that nail varnish is only 6mls in size (too small) and the bread had a 35% discount voucher on it (too big)...I was almost on the point of giving up when I remembered that last December I had the flu and was unable to complete the counting - may be I didn't get round to using the 25.

That took a bit of sorting out - it entailed setting up the external hard drive again - but voilà - saved - I found an image for 25.
Good - I can go to bed now, it was after midnight and I was tired.

Fast forward to today.

Start writing the post (get it done nice and early as I have a fair bit to do)
Get the 'new post' page up on blogger............
Notice the date
Notice that I need a 26 and not a 25
Sit dumbfound for approximately 10 seconds then grind my back teeth and start again......

I have a flash of inspiration and check Himself's maps - surely one will have a reference number or similar for 26. I go through his rather large collection of maps, some dating from the 1940s, and eventually find this.........

So, today's number is brought to you by a combination of teeth grinding, stupidity and sheer luck!

26❤

•Ps - don't you love my screen saver? I do - it was a gift from a rather Lovely Lady who sent me a Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar, and the boys and I are delighting in opening it each day - so thank you dear LL xx

•Pps - I have tomorrow's date sorted - err it's 25 and ummm, I don't need to worry trying to find it again..... erhem.

Follow this link to see what we got up to last year xx

ღ °•.ღ °•.ღ °•.☼.•°ღ °•.ღ °•.ღ

COUNTING DOWN CONTINUES - 27 ♥

2011-12-05T12:09:00.000Z

27♥ - brought to you by giddy dog and a wonderful walk earlier on in the year.

As promised, scrummy yummy yarns!

cottons for me so I can finish

my bunting project..

gorgeous nordic coloured soft merinos

for a chrimbly gift....

remember my flower therapy?

Well my cottage garden is flourishing!

Loving how these are turning out,

will share with you

once they are ready for 'picking'

...finally been finishing off and stitching labels on to more chrimbly pressies..

Sadly work once again stops play, so have to finish here and wrap up warmly, it has snowed overnight and another quick shower first thing this morning....brrrr

ps - this is what we got up to last year

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Happy Monday to you all❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

COUNTING AGAIN! 28 ♥

2011-12-04T20:08:00.001Z

A wet weekend, a slow (but almost over) wet weekend.

Youngest was over in Skipton for a birthday party, and we, rather than driving home and returning to collect him later, decided to wander around town. I had an inkling that there was a new (to me) knitting and wool shop and thought a little woolly experience would certainly lift the washed out weekend mood I was in.

Did it?

Oh boy did it!

Did I buy anything?
Don't be silly - of course I did!

I will take photos tomorrow in - hopefully - better light.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

But today, a bit late I know, is brought to you by the number

28♥

Spotted today while out and about in Skipton by Eldest.

I am baking mince-pies. For many many years Himself has had a mince-pie eating competition for the whole of December. I mentioned it in 2009 but was too flu-bound to say anything in 2010. This year, the annual mince-pie fest has begun and ALL three of mine are happily scoffing... oh well... back to the kitchen.

Back tomorrow with more stuff and nonsense and pictures of scrummy yummy wool and yarns hmmmmmm

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

**THIS TIME LAST YEAR** pop over and see what we got up to this time last year

***edited to add - IT'S SNOWING! Just been out and taken a photo from the end of our lane........... brrrrrrrr

♥ COUNTING SOME MORE - 29♥

2011-12-03T07:47:00.000Z

Just to get you in the mood (or to panic you - either way!) apparently there is only 22 days left till chrimbly day!

Any hoo - today's number is 29, and is brought to you by my 8 year old pint-sized friend who is an energetic little bag of dynamite - the might Tash!

I was having a problem in finding something with the number 29 on it and seeing I was at her mom's house for knit and natter I asked her is she had anything suitable.

She pulled a quizzical face - her mouth pursed as she tilted her head slightly. She thought for a moment then disappeared under the desk and came out with a wooden ruler,

as said..

'Is this any good?'

so - thanks to the Mighty Tash

I am able to present to you.......

29 ♥

Thank you for your comments -

Lovely Lady - no, I don't take those, they are some tablets I was sorting out for a patient at work - saw the number and got rather excited (my colleague quite understandably looked rather bemused).

Jane - yes I am excited (terrified) about the yarn festival - it will be called 'Yarnival'and I will share info soon [:)]

Sarah, Jak and Cat - thank you - It feels rather humbling that you enjoy reading my waffling and actually remember/read it from last year!!

Ju24 - We were near a campsite when we were at Lock 31 - was it that site you used?

What we got up to this time last year - pop over and see 3rd December 2010

♥ COUNTING AGAIN - 30♥

2011-12-02T08:18:00.000Z

30 days left of 2011... and there is so much I still have to do!!

Never mind the hand-made chrimbly pressies that are no way near finished (and in some cases not even started...)

But there is the festive wreath and decoration workshop still to be organised

.....and the secret Santa pressie to be finished for our knit and natter group

.....and the ღsuper exciting yarn and wool festival ღ(still under wraps) that needs lots of sorting out... I will share information in the new year, got to get this year finished first :)

All this woolly stuff and nonsense is getting in the way of crochet for pleasure!

Oh yes - today's photo - not a particularly exciting one but I couldn't find the number 30 on anything remotely interesting...... (note to self - must try harder)

30 ♥

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and wishing you all a
Happy Friday!

**********************

**THIS TIME LAST YEAR** pop over and see what we got up to this time last year

♥ COUNT DOWN - 31♥

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000Z

It's that time again, hasn't December has come round very quickly? In fact the whole year seems to have just evaporated.

I had begun to wonder what we had got up to, so a quick trawl through my previous posts made me realise that I am so glad I keep a blog!

Last year I started counting the days up to the end of the year, this time I have decided to go in reverse and count down to the New Year, so here goes....... I present to you -

31 ♥

Lock 31 on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal situated behind Gargrave, a rather pretty village that is sadly sullied by a rather fast and major road right through the centre of it. Traffic flies through, passing Georgian mansions, wonderful cottages and secret alley ways.

All for now, must go, it's bed time and I've stayed up specially to post the start of this year's count down.

But before I go, welcome to all my new followers, it is so lovely to 'see' you, I will pop over and say hi soon!

Have a lovely Thursday

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

this time last year - see how last year's counting started, and just look at all that snow we had this time last year!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Flower Therapy❤❤

2011-11-23T11:32:00.000Z

Having a rubbish week at work this week so felt I needed cheering up.

I went and found my 'best Cornishware' vase....

I 'picked' some late blooming roses......

Aaah that's better

And look - still lovely and fresh and not a dropped petal in sight!

So feeling the L♥VE that flowers and crochet-therapy can bring.......

I just had go and 'pick' some more flowers

Not quite there, but definitely feeling less rubbish - just might have to make a few dozen more!❤

L♥VE

Reflecting and Murmuring

2011-11-21T10:42:00.001Z

Saturday turned out to be one of the nicest days we have had in a long long time.

Take one quietly moving canal glowing in a warm wintery sun

Add glorious reflections in the crystal clear water..... top with 200 year old bridges....

Sprinkle with plenty of leaves drifting slowly, leave to be absorbed in the mind as you wander along the towpath.

Then, once digested and enjoyed follow with a natural phenomenon that even made the boys speachless (and that takes something special)..... starling murmurations

We, along with a few other folk, watched in awe as these birds moved in a collective Brownian motion style. Hundreds and hundreds of them arrived in huge swarms and joined the 'mother-flock' and swooped and whirled over head. Whilst they were airborne all you could hear was the swish of thousands of wings and the occasional chirp.....but when they landed on the reed beds their song sounded like a huge beautiful metallic waterfall swelling to an almost painful crescendo - I am getting goosebumps again just recalling it! If you EVER get a chance to see them - do so - it was/is wonderful !

So, how do you top that? Well you finish it with an evening picnic watching the sun sink behind the sea whilst listening to the waves lapping gently at the shore - that's how.

In the words of elbow - 'One day like this a year'd see me right'

Friday

2011-11-18T12:09:00.000Z

.....this morning has been a time for.............

crafting...............

thinking........ (thanks Lovely Lady)

calculating and measuring......................

wondering and planning.....................

knuckling down to stringing along yule pressies.............

drinking tea and thinking................

illustrating and..............

.....playing with colours

And you? What's been keeping you busy today?

I've got such big thoughts and ideas frantically whizzing around my head that I am sure they will spill out soon and get lost or confused. Fortunately I have some wonderful friends and family who are there to support my off the wall plans. I will keep you posted and who knows, some of you might get involved!

But - as ever - work stops play - whatever you get up to this❤weekend❤ - enjoy!

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ hawthorn xx

Snapshots and thoughts

2011-11-12T23:11:00.000Z

Firstly a huge thank you for all your wonderful comments on the blue pram blankie, it was lovely to 'hear' from you Thursday :)

Radish's Mum and Andria - those labels I got from Woven Label UK - I followed the hobby and craft link

Angela, Liz, Lovely Lady and Jak - thank you xx

And Jane - I wholeheartedly agree with your 'glass of wine' and after the Friday evening I had - I nearly asked to come and join you!!

**************************

With such glorious autumnal sunshine and still unseasonably warm air, we went for a hobble (I say we as in the 'Royal We' - I really should just say me.....) while the other three and giddy dog kindly pottered slowly at my pace.

We wandered along another canal and it was such a lovely walk.

The dog and Youngest were happily playing with sticks, he was throwing them and she was chasing after them.

Then suddenly, in a moment of total giddiness - giddy dog watching a flying stick, her head in the air, tongue lolling out, tail wagging - ran straight into the canal - spadooosh! And completely disappeared under the water!

Himself instantly threw his haversack aside, launched himself onto the bank and grabbed a spluttering and very surprised dog by her collar and hauled her out.....she showed her gratitude by shaking every last drop of canal water off her - all over him!

A couple walking towards us grinned and asked if she had meant to do that - and I laughing at the dog's very shocked look on her face managed to say no - that it was a moment of giddiness! She soon recovered and she and Youngest resumed their game.

All along the way were wonderful snapshots of history - like the faded painted mooring bollard - you can just make out the folk art roses despite the flaking paint.

All along the water's edge were steel rings, some with chains, some with rope.

We walked over canal bridges............

....And below them.

The reflections gave such serenity and depth to the landscape.

The late afternoon sunshine was truly wonderful as we returned.

I truly miss my 'proper' walks at the moment, but these gentle strolls that Himself kindly finds for me are precious and shared with him and my boys (and that silly giddy dog....) makes them even more treasured.

Hope your weekend is being good to you and for you too xx