My 2007

Well - 2007 is nearly over.
This year has gone so fast - I must be getting older! I thought I'd end this year by looking back and thinking about my personal favourite things etc. during 2007.

Here goes:

Things I've enjoyed this year include starting this blog, staring my Swedish Massage course, spending time with my family & friends, making new knitting friends, getting a new car ...

My favourite night out with my husband was at the Greek Restaurant in Tanygrisiau in July. Good food, good company and a lovely evening.

My favourite night out with friends was in the summer, when two of my oldest friends, myself and husbands went for a Chinese meal at a restaurant in Rhuddlan. A lovely meal & good conversation.

My favourite party was the 18th birthday party another friend's children, held in the Red Lion in in Llanasa

The best day was Christmas Day with my family and brother.

My favourite time with my daughter has been fun girlie days out shopping & having lunch

My favourite time with my dog Freddy has been sleepy cuddles lying on the sofa!

Favourite concert: sob - didn't go to any this year - need to remedy that in 2008!

My worst day was last Friday. Husband ill & dog ill. A scary day.

Most disappointing thing of 2007: Wales's performance in the Rugby World Cup

Favourite knitted item: Knitted Jeweled Cuff from Glamour: 15 timeless knits by Erika Knight which I knitted early in January.






Favourite Yarn: Cotton Sock yarn from No Sheep For You Swap Pal Susan





Favourite knitting book/s:

Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falik

My husband bought me this book for Christmas, although I had previously borrowed it from tho library and fell in love with all the seasonal patterns in it.
I'll be knitting from this book throughout the year, ready for winter 2008.



No Sheep For You by Amy Singer

This is a wonderful book - lots of yummy patterns, and no wool in sight!





Favorite Socks by Ann Budd & Ann Morrow

Another Christmas present, this time from my daughter who knows I love to knit myself (!) socks.
Lots of interesting sock patterns!





Favourite Modern Novel:


Rome Burning by Sophia McDougall.

The second in the Romanitas series, set in modern day, where the roman Empire hasn't fallen.

Excellent concept and a good read.

Favourite Classic Novel:


Belinda by Maria Edgeworth

I've just started reading this - the Knit The Classics book of the month for December - and I love it.

Favourite Films:


Eastern Promises

Unusual & interesting film with a twist.

Another triumph for the very talented Viggo Mortesen.







30 Days of Night

Unusual and claustrophobic vampire film. Now one of my favourites!

And I still want to visit Alaska...!




Most disappointing film - Beowulf - too far from the original text and I just couldn't get used to Ray Winstone thin, tall and 'animated'!.


Favourite New Music CD:


Beautiful Lie by 30 Seconds to Mars

I love this album.






Favourite Classic CD:


Turandot by Puccini

Wonderful.







Favourite Television Programmes:


Comedy : The Mighty Boosh (BBC3)

Odd, strange, surreal - but compellingly funny.
Noel Fielding is superb!





Drama: Cranford (BBC1)

A good adaptation of the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell (despite deviating from the book). Good viewing and wonderful acting



Quiz Show: QI (BBC2)

Very funny and informative, hosted by Stephen Fry and starring regular team member Alan Davies. My favourite programme on TV!




Crime Series: CSI (Channel 5)

The original and best - I can't wait for the new series to start next week.




Things I've hated about this year include the continuing trouble in Iraq & Afghanistan, the religious intolerance shown by some people, religious fundamentalism, the continued poverty in many countries, the continued lack of environmental awareness by so many people ....

Show & Tell Sunday

Sorted through my Sock Yarn Stash yesterday and took a picture of it for the Socks From Stash Club KAL Starting in January. I have plenty of yarn to knit at least 12 pairs of socks. I just have to stick to the resolution to use this yarn & not buy more in 2008! My first pair for this KAL is going to be the Citrine Socklets form Interweave Holiday Knits, in lime green cotton from my stash!



Here is my Christmas Scarf (left) and Alison's Christmas scarf (right) finished for Christmas Eve.










Here are my Princess Mitts too (in a deeper red than shown).








And here is my first Tickled Pink Sock, with the O & X cable down the sides, knitted ion a pale pink 4 ply yarn.







A more relaxing day today. Freddy seems fine after his fit on Friday, and Steve, although still in some pain, is feeling more comfortable and had a reasonable night's sleep last night. All of which means that I have been able to relax and get some more knitting done today.

I knitted this morning and have spent the afternoon playing Trivial Pursuits with my daughter. I love playing board games over Christmas - it seems to bring us all together in a jolly way.

Freaky Friday

Well, yesterday wasn't the best day of the holiday by any means.

I was woken in the morning by my husband complaining of chest pains. We managed to get an immediate doctors appointment. She saw him at once and did various tests including an ECG. Although there was no obvious evidence of a heart attack, she has referred him to a chest pain clinic and has put him on a daily dose of aspirin as well as giving him an oral spray for when the pain gets bad. Obviously we're keeping a close eye on him and if it gets worse it will be a hospital job. As there is a history of heart problems and strokes in my husbands family we're a little worried.

Anyway, after getting him home and settled on the couch, the next thing I know is that my dog Freddy is having a fit. It's the first time he has had one, so it was a call to the vets and, once he'd come out of it, a 30 minute drive to the surgery in Dolgellau . The lovely vet, who he saw last time, checked him out thoroughly. There was no evidence of a heart problem, but she took a blood sample and checked him for liver problems, which were negative. After checking him out and asking lots of questions, she suggested that it might be caused by a small blood clot or tumour in his brain, which is quite common for older dogs. He is 14 1/2 after all - a very good age for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She hasn't put him on anti-convulsive medicine yet, as it might just be a one off attack, but we've been given detailed instructions about what to look out for, what to do, etc. and have to monitor him. If he has more than 3 fits in a month, he has to go back immediately. We have been given some diazipan to administer if he has a fit that lasts longer than 20 minutes. As Steve is epileptic too, it's going to be 'fun' watching them both!



Here's a picture of Freddy's shaved leg where they took out blood for the liver test ...












And here's a picture of him sleeping peacefully when we got home,on his new Lazy Bones cushion which Santa brought him for Christmas!



So - a stressful day! By 8 o'clock last night we were all asleep on the sofas in the living room ... Steve managing to sleep at last as some of the pain eased (it's still bad today) , Freddy asleep at my feet on another sofa, where I finally collapsed with a migraine just before 8!

Definitely a Freaky Friday.

Knitting news and photos tomorrow!

Christmas holidays so far ...

So far the Christmas holidays have been very pleasant for us as a family. I finished My Christmas scarf, Alison's Christmas Scarf and my Princess Gloves by Christmas Eve (photos tomorrow). We spent Christmas Eve baking etc. and enjoying the traditional Carols From Kings on television, singing along to the hymns!

Christmas day was spent at my brother's where we had a lovely Christmas lunch and spent the afternoon talking and having fun. In the evening we came home and enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies. My darling daughter and lovely husband each bought me a knitting book for Christmas. My husband got me Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falik and my daughter bought me Favourite Socks by Ann Budd and Ann Merrow. I love these books and can't wait to knit socks, socks, socks and lots of winter holiday knits! Boxing Day was a relaxing one. We made our traditional Boxing Day lunch of a Greek salad, hummus, stuffed tomatoes, stuffed peppers etc. We spent the afternoon playing games, reading and I managed to get some knitting done too! Thursday was spent reading and knitting too. I'm progressing with my Tickled Pink Socks and today have found a free pattern for Fingerless Mitts with XO Cable by the Yarn Thrower which will match them too. Once I've finished this pair of socks I really must finish the Pink Ribbon Socks which are on the needles too!

Benazir Bhutto

Benazir Bhutto

1953 - 2007


'Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism.'

23rd December




Two days until Christmas - wow. How time flies.

It's beautifully sunny here today, although cold as you would expect. I'm going to have to brave the garden in a little while and make my holly wreath.

I want to make & marmalade make today - or at least get some of it done, finishing off the rest tomorrow.

My daughter is away over night at her aunty's with her boyfriend, so I can get her presents wrapped tonight without her seeing them!

I finished my Christmas Scarf last night & hope to finish the second Princess mitt tonight, as well as Alison's scarf.

Knitting Word/s of the Week

# Christmas Stocking



This week a Christmas theme - after all, we love knitting Christmas Stockings, don't we?

Arabic – عيد ميلاد المسيح جورب
Dutch – Kerstmis kous
French – bas de Noël
German – Weihnachtsstrumpf
Italian – calza di natale
Portuguese – meia do christmas
Russian – чулок рождества
Spanish – media de Navidad
Welsh - Hosan Nadolig

Yet more words for me to learn!
Any translations of 'Christmas Stocking' into other languages, or corrections to the above, please leave a comment.
Thanks ;-)

Sunday's Friday Fill-in!!!!

#51


1. Snow makes my soul sing.
2. I'm looking forward to spending Christmas Day with my family & my brother
3.Christina Aquilera's My Kind Of Christmas is the best Christmas Album ever!
4. Two (One) of my favorite old tv shows (is) are The Clangers & The Champions
5. I'm done with ...
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is spending quality time together
7. And as for the weekend, Friday I looked forward to relaxing after a long day out, Saturday my plans included finishing decorating the house, and today, I want to make marmalade & bake!

My Christmas Angel ....

22nd December

Well, our Christmas decorations are now up, including the new ones from my CATW swap pal. All I need to do now is make the holly wreath with the holly I bought yesterday.

Yesterday was a busy one. We visited Steve's relatives in Liverpool, finished our shopping and finally arrived home late and tired about 9 o'clock.

I finished putting up the decorations today, helped by my lovely Christmas Angel pictured left!

Tomorrow it's marmalade making and baking!

Christmas Around the World Swap Parcel from Bianca

20th December

My Christmas Around the World Swap Parcel from Bianca in the Netherlands arrived today.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love everything in it.

Here are some of the things she sent me:

3 mini Christmas Stockings - beautifully hand knitted!






Gorgeous sock yarn:

Some pale yellow.

2 balls of Schachenmayr Nomotta Punto Fancy Colour in shades of blue.

Regia Galaxy in lovely colours.



2 decoupage books for my Christmas card making. These are so lovely.

Yummy chocolate, mints and teabags.










Pretty Christmas decorations ready to be hung up tomorrow when I put up my tree and decorate the house.




There was also some sachets of cool aid which I'll use in the new year for dying yarn, and some very pretty glass stitch markers, which unfortunately didn't photograph well. All these were accompanied by a pretty Christmas Card and a lovely handwritten poem which she had composed.

Thank you so much Bianca.
I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas too.

Looking forward to a white Christmas ....

17th December






No blogging yesterday due to a migraine again. It also meant I didn't get around to making the marmalade & lemon curd ! If I've time, I'll try to make them tomorrow, otherwise it will be the weekend again.

I did manage to get some knitting finished over the weekend though.


Here's my first Princess Mitt. I altered the thumb to the same design as the Maine Morning Mitts, as my hands are quite narrow, and the thumb gusset on this pattern seemed a little big for me.

I love this cable pattern.









I also finished two more of my green & white advent stockings, and knitted this blue & white Christmas tree one for a friend.

I'm going to make an orange & white one for another friend tonight.









I also knitted this book mark, and have started another one. Quick and easy Xmas presents, which look so pretty.












And I've also made my first kitchen scrubbie - and I'll be making more as they're quick & easy to knit, washable & reusable!





It was really cold and frosty here last night and it looks like tonight will be the same. We're all hoping for a white Christmas now! I do feel sorry for all those in Canada & the North USA though, who have been hit by the bad snow storms. Although we're looking forward to a white Christmas, we're not hoping for as much snow or winds as there.

Knitting Word of the Week # 6

# Stocking




Arabic – جورب
Dutch – kous
French – bas
German – Strumpf
Italian – calza
Portuguese – meia
Russian – чулок
Spanish – media
Welsh - hosan

Yet more words for me to learn!

Any translations of 'stocking' into other languages, or corrections to the above, please leave a comment.
Thanks ;-)

Reminiscing about Christmas

15th December






10 days until Christmas! Woke to a very frosty morning. It looked beautiful. It's sunny again here now, but is still very cold - a lovely day!

Steve and I were talking about our memories of Christmas presents when we were children last night. We both remembered the same toys fondly: Lego, Mecanno, our train sets, our farm yards with farm animals, our Spirographs.

We also reminisced about things like chocolate mechanics sets, and sweet coconut tobacco (which you wouldn't dream of selling now). And Fuzzy Felt - do you remember Fuzzy Felt? Can you still get it? I used to play with it for hours, making up different pictures and stories.

In those days we used our imagination while playing.

We still play board games in our house on Christmas night - Trivia Pursuit, Cluedo, Scrabble, etc. as well as games of cards.



Finished Freddy's Christmas stocking last night. It has bones, Christmas trees and paw prints on it. I bought some goodies to fill it with yesterday, so it will be nicely stuffed on Christmas Eve!

Here are my Advent stockings: 10,11 & 12 in white and green,








and 13, 14 & 15 in red and white.

Hospital appointment

14th December





Had a hospital appointment today to check up on my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. After discussion with the consultant we've decided that I will have the operation on my left elbow to try and relieve some of the pressure on the nerve. Although I have been coping up until now, I can't sleep without my wrist splints on, and massaging, knitting, etc. is becoming increasingly difficult at times. We discussed whether I needed it doing yet, but as he said it would only get worse over time, we've agreed to go ahead and do it now before it starts affecting the usage in my left hand. My right hand isn't too bad, so we're going to leave that alone for now. Sometime within the next 6 months I'll be having the operation on the left elbow.

This does mean that I'll have to try and get my assessments and case studies done for my massage course before too long, just in case I'm scheduled in early. Once I've had the op, it will be a few weeks before I'll be able to use my arm properly again, and massaging will be out of the question for a while. Hopefully when it's done though, massaging, knitting, etc. will be less painful and I won't have to shake out my hands all the time!

What will I do without being able to knit while the elbows healing!!!!!
I'll go insane without its calming influence.
Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#50



1. Away in a manger, no room for an elephant!
2. Dashing through the snow, in a mini cooper S
3. Hark! The herald angels cry down in frustration
4. It's coming on Christmas parties, every where I go
5. When I was small I believed in Santa Claus, Though I knew it was too magical to be true
6. That Christmas magic's brought this tale I'm not looking forward to posting all the mail
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching NCIS & QI, tomorrow my plans include card & marmalade making and Sunday, I want to make more cards & lemon curd

Cranberry & Clementine Marmalade Recipe

As promised - here is the Cranberry & Clementine Marmalade recipe which I'll be making this coming weekend. A friend gave it to me a few years ago, so I'm not sure where it is sourced from, but it is LOVELY! Cranberry & Clementine Marmalade Ingredients: 600g (1lb 5oz) clementines 4 lemons 225g (8oz) fresh or frozen cranberries 1.6 kg (3 1/2 lb) preserving or granulated sugar 1.2 litres (2 pints) water 150ml (1/4 pint) whisky Method: 1. halve clementines & lemons & squeeze out the juice. Remove pips. 2. tie pips and lemon halves in muslin 3. thickly slice clementine peel,discarding pith 4. put peel, juices, and tied muslin into the pan with the water 5. bring to boil & boil gently for 1 hour until peel is tender. Remove muslin bag & squeeze out the juice. 6. Add cranberries & cook for 2 mins until they start to break up 7. Add sugar & stir until dissolves 8. Add whisky 9. bring to the boil & boil rapidly for 20 - 35 mins until setting point is reached 10. leave to cool for 15 mins, then ladle into clean, sterilised jars & seal as usual.

Low Winter Sun ... & Santa Lucia

13th December





Woke late this morning to glorious sunshine.Walked into my living room and the whole room was bathed in glorious rainbow lights. I have a beautiful crystal & citrine light catcher in the window, which my Mum bought me years ago. Occasionally at other times of the year it catches the sun & makes rainbows in the room, but at this time of year, with the low winter sun, it catches the light beautifully and bathes the whole room in light & colour. It 's so uplifting and cheery, and reminds me of my Mum. Thanks Mum for this beautiful gift.

Today is St. Lucia Day, when children in Sweden traditionally bring their parents a breakfast of coffee & saffron buns in bed. Alison was in such a rush this morning to get out to college for her trip to Cardiff, I barely got a 'goodbye', never mind breakfast! She did let me lie in though!

My husband and I visited the beautiful church of Santa Lucia in Venice last time we were there.

I'm going to make some Saffron Buns, or Lussekattor, this afternoon. I enjoy different world festivals as it's an excuse for trying out new recipes and baking different things, as well as learning about other traditions and cultures around the world.

Here's the recipe I'll be using today (I'm sure it's not traditional but it makes nice buns)



SANTA LUCIA BUNS - LUSSEKATTOR




Ingredients:

150 ml milk / soya milk
1g Saffron (or use 1/8 tsp of turmeric)
15g dried yeast
75g sugar

65g butter / vegetable margarine
350g flour
pinch of salt
75 g raisins (traditionally I think you'd omit these in the dough, and instead just use them to decorate the buns like cat's eyes)
1 free range egg

Method
1. Melt butter or margarine in a pan and add the milk and the saffron. Warm the mixture to 37oC/100oF
2. Pour the mixture over the remaining ingredients (except for the egg).
3. Mix into a smooth dough.
4. Cover the dough with a piece of cloth and let it rise for 30 minutes.
5. Knead the dough, divide it into 25-30 pieces and form each piece into a round bun.
6. Let the buns rest for a few minutes, then mould each bun into an S shape with the ends meeting (see picture above)
7. Cover with a piece of cloth and let rise for 40 minutes.
8. Beat the egg and brush the top of the buns
9. Bake them for 10 - 15 minutes in the oven at 250oC / 475oF until golden brown.