New challenges...

With some trepidation, and knowing full well that I am unlikely to tick everything off this list, I am going to set myself some little challenges for 2013...

Some are a bit abstract and some may really seem pretty small, but they may just give me something to focus on through whatever life throws this way in the next 12 months! So here goes...

Photo challenge...

I have really got out of the habit of capturing and savouring all the little things that brighten life day to day, so this is a personal challenge to kick myself out of my inertia. 

• I am going to allocate a couple of letters of the alphabet to each month and try to take as many photos as I can think of relating to that letter. I haven't quite thought this through but I guess I will then have to pick, say five, that I like best for each letter and post at the end of the month. Not sure how this will pan out but I'll give it a go, starting with A & B for January...
• I am also tempted to revisit photo hunting - Sophie at Country Girl Does Norfolk hosts a list on her blog and I did enjoy doing it before so maybe...

Crafty stuff...

Think I need to attempt to finish a few projects this year!

• The wretched knitted squares blanket - I can think of this no other way now, but I'm still hoping I'll enjoy it once I finally have it all together, whatever, it has to get done!
• Cross stitch picture - have to confess this is an unlikely one - it was a kit present years (I mean years!!) ago and I was never particularly enamoured with the picture. But I really should finish it, if only so I can get rid of it somewhere!
• Sort the stash! And maybe try to come up with some stash projects...
• Baby blanket - I have a month or so post Christmas and given that I haven't started this yet may be a bit optimistic, but I would really like to do one for a good friend's first baby...
• Infinity scarf - this is a cheat really, Christmas present that didn't get done in time so HAS to be finished ASAP!!

Travelling/living...

• Go somewhere new each month
• Try not to say no to things...
• Find something positive in each day - even if its only a little thing! (maybe I should make a note of these? Otherwise its entirely likely that I won't remember to do it!!)
• Catch up with some old friends - I don't want to write another lot of Christmas cards next year with "We really must get together this year!" Life is too short!
• Find the best in people - hold that critical, impatient thought that rushes to the front of my mind and try to see things from another point of view...

Reading/learning...

• Make an effort to find out about something new each month - it might be a new author, or a new genre of film, or a new skill, or something I feel I should know (you know the kind of thing, those 'everyone knows this' questions that come up in quizzes, makes me want to put my head under the table usually!)

I know there are going to be a whole lot more 'big' challenges which I don't want to even think about yet never mind put down in print, think I'll just let those happen as they do and try to apply a positive attitude to them!

I leave you with a candle or two to see this year out, I love the feel that candlelight gives a room and the first one smells heavenly...

Happy New Year! Cheers!

S xx

Oh dear...

Jemima 1/9/97 - 29/12/12

Since we lost her brother earlier this year Jemima had definitely looked a bit of an old lady. Bit wobbly on her legs, couldn't manage to jump onto the window sill anymore, hunting days just a dream...

But she has been ok, generally pretty content, eating and sleeping and doing what lazy cats do.

Then, yesterday, I had a call from Tom to say she didn't look right and did I want to go and see her...

Apparently, she'd been pottering about pretty much as usual but had fallen over a couple of times and hadn't eaten. When I got there she was asleep under a chair (not that unusual, she often slept in funny places!) but when she tried to stand up to say hello, she couldn't manage it. She was breathing very fast and just looked such a tiny frail little thing. 

So, vet the only option, with the inevitable consequence...

Now I know she's 'only' a cat, and I know it was the right thing to do, but I was a bit unprepared for how bowled over I felt/feel. Is it completely ridiculous to think that, after years of doing all the looking after, by moving away last year, I kind of abandoned everything, even the cats?! I know thats not really the case and I know that the demise of two elderly cats was inevitable at some point... But I feel sadder than I thought possible - this year has seen so many 'ends'... And both Basil and Jemima were such lovely cats, not independent, aloof felines - can't quite believe they've both gone. I'm hope they are chasing mice together, wherever cats go...

So, time to pull myself together and think positive thoughts for the New Year, roll on 2013...not usually one to wish the time away, but you can't come soon enough...

Basil

Jemima

Quiet moments...

There have been a few of these. And I'm trying to let them be what they will be and not feel they have to be filled...

Walking across the city late at night enjoying the lights across the market...

...and on the front of city hall...

Reflecting on finishing this scarf for a dear friend, at 10.30 pm Christmas Eve...!

 Waking early on Boxing Day to a beautiful sunrise...

I'm not great at quiet times. Which is a bit contradictory because actually, I have always felt I need my own space. But I'm an inveterate fidget and have to be constantly doing and somehow, when the quiet and space is there much of the time, its much harder to appreciate. My mother used to call me 'Contrary Mary' as a child! Maybe she was right!

Christmas Eve this year was particularly difficult, a bit unexpectedly. It has always seemed such a busy day to me - last minute preparations, wrapping, often I've had to work and we have always had a big, 'beginning of festivities' meal in the evening. This was the first year, ever I think, that I have been entirely on my own. I had the day off work, I'd pretty much got everything sorted (apart from the scarf!!) and it seemed ridiculous to mark the start of Christmas celebrations on my own! So once I'd delivered the last few parcels and shopped for milk and veg, I settled down with my knitting and the TV...

Rod Stewart at Stirling Castle - bit cheesy, but beautiful surroundings and worth watching just for the few moments of Nicola Benedetti playing the violin so that it sent the hairs on the back of my neck up on end. Carols from Kings College - heavenly sounds and angelic looking choir boys that brought tears to my eyes with Away in a Manger. (do you think they are angelic??! bet they are as mischievous as any other little boys at times!!)

I used to always go to church on Christmas Eve - haven't done for years, and I can't say I'm particularly religious but I suddenly felt an urge to go and at least be with some other people, so I wandered up to the nearest church. It is a really lovely little gothic building and the midnight service was quite well attended. Now don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with people who have a strong and complete faith - in fact I think I quite admire them - I just think its a very personal thing and I'm not very keen on the slightly evangelical attitude of some. I love the sense of history and the beauty of the buildings, the poetry and rhythm of the words and the feeling of being uplifted by the singing. I completely accept the principles of loyalty and sharing and the endeavour of investing in your own humanity to become a better person. But I do always, just slightly, feel I've strayed into a private club, where I don't quite know the rules, or the words. 

It was a little bit like that on Christmas Eve. I think I was a bit in an emotional place in any case. Then when I walked into the church I realised that the last time I had been there was for the wedding of friends, two months before I got married, and one of the hymns was one we had at our wedding... Which completely did for me. Seem to be hopelessly unable to hold my emotions in check these days! 

Anyway, in spite of all that, by the end of the service I felt a distinct sense of peace and calm. I don't know that I can say that it was any kind of epiphany or anything, but I came out feeling inspired to try to be more kind in my day to day thoughts and actions, to take the time to value the good in people and the world around me. And to think positive thoughts in the quiet moments... 

This is definitely not meant to be some kind of conversion piece - I just needed to put down how I felt. 

And I might go again. At least I might get some of the words right next time...!

Hoping you've all had happy times at Christmas - not many days til 2013!

So, til the New Year then...!

Sx

Capital, conference and the other 'C' word!!

Last week saw me taking a trip to the capital - kind of a combined work/pleasure thing. The nice thing about going to a work-related conference during your annual leave is that you don't feel too guilty when the sessions look a bit heavy going and a quick nip to Regent Street seems a better idea...!

To be fair, I was quite well-behaved and did go to several interesting talks - learnt a bit, networked a bit, all that stuff... But I also, love going to London...full stop actually...I love being in London! At least, I really love to be there for a few days and then slide off back to Norfolk when it all begins to feel just a bit too crowded and frantic. And, what I was going to say, is that that I particularly love going to London at this time of year - something about the lights and the bustle and the sheer grandeur of the place.

So how kind of the Horseguards to come out for us on our first little 'absconsion' from duty...!!

Granted, this was only day one of a three day conference, but by lunchtime this place was calling...

This is the beautiful staircase at Liberty's (anyone recognise it?!) which is a must as far as I'm concerned on any and every trip to London. Best not to pick up a price tag in there, but lovely for a mooch.

And the Christmas floor is always good for a wander round - rows and rows of colour themed baubles...

And look at these decorations...

And this seemed so much more appealing than conference sandwiches...

Well, ladies that lunch (or take tea, in our case - lunch a little out of our price range!) seemed almost obligatory! (and in case you wondered, lunch was at the rather yummy, and much more manageable Leon off Carnaby Street - delish!)

The buildings in some cities are so beautiful (I am aware its not just London!) - two things about this caught my eye, the clock was striking (Westminster chimes I think, on each quarter hour) which reminded me of a clock my grandparents had years ago, wonder what happened to that...? And also, the contrast of the building and the blue, blue sky. It was really cold but lovely and bright.

We did go back to do a bit more 'learning' but finished the day with a very sociable dinner with friends and then a long walk back from Liverpool Street Station via the South Bank and the Oxo Tower bar (well, had to be done...) where they had these fab trees by the lifts...

Bit blurry, camera phone post rather large and delicious cocktail! All felt like a real treat!

The following evening, we popped over to Winter Wonderland in Hyde park for a wander through the stalls - a mixed bag of lovely traditional German crafts and foods and the usual tacky stuff that comes out at Christmas. But if you can't wallow in a bit of tacky at Christmas...

And the mulled wine was pretty good too...til I threw it down my front!

On the last day of the conference I was feeling a bit jaded - combination of mixed up feelings, not enough sleep and too many big screen presentations, I think. I had the mother of headaches so took myself for a bit of a walk from Westminster. It just happened that timing wise, I caught the sun just going down and the skies looked amazing, so I had to keep stopping to snap as I walked down Embankment across the bridge and back along the Southbank! I wasn't alone taking photos, but I was rather wishing I had got more than just my phone! Have really got out of the habit of having my camera handy - might try to make that a New Years Resolution...

Apologies for the rather excessive number of pictures of 'Westminster at Sunset' but I just love the skies!!

Back home, I felt I must really try to get into the spirit a bit...

Some very kind friends brought me a little tree last year as part of a lovely parcel of goodies when I first moved here (plus wine, glasses, candles and chocolates!) and after New Year I just stuck it outside, still in its pot, where it has remained, thoroughly neglected all year. I'm guessing it survived because we had such an awful wet summer, but it has actually grown a good six inches or so and still looks lovely and healthy. So in the interests of being green and a bit economic, I hauled it back inside, cleaned off the pot and faffed about making it look pretty...

I had a bit of a moment when I realised that a lot of the bits the boys made (you know the thing...odd shaped shiny paper baubles dating from reception...) are not here. How do you keep a share of all those things? Still, the special things are in your head and your heart I guess and that won't change. And in any case, this tree is so wee, the 20 year old paper school offerings probably wouldn't fit!!

I'm as enchanted by the mantelpiece as I was when I first moved here, perfect for pretty Christmas bits...

I am struggling a bit to remain sane just now. It is exactly one year since I moved here and I thought we'd be nearer some sort of resolution and a manageable relationship that made life a bit easier for the boys by now. But it seems we are a way off that. It doesn't feel as though there is going to be much family time this Christmas. Think the boys are much better about it than me - they have a very practical attitude, still family time just a bit different!! Maybe next year things will be better...

In the meantime, and on a completely different note, I'm sure there is a reason this yarn is called smiley stripes...

'Cause you just have to, don't you?!

Hoping you're all feeling the festive joy, til next time...

Sx

busy needles...

It seems to me that I have suddenly had a bit of a rush of productivity! I can't honestly say I have felt overly inspired with creativity but I clearly need deadlines and the 25th of this month provides a pretty imperative deadline!

Although my sock excitement has really nothing to do with Christmas and everything to do with the fact that I just love this stripy yarn!

I am one and a half socks in, and currently alternating the 'can't really justify spending time on this project' with a couple of other 'really have to be getting on with' pressie makes! 

But I am loving this one sock!!

On the Christmas makes front... I have remade the gloves for my Mum...

I went for a much simpler pattern this time - I really couldn't face shrinking the lacy pattern I'd unravelled, too much counting and concentrating! These were based on a classic vintage bog standard glove pattern then I just added the cable panel, partly for interest (mine and in the finished article!) and partly to give the hand bit a bit more stretchiness. These are much smaller and I feel much better about giving them to Mum as I think they should fit well.

They do have that slightly wrinkly look you get from using wool that's been unravelled but I'm hoping that will even out a bit if I steam them and to be honest, don't think will matter too much.

My niece had put in a request for a bobble hat and I found a couple of balls of colourful chunky yarn that took no time to knit up. 

The colours have come out a bit pasty on here, they are much brighter in reality - no decent light to take pics in! There was enough yarn left to make a pair of wrist warmers too - they look a bit weeny next to the hat but I did them in rib so they have plenty of stretch in them; I was kind of guessing at sizes so wanted something that would fit without falling off. Hope these will do the job!

I'm currently working on an infinity scarf (or cowl I suppose, but I like the idea of an infinity scarf!) with some lovely soft Debbie Bliss Bella yarn - mix of cotton, silk and cashmere, courtesy of another rummage in the odds and sods bin. Its meant to be for someone else but am quite liking the look of it so far...!

We have had a couple of bright, albeit cold, days to lift the spirits this week. Lovely rainbow (badly captured with quick phone snap!) while Christmas shopping in Norwich...

And beautiful evening skies...

Now...enough faffing! Time to get on with the scarf, methinks!!

Til next time...

Sx

PS For some reason, since I had to pay for extra picture storage space last week I've been getting silly anonymous junk comments. So as I don't want those on here I've had to enable the option to moderate comments, see if that cures it!! Just in case you wondered...

the good days...

Having just transferred the photos from my camera and my phone, I suddenly realise I have loads of things I meant to blog about! The time just seems to be scooting by and I feel I barely have time to draw breath at the moment.

So this is a bit of a 'mixed bag' post I'm afraid - I have had busy days and relaxing days and there is a bit of each in here, plus a nod to the relentless surge towards 'you know what' day...

A couple of weeks ago, I hopped on a train to Cambridge to meet my sister who lives in the Midlands. Sort of half way house for us both. It was such a beautiful sunny day (feels like it might have been the last one we had!!) and as I walked in from the station I was looking forward to just spending a bit of time together.

Cambridge is full of such beautiful buildings...

...and bicycles are an integral part of the surroundings...

We talked a lot, walked, shopped a bit, talked some more, walked some more...

We stopped for coffee, lunch and tea (well, you have to don't you...!), listened to the earnest, clever undergraduates that wander along having intense conversations and got snapped by an art student who wanted to take photos for her coursework! (We were 'papped', dahling!!) We laughed a lot and hugged a bit and I was reminded again of just how much I love my big sister. She has been there for me consistently and without judgement and knows me better than anyone else. All in all a Good Day...

As was the next day... I had set myself a bit of a challenge to do all the normal stuff that I do for Christmas, even though this year I think it is going to be anything but 'normal', whatever that is now. I have always made mincemeat, christmas puddings and christmas cake - partly because I just always have (as did my mum, never have been able to get a taste for shop bought mincemeat) and partly because my eldest son has Coeliacs disease and has to have gluten free. Although there's a lot more around now than there was when he was diagnosed 21 years ago, we always had a bit of a policy of him not being the odd one out in his own home so I made GF for all of us.

So I filled the house with Christmassy smells... apples, cider, orange and lemon zest, cinnamon...

...soft brown sugar, raisins, sultanas, currants, almonds, cherries, mixed peel, ginger, mixed spice and grated nutmeg...

This is a suet free recipe - I have really struggled to get suet that is GF for the last couple of years but actually, am no longer convinced you really need mincemeat swimming in fat. This all gets brought to the boil and believe me, at this stage smelt divine!

I tend to do this a bit by guesswork and was a bit worried that it was a bit 'liquidy' but left to its own devices off the heat for a while, it just absorbed all that yummy spicy juice to plump up the fruit...

It just got a good slosh of brandy before potting up - why is there always just a bit over that doesn't make a full jar?!

Christmas cake and puddings next. Didn't take photos of everything but the boys humoured me by stirring the pudding mix and by the time the cake was baked and the puddings steamed I was actually beginning to feel a bit festive!

I'd had a bit of a 'need to get out of Norfolk' moment - actually, to be fair, its not really the county, more that I have days when I can't bear the thought of being cooped up in my house with no prospect of speaking to anyone unless I do an impromptu trip to the corner shop to check my voice works... (or I start talking to the radio...!). Anyway, on the spur of the moment I arranged to meet a friend in London for the day. What I hadn't realised was that she decided to treat me to lunch in Covent Garden (look at these for baubles!!!)...

...followed by the matinee of Mamma Mia (fab! and yes, I do still know all the words to all the Abba songs!) and then dinner in the evening with another friend who happened to be in London too and joined us. These are the people whose friendship I value hugely and are soooo good at thoughtful pick-me-ups. It was a lovely day and even the train journey back was OK. I had time to pick up a coffee and a couple of magazines at the station so spent a pleasant hour or so flicking through looking for inspiration...

I can't say I have been enjoying this autumn with its inevitable slide towards winter - it has just felt cold and dark, and a bit miserable. I think I have struggled to get out and even when I have, I've not felt much like taking photos. But this little bit of blue sky and the last few autumn leaves did catch my eye...

And finally... a bit of crafty stuff. I wouldn't say I've exactly got the bug again, but 'necessity is the mother of invention' as they say and I'm on a bit of a creative present haul right now...

These are the gloves I made with my Mum in mind...

However, in spite of me doing a tension square (I never normally bother!!) this pattern knitted up on the big side. I don't have particularly big hands but they are definitely bigger than Mum's and they were huge on me...

Don't ask me why I carried on and made both gloves...not one of my brighter moves... And after much deliberating, I decided I couldn't possibly give these as a gift, so rather than waste the lovely Rowan (bargain bin!) yarn, I pulled them out again and have started again with a different pattern...

Can you see that rather delicious stripy yarn in the background of this photo? This is a bamboo/wool mix and is gorgeously soft (although not much stretch I've since discovered) - bargain bin again (I am a regular rummager just lately...!) and intended for something for a friends little girl whose birthday is Boxing Day. But about at this point I realised they were just shouting 'Socks!!!' at me! So I am having a badly timed self indulgent moment here and making myself some socks with it. These are not subtle, shy retiring socks, but I am loving them so far...

I've had the sewing machine out too... Bit of recycling of an old pair of jeans into something for my nephews 6th birthday...

He's got into cooking just lately so I got him some baking things (found some great smiley face silicone mixing spoons) and thought he could do with his own pinny, with elastic and velcro so he can get it on himself. 

Looking back at this, feels I have got more done this month than I thought! Some nice days out, some seasonal kitchen time, progress on presents...

On the down side, some pretty low days, lots of grey sky and rain, a complete inability to make any progress towards sorting out my home situation, huge amounts of stress at work... But I have deliberately not taken photos of the miserable stuff and even that bit of blue sky in these pics has cheered me up.

Just this I had to take...

I live in a terraced street and I came out to go to work last week to find this! I hadn't parked like that for sure! And when I looked at the back...

Some charming individual had hit my parked car, shunting it into the one in front! No sign of the culprit of course and no details left... So this has cost me £400 in insurance excess, lost no claims discount and I am currently car-less while it is sorted out, meaning my planned trip to see middle son in time for his birthday is off. Not happy.

Am trying to tell myself, its only a car and only money (!!!) but when I finally resolve the details of dividing our house/finances/etc etc and look for a more long term home, secure parking is up there on the list of must haves!!!

I am taking the view that these things are sent to try us and that life has a way of keeping going... So I will look at the pictures of blue skies and enjoy my bright stripy socks and not let it get to me. 

Til next time, then...

Sx

PS this has taken me forever to write because I have had such a job to get photos to load tonight. Has anyone else had this problem? I've ended up having to pay for extra Picasa storage but it still seems to be slow and a bit temperamental. Grr...