Awakening

With memories of festive lie ins, still so fresh

Rain and wind pounding the house

It is so hard to leave this

warm, cosy nest.

Up and bed made

cheery quilt brings smiles

and much needed colour

on such a dark, damp day.

Peeking out the window

a sodden World awaits

bare trees swaying

to the rhythm

of the wind.

The boys bed holds his treasures

and Mamas heart delights

that handmade Nemo

peeks out.

And coffee in a dotty mug

bright splash of happiness

enough to lift the spirits.

Good Morning x

Yarn Along 6 - New Starts

I did lots of sitting down over the holidays, all those films to watch, peaceful afternoons and evenings but yet manged to do little knitting, if any.Maybe it was the frantic present knitting catching up on me.

The few projects I did start, have now been pulled down, yarn rewound.

New Year, New Starts.

And, so I cast back on the first project rewound, a winter cowl for my boy, yesterday and it felt good.

Pattern from Amanda Blake Soule's Rhythm of the Family, which I am also reading along with an old James Herriot,Let sleeping vets lie, kindly borrowed from a dear friend, it makes for a peaceful bedtime read.

Afew rows in and all is well again in my Yarning World.

Come, Yarn Along at Ginny's http://www.gsheller.com/



Always look on the bright side of life

It is pouring down here and the wind is sending anything not nailed down, swirling off to Kansas.
So, as we head out the door, O tops his wet weather gear off with sunnies.
There's a lesson there.

Cheese Scones save the day

I did very little fancy cooking this Christmas ( read I did none ) just the way things turned out this year, something had to give and it turned out to be the homemade cheesecakes, mince pies ( although the mincemeat is still sat, crying out to be used ) and other delights of the season.
The one thing I did make though and which, thankfully were a big hit, cheese and broccoli scones, a simple treat, which suited us this year.We enjoyed them with soup ( butternut squash, homemade ) and even with leftover chilli.

Cheese and Broccoli Scones

450g self raising flour, rub in around 100g butter until breadcrumbs form.
Add 100g cooked, chopped broccoli and 50g cheese, I used a mix of cheddar and Stilton.
Stir in 2 eggs and add milk slowly until a dough is formed, around 75mls.
Gently press out on floured surface, I don't roll out, leaving dough quite thick.
Use a biscuit cutter or as I did one for ravioli.
Bake in the oven for approx 20 mins on 180 ( mine took 40 mins in the Rayburn, so please adapt to your oven)
The smell is so worth cooking them for, filling the kitchen and making you believe your domestic Goddess hasn't been completely lost, she is merely having a rest on the chaise.

Happy New One

Times, they are so busy.

There has been some crafting,

golden stars to brighten our windows.

Visits to garden centres, packed with shoppers

and twinkling lights,

and glorious reindeer dancing down from the skies,

An evening with Kate Rusby, singing beautiful songs of Yule Time.

A lovely trip to Norfolk, such a treat, to spend time with special friends

and breakfast with Thomas.

Rides in trucks at Christmas Markets, going round and round while Daddy watches

and Mama sneaks off to buy some surprises.

And some knitting, always some knitting.



Thinking

I always plan to spend more time here, writing posts in my head, only to get caught up in the flow of the day, forgetting what I felt the need to say later when time allows or not having my camera with me to take the perfect shot, oh but I do love this space and the connections it brings, the time to share and ponder, learn and grow.
The first snowflakes have just fallen here, followed by sleety rain and now some very weak sunshine.
No plans for the day ahead, as most of us, myself included have coughs and colds, so an early fire and stories with soup for lunch.
Festive shopping is being completed mainly on-line (does anyone brave the shops now ? ) or coming off the needles, although I feel my far too long list of knits has already beaten me ( note to self - start in July next year ) Visits to a couple more craft fayres and Christmas markets will I hope, leave everyones name on my list with a tick beside it.

Inspired by this lovely post http://mamauktalesfromwales.blogspot.com/2011/11/window-star-tutorial.html

we have been adorning our windows with O's creations.

I cried (of course) as our shoe boxes and those generously filled by friends, joined the van full of LOVE,

to begin the journey to boys and girls around the World.



With one thing and another, times have been a little dark here recently, full on family life and all its joys, worries, stresses and strains taking their toll, so I have been mentally taking myself back to a magical night on the Isle of Lewis, watching our lantern as it climbed higher and higher into the night sky, a warm, orange glow in the dark, carrying with it our hopes, wishes and dreams.

Finding comfort in the light within the dark.

Blessings to all.