Package from America :: New Year Yarn Along

A treat arrived in the post this morning and what a treat it was:

Thanks Eva!

 

 

 

Opening.

 

 

 

Gluten Free Magazine.

 

 

 

 

Some lovely tea and a cute teddy bear tin for individual sachets.

 

 

 

We also received a gluten free pizza baking mix and a packet of "Highlander Blend" coffee made over here.  I love the fact that despite adverse circumstances Jeremiah 29 v 11 was named and claimed.  This same verse was "given" to me by a dear friend and religious sister and during times of difficulty I am always "reminded" of those plans the Lord has for me, such a comfort.

 

 

I'm still working on some Christmas gift making which is OK given the fact that it is still within those twelve days of Christmas!  I've finally finished the liesl for our daughter Kathryn:

 

 

The wool is from the patons Eco chunky range which is undyed yarn.  I think the colourway is "storm", essentially it is a very dark grey shot through with lighter tones.

 

Not much reading going on in these parts but Benedict and I have been sharing "A Christmas Carol" audio book, will that do?!

 

 

 

 

The Creative Spirit

Still opening presents at this end.  My brother and his wife sent these lovely gifts:

His smile says it all!

 

 

 

 

Make your own finger puppets.

 

 

Pip found all the relevant pieces and I added the glue and she fixed them in place.  The glue that came with the set did not work so we had to resort to super strong adhesive which was not kid friendly.  Still it did the job!

 

 

 

Well done Pip!

 

 

 

Ready to tell a tale.

 

 

 

Tea and Knitting.

 

Sara busy working on Pip's multicoloured sleeveless cardigan.  She devised the pattern herself and watched a you tube video on this particular stitch known as a "honeycombe stitch."  She's spent this evening weaving in the ends and will add the ribbing to the armholes, neck and front band tomorrow.

 

 

Benedict and I listened to episode three of A Christmas Carol ~ The First of The Three Spirits.  My intention was to work on the accompanying questions but I could barely keep my eyes open, so off to bed I crawled.

 

  We had a particularly rough night with Pip as she was awake between the hours of 2am and 4am.  I think genuine hunger had prevented her from settling when she woke in a light phase of sleep.  Her appetite had been poor thoughout the day and I'd wondered  if she was sickening for the gastric bug, thankfully she was OK but it was no surprise when she woke.  It was a shock to wake this morning and find the alarm clock announcing the time of half past nine!  The extra sleep was welcomed but we've all been disorientated today.



A Dickens Of A Tale

Well, I always have hopes of posting every day in December for the DPP and each year I reach a block somewhere in between, but that's OK!  I've been busy wrapping presents, finishing last minute items including birthday prep for a little girl at the weekend and attempting to keep up with some kind of "homeschooling!"

Benedict and I began a "rabbit trail" yesterday.  He had finished his on line maths activities and I wanted something with a Christmas theme to tied us over the rest of December, so yay for schools radio and "A Christmas Carol."  We listened to part one yesterday and then using the teacher's notes we worked through the questions together.  Benedict gave some very thoughtful and credible answers, in  many ways he and I are so alike.  It was uplifting to share quality literature together and it boosted moral on both sides no end.

I attended the last "Make and Cake" of the year and it was my turn to provide the tea.  We had mince pies and mini chocolate logs courtesy of Sainsburys(!) and peppermint bark from me.  I decided against taking the Christmas cake as I'd not had time to "feed" it with brandy and was slightly worried it would be it a bit dry.  Not to worry we have one for Christmas and one to be turned into a "Simnel" cake for Easter!

I was blessed today to read that my lovely friend Dorina had received her package from me; thanks to the internet I have made some lovely friends and there words as they drop into my small corner of cyber space are truly appreciated.  As a result of reading her recent blog posts I was reminded that we hadn't made Latkes and so they were on our lunch time menu today.  We had them with applesauce but sadly no soured cream, they tasted good anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

We stocked up on wood for the burner this afternoon.  We are trying to reduce our heating bills by not using the central heating as much and relying on extra warm clothing, hot water bottles, hot drinks and our lovely wood stove!

Diabetes wise we have entered a slightly turbulent period and Benedict has had several hypos these past few days.  This translates into justified grumpiness and tears, on his part not mine ... makes a change!