September

I do seem to have neglected the blog this year. I am still knitting at the same rate, going to the museum at the same frequency. The year has really been marked by getting 'im indoors more mobile. Using carrots and sticks, I booked a holiday in our favourite place near Bergeac, and we are off soon. Managed to find a craft group meeting nearby and am going to talk to them (donlt have I hgreat luck!). With not much luggage allowance on the flight, it has to be small stuff, so will be a selection of Christmas decorations. Also while we are away, having the house re-wired and a new kitchen, thanks to final and very surprising,pension payout from my job. This is a major upheaval and can only be done while we are out of the house for my peace of mind and 'im indoors walking safety. It's worse than moving house - I can't just put stuff in boxes and heave it into a van. The job got more complicated when you know who dropped a mirror in the bath and had to have a whole new bathroom beacuse could not match colour of cream suite, even though it is not taht old. Knitting is the only thing that keeps me sane!

Spring marching In

Can't believe it is the 7th March and didn't write anything in Jan and Feb. We are nearly back to normal chez Mary. I am getting out to knitting events, 'im indoors has an alarm button round his neck to yank me back if necessary (it hasn't been, so far). Had a new student at the museum, and find myself altering the order in which I teach yet again. Also holding another Going Round in Circles event next weekend. Already done some work in the garden, the trellis behind the little apple tree was replaced (only two years after it needed doing). Professional job, which is what our life is going to be about from now on, very, very little DIY, and especially not electrics! I had to paint the trellis to tie it in with existing fencing. The shed got a new roof as well, which got a coat of the same paint. new paving stones between the shed and trellis, and it's as smart as can be. First rows of salad veg planted.

Writing the year off

What a December. K had stroke on the 3rd, only just made it home for Christmas. The house is totally cluttered with two zimmer frames, a perching seat, new bath board. Extra stair rail fitted Christmas Eve, wearable pendant landline system set up today in the most inconvenient place in the hall because of where the phone line comes into the house. Added to this, E went down with chickenpox when mummy went to Dubai for a conference, and passed it onto daddy on 22nd Dec, so their Christmas was wiped out as well as having to cancel flights to Japan booked for the 27th. My back is killing me, the weather is awful, we won't be able to book any hols at all for 2014 because of travel insurance, or perhaps ever again. Can't wait for Wednesday, so we can say goodbye to 2013.

December already?

All Christmas presents bought or made and wrapped up, cards written. Why am I so early this year? Partly because of upcoming babysitting trip to London, which will double as present exchange. The Snow Dog was the most difficult thing I have ever done. Can’t see the stitches with this yarn, but it was the ache in my left arm after only a couple of rows that made it such a tedious job. Plus I hate stuffing. However, ‘tis done now, and on its way to a toddler who I am sure is going to love it. The fondants came out quite nicely, plus this year I have splashed out and bought three silicone chocolate moulds. No good for setting fondant shapes though, they don’t set/dry out sufficiently underneath to come out.

Oh dear. Lost a glove in Victoria Station. The Brighton Line. "To lose one glove is unfortunate, to lose two would have been carelessness". Immediately set to to make another pair, changed the colours a bit. have also been inspired recently by the family Coat of Arms.

Harvest time

What an incredible summer and early autumn it has been. Never before in the UK have I been able to sit outside on my birthday! Even the sweetcorn ripened, ten cobs in all. More climbing French beans than we know what to do with, ditto courgettes from just one plant, and cucumbers still growing strong (again only one plant!). The freezer door hardly shuts. I have reluctantly had to yank out the late-planted and still flowering Virginian stock in order to plant spring bulbs in the new bit, otherwise it will look very empty come Spring.

I've been progressing on the Walnut and Wensleydale project. the jumper is almost complete and it is going to be a tight fit! Also managed to make a doll's cot for E's birthday which is imminent. We are all (that is 20 family members) going off for a Country House wee3kend near Hereford. really looking forward to this (if not the drive down)