In which we talk about gin, dancing and puddings.

I went out last night. I actually had a social life. With people, real live people. No children. It was so exciting that I forgot that I was teetotal.

I have now decided that I am not teetotal after all. Drank copious quantities of gin. Got somewhat squiffy, so squiffy in fact that I danced. Me. I don't do dancing.

When I woke up this morning, it was to find that I was quite clear headed. No head ache at all. Didn't want much to eat, but that won't do me any harm. All in all, a good night out with the girlies from work.

I wore my Forest Canopy shawl last night and decided that it needed re-blocking. I don't do conventional blocking - don't know how to and don't have any of those big wires, so I used a duvet cover that looks like graph paper and a big box of pins. It looks a whole lot better now...


...and such pretty colours...

... that I think I need to go out again, just to confirm that I really am not teetotal.


And in case you thought I'd forgotten again, here's Sunday Pudding (Saturday's got eaten before I could take the photo). Blackberry and apple grunt - good old Nigella!

What went wrong?

When I first got my new kitchen just over a year ago, I vowed to keep it so tidy, not even Mr Stressy could have cause for complaint. It would always look like this. No clutter. Nothing out of its place. Clean open space in which to bake and be the Domestic Goddess to which I strive.


Ah. This was my kitchen this afternoon. Needless to say, Mr Stressy was not coming home tonight!!!!! He would have completely done his nut had he seen this! In all fairness, I am in the middle of baking here and I do like to have everything out when I'm using it. (Does anyone out there use, say, flour, then put it away, then get the sugar out and use that then put it away? Is there such a thing as a tidy cook?)

I have now tidied up. The washing up remains unwashed, but at least the work top is clear.

Well, clear apart from 2 cooling racks with this on...

... and this...

Anyone want a piece?

Another square, another rabbit.

Finished this square last night. I've already made one of these, but in different colours. Last time I didn't enjoy making it and it really dragged. But this time was so different - I loved it! Amazing the difference a change of colour can make!

I gave mum her little bunny egg cosy on Mother's Day and as predicted, she thought it was gorgeous. Also as predicted she wanted more - well, at least one for dad (so his egg wouldn't get cold). So here is egg cosy number 2. Must give them names - any suggestions?

If you haven't yet bought a copy of this pattern, I really think you should. Beautifully explained and photographed throughout. You need one of these believe me! Available from here.

Major stress levels here - Mr Stressy was away in London and not due back until Thursday. He's just phoned to say that he's home in about an hour. Change of plans. Oh flip. The house is a TIP. Well, it isn't really, but by his standards it is. Anyone free to help hoover and cook tea?

Sunday Pudding

Following the dreadful state of Saturday puddings over the past few weeks (ie non existent!) have a Sunday Pudding instead. This is a chocolate ripple cheesecake made by my mum. All I need say about this is that it tasted even better than it looked. And it looks mighty fine don't you think?

I've been knitting mystery blanket squares for the past few days - a slow process because as soon as I seem to sit down in the evenings lately, I just fall fast asleep. Not conducive to a good night's knitting!

I have decided that despite this being The Year Of The Sock, I am going to have to have a month off during April. It will be The Month Of The Blanket. I have lots of felted jumpers awaiting transformation - those very nice people at Lands End have sent me another big box full of non usable jumpers. I now have mountains of jumpers! I have promised them that I will not use them for personal gain and all things made will be used for charity. Quite looking forward to this particular challenge - some lovely colours have turned up recently. Must do this while Mr Stressy is out at work though. The fluff reaches dangerous levels when cutting out!

There are still the outstanding St Dunstan's blankets too. Typical of me that as the weather improves, my thoughts turn to blankets!

Escaped

I have escaped from school (we're in the middle of an Ofsted inspection) because I just had to show you this. Julie is having a little giveaway over here and you could win a pattern to make this egg cosy.

Now I am under no illusions whatsoever that this version made by me is anywhere near as wonderful as the real thing, but it's still really rather cute don't you think? Having finished the knitting of her last night, I needed some toy filling, but what do you know, I didn't have any. Needs must when you're desperate, so I sliced open a cushion and used that! It's not right though, far too springy, so when I make the next one (and oh boy will I be making many more of these) I promise to do it properly and buy the proper stuff.

Maybe tonight I'll get on with the blanket - either the mystery one, or the St Dunstan's one, or maybe finish a sock or maybe even cast on another sock.

I wonder if the Ofsted Inspector would mind if I sat and knitted this afternoon and let the children get on and play. After all, that's the way to make them learn better according to last night's Horizon (which Mr Stressy made me turn off because it was so boring - hmm, bet he wouldn't have said that if the programme had been about cars!)

Mystery blanket square

Just finished this square and I've discovered something. I love knitting with beads but I hate knitting with sequins. Far too fiddly and sticky together. But I will put up with it because look at the finished square. Isn't it lovely?


Can't stop long today - whilst I would love to chat, I need to go and keep my mother in law company. And maybe cast on another square...