DECK THE HALLS

The fire is lit for the winter, which has finally decided to arrive with a few days of sharp frosts.

I was up past 1.30 a.m. on monday night writing the cards, to catch the last post on tuesday. Of course, I am now remembering people who really should not have been forgotten.
The tree is up and decorated, filling the house with the scent of pine.


Socks have been finished, ready to be wrapped, along with the huge pile of waiting gifts. They'll be a happy New Year present to keep a friend's toes warm.
The chick finishes school today. Rather late in my opinion. We'd have liked a bit more of a run up to the festivities. He's tired and ready for a break.

~

Finally a glimpse of some of the house stuff. The floor to floor lift, being sent up to collect the chick, looking rather NASA ! We've had numerous issues with it. Four engineer visits in four weeks. They take time to settle in, apparently. I can't tell you how much the chick loves it, and how much ''driving'' it does for his self esteem. I'll take a photo !

It has made a difference to us. No more carrying from the top of the stairs. Oliver can now be wheeled into the, much bigger, bathroom to wash hands etc. There's so much still to do. We've lost at least a third of our storage space, and spend loads of time shuffling stuff around the house. We are settling down. The New Year will, hopefully, see us getting the rest done and the house decorated.

~

I shall post on Christmas Eve with season's greetings. Happy Solstice.

OOPS ! SORRY ABOUT THAT.

Seem to have dropped the ball there.
My mind is somewhat preoccupied these days. I've been focused on the house stuff, and stressed about the builder, that Christmas has caught me by surprise. Completely. I haven't written my cards yet, although almost all the packages are sent. A few locals to do.
I really enjoy this holiday season. The mid winter festival. I enjoy the lift it gives. The tree, the food, the presents [ I love choosing gifts for people !] and the general good spirits that abound. Getting ready can be a bit stressful, but it never takes the pleasure away for me. Admittedly I don't tend to knit gifts these days. Learnt that the hard way. As much as I like giving, the lack of a thank you greatly tarnishes the experience. We also don't do the stressful family Christmas. Just the three of us, doing our own thing. Fab !
I do have so much to catch up on, by way of blog posts and e-mails. So much, in fact, that I sit staring at the keyboard like a rabbit in the headlights ! My friends, I hope, will acknowledge that it's been a bad year for Emma e-mails, know that I love them and will write me e-mails anyway !
Really ! It would be too sad to sit and wait for a reply from me before you decide to get in touch.
I've got a nerve really !
I will try to catch up. I was doing quite well until Oliver had two colds, I got the second one, which wasn't too bad except that I've had a residual cough for the last week or so. At it's worst around 3 a.m., when I hack into a pillow, to avoid waking the boys up, for an hour or so. Marvellous. So I have a massive ''to do'' list, and no energy.
So, write !

~

I wish to speak of others generosity.
My SP9 pal sent fabulous Belgian chocolates and sweets for Oliver and a box of artisan Belgian chocolates for Allan [yeah, right !] and I. I did offer them to him. Repeatedly. Honestly ! They were divine. Oliver was thrilled with his. He has developed a taste for good quality chocolate. That's my boy !

There was a little yarn package for me too.

A ball of fine kid mohair and packets of koolaid with which to dye it. That will be fun.
Thank you so much, dear Secret Pal.

~

I recently received a fantastic gift from a dear friend. Kay sent me a wonderful surprise package. We do this to each other periodically ! A source of great pleasure. At least it is to me.

Some fabulous sock yarn and a mystery silk pouch.
That contained this fabulous scarf.

Knit in luscious Seasilk, in stunning shades of blue. Just look at the beautiful knitting.

I can't express fully how much I appreciate this wonderful gift. It makes me smile each time I look at it, and begs to be touched. It has a beautifully fluid drape. It shimmers. It was made for me !

~

I promise to do better re: blog posts. I've been grafting a sock toe as I've written this, so that's a pair of socks I've finished. Better than nothing !