mumblings

And so we had a blanket of snow …

Only got some photos today. I like bird footprints in snow.

I did laugh when I saw Sirius all stretched out by the radiator. He doesn’t like to be cold.

(and some old ones, too!). And good news – I’ve been featured by Dainty Dolly Mix blog! A nice surprise for a snowy weekend!

Antique green necklace with dangles.

Violet necklace with dangles.

Black necklace with dangles.

Lilac fluorite necklace with love knot.

Dark lilac Swarovski heart necklace with heart charms.

Pear-drop necklace with blue dangles.

Aventurine and freshwater pearl necklace.

Amazonite, freshwater pearl and smoky quartz bracelet.

Freshwater pearl berry necklace.

Freshwater pearl earrings.

Pale green fluorite earrings

Sirius enjoyed the photo shoot a little too much and had to be removed!!

1 500g pack stewing pork – I used leg portions
1 onion, sliced
2 eating apples – chopped into 1/8ths
1 tsp mustard
1 tbsp plain flour
1 bottle cider – about 500ml, choose something nice and tasty not the cheapo stuff that strips paint
Pinch of salt and pepper

Preheat oven or slow cooker to about 150C.

Fry pork in a little oil to seal the meat. Place in casserole and fry onions then add apples to soften and brown a little. Add apples and onions to casserole dish. Add flour to casserole dish and mix through the meat, apples and onions.

Serve with mashed potatoes and some kind of greenery.

Deglaze pan by pouring cider and scraping flavoursome bits stuck to bottom of pan up. Add the liquid to the casserole dish with a dash of salt and pepper. Cook for around 2 hours until pork is soft and melt in the mouth.

Just what you need after a cold, snowy day. I’ve been so busy today, I’ve not had time to go and take some photos of our snow! I heard it is going to melt away quickly so am a little sad I didn’t get a chance to enjoy it.

Today we had an open house which we do roughly bimonthly where I make a load of cake and invite friends to come along. I usually put out some jewellery for them to try on if they want to but really it is a chance to catch up with whoever turns up. Sadly, we were few in number today as we have had some snow! (Yay!) but it was great all the same. I made these Anglesey Cakes filled with homemade strawberry jam.

My first ever red velvet cupcakes (which had vinegar in?..). Very tasty and moist, too.

Little heart-shaped shortbreads.

When Sirius stopped eating cake crumbs off the carpet, he decided to further investigate my new cardigan to be. I think he likes it.

I had a slight sinking feeling when my pupil for 10am rang at 8.30am. I would have gone to volunteer as a knitting ambassador at a new knitting show at Bluewater if I’d had more notice but it was too far to go to be late for as I was meant to be there for 9am and I would have had an hour’s drive. So being at a loose end, I thought I’d go into Canterbury for a bit. I was walking past C&H Fabrics and realized that I was actually in time for their morning knitting group I’d not managed to go to before so was able to knit a bit with some lovely ladies. When I got home I found a card saying a parcel was awaiting me at the Post Office. It was HUGE.

It was my Knitter’s Coffee Swap package from Jenn in Colorado. She was so generous. Gorgeous mugs, coffee, knitting needles, several bars of chocolate, lovely tea, and gorgeous yarn. Even the kitties were sent some treats. How lucky Am I!

Tamyra wouldn’t leave the box alone!

We were also invited to a friend’s house for dinner and got to meet his gorgeous kitties. Will (Scarlett) was quite taken with pao.

Luna enjoyed basking in her cubbyhole. Sadly no photos of Cleo – beautiful, sleek, black, tiny kitty. A wonderful end to the day! I feel totally spoilt!!!!

I was so pleased with my finished Black Rose cardigan that I thought I’d make another but give myself a two month deadline instead. I’m going to make Copine with some stash yarn. I had a huge bag of cheap Rowan Pure Wool Aran in the Praline colourway lurking so with a bit of adjustment I’m hoping to make a lovely squashy throw on cardigan. I’m probably going to put a button on the front. I found some gorgeous ones in my stash. I’m still planning on spinning and knitting some Fetchings for February but this is a good project to take with me to do in the car between IT clients or waiting for paos!

I made a quick shortbread sample to try out the cute cookie cutters Mary sent. They are so pretty but so hard to cut out! I’m making more tomorrow.

I also had to package up this necklace ready to go to it’s new home. It is one of the ones I’ve secretly admired so I’m a little sad to say goodbye to it but it a birthday present so I’m pleased it will go somewhere happy.

Poor Sirius is still put out that I’m wearing his cardigan. We have quite a chill here. I went into town and ended up coming back wearing a pair of leggings and a thermal vest I’d had to buy to make it back to the car without frost bite. Everyone keeps talking about snow! I saw a sprinkling on the road on early on Tuesday but nothing much else. Sirius does get extremely cold so he gets in the bed with us when it is very chilly. His coat is so thin. Perhaps I should knit him a thermal vest too?

I pipped past the end of January and sewed on my arms and buttons this afternoon. I’m rather proud as I came up with the idea of it myself. I used a Rowan pattern and combined it with the lace of a sock I’d knitted. I love the way it came out

Sirius was very excited about it and rushed over to look for some loose ends.

He had to settle for a pounce and a roll around.

Ta-da. Full effect with necklace that Tomo sent me. Looks great and has become my favorite cardigan.

Sirius is rather put out that I’ve spoilt his fun. Poor Sirius!

I was feeling a bit low today as I had an interview that didn’t work out. I was sad as I didn’t feel I was at my best as I’d only had two hours sleep the night before and I was extremely wheezy and out of breath once I’d gotten to the top of stairs to the room where it was taking place so not the best start as my brain froze when asked why I wanted to work for them. An old school friend of mine pointed out that I was always very hard on myself and I guess I should cut myself some slack since I seem so prone to these darn chest problems now I’ve had pneumonia. I wouldn’t have minded if I felt I’d done my best but I really felt like I didn’t. So today was a bit of a write off as I had to get back to the doctors office again to see if I was getting another chest infection. But enough of my whingeing as good things happened to lift my spirits. The first was the postman’s knock with a box of cookie cutters. I’d put out a plea on Facebook for a lend of some heart shaped cutters and my friend Mary offered to send me some of hers she didn’t use any more. I think they are brilliant especially the flower one. It took me a while to work out what some of them were but eventually I did. I’ve not ever come across a car one before.

I’d managed to get a nap in which improved my mood somewhat (I’d had to get up at just before 6 to drive pao to work having gone to bed too late again) so I was making a cup of tea and I was sadly contemplating what a waste it would be to open a packet of cake just for me when my lovely friend April was on the doorstep with her sons so I could joyfully have tea and cake with them. They bought me a lovely gift of a two tealight holders which I will enjoy lighting. I felt so cheerful once they been. There is nothing like a kind friend bearing lovely handmade gifts and a lend of her heart shaped cookie cutters to lift the spirits.

Sirius isn’t that interested in tea light holders but he thinks all jars should have something for him in.

I was rather pleased to find that the knitted bits were dry and started the long task of picking up over 300 stitches for the button band last night. I say long because I lost count a few times and wanted the sides to match up as well as possible because of the V neck. I love the way the blocking has brought out the pattern and am relieved that having tried on the armless version it fits like a dream. Now I need to find some pins and sew the arms on and then my charity shop bargain buttons and it will be properly finished.

Sirius is this cardigan’s biggest fan. He keeps on trying to eat the loose ends or play with them. He will be sad when I’ve sewn them in.

Knitty!

• Cute sweetheart knit valentine
• Simple heart decoration
• Heart-shaped knitted cloth
• Knit yourself and a loved one a smitten!

Crafty!

• Crochet a heart-shaped pouch
• Crocheted striped heart potholders
• Printable pirate valentines!
• Printable tea bag wrappers (!)

Yum!

• Cherry shortbread hearts
• Red Velvet Valentines Cupcakes
• Little mocha kisses
• Queen of Hearts Tarts

Kitty!

• I’m not sure I’ll ever see my kitties in a heart shape like this! So cute!
• Valentine’s toys to make for your kitty

Tamyra would love to cuddle up on that sweater when it’s finished!