Wishing for Peace, Happiness and Prosperity

To all my readers, that take the time out of their busy days to read my little ramblings.

I know so many of you have been busy, shopping, cleaning, wrapping, decorating and all the other duties that still need to be performed, holiday or not. I know it is left up to you, my readers, to provide the spirit and warmth that is Christmas. So much responsibility for us at this time of year! But please take the time to appreciate the season and remember it doesn't all have to be done. It does NOT have to be perfect and, as my list states, will it really matter five years from now?

All the very best to each and every one of you.

"My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master"

The title of my post is a quote that some of you may recognize. It is from my all time favourite (I cannot express this enough to you) Christmas movie. It is A Christmas Story. If you are one of the unfortunate people that has never seen this movie I strongly urge you to rent or buy it. We all watch it every single year. Traditions die hard in the Knitty, Vintage and Rosy house.

So this is what I have been doing with my precious time. I know it doesn't look like much but this is as good as it will get for the livingroom. Do you like the light on or off? I wasn't sure so I posted both. This view is from the diningroom. I only discovered this wonderful view when I was hiding behind the draperies in there, playing hide and seek with the dog. Am I the only one that does this?

Notice the drinks tray? I was thinking about nipping into the sherry a few minutes ago but put the kettle on instead. It is mightily cold in these parts tonight. And, we are suppose to get 5cm of snow tonight, possibly 15-20 on Friday and perhaps more on Sunday. Yayyyy!

This is a handmade card I received from my husband's aunt about 15 years ago. I love it to bits. Isn't it lovely?

Mercury glass ball. New. Couldn't resist. (We needed more decorations like I need a hole in my head.)

Handpainted ball from a local artist.

That is the livingroom.

If I am as organized as Anthea Turner, and we all know I am (writer lets out shrill laugh and guffaws) I shall return with more dribble and orange like pictures.

Green Knitting

I spent the better part of Sunday trying to find a quick pattern, that I liked, for a dog sweater/coat. I came across many but I needed a quick knit and something that would be compatible with "in stock" yarn. The house is full (not kidding here) with yarn. I have it artfully displayed in baskets, shoved into dresser drawers (so full, in fact, I may need to butter the sides to get the drawers open), and some, get this, still in their original bags packed in the back of cupboards. Sometimes, while tidying, I see a bag and say what is this? Wow, that's nice yarn, when the heck did I buy this? That would have been perfect for _____.

Eventually, I decided to make my own pattern and go with some Briggs and Little. But I did come across some fantastic patterns for dogs. Here are just a few in case you have been looking:

Basket of Daisies (adorable, just not for my male pug)

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A whole list of Knit and Crochet Patterns

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For a small dog or pup

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Cable Knit

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The plan here is to knit two rectangles, one slightly smaller than the other. The larger will be the top and the smaller will be the bottom (room for, you know, the business area). I will sew the two together, leaving openings at the front for the paws. Then I will pick up stitches around the neck and make a turtleneck. I will also pick up the stitches around the holes to make wee sleeves. Is this making any sense to you? I have loosely based it on a pattern I have in the Stitch n Bitch book. I am just expanding on it a bit to suit what I like. And while you anxiously wait for the results, you may be interested to know I won an award.

The lovely Therese has sent me this award. Of course, I am now to pick other worthy recipients. How do you do that when you read and enjoy almost 200 blogs? More dilemmas...

Chilly

It is -12 here tonight.

These are really the only two things on my mind.

Hot cup of tea.

Lovely books to browse through.

Ahh, the comforts of home.

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I was given an award today! I will post about that shortly.

Nothing to do with kitchens...

Yesterday was spent cooking and crocheting. We had a big full breakfast late then an afternoon of crocheting. In between single and double crochets I roasted a lovely joint of beef for dinner with all the necessary bits. I have decided to take a page out of the Dottie Angel's book and crochet some coat hangers. What a smart cookie she is. And a fantastic way to use up those bits of yarn from the ripple blanket. The wee pink one was just white wood so it needed a pretty sweater. The blue one (done in double crochet, not as nice as single) was a slightly torn satin one so it needed a new look. The other one will be done this afternoon when ironing is complete (little joke there, is it ever complete?).

In between cooking, baking and crochet, I finished this new book from Susan Hill. I wept. Did you? Are there any Simon Serrailler followers out there? I am now reading Agatha's Spider Web. I must say I am not sure where this ironing thing is suppose to be squeezed in.