Ho Ho H-over...

I hope you all had a wonderful, merry and entertaining Christmas. We certainly did. Our Welsh Christmas turned out even better than we planned. The cottage was situated in the middle of the valley of nowhere, somewhere down a dirt track and there was no one for miles…except sheep and cows...and one resident robin!
We walked around the coastline, meandered along very blustery beaches, shopped our way through some of the towns in the area and spent our nights in such a peaceful and relaxing blissfulness that we really didn’t feel like coming home.

It turns out that doing nothing is harder than it looks and we found it hard to adjust at first. I found myself sitting down all peaceful on the outside but inside I’d be racking my brain trying to figure out what it was I was supposed to be doing!! A kind of panic set in as we realised we were to have no mobiles and no internet. There was no list writing, no timetables and no plans of things to do or see but by the end of the week we were wondering where the time had gone!

Christmas day we went out for a ramble in the countryside that turned into a full on mountain climb as we took the hard way up the hill…completely ignoring the pathway. It was however the very thing we needed and once home we were able to eat, drink and open presents knowing we were simply too exhausted to go out again!
We walked around Strumble head, along Newgale beach, explored Pembroke castle and Haverfordwest town, had coffee in St Davids and got drenched in Carmarthen.

Prior to leaving I managed to get everything I needed to done. Which of course means that some things fell by the wayside. I did get the scarf done (at the eleventh hour) and the mystery project (photos later this week) A few last minute, non-craft subsistuions were made but once again it was knocked in to me that I can't do everything...at least not in the month of December!
Once we reached the cottage all motivation (and my brain) disappeared and all I was capable of doing was stocking stitch on the “should have been long finished” Pippa bag. Even that didn’t last long and I switched on to cross stitch…which I haven’t been interested in for almost 2 years! The change was nice tho and all aches and pains have since disappeared.

Photos I have in abundance, and will post them over the next week or so, of knitting projects, Christmas and Wales!

Silly Season Salutations!!

Well it's still dark out and we're setting off in a mo to Wales for our countryside Christmas but I couldn't leave without wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!

May your turkey cook all the way through, may the weather be exactly right for where ever you are, may you receive no paper cuts, may all the toffee's in the bowl be the ones you like, may your Santa hat not fit too tightly, may you eat more than you should be able too and may none of your presents require that fake "OH I love it!"

More seriously I hope that each and every one of you spends Christmas surrounded by friends and family, knowing exactly how lucky and loved you are, giving thanks for it and sharing the feeling around when ever you have opportunity!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Hear those sleigh bells jing-a-ling...

hmmm...not sure if those are the exact words but that's the way I sing it. And carol singing I am these days since I picked up a '4 CD' compilation of Christmas songs. I think I now have every song with the word Christmas in it that's ever been written!!

Today is the end. The end of my contract and thus current employment, the end of work for everyone else, the end of my time to get things done. What doesn't happen today doesn't happen.
Most folks have until Christmas day. I have no such luxury because I am off to Wales!! We have hired a lovely cottage in the middle of nowhere and will be taking off this weekend with some equally lovely friends to spend a relaxing, peaceful, countrified Christmas.

It's going to be great! Lovely winter rambles through the countryside, long wanders along blustery deserted beaches, warm cozy nights in front of the fire! I might even get lucky and have some snow! (although they say it's going to warm up a bit by then)

It's not all joy and tinsel tho as I'm teetering on the edge of what I think will be a nasty cold and my hand is still playing up making knitting of presents more painful than is comfortable.
However.......
Cards all done
Calendars all done
Presents all done
Mince pies all done (thank god!)
Biscotti all done

...just a bit of a scarf and 1/2 a beanie to go...then it's Christmas!

It's a wrap!

I’m convinced there is a black hole specifically for mince pies…if not even more specifically for mince pies that I make!! No sooner do they come out of the oven than they disappear faster than I can count, the little buggers!

But aside from the mince pies, frantic knitting, aching finger joints and rampant tinsel that is my life at the moment…

I was hoping to have some photos to post today but see above sentence for reason as to why that hasn’t happened. Perhaps tomorrow……although if I'm honest that's not likely either!
I am having a Christmas night tonight. I am sending the other half out and spending the night in delicious Christmas-ness. It’s the bit I really enjoy (aside from the cooking)…the wrapping of presents! There's nothing like a glass of wine, a CD of Christmas carols and miles of shimmery ribbon to get you in the Christmas spirit!

OK I get that this doesn't work for everybody. Some folks prefer death by tinsel to wrapping presents. So here are my top tips for Christmas wrapping in the misguided notion that they might make things easier...if only by providing a distraction from the task at hand!!

10. Never wrap anything if there are pets in the room…they will want to help!

9. Double sided tape is your friend.

8. Glitter is fun and pretty but you’ll be finding it on your face for the next three months…I’m just saying…

7. Always have a theme. Matching paper and ribbon/bows etc. It always makes presents look more special if they all look similarly wrapped.

6. Always measure and cut the paper to size. If you don’t you’ll end up with too little and you'll have to patch it or waste paper OR too much which results in bulky, messy ends! And nobody likes a messy end!

5. For awkward shapes either put into a square box for easy of wrapping or use non paper wrapping…cellophane, gift bags, fabric etc

4. Bows, ribbons and other adornments make people go “Ooooh” and think that you’ve spent ages on their present!

3. Don’t do it at the last moment. That's just asking for stress. I like to do all mine at once and make an occasion of it so I pick a day in the week before and do it then. Some folks like to do a couple a day or as they buy them.

2. Keep all your wrapping bits in one place. Paper, tape, cards, pens, scissors. There’s nothing more annoying and less festive than loud swearing drowning out the Christmas carols as you hunt for a pair of scissors or non existent sticky tape

And my No.1 top tip.....

1. One glass of wine gets you in the Christmas spirit…two will only lead to tears and presents that looked like the dog wrapped them.

I can see the light...

Yup....faintly glimmering in the distance I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not there yet but I feel the weight lifting off my shoulders...that familiar "more things done than to do" feeling of relief.

The weekend was a productive one. Much running around like those headless chickens we always hear about, much last minute desperate snatching of odd items off the shelves, much substituting of ingredients I'd forgotten to buy!!!

Nah, actually it wasn't that bad. I did have to go back to our corner store about 5 times for things I'd forgotten during my mammoth cooking session in which I made 4 doz mince pies, 3 lots of biscotti, one meat pie and the stuffing for the turkey! The mince pies were all for gifts and would you believe I've run out!

Knitting News - Almost there. I'm about 1/2 way on the scarf and have cast on for the last beanie. The mystery project that must not be named is done bar the felting. Unfortunately my hands are starting to protest loudly so it's now a race against my joints! I might have to revise my knitting plans for over the holidays.

Saturday night we took time out from Christmas to go see Kate Rusby. Folk singer extraordinaire, it was a great night. Kate was on form and having as much fun as we were. We were all given song sheets at the door and eventually she got everyone singing and joining it. It actually felt quite festive and was a really friendly atmosphere.
Plus I got taken out to dinner!! By Matt, not Kate. We went to Carluccios a great Italian restaurant where I indulged my love of calamari, liver (I am strange I know) and gelati! Not all at the same time of course!!

A very bad picture of Kate Rusby on stage.

Muffins, Pies and a Bus

Finally here are the muffin pictures, which after all that waiting are sure to be an anti climax. They are Peanut Butter and Choc chip muffins (recipe below) which turned out rather well I think. Definitely a keeper although I’d like the Peanut butter taste to be a little stronger. I’m not sure how I’d do that though….increase the amount of PB? Not sure.

Also some mince pie pictures because it is the season after all! Don’t you love the mug too!!!
And some bonus shots. Last night we were sitting peacefully watching TV when we heard a banging sound. It wasn’t long before it became a drumming sound and very rhythmic and loud it was too. Then suddenly this appeared outside.
We think it was some sort of charity collection but there were no signs so we’re unsure what charity it was. The top was open and the band (drummers) were up there with a familiar face…… HO HO HO!
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Muffins

From http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=461

2/3 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter -- melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and margarine until well blended.

Mix in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

Combine flour with baking powder and baking soda.

Add to peanut butter mixture along with milk and chocolate chips.

Mix well. Spoon into 12 lined muffin tins.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in the center.

Back to Stage Two

OH dear....still no photos of pretty muffins & mince pies. Sorry. I'm writing myself a note because if I forget again tonight they'll be all gone!!

I am much happier and calmer today as I was able to get some Christmas shopping done yesterday afternoon AND I only have two little things left to get!!!! WOO HOO It's a weight lifted off my shoulders, a dark cloud blown from my brow and the stage 4 red alert has been downgraded to a stage 2 slightly orange alert!! Which is pretty much normal in my life.

To tide you over till the food photos here are some pics of the needle holder I found time to make myself a couple of weeks ago. I love, love, love the bold fabric on the inside!

Such pretty patterns! And how arty is this shot!! I might be finally getting the whole blog photography thing.

Panic Stations!

Like knitters all around the world at the moment I am starting to struggle with the terrifying and impending deadline that is Christmas.
Every year I overload myself with tasks and crafty type stuff to wow and impress people. (why I don't know) This year I tried to play it safe and be realistic about my time frame.
I knew the knitting projects would take more time and since the event is set to be rather low key this year I figured not so much craft was needed. And so my initial list was short, concise and full of smaller projects.

I think the key word there is initial!!!!

The list has grown. It has taken on a life of it's own and I am powerless to prevent new crafty ideas joining the queue. It's like a giant runaway conga line. Out of control and joyously snaking it's way towards my tinsel covered doom!

Somehow having a shorter list backfired and instead of having enough time to get everything done comfortably my underworked brain diverted itself (I am in no way responsible) to other areas.....thus creating more work and NOT creating more time!!! I've not even started on the annual Christmas cooking of biscotti and rum balls and eleventy million mince pies to give out and it's already two weeks to Christmas. (this is something I realised this morning) And I'm not any further along with the knittng!!!

Why does this happen every year. It's not like we don't know it's coming. But damn it I plan for this....so why do I feel so behind?

Here are some photos of my tree. Twinkly lights soothe the worried beast!

And with the light off so you can see the lovely fibreoptics twinkling away!