Happy New Year

Have you made any new year resolutions yet? Hang on a bit ... I want to tell you about a very brave little 13yr old girl whose story I have been following for the past 18 months or so. In 2009 she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma which is a malignant and aggressive brain cancer. She tries to maintain as close a normal life as possible as she faces a plethora of medical appointments and ongoing tests. At this time of year, as we're all making new year resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, give up this, give up that etc. etc., I think this quote from Dainere says it all .... "So much has happened in the past couple of years and I am just so grateful for every day that I have on this earth, I think that many people take life for granted and waste it by not making the most of it or doing things that really are not right or hurt other people. We should always wake up each day wanting to make it a special day, one where we smile at others, appreciate those people around us, try to help out others in any way and spread happiness and love."

So what are your New Years Eve plans? Here's what I'll be doing .. a bit of reading,

and maybe a bit of this ..

My DD, her husband and his parents have gone to Sydney for the fireworks tonight, a harbour lunch cruise tomorrow and then on to the Blue Mountains for a few days. I'll be watching the 9pm fireworks on the telly (after I've watched them draw my numbers out in the 31 million Lotto) and maybe stay up for the midnight fireworks which they're saying is going to be quite spectacular this year.

Oh dear, look what just turned up in the junk mail from Lincraft ..

Hmmmm - reminds me of something I read this morning "I'm not a hoarder, I'm a collector." Do you think I should go?

With only 8 hours left of 2011, I'd like to wish all my wonderful friends a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012. (If I win the 31 million I'll buy you all a set of Denise Interchangeable Hooks). ;)

A little bit of Crochet and Larry's Spread

I haven't been feeling too well for the past few days so not much of anything has been getting done. My family and visitors are away at the moment (they'll be coming and going for the next couple of weeks) .. so I've been vegging out a bit. I did however feel the need for a bit of instant gratification so hat number 11 has been added to my pile of charity items.

I love this pattern - requires no concentration, is quick to make and the 'butterfly' makes it look better than a plain old beanie. I used Lion Brand Micro Spun which I found in my stash, and a 4.50mm hook. Not real keen on working with this yarn as its very 'splitty' (is that a word?) although it is very soft.

Many years ago I knew a chef who used to make this wonderful spread. The hand-written recipe on a scrappy piece of paper fell out of a book I was looking at the other day so I thought I'd share it with you, and have it here for my future reference. Its a very quick, easy recipe and ideal for this time of the year when you're after something light to eat (and need to use up some of that ham).

Larry's Savoury Spread

1 tsp chicken stock (or a chicken cube crushed)
250g Philadelphia cream cheese
450g crushed pineapple (drain juice)
1/2 tin corn kernels
200g gherkin, chopped
100g finely chopped ham
1 tbsp chopped parsley

Cream the cheese, add all other ingredients and mix well. Will keep in fridge for 2 weeks. Can be made smoother by adding some pineapple juice to be used as a dip, or left firm to be used as a spread on crackers.

Mmmmm .. I'm off to the pantry - hope I can find a tin of crushed pineapple.

Phew

Its not only the turkey that's been stuffed at our house. After a delicious meal of prawn cocktail starters followed by the traditional turkey, ham and roast veggies for mains, we were all too full sufficiently satisfied and so we have just had our plum pudding with warm custard for our evening meal. And now its time to try to get back to normal as soon as possible.

I missed out on posting my update for my Year of Projects last week and I must confess I haven't had much time to touch hook or needles for awhile. However, I can show you hat No. 8 which I'm not all that happy with but I suppose it might keep some poor soul warm next winter.

Oh, nearly forgot I also made two little premmie hats so these will be numbers 9 and 10.

Tomorrow my daughter, son-in-law and his parents from Belgium will be leaving for a few weeks holiday so I should have plenty of spare time to do what I like - and you know what that will be. No no no no no .... not sleeping all day !!!!! I plan on being a happy hooker.

Bye bye Santa .. see you next year.

'Twas the Night ...

'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse (or a cat)

Merry Christmas from me and from Madison

How cute is this ?

Merry Christmas everyone
xoxox

Two weeks from now

It has just occurred to me that in two weeks from NOW, it will all be over !! Santa will have been, the presents will have been opened, the food eaten, the kitchen cleaned up and we'll all be relaxing after the mad rush. I have to confess I haven't even written out my cards yet - must do that this week.

I knew I'd find a good excuse to show you this photo of my beautiful Nikki - our first Japanese Chin. She was the most loving and devoted little girl and I'm sure she thought she was one of us humans.

I almost gave in to that persistent Noro Kureyon sock yarn last night and started to feel guilty about having frogged it five times. After surfing around a bit on Ravelry to decide what it might be next, I was interested to read some of the comments on this yarn. Some hated it, said it was a nightmare to knit, noted that it breaks easily, is scratchy and hard .. even looks like clown vomit !! So, what do you think I did? Well, I did what any self respecting person would do .... I fished out some 4ply baby yarn, a pair of 3.75 needles and am making some premmie baby hats. This of course will add to my Year of Projects personal challenge so it was without doubt the best course to take.

I missed last weeks update as I've been so busy sorting/clearing my craft room so it can be temporarily used as a bedroom for guests, but I do have a couple of FOs to show you.

Hat number 7

A scarf from some yarn I found in my stash - Lincraft Surprise.

And finally a Christmas potholder/heatpad

Have a great week.

All I want .......