Ah single figures. Not long now. I think most of my office is actually counting down to the 10 days we get off work. I have to admit to being one of them. Its not been that long since my last days off but man am I ready for a break. I like my job, don't get me wrong. But it's not really the industry to fit into my ideals and my latest project has been terribly sabotaged by pretty much everyone else involved. Well, that's surely an exaggeration but it feels that way at times.
Christmas is always an emotional time for me. My favourite part/ideal of Christmas is the feeling of goodwill that it should inspire. It's a time for spending with those you love and helping those less fortunate. That's what it should be about anyway. These days it seems to be about making up for not spending time with those we love and what we are getting as gifts.
I know I certainly don't make as much out of the Christmas spirit as I would like to but I am finding I am more able to now that ever and intend to look into what programs I can get involved with next year. Maybe a knitting for the homeless project, or some kind of soup kitchen type thing.
I am a very lucky person. My health is pretty good, I'm in a better place financially than I have been in years, I'm in a loving relationship and I have a good relationship with most of my family. What more can a person ask for really? I feel I should really help those who are less fortunate than myself. So that is one of my aims in the new year. With that in mind I leave you with a quote I heard on the radio today which struck me as very apt. If we, as a species, were able to follow this a little more the world would be a happier place. I'm not sure that our species is really capable though.
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
10 sleeps til Santa comes
Ah we are finally at the point where I can count in sleeps :o)
Christmas is upon us and even though we're not really celebrating in my house I still like the season. Well, certain aspects of it. I hate the rampant commercialism of Christmas. Advertising campaigns that start in July to get us buying stuff we don't need. The anxiety over getting the "perfect" gift for everyone. The endless wasted packaging.
I am making all my gifts bar 2 this year. That is 2 boys getting a bottle of wine each because, frankly, I have no idea what to make them that they might like and need. I have put thought into all my gifts and a little bit of love too :o) I hope they are used and appreciated. I hate it when I am given something that clearly is not what I would like. Smellies are my pet hate! Hopefully nothing I give will make anyone wonder "what on earth was she thinking"?!
With this in mind we are giving Spadgersdottier money this year. Well, we're putting it in an untouchable account for her. She isn't too happy about this as no 8 year old would be. But she has things from last year that she hasn't touched in a year. She has quite a large family so there will be no dearth of presents to open. We've asked all the family on our side to put at least half of what they were going to spend on her in this account and buy her something smaller with the rest.
Hopefully this Christmas we can start to instill a different message in her apart from that of gifts for "me". I'll save what I like about the season for another post.
As to the baking marathon I have now completed another 4 dozen mince pies, one batch of lebkuchen and have 2 lots of shortbread waiting for caramel and chocolate. I'm getting there!!!!
Sunday, 13 December 2009
The mince pies have exploded
Well the madness that is the baking I'm doing for people at work is beginning today. I have 2 dozen mince pies, 3 batches of millionaire shortbread, 1 batch or chocolate fudge and 1 batch of experimental plain fudge to make. Eep says I. Lets hope that my pastry mojo has come back.
I just made plain fudge for the first time!!!! :oD
Now to see if the pastry in the fridge will actually roll out.
It wasn't the best pastry I've made but it rolled out enough. Why is it that recipes never seem to yield as much as they say? My pastry amount said 3 dozen, I barely managed 2. I guess a lot of it is how thin you dare roll it. The last one was far thinner than any that had come before. Maybe I'll get 3 dozen out of the next lot. I only needed 2 anyway so I'm happy. There was even a little bit left over for Spadgersdottier to make a Doughman. We covered him in sugar and she declared him tasty.
Ok I have the pastry mojo back however I over filled them and many have fallen apart. Spadger is ecstatic as he is getting "Gone wrong cake"
Well I managed to not do anymore baking apart from the shortbread layer of some millionaire shortbread. As well. I've cut out the pieces for a couple more Christmas presents so I look like I'm in for a week of baking and sewing.
I just made plain fudge for the first time!!!! :oD
Now to see if the pastry in the fridge will actually roll out.
It wasn't the best pastry I've made but it rolled out enough. Why is it that recipes never seem to yield as much as they say? My pastry amount said 3 dozen, I barely managed 2. I guess a lot of it is how thin you dare roll it. The last one was far thinner than any that had come before. Maybe I'll get 3 dozen out of the next lot. I only needed 2 anyway so I'm happy. There was even a little bit left over for Spadgersdottier to make a Doughman. We covered him in sugar and she declared him tasty.
Ok I have the pastry mojo back however I over filled them and many have fallen apart. Spadger is ecstatic as he is getting "Gone wrong cake"
Well I managed to not do anymore baking apart from the shortbread layer of some millionaire shortbread. As well. I've cut out the pieces for a couple more Christmas presents so I look like I'm in for a week of baking and sewing.
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Christmas decorations
Well today is the 12th so our Christmas decorations have gone up. We haven't got Spadgersdottier this year so we have decided to go very minimal. Due to our Kermity ways we don't have any lights anyway. Nor do we have any tinsel. Last year we had our plastic tree decorated with home made paper chains, salt dough ornaments and a few baubles I had inherited from a shared household. Well we bought a very tiny live tree which we are going to grow to a suitable size but this year it (Frederick) is far too small for many decorations.
Me and Spadgersdottier sat down and made snowflakes which we hung on paperclips and attached to Frederick. I think he looks rather spiffing.
Now Spadger and Spadgersdottier are making a bird box we got free from Tree O'Clock. As you are aware we no longer have trees so not sure where it is going at the moment.
Friday, 11 December 2009
The first frost
The first frost! And we've been told there might be snow on Wednesday. Bring it on says I. I'm right in the mood for a snowman :o)
Thursday, 10 December 2009
cloth shoes
I've just finished making a pair of Cloth Shoes for our friends little girl for Christmas. How adorable are these?!?!
The pink felt came from a jumper I felted by mistake and then re-felted just to make sure. The lining is made from material left over from skirts made for the same little girl. The canvas strengthening the sole came from some leftovers we found in out basement from out theater company friends. The elastic and thread were already in my stash and the button came from my growing used button stash. The ultimate refashion methinks :o)
The pink felt came from a jumper I felted by mistake and then re-felted just to make sure. The lining is made from material left over from skirts made for the same little girl. The canvas strengthening the sole came from some leftovers we found in out basement from out theater company friends. The elastic and thread were already in my stash and the button came from my growing used button stash. The ultimate refashion methinks :o)
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Day in the life of finale
The morning started with the sun rising as I washed up and there was condensation on the windows. I assume it was cold out but I didn't venture outside.
8:31
Spadger's left for work and his friend is still in bed. This leaves me with a bit of time on my hands as I need the ironing board before I can start really. I've made Spadger take my copy of Breaking Dawn that I started reading last night. I'm a bit of a nightmare when I have a new book, everything else seems to get put on hold. When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out the only movements I made in the 4 hours and 20 minutes it took me to read it was to hold out my hand or another cup of tea :o) So the plan is today to sew everything I cut out yesterday. I also need to make some bread as we are down to our last loaf. I'm going to have a go at plain fudge too as one of the ladies at work has ordered that rather than the chocolate stuff I know I can make. So another busy day.
9:31
2 men with chainsaws just turned up to remove our trees.
10:10
Jim, our Robin, came and sat on the rungs of the workmen's ladder. He looked a little disgruntled at them removing the trees. I'm sorry Jim, but they're pushing the wall down and are damaging the house!
12:26
I've finished the embroidery for Little Bro's bag. I think it looks ok. Not quite as detailed as the logo should be but the transfer didn't come out to clear in some spots just like I feared. The workmen are still here but the trees appear to be mostly down now. Gonna grab a snacklet and then get on with some sewing. I can't believe it's taken me all morning to embroider. In a bit of a rush now!
12:37
Just opened my first Christmas card to find it contained a letter from one of my Uni housemates. I've heard from the Panda Pie recently but not from Noodle so it was good to read. Brought a big ol' smile to my face :oD
1:44
Just snapped a needle. Clean took the point off!.. Scared the bejeezus out of me!
2:35
The workmen have finished. I can't believe how quiet it is now. They've left 2 big chunks of wood for Spadger including the trunk piece he asked for that I said this morning he might now get :o) Now I know there wont be any interruptions I've started the yeast off for the bread dough. Soon I'll get that on and proving and then I can get back to sewing.
3:53
A little Mozart methinks.
4:40
Just took the bread out of the oven and the kitchen smells mighty fine.
6:24
dinner is cooking. I only have the lining to sew in now and then the gap to stitch closed. I can't believe it's taken all day! I was hoping to get more done. I was also hoping to have a bath tonight but I guess a quick shower and some more sewing is on the cards instead!
7:28
Bag is finished :o) Changed mind and am going for a bath!
10:42
Well I've done the sashiko stitching on Spoon Maiden's present just not put it together. I now have a rum and lime and am thinking about going to sleep. Back to work tomorrow. I've really enjoyed my days off and could definitely have done with more of them. A well, only 15 days till we break up for Christmas :o) This does mean, dear possibly-existent-just-not-saying-hello readers, that this is the end of the day in the life of posts. I hope you have enjoyed them.
xXx
8:31
Spadger's left for work and his friend is still in bed. This leaves me with a bit of time on my hands as I need the ironing board before I can start really. I've made Spadger take my copy of Breaking Dawn that I started reading last night. I'm a bit of a nightmare when I have a new book, everything else seems to get put on hold. When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out the only movements I made in the 4 hours and 20 minutes it took me to read it was to hold out my hand or another cup of tea :o) So the plan is today to sew everything I cut out yesterday. I also need to make some bread as we are down to our last loaf. I'm going to have a go at plain fudge too as one of the ladies at work has ordered that rather than the chocolate stuff I know I can make. So another busy day.
9:31
2 men with chainsaws just turned up to remove our trees.
10:10
Jim, our Robin, came and sat on the rungs of the workmen's ladder. He looked a little disgruntled at them removing the trees. I'm sorry Jim, but they're pushing the wall down and are damaging the house!
12:26
I've finished the embroidery for Little Bro's bag. I think it looks ok. Not quite as detailed as the logo should be but the transfer didn't come out to clear in some spots just like I feared. The workmen are still here but the trees appear to be mostly down now. Gonna grab a snacklet and then get on with some sewing. I can't believe it's taken me all morning to embroider. In a bit of a rush now!
12:37
Just opened my first Christmas card to find it contained a letter from one of my Uni housemates. I've heard from the Panda Pie recently but not from Noodle so it was good to read. Brought a big ol' smile to my face :oD
1:44
Just snapped a needle. Clean took the point off!.. Scared the bejeezus out of me!
2:35
The workmen have finished. I can't believe how quiet it is now. They've left 2 big chunks of wood for Spadger including the trunk piece he asked for that I said this morning he might now get :o) Now I know there wont be any interruptions I've started the yeast off for the bread dough. Soon I'll get that on and proving and then I can get back to sewing.
3:53
A little Mozart methinks.
4:40
Just took the bread out of the oven and the kitchen smells mighty fine.
6:24
dinner is cooking. I only have the lining to sew in now and then the gap to stitch closed. I can't believe it's taken all day! I was hoping to get more done. I was also hoping to have a bath tonight but I guess a quick shower and some more sewing is on the cards instead!
7:28
Bag is finished :o) Changed mind and am going for a bath!
10:42
Well I've done the sashiko stitching on Spoon Maiden's present just not put it together. I now have a rum and lime and am thinking about going to sleep. Back to work tomorrow. I've really enjoyed my days off and could definitely have done with more of them. A well, only 15 days till we break up for Christmas :o) This does mean, dear possibly-existent-just-not-saying-hello readers, that this is the end of the day in the life of posts. I hope you have enjoyed them.
xXx
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