Advent knitting has commenced.

Well I made it through another week of work. Just today and then I'm free for 2 whole days! 

This has been a gentle week. Nothing other than work,  rest and Christmas decorating. Oh and of course knitting.

Mr Posty finally delivered this

 I wasn't going to get one this year but this popped up and as it was mermaid themed I gave in and bought one from Castle View yarns. 24 little bags of 10g sparkly sock weight yarn. I am so pleased I did.

As it arrived late I'm on catch up with my advent project. I chose a simple Litmus Cowl, I've made loads and really enjoy wearing them. I'm currently knitting day 6

I think its going to be a lovely mermaid coloured fade! 

I'm hoping to get  up to speed over the weekend. Other than going to a friends for dinner on Saturday night we have no plans so there should be a whole load of knitting time !

The tree is up !

 Well that's it, the tree has gone up. Slightly earlier than we normally do but we felt the need for some Christmas cheer. We lit the fire, put on some Christmas tunes and up it went. This year we bought a living tree, hoping that we can keep it healthy until we need it again. I actually like the smaller size but the boys were not happy. They like the monster trees !

Rosie dog was somewhat bemused but it didn't take long for her to get brave enough to go and investigate. We bought a smaller tree than normal and didn't put too many enticing decorations on the lower branches. I don't think I would leave her alone with it as she is a nimble little thing that loves climbing.

WIP Wednesday

 Despite all good plans its been another week with no blog posts. The intention is there I just seem to run out of hours.

This week I was pretty much a monogamous knitter again, that was until I ran out of balled up mohair. I need to get some more done so I can continue. Here's the progress to date. 

This is quite an accurate reflection of the colour. I never used to like green but am now a convert and am loving this. I think its going to be a cosy knit.

As the mohair ran out I wanted a quick fix and didn't fancy knitting so I picked up my crochet hook and some yarn I have for my granny strip blanket and cast on a granny stripe cowl.

It's really not my colourway for a wearable project but its a quick easy project and will be ok for dog walking !

In other news Hubby has now recovered from Covid and we actually had friends come to dinner on Sunday which was snice.  My Reading mojo has now completely disappeared. I did finish the book from my last post and have pulled this out of my Christmas to read pile,

I don't think I will get through the Christmas book pile before the end of the season though

I'm not doing too bad on the Christmas shopping, both gifts and food, and only have a few more things to buy. We don't go overboard at Christmas and only buy for a few people. Both boys want cash for Christmas so that's easy enough.

Hubbs just bought the Christmas tree so it looks like my next work in progress will be dressing the house for Christmas.

Wip Wednesday.

Can you believe I have been a monogamous knitter for a whole week! 

I have just knit and knit on my Weekender sweater.  There is something quite meditative about knitting rounds and rounds of knit stitch. 

I can't get an accurate photo of the colour but its glorious, all the shades of green. This is definitley going to be a favourite sweater to wear. 

When I have not been knitting [ or working or householding or famalying] I have continued with my mammoth Christmas book Binge. I have just started this one. 

Book 37 this year. My reading has upped as I have been trying to reduce my screen time, it's shocking how much time I can spend scrolling on my phone! 

Covid has now hit our house, again! so all weekend plans have now been shelved, [Cornish friend was due to arrive Thursday] and I'm playing dodge the covid bullet.  The rest of the week may well consist of more reading and knitting and no eating out or meeting up with more friends....Unless the hubby makes a miraculous recovery and tests negative, he's been quite poorly.

24 hours in a book shop !

 This month was one of my best friends' birthdays. Instead of gift buying I gave my time, and we went off on a 1-night mini break. I found this fabulous quirky bookshop which had its own BnB above the shop.

 The Sanctuary Bookshop & The Booklovers BnB in Lyme Regis. 

It was full to the rafters at every level!

My Room

narrow stairwell with more books

Friends Room

Breakfast room & Lounge

It was full of books and old-style fixtures and fittings. We are both book lovers, so this was very much our ideal place to stay. It even had a sea view.

After checking in we decided to make the most of the weather and headed out for a walk.

We were very much blessed with the weather and spent the
day walking before popping back to our rooms for a freshen up before venturing out for Dinner.

What a difference the next day. We woke to rain on the windows and the storm battering the little town.

Views from my bedroom window.

We waited it out, enjoyed our breakfasts and then ventured down into the Alladins cave of a book shop. There may have been some purchases!

By late morning it was starting to clear so we headed to get the car and bring it down to the short stay care park so we could check out and then get a last walk in before heading home.

We had a fabulous little 1 night break and it was lovely to be able to spend time with one of my best pals. We decided to make this an annual trip we loved it so much.

Unless we decide on a last-minute trip this may well have been my final little mini break of the year!

Book 36 of 2022.

 Book 36 this year. 

I have had a crappy month at work, and this is very much reflected in the number of 'escapist' books I have read this month. There has been a very obvious curve towards warm snuggly Christmas chi lit. I love it.  Reading books like this means I get emersed and binge read, I lose all thoughts of work pressures and don't really have to think about what I am reading.  I have a whole heap of more challenging books to read but to be honest I just don't have the brain space for them at the moment, so I aim to read the year out on these fabulous Christmas themed books !

26 years of us.

 This month we celebrated 26 years of being a couple. Lovely hubby booked a surprise weekend away and off we went for a weekend adventure. Rosie dog came too!

Hubby booked us a dog friendly room at Camelot Castle in Tintagel for 2 nights.

The view from our room.

The hotel is a little quirky and not to everyone's taste, but I love it there and its position is fabulous.

We arrived on the Friday and just poddled around the castle and went down to the village pub from dinner. 

Saturday saw us spend the day walking along the coast path and down to the small beach under the bridge to Tintagel Castle.

Sunday started with a lovely sunrise

I watched with a cuppa just taking in the view. Rosie had been up and out and had gone back to bed!

Then it was pack up time and heading down the coast to meet with our friend at Perrenporth for a walk with the dogs.

Rosie had her very first free run and loved it. It was a glorious day, so we sat and had a light lunch at the watering hole before heading to friend's house for a stopover.

Monday was the day to head home but before doing so we stopped at Maenporth for some fresh air before the long drive home.

We had a lovely weekend as did Rosie. But before I knew it we were home and getting ready for another week of work.