Oh My Word......

....Where is the time going?

In one blink, it seems to have jumped from September (when I was thankful that the house was returning to normal with the school term starting), to November (when it's hey ho and fast paced until January).

These past few weeks have absolutely flown by. It's usually just one huge rush from October to January. As much as I LOVE everything about Christmas............I don't ever really seem to enjoy it. I'm rushing about, I'm stressing about getting stuff done, stuff bought. It's Birthdays galore the last few months of the year, and that seems to take my mind off getting organised even more.

Measures have been taken these last few years to make things easier for family. It's a big outer family, and the adults made the decision to only buy for the children (neices/nephews etc) and the matriarchal parents. I can't tell you how much that takes the pressure off. Not having to mope around shops wondering what to get the great Aunt who has everything and wants for nothing. Not only that, but it's amazing how much you start to enjoy the really important things so much more. Family. The best gift of all. I have to say, the last few Christmasses have been the best, when it's all been pared back to basics. I am trying to be super organised and get a bulk of it all done in November, so I can TRY and make December all about crafty stuff with the Bears and hunkering down in a warm and cosy abode.  Tealights, scented candles and hot water bottles. Oh, and not forgetting the cheesy Christmas films. Always a winner. My hot water bottle covers are getting a little tatty these days (highly used over winter) and I am planning a new batch to replace those, and it would be great to not have to rush those and enjoy a bit of seasonal crafting.

The one thing that is sneaking in now, is the odd Christmas decoration. Eeek. As I'm coming across them, they are going in the shopping basket and then being hung somewhere around the house, as a pre-Christmas appetiser! It's my way of eeking it out without being too overt about it.

The week before the half term I was like a woman posessed. After a Summer of pastels, I was REALLY ready for BRIGHTS. I ordered the brightest yarn I possibly could (some bordering on neon, and slightly scary if I am honest), and set to work on making something cheery. As usual, it was fly by the seat of my pants kind of making. I knew I wanted bright, and something for winter, but other than that, it was just go with the flow. Urgh, I couldn't keep focused. I'd start something and only like a bit of it. So, i'd take that bit I liked and start something knew. Then I'd only be happy with a little bit of that, and take an element and start yet gain. I think I started on four versions of something before I settled on what I think it was meant to be.

A bright scarf. Of course it would be a bright scarf! Well, it took me long enough to get there. It also took another week after I had initially finished the main body to decide what to do at the ends of the scarf. I thought tassles, but I wasn't sure the yarn really was up for tassles. I pondered for a whole week during Half Term.

No pics yet I'm afraid. The weather has been incredibly dark and dreary on the days that I am able to take snaps, so I shall wait for a decent day of light to catch it at its best. 

However, I did manage to make some sneaky little slippers from this months Inside Crochet Magazine. I have a serious amount of chunky yarn. All odd balls that I quite don't know what to do with them, but gorgeous stuff none the less that I cannot seem to part with. These seemed the perfect solution only using up a ball per pair.

Needless to say, soon I will be DROWNING in pom pom slippers. Typical me.

Half Term was a jam packed one. A whirlwind of a week. A really lovely whirlwind of a week though. The Autumn weather has been giving us some gloriously beautiful days (in-between the murky ones). There were some beautiful walks creating beautiful family memories. Happy children.....Happy me.

The light has been beautiful....magical even on some days (not today though....today is yucky). Walks on those kind of days are heavenly. The glorious golden glow, coupled with the damp, woody scent of Autumn......well......you realise what a glorious season Autumn really is.

School started back, the Bears were rested and it has been another crazy week. No photos. No stopping really. Any cuppas have been slurped whilst walking around. I am longing for a decent 5 mins.

I became a year wiser since my last post. Not usually something I really wish to celebrate. I don't 'DO' my birthday. It's not for the usual reason of not wanting to get older either. I have no qualms about getting older, getting wrinkles and spotting grey on my barnet. I loathe being the center of attention for a day......having said that.......the day was a perfect one. With all the birthdays, A LOT of cake has been eaten. Serious quantities.........and the diet needs to start mega soon. Eeeeek.

xxx