Update with pictures this time!

So I finally got my rear end in gear and took some pics of my lovely new socks!  Which, by the way, I am actually wearing today under boots, despite them being intended as chunky stay-at-home socks, because it is that flipping cold!  It's not going to get above 0 degrees C today at all.  Cold.  Anyway...

The socks...

They are snuggly and warm and lovely!  Admittedly, the left sock has one cable twist missing on the inside, and a bit of a ladder on the outside where I didn't manage to join closely enough, but they aren't going to fall apart, and I think for a first pair of socks I've done well!  So much so, that I've now got another sock started on my newly acquired circular needles using magic loop, in proper 4ply sock wool, which I'm very excited about!

The shrug is trundling on slow as ever - if I actually get it finished before winter is over it will be a miracle!  I am taking it with me when I go away this weekend though so fingers crossed I will make some decent progress.  The cowl for a friend has been a little bit abandoned this week if I'm honest, but I will crack on with it next week.

And in non-knitting news, I made the best bread of my life at the weekend!

Yummy scrummy!  Not the best picture, but it was beautifully golden brown on top, and lovely and fluffy inside - perfect.  One day I'll be brave enough to try something other than plain white bread!

Ike's SA has all but cleared up, which is fantastic after so much hard work.  We had a check up at the vets this week, and in the vet's words "Wow, I never expected him to look like an Akita ever again!" :)  I think that's about as good as it gets really!

Some before and after shots of the handsome chap...

Early August, when the SA was at its worst:

And this week:

Much better, I think you'll agree!  And, what with the cold wintery weather we have just now, not before time either.

Knitting news

So I've finished my first sock - how exciting!  It is, I will admit, a little tight, but it does go on!  Whoop!  There is a little ladder down the side of one heel where for some reason I just couldn't get the stitches to tighten up, but I can live with that.  Will get started on the second one very soon, then I have a plan to get some sock yarn and make some proper socks to go under shoes, instead of just ones to wear round the house.

Also on the needles at the moment are a cowl for a friend that has requested one, in a dead simple but pretty lace pattern, and my never-ending stocking stitch shrug that is taking forever to knit up!  At this rate winter will be over before it's finished!  I am planning to take it with me to Edinburgh in a couple of weeks to knit on the train and in any free time I get so you never know...

Went to knitting group again last night - just my second time - and got to know some of the people a bit better, which was lovely.  They're a suitably mad bunch so I fit in perfectly!  I almost don't want Tim to restart band rehearsals on a Monday because that would mean I can't go to knitting...

What a week!

So I managed to damage my back (again) a couple of weeks ago, which has rather affected everything else that I do.  Sitting on my office chair at work causes stiffness unless I get up and move about every 30 minutes or so, I can't walk the dog for longer than 30 minutes, and even then I get shooting pains down my legs, and worst of all, it made taking the choir rehearsal last night very painful.

Our usual MD is on his jollies last week and this, so I was left in charge as usual, meaning that the rehearsals are considerably lighter hearted than MJW's!  But I have to keep standing, and sitting, and playing the piano, and waving my arms about.  Ouch.  Suffice to say I was in desperate need of painkillers and an ice pack by the end.

Hasn't stopped me knitting though!  Following a trip to the wonderful Houghton Hall Garden Centre last weekend to browse (as if!) I've got some scrummy soft wool to make socks, which I've started, and am very excited about!  Pictures to follow (when I've taken them!).

Ooo, new blog!

So, here we are, a new blog.  I expect no-one will read it much, but you never know!  I'm planning to use it to ramble, largely.  I have too much to say in life in general, so maybe if I can get some of it out on here, I will talk a little less!

You may have gathered from the title that I have four main hobbies - music, doggies, knitting, and cooking.

The music has been a long term hobby, ever since I went to primary school and met the ultra scary MJW and joined the choir.  That was it, he may have been scary, but I was hooked!  Went on to learn recorder, clarinet, sax, piano, and how to sing properly.  I don't get to do so much of it anymore, but I still sing every week with Stamford Bridge Singers and when Tim gets it started again I will be playing with Stamford Bridge Swing Band.

Next up, doggies!  Always been a doggie fan, even though my parents have never had one.  I grew up around dogs in the extended family, and it was inevitable that I would end up with one sooner or later.  When I was at uni and with the ex (henceforth known as the Ginger Whinger), we got a Yorkie called Lucy.  A Yorkie was never my choice, I was talked into it, but as with most pets, once you get them you can't let them go!  Lucy was my wee baby but unfortunately when I left the Ginger Whinger I had to leave her behind with him because I was working v long hours which she couldn't have coped with.  Fast forward a few years and I'm with lovely new man Gregg, and we have adopted a rescue Akita called Ike from Friends of Akitas who I love to pieces and would never be without.  I would love another dog but finances and space are saying no for the time being.  So instead I'm helping out with FOA writing all the dogs' descriptions for the website and writing blogs for the longer term residents.

Knitting...  Well this one is a new one!  I decided a little while ago (if I'm honest, after I'd seen my friend doing it!) that I fancied learning to knit.  So I taught myself garter stitch, aforementioned friend taught me purl stitch, and away we go!  Might have only been going a little while but I feel I'm doing well, and I've just started my first socks - how exciting!

And finally, cooking.  Anyone who knows me will realise pretty quickly that I love food. I love cooking, baking, shopping for and eating food.  I can't help myself.  I'm the less pretty and less competent Nigella of the York world!

So there you go, that's me!  I'm planning on updating when I can with news about doggies and concerts, and pics of knitting and cooking.  When I'm not working that is...!