Lord love a duck!

I get a daily hit of Cute Overload! Makes.My.Day. Big, big thank you to CO for bringing me this little item:



I so had to share that with y'all. I recommend you sign up for your daily dose of Cute.

We still thinkin' about yuh*

ROI ANKHKARA KWABENA
23 July 1956 - 9 January 2008

Info

*from "Whether or Not" by Roi Kwabena (MP3 audio)

Happy New Year - 2009!

Every 1 January since 2007 I make a point of working on this afghan:

Details of the whys and wherefores can be found on The No-End-In-Sight Ripple-Along blog, but, as you can see, in three New Years I haven't gotten very far (and yes, I do occasionally - very occasionally - work on it at other times). Well, for 2009 I've resolved that all my WIPs will be subject to the "Finish It or Frog It" rule. I've got stacks of WIPs to get through but this one is a definite finisher!

Wishing you all a very productive 2009!

Snowflake Monday Christmas Special

In honour of the new granddaughter:

A "ruby" flake for Ruby's first Christmas! The pattern is called "Lovely Snowflake" and it's from a book, but I don't know which one. Sorry all you pattern hounds.







But we've since had an additional new addition.

DS and his partner are in the process of adopting Matthew. He came home with them 4 December. So, naturally, he has a flake, too:

I think this is a nice, boyish flake for Matthew's first Christmas. It's #8 from Sally V George's Crochet Works.

Both flakes were made with Anchor Arista thread and a 2 hook.






Boy and girl grandbabies, just in time for Christmas - perfect!

Christmas is a-Coming, the Cook is Getting Fat

In the "12 (and Only 12) Days of Christmas" group on Ravelry the call went out for favourite Christmas foods. As the name of the group suggests, we try not to overdo it. I've been trying for years to simplify our Christmas (and meeting with a fair amount of opposition) but one thing I do need for Christmas is... Christmas Cake!! And you need to get them made fairly early so that they have a chance to mature (and you have a chance to give them a real good soaking with your alcohol of choice).

As the recipes are fairly long, I've posted my two favourites here and put a link to them in the group. So, even if you're not signed up on Ravelry (why not?!) you can still check them out.

Boiled Fruit Cake
Super easy, moist and delicious. Use any standard mug as your cup measure (my cup = 300ml/10 fl oz).

In a large saucepan place

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3 cups fruit (I use 1 c raisins, 1 c sultanas, 100g candied peel and rest of cup topped up w/ currants)
• 6 oz butter (or margarine)

Boil and leave to cool.

Stir in

• 2 eggs, beaten

Then

• 2 cups self-raising flour (or plain flour + 1 T baking powder)
• spice (optional) (I use 1 t ea cinnamon & nutmeg,
  ½ t allspice)
• 2 cups glace cherries

Pour into a 9" loose-bottomed cake tin and bake on the middle shelf at 150°C/300°F for 2 hrs 15 minutes.

FRUIT! Fruit Cake
Oh, I love this cake! Adapted from LaVerle McCandless' family recipe (five generations and going strong).
For my British readers, 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = an average teacup;
1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 cups chopped pecans
• 1 lb candied cherries
• 1 lb candied pineapple
• ½ lb chopped dates
• 6 oz/170g butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind

This recipe makes 1 tube pan or four 7"x4"x4" pans or 2 loaf pans or 6 baby loaf pans (I halve the recipe and use one 9"x5"x2½" loaf pan).

Grease and flour the pans, then line the bottoms with greaseproof paper.

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Coarsely chop the fruit and nuts and then stir them into the flour.

Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the beaten eggs, vanilla and lemon juice. Stir in the lemon rind. Combine with the fruit and nuts.

Bake the tube pan at 140ºC/275º F for 1½ hours
Bake the other pans at 120ºC/250ºF for 1½ hours

(You may find that some butter leaches out of the cake – just pour it off, the cake will be fine. I’ve already reduced the amount of butter the original recipe called for; you may want to experiment with even less)

When cooled, wrap in cling film, then in foil.

To quote LaVerle:

If you want to spike the fruit cake, cover a plate with cling film, place the fruit cake on it and pour a shot glass (2 Tbsp) of rum, whiskey or what you like over the fruit cake and let sit for a day. Then wrap and store in fridge or freezer. Be sure you mark these spiked cakes as spiked.

Slice fairly thin as this is a very rich fruit cake. I can almost guarantee that this fruit cake will not be used as a hockey puck or door stop.

A new flake for Snowflake Monday

A member of Crochet Partners recently posted a link to her new Crochet Lace Snowflake pattern. It was a must-try!


So I did. :-)










Her sample is blocked much more gently than mine and has a nice, rounded look to it. I'll have to make another one and try not to pin it out quite so vigourously, LOL.

It was a fun flake to work and so nice to find a fresh, new pattern. Anyone else designing out there?

Our First Grandchild

Born Sunday, 26 October 2008 at 6:23 pm
Weight: 8 lbs 13½ ozs

Snowflake Monday

Hot on the heels of my previous Snowflake Monday post (well, only 4 weeks; that's good for me!)

This is the Chain Loop Snowflake from the Better Homes and Gardens website.










This is the Open Chain Loop Snowflake from the same page.










And this one is Snowflake No.4 from More Snowflakes in Crochet Thread by Mary Thomas, ASN #1038.

Thou shalt decide for yourself

---

National Quaker Week - 4 to 12 October 2008

I am a Quaker. Have been for 14 years now. The Quaker way of doing things suits my temperament, my world view and my spirituality.

The National Quaker Week website invites readers to listen to nine people explaining why they decided to be a Quaker. If you've ever wondered what Quakers are all about give 'em a listen.

Dear God...

Crane Flies*...

WHY?!?

*Tipula paludosa, known in our household as Clunk Bugs because they're useless fliers and when they get in your house they bumble about and "clunk" into everything. For those of you not familiar with these little darlings, the body alone is over an inch long. Then there's those legs! EEEeeeeekkkk!!!

Woodpigeons Again

Remember the woodpigeons I introduced you to in this post? The babies - teenagers now, I suppose - still pass through our garden occasionally.

Well, about a week ago I spotted Mrs Woodpigeon inspecting the old nest, pulling a twig here, prodding a twig there. Then Mr Woodpigeon arrived with a new twig... Could they be nesting again? In September?

Since then, when I looked, more often than not Mrs W was sitting on the nest. Final confirmation came today. I was in the middle of cleaning the bathroom - the nest can best be seen from the bathroom window - when I spotted Mrs W "fussing" with something in the nest. She had her back to me and I couldn't see much but I waited. Finally she shuffled around the other way and I could clearly she her rolling a bright, white egg into position.

More babies on the way! I just hope the weather holds for them.

Update 30/9/08: Sad news. After checking several times over the last few days I have come to the conclusion that the nest has been abandoned. No sign of Mr or Mrs W. Perhaps the eggs were infertile. Or perhaps the magpies paid a visit. All the to'ing and fro'ing with the previous brood stripped many of the leaves from the surrounding branches making the nest much more visible. Our weather has now turned wet and chilly - not ideal naked chick* raising weather - so maybe it's just as well.

*I wonder how many hits I'm gonna get from that word combination!

International Crochet Day

Today is International Crochet Day - as first declared last year by our beloved crochet hook artiste Jimbo.

http://jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/2007/08/contest-im-giving-this-hook-away.html

...I have thought for a long time now that the art of crochet and those who practice the art deserve some significant recognition. And so in my great power as the Ruthless Tyrant of my vast hook empire have decided to declare that Sept 12, 2007 will be a Holiday that I'm cleverly calling "International Crochet Day". I'm giving everyone who works for me (ME) a day off. You just go ahead and take the day off too.... tell'em Jimbo said it's ok (see where that gets you!)

In honour of this great day I am sharing this:

I was so thrilled when Patti Sandlin sent me this picture of the blanket she made using my Peace Granny Square pattern. What a feeling of pride, LOL! And hasn't she done a wonderful job? I just love all the colours.

I'm so pleased Patti liked the pattern enough to put all that effort in and then take the time to contact me. I love crochet and I love crocheters. And today is our day! Happy Hooking!

Long time no flake

Ten Mondays have passed since I last made a Snowflake Monday post. That's because almost that much time has passed since I made a snowflake. But the arrival of September made me aware that Christmas is not all that far off.

The first flake is Snowflake No.11 from ASN Crocheted Snowflakes by Mary Thomas #1025(25).










The second is Snowflake No.2 from ASN More Snowflakes by Mary Thomas #1038 (go Mary!).









Three more to go and I'll have one gift dozen out of the way. Then, hopefully, I'll be able to make a few more for myself this year.

Garden Visitors

One of the joys of moving here was to finally have a garden and to discover all the little critters that call in from time to time.

This fella (Common Frog) has taken up residence in DH's timber pile behind the workshop. I jumped almost as far as he did when I disturbed him. Well, he is a big frog... and I wasn't expecting him... {blush}

This little guy (Grey Dagger Moth caterpillar), on the other hand, is slowly and peacefully munching his way through our damson tree. The moth he will eventually become is quite plain but right now he's very colourful. And check out those spikes!

I wish I could get close enough to get a picture of the two baby Woodpigeons in our neighbours' cherry tree. Their wings are feathering up nicely but their heads and bodies are still just grey "chicken skin" with a wispy covering of fluff. They're so ugly they're cute!

Update 27/8/08: The pigeon babies have graduated to flapping around the tree.
Update 29/8/08: The babies have flown the nest are are currently hanging out in our willow.If you look about a quarter of the way down the left side you can just make out the dark grey back of the second (camera shy) baby.

Time for another update

My love of the CrochetPartners Friendship Granny Exchange (FGX) continues unabated.

Here are some of the squares I've received recently:

1) Gothic Square; 2) Basic Granny; 3) #29 from LA 99 Granny Squares to Crochet #3078; 4) Heather's Flowers

And here are a few I've sent:

1) Woven Marvel from ASN Definitely Different Afghans #1288; 2) Asymetrical Log Cabin (alternate sc and dc rows around a centre "granny's daughter" with colour changes after varying numbers of rows. The asymetry is more noticeable in a larger square); 3) Gothic Square; 4) Christmas Tree Square (no really, there are four trees in fact. Squint!) The recipient stated a preference for Christmas themed squares. My own design - I'll write it up if anyone's interested. I may do it even if you're not interested. Ha!

I'm about 10 squares away from my single-bed-sized afghan. It's so exciting! Well, it is for me. You wait 'til you see it - it's going to be a stunner!

If you're mad about crochet (like me) I recommend you join CrochetPartners - a great crochet community and resource - then get yourself signed up for the granny exchange. And drop me a line if you do. The more the merrier!

Wake us when it's Summer

It's July.

It's 15 degrees outside, peeing with rain, has been all day, not expected to get any better for the foreseeable future.

This is what the girls think of it:

ThisClose!

DH and I went for a walk today,

from Beaumont Quay around to Landermere (only about a mile each way). Very nice it was, too. Sunny with a cooling breeze, lots of shorebirds to see, no one else around.

But the best bit was on the way back, about 100 yards from the car.
A baby bunny on the footpath -


Close -


Very close -


This close!!!


It had no fear of us at all. It was so tiny - we were probably the very first
what-the-heck-is-that?s it had ever seen.

Eventually instinct kicked in and it decided it probably shouldn't be hanging around us and scurried off into the bushes.

Late Snow

Surprise! Another Snowflake Monday post - just when you'd given up hope.

Nothing new here - these are flakes I've blogged about before. The left-hand one is by Noel Nevins. If you're already a member of CrochetSnowflakes you can access the pattern, otherwise, sorry, but no one's moderating the group at the moment so you wouldn't be able to join. And the right-hand one is from LA Thread Tree Trims leaflet 2836.

Peace Granny

UPDATE - 10 Aug 16: OMG! We have a video tutorial! Thank you Nadia of YARNutopia!
UPDATE - 14 Aug 12: NOW WITH CHART!!
The fabulous Isabelle (FilACroche on Ravelry) set about making a chart for her own use - clever girl! - and then very generously allowed me to post it here for everyone!
UPDATE - 17 May 12: Having trouble with the RVS in round 7? Try the "longhand" version posted here. 
UPDATE - 29 May 11: a schematic for rounds 1 and 2 has been added - the stitches are shown "flat" for clarity but you'll be working in the round. I hope it helps with that fiddly round 2!

Some time back a member of Crochet Partners posted that she was looking for a peace symbol granny square pattern. Somehow it caught my imagination, and this was the result.

Seeing the picture of it now, I think the square would benefit from a wider border, but at the time I was just trying to knock something up quickly to fill a need. It came out 10" for me (I crochet loosely) but it would be a simple thing to add rounds to bring it up to any size you like.

Peace Sign Granny Square
(American Notation)

Worsted weight - Colours A and B
H hook

FL= front loop
BL = back loop
RVS =
Reverse V-stitch: work 2dctog, skipping 1 st btw first and second dc. Click here for more details.

Changing colours: with last 2 loops of dc still on hook, drop first colour and complete stitch with second colour. Carry colours across the back of the work, catching under a stitch if they get a bit long, or work completely over them throughout.

With A: Ch 4 and join to form a ring (or use a Magic Ring).

Rnd 1) ch 1, work 12 sc in ring, join with slst in FL of beg sc.

Rnd 2) ch 3, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of next st. With B (first colour change - see note above): dc in back loop (BL) of same st, 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt st, dc in BL of same st. With A: dc in FL of same st, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of nxt st. With B: dc in BL of same st. With A: dc in FL of same st, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of nxt st. With B: dc in BL of same st. With A: dc in FL of same st, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of nxt st. With B: dc in BL of same st, dc in same st (both loops), 2 dc in nxt st, dc in BL of same st as beg ch3, join with slst to beg ch3. = 24 dc

Click here for the full-size picture

Rnd 3) With A: Ch 3, (dc in nxt st) x 2. With B: (2 dc in nxt st) x 5. *With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st). Rpt from * once. With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st) x 5, join with slst to beg ch3. = 36 dc

Rnd 4) With A: Ch 3, (dc in nxt st) x 2. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 2 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st. *With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st) x 2. Rpt from * once. With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 2 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st, join with slst to beg ch3. = 48 dc

Rnd 5) With A: Ch 3, (dc in nxt st) x 2. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 3 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt st. *With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 2 st, 2 dc in nxt st. Rpt from * once. With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 3 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt st, join with slst to beg ch3. = 60 dc

Rnd 6) With A: ch 3, dc in nxt 3 st, (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 4 st) x 11, 2 dc in nxt st, join with slst to beg ch3. Finish off A. = 72 dc

Rnd 7) NB. You will be starting and finishing this round above the first stitch of the upright arm of the peace sign, i.e. partway along a side, not at a corner. With B: sc in beg ch3 of prev rnd, ch 2, (sk st, sc in nxt st, ch 2) x 3, *sk st, RVS, ch 2, (dc in same st, ch 2) x 2, RVS starting in same st, (ch 2, sk st, sc in nxt st) x 6, ch 2, rpt from * around, join with slst to beg sc. = 40 ch2 sp

Rnd 8) slst into ch2 sp, ch1, 2 sc in sp, *3 sc in nxt sp, 2 hdc in nxt sp, 3 hdc in nxt sp, 2 dc in nxt sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in nxt sp, 2 dc in nxt sp, 3 hdc in nxt sp, 2 hdc in nxt sp, 3 sc in nxt sp, 2 sc in nxt sp, rpt from * around, join with slst to beg sc. = 112 st, 4 ch1 sp

Rnd 9) ch1, sc in same st and in ea st around, working 3 sc in ea ch1 sp. Join with slst to beg sc. Finish off. = 124 sc

Copyright © 2008, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.
Errors? Problems? Please email me.

Ta da! Isabelle/FilACroche's chart -

If you do try this pattern I'd love to see pictures!

ETA: See an afghan made with this square here.

It's the Real Thing

Proud as I am of the lovely ornamental apple tree in the front garden, I now have a "real" apple tree in the back garden.


Okay, it's a bit of a glorified stick at the moment but it's a Worcester Pearmain - absolutely delicious apples - and we spotted it, crammed in a tub with a load of other plastic-wrapped fruit trees, at our local supermarket, price £4.99/$10. Not the most auspicious start, but it had a few leaves on it so we thought we'd give it a chance.


These pics were taken 2 weeks ago but it's still putting out new blossoms. Will we actually get fruit this year? I would have said not a chance but it's been doing so well I'm just tempted to hope.
Update 27/6/08: The one little applet I had on the tree, that I intended to take a picture of to share with you, fell off. Next year!