Knit Your Square to Give Your Share - PART 4

roamin_in_the_gloamin

Thirzah - so pleased you managed to fit in that bit of knitting YES I think the s-i-l should also have a scarf.... then they will all have had something special and hand made. It's what I do - its been earflap hats this year for mine.
PippaS - yes that is crochet basketweave - I must have had a hissy fit at least once a day when I started that little number... found out how to do it by dougaling - crochet basketweave and up came a you tube site.
PSSO - you had CAKE and didn't send me any????? argh......... will go make my own ..... have some gorgeous choclate from the Health food shop it comes in slabs and is about 3 inches thick so will go melt some down and make some truffles for myself at the same time - still hunting the elusive coffee filling - will crack it one day!
Mrs Moneypenny - look out for the postie - it left me this morning with a wish that it will get to you in time.
Mioliere - are you OK ? Has anybody given you any feedback on the viewings yet?
CHALKY - I have a rule - if anyone sheds so much as one tear when they are leaving me or I am leaving them - I will not entertain them visiting again........ this has worked with my DWS - mind you the second she is out of sight I am in floods!! Ease yourself back into life in the UK on the run up to Christmas - you will have tons to keep you occupied and time will fly bye.
F1 - YOU GIVE EDNA THE HEAVE HO....... right now! I have to say I think I have been a wee bit better this year than previous - well I think so even if no one else shares that view.
Ginnyknit - seems you have just about managed to finish all your wee tasks for the fair - wonderful - hope you make lots of pennies too.
Right I know I have missed lots of peeps .... so if you are lurking, or just popping in for a lookie see, lots of love and cuddles to you all.
xxx

mrs-moneypenny

morning all
just time to say hello before i dash off to work.

thank you Roaming that is exceptionally kind of you.

i hope everyone is well, cant believe how cold it is this morning my feet are frozen, ive even had a jog on the wiifit to try and get circulation going

'see' you later Stay warm

mioliere

Hi everyone

I had every intention of posting on Sunday, then again yesterday with the update, and we were descended upon by friends both times, so I am determined to do the update today.

I see lots of lovely photos of stuff on here so I will go back and take a good look once I have updated.

Chalky - I feel for you having to say goodbye but it's wonderful that they will be home for Christmas.

Welcome to you, Thirzah!

My arm is a lot better, thanks,, and fortunately did not get infected. I 'googled' cat bites and apparently up to 80% result in infection, so the fact that I went mad with the iodine really paid off, I think!

As for the viewing, it went well but, as Jean has said, feedback takes ages. The agent was 'confident' but how many times have I heard that? There was also a chap very interested in our final building plot but the sale of his house has fallen through, so that is now a 'no go', but at least this time the agent had the courtesy to let us know!

Oh, before I forget, I found this pattern for a crocheted teddy bear done all in one piece, and I can vouch for how easy it is. I have made one in chunky slightly fluffy wool that I found in my stash and am just sewing it up. It really is very very easy, and ideal for charity. I'll add it to my totals and make a few more because they don't take much wool, and can be done in any ply, so will be a good way of using up oddments and make a change from squares and baby hats. Like Jean, I really don't like the wool that they sell here, so I would rather use my UK stuff!

As for the sewing, I have now made three pairs of curtains and some 'runners' to go on top of cupboards (they were requested by DH, so he is showing some 'interior design' skills!). I am still only sewing in straight lines (well, straightish!) but want to have a go at applique at some point. Pinterest, as I am sure you all know, is very inspiring, and I have lots of ideas running around in my head. DH is still working on the house because there is no outside work available at the moment, and he can't stand not being busy. I have asked him to make me a butcher's block, and a new shoe rack, so he has added them to his list and will try and get them done before his brother's visit at Christmas.

http://www.mybookezzz.org/ebook.php?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ibHVtZW5idW50LmRlL2FubGVpdHVuZ2VuL0Nyb2NoZXQlMjBwYXR0ZXJuJTIwVGVkZHklMjBFTkdMSVNIJTIwQS5wZGYKMSBTVEFSVCBDUk9DSEVURUQgVEVERFkgLSBCbHVtZW5idW50

Will be back shortly to post the update.

KathyXX

mioliere

Hi, me again!

Here is the update:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhOgVamMPLdkdDdKVTJ6UWRPLThuejdDaDI0alQ1NVE&usp=drive_web#gid=0

Jean, I have added your blanket squares to the 'Lily, Memory, and all other squares' category; is that OK or do you want me to put them somewhere else?

It's freezing cold here but really sunny and is even getting the washing dry on the line. After a few weeks of gloom, it's lovely. I hope it's the same for all of you.

KathyXX

My update: Teddy 1

roamin_in_the_gloamin

KATHY - NOPE - that's exactly where I put the last lot - :-)

cold here also but I am fine and warm - running the knitting machine manually and remembering to change arms so I won't end up with bingo wings on only one! ha ha off for a late lunch
x

Himself has just scooted out to the biscuit factory so I need to get onto the web and order a few pressies for him before he catches me on the pooter!
x

psso

Brrrr, cold, wet and miserable here today so the washing is in the tumbley. Why does the sun shine when I have no washing to do and as soon as a load goes in the washing machine, the rain starts ? S*ds law at work again.


Well, I still haven`t come across that second ball of that black wool with multi colour strands

---

although DD found a bag with 2 balls of red and 2 of blue,same brand, which I had bought when we were on holiday in June. Don`t know what I was intending to knit with it, although it reminded me of jumpers I did for the twins when they were little, maaaany moons ago. Might have a look in the pattern box and see if the pattern is still there.

Chalky - hope you had your winter woolies handy when you arrived back home. Christmas will soon be here.:)

Roamin - my efforts at the front and back post basketweave have nearly driven me round the bend, never mind a hissy fit. Not in any great hurry to dig it out of the corner of doom.
As for the cake........well you would not have been impressed, I certainly wasn`t. I have been on a mission to find a nice,fruity cake without cherries or peel. To say that one was a bit lacking in sultanas would be an understatement. They must have been shot in with a peashooter !! I know, I could probably make the ideal cake if I extracted the digit but really CBA baking these days.

Off for a cuppa and a sandwich and maybe do some knitting while listening to a story (audiobook) Busy,busy busy.

roamin_in_the_gloamin

nanaged a bit of online "card meltdown' yesterday - at least I will have a few things to wrap up for DH to pop under the tree....shopping is exhausting - ha ha!

finished making the Christmas puddings the other day and am now feeding them alcohol on a weekly basis. back in a bit with THE SULTANA CAKE RECIPE............. that and the cherry cakes are next on the TO DO list.

Have a grand day folks - love and cuddles to you all
x

chalky_75

Just popping in to say we are safely back in Manchester where we have a wonderful friend who takes us to the airport and looks after our car etc.
We make our way back to Devon tomorrow.
All fine but we are missing our little alarm clock in the morning asking for a story.
Thanks for all your lovely comments about our trip you are a lovely,lovely lot x x x

mrs-moneypenny

morning all

looking forward to the sultana cake recipie roamin

trying to finish some back stitch on a christmas card but its in stratchy gold thread and its a mare to sew with. its one of those if i put it down i probably wont pick it back up things so im sticking with it.
for those who are starting to feel christmassy ive found a radio station you can listen to online its called smoothchristmas its just christmas songs 24/7 no dj or adverts ive been listening for 2 weeks now so feeling really christmassy.

its still really cold here so i hope everyone is managing to stay warm and cosy and you are all about where you need to be with your plans and prep for christmas.

hugs good wishes and positive vibes to all of you
i am especially thinking of those with poorly loved ones who are suffering ill health themselves

special hugs to the Mia's we think of you often and hope you are well

roamin_in_the_gloamin

½ lb butter (softened
½ lb caster sugar
4 or 5 standard eggs (well that's depeding on which were laid)
½ lb plain flour sifted
1 level teaspoon finely grated lemon peel and
½ teaspoon vanilla essence
6 oz sultanas

Cream the butter and sugar with the lemon peel and essence - beat this really well to get air into it and make it light and fluffy.. Beat in the eggs one at a time adding tablespoon of sifted flour with each egg. Gently fold in the rest of the flour and the sultanas. pop into a
greased/lined 7" round cake tin bung into the oven at gas mark 3 for 1½ - 2 hours (insert a cocktail stick into it to check its cooked) leave in the tin for 5 minutes when you get it out of the oven then turn out onto a wire cooling rack. that's the one I make

This next one is my DH's favourite one ( he is lazy-doesn't like beating)

½ lb SR flour
¼ lb butter
¼ lb caster sugar
¼ lb sultanas (or any other - cherry, currents, raisins, yuk)
1 level teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
1 egg
5 tablespoons milk

this is a 6" round tin or 1lb loaf tin (he prefers the loaf tin - well he would wouldn't he) Line it and grease it.

Sift flour rub in butter finely add sugar fruit and lemon peel mix to a batter with egg and milk, stir with a metal spoon until evenly combined. DO NOT BEAT.
Into prepared tin and into the oven Gas mark 4 for 1 / 1½ hours - he then walks off and lets me worry about how long it is in the oven for - MEN HONESTLY! Leave in the tin for 5 minutes then tip out onto wire rack.

Store cake in airtight tin/box

I also make a tea loaf which is

1lb mixed fruit (or not)
½ lb soft brown sugar
½ pint hot tea,
1 beaten egg
spices - as you like - them (teaspoon mixed spice at least)
1 lb SR flour

soak the fruit overnight in the tea. Mix flour, sugar and spices together add the egg and fruit bake for 1 - 1½ hours. I haven't made this one in a while - can't get the soft brown sugar here or the SR flour but its on the list for DH to bring me some back from the UK