Approaching Christmas

Well hello there, long time no see! I've been MIA for the longest time, just life getting in the way but I've really missed my wee blog and chatting to you all so thought I'd start it up again. I did have a scary moment where I thought the whole thing had been deleted (note to self: BACKUP your blog Jill!!!) but luckily it was user error and here I am posting again - phew! I'd love to recap the last 2 years but I can't remember 2019 (I can't remember what I had for breakfast most days ...) and of course 2020 has been a bit of a write-off with children off school, home-learning, and MrEC working from home, and everything being shut. As I write we are in Tier 4 so basically no going out except for a walk, or essential shopping. I'm very sad that the cafes had all closed except for takeaways - which - I'm sorry - just aren't the same as sitting in with a cosy cuppa. However I am on a strict diet at the moment anyway, very boring but I needed to lose a load of weight - have lost 2 and a half stone so far, so feeling rather pleased with myself :) So its probably for the best that I am not allowed anywhere near the cake counter for the time being.

Instead I've been going or lot of lovely long walks. Our weather has been mixed , some bitterly cold days but with bright blue skies and winter sun .....

... and some very murky damp dismal days.... 

... though the ducks and geese don't seem to mind ....

There's still lots of colour to be found though with nature continuing to burst forth ....

We are very lucky where we live - its slap bang in the middle of suburbia but there are so many lovely walkways and paths to explore. I have a few very good walking friends who I take it in turns to walk with, there's nothing like a good 2 hour chat to clear the mind!

Things I've noticed on my walks this week were this rather forlorn looking welly ....

I wonder where its partner is and if it ever found its way home ? And also this shopping bag, which has been hanging on this branch for about 3 weeks now.

I've decided if its still there unclaimed today I'm going to take it back to my house, clean it up and give it a new home.

And check out this house's front garden - it has the most beautifully decorated Christmas trees .....

Speaking of Christmas trees, I crocheted up this little chap last week, isn't he super cute ?

I got the pattern from issue 124 of LGC Knitting and Crochet magazine ...

He was pretty straightforward apart from the frills which were Super Fiddly, but worth it I think as he was a gift for a friend. I also made a little Santa gonk for my gonk-loving friend ....

I bought the pattern online but of course now can't find it to link to it, sorry!

And I've picked up a blanket I started YEARS ago, its the Attic24 Cottage Ripple Blanket, I'm determined to get it done before the end of the year.

I've got about 12 stripes left to do, so am aiming for 2 or so a day. I did manage to lose my favourite 5mm Clover Amour crochet hook yesterday though - where do these things go ???? I have another one by a different brand but it doesn't crochet nearly so smoothly. I've searched high and low (yes, under the sofa) for my clover one but it refuses to be found. So tomorrrow's walk will be a hefty 9 mile round trip walk (see below!) to me local yarn shop Stitchery Do, once the very lovely owner Rebecca confirms if she has one in stock (keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!)

And with that I shall leave you, I am off on another walk - oh I didn't tell you I am aiming for 200km in December, have done about 140, so 60 to go in 9 days, I reckon its still doable.... so I better crack on.

I know for many of us this year Christmas will be a strange one, but I do hope you all manage to make the best of it and have a relaxing day. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!

Jillxxxx