The Christmas and New Year break was a good one here. We spent lots of time together watching family films and eating nice things which makes for the best kind of Christmas holiday in my book, especially as Amy is usually out or cloistered with her computer in her room and it was lovely to have a little more of her company. Toby loved his new lego and has been busy chewing it as usual. He's becoming well practiced in the teenage art of long lie-ins and though he's still up each night playing musical beds he was coaxed back to his own bed in the morning with a tray of toast and ginger biscuits and happily snuggled there with his books 'til almost lunchtime while I got on with household chores. Return to routine is always welcome however, Toby copes so much better when things are as he expects them to be and when he copes better we all do. So today feels good as the school term has started and I'm sitting here enjoying the quiet while making lists and getting organised.
The mornings have been cold and frosty here this week so it seemed a good excuse to start the pair of gloves above. They're from a Kate Davies pattern called Snawpaws and I'm knitting them in the unbelievably soft Tynd yarn from Woolfolk which I bought from Loop. They're knitting up nice and quickly so I'm looking forward to wearing them by the weekend.
Well, I'm off to write some more lists and ease myself back into work mode. As usual there's a rather large number of emails in my inbox awaiting a reply so if you are waiting to hear from me hopefully you'll bear with me while I work my way through to yours.
Thanks for dropping in, I hope you've had a good start to the year where you are x
little cotton rabbits 
Beautiful work -as always Julie. So glad you had a lovely Christmas, Toby looks very happy xxBrenda
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So glad you had a lovely Christmas Julie! 🙂
I knit a pair of Snawpaws last winter, it is a lovely pattern…as are all of Kate’s patterns.
I’m a list maker too…the joy of crossing them off is great!
Happy 2017,
V x
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Happy New Year Julie…so glad you had a good Christmas…there is nothing like a new pair of mittens…(and this year a bobble hat!) Love the Snawpaws pattern…Yes..I’ve added it to a list!
Jenni xx
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Happy new year. Mittens are a current Pinterest board. About to add a anew pattern
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Here’s to the fresh start of 2017. Just writing that number seems surreal. I wish you good health & joyful memories to you & yours. My home has endured a busy holiday season that had moments of calm so that I could regroup, write lists & get some well needed rest. School here does not go back until the 9th so my Jack is still loving doing whatever he pleases …the challenge & struggles will be in full swing early Monday morning. This will also probably be the first morning he will sleep in after a Holiday of self imposed 6 AM risings!
Stay warm, knit on & inspire us all! I feel in my bones that 2017 is going to be something special!
Fondly, Lori from Port Perry
Across the silver sea 🇨🇦❄️☃️ 🌎 🌊🇬🇧
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Your home is so lovely and relaxing looking! I don’t know how you manage it all, but thank you for sharing with us. Happy New Year to you and your family.
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Your new gloves are lovely, Julie…they look so soft. Love the colors. I’m glad you had a wonderful Christmas, I always loved the peace when my children went back to their routines after the new year. I miss that now that they’re out of the house. One of my goals this year is to find that sense of calm that I see in your photos and steal a few minutes of that for myself in my home. Wishing you peace and serenity in the new year.
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Such pretty gloves, I can sense the softness from here. I’m glad Toby loved his Christmas Lego and that he’s enjoying long lie-ins. I hope he settles back into school well. Your Christmas sounds lovely, and I’m wishing you all a very happy New Year. CJ xx
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I love those new mittens that you’re making. The colors are so soft together and the pattern is beautiful. I know what you mean about routines. The holidays are nice, but I think most people thrive better with routines. Enjoy your day.
Blessings, Betsy
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Lovely photos as always Julie. Glad you had had a relaxing family Christmas and New Year together. Like you I am just getting back into my knitting again, and I just love those mittens too! Happy knitting. Sue x
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Love your mittens. All of Kate’s patterns are nice but they look good with your knitting. I’m with Toby with liking the return to routine.
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It’s fantastic to hear that you had such a lovely Christmas! And I could see how soft those beautiful mittens are through the screen, the halo on that yarn is magnificent. Those are going to be stunning!
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What gorgeous photos Julie. Toby has grown so much since I last saw him. He must tower over you ! Happy knitting and see you soon.x
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It must be something in the air, but this Christmas the teenagers (mine and my brother’s) seemed to decide on mass to hang out with us oldies. It was entertaining company for sure. Long may it last!
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Relaxed family time is just the best. Our festive season has been a long one and we still have a few people to see so we’ll be gifting well into the new month.
I do love the colour of your gloves. And that yarn does look scrumptious!
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I am so glad you had a good Christmas.
I pinned Carmen on my Pinterest board some time ago. It’s the most popular pin, every day, someone repins it.
All the very best for a Happy New Year and good health too.
XX
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Happy New Year!
All back to school here too, and I’ve been enjoying some peace to read my new book – ‘The Running Hare: The Secret Life of Farmland’ by John Lewis-Stempel. I had read another of his books, ‘Meadowlands’ on your recommendation and this is just as good!
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Happy New Year Julie. Love your new mitts
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It is nice to read you had a good holiday with your family and a lovely Christmas. Now life is back to normal and I think that most people are happy about it. I believe I’d better start writing lists like you, it seems a secret for good organization and I am so messy! Thank you for your beautiful photos… Toby has grown!!! Enjoy your knitting! Anne
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Happy New year!
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Those mittens are gorgeous, and I’ve had to look up the yarn already. It is nice to have a break from routine over Christmas but it is nice to get back to some routine too, and to know when you have a little down time for yourself! Happy New Year!
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toby getting so big,glad you all had a nice xmas
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Hello Julie, it has been quite a while since I last visited, but I wanted to stop by and say Happy New Year. I wish you all the best for 2017 and look forward to seeing more of your latest knitting projects. Marie x
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Beautiful new gloves Julie! And Yay for routine — I really didn’t want to return to work this year, but it’s for the best, I suppose. I definitely get more done when I’m working. Happy New Year!
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I really enjoy your work and your blog as well. Your pictures make me want to have a cooler weather so I could knit a little more. I homeschool my 8 year-old son, and routine is good too. He has a hard time not having a set schedule.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Laetitia
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Happy new year Julie, so happy you had good time and great company it’s lovely to have your children around you. As you said also good to get back to normal living and some nice free relaxing time for yourself even to catch up with emails etc. Also work!,lol.
You new knitting is just beautiful, I love the colour of gloves you picked
I have settled into our routine too baby sitting for our daughter who has a two year old, he is such a joy to us, and is expecting another baby in June!
Hope you and family gave a wonderful 2017 with lots of lvely knitting, can’t wait to see what you come up with next, you never dissapoint
Julie, how you manage to it all in amazes me, take care.
Hugs
Ellie (Scotland) xxxx
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I hope 2017 is a good year for you and your family. All the best to you. Look forward to seeing your creations!
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