As you can see I've finished these lovely pinwheel mitts (pattern from Bombella & project notes here) so I'm all set to stay cosy in the snow that is forecast here for Sunday. I'll be wearing these a lot through this month because not only are they lovely and warm but I think they look rather Christmassy too.

Sadly there will be one less present under our tree this year and our Christmas decorations and celebrations will be muted, as my father-in-law Gwyn passed away last week after a long and valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. The death of a loved one concentrates your mind on the importance of the others that you love and hold dear and I'm seeking out extra cuddles with everyone at the moment. Sometimes life gets so busy that we don't always find the time to express our love and affection and families can be messy with disagreements, tussles and misunderstandings. It rarely occurs to us that we have limited time together and that there's no way of knowing how long that might be.

So, all I'm hoping for this Christmas is a little peace and warmth with those I love, some laughter, some close times to treasure and some warm memories of those no longer here. Gwyn always drank a toast at 11am on Christmas morning to 'absent friends'. This Christmas and every Christmas to come he'll be at the forefront of our thoughts as we carry on his tradition and raise a glass to his memory.

J x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a few short but very windy hours last week most of the autumn leaves were blown away and winter breezed in. I had hoped to get out for a few more autumn walks but I've missed the boat for this year. Though I did manage to take some pictures around the garden before most of the leaves blew away and gather up some wonderful leaves from our neighbours cotinus smoke bush to dry. Still, the arrival of winter and the few early morning frosts over recent days have given me the perfect excuse to cast on a new pair of mittens and knitting by the fire is a happy trade off.

The pattern above is Pinwheel Mitts by BomBella designs (Ella Austin) in collaboration with Loop. I'm using yarn from my stash; Madeline Tosh sock in Robin Red Breast and The Uncommon Thread tough sock in Manuscript and the pattern is working nicely with the contrast. They'll be a perfect pair of christmassy mittens to go delivering presents in. Project notes are here.

Temperatures are set to dip into negatives tonight so I'm changing duvet covers on everyone's beds here this afternoon and getting blankets ready.

Hope you're warm and cosy and happy where you are, see you soon x