Squeak!

Hello! Once again I am managing to squeeze in a yarn along post while Bob naps next to me.

Two audiobooks in the car this week. We've just finished Death in Ecstasy and are moving on to The Tiger in the Smoke. I really like these Margery Allingham adaptations.

Reading wise I'm about two thirds of the way through Michel Odent's Do We Need Midwives? I'm absolutely captivated. It's right at the limit of my understanding, and I'm enjoying using my academic reading skills again, even if they are a little rusty.I should be able to write a proper review next week when I have finished it. After my horrific new year book hangover I have had a little splurge on both paper books and kindle recently, so there will be lots more exciting books to come!

I finished putting these little socks together. Aren't they darling? They're a fair bit too big for bob, so I might put them away with an eye on Christmas. I may also get some non-slip pads and make them into slipper socks for him. These will be my January socks for the 2016 sockalong at Marigold's Loft. Instead of a pair a month, I'm hoping to knit six pairs over the year. Now to cast on the next pair!

Sausages' Bluejay would have been finished except that I have decided to add a couple of inches to the hood to accommodate his large head. Still loving both they yarn and the textures of the pattern. I'm not at all dreading having to make another one straight away, which is good!

I'd love to hear what you're knitting and reading at the moment!

E

A sniff of spring

Well, it might only be three degrees here today, but at last we have seen the sun! My house is full of hyacinths, and I cannot get enough of that heady smell.

This little gem finally broke me out of my book hangover. It's L J Ross' first novel, and while the writing maybe needs a bit more editing, and there are places in which she directly contradicts herself, the plot is absolutely cracking. This author has mastered the Agatha Christie skill of misdirection and suspense. I think I will have to download her second book too! I downloaded Holy Island on a whim because it came up on offer over Christmas, and because it's based in a location I love: the island of Lindesfarne. 

I'm following it up with something completely different. I love the Yarn Harlot, don't you? She speaks to my soul! I've also discovered a new podcast which I am binge-listening to. Sprogcast is about pregnancy, birth and beyond, and features some of the most exciting people currently operating in the field. I'm addicted.

I am about half way up the hood of Sausages' red hoodie, and he has suddenly requested that the pompom be white. We'll see. I bought extra red in order to match. I'll knit up the pair for Bob while we think about it.

I also dragged this beauty out of hibernation this week, as part of my plan to finish it and its sister this year. It seems a bit small and cramped, but the gauge and yardage looks right, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when it finally makes it to blocking. I love love love the lace patterns on this shawl. I can't wait to actually wear it.

Don't forget to pop over to the Yarn Along to see what everyone else is working on. I have recently joined Goodreads, and if you'd like to see what I'm reading you can find me there as Wailliewaillie too!

Take care

E

Cake Fails

It's no secret that I love to bake, but I think it's less well known that I absolutely cannot decorate cakes! I do still try, and I am committed to providing my family with home made birthday cakes every year. For those of you who enjoy a laugh, here are some of my recent offerings:

"I saw three ships" Christmas cake, my first successful royal icing from scratch. It didn't run off the plate!

Bob's second birthday cake, which is supposed to be his favourite character from this tv show. For the record, I know it looks burnt but it isn't. It was a dairy and gluten free boiled orange cake, and the outside sort of...caramelises. In a good way.

For my big boy's fifth birthday, a lego head pinata cake, with lemon curd and lemon buttercream. No, I didn't bake it with the lego inside! He insists that future cakes will not have toys inside. Not a hit, then.

In the background you can see the obligatory chocolate Guinness cake I make for Husband's birthday every year. Even I can't make that look ugly!

I'd love to see your cake fails/successes! Please tell me I'm not alone!

E