Life Happens.....

Well, it has been over six months since I blogged. First, there was all the Christmas Knitting. I got it all finished, but only just! A few things were done very last minute, like finishing my brother´s jumper in the middle of the night of the 23rd.

In the new year, there has been a lot of work, lots of rehab for Aragon and not quite as much progress as I would have liked. He required a third surgery to remove a tiny bone plaque that built up during the healing process. However, since the bone callous is impeding the tendon he is still limping and may be for quite some time.

On a very sad note, a dear family member passed away quite suddenly a few weeks ago. I spent almost five weeks in Germany to help with arrangements and sort out possessions afterwards. It helped all of us to be together, but now it is good to be back home as well and to get back into a routine. It doesn't mean I miss my loved one any less, but it does help nevertheless.

Hopefully, with the time coming up, I will blog more regularly again. My return is being marked by redesigning my blog and hopefully enjoying it more this way.

Next time round I'll let you know what is happening with my knitting, there are quite a few projects on the needles, even if they languished alone and untouched for the time I was away. Also, there are a few plans to show Andalousie, hopefully she'll do me proud.

To look forward to is a visit to New York next year, with my grand mother, my brother and his fiancee. We will see Placido Domingo sing in The First Emperor. I cannot wait....

So.. a lot of things to talk about for the next few months.

X-rays to come...

Well, a quick update regarding Ari. He is at the vet today for x-rays to check his progress and I'll report back tomorrow with the verdict from the vet.

On another matter, I have found this newsstory today and thought to share it with you. It is about knitting, charity and how it cannot only make a difference to the recipient, but the knitter. Have a look.

http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4727486

To everyone, have a wonderful holiday season. Reading this story certainly has made me think about what we all can do to make the world a nicer and better place, not just in the run up to Christmas, but any day of the year.

Doggie update.. and even more socks... sockmania?

First to let you all know, Ari is doing a lot better and he thanks you for all the good wishes. He is able to walk a little on the leg now and is using it happily to balance when necessary.

Lulu on the other hand, while healing nicely, is still keeping well away from him whenever he comes even close to her rear end. But she happily holds still for doggie kisses to her face and ears, like any girl would!!

On the knitting front, my brother's Christmas present is growing apace and the socks are growing too... I can't seem to stop starting new ones whenever a pair is finished. Sockmania for sure!!!

I'll keep you posted with progress from Ari and Lulu, next update will be after Ari's X-Ray's in about a week's time. Then we know for sure how well things are progressing.

Doggie problems... and more socks

It has been a while since I have posted, mostly due to the fact that my dear boy Aragon managed to break his leg 2 weeks ago. Impetuous male that he is, he thought he could jump off a 2m drop off without problems, but didn't count on the forest path being very rutted because of the recent heavvy rains here. So, he twisted, fell and broke both ulna and radius. The result: Surgery and an external fixator.

Everything went well until Sunday night. He was feeling better and could put weight on the leg, walking slowly and for balance. So, I guess he thought he was up to practicing his lovemaking technique with Lulu. Bad idea. The fixator caught on Lulu's hind leg and they got stuck. Lulu went crazy and tried to get away, Ari was screaming and so was Lulu. Subsequent result: Lulu has a small laceration in her skin on her leg and needed disinfecting and checking over by the vet. Ari had to have surgery again to reposition the fixator and to repair the rebroken fractures.

Lesson learned by me: Males are idiots and need to be kept from females while injured. Have to run to Argos and buy doggie gate (somewhat larger version of a baby gate to prevent jumping over).

Would you all believe that this took two minutes only. I was in the kitchen making a sandwich.

So, from now on while together at home, dogs will be separated by doggie gate until Ari's leg has healed.

On the knitting front, I have made a lot of socks and my sock of the month account is growing. I am working on my Stepdad's cardigan to finish it for Christmas and on my brother's jumper. It's growing, that's all I can say at the moment.

I will post photos of all of it once the weather here is nicer, at the moment it seems like it used to be in London... rain, rain and more rain. But we need it, so I won't complain (ok, maybe grumble a little!).

So.. back to the knitting grindstone to finish those pressies......

I am deligthed and in awe....

My lovely Secret Pal Dyann sent me a wonderful package full of goodies.....

Firstly the scarf. Schaefer Anne, a lovely colorway of blues and green and a lace pattern!!! It is absolutely perfect for me, my wardrobe and the local climate. I could not have been more delighted and I have to say if this is a first time lace project, I cannot wait to see what else you will come up with Dyann.

Along with the scarf came: A mug made by Dyann herself (she is a professional studio potter), tea to fill it with, a gorgeous hank of laceweight yarn in a lovely lavender color (Ene´s Scarf, here I come!), a bar of soap and a lovely card. I am overwhelmed by Dyann's generosity and artistry.

My scarf will be on it's way to his recipient on Saturday, together with some other goodies.

On the knitting front, I have completed: A second pair of "Socks of Doom" for Sock Wars, since unfortunately my first target did not send me an unfinished pair of socks, I had to start a second pair from scratch, which is currently winging it's way to the United States to... sock someone!

Also, a pair of Baudelaires in burgundy yarn from Regia. On the needles is a pair of Jaywalkers, yarn is Gedifra Trend Sportivo as well as a pair of socks for the man I love, with yarn from yarnpirate in denim, grey and a bit of red.

I am still working on all the other projects listed in the sidebar and will post updates soon.

FO's.....

The Ultimate Gift is finished. Over the weekend, I finished the collar and now it is blocking nicely on my guest room bed. One more Christmas Present gets a checkmark on my list.

I have also whipped up (in 3 days) a pair of Gentleman's Fancy Socks from Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks, in Lana Grossa Meilenweit Boot Stretch. The colors are a blue, variegating with red and a purply blue. It turned out rather nice and I hope they fit the size 9US feet I made them for, LOL.

My scarf for the ISE3 is halfway done, and since it has a center seam, that half is blocking alongside the Ultimate Gift. The second half has been started and is up to 2 repeats, with 20 more to go. I should get it finished by the end of the week at the latest, especially since i have finally memorized the 20 row repeat............

So, on to the Gentleman's Cardigan for my Stepdad. It won't need much, just a sleeve to finish and then block, sew together and knit on the front edging and the collar. End of the week as well I hope, since I need to send it to my Mom. No good button shops here in Spain, so she'll buy some and sew them on.

And then.... well, look at the WIP's in the sidebar, you'll get the idea, LOL.

New KAL

Am I crazy.. with everything else I am doing, I have just decided to start a knitting blog for Chuck's Cabled Socks from Eunny. I guess all the sock related KAL's have given me a taste for it!!

You'll find it at

www.chuckscablesocks.blogspot.com

For sign ups, please email

chuckscablesockskal at gmail dot com

Hope to see you there,

Bettina