Growing...

The pups are eight months old today.They are now much bigger than Poppy. Quince is also rather taller than Barley. They all still cuddle up and sleep together, though.
We had a bit of a time of it with them, in the run up to Christmas. Quince had to have some work done on her eyelids. The edges were turning in, and causing the lashes to rub on the eyeballs. The Vet was brilliant - very neat. The work is not visible any more. A couple of weeks later, we had them both speyed. I don't want to breed from them, so it will spare them all the discomfort, and help deter mammary tumours.
The first day I could walk them off-lead after all the above, I was doing a one- on- the-lead,-one-off walk, so that they didn't go mad. Put Quince back on the lead, let Barley off. She shot through the hedge after a pheasant. Came back, and just sat down. Odd. She had ripped around the top of her leg (on barbed wire). Straight to the Vet. Ten stitches! We are getting to know the staff at the Vets well.


My sister in law, Deb, gave ma a lovely book for Christmas. The Handmade Loaf, by Dan Leppard. It was recommended by Nigel Slater. I had a lovely time making the sourdough starter, and then baking a loaf.


It has really reminded me how I enjoy yeast/bread baking. This was the first loaf.....there have been a number since.
Deb also gave me a set of V.H.S. tapes. 'Gone to Seed'. Not available at present on DVD. Why did I want it ? It contains a young Rufus Sewell.

Knitting

A few sunny days, although cold, make such a difference to ones' outlook. A little sun also makes a difference in the garden. Suddenly the daffodil spears are showing several inches of growth. The snowdrops are beginning to show their flower buds. And this witchhazel, covered in flowers that look like an accident in a tissue box, but are a spicy, fragrant delight. It is in the front garden, which is enclosed by high Yew hedges, so the perfume is held, not dissipated by the breeze.
There was a lot of knitting done for the Festive season. These pale lavender fingerless gloves were for my Mother. Made in pure merino, they were trimmed in the same lace weight yarn that I made her scarf from. The surlpus, in fact.
The next pair was made for (sister) Nicky.They were also made from surplus yarn. This time from the waistcoat that I made for her some time ago. The contrast was from scraps.

And finally... This lovely cap is called Seamans' Cap, by Brenda Zuk (Needlebeetle). This was in an Aran weight pure wool from Coldharbour mill. A very easy pattern which knitted up quickly over a few evenings. Russell, Nicky's husband, was the recipient. My own Best Beloved then demanded I make him one, too!
My next project is already in hand....a hat for myself, with a braided brim. The pattern is in the current issue of The Knitter.

I would like to show some pictures of the pups, but at the moment the computer is saying that I 'don't have authority for the action' , so I'll try again tomorrow.