Bullion Roses and French Knots

Thought I would try my hand at this to embroider on a little baby vest, very clear instructions.

New Year Madness

Welcome to 2012 everyone! It was a quiet night for me but not for the neighbours over the road ........ boy did they party.
I started this Sock Yarn Blanket yesterday, its really addictive and I am wondering how long it will take me as the little squares are barely 2 inches. I like this idea as you don't join the squares but pick up stitches and join in, very ingenious. Only problem is I thought I had heaps of scraps of sock yarn but realize these are not going to go far!!! so if anybody out there has any to donate I would be very grateful!!!
I find I have only added about a dozen or so projects onto Ravelry in 2011 but have made lots of pairs of socks that didn't get put in, babies and adults. I am hoping to have a market this year in Nelson so am busy stockpiling socks.
Hope you all have a great day.

Janet

Out With The old

Well this has been quite a challenging year for my family. Earthquakes in Christchurch for Rachel, Josh's surgery with 3 months spent  away in Auckland. Floods in Nelson.
I have had so many blessings though to be thankful for. I was gifted a new computer this week from the lovely Kevin and Cathy ( thank you so much you guys, it is great) which will mean I can now update my blog more regularly. I missed two natural disasters while I was  away in Christchurch when the floods happened and had to return to Nelson unexpectedly and missed the latest swarm of earthquakes in Christchurch. I was affected though as when I returned home my power had been off since the rain and both freezers were full of rotting food,  the smell was something else,  the cupboards were very bare for Christmas!!!
I spent Christmas with Linds and family and we had the usual brunch which we find frees us up to relax for the rest of the day. The weather was great but once again the rain returned to soak everything again. I feel sorry for all the holiday makers that descend upon Nelson.
Boxing day was spent picking raspberries and enjoying fruit icecreams out at Berry Fields. This is something I really enjoy doing so I can freeze them for the coming year, plus its what summer in Nelson is all about!
I treated myself to a V9 Tablet for Christmas, it is great only 7 ins but finding it really useful now as I can read my patterns on it.
I havent been doing much knitting of late but will do a post later of those I have done last year.
Well to all far and near have a wonderful New Year, may 2012 be healthy and happy for you all .
God Bless

Janet

Finally

Well Finally I am blogging again. Have been home nearly 2 1/2 months, what a long time away.
In saying that I am at the moment visiting Rachel in Christchurch for Christmas. They are still displaced and living in Templeton since the February Quake and no nearer to finding out about their house in Avondale. Everything is shocking to see in real life, the streets where they lived just down fro the river are a mess. The end of her road is Red Zoned, we walked around Hulverstone Drive while P did the lawns, what a sad sad place, looks like a ghost town. Haven't felt any aftershocks thank goodness but as we are only a few metres from the railway tracks trains going all day and night its very noisy.
Havent really done anything for Christmas it will be money for most I think.
I am sort of pleased to not be in Nelson at the moment with the terrible flooding they are having at present, I got Dan to check my place and it is ok. Granny is still in Rocks fall and it will take more than landslides to move her!!!! Its a shame with Christmas coming as Nelson is a popular holiday spot.
On the knitting front have made quite a few pairs of socks, mostly babies I will post pics when I return home as finally I am getting a computer Yay!!! and should be back to regular posting.
Well we are off for a walk soon hoping the rain holds off it has been quite cool here thank goodness I brought my merinos!!
Well to all of you far and near may I wish you a very blessed and peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year
Janet

Last Lap

NATIONAL PARK JULY

VIEW FROM WILSON HOME TAKAPUNA

Well finally after 11 weeks we have a time for leaving here, last week we had to cancel flights and ferry due to Linds injuring her back which caused so many more complications. On the bright side Josh has had an extra week of therapy.

Also another unexpected highlight was on Sunday morning we were told that some All blacks were visiting the Wilson Home http://www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz/ we had just over 1/2 hour to quickly make a flag and get to Villa 1. we had 3 all blacks Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui and Andy Ellis come visit and what lovely guys, they were all really interested in the kids. We all made it on Prime News that night. Also the French Rugby team visited the Wilson School a few weeks ago it was great to see them . Josh was down at the Gym doing his session when they visited here and got some great photos, and Josh and me made it into the Northshore Times.

Josh doing okay, it is going to take some time 2 years to rehabilitate from this op.

We all are looking forward to finally getting back to Nelson on Thursday cant believe it will nearly be 12 weeks since leaving in that awful snow in National Park. Now spring is here and looking forward to summer in Nelson, also may have a visit to Christchurch coming up to visit Rachel and family.

On the knitting front have made about 6 or 7 pairs of socks, I need some more stash, sure i can remedy that!!

ON OUR WAY HOME YAY!!!

RWC Firework Display

Tonight we had a great opportunity to see the firework display here in Auckland and we didnt even have to leave the Wilson Home Site. At the last moment we were invited to use the

http://www.wilson.school.nz/l and we had the greatest panoramic view of the Sky Tower and the firework display. It was absolutely wonderful, a once in a lifetime occasion, all the kids were so excited that I think most of them will have trouble sleeping tonight!!!!. Thanks Josh without you we wouldn't be here to enjoy this time. It is amazing that we are finding some enjoyable moments here, even though it has been hard at times. We have met some great people too and are enjoying sharing meals with other families here.

Josh has had a couple of good days and he did some great work in the Hydro pool today and tomorrow he may get to go for his first outing in the van for a short time He cant wait he hasn't stopped smiling at the prospect...... 6 1/2 weeks is a long time stuck almost flat! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

Well all here are watching the first match while I type this up while it is quiet.

Dan arrives tomorrow for a few days as it is the twins birthday next week, didnt think we would still be here !!!

Have a great weekend all.

Janet

WEEK 6

Hi there everyone its been a while since posting here, busy stressful weeks with lots of ups and downs.

Josh has now started physio twice a day on the tilt table and doing slight knee bends. His pain has not been as bad but he had a bad migraine and vomiting on Thurs.

Danny arrived yesterday for the weekend and goes back tomorrow afternoon, it may be his last time coming back until the end of therapy which we still don't know when that will be. At least we have been spared the cold weather down South and it will be well into spring when we get back home to sunny Nelson.

We are getting into the swing of things here the other two area bit bored at times but we went to Takapuna library today which was great and Pappy bought in Tushme the cat and a lovely Malaysian meal for lunch YUM!!

It is amazing with all going on that I have managed to knit 3 pairs of socks. I hope to get some pics up later of those. I brought my first pair of Addi circulars to knit my socks and they are amazing they are a dream to knit with. These I brought at Crafty Knits in Milford a lovely shop that i hope to explore more when i have the time.

We have all just been down to the playroom here for a game of Boccia Josh won his first Boccia balls in a photo Competition that you can see here in the CP society newsletter.

He was so pleased to get them and has a smart new case to put them in.

I hope you are feeling better Julie after your stay in hospital and are on the way to recovery.

Have a lovely weekend this first week of spring( here in NZ that is)

Janet

Another Update

Well we are all settled in here at the Wilson Home in Takapuna for the start of Josh's rehabilitation which have just found out could be some time. It is in a lovely setting of 13 acres, with beautiful gardens which we have named The Secret Garden from the book of that name. The grandchildren explore different paths each day finding unusual flowers plants and other interesting things, we did a treasure hunt yesterday which was fun for them and helped break up the day.

Josh is doing well and being very patient in being grounded, he wont be able to go out in the van for some time yet, but will be allowed on short walks. Tushme their Sphinx cat came for a visit last night, we were all pleased to see him and he immediately curled up on Josh's bed for a cuddle. He is staying with Pappy in Auckland, so he is on holiday too!!

Hope to get some photos up soon.

Have a lovely weekend all wherever in the world you are

Janet

Day5

Today has been a beautiful sunny day here in auckland more like spring.
Josh has had a rough couple of days as they wean him off the epidural, but he seems better this afternoon. Me and kids been up to hospital but they get bored there.....not much fun! We have lunch at the Ronald Mcdonald family room in the hospital so good to have these places. We cant speak highly enough of the R/M house we are staying at at Grafton Mews it is a brand new facility, they make life much less stressful for families going through tough times.
Julie and Jason came up with Mr Louis the dog and took us out to tea and took tea in for the parents who havent been able to leave the hospital. Great job Julie and Jason and I hope that you have a great birthday today Julie.

I will be away for a while

I am currently in Auckland with the family for Josh's surgery at Starship and will be away for approx 6 weeks. He has just come out of surgery and is in recovery. We are at one of Ronald Mcdonald extra houses near to the hospital then we will be at the Wilson Centre for rehabilitation.
The other 2 are fine after a long few days of harrowing travel in the snow and a rough ferry ride.
Till later.......

Hats for Aiden

I have been busy making hats for a little boy Aiden in Christchurch. I really like this pattern, Totem Cable Hat http://knitwity.blogspot.com/2010/09/totem-cabled-hat-pattern.html I did the first one in cleckheaton wool 8 ply and then the next in Panda soft 8 ply because I thought he may be sensitive to wool. I really like how the Panda knitted up nice and soft, even though I am not a fan of acrylic, I would use this again. I also did some fingerless gloves for Aiden and his sister and they look so cute. Both sized for toddler and they are on there way to Christchurch and hope they fit... and bring a little cheer for the parents who are going through tough times.

It has been another beautiful day here in Nelson sunny and warm after the frost, just been for a walk along the Railway Reserve lots of people out biking and enjoying the day as I hope you are wherever you are.

Have a wonderful weekend all.

Janet

Hello

It has been a while since posting here as my computer has died. In the meantime I have borrowed my grandaughters laptop which is great.
We have had a few days away at Greymouth at the CCS house, which is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. Have been busy once again knitting things for Julies markets.
More aftershocks continue to rock Christchurch the last big ones were centered near Rachel which upped everybodies anxiety levels. They have just found out that their home in Avondale is green which means okay for rebuild. It is crazy as the end `of their street is red zones to be demolished and she has silt under her house so what they will do I dont know, so many others are in the same position`with one half street red other green!!! Trying times for them as more aftershocks bring more damage.
Well I have two of the grandchildren around for a while, they are busy watching movies on the Ipad ......wonderful!
The weather continues to be wet but not too cold the temps are up for this time of the year. Getting washing dry is a real problem and I hate wet washing hanging around.
Well all. ......have a great weekend wherever you are.
Blessings
Janet