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

I Am In !!

Yay !!!!!!!! I have just signed up for another winter sock club from Vintage Purls. These go so quickly that I have been glued to the computer waiting for it all to happen. You get one installment for each of the months of June July and August. Got to have something to beat those winter blues. It is a lovely surprise because you never know what you are getting, wool and pattern and also Morag pops in some lovely little sweet treats!

I have been looking at this lovely pattern for fingerless mitts for ages and finally succumbed to buying it, I am sure I wont be disappointed. It is called Veyla you can buy it from Ysolda Teage's web or through Ravelry. I have some lovely VP sock yarn that I have earmarked for this and I want to do some in cream Alpaca.

Today is beautiful and warm really didn't need a coat walking to the shops early.

I got new glasses yesterday, 2 pairs one for on the computer and one for everyday, first thing I said was "I can see! "Hadn't realized that my eyesight had deteriorated since my last glasses 3 years ago. What a difference they make, no more sore and stiff neck after hours on my computer. Perhaps my knitting will improve now!

Happy weekend to all my family and friends wherever you are.

Janet

Date Scones and Jam

Decided to make myself some date scones this afternoon, I was feeling in the mood for something a little sweet, these always fills the gap and freeze very well.

I think the recipe comes off an old Edmonds Baking Powder box had it so long cant remember.

Here it is.

Scones

3 Cups flour

4 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp salt

1- 1 1/2 cups of milk I add a

little water instead of all milk.

50 gram butter.

I added a few dates to this recipe but you could add sultanas, whatever.

Stir dry ingredients, rub in butter, add milk and dates and mix quickly to a soft dough i feel you really need all the liquid. Turn onto a floured board roll lightly or pat out until 3/4 in thick, cut and place on a cold oven tray and bake in hot oven 230c 450 f

for 10 to 15 mins.

I had some homemade plum jam with them, knew it was homemade as I found a few stones in it!!!

On the knitting side of things haven't had a very productive week, mainly because I started lots of things and ended up for one reason or another frogging them. Back to making some more merino socks for Julies market next weekend. Easy knits.

I purchased a skein of VP yarn last week, lovely variegated colours. I am not sure what to knit with this but think it would knit up nice for a pair of socks for Josh. Hi Josh I know you go to my blog every day! Hope you have a great weekend.

Well it seems we are in for a rough night tonight with heavy rain warnings. It has been a glorious day today, like summer.

Take care and have a great weekend

Janet

Another Monkey Off My Back!!

One again I have resorted to knitting my favorite sock pattern Monkey. I always go back to this pattern because it is so quick even with the 11 row pattern and the fit is great. 14297 people on Ravelry think so too. I knitted it in a lovely VP sock yarn, electric blue, cant think of the name.

I also picked up two balls of Regia sock yarn on Trademe and I am making the Pimpelliese shawl, scarfette, the colorways are lovely and I am really enjoying it.

I just have to show you some of the lovely soaps my daughter sent to me the other week, otherwise known as The Happy Housewife

She makes the most devine soaps especially her cake ones, take a look at her blog.

It has been raining quite a bit here so it is the perfect weather for knitting.

Have a great weekend wherever in the world you are

Janet

Hot off the Needles

I have had a busy few weeks knitting lots of things, mainly baby hats and socks. I went into town in the week a rare thing and found this lovely shop Cruellas, I could have stayed for hours just looking and fondling the wool. I brought some of their lovely Alpaca yarn in shades of teal and purple it is a dream to knit with, hand dyed here in Nelson. The pattern I used is Swirl Hat and leftover baby socks

These are two of my favourite patterns. I also made a purple merino set. Finally I finished Dans birthday socks in some lovely VP yarn, hope he likes them and the colour!

Today has been lovely and sunny, and managed to get all my washing dry. Must make the most of it while we have it.

I noticed on my walk through the Railway reserve how the leaves are all turning gold and reds very pretty. Well have a great week all......

Janet.

Lovely Weather

Well we have been enjoying some lovely weather here in Nelson long may it last! We put the clocks back one hour this weekend. (Daylight Saving ends on Sunday 3 April 2011 (when clocks go back one hour).

I stayed at Linds for the weekend baby-sitting the animals while they took a much needed break, it was nice for a change.

Family from Christchurch have rented a house out at Templeton as they need work doing on theirs and lots of silt under their house, I 'don't think they will ever go back to the Eastern suburbs. Thank goodness for mortgage holidays I dont blame them it is still a mess and most people have left. They will have to re-home their lovely Samoyed Shilo as the place they are staying the garden is too small.

I have been very busy knitting things for Julie's market this is her website She makes the most amazing soaps and felt foods take a look.The Happy Housewife

These are the things I have made in the last few weeks Patrick's birthday socks.

A pair of baby socks using VP scrummy yarn. Three sets of baby hats and slippers. Some cute NB socks. Finally I brought some buttons and finished all three .. Pebble Vests

This is one of my favourite patterns.

Well time for more knitting .... love love

Have a happy weekend wherever you are

Janet x

Left Behind

The family had to return to Christchurch yesterday because P had to go back to work, they cannot live in their house at present as no water or sewerage and everyone from their area have seemed to have left as it resembles a war zone . They managed to get some accommodation in a holiday park, it is on the outskirts of Ch Ch and quite a bit far for P to go to work but at least they are safer out there.

The children's schools are not open yet, so they are quite bored. They couldn't have Miley wi

th them at the camp so they had to leave her behind with me, she is no trouble at all but is missing them all dreadfully, their other animals are in kennels and are okay. Thousands have left Christchurch and many will not return, but they have got a house to sort out. At times like these, having a rental would be a good option!

Quite a nippy morning here in Nelson, a real Autumn feel to it but it has warmed up now. I am knitting a pair of socks for Ps birthday which we hope he will celebrate here in Nelson. I am using some of Vintage Purls Yarn in a lovely green colour, only got 4 days to do them!!!

They Are Here And Safe

Well the family managed to finally get out from Christchurch on Thursday, It took a while as they had to find places for most of the animals. Nearly all the bridges are out near them in Avondale, and traffic was really congested.

They are so pleased to be out of the chaos and getting showers, water, toilets, power and most importantly a good nights sleep and no aftershocks. It is really hard for them to decide what to do as they own their own home and have to go back sometime and see how there house has been assessed, it is more damaged than last time with their front concrete walls all down. Most possessions in their house are ruined.

It is so terrible hearing all the sad sad stories coming out of Christchurch. More big aftershocks today which wont help the recovery.

It is lovely to have the cousins all together last night for tea and having fun and happy.