Advent 2020 Days 19-24

 'Twas the night before Christmas, in the year 2020, and we're still up watching the history of Have I Got News For You.

I'm finally feeling like it's allowed to be Christmas, having failed to finish even half of the projects that I wanted to get done by now.  I have however managed to get the house reasonably clean and tidy, and the fridge full to bursting.

The Regulars

FO's

I have finished one gift knit, but as I haven't even posted it yet, I can't show it to you here.

I can show you my Christmas day outfit though.  

I love Skeinhead designs, but I hate the neckline of standard fit t-shirts.  What's more punk rock than cutting bits off your clothes and modifying them?  

As the design is based around crochet, I've done the embellishments in crochet.

As soon as this arrived, and I saw the exact shade of red in the design, I knew exactly which skein of yarn I wanted to use to add to it.  It's one of Ring-a-rosie's one of a kind colourways, and I love it!

Stash Acquisition

My Made by Penguins Little Penguin December club made it here before Christmas!  Which is a bit of a miracle considering the immense strain that the post office is under right now!

The colourway is called "Christmas in Miami", and I love it.

It is still a 20g mini-skein, and a pretty little progress keeper, it's just that the candy cane is tiny!  It makes everything else look bigger than it really is!

Even more of a miracle, my baubles from Third Vault Yarns finally arrived!  

Between the post issues, and the fact that I know Lola was having difficulties sourcing the baubles, after her first delivery of them arrived full of cracks, I'm amazed that these arrived in time!

In case it's not clear, what you're looking at there is a small bauble with a full set of gaming dice inside.  Depending on how the light hits them, they look pearlised red, or sparkly purple.  The enormous bauble that you can only see black tissue paper inside it is full of yarn that has been dyed inspired by the colour of the dice.  I'll find out what colour it is tomorrow!

Advent

December 19th

The Advent of Change charity on the 19th was Baby Lifeline, who work to prevent as many injuries and deaths as possible of newborn babies in the UK.

I think Finn was quite comfortable lying there between us...

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in white, and several shades of green, plus a round, black progress keeper.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in white with splashes of blue and dark grey, in a dark blue drawstring bag.

T2 - New York Breakfast Tea.

Lindt - square of milk chocolate.

Just for the amusement value, these are Stephen's advent chocolates from Saturday.  He forgets to open his calendar during the week!

December 20th

The Advent of Change charity on the 20th was UpReach, who work with disadvantaged students to help close the privilege gap.

Sunday's are often gaming days.  Which is why Finn is sat amongst a pile of his daddy's shoes, and gaming manuals while he waits for his advent treats.

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply, sparkly mini-skein in shades of blue and grey, plus a pale pink square progress keeper.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in cream, with lots of burgundy and brown speckles, in a beige drawstring bag.

T2 - Strawberries and Cream tisane.

Lindt - mini milk chocolate lindor truffle.

December 21st

The advent of change charity on the 21st was Wood Green animal charity, who do everything they can to make sure that every pet has a loving home. 

Look at him being such a good boy!!!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in shades of red and dark pink.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in bright yellow and orange, in an orange drawstring bag.

T2 - Mango Cucumber tisane.

Lindt - mini milk and white chocolate lindor truffle.

December 22nd

The advent of change charity on the 22nd was The Children's Trust, who work with children with brain injuries, or other neurodisabilities.

A lot of the reason that I haven't updated for 5 days is that I've not been feeling too well for several of those days.  This is one reason for the general mess and clutter behind Finn in this photo.  The other is that Finn is a furry little klepto, and he steals our shoes, and collects them into little piles.  On day's when I'm not doing so well, I just can't face following him around and picking up after him.

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in white, with splashes of grey, turquoise, and lime green.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in many shades of green, in a green drawstring bag.

T2 - Green Rose Tea.

Lindt - mini milk chocolate lindor truffle.

When my body decides to flop, everything non-essential gets abandoned.  This includes making tea as well as writing blog posts.  So I confess that we do have a little pile of unused tea sachets sat next to the kettle, and the tea in these cups is from the 20th, as it was quite late by the time we got around to settling down to drink it, and we didn't want one of the caffeinated brews.

December 23rd

The advent of change charity yesterday was Re-Engage, who provide social contact for older people who aren't able to get out on their own.  This is something even more necessary than ever in current times.

Finn trying to decide if ear scritches off daddy are more important than sitting in good boy pose for treatos!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in white, mint green, and turquoise.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in white with splashes of blue, and lots of plum purple speckles.

T2 - Sleep Tight herbal tea.

Lindt - mini milk chocolate lindor truffle.

December 24th/Christmas Eve

Today's Advent of Change charity is Emmaus, who provide a place to live, work, training, and support for people who are homeless.

This photo was taken after I'd separated my own advent calendars into their various different materials for recycling, but before I'd started tidying and cleaning.  Finn is looking a little concerned because he was worried I'd forgotten about his advent treat when I didn't immediately open his calendar after mine.  Also, when I start doing stuff like making a pile of carboard boxes, he knows he's in for a day of me tidying, which he doesn't like.  He doesn't like it because it means he isn't getting constant attention, and also because 50% of what I say to him on these days is "Fiiinn! stop getting under my feet, or you'll keep getting trod on!"  Often, less politely than that.

At least Stephen was kind enough to take Finn for his walk today, so that I could do the vacuuming without having to stress the poor pupper.

Made by Penguins - 2 x 20g, 4-ply, sparkly mini-skeins in subtle, speckled pinks and purples.  One skein is slightly more pink, and the other slightly more purple.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in deep red with black speckles, in a red drawstring bag.

T2 - Christmas Breakfast Tea - saving this for the morning!

Lindt - chocolate Santa Claus.

This is the Mango Cucumber tea, and although is sounds really weird, I actually really like it!  I can't describe how it tastes, it's too unusual, but it's good!

Also, Christmas Eve traditional mini sausage rolls for late night supper.  When I was a teenager Davie (our step-dad) would have put these in the oven for us just as my sister, our mam, our friend Krissy, and I were returning from Midnight Mass, so when we got home we were greeted with hot drinks and snacks.  Obviously, we can't attend midnight Mass with Finn, and we wouldn't dream of leaving him at home on his own in the middle of the night, plus this year, there is no midnight mass at our local church because of covid anyway.  So we put these in the oven just before taking Finn out for his last walk of the day.  It's only a short walk around the village so that he has a chance to relieve himself before bed, he gets his exercise much earlier in the day.  By the time we got back, and boiled the kettle, the sausage rolls were ready.

It's spectacularly cold and icy out there.  If it were to precipitate, then we could have a white Christmas tomorrow.  All reports suggest that is unlikely though.

Made by Penguins Advent Yarns:

Not in the order they appeared, instead I've put them in the order that I think I might arrange them in my Advent Sweater, but here are all 25 mini-skeins from the 2020 Made by Penguins advent calendar.  

In the morning, I also have a little bag with a 50g skein in it to open.

Mothy and the Squid Advent Yarns:

Also not in order, these are all the yarns from the Mothy and the Squid 2020 advent calendar.  The first 12 balls have already been used to knit a single square each of my Mitred Squares Blanket, which is why they're slightly smaller than the other 8 balls.  If I get a few spare minutes when I'm not cooking tomorrow, then I'll wind the remaining 4 skeins into balls too.

That is it for now then.  I'll be back in about a week to do a round up of the year, and talk about some plans for next year.  Until then, have a very Happy Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Saturnalia, or indeed, Happy secular midwinter festivities, or other religious observance that I am shamefully unaware of.

Advent 2020 Days 16-18

 Hello again my dears.  It's nearly midnight, and it's been 3 days since I last did an update, so yes!  It's time for another post!

I'm still working on the secret projects, so no updates on my knitting I'm afraid.  Every delivery service in the country is completely overwhelmed because of Christmas in the middle of a pandemic, so although I am still waiting for a couple of yarny goodies, I'm not holding my breath for their arrival, and although we've stocked up with booze and treats (the human kind, still waiting for the ones I've ordered for Finn!) there are no penguins either.

So, straight into the Advent stuff!

December 16th

The Advent of Change charity for the 16th was the Marine Conservation Society, who look after the shores and waters of the UK, ensuring that we maintain the highest environmental standards.

Finn in good boy pose.  Which he maintains until after he's eaten the treats, then he goes in search of the rest of the calendar...

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply, sparkly mini-skein in shades of yellow and peachy/pink

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in yellow, and the palest pink, with bright pink speckles, in a pale pink drawstring bag.

T2 - Packs a Peach fruit tisane

Lindt - mini milk and white chocolate lindor truffle.

December 17th

The Advent of Change charity yesterday was The Lords Taverners, who help to empower disadvantaged and disabled children by getting them involved with the game of cricket.

This photo was actually taken today, but I thought I'd put it here, just for a change.  So you can see our typical cocker spaniel in his natural environment - that is, covered in mud!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply, sparkly mini-skein in pastel shades of yellow, green, peach, and pink.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in several shades of green, turquoise, and white, in a turquoise drawstring bag.

T2 - Melbourne Breakfast Tea.

Lindt - mini milk chocolate lindor truffle.

We've had Melbourne Breakfast tea before, in fact, I think we have some in the house.  It's a black tea, with a hint of vanilla, so I really like it.  I thought it deserved proper mugs though, it's just a bit too robust for the fancy china!  To be fair though, this teapot is probably a bit big for brewing with just one sachet.  It did work though!  Although we did have to brew it for the full 5 minutes.

December 18th

Today's Advent of Change charity is the National Autistic Society, who work with all kinds of people on the autistic spectrum, and their families, to improve the ways in which society works, so that it works for autistic people, as well as for the neurotypical.  

My own personal take on this, as someone who is undiagnosed, but displays enough traits to know that I'm somewhere on that spectrum (Additional note: a link has been confirmed between EDS and autism) is that the world needs to recognise that autism isn't something that needs to be "cured".  It's not a fault.  It's just a different way of looking at the world, and without it, the world would be a much poorer place.

After his muddy walk today, Finn had to have a bath.  He tolerates baths, he doesn't like them!  This is him afterwards, wrapped in his drying robe, and laid in my lap, apparently distinctly unimpressed that I was taking photos!

He's just so adorable though!!!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply, sparkly mini-skein, in lemon yellow, and white.  Plus a round, sparkly, pink progress keeper.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein, in shades of red, brown, and orange, in a red drawstring bag.

T2 - Tummy Tea.

Lindt - mini milk and white chocolate lindor truffle.

We haven't had the tummy tea yet, as Stephen decided that he wanted a "relatively early night".  To be fair, he only played CyberPunk 2077 for half an hour longer than he'd planned, and was in bed before midnight, which is practically a miracle.  Also, I'm drinking baileys instead of tea, because it's Christmas.

So that is all for now.  Night night my dears, and sweet dreams.

Advent 2020 Days 14 and 15

 Hello again my dears.  It's already after midnight, so I'm going to try to zoom through everything as quickly as possible.

It's basically impossible to take a decent photo in the dark on my phone camera, but I tried anyway.  Just to prove that I did manage to get the fairy lights that I talked about at the end of the last post put up in the garden.  The weird glowy smudge in the middle of the photo is Finn in his light-up collar, carrying his light up ball, running back up the driveway to tell me to come and let him into the house instead of standing about taking pictures.

December 14th

The advent of change charity for the 14th was Marie Curie.  Most people in the UK will know this charity already.  They work to provide carers and nurses to seriously ill people in order that they can remain in their own homes for their final days, or over the festive period.

Finn abandoning his squeaky penguin so that he can have his advent treats.

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in ice blue and white, plus a beautiful red crystal heart progress keeper.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in shades of brown, pale pink, and cream, in a brown drawstring bag.

T2 - Singapore Breakfast Tea.

Lindt - square of Lindt chocolate

I clearly forgot to take a photo of yesterday's tea.  It's a weird tea, because it smells a bit like warm milk, and tastes a bit like toast, or sugar puffs!

Anyway, here's a photo of Finn out for an evening walk, complete with light up accessories.

And a very poor selfie of me out walking Finn, having decided to use a spare set of fairy lights to decorate my SWW 2020 hat.

December 15th

I'm not sure why this photo came out a different way around, or quite so blurry, but today's advent of Change charity is the National Deaf Children's Society, who help children with hearing difficulties, and their families, to be sure that they can still enjoy a full, and happy education and childhood.

Today I had to take Finn to the vet, where he was subjected to the worst indignity a dog can endure - The Dreaded Botty Rummage!  Fortunately, he forgave me, so I still got plenty of cuddles this evening.  Also, I'm glad to report that aside from his somewhat dirty protest at the actions of the vetty lady, he is in perfectly good health.

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in many shades of pink, plus a lovely transparent sparkly blue progress keeper.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein, in dark shades of blue, with splashes of black, in a black drawstring bag.

T2 - Eggnog tea!

Lindt - square of Lindt chocolate.

I probably should have been working on gift knitting tonight, but instead I was mostly winding the last 3 days of Mothy and the Squid mini's.  The eggnog tea was quite nice, but I can't honestly say if it tasted of eggnog, because I've never had it!  We used to have Snowballs instead, which is probably good, being as I react to eggs (not an allergy, more a mild intolerance).

Penguins!

So last time I said I had no more new penguins to show you, I was lying!  I'd forgotten that we had a Christmas card from Liz and Kelly that has penguins on! (The one on the right).

I was reminded of this, when yesterday another penguin card arrived from my lovely friend Francesca! (The one on the left, obviously!)

In the same post as Fran's card, came a little delivery from The Corner of Craft too.  Because I missed the last update that had these baby penguin hand-beaded stitch markers in, so I asked Hannah if she would make more, then I set an alarm for the last update of the year to be sure I got one (all of Hannah's stitch markers sell out super fast!).

I thought since I was paying the postage already, it would be rude not to add in the geeky pin badge, and Hannah always includes a treat from Bird and Blend in her parcels.

Right, that's it!  All done in less than an hour!  It's a miracle!

Sweet dreams my dears.

Advent 2020 Days 11-13

Hello again my dears, I'm back online after another busy few days, so it's time to get us up to date.

Regulars

WIPs

I've decided to do a little section of the regulars, because there's a few things that fit best in that format.  No finished objects, but a bit of an update on a couple of works in progress.

Progress on the Mitred Squares blanket.  I've just reached the end of a row of squares, and if you look carefully, you'll be able to spot all 12 Mothy and the Squid colourways from this year's advent calendar up to yesterday.

I'm very sorry, but I can't actually show you the project that I'm putting most of my energy into right now.  I only cast this on on Friday night, because I suddenly realised that December is rapidly disappearing.  You'd think I would have noticed before now, with all of these calendars counting down the days! but I only just consciously recognised that this means I don't have very long to finish my Christmas knitting, especially the knitting that I can't deliver in person.  Anyway, this is to be a gift, so I can't show you anything more than this.

Stash Acquisition

I promised I wouldn't buy anything new, so you'd think I wouldn't have anything to put in this section...

I have not been shopping!  

My lovely friend Heather is having a destash, and sent me a parcel of smooshies.  I have quite a lot of other colours of King Cole Merino Blend that I bought several years ago with the intention of knitting a "My Favourite Things" scarf.  Of course, it's still on my list of things I'd like to make, but I've never got around to casting it on.  More colours are always useful for this sort of pattern.

Penguins!

It's not a new penguin.  This sweater was a gift from another lovely friend, Annie, several years ago.  I'm only showing me wearing it on here because Friday was Christmas Jumper Day, and because I've no other new penguins :(

Advent

December 11th

The  Advent of Change charity on the 11th was Henry, a charity that helps new parents with all aspects of their new family life in order to ensure that babies get the best start possible.

I feel the need to voice my own views regarding this particular subject, as I'm not 100% comfortable with all of the things this charity says it does.  Now, admittedly, I don't know many details, as all the information I have about them is from reading the website, but there's just something about the way they phrase things that jars a little for me.  

Of course, if parents are struggling, if they need help in understanding how best to raise their child, then it's important that there are resources available for them.  However, I am concerned that this is a charity that offers workshops in parenting skills and healthy eating habits to parents working 5 jobs between them and still barely earning enough to cover the rent. 

Yes, Finn stole one of the towels I was using to block my niece's blanket and dragged it all around the room.  It's amazing how he can be simultaneously annoying and adorable!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in pink, peach, and orange shades that my phone camera just cannot do justice to!  These aren't usually colours I would choose, but this yarn looks like a Mediterranean sunset!  It's beautiful!

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in neon yellow and green, with darker green speckles, on a green drawstring bag.

T2 - Lemongrass and Ginger herbal tea.

Lindt - mini Lindor milk chocolate truffle.

Just because it was so beautiful and atmospheric, I thought I'd show you all a photo taken during my walk with Finn on Friday afternoon.  This is the lake at Langold Park.  Finn loves this place!  He's always so excited when we go here, and it's just lovely to see :)

Yes, there is tea in those cups!  Well, actually it's a herbal tisane rather than tea.  This is another brew that I already have in the house, and I'm sure I've made it for Stephen before, but he tried it and immediately pulled a face.  Safe to say he doesn't like it!  Fortunately, I love it.

December 12th

Yesterday's Advent of Change charity was City Harvest London, and this is a charity that I fully approve of.  They use surplus food, that would otherwise go to waste, to provide for people who would otherwise go hungry.  Amazing as it seems, in the worlds 6th largest economy, a quarter of people in the UK will spend this winter in food poverty.  Meanwhile, we throw away millions of pounds worth of food uneaten, much of it still perfectly edible.  Charities like this one, who work with food suppliers to collect useable, un-sold, yet unsaleable food, and distribute it to the people who need it most provide the dual benefit of being better for the environment, while saving lives.

He's just such a good boy!  I love him so much!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply mini-skein in white, and pale pink, with a bold splash of dark red/brown.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein in deep shades of pink, in a pale pink drawstring bag.

T2 - GoGo Goa tea.

Lindt - mini milk chocolate lindor truffle.

Most of the teas from the T2 calendar work best on their own, without milk, or sweetener.  This one suggests on the sachet that it works best with a splash of milk, and a drop of honey.  I think it tasted better brewed a little longer than suggested on the sachet.

Santa Claus came to visit our street!

A local branch of the international Lions club; Maltby Lions, organises these appearances by Santa every year.  Usually he stops on each street so that kids get a chance to sit in the sleigh and have photos taken, but obviously that isn't allowed this year because of Covid.  It was so lovely that he still came though, playing Christmas songs at top volume so that you get plenty of warning that he's coming, time to put shoes and coat on and go out in the street to wave him on, and drop a few coins in the collecting buckets.  

Each local branch of the Lions works with the local community to help fund whatever is needed.  They also work to fund joint global endeavours that affect all of us, such as the environment, hunger, and cancer research.

December 13th

Today's Advent of Change charity is World Bicycle Relief, a global charity who provide bikes to people with a need to travel long distances on a regular basis, but no other means of transport than their feet.  A bike might allow a doctor or Nurse working in Africa to travel between several villages in a day, helping more people than they could do on foot, or allow a student to make it to college on time, and without being too exhausted to study.

Rather than show you another photo of Finn in good boy pose, waiting for his advent treats, I thought I'd show you him staring at me, trying to tell me that I shouldn't be tippy-tappying in my lappy-top, I should be paying attention to him!

To be fair, it's very hard not to agree with him!

Made by Penguins - 20g, 4-ply, sparkly mini-skein, in shades of bright purple and pink.

Mothy and the Squid - 10g, 4-ply mini-skein, in shades of blue, with pink and purple speckles, in a lilac drawstring bag.

T2 - Gorgeous Geisha green tea.

Lindt - mini milk chocolate lindor truffle.

Not exactly right now, but this is a very recent photo, of me working on this blog post, while drinking today's tea, which is a very pleasant, and refreshing brew.  

Stephen definitely liked this one, as he asked for a refill before I'd finished my first cup!

That's all for now my dears.  I'm off to lie in bed listening to to sounds of wind and rain, knowing I can enjoy them without fear of waking up to leaks from the roof!  But also hoping that they stop before tomorrow, so that I can get my garden lights set up, as they arrived today. As a child, I always wanted trees in my front garden to put fairy lights in, but our front "garden" was barely big enough for a single plant pot!  A couple of years ago I did get lights to put on the tree in Stephen's garden (before I moved in here), so I'd planned to put them back up this year.  However, they weren't in the decorations box.  So either I've put them somewhere stupid, or more likely, I've forgotten to take them down last year, and this year the tree has been allowed to grow more-or-less unchecked, so the lights are probably still in there, somewhere, among the foliage!  So I've ordered some new ones, which I will remember to take down before I give the tree a thorough pruning in the spring.

Don't worry about me, or more likely whoever I get Stephen to hire to do the gardening that I can't manage, catching any wires with the hedge trimmer by the way, both old, and new lights are only powered by a couple of AA batteries!

Night night my dears, and sweet dreams.