We can't put the sparkle away yet!

2015

Happy New Year to you all !!!!!

Here's wishing you ALL a  bright New Year filled with peace,joy,health and happiness!

The jacket throw  is finally finished...completed...finito!!! Phew!!!  I think it cheers the room up a great deal! However a certain person in this household could have kept his opinion to himself ....grannyfied indeed!!!! Much more suitable for a country cottage indeed!!!! grr!!!!!!

I expect a lot of you have now put your Christmas decorations away but I can't do that yet. We still have the Kings night to celebrate on 5th January and the Kings day on 6th January (Epiphany). Another bundle of gifts are given out, that or coal if people have been naughty.
Personally I can think of quite a few people in high places here in Spain who should receive coal from the three Kings and not gifts!!!!

El dia de los Reyes (The three Kings Day) is virtually as important as Christmas itself in Spain, especially for kiddies, as this is the day when they traditionally get their presents. Nowadays though more and more young parents celebrate 24th December and Father Christmas who brings the majority of the presents and a little something is left for the Kings night! However the Kings parade on the night of 5th is quite something to see, when the three kings arrive by camel  and lead their procession through the streets, throwing sweets to the children.

The King's arriving in Muchamiel Alicante 2014

The King's parade Alicante 2014

 When the children return to their homes they leave their shoes out  or the Kings to fill, not stockings ....mind you more than one clever tot leaves out Daddy's boots. The next morning, the children wake up to find their presents have been left overnight !
I remember when I first came to Spain in the 70s my husband's family kept to the old tradition. Christmas Day was a day spent with the family but no visit from Father Christmas or presents under the tree. The presents were all delivered by the Kings on the 6th January. This was very strange to me and it took me awhile to adjust. Once we had our own house we decided we would respect and enjoy both of our Christmas traditions,so I got my typical Christmas Day and Sr P continued to have his Kings Day. We have continued to do this and my daughter does the same. There has been some general talk of eliminating the King's Day but that has been met with a lot of opposition,I am pleased to say. The  King's Day is an important part of this culture and I don't think it should be wiped out.


As I said another round of gifts and this neck warmer is what  I have made for my daughter to add to the gifts from the Kings.

 The weather in Alicante is deceiving !
During the day it can be really nice but the temperature drops drastically when the sun goes down. My daughter finishes work at 8 or 9:00pm so she will appreciate the warmth of this neck warmer at night.
I used Katia Inca super chunky yarn 53 % wool and 47% acrylic and a 8.00 hook. It was a delight to use and I made this in a jiffy. Those lovely big crimson buttons from my button hoard.

It is cold this evening and a sea mist has swept inland so it is quite damp and foggy out there.  I think a nice hot cuppa tea and some dunking biscuits will just do me right for supper!  

Keep well

Amanda :-)

All I want for Christmas is .....some time with my family!

It is here!


I have just finished marking exam papers and tomorrow is Christmas Eve...yes I know you know that but I have to remind myself that it is actually tomorrow. It has crept up on me so very fast!

Tomorrow it is going to be a crazy,crazy day for me as I have to do my Christmas shopping,wrapping presents and baking some English goodies to take to my sister-in-law's villa for the big family meal.
They do so like the English cakes!
They have this funny idea that I am a fantastic cook because I make these yummy cakes. If only they knew the truth ...I am quite mediocre where cooking is concerned . Anyhow tomorrow I'll be making a baked cheesecake with a fresh fruit topping and I thought as Lucy's at Attic24 Super Smartie cookies were so successful when I tried them out in August I'd do some of those for the kiddies.

Now I am going to straight away wish you all a very very Merry Christmas and a fantastic time with your family but this time instead of posting the usual Christmas image I thought you'd like to see these gorgeous photos of Misty my sister's toy poodle in her Christmas bonnet which I sent her last week. Would you believe it my guess work paid off and it actually fitted her !!!!!!

Even the ear slits were the right size!!!

I like this one best she looks so sweet!!!   Billy the Labrador doesn't want to look at her in case he has to put a Christmas bonnet on as well!!!  Ha! Ha!

 

 

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS  

 and as I always say 

for those of you who do not hold these same beliefs.... no matter ......because I believe to wish someone Merry Christmas is synonymous of wishing you peace and happiness. 

 

May this be so dear bloggers ,
 

PEACE AND HAPPINESS,MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Feliz Navidad, 

 Bon Nadal, , Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar, Joyeux Noël, Froehliche Weihnachten, Shub Naya Baras,  Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Buone Feste Natalizie, Feliz Natal, Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun and Nadolig Llawen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvaging or don't leave me I am still a presence in blogland

 Nigh on a month without posting on my blog....sigh!!!  where did that month go!!!!!!


Many thanks to all for your encouraging remarks on my last post.
I did finally get the jacket out of the cupboard and frogged it down to the 62 squares. As you can see I converted it into a throw. It will be  for my grand-daughter for her siestas. She sometimes has a little nap after finishing her homework and often wakes up cold so she'll be able to use this to cover herself with.
 I made up some more bobble squares as I liked those very much and joined the lot together with the invisible stitch.  I made up a bobble edging too although it is not finished as yet ..... it still needs THE finishing touch and blocking.

In answer to a few queries in a previous post:
Linda ( Linda's crafty corner)      I found this pattern from Sara Palacios to make the diamond triangle square. You can download the pattern from here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-diamond-in-square
Gracie (grayseasailor)  the bobble square pattern comes from this book

I also found a pattern for a Christmas bonnet at Amidorable Crochet and felt a tremendous urge to make one for Misty,my sister's Toy poodle:

I can't wait to see it on her. I am hoping my sister will send me photos soon.


I have also been very lucky to win Susan's at My Mother's Apron Strings monthly Apron giveaway for November . It is the most gorgeous apron and just look at the colours.  Doesn't it just go with my kitchen colour scheme ??
Thank you so much Susan.

That is all for the moment dear bloggers!  

Amanda :-)