St Andrew's party

Have just been speaking to Mum. Their front garden was the scene this morning of multiple crashes due to black ice, which resulted in their front wall being destroyed, but miraculously no-one being hurt.

She told me that today is the start of St Andrew's Novena, which continues until Christmas. Throughout each day between now and then, you say the above prayer for your intentions. Fifteen times a day. I think it's a beautiful prayer in itself. Thanks to Two Hearts Design for their version of the text.

Incidentally, Mum's prayer to St Anthony was prayed fervently and successfully on Thursday night while in the Big Smoke, when Lee's phone went missing. We stayed nearer town this time in the hotel that actively attracts culchies like us. So I suppose it was inevitable that me walking in with my wellies on met with complete indifference. It was slightly disappointing, except it meant I won the bet with Lee! Other notable events while we were there included my brother's book launch (congratulations Bee!), meeting friends I've never met or relatives I haven't seen in too long a time, Roo's first trip on a Luas or any train for that matter, three generations watching the Christmas lights in 'piercing cold', two lovely meals (in lieu of a 'party' for Bee), coffee and pancakes in Lemon, Mum's first Late Late Toy Show since my sister died 25 years ago, self-indulgent trips round ribbon and knitting shops (well I did win the bet after all) and a visit to my lovely Therese in the oasis that is St Teresa's Church off Grafton St.

Ravelry

Just got my invitation from Ravelry. I've had a quick look at the site and it's lovely. It's like an online notebook for keeping track of your craft projects. I'm going to log off now and talk to my husband.

have started crocheting again. Is surprisingly possible while breastfeeding. Or maybe that's why I don't feel I'm getting the hang of it. Must keep checking this little crochet vid from the Knit Witch in order to get going.
Also, why don't any of the wool shops I know stock more interesting needles like her one?

I suppose I would...;-)

Here's a picture of the Babycake's cardi, a work in progress. I’m using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, a blend of 55% merino wool, 33% microfibre and 12% Cashmere. It’s lovely and soft and I hope, practical. The yarn label says it can be washed at 30º, although it’s a bit of a risk for something that so much time has gone into producing.
I started knitting it on the October Bank Holiday weekend, when we stayed in Castlegregory.

We don't know the baby's sex yet so I picked a neutral colour. By the way, the most likely names at this stage are Toiréasa, Tess for short or Criostóir. Lee must read the Baby Names book though. He broke two ribs last week so he needs to take it easy.... but isn't.

I might have a hernia, I'm not sure. It depends on whether you can believe someone who tells you that Listeria is a virus.

Today is World Food Day according to an email I got from Trocaire. The picture shows one week's food, which costs this family in Kenya 2 and a half times their income, so they have to borrow to pay for it. Maybe Brian Lenihan's Budget doesn't look so bad now...

Babycake update: I went to the hospital for my 26 week check this morning- blood pressure etc ok, thank God and there maybe some good news on the Homebirth front. Babba Roo and I were looked after by Breda again.

And yesterday I put the last button on the long saga that was Wee's cardie. Here it is being modelled by the little man himself.

Yesterday, Gran came to the pool with us. I think she enjoyed it although she had been a bit apprehensive. We met another pregnant mum there with her 14 month old little boy, who had that worried look on his face that Roo used to have. The water was a bit colder than usual, but Roo is so comfortable there now that it didn't seem to bother him at all.

Nearly finished Roo's cardie

It's a pity I didn't look at this tutorial about sewing on a button before I started putting them onto Roo's cardie. I've been making it up as I go along. I wonder how long they'll last? Hee hee! The site is called Purl Bee and it could either inspire you or make you feel completely inadequate depending on which mood you were in at the time.

Blog this

Here's a close-up of my new lace edging. I took the photo on Lee's new mobile, which has a more direct link to blogger.com.

mobile blog

Still messing about with phones. This is just a check to see if my own phone can still send posts. It's a picture of my new knitting job next to what it should look like.

Looking for a new knitting project

Nearly finished Babba Roo's cardigan. (It's only taken me 9 months: if it was a baby it would have been born by now). Having a new pattern to knit helps spur me on. No shortage of possibilities there. I've been looking at some very tempting Rowan knitting books. But my next project must be simple and quick.