Family Fun and Games

For some people, the nightmare at Christmas is spending time in close quarters with family. For us, it's a joy. We actively enjoy spending time together, playing, talking, singing, walking, and just being in the same space. 

The Elder Offspring bought the family a present, the game 'Concept', and we have played it a number of times. "In Concept, your goal is to guess words through the association of icons. A team of two players – neighbors at the table – choose a word or phrase that the other players need to guess. Acting together, this team places pieces judiciously on the available icons on the game board."

An example is 'Titanic'. The main icon would go on 'movie'. A second one might on on transport, and on the downward arrow. 'Clockwork Orange' was guessed from 'movie', 'time' and the colour 'orange'.

It's all about communication, and is similar in nature to the game 'Charades'.

Carrier Bag Holders

The local Food Bank has asked for holders for carrier bags. These are them. The bags are stuffed in the top, and pulled out of the bottom. 

By using tea towels, this has been an incredibly simple project. Fold up the fabric at the bottom to make a channel for elastic, and then sew up the side, leaving the channel free. These tea towels already had a hanging loops. This meant I didn't have to add one. Elastic will be threaded through the bottom channel, and tied off to make it secure. A narrow ribbon will be added to the pre-made channel at the top, and that's it.

Happy Cammag Day!

On the Feast of Stephen, Manxies gather at St John's field at 2pm and play cammag. It's similar to shinty (Scotland) and hurling (Ireland), and has been likened to a primitive form of hockey. It used to be the most widely played Manx game until association football arrived. There's been a revival this century.

It's a pretty free-form game that loosely abides by some rules. There's two teams, North and South, and they come together in the middle of the island, St John's. The teams can be any number; today there were around 60 people playing, children up to people in their 70s. 

The referee throws the ball up in the air, and then the teams have to try to score goals. They use a 'camman' (a bent thing). This year I saw a few hockey sticks, a broom, a bit of wood with a club attached, a giant wooden spoon, and even some traditional gorse limbs. A few years ago there were a few old-fashioned mops too. When a goal is scored the referee shouts out the score, and the goal keeper throws the ball down the field.

At the end of the first half, the referee whistles and the players take a bit of a break. Then the switch ends. At the end of the second half, half time is called, and the whisky is brought out (not for the children). The players change ends again. The end of the third half sees the conclusion of the game. As we have guests coming tonight, we left at the end of the second half. The score was North 4, South 1.

Players can join the game at any point, and leave it. If there is an imbalance between the number of players in the teams, players will switch sides. However, it is good manners to shout out and let people know what's happening.

It's fantastic seeing how the adult players accommodate the children. They are allowed their share of the ball, and the adults are considerate when charging around the place.

Week 52: Family Calendar

Monday: Happy Christmas!

Tuesday: Read Organized Home Challenge #52: Family Calendar

Wednesday: Clear space for and set up family calendar

Thursday: Create Christmas decoration storage inventory

Friday:  Declutter and organize stationery, cards to send

Saturday: Declutter and/or store cards received (including Christmas cards)

Sunday: Write New Year's goals

As Christmas has only just started, we won't be decluttering nor storing Christmas cards. It seems that in America, the celebrations start just after Thanksgiving, and end at Christmas. For us, Christmas is the start of the period of celebration, not the end of it. The Christmas period lasts all the way through until the start of February.

Christmas Cake

Yesterday afternoon the Elder Offspring and made penguins to decorate our Christmas cake. There's a great deal of joy to be had in shaping bits of fondant into manic penguins. There may even have been a few cackles. 

The Christmas tree is layers of shortbread, buttercream and fondant, with a fondant star, and the coloured baubles made from mini M&Ms. Inside, it's chocolate sponge, sandwiched with vanilla buttercream and a bit of Nutella. It's all gluten-free.

Merry Christmas!

A very merry Christmas to one and all! 

Christmas Eve, and so much, or so little to do

The chocolate Christmas cake has been iced and decorated. The mini fruit cakes were made back in October, and are incredibly moist with all of the fruit, and whisky. They too have been decorated. It feels like I've been in food-making mode all day! Thankfully, tomorrow will be a much simpler day food-wise. But I'll be back at it on the 26th. 

So many things I had planned to do have not been done, and I don't care one bit. 

Oops. Just realised I have gifts to pop into fabric gift bags, and stockings to fill, some stars to hang, and a few dining room decoration to pull together.

My Dog, the Leather Fetishist

First there was a pair of light blue shoes, the strap on one shoe was chewed. Foolishly, I didn't dispose of the shoes immediately, but put them in the bin. Ava removed them during the night and chewed them again. Her original leather leash has been chewed half way though. The Beloved's satchel strap has been chewed. 

Yes, I have a dog with a leather fetish!

Building Materials Have Arrived

The building supplies have been delivered. They tried to deliver via the back lane. The big wagon didn't make it, the smaller wagon didn't manage it, and this morning it was delivered to the front garden. 

The task of moving it through the house has started. I'm lifting the blocks by hand and placing on a sack truck. There's a trundle through the house, up a lip at the back door, and down a step. The blocks are then set in a stack. I am capable of moving one block at a time. This is not going to be a quick procedure! 

My aim is to move 10 blocks per hour. This gives me time to move the blocks, and then sit down and do nowt. I'm going to sleep incredibly well tonight!

----

That's three quarters of a tonne moved! The Beloved has taken over and is able to move 2 at a time. 

Wednesday Wibblings

Wednesday: Bathroom, Shower Room and Loo

• clean sinks and surrounds 
• clean bath 
• wipe window ledge 
• put out fresh hand towels 
• vacuum carpet 
• clean shower 
• clean loo 
• wash floors 
• empty bin

Jultomtar

A tomte is a Swedish gnome. They are the original farmers and bring bad fortune to those who mistreat the animals or the land. These lovely beardies were designed by Alan Dart.

Pattern: Jultomtar

Yarn: Moods DK
Company: King Cole
Composition: Acrylic 70%, Wool 30%
Colour: 841 (red)
Amount used: 

Yarn: Misty DK
Company: James C Brett
Composition: Acrylic 80%, Viscose 20%
Colour: 82 (light grey)
Amount used: 

Yarn: Top Value DK
Company: James C Brett
Composition: Acrylic 100%
Colour: 8429 (medium grey)
Amount used: 

Yarn: Dollymix DK
Company: King Cole
Composition: Acrylic 100%
Colour: 149 (Blush)
Amount used: 

Size: small, medium and large
Needles: 4mm
Started: 16th December 2017
Finished: 

Terrific Tuesdays

Tuesday: Bedroom 

• change bed linens 
• sweep floor 
• put away clothing 
• straighten beside tables 
• dust bookcase, bedside tables, blanket box, chest of drawers and mirror 
• wipe window ledges 
• empty bin
• vacuum sitting room

Week 51: Pets & Party Supplies

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #51: Pets

Tuesday: Declutter pet toys and supplies

Wednesday: Clear and organize space for pet supplies, toys, emergency supplies and first aid kit

Thursday: Declutter large serving pieces and party supplies

Friday: Declutter/shred/file paper piles

Saturday: Declutter flat surface

Sunday: Prepare for Christmas

This year, we have for the first time a pet, Ava. We are in the process of buying pet supplies and toys rather than getting rid of any.

Fresh Start Monday

Monday: Kitchen

• clean work tops and sink 
• wipe down cooker
• wipe down appliances 
• empty bin 
• wash bin 
• sweep floor
• wash floor

And with the arrival of Ava, we will definitely need to vacuum the sitting room each and every day!

• vacuum sitting room

Ava's First Night

At 2pm yesterday, we went to collect Ava. She was happy to see us, but then got a little distracted by the bags of cat treats in the office. 

The car ride home was interesting. Ava was in the back of our hatchback, and C (The Younger Offspring) had their hand over to reassure her. This didn't work terribly well. After a little whines, Ava decided to climb over the back seat to be with us. Thankfully, it was a small, country road with no traffic, and there was a car park very close by. Ava ended up sitting on the back sear, looking out of the windows.

At home, she had a good sniff and explore. After a hour or so, The Beloved and I went out shopping, leaving Ava alone with C. This did not go without incident. A pair of my shoes has been chewed, and are now in the bin.

At 7am, I got up and went to the loo. A doggy shape emerged from the sitting room. This was accompanied by a waggily tail, the waggiliest I have seen from Ava. She came up the stairs to greet me and have a bit of love.  

I shall admit to wondering whether we would have a disturbed night, and if there would be destruction this morning. There was a slightly disturbed night, I woke at 2.45 and 5; I think this was just me listening out for noises.  And everything was exactly as it should be. I could see where Ava had been sleeping on the sofa, her white hair testifies to that.

The morning walk went well, although Ava was pulling a little at the start. I think it was excitement.

Craft Christmas Presents

All of the Christmas presents have been made. There's still a lot of Christmas crafting I can do, but the presents are done.

Inside this bauble are some little bottle-shaped chocolate liqueurs, nested in a bed of fake snow. 

The lower two baubles have a fingerless mitten inside. My friends will receive fingerless mittens, boozy chocs, all wrapped in a fabric gift bags.

Ava Lovelace

On Sunday, we go to collect Ava Lovelace, the beautiful northern Inuit. She is coming to have a week-long home stay trial. We are all rather excited about this. The work to make the garden safe and secure for Ava has started in earnest.

Yesterday, work started in the garden. The guy who was meant to be removing garden rubbish, and the old sheds is now unable to do this due to van problems. As Ian the builder was inspecting the drains, I was tidying up some of the garden clutter, shoving greenery, old pots, etc into sturdy bags. Then it was on to moving the newer of the two sheds (all in bits), and working hard.  I manged to get swathes of the garden ready, and we then moved the old shed. He was delighted to hear the old shed will be remaining on site as they can use it to store stuff.

Then the gardener who created various piles at least four weeks ago came to remove his piles and pots. The stuff by the gate was removed, and he will come back another day to remove the rest. of the garden refuse. I'd given up on him returning. Hopefully he will really be back in a few days. If he's not been back by Monday I'll bag up the remaining rubbish and get it all transferred to the side where the rest of the rubbish is. 

The foundations for the new wall have been excavated. Currently, the old pillars are coming down and they will pour the foundations later. We need to have  chat about the planters/raised beds. My hope is the rubble from the pillars and the excavation soil can be used to provide drainage for the planters.

As Ian was working yesterday a couple of people say the piles and asked if certain items were going to be disposed of. Two sets of ladders, and various plant pots, and a chamber pot have all be taken. 

Andalusian Fingerless Mittens

Company: King Cole
Yarn: Moods DK
Composition: Acrylic 70%, Wool 30%
Colour: 84
Pattern: Andalusian Fingerless Mittens
Size: Woman
Needles: 4mm
Amount used: 30g
Started: 14th December 2017
Finished: 14th December 2017

Andalusian Stitch is a form of Broken Rib, but instead having a ribbed row/round every other, it's every forth. My adaptation is to use a 2x2 rib instead of single rib, and to knit the rib every fourth round.

Cast on 40sts, and join. Work 20 rounds of 2x2 rib.

1. Knit to last 4sts, k1, kfb, k1, kfb.

2. K.

3. (K2, p2) to last 6sts, k1, kfb, k3, kfb.

4. K. 

5. Knit to last 8sts, k1, kfb, k5, kfb.

6. K.

7. (K2, p2) to last 10sts, k1, kfb, k7, kfb.

8. K. 

9. Knit to last 12sts, k1, kfb, k9, kfb.

10. K.

11. (K2, p2) to last 14sts, k1, kfb, k11, kfb.

12. K. 

13. Knit to last 16sts, k1, kfb, k13, kfb.

14. K.

15. (K2, p2) to last 18sts,  k1, kfb, k15, kfb.

16. K.

17. K.

18. K.

19. (K2, p2) to last 20sts, knit

20. K to last 17sts transfer 16sts to waste yarn, k1.

21. K

22. K

23. (K2,p2) to end.

24. K

25. K

26 -30. (K2, p2) to end.

Cast off in lace bind off.

Return to the 16sts on the spare yarn. Knit 5 rounds of (k2, p2), and then cast off in lace bind off. Weave in the ends, using the one at the thumb to sew closed the hole.

Generally two mittens are required.

Week 50: Home Inventory

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #50: Home Inventory

Tuesday: Begin creating home inventory

Wednesday: Take photos/video of home contents for inventory

Thursday: Continue taking photos/videos of home contents for inventory

Friday:  Fill out home inventory forms

Saturday: Continue to fill out home inventory forms

Sunday: Copy/back up home inventory documents/files on and off site

This is not happening just now. There's too much going on. I'll return to these task in the new year.

Cleaning and Tidying for a Home Visit

This afternoon, we have a home visit by the local dog shelter. They are coming to make sure our home is a safe place to re-home a dog. So, we're cleaning and tidying, picking up and putting away.

The biggest problem will be the back yard. There's some garden rubbish and two sheds waiting to go to the tip, and it it not secure. The garden rubbish is being removed this weekend.

The following weekend work will start on demolishing the existing back wall, and rebuilding it closer to the house. This will create a parking space and a place for the rubbish bin. There will be a gate/door in the wall for access. In the garden, raised beds with seating will be made. The rubble from the old wall will provide drainage for the beds. I'm looking forward to creating a veggie garden.