Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah or Humbug

Whatever you celebrate, or not at all.

Thank you for reading my nonsense this year, I've really enjoyed sharing it with you.

I hope that 2009 brings good things to everyone.

Jetlag dishcloths and a gentle man.

Time is gradually slipping back into it's familiar ways and the brain along with it. For most of the week I could only be trusted to undertake the simplest of activies - eating sandwiches and making garter stitch dishcloths. There is a lot to be said for the simple beauty of garter stitch made into a cotton square, especially when topped with these lovely stitch markers made by Ravelry chum Wyndwitch.

I've woken up enough now to spin a little - this is a mix of shetland and rabbit from a local spinner and funnily enough, rabbit owner. I used some of my Kool Aid that was smuggled through customs from the USA to dye it and the mix of a darker shade of yarn with the zing of the Kool Aid creates something rather subtle. Or at least subtle-ish.

The gentle man of the title refers to Oliver Postgate, co-creator of some of the best childrens' television ever. He died some days ago and his leaving makes the world a sadder place. Thank you Oliver, for Bagpuss, for the Clangers, for Noggin the Nog, for Ivor the Engine and for all of the joy and imagination that you brought to my childhood. Here is an obituary in the Guardian, I defy you to read it and not wish that this man had been your friend.

Jetlag and Happy Memories

I am shimmering with tiredness. We flew home on Monday night, arriving in London Tuesday afternoon and finally home to Mog Towers on Tuesday night. Everything here is cold and frosty, such a contrast to the Californian sunshine.

There are so many stories to share and photographs to post that I couldn't possibly do them all justice. We had a wonderful time and felt right at home.

The inside of my fortune cookie from Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden sums it up rather nicely.