May? 2012?

I blame Lucy Locket to be honest. Actually, that's not entirely true - I blame Trashy.

I was happily plodding along, doing all the usual stuff, kidding myself it really wasn't that long since I'd blogged and that actually it was only January....or at least it wasn't that long since Christmas and then WHAM! this morning Trashy sent me a text asking me if I'd read Locket's blog.

I hadn't but of course I had to go and look and all of a sudden felt a rush of longing for my blog and more particularly for everyone else's blogs. Locket's been keeping me up to date with her doings via text and Ravelry but I'm sorry to say I haven't read anyone's blog for months and months - apart from Yarn Harlot's and I've decided that doesn't count as she's not one of my blogging friends, although if she invited me round for coffee and knitting I wouldn't say no.

Life here has been going on as normal. We've dealt with the selling of my Dad's house. It's just over a year since he died and seems like a few weeks and forever, all at the same time. I'm not going to analyse why I haven't blogged because after all, blogging isn't compulsory but I've been feeling the urge to get back out there for a while.

I've done stacks and stacks of knitting since November, when I last posted here, including ten pairs of socks, some mittens, two cardigans for Minx and all sorts of other bits and pieces.


I've spent more time than is healthy on Ravelry and have just found myself sucked back into Facebook, thanks to Slimming World - trying to keep myself motivated by going on my group's Facebook page as I've decided spending ten months losing the same 5lbs is nothing short of ridiculous!

Merlin Moog is a big big boy now. Very cuddly, loads of fun and more than a bit naughty! He's terrified of cars and nothing we do seems to help. He goes bonkers if you say 'Cats!' 'Squirrels!' or 'Carol!' (thanks to the lovely Carol Kirkwood on BBC Breakfast). He adores Match of the Day, and Born Free and when he stayed with the in-laws at Easter he developed a love of Cash In The Attic!! His latest habit is to stand in front of the TV asking someone to switch it on for him.

I'm currently in danger of developing another new crafty obsession, thanks to going to an Introduction to Handspinning workshop last week. I'd already been trying to teach myself to use a drop spindle at home, with varying degrees of success but at the workshop I used a spinning wheel and fell totally in love!!! It was all I could do to stop myself rushing home and ordering one!

I've since joined the UKSpinners group on Ravelry, where I've done loads of reading and lurking as I get to know this new craft. I've also 'met' a lovely spinner in the group who just happens to live about a mile away from me! We've agreed to meet up soon and in June I'm going along to my local group of the Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers - which will no doubt result in me needing a loom and a dyeing studio too :o)

For now, I'll leave you with a photo of Mr Moog and the beasties at the Rock of Cashiel, in Co Tipperary on our recent holiday in Ireland - our first time there but definitely not our last. More Ireland photos and possibly even some spinning next time!

Happy spinning :o)

xxxx