Saturday, January 22, 2011

five

Another week just disappeared into the ether. It felt like the longest week, though there was little time for anything other than work. Progress on all my resolutions has been slow, but I did go for a 9-mile run today, which felt great. Now if I could only drag myself out of bed early enough to go during the week too! And though I haven't been taking many photographs, I'm convinced that I can eventually develop a habit, I just need a little more practice.

Escape

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

four | jack + jill

Jack and Jill
I wonder if the whiskey had anything to do with that "fall."

Tonight I'm enjoying a glass of 15-year-old Redbreast in one of our favourite nursery rhyme glasses (a little inappropriate, perhaps?), while catching up on John Stewart and trying to finish Nana's shawl (which I still haven't added to Ravelry, d'oh!).

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

three | waiting

My needles are waiting to be put to use, and I'm waiting for this damned head cold to clear and take the cobwebs of my holiday-brain with it!
Of needles...

Saturday, January 8, 2011

two | pants!

Of all the Christmas crafting projects I tried this year, I think the Christmas pyjama pants were the biggest success.

I used Anna Maria Horner's Quick Change Trousers pattern from her Handmade Beginnings book. The pattern and instructions were very straightforward and they were a joy to make. I made four pairs in the 6-9 months size and one in the 18-24 months size. I used Alexander Henry's Yuletide Zoo in natural and green, and they were really perfect for the pattern - the pants are completely reversible, so I used one colorway for the outer side and the other for the reverse side (apart from the larger pair for which I used a solid, Kona cotton in grass, I believe). The turned-up leg openings allow you to see both sides, which worked really well!

First finished pair of Christmas pyjama bottomsI love the reversible-ness
Giraffe!

Unfortunately, I think that due to the unprecedented weather conditions in Ireland, some of the pairs did not make it to their destinations before Christmas... No matter, I'm sure they will be kept for the next child or passed along.

The perfect model!
There was at least one happy recipient though!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

one

A habit, even one as ill-formed as mine, once broken even for a few days takes a long time to re-establish. Is it a cliché to say that "blogging more" is a new year's resolution? Ah well, I can only try.

So what of 2010? There are so many aspects of the year's end that I want to remember... the last-minute crafts and presents, the time spent running around Ireland to spend time with friends and family. But something I'll never forget is the weather. Ireland experienced the coldest December on record, and during the week preceding Christmas day, it seemed that the temperature never rose above 0 Celsius. There was travel chaos for many - we were lucky we had taken early holidays and made it home before the craziness began. The snow and ice made for some amazing photographs though - with everything appearing frozen solid, and a steaming-warm sea (so (relatively) warm that I even could take a dip on Christmas Day!).

The windscreen, early in the morning
The windscreen, early in the morning.

Barnesore Gap... the snow is red from the sunriseView from the bank walk, Donegal Town
More frozen sea...Ruins, Donegal Town
Barnesmore and Donegal Bay.

Benbulben
Benbulben.

Hungry!
A hungry robin. My mum kept the birds well-fed!

>
Assaroe Lake, frozen (almost) solid.

Beal Átha Seanaidh
Béal Átha Seanaidh.

Rory Gallagher... A little cold?
A very cold Rory Gallagher.

Main beach, Bundoran
A steamy sea, Christmas Eve.

!!
Christmas Day Dip!