Mr Mogs results

We got Mr Mogs results today ,he does have prostate cancer and its mildly aggressive? whatever that means. He has to have a bone scan soon as they have a space. This will see if it has spread. After that they will give us treatment options. A relief to know, now we just have to wait once more for next step

Blue devilled b'gad:) Or totally fed up

Too much Georgette Heyer methinks hence the title of todays post:)
I'm so fed up its unbelievable hence the long time between posts. Mr Mog still hasn't had his results, should have been today. I'm phoning the hospital tomorrow mornign because its getting to us both waiting. Its like every day is passing exceedingly slowly and neither of us knows what to do with ourselves.
I've done very little knitting maybe half a dozen rows on my shawl from Wrapped in comfort. I love the book but nearly 400 stitches per row is too many at this time.
I tried to find something to knit last night but nothing inspired. Oh woe indeed if I don't want to knit.
I'm going to do a web search after this post see if there is something quick, easy and interesting. Not much to ask is it?
Mr Mog what can I say about him? He is being very brave but he isn't sleeping well, neither of us are but he is so low. I took him to Ulverston today, well he drove but my idea:)
We went to see a friend and have lunch in town. Very nice day out and helped pass the time. Trouble was everytime the phone rang with family or friends asking have we heard anything, we thought it was the hospital.
So no pics I'm afraid this time.

SP11, my first wonderful parcel:)

My first parcel in this round of SP11 came today and I think you will see that this knitter can choose gifts:))
My SP emailed to say my first parcel was on its way for my birthday and would be a day late. This was more than worth the wait don't you think?
Everything was wrapped up in tissue paper in my favourite colour purple.
When I unwrapped it a veritable feast was before me:) A butterfly card which I know my grandson will want as he is very much into animals, insects and so forth. A beaded bag of pot pourri which is in use already and smells divine.
A fridge magnet which says " a mind is aterrible thing to waste on housework:) So true
A pair of wooden needles in the right size for my latest shawl, encased in a hand knitted needle cover. I love this idea and will be having a go at it.
2 bags with cats on, can you see them? one is to fasten inside the other if you choose, the very large one is ideal for shawl projects don't you think? and do you see the cute moggie facing the camera??
Finally the most beautiful soft mohair in turquoise/purple mix from one of my most wanted companies Te Awa. I had some mohair from there last year from ebay and loved it it knitted so well and felt soft on the shoulders.
Thank you SP, you chose the perfect gifts for me:) I hope your sender is as good to you

Schmooze award and what a great birthday:)

Artyfartykat
awarded me the Schmooze award which is for, and I quote:-

Schmoozing is the natural ability to 'converse casually in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection. Good schmoozers weave their way effortlessly in and out of the blogsphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don't limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.
Thanks Kat I appreciate it. I do enjoy browsing new blogs and checking up on my faves also:)
Today has been a delightful day and a great birthday. Mr Mog took me to Kendal and for lunch at Artisan in Booths

A great journey up the A6 viewing the park deer in Dallam Park, all catching the sunshine. The leaves are starting to turn now on some of the trees and indeed when we set off you could smell and feel the taste of autumn in the air.
Kendal is a dreadful place to get into, it almost seems as though the town conspires to stop you, the one way system is abysmal and you end up winding round and round the same stretch of town if you aren't careful. Mr Mog was prepared and we scooted up a little lane and parked. Lots of the shops are closed down now, possibly some of it is the gridlocked town keeping customers away. The only store that seemed to have expanded and doubled in size was Oxfam. A browse round the stores and charity shops was fun, although Oxfam lately seems more corporate than charitable. They have doubled their space in Kendal and doubled the prices to pay for it it seems. Whatever happened to the old charity shops, cheap place for clothes for those with not much money and fun to check out bargains. Part of me wonders how much actually gets spent on admin, I used to volunteer a few years back and stopped because of this.
Rant over, lets carry on the tour of Kendal:) I purchased the sweetest little shell teapot , very old and I think will be ideal for a fountain plan I have. I saw a wonderful indoor fountain in Glastonbury, simple bowl with a shell where the water trickled over. I wanted to do something similar for my Goddess altar and I think this wee teapot will be perfect, more later and pictures if it works:)
We then took ourselves off to Artisan, the food is wonderful. Booths try to source as much locally from small producers as they can and it shows in the quality of the food.
We had pan fried sirloin steak on Staff of life sour dough bread. This was accompanied by tiny garlic mushrooms, a tossed salad and large chips. I couldn't manage a dessert much as I'd love to have tried the local damson and chocolate pudding. Maybe next time:)
We pootled back home along the promenade and called at a local charity shop to drop off some books, clothes and bric a brac for their fundraising. . It is a newly opened shop and doesn't take any money out for wages etc. All the cash raised goes to the charity.
Pausing only to admire the view across the bay as the tide went out we came home for hot chocolate.
Isn't it lovely when you get days like this?

SP11 contest and birthday trip

Our host Jenn is holding a contest and here are my answers:)
1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without? my yarn winder I find it so helpful in winding skeins
2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If
so, how much and what type of project? Usually I take something big such as a shawl
3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?Has to be Glastonbury I love it there. If abroad then Paris
4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?Wrapped in comfort by Alison Hyde Jepson I purchased this soon as it was available here in UK. I love the written patterns. I am not happy with charts
5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)? No
It is my birthday tomorrow and I think we are going out somewhere for lunch and a mooch about. Mr Mog is much cheerier I am pleased to say and thank you all for your warm wishes. He seems a lot more positive about the outcome.

Finished shawl, started another and Sandcastle day:)

Finished the shawl a friend wanted and started another:)
Finished one is in hand spun/dyed mohair from USA mixed with odds and sods of other mohairs. The handspun still quite oily to knit so didn't allow for speed as it was sticky.
I've started the Julias shawl quick version from Alison Jepson Hyde's book wrapped in comfort
Circular needles knitted from top down and lace, did you hear me Marianne? I'm knitting lace again:))
Its great fun and a good pattern to do for my first circular shawl.
We had a walk along the promenade today where there was a sandcastle building competition and other seaside fun and frivolity. Punch and Judy, singalongs, all manner of old fashioned fun for all ages. I've uploaded just a few of the pictures from it. There was a professional sand artist who made the turtle(Mr Mog's favourite creature). He was inspiring people to have a go. We didn't stay too long as it was very windy today, rain has just started now 3pm so I'm hoping it hasn't stopped play.
I'm looking for copies of Barbara Walkers stitch pattern books if anyone has any to spare and would like to trade?

thank you for your good wishes and knitting

Many many thanks for all the good wishes both on the blog and privately, I do appreciate them. We have had a dreadful couple of days but Mr Mog is coming out of it somewhat and looking positive. I think it was the shock of the blunt way we were told and then the biopsy etc. Now we just have the 2 weeks to get through which is hard.
Tuesday I think we are having a day out because it is my birthday
Not sure where yet but I'll let you know when I know:)
Knitting wise, I've almost finished a shawl for a girl I know in rusty mohairs, I think I'm going to make a start on my posh kidsilk lace after that. I have managed to acquire a few skeins:))
Knitting is a comfort, when I'm in pain it distracts and when I'm worried it also helps. Eyes down and knit knit knit for sanity.

It is raining today and very windy, hope it clears for tomorrow as there is a sandcastle event on and I'd love to see it:)

Depressed, sad and angry

Mr Mog had to go to hospital today for what we thought were routine tests. Not.
Consultant presumed?? that the doctor had told him he would be having tests for prostate cancer. He hadn't told us. As you can imagine that didn't help Mr Mog to get through the day.
He ended up having scans etc and then a series of biopsies. We will know the outcome in 2 weeks. I am numb, horrified and annoyed. Why didn't the doctor warn us? Why did it have to be blurted out? I still feel shellshocked.
I know that if you are going to get a cancer this is the "best" one to have but still not my Mr Mog, my love and the prince I kissed so many frogs to find.
This next 2 weeks is going to be so long
I'm off to cuddle my darling

Glastonbury, home of my heart picture heavy

We are home:) Glastonbury was wonderful. I always feel at home there. Soon as I see the tor in the distance I feel like a little child, I want to jump up and down in my seat and ask "are we there yet?"
Photos mainly of the Chalice Well Gardens. A fabulous place to sit and drink the waters of the Red Spring. Also this time the White Spring was open so I got to drink the waters there also. For me the Red spring is masculine and the white spring is feminine.The White spring has always been my place to sit and just soak up the atmosphere, especially as I am unable to get up the Tor itself. The spring is set into the tor. The new owners of the white spring have made a beautiful sacred space to sit. Each section had different sets of pictures of goddesses and gods. The spring is dedicated to the Goddess Brigid. Others represented there were the Green Man, Gwyn Ap Nudd?(Jo is this right spelling), to name a few. I especially love the picture of Brigid. Not easy to photograph as the white springs are quite dark(it is underground)
The Chalice well has numerous little shrines and sitting areas, I've uploaded just a few. The visit wasn't long enough, I hope to go again very soon. We both enjoyed it and the Travelodge was close to the town centre. I wasn't too keen on the travelodge itself, its only been open since April and wasn't very clean. Also we got stomach upsets from the fact the cups weren't washed but cleaned with polish I think??
Pictures,
1 Brigid
2 Holy Thorn
3 Bottom of gardens water feature, I forget name
4. flower Mr Mog and I both love, aren't the colours great?
5, one of the designs the designers put around the shrines
6. meditation corner
7 lions head where you drink the water
8 one of the newer shrines
9 a tunnel of living plants
11 same
12 seed heads
13 a fallen tree with mistletoe, still living I'm glad to say:)
14 another shrine
15 Tor
16 entrance to gardens
17 a deer
Now I'm home its time to finish the destash and get back to the knitting. I'm selling a Haldane spinning wheel ands several spinning books if anyone is interested.

meet Lydia, tattoed lady

A finished shawl and my new house guest together. Meet Lydia the tattoed lady:) My friend is moving and knew I wanted a figure for showing my shawls off so brought Lydia today for me. I've called her Lydia because a long while ago I made a doll for a zine and she was called this.
My friends I give you:-

Lydia the leftover lady

I’m Lydia the leftover lady, and I dance ‘til the light of dawn.
Although I’m tres chic, if you just take a peek
you’ll see all is not what it seems.

My hair is leftover yarn ,from a sweater knitted 10 years ago.
The feathers within it until recently a shaggy duster adorned.
My dress? yes it is quite modish, you wouldn’t believe where it began.
It started life as curtains until they eventually wore thin.
My necklace is gorgeous and dangly, the colours all cheerful and bright.
Until recently this could be found around the bottom of the bedroom light.
I hope you take heart from my story, all leftovers can be used in your art
Just call to the muse, as you search through your stash.
There’s a place for everything second time around


As for The shawl I love it, the lilacs and the textures are perfect for the friend I made it for. Hope she likes it.
I made a decision today to enjoy my knitting in mohair and not to stress if I don't do fine work. What I do is me, the moggie and as such part of who and what I am. If I want to knit in mohair all the time, I will so there:))

SP11 questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love handpainted/handdyed yarns,mohair anything from Mountain colors yarn, Colinette, lornas laces you get the picture:) I can't knit with fine yarns sadly due to my health problems, I am not a lover of cotton or acrylic or fun fur

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have my grandmas knitting case and a large wicker basket. My circular needles are kept in a box

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?I have been knitting 50 years now (shush)My grandma taught me. I'd say I was an intermediate knitter

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?No

5. What's your favorite scent?Patchouli
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?I do have a sweet tooth. I adore dark chocolate like green and blacks

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?I make elemental dolls, crochet a little. I am hoping to learn to spin

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love blues, new age, a little of all sorts.I can play MP3s

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?Adore deep jewel colours, rich purples, deep pinks turqouise, midnight blues. I don't like white or pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?a DH, Mr Mog, 2 children, 2 grandsons. Sadly no pets at the moment

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?Scarves and hats

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?Shawls it has to be:))

13. What are you knitting right now?Would you believe a shawl?

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? don't mind

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Yes I do now, just recently acquired a swift and a yarn winder

17. How old is your oldest UFO? don't think I have any at the moment

18. What is your favorite holiday?Samhain followed by Yule

19. Is there anything that you collect?you mean apart from yarn? Not really

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? would love to try the lace needles if they did them in a thicker gauge,easy shawl patterns that have written instructions as I am chart challenged:) Would really love to try handpainted mohairs. I don't have any subscriptions at the moment

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?Can't think of any

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?Not a sock knitter, I couldn't take to it. I am a size 37

23. When is your birthday?August 21st

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?Ambermoggie

Finished lace shawl

Finished lace shawl, yarn unknown? Lovely colours though and I did enjoy making this pattern.
PATTERN: Ocean lace stole from Justonemorerow.com
Have a shades of lilacs shawl to photograph later. Currently on the needles a calorimetry and a circular bag my own pattern

Destash sock yarn, wollmeise etc

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here we go with the destash
firstly
2. Rowan glimmer print 50gm £1.50

4/orange think its Lisa Souza? approx 70gm £5
5. lornas laces 70gm approx £5
6. 2x 50gm rowan classic £3
7. 1 x 50gm rowan classic blue £1.50
8.1 x 50gm rowan glimmer print £1.50
11. Lisa Souza? approx 100gm £8
postage extra

Lammas greetings and anyone want a spinning wheel?

Lammas greeting to you all on this special day where the wheel turns once more towards the dark half of the year:)
I wish you all a joyous day full of energy love and fruitfulness.
I adore Lammas, one of the abundant festivals

On another note I'm selling a spinning wheel if anyone is interested?