Hand Knit Socks

A pair of hand knit socks are just what is needed on this cold and frosty morning and there's none  better than the one's you knit yourself!

These are the first pair I knit after the "trial run" sock that didn't  turn out too bad, after Viv had shown me how to cast on with 3 needles I was away and managed to turn the heel myself but I wasn't happy with the finishing of the toe, more practice was  needed.

You can see the top is a bit "messy" and not very neat where the needles meet but I'm getting better the more I knit, in fact there's no stopping me now!!

These are for Mr Lucey and I even managed to match them up,

after being shown the "kitchener" method for the toes I'm a lot happier now and have just started  knitting my 3 rd pair. I've found it a lot easier if I cast on on 2 needles and knit 3 rows and then transfer the stitches onto 3 needles, it's a much neater finish.

Mr Lucey got me this sock kit from Lidl at Christmas, the colours remind me of Spring and the wool is soft and cosy, 

I picked up a couple of balls of wool yesterday and you got a free pattern with them, so that will keep my needles busy for a while.

We got these socks for Christmas the" holly berry" and "blue tit" are mine and are nice and chunky, just right for wearing with boots, and Mr Lucey wears his "pheasants" as slipper socks, they keep your feet as warm as toast.

they come in other colour ways and they're from "Ramshambles" in York, you can also buy the wool to knit them yourself,

and at £1 a ball this wool  had to come home with me.....well, why not!!

Lucey X

Red Birthday Shoes

There are no dull, dreary days in January for me as today is my birthday!  

 I was born way back  in 1957 and today I am 57, how did that happen I was sure I was only in my 40's when I went to bed last night, I wish!  Last year Mr Lucey celebrated his birthday on 11/12/13, I love it when dates like this occur.

I got some lovely red shiny shoes,

gorgeous flowers,

and a cake that smells of creme caramel, oozing with  chocolate sauce  and topped with strawberries and the best bit is there's not a single calorie in sight as it's a candle!

Mr Lucey took me  on a mystery tour to a lovely place called Killburn in Yorkshire where you can see the "white horse of Killburn" in the distance.

We had a mosey round Robert "mousey" Thompson's where all of the oak furniture has a signature "mouse" carved into the wood, this was Robert Thompson's cottage but now it's the showroom for the furniture.

  I counted over 100 mice scrambling up legs,  along dressers and   nibbling on  cheese boards! 

We popped into The Forester's Arms next door where the mice had followed us and were lazing along the tables and stools, enjoying the open fire blazing away. I can recommend the Lamb shank and veg if you happen to be passing that way, oh and the cider is very good too, hick hick!!

Then we had a little wander round the village,
 past the church,

a stream runs  in front of the cottages

and there was a huge  monkey puzzle tree in one of the gardens

further up the lane is a farm where we got a dozen "fresh farm eggs" this cheeky chappie wanted to come home with us

another second and he would have jumper in the car!

Right off to put on my pj's as there's a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge and some M&S nibbles warming in the oven........

Bye Lucey x