A Recipe for the New Year!

As yet another year draws to a close and we are no nearer to finding World Peace, and there isn't much I can do about that personally, except get on with all the people I meet, whether I like them or not. I have given up making New Years resolutions coz by the end of the first week it has all fallen apart! However I will try to make some positive changes in my life this year and that's all I am saying!

gourdongirl will not be partying tonight as the bells ring out the old and ring in the new, she will be at work.....Where she has spent the last 11 new years! Since having the children I have only worked on Christmas once, so I always work the new year. In fact the year I worked Christmas, I landed up working both! Since the job I do covers 24/7, 365 days a year, someone has to be there, and it might as well be me! As I am no longer a "party animal" I prefer to work!

I was looking around for something profound to say as 2006 draws to a close, but couldn't really come up with much, but I did find this.............

A New Year Recipe

Take twelve whole months

Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness,

hate and jealousy.

Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut down each month into twenty-eight, thirty or

thirty-one different parts,

but don't make up the whole batch at once.

Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,

one part of patience, one part of courage,

and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,

faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation,

and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,

a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,

and a cupful of good humour.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,

garnish with a smile,

and serve with quietness, unselfishness,

and cheerfulness.

You're bound to have a happy new year.

- Author Unknown-

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a VERY HAPPY, PROSPEROUS, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

(Blogger seems to be playing up and not allowing me to space things as I would like!)

Fortune Cookie!

Trust Robin to find something like this!

My Fortune Cookie told me: Tomorrow will be an excellent day for putting Slinkies on an escalator. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

What havoc I could cause at the sales with slinkies on escalators? I wonder where the kids have hidden theirs?

Wonderful Christmas?

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa brought lots of great pressies to all you kids! (Big and small).

Well Christmas was very quiet in the gourdongirl house coz Robert was ill. He woke at 3am Christmas morning and was sick, I put it down to being excited but he then spiked a temperature and basically he has been ill since then. Unfortunately I haven't escaped the "dreaded lurge" either and have had to take 2 nights off work, take loads of Vitamin C and flu remedies etc.

However that's NOT the reason for this post.........I forgot to post about the rest of my holiday knitting and thought I'd do it now, before I forget again!! (This getting old has its drawbacks!!!!!)




Here are the scarves I made for the boys teachers and the retiral pressie for the School Crossing lady.





Left to Right:
1) Knitted in dark green silk/wool mix by Chelsea of England (I think!). The pattern is Fanned Rib Scarf from "Knit Ponchos, Wraps and Scarves" by Jane Davis.

2)Knitted from 2 balls of Rowan Tapestry shade 171 "Rainbow". 70% wool/30% soybean protein fibre. 120m/131 yards per 50g ball. 22sts x 30 rows = 10cm/4", 4mm/UK8/US6 needles. Hand wash at 30 degrees. The pattern is "Wavy Scarves" from Scarves - a knitters dozen.

3)Crocheted in red mohair/wool mix bought from ebay last year. The pattern is my version of a curly wurly.

4)Knitted from 2 balls of Noro Silk Garden, think the shade is 84. The pattern is a "Short Row Scarf" sent to me by my SP. (If you are reading this can you send me an other copy coz I leant your one out and it is now lost. I really liked your version!)

5) Knitted from 2 balls of Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Spirit, colourway 502 Fire. 100% wool, 120m/50g ball. Knits on 4mm/UK8/US6 needles, 22sts x 28 rows = 10cm/4". This is my version of a Short Row Scarf. I did write the pattern down, but at the moment I seem to have misplaced it!


This is the "Saver Sox" I knitted the boys for their Christmas. I also knitted 3 others as well, but forgot to take pix before I sent them off! They are both basic sock patterns knitted on 52 stitches. Both are knitted from left over Opal Sock Yarn, Roberts is Zebra from the "Rainforest" collection and I'm not sure what one Ronan's is! The stands I bought from the "Web of Wool" stall at Woolfest in the summer.

Where is Santa?

I was reading some of my favourite blogs and I saw this on Robins' and thought you might like to see where Santa is!

You can find him HERE!




gourdongirl and her family would also like to wish everyone who pops in here from time to time a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS 2007.

Happy Moments!

There have been some happy moments this month and there have been some not so happy ones. However gourdongirl is NOT going to dwell on the not so happy ones, only on the happy ones!



I actually managed to capture this happy moment, before it was lost forever!

The boys with David all cuddled up on Robert's bed.




Earlier this month Ronan became a member of the 5th Portobello, City of Edinburgh Cub Scout group. Where he goes every Wednesday night with Duncan, the son of Spinningfishwife.
Here he is, resplendent in his uniform, after the joining ceremony where he had to recite the cub scout promise. He really enjoys going there and is looking forward to the Dad's and son's camp next year. Don't know if Dad is !!!!!!!



An other happy moment for Ronan was when he managed to win the "Player of the week" at rugby, twice in three weeks. He has NEVER done that before, so he was really pleased, as we all were. He seems to be playing well at the moment and his coaches are pleased by his continued good performances. Long may they last!!!!



Future crafter? Here we find Robert weaving with paper at his school class open day about the Vikings. There was lots to see, do and buy.....Pictures of Viking ships, runes, Viking quizzes, "Viking" food, woven paper place mats, jewelry and much much more.



Several times during the year the children go to church and we were all there on Thursday morning, since that was the last day of school before the Xmas break.

This year it was a special one for gourdongirl and her family coz Robert was Joseph in the Nativity, which was done by his year. He only had one line to say, but had to stand up at the front of the church while the story was narrated and several carols were sung. I wasn't sure how he would cope coz he is really quite a shy boy. However Robert rose to the task and I must admit I had a BIG lump in my throat as I watched him from the balcony in the church!

(I apologise for the poor quality of the picture, but my flash doesn't seem to be strong enough to take pix in the church)

Consider me, tagged!

Found this on Isabella's blog so just had to do it!

Yourself: Tired
Your boyfriend: Married him 14 years ago!
Your hair: Needing washed, cut and dyed.
Your mother: Wonderful, toughtful, helpful, supportive person.
Your father: 120 miles away and I miss not seeing him and my mum everyday.
Your favorite Item: Laptop, keeps me intouch with you lot out there!
Your dream last night: No dreams last night as I was working!
Your favorite drink: Gin and Tonic, with a slice of lemon and lots of ice!
Your dream car: Don't have one, just happy if it gets me from A to B!
The room you are in: Hallway, if thats a room?
Your ex: Don't have one in recent years!
Your fear: The dark and not being able to work!
What you want to be in 10 years? Working part time!
Who you hung out with last night? Colleagues at work......just like most nights
What you're not: Fully awake
Muffins: Chocolate chip
One of your wish list items: Time to achieve all I want to do, whatever that is!
Time: 14.46 GMT
The last thing you did: Ate lunch, or was it breakfast, since I have just got up!
What you are wearing: T-shirt and jeans
Your favorite weather: warm
Your favorite book: Don't have a fav book
The last thing you ate: Chicken and sweetcorn soup
Your life: Busy
Your mood: Stressed
Your best friend: Isabella
What are you thinking about right now? If I have anything the wear for a night out tomorrow and if I can be bothered to go out and get something!
Your car: Proton Wira
What are you doing at this moment: Answering these questions!
Your summer: busy
Your relationship status: married
What is on your TV? Small Christmas tree advent callender
What is the weather like? Don't know, haven't looked out since getting up!
When is the last time you laughed? This morning
Who do you tag? Concider yourself tagged!

Christmas is secure........

The following poem was sent to me and I thought you might want to read it. At this time of year we should all give up a prayer for those service men and women from all over the world who wont be spending Christmas with their loved ones, but who are out there keeping the peace so that our Christmas is secure.

"It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure."

T'was The Night Before Christmas, He Lived All Alone, In A One
Bedroom house, Made Of Plaster And Stone.
I Had Come Down The Chimney, With Presents To Give, And To See
Just who, In this Home Did Live.
I Looked All About, A Strange Sight I Did See, No Tinsel, No
Presents,Not even A Tree.
No Stocking By The Mantle, Just Boots Filled With Sand, On The
Wall hung pictures, Of Far Distant Lands.
With Medals And Badges, Awards Of All Kinds, A Sober Thought, Came
Through my Mind.
For This House Was Different, It Was Dark And Dreary, I Found The
Home of a Soldier, Once I Could See Clearly.
The Soldier Lay Sleeping, Silent, Alone, Curled Up On The Floor,
In this one Bedroom Home.
The Face Was So Gentle, The Room In Such Disorder, Not How I
pictured,a lone British Soldier.
Was This The Hero, Of Whom I'd Just Read?, Curled Up On A Poncho,
The floor for A Bed?
I Realized The Families, That I Saw This Night, Owed Their Lives
To these Soldiers, Who Were Willing To Fight.
Soon Round The World, The Children Would Play, And Grownups Would
Celebrate, A Bright Christmas Day.
They All Enjoyed Freedom, Each Month Of The Year, Because Of The
Soldiers,Like The One Lying Here.
I Couldn't Help Wonder, How Many Alone, On A Cold Christmas Eve,
In a land far From Home.
The Very Thought Brought, A Tear To My Eye, I Dropped To My Knees,
and started To Cry.
The Soldier Awakened, And I Heard A Rough Voice, "Santa, Don't
Cry,This life Is My Choice.
I Fight For Freedom, I Don't Ask For More, My Life Is My God, My
Country,My Corps."
The Soldier Rolled Over, And Drifted To Sleep, I Couldn't Control
It,I continued To Weep.
I Kept Watch For Hours, So Silent And Still, And We Both sat &
Shivered, from The Cold Night's Chill.
I Didn't Want To Leave, On That Cold, Dark Night, This Guardian Of
Honor,so Willing To Fight.
Then The Soldier Rolled Over, With A Voice, Soft And Pure,
Whispered,"Carry On Santa, It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure."
One Look At My Watch, And I Knew He Was Right, "Merry Christmas My
Friend,and To All A Good Night."

This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed
overseas.

Xmas Sox!

OK, OK I promised you some knitting content, so here is a pic of one item of Xmas knitting, wonderfully modeled by my Dad!! Yes its the cozy sox I knitted him for Xmas and gave him last week when my parents came down to visit.

Now for the boring bit!

They are knitted in Black, Cygnet Wool Rich 4ply sock yarn, 75% wool, 25% polymide. The pattern is Basic ribbed sock from "Vogue knitting, Socks Two"


They were a long boring knit coz Dad wears long sox, but mainly coz they were in black an in K4,P2 rib!!!!!!


Whilst catching up on my blog reading, which I haven't been able to do for what seems like ages, I found this "How evil are you" quiz on Sade's blog! However I'm sure the boys would think different!

He he he or should that be Ho ho ho!!!


How evil are you?
I always knew that...................................!!!!!

My Elf name!

Stole this from Robin's blog!

Your Elf Name Is...

Sassy Snowballer

What's Your Elf Name?

T'is the season to be........busy!

Sorry guys, but gourdongirl has been really busy working this past week so hasn't had time to blog or much else(except work)come to think about it! But as you can see, I did get the tree up!! (Well DH and the kids put it up while I slept!)Even had to take the kids Xmas pressies into work to wrap!!! However that was more for getting undisturbed time than anything else! Still have some pressies to wrap, but they are mostly BIG kid ones! The Xmas knitting is all done, just waiting to get pix taken before being wrapped so I can post about them.

The kids have had a few parties. Ronan had his school one last Monday and decided to have a "home dinner" that day so he could get dressed at home and "preen" in front of the mirror while he gelled his hair!!!!! (He's 10 for goodness sake!). Robert had his school party today and opted to have lunch at school and get changed there for his party, thank goodness he hasn't reached the preening stage yet! Both had the rugby club party last night and Santa arrived at the end laiden with lots of pressies. Ronan got a small table top snooker/pool game, which now graces the top of the coffee table!



Here they are before they start a game (or fight!)




Robert got a water powered car, which omits water from the exhaust! Yes well, guess what.....He hasn't played with it yet....Been too busy playing with Ronan's one!

I know I have been promising for a while, but my next post will be knitting orientated... Honest!

Real men do it too!

See here..........

I've been busy this week end as my folks have been visiting. Hope to write a longer post next week.

I'm a star!

Found this on Robin's blog, so decided to steal it!

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Robin said she was the only one with this card........NOT any more. (Bet your not surprised , are you, Robin?) We are so alike at times its uncanny!!!!!!

Today's the day!

Yes, today is the day that I announce the winner of my blogiversary competition. I had quite a few entries, with a few arriving yesterday. I have been studying them closely as they arrived and after much, and I mean much deliberation I have chosen a winner.

The winner is Mary, and the winning pattern is Lombard Street Socks by Magknits.

Mary if you could email me with your snail mail addy I will get your prize off to you. I'm not saying what it is, as its a surprise, so you will all just have to read Mary's blog to find out!

The xmas knitting is nearly done, and as soon as it is I will start on the Lombard Street Socks in maroon Regia silk. I can hardly wait, but I must be patient!!!!!

I would like to say a BIG thank you to all the entrants and also to those who actually mentioned this little competition on their blogs.....You know who you are!