greetings from beyond the hill...

so, I find myself landed on the other side of a significant birthday. The significant number is divisible by 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20 and... ahem...40. Cor blimey, how did this come to pass? I ask myself (and anyone else who'll listen)

beautiful japanese teapot and tea bowls from my sister Catherine...crazy birthday brunch by moi

Not being content with going over the hill metaphorically I headed to the Alps to mark the occasion more literally. It was a wonderful idea, would recommend it to anyone. I played in the snow, drank plenty of tea and ruminated on the state of things (as you do when you reach this sort of age).

Will be back (once the shock has worn off properly) to share details of beautiful owlish swaps and some fat quarters that made their way to me from stateside.

Until then...
another gorgeous teapot, birthday gift from my lovely friend Nich (he of teacosy fame - discern a subtle theme?)...can a girl (ooops, sorry, woman of a certain age) ever have too many tea making accoutrements? I sincerely doubt it...

beautiful italian yarn, another lovely birthday gift courtesy of my colleague Mia with whom I have recently set up the (two strong) "work knitting club". I feel some tea cosies coming on, or maybe a bobble hat...

ps new all time favourite tea - Genmaicha - mmmmmm...mmm. Thanks Cath!

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london at a standstill...a kimono for Martha...some slippers for some feet

we had some snow...it brought the country to its knees...apparantly 6 million people couldn't get to work yesterday...that's some "duvet day"! those of you used to snow must be hysterical with laughter...

a street junction just up from my house...

the bird house in our back garden...

poor birds must be having a rotten time...mind you we ran out of bird food so they got to enjoy some of my organic super omega wonder food seed mix (at a cost of approximately 10 pence per seed I reckon)...I hope they enjoyed it

there were people snowboarding and skiing (yes, really) in the central London park down the road from where we live (while my kids descended the hill on a small tin tray which they had to fight over...poor sods)

I had my laptop at home so was able to work from there...this is my favourite bit about working from home...mmmm, proper breakfast...


other news... my good friends (fellow campers and dinner circle founder members) Anna and Fraser had themselves a bonny baby girl...as is my wont I had to indulge my love of knitting baby kimono cardis with this result...


NORO Cash Iroha yarn - silk, cashmere and merino - yum yum yum

(I made a change to the pattern this time and only put one button - I like it)

(that little Martha is fairly scrummy too I can tell you - was nearly tempted until I remembered I'll be 40 next week and more nappies might just hasten my end...) (can't believe I just shared that particular piece of info)

(what's with all the brackets?)

(must be imminent senility)

and finally, a visual update on the now felted slippers...


sweet huh?