Monday, December 18, 2017

Knitting, roses and a DIY gift

It is such a busy time of year for many of us...
festive events, shopping, baking, wrapping, annual meetings, and volunteering to help the needy. They all seem to happen in the first few weeks before Christmas.

This week there are a few things left to do...
delivering gifts, food shopping, making cranberry relish, a trim at the hairdresser, lunch out with the girls, wrapping a few last minute presents.

I have been working on a new project for darling Miss Isla,
our 7 year grand daughter...
she wanted me to knit something with "flowers" on it
so I thought that the Boneyard shawl pattern might do the trick and I could add my own flowers.

I've caught the cold and cough that is making the rounds so by staying home a few days and I managed to finish her shawl.


The Boneyard pattern is available on Ravelry free to download.
It is a versatile pattern and you can use a variety of yarns.

I used cotton (the weight used to knit dish cloths) as I had in my stash
5mm circular needles with a 30 inch wire.
It looks quite cozy.
Hope she likes it.

I am going to make another one 
using a fingering weight wool yarn as it will drape well.

With the lighter yarn I will be using smaller needles 
so it will take longer to knit up, but the time spent will be worth it...
knitting is very meditative and soothing
and it goes well with mugs of tea!

Having a knitting project on hand helps me stop and sit for a bit in the afternoon after I have been busy in the kitchen or garden...
when the weather is inclement and I stay home 
it is wonderful to have something to keep my hands busy.


Jude the Obscure
David Austin Rose

The fall weather has turned this usually pale yellowy rose a rich apricot.
It is so unusual to see it blooming at this time of year.

I tried picking one of the blooms but the petals scattered like confetti...

Our weather has been mild recently 
but the news forecast tonight 
says there is a cold snap on its way.
Snow perhaps?
BRRR

(more time to knit!)

Are you looking for a last minute DIY gift?
How about one that is a quick and easy?

This spiced nut recipe is super tasty.

Spiced nuts

In a large bowl :

6 cups mixed nuts
(I used pecans and hazelnuts)
handful (maybe 3/4 -1 cup) dried cranberries


Mix together:
4 tbsp. maple syrup
grated rind of two large navel oranges
5 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp light oil
1 tbsp vanilla
3 tsp ground cinammon
pinch each of cayenne and nutmeg

Pour over top of the nut and fruit mixture mix well.

Bake at 350 degrees on a Silpat lined sheet pan for 20 minutes.
Turning the nut mixture after about 10 minutes return to oven.

Cool before
packing it into jars 
tie with a ribbon and add a tag and perhaps a sprig of holly.


Makes a tasty Hostess gift...
I sampled a few mouthfuls just to make sure it was up to the usual standards!

Hope that you are enjoying these last few days before the holidays.

All the best to you
and
thank you for stopping by 
The Humble Bungalow Blog.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

16 comments:

Sandra Sallin-Apart from my Art said...

Love your mixed nuts hostess gift, also your gorgeous rose. We're still having warm weather in the 70's.Id love some cold rainey weater for this time of year.

DaniBP said...

What an excellent holiday recipe, a homemade hostess gift is so nice. Thank you I'll have to try, I have a large container of mixed nuts that are unsalted and would do well with some flavour.
I really admire your knitting skills, you are talented. I love that you use natural fibres too, and I think your granddaughter will love her special gift. Happy Holidays xx

gwenrob said...

I'm thinking I need to buy a rose bush, your photos are beautiful. Merry Christmas, Hostess and family.

Jeannine said...

I enjoy seeing what you're knitting - beautiful. I'm sure Isla will love it.

Lorrie said...

The mixed nuts would make a delicious treat for someone. Great job on the shawl. Did you see any snow today? There was a little bit here, but nothing like the on the peninsula or further west.
Merry Christmas, L.

Anonymous said...

The nut recipe is great...will certainly do some. We had a dump of snow over here. Quite lovely actually. The car is at the bottom of the driveway, no way can it be driven up to the house for now.
Lunch...sometime in the new year per chance???

Have a Happy Happy and a Merry Merry...Leslie.
Ali

Connie in Hartwood said...

I love the Boneyard Shawl pattern. Your version is really lovely!

Merry Christmas!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

If I could send you some cooler weather I would gladly trade for some of that California sunshine!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hope that you like the recipe Dani...they don't last long in our house and seem to be really appreciated by those who receive a jar as a gift!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Roses are so beautiful...I particularly like the David Austin varieties.
Happy Holidays to you and your family.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The shawl fit her perfectly...now I am making a lighter weight version for myself...it will take a lot longer as the weight in fingering and will drape softly.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I saw evidence of the snow on cars but we had rain here in Fairfield. My sister who lives in the Highlands had about 8 inches!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh yes I would like that very much! Hope you are able to get out and about now...I think it has warmed up a bit so maybe the snow will melt.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Merry Christmas Ali!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Thank you...I am now knitting a lighter version using Madeline Tosh fingering weight yarn and smaller needles...it is super soft and will be so cozy.
Merry Christmas!

Susan said...

I, too, made roasted nuts and delivered them to my neighbors. It was nice to have something homemade to give. This is my first year as a retired person at Christmas and I had always given store-bought goodies. I loved being able to give something that I had made myself. Merry Christmas to you and yours!