Sunday, December 22, 2013

That Christmas post...

Well, I think this will be the last post of the year to wish all my blogging friends, readers and followers and very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

We have a new member of the family! We rescued this darling 9 month old kitten/cat from the RSPCA. She seems to have settled in fine with the exception of the other cat who has taken an instant dislike to her and keeps hissing at her. Hopefully this will stop soon. She is so friendly and cuddly. The name she came with is April but we might change it. Suggestions have included: Brandy, Toffee, Nutmeg, Marmalade, Sandy, Whisky. What do you think she looks like? Should we change her name? Keep as is?




So are we all looking a lot like Christmas now? I thought I would share a few pics with you. It looks pretty much the same as last year to be honest with a couple of minor changes. Less pink on the tree this year and more traditional colours. I must admit, having the decorations up really does something to the atmosphere here. Everything seems calmer and an excitement hangs in the air. Christmas really does seem to have crept up on me unawares this year. I don't normally think about festivities until after my daughter's birthday in November and by then it is Advent and whooosh! it's suddenly here. I think especially now that I am working (in a school environment at that) it really does seem to come quickly. 


Bad picture but this is my stitching tree this year. I had to buy a slightly bigger tree but even this one seems too small for all my ornies. I do have one nearly finished but one ornie is a bit shameful really isn't it? If I get it finished, I will post up a picture. 









Crochet wise, I couldn't resist starting my merino from the inspired post you can find here. Please do go and take a look. I absolutely love her work. So anyways, this is where I am at with it:


I am using the Jan Eaton Willow pattern from her book 200 Crochet blocks which you can find here. Reduced price too at the moment. I am not sure of the lemon colour yet but I am going to add more colours. The colours you see above are all Rico essentials merino. The colours are much better irl as always. It is a lovely yarn to work with - very soft and smooth although it is slightly on the thin side. Here are the colours I am going to add to it:


More Rico on the left column and then Katia pure merino in purples and green. The Katia is so lovely. I will definitely be buying again. I am going to edge each square in cream before joining and I am thinking of a lacy kind of braid join. I will keep you posted about the progress.

Well, the extra merino will form part of my Christmas present from my husband. He couldn't believe I wanted wool for Christmas. I have also purchased a couple of crochet books which are still unopened in the box they came in. I am dearly trying to resist the temptation to open them so at least I will have something new on Christmas day. 

Something new on Christmas day. That for me is what Christmas is all about. Jesus came to give us his life in exchange for ours, creating in us a New Heart. There have been a lot of bad things happening to me this year - if you can believe worse than last year and so it is with certain hope that I am believing for a NEW start this Christmas and New Year and will finally draw a closure on the last crappy, few years. God has done and is still doing a miracle in our lives. A miracle of reconciliation and healing of broken hearts. I am hanging onto His very great and precious promises:

"Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you , and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:25-26.

So I want to end this post by giving glory to Jesus who is my "reason for the season". 

Have a very merry and peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year. 


26 comments:

capecodgirl565 said...

I had a cat much like your rescue kitty years ago. She was an orange tabby and had the most delightfully sweet and sunny disposition, so she was named Sunny. She lived up to her name every day of her life. Merry Christmas and hopes that your new year is better.

Anonymous said...

April is beautiful and I think a lovely name for such a smart girl! Lots of Christmas prettiness here and your new project is lovely! That's a lot of squares done already!

I recognised your name when your reply to my last comment hit my email. We used to comment on each other's blogs years ago when I used to cross stitch as Little Cat Blogs. I think we live fairly close by too if I remember rightly.

Have a lovely Christmas Hazel and I hope next year bring you joy and happiness xxx

Joanie said...

God bless you and your family, Hazel! I read your blog and I find it delightful.

Merry Christmas!

PS. I love your new kitty.

Joanie said...

God Bless you and your family, Hazel!

I read your blog and I find it delightful.

I love your new kitty and the other will come around in time.

Have a blessed holiday and a wonderful new year.

Joanie

Jackie's Stitches said...

April is so pretty! Her coloring makes me think of Caramel or Butterscotch. I'm sure your existing cat will warm up to her soon.

Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday!

Vickie said...

Your new cat is wonderful whatever her name!
I am so sorry to hear this year was worse than last, how can that be?!? Oh friend, I am so glad you have faith and hope.
A Blessed, Merry Christmas to you.

Elisa said...

Lovely to see you Hazel, April is such a beauty and a pretty name for springtime and New beginnings. Wishing you and yours a peaceful and holy Christmas, God bless...Elisa x

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

A darling sweet kitty :)
And what a lovely tree surrounded by glorious decor!
Whoa, yummy wools to crochet or knit away with!
Absolutely a lovely post! Jesus is the reason!
Merry Christmas!

Rachel said...

Merry Christmas! Congratulations on your new family member.:) Your ornaments are beautiful!

barbara said...

What stunning holiday photos! And I love your kitty. I think I'd go with Marmalade. :)

Christine said...

What a lovely cat. I think Toffee would suit her very well.
Have a wonderful Christmas

Brigitte said...

April, what a lovely name for this beautiful cat.
The mood for Christmas comes when the decoration is up and you can see all the lovely lights and ornaments. I love your stitching tree.
Wonderful colours that you use in your new crocheting project.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and all the best for the new year.

Carol said...

Such an adorable new family member, Hazel--your Christmas will be even more special with her in the mix!! Loved seeing your home at Christmas--wishing you every blessing this holiday season.

Melissa said...

Awww, your new kitty is so cute! She reminds me of our Julius of course but we did have a girl ginger cat we called Marmalade. She was the sweetest girl. Female ginger cats are quite rare, or so I am told.

Your house seems beautifully decorated for Christmas! Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2014!

Annette-California said...

Your newest family member is so darling. The first photo of her you can see she's very proud and thankful of her new home and family. Her coloring is beautiful. How fun to get to rename her and all the names sound wonderful. Have you considered the name Holly? Your trees are beautiful and I enjoyed getting to see your decorations. Love the colors of wools and what your making. Merry Christmas, love Annette

Andrea said...

A sweet kitty cat.

Have a very Happy Christmas.

Carol said...

Welcome to beautiful April. It is a sweet name, perhaps keep it if she responds to it or try asking her which name she likes ☺
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Carol xx

Giovanna said...

Hoe sweet of you to adopt April - she's a beauty. Merry Christmas!

Karoline said...

Your new kittie is a gorgeous girl.

I hope you & your family are having a lovely Christmas

Catherine said...

Such a sweet family addition! Have fun picking a name ~ they all sound great to me!! Lives seeing all of your decorations. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you all the very best for the new year!

Julie said...

I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas hazel and that next year brings lots of happy moments for you. Your home looks very sparkly and pretty.

Anne said...

Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to you and your family. I'm so glad that the new year will be a year of healing and rebirth. Love your crocheted blocks. That merino wool is amazing and it's funny but I had the same quizzical brow when I asked for yarn this year!! They do get expensive so it's nice when someone gifts you good wool. Can't wait to see your blanket in progress!! Gorgeous tree with lovely ornaments. Hugs

Angie said...

I wish many happy moments on the new year.your projct involves a lot of work but the colors are so beautiful!

Wendy said...

I'd call her Lucky as she is lucky to have found you,happy new year.xx

emma said...

What lovely Christmas pictures! thanks for sharing. I hope your new kitty has settled in happily with you, she's beautiful. Happy new year!

emma said...

What lovely Christmas pictures! thanks for sharing. I hope your new kitty has settled in well with you. Happy new year!