Reasons To Be Cheerful

The most obvious being this of course.....

David taking the moment in

...and some more reasons:

.......sunny weather and warm temps for happy kids to play in.....

...fresh orange juice for breakfast.....
and great music to listen to.....
Happy New President everyone!

Linga

I'm back in the West and feeling seasonally confused once again......leaving chilly dark days in Scotland for sunny mid 70's temps in California!
Owing to jet lag I've been up at 5:30 am every morning since being back (and I'm not a morning person)! However being awake in the wee hours has meant that I've finally sorted out the pattern for the Linga beret and I can now offer it for purchase!
(Thanks again to Christy for speedy test knitting)

Here she is:
LINGA

This slouchy beret features a beautiful hexagonal Shetland Lace pattern.
Ling is Scottish for heather and Linga means heather covered island in Shetland.

Finished Size
Diameter across top of beret is 11 inches
Materials
* Approx 210 yrds of DK weight yarn. Shown in Rowan Pure Wool DK ( colour 014) and Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure (Colour 11).
* US#4/3.5mm 16-inch Circular Needle
*US#7/4.5mm 16 inch Circular Needle
*Set of US#7/4.5mm DPN’S
* Stitch Marker
Gauge
21 sts and 28 rows=4 inches in stockinette st on US#7/4.5mm in DK weight.

$4.00

Goodbye Shetland!

This is our last night in Shetland.......we're all packed........the house is clean and tidy ready for my dad's return (he went to see my sister in New Zealand for Xmas)......and I'm feeling pretty emotional!

We got to spend the last few days with dear friends of ours who visited from Edinburgh. Below is their adorable 5 month old baby, Daisy...fitting that I got to get a photo of her in the Hap Shawl I made her back in the hot Fresno summer! It has aready seen heavy usage and actually needed some repair work!

So goodbye from Shetland and see you in a couple of weeks back in California!

Happy 2009!

Our peerie (but much apreciated) firework display at Muckle Bousta.