“Ode to the Vanished Sock”

Life’s still getting in the way a bit. My days off this week were mostly swallowed up by work. Wednesday turned into an extra shift — orientation in my new role (there’ll be more of those, I’m sure). Thursday vanished into a three-hour Health and Safety training session, followed by errands in town and chores at home. And today? Todays about domestics. But maybe — just maybe — I’ll get a chance to play with yarn for a while this afternoon, before trotting off to see the chiropractor again.

The good news is my back is improving. It’s much stronger than it was, and I’m so grateful for all the healing thoughts and kind wishes you’ve been sending my way. I’ve only got three shifts left in my old role — three more days of heavy lifting and wrangling hoists in rooms that always feel two sizes too small. Fingers crossed I can get through them without undoing all the progress that’s been made.

On the subject of domestics, yesterday while hanging laundry I discovered that I was missing a sock. Not uncommon I know, but my mind wouldn't leave it alone and along came this little ditty.

 “Ode to the Vanished Sock”

I lifted the bucket with laundry in tow,

From ensuite to washer, a practiced old flow.

The garments went tumbling, a sudsy ballet,

Then spun into silence and rinsed clean away.

But lo! When I hung them with care and with flair,

On Gran’s wooden airer (a relic most rare),

A sock was not present, its twin hung alone—

A soft, warm comfort, now utterly gone.

I searched in the drum with a hopeful lament,

Then scoured the laundry with nose to cement.

I peered in the ensuite, behind every nook,

Even checked in my shoes for the sock it forsook.

My trouser legs trembled beneath my inspection,

My scrub pockets yielded no woolen confection.

I circled the airer, I whispered its name,

But the sock played a trickster’s invisible game.

Then Tony arrived, with detective-like grace,

He retraced my steps at a galloping pace.

He checked every crevice, each slipper and shoe,

But the sock stayed elusive, as socks often do.

Was it swallowed by portals that socks often find?

Did it flee for adventure, leave comfort behind?

Is it sipping espresso in some Parisian drawer,

Or moonlighting boldly as a dusting décor?

While folding dry washing, each towel and each tee,

A lump in a sleeve gave a whisper to me.

There it was—my warm wanderer, snug as can be,

Tucked inside Tony’s shirt like a sock refugee.

No portals, no Paris, no laundry lament,

Just a sleeve-hugging hideout, quite sock-competent.

Now I sip from my Scrub Stitchin’ mug with a grin,

With the sock and its twin reunited once again.

*

Yes, after hunting all over the house yesterday, I found the sock this morning, right there on Grans airer, tucked into a shirt sleeve. And quickly added the final two quatrains.

So, about today's activities....

The vacuuming’s done, the bread machine is churning away like a happy little cauldron, and the ironing in yesterday’s laundry is eyeing me from the pile. One of the veg gardens needs a tidy, and there’s still pea straw waiting patiently to be spread on the flower beds — but first, one particular shrub that getting to be a little large, needs to be relocated, and my back’s not quite up for solo digging duty. So, for now, I’m dreaming of yarn. Just a quiet moment to knit, crochet, or do something delightfully creative before I run out of day again. Thank goodness it's fish and chips for tea tonight, quick and easy. Sigh, I'd better get the ironing done, I need my scrub trousers for work tomorrow. The sooner I get some chores done, the sooner I can sit 'n' knit. 

Life is getting in the way...

Extra shifts at work, time with my beautiful grandchildren, social events, and a stubbornly sore back—lately, it feels like the universe is conspiring to keep me from my craft corner. Sitting in my usually comfy chair now triggers painful spasms, and standing all day isn’t an option either. The chiropractor visits are helping, though they’re not exactly budget-friendly.

Still, I’ve made a little progress on my very short list of current projects. The “Dad scarf” is a blessing—easy to pick up, with short rows that let me sneak in a stitch or two before I need to move again.

 The variegated yarn dances between blues and greys, catching the light in ways that make it look surprisingly bright. It’s a quiet joy, even in small doses.

*

Meanwhile, the cosy ripple blanket sits quietly, hook paused mid-row like a bookmark in a well-loved story. It’s waiting patiently while life takes the lead. I know I’ll return when the moment’s right.

Progress has been slow, but the colors still bring comfort. It is very much brighter in real life. Each wave reminds me that creativity doesn’t vanish—it simply ebbs and flows. And sometimes, even a paused project holds its own kind of beauty.

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When my back permits, I’ve been turning to something a little less yarny. As you know Tony and I are working on a jigsaw depicting Hawker Hurricanes. He’s helped a bit (though I’ve definitely done more!), and the planes are now proudly assembled.

I’ve moved on to the headland and sandy shore beneath them, fitting pieces in when I can. It feels surprisingly good to click a few into place—like small victories in a quiet campaign. I can’t sit or stand there for long without my back stiffening, but even brief puzzle bursts bring a sense of progress and achievement.

*

Slow progress, small victories, and a few stitched moments—life may get in the way, but it hasn’t stopped me yet. With extra shifts ahead and a new role to orient into, craft time will remain limited for now. My back is still protesting, but I’m hopeful it will grow stronger again. In the meantime, I’ll keep finding small moments of creativity—whether it’s a scarf row, a puzzle piece, or simply a moment to breathe. It’s not about speed—it’s about showing up, one gentle step at a time.

*

Until next time, may your needles dance, your yarn remain untangled and your stash whisper only inspiration.  

 

And now for something completely different....

Today I want to talk about my children and share a little of their artistry.  

My daughter Kaiy has inherited my artistic nature. She’s been drawing since she was tiny — I still remember the beach scene she sketched at age two or three. There were pebbles, rippling waves, and sand so vivid I could almost feel it between my toes. It looked like the beach we had walked on that very morning. She uses several mediums, pencils, paints, pastils, you name it she will produce beautiful images. 

Kaiy draws daily and journals too — not in a plain, boring notebook, oh no! Her journal is a kaleidoscope of doodles, reflections, and bursts of imagination. It’s part sketchbook, part storybook, and entirely her own.

Watching her grow as an artist has been one of my quiet joys. She shares her creations with me often, and each one feels like a little window into her world — sometimes whimsical, sometimes profound, always uniquely Kaiy.

She draws on the pages; her pictures are as much about the journal as the words that are written as she works through what is on her mind.

The recent demise of a certain Mr. Ozzy Osbourne brought about an interesting page.

Like me she loves to walk, so her art often shows me what she has seen on her wanderings.

Lately she has started Junk Journalling. 

And among the usual images I'm now seeing a different style of art.

I think she may have had enough of the Summer temperatures and is hanging out for Autumn.

Summer has kept her busy.

She loves Autumn and Halloween, I'm sure to get a plethora of witches and spooky images starting to appear soon then it will be Christmas, I wonder if she will draw her own advent calendar again.

This is just a little taste of her talent. 

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My son Jiffy Jonathan also sends me regular updates regarding his goings on. Lately, he welcomed a photographer aboard his fishing vessel, and the results have been nothing short of stunning. Seeing my boy captured in action — focused, capable, and completely in his element — was a proud moment.

Jiffy is the skipper of a fishing boat trawling for queen scallops on the waters of the Irish Sea. He works with tides and time, reading the water like a seasoned storyteller.

Here he is watching the net come aboard, laden with the ocean's bounty. The photos don’t just show a man at work — they reveal a life shaped by the rhythm of the seas. I’ve always known he was strong but seeing him through the lens of someone else’s artistry made my heart leap. He’s not just navigating the sea — he’s charting his own course, and I couldn’t be prouder.

 I’m grateful for these photos — not just for their artistry, but for the glimpse they offer into the man he has become. 

As if the photos weren’t enough to make me beam, Jiffy and his crew were recently joined by a videographer who captured their day at sea. The result? A stunning short film that brings the rhythm of their work to life — the hum of the engines and the clanking of the winch, hauling in the nets, I could almost taste the salt in the air. Watching it was amazing. Tony and I cast it to our big TV screen. There’s something deeply moving about seeing your child in their element, not just through your own eyes, but through the lens of someone who is there to tell the story. 

A day on a Trawler (take 2)🇮🇲🇮🇲🎣🎣

A linky if you'd like to watch the film, it's about 40 minutes long so grab a cuppa. 

If you watch the video, you’ll see that Jiffy inherited more than just my good looks — he got a touch of my artistry too. Just look at the knot he ties to close the cod end (The bottom of the net). It’s done in moments, beautifully tied it reminds me of an embroidery stitch I saw recently, delicate looking and yet it holds fast against the weight of a full catch. Then, with a few flicks and a flourish, it opens again — smooth and efficient spilling the shellfish all over the deck.

Jiffy’s been practising his knot work, and it shows. 

He’s produced some truly impressive pieces — not just functional, but beautiful in their precision. 

They may lack the vivid charm of our yarns and stitched threads, but in their quiet utility lies a grace that’s equally worthy of admiration.

*

And next, my boy Joe. I don’t get many photo updates from Joe—he lives here in New Zealand, just up the road and around a couple of corners. Like his brother, he works hard to support his family. They spend a lot of time at the beach or by the rivers close to home, collecting driftwood for their fire and occasionally uncovering other curious treasures. One day, Joe came across a fallen tree. He returned with a friend to collect it, and something about it sparked inspiration. That Christmas, he gifted me a bench—crafted with his own hands from a piece of that very tree. 

He had some guidance from a friend, but the work was all his own.

Now it sits quietly in the corner of the patio, appearing from time to time on my blog with a quilt draped over it or tucked into the background. 

You can just see the bench in the corner of this image. That is Old Man tree behind Lucy Blue, he makes the bench a nice place to sit on a hot day offering shade and making a cool corner to sit and rest. 

Joe’s creativity is still growing, it doesn’t shout—it is settling in, like the bench he built from fallen timber. Over the years, the bench has silvered in the sun and softened in the shade, becoming part of the patio. In autumn, the leaves gather around its legs like Kaiy’s sketches—fleeting, beautiful, and full of quiet meaning. In spring, blown petals drift across the seat, like Jiffy’s fishing nets it catches stories on the breeze. Each one—leaf, petal, quilt, knot—is a gift shaped by hand and heart and left to settle gently into the corners of our lives.

*

I’m so proud of all my children—not just for what they do, but for how they do it. Each of them has found their own way to shape the world: Kaiy with her sketches and journals, Jiffy with his knots and fishing nets, Joe with his quiet craftsmanship. Their creativity may wear different coats, but it’s stitched with the same thread—curiosity, care, and a touch of magic. Watching them grow into their gifts is the greatest joy of all. And now, they’re passing that love on—teaching their children to notice, to wonder, to gather fallen leaves and driftwood, and to find magic in the corners of the world. Their creativity is a legacy, stitched gently into the next generation.

This photo was taken in 2009  or 10 I think. It was the last time I had three of them together and clean at the same time.

My how they've grown.

Ripple Rhythms and Woolly Whims.

 A few days ago, I promised a ripple update—and here she is, slowly unfurling like a sleepy caterpillar on a winter’s night. Progress may be a tad slower than usual, but this blanket is doing double duty: growing stitch by stitch and keeping me snug on these chilly evenings. This is where I left it a couple of days ago. 

The random colour generator, AKA Tony has selected yellow for the next bright band.

*

A squirrel hopped by and I followed it!

I was naughty. I purchased and started a knitting kit. Yes, knitting comes in kits too. I decided that if I had made a scarf for my sister in law, I should make one for my brother too. I don't see him as a greeny blue mohair kind of bloke so went for a look around and found a kit for a 'Dad scarf'. It's in a lovely blue grey that looked darker on my screen than it is in real life, but I think he will cope with that.

The yarn is a wool/Alpaca mix and beautifully soft.

It was delivered yesterday, and I made a start just as soon as my chores were complete.

The pattern has twelve rows that repeat. They are quite easy to remember, so good for TV watching.

And they produce a two-sided scarf.

It is wonderfully soft, and I hope my brother likes it. If not I'm sure his wife will. LOL Like me, she loves anything blue.

*

There was a new recipe recently, one of my own making. I had very short notice and had to very quickly come up with pre dinner nibbles.

Lou's Cheese Ball.

500g cream cheese.

250g Sour cream

Juice of half a lemon.

3/5 cup diced gherkins.

2 cups grated mature cheddar.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Broken nuts to coat. Walnuts, almonds, whatever is lurking in the pantry.

Blend, chill, shape, roll, serve. Or skip the ball and go rustic—pile it into a dish, top with nuts, and call it charmingly casual. Serve with seedy keto crackers (mine were a packet mix, but I’m plotting a homemade version soon).

You could make other changes, use different fillings/flavourings in place of the gherkins. Like dried apricots or a big dollop of your favorite relish. Bacon and sweetcorn is a good mix. Experiment and have fun.

*

What else have I been up to? 

Extra shifts at work. And there are possibly two more ahead.

I mentioned in my last post that there has been some swapping of offices at work, accompanied by a big tidy up and rearrange of storage spaces. 

There has been a bit of a restructure of management. No one lost their jobs I'm happy to say, but some new roles were created. My pal Debbie was head hunted for one of those new roles and has moved to another facility within the company and I am to move into her old role. It's in a different department, I won't be working with young physically disabled people anymore, I will be working in the rest home with elderly people who don't need a high level of care. I was told I would make the move in 2-3 weeks. That was a week ago. I'll be working the same number of hours, on the very same days (So yes, I'll still miss out on zooms at weekends). but I will be starting and finishing a whole half hour later. LOL 

 I'll keep you up to date on how things are going. 

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I spent some time in the garden yesterday spreading more pea straw, that job is almost finished. I do still have a few other chores to complete out there before the Spring arrives along with new growth.

*

Until next time—may your stitches stay steady, your snacks stay cheesy, and your squirrels lead you somewhere delightful.

Acquisitions and progress

At work we are in the middle of an office shuffle. Cupboards and drawers are being biffed out and tidied up. This has created a lot of rubbish and a few things looking for a new home. Today I spied a tin with a note asking for it's removal, to the bin. So I had a peep inside. Treasure! I asked if I could remove it to my car instead of the bin? The answer was along the lines of I don't care where it goes, so long as it doesn't stay here. So it came home with me.

A very cute tin, but I won't be keeping it. I'm more interested in some of the contents.

Right at the top was a pile of booklets

Embroidery transfers. Some have been used, but there are still plenty there. And some of those are so cute.

This is just a taste. 

There are some adorable characters,

Pretty flowers and also some letters.  They reminded me very much of a time I was let lose in my Grans pattern box. More than 40 years ago!

Under the pattern booklets was all manner of bits and pieces, so I started to sort things out as I dug deeper.

Bias tape, thanks but no, off to one side you go. 

A handwritten pattern for knitted booties.

Yes please.

And a size gauge for knitting needles. That could be useful.

Lots and lots of pins and machine needles. They went right into the bin, no saying how old they are or how rusty.

The buttons and the wooden thread keepers are keepers though and so are the thimbles.

Next it was time to sort out the threads.

They had made a colourful birds nest, but I just cut them away.

There were some old wooden spools in there, with names I have not seen for a while.

Brand names I remember seeing in Mums and Grans sewing tins.

Though I don't recall ever seeing Nora before.

It was a lovely trip down memory lane.

The patterns and the threads have been safely added to my stash. Not that I needed them, but better that than the bin!

The items I'll not be treasuring have been popped back into the pretty tin and I will deliver them to an op shop. Someone might find a use for them. 

*

I promised a progress report.

The second  Greeny blue Mohair scarf is complete. No pic sorry.

I have added about 5 or 6 rows to the crochet ripple blanket.

I'll get a pic next time. You have to have something to look forward to. LOL

And progress has been made on the latest jigsaw puzzle.

I didn't say there was lots of progress, just that we had made some progress. 

*

With the mohair scarf completed, I'll be adding something else to the current WIPs, I need to go and peruse my list. The ripple crochet is good mindless stuff for TV watching but I'll need to find something else to keep me occupied during the brighter moments.

Speaking of the ripple blanket, the weather here has taken a very cold and Wintery turn today, no frosty start with a warm sunny day, now it's overcast with cold showers rattling through. A good evening to be under a crochet project.

Have a great weekend, I'll be at work.

August Goals.

 And so we are in to August. 

What do I have in mind for the month? My Chookshed challenge written way back in December was to make a start on my Turtle Mandala quilt. A kit I purchased in Baradine in 2023. But that won't be happening as I re wrote my list in an effort to try and get rid of some works in progress, then as you know some squirrels hopped in.

So what do I plan for this month?

It's still very cold here in South island New Zealand, there is a good frost this morning so I'll be continuing with my crochet ripple blanket. 

I'll also get on and complete the second blue green scarf.

Maybe I'll make a start on another crochet project using the off white yarn as I really don't want to put that in to the stash. Not that I really have much of a yarn stash.

I also need to get back to my Christmas ornaments.

Aside from the off white yarn, there will be no new projects. I'm only allowing myself to pick up WIPs  that are listed in the tab at the top of the page. I'll need to add the Off white yarn to that once I settle on a project for it. 

Oh and I need to share a recipe.

The July Round Up.

Lets take a look and see what went on in July here is Loulee world.

I rewrote my Chookshed challenge list, or what remains of it anyway. 

I was supposed to be working on a scrappy eye spy style quilt top, but squirrels got in the way.

I was able to complete knitting a scarf that was started some time ago.

I also started and made some progress on a scrappy crochet ripple blanket.

Not huge progress, but that's ok I'm happy with how things are going.

*

In an effort to bring a semblance of order to the scrap basket I took some time the other day to sort all my scrap yarns into bags.

Next time Tony goes digging for the next colour he won't make such a birds nest!

If you remember we were given a huge pile of yarn at work by a grateful family member. It is old yarn and what I selected is/was rather smelly. Rather than store it I decided to get it used up quick. So I started knitting more scarfs.

One is complete and another is half way. The yarn has lost some of the odd smell and the completed scarf is waiting to be washed.

There is still the matter of the 9 skeins of off white to be dealt with. More about that soon.

*

Another squirrel that hopped in and got stuck was a jigsaw puzzle.

This one has been on the go since May, a big push over the last week has seen it completed....

Of course a finish means a start.

I found this one while op shopping on Monday. Of course Tony was delighted and it had to be the next puzzle. Maybe this is why the kittens were completed so quickly?

We made a start as soon as the kitten puzzle was back in the box.

The warbirds puzzle is also the very first puzzle to go on our new puzzle board. It is actually an early birthday gift to me, but we both enjoy puzzles. It has drawers for storing sorted pieces and a cover. Much easier to tidy away when the children are due for visits. We will keep our old puzzle board though, so that the children can keep their puzzles as WIPs.

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At the very last minute I squeezed in a new recipe. Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Sauce. If you look at the previous post you will find it. It's very tasty and is on our make again list.

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I'm not really sure what August will bring. My remaining Chookshed Challenges all say to focus on completing a WIP, though I will be making a start on using up the off white yarn as soon as I get the second scarf completed. Then it can be washed. Much easier to wash garments or blankets than skeins of yarn. I still need to complete my Christmas ornaments and did I mention that I have acquired another incomplete cross stitch?

I'm off to do some chores, then I might find a movie to watch while I sit and knit.