remembering october

It is hard to believe that it is already a year since our little princess arrived into our lives. October will always be special to me because of this. I still remember the view from our hospital room facing a brick building surrounded by trees… how the golden yellow leaves contrasted with the red brick wall and the blue sky…how the leaves the day we checked in were almost all blown away or fallen down during the three days we spent at the hospital…how one year was reaching its end and our daughter just beginning her life.

go red

On Saturday Rani passed on a colour challenge on her blog. Her colour was orange. I have chosen red. My favourite colour is green, but it seems read is sneaking into my house without me noticing it until now. What is you favourite colour? If you’d like to take the challenge: Go green, then pick a colour to pass on.

PS. I’d love to know if you took the challenge so I can see you photos.

a break in the routine

It is one more day until this week’s weekend. However on Sunday I said I would tell you about last weekends highlight, and so I will.

We went to Sweden for the weekend where we had rented a summer cabin (actually it was more like a house) in a small beautiful fishing village by the name Fjällbakka. For anyone into Swedish crime writers Fjällbacka is the hometown of Camilla Läckberg. She has written several (I think it’s six) crime novels that all take place on the Swedish west coast included her hometown. I had never read any of her books. To be honest I had never heard of her. But when my neighbour L heard that I was going to Fjällbacka she went straight into her flat, took out a book from her bookshelf and said I absolutely had to read it while I were in Fjällbacka. So I did. As soon as Astrid were to bed, the fireplace was lit and my lovely mr. Yonder treated me with a cup of tea I opened the first page. Meaning no knitting, cross-stitching or embroidery was done.

We enjoyed the weekend with sauna, a slow walk by the harbour in Grebbestad (neighbouring village), and eating fish and selfish soup.Nothing extravagant, but everyday life coziness and the perfect getaway to make a change in our ordinary routine.

fabric coated buttons & cocido madrileño

Hi everyone! This has been a busy week. So many things to do in so little time. As you can see I went for fabric covered buttons and I must say I like the result, a bit colour to contrast the grey. I also knitted her a hat in the same yarn.

Last week I decided I had to pick up the phone and call friends I had not spoken with for months (although it only seemed like weeks). The phone calls resulted in a dinner invitation, two baby clothes exchanges and a visit to a restaurant together with my nice neighbours. The highlight of the week was without doubt our visit to my friend E who invited us for deliciously made “Cocido Mardileño”.

Cocido mardileño is a garbanzo (chickpea) stew from Madrid. There are of course as many recipes as there are households in Spain but it is usually prepared with potatoes, carrots, hen or chicken, bacon, fresh unsmoked chorizo (pork sausage), morcilla (blood sausage), and pork ham or beef spine to enhance the stock. It is usually served in two stages. First you eat the broth, and then you eat the chickpeas and meats. Historically it used to be a favourite among manual workers and I think it still is popular. Its heartiness makes it the perfect dish for fall and winter.

We had already digged in our second round when it occurred to me that I should have taken a photo. In stead you will have to do with this photo or this taken of a cocido madrileño aficionado.

I’ll tell you about this weekends highlight in a day or two.

winter wool

I am preparing for winter by knitting one wool garment after another. Not for me of course but for my little princess. She needs warm clothes for her outdoor time in the kinder garden (day care). Fresh off my needless is a hat in extra fine merino wool. It is meant to accompany a grey jacket I finished last week. I haven’t posted photos of the jacket yet because I want to sew on the buttons first, but can’t decide which buttons to use: wooden buttons or fabric coated buttons? We'll see.

I have also begun making a list of all the things I need to make to give away for Christmas. I know summer has barely said goodbye, but if I don’t begin now I will not be able to finish before the packages need to be sent. This year I think I’ll make woollen hats and neck warmers. They are fairly easy to make, only take 1-2 skeins and are practical. We loooove practical. Do you have plans of making things for Christmas gifts? If so - what? Perhaps you can inspire everyone reading this post to make something different from they planned, including me.

Someone else who is looking for inspiration for homemade Christmas presents is Sonia over at Cozy Homemaking. She has been doing a week long giveaway and I have been the lucky, lucky winner of day four. Take a look to see what super cute gifts await me. Yuppy!