Almost another year gone by...

Presents galore

And what a year it's been! I'm so glad the past winter is done. Thankfully everyone made it through, more or less in one piece.
I have been knitting up a storm this past year. 12 presents knitted for Christmas, a jumper almost done then frogged (that'll teach me to knit without any pattern. Or swatch) and my first adventures in lace knitting. It's quite therapeutic somehow.

In January I went to England to take care of my mum a bit, try to feed her up. I like to think it helped a bit at least, even though it was still a long haul to wellness for her. I also started the first Christmas present for this year there (I'm learning!), which is finished and safely tucked away. 

Ludvik testing a christening present for softness

Little monster jumper :-)

I've since finished two christening presents, a just-because (pre-ordered) baby jumper, a shawl/scarf for myself and 2 more Christmas presents, and started my first Niebling! So far I feel optimistic about this year :-). I'm not sure what everyone else wants for Christmas though, and it feels strange asking before the summer holidays are over... but then I guess I've never claimed to be normal :-) and I guess the family will forgive me if it means handmade presents.

Niebling's Roswitha - around halfway point. Ish.

"Rose of England" in shawl form

In May I went to England again, after my mum's (hopefully final for a loooong time!) surgery. She needed more food and pampering :-). We had a very nice visit, spending lots of time chatting while doing some sort of handiwork. Guess what kind I did!
I also had a chance to meet up with Tor and Louise (and their daughters) both times I was in England. They're such sweethearts! I've been so blessed in all my friendships :-)
While I was in England, both my mum's sisters came too. I've not seen them for... way too long.

We went for a little walk up the Whiteleaf cross, and I got some lovely presents (hand made no less!) from my aunt Astri. I wish I could paint like that!

Margaret bridge in the flood

Lately I'm in to cycling a lot. On Monday (when it was 39 C) I thought I'd combine it with a yarn hunt, I wanted to start knitting the Zelda (link) top from White lies, it's puuuurty :-) I cycled to the nearest yarn shop, which was on the south end of the Margit Sziget (Margaret Island). I got there and it was closed, so I thought I'd go for the next closest one. about 3.5 kilometres away. I plotted in the route so I wouldn't end up in the wrong city or something, and set off. I must admit I mostly ignored the route plotted for me, just checked I was heading in the right direction. I swear they were putting up roadworks as soon as they saw me getting near though... or they're rebuilding the city or something :-)

I got to the second yarn shop... 5 minutes after closing. So I decided to treat this as an outing, and cycled home in roughly the right direction :-) By the time I got home it was just over 20 KM, feeling like I was cycling through a hair-drier the whole way... I guess I'll get used to it eventually :-)

Hungarian Parliament in flood

Yarny goodness :-)

 I went back to the yarn shop the day after and told the woman there about Monday's trip. She seemed pleased that the other shop was closed too, for some strange reason she likes me coming in :-).
At least I got some nice yarn for my trouble, and now I've  got a pretty project on the needles. Yay!

The house project is proceeding apace. Peti is working hard to make sure it all is done to his standards. I never realized before how many details need to be decided on! But finally most of the decisions have been made. I THINK. I can't wait till it's all done! Budapest is great, and I've got wonderful friends and a good job here, but it'll be exciting to start the next phase too :-)

This weekend I'll be staying in Budapest. One of two things will happen. If it's not too warm I'm going to go for a bike ride, maybe to Szentendre like last weekend, and either way a lot of knitting will occur. Some Jane Austen might also be involved. Poor me.

Last night, I couldn't sleep. Might this be part of the reason do you think? :-D

I'm waaatching youuuu... :-D