44.Amend nana's gravestone....COMPLETED
I have completed another item on my list..something that's been needling me for a long time. My Nana died a few years ago but some amendments were needed to her headstone. I took it upon myself to do this and now its been done. My Nana was a big influence in my early life , installing in me the need for good manners and self respect. When she went out she was always impeccably dressed and not forgetting a smidgen of lipstick. One Christmas at ours, she even brought with her beaded slippers to match her elegant beaded jumper. People have sometimes remarked that I posess my Nana's 'la-de-da' attitude of which I'm rather proud. She was working class and proud of it but there's nothing wrong with having aspirations.

Booky Wookys

20.Read & list 50 books.... IN PROGRESS 8/50
If nothing else I have kept up with my reading and have two wonderfully colourful autobiographies to add to my books read (and books most definately recommended!). The first is a book I have coveted for a while and came to me as a Valentine's Day gift from my other half. Stand up comedian Russell Brand's 'My Booky Wook' was fab. I don't have the words in me to fully describe my feelings for this flamboyant, eloquent, Cockney eccentric. He truely facinates me..he's the kind of guy you either love or hate. The book tells of his 'normal' childhood, his heroin addiction,how he camped it up 'to attract the laidies' and then went on to be crowned 'Shagger Of The Year'. His writings begin and end with him in rehab being treated for sex addiction. Funny and shocking but not as gratuitous as you'd expect. Read it.

In Janet Street-Porter's 'Baggage: My Childhood' the newspaper editor and TV producer begins with the story of how her parents met during WW2 and instantly fell in love. The problem being both were married to other people at the time. Her father got a divorce but her mother could not and the new couple were forced to conceal this scandelous secret as they pretended to live as man and wife for years with their 2 daughters. It may seem like no big deal in today's Jeremy Kyle society but this was the 1940's were social standards were still in place. Janet's childhood was neither tragic or idyllic and most of it she decribes as a bore..but her writing style is far from that. Her teenage years where she longed for independance and quenched her thirst for learning and loving in 1960's swinging London. Another great book. It has too be said well written autobiographies far out weigh a normal biography because in a self penned book you can hear the famous celebrity writer speak as you read. A joy!

Thanks to Christy and Tartan Wonder for their kind words of encouragement. Hopefully my 101 List mojo is on it's way back! Watch this space!

Hit The Wall?

As far as my 101 List is concerned I seem to have 'hit the wall'. I haven't attempted any new items and seem to be making little or no progress with the ones I have started. I was admittedly ill with the cold for a couple of weeks, unable to do much of anything and this has kind of put me off my stride.
Any words of motivation?

Baby & Book

16.Make Jo special baby gift..IN PROGRESS
Don't want to say much more at this stage as it's a surprise. Baby due in about 3 weeks I think so hopefully will have it finished by then and post a pic thereafter.

20.Read & list 50 books.... IN PROGRESS 6/50
I'm doing not too badly with my reading progress and have another book to list. This was a gift from a friend sent all the way from America. Thanks, Kim. Humourously titled 'There's A (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going To Hell' this is the first offering by U.S author Laurie Notaro. It is indeed a comical read about one womans quest to make friends in the odd little town in which she has just moved. After a series of false starts which almost finds her banished from the town Maye, the central character uncovers what may be the last chance to connect with her neighbours. The kooky town holds a deadly serious annual Sewer Pipe Queen Pageant open to contenders of all ages and genders. With a deranged former beauty queen as her mentor Maye competes then accidently on purpose goes on uncover a sinister mystery that has haunted the town for decades. A great tale of small town peculiairity and dark secrets.

Excuse Me Darling..I Never Promised You A Herb Garden

94.Create a herb garden (inside or out)..COMPLETED.

I'm at odds as to whether this task is actually completed or not. The herb pack was purchased and the seeds have been planted. So, now I'm just waiting for them to sprout. I guess my part of the task is completed, I've just got to wait for nature to do it's bit. Looking forward to tufts of coriander, basil and chives appearing although as an uneducated foodie I'm not sure what to do with them thereafter..ah well!

Give A Toss!

58. Make pancakes on Pancake Day...COMPLETED
Tuesday the 5th of Februaury was 'Shrove Tuesday', the name of which comes from the shriving (confessing) that Anglo-Saxon Christians were expected to do prior to receiving absolution immediately before Lent. We, of course more commonly know this day as 'Pancake Day'. The reason that pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent is that the 40 days of Lent form a period of liturgical fasting, during which only the plainest foodstuffs may be eaten. Therefore, rich ingredients such as eggs, milk, and sugar are disposed of immediately prior to the onset of the fast. Pancakes and doughnuts were seen as an efficient way of using up these perishable goods, besides providing a minor celebratory feast prior to the fast itself .

So, the other half and I made some pancakes but didn't commit to the Lent idea..we like our food too much!!

Sock It To 'Em

76. Knit 20 pairs of socks...IN PROGRESS 3/20

I only began knitting socks a few months ago and knitted myself a few pairs. Thinking once I had mastered my DPN's I would then abandon this method of knitting then forget it totally I have vowed to knit at least 20 pairs in the 1001 days to keep my hand in (or should that be 'keep my toes in'?). I am still only knitting the basic sock pattern but using the self patterning 4ply Opal wool makes the finished item more interesting and people are often misled into thinking I have mastered the art of Fair Isle. I do correct them but at the mention of self patterning wool non-knitters seem to think I'm joking..ahh well let them continue to think I'm gifted..why argue?

After many kind comments on my hand knit socks I have toyed with the idea of selling them and have been playing around with my own label...Littlelou Knits.