Gosh where has the time gone, half way through February. Looked out of the window this morning and the last of the girls snowmen have gone and I hope that is the last of the snow for this winter. It looks lovely but makes getting around either by car or foot a little scary. Managed this year not to fall over on the ice when walking the dogs, last year fell backwards and hit my head on the road, although I was fine, made my ventures out this year in the conditions a little bit worrying. The house looked lovely and the girls and Dylan (the dog) loved playing out in it.

Can you tell what it is?

Half term is here and with it the fun of trying to fit in all the dog walks and chores that have to be achieved i.e. dentist, buying new school shoes, etc., but also trying to have some fun with the girls. They enjoy coming out on some of the walks with me and we have been busy in the kitchen. Had fun making our own pizza's which although making the dough is a bit time consuming is incredible easy.

Looking ahead to Easter I have found a lovely Easter Rabbit to knit so going to get started on that so will keep you posted on that little project.

February already

So first day of February and a very chilly one it is.
Has been a really busy day as I was teaching for most of today. I am a dog obedience instructor and had my novice and beginner classes today and also had a private lesson with a delightful 5mth cocker spaniel who is very bright but is constantly trying to work when he is out. The handler is having really problems with him pulling on the lead, so we did a lot of lead work teaching him not to lean on the lead and also, which is the main thing, to pay attention to his owner more. I then had to walk a sweet little Jack Russell then rush home in time for the girls to get back from school, feed them and then we were back out for another beginners class tonight. The girls love coming along and help me put all the mats out and then I use them for distraction work with the dogs. Tonight at the end of the class when I have a chat with the handlers the girls took two of the dogs off around the hall and were doing work with them and I have to say that the dogs were behaving better with them than their handlers! Two assistants in the making I think.

How many of you use and buy dog treats, who knows what they put in some of them. Here follows a receipe for a lovely treat that you can make yourself. It freezes really well so if you cut it up into squares and put most of it in your freezer and then keep the rest in the fridge, cut into tiny pieces which great for training your dog.

Liver Cake


Ingredients
1Lb (450g) pigs or chicken livers
1Lb (450g) self raising flour and oats (I tend to do ¾ flour to ¼ oats).
3 eggs.
2 cloves of garlic.
Splash of olive oil
milk or water.

Method
Blend the liver and garlic in a food processor.
Add the eggs, oil and flour to the blended liver and garlic and blend to a sponge mixture consistency. If a little stiff add milk or water till desired consistency is achieved.
Empty contents into a baking tray.
Bake at 180 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes.
Allow to cool. Divide into 12 pieces

Mia's hat and scarf

I have finally finished the ruffled scarf for my daughter last night, was really simple to make, although it did take me nearly two weeks to complete because I have been so busy. The little beanie hat took me a weekend to make. I had some wool left from making leg warmers for them and had seen lots of the ruffle scarfs in the shops and loved the look of them but thought they must be really difficult to make, how wrong I was.

Beanie Hat
Size 5mm (J) Hook
DK Yarn


Ch 2. 10 DC in second ch from hook. Join with a sl st to the first dc.
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first dc.(20 dc)
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in the next stitch. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 dc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (30)
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (40)
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (50)
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (60)
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 5 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 5 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (70)
Ch 1. Work 2 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 6 stitches. *Work 2 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 6 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (80)
Ch 1. Work 1 dc in the first stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (80 dc)
Ch 1. Work 1 dc in the first stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (80 dc)
Ch 1. *Work 1 dc in each of the next 6 stitches. DC2tog the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (70)
Ch 1. *Work 1 dc in each of the next 5 stitches. DC2tog the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (60)
Ch 1. *Work 1 dc in each of the next 8 stitches. DC2tog the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (54)
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (54 sc)
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (54 sc)
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (54 sc)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Scarf

Ch to the length that you require your scarf
1st Row Miss 3 ch then 2 tr into next chain then 3tr in every chain to end
2nd Row Ch 3 then 1 tr into 1st stitch and then 2 tr into every stitch to end
3rd Row Ch 3 then1 tr into every stitch to end and fasten off.

Welcome to my world

Hi to anyone who might actually be looking at this!
Well although my blog title mentions Jill I am in fact Chris . . . . confused?
It's like this (are you sitting comfortably) good
I'm a single mum to two wonderful daughter's Georgina (11) and Mia (9) it was 
my eldest daughter commenting on my facebook page, that got me thinking, she said that it was like a blog,  I would love to do a blog but what could I do it on?  You see I am a Jack of all trades and master of none!  Hence the title. 
So my blog I have decided will be about whatever is going on in my life be it a creative project I have on the go.
Jewellery
Crochet
Knitting
Cooking
or just something new that I have done or tried.
I just turned the big 50 and it's just a number, albeit a big number!!! So blogging its my latest creative project if you like.
I hope that you will pop back soon and see what I am getting up too.


Chris