Zillah's blog

I am typing briefly and one-handed as I have a small bundle of joy curled against my left shoulder!

Yes, we're expecting another baby

Well, since you guys all got me addicted to this knitting thing I thought I'd share my first knitting project with you.

I'm making DD a simple (very simple!) stocking-stitch sweater in cotton DK yarn. It's a kind of dusky rose pink, chosen by DD herself. I've done my tension swatch, adjusted my stitches and made a start. It's so exciting

Here are some pictures of DD enjoying her 2nd Christmas!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14824421@N00/

Zillah

Well, DH had his viva (thesis defence) today and . . . he has his PhD So it's DrDH from now on!!! It's been 4 years of stress and late nights and weekend working and stress and stress and I'm SO glad it's over. He only has to do some minor corrections on typos and the like, so he's really done it. Christmas starts here

Remember last summer I got so excited about Radio 3's Beethoven week? Well, they're doing it again, but better. It's Bach. For Christmas. What could possibly be better than that?

I wish DD was older so that I could use this opportunity to explore so many things - history, maths, science, art and, of course, MUSIC. Ah well, she's just going to have to listen to a whole lot of Bach this Christmas

In the UK at the moment there's big publicity being given to the latest government decision on how children should learn to read (you know, they way THEY say it should be done, and no other). We were listening to this on the radio yesterday and DH (psycho-linguist specialising in language acquisition) and DMIL (early-years/preschool teaching guru) were absolutely furious.

When my maternity pay finished after DB1 was born, and DH got a first job after finishing (ish!) his PhD, we had to do some serious financial rethinking. We also moved house to a bigger place with higher rent. As a result we've had several months now of a very frugal food budget. Now, we're a couple of foodies, so there had to be NO fall in quality! But we've started using lots of dried beans; making our own bread, museli, yoghurt (until I broke the sugar thermometre!) etc; and, most importantly, NOT just popping out for take-away or something quick from the supermarket. When the food money for the week is spent, IT IS SPENT, so I've had to be very strict with myself about buying treats and non-necessities. Actually it's been quite fun! Lots of meal planning and working together to make this work.