Wintry things

There's been a 'cold weather alert' on this week - which our agency is reflecting with updates pointing to the Met Office.

Apparently there's a notable increase in 'excess deaths' in winter in this country, that doesn't occur to the same degree in colder Scandinavian countries.  It bascially boils down to old people and poor people living in old and drafty houses; some folks still live in houses without insulation, double glazing or effective heating systems. So they're actually more exposed to conditions that tax their bodies than in climates where people have figured out how to build and insulate homes.

With that in mind I'm thinking about this pattern - is this cool or what? Socks with a heel built for re-knitting!

Knitted with this yarn - a have a wool-avoiding friend that I had in mind for socks this winter. I've just taken delivery on six skeins, and am debating which ones become socks and which ones become baby clothes for fertile friends.

Worryingly, I also picked up a printed catalogue from Cornelissens at my last flying visit - now I know all the names of the madly obscure and specific art supplies that I didn't previously know I needed. Ox gall, anyone? Tracing-down paper (to avoid having to make my own with red bole and layout paper)? Sealer for silver leaf, to prevent tarnishing? Teh shiny is getting to me again...

Ok, illumination isn't exactly seaonal, but I do tend towards even more crafty stuff, when I don't want to go outside.

We're braving the cold to Mynydd Gwyn this weekend for the last revel of the season. Hoping to see lots of folk there for fencing, dancing and food.