I've always wanted to learn to crochet. I tackled a few granny squares a while back but it fizzled out in favour of my patchwork quilt, I had every intention of returning to it and learning more.

I offered to make some mice for my niece's 4th birthday party and had intended to knit them. The idea was for each child to make a little bed or house for their mouse. But when I found the cutest crochet pattern on Pinterest and was adamant - ADAMANT - that I wanted to crochet these little critters.

Now, I can wrap my head around most things given enough time but time was in short supply. I find the easiest (and quickest!) way to learn is to sit next to someone and copy their actions. Queue an afternoon spent with Mother - ninja of all things wool - lots of tea, and plenty of me staring at her fingers asking her to slow down and do it again.

I was so chuffed to see my first little mouse (pictured right) start to take shape. Look at those little ears!


I had only a few days to make 20 of them, and interrupted my DIY to make sure I had them done in time.


By the end of the afternoon we'd made five mice, inbetween gossiping, tea drinking and unravelling my efforts because I'd gone horribly wrong, again. Mum offered to take some wool home to make some more and I set about making my first mouse unaccompanied!

They kept growing in number...

And in a few days we had 20 little mice for my little niece. Now, what to make next...?


The pattern is by Lucy Ravenscar and can be found here.

Today I've been blogging for six years. Six years! I really enjoy writing, and creating posts for my little corner of the internet.

I've never been any good at keeping a diary so I'm surprised that I'm still blogging after six years. I'm happy that I am though, and grateful for the friends I've made along the way.

Thank you for reading, commenting, and making the journey all the more enjoyable with your presence. I'm not looking to build a massive following or into turn full time blogger, but it is nice to have regular readers, and read your blogs in return. Although I am aware that my posts can be sporadic at times, and I tend to binge read your blogs when I can, as I rarely find the time to catch up everyday, but it really is a part of my life that I enjoy.

Today is a memorable day in many ways. It's the day I left home at the grand old age of 23, it's the day I was a bridesmaid to my favourite Aunt, aged 11. And it's also Socks and Tink's birthday, they're nine years old, making them 52 in cat years.

What follows is a collection of cat photos. I tried to keep it to just nine photos - one for each year - but it was impossible, so look away now if you're not a feline fan, there are a lot of photos. A lot.


I'd intended to have just the one cat, Tinker, but I bought Socks home with me because my friend's Mum wanted him. Her cat was very old and nearing the end of her life, so I was to look after Socks until her old cat passed away. But after about an hour of having him home, I knew I wouldn't be able to let him go. I was quite distraught at the thought of having to part with him. Luckily, my friend's Mum completely understood, and I was able to keep him.

I can't imagine life without cats now, and since becoming a cat owner I have learnt many things about cats, like how they love a box.


And that box envy is a distinct possibility...

Cats will pretty much sit and sleep anywhere, regardless of how comfortable it actually is.



And they can get annoyed if you interrupt them.




Catching a cat mid yawn is always funny.


You will be jealous when they choose another lap over yours.


Food will never be your own again...

You'll love their stupid little faces...

and you'll never tire of taking photos of them sleeping, or being awake.




You'll be really chuffed every time you get a good mid-wash photo or a protruding tongue! (And in all honesty you'll happily take numerous photos just to capture it perfectly)



They'll be 'helpful' at all times.

The 'my cat's really Batman' joke will never get old.


Cat selfie's will always be hard to resist.



And they will never like going to the vets.

Well done (and thank you) if you go this far.  That's a lot of cat photos (I did warn you).

I hope to be blogging and taking cat photos for years to come, I promise not to bombard you with this many cat photos ever again - that's what Instagram is for ;-)