I have finished another big blanket and, this time, it is for my Mum’s Christmas present. Sssh!! I don’t quite know how she’s going to get it back on the plane but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
It has actually got a lilac fleck in it – to go with her soft lilac sofa – but it is very subtle and hasn’t come out in the photos where it looks creamy beige which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Despite having the wool for several more of these, I’m continuing with my Kim Hargreaves boyfriend cardigan ‘Drew’ from her ‘Storm’ book. I’m really liking how it’s knitting up a sort of steely grey and it is sooo soft I can’t wait for it to be finished so I can wear it, although I’m not holding my breath.
Last Saturday night saw two of my baby kittens off to their new homes. I was sad to see them go but very grateful that I managed to get them adopted as France is positively seething with unwanted cats and kittens.
Yuki is making great progress. She still looks a little like a guinea pig crossed with a gremlin but now she is a fat one. Being left alone with just one sibling, far from getting her bullied, is making her more playful and very strong.
I think she’s going to be a diva though.
Her brother – temporarily called Mac (short for mackerel because of his fur markings) may henceforth be called Mog. If you live in the U.K. you will no doubt be aware of the T.V. advert Sainsbury’s has produced for Christmas. A mini story featuring Mog the cat that has taken the viewing public by storm (usually it’s the John Lewis ad). My daughters grew up with Mog books – delightful stories by Judith Kerr – so despite the fact the real Mog is a girl and has a white chest and paws, they think we should call Mac, Mog.
This is what he thinks of that idea.
For those of you who haven’t seen it (can there be anyone left in the U.K. who hasn’t) have a look. It’s very cute and Christmassy and has a lovely message – plus the cat is hilarious.
Tialys 
#1 by Abigail on November 18, 2015 - 16:17
Those blankets are fabulous! I love that video!
#2 by tialys on November 18, 2015 - 17:54
Thanks. The ad’s great isn’t it? Mog books (and toys) are flying off the shelves apparently.
#3 by katechiconi on November 18, 2015 - 16:27
The cat in that video is neurotic in a way no real cat ever would be; usually they’re totally composed and poised. I think Mac has the right idea. Not a good example of cat-hood for an impressionable young kitten to follow… Lovely blanket for your mum – you should get one of those storage bags where you suck all the air out with a vacuum cleaner and whatever is in it turns into a sort of large biscuit till the air is restored. Squished down like that, she might be able to squeeze it into her baggage.
#4 by tialys on November 18, 2015 - 17:46
Yes, I was thinking about one of those. That, or I could get a mutual friend who always drives over to France, to take it back by car.
#5 by http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com on November 18, 2015 - 16:52
I don’t care if Mog is not a real cat: I loved the ad – I watched it three times, schmaltz notwithstanding. I hope the kittens are happy in their new home(s).
And BTW, your knitting is most impressive.
#6 by tialys on November 18, 2015 - 17:51
When is schmaltz permissible if not at Christmas?
I have had a photo of one of the kittens helping the littlest girl in the family to get over a bout of ‘stayhomeandplaywithkittenitis’ and the other family have promised to update me after a week or so. They both seemed very responsible and loving families – otherwise I’d never have let them go with them.
#7 by http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com on November 18, 2015 - 20:10
Exactly – it’s a wonderful life country!
#8 by Thimberlina on November 18, 2015 - 17:25
Love those huge blankets you make, and fab to hear the kittens are coming in and finding new homes. I’d not seen the Sainsburys Ad so thanks for the link. So funny & so much better than John Lewis 😃
#9 by tialys on November 18, 2015 - 17:52
I suppose they can’t put it on too often as it’s so long – it must cost a fortune. I’m surprised I saw it really as I generally have to watch ITV on catch up over here and the ads aren’t always broadcast properly.
#10 by sewchet on November 18, 2015 - 18:28
Loved the ad – I’ve not seen it before and it made me smile! Love that blanket, too – where can I find the pattern? I’d love to make one for someone for Christmas. Such good news about the kittens and great that the two remaining are getting on so well.
#11 by tialys on November 18, 2015 - 18:39
There you go
https://www.etsy.com/listing/224060867/diy-knitting-pattern-throw-blanket-rug?ref=shop_home_active_1
#12 by Frivolous Monsters on November 18, 2015 - 21:36
I had heard people make reference to Mog, and how she could get straight through to the fire service with 999, but didn’t know what it was or had seen this. I know about the John Lewis Moon Hitler though.
#13 by tialys on November 19, 2015 - 09:24
Maybe she has magical abilities as she was actually killed off about 13 years ago – much to the distress of my daughters – and went to cat heaven. Now she’s been resurrected which just goes to prove the power of the supermarkets.
#14 by Frivolous Monsters on November 19, 2015 - 14:33
I have no knowledge of the source material, but looking I see that they are old with the first being released in 1970.
#15 by nettyg on November 19, 2015 - 07:29
Lucky mum, the blanket for her looks lovely and snuggly. I know it’s just an ad, and it did have a good ending but it made me all teary, I felt so sad for that family…perhaps I’m just overtired from days of hard work and not a little stress getting my house ready for a pest and building inspection, with the added pressure of the prospective new owners coming too to ‘measure things’. Maybe boy kitty could be MacMog….more masculine sounding with a wee touch of the Scots. Pleased you’re feeling ok about their new homes, it’s hard to send them off into the world.
#16 by tialys on November 19, 2015 - 09:31
I must admit, the first time I saw it, I thought it was going to turn into a warning about house fires because the devastation was so awful.
On the few occasions we have sold a house, I have hated it. Not least because I had to make sure it was beautifully clean and tidy all the time just in case of an impromptu visit. Good luck with your inspections – as that is probably what the prospective new owners are also doing – and try not to be too stressed.
#17 by poshbirdy on November 19, 2015 - 12:28
LOVE the ad. Way better than this year’s JL ad, I think, because it has a proper happy ending. But I think mackerel is such a wonderful name. Either way, the kittens look lovely and are thriving, and that’s what matters
And your knits are gorgeous. I love this about blogging – that people share the lovely things they are doing and making, and it inspires others.
#18 by tialys on November 19, 2015 - 21:17
Yes, you find out all sorts of things in blogland – some of which you wish you hadn’t 😉 – but mostly it does help you feel part of a community when nobody (or very few people) in your ‘real life’ shares the same interests or hobbies.
#19 by claire93 on November 19, 2015 - 14:28
thanks for the link to the ad. I hadn’t seen it before – excellent ^^
I rather like the name Mac personally.
#20 by tialys on November 19, 2015 - 21:15
I’m surprised how many people haven’t seen it – I nearly didn’t put the link in as I’d assumed everybody had. Mind you, I’ve only seen it appear on T.V. once but then I have to rely on ‘catch up’ and streaming services these days so don’t see that many ads any more – for which I’m usually thankful.
#21 by dezertsuz on November 20, 2015 - 09:57
1. Love your mum’s afghan. She can wrap it around here and sit on it all the way home. =) 2. The gray will be the prettiest sweater! 3. Thank you for putting up Mog! I’m not familiar with Mog, and not being in the UK, hadn’t seen the ad. I’ve read a lot of British children’s lit (like Emily Gravitt’s books – love ’em!), but not that. I’ll have to look it up now!
#22 by tialys on November 20, 2015 - 10:15
I had to look up Emily Gravett as my girls are now 20 and 22 so won’t let me read them childrens’ books any more. Mog was a big favourite when they were little in the late 90s – although I think Judith Kerr wrote the first one in the 70s. The character Mog was ‘killed off’ about 13 years ago which upset many children at the time – and me.
#23 by Bekki Hill on November 21, 2015 - 10:10
The blanket is gorgeous – maybe your mum can wear it on the plane 😉 So glad to hear Yuki’s doing so well 🙂
#24 by tialys on November 21, 2015 - 10:33
Thanks Bekki. I am now covered in kitten scratches, which is just how it should be.