Pussy Blankets

The yarn is nearly over. Bulky yarn, acrylic, cheap, and in surprisingly tasteful colours, the remnants from a larger project - my 'defect triage' blanket, made during a very boring daily meeting at my last job, where the cameras were off and I was only required to speak periodically. 

These remnants are being made into a pussy blanket for Kylo and Rey Rey, Blarney and Barney's cats. 

They get a pussy blanket for their bed every year - a tradition started with Maow Maow, who loved his pussy blankets. He used to get one every year - the old one got thrown out and replaced by the new one. 

It's a tradition. I'm also the sad spinster aunt that likes making things and I'm relegated to making cat blankets. At least they're loved. 

As much as I'm not a fan of Christmas, I don't mind Christmas Day with Blarney and Barney. 

I'm on sweets. In the background a cherry cheesecake is being made. The no bake kind - it's a bit lighter. Also, the cherries I'm seeing in the stores aren't that good this year. I'm also making the ham glaze, as that is my job at Blarney's place - glaze the ham. A cup of coke, a cup of orange juice, tablespoon of Dijon mustard, tablespoon of cumin, squeeze of honey, dollop of maple syrup, half a cup of brown sugar... and anything else that takes my fancy. I like having jobs to do on Christmas Day. I'll also take some yarn and a crochet hook along. Keeps my hands busy. Stops me scrolling. 

We have some other little traditions. 

I'll get over to that side of town around ten. The first job is to go and procure McDonald's coffees. Sure, Blarney and Barney have a perfectly functional coffee machine - but on Christmas Day we schlep on down to the Altona Maccas for our coffees - as we have done for many s Christmas passed. In Launceston, Maccas is the only place you can get a half decent coffee on Christmas Day (Barney's folks think that Moccona instant is posh). Maccas coffee has to be done. 

Then we'll watch some banal Christmas show. The Moody's is a favourite. The Life of Brian, The Trip and Die Hard may also be watched. Die Hard is still the best Christmas movie ever. 

There might be sausage rolls. There will be too much food. There might be a music off, where Blarney and I listen to whatever is on a retro radio station, and we have to shout out the name and bad of whatever 80s or 90s tune is playing. 

Unlike Christmas where we have salad and seafood and Christmas pudding with hard sauce and custard, we have a more traditional roast meal. I think a large snapper is going on the barbeque this time. 

I still might have to get in a kilo of prawns and some fresh oysters when I get to Victor Harbor so I don't feel like I've missed out on anything. 

Still, it's lovely to have our traditions - as quirky as they might be. 

Best get on doing the final rows of these blankets. 

Today's song: