New Year New Knees

Well, it's been a wee while since I've written anything and instead of admitting being lazy, I'm going to blame my knees. For the last time, I hope, since I now have brand new titanium protheses that should last at least 15 years. Fingers crossed and all that.

So, now that the both knees are done and mending beautifully,  I shall be hopping and skipping to a quite a different tune and not live in constant fear because of my wobbly knee caps. Yay! The operation went really well and the right knee is indeed healing much quicker than the left one did last year, feeling more secure already.

With 31 stitches, a beautiful scar and my mama's woolen sock on, it's not a bad looking leg either, is it?

After five days at the hospital I spent six weeks in a re-education centre where they got me back on my feet - literally.  My knees and I are very thankful and it also gave me an unforgettable experience in a place, that is probably one of the few (if not the only one) of its kind left in France. It reminded me of Fawlty Towers and this second time around I could enjoy the madness fully, knowing already what I was in for. More of that in another post.

My fabulous room mate introduced me to the equally fabulous comics, Les Vieux Fourneaux (The Old Geezers) by Lupano and Cauuet, which I cannot recommend enough. Original, well designed, incredibly funny and very political, they are in the class of they own. I am on my second round reading them already! Might have to buy the lot one day actually so I can read them once a year.

Six weeks is a long time and after all the washing, eating, fysio, excercise and other basics, there was still a hell of a lot time to lie on yer bed and contemplate the roof tiles.Mind you, I spent a hell of a lot of time waiting the lift, which always seemed to be stuck in another floor or parted just two seconds before I could wedge my walking stick between the doors. Kind of made me jealous of people who had had a shoulder operation and could take the stairs. Freedom is a precious thing.

So, having re-kindled my love for knitting, I really got into it and must've knitted at least ten bonnets, couple of pairs of socks and legwarmers. It's great fun and practically meditative, unless you're doing something complicated. And I even sold one bonnet, except the recipient 'forgot' to pay me, after swearing fervently to 'pay the next day'. Silly me, and I couldn't even run after her, with my knee out of action. Well, I'm sure in her next life she will be born in Siberia, hatless, bold and miserable!

Ooh, I do love knitting socks!

And now, for something completely different!

Christmas is long past, I know, but I'll show you couple of photos of the joulutortut that I made. They are lovely pastry-plum jam- thingys, that we make in Finland at xmas time, and one of my favourite sweet things to eat. Mon Cheri agreed with me wholeheartedly. So much so, that I was still baking joulutortut in February, due to the great demand. He had to help, of course!

For saving time, I bought the ready-made pastry which is a round shape and I had to cut wee squares out of them, hence the slight cutting-and-pasting-model at the front. Anyway, all tasted equally delicious.

La cuisine masterpiece!