Wednesday the heat was just right for me - warm enough for t-shirt and summer trousers and enough warmth to sit out for a while! I said to him indoors that this was just right for me - so what happens it gets really hot - way too hot for me GRRRRR!
The dog and I have boiled this weekend - no walks for him incase it is too much and some walks for me as him indoors needed to stretch his legs after sitting at a desk all week.
This week has been a bit mad we had an embroiderers guild meeting followed by a committee meeting and then I had to go straight to work that day. Plus all the final prep for the exhibition next weekend.
In spite of all that I still managed to cast off Tilia - need payday before I can buy blocking wires to finish it properly but I have until July 1st to do that. Lottie doesn't actually finish at school until they break up this week and then she will have exams fairly solidly after that. Her Prom is the 1st of July as I mentioned and we still have a dress to get for that.
Good Luck to all of the boys and girls doing GCSE's currently!
Must dash I still have my exhibition items to finish and a mad week to get through! Roll on June is all I can say!
Monday, 24 May 2010
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Not knitting enough!
I think that I am stuck in some kind of time warp - the weeks seem to be beginning again before I have finished the last one and the weekends are feeling like single days!
I haven't done much knitting or crochet this week and it is missing me - I know it is 'cause it says so!
I think that it could be time for the men in white to come and get me before it is too late or perhaps it would be simpler to just go and make some lunch and that will make me feel much better! Either way I am still here plodding along, ticking things off my huge 'to do list' and wondering when May will end and June will become hopefully nicer!
If the white coated men don't come then I will be back again with more May madness soon!
I haven't done much knitting or crochet this week and it is missing me - I know it is 'cause it says so!
I think that it could be time for the men in white to come and get me before it is too late or perhaps it would be simpler to just go and make some lunch and that will make me feel much better! Either way I am still here plodding along, ticking things off my huge 'to do list' and wondering when May will end and June will become hopefully nicer!
If the white coated men don't come then I will be back again with more May madness soon!
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Blink and I missed it!
Now where did the last 4 days of my life just go? Friday I spent getting packed and sorted at home, then once Lottie arrived home from school we set off at no more than 50 mph (engine to run in!) across the country to my favourite place. Now we had radio 2 on (him in doors likes it) and we heard lots of tales of woe, traffic jams and accidents but apart from a little bit of rush hour stuff (again we couldn't go any faster than 50 so it made no difference) we didn't find the roads that busy at all. It took us a little less than 5 hours, which considering the speed restriction we were under and the fact that on an exceptional run it takes 4, I think it was good going - I drove the last hour from Kings Lynne to Cromer at which point it decided to tip it down but it had stopped by the time we arrived.
Saturday was glorious and we walked along the beach in crocs and shorts - we did need jumpers as well and the sea was very cold!
Sunday was cloudy to begin with but as with all coastal weather they soon blew away and the sun came out - it was alot colder though so out came the jeans and walking shoes and we had a rather long hike across the cliff tops and then back along the top of the beach.
Monday was mega windy and took your breath away but we still managed quite a good walk before packing up and coming home. Again we had radio 2 on and the reports were nearly as bad as Friday but we had very little traffic and got back in just under 5 hours - it would seems the East to West routes were not popular for this weekend and I like it that way!
As for knitting well I did do some on both of the long journeys - it was just very plain though. I had packed the polly jeans and Tilia and a little bit was done on each but nothing was finished or great progress made. I did feel that for the first time in ages though I stopped holding my breath - you know that feeling when you just let out a big sigh and it all feels better - that is what sea air does to me and I had missed it.
Now we are back the full extent of my May commitments is hitting me and I fear that the polly jean socks might not get finished in time to do the May sock along so I have decided that much as I would love to do the May socks I am going to plod on with polly jean and the rest of my projects and just get through May as best I can. The reason for my panic is that the Embroiderers' Guild are putting on an exhibition as part of the Arts and Music Festival here in our village at the end of May and as such I still have my 2 entries to finish and the actual thing to put up as well, plus Lottie's exams are on the way etc etc.
So initial panic over I am off to catch up on some washing and tidying up - hmm think I must have something wrong with me!
Saturday was glorious and we walked along the beach in crocs and shorts - we did need jumpers as well and the sea was very cold!
Sunday was cloudy to begin with but as with all coastal weather they soon blew away and the sun came out - it was alot colder though so out came the jeans and walking shoes and we had a rather long hike across the cliff tops and then back along the top of the beach.
Monday was mega windy and took your breath away but we still managed quite a good walk before packing up and coming home. Again we had radio 2 on and the reports were nearly as bad as Friday but we had very little traffic and got back in just under 5 hours - it would seems the East to West routes were not popular for this weekend and I like it that way!
As for knitting well I did do some on both of the long journeys - it was just very plain though. I had packed the polly jeans and Tilia and a little bit was done on each but nothing was finished or great progress made. I did feel that for the first time in ages though I stopped holding my breath - you know that feeling when you just let out a big sigh and it all feels better - that is what sea air does to me and I had missed it.
Now we are back the full extent of my May commitments is hitting me and I fear that the polly jean socks might not get finished in time to do the May sock along so I have decided that much as I would love to do the May socks I am going to plod on with polly jean and the rest of my projects and just get through May as best I can. The reason for my panic is that the Embroiderers' Guild are putting on an exhibition as part of the Arts and Music Festival here in our village at the end of May and as such I still have my 2 entries to finish and the actual thing to put up as well, plus Lottie's exams are on the way etc etc.
So initial panic over I am off to catch up on some washing and tidying up - hmm think I must have something wrong with me!
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Oops
So as the end of the month approaches my Polly Jean socks sit untouched those heels have put them off the 'go to' project list and I am being silly so they MUST get finished this weekend as a new pattern awaits for next month and it looks like fun!
But also I need to fess up to a bout of startitis (I know I didn't NEED any more project but I wanted them), I loved the nutkin socks that Allison is doing and whilst in Chester on Sunday I found a new wool shop in the Rows (RKM wools) and they had lots of lovely sock yarn so of course some had to come home with us plus 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss pure silk. So I have cast on the socks and a shawl with some lovely NDS baby alpaca, cashmere and silk - so soft to knit with!
The other good news is that finally we hope to get a couple of days over in Norfolk, we decided to give the car a long running in stint and go over for the Bank holiday weekend, I have missed my favourite place so much so fingers crossed that old 'Bessie' makes it there and back!
Hopefully some pictures of 'finished socks' soon!
But also I need to fess up to a bout of startitis (I know I didn't NEED any more project but I wanted them), I loved the nutkin socks that Allison is doing and whilst in Chester on Sunday I found a new wool shop in the Rows (RKM wools) and they had lots of lovely sock yarn so of course some had to come home with us plus 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss pure silk. So I have cast on the socks and a shawl with some lovely NDS baby alpaca, cashmere and silk - so soft to knit with!
The other good news is that finally we hope to get a couple of days over in Norfolk, we decided to give the car a long running in stint and go over for the Bank holiday weekend, I have missed my favourite place so much so fingers crossed that old 'Bessie' makes it there and back!
Hopefully some pictures of 'finished socks' soon!
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Knitting & Crochet
It has been a while since I showed you any of my yarny goings on so I thought you might like to see a couple of my ongoing projects!
These are my Polly Jean sock-a-longs, progress was slowed by the heel as I decided to do each one on dpns and then put them back on the circs as I hadn't done 2 heels at once and was worried I might have messed it up but was then cross with myself for wimping out so picked up my crochet for a while. Luckily I saw the finished pair over on 'the stash basket' and decided I needed to finish these so I have picked them back up again. I have until the end of the month to finish them so all should be OK!
I have been keeping a little something from you though and that is the fact that I have secretly become addicted to crochet - it began at Christmas when I bought the kit for Barbara and tried out the pattern to see if I could do it! Then I made 'the scarf that I forgot to photograph' and also joined the CAL with the natural dye studio on Ravelry. I have made quite a few of the March motifs but then the April daisy one came along....... One flower
Quickly became quite a few......
These are my Polly Jean sock-a-longs, progress was slowed by the heel as I decided to do each one on dpns and then put them back on the circs as I hadn't done 2 heels at once and was worried I might have messed it up but was then cross with myself for wimping out so picked up my crochet for a while. Luckily I saw the finished pair over on 'the stash basket' and decided I needed to finish these so I have picked them back up again. I have until the end of the month to finish them so all should be OK!
I have been keeping a little something from you though and that is the fact that I have secretly become addicted to crochet - it began at Christmas when I bought the kit for Barbara and tried out the pattern to see if I could do it! Then I made 'the scarf that I forgot to photograph' and also joined the CAL with the natural dye studio on Ravelry. I have made quite a few of the March motifs but then the April daisy one came along....... One flower
Quickly became quite a few......
And another scarf / shawl was begun!
I have also done some more of the Tilia for Lottie's prom but that has been fairly slow as it does take a while still to do a row so I only pick that up if I know I will have a few uninterrupted minutes! I have also started to sand down the garden furniture for staining as I am feeling the need to sit out and spin - I don't know why but I prefer to spin in the summer and sitting out with the dog seems to work particularly well for me (I did loads last year while I was keeping my eye on him) and am ready to drag the wheel out of the corner and get going again especially as I have that lovely orange fiber to get going with!
I am loving the extended day light and this next week 'him in doors' is actually going away for a night - he was away so much last year and then we had the job change which meant after the fortnight in the USA there was not much need for him to go out and about he was based totally at home and that was great too, but for just one evening it will just be Lottie and I so hopefully it will be a sunny one and we can enjoy it. Although I expect there will be plenty of revision going on as well - Lottie has been so good about doing it and hopefully the hard work will show in the end! Fingers crossed for all of those doing exams this year!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Turkey and Goat!
I have to say that my turkey turned out to be the best ever - even Dave commented and he is not known for his finely tuned taste buds! I have to say that we buy most of our meat from our friend Danny - he is a small holder on the outskirts of our village and we walk past his house usually both days at the weekend. We can watch our meat grow and see the life it leads plus help a very small business to find its feet. Added to that it makes our carbon footprint a lot less especially as we have a veg box delivered as well (all grown within a 10 mile radius) - I must admit that although this does work out a bit more than if I buy it all in the local Morrison's (10 - 15 miles away) I find that it makes me more aware of how not to waste things plus I hope I am doing something to help small local business and the environment as well. Also during the no car 2 months it actually was a total god send as it meant I didn't have to carry everything from our tiny local co-op, milk beer and wine was heavy enough!
So what brought me to that little rant, it wasn't actually meant to be a rant but I wanted to share with you about our turkey and also as Allison said she had goat for Easter I wanted to say about our goat experience - we had some goat mince from our friends mentioned above and I made what I called 'Hillside pie' which was basically Shepard's pie made with the goat mince which turned out to be mega low fat and extremely tasty. My lot always enjoy it when I make a Shepard's or cottage pie and hillside was no exception - very tasty. I did also do some goat chops on another day and they turned out to be a bit more chewy and not as fun but I am not a chop fan in any sort of meat really!
Also worthy of note this week the car did make it home on Friday and we need to take it out and drive it carefully for a few hundred miles in order to 'run it in', am I pleased to see the beast back? No not really as when I had a close look at it in the drive she has come home very battered and worse for wear, there are chips and scratches on 3 out of 4 corners and the poor tail gate has some nasty damage too so in short I am totally gutted and sad.
So back to the real world - Allison please tell us your holiday tales, I would love to hear about the hot weather and fabulous cocktails and also it is fine to email Barbara the bead pattern. I have more I can email to anyone who wants them - I should post some pics for you all to choose!
I hope all went well for you Barbara and that driving was OK.
How were the hols Claire did you survive too?
Back soon with more of my odd life and maybe some actually knitting!
So what brought me to that little rant, it wasn't actually meant to be a rant but I wanted to share with you about our turkey and also as Allison said she had goat for Easter I wanted to say about our goat experience - we had some goat mince from our friends mentioned above and I made what I called 'Hillside pie' which was basically Shepard's pie made with the goat mince which turned out to be mega low fat and extremely tasty. My lot always enjoy it when I make a Shepard's or cottage pie and hillside was no exception - very tasty. I did also do some goat chops on another day and they turned out to be a bit more chewy and not as fun but I am not a chop fan in any sort of meat really!
Also worthy of note this week the car did make it home on Friday and we need to take it out and drive it carefully for a few hundred miles in order to 'run it in', am I pleased to see the beast back? No not really as when I had a close look at it in the drive she has come home very battered and worse for wear, there are chips and scratches on 3 out of 4 corners and the poor tail gate has some nasty damage too so in short I am totally gutted and sad.
So back to the real world - Allison please tell us your holiday tales, I would love to hear about the hot weather and fabulous cocktails and also it is fine to email Barbara the bead pattern. I have more I can email to anyone who wants them - I should post some pics for you all to choose!
I hope all went well for you Barbara and that driving was OK.
How were the hols Claire did you survive too?
Back soon with more of my odd life and maybe some actually knitting!
Monday, 5 April 2010
Easter Greetings
I know I am a bit behind here but that is about par for the course here at the moment! I hope you all had a lovely Easter, I know that I am not the only one who's plan went wrong and I am sorry to hear it.
I wish that I could say I am writing this from the wild and windswept beaches of Norfolk but no I am still here in daffodil blooming Cheshire! Still no final end to the car saga after the garage found that it also needed a new radiator as the screw thread had broken on the original one and so all would not be ready by Easter despite me arriving on the doorstep twice weekly for the last 3 weeks! You would think that would have been an indication of how desperate I was to go away - but clearly unless I was prepared to weep and wail or shout loudly (neither of which I was prepared to lower myself to do), my pain was not obvious enough!
Even my plans to watch my favourite 'Jonathan Creek' were thwarted by a game of Monopoly (Cheshire and Chester edition I might add). It went on for so long that I had to abandon my empire to go and sort out some dinner and as the others were fairly broke I am sure that it could have been me who won but they counted up without me so I will never really know!
So today is Easter Monday and the only plan I have is to cook my lovely free range turkey that I have watched run around Danny's garden for the last few months. I know it should have been yesterday but as I said all plans went out of the window due to the blasted monopoly and Jonathan Creek fiasco. Fingers crossed for a planless plan!
I wish that I could say I am writing this from the wild and windswept beaches of Norfolk but no I am still here in daffodil blooming Cheshire! Still no final end to the car saga after the garage found that it also needed a new radiator as the screw thread had broken on the original one and so all would not be ready by Easter despite me arriving on the doorstep twice weekly for the last 3 weeks! You would think that would have been an indication of how desperate I was to go away - but clearly unless I was prepared to weep and wail or shout loudly (neither of which I was prepared to lower myself to do), my pain was not obvious enough!
Even my plans to watch my favourite 'Jonathan Creek' were thwarted by a game of Monopoly (Cheshire and Chester edition I might add). It went on for so long that I had to abandon my empire to go and sort out some dinner and as the others were fairly broke I am sure that it could have been me who won but they counted up without me so I will never really know!
So today is Easter Monday and the only plan I have is to cook my lovely free range turkey that I have watched run around Danny's garden for the last few months. I know it should have been yesterday but as I said all plans went out of the window due to the blasted monopoly and Jonathan Creek fiasco. Fingers crossed for a planless plan!
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