Simple things

Not much knitting to show you this week. I'm still working on the baby blanket, but I have sidetracked off and started knitting this head wrap. It's a US pattern  in worsted. which we don't really have here as far as I'm aware, it seems to be somewhere between double knit and aran. I had some double knit in this green, and some aran in a lurid purple and I am in more of a green mood. I adjusted needle size and stitches to what I thought, but when I had about ten inches done it seemed too wide, so I ripped it out, and now I am knitting with smaller needles. I'm not even sure this isn't going to look silly on my head when I'm done, but we'll see. You may or may not see a photo when it's finished, depending on the result! 

I am rereading Rhonda Hetzel's wonderful book, Down to Earth. Rhonda writes a blog, also called Down to Earth which, like the book is full of ways to simplify life. From knitting dishcloths to homemade cleaners for the home, gardening, cooking and keeping chickens it's a great read and also a beautiful book. There are many books and blogs on these subjects, the way Rhonda's writing differs for me is her gentle homespun philosophy on life, it is just a pleasure to read her words and follow along with her simple life. This totally sounds like a sponsored post, but I promise it's not! Do check out Rhonda's book if you can, or at least visit her over at Down to Earth, both her book and blog are a wonderful read. 

'It's not where your home is, it's where your head is' - Rhonda Hetzel


Joining in with Ginny

that was the weekend

On Saturday we were up bright and early to drive the hour plus to Curly Girl's university, collect her and her stuff and deliver some of the stuff to the house she will be living in from September, and bring her and the rest of her things home. You may remember, Curly Girl was the Young Philosopher's girlfriend until a few months ago, when they split quite amicably and remain friends. Her Dad usually drives her to and from uni but is on strong painkillers for an injury, that mean he can't drive for several weeks. I was quite pleased that she asked us! She is a lovely girl, and obviously still feels comfortable with us enough to ask us a favour, which I think is so nice. 

It was quite a nice drive, the weather was sunny quite a lot of the time (despite how it looks in the photos!) and we drove back the pretty way, through the countryside. We made a detour not far from home and drove further into Essex to catch the planes flying over to Buckingham Palace to do a flypast for the Queen's Coronation 60th Anniversary. 

On Sunday we drove out to Blake House Craft Centre. They have a lovely restaurant and we finally used some money my parents gave us to go out for a meal for our second wedding anniversary. Having gift money to spend took away the guilt over having three courses and spending so much money when we are trying to economise! The meal was very good. I have been there previously with my WI craft group, and had cakes and sandwiches that time which were equally tasty. They give you tea the old fashioned way, with hot water to top up, so you get two of three cups from your pot which is always a nice old fashioned bonus in these days of giving you a mug of water, milk already in, with a teabag floating in it. Ugh, both scandalous and revolting.  We had a Sunday roast with all the trimmings on this occasion and then had a walk around the craft centre. 

We didn't buy much, just a couple of things in the farm shop there. My favourite shop is 'Kast Mystical'. They have gorgeous patchwork bags, rainbow jumpers, a selection of wonderful pewter (I think) ornaments (might have to put one on my Christmas list), green man cards and pictures, a lovely scent of incense wafting through the shop... I am a hippy at heart! Both times I have visited I've been very tempted by  a brightly coloured sun catcher with the words 'Be Happy', I can just see it in my little kitchen window where we already have two sun catchers the Young Philosopher and I made years ago.  I think I may well have to go back and get it another time. 

I saw a poster for a boot sale which was interesting as it was a 'lazy' boot sale, starting at 11 am. I remember selling at a boot sale years ago and having to get up at about 5, so this would suit me so much better and we do have quite a bit of stuff we could sell. There was also another poster that said they have an on site kinestheologist. I have been wanting to see one for some time, so I might have to visit again. Oh, I could also pick up that suncatcher.....

I did a little knitting in front of 'The Voice' on Saturday evening, I made a mistake and then put it away, so today I will have to sit down and get that all sorted out. Why do I still make mistakes, even on the simplest patterns? Answers on a postcard please. I need to write a list of projects to do next I think, I keep seeing more and more things I want to make! Recently I have come across this Lark Rise to Candleford Shawl and this head wrap, which both need to go on the list. I might even put the baby blanket aside just for today and make the head wrap....

And this is why I have so many unfinished projects. 

I will leave you today with a picture of the beautiful peacock who lives at Blake House Craft Centre. I'm calling him Bert. 

baby blanket

I'm still working on the baby blanket for Project Linus. I am really liking the pretty colour changes of this yarn. I'd like to knit something else with it, maybe a baby cardigan. 

Did I mention that, wonder of wonders, I actually learned to crochet recently? My WI friend D taught me, she is very patient! I crocheted a granny square with a frilly edge to it that I can stand the teapot on, it goes nicely in a kitsch kind of way with the tea cosy I knitted. Now I need a crochet project so I don't forget how to do it. I don't want to spend much money on yarn though, so that's on hold for the moment. I have lots of balls/part balls of cotton, maybe I will crochet some dishcloths. Or this fabulous bath mat .

I finished the Girl who Fell to Earth and quite liked it in the end. Now I am reading The Dinner by Herman Koch. It took me a while to get into it, the whole book takes place during one dinner in a restaurant which was strange at first but now I think it works well. There are two couples at the meal and the story revolves around something terrible their sons have done. I am finding it a really good read and not wanting to put it down. 

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along

reading, knitting and tinking

I'm reading the Girl Who Fell from the Sky, one of the choices for my Women's Institute book group. I suggested this one, having seen it on the Richard and Judy book club website recently, and I thought it might be interesting. I really enjoyed the first half or so, though there was one thing I really couldn't believe in - you know when a character does something you really don't believe that character would do? That. It was only a small thing, but it has affected my enjoyment of the rest of the book, and I don't like it nearly so much now. 

I'm still working on my poncho. I'm at the sewing up stage now, my favourite part (yes, that was sarcasm). I dislike sewing up almost as much as I like knitting. I hope to finish it this month, but will probably procrastinate as long as possible. In the meantime I have started a nice simple knit-in-front-of-the-telly project, a little baby blanket for Project Linus UK (Project Linus in the US here). They accept blankets and quilts for both babies and children in need. Despite it not being a very demanding pattern, I have still had to tink a few times (knit backwards! I read that word somewhere recently and I am adopting it) to sort out a mistake. I don't seem to be able to do anything without mistakes, but at least as I get better at knitting I am now able to correct them, so that's improvement, right? I'm still scared of laddering down to fix things, though. One thing at a time!

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Elevens

Thank you to Jennifer over at Under the Big Blue Sky, who gave me this Liebster Award sometime ago. I have to

1. Proudly display The Liebster badge!
2. Thank the person who nominated you.
3. Share eleven random things about yourself.
4. Nominate eleven blogs/bloggers worthy of the award (who also happen to have less than 200 followers).
5. Answer the eleven questions asked of you.
6. Pose eleven questions to your nominees

Eleven random things about me

1. I can wiggle my ears.
2. I can juggle. Only three balls, but that was enough to convince the kids I used to work with that I used to be in the circus.
3. I do not believe in God. I do believe in people.
4. My favourite flowers are sweet peas. I used to grow them all along our front side fence every year, but the shrubs there are so big now there isn't room. I still usually find a spot for them somewhere. Their scent is just divine, I wish I could bottle it. 
5. I dip tortilla chips into tomato soup, and ginger biscuits into orange juice.
6. I do not like politics or, as a rule, politicians. I believe very strongly that everyone should vote and I always do. However, I usually struggle to decide who for, as I have no faith in any politicians, their parties or their motives. I think the current government stinks, and the main alternative is no better. 
7. I haven't made a cake since the Young Philosopher's third birthday in 1994, and that was from a mix (although it was in the shape of an octopus, and very impressive looking, if I say so myself!) and I haven't made pastry since school. I can cook, I just never bake, so no pastry and no cakes. I always say I am going to start and never do. I don't even possess any of the equipment, with the exception of a rolling pin I was given last Christmas. Maybe this year is the year.
8. I hate being told what to do, even by myself. If I write a list of things to do, I immediately want to do something else. 
9. It took me 40 years to find the right man, and it makes me sad that we didn't meet twenty years earlier.
10. I am fascinated by tortoises, and would love to have a couple if we had grass instead of a  concrete yard.  
11. I hardly know my way anywhere and have absolutely no sense of direction. 

My answers to Jennifer's Eleven questions:

1. If you could visit any country which would it be? The Prof and I have a 'World Tour' list, of all the places we would like to go to - Ireland (family history), Italy (family history, Pompeii), Austria, France, Malta (I loved it there as a child and would like to revisit), the Isle of Wight - yes I know that isn't a country but it is such a lovely place. I have visited many times and harbour dreams of living there. And the USA of course - Amish country, New England in the Fall, New York and Jen's for Thanksgiving dinner (including succotash, which I still can't believe is a real thing). I'd also like to visit Marrakesh, Prague, oh, almost everywhere.....

2. Who was the one person who had the greatest impact on you growing up? My Auntie Doris, who died almost ten years ago. I miss her every day. 

3. What is your favorite meal? Curry.

4. Where to vacation:  By the ocean or in the mountains? Either! Both! Especially this year, when it looks like we won't be having a holiday at all.  

5. What is one of your favorite books? The Princess Bride. For many years I didn't even know there was a book before the film, but when I found out a few years ago, I had to read it and it didn't disappoint.

6. Who would you call a hero? I don't believe I have any.  Is that odd?

7. Cat or dog? Can I say neither? If I have to choose I will say dog, as we have our Star, but she is the Young Philosopher's, and whilst I will be very sad when she goes, I will never have another, too much work and too much of a tie. 

8. What is an occupation you would love to try? I'd love to work in a job where I was making a difference to people.

9. Favorite way to write:  notebooks or computer?  Hypothetically, I would write in a lovely cafe, with a steaming coffee in front of me, in a notebook. In reality, I write in my dressing gown, in the messy living room, on the laptop. 

10. Sound or noise you love?  Sound or noise you hate? I hate crowds, their noise and their presence. I hate the crowd sound of sports on television, it's the only noise I can't read through. Fortunately I got myself a man who isn't bothered about sport! I love birdsong and the sound of the key in the door when my menfolk arrive home. 

11. The song you listen to when you need a lift? I don't often listen to music and I miss it. Our CDs  are inconveniently located, at floor level or behind the TV cabinet and I mostly can't be bothered. We do listen in the car, to the CDs  that we both like, which range from Jethro Tull's Broadsword and the Beast, to Savage Garden, Fleetwood Mac, and Adele. I don't often get to hear new music, as we don't have the music channels and I rarely listen to the radio, so I am generally oblivious unless I come across something online. If I need a lift, or housework music, something upbeat. Mika, Lily Allen, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, something I can sing along with. 

I'm not nominating anyone in particular for this.  I know some people like these memes and some don't, but if anyone  wants to join in, here are my questions:

1. What is your favourite drink?  
2. Do you know the meaning of your name? 
3. You can invite any six people, living or dead, to your house for afternoon tea.  Who would you ask? 
4. What is your favourite chore? (and your least favourite)?
5. Do you have a favourite memory?
6. What is your first thought when you wake up in the morning? 
7. If you had me round for dinner, what would you cook?
8. What would  your perfect day look like?
9. Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
10. Do you collect anything?
11. If you could travel in time, where/when would you go?

our Easter weekend

:: two six hour drives, to the North on Friday and back South on Sunday

:: chatting in the car to the friend who came with us, listening to many fascinating stories from the more than eighty years of her life

:: an unplanned Friday night dinner with friends, good company and Belgian waffles

:: packed breakfasts in our budget hotel. Cornflakes, pain au chocolate and orange juice

:: seeing my friend Gail marry her man 

:: pie and peas with pickled cabbage and beetroot. Why have I never discovered this amazing combination before?

:: an impromptu decision to visit Stratford-on-Avon for lunch on the way home




Joining  Amanda 

knitting, reading, making, listening....

When I went to the craft fair recently with my craft group, I bought some decopatch materials. I'd been wanting to try it for a long time.  There was a workshop at the fair, so a couple of friends and I had a go. I made a heart that is now hanging in our kitchen and bought a horseshoe for a friend's wedding, and a little elephant for myself.  I decorated them yesterday. The horseshoe still needs the addition of ribbon and a couple of flowers, I need to get strong glue. I really enjoyed it, it's quite easy and I think, ideal for small gifts. I have a few ideas for gifts and things I would like to make for our home.  

My friend managed to fix the baby blanket for me! She says it looks as though I randomly knitted about ten purl stitches in the middle of the garter stitch blanket, which created a kind of trough that was really noticeable. She used some of the yarn and a darning needle, and sewed over the bad bit to make it look the same as the rest of the blanket, very clever! So now I just need to get the lacy border sewn on and all the ends sewn in, and I can give the blanket to the new baby after all. I'm very pleased.

In other knitting news, as I said in my last post the wurm hat is now finished.  I am really pleased with it and the weather is still cold enough to get some wear out of it. I'm trying to knit a couple of squares  of my poncho most evenings and today I am going to try to get the baby blanket finished. I am also having another go at learning to crochet. Wish me luck with that, as I am the most crochet challenged person in the world. The same friend who fixed the blanket helped me with the crochet last night, and she is so patient, and I seem to understand what she is talking about, which helps! Watch this space.

I'm reading The Soldier's Wife by Joanna Trollope and finding it quite difficult to get into. I will give it a little bit longer before giving up. So far this year it seems books have to really grip me for me to have any patience with them whatsoever. I have three books for book group next week and I am partway through and struggling with all of them. I guess it's me.

This week I discovered that an Erasure concert I went to in 1990 is on YouTube, and spent a happy hour listening/singing along, and then watched the Erasure DVD that the Young Philosopher gave me for Christmas. I wold love to see them in concert again so I am following Andy Bell on twitter and keeping an eye on them. I can't imagine the Prof will want to go, but I think I might be able to talk my friend Lisa or my brother into it, they were both there the first time! I have some great photos of us dressed in Erasure t-shirts and baseball caps, on our way to the concert. One day I will have to dig them out and post them here.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along and Dawn Suzette's Make and Listen Along

What are you knitting/reading/making/listening to?