tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3289405385589884712024-03-12T20:50:33.560-07:00Dreaming of a Simpler LifeSusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-26475032577999939992012-11-18T11:36:00.001-08:002012-11-18T11:36:17.425-08:00An addition and a SockfestFirstly I have to tell you about an wonderful addition we have welcomed to our family! She arrived in the post, somewhat wearied by her journey from France and her name is Mademoiselle Jardin du Printemps. Mademoiselle was made for me by the lovely Stephanie with a delightful blog, <a href="http://sbmillefeuilles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/a-frosty-gift.html">Millefeuilles</a>. Do pop over and say hello and look at all her other lovely Mademoiselles on her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadameMillefeuilles?ref=search_shop_redirect">etsy</a> shop. Stephanie is a very accomplished needlewoman. Mademoiselle is adorned with beautiful embroidery on her ear and her ankle. <br />
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After her long and tiring journey she needed a reviving glass of rouge but she was much happier and more relaxed after she had finished it! <br />
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Come the summer she is anxious to go up to the summer house but for the moment she is happy to be with us in the house.</div>
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Recently I've had a lot of fun knitting socks - they're great for transforming my icy toes into cosy toes. I started off quite a while ago with this pair in a dusty pink - <br />
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The next pair are <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/roger-sock/people">Roger socks</a> that are knitted in Drops Fabel......<br />
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.......and lastly I have made these <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/coopknit/strawbs">strawbs socks by coopknits </a> that turned out to be easier than they look. I do like a challenge! <br />
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I'm sorry the photos are net so good but the light was horrid and I dashed outside in a few moments of hazy sunshine.<br />
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SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-55276179432773271792012-10-07T09:56:00.000-07:002012-10-07T09:56:35.681-07:00Forties WeekendThis afternoon we decided to visit Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire, where there was a special event. The manor, formally the home of Victorian Prime Minister Disraeli, was requisitioned during the war and used as a mapping centre and so it has strong links with wartime military history. There were lots of exhibits to see and very enthusiastic and knowledgeable folk in period dress brought it all to life.<br />
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Such an interesting afternoon.<br />
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Sue<br />
SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-52193821008521104292012-08-12T09:53:00.000-07:002012-08-12T09:53:43.778-07:00Piccy problems!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sorry - I couldn't work out how to import a photo and then I clicked on publish by accident. I've clinched it now so here's a recent photo of the littlest member of the family stealing our scone at a National Trust property. Little monster - he then played a new game of saying ouch and then hitting me with his fork. More fun for him than for me!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right - having got over the challenge of getting back to the blog I shall be back after next weekend. Hopefully I shall have sussed out how to change the template by then!! We're off to the coast next weekend to see our son and his family. Crossing my fingers that the weather will be good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sue</span>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-62118622069083103432012-08-12T09:40:00.000-07:002012-08-12T09:40:03.816-07:00<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well - I'm still here and after some very difficult months of back pain and surgery feeling like I can want to take up this record of events in my life again. Why blog? Well for me it's just so I can look back and see what I've been up to and additionally if I write down my goals it provides additional incentive to achieving them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the time being hubs and I are doing a spot of granny and grandad duty - looking after our 18 month old number 3 grandson when his mum and dad are both at work. He certainly keeps us on our toes. It's interesting how our attitude has changed since our children were small. We are far more relaxed - less stressed - and I think we enjoy him more for that and can really celebrate every milestone reached.</span><br />
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<br />SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-83807034130844202492010-10-31T10:04:00.000-07:002010-10-31T10:04:33.574-07:00A Gloomy DayThe clocks went back last night and today has been wet and murky. The autumn colours are so glorious this year, but you really need the sunshine to see them at their best.<br />
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I have been quite busy on the craft front recently, and have finished several projects. Firstly a little jacket for number two grandson. He wore it when they last came to visit -<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">when he played boo round the corner of the sofa....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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It was knitted in Drops Fabel to a Garnstudio pattern<br />
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Luckily it fits him. He's growing so fast he's almost grown out of everything before it's finished!!!!<br />
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I have also finished a blanket I crocheted for my daughter. Her baby is due in January and she wanted a blanket to snuggle into for night time feeds in the rocking chair in the nursery.<br />
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I am planning to make a rug for the nursery floor - probably in cream with coloured motifs round the outside. <br />
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Not much else to report this week. It's been an extremely painful week so I have rather lost my motivation to do anything much involving standing or walking. I've seen the consultant again and had another MRI scan and shall have to wait to hear the results of that and whether is anything further he can suggest.......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-69710728084705663572010-10-21T09:21:00.000-07:002010-10-21T09:21:21.893-07:00Autumn at ClivedenI had intended to tell you about the craft projects I have been working on during our French visit, but this morning Mr D suggested that as it was a beautiful sunny morning - if a bit nippy - we should visit Cliveden, one of our local National Trust properties.<br />
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We made firstly for the water garden - always at it's best in the autumn....<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We crossed over the stepping stones to the temple in the middle of the lake.... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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...and admired the view from here....<br />
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....the sky was full of vapour trails. This one is reflected in the water....<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This beautiful tree is shaped like an umbrella, and if you duck and get underneath the leaves you can see the amazing gnarled branches....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love the peeling red bark on these two trees, but I don't know what they are! Can anyone help?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TMBiLaaoaiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/8utwmV_UwIw/s1600/Cliveden+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TMBiLaaoaiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/8utwmV_UwIw/s320/Cliveden+015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I always love the autumn fungi....<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After baked potatoes in the Orangery restaurant (Mr D is always hungry and the smell of the cooking as we passed by lured us in) we walked round to the front of the house - or is it the back?....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From this South terrace you can admire the parterre....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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...and the lichens growing on the stone balustrade....<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we walked back towards the carpark the sun lit the clocktower....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and the shell fountain....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By the time we arrived home the clouds were winning the battle with the blue so we were pleased that we hadn't decided to go in the afternoon!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Craft next time folks!!</div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-32928099956698304512010-10-17T07:48:00.000-07:002010-10-17T07:48:15.654-07:00Long Time No PostI think I should hang my head in shame!! We've been back over a week now and I haven't managed to update my blog!!!! We always come back to a myriad of mundane things to do - getting hair chopped - restocking the larder - boring things like that! Also we always suffer grandchildren withdrawal symptoms and need our 'fix' of both number one and number two grandsons.<br />
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I thought I would share some of the work we have done in our French house. We have owned the property for nine and a half years now and have worked steadily at improving it and making it fit our needs. As so often seems to be the case in rural France, the property we bought is made up of several buildings - a house that was habitable, a smaller house that most definitely wasn't, and a barn. <br />
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This was the day we took possession. The habitable house is on the right and the little house to the left was in danger of collapsing completely!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a little demolition, removing the plaster on the little house and replacing the doors, windows, shutters, etc we now have this - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsFKW4e1uI/AAAAAAAAARw/JvA66UDJufM/s1600/Big_view1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsFKW4e1uI/AAAAAAAAARw/JvA66UDJufM/s320/Big_view1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We removed the hedge between the two houses .....<br />
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and created a terrace......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsGsWvdGuI/AAAAAAAAAR4/rvg-GtAJDwM/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsGsWvdGuI/AAAAAAAAAR4/rvg-GtAJDwM/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The barn had lost part of the roof in a particularly violent storm.....<br />
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And we had the roofers replace it - although not with the beautiful old tiles but with the more practical, modern tiles...<br />
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</div>The back garden has evolved from this - with a hedge between the two gardens......<br />
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To this......<br />
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Inside the main house we have converted the roof space to make two bedrooms, a bathroom and shower room - starting from this........<br />
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And now we have......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsJc1LWekI/AAAAAAAAASY/KAW6OnqT26A/s1600/Sept+Forges+-+Befores+and+Afters+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsJc1LWekI/AAAAAAAAASY/KAW6OnqT26A/s320/Sept+Forges+-+Befores+and+Afters+014.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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Downstairs was already habitable, but we have insulated, plastered painted, and generally tidied up from this......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsKEoZ9f9I/AAAAAAAAASc/7emNZoVmPSM/s1600/Sept+Forges+-+Befores+and+Afters+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsKEoZ9f9I/AAAAAAAAASc/7emNZoVmPSM/s320/Sept+Forges+-+Befores+and+Afters+001.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
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To this......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsKkiLn5wI/AAAAAAAAASk/ClxtcpCp2wc/s1600/Sept+Forges+-+Befores+and+Afters+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TLsKkiLn5wI/AAAAAAAAASk/ClxtcpCp2wc/s320/Sept+Forges+-+Befores+and+Afters+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Apart from the upstairs conversion and the barn roof, the rest of the work we have done ourselves and learned so much on the way - getting round the French planning regulations as well as the practical skills such as plastering. <br />
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Would we do it again? Probably not. We are all but ten years older and Mr D has had a new pair of knees and I had a new hip along the way. Goodness knows what may need to be replaced over the next ten years!!! I think we'll quit while we're ahead!!!!!SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-83677605174972955822010-09-09T01:59:00.000-07:002010-09-09T01:59:26.017-07:00Off to France againJust a quick post before we trundle off to our French house. We are booked on the 2.45 boat from Portsmouth to Caen, and should arrive at the house around 11p.m. We'll be back at the beginning of October and I'll catch up then.SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-4553801336291431382010-09-03T09:36:00.000-07:002010-09-03T09:36:56.819-07:00September already!!I always think of September as the start of autumn, but the summer weather we had in June seems so long ago now. Having said that, this September weather is glorious and, without the excessive heat of June, is far easier to tolerate.<br />
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I have been a little naughty recently and not posted as much as I should have! It's not that I haven't been doing anything - I've been quite busy. It's just that maybe I've been a bit too busy and haven't made as much space for blogging as I should have. <br />
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Last week Mr Dreaming and I went on a short break to Paris. We travelled out on Eurostar and stayed in a part of the city we have not explored before. Porte de Champerret was a good neighbourhood with plenty of brasseries and other eateries. Having been to Paris on several occasions we have done a lot of the touristy must sees and are more than happy to explore some of the less well known areas. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We revisited the Rue Moufettard with it's wonderful market stalls....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH5UDi-xwyI/AAAAAAAAAOs/Hbf1uNAI3vY/s1600/Paris+August+2010+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH5UDi-xwyI/AAAAAAAAAOs/Hbf1uNAI3vY/s320/Paris+August+2010+006.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Admired the frescos on this House at the bottom of the street....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">and then went on to the Jardin des Plantes where we liked this potager planted to inspire kids to grow their own.....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">decided we thought the conservatories were not nearly as beautiful as they are at kew</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">admired the borders.....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">and enjoyed some of the wildlife.....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH513Vdn54I/AAAAAAAAAPM/OFJJrw6GS4M/s1600/Paris+August+2010+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH513Vdn54I/AAAAAAAAAPM/OFJJrw6GS4M/s320/Paris+August+2010+016.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Whilst there we strolled through the Tuileries.....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH53fQ9WP6I/AAAAAAAAAPc/37rbVE5DPSM/s1600/Paris+August+2010+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH53fQ9WP6I/AAAAAAAAAPc/37rbVE5DPSM/s320/Paris+August+2010+063.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">to the Louvre....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH54z-YXwWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/uHKyJlm9z4U/s1600/Paris+August+2010+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH54z-YXwWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/uHKyJlm9z4U/s320/Paris+August+2010+056.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">and also got a view of the Eiffel Tower....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH55PCtDzKI/AAAAAAAAAP8/h-W8dXN1Ju4/s1600/Paris+August+2010+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH55PCtDzKI/AAAAAAAAAP8/h-W8dXN1Ju4/s320/Paris+August+2010+080.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">and the Arc de Triomphe</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH5340DGNGI/AAAAAAAAAPk/bRDxf-sKIe0/s1600/Paris+August+2010+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TH5340DGNGI/AAAAAAAAAPk/bRDxf-sKIe0/s320/Paris+August+2010+054.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I've not been idle with my knitting either. I have completed a couple of baby jackets, have another in progress and have started on a blanket throw - but more of that next time!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you for dropping by.</div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-24972453435544834952010-08-19T12:18:00.000-07:002010-08-19T12:18:39.857-07:00For number two grandson and adventures with a crochet hookI haven't been too lazy on the knitting front recently and have finished two jackets for our 8 month old number two grandson.<br />
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The first one is an aran pattern from Sirdar. I chose Rowan Pure Wool DK in navy blue for this and I've made it in the 12 - 18 months size. Number two is a big lad for his age and there's no point in making something he will grow out of within a few weeks. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG14w23cuJI/AAAAAAAAAN0/JQXt6yI1U5E/s1600/19+August+2010+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG14w23cuJI/AAAAAAAAAN0/JQXt6yI1U5E/s320/19+August+2010+007.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Navy Aran Jacket</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took this second photo to show the pattern detail. The colour is a true navy, as in the first piccie, not this paler colour!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG15MvtE4vI/AAAAAAAAAN8/9tzCCnT9r8s/s1600/19+August+2010+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG15MvtE4vI/AAAAAAAAAN8/9tzCCnT9r8s/s320/19+August+2010+009.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cable detail</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Secondly I made a little jacket in Corilana from <a href="http://www.blackhillswool.com/">Black Hills</a> lovely friendly shop in Henley on Thames. The jacket is 1 - 2 years and I think it looks enormous but we'll see.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG15pQyXVKI/AAAAAAAAAOE/a6F9qKwly4k/s1600/19+August+2010+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG15pQyXVKI/AAAAAAAAAOE/a6F9qKwly4k/s320/19+August+2010+006.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>I want to get some more of this yarn to make a hat to go with it. I think it should be nice and cosy for the autumn. Of course if I'm right and it is too big it may be autumn 2012!!!!<br />
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This afternoon I've been nursing my oh so sore back. Having spent yesterday staggering around as little as possible with a walking stick. I saw the osteopath this morning and although it's better than it was, it's still quite sore. I decided to spend some time playing with some yarn and a crocket hook. I have been following <a href="http://shropshirescrappersuz.blogspot.com/">Suz's inspirational blog</a> and tried her spike stitch motif. <br />
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Suz has started a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/spike-stitch-lovers/1267741/1-25#reply_form">spike stitch group on ravelry</a> with a Friday project. The first is to make a cushion cover using a spike stitch design and she has given instructions.<br />
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This is my first attempt............<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG2APTVw3LI/AAAAAAAAAOU/W7V4hYw3g0Q/s1600/19+August+2010+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TG2APTVw3LI/AAAAAAAAAOU/W7V4hYw3g0Q/s320/19+August+2010+012.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My first spike stitch motif</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>My poor camera seems to be having an attack of taking out of focus piccies. Think I need to put a new one on my Christmas list!!<br />
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Off to do some more knitting...........SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-68967757086164017422010-08-12T15:03:00.000-07:002010-08-12T15:03:14.174-07:0043 and not out!!!!!Today is Mr Dreaming's and my 43rd wedding anniversary. Where did the time go? Seems like only yesterday we took our vows in the village church - a day of mixed emotions as it was only weeks after my father died suddenly. He was only 47! However happiness won the day and I always remember it fondly. It's amazing how lavish modern weddings have become. Our wedding service was held at 2.00 p.m. We had a buffet reception at a local hotel and then left about 6.00 p.m. to drive down to Cornwall for our honeymoon, staying the night at Axminster! I made my own dress and also the bridesmaid's dress! I don't remember the total cost but nothing near the costs couples incur these days. We never felt hard done by. <br />
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There now - don't I sound ancient!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGRubX9bj3I/AAAAAAAAANc/y3wCiEIPyN0/s1600/Outside+the+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGRubX9bj3I/AAAAAAAAANc/y3wCiEIPyN0/s320/Outside+the+church.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGRuwugf3-I/AAAAAAAAANk/oeyJ0iDvQuA/s1600/Bride+and+bridesmaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGRuwugf3-I/AAAAAAAAANk/oeyJ0iDvQuA/s320/Bride+and+bridesmaid.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGRu0v_45DI/AAAAAAAAANs/0didpWBKuy8/s1600/Family+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGRu0v_45DI/AAAAAAAAANs/0didpWBKuy8/s320/Family+group.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the fashion? Well - it was the sixties!!!!</div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-71602939156614517052010-08-10T08:59:00.000-07:002010-08-10T09:02:49.180-07:00<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Rain rain.............</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a distinctly soggy day today. We have been without significant rain for so long now that I feel I shouldn't complain.....but.....wouldn't it be good if it only rained at night and the sun shone every day?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We have house guests at the moment. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandson have gone to Brittany on their hols and we have the cat and the dog to look after. Having had pets for years and years we now have none and we don't plan to replace them at the moment as our split life style doesn't really suit itself to pet owning. I do miss them, though. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So for two glorious weeks we have Bovril, the cat, and Thomas, the dog. Bovril largely keeps himself to himself. He tends to sleep most of the day with a few food breaks between napping sessions. He is a glorious black cat, and unusually has not a single white hair. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFsMGM564I/AAAAAAAAANE/FhPbvmYTwvI/s1600/Marmite+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFsMGM564I/AAAAAAAAANE/FhPbvmYTwvI/s320/Marmite+005.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas dog does everything other than keep himself to himself. He is a nine month old Chocolate Labrador. He has a wonderful, loving personality and is in to everything that isn't shut away!!! Some jobs are almost impossible to do. Sweeping the terrace was interrupted when he pinched the broom and took it off up the garden to play with. Luckily the broom survived minus a couple of tufts of bristles.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFuFuVMimI/AAAAAAAAANU/WAdc5xaXQQc/s1600/Charlie05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFuFuVMimI/AAAAAAAAANU/WAdc5xaXQQc/s320/Charlie05.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and you can see on this photo just how parched the lawn is now! That's why I don't want to grumble too much about the rain!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While we were in France I managed to finish knitting a pair of socks. I haven't blocked them yet. I don't have the sock shaped inserts to go in them while they dry. Yesterday I managed to download a template and Mr Dreaming is going to see his friend who has some sheet plastic. Once the plastic has been cut I shall get on with blocking them. It's not a priority at the moment as it's hardly the time of year for woolly socks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFifDRDH3I/AAAAAAAAAM0/2GGMyN7lyL0/s1600/05+August+2010+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFifDRDH3I/AAAAAAAAAM0/2GGMyN7lyL0/s320/05+August+2010+012.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I also made a crochet bag and when I got back I lined it, as instructed , with oil cloth. However I'm not happy with it and I shall try again with some ordinary fabric with some very stiff interfacng. I'm hoping that it will retain its shape better then - but we'll see!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFjp9PfX2I/AAAAAAAAAM8/XhLe3fDg-7w/s1600/Blog+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFjp9PfX2I/AAAAAAAAAM8/XhLe3fDg-7w/s320/Blog+010.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I've been back I have been rather naughty and indulged in a wool buying fest! Oh dear - not good for the account balance!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure you'd like to see what I've got.......</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Firstly some lovely <a href="http://www.scandinavianknittingdesign.eu/index1.html">Drops Fabel</a> (the link takes you to the skd site and you need to click on Garn Studio Yarns) in a variety of colours to make a blanket for my daughter to use when she feeds the baby during the night. The babe is due in January, so she'll need to keep warm.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFgTsZvleI/AAAAAAAAAMU/j22eY6DxaX4/s1600/blog+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TGFgTsZvleI/AAAAAAAAAMU/j22eY6DxaX4/s320/blog+002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Secondly some lovely muted shades of shetland wool - all dyed with natural dyes by <a href="http://www.coriandr.com/item/7026/yarn-set-sweet-pea">Llynfi Textiles</a>. These were on offer in the July issue of Country Living magazine.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thirdly some blue and pink wool from <a href="http://www.theknittinggoddess.co.uk/userimages/procart34.htm">The Knitting Goddess</a>. Thomas decided he would try to help by having a go at winding one of the skeins - that's why it ended up as a ball - and no, he didn't manage to wind it himself - and it took me 45 minuted to untangle it!!!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And.....lastly.....some gorgeous bright skeins of <a href="http://www.laughingyaffle.com/products_new.html">Laughing Yaffle's</a> Tiny Temptations. They haven't any Tiny Temptations at the moment, but will have more in the future!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I've obviously got a lot of knitting to do!!!!!!!</div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-56416433372571173862010-08-04T10:11:00.000-07:002010-08-04T10:17:32.215-07:00Back Home<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are now back in the UK having had a good trip away. The sun shone, the temperature rose to uncomfortable levels and that limited what could be achieved outdoors. We also had visitors - our son, daughter-in-law and number 2 grandson. Number 2 gs was six and a half months old and an utter delight. It felt really good being able to hold him and cuddle him, and to drink in his scent. I'd forgotten just how the scent of a baby has such a strong affect. We felt we really got to know him during their visit.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Bet you can't do this!</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Still in his pjs - enjoying an early morning cuddle with his grandma.</em></strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very happy and contented baby, he has a ready smile and his giggles melt the hearts of anyone who met him. Of course, the French are very family orientated and so he basked in all the admiration.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went for lots of walks and had a lovely picnic by the lake in Bagnoles de l'Orne.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Playing by the lake in Bagnoles</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Bagnoles Lake</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also visited St Frambault - known for it's fantastic floral displays. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Enjoying his first ever ice cream</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After they had left we piled in the car and headed west for a couple of nights staying in beautiful Vannes in southern Brittany.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Vannes Town</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>The old town entrance</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>The waterfront</em></strong></span><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our second day we ventured further west to Concarneau. It was our first visit here - so we had plenty see!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Old town</em></strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We loved the planting down the middle of the dual carriage way along the front. I guess these wouldn't have won the Tour de France!!!! Great fun, though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also managed to get on with a couple of projects, but I'll tell you about these next time!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Take care!</span>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-29087520552010077382010-06-17T01:36:00.001-07:002010-06-17T01:36:41.796-07:00Off to FranceJust a quick post to say we're off to France today - back mid July. I shan't post in France but I'll try to make up when I'm home.....SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-34527994873778521292010-06-11T12:09:00.000-07:002010-06-11T12:09:44.326-07:00More Felting ProjectsWell..... now I've attached the handles to the creamy yellow bag and I'm quite pleased with the result.<br />
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My next felted bag project is well underway.<br />
I've finished the knitting and I'll pop it into the washing machine tomorrow. This bag is octagonal and has an attached icord round 7 sides.<br />
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It looks more like a circle than an octagon in the photo so it will be interesting to see how it turns out after the felting. I'm also concerned about the top because it rolls down - would it have been better to have a few rows moss stitch before casting off? <br />
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This bag is from Alice Underwood and Sue Parker's book "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Felted-Bags-Original-Designs-Knit/dp/1861086547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276281737&sr=1-1">Felted Bags</a>".<br />
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Today I had a girlie day with my friend Sandi. We visited a lovely little shop and I bought some goodies....<br />
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</div><div align="left">This blackboard for the kitchen, and a picture that I'll put by for my daughter. She's in the early weeks of pregnancy so I shall keep it until she's a bit further along.</div><div align="left"><br />
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</div>I think this will look lovely in the baby's room..... hope she lokes it!!!!!!!!!!SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-80870888914327701822010-06-05T12:31:00.000-07:002010-06-05T12:31:18.048-07:00A Hot SaturdayGoodness it's been so hot today!!! Too hot for anything too heavy this afternoon - well that was my excuse!!!<br />
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On the positive side I managed to felt a bag I knitted from <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">Bev</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">Beattie's</span> book "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knit-Felt-Bags-Bev-Beattie/dp/1408115530/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275763967&sr=8-1">Knit and Felt Bags</a>".I used Bev's <a href="http://www.knitting4fun.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=40&Itemid=29">felting wool</a> - one strand of buttermilk and one of ecru. The bag is knitted on 8mm and 10mm circular needles, so it knits up really quickly. <br />
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As <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">Bev</span> says in her book, before felting, the bag is very much the ugly duckling - <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> - but then in the washing machine the magic happens. I used the 40 degree cotton wash programme and I'm really pleased with the result. My ugly duckling is on its way to becoming my swan!!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TAqhzhl7hkI/AAAAAAAAAIY/7RvQhYP_u6Y/s1600/05May+2010+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/TAqhzhl7hkI/AAAAAAAAAIY/7RvQhYP_u6Y/s320/05May+2010+024.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have stuffed the bag with towels and need to wait until it dries and then I shall attach the handle and think about embellishing it. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">Bev</span> recommends attaching embellishments and handles before felting but my confidence isn't that high yet. Maybe next time.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other thing I have finished is a birthday present for a friend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope he will hang it on his shed - it doubles as a store for all the bits for his garden railway!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-8113538734293094032010-05-25T12:17:00.000-07:002010-05-25T12:17:16.060-07:00Monday 24 May 2010Today has been a good day. The postman rang the bell around 9.30 and delivered an eagerley awaited parcel. It was my new knitting bag from the lovely Sally at <a href="http://www.lifecovers.co.uk/">lifecovers</a>. Sally produces her items in beautiful Scotland so has lots of inspiration all around her. <br />
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I'm so pleased with it; it's even better than in the photos -<br />
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Sally was able to personalise it with 'Susie's bag' embroidered on the handle - <br />
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</div>I spent the morning in the garden watering, tidying and planting out. We have been growing a few veggies here in the UK and we have peas ..... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.....runner beans.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.....garlic, carrots, onions and salad leaves.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.....and I put the strawberries, with some parsley and dahlias, round the lamp post.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> The afternoon was impossibly hot and humid so we had a lazy break in the shade with lemonade and something to read!!!!SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-638693400972369372010-05-24T09:23:00.000-07:002010-05-24T09:24:46.512-07:00Sunday 23 May 2010Some while ago, when life was difficult, I came across the suggestion that at the end of each day you should think of six good things that have happened during the day. At first I found it really hard to come up with a list of six, but after a while it became easier. It's a habit I have kept up over the years and helps to keep me focussed on the positive side of life. It has clarified what sre, for me, the important things in life, what makes me happy and what I have to be thankful for. It's not the material things that make my list, but often it's aspects of the natural world - birds or flowers; chance conversations with strangers; time spent with family and friends.<br />
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So what made the list today?<br />
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1. Time spent in the garden in early morning solitude with that first cup of coffee.<br />
2. A walk round the lakes with my daughter and her chocolate labrador, talking about the baby she (fingers crossed) is expecting. It's very early days but she deserves a problem free pregnancy and a healthy babe.<br />
3. Meeting other dog walkers and exchanging news.<br />
4. A rare, quiet, afternoon reading my book.<br />
5. Watching Halcyon River Diaries on BBC1<br />
6. A leisurely bath with delicious bath salts.SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-33151794627013937872010-05-17T12:42:00.000-07:002010-05-17T12:44:47.849-07:00Back home again<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last week we returned home from over a month n France. We had a good visit and managed to get quite a few jobs done....<br />
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We cut down some bushes to open up the view......<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Take care, all.<br />
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</div><div></div></div></div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-9234219302581159042010-03-29T09:39:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:56:23.099-07:00Sleeve Board Cover and BunnyIt's been a wet and dreary day today! We woke to rain, had a brief respite and now the rain is back heavier than before! I took advantage of the drier interlude this morning to do a bit of tidying in the garden; but since lunch I have been pottering in the house. I did get round to making a new cover for the sleeve board. The old one had rotted right through - though I had never replaced it so it has lasted since 1967!!! I suppose I shouldn't grumble!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454097563998833538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S7DY1mB5S4I/AAAAAAAAAFw/cQ81O8gDwQg/s320/29+March+2010+005.JPG" />The other thing I wanted to post is this picture of a rabbit I bought at the Country Living Spring Fair. I had fallen in love with him on the publicity for the Fair and couldn't have come home without him - although he was rather expensive! I shall have to be very good for a while to make up. He was sold by Plum and Ivory and is filled with dried lavender so he smells wonderful. If you get a chance check out their internet site. They have some lovely things.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454097569626624802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S7DY16_qkyI/AAAAAAAAAF4/1xGYyD_nrwg/s320/29+March+2010+006.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-26521983891370517032010-03-28T10:03:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:57:33.507-07:00Back at last!At last I am able to return to my blog. I have missed it over the past few weeks - but I've not been completely idle. I have finished this Teddy for number 2 grandson. It is knitted to a Debbie Bliss pattern in Baby Cashmerino and I shall give it to him on Easter Sunday when it's egg time. Number 2 grandson is just three and a half months old, so too young for chocolate! My husband says he's nothing like a teddy; and I agree, it's rather an unusual shape, but loveable none the less and at least he is smiling!!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-Naxv8AzI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Bp7XAghHqXw/s1600/March+28+2010+177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453733164939477810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-Naxv8AzI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Bp7XAghHqXw/s320/March+28+2010+177.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I have also made a cushion for a cane chair I picked up for a song. It is very comfortable and is good for days when my back is particularly painful.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NaFbW1rI/AAAAAAAAAFg/MLAxM6zU5_4/s1600/March+28+2010+175.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453733153041995442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NaFbW1rI/AAAAAAAAAFg/MLAxM6zU5_4/s320/March+28+2010+175.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Last Friday my daughter and I went to the Country Living Spring Fair in Islington. Oh, how I wish we could have brought everything back home. There were so many beautiful things to look at. Among the goodies I did bring home is this tablecloth and two chair cushions. They are so pretty on my garden table. This little table and two chairs are on the terrace outside the kitchen where it is very sheltered and catches the morning sun. It is an ideal spot for morning coffee in the cooler months, while in the summer it is shaded and so when the sun is at its height we can use this smaller table for lunch and afternoon tea.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NZ-n_Y7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/iwCULhj2ETg/s1600/March+28+2010+173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453733151215936434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NZ-n_Y7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/iwCULhj2ETg/s320/March+28+2010+173.JPG" /></a><br />I also bought this plant pot holder at the Fair and it is hanging on the wall outside the front door. This afternoon we visited our local garden centre where they have so many beautiful polyanthus plants. Not everyone likes these bold colours but after the long cold winter we have had this year I felt I needed cheering up and these certainly do the trick.<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453733126968538610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NYkS9dfI/AAAAAAAAAFI/mqUdpgkHWIk/s320/March+28+2010+167.JPG" />And they complement the polys in this old sink that also stands in front of the house.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NZIFOvlI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/UmbMRYW_vIs/s1600/March+28+2010+171.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453733136574627410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6-NZIFOvlI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/UmbMRYW_vIs/s320/March+28+2010+171.JPG" /></a><br />My latest project is a knitted doorstop and when it is finished - hopefully later this week - I shall post a photo.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-89777113568708473812010-02-27T06:34:00.000-08:002010-03-17T14:41:42.693-07:00Oops - where has the time gone?<div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div>Goodness - I can't believe a whole month has passed since I last posted! Must get myself a bit more together!!</div><div></div><br /><div>Back from our short visit to France. When we arrived and turned the water on we discovered a burst pipe and the water cascaded through the ceiling into the kitchen end of the all-in-one living room below. We had walked in to the property at 2300 and had to spend an hour with mop and bucket clearing up! The last thing I feel like after a twelve hour journey is major housework, but it had to be done. For the first two days we were without water upstairs which was inconvenient - to say the least. The house was also very cold. The upstairs was only 4 degrees which means that the beds and bedding is only 4 degrees as well. I always make two hot water bottles for each bed as soon as I can but in the winter we seem to have cold beds with a couple of warm patches. The solid stone walls are very good at retaining a temperature for a long time, and this serves us well tending to reduce the extremes of outside temperatures throughout the year. After the house has been empty for a while the walls can cool down or warm up too far, making it uncomfortable. We have noticed that after 2 or 3 weeks this improves, but for our short trip this didn't happen.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449704401743475762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6E9R5TNdDI/AAAAAAAAAEw/1vBVXuBvIvE/s320/26+Feb+009.JPG" /><br /><div>None the less we were able to replace the cracked concrete in front of the woodburner and finish it with slate floor tiles. Once we'd finished this we noticed the room was much warmer so we knew we had stopped the cold air coming up from the cellar. The weather wasn't good for gardening as the ground was frozen solid so for our next trip we shall have to make a good start on planting, weeding and mowing!!</div><br /><div></div><div>Since we've been back home we have had a lot of fun with our new grandson. He is about 3 months old now - a contented little chap full of smiles.</div><div> </div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449716264940478786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6FIEbJyIUI/AAAAAAAAAFA/qx1xITiZWfQ/s320/niblet+smiling.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>I made him some navy blue bootees to match one of his outfits. This is a Debbie Bliss Patern knitted in baby cashmerino - a really nice yarn to work with. This is the second pair I have made to this pattern and they seem to fit well and stay on his feet.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449716248496721634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S6FIDd5STuI/AAAAAAAAAE4/t6jEgNE9cXM/s320/DSCN0460.JPG" /></p><p>Tomorrow I am going to London to the Stitch and Craft exhibition at Olympia. I'll let you know how we get on.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-30774431123771142692010-02-14T13:11:00.001-08:002010-02-14T14:00:32.984-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3hqsUEfhMI/AAAAAAAAADs/PM_YSYlFMe0/s1600-h/105-0539_IMG.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438213859584214210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3hqsUEfhMI/AAAAAAAAADs/PM_YSYlFMe0/s320/105-0539_IMG.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3hotnRPaeI/AAAAAAAAADk/I82yJquEnpY/s1600-h/Sept+Forge+Latest+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438211682894572002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3hotnRPaeI/AAAAAAAAADk/I82yJquEnpY/s320/Sept+Forge+Latest+001.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><div><div>We're off to our French house tomorrow. Just a quick visit to make sure everything is in order after the winter - although I'm not sure winter is over quite yet. I'm taking my knitting with me, so hopefully I shall be able to make some progress while we're away. </div></div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-71846773541508945902010-02-09T11:47:00.000-08:002010-02-09T12:59:55.175-08:00Knitting Milestone and Cranberry and White Chocolate CookiesHurray!! At last I've finished knitting the jacket I have been making for myself. It's many years since I made anything for myself.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436339583964394754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3HCDHSXtQI/AAAAAAAAAC8/eglTHAZNrL0/s320/05+Feb+2010+008.JPG" /><br /><p>I now have to: </p><ul><li>sew it up</li><li>wash it so that it drapes well</li><li>block it so the pleats are crisp</li><li>Make an icord for a button loop and find and attach a statement button.</li></ul><br /><p>The pattern was quite challenging. You start off by knitting a narrow band that goes up the centre back and then pick up stitches either side and knit sideways the back, the front and finishing with the sleeves. You then have to pick up stitches along the bottom to knit the peplum.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436341321147497218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3HDoOzGOwI/AAAAAAAAADM/tD6yG4dAB4M/s320/05+Feb+2010+009.JPG" /><br />It will be a few days until it is finished, but hopefully it will look like this when it's done - but mauve, not green!<br /></p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 157px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436342251975802466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3HEeaZ2_mI/AAAAAAAAADU/6HqWnIqlZi4/s320/plisse.jpg" /> The kit to make this is by Hanne Falkenberg. I love her designs and hopefully, when I've got through my current 'to knit' list I shall make another one.<br /><br /><p>To celebrate I made a batch of cranberry and white chocolate cookies and invited a friend for a cup of tea. These cookies are a variation of the pistachio and almond cookies I made the other day.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436347933176006914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S3HJpGhiiQI/AAAAAAAAADc/ZgvcsU6BL7o/s320/05+Feb+2010+004.JPG" /><br /><br /><p>You need -</p><ul><li>3 oz butter</li><li>3 ox brown sugar</li><li>3oz white sugar</li><li>2 tsp vanilla essence</li><li>1 egg</li><li>pinch of salt</li><li>6oz SR flour</li><li>3oz white chocolate chunks</li><li>3oz dried cranberries<br /></li></ul><p>Zizz sugars, butter and essence. Zizz in egg. Transfer to a mixing bowl and fold in flour and salt. Fold in white chocolate and cranberries.<br /></p><p>Drop spoonfuls on to a baking tray and bake at 180 for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven when they are golden brown. </p><p>Cool and store in an airtight tin.</p><p>If you don't have a food processor you can cream the butter, sugar and essence in a bowl.</p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328940538558988471.post-67059981960030478752010-02-05T08:47:00.000-08:002010-02-05T11:54:47.989-08:00MiceThis morning I met a friend for coffee and Flowerland - a local garden centre. We spent about an hour chatting over our coffee and then went for a look round. This garden centre is full of wonderful bits and bobs. I found these little mice and they jumped into my basket - only £3.99 for the pair.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434803594165756530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TAv4e5KlK0U/S2xNEvZEInI/AAAAAAAAABs/taOxS3f6Tuc/s320/05+Feb+2010+007.JPG" /> Aren't they adorable? I need to find names for them and they'll need to begin with M.... Any ideas? <p>I'm still plodding on with knitting my jacket - if I can do just 5 rows a day I should finish by Tuesday. 5 rows doesn't sound a lot but there are 445 stitches on the needle so each row takes around 20 minutes! At least with the new Knit Pro needle I spend less time fighting the twists in the cord. I'll post a photo when it's done.....</p>SusieMayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10037358968648110133noreply@blogger.com0