Yarn Along

This week I have been crocheting in preparation for a new baby so I have been working on a blanket using some beautiful soft double knitting yarn in greys, yellows and white.  I have just finished sewing in the ends which is the worst bit for my and so now only have a little border to do.

 

 

I have also made a little pram toy, a penguin with a bell inside which is rather sweet.  The penguin was made in continuous rounds,  using the amigurumi method.  It took a little getting used to but was a success in the end, not a method I particularly enjoyed.

 

 

 

It does make a nice set, so pleasing to the eye. 

 

 

 

 

I have been browsing a lot of magazines rather than reading a novel as I have had a busy few weeks with family visits.  I am once again joining Ginny over at Small Things for the weekly yarn along.  Why not pop over to see what others have got on their needles/hooks.

 

See you soon.

 

 

Weekend Pastime

The summer is passing us by at an alarming pace and already thoughts are beginning to turn to Autumn.  I have managed to buy some bags of kindling from a stall at the local car boot sale at the weekend so I need to order the logs so that we can start lighting the stove.  It is one of my favourite things in life sitting in front of the stove with some crochet or craft project and a cup of tea.  It warms your soul.  Of course where there is tea there is always cake, I made two this week for my little visitor.  A carrot cake with vanilla topping and a chocolate cake which doesn't last very long in our house.

 

I also made bread, a beautiful granary loaf.  I cheat and use the bread making machine but it is still good and far better than the shop bought variety.  The only problem with that because it is so good you eat more, we need to be a little more disciplined.

 

We have once again managed to get a surplus of cabbage in the garden so we swapped a couple of cabbage for some apples from our neighbour.

 

 

The apples along with the blackberries that we will pick from the hedgerow along the back of the garden with make some beautiful Autumnal puddings.

 

 

A blackberry and apple crumble springs to mind, perfect for those cooler days. 

 

As always we had a ball with Wilbur at the weekend visiting his favourite haunts, the park, the beach and the arcade.  He also spend a good couple of hours in the garden chasing the poor dog around.  He managed to wear himself out and dropped asleep with his mummy for a nap, recharging his batteries ready to give us all the run around once more.  He is such a character, always so full of beans.

 

 

The lazy hazy days of summer are beginning to fade and already the nights are beginning to draw in and the temperatures are dropping.  I feel that it was over before it began this year, not the best of summers with regard to the weather.  It has rained here all night and has been rain, rain and more rain all morning.  I feel guilty for moaning about it when people are praying for rain to put the fires out spreading all over several states of America.   I am hoping for a beautiful August bank holiday weather wise so that we can all have a pleasant weekend as a lasting memory of the summer.  What is the weather like where you are?

 

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post, they are always appreciated.

 

See you soon.

 

 



Yarn Along

I have finished the poncho started last week and another one so both girls are ready to travel.  The ponchos were crocheted to keep my granddaughters warm and comfortable for the long flight to Florida in the Autumn, exciting times. 

 

Not a lot of reading been done at the moment, I have been trying to catch up with the garden and hoping to get some of the preserves done ready for the winter months.

 

 

I am once again joining Ginny over at Small Things for the weekly yarn along.

 

See you soon.

 

Car Boot Treasure

It is so quiet around here, the chitter chatter of the girls and their laughter  is sorely missed.  However, I have managed to get on top of the household tasks which are neglected when we have little visitors.  Today is the day for the garden as long as it stays dry, that too is looked sadly neglected and overgrown with weeds in some areas.  Amazing how quickly the weeds take over.  There is a lot of produce that needs harvesting before it is wasted too.  I certainly need to get on top of all the jobs before the weekend as we have visitors again, Victoria and Wilbur are coming  so once again the house will be filled with love and laughter.

We did have a stroll out over the weekend to Stickney car boot sale, the warmer weather brought lots of people out selling there wares so it was quite the feat walking around it.  We had to stop a couple of times for refreshments.

I got the usual fresh fruit and veg off a couple of allotment owners who sell their surplus.  I was also lucky with craft items bagging a whole load of crochet magazines for £1.  Certainly worth perusing for some new ideas.

 

I was delighted with a button haul, handmade buttons for 10p each.  I have no idea what I am going to use them for, but still sometimes its just nice to be a little frivolous.

 

 

I managed to get some stamps which are both useful for card making and scrapbooking.  50p per set, a real bargain.

 

 

I am always on the look out for the children to add to the toy cupboard and was successful with books, a stack of them for 10p each.  A beautiful Melissa and Doug wooden jigsaw for £1 was another great find.

 

 

I also found a couple of marble games, which may be a little too old for them as yet but perfect for them to grow into.  My husband and I have fond memories of playing marbles with our own girls when they were small and even of our own childhood.  So it was nice to reflect on some wonderful memories and hope that many more will be in the making.

 

 

Finally, I bought a selection of handmade buttons for stitching onto items.  I was thrilled with them and bought all that she had.

 

 

I did sneak in a little set of Scottie dog buttons too, just because...

 

Overall a very successful haul, a lovely couple of hours spent with my Mum and dear husband and so nice to catch up with a couple of friends we hadn't seen in awhile.  How did you fill the weekend?

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Go Adventuring...

Continuing with our adventures last week the five go adventuring team met Stig, the racing car driver from Top Gear he was quite happy to pose but didn't utter a word, as is his way...

 

We had a brilliant time at Tower Gardens, on the park, feeding the ducks and having a turn on the obstacle course.

 

 

Fun in the sun with ice lollies, watch out Grandad, Mickey the pooch has licked it for his own.

 

 

Produce from the garden was picked and enjoyed with lots of al fresco dining.

 

 

Crafting is always on the agenda.

 

 

A nature walk is a must living in a rural village, we had a stroll along the dyke looking at the different plants, beasties and birds.  It was lovely to watch the girls get excited at their finds and the fun that they had with the binoculars was a delight for us all.

 

 

Granny had to clamber up and down the bank to get the best feathers, but it was worth it to see their proud little faces.

 

 

Lots of things to look at and although young they were enthralled with everything they were shown.  They enjoyed looking at the bird book and plant book when we got home to try and identify some of the things we had seen.

 

Strawberry picking was another great adventure and one that we all enjoy.

 

 

Caught you Daisy, I think they both ate more than they put in the basket.  A lovely time with lots of wonderful memories created.  Jam making and sorting out the garden is high on the agenda for this weekend, what's on yours?

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Companions

My apologies for my recent absence, as well as lots of visitors I have had a malfunctioning computer which is making it difficult to catch up with you all.  My son in law has now put my computer right, he is such a wizard with these things so I will try to catch up with everyone over the next few days.  Last weekend brought some glorious weather so we were able to get out and about a little with the children.  It was the village carnival so it was nice to get involved with the community.  There was lots going on, sandcastle competitions, dog show, circus workshops to name but a few.

 

The music was fun and the village green covered in an array of stalls to support the many local charities.

 

The children had a great time on the beach, building sandcastles and collecting shells and stones.

 

 

The lifeguards were there and had a bookstall to raise funds, I did peruse them but there was nothing that took my fancy but some of the others got lucky.  They do a sterling job, they are all volunteers and are funded by charitable donations.  Living so close to the sea I do like to help when I can.

 

A visit to the park was the order of the day with the pleas of the children for Granny to join in...anything for a quiet life.  Actually I quite enjoy the rides and love their little faces when I get on the rides with them.

 

 

Wilbur loved pushing Granny and of course Daisy was not to be left out!

 

 

A wonderful day, with lots of fun had by all.  Lots of memories in the making of quality time spent together with masses of fun and laughter.  It doesn't get any better than that...or may be it does!  Supper on a Saturday in front of the TV.

 

 

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my previous posts I will be around to visit you as soon as I can.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful season summer/winter.

 

See you soon.