Word of the Week -Making

 

It has been a busy week of making things for me. It started last weekend when I went on the trouser making workshop. It was supposed to be capri length but I decided to keep them as long trousers so I could wear them all year round.

 

I had been asked to do a demonstration of book folding for my second W.I to fill the time whilst votes were being counted and to keep the ladies occupied for the evening. I thought it would be a good idea to have some finished examples, so I made some and used what I had in my stash to decorate them.

 

My other W.I’s craft group met for the first time on Monday since February last year. Everybody makes the same thing but puts their own spin on it. This month it was a rope wreath.

 

In order to practice my knitting and pattern reading I made a couple of dishcloths. You cannot really see the patterns but they were free on Ravelry from the Kitchen Sink Shop Year of Dishcloths series. I intend to make them again in a plain wool as part of a Christmas hamper for some friends.

 

Finally, I need to get this quilted advent calendar finished and another one made. One is being sent to some friends in America for their grand daughter and the other is for my nephew. Hopefully they should be completed this weekend.

 Linking up with Anne for Word of the Week.

Vintage Celebration Cards

 When I was a child I used to collect postcards of places we had visited and I kept them in a scrapbook. I am not sure what happened to them over the years- I did have a couple of books full. I did find this one which is similar to a couple that I had from when I went to Spain one year.

 

I have recently started collecting vintage celebration cards that are in a postcard format. It all started when I was in Whitby a couple of years ago and saw some in one of the antique centres. I loved the images and the writing on the back. I did find it amusing to see cards labelled for Son or Father with floral images- not very masculine. I do wonder what the stories and the relationships are between the sender and the receiver and why the cards were kept. The old fashioned handwriting is so beautiful and definitely an art form in itself. It makes me want to practice my handwriting. I know children would have handwriting practice in school but the curriculum nowadays does not allow time for that.

 

I have my first ones on display in my craft room. It makes for a unique piece of artwork and a conversation point. I can switch them out with my others so the display never gets boring. I should have realised at the time I bought the frames that I would need more space, so I am now looking at a large multi-aperture frame to display some more in.

 

I think we should go back to this format as a way of saving paper (and trees) especially if a card is to be posted. I know it is more environmentally friendly to send an e-card or wish someone a happy birthday over text or Whatsapp message, but to me it shows more thought and effort to send a card through the post or handed to the receiver personally. People can then keep these and maybe in a hundred years or so there will be someone like me collecting them and wondering about the names mentioned.

Menu planning Monday 18th October 2021

 

The trouser making course on Saturday went well and I had no alterations to make to get the trousers to fit. I am looking forward to wearing them for work this week. I decided to keep the length long rather than the capri style they were meant to be. It is only because I want to wear them all year round. Matthew and Craig had a good day riding steam trains on an trip that had been organized by one of Craig’s friends. I didn’t go because I needed to catch up on the housework due to being out all day on Saturday making the trousers. Emma has come back from her boyfriend’s film premiere in London (National Youth Film Academy) and she also went to watch Wicked so she has had a fantastic time.

So this week then;

 Weather

  Looking a bit wet but not too cold, thankfully.

Looking forward to

My first W.I has their first craft group meeting since last February tonight. I don’t know what we will be doing, it is always a surprise. I have been asked to do a book folding demonstration for my second W.I on Thursday. It is just a quick demo to fill a bit of time whilst the votes are being counted for the President. I have had to make a example to take with me as I only tend to do them for specific reasons. I just need to decorate them now.

Menu Plan

 Monday – Fish, new potatoes and peas

Tuesday – Spinach filled chicken

Wednesday – deconstructed burrito

Thursday – Liver and Onions

Friday – Pulled pork

Saturday- Eating out in Blackpool

Sunday – Roast dinner

 Around the House

 After catching up with everything this weekend the house is generally looking good. The grout in the bathroom is the only thing that needs to be tackled.

 In my craft basket

 It is time to start properly on my Christmas projects. I need to complete one quilted advent calendar and make another one for my nephew and god-daughters’ daughter. I have 4 mini cross stitch cards to start and one cross stitch quote to complete. I am also going to knit 2 dishcloths and make some beeswax wraps to include in some Christmas hampers I am assembling as gifts for friends. I am also determined to get my Courthouse steps blanket finished by Christmas but that is on a backburner until the Christmas crafts are completed.  It would be nice if I didn’t have to work then I could easily get them all done in plenty of time.

Quote

After some of the issues I have had with my knitting projects then this seems rather appropriate

‘An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail’

Hope you all have a good week.

Linking up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Katy.

Word of the Week -Hungry

 

For a few weeks now I have been trying to lose weight. It was going ok but this week I have just been constantly hungry and wanting to eat all of the time. It doesn’t help when the goodie shelf at work is right behind me. I have no doubt that there will be a gain this week. I hope to get back on track again at the weekend. Maybe it is the cooling temperatures and the office is not the warmest place to be. I will need to plan a bit better to eat more protein as that does seem to fill me up for longer.

Matthew is a typical teenager and is constantly hungry. He is more of a savoury snacker and it is almost impossible to get him to eat vegetables. For the first time after a college open evening, he had a foot long Meatball Marinara from Subway and still had room for a cookie and a packet of crisps. I only just managed to eat my Steak and Cheese salad.

Craig has been coming home hungry most days mainly because he has been so busy that he has not had time for lunch. Unfortunately, on a couple of these evenings he has had to grab a quick snack before having to go out again. He hasn’t eaten properly until he returned which was generally about 10.00pm. Luckily he is also out two nights where he will be having 3 courses (though he doesn’t eat dessert he generally manages a couple of starters from people who don’t want them) and a pile of cheese and biscuits.

Emma has been the only one who has not said anything about being hungry. Mind you she is at home during the day and can get what she wants. She is eating her main meal earlier as she has been starting work at 5.30pm.

Linking up with Anne at Raisie Bay

Favourite things about Autumn

I love Autumn. After the heat of summer then the cooler temperatures are a welcome relief. I do prefer the cold to heat because it is easier to try and warm up then it is to cool down. Autumn is the perfect season for Hygge which is something I can definitely relate to.

 Colours

Although the green of the English countryside is beautiful there is something about the colours of Autumn that is stunning. The reds, oranges, yellows and browns especially when the weather is sunny can take your breath away. This is the time of year when I find myself taking more photos of the scenery and wishing I was better at photography. My photos do not seem to do justice to the landscape. Visiting New England in the Autumn is on my travel bucket list just to admire the scenery.

                                                (not a photo of mine)

Comfort Food

Warm casseroles, soups, freshly baked bread, slow cooked stews and roasts are all things I look forward to in Autumn. Not quite as stodgy as Winter comfort food but still warming and wholesome. I tend to enjoy spending time in the kitchen in Autumn and having the smells of warm delicious food as soon as you walk in the door is a treat for the senses.

New TV shows

During the spring and summer I don't watch a lot of television, but come October there is a number of shows that catch my eye. I tend to spend October and November evenings recharging my batteries ready for the Christmas rush. This year I am watching 'The Great British Bake Off', 'All Creatures Great and Small', 'The Yorkshire Shepherdess' and new this year is the remake of 'Darling Buds of May'. The good thing is because they are only short runs then by the time the Christmas madness kicks in these will have finished and I will be ready re-join the world and get into the spirit of Christmas fully.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I only discovered this a couple of years ago when some friends were visiting from America and raved about it. It is not as sweet as some of the others that get released nearer Christmas and is a lovely treat after a long walk or when watching fireworks. I don't get the cream put on as I am not a fan of whipped cream on drinks.

Jumpers, Hats and Gloves

I don't know about you, but I find it so much easier to warm up then to cool down. Jumpers are perfect and the right one can feel like a hug when you put it on. Hats, scarves and gloves are invaluable. I never used to wear hats and scarves but since having the dog I have invested in several hats as hoods don't quite keep your head as warm and also come off with the wind. Gloves are perfect when you cannot put hands in coat pockets as you are holding a lead and my hands seem to get colder easier than when I was younger. I have now got pairs for driving and when I am going out and not walking the dog.

Cosy Nights in

This time of year is perfect for staying in and recharging your batteries ready for the Christmas season. It is the time to snuggle under blankets watching TV, reading and relaxing as the nights draw in. The darkness makes me just want to stay home and not rush around as I tend to do during the summer as the days are longer.

Candles

The glow of candles adds to the cosy feeling on a night in. The light adds warmth and welcome to a room that no other light source apart from a real fire can do. It also hides a multitude of sins when it comes to cleaning if you are feeling a bit slovenly.

Walks

The crisp freshness of the air at this time of year makes me want to get out and go for walks in the countryside. In summer it can get to hot and sweaty but Autumn is perfect where you can layer up without the bulk needed in Winter. It is probably the season where you can be the most stylish when out wearing colours that match the scenery. Hot drinks and soups in flasks are perfect when it is time for a break to enjoy the view.

What are your favourite things about Autumn?

Menu Planning Monday 11th October 2021

 

Things are getting busier at the moment as groups start to re-open. We have 2 college open events this week with Matthew, Craig is out at various masonic Lodges three evenings this week, I am at the W.I twice this week, one monthly meeting and one craft club and Emma goes to London with her boyfriend Sam to the premiere of the short film he made in August as part of the the National Youth Film Academy. I am also on a course on Saturday to learn how to make a pair of capri trousers. It is good that things are going back to how they used to be but I do miss the time we had to spend together. It is inevitable that this was going to happen and needed to happen after the last 18 months.

This means that we are not really going to sit down and eat as a family at all this week which is something that I have always tried to do as often as possible. I am still doing a menu plan as it helps with me staying on track with trying to lose weight but it just means that I won't be cooking for as many so there will be leftovers that I can use for lunch or freeze for future weeks.

Menu Plan

Monday - Marigold Soup  (Mary Berry recipe)

Tuesday - Burgers, Fries and Salad

Wednesday - Sausage and mash

Thursday - Subway

Friday - Haddock Casserole

Saturday - Lentil bolognese

Sunday - Cottage pie with Cauliflower mash

Weather

A pretty good week temperature wise considering the time of year. I am looking forward though to single digit temperatures.

What I am watching

This is the time of year that I probably watch the most TV. There is 'The Great British Bake Off', 'All Creatures Great and Small' and last night 'The Larkins'. I am trying not to compare this to 'The Darling Buds of May' which I love. Some of the characters personalities are very different from the original and there are new characters introduced. I think I will still enjoy it if I see it as totally different from the original.

Currently crafting

After finishing the shawl and the knitted tee shirt it is back to the Courthouse steps blanket. I would like to get this finished before winter kicks in so I can snuggle under it in the evenings. I am also starting to make my Christmas cards this year using sets from various places. I have craft club on Thursday where we will be making poppies and on Saturday I will be on a workshop to make a pair of capri trousers. Although I have made dresses before I have never made trousers before and I wanted to learn how to fit them properly.

From the camera

Craig and I took Penny for a walk to Rivington near Bolton. A lot of restoration work has been undertaken in the past few years to the area as it used to belong to the Lever family who had a house there. I hope to go back in a few weeks once the leaves have started to change colour.

Linking up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Katy

Hope you all have a good week.

Deborah

New bedding

 Matthew has finally got his new bed after some delays with delivery. He has gone from a single bed to a double bed so he needed some new bedding. He only wanted blue so off I went to Dunelm to see what they had. Although they had lots that I liked they were a bit feminine for Matthew so I ended up with a very plain set that I knew he would like.

I also needed some new bedding as one set of mine has loads of pulls in it where Penny has caught her claws and my earrings have caught the pillow cases so this is what I have bought.

As Matthew needed two sets I then went to look in B &M and found another plain set. This however feels amazing. It is soft and silky and feels very snuggly. Ideally I would have liked to have got a teddy bear feel set as Matthew likes to be warm and cosy in bed (he even uses his electric blanket in summer) but they only had pink or cream, neither of which he would have appreciated.

I am also going to look for some Christmas bedding this year. Each year I think about getting some but never get round to it. I think it is because I am a bit fussy over the design I want and have not quite found the one that meets my requirements. Perhaps I should be a little less picky. I also want Emma and Matthew to choose their own but they do not want to come shopping with me to look for one.