Taking lots of new steps

Hi there, just popped back to see how things were and to remind you that this blog has now ceased. I now have a new blog but will not be 'advertising' the link here, if you want to pop in to my new wafflings just tap HERE,  and below my profile photo is says EMAIL, just tap on that and send me some contact details and I will reply with my new URL.

I have been surprised and delighted at how many emails I have received so far, so thank you if you have already followed me over.

Lots has happened since my last posting but sshhhh - you'll have to pop over if you want to catch up :)

GON OUT BACKSON BISY BACKSON**

There has been a hiccup back at the printing press which means that this site will cease to exist in this format - I do hope you will follow me over to my new site.

If you do want to continue reading my wafflings and I really hope you do! - please leave a comment with your email address or web page and I will shortly get back to you with my new blog URL, alternatively go to my profile and email me directly.


see you on the other side - let the adventure continue! 

hawthornxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

**GON OUT BACKSON BISY BACKSON - courtesy of A A Milne and Christopher Robin 

What a delightful way to end the day

Today was a strange day. With a delightful twist at the end.

It was with dread I went to work but it is now done and I have a weight lifted off me. I can smile, really smile, not just pretend.

When I got home, the postie had left a parcel at my back door and just looky looky what gorgeous goodies had arrived......

I'd entered a give-away generously sponsored by Penelope from L is for Love

for  some 'skinny yarn' she had fallen out of love with.

I was really chuffed when she said that my name had been selected.

So when a parcel arrived today.....

I was quite surprised at the shape of it!

The yarn was there - in the most hearty-love paper bag

But - be still my happy heart - look what else was hiding inside....

I certainly didn't expect all the lovely extras she'd thoughtfully wrapped and added to the yarn.

Cheerful yellow vintage knitting pins

ooh yum yum

And a wrapped parcel within a parcel -

even more intriguing..... 

Oh ho ho! How wonderful!

I am going to have such fun !

Oh oh oh!

And, all the while, some one small and furry was showing interest 

at all the excitement 

A little face kept peaking over the corner of the table

while I was taking photos of the yarn

A  happy smiley face!

Thank you Penelope - as I said in my email - your timing was perfect

thank you thank you thank you!

Paying for safe passage

There is this ancient tradition. A pagan safe-guard.

Of paying for safe passage

 Paying for the water to stay clear and benign

Of paying for safe passage through the realm of the fairy queen

Of pressing coins into fallen trees or posts alongside moving water

as a tribute or as an appeasement

 In their thousands.

Fallen trees heavy with copper and nickel-plated steel

And strangely enough - people still pay

as did we

A strange, other-world place

a narrow almost claustrophobic valley

opening out to Janet (Jennet)'s Foss

the realm of queen of the fairies

As beautiful as it was, the cloying eeriness made me feel uneasy, it was a relief to rise out of the valley and climb across the dales up and away.

Fairisle for a fair cat

Had a thought*

Borrowed a knitting machine **

Learnt on a swatch***

Even tried out pseudo-fairisle!

Stuffed it with wool scraps and catnip.

Had fun!

*Potentially dangerous as I often think way out of my ability
** thanks Jak!
***Silly to waste a swatch

stash busting stripes

Needing to seriously seriously alleviate my  'down-time-stress-syndrome' as well as giving an 'anti-stress-from-work' relief I needed to knit and I needed to KNIT NOW!

This was a bit of a problem as I didn't actually having anything to knit with other than stash.

So.....I started a stash-busting scarf.

It is nearly double the length now, Youngest has already wrapped it around his neck and made smiley mmmm mmmm noises - ah ha! A chrimbly pressie me thinks :)

Excuse me, off to knit a little more before going off to bed - going to try to pre-empt any work angst!!

Heading for the Hills

Sunday was a crisp and cool autumnal morning. 

A few essential jobs to do before we are free to play out.

A quick visit to Settle town.

Then  on to the hills.

Over the Dales, with snowy topped hills all around

Had a smile at car sticker-humour

in the village of Langcliffe

We stopped by the river Ribble,

sitting the the sunshine

drinking tea

drinking in the view

And,

when we returned off the hills

the sun was disappearing behind the skyline.

Time to head back - the boys were hungry (mind you so were we!)

Today is Monday - another start to another week. hey ho... 

Hope you had a lovely weekend where ever you are xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx hawthorn