What style/stile......!?

I have a nemesis........ it has a certain style about itself.

It dwells, troll-like in the woods.

Green and sometimes slippery - it waits.....for me......


The first 'biggish' walk out with a friend, I  blithely stepped forward, a cheerful pace made, happy happy heart...when......( a very Red Riding Hood moment here) lurking in the woods was....this.......

Chatting with my friend, our dogs blissfully snuffling away, following scents new and old, we approached the small woodland edge. There at the boundary is a stone wall, tumbled and ancient with an almost as decrepit fence supplying a supporting role.

Closer and closer to my doom I innocently tramped... the dogs unaware of impending horror just leapt over the demon that awaited me....

My friend hopped over equally as agilely, not breaking from her chatter or into a sweat, then it was my turn.

I stepped over with my 'good' leg and my 'bad' leg was to just follow...only it didn't. I was left teetering on the stile, with left leg in front and right leg wafting about and not bending.

Ok....ok...I thought, I can do this, so I stepped back, and attempted to put my right leg over first (at this point, my dear and true friend had started to laugh at me) this too failed.

I stepped back - the dogs, confused by my dithering,hopped back and forth only increasing my frustration and my friends laughter (I call her my friend rather lightly at this point - in my hour of kneed!)

I tried again, hoisting myself up on to the wobbly stile, levering my right left first and swinging my more able left leg over, the drop on the other side although not large is eye-watering enough when you land smack on to the top of the stile..... said ex-friend is laughing so hard she has tears in her eyes, the dogs have given up and gone for a paddle in the stream and I am smiling (grimacing in pain) as I haul myself over.

Humph....................

17... Sweet 17♥ counting on memories

There are some days, some walks, some views, something that etches a memory deep deep in to me and every now and then it re-surfaces and I find that I smile just at the thought of it. I can easily fall back into that walk, that view or that day.

This walk, gentle and definitely designed with me and my sore knee in mind, is one of those wonderful ones.

We'd walked along a canal, admiring the narrow boats - we have a little game we play. The boys and I 'choose' a narrow boat - extolling it's virtues, admiring the paintwork or marvelling at the bric-a-brac on the tops. Then as we walk along we either 'swap' or 'keep' our boat with the next one we see. On this particular walk we were spoilt for choice with a glorious hotch potch of narrow boats all recently painted ready for winter, chimneys chuffing out woody scented smoke and wheelbarrows filled to the brim with firewood. The autumnal colours were at their richest and the reflections in the still water were clear and precise.

We had followed the canal, diverted into the town (Ju24 will know which one I mean) then back out again to meet the canal. On the way we found a humpbacked bridge........with this sign - perfect for today :)

Once we'd rejoined the canal, a young swan slid alongside us and very politely asked for a nibble - which we quite happily provided. We lingered, admiring the bird and marvelling at the beauty of her plumage.

Our walk then returned back along the water's edge back to the car. Bliss.

Today's post was a little later than usual - I spent a lovely afternoon chatting with a good friend. Tomorrow will be another good one - I am on a yarn shop forage with fav-sis-in-law and my mom - what wonderful way to start a Friday :)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ COUNTING SOME MORE - 29♥

Just to get you in the mood (or to panic you - either way!) apparently there is only 22 days left till chrimbly day!


Any hoo - today's number is 29, and is brought to you by my 8 year old pint-sized friend who is an energetic little bag of dynamite - the might Tash!

I was having a problem in finding something with the number 29 on it and seeing I was at her mom's house for knit and natter I asked her is she had anything suitable.

She pulled a quizzical face - her mouth pursed as she tilted her head slightly. She thought for a moment then disappeared under the desk and came out with a wooden ruler, 

as said..

'Is this any good?'

so - thanks to the Mighty Tash 

I am able to present to you.......

29 ♥ 

Thank you for your comments - 

Lovely Lady - no, I don't take those, they are some tablets I was sorting out for a patient at work - saw the number and got rather excited (my colleague quite understandably looked rather bemused).

Jane - yes I am excited (terrified) about the yarn festival - it will be called 'Yarnival'and I will share info soon [:)]

Sarah, Jak and Cat - thank you - It feels rather humbling that you enjoy reading my waffling and actually remember/read it from last year!!

Ju24 - We were near a campsite when we were at Lock 31 - was it that site you used? 

What we got up to this time last year - pop over and see 3rd December 2010

Holiday musings ..... 2 (well not really)

BUT.......

I won't bore you to tears by rattling off everything that happened over our break, oh no, I shall give you little bite sized pieces for you to digest at your leisure. Sort of trickle feed you little bits of nonsense until you have been rendered senseless - or something similar to that.

Having had such a brilliant weekend over the Easter break, we were keen to continue it over the wedding weekend (all together now...what wedding?) Oops, forgot, I wanted to mention something else first..............


Remember this?




Well look what happened!

I had been watching her closely, as the last thing I wanted to happen, after all the mother duck's care and patience was that she and her precious brood (of mongrel ducklings - let's be realistic here) would become road kill as soon as they left my front garden.

Then last Wednesday, as I hot footed it home after work I could hear peeping emanating from under the duck. Great excitement and celebration and duck related jokes abounded in the house-hold. The next morning I sneaked a peep and saw 8 happy little bundles of yellow and black fluff. I carefully lifted my camera, took the all important photo, had a quick head count and as I stepped back carefully and quietly as possible so not to disturb the brood - almost tripped over mother duck who was standing right next to me!

Oops sorry.

At work I shared the happy news as well as my concern as to when the duck would take her babes across the regularly busy road and down to the beck (some 50 metres away). Finally-finally at the end of the working day, I set off for home only to see as I arrived there was an army of women around my front garden.  Oh no - what had happened?

It turns out, about 15 minutes before I arrived, the duck decided (with feather-brained wisdom) that this was the moment to launch her family into the world and on to the road. Directly into the path of the bus, and several cars.  She panicked and the ducklings scattered.

Fortunately I have many good hearted neighbours and one particularly animal friendly (read that as wonderfully dotty) lady spotted the duck getting very flustered and frightened. She rushed out and with a couple more heroic lady neighbours each armed with a broom and bravado stopped the traffic dead, ushered up all the separated ducklings into a cat basket and scooped up the by now almost faint with hysteria female duck.

This wonderful WI-esque gang then marched off purposefully down to the beck and released the family safely.

Unharmed and only slightly ruffled. 

Thank heavens for my neighbours! 

**********************

Well, having decided to bring you up to date with ducky-happenings I see I have waffled on a fair, bit so, in keeping with the drip-feeding you stuff and nonsense, I shall stop here. It has been lovely chatting to you again, I hadn't realised how much I had missed sharing waffle and pictures with you all :)

More waffle tomorrow - you have been warned!

And welcome to my new followers, it's always lovely to see new 'faces'.  Enjoy the rest of your evening :)

****************************

Things that make me smile :)

*The unexpected kindness of friends* the generosity of strangers *  the wonderful encouragement from creative folk * the love and support from my family * the gift of friendship * the laughter of my boys * the love of a good man * the taste of a delicious chocolate brownie* the delights of walking out on the moors before going to work*

These are all things that have made me smile this week - thank you xx

What has made you smile this week?

***********************

PS:- Brownie recipe to follow

***********************

Show and Tell

Been rather busy recently with this and that and the other! But now, with a moment to spare, I thought I'd share what  crafty things I've been getting up to with a little bit of hooky happy time :)

A birthday pressie - now hanging on a white day bed, made in a silky ice blue cord.


Good grief that fibre was difficult to handle! It was a wilful thread, easily unravelling itself, sliding off the hook and refusing to behave, until, when finished it look so pretty I forgave all it's foibles and fell in love love love with it. 


I really really didn't want to part with this little heart bunting, draping it all around my house thinking that where every I placed it, it looked just right! But with a heavy heart (my own) I passed it on to it's new owner.....she was so delighted that I stopped wishing I'd kept the little bunting. 
Will I make another for myself? Will I heck! 

*******************************

Another gift for a friend - this time to say thank you-for-watching-over-our-hens-while-we-were-away. 


A felted crochet hook holder. The colours  were dictated by the fabric inner - a personal choice by our friend and I wanted the patterning to appear like flashes of painterly colour. I had such fun making this. 

The exterior of the roll

The hook bag shyly unrolling to reveal the inner fabric

I love the macro facility of my camera, you can get up close and personal with fleece and see the fibres in the cord. I know, that technically, this is felting not crochet but seeing there are links, I have let it slide! 


I was really enjoyed making the felted hook roll and delighted with my friend's response, I think I might be making more! 


Well, the sun beckons and I am intrigued by the unusual warmth and brightness of the great outdoors! So armed with a bowl of oats, fruit and yoghourt - I'm off out for a spot of breakfast (yes I know it's late) before I go to work :)




Have yourselves a sunny and happy Tuesday xx

Concrete slump heart

Today's heart 

was found by Youngest

whilst out walking

with friends yesterday.

*********************************

We went  walking yesterday as the cloud poured over our hill in a dramatic candy-floss waterfall. We were with friends and their dogs, so giddy dog was, well, extra giddy. The three of them ran around in ever increasingly muddy circles.

The rain held off although it did menace us all the way round. The mud glooped and squelched under our boots as we tramped along the moor bottom road.  A farmer, with a protective arm around his dog, trundled along on his ATV checking his in-lamb sheep. They  looked  'fit-to-burst' as they grazed the straggly winter grass only pausing briefly to watch us go by.  Highland cows and Belted Galloways, looking like they were wearing their heaviest winter coats, showed very little interest as they chewed the cud with their typical bovine myopic stare.

Youngest and his little friend kept up a constant chatter nearly all the way around whilst Eldest seemed to show a subtle but natural progression towards being adult, preferring to chat with the adults. He is growing up no matter how hard he denies it to himself. Part of me loves the maturity of discussion and rational that he shows while the rest of me is gently sad for the loss of his passing childhood as he reaches his 13th birthday.

Must stop now, I'm off now to bake a gluten free cake for a friend, we've got our knit and natter this evening and we all take turns to bring something rather yummy so I thought I'd try baking a cake with stone ground rice flour - fingers crossed!! Will let you know how it goes :)

*******************************

I keep forgetting to add the links for last year's hearticles, so in case you are interested they are here: -

 23rd Feb 2010 Ice Cold heart
22nd Feb 2010 Origami heart

What a statement!

Today's heart

is brought to you

by a wrought iron artist

Isn't it lovely - with all the scrolls and beautifully 'joined-up-writing'

I wonder how long that took to make,

each letter fired then thumped and hammered to make

the delightful school-boy writing.

Every time I see it, it makes me smile

and what a wonderful sign

proclaiming the names

of the  farms and cottage

just down the lane.

*********************

I went for a walk today with a friend and a combined pack of three dilly border collies

Talk about blowing away the cobwebs!

Suffice to say, dog and I needed to be hosed down

we were that muddy!!

Now, two mugs of tea, two hot cross buns and a handful of dog biscuits later, **

I am ready (well -readyish) to go to work!

**tea and hot cross buns for me, and dog biscuits for umm - the dog, 

in case I didn't make it that clear!!

********************

Now, must fly, you have yourselves a lovely day, 

I'm looking forward to this evening as I am off to knit and natter - whoopee - I do love going :)

Perfecting procrastination

Yesterday, after an exce-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-edingly long and slo-o-o-o-o-o-ow morning at work I had lunch with a dear friend of mine - she is the best tonic I have to hand as she can alternatively make me laugh out loud, inspire me with her creativity or encourage me to try new things.  So, now buoyed up with enthusiasm and a bag full of brightly coloured wool tops to play with, I am having to shelve or rather contain that urge to craft coz I have to do an on-line exam for the NHS ( *yay*).

************************************

A spot of procrastination is in play here - not that you'd notice.........

It must be a subconscious act but I seem to have made a 'nest' for myself - however I can not delay any longer...... got to get on. Wish me luck coz I am so not looking forward to my on-line exam!! 

**************************

Counting again - 6 and weekend round up

Into the 6th day of December, and the only one fully organised with his gifts, is Youngest. He has made or purchased as well as wrapped presents for all of those he loves. Eldest is disgusted (possibly in awe but refusing to admit it) and we are astounded at his generosity, his planning and sheer determination.

'

Today - the number 6 is brought to you by my vitamin B6 box and the book ' Now we are six' by A.A.Milne.

(To be read over the sounds from a certain puppet show from the States which had a rather large yellow bird as one of the presenters!)

*************************

Weekend round up - I love it when the weekend starts on a Friday and this one did with the arrival of my friend from Anglesey. She blew in on a snow storm and immediately made herself at home.

Saturday promised to be fun and it was, it was extremely hectic and too much happened to report so, you will have to be content with photographs and snippets. I still have shiny glittery silver paint on my right thumbnail and despite various attempts of removing it - it stubbornly remains as a cheerful reminder of a fun time.

A selection of wreathes - hearts and circles. Some generously filled, others sparse and wild. Some were faultless while others random, there were traditional reds and golds and modern ice blues and lime greens.

There was such a flurry of foliage and a spraying of silver and sparkles. The hall was filled with a heady mix of pine scent and aerosol spray and the sound of laughter and chat. The day flew by with such surprising speed.

A weather inspired wreath and a hand tied bunch for a kitchen door.

**********************

As ever, it was successful, we were sadly missing a few of our regular 'craftsters' but their spaces were eagerly filled with new ones. And, at the end of the workshop we all triumphantly took our festive treasures home. (Some of us used wheelbarrows because it was a safer bet than driving!)

This year, I didn't have time to finish my Yule log until Sunday. While the boys went out sledging I had the house and the fire to myself and in the gentle silence I finished off my window decoration.

The house now smells of cloves and oranges. Scented foliage and cinnamon sticks - it smells delicious.

Jai-ho!

Last night Bollywood came to town. We painted the night red and cerise and fuchsia and turquoise. We sparkled in golds and silvers and shimmied in saris and salwar kameez, we were even graced by a visitation from Ganesh. The house was filled with exotic sounds and fragrant aromas. And we had a lovely evening.

**********************

Earlier in the same day we had been out sorting a few last minute things when we stopped at little cash and carry store on the way home. One we had never used before where the assistants were incredibly helpful and went out of their way to oblige, offering to do the henna for my hands which I most gratefully and happily accepted. A very pretty young girl in a sparkling green and black sari painted my hands explaining how to look after the henna and how to extend and preserve these beautiful temporary tattoos.

The darkened henna, as dried, began to crumble off exposing the more delicate turmeric shades beneath

Later on during the evening, Youngest took a photograph of my decorated hands.

I will be wearing these badges of our wonderful celebration of Samhain for up to three weeks 

before they gently fade away

**********************

More about our celebrations tomorrow, it's late and I've spent a happy (long) evening sorting out the pictures and now it's bedtime and I am rather tired, seeing we had a rather late night - g'night.

Long weekend away

On the settee is a pile of boys and blankets. 

All I can see are the tops of their blonde heads. They are quietly but seriously discussing the merits and flaws of Prince Caspian , sword play, treacherous siblings, mythical beasts and victorious battles.   Nothing high brow mind you - more related to the film version from 2008.

But this quiet brotherhood they have together, this 'pack-that-lives-together, hunts-together' this strong sibling link is wonderful - long may it last...... (mind you they do squabble and wrestle each other on the floor like 'ferrets in a sack' and make noises that a startled tropical parrot would be proud of!)

And considering I had contemplated having no children and growing old disgracefully with just Himself and cats - I'm rather glad I/we didn't :)

**********************************

We've been away for a few days, hence no postings, so thought I would share with you some snippets of our long weekend in a coastal town on a small island.

We saw giant 'flatties' (wood louse) on the beach

We were 'escorted' along a walk by dread-locked, flamed eyed, teeth gnashing man (and kid) eating Sheltand ponies (well only the dread-locked part was true, the alpha male - there were many males, was more interested in 'eating' the dog!)

We watched the tide come in and go out and felt refreshed by the salty air and coastal breeze

We collected pebbles, lots and lots of pebbles.....so much that we filled a rucksack and put it in the car so that Himself would not notice until we got home.......!

Such treasures, wonderful treasures :)

We hugged the sky

We flew with the gulls

We sheltered in the lee of huge sand dunes for lunch

We also crocheted, played cards, drank tea and talked long long into the night - It was lovely staying with our friends.

Thank you for having us!!

Sunshine on a rainy day makes my soul , makes my soul, trip, trip, trip away**

**with thanks to Zoe

After a rather strange day at work where we were driven to hysterical laughter causing tears to stream down our faces and to catch our breaths, I came home still unsure where this mirth appeared from and found this delightful sunshine award awaiting me from a sunny blog-pal - summertime dreams.

Wow - thank you very much Summertime D!!

So here goes.....

The Rules:

1. Save the image above and post it to your own blog.

2. Pass the award on to fellow bloggers

3. Link the nominees

4. Let the nominees know they have won by commenting on their blog

5. Share the sunshine and link the person you received the award from

So here goes:

A life of Felt

Colouritgreen

Thursday's Child

bobbypinsboardwalk

Woolfish

Artteachergirl

Attic24 

She Rides a Bike 

Bugs and Fishes 

ook?!

ever green knits

laughingpurplegoldfish

So, there it is, blogs I enjoy, blogs I read regularly, blogs that I can find solace in, inspiration from, blogs I can share in with  the laughter and the sorrow. Some of the bloggers know me, some don't - but that is the beauty of this bloggy world - so come on - let's spread the sunshine!

21.09.10 - Just look at this!

A Featured Crafter - Marta - Quilter extraordinaire! 

I just have to show off a friend of mine's handiwork - actually the word handiwork does not describe the wonderful craft(wo)manship that occurred in the creation of a most wonderful quilt. She is part of our knit and natter group and over the weeks we have oohed and aahed at her beautiful work.

And just to whet your appetite - a photo, taken at a struggle as it needed four of us to hold it up!

I stand in awe of what Marta has created -  

but enough of my waffle,

 follow this link and I shall let her tell you in her own words.

10.9.10...And the winner is...............

..................Ssssssssh a secret! 

You all have to wait until Monday!!

Why I hear you ask..

Well coz we are going away for the weekend - to Anglesey - Woo hoo!

Off to stay with a friend  

And I am So-o-o looking forward to it

Especially after a day like I have had today -pheweeeeee! 

05.09.10 - Weekend round up - to include chocolate!

Aaah, Saturday was a blur of boys. 

A friend was here for the day and the three of them did-not-stop....all...day.....long......

Hiya

hiya

run....shout....shoot....hide....BOO!

hungry

thirsty

play play play

Loud.....run.run...run

jump hide dig hide

eat eat eat

slurp

chew talk chew talk

talk chew more

swallow loudly

leap from chair

off to play play play 

Go for a walk....take swords...play play play 

yell play

hide

come back from walk

hungry 

eat drink chat talk

play play play

sit down and watch a DVD

S......I......L.....E.....N....C....E

film ends

talk

eat drink chat pillow fight

talk

yell play play play

then suddenly the friend was collected and after a bit of a noisy goodbye we all collapsed back and sat in...

S......I......L.....E.....N....C....E

bliss

*******************************************

Later, much later, I started to craft again...with chocolate next to me (for medicinal purposes only you understand...) and a small friend

A curious robin spies some Green and Black's chocolate

while I craft more felty feathery friends.

Now just to give them some ribbon loops and wrap them up ready for their new home.

***************************

Today we went for a bright and blustery walk. A good one to blow away the cobwebs. 

We sat out of the breeze, surrounded by sun-warmed honey scented heather

We sipped piping hot tea while Giddy Dog wallowed in a stream

We stopped by the 'Hanging Stone' reputed to have caused the accidental death of a sheep thief as he ran from the police. The stone was carved in 1618.

A lovely day, we returned feeling refreshed and invigorated.

****************************************

I commented on Summertime Dream's blog the other day in which she mentions how she over time has evolved and changed and that she is happy with these changes. 

My response was, I feel that by writing a regular blog it has gently forced me to come to terms with who I am. And I have found that over the course of this first year of writing my blog that I have a lot that occurs in my day and my life that I actually like if not love. 

 I am on the whole a fairly cheerful person but I can and do dwell on the negative and I find that this can overshadow all that is positive.Writing this blog about the good things in my life has made me realise that I am very lucky, very loved and definitely on the whole a very happy person.