Lazy Sunday

Hi

Yesterday was beautiful here and I managed a little work in the garden and even washed my car.  Washing was dried outside, for which I was grateful as my tumble dryer is broken and I can't get a very expensive engineer out until 2nd February!  (No one local wanted to mend it.)

Today has been quite dull, weather wise, and I have been lucky enough to enjoy another lazy Sunday.

I hope everyone has been able to enjoy their weekend too.

I have been taking the opportunity to join some squares - made over the last few months, and it is now almost a new blanket.

Smudge has been checking it out.

x

It nearly snowed!

Thankfully, where I live we don't get much snow.  I have to confess to be a total wimp about driving and being out and about in it, so whilst I think it looks pretty for a day, after that, I am totally over any snow!

Although there seems to be lots of snow around, and in fact there was snow which disrupted the trains and buses in Brighton yesterday, which is only 10 or so miles away, there hasn't been any real snowfall here for the last couple of years.  It is cold here at the moment (well, for South East England anyway), but no snow.

Yesterday morning there was a heavy frost, and as I fed the birds there were about 3 flakes of snow!  That was it - perfect!!  Enough to make it look pretty, but all gone by lunchtime.  I didn't have to rush anywhere in the morning, so was able to take a few minutes walking back from school and around my garden and enjoy my surroundings.  I like to "breathe" it in sometimes, and I couldn't believe how loud the birds are singing.  It sounded more like early Spring that Winter.  Maybe I forget year to year, but it was beautiful.  Just me standing in the fields, and the birds singing.  You can't get a much better start to the day than that.  Although I did enjoy my cup of tea when I got back to my warm house!

I hope everyone is enjoying their week.

x

Sunrise on the school run.

 Some hedges have been cut back and I can now see my house.

A solitary sheep - I am sure there were about 20 the day before! I couldn't work out where the others were hiding, or if this one had been left behind?

The school Chapel

 Woltsonbury Hill - the pupils walk from school to the top of the hill on Ascension Day.

SNOW!!

And frost

The birds were hungry

 This little fellow is getting too brave and even followed me in to the conservatory to get his food!

Another Finished Object

Hi

I hope everyone is having a good weekend and keeping warm.  It has been a pretty grey weekend here.  Early yesterday morning was frosty, but by the time I'd got myself organised, and picked up my camera, it was raining.  It stayed that way, on and off through the day too.  We went out to the cinema last night to see The Theory of Everything.  It was brilliant.

Today has been more cold and grey, although the sun is just beginning to peek through the clouds.  So I have been able to indulge in some crafting again.  I'm sure I will get bored of having "free", unallocated time at the weekend, but at the moment it really does feel like a luxury.

A friend had asked if I could make her a tea cosy.  I was happy to help - thankfully she loves it.

I was able to use scraps of yarn I already had - mainly Stylecraft DK, and having looked a t a few patterns made it up as I went along.  I finished the edges with a round of dc, and chose a matching button.  I'm thinking these would make nice gifts.

Wishing you all a great week.

xx

Waiting for Spring

As I sit at my desk, on a Sunday afternoon, watching the sun go down, I feel quite relaxed.  For the first time in a bout 10 years, there has been no sport this weekend.  Not through injury, but Matt has decided not to play hockey this term at school (the main Lent term sport) and he hasn't re-started club rugby - yet!  He has gone to watch a game, and I wonder if he will return home having decided he wants to join, or if he will be happy to just watch?

So I have had a gentle weekend.  Yesterday I went to a crochet group.  What can be better than spending a few hours, with other like minded people, crocheting, drinking tea and eating cake?  It felt quite naughty!  :)

I then did a little shopping, and popped in to see my mum.  No rush, just doing stuff - slowly, enjoying the moment.

And today, I have cooked, and caught up with the ironing.  I'm not a great fan of ironing more of a "shake it, and hang it up and hope no one notices any creases" sort of girl.  Then I popped my coat on - it's a bright, cold and blustery day here, and I have spent a couple of hours in the garden.  Just tidying a few bits, sweeping the paths, and running the hoe over the flower beds to try and break up the soil and compost, before the next lot of rain!  Patience isn't one of my virtues, and I think I'm ready for Spring!  I've had enough of Winter now!  I know it's not been too cold, but I liked the feeling of the sun today.

Anyway, I'm back indoors now, and thought I'd share some photos of the garden.  Selective shots you understand, but there are definite signs that Spring isn't too far away.  My garden is starting to wake up.

The hellebores are starting to flower

Primula and primroses

New buds on the rose bushes

This sweet campanula hasn't really stopped flowering and makes me smile every time I walk by it by the front door.

The daffodils are growing daily.

Snowdrops - it won't be long before they flower.

More hellebores.

Sedums starting to grow.

Grasses in the wind.

There's still a few rosehips

Did I ever show you the wood store Matt made for me?

It was part of his GCSE DT project.  Several people asked to buy it when it was displayed at school, but I wanted it for me!

And now, I'm off to crochet.  Goodness, weekends feel quite relaxing, with time to do what I want when there's no sport!

Wishing everyone a happy week, and I hope the rain and wind isn't as bad as the last forecast I saw!

xx

Happy New Year

I know, I'm a little late wishing everyone a Happy New Year, but I was thinking it!

I wasn't sorry to see the end of 2014, although there have been many good bits, and I try and remember happy things here, it has been a tough one on the personal front.  2015 will be bringing changes.  I'm not quite sure what yet and they aren't all in my control.  However, I will remain positive and am looking forward to 2015 and all it can chuck at me!  I keep reminding myself to only worry about what I can change - it helps greatly.

I won't be doing a round up of 2014 as I want to focus on moving on - I'm sure you understand and there are many more colourful roundups out there!  I'm in awe of the amount of things some people can make.  Is there still time for wine and chocolate?

I'm not a great one for new years resolutions.  I tend to fail, and as I hate failing, I find them stressful which really isn't the idea, is it?  That really isn't improving life!  But I saw this 2015 To Do list, which I have printed out and is now on my fridge as a gentle reminder every day.  (I'm sorry I can't see where I found it - someone's blog, Facebook?  Sorry, please let me know if it is your's and I'll add your name.)

2015 To Do List

eat less,

move more,

buy less,

make more,

stress less, 

laugh more,

feel blessed,

love more,

find a quiet spot every day

and breathe.

I think these words suit me very well.

It was back to school, work and normal routine yesterday.  I had intended to post yesterday, but I was shattered in the evening, even if it was only a "gentle" Pilates class after work!  I just sat in front of the TV until bedtime which is most unlike me!

Smudge missed Matt yesterday - she has spent most of the Christmas break on his lap - giving him the perfect excuse to not move.  

I was determined to get back to walking to school.  I had a trial run walk the week before, and managed to get my wellies on.  Success, I can't tell you how exciting it was!  As you can see, walking boots aren't an option, wellies are essential.  It felt good to get some fresh air first thing in the morning, the first time this school year.  I enjoyed it so much that I made Matt walk again this morning - although it was raining.  

Seagulls, seagulls - we live almost 15 miles in land!! Still it reminds me of where I lived as a child as they call and fly off as we walk over the fields.  

And I also finished my new crochet scarf at the weekend.  I'm still not sure about it - I turned it in to a cowl.  I think it's the colour rather than the yarn, and there's not much I can do about that!

I think that's about it from me at the moment.

Welcome to my new followers, and I look forward to sharing 2015 with you.  Lets hope for a happy, healthy one with plenty of sunshine, blue skies and crochet!  :)

xx

Edited to add - The words may have come from here, I really can't remember!!
 Thank you Hawthorn.  :)