Is that all I talk about?

I'm sorry - I'm a complete yarn bore at the moment aren't I?

On my return visit to the House of Fraser sale I was unable to find any pinks or purples, so instead I bought

10 balls of Rowan Handknit Cotton in Lemon

&

10 balls of Rowan Milk Cotton DK in a sage colour

And, at only 20 Earth Pounds each.

I haven't got a clue what I'm going to knit with them yet - so if you've seen any nice patterns around the blogosphere of late (not too complicated mind) please let me know.

OK, I hear you.  Enough about the yarn purchases.

* * * * *  *

I'm forging ahead with that lovely lacey sweater I showed you yesterday, even if I did have to 'frog' about 17 rows last night- I was not a happy bunny as they had taken me, what felt like, an absolute age to knit.

The Eco Cotton I'm using is absolutely beautiful.  It's so, so soft. 

This is my first attempt at knitting a lacey pattern, so I've decided to only knit the pattern for the front, and knit the back in just plain old stocking stitch.  I'm sure it'll look OK.

* * * * * *

I notice that there haven't been any photos of Violet on here for a few days, so here's one of her going 'Choo Choo'.  It was taken last Friday when I took her to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor - I'll post more about this another day.

* * * * * *

For any mum's out there, who might be stuck for things to do this long Summer Holiday.  I noticed that the National Trust properties are putting on activities to entertain the wee folk.  We went for our usual scoot around Baddesley Clinton on Sunday and I noticed that they are offering Pond Dipping and other nature activities for £2 per child.  I'm sure we'll be visiting other NT properties over the coming weeks, so I'll try and keep a look out for what's on offer and mention them on here - perhaps some of you may find this useful.

Sorry for the complete randomness of this post - it seemed to cover everything and nothing.

Get rummaging

I must just share this with you.

On Saturday I popped into House of Fraser to check out their wool sale. 

Oh my.  They had bags and bags of wonderful yarn in their sale bins.

Plus, 20% off everything.

It was hard to choose just a couple of bags, but I ended up with:

10 balls of Cashsoft 4 ply in a fantastic Plum colour for just £16.00 (original price £47.50),

and 13 balls of Patons Eco Cotton in Cream for just £15.60 (original price £38.35).

What amazing prices.  I can't quite believe my luck.

The other half was so impressed with my bargain buys, that he even said I could go back and buy some more. 

You don't need to tell me twice.

So, hopefully that's what I'll be doing later today.  Having another good rummage.  Fingers crossed some of the bright pinks and deep purples will still be left.

Get yourselves off down to your nearest House of Fraser if you have one and get rummaging too.

* * * * * * * * * *

I already had this lovely pattern.

So, all that was left was to cast on.

And, that's precisely what I did on Saturday evening.

The pattern consists of 20 rows - I've never attempted this before.

Wish me luck.

Note to self: Must try and get some of those fancy-pants knitting needles that I keep spying on the internet.  These old metal ones of your mums are completely bent.

Grazie mille

First off, I'd just like to say an extremely big thank you to you all, for the very lovely comments you left me regarding yesterday's post. I feel very privileged to have such wonderful, caring folk following my blog, who have genuine concern for my well being.  The Blogosphere has opened up alot of new friendships for me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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

I don't know about all you ladies out there, but usually when my spirits are down, I shop. 

I could spend money like it's going out of fashion. 

Usually on a very lovely, but very expensive, pair of shoes. 

OK, I admit it.  I have a teeny, tiny, shoe addiction.

Or should I say, HAD, a teeny, tiny, shoe addiction.

You see, my problem nowadays is, that I don't have said income to be affording teeny, tiny, shoe addiction.

(Sad faces please).

So, what was I to do?  That dark cloud had descended and I needed something lovely and pretty to make me feel happy again.

Lovely and pretty purchase numero uno:

Two very fine looking mugs from Whittards.  Price £2.50 each. 

Just what a coffee addict needs.  I'm sure you'll agree.

Lovely and pretty purchase numero due:

A metre of fabric from Ikea of all places.

Pardon, what was that?

Did I hear you asking the price?

Your eyesight is not deceiving you.  That really says £1.49.  I know, it's madness.

When I got home I wish I'd purchased another 5 metres of the stuff because it's soooooo lovely.

You all know how I'm determined to start sewing.  Well, I see this as a nice big cushion for Violet's room.  What do you think? 

If I'd been wise, and bought another 5 metres, it may have ended up life as a bean bag.  As if I know how the hell to sew a bean-bag.  It can't be that hard though, can it?

Now onto purchases tre, quattro, & cinque:

Ultra cute little baby clothes.

These are off to my friend who'll be having that little baby girl any day now. 

(If you're wondering where I bought the baby clothes from.  The stripey and flower tops were from John Lewis.  The Hungry Caterpillar vests are from Sainsbury's and the Rabbit long sleeved vest is from Mothercare). 

So, I'm thinking I did pretty well.  I only spent £6.49 on myself, and the other purchases are for that little girl, which we've all yet to meet, but are all very excited about.

What a result. The other half (and his bank balance) will be so pleased I didn't spend a months salary, on a pair of shoes that I wouldn't even have been able to push a pram in.

Until tomorrow.

Ciao

x

Death, Panic and the Worry Monster

Firstly, it would appear that I may have slightly killed this:

In a previous life, this was actually a Violet plant that some lovely person gave me because she thought it would be nice for Violet.  Well, it was a great thought, but because I haven't got a garden, the poor thing has just shrivelled up and passed on. 

Next, panic set in this morning as I discovered that none of the shops round abouts actually sell

Anya potatoes

English Provender Caramelised Onions

or

Taleggio cheese.

So, panic stricken, I thought anxiously about what I could substitute these ingredients with.  Thank the lord for M&S foodhall.  They do a jar of Caramelised Onion Chutney.  Phew!

I've ended up having to replace the Anya Potatoes with just New Potatoes and the Taleggio with some Goats Cheese. 

Then I get home and read a comment from a lady who'd visited my blog.  She'd left a message regarding my Vegetarian menu.  A seed of doubt has now entered my mind. This lady pointed out that the cheeses I might be using may contain animal rennet and would therefore be unsuitable for my Vegetarian guests.

I've now turned into a complete an utter Worry Monster. Sometimes entertaining can be quite stressful can't it?

--------

A couple of other things I'd like to share with you today.  Whilst Violet and I were out and about trying to locate our ingredients for tomorrow's luncheon, I thought I'd pop into one of the charity shops along the high street.  Wow, they do have a hell of alot of crap to shift don't they?  But, I did manage to find a few things. 

49p - what a bargain.  He (or she) is only about 3 inches high and is bright Yellow.  It makes me smile and I've already had to put it out of Violet's reach. She just keeps pointing at it, saying "av it, av it".

A quid.  Now nobody can complain at that price.  Can they?

And, I don't know why I was drawn to this book, but it looked intriguing.

A Fortunate Life by A B Facey.

It's the life story of a man called Albert Facey, who was born in 1894 and grew up on the Kalgoorlie Goldfields and the Wheat-belt of Western Australia.  His father died before he was 2 and he was deserted by his mother soon afterwards.  He was then looked after by his gran until he was 8 years old, when he went to work. He survived Gallipoli, the loss of his farm in the Depression, the death of his son in WWII and the loss of his wife after 60 years together. Albert had had no formal education and had taught himself how to read and write. 

Doesn't it sound like an amazing story?  It makes me feel extremely fortunate that I have the life that I do.

It's gonna be a 3 day weekend again folks - Yippee! 

I've been a very busy bunny today

That's to say, I've been shopping, and not of the grocery variety.  What fun! Though taking a toddler into a changing room whilst I tried on various garments (speedily I might add) is not my idea of fun.  I used to relish the thought of clothes shopping, but nowadays it's all over and done with so quickly, there's no enjoyment anymore.  I'd been given this opportunity to 'spoil' myself you see - what woman wouldn't be excited by that prospect?  I couldn't get to the shops quick enough, but it was over in a blink of an eye.  I grabbed items that looked the right size off the rails and darted to the changing rooms as quick as a flash, trying to manouever a squirming toddler in a pram into the shop's largest fitting room.  Tops were flung here, there and everywhere whilst I quickly tried them on and then discarded them. Then I appeared triumphantly (if somewhat frazzled) with a top - hurray for me!  I had images of me buying wonderful things from the likes of Whistles or Reiss, but in the end I've ended up with something comfy and relatively child-friendly, and it matches all the other mumsey clothes I have in my wardrobe - Yummy Mummy I am not (unfortunately) :0(

Anyway, enough about my sad wardrobe.  I also purchased some beautiful gifts for my friend - if you're not too bored to hear/see:

 

And what will be her main present:

Some silver earings, which I love and hope she will too.

But, I didn't stop there. Oh no.  Off I traipsed to WHSmith, and, after falling out with their lift, I picked up the latest in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith, The Double Comfort Safari Club. This won't be on my bedside table for long. I wasn't very enamoured with his 44 Scotland Street series or The Von Iglefeld series, but can't get enough of Precious Ramotswe or Isabel Dalhousie from his Sunday Philosphy Club series for that matter.

Then it was off to The Works (discount bookshop) for a quick browse around - I've read a few blogs that have really raved about Barbara Pym's books, so when I saw Some Tame Gazelle and No Fond Return of Love I thought I'd give them a go.  The shop was offering 3 books for £5, so I had to try and find a third - I ended up with Peter and the Starcatchers which will be another book in Violet's ever growing library (perhaps I'll wax lyrical about my obsession with children's books another time).

So there you go - not bad for a couple of hours work eh?

One final question before I go.  Where did the respect for people and society go?  The things I heard and saw today beggar belief and it's heartbreaking to see.  Our world would be a much happier and peaceful place if respect for people and society was restored. I could really get on my soapbox about this.