Happy Friday

Happy Friday to you all.  

We're actually seeing a little bit of sunshine here today, but it's been blummin freezing and rather wet for most of this week.  How about you?  Have you managed to get out and about?

I promised Violet a Children in Need teddy bear this morning, so we ventured down to Sainsbury's only to be told they don't do Children in Need, they support Red Nose Day instead. 

Next we tried Toy's R Us - no, nothing there either. 

Not looking good. 

Lastly we tried Boots - oh dear, they sold out of everything over a week ago.  

Sorry Violet, you won't be getting a new teddy bear today, I'll have to order one off their website.  

So, what have I been up to during this 'stay indoors' weather?  Well, I've managed to finish reading a couple of books.

I was really looking forward to reading The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, but I was a slightly (only ever so slightly) disappointed.  I loved learning about this period in history, but I didn't like the Melusina (water goddess) thread running through the storyline.   Nor did I feel as 'on the edge of my seat' as I did when I read The Other Boleyn Girl.  Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable book and I'll definitely be reading the other books in this series about the Plantagenets.

In the edition I read, there is a conversation with Philippa Gregory printed in the back, which I found very interesting reading.  I especially loved the answer she gave to this question:-

If you could go back in time and live in any of the royal courts you've written about, which one would it be and why?

I would be absolutely mad to want to be a woman of any of these times.  A Tudor or Plantagenet woman was wholly ruled be men: either father or husband.  She would find it difficult to seek any education, make her own fortune, or improve her circumstances.  Her husband would have a legal right over her which was equal to his ownership of domestic animals, and the chances of dying in childbirth was very high.  If one could go back in time and be a wealthy man these would be times of adventure and opportunity but still tremendously dangerous.  I think I would prefer the Tudor period rather than this period (Plantagenet) of warfare to diminish the danger of being killed in battle, but there were still regular plagues and foreign wars to face.  I cannot sufficiently express my enthusiasm for modern medicine, votes for women, and safe contraception.  No woman of any sense can be nostalgic for the past.

* * * * * * 

Here, here - I couldn't agree more.  

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd was also an enjoyable book and I've placed them both in my book box if any of you are interested in reading them too.

My knitting needles have been rather busy these past couple of weeks.  When we were on holiday I realised how lacking Violet's wardrobe was for warm jumpers, so I set about knitting her a new one, and used 4 balls of the lovely Rowan RYC Cashsoft 4 ply in Amethyst, which I purchased in the House of Fraser sale a few weeks back.  It's absolutely beautiful yarn - so, so soft.

Violet wouldn't let me take a photo of her wearing it, so you'll have to make do with Minnie Mouse modelling it on her behalf.

It's a gorgeous colour - though my photos never seem to show the true colour of things properly

Pattern: Sirdar Country Style DK (2233) Easy Knit

Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft 4 ply (I used 4 balls)

Colourway: Amethyst

And, because I seem to have my knitting mojo back at the moment, I've decided to try and finish off my Embrace Sweater.  So what if I started knitting this way back in February!  I'd already done the hard graft, it just needs seaming, the collar and shoulder cuffs to knit, then it'll be a really huge TA DA moment for me.  I spent a King's ransom on the yarn, so I really don't want to mess it up, but I'm gonna take the bull by the horns, bite the bullet, get those stitches picked up and get this baby finished.  Wish me luck - I'm giving myself until Sunday night to finish it.

For anybody who is interested, the house-hunting isn't going well.  It's making me totally fed up.  So, because I want cheering up, please leave a comment on today's post telling me what period in history you'd like to travel back to and why.  For every comment I receive, I'll make a donation to Children In Need.

Thanks for visiting today. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

X

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.