Brighter Outlook Today

Firstly a warm welcome to Dawn McHugh and Primroses Attic, welcome aboard. I haven't checked to see if Dawn has a blog, that is my first job once this is posted. I have been following Primroses Attic for a little while, she fills me with envy, three lovely little dogs and a home in Cornwall.
I have sailed away from the doldrums and have a better and brighter outlook today. I am off to Wales in the morning to check out the house that I intend to rent. It will offer no surprises, I have checked it thoroughly and had several conversations with the owner. I am taking it for a 6 month period, that will give me time to explore properly and find a property to buy that fits me like a glove. Umm, that may be a bit difficult as my wish list includes the following,
Huge kitchen with walk in pantry and solid fuel oven.
Decent size garden, about half the size that I have now.
Small lounge so that I can not hoard.
Two bedrooms, quite enough for 1 guest or 2 Grandchildren.
A Library and swimming pool within walking distance.
At least 2 good shops for yarn and fabric, and a couple of charity shops.
 A "junk" shop would be good as well.

Of course  I do not expect to get it all, a large kitchen will suffice and I can live without a solid fuel range. The next 3 are important and the last 3 will be found somewhere not too far away.
I will only be a 20 minute drive from Swansea and 30 minutes from Carmarthen. Then there will be frequent trips to Cardigan to see the family.

I took the advice offered by you lovely people yesterday and did this.

My first attempt at a bird, the beak is a bit skew wiff and the flowers are not balanced but it is in my window and will fly to Wales. This is thanks to Attic24 and Bunny Mummy.

A few flowers, inspiration as for the bird.

A pair of roses and a daisy that needs another round of petals.

Two more roses waiting to be sewn up.

Every bunch of flowers needs some leaves.

Of course all this hooky means that I needed some more yarn. I am happy with my finds but am keeping my eyes open for some more greens.

I am aiming to make some garlands, I will use the tutorial from Attic24 as a guide. I try hard never to make a complete copy. In truth that is not correct, I find it very difficult to make a complete copy, I just have to fiddle and tweak, add bits and remove things. Change colours and sizes and often the finished article is nothing like the inspiration.

 Recipes are a prime example, I start off with good intentions then if I do not have one ingredient I do not go and buy I use something else. Thus Chicken casserole may well end up as Barbecue Pork ribs.

Reasons to be grateful.

1. I am off to Wales in the morning.

2. I will see my new, albeit temporary, home tomorrow.

3. Followed by a visit to James, Cerys and the children.

4. It is raining gently so I am confined to the house. That means more hooky. sigh.

5. I have lost 5lbs without really trying.

I was so pleased when I jumped, make that stepped gently, on the scales this morning. I know it is simple, just put the fork down, but it is not easy. All I have done is cut out all picking while cooking and all nibbles between meals. I had fallen into the habit of a sweet treat every evening, that has stopped. My stock of chocolate will go to James and the sweet stuff will be restricted to Sunday lunch pudding. I have 4 jars of mincemeat left, 2 will go into cakes next week for my neighbours and 2 will go into cakes for my new neighbours. Once I have unpacked I will have an open house day to meet as many as possible. I will then ask for recipes for Bara Brith and Welsh Cakes.

On the subject of recipes, I read a few posts about No Knead Wholemeal Bread recently. I thought that I had bookmarked them but now can not find any. If one of you has posted this would you direct me to the post, I am itching to try it out.

Ooh look, it is well past cup of tea o'clock. I am off to put the kettle on and once armed with a brew look up Dawn.

              TTFN                                                 Pam