My day went much as planned and most of it was outdoors. Herbie and I did have to retire inside for a couple of hours, due to the heat, but I sewed on the quilt top and he snoozed.
My neighbour cut his lawn yesterday so my apple trees and gooseberry bushes now have a tick mulch of grass and a top dressing of mint. It smells wonderful, I have mint growing each side of the path so every time I walk and brush against it the scent wafts around. There is some thyme in there as well and the bees love the flowers.
Tomorrow I intend to have a good clear up in the top section. There are stacks of empty pots and seed trays to be washed and stacked away. Some larger containers to get the same treatment and some general detritus to get shot of. A good sweep up and a tidy through the storage lockers and shed should finish the job off, if not me.
I haven't even looked at my knitting, once dinner had been eaten and the washing up done I made a pot of tea and had a while reading.
Herbie had his walk and it turned into a good hour, when we returned home he wanted to play so we had a game of throw and fetch. Just like a small child one minute he was going full pelt, the next he was out cold on the sofa. He leapt up with a toy and just collapsed onto the cushions and started snoring.
I have sewn the middle section of the quilt and want to get the first border made and attached tomorrow if I have time. Then I may add another round of squares and a second, wider, border. It all hangs on what catches my eye when I dip into the boxes of fabrics.
Dinner was a much enjoyed, and needed, Pasta Puttanesca. As spicy as we like it minus the anchovies. A glug of dark soy sauce, along with lots of fat black olives, gives the required saltiness.
Tomorrows dinner is as yet undecided, it will be something fairly simple as my day will be busy again.
Now my eyes are as tired as the rest of me so I am off to bed for a nice early night.
Keep safe.
TTFN Pam
Saturday, 11 July 2020
Friday, 10 July 2020
busy busy and chill
It has been a lovely day, the day started with the odd glimmer of sun and a few crums of blue sky peeping shyly through the clouds. Then with an almost audible whoosh the sun came out, banished the grey and announced that it really was still summer.
I had the dogs out for their walk and relished the heat even if I was squelching along, mud and viscous fluid ozzing through the grasses underfoot.
Herbie seems to delight in stomping and bouncing in the surface water while Poppy picks her way daintily along. The ever mad Revi bounds along like a Springbok raising sprays of dirty water in her wake.
2 loads of laundry done and pegged out and a cursory whizz round the house and I settled down for some gentle sewing.
I have been through the scrap bins over the past few days and assembled a fair pile of 41/2" squares. These were sewn into pairs, pressed and then laid out on my bed. No fussing, just making sure that no identical patterns touched, I have 3 rows sewn, pressed and clipped together ready for stitching together in the morning. I will work through the rest 3 rows at a time.
This project will be a gift for someone special and I have wadding and backing fabric ready. Much as I would love to make one of my quilt patterns up I am restricted to what I can see to do clearly.
I need, and want, to spend a large chunk of time in the garden. The forecast is okay for the weekend so it will be bottom up and head down. I have plants that need tying in, dead heading and millions of strawberry runners to chop off. My plants have reached the end of their lives and I will be planting a new bed of bought plants this autumn. Cambridge Favourite is top of my list, they are a reliable mid season variety. They have a wonderful aroma, are sweet to eat right off the plant and make really lovely jam.
I am planning on putting a grow tunnel in the garden, probably an insect mesh wonderwall with some heavy duty polythene over one area for tomato and cucumber plants.
Have you spotted that Amanda, Crafty in the Med is back with us. She has a giveaway running till the end of the month to celebrate her return and fresh start. I know how fast the time slips away, a couple of days soon morphs into weeks and months. It is lovely to see her back.
Now I think that it is time for bed, Herbie will be up and raring to go by 7 at the latest and I need tea before I face the big outdoors.
Keep safe.
TTFN Pam
I had the dogs out for their walk and relished the heat even if I was squelching along, mud and viscous fluid ozzing through the grasses underfoot.
Herbie seems to delight in stomping and bouncing in the surface water while Poppy picks her way daintily along. The ever mad Revi bounds along like a Springbok raising sprays of dirty water in her wake.
2 loads of laundry done and pegged out and a cursory whizz round the house and I settled down for some gentle sewing.
I have been through the scrap bins over the past few days and assembled a fair pile of 41/2" squares. These were sewn into pairs, pressed and then laid out on my bed. No fussing, just making sure that no identical patterns touched, I have 3 rows sewn, pressed and clipped together ready for stitching together in the morning. I will work through the rest 3 rows at a time.
This project will be a gift for someone special and I have wadding and backing fabric ready. Much as I would love to make one of my quilt patterns up I am restricted to what I can see to do clearly.
I need, and want, to spend a large chunk of time in the garden. The forecast is okay for the weekend so it will be bottom up and head down. I have plants that need tying in, dead heading and millions of strawberry runners to chop off. My plants have reached the end of their lives and I will be planting a new bed of bought plants this autumn. Cambridge Favourite is top of my list, they are a reliable mid season variety. They have a wonderful aroma, are sweet to eat right off the plant and make really lovely jam.
I am planning on putting a grow tunnel in the garden, probably an insect mesh wonderwall with some heavy duty polythene over one area for tomato and cucumber plants.
Have you spotted that Amanda, Crafty in the Med is back with us. She has a giveaway running till the end of the month to celebrate her return and fresh start. I know how fast the time slips away, a couple of days soon morphs into weeks and months. It is lovely to see her back.
Now I think that it is time for bed, Herbie will be up and raring to go by 7 at the latest and I need tea before I face the big outdoors.
Keep safe.
TTFN Pam
Wednesday, 8 July 2020
Long time no see
In fact I am seeing very little that is clear these days, I ache to get my eyes tested. I am not ready to be stuck in a small enclosed space with somebody as close as they have to be. No matter what protective apparel they, and I, may be wearing.
I have been busy with helping Michael who incidently has managed to split his thumb open and damage the bone. The less said about it all the better.
Then there are the trying trio of Revi, Poppy and Herbie. Walking them without playing Russian Roulette with other people on narrow footpaths means an earlier than usual walk. That is an hour or more, followed with play in the garden and then a later walk in the evening.
You would think that I would be a few mm shorter and at least a Kg or so thinner, Not a bit. I may not have grown, what are being dubbed, Lockdown Love Handles but no weight has been shed here.
My scales and eyes tell me that I need to lose a bit, quite a bit, but i am as fit as the proverbial butcher,s dog and, almost, as agile as a flea.( None of those in this house thank you very much.)
I am knitting through my bright and light yarns and socks are practically falling off the needles.
I have worked through some of the WIP pile, only one was frogged and that yarn has been divided into 2 cakes ready for more socks.
I am mostly using the Fleegle heel as my eyes can cope with that, double stitches and wrap and turns are a stitch too far. I do have the Fish Lips Kiss heel pattern but really cannot be bothered.
Some of these socks have been for small people, Jess,s girls are in love with "Pam Socks", at 20 odd grams a pair I can churn them out. I do use a heel flap and gusset for them, I can manage to pick up 12 slipped stitches on each side as long as I mark the first one with a lightbulb marker.
Likewise with sewing, I have run up a few pairs of long trousers for them, elastic waist, no zips or button holes, I am working through the larger scrap pieces. I have found a couple of free top patterns for them and they are next on the list.
Then there is the garden, we have had heatwave followed by cool wet weather with the odd downpour, rinse and repeat. It is a chore to keep the grass looking halfway decent and the weed level acceptable. I seem to spend half my time at the compost bins and a big chunk dead heading after the rain has done its best to ruin every flower.
The one shining light is the window box in the little back courtyard. It is a sea of flowers, all planted in spring last year, there has been some colour right from that May. I do feed them wth nettle tea and have added the odd sprinkle of fish, blood and bone. This Autumn I have to take them out an replant as they have really outgrown the space.
The dogs are sprawled out over both sofas, snoring one against the other so I grabbed the chance to get a post up. This mornings rain has abated and it is quite clear but not remotely sunny, so my next move will be to get them outside to play whilst I pick vegetables for dinner. The early potatoes are in buckets and once I empty one the compost gets a handful of F,B & Bone, a little fresh compost and goes back into the bucket. Each one then gets 6 leeks planted and is put back into its space. I will not be hacking at frozen ground to make leek and potato soup in the winter.
I hope that you are all well and safe, I am erring on the side of caution and still using my weekly Asda slot. They may not stock every thing that I would like but I have become adept at making the best of what I can get.
I am not sure that I will be changing back when I feel that it is safe to do so. I quite like having somebody pick and pack my shopping, it is just a shame that I have to stack it away myself.
Stay safe and make the best of every day.
TTFN Pam
I have been busy with helping Michael who incidently has managed to split his thumb open and damage the bone. The less said about it all the better.
Then there are the trying trio of Revi, Poppy and Herbie. Walking them without playing Russian Roulette with other people on narrow footpaths means an earlier than usual walk. That is an hour or more, followed with play in the garden and then a later walk in the evening.
You would think that I would be a few mm shorter and at least a Kg or so thinner, Not a bit. I may not have grown, what are being dubbed, Lockdown Love Handles but no weight has been shed here.
My scales and eyes tell me that I need to lose a bit, quite a bit, but i am as fit as the proverbial butcher,s dog and, almost, as agile as a flea.( None of those in this house thank you very much.)
I am knitting through my bright and light yarns and socks are practically falling off the needles.
I have worked through some of the WIP pile, only one was frogged and that yarn has been divided into 2 cakes ready for more socks.
I am mostly using the Fleegle heel as my eyes can cope with that, double stitches and wrap and turns are a stitch too far. I do have the Fish Lips Kiss heel pattern but really cannot be bothered.
Some of these socks have been for small people, Jess,s girls are in love with "Pam Socks", at 20 odd grams a pair I can churn them out. I do use a heel flap and gusset for them, I can manage to pick up 12 slipped stitches on each side as long as I mark the first one with a lightbulb marker.
Likewise with sewing, I have run up a few pairs of long trousers for them, elastic waist, no zips or button holes, I am working through the larger scrap pieces. I have found a couple of free top patterns for them and they are next on the list.
Then there is the garden, we have had heatwave followed by cool wet weather with the odd downpour, rinse and repeat. It is a chore to keep the grass looking halfway decent and the weed level acceptable. I seem to spend half my time at the compost bins and a big chunk dead heading after the rain has done its best to ruin every flower.
The one shining light is the window box in the little back courtyard. It is a sea of flowers, all planted in spring last year, there has been some colour right from that May. I do feed them wth nettle tea and have added the odd sprinkle of fish, blood and bone. This Autumn I have to take them out an replant as they have really outgrown the space.
The dogs are sprawled out over both sofas, snoring one against the other so I grabbed the chance to get a post up. This mornings rain has abated and it is quite clear but not remotely sunny, so my next move will be to get them outside to play whilst I pick vegetables for dinner. The early potatoes are in buckets and once I empty one the compost gets a handful of F,B & Bone, a little fresh compost and goes back into the bucket. Each one then gets 6 leeks planted and is put back into its space. I will not be hacking at frozen ground to make leek and potato soup in the winter.
I hope that you are all well and safe, I am erring on the side of caution and still using my weekly Asda slot. They may not stock every thing that I would like but I have become adept at making the best of what I can get.
I am not sure that I will be changing back when I feel that it is safe to do so. I quite like having somebody pick and pack my shopping, it is just a shame that I have to stack it away myself.
Stay safe and make the best of every day.
TTFN Pam
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Many thanks
Thankyou so much for all the good wishes for Michael. He got through the appointment and treatment but there may be another op later, it has been suggested that a bone graft may take place.
The weather has been all over the show, pounding rain, blazing sun, strong winds and total calm with a smattering of mist and fog. At least there has not been any white stuff.
The grass is approaching hay length but I am not bothered. I can always strim it before mowing.
The veg garden is romping ahead in some places and falling behind in others.
The sock knitting is going well and the floof for Francesca's sweater has arrived, bliss, pure bliss, it's like touching a warm cloud.
I ordered it from itsastitchupyarn and the service was brilliant. I realised that I had not oredered enough so messaged Suzie. She instantly told me to order another and she would refund the extra postage, which by the way was for the complete order not just 1 skein. It arrived yesterday, that's just 3 days delivery time.
I will certainly use the shop again and will check it out on a regular basis, I don't want to miss anything.
I have my eye on a new teapot, not a specific one, with an infuser. There is a famous make that has a French Press, very nice but I am not a fan of transparent pots. I will mull it over and whatever I decide upon will go on my wish list.
I am under orders to replenish it after my birthday gifts emptied it.
I do like a surprise as long as it is well considered, Francesca knows my taste but likes a list to chose from as does Michael.
People that I gift to like anything that I knit, sew or crochet. That is very good for me as I am never without something lovely to work on.
Good loose leaf tea, Assam in particular is always on my list, along with coffee beans. I have gone completely away from tea bags and instant coffee. I have the coffee filter machine and a French Press and 2 different size tea leaf infusers. The only issue with the latter is that they are very hot to handle once the tea has brewed. Sugar tongs are rather short for removing them from the pot.
At the moment it is raining quite hard, Revi has just galloped outside so I need to grab a dog towel
I am still mulling over the hoover situation, I will make my mind up soon.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
The weather has been all over the show, pounding rain, blazing sun, strong winds and total calm with a smattering of mist and fog. At least there has not been any white stuff.
The grass is approaching hay length but I am not bothered. I can always strim it before mowing.
The veg garden is romping ahead in some places and falling behind in others.
The sock knitting is going well and the floof for Francesca's sweater has arrived, bliss, pure bliss, it's like touching a warm cloud.
I ordered it from itsastitchupyarn and the service was brilliant. I realised that I had not oredered enough so messaged Suzie. She instantly told me to order another and she would refund the extra postage, which by the way was for the complete order not just 1 skein. It arrived yesterday, that's just 3 days delivery time.
I will certainly use the shop again and will check it out on a regular basis, I don't want to miss anything.
I have my eye on a new teapot, not a specific one, with an infuser. There is a famous make that has a French Press, very nice but I am not a fan of transparent pots. I will mull it over and whatever I decide upon will go on my wish list.
I am under orders to replenish it after my birthday gifts emptied it.
I do like a surprise as long as it is well considered, Francesca knows my taste but likes a list to chose from as does Michael.
People that I gift to like anything that I knit, sew or crochet. That is very good for me as I am never without something lovely to work on.
Good loose leaf tea, Assam in particular is always on my list, along with coffee beans. I have gone completely away from tea bags and instant coffee. I have the coffee filter machine and a French Press and 2 different size tea leaf infusers. The only issue with the latter is that they are very hot to handle once the tea has brewed. Sugar tongs are rather short for removing them from the pot.
At the moment it is raining quite hard, Revi has just galloped outside so I need to grab a dog towel
I am still mulling over the hoover situation, I will make my mind up soon.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Sunday, 14 June 2020
It never rains
But it pours.
Michael is back in hospital, complications resulting in surgery later today.
I fell into bed quite early but have now been awake for a couple of hours.
Herbie is most put out and has been searching the house, he doesn't like it when one of us is missing.
I threw the towel in and brought him down, there was to be no rest whilst he pitter patted up and down.
I have been indulging in some retail therapy, not for me. I found the undyed suri alpaca silk and 4 skeins of that are headed in my direction. I was intending to dye 4 skeins of fingering weight yarn but found an Etsy shop having a sale, there was a colourway that was perfect for Francesca so she will have a Paloma for either birthday or Christmas.
I blanched at the total cost and dived headfirst into my stash, I found some long hoarded cream wool and have cast on a Penny sweater from Tin Can Knits, it's a paid for pattern, knitted bottom up in the round and joined at the arm holes. It has a V neck but I may well change that into a crewe or even a roll neck. It has become a tradition that she has 2 garments, at least 1 hat and a few pairs of socks shared between Birthday in November and Christmas.
Herbie has settled down and is snoring so I will see if it is possible to get back to bed myself. I hope that he settles down, I like my sleep, not a massive amount but unbroken.
We have had glorious hot sunny days with cool and rainy nights, good for the garden, not so much for those looking to make hay.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Michael is back in hospital, complications resulting in surgery later today.
I fell into bed quite early but have now been awake for a couple of hours.
Herbie is most put out and has been searching the house, he doesn't like it when one of us is missing.
I threw the towel in and brought him down, there was to be no rest whilst he pitter patted up and down.
I have been indulging in some retail therapy, not for me. I found the undyed suri alpaca silk and 4 skeins of that are headed in my direction. I was intending to dye 4 skeins of fingering weight yarn but found an Etsy shop having a sale, there was a colourway that was perfect for Francesca so she will have a Paloma for either birthday or Christmas.
I blanched at the total cost and dived headfirst into my stash, I found some long hoarded cream wool and have cast on a Penny sweater from Tin Can Knits, it's a paid for pattern, knitted bottom up in the round and joined at the arm holes. It has a V neck but I may well change that into a crewe or even a roll neck. It has become a tradition that she has 2 garments, at least 1 hat and a few pairs of socks shared between Birthday in November and Christmas.
Herbie has settled down and is snoring so I will see if it is possible to get back to bed myself. I hope that he settles down, I like my sleep, not a massive amount but unbroken.
We have had glorious hot sunny days with cool and rainy nights, good for the garden, not so much for those looking to make hay.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
Thursday, 11 June 2020
How far will it go?
The protesting.
Yes many wrongs were commited in the past, some of it not so distant.
Gang masters have been responsible for virtual slavery toward migrant workers fron Europe.
Zero hour contracts, may not be slavery but they have very long reaching consequences.
Statues being toppled, I can understand that in the heat of the moment, but to then tip them into docks where they become a danger No.
How far will it go?
Will direct descendants be strung up?
Will estates and monies be seized?
Will our goverment (such as they are) be thrown out leaving us in chaos. After all the government of the time approved of the Slavers, possibly many members of parliament had their snouts in the trough.
Will Queen Victoria statues be removed, and every Queen Vic or Prince Albert pub be renamed. After all they were in full knowledge of these happenings
Taking it a step further will all blonde haired, blue eyed people have to prove that they are not descendants of Hitlers breeding program.
Yes , it all sounds pretty far fetched. But who could have predicted the recent scens across the world.
My grandfather was in both world wars. His view was that war should never be glorified but that it should also never be forgotten.
History is what it is. To try to sanitise it is morally wrong.
Children, and many adults, need to be able to know what happened. To know that people who are on pedestals for their ability to make vast amounts of money did not do it kindly.
Across the world there are rafts of exceedingly wealthy families. Much of this wealth comes from nefarious sources.
Many such families chose to do good with their wealth. Should they now be vilified, their history wiped from the books. How and why should they be held responsible for the acts of generations ago.
These people were products of their time and they and their acts should never be hidden from view. They should stand as a warning to future money and power greedy generations. These things must not be allowed to resurface, nor anything like them.
Knowledge is power.
Ignorance may be bliss but it can lead to unmentionable wickedness.
That's it. Soapbox away.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
PS. no diatribe comments please this is just my reaction to the craziness about me. I learnt about creatures such as Cecil Rhodes at school. I may despise him and his ilk but I want other children to be able to learn as well.
Yes many wrongs were commited in the past, some of it not so distant.
Gang masters have been responsible for virtual slavery toward migrant workers fron Europe.
Zero hour contracts, may not be slavery but they have very long reaching consequences.
Statues being toppled, I can understand that in the heat of the moment, but to then tip them into docks where they become a danger No.
How far will it go?
Will direct descendants be strung up?
Will estates and monies be seized?
Will our goverment (such as they are) be thrown out leaving us in chaos. After all the government of the time approved of the Slavers, possibly many members of parliament had their snouts in the trough.
Will Queen Victoria statues be removed, and every Queen Vic or Prince Albert pub be renamed. After all they were in full knowledge of these happenings
Taking it a step further will all blonde haired, blue eyed people have to prove that they are not descendants of Hitlers breeding program.
Yes , it all sounds pretty far fetched. But who could have predicted the recent scens across the world.
My grandfather was in both world wars. His view was that war should never be glorified but that it should also never be forgotten.
History is what it is. To try to sanitise it is morally wrong.
Children, and many adults, need to be able to know what happened. To know that people who are on pedestals for their ability to make vast amounts of money did not do it kindly.
Across the world there are rafts of exceedingly wealthy families. Much of this wealth comes from nefarious sources.
Many such families chose to do good with their wealth. Should they now be vilified, their history wiped from the books. How and why should they be held responsible for the acts of generations ago.
These people were products of their time and they and their acts should never be hidden from view. They should stand as a warning to future money and power greedy generations. These things must not be allowed to resurface, nor anything like them.
Knowledge is power.
Ignorance may be bliss but it can lead to unmentionable wickedness.
That's it. Soapbox away.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
PS. no diatribe comments please this is just my reaction to the craziness about me. I learnt about creatures such as Cecil Rhodes at school. I may despise him and his ilk but I want other children to be able to learn as well.
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
Feeling chipper
I am feeling much more myself today, still being careful though. The dogs had a new walk today to a place where they could have some off lead time with lots of space to run round in. They enjoyed it and it gave me a breather before the walk home. The sun was shining but within an hour the rain arrived, nice and gentle so doing good.
It has brought the slugs and snails out so I have had a picking session, nasty things. I have a resident toad but he must be having an away day, I didn't see him but there were some empty half crushed shells around.
I have been sitting on the Paloma sweater pattern for a while, humming and haahing over whether or not to knit it. Then I saw Nicky Winterton, on her blog Sheep and Cheerful, trying hers on and my mind was made up. Not one but two, one for Francesca and one for me.
I had a look online and found fingering weight for both, then looked for suri alpaca silk. Hah! Undyed is sold out everywhere. My plan was, and still is, to pick really strong colours in the fingering and tone them down with undyed fluff. I did toy briefly with reversing it but threw that idea in the bin.
Anyone know where I can source said fluff. I can get kidsilk mohair but both Francesca and I find it scratchy.
I usually go to blueface.com, but they are out of stock. I did find some on an Indie dyers site but it was rather overpriced.
I will buy the coloured yarn and hope to locate the lace weight sooner rather than later. I do have a few months before it will be cool enough to wear sweaters, fingers crossed.
Meanwhile I am at the ribbing on the blue socks and halfway up the leg on the paler pair. Even with the rain it has been bright enough for the darker yarn today, a bit iffy at times with a terrier on my lap, but I managed to get quite a bit done.
Herbie has finally given in and gone to sleep, he has such a good time with Revi. They are a perfect match though she towers over him.
I am ready for a cuppa now, the kitchen is put to rights after dinner an I am eyeing my knitting up. I have a film to watch and could well finish the ribbing whilst watching it.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
It has brought the slugs and snails out so I have had a picking session, nasty things. I have a resident toad but he must be having an away day, I didn't see him but there were some empty half crushed shells around.
I have been sitting on the Paloma sweater pattern for a while, humming and haahing over whether or not to knit it. Then I saw Nicky Winterton, on her blog Sheep and Cheerful, trying hers on and my mind was made up. Not one but two, one for Francesca and one for me.
I had a look online and found fingering weight for both, then looked for suri alpaca silk. Hah! Undyed is sold out everywhere. My plan was, and still is, to pick really strong colours in the fingering and tone them down with undyed fluff. I did toy briefly with reversing it but threw that idea in the bin.
Anyone know where I can source said fluff. I can get kidsilk mohair but both Francesca and I find it scratchy.
I usually go to blueface.com, but they are out of stock. I did find some on an Indie dyers site but it was rather overpriced.
I will buy the coloured yarn and hope to locate the lace weight sooner rather than later. I do have a few months before it will be cool enough to wear sweaters, fingers crossed.
Meanwhile I am at the ribbing on the blue socks and halfway up the leg on the paler pair. Even with the rain it has been bright enough for the darker yarn today, a bit iffy at times with a terrier on my lap, but I managed to get quite a bit done.
Herbie has finally given in and gone to sleep, he has such a good time with Revi. They are a perfect match though she towers over him.
I am ready for a cuppa now, the kitchen is put to rights after dinner an I am eyeing my knitting up. I have a film to watch and could well finish the ribbing whilst watching it.
Stay safe.
TTFN Pam
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