tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29259181661842236682024-03-14T06:21:15.895+00:00Calico Rabbit... have less, do less, be moreDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-25888022950814061212009-07-02T11:29:00.008+01:002009-07-02T12:23:27.217+01:00Graduation Day<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been absent from here for some time due to a major computer failure (a word of advice to everyone who owns a computer and stores photos, documents, music etc - BACK UP EVERYTHING - regularly and often). Our hard drive failed and <em>everything</em> is gone, and the last time I did a back up was May 2007 so many photos and correspondence etc are lost for good. With a new hard drive in place I can now use the computer again but am so cross with myself for not being better at securing all our files. My son is devastated at the loss of many of his files and probably will never forgive me.<br /><br />Meanwhile life went on without access to the internet, and when I finally got back I had over 600 favourite blog entries to read (still trying to catch up even now).<br /><br />Since I last posted I have been on a short break to Helsinki with my daughter to celebrate her graduation. I will post about that separately. But more importantly, yesterday was Graduation Day and I was so proud (allow a mother to boast...) She received a First Class degree (BSc in Psychology), together with The Chancellors Award for the Best Student 2009, the British Psychological Society Undergraduate Award and the university's Department of Psychology Award.</span><br /><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353813124333097362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SkyQq72y0ZI/AAAAAAAAAe8/uJW5y-FJf4s/s320/untitled.JPG" /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">A wonderful and truly well-deserved achievement.</span> </p><p></p>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-81323993598700153822009-05-22T12:22:00.007+01:002009-05-22T13:16:36.255+01:00Des Res<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ShaRBe7_III/AAAAAAAAAeY/jqrpOLPQYyc/s1600-h/DSC04951.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338613862964863106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ShaRBe7_III/AAAAAAAAAeY/jqrpOLPQYyc/s320/DSC04951.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">It may say something about me, but one of the most exciting moments of my rather mundane life, was having bluetits take up residence in our garden this year. I won't win any awards as wildlife photographer of the year, but I managed to snap this picture this morning. There are six chicks in there, and they all look pretty healthy.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338607980631656322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ShaLrFidh4I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/P5zcpnXMy-o/s320/DSC04949.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Their mum and dad are the hardest working parents imaginable - they're providing a constant supply of live insects for their babies as they fly back and forth throughout daylight hours. Occasionally they stop for a snack themselves, and I always try to keep a good supply of bird seed, peanuts, suet balls etc. I don't know how soon these little ones will leave the nest, but I would love to see them when they make their first flight. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">We get plenty of birds in the garden, sparrows, blackbirds, starlings, collared doves, pigeons, robins, and even have occasional sightings of wrens and thrushes. We also see swallows and swifts overhead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">We've also seen a couple of hedgehogs over the past few weeks, and I have put food out for them occasionally, though I don't think there is any shortage of slugs and snails for them in my garden!</span></p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">As part of my effort to reduce my impact on the environment was to replace my ancient Flymo with a human powered lawnmower. It's pretty good, quite lightweight and easy to use and it even has a grass box, which means I can either add the grass clippings to the compost bin, or allow it to dry and use it for the rabbits' litter trays.</span> <br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338619574902828578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ShaWN9kHriI/AAAAAAAAAeg/Hf3DfRI6Xwc/s320/DSC04952.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-84428713052563208972009-05-17T08:23:00.005+01:002009-05-17T18:14:09.562+01:00Potholders and Teatowel SwapI recently joined in the latest swap organised by Rhonda, Sharon and Rose at <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/">Down_to_Earth</a>, but have been so busy I haven't had time to put up photos of my efforts - and the lovely items I received from my swap partner <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/bytherailwayline/">Jo</a>, so here goes: <div><div></div><br /><div>These are the lovely patchwork potholders and teatowels Jo made. She said she learned how to make her own bias binding for this project. Thanks Jo - they are beautiful. We also exchanged recipes - Jo gave me her recipes for Stuffed Courgette Ring Crumble and Sweet Potato Burritos. I'm planning to try those burritos some time this week.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336696716189912514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Sg_BY2p-TcI/AAAAAAAAAeA/TgZ1lCwimC8/s320/DSC04837.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><div>These are my finished items (sorry, not a very good photo).</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336696721872444722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Sg_BZL0y3TI/AAAAAAAAAeI/NKrNTXi9X-o/s320/DSC04773.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>The materials I used were a new piece of fabric I bought from a charity shop - about 2 metres long which means I have enough to make something else in the future, and the teapot and coffee pot were cut out from some calico offcuts I already had, and appliqued on by machine then chain stiched in contrasting brown thread. I got the template for the tea and coffee pots from <a href="http://tipnut.com/category/crafts/embroidery/">Tipnut</a>, where you can find loads of free resources for all sorts of crafts. I increased the size of the picture on a photocopier.<br /><br />I think some of the great things about these blogs swaps is how we look for inspiration from other bloggers, learn new skills, brush up on old ones, find ways of using existing items from our stashes or find thrifting materials from various sources. And of course, get to meet new people too!</div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-72820193867196671982009-03-18T09:45:00.007+00:002009-03-18T10:29:51.378+00:00A new forest in EssexThis may look like a field to you, but look closer - it's a baby forest.<br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ScDJm9izi-I/AAAAAAAAAdo/oOZqScoPnqk/s1600-h/DSC04397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314469231489944546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ScDJm9izi-I/AAAAAAAAAdo/oOZqScoPnqk/s320/DSC04397.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>This is at Elmstead Market (near Colchester) where I joined in a tree planting event on Saturday. It was organised by the Woodland Trust, and was part of a project to <a href="http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/elmstead/">create a new forest</a>. I went along with my spade and wellies and we were all shown how to dig a hole, pop in the sapling and firm it in, and put a cane and a plastic tube to protect the young tree. I was given holly, dogwood, hawthorn and dog rose saplings to plant, four at a time. Over a couple of hours I managed to plant 40 little saplings in the hedgerow area, but I think the goal for the day was to plant over 1,700 saplings, both hedgerow and the actual forest, though many hundreds had already been planted. It was a lovely sunny day, and quite a few people turned out to join in, including lots of families. Some even brought along a picnic and made a day out of it. The Woodland Trust people provided hot drinks and had a supply of spare spades of all sizes for people who didn't bring their own. </div><br /><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314472380928171938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ScDMeSHZH6I/AAAAAAAAAd4/h1gQKQp7UJc/s320/DSC04400.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>In a few years this area will be covered in lovely native trees, and the forest will be open to the public.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314466997550549170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/ScDHk7eJiLI/AAAAAAAAAdI/VTmZ8-T3Mf8/s320/DSC04392.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>The Woodland Trust organise quite a few events around the country, <a href="http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/getinvolved/index.htm">so find out if there is one near you</a>. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-19179050298412327302009-03-13T17:21:00.006+00:002009-03-13T18:16:39.079+00:00Rubbish Free Week 9-15 March 2009<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Sbqis8X0LEI/AAAAAAAAAc4/oLp6DWNf-Y8/s1600-h/MaleMagnets.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312737603440880706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Sbqis8X0LEI/AAAAAAAAAc4/oLp6DWNf-Y8/s320/MaleMagnets.gif" border="0" /></a> Here in Essex the County Council is promoting a <a href="http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/microsites/RecycleForEssex/rubbishmain.htm">Rubbish Free Week</a>. I'm one of the approximately 600 people who signed up and am finding it a real struggle to be completely rubbish free. <div><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 480px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/image/7/c/cbc3653_(o)_large.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Greengrocers in Chelmsford Market </span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(picture borrowed from Chelmsford Borough Council's website - I hope they don't mind)</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></em>However, I am making very conscious choices about how I deal with each item of rubbish and changing the way I shop to have less rubbish that will end up in landfill. For example, I didn't shop for fruit and veg in the supermarket as I didn't want to have bananas, cucumber etc encased in plastic. As I work in Chelmsford and there are two greengrocers in the market, I bought most of my fruit and vegetables "naked". Swede, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, bananas, apples and onions all loose and straight from the scale into my shopping bag (which I brought with me).</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312727648117110978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbqZpd5quMI/AAAAAAAAAcw/PX3_t6Yq_1E/s320/ChoosetoReuseLogo.gif" border="0" /><br />Essex County Council have a "Choose2Reuse Tuesday" event at County Hall every month, and this month's coincided with Rubbish Free Week. The idea is to take unwanted items in, take items that you want that other people have brought, and anything left over is donated to local charity shops. I took some paperbacks, a few kitchen items and couple of other odds and ends and came away with a CD, two books, and a cute toy rabbit which is sitting on my office desk. When I've read the books they'll go back again next month. The next event is on Tuesday 7th April. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In Essex we have a recycling rate of 38%, which is slightly better than the national average. We must all do better, but at the same time making better choices about what we buy, so that we have less non-recyclable packaging. If we are more conscious of what happens to all those plastic bags and wrappings when we've finished with them, we might shop differently. </div><div></div><br /><div>How well am I doing with being Rubbish Free? Well if I'm honest, I do have some rubbish - pretty much all plastic food packaging, but a little less than usual. In a typical week there is one carrier bag in our dustbin and so far we have about half a carrier bag full. If we can be very careful over the weekend then we should have reduced our landfill waste by about a third. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Footnote: I am very sorry to hear about the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSLD21345920090313">decision in the High Court today </a>to allow an additional 10 million passengers a year at Stansted Airport (and increase of about 30%). Stansted is in the middle of rural Essex and this must be a huge blow to local people. This will mean about 25,000 additional flights in and out of Stansted, which only has one runway, so this must have enormous implications for noise, air pollution, increase in road traffic etc. </div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-90187810869517727232009-03-05T17:50:00.008+00:002009-03-05T18:39:45.452+00:00Composting with rabbits!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309771019677535682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAYnCqLDcI/AAAAAAAAAco/Ok41QZanT7Q/s320/DSC04173.JPG" border="0" />(Bramble) </span></div><div align="center"><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">As the owner of two rather large rabbits, I get quite a lot of rabbit droppings to dispose of. As rabbits are vegetarians their manure is perfect for making compost, and I thought I would show you what happens when you use rabbit droppings in your compost bin.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309764819736496034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAS-KFCh6I/AAAAAAAAAbg/A9TDil_Vk4E/s320/DSC04164.JPG" border="0" />Rabbits should always have a ready supply of hay and/or straw as bedding, and if they are litter box trained the bedding materials stay clean and dry and although you could put that hay or straw straight into the compost bin, every week or so I clear out the used bedding, mix it up with shredded paper and use it to fill their litter trays. I can get unlimited shredded paper from my office, but I also shred the few bits of mail that I receive (I don't get much junk mail now as I always ask to be removed from mailing lists).<br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAS-madm-I/AAAAAAAAAbo/B997aaNX2R8/s1600-h/DSC04165.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309764827342543842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAS-madm-I/AAAAAAAAAbo/B997aaNX2R8/s320/DSC04165.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">I make up about 10 litter trays, which usually lasts about a week, as I change at least one every day. Our rabbits have one litter tray inside their house, and two outside. Rabbits are actually very clean animals and in the wild would never urinate in the same area they sleep in. Unfortunately, many people keep rabbits in housing that is much too small, and they have no choice but to go in the area where their food or nest area is. If you've been here before you will know that I've gone to the other extreme and given them </span><a href="http://calicorabbit.blogspot.com/2007/05/bunny-house.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">lots of room </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">.<br /><br />Anyway these are the litter trays all made up:<br /></span></div><div><div><div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309766475257212466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAUehX77jI/AAAAAAAAAbw/Z5yBuZaZMXs/s320/DSC04166.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309766484506471746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAUfD1IbUI/AAAAAAAAAb4/tnLK8fJTcaQ/s320/DSC04167.JPG" border="0" />And when they're full, the whole lot gets emptied into the compost bin.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309766488647123906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAUfTQVw8I/AAAAAAAAAcA/dE6Jq3a9EKI/s320/DSC04168.JPG" border="0" />Give it a quick stir around... add a few kitchen scraps and garden waste<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309766495047934338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAUfrGaYYI/AAAAAAAAAcI/EcUW46vEr_0/s320/DSC04169.JPG" border="0" /> Keep adding to the bin until it is full right to the top, and then just leave it undisturbed for a while.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309771002675211106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAYmDUgK2I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/_Q3Sa6rrBJs/s320/DSC04170.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div></div><span style="font-size:130%;">And in no time the worms will start doing their magic...<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309771006093021634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAYmQDX0cI/AAAAAAAAAcY/sLumLg-dDzA/s320/DSC04172.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Then after a few months, it will look something like this....<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309771017256636738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SbAYm5o_EUI/AAAAAAAAAcg/hw8yxcG3Ak8/s320/DSC04171.JPG" border="0" /><br />Ready to dig into the garden. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Our compost bins never really get smelly; I have three of the heavy duty plastic bins, but even in really hot weather I never notice a bad smell. All my bins stand on the soil, which helps with draining away excess moisture and allows the worms to get in. I have a couple of old bits of carpet which I put over the top in very cold weather, just to make sure the worms don't freeze, and it's surprising how quickly it all turns into very nice compost. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I've just emptied out one of my bins and have spread the contents all around the garden, and used some to top up pots with perennials and shrubs in. All the rabbit droppings, paper, straw, waste vegetable matter etc have made a really lovely dark rich compost for improving the garden soil, and it's completely free!</span></div><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-6942319389064808532009-02-25T20:30:00.005+00:002009-02-25T21:07:35.652+00:00Wiltshire weekend<div>I had a lovely weekend in Wiltshire with my lovely daughter; we walked, talked, ate cakes and cream teas and had a really relaxing time.<br /><div><br /><div><div></div><div>We stayed here</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306844434085189010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SaWy5VvoFZI/AAAAAAAAAbY/9sOIZW8Cqyw/s320/P1020105.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>We visited Avebury,</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306838471047069794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SaWtePsjQGI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/pXikVl33yPo/s320/P1020090.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Salisbury,</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306837887621733826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SaWs8SRHHcI/AAAAAAAAAbI/Aiwxkxxc9nE/s320/P1020131.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>and Lacock.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306836800835645906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SaWr9BrHcdI/AAAAAAAAAbA/86SGJrjGc_E/s320/P1020146.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>It was wonderful. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-87942977090288422012009-02-17T10:50:00.003+00:002009-02-17T11:47:44.793+00:00Easter Chicks<span style="font-family:arial;">I received an anonymous comment recently asking for a pattern to make the </span><a href="http://calicorabbit.blogspot.com/2007/03/easter-chicks.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Easter Chicks </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I mentioned a long time ago, and couldn't reply direct as there were no contact details. <br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I've had this pattern for many years, just jotted on a scrap of paper, and have occasionally adapted it slightly, but to be honest, it's technically not mine. So I hope that by giving the pattern here I won't be contravening any copyright law!</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SZqhYUQoOBI/AAAAAAAAAag/1165b7MMj3M/s1600-h/DSC04280.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303728950309566482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SZqhYUQoOBI/AAAAAAAAAag/1165b7MMj3M/s320/DSC04280.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Easter Chicks </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Using 4ply wool in lemon or yellow and using No 3(11) needles, cast on 26 stitches.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 1 - K</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 2 - Inc, K10, inc, K2, inc, K10, inc</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 3 and alt rows - K</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 4 - Inc, K12, inc, K2, inc, K12, inc</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 6 - Inc, K14, inc, K2, inc, K14, inc</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Rows 7-14 - K</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 15 - Inc, K to end, Inc</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 16 - K</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 17 - As row 15</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 18 - K</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 19 - As row 15 (44 sts)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Row 20 - Cast off 12, K20, cast off 12</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Rejoin wool to remaining 20 sts</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">K 14 rows</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Pull wool through remaining stitches and gather tightly. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Sew seam, stuff head with cotton wool or toy stuffing fibre, run a thread around the base of the neck and pull tight to shape and finish off loose ends.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Embroider eyes with black thread, or use felt dots</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Cut beaks from orange felt and sew on, or knit from contrasting orange or dark yellow wool.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The beaks on mine are literally three stitches cast on and cast off again, but you can do anything you like.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">You can use "fluffy" wools to give a different effect, especially some of the baby wools that have a fleecy feel. I've knitted the chicks in double knit and chunky wools too (you might want to adjust the pattern or your needles a bit if using chunky as they come up much bigger).</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I've also knitted hens using beige or brown, and create a little comb from red wool. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">These I knitted in stocking stitch instead of plain knitting but they don't look quite right somehow. </span></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SZqhYQrMEVI/AAAAAAAAAaY/-fRWCOsQ108/s1600-h/DSC04279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303728949347225938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SZqhYQrMEVI/AAAAAAAAAaY/-fRWCOsQ108/s320/DSC04279.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-49486509830957240482009-01-26T22:26:00.013+00:002009-01-26T23:42:25.012+00:00Basket making<div><div>I had a wonderful Christmas present from my daughter - she paid for me to go on a two day basket weaving course. It was really enjoyable, and in the two days I learned how to make some willow baskets. Everyone on the course started from the same basis, with two hoops, and each of us ended with a very individual result.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5B4e83-XI/AAAAAAAAAZw/0nAKgaYYe9M/s1600-h/DSC04215.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295742650471151986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5B4e83-XI/AAAAAAAAAZw/0nAKgaYYe9M/s320/DSC04215.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is called a God's eye. It holds the hoops together.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I managed to cut myself quite early on (with a Stanley knife) but I still remembered to take photos at each stage...</div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5AgFzMwvI/AAAAAAAAAZY/fqhzAlFEr8s/s1600-h/DSC04216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295741131891196658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5AgFzMwvI/AAAAAAAAAZY/fqhzAlFEr8s/s320/DSC04216.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295741608523923314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5A71ZS_3I/AAAAAAAAAZg/aRoSHqX88d4/s320/DSC04217.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5CgtvbkXI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/q6-1RTmOIx4/s1600-h/DSC04220.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295743341636063602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5CgtvbkXI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/q6-1RTmOIx4/s320/DSC04220.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5C5mSLWKI/AAAAAAAAAaA/_34QvPdv-gM/s1600-h/DSC04223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295743769131047074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5C5mSLWKI/AAAAAAAAAaA/_34QvPdv-gM/s320/DSC04223.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>The final result was a neat little basket which would be perfect for collecting eggs in (if only I had a couple of chickens in my garden!). </p><p>Here are my three finished masterpieces (not too bad for a first try, if a bit rusic). </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295746393531807154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SX5FSW8E9bI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/wi_QB7dgqu0/s320/DSC04254.JPG" border="0" /> <p></p><p>I really enjoyed the weekend - all the materials we needed were provided, and we had help at every stage. It would be fun to do more but there's a lot of advance preparation (the hoops were dried for weeks beforehand, and the other weaving materials had to be soaked to ensure they were flexible). I might have to scavenge in the hedgerows for materials to practice with.</p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-31213299023611515762009-01-03T14:38:00.010+00:002009-01-03T15:38:38.671+00:00<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV9_Ive9qNI/AAAAAAAAAYI/LTRCVnNM9PI/s1600-h/DSC04134.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287084275718269138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV9_Ive9qNI/AAAAAAAAAYI/LTRCVnNM9PI/s320/DSC04134.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> (picture is from a greeting card - I'd just love to be able to create this sort of thing myself)<br /></span><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy New Year to anyone who drops by here.<br /></span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I hope everyone had a really nice Christmas. Our Christmas was good - my Mum came up on 23rd and my daughter and her boyfriend came up on Christmas Eve. I'd been quite under the weather with a bad cough and spent most of the weekend before Christmas in bed, and was at work on the Monday so it was quite a mad dash to get everything done. In the end everything was fine, though I didn't get to make my mince pies until Christmas Eve, which is very late indeed. The important thing is everyone arrived safely and we spent some good time together. </span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV97_ruBwnI/AAAAAAAAAX4/E_u5CHJa2W4/s1600-h/DSC04138.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080821554004594" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV97_ruBwnI/AAAAAAAAAX4/E_u5CHJa2W4/s320/DSC04138.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I did manage to find time decorate my new mantle shelf, but failed to find any decent materials in the hedgerows. It's basically a pine garland with a lovely piece of holly and gold coloured ribbon twined round, with some wooden letters and hearts and stars. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is another bit of my effort at Christmas decoration - I have quite a lot of these twiggy things which I put around the room in vases. I don't really like tinsel or garlands hanging from the ceiling, but I love lots of candles and silvery or sparkly stuff. The two little chickens were a present from my daughter - she knows I would like some real chickens, but these little metal ones are almost as lovely as the real thing. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287080412399237426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV97n3f7eTI/AAAAAAAAAXw/x9vJMam3uvc/s320/DSC04139.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">While mum was here I took her out for a few day trips, but I am rubbish at taking photos. We walked along the beach on Mersea Island, and had lunch at a nice pub called the Victory. We visited some pretty Essex villages, Tiptree, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Fingringhoe, Wivenhoe. We also walked along the Blackwater Estuary at Maldon - but I didn't have my camera with me so can't show you all the lovely views we saw!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I am not a big fan of shopping in the sales but I did buy a couple of these beautiful glass Christmas baubles which were on sale in BHS. We also went into one of the Woolworths shops that was closing down - I felt quite sad, to see the end of an era. We also visited a few charity shops in Billericay (one of the things Mum and I both enjoy is a good charity shop!!) and I got a couple of little bargains - this lovely wool for 89p a ball. </div><p align="right"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV-Bbd4Y3II/AAAAAAAAAYY/VhmqXCV_WnA/s1600-h/DSC04141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287086796433841282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV-Bbd4Y3II/AAAAAAAAAYY/VhmqXCV_WnA/s320/DSC04141.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV-AJ5MGHGI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/rPK7Ur8Vrig/s1600-h/DSC04140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287085395014982754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SV-AJ5MGHGI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/rPK7Ur8Vrig/s320/DSC04140.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">I drove mum and my daughter back to the West Country on Thursday and I went to work on Friday so life is now gradually going back to normal again. This morning my son and I took down our tree and decorations and stored everything away - it feels a bit sad that everything is over for another year. </p><p align="left">We are quite pleased that we managed to really cut down on waste this Christmas. No food was wasted, and very little rubbish was created that couldn't be composted. I think next year I would like to see if we can do away completely with wrapping paper, and try to give each other more useful presents. I find the idea of making lots of handmade presents for everyone quite appealing - but I think I would need to start planning well in advance. </p></span></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-80858269882792889222008-12-17T09:41:00.009+00:002008-12-17T10:03:10.544+00:00Decking the halls<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjKPydpUjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/kg3Bybofvd8/s1600-h/DSC04131.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280692935684870706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjKPydpUjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/kg3Bybofvd8/s320/DSC04131.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> I picked up these lovely decorations yesterday from the Cancer Research shop - all of this for £1! There were lots more, but I thought I would leave some for the other bargain hunters. The decorations are all made of wood and metal, which matches my objective this year of not buying anything plastic. (Unfortunately the decorations came in plastic wrappers). </span><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjKBqK7nYI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ctFHCyWnnYk/s1600-h/DSC04130.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280692692940725634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjKBqK7nYI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ctFHCyWnnYk/s320/DSC04130.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My other objective was to have some sort of mantlepiece - I've longed to have a proper fireplace since I moved to this house 18 years ago . We have an ugly old fashioned gas fire and a back boiler, which both need to be replaced but finances have not allowed - there are so many things that have taken priority over the years, but after seeing what wonderful decorations other people have blogged, I gave my self a kick up the proverbial and bought this beauty on EBay. Its basically just a wooden mantleshelf, purely cosmetic, but somewhere for me to put my candles and a bit of holly. (Yes I know that's not holly, it's laurel, but I will go out and see what I can pick at the weekend - maybe some berries too). When I have properly decorated my new mantlepiece I will proudly display a photo, watch this space.....</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">How's this for rustic decorations: </span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjLoeKJDfI/AAAAAAAAAXg/YOHD6-7aWhM/s1600-h/DSC04121.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280694459242712562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjLoeKJDfI/AAAAAAAAAXg/YOHD6-7aWhM/s320/DSC04121.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I made these from some twigs and scaps of knitting wool. I plan to make some more, maybe paint them or use gold paint. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally, here's a picture of our tree. Over the years we have had so many different colour schemes, but most of our favourite decorations are white, silver and gold, so the majority of the other colours I gave away on Freecycle. Many of these are wood, glass or metal (though I do still have some plastic ones). There are also a few hand knitted ones (stockings, candy canes and so on). </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280695625624244546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUjMsXRK0UI/AAAAAAAAAXo/xnXPnAivn7w/s320/DSC04133.JPG" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm off to do some Christmas shopping and to drive to the west country to deliver gifts and to pick up my daughter from University. </span></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-48961696855956454722008-12-13T20:38:00.011+00:002008-12-13T21:30:17.406+00:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I knitted this hot water bottle cover for my sister using some wool from my stash - it's a Christmas present, which I must post in the next couple of days. </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQfiEQV-qI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ZpPzZltDGxE/s1600-h/DSC04119.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279379333303368354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQfiEQV-qI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ZpPzZltDGxE/s320/DSC04119.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQfhkbDqhI/AAAAAAAAAVs/cTXwiu5m09k/s1600-h/DSC04118.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279379324758370834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQfhkbDqhI/AAAAAAAAAVs/cTXwiu5m09k/s320/DSC04118.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">This is just about the only preparation I have done for Christmas so far, other than put up the tree. I am so envious of </span><a href="http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2008/12/garland-roundup.html"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">The Nester </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">and the 150+ bloggers who have posted pictures of their beautiful garlands. I don't have a fireplace, or anywhere to put up a garland, and have been searching EBay for a fire surround, but I might just resort to a shelf, so that I can put some candles and pine cones.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">I've neglected my blog recently - here are a couple of recent highlights in my life:</span><br /></div><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">A visit to the Country Living Christmas Fair in November - my daughter met me in London and we had a lovely afternoon...</span></li></ul><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279382917526620418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQiyshwiQI/AAAAAAAAAV8/00HjD71qcHM/s320/DSC04041.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQkHXtLAwI/AAAAAAAAAWM/c-bBhKVlMz4/s1600-h/DSC04044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279384372226228994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQkHXtLAwI/AAAAAAAAAWM/c-bBhKVlMz4/s320/DSC04044.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQkjaRZ8pI/AAAAAAAAAWU/qoDXt3ilYL8/s1600-h/DSC04040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279384853951410834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQkjaRZ8pI/AAAAAAAAAWU/qoDXt3ilYL8/s320/DSC04040.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">My son and I had a short holiday in Herefordshire and stayed in a lovely barn conversion, and had a really enjoyable day Llama-trekking </span></li></ul><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQlmwJ2rVI/AAAAAAAAAWc/joD9Ul6lx5Y/s1600-h/DSC04022.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279386010876554578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 221px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQlmwJ2rVI/AAAAAAAAAWc/joD9Ul6lx5Y/s320/DSC04022.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQmXjRrBKI/AAAAAAAAAWk/GZtgOSz7B-c/s1600-h/DSC04031.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279386849233274018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SUQmXjRrBKI/AAAAAAAAAWk/GZtgOSz7B-c/s320/DSC04031.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-54032438313848183262008-06-05T19:44:00.006+01:002008-06-05T20:50:14.814+01:00Spring...<div>I haven't been a very good blogger lately, though I have been keeping up with all the lovely blogs I regularly read. So many people manage to post every day, or at least a few times a week, but I never seem to have enough time lately. </div><div> </div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg-eqpjU2I/AAAAAAAAAOc/Oh-X6PC37J0/s1600-h/DSC03842.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208481665619546978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg-eqpjU2I/AAAAAAAAAOc/Oh-X6PC37J0/s320/DSC03842.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg-fIk9QeI/AAAAAAAAAOk/W_Xhf9wSHsA/s1600-h/DSC03843.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208481673653338594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg-fIk9QeI/AAAAAAAAAOk/W_Xhf9wSHsA/s320/DSC03843.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg-JS7tjVI/AAAAAAAAAOU/rTNGdBdXA7E/s1600-h/DSC03841.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208481298476010834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg-JS7tjVI/AAAAAAAAAOU/rTNGdBdXA7E/s320/DSC03841.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These lovely poppies are growing in my garden - some of them are almost as big as peonies, and are a lovely range of colours. There are quite a few flowers in bud and it will be interesting to see if there are any other shades of mauve or pink. <div><br />I received this lovely bag from my Shopping Tote swap partner <a href="http://mollyandcoffee.com/">Sandra</a>. It has lovely hand embroidered flowers on it. Thanks Sandra, I love it!<br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208481090819918626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SEg99NWpCyI/AAAAAAAAAOM/kxDyTktJ0F4/s320/DSC03844.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div>I have been avidly watching <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/index.shtml">Springwatch</a> and enjoying it so much. I don't know which birds are my favourite, but you've got to love Crane School! Brilliant.</div><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-30106411847648589482008-04-30T21:21:00.005+01:002008-04-30T21:51:22.508+01:00Back after a long absence...<div><span style="font-size:130%;">My last post was over a month ago and there have been various illnesses in the family which I won't go into detail about, but things have settled down a bit now and I am catching up with myself and getting life back to normal. Sorry for the long absence ....<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I finished the hot water bottle cover for my daughter I mentioned last time, and have started another one for my sister.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195138759908306162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SBjXLVcyrPI/AAAAAAAAANw/-zGPwa2ilJU/s320/DSC03724.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I knitted this without a pattern, just used a hot water bottle to judge the size. I made one of these once before using chunky wool and it turned out very well, but this wool was different as it has a varied texture which made for a lumpy finish. My daughter was happy with it, so that's the main thing!<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">My washing machine broke down a few weeks ago and I've been struggling without for a time, but had a new machine delivered today. I was very torn about buying a new appliance while trying hard to be more frugal, but the new machine has an "A" rating which means I will save both electricity and water so overall I don't feel quite so guilty. What I especially like about this new machine is that it has a 30 minute cycle which is so quick compared to my old one. The old machine had had its fair share of repairs and was not particularly energy efficient. Since the delivery men left the new machine has been put through its paces several times in an attempt to catch up with several weeks worth of accumulated laundry. I did as much as I could by hand, but wouldn't even try to wash jeans or towels by hand! </span></p><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I finished my shopping tote for my swap partner... I posted it off to Australia a while back but I haven't heard from my swap partner yet so I hope she has received it by now. Here's a photo (which I hope won't spoil the surprise if it hasn't arrived yet!)</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195141963953908994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/SBjaF1cyrQI/AAAAAAAAAN4/PCXH-veWEnk/s320/DSC03742.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Sorry the photo is a bit dark, it's a cream linen fabric with blue and green pattern, lined in calico. I was going to have a go at making the bag that uses a normal plastic carrier as a template, but it looked a bit challenging. I might tackle it sometime soon and I'll show the results if its a success!</span> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-53287497713056220312008-03-14T19:28:00.008+00:002008-03-15T10:35:48.818+00:00A Day in My Life - 14 March 2008<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9umE4htasI/AAAAAAAAANo/VSDKesJ01Qk/s1600-h/DSC03719.JPG"></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uRJ4htakI/AAAAAAAAAMo/lDaSefOZXRM/s1600-h/2329167025_c480fdc942_o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177891795571141186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uRJ4htakI/AAAAAAAAAMo/lDaSefOZXRM/s320/2329167025_c480fdc942_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://littlejennywren.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Little Jenny Wren </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">is going to write every month about her day to day life and has invited other bloggers to join in. I've signed up, at least to do one, as I am lazy about posting, though I always manage to read lots of other people's blogs and post a few comments. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So here goes, this was my day today...</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Woke up at around 5.50am, my alarm is set for 6.00am but I usually wake up before it turns on. The radio comes on rather than an buzzer (though I do have a back up alarm clock that goes off at 6.27 (don't ask why 6.27 rather than 6.30! Just one of those things) but rarely need it. The radio station I mainly listen to is Radio 4 but in the morning from 6-9 its the Today programme, which is a really smug, self congratulatory news programme. The women presenters particularly annoy me (Sarah Montague and Carolyn Quinn) and I frequently get so irritated with the programme's style and content that I turn the radio off. Depending on how early I wake up, I sometimes read for a while, but this morning the house felt cold and I just stayed snuggled under the covers until about 6.15 then went to investigate why it was so cold. The heating was on, but for some reason the hot water tank and some of the radiators were luke warm rather than hot. I switched the hot water tank over to the immersion heater so that there would be hot water for a shower and while I waited for it to warm up I went down to put the kettle on for tea and to let the rabbits out and to feed them. This morning they had a big handful of hay, a big scoop of dry food, a carrot and half an apple chopped up. I changed their three litter trays (one inside their house and two outside). The litter trays are such an easy way to keep them clean, I just empty the used ones in the compost bin as I just use newspaper for a liner and straw and it all composts really easily. </span><br /></div></div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uZrYhtamI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Y-EnF6L_aI8/s1600-h/DSC03711.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177901167189781090" style="WIDTH: 287px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px" height="212" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uZrYhtamI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Y-EnF6L_aI8/s320/DSC03711.JPG" width="281" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uaeYhtanI/AAAAAAAAANA/Kwt7eUc9nF8/s1600-h/DSC03714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177902043363109490" style="WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px" height="229" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uaeYhtanI/AAAAAAAAANA/Kwt7eUc9nF8/s320/DSC03714.JPG" width="282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uaeohtaoI/AAAAAAAAANI/ptbxn-rqsqc/s1600-h/DSC03715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177902047658076802" style="WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" height="224" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uaeohtaoI/AAAAAAAAANI/ptbxn-rqsqc/s320/DSC03715.JPG" width="285" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uafYhtapI/AAAAAAAAANQ/jUSHUZ-AoA0/s1600-h/DSC03716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177902060542978706" style="WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" height="235" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uafYhtapI/AAAAAAAAANQ/jUSHUZ-AoA0/s320/DSC03716.JPG" width="285" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uafohtaqI/AAAAAAAAANY/qmQAUrON0b8/s1600-h/DSC03717.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177902064837946018" style="CURSOR: hand" height="200" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uafohtaqI/AAAAAAAAANY/qmQAUrON0b8/s320/DSC03717.JPG" width="278" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After a cup of tea it was back upstairs into the shower and get dressed. Today I wore a navy blouse and navy trousers and a cream cardigan. I wash my hair everyday, so I had a quick blow dry then back downstairs. My son goes to college and he'd already got up and got ready so he was just about to leave though he said he didn't feel very well. Both my children hardly missed any school through illness, and would never take a day off school/college/university/work unless genuinely too ill to work. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I then made myself some lunch (today was a cheese and tomato roll, banana and pear) to take to work. I quickly ate some plain Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of nuts and dried fruit then suddenly remembered I had to feed the tortoises. We are looking after two tortoises for a week or so while their owner is away. I felt a bit panicked because I remembered how cold the house was, and these are tropical tortoises that need warm temperatures, but fortunately I've got an electric heater set up on a timer so they weren't cold! Today's food was a few cape gooseberries (physalis) and some strawberries. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then I set off - today I had to go to Witham, which is about 10 miles away from my house, to carry out a risk assessment of a school crossing patrol site. Today's site was one that has not been manned for a long time, so I needed to count traffic and pedestrian movements at the busiest time of the day (in this case from 8.30 - 9.00) to see if it is worth keeping the site. In half an hour a couple of hundred cars passed the site, but only two people crossed the road. We will probably abandon this site. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I then headed to my office. I don't have an allocated parking space, but my line manager lets me use his sometimes as he often catches the train to work. It sounds lazy, but it takes me about 15 minutes to walk from the car park to the office and this is just too far to walk there and back. I'm not a fast walker, and I'm usually carrying a briefcase, as well as a handbag, my lunch, knitting or a book etc, so most days after I've done a site visit I will drive home and cycle into the office - it takes me less than 15 minutes and it's a much pleasanter journey, and I can put all my bags in my bike basket. Today, as I had to go out on site again in the afternoon, I drove into town and parked and walked to the office. I spent a couple of hours writing up notes of site visits, dealing with emails and phone messages, then had to complete my staff appraisal form with my manager. We have to do this every year in order to get our pay progression. I think the less I say about this the better as I feel it is just a paper exercise....</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177890661699774994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uQH4htahI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/kel8nLROQMY/s320/DSC03706.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lunch time, I whizzed out for a few minutes to get a bunch of daffodils (my favourite flowers and the local market sells 5 bunches for £2.00) and to have a poke around in the Oxfam shop. I picked up a nice piece of material for .99p which I may use for the shopping tote swap I've signed up for at </span><a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">down-to-earth</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177890665994742306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uQIIhtaiI/AAAAAAAAAMY/IUhWS_kYxVA/s320/DSC03708.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This afternoon's site visit was in Billericay, which is only about 12 miles away. Some days I have to drive 30 or 40 miles each way to get to a site, but this only took me half an hour. Our crossing patrol ladies and men are great - they do a very difficult job and they are really special people. I do hate to see inconsiderate drivers and the way they behave to our patrols. People parking on the school keep clear markings, speeding, failing to stop even though they've been signalled to do so... There are a lot of selfish people out there, but the patrols take it all in their stride and are out there whatever the weather.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9ubaIhtarI/AAAAAAAAANg/hi3G9cTWFN4/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177903069860293298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9ubaIhtarI/AAAAAAAAANg/hi3G9cTWFN4/s320/untitled.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I drove back towards home, but the traffic was horrendous, so I decided instead of sitting in a queue of traffic I would pop into Lidl. It's not a shop I generally go to, but I got some real bargains from the fruit and vegetable section - red onions for 20p, 1 kg carrots for 55p and a mango for 23p. Amazing! I must go there more often. The carrots will be great for the rabbits, and for us too, and the mango will be great for the tortoises (if I don't eat it all myself!). I usually only shop for food once a week at the most, so this was not a big shopping trip, and I didn't really need much. I could have got quite a few more things, but I resisted the temptation!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177890657404807682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uQHohtagI/AAAAAAAAAMI/AkW4bPkButQ/s320/DSC03704.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When I got home it was about 5.50pm so I turned on the computer to catch up with emails and reading blogs. I usually listen to music when I have the computer on. This week I've had a few new CDs arrive that I'd bought either on EBay or from Amazon. I do like a bargain and the CDs I bought this week each cost less than £4 (one was only .75p) though of course there is also the cost of postage, but even so none came to more than £6.00. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177892379686693458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uRr4htalI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nxetGS3lqbg/s320/DSC03705.JPG" border="0" />I drive a lot for work and find music more relaxing when driving than radio but I do get bored listening to the same stuff over and over. I probably won't buy any more CDs for a few months, and these should keep me going for a while. While catching up with my favourite blogs I saw a post at <a href="http://belindas-simple-life.blogspot.com/">Belinda's place </a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">about Earth Hour and have signed up for it, and I will see if I can get the County Council to join up too. As they employ over 20,000 people it might make all the difference. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I fed the rabbits - fresh water, a scoop of dry food and some greens and then shut them up for the night. Then I phoned my mum for a chat. She's hoping to come up for a visit Easter weekend so we were arranging that. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When my son got home from college he still wasn't feeling well and went straight up to bed. He's got a sore throat and feels achy. He didn't even feel like eating any dinner, so I won't bother to cook tonight. I've just been snacking on yogurt and nuts, and might have some salsa and tortilla chips. Not very healthy I know, but I don't really like cooking for one. </span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">________________________</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;">I had that salsa, and a cup of tea, then my younger sister phoned and we chatted for about an hour (maybe longer). </span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">_______________________</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;">So here we are at the end of the day. It's now just after 10 and I think I might turn on the TV to watch the news and do a bit of knitting - my daughter wanted me to make her a hot water bottle cover and I've nearly finished it. I'd better hurry up, it's nearly spring!</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177891271585131058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R9uQrYhtajI/AAAAAAAAAMg/4fXZ8ut916w/s320/DSC03709.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'll probably go to bed around midnight, maybe read for a while before I go to sleep.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Not a particularly exciting day, but doing this has been fun. I've visited a couple of the other blogs that signed up for this. It's interesting to get a little window into other people's day; we all have such different lives and experiences. This has been a typical day for me, the way I currently live, but one day I'd like to be able to record a day filled with gardening, growing my own vegetables, baking bread and finding time to be creative. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you got this far, thanks for reading! I'm posting this now, but I do have a couple of photos to add and will do that tomorrow, but it's been a long day!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">________________________________________________________</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Saturday Morning Note: I've added a few photos to make this post more interesting (not so sure that a shot of the inside of my compost bin is all that special but you know what I mean!).</span></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-55729758165797341622008-02-09T23:34:00.000+00:002008-02-10T00:31:14.837+00:00Valentine Swap<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R65Fe4z4FrI/AAAAAAAAAL4/fn0RdGcqeeA/s1600-h/DSC03621.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165142219588900530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R65Fe4z4FrI/AAAAAAAAAL4/fn0RdGcqeeA/s320/DSC03621.JPG" border="0" /></span></a> <div><div><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R646tIz4FlI/AAAAAAAAALI/TZmgJeNY8yI/s1600-h/DSC03622.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The doorbell rang this morning and look what I got:</span></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R646t4z4FmI/AAAAAAAAALQ/ovfCxCyy8t8/s1600-h/DSC03627.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165130382659032674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R646t4z4FmI/AAAAAAAAALQ/ovfCxCyy8t8/s320/DSC03627.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">A lovely selection of goodies from my swap partner </span><a href="http://www.blossomcreates.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Blossom</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> in </span><a href="http://lucylocketrecycledherpocket.blogspot.com/2008/01/valentine-swap.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Lucy's Valentine Swap </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">- after I'd take a photo of this pretty bag, the gorgeous knitting wool, a lovely green FQ and of course some delicious chocs, I discovered these hidden in the pocket of the bag...</span></p><p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R646uYz4FnI/AAAAAAAAALY/_I_FF3o9jzs/s1600-h/DSC03628.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165130391248967282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R646uYz4FnI/AAAAAAAAALY/_I_FF3o9jzs/s320/DSC03628.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> two cute little buttons, a little wooden koala and a tiny golden angel. Thank you Leigh - everything is wonderful. I hope your parcel arrives soon (and that you enjoy opening my swap items as much as I enjoyed yours and that the Aussie customs don't have a problem with anything I sent!).<br /></span><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R646voz4FoI/AAAAAAAAALg/RX3h0ZpGLTs/s1600-h/DSC03631.JPG"></a></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165140578911393426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R65D_Yz4FpI/AAAAAAAAALo/1u-g5jbywyU/s320/DSC03631.JPG" border="0" /> I knitted this Autobot design facecloth for my son - he's a big Transformers fan. I found the pattern </span><a href="http://knittingmemories.blogspot.com/2007/07/transformers-cloth.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> (thanks Enid). Now he wants a Decepticon one to match. I may have to work out a pattern for myself as I can't find one anywhere on the internet.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-6480233378106456392008-01-13T00:00:00.000+00:002008-01-19T21:05:03.024+00:00Bramble and Clover<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R5Jdz4fpKxI/AAAAAAAAAKE/X4_ZUwFahYU/s1600-h/DSC03562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157287669212457746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R5Jdz4fpKxI/AAAAAAAAAKE/X4_ZUwFahYU/s320/DSC03562.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Here's a photo I took today of my two beautiful rabbits - aren't they lovely? That's Bramble on the left and Clover on the right. </div><br /><div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-8038889628457897282008-01-05T12:01:00.000+00:002008-01-05T16:25:52.308+00:00Happy New Year<p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Happy New Year to anyone who drops by here. I don't know if I have many readers, (probably not) but apologies for the long silence. I find December a bit stressful with family birthdays and Christmas preparations, but that's all behind us now (though the credit card bills will be rolling in shortly!). </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">My main aim for 2008 is to declutter and simplify both my home and my life. I have made a really good start - in fact I started before Christmas. While we were putting up the Christmas tree and a few other decorations I was amazed at how much Christmas stuff we have accumulated over the years. I'm not particularly fashion conscious about colours etc, but our excess was mainly due to the transition over the years from Christmas decorations for young children (the unbreakable type) to more fragile items. I sorted out everything that I couldn't bear to part with (some things have a sentimental value, such as some pieces my Dad bought us the year before he died). The rest I boxed up and posted on Freecycle and I am happy to say everything found a new home. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">That got me started and over the past couple of weeks I have been Freecycling and Charity Shopping everything in sight! I even put up some old games and toys etc on EBay and amazingly almost everything sold. I am in the process of clearing out my attic and hope to have everything organised and sorted by next weekend. It's cold up there and space is limited so I can only manage brief sessions, but I have been bringing down assorted boxes of accumulated junk and finding new homes for most of it. I am trying really hard not to send anything to landfill and equally resisting the urge to keep things for sentimental reasons, but it's very difficult. I used to watch the TV series "The Life Laundry" and although I'm not as obsessive as most of the people they helped, I do have a problem with throwing things away. I always think "someone else could use this" but invariably it gets stuffed in a cupboard, in the attic or out in the shed and gets forgotten about until things are rediscovered when I'm looking for something else. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I don't have a list of new year resolutions as resolutions are notoriously hard to keep but these are the main issues I want to concentrate on in 2008:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">- Finish clearing all the junk out of the attic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">- Dejunk the shed and the garage. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">- Reorganise the way I clean my house so I spend less time doing housework and more time relaxing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">- I want to change the way I shop for food so as to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging and also buying only the amount of food we need so I never end up throwing away any food <strong>at all. </strong>I'd also like to change the way I cook to include making extra portions that can be frozen or refridgerated to be eaten on another day so I use less fuel for cooking. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Speaking of extra portions, I have used this recipe for </span><a href="http://www.mediterrasian.com/delicious_recipes_spinach_pumpkin_walnut_lasagna.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagne </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">several times, but I have adapted it by using fresh spinach (stirfried for a minute in a little olive oil) and topped it with bechamel sauce with a little strong flavoured grated cheese stirred in instead of the parmesan. I also substituted pine nuts for the walnuts. When I made this recipe I found I had too much to fill our dish and made two individual portions as well which were popped in the freezer for another day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I didn't take a photo of the lasagne, but I did take some of my mincemeat and mince pies. I used Delia Smith's recipe for mincemeat that I cut out of a magazine about 15 years ago, but I split it into two batches. One has suet in (I use the vegetarian sort) and one has no suet. The suet batch keeps for a few months but the non suet batch was used straight away (and has slightly fewer calories!). A couple of extra tablespoons of brandy in the no-suet batch made up for the lack of maturing time! I haven't given the recipe for the mincemeat as it's really a Christmas thing, but if anyone reading this wants the recipe I could type it up for you. PS: For any non-UK readers, mincemeat doesn't contain meat, it's just dried fruit, apples, sugar and spices - though originally the recipes did contain ground up meat and animal fat. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152024590518135522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R3-rEYfpKuI/AAAAAAAAAJs/ogIyjP24fS0/s320/DSC03478.JPG" border="0" />This is how the mincemeat looks before it goes into the oven for three hours</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152024599108070130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R3-rE4fpKvI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/cLsdKkQfReQ/s320/DSC03479.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">If you look closely you can see the suet mincemeat at the back and the "fat free" version at the front.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152024603403037442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/R3-rFIfpKwI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/nQbK8fKHQ04/s320/DSC03480.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Here's the first batch just out of the oven - I think I made about 5 dozen all together, some with "open" lids cut out with different shaped cookie cutters; we had stars and Christmas trees as well as these playing card cut outs. There's nothing like a homemade mince pie!<br /></span></p>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-21981728060504852562007-12-07T20:04:00.000+00:002008-01-20T00:31:29.397+00:00About work and cycling<span style="font-size:130%;">I recently changed my job - although I am still based in the same office and surrounded by the same people, I now work with a different manager with different responsibilities and a different role. I am really enjoying my new job - though I had quite a steep learning curve as my new boss went on holiday two weeks after I started (it had been arranged long ago so I didn't take it personally!).</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I work in local government and everything is driven it seems by the ubiquitous "target". Some targets are good - to achieve more or to get better are good goals to strive for. However, we have been working towards a really unpleasant and negative target that makes me feel quite uncomfortable. We have been counting down to the end of the year the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on the roads of Essex. The aim was for the number to be lower than last year - and although we did manage to reduce the overall numbers from last year, unfortunately we didn't quite achieve the figure set for us by central government. It's been horrible to see the number posted on the office wall, gradually rising every day. Christmas and New Year are both very bad times for road casualties, and the most dreadful ones are those that involve young people or children. I have always loved that song by Chris Rea, "Driving Home for Christmas" but it is always tinged with a horrible thought that nowadays we make so many more car journeys at this time of the year, and at at the same time there will be lots of people on the roads who are on the way home from a drinks party or a night out. The floral tributes that you see on the roadsides are a dreadful reminder of the lives that have been wrecked and so often drink driving is responsible. I personally believe we should adopt a zero tolerance to drink driving in this country as they do in some other European countries. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm also very conscious of safety as a cyclist. I always wear a cycle helmet, reflective/fluorescent gear and have lights front and back (as well as assorted reflectors). You wouldn't believe the number of drivers who still don't see me (or perhaps choose not to!). I don't cycle on the pavement, and always stop at traffic lights, yet the number of times I get abuse, both from pedestrians and drivers, is unbelievable. My worst problem is with the dog walkers. Part of my route to work is along a shared cycle/footpath which is wide enough to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists but the problem is the dogs - I don't dislike dogs, but the dog owners who walk on one side of the footpath with their dog on the other side with the lead across the width of the footpath really take the biscuit. Oops this has turned into a rant - sorry! Pedestrians who step into the road just because they haven't heard a car coming are also a real hazard. I don't set out on my journey to mow anyone down, but pedestrians are always astonished that cyclists can't stop dead. In the Highway Code they give the stopping times for cars travelling at different speeds, and most people are aware that the faster you are going the longer it takes to stop but a cyclist travelling even at 3 or 4 miles an hour (which is slow) will need a few yards of stopping distance. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/motorcycles/images/howclose.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">This is one of the government's Think campaign posters - it is aimed at drivers to make them more aware of motorcyclists, but cyclists are also very vulnerable. I have only been involved in one accident as a cyclist when a driver opened their car door as I drew alongside - I was very bruised and shaken but it was lucky that it was on a quiet road as I was thrown across the road - if anything had been travelling in the other direction it would have been much worse. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">PS - the posting date for this is showing as 7 December - I started it then, but didn't get round to posting until today - 5 January 2008!</span>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-33215529038378899992007-11-17T12:05:00.000+00:002007-11-17T13:42:45.989+00:00Jumble sale bargains<p align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7kXh7WdMI/AAAAAAAAAJk/VsjApCGG_oM/s1600-h/IMAG0005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133791718144373954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7kXh7WdMI/AAAAAAAAAJk/VsjApCGG_oM/s320/IMAG0005.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Here are the things I bought at the jumble sale last week - total expenditure £4!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A pine beveled mirror, three books, a ball of wool - and for the rabbits, a blanket and a wicker basket to play with. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jgB7WdGI/AAAAAAAAAI0/RwJnML2BQXY/s1600-h/DSC03429.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133790764661634146" style="CURSOR: hand" height="162" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jgB7WdGI/AAAAAAAAAI0/RwJnML2BQXY/s320/DSC03429.JPG" width="239" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jgx7WdII/AAAAAAAAAJE/vhM6mXEoaGo/s1600-h/DSC03431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133790777546536066" style="CURSOR: hand" height="164" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jgx7WdII/AAAAAAAAAJE/vhM6mXEoaGo/s320/DSC03431.JPG" width="252" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jgR7WdHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Wbjq_v0GQRk/s1600-h/DSC03430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133790768956601458" style="CURSOR: hand" height="191" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jgR7WdHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Wbjq_v0GQRk/s320/DSC03430.JPG" width="247" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jhR7WdJI/AAAAAAAAAJM/tE7dT9O7aaw/s1600-h/DSC03432.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133790786136470674" style="CURSOR: hand" height="188" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jhR7WdJI/AAAAAAAAAJM/tE7dT9O7aaw/s320/DSC03432.JPG" width="241" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jiB7WdKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/itFIy7mm9Bs/s1600-h/DSC03434.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133790799021372578" style="WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px" height="180" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7jiB7WdKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/itFIy7mm9Bs/s320/DSC03434.JPG" width="249" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7j5h7WdLI/AAAAAAAAAJc/lUL5yBDt2AA/s1600-h/DSC03433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133791202748298418" style="WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px" height="180" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7j5h7WdLI/AAAAAAAAAJc/lUL5yBDt2AA/s320/DSC03433.JPG" width="262" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The blanket will be something to keep the bunnies warm in the winter - and I've painted the frame of the mirror and hope to hang it up later this weekend.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><div align="center"><br />...~~~...<br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-68888968406565451772007-11-17T10:33:00.000+00:002007-11-17T11:10:57.904+00:00Autumn<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7LMB7WdFI/AAAAAAAAAIs/zmYFLae0G6s/s1600-h/DSC03334.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133764032785183826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7LMB7WdFI/AAAAAAAAAIs/zmYFLae0G6s/s320/DSC03334.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I love this time of year, leaves falling from trees, crisp frosty mornings, and lovely early sunsets. For some reason, I manage to find more time for crafty activities in the autumn and winter. I've just finished my apron for </span><a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/10/apron-swap-sign-up-here.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Rhonda Jean's apron swap </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">and hope to post it shortly. This is another work in progress:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133757113592869938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7E5R7WdDI/AAAAAAAAAIc/xZkBGSYg1Wc/s320/DSC03427.JPG" border="0" /> a knitted patchwork blanket from Woman's Weekly's Knitting & Cross Stitch Special magazine 2000. In fact it is the simplest idea - 4 inch squares knitting on the diagonal with a single bold unifying colour - the rest of the colour scheme can be pot luck (like mine) or you could plan it geometrically to create a repeating pattern. My main colour (as in the original pattern) is dark blue/navy, but I bet it would look lovely in pastel colours too. I've knitted about 30 squares so far - the pattern suggests 9 squares for a cushion cover, 24 for a cot blanket, 36 for a throw, but I'm aiming for 60 to make it single bedspread size (though I may keep going for the double!). I keep a few scraps of wool and needles with me wherever I go and can dash off a few rows if I've got a few minutes to fill.<br /><br /></span><div></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133762001265652802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/Rz7JVx7WdEI/AAAAAAAAAIk/rwSlt4t_uDY/s320/pattern.JPG" border="0" />For the first time yesterday I tried knitting using dpns but I was an utter failure and had to give up after about two hours. My daughter wants some fingerless gloves but I can't get the hang of the technique. I will try again, but I think I'll start on something simpler first.<br /><br /><br /></span><div></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-16355926293435065372007-11-10T13:30:00.000+00:002007-11-11T20:31:18.375+00:00Bargain buys<span style="font-size:130%;">On my way home from the hairdresser this morning, I paid a visit to the Salvation Army shop - principally to drop off a bag of shoes and clothes - and found myself a couple of bargains.<br /><br />First was this butter dish for £1. I've been wanting to get a butter dish for a while as I've felt guilty about buying butter or margarine in plastic tubs for a long time as we have no recycling for any plastics other than plastic bottles (shampoo, milk etc). I have returned to buying block butter which is only wrapped in paper - and this can be folded very small before throwing away. I'm trying to reduce our household waste, and part of the exercise is to reduce the volume as well as the weight, so everything that can't be recycled or composted is squashed flat, folded down or crushed. In an average week, we don't have more than two carrier bags full of rubbish, in good weeks only one. OK, you spotted the immediate problem - carrier bags. I won't buy black sacks for rubbish and never get supermarket carrier bags as I always take plenty of shopping bags with me - but occasionally we do end up with bags from other types of shopping and these do get used for rubbish. I am sure the day will come when there are no carrier bags at all in our house, and I'm not sure I like the idea of putting loose household rubbish in the dustbin as this will mean more frequent dustbin cleaning. While I have carrier bags I will continue to use them to throw away rubbish, but eventually I'll need to find a hygenic solution - wrapping in newspaper maybe? Hmm; I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.<br /><br /><br /></span><p align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RzWz5I8K-4I/AAAAAAAAAIE/we4jtVl6sks/s1600-h/IMAG0003.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131205144692325250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RzWz5I8K-4I/AAAAAAAAAIE/we4jtVl6sks/s320/IMAG0003.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">See how small a butter wrapper is when it's folded up!</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;">My other bargains were these two plates at 15p each. I love topiary (a long time ago I trained a bay tree into a lollipop shape, and it lasted for about 6 years, but sadly it died a couple of years back due to an infestation of some kind) and I just liked these plates. I don't really need plates, but these would be nice as cake plates don't you think?<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RzWz548K-5I/AAAAAAAAAIM/KYglVzt1jdg/s1600-h/IMAG0004.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131205157577227154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RzWz548K-5I/AAAAAAAAAIM/KYglVzt1jdg/s320/IMAG0004.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I also got a couple of other items which might be suitable as Christmas gifts (so I won't post photos here).<br /><br /><br /><br />There's a jumble sale at the local scout hall this week end. I may take a stroll round there this afternoon and see what I can find.</span>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-9843121026814841942007-10-15T22:42:00.000+01:002007-10-15T23:30:49.833+01:00Blog Action Day - 15 October 2007<span style="font-size:130%;">This post is part of </span><a href="http://blogactionday.org/" target="_blank" closure_hashcode_="519"><span style="font-size:130%;">Blog Action Day</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> : thousands of blogs talking about the environment on 15 October. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I am trying to do my little bit to make a difference. Every year on World Environment Day I struggle to find a new pledge to agree to as I do everything I can to reduce, reduce, recycle, etc. We have facilities locally to recycle paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, metals, wood, textiles. I compost vegetable and garden waste, I cycle to work and have replaced light bulbs with energy savings bulbs. I try to dispose of unwanted items to charity shops or through Freecycle rather than sending them to landfill. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But having read so many amazing blogs by people who are really making big changes in their lives, I realise that I have a long way to go. I so admire those who spin and weave, keep chickens and have allotments, growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables. I can't do all of these things (at least not while I have to work full time to keep up the mortgage payments), but I am going to keep on trying to do more. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Let's hope that Blog Action Day increases awareness of environmental concerns. </span><br /><p><br /> </p>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-1307177965715517452007-10-04T18:54:00.000+01:002007-10-04T18:55:55.830+01:00What did I just say????Exactly <a href="http://www.januaryone.com/archives/blog/">this</a> (only not quite so eloquently perhaps).Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925918166184223668.post-86163810794812669652007-10-04T11:12:00.000+01:002007-10-04T13:24:31.532+01:00The Lovely World of Blogging<span style="font-size:130%;">Or not so lovely it seems...<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I read a broad range of (what I think are) very interesting blogs - my favourites are crafty and creative like </span><a href="http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Julie</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and </span><a href="http://simmy.typepad.com/echoesofadream/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Simmy</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> or "green" and frugal living like </span><a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Rhonda Jean</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, </span><a href="http://likemerchantships.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Meredith</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and </span><a href="http://contemplatingchange.blogspot.com/index.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Willow</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. I'm not religious, but I do read a lot of Christian blogs (because they have interesting things to say or are just very nice people) such as </span><a href="http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Marie</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and </span><a href="http://www.makinghome.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jess</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. I like knitters, weavers and spinners, people who make bags and embroider, people who bake from scratch (is there any other way?) and I love to read foodie blogs such as </span><a href="http://teaandcookies.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and get lots of ideas and recipes from so many different places. I like to hear about the ups and downs of people's lives and family situations, marvel at their creativity and learn so very many useful things. I even recently discovered Google Reader and saved myself hours (I know, I'm a bit slow on the uptake...), and I'm adding new feeds every day.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">BUT, I feel so sad that people feel they have the right to criticise other bloggers. I have seen some very hurt feelings being expressed following some nasty comments and sadly some wonderful people have stopped blogging altogether (Natalie at Isabella in the 21st Century for one - and missed so very much). </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I've seen some unbelievably evil comments made to people who've expressed horror at the war in Iraq (by Americans who presumably believe it is patriotic to send young men and women away to die for a conflict none of us should be involved in). If people want to "home-school" or be a stay at home mum, or make jam or conserve energy or buy exclusively from charity shops and boot sales (and blog about it) they should be allowed to do so. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">It isn't the criticism itself that is the issue, but the sheer unpleasantness. I have been lucky and not received any negative comments (maybe because I don't say much and hardly anyone reads my little blog!) - but some people out there are making extremely hurtful comments, and causing a great deal of unhappiness. All I want to say to them is IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH IT, DON'T READ IT. Just as you can turn off your television or radio if you don't like what you hear or see, you can also turn off your computer (or do something else like play online games or shop on EBay).<br /><br />On the positive side of blogging, it warmed my heart to see how much support </span><a href="http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/2007/09/recipes-happine.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jane </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">received from her readers after the vitriolic article in the Telegraph, and the enormous outpouring of sympathy when </span><a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Alicia's</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> dog died (and the hundreds of welcome comments when her new puppy arrived) was truly amazing and the unbelievable generosity towards </span><a href="http://www.yarnagogo.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Rachael </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">when her cat Digit came back from the dead! </span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So it's not all bad...<br /><br /></span><div></div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">If people do feel motivated to make critical comments, they should first consider what damage they might be inflicting. </span><a href="http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/how-to-give-kind-criticism-and-avoid-being-critical/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Here</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> is an interesting item about how to give kind criticism - I also love all the useful tips I can pick up here about how to declutter and simplify my life (though I don't know if I can manage </span><a href="http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/minimalist-fun-the-100-things-challenge/"><span style="font-size:130%;">this </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, only 100 personal possessions? - I could manage to get down to 1,000 maybe!).</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">On a happy note - it was my birthday on Monday and these are just some of the lovely presents I received from my two wonderful, generous and amazing children:</span></div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTPtA5YnqI/AAAAAAAAAG8/aZDvJVJqrko/s1600-h/DSC03300.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117443448841477794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTPtA5YnqI/AAAAAAAAAG8/aZDvJVJqrko/s320/DSC03300.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTPtg5YnrI/AAAAAAAAAHE/jBFK0R7FlWM/s1600-h/DSC03303.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117443457431412402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTPtg5YnrI/AAAAAAAAAHE/jBFK0R7FlWM/s320/DSC03303.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTPuQ5YnsI/AAAAAAAAAHM/b40WI2kt0as/s1600-h/DSC03302.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117443470316314306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTPuQ5YnsI/AAAAAAAAAHM/b40WI2kt0as/s320/DSC03302.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTRhg5YnuI/AAAAAAAAAHc/QHl_9kHbRWU/s1600-h/DSC03304.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117445450296237794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTRhg5YnuI/AAAAAAAAAHc/QHl_9kHbRWU/s320/DSC03304.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">But best of all was a lovely day out with my daughter - we went to the RSPB reserve on the Stour Estuary near Wrabness, followed by a lovely pub lunch. I love autumn, and crunching through the leaves underfoot was just heavenly.</span></div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTQoQ5YntI/AAAAAAAAAHU/BNC7JMAvpWM/s1600-h/DSC03295.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117444466748726994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTQoQ5YntI/AAAAAAAAAHU/BNC7JMAvpWM/s320/DSC03295.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTUew5YnwI/AAAAAAAAAHs/61s7YjkhSiI/s1600-h/DSC03287.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117448701586480898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1F5Y87dQDoQ/RwTUew5YnwI/AAAAAAAAAHs/61s7YjkhSiI/s320/DSC03287.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00144097263060047523noreply@blogger.com2