Got knotted

so the sorter and winder extra-ordinaire took over and ...

after weighing and rewinding …

I ended up with about 700g of Sirdar Silky Look DK.

Now what shall I make? Someone's throwaway lives to see another day.

xx

Still rolling

Will it never end?

3 kitchen cupboards - I can pull out my baking stuff so easily, I know exactly how many stored items are there and my bowls are easily accessed along with the hand mixer, the electric carving knife and various other kitchen attachments and whizzers,

*

*

*

*

and

*

*

*

*

wait for it

*

*

*

*

the under stairs cupboard

I'm rather fed up with folding plastic bags but I will not throw them away unless they are a waste bin liner. New plastic bags are put in the kitchen drawer to be used for the homemade bread, crummy bread bags are used as bin liners and are stored under the stairs. Good quality plastic bags are taken shopping along with the large supermarket fabric bags. I can get my ironing board out from under there now without pulling out, or knocking over, other items. Oh joy!

*

*

*

*

I know how many bottles of wine and sherry are under the stairs too!

Oh joyous joy!

xx

Just a list

of books I've read and not read by Peter James.

Dead Letter Drop

Atom Bomb Angel

Billionaire

Possession

Dreamer

Sweet Heart

Twilight

Prophecy

Alchemist

Host

The Truth

Denial

Faith Perfect

People

Dead Simple

Looking Good Dead

Not Dead Enough

Dead Man's Footsteps

Dead Tomorrow

The Perfect Murder

Dead Like You

Dead Man's Grip

Not Dead Yet

Dead Man's Time

Want You Dead

A Twist of the Knife

I look out for Peter James' books in the CS and can never remember which one's I've read and which I haven't. The blurb doesn't help me at all, nor does reading the beginning of the book.

I'm sure I've read more than I've crossed out but I forget instantly the one's I've passed on. It's rather like not remembering 'Who dun it?' in Agatha Christie books. I shall come back to this page, as and when, to cross off more.

xx

What?

I'm on a roll. Tights sorted, socks sorted, wool sorted (at least stored in one place) and ...

I very, very rarely wear tights so I don't know why I keep so many.

… knickers and bras folded and sorted! Here's a great video for folding knicks so you can fit them into a small space.

Sorry, I'm not showing a pic of my knicker drawer!

xx

Organised or what?

I've been watching videos on YT on how to organise clothes. (There are some wonderful videos out there.) As I was having difficulty cramming fitting all my clothes into drawers and wardrobes I thought a little organisation was called for. It's wonderful what a little origami folding can do - all my tops sorted with a 'worn once' so clothes aren't left lying around.

All my hangers were replaced with velvety ones, initially from Primani, then TKMax and finally Home Bargains (which were the cheaper for the same product). These hangers help to cram fit more items into a small space. They also won't let clothes slip off.

The coloured hangers I had already and were a bargain by from the CS.

I even refolded all my material (that might come in handy one day).

The crafty shelves are looking decidedly organised and believe it or not the contents of the boxes and baskets are sorted too!

I can't touch anything now. I'm afraid to mess it all up!

xx

PS 1. Julie at KC's Court. Please will you email me your address and I'll send off the Nature book for you.
2. I had a great jump in the number of page views the other day. I think someone must have been reading all the previous pages of the blog. I hope it was an interesting read for you and you didn't get too bored with my makes, dos and thoughts!

3. Now I'm off to view how to store tights without them tying themselves in a knot. Oh what a stimulating life I lead.

xx

I planted a tree today. It's only a 5 foot stick at the moment but it should grow into this.

It's a Pride of India or Golden Rain tree with flowers that look like this.

And seed pods that look like this.

It will eventually grow into this.

We spotted these trees in Dresden in Germany and thought they were beautiful. It will be some time before our tree will be as big as the one above but I hope we'll see some of the flowers and seed heads once the tree is established.

The tree is taking the place of the one we had to cut down last year which was getting far too big and sending suckers up all over the lawn.

The tomato seeds that we planted in pots are now emerging. 

We won't need them all but isn't it funny that we find it really difficult to throw the 'extra' ones away. DD potted all his up last year and gave away a 'million' and potted up a 'million'.

The 'edible' back garden has now been rotovated and the pea trellises put up in readiness for planting. Potatoes are chitting and seeds have been sorted. All is ready for the great plant when the weather gets a little warmer.

A very warm welcome to my new follower.

xx

PS  (The computer didn't like the word 'chitting' and wanted to put 'chatting'. I don't think my seed potatoes are chatting to each other. I wonder what they'd say if they were?  "I've got my eye on you!" "Let's get mashed!")

Quick soup

end of celery

end of cabbage

1/2 tin of tomatoes

small piece of garlic

small chilli

1/2 stock cube

slosh of soy sauce

slosh of Worcester sauce

slosh of Tomato ketchup

slosh of water

fry, slosh, boil, simmer, whizz and eat

I've had one bowlful and there's another bowlful left which I will put with the last of the leeks from the garden for the next batch of soup. If I keep adding to the pan I could make a different variety soup each day. 

Now what else is left at the bottom of the fridge?

xx

Time for the snip!

It had to be done and better late than never. The grapevine has one central stem that grows the length of the greenhouse. In previous years I've trained side shoots to come out from the stem to make a canopy (Plan A). This year I'm trying something different.

I'd left one side shoot to grow during last season and trained it to run parallel to the main stem. I will keep all new side shoots short so (hopefully) this year's bunches of grapes will grow near to these 2  main stems so giving more light from above for the tomatoes.

Old leaves were blown away and side shoots cut back to 2 buds which faced downwards.

This vine has been growing years and this close-up shows all the cut backs.

There are a few downward facing buds which I hope will produce fruit this year. If not then I'll have to revert to Plan A next year!

xx

Giving

"It's a parcel for you. Who's it from?"

"I won a Bloggy giveaway for being the 89th person to comment on their blog in January."

(Puzzled look) "Why?"

"It was a 7th year Bloggy Birthday."

"Right." (Definitely a puzzled look)

And who was it from? If you have not clicked on the link above then click here. What a lovely lady.

And what was in it? Take a look.

From the top left clockwise - 

Beautiful coloured frames for card making

A cross stitched little bird on a twig

Pure Egyptian cotton crochet thread in 2 wonderful shades of pink

Some patterned braid

A pretty card with the message that all these goodies were picked especially for me

Seeds for the garden (The cucamelon seeds caught my eye. Read here for more information.)

Thank you so much, Marlene, for your thoughtful gift which got me thinking. I'd like to continue this  'bloggy giving'.

Bloggy Giving Chain

Rules: (only one)

Receive a 'Bloggy Giveaway' and then organise a giveaway of your own.

So here's my offering (for UK bloggers - sorry but it's quite a heavy item to post). I have 2 copies of this book so this one is my Bloggy Giveaway. 

It was only last year that I gave away another book by the same author. Again this book is not new but is another one to dip into each month. It is a facsimile reproduction of a naturalist's diary for the year 1906 in which 'Edith Holden recorded in words and paintings the flora and fauna of the British countryside through the changing seasons of the year.' 

I hope this Bloggy Giving Chain will continue ad infinitum and spread around some happy giving and receiving. If you leave a comment please add the word 'diary' and I will write down your name to be put in a hat and drawn this time next week.

xx

Butchering

I'm removing the stuffing and eyes from the old, past it teddies to put in my craft supplies and I don't think I can carry on.

Why do I feel like a butcher?

xx

Opposite the Kitchen Window

Fooled you! This is the Kitchen Window. It's a good idea to put water in the vase before the flowers are plonked in. That way they have a chance of survival. These tulips survived 2 days without water - silly me. I did wonder why they drooped such a lot. Now only one remains sad and the others have picked up a treat. The were so glad that the floods came at last.

The side plant has not looked back since it was repotted. In fact it's looking up and up and clinging to the ceiling now.

Aha! Here is 'Opposite the Kitchen Window' looking fairly clear. Items to spot are the:-

* Breakfast tray ready for the morn.

* The healthy looking fruit bowl cake stand and the last of the ahem choccy woccies. I  know now who ate them. I also know now who is going to eat the last two.

* The white globey jar was bought from B&M just because I liked the design. I haven't the faintest idea what I am going to put in it.

* The red plastic sweetie 'tin' which holds the last of the Christmas cake. Who ate all that cake, I wonder?

* The egg carton tray ready to be returned to the greengrocer.

Obligatory Blogger questions coming up!

Now what have you got on your work surfaces? Are they clear or crowded? Do you ever forget to put water in a vase of flowers or is it only me?

And …

Why do we have a breakfast tray?

xx

Doing

to the tune of Knees up Mother Brown.

Grandma used to do

Grandma used to do

Do the brass on the old front door
Got down on her knees and washed the floor
She ironed all the clothes
And hung them on the door
Used to, used to
Each week she did do
Grandma used to do

Oh my, now my turn to do
It's my turn to do
It's my turn to do

Oh my, Grandma will be proud
I make sure all is sparkling

Too-oo-ooh

Here are the original words

Knees up Mother Brown Knees up Mother Brown Under the table you must go Ee-aye, Ee-aye, Ee-aye-oh If I catch you bending I'll saw your legs right off Knees up, knees up Never get the breeze up Knees up Mother Brown Oh my, what a rotten song What a rotten song What a rotten song Oh my, what a rotten song And what a rotten singer Too-oo-ooh


And here they are sung. Warning: only play the first part of this video if you want to remain of sound mind!

Right, I'm off to polish the brass now.

xx

PS A very warm welcome to my new follower. I hope you stay after this!

Answers

1. My home is in which famous seaside town?

2. How many cats do I have?

3. What do I call my days out?

4. What adjective do I use to describe my back garden?

5. Name one of my hobbies.

Here are a few that I have mentioned in the blog.

baking

crochet and knitting

A blackberry beanie

A wavy ripple based around this pattern minus puffballs plus extra black!

Valentine slippers

And another scarf in garter stitch. Methinks I have too many projects on the go.

dancing

playing

reading

recycling and re-using

sewing

6. How do I describe the majority of my Christmas cards?

7. Name my favourite home grown vegetable.

8. Name one of my crocheted blankets.

Autumn blanket

Bloggy Blanket



Christmas granny blanket



Granny zigzag



Spring ripple blanket

Summer blanket





2012 blankets





9. What is my volunteer job?

10. What was the original aim of this blog and am I still achieving it?

Thank you to the people who commented yesterday and well done to Jill who was able to answer most of the questions. (Sorry, Jill, I've missed putting you back on to my side bar. I will rectify this forthwith!)


'I think I shall simply record all the things I do as I live my simple life. I cannot promise to put in everything. It depends if I have time. Let's see how it goes.'

xx

Quiz

Most of the answers to the questions can be found by typing in the search or by clicking on a label. No pressure to answer the questions as I shall post the answers tomorrow. Well done if you can answer all the questions correctly without having to look anything up. I won't publish any comment (if there are any) until I've posted the answers.

1. My home is in which famous seaside town?

2. How many cats do I have?

3. What do I call my days out?

4. What adjective do I use to describe my back garden?

5. Name one of my hobbies.

6. How do I describe the majority of my Christmas cards?

7. Name my favourite home grown vegetable.

8. Name one of my crocheted blankets.

9. What is my volunteer job?

10. What was the original aim of this blog and am I still achieving it?

xx

Saved - phew!

I can't do it - I can't throw, give or donate everything away. These are the ones that were 'saved'.

Panda's getting rather old and sad now. He's been with me since I was 3. The others are DD's or DS's and bring back all sorts of happy memories. There are 2 Gordon the Gophers in there somewhere and Emu has inspired 2 other Emu fancy dress costumes. Postman Pat was knitted by a colleague who also knitted his cat and his van! The van is long gone. Puppets feature strongly as they were very popular - Sooty, Sweep plus others. There are some cuddly cats in there, of course and plenty of teddies. Shaun the Sheep sat on a bed for quite a long time if I remember rightly. There's a bag of him somewhere in a wardrobe - everyone seemed to walk around with one on their backs. The little panda had to be bought from the CS. His jacket says 'Take me Home' so I did. Rodney the knitted bear was from the needles of  the same colleague who produced Postman Pat. He was a favourite from day 1.

Oh well, I'll just have to de-clutter somewhere else now.

Hooray says Emu.

xx

Nine to Five

9am

What am I wearing? 
Slobabout black T-shirt dress
What am I doing?
Sorting craft supplies - still - after having made some bread dough
Where am I?
In the spare room
What's the sky like?
Blue with white fluffily clouds (It's bitterly cold and the wind is blowing.)
What's motivating me?

The desire to know what I've got in the way of craft supplies and the desire to organise all the bits and pieces that I've accumulated into some sort of order. Where do you keep the knitting needles?

2pm

What am I wearing?
Slobabout black gardening trousers and stretchy black top - (I like black) bright green gardening gloves and pink wellingtons
What am I doing?
Helping DH plant a new tree in the garden. (Actually just holding it upright while he fills in the hole.)
Where am I?
In the front garden
What's the sky like?
Same as earlier on and it's still bitterly cold
What's motivating me?
The desire to get this tree planted as quickly as possible then get back inside into the warm and knock back the dough

5pm

What am I wearing?
Same as before.
What am I doing?
Eating tea - quick bean chilli with rice - I brought back a book from the CS which had a version of this meal in. I used onion, celery, garlic, chilli powder, cabbage, tinned toms, stock cube and kidney beans plus a little bit of water

Where am I?
In the back room
What's the sky like?
Same as earlier on
What's motivating me?
The thought of the next mouthful and Neighbours on the tele in a moment.

I'm linking to Thrift Deluxe's blog today as her blog is called Nine to Five.

xx

I want to be known

I tried to comment on someone's blog and a Google plus box came up and asked me how I wanted to be known across all Google products. It even gave me my date of birth. Here, I want to be known as 'Mum'. Elsewhere I'm known as another name and at home another one. I wish to have different identities in the different circles I belong to, not just one. Here is my home and crafts' blog. Elsewhere I have other hobbies and activities. This blog is known to only a select few of people I know and certainly not all of them. So I'm sorry I'm not commenting if you have the G+ box in your comments section. I do read your blog and would love to comment as 'Mum' but I don't want to be known as 'Mum' all the time.

xx

Do I really ...

… have to chase this thing?

A piece of string works just as well.

xx