Change in the Weather?

It has been so unseasonably warm, I wish we'd waited a bit longer to change to the winter duvet. Instead of snuggling up under the quilts, I'm throwing open the windows and sticking a leg out the side to cool down... what's that all about?

The weather boffins say it won't last though and things are set to start cooling down. So here's my winter snowman wreath

I've seen a few christmas wreaths with these lovely snowballs. This is inspired completely by the wonderful Sarah and her blog Repeat Crafter Me. She makes such gorgeous things and is very generous sharing her patterns too.

Having a wander around town, I spotted this lovely cookbook from Nigel Slater... nourishing for the soul as well as the body...

It's the second volume of his kitchen diaries, definitely a curl up by the fire and read kind of book

I'm certainly ready for it to get a bit colder (hope I don't regret saying that), lots of hearty winter recipes ready to try out... and Christmas... well I just love Christmas...

Take care
xxx

Pasta All Round

I'm not the biggest pasta fan in the world, but hubby loves pasta and it can make a quick and filling meal, especially on a cold winter's evening.

I made 2 different dishes, one with tuna, cheese and black pepper for Adam

and one for us with chopped up gammon , garlic and cheese.

I also cooked a pan of pasta just for the chickens. Poor things need all the help they can dealing with this freezing weather.

Lots of decluttering going on, I've completely cleared out my wardrobe with just the aid of bags! I hung up clothes I know I'm going to wear and feel comfortable in, had a bag for items to go to the local charity shop and a bag for items that I can use as fabric. It's now a pleasure to open my wardrobe doors and look inside instead of fighting with what's in there!

Meanwhile Imogen has been enjoying the snow, though even she is now getting quite fed up with it all.

Take care
xxx

Snow and First Word

The snow has been falling steadily all day, lightly and not settling at first, but then thick and fast soon becoming inches thick. I do think it looks so pretty out the window, but so great for those out and about in it (children being the exception of course!).

Imogen couldn't wait to pull her boots on when she came home from school and played outside until her small hands were frozen inside her woolly gloves!

Meanwhile, Phoebe has said her first proper word! We've had lots of imitating sounds (the phone ringing is particularly accurate... unfortunately!), whistles and trills, but we now have a very clear 'Hello'. Every time she says it I have to smile at my clever girl.

Before I go let me show you my lovely Swallows that Andrew treated me to. It's not the best picture, but I know just the place to hang them and I'll take another picture.

Here's one of the books Andrew bought me for Christmas 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin. I've popped it next to my bed and I'm looking forward to having a dip in it tonight.

Don't you think my tablecloth is cute, loving chickens!

Take care

xxx

Happy Colours

I haven't painted my nails for a while, and the last few times I've used a gorgeous, vibrant red. Today I opted for a varnish called 'Troll' (from George in Asda), hmmm, that's what I thought, but it's a lovely rich, deep colour with a matte finish and looks fab with some bright gold (looking yellow) flicks. I don't think the lighting is very good, but you can get the gist.

my thumb!

trusty bottle of George nail varnish

I'm all ready to start on my next crochet project, I'll be able to flick my new nails around as I do lots of hooking.  I wanted to start a Granny Stripe blanket as my next long term project, and felt really inspired by a thread on UKS all about them - it also means I'll have a place to go if I need help :)

The snow is falling thick and fast and has been doing all afternoon and evening, luckily we'd already been to the shop to stock up on some happy, pretty wool colours. These are what I plan to use for my Granny Stripe.

They look prettier in real life :)

Now I just need to get started on that pesky chain so I can enjoy the 'stripiness' tomorrow, curled up indoors away from that very cold snow!

Take care
xxx

Snow and bits of wool!

The snow arrived at last, and when it came, it really came (though not in last year's amounts). For us it was a good covering, Honey and Imogen were so excited, Honey was snuffling about, burying her nose... must have been so cold!

In the afternoon, Daddy took Imogen to the park - we really are so lucky to have such a gorgeous park so close to us. We've had the sledge for a few months now, and Imo was starting to worry she wouldn't get to use it. Even Daddy had a turn, and they both came home fresh faced and nithered!

While those two were busy freezing themselves, I stayed at home in the warm (I get a bit scared to go out when the weather's like this in case I slip, or my chair gets stuck), and started sewing in the ends from my crochet throw. I have to admit to putting it off as it seemed a bit of a daunting task - so many ends! I made a good start, and have consoled myself about the waste from all the small ends that get snipped off after securing by collecting them in a large mason jar.

I plan to collect odd snippets of wool, thread, ribbon and fabric throughout the year rather than throw them away, then with some water soluble paper and the sewing machine I plan to create my own unique fabric! I'm being inspired from this lady and the tutorial here, I came across the post when I was feeding my pinterest addiction.

It's my birthday tomorrow, and it's so good to have everyone together (son staying the night), and Imogen has done so much baking with Daddy that I'm not sure where it will all go - pics to follow.

Take care
xxx