Half Term's Nearly Over

Hello to you!

I thought I'd make the most of today's precious extra hour and pop by.

Besides, I've given myself the day off today.  It's gone 4pm and I'm still in my pyjamas!

Supper is sorted.  A few weeks ago I treated myself to a slow cooker.  Come the halcyon days of summer, I daresay it won't see the light of day but, for now, it's my new best friend.  As I type, the delicious aroma of Mustard Chicken and Bacon Casserole is filling the house.  (I know I'm quite late to the slow cooker party so I'd love to hear your recipe book suggestions if you have any.)

Homework is done (I think).  Shoes are polished and school uniforms are ironed and hanging ready for tomorrow.

Before you start revering me as some sort of domestic goddess, I assure you that the house is a complete tip.  Never mind.  It can wait for another day.

So, half term's nearly over.  I've always found that the very first half term of the school year renders the children quite exhausted so this break is always very welcome.

We haven't ventured far this week.  We haven't needed to.  Walking Bertie has given us plenty of opportunity to enjoy the season's colours.

When the sun shone on the ivy on this wall, it looked like it was on fire.  Stunning.  (You might recognise it as being my new header.)

D's been baking again.  I think The Great British Bake Off put him in the mood.  Frangipane anyone?

Regular readers will know I'm a savoury girl and would, consequently, rather eat my own feet than a frangipane.  The Blondies thoroughly enjoyed them though.  Hopefully I have redeemed myself a little by putting a photo of them on my blog.  (He gets terribly thrilled when I do!)

Thank you so much for your kind comments about my wrist warmer.  You'll be pleased to hear that I did manage to make the second and I'm pretty sure the two are identical.  I photographed it as I crocheted so when I've had the chance to write the pattern up, I'll pop it on here if you fancy?

As for the rest of that delicious Rooster yarn, well I've opted for a simple striped blanket.

It's quite simply rows of half trebles which is my absolute favourite crochet stitch.  It's less holey than trebles but more fluid than doubles.  Of course, being just the one stitch, it does have the potential to be quite monotonous to crochet but the regular colour changes are keeping it quite moreish so far.  Plus, as each row takes me about twenty minutes, it's very easy to pick up and put down.

I just love the way the single white rows make the colours zing!

Right-o, a cup of tea beckons so I'll love you and leave you.

Keep cosy won't you?

Hxxx

Unplanned

What with these cosy autumnal evenings, I rather fancy starting a new little crocheted lap blanket.  I'm not terribly sure whether it will be striped, rippled or squared.  I thought I'd keep my eyes peeled for the right yarn and wait for inspiration to strike.

It didn't take long for me to fall in love.

This is Rooster Almerino double knit.  A mix of baby alpaca and merino wool, it's deliciously soft and the colours are, well, just look ...

Gorrrrrgeous!

(Yes I did snuzzle my face into them after taking the photos.  I couldn't resist!)

I sort of cheated when it came to choosing the exact colours.  This combination came in a preselected 'inspiration pack' from here.

Anyway, see that beautiful buttery yellow at the bottom?  I think that's my favourite.  In fact, so much so that I decided to have a little play and it wasn't long before I made this ...

... wrist warmer.

I made it up as I went along.  I've always loved the combination of lace and wool.

It perhaps needs the odd tweak here and there but, otherwise, I'm tickled pink.

The only problem?  Making another to match and I'm not terribly sure if I can remember exactly how!  Oh well, I like a challenge.

Either that or I'll just have to keep one hand stuffed in my pocket at all times!

It does match my new brooch perfectly though.

Still having a think about that blanket.

Hx

Catching Up

Oh dear, I really didn't mean to stay away quite so long.

Yes, I've been Instagramming but I've started to wonder that perhaps, if I organise my time a little better, I might be able to do both.  You see I really miss my blog.  I miss your blogs too.

Anyway, rather than launching into a list of 'since we last spoke', I thought I'd show you some of my favourite Instagram images by way of a little catch up ...

If you've stayed with me these past few months, thank you so much.  Don't go anywhere, I've so much to tell you.

'Til then.

Hxxx