We were taking some photos today of the slipper patterns which I've been putting together - here you an see Bob looking less than impressed!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Hoorah
I've had a series of articles commissioned by a print magazine and I've also been asked to resubmit my broomstick crochet cape design (this is the one i had accepted last year and was unable to fulfill as I was poorly) - which is excellent news.
I'm also thinking about putting together an e-book. These can be a bit tacky - but I am thinking that I might try a few crochet designs in this format and sell them through my BellaOnline site.
I'm also thinking about putting together an e-book. These can be a bit tacky - but I am thinking that I might try a few crochet designs in this format and sell them through my BellaOnline site.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Ankle update
I’ve not mentioned my ankle recently – which is probably good news. There is only so much you can say about an ankle, and I was getting close to the limit.
I am now walking unaided and I don’t think I am limping much. The only problem that I have at the moment is that because the swelling has now gone completely my ankle really hurts at night as the pins hurt when I sleep on my side. However I am sure I will find a way around this (perhaps crochet an ankle pillow perhaps) and this will be sorted when they take some of the metal out in a few months.
I don’t think I’ll be doing the 22 km walk this year – although saying that, it is really Ian’s turn. Talking of that particular horror – for the first time since that dreadful day last April my big toe nails needed cutting. If you remember they fell off in shock and are only just now back to normal. You won’t believe how similar “short stroll then breakfast” and “22 kilometre extremely hard hike” are in Spanish….
I am now walking unaided and I don’t think I am limping much. The only problem that I have at the moment is that because the swelling has now gone completely my ankle really hurts at night as the pins hurt when I sleep on my side. However I am sure I will find a way around this (perhaps crochet an ankle pillow perhaps) and this will be sorted when they take some of the metal out in a few months.
I don’t think I’ll be doing the 22 km walk this year – although saying that, it is really Ian’s turn. Talking of that particular horror – for the first time since that dreadful day last April my big toe nails needed cutting. If you remember they fell off in shock and are only just now back to normal. You won’t believe how similar “short stroll then breakfast” and “22 kilometre extremely hard hike” are in Spanish….
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Clocks change
We remembered that the clocks changed today - not that it really makes a lot of difference, I am sure we could quite happily live without watches and clocks. Days of clock watching are long gone.
The weather has been glorious, although rain is forecast for Monday. I don't think it has been as cold this year as it was last. It has been chilly - but not the very cold of last year. Throughout the winter we've had the back door open at night so Basil can come and go as he pleases - and I am sure we wouldn't have done that last year. Last year I also remember that we quite often had to boil the kettle for baths - and although I did do this a couple of times this year, we're currently having to add cold water to the shower which I am sure we didn't do until much later last year. I've also noticed that the Jasmine bush is still flowering, last year the flowers died because of frost. Of course this winter we also both had the benefit of undertable heaters. Well, when I say ‘we both’ – what I mean is we had the heaters and the dogs and cats had the benefit. Most of the pups have a singed bit on them somewhere which is testament to the fact they have enjoyed snuggling a little too close to the heater. And another bit of proof as to where the brains are in the cat vs dog discussions. Ian – in one of his rare contributions to the blog, would now point out the fact that I also burnt a sock on the undertable heater, adding further confusion to the ‘who is most dim’ debate.
We’ve been busy planning a relaunch of 10,000 great ideas. The theory being that as we have now had over 10,000 visitors to the crocheted snowflake design (really – we’ve had 3,000 since Xmas!!!), and about 3 to my ‘things to buy at jumble sales’ piece, we ought to concentrate on the woolly side of things. So, to this end we’ve been busy revamping the site. Ian has been working on some natty (or should that be knitty – boom boom) developments – like being able to search the patterns by amount of wool – so say you have a couple of balls of something and not sure what you can make, you’ll be able to get results based on this – as well as how easy, what sized needles etc. This – as any internet savvy knitter will know will be a tremendous benefit.
I’ve been working on patterns and articles for the site so when we launch there’ll be plenty for people to see. This includes the sock tops which you will have marvelled at when I posted a pic earlier in the week, and baby booties made out of a square. It’s going to be good when it’s done and I’m looking forward to it’s relaunch.
We’ve not been out asparagus hunting again as we’ve been busy with our work here – but hopefully we’ll nip out tomorrow before it rains.
The weather has been glorious, although rain is forecast for Monday. I don't think it has been as cold this year as it was last. It has been chilly - but not the very cold of last year. Throughout the winter we've had the back door open at night so Basil can come and go as he pleases - and I am sure we wouldn't have done that last year. Last year I also remember that we quite often had to boil the kettle for baths - and although I did do this a couple of times this year, we're currently having to add cold water to the shower which I am sure we didn't do until much later last year. I've also noticed that the Jasmine bush is still flowering, last year the flowers died because of frost. Of course this winter we also both had the benefit of undertable heaters. Well, when I say ‘we both’ – what I mean is we had the heaters and the dogs and cats had the benefit. Most of the pups have a singed bit on them somewhere which is testament to the fact they have enjoyed snuggling a little too close to the heater. And another bit of proof as to where the brains are in the cat vs dog discussions. Ian – in one of his rare contributions to the blog, would now point out the fact that I also burnt a sock on the undertable heater, adding further confusion to the ‘who is most dim’ debate.
We’ve been busy planning a relaunch of 10,000 great ideas. The theory being that as we have now had over 10,000 visitors to the crocheted snowflake design (really – we’ve had 3,000 since Xmas!!!), and about 3 to my ‘things to buy at jumble sales’ piece, we ought to concentrate on the woolly side of things. So, to this end we’ve been busy revamping the site. Ian has been working on some natty (or should that be knitty – boom boom) developments – like being able to search the patterns by amount of wool – so say you have a couple of balls of something and not sure what you can make, you’ll be able to get results based on this – as well as how easy, what sized needles etc. This – as any internet savvy knitter will know will be a tremendous benefit.
I’ve been working on patterns and articles for the site so when we launch there’ll be plenty for people to see. This includes the sock tops which you will have marvelled at when I posted a pic earlier in the week, and baby booties made out of a square. It’s going to be good when it’s done and I’m looking forward to it’s relaunch.
We’ve not been out asparagus hunting again as we’ve been busy with our work here – but hopefully we’ll nip out tomorrow before it rains.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Three Sock Tops
Why knit a whole sock when just the top shows...? I've been working on a pattern for sock tops.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Oh yes, What was Ian doing...?
He was hunting asparagus of course!! Here he is complete with the largest spear that not only had we seen, but also drew comment from Adelardo.
Asparagus hunting is quite addictive and it is our new Favourite Thing!
Unfortunately we are not very good - and as I was looking, on Sunday, for 50% of my asparagus harvest that I had dropped (I had dropped one of my two spears!), a man appeared from no where and gave me a great bunch, said something about Ian and then disappeared as quickly as he arrived. I think he was saying that this would surprise Ian (and it did - I went from 2 sorry looking spears to a great handful in a matter of seconds). Slightly more worrying though, is the fact that we are obviously being 'watched' in our asparagus hunting antics.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Homemade Cottage Cheese
MmmMmmmm, I hear you murmur.
One thing that I miss is cottage cheese. Strange as I never really knew that I liked it so much! We've not seen it in any shops - and admittedly I've not been on a complete mission to find it, I can pretty confidently report that it is not available within a 50km radius.
So I thought I'd make some, however milk is really difficult to buy. UHT milk with vitamins, soya, rice milk, added calcium etc falls off the shelves, however pure un-UHT'd milk is neigh on impossible (within local s/markets anyway) to find. This isn't really a surprise. This is not a dairy area, and whilst there are one or two cows wondering around the fields, it is certainly more normal to see sheep.
Ignoring instructions which clearly stated that making cottage cheese with UHT milk won't work, I pressed on. I found myself presented, instead of a saucepan of lovely fluffy cottage cheese, with saucepan of slime.
I referred again to my how-to-make-cottage-cheese instructions, and saw that powdered milk would work - as long as it wasn't UHT.
Therefore my last visit to the UK saw me returning, struggling with a case full of powdered milk, and this weekend I experienced milk alchemy as I turned the powdered milk into something which, with eyes shut and not smelling it, might in some small way resemble cottage cheese.
Ian, bless him, has kindly offered not to eat any so there is all the more for me. I am sure that this is what he meant when he said 'no ^%$$% way' when offered some.
One thing that I miss is cottage cheese. Strange as I never really knew that I liked it so much! We've not seen it in any shops - and admittedly I've not been on a complete mission to find it, I can pretty confidently report that it is not available within a 50km radius.
So I thought I'd make some, however milk is really difficult to buy. UHT milk with vitamins, soya, rice milk, added calcium etc falls off the shelves, however pure un-UHT'd milk is neigh on impossible (within local s/markets anyway) to find. This isn't really a surprise. This is not a dairy area, and whilst there are one or two cows wondering around the fields, it is certainly more normal to see sheep.
Ignoring instructions which clearly stated that making cottage cheese with UHT milk won't work, I pressed on. I found myself presented, instead of a saucepan of lovely fluffy cottage cheese, with saucepan of slime.
I referred again to my how-to-make-cottage-cheese instructions, and saw that powdered milk would work - as long as it wasn't UHT.
Therefore my last visit to the UK saw me returning, struggling with a case full of powdered milk, and this weekend I experienced milk alchemy as I turned the powdered milk into something which, with eyes shut and not smelling it, might in some small way resemble cottage cheese.
Ian, bless him, has kindly offered not to eat any so there is all the more for me. I am sure that this is what he meant when he said 'no ^%$$% way' when offered some.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Dorset Buttons.jpg
Thankyou to AH for the curtain rings. Here are 4 Dorset Buttons that I made earlier!!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Crocs
The story started with Helen last year, who bought a pair of Crocs. She was such a fan - indeed was worn her Crocs every day since having them (although rumours of them having to be surgically removed are unfounded). When I broke my ankle everyone clubbed together to buy me a pair. They are light to wear, non-slippy soles and great for use inside and out.
And I became hooked! As soon as the swelling went down I was wearing my Crocs and I too have been wearing them everyday.
So - Ian quite admired them, better than slippers, and more versitile (and less smelly) than trainers.
....and you've guessed!! We are now the proud owners of matching Crocs. Ian said that there was no point in having a pair if they were going to be dull brow, so here we are with our new matching feet!!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
50% of our lemon harvest.
We only had three lemons, however one appeared to have disappeared so this picture represents half of our entire harvest.
We've picked our oranges and are making 'lime' pickle with them. It is sure to be delightful (?). The theory is that Seville oranges are so bitter that they might replicate the taste of limes when salted and seasoned. We've got them salting away now - so keep a look out for updates!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Ian Siestas
Ian had a little siesta this afternoon, as it was such a nice day he bought outside a camping mattress. You can see that he had company!
We went out for a walk yesterday - we took Basil and Bob, this was significant as it is the first time I went for any distance without a crutch. I think Bob rather wished that I had taken the crutch instead of him. We saw lots of processionary Catapillars which are poisonous to dogs so we had to keep an eye on what they were eating. Need to watch that none appear in the yard.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Dad's blanket.JPG
This is Dad's blanket so far - however there are several more squares (?) to come.
Some more came from AH on Saturday which included one in Liverpool colours from Darren (although probably not crocheted by him!) and one in daffodil colours from UI.
Mine all appear to be in different shades of grey or sludge, so will endevour to produce something a little prettier.