tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370610922024-03-13T13:11:43.298+00:00Forgetmenot's Cornerlove is enoughForgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-7926360771717003412007-12-21T16:29:00.001+00:002007-12-21T16:45:50.468+00:00the changing year<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vqOzmtpDI/AAAAAAAAAc8/bpoK0Xk1gKA/s1600-h/DSC02962.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146464539292574770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vqOzmtpDI/AAAAAAAAAc8/bpoK0Xk1gKA/s320/DSC02962.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> Although the solstice is not until tomorrow, the evenings are imperceptibly longer. Sunset was 3.31pm today - on the 19th it was 3.30pm.<br /><br /><br /><br />These are views from the back of our garden, showing the lower slopes of the hill behind our house, and looking south-west towards the distant Black Isle (below).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vqPDmtpEI/AAAAAAAAAdE/BgxTGe6Qc1A/s1600-h/DSC02964.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146464543587542082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vqPDmtpEI/AAAAAAAAAdE/BgxTGe6Qc1A/s320/DSC02964.JPG" border="0" /></a>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-39353227069826537572007-12-21T15:43:00.001+00:002007-12-21T16:01:58.849+00:00Quilting<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vgDDmto_I/AAAAAAAAAcc/92Jm3awp4yw/s1600-h/DSC02953.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146453342312834034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vgDDmto_I/AAAAAAAAAcc/92Jm3awp4yw/s320/DSC02953.JPG" border="0" /></a>We have had a heavy frost all this week. This is currently in my hoop, and keeping me cosy by the fireside. It is a baby quilt with 35 4-patches made from a single charm pack - the 4-patches measure 3.5"square as I have to cut off the edges before I start. I wanted the sashing to be heavily quilted, but what I have done is too busy for my liking, and I have some changes in mind for the next 'round'.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vgDzmtpCI/AAAAAAAAAc0/tPNjeW0KDUw/s1600-h/DSC02933.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146453355197735970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R2vgDzmtpCI/AAAAAAAAAc0/tPNjeW0KDUw/s320/DSC02933.JPG" border="0" /></a> 'Under the Stars' came out from its resting-place a couple of weeks ago, and I quilted a diamond pattern in the borders. I had put the stars in two of the corners last year, not with a great deal of success. It's difficult with a hoop to keep the 3 layers evenly stretched in the corners. Next time I will use many more pins! Now I need to remember where I put the binding fabric...<br /><br /><div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-13702577206180065742007-12-07T12:56:00.000+00:002007-12-07T13:09:02.375+00:00Anticipation...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDnfZmXwI/AAAAAAAAAb8/kxlRumnQhCQ/s1600-h/DSC02918.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141214795342962434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDnfZmXwI/AAAAAAAAAb8/kxlRumnQhCQ/s320/DSC02918.JPG" border="0" /></a> This very large parcel arrived for me today. A Christmas present from R!<br /><br />I <em>had</em> to open it, to make sure the contents were OK.<br /><br /><br />Inside I found a large quantity of this:<br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDofZmXxI/AAAAAAAAAcE/tphGefAAdJg/s1600-h/DSC02922.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141214812522831634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDofZmXxI/AAAAAAAAAcE/tphGefAAdJg/s320/DSC02922.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>one of these:</p><p><br /> </p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDo_ZmXyI/AAAAAAAAAcM/jTftKQl6zQs/s1600-h/DSC02924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141214821112766242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDo_ZmXyI/AAAAAAAAAcM/jTftKQl6zQs/s320/DSC02924.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>some books and odds and ends, and...</p><p><br /> </p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDpvZmXzI/AAAAAAAAAcU/4q009rOXIv8/s1600-h/DSC02926.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141214833997668146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1lDpvZmXzI/AAAAAAAAAcU/4q009rOXIv8/s320/DSC02926.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of these!</p><p> </p><p>It's a Christmas present, I can't use it just yet. But I can read the instructions.</p><p>...maybe I could just <em>practice</em> treadling though? When no-one is around??<br /></p>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-36522565973159636752007-12-06T11:52:00.001+00:002007-12-06T12:01:21.409+00:00New Cooker<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1fi3ZRDKUI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Fh1s9lCKA-U/s1600-h/DSC02920.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140826940969789762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R1fi3ZRDKUI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Fh1s9lCKA-U/s320/DSC02920.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> This is our new cooker. I've been meaning to post a photo for a while now. It is a refurbished pre-1970s model which we had brought up from somewhere near Birmingham, I think. We have had a few teething problems, but are getting on top of them now, I think. It burns (guzzles) oil, which is generally a bad thing - but we will only run her for 6 months of the year, and will change to a different fuel when it becomes available locally. Having this thing running makes a huge difference to our house. It was rather miserable here last winter. This year, for a few reasons, things are much better.<br /><br />Oh and she makes great tasting food!<br /><div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-33131278064520741662007-12-06T11:14:00.001+00:002007-12-06T11:48:58.366+00:00MeMe<a href="http://weronicasquilt.blogspot.com/">Veronica </a>tagged me.<br /><br />And I'd hoped to slip under the radar!<br /><br />Let me see:<br /><br />4 Jobs I Had<br /><br />1. Played in a string quartet when I was at school - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Scott Joplin and that sort of thing. We weren't terribly good, but made some pocket money (it seemed a lot to me at the time) playing at weddings and other events. My first job!<br /><br />2. Strawberry picker. This was the summer I left school, in the Scottish Highlands, far from home. It was a lot of fun. Later that summer I went to Kent to help with the hop harvest and pick apples. That was fun too.<br /><br />3. As a student I had a summer job for a couple of years in a hotel in the highlands. It was on the far side of a loch from the local village, and you could only really access it by motor launch. It was a small hotel; 8 rooms, and at one point I counted 12 staff! Not including the proprietors! I had various jobs - dishwashing, doing the rooms, cleaning the kitchen, serving the pre-dinner drinks. I was even entrusted with some kitchen tasks! (chopping parsley, whipping cream, stirring porridge, making toast, baking cookies and cheese biscuits if I recall). This is where I learned about what would, this year, eventually become my cooker (post to follow).<br /><br />4. Hospital doctor. Less said...<br /><br />Right, I've had enough of the meme! And I'm sure I'd get even more boring as I go on...Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-46874437092552271262007-11-23T17:01:00.000+00:002007-11-23T17:42:34.596+00:00Frosty sunshiny day<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cL1uLMJGI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/jregdi0u48Y/s1600-h/DSC02849.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136086917595276386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cL1uLMJGI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/jregdi0u48Y/s320/DSC02849.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sharp frost last night. Minus 6 had been forecast.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cLiOLMJFI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dB_f2BW_Ulw/s1600-h/DSC02839_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136086582587827282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cLiOLMJFI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dB_f2BW_Ulw/s320/DSC02839_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a> Not so nice for poultry. The orchard doesn't get a great deal of sun at this time of year, and the grass stayed frozen all today. An excuse to give them mash and corn - that made them happy.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cKxOLMJEI/AAAAAAAAAbA/0t1PluqFNnA/s1600-h/DSC02851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136085740774237250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cKxOLMJEI/AAAAAAAAAbA/0t1PluqFNnA/s320/DSC02851.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ben Wyvis from the end of our road.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We decided to go see the beach in the sun! </div><div></div><div>There were mushrooms still growing on the dunes - don't know what kind they are, despite hours spent poring over my mushroom book this autumn. (lots of rabbits here make it fun for dogs!)<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cKcOLMJDI/AAAAAAAAAa4/IwyweRZbZos/s1600-h/DSC02879.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136085379996984370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cKcOLMJDI/AAAAAAAAAa4/IwyweRZbZos/s320/DSC02879.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cKMOLMJCI/AAAAAAAAAaw/KLAZCawFShQ/s1600-h/DSC02853.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136085105119077410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cKMOLMJCI/AAAAAAAAAaw/KLAZCawFShQ/s320/DSC02853.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Beach at last!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cJ6uLMJBI/AAAAAAAAAao/fmxWFRmDkko/s1600-h/DSC02873.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136084804471366674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cJ6uLMJBI/AAAAAAAAAao/fmxWFRmDkko/s320/DSC02873.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />North Sutor<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cJoeLMJAI/AAAAAAAAAag/3bc2D4WmQq0/s1600-h/DSC02874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136084490938754050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cJoeLMJAI/AAAAAAAAAag/3bc2D4WmQq0/s320/DSC02874.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />South Sutor<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cJWeLMI_I/AAAAAAAAAaY/e9GHX_BghI4/s1600-h/DSC02863.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136084181701108722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cJWeLMI_I/AAAAAAAAAaY/e9GHX_BghI4/s320/DSC02863.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lifeboat going past<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cIuuLMI-I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/OKPT_-d4pg8/s1600-h/DSC02861.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136083498801308642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cIuuLMI-I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/OKPT_-d4pg8/s320/DSC02861.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Not complete without doggy pics ...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cIgOLMI9I/AAAAAAAAAaI/8gfaQo5wHE8/s1600-h/DSC02860.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136083249693205458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cIgOLMI9I/AAAAAAAAAaI/8gfaQo5wHE8/s320/DSC02860.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />There was daylight enough to do some tidying in the garden when we got home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cIOuLMI8I/AAAAAAAAAaA/O3Ho93BjOQI/s1600-h/DSC02882.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136082949045494722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cIOuLMI8I/AAAAAAAAAaA/O3Ho93BjOQI/s320/DSC02882.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div></div>Full moon is tomorrow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cHneLMI6I/AAAAAAAAAZw/tSX6PRa8NV0/s1600-h/DSC02885.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136082274735629218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cHneLMI6I/AAAAAAAAAZw/tSX6PRa8NV0/s320/DSC02885.JPG" border="0" /></a> I wonder should I sow some peas?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-47524785456627031782007-11-23T16:47:00.000+00:002007-11-23T17:48:18.516+00:00Woolly visitor!Tuesday afternoon I got to sew.<br /><br />Well not sew exactly. I was cutting, all afternoon.<br /><br />So there I was, cutting away happily and I looked out of the window to see this creature:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cEw-LMI5I/AAAAAAAAAZo/M2EDD4kf8-k/s1600-h/DSC02830.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136079139409503122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cEw-LMI5I/AAAAAAAAAZo/M2EDD4kf8-k/s320/DSC02830.JPG" border="0" /></a>Don't you just love his horns?<br /><br />He must have come up the drive and had just come to a halt in the yard. I don't know how long he had been there. So he looked about himself for about a minute, and then turned round and went off again. (hope he ate some of our long grass on the way out!)<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cEeeLMI4I/AAAAAAAAAZg/7gKMLP7M2RQ/s1600-h/DSC02834.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136078821581923202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cEeeLMI4I/AAAAAAAAAZg/7gKMLP7M2RQ/s320/DSC02834.JPG" border="0" /></a>I don't know where he came from -its mostly arable farming around here and the fields are unsuitable for livestock - they generally don't have much in the way of gates and some of them don't seem to have fences! It's pretty much all arable, apart from some cattle on the hill above our house. </p><p>Hope he got home safely, wherever his home is.</p>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-54307882700825167512007-11-23T16:37:00.000+00:002007-11-23T16:47:32.146+00:00Windy beach walk<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cCqeLMI2I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/j_GGEGShdEU/s1600-h/DSC02827.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136076828717097826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cCqeLMI2I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/j_GGEGShdEU/s320/DSC02827.JPG" border="0" /></a> On Monday we went to the beach in the village. It's our closest beach, but we don't go there often as it tends to be busy. It was windy and the sea was wild. Lots of foam to walk through and send blowing off up the beach.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cC5eLMI3I/AAAAAAAAAZY/9w9jlt9x9h4/s1600-h/DSC02828.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136077086415135602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/R0cC5eLMI3I/AAAAAAAAAZY/9w9jlt9x9h4/s320/DSC02828.JPG" border="0" /></a>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-54808974650893112352007-11-15T18:35:00.000+00:002007-11-15T19:11:08.395+00:00Shopping<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RzyRxOLMI1I/AAAAAAAAAZI/IQVd0gq6zLI/s1600-h/DSC02821.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133137950100169554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RzyRxOLMI1I/AAAAAAAAAZI/IQVd0gq6zLI/s320/DSC02821.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Two trips to Inverness in two days; another trip to collect R this evening will make it three...ugh...</p><p>I had time for a little impromptu shopping in one of my favourite shops, and look what I found! A Warren Kimble 'fat cat' spoonrest...now it just so happens that I quite like Warren Kimble, and a spoonrest is exactly what's been lacking in my kitchen. It will go nicely with my other new kitchen toy...(post to follow at some point)</p><p>I also bought a grey cashmere sweater (75% off, 'designed in Scotland') and a very soft, very fluffy, snow- white bath robe. Bath time for me tonight!</p><p></p>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-84109452331891904272007-11-14T17:52:00.001+00:002007-11-14T18:03:37.825+00:00Lavender Hearts<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rzs2K0QO-6I/AAAAAAAAAYc/XVI3X3AxbbY/s1600-h/DSC02794.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132755759772138402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rzs2K0QO-6I/AAAAAAAAAYc/XVI3X3AxbbY/s320/DSC02794.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I've been experimenting a little. The aim was to make a lavender sachet; something pretty and feminine.</div><br /><div></div><div>There were many prototypes; it was fun! I may need to do a little more work on getting all those little hearts to line up straight though.</div><br /><div></div><div>The lavender comes from our herb garden; a very old lavender bush there is almost as tall as I am. The crop is fantastic, but it has grown unsightly and is due to be removed soon.</div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-54784522134003375322007-11-12T18:13:00.000+00:002007-11-15T18:46:28.270+00:00November Poppies<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rzib4HRQ_qI/AAAAAAAAAX8/2cWq6Ntg43I/s1600-h/DSC02798.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132023163715124898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rzib4HRQ_qI/AAAAAAAAAX8/2cWq6Ntg43I/s320/DSC02798.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br />I found these beside the composters. These will be our last poppies for this year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RziYX3RQ_pI/AAAAAAAAAX0/mcWd-nD5JaY/s1600-h/DSC02802.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132019311129460370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RziYX3RQ_pI/AAAAAAAAAX0/mcWd-nD5JaY/s320/DSC02802.JPG" border="0" /></a> We had our first ground frost last night.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-43602759680037433142007-05-15T21:04:00.000+01:002007-05-15T21:35:27.490+01:00Something quilt-related (for a change)<a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064882064328612370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoTZxGN2hI/AAAAAAAAAXE/EIAQ-hx8Lvk/s320/DSC02289.JPG" border="0" /></a> Now I need something to restore my good spirits. Maybe a somewhat quilty post? There's nothing in this stack of 32 blocks to raise my spirits...my glass is half empty here...I need 36, and this week I am struggling for time to sew.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoTKRGN2gI/AAAAAAAAAW8/lleDlyyTKs0/s1600-h/DSC02288.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064881798040640002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoTKRGN2gI/AAAAAAAAAW8/lleDlyyTKs0/s320/DSC02288.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nope, no. Not careless raggy applique.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoS5BGN2fI/AAAAAAAAAW0/A7wnB3_0Vhw/s1600-h/DSC02292.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064881501687896562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoS5BGN2fI/AAAAAAAAAW0/A7wnB3_0Vhw/s320/DSC02292.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Aha! A fistful of new fabric! That's more like it!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoSrRGN2eI/AAAAAAAAAWs/iWiMf7iWqJg/s1600-h/DSC02290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064881265464695266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoSrRGN2eI/AAAAAAAAAWs/iWiMf7iWqJg/s320/DSC02290.JPG" border="0" /></a> I don't even need to think about preparing them. Sometimes it's nice just to spread tham out and look at them, all full of possibilities.</div><div></div><div>I might do that a little more, they're so pretty.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoSdxGN2dI/AAAAAAAAAWk/ICoGRYkXVkU/s1600-h/DSC02275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064881033536461266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoSdxGN2dI/AAAAAAAAAWk/ICoGRYkXVkU/s320/DSC02275.JPG" border="0" /></a>"I'm going to peck you if you don't put down the camera and give me some crumbs" I'm working on some pet portraits. This is Billy, our only cockerel and poor Charlie's brother (BTW we candled Charlie's eggs, and so far it's all looking good). He's a bit cross 'cos he's just been bullied by Dugald (our drake). Our poultry are free range, and there's plenty of space so the bullying is more comic than serious.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoT9xGN2iI/AAAAAAAAAXM/LkcjCW8Plh8/s1600-h/DSC02286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064882682803903010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkoT9xGN2iI/AAAAAAAAAXM/LkcjCW8Plh8/s320/DSC02286.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are some seal pups we saw at the weekend on sandbanks on Loch Fleet - you might see them better by clicking on the photo.<br /><div>< </div></div></div></div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-63741366485729848582007-05-12T12:04:00.000+01:002007-05-12T12:33:42.512+01:007 things about Me<a href="http://jettstream.wordpress.com/">Jane Ann</a> tagged me to write about 7 random facts or habits. <br /><br />1. I love "fairytales". I learned to read early, and was always allowed independence in the books I chose. Nobody seemed to understand why I was still reading these stories when I was obviously "far too old for that nonsense". I think partly it was comforting, but mostly because I was looking for meaning in these simple tales. And found quite a bit!<br /><br />2. When I was little we spent much time at my grandmother's house, the rear wing of a grand Georgian mansion just outside troubled '70s Belfast. The garden was wild and beautiful, and at the bottom of it snowdrops grew in the lawn in rings. These, grannie explained, were faerie rings. (no explanation as to whether the faeries <em>made </em>the rings, or just used them, or what the faeries looked like, etc). I believed her. And a tiny, tiny part of me still does.<br /><br />3. Just beyond said garden was a small wood. One of my sisters told me there were wolves in the wood. Despite knowing there were no wild wolves, for a long time I believed her and was terrified, especially at night. (I don't belive this any more!)<br /><br />4. Last time I went to IKEA I bought everything I wanted and the bill came to £23.22.<br /><br />5. I dislike telephones very much, and avoid speaking on them and especially answering them. I see from reading other people's blogs that I am not alone in this, and this makes me feel a little better.<br /><br />6.'Love is Enough' (below my blog title) is the title of a poem by William Morris.<br /><br />7. I have two pianos in my house.<br /><br />Thank you Jane Ann, that was fun!Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-3976585442122534012007-05-10T12:22:00.000+01:002007-05-10T23:15:34.240+01:00Visiting Afar<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMCiBGN2aI/AAAAAAAAAWM/CmbmXTQYzs0/s1600-h/DSC02255.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062893189527886242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMCiBGN2aI/AAAAAAAAAWM/CmbmXTQYzs0/s320/DSC02255.JPG" border="0" /></a> Still piecing, slowly; don't have much to show. This cross stitch bookmark for my older sister's birthday did however get finished. The kit comes from the almost-local <a href="http://www.textileheritage.com/">Textile Heritage</a>.<br /><br />Yesterday I had some errands to do in Edinburgh and Glasgow. That meant an early start and a four hour drive. I had planned an intermediate stop at the quilt shop in Linlithgow, but it was closed and I ended up with some time to fill in before meeting LittleSis. The Botanical Gardens in Glasgow is a good place to while away a couple of hours...especially with all those second hand bookshops nearby...<br /><br />I lived in the West End of Glasgow for many years, as a student and afterwards, and it was so nice to spend some time there again, just wandering around. It was warm and sunny, perfect "exam weather".<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMB7RGN2ZI/AAAAAAAAAWE/8qzhob-RXg0/s1600-h/Image027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062892523807955346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMB7RGN2ZI/AAAAAAAAAWE/8qzhob-RXg0/s320/Image027.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p>I tried not to think too much about little <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6641899.stm">Maddy</a>.</p><p>There was a lot to see in the gardens,<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBfBGN2XI/AAAAAAAAAV0/M2XDFeVA3bw/s1600-h/Image011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062892038476650866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBfBGN2XI/AAAAAAAAAV0/M2XDFeVA3bw/s320/Image011.jpg" border="0" /></a> but I was focused - I have been wanting to visit the new Kibble Palace since it reopened in November. The message on the door is not easy to make out in my photo<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBShGN2WI/AAAAAAAAAVs/LxqFR05mst8/s1600-h/Image013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891823728286050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBShGN2WI/AAAAAAAAAVs/LxqFR05mst8/s320/Image013.jpg" border="0" /></a>It reads "KIBBLE PALACE erected on this site 1873 restored 2006"<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBMRGN2VI/AAAAAAAAAVk/ms6naQo5hAA/s1600-h/Image014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891716354103634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBMRGN2VI/AAAAAAAAAVk/ms6naQo5hAA/s320/Image014.jpg" border="0" /></a> Inside was all bright and clean, as it must have looked when new (until recently Glasgow was a city of heavy industry and covered in black grime).<br /><br />The koi pond is still there. If you lean over the fish will come to see what's going on.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBERGN2UI/AAAAAAAAAVc/SU4dLeA4RAQ/s1600-h/Image015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891578915150146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMBERGN2UI/AAAAAAAAAVc/SU4dLeA4RAQ/s320/Image015.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dip a finger in, and they will 'nibble'!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMA7hGN2TI/AAAAAAAAAVU/5_5DxqrT8cc/s1600-h/Image023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891428591294770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMA7hGN2TI/AAAAAAAAAVU/5_5DxqrT8cc/s320/Image023.jpg" border="0" /></a> The beds were freshly planted<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMAxhGN2SI/AAAAAAAAAVM/sRZzvW9yQL0/s1600-h/Image022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891256792602914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMAxhGN2SI/AAAAAAAAAVM/sRZzvW9yQL0/s320/Image022.jpg" border="0" /></a> and these curious mirrored discs hung from the ceiling. I'm not sure, maybe they are also floodlights.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMArRGN2RI/AAAAAAAAAVE/9l40G49yT2o/s1600-h/Image016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891149418420498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMArRGN2RI/AAAAAAAAAVE/9l40G49yT2o/s320/Image016.jpg" border="0" /></a> Exiled in the foyer is Cain/ "...greater than I can bear" by Mullins.</p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMAixGN2QI/AAAAAAAAAU8/xeYDnkqtSRI/s1600-h/Image020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062891003389532418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkMAixGN2QI/AAAAAAAAAU8/xeYDnkqtSRI/s320/Image020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>while in the garden sits Eve.</p><p></p><div></div><p>At six o'clock an employee goes round the glass house and closes all the windows.</p><p></p><div></div><p>I only got half way through the first chapter of 'Cranston' before it was time to go.</p><p>Maybe I will get back again soon. I hope so.</p>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-27426772878928954442007-05-08T12:47:00.000+01:002007-05-08T13:10:25.796+01:00Happy Birthday Harv!<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBkKBGN2DI/AAAAAAAAATU/ER-DW-3h994/s1600-h/DSC02126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062156104420415538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBkKBGN2DI/AAAAAAAAATU/ER-DW-3h994/s320/DSC02126.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Harvey is two years old! Worthy of celebration as we were told he was seriously ill last summer.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bella came to us as a puppy, but Harv was 9months old when we got him. He was a quiet, sensitive dog, too shy to ask to go out. It was hard to learn he was so ill. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Nearly a year on he is big and bouncy, full of long-winded and very smelly dog-stories. Still sensitive and very cuddly, but happier and more independent. Bernese are recommended for all cases of low spirits!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bones all round!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBnGRGN2EI/AAAAAAAAATc/b1JvAgXUy8Y/s1600-h/bones-+bones.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062159338530789442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBnGRGN2EI/AAAAAAAAATc/b1JvAgXUy8Y/s320/bones-+bones.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-29464726159270264762007-05-08T11:32:00.000+01:002007-05-08T13:15:48.853+01:00A Rather Gruesome Business (Charlie R.I.P.)<div>Those of a sensitive dispostion, better look away! (I am serious about this. <em>Seriously</em>. You have been warned!!!).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Following our move to the country, we became poultry farmers. In a small way - we buy the corn etc, but never seem to make a profit. Maybe because we keep giving the eggs away to nice people. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Charlie was my best hen. She was a Light Sussex. I bought her as an egg off ebay last summer, dutifully turning her 3 times a day and pulling her out of her shell when she pipped it. She was always the first to come running when she spotted me, and if i had no crumbs for her she would stop 4feet away, completely nonplussed (that's my mum! what do i do now?). She laid an egg every day; supermarket-egg-type in size, shape and colour, but we did not hold that against her. On wednesday she started to limp, and then she stopped laying and started spending most of the day in her nesting box. Still eating crumbs though when she was up and about first thing in the morning. Sunday her sore leg was yellow. <em>Yellow? </em>Was it a bruise? A mega-septic leg? We dusted off our poultry books and scoured the internet. LittleSis phoned her vet friend o'er the pond. We went and looked again, DH and I. That wasn't feathers stuck down on her back, that was an ulcer. And that yellow was <em>yolk. </em>Poor, poor Charlie, she had an impacted egg. <em>Isn't that gruesome?</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>She had to be dispatched. She would have been all scarred up inside even if we could have got the broken egg out, and that's no good for a hen. DH did it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have to say, I believe this problem is very uncommon, and poor Charlie was very unfortunate to suffer from it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We're shaking it off. Helped by the new folk who came back with us from the rare breeds market on Saturday:</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBhBxGN2BI/AAAAAAAAATE/N4EImyf76eA/s1600-h/May+2007040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062152664151611410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBhBxGN2BI/AAAAAAAAATE/N4EImyf76eA/s320/May+2007040.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>Here is Jemima, she will lay chocolate-coloured eggs (no Freudian slips on this blog!) and Blondie, Brunnie and Darkie who are only 14weeks old and already laying the tiniest tinted eggs.</div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBhTRGN2CI/AAAAAAAAATM/LI00H8VgGBQ/s1600-h/May+2007045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062152964799322146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RkBhTRGN2CI/AAAAAAAAATM/LI00H8VgGBQ/s320/May+2007045.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>We put Charlie's last three eggs in the incubator, keeping our fingers crossed; I have resolved to take more photos of the hens - if they have names, they ought to have their portraits taken. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-42752096894853161662007-04-30T16:41:00.000+01:002007-04-30T21:19:23.856+01:00Today I shall be mostly...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYzCUUo6PI/AAAAAAAAAS8/erNwHWPtRl8/s1600-h/DSC02168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059287346305362162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYzCUUo6PI/AAAAAAAAAS8/erNwHWPtRl8/s320/DSC02168.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYy2EUo6OI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4qnI691nNZo/s1600-h/DSC02167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059287135851964642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYy2EUo6OI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4qnI691nNZo/s320/DSC02167.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>plastering. That is, if I get the hang of it. So far it is not too messy and quite a lot of fun. Not sure we have the right kind of plaster though. The label on the pack says 'one coat' but it seems to be quite gritty and is very grey. I was expecting something altogether finer and orange in colour - more like plaster of paris (nothing to be scared of) and less cement-like (yuk). Discussion with DH to follow...<br /><br />I tidied my desk. This is a <em>major</em> step forward in self-organisation. I framed some photos and cards, and painted up a couple of old picture frames to make them look a little smarter. It's not finished, but it is so nice to have a little space of my own again for thinking and dreaming, and I thought I would share it. I suppose, now I am no longer working I don't really need a desk. But it is nice. (Oh, and you might be able to spot that copy of Quilt Design Wizard - to be listed on ebay. I didn't really find it that useful...perhaps I should invest in the real thing?)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYjVkUo6DI/AAAAAAAAARc/SMj8aC1G2ys/s1600-h/DSC02174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059270084831799346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYjVkUo6DI/AAAAAAAAARc/SMj8aC1G2ys/s320/DSC02174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Encouraged by this, I set to work in the dining room. I've had a notion, ever since we came to live here, that this would not be a room for dining in; we're not in to formal dining at all, and there's plenty of other eating space with a dining kitchen, a breakfast room and a dining table in the garden room - and when it's the two of us we usually just eat in front of the TV anyway. The dining room had, in fact become a wasteland filled with all kinds of furniture and homeless junk. Not any more. I moved, I tidied, I reorganised, I <em>binned, </em>...and now I have a corner to sew in! Well quite a lot of space actually! And the sun shines in from mid afternoon onwards.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYps0Uo6HI/AAAAAAAAAR8/yC54i8ooArk/s1600-h/DSC02170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059277081333524594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYps0Uo6HI/AAAAAAAAAR8/yC54i8ooArk/s320/DSC02170.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I can't describe how great it is to have a place to sew permanently (much more work to be done before it is the perfect space, though). But just to sit and ponder the creative options. And how nice it is, if I have a spare ten minutes, to have everything at hand, in its own place so I can sit down and do something useful immediately (the moment is everything here!)<br /><br />There are ominous clouds on the horizon, though. The sun is strong and we really need blackout blinds, for this room and the sitting room which faces the same way. This translates in my mind to the horror/joy of a trip to Ikea. Also, that little sewing machine is making a strange noise that I think does not bode well... However, I spent a couple of happy hours running up these 4 patches for the grandson of some neighbours, who has not been very well. Some coordinating sashing and binding, and backing is en route.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYlBEUo6EI/AAAAAAAAARk/vCpkhVKOwM0/s1600-h/DSC02172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059271931667736642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYlBEUo6EI/AAAAAAAAARk/vCpkhVKOwM0/s320/DSC02172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>More recently I made a start on a new log cabin. Brown and cream is cosy, and not too adventurous, and some of these prints remind me a lot of the dresses I wore to church as a child.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYlZ0Uo6FI/AAAAAAAAARs/QWQAatvQsFw/s1600-h/DSC02171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059272356869498962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYlZ0Uo6FI/AAAAAAAAARs/QWQAatvQsFw/s320/DSC02171.JPG" border="0" /></a> Anyone fancy a quick look round my garden?<br /><br /><div><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYTzkUo52I/AAAAAAAAAP0/oOxa6yv6oaI/s1600-h/DSC02067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059253008041830242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYTzkUo52I/AAAAAAAAAP0/oOxa6yv6oaI/s320/DSC02067.JPG" border="0" /></a> In the greenhouse, 'Tomgirl' has come into flower. You can't see it very well in the photo, but this geranium is a very beautiful deep and velvety red.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYZjkUo5_I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/IhjhhJ-Jl_0/s1600-h/DSC02092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059259330233690098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYZjkUo5_I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/IhjhhJ-Jl_0/s320/DSC02092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These red tulips are joyful, and catch my eye as I go in and out of the house. They just spill out through the edging stones of the bed they are planted in.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYYh0Uo58I/AAAAAAAAAQk/wVvc2_Gr6h0/s1600-h/DSC02042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059258200657291202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYYh0Uo58I/AAAAAAAAAQk/wVvc2_Gr6h0/s320/DSC02042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYabEUo6BI/AAAAAAAAARM/coytix1Vjt4/s1600-h/DSC02060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059260283716429842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYabEUo6BI/AAAAAAAAARM/coytix1Vjt4/s320/DSC02060.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the last narcissi, in a shady spot.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYa0kUo6CI/AAAAAAAAARU/6be2nZ7oQR8/s1600-h/DSC02062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059260721803094050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYa0kUo6CI/AAAAAAAAARU/6be2nZ7oQR8/s320/DSC02062.JPG" border="0" /></a> I love the colours of cultivated anemones, the combination of blue and red and green is so refreshing - I saw some today on <a href="http://scrapsandthreadtales.blogspot.com/">YankeeQuilter's</a> blog. Unfortunately we have only blue ones just now. This is one of the colour combinations I think of at night before drifting off to sleep!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYvBEUo6LI/AAAAAAAAASc/MiTHF0ke0ZY/s1600-h/DSC02055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059282926784014514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYvBEUo6LI/AAAAAAAAASc/MiTHF0ke0ZY/s320/DSC02055.JPG" border="0" /></a> It wouldn't be spring without drumstick primulas - we bought these ones in Morrison's, and my mother has promised to give LittleSis some of my grandmother's white ones, to bring back from Ireland with her when she comes this week.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYx9kUo6NI/AAAAAAAAASs/nNycQzvb-tA/s1600-h/DSC02075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059286165189355730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYx9kUo6NI/AAAAAAAAASs/nNycQzvb-tA/s320/DSC02075.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wallflowers. Someone told me that they bloom 12months after sowing, so I'm making staggered sowings to check this out. Next time I buy seed, it will be just orange/red - the yellows looked washed out beside our daffodils.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYtsEUo6JI/AAAAAAAAASM/w8Lw6-QuQZ8/s1600-h/DSC02071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059281466495133842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYtsEUo6JI/AAAAAAAAASM/w8Lw6-QuQZ8/s320/DSC02071.JPG" border="0" /></a> 'Marguerites' I think - at least that's what my mother-in-law calls them. One of the first early summer flowers.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYuYkUo6KI/AAAAAAAAASU/6lEtsYKVmfM/s1600-h/DSC02052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059282230999312546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYuYkUo6KI/AAAAAAAAASU/6lEtsYKVmfM/s320/DSC02052.JPG" border="0" /></a> Waiting...somewhat impatiently... (clematis)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYv60Uo6MI/AAAAAAAAASk/J6TLbYkeTP0/s1600-h/DSC02058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059283918921459906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYv60Uo6MI/AAAAAAAAASk/J6TLbYkeTP0/s320/DSC02058.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hawthorn, almost in flower.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYXOkUo56I/AAAAAAAAAQU/ZQhTPqvtL9c/s1600-h/DSC02046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059256770433181602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYXOkUo56I/AAAAAAAAAQU/ZQhTPqvtL9c/s320/DSC02046.JPG" border="0" /></a> I'm not sure what this plant is, but it grows in masses, appears to be perennial and self seeds <em>everywhere - </em>hopefully not the defining charcteristics of a weed!<em> </em><br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYWLkUo55I/AAAAAAAAAQM/MA6jaoEcti4/s1600-h/DSC01959.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059255619381946258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYWLkUo55I/AAAAAAAAAQM/MA6jaoEcti4/s320/DSC01959.JPG" border="0" /></a> In the vegetable garden, the peas I sowed right at the beginning of March are looking for something to grab onto now. DH constructed this with some left over chicken-wire. Lucky peas! No old pea sticks for you! I am sowing more peas every 10days now.<br /><br />We are getting lots of broccoli these days, I think it was <a href="http://pamcave.blogspot.com/">Pam</a> who was asking about it. I'm a little confused about the broccoli/calbrese terminology, but I think that what we generally call 'broccoli' in this country is more correctly called 'calabrese'. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYVkkUo53I/AAAAAAAAAP8/AikchUIZScs/s1600-h/DSC01965.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059254949367048050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYVkkUo53I/AAAAAAAAAP8/AikchUIZScs/s320/DSC01965.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYtDEUo6II/AAAAAAAAASE/dV9Px3Rjj0c/s1600-h/DSC01968.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059280762120497282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RjYtDEUo6II/AAAAAAAAASE/dV9Px3Rjj0c/s320/DSC01968.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Purple-sprouting broccoli is much more of a delicacy. It is a cut-and-come-again crop - clever cutting can greatly increase the yield - and tastes much superior to calabrese - sweet and I think it is described as 'nutty'. Very yummy, raw in salads or very lightly cooked.<br /><br /><br />Well, it's been a long post. I must remember to blog more frequently, and maybe at less length!<br /><br />I'm thinking I may well relinquish my Q4P ring membership; I'm not quite sure I like feeling under pressure to blog at regular intervals...although I understand why the request has been made. I think. Anyway, I am mulling it over.><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-19824429901843308512007-04-16T01:49:00.000+01:002007-04-16T23:02:07.467+01:00Catching Up with myself<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLLhmlMi1I/AAAAAAAAAPk/j_4UV27QUxo/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+077.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053825510015798098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLLhmlMi1I/AAAAAAAAAPk/j_4UV27QUxo/s320/Photos+14+April+07+077.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Piecing is coming along slowly. The pattern is 'Shimmer Stars' by Joy Hoffman, and the kit came from Seams So Sweet in Viburnum. I like the colour choices very much (photo taken with flash so not as bright as it looks here), and enjoy playing with the combinations as the top grows. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLOwmlMi2I/AAAAAAAAAPs/whkr4ff9jhM/s1600-h/Image009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053829066248719202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLOwmlMi2I/AAAAAAAAAPs/whkr4ff9jhM/s320/Image009.jpg" border="0" /></a> We had more snow shortly after my last post, and we took the dogs up into the hills to play.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKgmlMixI/AAAAAAAAAPE/xK2LrkIg_3E/s1600-h/Image013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053824393324301074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKgmlMixI/AAAAAAAAAPE/xK2LrkIg_3E/s320/Image013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We had another trip out west, just after the equinox....with fish and chips from the gourmet <a href="http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=644">Seefresh</a> in Ullapool ...and ending with a sunset at Achiltibuie.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKcGlMiwI/AAAAAAAAAO8/SHKQ1o3yfqo/s1600-h/Image017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053824316014889730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKcGlMiwI/AAAAAAAAAO8/SHKQ1o3yfqo/s320/Image017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>On Easter Sunday the dogs took us for a walk in the woods...<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKPmlMivI/AAAAAAAAAO0/IrqfY4Rg40A/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053824101266524914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKPmlMivI/AAAAAAAAAO0/IrqfY4Rg40A/s320/Photos+14+April+07+072.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...lichen fascinates...<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKEGlMiuI/AAAAAAAAAOs/3-dp1_Z0FK0/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+064.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053823903698029282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKEGlMiuI/AAAAAAAAAOs/3-dp1_Z0FK0/s320/Photos+14+April+07+064.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and we ended up at this local landmark. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>We applied for a firewood permit from the Forestry Comission, so we're off-roading some places <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJ32lMitI/AAAAAAAAAOk/7DiEZ4UmZ34/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053823693244631762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJ32lMitI/AAAAAAAAAOk/7DiEZ4UmZ34/s320/Photos+14+April+07+089.jpg" border="0" /></a> we wouldn't normally go.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Thank you to <a href="http://notesfromasomersetgarden.blogspot.com/index.html">Chris</a> for her <a href="http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.html">Thinking Blog</a> nomination. There are so many inspirational and thought-provoking pages, especially amongst the crafting community that it seems impossible to pick just a few. I also would feel a bit uncomfortable assessing which bloggers think more than others! I would like to mention a couple of blogs that I especially look forward to reading, and find regularly provide food for thought... <a href="http://bayouquilts.blogspot.com/index.html">Jen Clair</a>, who leads me to peculiar arty pages that I would never otherwise visit, and <a href="http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/spirit_cloth/">Judith</a> who is showing how she is creating a quilt that I think is magical.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://crazedquilter.blogspot.com/index.html">Cathi</a>, another favourite blogger, asked what kind of gardening I like. It's difficult to answer briefly...I like simple pleasures; just <em>being</em> in the garden. Feeling sun and air on my skin and hearing birdsong. Being in tune with a greater rhythm.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Our garden was neglected by the previous occupants (they proudly showed us the vine in the greenhouse. A vine can get pretty brown and cumbly if you don't water it for two years!). It is not, nor ever will be 'perfect' in that I generally like plants to grow in a natural manner, but it is becoming a place of beauty, at least to me.</div><div>One of the things I love most is to watch seedlings emerge and to nurture them into grown plants, whether flower or vegetable. It is reffirming and joyous also to see the herbaceous plants erupt from slumber, less so when shrubs and trees come into leaf and flower...but then again some of my favourite signs of spring are hawthorn, birch and larch coming into leaf. I also like to prune, and although pretty fearless with my loppers, have a great deal to learn, especially with neglected plants. It satisfies deeply to see the effect of my labours in patterns of living shape, colour and texture. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Rhubarb, one of the easiest plants of the kitchen garden, and one which the previous occupants of our house did not manage to get rid of, has been supplying us for a couple of weeks now. Is it really a 'superfood'? You can find a wealth of recipes at the <a href="http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/">Rhubarb Compendium</a>, but we just eat it stewed with yoghurt or in a crumble.</div><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLLAmlMizI/AAAAAAAAAPU/eCoOtFySjQw/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053824943080114994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLLAmlMizI/AAAAAAAAAPU/eCoOtFySjQw/s320/Photos+14+April+07+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> We also have been eating purple sprouting broccoli, a favourite in our house. Next year's seedlings are starting to harden off, apart from the broccoli as we had germination failure and needed to get more seed. </div><div></div><div><br /><div></div><div>I've had plenty of 'help' in the garden, too. Here the hens are helping me plant Cox and Charles Ross apple trees in the orchard.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJpmlMisI/AAAAAAAAAOc/FovWj6tp1qM/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+093.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053823448431495874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJpmlMisI/AAAAAAAAAOc/FovWj6tp1qM/s320/Photos+14+April+07+093.jpg" border="0" /></a> and here they are helping me reclaim flower beds from lawn . Maybe they're just eating the worms, though!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJc2lMirI/AAAAAAAAAOU/g_z0BJqEpoA/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053823229388163762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJc2lMirI/AAAAAAAAAOU/g_z0BJqEpoA/s320/Photos+14+April+07+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />To my surprise, in our second spring living here, I found in an unexpected corner some Snake's Head fritillaries, which I have longed to have in my garden for a long time<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJSmlMiqI/AAAAAAAAAOM/sFL_0XwjPYw/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+079.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053823053294504610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJSmlMiqI/AAAAAAAAAOM/sFL_0XwjPYw/s320/Photos+14+April+07+079.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bella has been keeping me company on beach excursions, <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJCmlMipI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Vjcn5mPBlzw/s1600-h/Image004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053822778416597650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLJCmlMipI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Vjcn5mPBlzw/s320/Image004.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>where we have been collecting uglier pieces of diftwood<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKuGlMiyI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PTYRtzLYwHc/s1600-h/Image023.jpg"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053824625252535074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLKuGlMiyI/AAAAAAAAAPM/PTYRtzLYwHc/s320/Image023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>to help feed our new Squirrel log burner on chillier evenings.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLLVGlMi0I/AAAAAAAAAPc/IKTys2EVX0M/s1600-h/Photos+14+April+07+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053825295267433282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/RiLLVGlMi0I/AAAAAAAAAPc/IKTys2EVX0M/s320/Photos+14+April+07+042.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-41484743600946897682007-03-20T12:22:00.000+00:002007-03-20T12:39:12.811+00:00Scrappy Squares<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rf_SeH35QOI/AAAAAAAAAMU/n11ok--mXn4/s1600-h/DSC01856.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043981522629640418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rf_SeH35QOI/AAAAAAAAAMU/n11ok--mXn4/s320/DSC01856.JPG" border="0" /></a> I'm piecing by hand these days. It's more relaxing, after a day spent gardening.<br /><br />It's easier, too, as the whole house is now in chaos - a new central heating system is being installed and carpets are up everywhere and floors being ripped up. All quite stressful and messy so I'm trying to keep out of the house if I can. There is snow again today (yesterday was our first proper snow this year!) and I'm told everything in the snug has been connected, so I returned the books to their shelves and so am holed up in there now, with some good films and an electric heater!<br /><br />These squares are 6 1/2". A few more to go!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rf_SQH35QNI/AAAAAAAAAMM/5be1HNZl1o0/s1600-h/DSC01858.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043981282111471826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rf_SQH35QNI/AAAAAAAAAMM/5be1HNZl1o0/s320/DSC01858.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-39733349745898884192007-02-28T20:24:00.000+00:002007-02-28T20:41:27.208+00:00Morning surprise!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReXlwEjz3VI/AAAAAAAAAL0/yjP0LIkqu1I/s1600-h/DSC01806.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036684372304190802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReXlwEjz3VI/AAAAAAAAAL0/yjP0LIkqu1I/s320/DSC01806.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />WOO -HOO! DH found this in the hen house this morning. Our first egg!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReXnGUjz3WI/AAAAAAAAAL8/r1Bn8elDsMU/s1600-h/DSC01808.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036685854067907938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReXnGUjz3WI/AAAAAAAAAL8/r1Bn8elDsMU/s320/DSC01808.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was the tiniest egg I've ever seen, but the best. We shared it for lunch, scrambled on wholemeal toast with some salad fresh from the greenhouse ( back in october we planted rocket, endive, assorted lettuces, beetroot and turnip for a winter supply of baby leaves).<br /><br />Spring is coming!Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-27842072410737916072007-02-27T21:26:00.000+00:002007-02-28T20:19:51.204+00:00WIP Wednesday 28th FebruaryWork continues on my 9patch (and it is a patch now - the striped blocks I showed last week have all been unpicked and transformed).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReSjDMHzNEI/AAAAAAAAALg/Yw2rG2Eo0C4/s1600-h/DSC01724.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036329558495933506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReSjDMHzNEI/AAAAAAAAALg/Yw2rG2Eo0C4/s320/DSC01724.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This particular block is very special - my first 9patch. I ditched my stainless steel 12inch ruler and bought a shiny new 6 by 24 inch omnigrip one and read a book about rotary cutting - and the difference is remarkable. These all fitted together like clockwork.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReSim8HzNDI/AAAAAAAAALY/hZXEzvtCobU/s1600-h/DSC01765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036329073164629042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReSim8HzNDI/AAAAAAAAALY/hZXEzvtCobU/s320/DSC01765.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReSiVcHzNCI/AAAAAAAAALQ/WD1zHYzpmug/s1600-h/DSC01761.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036328772516918306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReSiVcHzNCI/AAAAAAAAALQ/WD1zHYzpmug/s320/DSC01761.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I'm less happy with the third fabric and am calling it the 'ugly one'.<br /><br /></div><div></div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-91319538779680124022007-02-27T11:04:00.000+00:002007-02-27T11:41:01.080+00:00February sunshine<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQSvMHzM9I/AAAAAAAAAKU/YLkj_q3_wec/s1600-h/DSC01752.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036170885224149970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQSvMHzM9I/AAAAAAAAAKU/YLkj_q3_wec/s320/DSC01752.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The warmth of late February sunshine always surprises. Yesterday I lingered all day in the herb garden - raking away the old leaves, cutting back and dividing. And preparing the ground for this year's sowings. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQS-sHzM-I/AAAAAAAAAKc/oGAzLyDelX4/s1600-h/DSC01756.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036171151512122338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQS-sHzM-I/AAAAAAAAAKc/oGAzLyDelX4/s320/DSC01756.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I found this sleepy fellow hiding amongst old leaves.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQUMcHzNAI/AAAAAAAAAKs/pkOzaV-9WVI/s1600-h/DSC01758.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036172487246951426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQUMcHzNAI/AAAAAAAAAKs/pkOzaV-9WVI/s320/DSC01758.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>And this new vista.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Some people have asked what I do with driftwood. I have grand plans of a driftwood-framed mirror, and lately of a driftwood summerhouse (a girl can dream, after all!). But mostly, as you can see, it just lies around in the garden 'drying out' or 'bleaching'. </div><br /><div></div>Branching pieces are good for supporting floppy herbaceous plants in the summer, and lately I have been collecting pieces to make into tripods to support climbers.</div><div>.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQVt8HzNBI/AAAAAAAAAK0/xYXXG29C96E/s1600-h/DSC01760.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036174162284196882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/ReQVt8HzNBI/AAAAAAAAAK0/xYXXG29C96E/s320/DSC01760.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Mostly I just collect it because I love it's sculptural qualities.Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-13592478582222680302007-02-22T11:19:00.000+00:002007-02-22T11:32:11.685+00:00High Tide<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rd1-CcHzM7I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/g1ZyQx4JsP8/s1600-h/DSC01720.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034318538843829170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rd1-CcHzM7I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/g1ZyQx4JsP8/s320/DSC01720.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The tides have been very high the last couple of days, and driftwood pickings have been good. This is Tuesday's haul, drying in the sun yesterday.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rd1-UsHzM8I/AAAAAAAAAKE/vp_p8W9fHzU/s1600-h/DSC01723.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034318852376441794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rd1-UsHzM8I/AAAAAAAAAKE/vp_p8W9fHzU/s320/DSC01723.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Lunchtime yesterday the tide was so high there was no beach at all to walk on. We sat on top of the dunes, watching the waves. No wind, just big waves. You could feel the vibration of each wave crashing against the dune.</div><div> </div><br /><div>Last night I gave in and had a bath. The cold water is not yet plumbed and the hot is absolutely scalding, so we had to carry through basins of cold water, and put down a couple of planks to stand on in front of the bath. It was out of this world nontheless!</div>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-89754817459568803692007-02-21T21:34:00.000+00:002007-02-21T21:41:54.199+00:00WIP Wednesday 21 Feb<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdy8BsHzM5I/AAAAAAAAAJk/ZrhhrcKuoxk/s1600-h/DSC01717.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034105220703138706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdy8BsHzM5I/AAAAAAAAAJk/ZrhhrcKuoxk/s320/DSC01717.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is my new raggy quilt which I started last week. The colours are a bit stronger than the last couple I have made.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdy8QMHzM6I/AAAAAAAAAJs/Afhkj9FoM24/s1600-h/DSC01716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034105469811241890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdy8QMHzM6I/AAAAAAAAAJs/Afhkj9FoM24/s320/DSC01716.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love this dark brown fabric. There is a lovely flow to the pattern and it seems quite English to me, but not in a stuffy way. It reminds me quite a lot of William Morris's willow pattern. I decided to make blocks with 3 stripes, and alternate them with plain white blocks, but now that I've made a pile of them I'm having second thoughts and may well change the plan completely.Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37061092.post-41750409793225699902007-02-20T22:14:00.000+00:002007-02-20T22:27:45.220+00:00A day on the West Coast<div>Little Sis was here at the weekend, and yesterday we went over to Lochinver. A spot of shopping and a walk on the beach left us both refreshed. </div><br /><div>We found one of these...</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdt0WMHzM2I/AAAAAAAAAJA/kXuC23tqFXQ/s1600-h/DSC01696.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033744933076546402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdt0WMHzM2I/AAAAAAAAAJA/kXuC23tqFXQ/s320/DSC01696.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>here...</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdt0p8HzM3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/nynXg9adyjU/s1600-h/DSC01711.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033745272378962802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdt0p8HzM3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/nynXg9adyjU/s320/DSC01711.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>and Harvey seemed to have a good time, too.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdt1OsHzM4I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/6j4Hrz7BfAc/s1600-h/DSC01697.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033745903739155330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yMfkBliogPs/Rdt1OsHzM4I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/6j4Hrz7BfAc/s320/DSC01697.JPG" border="0" /></a>Forgetmenothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607355636007900186noreply@blogger.com5