tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442349505879312452024-02-07T09:35:48.604+00:00 SUPERGRANJacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-25976687792947357502016-08-02T16:50:00.004+01:002016-08-02T16:52:33.462+01:00A LITTLE BIT OF THIS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Along came July and with it a hive of activity. </div>
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Michael's canoe took it's first trip out on the water and I think, though it needs a few tweaks here and there, it rowed well. I can't even begin to tell you how many hours he spent building it in the garage but they were hours well spent.</div>
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July is always a busy time here for birthdays, our son and our two grand daughters all celebrate in this month.<br />
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Jessica is a strawberry - holic so I made this cake for her. She loved it as I knew she would, it was packed full of strawberries.</div>
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Charlotte on the other hand designed her own cake and gave me clear instructions of what she wanted.<br />
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Not the prettiest of cakes but they were gobbled up soon enough!</div>
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We had a lovely weekend away in Shropshire and on the Saturday visited Powis Castle. Shropshire is certainly a beautiful county and one that I would definitely like to explore some more.<br />
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The resident peacock showed off his feathers</div>
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and the peahen, her young.</div>
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I can't recall ever seeing baby peachicks before. I used to work for a lady once who had peafowl in her garden. She used to leave filet steak out for the foxes every night in the hope that if she fed them well, the foxes would leave her peacocks and hens alone. I'm not sure how successful that actually was but I do think we had some pretty fat and well fed foxes in the area.</div>
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There has been some progress with my knitted projects. The 10 stitch blanket has been put away for a while but I've made one sock for Alfred and the other is on the needle. To be honest I'm just playing around with oddments of wool from my stash, I'm not really sure at the end of day if he's going to love a pair of green socks.<br />
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A lovely lady from my knit stitch and natter group gave me a few balls of aran wool on our last meet before breaking for summer. I really wanted to get on and make something with it to show her in September so I'm knitting this sleeveless sweater for Alfred.<br />
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July saw us enjoying our family, our garden and the great outdoors. Being able to sit outside in the evenings and have our dinner is a most welcome treat.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Summer is upon us at last, let's make the most if it and enjoy!</span></div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-65669082585641905632016-06-26T15:46:00.001+01:002016-06-26T15:56:05.572+01:00WHERE HAVE I BEEN?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Knitting in this house is progressing oh so slowly. Here is how I've got on so far with my 10 stitch blanket. I love it and know that it is going to keep me nice and warm and cosy in the autumn/winter months. However, most evenings when I get it out to knit a few rows it makes my knees a little too toasty for comfort. Hence, its slow progress!</div>
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On Thursday we had the most awful weather here in this part of the UK. The rain was torrential, many roads were flooded including the one and only road that leads into our village. Thankfully my car sits high enough that I could drive through it but it didn't make for pleasant driving. I took my grand daughters to school in the morning and the journey home that normally would take under 10 minutes took me 1hour 10 mins.</div>
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On Friday the rain held off and there was some sunshine, we were going to have a day at Goodwood West Sussex for the Festival of Speed. I was prepared for all eventualities, sketchers, espadrilles, flip flops and wellington boots, all packed in the car. Thankfully, though it was muddy in many places, it wasn't squelchy mud and I got through the day swapping espadrilles for sketchers at different parts of the proceedings.</div>
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Hubby took over a 1000 photos on the day but I've picked just a few to show you.</div>
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Standing under that monument and looking up made me feel quite woozy as the car overhead seemed to swing back and forth. It was most definitely the car moving and not the couple of glasses of champagne I'd had before lunch.</div>
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There was plenty to see during the day and the red arrows arrived and gave their usual spectacular display.</div>
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After all the noise of Friday it was nice to take a detour on the way home yesterday to visit Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. It was very peaceful and quiet there but unfortunately the rain just wouldn't stay away and it lashed it down yet again. </div>
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Fortunately we did get to see most of the garden before the rains came and lunch was very nice in the restaurant.</div>
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Home again last night, the road to our village was still flooded but thankfully the water has gone down today. Everything in our garden is sodden and the poor foxgloves have given up the fight, I don't think I've ever seen it as green and lush at this time of the year. </div>
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Keep smiling everyone, the sun will eventually shine!</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-26117470298310797432016-05-21T16:06:00.001+01:002016-05-21T20:02:22.632+01:00A LAZY DAY OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We're trying to do more, we're constantly finding that our weeks consist of 7 hectic long days and our weekends are disappearing in a haze of busyness. So as I am a member of the RHS already we've decided to join the National Trust and get out and visit new places.</div>
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Last weekend we decided to visit Chartwell in Kent, home of Winston Churchill. Now, to be honest I have been there before but Michael was keen to go and I was happy enough to visit again, after all I already knew they had a nice tea room!</div>
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We set off on Sunday and the sun was shining, the traffic, running smoothly. All good, for the M25.</div>
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Chartwell when we arrived was pretty busy as you would expect but not so busy that we couldn't find a table outside for a cup of coffee and a scone. </div>
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Once fed and watered we went for a tour inside the house, where you can't take photos and then outside for a long stroll through the grounds.</div>
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The azaleas were stunning!</div>
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and we walked along by the lake</div>
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and up into the woods where the blue bells were still flourishing.</div>
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as we walked back towards the car, another stop in the cafe was needed and appreciated.</div>
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As it was such a nice day we decided to come home via RHS Wisley for another wander and an ice cream. The gardens are always lovely there whatever the season and there is always something to take a photo of</div>
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and more azaleas<br />
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In the large glass house there were beautiful displays of orchids</div>
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and water lilies</div>
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We had a great day and are looking forward to going out again very soon.</div>
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Not this weekend though, grandchildren to see and my mother is celebrating her 92nd birthday tomorrow.</div>
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There is knitting in progress but oh so slowly. I've started this 10 stitich blanket and I have got the hang of it now. My only trouble is I knit mostly in the evenings when dinner is finished and the tv is on. But, I'm finding as soon as i've picked up my knitting and done a few rows, my eye lids grow weary and drop down over my eyes. Hence I knit a bit and I sleep a bit, still, I don't need this finished until the autumn so I've got some time to get it done.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZBWwFTgRjvWPAvABXs0LR1lTE-Ezha1Jk9UmMcd2TCt0Stcoo5my1L0k35gKs7WZSB3syfzRY7CyaIZwAnZc8dNSRr6SHvX44uXAJ4RTNs-E5Y2mcAZQykKlb8hKrn-cNMpTINBJ6ZE/s1600/IMG_0198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZBWwFTgRjvWPAvABXs0LR1lTE-Ezha1Jk9UmMcd2TCt0Stcoo5my1L0k35gKs7WZSB3syfzRY7CyaIZwAnZc8dNSRr6SHvX44uXAJ4RTNs-E5Y2mcAZQykKlb8hKrn-cNMpTINBJ6ZE/s640/IMG_0198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-50216208573657747122016-05-02T17:24:00.001+01:002016-05-02T17:30:20.017+01:00The Island of Madeira<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A few years ago we were sitting in a bar on the bank of Lake Garda in Italy enjoying a pre dinner drink. I remember it well, the stars were shining brightly and as we sat there we were sure we saw a satellite hurtling through the sky. Everything was so clear, not just the night but our daughter had just learnt she'd got a place at her chosen university in London and our son had just started an apprenticeship at a local agricultural firm.</div>
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As I said everything was clear and everything seemed settled. Yet, less than two weeks later and having had a wonderfully relaxing holiday we found our son eagerly waiting our return and with his hands in his pockets and leaning up against the kitchen sink (all major decisions in our house seem to be announced in that very spot) he broke the news that the job wasn't for him and he was leaving.</div>
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This was all closely followed by our daughter breaking her news that she had changed her mind about her university choice.</div>
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Eventually our son did find a job that he really enjoys and our daughter, a different university and a job that she enjoys too but at the time of their big announcements and the days that followed both my husband and myself took it in turns to lean our backs up against the kitchen sink to try and fathom out why!</div>
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Moving forward to this April, on board a flight to Madeira, while my husband was engrossed in his newly purchased book and I was sipping a rather strong gin & tonic I was under no illusion that everything was settled, clear and fine at home. My parents despite telling us not to worry because they are absolutely fine are actually becoming very worrying and as my son and daughter in law continue to rumble along through the pitfalls of separation it is very difficult to sit on the fence and watch it all going on around us.</div>
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We were certainly in need of a break and as my husband said 7 nights good sleep so Madeira seemed an ideal choice and we ended up having a very relaxing time. </div>
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Here is the view from our bedroom window.</div>
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It was lovely falling asleep to the sounds of the sea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb67qCPWz4yPW-fhfWy10OhyphenhyphenOtBaTU44lydIzJ2JWite_dP1-HqywOyBqIM98MExXDQ1Kzql6Q8mqeG4aXE0h2bz2QeLrm_dI5zJy672cnZCiwYMwnbhu2Ax3HbPjFXnVKcZKuT_Yx8OI/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb67qCPWz4yPW-fhfWy10OhyphenhyphenOtBaTU44lydIzJ2JWite_dP1-HqywOyBqIM98MExXDQ1Kzql6Q8mqeG4aXE0h2bz2QeLrm_dI5zJy672cnZCiwYMwnbhu2Ax3HbPjFXnVKcZKuT_Yx8OI/s640/IMG_3351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were there at the end of the flower festival so there were still some pretty floral displays to see in Funchal.<br />
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From Funchal we went up in the cable car to Monte and visited the gardens there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AB5SjpCqwkj-fzdX7Ou0N8GrmaiR96gdkPSw_zomwJFoU6XUIYH7RMmJpe_4H7ZiRCnfLhUSfsFiU1Di4VGKufDDS09ELFVsvlYz5kkX9NR0Q08WLG3ld5H9GCQAWjGFM2P-NOBY9yI/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AB5SjpCqwkj-fzdX7Ou0N8GrmaiR96gdkPSw_zomwJFoU6XUIYH7RMmJpe_4H7ZiRCnfLhUSfsFiU1Di4VGKufDDS09ELFVsvlYz5kkX9NR0Q08WLG3ld5H9GCQAWjGFM2P-NOBY9yI/s640/IMG_0007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EzoBFS5szRL2RCi5x9x-D94JgXeBxWhZl5gsL1ef50ZU2dWXpRdwfgTy10UCJqGAhP2Pu1I1QKxTLxJydkz8tgacPGXAFzGmezQDWWmkCJXb_NX6AWnO8WqUCG1MTzRiAuyyMCR2omc/s1600/IMG_3370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EzoBFS5szRL2RCi5x9x-D94JgXeBxWhZl5gsL1ef50ZU2dWXpRdwfgTy10UCJqGAhP2Pu1I1QKxTLxJydkz8tgacPGXAFzGmezQDWWmkCJXb_NX6AWnO8WqUCG1MTzRiAuyyMCR2omc/s640/IMG_3370.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixULTmVa5JORj6VEXOUqki7y0ObOu20a7ALIweC1zTxuMivWqZS1iwUWA03L4v2g1E7cw_uqrhyphenhyphenSo1NrQx2yw4coWLkKklnPxNI2VUH81I8EfMfwxD5x6CGbxiHq7Y2L9SQWKmxvD_CGE/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUwXSWN1vb8cjCfaxt1AOa728Gko2_GoZsgbNUO_J06g7zjGOvKqCu8YmJeh9NetcVnq_qDp3XIgE2Dafi1akwkE9Ysw8T7sH0PEaZc2pQpsvTpqIUJbtbyuSRnukoMXj3dA4doaUjm4/s1600/IMG_3387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUwXSWN1vb8cjCfaxt1AOa728Gko2_GoZsgbNUO_J06g7zjGOvKqCu8YmJeh9NetcVnq_qDp3XIgE2Dafi1akwkE9Ysw8T7sH0PEaZc2pQpsvTpqIUJbtbyuSRnukoMXj3dA4doaUjm4/s1600/IMG_3387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUwXSWN1vb8cjCfaxt1AOa728Gko2_GoZsgbNUO_J06g7zjGOvKqCu8YmJeh9NetcVnq_qDp3XIgE2Dafi1akwkE9Ysw8T7sH0PEaZc2pQpsvTpqIUJbtbyuSRnukoMXj3dA4doaUjm4/s640/IMG_3387.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and we went on a couple of drives around the island and found the scenery, spectacular.</div>
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Unfortunately it did rain quite a bit while we were there but then it rains almost everywhere we go, we get used to it.</div>
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This was our first visit to Madeira, we were impressed and it really did do us good.</div>
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Once back at home I had itchy fingers to purchase some yarn and get on with something new so on Saturday this lovely bag of goodiness arrived for me to make a start and once I've got my feet up this evening that's what I'm going to do.</div>
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I'll be letting you all know soon how I'm getting on.</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-30609682185598704962016-04-10T13:27:00.000+01:002016-04-10T13:49:57.661+01:00AND FINALLY............!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And finally x 2 really.</div>
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Firstly that we've finally made a visit to Anglesey Abbey Cambridgeshire last weekend and secondly that I've finally managed to sit down and write a blog post about it.</div>
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We wanted to get out and about last Sunday and as always we had the normal debate of "where shall we go?"</div>
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Did we want to face the M25 and go somewhere in Kent? That brought us both to that screwed up face and nodding sideways of the head answer.</div>
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What about Aldeburgh, Southwold, Woodbridge? Well they sort of received disinterested, possible maybes on both our parts.</div>
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Finally as so often happens in this house we ended up going round in a circle and nearly coming up with a conclusion that we would stay at home, but oh no, that was not going to be an option last weekend.</div>
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We've been wanting to join the National Trust for a while and with a little tiny bit of persuasion on my part we went off to do that and visit Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire which I've been wanting to visit for quite a while. The weather was looking iffy when we left home but by the time we got there the sun was out and it became a lovely day. We both really enjoyed it, I hid my phone deep in my bag and my husband took loads of photos with his camera and here are just a few to show you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BLR4mECeXbrIIBCqeQngtNkJjOR7uwG8Tr5knnAfzQ9-QCJ_x1Mq2JB0SdipQOD3wXr0rfAsSxISWgpYXH3wFP8VTCrCapw8qDpKGSJ1rYuCQTW1YA02VK0PQwHD8j91R9qj-P7E4FQ/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BLR4mECeXbrIIBCqeQngtNkJjOR7uwG8Tr5knnAfzQ9-QCJ_x1Mq2JB0SdipQOD3wXr0rfAsSxISWgpYXH3wFP8VTCrCapw8qDpKGSJ1rYuCQTW1YA02VK0PQwHD8j91R9qj-P7E4FQ/s640/IMG_3314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked along to the Lode Mill</div>
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and then on through the grounds with lots of spring flowers on display.</div>
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The house is currently open so that was nice go in and see and all in all we had a really lovely day and will definitely go back there again as well as now having lots of other places to visit in the coming months. We're looking forward to that.</div>
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My knitting and crochet is dormant, the little prem blanket is finished but may well end up in the dolls cot in my spare bedroom. However, I have been looking at throws and blanket patterns for my lounge. I must thank <a href="http://knitsbysue.blogspot.co.uk/">Sue from Granny's World</a> who has suggested a ten stitch blanket by Frankie Brown which I am quite fancying making and I've already downloaded the pattern. Now I've just got to think about colours and yarn which I'll do over the next few days. </div>
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I can't believe that this last week has passed so quickly. I suppose I have had a week of grandchildren and parents which have kept me busy and made the time fly. Really pleased today that in this little corner of Essex we have said a fond farewell to winter, we have just downed a nice cup of tea and eaten up the last crumbs of the christmas cake. </div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-64986628212806079862016-03-29T18:43:00.002+01:002016-03-29T18:43:50.365+01:00EASTER RAMBLINGS!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Driving back from the town on Good Friday morning there was a definite feel that spring had sprung.</div>
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We sat in the garden enjoying a coffee in the sunshine as my husband was taking a break from his job for Easter project, installing new stair rails. </div>
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"We should enjoy this while we can!" I exclaimed, "because from today it is only going to get worse!"</div>
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Well that is what those who supposedly know had said at breakfast time. </div>
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Lunch was enjoyed outside too and I was hopeful that we were going to have a bit of a "ta da" moment and finish the last of the christmas cake but we opted for a hot cross bun instead, much more appropriate for Easter. (When we do eventually reach the "ta da" moment it will be closely followed by a "oh no" moment, as hidden in a biscuit tin, astride my herbs and spices rack is a second rich fruit cake which I made just incase I ran out at christmas!)<br />
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On Saturday we planned to go out for a drive and a stop for lunch. The weather by this time had already turned and we decided on a short drive to the garden centre for coffee and cake and took a brief whirlwind walk around the plants outside and the BBQ's inside before heading home.<br />
I spent the afternoon catching up with the tv and making the finishing touches to this blanket for Alfred which I'd made out of left over aran yarn that I'd over ordered when making a chevron car seat blanket for Jack.<br />
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Poor little Alfred was taken poorly also on Saturday. Being sick is never nice but at Easter it does raise extra problems like having to wait 6 hours for a doctor to phone having contacted 111, only to find that after the 6 hours that they don't actually phone. Eventually Kate managed to get an appointment at the emergency clinic at our own little hospital for Sunday morning, then a drive of about 10 miles to find a chemist that was open to get his antibiotics. However once the little man had had a couple of doses of medicine, thankfully he picked up and by the evening was so much better.<br />
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On Easter Sunday my husband worked to finish the stairs and I visited my parents. Then back home for more tv (I know, quite lazy!) and I found an odd ball of yarn and started knitting a little square blanket for charity supporting a project that some of the ladies at my knit & stitch group is involved in. I'm not that happy with it so whether it gets finished or recycled is another matter.<br />
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Easter Monday was much busier here with a family lunch. It was the first gathering of us all without my daughter in law and although it was really nice, it was quite strange. My parents are struggling to deal with their separation, they either don't understand it or they don't want to accept it, I'm not sure which. It's hard for them, I know but it's hard adapting for us all. It's taking time but we are getting there ever so slowly.<br />
The children had lots of Easter eggs to keep them occupied and we could tell Alfred was definitely improving as he tucked in as well.<br />
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I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks, a little break for me as Kate is home and can look after Alfred. I'm hoping to source a new pattern for a throw for the lounge. It'll be a bit of a project, something I can pick up if and when I feel like it, as long as it's ready for autumn that'll be fine.<br />
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Enjoy your week ahead!</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-62120534883924985002016-03-09T16:52:00.002+00:002016-03-09T16:52:20.525+00:00Mothers Day Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mother's Day was a perfect day in our house. We had an early start as we had our son's children staying with us overnight but as soon as he arrived in the morning, my daughter and her husband came along too with Alfred and my husband made us all a lovely cooked breakfast.</div>
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There was definitely not going to be any room for lunch!</div>
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I had lots of lovely flowers but the gifts from the children are always so special. Charlotte, Jessica & Jack have always made cards themselves and this year planted the primula and mini daffodils themselves. I love the little sign they made and the cards to go with them.</div>
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Alfred was also very creative with his own handprint of little flowers.</div>
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I love his gift too!</div>
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When they had all gone home, I had time to sit and relax for a while before going to collect my Mum & Dad. They haven't been over to ours since Christmas and it was nice to cook dinner for them.</div>
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With just the four of us here, we sat and chatted, Dad telling us lots of stories of when he was young. He is a fountain of knowledge when talking about his family with a wonderful memory and tells you tales like they only happened yesterday. It's such a shame he's never written any of it down.</div>
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Also at the weekend I finished my pouf. Michael and I had a great debate on whether we needed to purchase a cheap single or double duvet to fill it with. I suggested trying the only quilt we have in the house, a king size which we thought would give us an idea of what we needed to buy. However as soon as we started filling the lining in the pouf more and more of the quilt disappeared inside until, we'd got the whole thing in there. That was a result, no further purchase required and more room in the spare wardrobe to store other stuff.<br />
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It's not looking quite as round in this picture, but this was taken after it'd been attacked by four children, (playfully!). Once it was plumped back into shape it was fine and ideal for me to rest my feet on in the evenings while I crochet and watch tv.</div>
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Enjoy the rest of the week!</div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-76323188676020890312016-03-03T15:35:00.001+00:002016-03-03T15:35:16.926+00:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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It's been a beautiful day here today, very chilly but also very bright and sunny. I love it when I can sit in the lounge and I can feel the warmth of the sun coming through the patio doors.</div>
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I was so tempted to get outside and do a bit in the garden but I soon changed my mind after standing out there for a short while sorting out the recycling boxes. Brrrrrrr!</div>
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Our grandson Jack turned 2 this week. He has grown up so fast, a little baby one minute and now a smart little man. On Sunday the family got together for a little party to celebrate and as Jack is a great fan of Mr Tumble I made him this cake. </div>
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His mum made this "Dip" train which looked really great and tasted very good too. Jack loved it!</div>
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Birthdays really do seem to come round so quickly. In a few days time our youngest grandson is going to have his first birthday. How many times do we say or hear those words, "where has all that time gone?"<br />
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Knitting is slow but I'm getting there. I am actually feeling better and with that has come some renewed energy. I've managed to finish the pouf, it just needs sewing and stuffing. Hopefully by my next post that will be completely finished and i'll be able to show you.<br />
I've also got a little chevron blanket on the go but I only started that last night and managed just the one row during the whole hour of watching Grantchester. I thought, no point in taking a photo of that until I do a bit more.<br />
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Unfortunately the ironing board is now beckoning me to sign off so, enjoy the rest of the week and I'll catch up with you again soon.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-21398933506136712352016-02-21T14:48:00.000+00:002016-02-21T14:48:18.219+00:00HATS SOCKS & COUGHS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The awful cough that I was suffering with at the beginning of the month which I thought I'd recovered from, hurtled back at the beginning of this last week and tried really hard to knock me off my feet.</div>
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I was really looking forward to half term, a week to myself. My grandchildren were off doing different things and I had lots of things I wanted to catch up on. However that wasn't to be the case as my cough left me feeling quite lethargic and I spent quite a lot of time with my feet up and re- watching tv programmes that I'd seen part of and slept through the rest.</div>
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I really did appreciate all of your comments on my last post, I was feeling really down then and am pleased that I do actually feel so much better in myself now, even with a cough!</div>
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I have finished my socks!</div>
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I usually knit socks on double pointed needles but these I made using the "magic loop" method on a long circular needle. </div>
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The lady in my local wool shop said I would find it so much easier. I didn't at first, I found it very awkward but eventually I got the hang of it and I think I would use the same method again when making socks.</div>
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With them finished, I wanted to seize the moment and start something new. I decided to order some yarn to knit a pouffe for our lounge. ( They'll be pictures to show in my next post.)</div>
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What could I make while I was waiting for that to be delivered?</div>
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Well, spurred on by this "magic loop" method I decided to make Alfred a new hat, I had some oddments of Drops Fabel in my stash. It really didn't take long to make and I had it all ready for him when his mum brought him round yesterday. I thought brilliant, he can model it for me.</div>
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Having placed the hat on Alfred's head, he quickly crawled off to the kitchen while I grabbed my phone for the photo shoot. As you can see my little man model was having a mini stretching crisis with the hat.</div>
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He was more interested in granddad's shoe!</div>
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Eventually with a lot of persuasion we did manage to keep the hat on long enough to get a photo but he definitely wasn't that keen. Perhaps he didn't like the colour combo!</div>
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Have a good week everyone!</div>
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-7906797939382787282016-02-06T16:56:00.002+00:002016-02-06T16:59:07.869+00:00A RESOUNDING FAREWELL TO JANUARY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I haven't posted for ages mainly because I really didn't know how to begin and I still don't really but I have to start somewhere so here goes.</div>
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January saw my son & his wife separate, breaking up my gorgeous, perfect, little family. It's been so tough on everybody, trying to understand and doing everything we can to be supportive. We love them all so much, it is very hard!</div>
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January also was the month that my elderly parents became much older and more fragile.</div>
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My dad had a nasty infection in his leg which resulted in us getting the emergency doctor to call on a Sunday night and then, just the other day a possible DVT which thankfully proved to be not the case.</div>
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My Mum had a fall after creeping about on the landing at night, in the dark. The little glow night lights we'd put in place had been stowed away in a drawer because my mum said they weren't necessary as she could walk around every room in their house in the dark with no problem!</div>
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"Not on that day Mother!!"</div>
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Although she bumped her head on the bannister, no bones thankfully were broken.</div>
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Throughout January I can honestly say I wallowed in my own misery. In fact I was happier, in a strange sense of the word to wallow, rather than trying to make a greater effort to pull my socks up and get on with life. </div>
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My concentration levels have taken a battering as well in January, sewing has gone right out of the window and the apron I'm supposed to be making myself has been put away for another time.</div>
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I have knitted a sock (not a pair) and even that hasn't been the easiest of tasks. As a skier can run off piste, the knitter in me, ran off pattern. </div>
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I started following the pattern quite well, turned the heel, then carried on looking at the pattern and knitted a completely different pattern that I'd made up in my head. As I was reaching the toe I noticed my huge error and at that point, "to bin, or not to bin!" came to the forefront of my mind. I could have cheerfully dumped the whole lot, yarn, needles and pattern in the dust bin but something in me relented and two evenings later I'd taken it back to the heel and continued, only just finishing it last night.</div>
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So February dawned and along with it my birthday and an accompanying rotten cough and fluey thing that nearly everyone else has suffered with this winter.</div>
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Terrific!</div>
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My husband had booked a day off work so we could go out for the day and I was determined to go.</div>
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First stop, to see my grandchildren and daughter in law where they'd laid on a lovely breakfast of croissants and the girls had made me a birthday cake. My son was there too making pancakes for us all. (As I said before, trying to understand!)</div>
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While the children headed off to school, we left them and headed off to Blakeney in Norfolk. I wanted to spend the day somewhere, peaceful and quiet. </div>
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It was lovely and bright as we walked down into Blakeney</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1ZkCdgk1A7WQUTQbLlM25ge-tXkzHM6DeJmK6_TLYLfYKScSYkpDTo0pjPOdW1qF9tPLvIWjs0V_Of7wHPGNTrZyEXYj-Hmd61n3Ke-CN6gjg4PaTxQLTihMr76_wgBZmLyDd3Rqfkw/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1ZkCdgk1A7WQUTQbLlM25ge-tXkzHM6DeJmK6_TLYLfYKScSYkpDTo0pjPOdW1qF9tPLvIWjs0V_Of7wHPGNTrZyEXYj-Hmd61n3Ke-CN6gjg4PaTxQLTihMr76_wgBZmLyDd3Rqfkw/s640/IMG_3139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've visited there several times before but have never walked along the coastal path to Cley.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHONzOjZUtO5kJlVigkBCX9crO3r9VQxEOpPEgecKscNDPfof_VJxFnkthNWPhGCBObZvPpzhFN2pHB6ZLnCbKkjVVDq9W-FOyuCdG2Pp5DvS1GL_mYS6Om6GUpHHZ2QPlUqZdR6wEuY/s1600/IMG_3089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHONzOjZUtO5kJlVigkBCX9crO3r9VQxEOpPEgecKscNDPfof_VJxFnkthNWPhGCBObZvPpzhFN2pHB6ZLnCbKkjVVDq9W-FOyuCdG2Pp5DvS1GL_mYS6Om6GUpHHZ2QPlUqZdR6wEuY/s640/IMG_3089.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To say it was windy, is a little bit of an understatement. It was very, very, very, windy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nv71natGVSAXfk9zUlOyCD5FZtRL1dVzAWPJfsLDUWpd8HS95bZvLugxlb_YLthezYerwENCZs_kiWj2wK9upVs3KNFc_ox6tjljeJj99UViLnkJF2DS_wH7i2-bxCzYDyKkPBPutjY/s1600/IMG_3094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nv71natGVSAXfk9zUlOyCD5FZtRL1dVzAWPJfsLDUWpd8HS95bZvLugxlb_YLthezYerwENCZs_kiWj2wK9upVs3KNFc_ox6tjljeJj99UViLnkJF2DS_wH7i2-bxCzYDyKkPBPutjY/s640/IMG_3094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My husband took the photos while we walked and I thought.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYjCQXfKwriqTXg7NwV-8xSKGwhvRHNq9-drl2UTXb2Q1dGT50tZCrYWKjh1zDhqycBImj3Gji3K7c-fjw9QLjjJNCHnbaA8hKQOtDMIJES4h5KFXA92nZut6VQgLaFHK_lHIDqCW948/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYjCQXfKwriqTXg7NwV-8xSKGwhvRHNq9-drl2UTXb2Q1dGT50tZCrYWKjh1zDhqycBImj3Gji3K7c-fjw9QLjjJNCHnbaA8hKQOtDMIJES4h5KFXA92nZut6VQgLaFHK_lHIDqCW948/s640/IMG_3102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made some February resolutions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6u_MxgBBDFdeovKwou-MxQ0uWvm20FgsAp9fIJWwy3UFxanIltmLaLpjnV82OOp4rK2tQqlBoYYIG7m0S5yc3B1xrsc1GXyHpWigsNSEqt68uYGqSm1QJUwwALijTMPFrIdSc9eHJNM/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6u_MxgBBDFdeovKwou-MxQ0uWvm20FgsAp9fIJWwy3UFxanIltmLaLpjnV82OOp4rK2tQqlBoYYIG7m0S5yc3B1xrsc1GXyHpWigsNSEqt68uYGqSm1QJUwwALijTMPFrIdSc9eHJNM/s640/IMG_3113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cleared my head and reignited my energy levels.</div>
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I began to actually enjoy myself, fighting against the wind to stay upright.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglShyL47XnRtu8vRxnYIKIbXzHm5mVAhRqxBUDPDNI6Hj_s6qpFEysAv5ZScfOB2fz2uUohmvB8CvszI0qEPZZkWSsmlzrncnkjnJyikY_NofM399IGuxPW_NMMmwJpXQysTbs-NwJN0/s1600/IMG_3130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglShyL47XnRtu8vRxnYIKIbXzHm5mVAhRqxBUDPDNI6Hj_s6qpFEysAv5ZScfOB2fz2uUohmvB8CvszI0qEPZZkWSsmlzrncnkjnJyikY_NofM399IGuxPW_NMMmwJpXQysTbs-NwJN0/s640/IMG_3130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked into the village of Cley, going past the windmill.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_sINxxK8JzTSIEGrY-FjRnj35nV9HRib5qzseRcp9Ji9_afXE2Bf7PMwBIcCKZ5PlrAxSYZrbHJ6xRJ9Xlh_EfBBsJmfbArS7RciLmjYzDBVgJfHtmyASlqE_8NSURVTb6cEIuNBvIo/s1600/IMG_3133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_sINxxK8JzTSIEGrY-FjRnj35nV9HRib5qzseRcp9Ji9_afXE2Bf7PMwBIcCKZ5PlrAxSYZrbHJ6xRJ9Xlh_EfBBsJmfbArS7RciLmjYzDBVgJfHtmyASlqE_8NSURVTb6cEIuNBvIo/s640/IMG_3133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A delightful shop there sold very tempting homemade cakes and we shared a norfolk pasty and munched on flapjacks as we left the village behind and walked along the road to get some respite from the wind making our way back to Blakeney and the car.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The walk, the fresh air and in fact the whole day did me the world of good and I'm now looking forward to February being a good month in my calendar. I'm also hoping to get back on track with my knitting. At one point I had told my husband that I felt like giving knitting up completely to which his face became horrified and he enquired. "What about all that wool you've got stored upstairs!!"</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Ha ha dearest, do not worry, I'm sure I'll knit it all up eventually and probably buy some more too.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-42327404517650131472016-01-09T15:16:00.000+00:002016-01-09T15:16:00.591+00:00A NEW YEAR AND FRESH IDEAS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Between christmas and new year we always spend some time walking by the sea.</div>
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On new year's eve, a very bright if somewhat blustery day we headed off to Shoeburyness to walk towards Southend. As it's been so mild, I contemplated wearing just a light jacket but my word was I so pleased I'd grabbed my winter's coat, hat, scarf and boots as we were leaving home.</div>
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The wind was so strong down by the sea it made it feel so cold, I was amazed at how many windsurfing people had taken to the water.</div>
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How also, I managed to take this photo I don't know with one hand trying to maintain a firm grip on my phone and the other holding on to my hat!</div>
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Halfway through our walk we did have some respite from the wind. We sat in the warmth of a restaurant overlooking the water and enjoyed some extremely tasty fish and chips.</div>
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In our house a visit to the seaside and a plate of fish and chips always go hand in hand.</div>
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So we welcome in 2016, no new year resolutions made here. There is so much going on in my life at this moment that I'm going to take each day as it comes.</div>
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My yearning for bright colours continues. I bought this yarn at Yarndale back in September to make a bright and cheery scarf</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0Sd5BHH33n3rBoKkrJjyEhBGKHx_RWN1rMYHTcO5T9So5RThw9pH-3sApkjgge2iXCUF7ITG9xNhyphenhyphenE3b5fYjxnTwrx2oRotibFnQUgiv9k92nZn2RaVIj6XrEd3yU6K73akaI-RNtZY/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0Sd5BHH33n3rBoKkrJjyEhBGKHx_RWN1rMYHTcO5T9So5RThw9pH-3sApkjgge2iXCUF7ITG9xNhyphenhyphenE3b5fYjxnTwrx2oRotibFnQUgiv9k92nZn2RaVIj6XrEd3yU6K73akaI-RNtZY/s640/IMG_0005.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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and indeed it is very bright.</div>
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I had ideas in my head to make a crocheted chevron design scarf but after a couple of evenings of despair, gave up, cast some stitches on my knitting needles and came up with this pattern myself.</div>
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With winter coming next week, I think I may have finished it just in time and tonight I shall wear it when we go to see our grand daughters in panto with the <a href="http://www.wickhambishopsdrama.co.uk/">Wickham Bishops Drama Group</a></div>
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By wearing it there will the 2 children see me from the stage through the dazzling lights?</div>
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Will it be, oh no they won't or oh yes they will?</div>
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Sorry, I can't resist a bit of pantomine jargon.</div>
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I really do want to do some more sewing this year so yesterday I bought this fabric to make myself a new kitchen apron. </div>
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As I stood in the shop choosing what to have, the lady explained that if I wash it above 30 degrees this fabric may be inclined to shrink a little.</div>
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As I left the shop with it in nestled safely in my bag I thought,</div>
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I've got to make it up first!</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-7450886931928624912015-12-24T15:16:00.000+00:002015-12-24T15:16:36.106+00:00CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When we were on holiday in October we bandied around lots of ideas to improve our home in the new year.</div>
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When we got back home, we started looking around, getting more ideas. The chimney sweep came and while he was sweeping and I was nattering on about our plans he recommended someone to change our fire and fire place. We got rather carried away and decided how nice it would be to have the fire in place for christmas so that was the catalyst that started the ball rolling.</div>
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Then came the ceilings, ,landing, hallway, lounge and dining room all plastered, followed by the flooring and then in the last couple of weeks, finally painting the walls.</div>
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Hence no blog, lots of mess, no furniture in its right place and christmas in orbit.</div>
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At one stage I didn't think we'd ever be straight again!</div>
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These hats are the only things to have come off my needles, one each for my granddaughters.</div>
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Despite making a defiant statement that I wouldn't be making Christmas cakes this year.- I did!</div>
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I had 3 little helpers round to decorate the cakes and we enjoyed a morning of icing sugar mayhem!</div>
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With the lounge decor in mind we went out the other day to buy a rug and came home with a rug and a new fairy for a tree that at the time was still propped up outside by the garage door.</div>
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Would it ever make it inside in time?</div>
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Well, yes it did!</div>
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And,</div>
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with the lounge finally finished we were able to put our fairy and our tree in place.</div>
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It's been all rush here this last month or so, but so worth it!</div>
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As we head towards a new year, I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with my family.</div>
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Then after I'll be itching to start something new whether it will be knitting or crochet, I have yet to decide.</div>
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Thank you for dropping by my blog this year and reading through my ramblings.</div>
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Merry Christmas to you all!</div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-67067361292088788932015-11-14T14:32:00.002+00:002015-11-14T14:32:56.860+00:00HATS ON THE NEEDLES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
For the past couple of weeks I've been making hats. I made 3 for my friends grandchildren in an aran yarn which I totally forgot to photograph before passing them on and today I finished this one for Alfred. I bought the yarn when I was in Camden Maine and it's worsted Misti Alpaca from Peru. I'm going to make an identical hat for Jack as well. The yarn feels ever so soft and I'm sure the boys will have lovely warm ears throughout the winter when they wear them.</div>
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I had a nice treat this week. We've had quite a busy time here recently and my early morning swims have dwindled to one session a week. I really feel that I need more exercise. So on Wednesday morning I took Alfred for a long walk along the seawall.<br />
The tide was high when we set off and the skies overcast but luckily it was fairly mild. Unfortunately at this time of the year if it's mild, the path is generally muddy in places but we kept going dodging as many of the slimy puddles as we could until we reached the paved path.<br />
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We went passed this little house on stilts that recently featured in Homes by the Sea on TV which the owners bought and renovated as it apparently reminded them of a holiday trip to Antigua. Having been to Antigua myself, I would think you would need a cocktail of high tides, cloudless blue skies, scorching heat, a chilled glass of wine and an over active imagination to recapture that particular scenario. However, I cannot deny that this place has got its own beauty. The new owners have transformed the property into something quite special. Perched on the seawall it is in a very quiet tranquil area. To have this as a little bolt hole must be quite idyllic.</div>
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So, a little further on, we saw that this place is up for sale. It will be interesting to see if someone will snap it up and turn it into another riverside retreat.<br />
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There were quite a few people out and about as boats were being pulled from the water ready for their winter storage.<br />
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The now empty beach huts were standing out proudly with the water lapping all around their feet. We were getting closer to our destination and as it was approaching lunchtime I began to wonder whether the cafe would still be open and I regretted not checking that before we had left home.<br />
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However fortunately for us the Osea View cafe was open and Alfred and I enjoyed our first lunch out together, a slice of cheese on toast for him and a toasted sandwich and a cuppa for me. Ok, not much of a banquet but very special. A brisk walk home, as there was now a chill in the wind, an afternoon nap for him and an hour of knitting for me.<br />
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I had a great time, I hope he did too!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-26588996008446519562015-11-03T10:15:00.000+00:002015-11-03T10:15:03.252+00:00A WALK ON THE FOGGY SIDE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunday dawned and it was quite gloomy, the fog lingered throughout the day. Yet, we felt the need to get out and stretch our legs so we went up to the town and wandered down by the river. </div>
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There were lots of people about, some families picnicking, others taking their boats out.</div>
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Both, we thought were strange things to do as in some places you could hardly see in front of your noses. </div>
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We guessed the families were on a promised day out and no one ever wants to disappoint their youngsters, but the sailors, we really couldn't fathom why they were heading down the river.</div>
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Just a couple of weeks ago we were driving through New England in brilliant sunshine enjoying the beautiful changing colours of the leaves<br />
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and this weekend I only had to walk out of my back door in foggy Essex to see the beautiful autumnal colours of our acer covered with cobwebs. This acer has been in a pot on the patio for a few years now but I can never remember the changing leaves being quite as red as they are this year. It really is so vibrant.<br />
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We enjoyed a quiet peaceful weekend. There was nothing much to do in the garden, just a few leaves to be picked up so, while my husband headed to his garage to work on his boat, I baked christmas cakes and put the finishing touches to this baby blanket which I crocheted in Drops Baby Alpaca Silk. This is the same pattern I made for Alfred and it is so soft. I highly recommend the pattern and it can be found here. <a href="http://heldasland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/lewis-blanket.html">Heldasland</a><br />
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This blanket I have made for my friends first grandchild, baby Frank and I hope he finds it as snuggly and warm as Alfred does. I'm now back to knitting and on my second hat since the weekend, pictures will follow in my next post.<br />
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Have a great week!</div>
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-78786271848492507712015-10-21T12:41:00.000+01:002015-10-21T12:49:42.133+01:00OCTOBER HAPPENINGS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As September ebbed away we had a lovely weekend at Malham Cove and Yarndale.</div>
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Purchases were obviously made for lots of projects I have in mind.</div>
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Then we were off again.</div>
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With a pretty smart hire car at our disposal we saw mainly beautiful blue skies</div>
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and plenty of glorious sunsets.</div>
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A work shop with boats waiting to be restored, this time NOT our garage but,</div>
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at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut.</div>
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Gorgeous views of Mount Washington in New Hampshire.</div>
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My son in law has now got this golf course on his "I must play at" list.</div>
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The changing colours of the fall in Vermont.</div>
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Pumpkins here, there and everywhere. These, moderately large, </div>
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this one, enormous! In the region of 1383lb, I believe.</div>
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How much soup could you make with that?</div>
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Then, the hump back whales off of Cape Cod</div>
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who didn't want to come and see us the first time we went out when in Boothbay Harbor Maine but,</div>
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the second time............!</div>
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Well, they were just amazing.</div>
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Finally, into Boston for a a spot of sightseeing and retail therapy.</div>
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We loved it all!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-77845563819380474002015-09-24T09:29:00.000+01:002015-09-24T09:29:17.941+01:00SEPTEMBER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view from my back door yesterday morning was so colourful. Because we've had so much rain recently, the grass has taken on such a gorgeous deep green colour and the plants have gone mad and had a growth spurt.</div>
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By blog has taken a back step since the end of August for an assortment of reasons, some I feel I can write about and others that I'm having some difficulty to even understand let alone write about.</div>
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PARENTS!</div>
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It is so difficult to help parents who at 90+ are so independent. Even though they do need an element of help they are adamant they don't need it.</div>
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The other weekend, we had a phone call from my dad to say that my mum had been taken to a&e by ambulance during the night. After the paramedics and mum had left him, dad went back to bed and back to sleep, waking at 9.15am. It was only then that he decided to ring me as he had neither any idea of mum's condition nor even 100% certainty of where she was.</div>
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After a few minutes of phone calls, we'd located mum and sent our daughter off to their house to check her grandad was ok. My dad would never admit to it but we know he was shocked to find my mum wasn't their beside him when he woke up.</div>
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We headed off to Broomfield Hospital to find my mum who thankfully having had a thorough check up had been discharged with a course of antibiotics for a water infection. She was sitting there, waiting for an ambulance to take her home (the nurse had explained to her that there would be a long wait) because she had no one who they could call to go and collect her.</div>
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Yet here we are, we live just 20 minutes from mum and dad and about 30 mins from the hospital, what can you do?</div>
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Their neighbours on both sides were equally as frustrated when they heard. </div>
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We are so lucky that they can do lots for themselves but sometimes...............!</div>
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When we left them, that day they both looked tired and in need of some rest. They both said they would have a lazy day and for lunch they would cook the lasagne I'd made for them, a couple of days previously.</div>
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The very same lasagne that my mum had taken under protest and had told me that I wasn't to make for them anymore because they didn't need them.</div>
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I rest my case!</div>
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September has brought another change to my week days. Kate has returned to work and I'm going to be looking after baby Alfred on Mondays and Wednesdays, I already have Jack on a Monday so it's </div>
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going to be a busy day but now we've done a couple of weeks, I'm more organised and beginning to plan things that we can do when they're here.</div>
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I'm looking forward to Yarndale this weekend and I thought as I'm bound to be buying more yarn (oh yes!) I really should make some space and knit up some that I bought last year. </div>
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I bought this as a kit</div>
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and I'm very happy how it has knitted up and how it looks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsgNkT2boYkYC8dGmrzv774wnlHE83LVNXEHb-Lx8E-K5Opi58B12i-xiSRg1PMy7vafJ7wf04XCeFvOpxl1c4JsSCec1BRmsrPVB413ofxlKb8O81KZk-xnRF68eC3R8YGzND572mQ/s1600/IMG_3003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsgNkT2boYkYC8dGmrzv774wnlHE83LVNXEHb-Lx8E-K5Opi58B12i-xiSRg1PMy7vafJ7wf04XCeFvOpxl1c4JsSCec1BRmsrPVB413ofxlKb8O81KZk-xnRF68eC3R8YGzND572mQ/s640/IMG_3003.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was a lovely sunny day here yesterday, so I was able to wash it and lay it outside.</div>
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Me and washing wool, don't usually go well together but now dried it still looks the same size and shape.</div>
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All ready for my weekend!</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-59870173375395333672015-08-31T09:56:00.000+01:002015-08-31T09:57:43.006+01:00AUGUST!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It came................</div>
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Warm sunshine and a family holiday in Turkey</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkFz4A-s33OvmYEnkw9jTmXGHRMeSLph4dTi6u1WCwKpj1E4BDYkC0yEs0nxSZzferS4t6Oa3W9cQUNPw7R9vY9WUB65_9TT5pOcZbbrSYp2O41Z5z6O5ryg0-mqhJweYC4aTvySEBnE/s1600/P8110140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkFz4A-s33OvmYEnkw9jTmXGHRMeSLph4dTi6u1WCwKpj1E4BDYkC0yEs0nxSZzferS4t6Oa3W9cQUNPw7R9vY9WUB65_9TT5pOcZbbrSYp2O41Z5z6O5ryg0-mqhJweYC4aTvySEBnE/s640/P8110140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Making sand castles </div>
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Eating far too many desserts</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaS1C-_WGj4ekv7hK0MOAGQTKNtmqs0ZKW94I45kVeio4atISA7QKkMwnnrOP0mdtK6orlM5-zZc_QO3vbTuen7fXqRzdyMHzZQyQggEzWO8h5dAtRiMEIKHyL7qMA7yY5_HKJeFglDEw/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaS1C-_WGj4ekv7hK0MOAGQTKNtmqs0ZKW94I45kVeio4atISA7QKkMwnnrOP0mdtK6orlM5-zZc_QO3vbTuen7fXqRzdyMHzZQyQggEzWO8h5dAtRiMEIKHyL7qMA7yY5_HKJeFglDEw/s640/IMG_2879.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Making a big splash on the flume rides</div>
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and even making a new friend, fondly named Dobbin who fortunately didn't require much feeding but always needed a bed for the night with Granny and Grandad </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYj8CuZHEDa4VEcHU8_4CXs95WF4Tr0ILkN_k9LsgFjVRTJQE6hq8CufjnNhKK1rJUaHm1TefLouVYTCSlAnhbIw6-kFiOVCcTBOG-3yHgj1L-kgoULbz_qs0BR1KV5CKAKGevEqfUOM/s1600/IMG_2875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYj8CuZHEDa4VEcHU8_4CXs95WF4Tr0ILkN_k9LsgFjVRTJQE6hq8CufjnNhKK1rJUaHm1TefLouVYTCSlAnhbIw6-kFiOVCcTBOG-3yHgj1L-kgoULbz_qs0BR1KV5CKAKGevEqfUOM/s640/IMG_2875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enjoying a wonderful day in London to celebrate VJ Day with my Dad starting on Horse Guards</div>
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then joining in with the parade passing the Cenotaph</div>
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followed by afternoon tea in the gardens by Westminster Abbey.</div>
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Very scrummy indeed!</div>
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Our grandchildren's sunflowers have brightened up our garden a treat</div>
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Charlotte's grew to about 8ft so she was very pleased hers was a winner!</div>
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Finally this charming chappy was spotted at RHS Hyde Hall yesterday while we were there to wander the craft fair and the gardens. The sculpture by Robert James is there to commemorate 150 years of Lewis Caroll.</div>
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And then it went .............</div>
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Goodbye August, hello September.</div>
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Hope your August was as wonderful as ours.</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-8635041851011466942015-08-18T15:13:00.002+01:002015-08-18T15:25:39.317+01:00VJ DAY 70TH ANNIVERSARY<div style="text-align: center;">
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70 years ago this young man was stationed in Burma.</div>
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On Saturday, he was in London to mark the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, </div>
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for my son and myself it was a great honour to walk beside him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxOx_WB3r4tC-Wtd193Plpo-ZECG3z7H2MuumGY-B19KvQWftNTIg5oYZ66xrUbU_9dIcDJsj3O9VVKV4L8sW8G14bu6EdaP1nFON7s6M7mdOA1a4NQ4-bSI3VL63NDxiPvPj5nGYALE/s1600/P8150030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxOx_WB3r4tC-Wtd193Plpo-ZECG3z7H2MuumGY-B19KvQWftNTIg5oYZ66xrUbU_9dIcDJsj3O9VVKV4L8sW8G14bu6EdaP1nFON7s6M7mdOA1a4NQ4-bSI3VL63NDxiPvPj5nGYALE/s640/P8150030.JPG" width="594" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We had such an emotional and wonderful day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Well done Dad!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"</span><br />
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-41367380815530725342015-08-01T12:31:00.000+01:002015-08-02T08:28:39.984+01:00SHOPKINS BIRTHDAY CAKE<div style="text-align: center;">
Having been spurred on by cheery words which, I thank you for from fellow bloggers I was finally ready to jump back on my roller coaster ride of amateur cake making.</div>
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Charlotte in her role of cake designer had specific ideas of what she wanted and had given me a drawing so I had something to work from</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA70fZpVn4CFlHqlLrsX3MkLYGkqm6H5AR_qw4q41qDzvvWIzbnz0aV-w-VD4R1oduqP3PcPDXKLNGaqL_CueKOlhR6YzF0PyEMDt3PnV8le_U8E63eM-BfLV0w3mEBc9oF6DzO5x1loo/s1600/IMG_2836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA70fZpVn4CFlHqlLrsX3MkLYGkqm6H5AR_qw4q41qDzvvWIzbnz0aV-w-VD4R1oduqP3PcPDXKLNGaqL_CueKOlhR6YzF0PyEMDt3PnV8le_U8E63eM-BfLV0w3mEBc9oF6DzO5x1loo/s400/IMG_2836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and once I'd stopped panicking in the end, I came up with this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FzpbysVJjSV995kP1p3UKUONtPBV1pcILK5C4HRM7k_c-2xYrJMYdIWJb6uLmD2-P9jtFsuveuta81rrK8Jb56CQIQPZY4m2g8Js7GkurXL31qTFAUbA0E43QuY6ClWguB7PElYu8w8/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FzpbysVJjSV995kP1p3UKUONtPBV1pcILK5C4HRM7k_c-2xYrJMYdIWJb6uLmD2-P9jtFsuveuta81rrK8Jb56CQIQPZY4m2g8Js7GkurXL31qTFAUbA0E43QuY6ClWguB7PElYu8w8/s640/IMG_2839.JPG" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bottom cake is plain sponge and the top tier, chocolate. I think the bright colours of the icing really set it off and I am so pleased with the result.<br />
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My daughter in law literally worked her socks off organising the children's parties this year. Charlotte's friends arrived in the afternoon, using up some energy on the bouncy castle and enjoying crafts like face painting and tattoo transfers.<br />
As the afternoon moved into evening and after feasting on BBQ food they lounged indoors with popcorn and watched a movie.<br />
Then before finally crashing out in the tent in the garden, they danced the night away in the spare room that had been stripped bare of furniture other than a glitter ball, disco lights and sound system.<br />
Were they exhausted, unfortunately, not quite!!<br />
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When the morning came, breakfast was consumed and by lunchtime a sleepy bunch of Charlotte's friends went home.<br />
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After a quick tidy round preparations were again soon under way and as 1pm approached Jessica's friends arrived for a tea party for the afternoon. More fun was had on the bouncy castle and lots more face painting.<br />
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I had made another cake and this time it did look more like a teddy bear.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJeGPaXZvDsqSGgT81_W2-z4towhDZ4-jbqtTe2L7SvjsFEJs8wn8OY7L5CWQhP5JCDXj9COap9k9NdHWhXTJGyF5DCHtRbGEpWjFIWxQ-OiNwJO-n2pQj0BKjtGM_lCOJbS4hjwqvfo/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJeGPaXZvDsqSGgT81_W2-z4towhDZ4-jbqtTe2L7SvjsFEJs8wn8OY7L5CWQhP5JCDXj9COap9k9NdHWhXTJGyF5DCHtRbGEpWjFIWxQ-OiNwJO-n2pQj0BKjtGM_lCOJbS4hjwqvfo/s640/IMG_2846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The children's birthdays and parties are now over for this year, no more 'till next March.<br />
A good time was had by all and my daughter in law now deserves a rest. Me, well I"m pleased to say I have washed and ironed my "pinny" and it's neatly folded back in the drawer.<br />
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I have also managed to do some knitting, I've just finished my hat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y_D4C7Ay42hyW9Mpq-XnEiuswz5A6a0MQzSPdwSsy6ccr9bE7kHt8PLXDT-5QFb4DcvyKbHob9YzeA1RVgTrgLgjP7Z01OsQIi2-jtSmrL5XcRMqiNSMvCpmmqDBuMpvPo62RA5M360/s1600/Photo+on+01-08-2015+at+10.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y_D4C7Ay42hyW9Mpq-XnEiuswz5A6a0MQzSPdwSsy6ccr9bE7kHt8PLXDT-5QFb4DcvyKbHob9YzeA1RVgTrgLgjP7Z01OsQIi2-jtSmrL5XcRMqiNSMvCpmmqDBuMpvPo62RA5M360/s320/Photo+on+01-08-2015+at+10.57.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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I sat last night with needles and yarn ready to start a hat for baby Alfred ready for the autumn but did not even get to the casting on stage. As the end credits of Ripper Street rolled, I found I'd dozed off instead, totally missing out on the program and the knitting!<br />
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Enjoy your weekend, fingers crossed for some summer sunshine!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-27611347490444394402015-07-19T10:45:00.002+01:002015-07-19T10:48:03.750+01:00BACK IN MY COMFORT ZONE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mid July and another birthday in our family, on Friday we celebrated Charlotte's 9th birthday. Another cake was called for and I have to tell you I was much happier making this cup cake than that bear type monster creation that I made for Jessica.</div>
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I felt back in my comfort zone!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSWhQaRsJ4vEmeVbcLNrM2Xv47FvTtsWfpCe6N_Unwn4WTCOqV1uElpzBtnq3ets3TD_jd_nlP5Zs8G5Csrw9QK5DDRNH84je-T8NaTVHJtRD-TKMcxsrFCOFM8KHqC4mLkEKGK_mlr4/s1600/IMG_2826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSWhQaRsJ4vEmeVbcLNrM2Xv47FvTtsWfpCe6N_Unwn4WTCOqV1uElpzBtnq3ets3TD_jd_nlP5Zs8G5Csrw9QK5DDRNH84je-T8NaTVHJtRD-TKMcxsrFCOFM8KHqC4mLkEKGK_mlr4/s640/IMG_2826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As I sat with the cake perched on my lap en route to her tea party there was a brief sense of relief on my part when my husband commented that my birthday cake making season was at least over for another year.</div>
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This may not however be strictly the case.</div>
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The girls are having a joint party at the end of the month and they've asked me to make a "shopkins" cake.</div>
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Do you know what they are?</div>
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I actually don't know myself yet but I have thought briefly about purchasing one already made.</div>
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The only thing is that my grand daughters have come to love my take on their birthday novelty cakes even though they are often lopsided and not totally recognisable.</div>
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I think I'll do some research of what the cake should be like before I decide, to buy or not to buy!</div>
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As part of Charlotte's birthday present, I gave her her finished cardigan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDeA0TF_etLwOAPqP6DxwORqEtQayAgyzrtBwjUAQCrfjdG1DCid7PEmIVGyQciQkNmdfBD5dzeeVg03CMJje0J90GOs1W2w6V2233hyphenhyphenRwb252KTEAnQT9ELptEe3RrFKyMPz7ggrCro/s1600/IMG_2814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDeA0TF_etLwOAPqP6DxwORqEtQayAgyzrtBwjUAQCrfjdG1DCid7PEmIVGyQciQkNmdfBD5dzeeVg03CMJje0J90GOs1W2w6V2233hyphenhyphenRwb252KTEAnQT9ELptEe3RrFKyMPz7ggrCro/s320/IMG_2814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and by the skin of my teeth I managed to finish this one for Jessica.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvP1EfUUsm2hb40UmEoqx0pNf4qLzLpECK_7AHRRLtBBQVTxBtvVpkdfgdCd0JFsptBtu7uSKrzOLQNpTocc91AOuszMpHGh1df4GERhSKQQBstTNB_AxzuTg1DA1Ayq9Bib-SY578zs/s1600/IMG_2823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvP1EfUUsm2hb40UmEoqx0pNf4qLzLpECK_7AHRRLtBBQVTxBtvVpkdfgdCd0JFsptBtu7uSKrzOLQNpTocc91AOuszMpHGh1df4GERhSKQQBstTNB_AxzuTg1DA1Ayq9Bib-SY578zs/s640/IMG_2823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This has turned out so much better that I thought it would. I ran out of yarn (Drops Muscat) and couldn't get another ball of the same dye lot so ended up taking a chance with a different one. Thankfully, it's not noticeable at all and it looks really lovely on Jessica.<br />
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So now I am moving on to a quick little project, using this <a href="http://littleorkneydyeshed.co.uk/">Pam Murray</a> yarn that I bought while on holiday in the Orkneys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r6ctkUDT1mQGRj5GdXw74gJxTJ044l3A0r1D-IDB1hIWiowjHE0ZMQLwBvmiZHWwLYz5KPqev4QPAb8EUNsifAcoiVHp2D_Xhm4upFofU6EwjnJlWA6Mz67iVQW-QPMlprR3OTvNmhU/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r6ctkUDT1mQGRj5GdXw74gJxTJ044l3A0r1D-IDB1hIWiowjHE0ZMQLwBvmiZHWwLYz5KPqev4QPAb8EUNsifAcoiVHp2D_Xhm4upFofU6EwjnJlWA6Mz67iVQW-QPMlprR3OTvNmhU/s640/IMG_2828.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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When I find the right pattern, the right needles (you never have the right ones, do you!) I will be making myself a hat!</div>
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Enjoy your Sunday!</div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-39617311817743055412015-07-08T17:24:00.001+01:002015-07-08T17:24:42.612+01:00WHAT IS IT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes, things go so well and sometimes things go oh so badly.</div>
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On this occasion it was the latter.</div>
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Jessica celebrated her 6th birthday on Friday and as is the tradition Granny was asked to make the cake. I was all prepared in advance, making the cake a couple of days beforehand and keeping it in the freezer.</div>
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On Friday, all I had to do was decorate it, what could go wrong?</div>
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Well, basically everything!</div>
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My, I have all day to decorate it turned into just 1 hour.</div>
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To add to that, it was such a hot day but I shouldn't really use that as an excuse.</div>
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The picture that I had in my head, did not materialise as I imagined on the cake</div>
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and I thought it looked hideous.</div>
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Have you guessed what it is yet?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTm76HtQQery2OXnJ5LFzKbj6e_Mxz2pX3Y78K1Q8pBr9M-1BNOp7IZb5-pgQt1PnmKA6hnsDpDq3cVsl5u5KvwUjzWHM0AZIcg-Ipru6AU4AtD9o5rG20su9dEuTsorvv50ON_eJgpM/s1600/IMG_2805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTm76HtQQery2OXnJ5LFzKbj6e_Mxz2pX3Y78K1Q8pBr9M-1BNOp7IZb5-pgQt1PnmKA6hnsDpDq3cVsl5u5KvwUjzWHM0AZIcg-Ipru6AU4AtD9o5rG20su9dEuTsorvv50ON_eJgpM/s640/IMG_2805.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We soldiered on, taking the cake to Jessica's tea party and were met by oohs and arrhs from Jessica and even an, "amazing!" from her Mummy.</div>
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In the end, I asked everyone if they knew what it was supposed to be and they got it right straight away - it's a teddy bear!</div>
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I wonder did you guess that?</div>
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Next week, I'm supposed to be making a cake for 30 people for my son to take to work for his birthday and Charlotte wants a Shopkins cake, which she has designed herself and I have the drawing attached to my fridge freezer.</div>
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I am beginning to wonder if my novelty cake making skills have now been stretched to their limit. Perhaps it's time to hang up my hand mixer. </div>
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Getting away from cake making, I have finished this cardigan for Charlotte and I'm really pleased with it. It is a Drops pattern, using their muscat yarn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjRX5MIMXZLmF0L1CP3CyylHTmT_CMtf_OhuO8QdtXNAm6qaUFSbx4bd6xESUCoRBJBbJhHFYK55MiHepDInfnSc-9XZ5d2piRWWZq-jRFi2MPpCIvir8bR7fEfGnVYhEmleNbts3Afo/s1600/IMG_2814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjRX5MIMXZLmF0L1CP3CyylHTmT_CMtf_OhuO8QdtXNAm6qaUFSbx4bd6xESUCoRBJBbJhHFYK55MiHepDInfnSc-9XZ5d2piRWWZq-jRFi2MPpCIvir8bR7fEfGnVYhEmleNbts3Afo/s640/IMG_2814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the colour Charlotte chose herself and I have another on my needles for Jessica but in orange. Her choice again but extremely bright, hopefully that will be finished sometime next week and I'll include it in my next post.</div>
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I received lots of lovely comments on my last post, thank you very much.</div>
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Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!</div>
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-58836290800000165892015-07-01T13:37:00.001+01:002015-07-01T13:37:43.404+01:00DEDHAM VALE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When England gets it right it couldn't be finer.</div>
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The last day in the month of June when the sun shining brightly in the cloudless sky lingered on well into the late evening.</div>
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It was our wedding anniversary, only 36 years and with us both being so busy recently, me with my parents and grandchildren and he at work we wanted to head to somewhere quiet and peaceful to eat, chat and while away a couple of hours.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7xsC68qNXooYrdeL-XbnnMJ64VtxiV2AcpqUA5K6zSd18ehnbrHVlN_rlH59M9fwfHKdxdUQOcAE1fdOPNU7yvA2hR9rpYo8oN81p2X8F0GDR0mUra6p1Lzy5JeNjVy9IT-WzACirf8/s1600/IMG_2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7xsC68qNXooYrdeL-XbnnMJ64VtxiV2AcpqUA5K6zSd18ehnbrHVlN_rlH59M9fwfHKdxdUQOcAE1fdOPNU7yvA2hR9rpYo8oN81p2X8F0GDR0mUra6p1Lzy5JeNjVy9IT-WzACirf8/s640/IMG_2804.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We found the perfect place, <a href="http://dedhamboathouse.com/">The Boathouse at Dedham</a> to do that very thing.</div>
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Doused in insect repellant,</div>
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(I have to say driving up their with the air conditioning on the pungent smell was unfortunately a little intense for my liking.)</div>
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we managed to get a table outside right by the river.</div>
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There were swans and their cygnets to see but by the time I'd got my phone out of my handbag to take this photo they had passed and were probably half way along to Flatford Mill.</div>
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We always enjoy being in Dedham and the surrounding area and we had such a nice evening here, the food and the service at this restaurant was lovely and I would definitely recommend it.</div>
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Today, Michael is off to work again and I'm ironing!!</div>
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Yes, ironing on the hottest day of the year.</div>
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However I'm also taking time out to write this post, eat my lunch and watch a little tennis.</div>
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I have finally put buttons on my 2 finished cardigans.</div>
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This one is for Alfred</div>
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and this one is Jack's.</div>
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Jack's is quite thick so will be ok for later in the year.</div>
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I really like the yacht buttons </div>
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but ........</div>
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I also liked the football buttons that I bought originally for it, but bought five instead of six.</div>
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I'm always doing that!!!!</div>
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Thank you for all your comments, I really appreciate them.</div>
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Enjoy the sunshine!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-78237673180038488602015-06-15T17:16:00.001+01:002015-06-15T17:16:41.680+01:00A CRAFTY WEEKEND WITH THE LITTLE ONES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's school sports day today and I've just returned home for a short break between junior and infant races. With a cup of coffee by my side I thought I'd just keep you up to date with my blog before heading off again.</div>
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The life of a busy grand parent!</div>
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We've had little people staying with us for the weekend. We collected the two girls straight from school on Friday and Jack earlier in the day. Pre weekend I'd made my mind up to ensure that I'd got lots of things planned to do either indoors or out and a fridge/cupboard full of a variety of things that they might like to eat.</div>
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I didn't want them to get bored and I didn't want them to go hungry either, I needed them to be three happy children and for the most part they were so, I think I should get a star for that!</div>
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I popped into my local <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/">Hobbycraft</a> the other day hoping to pick up some nice things for them to do and saw these knitting and crochet basket kits, half price. They were a must have as I knew the girls would love them and was really pleased that Charlotte had a good try with a hook and yarn and learnt to chain and DC stitch.</div>
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They brought nail varnish with them to decorate stones, that kept them busy for an hour or so, making ladybirds. </div>
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Grandad was kept busy too. Alas, he had no time to work on his boat this weekend</div>
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but I ensured he had a little boat project to make for Jack.</div>
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We planted four sunflowers, one for each grandchild and while I headed to the park with Jessica and Jack, Charlotte and Grandad made these wooden labels. The nail varnish came in useful again!</div>
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While Jessica was happy to play and draw Charlotte sewed this pencil case together. </div>
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When the little people went home last night, everything was again quiet in our home.</div>
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We had a really lovely weekend but boy, were we shattered.</div>
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Our bed beckoned early and we overslept this morning.</div>
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I think I need another coffee!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-42615882656686780452015-05-29T18:08:00.003+01:002015-05-29T18:11:12.574+01:00MY MAY DAZE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Before my daughter's baby was born in March I would never have believed that once Alfred was born I would spend so much time with them both. He is eleven weeks old today and I don't think there's been that many days where we haven't seen each other if only for a short while. As Kate is returning to work in September it's been really great to spend so much time together. I've had lots of cups of tea, quite a few lunches and endless cuddles with Alfred so how can I not be happy.</div>
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May has just flown by so I thought I really must get back to my blog and give a quick update of other things I've been up to.</div>
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We've been talking about taking my parents for a sightseeing drive around London for sometime and as it was my mum's 91st birthday last week we thought it was an ideal opportunity to take them on a tour. They both were born in East London, Dad in Plaistow and Mum in Stepney so we headed off in that direction and then on to Stratford so they could see the Olympic village, they were quite amazed. </div>
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From there we headed into the city and parked so that Dad and I could walk down to the bank where he used to work. He found that quite nostalgic I think but was pleased that we went.</div>
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We drove along the embankment pointing out the Shard and other new buildings and then headed to Canary Wharf where I'd booked a table for lunch. We were lucky the rain held off until the afternoon so we were able to to have a pre lunch drink sitting outside. Mum and Dad reminsced about their younger days and told us many stories, some we'd heard before but others we hadn't.<br />
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We all had such a good time, it was a perfect day.</div>
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Unfortunately both Charlotte and Jack were under the weather over the bank holiday weekend so on Monday Jessica came to us for the afternoon. Her Grandad was working on his boat in the garage (I shall post a photo next time!) and after watching me for a while sewing she headed outside to do some woodwork herself. Between them she helped create this little table which she was very proud of.</div>
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This week we've had a family day out. Our plan was to go to Walton on the Naze but with the children recovering from their ailments we decided just to head for our park by the river in Maldon.<br />
<a href="http://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/">Carter's Steam Fair</a> is there this week so Charlotte and Jessica loved that and along with Kate they enjoyed flying high. Jo and I took the easy option and watched them while minding the babies. That was thrilling enough for us!<br />
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Encouraged by everyone's comments regarding Blossom the rag doll, I made Tom.</div>
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He was a rather difficult little man to make. The week before last it took me 3 hours to make 3 arms!<br />
You may be questioning 3 arms but, even worse there wasn't a matching pair amongst them. I was so frustrated with it all I gave up. A whole week later, I picked him up again, undid 2 of the arms and remade them. He did eventually turn out ok but I think he's quite delicate and will need plenty of TLC.<br />
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And finally, having said, no more yarn until Yarndale, I have just received my order of Drops Muscat to make the girls little jackets for their holidays. They are very excited as I emailed the colour chart to Charlotte and let them choose the colours for themselves. Mint green for Charlotte and the orange for Jessica.<br />
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Message to self: I must not start these until I've sewn up the cardigans for the boys!!!</div>
Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444234950587931245.post-58435842696540845872015-05-09T16:03:00.000+01:002015-05-09T16:03:24.142+01:00HERE I AM!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yes, I am still here. Although we gained a day last bank holiday weekend I feel I've lost one this week, if you understand my meaning. I thought I really must this afternoon catch up with my blog, thank everyone for the lovely comments in my last post re: Blossom and give you an update on what I've been up to.</div>
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I'm really pleased to say that my cardigan for baby Alfred is on the verge of completion. Unfortunately though, it has been at this stage since last Saturday. I've since started knitting a new cardigan for Jack and if there's a choice to be made I'd rather pick my needles up and knit than sew a garment together and finish the button hole edges. A stumbling block for me but, one I must rectify in this coming week.</div>
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At last I've finished the cushion I've made for Kate. It only needed filling but every time I've been to her house to pick up an old duvet for this very purpose (she seems to have an abundance in her airing cupboard), I've been so distracted by my cuddling and cooing over Alfred that I've come back home without it. This morning, I did finally bring home the duvet and it's done, finished!<br />
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I've also cut out the pieces of fabric for Blossom's playmate so now I've got to get on with some stitching.<br />
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I'm really pleased that we now have a Knit Natter and Stitch group in our village and we're going to meet every fortnight. On the first afternoon I took Alfred's cardigan along to knit and there was just a handful of us there but at the next gathering the word had spread and there was quite a turn out. Some ladies had come along to learn how to crochet and one thing led to another and I was asked if I could teach crochet. My crochet skills are self taught so I was a little concerned that I might not teach them correctly and as the afternoon progressed we laughed as I told them that I was actually a swimming teacher and they had more chance of going home and swimming butterfly than using a hook. But we muddled through making chains and the odd dc and by the end of the session we agreed to return in a fortnight and have another go. I suggested that we should try and make a granny square.<br />
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Over the bank holiday weekend, I found an easy to follow video of how to make a basic granny square as I just wanted to check that I would be teaching them correctly and armed with a step by step pattern I went along to the group for our next meeting on Tuesday. Though a little daunted at first and after a few false starts they did eventually all make a granny square which I thought was brilliant. Not because they made it, obviously that was great but, that I'd actually been able to teach them how to make it.<br />
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Hopefully now that they've made something, they'll be keen to come along and give crochet another go. Who knows they might even get hooked!<br />
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Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend, tomorrow is supposed to be warm here. My plan is for gardening and sewing, let's see how I get on with that.<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05166927011486659586noreply@blogger.com5