Walking

Walking is good for you. So today I met a friend and went for a walk. It was a nice day, sunny at times, with a cool breeze. After about 10 mins walking I jarred my back. I kept on walking though, as I thought it would help loosen my back up a bit. We did have a nice walk, and my back was just niggling a bit. By the time I got back to her house, to get my car, I realised that I had hurt my back a bit more than I had thought. Oh dear. Then I got in the car, and realised I had to get petrol. It was in the red, so I couldn't risk it, as the nearest petrol station to our house is 2 miles away. So managed to do that, with a bit of contortionism, getting in and out of the car. Then I came home and had a hot bath, and now am sat with hot water bottle and a cup of tea. Every cloud has a silver lining, now I can sit and knit for the rest of the afternoon, and not feel guilty. Bye for now.

Time flies

When I started doing this blog, I thought I would write most days. I love reading other blogs, but sometimes felt disappointed when they hadn't written for a while. Now I understand. Life just zooms past. I am full of good intentions - whether it's too lose weight, finish off all those knitting projects that I have on the go or spend less time drooling over yarn on the internet. I am still knitting this lovely cardigan, Golden Vintage Cardigan, that I bought via Ravelry. I actually found a pattern mistake. I didn't realise it, I was stuck and emailed the lady who had written it, and she soon rectified the mistake, so I am knitting furiously to finish the back. It's Rowan Silk Cotton, I don't love the feel of it to knit with, but the half finished knitting is looking really nice.

On Saturday, I went to visit my mum with 4 of the children. My number 3 daughter is in Spain on holiday with a friend. Feels really strange without her, but she is having a lovely time. Whilst at my mums I managed to escape for one hour. I found myself at Carlys Crafts in Winton. I do love that shop. I think I may have mentioned that just a few times before. I was in there for a whole hour. I mean, how can that be, it's only the size of my lounge. She was so helpful and chatty. I only ended up buying one ball of 4 ply, and one ball of Rowan fine milk cotton. Well that's all I am posting on here, as it is read by family, who may grass me up!!I so badly want to knit a cardigan in Rowan magazine, so I have been trying to do tension squares, so that I can do it in cheaper wool. But I must say that my tension is spot on for the fine milk cotton, and I can feel myself weakening.

I did sell my ipod to my number 2 daughter. She was saving up for one, so I let her have it for half the price she would have had to pay in the shops. Now I am trying to be sensible with the money. Choices. Rowan fine milk cotton?My sensible, rational side says "NO! absolutely not, you have a trunk full of wool, knit something from there" but my lustful, covetous side (yes I do have them) says "they discontinue rowan wools so often, wait until it's on sale as a compromise" So I think that's what I must do. Still got three things on the needles so must finish them. They are all (apart from the silk cotton) on the sleeves, so the end is in sight.

I am sat at the computer looking out over fields with the sun shining and lots of different shades of green in all the fields. It's so lovely. I have been thinking lately, about how easy it is to take things and people for granted. I am trying to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Trying to think of things to be grateful for. A lovely, lovely husband, who is my best friend, lovely children, a lovely grandaughter, good health, a big house (messy but big) and friends. That's before you go on to the list of possessions. So if you are reading this, and I know at least 2 people do, don't forget to count your blessings, there is always something to be thankful for. Mostly knitting!!

Chocolate biscuits are great

Now you may be reading this, thinking what is she on about? Well, we don't buy biscuits that often, but for a treat, my daughter wanted me to buy some chocolate biscuits so she could use her fondue set. So I decided to buy mcvities chocolate biscuits, as they are by far the best. On the packet was an offer of winning an ipod nano. All you had to do was enter the code on the biscuits, and you had a chance of winning. Well I thought, worth a laugh. Went online and entered the code on my packet of chocolate biscuits, and I won. Then I thought oh, probably a mistake, but sent off all of the relevant information, and today through the post I received an ipod nano 86b 5th generation. How amazing was that??What are the chances of that happening??

I do enter competitions from time to time. Mainly the ones in the knitting magazines. So far I have won 10 pairs of tickets to various craft shows around the country, a knitting journal, a baby blanket, £10 worth of hair products and now this. I am hoping I am on a roll, as I have entered the dorset cereals one, the prize is a new mini, now that would be so cool, I would give back all of the other prizes to get that. Still, not much chance, but who knows??Watch this space. Now the dilemma is - to sell the ipod nano, as I don't need it (already have itouch, and ipod) or use it (but seems bit wasteful). If I sell it, how much for?and what to do with the money, apart from maybe splash out in the naughty shop (see earlier post) in Winton!!Now there's a thought. Off to knit and ponder now. Bye for now

Podcasts and new project

Well, I just wanted to start a little bit by talking about podcasts. This is a great way to learn about other peoples knitting styles, habits and generally be nosey about how other people live. I listen to sticks and string, electric sheep (just found this one, and it's brilliant), lime and violet (not always a clean podcast though, so be warned), it is funny and does enable you to search on line for yarn that you never have heard of, and they you end up buying it!!Knitty nora is also good, but she doesn't do podcasting as much as she is busy with twins. Basically if you search on itunes under knitting podcasts, there are loads. I used to listen to lots, but I ended up getting a bit confused, so tend to stick with these few.

Well I succumbed and gave into temptation. I didn't buy any more yarn (but I so want to), but I have started a new project. So naughty. Even hubby said, I thought you weren't starting anything new. I said I was just giving it a try, but I seem to have just kept knitting. I had some Rowan Silk Cotton that I bought in the sale, half price at hobbycraft (it's now been discontinued). I have been looking for ages for a pattern, and eventually I have found one on Ravelry. I actually bought it as I really like it. They specified a different type of yarn, but someone else knitted it in Silk cotton, and it turned out ok. Silk Cotton is quite unusual to knit with. It's almost an aran weight, but like cotton, but not so soft. It does split if you aren't careful, so I am going to use some knit pro symfonie circular needles to knit it on (when they arrive, as I had to buy new tips off ebay). The pattern is called Golden Vintage caridgan and it looks nice, short sleeves, so it should be ok to wear in the summer, so as summer is on it's way, I think I better go now and do some more knitting.

We have chickens now, so will take some photos and add them next time. They are so great, and we now have had 2 eggs.

Podcasts

Forgot to put that in the last epistle, so will talk about that next time. Two words. Electric Sheep.

Excercise and podcasts

Today was knitting group. So I decided that I would cycle down to Caffe Nero's where we meet. So I dug out a rucksack from the cupboard under the stairs, filled it with my knitting and my purse, put on my fleece (as it was cold) and got my bike out. Then I had to unlock the shed, find a bike lock with a key that unlocked it, and then I was ready to go. I couldn't find a cycle helmet, well actually, the only one that I could find, was full of mud for some reason. Note to self - ask the boys about that one. So off I rode. The nice thing is that the first half of the 7 miles to town (yes 7 miles) is slightly downhill. Actually the drive down from my house, is like going on a deathslide. My brakes were squealing, or maybe that was me, and my heart was racing, just in case the brakes didn't hold. But they did. Onwards. By about half mile, I realised that I wasn't as fit as I used to be. I probably hadn't been out on my bike for a year, and I think there was something wrong with the saddle, or my belly really had got saggier, as it kept hitting my knees, everytime my leg went up. By about the mile (even though I was still slightly free wheeling) my thighs were starting to burn. I stopped the bike, looked in my purse, and was mightily relieved to see that I had enough money for the bus. I cycled another mile and a half (the bus stop was calling my name), and locked the trusty steed up to a road sign opposite where the bus stop was. I wobbled over the road (not because of my fat belly, but my legs were like jelly) and waited 5mins and got the bus to town. What a relief. By the time I got to knitting group, I was refreshed and felt quite hopeful about the journey home, after knitting group.

Fast forward 2 hours, got off the bus, unlocked the bike (not been stolen,unfortunately) and freewheeled down the road. Then the bones in my butt started to protest. Now I have a slightly (ok I lied) large butt, and a gel filled saddle. But still, my bones were not ready to sit on that saddle again. I gritted my teeth, and talked sternly to myself. Another 500 yards passed, and I pulled in off the road. I sent the following text to my lovely, lovely husband. "You know you love me, and you know you love it when I am home at lunchtime to make your lunch. Well in five minutes I will travelling along the (2miles) road to our house, so if you would like to pick me and my bike up, I can then make your lunch for you." Then I pushed the bike up the next nasty hill. I did manage to ride about another half mile, until a knight in shining armour, on a trusy white horse came to sweep me off my feet and rescue me appeared. Actually a smelly (working with pig poo today) farmer in a beat up red pick up, but still my knight, came and got me. Was I pleased to see him or what!!I got home, and thought seriously about relegating the trusty bike (instrument of torture) to the bonfire, but then realised metal doesn't burn very well. I'll just hide it in the bushes, and take the car next time!!

Good clean fun

Well, on Monday I had a lovely day out with my two youngest sons, who are 6 and 10. We went to see my parents and went out with them in their camper bus. We went to a lovely little beach, with a free car park (amazing). The boys, me and grandad went and put some crab lines off the little jetty, with some bacon rind on the end and we even managed to catch a crab. Then we had a picnic in the camper bus, and a cup of tea. It was so relaxing, the best part of the Easter holidays. The two boys were quite happy, and didn't ask for anything, and were quite content to catch crabs, and swim in the sea. Yes they went in the sea in April!!I was stood on the beach in my jacket watching them and laughing, and thinking how lovely it was to see them enjoying themselves, and there were no screens involved!!I even managed to get a bit of knitting done, whilst being driven around in the camper bus, so a good day for all.