We didn't know we wanted one.......

........but we got one anyway! We bought some storage boxes from Proundstretchers today and was told that because we spent over £10 we were entitled to this small teddy - yippie! Then we went to the garden centre for an attachment for the hose lots to choose from or a complete hose because we wanted a storage spinner. We didn't buy it because we noticed an offer which doesn't start until a week today so we thought we would wait but knowing our luck the hoses may have gone up next week - watch this space.......

I think I may have discovered why I have been feeling the way I have, my husband had a hospital appointment his morning at 9 o'clock, the test proved OK and there is nothing wrong, the problem is probably caused by stress. That worry is now over. We then strolled round Taunton, then came home via Jane's house for yummie cream cakes and a cuppa!

We had to start out for Taunton by 7.30am this morning, a few speeding cars overtook us which we caught up with by the time we were half way there because of a tractor holding traffic up. We were on time with about twenty minutes to spare.

Sky at 4.14pm!

Well..........today was as exciting as yesterday! Mind you thinking on it most week-ends are boring at our house! We cut the grass, took the grass cuttings and other rubbish to the recycling centre, took a late DVD rental back........mental note: must speak to son re-fine of said DVD!

It couldn't get anymore boring!

Yes! Today has been as boring as these two poached eggs on toast! Because my husband had to go to work today I went to my place of work too, we bought two hot pasties on the way home for lunch, and sat and listened to the end of Jonathan Ross on the radio and then watched a film, I finished designing a sampler and started a new one on the computer then it was time to eat again! I have to admit it has been quite restful. Dr Who was very exciting I must remember to watch next week, I'm sure I will...............

Blue...............!

Cranesbill Geranium

Today at 12 o'clock precisely should have been the first day of our second holiday of this year. Nothing exciting about it just two weeks off, we don't go away - lack of money! We did have lunch out as the first of our holiday treats! But this year my husband informs me he has to work on Saturday morning and Tuesday, (I hope he gets the time off in lieu I won't hold my breath though!) I dare not ask why because when he explains it to me it sounds complicated - I am intelligent but sometimes you just don't want to know! This afternoon was the usual weekend trip to Tescos did not buy much just "holiday goodies". And you think I would have remembered, and I have made many mental notes to myself not to plan things in advance because you can guarantee it never works out, but in my mind I had planned on going to Exeter this Saturday as we decided not to go last week because we thought the weather was against us but it wasn't. It looks like the weather is against us this week anyway!

This pretty pink flower.........

.........goes by the name of Lavatera!

Phalaris arundinacea

Reed Canary-grass

Ratatouille

This is my version of this classic French Provencal dish

2 Courgettes washed sliced and cut into quarters

1 Aubergine washed sliced and cubed

1 Onion sliced thinly (I used red onion)

1 Pepper sliced (any colour)

3 cloves of garlic crushed

1 tablespoon of French Herbs

Bay Leaf

Olive Oil

Tin of Chopped Tomatoes

The secret of this dish is patience,

and to saute gently the Courgette, Aubergine, Onion, Pepper, separately.

As sauteed one at a time put them into a casserole dish.

Add to the vegetables in the casserole dish

the tin of chopped tomatoes

and the crushed Garlic, Herbs and Bay leaf

and gently mix.

Put in the oven for about forty minutes at 190 degrees, gas mark 5

Serve with any meat - this is a Lamb Steak and Rice

Waterfalls........?

I have never made "Waterfall " cards before,

I didn't realise they were that easy to make!

Carnation!

This pretty Carnation was in a bunch of flowers I bought in Tescos!

What's in a name?

That which we call a rose by any other name

would smell as sweet

"Famous Romeo and Juliet quote

by William Shakespeare(Act II, Sc. II)

A pretty Rose in full bloom

This Rose is vermilion in colour,

it is so bright it is seen before anything else in the garden!

This little bud is the Silver Jubilee Rose given to us

by our friends David and Jane on the

occasion of our 25th Wedding Anniversary three years ago.

Today is the Longest Day

from now on the nights get longer.

Oh Dear! what a thought Christmas soon!

Can you spot the deliberate mistake?

Well if you are a bobbin lace maker you should be able to!

I am working "Honiton Lace" with Torchon Bobbins!

I enlarged a Honiton lace pattern by 200% and working it with 40 cotton.

I just thought I would see what it looked liked!

Do you have a headache?

Feverfew could be the answer!

Its a Mystery.............

.....how these few wires and circuit boards all in a metal box helps us to

Blog, Email our Friends, Write Essays and Diaries and Find Information

and these two things makes the whole computer go that bit faster!

Another Card!

This quick card was made with a peel-off that can be embroidered and a few beads!

Cards

I have made these two cards,

again using peel-offs that can be stitched and acetate

I thought I would try my hand at............

.................BEADING!

I made these three necklaces with tiny beads

and I made this one with different beads.

They are all very light to wear.

Well..I told you you would never guess!

Relay Revels was a free magazine issued monthly to subscribers of Relay Radio. This was in fact the forerunner of today's cable television. It was sold on the basis of being trouble free and a being the most economic and the best way of listening-in! "Rollickers" were apparently the children of subscribers who had their own pages in the magazine (see above) I must admit I had no idea what a rollicker was but according to http://www.dictionary.com/ it is :-
to move or act in a carefree, frolicsome manner; behave in a free, hearty, gay, or jovial way.
Sounds like fun doesn't it, but not sure about the 'gay' bit!

You will never guess where this comes from.....

...........NO! I mean it you will never guess!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anybody knows, let me know - otherwise watch this space tomorrow!

Strawberry Fayre!

Back in May I was given two strawberry plants I have/had two ripe sweet strawberries,

I was also given some tomatoes - I'll let you know about those...........

Trifolium

White Clover

Garden Bouquet

My friend Diana popped in this afternoon bringing with her this bouquet of flowers from her garden.
The Carnations and Roses smell absolutely beautifully - I wish you could smell them!

The Bag, The Weedkiller and The Bindweed

First of all I would like to thank our friend who gave us this gardening tip

You know who you are and I hope you don't mind - email us!

This is my poor Forsythia smothered in Bindweed

Gather as much Bindweed as you can and put it in a carrier bag,

Spray liberally with weedkiller

and tie the bag tightly

........and after about ten days you start to see it die back

and you have a bag of dead leaves.

Please dispose of the above carefully!

Baby Knitting Pattern

I had some wool left over from the blanket I made Diana the other day (3rd June posting), as she does not knit I thought she would like this for her future grandson.
I have put the pattern below for anyone to use, but please only for personal use. Please do not use it for commercial use.

If there is a mistake I apologise now, please leave a comment and I will try and rectify it.

200grams of Double Knit Baby Wool - 4mm Needles (UK size)
5 Buttons
Stitch used - Garter Stitch - plain knitting.
Cast on 125 stitches
Knit 4 rows
Next Knit to last 3 stitches, yarn forward, knit 2 together, knit 1
Knit 17 Rows
Next Knit to last 3 stitches, yarn forward, knit 2 together, knit 1
Knit 17 Rows
Next Knit to last 3 stitches, yarn forward, knit 2 together, knit 1
Knit 17 Rows
Next Knit to last 3 stitches, yarn forward, knit 2 together, knit 1
Knit one row
Knit 31, cast off 6 stitches, knit 51, cast off 6 stitches, knit 31
FRONT
First Front - Knit 31, turn work.
Decrease one stitch at armhole next and following fourth Row, Knit 29stitches
Knit 3 rows
Decrease 1 stitch at armhole next and following alternate rows until 24stitches
Knit one row
Next Knit to last 3 stitches, yarn forward, knit 2 together, knit 1
Knit 1 row
Knit 2 together (repeat last two rows) until 20 stitches
Cast off 5 Stitches, Knit 9, Knit 2 together knit 3
Knit 2 together (twice, turn work)
Knit 2 together cast off 1
Put 10 stitches on Stitch holder


BACK
Rejoin yarn to knit centre part of the knitting
Knit 1 row
Decrease 1 stitch on next and following fourth Row - 47 stitches
Knit 3 Rows
Decrease 1 stitch at armhole next and following alternate rows until 21stitches
Put these stitches on a stitch holder.
FRONT

Second front
Rejoin yarn on third section,
Decrease one stitch at armhole this and following fourth Row, Knit 29stitches
Knit 3 rows
Decrease 1 stitch at armhole next and following alternate rows until 20stitches
Cast off 5 Stitches, Knit 9, Knit 2 together knit 3
Knit 2 together (twice, turn work)
Knit 2 together cast off 1
Put 10 stitches on Stitch holder

SLEEVES
Knit 8 rows
Increase 1 stitch at the beginning of the next and following fourth Row until 43 stitches
then increase 1 stitch on every sixthrow until 53 stitches
continue knitting straight until 70 rows from beginning.
Cast off 3 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 47 stitches
Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning of the next and fourth Row
Decrease 1 stitch at armhole next and following alternate rows until 19 stitches
Decrease 1 stitch, Knit 14 stitches turn work
Knit to end
Knit 10 stitches turn work
Knit to end
Knit 6 stitches turn work
Knit to end
Put 18 stitches on holder
HOOD
Starting at the non-Buttonhole edge
Knit 10 stitches (front neck), pick up 2 stitches, knit 18 stitches (from sleeve - lower side is part of front neck), knit 21 stitches (back), knit 18 stitches (from sleeve - lower side is part of front neck) , pick up and knit 2 stitches, knit 10 stitches (front neck), 81 stitches
Knit 60 rows
Knit 38 stitches knit 2 stitches together through backs of loops, knit 1, knit 2 together knit 38, 79 stitches
Knit one row
Knit 37 stitches knit 2 stitches together through backs of loops, knit 1, knit 2 together knit 37, 77 stitches
Knit one row
Knit 36 stitches knit 2 stitches together through backs of loops, knit 1, knit 2 together knit 36, 75 stitches
Knit one row
Cast off
Decide which side you wish the Buttons to be and stitch the Sleeves and Hood accordingly.
Stitch on Buttons

Stachys sylvatica

Hedge Woundwort

The stem is perfectly square

and it is a member of the Mint family.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame!

Meet SHILOE!

Apparently he wants to be famous!

He belongs to my friend Jane.

Coriander

First of all the Parsley went to seed,

now the Coriander seems to have gone the same way!

Heracleum sphondylium

HOGWEED! to you an me!

Yet another wildflower from my garden!

I do have cultivated plants............but unless they are well established shrubs

the poor little plants don't stand a chance!

All the little plants have to grow in pots as do my vegetables!

Alien in the garden!

About eight last evening I happened to look out of the kitchen window. Now our garden is about thirty feet long and at the bottom of the garden I saw this large brown object gliding along the grass. At first I thought it was a very large slug travelling at high speed - too much Dr Who I think - dashed outside grabbing the camera en route to find this little prickly friend!

Baby Blanket

My friend Diana could not understand the American terminology to crochet this blanket for her forthcoming grandson in August. I said I would crochet it................

To me the terminology was simple (I have read American patterns before) but Diana just could not get her head round it. I was the same when it came to the yarn and hook. What is sport weight? and it is done with a 4mm hook which is what it said in the pattern. I assumed it was the equivilant to Double Knit and 4mm hook. As you see the crochet on the right was done with a 4mm hook but the blanket turned out rather stiff and very unsuitable to wrap a baby in whatever the age. So still using the Double Knit yarn I used a 5.50mm hook and the result was much softer to the touch and a baby I think would be quite happy wrapped in the blanket. And funnily enough the meaurements of the blanket actually came out as it said in the pattern, I didn't do a measurement swatch I just guessed! I know....... I'm naughty and should done one in the first place. http://crochetnmore.com/ But Diana and I are happy with the results!

This is what happens..................

...................when you let Parsley go to seed!

All Tickety Boo!

From this..........and let's face it, it needed doing..................

To this.........................

It would have got done eventually because the
patchwork box needed to go back properly.
It just because the electricity people in their wisdom
want to change the meter.
As you see this is my cupboard
but I have to share it with the meter
which is stiuated behind all the boxes, great fun
when they come to read the meter, that is why it
constantly looks like and explosion!