Ready for the frost.

 Our precious peach tree swathed in fleece ready for the frost that was forecast.. we didn't have any but better safe than sorry. 

And as you can see we do have early morning sunshine, but there is a nip in the air

Dh has the cloches  in position ready to sow seeds.

We're just growing beetroot, carrots, lettuce and spring onions, plus of course tomatoes, runner beans and a couple of rows of potatoes. I have started off the tomatoes on the lounge window sill. 

We are looking forward to summer here in our new sunny garden, south west facing so we have sun all day long.

Are you growing anything in your garden?

Chrisxx

Opening up this blog!

I'm opening up this blog again as my other blog has lost its connection with other blogs.  It's annoying and frustrating but I just can't find out why its happened.. 

This was the last post in my other blog. 

After two very busy days in the garden, see here..

https://perhapslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/

So from now on I'm using this blog, please follow this one.

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I have been enjoying the programme 'The Simpler Life,' on channel 4.

24 people leave the life of the 21st Century to live a simple life like that of the Amish. 

They had to live without electricity and to live eating their own grown food. Some just couldn't cope and one left after only 8 days. 

They did learn to grow amazing veg, they learnt to milk cows, look after their chickens in fact all the skills you need to be self sufficient.

I think probably one of the hardest was clothes washing as they did it in tin baths with a dolly. 

This is how my  grandmother did the bedding after B&B guests in the 1950s before she had a washing machine. I can remember helping and being at the handle of the mangle. This was all done in tubs in the back garden, even in the rain (unless it was pouring)

I'm really enjoying the programme, episode 4 tonight. It'll be interesting to see who can stay the course, how many will still be there after the time is up, can't wait to see.

Could you live that way? I might have when I was younger but no way today.

Chrisxx

Past times

I haven't been able to knit or crochet as my arthritis is awful , so thats past times for me at the moment. I am gradually giving away my cross stitch finishes, crochet and quilts, then I had an email and said why didn't I sell them.. so thats something I'll look into on Etsy.. in the mean time catch up with me on my other blog. 

https://perhapslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com

Chrisxx

I've not quite given up blogging.

 We are enjoying our life in Wales. and getting organised slowly, very slowly. Its almost as though we're recovering from all the stress of selling and buying.. 

I haven't given up blogging but just not done any craft work. Crocheting seemed to aggravate my arthritis, so I have left it for the moment. But 2 shawls I've made in the past have been taken by my step daughter. One for my MIL and one for herself.

This sweet pea one for her nan (my mil)

And this one for herself.

So my blankets are decreasing but I do have 4 more, plus quilts I've sewn.

We've lots to do all the time, but slow some days, but it will get done eventually.

With everything going on, (new bathroom to be fitted on 27th) I've a hankering to make a scrappy quilt, dare I?/

I'm blogging on my newsy blog here.. 

https://perhapslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com

Chrisxx

Growing

 Quite a bit done; I am joining the rows and I have the centre circles done for the next 6 rows. But I've seen a  blanket with only 2 treble cluster stitch crochet, and alternate rows in a light colour  and I really love it. It looked so different and pretty. 

But the whole point of doing this one is to use up my stash, so I mustn't start another one, must I??

I've had evenings when I haven't picked this up. My second vaccine made my arm even more achy than my first and I seemed to have had a serious reactions at the jab site. My arm was swollen and red. It's eased off now but not nice at the time. And I couldn't crochet

My anxiety is less as our house sale seems to be moving along at last. Yeh! (link)

We should be able to move second or third week of May. Hope I'll be able to sleep then. I do hope so,  this insomnia is horrible.

Chrisxx

A new very colourful project.

 I haven't given up on this blog, just been quietly and very slowly doing my new project, which is this very colourful blanket.

It's suppose to be  stash buster but I had to buy 6 new colours to make it!

I'm loving doing it and am following the colour palette of Marion of https://woolthreadpaint.com/The completed blanket is on her blog

I am writing about our moving house on my other blog,

www.perhapslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com

Chrisxx

Finished at last

 

 I started this a while ago and have thoroughly enjoyed doing it, but   because the stitch is one where  you go into the row below, so sort  of two rows equalled one,  it has taken me a while.  Its called 'snuggle' stitch and is really thick and heavy. It's a Marion Mitchel's design called Copenhagen,  https://woolthreadpaint.com I used yarn from my stash plus a couple of Style Craft variegated colours, a blue and lime green to match Marion's.

I did sew in the ends and did a boarder of  5 rows of linen stitch matching the colours..

Now? Probably, another crochet throw because it keeps me occupied and stops me snacking!

Chrisxx

Slow but enjoyable progress

 This is very slow, but I'm enjoying working on it.. as the stitch goes into the row below each time, two rows makes one!

It's using up my stash which was the main objective.

And I love the effect of the patterning. 

Not brilliant photos perhaps I should treat myself to a new camera and perhaps I should study how to take a decent pic!

Chrisxx

Copenhagen.

 I had started another design by Marion Mitchel but I wasn't happy.. I think it was,  I liked the design,  because I loved the batik yarn colours, which I decided not to buy because I have bags and bags of yarn!

But today I came across this blanket called Copenhagen and you can see why.. it's the colours of the houses and I love it.. and have lots of these colours.

So this evening I'm starting this..wa--hoo I have  a new project.

A lovely thing to be doing in this 4 week lock down.

Have you anything planned for these next 4 weeks at home?

Chrisxx

May Blossom Blanket... Ta... da!!!

Well I have finished my May Blossom blanket and to be honest I'm a bit disappointed in it because,  for some unknown reason I did double trebles instead of trebles!! So it's very long and loose! It's ok and I should be happy as there is a lot of work in it.

Not very good photos but it does show the rows of 'grannie' squares and lines of crochet and the colours are gorgeous.

These 'buttons' caused me grief and I did them twice, they look 

ok-ish and as it's for us, it's fine.

We would  use it folded on our feet so its big for that and I do have very cold feet!

Anyway I have thoroughly enjoyed crocheting it and I do like it, I love the colours. 

Chrisxx