Mary-Jane & The Chooks

As you know, we like to be outside and we want to encourage Mary-Jane to be outside as much as possible.  We have had a few beautiful days here in West Cumbria and we tried to make the most of them.  HK and I took Mary-Jane outside in the garden for a walk and to see the chooks.  It was Mary-Jane's first proper walk in the garden.  An auspicious occassion indeed!  As ever, she loved being outside and being able to walk around.

The first port of call for her was The Chooks - she always squeals with delight when she sees them, then randomly giggles at them.

 Mary-Jane was quite independant and wanted to explore on her own two feet.  She still has to hold her arms out for balance, and looks even cuter in the process!  The hooded waistcoat she is wearing is the very first thing I knitted for her when I found out that I was pregnant.  It's kinda special to me.

 Time in the garden can never be spent without Rhinog.  He loves his new life here. I'm still Mom to him, but Grandad takes him for walks every day, gives him treats and shares his morning toast with him.  Not to mention lets him sleep in the same bedroom as him - and even lets him get up on the bed and have a kip with him!!!

 This just shows how much Mary-Jane loves being outside!  My beautiful little girl x  Oh and note the increasing amount of teeth!

 Mary-Jane kept heading for the chooks.  She was getting tired, (by this time she had been constantly walking in the garden for nearly half an hour) so was wanting to sit and watch them, but the ground not only damp, but the vest vantage point to see the chooks (she thought) was in some mud.  I love this picture of her being carried away by Daddy HK.  She is having a paddy as she cannot get her own way and stay with the chooks.

 However, MJ has always been easily distractable and within seconds has forgotten all about her paddy and is having fun in her swing!

More Crochet & What I've Done Today

This evening I took up my crochet hook with fervour and a clear mind - and ready to count!  This was what I did last night, my small bowl.  Despite it not being perfect, it will be used (once I've weaved the ends in, of course).  I'm still pleased with it as my first attempt.

 Which leads me to tonights offering.  Much more uniform and even tension.  Tension was a huge problem in my crochet previously.  It is turning out more of a hexagonal shape than round, but doing the simple maths to it, it's not really surprising. I shall have to find out a way of making it more round.  Somewhere in the muddle wooliness of my head, I know I know how to do it.  I just hope the haxagonal-ness of it will not interfere too much with the cylinder/upright bit of it.  Oh, did I say it was going to be a hat?  With the technique and different yarns it could be anything I want it to be.  As LA says, it's a very handy stitch to know.

I had a peek on Ravelry for crochet arigurumi, and was rather bowled over.  So much can be done.  I didn't look at the actual patterns, I thought it would pickle my head, plus I guess most of them will be written in US crochet terms and I didn't want to start translating last night as I knew it would pickle my head and I'd not get any sleep.  Or have that 'drifting off thoughtful' sleep, when you're not sure if you are awake or not but are thinking long and hard about something. 

I've also not yet given into temptation (nor have I had time) and looked through the few crochet books I have to see what I can do with my newly learned skill.  I think it will dazzle me too much.  I want to take it slowly and at a comfortable pace.  I am looking forward to looking through the books with a better degree of understanding.  Like re-looking at a book in a foreign language when you are coming to grips, but not quite fluent with the new language.  Crochet is here to stay though. It almost sounds as though I'm learning patience- in -crafting as well as crochet.  Zen and the Art of Crochet.....

Today has been a steady day.  This morning it was off to Cleator Moor for HK to have and appointment and sign on.  MJ and I go to the Age Concern Charity shop whilst HK is signing on.  I found Marguerite Patten's Victory Cookbook.  Very interetsing if you have a passing interest in that sort of thing.  Which I do.  The book is an amalgamation of three books she wrote on cookery between 1940-1954, when rationing was in force.  It was amazing how little people had to cook with.  I shall look out for more things like this.  I can truly imagine a very thriving Black Market in food goods.  I want to make a few of the recipes, although I may allow myself to substitute dry egg powder for real eggs!

At lunch time, MJ, mum & I went to Beckermet for the Soup Lunch.  We got there for ten to one, it started at 12 and is meant to finish for half one.  Unfortunatley it had been very busy and there was no soup left.  Four big pans of soup had been sold!  However we came away with a few almond slices and two jars of home made chutney.  I do now look out for chutney, jams and marmalades at these type of functions.  They are the real deal and I've not come across a duff one yet!.

Mary-Jane had lots of fun walking up and down the room, smiling at everyone and carrying her doll.  The doll is hand knitted by Donna in Stafford and was a gift at my wonderful Baby Shower.

Then it was home and a cuppa and a sit down for a short while.  Then up again to make a big pan of Leek and Potato Soup.  Another winner.  HK was quite taken with it.  By half past six, Mary-Jane had been in bed a while and we had had tea, pots washed up and sat down to relax.  Result.

Crochet And A Chip Off The Old Block

Yesterday was Knit & Natter at Woodlands.  I was going to take my camera so you could see more of round and about here, but at the last moment, took the camera out of my bag.  That was such a mistake.  The drive there was absolutely stunning.  The day was clear, crisp and sunny.  The trees were in full autumnal colour and the fells (mountains) were jaw dropping in their beauty.  And I forgot my camera.  I was kicking myself, believe me!  I shall have to go again, with camera.  However, I have been reliably informed that the weather will be changing from tomorrow.....

The Knit & Natter was good.  There just didn't seem enough time to speak to people about what I wanted to say or mention to them!  One thing that wasn't on the cards was a crochet tutorial from  LA.  (I haven't asked if I can use her name on here yet, so I'll keep to initials).  She had set about to show another lady, A, and I asked if I could join in too.  Well, I did and it seemed so easy.  I already have a very very basic understanding of crochet, but a great big 'mind block' along with little confidence.  By the time we went, I could do double crochet (not sure what this is in US, I know the terminology differs) in a round, then into a cylinder shape, so as to make toys etc.  I was very pleased!  I think I need another 'have I got it right?' session.  That evening I tried to make a pot, with a moderate amount of success. And I want to cast on a hat, using the same methodology.  M had made one, so I was encourage to carry on.

When I got back, I was eager to see Mary-Jane (and HK!)  Mary-Jane cried out 'Mommy mom mom' when she saw me and came toddling over to me, I bent down to pick her up.  She toddled straight past and went for my bag!!!  Put me in my place.  She then wanted a quick pick up and then wanted my shawl off me.  I took it off my shoulders and wrapped her in it, feeling the warmth of it.

She was one happy little girl, playing with Mom's bag and wearing her shawl!

 Mary-Jane loves posing for the camera and smiling.  Underneath the shawl she is wearing a knitted top that my dear friend Sally made for MJ's First Birthday.

 MJ looks so good in my shawl, that I am contemplating making a slightly smaller one for her!

 Still a happy girl, dragging Mom's bag around the living room - a chip off the old block!

Flower Arranging

Each month at the WI, there is a Speaker.  This months Speaker was a Florist/Flower Arranger from Perfectly Planted in Gosforth.  I'm afraid I can't remember her name off the top of my head.  This time of year must be favoured in these parts for Flower Arranging  Talks.  There have been three in two weeks.  I've only been to two.  Flower Arranging has never floated my boat.  I never saw it beyond how to put flowers in a vase.  Niave perhaps, but true.  It is quite interesting to see waht can be done with a bunch of flowers and a few leaves.  And it's made to look so simple!  I'd like to have a go, but I don't think I would take it beyond there, apart from, perhaps to do a Christmas Wreath workshop.


I like white flowers, they really catch my eye.

 These three red ones can either be presented individually or clustered together.  I think they work well either way, and would certainly look good on one's dining table etc.

 All the arrangements were raffled off.  I waited with batied breath, but wasn't lucky this time.  I was last time, at the WI Group Meeting.  By default, the lady that we gave a lift to, had already won an arrangement and another of her tickets was drawn, so she gifted me the arrangement for giving her a lift!  Awesome!  I just have to mention, whilst talking about this lady, MH, that she said in the car on the way there, that she looks forward to the Group Meetings as she can catch up with at least four of her school friends.  MH has got to be in her late seventies, of not her early eighties!  Her comment really struck a chord with me.

Some people think that red and white flowers bring bad luck and a third colour should be introduced.  The red is supposed to represent blood, and the white, bandages.  An interesting piece of superstition - or is it?!

Baking For Rememberance Day

I volunteered a few months ago to do some baking for Rememberance Day.  There is a gathering after the Service at Calder Bridge Village Hall.  I'm really not sure of any details, other than to bring the cakes down there for 2ish and the Service starts at 3pm.

I have made 22 cakes, with two logos.  Permission has been sought and gained from the Royal British Legion to use the logo.  The logos are printed on to a sheet of icing, the same as the WI one.  It is unfortunate that some of the depth of colour is lost in the process.  Dad suggested raffling them off to raise funds, a good idea but I don't know the organisers.  Well, I was informed of the name of one person, someone that I do know, but I didn't know that she was involved till today and we haven't been able to get in touch with her.  Always next year.  A cake bake could be organised to raise funds.  I'd be well up for that.

 I also made a batch of Flaked Almond Cookies.  I must confess that the tin was fuller when I finished baking...........

 The actual cake is just chocolate.  The background icing is rolled regal icing.

Let's hope they are well recieved.

November Project Knit Day

November Project Knit Day was yesterday.  I had convinced myself that I had got over the worst of my cold and that I was fit enough to be out and about, albeit for a short while.  My voice is on it's way back, althoug not fully yet.  This is quite lucky.  Sometimes my voice can be gone and not fully returned for 3 weeks.  Once it went, came back, then went again a day or two later.  But enough of that.

The knitting group was well attended.  The Project was a Open Rib Cowl.  I'd got mine finished by about 11pm last night.  I'll try and get a picure of me wearing it, it looks better worn.  I might try another one, but only do it half the length and wear it as a head band.  It reminds me to re-look at the Calometry (?sp) head band.

I used James Brett Merino and 5mm needles.  It is very soft and feels warm.  Apparantly we are due snow at the month.  It's based on an 8 row repeat, with only 2 rows out the eight being patterned, as such.

I've got the dates for next years Project Days (along with a diary).  There are also three day long workshops planned - modular knitting and two on Brioche.  Things I haven't tried yet and want to.  I won't say things I can't do, just things I haven't got round to trying and want to!  Oh and there is another Christmas Gifts day.  Positive 'Me' structure to 2012.

WI 85th Birthday Cake

I was volunteered to decorate our WI's 85th Birthday Cake.  I have never done a cake like this before.  I felt the pressure was on as all the ladies there must have been decorating cakes literally, since before I was born.  I did have a few ideas running through my head about how to do it.  All involved a lot of time and a steady hand.  Mum wanted the logo on the cake, so when we saw our local sugarcraft shop printed edible images, one was ordered.  The rest of the decoration kinds fell in after that.

The first job was to marzipan the cake.  The cake by the way, was made by another member, the ex-president of 15 years, so I really didn't want to mess it up.  There was some marzipan left over, so I had a go at making some roses, as illustrated on the marzipan box.  Simple to do and with a bit of practice could be quite delicate and effective.

 I knew the cake had to be on a flat base, but I coulnd't find one the right size, so I put it on a piece of greasproof paper on the upside of a tray.  By this point I was really pre-occupied but calming as I had done that stage.  I knew for next time things I'd do better or differently.  It had dawned on me at this point (yesterday evening) that I should do a batch of cup cakes as I wouldn't have chance during the day.  So I whipped up 18 almond fairy cakes.  Now at this point I was shattered (I still had my cold) and flopped into a chair.  Mum then pointed out to me that the top of the cake wasn't flat.  It was flat-ish to me, nothing the icing wouldn't hide.  But no, it was the cake that was domed and it was that that needed to be flat. £$%^&&*(!!

 I sliced off the marzipan and took a knife to the top of the cake to get it flat.  Luckily this worked and the marzipan went back on easy enough.  Oh for being tired and not thinking clearly!

This morning I put the icing on.  To say it was my first time, it wasn't too bad at all.  Putting the logo on was a joint effort.  I cut the figures with a cutter.  Next time, the icing for this should be a little thinner, just a little.

As the logo is so bold, I wanted the rest of the decoration to be plain.  I thought even a small amount of decoration would look too much.

 Mum wanted the logo, Beckermet WI and the years put on round the side.  I thought it may be too much.  In the end it looked like this!  Some of the ladies complemented me and said how the plain-ness worked and that they had never quite seen a cake decorated like that before!

 By the time I came to decorate the tops of the cup cakes, I had about lost the will to live.  Most people by here tend to go for the more traditional cakes, so Butterfly cakes it was.  Quick and simple.  And scrummy.  Although I must say, the fuit cake was far tastier!

I've more baking to do for next weekend.  It's for a buffet type event following the Rememberance Day Service on Sunday.  I've not decided yet what sort of cupcakes to do (nothing fancy), but the toppings will have poppies on, that bit at least has been decided upon!