On the Home Front

All is blooming in the riverside garden, despite the heavy downpours! August arrived with yet more rain and whirling winds, leaves being blown off the trees and a very autumnal air was felt by all. Surreptitious thoughts of warm soup and tarte tatin seemed to drift as if by magic, into my mind, obliterating in an instant all ideas of crisp summery salads and dining outdoors!

We have all been struck down by a rather awful head cold here. This last week has seen us snuffling around the house with tissues permanently stuck to our faces, coughing and sneezing and feeling generally worse for wear. However, light at the end of the tunnel, we now seem to be over the worst of it and I for one am starting to feel a little more like my old self again. Which means feeling more like doing Things.

My newest Thing is a new blanket - oh dear yes, Im not content with having a big blanket on the go already (which is only a third complete) - no, I found myself in Cole Brothers (like Diane at Heartshaped, I just cant call it John Lewis ;) and I found myself holding the lovliest organic wool in the lovliest muted shades and, before I knew what I was doing I found myself handing over my stash to the smiley lady at the counter.

Now how did that happen?

I have to confess to being too easily inspired by lovely Lucy at Attic24, I had been perusing her patterns and was rather smitten with her hexagons, even through the fug of a cold I sat and read the instructions until I was sure I could do it and then rustled up a prototype (which the Little Daughter is now delightedly using as a coaster).

As soon as I was able, I set about starting it - big blanket has been shoved back into its project bag til a later date...I haven't forgotten it, no, I will absolutely most definately complete it...I just need to have small crocheted love affairs with other projects in the meantime. :)

So this is how it looks so far. Lots of sea blues and soft turquoise with white, and a couple of driftwood shades with a bit of sea thrift pink thrown in. The idea is to make a throw for the lounge when its finally decorated - yes, in approximately 3 weeks we will see delivery of a big skip and we will be demolishing our lounge and dining room of all its 1970's wood and grim stone corniches. Bring in Danny on the 1st of September and my lust for Smooth Walls will be quenched! Im going to take pictures of the project as it unfolds - we are most excited to be able to finally make a start on our living area, our intention was to do this work in 2007 but a certain Little Girl put in an appearance and any of you with little people will know how all plans go out the window when children arrive on the scene!

One thing my Little One does enjoy doing now that she is 2 is Helping. She likes to Stir and she loves to Bake. The other day we made bread.

Here is our loaf, resting and rising...

Exciting moment...popping it in the oven! (Little Daughter so excited and wants me to keep opening the door to peep at it).

...and finally ready to eat!

Its most satisfying to slice into a loaf of bread that you have made yourself, especially when it is still slightly warm...spread it with butter and jam...MMMMMMmmmmmmmm!

My sister and her family are staying at my parents cottage this week, so if the weather holds we will be out and about - already we have been to our favourite local farm, Cannon Hall which is a happy balance of animals and playpark for the small ones and a very good farm shop/deli and coffee shop for the big people - not to mention a rather gorgeous garden centre across the road.

Everyone happy. :)

Hope you are all well, oh - a quick mention here for Kar who often leaves lovely comments for me here, I want to tell you I have tried in earnest to respond to your delightful posts at your blog, but for some unknown reason my computer freezes everytime I try. I will persist I promise, but I do think your blog is very lovely and thankyou for visiting mine!

Sending love, sunshine, peach iced tea and homemade cookies!

'Til next time ~

Julia xxx

Ps: It seems my little blog has been nominated by the lovely people at Dorset Cereals for a Little Blog Award, so if you enjoy it too, why not give me a little vote? Just click the picture link up there on the right - thank you ever so much, its really very, very nice of you. :)