Crochet 2020

2020 was a good year for crochet.  Mainly made possible by lockdown and working part-time, but productive nonetheless.  Last years amazing crochet tally came to...........................

One housewarming blanket, one birthday blanket, 

One rainbow for the NHS, one new baby, blanket,

Five Corona blankets.

Persian Tiles Blanket.  Beachcombing Blanket.

Woodland Walks Blanket.  Rainbow Stripe Blanket.

The Demelza Blanket & The Lost in Time Shawl.

Six Virus Shawls in various shades of King Cole, Curiosity.

One chunky scarf and three bobble hats. (No photos available as I gifted them before taking photos!!!)

 Oh! and the start of a second High Tea Floral Throw.   

         I wonder what 2021 will produce?

Me on a Monday - 22 February 2021

And just like that half term was over.  We managed a few walks each morning before hubby started work (rain stopped play on a fews days too) and we did a few in the evenings.  Most mornings were a bit dreich but at least the temperature was warmer.

My car passed its annual MOT and is fit for another year.  I would have liked to have done a bit of car shopping but the showrooms are still closed.  Apparently a lot of people are buying cars online but I like to have a look around and see exactly what it is that I'm buying.  Still there's no rush.

The housework is done and the ironing basket is empty.  I was thinking of baking an apple crumble cake or rock buns, but that involves eating them too so that didn't happen.

Crochet came along nicely and I finished the scarf I had been asked to make for a friend.  My new wool arrived for a project I'm about to start.  One that involves using lots of different colours but not in stripes.  As a picture!!  I'm not sure how I'll get on with it but I'll give it a go.  I have until the end of June to get it finished.  I also did a few more rows on my High Tea Floral blanket but have had to put it on hold as I've run out of blue.

We caught up with the first few episodes of The Great Pottery Throwdown.  An hour in your week where you can just relax and enjoy a great programme.  Yes it's full of innuendo but no more than Bake Off or Sewing Bee.  This time from Gladstone pottery.  Another place to put on our "To visit" list for when we're allowed out and about again.

Shocking news from the neighbourhood!!  A man was arrested, in the village, for dealing drugs and having a huge amount of cash in his house.  Apparently there was a police raid in the early hours the other morning, so they must have been watching him for a while.  No sympathy from me or any of his neighbours. 

It was hubby's birthday on Sunday.  He chose liver and onions for his dinner followed by jam roly poly & custard.  He doesn't do fuss so was quite happy with a quiet day.  No lockdown restaurant or bunting required for this birthday.

And now it's that time again.  Time to get ready for work tomorrow.  No more cheeky mid morning snacks with a coffee for me. I'm only in three days again next week, but we have a staff meeting on Wednesday so that may all change from the following week.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy week.

TTFN.

Grief

 

It doesn't matter how long ago it is that you lost a loved one, grief can still hit you full on.

Thankfully I have the love and support of truly wonderful people who understand and help me through.

♥♥♥

How to make a Header

Many years ago I found a really nice blog called Clover Lane and the lovely Sarah shared her tutorial on how to make a header for your blog, if you're using Blogger.

I already used Picasa to make collages so it wasn't too difficult to make one up.  Fast forward 12 years and I had totally forgotten about headers until I was looking through my archives and came across her blog once more.

I immediately set too and made a header for this month.  If you would like to make one of your own you can do so by following Sarah's easy instructions here.  There are so many designs to choose from.  Have fun. 

17.2.21 - Edited to add.  Headers can be made in other photo editors but the process of uploading it to blogger are the same.

How to make a header.

Me on a Monday - 15 February 2021

The last week of term, and an unusual one for me.  The last week of any term is usually full on but this year it was quiet.  It was our first week of working part-time again.  I managed to squeeze five days work into the three days I was in, and then worked from home for the other two, whilst Mrs W was in the office.  It was very quiet at times so I had Radio 2 on in the background.

Working from home is a loose term.  There isn't really anything to do apart from keep an eye on the school emails and answer the phone if anyone calls.  I managed to do my ironing, clean the kitchen, put the slow cooker on for the next days dinner and generally potter around.  Oh and there may have been a little bit of crochet going on too, as I've been asked to make another scarf.

Next week is half term, and as hubby is still working, I'm hoping to drag him out every morning for a walk before he starts.  I have nothing else planned apart from housework and crochet.

It's been a chilly week across the UK, except in our little area of the country.  -23C in Braemar and -12C in the village where we used to live along with loads of snow.  Here?  No snow.  Not even a flake. And only -2C.

I must admit to feeling a little homesick when my friend sent me a photo of her out walking with her black lab in the snow.  It brought back a lot of good memories.  Our lab, Moss used to love the snow. Especially catching snowballs and sledging.  Mad mutt!!  

On the QT.  There have been discussions about a move back up north but nothing definite yet.  Shhhhhhh!!

At the weekend I got out in the garden and gave it a bit of a tidy up.  I didn't stay out there long as it was -1C.  Still it looks a lot better and I could see some of the plants already on their way through.  I'm not a gardener but I do like a nice garden.

After experimenting with headers for my blog, I spent the whole of a chilly and windy Saturday afternoon doing crochet, and I'm not embarrassed to admit that.  I had nowhere to be, nothing to go out for and the housework could wait until next week.  I've nearly finished my second High Tea Floral Throw by the very talented Jen Tyler.  The first one is down in Norfolk keeping my father-in-law warm and toasty on those chilly days.  Later in the day I sat watching the snow fall.  There wasn't very much, but it was quite mesmerizing.  

Valentine's day came and went.  Bit of a moan coming up!!

I'm sorry, but if you have to wait for one specific day of the year to say I love you or buy someone flowers what does that say about you?  Hubby and I are in agreement on this and have never bought over priced flowers and cards.  We tell each other every day, that we love each other and that's all that matters.

The rest of Sunday was a chilled out affair.  It rained, it was cold and the best place to be was indoors.  Pottering about, crochet, an old movie on TV and a chocolate muffin with a vanilla latte.  A perfect day.

Hope you're all keeping safe and well.

TTFN.

Snow Day

 

A few weekends ago it snowed!!  Actual snow.  The big, fat flake kind of snow.  It didn't last long.  Just long enough for us to bundle up and head up the hill to the windmill.

Passing the old Observatory and Lighthouse.

It was so nice to be out and about, even if was only for an hour before it stopped.  After such a blizzard it was a shame that all the snow had melted by tea time.

Me on a Monday - 8 February 2021

 Another week on the books.  Nothing too exciting happened last week.

I treated myself to some spring flowers.  I do love Tulips.

Work was steady in the office and we had another three staff test positive for COVID.  Their class class is now closed for the next 10 days.

The Bosses finally figured out that as Mrs W and I share the same office, and have done since we came back full time last June, it would be a good idea if we weren't in work at the same time.  That way if one of us goes off sick the other one can come in and cover.

We are now working from home a few days a week.  I have to say that it probably won't work as most of our work is "on the day" and you can't do that whilst your sat in your dining room!!  Luckily I am up-to-date and will just have to squeeze five days work into three.  On a positive, it does give me a long weekend every week.  Good preparation for working part time I feel :0)

Hubby and I spent time sorting out finances.  A job I hate.  We're still debating a move and our bills seem to go up every month so it's a never ending circle.  Still I am thankful that we both still have jobs and that we have enough money coming in that means we are able to save a little each month.  I know some families are really struggling at the moment so do feel thankful every day.

In the middle of the week we had a beautiful sunrise.  What a great way to start the day.

Hubby bought some huge steaks in Aldi and I have to say at just £5.00 each they were a bargain (and delicious).  Teamed with a leafy green salad and slimming world chips it was just the ticket on Saturday night.  It felt like we had splashed out a little and gone out for a meal.  "Taigh-bìdh Lee" was a very nice restaurant. (I thought I'd go with the Gaelic spelling this time).

We took another stroll along the prom on Sunday, before popping into the store to pick up more fruit & veg.  I'm glad to say that as we were out early, there were only a few folk out and about.  Probably as it was only 1C but at least there was no wind this week.  We only managed two or three snowflakes so no snow for us this weekend.

Back home by 11am and ironing sorted, bed stripped and dinner prepped. Time for some hook time in the afternoon.  A nice latte and a chocolate bar too.  A perfect end to the week.

I hope you're all still keeping safe and well.

TTFN.

Fun on a Friday

 

Just a little something to lighten the end of the week.

Me on a Monday

This past week has been a time for thinking of those who have died from this awful virus.  The UK has topped the 100,000 death mark and it is saddening to hear.

These deaths are not just statistics or numbers to be shown on TV every night.  They are real people.  Someone's loved one.  Mum, Dad, Granny, Grandad, sibling, cousin, friend.  The list is endless.

They had a life and were loved and should be remembered as such.

I'm sure that nearly everyone in the UK (hell, the world) will know someone who has had the virus or has died from it.  It affects us all in one way or another.

It's not something to take lightly.  It has to be taken seriously by every single person.

Stick to the rules.  Stay home.  Wear a mask.  Keep washing your hands, and hopefully we will all come out of this sooner, rather than later.

                                                                 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*

In other news self testing is going well and I only gagged four times last Wednesday when I did test number two.  Sunday's test was a little better and thankfully negative.                                    

Work is steady at the moment, with about 30 children each day.  (Not that we see them as we have to stay away from classes). Only another two weeks to go until half term.  I'm looking forward to a week off.  A week of not setting the alarm.  Not that I will have anything specific to get up for, as we're "At home" for the week.

I was thinking of decorating my craft room but I'll probably end up catching up with house work and finishing my crochet blanket.  Such a hectic life I lead.

Hubby and I took a bracing walk along the prom on Sunday and boy the wind was fierce.  It didn't stop people being out in the fresh air though and it was nice to be able to get out on one of the only dry days we've had recently.

Sunday evening we finally managed to have our quiz with friends and it was such a laugh.  So much fun and just what was needed.  I'm looking forward to the next one already.  I think we'll do something for hubby's birthday on the 21st.

And there we go for another week.

TTFN