I think (touch wood) that we've finally beaten the stomach bug that has hit LMC and me recently. With both of us suffering and Mr C looking after us best he could it does mean I've been able to get back to reading much more than I had managed previously. As I did when waiting for LMC to arrive, I've retreated back into my Monica Dickens collection for comfort. I started off with the lovely Joy and Josephine. Now I should say that this is a recent addition to the collection as it came to me in the form of a Christmas present from my MIL S. When I started the pre-LMC ... read more
A moment of calm…
So calm in fact that I'm rewarding myself with ten minutes of knitting time. There's the first of a pair of socks on the needles at the moment in a lovely rich red alpaca yarn. A new pair of socks can't fail to cheer a girl up. ... read more
Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train…
After a pretty poor January I had quite high hopes for February. I was hoping for a bit more stability in day to day life and an opportunity to get on with a few more things. I was also hoping to blog every day - after all February is only a short month. It's not got off to a good start though. My cold from Christmas still seems to be here and getting no better. Little Miss C has also picked up a nasty virus. Cue lots of cuddles and washing and not much sleep. In fact probably only four hours in the last thirty six. I'm only managing to blog now as I don't have the energy to get up ... read more
Vintage childhood
I'm always looking for Ladybird books when in charity shops or secondhand bookshops. I love the old vintage ones with their matt covers and also try to pick up the modern versions for LMC. I was delighted therefore to find these four vintage ones in a charity shop in St Albans earlier this week. The range of book subjects that Ladybird published completely fascinates me. Not only is there science, history and nature, but also a fantastic set of hobbies that 60s and 70s children supposedly partook in. The slight problem is that once you start reading up on a subject like ... read more
Wind the bobbin up…
I couldn't help but sing this nursery rhyme today whilst finally turning a hank of alpaca that I bought years ago into a usable ball to finally start the pair of socks that I'm supposed to be making with it. The singing and my winding also kept LMC amused, maybe she'll like knitting too when she's a bit older. That's not the only bit of craftiness that I've managed today though. My dpns now hold the first few rounds of one alpaca sock and I even found time to have a small play with Hipstamatic too. Expect more analogue digital photos soon ... read more
The Housewife’s Handy Book
For a long while I have been fascinated by the role of the housewife over history. When my Nan died my mum came into possession of one of her books that completely fascinated me. The Housewife's Handy Book covers absolutely everything that you would need to be a housewife in the 1930s. I have seen (and own) several books telling housewives of the time all about the various crafts that they were expected to know - embroidery, mending, knitting, upholstery etc) but this is the first book I have seen that covers such a range of subjects. The contents list is fascinating: Stitchcraft ... read more
Apple muffins
Plenty of cooking and baking has been going on here recently. Whatever happens people still need to eat. This batch of apple muffins were for the wassail that took place at the WWA today. Taken from Classic 1000 Cake & Bake Recipes - a book I always forget that I own, but that contains loads (1000 in fact) fantastic baking recipes - these were incredibly simple to make. It was just a shame that I only got to eat one muffin of them out of the two batches I made. ... read more
Everything at once
I'm sure there's a saying about how in life everything always happens at once, I just can't remember what it is at the moment. It's certainly the case here though at the moment. I am incredibly busy taking on new exciting things and at the same time other lives continue, or not as the case may be. Sadly this week has brought the news of the death of a dear old family friend. An elderly relative is also in hospital receiving end of life care. Sometimes life can be cruel. ... read more
First attempts at jam making
I spent this afternoon doing something that I've been wanting to try for ages - making jam. It's one of those things that is somewhat difficult to do with a small baby in the house, demanding lots of attention, so I was lucky enough to tag along when a friend was making a batch to be sold at a community event next week. Two hours of baby-free time where I was able to concentrate on just one thing instead of worrying about whether or not bottles were sterilised, the washing ready to be taken out of the machine, LMC due to go down for a nap etc etc. Adult time. I thoroughly enjoyed the ... read more
A gifted sewing purse
I was incredibly lucky with Christmas gifts this year - thank you everyone - but special mention has to go to one amazing handmade gift that I received from my wonderfully talented mum. She made me this beautiful sewing purse. Both sides are embroidered (mainly done during the many hours she has recently spent in hospital waiting rooms) and not only is there a zipped compartment in the middle (which was filled with sewing goodies) but there are also flaps on either side to provide space for pins and needles. And as if this all wasn't amazing enough, she also managed to make an identical ... read more