Little Cotton Rabbits

vitamin Y

This week I have been fighting a loosing battle with a cold and for the last 3 days I've been curled up with the boxed set of Cranford, some warm ribena and my knitting and haven't ventured out much. Thanks to the internet I did however manage to treat myself to some new wool in celebration of Wool Week. First to arrive was some soft and springy organic aran yarn from Garthenor in Wales. This batch is spun from Portland fleece and is a lovely buttery cream colour with a nice natural sheen. I've already started a new jumper from it - Shalom (adapted to a pullover from the notes found on Jentide's Ravelry page).

 

I also fell in love with this fabulous Juno Fibre Arts hand-dyed buffy sock yarn in shade 'garden shed' bought from Tangled Yarns. It is so very beautiful and at the moment I can't bring myself to do much else with it other than admire it, though I do have plans to turn it into wristwarmers when I'm done with using it as an ornament.

 

I reckon a new ball of yarn is much better at sorting out sniffles and a sore throat than Vitamin C and thanks to my wonderful woolly purchases I'm feeling much better.  The next time I feel a cold coming on I'll definitely be reaching for vitamin Y.

 

autumn in the air

Thanks so much for all of the birthday wishes for Toby. I think he enjoyed his day - he certainly enjoyed the party rings that I let him eat because it was his birthday!

There has been a definite coolness in the air when I've been opening up the chicken coop in the morning and the evenings are getting shorter. Autumn is arriving here and I am happy because it is my favourite season.

All around things are changing and preparing for the harshness of winter. The garden spiders are fat and busy with their spinning,

 

The leaves are gradually colouring and falling from the trees

 

 

The birds have been heading south. We're in the Lea Valley and it must be a popular migration route because recently the evening skies over our house have been populated by v shaped flocks heading to warmer climes.

 

The sun is getting tired and going to bed noticeably earlier each day.

 

My thoughts are now definitely focused on indoor activities and it's time to put the paddling pool and summer garden cushions away for another year.

 

The wood store is stocked and I have a feeling it may not be long before I'm thinking of lighting the fire of an evening and curling up with my knitting - I feel the urge to make yet another pair of mittens coming on! But first I'll finish off the batch of autumny animals and hedgehogs that I'm currently working on.

 

 

Happy birthday smiley boy

Today is Toby's 11th birthday.

He's now ten years older and a lot bigger than he was in this clip but the same Baby Einstein video he was watching then is still one of his favourites to this day.

Though he's now almost as tall as me, he remains so much a little boy in a big boy's body but I love him just as he is.

 

 

time flies

I've been sitting here, in the quiet of the early afternoon, with my cup of coffee, sewing up bunny heads and pondering just how it can be 28 years since these two young people went out on their first ever date

 

and yet yesterday their oldest child became a teenager. Doesn't time whizz when you're not paying attention to it?

 

Yes, that is me holding a very dodgy 'art' project which is supposed to represent a dragonfly wing. The homemade aran jumper is sound though, even back then I loved knitting - good job I've stuck to it and not sculpture eh?!

 

Misty update

I was going to show you a picture of the misty afghan now that it has 96 squares (12 x 8). I spread it out neatly ready to take a photo but when I came back from getting the camera (which it seems is never where I think I have left it) someone had decided it looked like a good place for a picnic!

 

 

I am planning to add one more row, making the finished blanket 12 x 9 squares and then I'll make a start on the border. I'll try to get a photo then without it being obscured by a bowl of cheerios and a munching boy!