Dwarf Carnations,bears with no patterns and booties....

This weekend the weather has been terribly cold, several brief flurries of snow and beautiful sunshine. So it was a no brainer to get out the knitting bags and find things to do in the warmth of the house.

This week has been very busy, with lots of guests and visits to the beach. Archie is growing up so fast , he strolls out full of confidence on the beach now and is not perturbed by the dogs running passed him fully engrossed in playing chase and ball.Once family had returned to the Cotswold's we were joined by friends and their terrier Dexter,we did manage the beach, but the tides were very high and the winds very strong and cold so we retired to the pub and treated to a late lunch.

The dwarf Carnations are by far the current winners in germination race, the sweetpeas are large and strong and will need planting on shortly. I had hoped to trim back all the Strawberry plants this morning , but it was so cold [for me ] that after I had tidied one plant I gave in and came back to the comfort of my kitchen.

An old school friend has just had their first grandchild, I was delighted to hear she has been named Daisy ,I have seen photo's and she is very beautiful. Its nice to have a baby girl to make gifts for, as all my friends do seem to have had boys recently.

Three other friends are expecting in the next 12 weeks, two are second children and the third their first , so baby gift production is currently in full swing.

My style is vintage I guess, my favourite patterns are ones I have found from the 1930's and 1940's, but I also love the feel of the many super soft baby yarns that are available today,so I mix and match.Also you do have to bear in mind the parents style as not all  love my natural choices !.

So this week I am starting a new job, so then I will be able to judge just how much 'free time' I will have to play with in the future, and what my work life /fun balance will truly be.

Sowing seeds,garden chandelier and roasting squash............



Garden Chandelier



Grapevine and butterflies.

Fantastic sunshine this morning, makes you feel like Spring is well and truly on the way.

To start the day we went on a tour of garages , we are still looking for a new car, actually its more hubby looking and me going along for the ride.

 Despite the beautiful sunshine the wind was bitterly cold and I was happy to get home and get the roast dinner on and get out to my greenhouse.The seeds that I have been planting up, date from 1989 plus! which is why I have been getting so excited each time one of the seeds germinate.

Daisy basket and Pineapple.

Roast Butternut squash and Cheese Souffle.

 The current outright winners at the moment are the scented dwarf carnations, today I trayed up delphiniums,stocks,nicotiana and campanulas amongst others.

Sea ,surf and Mandy Island



New shoots on my geranium



Outdoor bulbs

Narcissus

Seedlings.

Today has been a day of rest, I slept really poorly, I woke in the night and hubby asked if I would stop throwing myself around the bed as he was unable to sleep...I think I was unwinding after so many interviews this week.Despite being calm ,confident and in control on the outside ,I think my subconscious was in melt down.I have one further interview on Monday, for  a local job that would suit me down to the ground....so all things positive, they too will offer me a position and I will then be able choose which will best suit my new life style  :-).
The greenhouse is slowly starting to blossom, several seeds have now broken through the surface, my narcissus shoots are all about 15cms tall and even the ones out side in pots are all coming up. All combined with this mornings fabulous sunshine ,does make you feel that Spring is truly just around the corner.

Resting dog nearly on my crochet.



My Valentines gift .

 Yesterday hubby also had an interview , I went along for the road trip and took along my knitting, once I had exhausted the bookshop I sat in the car and got on with the knitting. I did of course find two books of interest, The Hamlyn book of vegetables and Food for thought   Simon Courtauld,both having different recommendations and histories of garden produce.I would have happily sat on the shop floor and read them,but this seems frowned on these days or maybe only acceptable in charity shops........

Mandy Island.

Boy talk.



Drying wings in the sun.

 Several of my sons friends made their own way down to visit, I think the had quite an eventful drive down culminating in a £60 fine and three points. The did a tour of the beach and local amenities ending with a pizza and doughnut supper, its been great to see them, hear the laughing and the mass destruction of food, but so miss girlie time, seven males and me , feeling a trifle outnumbered.

Still am pleased to have finished the feather and lace neck warmer, it was really fun to knit and am thinking before I seriously turn to baby knits I will make a couple more to put away for Christmas.

Pancakes, Maple syrup and knitting patterns

Today I went to Truro,something I seldom do, but a nice change from our rural indulgence.

Truro is a pretty City,with plenty of small interesting shops as well as all the High Street staples we all come to expect these days, but without loosing too much of its character.

After a light tea came all the fun of pancake day, two pans going at once, one with GF pancakes and one with traditional pancakes, served with soft brown sugar, maple syrup and lemon juice ......very happy.

This evening  I have been looking for my next knitting project, its still chilly here so am considering a nice lacy neck warmer in feather and fan stitch. I also have 3 friends expecting babies in the next few months ,so a few more baby items required to make up their 'new arrival' gifts, I love these baby slippers.

Feather &Fan stitch.

Neck warmer

Baby slippers

Charlestown and finished cardi's

Today has mainly been about homework,  preparing for tomorrow.

Small canon at the teashop.

All work and no play is not the lifestyle I have chosen, life is too short and not  how I propose to spend my time here in Cornwall.

So once all the I's had been dotted and the T's crossed we decided to take a turn around Charlestown. It was cool and dry, the tide was the furthest out we had ever seen it.

 I did feel a little sorry for a bride & groom and their guests having their wedding photos taken on the quayside, they were freezing in their satin dresses and dress suits.A beautiful backdrop with the tall ships.

We were not the only couple out for a stroll, two white doves were patrolling the sea wall.

White doves.

Today's new shoot , yes just the one.....was the first Hibiscus.

Charlestown.

The ballet cardigan is now pressed and stitched together, I like its versatility, don't be concerned I will not be appearing in a leotard and tutu any time soon, those days have long passed.

Completed cardigan.

Picot edging.

Wool supervisor