Work, rest and play

Another weekend has been and nearly gone.  Its been a busy one.....

Friday saw me out with my youngest, we picked up plants and spent the day clearing up in her garden. As we had a full dry day, the first of three can you believe it, it was a bonus.  A quick change and pack and then we were off to Stamford to stay the night in preparation for our day out on Saturday.

Saturday was pamper day, the girls had requested a spa day for their birthday's this year so we were happy to oblige, and of course they couldn't go without me!! 

We chose Eden Hall Spa in Nottinghamshire, which is a bit of a trek from Cambridge, hence the overnight with the eldest in Stamford.  We arrived for 9am, checked in, then went for breakfast. 

We all had the following included with our package -

A real treat for those looking to totally unwind and indulge in some precious “me time”. This full day experience includes unlimited use of our saltwater vitality swimming pool, access to all water therapies and our sauna, saunarium, rose infused steam room, herbal caldarium & salt marine room. Enjoy exquisite cuisine in our Seventh Heaven Restaurant with an inclusive three course lunch complimented by an array of salads and side dishes. For more active relaxation our gymnasium is open to all guests and our professional instructors deliver regular exercise and relaxation classes. We also provide bathrobe and towels for use on the day.

Rachel and I chose the Sheer Indulgence Package

 An Elemis Well Being Back Massage and Skin Specific Facial. Delight in the indulgence of the muscle melting Well Being Back Massage and enjoy the immediate results of the Skin Specific Facial which includes a cleanse, tone, exfoliation, face, neck and shoulder massage, mask and moisturiser. This treatment is tailored to suit any skin type to help bring back radiance and youthful vitality.


This truly indulgent day also includes continental breakfast and to end your day in style, a glass of house champagne (I had tea due to driving) and luxurious Eden chocolates.


Appointment time: 1 hour 25 mins.

And Beck had the Beautiful Bump & a pedicure -


The Elemis Mother to be Massage – adapted to each stage of pregnancy. This inspirational therapy connects mother and baby through the power of touch. The ultimate in comfort and relaxation. Helping to relieve tension in the back and alleviating swelling in the hands and feet whilst easing the mind and uplifting the spirit.



Appointment time: 1 hour 10 mins.

To say we had a relaxing day was an understatement, it was so enjoyable, we sat around and read, knitted (me), chatted, snoozed, swam, steamed, ate!! It was a real shame when 6:30 rolled round and we had to go home.

I know I slept well last night, which is a real treat.

Sunday - third dry sunny day, so made the most of it.  Washing hung out on the line to dry, windows open, house aired and, of course, gardening.  We finally got our courtyard sorted out.  After the fencing coming down earlier this year and the climbing plants smashed its been a mess.  We have put up new trellis, re-routed downpipes and water barrels, the climbers which I managed to salvage have put on new growth and will hopefully soon be back to their former glory.  I have dug and edged a new bed so need to go and buy plants before taking any pictures.  My hands feel all rough and yucky, didn't wear gloves, just as well I didn't have a manicure yesterday......  and guess what its going to rain tomorrow!!

Enough .......please

Rain that is.  Today we were supposed to have sunny intervals, 18C temperature, 90% humidity.  We had some sun, we have the temperature, but we have rain so I guess that is 100% humidity.  I am just sick and tired of the dreary skies, and the constant rain.  Its been over 5 weeks since we had a totally dry day.

 

I went and bought my summer bedding plants this afternoon but can't see me getting them in anytime soon.  Because its been so cold everything in the greenhouse is behind, my beans, squash and courgette plants are doing ok, but my tomatoes are pathetic, I've had to bring into the kitchen and I have other seeds that have rotted or just not germinated.  And to cap it all I think my Wisteria hasn't survived the winter, others locally are in flower,but not a sign on mine apart from about four leaves on the end of one branch!

The only bright spot in my day is that I managed to get some tickets to go and see Mick Hucknall at the Albert Hall in September.......Exciting, though shame its a Tuesday night, oh well, guess I will be bleary eyed at work, unless we take a day off.



Right, as its still raining, I'm going to make another cup of tea, and get my knitting out.  Which will it be the ten stitch or the baby cardi?

WIP Wednesday - they come in threes

I am slipping into bad habits again.  I have three WIP's on the go, with the rough weather we are having knitting the same thing gets a bit boring.  Bring on the sun..... please.

First is my subscribers blanket - this is now stalled for a while until the next issue of Simply Knitting comes out as I have knitted the required number of squares

Second is another Ten Stitch Blanket - no excuse for knitting it I just felt the need for another one on my needles, they really are very addictive, and most of my knitting group are making them, so I was feeling a bit left out.

Then thirdly - a cardigan for my next grandchild due at the end of July




The pattern is Design G from Sirdar Early Arrivals No 2.  Knitted in Sirdar Calico which is 60% cotton 40% acrylic

Weekend in words and pictures

Our bank holiday weekend can be summed up in a few words - family, friends, food, hangovers (not me), lack of sleep, cold/runny nose (Rufus).  The weather was ok'ish - grey, cold, damp, the heavy rain managed to hold off until Monday late morning

 Can you see the burst bubble in the middle photo - just by Rufus' hand?

Fun with a ball of tarn - he had been running around with the yarn I was knitting, I figured that this was less likely to break

As I was forced to spend the afternoon knitting I managed to finish my Morocco - I won't tell you how frustrated I got trying to do the twist on the neck.  Peter finally took it from me a did it!  He doesn't know how but it got sorted.  I did the sleeves a bit longer as I'm not keen on cap sleeves - makes your shoulders look bigger than they are, and that I don't need. 

As the sun has finally put in an appearance I took some pictures outside and also thought I'd show you some of the prettiness in the garden

  New growth in the conifer bed

Say it with flowers

I was lucky to be given a copy of this book yesterday - Beautiful Botanical Knits by Nora J Bellows.  Here are some the the projects and knits from the book.  Not normally one for fiddly knitting, I was surprised how many of these flowers I may be tempted to knit.


                           

           
 
             

WIP Wednesday 2 May

Another Wednesday rolls around, the rain has stopped (for now), the sun is out (forgotten what it looked like).

My knitting goes on, I'm still working on my Morocco - back is finished and the front started

I have done a few more squares for the blanket

I found this website recently and plan to knit the following cute hat
 

Popped into my local charity shop this afternoon, picked up some more yarn and buttons - 440 grams of yarn, no idea what it is, but it will go in another of my many blankets (-:, cost me £3.00 and £3.25 for all the buttons

And last but not least.  The prospect of a new craft?  I got given a box of assorted cross stitch items, my mother in law had a rifle through, she took what she wanted. I have sorted some aida for either me or my eldest to use - she at least cross sititches! The remaining items I plan to take to my craft group tomorrow.  I'm sure someone can find a use for it. I like to spread the wealth....

Blog week overview

With the 3rd Knitting and Crochet Blog Week now behind us - though I am still trying to catch up on reading posts.  I thought I'd take a look at which were the most popular posts. Blogger tells me the following.

Day One - Colour Lovers - this one got 12 comments and 31 page views
Day Two -  Photography Challenge - this got 12 comments and 57 page views
Day Three - I went with the Wildcard Craft your Perfect Day -  this one got 11 comments and 22 page views
Day Four - Knitter for All Seasons - 15 comments and 24 page views
Day Five - Something Different - 26 comments and 133 page views
Day Six - Improving your Skillset - 9 comments and 31 page views
Day Seven - Crafting Balance - 5 comments and 23 page views

As you can see Day Five got the most comments and views, I really enjoyed putting this one together.  I also learnt quite a bit too. Days Three & Four got the bigger ratio of comments to views. 

I know for myself, that the weekend meant that I wasn't able to read/comment on as many posts, and that there are still many I haven't got too yet.  It actually all gets a bit overwhelming after a while.  I have only checked out those bloggers that posted their links on Ravelry, there are just TOO many to Goggle with the tags.  Maybe one day when I have nothing better to do.

I picked up a few new followers, welcome to you.  I am also following a few new sites too.

I did prepare my draft posts in advance, tweeked and scheduled them for publication, as last year I found it too difficult to post on a daily basis.  It is surprising just how much time it takes to put these posts together and it amazes me just how detailed some people make their posts, you must have lots of spare time.

So all in all a very enjoyable week, and one I hope to participate in again next year.  Who knows I my have some crochet projects to post about