Wednesday evening, 06-11-24

Good evening again, everyone.

Today was a spendy day - nothing that I shouldn't have spent but a food shop is now expensive, especially with a few Christmas things added (to share the load).

I drove over to Sainsbury's and was very strong in resisting temptation.  There was a really lovely Christmas jumper - several, in fact - but no, I already have plenty.

I then trundled up and down the aisles, looking for everything on the list.  Alex had also requested a few things so I got them too.  Yes, a bit ouch, but nothing impulsive or wasteful.

Once home and with everything put away, I had breakfast (late) and then did this, that and the other until lunch.

Then it was Personal Training.

Finally, Beth came over and we had dinner and a good old chat which was lovely.

Oh, and Beth's yarn arrived.  Lovely colour and she's very happy with it.

And that's it - not terribly exciting but a nice, satisfying day, all the same.

How about you?  xx

Tuesday evening, 05-11-24 (aka Wednesday morning)

Morning, folks.
I sat down after dinner last night to work on the last bit of the cal project, looked at the clock ten minutes later and it was nearly eleven o'clock.  Oooops!

So you have this to enjoy this morning instead!!

Back to yesterday.  The first Groove of the new block was lovely.  The new routines are really good although I didn't know any of the music, not being into that sort of thing.  Now, if she had stuck to sixties playlists . . . but most other people wouldn't know any of it!   Anyway, it was great.

I wore the hexa-cardi and Lindsey liked it so much, I might be making one for her too.  It's lucky it is a comparatively quick make!

Alex went out to do his weekly volunteering and it was nice to have the house to myself.  I got bits and bobs done, sorted out a few things, did some crochet and generally chilled.

And went to bed late!

Today is a bit busier.  I'm doing a food shop this morning and am probably going to Sainsbury's for my monthly top up of things I like from there.  I might look for the marzipan and icing for the Cake while I'm there (I'll check the dates but I am sure I have bought it early before and both products have a long date).

This afternoon, it is personal training which is always good and this evening Beth is coming round for dinner.  Nothing posh, just jacket potato, etc, so before P T I will get everything together and as ready as I can.

So that's that.  At some point I really need to get out in the garden but it won't be today, for sure.
I hope you had a lovely day yesterday and a great night's sleep.
Stay safe and be happy.  xx

Monday evening, 04-11-24

Evening,k everyone.  I'm writing this earlier because I have an evening live chat and it will probably be too late afterwards. 

This is the colour Beth has chosen for her hexa-cardi.  It's King Cole aran and I described it wrongly in yesterday's comments, sorry.  
The photo isn't great, I think it has more colour than that, but she wants to wear it for work so didn't want lurid like mine.
I got it from Amazon as that was the cheapest I could find but not Prime so I have to wait until Wednesday - such hardship!!

I was rather puzzled as to what to get her for Christmas so I'm so happy about this.  I love getting gifts that people will really use and the work that will go into it just adds to the love (forgive the soppiness but it's true).

Lindsey is home again after a week enjoying the sunshine in Morocco so the new block has started!  It was great to get back to circuits and also to hear about her adventures.  There were five of us there and it was such fun.

Then I drove straight over to Beth's because I wanted to do a financial transaction over the phone and she helps me with the hearing side of it all.  It took a while but there were no problems.

The rest of the day has been spent doing the usual Monday housework, getting on with my Gifts of Christmas blanket (last part out tomorrow) and that sort of thing.  It's been a really nice day and it's good to be back in routine again.

Right at the moment, there's a roasting chicken in the air fryer for me, Alex and leftovers.  Things should start to smell delicious soon.

Have you had a good day too?  I do hope so.  Stay safe and well, everyone, and keep warm.  xx

Sunday evening, 03-11-24

Good evening, everyone.  Another damp and dull day today but it hasn't felt that cold really.

I started the day spending some time in the kitchen sorting out the batch of hummus I made yesterday (small pots, in the freezer), getting things ready for dinner tonight (with Alex - cottage pie, mince already cooked and in the freezer) and making some baked beans (self inflicted, I have cans, just wanted to make something myself) which taste nothing like Heinz but nice all the same - and satisfying!

I then popped upstairs and made sure Alex's bedroom was ready and waiting for him.  I even remembered to turn up the radiator thermostat - usually I keep it low as it's not a room in general use.
He's here now and watching one of the Paddington movies - we're a great fan of Paddington in this family!

He took a few photos so here's the cardigan.  I've worn it all day today and it really is very cosy and comfortable.  Don't look at the uneven hem - it isn't really, it's just how I was wearing it.  I might make a couple of patch pockets with granny squares.  I'll knock a couple up and see if it looks OK - I guess they could go on the inside rather that the outside if I think it interrupts the 'pattern' but pockets are so very useful.

When she brought Alex over, Beth liked it so much, I'm making one for her for Christmas.  Not the same colours, a sort of redcurrant colour with flecks.  I've just ordered the yarn - Christmas presents are OK during No Spend November - so when the Gift blanket is finished (this Tuesday starts the last week), it will be my project until December starts and I can begin the Persian tiles project.

I need something to keep hands and brain occupied during these dark evenings.

All weekend I have been intending to sort out my paperwork but avoiding it.  Not financial paperwork, just post and that sort of thing plus recipe printouts, crochet pattern printouts and so on.  The mess was getting me down so I just made myself get it all done and I am very glad I did.  It won't take long before it builds up again but, for now, it is neat and tidy and what a relief.

I'm going to post this a little bit earlier.  I hope your Sunday has been a lovely day - have a good evening and sleep well.  xx

Saturday evening, 02-11-24

 Hello again, lovely people.  Are you having a good weekend.  I do hope so.

It has been a quiet day here today.  I did some housework, some kitchen work, no ironing (must do it tomorrow) and worked to finish a crochet cardigan.
Have any of you heard of a hexa-cardigan.  It is basically a cardigan that starts out as two granny hexagons that you add to.
Hang on, let's see if I can find a photo.

The one I have made looks nothing like this but you get the idea.  You granny stitch a hexagon and the way you fold it makes half a cardigan,  You make two (obviously) and can than lengthen the sleeves and the body, stitch cuffs and an edging and . . . there you go.

I'll try and take a photo of mine tomorrow.

And that is about it really.  I am off to bed soon so I will wish you good night and sleep well.  I hope you have had a really lovely day.  xx

Saturday morning, 02-11-24

Good morning, everyone.  Sorry about last night's non appearance.  It was one of those evenings when I couldn't keep my eyes open, went to bed early and woke up at stupid o'clock today.  Oh, well . . .

Yesterday I got the 'start of the month' things done.
I read the gas meter and sent off the readings - I used more this last month because the heating now comes on at times but I do have a credit cushion, despite the loss of the winter fuel thingy.

I sharpened all my kitchen knives - it really does make such a difference.
I double checked the bank statement/finance stuff, just to make sure I got it right.  I find numbers a bit tricky because of my mild dyscalculia - not in terms of mathematical understanding, just seeing them in the wrong order sometimes and remembering sequences.

Topping up the water softener.

And my first of the new month shop - which wasn't so bad because I still have plenty of stuff like dishwasher powder, washing up liquid, washing powder and so on.  And the canned food situation is also fine.

(I have already done my petrol top up)

I enjoyed Slimming World as always.  I told C, the lady who goes to the Knit and Natter group, about my date goof up and she checked in her diary that I have the November date right (I did).  She brought with her a bag she had made from granny squares which was lovely.
(I had a gaintain of one pound but am still under target weight so I'm not in the least bit fussed,)

Before I wrap them up, here's a photo of the neck/ear warmer and the fingerless mittens.  I think the colour match is pretty good, given that they are totally different yarns, not even the same company.  The mid pink carries it really.

I decided not to use the circular motif on the warmer, it just didn't look right - or maybe it looked just too much.

The warmer also works really well as a pull on to keep one's ears warm - I didn't have it in mind but the difference between the cast on and the cast off gives it that shape.

I like to go a bit sort of merry and festive at the December SW meetings so I made these using the same idea and those above.  It's supposed to be a wreath.  When I go to the Hobbycraft bauble workshop, I will come home with a pack of little ribbons and some mini bells and I plan to add them (one of each on each, I mean) onto the wreath - just for a bit of fun really.
It doesn't show in the photo that much but the white and the red yarns are a bit sparkly and look festive.

(I know one looks too short but it isn't, it's just the camera angle, I think).

Another thing I did yesterday was to make a big loaf.  I know I made a couple of smaller ones the day before but Hungry Horace (aka Alex) is coming to stay for the week tomorrow and he does like his bread so that's for him to go at as he wants.

I'll finish off with a reflection.

To coin a phrase, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a girl in search of a no spend month is going to be hit by temptation very quickly!

Isn't it weird how that happens yet, if one gives oneself to spend £xyz, there's really nothing one fancies.

Odd.  However, I will hold firm . . .

Have a great day, everyone.  xx

Thursday evening, 31-20-24

Evening again, everyone.  Have you had a lovely day!

Round here, it started rather dull and damp but by the afternoon the sun was out and it was beautiful.

I spent the morning in the kitchen - well, now and again in the kitchen.

I used lots of odds and ends, soup mix, barley, stock, chicken - oh, all sorts - in the slow cooker to make a very autumny sort of soup, thick and (I hope) filling.  One portion for tomorrow and two in the freezer.
I them made a couple of loaves.  One was my usual seeded wholemeal but to the other I added garlic, sliced olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes and grated cheddar.  It is scrummy!  Both are sliced now and in the freezer.

I did some housework and some crochet and sorted out my end of month finances so it's all clear for a no spend November now.
That doesn't mean buying nothing, it means just buying essentials, paying the usual bills, etc.  And if I do see Christmas gifts, I will be getting them as I count that as essential.

It's all those extra things, like yarn!!!!!

I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep as I'm pretty tired and I wish the same for you too.
Stay safe and warm, everyone, and see you tomorrow.  xx