November round up

 

I finally sold my wormery, £30 exactly what I wanted for it, I had a few cheeky people offer me much lower, but I just waited, the guy who collected it, wants it for making seedling compost, so he can stop buying it in plastic bags, perfect for that. I've taken the money off my stash spend, I did add it when I purchased it. Not much spending, just bits locally for Christmas gifts. 

Christmas is coming in on budget, no stupid mad purchases just because it's the season of good will, all I see is far too much stuff, too much plastic and waste. I have made loads of gifts, only for people who understand the value of all the crafting involved. I did purchase my snow globe and a glass tree, I do like most years to have 1 new item.

As for Black Friday which last for a month now not a day, we purchased nothing at all. 

I have purchased clothes, £53.99 well spent, trousers, bras and a chunky cardigan, I will need new slippers, but can wait until the January sales. New reading glasses purchased, a cost which can't be helped, at least I know I have healthy eyes, used my bus pass for 1st time. 

We did not expect to have to purchase a new TV and sound box, we did have a conversation about not bothering as it is turned off most of the time, but decided it is useful to have. We did manage to sell on our old sound box, so it is being used in another home. We have also packed up our Wii, and sold it, we never use it and hopefully again it can be used rather than just disposed of. Our bread machine also stopped working, so another small purchase, my steam mop is not working correctly, I'm hoping it will last a bit longer. 

No weight loss this month, I did have a full weekend of my birthday, but happily I am not eating much chocolate. My pre diabetic blood test result was brilliant, back down to levels 2 years ago. 

Wet outside, busy inside.

We did look around a few shops when in Fareham on Friday, I like TK Max at this time of year, I have often looked at snow globes, the ones I like often are expensive, whilst the cheaper ones have naff things inside, this one was a good price and I love it. Hubby surprised me, he picked up these 2 mugs, we already have Christmas mugs, but I'm not complaining, he never buys items for Christmas. 

 Another brilliant book, I have read a few by C L Taylor, everyone I have loved, this is just as good, a who dun it, but with a twist it's not the police who are looking, again I did not want to put it down. This being my 45th book read this year. 

Mick's 1st sock is almost done, I'm up to size 7, need to reach size 10, I will knit the toes blue to match the top. 

We don't get too many weather warnings here in Hampshire, Friday night was very windy, the garden was strewn with leaves, no damage, Saturday was cold and wet and then cold and sunny as the storm clouds rolled through. Sunday was cold and blue skies, the wind was bitter. I'm not complaining as we miss most of the winter weather here, the havoc in the north with snow was shown on TV, we are lucky none came our way.  

Friday we went into town on the bus, both using our bus passes (free journey) apart from heavy rain as we walked to the bus, we had no problems, the nearest bus stop is 5 minutes walk from home, the bus comes through every 12 minutes, we are on the main route from Fareham to Portsmouth. Both buses were packed, it's good to see our route so well used. It was a shock to have heavy cold rain, it been dry here for weeks, the storm went through in about 10 minutes and it stayed dry the rest of the time we were out.

Saturday we did not go far, only to the village, its just so cold suddenly, and with the rain, it's best to stay inside. I made loads of items, using my sewing machine, I can lose myself for days sat sewing. Sunday was much the same inside, it did look nice outside but was bitter cold, I had a bad tummy so no sewing, just resting.

Today has started very frosty, everywhere is white and cold, not planning to go out, I hope to finish my sewing, I'm feeling much better, no plans to go out. 

Along came three

This blanket is finished, here it is on my king size bed, I love the colours, very me, it's made with a fine cotton purchased in Spain a few years ago, I used 3 x 200 grm balls, and I'm left with just 14grms. I do have one 200 grm ball left in a pale cream, not sure why I did not use it, I do think these 3 colours work well together, I just made the design up as I worked on it. 

I love the drape and weight of this blanket, I will get loads of pleasure in using this, and being cotton it's easy to wash and dry. I stitched all the ends in as I made the blanket, so I only had the finished strand to sew in. I have promised myself I will not make anymore granny square blankets, I think after this one they will all feel less worthy. Next year I hope to teach myself to follow patterns in crochet. 

I have finished my friend shawl, I still don't like the colours, I'm not a fan of yellow, but I've shown it to another friend who agrees it perfect colours. I knit these shawls up quickly and I enjoy making them, this is another Christmas gift, this friend does not craft at all. 

I really should have not cast on a pair of socks for me, but I loved this yarn, again it's James C Brett, this time just done in the main green colour, I am again pleased with the stripe match, I'm going to have warm toes again this winter. I have now cast on a pair of men's socks, not as a Christmas gift, but as a thank you for my wood turning friend, his wife has given me his shoe size. 

I'm loving putting these colours together for a pair of socks, Mick does wear colourful socks, so 🤞he is going to love these. The stripe in the bright blue is dark brown, I will do the toes matching the top, the heel I will do in the dark brown. 

Every spare moment I am crafting, I want to have everything done in the next couple of weeks, the time consuming items are finished, daughter  requested the few things for George, he is moving bedrooms, out of the nursey into a bigger room. Molly will be going into the nursery, as yet nothing from me is required, it is a small room. 

Christmas cards are all almost done, I have mainly the inserts to print out and attach, they should be in the post next week. I did cheat and buy one box for the sign ladies, I just fell in love with the simple design on the front.

It's been a restful few days, plenty of time knitting, lazy afternoons at home, we did do a big shop at our local Lidl, the freezer is now full, we should not need to shop for a while. Today I am going into town with hubby using my new bus pass, I have an eye test booked, which I'm sure will see me needing new glasses, expensive but necessary, no other plans, a treat of lunch out. The weather is now cold, with a strong wind from the north, so a weekend inside is planned, no gardening, the leaves are being blown off, but we will wait a few days in hope the wind dies down.

Last week in November

The green pot has last years Amaryllis bulb, the white pot has my new bulb, I have planted them differently, using much bigger pots and having the bulb sit higher up in the compost, which now I know is the correct way. I have re-potted another bulb, but I'm not sure it will grow, there are still 2 more bulbs in the greenhouse in leaf, but no flower stalk. 

I was given these sweet pots for a birthday present, there is a 3rd one, on the box it suggest you use them for herbs, the pot is a bit small for herbs. I love succulents, and these are a perfect size, the big plant in the yellow cup, I've had in a big gravy boat with other plants, but it was too crowded, so I have made this it's permanent home. The green pot has shoots from an expensive plant I purchased back in March, it would be nice to have more of these plants, I have 6 planted in here. 

My birthday gift from my brother, 14 days later I have lost all the bottom leaves, this has been in the office, which is warm and sunny, but sadly not enough for this plant, I have moved it in hope I can stop the drop. 

Kurt has new hair, the previous grass did not weather well, I cut the tips back as it got very long and then it just looked untidy, this grass is the 3rd type he has had, the 1st blood grass was too thin. I think this should look good, it's from my sink, I planted it in the ground, but a cat has been sleeping on it, 

The garden looking tidy, with this blue sky it could be July or August.

I loved this book, it's a real good read, twisted all the way through, so many ' he did it, no she did it' and after it was solved another twist, just brilliant, her sequel is not due until next summer, I can't wait.  this being my 44th book read this year, I already have my next lined up.

Monday morning we spent time outside, sunny but cold, we cut back the Magnolia tree, it's a necessary job each year, otherwise the tree would be too large for the garden, the top needs cutting back, but we can do that in the spring, hubby picked up all the leaves, not that it stayed clear for long, as I always say, any work on this tree is a labour of love. I have also cut back all the late fruiting raspberries, we had a bumper crop this year, the 3 decorative plant frames have been put into my shed, the back section is now clear. Everything tender is now inside the greenhouse,  the 30mins I spent in the greenhouse was bliss, it's lovely and warm inside, so many plants are thriving in there. 

Tuesday I went to sign class, it was at my neighbours house across the road, so no traveling, Shelia our tutor was unwell and did not attend (flu bugs) so it was more of a social gathering, which was fun.  Hubby and I popped to an out of town shopping place, it's our nearest M&S store in afternoon, for just a couple of things.  I treated myself to a pair of jeggings, just because I liked the colour and a couple sports bras, I am loving no-wired bras, so comfortable. I am having a much slower week this week. Today I think Molly might be have some time here, the boys are at nursery and school, mum can get a few hours on her own, then crafting, I have almost finished another item.

Thank you for all your kind comments about my finished cushion and our George, family has always been so important to us, having his family home so close has allowed us to be able to support and play with all 3 children, and help mummy and daddy. It is sad when our other grandchildren live so far away, Covid has taken all the joy of making trips anywhere, we always found time to visit our parents regularly, but this busy world their family weekend time is filled with clubs and other interests, we see less and less of our grandsons.