Tuesday Treasures

This is the first time I have taken part in Tuesday Treasures, now run by Melody. This little bear (whom I have shown before) is one of many in my collection of bears, but is rather special to me as he was my Nan's. Sadly she passed away quite a few years ago now, but I feel very lucky to have been able to spend the last few years of both hers and my grandfather's lives with them. I was able to visit them weekly, often twice weekly and we would have a lovely time. I miss them a lot and remember them both with ever such fond memories.

It is now snowing here in Hertfordshire and I walked down the road to the post office all wrapped up in my warm coat, hat, scarf, gloves and snug boots. I actually enjoyed the walk as I'd missed my run this morning, I didn't want to slip over.

I've been busy doing those faffing bits of tidying that are needed when you have a big shuffle round...I think you can start to see a difference being made in the lounge. Will have to start on the bedroom next!

Oh and I received two huge parcels from our friendly postman today. Will post about them tomorrow. ;-)

Pretty Blue Monday

Nothing like a pretty blue bowl and flowers to brighten a cold Monday.

I managed to do quite well with my list over the weekend. I haven't quite finished the scarf and have only just started the embroidery, but progress is being made.

I have yet another list of things I want to achieve before 1st December...yes siree, I only have one day left, but I am not going to panic about things as things are to remain calm and reflective this week. ;-)

I haven't quite finished tidying the lounge, or rather finding homes for some of the things that have become dislodged during the move into the studio. Strange how there seems to be 'stuff' left over that doesn't quite fit anywhere. Why is that I wonder?

As for the kitchen (insert maniacal laughter) we won't even discuss that!

I'm still running in the mornings - I know shock, horror, who would have expected it of me?! Not sure what I'll do if it snows though. Yoga is also going well, although hurts...just lying down flat on my back hurts...still I have an appointment with the specialist on Thursday evening so will be interesting to see what he has to say this time.

Well got to work on my photography assignment so mustn't dilly dally on here.

Have a lovely week!

Keep warm and snug and take care if you have to drive or go out anywhere.

A Pause in Advent - Week 1

Once again I am taking part in A Pause in Advent organised by Floss over at Troc Bloc and Recup'. Do pop over to read her post as she mentions a great book that I also dip into over this period of time building up to Christmas.

It is all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that hits us from all angles, the media, shops etc... and the panic that could pursue upon the realisation that things are 'falling behind'.

However, this first week of Advent shall be a time of....

quiet reflection and planning.

Thinking about the various paths and traditions we follow...

thinking about our aspirations for this time and how we want those to reflect within the family...

Being the peace maker in the family and trying to ensure that things remain much calmer this year...

These are the things I will be thinking about this week.

Weekend List

Weekend List

Finish and package Advent Swap to post on Monday - Done!

Embroider 'Around the Block' - Started

Make and package 'Incy Flower Swap' to post on Monday - Done!

Booking form for boarding to post Monday - Done!

Write out cheque & note for quilting coach trip to post Monday - Done!

Finish Blue & Yellow Quilt - Done!

Finish twirly crochet scarf - Almost finished

Over the Moon & Thank you

Coming home last night I was struck how wonderful the moon looked. Not a full moon unfortunately...I missed that the other day. I went for a run in the morning and looked up and there it was in front of me in all its full glory, but by the time I got back the clouds had hidden it from me and my camera.

So not wanting to miss the opportunity last night, there I was in the garden tripod and camera in hand, hat, scarf, gloves and warm coat, 'shooting the moon'.

Doesn't it look amazing?

Coming back from my run this morning I thought I would have another go at taking a picture of the moon.

So far away...

Thank you all for your amazing comments and encouragement on my new studio. Yes I am really thrilled with it, but I am sure you have all guessed that. I just need to find my mojo, not sure where I have put him (why him I wonder?) so I can get cracking on all my swaps I have signed up for...realising that December is only just round the corner...next week! Yikes how did that happen?

In answer to some questions my studio was built by Herts Garden Buildings. This is the second building we have had built by them...the first was several years ago now and is my husband's office. They have worked out so much cheaper, and perhaps better than an extension and of course without any of the inconvenience and disruption.

Right lets see if I can finish my advent swap today...

Still got some tidying and sorting out of music teaching books. Fortunately the box files arrived last night so I can pack them up.

Oh and that will do for a list, if I can achieve those two things I will be happy.

Have a great day all, wrap up warm if you go out.

My New Studio!

What do we have here, but a Blue gravy jug...now couldn't leave that languishing on the shelf in the CS now could I. This will be put to regular use over the winter...actually I think I am going to make it the custard jug...blue and yellow...yup, that sounds good.

So are you ready for my grand reveal? You are? Oh okay then here we go. I am sure I will still do lots more sorting and organising and changing around, but this is how it is as of this afternoon.

Fairy lights round my mirror.

So what do you think?

Great isn't it? I feel ever so spoiled and delighted at having my own space and my very own special retreat.

How has the rest of the house got on today? Hmm, well we won't talk about that, except to say why is it that things never quite fit into the spaces? They are always just that wincey bit too big!

Oh no, how did this get in here? Dang it, why doesn't my right arm hang properly? My 'new to me' dress. I love it and despite it being cold today I was determined to wear it. No the glass mirrors haven't been cleaned yet, they have been languishing behind a book case for years...The spider webs are gone though!

Of course in the course of moving and changing the dressers needed changing around as well.

This one hasn't moved...it is fixed and used to hold my jars of buttons etc... Now it is displaying some of my 'treasures'.

My 'Blue' dresser. The bottom shelf is reserved for changing the seasons. Already started preparing for the December decorations.

My little dark dresser has been moved to the opposite side of the room which gives us more space for the dining room table.

So still work to do on the lounge, but slowly getting there.

Guess what I saw today?

Oh excitement this morning when I walked out into the garden on my way to the studio...Could I believe my eyes when I saw not one, but several green birds fly away from the bird feeder? Yes I could. Ring necked parakeets. Oh I hope they visit tomorrow so I can, with luck, get some better shots.

Progress update.

Thank you for all your great comments on my photos, thumb and progress on the studio. Lots done yesterday, so much in fact that I was so exhausted that I was in bed by 8.30pm! Of course being me I am not one to do things by halves. Oh no, not just moving my gear into my new studio, but reorganising the lounge AND bedroom!

I was up at 6am, went for my jog, started the drier...we had a wee incident the night before after I let the bath water out...the utility room/conservatory flooded as the drain was blocked! So more extensive testing of our new washing machine. Boy has she been working hard since she was installed Saturday afternoon. I then hung our large blanket and new feather duvet, which hubby's father had bought, but never used, on the line to air and got cracking with the moving business! Back and forth, back and forth armed with books, fabric, sewing machines, the whole works. During this process I decided to move the dressers in the lounge to the opposite sides. Of course this involved emptying them of all the china etc... Yup, not one to do things by halves.

Not finished yet... Have taken pictures which I will show you - certainly the one of the lounge in all it's turmoil will give you a laugh...but need to wait until I have the after photos as well.

Well must be off, need to get a few things done before DS1 gets up...his fifth day at work today in his new job. Must say it is good to see him eating better! ;-)

Hopefully will get it all finished today...

A brief interlude

Just a brief interlude...busy, busy, busy, moving into my new studio. Electrician is currently here finishing off...exciting.

Lots to tell and show you, but for now I'll leave you with some of yesterday's garden bird visitors.

Thank you for all your lovely comments. My thumb is currently bandaged up like a 'mummy' as I keep catching it and that sets it off bleeding again.

We have a problem Houston...

No embroidery for me the last few days as I caught a large staple in my thumb and now it keeps bleeding...not conducive to clean embroidery. This is a bit of a BIG nuisance as I have a large embroidery project on the go for my part in Stitching Round the Block part three so please forgive me ladies if I am slightly slower off the starting post to get this done.

Progress is being made

While work has been going on in The Studio, I have been playing with various techniques discussed on the photography course I am on. More examples, to follow later in the post.

Yesterday was the great Studio Lining Day - that's right, the studio had the lining put up yesterday.

Looking good...

Unfortunately the electrician didn't arrive to finish his part of the process... so a bit of a delay in moving in completely.

My lovely hubby has been busy today preparing the walls and has already varnished the ceiling and two walls. Tomorrow he will do the other two and hopefully get the second coats on.

This portrait might be familiar to Floss.

Anyone fancy some greens?

Our cherry tree is still clinging on to all its leaves in the autumnal glory.

The rose beside the door is blooming.

Have a lovely weekend all, I'm sure you will be able to guess what I'll be doing!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our lovely Son No.1!

Oh dear, something seems to have happened to his face! He is still smiling though so it can't be all bad ;-)

Having a celebration roast dinner tonight as DS1 has just got his first job. Interview today...starts tomorrow! We are so proud of him.

More playing around...

Goodness, is this all I've done the last three days?

Do you really want me to answer that?

You do?

Okay...

Haven't achieved much...especially today. I missed my run and slept in until...well I'm not telling you. I did go out running on Monday and Tuesday morning though, it was certainly cold!!!

I also had yoga on Monday. I am really enjoying my yoga sessions and feel quite energised for the day. Almost wish I could go everyday.

My side/shoulder/hand have been really bad though this week, even worse than last week, probably why I've feeling a bit despondent at the moment, still never mind.

I was invited to another sewing group last night, same group of ladies. I really enjoyed it and actually got some more of my quilt binding done. Almost finished it now. I'm almost on the home stretch of sock number one as well, so hopefully some reveals soon.

Now back to yesterday. It was very cold and frosty, so what best to do, but to wrap up warm and go and take some photos in the garden.

Come on in... This web really seems to draw you in.

Look, they really are pearls!

Ice on the vegetables.

The awakening...

It is an exciting day tomorrow (well for me anyway, and probably also for DS1, but for other reasons!). My studio is getting lined and the electrics connected. All that is left then is for my lovely hubby to varnish the inside and I'll be moving in! Will be able to get cracking on all my Christmas swaps once the studio is set up.

Sunday Summary

Yesterday, as well as working on my 'list', I also managed to pop down to the Scouts Jumble Sale and picked up a few bits of 'tat' as hubby would say.

A couple of cute little books with lovely illustration and some trinkets.

On Friday I had a new friend of Koala's arrive...

no not from Down Ynder, but from Scotland, home of Highland Sock Monkeys!

Wee Jock McHighland and Koala seem to be getting on well.

My little sheltie was very relaxed on DS1 the other evening.

How have I got on with my list of yesterday?

So my really 'exciting' list for this weekend is:

Clean out guinea pigs - Done

Stock up on hay, valley grass, bran and carrots - Done

Finish programme and email through to printers - Done

Catch up on this weeks photography course - Not done as much as would have liked due to internet problems all day today! Hope fully will do some work tomorrow morning after my run.

Finish Advent Swap - Only five days to finish :-)

and the usual Boring Stuff... Actually did more of this than I thought I would

Trying not to think of what is going on with my body and trying to ignore the pain... Hmmm