Second WIP Finished

I have finished my second WIP.

I wouldn't recommend the  patter at all - the stitch guide doesn't actually work out as per the pattern - missing lots of rows to make it the right length in bodice, body and sleeves.  I had to add a lot of rows to get it to a length I was semi-happy about.  The body could have done with more length.  It is a small fit - not what the pattern said and I double checked the stitch and row gauge a couple of times.  

Still it might go nice with a skirt.

Now to dig out the third WIP.  IF I can remember where I have stashed it!

Easier to find than I thought.

This was started in the late nineties if I remember rightly....

This is as far as I got.  

Looking forward to finishing this one.

Finishing WIPs

I have had some WIPs on the back burner for um...some years now and decided I would get them finished by the end of the year.  

The first to complete is ...

From this pattern book I began knitting this pattern:

in February 2011!  Yikes!  Was it REALLY that long ago?!!

This is how far I had got, the back and part  of one sleeve made.

I started during last week and finished it yesterday,

My next WIP to complete will be the following 'Christmas Jumper'  I'm ashamed to say I started this pattern FIVE years ago...

I bought it at the Alexander Palace Knitting Show and in my defence the wool is horrible to knit with as it keeps splitting so I think that is part the reason progress has been exceedingly slow. 

I have changed the pattern slightly as after all these years it was difficult to start where I had finished off, so I decided to simplify it.

Almost finished the front...

No Comparison.

Laziness really never pays off...I know this, have always known this, but thought surely it wouldn't make much difference if the same ingredients are used.

Wish I hadn't bought the Nutribullet - there is absolutely no taste comparison - juicing then blending is so much nicer and tastier - maybe a lot more to clean, but I would drink what I make whereas I don't want to drink what I make with the bullet.  Very disappointing and definitely not worth all the advertising hype.  Obviously all  those reviewers who have used it have never actually tasted stuff made with a juicer!

Now what to do with this expensive mistake!

Nutribullet was sent back.  

Nutribullet Day One.

Day One:

Pineapple, Spinach, Ginger, Avocado, Carrot, Broccoli stalk, Banana, Blueberries, Acai berry juice, Manuka Honey. 

I used similar ingredients to those I would use in the juicer and then blender - I have to say I am really disappointed at the taste - it is nothing in comparison to when I use the juicer.   True there is no pulp waste, it is MUCH easier to clean and use  - but taste - nope just doesn't get there.  It is completely bland. I wonder why that is when pretty much the same ingredients are used?  All that was missing from the list was apple and beetroot.  In yesterday's drink I did include apple - that was incredibly bland as well.

I don't think I will be packing my juicer away just yet....hoping I haven't made an expensive mistake!

A change of appliance!

Feeling completely tired and lethargic most of the time on top of the usual pain issues I have been telling myself I need to start juicing again...and I make the odd attempt but then the thought of having to wash up all the bits involved in juicing and then blending to make a smoothie just becomes overwhelming.   Having heard a lot about the Nutribullet and not sure whether to believe the hype or not, I have been unsure whether to get one.  However, wanting to sleep all the time isn't doing me any favours either, and after coming home from choir yet again yesterday morning in lots of pain I decided to take a step of faith and give it a go.  Who knew ordering from John Lewis could be so quick and easy! Ordered yesterday afternoon, collected from a local Waitrose this afternoon!

So replacing these:

My juicer - which has seven parts to clean.....

and this....which has five parts to clean  - I now just have this 

on the side - which has two parts to clean - and they just rinse under water!

Added benefit - much more space on my work surface as well.

With this in mind I plan to make a drink every morning - possibly twice a day and hope I will start to feel brighter again.

Possibly the blender could have done what this does, although I had attempted I was not entirely sure it was successful.

The box...

It does come with other size cups and things, although I probably won't use these unless I am making drinks for other people as well.

It also came with three books with lots of information - and of course some advertising hype/testimonials.

I am looking forward to getting back into 'juicing' albeit in a different way again.

I have also been back to see Simon - I used to see him once a year while he was in the UK before he returned to Australia - and he managed to help some of the pain issues then.  He is now back here permanently - or at least for the foreseeable future so I am looking forward to a series of treatments from him in the hope that he will be able to help my pain issues.

I figure it is worth a shot.

He currently has me on two weeks of iodine treatment - he believes a lack of iodine may be part of the problems I am having with the extreme tiredness and nausea in the mornings.

So I will report back to see how it goes.

A lovely Autumn's Day out at Wrest Park

Still taking advantage of the beautiful Autumn days...we popped over to Wrest Park today.  Although we go quite a lot, with the changing seasons there is always something difficult to photograph, or the same thing that looks different with changes in light, perspective, foliage etc...

The gardens looked as spectacular as ever.

A cheeky little robin.

The colours on the house were spectacular as the leaves are changing colour.

The bridge from a completely different angle from what I have taken before.

The bath house also taken from a different angle.

Beautiful flowers

Busy bee!

Wonderful blue sky.

A lovely day and the perfect opportunity to be outdoors and soaking up some warmth and Vitamin D!

Friday's Walk - Ashridge Estate & Aldbury Village

With Friday being a lovely bright Autumn day we headed off out to Ashridge Estate for a walk.

There is a great cafe at Ashridge Estate open all year round so we arrived for an early lunch before heading off.  This time we decided to try a completely different route which ended up in the charming village of Aldbury.

A charming thatched house is seen over the hedge.

Cottages with open gardens.

The charm of this village is evident by the houses seen.

I stopped and spoke to one gentleman who had just come out of his house and he told me he had lived  in the village for 20 years and never tired of it.  He said that the location has been used for various TV shows and films over the years.

All so pretty - and of course the lovely bright day adds to the beauty.

Village pond.

Stocks and Whipping post.

The village church St John the Baptist

This quintessential English church was restored in 1867.  Apparently (as we couldn't go in due to having Percy with us) it is notable for the Verney Chapel which is separated from the nave by a screen of stone.  The church contains memories of the families Hides and Harcourts who left charities to the poor of the parish.  It also contains a monument of Sir Robert Wittingham who was slain at the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

One of the village pubs.

More photos as we walked around this charming village.  I took quite a few as hope to paint a couple of the cottages at some stage.

This scene has obviously been taken before by numerous visitors as it was featured on some postcards and on the Wikipedia page of the village!