Monday, Monday

MONDAY, 27 June2011

Simple Woman's Daybook: 27 June 2011

Outside my window ... sunshine, humidity, slight breeze

I am thinking ... about all the things to do, sync my laptop and i-Pad, repair hem on trousers, email friends and think about meals.

From the learning rooms ...  does knitting count? I've learnt a new skill. Ian working hard with maths and learning to use his calculator, more like a mini computer.

I am thankful ... that everything went well for Martha at Glastonbury. She woke us as she arrived home at 7am this morning. It was her intention to be back earlier, she planned to leave after the last act yesterday but her passengers flaffed around and were not co-operative, eventually they left at 2am. Meant a nap on the way, now she's asleep after a proper shower. Not too muddy though, she had enjoyed it, met and made friends and never wants to use a wet wipe again.

From the kitchen ... in the fridge there are chocolate brownies made by Ian.

I am wearing ... re/orange/pink East dress. Very faded Indian cotton but cool and loose.

I am creating ... socks, have turned the heel on the first one, now decreasing before working towards the toes. So much faster than before, and it has helped to have copy of Ann Budd's book Knitting Socks in the Getting started series. Basic maybe, but think I will buy my own copy as there is a limit to how many times one can renew library books.

I am reading ...  Tomorrow - who knows by Alma Moore, widow of Ray Moore the broadcaster. Bought this in second hand bookshop in Wales. Also dipped into Something understood by Gerald Priestland. We had been searching through Martha's uni books and I found the book in there, not hers anyway. 

Now, why were we going though daughter's theology books? Someone at church is training to be a Reader and asked if Martha had any books on the Creed. She did.

I am hoping ... the books will help.

I am hearing ... building noises. The house next door but one is having the garage converted into a studio/study and a downstairs shower room behind so lots of noise there. Then on Saturday builders turned up next door to start extending. It was by chance we discovered the neighbours had resurrected their planning application. At the moment trees are being cut down, such a shame. They are extending at the back along the party line so we will have to lose one of our trees too.

This is the tree that will go so I will have ivy growing up the new wall, maybe clematis too. Hate trees being chopped down, but we have little choice as it is really in neighbour's way.

View sideways on. The wall on the left is being extended by 3 metres, my concern that the materials used will not match original which is pebble dash. It has never been redone, unlike rest of neighbour's property "well we cannot see it" said Mrs. S. Will look odd if we have facing brick for extension however much we cover it with plants and trellis.

A picture thought I am sharing ... 

I like the way the yarn makes a Fair Isle pattern and stripes. I find using a piece of contrast yarn attached to needle with a clove hitch is better than the fancy stitch markers. When needed, the old fashioned Ro-tally also marks the beginning of the round. Some times the old ways are best.

Hope all is well with my readers, drop by here, Facebook or in Ravelry. I'm off to keep Vitamin D levels up before the rains descend this afternoon.

Wedding weekend

ONDAY, MAY 09, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook: 9th May 2011

Outside my window ... sunshine, warmth, but a cool wind. Garden looks lovely, the rain that fell while we were away at nephew's wedding has helped the garden which was so dry. Ian worked on it yesterday, putting up supports for the tomato seedlings, weeding and tidying.

I am thinking ... how pleasant it is to be back home after a couple of days away. We didn't sleep too well, the bed in the hotel was very uncomfortable, well worn out would be polite. We filled in one of the comment cards, if no one tells the staff about the bed in room 78 how will they know it needs replacing. Also, was a small double and we are spoilt at home with a king size.


I am thankful ...  the ministry of Ann at our church, so upset she's left us.

From the kitchen ... chocolate brownies, well those not eaten by the reading group. Ian is becoming famous for chocolate brownies, in Mustardland and when I host the reading group.

I am wearing ... new narrow leg jeans, Gap grey & cream striped top 

I am creating ... second sock! Finished first one last week and am now on cuff of second one. Will be much faster cos understand what I'm doing and also using Magic Loop rather than 4 dpns.

I am going ... to last of this season's Borough of Twickenham History society meeting this evening, although there is the wine and cheese gathering in the summer some time.

I am reading ... Love in the Time of Cholera, well will be. Only given it this morning.

I am hoping ... to take over some of the chores from Ian so he can work on his maths. This morning he supported the book group meeting here by serving refreshments.

I am hearing ... silence of suburbia. 

Around the house ... still no sofas :(

One of my favourite things ... going out on the spur of the moment for lunch with Ian at Osteria Pulcinella in Twickenham, a non chain Italian restaurant. 

A few plans for the rest of the week ... helping at the local studies, now all the planning applications have finished I've signed up for other projects. Have offered to try and identify photographs of the borough from 1970s and 1980s or to do data entry. Don't mind mundane duties, it's not like a career and often the routine throws up interesting material.

A picture thought I am sharing ... 

The four of us at Ben and Carla's wedding. Slightly annoyed with myself about my dress, didn't realise that civil ceremonies require almost evening type outfits. Bought two dresses in East, the other one is linen and had a shawl in the same design but when I put it on decided it looked under dressed. Wore this one, it had gold embroidery so slightly more formal but in Indian cotton.

Find instructions and links to other daybooks at The Simple Woman

Simple Woman's daybook from London

Outside my window...is grey, rain and cold

I am thinking...about being more productive and not surfing on my lap top

I am thankful for..my darling husband, who drove daughter to work this morning and then went to Waitrose for shopping

I am wearing...grey wool trousers, pink t-shirt and pink jumper and red stripy socks

I am remembering...it is Lent and I should do more reading and contemplating

I am going... to put the new covers on our suite today, move cushions around; cover on the futon in the study and more cushions moved.

I am currently reading..."Woman's hour: celebrating 60 years of women's lives"

I am hoping...the wedding preparations go well for son and his fiancée

On my mind...the enjoyment obtained on Saturday at Tate Modern and The Anchor; how crowded and packed with people everywhere was.


Noticing that...the lighter evenings but still so cold

Pondering these words... That peace which the world cannot give.

From the kitchen... chocolate brownies made by Ian for the Mustardland Tate meet

Around the house... all of it, but especially the new bookshelves in the hall. So many books to read.

One of my favourite things ..a refreshing cup of tea