frayed at the edge

Flowers of Scotland

It was a much better morning when I headed out for my walk, so the camera came too!  The verges are now full of plants of all shapes, sizes and colours .........

 

dark pink clover

 

 

white clover

 

 

a fern unfurling

 

 

purple vetch

 

 

cow parsley

 

 

an aqualegia seed head

 

On a larger scale, the countryside is green and lush

 

 

 

Back home, I finished the little Linus quilt

 

 

Later, I organised the ingredients to make dinner - pork chops, onion, sage (freshly picked from the garden) and seasoning

 

 

A closer look at the seasoning - the inspiration for today's heading came from!  You can find it and other delicious seasonings here

 

 

I sliced the onion finely

 

 

and chopped the sage

 

 

I put the chops in an oven dish and put the sage on top

 

 

I spread the onion over the sage, then seasoned it well - doesn't it look lovely!

 

 

Then it was into the oven for about 30 minutes.  I served it with carrots and broccoli - delicious!

 

 

To finish, I thought I would show you the difference it makes to zoom in on the subject of the photo.  First, the field gate framed by hawthorn trees

 

 

But if I hadn't zoomed in, this would have been the photo - not quite so pleasing with Hawick in the background!

 
 

 

 

 

A very busy weekend!

I have lots to tell you and show you ...... so here goes!

On Saturday morning we went to Jedburgh for breakfast (just a roll and sausage, not the full works!).  We then had a potter round the charity shops - I didn't buy anything.  But, when we went into a recently opened antique shop ....... I saw a wonderful little pincushion made with Victorian coins.  I immediately wanted it, but having looked at the price tag, I couldn't really justify buying it.  As I stood gazing at it, Malcolm came over to see what I was looking at.  I showed it to him and said I really, really wanted it ..... and he said, well buy it (normally he drags me from the shop!)  So the little pin cushion came home with me!

 

the front

 

 

the back

 

 

the side with some pins

 

On our way home, we called in at a small craft fair in the village of Denholm.  I recently met one of the stallholders, and said I would pop in to see her.  Everything Jakki makes uses recycled materials.  You can see her two Etsy shops here and here.

 

 

In the afternoon, I went out to the studio, to finish making this week's knitting project, the peg beg.  I choose one of my (many) curtain samples for the lining

 

 

I pinned the two together .........

 

 

I stitched round the edge, leaving a gap to turn the bag through to the right side

 

 

I then stitched the sides

 

 

I should have put a coathanger in the peg bag, but I didn't have a suitable one, so Malcolm cut a piece of dowel and added a large cup hook

 

 

 

I enjoyed knitting this much more than some of the other projects - but again, the instructions for making it up were minimal - a diagram showing how to do the lining would have been helpful.  This week's project is a cushion cover.....

 

 

........ which I started yesterday.  The back is just stocking stitch, which was quick to knit, and I have now started on the three-coloured pattern

 

 

Yesterday afternoon was spent in the studio sewing.   I quilted the little Linus quilt - it was relatively quick to do, as I quilted it with straight lines

 

 

 

All that remains to do is trim it and put on the binding.  I have also finished another knitted blanket for Linus (it still has to pressed) - Jemima was quite happy to model it!

 

 

I've started another blanket, using some variegated yarn that I bought in the hardware shop in Jedburgh on Saturday!

 

 

To finish .... we spotted these beauties in the car park in Jedburgh on Saturday morning ..... but I don't think I would give up the comfort of my car for a motorbike and sidecar!

 

 

 

 

Shadow Shot Sunday

We have had some horrible weather this week, but when I got up to go for my early morning walk yesterday, finally the sun was shining, and there were lots of shadows.  To see who else has shadows to share, pop over to Hey Harriet

 

 

shadows on the church

 

 

shadows on the tree trunk (were you just looking at the horses!)

 

 

two more horses beyond the shadows

 

 

shadows on the gate post - but can you see the lamb to the right of the post?

 

 

a curious lamb, watching me as I took the photo

 

and a bit of fun to finish - if you knew what was in the wheelbarrow, you would know why it had been abandoned (a clue - there are several horses in the field!)

 

Please don't eat the daisies!

When I resumed my early morning walks last week, I decided that I wouldn't take the camera every morning, for two reasons:- first, it adds about 15 minutes to the walk if I keep stopping to take photos, and second, I should keep up my pace to get the exercise, not meander along taking photos.  So having taken the camera on Tuesday, that should have been it for this week, but it was such a nice morning, I took it again today ...... and was rewarded with this little rabbit enjoying its breakfast

 

 

The blossom may have gone over, but come the autumn, there will be apples in its place

 

 

These flowers are tiny - about the size of glass-headed pins

 

 

We had a change this afternoon for our Friday cake at patch'n'chat - a selection of cupcakes

 

 

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend - although as it is a Bank Holiday here, no doubt it will rain!  Love, Anne

 

 

 

International cuisine

When we were in Hawick this morning, we popped into Lidl, to see what was on special offer.  We came home with a rather mixed bag!

First, French potatoes ...... I know it seems strange to buy potatoes in a tin, but these are quite tasty, and handy to have in the larder for one of those busy days when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen

 

 

Next, some Greek cheese - good for grilling

 

 

Spanish chorizo - delicious diced and added to an omelette

 

 

And last, some French salami - tasty when thinly sliced and added to a salad (or put on top of a homemade pizza)

 

 

After lunch I did the ironing.  I often watch a DVD while ironing, so as there was rather a large pile to get through, I put on Lords of the Rings

 

 

While I was ironing, Malcolm was busy cleaning up a little coal scuttle that he bought in an antique shop yesterday (he was too efficient and I didn't get a 'before' shot!).  He then put a plant, which we bought this morning, in it

 

 

He also repotted the rubber plant, which has doubled in size since last year!  As you can see, he was watching the cricket - which had a delayed start because of rain

 

 

He also found pots for two other plants which we bought this morning(they were much cheaper if you bought two!)

 

 

 

 

Through in the back lounge, the yucca just gets bigger and bigger.  Soon we will be afraid to go in there, in case it turns into a plant from a horror film and attacks us!

 

 

This orchid flowered just before Christmas.  The last flower dropped off several weeks ago - but before I got round to cutting back the flower stem, two undeveloped buds suddenly filled out, and have now flowered (hooray, because this is my favourite orchid!)

 

 

........ although this one is a close second

 

Bouncing back!

Our oriental poppy in the front garden has been flattened by the wind and rain .......

 

 

..... but as you can see, one brave poppy has popped its head out

 

 

I have been doing a lot more work on my Baltimore block, but I've become increasingly more frustrated with the pattern.  In accordance with the instructions I cut out twelve flower petals,only to find that I actually need sixteen.  Then when I went to put more pieces in place, I found that the placement guide (which I assumed would be reasonably accurate) hasn't been drawn to scale, so the flowers didn't fit.  So I have abandoned the guide, and have arranged the pieces by eye.

 

 

I've added stems to the two big flowers, and moved the bud at the top - this is the next staged pinned in place and ready to stitch

 

 

Next, I got out the quilt top that I made recently for Project Linus.  Just before we went on holiday, I had bought three pretty pink fleeces which were in a sale in Sainsbury's - perfect to back small quilts with

 

 

I pinned the top and backing ......

 

 

...... and used masking tape to mark the first line to be quilted - I will just re-use the tape to mark the lines as I go

 

 

The weather still isn't very good - it is decidedly chilly for this time of year, so I think I will end with another holiday photo!

 

the magnificent roof of the Town Hall in Alcudia - and wonderful blue sky!
 

A brief interlude

The weather was much better when I went out for my walk this morning - although it turned out ot be a short lull in the very wet and windy weather.  One of the trees in the front garden has started to rock in the wind - we are just hoping it doesn't fall over before we get the chance to get a bigger stake to give it extra support.  But while I was out this morning, the sun was shining and the animals were all looking at their best in the fields.  There are some ewes and lambs in the first field that I pass - although it was bright, it was also chilly, and the lambs were cuddled up to their mums

 

 

It is getting difficult to take photos of animals in the fields, as the hedges and verges are now growing vigourously ...... this hedge is over six feet high!

 

 

So unless I suddenly grow a lot taller (not very likely) or take a step ladder with me (pretending I'm a press photographer), I shall just have to do some creative shots through gaps!

 

 

 

 

The lambs are much bigger now and are much less dependent on having therir mums nearby - these three were quite content to stand watch me walk past, instead of running back into the field

 

 

Fortunately there was no high hedge to stop my getting a photo of these beauties

 

 

Just after I took the photo, they started chasing the sheep they share the field with - it was quite funny to watch!

 

 

Just before we went on holiday, one of the neighbours had a load of logs delivered.  They are still lying in a heap in front of his house, so when I walk past every morning, I have the naughty thought that I could 'accidently' pick one up (or perhaps I should pick up one in each hand to maintain my posture).  I am sure the logs would rather be neatly stored in our log store, rarher than lying in an untidy heap in the wind and the rain!

 

 

Back at the first field, the ewes and lambs were up and going about their day.  This little lamb was the only one paying any attention to me, as I headed home for breakfast

 

Drookit!!

When the alarm went off this morning at 6.30, I stumbled crawled was pushed by Malcolm leapt out of bed, looked out the window ...... and seriously considered getting straight back under the covers!  It was wet and windy - not at all inviting for a three mile walk.  However, memories of all those cakes eaten on holiday compelled me to get dressed and head out the door.  It wasn't too bad at first, the rain was light and the wind was behind me.  But on the way back, I was walking into the wind, then the rain got heavier and heavier.  When I got home, I had to get stripped off in the kitchen, as I was thoroughly soaked and dripping!  I had to put the airer in the bath and leave my things to drip - they are still wet!

 

 

This was the view from the lounge later this morning - not the sort of weather we expect well into May!

 

 

Did you notice that there was no knitting update last week?  Things didn't quite go to plan on holiday.  The first project was the shelf edging - not that I have any shelves that I would want to put edging on, but as it is knitted in cotton, I thought that it might look nice on the edge of a towel.  However, after working three repeats of the pattern, I decided that I really didn't like it and wasn't going to waste time knitting any more.  I haven't blocked or pressed it, which no doubt would improve it .....

 

 

I think this stitch with all the loops is a bit strange - it looks like a parachute!

 

 

The second project was a tealight cover ....... and I have to admit that although it was just a little thing, it didn't get finished on holiday!  It's one of those patterns where you are constantly counting the stitches, and ad we were always chatting in the evenings, I kept losing my place, so I gave up and finished it last week when we got home!

 

 

This week's project is more substantial - a peg bag knitted in aran wool

 

 

I could also have a go at knitting something from this magazine which I bought on holiday ........

 

 

........ although I think I will have more success using these patchwork magazines ...... 

 

 

....... and these cross stitch/craft magazines

 

 

We regularly passed a field with sheep and lambs, but as it was on a busy road, Malcolm was never able to slow down enough for me to take photos ....... then last Tuesday, on the way to the airport, he had to make an emergency stop, as there were sheep and lambs on the road!  (this is for Thimbleanna - who loves all things sheepie!)

 

 

 

Shadow Shot Sunday

I have some very different photos today - all the way from Majorca!  Yes, we have been on holiday, but Tracy popped me into Mr Linky so that I could still post my weekly fix of shadows while I was away - unfortunately though, I wasn't able to visit to see yours!  As always, to see more shadows from around the world, pop over to Hey Harriet

 

 

Malcolm was in the window seat, so he took this photo of the plane's shadow as we came into land

 

 

early morning sun in our villa's lounge

 

 

a chair on the terrace

 

 

shadows and reflections in the sea

 

 

our evening shadows on the beach

 

 

a parasol beside the pool

 

 

early morning shadows and reflections

 

And to end ..... I fished this grasshopper out of the pool - but alas I was too late to save him!!

 

 

 

A change to the routine

There was no patch'n'chat this afternoon, as a quilting group from Dunfermline was visiting the shop (it's that time of year, when groups have day trips to far flung shops before the summer break!).  So after our usual Friday morning doing the housework, we had some lunch, then headed off to the garden centre to get some plants to put in the pots at the studio door - hopefully I will get the planting done tomorrow.  The herbs that we planted before we went on holiday have grown rapidly ..... Malcolm is attributing this to his homemade compost, which he put in the bottom of the pot!

 

 

The plant that we think is a wisteria has also grown a lot  ....... but it doesn't look as if it will flower

 

 

However, there will soon be lots of colour just to the left of it, as the lupin is starting to flower

 

 

One of my favourite flowers is also providing lots of colour - deep pink osteospermums.  The sun was shining on the flower, and as I took the photo from directly above so that you can't see the stem, it looks as if it is floating over the garden!

 

 

I thought you might like to see how Malcolm's poor sore finger is now, three weeks since he hurt it.  It no longer painful to use it, but he thinks there is a good chance he will lose the nail (yeugh!)

 

 

Of course, usually at this point in Friday posts I show you the cake we have had at patch'n'chat ........ so as there wasn't one today, I'll show you two more of the delicious ones we had on holiday

 

 

 

I hope you all have a good weekend - I haven't done any sewing since we got back (too busy with washing and ironing!) so I hope to get into the studio tomorrow.  Love, Anne