Easter ~ not as we know it

 

It's the Easter weekend, a very different one for everyone this year with the lockdown in place here in the UK and across the world in lots of other countries too

 

Hubby and I have been at home for 29 days now.  We are not allowed out for the daily exercise.

 

I had a phone call from the GP to say I needed to go to the surgery Wednesday morning for my routine chemo blood test, apparently it was safer for me to visit there gloved and masked than for a nurse to come into my home.  Must admit I was scared, but all went ok, didn't see another person other than the receptionist behind the screen and the nurse who took the blood and then back home 'shielding' as they call it. 

 

 

What's been happening here recently?

 

My little tree is filled with Spring/bunny ornaments

 

 

 

A couple of Easter cards arrived in the post ...

 

 

 

I stitched and made up the Easter exchange for Needlecraft Haven.  It's a secret under the pretty tissue paper and will be mailed out later when we can.

 

 

 

 DH has been busy playing with a puzzle.  Time to break it up and start a new one.

 

  

My daughter delivered a food parcel last week.   We've been so grateful to both of my children for their help in feeding us.  We have now been awarded a weekly slot from a local supermarket which begins next week. 

 

Inside the food bag that was left outside the door was a surprise.  My granddaughter Isabelle had put in her latest read.  She had finished it, really enjoyed it and wanted me to read it so we could chat about it when we had a face to face phone call.  I read the first book of this series after she finished that one and this is Book 2.   I've read it and it is a funny childrens book and I can see why it is popular. 

 

I've knitted a pair of socks. 

 

These are using the Pairfect wool by Arne and Carlos.   It's been in my stash for quite a while and seemed like the perfect opportunity to do some mindless round and round knitting to help me to relax.

 

Instructions inside the ball band tell you to pull out from the middle of the ball of yarn, and start as the yellow stops and the colour begins (forgot to take a pic of the start, this is the end of the ball when I had finished the socks, but you get the idea)

 

 

  

 

Knit the rib till the colours begin and continue until the solid colour starts for the help flap, continue as normal along the foot length and then you get the solid colour for the toe - of course there would be a little of the black extra in the foot length if you wanted it longer than I did.   You pull the rest of the yarn (black in my case) until you get to the yellow again and follow that until it re-starts the black for the second sock making the perfect 'Pairfect' pair.

 

 

 

The only thing I wasn't keen on was the actual length of the cuff and leg.  The rib is much longer than I would normally do thus making it quite a long leg length.  DH likes it and it fits so all good.  

 

 

 

Would I buy it again?   Probably not.

 

I'm reading a new book (recommended by Justine).  It's about a guy who runs a vinyl record shop.   Inside the front cover it gives you a link to the playlist of the records mentioned in the book.  I've listened to that, very entertaining.

 

I did read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and the follow on The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by the same author, both of which I enjoyed, so fingers crossed this one is as good.

 

 

 

 

 Yesterday I listened to the Good Friday service online by our city cathedral.  The organist playing from his own home. The readings by the congregation in their homes.  It was quite different but I wanted to support those who had taken time to make it happen this year.  We usually have actors and a street play in the city which is very well attended. 

 

This afternoon, I sat under the big umbrella in the garden and listened to an online meditation.  I'm so thankful for my garden right now.  Looking out of the conservatory windows and seeing it come to life is as good as being sat out there for short bursts.  The recent few days of warm weather has really brought it to life.

 

I hope you enjoy your Easter weekend in the best way you can

 

 

 

 

Love and blessings from my home to yours

 

Take care and stay safe

 

Julie