Boing, boing ... it's Spring

As I woke this morning the radio came on and 'Today is the first day of Spring' was what the happy chap was saying.   'Smile and welcome it into your world'

I've welcomed it today -

I changed my seasonal frame  :-  Goodbye winter ... hello Spring

 

 

There has been a little sunshine in the sky as well as lots of fluffy clouds today.  Much better than the rainy days we've been having.  Thank you Mother Nature

 

 

I walked in the garden and took note of the spring flowers and the bright colours

 

 

 

 

 

The whole world is living in uncertain times right now with Covid-19.  Things are changing hourly and we all need to find the happy and positive things in daily living. 

 

With my weekly chemotherapy and DH's heart operation that finally went ahead earlier this month so he too is vulnerable, we have been safe at home keeping the door firmly closed to all for a while.   My children have delivered food parcels when they have been able to get things and kept in touch by phone. 

 

I'm learning new things about technology.  It is such a good thing right now for everyone with exercise classes and peaceful and calming ideas online as well as the news that we all need to limit in our heads for our own wellbeing, but I do feel for those elderly who do not do it and are home alone. 

 

Many friends have been in contact to check on us, and we've called others.  I've never chatted so much on the phone, having fun and laughter as well as talking about how things are affecting our families and we've been supporting each other.

 

Some simple things we've enjoyed ....

 

I made a victoria sponge cake and filled it with homemade jam from the pantry.  That sparked a chat remembering the blackberries we harvested last autumn and that then brought the subject up about this years growing season at the community garden and how would that pan out over the coming growing season and months ahead?

 

 

I've knitted himself some hand warmers as he's feeling the chill still a little at times

 

 

A squishy parcel arrived filled with wool from a sale I couldn't resist last week.   

 

 

I've been reading quite a bit.  There is a list of books read this year in the left hand side bar.

 

A little stitching for an Easter exchange, but that might have to be postponed and celebrated later in the year.

 

Sending my love and blessings to you all as we walk this uncertain pathway. 

 

Keep your chin up and I hope you too find happy moments in each day. 

 

Stay safe and take care

 

Julie    

 

Gifted Gorgeousness ~ March

 

 

 

Three gifts to share for March's Gifted Gorgeousness post :-

 

 

A baby boy due next month for my oldest nephew and his wife.

 

Exactly the same blanket as his brother had for his new baby girl last month

 

 

Wrist warmers knitted for a friend with arthritis

 

 

This one is an oriental poppy and is going off in the post to Clare for her 'Bouquet Tree' for the Christmas tree festival at the church. 

 

I know a few of you are stitching a flower to add as well. You can read all about it here and add your name if you would like to make one for Clare's tree too. 

 

If you are not familiar with Gifted Gorgeousness, you can visit Jo's blog to find out more.  GG was started in 2015, a day of the month to share things that have been gifted to you, or you have gifted to others since your last months post. 

Learn more here.

 

Waving a hello to new visitors, there have been a few this past couple of weeks, nice to see you!

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie 

 

 

Cold hands, warm heart ... isn't that the saying?

I think I have said on here that DH is waiting for a heart operation. 

He was admitted to the hospital, in bed in the gown all ready for the procedure, soon after he was getting dressed again and we were heading back home. 

The Manager and Matron had decided to cancel his operation due to lack of intensive beds after three emergency admissions that morning. 

He's on some special medication, one of the side effects is suffering with very cold hands and feet.  He already wears hand knit cosy warm socks.  He asked me if I could knit some hand warmers for him to see if they help.

This weekend I've done just that and these are what he's now wearing and yes, they are keeping him a little warmer he says.

As for his procedure, we await another appointment.... got to love the NHS.

Love and blessings

Julie

Caring and sharing

Our weekly knitting group met again after the holiday break on Friday and it was lovely to see the ladies and the 1 gentleman who knits.   Yet more Christmas food eaten as one of our group is a WI judge and she had made a Christmas cake for us to try - it was delicious.

I had a surprise, a serendipitous surprise.......

Catching up on blog reading earlier this week, I saw over at Winwick Mum that Christine blogged 19th December that she had an exclusive booklet in Knit Now magazine Issue 111 for socks and not wanting to forget added it to my shopping list to purchase a copy when I went to do the weekly shop Friday afternoon hoping that the issue was still available.

I'm all for saving money and a bargain but I wasn't expecting what happened at the knit group, i did not get to buy the magazine in the end.   One of the ladies had the magazine bought for her and she is not a sock knitter.  She offered me the booklet and sock blockers that were the cover gifts as she would not use them. 

 

We have such a wealth of talent at our group.   Another gift that came my way was a bookmark which looks right at home in my new read.

 

A close up of the little charm on the end shows knitting pins and a little jumper. How cute is that? 

 

 
As this post is a knitting one here are some Christmas gifts I knitted.  The pattern is free at Ravelry.  You can find it under Susie Rogers' Reading Mitts.   They were a hit with all who received them.

 

 

 

Enjoy your weekend
 
Love and blessings
 
Julie