Froglet

Next time I mention a craft project will someone please remind me that I do not need to buy felt, yarn, wadding, interfacing or autumn fabrics! I have just been hunting through my mess carefully curated craft resource collection and discovered plenty of all of the above. I did not, however, discover the yellow and orange fabrics I was actually looking for and know I have somewhere because of the time I bought a load to make chicks to put Easter eggs in. To be fair, I did make lots of the chicks and gifted them but knew I had fabric leftover. I'm now exhausted from searching for what I want, have ribbons and fabric all over the dining table and think I need to sit down with a cup of tea and my knitting!

She is very sweet! I love the hair especially!

Glad you've had a restful week Sunnyday and Louby belated happy birthday! I went to see/help out at a friend's Gilbert and Sullivan performance this week, finished a book that I loved and baked a victoria sponge cake which I haven't done for ages. I have just received my post which included a proper letter from a friend. I have developed a habit of writing a 'Sunday note' each week (although it often gets done on a Monday!) and send them to all sorts of people - the letter this morning was a reply to that. I have succumbed to getting fairy making supplies so will be joining you in my making attempts Louby. I have nearly finished my tricky socks and have just received the most beautiful purple yarn which I want to use to make an 18th birthday pair of socks for my nephew. The garlic I planted in December is growing well and I have lots of other bulbs peeping through - very exciting! Happy weekend all!

They were good Zigzag. The recipe is the National Trust one - you can google it but it comes up with links to facebook pages/instagram etc. I've put the one I think easiest to read here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1191744535656184&set=a.542363183927659&id=100044619450793 By the way - I halved the mix and it still made 8 big scones. They kept well.

I was quite tempted by the carrots. In the course of my epic spare room sorting out I have discovered several cotton pulp eggs - I think I bought them when we were doing some work around penguins and needed a penguin egg for each of 4 classes. The cheapest way to get them was to get packs of assorted sizes consequently I have all the leftovers - I may need to do a spring project or two!

Sunnyday, glad to hear all went well. Louby - I think that’s what’s known as enabling…😉 I took advantage of a dry couple of hours yesterday and went to admire the snowdrops at Kedleston. There were hundreds of daffodils starting to spike through the ground so I shall plan to go back in a couple of weeks when they’re in bloom and will look stunning. Other than that I have finally made a little more progress on my sock and been immersed in a book as well as eating chocolate cherry scones.

Absolutely, thoughts are with you.

Experimenting always a good plan - I think that she uses wool in whatever skin colour she chooses to wrap them - which (as far as I'm concerned) is a good reason to buy more yarn!

You already have pipecleaners?! I thought I did but I'm not sure where so may have to get some more just in case... I did find myself researching appropriate yarn to crochet little hats for them. Definitely need wooden beads and cotton yarn for the arms - in a variety of colours in case I decide to make lots of different types! 😂 I mean just a few things although I may also need to get a couple of new notebooks to document the making process and write stories involving the fairies in.

Enjoy your shopping - could you get a couple of bits for me too? I am very tempted to have a go at a snowdrop or daffodil fairy.

You're welcome to hide here! Fire's on, kettle's on, pudding's warming. I quite like ironing so look up emmasflowergarden and bring the ironing with you!

Sunnyday - glad you're getting things in place. Nothing like timing your comments hey?! Zigzag - beautiful photo. I had a friend from school round for tea last night. I made individual sticky toffee puddings and the smallest I could make the recipe still made 5 puddings so if anyone wants to pop up for leftovers you'd be welcome. I've put the fire on early today because it's so miserable. I have finished a book today - The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier. I always really enjoy her books. I think my next read is going to be a cosy crime from the library. Talking of crafts - has anyone come across emmasflowergarden on instagram - I am very tempted to have a go at making one of her flower fairies! Nothing in particular planned for the weekend or next week. I'm feeling a little out of sorts at the moment so I think I might just get cosy and hide for a few days.

I love the fact that so far we are a group of people who don't 'do crowds'. I have just finished a lovely family weekend but am tired! My funny moment from this weekend was on arriving at my parents house this morning my youngest nephew (2 1/2) was just coming down the stairs with the light up magnifying glass my mum uses for reading (I hope she got it back - he was much taken with it). He saw me and said 'Aunty Froglet got dressy, Aunty Froglet go walkies?) Cue much laughter as his mum translated this to Aunty Froglet's got a dress on, she looks nice, is she going out?!

I demand photos! Sorting my spare room (of doom) is eternally on my list and it is mostly filled with craft stuff. At the moment I seem to just be moving it from one side of the room to the other! I went for a walk at Calke the other day and the woods were filled with snowdrops - such a joyous, hopeful sight. They are filling their 'auricula' with pots with all the different varieties they have - who knew there were so many! I have almost finished a second sock - a new to me pattern which had a stitch pattern which required much counting. It's been worth it and I'm inspired to have a go at other sock patterns now. Family weekend this weekend to celebrate my sister's 50th. I'm doing food for Saturday night (just jacket spuds and assorted toppings) and have just finished baking a salted caramel sponge cake for a birthday cake. Apparently my youngest niece (9) is bringing her crochet down for a mentoring session with Aunty Froglet. I showed her some basics when I visited in the autumn and she requested a 'crochet kit' for Christmas so I put one together from a bag I made and lots of mini balls wound from my stash. I'm thrilled she's enjoying it. She is also very into Swallows and Amazons. My brother reads with her each night and had borrowed a load of my childhood favourites from me - she loved Swallows and Amazons and has been playing it - making maps, creating dens under the stairs to be the camp and roping her 2 year old brother in to play key roles! Have a good weekend everyone!

Sending you both love Sunnyday, I'm glad you were able to be with her. Take care all.

I think it's both!

Sorry to hear that Sunnyday, sending good wishes your way. Zigzag/Louby - another one for the overthinking club here! I have had a very lazy week so nothing much to report! Have a good weekend everyone, take care.

Good to hear you are safe. Hope it's not too long until you get water back.

Glad to hear that Mousie, hope Zigzag is ok.

I thought about both of those but in the end decided on a risotto. Every Friday I do a 'clear the fridge' meal where I aim to use up any odds and ends that are left in the fridge before re-stocking the next day. It's usually some kind of roast veg with pasta or a vegetable fritter and an egg! Sometimes I'll make a small portion of soup for lunch (just one portion as opposed to the batch I usually make for a week).

Good morning 'tis Friday. Hope you're all safe in the weather. Productive week here doing various 'life admin' type jobs. Went into town yesterday to spend a book token I got so have those to look forward to (not that I don't have enough books to be getting on with!). Planning to go and see some of the Kanneh-Masons at the weekend (can't remember which ones without routing out my ticket at the moment) so am hoping that the weather still allows for that to go ahead. Other than that, sock knitting is slow - I got stuck with the new pattern and took a couple of days for me to regain enough patience to have another go with it! Contemplating what I can do with a leek and some ham for my 'clear the fridge' tea tonight and writing the menu plan for next week! Take care all, have a good weekend.

If that's what your friend wants to do absolutely! Having said that it was glorious outside today and the cold is the best excuse for hot chocolate or hot spiced apple juice! Plus balaclavas absolutely essential!

I know those conversations Mousie! Christmas was at my sister's and New Year's was just quiet. Bitterly cold here too but so glorious with the sunshine and bright, clear skies. Went for a lovely walk at Calke yesterday with a friend and today was just errands around town. I've decided to try and keep a nature journal - the intent being to help keep me moving and getting outside regularly! Started a new pair of socks today. It's a textured pattern with patterned yarn which means it doesn't show up brilliantly but I am really trying to use up some of my stash of yarn! Having said that I did get yarn money/vouchers for Christmas so have a couple of bigger, new projects in mind!

Happy New Year to you all!

Merry Christmas to all of you!