Time to get my act together

I'm struggling to get my head around Finn and Angus going back to school today. We've had such a lovely, if very busy, half-term. Altho' I had packed-lunches sorted and school uniforms laid out last night I really wasn't mentally prepared this morning. But we did get to school on time with no major hiccups along the way.

We even managed to find Angus' five best friends to hand invites to for his 6th birthday party in a couple of weeks time (we're going to build a den in the woods at my parent's house and, as long as its not too wet, we'll have a wee fire and roast marshmallows and sausages (cooked in advance!)).

Over the holidays we spent a few nights at my mum and dad's house (which we use like a country retreat -we wish- when they are away) and we visited a friend up near Aviemore. She has a 4 month old baby. It was lovely to meet him for the first time. He's very cute and they're all very happy.

My new red fabric arrived as did deep, dark purple buttons, lavender and green ribbon for working up my lavender bags. That's my main plan for this week and I really don't have any excuses now I have all the 'bits'......hope that's not setting myself up for a failure!



My knitting has progressed. Still ever so slow but its going to be huge for Islay so I don't need to panic for a year or two at least. Charlie the cat seems to love it too. He's the most laid-back cat ever, I fear he'll have serious problems with middle-age spread, and he's incredibly child friendly. But he does have the most annoying habit - he pulls washing off radiators and sleeps on it. And once the first is no longer cosy-warm from the radiator he'll move on to the next nice clean item and pull it down etc etc. Aaarrrggghhh. And now he seems to like my knitting too.



I noticed when I was taking the picture of the knitting that it showed off my embriodered cushion covers. I have two of these hand-emboidered covers which are made by Shangaan women in their traditional embroidery styles. One of the features I love about them is that the women who make them often put their name on too. The bird was sewn by Selina and the giraffe by Nelly. I have often eyed-up their wall hangings but haven't ever been quite able to justify buying one.





Yesterday afternoon, as we set off to walk the dogs, I had myself steeled for all sorts of misshaps. Perhaps expecting the worst is the way to go because we all had a great time. No one got lost, no one fell over and we all got home without a raised word! I think luck must have been on my side because we were certainly a recipe for disaster. The boys had their scooters, Islay was pushing her pushchair, complete with Poppy, (who was having another naked-lad moment and had to be dressed first), I had my niece in the proper pushchair and we had two dogs. I even took the camera. I love afternoons that work out!



I'm planning to make a roman blind for our stair wondow. Its pretty big (about 1.3m by 2m) and I haven't tried making a blind before. I have found what seems a reasonable guide on the Channel 4 website from Kirstie Allsop's Homemade Home. Does anyone know where I can easliy get all the bits I need - rings, dowling, cord etc etc? I'm sure I can track some down but I just thought I'd ask first!



Also, I'm on an asking roll here, can anyone recommend any good bread recipes? I used to make bread lots as a student and, being a student, didn't use a recipe. Now, it was rather a long time ago, I haven't the foggiest recollection what I used to do but I'd really like to give it a go again. I have been making a quick loaf with buttermilk and self-raising flour. Its yummy and I'll write about it later this week (she says hopefully) but it somehow doesn't feel like proper bread without kneading and rising. Any ideas very gratefully received!