This Past Month....

I'm back.

This last month has flown by.

To be honest, I wasn't really sure what this post would be. I've been thinking A LOT about this space here. There is still an urge to say goodbye and hang up my thoughts. I was going to explain why, but it's long, and by doing it, it sort of means doing something that is partly the reason I would be saying ta-rah. That probably makes no sense and I'm not being very eloquent......

.......So......

I'm not going to think. I'm just going to let this post run away with me and see where it takes me today......

Term time has started. It's been rather nice to get back into a routine again. All the Bear's were ready to get back to a good routine again too.

The weather has played a big part in my mood this summer. I'm not sure why it has affected me so much this year. I have not been on speaking terms with Mr Weather these past couple of months. Many plans have gone awry, but I am trying to see the loveliness in it all! ha! Do I sound convincing?!

My furniture painting is still looking at me, with a rather indignant expression on its face. I promised it a new lease of life and it feels short changed. Never mind, there is next year.

There is definitely a shift in the seasons now. The mornings and evenings are nippier, there is a lot of morning dew, and the leaves are turning. I usually welcome Autumn whole heartedly.....this year though, I don't feel like we've had enough of a summer to relish the cooler days. Oh, I'm a true Brit, never happy with the British weather!

Cosy days have been had though. Cosy blankets, cosy candles and soft lighting, and scented candles to make the house smell all homely.....can't be all that bad.

Right enough on weather.

Let's talk craft.....

I have lots bubbling away in my head.

I started a blanket....

......no surprises there.

It's plain, but I am loving working on it. Even the Bear's are liking it. They keep touching it. It's a touchy feely kind of blanket. I'm two thirds of the way done. I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished. I've been wanting to make the pattern for such a long time. It's really lovely to scratch and itch and get it out of the system! One off the list anyway.

My patchwork blanket has been put on hold. The pastel colours are I think spring/summer working, so it's been put to one side. That's okay though, as I expected that to happen. Just as long as I made a note of pattern, hook size etc, so I can pick it up again and get going. I'm trying to be more organised and take notes when I start things. I'm trying really hard not to be so 'slap dash' about it all.

I seem to crave pastels over the summer months. Now.....after the blanket is done, I want colour....

BRIGHT COLOUR

I have been busy finding patterns and inspiration for things to make in the winter. Perhaps a big bright and colourful blanket. Something REALLY eye popping. Or, some bright scarf to knock your socks off. I'm not sure yet, but I know it's going to be full on colour, as bright as bright can be. I NEED colour. I'm CRAVING colour. It's filling my waking thoughts. As much as I am a pastels kind of 'gal, I need to balance it all out with bright bursts of colour. I just cannot seem to be one or the other. Living solely with colour creates too much 'noise' for me, and I need to retreat back to pastels for a while. After a whole summer of pastel colour, I get this HUGE thirst for 'brights' in my life.

Having said that, I was given some utterly gorgeous pattern books, and I'm itching to make something from them. That lovely white crochet top. The neck line sings to me.....oh and the long shrug....sigh........

I'm thinking they are 'Spring' makes though. The blue top is gorgeous, and it's a very reason to REALLY get to grips with knitting. I need to get myself signed up to a knitting group really. I think it's the only way. Either that, or I'm going to have to pay someone to knit it for me. I really should do the former.

I bought a magazine too, as I found a knitted top that inspired me. The magazine is called 'Twist' and currently on the supermarket shelves. It's the multi-coloured top shown in the first image. I'm not so keen on the colours but I love the pattern. Another reason to get better at knitting. I wish I was more of a natural at knitting, but it frustrates me. It's only because I'm an impatient so and so. Crochet is a much easier craft to get the hang of and master in no time.

Another Bella knit wrap though is on the cards though. I can get that. Belinda's pattern is just a dream pattern for someone like me. That will run alongside a bright crochet make. I have been busy eyeing up yarn for it.

My clean eating has sort of gone out of the window. With all the dark and wet days over the Summer, I think my Autumn/Winter comfort eating started early! EEEEEK.

As soon as the Bears said their goodbyes to the holidays and trotted back to school, I felt it was time to have a good old talk with myself. Cleaner eating has begun again in earnest, walking and rapid exercise has begun too. My clothes are not so happy with me, and we need to be on speaking terms again.

I did come across two GORGEOUS cook books though. Two of the best ones I've had for a while. The first was The Woman's Weekly 'In Season' book. Quite a big book (a bit of an issue when trying to use them in the kitchen), but packed full of gorgeous meals using seasonal foods. In the Autumn section, I'm really wanting to try 'Spiced Carrot Soup with Smoked Almonds', and 'Spiced Pumpkin and Honey Pies'. It was really inspiring actually, and I found myself bookmarking every other page. I'm a bit of a fan of the Woman's Weekly Recipe Books. I have one of their tray bake ones, and it's just amazing.

The other one was 'Seasonal Baking' by Fiona Cairns. Oh my, just lovely. Almost every Recipe sounded heavenly to read out, and the images of the food were just moreish. I want to try so many. In her Autumn section I'm loving 'Coffee, Cardamom and Walnut Cake', 'Sticky Toffee Apple Fairy Cakes', 'Spiced Butternut Mini Loaf Cakes' and 'Maple and Pecan Autumn Leaves'. Hummmmmm, how to balance this all out with healthy living and eating! Gah......

I have been perusing Pinterest in search of healthy meal options. A firm favourite seems to have been this. Adding grilled chicken and leeks makes it a good hearty meal, but just as it is really rather super too.

I managed to bag (forgive the pun) a couple of clutch bags at a heavily reduced price. I loved them so when I saw them a few months back, but thought I'd be good. Being good paid off, and I love their simple quirky-ness. Super Duper if you are a total bookworm (and love something a little different to shove your phone and wallet in on an relaxed evening out). The one shown is the big one. I got a couple of little ones also. I love a bit of 'off the wall'.

Right, I'd better go. I've run away with myself. I won't re-read or think about this post, I'll just press send.....

xxx