tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91053829866644269592024-03-16T01:10:22.844+00:00Coco Rose DiariesCoco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.comBlogger357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-16907405077081157772023-11-08T11:19:00.000+00:002023-11-08T11:19:53.403+00:00Summer's End.....<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQpyigQ4aOlr9VoSYkU8kBRo-4UPxJhBsM-YSc3Lm8YdfAuo4d5YSHSpG0hRGJBM4hLOAP3hOqaW6ruhccIhfS0SvMtx3TWGERLbhlreKkYVSil_UU5DQiij-zVJa80uMhYJH4GttyEnNh_S9WdmggrV0IaaTOSvLcLDZRzPjZeL7VpYQxiCoNmBwtSU/s1561/IMG_8062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1177" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQpyigQ4aOlr9VoSYkU8kBRo-4UPxJhBsM-YSc3Lm8YdfAuo4d5YSHSpG0hRGJBM4hLOAP3hOqaW6ruhccIhfS0SvMtx3TWGERLbhlreKkYVSil_UU5DQiij-zVJa80uMhYJH4GttyEnNh_S9WdmggrV0IaaTOSvLcLDZRzPjZeL7VpYQxiCoNmBwtSU/w482-h640/IMG_8062.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">When I was younger, when asked, I would say that Winter was my favourite season. I enjoyed the frosty days. I enjoyed being wrapped up and seeing my breath expelled in the chilly air. When I was in my mid teens, coats were really annoying things to lug around a secondary school; I would happily brave the frosty winter mornings with just a scarf around my neck and a school bag. I never seemed to feel the cold. EVER. The chill felt fresh and exhilarating. Spring was alright, just always 'damp' to me. I never quite saw beyond that. Summer was annoying. I was pale and never suited sun. I never quite saw beyond that either. Autumn envisaged shades of orange, my least favourite colour. I was never a fan of Autumn coming. Orange.......orange.......orange. Everywhere. YUCK!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Fast forward quite a few years. I have grown to appreciate all the seasons in equal measure. Age, and wisdom, make you view things from other angles. If I'm honest though, Winter, which I loved so many years ago, annoys me somewhat. I appreciate it....but it annoys me. It seems we rarely get a crisp frost these days where I live. It's usually just grey and damp. I really struggle with it. Often, throughout this season, the grey just seems relentless. On those rare days where the days are bitter but full of sunshine, I feel quite alive. They really are rare though. Grey, dull days, it's when I just want to hibernate. Continuous grey dull days make me feel quite depressed and hermit like.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I now view Spring as the birth of the new.......not just the damp I used to see. Shoots and emerging greenery that offer hope of better days to come. I'm totally on board with that and relish the brighter days with excitement.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Summer, I've grown to somewhat enjoy. I no longer dread with a vigour. Colour. Lots of it. Long days filled with light. I do love light. I adore waking up to sunshine. I'm an early bird and waking up at 4 and seeing the day begin is just so beautiful and uplifting. Sitting on my little back step in the bright early mornings. Cup of tea in hand, and still a sleepy house crew. That cannot be beaten. I still can't get on board with the whole heat issue. What can I say? I'm a true English Rose. I don't sunbathe. I wilt in heat. I like shade. The long sunlit days more than make up for it though. Dog walks in late evening watching the sun go down. There is a big hill behind my house with a copse right at the top. Surrounding the copse are benches. It's a big dog walkers hill, but in the Summer evenings, you get a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the valley. People go up there with evening picnics and bottles of wine, just enjoying that gorgeous golden light. It's a wonderful place to watch the day begin its wind down.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Autumn. Well, Autumn has been a very slow grower over the years. I still struggle with the whole orange theme (I know. It's ridiculous), but I have grown to look to the things I really do love in this season. Nature gets sleepy. I LOVE how it gets sleepy. I love the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. Conkers on the ground. I love the 'nip' in the morning air and the low lying early morning mist. I love the smell of damp decay in the forest. The smell of bonfires in the distance. The chance to start the evening candle ritual. Rummaging through drawers finding scarves and accessories I'm going to want to start wearing. I love that. That MORE than makes up for 'orange' these days.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This Summer, flew by. Time seems to speed up exponentially as you get older. I try to get off the fast wheel often now just to take it all in. Sometimes your head is just so far down and in the thick of things, you forget to look up, stand back, and take a moment to see where you are in life. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-S7I3hE2RS9y8o9qHU7bY0kWBjyZHz55OFXdNhE80EoBHywxnev9JaT9-cywaEMRUwrrbZqTbzqesa3BoSSYi5ukgQnoyjIl40K4Y_4V75AL8i6Mw5umvVKCE7TQ7UdozxR7l8ilpW-808mMdm8qZI1C2IjXAEokUA5lNUuSYUlir2IXDEWpHFdq5oE/s4096/IMG_7358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-S7I3hE2RS9y8o9qHU7bY0kWBjyZHz55OFXdNhE80EoBHywxnev9JaT9-cywaEMRUwrrbZqTbzqesa3BoSSYi5ukgQnoyjIl40K4Y_4V75AL8i6Mw5umvVKCE7TQ7UdozxR7l8ilpW-808mMdm8qZI1C2IjXAEokUA5lNUuSYUlir2IXDEWpHFdq5oE/w640-h426/IMG_7358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief5Zx1WBU8C_EBvXhfeShLzin6YccgVhUxFnGsCbacbXnkKX29gOCD-kT9woPt9MzLp1pwIU0F7vIatvT-4cnUF4XRC8GOT5JofInOIpDAMhs3QtfHZx9Bry027M3RcKxv5_qziX9DX2CA2N45aXVn5H8WLYnnnryzebfQ_W3y3iGIjkfTF27Jx4g4cU/s4096/IMG_7360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief5Zx1WBU8C_EBvXhfeShLzin6YccgVhUxFnGsCbacbXnkKX29gOCD-kT9woPt9MzLp1pwIU0F7vIatvT-4cnUF4XRC8GOT5JofInOIpDAMhs3QtfHZx9Bry027M3RcKxv5_qziX9DX2CA2N45aXVn5H8WLYnnnryzebfQ_W3y3iGIjkfTF27Jx4g4cU/w640-h426/IMG_7360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNBZ-NbUJw3Bd0X0YKdRo254WXf1iZhd2rCswEE8Nw5lMzhqEHkFSEQz4Q24nSwZ7YvHT3DfRU9h6PYybkMHSP9MzxMBLhemz2hF-o4Xd0NO4BdefBCWitrF2JWknkzJpgb7-GdV-Jn2syr4M8W8OnoF3UjJOLHfMFL-HYpt99RqOJK4YFNffDiUkWAw/s4032/IMG_9049.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNBZ-NbUJw3Bd0X0YKdRo254WXf1iZhd2rCswEE8Nw5lMzhqEHkFSEQz4Q24nSwZ7YvHT3DfRU9h6PYybkMHSP9MzxMBLhemz2hF-o4Xd0NO4BdefBCWitrF2JWknkzJpgb7-GdV-Jn2syr4M8W8OnoF3UjJOLHfMFL-HYpt99RqOJK4YFNffDiUkWAw/w480-h640/IMG_9049.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjLymaq7ATJVmWoFVQH7XB2TBIGvQo8LO6TWqzwzbHA9eFWNbPymq8l5WYLRVn9ymQU4RJ-2AjME3quYgleWj1XhZzWj5txv6qyqm7pG6TuEwydNLQMFUzYsGe_U6XKGR5Btdp9dHXkLD1zRf_fvhG20suNteCELFIq5r5vBS3XUY0kRJ3eTqltejq6c/s4032/IMG_9050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjLymaq7ATJVmWoFVQH7XB2TBIGvQo8LO6TWqzwzbHA9eFWNbPymq8l5WYLRVn9ymQU4RJ-2AjME3quYgleWj1XhZzWj5txv6qyqm7pG6TuEwydNLQMFUzYsGe_U6XKGR5Btdp9dHXkLD1zRf_fvhG20suNteCELFIq5r5vBS3XUY0kRJ3eTqltejq6c/w480-h640/IMG_9050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OLcKy5ofDyCIOlcvP6RQTaAKVG0AJc0Pcrd4xVbDZ17tlHhUBQ7TW34kcMfzVN8hPm9GmjaHT_kxTeotM-mY9tR3qxfy1zt-LmKiFWd3iS2UDVolvoK7kzmYOwDcwTovcgrdutFqKUHz1tUWvFN7TX6MlZOx62TVrU19vXSJHlpME3MSmG-6umjMOBs/s2726/986914E7-DDAA-4456-A58E-C36351CC5770.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="2726" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OLcKy5ofDyCIOlcvP6RQTaAKVG0AJc0Pcrd4xVbDZ17tlHhUBQ7TW34kcMfzVN8hPm9GmjaHT_kxTeotM-mY9tR3qxfy1zt-LmKiFWd3iS2UDVolvoK7kzmYOwDcwTovcgrdutFqKUHz1tUWvFN7TX6MlZOx62TVrU19vXSJHlpME3MSmG-6umjMOBs/w640-h640/986914E7-DDAA-4456-A58E-C36351CC5770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">It was a mixed bag of weather this summer, but I was sure to make the most of the good days...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGR3A8CUTIqQhpwbGrSBbwPlW8hxWCp6_5yLGo1Y9NRRwNs5QFJBIzc19xCqQaa43_-zLi4J_vIzLklWKABEGPcbE_w_R2VY4EBVuPjCWvO5xLXpwD9USL3Gkh2TXZYHAaX5FbqVuVce14sYQSCpNn6B3GYRpACuOeEuiPnRNdDIumRG9WigMlvNuJr8/s6000/IMG_3378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGR3A8CUTIqQhpwbGrSBbwPlW8hxWCp6_5yLGo1Y9NRRwNs5QFJBIzc19xCqQaa43_-zLi4J_vIzLklWKABEGPcbE_w_R2VY4EBVuPjCWvO5xLXpwD9USL3Gkh2TXZYHAaX5FbqVuVce14sYQSCpNn6B3GYRpACuOeEuiPnRNdDIumRG9WigMlvNuJr8/w640-h426/IMG_3378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYma99LDxQRH4GElIwSz68oGo60OfbMbwMG25OKFPdGU1j-_RultKsA7AsIjxblS8ehDq_hS9cSD7pPFmc_sucb-Es8hCgObz5s-vlwmvsDxUAA3gJXGnmbxkh2o2VYaX1Z6ykCYDSFzDIbdYnoL6eE3nfSBXcIVz2Y5SCFSCkAinlcHze_nlwTX9aio/s6000/IMG_3460.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYma99LDxQRH4GElIwSz68oGo60OfbMbwMG25OKFPdGU1j-_RultKsA7AsIjxblS8ehDq_hS9cSD7pPFmc_sucb-Es8hCgObz5s-vlwmvsDxUAA3gJXGnmbxkh2o2VYaX1Z6ykCYDSFzDIbdYnoL6eE3nfSBXcIVz2Y5SCFSCkAinlcHze_nlwTX9aio/w426-h640/IMG_3460.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoax3mPGXT9wInt9pJ_tZc3fISwdiQPPhKnMuM_vJaJxY_oy7bqdEViF0HenHz4c4SvtoxvrD5QrAWEvHzkhpwu6kP7guZkTnnxO2uNC2ZIYkUUmSvquaIwy4Vnwt3t7obpekVYpvQKIp1F0Btv4bh9D6Cbmd1G9UqSiSBhPX0M4qO89WIZ_VWHFOZmuI/s4096/IMG_7362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoax3mPGXT9wInt9pJ_tZc3fISwdiQPPhKnMuM_vJaJxY_oy7bqdEViF0HenHz4c4SvtoxvrD5QrAWEvHzkhpwu6kP7guZkTnnxO2uNC2ZIYkUUmSvquaIwy4Vnwt3t7obpekVYpvQKIp1F0Btv4bh9D6Cbmd1G9UqSiSBhPX0M4qO89WIZ_VWHFOZmuI/w640-h426/IMG_7362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH39dTez4gquiHUWC10-5LZVnY0vzEeR_DBNVVsTXpfxNnP3g4WihW_v-YDRG7uVDe54uIIk_sYj1-Wfz6R-UXr76yiGo7LP-KWvsPwTIHvKD2ARw0cEFGOtU_hDnLad4GeK7gT6qHwoTFU6RPCotj-p8puT0MUJNXdpi1_wwJhPmsZn0oeYtDEtiMkA/s4096/IMG_7366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="2731" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH39dTez4gquiHUWC10-5LZVnY0vzEeR_DBNVVsTXpfxNnP3g4WihW_v-YDRG7uVDe54uIIk_sYj1-Wfz6R-UXr76yiGo7LP-KWvsPwTIHvKD2ARw0cEFGOtU_hDnLad4GeK7gT6qHwoTFU6RPCotj-p8puT0MUJNXdpi1_wwJhPmsZn0oeYtDEtiMkA/w426-h640/IMG_7366.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrnzWxAPeUmCyKaenKvO0jMgeYjUgbQFbpLLF5KxIdFnpyHFjYiZzTQF8ewcdVkyLMcqI31648roPtWfN0eez1UyqgXY6PaqPdgBXr3pEUxnp-wLKKmVHhDcqOa0LlEmZTs81FSfIwz0WrkMnalws89pSgepI7RqQ_K0ob5i3Hkp7oDWfL-aP7jVYv5M/s4032/IMG_7684.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrnzWxAPeUmCyKaenKvO0jMgeYjUgbQFbpLLF5KxIdFnpyHFjYiZzTQF8ewcdVkyLMcqI31648roPtWfN0eez1UyqgXY6PaqPdgBXr3pEUxnp-wLKKmVHhDcqOa0LlEmZTs81FSfIwz0WrkMnalws89pSgepI7RqQ_K0ob5i3Hkp7oDWfL-aP7jVYv5M/w640-h480/IMG_7684.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECrqlF1DBW48Eni7jXe4nsjF72Drj8ZUmv_xv6Rs-1_R9CN9qDvZO0iaLRNzKGdQu9JGVaN_fo-IdlqAtxWjHUAcpOGE52SgziWbAK7YyH4TR_bbulNeopG6GWYCIsmRRPvP1F6PqvTL8Qs0-gzUQGcRksQkPdmZRkUOmnjwTR_Mbx5DEPj04A1Qy5vQ/s4032/IMG_8160.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECrqlF1DBW48Eni7jXe4nsjF72Drj8ZUmv_xv6Rs-1_R9CN9qDvZO0iaLRNzKGdQu9JGVaN_fo-IdlqAtxWjHUAcpOGE52SgziWbAK7YyH4TR_bbulNeopG6GWYCIsmRRPvP1F6PqvTL8Qs0-gzUQGcRksQkPdmZRkUOmnjwTR_Mbx5DEPj04A1Qy5vQ/w640-h480/IMG_8160.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLVrdcBsNeww7yCe3WpThGwMJ8z6lskamTX3RefyfrrDCe6P6FE-DdkxEE6Ix6z-UYGRp6S3KPoteD_lT9DH-K__3KfmQqK652cSH7q7AmUiiyvLv7h9lz0BRBFDXe9BQjQ_4p-m63FJhp4iIpX9NYa7CjoRDWc3ud7V91sYMhpSlyMlZGZB2YAwECi8/s3866/IMG_8305.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3866" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLVrdcBsNeww7yCe3WpThGwMJ8z6lskamTX3RefyfrrDCe6P6FE-DdkxEE6Ix6z-UYGRp6S3KPoteD_lT9DH-K__3KfmQqK652cSH7q7AmUiiyvLv7h9lz0BRBFDXe9BQjQ_4p-m63FJhp4iIpX9NYa7CjoRDWc3ud7V91sYMhpSlyMlZGZB2YAwECi8/w640-h500/IMG_8305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEVS8Un4hOqj9-aXuM9mjyxtTXCbpJTa6-S94aUqDT_5slLuOvJoZtR4UHWVTcVTrXXYklw0A0eV74nfeF2ubRfrYXaNQPW4IahAi7ln4kNhVJ71A0bfGuQYMv4Xo0Xn6Gx9KHARfdXm-VHkWaSIEE5LuopQUbnQA47vhVINBIrIqp-VFH7HFUUPIgBA/s4032/IMG_8393.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEVS8Un4hOqj9-aXuM9mjyxtTXCbpJTa6-S94aUqDT_5slLuOvJoZtR4UHWVTcVTrXXYklw0A0eV74nfeF2ubRfrYXaNQPW4IahAi7ln4kNhVJ71A0bfGuQYMv4Xo0Xn6Gx9KHARfdXm-VHkWaSIEE5LuopQUbnQA47vhVINBIrIqp-VFH7HFUUPIgBA/w480-h640/IMG_8393.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNnsZscDn8RFjsAeeaB_T5fk3XfZnGNkCdrOsXjDLqHFKvXlrxD8WBiuOCS_FZlFnP_iiS4hzdxcUZ8zW0FQJjQkZvl1vivCuW9SPRRfRsDU1x3VMq4OzVmF9resl-4trZQZfCHXq6_b_7du2IoV73UMJtUCkr9PzdtYmj7u_OkQPLy4OhC-PkmPIHy4/s4032/IMG_8400.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNnsZscDn8RFjsAeeaB_T5fk3XfZnGNkCdrOsXjDLqHFKvXlrxD8WBiuOCS_FZlFnP_iiS4hzdxcUZ8zW0FQJjQkZvl1vivCuW9SPRRfRsDU1x3VMq4OzVmF9resl-4trZQZfCHXq6_b_7du2IoV73UMJtUCkr9PzdtYmj7u_OkQPLy4OhC-PkmPIHy4/w480-h640/IMG_8400.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHeRRb5HOijCobPB8LTQSLK9qv7_7MwcWngYEQ69Gis6L2qGN_Jbq9pQnVR-z4SveVY-YU6mGALEpJ5H4gKpbG3elvaBGxcOuXoVj1LuUDQp5unziEJa8Maq_mGmHOcFRAbPg3ynBJ5SAOJy77UfSrCinqw-3S5oVD8oDNZdu6-bOrbKIAEgJL-ilxz4/s4032/IMG_8465.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2754" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHeRRb5HOijCobPB8LTQSLK9qv7_7MwcWngYEQ69Gis6L2qGN_Jbq9pQnVR-z4SveVY-YU6mGALEpJ5H4gKpbG3elvaBGxcOuXoVj1LuUDQp5unziEJa8Maq_mGmHOcFRAbPg3ynBJ5SAOJy77UfSrCinqw-3S5oVD8oDNZdu6-bOrbKIAEgJL-ilxz4/w438-h640/IMG_8465.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrzzbQXxeCGOZJoLnDD76Pqs2Ye5YPp17_6Td2BYfbl5ngqaXiRaVDn92QIdEJtNzVF_YM4Kkbn5E7T-IxGmR_rxkmXSprGsuAxNUHvXCuGRDykMnid1BxyN1EIOz0LtvIUJEtvHv5drs1xmuV8adab4Zq6XYOmo7dMF6_Mj-eHdqLnfXo6j5iqNGiF8/s4032/IMG_8541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrzzbQXxeCGOZJoLnDD76Pqs2Ye5YPp17_6Td2BYfbl5ngqaXiRaVDn92QIdEJtNzVF_YM4Kkbn5E7T-IxGmR_rxkmXSprGsuAxNUHvXCuGRDykMnid1BxyN1EIOz0LtvIUJEtvHv5drs1xmuV8adab4Zq6XYOmo7dMF6_Mj-eHdqLnfXo6j5iqNGiF8/w480-h640/IMG_8541.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have really enjoyed the Summer this year because of three things:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz90kPCTNRUseeO_bzdmKt9NjRl4Uj-4pPdUd9ixPtszZlHVx9jLmPTTFFlIG8ypBfH7ZcoASkJSvz5SD648QSI0ks7RLtfyCvYmAjfrESq6__bhs56peZ5fCMwYDVstIVpmwWUMm8cx22tJCEMY30OWlnBjDVWONJjS-7zoytGRJlCDr0njZz5q5tIQ/s3251/IMG_7625.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3251" data-original-width="2904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz90kPCTNRUseeO_bzdmKt9NjRl4Uj-4pPdUd9ixPtszZlHVx9jLmPTTFFlIG8ypBfH7ZcoASkJSvz5SD648QSI0ks7RLtfyCvYmAjfrESq6__bhs56peZ5fCMwYDVstIVpmwWUMm8cx22tJCEMY30OWlnBjDVWONJjS-7zoytGRJlCDr0njZz5q5tIQ/w572-h640/IMG_7625.JPG" width="572" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I grew Cafe Au Lait Dahlias this year. I have mentioned before that I have the death touch with plants. My garden is postage stamp sized, and yet I still cannot manage it. A VERY wet year about ten years ago brought black spot to our town. It affected everything. My morning school walks with Baby Bear past beautiful Horse Chesnut trees became very sad. We would watch these glorious trees that we had walked past and admired for lots of years look awful and withery. Then it hit in my garden and affected all my rose bushes. They have never recovered. Each year since they have looked such a sorry sight. The roses still bloom, but the leaves turn with the fungus and they wither and drop. I have researched and tried my hardest to combat it, but it's just a failing battle. It saddens me so much and really helps to create a deep loathing of gardening of any type. Anyway, this year I was determined to try and grow these beauties. To my delight I succeeded, and have had an abundant array of blooms. They have just given me so much pleasure. Even more so because I just thought it would be impossible for me to grow such beauty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDOIty68xq6uXXOanoCdxgFxYnx2gag9qbIgwZb1akAN3fEKyqb7ECpr7KKY9pUOroL1UGFsA6ZjpCWCAqHGodZFRsiPxxIGWhR0o4HxhLtla4o-iuRvB_IfRQhPfvlNv03vSihQPcJchwLD2R2Jgg7pWu1UPHId53Iv1izkJXb-l0lVo517kJadb5Q4/s1660/IMG_7617.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDOIty68xq6uXXOanoCdxgFxYnx2gag9qbIgwZb1akAN3fEKyqb7ECpr7KKY9pUOroL1UGFsA6ZjpCWCAqHGodZFRsiPxxIGWhR0o4HxhLtla4o-iuRvB_IfRQhPfvlNv03vSihQPcJchwLD2R2Jgg7pWu1UPHId53Iv1izkJXb-l0lVo517kJadb5Q4/w496-h640/IMG_7617.JPG" width="496" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Jam. Yes, Jam I tell you. I have a love of all things rose scented. I wanted to make a jam with the scent of rose for summer. Thinking what kind of fruit would work well, raspberry seemed a no brainer. Well wouldn't you know that if you type in rose and raspberry jam recipes online, a whole host of recipe ideas come up. Obviously a good pairing, I found a recipe that looked good and set about making this jewel of a jam. I used <a href="https://www.wearetateandlylesugars.com/recipe/raspberry-and-rosewater-jam" target="_blank">this one here</a>. It's as simple as you could get</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">All I can say about this jam is</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">OH MY GIDDY AUNT</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">★</span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">★</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">How on earth have I not made this sooner? It pains me to think of all the years lost that I hadn't been eating these jars of gorgeousness. It makes for the most deliciously different jam. A proper Summer jam. You can add as much rosewater as you like to either make it either lightly or heavily scented. I like a decent dollop. I make batches of both seeded and unseeded jam. The unseeded jam is gorgeous and jewel like. Perfect for delicate toast and Summer sponges. A good old Victoria Sponge cake made with this jam is truly to die for. The seeded jam is lovely and rustic looking and perfect paired with rustic breads. I really cannot stop making and eating it. It's a jam I didn't think anyone else would like to be honest, so I thought I could be a tad greedy and eat it all. Turns out, they all like it. Bumcakes. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzWB7bMoQYEtwTJtstJjrC2vvA3e1tHUMZEgwlxvxjb0BAK_rR4_WYRsJEzERrSePeSR0bKofekvKOXo95o2AIMjQltf_TOkLiM3pCgVPHzr3J7HeahrbRlyoboxVLNYOYtmYxpg7378bUugreBUQowiQLC8jCD3o2qBs8Jd4ujOF6NESPSDoPbAW7AM/s4096/IMG_9460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="2731" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzWB7bMoQYEtwTJtstJjrC2vvA3e1tHUMZEgwlxvxjb0BAK_rR4_WYRsJEzERrSePeSR0bKofekvKOXo95o2AIMjQltf_TOkLiM3pCgVPHzr3J7HeahrbRlyoboxVLNYOYtmYxpg7378bUugreBUQowiQLC8jCD3o2qBs8Jd4ujOF6NESPSDoPbAW7AM/w426-h640/IMG_9460.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;">(Notice my homage to Bon Maman?! Purely for fridge identifying purposes!)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Each time I have a mouthful, it's a moment of pure joy. Can you tell i'm a complete fan? I'm probably a bit late in the season now, but I also really want to try making honey and lavender ice cream. Lavender has not really been something I've really ever wanted to have in a food. I do love the scent, but sometimes it can be too overpowering for me and quite medicinal smelling. Watching the film 'It's Complicated' with Meryl Streep (I seriously love that film), she made lavender honey ice cream and I thought it sounded weirdly wonderful. I've looked up several recipes, and I think (as with the rose and raspberry jam), you can flavour the lavender to suit your liking. I think I'd like just a hint of lavender. I really want to give it a try. Watch this space. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thirdly, this summer.......and the thing that really does make this summer a great one..........</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">I learnt to knit a pair of socks! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">For about 12 years I have wanted to knit my own socks. I don't know why it has taken me so long really. Maybe I was just so engrossed with crochet. I had a lot of ideas to get out of my system with crochet. The fear of the dropped stitch, and that they just looked complicated. Toe up, cuff down, a million different toe and heels to make. Learning was always something I just kept putting off until the following year. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I don't know why this particular day was better than any other, but one day I woke up and decided that I wanted a pair of knitted socks under my belt before I hit my fifth decade on this earth. I found a tutorial on you tube. It looked simple enough. I had some needles and yarn already (from a previous burst of sock enthusiasm), so I was good to go. Actually I wasn't. My usual fly by the seat of my pants and not pay full attention attitude, got me into a pickle at the very first hurdle. The air was blue, my knitting was a blob of a mess and seriously, it got thrown across the table several times. I tried to remember my first foray into crochet. The air was blue then and frustration high. Hook and yarn flew across the table several times too; until I realised what a muppet I was. I was reading the instructions for a left handed crocheter......of which I am not! Patience Vanessa. I was actually using the wrong needles with my knitting. Perfectly good sock needles, but not right for the actual pattern I was using. Starting again, with the right needles, I slowly began to get the hang of it. My first sock was actually meant to be a test piece. I thought it'd all go pear shaped, and I'd have to rip it all back. I was fine with that because this was a piece just for practicing stitches and elements of the pattern. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFgJc675qykiWF7vVk5nn-zkYG8Tv6if_EEzYCshBYFY-w4JHOIXxak5FWfHTRbFFC2rAA8PSyhzmyXIM1hqI0gWD276ccWV051bz6Znf1NmyQya03kWD1WJb9A3emhEcYCeYMzND66on6jEe0iVspaWy63JWRYxJrya3YgsnOVTr-wrULjsG6NGHT4U/s3024/45FDAD55-F6C1-4C30-8FBD-D104B2DB9427.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFgJc675qykiWF7vVk5nn-zkYG8Tv6if_EEzYCshBYFY-w4JHOIXxak5FWfHTRbFFC2rAA8PSyhzmyXIM1hqI0gWD276ccWV051bz6Znf1NmyQya03kWD1WJb9A3emhEcYCeYMzND66on6jEe0iVspaWy63JWRYxJrya3YgsnOVTr-wrULjsG6NGHT4U/w640-h640/45FDAD55-F6C1-4C30-8FBD-D104B2DB9427.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I actually did okay following the tutorial, and in the end, the test piece became my first sock. It wasn't perfect by any means, and I was concentrating so much, that my tension was incredibly tight and it was so hard and painful on my fingers. By the second sock in the pair, I was able to remedy the mistakes from the first one. My tension was still so tight and they weren't a pleasure to knit, but I felt like I was getting the hang of it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Roll on second pair, and I knit in yarn I wanted. I was beginning to relax now and not fear each new step.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Starting my third pair, I decided to do what I had actually really wanted to knit socks for. I wanted coloured cuffs, heels and toes. I was still learning....and still making mistakes.....but by my third pair I actually felt relaxed knitting. My tension had eased and it became more enjoyable. I'm pleased with my three pairs so far. Each imperfect, but I did it. I made three pairs of socks before I turned 50. One life goal ticked off.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzMuehLhlDf5Ada8_xtX16RQ9Ymp3PC_Em0ckBOfehqurI3QvZahuhyphenhyphenrV4SAMkKB5dkQueBtg8TyOopERdWa38SbKvaN2aspf5E36fhBAhtZHvX4vLw4tNNkEVJ6EeJAqckHTHue4aHkiZ3m0MSSec8_icE81qDhLKy8ycb7iPtZRlXrW0IJhAae8l6U/s4032/IMG_8863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzMuehLhlDf5Ada8_xtX16RQ9Ymp3PC_Em0ckBOfehqurI3QvZahuhyphenhyphenrV4SAMkKB5dkQueBtg8TyOopERdWa38SbKvaN2aspf5E36fhBAhtZHvX4vLw4tNNkEVJ6EeJAqckHTHue4aHkiZ3m0MSSec8_icE81qDhLKy8ycb7iPtZRlXrW0IJhAae8l6U/w480-h640/IMG_8863.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXYhntfQDAnBXmyF0ubcDslRh7_5uVLyP6L_9mc9UPap6R3VxH-7Rx09C2phx7pEzgz806jpD1M1qEifeIjUc4AULRz5UdZG4uI2gspmX0r9Uj0quyBVKqWZY4ZD6gSGVVF-wnsDGGJZM2YMkrbi7domJLbV_w_6TkVYlaRnzFK-jw3_y9bf-4WfHxCg/s4032/71325911596__9361B824-CCA5-4F9F-873C-4323F5DD84EA.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXYhntfQDAnBXmyF0ubcDslRh7_5uVLyP6L_9mc9UPap6R3VxH-7Rx09C2phx7pEzgz806jpD1M1qEifeIjUc4AULRz5UdZG4uI2gspmX0r9Uj0quyBVKqWZY4ZD6gSGVVF-wnsDGGJZM2YMkrbi7domJLbV_w_6TkVYlaRnzFK-jw3_y9bf-4WfHxCg/w480-h640/71325911596__9361B824-CCA5-4F9F-873C-4323F5DD84EA.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Now I feel a little more confident, I'll tackle other patterns. Toe up, different heels. I'm still very much a tutorial girl at the moment. I like to be able to see where I need to do a stitch. I think being a beginner and trying to read a pattern on it's own would have been a nightmare for me. Some of a beginners mistakes are not holding the yarn where it should be. I gained extra stitches because of this. A visual tutorial was perfect to be able to go back and see what I was doing wrong. It's those little things that you can't see from a written pattern that can get a beginner into such a pickle. Maybe after my tenth pair I might feel confident to make a pair from a written pattern. Famous last words Vanessa.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❤❤❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJJrME0wqsVlx4GyYzUBmWcieorKlEFPSkelprpbMj8k3lCDV_d1yQO8fICy-8f8si-rykNJ1EHqC4RKtfgGwwtlk3qFcz-2gU_1_c6X5hkAAtyz2TlZ-_VLBaxWsxHOQh_f2iepHcGMDR7E_j4CkuVYkwuOme0im6trlcb58dMFbVWMsQQt22qtSDJw/s4032/CA7CF0C8-DAA8-4D9E-A5C8-884513EFDEB1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJJrME0wqsVlx4GyYzUBmWcieorKlEFPSkelprpbMj8k3lCDV_d1yQO8fICy-8f8si-rykNJ1EHqC4RKtfgGwwtlk3qFcz-2gU_1_c6X5hkAAtyz2TlZ-_VLBaxWsxHOQh_f2iepHcGMDR7E_j4CkuVYkwuOme0im6trlcb58dMFbVWMsQQt22qtSDJw/w640-h480/CA7CF0C8-DAA8-4D9E-A5C8-884513EFDEB1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;">❤❤❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So, three things that made me oh so happy this summer. Dahlias, Jam and Socks.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhyphenhyphend1DWjR7Yh9cA_3gpVTwC99aD9pD9y_1X_AlyFhAgAoBRsZe-PwxJN9d2FYoaruj4SFjUaK6yndSwEhEJ87AKXqiJeFzjcf2EfUGZ5aoPzFmu0QBtDat6CIc3mq36oL4EkfpiJaWV2lKrt0lvFmLjGfBmuzpJjmb0CkpZpjI1DZ4mDYO-ahxFHxCvE/s6000/IMG_8618.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhyphenhyphend1DWjR7Yh9cA_3gpVTwC99aD9pD9y_1X_AlyFhAgAoBRsZe-PwxJN9d2FYoaruj4SFjUaK6yndSwEhEJ87AKXqiJeFzjcf2EfUGZ5aoPzFmu0QBtDat6CIc3mq36oL4EkfpiJaWV2lKrt0lvFmLjGfBmuzpJjmb0CkpZpjI1DZ4mDYO-ahxFHxCvE/w426-h640/IMG_8618.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBRaQWbafk5IRdv554StiIIoefZf6l8Fey1H2imF1cCfB19vKnp02LzkJsxQTvpBLxT4ewHm_D_Kv17er9UR789jmZfDTFxmkNR8e0SA-imunkv8Pvm-ow7EjlXtCiWs293h0FaCpo86ujqa5HoHrIxnUC9sDiVHLvlf2LXSgNQflnCzya3fdjVSwDow/s3550/IMG_8063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3550" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBRaQWbafk5IRdv554StiIIoefZf6l8Fey1H2imF1cCfB19vKnp02LzkJsxQTvpBLxT4ewHm_D_Kv17er9UR789jmZfDTFxmkNR8e0SA-imunkv8Pvm-ow7EjlXtCiWs293h0FaCpo86ujqa5HoHrIxnUC9sDiVHLvlf2LXSgNQflnCzya3fdjVSwDow/w640-h546/IMG_8063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLMS936vtlZTNqZ6IggXuC7DtIZKaUH5ZdPzmpGaz1za1j1asJ2PvZUrliTsr-Tz5AdZSIUIfIZjKMp1sXm_EhFl60vDYO5pxjVPZmDWHNv2Y9U1Gjxv7Y06gndj6trAWnstPJyhW1CyHE-4O5a9mmBdHRZqP2qr-LZ75ETbHzAHG-BDs3PZn1Kl__5A/s4032/IMG_8583.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLMS936vtlZTNqZ6IggXuC7DtIZKaUH5ZdPzmpGaz1za1j1asJ2PvZUrliTsr-Tz5AdZSIUIfIZjKMp1sXm_EhFl60vDYO5pxjVPZmDWHNv2Y9U1Gjxv7Y06gndj6trAWnstPJyhW1CyHE-4O5a9mmBdHRZqP2qr-LZ75ETbHzAHG-BDs3PZn1Kl__5A/w480-h640/IMG_8583.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Summer memories made........</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnIHnYgoh05RgC5MiQdEgwhooxOK2ZcyQHqJlxo3E_ZnzGQ3cEqtHJU4lfso0fUuXzXhfUTQjcScq2ueL7sPIeOasJL6hH57IirTLqp0i17HW3ztXumwwYemUIvruAzXPixH7yWtGUa7IoBlO3mN6AyGon5PqmiCUakmPff5lCMoVYGB2DBlYs2EzmEw/s4032/IMG_8893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnIHnYgoh05RgC5MiQdEgwhooxOK2ZcyQHqJlxo3E_ZnzGQ3cEqtHJU4lfso0fUuXzXhfUTQjcScq2ueL7sPIeOasJL6hH57IirTLqp0i17HW3ztXumwwYemUIvruAzXPixH7yWtGUa7IoBlO3mN6AyGon5PqmiCUakmPff5lCMoVYGB2DBlYs2EzmEw/w480-h640/IMG_8893.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">....and Summer cuddles had.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We have now head into Autumn. I have my heavenly scented candles on the go. I have the fall episodes of the Gilmore girls on standby. I have my Autumn favourite movie You've Got Mail at the ready and I've fished out my scarves, wrist warmers and hats for the chillier days and evenings. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcspecAFmJNBscTg9SGG_VOQc_c2olbGVsGXuTolehaRVf_bYfuEYHpdfH0DUAhKsj9KU-NuajvGoLltuwndKxl2dj6_jHBqhDbv7_kjXKKD9CEcxO_h6HMIkqLb4ePgCXzBErSLxHIyHI8KLhrdUx7TJmU6g48WahtrnxHtVLTNltGzyv573hkCNGds/s5530/IMG_2383.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5530" data-original-width="3687" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcspecAFmJNBscTg9SGG_VOQc_c2olbGVsGXuTolehaRVf_bYfuEYHpdfH0DUAhKsj9KU-NuajvGoLltuwndKxl2dj6_jHBqhDbv7_kjXKKD9CEcxO_h6HMIkqLb4ePgCXzBErSLxHIyHI8KLhrdUx7TJmU6g48WahtrnxHtVLTNltGzyv573hkCNGds/w426-h640/IMG_2383.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Let's go Autumn........</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">X</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">X</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">X</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-18863349326493778382023-06-02T17:25:00.002+01:002023-06-06T21:53:50.435+01:00Evolving and Simple Pleasures........<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrVJ5wfzGFiV87pdWrfiwIlMouFeHWw1seHsYkoLKs0b4WqpLD8S2wkGp9_KPWPfkInY1ieGNZJ9kLNql5-fWY9cf5Fcm2cALYHJ5Eh9o9xcoT37Ky_muva_garKvNPq2FDvaSWBxMPzK6Wp2JBWB7W-QMoZBUdHCFBUrYjO4NypUUeRln3hGsbpc/s2566/IMG_6145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="2018" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrVJ5wfzGFiV87pdWrfiwIlMouFeHWw1seHsYkoLKs0b4WqpLD8S2wkGp9_KPWPfkInY1ieGNZJ9kLNql5-fWY9cf5Fcm2cALYHJ5Eh9o9xcoT37Ky_muva_garKvNPq2FDvaSWBxMPzK6Wp2JBWB7W-QMoZBUdHCFBUrYjO4NypUUeRln3hGsbpc/w503-h640/IMG_6145.JPG" width="503" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">L</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">i</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">f</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">e</span> <span style="color: #76a5af;">i</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">s</span> <span style="color: #e06666;">e</span><span style="color: #45818e;">v</span><span style="color: #c27ba0;">e</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">r</span> <span style="color: red;">e</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">v</span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">o</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">l</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">v</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">i</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">n</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">g</span>.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have felt like I have slowly been changing these past couple of years. It is quite a scary thing, especially for someone who is a complete control freak. To have that security that you know who you are, then to begin to feel like you are becoming someone else.......and not of your choosing.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I <span style="color: #e06666;">LOATHE</span> change. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll do change</p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll accept change....if it's my idea</p><p style="text-align: center;">If I've thought about it forever in my head that it feels like it's not been sprung on me, then it'll be okay.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Anyone else feel like that?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FS7AUsAp7DsKv1R_CY1CYb4b652qNE859kOauin1jkLjgPjeMVyf1y2zk_LOVM2GYsstYyJerPNckpskkTxd8vafiKHv_Lus8UBz6ZjldE4aoHVeDp3_s7fHSRPreP59kBZLkoZAlKabYG_1LHG89IYaqoRUscj9S6OI4oEXDVWbgZHP2qn_DG-n/s5760/IMG_0501.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5760" data-original-width="3840" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FS7AUsAp7DsKv1R_CY1CYb4b652qNE859kOauin1jkLjgPjeMVyf1y2zk_LOVM2GYsstYyJerPNckpskkTxd8vafiKHv_Lus8UBz6ZjldE4aoHVeDp3_s7fHSRPreP59kBZLkoZAlKabYG_1LHG89IYaqoRUscj9S6OI4oEXDVWbgZHP2qn_DG-n/w426-h640/IMG_0501.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I know I'm not on my own. Many women experience this. Your kids, suddenly aren't these little beings anymore who solely rely on you. In a blink of an eye (it seems), they are suddenly these big people, who want to (and should) branch out in the world.</p><p style="text-align: center;">These emotional feelings of not really knowing who you are to people day to day, are often accompanied side by side the peri-menopause or menopause. The physical and emotional double whammy just to make it all feel like you have been thrown into a washing machine, and set on a really long, and really rough cycle. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It's a minefield, that so many of us go through and experience. I guess you don't really know how much it displaces you until you are actually slap, bang in the middle of it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2rIvB6LO5rSImHrGlljrbbUVG-sR_PYX0bPgurMKQGzSRrU7F1Wfqhu22eb0t4fXlu6M7GvEV5hq3GqvNBbLU94XO3I2r3PsJLf3sQ6Lfq7mRQEfef2Sr0o3nt1SLp8PDHDMb9lc9Mr2oY6V4zlyRHUwBwOV7apvWaTp_mpNsFIP6rG1EORgNvGY/s3024/IMG_6029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2rIvB6LO5rSImHrGlljrbbUVG-sR_PYX0bPgurMKQGzSRrU7F1Wfqhu22eb0t4fXlu6M7GvEV5hq3GqvNBbLU94XO3I2r3PsJLf3sQ6Lfq7mRQEfef2Sr0o3nt1SLp8PDHDMb9lc9Mr2oY6V4zlyRHUwBwOV7apvWaTp_mpNsFIP6rG1EORgNvGY/w640-h640/IMG_6029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">My creative side has taken a back seat for the best part of a year now. It's like it's just upped and left my body. I don't know whether it's a temporary thing, or whether it's really gone for good. I don't know whether it's me thinking that I'm ready to change direction and discover something knew, or whether my love for crochet and making will come back to me. I made a start on two blankets. One is half finished and stares at me half draped over a chair. The other, was going to be a slow grower. A labour of love. One I could pick up and put down when I felt like it. The gaps in between picking it up have been too infrequent. I'm enjoying it when I'm working on it, but that zest for seeing it finished is just lacking. I saw a pattern on pinterest for a lovely jumper, and my interest was slightly peaked.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MYi7JsR78IZkuYgqOSWi5VaBnD457QmJhZCkVSUZ3knmTsa13efoEXuiOIcMXqUQh9hIm2-fLk-z9TGhNcMfhsxT4rUstrWVO4iQvkW1577txne7s6JB7WvNtWdEVsXpGIOiFA0kTRj6uoLUgz8Z0PUVS4JzX08pdfqEvPwSO1BGACs7I5bbHG_x/s832/Flower%20Puff%20Jumper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="555" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MYi7JsR78IZkuYgqOSWi5VaBnD457QmJhZCkVSUZ3knmTsa13efoEXuiOIcMXqUQh9hIm2-fLk-z9TGhNcMfhsxT4rUstrWVO4iQvkW1577txne7s6JB7WvNtWdEVsXpGIOiFA0kTRj6uoLUgz8Z0PUVS4JzX08pdfqEvPwSO1BGACs7I5bbHG_x/w426-h640/Flower%20Puff%20Jumper.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_c2OZHRNMaE4X9O16eBCVKqcZumOL35cco-eetVXFMxCW-IiNtUyyjjuo69m93bf-E9Apu-V-7lpnWtzvOtwQ3jsLeJSikhq8TnM04HxaeJ-9oYgJJ_31oknNTPLM6YXRBe7O1kJt_FvYHTWEM643d2kx5CiHaw293oTqSnoMIASSL64vI6Wd4zf/s591/%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="385" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_c2OZHRNMaE4X9O16eBCVKqcZumOL35cco-eetVXFMxCW-IiNtUyyjjuo69m93bf-E9Apu-V-7lpnWtzvOtwQ3jsLeJSikhq8TnM04HxaeJ-9oYgJJ_31oknNTPLM6YXRBe7O1kJt_FvYHTWEM643d2kx5CiHaw293oTqSnoMIASSL64vI6Wd4zf/w416-h640/%20.png" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVH7ESO7KJ3TDBkKU6iAVfJXk85OUquT9gNzIQvlVdPv0Ob9bwU4dAACIBvI_XCIi-QFr6A4SYHTwrGcZIUpou0D4dy-dE-qGeJ3QhQI-_BPRBEM5lz5GgV5zwVgsluYkKfXnY1WtrYrYV5taia6WHkmdo4vlKbhHetl3_NWpmO-K21XsPMZrq4YW/s1500/Joli%20pull%20femme%20chic%20et%20original%20grande%20taille.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVH7ESO7KJ3TDBkKU6iAVfJXk85OUquT9gNzIQvlVdPv0Ob9bwU4dAACIBvI_XCIi-QFr6A4SYHTwrGcZIUpou0D4dy-dE-qGeJ3QhQI-_BPRBEM5lz5GgV5zwVgsluYkKfXnY1WtrYrYV5taia6WHkmdo4vlKbhHetl3_NWpmO-K21XsPMZrq4YW/w426-h640/Joli%20pull%20femme%20chic%20et%20original%20grande%20taille.png" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> However, that bit from being interested, to full on excited, just isn't there anymore. I looked at it, looked at yarn on a website, then lost interest. I think it would be cute and fun to make, but I just can get to the 'make' stage.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Maybe my lack of enthusiasm for crafting, is just my body telling me that I need to focus on other things at the moment. Who knows? I'm just trying to go with the flow of it all.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyQI1tmcSlk-Frk46zfEf5Dwcr666QMN-QaRwQ7_HkV3fPERMgecfDAVE4EHTklC3PcTdTkpvlhTZtdFAU8GKkBzPM-yPQlmF4eXK1X_j2N_08APJu-XKBm-f0rIe1fK10Ht147eRDQOImDt0rxt5dvlHbZ3IFqoeEIsm4VVr5YxuDxlBZNCwqxcl/s4032/IMG_8183.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyQI1tmcSlk-Frk46zfEf5Dwcr666QMN-QaRwQ7_HkV3fPERMgecfDAVE4EHTklC3PcTdTkpvlhTZtdFAU8GKkBzPM-yPQlmF4eXK1X_j2N_08APJu-XKBm-f0rIe1fK10Ht147eRDQOImDt0rxt5dvlHbZ3IFqoeEIsm4VVr5YxuDxlBZNCwqxcl/w480-h640/IMG_8183.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have been enjoying baking. My waistline hasn't thanked me. Who knew it was totally easy to make your own butter? The satisfaction of making it and then putting it on freshly made bread.....well....there's nothing quite like it</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliFsrLFGCLCZChrAL_y4MWjZpwBY69ZosITmcc1xpU3xx7edGMWjMHp_bPJe9RdKHCAeGO-14gvBznP2GXwPd7NqTYvdbuhyJkSZPk8aj5iVeGPkxnwK1qIPe3WQCE9iEEr5bIzb6-jk1SVNRti8dD3JTKTVqbwSgtKNHjHRG3J72YnasVlxMtA21/s3528/IMG_6081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3528" data-original-width="2674" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliFsrLFGCLCZChrAL_y4MWjZpwBY69ZosITmcc1xpU3xx7edGMWjMHp_bPJe9RdKHCAeGO-14gvBznP2GXwPd7NqTYvdbuhyJkSZPk8aj5iVeGPkxnwK1qIPe3WQCE9iEEr5bIzb6-jk1SVNRti8dD3JTKTVqbwSgtKNHjHRG3J72YnasVlxMtA21/w486-h640/IMG_6081.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb54Pz_ue5t4A6mi3KDweV46sPC-r1UNclo43mwInHKldQF8BgWOsliwbyfjmO8nHjJE_POfpdrRmz5d01CyKa9sgzYN-PBiaKIEICyLtm5xc4xXFoIX27Qxc3y-RnQQqVcmZdscESPWgeGu9Oi_Jkt5-t_F96F3HVvkfvtBSY-eLlWVIjIzGdlfK5/s3802/IMG_6804.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3802" data-original-width="2904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb54Pz_ue5t4A6mi3KDweV46sPC-r1UNclo43mwInHKldQF8BgWOsliwbyfjmO8nHjJE_POfpdrRmz5d01CyKa9sgzYN-PBiaKIEICyLtm5xc4xXFoIX27Qxc3y-RnQQqVcmZdscESPWgeGu9Oi_Jkt5-t_F96F3HVvkfvtBSY-eLlWVIjIzGdlfK5/w488-h640/IMG_6804.JPG" width="488" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSxmsPYMGsJ2JNnOv6f4mhDfojhx6nGfeUbjEzleZeBqmkGzePDWw-hwdmAHP3m3k7wKI7QIgCLeM1MB8MizGuFYJPlaZ0Ox4spAsthOsrlo-mShKj642lqEjNynUSebITiG-BvIxZ6JkaVYfTq6SugPheX2eJCUhmp-HUNRKuT_vPkrg-z-6WPAb/s3633/IMG_6494.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSxmsPYMGsJ2JNnOv6f4mhDfojhx6nGfeUbjEzleZeBqmkGzePDWw-hwdmAHP3m3k7wKI7QIgCLeM1MB8MizGuFYJPlaZ0Ox4spAsthOsrlo-mShKj642lqEjNynUSebITiG-BvIxZ6JkaVYfTq6SugPheX2eJCUhmp-HUNRKuT_vPkrg-z-6WPAb/w532-h640/IMG_6494.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have been enjoying You Tube more so these days. Slow living vlogs soothe my soul. Beauty and lifestyle vlogs for women more my age suck me in also. As someone who had gone through life really being lazy and neglecting her skin, I thought I ought to get my act together and start to do something about it as I'm nearing the mid century mark. I started watching a couple of vlogs to get an idea of what I really ought to be doing. Self care has always been something that gets a bit lost on me. When you're a busy mum, it's easy to feel the guilt of spending any time on yourself. Plus the fact that I'm quite a lazy person when it comes to skincare etc. I'm a sucker for products, and have the best intentions, but my execution has always been sporadic to say the least. I have been trying really hard to maintain continuity. It's been quite nice to take some time and realise that little rituals really make a difference to how I look and feel. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">❤</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsi8sz_JKnBAq0t_CwgZR75KTuuW-gXE13plsTZHU94XKqUmz7UcHWDjuFj9WOKzu04I0mIGg3uLPNghLb-jJWakaEml1kS3Alf1EmYCsVcWhKY6lcnNzGtDl2hIeegecHjhvngx4iibW0fsXZdKv6sIChzGf2zaOQdcFtLkH5ZppczGVa_nykPdF/s4032/IMG_4484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsi8sz_JKnBAq0t_CwgZR75KTuuW-gXE13plsTZHU94XKqUmz7UcHWDjuFj9WOKzu04I0mIGg3uLPNghLb-jJWakaEml1kS3Alf1EmYCsVcWhKY6lcnNzGtDl2hIeegecHjhvngx4iibW0fsXZdKv6sIChzGf2zaOQdcFtLkH5ZppczGVa_nykPdF/w480-h640/IMG_4484.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here are a some of vlogs I watch just in case anyone fancies a goosie gander. I am sure some of you who are reading this post will be familiar with some crafty vlogs already. I dip in and out as and when I have the time.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Crafty</span> <span style="color: #ea9999;">Vlogs</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@talesfromcuckooland">https://www.youtube.com/@talesfromcuckooland</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Lululovescrochet">https://www.youtube.com/@Lululovescrochet</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@sewsweetviolet943">https://www.youtube.com/@sewsweetviolet943</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CherryHeart">https://www.youtube.com/@CherryHeart</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@OllieandBella">https://www.youtube.com/@OllieandBella</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ElderflowerStitches">https://www.youtube.com/@ElderflowerStitches</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Kutovakika">https://www.youtube.com/@Kutovakika</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bythelakeside">https://www.youtube.com/@bythelakeside</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Slow Living Vlogs</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@EugeniaDiaz">https://www.youtube.com/@EugeniaDiaz</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@frenchvibes7604">https://www.youtube.com/@frenchvibes7604</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Kahvihuone8487">https://www.youtube.com/@Kahvihuone8487</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LeenaHenningsen">https://www.youtube.com/@LeenaHenningsen</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LittleHouseOnTheMountain" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@LittleHouseOnTheMountain</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NaturallySilent">https://www.youtube.com/@NaturallySilent</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ilovecybele">https://www.youtube.com/@ilovecybele</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: x-large;"><b>Beauty and Lifestyle</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ScandishHome">https://www.youtube.com/@ScandishHome</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PrettyOverFifty">https://www.youtube.com/@PrettyOverFifty</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SpeedBeautybyCarolineBarnes">https://www.youtube.com/@SpeedBeautybyCarolineBarnes</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hideawaycottage">https://www.youtube.com/@hideawaycottage</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheHoodedLid">https://www.youtube.com/@TheHoodedLid</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@lizearlewellbeing">https://www.youtube.com/@lizearlewellbeing</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PamperedWolf">https://www.youtube.com/@PamperedWolf</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BlondeTeaParty">https://www.youtube.com/@BlondeTeaParty</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@dominiquesachsetv">https://www.youtube.com/@dominiquesachsetv</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MadisunGray/featured">https://www.youtube.com/@MadisunGray/featured</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LisaEldridge">https://www.youtube.com/@LisaEldridge</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBW61h4nTDLwvMF9Y6Re1FTpzKlB6Gs20c8UmNcd8zhEQYFGzaa86R9wiNQUv_2NxADVuW87DjohKalrUIkV3U257KGCTodxlDuwZ-QaoVhfbzLo2Kcw2eeKMpzOBpY6xJzeZHUhN00MGHWk_njgNQ5PkGucC_40OKJwygfQVlNonRWy1B9kQHKYs/s4032/IMG_6632.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBW61h4nTDLwvMF9Y6Re1FTpzKlB6Gs20c8UmNcd8zhEQYFGzaa86R9wiNQUv_2NxADVuW87DjohKalrUIkV3U257KGCTodxlDuwZ-QaoVhfbzLo2Kcw2eeKMpzOBpY6xJzeZHUhN00MGHWk_njgNQ5PkGucC_40OKJwygfQVlNonRWy1B9kQHKYs/w640-h480/IMG_6632.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walks out and about have been lovely recently. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA-aIeuKl0hz2RIWh2SV0KqIp5uDvpUtmZYKWjnZFazKQxDyJzhjJhX8WTxyj1tqj-4P8on4Sc55rETqjWynq618cU5MAJ6pyPY8vosdeSD-jeIiY_Fw4at-zaO14YndnP5GZuLXBEPkbTCXK-7QrvGaanoWPfSNixtsHHCDEMf5hnAqnOFoFBaHe/s4032/IMG_4618.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA-aIeuKl0hz2RIWh2SV0KqIp5uDvpUtmZYKWjnZFazKQxDyJzhjJhX8WTxyj1tqj-4P8on4Sc55rETqjWynq618cU5MAJ6pyPY8vosdeSD-jeIiY_Fw4at-zaO14YndnP5GZuLXBEPkbTCXK-7QrvGaanoWPfSNixtsHHCDEMf5hnAqnOFoFBaHe/w480-h640/IMG_4618.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">......and cuddles with this one.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9TQz9Ft0nol-zPLLvPQ3K65PEuxjz7tJ02JwA2SfPtrT5LcEq3nK4AjslvO7edCDPraMgJpSB4vetk70Yg-R6uob_rgVDUua_7G_7c2NjHsPOLUHsMl2P6SUWOtoNRQv9xEh9OiQszKqTmr4yB6dGJ2Kqff59QHWvvE8YV1n4fxBb0d_Dnc0aPA9/s3836/IMG_5400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3836" data-original-width="2787" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9TQz9Ft0nol-zPLLvPQ3K65PEuxjz7tJ02JwA2SfPtrT5LcEq3nK4AjslvO7edCDPraMgJpSB4vetk70Yg-R6uob_rgVDUua_7G_7c2NjHsPOLUHsMl2P6SUWOtoNRQv9xEh9OiQszKqTmr4yB6dGJ2Kqff59QHWvvE8YV1n4fxBb0d_Dnc0aPA9/w464-h640/IMG_5400.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It's full on summer weather at the moment. I have been waking up with the sunrise. I so love this time of year. Waking up at 4ish and just listening to the birds. That first morning brew in total quiet listening to the day slowly wake from its slumber. One of my favourite song lyric lines is from Kate Bush's song 'Nocturn'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Look at the light......all the time it's changing, and all the dreamers are waking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❤❤❤❤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-large;">x</span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">x</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-62038184160293601662022-04-22T10:09:00.000+01:002022-04-22T10:09:17.496+01:00Autumn/Winter Ramble 2021/2022<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HDWEOBvasgdBTD1HSWYV9KwgxqMXSbdHepNxJztG5xPPNpINM7M3LpyhSxIdEF_Q5dHWY8Y1ozrfKiRgQmouFHWDI0PxeyVdD4huRz--Ks_4XILjltRUQEQ1TOqj7UPWkolgKXKHnid27wMjBDFqYTpo_U7tWwraPafHqDXI3Yi4KoiJ2y6iW1eS/s1774/IMG_0325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="1774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HDWEOBvasgdBTD1HSWYV9KwgxqMXSbdHepNxJztG5xPPNpINM7M3LpyhSxIdEF_Q5dHWY8Y1ozrfKiRgQmouFHWDI0PxeyVdD4huRz--Ks_4XILjltRUQEQ1TOqj7UPWkolgKXKHnid27wMjBDFqYTpo_U7tWwraPafHqDXI3Yi4KoiJ2y6iW1eS/w640-h640/IMG_0325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">When I went to write this blog post, it dawned on me, that for the past couple of years I have only written Spring and Summer posts. I can't really say why I seemed to have missed two seasons out of the years. It was certainly my intention to write 4 seasonal posts a year. Maybe I find these seasons to be the most busy and stressful of the seasons. It sometimes takes all that I have just to get through them, let alone write about them. Maybe I'm over thinking things, and I'm just plain lazy.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;">❤❤❤❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">(INSERT)</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">Actually, this post has been chopped, changed, written and re-written. I questioned my own sanity at one point. Weirdly, for saying I have a blog which I share to anyone who chooses to read it, I'm a very quiet and private person. I plod along in life being a mother and a maker of things. Life ebbs and flows, and every now and then it gets turned on its head for good measure. To tell you the truth, I have felt so discombobulated and out of sorts recently. I have mainly put it down to being peri-menopausal. It's the darndest of things. My hormones seem to be all over the place. I just don't really feel like I know myself at the moment. I'm all over the place and it unsettles me. I'm trying to accept this time of change, but I am feeling frustrated with myself. It's also quite hard to get others to understand just how much this season of life affects you. I think it's always been seen as a bit of a joke, and only others who have, or who are currently experiencing it can completely understand it. There are more celebrities discussing it quite openly now, which is fantastic. Do you know, I had never even HEARD of the peri-menopause until I started to get symptoms. I knew I hadn't hit the menopause but felt all of these tell tale symptoms. This whole wealth of information was found at the touch of a button, but I had to go searching for it for answers. It beggars belief really that something so profound in women is discussed so little. Anyway, that's just my experience. Others may have faired better. Suffice to say, I have been acting weird and feeling weird and it has made me really quite grumpy and frustrated to feel a lack of control. I am a control freak by nature, so I find it doubly hard. I'm sure the Bears have been finding me a little testing. It's almost like I have had to deal with their adolescence and mood swings, and now they have to deal with mine. I go from feeling like the crappest mother in the world, to feeling like I actually did a decent job in a space of 0-60 seconds.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">Trying to get a handle on all of these physical and emotional changes, I really began to analyse myself. It's not something I think I have ever done. You get up in the mornings, you are you, then you go to bed. And Repeat. Anyway, I realised something about myself that had not crossed my mind ever before and it was sort of a revelation for me. I felt like things finally made sense. Doesn't change anything, but it clears a lot up and sort of organises the compartments in my mind.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">Two thirds of the Bears are fully grown adults, and Baby Bear is catching up quick. I absolutely adore having grown up chats with them, but I mourn the loss of feeling so needed. Big Bear flies the nest in a few weeks and the dynamics will change. I'm bracing myself. Of course, I'm over the moon the time has come to start spread wings, but it's bitter-sweet and it's hitting me hard feeling so out of sorts too. I know so many others share similar feelings, so I take comfort in not feeling alone, when sometimes I feel very alone.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">Usually when I feel like I am on some very fast roundabout, I have a very urgent need to just retract from pretty much everything in my world. I call it 'going down the rabbit hole'. I came off any social media, burrow down and just concentrated on my little bubble. When I am not feeling myself, I find the lure of social media almost too much to bear. The fake perfectness does absolutely nothing to help me get through how I'm feeling. When I'm in a better frame of mind I can quite happily brush it all off and see it all for how it is. As soon as I start to feel like things are spinning around too fast, then I know to start cutting myself off from everything and just concentrate on the things that really count in my life. I also actually find that the social media detox is great for rediscovering myself. Sometimes I find, I get so caught up in someone else's daily dream that I forget it's not actually mine. Just by stopping and remembering what it is that I actually love, I end up going down my own path and the joy it brings is second to none. I have, however, discovered some slow living vlogs on You Tube that I find really calming and inspirational. They have helped to remind me to slow things, take my time and just enjoy the simplicity of the small pleasures. That is what I have been doing, and that is currently where I am up to in my life.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUXSn0WgzIWP79b3CptHdICiUJRvhNqOQBaNECHNJwAHx6UnqOcjlKALQh6gFnJ5nCnqo_faj-ZoIA9kXG42ZVO9_yL9_2orgsLGurcYlv1_J3iDpEu-mSg4kEoCrORGGD7SSg8hkkSNAhy1dGrZBuOj1QZs-0QAhEKY3WDaIJycr-OkWWBgl17Ue/s3375/IMG_8450.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="2739" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUXSn0WgzIWP79b3CptHdICiUJRvhNqOQBaNECHNJwAHx6UnqOcjlKALQh6gFnJ5nCnqo_faj-ZoIA9kXG42ZVO9_yL9_2orgsLGurcYlv1_J3iDpEu-mSg4kEoCrORGGD7SSg8hkkSNAhy1dGrZBuOj1QZs-0QAhEKY3WDaIJycr-OkWWBgl17Ue/w520-h640/IMG_8450.JPG" width="520" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbOXhrEhwvM5QQALKgkSbuo5aJhHtZv9py9l0EXFaZEjwokj6alyoCO0DhHp-YAl8mGypOGvbxVn57xa1JEw1jw3nC5FtDnaBL_86LlbdEM-RCOLLJMe-KFqf72HvtKvADEy8pApoq5umIet9pxPi136UIW8qzfOm3bGK8QYj45-Mklg0HCfdYnGg/s2282/IMG_8459.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbOXhrEhwvM5QQALKgkSbuo5aJhHtZv9py9l0EXFaZEjwokj6alyoCO0DhHp-YAl8mGypOGvbxVn57xa1JEw1jw3nC5FtDnaBL_86LlbdEM-RCOLLJMe-KFqf72HvtKvADEy8pApoq5umIet9pxPi136UIW8qzfOm3bGK8QYj45-Mklg0HCfdYnGg/w360-h640/IMG_8459.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5QKl7I1u2i89KtJ7txBqni_tFddBugQ57zVjiaMM2e4KIRJjqXh-QW0oM1IpOQ-aHducs_RygZ1oCrXOLBB6uFSgiRZwz-jGk0zh8Gg2I0wsglGUbZ2SXvr_aAlAUKVc-UxrH_2bldpNYhoA6a601pCYbP29wcHdh0Ocx0oCfN6neSgZbZQwhKrL/s3024/IMG_8907.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5QKl7I1u2i89KtJ7txBqni_tFddBugQ57zVjiaMM2e4KIRJjqXh-QW0oM1IpOQ-aHducs_RygZ1oCrXOLBB6uFSgiRZwz-jGk0zh8Gg2I0wsglGUbZ2SXvr_aAlAUKVc-UxrH_2bldpNYhoA6a601pCYbP29wcHdh0Ocx0oCfN6neSgZbZQwhKrL/w640-h640/IMG_8907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpY1Xa00Zo1K4-Lmq2cCcI0n_4e7SXNV28OjB7pJV1OrdOv-udKOboRhHa6NJOSwFxo5IkEc8Zt6ZsyWGqykLpzejEV8FDjH20-kJoMgusQ-uQN1fzvJkctZupTQenHgVB1sssTVuBlcv2WOnNkcc2aoMqI4fmGzgD8nQVT3-DJgA4s8gRm7Q5pfw/s3024/IMG_8987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpY1Xa00Zo1K4-Lmq2cCcI0n_4e7SXNV28OjB7pJV1OrdOv-udKOboRhHa6NJOSwFxo5IkEc8Zt6ZsyWGqykLpzejEV8FDjH20-kJoMgusQ-uQN1fzvJkctZupTQenHgVB1sssTVuBlcv2WOnNkcc2aoMqI4fmGzgD8nQVT3-DJgA4s8gRm7Q5pfw/w640-h640/IMG_8987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4cohrL6MD-cXfZwRJ722hmmqODSASbve4k-iZpbr3q8Oeeorbm52BpChW-B0DLiioHyJShEIZ4rnvMA-pn4SFshuxlnWC0PkwKnC4SKm-hZLpMHr6vuSKcigToUbQjG_S1bjfxReBG6tD_Fn5DTweoFxfd50elf3ZzAMoNt-JcTejg2_JU8MODpX/s1185/IMG_9133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1185" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4cohrL6MD-cXfZwRJ722hmmqODSASbve4k-iZpbr3q8Oeeorbm52BpChW-B0DLiioHyJShEIZ4rnvMA-pn4SFshuxlnWC0PkwKnC4SKm-hZLpMHr6vuSKcigToUbQjG_S1bjfxReBG6tD_Fn5DTweoFxfd50elf3ZzAMoNt-JcTejg2_JU8MODpX/w640-h444/IMG_9133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UBSzckmIPszYX-xJlcXncvtMGOh-Fy7IujZMl8Rzx_bWh6w6EQxTmZ42Gh_8SVuXbj3tfKBm4zfg6P9US-7ZLoLb28zigPLmH_C_BBrNqZ9jQOqP4zkrh8ky8nRQTYrm7N2R0ddaiJHtexe_6s3mJNIF45ZU72KIO_SYByZ58FZBeebOWvLznO2M/s2747/IMG_9307%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="2747" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UBSzckmIPszYX-xJlcXncvtMGOh-Fy7IujZMl8Rzx_bWh6w6EQxTmZ42Gh_8SVuXbj3tfKBm4zfg6P9US-7ZLoLb28zigPLmH_C_BBrNqZ9jQOqP4zkrh8ky8nRQTYrm7N2R0ddaiJHtexe_6s3mJNIF45ZU72KIO_SYByZ58FZBeebOWvLznO2M/w640-h640/IMG_9307%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9xKsWrnyvUzwbfNqkeT4mxS2oDWBb7Nb-mB47MXi5jmdddrHacU7SWe3kipF5FwhaFH4OiyLyCPBbVYADZp2K0pYOwKhsR00JWFfx1D1n4MXdM4kwVRr2b7oTk5B2Z5vtopqnwFDoH173YzmSNIxsh9w-Nv4oT22QEFkSQ7IpyNA0VaWBH44g7jg/s1774/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="1774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9xKsWrnyvUzwbfNqkeT4mxS2oDWBb7Nb-mB47MXi5jmdddrHacU7SWe3kipF5FwhaFH4OiyLyCPBbVYADZp2K0pYOwKhsR00JWFfx1D1n4MXdM4kwVRr2b7oTk5B2Z5vtopqnwFDoH173YzmSNIxsh9w-Nv4oT22QEFkSQ7IpyNA0VaWBH44g7jg/w640-h640/IMG_1286.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❤❤❤❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Autumn came and went, and with it followed the mildest Winter. I actually planted up spring bulbs for like, the first time ever when I was actually supposed to. I was super proud of myself. The Winter has been so mild that they have come up really early. I have not really bothered with the garden these last few years. It's honestly the size of a postage stamp, yet still I really struggle to manage it. I just don't think I'm green fingered enough. About 10 years ago, we had one of the wettest winters, spring and summer. A wave of blackspot descended upon my little Town. It landed most heavily in my garden, and to this day, my roses truly suffer. I have tried everything, bar completely demolishing the garden to eradicate the fungus. I get so disheartened when I try something and it totally bombs. It happens way too often for my liking. I'm a defeatist. Failing at something really doesn't spur me on to try harder to succeed. I just think "okay I'm done, what's next?"</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55yBNt-0Y_yd3SoZCqHzvahdWSSRbMqs1fQtA1odzUUPg4BZijc-VgNgU5LyoIT1ygAC9w4eY-9BNLPyWCniJsCIFBYips6LIay9WvtWNFb6aEoT9cU9VMnMpaQEv5HO7P7Yrap4jtmJHr_sR-zB8UjzlywTBOY9ABwMOJ94_iIIm7xlyPOqLzNif/s4032/IMG_8937.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55yBNt-0Y_yd3SoZCqHzvahdWSSRbMqs1fQtA1odzUUPg4BZijc-VgNgU5LyoIT1ygAC9w4eY-9BNLPyWCniJsCIFBYips6LIay9WvtWNFb6aEoT9cU9VMnMpaQEv5HO7P7Yrap4jtmJHr_sR-zB8UjzlywTBOY9ABwMOJ94_iIIm7xlyPOqLzNif/w480-h640/IMG_8937.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTuGR4jI0UqWae5w46flVvLVlX_n4vRnbD0qTF6kAGIxt7YCchbAsesmVGWB7DJFpJjLz7XaXKfRPLaUANgXotgrwTEXRMsa7c53-0GfsYeNOMUudzTNxUtPZ2E7MFaozhl8uN5JjdcJOZOJ_1keg3B3KL7hX7hJXawTvVhZXhb63nKvksKN4KWg0/s3705/IMG_8946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3705" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTuGR4jI0UqWae5w46flVvLVlX_n4vRnbD0qTF6kAGIxt7YCchbAsesmVGWB7DJFpJjLz7XaXKfRPLaUANgXotgrwTEXRMsa7c53-0GfsYeNOMUudzTNxUtPZ2E7MFaozhl8uN5JjdcJOZOJ_1keg3B3KL7hX7hJXawTvVhZXhb63nKvksKN4KWg0/w522-h640/IMG_8946.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH6mJUrCijxpYAYV8lkvd1cnq2Om2TLXn3T2WZozcKD62bVHJ8Qkd9qI6eq9NgXnBtl_UgdGK_sC2TvJ_KEDZZVu4Bg4gu2OThKslgmZ1IEpzZYyw638NW2_6GLWR6ktPqBm9jYwj-n_JO5rSOWh1K-hrdFZH6U4JQbxznyCGCq1vK-id0HDjkR3a/s4032/E429E8EA-26C8-41D2-8A11-16D749284E49.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH6mJUrCijxpYAYV8lkvd1cnq2Om2TLXn3T2WZozcKD62bVHJ8Qkd9qI6eq9NgXnBtl_UgdGK_sC2TvJ_KEDZZVu4Bg4gu2OThKslgmZ1IEpzZYyw638NW2_6GLWR6ktPqBm9jYwj-n_JO5rSOWh1K-hrdFZH6U4JQbxznyCGCq1vK-id0HDjkR3a/w640-h480/E429E8EA-26C8-41D2-8A11-16D749284E49.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C9lPC_l0gwJ9T2GkIhfnO6azteTgYFeJ4Pp2rxcGIr8damEvE6MdLeGW6KaymFZQdiZrGZB6ygiPjGqgIDkeZD8nN5jLWJvXFKmWqyR1bOhW_ltcihhzy4ph-gALRhMCIMqGEUdQQPjisj5EEUMTFavWw7y4r5-GsaduX-a7JNRThitiqi_4-KTN/s6000/IMG_3053.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C9lPC_l0gwJ9T2GkIhfnO6azteTgYFeJ4Pp2rxcGIr8damEvE6MdLeGW6KaymFZQdiZrGZB6ygiPjGqgIDkeZD8nN5jLWJvXFKmWqyR1bOhW_ltcihhzy4ph-gALRhMCIMqGEUdQQPjisj5EEUMTFavWw7y4r5-GsaduX-a7JNRThitiqi_4-KTN/w426-h640/IMG_3053.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHYGTLGes6AvsKOtTaB_LaJKcrQM1_3IPIJu1-qubNiO9kO0oCn6HlB7EQDVzrnhX4LDgGdItKwQuYKy1cESvTuHbXhcMA0AiKEAYq2AsAqwvnszPVL0mq-30NsIYpLjnuGHGGQXrgvhc3sdkKaiglP00eglbv8ovG_WQ9tMyKbkjvnVZOq20LbeP/s6000/IMG_3063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHYGTLGes6AvsKOtTaB_LaJKcrQM1_3IPIJu1-qubNiO9kO0oCn6HlB7EQDVzrnhX4LDgGdItKwQuYKy1cESvTuHbXhcMA0AiKEAYq2AsAqwvnszPVL0mq-30NsIYpLjnuGHGGQXrgvhc3sdkKaiglP00eglbv8ovG_WQ9tMyKbkjvnVZOq20LbeP/w426-h640/IMG_3063.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa8yYD2dJ-UddOVqndPTaF730fONx71GTpdGX3Gv2dcmCJC2mjV2fsdri-LHIHEwZ5uNAPW7-5Q7R2TOysKdItUrJ3qeq2AP_Li6oeWULuzadu3v_soiH0CTx_e0FMD63cbINph7utjblG1ucqW_qxscaMtPYoecKZMOjdJNcLuo5MF4sjfWNV3BG/s3024/IMG_8381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa8yYD2dJ-UddOVqndPTaF730fONx71GTpdGX3Gv2dcmCJC2mjV2fsdri-LHIHEwZ5uNAPW7-5Q7R2TOysKdItUrJ3qeq2AP_Li6oeWULuzadu3v_soiH0CTx_e0FMD63cbINph7utjblG1ucqW_qxscaMtPYoecKZMOjdJNcLuo5MF4sjfWNV3BG/w640-h640/IMG_8381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cxvGCqwmz3C4RbCjitn7FIR0FwlNDp4aV8rssYDf0b1p3iN-vNlMLLU6NUHZbaWl1bMqvE6rWyNhYaFDCBdSgtzubPHefvG9BdtOOM3C2UnADM6rLfkgyordIQdfih9sDSTobwp9i-oIsK8AkSXL2h7sVMqGy7PK3f6-LJhAuMqNACEoPxGR3XtF/s6000/IMG_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cxvGCqwmz3C4RbCjitn7FIR0FwlNDp4aV8rssYDf0b1p3iN-vNlMLLU6NUHZbaWl1bMqvE6rWyNhYaFDCBdSgtzubPHefvG9BdtOOM3C2UnADM6rLfkgyordIQdfih9sDSTobwp9i-oIsK8AkSXL2h7sVMqGy7PK3f6-LJhAuMqNACEoPxGR3XtF/w640-h426/IMG_2959.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFaQgMRh5hMWntvTG4LDZgD5gmJVTc8Zwza3SIOy80YMmx0RqvmF3xMWKhluXsQadidpmq2s-ppn2-hKVTmA8cY9Fim2v_NKP9KsHqdkPJbth89RNp5-1aazuhCTyIJHpOJQVzRudrcZ1wdKg2r8Gaxx9apcOCrVQSr2qOt0ZbJg0S6W5nTTjv2Fv/s6000/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFaQgMRh5hMWntvTG4LDZgD5gmJVTc8Zwza3SIOy80YMmx0RqvmF3xMWKhluXsQadidpmq2s-ppn2-hKVTmA8cY9Fim2v_NKP9KsHqdkPJbth89RNp5-1aazuhCTyIJHpOJQVzRudrcZ1wdKg2r8Gaxx9apcOCrVQSr2qOt0ZbJg0S6W5nTTjv2Fv/w426-h640/IMG_2960.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXca-uR4dzuL9scKvHRnL7mmH7GzHdhU8NsE2EwzbJSXvFQwZR6JOqh7HlbJLb0UjzKibVbVZt-HZuJJM1O8L2z-LJ53p6APSk9tp8t5WUIR9GvOSKlsfGWbmzEEszxhWd5Wv4RTZEdYdJp9xMKsHDa9X0mGhDDz63gnig2sllQ6fTlLy8vEC1UZ8t/s6000/IMG_2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXca-uR4dzuL9scKvHRnL7mmH7GzHdhU8NsE2EwzbJSXvFQwZR6JOqh7HlbJLb0UjzKibVbVZt-HZuJJM1O8L2z-LJ53p6APSk9tp8t5WUIR9GvOSKlsfGWbmzEEszxhWd5Wv4RTZEdYdJp9xMKsHDa9X0mGhDDz63gnig2sllQ6fTlLy8vEC1UZ8t/w640-h426/IMG_2971.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheoisvqp4czcgpTpkvRP6mrUPsL41Kl1P3p6Vz2mqUFDGyoquYy0Scg-w179Ry2VYurS6DxF1WaLK3cZ-6oLGioW1_9GqSI3hgESFwM_gAaw3-0n_de7xIMoM_CD6qM1vaU3P9WpegIJzFWcSRKKeNTkoUO7w5VcmwNxrDDpRO91W1qtam1wFLo53/s6000/IMG_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheoisvqp4czcgpTpkvRP6mrUPsL41Kl1P3p6Vz2mqUFDGyoquYy0Scg-w179Ry2VYurS6DxF1WaLK3cZ-6oLGioW1_9GqSI3hgESFwM_gAaw3-0n_de7xIMoM_CD6qM1vaU3P9WpegIJzFWcSRKKeNTkoUO7w5VcmwNxrDDpRO91W1qtam1wFLo53/w426-h640/IMG_2972.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnkxNVwOv-rSIZskLN-BevzPr-TKZXK26bdi42_vtaJNAF5OtRkbzN1neKLH_Y5SsjQErmB_Q_bBgj92oe9uc-9E6eJUjYb_wRXDV5ubO2eRAkxWAG3sNPrusAAiRvHVfsvgPXsK03CJKKQHE-9uW4K4HLwb-5FByG9l5cIxcsEwIBRgLXpCVW_ZS/s6000/IMG_3000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnkxNVwOv-rSIZskLN-BevzPr-TKZXK26bdi42_vtaJNAF5OtRkbzN1neKLH_Y5SsjQErmB_Q_bBgj92oe9uc-9E6eJUjYb_wRXDV5ubO2eRAkxWAG3sNPrusAAiRvHVfsvgPXsK03CJKKQHE-9uW4K4HLwb-5FByG9l5cIxcsEwIBRgLXpCVW_ZS/w426-h640/IMG_3000.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTNcUNoYKFOHIO5Ay45WfCktnZubSTYUotV1Su6elb6k4KNLntYIau1WoSSEWXvu31ZICQA4usAX_jkb5_GnoTJxg7o6gk1RrvWHtOb6_7Hb_FwEKsBgZG1mknwaQf1s6mSmfmInW_0HXOHB_axrta03OKpzHqCxln9mFpoYY4Lef2n7ag5kPFwzR/s4680/IMG_3012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4680" data-original-width="2625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTNcUNoYKFOHIO5Ay45WfCktnZubSTYUotV1Su6elb6k4KNLntYIau1WoSSEWXvu31ZICQA4usAX_jkb5_GnoTJxg7o6gk1RrvWHtOb6_7Hb_FwEKsBgZG1mknwaQf1s6mSmfmInW_0HXOHB_axrta03OKpzHqCxln9mFpoYY4Lef2n7ag5kPFwzR/w358-h640/IMG_3012.JPG" width="358" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yrKsV28g4n9t60VKYsZEHvyElTaBZ3wOdaLB769HrAg7rSwfJdGG_Es-ELH6nPajT1a4gSavOzWbY3eXJx2CYAzL6MkCX6mh35vM4hXRZy-gP0bg_sv5RjSlaIYtcmTFF0VLDDhf7k2cqkRBrJ7PCrikYtWduzT3jmBde7FOVFJIS2zXlg2KizhG/s6000/JPEG%20image-6A68789839A7-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yrKsV28g4n9t60VKYsZEHvyElTaBZ3wOdaLB769HrAg7rSwfJdGG_Es-ELH6nPajT1a4gSavOzWbY3eXJx2CYAzL6MkCX6mh35vM4hXRZy-gP0bg_sv5RjSlaIYtcmTFF0VLDDhf7k2cqkRBrJ7PCrikYtWduzT3jmBde7FOVFJIS2zXlg2KizhG/w426-h640/JPEG%20image-6A68789839A7-1.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNdPNjd04jbH_O7XS31AeR9qih5zXXIFaXMdj_Z8qvm-5Yhv8vJ2cTyZ09KqZ9KUVhowv4Dw0_LvOAVSIiD5fm0juoyDOIc0KYhbTGDcK5zW3hiewRXLsCjtRIcOuSS5mEc8jmli1bInAReyyJfbrZmkJ010aQq5LHH6_v8sSwC5qjzEPjj-FaTZc/s6000/JPEG%20image-580A4B8E11CA-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNdPNjd04jbH_O7XS31AeR9qih5zXXIFaXMdj_Z8qvm-5Yhv8vJ2cTyZ09KqZ9KUVhowv4Dw0_LvOAVSIiD5fm0juoyDOIc0KYhbTGDcK5zW3hiewRXLsCjtRIcOuSS5mEc8jmli1bInAReyyJfbrZmkJ010aQq5LHH6_v8sSwC5qjzEPjj-FaTZc/w426-h640/JPEG%20image-580A4B8E11CA-1.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMonOGdvuCcCWLR1eveWfebPxiZrghzErGQ_35Ut5AIS2u9HB3bwclirZuz_FW_nMq3MeX466qINhkV2wij46Wtf9aLUtJt_KpyBjP7k4Lq_LerP-5QSWjcJ_pGu6M3WUXhGdjJd7j_YMMEcpNQN5DcmyWXkIN4DIOMpVdnNcElNl5e7r0TtCCnep/s6000/JPEG%20image-C6C1D2450143-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMonOGdvuCcCWLR1eveWfebPxiZrghzErGQ_35Ut5AIS2u9HB3bwclirZuz_FW_nMq3MeX466qINhkV2wij46Wtf9aLUtJt_KpyBjP7k4Lq_LerP-5QSWjcJ_pGu6M3WUXhGdjJd7j_YMMEcpNQN5DcmyWXkIN4DIOMpVdnNcElNl5e7r0TtCCnep/w640-h426/JPEG%20image-C6C1D2450143-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">My tastes seem to be changing. Well, when I say that, I think I mean I so desperately feel in the need for a complete change. I'm a pastel girl at heart, with the odd bit of vibrant thrown in when the mood takes me. Lately though, I just need empty and pretty much all white. It could possibly have something to do with the present situation I have found myself in these past 18 months. I'm just craving serene and neutral. I tried to make a start on my dresser. All pastels came off and white dresser was teamed with white crockery. Plants were added for a touch of contrast.......but safe to say.......a little bit of pastel made its way back. Only a hint though. I was quite pleased with myself at my restraint. I now want all the walls painted soft shades of white. Everyone rolls their eyes at me. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I actually need to summon up the energy and willpower to detox my house. I attach sentimental value to pretty much everything and I need to just learn to let go a bit more. I think it will help to declutter my brain. That is sorely needed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCzCqu8KZSjtPIITGOdcjNTDMIKOVUKMewEpCW4xxzOZqz58B2TfhLux6nGplOORmhH6Zm5cfVCgL1Di1CWedRhpIpAIl7OnIixjB3ix1Rsc4XvFDNEugfyL1h3Cu7bVCSdzBpeMrIm8HKlL3oRh_gZ3q8vQrHrrNr-f1z1AubgiEr-i8s_Jzys69/s2282/IMG_9409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCzCqu8KZSjtPIITGOdcjNTDMIKOVUKMewEpCW4xxzOZqz58B2TfhLux6nGplOORmhH6Zm5cfVCgL1Di1CWedRhpIpAIl7OnIixjB3ix1Rsc4XvFDNEugfyL1h3Cu7bVCSdzBpeMrIm8HKlL3oRh_gZ3q8vQrHrrNr-f1z1AubgiEr-i8s_Jzys69/w360-h640/IMG_9409.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-small;">(Bye Bye Pastel Dresser)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The outside office was installed before Christmas. I was so grateful for that. Finally I could see light at the end of the tunnel. The pandemic has certainly turned life topsy turvy. The house had been so jammed pack full of office stuff, with no actual office space, that when it was all finally moved, I didn't want anything to get in the way of finally having space to breathe. Unfortunately, that was the middle of December, when trees and decs and all lovely manner of stuff usually gets crammed into a house. I just couldn't face it to tell the truth. The Bears weren't bothered about not having a tree or any decs so that made me feel a little less guilty. I snuck a few little bits onto shelves that I had bought in the month, but nothing was brought down from the loft. It felt weird, but also liberating. I did miss my yearly ritual of getting up super early whilst the rest of the house is still asleep and having my first cuppa of the day in silence.....just the twinkly lights on the tree and me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd0eygxMBqLX-BgWBobnarcm7coiiG5I4pk4oHvK7o4LVqozEWiWtUJJhJNoAUwojj2eac_HVOLYHeQ9UxVP6ZNhqY16ITSECRzYsJkAnqDIoo8YPGUS1-bBQM-iWin_y7KuGjwXu4ggjO3gge2KvBav2zYIUOt3FCw2T5aRFOVeHr6AAsJpPcKSo/s6000/IMG_3057.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd0eygxMBqLX-BgWBobnarcm7coiiG5I4pk4oHvK7o4LVqozEWiWtUJJhJNoAUwojj2eac_HVOLYHeQ9UxVP6ZNhqY16ITSECRzYsJkAnqDIoo8YPGUS1-bBQM-iWin_y7KuGjwXu4ggjO3gge2KvBav2zYIUOt3FCw2T5aRFOVeHr6AAsJpPcKSo/w640-h426/IMG_3057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Christmas came and went. Lovely highs and not so lovely lows. It was what it was. It came in a whirlwind it seemed, and left in one.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The family saw the New Year in with a lovely dose of Covid. Only Big Bear managed to escape it. We had all been vaccinated as much as we could be for our ages and it was actually fine for us all, just colds, so we were lucky. Some are not so.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J-_SjJsTaIWptSAELEdnXI1Ch-9mBqgfPWFKzEoeun4Osh96CXA6VB3qjJsFEeMPgg9kbJdNIm9XVvlL7hJjA0SLtvyB3fjjPNAH37ZcHRCWoaiDGJUYPA7diQl7jVHd5_AitY6T0IBo7mqVsAS-eLqWf7anGE5nHEnVXXDSxOi3pNPfPp5cE0Oj/s6000/IMG_2903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J-_SjJsTaIWptSAELEdnXI1Ch-9mBqgfPWFKzEoeun4Osh96CXA6VB3qjJsFEeMPgg9kbJdNIm9XVvlL7hJjA0SLtvyB3fjjPNAH37ZcHRCWoaiDGJUYPA7diQl7jVHd5_AitY6T0IBo7mqVsAS-eLqWf7anGE5nHEnVXXDSxOi3pNPfPp5cE0Oj/w426-h640/IMG_2903.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I had started another blanket back in the Autumn. I just loved the look of...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://makeanddocrew.com/crochet-scrap-blanket-pattern/" target="_blank">THIS BLANKET</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As per usual, I saw it, and straight away decided that I was going to make it. I just don't really stop to think as to whether I actually NEED any more blankets, I just dive straight in. I never learn.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicXaucy6I5CwLHapQZV4b-aBxo58H0vuNVdk1u09Kl0n6ZXAC8YEOpGbG9dlvomMFfWaeT7QEjGtcQ-dUpcgOuFV-kZZt7ABiybqym1gBf1MnCSDUHO_2AH2CNWMnrwvp0ip1mxUAD3zpwZ_dWnz4KVoPVUZFmyfe1allYtGEXpdsCqiuZO0ijaA-/s4032/IMG_8872.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicXaucy6I5CwLHapQZV4b-aBxo58H0vuNVdk1u09Kl0n6ZXAC8YEOpGbG9dlvomMFfWaeT7QEjGtcQ-dUpcgOuFV-kZZt7ABiybqym1gBf1MnCSDUHO_2AH2CNWMnrwvp0ip1mxUAD3zpwZ_dWnz4KVoPVUZFmyfe1allYtGEXpdsCqiuZO0ijaA-/w480-h640/IMG_8872.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I did my usual, not sticking to the pattern, and made work for myself, only to realise if I'd just skipped a bit then carried on, it would have been just fine. I really can be a crochet muppet sometimes. Anyway, I liked how it was coming together. I actually really like straight forward squares that you just crochet together in an easy fashion. Maybe it's because I seem to be drawn to hexagonal motifs that really are the WORST to put together. So time consuming and tedious. But I do love the end result. My Beatrix Potter Blanket is one I have got so much joy from. It really set me on a path for the patchwork look. I actually have to confess to getting the wanties to making another hexagonal crochet blanket but with even smaller hexies. I know it would absolutely drive me batty to make it...........but I also know that the end result would be beautiful. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Arrrrgggghhhhhhh</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Back to my current blanket. I was desperate to use the King Cole Forest Aran yarn. I just fell in love with most of the colours and wanted to use them all together. I wasn't keen on a couple of the shades and needed to bulk the blanket out with another couple of shades to get a good balance throughout the blanket. I mixed Sirdar Saltaire in the Fern and Squirrel colour ways and like how they blended in. I was going to make all the circles first, then square them off, then lay the colours and crochet it all together in one big finale, but decided to actually do one strip at a time and get each strip crocheted together first. I just thought it actually might spur me on rather than just seeing piles of motifs growing.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEmQIA-Q5O0puTqfJDzFyBp0cwhcASvCviSILoSd2xY9kBYUGArFuj_6DKIvqHVOCQFkQfKTISASP6iaYnOQHkKMtTMgTjnjmbjTFQV_2rjsD1-3rt5WXT-Otef8K0sLgqEL8vB9TvXX-NFmscrRWHEq25GcMvZFo_b9u5d1q4Zp17ZwSH5f85McI/s2282/IMG_0369.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="1284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEmQIA-Q5O0puTqfJDzFyBp0cwhcASvCviSILoSd2xY9kBYUGArFuj_6DKIvqHVOCQFkQfKTISASP6iaYnOQHkKMtTMgTjnjmbjTFQV_2rjsD1-3rt5WXT-Otef8K0sLgqEL8vB9TvXX-NFmscrRWHEq25GcMvZFo_b9u5d1q4Zp17ZwSH5f85McI/w360-h640/IMG_0369.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I decided that this was to be the final crochet project before I actually knuckled down and learnt properly how to knit a pair of socks (I don't know why it just scares me so?). I have enough blankets now. I gave a fair amount to charity last year but still have a lot in the house. Socks. People always need to wear socks. Can you have too many? I'm sure avid sock knitters will say maybe yes, but if I start from none, then if I learn, I can make quite a few before I need to quit those too. I think 1000 pairs of socks would roughly equal the size of one of my blankets! I still haven't perfected the art of a small blanket. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have some You Tube sock tutorials book marked, and I think I have the needles now to move forward. I just need to finish my blanket and psyche myself up for the knit lingo. I tell myself I taught myself to crochet, I can teach myself to knit socks.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">At this point I will insert an edit:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">I got 3/4 of the way through my blanket and was making great and speedy progress......then I lost a whole bunch of made up squares. They must have been packed somewhere before Christmas when we were packing and moving things to the office. Getting Covid after Christmas and generally just feeling discombobulated, I really couldn't be bothered to go hunting through stacked tubs. To date, the blanket is half finished, and another blanket pattern caught my eye in the meantime. I'll save that for another post. These knitted socks are elusive.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;">❤❤❤❤</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFxtRQESeUuD7DQ0nGtcAqAIjs7okl8fG-bXgdSU6oYKL4fUtapuMGYAXDoX6GEyW-rOYc-gDcGGvz9RBDLgL9zMbafSpDYwHfEsz7ghs85xHyxEnw9F0HR279JfyxdVTAjCKKd0YnrOla2kKnLs2Zng8uRHwEuxk3Ix3JQvad1Jt-RPvQ09s91SK/s6000/IMG_3067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFxtRQESeUuD7DQ0nGtcAqAIjs7okl8fG-bXgdSU6oYKL4fUtapuMGYAXDoX6GEyW-rOYc-gDcGGvz9RBDLgL9zMbafSpDYwHfEsz7ghs85xHyxEnw9F0HR279JfyxdVTAjCKKd0YnrOla2kKnLs2Zng8uRHwEuxk3Ix3JQvad1Jt-RPvQ09s91SK/w426-h640/IMG_3067.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT84iU-GIRPGaC7zeIES4jBfsJLuWcj4YF4ucg-Nl267iv6lWwGxZVKriUnJ3LPruc5HwWvgCRtRTLFJULe_mEBMttwFkkmnO6dPcU100jEI_O9Qk574ItUR2ag6V5bUoAIlxMpDA5lGRaSX3fwUSqxwhy1fSd8dt-rWkNNKE7BIKKN48XGB5CbT_O/s6000/IMG_2865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT84iU-GIRPGaC7zeIES4jBfsJLuWcj4YF4ucg-Nl267iv6lWwGxZVKriUnJ3LPruc5HwWvgCRtRTLFJULe_mEBMttwFkkmnO6dPcU100jEI_O9Qk574ItUR2ag6V5bUoAIlxMpDA5lGRaSX3fwUSqxwhy1fSd8dt-rWkNNKE7BIKKN48XGB5CbT_O/w426-h640/IMG_2865.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Spring has arrived and I am in need of piggy backing it, tapping into its boundless energy and upbeat positivity.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NJXdF27bcSvDRRboAYGJvKZXpvlw6L_vmjBUoOBe9EYjS3wM0FSvYdLFN6h5Z7s4wunofh2xm5mpW1cn28tP30oIh5kf-m0qDdKJiP1u6xqWi0Vg4rWvjlnzBupRaDONozPfL9J55Rg7XWMo6OScdeWJI7F3kYNTIzbRGWOjhc6M9s5d7VGoS0-9/s6000/IMG_3064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NJXdF27bcSvDRRboAYGJvKZXpvlw6L_vmjBUoOBe9EYjS3wM0FSvYdLFN6h5Z7s4wunofh2xm5mpW1cn28tP30oIh5kf-m0qDdKJiP1u6xqWi0Vg4rWvjlnzBupRaDONozPfL9J55Rg7XWMo6OScdeWJI7F3kYNTIzbRGWOjhc6M9s5d7VGoS0-9/w426-h640/IMG_3064.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaaBKU62h9iicj2EZ-CEJXOS8NgGn91J0_XGOLRO4L7c-91AOllLHGy6e-VOUooFsDC2Ef55ol4WLXuBfcST7Q2_Z3YWTTNh4150Hz_3SRu2Ox51rAlboBFwb2RtLQ7EFwIOPWqzjiY2vBvMSlupERWeMYa2nhsakmLuvVQV8L5nNzDv__A4JV5zZ/s6000/IMG_3070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaaBKU62h9iicj2EZ-CEJXOS8NgGn91J0_XGOLRO4L7c-91AOllLHGy6e-VOUooFsDC2Ef55ol4WLXuBfcST7Q2_Z3YWTTNh4150Hz_3SRu2Ox51rAlboBFwb2RtLQ7EFwIOPWqzjiY2vBvMSlupERWeMYa2nhsakmLuvVQV8L5nNzDv__A4JV5zZ/w426-h640/IMG_3070.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll let you know how I get on with that.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">❀❀❀❀❀❀</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4ZNc8_2m6Og0dClZuGP6tkqWnwVNxYWg2y3PX6Si6eMFuiNCOUexKDBMHEZcaOpHDS-3x7Eo2GLvG7JQY7xwj45elUEBzcKCkxmOGYs2itVdyuIoC-7vrpi72uPv93PN29lHX4OUvSELRSm30XIa5mxckc5lyliYnv4lSZfp0bY4g4_0DEkzhZ8_/s3024/HipstamaticPhoto-665246668.840223.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4ZNc8_2m6Og0dClZuGP6tkqWnwVNxYWg2y3PX6Si6eMFuiNCOUexKDBMHEZcaOpHDS-3x7Eo2GLvG7JQY7xwj45elUEBzcKCkxmOGYs2itVdyuIoC-7vrpi72uPv93PN29lHX4OUvSELRSm30XIa5mxckc5lyliYnv4lSZfp0bY4g4_0DEkzhZ8_/w640-h640/HipstamaticPhoto-665246668.840223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">C</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">h</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">e</span><span style="color: #ffd966;">e</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">i</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">o</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">Ness</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">X</span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">X</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">X</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-30714322767458251722021-10-15T14:05:00.001+01:002021-10-15T14:05:54.272+01:00Summer 2021<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZvHGXnT6dYTbyT1C9SZqjko2gAsHBOSfE5z-sVJIkSTcBJcmr7ksaQfijoPpMtzF2XLzo-axQ719O-Li0tvSDTqtGx_DYO18Ba6LJ19qhEHKFJ61njcfAu6855KvHCwWWzlOcV2EOkY/s720/IMG_2645b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZvHGXnT6dYTbyT1C9SZqjko2gAsHBOSfE5z-sVJIkSTcBJcmr7ksaQfijoPpMtzF2XLzo-axQ719O-Li0tvSDTqtGx_DYO18Ba6LJ19qhEHKFJ61njcfAu6855KvHCwWWzlOcV2EOkY/s16000/IMG_2645b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Goodness......and just like that, we have slowly sauntered into Autumn. How did that happen?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So, Summer 2021, we came out of the Lockdown and life began to resemble some sense of being sort of normal again. The days have just flown by. Blending one day into the next.....and before you know it, another month has been crossed off the calendar. I cannot say that I can look back over this summer and feel like I have really achieved anything though. I seem to be dabbling in even more procrastination these days. My house really has got to bursting point. Others in the household are still working from home with the decision for it to be a permanent arrangement. Offices have been cleared out which means housing a lot more at home. The decision was made to buy a garden home office to make this permanent situation workable. However, until things are all finalised, the house is full with people and work clutter. I have got used to the limited use of the house on my days off, and keeping the noise very low whilst people are on work calls. Headphones have been a godsend, because not being able to listen to music would have just sent me crazy. My whole life runs alongside one big film score.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6UA-aWPiurCao5Rv1FGtCG8Q8ew8OqM5_pjBpHtlo-kjPHcVNuk24TKBhwHP4MbVsNbM39KDLlOJOFCOlR9h56j3LRSvBKfo58enapfMRuU72zjzrcMVx5jqIaHqMucn9J4VKZj_uNM/s960/IMG_2579b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6UA-aWPiurCao5Rv1FGtCG8Q8ew8OqM5_pjBpHtlo-kjPHcVNuk24TKBhwHP4MbVsNbM39KDLlOJOFCOlR9h56j3LRSvBKfo58enapfMRuU72zjzrcMVx5jqIaHqMucn9J4VKZj_uNM/w640-h427/IMG_2579b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I procrastinate, because I don't seem to get anywhere when I try at the moment. That sounds a bit pathetic I know. I am waiting...........waiting patiently to be able to get to 'full steam ahead' mode.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoGbQjrxBino1EruAwqSmYYPwxY7F0OWE4unqru-h6oWMg9QM33TX38eXwzt2OQLwUBRNGqCfx2YeAjIphs9rx1adq9s7mDsJQAB3BFFHSfClI_WFgf446gXXtcNj7Y145hiZL5gNWug/s2048/IMG_2713b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoGbQjrxBino1EruAwqSmYYPwxY7F0OWE4unqru-h6oWMg9QM33TX38eXwzt2OQLwUBRNGqCfx2YeAjIphs9rx1adq9s7mDsJQAB3BFFHSfClI_WFgf446gXXtcNj7Y145hiZL5gNWug/w640-h426/IMG_2713b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwELtyNfFhyphenhyphenKTUMHB9L-J8Qt-KePrUUgm8HpE_YR7B3YWkBsVaYR6SmEa6CF7zVAp2lCmDiVLtwdgQurAQVx39P76rq8MqU8DWKc02dYHX_3XBdGgFRdWlREifBEU6GC_S-WPoAsLBqrI/s2048/IMG_2757-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwELtyNfFhyphenhyphenKTUMHB9L-J8Qt-KePrUUgm8HpE_YR7B3YWkBsVaYR6SmEa6CF7zVAp2lCmDiVLtwdgQurAQVx39P76rq8MqU8DWKc02dYHX_3XBdGgFRdWlREifBEU6GC_S-WPoAsLBqrI/w414-h640/IMG_2757-2.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLRaf-Ngc760d55j1LK9Kguk_lmWV-mlaeb_-x0GEu9q_V9H2tIHq4bwb5CUsHHqOpj-mhpTsDxxYj95Ws5vivDOxbRE-US3OT3I3h6NL008UlWzpTAtgihy4xE1-C3N58AuJ6pRVnaY/s2048/IMG_2773-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLRaf-Ngc760d55j1LK9Kguk_lmWV-mlaeb_-x0GEu9q_V9H2tIHq4bwb5CUsHHqOpj-mhpTsDxxYj95Ws5vivDOxbRE-US3OT3I3h6NL008UlWzpTAtgihy4xE1-C3N58AuJ6pRVnaY/w426-h640/IMG_2773-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_QaWCgF9bQqDA8pM-Ht_WeNOxaPY4_BHrGW-9CjGrZOo1YIm-gLoFEHrzErfKReCKtG-wVamLcjc77Iih3uUQaXD1NPwaJNL6_bdxt0_HQ6rWr_h7PD6IBGxaHjMnRDww7GFD41_gnY/s960/IMG_2806b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_QaWCgF9bQqDA8pM-Ht_WeNOxaPY4_BHrGW-9CjGrZOo1YIm-gLoFEHrzErfKReCKtG-wVamLcjc77Iih3uUQaXD1NPwaJNL6_bdxt0_HQ6rWr_h7PD6IBGxaHjMnRDww7GFD41_gnY/w640-h426/IMG_2806b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uPnD3WKmXYQ0DLRgc8zUBJTkm_2f9JCIiXQ67khszTAsSU236ZOsgBUNxQnTID9tcS_7KMIXio2jr9n0YDdcp4EtSdO-d0HbXM3q5vjSZzEcFC9KqZknGVvS9sdeB3NY-5OnHjcmX1c/s2048/IMG_2823-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uPnD3WKmXYQ0DLRgc8zUBJTkm_2f9JCIiXQ67khszTAsSU236ZOsgBUNxQnTID9tcS_7KMIXio2jr9n0YDdcp4EtSdO-d0HbXM3q5vjSZzEcFC9KqZknGVvS9sdeB3NY-5OnHjcmX1c/w426-h640/IMG_2823-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2MRszHJPE6JJjn741H7H0XS0EGqLYqnUE0hQLQ_BAp2V4y7hh6w-XJEPRcn_uUNJ9E1GblLmm8p0ie4E5PAkXdZjalcPD11lQX51Ab5OcirHBAJ9_-NiWHEOlGC_hrwG2YBj3QeeYTI/s2048/IMG_2577-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1312" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2MRszHJPE6JJjn741H7H0XS0EGqLYqnUE0hQLQ_BAp2V4y7hh6w-XJEPRcn_uUNJ9E1GblLmm8p0ie4E5PAkXdZjalcPD11lQX51Ab5OcirHBAJ9_-NiWHEOlGC_hrwG2YBj3QeeYTI/w410-h640/IMG_2577-2.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKinL3PJORt4dP4-iyNY4pHy-jPRBZRGjhO8gtTMZsFYVel3VrLIofGRCKs4fnjXr5ETSTnEVnZsAlV3jPC-yxaPNeNTAoW8nDL6irqd1T3MNeW20DaLu6Z1YRGgwFGqCy1Sm8-AyXfk/s720/IMG_2846b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKinL3PJORt4dP4-iyNY4pHy-jPRBZRGjhO8gtTMZsFYVel3VrLIofGRCKs4fnjXr5ETSTnEVnZsAlV3jPC-yxaPNeNTAoW8nDL6irqd1T3MNeW20DaLu6Z1YRGgwFGqCy1Sm8-AyXfk/w426-h640/IMG_2846b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It is with this procrastination and lack of space, I have found it difficult to do anything in the way of crafting. I have been slowly working on my Beatrix Potter Blanket. It is almost there. Only took 9 months. It is all sewn up now and I just love how it turned out. I wanted a simplified vintage look. I think I've achieved it. The colours were just really leftovers from my last blanket, and I don't think I actually purchased much yarn apart from the mint colour way. They were just muted pastels and fitted perfectly with Beatrix Potters colour palette of her watercolour illustrations. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0E_QjgMNo99OezQJgP8jK34kzRSBH30v6VuedPr0It7tT27fC6uemijN6E0KzDlknx4lzFLHpny2go8zg4s1xvb6tMwvf1gKGlRdZ0RiUMlzeSaYhyphenhyphenD2QTf7piod2TI9aNOejBIiMPk/s2048/IMG_6100.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0E_QjgMNo99OezQJgP8jK34kzRSBH30v6VuedPr0It7tT27fC6uemijN6E0KzDlknx4lzFLHpny2go8zg4s1xvb6tMwvf1gKGlRdZ0RiUMlzeSaYhyphenhyphenD2QTf7piod2TI9aNOejBIiMPk/w480-h640/IMG_6100.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnl-LhiyYNRLuwkSIWNXoEQV2CpR4lQCHR-JMSw2VPXft-HjmGuKUyTdDgBdHLeSA001CimMPRomMKoxkohnfQFO6n_HjhoHqJU5dPXhUE0dUzCqfK_KLSG4PKxQrz9KqPT3yI1j13s8/s2048/IMG_5594.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnl-LhiyYNRLuwkSIWNXoEQV2CpR4lQCHR-JMSw2VPXft-HjmGuKUyTdDgBdHLeSA001CimMPRomMKoxkohnfQFO6n_HjhoHqJU5dPXhUE0dUzCqfK_KLSG4PKxQrz9KqPT3yI1j13s8/w480-h640/IMG_5594.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wNtx_RAWP_TBU2sdF5d9H8rb_LBk0qRdfXGcVCe2Bdchpy0TzEIeJ7yBW1-KCAN8iUN2h2wGx0gHo8VEQ9np6ZWAH0fUnf7XVAW44n7KkkqYfVewEaAKcW9TKcALKTjvx0xP_4iSmK4/s2048/38A1ABB2-ED07-453C-8F2E-9A529BC9994B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wNtx_RAWP_TBU2sdF5d9H8rb_LBk0qRdfXGcVCe2Bdchpy0TzEIeJ7yBW1-KCAN8iUN2h2wGx0gHo8VEQ9np6ZWAH0fUnf7XVAW44n7KkkqYfVewEaAKcW9TKcALKTjvx0xP_4iSmK4/w640-h640/38A1ABB2-ED07-453C-8F2E-9A529BC9994B.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlbUIPWb38ocwkhSyRiCpzUy2gQaM3ZrT8S0YbGX5qfgSLWNXqnzVfSgD0HHIKRIHj8LEKo4PwZcaGz8hqzJo1MW1kghbz02HYnmXs6B24gLF9X2db1OJbSbrG0f0dolrSJjiWy_3yU/s2048/178F117E-2234-4826-9285-1272548569C5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlbUIPWb38ocwkhSyRiCpzUy2gQaM3ZrT8S0YbGX5qfgSLWNXqnzVfSgD0HHIKRIHj8LEKo4PwZcaGz8hqzJo1MW1kghbz02HYnmXs6B24gLF9X2db1OJbSbrG0f0dolrSJjiWy_3yU/w640-h640/178F117E-2234-4826-9285-1272548569C5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCRADCOmLrKH7jeXI5_Sexu-f0Hq6FKwh3UIaZH2DlTvckbldfaUmQZRLoQw0pdtaYwZ6shPrgcUplKPn2ddw6uwPnw08uIiXXg2ZNhsrNvi9qngqhqa5FhRfvcJO-6m2ycmeJPR_KY8/s2000/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCRADCOmLrKH7jeXI5_Sexu-f0Hq6FKwh3UIaZH2DlTvckbldfaUmQZRLoQw0pdtaYwZ6shPrgcUplKPn2ddw6uwPnw08uIiXXg2ZNhsrNvi9qngqhqa5FhRfvcJO-6m2ycmeJPR_KY8/w360-h640/IMG_7220.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVKD82rNnnMNAVX_YJFzA0dxHP0xzDxPxAZLrkv0d9IzQd0IA_Zsvq8DaVM3-Y24_Ll8sgVlOkiEiMtE2Q4KzhHnXjD2bV8lCYpwsPLL9y82HCl8jD1hOMRPxxRVXcU83V6jQolex0FM/s2048/IMG_7610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVKD82rNnnMNAVX_YJFzA0dxHP0xzDxPxAZLrkv0d9IzQd0IA_Zsvq8DaVM3-Y24_Ll8sgVlOkiEiMtE2Q4KzhHnXjD2bV8lCYpwsPLL9y82HCl8jD1hOMRPxxRVXcU83V6jQolex0FM/w480-h640/IMG_7610.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I can't say that I'm that confident of my sewing skills. Let's just say, I've told the Bears' (firmly) that it will solely be a chair throw or bed throw. It's definitely not a blanket that can take 6ft boy abuse! I don't know what on earth possessed me to sew up the hexies by hand with cotton thread. Really, cotton thread should be left to cotton fabric, and yarn should be used to sew yarny things. Non flexible with flexible was fine, but whether it will hold is to be seen. I guess my way of thinking was that I wanted seamless hexies sewn together. I know that there is a way to do it with yarn, but to be honest, I'm incredibly lazy, and because my hexies were quite small, I thought the yarn way was far too labourious than the thread way. Like I said, I don't think this blanket would withstand 6ft boy abuse, but it will be fine for me. The dog seems to have taken a shine to it. Seriously, she thinks that any blanket is especially for her. If I am chilly and I snuggle up in one, you can bet she'll hear the blanket rustle from the furthest part of the house and be straight up on me on it for a cuddle. I guess I should be pleased that someone loves my blankets as much as I do!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V7PS6ZknxO__kzAOUJD5yAnZ8yRfOmnUJlAkC24rAVk8ry4mGTu4gq3I51R7Z5O3xdpdwLHb3H-hXYxkQHPCusMvkftKtV1A5JLKLSrNxaq8MOSwhL3WmvKRzpW-rDiG8yXVTQdFiGg/s2048/IMG_7640.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V7PS6ZknxO__kzAOUJD5yAnZ8yRfOmnUJlAkC24rAVk8ry4mGTu4gq3I51R7Z5O3xdpdwLHb3H-hXYxkQHPCusMvkftKtV1A5JLKLSrNxaq8MOSwhL3WmvKRzpW-rDiG8yXVTQdFiGg/w640-h480/IMG_7640.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As soon as that blanket was ticked off the list, I thought I'd put down my blanket hook for a while. I bought a crochet sweater pattern. I find crochet garments a bit hit and miss. My plan was have a go. I find that I'm not terribly good at reading written patterns. I work better from charts. Written patterns always put me off. I have several crochet sweater patterns ready to make a start on, but I seem to put off doing them as much as I like them. So, I bought the pattern, bought the wool.......then saw a blanket idea that I loved and the sweater pattern suddenly got thrown down the list. I've just ordered the yarn and am looking forward to the cosy Autumnal evenings with candles, some spiced drink and a new hooky project. Look out for the next post to see the blankety progression. I don't seem to have that many photos of my Beatrix Potter Blanket. It was finished, and put at the end of my bed ready to take some pics and keep a record of my finished project, but it somehow just progressed to being a dog snuggler. I'm hoping that once my house gets opened up again, I'll be free to have the space to make and pick up my camera again.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8q3ToeaHan4VF7sihTCIat3BK8pBElWZ6ot7W8F2PjiLyqHOKbHXVu3Pu-JAIOKTjevqwADaeCIN2bsKBXdG3UgiUmEo_xHf3bu9GZcC3mYujb6GoP753T0HWmWBR1_7UMXMbJLBXMnw/s2048/3ACCE93E-091B-4607-B107-57DFA6047E3A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8q3ToeaHan4VF7sihTCIat3BK8pBElWZ6ot7W8F2PjiLyqHOKbHXVu3Pu-JAIOKTjevqwADaeCIN2bsKBXdG3UgiUmEo_xHf3bu9GZcC3mYujb6GoP753T0HWmWBR1_7UMXMbJLBXMnw/w640-h640/3ACCE93E-091B-4607-B107-57DFA6047E3A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYrFZA7SuXQcrWnHO2EXMvhIqv3rvJntHTiYc-ZOFpXSEdPsWxZ3o1mUpJuCMyUlwVrEvQxE3Dp6F1cM6pJl91_ElMizqoLMs_VblTdAg1lue3pJ9E2l5iF7Io-iUnOtU2sMXLlz8wPU/s2048/C3ABB53C-AB34-4660-BDD8-194AE736A6A4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYrFZA7SuXQcrWnHO2EXMvhIqv3rvJntHTiYc-ZOFpXSEdPsWxZ3o1mUpJuCMyUlwVrEvQxE3Dp6F1cM6pJl91_ElMizqoLMs_VblTdAg1lue3pJ9E2l5iF7Io-iUnOtU2sMXLlz8wPU/w512-h640/C3ABB53C-AB34-4660-BDD8-194AE736A6A4.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZD9OUooh9f_LAEpjyRFfUsHHzEnMnuw-QSIkM95A8p9_76CzGxf3XaIFP9chrLCOfKpuoKoN70e0Ax2yxxa7fSrqQA7Kotce6OIGmPd6y-TjkhC1kK4OfC02kDHkamkW1h8sYDkU1mk/s2048/IMG_6866.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZD9OUooh9f_LAEpjyRFfUsHHzEnMnuw-QSIkM95A8p9_76CzGxf3XaIFP9chrLCOfKpuoKoN70e0Ax2yxxa7fSrqQA7Kotce6OIGmPd6y-TjkhC1kK4OfC02kDHkamkW1h8sYDkU1mk/w480-h640/IMG_6866.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtw6GZALqHoRU94x_V5KRhhdzkocaCDZ3GH9VJCEOOgJJh-LuXVlQJRf0qYSvMj_NvQnUBwniXKbLjxQQNfQDem3zueBU1QnbMsfJ1W1S0WBIrznnqIhC6e8nAV7D91pKIN3LTd_QDkw/s2048/IMG_7753.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtw6GZALqHoRU94x_V5KRhhdzkocaCDZ3GH9VJCEOOgJJh-LuXVlQJRf0qYSvMj_NvQnUBwniXKbLjxQQNfQDem3zueBU1QnbMsfJ1W1S0WBIrznnqIhC6e8nAV7D91pKIN3LTd_QDkw/w480-h640/IMG_7753.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Late spring into early summer I really concentrated on my health. I wasn't happy with my fitness levels or my weight gain over lockdown last year. For a few months I worked really hard and was pleased that I'd reached half my goal. Then I went away on holiday and I enjoyed myself so things have been 'suspended'! I'm still trying to be sensible until I feel in the mindset to give it my all again, but I do feel happier and healthier than I did last year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_ZHpJsSkOxMi85CYkN88lkDq9ArbRZtwP80IcC1hgYqldOfBSLP1QjQN8XF493_Vytve3gD2epK5768wjR7QAwl2mX0NAneTakv9FBYj_PZAUQOxp0I3g3_NrzC7RYefEd6fE8KjkDA/s2048/IMG_6951.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_ZHpJsSkOxMi85CYkN88lkDq9ArbRZtwP80IcC1hgYqldOfBSLP1QjQN8XF493_Vytve3gD2epK5768wjR7QAwl2mX0NAneTakv9FBYj_PZAUQOxp0I3g3_NrzC7RYefEd6fE8KjkDA/w480-h640/IMG_6951.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUv0xfez-2ZzIaWN2QBoB9fWdo0HPPb-jLAC-aWAC7qD6udhW9MQ_91vRW44Lmsfa0C64ao48KsbzYbpzUzmyfEul22aJ5sDNL3h8Vywv3mqzxNt1wYVSLQCbjJxOd9IFSdd5OsCMEDE/s2048/IMG_6960.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUv0xfez-2ZzIaWN2QBoB9fWdo0HPPb-jLAC-aWAC7qD6udhW9MQ_91vRW44Lmsfa0C64ao48KsbzYbpzUzmyfEul22aJ5sDNL3h8Vywv3mqzxNt1wYVSLQCbjJxOd9IFSdd5OsCMEDE/w480-h640/IMG_6960.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bread is pretty much my downfall. I baked <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">A </span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">LOT </span></span>last year, hence the large weight gain. I haven't baked much bread this year, but floral foccacia is something I'm loving. It's so much fun to make.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircOB9XOJ3dJCdovu3MEuda_zCscwzpMVyJVOjPwntY1D6E7Fax2OK9iwNEKrjN5588_PZBWXGwvOak-PPaBiUitbcNxCsDlUO1wCB80KJAzsH83VtMtQEET-udwVos0OqDpGS8xn06eg/s2048/IMG_7386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircOB9XOJ3dJCdovu3MEuda_zCscwzpMVyJVOjPwntY1D6E7Fax2OK9iwNEKrjN5588_PZBWXGwvOak-PPaBiUitbcNxCsDlUO1wCB80KJAzsH83VtMtQEET-udwVos0OqDpGS8xn06eg/w480-h640/IMG_7386.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also bought a new cookbook, that had strawberry breakfast slices. It's from a cookbook with the word 'Comfort' in the title. Seriously, I should have left well alone. Super quick and easy to whip up. Basic puff pastry, mash some strawberries with either thick greek yoghurt or cream cheese and layer over the pastry. Layer thinly cut strawberries over the top, egg wash the sides and bake for 20 minutes until golden. For a pop of extra sweetness, I layer a thin veil of strawberry jam underneath the cream cheese mixture. Very moorish, so these are strictly Sunday morning baking if I have been good and not naughty during the week! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKhANHSi0fi-_0NDa2Y2xe4bmu9gYpjTc4LiV7Cg3ORAlDQsxw35XaqQZd0bVrLwDLH2_40FxSWm_hty97GmNZNGvlTfwU_efT_Rp2r9lSntl4-4v-LsZUrUQuEjdxF577JkFqVNMm2I/s2048/IMG_7195.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKhANHSi0fi-_0NDa2Y2xe4bmu9gYpjTc4LiV7Cg3ORAlDQsxw35XaqQZd0bVrLwDLH2_40FxSWm_hty97GmNZNGvlTfwU_efT_Rp2r9lSntl4-4v-LsZUrUQuEjdxF577JkFqVNMm2I/w480-h640/IMG_7195.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Coffee is a staple too. Summer was for fresh, crisp coffee. I'm looking forward to the flavoured coffees now.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">These past few days, I've woken up to darker mornings. Misty and crisp. We are on the cusp of the Autumn slumber. It's my mission to find my pumpkins to display around the house. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX81g_ccQO-G7iT8T8Z-hRj18cKIM6KHj-tvHaPaAoFrdfiPzvNOdy7vayJggcXMfCDvsGqawbSwgcTUJf-TfT67Jk_wHEgqCY5ZsCJTw9qYIvhFYbo0iYRIqfVp_1QvFHnJZ32OxTRns/s1124/AC0D9875-3095-4D3E-B3EF-BD4A9477A5F5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX81g_ccQO-G7iT8T8Z-hRj18cKIM6KHj-tvHaPaAoFrdfiPzvNOdy7vayJggcXMfCDvsGqawbSwgcTUJf-TfT67Jk_wHEgqCY5ZsCJTw9qYIvhFYbo0iYRIqfVp_1QvFHnJZ32OxTRns/w640-h640/AC0D9875-3095-4D3E-B3EF-BD4A9477A5F5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As usual for this time of year, one of my most favourite things to do, is to go to TKMax and stock up on the Autumn candles. It's my favourite Autumn thing to do, fill the house with the gorgeous comforting aroma of spiced apple and pumpkin. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm ready for warm knits on crisp days, falling leaves on sleepy trees and the beautiful scent of woody damp decay. Every season truly is a beauty.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">X</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">X</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">X</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-44784367167883236852021-03-17T10:07:00.000+00:002021-03-17T10:07:16.457+00:00Spring 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJp2PnnmjEHeX75mLDZI4RYxgm5lKMrP6jxXVHh-sIaMjm-ZQNPvDe2lcBwFcuUv8Yzv4L7vb312JPB5NJ35oRRhZpXzUj5_eSDL_p0vKs2I4xL1Xz6xsKt5zQQ0_IxHefgIRVGoSBhM/s2048/IMG_2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJp2PnnmjEHeX75mLDZI4RYxgm5lKMrP6jxXVHh-sIaMjm-ZQNPvDe2lcBwFcuUv8Yzv4L7vb312JPB5NJ35oRRhZpXzUj5_eSDL_p0vKs2I4xL1Xz6xsKt5zQQ0_IxHefgIRVGoSBhM/w640-h640/IMG_2896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Sometimes</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">,</span> <span style="color: #f4cccc;">when</span> <span style="color: #ffe599;">you</span> <span style="color: #93c47d;">talk</span> <span style="color: #e06666;">to</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">the</span> <span style="color: #f4cccc;">universe</span>.....<span style="color: #f1c232;">it</span> <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">answers</span> <span style="color: #ea9999;">you</span> <span style="color: #b6d7a8;">back.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3ZBhnyC5wfLmgyCAJEQYvMhpkTaEkuNM_4Eh0f2CK4WFvBangeN72s_9ZaNzxY9DSkGReUodebDJm_m6PMWYo9Q7Pk69wRfIjOiPUCjhEVfWBZBGrW0UlmV4-98O0lw3Sa4BY0y4b3E/s2048/672FF292-107F-4B39-9153-AF2A40513FD7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3ZBhnyC5wfLmgyCAJEQYvMhpkTaEkuNM_4Eh0f2CK4WFvBangeN72s_9ZaNzxY9DSkGReUodebDJm_m6PMWYo9Q7Pk69wRfIjOiPUCjhEVfWBZBGrW0UlmV4-98O0lw3Sa4BY0y4b3E/w512-h640/672FF292-107F-4B39-9153-AF2A40513FD7.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I had planned to write two blog posts before this. One for Autumn, and one for Winter. It was my plan just to write up a post each season. Posts to just catch up and remind myself what had been happening in my life. I'm not so sure anyone actually reads blogs any more. The fast paced world of Instagram, Twitter and TikTok leaves blogging pretty much a thing of the past now. It saddens me, when I think of blogging in its hey day and what an incredibly lovely community it was. But I write. I continue to write for me, and if anyone happens to read it and even remotely enjoy it, then that's a lovely little bonus I guess. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Nothing really has been happening in my little world . It feels like months and months of nothingness be honest. Lockdown, after lockdown it seemed and I just found myself being cooped up in my own little space in the house with everyone else crammed in too for good measure. One thing I realised whilst we were all stuck in the house day after day together, was that my life just became one big Groundhog Day. Cleaning, cleaning.....and more cleaning. Oh, and food shopping because everybody seemed to be hungry ALL of the time. No sooner was the kitchen blitzed, it was a mess again. There actually never seemed to be a break when someone wasn't eating or using every dish, pan, cup, plate there was. It actually became really quite depressing. Forever cleaning, and having to walk around on tiptoes everywhere in case I disturbed a conference call really just drained me of being able to anything creative and visual. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The frustration that I was starting to feel was getting bigger and bigger inside. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Autumn 2020 had been a tale of two halves. A difficult one. One where I had felt alone, tired and frustrated. One where I had felt no desire to do anything other than just 'get through the day'. Eventually the turning point did arrive. I had been waiting for it for such a long while. That moment when I woke, and suddenly felt ready to tackle all that I had previously not had the mental capacity to tackle. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It felt so good. It felt like a thousand tonnes of weight had been lifted from my overladen shoulders. It felt like peace had once again been restored in my whole being. Weirdly, serendipitous events happened to help bring it about. Do you believe the universe has plans for you? Well, I felt like everything that I had been feeling these past 15 months had come full circle and I could begin see the clear road ahead. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It was suddenly very clear in my head what I wanted to achieve. The year had been one big write off and suddenly I felt like I could move forward. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6xJCoHAuPKmZiw6zg862xWatFUZqQ8Raz9BdvsuxoVX-gcsuWt5Pm3iZbG8Y8i8OXSPHx5L219iCe3_C17XvdabzQPFKYNCs8a7HeJN3VcGYUTDFUWxxGkEYbupJS8hhVb7-TkURB_g/s2000/E28856B0-D8EB-4B90-BB1E-4C22AB722F54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6xJCoHAuPKmZiw6zg862xWatFUZqQ8Raz9BdvsuxoVX-gcsuWt5Pm3iZbG8Y8i8OXSPHx5L219iCe3_C17XvdabzQPFKYNCs8a7HeJN3VcGYUTDFUWxxGkEYbupJS8hhVb7-TkURB_g/w360-h640/E28856B0-D8EB-4B90-BB1E-4C22AB722F54.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have felt over the last few years that I have been wading through some very thick treacle. Ever so slowly, the world has been closing in on me. Not knowing how to deal with it and just putting it to the back of my mind has been my 'go to' method. Clearly not the best solution, and the longer you leave it, the bigger it gets. With loss and grief big, big factors in my life also this last year, that helped to just not want to deal with anything.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Finally waking up and the fog clearing was such a blessed relief. Finally feeling ready to tackle happiness and what I need to do to achieve it was such a nice feeling. Deep soul happiness, not just on the surface happiness. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So, the latter part of Autumn I felt a great positivity. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxpVPgDY3xCXUBuvTB_pCyEF_inVV9nMtxg3YyGob6uV0BYzjYI10id-aw1Mhar_t2BlDmAPZWQh23_4xwEf_9TO_g1AB9-sObP1oa96gfcyWPQOdjHaG0_-blM7U9Q86EDfU51jRKAw/s2048/37C33D41-6B68-47B0-AEED-53BC11EF2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1639" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxpVPgDY3xCXUBuvTB_pCyEF_inVV9nMtxg3YyGob6uV0BYzjYI10id-aw1Mhar_t2BlDmAPZWQh23_4xwEf_9TO_g1AB9-sObP1oa96gfcyWPQOdjHaG0_-blM7U9Q86EDfU51jRKAw/w512-h640/37C33D41-6B68-47B0-AEED-53BC11EF2317.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The second and third lockdowns slight dampened all that positivity that had flooded within me. Like I said, everyone crammed in at home working, eating and just generally making mess I couldn't keep up with......well.......I have just been silently keeping my head down and making do until such time as I feel I can begin to spread my wings again.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGGi7HvpwzpOiwaVnB0VdvvnImk7OgRwfwxrwb-U_E9vqX8mLcr9qH1KMtXrUuBBAOCwCH1PEmBhr_jRGOfWl27G9uM7Yuyx1wOPHewchxvTo6x9Y9TDeEr7WBsGZZbausvUe-kRTwM8/s2000/7A513083-5663-46ED-BD68-6E3F39C867F9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGGi7HvpwzpOiwaVnB0VdvvnImk7OgRwfwxrwb-U_E9vqX8mLcr9qH1KMtXrUuBBAOCwCH1PEmBhr_jRGOfWl27G9uM7Yuyx1wOPHewchxvTo6x9Y9TDeEr7WBsGZZbausvUe-kRTwM8/w360-h640/7A513083-5663-46ED-BD68-6E3F39C867F9.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I don't think I realised just how much I value and crave my own space. That quiet. Just yourself and your thoughts. Not being able to freely potter and be as creative as my mind has wanted me to be has seen the frustration grow within me. It has taken everything in me to keep it contained. Sometimes I have thought how great it would be to go to some remote location and just scream my little lungs out. I think that might have made me feel a little better. However, even being all crammed on top of each other, I am grateful for many, many things. I appreciate it all.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs4BKTnQGLiYGriVZerWpPMi3UPWsffNTDxPyIE8Xx7tGAgk-9dUs0BWWoZMIwGEI6dChkpbqT82l0J7rYq-yWT84OiySIHnD25XNmY-A1jd8f8sPSuD6e81H_Cl707V1Y9UhmejOuL4/s2885/IMG_4086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="2885" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs4BKTnQGLiYGriVZerWpPMi3UPWsffNTDxPyIE8Xx7tGAgk-9dUs0BWWoZMIwGEI6dChkpbqT82l0J7rYq-yWT84OiySIHnD25XNmY-A1jd8f8sPSuD6e81H_Cl707V1Y9UhmejOuL4/w640-h640/IMG_4086.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">In creative news, I did things that pretty much could be done compactly. I was lucky enough to be given the most gorgeous coat for my birthday. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHY9mC81jr4X3Ej86ssU_5G4VLd9xTPcRYHCguvGcT_eT5D4TaY4Zy4Ze1QwO7nYwWMQeareV6aCS0sqODIn5FT2w0RRV_o_U2oqCkER-GKFIMsZrMsKzp0Wxw-ZQ4DZcG7dLMRXGDCM/s1510/IMG_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="916" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHY9mC81jr4X3Ej86ssU_5G4VLd9xTPcRYHCguvGcT_eT5D4TaY4Zy4Ze1QwO7nYwWMQeareV6aCS0sqODIn5FT2w0RRV_o_U2oqCkER-GKFIMsZrMsKzp0Wxw-ZQ4DZcG7dLMRXGDCM/w388-h640/IMG_2443.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The most perfect pink. I wanted to make a scarf or shawl to compliment it. I decided upon the Victoria Shawl by Sandra from <a href="https://www.cherryheart.co.uk/2016/03/victoria-shawl.html" target="_blank">Cherry Heart Blog</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I used Drops Baby Alpaca Silk in Powder for the main body and off white for the edging. It's so pretty a delight to wear.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDugoclzQrX7eHBCS8bF4iyKnOqRwh7WIgtfhcvFWSjHIccmigIMzhmdUasjAzNiNvp7PFaHiRPLUfePRMzib0sNNQz65BEYDUkilN8uK5zQ5Lx92RN__JFXNKovjBEKkATf19QHlbSI/s2048/IMG_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDugoclzQrX7eHBCS8bF4iyKnOqRwh7WIgtfhcvFWSjHIccmigIMzhmdUasjAzNiNvp7PFaHiRPLUfePRMzib0sNNQz65BEYDUkilN8uK5zQ5Lx92RN__JFXNKovjBEKkATf19QHlbSI/w480-h640/IMG_4873.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Once again serendipitous moments happened, which resulted in a new blanket being born. I thought I was really over blankets.......silly me for even thinking that really.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">During the annual retrieving of the Christmas decs from the loft, I came across a crafty tub with a much beloved crochet project in it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2Daadu-n9ScarGxBUDupk_EuFBBL6Xp748Yuex6qp6mcrLCYLQVEo05V19PagYXpSinB7kalUJ9jffyDorSqIAqVFAMqr1QM5qyq0eMpJMGxm04M1OYq0ch1RMZsm-wBIEcRHdks1-4/s730/IMG_3591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="730" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2Daadu-n9ScarGxBUDupk_EuFBBL6Xp748Yuex6qp6mcrLCYLQVEo05V19PagYXpSinB7kalUJ9jffyDorSqIAqVFAMqr1QM5qyq0eMpJMGxm04M1OYq0ch1RMZsm-wBIEcRHdks1-4/w640-h418/IMG_3591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCfdSADrLztWd6j44nm9AsHETfcWTQ0I508jo8ygZLqCmZzY8Cg46NEU_31v8q3BkRcqbi8qM2fs_fe2TmaaQr61Ojn2zX8DKrPyLUla9EGRl9BR-dYQLyW5Ml0OJnfe7Dcl78RdoiLk/s640/IMG_9810+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="429" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCfdSADrLztWd6j44nm9AsHETfcWTQ0I508jo8ygZLqCmZzY8Cg46NEU_31v8q3BkRcqbi8qM2fs_fe2TmaaQr61Ojn2zX8DKrPyLUla9EGRl9BR-dYQLyW5Ml0OJnfe7Dcl78RdoiLk/w428-h640/IMG_9810+2.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgGbXa7brq0UUhIq5szBntsdd0BXPQidZJaCKGQbmvi663QUot0MYrNGwTaax7jVaTihDDiAX3hvW1jl9N_LKRCNiaxbZc7qjcShueEo6ZwhIIgM_xyEMDqy_F-icmv97IPtRp_roLfc/s939/IMG_9813+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgGbXa7brq0UUhIq5szBntsdd0BXPQidZJaCKGQbmvi663QUot0MYrNGwTaax7jVaTihDDiAX3hvW1jl9N_LKRCNiaxbZc7qjcShueEo6ZwhIIgM_xyEMDqy_F-icmv97IPtRp_roLfc/w512-h640/IMG_9813+2.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Started many, many moons ago, it was a project that was put aside. When it was retrieved, I sadly realised that, with my usual lack of planning, pretty much all of the yarns had been discontinued and I couldn't carry on with it in the way that I had wanted to ( a decent sized blanket). I couldn't stop thinking on it though. I was absolutely in love with it at the time. It was made of tiny hexagons, that I was planning on sewing together by hand. I wanted sort of a vintage patchwork piece. Anyway, for reasons explained, it didn't come to fruition (when I ever get round to it, it will become a big floor cushion). However, it really would not leave my head. I had loved working with the pastels in my last Irish Chain Quilt blanket and had some left over, so the thought started brewing. Then, over Christmas I watched The programme 'When Roald Dahl met Beatrix Potter'. Oh my gosh, I adored it. Having long been a Potter fan, this was just a delight to watch. Suddenly the idea was born. A small hexi patchwork blanket using pastel shades that were used in the drawings by Beatrix Potter. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Pretty much like every other blanket colour way that I use, but a good excuse. Literally as soon as the lightbulb went on........</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL-z5gM3bzI74ME-NW-p37kehB9dt2KRIwMJOMbKPk2EdajRaP56fsAbXZm0mSDssjwEf2SfC2BgbtopbAagMOVIUzKAe7OD_RK3G2JUQc6L6zCa6IIDvXzlVA3iRruKewGQ08DItIuk/s2048/IMG_3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1415" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL-z5gM3bzI74ME-NW-p37kehB9dt2KRIwMJOMbKPk2EdajRaP56fsAbXZm0mSDssjwEf2SfC2BgbtopbAagMOVIUzKAe7OD_RK3G2JUQc6L6zCa6IIDvXzlVA3iRruKewGQ08DItIuk/w442-h640/IMG_3686.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnYSh55ykuGgdizorvxWQcHXXSwHcWAxMqIw_KTqZBLD_YzXIG_WFgI6XxKbdSysAiPv4Lv9waleCp19sAOCldNuHNmWdrKPusWs4_KsGwKe_5EeirT6DLpEpUY4fZp5SmpSJuKEPuPw/s889/IMG_3689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="749" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnYSh55ykuGgdizorvxWQcHXXSwHcWAxMqIw_KTqZBLD_YzXIG_WFgI6XxKbdSysAiPv4Lv9waleCp19sAOCldNuHNmWdrKPusWs4_KsGwKe_5EeirT6DLpEpUY4fZp5SmpSJuKEPuPw/w336-h400/IMG_3689.JPG" width="336" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just love the shades. So totally me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xhmy-lbhYiSbx-Rbr97GJCViImTgg12mFBxHjwO9FOxUONKGrguuXQ2QvGE8sz6I_Nvi0rAwE0S1i7oaiw8BH9dV7mxFKvTxhNvWkafZgJfEufsZXSGUk1jrHVGKMwfiHoybmXx1i_w/s2048/IMG_4091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="2048" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xhmy-lbhYiSbx-Rbr97GJCViImTgg12mFBxHjwO9FOxUONKGrguuXQ2QvGE8sz6I_Nvi0rAwE0S1i7oaiw8BH9dV7mxFKvTxhNvWkafZgJfEufsZXSGUk1jrHVGKMwfiHoybmXx1i_w/w640-h444/IMG_4091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coming along nicely. I made the hexies slightly bigger. I just didn't know if I had the stamina to make them as small as the last lot. The size is okay, but if I'm being honest, I prefer the smaller size. I think they look more 'vintage' the smaller they are in a blanket form. I'm okay with that though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUgL6Xa8keIOjd67Cx6Fzq9yZxiuGdfTTA3k4rD4uJcNi6pXryszO4v7G2J6pqyV1Uki8tK5QIvjAPSNVfHmrPmHJ1YxUgoZYtUa973aC3KzcYRrcSp7LyuxiYhWLbByp8ee0JQbwXEE/s2048/IMG_4256.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUgL6Xa8keIOjd67Cx6Fzq9yZxiuGdfTTA3k4rD4uJcNi6pXryszO4v7G2J6pqyV1Uki8tK5QIvjAPSNVfHmrPmHJ1YxUgoZYtUa973aC3KzcYRrcSp7LyuxiYhWLbByp8ee0JQbwXEE/w480-h640/IMG_4256.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Minnie, thinking that every blanket laid down is for her use only.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT86jPBjWLwLViSjdZrZSYt2i9moShyxwzHO6BBBYmLS0L3pUGUSTA257TujV4vB40l5k6RrU2eRrjh5Y9H8lm50z8EcMxdgiVzLwLHmvC0AsWagsLrcP72QKfMFi9jGjy0djcUgYTrg/s2048/IMG_4272.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT86jPBjWLwLViSjdZrZSYt2i9moShyxwzHO6BBBYmLS0L3pUGUSTA257TujV4vB40l5k6RrU2eRrjh5Y9H8lm50z8EcMxdgiVzLwLHmvC0AsWagsLrcP72QKfMFi9jGjy0djcUgYTrg/w480-h640/IMG_4272.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzE5L4ZJnSJk4h06zL72Ca1_zjL5XRAeaS09v_XWeZu4aWw9NQLrcusoHeVBL4MTMVCTpeAIhUBGGGf1fpArAQukeXuSjzDDD77HYFOaf5RLipDv0X2jy-3ARyNCkFWxV3vgXkOXVRPc/s2048/4252EB20-D673-422A-A45A-BCBD597826AA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzE5L4ZJnSJk4h06zL72Ca1_zjL5XRAeaS09v_XWeZu4aWw9NQLrcusoHeVBL4MTMVCTpeAIhUBGGGf1fpArAQukeXuSjzDDD77HYFOaf5RLipDv0X2jy-3ARyNCkFWxV3vgXkOXVRPc/w640-h640/4252EB20-D673-422A-A45A-BCBD597826AA.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">All the hexies are made. I have sewn together half of them with needle and thread. I don't know why it was so important for me to sew them up this way. I don't even think it's such a good idea. Yarn works well to sew yarns together, thread works well to sew fabrics together. I don't think it's the best combination to put together, but I have been determined that it should be done this way. Stupid me and my stupid ideas. We shall see how much patching together will need to be done at a later date. For now though, I am loving it. I did take a break half way through to make myself another shawl. Life events needed me to make something quick and rewarding, and also give me something deep to focus on for a short while.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So, I decided upon this......</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Eabi2LDY7SaESAxpb49QJ2ihK1SxxEeNO8h2Qi6YFYKZP3ItjfELZgVnxK1q7tFmIdMdGRKHKkghUf5L63rih7oiJIjfCUmRfxhDHbcRDnepCorwKpS043safgCPXseZk4enJj7cu94/s600/IMG_4701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="401" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Eabi2LDY7SaESAxpb49QJ2ihK1SxxEeNO8h2Qi6YFYKZP3ItjfELZgVnxK1q7tFmIdMdGRKHKkghUf5L63rih7oiJIjfCUmRfxhDHbcRDnepCorwKpS043safgCPXseZk4enJj7cu94/w428-h640/IMG_4701.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's the Denver Sunset Shawl</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGoazBhvisyW7cuf7P-C6HZpF6Vy1_y_wOXJ3pgXIgmFJZ0Qr1DvJBfyluuTw3SEpMS4m4jQ5gpQiiu-vUItJXVPxsdDjvhULeIO0_t9e3trTW1IonoTFQQfmEGAQu1TLv4oyw3T9_1w/s600/IMG_4705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="401" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGoazBhvisyW7cuf7P-C6HZpF6Vy1_y_wOXJ3pgXIgmFJZ0Qr1DvJBfyluuTw3SEpMS4m4jQ5gpQiiu-vUItJXVPxsdDjvhULeIO0_t9e3trTW1IonoTFQQfmEGAQu1TLv4oyw3T9_1w/w428-h640/IMG_4705.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was perusing my pinterest boards for inspiration, and this just screamed at me. Quick and easy. Gorgeous colours from one ball. I'm on it. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3BD01AT-pHY2wACNHyypdarax4Dx63PmJ_MUmBLM_HZ-_VoNylnxcREthyphenhypheneg1EbY-jYud5ofu9JQDYPgP9c9cm3SztWDTVp50kchHI9S3WSPWkx28gYGYINJwuEGwm-OuBm-86p_wSM/s2000/IMG_4757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3BD01AT-pHY2wACNHyypdarax4Dx63PmJ_MUmBLM_HZ-_VoNylnxcREthyphenhypheneg1EbY-jYud5ofu9JQDYPgP9c9cm3SztWDTVp50kchHI9S3WSPWkx28gYGYINJwuEGwm-OuBm-86p_wSM/w360-h640/IMG_4757.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It crocheted up in a couple of days. It was a simple pattern repeat, but it took me ages to get going. I really am not a fan of patterns which don't provide any charts of any sorts. I had to try and read the pattern to try and make up my own chart just to try and make sense of the beginning. I did finally get it and once the first couple of rows were done then it was a fine repeat. It was an aran weight hooked on a 9mm hook so it worked up fast.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Typical me to make something Autumnal just as Spring arrives. I just adored the wash of colours. The pattern is available on Ravelry if anyone is interested. I used the yarn recommended, Lion Brand Landscapes. I love it so much, I'm actually thinking on another one. I made a very very long scarf a couple of years back which I named my Dr Who scarf. I love it so much and the yarn was just so beautiful. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyWTRjrFoKAHYGISm-kv3FNgcrKX5Dtw7jGcVbQHWvFRH-vwhNrEeFIoao9B5g0_GpL0YGp_zGXF6Es0KRytgd_KLHT0cujCf-1PxtVbsAA9OK1ZdBdfUT10MBFoYMIznC7BE1pSwQCk/s1125/IMG_4863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1125" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyWTRjrFoKAHYGISm-kv3FNgcrKX5Dtw7jGcVbQHWvFRH-vwhNrEeFIoao9B5g0_GpL0YGp_zGXF6Es0KRytgd_KLHT0cujCf-1PxtVbsAA9OK1ZdBdfUT10MBFoYMIznC7BE1pSwQCk/w640-h626/IMG_4863.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This was in a Cygnet yarn I believe. Totally my colours and I think it would make for such a beautiful Denver Sunset Shawl pattern. Always me, to keep on making something in a billion colours if I like it. I don't need any more shawls, but, like that ever stopped me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I seem to be drawn to these colour wash yarns now. I bought the Landscapes yarn and immediately had to text my mum with a picture. Throughout my very early years, my mum knitted me jumpers. Think 70's where everything in that whole era seemed to be made in brown, orange or yellow. My whole recollection was not one of fondness for that era. Otherwise known as #jumpergate, My mum never liked to knit in one colour yarn. She always maintained that it was so boring, so she would buy variegated yarn in brown and yellow or brown and orange. She would knit up a jumper........and not once would the damn things ever fit over my head! I shudder at the memories of my mum trying her hardest to pull them over my head. There would be yelling from me about how much it hurt my head, and there would be yelling from my mum about how she followed the pattern and my head must be incredibly large! I don't think I actually ever wore the jumpers she made me. She never ever managed to get her tension right on the necklines, and I was actually glad. Brown, yellow, orange and ANY yarn that was variegated in any way has been a no no for me for pretty much most of my life! My mum still maintains to this day that my head is a funny shape and she was never in the wrong with her tension........AND......her yarn choices were very lovely! She laughs at my choices to buy any yarn that is not plain and tells me she always knew I'd come around to her way of thinking! I still won't go near anything with just browns and yellows!!!!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">⁕⁕⁕</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll leave with a few camera reel photos of the past few months. Mainly dog photos on my camera feed these days. Through lockdown, she has been my permanent companion, my little sidekick and partner in crime. I am desperate to get my big camera out again. Hopefully, with lockdown nearing its end and spring well under way, there will be the opportunity to snap snap snap away to my hearts content.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Until then.......</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUyGKHfBO7C7w8rbWSIcFsYSXDi_0WL5gCsH2DwUb5f4x_bpQKZlqw293905Ay38ORNeMKuRU5Wiyyuyug7bojML4lYfpec398UcRfvnhrF8dZNu6qDiAcRZ07bhuBCkMPHS6euZltjU/s2048/D86F30EF-4E2C-472A-91A0-A31497C43F34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUyGKHfBO7C7w8rbWSIcFsYSXDi_0WL5gCsH2DwUb5f4x_bpQKZlqw293905Ay38ORNeMKuRU5Wiyyuyug7bojML4lYfpec398UcRfvnhrF8dZNu6qDiAcRZ07bhuBCkMPHS6euZltjU/w640-h640/D86F30EF-4E2C-472A-91A0-A31497C43F34.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I lost the dog one morning. Couldn't find her anywhere. She blends in well with my house decor. The Bears have almost sat on her a couple of times when she is curled in a teeny tight ball on the sofa. She becomes almost invisible.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaqRwYJLK1eQzuWRTM3QOosnXStyR6aimdy2y7qCFGracLkDQIxrWkWIp1ocPoqqN4clqG3KJclA1b7vKe1EBpoX-xhL-oVqSius6JLcAhJMDgFbXJ7HblowfFqX5dDo-6n6X5lp4-os/s2048/IMG_4684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaqRwYJLK1eQzuWRTM3QOosnXStyR6aimdy2y7qCFGracLkDQIxrWkWIp1ocPoqqN4clqG3KJclA1b7vKe1EBpoX-xhL-oVqSius6JLcAhJMDgFbXJ7HblowfFqX5dDo-6n6X5lp4-os/w640-h640/IMG_4684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">We have a routine on the days I'm not working. If I haven't left the house and she sees me walk past the living room with a coffee in my hand, she knows I'm off to my bedroom banishment for a couple of hours. Either laptop maintenance or crafting of some type, but the coffee in hand is her cue to whine to be with me and settle down for the morning next to me. I love it actually. She really has been my ray of sunshine on the darkest of days.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrApooqrLTeIy5SJU6bCgc5E4Bq7EE7WFqStbMcGtlMR0lS2ChKZvRhcBz11NXMpRI5QmjjlAGxquZq4uMLoIx_jqCvbfzD73kXrHGy4RbrzVn6wNXJxvvqIz1Ciko9ZU9HjiIkPwAoQ/s2048/E66BE734-7667-4009-AEE4-2F0B6B05CB97.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrApooqrLTeIy5SJU6bCgc5E4Bq7EE7WFqStbMcGtlMR0lS2ChKZvRhcBz11NXMpRI5QmjjlAGxquZq4uMLoIx_jqCvbfzD73kXrHGy4RbrzVn6wNXJxvvqIz1Ciko9ZU9HjiIkPwAoQ/w640-h640/E66BE734-7667-4009-AEE4-2F0B6B05CB97.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I've become obsessed with wearing berets throughout the Autumn /Winter months. I even made a couple of crochet ones too. I don't particularly suit hats in any way shape or form......but I guess I've hit that age where I simply don't care if I look stupid. Bobble hats on the dog walks are essential and berets for general walking. Turns out I like a warm head.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUI3RAKcCvfXheBr98JIKFw9YQFJbNo3bVA64FVMH4DiMAIdS6DeZJJbLF3nD8VtcRglmnwUhIi8b90Intmx-vGdBH_afNCKlMiY04lMGn33fB84ZylWng39Wt2ZVGcoJGV8AtE3ay6k/s2048/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUI3RAKcCvfXheBr98JIKFw9YQFJbNo3bVA64FVMH4DiMAIdS6DeZJJbLF3nD8VtcRglmnwUhIi8b90Intmx-vGdBH_afNCKlMiY04lMGn33fB84ZylWng39Wt2ZVGcoJGV8AtE3ay6k/w640-h640/IMG_1970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I made a start painting my stairs (Farrow & Ball Light Blue). Very difficult in lockdown with everyone home wanting to go up and down all day. Weeks on and it still needs another couple of coats. I fear it's going to be one of those projects that will take a year to complete........sigh. I like the colour though and it has brightened up the hallway.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg5KD-CqsTTkRFaoqjPPTG4EvwLTnJs7WSOkWl6SjM-x9vK8cWIBikBMwFiyIhjprW_Ke0xGOvnDceLdlG0I_wibcDOCT2ur6Rjq_9aoXS_3-lgxvk3CGQeKHaOFWXNvE2kBq7sxPIVs/s2048/IMG_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg5KD-CqsTTkRFaoqjPPTG4EvwLTnJs7WSOkWl6SjM-x9vK8cWIBikBMwFiyIhjprW_Ke0xGOvnDceLdlG0I_wibcDOCT2ur6Rjq_9aoXS_3-lgxvk3CGQeKHaOFWXNvE2kBq7sxPIVs/w640-h640/IMG_2531.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dog walks have helped enormously in lockdown. Getting fresh air......space and a few quiet moments of alone time have been essential.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV46gPkVSTWqzXX1KcEUFYYbPFBdQ4M6czo3Rl1829pfji7aRw4MT301vk5kouP3EHjk-0G0oCuZ0LKkoKoo3LplGG63fkHhTDyit9tgzpxcNfPbro8ZVerkIPyYMIWMMmcCeAdQvgH04/s2048/IMG_4128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV46gPkVSTWqzXX1KcEUFYYbPFBdQ4M6czo3Rl1829pfji7aRw4MT301vk5kouP3EHjk-0G0oCuZ0LKkoKoo3LplGG63fkHhTDyit9tgzpxcNfPbro8ZVerkIPyYMIWMMmcCeAdQvgH04/w480-h640/IMG_4128.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was out one sunny, but very foggy morning and I saw the most curious thing. A white rainbow......otherwise known as a Fogbow. Seriously, I never knew such a thing existed. It was pretty spectacular. I have never seen one in all my years, and probably won't again. That made it all the more special. I truly love Mother Nature.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqajGGzylSG-8IYfrcF2NlWmBeARFlpJyDyubqKVpd_Z1agcABS6G95E2fUkiv53gTxI6LykulRs4EcwoeSP8WF0J7EW-3wIkpm5DtsUV7ITO09013G6LT6J2eBTuK7pZv0ia_Pl-zeU/s2048/IMG_4164.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqajGGzylSG-8IYfrcF2NlWmBeARFlpJyDyubqKVpd_Z1agcABS6G95E2fUkiv53gTxI6LykulRs4EcwoeSP8WF0J7EW-3wIkpm5DtsUV7ITO09013G6LT6J2eBTuK7pZv0ia_Pl-zeU/w480-h640/IMG_4164.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm still baking bread. I seriously should stop. Bread is my Achilles Heel. Love, love love it. The Bear's love it too. I tell myself I'm making it for them.....really it's just for me. They have to be quick to get some. I love them to bits, but it's seriously a close call between them and bread. I kid you not!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">x</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">x</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-68858797919045528452020-09-22T16:17:00.001+01:002020-09-29T18:51:10.439+01:00Summer 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxErD_hYCp0t9TUd7vozV60_AnMrQhWDVZujeSwneAbueD3PjKgKqL93R4DoAHV54gqYpyRqOJ9KhqAl1o_NPgDpMG6XWLdQaGxHHmrsTaTB9TvEZGLhiODTned0JPzKoLFstAZIf73YM/s1600/IMG_0516_1b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxErD_hYCp0t9TUd7vozV60_AnMrQhWDVZujeSwneAbueD3PjKgKqL93R4DoAHV54gqYpyRqOJ9KhqAl1o_NPgDpMG6XWLdQaGxHHmrsTaTB9TvEZGLhiODTned0JPzKoLFstAZIf73YM/s640/IMG_0516_1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Well.....we continue with a weird 2020</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Summer........what can I say?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ECh9Xy1k3AN-vfz9H7FaVvCk7Z7PMYzYV-WVQNwXCCaE-N2JHojrWIQ92EqmQqfX3k_z86R0r5RgtpTk5UOpTmOQo1Ukc2lmrn8lptSG9_iM1AaBNIpDzJpm0uK2p-4NASgGf6PjLo/s2048/A88CCE2F-4A21-4F6D-B6CE-C2D56E147088.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ECh9Xy1k3AN-vfz9H7FaVvCk7Z7PMYzYV-WVQNwXCCaE-N2JHojrWIQ92EqmQqfX3k_z86R0r5RgtpTk5UOpTmOQo1Ukc2lmrn8lptSG9_iM1AaBNIpDzJpm0uK2p-4NASgGf6PjLo/w640-h640/A88CCE2F-4A21-4F6D-B6CE-C2D56E147088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot report that I have done much this Summer. Being either at home on lockdown, or at work.....that's pretty much it. Two places for the last few months. No taking advantage of some glorious weather, getting out and sight seeing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING. However, I know it's been pretty much the same for everybody.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPWspmCKb2UDskZ31xMJ7wOYIi0KKQwUXhqpNNoys8t5SXlRQ8mvS7dHJyCx9-7KNcIlm2fR61-wfmRnfElKddY1qYnVbiZVYsMenWSjSB_hJagb2HQTesxLKVPMfyX_WBSTvlDnIlSw/s2048/IMG_0736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPWspmCKb2UDskZ31xMJ7wOYIi0KKQwUXhqpNNoys8t5SXlRQ8mvS7dHJyCx9-7KNcIlm2fR61-wfmRnfElKddY1qYnVbiZVYsMenWSjSB_hJagb2HQTesxLKVPMfyX_WBSTvlDnIlSw/w640-h640/IMG_0736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the first time in what feels like years, we paid particular attention to the garden. It just hadn't been a priority. Our Garden is really no bigger than the size of a postage stamp, so it shouldn't be that difficult to sort and maintain, but for some reason it was just neglected. A small greenhouse was bought, and seeds were planted. It's been the first year we actually had colour in the garden for such a long time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdJ-N0uRJhOj2LE7J7B8inuRKz6CS4EatVhD4zI8AO120xeOit2Bwd5O3-Y0p_SFiAXlR_aDHt4LMP1oJvgcAfS31oI17BkscBXsWwX208-yeUq8jOKGid8IffiagmPnsJQ2jLt_UXAM/s2048/IMG_0540b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1310" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdJ-N0uRJhOj2LE7J7B8inuRKz6CS4EatVhD4zI8AO120xeOit2Bwd5O3-Y0p_SFiAXlR_aDHt4LMP1oJvgcAfS31oI17BkscBXsWwX208-yeUq8jOKGid8IffiagmPnsJQ2jLt_UXAM/w410-h640/IMG_0540b.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The hydrangeas were a particular beauty this year. They really took my breath away. My soil naturally turns the flowers pink, even when I buy blue hydrangeas which are my favourite, So I add more acid to the soil with a Hydrangea Colourant (available in most Garden Centres) and goodness me, they really put on a show this year. The most gorgeous shades of pink, pale lilac to the deepest blue. I picked so many to dry and almost everyone failed......except for three heads which seemed to dry well and retain their gorgeous blue shade. All the others I failed to dry well, I turned into confetti and stored in Mason Ball jars. Goodness knows what I'll do with them, but they were just too pretty to toss on the compost heap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpTEAp1_PEq7XoCA9EsWZV-KR21CGouyVFoZmMlzlDmn7arHea8FJNkqSVXIMmK-W6sM3ca6eCZxQCeAuJ2w46s4SMyo43cStFBAOdRNd5g1xGffB9sWQvWGrfki687566kpaq_nQ0J0/s2048/IMG_0476b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpTEAp1_PEq7XoCA9EsWZV-KR21CGouyVFoZmMlzlDmn7arHea8FJNkqSVXIMmK-W6sM3ca6eCZxQCeAuJ2w46s4SMyo43cStFBAOdRNd5g1xGffB9sWQvWGrfki687566kpaq_nQ0J0/w468-h640/IMG_0476b.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_avmxXKuHVXKOcOX8FoF6L3rPDHuqiooKG7iJklAOnJ52_XMT2mUUayah6K2Lul_z5ARV-0X4h45Ur6YlWhMP5x9jNr4rPLWWhyphenhyphenb2ULJcRBUQWQPK1YBtxl8LdP-2kOeurV7CcsTUow/s2048/IMG_0486b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_avmxXKuHVXKOcOX8FoF6L3rPDHuqiooKG7iJklAOnJ52_XMT2mUUayah6K2Lul_z5ARV-0X4h45Ur6YlWhMP5x9jNr4rPLWWhyphenhyphenb2ULJcRBUQWQPK1YBtxl8LdP-2kOeurV7CcsTUow/w426-h640/IMG_0486b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoDX2vABLb_ga8nhK8ACKECBZLHLyrEkniwD_Nie9W9HflQViM4kZaVLdD-P134JERUhCwbp7-RpCXYe_ke21t8F6AGOpFBexPD8-ePR_mWKHrZKJvOoVBzbUeReENz1ydV2LWrK9Yvw/s2048/IMG_1191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoDX2vABLb_ga8nhK8ACKECBZLHLyrEkniwD_Nie9W9HflQViM4kZaVLdD-P134JERUhCwbp7-RpCXYe_ke21t8F6AGOpFBexPD8-ePR_mWKHrZKJvOoVBzbUeReENz1ydV2LWrK9Yvw/w640-h640/IMG_1191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I grew my first Sweet Peas. Semi success. I planted too many together and they were a bit stunted. Never the less, I got to pick quite a few posies for little vases, and they made me so happy. New rose bushes were planted, I got a second wave of roses this year which thrilled me.......and I finally got some foxgloves in the garden. I have a list of plants I want to grow, and I just have a couple more that I want to get in the ground for next year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwU8NgmV7loc29npzWoqeyctlzGIjOupLFWmX_K1VNl8VCCYWzfW7ef-uYqCilfkjKxJIZSUKpSJT3PT96dL_G0e3_uPzDR2a-Na_1AofHjjRk59AiQZkbQi6S-vomZe1Rzau1a9lpyM/s2048/IMG_0861.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwU8NgmV7loc29npzWoqeyctlzGIjOupLFWmX_K1VNl8VCCYWzfW7ef-uYqCilfkjKxJIZSUKpSJT3PT96dL_G0e3_uPzDR2a-Na_1AofHjjRk59AiQZkbQi6S-vomZe1Rzau1a9lpyM/w480-h640/IMG_0861.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0OqfdQEa2dN0slCdQJYk3hmIczKDXPbLfc4rMJu5P_LkDswQRmF2i4uAtIR-JennVBdGa3gMbJC5FtgMejxJVCIXqk8q1iZCquuZ5l6GaoMBizYXvxAKEKSCm_2-2GB4EC-h7HIbkTk/s2048/OriginalPhoto-614896880.646876.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0OqfdQEa2dN0slCdQJYk3hmIczKDXPbLfc4rMJu5P_LkDswQRmF2i4uAtIR-JennVBdGa3gMbJC5FtgMejxJVCIXqk8q1iZCquuZ5l6GaoMBizYXvxAKEKSCm_2-2GB4EC-h7HIbkTk/w480-h640/OriginalPhoto-614896880.646876.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;">❤❤❤</span></div><div><br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Creatively wise, I have almost finished my third blanket of the year. No more blankets.....for this year anyway. I did donate several of my early blankets to charity just before lockdown. It felt good to create space, but it felt like losing a part of me. I have yet to make a medium or small blanket. The blankets I end up making take up such a huge amount of my time. There are often quite a few memories woven in, so it's strange to just let them go. It's like letting go of a piece of your life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">★★★</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gIUgjaoRNlQAgvZDruIfU3atpthXLp9pp_EL-O1jTYalnhch709dWKzZ3oHaHHtUHChmbAWaDK41y-d3wegozKgQiH3L-ozsjq07e0dir1IdyNINFFfiimzGZAaeiiZS9n69aHCo4Do/s2048/IMG_0504b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gIUgjaoRNlQAgvZDruIfU3atpthXLp9pp_EL-O1jTYalnhch709dWKzZ3oHaHHtUHChmbAWaDK41y-d3wegozKgQiH3L-ozsjq07e0dir1IdyNINFFfiimzGZAaeiiZS9n69aHCo4Do/w426-h640/IMG_0504b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The last few months on a personal level have been quite tough. My frame of mind could quite simply be described as one of quiet chaos. I've found it hard to settle on anything and focus well. My grief at the loss of my brother is still very much apparent and pretty much still consumes my day. The blanket making has helped to an extent. It has managed to keep me level, but I have no real 'peace' at the moment. I'm working through things little by little, but I'm aware that it's going to take some time.....and I'm okay with that. Slowly but surely wins the race and all.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;">❤❤❤</span></div><div><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjXZWsuS7SUAIM_Pw2uxUhDpETmVpBFLtB3KO5-D2aYuH5tEKgw8NPVz9e9dTKk-bfONAqpSjnlgrrYP7ZH0yv5dnFquV7AToeJQWD6bppWX0L6j-jYoiKjkHB52RaKopxStW8FZome8/s2048/IMG_1596.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjXZWsuS7SUAIM_Pw2uxUhDpETmVpBFLtB3KO5-D2aYuH5tEKgw8NPVz9e9dTKk-bfONAqpSjnlgrrYP7ZH0yv5dnFquV7AToeJQWD6bppWX0L6j-jYoiKjkHB52RaKopxStW8FZome8/w640-h640/IMG_1596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am just finishing sewing in the final ends of my blanket started in my previous post. I started it at the beginning of 'Lockdown' at the end of March. It was a simplified version of the Irish Chain Quilt Crochet Blanket I completed. I don't know why on earth I thought it would be a good idea to make another one. As I explained in my last post.....the only blanket I had ever actually planned......and I still got it terribly wrong! It was okay, I just had to scale it back on repeat rows. It's big.....it's warm.....it's pretty......and I should really really love it......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">.....but I can't say that I do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_Q4g3-dT9waXm1steQE_AgYpYSlVtjUAkO3aQc5a3bUF-uqJVcP3sGWP_Lnbgop3zpqWPOPDMwjVT7bfe3-ShR4f4Jo1V3BwZiEi5_WGdZmyto0VlxtgPYB5eZHBMqSm7ivBJD6-qGw/s1125/IMG_1864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1125" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_Q4g3-dT9waXm1steQE_AgYpYSlVtjUAkO3aQc5a3bUF-uqJVcP3sGWP_Lnbgop3zpqWPOPDMwjVT7bfe3-ShR4f4Jo1V3BwZiEi5_WGdZmyto0VlxtgPYB5eZHBMqSm7ivBJD6-qGw/w640-h622/IMG_1864.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For some reason it just didn't live up to the wonderful expectations I had in my head. The yarn palette was so pretty......it should have been so gorgeous. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty for sure.....but I think I was expecting it to have that <b>'WOW' </b>factor......and it just fell short.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps I felt a little deflated with it......because half way through making the blanket......I started another one!!!!! I'm not sure why I did. I usually am a one project at a time kind of girl.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp3lCE2JY8zvCtRpLd7KPGoxkyvHz5JRlwPvQlirkVAM0Rngu0eRA_NP0rRUGNcJye1TFvq4eg8pTTroOUSU-ZTjPxYlmOrOcWxexw-IoSlz2IDz88k7mTpTExOgzXfzS5cVZxl6Y9JU/s2048/IMG_0745.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp3lCE2JY8zvCtRpLd7KPGoxkyvHz5JRlwPvQlirkVAM0Rngu0eRA_NP0rRUGNcJye1TFvq4eg8pTTroOUSU-ZTjPxYlmOrOcWxexw-IoSlz2IDz88k7mTpTExOgzXfzS5cVZxl6Y9JU/w480-h640/IMG_0745.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1AbeG5m-lP8mz6wanE3nxYB33Qvn20dEBlG0XN4_fx6cfZVHXWl7ugVle814tbNPg29xI5j2VIG8sKFKbBOeGoj7Ew_meDutQUPTcj5SDJd28pZIlu6bjJTBaHzz_dYCdd3DKFEshcI/s2048/B69DFFAE-DEF9-4D2C-94A7-72BDF93B9D4C.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1AbeG5m-lP8mz6wanE3nxYB33Qvn20dEBlG0XN4_fx6cfZVHXWl7ugVle814tbNPg29xI5j2VIG8sKFKbBOeGoj7Ew_meDutQUPTcj5SDJd28pZIlu6bjJTBaHzz_dYCdd3DKFEshcI/w640-h640/B69DFFAE-DEF9-4D2C-94A7-72BDF93B9D4C.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKAF4p0CKQuDk3kzrDXUqYUWana8TqWlFd1XHU4P5-VBcgAQsJr4IJK3T9pIqmhE8U-e6B-bEaOPt_MYX2W7t7akSsGiLlGNpZ0bPxQ_9KOm4f8VjCN3XFO8kNIiCtWP1fZ3ZifFvmJA/s2000/IMG_0187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKAF4p0CKQuDk3kzrDXUqYUWana8TqWlFd1XHU4P5-VBcgAQsJr4IJK3T9pIqmhE8U-e6B-bEaOPt_MYX2W7t7akSsGiLlGNpZ0bPxQ_9KOm4f8VjCN3XFO8kNIiCtWP1fZ3ZifFvmJA/w360-h640/IMG_0187.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had some yarn that I had wanted to make a blanket with. The yarn I had was was Drops Puna. It's one of my favourite yarns. I seem to use it a lot. It has a lovely vintage quality to it. I had bought the off white colour (which is actually more of a light wheat kind of shade). I knew I wanted it to be a lovely vintage style blanket but I had yet to find the perfect granny square. I had tried a few but none felt right. Then one day on a random search I stumbled across a square that looked perfect for the yarn. I made up a square and knew in an instant that I had found the one. Once the brain goes into overdrive, I had to put the other blanket down and crochet away with this new one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z4DuMzKw6AwZPbwCa0snt3vDIw3D3sUk45k0H88LuPmuWqQs0YTprlV0q0-4pLBg9vqOKO8nqW4PR1QLHV4_CvfOHG59i_QQRkeXuu0MtlAMIatsZRfxNv9gmBjgivSy-ftv_Z8PS28/s2048/9719679E-F369-4BEF-A6CC-520B19D95698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z4DuMzKw6AwZPbwCa0snt3vDIw3D3sUk45k0H88LuPmuWqQs0YTprlV0q0-4pLBg9vqOKO8nqW4PR1QLHV4_CvfOHG59i_QQRkeXuu0MtlAMIatsZRfxNv9gmBjgivSy-ftv_Z8PS28/w640-h640/9719679E-F369-4BEF-A6CC-520B19D95698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">OH MY WORD. I <b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">loved</span> <span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-size: medium;">loved</span> </span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="font-size: large;">loved</span> </span></b>making this blanket. It's definitely got the <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">'<span style="color: #cc0000;">W</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">O</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">W</span>' </span></b>factor for me. I couldn't get enough of this blanket. It just seemed so perfect in every way. Very very warm. Very vintage looking. It looked perfect on my bed. It was just one of those projects that wasn't at all planned but ended up exceeding all my expectations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> I truly love it.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So it seems, the unplanned blanket was a tremendous hit and the only ever planned blanket feel short of all expectations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As usual, I'm quite pants with recording all the details of blankets that I make. The Drops Puna I had bought when it was on sale and I bought 20 50g balls. I literally found the granny square I wanted to crochet ( <a href="https://wilmade.com/traveling-crochet-afghan-square-3/" target="_blank">this one</a> ) and crocheted until I pretty much just had a couple of balls left. I used those to do a border using a row of the granny square and then a puffed scallop to finish. It's a heavy blanket. Very warm. The pup takes every opportunity to fall asleep on it when she can.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvSHFPSp9K6jFSlh1hl5MWS4pt1Zl9oed53ScEzdT2Y88RnYcwP0XN-T2cUNG1V1wQh0AdwSFCZHvmvZ1pdT_KFZzpbuEYLmNAu2xc_5LBDYdqqsyN00AWzzFLFdzBOTllj6McG_V_nA/s2048/IMG_0594b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvSHFPSp9K6jFSlh1hl5MWS4pt1Zl9oed53ScEzdT2Y88RnYcwP0XN-T2cUNG1V1wQh0AdwSFCZHvmvZ1pdT_KFZzpbuEYLmNAu2xc_5LBDYdqqsyN00AWzzFLFdzBOTllj6McG_V_nA/w640-h426/IMG_0594b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7fFvODR2MFh6vgWoS1gwQY4zWCE6IPo3xOeV8zpkvKzkgiJQeTkqwbE8gJq8tZqT1ndOM0gylh771Yp9xFOsmJj4rJVlSade0fG2tXhgBKwzJye_T2h0W7xmsa_NG-pBQ8O4PB_FzFE/s2048/IMG_0595b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7fFvODR2MFh6vgWoS1gwQY4zWCE6IPo3xOeV8zpkvKzkgiJQeTkqwbE8gJq8tZqT1ndOM0gylh771Yp9xFOsmJj4rJVlSade0fG2tXhgBKwzJye_T2h0W7xmsa_NG-pBQ8O4PB_FzFE/w426-h640/IMG_0595b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ_pXP1WOCsQQGBq8l1WwaiVNi8ALTannATdfeWfpNREvzXs2JKxBz9ZV7CcYempKOYh1irjAbZYKY1ak0-i_D79eHEtscr27NdlhhrT3uLUmAX4YozagcplcJzQfJYVlxo2yMi1nMX8/s2048/IMG_0600b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="2048" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ_pXP1WOCsQQGBq8l1WwaiVNi8ALTannATdfeWfpNREvzXs2JKxBz9ZV7CcYempKOYh1irjAbZYKY1ak0-i_D79eHEtscr27NdlhhrT3uLUmAX4YozagcplcJzQfJYVlxo2yMi1nMX8/w640-h544/IMG_0600b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggObWajGwGV9kKiwrXIsAyYQg8RW_fAp7rp4W2J-Br-UkQMtspQrxYSAm_ls4qgOPDd3BnuF7fXV7xKkQyNjb4DbKRuUBB5cniGM7Cn5fZaDWtptf5zKM_C43CG0kfZuyumYpLjqKuw3w/s2048/IMG_0602b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggObWajGwGV9kKiwrXIsAyYQg8RW_fAp7rp4W2J-Br-UkQMtspQrxYSAm_ls4qgOPDd3BnuF7fXV7xKkQyNjb4DbKRuUBB5cniGM7Cn5fZaDWtptf5zKM_C43CG0kfZuyumYpLjqKuw3w/w640-h426/IMG_0602b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklDHrb4miltp94kNmFfM2isARkJHSp9Y73fXKXId0gaOZ9Ms7GO2sLIrkmzqlL1sx8ND4u5jVzehq-A9vyUyqSzYktKqRVqfXY7dJi6fPEFJJp1JmCqwJ2XULDUlvHSir9PlUg4QrpTI/s2048/IMG_0603b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklDHrb4miltp94kNmFfM2isARkJHSp9Y73fXKXId0gaOZ9Ms7GO2sLIrkmzqlL1sx8ND4u5jVzehq-A9vyUyqSzYktKqRVqfXY7dJi6fPEFJJp1JmCqwJ2XULDUlvHSir9PlUg4QrpTI/w426-h640/IMG_0603b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6ksZD9iL_BMfk879vABETFcvOBhI32AyKGt33oZueZA8zJpA8b-jdPWyLNcoDXt9lWLHC7-zyICGXD5QaO12n8TjJ7wmhtRJOTyJ9OPJynvqbYFGPZi00SspBJ8XaIVC5LNY97W3wQQ/s2048/IMG_0614b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6ksZD9iL_BMfk879vABETFcvOBhI32AyKGt33oZueZA8zJpA8b-jdPWyLNcoDXt9lWLHC7-zyICGXD5QaO12n8TjJ7wmhtRJOTyJ9OPJynvqbYFGPZi00SspBJ8XaIVC5LNY97W3wQQ/w426-h640/IMG_0614b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnEJ-h-Tmq_UJxcxXYcpQ8IctRp421R2iTCwyZtqD1JIvJQXQz_lvxbqrXNg-89TVP-GvKiAZRRKoZQRjgyYkFbyxPtWiGqO6Ewvksy6SdOBaSFywNYOdpT_niEYTIGtSVlYsmXR3T4s/s2048/IMG_0616b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnEJ-h-Tmq_UJxcxXYcpQ8IctRp421R2iTCwyZtqD1JIvJQXQz_lvxbqrXNg-89TVP-GvKiAZRRKoZQRjgyYkFbyxPtWiGqO6Ewvksy6SdOBaSFywNYOdpT_niEYTIGtSVlYsmXR3T4s/w426-h640/IMG_0616b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">It really is such a pretty blanket. I really would love to make another one, in a pale grey. But enough for now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back to the Irish Chain Blanket.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsMipsvULng4gIctfErExc46e8gytA-wTVMY8ptoEK0wCyUarRj7EArjMYbfdcOhjSxgytcL4LH8qp7ba7wEO-i5Puj_D9kmAWtM6SfYcEKrODDmHzb1230V2azb6j1UuCAFvgiGOuk8/s2048/IMG_0564b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsMipsvULng4gIctfErExc46e8gytA-wTVMY8ptoEK0wCyUarRj7EArjMYbfdcOhjSxgytcL4LH8qp7ba7wEO-i5Puj_D9kmAWtM6SfYcEKrODDmHzb1230V2azb6j1UuCAFvgiGOuk8/w426-h640/IMG_0564b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFWcpaGKuziR9wEEr7o6NaGDigU9cPWbp4Ev0ZMVAQ5gBrcf-yrwOFw8f7Zh40rO5vSyF5DxlDxVk4WdLFKtuBsv0Eglgs6Epvk4hcmnM28JBn8LNxV9kX_hu-2vpBAgXt-NtHh9_n2E/s2048/IMG_0572b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFWcpaGKuziR9wEEr7o6NaGDigU9cPWbp4Ev0ZMVAQ5gBrcf-yrwOFw8f7Zh40rO5vSyF5DxlDxVk4WdLFKtuBsv0Eglgs6Epvk4hcmnM28JBn8LNxV9kX_hu-2vpBAgXt-NtHh9_n2E/w426-h640/IMG_0572b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-G0DWkCjogFcPTNhM49Sc8MvyaWLbl8JEtaS0ilkwIIPRenv-nFlS0mGkR8EiOQQtTAteG2hqpFDQFAil0jhd9UwW293NET8g42DCCKXaREv9_5ul15ZZS4Ww8YTj0Xo3_aWekEVV0Y/s2048/IMG_0591b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-G0DWkCjogFcPTNhM49Sc8MvyaWLbl8JEtaS0ilkwIIPRenv-nFlS0mGkR8EiOQQtTAteG2hqpFDQFAil0jhd9UwW293NET8g42DCCKXaREv9_5ul15ZZS4Ww8YTj0Xo3_aWekEVV0Y/w640-h462/IMG_0591b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I do like it. It actually goes well on the bed with the current bedding. It's warm and it'll get plenty of use that's for sure. I did have a piece of paper with all my workings on. I sized the squares, weighed the squares, worked out the yarn quantities, and thought I was doing so well. Now I cannot for the life of me find any of the information. If I find it and get my act together, I'll put it all up on Ravelry with more information. Seriously it's shocking how rubbish I am at recording stuff. I envy the organised!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I haven't even named my blankets yet. I always name my blankets! I'll think on it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh well. Three blankets down this year and I'm done with them (I say that...and at the time of typing this, I REALLY mean it....but come on.....this is me after all!). I have a couple of sewing projects that I want to turn my attention to. It was supposed to FINALLY be sock knitting time......but I just don't think my brain can cope with the whole new learning curve of it. So I think sewing is the way forward which will continue to help with soothing my soul.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am thinking that I'd quite like to make this though.......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0K2YgfHAh44cceI4BhlYOdgj_M_fodACT9oAXrw8RYb2hzViRPE-3HEqWXXxl5C8Ku3JCPKoETor_5D5y8idtp2FZg3xLTMozkGg5YYuSfmesPzOK5mBe7alQaXogCnM__j4FlG1a7M/s1342/Screen+Shot+2020-03-10+at+14.09.17.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1098" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0K2YgfHAh44cceI4BhlYOdgj_M_fodACT9oAXrw8RYb2hzViRPE-3HEqWXXxl5C8Ku3JCPKoETor_5D5y8idtp2FZg3xLTMozkGg5YYuSfmesPzOK5mBe7alQaXogCnM__j4FlG1a7M/w524-h640/Screen+Shot+2020-03-10+at+14.09.17.png" width="524" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">It's the <b>'Sporty Poncho'</b> by Amanda Tipton</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pattern is available on Ravelry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have some pretty yarn that I think would work well with this for the colder months. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xxx-large;">❤❤❤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have continued to bake throughout Lockdown. I have continued to put on weight. Once again, My brain will have to deal with sorting that out when it's in a better coping mode.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xxx-large;">❤❤❤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfcA2i0mcc0j7XF8568v27sk0xMFhhB-_iw24nzFG9tGqXIoXhI2PbhpXbf2vnlywR96fgRRslqPpqigm0V_dxz7ouf6uFj3KesVYv3udMY9MkiubvQ_B4l8Ir_fnhLoFyLr98aceXZM/s2000/45DAE111-DBE4-4122-AAB5-CF9A90E8805C.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfcA2i0mcc0j7XF8568v27sk0xMFhhB-_iw24nzFG9tGqXIoXhI2PbhpXbf2vnlywR96fgRRslqPpqigm0V_dxz7ouf6uFj3KesVYv3udMY9MkiubvQ_B4l8Ir_fnhLoFyLr98aceXZM/w360-h640/45DAE111-DBE4-4122-AAB5-CF9A90E8805C.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV2SumcsR9RCQvGzjX9s7p4qw0FfGS0zFViwx91EI2rMxn-k71kDvqQABghMBOK4MGXOlONPLLMryQIuyXhbePh7BFmLUYh2OMhJsIHOdEoTNaIm5nbhTOw1bLZi5YZLKSUn5BCNg56Q/s1125/IMG_1862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1125" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV2SumcsR9RCQvGzjX9s7p4qw0FfGS0zFViwx91EI2rMxn-k71kDvqQABghMBOK4MGXOlONPLLMryQIuyXhbePh7BFmLUYh2OMhJsIHOdEoTNaIm5nbhTOw1bLZi5YZLKSUn5BCNg56Q/w640-h618/IMG_1862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had fun making myself some progress markers. I realised whilst making the blankets, just how few progress keepers I actually had. I had made myself a few necklaces using semi precious stones. I don't know why, I just woke up one day and felt a strong urge to make myself some. I find Rose Quartz and Amazonite in particular incredibly soothing for my soul. As I had everything to hand, I made a few progress keepers using semi precious stones, and pearls and some pretty charms. I'm all set now, and happy to do a bit of creativity that wasn't crochet based.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pumpkins are starting to make a re-appearance and more are being painted. I think this year I may have gone a little pumpkin overboard. Making up for lost time I am telling myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI-xrQJxw7F_fq5f3a5-HeQJNmsRbjg5mK9IvdPSrjPVDzvKGe3LGFuLkjzrgcMiHM9n2KWCZ43eTDARv-za1QJQ_mfFWKOzVsboMHLeIrH94FVgxCDucJq68zyQFCs6XiVae2MT5Kt4/s1125/IMG_1861.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1125" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI-xrQJxw7F_fq5f3a5-HeQJNmsRbjg5mK9IvdPSrjPVDzvKGe3LGFuLkjzrgcMiHM9n2KWCZ43eTDARv-za1QJQ_mfFWKOzVsboMHLeIrH94FVgxCDucJq68zyQFCs6XiVae2MT5Kt4/w640-h618/IMG_1861.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb__GeJbMhKm77RrP4sS8jsSHddTOLyee_iiMXL9AzpnopDGLOVxM6cMBbUFPxvLYVLzkwi8r5rPtGCpqQEOVOXQ6AH3gHO8vFrd1QU9nXm8RHt48Zi6KhawNZPLmnU8WDamV1qxCMSQ/s2048/IMG_0552b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb__GeJbMhKm77RrP4sS8jsSHddTOLyee_iiMXL9AzpnopDGLOVxM6cMBbUFPxvLYVLzkwi8r5rPtGCpqQEOVOXQ6AH3gHO8vFrd1QU9nXm8RHt48Zi6KhawNZPLmnU8WDamV1qxCMSQ/w426-h640/IMG_0552b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ4wiZZ0OTPVPqSIY37idM0FO_3jrE5NZaRRb7M9wrE2A5yntJimGbFrV7Xpk8qwQPCG1z0v_i9AuRSFQBEcshKnziMiJJNqVF3Mz8OLzvAB3O-yTh-Ty9PFX03EctEFIdeKUpt4vZJ4/s2037/IMG_1746.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2037" data-original-width="2037" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ4wiZZ0OTPVPqSIY37idM0FO_3jrE5NZaRRb7M9wrE2A5yntJimGbFrV7Xpk8qwQPCG1z0v_i9AuRSFQBEcshKnziMiJJNqVF3Mz8OLzvAB3O-yTh-Ty9PFX03EctEFIdeKUpt4vZJ4/w640-h640/IMG_1746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-large;">♥♥♥</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So the Summer moves along into Autumn. The mornings have a nip in the air but the days are still warm and relatively balmy. You can feel nature starting to feel a bit weary after its big Summer show. The feeling of slumber is apparent. I have loved the long days of Summer. Pup has loved the long days of Summer for sure. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwnF-n4c_ODngbYxkSzp0bR8WtbNHMtdivWJ9fTPKjTwK7smsxGNwsqROU-SbM7WB-HeCs3m-AzBTJsjvSjuRPANevNcepqzu988wSLrt80gzlg9HV_AWpn-9JIR6dzUlKIvMIx1zdQM/s2048/IMG_0077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwnF-n4c_ODngbYxkSzp0bR8WtbNHMtdivWJ9fTPKjTwK7smsxGNwsqROU-SbM7WB-HeCs3m-AzBTJsjvSjuRPANevNcepqzu988wSLrt80gzlg9HV_AWpn-9JIR6dzUlKIvMIx1zdQM/w640-h640/IMG_0077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl8ye6MuoAFFB6Ob_09YhhNrhEj_3dq53sQPRDabnuNIWMCJqL6-7jRxJyW45JlnvMOTxYwIG0ycop-lIJdZCqXiwVoP9xo2BnS_6YaTUARduSh3q9ayJ37bx7GRYOVCiWQgelU981f0/s2048/IMG_0377.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl8ye6MuoAFFB6Ob_09YhhNrhEj_3dq53sQPRDabnuNIWMCJqL6-7jRxJyW45JlnvMOTxYwIG0ycop-lIJdZCqXiwVoP9xo2BnS_6YaTUARduSh3q9ayJ37bx7GRYOVCiWQgelU981f0/w640-h640/IMG_0377.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgcy-p2nH2EllciAwllb5RT2Z0tA6zhWjaw4frGiOUlPzAa57yLTwQD8iQGdK0yoFZpBL7ALTDZkQTf_dnNulW5JuJRWYVxz75rxgSWjHBzHM10BM82R5z3yNsLolMtugNdOKkYdTqKQ/s2048/IMG_1440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgcy-p2nH2EllciAwllb5RT2Z0tA6zhWjaw4frGiOUlPzAa57yLTwQD8iQGdK0yoFZpBL7ALTDZkQTf_dnNulW5JuJRWYVxz75rxgSWjHBzHM10BM82R5z3yNsLolMtugNdOKkYdTqKQ/w640-h640/IMG_1440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0tVb_fLuWXlfPdUM0pcVak_OPEYHFjciUhfTIK6quWoUdy0XCHy_3Z4GKfntExSYj8rThtINK1tBM4uhiOrxW1Dk9SvZo3n67x-TDiPPE-6HRWjDijJabMmmG8JAUwDKNLuUA1osrow/s2048/IMG_1507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0tVb_fLuWXlfPdUM0pcVak_OPEYHFjciUhfTIK6quWoUdy0XCHy_3Z4GKfntExSYj8rThtINK1tBM4uhiOrxW1Dk9SvZo3n67x-TDiPPE-6HRWjDijJabMmmG8JAUwDKNLuUA1osrow/w640-h640/IMG_1507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I do like this transition of seasons though. I have dug out all my Autumnal candles (and possibly added a few more!). There is nothing nicer than a house smelling of apple & cinnamon and pumpkin spice. It really is heavenly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE-t-Pe4RtF32A5TImSLXl0-8ndvNbIe0FzquOPa6GQSDuvvgo8V8y8UiCqIlRRqK5GV6CVrNethlnxtJAh5ss1YmspOpccE8TqJBHmzmeKFz6cELb3u9wKpgiN2XvJcbA9e3rSZlFno/s2048/527D7D4E-9726-4E61-BCBE-0222AC0AA0D2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE-t-Pe4RtF32A5TImSLXl0-8ndvNbIe0FzquOPa6GQSDuvvgo8V8y8UiCqIlRRqK5GV6CVrNethlnxtJAh5ss1YmspOpccE8TqJBHmzmeKFz6cELb3u9wKpgiN2XvJcbA9e3rSZlFno/w640-h640/527D7D4E-9726-4E61-BCBE-0222AC0AA0D2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This pink pumpkin was one I painted last year. It's a real squash I bought from the store and painted pink. All the other fresh ones I painted lasted a month or so, but for some reason, this little pumpkin has lasted all year. Only in the last couple of weeks did the paint start to chip. Just in time for me to paint a few new pumpkins!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-yjgNHR3qjGeR4gsDpf4tIDsXYnPG5d-ScsRf8KLIAgT8eThTYfQjngFqhTEjdYkzFiPKDz8siAs7wHKuhfBebykmSCuAe6yKG0sO7o_yIYYyuwLh-LXrVtm0fqemIUFF5csIYluZvc/s2048/9B6D5CD8-6B3A-4FA9-936A-3EA0DABF707A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-yjgNHR3qjGeR4gsDpf4tIDsXYnPG5d-ScsRf8KLIAgT8eThTYfQjngFqhTEjdYkzFiPKDz8siAs7wHKuhfBebykmSCuAe6yKG0sO7o_yIYYyuwLh-LXrVtm0fqemIUFF5csIYluZvc/w640-h640/9B6D5CD8-6B3A-4FA9-936A-3EA0DABF707A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jumpers and cosy wraps have made their way to the forefront of the wardrobes and I'm deciding which blankets will go on which beds this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I treated myself to a new Autumn jacket.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvw4gBLdVxZ1XHVinDLFC3oOyCu7VjRiXvFdJ8dqQe_p4XJ4HoOtgnCyTvCb7oL2ie28uaAtV6VgQVcM_AJiKdlRt_q8UvQquZwLt2sV3DgnmTsG7IqbwjbR-IyhCd3BhKxum1bVXSyw/s2048/20waut_t0614_lbl_d08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvw4gBLdVxZ1XHVinDLFC3oOyCu7VjRiXvFdJ8dqQe_p4XJ4HoOtgnCyTvCb7oL2ie28uaAtV6VgQVcM_AJiKdlRt_q8UvQquZwLt2sV3DgnmTsG7IqbwjbR-IyhCd3BhKxum1bVXSyw/w496-h640/20waut_t0614_lbl_d08.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(It's from <a href="https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/atkins-british-tweed-blazer-light-blue-herringbone/sty-t0614-lbl?cat=C1_S2_G2" target="_blank">here </a>and I got in when it was on a special offer)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It had to be done. It was literally screaming my name. I just need to make some pretty wrist warmers and scarf now, and that excites me. Not that I actually NEED anymore accessories. I'm sure I can find something that I've made in the past that matches perfectly......but new season new accessories! Hats are in my mind too. I made a couple of pretty hats last winter that were real winners, especially on cold morning dog walks. I have an itch to make yet another. Ridiculous I know. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbMcWWQJPJxmtV7SDlcOdec3cZ9N11IkzRlCjNrjNxm5ALY9Qei_RNJ0ghjTzPq6WgNwEJaF1j895bsd7ufwAt36G9nOdCQvtFmVAXm4NMjbhPKvFryBEGGbPOUXgKkmwJE5aqq87cPQ/s1125/IMG_1863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1125" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbMcWWQJPJxmtV7SDlcOdec3cZ9N11IkzRlCjNrjNxm5ALY9Qei_RNJ0ghjTzPq6WgNwEJaF1j895bsd7ufwAt36G9nOdCQvtFmVAXm4NMjbhPKvFryBEGGbPOUXgKkmwJE5aqq87cPQ/w640-h628/IMG_1863.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a list of things that need to be done around the house, but my motivation for things like that is still pretty much at rock bottom (not that it was ever very good on the best of days). Again, I'm not beating myself up about it all. I am letting go of all my control freakery this year and accepting things for where they are in my life. Hopefully, by the start of next year, I might have a bit more peace in my head to tackle more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I head into Autumn with as much a sense of calm as I can at the moment. Let's see where it takes me. As I publish this, there are fears we, in the UK, are heading for a second lockdown. Goodness me, what a year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, for now, I bid you adieu, and hope that your Autumn is filled with sweet smelling spice and all things creative.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-size: xx-large;">X</span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: xx-large;">X</span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">X</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-91310601509182766452020-04-24T09:45:00.003+01:002020-04-24T09:45:29.135+01:00Spring 2020......<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7smNfZhEuAzhagmUmesCAU-0thO4Dsiwqw3BfGqCLwEGGKXOVpbVreNDmKzrKjPylP2YlNv9a-jiMoqna-JA8qEDuHziVa-F6Pnmyr1M0bqkQYo9oVPsxU6qObDW5rC8i4O3GT4D-D8/s1600/IMG_9685b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7smNfZhEuAzhagmUmesCAU-0thO4Dsiwqw3BfGqCLwEGGKXOVpbVreNDmKzrKjPylP2YlNv9a-jiMoqna-JA8qEDuHziVa-F6Pnmyr1M0bqkQYo9oVPsxU6qObDW5rC8i4O3GT4D-D8/s1600/IMG_9685b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well......who'd have thought 2020 would turn out to be like this? A year not easily to be forgotten that's for sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I walked into 2020 with such a heavy heart. Trying to deal with the grief of the loss of my brother has weighed so heavy on my soul. My new companion, Minnie, and my crafty love managed to drag me into 2020 with a little more lightness. Getting out for walks with her everyday lifted my mood......and of course, making accessories to cope with the outdoor winter weather helped no end. I did make rather a lot of hats! Worth their weight in gold I can tell you.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07HF_E_XBRvATzVU9aOYrX-9LLrreWvA-zjb8xfWFXs9MRVEmu1UBgo1mDbiw5zJFmToPJVRDH4GayCme_DHAuejPaiWcf5Qyl52IdtUhTHSaLYSdnX_JNuMJEYxgPeEqppjDRwkdJY0/s1600/IMG_8829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07HF_E_XBRvATzVU9aOYrX-9LLrreWvA-zjb8xfWFXs9MRVEmu1UBgo1mDbiw5zJFmToPJVRDH4GayCme_DHAuejPaiWcf5Qyl52IdtUhTHSaLYSdnX_JNuMJEYxgPeEqppjDRwkdJY0/s640/IMG_8829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBwFfudvK3Z49DZD-IiM_sDZe1Bnc6JSUJN_xxYId8fz-HHwH2EdVj4pDcnEoy_xh2Thme6T5NKRU_V9wQwo4SLSii9N7MhWX9iBQ0PK3aL45joPxgTWwtlMYLDek910A3pDKGmc3Y7U/s1600/IMG_7368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBwFfudvK3Z49DZD-IiM_sDZe1Bnc6JSUJN_xxYId8fz-HHwH2EdVj4pDcnEoy_xh2Thme6T5NKRU_V9wQwo4SLSii9N7MhWX9iBQ0PK3aL45joPxgTWwtlMYLDek910A3pDKGmc3Y7U/s640/IMG_7368.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used this pattern <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/663556616/crochet-pattern-crochet-hat-pattern-snow?ref=shop_home_active_36&pro=1">here</a> if you are interested</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I write, we are still in the midst of lockdown of sorts. Four weeks now of utter anxiety, uncertainty and weirdness.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeZ3sDtucVMac4dMQSqg3wNxwyiRgQaVIupTrAxOtRa02QBaab_Sz7JzG8jqNBYCiUXK7CI5KVXfJW_v-XXZRDUPVa9AzicHeZe9LSklTJsuoNy5CEIM0LeycWxEgGP_-SHFWdVdU2bo/s1600/IMG_8263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeZ3sDtucVMac4dMQSqg3wNxwyiRgQaVIupTrAxOtRa02QBaab_Sz7JzG8jqNBYCiUXK7CI5KVXfJW_v-XXZRDUPVa9AzicHeZe9LSklTJsuoNy5CEIM0LeycWxEgGP_-SHFWdVdU2bo/s640/IMG_8263.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whilst all in my little bubble are at home and some working from home, I am classed as a key worker ....so my days are still the same, but not the same. Just add a big dollop of stress and that's about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On my days off, I have been trying to just be calm and focus on all the things that make me happy. Crochet of course! I made a start on a blanket.....obviously a blanket....what else could I possibly think of doing?!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A picture on Pinterest caught my eye. I wished it hadn't........but you know......once you see something and it embeds in your memory, it's a hard thing to ignore. Ignore it I tried, because it was <b>VERY </b>similar to a blanket that almost killed me to make. It just wouldn't go from my head. It was an Irish Chain Quilt pattern. I made a crochet version of an Irish Chain Quilt that I had seen Alicia Paulson make on her blog. I can't sew. I loved the pattern, and I loved the colours and it was basically squares joined together. Easy peasy crochet then. The problem was the vast amount of squares. If you have read this blog for a while, you know that me and small blankets just aren't a thing. I kid myself it's because I want them big enough for all the family to snuggle under. Whilst the family have had MANY a snuggle together under my blankets, the real answer is that I'm utterly pants at planning, and the blankets just always end up huge because I have no size awareness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first blanket took forever, and <b>I DID NOT</b> enjoy it's process......<b>HOWEVER</b>, I utterly loved the result. You can be reminded of it with the snippets from <a href="https://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-year-that-was.html">this post</a> . </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBmDymeQZW3l9pchvM6M6lC7kGIndmD0B6rhizbzXJ-HJAWvjTWFLB0t_LEtCFQ2Xcl8JFEusmmED5mUbu7wESPaIrnERZWJ7HUrF34m7mbxg3-qPtqwwrdQf0ObuOLW6uRvPLKk-vtk/s1600/IMG_7089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="762" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBmDymeQZW3l9pchvM6M6lC7kGIndmD0B6rhizbzXJ-HJAWvjTWFLB0t_LEtCFQ2Xcl8JFEusmmED5mUbu7wESPaIrnERZWJ7HUrF34m7mbxg3-qPtqwwrdQf0ObuOLW6uRvPLKk-vtk/s640/IMG_7089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppFNYwuciaDhcLFje9HhG6991DhBl7JHqlwpTWlPGAB11RycXPfBS0-UUMivy5ZrZErjvRgddcEAVvUwnOPJ-bLP1CzzHGGDokLgp74vyMepQ9sZx0FLBs4rT8c4SyYH_45rl5TsEXX8/s1600/IMG_9783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="953" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppFNYwuciaDhcLFje9HhG6991DhBl7JHqlwpTWlPGAB11RycXPfBS0-UUMivy5ZrZErjvRgddcEAVvUwnOPJ-bLP1CzzHGGDokLgp74vyMepQ9sZx0FLBs4rT8c4SyYH_45rl5TsEXX8/s640/IMG_9783.JPG" width="380" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't think I ever managed to photograph this blanket in all it's glory. It does deserve a post all of its own really. I should do that. The blanket still has a thread hanging from it as I couldn't decide whether to make a border for it. I still can't! It was a bit like having a baby. The birthing process is incredibly unpleasant, but you soon forget about all the pain when you stare at something so beautiful. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I must have forgotten about all the pain, because sure enough, I wanted to make another one. The new blanket was slightly easier. Less squares in the pattern, bigger squares. This time also.......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I WAS GOING TO PLAN IT!!!!! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had wanted a very soft and pastel blanket. I was loving the colours on the ZARA HOME website.....mainly in their kids section. I'm still very much needing the calm of pastels and soft hues. That sealed it for me. I worked up several sized squares, planned how many squares I would need, and what the sizes would be with each square to get the right size blanket. I then weighed the yarn amounts for each square to get an idea of the yarn quantities I would need to order. That way I wouldn't do my usual of not enough yarn and dye lot issues. Chart mapped out. Yarn ordered. A <b>VERY</b> excited me.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLs2XUOZLMayoB6j__NKzL-W0wvC2748ftHTiYFLW-sYPFcAuou_tOAUQhf2bJIWfMKJ0lY5uZPdRjzOUPGjRGw3Sg3JapueZYHpBf4v6HHUxP302eAZSUyz58L70ogFO2yj5K5IYlTc/s1600/IMG_8098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLs2XUOZLMayoB6j__NKzL-W0wvC2748ftHTiYFLW-sYPFcAuou_tOAUQhf2bJIWfMKJ0lY5uZPdRjzOUPGjRGw3Sg3JapueZYHpBf4v6HHUxP302eAZSUyz58L70ogFO2yj5K5IYlTc/s640/IMG_8098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt so smug I can tell you. After years of never planning any blankets, this was my first. I was actually doing everything right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Except I wasn't</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was pretty clear after the first two rows that my blanket was going to be another <b>HUGE </b>one. I hadn't planned on a really small one, but I hadn't planned on a huge one either. Seriously, even when I plan, I can't do it right! Just goes to show! Not sure how on earth I managed to get it so wrong.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It wasn't total chaos. I just made the width into the length (as the pattern allowed me to work it like that) and then cut off quite a few planned rows. It's fine. The pattern still works. I just worked it that I'd lose a couple of repeat rows. I just had a fair bit of leftover yarn now!!!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF-c2fMUDXV6KJ_kfcvvIyY7H1DE42Q_NgNEYTaIUlO0EzNa8Etw9KkMGmf2YaaxOMwuSHIDYhpt1g2OyJIsK5S6NXuASGkTOP9cI0beCSouhX93mlgw8r4L7roBMSeUKUHS_4J9tsd0/s1600/IMG_8202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF-c2fMUDXV6KJ_kfcvvIyY7H1DE42Q_NgNEYTaIUlO0EzNa8Etw9KkMGmf2YaaxOMwuSHIDYhpt1g2OyJIsK5S6NXuASGkTOP9cI0beCSouhX93mlgw8r4L7roBMSeUKUHS_4J9tsd0/s640/IMG_8202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjjXFw14E_ADjRbqlaog9hbYQIz-8UWMvdDhiC3Ub7T_BQD78pM6UX_3b-VIh9RuZbYQkSrnGrpYY5UVcScgw7-Hh9B2e15ImTLzZdk3gIWO4Ldr1gCROaSSSEFPDdqfcQPIqlsHX3m4/s1600/IMG_8303+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjjXFw14E_ADjRbqlaog9hbYQIz-8UWMvdDhiC3Ub7T_BQD78pM6UX_3b-VIh9RuZbYQkSrnGrpYY5UVcScgw7-Hh9B2e15ImTLzZdk3gIWO4Ldr1gCROaSSSEFPDdqfcQPIqlsHX3m4/s640/IMG_8303+2.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So....on the lockdown days, I had been calming my anxiety with this blanket. I was loving making it. No stress. Really enjoying it. Then I suddenly decided that Minnie, my sweet puppy, needed her own blanket ASAP. It was always my plan to make her a blanket of her own, but for some reason, it needed to be now.....and I had plenty of leftover yarn!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3FSWJMQ1rYinpbiH0poqPm85ot9jGQwHSKj9MVwN8_ttNnhuzzPC_FqdYp3QbchpnQDP06rxHNMmTZ172vJ3aYc6HnTVRCm8xRCOusvOTEWbdY1UppBj5fqFrxOVC7scSCD8PjEXtdg/s1600/IMG_8589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3FSWJMQ1rYinpbiH0poqPm85ot9jGQwHSKj9MVwN8_ttNnhuzzPC_FqdYp3QbchpnQDP06rxHNMmTZ172vJ3aYc6HnTVRCm8xRCOusvOTEWbdY1UppBj5fqFrxOVC7scSCD8PjEXtdg/s640/IMG_8589.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think she gave me her seal of approval. At every opportunity when I had it on my lap, she was on me....on it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPCMbvUCVO2u9shP_1mLbDbmQDSlZ5E4qfUqZVI7Qt6fw5W4RPq4ulpx3Fu3tvgCYqtZ3LpFKlB7XLAEmUzj5qWXCLmR9l00PFQLE6lRwNtO9d9nz5t-I-xR5qTJisXNq-qHZWhuG5Ho/s1600/IMG_8843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPCMbvUCVO2u9shP_1mLbDbmQDSlZ5E4qfUqZVI7Qt6fw5W4RPq4ulpx3Fu3tvgCYqtZ3LpFKlB7XLAEmUzj5qWXCLmR9l00PFQLE6lRwNtO9d9nz5t-I-xR5qTJisXNq-qHZWhuG5Ho/s640/IMG_8843.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftpUKIhAXiEuvHRhf6rtH896vWbjL6cZDQEEaflZ2FHt3DJbddHkFwdPhFw6aE7K6v9YWO9AoczBoUxJqFf2Dkr7bpCa7zDyCE2HTAZkPttwvQ-yQuZz7IErbhgnv6QM7yQPcUrSTxEw/s1600/IMG_8849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftpUKIhAXiEuvHRhf6rtH896vWbjL6cZDQEEaflZ2FHt3DJbddHkFwdPhFw6aE7K6v9YWO9AoczBoUxJqFf2Dkr7bpCa7zDyCE2HTAZkPttwvQ-yQuZz7IErbhgnv6QM7yQPcUrSTxEw/s640/IMG_8849.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The beautiful weather on the lockdown has helped enormously. The puppy has really blossomed and has loved just being with me sitting in the garden whilst I work away on her blanket. I have soaked up her comfort. She has been such a tonic over these last few months helping with my grief.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">♥</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">♥</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">♥</span></span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBUQiRHUWqAku6t1HQyMtaIpe1ZJSStjj4_QcQl8UEiUXWrKCXLmSFM9TRYrenOZYrwc6ikn1lFIYi39r9MtMmCD1l-ywSzYMEoaeMuNCv-MnKm2ZRvr-ZqAEC43GuQCAM0OnIOShZQA/s1600/IMG_9017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBUQiRHUWqAku6t1HQyMtaIpe1ZJSStjj4_QcQl8UEiUXWrKCXLmSFM9TRYrenOZYrwc6ikn1lFIYi39r9MtMmCD1l-ywSzYMEoaeMuNCv-MnKm2ZRvr-ZqAEC43GuQCAM0OnIOShZQA/s640/IMG_9017.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;">♥</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">♥</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">♥</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #d9ead3;">♥</span></span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;">♥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ahhhhhhh just look at those colours. that just brings me so much happiness. My last few blankets have been in these shades. I feel like I really need them at the moment. They are soothing, and calming, and they scream comfort and big enveloping hugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Easter came and went. A strange one. I have (like us all) struggled with not seeing my outer family. However, technology is a wonderful thing. My mum and I have been replacing our coffee mornings with virtual Facetime coffee mornings. We grab a coffee and then have a Facetime chat catching up with the news and showing each other our latest projects. It makes all this bearable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been hard having everyone on top of each other at home all the time. Our tiny little home is bursting to the brim. Finding somewhere to have a quiet few minutes is nigh on impossible. Trying to homeschool is a challenge. The lovely weather has meant at least I can sit outside and work a few rows of crochet. I am thankful for our tiny little garden space. It is really just the size of a postage stamp, but I have never been more grateful for it.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LqkT2l4UOuPMgwTAVeTeHfNXZCD4sv-HBRuYZNh-3xi33wbaV_LzMEM_D3KSHJOeEySVMgznK_ZH3hwlWuGLz13yb9yOHsDxU0Ea_LrwxuO7zUq1kO3X74KRzAGtX0s2B7JRTXMHIg/s1600/IMG_8556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LqkT2l4UOuPMgwTAVeTeHfNXZCD4sv-HBRuYZNh-3xi33wbaV_LzMEM_D3KSHJOeEySVMgznK_ZH3hwlWuGLz13yb9yOHsDxU0Ea_LrwxuO7zUq1kO3X74KRzAGtX0s2B7JRTXMHIg/s640/IMG_8556.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whilst being drawn to the soothing and the pastels, I started playing around with my beads again. I haven't dipped into them for such a long time, but I wanted had a real urge to have Rose Quartz and Amazonite around my neck and wrists again. Those have always been my favourites to work with. I don't know if it's the placebo effect, but I find them so calming. When I wear anything that has the stones in, I feel very calm. When I am anxious or stressed I like to have something around my neck that I can just stroke with my hands. The colours of Amazonite and Rose Quartz have always featured heavily in my home colours and in my crafting. Can you tell?!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1K6T3UofhBj-zOhgIhlDa4MoFA10w_X91zepyQVORCloK6A69x2uTMPf_g_GrQqu8SlWLi0IPoW8ABlg4q3WZUFgzwdnaLuLRotwlimDSyuNT8h0-BalUcUN_n1brAHNVx35Af6VcQk/s1600/E729A666-A1C6-4D9C-9BEF-2D9025D48516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1K6T3UofhBj-zOhgIhlDa4MoFA10w_X91zepyQVORCloK6A69x2uTMPf_g_GrQqu8SlWLi0IPoW8ABlg4q3WZUFgzwdnaLuLRotwlimDSyuNT8h0-BalUcUN_n1brAHNVx35Af6VcQk/s640/E729A666-A1C6-4D9C-9BEF-2D9025D48516.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually, the necklaces I made in this picture aren't either of those gemstones, but I have loved making and wearing them. I wanted really long necklaces and didn't have enough of either beads to create something so long so these made do. I have more beads on order and I'm super excited to get them and get beady creative.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a couple of knitting projects that I would like to start after I finish the two blankets. I realise that I need more stitch markers.....so my plan is to make myself some gemstone stitch markers. I would like to carry the calmness over into my knitting. Heaven knows I think I'm going to need all the calm I can get. Knitting just doesn't come easily to me. Maybe if I actually spent a good portion of my time knitting and trying to get better at it, that might help me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have baked a fair bit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have also put on a fair bit of weight that has come with aforementioned baking. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsm45sPwP1I_aFtxk07xZoqdTsAOwsdhp2TSHzrcqfVL_xgrJ5QfIYguVbq2kMxryACXrYWNfTySYp5-znVlIPnhJfjaLXOjpCxGJRooVMS1ZGW6SPgZ0L5ZnxKJG6Ro-OfkHU1pgNzs/s1600/IMG_8426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsm45sPwP1I_aFtxk07xZoqdTsAOwsdhp2TSHzrcqfVL_xgrJ5QfIYguVbq2kMxryACXrYWNfTySYp5-znVlIPnhJfjaLXOjpCxGJRooVMS1ZGW6SPgZ0L5ZnxKJG6Ro-OfkHU1pgNzs/s640/IMG_8426.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's actually annoying that it's turning out so well. I would have given up if my fist attempt would have been awful. Bread is my complete downfall. Warm, crusty bread with melted butter. Hummmmmmm bliss. Not bliss for the old waistline. Need to do something about that soon. The Bears are very happy with my daily bread making arrangement, but they are just not quick enough to beat me to the first few (or ten) slices each day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixzOVUdzC-pZ4D1eFItbXQ-cG3MW8nFMGFfXp6bfzjo8r0Ps4ZfJ66n0BnExIEq0czGGRyFdDDO0cF8jAtfOz5lDGppX_2NtCpkGoAsTFNQxZA9vzL48b8hktGoMJC3pVLwDgMONc7G8/s1600/IMG_8841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixzOVUdzC-pZ4D1eFItbXQ-cG3MW8nFMGFfXp6bfzjo8r0Ps4ZfJ66n0BnExIEq0czGGRyFdDDO0cF8jAtfOz5lDGppX_2NtCpkGoAsTFNQxZA9vzL48b8hktGoMJC3pVLwDgMONc7G8/s640/IMG_8841.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccqt2if5Hq9iWxYeHC_TR8zt6apg-GliFfwhKx-hMju0lyOPzTM7bCTxKltXDMckaHbIwYwta5vWyKgrpz4hobIz9xBZUk_FrEfZpnzXagWDL2qoZmCsRHyQsn45PnvcgOVCNL5vQZcE/s1600/IMG_8868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccqt2if5Hq9iWxYeHC_TR8zt6apg-GliFfwhKx-hMju0lyOPzTM7bCTxKltXDMckaHbIwYwta5vWyKgrpz4hobIz9xBZUk_FrEfZpnzXagWDL2qoZmCsRHyQsn45PnvcgOVCNL5vQZcE/s640/IMG_8868.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So.....that is my Spring. Two blankets in the making. Weird days. and other bits and pieces planned for the summer. If lockdown continues for a much greater length of time, I may be even more productive than I could have ever imagined.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEuc0tnSUoZHmba5wtzAA7WD2zGFjKmDtjdndytPuIm3wQoQgoJtuSRMjlmxJbyktqs9c4dyyLRnDud89yYE_mP-s4QtVDpmKXBKOthsk_Bx0QyNJj6rQUfjJEDjc42_-6ox4fJmqfeY/s1600/IMG_8930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEuc0tnSUoZHmba5wtzAA7WD2zGFjKmDtjdndytPuIm3wQoQgoJtuSRMjlmxJbyktqs9c4dyyLRnDud89yYE_mP-s4QtVDpmKXBKOthsk_Bx0QyNJj6rQUfjJEDjc42_-6ox4fJmqfeY/s640/IMG_8930.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lets see what Summer 2020 holds........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take care and stay safe everyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">X</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">X</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">X</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-38547180007703510042020-01-29T08:00:00.001+00:002020-01-29T08:00:08.951+00:002019 - A Year To Forget.......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2hkHP4hYeENIXYuAWsu_UP-v3f_E9BraSDHmNqw79h-RCnpcyD8o_Qehy2F-llYelE0Dn0tZrP9v2pBqbJh57yy5ZFpp2AC_x2DyjPo3CWy5plrN-lrFGUdMLLL90fD9yWwZf5Z9Zxw/s1600/IMG_7805b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2hkHP4hYeENIXYuAWsu_UP-v3f_E9BraSDHmNqw79h-RCnpcyD8o_Qehy2F-llYelE0Dn0tZrP9v2pBqbJh57yy5ZFpp2AC_x2DyjPo3CWy5plrN-lrFGUdMLLL90fD9yWwZf5Z9Zxw/s1600/IMG_7805b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodness me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best intentions and all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My plan was to blog more. My plan was to blog every season from 2019. My plan was to be creative in 2019. My plan was for it to be the year of the garment, not the year of the blanket. My plan was to try the new. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I failed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I failed in it all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had plans.........so many plans. I had wanted to push myself with my crafting. I wanted to make garments. That meant reading tricky patterns. I usually am a cop out and just do the easy.....but I wanted to stretch myself in 2019.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It never really took off.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I constantly found myself low on time. Working part time, left the days off being for the mundane and playing catch up with the never ending household lists and chores. I became resentful that I never achieved anything or got anywhere. I did the same old things everyday.....stuff I needed to get done before I could even contemplate starting on anything creative. And then I had no time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLedzs5b80liYcf7-Pxd1cMx7Vq2MyzXmqH3nHXkMxJ-XIlv36FamkZcAClkzUCUzt0LCnKvvJese9SSqjhenLJb5hSVZRXJyPFBY050CZzIqyBYtUn6o6lyIHiQHXvNN1wEBPk-he4nk/s1600/IMG_7537b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="730" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLedzs5b80liYcf7-Pxd1cMx7Vq2MyzXmqH3nHXkMxJ-XIlv36FamkZcAClkzUCUzt0LCnKvvJese9SSqjhenLJb5hSVZRXJyPFBY050CZzIqyBYtUn6o6lyIHiQHXvNN1wEBPk-he4nk/s640/IMG_7537b73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went on a family Holiday in the Easter. A much needed break away with the family, but I just found that I was really anxious before it. Anxious because I was so looking forward to it and so needing it, that I was sure something was going to happen to take away that happiness and pleasure. Glass half empty girl here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing happened and I had a lovely break away.......but I felt odd. I felt dissatisfied still with my lack of achievement in the year. I felt like I was wading through VERY thick treacle. I felt disorganised in my life and in my head.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMlFiBSdHk9WWFRGJD4QeKqabCGAR7oy2HNWWBTe6_WJWvEzViFvBvEfpQ1_QwEkXv_7RKe0zOdib0rmbMakxJl4XCUZayonfxRKd1Vgk401MfifmpgLQ5Qc7R34GmuBW_MIZ3an1FJ0/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMlFiBSdHk9WWFRGJD4QeKqabCGAR7oy2HNWWBTe6_WJWvEzViFvBvEfpQ1_QwEkXv_7RKe0zOdib0rmbMakxJl4XCUZayonfxRKd1Vgk401MfifmpgLQ5Qc7R34GmuBW_MIZ3an1FJ0/s640/IMG_0765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No garments were made. I had stalled creatively. I had patterns and yarn, but absolutely no enthusiasm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I did what I always do.......made another blanket.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually, it was born out of seeing a lovely knitted patchwork blanket on a cottage bed on a pinterest picture. It looked homely and cosy and I was sold on making one for myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Using up old oddments of yarn, and in my predictable palette of colours.....off I went. I think I just needed to feel like I was actually making something. I didn't want complicated. I just wanted to craft and watch something be born from nothing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcneF2WWyH7axqLIYg-co35KfLegsQr4AkmhC5Xz6Igw0cFDESmNvWIX75byYYYW5nS4lpqxbFHhnnYTh0Z1XDxvD7qeoKcGA6I38qah4VctS_rJ-jUgZdHK5PjLfYnRXOB_kf42KU6I/s1600/IMG_7712b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="730" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcneF2WWyH7axqLIYg-co35KfLegsQr4AkmhC5Xz6Igw0cFDESmNvWIX75byYYYW5nS4lpqxbFHhnnYTh0Z1XDxvD7qeoKcGA6I38qah4VctS_rJ-jUgZdHK5PjLfYnRXOB_kf42KU6I/s640/IMG_7712b73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Vn8yS4U8YpHv01hXixArbqhmmB3N5v-PIZyEdvje54_SPClzqSVPN7n19Dhj9qKjwuuJGkRKCfAl5tUhjGLS-CyWvacJmMwHHTtWI3KbSg3E2RzG6KLWdzu2ewYcIA8ATR_SMWc-0o/s1600/IMG_7706b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Vn8yS4U8YpHv01hXixArbqhmmB3N5v-PIZyEdvje54_SPClzqSVPN7n19Dhj9qKjwuuJGkRKCfAl5tUhjGLS-CyWvacJmMwHHTtWI3KbSg3E2RzG6KLWdzu2ewYcIA8ATR_SMWc-0o/s1600/IMG_7706b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJDRrUf2XTj_ugJuPFZdZDLOXA9ZPnr0xKbMSiDYfhFEdqctty-LbGy1WPM1gjista2zSm9a47JBTu_ZacBGOL7N9HjcoGff3SM5iMD4s6wciQpjBex4nc8h2P1lg8sOGkYCqoMIc7YM/s1600/IMG_7716b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJDRrUf2XTj_ugJuPFZdZDLOXA9ZPnr0xKbMSiDYfhFEdqctty-LbGy1WPM1gjista2zSm9a47JBTu_ZacBGOL7N9HjcoGff3SM5iMD4s6wciQpjBex4nc8h2P1lg8sOGkYCqoMIc7YM/s1600/IMG_7716b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I loved making it. I joined as I went. It meant that for a few moments a day I could be transported into creative happiness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwjw6Sbnxa_5VdBRwcII8uC88Oy67JyDbSX076yNo-K5BCIzkBbSricFVWN-h3JSf5VAGpzwQPseD7KvZGKL6wKi0I1SkVWXl2pGpM2zUhsxaVfWXr8I9JA9u1ogcmGIV36R7onPbCCY/s1600/IMG_7729b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwjw6Sbnxa_5VdBRwcII8uC88Oy67JyDbSX076yNo-K5BCIzkBbSricFVWN-h3JSf5VAGpzwQPseD7KvZGKL6wKi0I1SkVWXl2pGpM2zUhsxaVfWXr8I9JA9u1ogcmGIV36R7onPbCCY/s1600/IMG_7729b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7tOkwp2fHagu5wGq3sG7-rwQcBxwISue-akTwHqpSTnZ5u7ZfV2v-w48cH7wLDMPv0OT-cvGhhgX8PKvACYUPB6LC2QMJtmr4q3I6YJzR5qE9R5t8n2Ij2P-6padg49yozFkuaa5gBs/s1600/IMG_7698b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7tOkwp2fHagu5wGq3sG7-rwQcBxwISue-akTwHqpSTnZ5u7ZfV2v-w48cH7wLDMPv0OT-cvGhhgX8PKvACYUPB6LC2QMJtmr4q3I6YJzR5qE9R5t8n2Ij2P-6padg49yozFkuaa5gBs/s1600/IMG_7698b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDCkeqB73s3GJQOF_MDaRAZdReNuZiyGD96orkR56Wzp9wY38MoRSPaBkAmzMlIf_MVUeuFPl3qQIm_ApTGPA0GZDhqsZwxFz3IKy1zDC-pwUqD_ckNMl2Sy3w8w1FSrBukluzyVQ64Y/s1600/IMG_7700b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDCkeqB73s3GJQOF_MDaRAZdReNuZiyGD96orkR56Wzp9wY38MoRSPaBkAmzMlIf_MVUeuFPl3qQIm_ApTGPA0GZDhqsZwxFz3IKy1zDC-pwUqD_ckNMl2Sy3w8w1FSrBukluzyVQ64Y/s1600/IMG_7700b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZHFQDBmmoJbl9wOvlsVbuJupvCJqYisXzBvVWF4bPQfPtJ1MZ23VeKyk4-IWicIZTRwrFHgaFK1bOriDKj8qgIjm1RJHqwP3oBMvL6w8i0GLEcClLdG5zAsJFedJhCluLQE3e5OgBzQ/s1600/IMG_7718b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZHFQDBmmoJbl9wOvlsVbuJupvCJqYisXzBvVWF4bPQfPtJ1MZ23VeKyk4-IWicIZTRwrFHgaFK1bOriDKj8qgIjm1RJHqwP3oBMvL6w8i0GLEcClLdG5zAsJFedJhCluLQE3e5OgBzQ/s1600/IMG_7718b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring, turned into Summer and I pootled along. Semi happy that I had at least started on something creative....even if it was not what I had had in mind at the beginning of the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMDUidU7XS-QpilANiXus8F38rb3zSpuQGSub2IV3YmiuBUOParTZ8Br6OF8cKuVbIhL1Uy234Ri_kfcUGwv384qqLzG5bBzOvYcMnRIhf4SuVZio5rk7UDKIjL8KRv_XvCZb2Kd-HP4/s1600/IMG_7661b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMDUidU7XS-QpilANiXus8F38rb3zSpuQGSub2IV3YmiuBUOParTZ8Br6OF8cKuVbIhL1Uy234Ri_kfcUGwv384qqLzG5bBzOvYcMnRIhf4SuVZio5rk7UDKIjL8KRv_XvCZb2Kd-HP4/s1600/IMG_7661b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, my world was turned upside down.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFxY9bI1294WfrI39NdGjfeucEgDi9oBDCDPWc1kh-sOrdWSjHg1ZWcVIemfjhri3iEBullAWcZp3q_8b62ZdYgZoe3_V-IwfmQPVMMlNklAeVKGBQ9medAk3CaQUwDdeI0sRa40m10g/s1600/IMG_7818b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFxY9bI1294WfrI39NdGjfeucEgDi9oBDCDPWc1kh-sOrdWSjHg1ZWcVIemfjhri3iEBullAWcZp3q_8b62ZdYgZoe3_V-IwfmQPVMMlNklAeVKGBQ9medAk3CaQUwDdeI0sRa40m10g/s1600/IMG_7818b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I lost my big brother.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">💔</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Suddenly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unexpectedly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That was 6 months ago now. I still can't believe it. I can't come to terms with it. It feels surreal. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've mentioned many a time on this blog, how Christmas is a time that, as much as I want to enjoy it, I can never seem to. Family Birthday's take over the last three months of the year. As well as my little family bubble, my outer family also. Painfully hard when still so raw and distressed over my brother's death. The onset of Christmas cheer everywhere just made it that much harder. I felt no desire whatsoever to indulge in anything of a Christmas nature. It was made very easy by the fact that we were not having a tree this year........<br />
<br />
<br />
A puppy made sure of that........<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pBvTK1xO0BUubsoirg0q_Lm6jtJQwaL7KcyN4uEsj3bJzn43EqieRh9yVWCGKW3qB32Y_Jv1kDjkewlQsavyHU_Rws33swFCbvDbzvCxkU84AsvZaH_dG0OzdeOq1rBwLsuJRCrIWuM/s1600/IMG_6230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1124" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pBvTK1xO0BUubsoirg0q_Lm6jtJQwaL7KcyN4uEsj3bJzn43EqieRh9yVWCGKW3qB32Y_Jv1kDjkewlQsavyHU_Rws33swFCbvDbzvCxkU84AsvZaH_dG0OzdeOq1rBwLsuJRCrIWuM/s640/IMG_6230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YbbGj7QGtVUz9LroFALN9vTSq9klEbB9ujmeIKq5TMns4bh8zsh4rwuoQvCB7obKJOcLFcqym0FvQ3nAfEgFhdkgQ2OU1ds4aw3ER6vkORJW-2hClxWf6fKtORMPNZY8l3Jh0UBAHpU/s1600/IMG_6492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1029" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YbbGj7QGtVUz9LroFALN9vTSq9klEbB9ujmeIKq5TMns4bh8zsh4rwuoQvCB7obKJOcLFcqym0FvQ3nAfEgFhdkgQ2OU1ds4aw3ER6vkORJW-2hClxWf6fKtORMPNZY8l3Jh0UBAHpU/s640/IMG_6492.JPG" width="411" /></a></div>
<br />
Meet Minnie, our Wire Haired Fox Terrier.<br />
<br />
It just seemed easier not to even think of decorations to go alongside it. The Bear's weren't too bothered. To be honest, I think it's only me that enjoys the ritual of Christmas decorations. So that was that. No festive feeling entered the house, and I found it hard to look at everyone's Christmas joys and happiness when I was feeling so rubbish inside. I just wanted to blink really and it all disappear.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">❤</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So.........we got through Christmas. A milestone. Next year might be a little easier mentally.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We saw in the New Year. Other happenings beyond my control, lead me into an uncertain 2020. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All in all, 2019 was a year I'd like to forget, although one that I'm sure that I won't.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">✿✿✿</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hindsight is a funny old thing. As I came rushing towards the end of 2019, I looked back and realised I had started the year with a feeling of foreboding. I couldn't put my finger on it. I realised I had been waiting for life to be turned on its head. I knew it was coming in some way shape or form. Really quite weird.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodness knows how I'm going to feel by the end of 2020. Probably quite exhausted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wake up and quietly repeat to myself 'choose your mood'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiREtae4V0MVASt5pdUfQrFBe-BM_HsbF5w5dhiiS_G-07bmVCCZGYJ5TOEn94sQj978iU2yPXy06qCo-sf_iXFLDNzfo_m-npNY6hyphenhyphenIwdR5MGvaoNYIquuDLNuHhd42fxOn5oYqGlRQ/s1600/IMG_9513-1063b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiREtae4V0MVASt5pdUfQrFBe-BM_HsbF5w5dhiiS_G-07bmVCCZGYJ5TOEn94sQj978iU2yPXy06qCo-sf_iXFLDNzfo_m-npNY6hyphenhyphenIwdR5MGvaoNYIquuDLNuHhd42fxOn5oYqGlRQ/s1600/IMG_9513-1063b.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's quite a hard thing, to summon up enthusiasm and energy when you feel quite numb and raw. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ah well, we soldier on. We get through it. We come out the other side, and hopefully, all the stronger for it.<br />
<br />
I seek out the light, the softness, the gentle, and the reassuring at the moment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know it will take time. I just have to gentle on myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My plan to blog more was sadly interrupted by life.......and sadness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvn_Pf63ho3XZbRQeAevwpFZrSOL3bspi6r12_Ixb3KoTE_PksTJXxXI8eR-Y8nuito9lYOkcnb_tYt_NnHIz5otDTqM5Iwii6DA3QcvUEKfV3ht-nvuZ8tvzqmW1eNNd-aPDbVhsHts/s1600/IMG_7844b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="730" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvn_Pf63ho3XZbRQeAevwpFZrSOL3bspi6r12_Ixb3KoTE_PksTJXxXI8eR-Y8nuito9lYOkcnb_tYt_NnHIz5otDTqM5Iwii6DA3QcvUEKfV3ht-nvuZ8tvzqmW1eNNd-aPDbVhsHts/s640/IMG_7844b73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully, I can get myself back on track. Not that this is a particularly happy post with lots of creative joy to share, I guess I felt the need to jot things down......if just for myself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_IsU7Iq63NzaGw00vI4VgQPXEnbW4OktU_knuh1Hw1jAhi-VZS5SsrvECM2IhHbLy58FaAtQdc6D1wRxI7HVmr5_7aifrcRYLYwWVpi2Lky4H70fiJPo7tcag61y6wlZbqDoS37y4X4/s1600/IMG_9519-1263b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_IsU7Iq63NzaGw00vI4VgQPXEnbW4OktU_knuh1Hw1jAhi-VZS5SsrvECM2IhHbLy58FaAtQdc6D1wRxI7HVmr5_7aifrcRYLYwWVpi2Lky4H70fiJPo7tcag61y6wlZbqDoS37y4X4/s1600/IMG_9519-1263b.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1 class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">“Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it's breathtakingly beautiful.”</span></h1>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;">L.R Knost</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #fce5cd;">x</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">x</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-70329289905611143912019-06-21T19:18:00.000+01:002019-06-21T19:18:02.464+01:00Spring 2019........<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fBByhPwsIVI8wzb_hnT-799sZzxbfJhP7p7nqaWtGZ8bRnP8EPTGsu_ad2FCUAZaSRldWFhrUk27dhVRFSBF_adu_rUNBRCSecGMRzf5hBwQEhxRkMUbAAA993pkJlpZI-cuLjXJLuI/s1600/IMG_7260b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fBByhPwsIVI8wzb_hnT-799sZzxbfJhP7p7nqaWtGZ8bRnP8EPTGsu_ad2FCUAZaSRldWFhrUk27dhVRFSBF_adu_rUNBRCSecGMRzf5hBwQEhxRkMUbAAA993pkJlpZI-cuLjXJLuI/s1600/IMG_7260b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Vanessa,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have zoomed into 2019 at such a pace. It amazes you how fast time flies. Does it get even quicker than this, the older you get?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05QU2rR6iRFzaMrEjHdwR4pp1YyMta3KA_6Fwc7jpHlkKedJ5rXdAWNNM5r43CxBO51zf8oaB8TE1g0wPsCTOpiI_Ibe4rLGCeRrSeHSj8rQkbqdlar029YrVEch7o6f93v6et5PFe1c/s1600/IMG_7375b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05QU2rR6iRFzaMrEjHdwR4pp1YyMta3KA_6Fwc7jpHlkKedJ5rXdAWNNM5r43CxBO51zf8oaB8TE1g0wPsCTOpiI_Ibe4rLGCeRrSeHSj8rQkbqdlar029YrVEch7o6f93v6et5PFe1c/s1600/IMG_7375b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So.....what did you get up to in the Spring of 2019?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out.....not a lot. Spring seemed to pass by in a daze. You found it hard to get motivated. The mundane everyday took up, what seemed like, EVERY moment of your time. The same cycle of things OVER AND OVER again. It pains you that you don't enjoy the mundane. You just feel it gets in the way of all the stuff you have in your head you'd like to do. Have you got any better?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZpSCUXnilYVqm28hic0HhVUKti-pX1UE4Ga3yjIzKQfJb2lIaJKydAcMC2T95s9KExZ1IOw8ZuVwxVlbVO_4bH-0oHF5NKdfkcpYPudPa4sdSOR5rnIRg4KO_zYrK3VYSgp9HCMP-U/s1600/IMG_7379b63new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZpSCUXnilYVqm28hic0HhVUKti-pX1UE4Ga3yjIzKQfJb2lIaJKydAcMC2T95s9KExZ1IOw8ZuVwxVlbVO_4bH-0oHF5NKdfkcpYPudPa4sdSOR5rnIRg4KO_zYrK3VYSgp9HCMP-U/s1600/IMG_7379b63new.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your enthusiasm for crafting went down the pan. It really came with the realisation that you just didn't have ANY MORE space to store your makes. You found that putting your heart and soul into creating something, weaving memories into something, made it hard to just give away and discard. You knew you'd never be a maker to sell that was for sure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8GyBK0gAlzngovUxOhnHjc6302RkAbbOJqrbpk1p96DDIKopgl0Bmq_r0HebppogoRZQeaWmPQYrgWhIdh_BkBfKvz7r5Irc7VjkcDj8uSAiQLpCL_fFsM8U06grKZNrZOU1r03km9Y/s1600/IMG_7399b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8GyBK0gAlzngovUxOhnHjc6302RkAbbOJqrbpk1p96DDIKopgl0Bmq_r0HebppogoRZQeaWmPQYrgWhIdh_BkBfKvz7r5Irc7VjkcDj8uSAiQLpCL_fFsM8U06grKZNrZOU1r03km9Y/s1600/IMG_7399b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the beginning of the year you decided that it would be the year of the garment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFtZaIl52P3f_995MdAWX83sM0yLYwmOS9CnX-uYRHWdII2cl0Xr23FF9FiwQ3s-bejfro8CRQHMamfUxt5vB_A_x6YeoAh_7hszOxUjJJFqzs4dURMMezE9psbPLSMEl8wQ9iJn_zxw/s1600/IMG_3179b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFtZaIl52P3f_995MdAWX83sM0yLYwmOS9CnX-uYRHWdII2cl0Xr23FF9FiwQ3s-bejfro8CRQHMamfUxt5vB_A_x6YeoAh_7hszOxUjJJFqzs4dURMMezE9psbPLSMEl8wQ9iJn_zxw/s1600/IMG_3179b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjdGEwi8i9HjTP45dLe4QRwsLO0Swyn5ksC2rZXWB6eystJzan3fjPee_i4GfZqIhVWznsFxQw4G72Cc7EjiL1uV9mJtxZFFhHs2EdqkScMaynGGZ6qgzXocu5zRJQGatUdMXiHf4LGE/s1600/IMG_0879b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjdGEwi8i9HjTP45dLe4QRwsLO0Swyn5ksC2rZXWB6eystJzan3fjPee_i4GfZqIhVWznsFxQw4G72Cc7EjiL1uV9mJtxZFFhHs2EdqkScMaynGGZ6qgzXocu5zRJQGatUdMXiHf4LGE/s1600/IMG_0879b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Victoria Shawl By Sandra Cherry Heart</span><br />
<br />
<br />
However, even the reality of storing said garments was an issue. This just put you off being creative in any way shape or form. So the mundane took over and you felt like you were dying a slow death of lack of creativity. It was quite depressing truth be told.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7i8EbxZydRzjaAbBmjGudf0YaZKI_ox17tnmxby3kOB5onwCoi7OHQ7abEeaktizjQ1Bgqq947yGjBsBn7JX_wjmEn3vd1P0NturSv7JNkV7l2l2fTFTuGgBLgMnM9tJ7WQ5pQPw1KY/s1600/IMG_7291b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7i8EbxZydRzjaAbBmjGudf0YaZKI_ox17tnmxby3kOB5onwCoi7OHQ7abEeaktizjQ1Bgqq947yGjBsBn7JX_wjmEn3vd1P0NturSv7JNkV7l2l2fTFTuGgBLgMnM9tJ7WQ5pQPw1KY/s1600/IMG_7291b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then.....there was a glimmer of hope. Just as it started to get warm......you decided to make something really thick and chunky. You decided to re-visit the <a href="https://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.com/2015/02/knitted-moments-ta-dah.html">Bella Wrap</a> you made by Belinda Harris-Reid. Having loved making it the first time round, but in yarn you weren't keen on, you had always had it in the back of your head to have another go at it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbZPhYBGQcNW-yU_U1upZjSVbMF4Z3xlZdNULu4221J6NBdYGJ7msF17XvVUeOaNb69nJ5EWQeAYF1JLl-3SAqPiTUDztPpZDgmeA27jzlzmR-G9aGiiNElTMan1Vk42CwChxU-G5Qm0/s1600/IMG_2992b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbZPhYBGQcNW-yU_U1upZjSVbMF4Z3xlZdNULu4221J6NBdYGJ7msF17XvVUeOaNb69nJ5EWQeAYF1JLl-3SAqPiTUDztPpZDgmeA27jzlzmR-G9aGiiNElTMan1Vk42CwChxU-G5Qm0/s1600/IMG_2992b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The above wrap was the first one you ever made but you dyed it and were so pleased you did!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm4DfazxGkxID5-tqleT_otoNw43macyQ5Jn-t8n9RhM1VNCbtdyJ8n0uPUTkDpj7slHcOHhot7EmoXQNznreb_kIYdCf3TPpNBXMbWqJo3a-k1lvE9SpHX7625cpr4roz5i0DauQWjY/s1600/IMG_7426b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm4DfazxGkxID5-tqleT_otoNw43macyQ5Jn-t8n9RhM1VNCbtdyJ8n0uPUTkDpj7slHcOHhot7EmoXQNznreb_kIYdCf3TPpNBXMbWqJo3a-k1lvE9SpHX7625cpr4roz5i0DauQWjY/s1600/IMG_7426b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Getting back into the knitting habit after 4 years of not knitting anything was a little daunting. Dropped stitches still scare the bejesus out of you and you pull the most horrendous faces whilst you clap the needles together. Heaven help ANYONE if they dare try and talk to you.....your stitch counting just gets louder to drown them out. You wonder if there will EVER be a time when you look back and read this with a smile because you have finally managed to master knitting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You persevered with your wrap and didn't make a bad attempt. You made your second wrap in Drops Andes yarn in off white and you loved the colour choice and yarn so much better. In fact, you were so pleased with it that immediately you cast off, you cast on again to make another. This time a pea green coloured one. This one took even less time with you feeling more sure of what you were doing. Your strange faces became a little less, and you actually ENJOYED knitting rows! You had visions of a myriad of colours. You wanted a duck egg and a pink at some stage. You wondered what to do with the first one you knitted as you loved it, just not the shade. You decided to dye it dark blue. Not really taking into consideration that the yarn was acrylic, the dark blue came out the most perfect shade of duck egg/silver blue. It couldn't have been more perfect if you'd have tried. Happy with the fact that you didn't need to cast on a duck egg blue wrap, you immediately found the most perfect pink and cast on for that. That one came out beautifully, however, the yarn being 20% Alpaca loved you more than you'd like. You felt like you were eating it as you knitted, and you are not sure what you can wear that it won't shed dreadfully on. But the colour.........swoon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeymUMV6bwLjYROxamzOgvrKRhQZG3KkkT-HdOH-Vj0ihaioUK0wiOlk5AoBUCjCoVodZphtx5s8sJhuB77JND2JVhXs3PYAvgABkdpJmu_ClGC8YJfVsy_wPwiHKav9v-1WopYYWYVQ/s1600/bellab63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeymUMV6bwLjYROxamzOgvrKRhQZG3KkkT-HdOH-Vj0ihaioUK0wiOlk5AoBUCjCoVodZphtx5s8sJhuB77JND2JVhXs3PYAvgABkdpJmu_ClGC8YJfVsy_wPwiHKav9v-1WopYYWYVQ/s1600/bellab63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oYATpjU0GTcdWP2bnFWXLmlYYo3xMK3K4W9IM0JoxLGk5pO2B_CaySAOoIbvwx8HPz24OhTDyZgKsZ9DKwdAL27bGdVwxXVL-JU1cED0-5Ig7L3Tgx1q3glxGpOmNxIYLf7GggjkHek/s1600/IMG_7450b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oYATpjU0GTcdWP2bnFWXLmlYYo3xMK3K4W9IM0JoxLGk5pO2B_CaySAOoIbvwx8HPz24OhTDyZgKsZ9DKwdAL27bGdVwxXVL-JU1cED0-5Ig7L3Tgx1q3glxGpOmNxIYLf7GggjkHek/s1600/IMG_7450b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are like that Vanessa. You find something that you like then you do overkill. You know it's the fear of never being able to do it again. Like buses. I'm sure you've had a blog post with that title?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCAKXI1HYTv2jOSnsNzWvBl2u3uoz7KKWq8YagEWPdHI1l0nwF22FLRKiyZrE3ywloCsxE7KOMYVVROZuckY-LoC6G4_WeLWwLPw5TTl-BfrA4m8kTWoieOpjSwpxclTMrFsm7odcEcU/s1600/IMG_7436b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCAKXI1HYTv2jOSnsNzWvBl2u3uoz7KKWq8YagEWPdHI1l0nwF22FLRKiyZrE3ywloCsxE7KOMYVVROZuckY-LoC6G4_WeLWwLPw5TTl-BfrA4m8kTWoieOpjSwpxclTMrFsm7odcEcU/s1600/IMG_7436b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ITTKYFX39jZ3aNKPxDapivZYYFjbTIzFt_RA643iQtoIaCT1DojZj9RM1IfwHJS-rLd6CDccq1lZ7tTrbUBY856Vt1ttSfJ7M8mXabIxgUk4iWbSOPZS6_n8Cq9UZo6ezGqY60p_IRY/s1600/IMG_7443b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ITTKYFX39jZ3aNKPxDapivZYYFjbTIzFt_RA643iQtoIaCT1DojZj9RM1IfwHJS-rLd6CDccq1lZ7tTrbUBY856Vt1ttSfJ7M8mXabIxgUk4iWbSOPZS6_n8Cq9UZo6ezGqY60p_IRY/s1600/IMG_7443b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-s0dvD9eQwlqd66Rn267-0Zzs__Zo-4xdsA0jxcWSBVGyf0JIQBEHfliUzD-8pHDXFD5FjVytsfqxQxdf8w7owBXMR1RlJUswrAFPjsYyHwb_MWDOyY2x7hdjn4RdiVtSbuo1K9bcc0/s1600/IMG_7293b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-s0dvD9eQwlqd66Rn267-0Zzs__Zo-4xdsA0jxcWSBVGyf0JIQBEHfliUzD-8pHDXFD5FjVytsfqxQxdf8w7owBXMR1RlJUswrAFPjsYyHwb_MWDOyY2x7hdjn4RdiVtSbuo1K9bcc0/s1600/IMG_7293b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIaY5Os1xmUQo-Tzb_8K4c1D7pxD3ySNnst_amlMYpBCa6Tg0XN_OISRudTN_0AAApEgOGE7-4du5Ugb435HZ4rQiMFuUbx0Xew322_S8rX0bM7sdgLArFwDz4xRiJT3LK4IoZGsgU3g/s1600/IMG_7460b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIaY5Os1xmUQo-Tzb_8K4c1D7pxD3ySNnst_amlMYpBCa6Tg0XN_OISRudTN_0AAApEgOGE7-4du5Ugb435HZ4rQiMFuUbx0Xew322_S8rX0bM7sdgLArFwDz4xRiJT3LK4IoZGsgU3g/s1600/IMG_7460b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOmIQTPJB3vu9-TYGHyouPelyfH2eXSgLBr5R-wR-cxg_cN1zn6tj0OiPytLsaadno-G9uESVsGfGmiRHydZqHRJm7ALxJyM5JjblVXhCn3SdBVwfx0Bvr5sx5CEjpFZDY_Ppptnv4AY/s1600/IMG_7459b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOmIQTPJB3vu9-TYGHyouPelyfH2eXSgLBr5R-wR-cxg_cN1zn6tj0OiPytLsaadno-G9uESVsGfGmiRHydZqHRJm7ALxJyM5JjblVXhCn3SdBVwfx0Bvr5sx5CEjpFZDY_Ppptnv4AY/s1600/IMG_7459b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At this precise moment in time, you are completely forgetting the fact that these big bulky wraps will have to go somewhere to be stored. You are just happy creating. It's your happy place. Remember that you bought the Marie Kondo book this Spring to try and help in your quest to change your rubbish habits. I wonder if by the end of the year it would have had any effect or been a complete waste of a read? I fear I know what my money is on. Was I right?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀❀❀❀❀</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are still finding it hard to stop procrastinating and just get on with things. You have reached the conclusion though that you will never really change. It's in your make up to be this way. You are a 50% person. You waste 50% of your day daydreaming. You also realise though, that daydreaming is fundamental to your overall well being. Music too. A life without music would be torture. Your day begins with a good cup of tea (always tea), followed swiftly by a coffee and a good cinematic radio station.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpfB-Dfhv8VtDnYwFi2hy1c5l18Ncm3TiOq7ZdhRs4YYj-2tufbQO3qGuFMt-FUbRJezqZyOrhV2kPMY4QNsR8lNADrlOBcWJOCTMzovtxGpcqQAv22ybO57y2aitTbZkvGZrXzKjtvQ/s1600/IMG_7402b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpfB-Dfhv8VtDnYwFi2hy1c5l18Ncm3TiOq7ZdhRs4YYj-2tufbQO3qGuFMt-FUbRJezqZyOrhV2kPMY4QNsR8lNADrlOBcWJOCTMzovtxGpcqQAv22ybO57y2aitTbZkvGZrXzKjtvQ/s1600/IMG_7402b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have loved this time of year. You truly love the longer light........waking up to the sound of birds way before your alarm goes off.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApE4ktfHB3_QDm1e3xMMxlR00N0c67K7bulhXEc3ewUDiGHzX3nlYCrpZu9YKTNw4mbq-ZPdOwzOcqHkCKpuQbZhOU4836nH6RqsfrTuaQSZ7Gvd2nMufmEUis_WrgJRqHYB7zaljQuY/s1600/IMG_3145b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApE4ktfHB3_QDm1e3xMMxlR00N0c67K7bulhXEc3ewUDiGHzX3nlYCrpZu9YKTNw4mbq-ZPdOwzOcqHkCKpuQbZhOU4836nH6RqsfrTuaQSZ7Gvd2nMufmEUis_WrgJRqHYB7zaljQuY/s1600/IMG_3145b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
You love sitting in the garden with your face to the sun, breathing in life and being utterly thankful for it. You feel happier in the 'you' that you are. Has it continued? I do hope so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf3odLvXSSAlJgLkvKboaV_mY4bA0xq1TCZj6n43xAuTUiJ7AHsXvsXs_pKYIwz9wCkQ2WOc3hXRklQg-pRjjrABuyN9sulilm3DjVk-6ktnR9cjxeggidASbc6IpxjWOBa0q0xvcY9U/s1600/IMG_7360b73n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf3odLvXSSAlJgLkvKboaV_mY4bA0xq1TCZj6n43xAuTUiJ7AHsXvsXs_pKYIwz9wCkQ2WOc3hXRklQg-pRjjrABuyN9sulilm3DjVk-6ktnR9cjxeggidASbc6IpxjWOBa0q0xvcY9U/s1600/IMG_7360b73n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70FEmXX3k-AHXuE7gvoFTmj0u0Yr4HTTblXNDKTCIWlW4Rk96XAIPKqNLZfRuGucHlHSB8UmudD78l9E-1H4SmOQSU_IXD8rPbD8q-yP27mrX368hHSxQeRa-eOe60P_1rmWz_X8S9Og/s1600/IMG_7308b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70FEmXX3k-AHXuE7gvoFTmj0u0Yr4HTTblXNDKTCIWlW4Rk96XAIPKqNLZfRuGucHlHSB8UmudD78l9E-1H4SmOQSU_IXD8rPbD8q-yP27mrX368hHSxQeRa-eOe60P_1rmWz_X8S9Og/s1600/IMG_7308b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEjVlSO918ar7-yiB6GkiC6Sod1BMr6NM47VqX70Hm8q3CQ9pueJgAA9AWwKK7RtJ3h0d7UqbMebwCO6Llu45vZkcDYS35fMyjRyc4pHso2oSl5511avESuXCtmX0Ag1GyabdAzzW7Nc/s1600/IMG_7347b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEjVlSO918ar7-yiB6GkiC6Sod1BMr6NM47VqX70Hm8q3CQ9pueJgAA9AWwKK7RtJ3h0d7UqbMebwCO6Llu45vZkcDYS35fMyjRyc4pHso2oSl5511avESuXCtmX0Ag1GyabdAzzW7Nc/s1600/IMG_7347b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy8aKDyq8rFl8cgXHLubW4zKZVWZe1r3ckf_t14rL24ySrhEC92fZAqvHxY3ZOgPp3LTVu9JgRkoZp7cgdQiFu1tRAnq-BVdPZeQzyb6RW0Rx01zTOAGWjH7u0vDEx1C1gDKwPhQO67w/s1600/IMG_7352b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy8aKDyq8rFl8cgXHLubW4zKZVWZe1r3ckf_t14rL24ySrhEC92fZAqvHxY3ZOgPp3LTVu9JgRkoZp7cgdQiFu1tRAnq-BVdPZeQzyb6RW0Rx01zTOAGWjH7u0vDEx1C1gDKwPhQO67w/s1600/IMG_7352b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq0qyDL0EflHQerRi8d9KDD4gmSKCRnVjO6HQBkM8XpXhGZbcsn7QfalpdQEkVqu60ipQ0oqhmZ3TOqknYLei12gncul8Ymm3aKsjD5coPlQfTmaTzbZxxHJUGiKzztlK-ggPRPsTddU/s1600/IMG_7355b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq0qyDL0EflHQerRi8d9KDD4gmSKCRnVjO6HQBkM8XpXhGZbcsn7QfalpdQEkVqu60ipQ0oqhmZ3TOqknYLei12gncul8Ymm3aKsjD5coPlQfTmaTzbZxxHJUGiKzztlK-ggPRPsTddU/s1600/IMG_7355b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8b86eGAXRRgSVPzXJw2yMFD7fHye6BehFcqP-wF3e5xVm4qATCgK4VUd0scNNtbTGzjWDFIue0ABZUYHztW8iY0NIhB56gUivGyYuuDjdZdF_Hqr_ikuaRaDSaFJigAHhneacS9_uFA/s1600/IMG_7319b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8b86eGAXRRgSVPzXJw2yMFD7fHye6BehFcqP-wF3e5xVm4qATCgK4VUd0scNNtbTGzjWDFIue0ABZUYHztW8iY0NIhB56gUivGyYuuDjdZdF_Hqr_ikuaRaDSaFJigAHhneacS9_uFA/s1600/IMG_7319b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX6VVXTwWSpCM-24Wr-huV1vP7WNDCvJ2DWmy3xJn24W92Ot_7NviHsXN5ya__7J8sk8V8lFyizD4s_Nfy_gCVR3aHw_FdzqB2uhwcdfj3b7vkyEW_tX44bxF9Pp8pYd5i7NhmAnYtH8/s1600/IMG_7315b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGX6VVXTwWSpCM-24Wr-huV1vP7WNDCvJ2DWmy3xJn24W92Ot_7NviHsXN5ya__7J8sk8V8lFyizD4s_Nfy_gCVR3aHw_FdzqB2uhwcdfj3b7vkyEW_tX44bxF9Pp8pYd5i7NhmAnYtH8/s1600/IMG_7315b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuEmkvoyFduhoyv79XpA0ToWdTfQ59k4HrCSy98BJZFY-ChLH2_drkdAgtED548HftxD5edaUlxqmghyJEJLw56Y7S0tr0u8IaZdlFbNxvBGl-LG7BQGV997dgQh2U1LUsLycyzHO2y4/s1600/wisb63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuEmkvoyFduhoyv79XpA0ToWdTfQ59k4HrCSy98BJZFY-ChLH2_drkdAgtED548HftxD5edaUlxqmghyJEJLw56Y7S0tr0u8IaZdlFbNxvBGl-LG7BQGV997dgQh2U1LUsLycyzHO2y4/s1600/wisb63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have finally got your eucalyptus tree. You hope you don't kill it. You pretty much kill everything. 'Over Love' you call it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC49pRpK_e8r0J5IWf_mUz946CTxyY-H_fF4nZ1SnwZRHKft4g-rhAp6xjtGUH7LILOzF8tTV3yyA_yLlsvn5U-xnMNqqj6CRp1lJqRqEkxp2u_WRbNughc-66JZbdXTcMp2y9nie_ng/s1600/IMG_7364b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC49pRpK_e8r0J5IWf_mUz946CTxyY-H_fF4nZ1SnwZRHKft4g-rhAp6xjtGUH7LILOzF8tTV3yyA_yLlsvn5U-xnMNqqj6CRp1lJqRqEkxp2u_WRbNughc-66JZbdXTcMp2y9nie_ng/s1600/IMG_7364b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You think that heading into summer you need to really give yourself a kick up the old posterior. You have told yourself you need a month burst of activity! ha ha!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r1kctdxyNZBNcoXCus_e_M5WzNBYAOvwA7RvbvKb9AaNF6dB0fxU6hHFcXqkGMk9zHRFyKAnABCTM2D_n6gozkeWkecmdBwboP7KD3RtzUQsfwVsMUDJixj8Iw1s-o1g-ifG_eCjZHo/s1600/IMG_7420b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r1kctdxyNZBNcoXCus_e_M5WzNBYAOvwA7RvbvKb9AaNF6dB0fxU6hHFcXqkGMk9zHRFyKAnABCTM2D_n6gozkeWkecmdBwboP7KD3RtzUQsfwVsMUDJixj8Iw1s-o1g-ifG_eCjZHo/s1600/IMG_7420b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You have loved that Gin seems to be the 'in' thing at the moment and you can get Gin in every flavour imaginable. It's a treat tipple for you and Rose Gin is your favourite.<br />
<br />
You have enjoyed soaking up the moments of happiness and tranquil. Appreciating the quiet, the calm, and the beauty in the everyday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ4IKi41HB0xDv9x6p74XEGX601HCjqOgj0RFYc1JXHe9x-zTWuK5T6y7y-TnbEjwkwu3emsZnQd3iI4eanjxGuPQyRLaFVyLfkDFhQPkbdE2ZmHeBOo6VVdLZHMbr9ueC24tNqsJluc/s1600/IMG_3971b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ4IKi41HB0xDv9x6p74XEGX601HCjqOgj0RFYc1JXHe9x-zTWuK5T6y7y-TnbEjwkwu3emsZnQd3iI4eanjxGuPQyRLaFVyLfkDFhQPkbdE2ZmHeBOo6VVdLZHMbr9ueC24tNqsJluc/s1600/IMG_3971b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe it's an age thing, but you are trying so hard to step off of the spinning roundabout to try and stop and remember everything. To really appreciate this stage in your life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKeJoaPwugRCKxhS2HuNLkYWtq4P1-RCHAL-yA8hfB7p0CWJaHTu32MxFM0IOnObtwN5OWx_7o7rmGr5U0eTA-zrQdr-jLMjMCuPHP6bpKXUUser6HBwUBXNeB_r0yqPnPVqRfA7kGV8/s1600/IMG_0772b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKeJoaPwugRCKxhS2HuNLkYWtq4P1-RCHAL-yA8hfB7p0CWJaHTu32MxFM0IOnObtwN5OWx_7o7rmGr5U0eTA-zrQdr-jLMjMCuPHP6bpKXUUser6HBwUBXNeB_r0yqPnPVqRfA7kGV8/s1600/IMG_0772b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXgrDJaBHIWpXD1ixNK2zf30deFENxSR5eTUa4uS7_EwN1-sk0o3akUpEa-kojOtDtUpkydEBWjrykE37QU4la9Vig7Kgv2XxXvWGwAZlmmACujRllyMBqeyErpbMVCie0MxM6jyBtME/s1600/IMG_2786b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXgrDJaBHIWpXD1ixNK2zf30deFENxSR5eTUa4uS7_EwN1-sk0o3akUpEa-kojOtDtUpkydEBWjrykE37QU4la9Vig7Kgv2XxXvWGwAZlmmACujRllyMBqeyErpbMVCie0MxM6jyBtME/s1600/IMG_2786b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Bear's continue to grow and become the men that you had always hoped they would. You look at them and wonder how on earth they grew so quick? Your heart bursts for them, and the day they fly the nest your heart will break. However, in the interests of keeping it real, you'll get a dog and you'll soon forget about them! ha ha! You are also TOTALLY looking forward to only having to do YOUR laundry and not clean a boys bathroom. Did that work out well I wonder? You are also thinking more wardrobe space to store more Bella Wraps!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YxSYXs4G9IIdmfZ-m-tiVd4KkBtxQQxmzurCXJJ4r9uYzkGGvfWj2EeZ_DoRhzvNpZLARUhewXhtnbv4VvAVYGv3-Ejmd9a1fEN_VlJ70FHYbbfIaVeLlEoSsA5qI3U6E6Wz98QAruA/s1600/dresserb63b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YxSYXs4G9IIdmfZ-m-tiVd4KkBtxQQxmzurCXJJ4r9uYzkGGvfWj2EeZ_DoRhzvNpZLARUhewXhtnbv4VvAVYGv3-Ejmd9a1fEN_VlJ70FHYbbfIaVeLlEoSsA5qI3U6E6Wz98QAruA/s1600/dresserb63b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So......as this season comes to an end and another begins, you have a plan of what needs to be done. You also have an idea of what you will probably realistically achieve, but let's hope you surprise yourself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Q9vgJJWmNhOKHiCampTrfTQm7FkldWtInMH7Mh0QNmvVYJp9HUCSIywv93AQ0wrhVPXM2kC-Mt1zAA95SVOzoBrj4YF6yCIhDnDU7Hy3IbdbhKc3ycRc5MOmxfCbumDRo5-R389GfI/s1600/IMG_7385b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Q9vgJJWmNhOKHiCampTrfTQm7FkldWtInMH7Mh0QNmvVYJp9HUCSIywv93AQ0wrhVPXM2kC-Mt1zAA95SVOzoBrj4YF6yCIhDnDU7Hy3IbdbhKc3ycRc5MOmxfCbumDRo5-R389GfI/s1600/IMG_7385b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you are well. I hope you are happy and content. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until the end of Summer.............</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQEzfBDUzMpVRkG5REfXsms1zgloP3zpOT6AFIhOmnEyvol0toEOBdxxdI2GbhenC1DMOi3P9rlhXBN0Iyqry3nRe5KikY0P4hnIt5TV9Kt1xG8SveJ_MYjYJyQQ4AMXdGjB5dLygIcA/s1600/IMG_3663b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="630" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQEzfBDUzMpVRkG5REfXsms1zgloP3zpOT6AFIhOmnEyvol0toEOBdxxdI2GbhenC1DMOi3P9rlhXBN0Iyqry3nRe5KikY0P4hnIt5TV9Kt1xG8SveJ_MYjYJyQQ4AMXdGjB5dLygIcA/s400/IMG_3663b63.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xxx</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-67712524331758479112019-01-04T18:42:00.002+00:002019-03-14T18:19:45.867+00:00The Year That Was........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
.......2018</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLupbQS71ofpFVg_tJmv3ImFdWu0c7RsDPcALLV4JTNFeGOLUXW_uXNmst0JH0tSEWFDc9RmB2raMIf2GvoBK8f86O7J-fUI_Lhr7VPRwMY4doG1FTRcPu_sS-SJX8YZxxe265OZZn2RI/s1600/IMG_4748-2b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLupbQS71ofpFVg_tJmv3ImFdWu0c7RsDPcALLV4JTNFeGOLUXW_uXNmst0JH0tSEWFDc9RmB2raMIf2GvoBK8f86O7J-fUI_Lhr7VPRwMY4doG1FTRcPu_sS-SJX8YZxxe265OZZn2RI/s1600/IMG_4748-2b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Vanessa,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodness, that year went so fast. It seems that with every year that passes and one grows older (and hopefully wiser), the years just go by at a quicker rate. I'm sure soon it will feel like each year is only a month long.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fsuNzah-FWJJ8A8gGV18XJUn0oISwDpRU7IHmnfg8qCZuKKMmgOi5xarDyWH4AugEGfggkU4j-vuBo54vYX8GJAg6IE-ZccOj9Y9nobU8HqbmDmET5dmITd0kaL-g_UMhKyy7yvryBY/s1600/IMG_4848-3b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fsuNzah-FWJJ8A8gGV18XJUn0oISwDpRU7IHmnfg8qCZuKKMmgOi5xarDyWH4AugEGfggkU4j-vuBo54vYX8GJAg6IE-ZccOj9Y9nobU8HqbmDmET5dmITd0kaL-g_UMhKyy7yvryBY/s1600/IMG_4848-3b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, as I touched on in my November post, 2018 saw a creative year for you. Whilst 2017 felt really rather non-existant in creative terms, it seemed that as soon as the New Year of 2018 rang in, your brain exploded with a never ending list you felt you HAD to make. It was a bit of a shock actually, to go from really having no inclination to want to make anything, to ones brain just going haywire with a gazillion ideas all at once.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAymUlVM0uYZQdaWzz56D7wJauYCdm-9ntaSs0995qrncdztw3omaRWrYOOHxzet9l5YQLZLxBIbqtHv51detpuf8OnBsPS0qMhxcj1MgUH4WmsAZoBLIJYjBYD9epHhfiHTvqClnrzE/s1600/IMG_6687b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAymUlVM0uYZQdaWzz56D7wJauYCdm-9ntaSs0995qrncdztw3omaRWrYOOHxzet9l5YQLZLxBIbqtHv51detpuf8OnBsPS0qMhxcj1MgUH4WmsAZoBLIJYjBYD9epHhfiHTvqClnrzE/s1600/IMG_6687b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rz6CoyTwCV5MSaI4-A1SH4quYGN2YJQzhbFk9Cgj6dwo3VTIn4olwBZZx98VS1ddE3mL19Zh6ifa0vvLnU0hn0n1urJJOuq3ynMsscmX1IQmw-_vUF1PQfgZGyV5vfrVlqnlfzYb7kM/s1600/IMG_8535b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rz6CoyTwCV5MSaI4-A1SH4quYGN2YJQzhbFk9Cgj6dwo3VTIn4olwBZZx98VS1ddE3mL19Zh6ifa0vvLnU0hn0n1urJJOuq3ynMsscmX1IQmw-_vUF1PQfgZGyV5vfrVlqnlfzYb7kM/s1600/IMG_8535b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There were a couple of small projects........and there were a few <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">L</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">R</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">G</span><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">E</span></span> projects.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW03UEMi9cVedS6jWbPXLXlXpAepB9V17sr6xJ219kvDY4JD10ZZK2vvOfdnXg1Gay3rCQbEYQua_05kCXS2rXAfJVuVSL6m4UHoUMeFFnMv7jRoOdPI9jvd7et32DtA8Ns0qISPhlq4I/s1600/IMG_8303b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW03UEMi9cVedS6jWbPXLXlXpAepB9V17sr6xJ219kvDY4JD10ZZK2vvOfdnXg1Gay3rCQbEYQua_05kCXS2rXAfJVuVSL6m4UHoUMeFFnMv7jRoOdPI9jvd7et32DtA8Ns0qISPhlq4I/s1600/IMG_8303b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You had started a blanket at the end of 2016, inspired by a patchwork quilt made by the talented Alicia Paulson from Posie Gets Cozy Blog. You've just about finished it. You found it hard going in 2017 to make any real progress on it. It turned out to be a huge blanket. It was slow going, the pattern on it was slow to emerge. You needed a lot of room to get all the colours out to do it. As much as you loved the blanket idea and knew it would look lovely when it was done, I have to say it's been your least favourite blanket to make. It took all of 2018 to finish it. You still have the border to do, but that's ok. It actually looks ok without a border and you have been in two minds whether to add to it. You have realised that you could have actually learned how to be a master quilter and made a proper quilt in the time it took you to crochet your version.The irony is not lost on you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VZdxqCoBgVxmc4Bp0661PvcAqWmJvH_xP0d5_6Hmp284fNiCXGcKPjvNw6wvE8iqiS3MI0T2xJ7HEhAyDlMv_IcYMdC25GcQBzRkxGJRRkwDd9ekq0DDSJNHLUzrCvbZ5awVentRXHo/s1600/IMG_6613b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VZdxqCoBgVxmc4Bp0661PvcAqWmJvH_xP0d5_6Hmp284fNiCXGcKPjvNw6wvE8iqiS3MI0T2xJ7HEhAyDlMv_IcYMdC25GcQBzRkxGJRRkwDd9ekq0DDSJNHLUzrCvbZ5awVentRXHo/s1600/IMG_6613b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTmp9X6Tnu6EW3gDTZGXdsPAC3sflm7j5ZjU6nR-aSI9MKRzsN3XrfOGNZ87OxwTNZtFpp-LUjA8TVcvbDDzhd-myDgmiEaaLyXEmJyLybR0858790r8XqQveQBqKtMg9kIjBrqJjaL8/s1600/IMG_9247b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTmp9X6Tnu6EW3gDTZGXdsPAC3sflm7j5ZjU6nR-aSI9MKRzsN3XrfOGNZ87OxwTNZtFpp-LUjA8TVcvbDDzhd-myDgmiEaaLyXEmJyLybR0858790r8XqQveQBqKtMg9kIjBrqJjaL8/s1600/IMG_9247b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1cfVzq8YzeiZ_F_prUfpimeinosaQnDY-bLWbW0DWKeAPVNDz6iZfmtygIkQMTfertx5luASXcAtdK-xLJzjY1HjUgKjA0ILYSO5EcvBu02zIcDh6YNxCGxMAd_Vocdk59xM9eozcaw/s1600/IMG_9170b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1cfVzq8YzeiZ_F_prUfpimeinosaQnDY-bLWbW0DWKeAPVNDz6iZfmtygIkQMTfertx5luASXcAtdK-xLJzjY1HjUgKjA0ILYSO5EcvBu02zIcDh6YNxCGxMAd_Vocdk59xM9eozcaw/s1600/IMG_9170b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
As lovely as the blanket looks now, it took you a whole year as you kept having to start new things just to get them out of my brain. You are usually a one project girl at a time. Especially blankets. You like to focus solely on one thing. However, this year, you felt like you needed to just keep starting things that were in your head. You felt like if you got them out of your head then your brain might slow down a bit and give you some peace. You found it both exciting and exhausting at the same time. Anyway, four blankets were on the go at the same time. It was super crazy. They were your usual big blankets too. What is wrong with you woman?! Even when you tell yourself that your next blanket will be a modest sized lap blanket, they end up being HUGE. You guess it's the whole snuggle thing. You just hate the thought of only one person being able to use them. The 'Isle of Skye' blanket was lovingly made, soon followed by 'Winterberry'. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7z_x9xs4pNg-dtdIkV6xR6nxyVdOGGHD4EOxRulYrHKorA10atVtrUuErSMmd4rO9Os5RcSvK3yVhP4H1gjad2jHYIhrsEjTlyLp-IgW5eFhiBWGOvPLZzIiW4ix8RtdmRdrcS2mavo/s1600/IMG_7353b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7z_x9xs4pNg-dtdIkV6xR6nxyVdOGGHD4EOxRulYrHKorA10atVtrUuErSMmd4rO9Os5RcSvK3yVhP4H1gjad2jHYIhrsEjTlyLp-IgW5eFhiBWGOvPLZzIiW4ix8RtdmRdrcS2mavo/s1600/IMG_7353b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxgxVVuJk02x-7Raka8_Uu6QxDlJCxKFffSQkgJceZbsBDeheRZalWbUfZ7I1GnKkoIeD1zbkxaMnygrGfZwTkfh2lZkN-tpGZRiQk3qAg6NpNVRefRK183TrfqqcDjvfF0QhUwzqP4M/s1600/IMG_7692b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxgxVVuJk02x-7Raka8_Uu6QxDlJCxKFffSQkgJceZbsBDeheRZalWbUfZ7I1GnKkoIeD1zbkxaMnygrGfZwTkfh2lZkN-tpGZRiQk3qAg6NpNVRefRK183TrfqqcDjvfF0QhUwzqP4M/s1600/IMG_7692b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05NYFOwq1AEhVnDSSKe0CDIoT3fAqSijbAPSsPeYZD3hCaclu3jiReFnLdLs3QaElV-ooVd_uu6aSvtLy_MYGEMTAY_o_tqxDxUcAjabT3cmgAPAJVzgSVGnjpXb8EHny0bpHEx28b2A/s1600/IMG_8219b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05NYFOwq1AEhVnDSSKe0CDIoT3fAqSijbAPSsPeYZD3hCaclu3jiReFnLdLs3QaElV-ooVd_uu6aSvtLy_MYGEMTAY_o_tqxDxUcAjabT3cmgAPAJVzgSVGnjpXb8EHny0bpHEx28b2A/s1600/IMG_8219b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ihGGh_JxhkyL_DjxlWn0dQxING8g-2aTc8RjB9LD9douHqRRRjPw4InSQbl_7FlEAG1E0k0FAmjVW6C_Anj-v2Z32FhlFHga56Onrngdj-2GkxOrJ21axEvWft33t7OUYJAfa9mXSo4/s1600/IMG_7444b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ihGGh_JxhkyL_DjxlWn0dQxING8g-2aTc8RjB9LD9douHqRRRjPw4InSQbl_7FlEAG1E0k0FAmjVW6C_Anj-v2Z32FhlFHga56Onrngdj-2GkxOrJ21axEvWft33t7OUYJAfa9mXSo4/s1600/IMG_7444b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three turned out nicely (although you have just remembered that 'Winterberry' needs the ends sewing in. Something you forgot when Christmas took over), the other (oh my, how you love it so much), did <span style="font-size: x-large;">NOT</span> turn out so well. That was actually due to the fact that it was a cushion pattern made in the round and you adapted it to make it a blanket. You were <b>NOT</b> paying attention to your first 20 rows and it went all wonky. You use it every evening to snuggle on your sofa, but you cannot bring myself to sew in the ends because it's not right. Actually, unless you lay it our flat you'd never know it was wonky, but you have the yarn to start again and produce another one, a perfect one. You love it <b>THAT</b> much. There goes your plan to not make any blankets in 2019. I wonder when it will get made. Remind me in a later post!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4FedTHROSiCHvdzlOi003PleNyhYR_6oKBje_Kx8NbkoWMXAx8nD4-ifksDONdFkTYBQkw1Ts3trXgzXS_kjNPapa5ju6gowH3GIilQvSSRSh3ImDL4tTDLJxzvXmGwLeM3aXFR5YVQ/s1600/IMG_4983b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4FedTHROSiCHvdzlOi003PleNyhYR_6oKBje_Kx8NbkoWMXAx8nD4-ifksDONdFkTYBQkw1Ts3trXgzXS_kjNPapa5ju6gowH3GIilQvSSRSh3ImDL4tTDLJxzvXmGwLeM3aXFR5YVQ/s1600/IMG_4983b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
As for everyday life, things are ticking along ok. Life has its ups and downs and good and bad. You haven't really had a sense that you have achieved that much this past year. You seem to have found that time has been in such short supply. You work part time now, and on your days off you split it between trying to maintain some semblance of order in the house and trying to get creative stuff done. A domestic goddess you are NOT. You find it tedious, unrewarding, soul destroying, life sapping.......and many other things. The monotony of spending hours first thing every morning doing the same old stuff to just start your day with a clean house slate is...well....quite frankly...utterly pants. However, you have come to realise that this has been more of a problem recently because you have allowed way too much clutter to take over. Less stuff means less dusting. Remember that Vanessa for the future.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was the year you came out from the 'rabbit hole' that you were lost in in 2017. It felt good to reconnect with people. You wonder why you feel the need to retreat into your own little world at times and just live with yourself, your thoughts and your little bubble of a family. You think you like your own company far too much. You have reached an age where you do what you feel you need to do in order to keep yourself happy, not what is expected of you. You realise it's actually quite 'freeing' to think like that. You are who you are.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6HBy0m4ql-yK0ZUmzbT7nNCwLTz0yiA0t_Zix-TGl2kzUBg0AG3hOs2JDt7RkrDlx5m8Tj1bCsKusRoNAKW151OMubuAH2FfMr_KCDvPpCslqs2WcT8vPs_eCmwEpf5W1DH9A__DoNM/s1600/IMG_5012aB73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6HBy0m4ql-yK0ZUmzbT7nNCwLTz0yiA0t_Zix-TGl2kzUBg0AG3hOs2JDt7RkrDlx5m8Tj1bCsKusRoNAKW151OMubuAH2FfMr_KCDvPpCslqs2WcT8vPs_eCmwEpf5W1DH9A__DoNM/s1600/IMG_5012aB73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your Bears are growing up. Two now at College and one at Secondary School. Goodness, where has the time gone? You ache for the days that are slipping from your memory of Wibbly Pig books, cuddly toys, Lego and toy cars; of boys being small enough to scoop up and embrace entirely. The older Bears now scoop YOU up. You feel like you are being pushed into your new role in life instead of walking willingly. You still hate change that you haven't initiated.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having said that, you find it a wonderful thing seeing your boys growing into fine young men. You feel that despite all the things you wish could have been different, you haven't done a bad job at the whole mother malarky. You have rather surprised yourself on that score.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoPKEZqZaPYtHZJWUPgy8q12xR1kberZjD1FlREHoVPAEJBUZ9aHc9SWOYLLlVPu7KgrxvszyPb2ZsEQdbssjzKHgnyqL1g7fJYOGZiY4QLXJMZBsEH5z5tR5MvHeAgoXgQ070H55Hhs/s1600/IMG_5054ab65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoPKEZqZaPYtHZJWUPgy8q12xR1kberZjD1FlREHoVPAEJBUZ9aHc9SWOYLLlVPu7KgrxvszyPb2ZsEQdbssjzKHgnyqL1g7fJYOGZiY4QLXJMZBsEH5z5tR5MvHeAgoXgQ070H55Hhs/s1600/IMG_5054ab65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have also missed blogging this year. You have felt at times over the past 12 months that you've <b>really</b> wanted to get back to this little space of yours, and jot down a few thoughts and feelings. Never in the last few years has the desire felt so strong. You are reminded of how pants you are at computer stuff. You are also reminded how bad your memory is on how to actually blog. You have been feeling that you might like to do seasonal posts instead of yearly catch up posts. You have loved picking up your camera again and seeing the world through its happy lens instead of your phone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So Vanessa, you have welcomed 2019. You wonder what the year will hold for you. Your creative brain has been ticking along on an even keel so far. That makes you happy at least! You hope to make this year the year of the garment and NOT the year of the blanket. Time will tell. As always, you have at least five blanket ideas in your head you want to get made at some point, but for now, you have around ten garment patterns that can keep you occupied!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ness, I will leave you with some reminder pictures of how 2018 was for you. It is evident that you never stray too far from your favourite colours.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH9VMVFTi0dEZt-oIQRTAufUBMtrgipSVQ6mVk-lKD6-a8p-HMkaikTiStaOOFJYsl6yOJLiYMWIvlmisSsWsW_ulJlH9uDG3l2wOA7Kq7od-QMxw7BGOsRRuL2mPW1p27fsxE1tt1ls/s1600/IMG_4869-2b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH9VMVFTi0dEZt-oIQRTAufUBMtrgipSVQ6mVk-lKD6-a8p-HMkaikTiStaOOFJYsl6yOJLiYMWIvlmisSsWsW_ulJlH9uDG3l2wOA7Kq7od-QMxw7BGOsRRuL2mPW1p27fsxE1tt1ls/s1600/IMG_4869-2b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiPXnYce7CMVZgw9YXUwWRsJ12KCJz_vG4QJ6CuvmW9SKO2Y_x2GhN1Z_CwtNvlUedK2uWQpwKZ3vvjSaadt1GgYP3iJLahkWuJLtHJKhM5oVbpct56qVSxsBVuVY0K4xjOSO_3iUS9c/s1600/IMG_4782-2b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiPXnYce7CMVZgw9YXUwWRsJ12KCJz_vG4QJ6CuvmW9SKO2Y_x2GhN1Z_CwtNvlUedK2uWQpwKZ3vvjSaadt1GgYP3iJLahkWuJLtHJKhM5oVbpct56qVSxsBVuVY0K4xjOSO_3iUS9c/s1600/IMG_4782-2b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKBhyphenhyphenayD-RJ3yknypHeM0eGexiahyz9d094ngYvigNsf_2Ir2dr05RgmxPVDBAP-oHWaWkSsvz19DaLZWrs-cd_a11kQFQs5gepimKobjTww9oFjxytQ8sxviRgfGt0c_81YIUCzR3iU/s1600/IMG_5243b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKBhyphenhyphenayD-RJ3yknypHeM0eGexiahyz9d094ngYvigNsf_2Ir2dr05RgmxPVDBAP-oHWaWkSsvz19DaLZWrs-cd_a11kQFQs5gepimKobjTww9oFjxytQ8sxviRgfGt0c_81YIUCzR3iU/s1600/IMG_5243b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfWnGIcpKpMFpQwR2L1axiD8YWAanBg4G4Gli7CNFuyADz7mQY54ebfKyKppVqFRTkPjdIRM4V75EWbl1Tdeaay2_UAmg4HFXivNgC02FZhmYL-l8-ns6f0sTI6fSH4QhkGz8g_l6LDo/s1600/IMG_8442b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfWnGIcpKpMFpQwR2L1axiD8YWAanBg4G4Gli7CNFuyADz7mQY54ebfKyKppVqFRTkPjdIRM4V75EWbl1Tdeaay2_UAmg4HFXivNgC02FZhmYL-l8-ns6f0sTI6fSH4QhkGz8g_l6LDo/s1600/IMG_8442b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebWRmNmzYQbAV0rACPs1lRdjKxa6wPTM4mW2HXRyXVHHYBZX3dg0Z2_codqw8SH1wZs912KjPfadRIEwHtkbduf-NSlBXXorknhXhuVor7GErMTUGs3_BBxNaZqC-F_ziuzupvZEaeQk/s1600/IMG_5250b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebWRmNmzYQbAV0rACPs1lRdjKxa6wPTM4mW2HXRyXVHHYBZX3dg0Z2_codqw8SH1wZs912KjPfadRIEwHtkbduf-NSlBXXorknhXhuVor7GErMTUGs3_BBxNaZqC-F_ziuzupvZEaeQk/s1600/IMG_5250b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6DNNbaVCAEE-qyNlnRfeclPBAiuHK85_ST5CMQ55ch98P_1_VKeuB8_6sF9dig8g2jiv5PWF4asiltfP5aFZIT-z5J6i-ZZ4fdF9r-msQ_mFilmLWjtuQhx972QGdAFQT-cAq4LjWjo/s1600/IMG_5254b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6DNNbaVCAEE-qyNlnRfeclPBAiuHK85_ST5CMQ55ch98P_1_VKeuB8_6sF9dig8g2jiv5PWF4asiltfP5aFZIT-z5J6i-ZZ4fdF9r-msQ_mFilmLWjtuQhx972QGdAFQT-cAq4LjWjo/s1600/IMG_5254b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLHSaUwY7XbwILxU_oMfDKRCDL2x_l-dJb5cHMoev3DBPl9z8t3rUREEBsFjMjY3k-TJtKvMo00m6Hh2paRaqqO71Bw-ThsMz6gjxqyE80hTS5MPYhR0z1Dv4fqwPzn0YFdl8VRWylYU/s1600/IMG_8494b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLHSaUwY7XbwILxU_oMfDKRCDL2x_l-dJb5cHMoev3DBPl9z8t3rUREEBsFjMjY3k-TJtKvMo00m6Hh2paRaqqO71Bw-ThsMz6gjxqyE80hTS5MPYhR0z1Dv4fqwPzn0YFdl8VRWylYU/s1600/IMG_8494b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD7Hrjj16-le2dF8S-xakvvOHllunfxyAinhbCfR0j-DqcwZBz4nBYaPqYu79OxS1sBe8Voh7CoKzZnKBATdf36SXHZqk-MklSEQXR_uNvmJ7D1znKRgQ23K7Ih0_YKjQWLcl2YlQBPM/s1600/IMG_5260b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD7Hrjj16-le2dF8S-xakvvOHllunfxyAinhbCfR0j-DqcwZBz4nBYaPqYu79OxS1sBe8Voh7CoKzZnKBATdf36SXHZqk-MklSEQXR_uNvmJ7D1znKRgQ23K7Ih0_YKjQWLcl2YlQBPM/s1600/IMG_5260b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80XXpxGZsoK39Mbd9bG_CmuFeZEijzHT_pi8vQTvKQBC-9mm8U9FK_zXdxJw79r6jJH8QpUYCvVzJvCYxR-h1u2MolpGGI1ondnx0h1anCv0QkIycMnDV4Wp7Ex7p-R0UyahZlSUi3Ks/s1600/IMG_5232b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80XXpxGZsoK39Mbd9bG_CmuFeZEijzHT_pi8vQTvKQBC-9mm8U9FK_zXdxJw79r6jJH8QpUYCvVzJvCYxR-h1u2MolpGGI1ondnx0h1anCv0QkIycMnDV4Wp7Ex7p-R0UyahZlSUi3Ks/s1600/IMG_5232b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyNxJzbzEYAVu80dRwIi5_klPHHUWTuODZ2OECui6mGyG3lu4Suyei7CDMHDIjj_zRaLPMYoxTlqL6GKq8izE00Lq0Vj6bh30FqIaYbHvjMRA0CuuVyWK-4xyiuNklQ_HZa7L0BJdqOI/s1600/IMG_5202b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyNxJzbzEYAVu80dRwIi5_klPHHUWTuODZ2OECui6mGyG3lu4Suyei7CDMHDIjj_zRaLPMYoxTlqL6GKq8izE00Lq0Vj6bh30FqIaYbHvjMRA0CuuVyWK-4xyiuNklQ_HZa7L0BJdqOI/s1600/IMG_5202b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1ev_bLApU1rRK_ByUySdNBYgtMpS4GJTCufESOVGKb2szoXy4ndfCYF-wkfb4KHoAu8PNsrymNBgUlPryHMBnom9qAJGe5Tqkh1VDChtKx0pnRXu7KS-mNpggCWMnOxpe9I7EtZntaI/s1600/IMG_5150b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1ev_bLApU1rRK_ByUySdNBYgtMpS4GJTCufESOVGKb2szoXy4ndfCYF-wkfb4KHoAu8PNsrymNBgUlPryHMBnom9qAJGe5Tqkh1VDChtKx0pnRXu7KS-mNpggCWMnOxpe9I7EtZntaI/s1600/IMG_5150b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFL2MPApfkzWDJcwojAN9NDCIEsYthDfT1oNJmT0Jnx1bDnvKoF9_7NTalq6rINGsiy7N9_xmMCGT8Xp6S3YK3meLa1PrFLzVC80e5PVeaeiUvSwgqpxnbvrLFVXQgZidc0M-nqDTFvA/s1600/IMG_6726b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFL2MPApfkzWDJcwojAN9NDCIEsYthDfT1oNJmT0Jnx1bDnvKoF9_7NTalq6rINGsiy7N9_xmMCGT8Xp6S3YK3meLa1PrFLzVC80e5PVeaeiUvSwgqpxnbvrLFVXQgZidc0M-nqDTFvA/s1600/IMG_6726b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxUoEdOOp_XZSw24sDhxPdqNYmEXOvnWj4EJHIPiDPcbVA0z73s0dVz41OhXZ9PbMHfRnKhCm9elt68bMKurbHq8ty46zWuVNgXHOUX1LQjfuAQS2Y3KYYsh0Q7z_vKc_pomGD2wXzL8/s1600/IMG_9666b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxUoEdOOp_XZSw24sDhxPdqNYmEXOvnWj4EJHIPiDPcbVA0z73s0dVz41OhXZ9PbMHfRnKhCm9elt68bMKurbHq8ty46zWuVNgXHOUX1LQjfuAQS2Y3KYYsh0Q7z_vKc_pomGD2wXzL8/s1600/IMG_9666b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRytRo9zgKL3pQTsUGfT35AphFaNDcIJlEsUPTYzHAIhyphenhyphenGJXO4XfpRG1hRd2phDnTuNUjTVrFtXo9kkZ-yWyT3a1MIkkZykqO29K8O1CMdDd7hUmuVHlEoqbB3CDcLkSjlOQ5mP9v1NLk/s1600/IMG_7239b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRytRo9zgKL3pQTsUGfT35AphFaNDcIJlEsUPTYzHAIhyphenhyphenGJXO4XfpRG1hRd2phDnTuNUjTVrFtXo9kkZ-yWyT3a1MIkkZykqO29K8O1CMdDd7hUmuVHlEoqbB3CDcLkSjlOQ5mP9v1NLk/s1600/IMG_7239b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsjmDW_jtKcPqmWXNV8w7pMrhbIC7UF8NsmKMLpHmuOdVyQ1S_U5K-tzpwEd3bFyrSP95aafoaWq1YD6ny6NdiGoneVpoOgnjkgywVeOqgeZMCFgRlCDy9HFqBLx2BSCDSrKmBgPt1J0/s1600/IMG_5219b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsjmDW_jtKcPqmWXNV8w7pMrhbIC7UF8NsmKMLpHmuOdVyQ1S_U5K-tzpwEd3bFyrSP95aafoaWq1YD6ny6NdiGoneVpoOgnjkgywVeOqgeZMCFgRlCDy9HFqBLx2BSCDSrKmBgPt1J0/s1600/IMG_5219b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TBVhjaXfZoF2gNLLQDK4oIXnSUwFryZVQbqPuwczQKM9nMqbQPr56rKH5uct5mW_ojQj-GBylni0292gUUNwEtJjT53eDqi0NKqoZn2R4gKKVRR7Lpf19pflyD-K9HChCpX7w2Uhwy0/s1600/IMG_5212b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TBVhjaXfZoF2gNLLQDK4oIXnSUwFryZVQbqPuwczQKM9nMqbQPr56rKH5uct5mW_ojQj-GBylni0292gUUNwEtJjT53eDqi0NKqoZn2R4gKKVRR7Lpf19pflyD-K9HChCpX7w2Uhwy0/s1600/IMG_5212b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMx1oUCHzsSoaHQyOkmlXpiOTXlO7u-Y-XjZB1bOrHO2NT9HkCToBQrpBzi1SEUJ8jWSJEdeW2vw-YLTSiPHBr4zblBIAR_8agmF78arIxd-LZeU0fnLYX8bEy5W572-VlRzcJapDJqY/s1600/IMG_5210b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMx1oUCHzsSoaHQyOkmlXpiOTXlO7u-Y-XjZB1bOrHO2NT9HkCToBQrpBzi1SEUJ8jWSJEdeW2vw-YLTSiPHBr4zblBIAR_8agmF78arIxd-LZeU0fnLYX8bEy5W572-VlRzcJapDJqY/s1600/IMG_5210b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXMqmgo3w-jnl6MlRrC6z0l6OiLjdfVLHuCF2g1llz-orccR96CZq7ahCHEz7A8WmfuNi6bbvuNxoRGqwMYwPX4mXAf0DRwgDD5041OZsgw7A4CMEBYE_owalgpwFpyLx-_DTjLyEJNI/s1600/IMG_5209b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXMqmgo3w-jnl6MlRrC6z0l6OiLjdfVLHuCF2g1llz-orccR96CZq7ahCHEz7A8WmfuNi6bbvuNxoRGqwMYwPX4mXAf0DRwgDD5041OZsgw7A4CMEBYE_owalgpwFpyLx-_DTjLyEJNI/s1600/IMG_5209b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jnp9vJ1TWgcwd_ipryw3uSb-zVj5AZ-lRZuTwpm9pllC51mS2LGoWcZWk3pTMczmuXvJ0pwbP9WKRbDSKno9X5vkSJISYz5Gg9ShIuavFu3tk5uDld-qj2c3UhoQh9dB8ZjxcIzzP44/s1600/IMG_5223b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jnp9vJ1TWgcwd_ipryw3uSb-zVj5AZ-lRZuTwpm9pllC51mS2LGoWcZWk3pTMczmuXvJ0pwbP9WKRbDSKno9X5vkSJISYz5Gg9ShIuavFu3tk5uDld-qj2c3UhoQh9dB8ZjxcIzzP44/s1600/IMG_5223b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheerio Ness, I'm sure when I say it, that it won't be so long until we next catch up. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxubnuWbsQtb0mL4DQxD2F_3iSnnsfQtnsr5stb6GmxGJY8uEzTbQ23psWy2shg4yOg0nIrHyRW2YyIzTS7nF4TULIzNMd4-i0f2Y-oun580eWxSPi1SlpSCAo7JZuK5y3F7wKIYEQoWk/s1600/IMG_8200b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxubnuWbsQtb0mL4DQxD2F_3iSnnsfQtnsr5stb6GmxGJY8uEzTbQ23psWy2shg4yOg0nIrHyRW2YyIzTS7nF4TULIzNMd4-i0f2Y-oun580eWxSPi1SlpSCAo7JZuK5y3F7wKIYEQoWk/s1600/IMG_8200b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7c7kX_SX3sRWGBH2xXAICAwTtO3ovaK-Z6CqgFN_xUIuqhmKQnIjO88DhJw-Jdeito34tKrerfirA0QxgMGohQre46CvHGyH-jQE7BJwOt_wN2m6CUhNZqJtwEw9WlTbZRXdV6ILuT4/s1600/IMG_9196b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7c7kX_SX3sRWGBH2xXAICAwTtO3ovaK-Z6CqgFN_xUIuqhmKQnIjO88DhJw-Jdeito34tKrerfirA0QxgMGohQre46CvHGyH-jQE7BJwOt_wN2m6CUhNZqJtwEw9WlTbZRXdV6ILuT4/s1600/IMG_9196b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">x</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">x</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">x</span></span></div>
<br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-71782341431151828432018-11-08T12:36:00.000+00:002018-11-10T09:44:59.080+00:00Behind the Scenes......<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hellooooooooo.....How are you?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VHQgehhUahee1EtYSypUXXOMIXecNt4tVL1y6sV2flnlONcMNplJdnyGf831kvZ8T7bGjLoE4svv-fdy1mP_vVUE9m96cqCdcNoEkIuVKo7T-tM_bMDWBFdL9xqK1BxO59YqUaOTc40/s1600/skye+first+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VHQgehhUahee1EtYSypUXXOMIXecNt4tVL1y6sV2flnlONcMNplJdnyGf831kvZ8T7bGjLoE4svv-fdy1mP_vVUE9m96cqCdcNoEkIuVKo7T-tM_bMDWBFdL9xqK1BxO59YqUaOTc40/s640/skye+first+image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm just popping in, because I wanted to tell you the story of a blanket. I was going to do my usual yearly round up post in January, but I felt that this deserved a post of its own. I felt like it needed to be written down and remembered.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year my hands have not stopped with a hook and yarn. It's been euphoric and draining all at once. I'll explain more about my crafty year in my round up post in January, but this blanket, well, I have thoroughly enjoyed its journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the story of how it came about........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had an idea to make a granny squares blanket using pastels. I had been spending time on a project that was draining my life force, and I was dreaming of a simple little granny squares blanket that would restore my 'happy' box. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kind of pastels I wanted were sludgy and faded pastels. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That was all I knew.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I watched a film. <b><span style="color: #ea9999;">The Light Between Oceans</span></b>. Whilst I enjoyed the film, what struck me most was the scenery in which it was filmed......and the costumes. The film revolves around the life of two main characters who live on a lighthouse on a remote island. The time is just after the First World War.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The scenery was beautiful; windswept and rugged.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The costumes; natural fabrics, wool, lace and utilitarian.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The colours, oh the colours, they really spoke to me. Just lots of neutrals, greys of the sky, blue of the ocean and grey blues in their costumes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After I had seen the film, I suddenly thought how nice the idea of my pastel blanket would be if it reflected the ruggedness of the land with the hues of the windswept skies and seas in the film.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So....a new blanket was born.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a specific idea on what I wanted. Similar tones, and a blanket with an outdoors utilitarian feel. I chose most of my yarns to be pure wool or Alpaca mixes. I think I had only two colours which had any percentage of acrylic, albeit a small percentage. Many were tweed yarns as I wanted to replicate this connection with nature. I did not want soft or fluffy or cosy. It's funny, because usually the soft warm feel is very important to me in a blanket. This was the total opposite!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now.....in my usual haphazard, non thinky way, I just made the squares and made enough to try and work out what length and width I would like it to be. I needed 360 squares.<br />
<br />
They were an utter joy to make.<br />
<br />
After working on a project that was huge and all connected, it felt like total freedom to just make the odd square as and when I could.<br />
<br />
Turns out I became absolutely besotted with the blanket. I couldn't crochet the squares quick enough. My brain would start itching about five in the morning, so I was up with a cup of tea and a hook. Yarn and a hook seemed to go everywhere with me to get the odd one in. I made the granny square quite a compact one, as I wanted it to feel thick and tightly bound.......more hard wearing for the outdoors. I wanted them to be quite openly seamed together to create a more vintage feel. For the border I wanted something simple, plain, and utilitarian.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So......do you want to see it in all its glory? Get ready for an epic amount of pics. It was a nice day, what can I say?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
meet........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">s</span><span style="color: #ffd966;">l</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">e</span> <span style="color: #e06666;">O</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">f</span> <span style="color: #ea9999;">S</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">k</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">y</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">e</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YL0ZrP6HvDOklV3x3DIk8kQMSUuhvR9J3WY_wPRVCemF9lak8KVWYHUuhDQsaxaOQxucCszCPcprmIzvIXNNXwdOwQtvEhnudkk1sNpJDaO7hDQMlhkncQSNyrLICohpuLXkGQannoo/s1600/skye20+first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YL0ZrP6HvDOklV3x3DIk8kQMSUuhvR9J3WY_wPRVCemF9lak8KVWYHUuhDQsaxaOQxucCszCPcprmIzvIXNNXwdOwQtvEhnudkk1sNpJDaO7hDQMlhkncQSNyrLICohpuLXkGQannoo/s640/skye20+first.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUiPrPT21H8IpqPnp99PnhAH8VN06hpm9xGV6PSu2tStc1rDPPECt1bDUI9phReVjVaiKZSDbyXZJ0Nhtddc2eE6YPkHxOvUL1DuHVfZttsTaz9QLHahZfuu46rCiHyOgMQYl5stm0bE/s1600/skye4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUiPrPT21H8IpqPnp99PnhAH8VN06hpm9xGV6PSu2tStc1rDPPECt1bDUI9phReVjVaiKZSDbyXZJ0Nhtddc2eE6YPkHxOvUL1DuHVfZttsTaz9QLHahZfuu46rCiHyOgMQYl5stm0bE/s640/skye4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSAzvCduJhOdpudhzhPzB_6YLPpZcojI0EoD8PBerwlQEPt55J-uWLb1U3hxLDbfES9tzyBfIY3OUo1UcSGECDND3XwFEKDKIr6q4sGg17v1fWzI9nohjSZg581xmdU3hFhvenJ9hkcE/s1600/skye5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSAzvCduJhOdpudhzhPzB_6YLPpZcojI0EoD8PBerwlQEPt55J-uWLb1U3hxLDbfES9tzyBfIY3OUo1UcSGECDND3XwFEKDKIr6q4sGg17v1fWzI9nohjSZg581xmdU3hFhvenJ9hkcE/s640/skye5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTfMSq-_U1RuOtOpOptisRBn8m-AIr8k1dlMFmdRaZUMkV2cqtsr2LF1AQLkMorVgCymd6vWisXqoZ1cGbr-xgwYAYZAlZlHifHv3KrTvaPqzz4INrYGdwPM8CgOwWlBitUFXDSV__as/s1600/skye8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTfMSq-_U1RuOtOpOptisRBn8m-AIr8k1dlMFmdRaZUMkV2cqtsr2LF1AQLkMorVgCymd6vWisXqoZ1cGbr-xgwYAYZAlZlHifHv3KrTvaPqzz4INrYGdwPM8CgOwWlBitUFXDSV__as/s640/skye8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLgv1iV1Lo3GTd21VA3i0dyvDy3wQPaTgvvTMYp6ChH95VqLLWbAv-2_u-mrP2rQ62zYF5bvWTWMxG8RSkWSZGHeRbRNiVodGRD8ArZNV-im_GWY6WBm_OTO57AlaIKpBX4eH_gUaMHM/s1600/skye9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLgv1iV1Lo3GTd21VA3i0dyvDy3wQPaTgvvTMYp6ChH95VqLLWbAv-2_u-mrP2rQ62zYF5bvWTWMxG8RSkWSZGHeRbRNiVodGRD8ArZNV-im_GWY6WBm_OTO57AlaIKpBX4eH_gUaMHM/s640/skye9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF6S_h6piGdhd_fUxw5okPhwsw_vlngjik3CwyhZoGNo7CfYpgh3-jj2dxcNitQTQ0tS9dgQbjs0Y1uN-c3iv-gmGQZsA_xHiegyfj9_ikf6TmhfzeVKylRoIP5PKWCoK_5TTRgJgO4E/s1600/skye10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF6S_h6piGdhd_fUxw5okPhwsw_vlngjik3CwyhZoGNo7CfYpgh3-jj2dxcNitQTQ0tS9dgQbjs0Y1uN-c3iv-gmGQZsA_xHiegyfj9_ikf6TmhfzeVKylRoIP5PKWCoK_5TTRgJgO4E/s640/skye10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPzncHsZ5VGYjlsHTme6q1Cyc52bMRJ2OZkiQAFZ3xlrh9BY4mWRM8R8Ib77OpE-R7KYE4a4L3_0TzpWjp4TSccCh2s4v9cOtIY-D4zT0RsMfP_FFp29dYJHPZ4-bVeqYBX3oqRxEUE/s1600/skye11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1213" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPzncHsZ5VGYjlsHTme6q1Cyc52bMRJ2OZkiQAFZ3xlrh9BY4mWRM8R8Ib77OpE-R7KYE4a4L3_0TzpWjp4TSccCh2s4v9cOtIY-D4zT0RsMfP_FFp29dYJHPZ4-bVeqYBX3oqRxEUE/s640/skye11.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOpcQdOQMVMsmahBuShYw0YsTAEnyKCLbM75SC9kbCZKW6vN5dYiubq8MZI2E9dXSRZ7Qorf3CY7KSYMjdERcS9SMCl4KNRuvqaAcnD5u3cpotx59D6bdGl5zPoonhv9jKa9QHwK8CF4/s1600/skye13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOpcQdOQMVMsmahBuShYw0YsTAEnyKCLbM75SC9kbCZKW6vN5dYiubq8MZI2E9dXSRZ7Qorf3CY7KSYMjdERcS9SMCl4KNRuvqaAcnD5u3cpotx59D6bdGl5zPoonhv9jKa9QHwK8CF4/s640/skye13.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrva6yW3g1znOBUzZN5ixjRHFYKsxQeYSX0wvRJK9tLleV_M62Tcrvia8GrXR0C-kSVxMQA4_Y3b-FNOa4uNHzNTWVbCCW3qHyVlff4RXxCB37_cxs6s9AtPjaOXPTz7jQRq73po4RhAE/s1600/skye14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrva6yW3g1znOBUzZN5ixjRHFYKsxQeYSX0wvRJK9tLleV_M62Tcrvia8GrXR0C-kSVxMQA4_Y3b-FNOa4uNHzNTWVbCCW3qHyVlff4RXxCB37_cxs6s9AtPjaOXPTz7jQRq73po4RhAE/s640/skye14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlcHnaRm9AUdyVQiHZpIiwqEzUJxOwTQqwPbTY13tSqYys7eyNaMVOtGJjuHNWRbDt2JORwSaf5CxGLz14_1C2Dl1Ey19AMN27TYSxLSB16z0w9aA4AftOZ1Rspm65eaaiUsnb8EO4uc/s1600/skye17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlcHnaRm9AUdyVQiHZpIiwqEzUJxOwTQqwPbTY13tSqYys7eyNaMVOtGJjuHNWRbDt2JORwSaf5CxGLz14_1C2Dl1Ey19AMN27TYSxLSB16z0w9aA4AftOZ1Rspm65eaaiUsnb8EO4uc/s640/skye17.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2KaArkgLUlB6cl6yya6NPrHik50_hHsXnM7T2e1It8_KEjcVBSHt4NxqtSRrSdvm6Q4f3t-UevS9nA5T9mHMWYunurKXif1B07bmAx4lu0DVyaSHB437dmnFh5aGLdU6XWnpTuHiv_s/s1600/skye18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2KaArkgLUlB6cl6yya6NPrHik50_hHsXnM7T2e1It8_KEjcVBSHt4NxqtSRrSdvm6Q4f3t-UevS9nA5T9mHMWYunurKXif1B07bmAx4lu0DVyaSHB437dmnFh5aGLdU6XWnpTuHiv_s/s640/skye18.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVnMvtsBWTSt9NZ44bNKp_OK8aFsyFhmx9izLspGa6e7XQYjl4dGiAUfMwXVQXNufwa8xiAIS6A53Onxt-xSftsyOWEYZIDPatf-G5EU9hUt9r3O8IETJTVUb4mwzMUYYOWPaMbWcNRc/s1600/skye19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVnMvtsBWTSt9NZ44bNKp_OK8aFsyFhmx9izLspGa6e7XQYjl4dGiAUfMwXVQXNufwa8xiAIS6A53Onxt-xSftsyOWEYZIDPatf-G5EU9hUt9r3O8IETJTVUb4mwzMUYYOWPaMbWcNRc/s640/skye19.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ja-Kh2hMmYfFWlHCbJc3YYQXa_2ZQu97Ozgn5bhC271uHoTHHpqrk5BKj5snMJ6t3gAzJ5tRubV3WO6RkEFJ2C0Q_o4q86St8e8UYXKqy10yMqDO3K1xt4oIAV0lKWwoOTCSM2VMMRo/s1600/skye21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ja-Kh2hMmYfFWlHCbJc3YYQXa_2ZQu97Ozgn5bhC271uHoTHHpqrk5BKj5snMJ6t3gAzJ5tRubV3WO6RkEFJ2C0Q_o4q86St8e8UYXKqy10yMqDO3K1xt4oIAV0lKWwoOTCSM2VMMRo/s640/skye21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbWJPQO9V4hXt5SZPD4YHA-3lq2ea9HVA49iTPLoWieIUkv-4CX9Mf-UmwnLL1miVCrqOQpRoQVHP_jCPnHWOUftu3pKWbtcPNnEIZ1awRWY4k3eCz7iYAcjAz0AiBv0ODD066lT9Geo/s1600/skye22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbWJPQO9V4hXt5SZPD4YHA-3lq2ea9HVA49iTPLoWieIUkv-4CX9Mf-UmwnLL1miVCrqOQpRoQVHP_jCPnHWOUftu3pKWbtcPNnEIZ1awRWY4k3eCz7iYAcjAz0AiBv0ODD066lT9Geo/s640/skye22.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvgP4rcvEq0t-D_NU_9EESGe7ePiAZ2BiaFwxNozBsqMAZRxrMkgsTnuUSgYapxfVf7O5LCZh915gmkaIu1ut_-d2ZRNFZUS3XA5Xq6aMe4Hkbt6G9wROddv8bzT-kyyapTmL80Ug0u0/s1600/skye23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvgP4rcvEq0t-D_NU_9EESGe7ePiAZ2BiaFwxNozBsqMAZRxrMkgsTnuUSgYapxfVf7O5LCZh915gmkaIu1ut_-d2ZRNFZUS3XA5Xq6aMe4Hkbt6G9wROddv8bzT-kyyapTmL80Ug0u0/s640/skye23.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj4yihMqoki1ZYFTeSC94-Mw3MnhDW7GDlaEThTfA36YkOuhSCOZutFdb6OU3pVJaIW9mzSNR0xzPAxyDl2IkGSbPufbqcsg64u0olD1SQvgdoj3reV99uLb-y3UBknfG3zp6aUDeYE0/s1600/skye24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj4yihMqoki1ZYFTeSC94-Mw3MnhDW7GDlaEThTfA36YkOuhSCOZutFdb6OU3pVJaIW9mzSNR0xzPAxyDl2IkGSbPufbqcsg64u0olD1SQvgdoj3reV99uLb-y3UBknfG3zp6aUDeYE0/s640/skye24.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: x-large;">❀</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's everything I wanted....and more. I'm totally in love with it. It's HUGE. As usual it's way bigger than I had in my head! Of course it would be, it wouldn't be me if it wasn't big. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
360 squares. I made a basic granny square, but I wanted it quite compact so the blanket would be tight and robust. I just omitted the chain one from in-between each cluster, and did 6 trebles (uk) on the corners without any chains. I used a 3.5mm hook using dk yarn. It turned out just how I wanted it to turn out. It sort of links it to the era of the film in my mind (which is somewhat fitting too with Rembrance Sunday this weekend).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's SOOOOOOOOO heavy. Oh my word it is heavy. Ridiculously so. The squares are compact and tightly crocheted, and using mainly pure wool yarn, crikey.......it's hard on the back to carry!<br />
<br />
Also, I'm not gonna lie.......it has a faint whiff of sheep and wet dog. Sounds a tad gross I know, but actually, I like it. It sort of adds to the whole entity of what I wanted to achieve. It's a different one for me. I rarely just use one hue of colours. I loved working on it though. I loved how it was plain. I think my brain, at the time, needed plain. Of course, it looks totally out of place nestled in amongst my other blankets. However, this one will be amazing in the coming Winter. It's soooooooo warm. The Bear's are fighting over whose bed it will be going on. I'd like to think mine, but I am turning into the Princess and the Pea with the number of blankets thrown on my bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We shall see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All I know is that I love it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I truly LOVE it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkMEaECORaEyRht2M_1SvwpH9dvzat9140UipbiiCixUznVHv7ZGf-r7owMseDwGQfogr-05HEcfYxxZkF17dqYK_V7FOrw0ElEVwugu1Cekfi-e0BaatL6c3IJMYRYv18DsAU9TmyaU/s1600/skye21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkMEaECORaEyRht2M_1SvwpH9dvzat9140UipbiiCixUznVHv7ZGf-r7owMseDwGQfogr-05HEcfYxxZkF17dqYK_V7FOrw0ElEVwugu1Cekfi-e0BaatL6c3IJMYRYv18DsAU9TmyaU/s640/skye21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So there you are. One of my 2018 creations. I shall be back in the New Year with a round up post. I might even have my act together and have some photos of all the projects I have been working on. Seriously, I have been so creatively stupid this year, you wouldn't believe!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a super few months. I'll see you in the New Year with a round up post of all my 2018 makes and goings on.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">c</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">h</span><span style="color: #ffd966;">e</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">e</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">r</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">i</span><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">o</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">X</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">X</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">X</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffe599;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffe599;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">P.S I forgot how long it takes to write text and upload the gazillion photos I took of this blanket. I have loved it though. I have missed it a lot this year. I have thoughts I will share in January.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">P.P.S After I published this, I went and lay under said blanket with a huge cup of tea and a book. It was HEAVEN. This thing is going to be utterly toasty in the Winter months. BRING IT ON!</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-38800281710294053552018-01-30T13:37:00.000+00:002018-11-09T10:30:27.132+00:00To Sum It Up........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7zGwpkjhBucoDxfL2CSKDsJEZmXGcSmb5OpO1MMlHMv2XxemwUrUwGoFfhMJ-kdebAgcPzwU65z3v0uxZAsquVnnJXPbOlSLrQge7yz2lAkEZfp5Utuz2mzg2eP1K8-FYEp7qdZ4p8I/s1600/IMG_1552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1125" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7zGwpkjhBucoDxfL2CSKDsJEZmXGcSmb5OpO1MMlHMv2XxemwUrUwGoFfhMJ-kdebAgcPzwU65z3v0uxZAsquVnnJXPbOlSLrQge7yz2lAkEZfp5Utuz2mzg2eP1K8-FYEp7qdZ4p8I/s640/IMG_1552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodness me 2017......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
....Didn't you just fly by?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, how did it go?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIkET7B5r6_dta-wrUYZrDwxCwmDhOZz7Pqo9cyXc2R8-Njj3K__4Ch0GB50vOW4XSnyGe6S4kQetRep7VS59xGcTiQIJ6U_0Q9fTtotqtsh3G0qW34nrlYdYrGA6u8MFxyaWnov8uxI/s1600/IMG_4248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIkET7B5r6_dta-wrUYZrDwxCwmDhOZz7Pqo9cyXc2R8-Njj3K__4Ch0GB50vOW4XSnyGe6S4kQetRep7VS59xGcTiQIJ6U_0Q9fTtotqtsh3G0qW34nrlYdYrGA6u8MFxyaWnov8uxI/s640/IMG_4248.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I think back on the year past, it seems like a tale of two halves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM2jtK1VZ_dyU17GP6hAQu5_eicel3b5cqLF0sCKrtjpzRM8BMHPnORMaBAVezkPdUOY31J7ZYZgUnTjRf4YOEQpgdoNc-bhQzx2IlgBjWsQXJAQem9mWWPvpixkinYQIFfcufp404OY/s1600/IMG_4251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM2jtK1VZ_dyU17GP6hAQu5_eicel3b5cqLF0sCKrtjpzRM8BMHPnORMaBAVezkPdUOY31J7ZYZgUnTjRf4YOEQpgdoNc-bhQzx2IlgBjWsQXJAQem9mWWPvpixkinYQIFfcufp404OY/s640/IMG_4251.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The New Year started with new beginnings, exciting beginnings. The days were full but flew by so fast. Before I knew it, we were half way into the year. It was enjoyable, this fullness of life, but I also felt that I hadn't achieved half of what I wanted to, creatively speaking. It wasn't a total creative bust. Looking back at my pics, I did get a few bits done.......nearly all achieved in the first part of the year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6eaiTD2jyHxy4VK_kknE27LG6b3rv_cKXI4lUbfitzvYzopmFm75NwVZTg8LD60_psWFv3CG7l8LBxbcCpFiLWhWJ3czaJwX2-wH_nInTRnJG6YxIQ4-TYSDGLfPvK-lcIYdNkAHwlU/s1600/IMG_1664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6eaiTD2jyHxy4VK_kknE27LG6b3rv_cKXI4lUbfitzvYzopmFm75NwVZTg8LD60_psWFv3CG7l8LBxbcCpFiLWhWJ3czaJwX2-wH_nInTRnJG6YxIQ4-TYSDGLfPvK-lcIYdNkAHwlU/s640/IMG_1664.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably my favourite blanket. Made in the first few months of the year. TOTALLY used and abused and looking VERY worn in. I need another one for sure.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9vGcE4bUboqILU8bXKHQAmZ_Co32GgU1U2KwX-t6caKhatkly7zRlGW1d0oY5qDswfamEjeR1jhafGyr0L02huUOsfmcEZ1Ix8mQEgWX96PuWJzd3nXEX_iYUDkmqiYIupvC_Xe4GkI/s1600/IMG_1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9vGcE4bUboqILU8bXKHQAmZ_Co32GgU1U2KwX-t6caKhatkly7zRlGW1d0oY5qDswfamEjeR1jhafGyr0L02huUOsfmcEZ1Ix8mQEgWX96PuWJzd3nXEX_iYUDkmqiYIupvC_Xe4GkI/s640/IMG_1560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI-I2npNTA674sG9EgttWM2cI4O_RNtTCtQy_53-vYyIrHfhfLecr2YTIgrjM3yZmhxquxanayUheNAdB2489S0Nw4KGTm3uIbVbUiYq4K28pxosB6sbWHXD8rKmUQ8OWcCadA9Dj1RI/s1600/IMG_1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI-I2npNTA674sG9EgttWM2cI4O_RNtTCtQy_53-vYyIrHfhfLecr2YTIgrjM3yZmhxquxanayUheNAdB2489S0Nw4KGTm3uIbVbUiYq4K28pxosB6sbWHXD8rKmUQ8OWcCadA9Dj1RI/s640/IMG_1527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm still all about the crochet hot water bottles.....except this was the cheats version as I bought it and just added the cross stitch. I'm all into saving time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-texQPN8KbOhUeZYis_oaLPdpjiAJ3oOnLvCzngQp0f3ktK21EgswAr7vbk7fwNe6c6KL14tJG_HskC_2YAAO21vmrO3uqimuIJHsR9abHnwECaEgYkBYIYqU0ZGqQ9I7DSGu7uInc8/s1600/IMG_1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-texQPN8KbOhUeZYis_oaLPdpjiAJ3oOnLvCzngQp0f3ktK21EgswAr7vbk7fwNe6c6KL14tJG_HskC_2YAAO21vmrO3uqimuIJHsR9abHnwECaEgYkBYIYqU0ZGqQ9I7DSGu7uInc8/s640/IMG_1935.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGNqQKMMCiTz36pUnf4hh11n5EsTLh0PZjdou5evQCNOXQmQjdk_NEuSWl98vCTNNQRfUW9IcYqP6LrRnfvELtjIdPDl3rczfscomK8oVmcYeQkYBk8aimpBnd3cvfcS3WD56dpDRff8/s1600/IMG_2034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGNqQKMMCiTz36pUnf4hh11n5EsTLh0PZjdou5evQCNOXQmQjdk_NEuSWl98vCTNNQRfUW9IcYqP6LrRnfvELtjIdPDl3rczfscomK8oVmcYeQkYBk8aimpBnd3cvfcS3WD56dpDRff8/s640/IMG_2034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6YszBkyE-aM9qTrUg8SwoZ4s5B_SqWfVLYSMzzw8j6mhNrA_69NXGae-1a6sxoWbwlTHPBSZPiOwcD0s_aSIRW2hbyUI0wy8RRMQwgctydyLn3-WMD7kSKuXoqOoBKhH4KusrxzvaIY/s1600/IMG_3810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6YszBkyE-aM9qTrUg8SwoZ4s5B_SqWfVLYSMzzw8j6mhNrA_69NXGae-1a6sxoWbwlTHPBSZPiOwcD0s_aSIRW2hbyUI0wy8RRMQwgctydyLn3-WMD7kSKuXoqOoBKhH4KusrxzvaIY/s640/IMG_3810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDlVx0hCCtgZikxIdRyzE_fC3ZCJ0RfPNzGuyGkYKO1qUFKazj7r2BycGHRy0vdj1Tao8wQzLUuGwF1LtHzdj6Oni1XlsHpPb8DCGuzZEvcCe0MijaclyaPdfHDfg3XcTFzMBXv3ZF_0/s1600/IMG_2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDlVx0hCCtgZikxIdRyzE_fC3ZCJ0RfPNzGuyGkYKO1qUFKazj7r2BycGHRy0vdj1Tao8wQzLUuGwF1LtHzdj6Oni1XlsHpPb8DCGuzZEvcCe0MijaclyaPdfHDfg3XcTFzMBXv3ZF_0/s640/IMG_2057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The *Nemesis* blanket. Started at the end of 2016. It's taking FOREVER. I love it so, but it's a pain in the backside.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7nZmKE8bDPq1tsC4PMxniiEI46fYnfhiFS9ta9jYrs7l0UEgD5Gpj9a_9Q6FTS4u9i1FNG3YXG6vBaeA36V6eSUQ15u-DFc-OvSlztWBXpeF735fmXNUszNa3cHeBfLNRnPG_IjhZvs/s1600/IMG_2530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7nZmKE8bDPq1tsC4PMxniiEI46fYnfhiFS9ta9jYrs7l0UEgD5Gpj9a_9Q6FTS4u9i1FNG3YXG6vBaeA36V6eSUQ15u-DFc-OvSlztWBXpeF735fmXNUszNa3cHeBfLNRnPG_IjhZvs/s640/IMG_2530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0esTh7GGfTVVmB9aCZ-_d0Vw8q3UdxsO-q9zUh04uGLcwed9J28LrqF2g_itWCMTiC2xVSPX2uSJos2yFfZ-5vd3x1eHzFuryv_8qlmuPavhJ8ZQg7pvFnwyLKS_NYU_6jcprBqfp3vY/s1600/IMG_2547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="957" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0esTh7GGfTVVmB9aCZ-_d0Vw8q3UdxsO-q9zUh04uGLcwed9J28LrqF2g_itWCMTiC2xVSPX2uSJos2yFfZ-5vd3x1eHzFuryv_8qlmuPavhJ8ZQg7pvFnwyLKS_NYU_6jcprBqfp3vY/s640/IMG_2547.jpg" width="382" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of My favourite makes of 2017. So quick and simple. A big granny square made into a shrug in my most favourite shades of pink.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhPY0gegsw2mCqJoyAYh96fOC0PIFNd47Jm0kbuAjIfgOa9QQZotEh9tmRQCTdzSn__QJSH3O_HOAL4beDnO6TF86vB8Dw9AjGGX29OyuBbvFJg9aGVSXBHC_AJtGx9rvXdXDFWMTbPo/s1600/IMG_4528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhPY0gegsw2mCqJoyAYh96fOC0PIFNd47Jm0kbuAjIfgOa9QQZotEh9tmRQCTdzSn__QJSH3O_HOAL4beDnO6TF86vB8Dw9AjGGX29OyuBbvFJg9aGVSXBHC_AJtGx9rvXdXDFWMTbPo/s640/IMG_4528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hwmCxCSY4RdvLV5XgfSAapiy5qSh9ND-q4vFfguFzk30IAIACTOmGmZA2b6k6EFZl-EfgXU6YoC6ZmKW4b41_2eVvw5MPzfzvujfkdvsK_ub_X2NwjqqcMaEDfM07DlvAp7Nj2IFVUo/s1600/IMG_4950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hwmCxCSY4RdvLV5XgfSAapiy5qSh9ND-q4vFfguFzk30IAIACTOmGmZA2b6k6EFZl-EfgXU6YoC6ZmKW4b41_2eVvw5MPzfzvujfkdvsK_ub_X2NwjqqcMaEDfM07DlvAp7Nj2IFVUo/s640/IMG_4950.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland. I made two above. You'd almost think they were the same. My makes are like buses.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxuBa4bd-NfS-iHTgd8G1tNkSbY71k0y0Tt9IIKiwBC5Hbx9SaA5uqUQh_bwPNViLk7yu-MH0UQZJnsn7X8rLnxdk3xx8LOWlJCm4_XRaD6VzEivqPKlQ93vGkvZDnlUwl7t8Q14dxDg/s1600/IMG_3827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxuBa4bd-NfS-iHTgd8G1tNkSbY71k0y0Tt9IIKiwBC5Hbx9SaA5uqUQh_bwPNViLk7yu-MH0UQZJnsn7X8rLnxdk3xx8LOWlJCm4_XRaD6VzEivqPKlQ93vGkvZDnlUwl7t8Q14dxDg/s640/IMG_3827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A work in progress above. That yarn has been frogged so many times. I love it so and cannot make the perfect piece with it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_UnPutFcsD5qY8VJdKatZpUQLTxcmMDG7-lJ66LNjh48ly7ozLTL5-WgsbgejoXYvJY_hBJu-P1VT0rPPpmxr8RfX1U4gNDb1EL4K4g-RByKR9BHP8nht3ZBDgLmF7S-vLxrg9OlJEs/s1600/IMG_4759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_UnPutFcsD5qY8VJdKatZpUQLTxcmMDG7-lJ66LNjh48ly7ozLTL5-WgsbgejoXYvJY_hBJu-P1VT0rPPpmxr8RfX1U4gNDb1EL4K4g-RByKR9BHP8nht3ZBDgLmF7S-vLxrg9OlJEs/s640/IMG_4759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A 'whim' make. A simple triangular seed stitch shawl. It was the softest and cosiest yarn. Stylecraft 4 ply and a dream to make. I added a pom pom fringe after I took that pic.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJkftpKqRLpBDC1iQzWTbwwzSMuwAP99DZM0EoYLdXcH6BfnmaZ8DI8RyConilMlyZ_x-JSxo9EfNc2EUpipe9M9z1MRX5IGF6_DZjl-l-_Wp-H6x-L4C9dZqGFOx84Fb5Pdj7vm0_A8/s1600/IMG_4872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJkftpKqRLpBDC1iQzWTbwwzSMuwAP99DZM0EoYLdXcH6BfnmaZ8DI8RyConilMlyZ_x-JSxo9EfNc2EUpipe9M9z1MRX5IGF6_DZjl-l-_Wp-H6x-L4C9dZqGFOx84Fb5Pdj7vm0_A8/s640/IMG_4872.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Pine Tree Wrist Warmers by My Rose Valley<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOjwdjYiGf08O21Eo2BKe6-B7iJIhs51xWcYHmwmVhf3OQGvHIQAYQQqQjloix1QEA0RIj3gIxRSv6u2tczVv43F6Gwhk01HJndm0vA8PuVE0XRpH15VVnv8kwCWQJUp0LGQORrck9RA/s1600/IMG_5165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOjwdjYiGf08O21Eo2BKe6-B7iJIhs51xWcYHmwmVhf3OQGvHIQAYQQqQjloix1QEA0RIj3gIxRSv6u2tczVv43F6Gwhk01HJndm0vA8PuVE0XRpH15VVnv8kwCWQJUp0LGQORrck9RA/s640/IMG_5165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An embroidery by Cinder and Honey<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPIL2USkK6e5Puw8V_9G2XSt831aZkeA0IrRuq2IV6y9omkQltkaK45q5T7RZhchCuXFBtT5Nq9Jfy3TDhXMoYhL6WO2bpv1tKrmLyzVwe5qd62ykQmzZe0lGkKCsYIgz1W4JU-qyz7k/s1600/IMG_5192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPIL2USkK6e5Puw8V_9G2XSt831aZkeA0IrRuq2IV6y9omkQltkaK45q5T7RZhchCuXFBtT5Nq9Jfy3TDhXMoYhL6WO2bpv1tKrmLyzVwe5qd62ykQmzZe0lGkKCsYIgz1W4JU-qyz7k/s640/IMG_5192.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7TGcgudnXvOCvTbVEbrScXc949XqoeNZFOwiGQemPlLykY0fTvFkry4axrC_EIsvFNAAjpJo2q4z0PkEjFLJqzP33QdHdz8CZtLiTxHWVXjbgYcitgfvlulIVe2AyDyLqSo9juX7BUQ/s1600/IMG_5196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1490" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7TGcgudnXvOCvTbVEbrScXc949XqoeNZFOwiGQemPlLykY0fTvFkry4axrC_EIsvFNAAjpJo2q4z0PkEjFLJqzP33QdHdz8CZtLiTxHWVXjbgYcitgfvlulIVe2AyDyLqSo9juX7BUQ/s640/IMG_5196.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw a wire version of this on Pinterest and thought it was the perfect project for the onset of Autumn. Bight and cheery.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u5Ebnp97zq9YsBEhe2sRVErfIuBqZey3Q2GFm559mre8mXkkHkI8dkwhHYn5jvt4EqbRGheG7GhUvxueqeCMnhvbD3XEq9TpJsQnP8GCSuzE11PvzPC48jHO6OAOJHc18c2WK3G_lDc/s1600/IMG_5188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u5Ebnp97zq9YsBEhe2sRVErfIuBqZey3Q2GFm559mre8mXkkHkI8dkwhHYn5jvt4EqbRGheG7GhUvxueqeCMnhvbD3XEq9TpJsQnP8GCSuzE11PvzPC48jHO6OAOJHc18c2WK3G_lDc/s640/IMG_5188.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This scarf seemed to take quite a while for saying it was just a plain long scarf. Jasmine stitch in a yarn with a colourway called....wait for it.....Jasmine. So, it's the aptly named Jasmine scarf. Very cosy for the cold snap.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGJa3C00zsP2xw4QzUEW4oN4RRIjeda_m-pXCd6uwsqDpyre42hnKopmkhUZp0Kr2VXTV1hiXBtHSeNAMdgyGoxgrMnVRwSbZFDnZoE5DzunlxxsId_O72zj3yZ8cebrc_QQpbceD9jk/s1600/IMG_5429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGJa3C00zsP2xw4QzUEW4oN4RRIjeda_m-pXCd6uwsqDpyre42hnKopmkhUZp0Kr2VXTV1hiXBtHSeNAMdgyGoxgrMnVRwSbZFDnZoE5DzunlxxsId_O72zj3yZ8cebrc_QQpbceD9jk/s640/IMG_5429.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbu_zoTsqrUEyhjNwyCnUxlthd82oiE1VTlZcxRmLdBmnT2aM_ZIdVi0yOTIHTQsw7ogo_eJnPd_COwGP8bqL_ii7QqJyXiW9VgIUKBIkXtl2qAmEUEFE4o8ZAq3wSiyR_PDldkTD8sTs/s1600/IMG_5901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbu_zoTsqrUEyhjNwyCnUxlthd82oiE1VTlZcxRmLdBmnT2aM_ZIdVi0yOTIHTQsw7ogo_eJnPd_COwGP8bqL_ii7QqJyXiW9VgIUKBIkXtl2qAmEUEFE4o8ZAq3wSiyR_PDldkTD8sTs/s640/IMG_5901.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can NEVER have too many wrist warmers. A grey pair rolled off the hook too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By September, the usual sense of chaos took over me with what lie ahead in the last few months. Anyone who has read this blog for a long time, will know how rubbish I am towards the end of the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNne_ECs7LLNZgdVcKwbEIhyxgObun3gdmoT2Y5DHpsZRNE_-YfG52yffhE3aPTAEH5DAyfuCPRypcM6Ok2Sgchd78dM8fHYRKFnxvaVbSwZUU_425BdFrd0nWM3fcaHFh0UGtWwYvLI/s1600/IMG_4720-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNne_ECs7LLNZgdVcKwbEIhyxgObun3gdmoT2Y5DHpsZRNE_-YfG52yffhE3aPTAEH5DAyfuCPRypcM6Ok2Sgchd78dM8fHYRKFnxvaVbSwZUU_425BdFrd0nWM3fcaHFh0UGtWwYvLI/s640/IMG_4720-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt like I expected the chaos, even more so this year, just because of the flying great start. The Yin and Yang as it were. My creative brain had just stopped, I felt like every day was Groundhog day. I felt like I was wading through treacle. It's a weird feeling, but I've learnt to accept how I feel at certain times of the year. Maybe it's an age thing. I don't fight it. I just let it wash through me and know it'll pass.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCFZYS9Mhs6Li_tFMKw-5QP6jfBaqgeWWiNcCD1BgKP3VW1B_u7T__tONGiyuC0ryp90xKPpDxG8vl7n8Oe2q2QzJRiHl-4EcjaT1DIAWoRMPlPQhyphenhyphenEWWFUOZ23qp-Zh54qcH_dkNdCA/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCFZYS9Mhs6Li_tFMKw-5QP6jfBaqgeWWiNcCD1BgKP3VW1B_u7T__tONGiyuC0ryp90xKPpDxG8vl7n8Oe2q2QzJRiHl-4EcjaT1DIAWoRMPlPQhyphenhyphenEWWFUOZ23qp-Zh54qcH_dkNdCA/s640/IMG_4262.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrM4B8ddDu4Wx-7rK3fdvUq6oOyrHs71cysHqbr_eiW88Fx6UAnQk_VOBLxTYbN_0BTrw4gP-XKvfCnApzhgxAF91FSi6ww0Zn_6Wa5tkBwCXUuxRgcfZhyphenhyphenR_BGh-ohGWthir3MlFYA8/s1600/IMG_4753-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrM4B8ddDu4Wx-7rK3fdvUq6oOyrHs71cysHqbr_eiW88Fx6UAnQk_VOBLxTYbN_0BTrw4gP-XKvfCnApzhgxAF91FSi6ww0Zn_6Wa5tkBwCXUuxRgcfZhyphenhyphenR_BGh-ohGWthir3MlFYA8/s640/IMG_4753-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpW3ib-WhrzRwE_1ZLYJaXK2T69j-VorB0Iguoa7sbpyWa0l3dwnzoBBd5WOsNmpV4VusMYDXNKPCCJjF__poTDAz3zZLWHZ1UsP_UVx2gLkToeuSopIqBFGU35JDoDvsUUI0eSJWBIM/s1600/IMG_4766-2+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpW3ib-WhrzRwE_1ZLYJaXK2T69j-VorB0Iguoa7sbpyWa0l3dwnzoBBd5WOsNmpV4VusMYDXNKPCCJjF__poTDAz3zZLWHZ1UsP_UVx2gLkToeuSopIqBFGU35JDoDvsUUI0eSJWBIM/s640/IMG_4766-2+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayaGiV9BlCGOTK7DjvFAKjpLE1Qr8UfIgv2kfarDxUhC_ItFddrZQE6S87wZF0ennjS781nqe1n3_u1O0saAM0WxskpQTc4v16NmwU_OIO8mUkqGuQ9FZ_YGzKWXoCOjJMpYsB99j_pI/s1600/IMG_5442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1299" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayaGiV9BlCGOTK7DjvFAKjpLE1Qr8UfIgv2kfarDxUhC_ItFddrZQE6S87wZF0ennjS781nqe1n3_u1O0saAM0WxskpQTc4v16NmwU_OIO8mUkqGuQ9FZ_YGzKWXoCOjJMpYsB99j_pI/s640/IMG_5442.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That aside, the year was a good one on the whole. I feel with each passing year, I am more sure of myself and what I want out of life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
A big excitement for me in 2017 was discovering Internet Radio. I had a DAB radio and listened to all the usual stations that you could get, but a family member had an Internet Radio and told of the whole new outlet of stations you can listen to. OH MY WORD, this was literally life changing for me! I'm a huge music fan. I especially love soundtrack music, and discovering that you can listen to stations solely dedicated to cinematic pieces......well......what can I say? Let's just say, that throughtout the days when I am home, it's like I'm living in a film. Weird....but totally lovely. So, definitely one of the highlights of 2017 for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span><br />
The Bear's are growing fast. I felt my age this year when Big Bear officially became an Adult! Yikes, where did the time go? When I started this blog he was a wee thing. I am loving having my boys more as my equals now. I am so proud of them and the young men they are turning into.<br />
<br />
Baby Bear starts Secondary school in Sept. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! That can't be! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MY BABY</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">!<span style="color: #ffd966;">!</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">!</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">!</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">!</span><span style="color: #45818e;">!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe my next years round up post will be interesting. Not sure how I'm going to handle that one!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BZxX2uoTS5uOuD2TDn-qGzj4V9vIqTU-oxe529LL-fmK20q81vpe9-yEvuvL8yAFXTWT8Dt6Lxk3xp8FencRbIaSg-pNZiw4DXJZSZJ0MB-wc_eNd5reHl6f0-XTWJQudfPIKFuKkhY/s1600/IMG_5073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BZxX2uoTS5uOuD2TDn-qGzj4V9vIqTU-oxe529LL-fmK20q81vpe9-yEvuvL8yAFXTWT8Dt6Lxk3xp8FencRbIaSg-pNZiw4DXJZSZJ0MB-wc_eNd5reHl6f0-XTWJQudfPIKFuKkhY/s640/IMG_5073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NoOSkzO2XYeVmUauSducJvzdbg5ANb9W__EFxlCvEaOCgdQyOjZcXXZX_ke4ljgN29n65N1qfl9shObG7xpcuyN5l9cLan-eW_Yc-eioQi76iF8E8JyceTd74WGKEDsmG-AycZlgEjA/s1600/IMG_5862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NoOSkzO2XYeVmUauSducJvzdbg5ANb9W__EFxlCvEaOCgdQyOjZcXXZX_ke4ljgN29n65N1qfl9shObG7xpcuyN5l9cLan-eW_Yc-eioQi76iF8E8JyceTd74WGKEDsmG-AycZlgEjA/s640/IMG_5862.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life is good. It's not perfect. There will always be room for improvement, but I am incredibly grateful for so many things in my life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span><br />
<br />
<br />
January saw the creative brain suddenly kick into action. As if with the flick of a switch, suddenly my head was full of nervous energy for making this and that. Hopefully it will be a productive year on that front. Time will tell I suppose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNMgOjbCoDrCMy6MSBaU4mkWDsi-bOuOhy_kb8Vjfg_ZSlrOkIyVEygef_bcaPyfOQUXrOlfwamLg9d9kXhprx-ah4EewdN8Z7myG0sxEpb-gzNAcoUUkKxyYPu7zQaw6FYr88zFCTJM/s1600/IMG_3174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNMgOjbCoDrCMy6MSBaU4mkWDsi-bOuOhy_kb8Vjfg_ZSlrOkIyVEygef_bcaPyfOQUXrOlfwamLg9d9kXhprx-ah4EewdN8Z7myG0sxEpb-gzNAcoUUkKxyYPu7zQaw6FYr88zFCTJM/s640/IMG_3174.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So....as the sun sets on this post, I shall say goodbye for a while, and try and make 2018 a good adventure!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">x</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">x</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-23885456646865217462017-01-10T16:18:00.000+00:002018-11-09T10:30:59.832+00:00I'll Remind You........<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear You,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes......it has been a year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes....it feels weird now. I'm not sure what I am doing. I'm not sure you reading this, when you finally get to read it.....re-read it, what you will make of it. You might laugh....and think 'Ness, you IDIOT', or you might be a little happy that you thought to jot a few things down. After all, you could be reading this when you are ninety......hey, you might even be grateful your younger self thought to do this.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrD6no9sQQQ1GUjGMU-HhbuaTu_tkDz-tucqt5jTLxo-OvtDfgu7uCxt30-qYWfaKQBlNuXclg8dK28VnDisfB4X0ava9cR5V_b0W5ep2-ENpu2odVsZ5utyV7qDau9Dzm1bDmaHMFIc/s1600/IMG_4441-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrD6no9sQQQ1GUjGMU-HhbuaTu_tkDz-tucqt5jTLxo-OvtDfgu7uCxt30-qYWfaKQBlNuXclg8dK28VnDisfB4X0ava9cR5V_b0W5ep2-ENpu2odVsZ5utyV7qDau9Dzm1bDmaHMFIc/s640/IMG_4441-2.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">..........</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So.......it's been a year since you closed this little space. Twelve months of you being away. Twelve whole months when so much has happened, yet so little has happened.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll remind you that you decided you had nothing left in you to write about. I'll remind you that you thought it was a little repetitive. I'll remind you that you needed to stop.......and just be still.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will remind you, that you thought this was a naff idea to write a post after you had 'closed' your blog. I will remind you that you wondered why you should not just buy a diary and write in it, then shove it to the back of a drawer. I'll remind you, that you thought you might cave and press 'delete' quite a few times. I'll remind you, that if your younger self actually published it, it was to do with the fact that she was scatty and thought it was best to have everything in one place where it could be located. Plus, in a brief wave of abandonment, you thought it was your blog and you could do what you liked with it.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdeT_n-AdJbH0UzbVRc2-1vXJzd_O5Fsv7onzzjpz0nSggrWR8RKV6Ab7_8Gx5QMHNQl9ou2HibXAcrSt53QC4IvEDOIsHKrRB_LdbqrwemH_I4D_sYEYf_hSqszG9uU399PAH4BBIEg/s1600/IMG_3404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdeT_n-AdJbH0UzbVRc2-1vXJzd_O5Fsv7onzzjpz0nSggrWR8RKV6Ab7_8Gx5QMHNQl9ou2HibXAcrSt53QC4IvEDOIsHKrRB_LdbqrwemH_I4D_sYEYf_hSqszG9uU399PAH4BBIEg/s640/IMG_3404.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">..........</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will remind you that 2016 was a difficult year, in so many ways, and for so many people. It was a year in which so many people felt scared and uncertain. It was a year when so many people felt like they didn't know anything anymore. It was a year in which so many felt like they were standing on quick sand, and not firm rock.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a year when there was so much more bad news in the world than there was good. It was a year when people just wanted to hide away from it all. It was a year, quite frankly, a lot of people were happy to draw a line under and move on from. I'll remind you, that you found it weird, that you didn't meet anyone who thought it had been an okay year....if not in the bigger picture, not even in their own little bubble of achievements. You were sure there must have been though.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shall remind you that, for you, this was a strange year. A year that you felt you needed to hibernate. A year long hibernation. A year where your creative juices really didn't flow. A year where you felt you were totally spent, and just needed to re-group.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll remind you that you sucked at housework and ironing. I'll remind you that you enjoyed reading books again, and I'll remind you that you always need to be in the right frame of mind to decorate.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW_-lSH5z9HNFiB2aK4LabgM_YeHnLDqjpKIlUBDV0xq9cQdNvzv7kRSgRorlELtBdtE6Nbjcg_9vkx01MQoTn3woRkk0hLvroUhpwP0qy6s26GVnl7Q_v3cRBISnHNNrA_IVSTgbSL0/s1600/IMG_4164a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW_-lSH5z9HNFiB2aK4LabgM_YeHnLDqjpKIlUBDV0xq9cQdNvzv7kRSgRorlELtBdtE6Nbjcg_9vkx01MQoTn3woRkk0hLvroUhpwP0qy6s26GVnl7Q_v3cRBISnHNNrA_IVSTgbSL0/s640/IMG_4164a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will remind you that you that although your creative juices just sort of stopped, it was the year of embroidery for you, and you spurted those out in the vain hope that it would jolt you back in the game. Whilst you liked the embroidered outcomes, and the speediness of them, they did not jolt you sadly. It was only in the final weeks of 2016 that you picked up your hook to see if the crochet love was still there.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzoqZ53F4ZIYEXE-NZgertLZjRQs2DOuRG0XdwW6owfNzeilR0IiOZIQIfFMQfWIW5Ud09H9Y55KTxdyB3qS4kdQRMpG181CH8hUe5q25iQlYuKA-G56dDq8X0jFotj6LHx1xAyrrtqc/s1600/IMG_4247-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzoqZ53F4ZIYEXE-NZgertLZjRQs2DOuRG0XdwW6owfNzeilR0IiOZIQIfFMQfWIW5Ud09H9Y55KTxdyB3qS4kdQRMpG181CH8hUe5q25iQlYuKA-G56dDq8X0jFotj6LHx1xAyrrtqc/s640/IMG_4247-2.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will remind you that 2016 was the year of reflection and procrastination. Not that it was any different to all the years before when you were like that, but because you seemed to have nothing to show for the year (creatively speaking), it appeared that the year was a wash out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kf1Djlw1Jf50frKT7UB4gM75d7HXM1sn9GDYj7jrGSwzyJw8Nx17TVKoI4-DWd7OcZblT2yZvzIqHruPih2_PM-A5ot0J21V5ov4Y6ncUbr0oIjaWZwh-FGO4Eu04ABZ6qTMFLY9pJ0/s1600/IMG_3950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kf1Djlw1Jf50frKT7UB4gM75d7HXM1sn9GDYj7jrGSwzyJw8Nx17TVKoI4-DWd7OcZblT2yZvzIqHruPih2_PM-A5ot0J21V5ov4Y6ncUbr0oIjaWZwh-FGO4Eu04ABZ6qTMFLY9pJ0/s640/IMG_3950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having said that......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shall remind you that your three bears have spent 2016 blossoming, and you write about them with huge pride and love. Big Bear started college and turned into the gentleman you always knew he would become. You find it funny his most treasured friend is a can of hairspray, but you love how he doesn't want to shove you to one side when you are both walking down the street and he sees his mates.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shall remind you that Middle Bear is way too funny. I shall remind you that he is the best person to have at the dinner table, and I shall remind you that 2016 was the year the hormones settled down and you realised just how amazing he was when he was not grunting. You also realised what great bear hugs he gave.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shall remind you that Baby Bear is super. I shall remind you that everyday when he comes out of school he asks how you day was, way before he tells you about his day. I will remind you that he loves to do stuff to put a smile on your face, and I will remind you that this was the year that the Three Bears bickered the least!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Edd0i5FFZ0IeEFUHJLoPdKJ47r5FZBpyROLSKtjFaz2A8h59-di9pGrdIwDpSG3oeNuuEn2FtluJHswc06ke_9irp2FscfGpcImjYSRwPMigt-4pZA9sJ-_7X777ac29VPUnHRPyJg/s1600/IMG_3936+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Edd0i5FFZ0IeEFUHJLoPdKJ47r5FZBpyROLSKtjFaz2A8h59-di9pGrdIwDpSG3oeNuuEn2FtluJHswc06ke_9irp2FscfGpcImjYSRwPMigt-4pZA9sJ-_7X777ac29VPUnHRPyJg/s640/IMG_3936+%25281%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will remind you that 2016 told you, yet again, how fragile life could be. I will remind you that it felt tough being an adult when you still, at times, felt like a child in your head. I will also remind you that you realised that you just couldn't solve everything for everyone. Sometimes you just had to be there, and that was enough.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFALy9L0XaWu8mUqzeRsTbDem8oWS8XuAYfTTBEBbEeYdWFiWkKvSTnHB9aTku2lgm1c9yECYmIKdCo3HWoe2bCLv6mlXSNf2LBZBur1Hlq985sV2yxBrC9sYMnuWaByrvM9vSUm_b3rU/s1600/IMG_4236-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFALy9L0XaWu8mUqzeRsTbDem8oWS8XuAYfTTBEBbEeYdWFiWkKvSTnHB9aTku2lgm1c9yECYmIKdCo3HWoe2bCLv6mlXSNf2LBZBur1Hlq985sV2yxBrC9sYMnuWaByrvM9vSUm_b3rU/s640/IMG_4236-2.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll remind you that early morning cups of tea with the fairy lights twinkling on the Christmas tree in a quiet house, is one of the best things EVER. I shall remind you that you are never too young for kids birthdays cakes AND I shall also remind you that you were so glad you discovered double cleansing (how's that working out for you? Is it paying off?!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c7hQYii-Jec_zSk_7QLg8W7ai3IUXy-sA0lghAv46NS5a6uURpU0eBNdUsH91_Eo2uvHQIA9VBUwC2OrR0_vAPBNqls4omwWQVc_8xnqrTNltVonGxBXZg5W-a8DXC46QOYfA5GCLts/s1600/Cake+and+Eat+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c7hQYii-Jec_zSk_7QLg8W7ai3IUXy-sA0lghAv46NS5a6uURpU0eBNdUsH91_Eo2uvHQIA9VBUwC2OrR0_vAPBNqls4omwWQVc_8xnqrTNltVonGxBXZg5W-a8DXC46QOYfA5GCLts/s640/Cake+and+Eat+it.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shall also remind you dearest Ness, that you decided that whatever 2017 had in store for you, you felt ready to wake up from your hibernation, well rested and have a productive and creative year ahead. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTIke_PsAJUXHcyJkmUlD1kskquy3vlwPZqSe-vNB6OH1lpKYevZrhWP5jTSjemjlsALgJovdJdPQ54QJXKzv-kx_mW6x2cWKnnnlLlcz1xPkJmKXYmK6QKE-tgEJriyehWGTBas52k4/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTIke_PsAJUXHcyJkmUlD1kskquy3vlwPZqSe-vNB6OH1lpKYevZrhWP5jTSjemjlsALgJovdJdPQ54QJXKzv-kx_mW6x2cWKnnnlLlcz1xPkJmKXYmK6QKE-tgEJriyehWGTBas52k4/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vanessa, I hope you will look on this post, when you do, and remember all that which you have forgotten. A post about your year. Maybe, if you have it in you, you'll post again next year to remember 2017. I guess it's nice to remember....the good....and even the not so good. There is always something to be learned from everything one experiences. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until next time....maybe x</div>
<br />
<br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com144tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-52603884140499618532015-12-31T10:00:00.000+00:002016-01-08T09:51:34.059+00:00Happy New Year and Farewell.........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyH6hiuNXCq82k8F9krwzhq5hOwEDJv4pQL6hCboujxznb3Gv4vtf0m_WxyNWiAV-Ru7RHlNaz_1RXbMFldn7L6hlSkAEcGpLhEIhtz0mvKhkX1Q3nmVcORFDl8VAwzKXqr4iHFU99l8/s1600/year+to+date+2011+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyH6hiuNXCq82k8F9krwzhq5hOwEDJv4pQL6hCboujxznb3Gv4vtf0m_WxyNWiAV-Ru7RHlNaz_1RXbMFldn7L6hlSkAEcGpLhEIhtz0mvKhkX1Q3nmVcORFDl8VAwzKXqr4iHFU99l8/s640/year+to+date+2011+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's time to say a <b>HUGE</b> goodbye to you all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little sad not to be posting anymore, but I know it is the right decision.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just wanted to once again say a </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">heart felt thank you </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to you all. It has been such a lovely space to have here and I have <b>so</b> enjoyed you following my creative journey. You have all been so awesome. Encouraging me and making me feel that this passion of mine is worthwhile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My journey shall continue on Flickr and Ravelry and it will be lovely to see some of you on there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This little space here will stay live and you can always contact me should you have any crafty questions. I'll still be reading blogs and commenting so it's not a complete goodbye.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So......the <b>VERY VERY</b> best to you all for 2016. May you be blessed, be creative, and see the beauty in the everyday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Much love to you all</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vanessa</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">x</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">x</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">edited to add: You don't have to have a Flickr account to view any photos I post on there. Just click on the Flickr ball in the sidebar and it will link you to my Flickr Feed.</span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com157tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-37445804799011858222015-12-23T11:30:00.000+00:002015-12-23T11:30:00.089+00:00Some Things I love........<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjW3f-hNOkOMFL2y0Mhi-xdifoRNQgDUhtsjgg2PmHGOCzNFUA0XPQMK7rOpDJz6ghYyAogfjb1az_5_kPqb6DEkA1ud7eRc-FTBA8BbzZdjP8Tu-2JZKMZLgkOtekYikZEnghdrBclQ/s1600/IMG_3296b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjW3f-hNOkOMFL2y0Mhi-xdifoRNQgDUhtsjgg2PmHGOCzNFUA0XPQMK7rOpDJz6ghYyAogfjb1az_5_kPqb6DEkA1ud7eRc-FTBA8BbzZdjP8Tu-2JZKMZLgkOtekYikZEnghdrBclQ/s1600/IMG_3296b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">....Having my first hot drink of the morning, sitting in front of a twinkly Christmas tree when the rest of the house are still dreaming their dreams.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #45818e;">....The scent of cinnamon and cloves that fill the air when I walk in the house.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">....A good hand cream </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">....Hot water bottles.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">....Santa mugs</span> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ea9999;">....My new snuggly duvet that doesn't want to see me get out of bed for days.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">....Twinkle lights, that make me believe in magic.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #76a5af;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #76a5af;">....The smell of a hot flannel on the face.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">....Freshly baked cookies.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">....A new yarn ball to play with.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">....Green Bic pens.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">....Snuggles with the Bears, watching a movie</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">....A clean kitchen</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">....A really hot latte</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ea9999;">....Layers..to wear, and on my bed</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">....Plump cushions</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">....Writing lists</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">....Jumping over puddles</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666;">....Listening to wind and rain</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">....Feeling excited by a new crafty project</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">....Discovering a pretty new Christmas tree decoration. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">....Coffee and a good book in bed </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">....Red and white gingham</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #45818e;">....Homemade blankets</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666;">....Wristwarmers</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">....An appointment free day</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #93c47d;">....Tunnocks tea cakes</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">....Red Pillar boxes</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">....Snow Globes</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e06666;">....Walking in Fog</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ffd966;">....My iTunes Playlist</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #45818e;">....Cosy Slippers</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">....Darning in the last end of a blanket</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">....Reading heartwarming news</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ea9999;">....Daydreaming</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">....Waking up to the sound of birdsong on my alarm clock. It always puts me in a good mood.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">....Sparkly nail polish</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ea9999;">....finding something I like in the perfect shade of pink.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #93c47d;">....Pressed glass. I'm a sucker for it.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-TjT8DSTWmPCUVy3rU4ktVPIpJM2psaXJ2cS1MY1_uOPHQspdjJa8qwWacp6JvQPYU-ZmlXrcErDHC0J2hb4DXrx9rOocPF95hvEQORJfHxvaoM59nmqLUdhufrERR6LVmm0fe6BPQ8/s1600/IMG_328865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-TjT8DSTWmPCUVy3rU4ktVPIpJM2psaXJ2cS1MY1_uOPHQspdjJa8qwWacp6JvQPYU-ZmlXrcErDHC0J2hb4DXrx9rOocPF95hvEQORJfHxvaoM59nmqLUdhufrERR6LVmm0fe6BPQ8/s640/IMG_328865.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of my favourite things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What are your favourite things?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #d9ead3;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-85869339829627022852015-12-18T11:00:00.000+00:002018-11-09T10:32:51.440+00:00Favourites.....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back at bloggy statistics, I thought I'd just share my most popular posts of all time here on this post.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's no surprise, this being a crafty crochet blog, that they are all crochet makes......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 1st place:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/serendipity.html">This one</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 2nd place:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/hello.html">This one</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 3rd place:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/evening-sun-blanket-ta-dah.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/evening-sun-blanket-ta-dah.html" target="_blank">This one</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 4th place:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_2029779019"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/ta-dahs-of-sorts-and-whole-lot-of-waffle.html">This one</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 5th place:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/hot-water-bottle-cover-tutorial.html">This one</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Evening Sun Blanket and the Serendipity Blanket are my two top favourite blankets I have made to date. Alicia Paulson's Sunshine Day Blanket makes up my top three I think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oY4l_PbUK0/T13RoKQOrxI/AAAAAAAAHYc/izCL-Xr-xE8/s1600/esb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oY4l_PbUK0/T13RoKQOrxI/AAAAAAAAHYc/izCL-Xr-xE8/s640/esb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07LhuIY4FSA/Tw34sjXhZvI/AAAAAAAAG7g/JomAHi60Xok/s1600/Evening%2BSun%2BBlanket12%2Bpik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07LhuIY4FSA/Tw34sjXhZvI/AAAAAAAAG7g/JomAHi60Xok/s640/Evening%2BSun%2BBlanket12%2Bpik.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ebKvZDxDFo/UBo7--i_iRI/AAAAAAAAIHM/STmp0bVA73o/s1600/IMG_9114a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ebKvZDxDFo/UBo7--i_iRI/AAAAAAAAIHM/STmp0bVA73o/s640/IMG_9114a.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0I3p3mutl3w/UBo7nO3Bk9I/AAAAAAAAIG0/LNdF4APMxpE/s1600/IMG_9080b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0I3p3mutl3w/UBo7nO3Bk9I/AAAAAAAAIG0/LNdF4APMxpE/s640/IMG_9080b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The scarves inspired by a post on Vanessa Cabban's beautiful blog (sigh, still miss her so terribly in the crafty community) are my favourites too. They never fail to bring me colour joy when I wear them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EziFQKB05_4/TjpP5QFqfNI/AAAAAAAAEhY/RIrpepUb0us/s1600/fs7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EziFQKB05_4/TjpP5QFqfNI/AAAAAAAAEhY/RIrpepUb0us/s640/fs7.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The waffle post, really was a waffle post, but full of my most recent makes. I had been a busy bee Blanket making and the baby blankets were a dream to make (so much so, adult blankets were made soon after). The pom pom edge blanket is a faithful friend to me. Bright and happy, I love it in the summer. The Rosy Posy blanket was a mammoth job! It was huge, but it was fun to do. It was made to be kept in the car for picnic and seaside trips and just general car snuggling on long trips.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7T6-5rQibE/Uhy1iqYkz-I/AAAAAAAAIzw/jEep31Yn-qQ/s1600/IMG_2618a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7T6-5rQibE/Uhy1iqYkz-I/AAAAAAAAIzw/jEep31Yn-qQ/s640/IMG_2618a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4QQLQiSPUU/UhzD_5enDhI/AAAAAAAAI00/e-GBfvGSA_I/s1600/IMG_2870a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4QQLQiSPUU/UhzD_5enDhI/AAAAAAAAI00/e-GBfvGSA_I/s640/IMG_2870a.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmv60z3laRU/UhzGfoTnXMI/AAAAAAAAI1A/CFUsa-cIVr0/s1600/IMG_2928a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmv60z3laRU/UhzGfoTnXMI/AAAAAAAAI1A/CFUsa-cIVr0/s640/IMG_2928a.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5Mxx1a3YL4/UimXeVYwTtI/AAAAAAAAI2U/hDihviCyZz4/s1600/IMG_5787a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5Mxx1a3YL4/UimXeVYwTtI/AAAAAAAAI2U/hDihviCyZz4/s640/IMG_5787a.jpg" width="608" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hot water bottle cover tutorial, is always a big hit some Christmas time. You all know me by now. I don't do tutorials, simply because I am so pants at them, but so many asked for one, and I did a general one to cover all sizes of hot water bottles, and it seemed to be a hit. I have it bookmarked, as I need to make some more for myself. My other covers are looking sorry for themselves as they have been so well used.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvzK3QMAHmIKii5GZarPT9QPQd_QB6Hh5CcPOOmBJiu4f8TcjCJY086hF4yujiKRApww8Io_Sbag7AyMEUbc0NKTEuH09NDHTVWA9TrYW8xNTeakAFbtbssHB4gl892NUeByilkdqiWo/s1600/IMG_9692a+s300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvzK3QMAHmIKii5GZarPT9QPQd_QB6Hh5CcPOOmBJiu4f8TcjCJY086hF4yujiKRApww8Io_Sbag7AyMEUbc0NKTEuH09NDHTVWA9TrYW8xNTeakAFbtbssHB4gl892NUeByilkdqiWo/s400/IMG_9692a+s300.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7rSo0NiTtXFs2qDyzOYiX4q6llWi5KwMsg4oGwrb2Zu6FLQP_zXZ8ikCDcYtazrf3Dqq-16a6Ju29BUU3K8H5shoetLrcYa19skCQIMP2swOGmK5FQXuXl7RkUGw9QziVyY_T7h-xGQ/s1600/IMG_6864+s300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7rSo0NiTtXFs2qDyzOYiX4q6llWi5KwMsg4oGwrb2Zu6FLQP_zXZ8ikCDcYtazrf3Dqq-16a6Ju29BUU3K8H5shoetLrcYa19skCQIMP2swOGmK5FQXuXl7RkUGw9QziVyY_T7h-xGQ/s400/IMG_6864+s300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, there we go.<br />
<br />
Your favourite posts.<br />
<br />
I just thought it was nice to share with you what you have liked the most since I have been blogging.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">x</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">x</span> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-90314942163180587172015-12-14T11:00:00.000+00:002018-11-09T10:33:29.475+00:00Privileged.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGNEOivVrPs/UKY4RoZAhDI/AAAAAAAAIbM/bo6TCRq2tPE/s1600/IMG_6596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGNEOivVrPs/UKY4RoZAhDI/AAAAAAAAIbM/bo6TCRq2tPE/s640/IMG_6596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was driving very early this morning. It wasn't a usual thing for me to do, and the morning still felt like it hadn't quite risen from its slumber.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been listening all week to Ludovico Einaudi's 'Elements' album. I ADORE strings and Piano and I was playing 'Night' in the car. It seemed so fitting of the surroundings at that very moment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you ever get it, when all things come together to reach one point; that you know is a significant moment to you? I'm not really so sure I can eloquently express this very well, as it's more a feeling than any spoken word can describe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, driving through the countryside still so sleepy, with a hint of the sunrise....it felt quite ethereal. But mostly, I just felt this overwhelming surge of utter privilege. To have all my senses upon me. To be able to witness the sunrise and the sunset. To be able to feel the chill on my hands, and the sun on my face. To have the love stare back at me though my children's eyes. To breathe the morning air, sit quietly on a bench and watch the world go by, jump and sing like a loon in my house, run on a beach, cry at a sad film, watch deer jump through fields. I just felt what an awesome gift to have.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ONUeN2C6eWY/Uhyq-dab6wI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/TlpJ1eKoKnE/s1600/IMG_5485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ONUeN2C6eWY/Uhyq-dab6wI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/TlpJ1eKoKnE/s640/IMG_5485.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I have been thinking a lot this past week of people in my life who have passed. I miss them, and I miss that they don't get to see these moments that I see and feel. We forget sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, just what we have, just how spectacular it all is.....and just what a privilege it is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">x</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-27960846849618905762015-12-09T10:00:00.000+00:002018-11-09T10:34:39.959+00:00Busy....Busy.....Busy...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never fear.... I did say I'd get a couple of posts in before I finished blogging at the end of the year!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh My Word. December always seems to be the quickest month of the year. You reach the first and you're all like 'yeah, yeah, I still have plenty of time'.....then in a blink of an eye, it's the middle of the month, and you start to panic. You don't know where a couple of weeks have gone and you suddenly realise you still have A LOT to do. This month has been MANIC. Manic I tell you. I feel like my head is somewhere and my body is somewhere else. In between school stuff, work and housework, I have been trying to get some Christmas cheer in. I made a homemade advent Calendar. Now, I know I am not alone in making use of the Bon Maman jars when all the rich sugary jam has been used, but did you know Bon Maman did a cook book? In honesty, it's not really a cook book for me. Jam is used on toast, crumpets and dolloped right in the middle of porridge or rice pudding....and that's about all I want it for. However, The clever Bon Maman lot realise that us crafters find uses for these nifty jars; and at the back of the cook book have put some ideas down. I like the idea of using them for hyacinths. Anyone following me for some time, will know my love for hyacinths, and this is one time of year when I am able to indulge in it. Funnily enough though, all my hyacinths at the moment have come in three's so it's been a tad difficult to shove those in a jar. Never mind I have a few jars at the ready for when I do. Anyway, I digress, They also had a rather nifty idea making use of the mini Bon Maman jars. I ADORE these cute little jars, and they are perfect for storing teeny tiny things. There was a lovely little crafty idea for using the mini jars to make an advent calendar. All in whites and reds, well that took my fancy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwVSiymJI3ANV6xvxh0dtZIQpVyjZOiGmhnQXWjl1wLUyzUNRa6plNMT48grYDmeKLziPo1ytlcIuByX515thcFt1DSPoKAf99VM41jS_RfoQEMxxwXTD4jg7rPTqQwzdB6hXTOpepSQ/s1600/IMG_3169b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwVSiymJI3ANV6xvxh0dtZIQpVyjZOiGmhnQXWjl1wLUyzUNRa6plNMT48grYDmeKLziPo1ytlcIuByX515thcFt1DSPoKAf99VM41jS_RfoQEMxxwXTD4jg7rPTqQwzdB6hXTOpepSQ/s1600/IMG_3169b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had it all been left to me, it would have been a straight cardboard box made to house them in, but someone made me a rather lovely big box to place them in. Festive string and a bit of holly and voila. Filled with Hershey Kisses, but I was thinking, that throughout next year, I will buy little trinkets and bits like cheap ear studs, etc to fill in some of the jars. A little bit of a festive treat for mum when she is battling the busiest month of the year! I thought it would be a lovely thing to make and fill for a daughter. I'm not so sure that it would work with boys so much as you need really little things to fit in the jars. Little hair clips, stickers, accessories, etc are so much easier. I thought perhaps though for boys, that lego bits might work. Perhaps a little lego set that you divide up into the jars and at the end you get the instructions to build something. I don't know, but I do know that I shall enjoy the little chocolate treats for myself this year and will very much enjoy the other little treats next year! ha ha!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJoq9ntrTmQRnfH74jrlQde4jb-ikrX3NR7LRIWRdYaqKyaxIAfgBo4WVmqAf_xWwsE9m_jLqOwHRXQhzZYpmh0_GJF7z4yPJwdXCl_vi6b0azRItNbEwUJXukfCJv29rg0B1_DAulEM/s1600/IMG_3161b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJoq9ntrTmQRnfH74jrlQde4jb-ikrX3NR7LRIWRdYaqKyaxIAfgBo4WVmqAf_xWwsE9m_jLqOwHRXQhzZYpmh0_GJF7z4yPJwdXCl_vi6b0azRItNbEwUJXukfCJv29rg0B1_DAulEM/s1600/IMG_3161b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, back to the hyacinths. Gosh I am loving having these beauties in the house. I have found lots of pots to put them in, and a trip to the Garden Centre saw me pad everything out with moss. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYYt4RUE5AtUHBZx8yV2So1m3NMyuaQ0K4CW8_jYZ9pKvRr5bS-6CCCbx17mcFBmbUCoEdCL5ld5XG7IQhEVgsFTVFrWyf94iYBPZ-XYWSWf0H6EsDI3q7X4IUTC4uhrPTq6ED-iPglo/s1600/IMG_3150b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYYt4RUE5AtUHBZx8yV2So1m3NMyuaQ0K4CW8_jYZ9pKvRr5bS-6CCCbx17mcFBmbUCoEdCL5ld5XG7IQhEVgsFTVFrWyf94iYBPZ-XYWSWf0H6EsDI3q7X4IUTC4uhrPTq6ED-iPglo/s1600/IMG_3150b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have seed lights everywhere too at the moment. Such cute little lights. I'm not sure I can bear to put them away after Christmas. These may stay out all year round all over the place.<br />
<br />
All the decs have been brought out and I am having a dilemma as to what my winter mantel will be this year. Too many Christmas knick knacks and not enough display space. Typical of me and it really should tell me something.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADq4UK7z8awpGT4lw1M8rMHylVN5mum94l1QktYtidNiC0GQTKAjD5jLbytxx1480n_yQ5h0CZOB_RiCXWr9P9Lfi187cIVA72oezthExW55aM3kyV51ySWJnfNLKpaq9wo1Qm4onvhs/s1600/IMG_3189b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADq4UK7z8awpGT4lw1M8rMHylVN5mum94l1QktYtidNiC0GQTKAjD5jLbytxx1480n_yQ5h0CZOB_RiCXWr9P9Lfi187cIVA72oezthExW55aM3kyV51ySWJnfNLKpaq9wo1Qm4onvhs/s1600/IMG_3189b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF2YBz78tBeF32cky1FM83f1BKI9YtUB5mx7H6Bv6oKlbIo75vV7ghuywIU1LLOisAlLECmykKJpqwuGM0YoIfxjNeB2_ALJeacBFTOKEOPHr2_m3iv_Qn1zdskZHr0LpPb-ZzWhMDf0/s1600/IMG_3198b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF2YBz78tBeF32cky1FM83f1BKI9YtUB5mx7H6Bv6oKlbIo75vV7ghuywIU1LLOisAlLECmykKJpqwuGM0YoIfxjNeB2_ALJeacBFTOKEOPHr2_m3iv_Qn1zdskZHr0LpPb-ZzWhMDf0/s1600/IMG_3198b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAV_1WLjt3sMMeIXQX8KQe7CMeQCIdgLxeV_q9gIuuKkCMBNV8T7Ug3Pbl_x3KfvViVmkugr97c6WJicmqUXJzRiTVrHh5KXjkg5WP4Bm9ImZi21hljmqG3-GkEI9-srIvWzhrF2ZvYY/s1600/IMG_3192b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAV_1WLjt3sMMeIXQX8KQe7CMeQCIdgLxeV_q9gIuuKkCMBNV8T7Ug3Pbl_x3KfvViVmkugr97c6WJicmqUXJzRiTVrHh5KXjkg5WP4Bm9ImZi21hljmqG3-GkEI9-srIvWzhrF2ZvYY/s1600/IMG_3192b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gingerbread house has been done. Cheating slightly with a shop bought one...which is even more unforgivable since I have recently purchased a gingerbread book, but speed was of the essence here, and I don't ever confess to being some superhuman woman. Errrrr no. Buy it if it helps is my motto.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-90JDYxVcRqpQyyO_6_NraQ3ddu8F38xV6t6rQ1UGYGftrqYrEkHt6OD15Jb7FjcUt6G1coMK3lcxdIyA-ymLp6lcuH-q5Ofpvc-3y-CXPJLTS7uOxNFvQbof1v3PxBRwl5O7FgY1Q8/s1600/gingerbread+house+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-90JDYxVcRqpQyyO_6_NraQ3ddu8F38xV6t6rQ1UGYGftrqYrEkHt6OD15Jb7FjcUt6G1coMK3lcxdIyA-ymLp6lcuH-q5Ofpvc-3y-CXPJLTS7uOxNFvQbof1v3PxBRwl5O7FgY1Q8/s1600/gingerbread+house+2016.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Baby Bear LOVED decorating it. I do love making Christmas stuff with the Bears. The elder Bears are not so keen now, but Baby Bear still loves it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U39qrAj3OQMtVETv-5gcKypBZWRm7t07qgukn_UfHNnEPFAx2FY_27WEPFkqp3_xxLDONDldujbIJ10htAk3dBu0IkCYD5KNaMcY3rnuiEoHjhLrYrAN3u22wC2r60RejSqO0m46Qr4/s1600/IMG_3323b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U39qrAj3OQMtVETv-5gcKypBZWRm7t07qgukn_UfHNnEPFAx2FY_27WEPFkqp3_xxLDONDldujbIJ10htAk3dBu0IkCYD5KNaMcY3rnuiEoHjhLrYrAN3u22wC2r60RejSqO0m46Qr4/s1600/IMG_3323b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I found this little lady in a shop. She seems too good to put on the tree. She reminded me of Vanessa Cabban and her beautifully talented sculptures she did. I still miss her terribly here in blogland, and I thought this cutie seemed a fitting reminder of her. I might even make her an apron as a fitting homage to Vanessa. I think she shall be kept year round on my bedside table.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another thing that has been so much fun, was something I saw on good old pinterest and I knew I had to try it.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwbiXbsUH05jcerNKoQ5-KfdnnmXp7yN7N_u4oM_zPVhA_XVa1On8yhaOxvGB5SDLaUSy8RcOeLi4g4rE717hvdCPi1O_LMjGaFLsWCZFvxYWqGojJPCe0XUPYEyXV7tKcjUlaSL7-qE/s1600/IMG_3185b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwbiXbsUH05jcerNKoQ5-KfdnnmXp7yN7N_u4oM_zPVhA_XVa1On8yhaOxvGB5SDLaUSy8RcOeLi4g4rE717hvdCPi1O_LMjGaFLsWCZFvxYWqGojJPCe0XUPYEyXV7tKcjUlaSL7-qE/s1600/IMG_3185b73.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, just look at those. Gorgeous brightly coloured mini pom poms already to make.......<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusjUIzw_XaPKlWR-5RgfmcAkrUv9TVs04tH41kdDd2F7Ja3t5BpzuiHGnn6V_bfk0_N6aCJs8wU5I5rVVNPiN2665uoCJW0AHF7E9H6MDgeUtA0xFN5ygmNbUyBjRCOEDtGW2CMjZQyU/s1600/IMG_3180b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusjUIzw_XaPKlWR-5RgfmcAkrUv9TVs04tH41kdDd2F7Ja3t5BpzuiHGnn6V_bfk0_N6aCJs8wU5I5rVVNPiN2665uoCJW0AHF7E9H6MDgeUtA0xFN5ygmNbUyBjRCOEDtGW2CMjZQyU/s1600/IMG_3180b65.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
these!<br />
<br />
Gosh, I can't tell you how much fun we had with these. My intention was to go out foraging for pine cones in our local Forest, but I walked into Hobbycraft and this gorgeous Christmas scent hit me. There were bags and bags of pine cones for sale that were cinnamon scented. The smell was intoxicating and I knew straight away that these would be perfect to put the pom poms on. Boy, were they steeped in cinnamon oil! My car <b>STANK</b> on the way home! All Christmassy though, so I can't complain, but hung on the Christmas tree they look awesome. I found another bag of smaller cinnamon scented ones from another shop too, so I think I may just have pom pom cone overload, but at least the house will smells nice!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgccTq4_v4iHLGYYWxgP3uMHX9hAvzt-BoLPX3mEwIa6kzcQW_8xilkfbmMz2bs0tEOs4ZIpYwKIXMLZqpRSjAJsn1OxNyEwjoRMkT4kpGcMGSqYV1YWpT-CyGY56vOn_XcrWdDJ0MZA/s1600/IMG_3264b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgccTq4_v4iHLGYYWxgP3uMHX9hAvzt-BoLPX3mEwIa6kzcQW_8xilkfbmMz2bs0tEOs4ZIpYwKIXMLZqpRSjAJsn1OxNyEwjoRMkT4kpGcMGSqYV1YWpT-CyGY56vOn_XcrWdDJ0MZA/s1600/IMG_3264b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuOkFuuY6v2TKc1PTeRA62IMIHiNotSuDiUvyMJsz2Gw84alpzHvxtZ5EH9P9A5Li6oyMZzMd15pW7oPH_s3F1DmDAuzWdFcCvlVpsPjLUNqYj8lmhPXSClkEF7QdBI_wF4AqqMW5r1I/s1600/pom+pom+cone65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuOkFuuY6v2TKc1PTeRA62IMIHiNotSuDiUvyMJsz2Gw84alpzHvxtZ5EH9P9A5Li6oyMZzMd15pW7oPH_s3F1DmDAuzWdFcCvlVpsPjLUNqYj8lmhPXSClkEF7QdBI_wF4AqqMW5r1I/s1600/pom+pom+cone65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Actually, the house smells really christmassy. The tree smells lovely, and so do the pine cones on it. I usually have a pan on the hob simmering with cloves, oranges and cinnamon when I am in the kitchen. I have figgy pudding candles in the living room along with figgy pudding diffusers (which smell like cookie dough) dotted throughout the house. Really rather yummy. Some of the Hyacinths have come out and the scent is wafting from those. Bliss really.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhIkr74rlmEmARnTT53XIDmJ0iljbV8L-X2uMd1fqV8O8DWjnkQnBddt6LCcdYQ-pFR2ek90MvUKAVJeTUFa_jP7Xe1QqORuPWADvcspykFYDLKpm9Gxfj2c1mMdxhTjGs1lUT6PjWcY/s1600/IMG_3268b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhIkr74rlmEmARnTT53XIDmJ0iljbV8L-X2uMd1fqV8O8DWjnkQnBddt6LCcdYQ-pFR2ek90MvUKAVJeTUFa_jP7Xe1QqORuPWADvcspykFYDLKpm9Gxfj2c1mMdxhTjGs1lUT6PjWcY/s1600/IMG_3268b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This morning, Michael Bublé is singing his Christmassy dulcet tones whilst the lights twinkle and I think about getting my bum into gear to wrap a little after the chores are done. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZyBytJmupzuL538Vvrshy64glmzBLeQY2k-8lLBQEnXacj1EqdUrt_gS8C3Twf6YdJOjWRYu8wDPSU_EwT5tHdp4H2MWoubUN_PH8nwdrb5SdxPBlNLSzIVUgruB-A7W1-SWaVuJF9E/s1600/IMG_3165b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZyBytJmupzuL538Vvrshy64glmzBLeQY2k-8lLBQEnXacj1EqdUrt_gS8C3Twf6YdJOjWRYu8wDPSU_EwT5tHdp4H2MWoubUN_PH8nwdrb5SdxPBlNLSzIVUgruB-A7W1-SWaVuJF9E/s1600/IMG_3165b65.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0LpZhh44x8zjEjUFMORRkKPRPW3t_1MZUD94HFr2To7X5-M-2UYGySamuIhqz6Ery_TzPRWMUeQFeGxRI-vkI7K6DBDu0vQYNOxXB76niTCubr05fI2Dq71t1ZT6NdCxnsfJMadgS8Y/s1600/IMG_3277b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0LpZhh44x8zjEjUFMORRkKPRPW3t_1MZUD94HFr2To7X5-M-2UYGySamuIhqz6Ery_TzPRWMUeQFeGxRI-vkI7K6DBDu0vQYNOxXB76niTCubr05fI2Dq71t1ZT6NdCxnsfJMadgS8Y/s1600/IMG_3277b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDv7NJ3A3yFBbndIZsroUhyphenhyphen3bNsVkBZ-vKc4Vv2uPsf19PF9Tt4DTWeDS4QBbjGlPK0H2gN0aiIlEAs_pBmNWxx1q2KyZndHve1BJgvOsjqatnpJ3_OJCQX4ebr8EtjqBDgAKZufTF3s/s1600/IMG_3271b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDv7NJ3A3yFBbndIZsroUhyphenhyphen3bNsVkBZ-vKc4Vv2uPsf19PF9Tt4DTWeDS4QBbjGlPK0H2gN0aiIlEAs_pBmNWxx1q2KyZndHve1BJgvOsjqatnpJ3_OJCQX4ebr8EtjqBDgAKZufTF3s/s1600/IMG_3271b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRKJr_l1-PSlJ68rEzsdNwktD8Nxp6OyaG0xz5o19gscd8RVK7dY41fqWETeR1JZeNRtTCgNQ5eGVA5ga0VA6GGg3KuF66n3YbC4jr30pzI4bGa60dp4mmnzo1_ezH4YPVaCeutaPvQ4/s1600/santa65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRKJr_l1-PSlJ68rEzsdNwktD8Nxp6OyaG0xz5o19gscd8RVK7dY41fqWETeR1JZeNRtTCgNQ5eGVA5ga0VA6GGg3KuF66n3YbC4jr30pzI4bGa60dp4mmnzo1_ezH4YPVaCeutaPvQ4/s1600/santa65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, December is in full swing. I am trying to enjoy the rare moments of calm. It's been so much fun making stuff. I have brown clay and brown paper to make gingerbread tree decs this year. I hope I will have time. I am enjoying the scented candles, the twinkly lights and the the cosy evenings. I cannot wait for the hyacinths to burst open and fill the air with their gorgeous scent (before it turns all pungent and rather niffy!), and I just remembered I need to bring in my potted geraniums whilst they are still blooming outside. Wow, it's been so mild. I did the school walk this morning in just a light shirt and poncho. Really? In December? Weird weather. I'm usually trussed up in winter coat, scarf, gloves and all manner of thermals.<br />
<br />
I am loving this December, which is unusual for me. I feel festive and happy, and I'm really looking forward to the new year and the crafty exploits I have in mind. Crochet is way down on the list of things at the moment, but I am itching to get my teeth into something substantial. I know once January comes and all is back to its usual pace, then I can really go to town on all my plans for yarny goodness. I have been eyeing up some new yarn I want to try and colourways, and that's rather exciting.<br />
<br />
I have Big Bear's Birthday just before Christmas. He is rather excited....and keeps hugging me! I don't know if this display of affection is his way of trying to sneak in a few more pressies, but his excitement coupled with Baby Bear's Christmassy enthusiasm is making the house quite a lively one.<br />
<br />
Cheesy Christmas movies are on a lot. They are truly AWFUL, but very Christmassy. Big Bear and I usually snuggle and watch one after School. It's a lot of fun as we seem to laugh a lot at the hammy-ness of them and predict the acting. Oh little things....... <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxPxgWcrBKdcHiorsW2QsrYmY7wYj96BhLT7yVuloMpYCuQOCeGl50Qb2rLA8XraQpBd7OMrPjfLnfiKEO-xoUFrScvwjnZHPq-g_UE7EoLTaim0tzIyuxu4Dn9AY9w-U6PwnvOISD34/s1600/IMG_3155b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxPxgWcrBKdcHiorsW2QsrYmY7wYj96BhLT7yVuloMpYCuQOCeGl50Qb2rLA8XraQpBd7OMrPjfLnfiKEO-xoUFrScvwjnZHPq-g_UE7EoLTaim0tzIyuxu4Dn9AY9w-U6PwnvOISD34/s1600/IMG_3155b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0BGiqgaNpKKOzyT7ZCZmhizsFj0bimLPJP3dNFSn-lX6wzCqIQTly-bm_l4BlMCc_lBTF2ga7InYJ56V8WIi6ecGqIbhabBVDpEdW5FkFX0P9AGqR4NMOBGRim9i4OluMK4IzyYlLVY/s1600/IMG_3280b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0BGiqgaNpKKOzyT7ZCZmhizsFj0bimLPJP3dNFSn-lX6wzCqIQTly-bm_l4BlMCc_lBTF2ga7InYJ56V8WIi6ecGqIbhabBVDpEdW5FkFX0P9AGqR4NMOBGRim9i4OluMK4IzyYlLVY/s1600/IMG_3280b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Before I go, I also wanted to say a huge and heartfelt thank you for all your comments and your private emails on my previous post. Forgive me for not replying to each and everyone of your comments on the post, but they were all read, and I felt very humbled that you took the time to do so.<br />
<br />
Although sad to be saying goodbye to this space here at the end of the month, I won't be completely gone, and it's been so lovely of many of you to find me over on Flickr, Ravelry and Pinterest. Some of you have asked me to confirm my user names on these sites. I am Stripey Mooka on Flickr and Pinterest and stripey-mooka on Ravelry. And, like I said, I shall still be around commenting on other blogs and posts, and I'm still contactable should you have any queries on any makes I've made and posted about (or you just want to say 'hi'). Just email me through my email link or comment on any posts and I shall get back to you. So, It's not REALLY a complete goodbye is it? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">x</span><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">x</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-75810730410430192952015-12-01T11:43:00.001+00:002015-12-01T11:43:54.645+00:00The Decision To Say Goodbye.......<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMfFz4mI5eaq52ppNdPR9cHXkBt83ppvdHKTWUHCy5k8IpLu1g8kux9EFKWgRarZaQcXIMNlpMyu3Ynq9MQcj9B9D8-h7YK1z9Yo0BhLRipdmt5-AzJQw_FusAoD2wmBIiRuy8jfTXXk/s1600/IMG_3132b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMfFz4mI5eaq52ppNdPR9cHXkBt83ppvdHKTWUHCy5k8IpLu1g8kux9EFKWgRarZaQcXIMNlpMyu3Ynq9MQcj9B9D8-h7YK1z9Yo0BhLRipdmt5-AzJQw_FusAoD2wmBIiRuy8jfTXXk/s1600/IMG_3132b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
To be honest......I'm not really sure how I feel about writing this post. All kinds of emotions. Blogging has been a part of me for a fair few years now. In the past I have had my bloggy wobbles, wondering what on earth I am doing here, blabbering in a little corner of the internet. I'm a quiet, and incredibly shy person, and the wobbles usually come when I'm going through a period of deep thought. If it passes and I think of it less, then I seem to be fine to waffle away and chat about my ordinary little life and makes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over the past six months or so, the feeling of reflection has stayed with me, and there has been this constant battle in my head about whether it is time to say goodbye to my little space here. It was about whether I felt I had anything to say, or worth showing/recording. I kept waiting for the moment to pass, so as not to make any decisions I would regret, but it hasn't really.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started this blog at a point in my life where I realised that I didn't know.....remember.....who I was. I had slipped into so many other roles, that there was nothing I did that was just for me, or that was a reflection of just me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stumbled upon the world of blogging by chance one day, and suddenly became aware of lots of other people who were in the same position as me (mums to young children, who had a passion for craftiness). It opened up a whole new world to me. As I read posts of tales of parenting, crafty exploits and inspiration abound, I knew that this was something that would almost 'save' me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I guess it did. I became part of a community that had just as much passion for making and creating as I did. I could be totally me, yet be at a distance that helped with my shyness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the early years, my little old space here grew, and I began to realise that I was quite uncomfortable with being 'noticed'. Although flattered to be asked, the thought of book deals, magazine spreads and promoting myself, absolutely horrified me. To someone who has spent her life doing everything to be invisible, stuff like this didn't make my heart beat with excitement like it would to others. I battled with people telling me I was stupid for not seizing opportunities or jumping out of my comfort zone. So I tentatively tried with small things.....and I HATED it. So I retreated from my blog. If I wasn't on it, then people wouldn't ask me to do stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instagram, was little known at the time and I started to be on my blog less to run away from it all, but use that instead to channel any creativeness. When I realised Instagram was becoming more successful than blogging to bloggers, my natural instinct was to go back to blogging, where there would be less people reading what I had to say.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I always thought that returning 'full time' back to blogging, I would be quite clear in what I wanted with my space. I didn't want it to 'grow'. I just wanted to record stuff for myself. I love taking pictures, and am a very visual person, so any little pockets of 'happy' in my house or day I wanted to capture. Believe me, when you're a girly girl living with messy males, you feel like you want to record pretty and girly; so when you look back over the years, you are reminded that it wasn't all used socks all over the house, wrappers stuffed down the sides of beds and food plates left here, there and everywhere. I would lay my life down without question for my Bears, but by gum, their mess knows no bounds!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's what I wanted from this little space. Being a people pleaser, I feld kinda selfish saying 'no' to this that and the other, but it got a little easier. I guess, over the last few months I have been wondering if I really need this space to speak. I'm not really sure what I have to say is at all interesting, and if I'm honest, really honest, to look back at these posts in years to come, I won't be reading the posts, I'll only be looking at the pictures and remembering. I love to take photos, but I have Flickr to record those. I love making stuff, but I have Ravelry to record those. So I guess I have been asking myself for the last 6 months, 'Do I need this space here?'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blogging has changed over the last few years. I was going through my blog roll, and so many blogs have been abandoned in favour of Instagram now. And even the bloggers left, post less frequently.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't get me wrong. I think Blogging still has a valuable place in crafty society.....it's just I feel that it's time for me to retreat into invisibility again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I have made the decision to blog for the next couple of weeks in the the run up until Christmas, with anything crafty that I can muster. I shall then have a couple of weeks enjoying Christmas with the Bears, and end my blog at the end of this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't worry, My blog will remain here in cyber space. I shan't be taking it down. I shall still be taking as many pics as I always have done, I'll just be recording them on Flickr instead. If I make anything crochet (or you never know....knitty) related, I'll record it up on my Ravelry page. Any questions, I'll still be contactable, so if any help is needed with any aspect of stuff I have made in the past, then I will always try and help. I'll still be reading blogs, and if I haven't forgotten my login details, I'll try and still comment on blogs when I can. I'll also still be as mad as a hatter on Pinterest too. I've never said 'never' to going back on Instagram, so you never know know, one day it might appeal again. But for now, invisibility appeals more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just wanted to explain my decision. I know there are many readers of this little space here who have followed my journey from the very beginning. I am so thankful to each and everyone of you, for thinking my posts worthy of taking a few minutes out of your precious time to read. I hope maybe something I have posted along the years has been of some inspiration in some way. Thank you also, to all of you who have left comments. Again, I am only too well aware of how precious time is these days, so to not only read here, but take the time to say 'hi' and chat for a bit......well.....it has always overwhelmed me really.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you x</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">x</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-30371305008473292922015-11-27T15:58:00.001+00:002018-11-09T10:35:10.959+00:00I Dreamt In My Favourite Colours.......<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.....Have you ever had a dream within a dream? I never have......until last night. I dreamt I was in a shop. It was a friend's shop and I was helping her out. It was a quaint little shop that sold all kinds of pretty jewellery made from gemstones. I took my time to display the rose quartz and amazonite, as they are my most favourite coloured stones. But my mind kept wondering to the other quaint little shop next door......owned by Dame Judi Dench. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And why not?!!!!!!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway. To get to my friends shop I had to walk past Dame Judi's shop each day. It was mysterious, and my friend told me that because she was so busy with acting, that she only opened her shop for half an hour once a week. In the window, hidden amongst some treasures was a beautiful big blue whale. It fascinated me; and for days I would walk past and stop and just look at it. One day in the shop, my friend told me that Judy's shop would open later that day for the half an hour, but I was tired, oh so tired, so I lay my head on a chaise lounge in the shop that was littered with gemstone bracelets. I dreamt of the whale in the window, the deep blue sea, and golden sands and the scent of the sea air. The pebbles were rose quartz and the seaweed, amazonite. I suddenly felt a tap, and it was my friend, telling me to wake up. She asked what I had dreamt about, and I told her I had dreamt in my favourite colours and I felt happy and content. She told me the shop next door was open and I got up and walked in the door to find the whale. Then there was a sound of gentle birdsong.........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.....it was my alarm clock and I woke. I never did find out if I was to get to see the whale....or even see Dame Judi! What a bizarre dream. But I woke so calm and happy to have dreamt in my favourite colours......whatever that meant.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8q-JsoCrbdqPrlI2ZlVii-b3w8-f2br5z-whwCTq_Wscku5tjXKerDlgduCjYBMwTShyphenhyphenBVGN7OyriPfWh4tfQNWIgN3eicG0GCJxJaApjw1xjd_kCSKsFhjIOVFLM4fQn9Ch7EGH1Lk/s1600/cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8q-JsoCrbdqPrlI2ZlVii-b3w8-f2br5z-whwCTq_Wscku5tjXKerDlgduCjYBMwTShyphenhyphenBVGN7OyriPfWh4tfQNWIgN3eicG0GCJxJaApjw1xjd_kCSKsFhjIOVFLM4fQn9Ch7EGH1Lk/s640/cushion.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My days are full at the moment. I am a little weary if truth be told. I am trying hard to keep on top of everything that this time of year brings upon me. I have been itching to create something. For some reason I am hankering to do another ripple blanket. I am trying so hard to talk myself out of it. I keep saying to myself.......'oh but it will be a teeny tiny one'........then I reply to myself with 'Don't be so stupid Vanessa, small and blankets don't seem to go together in your world'. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, to keep sanity between my battling brain, I made a start on a cushion......in shades of rose quartz, amazonite, the sand and the sea. I thought if I dreamt in my favourite colours, then I should at least crochet in them. This pattern was from Emma Lamb's 'Crochet Home' book.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvZeo1P5Ka7tnz6PRApM0KCrWOGkTpQ1zhAH04FVMU9EgdXEXT_7umrySIKoxScZXQZPCZzr0nFkRB-NkXrrDQUlWk5fUz4g184ttqjdcnH_dv5rsr5OYhnE7OFD7fPfquO8inHSERno/s1600/cushion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvZeo1P5Ka7tnz6PRApM0KCrWOGkTpQ1zhAH04FVMU9EgdXEXT_7umrySIKoxScZXQZPCZzr0nFkRB-NkXrrDQUlWk5fUz4g184ttqjdcnH_dv5rsr5OYhnE7OFD7fPfquO8inHSERno/s640/cushion+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not so sure on it though. Maybe blocking will help. I stuck exactly to the pattern, but my instinct from the beginning was to go a hook down and change a little bit on the rounds. I didn't and I think that's why I think I am not so sure. I think I would have liked it a little tighter. It seems a little bit too floppy for me. The elder Bear's were home today, so I got Big Bear to take a pic to see if I viewed it differently I would feel differently. Well, hopefully blocking will steady it out a bit more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought it would be nice to change around my kitchen and have a sort. Bad idea. One of those things you do, when you get to the messiest point and totally lose enthusiasm. The trouble with the Bear's home all day is that the fridge and the cupboards are always open. Middle Bear decided that at 10 in the morning it was time for lunch. I muttered something about it not being lunchtime. His reply was that he'd been awake a while so in his world it was.....and he'd come down for a second sitting when it WAS lunchtime! Teenagers!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhv4j4VlWwTF_zNRTWaK3qB6ZuQsU8_tqyqnbbh-fkILRyvkCR2A9Vq5rYuG3N8_vBTE1A9UVof8wjH5UPZf4de_89L4XfKPFgcfEwVM2vh7PEukCjTJs9tjgnb2BpK1nrl1GFDE7fLw/s1600/IMG_3121b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhv4j4VlWwTF_zNRTWaK3qB6ZuQsU8_tqyqnbbh-fkILRyvkCR2A9Vq5rYuG3N8_vBTE1A9UVof8wjH5UPZf4de_89L4XfKPFgcfEwVM2vh7PEukCjTJs9tjgnb2BpK1nrl1GFDE7fLw/s640/IMG_3121b65.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, a coffee I think with a big shot of caffeine, and make headway so that I can at least cook tonight. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">x</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">x</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-22870840934023733982015-11-23T15:30:00.000+00:002015-11-23T15:30:02.406+00:00Somebody Stop Me........<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
......I'm outta control.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVD40qhCxEuzTeIyX0fheOkRSk5StgljheXvybyF7Xl2GrME8xI-Rkvckm8mvwKWcIP2nxgZirBqxPdxp742FBBu8a74wPDOLLFpbaKoPAuHBnwntIEoeAu6Z2-tjOFsydK5RqY9vOcF0/s1600/IMG_3112b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVD40qhCxEuzTeIyX0fheOkRSk5StgljheXvybyF7Xl2GrME8xI-Rkvckm8mvwKWcIP2nxgZirBqxPdxp742FBBu8a74wPDOLLFpbaKoPAuHBnwntIEoeAu6Z2-tjOFsydK5RqY9vOcF0/s1600/IMG_3112b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week it was trying, but failing miserably to resist Christmas decorations in shops. This week it is cake.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baby Bear's Birthday cake. Oh my word, a seriously chocolate fix going on here (sorry Sandrine, no tank cake....my baking expertise only got as far as this!). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've only just recovered from my seriously indulgent Birthday Cake....then some seriously indulgent coffee cake (of which was such a favourite here, I noticed the ingredients to make another are back in the cupboard). Now this. It's Big Bear's Birthday in a few weeks, and he declared he wanted one of these too. Middle Bear's Birthday follows not long after, and he's declared this is his dream Birthday Cake (he hates sweets and only likes two types of chocolate......guess which two types?!!!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This thing is staring at me. It's so rich that only tiny amounts can be eaten at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh go on then......just one Malteser with a cup of tea........yeah right.......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">x</span><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">x</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-12946752538394026672015-11-19T13:25:00.000+00:002018-11-09T10:31:47.669+00:00Random and the Everyday......<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AJZ8mBmCcldpeuty_piBDIxdpSB2JPN1a3uTijC0MQT630sD0O4W-Cz9X7fMOLyWEtPb6VI397tX07Nbdq8fvmPIp9Sqn33r79fL_6R-vqBCOT30xLV13-iYbvEC9as_Ay66N5OfjO4/s1600/IMG_3106b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AJZ8mBmCcldpeuty_piBDIxdpSB2JPN1a3uTijC0MQT630sD0O4W-Cz9X7fMOLyWEtPb6VI397tX07Nbdq8fvmPIp9Sqn33r79fL_6R-vqBCOT30xLV13-iYbvEC9as_Ay66N5OfjO4/s1600/IMG_3106b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, the weather has been a bit of a mixed bag. I know it's a great topic of conversation for the British folk, but mainly grey, wet and really windy this past week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was brief glimpse of sunshine yesterday.....all for about an hour.....then grey and wet and howling winds.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o9pqyaFgKdfZkHc3oZ8RBA8TG8Xl5ls6wOf2SYLX_yTogYo_cSZNDrTkmbkD-TYP0J5989beYDxCRymnAlVWcarE8iPox6g4XRHUmrK4AOcBatyfEvbtkylPd_3BdBRhLNXb4s63APw/s1600/IMG_3068b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o9pqyaFgKdfZkHc3oZ8RBA8TG8Xl5ls6wOf2SYLX_yTogYo_cSZNDrTkmbkD-TYP0J5989beYDxCRymnAlVWcarE8iPox6g4XRHUmrK4AOcBatyfEvbtkylPd_3BdBRhLNXb4s63APw/s1600/IMG_3068b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HpP1fkcEMmFIRflj6Xmb75F5KnjXnzsUp9Cl4iXxvooeVbtWScmPwaV-udQxQw6UtWSNl0aAgYqoavGGpPuAOwdW9-SEXGNhlplQi8GmDQLvzqgLIXrvVR-x0bahma9YlmqU6rj8G1U/s1600/IMG_2989b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HpP1fkcEMmFIRflj6Xmb75F5KnjXnzsUp9Cl4iXxvooeVbtWScmPwaV-udQxQw6UtWSNl0aAgYqoavGGpPuAOwdW9-SEXGNhlplQi8GmDQLvzqgLIXrvVR-x0bahma9YlmqU6rj8G1U/s1600/IMG_2989b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy8shS2F2Da_Nnt1bfmvF-v01y0D7scQvXHfh6Esu6UPebGjDvZEqF6Xib2RsLmNKixF971NtUnLX-1EGK374NXZayT_6tSW6t-WJhueRNWiqtyntIkeo_TNCiujrTWROqluU_iU9HbE/s1600/IMG_2998b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy8shS2F2Da_Nnt1bfmvF-v01y0D7scQvXHfh6Esu6UPebGjDvZEqF6Xib2RsLmNKixF971NtUnLX-1EGK374NXZayT_6tSW6t-WJhueRNWiqtyntIkeo_TNCiujrTWROqluU_iU9HbE/s1600/IMG_2998b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvC1_lyyEUJ6GHXZmfU8-PjZ6ZMBvMbY8KdQzUKKV6t3rDPP7MX7xwhYwdOZpHRtg5smVPljalpss27DqYVYXHSmqJuDYJAsjCyPB82018iar6Sn5cX9rgbz3wtRDjSb3DrtlYvWCJhA/s1600/IMG_3031b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvC1_lyyEUJ6GHXZmfU8-PjZ6ZMBvMbY8KdQzUKKV6t3rDPP7MX7xwhYwdOZpHRtg5smVPljalpss27DqYVYXHSmqJuDYJAsjCyPB82018iar6Sn5cX9rgbz3wtRDjSb3DrtlYvWCJhA/s1600/IMG_3031b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0cX73zGlRzyNAV_hP02IAzSrJyKWhmCuOzxBcL02E2KJGbl5eZTAlACnk9AXPGFQ4uySYOe9BnDFv_EBKZ8fhnvUvRSA1KkksC2mt7_cWfmbgWmhlwTDUEUuV0YZ7aVTOvm0C70KVwM/s1600/IMG_2979b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0cX73zGlRzyNAV_hP02IAzSrJyKWhmCuOzxBcL02E2KJGbl5eZTAlACnk9AXPGFQ4uySYOe9BnDFv_EBKZ8fhnvUvRSA1KkksC2mt7_cWfmbgWmhlwTDUEUuV0YZ7aVTOvm0C70KVwM/s1600/IMG_2979b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFgkmWq8FruSV9CijlXZEKTAd_NBo_9AtJRBTmFDd0iJTtHbbACdV56ZyWYer1GW2dNT9ahE-wOF4Hs_xLBFGpSd4imJzi2JuDRYRX_DZM5idTSMGUNKmcEQ50cjjoBN8AguNBagxQz0/s1600/IMG_2985b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFgkmWq8FruSV9CijlXZEKTAd_NBo_9AtJRBTmFDd0iJTtHbbACdV56ZyWYer1GW2dNT9ahE-wOF4Hs_xLBFGpSd4imJzi2JuDRYRX_DZM5idTSMGUNKmcEQ50cjjoBN8AguNBagxQz0/s1600/IMG_2985b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has meant cosy for me. To tell you the truth, I am loving candles, fairy lights, evening hot water bottles and frothy drinks. So, can't all be doom and gloom!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5V67SgULQqt1wqpcJ3NtBzjkT31gRf-aVxPnGh52HEJBeC2v4NW973S9GeRElwqZYc09RQ4yG6D7uFrbTCDK8retLAbqvUl2xTXxWsJg4dovuHqnGWRj6NyjKjnajD49b7HzrbeDG7k/s1600/liv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5V67SgULQqt1wqpcJ3NtBzjkT31gRf-aVxPnGh52HEJBeC2v4NW973S9GeRElwqZYc09RQ4yG6D7uFrbTCDK8retLAbqvUl2xTXxWsJg4dovuHqnGWRj6NyjKjnajD49b7HzrbeDG7k/s640/liv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr27Rs6yQQsI6AIMmVkGwmB3MCBYKVmJBEtrTme00lYAaiVVxddkeSVn4cLgLz7QsGAp26NSh4ydWXi6FPFsFyWx58QI7ZXP3z6zufXgc5ntNIk8AwxQ_JohlYs8w3hlWl8rXWfXvLmj4/s1600/IMG_4420a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr27Rs6yQQsI6AIMmVkGwmB3MCBYKVmJBEtrTme00lYAaiVVxddkeSVn4cLgLz7QsGAp26NSh4ydWXi6FPFsFyWx58QI7ZXP3z6zufXgc5ntNIk8AwxQ_JohlYs8w3hlWl8rXWfXvLmj4/s640/IMG_4420a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The usual thing to do after the school collection, is get in, make me a hot cuppa and Baby Bear gets a sandwich. Then we sit on my bed with fairy lights on and spend 10 mins chatting about our days and what was great about it. We usually then go off on a tangent having funny laughter from silly made up words, then the Bigger Bear's are home and it get's more lively. This week though, all chatter has been on Tanks. Yes, Tanks. Baby Bear is quite obsessed about them. Not sure why. He played a computer game with them in and from that day, he is obsessed. We have tank pictures galore in the house and for his Birthday we are all going to a Tank museum. That dude is SO excited......his brothers not so. They are teenagers, and it's embarrassing hanging out with the baby brother and the elders, but he is so desperate for them to join his day of Tank fun. I'm sure it will be an interesting day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOi899XCfxfmqgqRRoPCwF4gOVyKVjV8mMApZn9FJE46nSwWdEybPF3FOdXtqAQ4_hiHWVD-6db6ehtb4JMBxkykznBxosnJLaH63NZfcVAsdAY7UWgEB5_ZuZr2jT88cg9T_pVVq6yI/s1600/IMG_3013b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOi899XCfxfmqgqRRoPCwF4gOVyKVjV8mMApZn9FJE46nSwWdEybPF3FOdXtqAQ4_hiHWVD-6db6ehtb4JMBxkykznBxosnJLaH63NZfcVAsdAY7UWgEB5_ZuZr2jT88cg9T_pVVq6yI/s1600/IMG_3013b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpNU5zz0ljqDELTK7_R05AKcB5jMkgpnhS5SsjAgEHjFlCNAIBV2ViKq_8BB0M4W3L2HEVYZQ94tdUS35sVB8Kdl9nTZJS6bfberECMxZO88IR8deCct86VpvozWfJVGQQYKYaT36uEA/s1600/IMG_2993b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpNU5zz0ljqDELTK7_R05AKcB5jMkgpnhS5SsjAgEHjFlCNAIBV2ViKq_8BB0M4W3L2HEVYZQ94tdUS35sVB8Kdl9nTZJS6bfberECMxZO88IR8deCct86VpvozWfJVGQQYKYaT36uEA/s1600/IMG_2993b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been putting a christmas scent on the hob most days and there is a lovely christmassy stinky in the house. I have to tell you, it really does make for a happy, mellow mood. I witnessed some rather mean spirited actions yesterday. I hoped karma would come round and bite them back in the bum, then I came home and the scent of christmas hit me and I thought how lovely and calming. I just ADORE the christmas scent of orange rind, cloves and cinnamon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also made rhubarb compote to go with my yoghurt........and CRAVED stodgy Rhubarb Crumble with lashings of custard.Comfort food is quite essential on old and wet days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0McSIwT-ClvKW5tRvZnCTjI-RLrsK0AMOmSFa4ZEv6TcnteFlsdw2Exh9EFTrmORM0y0SnipFzLwiVDTGgna_awdrTP-q-jXGhx64JzW80YP6wXKWWWh0jWUqEfsjT1E2XxuTD63uax8/s1600/IMG_3052b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0McSIwT-ClvKW5tRvZnCTjI-RLrsK0AMOmSFa4ZEv6TcnteFlsdw2Exh9EFTrmORM0y0SnipFzLwiVDTGgna_awdrTP-q-jXGhx64JzW80YP6wXKWWWh0jWUqEfsjT1E2XxuTD63uax8/s1600/IMG_3052b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOWdmCdU-YOWUbB7rid0x1SeyzvuxML7mGtfjkVOJ_GBOSX8Zm1L0MVjRY8Q5YmPhY-eKsoZldUt9IpAo2K2WkDgFgGEzo7FuGMLw3VI97EJmzUWe6W4i_jm5STGYb7Lvqff-xn9uRX0/s1600/IMG_3042b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOWdmCdU-YOWUbB7rid0x1SeyzvuxML7mGtfjkVOJ_GBOSX8Zm1L0MVjRY8Q5YmPhY-eKsoZldUt9IpAo2K2WkDgFgGEzo7FuGMLw3VI97EJmzUWe6W4i_jm5STGYb7Lvqff-xn9uRX0/s1600/IMG_3042b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi9AI_A8scmbDRBese4hab8Sibe5tUegcqfLdVGmp-tJMMxmYVqVSnIEd_EmbBvGarJDNrejr2M0880y91OunHYdKhvSOCuzKsMBWCmz5CzwuLrUadDz2BvX5JdElDso6cSMEO4H8hE8/s1600/IMG_3054b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi9AI_A8scmbDRBese4hab8Sibe5tUegcqfLdVGmp-tJMMxmYVqVSnIEd_EmbBvGarJDNrejr2M0880y91OunHYdKhvSOCuzKsMBWCmz5CzwuLrUadDz2BvX5JdElDso6cSMEO4H8hE8/s1600/IMG_3054b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7Yc87Qwu2FGS4pLgFQ_4DhKzqpm9i1_7ehFNg8K0_2OnulyUKMNW7tW9i_3FnM0vkM-ikfLkWqjisdbIP7dFn-CLBxsz1dSq7soJ9Fx44it27INWWrvWikZa0wQX4diXXNnr_2NDv38/s1600/IMG_3074b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7Yc87Qwu2FGS4pLgFQ_4DhKzqpm9i1_7ehFNg8K0_2OnulyUKMNW7tW9i_3FnM0vkM-ikfLkWqjisdbIP7dFn-CLBxsz1dSq7soJ9Fx44it27INWWrvWikZa0wQX4diXXNnr_2NDv38/s1600/IMG_3074b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have come to the conclusion that online Christmas shopping is the way for me to go. Heading into town yesterday to do a little bit and finish up for Baby Bear's up and coming Birthday, I realised I was shopping more for myself than other people....which kind of defeated the whole object. They get me.....EVERYTIME. Seriously....I'm a total SUCKER for Christmas decorations.......and unusual chocolates. If you are a 'Friends' fan, the episode after Monica and Chandler's wedding with Monica and the Wedding presents springs to mind. One of my favourite episodes. Urgh, I cannot be trusted in a shop with Christmas decs. I came home with a snowglobe (was seriously planning to make my own having gathered a ton of inspiration on Pinterest - See my Christmas Board <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/stripeymooka/christmas-love/" target="_blank">here</a> ), but the skiers were just too cute to pass up. I will make some of my own. I'm searching for the best jars I can to fit the bill. I got some dark chocolates....well just because. I thought they might be good for my Christmas eve ritual, of doing last minute wrapping, whilst knocking back the mulled wine and watching the movie 'Chocolat'. I'm not sure they can last that long to be honest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KYDXXtVsxDu0qTrucTMCNwogIyFCWHShJCiUbasLldQWhwPELD8jBa7JofWSkDQ5ayNIaIc2CXanJaGJBPkQN7o5NnlWcHwCoG4DuAifrZGkdus-_LVwVEjD55a3evDjJkDPFr8si3k/s1600/IMG_3023b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KYDXXtVsxDu0qTrucTMCNwogIyFCWHShJCiUbasLldQWhwPELD8jBa7JofWSkDQ5ayNIaIc2CXanJaGJBPkQN7o5NnlWcHwCoG4DuAifrZGkdus-_LVwVEjD55a3evDjJkDPFr8si3k/s1600/IMG_3023b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qqQyBdARpDJ93SkygP2DG-a5JQElWyTJqwO4TLv6z-0uOSRQxpPOxt3trWlXNmdW-uvuUxg0IAutXHrfTgRzGTFT0iNlYLIlkFANpbOm23n56VBljV_BeVskQl-P-t1-fcFO6fH8kEw/s1600/IMG_3024b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qqQyBdARpDJ93SkygP2DG-a5JQElWyTJqwO4TLv6z-0uOSRQxpPOxt3trWlXNmdW-uvuUxg0IAutXHrfTgRzGTFT0iNlYLIlkFANpbOm23n56VBljV_BeVskQl-P-t1-fcFO6fH8kEw/s1600/IMG_3024b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiyVOWqd1RNf15W0ZvXR-QSmdzO1ICkHFj2HJ3QJ0zrAQCLhNBJ6unGB9DehODeu2tyksjA37FJBZdeZ0kV_gs8cPmOD7PkT17Mw6iNA4g0EWh44uZhY6UXCN90qPl9peAuKlEM0LVj8/s1600/IMG_3030b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiyVOWqd1RNf15W0ZvXR-QSmdzO1ICkHFj2HJ3QJ0zrAQCLhNBJ6unGB9DehODeu2tyksjA37FJBZdeZ0kV_gs8cPmOD7PkT17Mw6iNA4g0EWh44uZhY6UXCN90qPl9peAuKlEM0LVj8/s1600/IMG_3030b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I seemed to be obsessed with Caravans. I went for understated, and then full on bling! The christmas lights around it sold it for me. I'll find it hard to put him away. The Santa mug made an appearance. I'm trying hard to resist using him yet. I thought I'd wait until the 1st of December, but his jollyness is calling out to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn3G_HpRZytDSUwVsE86G3hvlSCkwqnPiIkaWHIu_LNjxpw1iFKVE10hJuchZ3kEoqXyhWheGXfPpik9o8RqZCeZkMsZaIC8IunXULGje1rokhV4SzYQFvkdEnSMIaaIHFcLWXRfwpoU/s1600/IMG_3036b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn3G_HpRZytDSUwVsE86G3hvlSCkwqnPiIkaWHIu_LNjxpw1iFKVE10hJuchZ3kEoqXyhWheGXfPpik9o8RqZCeZkMsZaIC8IunXULGje1rokhV4SzYQFvkdEnSMIaaIHFcLWXRfwpoU/s1600/IMG_3036b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got a big pile of books around my Birthday, which I have yet to fully relax and read. I am loving the inspiration though and have so many projects of all types I want to get cracking on. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUYqpMCTbvZVOS6womn-9Qg7CHocsfivmAK7T-2_b2gGA8lfSj2-VKW6Uy9XGZvdPtlKK5_b6NgdF1zxiKF3dgEbxE0LUrewzFjfaxoxxMyRByzFp2GBul8_LeeY4eHpTK7fqNaj8L5Y/s1600/IMG_2967b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUYqpMCTbvZVOS6womn-9Qg7CHocsfivmAK7T-2_b2gGA8lfSj2-VKW6Uy9XGZvdPtlKK5_b6NgdF1zxiKF3dgEbxE0LUrewzFjfaxoxxMyRByzFp2GBul8_LeeY4eHpTK7fqNaj8L5Y/s1600/IMG_2967b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have some cushions I want to crochet, some cushions I want to sew, some cushions I bought plain so I can do a bit of needlework on them. I want to make some of <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2014/12/crochet-christmas-lights.html" target="_blank">these</a> and I would love to make one of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/203886932/christmas-advent-calendar-pattern-wool" target="_blank">these</a>. I love <a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Christmas-Homeware/AV108-MUL/Christmas-Orange-Red_Steel-Blue_Mimosa-Slogan-Baubles.html" target="_blank">these</a> and <a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-New-In/Christmas/AV109/Womens-Colourblock-Baubles" target="_blank">these</a>, although I do not like the price. Wowzers. Lovely inspiration though, so I'd love to make my own hand made versions. I do, however like this as an alternative to a stripey stocking. My ultimate dream would be to learn to MAKE something like <a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Boys-1H-12yrs-Accessories/53032/Boys-1H-12yrs-Christmas-Stocking.html" target="_blank">this</a> (the fair isle colourway). For now though, anything like this would have to be shop bought. Sigh. I want to make a gingerbread cake and a house to decorate with Baby Bear. I still need to re-cover some hot water bottles, I want to knit another Bella Wrap and have a go at some socks. I have 3 very different patterns that I want to try to see which is the easiest. So much wanty crafty making....and so little time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtjY4O93f38OkNlEivtWNuXMijfx6_AK4WM-D_eogFFWuFaEXhYg91lNZKtCPD3pwDuR-1NMUqqi2l-G8_LORDm-F_ip7OdpzDI6uXnS5nz24iHWRsaMWejK9Y469fLR9etqvesX5FD0/s1600/IMG_3072b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtjY4O93f38OkNlEivtWNuXMijfx6_AK4WM-D_eogFFWuFaEXhYg91lNZKtCPD3pwDuR-1NMUqqi2l-G8_LORDm-F_ip7OdpzDI6uXnS5nz24iHWRsaMWejK9Y469fLR9etqvesX5FD0/s1600/IMG_3072b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj_ApD-MZVNzJxJCX4dQEsREAxpJtCzBZaPR4RAH6jqesp3mNsngZybOPXoUyau_TQtmh7Wj5y31uahHEo8Hhz1pimGWM2fydXCl703O4JM900w5AlagDEuMx5RfbJ_B9hfLUB-UO7-M/s1600/IMG_3076b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj_ApD-MZVNzJxJCX4dQEsREAxpJtCzBZaPR4RAH6jqesp3mNsngZybOPXoUyau_TQtmh7Wj5y31uahHEo8Hhz1pimGWM2fydXCl703O4JM900w5AlagDEuMx5RfbJ_B9hfLUB-UO7-M/s1600/IMG_3076b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have some plans to make some wrist warmers for my Narnia Coat. I was thinking blue plain ones, and then some whispy and whimsical Narnia-esque ones. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUCczz1nSy8pf-UZpH0-667aJzspPKUo8Arxg6aUzDUBYhLBcChg_1AHn5GT7_Znzy3ZN2WTVRMbuc13Nt1Log9oWBgrbl_n_sNoBVb-4OWpwS2rhj9OtiUYoRbc0En9QpPQUzhCE8Ig/s1600/IMG_3092b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUCczz1nSy8pf-UZpH0-667aJzspPKUo8Arxg6aUzDUBYhLBcChg_1AHn5GT7_Znzy3ZN2WTVRMbuc13Nt1Log9oWBgrbl_n_sNoBVb-4OWpwS2rhj9OtiUYoRbc0En9QpPQUzhCE8Ig/s1600/IMG_3092b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFfLfcstVuZA09qc1Mq6bOVs15OTmFp2lO-7jvje9vm8jBl_nyHa-Hp-i-oBrjHI9Q3deU8DhyGOhg5oo3rv81UhCNPUdAKxeFFhEXKcmYXRP0BlptOQFeMmEL3OOL-hEHpJAhzQasvQ/s1600/IMG_3093b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFfLfcstVuZA09qc1Mq6bOVs15OTmFp2lO-7jvje9vm8jBl_nyHa-Hp-i-oBrjHI9Q3deU8DhyGOhg5oo3rv81UhCNPUdAKxeFFhEXKcmYXRP0BlptOQFeMmEL3OOL-hEHpJAhzQasvQ/s1600/IMG_3093b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas magazines. I love the 'high' they give me form seeing all the lovely christmas joy, then I come back down to earth with a bump when I look at the reality of never achieving anything, and subconsciously feeling like a total failure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IJg1vRngkSvQGXryCgXQcujPXrYCmdxlK-h2a82fxo8cIRvZWihD4biTVEjVfbM94CI4zUSnB7__OROa7onzwVeUYM4N25cOjPBGtBW2TOhcKDfgTZtyM83aCM36iyY4ReQIxWBDOF4/s1600/IMG_3095b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IJg1vRngkSvQGXryCgXQcujPXrYCmdxlK-h2a82fxo8cIRvZWihD4biTVEjVfbM94CI4zUSnB7__OROa7onzwVeUYM4N25cOjPBGtBW2TOhcKDfgTZtyM83aCM36iyY4ReQIxWBDOF4/s1600/IMG_3095b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to say though that I succumbed to the only mags I really buy these days, simply because they were just so cheery (and you got a gorgeous floral calender with one for next year. One I might add that I may even put up!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So.......the day is grey and wet. I have that smug feeling (which is virtually unheard of I might add), that I am up to date with the laundry and the whole of the downstairs is all clean and tidy. I have had my frothy coffee and my 5 mins of mag flicking and I'm about to tackle boys bedrooms (wish me luck), whilst I have a batch of soup on the go. Warming broth seems so apt to have on a cold, wet and windy day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s-BTkhpeBM0yNbgXZoKpK_qFdRUJwxcLeiqCU4zlRrXSCvymTbMbU8w6C0qBbdPQTbuKCKywF10JVyWohNoQv5dakMhKEd8c4iHbi7T3LVjKm9u5mpkZQmFkqtbeeEtu8HvG7ICqVrk/s1600/IMG_3089b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s-BTkhpeBM0yNbgXZoKpK_qFdRUJwxcLeiqCU4zlRrXSCvymTbMbU8w6C0qBbdPQTbuKCKywF10JVyWohNoQv5dakMhKEd8c4iHbi7T3LVjKm9u5mpkZQmFkqtbeeEtu8HvG7ICqVrk/s1600/IMG_3089b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
I cannot bring myself to move Mr Grizzles and little Miss White from my kitchen shelf. She has the stunned look I have when I open the Bear's bedroom doors, and he has the look I have to adopt when I go in to tackle them. Oh dear, the silly little things amuse me the most.........<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until next time........</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">x</span><span style="color: #38761d;">x</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">x</span></span></div>
<br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-5204860628792516882015-11-13T11:58:00.000+00:002015-11-13T11:58:33.692+00:00Ray Of Sunshine Scarf........<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My little.......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">R</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;">a</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">y</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">O</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">f</span> <span style="color: #ffd966;">S</span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">u</span><span style="color: blue;">n</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">s</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">h</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">i</span><span style="color: blue;">n</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">e</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmokU1q1ZTUqShLJxDYVfEN4wt2pQpz68SxDp_xClHdoGyGM5MA4UxmKRjSM4kX95d-2_ZjpNg8FDvdzE3RykS0pzCtjflZXBP8f2l05SC_2yjlSeQJiiBdI3mvp5RQM9uvlQReLH-DXs/s1600/IMG_2949b63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmokU1q1ZTUqShLJxDYVfEN4wt2pQpz68SxDp_xClHdoGyGM5MA4UxmKRjSM4kX95d-2_ZjpNg8FDvdzE3RykS0pzCtjflZXBP8f2l05SC_2yjlSeQJiiBdI3mvp5RQM9uvlQReLH-DXs/s1600/IMG_2949b63.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tend to gravitate towards Pastel shades in the summer months. Maybe it is because there is so much colour out in nature that I feel the need to keep things calm in the colours that I wear and in my house. The opposite happens in the Winter months. The grey, dull, depressing days call for bright colours to chase away the winter blues. I think it's only in the last few months I realised this colour cycle that I have. It's always been there, I just never really picked up on it before. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Working on pastel blankets, as soon as the Autumn started to approach, I started to hanker after colour. Strong, vibrant colour.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNSXyIB-oKyjymru1yMQu-mK0KvqvzwX1TjbZ2qKj9I0-chC6auKRQEh7RU7lD_2sZvLML95Obvs_m2u8ITxWE_hp3gOVLLnpUuixC2Yu9Dn6j2u3j3U4ob6Z5bCpurw2YNhskoBmcVU/s1600/IMG_2953b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNSXyIB-oKyjymru1yMQu-mK0KvqvzwX1TjbZ2qKj9I0-chC6auKRQEh7RU7lD_2sZvLML95Obvs_m2u8ITxWE_hp3gOVLLnpUuixC2Yu9Dn6j2u3j3U4ob6Z5bCpurw2YNhskoBmcVU/s1600/IMG_2953b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ordered some yarn trying to find the brightest shades that I could. Some were bordering on neon, which was a touch scary. I just wanted bright and 'in your face'. I wanted zing and wake up colours. I wanted colours that made me feel alive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XP2vYz1gpsJd6BrSis2VYbU5mJQTZqf_646qlnS35Xq6Ua9J5MIFul_UDepsUEujjcekIXpBeMTGq2oufHsn5fqe83__9KspO7vvT5Ghu_MggCgaPTEuJqFsuP5Ma7vfNxRWsw2XdS8/s1600/IMG_2944b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XP2vYz1gpsJd6BrSis2VYbU5mJQTZqf_646qlnS35Xq6Ua9J5MIFul_UDepsUEujjcekIXpBeMTGq2oufHsn5fqe83__9KspO7vvT5Ghu_MggCgaPTEuJqFsuP5Ma7vfNxRWsw2XdS8/s1600/IMG_2944b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know it was to be a scarf or shawl or cowl of some type but actually I wasn't sure what on earth I was going to make. I didn't have a pattern in mind, I just thought it might be fun to make something up as I went along. Errrrrrr, not such a good idea.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgiKl18s5XFoN90aZMxjcyffuhei_GnZFrS50Sa2XSG2PKFhELcPdYrmNoAJ_kPLvtgZCbpGsZuTkprXxw7mHZGHWF_FzpQhnu7NC0I2gVNbEd98kRkXvJZxIRQWnby2jqRLM8LcT2Rc/s1600/IMG_2948b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgiKl18s5XFoN90aZMxjcyffuhei_GnZFrS50Sa2XSG2PKFhELcPdYrmNoAJ_kPLvtgZCbpGsZuTkprXxw7mHZGHWF_FzpQhnu7NC0I2gVNbEd98kRkXvJZxIRQWnby2jqRLM8LcT2Rc/s1600/IMG_2948b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started with a shawl, but after several hours of working on it, I didn't like it. I just liked a chunk of it. So I took that chunk of it and made a scarf. But after several hours of working on it, I didn't like that either. So I took the bit of it that I did like and the Ray Of Sunshine scarf was the result. I just sewed in the ends and I just couldn't decide what I wanted for the ends. I toyed with a fringe, or a lacy border, or even little pom poms. In the end I just left it plain, and it will probably remain as so.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQpZ6o4IjZ3TJuJH3HYNAPpCUDT5b7QYuREW6IUmNN0apHVpeYmdrDbd71OvEs08j41TPlXyTiehj_QpEyN_xuQKggi8HJfzNSPAenTe4HR-zmylAafunteDb8DdG7X1dDIAd-NM7AFk/s1600/IMG_2945b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQpZ6o4IjZ3TJuJH3HYNAPpCUDT5b7QYuREW6IUmNN0apHVpeYmdrDbd71OvEs08j41TPlXyTiehj_QpEyN_xuQKggi8HJfzNSPAenTe4HR-zmylAafunteDb8DdG7X1dDIAd-NM7AFk/s1600/IMG_2945b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, the shell pattern was what I ended with, and I have to say, I think it was meant to be just that. I did the lines long ways which I think turned out better than having short lines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love it. It's gorgeously bright and uplifting. Quite 'in your face' but it makes me smile and it really is a little Ray Of Sunshine on a horridly grey day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMozb4TJfcxT26ZFW8ps0irGK_zc94msL7HglQ1uTxPG_AHgYjmhx6-s9mKkrULx2V84s6XITaBlQf6Sh2kuHgXp994bUWaFmewbYdCRPj8fodzN47_3zJjOJ6PWvMW2J59fA7FEy17g/s1600/IMG_2955b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMozb4TJfcxT26ZFW8ps0irGK_zc94msL7HglQ1uTxPG_AHgYjmhx6-s9mKkrULx2V84s6XITaBlQf6Sh2kuHgXp994bUWaFmewbYdCRPj8fodzN47_3zJjOJ6PWvMW2J59fA7FEy17g/s1600/IMG_2955b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today has been high winds and grey and wet, but then the sun came out for 5 minutes so I took it outside for a few snaps. I just managed it before it went grey and wet again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-jq-kNs3KCSfBq93e4NamCyyu7QsZeNtqZBU8GQ4AEJ46kIZWnwwOzw94yE2Jg95-y_kW64W1FPGd0l5RUH6t0-jV3qyLkgrPoMaUCg13QbJDGmfDAE7gju2fc9uzCjF22vPsxNKlCY/s1600/IMG_2947b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-jq-kNs3KCSfBq93e4NamCyyu7QsZeNtqZBU8GQ4AEJ46kIZWnwwOzw94yE2Jg95-y_kW64W1FPGd0l5RUH6t0-jV3qyLkgrPoMaUCg13QbJDGmfDAE7gju2fc9uzCjF22vPsxNKlCY/s1600/IMG_2947b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used Stylcraft Special DK as they seemed to have the best colour range of bright colours. Nothing seemed to beat them for colour except some cotton styles, but I didn't want to make this in cotton.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lipstick 1246</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sherbert 1034</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fondant 1241</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grass Green 1821</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Royal 1117</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
White 1001</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Citron 1263</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know, I'm still not 100% convinced about this yarn. I LOVE the colour choice, and it's nice to work with, but there is still something, which I just acannot put my finger on, that is making this not a perfect yarn for me. I know it is so well used here in crafty land, but, as much as I love the pattern and the colour of this scarf, there is something about the yarn that has not put this scarf up there in my laminated list of scarf favourites.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBB8sr7TTzOPrbsztvjAuOK5_7XIuMG-OmnXo586kcN9d4N674HTSPP1YCdZcB44CGN2hQvU1miFwwX32vjWFWsdCPDfIkwRLr-1Du8Do7yFCYkKV-8zGymboXbLACnKCSy5-AapHeqc/s1600/IMG_2951ros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBB8sr7TTzOPrbsztvjAuOK5_7XIuMG-OmnXo586kcN9d4N674HTSPP1YCdZcB44CGN2hQvU1miFwwX32vjWFWsdCPDfIkwRLr-1Du8Do7yFCYkKV-8zGymboXbLACnKCSy5-AapHeqc/s1600/IMG_2951ros.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, the colours more than compensate for it, and it shall be a 'go to' when I am in the need of a complete colour boost and pick me up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">x</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">x</span><span style="color: #38761d;">x</span></span></div>
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-21333332411044036872015-11-10T11:14:00.002+00:002015-11-10T11:14:45.459+00:00By The Light Of The Moon..........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
.....Well.....my kitchen Mr Moon.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYSwAoGjk_TpW5OUbgGU_coENJ8CWVS5H5U4ccAaoMyb4d7qTjDi1LQnee2XESrzHTuQptjiolHZO5uGvPLBy90BukGsTK626joniqzRsLPmTKwqxTcvIblCf2feBYuILDa8a5KsFqjE/s1600/IMG_2884b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYSwAoGjk_TpW5OUbgGU_coENJ8CWVS5H5U4ccAaoMyb4d7qTjDi1LQnee2XESrzHTuQptjiolHZO5uGvPLBy90BukGsTK626joniqzRsLPmTKwqxTcvIblCf2feBYuILDa8a5KsFqjE/s1600/IMG_2884b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The dark and dreary days seem to have landed. Still incredibly mild for this time of year, but the darkness has come. It's REALLY hard to take decent pictures at this time of year....so I'm not really.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWZc4mwnMHsHzzFrxKMwKhP315zw1n42B9bdGHbK1-b9OyIMxN9cpyD-ImRvT1u7TJjCFU1gfxeyeorROaJL-0dyIzaj9aMKKlt_XvMhwDpy1JHiC_L2y0Yr70qSzyykU2IAYzChw_90/s1600/IMG_2880b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWZc4mwnMHsHzzFrxKMwKhP315zw1n42B9bdGHbK1-b9OyIMxN9cpyD-ImRvT1u7TJjCFU1gfxeyeorROaJL-0dyIzaj9aMKKlt_XvMhwDpy1JHiC_L2y0Yr70qSzyykU2IAYzChw_90/s1600/IMG_2880b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been so busy these past few weeks. I've been itching to get some crafting done in my spare time....but there doesn't seem to be any. Birthday week gifted me some books that have given me plenty of inspiration. More wanty makes to add to the list. So little time. Oh well.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> ♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So.....Cake....more of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX3jYCHEHSahoVkzh7kRabKnTD4wMcF___NYx6rAu7T7CZzcBb1LHMqlDSbEw7UEWiuNuSDD6wJ-w4ZZn5yG7smgUvWsBQdPxTKdOfwKCCo77v1rmFFh8spdmLTq2RDAWABk7VkwI7IM/s1600/IMG_2917b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX3jYCHEHSahoVkzh7kRabKnTD4wMcF___NYx6rAu7T7CZzcBb1LHMqlDSbEw7UEWiuNuSDD6wJ-w4ZZn5yG7smgUvWsBQdPxTKdOfwKCCo77v1rmFFh8spdmLTq2RDAWABk7VkwI7IM/s1600/IMG_2917b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm trying to eat healthily now, ready for the christmas indulgence (says she, who is typing this with a huge latte at her side (skimmed milk and decaf, but brown sugar, 'cos I can't have coffee without brown sugar)). It's a start.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW2hU5h_s44Tv1MP11g9PftgLAbJCQZUrQPDb4tldmG3Ih47hPYLrLq9Y9jOx0oRiMdxLID9sxzYv3TNaivXCVVkpc3y4PsGXSGv-9cvPpdSM_XvmnN2hJLR2o4NqTHhmnqHWcRJsrf0/s1600/IMG_2922b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW2hU5h_s44Tv1MP11g9PftgLAbJCQZUrQPDb4tldmG3Ih47hPYLrLq9Y9jOx0oRiMdxLID9sxzYv3TNaivXCVVkpc3y4PsGXSGv-9cvPpdSM_XvmnN2hJLR2o4NqTHhmnqHWcRJsrf0/s1600/IMG_2922b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1iVGUqSrwxi7Gpi_tJm8kgyuye6OLXND1WkKr7KwLrwzGE6RK35yAN3lqgCwZbKm4PobNroofSqXzHMopIHMxieFCrC2kACzIHZaU6eLjFcpnuDr13CrGY91fBPLpPVel5oeFBsFmx8/s1600/IMG_2911b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1iVGUqSrwxi7Gpi_tJm8kgyuye6OLXND1WkKr7KwLrwzGE6RK35yAN3lqgCwZbKm4PobNroofSqXzHMopIHMxieFCrC2kACzIHZaU6eLjFcpnuDr13CrGY91fBPLpPVel5oeFBsFmx8/s1600/IMG_2911b73.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But cake, well it just keeps on coming. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coffee cake this time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ1G1impWGpngPhOd1rivJ01ryXjP864tOJtN95ruiEOeHMk06EQ8HHaZzOyHQQCurcWu8mZ0anGOeYoVptGvr5N1wIyuQUvsKroioDY055E-4rW0uh73Ka592GCu4GpY3QD7UB0OCe8/s1600/IMG_2889b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ1G1impWGpngPhOd1rivJ01ryXjP864tOJtN95ruiEOeHMk06EQ8HHaZzOyHQQCurcWu8mZ0anGOeYoVptGvr5N1wIyuQUvsKroioDY055E-4rW0uh73Ka592GCu4GpY3QD7UB0OCe8/s1600/IMG_2889b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cake taken from inspiration <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/289145238555459542/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coffee cake with Coffee icing, and Cadbury's Flakes and crushed walnuts sprinkled on top.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ2q-dba-0rWxNQTM9_rKDpmMifFybSc7yKhuGUWMKrFRfgdb2fRVFEopRiNWc9SEV_AWxiGJszSO7DIIUgC78L431AtU_9JCnfSt2FgaezQYN9BdY4wOptskQI6Rtyxuy-fejvcegjs/s1600/IMG_2903b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ2q-dba-0rWxNQTM9_rKDpmMifFybSc7yKhuGUWMKrFRfgdb2fRVFEopRiNWc9SEV_AWxiGJszSO7DIIUgC78L431AtU_9JCnfSt2FgaezQYN9BdY4wOptskQI6Rtyxuy-fejvcegjs/s1600/IMG_2903b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Man........it was good. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh so good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The trouble is....I think every coffee cake made from now on might just have to be a woodland coffee cake. For no other reason than I like whimsical. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Any excuse to get animals on top of a cake. The animal tea party cake I made for my birthday last year was almost made again this year, but I liked <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/116952921551051365/" target="_blank">this one</a> so it was made. No pics of that as it was made late in the day and tucked into straight away. Rather indulgent, but rather good too. Seriously, the scales are covered up in my house.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmZZeG3KcDXIbLRKf6xjk6dhQ8tT_xxCjPBYMkq6A0G2ol5OzbsWrVzRNugqXSzBMWwWoESRG20fVxPEylqiT4EMb-4Op3YycBraODW_S6lXaSAwU4goekQH-HnozPu6ohwuZBo8DM2w/s1600/IMG_2886b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmZZeG3KcDXIbLRKf6xjk6dhQ8tT_xxCjPBYMkq6A0G2ol5OzbsWrVzRNugqXSzBMWwWoESRG20fVxPEylqiT4EMb-4Op3YycBraODW_S6lXaSAwU4goekQH-HnozPu6ohwuZBo8DM2w/s1600/IMG_2886b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This cake was baked and decorated in the early evening, while christmas scents were simmering on the hob and Nat King Cole played in the background. It's my idea of heaven really.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANrxH5BD1bVV6dFmsg29NVjX2bnXBbQI3QKilOgbSpSPHEYogFb7uZE3_uDagNK9oHbZP4ETlx-tuCHejtRPCofQv7tZV4Uo2B-MbUlenloJIQ0ML4s3ysr3HS1A1TYSmI1Kjel1Ltao/s1600/IMG_2938b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANrxH5BD1bVV6dFmsg29NVjX2bnXBbQI3QKilOgbSpSPHEYogFb7uZE3_uDagNK9oHbZP4ETlx-tuCHejtRPCofQv7tZV4Uo2B-MbUlenloJIQ0ML4s3ysr3HS1A1TYSmI1Kjel1Ltao/s640/IMG_2938b73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure why really , but I seem to be feeling quite christmassy. What's going on? That's not like me. Maybe it's all the little decorations that keep being put in the shopping basket and then taken out and hung (really because I am too lazy to put them away for a few weeks). And....oh....oh....oh.....as I'm typing this 'Winter Wonderland' sung by Michael Bublé has come on (I'm working my way down my iTunes playlist).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYK6Ji9iQ8GIME35DywnHfshQUshSqXy7TdVfR2xppVxRwJeVSXcPRuO3k7bWxTIl2RIbpVc-xFijXsLzLoc9Qn2sCl3lCKT7Ha45px4zKbUp4N9EX_XjIDhGGAQNZXq1QTuYN1LaMqc/s1600/IMG_2931b65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYK6Ji9iQ8GIME35DywnHfshQUshSqXy7TdVfR2xppVxRwJeVSXcPRuO3k7bWxTIl2RIbpVc-xFijXsLzLoc9Qn2sCl3lCKT7Ha45px4zKbUp4N9EX_XjIDhGGAQNZXq1QTuYN1LaMqc/s1600/IMG_2931b65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Talking of Christmassy stuff. I had tea with Mr Tumnus this week. It was incredibly delightful. I saw a coat a while back. It was utterly lovely. A thing of beauty, and reminded me of Narnia. Anyway, it was way out of my price league, but I did have a try on, and I really felt like I should be having tea with Mr Tumnus. Anyway, to cut a long story short, my lovely Folks bought it for me. So I put it on, closed my eyes, and walked through the wardrobe to the lampost. I was met there by Mr Tumnus who took me to his house for tea and cucumber sandwiches. We had a lovely chat about this and that and then I said my goodbyes, came back through the wardrobe and hung the coat back up. I do love going into stories. When Middle Bear was a really little boy, he came up to me one morning and told me that during the night he had gone into a story. He was so little that we hadn't really talked about dreams, but this must have been his first vivid dream and it was a big thing for him. I thought it was so lovely that he said he went into a story, so ever since, we talk about dreams as going into stories in our house. Anyway, tea with Mr Tumnus was rather nice, and I shall probably pop in and say hello every time I put on the coat. We can have a good old catch up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, yes. I'm a Brit. A bit of eccentricity is good for the soul.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"> ♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, it's been soft lights in the evening and christmas scented candles. Nothing beats being snuggled up in the house all warm and cosy with the scent of christmas. I bought a figgy pudding candle the other day which was rather nice, although, nothing beats vanilla and cinnamon in my humble opinion. Anyone got any other recommendations for nicely scented candles? I'm always on the lookout. I have some lovely Yankee Candles in Cranberry which smell amazing, but I don't like Yankee Candles for the simple reason that they always burn with a soot flame. It doesn't matter how much I try to sort out the wicks, they do that, so I snuff them out and poo poo the candles for that very thing. Anyone know how to stop the soot flame from a wick? I'd love to burn the candles. They are the huge pots too, so it seems a waste. I just wonder if they coat the wicks in something and that's why they burn like that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, No picks of my scarf just yet. I still haven't decided what to do with the ends, and the strands still have yet to be sewn in. Whenever I have a moment, the weather is grey and rubbish, which isn't really motivating me to get it finished. It would be nice to wear it though to brighten up the grey days now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Right, time to wrap it up. I think I've rambled on long enough and I have a ton to get done today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheerio for now.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">x</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">x</span><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">x</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105382986664426959.post-5965888095426599892015-11-05T12:02:00.001+00:002018-11-09T10:35:40.326+00:00Oh My Word......<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllIEMH5U77cHhi1nr0cuaQ_aFiyQbGBi3qSO0xS2tNS2jm4IJM3PW2KWCjolX4jE3qx9n1NIbcHuAhnmBGtVA4hARHHcwoQY-KWiaydB5I1Dw0mKeg2M03x63eO-F37V2TwTsK6Dq-jE/s1600/image8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllIEMH5U77cHhi1nr0cuaQ_aFiyQbGBi3qSO0xS2tNS2jm4IJM3PW2KWCjolX4jE3qx9n1NIbcHuAhnmBGtVA4hARHHcwoQY-KWiaydB5I1Dw0mKeg2M03x63eO-F37V2TwTsK6Dq-jE/s640/image8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
....Where is the time going?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In one blink, it seems to have jumped from September (when I was thankful that the house was returning to normal with the school term starting), to November (when it's hey ho and fast paced until January).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These past few weeks have absolutely flown by. It's usually just one huge rush from October to January. As much as I LOVE everything about Christmas............I don't ever really seem to enjoy it. I'm rushing about, I'm stressing about getting stuff done, stuff bought. It's Birthdays galore the last few months of the year, and that seems to take my mind off getting organised even more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Measures have been taken these last few years to make things easier for family. It's a big outer family, and the adults made the decision to only buy for the children (neices/nephews etc) and the matriarchal parents. I can't tell you how much that takes the pressure off. Not having to mope around shops wondering what to get the great Aunt who has everything and wants for nothing. Not only that, but it's amazing how much you start to enjoy the really important things so much more. Family. The best gift of all. I have to say, the last few Christmasses have been the best, when it's all been pared back to basics. I am trying to be super organised and get a bulk of it all done in November, so I can TRY and make December all about crafty stuff with the Bears and hunkering down in a warm and cosy abode. Tealights, scented candles and hot water bottles. Oh, and not forgetting the cheesy Christmas films. Always a winner. My hot water bottle covers are getting a little tatty these days (highly used over winter) and I am planning a new batch to replace those, and it would be great to not have to rush those and enjoy a bit of seasonal crafting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRhQmvZKDK5NFEogHDmrDPN4dZ_9hr8HRmmoHCM-cra7K9AupblW5OQ9Xd1XgZ3iuFWPnDmhMzWIx9P_ethwYOfxqOltF5ciHPnJM4W3h9i7F6w5FQ_OD4LsNMd86bure4787chGG0qs/s1600/IMG_2863a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRhQmvZKDK5NFEogHDmrDPN4dZ_9hr8HRmmoHCM-cra7K9AupblW5OQ9Xd1XgZ3iuFWPnDmhMzWIx9P_ethwYOfxqOltF5ciHPnJM4W3h9i7F6w5FQ_OD4LsNMd86bure4787chGG0qs/s640/IMG_2863a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The one thing that is sneaking in now, is the odd Christmas decoration. Eeek. As I'm coming across them, they are going in the shopping basket and then being hung somewhere around the house, as a pre-Christmas appetiser! It's my way of eeking it out without being too overt about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The week before the half term I was like a woman posessed. After a Summer of pastels, I was REALLY ready for BRIGHTS. I ordered the brightest yarn I possibly could (some bordering on neon, and slightly scary if I am honest), and set to work on making something cheery. As usual, it was fly by the seat of my pants kind of making. I knew I wanted bright, and something for winter, but other than that, it was just go with the flow. Urgh, I couldn't keep focused. I'd start something and only like a bit of it. So, i'd take that bit I liked and start something knew. Then I'd only be happy with a little bit of that, and take an element and start yet gain. I think I started on four versions of something before I settled on what I think it was meant to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bright scarf. Of course it would be a bright scarf! Well, it took me long enough to get there. It also took another week after I had initially finished the main body to decide what to do at the ends of the scarf. I thought tassles, but I wasn't sure the yarn really was up for tassles. I pondered for a whole week during Half Term.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No pics yet I'm afraid. The weather has been incredibly dark and dreary on the days that I am able to take snaps, so I shall wait for a decent day of light to catch it at its best. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
However, I did manage to make some sneaky little slippers from this months Inside Crochet Magazine. I have a serious amount of chunky yarn. All odd balls that I quite don't know what to do with them, but gorgeous stuff none the less that I cannot seem to part with. These seemed the perfect solution only using up a ball per pair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXC_Dz_VWR89I2GMI9MpZ_6imghyaa9SvLBpKhc08USuIPLg677xeDHSkECXQFWLJoXsNDPAYrozJ3QqjJ_R2vseaP_6uB5PzrM6PeN8oxePszF9bVCvEhTELjIriNUN5qQUPZnc-1eU/s1600/IMG_2869a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXC_Dz_VWR89I2GMI9MpZ_6imghyaa9SvLBpKhc08USuIPLg677xeDHSkECXQFWLJoXsNDPAYrozJ3QqjJ_R2vseaP_6uB5PzrM6PeN8oxePszF9bVCvEhTELjIriNUN5qQUPZnc-1eU/s640/IMG_2869a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Needless to say, soon I will be DROWNING in pom pom slippers. Typical me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPORhOrIWlLrbCnlAupJJKoCZCoNXJpzeqeAAX7uZ4UVs0nDwbV9xk4Tw1huPudA4DtBcIO354ha2vpEiQYtPqbqMk_Y8aaUcdhBr_QeCTmRtnjA6_ZyZA6qxflhA4spxWeljcYRlJE8s/s1600/IMG_2851a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPORhOrIWlLrbCnlAupJJKoCZCoNXJpzeqeAAX7uZ4UVs0nDwbV9xk4Tw1huPudA4DtBcIO354ha2vpEiQYtPqbqMk_Y8aaUcdhBr_QeCTmRtnjA6_ZyZA6qxflhA4spxWeljcYRlJE8s/s640/IMG_2851a.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Half Term was a jam packed one. A whirlwind of a week. A really lovely whirlwind of a week though. The Autumn weather has been giving us some gloriously beautiful days (in-between the murky ones). There were some beautiful walks creating beautiful family memories. Happy children.....Happy me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B4sbqpNEq8VcXUgUyGrJF28W1huqiCvYdgtY2uKSHSRiBpfumQKAViu08lTsdlvIcSqnxy_dkMMVDXxOWS8nJyYV8KClphhOhAV1YXlwMm5TbyzqcPwXuRi1X18uR67VAS95gNgpxrQ/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B4sbqpNEq8VcXUgUyGrJF28W1huqiCvYdgtY2uKSHSRiBpfumQKAViu08lTsdlvIcSqnxy_dkMMVDXxOWS8nJyYV8KClphhOhAV1YXlwMm5TbyzqcPwXuRi1X18uR67VAS95gNgpxrQ/s640/image1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE5UGK9PYUhyyz80OEXCH9b6YA_Mhp3ompuYCTPEUIKFMvWDLucOCYJBszyn63aUkkYo7ASQZ905ps7bIEY59G9eOLn5_fJF4Ua58AaA6GRLvTb0gx7hsJqJIhc1ASNfVu6Sa5Sd8aKg/s1600/image7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE5UGK9PYUhyyz80OEXCH9b6YA_Mhp3ompuYCTPEUIKFMvWDLucOCYJBszyn63aUkkYo7ASQZ905ps7bIEY59G9eOLn5_fJF4Ua58AaA6GRLvTb0gx7hsJqJIhc1ASNfVu6Sa5Sd8aKg/s640/image7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd8OLf0IMk3UhMCk1Okjoq5kfBvcaLeiGRrwpsEXAptQvIYj8RwQOup_BC4odxaVeWiR3WeDFEB9YHD_CVAlPokjQrtmOxPG3Qd7j2dBA698s0j_k7Oma1Lj_thqDJqvXKUnocaPQYB8/s1600/IMG_2856a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd8OLf0IMk3UhMCk1Okjoq5kfBvcaLeiGRrwpsEXAptQvIYj8RwQOup_BC4odxaVeWiR3WeDFEB9YHD_CVAlPokjQrtmOxPG3Qd7j2dBA698s0j_k7Oma1Lj_thqDJqvXKUnocaPQYB8/s640/IMG_2856a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_FJ40A97fmqHt_tvep8yt6vOfVmoJpOD8Mc00dkIKJ5Yg9-X1L8-v96G0ycd7IG_1qVkeZSYiw2Y1XvLoOfjT1CrEeUacZoRKMDy1-3-p9cEPASKmU5blqAI0ILN8McZTEH2PUKULGI/s1600/IMG_2842a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_FJ40A97fmqHt_tvep8yt6vOfVmoJpOD8Mc00dkIKJ5Yg9-X1L8-v96G0ycd7IG_1qVkeZSYiw2Y1XvLoOfjT1CrEeUacZoRKMDy1-3-p9cEPASKmU5blqAI0ILN8McZTEH2PUKULGI/s640/IMG_2842a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwRKciX990MZ-YAEWrPha-YrmkUQu_8kcYFUQtsbEE4byrAeSIle-MF7yY0QYFSmBfaAnyokG8FD-VwmUXbkiqVBfKac7x8AEeP1m0h6W9ZfNIPr-im8xklr2auP9K_UUwko1mFNPIdE/s1600/image4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwRKciX990MZ-YAEWrPha-YrmkUQu_8kcYFUQtsbEE4byrAeSIle-MF7yY0QYFSmBfaAnyokG8FD-VwmUXbkiqVBfKac7x8AEeP1m0h6W9ZfNIPr-im8xklr2auP9K_UUwko1mFNPIdE/s640/image4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHhgS3aiuJNv5UMqrN1yAM5-gfq0b_GoQ97pSJH5-INm6qRMBNhYDN-OoB-HXF68pKBn5OXYFd9SDSaIrCdF8yxkjpbsHVNXO5W4TYhZ0uqtdDLVEQ6GRq21EThdeFPAHtC1m75X1KUU/s1600/image6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHhgS3aiuJNv5UMqrN1yAM5-gfq0b_GoQ97pSJH5-INm6qRMBNhYDN-OoB-HXF68pKBn5OXYFd9SDSaIrCdF8yxkjpbsHVNXO5W4TYhZ0uqtdDLVEQ6GRq21EThdeFPAHtC1m75X1KUU/s640/image6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk9ga51VKOwHbnRylKwaPVnbHGlWIs2ueijo1bf8EkIqgVddFrppQiPbYI2wWXlffXUNqbi3MBZZibgypGgbCZB9aQb3C2H8NYBYpwfP9nA8Idk0nHXwrdyGORqzvnruMkP8ooU8F6a8/s1600/IMG_2832a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk9ga51VKOwHbnRylKwaPVnbHGlWIs2ueijo1bf8EkIqgVddFrppQiPbYI2wWXlffXUNqbi3MBZZibgypGgbCZB9aQb3C2H8NYBYpwfP9nA8Idk0nHXwrdyGORqzvnruMkP8ooU8F6a8/s640/IMG_2832a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKlH6A1ocHGgVijrVLUIhPtwGpef2WUT1jMvDCwwwDuVMUsHyZVpnkDi17XK1aLi0tO_nkSwyy3ITeSgDr6zdbQHz1xHp1yashkKjdRdLU7Y8qeQl8TCz6mDk3hjFcqXdxBqlyJD2rFo/s1600/IMG_4317a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKlH6A1ocHGgVijrVLUIhPtwGpef2WUT1jMvDCwwwDuVMUsHyZVpnkDi17XK1aLi0tO_nkSwyy3ITeSgDr6zdbQHz1xHp1yashkKjdRdLU7Y8qeQl8TCz6mDk3hjFcqXdxBqlyJD2rFo/s640/IMG_4317a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmwZgPfhDnpADriHoUppbMhVtKRN1I5aXFhdaQJa4MND2CpC8V713SuIqMc8xC-rZpuxdPvFaFQlNjuRnWqzh3ZSdPHqIhyiiQ5owLY4LY919lrIBNxUlLsUvyfOdP-9SJh_kK0rKSEk/s1600/IMG_2872a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmwZgPfhDnpADriHoUppbMhVtKRN1I5aXFhdaQJa4MND2CpC8V713SuIqMc8xC-rZpuxdPvFaFQlNjuRnWqzh3ZSdPHqIhyiiQ5owLY4LY919lrIBNxUlLsUvyfOdP-9SJh_kK0rKSEk/s640/IMG_2872a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The light has been beautiful....magical even on some days (not today though....today is yucky). Walks on those kind of days are heavenly. The glorious golden glow, coupled with the damp, woody scent of Autumn......well......you realise what a glorious season Autumn really is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQrtW48P3pnKZGos4iUKPjHDFn7C07J5gg4eoDF56i13U1al_AT9erP80nlfBJae64ySDDTa6XLmCg1EbGhscmXYaiUeQV4DrBq4dyBAtrw4tmJsjnsgWegBI5FRCpfkChyZZhLmKUBQ/s1600/image5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQrtW48P3pnKZGos4iUKPjHDFn7C07J5gg4eoDF56i13U1al_AT9erP80nlfBJae64ySDDTa6XLmCg1EbGhscmXYaiUeQV4DrBq4dyBAtrw4tmJsjnsgWegBI5FRCpfkChyZZhLmKUBQ/s640/image5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
School started back, the Bears were rested and it has been another crazy week. No photos. No stopping really. Any cuppas have been slurped whilst walking around. I am longing for a decent 5 mins.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I became a year wiser since my last post. Not usually something I really wish to celebrate. I don't 'DO' my birthday. It's not for the usual reason of not wanting to get older either. I have no qualms about getting older, getting wrinkles and spotting grey on my barnet. I loathe being the center of attention for a day......having said that.......the day was a perfect one. With all the birthdays, A <b>LOT</b> of cake has been eaten. <b>Serious quantities</b>.........and the diet needs to start mega soon. Eeeeek.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;">x</span><span style="color: #7f6000;">x</span><span style="color: #274e13;">x </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />Coco Rose Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00708755502453874593noreply@blogger.com31