FIBRE-EAST 2013.....

As you can see, Josiekitten and I had a great day out at Fibre-East on Sunday, despite a slight detour en-route, as the sat nav didn't pick up a new road or realise there would be a diversion. Since the demise of 'Knit-Nation', there has been nothing else close enough for a day visit. This was the second day of the show, but the stalls were well stocked and, as they were spread through a number of halls, rooms and marquees, nowhere felt too busyAs you can see, Josiekitten and I had a great day out at Fibre-East on Sunday, despite a slight detour en-route, as the sat nav didn't pick up a new road or realise there would be a diversion. Since the demise of 'Knit-Nation', there has been nothing else close enough for a day visit. This was the second day of the show, but the stalls were well stocked and, as they were spread through a number of halls, rooms and marquees, nowhere felt too busy.

The show caters for knitters as well as spinners, with plenty to buy, try and watch. It's grown each year and looks set to become a regular date in the diary. A great start to the school holidays!

So far, the weather has been glorious and we've made the most of it by getting out and about, without going to far from home.

How lucky we are to live in the centre of a city, yet five minutes from this beautiful and peaceful former quarry. It makes perfect Oscar walking territory. He loves it!

Mr Snoops has been harvesting a bumper crop of veg from the allotment, as you can see from this afternoons pickings.

The beetroot has been cooked, a crumble made and the potatoes, carrots, chard, beans and fresh broccoli heads used for dinner this evening. YUM! I LOVE summer!

SUNNY SEPTEMBER SOCK SATURDAY........

Wow! What an absolutely beautiful September day it's been here in Norfolk. It's been a busy week at school and I had a very hectic Thursday and Friday evening, getting the house clean and tidy, washing, ironing etc. in complete anticipation of the weather forecast getting it right and giving us some sunshine.

Hooray! That little weather satellite way up high DID get it right and I have just come in from spending nearly the whole day knitting and pottering in the garden. Just in case the sun never shines again this year, you understand! It has been blissful and so, so peaceful as I have sat and reminisced about the fun I had last Saturday, up in London for the 'I-Knit Weekender', with Josiekitten. What fun we had! Today has been much more restful, but still fun ...... in a different kind of way. I've taken time to be stunned by the beauty of the flowers still hanging on in there in the garden and to smile at these beautiful Autumn crocuses. Every year, they catch me unawares and I don't seem to notice them until they are almost shouting at me! Aren't they pretty!


There were still a few luscious strawberries awaiting me too!



Whilst I sat, I managed to finish my 'Yorkshire Wavy Socks' at long last. I had nothing against them, I just seemed to be suffering from a little bit of second sock syndrome; it took a turn for the worse a couple of weeks ago, when the socks accompanied misssnoopydog2 and myself to London on the train. Rather than improving the situation, I made matters worse, with several silly errors (too much nattering whilst 'on the job'!), which resulted in sock number two being shorter than it was before the journey began. So, it was quickly banished to the 'bad sock bag' (I know, I'm a mean woman!) until this afternoon, when the sun came out to play and I knew it was time ........ ta da!



They fit really well and I just love the pattern because it's so easy to memorise. I gave you details in a previous post here.

As late afternoon drew to a close, Mr Snoopydog returned from his allotment with fresh beetroot to cook and carrots for lunch tomorrow ......


They may not win 'Best in Show', but they sure do taste good!



With dusk fast approaching, I came indoors to meet you! What a beautiful early evening sky it was! Now there's just time to get on with a bit more 'September Sunday Swing' sock knitting and a sneaky bit of 'Strictly.....' watching, whilst I await Mr Snoopydog's return from the gym. Then it's over to our local for a swift pint of Real Ale.

What a perfect way to spend a September Saturday ........... according to SNOOPYDOG! :D

Catch up again soon!

FUSCHIA MOJO SOCKS ARE FAB!!!! SMILE!

Hello there! Another busy week has just flown by and before I know it the summer hols are just around the corner!

I've not had much time during the week to knit, but have made the most of the weekend. Wow! I looooooove these. I bought the yarn especially for the pattern..... Mojo by Donyale Grant. It's a free Ravelry download. The pattern is so easy and such fun to knit ...... even more so with a fun yarn such as this Zauberball by Schoppel Wolle. The only problem though, was that it was very 'splitty' and had numerous unspun lengths. Anyway, I love them! Yet another pair to cram into the drawer ready for the winter. Flip flops rule at the moment!








Yet another couple of knitterly birthday gifts arrived this week too.


My son and his wife sent me the book and a very lovely CD. It's Cara Dillon's 'Hill of Thieves'. You should have a listen, it's good. The Cath Kidson bag (to hold my knitting) and the little pad (to tick of my rows) were from my eldest daughter and her boyfriend. I received a good book to read from them as well. I LOVE the bag!

It's the last week of term coming up. HOORAY! You hear me shout. I can't wait. Long sunny days of knitting....... and other things too, of course. Otherwise it might appear that I have a woolly addiction. Anyway, I have spent all afternoon sitting in the garden finishing these, so that I could show you this evening. It's been a lovely and warm afternoon and my attention has been caught, inbetween stitches, by a pair of blackbirds who have a nest right next to the house. It's well hidden in a white flowering climber. All afternoon the adult pair have flown tirelessly backwards and forwards to the nest, with offerings of small worms and bugs for their offspring. Hopefully the young will fledge without being found out by the two little black cat twins, Daisy and Bella, who live close by.


The photo below was taken a couple of weeks ago, when we first discoverd the nest. You can just see the mother bird's black tail right towards the back of the photo. Such clever birds; although looking quite vulnerable here, she knew that very soon a blanket of beautiful white flowers would cover her home and protect her young.



Another regular made an appearance this afternoon too. His name is Trevor Toad and he lives amongst the summer pots, where he can feed on tasty slugs and snails. For a change of scene he often takes cover in the greenhouse, feeding on bugs and grubs, no doubt. I am certain that Trevor returns annually, and has done for the last 4 years; toads have a life span of up to 50 years you know! Mr Snoopydog, however, is not so convinced and mocks my enthusiasm when Trevor and I reaccquaint for the first time each May. He's such a cutie, don't you think?



The garden is looking good........ well it always seems to in a photograph! So I'll show you ......


Mr Snoopydog has just returned from the allotment with a yummy selection for supper this evening; freshly picked black Tuscan kale, delicious white Swiss chard, new carrots, broad beans and first early potatoes. Sounds like we're growing from around Europe :-)


Oh, the chard is not in the basket............... it's still in the car! Mr Snoopydog is becoming a little forgetful methinks.

Just to finish off and to show you that our green oasis in the heart of a city does also have some colour, here are some shots of the pots, taken as I sat knitting this afternoon. Bliss!



Hope you have a good week .... and make time to knit! SMILE!

PERFECT PARSNIPS!

Thought I ought to show you Mr Snoopydog's parsnips which he has grown on his allotment! Perfect, I'd say........he was very proud of them. Lots of delicious winter roasts to look forward to. Yummy! I think his Christmas Head Warmer may well become his Allotment Head Warmer, as his hair on top doesn't offer as much protection as it used to. Hmmm!

I've finally finished Lucy's 'Red Monkeys', which have now become 'Lucy's Christmas Monkeys' as I have taken rather a long time to complete them. I love Cookie's 'Monkey Socks' pattern. It is very easy to follow and the socks always look fab. I used an Araucania Ranco solid colour yarn. It's a lovely rich red mixed with lighter shades too, which don't really show up on the photo. I have used this yarn several times now and it is becoming one of my favourites for sock knitting.

It's half term this week and a well earned rest is in order after a very busy half-term which included a two-day visit from OFSTED; successful but still very stressful.