'AUTUMN LONGSHADOWS'

What a wet and rainy afternoon it's turned out to be for the very last afternoon of the school summer holidays. Back to school tomorrow! Sob, sob, sob! I've had a brilliant holiday and really don't want it to end. But end it must, so that I can earn the pennies to buy the scrummies! Amidst days out, days in the garden, our children coming to stay, time away, visits to the elder Miss Snoops for wedding talk, dress finding and buying, a visit to the beautiful lakeside wedding venue they have chosen and catching up with friends...... amidst it all, has been the luxurious, pleasure of hour upon hour to knit! I've even dabbled a little with my new spinning wheel. But September was always going to come around and come around it has, way too soon.

It certainly does feel like Autumn too, as the evenings are closing in and the shadows grow ever longer. The evening sunset and shadows shot above, was taken on Tuesday evening at about 8pm, as we walked Oscar around the lake close to our home. Our beach times seem ages ago now.

I've made the most of my knitting time this week, to get started on the 'Autumn Longshadows' pattern, that is the first project in Anne Hanson's 'Fall in Full Color Club' . I showed you the yarn a couple of weeks ago. It is the scrummiest mix of merino, cashmere and bomyx silk. It feels so incredibly soft as you knit, that you can barely feel it. Gorgeous!

The pattern is very easy to follow and completely addictive! Hence, I have only one more repeat out of eleven to complete on the first half. The scarf is made in two symmetrical halves and then grafted. I am loving knitting with Addi Turbos. They have become my needle of choice for most projects. They are so smooth to use.

Have you noticed the cute little stitch marker? I bought a set of ten at 'Knit Nation'. They are perfect for needles up to size 4mm and can be purchased here.

I'm loving the beautifully subtle shades of this yarn and how they play and dance with the pattern. It's so pretty! Take a look....

I hope to have finished and blocked by the time I blog next time, as the next pattern and yarn are due to be released on September 15th. I think that may be a little ambitious, as knitting time this week will be sparse!!!

We've made the most of the last few summer days and have been out and about.

The picture right above ^ is of Walberswick, in Suffolk. It's a favourite haunt of ours and brings back many happy memories of fun times when our children were small. On a warm sunny day, we would pack up a picnic and find the 'big' bucket and the ball of string. The children would pop across to the local butcher for some free bacon scraps and then we'd jump in the car and be off ....... after settling the dispute between the three of them as to who would be sitting in the middle! They would happily while away the day sitting on the little bridge that you can see in the distance, holding on tightly to their piece of string, that had been carefully knotted around a small chunk of bacon. The outcome of all this......... a bucketload of crabs!!!!! Of course, they would all released, unharmed back into their watery home, amidst squeals of excitement and amazement as the full to the brim bucket was carefully tipped over onto its side on the muddy bank and the little creatures made their sideways escape, scurring quickly back to safety. Such a happy childhood activity!

In fact, the younger Miss Snoops was with us, and at the now grown up age of twenty-six, she was still keen to jump out of the car to snap some shots of one of her favourite childhood memory spots. Priceless!

We've come to the conclusion that Oscar will be keen to see the back of us all next week, so that he can have some peace and quiet and sleep. Although Mr Snoops doesn't get teachery holidays, he still tries to take as much time off as possible during the summer when I am at home. Of course, the younger Miss Snoops has been around too, as she continues her studies. All in all, he's one tired puppy dog!

Poor little boy! Just in case you're wondering, he's sleeping on his favourite 'carry around' toy.... 'reindeer'! Yes, I know, just don't ask.

See you next week. Have a good one!

LAST DAYS OF SUMMER FREEDOM.....

There is a distinct nip in the air here in Norfolk, both morning and evening. That nip reminds us that Autumn is not very far away. These are the last few days of summer, as the new school year begins next Wednesday and the shortening days of Autumn creep up on our long summer days of fun and freedom in the big outdoors. We have just returned home from our two week break in Pickering; the first week being shared with our family, the second Mr S, Oscar and myself.

The above photo was taken on Thursday in Dalby Forest, near Pickering In North Yorkshire. We spent many a happy few hours there, dog walking and meandering through endless miles of beautiful woodland walks. It's peaceful, calming  and beautiful. I just love it. It's one of my most favourite places.

You never quite know what you might spot...............

Oscar certainly didn't expect to spot .......................... sheep!!!!! The sheep took one look at him and ran.

Neither did he expect to meet some goats!

The Yorkshire skies are just magnificent......

... as are the beautiful coastal views. My favourite just has to be Robin Hood's Bay.

I mustn't forget the obligatory seagull...

We spent a lovely day at Castle Howard, which has been home to the Howard family for over 300 years. It is a magnificent 18th-century residence set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape. We didn't go inside the house this time, as we had Oscar with us, but we still managed to while away several hours enjoying the beautiful gardens ....

and the magnificent views of the lakes.....

and the fountain.

Oscar wasn't intelligently admiring the fountain. He was after the ducks....

In fact, just a couple of seconds after that last photo was taken, he was up on the edge of the fountain, with one front paw in! Maybe he was just wanting a quick swim, to cool down. Hmmm!

Last, but definitely not least, here is the magnificent house itself.

It's a wonderful way to spend a day!

Not a great deal of knitting got done this week. My sock projects remain untouched, but I have pressed on with the 'Artist' sweater. It's predominantly stocking stitch, so it's been perfect 'in car' knitting.  I thought I might have a finished sweater to show you tonight, but I've not quite managed it. I've finished the knitting , but need to block , before sewing up (my least favourite job).

I've joined the shoulders by saving the stitches on holders and then casting off, using a third needle, to cast off front and back together (three needle bind off).  It leaves a really neat shoulder seam.

With that, I need to take my leave. It's getting late and I need my beauty sleep. Hopefully I will find my 'sewing up' mojo during the week and will be able to show you the finished sweater next weekeend.

Have a great week, whatever you are doing................... :)