The Naughty Step

This morning someone had been up to her usual tricks. Pinching shoes. On this dark morning my daughter came downstairs and triped over one that had been left on the staircase by a certain canine

So what do you do with a dog that constantly take things to her basket.  Firstly,  let me tell you about the things she has taken

1 purse from my handbag that, on this occasion she couldn't carry to her basket

Hubbies toe capped work boots, that she sat in her bed with, trying to rest her head on them (she looked so uncomfortable)

A bag of shopping (six tins of dog food very heavy) that she dragged from the front door  and rested by her bed.

The only explaination I can come up with is that it stems from a phantom pregnancy. Your guess is at good as mine, she is after all a rescue dog.

 an old, but typical pic of Milly on her beanbag

 So what do we do with Milly?



You put her on the NAUGHTY STEP!!

Rubbish photo taken through glass.  Not really.  Last night Milly sat on the step.   The story behind it is that we have changed her usual food to semi-moist food.  But she seems to grab a mouthful then takes it to her basket, sometimes burying it under her blankets, which  results in her becoming a bit possesive.  So now we close the door until she has finished her tea. Maybe the floor was too cold so she put herself on the step. We did laugh

for all her funny ways we love her all the same.

Im looking forward to this programme tonight The Ultimate Guide to Penny Pinching. Now you can teach this old dog new tricks.

Winters here

I hope you all had a good weekend.  Well it feels like winter here today.  The weelie bins are getting blown over with the large gusts of wind, they look like domino ralley all laid on there backs. The washings blowing a treat.  I feel a change of seasons upon us at No.23.

Fresh bedding and an extra winter blanket.  Im not a duvet person but  sheets and blanket, I find  suit us better.  This one cost me £3.00 from a local charity shop, and it feels like wool, even better.




 Its an intriguing pattern and I havent yet sussed out how it is made.  Each triangle appears to be made in one piece but I cannot fathom how they can be, maybe they were knitted on a circular needle. I would really like to know as it annoys me that I cant work it out.

heres the wrong side



and the right side

I know it isnt as pretty or co rdinated as any Cath Kidston bedding,   But I think there is something special about hand made blankets and cotton sheets.  

Oh Im SOoooo looking forward to my bed tonight

A Square a day (not meal!)

 While reading about  the lovely Julie over at Little Cotton Rabbits, and how she is on a mission to crochet a square a day, it reminded me of my own blanket that I crocheted  back in 1978, when I was in my first job.  I used to sit at my desk at lunchtime crocheting  a square a day.   My sister and her flatmate also started adding to it, hence there being no colour scheme to it at all. 

Its looking abit sad now, and its taken up residence in Millys basket, but in its heyday it was loved, especially by my niece, who, when visiting Grandmas in the summer holidays always asked for the bed with the pretty blanket (she's 39 this year!)

Keep your fingers crossed because tomorrow I am on a girly day out with 2 of my friends, we are all keen crafters.  But at the moment the one that is driving has got a rotten cold.  If we do go out we are heading to York.  We are intending to go to The Quilt Museum and also Barley Hall.  Now I am very excited about the barley hall visit,  because I get to see all the costumes from some of my favourite TV period dramas, Pride and Prejudice, Cranford, Larkrise to Candlford. The Duchess, The Kings Speach to name but a few  Im a big Jane Austin fan and  I  believe the BBC shine when they make a period drama.

IM SO EXCITED I DONT KNOW IF I'LL SLEEP TONIGHT !!!!

Making a Mess

Ive been busy just lately and thought I would tackle the kitchen decoration and previously mentioned.  Hopefully if hubby pulls his finger out and does those little jobs that need doing we could get the ground floor done before Christmas, which would be great.  OK you dont know hubby, its easier to push treacle up a hill than get him to do DIY. Ive always said if my house looked like a car it would be finished by now. So on Thursday afternoon I started clearing things out and started painting.

What do you think of the colour, moolight white should I go for white?

                                                                                                         On Friday, I got my sons partner roped in to help. It turned out to be great fun.  We chose a good day for it. It was Children in Need day and they were playing nominations on Radio 2. Some really good varied music was on air.  Of course we were singing away, we especially enjoyed " Dont stop me now" by Queen, whoever nominated that one, thankyou.  We cracked on and got it 1 coat on and the ceiling done, even Milly helped!

Typical dog, getting her nose into everything



Its a tiny kitchen with lots of shelves and clutter it took quite a while to clear the walls.  

  I really dont mind decorating, but in a house as small as mine where do you put it all

We found this little ladybird hibernating ( I really must dust more often)

Dont worry! Hes in a better spot now.

Well must get sorted and get into town for more paint, maybe buy something new teatowels, and a few new cups. I also need to make some bunting, and a new peg bag. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.
Bye

Wonky Donkey

Hows your week been for you all out there.   Its been a nice week here.  Monday as usual I went to Mustard Seeds,  we had skeleton staff, so it was very busy.  I came away with a few nice tops from our table top counter.   Such bargains two sets of Per Una tops all new with tags.  Here is my favourite of the two
   

OOps! I should of ironed them first.  This does look better on than off.

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Originally £29.50 down to £15.00 down to £3.00. I paid £2

Ive also been busy finishing my Nativity and the rest of the herd. Take a butchers.  2 Sheep and a Donkey with a wonky back leg.

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Despite one leg shorter than the rest I think that wonky donkey is adorable

Here they all with the shepherds.  I will show you them all when then take up residence near Christmas. Pop back in.


Today was beautiful while out with Milly I took some photos so come for a quick walk round my village.

through the fields and over the bridge where in the summer trout and kingfishers can be spotted

through a cut where they have started on the new waste  pump.  hopefully no more floods again,leading onto....



This lovely leafy road.  I like this part of the walk  there are some really nice houses along here.


Onwards to the church

Dating back to the 11th century this beautiful church stands proud in the heart of the village

Past "cat country" Milly's on all alert here and homeward bound.  Did you enjoy that Milly?

I think so

Nativities and Raspberries

What a week.  Its flown by but not very productive in the creativity department. Just as I was praising my bernina, it starts playing up.  It just will not feed fabric through.  After lots of cleaning, an oil and a needle change it still will not work.  I think that I may have caused it when I was quilting, probably not letting the walking foot do the walking. Oh well. Luckily I have another machine so I can still sew. I will have to  put the quilt to one side. That quilt is doomed Im beginning to think.

Anyway after a trip out with my daughter on Saturday I noticed there was quite a Christmas buzz  around the shops, which made me think about these little guys I started knitting last Christmas, Ive had them stored in a shoebox waiting to be completed.

 available here Alan Darts Nativity set

 Take a closer look

I like Joseph.

I just need to make two sheep, and a donkey   Sadly the version I bought doesnt have a Camel, but I may attempt to make one up. Im not a great lover of knitted toys, but I do like these and also these little Dickensian Party Mice

Anyway, Ive just been out with Milly and collared my building friend, and hes going to make a stable with leftover oddments of wood.   So this year we should have a complete Nativity Scene.  Pictures to follow nearer Christmas.  Sorry for mentioning the Christmas word in November. 

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And finally can there be a more sweeter taste than fresh  home grown, hand picked, organic Raspberries in the middle of November!!

I dont think so. Scrummy!!

Manic Mondays

Mondays mornings soon come around, Ive a busy one ahead.



Come with me for a quick walk, its not far. Honest.





Around the corner





Past the mere, pretty view, isnt it!





Up the main street. Keep up.



There it is, at the top of the main street



Ooh! The Mustard Seed Cofffee Shop, do you fancy a cuppa?

For such a large village, we do not have anywhere to have a coffee and chat. People are in such a rush these days, no time to socialise.   So one person decided to do something about it (not me) and so The Mustard Seed coffee shop was created



Great the fires on. Quick grab a seat, while you can!

Every Monday our local church rooms turns into a shop, serving tea, "posh coffees" and toasted teacakes.  Its a roaring success, we usually average about 50 customers in under 2 hours.  Granted the majority of the customers are of a certain age.  But we do have some young Mums and also grandchildren calling in.  I know it may sound twee, but this is a lifeline to some people. Even the local ramblers have changed their meeting day so they can come up to the cafe.





They pull tables together and drag chairs around.  They are very loud. 

Everyone enjoys a cappacino, toast, companianship and a good ol' natter, whatever the age.

The Annual Auction

Every year we have an annual auction in our Village Hall.  Everything is donated and the donations go towards the upkeep of the Hall.  It is an event that my friend and I look forward to.

Not only do you get a bargain (always a pleasure) but you have a laugh usually at the expense of one of the helpers. All good fun.

So on Saturday morning we set off at 9.45 for the table top sale.  Sometimes if you give them a good offer they will sell things there and then instead of putting into the auction later in the day.  I told my friend, trying to be very sensible "I am looking for a  typist's chair to put at my sewing table and  old christmas decorations". My house is fit to burst, so nothing more.
My friend on the other hand had sternly been informed by her mother not to buy anything (a hoarder who just cannot say no!)

I came away with these

A Rattan storage basket  with lid £2.00

Plastic measuring cup 50p

Mixing bowl no fancy make but it has a lovely yellow outer (for hubbie, for when he bakes bread) 50p

Massive tablecloth, which I believe is 100% cotton 50p.  This will probably be a backing on future quilts.   Not bad eh!  

   

My friend was very sensible and bought a small bag of needlecrafts, inside was an unused sampler for the coronation of the queen with a little letter dated 1953  Amazing someone kept them that long. 

In the afternoon I sat on my hands and didnt bid.  However my friend bought a old sewing machine £1.00, stool 50p, crafting table 50p shall I go on............. Our other friend took a  sum of money to buy a 2 piece suite, and got it for £2.00 (YES £2.00) I was drooling over a little gold dralon nursing chair which needed recovering, it went for £8.00, I so wanted it but I have no room ITS NOT FAIR!!

What bargains have you got recently?

Christmas has come early

Today I just knew that it was going to be a lovely day, the sun was out. (Yes I talk about the weather alot, but you know, when you have alot of rotten weather, you really appreciate it when the sun shines).  It instantly uplifts me.

So when I opened my curtains this morning, these lovely sweet peas  were sitting smiling at me, good start.



Lovely





Then while walking the dog, I noticed these birds soaking up the rays in a sunny corner of the mere.



But overall this is what has really bought the big fat sunny smile to my face. 

After weeks of drooling over it

followed by.....

Weeks of missing out on Ebay, to finally WIN one, only to find out it was not what was described. 

followed by.... 

Weeks of endless negotiation and phone calls to get a refund. 

to finally.........

Purchase one at full price.   This little beauty dropped in my letterbox today



accompanied by an nice apology and 2 free packets of needles because he was a week late posting. Talk about making a girl suffer!!!

  

Yes I know its only a walking foot but to me its all my Christmass' rolled into one.  Oh the creations I can hopefully acheive with this little foot.  Im so excited I havent even checked to see if it fits my machine yet!!! There will be tears before bedtime if it doesnt.

Happy blogging I may be gone a while....   Louise (kidding)