A look back at January, and forward to February

It's been an 'apron day' today - washing (machine and hand), bread making, bed change.  All morning it drizzled and I had almost given up and resorted to drying the clothes indoors when the weather cleared, the wind picked up and I managed to get both loads of washing dried on the line outside.  Result!

It was cold inside and the bread was extremely reluctant to rise so I tried the 'proving' setting on the oven for the first time and as the bread rose perfectly satisfactorily, I think that's a result, too.  It will be a last resort but if all else fails, it's good to know there is a fall-back.

In between kitchen duties, I managed to finish machining all the gridlines on the quilt (that was the target I set myself for the end of the month) so I can tick that off the list, too.  Yes, I want to do some machine quilting on the borders and part of the blocks, together with same hand-quilting, but the quilt is finished apart from the decoration.  Sometimes the goals simply need to be attainable.

So, at the end of January, how are things looking?  

• bedroom curtains lined
• tea-cosy hat knitted
• bowtie quilt stitched-in-the-ditch
• kitchen cupboards cleaned and sorted
• eaten from freezer/store cupboards throughout month
• hall cupboard shelved

Probably a few more bits and pieces along the way, but, all in all, a positive start to the year.  I have learned, very early on, that I can't do it all in one go.  I can't implement lots of new ideas and routines at the same time, I need to try one or two out and get those bedded in before I add anything else.  A little change at a time seems to be the way that works best for me.  I have plenty of ideas in the pipeline, but it's going to be a gradual process.  That's fine.  I'm OK with that.

I also want to record here the books I have read this month:

• The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
• The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
• The Story of Four Islands - Crawford Ivin (partly based on the IW)
• John and George - John Dolan

Not sure if I will remember to keep this list going but I've started with good intentions - sounds familiar!

And what of February?  It can often be the coldest month here, but at the same time it heralds Spring, so there's much to look forward to.  At home we hope to have a radiator installed in the guest room (the final expense indoors), have a proper sort out of clothes, and I need to set myself some sewing projects to complete.  I also need to spend some time getting some order in the sewing room which is currently in a chaotic state, once again.  Reading-wise, I'm trying to include a few of the modern classics in my library visits this year so I'll see what I can find on the shelves there next week.  Continue with the menu planning, which is working so well, and a tighter handle on the grocery shopping - it's almost there, just needs a little tweaking.  

And, obviously, some lists . . .

Hall cupboard make-over

I'm not too sure where the last couple of days have disappeared to, which is always a little worrying when there's a birthday on the horizon ;-)  So let me see if I can scrabble around in the recesses of my brain and remember . . .
Wednesday was all mapped out, we had a definite plan and a list (maybe that was the problem!) but a very early and rather desperate plea had us rearranging our day before we'd even left the house.  We were very pleased that we were in a position to be able to help out but somewhat bemused at how a change of plan knocked us off our quiet little routine.  It gave us something to ponder over that afternoon; I think we need to be a bit more flexible and be able to take an unexpected change of direction in our stride.  

Before . . .

Yesterday found me on much more familiar ground, painting the hall cupboard.  Yes, I know where I am with a paintbrush in my hand!  It always surprises me how a coat of white emulsion can lift a space (and I finished up last bit of 'cheap and cheerful' emulsion to boot).  

. . . and after painting

Today, while I was at the donation centre, N fitted the shelves he made, and we now have a very servicable airing cupboard with so much more storage space than before.  So February's project is to sort out not only the linens, bedding and towels, which are in several different places at the moment, but also go through our wardrobes thoroughly - we both know there are items lurking in drawers and under-bed storage boxes which really need to be sorted out.  

And now with shelves!

It's been pretty chilly here of late, especially with a bitter wind, but to date still no snow although it came very close to it yesterday - the sky turned a very odd colour indeed.  However, what is very noticeable is that it is getting lighter of an evening.  It was 17.15 before we had to close the curtains today. And on a similar note, the rather elderly electric blanket finally gave up last week (I suspect it would have been condemned, truth be told), and we've reverted to the old-fashioned method of getting the bed warm, aka the hot-water bottle.  Ah, a warm and cosy bed again.

We watched a programme on television yesterday which we found quite interesting.  'Eat Well for Less' (can't find a suitable link to it, only iPlayer) looks at ways of saving money on families' food bills.  We were curious to see how well our shopping habits measured up.  It was certainly interesting viewing.  By the end we were feeling quite righteous!  Menu plans, cooking from scratch, buying value range products rather than branded ones, not falling for 'bargains', and knowing what's already in the store cupboard - it all seems like common sense, but it was quite scary how the food bill can rocket out of control.  At one point N and I just looked at each other and said, 'How much?' !  Taking closer order on shopping can really save pounds without compromising on quality of food especially if you cook from scratch.  We will watch again next week.

Bracing walks

We've had very welcome guests (son and DIL) with us for a couple of days and it has been lovely to spend time with them.  A good excuse for a bit of a bake-up - homemade bread, cakes and cookies always appreciated.  We had a short bracing walk along Cowes seafront (brrr!) but mostly we were at home enjoying the company.  And doing jigsaw puzzles ;-)

I'm trying to get out for a walk whenever I can, it's one way of keeping warm in these chilly days of January and February (or at least the house feels warmer when I come back in!) and I managed a brisk 5-miler on Sunday; the 'tea cosy' (of previous post) was certainly a wise knitting move! 
Some of the sights along the way:

I passed several large magnolias which are just waiting to burst into flower; they are going to look a real picture very soon, so I must make sure I tread this same path again in the not too distant future.  A magnolia in full bloom is a beautiful sight.  

The past couple of days we haven't had to draw the curtains until gone 16.45, the light is gradually extending and although it's not by much, there is a feeling that we're over the really dark, short days of winter and lighter days are slowly creeping in.  Little signs are there - this afternoon, walking back from town, we noticed a purple crocus in flower - and the anticipation of Spring, full of promise of renewal, in so many different ways, is always something to gladden the soul.  

We have begun the next project - the hall cupboard - so I need to search out the paint and work dungarees.  Ah, DIY, I have missed you!

Feathers and cosies

We've had some chilly old mornings here recently, -2 degrees a couple of times, very heavy frosts but to date no snow.  I see reports and pictures of snow 'up north' and, well, it would be nice to have something to show for the freezing temperatures here, too, but it doesn't seem to have ventured across the Solent yet.  In the meantime, I had to spend 20 minutes scraping ice from the car windscreen before I could drive to work yesterday morning, but the ice on the fields and trees was incredibly pretty, and the creek at Wootton was frozen as I drove over the bridge.

I went to the second half of the 'feathers' workshop yesterday afternoon and spent a most enjoyable three hours practising machine quilting.  It's such a treat and I was surprised how much more confident I became as the afternoon progressed.  Lots of hints and tips picked up along the way, and so many ideas and inspirations.  Now it's just a question of lots and lots of practising.  The only down side is the amount of thread I seem to be getting through - a great way of using up strange colours and oddments but I'm getting quite a collection of empty cotton reels on the window sill!

I mentioned, a few days ago, that I was knitting a hat to take away with me, but forgot to post a photo.  N refers to it as my 'tea cosy' (goodness, so sweet!) but as it keeps my head and, most importantly, my ears warm and toasty, I guess 'cosy' is a very apt description.  It's made from Shetland wool bought in Orkney, so it is very dear to me.  I used this pattern (aptly named Gin and Tonic hat!), but added a few extra rows as the wool was quite dense when knitted up and didn't slouch quite as I had hoped.   

After some deliberation, I finally decided on a self-bind for the bowtie quilt; I was going to do a separate binding but decided to opt for a bit of a short-cut. 

 I machined around the edge of the quilt, trimmed the top border fabric to about 1", the backing and wadding to 1/4", and turned the border fabric over the edging and hemmed it in place on the back.  The quilt police would probably have something to say about that but the finished result is neat and, amazingly, the opposite sides are the same length!  It's being pressed into service tomorrow - we have visitors for a couple of days - and an extra layer on their bed will not go amiss.  I'll get around to quilting it later in the week.  I feel some feathers may be in order ;-)

A few days in the Forest

Our short break in the New Forest was just lovely.  The weather held until the final day, and we were able to get out and enjoy what the Forest has to offer in winter.  Wrapped up warm against the very crisp temperatures (!) and with directions to hand, we walked through woods, across heathland and along cycleways - we clocked up about 10 miles each day.  Very often we had the paths to ourselves and the only noise was the birdsong.  We filled out lungs with fresh air and took in the countryside.  It was wonderful.  While we were away we also celebrated N's birthday, and more than anything we really just wanted to relax and have a bit of fun.  We were able to do both - visions of having a piggy-back to negotiate one or two particularly deep, muddy areas spring to mind! -  I'm so glad he packed his wellie boots!

A very sharp frost on the second morning of our stay turned the ground white . . 

. . . and froze the water in the ditches.

The winter sun sent long shadows through the trees.

A heavy downpour during our last night flooded the Watersplash in Brockenhurst, the village where we stayed; cars sent up an impressive wave as they negotiated the ford.  Usually the water from the stream is diverted through an underground pipe from one side of the road to the other.  Just behind the white railings in the centre of the photo, is a height post, indicating the depth of water in the ford.  If the water reaches the top, I imagine there may be problems!

Donkeys, like horses, have priority on New Forest roads; these four ambled around the corner and down the middle of the road, seemingly unaware of any hold-ups they may be causing!

We both agreed that our few days away had been one of the best short breaks we have had, and we're already planning a return visit.  It is such a great area for walking, and there is so much to see and do if you get out and about.  And walking is free.

Pantry challenge

Joining in with Rhonda's Pantry Challenge.

The kitchen cupboards were on my 'to do' list so this was a very timely nudge!

We don't have a pantry as such, most of our dry goods are kept in a kitchen cupboard.

So here's the before photo:

And after a thorough sort out:

One or two bits have been used up in this week's meals, three jars emptied and recycled, and a couple of plastic boxes cleared out and no longer needed (and also recycled).  Just the remnants of one very out-of-date item ended up being thrown out.  
We have since stocked up on a few items (bread flour being at the top of the list) so the space on the top shelf is now filled up again.

Thanks for the challenge, Rhonda, it was a really satisfying morning's work!

Bits and pieces before we go

We've been hunting out our walking gear in preparation for the New Forest.  Thumb sticks, waterproofs, thermal long johns - we're taking no chances with the weather forecast.  Flasks, hot chocolate and cakes for sustenance along the way.  The advantage of taking the car is that there is room for the wellies and walking boots, and a couple of extra jumpers.

This morning I finished sorting and cleaning the rest of the kitchen cupboards, and added a loaf tin and a baking tray to the 'surplus to requirements' pile.  It's certainly been helpful, sorting through things like this.  One or two things have been moved around and I found a better use for some mats that had been tucked away at the back of one of the cupboards.  I found a forgotten tin of spinach lurking as well, so we had some in a curry this evening and the rest has been frozen.   

I have finished quilting around the borders and am now wondering about the binding for the edges.  I think I will probably keep the scrap theme going and use up some oddments; I'll have a good rummage when we get back next week.

The model N has been working on is finally in one piece.  As he says, it's kept him entertained for a couple of weeks and he's really enjoyed the process.

I took myself off for a stretch of the legs this afternoon, into town and back along the footpaths, about 4 1/2 miles in total.  Quite a few signs of Spring - cherry blossom beginning to break, magnolia with fat buds, and lots of bulbs on their way.  And it's a little lighter for just a few minutes longer in the late afternoon which is always a good reason to be cheerful. 

Off early tomorrow morning - really looking forward to our time away.