What is it?

I have been knitting today - fancied a change from hearts...

Can you think what it might be?

Now this is a family blog so no it isn't anything risque!

Any nearer ?

Now does it look like anything?

Amazing what a few stitches and a bit of trimming can do isn't it? I had intended to make her a fairy or even an angel but the wings defeated me unless anyone of you clever bloggers can come up with an idea?

And here is one I made earlier but he is awaiting his beard which I am not sure how to do - any ideas?

Now it is a very long time since I had any knowledge of small children so I have no idea if they will be suitable for a 5 year old boy and a 6 year old girl - what do you think?

For something a little less frivolous check out my post on Living in the Limousin entitled Souviens Toi

This and That

I am glad you seemed to like my previous post about the pony! Thank you to all those of you who visited and left a comment always much appreciated..

Today it will be a bit of a mixed bag and as it is a miserable foggy November day here today I thought you might like to see some photos I took on a recent visit to RHS gardens at Wisley along with some of the quotes I promised to share with you some time ago..


This is the huge glasshouse at Wisley which houses a fantastic collection of plants all set out in a natural looking environment. Sadly the orchid section which is usually stunning, and the only way I really like to see orchids, was closed that day but the following were some of the plants and views from inside the glass house:

"To live at all is miracle enough"


Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas they are in your own backyard if you but dig for them - Russell H Conwell

"Listen to the silence, it has much to say"

"All his life a man struggles to reach the top of the ladder only to discover that it is against the wrong wall!!

Not sure if this little robin's name was Reginald too!

Having wandered round inside long enough we then made our way to the restaurant across the gardens and these are obviously the outdoor photos:

"Who you are is someone who has the power within to create a heaven on earth for yourself and to radiate a piece of that heaven out to everyone whose life touches yours!

"Joy is a sign that creative emotion is fulfilling its purpose" - Albert Einstein

I will be posting later today on Living in the Limousin so do pop over and see me there too. I am off to yoga now - have a good week.

Horsepower!

Just back from a trip to the supermarket - this chap (or maybe it was a female I didn't look that closely being so surprised to see him) was tied to a post in the little shopping precinct near the supermarket and as I took these pics his/her owner came along with his bag of shopping ready for the homeward journey! That "sack" was a big cushion so presumably the seat isn't that comfortable.

Not sure why the flag was flying today - Guy Fawkes Night do you think?!

Bad hair day? The owner also had hair to match and a big leather hat!!

This was the view from just outside the supermarket door - fields and trees in the autumn sunshine. I know why I love living here!!!

Laugh out Loud

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Alhana's blog Cajon desastre but I urge you to pop over and see the video she has posted called "The Last Knit" - I was entranced and laughed till I cried. It is such a true picture of us crafters who get involved in our crafting to the detriment of everything else sometimes and also of the resourcefulness that many of us ladies posses - do check it out!

I have been having a domestic day today - you are welcome to visit now that my kitchen is properly cleaned, floor washed, paperwork which seems to accumulate and breed everywhere cleared away, hoovering dealt with, bread baked and scones cooling ready for tea!

I leave you with a picture taken this afternoon - which reminded me of a Camus quote "In the depths of winter I discovered an invincible summer" since even though it was pouring with rain the sun was shining and this fabulous rainbow appeared. I post it for those of you who are having a bit of a down time (you know who you are!) and hope it will cheer you up.

Enjoy your evening.

Little Hearts

Here is a little basket containing some knitted hearts I have made.

I wanted something quick and easy to make that I could make enough of to give one each to my City and Guilds Textile friends when we meet up for our Christmas get together and lunch at the end of November.

I started out trying to make little tree decorations - crochet cotton on size 14 needles and decorated with a knitted rose....

.......but my dexterity is not what it was and neither is my eyesight and the thought of making more of these was just too daunting so hearts it was!

What do you think of them? Will my friends like them or wonder what on earth I was thinking of?

Sherborne Castle

Yesterday we took a walk round the gardens and grounds of Sherborne Castle which is just a short drive from where we live. The last time I was here was about 50 years ago when I went with a school party for the day and together with 3 friends managed to get lost and into very hot water over that! Now I can understand why the teachers were so cross with us but then we wondered what all the fuss was about!

This weekend had been advertised as "Autumn colours weekend" and the entry price was reduced so we decided to take advantage of that. Luckily we didn't leave it till today though as it is pouring with rain and very windy here this morning!

Autumn colours as advertised!

Not sure what this tree is it looked as if it had been decorated for Christmas with these "balls" hanging all over it. Some sort of fruit or seed pod but how bizarre eh?!

There are actually 2 castles at Sherborne - the original one was reduced to ruins during the Civil War and the name Sherborne Castle came to be applied to the new building errected by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. For more information on the castles check the link. We Brits do enjoy a bit of history don't we?!

The "old" castle ruins

The "new" castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh - well probably not actually by him but built for him!

Join us on our walk round the lake and in the grounds....

Reflections in the lake

The old castle seen across the lake

Autumn afternoon calm.

The light wasn't that bright although at times the sun was shining - one of those afternoons when you know that winter is on its way but that the last remaining sunny hours must be appreciated all the more for that.

I love gateways - I want to know what is through them don't you?

Distant views from the grounds.

This is the original main road - no traffic jams here! If you look very, very carefully and put your glasses on you can just see my old school where the horizon meets the sky - it is currently covered in tarpaulin as it is an old building and being renovated although its future is not yet decided - it is no longer a school though nor has it been for many years check this link for more info on the building and its history. ( I was there when it was a girls' grammar school and our uniform was not unlike the girls' in the photo on the Sherborne House link!)

By the time we'd had our walk the sun was going down behind the trees and we made our way to the tea room for a revitalising cup of tea and a slice of shortbread.

As we left the car park dusk was falling - darkness comes so early now here in the UK.

PS I realise I haven't posted about our time in France for a while - there just always seems to be something else I want to say. I am wondering about setting up a separate blog for the French Idyll saga - does anyone know if it is possible to transfer the posts from Marigold Jam to another new blog and if so how to do it?

PPS Have set up another blog called Living in the Limousin for all future French Idyll posts. I hope those of you who are interested in our time in France will find me over there.