::inspiring Mondays::

There’s a lot to be said for non-Spring days in what should be Spring. However, I shall not say it because the only thing it would inspire is bad vocabulary and I try keeping this place clean when possible.

So… how can a non-Spring-Monday-when-it-should-be-Spring be inspiring? Because if you forget seasons and the passing of time, eating ice cream under the duvet while watching Game of Thrones is pretty cool. And cosy!

:: a ‘fix your bike’ workshop at the Broken Spoke. It was pure awesomeness!
:: watching Game of Thrones in marathon style with M. over pizza and wine. and ice cream.
:: lazy Sundays when even laundry seems like an ok task.
:: progress on my Little Birds cardi!
:: bought the cutest fabric to sew my first piece of clothing… a tunic!
:: pyjama days! Big yay for pyjama days!

How’s your Monday coming along? Sunny, I hope it’s a very sunny Monday, for you and me!

the story of a war re-enactment

At the end of May, yours truly and Co. went to Blenheim Palace for a picnic and a live history lesson. These Sealed Knot people mean business! 

Although we were there for the war re-enactement, I was most impressed by the village setting they created and how they go about "living" in it. 

Blenheim. Always wow!

There's spinning. I loved it. and I was secretly upset I couldn't have a go. 

Note for improvement: let the Joeys of this world play with the spinning thing! Please, pretty please!

And cooking. Lots of cooking, all day long, as back in the day things took a tad bit more time.

It smelled beautifully and even though I had just had lunch, I could have had a bit more if offered. Which didn't happen. Maybe next time, hey?

See what I mean about cooking? And life happens around it too. Everyone is in on it, even the kids. The outfits were superb, really detailed and lived in.

Of course, not everyone is busy. Someone needs to do the "this is how they rested" bit. Well played!

War re-enactment here I come. The cannons are almost ready.

As are the troops.

And the horses. So beautiful!

Oh no, they're upon us. With spears. But wait, we have riffles!

Oops, these low-tech spears still work. And they mean business.

Oh bummer, the cannons are at it!

Not everyone seemed particularly fussed by the troops. Maybe this is just play... hum...!

We had a commentator. That was cool!

It was a good thing we had that commentator. He was quite a bit more thorough than me and did a fine job of explaining who was who and what was happening. Unlike me above, but you get the gist. It was sunny, I had fun.

::inspiring Mondays::

The middle of June is upon us and much as this Monday, I didn't really see it coming. I'm sure this is what getting old means - a complete unawareness of the passing of time. Could be worst, really! Or maybe I was just too busy this weekend enjoying punting and BBQ-ing to notice.

:: BBQs. I love them!
:: punting!
:: Pimms in a punt. with strawberries dipped in chocolate. brilliant!
:: June. and a glimpse of summer. or how spring came late!
:: lazy Sundays knitting and watching Game of Thrones (just starting...) and other films.
:: cycling cross country from work. so nice!
:: freshly washed bedlinen (I'm pretty sure this is a repeat, but it's sooo good!)

Have a lovely early-to-mid-June Monday evening :)

series I like

Life on Mars. Absolutely brilliant. I love the characters, the plot, the 70s style and the Mancunian accent.

Call the midwide. I’ve watched season 1 and loved it! Sadly, I don’t think season 2 is as good, but I’ll give it a go nonetheless.

Little birds

My current big knitting project is a sweater made from the Little Birds pattern by Ysolda Teague.

I have knitted Ysolda's hat Gretel several times and it's without a doubt my favourite hat pattern. The Little Birds pattern had caught my eye ages ago but my knitting skills needed a bit of consolidating before I could tackle such a difficult-to-me project. The time as now come when I feel confident in knitting this. Slowly, if need be, but steadily and excitedly.  

Reading other users' Ravelry notes for the pattern, Little Birds looked perfect as yet another big learning experience as far as knitting goes. So far it has not disappoint. I'm incredibly grateful for Ravelry and notes from experienced users though, I wouldn't be coping with the instructions otherwise. 

My chosen colours were love at first sight. Let the needles begin!

::inspiring Mondays::

The sun is shining. It’s June and the sun is shining. That is enough to make it a good day, whatever day it is. Sunny Monday, you rock!

The beautiful weekend just gone had some sunbathing time in the park and knitting in the garden. Sunbathing means more freckles, but who cares, really when the sun is finally here? There was Pimms too. And cider. And quality pub time with friends. And even a football match for good measure. Such a nice weekend that I woke up today feeling rested – love that feeling!

:: sun. sun. sun. sun. sun. sun. sun. LOVE!

:: O2 and their international favourites. Absolutely brilliant plan for foreign customers. Ta mucho!

:: post office on a Saturday. Genius idea!

:: my growing Little Birds cardi. More on this later in the week.

:: bare feet on the grass. What a great feeling!

:: watching Life on Mars with LMrJ.

:: ice cream!

How’s your Monday going? Hope the sun is shining where you are :)

June goals

June is here and I can’t quite believe how fast this year is going. Really! I’m fond of June, always have been. Not sure why and all I can think of is Children’s Day and Mum giving me yet another book of my choosing then (all the way to my late twenties, thank you, Mother!). Things have changed a fair bit since then, but June still has a sweet taste to me. 

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May I (let myself) enjoy change. In June, I want to settle in the change.

:: be kind

:: run 10k

:: create a photo workflow system which works for me

:: plan holiday breaks

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.