And…………………………………………………………… hello.
This transmission of knitting/crochet/outdoorsy trivia was briefly interrupted by an icky vomiting bug. I haven’t knitted for several days. This is unprecedented. It’s odd, and it’s most definitely quite wrong. Please don’t try this at home, people.
(And sorry that I haven’t responded to your blogs, either. I’ve missed reading y’all, and will try to catch up over the next few days.)
But I have been thinking about knitting. And following all your sage advice on embellishing the knitted picture of a mandala, I’ve bought some thicker gold thread. I’ve also bought some gold beads, but the Stoic Spouse’s stoicism doesn’t extend to beads, so I fear that this blighter is only going to be displayed in the living room if I forgo the beads. Insert a sad face here, a very very sad face. My next husband is most definitely going to be someone who likes beads – my mind is fully made up on this matter, and shall not be swayed. 🙂 Anyway, here’s the gilded haul:-

I thought I’d share a few moments from the past week with you – just not those moments when I was emptying my ailing guts into a bucket.
Talking of things in a bucket, here is a fish.

I was with many members of my extended family for a happy weekend. Beside a shallow, rocky stream we bought fishing nets and began dipping. The children loved it. We started catching these cuties using the nets, but after a while figured out that it was easier to sneak up on them from behind and catch them in our hands. (And yes, we did put them back very shortly afterwards. Just how barbaric do you think the ‘Yarn clan is?)
And here was some anxious ice cream. No, we didn’t eat any.

And some rural loveliness from a walk in the hills.


Anyway, it was a fun few days away with family, staying in a rented house whose decorative touches included this:-

Back home, I watched terrapins sun themselves in the Thames. Not what you might’ve expected round here:-

And at home, my grape vine has arrived. Whee! OK so this is a converted a brewery, so I should really be growing hops, but I’m more of a wine-drinker. Chateau – er – Brewery will be ready in a few years’ time. Cheers!

Sorry you were sick, but it seems you are feeling better.
I say go for the beads, and see if he dislikes the finished product. I bet not. LOVE that you are already planning the next husband, too funny.
Thank you yes, I’m much better.
And I’m rubbish at planning anything ahead except husbands!
Thank you for the bead advice – maybe I could unpick them if he seriously strops.
You could… or just ignore him, if he is temporary. 🙂
Ha ha, good point!
Glad you’re feeling better! Looks like you had a great weekend. 🙂 I don’t usually share my home decorating plans with the husband…I just do what I want, and then we have a stare down until he gives in.
Now I LIKE your thinking. But…. I’m still slightly wary of how my next post might be titled ‘How World War III Broke Out At The Brewery’…
I’d be looking for a second husband immediately if not sooner – no gold beads??? Away with him I say! On the other hand men often say ‘No!’ without knowing anything at all about the way things look when finished.- they rarely have an inner creative blingy soul. I say bead it up and see if he notices….. Mmmmm, who will get the brewery though in the divorce settlement? [I am quite looking forward to seeing a bottle of Chateau Brewery] You may have to weigh the pros and cons on this one and maybe let the beads wait for another project……. Sorry to hear about the tummy – yech!! 🙂
Yup, surely any divorce court in the land would accept a petition based on Unreasonable a Behaviour Regarding Beads And Sundry Adornments? Anyway, what with this week being a bit crazy, I still haven’t sent scissors or chosen a picture. I am sorry, and I shall get on with both happy tasks pronto.
Patiently waiting to hear from you 🙂
Right, confession time. The real reason for the delay is this: I’ve been trying to crochet a little pouch for the scissors, partly because I wanted to make something lovely for somebody lovely, and partly because the scissors aren’t quite as nice as mine, even though I ordered the same ones from the same place. Grrr. But somehow my crocheting efforts just aren’t quite working. So I’ve ordered a pouch instead, and am awaiting its arrival. Anyway, if you really were serious about your over-generous offer, I’d love a little card of your ‘Joy’ design (the beautiful bird). But only if you’ve got a little one to hand. Anyway your pouch should be here within the next couple of days, and then your scissors will be in the post. 🙂
Oh that is such a cute sign on the ice cream freezer! I also like threadandethel’s idea of putting it up and staring the husband down until he gives in! Excellent idea!
Yes, but I might need you and Threadandethel here to back me up! I’m a wimp, really…
Glad you are on the mend, or have mended, or is it done the mending, in your twisted yarn place?
Yeah, I’m pretty much patched up, thanks. 🙂
😀 A stitch in time saves nine, and all that.
Ha ha, yup!
I agree with Salpal, stick the beads on and see if he notices… I can’t decide whether a partner who takes an interest and therefore is potentially critical is better than one who says yes it’s nice *without actually looking* and wouldn’t notice anything yarn based unless I yarn bombed the TV (over the screen, the edges wouldn’t count).
Sorry to hear about the bug. Hope you’re better now.
Oh definitely the latter. Then at least you can make the place as beautiful and creative as you choose. He will notice the beads, though. Definitely.
Ah so I’m the lucky one! Then you need to resort to my favourite piece of deception – give it to him as a present.
Hmmmm…. You might be on to something there…..
😉 Thinking of you, hope you are feeling better really soon.
Awwwww, thank you. Yes, I’m much better thanks. 🙂
For a sick person, you’ve been pretty busy! And I know this is heresy but maybe, just maybe, the stoic spouse is right about the beads? I am still very worried that such glittery add-ons would take away from the understated handsomeness of the green yarn . . .
Well I’ll definitely do the embroidery first, and then ponder…
That bug sounds horrible, hope you’re feeling better now.
Stunning photos, especially the ferns – lovely fractal patterns! We’re overwhelmed with bracken around here at the moment.
Thank you, yes I’m better. Does Millie love romping through the bracken? I do wish I’d found some curly fronds to photograph.
How did you guess? Romping through bracken is one of Millie’s favourite things!
Well if I was a gorgeously cute dog, that’s probably what I’d love, too.
It hurts me to say I am not able to knit every single day. There has to be enough time to make it with my while. Sorry you have been sick!
Oh I so agree. Not knitting is deeply, deeply wrong.
In my experience, men rarely know if a design has or has not been beaded. Unless you are the sort of person whose beads escape and then he steps on then and gets grumpy…. see my blog for other tips on how to get a disgruntled spouse grumpy by innocently saying, “Could you pick up a wheel of pins while you’re at the supermarket?”