Friday's Fave Five - 24/2/23

Well it's been 2 weeks without a post so thanks to Susanne for reminding us on Fridays to look back on our week (or two in my case) for the good things.  You can join in over here.

1)  Lots of family time in the last couple of weeks.  We did grandsitting on the weekend before last - Rory and Vinny on the Saturday and Nathan and Ella on the Sunday.  Then on Wednesday of last week my eldest son and his family arrived from Nottingham.

They stayed until last Sunday so there was lots of cousin time and on the Friday we had them all here for lunch.

We even managed to get a picture of all of them together.

They are growing up so quickly.

2)  Quick delivery from local stores - I ordered some new games for the older grandsons to play and got next day delivery.  This gave them something to focus on rather than just running laps around the house when they were all here on the Friday.

3)  A catch up with former work colleagues last week - we usually get together during the holiday breaks and the usual 4 of us made it plus another old colleague who I hadn't seen for ages so it was good to catch up with her.  We met in the afternoon in a pub and ate there too and then I was able to get home before it got too late.

4)  A trip to the library with Grandson Noah.  It was lovely to have some 1:1 time with just him as we don't see him and brother Miles as much as the others. 

5)  Work on Maisie continues.  She now has a dress and I've started her cardigan.

Hopefully I'll get the sleeves worked out - will be knitting on 4 needles which is a first for me.

We've also got decorators here at the moment working on some of the downstairs room so good to see progress on the house too.

Have a good weekend all - I think ours will be quiet after the last two busy ones!

Friday's Fave Five - 10/2/23

Goodness it's Friday again - this week seems to have flown by.  Thankfully Susanne reminds us every week to take a breath and think back on the good things of the week.  Find out more here.

These are mine:

1)  A meal out with Hubby.  We tried out a Chinese restaurant in town which had been recommended.  It was ok but I wouldn't rate it as highly as the people who recommended it.  But it was nice to eat out just the two of us.

2)  An outing with all our local Grandkids and their parents on Sunday.  We met up in Wanstead Park for a walk first and then into Wanstead itself for lunch at a family friendly pizza restaurant.

The Grandkids love getting together and they all enjoyed their desserts!

3)  A day with Vinny yesterday - his nursery was closed.  He is such good company and he's become such a chatterbox.

There were no tears or tantrums and he even went down for a nap with no bother which was a welcome break in the middle of the day.

4)  A Knit and Natter session on Wednesday - it shouldn't have been until next week but that's half term and lots of people are away so we had one this week instead.  There were less of us there than last week but two of the new people came again so that was good.  I managed to make a start on Maisie's dress.

5)  A flying visit from our elder son.   He recently started a new job and although he's still based in Nottingham where he lives it will involve a bit of travel at times.  On Thursday he was due in London to meet some of his new colleagues so he travelled down Wednesday and stayed with us.  We didn't see much of him as he arrived quite late and left fairly early but I'm thankful that we have space to be able to offer a bed for the night when needed.

So that's my week. 

We have a busy weekend lined up - grandsitting on both days.

Have a good weekend all. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 8/2/23

For details on the Hodgepodge and to join in, visit Joyce's blog here.

1. Something you've done recently that might be considered a labour of love? 

Well I'm in the middle of a labour of love - making Maisie the Pig for our only granddaughter.  

2. What's one thing you love about being the age you are now? 

Not having the responsibilities of work and children.  Being able to do what I want when I want within reason.

3. What do you value more: careful planning or the freedom to be spontaneous? Elaborate.

Anxiety and the way it presents means I'm definitely a careful planner.  I would love to be spontaneous and of course now that we're both retired we can be, but I'm always making a plan before we put spontaneity to the test. 

4. A home cooked meal or a fancy restaurant? pink or red? watch the sunrise or watch the sunset? wine and cheese or champagne and chocolate? 

Oh difficult choices.  I do like to go out to eat but a nice meal at home can be just as enjoyable.  Pink unless we're talking alcohol then it would be red wine.  The sunset for me - I'm not an early bird.  I'll have the wine, cheese and then chocolate please.  Not a big fan of champagne.

5. What's your definition of romance? Are you a 'romantic'? 

Romance to me is being in love and showing your partner that you love them with thoughtful gestures and words.  I don't think I'm overly romantic but I do enjoy a good RomCom or romantic book.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Currently watching the final series of Happy Valley which is far from a happy place or romantic lol.

Poor Maisie - 7/2/23

This is where I'm currently at with Maisie,

She's in bits but once the blocked pieces are dry I can begin to start assembling her.

I thought while I was waiting for it to dry I'd get started on her clothes.  But.....despite having lots and lots of knitting needles, I did not have the size needed for her cardigan.  I thought I might get away using double pointed needles but realised there would be too many stitches to fit on them.  

So a trip to Hobbycraft tomorrow for me.

I didn't get out for a walk today but this was the view from the back of our house.  Red sky night at night, shepherd's delight.  Hopefully tomorrow will be another sunny day.