Where Did Summer Go?

Well, we are back to talking about the weather. We have had it all here in Scotland this week, sunshine (with warmth), rain and wind and rainbows and crisp mornings. I guess its that transitional time where we say goodbye to Summer and hello to Autumn. I can hardly believe it will be September on Monday, it feels like June, July and August just slipped away too fast this year. 

People around the globe do get quite excited about the change to Autumn, but I have to say, I find it all a bit wet and cold and not that great.  

Winter is one of my favourite times of year, with its blue skies, and frost and snow and glittery starry skies, and of course Christmas and my birthday in December. I can welcome Autumn as a stepping stone to Winter I guess, and the kids have a lot of fun in Autumn with leaves and chestnuts and pine cones, and brambles and pumpkins and bonfires, and I wouldn't deny them that.

Genesis 8:22

22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

P.S The Rainbow necklace was from HERE

Yarn Along

have been really rough this week, and I have not had much knitting/crochet or reading time (or blogging time). 

Since Oscar was born in 2009 I have had migraine attacks for the first time in my life. For anyone interested I did try for an epidural during labour and although they tried for 2 hours to get it sited they did not manage. I was unaware of being black and blue all over my back (I was slightly distracted by other 'pains'), but I was aware of my legs twitching when they were hitting nerves and at one point the epidural procedure pain being much worse than the contractions. Click Here For Other's Opinion On This

With the exception of the Rescue Remedy, these are all used to treat migraines and I am feeling a bit like a human test subject, but to be honest, they have gotten so bad I will try almost anything for some relief.

Anyway, on to the Yarn Along

Crochet

All I have managed this week are hats for premature and very premature babies. My church group is working on a service project for my local hospital and I am so glad to be able to contribute in this way. There are many many free resources for premature baby clothes if you want to make these yourself.

Reading

Like I said, there has not been much reading going on, with the exception of my scriptures, so I thought I would share one of my favourite scriptures this week.

Colossians 1:15-17

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Hopefully I will get these migraines under control and be back to normal soon.

Joining in with GINNY and friends for Yarn Along

My Baby Is A School Boy

August 2014

Last Year 2013

What a little sweetheart he is.

Yarn Along - Back To School

Knitting

This is a school hat for Oscar knitted in an inexpensive wool and acrylic blend because lets be honest, it will probably get lost or trampled on at school. The pattern is The Snappy Hat pattern, possibly the easiest cable knit hat pattern ever invented. Oscar's started school today, but I am hoping he won't be needing a woolly hat for a few weeks at least. His school colours are red and grey (see tomorrows post for cutest school pictures ever), hence the colours of wool. I should have enough for a scarf and mittens, as requested by the boy himself.

Reading

Ok, so a lot of this is not exactly compatible with my Christian Faith, however, I believe Ms Moran is right when she says most of us are feminists taking advantage of the basic rights we have, which were hard won by previous generations. Despite the bedroom talk and frequent swear words, I can't help but like a lot of what she has to say. If you want to get the tone of the book, I would recommend this video first.

*** UPDATE ***
Reading further in to this book, I have decided I don't really like it.
I feel that although some of the issues of basic feminist principles are good, the book is written in such a way to simply sell. £££
I would avoid this if you are a practising Christian.(like myself)

Joining in with GINNY and friends for Yarn Along

A Creative Need

I have a definite need to be creative on a daily basis. My fall back on creative slump days has for a long while been a bit of creative cooking, but sometimes even that does not happen, and Duncan and I end up eating only a little more than cheese on toast for dinner.

Oscar still loves crafting but now that he is a bit older there are other things which occupy his mind (dare I say it, Minecraft).

I  buy plenty of craft and cookery books though, because along with Blogs they serve to inspire me.

Knitting is on going, and that really is a comfort fall back. I have 2 knitting projects on pins and 2 crochet projects on pin, and these 4 are not counting the jumble of half finished projects destined to be frogged.

Today I managed pancakes, blueberries and sour cream for breakfast, I would call that a creative triumph so early in the day. I am not sure where spag bol for dinner lies on the creativity scale though because I can probably make that in my sleep.

Loom Bands - It Could Be Worse

As far as fads for the 5 to 15 year old bracket goes, this one is not so bad. Granted they get every where, and with a new puppy in the house they have presented themselves as a choking hazard, but, at least they are fairly pretty and fall under the old fashioned craft bracket.

All of the shops where we live have signs in the windows saying 'Loom Bands On Sale Here' and so it does make it hard to say no to them, and it appears that one can never have to many. However, I can see the appeal, especially since Oscar at age 5 can make them himself without help, and he is most definitely one of these children who like to have active hands. Speaking as a Mama who knits and crochets I can totally understand the comforting feeling of making something with my own hands and so for that reason I am actively encouraging this. I know most parents are thrilled when something physical cuts in to screen time in their homes and so I suspect this has been in part the reason this current trend has swept the country.

Mama's HAVE to wear them too, its the law.

The Little Scottish Castle

I have mentioned before that we are very lucky with our geographical location. Not only do we have plenty of shops, banks, café's, restaurants, a library, a great school, several parks, a nature reserve and a beach all within a 10 minute radius from our cottage, we also have a 15th century castle perched at the end of our street. 

Oscar has been down there a lot lately when we have been walking the dog. Its quite special to have a castle to play in as the norm. I guess we need some perks for living in one of the wettest places in the UK.

The view from the castle in none to shabby either.

Have A Great Weekend.

Yarn Along, Art Journal, And Granny Blanket

Crochet

I am still making a big monochrome blanket for our winter bed. I chose black and white because I 99% have white bedding and the headboard is black velvet. you can't see it from the picture, but the white is sparkly ( 3 for £2 from Poundland). I am going to love this blanket. I have a blue and green one in the lounge and I love that. I want to make this as big as possible, I can see me adding rows to it whilst in bed snuggled beneath it, sipping hot chocolate and watching TV, on the long winter nights.

Reading

This book is great, the sketches alone make it worthwhile, but it is really geared to motivate and push you into actually working. I have been working in my sketchbook every day since it arrived, so I can say it is living up to its promise.

It looks like I may have some illustration projects coming up, so I really needed to give myself a push. Oscar has been joining in with me, and I cant tell you how awesome that feels, to sketch together.

Joining in with GINNY and friends for Yarn Along

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Fun Day

On Saturday we went off to a place called Craigtoun Park. Both Duncan and I went there many times as children, and with a miniature train, boating lake, and tractor ride, we knew Oscar would love it.

Our time together this summer has been seriously limited due to Duncan commuting so far to work every day. The puppy has been getting me up at 6am when Duncan leaves for work because she doesn't want to be alone, so by 9 o'clock at night we are all pretty shattered. 

Saturday was a great day to hang out together and with friends and just enjoy the company.

I hope you had a great weekend too.

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A Wee Shopping Trip

Since the sun was shining Oscar and I decided to take a trip into town. I have to admit that Oscar is not too bad a clothes shopping companion, in fact my only criticism would be his OVER enthusiasm for some things (high pitched squeals, followed by "Mama that's ADORABLE".
 Meh, it could be much worse, I remember his brother.

We had lunch at Burger King (of course).

And Oscar insisted that we buy matching sunglasses (they were only £1 a pair from Primark).

When we got home we were roasting hot, and pretty tired, so we broke out the ice-cream

And while Oscar played (his beloved) Minecraft I perused my purchases.

White Stretch Vest/Dress - Size 18 - Primark £3.50

Filigree Tassel Necklace - Primark - £4

Printed Pencil Skirt - Size 20 - Primark - £8

Crew Neck Cardigan - Size 20 - Primark - Tag says £6 

on checking receipt at home, was only charged £3  

Girl Print Short Sleeve Sweatshirt - Size 18 - Primark £3 Sale Price

Strapless Aztec Jumpsuit - Size 24 - New Look - £9 Sale Price

And That's All Folks

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