7/365 - my new bookcase and my lovely fish friend

I've been having a quietish day today.  It's the first day of my week off and to be honest I've felt as though I had a spare limb or something.  I did find things to keep me busy though!

My sister recently bought herself some new bookshelves for her lounge.  Her husband managed to get them put together for her yesterday, so I have also got a new bookshelf in my lounge!  I know it's second hand...but I'm pleased with it.  And what I was really pleased about was that it isn't too heavy to carry..especially as I live in a first floor flat!

You can see the lamp on the top, the books, the cross stitching lamp which came to me from my aunt earlier this year..and on top of the shelf is where my little Purl, the goldfish, lives.

My small little creature!  But I think he's a pretty fella!

:) x

6/365 - progress on the charity knit

I suppose really that these pictures ought to wait until Monday, but well, why not today, huh?

Basically, this is the progress I've been making with the colour block charity blanket.  I had been doing so well with emptying the basket of the odds and ends of yarn..as you can see...then I was given more.

So, the end is not in sight yet!

Anyway, this is the project so far..no, I haven't stitched anything together yet, but I did lay it all out to see how it might work.  More blocks to do, and then I'll have to get busy sewing.  

:) x

5/365 ... Knitting...Finished projects

I don't remember if it was last week, or when exactly, but I finally finished the baby blanket which I've been working on (off and on) for heaven only knows how long.

It was a pattern I've wanted to do for ages...called Tumbling Blocks.  And I knitted it up in 4 ply white acrylic yarn..easy to wash which is an essential when dealing with babies (in my opinion anyway)!

Anyway, here it is, spread out on top of my bed.

I folded it up for the second picture, so you might be able to see some more of the pattern detail.

And then, because it's so much fun, :) , I looked through my box of other finished knitting projects, which include scarves, jumpers, mittens, wash cloths... hat...  before...

....putting it all away again!

4/365 ...Diet Changes

I think it was 3 weeks ago, I decided to try and improve my diet in an effort to reduce the amount of pain I experience each day.

I took a deep breath and announced on Twitter that I'd go gluten free (I am coeliac, but could be more of a stickler at keeping to the diet!) .. chocolate free and caffeine free.

Three weeks in.. mostly I'm gluten free.  Some chocolate has been eaten, but not nearly as much.  And as for caffeine, well, I've reduced it a lot.

I found that the day after I had chocolate, I suffered from the worst headache EVER. 

I know now that I really enjoy some herbal teas.

I also know for sure that I HATE gluten free bread, although the crispbreads I prefer to Ryvita even!  :)

And I've learned, to my delight, that making these few (rather small really) changes have helped me to lose half a stone.  

I can't tell you that my pain levels have been any less, but I can say that I'm sleeping more soundly.

It's an ongoing experiment.

:)

I've been noticing other things too..which leads me on to todays' photos.

Our staff room!  Nurses, care assistants, physios, you name it..aren't we meant to be really health conscious?  Promoting healthy eating and all that jazz?

But, what do we have here in our staff room?  A machine with my nemesis within it.  I am able to resist thankfully, but here we have maltesers, mars bars, snickers, doritos...and other calorie loaded goodies.

The other side of the room is where the drinks machine is located.  As you can see, there are bottles of fizzy, cans of caffeine, a few bottles of juice.  But what really concerns me is on the bottom shelf.

All that Red Bull.

And you wouldn't believe how much of it sells.  

Are the health care professionals in this country running purely on chocolate and Red Bull?  

I'm fortunate that I have never been in need of such a caffeine fix that I've drunk any of it.  And I'm not slamming anyone who does.

But it does seem to be so very unhealthy somehow. 

 :) x

3/365 - charity shop treasure!

Today's photos are of the spoils from a successful shopping trip.  I went into town with my Mum today...she's not just my mother, she's my friend.  She's my advisor.  She's my support system.  Maybe that sounds really stupid and soppy, but it's how I feel.  Had she not pulled through her recent illness, I would be completely lost.

Anyway, the both of us love charity shops.  Usually one or the other of us can find a "treasure".  Sometimes we don't.  It's just the luck of the draw..but we ALWAYS look!  

Today, after having checked out the Pound Shop (it is really sad or really savvy that that place was so packed and busy??) and then the fabric and yarn shop...it was time to hit the Phyllis Tuckwell.

And what did I see hanging among the bags?  The minute I stepped through the shop door?

This.

Love at first sight.  Good price.  Good condition.  And then I went to check the inside of the bag, only to find this label...

You've already guessed that the bag has come home with me, haven't you.  I'm really happy with her..   

:)x

2/365 (Handmade Monday)

 This evening, I went along to our Stitch 'n Bitch meeting.  New members are coming out of the woodwork, as word gets out about our group.  And it's wonderful to make new friends and see all the creativity going on.

Knitting bags came along in all shapes and sizes...as seen on the left here...  :)  Dining room cushions were stitched... and patterns were studied intensely!

 On the other side of the table we had a lady learning to knit..and a baby jumper was on the go!  I know, you don't have the evidence of that in this picture, but I promise you, it was happening.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, the pattern was found in the bag!  I thought my ears had played a trick on me when I heard our friend say what she was making..but no, they hadn't.

Yes.. hand knitted kidneys, folks.

Honestly, you can knit ANYTHING!

Me?  Yes..I made some progress on my sock tonight.... but that picture can wait for another day!

:) x

1/365 - Lovely sunset

:)  Yeah, I know.. I can hear all of you saying.. "Huh?  What does that mean?  What has that woman been smoking?"  :)

Let me explain..

It's a challenge I've set myself..an attempt to maybe be more present on this blog..and it is this:  I will try and take a picture a day.

For a year.

So, here we are. 1/365.  Now, if I start slacking off, I have all of you to be accountable to!  **laughing**

Anyway, this was the view from my lounge window this evening..the picture really doesn't do the sky justice at all..it was quite stunning.  And there was also a definite nip in the air tonight as well.

Hope you are all well and have enjoyed your weekend