tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75296065152756814392024-03-13T10:51:25.167-07:00What Helen DidHelen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-45417693551225377562019-02-24T13:40:00.001-08:002019-02-24T13:40:57.551-08:00Checking In: February 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit;">Where did February go?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #242424;">Making: A Cosy Stripe Attic 24 blanket, progress above. It's exceedingly soothing crochet, much needed at the moment!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424;">Cooking: Lots of recipes from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Roasting-Tin-Vegetarian-Dinners-ebook/dp/B07CQDN6NZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551041778&sr=8-1&keywords=green+roasting+tin">this book</a> - it is the best recipe book we've ever owned!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424;">Sipping: Pomegrante and Elderflower cordial - it's rather addictive</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424;">Reading: Currently 'Sally Red Shoes' by Ruth Hogan </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424;">Looking: Really forward to Easter - a week in the Peaks with family</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424;">Listening: To lots of Tchaikovsky - my calming music when stressed at work</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Enjoying: The Spring-like weather. Today we went for a walk in the Peaks and it was glorious, beautiful morning mist rising to blue skies and sun</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Waiting: For a bit of breathing space</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Loving: Spanish! After a trip to Seville I've decided to learn Spanish - I've always wanted to learn another language and have been trying to decide which one for a while</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Buying: Reflexology sessions - can't recommend it enough</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Watching: Baptiste</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Hoping: Warmer weather = Spring</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Wearing: Layers, never knowing what it will actually be like outside</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Noticing: Some white hairs on my head and feeling slightly older</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #242424; font-family: inherit;">Feeling: Content</span>Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-52861330102226054002019-02-01T12:57:00.001-08:002019-02-01T12:57:52.965-08:00January Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so happy to see February! January has been a very long month, it always seems so much longer than other months with 31 days. Work has been insanely busy, so time has flown, but it is nice to be finally in frosty February.<br />
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Nothing of note happened in January - apart from the for the first time in my life I haven't been away one single night. At home for the whole month and it's actually been really restorative. We've had some decorating done in the house, the first since we moved in 3 years ago and it really feels even more like home now. Lots of walks with our silly Sproodle, and I even went back to the University of Nottingham on a work trip. A walk down memory lane and I got really nostalgic!<br />
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As I wrote in <a href="http://whathelendidblog.blogspot.com/2019/01/resolutions.html">this post </a>I'm taking New Year's Resoultions more seriously this year. Each month I'm giving up and taking up something, and I've got some goals around fitness as well.<br />
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For January I gave up alcohol and I took up meditation every day. That sounds incredibly cliche written down! I have missed alcohol after some particularly long days at work I have to confess, but it was definitely doable. Meditation was an incredible addition to my life - I used the <a href="https://www.headspace.com/register?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=917256451&utm_content=51529951612&utm_term=227077126544&headspace&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-c_iBRChARIsAGCOpB30h5p7cwsvyGc8BXuoht9kiBA7GZ_a8HtTnTNkcFaUeMJC1WdvC9gaAui_EALw_wcB">headspace</a> app on my phone and it made a huge difference to my stress levels. Most nights I only did 3 minutes, but I found myself using some of the 'routine' at different points throughout the day. I think I will carry on with the sessions - they are really helping me to be more present.<br />
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For February..... after thinking long and hard about this I have decided that I am going to listen to a German podcast every day. I want to get my German language back and thought it might be a way to try and do that. I am going to give up crisps - they are my real weakness junk food wise!<br />
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Hope you are all keeping warm!<br />
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Happy weekend, Helen xxHelen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-47198147696730016062019-01-27T10:29:00.000-08:002019-01-27T10:29:01.680-08:00What I Read: JanuaryI'm really enjoying reading at the moment, it helps me unwind and forget about everything else. I have the bad habit of skim reading - I get through books very quickly but don't always remember them! I thought if I tried to document them here I might have a better chance.<br />
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<u>'The Ruin', Dervla McTiernan</u></div>
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When Aisling Conroy's boyfriend Jack is found drowned in a river the immediate assumption is suicide. However, his long lost sister, who he hasn't seen since they were rescued from their derelict childhood home after their alcoholic mother died, surfaces and refutes the police verdict. Detective Cormac Reilly, recently transferred to Galway from Dublin investigates the case, revisiting his own past when he rescued two children from deprivation twenty years ago....<br />
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I liked the book, it was a super easy read, but it was a bit formulaic - it wasn't exactly a page turner and if I'd been a bit sharper I'd probably have figured out the ending. Not sure if I'll read other books in this series.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006UIUJ2A/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">The Orphan Master's Son</a> by Adam Johnson was a bit of a random pick, I think I found it on my Book Bubs daily digest one day and thought 'I know nothing about North Korea let's give that a go'. I've just learned it won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 - really not surprised! It follows the life of Pak Jun Do who is cast into life in North Korea as an orphan, despite the fact that his father is alive. As Master of the orphanage Jun Do's father raises him with orphaned boys and he identifies with them, a motif which shapes much of the story. The first part of the book follows Jun Do's life, from harsh military training to kidnapping Japanese nationals and then learning English to become an intelligence officer at sea. In the second part of the book through a series of events he is seen pretending to be one of the top officials in the coutnry, interrogated by the North Korean secret police about the disappearance of his 'wife' Sun Moon. It's a really beautiful tale in my opinion, but I found it hard to determine fact from fiction and I think I need to do some reading into North Korea to learn some more.<br />
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So there was a definite theme to this month's reading. My other book this month was also about North Korea. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07594DBPF/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">Star of the North</a> by D. B. John follows Jenna Williams, an American academic specialising in North Korea, as she tries to uncover what happened to her twin sister who disappeared from a South Korean island without a trace when she was 18. We follow her discovery that her sister, Soo min, was kidnapped by the North Koreans using a submarine, and her journey to the country itself as she joins the CIA to learn of Soo min's fate. Intertwined with Jenna's search is the story of an elderly North Korean lady who uses the contents of an illegal balloon to barter her way into being a market trader, and a high-ranking military official who learns he may have traitorous genes. I really enjoyed the novel, it wasn't written as beautifully as the Orphan Master's Son but it was a page turner. And again it made me want to learn more about North Korea...<br />
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I don't know what I'll be reading next month to be honest - I have a lot of random books downloaded through Bookbub so will gradually make my way through those I think.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-10606090016097275322019-01-20T12:58:00.001-08:002019-01-20T12:58:49.485-08:00January Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday we met up with some of C's friends in Rutland, we went for a lovely walk around the water and I remembered how beautiful Normanton Church is. There was a wedding on and guests were arriving. The bridesmaids were looking pretty cold!</div>
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I've signed up to a half marathon in March which means I need to get training pretty sharpish! Today I ran for an hour and twenty minues which is the longest I've run for - it was cold and I didn't want to go at all even a little bit, but when I got back I felt great (apart from the fact I couldn't feel my legs).</div>
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We have had some decorating done and to my amazement C has agreed to a new blanket! Wool was quickly ordered and onwards and upwards with my version of Lucy from Attic 24's <a href="https://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/cosy-stripe-blanket.html">Cosy Stripe Blanket</a>. It's so nice to have a new project on the go, gives me a distraction from those long ongoing WIPs! </div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-62384483712874181092019-01-12T12:07:00.000-08:002019-01-12T12:07:11.218-08:00Checking In: January 2019<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">I haven't done a checking in post for a long long time, what better to do on a grey mid-month Saturday? We've had some decorating done and the inevitable 'sorting out and putting things back' has commenced. We've lived here for 3 years now and not done anything at the house really - we're finally making it our own at last.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Making: an effort to finish some projects. I've got some cross stitch kits like the one above I want to finish, and 3 crochet blankets that need some attention.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Cooking: Vegan Gluten Free food! I am now a very awkward person to feed, which has been a complete life changer. The dietary change is for health reasons and it has made a real difference to me so I will carry on for now.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Drinking: Lots of Red Bush Tea - my favourite hot drink at the moment.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Listening to: German Podcasts - my language has gotten so rusty I'm determined to try and get back to a halfway decent level so I'm not embarrassed everytime I go back.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Reading: '<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006UIUJ2A/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">The Orphan Master's Son</a>' by Adam Johnson, a book about North Korea, about which I know nothing. It's a great read, rather depressing but fascinating.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Wanting: Another holiday - a super busy week at work and it already feels like Christmas was months ago.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Looking: Foward to the decorating being finished and the house more orderly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Deciding: On colours for a new crochet blanket - C has finally relented and agreed to me making one for our lounge. We are choosing the colours together!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Enjoying: Having some free weekends - a bit of a rareity for us but much needed. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Waiting: For Spring. I do try not to wish my life away but the first months of the year always seem so long.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Wondering: If work will quieten a bit next week.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Loving: My Sproodle Jess - she makes me smile everyday! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Buying: A weekly shop at the same time as writing this. I'm trying to meal plan a bit more - our food bills got ridiculous last year!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Watching: Luther - I'm catching up as I gave up when it got scary at the end of season 1. It's still scary at the end of season 2.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Cringing: I reversed my car into someone else's car on Tuesday. Noone was hurt but the insurance people will make sure it wasn't a cheap mistake and I am SO cross with myself!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Questioning: What is going on in the world. What will happen with Brexit? Our country is so divided it is scary and I don't see how we will ever find our next steps. (Personally I'm very much hoping that we won't leave the EU but I don't see how that can happen).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Smelling: Paint fumes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Worrying: I'm a bit of a worry-pot so all sorts of various things, big and small!<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: inherit;">Admiring: All of the temperature crochet blankets on Instagram and blogs at the moment.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Sorting: Out the house.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Feeling: OK.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-45463317084548055262019-01-07T12:12:00.000-08:002019-01-07T12:12:06.313-08:00Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a lovely start to the year - peaceful. The highlight so far has been a trip to London with my Dad. We wandered around key landmarks and went to see Mary Poppins, a pretty perfect day. More Dad-Daughter time is definitely on the 2019 agenda.<br />
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This year I'm determined to make some resolutions and stick to them. I figure if I write them down then I'm fully accountable right?<br />
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My first resolution is around fitness - every week I want to swim at least once, run at least 10km and do at least 1 session of yoga/pilates. The motivation is health - I find when I exercise both my physical and mental health are far better. I wrote last time my word for 2019 is acceptance - I've decided I have another one: nourish.<br />
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My second resolution is to choose 1 thing to do every day each month and 1 thing to give up for the month. For <b>January </b>I have chosen to do one session of mindfulness every day on the <a href="https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app">Headspace app </a>on my phone and I've chosen to give up alcohol. I'll report back each month. It's quite fun really, thinking and planning about things to do every day for a month. I'm thinking about yoga, playing the piano, reading and crocheting for other options!<br />
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Have you got any New Years' resolutions?<br />
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<i>Pictured: Buckingham Palace, my wonderful Sproodle (Springer Spaniel cross Poodle - ridiculous name for a ridiculous dog) Jess, my parents' beautiful Cocker Spaniel Puppy Bobbie</i><br />
<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-68096190663863120282019-01-03T13:27:00.001-08:002019-01-03T13:27:40.547-08:00New Beginnings<br />
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A New Year, another attempt at blogging. And a new name! I've been thinking about changing from Woollybluebells for a long time and I've decided to give it a go. I'm whathelendid on instagram so I thought I would try it here as well.<br />
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2018 was a real rollercoaster, some real ups and some real downs. I suppose that is life really but they did seem rather extreme last year. Highlights included finally getting a dog - Jess the Sproodle - and an amazing whirlwind road trip around Colorado. 2019 has been welcomed with open arms. My word for this year is 'Acceptance', which I'm working on.<br />
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I hope you and yours had a lovely Christmas time and are gearing and ready to go for 2019!<br />
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And to try and get myself on Bloglovin: <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/19731175/?claim=c4g9x7yzbf6">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-5321636587270209912018-06-01T14:13:00.000-07:002018-06-01T14:13:46.380-07:00Some Bonnie Peak District Camping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In May we went camping a grand total of three times! And each time it was sunny! Now those are two sentences you don't really expect to write when you're talking about England in May. We have been exceptionally blessed and it has been wonderful to actually enjoy our troublesome van. We have decided she's sort of on her last chance - if we don't use her this year we can't really justify having her. After a new (for her) engine and a bit of work in a garage she is on the best form we've had for a while so we have really made the most of it.</div>
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Trip 1 - First Bank Holiday</div>
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For our very first trip in nearly 2 years we headed off to <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/shallowgrange/">Shallow Grange Farm</a> near Buxton, and couldn't recommend it enough. It is a working farm with a pleasant campsite, nice facilities and we had a lovely stay.</div>
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We did a lovely walk from the campsite, which took in some of the nearby countryside and then ended up on the Monsal Trail. We did cheat and get a taxi into Buxton for some beers, but definitely had a good long walk to earn it.<br />
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Trip 2: 19th May</div>
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For our second trip we stayed at a farm closer to Ashbourne, it was fine but more set up for touring vans rather than rag tag campers like us. While we were there C ran the White Peaks Marathon in the sweltering heat, as you do. Here he is near the finish.<br />
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The day after the marathon we did some walking along the High Peak Trail. Soothing for the soul.<br />
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Trip 3 - Second Bank Holiday<br />
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It's great having so many bank holidays in May isn't it?! This time we went back to Shallow Grange. A very chilled out trip with a little walking, but lots of time in the sun, and Bonnie even got accesorised for the first time in a while.<br />
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We're currently planning an escape to Snowdonia for July - if Bonnie van manages to behave herself that is!Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-34414997615511018022018-04-29T08:49:00.002-07:002018-04-29T08:49:49.961-07:00Some Me TimeFor once I've been in the extremely unusual position of having three annual leave days left that I absolutely have to take before the end of the leave year (30th April). The original plan was that we would go somewhere sunny or off in Bonnie - with the atrocious weather I'm actually sort of glad we aren't camping - but somewhere sunny would have been nice...<br />
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With C having to work I've been left to my own devices. Again, rather unusual - and I'm not sure I've made the best use of the precious time off work, that's why I like to go away - I feel like it's been worth using leave for.<br />
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On Thursday I drove myself off to <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick-hall">Hardwick Hall</a>, a National Trust property I've been longing to visit for a long time, and the birthplace and eventual home of the formidable <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bess_of_Hardwick">Bess of Hardwick </a>, one of the most powerful women in Elizabethan England. She was married to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury who was one of Mary Queen of Scots' captors, but very much a power in her own right. As a feminist and history buff it was very much my cup of tea. There are actually two Hardwick Halls - the original one where Bess was born, and later returned to and effectively rebuilt. This one is actually a ruin now - I love ruined buildings and wandering around. After the new Hall was built it gradually fell into disrepair, but is still rather striking 500 years later.<br />
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And just over the way is the new Hall. I didn't take many pictures as was very content just ambling. There are an awful lot of tapestries inside, which I think are now rather a national treasure. They must have been quite spectacular in their time, but obviously are rather faded now.<br />
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A very nice solitary day out. I also went for a run, to try and find some bluebells as it is the season after all. There were some in the wood that backs on to the University where I work, but they aren't quite in full strength yet - I'll have to pop over during the week to see if they've come a bit stronger.<br />
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And finally I've been making coasters, much to C's annoyance. We needed them in my defence! I love a bit of practical crochet...<br />
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I'm hoping it's going to get warmer this week - I'm very ready for Spring. One more day on my own tomorrow and I think I'm going to have to force myself to leave the house the weather looks so awful!Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-7020819124830445592018-04-15T14:10:00.000-07:002018-04-15T14:10:19.167-07:00Home MadeI've had a sudden burst of making things recently - much more than recently and it's definintely food for the soul. Baking, crafting, being creative and using my hands is really helping me at the moment. And I'm even trying to branch out from crochet!!<br />
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When in Wales I bought a felt sewing kit to try my hand at something new - quite pleased with the result, although I think I'd like to try making some things from scratch! I've gifted it to my Mum and it's sitting on my parents' dresser<br />
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I've started knitting! I've found a lady who does beginners' classes and have paid for a course of three lessons - after one lesson I can cast on, cast off and knit and purl. I hate purl. It's slow and slightly tedious, and crochet is definitely quicker, but am determined to persevere.<br />
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Another granny square blanket... I'm using up some stash here so it's not as neat and planned as usual, but I'm quite enjoying it - mindless crochet and no thinking, right up my street.<br />
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Finally baking again! This is a yummy yummy carrot cake recipe - see <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3229/yummy-scrummy-carrot-cake">here</a>. I would heartily recommend it - quite easy and scrumptious.<br />
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<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-73445889796891151562018-04-07T07:31:00.000-07:002018-04-07T07:31:14.030-07:00Seeking SolaceWhen your world is knocked it's a matter of taking things a day at a time. Or that's what reason dictates, whereas in reality your brain races all over the place, forwards, backwards, never staying still. As normality re-establishes itself you question it, look at it from every angle and scrutinise it in a way that you never did before. On the surface things seem ok, but just try not to scratch too deep for now.<br />
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A week by the sea is always food for the soul, no matter the weather. We've had a quiet week in Pembrokeshire, lots of walks, even some running - I've signed up for a half marathon in June so have given myself little choice but to run. I've decided to try and come back to blogging - I'm seeing a counsellor (for various reasons, probably not to be shared here) and she's recommended I try journalling. I've taken her advice, but sometimes a journal is too raw - I prefer the quiet and gentle focus on the nice things in life that I used to find in this online space.<br />
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So here I am again for now - still contemplating a name change though, I've not been particularly fond of woollybluebells for a while. I don't know if the community is still around like it was, I think a lot of people are on Instagram now (I've been lurking over there for a while now - 'whathelendid').<br />
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Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-90200510917901494972017-11-05T08:40:00.000-08:002017-11-05T08:40:00.419-08:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I obviously haven't been so good at the old blogging thing recently. Life has just been, well, chaotic to say the least. Not doing so well at the whole work/life balance act at the moment - and I want to claw back some 'life' time. Looking back at my old posts made me want to try and blog again - so here I am for now anyway.<br />
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Today we have had a lazy Sunday with a walk in the woods - a proper Autumn activity. It was sunny and crisp and it was great to be outdoors. We also picked the last of the squash from the allotment - lots of soup ahead I think!<br />
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We are trying to sort out our house again - we just have so much stuff it's ridiculous. One room at a time for the moment and the puchase of new furniture for storing. I have so much wool I think I need a crochet frenzy to try and get rid of it all. Watch this space...<br />
<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-39857741358707018012017-02-08T09:46:00.000-08:002017-02-08T09:47:51.472-08:00Checking In - February 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Making - Still trying to make progress with WIPs this year, mostly my happy scrappy wedding blanket (above)<br />
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Cooking - Lots of soup, Broccoli and Stilton is the agreed favourite thus far<br />
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Drinking - Red Bush Tea. I gave up caffeine recently and to be honest I really don't miss it now. I don't drink coffee anyway and I'm used to different teas now. I think I'm more awake paradoxically as a result!<br />
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Reading - 'A Game for All the Family' by Sophie Hannah - see <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25182683-a-game-for-all-the-family">here</a>.<br />
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Wanting - A few more blue skies, the real sign Spring is on its way :)<br />
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Deciding - What to make next<br />
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Enjoying - Work, which is great. I really like what I do and enjoy my days in the office, I feel very lucky at the moment<br />
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Loving - Bright yellow daffodils on our table<br />
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Wondering - Whether things will actually grow in our allotment! Potatoes chitting now, and some seeds sown in the greenhouse.<br />
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Considering - What TV series to watch next, C and I are in need of another one. We like Crime and Detective Dramas if anyone has any suggestions...<br />
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Buying - Jeggings. I have finally found some smart enough for work courtesy of Marks and Spencers. Elasticated waistbands and I'm over the moon<br />
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Disliking - The difficulties of the NHS which are not making the news at all in all the Brexit/Trump mania.<br />
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Watching - The Good Wife. Binge-watching if I'm honest. C doesn't like it so it's my guilty pleasure.<br />
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Wearing - Jeggings mentioned above. And lots of crochet scarves as it's cold again.<br />
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Admiring - Senator Warren<br />
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Thinking - About getting a second piercing in my ears. Really putting way too much thought into this, but I can't decide!<br />
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Eating - Doughnuts - really not healthy at all but seem to be craving them!<br />
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Getting - Ready for Spring!<br />
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Feeling - OK.<br />
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<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-58860347803407087832017-02-04T05:14:00.002-08:002017-02-04T05:14:22.411-08:00The Year in Books - January 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post should really be called 'The month I finally finished Wolf Hall'. Because I finally did!!! This has been the longest it has taken me to finish a book in a long time. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading it. I just haven't had much time to read, and it's not the easiest book to just pick up and put down. This book is so famous I'm sure it needs no introduction, following the rise of Thomas Cromwell who became Henry VIII's right hand man during the English reformation. Whilst as a good history student I know the basic history of the Tudors (and always found it fascinating) I learnt so much from this book and really enjoyed reading the back story of the son of a blacksmith who became arguably the most powerful man in England. The dilemma now is do I launch into the sequel 'Bring up the Bodies' whilst it's all fresh in my head or do I have a break and read some other books...<br />
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After the Wolf Hall marathon I did manage to make my way through 'The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy' by Rachel Joyce. I really enjoyed 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' and it was a beautiful companion novel - offering a deeper insight into the woman Harold walks across England to see one last time, Queenie Hennessy. I'd highly recommend both books :)<br />
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For February I'm not sure what I will read, there are a fair few books on my kindle to get through. My book group will be reading 'The Household Spirit' by Tod Wodicka - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00T5H3XOY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">here</a> - so at the very least I hope to read that!<br />
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As always, joining in with Laura at <a href="http://circleofpinetrees.com/year-books-january-2017/#more-7559">Circle of Pine Trees</a>.</div>
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<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-13913373536901714622017-01-22T09:18:00.000-08:002017-01-22T09:18:19.702-08:00Throwback to a Weekend In Copenhagen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back in December C and I headed for a 3 day break in Copenhagen. We normally try and get to a Christmas market and we decided 2016 would be a Danish one. Despite it being rather cold and very grey Copenhagen is a beautiful (if expensive!) city. Here are some of my favourite snaps</div>
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My favourite area was Nyhavn, which is the picture postcard area which seems to be 'the' image of Copenhagen. It featured a lot on The Danish Girl with Eddie Redmayne. The houses are lovely and the little habour is full of older boats - it's also where a lot of boat tours depart from.</div>
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Apparently there have been a lot of fires in Copenhagen over the years - this is the current town hall but it is relatively 'new' having been inaugurated in 1905. The two previous ones burnt down!</div>
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Danish parliament. We did a guided walking tour and our guide told us all about the political system, and also explained about the taxes. Although they're high they seem to have it right in Denmark - social benefits are amazing.</div>
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There is a square on which all of the royal palaces sit (about 4 in total I think). The royal family lives in these - they are so open in comparison to Buckingham Palace. We were lucky enough to see some sort of ceremonial changing of the guards complete with marching band.</div>
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Another highlight was Tivoli Gardens - the world's first theme park and apparently the inspiration for Disneyland. It was suitably bedecked for Christmas.</div>
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On the final day we went back to Nyhavn for a boat-trip.</div>
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All in all a beautiful city, I'd highly recommend a trip! It was a bit pricey but definitely worth it :) We are now planning our next getaway, Morocco, Amsterdam, Montenegro... who knows!</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-70478739939404601792017-01-15T08:28:00.001-08:002017-01-15T08:28:05.251-08:00Checking In - January 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Making</b>: The hexie blanket pictured above - it is so wonky and I don't know why! I've spent ages trying to figure out whether I've gone wrong with a pentagon somewhere... Perhaps blocking will do the trick.<br />
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<b>Cooking: </b>Lot's of fish - I got some <a href="https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/?tag=recipes">Body Coach</a> recipe books for Christmas and I have to say his recipes are really tasty - and filling.<br />
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<b>Drinking: </b>Lot's of Rooibus tea - I've given up caffeine and I feel much better for it - to my utter amazement I haven't had a 'proper' cup of tea this year<br />
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<b>Reading: </b>Wolf Hall. It's taking a long time but I am getting there. Once I get into it I really enjoy it but it doesn't seem to be one I can just pick up and get on with.<br />
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<b>Wanting</b>: Less wet weather. Snow is fine but heavy rain is not.<br />
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<b>Looking: </b>At lots of gardening books for out allotment, trying to suss out the best breeds of plants<br />
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<b>Enjoying: </b>Lots of hard work at the allotment - above shows the progress we have made after one day spent clearing the horrible grass that covers the plot. A long way to go but although I ache all over it's remarkably rewarding.<br />
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<b>Wishing: </b>For a happy year ahead<br />
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<b>Considering</b>: What sort of soup to make for lunches this week. Broccoli and Stilton or Split Pea and Leek?<br />
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<b>Smelling: </b>My beautiful yankee candle<br />
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<b>Buying</b>: Seeds for the allotment!<br />
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<b>Watching: </b>Sherlock of course, and we are quite enjoying Silent Witness and Oh Dear. Big detective show fans in this house.<br />
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<b>Noticing</b>: It doesn't get as dark as early!<br />
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<b>Feeling: </b>Settled. It's nice.<br />
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<b>Hearing</b>: Monkey sounds - there's a wildlife programme on in the background<br />
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<b>Planning: </b>A trip to the states - we are hoping to go for two weeks at the end of April. A big part of the trip will hopefully be to drive through some Canyons - a bit of a life's dream.<br />
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<b>Cringing: </b>Trump's inauguration...<br />
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<b>Knowing: </b>Spring is on its way :)<br />
<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-40409614255171297102017-01-08T12:33:00.001-08:002017-01-11T12:27:49.049-08:00Baby Blanket Number 3I've been busy crocheting for another tiny arrival - this time for one of my closest friends from uni, she was my bridesmaid and I was hers. I obviously wanted to make something really special for her and spent some time looking at different potential blankets. In the end I settled on this one, using the colour recipe by the Patchwork Heart: see <a href="http://www.thepatchworkheart.co.uk/2016/08/rainbow-baby-blanket.html">here</a>. She doesn't know what sex the baby is so another gender neutral blanket - although to be honest I think I'd do something similar even if the parents knew what they were having. <div>
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I'm really pleased with it, and she was delighted when I gifted it to her last week. Baby is due end of the month, so hopefully it will keep the little one nice and warm. I also made some little booties and a tiny hat to go with it - I'm hoping I'll have some time to make a few more gifts to post when baby is here.<br>
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What have you been making recently?</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-66132091926261248952017-01-08T10:42:00.000-08:002017-01-08T10:43:03.610-08:00Hello 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello 2017 - I was very glad to see you. Whilst 2016 was a fantastic year overall the last few months got a bit much. Very excited for a new year, new adventures - the first of which is an allotment! We confirmed the plot today - it's very overgrown currently, but C is very determined and I tend to muck in as needed so I think between us we will manage. I'm very much looking forward to time outside and harvesting our own veggies (hopefully!).<br />
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Christmas was lovely. We had a proper tree for the first time in a few years and it was wonderful to see in our 'new' home (nearly a year in Jan!). We travelled around and saw family and friends which was great. We had a quiet new year, just the two of us, which seemed right for this year. We went for a curry (one of the best things about where we live is the proximity to amazing Indian food) and then came home and played some games. Izzy was not particularly helpful.</div>
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Having spent most of my crafting time on Christmas and baby related makes (pics to follow) I've taken a step back and dug out some old WIPs, including my old hexie blanket from 2015 - see <a href="http://woollybluebells.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/new-year-new-projects.html">here</a>.<br />
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I've also decided to try and walk more this year - we have some lovely countryside on our doorstep. Here is my favourite picture from 2017 so far, taken on a lovely winter's afternoon stroll.<br />
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I hope you are well, and 2017 is all you want it to be</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-48993340314024628362016-12-04T07:18:00.001-08:002016-12-04T07:18:34.709-08:00Autumnal DazeAutumn has literally passed in a daze this year, I blinked and I felt that I missed it. No blogging time, just a lot of busyness and rush. I've actually been having some health issues, which have made me really value health for the first time in my life - I'm looking forward to being back to normal again and will never take health for granted again.<br />
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I've also got (another) new job, in the same office as before but a step up, which is wonderful but tying up the old job has been part of the busyness! Looking forward to settling into my new role, and of course Christmas :)<br />
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I thought I'd share some snap shots from the last months, there have been some lovely times amongst the rush of course. Autumn is one of my favourite times of year so I've just been trying to savour the colours and atmosphere at snatched moments.<br />
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In October C went to China for 2 weeks and during that time I had a few days with my Dad, and then my Mum came up for a few days. I love spending time with my parents so it was amazing to have some quality time with each of them, with a National Trust theme. Dad and I went to <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sudbury-hall-and-the-national-trust-museum-of-childhood">Sudbury Hall</a> and had a lovely time exploring the house and grounds. Then Mum and I met my Aunt at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston-hall">Keddleston Hall</a> for an explore and walk, which was really great.<br />
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And the other week C and I explored <a href="http://www.leicscountryparks.org.uk/beacon-visitor/">Beacon Hill</a>, a local park, on a lovely wintery cold day. A perfect weekend activity<br />
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<br />Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-33297581885831285512016-10-21T23:27:00.002-07:002016-10-23T01:11:40.350-07:00Autumnal Scarf 2016Since learning how to crochet it's become a bit of a tradition to make an Autumnal cowl (you can see 2015 <a href="http://woollybluebells.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/autumnal-cowl-2015.html">here</a> and 2014 <a href="http://woollybluebells.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/yet-another-cowl-spot-of-baking-and.html">here</a>) . This year the tradition has been extended to a scarf, and it's particularly cosy.<div><br></div><div>The yarn I used was Jarol Shetland Mist which is acrylic with a dmall wool percentage - it's nice and warm and soft to touch.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking forward to some crisp cold weather to wear it in!<br>
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<br></div>Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-23734358024481782162016-10-16T02:49:00.002-07:002016-10-16T02:49:43.250-07:00A Taste of Munich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend we went to Munich. Despite learning German since the age of 11 I have never been to Munich. I've travelled through it, but never seen it. I think I missed out!</div>
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It's a really lovely city, with lots to look at. It was badly bombed during WWII and many of the buildings are reconstructions. The statue above is of Juliet, a gift from Verona, with which Munich is twinned. A certain part of her anatomy is considered lucky to touch for wannabe wooers, as you can probably see...<br />
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My favourite part of Munich was the beer halls and cellars. My favourite was the Hofbraeuhaus, which was the royal Bavarian brewery and now belongs to the state of Bavaria. It's one of Munich's oldest beer halls and really rather pretty. I was a bit sceptical of beer kellers and halls before we went - I just thought they would be full of tourists - but actually they were full of tourists and locals, and one of the friendliest environments I've ever been in! While we were there we got chatting to people who lived around the corner, American tourists, the atmosphere was just so friendly and welcoming. You basically just sit down whereever there is space on a bench, and chances are you'll get chatting away to whoever is next to you. </div>
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This quote summed up the atmosphere for me - 'Thirst is worst than homesickness' - grab a beer and join in no matter where you're from!</div>
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Traditional music to accompany us as we drank and chatted</div>
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We drank the Mass (1 litre), needless to say it took a while to get through one of those! (well, some got through them quicker than others ;))</div>
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We also explored the English Garden, which is one of the biggest public parks in Europe. It was so vast and spacious it didn't feel like we were in a city any more. It also felt super Autumal which was really nice.</div>
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On our last day we went to Schloss Nymphenburg, which was the summer residence for Bavarian royalty. It was a lovely sunny day so we didn't go in, instead wandering around the extensive grounds. Again, felt like we had left the city completely!</div>
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Such a wonderful weekend, and it was great to see our friends again :)</div>
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Hope you're enjoying Autumn, whereever you are!</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-46522973573028605922016-10-05T12:39:00.000-07:002016-10-05T12:39:14.110-07:00First Autumnal Weekend - Calke Abbey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend C's mum came to stay and we decided to explore Calke Abbey, a local National Trust property. Whilst there I managed to convince C to get joint membership, finally - I've been trying for years! Calke Abbey isn't actually an Abbey itself, but a stately home built on the site of a former religious house by the Harpur family</div>
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The house had the most beautiful grounds, which we explored before heading to the house. It felt lovely and autumnal as we wandered around the various paths, gardens and buildings</div>
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The house itself was extraordinary - it's been left in the state of slight neglect in which it was passed to the NT, as a monument to the struggles of the large stately houses mid-twentieth century. One of the previous Harpurs was obsessed with natural history, and a large portion of the rooms were filled with glass cases of dead animals. It was a bit eerie to be honest.</div>
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My favourite room was the library, look at all those books!</div>
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After our visit to the house we went back to the gardens and had a wander around the kitchen garden. I loved the scarecrows!</div>
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As always a brilliant day out with the National Trust - looking forward to making the most of the membership!!!</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-74076006097737418142016-09-15T14:04:00.000-07:002016-09-15T14:04:02.479-07:00A Blanket for Laura<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Laura is my friend I went to Venice with. She's one of my best friends and has been a key part of my life for years now, bridesmaid when I got married and one of the few people I know that if I ever needed her she would help me, no matter what. I hope she knows that is entirely reciprocated.<br />
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So for a special birthday I wanted to make her something special. In my books a crochet blanket is pretty special, this is only the third one I've ever actually completed! I chose the colours before I chose the pattern, I just went crazy for bright and bold colours and once I looked at what I'd chosen I thought solid block granny squares would be the best option.<br />
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I love the final result, and she seemed to too, which made me super happy. Giving gifts is one of the best feelings. Although, I have to confess, at one point I realllllly wanted to keep it ;) I may make a similar one for myself ;) Once I've finished some other blankets I've started and abandoned that is....Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-83904382917459589042016-09-11T12:43:00.000-07:002016-09-11T13:59:56.066-07:00Beautiful Venice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend I went to Venice with one of my best friends. We were celebrating a special birthday she had this week and decided a girly weekend away in a beautiful place was an excellent way to start. I love Venice. There's no other way to put it - I just fell hook line and sinker for the place. It's so pretty and just steeped with history.</div>
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On our first day we headed off on the boats to the islands North of the main section of Venice, which is of course made up of lots of little islands itself. We took a 'water bus' and headed off nice and early, taking in the views and lots of nods to Venice's maritime history.</div>
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Murano was stunning. Famous of course for its glass blowing, and we spent a very enjoyable few hours wandering along the water perusing the many many glass shops.</div>
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After Murano we popped over to Torcello, a tiny historical island with a really pretty church at the centre.</div>
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Then there was Burano, one of the prettiest places I've been - brightly coloured houses along the water front and lots of beautiful views.</div>
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We also took a water bus along the Grand Canal, admiring the Rialto bridge, stunning buildings and lots of gondolas. We did not take a gondola ride - £80 for half an hour!!!!</div>
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The next day we went to St Mark's Square, approaching it in a water bus was quite incredible. Again, the history was just amazing, but we didn't go into the main buildings, it was pretty busy and it was so nice outside I didn't want to queue. The bridge of Sighs was beautiful. </div>
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And the rest of the time we just meandered, popping in and out of shops and just enjoying the views.</div>
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On our last day we went to the ghetto. A completely different entrance to the other little islands, and a very sombre feel to the main square, dominated by a memorial to those killed in the Holocaust.</div>
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I feel so lucky to have had such a wonderful weekend in such a beautiful city - and lucky to have such amazing friends and people in my life.</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529606515275681439.post-63465929131493576042016-09-07T14:18:00.000-07:002016-09-07T14:18:08.246-07:00Baby Blanket Number 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
C's brother and his wife welcomed another daughter into the world last month, little niece is now a proud big sister. Unlike my failed attempts to make little niece something I was determined I'd manage a little handmade gift for littlest niece, and I decided on a crochet blanket.</div>
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They knew they were having a girl, but I wanted to try and make something reasonably 'gender neutral', something just bright and happy.</div>
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A big granny square always fits that remit I think :)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lE4tKhYSGTE/V9B_jXKgnrI/AAAAAAAACqY/UHn_-yG1SCAnEg_zqbsiRWGFkOF8wGcrQCLcB/s1600/Melissa%2Bblanket%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lE4tKhYSGTE/V9B_jXKgnrI/AAAAAAAACqY/UHn_-yG1SCAnEg_zqbsiRWGFkOF8wGcrQCLcB/s640/Melissa%2Bblanket%2B3.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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A simple half double crochet border has become my favourite blanket border. I should probably get a bit more adventurous at some point but I really like to keep it simple.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeAEPz0SiwM/V9B_kH7gs9I/AAAAAAAACqc/JSK2HaaCubwawtYwBPa3x9RTam2EPEC3QCLcB/s1600/Melissa%2Bblanket%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeAEPz0SiwM/V9B_kH7gs9I/AAAAAAAACqc/JSK2HaaCubwawtYwBPa3x9RTam2EPEC3QCLcB/s640/Melissa%2Bblanket%2B4.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Ta Dah!</div>
Helen http://www.blogger.com/profile/04372629236715188280noreply@blogger.com7