Checking In: February 2019

Where did February go?!

Making: A Cosy Stripe Attic 24 blanket, progress above. It's exceedingly soothing crochet, much needed at the moment!

Cooking: Lots of recipes from this book - it is the best recipe book we've ever owned!

Sipping: Pomegrante and Elderflower cordial - it's rather addictive

Reading: Currently 'Sally Red Shoes' by Ruth Hogan 

Looking: Really forward to Easter - a week in the Peaks with family

Listening: To lots of Tchaikovsky - my calming music when stressed at work

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

Waiting: For a bit of breathing space

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

Buying: Reflexology sessions - can't recommend it enough

Watching: Baptiste

Hoping: Warmer weather = Spring

Wearing: Layers, never knowing what it will actually be like outside

Noticing: Some white hairs on my head and feeling slightly older

Feeling: Content

Checking In: January 2019

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.

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.

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.

Drinking: Lots of Red Bush Tea - my favourite hot drink at the moment.

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.

Reading: 'The Orphan Master's Son' by Adam Johnson, a book about North Korea, about which I know nothing. It's a great read, rather depressing but fascinating.

Wanting: Another holiday - a super busy week at work and it already feels like Christmas was months ago.

Looking: Foward to the decorating being finished and the house more orderly.

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!

Enjoying: Having some free weekends - a bit of a rareity for us but much needed. 

Waiting: For Spring. I do try not to wish my life away but the first months of the year always seem so long.

Wondering: If work will quieten a bit next week.

Loving: My Sproodle Jess - she makes me smile everyday! 

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!

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.

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!

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).

Smelling: Paint fumes.

Worrying: I'm a bit of a worry-pot so all sorts of various things, big and small!

Admiring: All of the temperature crochet blankets on Instagram and blogs at the moment.

Sorting: Out the house.

Feeling: OK.

Checking In - February 2017

Making - Still trying to make progress with WIPs this year, mostly my happy scrappy wedding blanket (above)

Cooking - Lots of soup, Broccoli and Stilton is the agreed favourite thus far

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!

Reading - 'A Game for All the Family' by Sophie Hannah - see here.

Wanting - A few more blue skies, the real sign Spring is on its way :)

Deciding - What to make next

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

Loving - Bright yellow daffodils on our table

Wondering - Whether things will actually grow in our allotment! Potatoes chitting now, and some seeds sown in the greenhouse.

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...

Buying - Jeggings. I have finally found some smart enough for work courtesy of Marks and Spencers. Elasticated waistbands and I'm over the moon

Disliking - The difficulties of the NHS which are not making the news at all in all the Brexit/Trump mania.

Watching - The Good Wife. Binge-watching if I'm honest. C doesn't like it so it's my guilty pleasure.

Wearing - Jeggings mentioned above. And lots of crochet scarves as it's cold again.

Admiring - Senator Warren

Thinking - About getting a second piercing in my ears. Really putting way too much thought into this, but I can't decide!

Eating - Doughnuts - really not healthy at all but seem to be craving them!

Getting - Ready for Spring!

Feeling - OK.

Checking In - January 2017

Making: 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.

Cooking: Lot's of fish - I got some Body Coach recipe books for Christmas and I have to say his recipes are really tasty - and filling.

Drinking: 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

Reading: 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.

Wanting: Less wet weather. Snow is fine but heavy rain is not.

Looking: At lots of gardening books for out allotment, trying to suss out the best breeds of plants

Enjoying: 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.

Wishing: For a happy year ahead

Considering: What sort of soup to make for lunches this week. Broccoli and Stilton or Split Pea and Leek?

Smelling: My beautiful yankee candle

Buying: Seeds for the allotment!

Watching: Sherlock of course, and we are quite enjoying Silent Witness and Oh Dear. Big detective show fans in this house.

Noticing: It doesn't get as dark as early!

Feeling: Settled. It's nice.

Hearing: Monkey sounds - there's a wildlife programme on in the background

Planning: 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.

Cringing: Trump's inauguration...

Knowing: Spring is on its way :)

Checking In: June '16

Making : A cushion, a baby blanket, another blanket... possibly too many WIPs on the go!

Cooking : Chilli with roasted butternut squash (I make a mean veggie chilli, perfected over the years living with C)

Drinking : Orange squash

Reading: Ian McEwan - First Love, Last Rites (a book club choice)

Wanting: Some sun. It has rained since Sunday.

Looking: Forward to a camper adventure we have planned for July!

Deciding: Which of the football to watch, I pick and choose (as far as allowed by C!)

Enjoying: Our new house. Well it's not so new any more, but loving the fact that we are finally settled and feeling homely

Waiting: For the camper adventure!

Wondering:Whether I can finish any of the crafting WIPs I have on the go

Loving: Lots of family time we've enjoyed recently

Pondering: Whether to try Slimming World or not. I have a few stubborn pounds I want to shift but I feel like I should be able to do it unaided with a bit of effort.

Buying: Coloured chinos and expensive walking boots. Not to be worn together!

Watching: Game of Thrones (when the football isn't on) I'm completely and utterly hooked, we've swept through two seasons way too quickly and are on an enforced break.

Hoping: That when above mentioned camper adventure takes place there is no rain and lots of sun. A girl can dream!


Cringing: Brexit. 

Needing: To try and ignore my sweet tooth.

Wearing: A waterproof. Constantly it feels.

Noticing: The roses in my garden are *nearly* blooming

Sorting: Out the house. An ongoing task I feel

Getting: Itchy feet

Bookmarking: This glasses case pattern - I desperately need one!

Coveting: More coloured chinos.

Giggling: At this dog

Feeling: Pretty OK

Hearing: Football related noises

Worrying: About trying to reduce the amount I worry, a vicious circle!

Slicing: Bran loaf... cake for those in need of cake whilst attempting to diet 

Embracing: Life, I hope

Checking In - January

Making: My granny square blanket using left over wool from the wedding - all other crafting bits and bobs are packed! 

Cooking: Not a lot... I had a wisdom tooth out on Wednesday and am confined to gooey food. I miss eating!

Drinking: Lots of water

Reading: 'Lasting Damage' by Sophie Hannah - a bit slow to get going, but hope it picks up soon.

Wanting: My mouth to stop hurting

Looking: Forward to the big move - either next Friday or the following Monday, all being well.

Deciding: On fridges and sofas and all sorts of exciting things!

Wishing: Our solicitors would start pulling their weight a bit. They are impossible to get hold of and making the whole moving process that little bit more stressful.

Liking: The wintry weather.

Wondering: All sorts of paranoid things about post-op recovery - never google any illness. Ever!

Loving: The fact that having teeth removed seems to be the perfect post-xmas diet ;) 

Considering: How to rearrange all my crafty bits and bobs in the new house

Buying: Nothing, as all disposable income will be required for fridges and sofas etc.!

Watching: Daytime television. I wish it was a bit better!

Needing: Lots of pillows.

Wearing: PJs 

Following: With great sadness the news around the deaths of David Bowie and Alan Rickman.

Thinking: About new 'soft' foods to make. 

Admiring: New boots from Moshulu - they're blue!

Bookmarking: Baby blanket crochet patterns, three babies due May - June to different friends and relatives!

Coveting: All of my wool/books/magazines that are packed already

Disliking: I need to have my vaccinations for our trip to Asia in March and I'm really not looking forward to it.

Feeling: Sore and bruised but excited about the coming weeks.

Hearing: I'm listening to a lot of Paloma Faith at the moment, uplifting music.

Checking In: September

Making: Finally crocheting the border of my scrappy granny square blanket, reveal post now on the horizon

Cooking: I've been doing quite a lot of baking, including cherry cake (C's favourite). This weekend we had friends staying and I made a fish pie from a Mary Berry Cookbook. Yum.

Drinking: Beer brewed by hubby (in the evenings I hasten to add. Not all day)

Reading: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - really enjoying this so far.

Wanting: A job. I have applications lined up, and an interview tomorrow but my main problem is I don't really know what I want to do!

Looking: Forward to a couple of days in Lisbon with C for his birthday.

Deciding: What to pack, hand luggage restrictions apply...

Enjoying: This beautiful weather. We walked to Burghley House yesterday (pic above) and just marvelled at the beautiful park, grounds and buildings.

Waiting: For some birthday presents for C to arrive, I hope they come soon!

Liking: Having some spare time.

Wondering: What happens next.

Loving: I had a few days at home last week (Charlie our cocker spaniel is in the pic above) and had some time with the family, C came for some of it and we cooked for everyone for my parents' wedding anniversary. I love family time.

Pondering: Whether to start a new crochet project. Head (and C) say no. Heart says yes.Buying: Mostly food at the moment. Yum.

Watching: I have finally become addicted to Downton Abbey and am making my way through the early series.

Hoping: That my exam date for my thesis is set soon, I want to know when to start preparing/panicking

Marvelling: At pictures of the lunar eclipse/blood moon yesterday

Needing: A bit more exercise. I have become very lazy of late.

Smelling: Our yankee candle in the sitting room. mmmm. Meadow Blossom I think.

Wearing: Crochet cowls again :)

Noticing: Earlier nights and later mornings

Admiring: A new hair cut, rather drastic by my boring standards!

Sorting: Out. Everything. At my parents' house, home, time to declutter.

Getting: A little bit excited about Christmas. Sorry.

Bookmarking: Lots of crochet shawl patterns on ravelry.

Feeling: Ok. Optimistic. Relaxed. 

Snacking: Cake. Lots of cake. And hummus. Not together though

Helping: C with his accounts. Maths is not my forte!

Hearing: Listening to my favourite German band, The Wise Guys.

Checking In - July

Making: A lovely cowl using this pattern from The Little Room of Rachell (see above picture)
Cooking: My vegetarian chilli. Secret ingredient = bisto, it's vegetarian and adds a meaty taste!
Drinking: Anything but wine after a slight indulgence at last weekend's wedding...
Reading: Nothing at the moment, I need to start something new.
Wanting: A bit of sun, it's so cold!
Looking: Forward to a mini break in Lisbon we have just booked for September :)
Deciding: What to wear to the next Summer wedding in August (I like outfit planning)
Wishing: The cats could learn how to hoover. That would save some time. Or that they were bald and didn't have so much hair ;) 
Enjoying: The last summer of not being in full-time work (hopefully)
Waiting: For 4th September - official thesis deadline!
Loving: How they did my hair for the wedding at the weekend (above) - I have notoriously fine hair and they managed to get it up and in place all day!
Pondering: What to do with myself while C is away at the cricket this weekend, I think it will end up being crochet and cheesy films, rock and roll!
Considering: Some crafty makes for friends' September birthdays.
Buying: Holidays ;)
Watching: Just finished the series of Hinterland on Netflix. Really good Welsh crime series.
Hoping: The sun comes out soon.
Marvelling: At how beautiful my university campus is (above). I'm going to miss it when I finish.
Needing: Some more sleep, I'm shattered!
Smelling: My yankee candle, we've been trying to make a conscious effort to light it more. It's 'summer meadow' I think.
Wearing: Jumpers - boo.
Noticing: How much quicker I can walk up stairs since I started swimming again.
Knowing: It really is the final countdown to a thesis-free life.
Thinking: About having my third cup of tea of the morning.
Sorting: Out a huge pile of washing.
Coveting: Some more wall space to hang more pictures.
Disliking: How cold my feet are - I have poor circulation not helped by the weather.
Opening: Lots of junkmail - how do they get my address?!
Giggling: At Outnumbered - I'm watching it during lunch breaks at the moment.
Feeling: Content.
Snacking: Scones - yummm.
Hearing: My new favourite album - 'Rockland' by Katzenjammer.

Checking In: June

Making : Focussing on a lovely cowl at the moment, see this post :)
Cooking : Not so much at the moment, when I do it seems to be pasta.
Drinking : A lot of tea
Reading: 'Interrogating Ellie' by Julian Gray
Wanting: My final lot of feedback on my thesis so I can move on with my life
Looking: For an excuse not to do the washing. 
Deciding: What to have for dinner, C is away so free choice (maybe not pasta for once ;))
Wishing: I knew what happens next so I can plan fun stuff.
Enjoying: BBQs in the evening.
Waiting: For responses to job applications, no luck so far but hopefully something will fall into place.
Loving: My parents' garden (all photos above courtesy of their lovely plants!)
Considering: A drastic hair cut... 
Watching: Frozen. I'm a self-confessed 28 year old sucker for Disney films.
Needing: A bit more structure.
Smelling: Roses
Wearing: Summer dresses, at last!
Noticing: Just how many summer dresses I actually own
Knowing: It's going to be a hot week!
Thinking: About how to squeeze some sort of a break away into the coming weeks. 
Feeling: Peaceful
Admiring: This cushion from the lovely blog 'She loves to crochet'.
Sorting: A pile of handbags I seem to have accumulated.
Snacking: Yoghurt and honey mmmmm.
Coveting: New yarn. Must. Use. Stash. First.
Wishing: The cat would find somewhere else to sit. It's too hot for black furry cats on your lap.
Hearing: *cough* "LET IT GOOOO" etc. courtesy of Frozen.

Checking In: May

Making: My first ever granny square cushion cover, started on holiday in Wales (see above pic!)

Cooking: Being cooked for largely as I've resumed my temping role at Leicester uni, tonight was a yummy quorn, mushroom and broccoli risotto (did I mention C is veggie before? I love it and eat mostly veggie too) 

Drinking: Tea. Lots of tea, although my new alcoholic tipple of choice is now cider. I've moved on from white wine spritzers ;)

Reading: Just finished 'On Green Dolphin Street' by Sebastian Faulkes, I quite enjoyed it but it wasn't a patch on some of his other work.

Wanting: This thesis break to go on forever. Or a permanent job. Hopefully I'll combine both one day!

Looking: Forward to some 'me time' on Saturday, C is playing cricket and I will have the luxury of a sunny day to myself for the first time this year. 

Enjoying: Reading for pleasure, I have a commute in which to dive into my unread books that have been piling up for far too long.

Waiting: For first thesis comments on Monday, not looking forward to that at all.

Liking: My new wooden duck (see above pic). He was bought at the RHS Spring Show at Malvern with C and my MIL. He is called Ed and C only agreed to bring him home because he thought he was an outdoor duck. For an intelligent chap he's quite clueless sometimes. Ed now lives on our fireplace.

Wondering: Whether it will be sunny for our first planned BBQ of the year next Weds, to be fair we've probably jinxed it by planning it!

Loving: The long sunny evenings.

Pondering: Anything and everything, my brain is all of a whir at the moment.

Buying: Nothing, am still being good!

Watching: Britain's got Talent, someone C played cricket with is in it so we're rooting for them!

Marvelling: At our clematis (above) - it flowers for different lengths of time every year, this year it's been a couple of weeks and counting. It's so pretty, I think it's my favourite garden plant.

Needing: More hours in the day!

Wearing: Work clothes... a shock to the system of a scruffy postgrad student!

Thinking: About my Nana a lot at the moment.
Sorting: Clothes, time to put away the winter wardrobe and install the Spring. 

Getting: Excited about summer.

Coveting: A yarn winder, my stash is distinctly messy.

Opening: Lots of anniversary cards, we've just passed the first year of marriage!

Feeling: Happy.

Snacking: Yummy sultana and cranberry cake made by mum.

Helping: Myself to cake.

Hearing: Olly Murs on Britain's got Talent, not keen on the new song at all. 

Checking In: April

Making : I've returned to some old unfinished cross-stitch WIPs in the hope of transforming them into finished objects before the end of the decade... watch this space :) I've also returned to my granny square gilet, maybe it will be finished by next winter!

Cooking : Nothing, but having yummy enchiladas cooked for me by my wonderful hubby.

Drinking : Options hot chocolate

Reading: The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles. Absolutely amazing and very different to what I was expecting.


Wanting: To find my dream job. I don't know what it is mind, but finding it would be rather nice.


Looking: forward to some free time :)


Deciding: Which words in my monstrously long thesis need to be cut so that I don't send my examiners to sleep.


Enjoying: The beautiful blossoms of Spring.


Wondering: When the first BBQ will be.


Loving: The fact Lent is over and I can reward myself with chocolate again.


Pondering: Where should we live? Do we stay or do we go? How far? This country? 


Buying: Still nothing. Maybe a wowcher holiday when payday comes :)


Watching: The Masters. Not through choice.


Hoping: It gets sunnier again after some torrential downpours today. 


Marvelling: At all the lambs in the fields! They appeared so quickly, almost like magic! (I'm sure the Mama sheep wouldn't agree with me there!)


Needing: A good night's sleep, I'm still struggling in the good quality sleep department.


Wearing: My SPRING clothes, it's nearly time for the big winter-summer wardrobe switch :)


Knowing: Freedom is not so very far away now.


Thinking: About post-war East and West German literary and filmic representations of Wehrmacht soldiers. Again, not really through choice any more.


Sorting: out the study - the house needs quite a spring clean.


Getting: Excited about out trip to Wales in May. 


Coveting: Some time to use up all of the wool that is really irritating hubby at the moment... we may have reached the limit (!)


Opening: A big can of worms by mentioning the wool.


Feeling: At peace. Amazingly.


Hearing: A cat purr. From my lap and blocking easy access to my laptop but she's happy so I'm being accommodating!

Checking In: March

Making : Mostly Bonnie's blanket and some of my hexies


Cooking : Risotto. Hubbie is away and it's my favourite so I've had it the last two nights

Drinking : Wine. Not all day (!) but a nice cold glass of white to accompany my evening Call the  Midwife and crochet sessions (my Friday and Saturday nights are really rock and roll at the moment :))

Reading: Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty - very gripping!

Wanting: To go away. We're thinking about going to Munich in May, and then I've just found out there's a hen do in Madrid in July, so not long before I can explore the world a bit more.

Looking: At a blank screen and trying to come up with a conclusion.

Deciding: Whether to take some more work and delay submitting my thesis (again!) or leave the work and power on to submission.

Wishing: It would get a little bit warmer.

Enjoying: The longer days.

Wondering: What happens next.

Loving: The fact that we have lots of flowers in the house at the moment, always guaranteed to cheer me up :)

Pondering: What to do for my birthday (it's not until May but I want something to look forward to!) trip to Norfolk in Bonnie, or week in Pembrokeshire....

Considering: Starting a new granny square project with the yarn I got in Berlin last year and is now just sitting around...

Buying: Nothing, still being good on that front.

Watching: We've started watching Episodes - it's different to what I thought, but still enjoying it!

Cringing: At all the Jeremy Clarkson fuss - I really don't like the man at all!

Needing: A bit of a break

Smelling: Bran loaf, baking away in the oven, I love the smell of cake!

Wearing: A big baggy uni hoody because it's comfy and I'm being a hermit today.

Noticing: All the croci everywhere, I love that purple colour.

Knowing: All about the East German navy - not sure how it will help me in the future, but it's helping me edit a chapter of the future!

Thinking: About my Mum and Nana on Mother's Day.

Admiring: These coasters, they're stunning!

Sorting: Out the house a bit, we need a bit of reorganising at the moment, we both have far too much stuff!

Getting: Restless and a bit frustrated with just how long I'm actually taking to finish my PhD. 

Bookmarking: This orange and almond cake from Marion at My Two Girls, I've wanted to make it since I saw it, maybe this week! it looks so scrummy and I love all things orange.

Coveting: I really really want a big bar of chocolate - I've given it up for Lent and am craving it at the moment

Giggling: At this dog, I really really want a dog, I'm hoping once the thesis is in and we've settled down we can get one :)

Feeling: A bit of a mix this month, it's been a strange old year so far.

Snacking: Cherry cake... mmmmmmm....

Comforting: Myself. With cherry cake. It works!!

Hearing: Classic FM, my Sunday soundtrack