No Change!

Well, thank you for your lovely feedback on my blog: it seems to be fine as it is with its er, 'eclectic' mix of craftiness, home-making, gardening and businessy bits and so why change it? I'm quite relieved really because whenever I attempt to alter it I waste forever only to feel it is messier than before. It's the control freak in me!

And so, another half term over and a whole lot closer to spring. In Cornwall it is almost impossible to believe spring hasn't already sprung as there are daffodils appearing everywhere you look with fields swathed in golden yellow bordering every road it seems. I love this time of year, so full of hope and anticipation as the chill air hovers on the brink of change and each day brings a slightly later dusk, a slightly changed quality of light. The garden calls and Isabella and I spent a couple of days tidying around and re-familiarising ourselves with it all.

Isabella collected the bits and bobs that have blown into the garden over the winter and fashioned a birds nest which she duly nestled into the crook of the wisteria boughs. So sweet.
She really reminds me of myself as a little girl, always making something, always happiest in the garden following either my Dad or Grandad as they worked, absorbing a true love of nature that has lasted. We lit an enormous bonfire to chase away the late afternoon chill and to burn the brambles I cleared from the hedges. So good to feel the soil in my hands once more and to feel that familiar excitement that heralds the new season.

Indoors, a whole other world of making was taking place as Lucy concocted a chocolate gingerbread cake. This delicious cake has a more sophisticated taste than many chocolate based cakes thanks to the addition of crystallized ginger.

It cuts beautifully and is perfect with a cup of tea. Even Isabella loved it despite the fact that it lacked that sugary sweetness little ones usually look for.

The girls are both turning into remarkably good cooks and I really feel this should be encouraged. Of course, this could be entirely selfish as it means I have a constant supply of cakes to hand!

It seems that the mix of topics is what most of you enjoy about my ramblings and so I will end with a little reveal of the Veyla mittens I am knitting. This lovely Ysolda Teague pattern is actually a very quick knit...if one picks it up that is! I have the best of intentions but the reality in the evenings is often so very different.

Still, one mitten is completed other than sewing in the loose ends and the other has the pretty lace work on the cuff finished, so hopefully not too long now. I love the little detailing on the thumbs and first knuckle.

The lace cuff will need blocking to allow the leaf pattern to open out a little and then I have some little buttons to finish them with.

Very lovely, though I am already desperate to start my next project.

So there I end my Monday witter and off to work I go. A fresh new week with the sun outside the sewing room and birds singing their hearts out just outside the stable door. I also have a meet up with Diana later this week...woohoo! We haven't seen each other for ages, so a catch up, some knitting, some cake and a trip to a wool shop are in the offing...Hurrah!

I hope you have some good things planned too x