A Bit Of A Puzzle

I love puzzles, and do a daily killer sudoku each morning - a 3 x 3 grid into which I have to fit numbers. But this week I have done a different sudoku challenge- one for packing my suitcase! We are going on holiday to Cyprus. I needed to pack the minimal number of garments for the week. Following the example of my daughters I've used the sudoku method. You choose 9 garments which will combine to make 27 outfits. 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes = 3 x 3 x 3 =27

I looked at what was in my wardrobe, and decided that I did not need 3 pairs of shoes - trainers and sandals would be fine. I also wanted to avoid strappy tops- it may be hot, but if we visit local churches, it is respectful to have covered shoulders. I'm definitely 'coastal grandmother' looking at the stuff in my wardrobe

Blues and whites abound. But I am not taking jeans. They are currently way too snug for hot weather. I don't want shorts. This was what I've ended up with-
4 tops - white linen, white cotton tee, blue cotton tee, striped tee

3 bottoms - blue linen trousers, pale blue/white stripe linen trousers, cotton pattern skirt,

2 shoes - sandals and trainers [the latter for clambering over ruins etc]
This should be 4 x 3 x 2 = 24.

Plenty for a week [not that I'd wear the stripes with the floral skirt] 

But I did add an extra outfit for fancy evenings out, a new black cotton maxi dress with heeled blue shoes, and silver accessories [chosen by Liz and Rosie] and a blue cardi in case it gets breezy [ suggested by Steph] 

Plus of course sunhat, pjs, and swimsuit [and underwear] 

The only item specially purchased for this trip was the dress- and that was paid for with my M&S reward vouchers. 

Have you ever used the Sudoku packing method?
Do you buy new clothes for your holiday?

Hit For Six

I had a couple of squares 'in hand', then knitted two more, so decided to send one of each to Kirsten. She sent me two [by mistake!] 

Top row block #73 – Two Edges
What a boring name! Basically, the finished square has two adjoining edges which include two contrasting stripes , and two edges which don’t.  The square is knitting in a ‘L’ shape – starting with 61 sts all in knit stitch, On every other row, 2 stitches are decreased [one each side of centre , using sl1, k2tog, psso] This creates a diagonal line. The centre stitch on row 1 is the corner between the stripe edges. The final single stitch when all is decreased is the opposite corner. It is the same as K’s “Allsorts” 6 weeks ago. I had a random heathery yarn for the main part, and picked a lilac grey shade and pastel pink for my contrast stripes. On reflection, I think I should have used a much stronger contrast colour for the single row stripe!

Middle Row block #78 – Lattice
Grey/blue yarn left over from a jumper knitting for grandson George when he was much younger! The pattern was easy, simple knit and purl, stocking stitch and garter stitch. Both squares are the same. I like the way that the finished piece looks like a woven lattice. And no slipping, no cables, and no random dye yarns!!   Proving you can create texture with the easiest of patterns.

Bottom Row  Block #54 – Pink Flash
This was a nice, straightforward 4 row repeat, which K knitted originally in purple with turquoise flashes, and then in turquoise with green flashes. She says "The colours remind me of the 1960s, when all kinds of clashing colours suddenly looked fabulous together. Those of us lucky enough to have the new, brightly coloured felt tip pens would infuriate our teachers by underlining dates and titles in our school books three times, in pink and purple, orange and green, etc. I’ve still got my old log tables book from maths lessons, covered in psychedelic paper and stickers. They are no use to me now; it’s just a piece of pure nostalgia." It soon became very clear to her which square she would send me; she was close to binding off when she spotted a mistake about 16 rows back. There were three options; rip out the rows and re-knit? Drop the stitch down to the error and then hook it back up – but – colour work? Or decide it would pass the galloping horse test* and send the other one? It’s hot. Kirsten says she chose option 3! [In fact it was SO hot, she sent both in error]

It has proved too hot for serious knitting this month – but these squares are good for a little bit of relaxing knitting in the evenings. I am surprised how quickly we are both managing to produce our squares, I need to go through my pattern book and note which squares we did when, or we may get repeats. There are dozens more left in the book. I'm avoiding ones with buttons and beads – and still undecided about the lace patterns, and those requiring four 3” square to be stitched together!

*Galloping horse test: would you spot the mistake from a galloping horse? If yes, then Something Has To Be Done About It. If not, then carry on and forget it.
There was a wonderful 'flat gift' in her parcel, which I will reveal tomorrow...thanks K [and I'm  keeping the purple square]

CBBBQ

Not a new kid's TV channel, this means Cornerstones Before BBQ! Bob thought it was about time we did another BBQ for all the neighbours, as so many have moved into the Close in the last couple of years. He produced an invite and I went round delivering them. 

We got the garden ready. The 'grass' is brown and crispy, like everyone else's. We borrowed the Shed Gazebo which will give plenty of shelter from bright sunshine or rain, whichever we have to deal with, and there's the summerhouse too...

Neighbours offered to bring food and drink - and Brian sent some of his humungous tomatoes - some were 7cm across! These have been sliced to go on top of burgers, along with slices of cheese. I made a salad, and some rainbow veg kebabs.

We seem to have plenty of garden chairs these days*. Some years back, we went to a Band Concert at Blickling and beforehand purchased some fancy blue folding chairs. They were not cheap, but Bob wanted ones which were comfortable for 3 hours of sitting, and would take his weight. We have been very pleased with them, and used them a lot [especially at the beach with the family as well as in the garden] On Monday we were at the 'recycle shop' at our local tip, and found this similar tan pair, for £5 only each

Like the blue ones, they have carrybags with useful shoulder straps, and can holders on the right hand side. One is slightly faded, but the do not look like they have been used very much. They have strong well designed frames. And their recommended max weight is 200kg! We are not expecting any 30stone visitors!

* 14 plus lounger, plus 3-seater bench, and if we get more than that, Gloria will pass some of her chairs over the fence. 

And then it was time for the event...

The 4 nearest neighbours arrived on the dot of 6:30, then the heavens opened and for 10 minutes we had rain and thunder. We sheltered in the summerhouse. Then it all stopped, I dried off all the chairs.  10 more people arrived and we had a lovely evening together... Guests brought some great salads and a selection of drinks. Hard work, but worth doing.

So different from last Wednesday's Eclipse Party

Sew Spectacular

A huge thank you to my dear friend Jan in Washington State for sending me a link to this beautiful video. It is 16 minutes long, but you can watch it happily on double speed [and then go back and pick up on the finer details] Marion is a stitcher, up in the north East of England, and does all sorts of crafts, you can follow her on Instagram at Marion's World

Jan sent me the link to M's 'reveal' of a coat she has been working on for three years. She made the coat, dyed the fabric for lining it, then stitched it with the most incredible embroidery of the plants and creatures she loves. I have so enjoyed looking at this video, and continue to be inspired by all the stitchers I have encountered recently, online and in person. Marion's YouTube channel is here with lots more beautiful clips, and she is on Instagram here
We cannot all be Mia Hannson or Marion  but we can do small things, and appreciate the skills of others. Make a cuppa, and settle down to enjoy this one...

Thank you again to Jan - and to Marion too...

Are there any stitches who inspire you?

Drawing Conclusions

Some bloggers are really good at art - Fat Dormouse  often adds a sketch to her posts, as does Kirsten. Sometimes it is a carefully constructed piece, other times a quick 5 minute sketch. But I am just no good at this. I have tried, believe me. In my personal sewing journal, I log all the projects I get involved in [in August I have altered 4 garments for friends and neighbours] but my sketches of these trousers and tops and dresses look nothing like the clothing I have been working on. And as for the garden logbook where I list my produce... Well I only managed six tomatoes this year, and I didn't think the 6 red scribbled circles are that spectacular.
I suspect FD & K would both encourage me by saying it is a practice thing, develop the habit of a 5 minute sketch every day and one will soon be creating great artwork [in my case, probably less Poulencs, more Pollocks!] 
I decided not to give up too soon. So over the weekend,  I marked the "eggs-to-be-used-up-first" with a red sharpie. It's a start...

Any suggestions for improving my drawing will be welcome!

Merci Beaucoup!

A parcel has arrived at Cornerstones - unexpected and unidentified. Correct address on the box, but no return address. How intriguing... And inside...

Carefully wrapped in some useful sheets of woollen felt, and a length of red and white cotton, with a cheerful goose and flowers print, there is a charming little jug.
It is stoneware, about 15cm high, and was made in France. And it is decorated with three illustrations from the Bayeux Tapestry. I love it! I checked out the illustrations carefully

The top is from the early part of the story, Scene 8, where Harold is brought to Beaurain  by Guy, Count of Ponthieu [Guy = Wido in Latin]
The centre section is the French fleet arriving at Pevensey Bay, Scene 38. The lower portion is the end of the battle, the English defeated Scene 56

Harold is "on 'is 'orse, with 'is 'awk on 'is 'and" as Marriott Edgar wrote.

The jug keeps to the range of half a dozen colours - red, gold, green, blue, brown. black

This is so utterly gorgeous, and I am truly grateful to the kind friend who has sent me this surprise gift. You know how much I shall treasure it! [and also enjoy using the fabric which kept it wrapped safely in transit]
 Thank you so much  Je suis vraiment reconnaissant

Parliamentary Matters

Did you know that the collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament?  And furthermore, did you know that every year, 4th August is celebrated as International Owl Awareness Day?  I knew the first, but only learned the second fact this week 

And I discovered it yesterday in Holt. This lovely Georgian Market Town, boasts an "Owl Trail". You can walk round the town and find 24 plaques at interesting sites. The name comes from the ancient legend that some local men found an owl. They put it in the town Pound for safe keeping, whereupon it promptly flew away! 

There aren't too many owls in the town centre nowadays, but you may spot them in nearby Holt Country Park. We went up to Holt to meet my dear blogfriend Kezzie and her husband. We had a lovely lunch together in the Owl Tea Rooms. 

It was such fun to chat together in person. The husbands got on well too. I'm always anxious before I meet up with a blogfriend that our "other halves" might be bored. I am so grateful that this hasn't ever happened. 

Kezzie has been a good friend for a long time -  when I was running 'Grandma's Nursery for Rosie in lockdown, she sent me some great ideas for music lessons. When cousin Gill died, she came over to Romford and took me out for a much needed coffee break. And I love being involved in helping construct her Whovian Cosplay outfits.Thank you K&C for a super time together, and a great lunch. It was kind of you both to take time out from your family holiday to connect. 
The cheerful waiter took a photo for us 

Then we all put on our hats, ready to leave, and decided we needed a 'hat-pic' too!

I Spy With My Little Eye...

 ...Something Beginning With S

Wednesday morning was Superb 

It was The Swanton Shed Summer Mardle

The guys had really outdone themselves with their contribution to
the Sumptuous Spread - and so much seemed to beginning with S

For Starters, we had Smoked Salmon canapes

Sausages cooked on the Stove

Slices of cake, Sparkling Water

Sweet little plum tomatoes

Selection of sweets, Scones, freshly baked, Sausage rolls, Salads

The sunshine was beautiful, we were grateful for the shade of the big red gazebo.

The sky was so blue...

This marks the end of another year of 'shedding' in which we sadly lost one of our members, after a long illness - but gained some new friends in the group.

Lots of positive projects accomplished to benefit individuals and our community.

Now there's a break for a few weeks - and back in the autumn for more planing and polishing, sanding and sticking.
I am really proud of these guys, for all that they do together, building strong friendships as well as benches and notice boards.

Stars And Stripes [ And Squares]

In this hot weather, Kirsten went for a pattern that was simple, not too brain-stretching. Life is never simple though…

Her idea was to see what happens as a two colour-changing yarns interact with each other. Kirsten chose Sirdar Crofter dk, designed to knit into a faux fair-isle pattern, and a self striping yarn with gradual colour changes. In 2010, I knitted a v-neck top in this same yarn. I think K's is more 50 shades of grey, whereas mine was darker bluey purples. [synchronicity again, both going for random dye yarns this month]

Her second yarn, a self-striping yarn where the colour changes gradually. It was a simple stocking stitch/two row pattern, The downside of a small six inch square is that the colours don't change and blend fast enough, and the stripes do not show up as clearly as she had hoped. Plus she discovered she had miscounted the stitches on one square. Then mislaid the other, ended up knitting a third, and finally found them all. Poor Kirsten, we have all been there!

She said in her email that she has sent me the one which reminded her most of my beloved Breton tops and enclosed a shot of 3 squares! 

But look, she sent me two of them. How kind. The 'flat gift' in my package is a pack of post-it notes. The covers are impregnated with daisy and chamomile seeds. The pages inside made of sustainable grass paper.  Kirsten has certainly 'earned her stripes' this month. 

I award her *****

Time And Tide

My latest square is the one on the bottom of the front cover, that attracted me to the book in the first place. [this is Block # 82 Dash ] It turns out to be another slip stitch pattern, with 4 rows stocking stitch and two rows [both ‘knit’] with a pattern of 2 slipped stitches which gives this neat broken ridge effect. There are 13 ridge rows- 5 using two contrast colours and 8 in the main colour. It reminded me of waves breaking on the seashore! 

  

We have been up at the coast a lot in recent weeks, visiting my friend in the care home. From her window you can see the way the water appears to be different colours. 

I used white and navy blue as the two contrasts [as per the book] but my main colour was Hayfield Bonus dk yarn in a random dye shade called ’Breeze’. I liked the variations in blue – very sea-like!  

Because of the  randomness of the yarn, they have come out slightly different in appearance. And as they are unblocked, they have wavy edges. I couldn’t decide which one to send Kirsten, so I closed my eyes, and chose one at random  It seemed appropriate!

Sermon Prep

Next week, I am out preaching. They have given me a passage to work from, so I have been reading it through as I prepare. Here is the second verse of the third letter of John. It seemed a very good greeting to share with you all this morning.  
God bless you, wherever you are, in whatever you are doing, today!

 

Slipping Into A Pattern

Kirsten and I are constantly amazed at the synchronicity between us when we are crafting. She too decided that she wanted to do a slip stitch pattern for her latest square. One of these days we are going to both settle on the same pattern, and exchange identical squares! Her choice involved a 2 row stripe [mine was 4] and slipping alternate pairs of stitches. This resulted in a much denser pattern, and a beautifully thick square. She did one with A= cream B=blue, and then reversed that for the second square. Here is the back view

Ignoring the start/finish rows, these look very similar.  But when you turn them over...
It is amazing how different they look

I think this would make a beautiful pattern for a winter jumper for my beloved, as it would trap pockets of air and be remarkably warm. It is also a very easy stitch pattern to remember so relatively fast to knit up. One of these days I will knit Bob a new winter jumper. In 47 years of marriage, I have only knitted him one jumper  and that was eleven years ago! 

This is #24, Ridged Blocks, from our book of squares. Mine is the cream one on the left. K's package came with a postcard showing a picture of Baobob Trees in Madagascar [looking very hot] and a lovely pen pouch for my handbag, made from recycled leather.

HAPPY 4TH JULY 
TO ALL MY FRIENDS
IN THE USA
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Is There Life After Housework?

I read this book back in the 80s. Three things I recall

1. Use a squeegee after every shower, it will keep the glass and walls sparkling [at the time I did not have a shower - but in the years since, I have stuck rigidly to this habit - it works
2. When mopping the floor, keep clean water and wrung out dirty water in two different buckets. I use a pad type mop, and have a clean dry pad for drying and finishing off, rather than wringing out the dirty pad. 
3. I did not like his "life's too short" model - with frequent use of single use disposables, both for cleaning and decor. [Especially "don't put all the Christmas stuff back in store, ditch and and buy new next December"] What about saving the planet, Don?
   However, about the same time I read the book, I often walked the girls home from school along with another mum and daughter. One Friday she said "I feel so guilty, I haven't washed down the skirting boards this week"  I cheerfully responded "Don't worry, I haven't done mine for well over a fortnight, and the world hasn't ended!"  [truth be told, I couldn't actually remember when I'd last done it, it may have been after the flying chocolate mousse incident the previous autumn...I was a busy and stressed Mum back then] 

The more I think back to those sunny days, making models, visiting NT properties, climbing over the cannons at the Maritime Museum, enjoying Holiday Clubs and Pancake Parties, the more I realise Mr Aslett was wrong. The question ought to be "Have you enjoyed life before the housework?" 
Obviously there are some chores which happen as part of the daily routine. Habits like pulling out the wheelie bin on Wednesday. loading the dishwasher after the meal, dropping dirty clothes straight in the bin as you take them off, squeegeeing the shower before you get out and dry yourself, putting the milk jug back in the fridge promptly - especially in hot weather...

But the sun's shining and you want to go for a walk, take the grandchildren somewhere fun, or attend a free organ concert in the Church - so forget washing down the skirting or re-organising the sock drawer! 

Another Mum I knew back then said that she had never seen her mother do housework. Cooking and clearing up meals yes - but cleaning, washing, ironing - Mum did all those other tasks once the three children had gone to bed. I couldn't get my head round that - didn't vacuuming keep them awake? If she ran the washing machine at night, when and how did she get the laundry dry? 

According to a survey two years before the pandemic, the average British woman spends 2 hours a day on household chores, and men a little less than that [i.e. a total of 14 hours a week] . I couldn't find out if the 2 hours included meal prep&clearing. If it does, then that seems about right for us. In retirement it is easier to share out the jobs [and he is a better cook than I] Many working women, like my daughters are well organised, busy juggling family, work and home. I know it is tiring for them [so grateful that my two always make family needs their #1 priority] Perhaps I should keep a time sheet for two weeks and see what gets done and when. But not this week - I'm off to London on Friday morning! 

How have your housekeeping habits changed over the years?

Do you have any help? [humans or gadgets]

Three Churches In Three Days

On Friday, Bob and I went to Dereham Parish Church for an organ recital. This is part of their fundraising campaign to be able to install much needed toilets and decent kitchen facilities on site.At 12.15 we enjoyed an excellent sandwich lunch [good choice of fillings, also quiches, sausage rolls, pork pies and cherry tomatoes, followed by selection of cakes, choice of hot or cold drinks] 

Then a gentleman started trying to erect a portable screen near to where we were sitting. Bob used to have one like that, and as it's easier to put up with a helper, he went off to assist. Here he is in his best navy blazer, kneeling on the carpet! Then he helped sort out the video camera too...his assistance was much appreciated.

I do not have any photographs of the recital itself, they were not allowed! The visiting organist was D'Arcy Trinkwon. That is not an anagram, D'Arcy's forebears were from the continent and his surname is French. He is remarkably gifted and played various pieces, including some by a Canadian Composer for the foot pedals only [we were able to watch his hands on the keyboard and feet on the pedals via the video camera and big screen] Here's a clip of him playing in Selby Abbey. He's quite the showman!

Saturday from 9.30-4.30 I was in Dereham Baptist Church, for a Safeguarding Training Day. It is very important to us in our chapel that we have the correct procedures and protocols in place, for the protection of any vulnerable person [child or adult] who may come to our premises - five from our chapel attended. People from all over Norfolk were there. I met up with old friends- and it was especially lovely when a woman called Christine came up and introduced herself. She met me at a Women's Day at DBC in 2015, and has been following Tracing Rainbows ever since. I hope we can meet up again sometime, for a proper chat over coffee.

Sunday I was back in my own little Chapel at Foulsham. I was Duty Deacon, so we got there really early. Duties include checking who is on the rotas for tea and coffee, welcoming, prayers etc.

 As it was communion, I had to fill the little glasses [they go in a tray like the one in the picture] I knew we had a number of absentees. So I filled 24 glasses. At the start of the service we had 22 adults [plus adults and children out in the hall at Sunday Club]. But one couple arrived late. Our practice is that a deacon takes the tray, serves the pastor, takes it round the congregation, and then returns it to the communion table. As I took it back to Nick, we realised there was just the one glass left, for me! We sung some good songs, and Nick preached a great sermon about Jairus' Daughter, and the sick woman, from Mark 5.

Three church buildings, one very big, one fairly big, and one small - but good friends and a lovely atmosphere in each one. Bob tells me that nowadays a person is considered to be a 'regular churchgoer' if they attend a service once in 3 weeks. I'm definitely a regular.

Have you come across D'Arcy Trinkwon?
He's a very flamboyant character, and a master of his music.

Here's A Hurdy Gurdy!

 A couple of weeks back, Kezzie posted about visiting Kentwell Hall, stepping back into Tudor times, with customs, costumes, and music. She particularly mentioned seeing [and hearing] a hurdy-gurdy played for the first time 'in real life' And she got to try it herself. Do read her lovely post, with all the illustrations if Tudor re-enacters, and Kezzie herself getting happily involved.
In the same week, Bob and I went to a talk at the Dereham Heritage Trust. 

The guests were Chanter's Jigge, Malcolm and Elizabeth, husband and wife,  who also play many many Tudor instruments. They gave us an Elizabethan Musical Experience, with their latest programme,
including a hurdy gurdy.
Clearly Tudor Music is the sound of the summer!

*If Henry VIII really did write Greensleeves, did all the royalties go to royalty?

*Is it true that if Tudor musicians got into debt, they had to pawn their doublets and sit around in their singlets?

Have you ever played a crumhorn, a shawm, or a hurdy-gurdy?

[* apologies for very, very old jokes]