Jazzy Weekend

It's at this time of year that both Mr P and I celebrate our birthdays along with Valentine's Day.. So quite often we combine a treat. It started with Friday evening and some tickets being given to us to go and listen to Zoe Rahman and her band.

Sorry not a good picture but I was not sure if it was good etiquette to take a picture. Anyway she was brilliant and played with a drummer and a double bass player.  If she's in your area then she's well worth listening to. I was not sure if we would enjoy a whole evening of this sort of music, but we sat there enthralled. Well after a late night we were up early and this time headed out to Cambridge. This is somewhere I've never really been before. But seems as we were going to be near a shop where I have purchased a dress pattern online I persuaded Mr P to do a small detour before heading into the big city. So we headed first to somewhere just near to Comberton, to Backstitch. As we drove into the carpark, I spotted these beautiful creatures. Would have liked to have lingered longer to watch them but it was bitterly cold and the fabric shop was calling.

So what did I get?

I've seen a few of Merchant and Mills patterns online and have thought about doing one. So with the assurance that the pattern suits a beginner I purchased it. Looking forward to making the top. Then it was time to get the bus and visit Cambridge. Golly the park and ride was brilliant. Now as this was a treat for the two of us we went to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum. Realised I did not take a picture of the building - but it was freezing cold and I guess I was eager to get into the warmth.

This is the amazing ceiling in the entrance lobby.

Love the way that pottery gives you a glimpse into the some of the history - here being the tee total movement. But then the next picture saying the opposite!

Who would want this mug - to celebrate your neighbour's hanging perhaps?

There was a special display of some of Turners' works. This one excited me as it a picture of Norham Castle which is near to our home in Northumberland.

I loved the shape of the room with the gallery.

After all this browsing it was time for a spot of lunch.

The scone was enormous and kept me going the rest of the afternoon.

Then we decided to be brave and face the cold again. Golly I have never ever seen so many bicycles in my life - they were everywhere. Literally any rail, lamp post was adorned with cycles. In fact some people didn't even bother attaching their bikes to anything. Don;t think they would do that in Leicester!

Yes you are seeing right a bin, but there is a man playing a guitar in there, like you do!

 We decided that we would come back another day and go on an official trip around the colleges.

There were lots of people trying to sell us punting trips - you had to be very brave or mad to have sat on a boat in such cold conditions.

Thanks for popping by. Next blog I shall be a year older! :(

Dumpling's Dedication

Wow what a wonderful weekend. A large chunk of the family gathered at Bristol for the weekend. The main purpose being to attend Ayla's(now commonly known as Dumpling!) dediction and Mr P's birthday. Thankfully the celebrations far out weighed the horrendous weather. Except my daughter flying in from Belfast had a horrible flight - with over half the passengers being sick, the pilot trying to land twice at Bristol and had to give up. So the plane flew to Cardiff where again over half the passengers decided to get off whilst the rest stayed on board for the pilot to make another attempt to land at Bristol. Thankfully successfully, first time. Time was spent relaxing, chatting and drinking tea whilst the children played and then with the torrential rain - soft play seemed to be the best thing to go to.

The twins were soooo excited to see so many new toys to play with that they did not bother removing any clothing such as shoes etc! How Karis can see through her hat is beyond me.

Dumpling showing off her new skill of standing and also enjoying playing with any toys that the other children are trying to play with!

Initially Spud was not too sure about having his space invaded by all these girlies, taking over his toys. I have to say he was very good and very soon got used to sharing his belongings.

So lovely to see all the grandchildren together and beginning to interact.

The children got a bit fed up of being indoors, waiting for their mad aunty to arrive from N.I. so the decision was made to go outside and play in the rain.

Poppy has to be an amazing dog. She is quite happy to let the children climb all over her etc etc without complaining. Eventually when she has had enough she will just walk off to her bed.

Then to soft play. It is very hard to get a picture of Spud (Rowan) as he is too busy! I couldn't believe how independent he has become.

Golly there are hardly any pictures of Spud. I guess he was just such a busy little boy on the move ALL the time!

Cars are his favourite toys at the moment, followed by his doll in the buggy (you can see it just behind him).

Birthday cake / dedication cake - that was made in the middle of us all being there!

The hat is finally removed! And gradually as Sunday afternoon disappeared so did the children wear down. All the weekends activity of attention, excitement and two soft play outings finally wore them out. Even Spud slowed down to read Dumpling's bible she had presented to her at the dedication!

But I must finish with a picture of Dumpling, after all it was her event.

How To Traumatise Your Grandchild

Requirements:

* Two sets of knitting needles that do not match
* One poorly written knitting pattern (or perhaps it's because I have not used an older pattern for a long time)

 
* Incorrect wool
* One whacky grandma
* Not enough time
* Carpel tunnel
* Very little preparation
* A mindset that says "I've made this item before, albeit 25 years ago, so must be able to do it again"
* Dogged determination to carry on against the odds

Results:

One very scary jumper!

Next step get them to put on the Were-Rabbit jumper.

They are terrified, pleading with their parents please don't make me wear that jumper. "I shall be mentally scarred for life".

Then tell your grandchild that they are also auditioning for the American football team.
I think that should do the trick - one traumatised grandchild, pleading for grandma to be banned from the home if she has a bag of knitting in tow.

Ok so perhaps a little rethink and a slight adjustment of the face is called for if the grandma is to ever be allowed to see her grandchild again.

Still the wrong proportion but certainly a more friendlier looking rabbit.

Well I'm hoping that even if it doesn't really fit my grand daughter that she will have fun in years to come showing her friends a hand knitted jumper that grandma tried to make - a talking point.

As you can see my camera has been returned and I am "one very happy bunny"! Looking forward to the weekend as it is Mr P's birthday and my grand daughters dedication service. Thanks for popping by, take care don't want you to be attacked by these scarey rabbits.