Sad Chickens and Happy Ally Pally!

My poor girlies are looking rather sorry for themselves. They have been moulting like mad. Just look at their wind shelter, in their run.....

And this is their bed ........

The garden looks to me like there has been a massacre.

Milly doesn't look soooo bad but poor Molly looks bald in spots!

BUT I am a HAPPY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow Mrs A and myself are off to Alexandra Palace/ Ally Pally to The Knitting and Stitching Show!

Oooh I am sooooooooooo excited. We have never been before and I have still got some birthday money left from February and money from the taxman! Whoop, whoop. Off to get my pack lunch ready and try to get some sleep - feel like a small child on the night before Christmas!

Rowan and Twins Meet.

This last weekend rushed by in a whirlwind. It started Friday pm with Rowan, Poppy and mommy and daddy arriving from Bristol. We enjoyed a peaceful evening catching up, drinking wine and eating nibbles. Even Rowan behaved and was quiet. He has started smiling now.

 Saturday morning was the grand preparation of dinner for 9 adults. Both sets of grandparents coming to view all the babies. Lunch time the twins etc etc arrived - well it was hard to see them because they almost seemed hidden amongst all their gear! How can such small things need so much stuff?

Not sure which twin this one was but she looked so cute, fast asleep. Then there came that magic time when all three were asleep at the same time! BLISS! Golly Silence is golden by the Tremoloes became very meaningful this weekend!

Well silence for a short while until Sophia in the middle decided it was time to attack Rowan and assert her twin authority!

Then she looks all innocent - "it wasn't me!"

Now someone at work said when I announced that I was going to become a grandma said I would need a big lap - hence I was desperate to have this next picture - sorry excuse my wild hair but there hadn't been much time to sort me out!

Sunday arrived along with a beautiful sunshine. The new parents tried to go out for a walk in the park, but it took soo long for them to get out. As just as one baby is fed then another one needs sorting out! But they did manage it. I think they wanted to have the fun of blocking the path with three babies - oh bless!

The reason for this picture is that Rowan decided he needed a bit of a top up! So even the short walk had to be halted for one baby!

I do so love seeing these precious little clothes hanging on the washing line. Sorry the colours not good, but those tiny tights with their small bows sooooo delightful.

Then there was a moment when all three were being "burped" at the same time! Note the chocolates on the table - none left by the end of the day! :(

Rowan in his "Burrita" position!

Last cuddle before they went home.

Me Being Daft or Disastrous!

Yes I know it's not hard to imagine this but I feel as if that has been a theme for me this week!

I'm going to blame the time of year - being so dark when I wake up and getting dark early. Not enough day light hours to keep me sane. Even the chickens are rebelling by shedding their feathers and refusing to lay any eggs! Well here goes my daft list.

1)  Several times this week I have found myself in the bathroom unable to remember whether or not I have used my deodrant. Deciding for good luck I'd better do it again.

2) Hunting for my mug of tea only to discover that I've already drank it!

3) Sending my boss a copy of my appraisal only to discover her sending me an email back because I forgot to attach it!

4) Waking up early and having a crazy conversation with Mr P which went like this: "I'm sorry I'm sensitive to you having a disturbed night". Mr P then replies "I'm sorry I'm sensitive to you being sensitive about me having a disturbed night!"

5) Trying to discuss with my clients a new nicotine product without getting the giggles. The new product being - oral strips!

6)Deciding to harvest some of my carrots. I knew they were a small type but not this small!

The spoon is a teaspoon!

7) Leaving choir practice last night with Bach buzzing around in my ears and then suddenly finding myself being propelled into the air, my bag flying and me left prostrate across a car park - bottom in the air and today's washing on display! Feeling rather humiliated in front of others I got up quickly and pretended I was fine! But oh I was rather shaken up and my palms rather grazed. I have no idea how my clothes didn't get ripped. Today I feel as if I've done a very intense gym session with so many of my muscles aching.

Have since made contact with the church and they tell me that this concrete divider was a wall that belongs to the council - so tomorrow I have to make contact with them. No not to sue them but suggest they do something before someone else trips and doesn't bounce as well as me!

8) Trying to bake a ringed cake as a special treat for Saturdays tea when all the family are her - but disaster it sticks in the tin - I did grease it extra well, not sure why this happened - aaaaagh!

 Don't think I'll be entering The Great British Bake Off!


9) Finally just as I am writing this blog my home phone has just rung. I went to answer it only to discover a very very very distant relative on the other end, whom I have not seen or spoken to since 1978! She rang to ask me if certain members of my family die she wants to know so that she can come to the funeral! How bizarre is that?!

Golly I better go to bed before anything else happens. Good night all.

Weekend At Home

The rest of the weekend had a hard act to follow after Friday nights fun. Struggled with a decision whether to go to Skipton to the Yarndale Event , desperately wanted to go but I have been out soo many weekends that my body was screaming to stay in Leicester and relax more. Next year if they hold it again I will go for sure. Saturday was filled with some jobs to do at home - but by no means completed and then the afternoon crafting. In the morning I opted to use some blackberries and apples growing in the garden to make some jam. Of course I needed to do this for my cookery book challenge! (More of that another day).

I do like them with their pretty gingham hats. Felt very domesticated making jam - haven't done this for years.

Mr P adores fruit cakes so I had to replenish his supplies! Also helps the cookery book cause.

Went for a swim and then came home to the delights of my new glasses! Yes you are reading right.

How can one get excited about this plain pair of glasses but believe you me I am! You see I have been struggling to do any embroidery or cross stitch because of my aging eyes! But with these glasses I can see my stitching and pattern - hallelujah! They are glasses just made for my crafting - very close up work - thank you Spec Savers, you're marvellous.

This set I bought last year at the NEC but have been unable to do much but now......

I've been able to get going. I'm so easily pleased.

In the evening church was holding a barn dance to raise money for charity.

There was a ceilidh band and caller who volunteered their services for free - so kind of them.

 About 90 people came to the event and we were also served a hot dinner and pud. Absolutely amazing how they got so much food out so quickly and still hot and yummy. Well done team.

Sunday got up early for a quick mooch at Fabric Guild where I purchased some reduced material for various projects and of course had to have my free cup of drinking chocolate. Followed by church and then home to do some more crafting. Some weeks ago I purchased some Paddington Bear fabric to make a quilt/play mat for the babies. So with the thought of all three babies coming next weekend I decided to get a move on and make it. Ta dah!

Hope the babies approve and the back I used some fabric that I got this morning for £2 a yard - what a bargain. Think this quilt cost me around £5.50 to make as the Paddington Bear fabric had an error and was being sold very cheaply.

Finally I meant to show you a picture that my cheeky friend added a few choice words to!

People - Down Town

Before I begin - apologies for poor photographs but either my camera or I just do not know how to use it properly, is rubbish at taking night pictures.


Golly last night was like being young again - except I didn't feel very youthful. After what has been a rather mammoth week, out many nights, worked long hours wasn't quite sure how I was going to keep going. So only one way to guarantee, more or less, staying awake is to fill myself with espresso and tea, no wine! We headed into Leicester, parked in my favourite car park - John Lewis carpark. Golly only £2.50 to park all night after 5.00pm! We arrived early in order to have a quick nose around John Lewis and then we headed for the food area. Our mooch around took up more time than re had anticipated so opted for a quick meal at Wagamama. In case you don't know Wagamama is Japanese inspired cuisine. We've never been there before and I have to say there was a great choice of food. As the dishes came out you could see things have been well thought up and were creative, not mass produced. Mr P had yaki soba and I had chicken and shrimp pad thai. The flavours were delicious and fresh. Lots of wonderful fresh herbs. I could taste some mint on my plate and I have never ever thought of using mint with noodles but I will do now. We had green tea to drink which is free! Any way we shall certainly go there again and perhaps opt to spend a little bit longer next time trying out other exciting looking options.

With very happy tummies we headed off to the Curve Theatre to see Alan Bennetts's play   - "People".
This outing came about as last year we were sent a gift voucher for the theatre as a thank you to Mr P for marrying a couple in Marrakesh. We were not disappointed. The National Theatre are on tour with this play. Click here for the link to their website.

15 minutes before the play began and the theatre was 99% full before it started.


 It was a great funny, provocative play about some elderly ladies needing to decide what to do with their decaying mansion. Bit of a dig at the National Trust and Church of England but not soo bad that we will not be visiting any more properties. Few naughty bits too - which of course made the audience laugh.

The main character was played by Frances De La Tour - she was made famous for her role as Miss Jones in Rising Damp. She was brilliant and there were some lovely moments of her breaking into a song and dance routine with her elderly step sister! They were so funny but we were left with the song "Down town", by Petula Clark buzzing around our heads. Click here for a utube clip.

As we left the auditorium we could then see the props.

The chamber pots have a significant part in the play but I will not spoil it for you by telling you!

Picture came out all blurred but the lights were just huge and dramatic.

Love this fluorescent entrance/exit.

Well we had a lovely evening DOWN TOWN

Twin Babies and Twin Break

Sunday Mr P and I headed yet again up the M1 to see our adorable twin girls.

Karis is on the left having a small whinge and Sophie on the right acting all angelic.

I find it very hard to tell which baby I am looking at but thanks to the parents clothes regime - I know that this is Sophie.

And of course this is Karis. They have put on a small amount of weight and next week they are hoping that the midwife will be able to sign them off from their care over to the health visitor.

It was sooo lovely that we were able to sit outside and enjoy the autumnal sunshine. What I love about Leeds is all the hills - Leicester being as flat as a pancake. It was soo funny when Mr P came for his interview he was given directions. They were to turn right after going up the second hill. When he found himself in the city centre he had to reassess what Leicestershire hills actually are!

Tried to take a picture of a plane just taking off from Leeds/Bradford airport. This is the view across the back of No 2's back garden. The houses to the left are in Rawdon and Horsforth is to the right.

I adore their tiny fingers.

Made so perfectly.

Final farewell picture before we left to visit some friends in another part of Leeds.

TWIN BREAK.

Well we have some dear friends who are very adventurous, they love the outside and most of their weekends they can be found climbing/trekking over many hills. But unfortunately a week ago things didn't go quite to plan. Mrs friend slipped on some loose stones on a mountain in the lake district. She tried to stand up and realised that she couldn't bear to put any weight onto it. So she tried to have a longer rest , but still unable to get up and walk. Her hubby tried to drag her down the hill on their survival bag but that was just too slow. So reluctantly they had to call mountain rescue.  Fortunately the rescue team were out with the helicopter doing some practising and within minutes it was sent to rescue our friend.

I think if the RAF had not been in the area she would have been taken down the mountain on a stretcher. There was only space for her in the helicopter but the good mountain rescue team walked back down the hill with her hubby and then they were both able to go off together in the ambulance.  Sadly she has broken her leg in two places and has her leg in a pot. There is still some debate as to whether it will heal like this or whether it will require surgery. But I just want to say thank you to the RAF and the local mountain rescue team for all that they do and looking after my friends so well.

Get well Mrs friend.

Woolley Ventures

Leicester is blessed with several places to buy wool but panic was felt amongst some at the craft group I run. Rumours had been heard that the wonderful wool shop based on the top floor in the indoor market was going. So Mrs A headed into town and questioned the shop owners only to find out that they are being forced to move out because Leicester City Council has decided to rebuild the market. Also when it is opened again it will only be for food. But good news they have headed out to Birstall and opened a new shop - phew! So decided at the weekend it was time for me to venture out to find the shop.

I wanted to get some more wool to finish off other projects and I was delighted to find the exact same brand of wool that I had used and bought whilst on holiday earlier this year.

Although the shop was located in the town centre - I think more may use this shop as it is easy to get to and you can park immediately outside.

Apologies for not good pictures but I used my mobile phone and the sun was shining so brightly that I couldn't tell for sure what picture I was taking!

I just love these tiny teddies - noticed some of them even have a belly button!

























So having sorted out wool for my projects I then realise I do not have the correct size crochet hooks so off to my local wool shop.

Knit One sells gorgeous wool and is very different from the other shop but both very much needed.

But then I saw these yarnbombings outside - so cute, causing many to stop and enjoy them.

Talking of woolley things - I have been trying to use the wool I had left from making the three baby blankies. So I made four cushions, crocheting both sides.

So you'd think I'd have used all the yarn up but no just look what is still left!

So I have decided to use it up by making some granny squares.

Finally - I get soooo tired of saying to myself that I must not let my ironing pile get sooo big!

25 T shirts for Mr P

3 T shirts for me, 7 placemats and 7 napkins.

6 jumpers, 2 shirts, and 1 pair of trousers for Mr P.

And finally for me 2 pairs of trousers, 12 blouses, 1 dress and 2 cardigans! Took me all night to do, with a break to watch The Great British Bake off! And yet again I find myself saying mustn't let this happen again! mmmmm