#WBOYC in August

 

So here we are again at end of another month - linking up with Deb in Australia as she hosts another What's Been On Your Calendar? blogpost.  

A

August family celebrations this month - Jon & Sophie's wedding anniversary and Rachel and Leo's birthdays took place this month.

U

Using my 'Older Person's Bus Pass' for the first time!  The only bus service I use is the Park and Ride when we go to Cambridge and I was happy to take my pass on its inaugural journey.  Car parking in the city centre is £13.50 for up to four hours so to park for free and then get the free 10 minute bus ride to the city centre contributed generously to our lunch.  Tried a new (to us) gelato shop, Jack's Gelato, and it has overtaken Aromi to first place in our favourites list!  

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Getting together with friends for lunch.  I love the fact that a few more of my friends have now retired so are available for leisurely lunches.  I've also joined a 'Knit and Natter' group which has been a new thing for me.  I was a bit apprehensive as I didn't know everyone there but they are a very friendly group and they made me feel very welcome.

U

Unearthing a Mary Quant style dress from the dressing up box and wearing it to a 60s and 70s night organised by my Zumba teacher. I made it for a black and white party about 25 years ago and I was pleasantly surprised to find it still fitted.

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Strawberry and raspberry picking with Max and Olive

 Needless to say that a fair few fruits were sampled on our way round and we definitely ended up picking more than we really needed but it was a fun way to spend a morning.

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Theatre trip with Leo and Rosie. In the interval I was asked by one of the production team if we would mind being involved in the show.  My idea of a nightmare - but Leo and Rosie were so excited I couldn't say no.  Fortunately it only involved some dialogue with the Fairy Godmother and opening a golden envelope - I was dreading having to get up on stage so when I found out I would stay sitting in my seat in the audience I was very happy!

So that was my month, and here's the condensed day by day account of it - 1 Second Every Day.

Photo Scavenger Hunt - 2nd Check in

 Now let's see if I can manage to post this on the right date this time!  Better check in with our host, Ruth, to make sure I haven't got confused ... again.

No 6 - Something with wings

Seen on the door to The Eagle pub in Cambridge

No 8 - Something colourful in your garden/neigbourhood

The plants in our garden pots have thrived with the mix of sunshine and rain this summer.

No 10 - Something that casts a shadow

Back to Mallorca for this one, I loved the shadows made by the beautiful trees that lined the main promenade in Port de Soller.

Just a few more to find - thanks again to Ruth who has organised the hunt this year!

Me on Monday

 So here we are again!

It was a busy week mostly involving childcare but ending with a fun evening on Friday. Our Zumba class had a 60s and 70s party. In the bottom of a box of dressing up clothes I keep here for the children I found a dress that I made about 25 years ago for a black and white party that our friends hosted.  It had a kind of Mary Quant feel to it but would it still fit and would I be brave enough to wear it? Yes and yes 

As you can see, I matched the singer who was one of the hostesses! It was such a fun evening, and of course as we are a Zumba group we were dancing all night long 😊 

Then there was a family birthday to celebrate (how can I possibly have a 38 year old ‘child’?) So one of our childcare activities involved making a cake and decorating it 

Our son headed off to France on Sunday - so no Wednesday childcare for his family this week, a whole day 'off'!  It's funny how even when your children are grown there is a part of you that still wants to 'mother' them and whilst I really wanted to say things about remembering to take driving licences and ensure insurance etc has been extended to include Europe (they are driving down there) I managed to restrain myself.  He's 34 now and what may seem to me to be gentle reminders may appear to him to be interfering! I also have to remind myself that he inter-railed around Europe when he was still in his teens without any help or advice from me and also lived in Tanzania for a summer when still in uni.  Hard to turn off the 'mum' gene though!

After a full on week last week it feels nice to have some free days this week - it's Leo's 8th birthday on Thursday and they have a family trip to the zoo planned so that's another day 'off' too!  I'm ending the week with lunch out with old school friends so it feels a lot less stressful to when I typed my post this time last week!

Me on Monday

 These weeks are flying by!  I guess that's a sign of being busy.  We had an unexpected day off from childcare on Thursday when Leo and Rosie had a last minute invitation to go to a friend's house, for a while I was at a loss as to how to fill the free time - but that didn't last long.  Last week there was also Granny Square day (something only a crocheter would celebrate) but I happily spent my extra 'me' time getting on with the cardigan I am making Rachel.

This will be the back of the cardigan and I've now also made enough for one of the sleeves so I guess I am officially half way through.  I still think I'm going to have to order some more black yarn though.

Last week we tried a new craft with Leo and Rosie, and then with Max and Olive the following day,  Cyanotype printing.  I bought a pack of the special sun sensitive paper and we laid objects on each sheet, left it in the sunshine for a couple of minutes, then plunged it into a bowl of cold water and a print of the image appeared on the paper.  To be honest, I think I was as impressed as the children were!

So what does this week hold?  Well I think I have a day to myself today which will be nice, a trip to Saffron Walden for coffee and a walk then a bit more crocheting may be going on!  I have another 'knit and natter' lunchtime on Friday, it will be nice to show them something different on my hook other than the blanket I seem to have been working on for ages.  

Zumba is back from a three week break this week and we have our summer party on Friday evening.  The theme is 60s and 70s and I have a choice of two outfits.  Years ago I made a black and white Mary Quant style dress for a fancy dress party.  I found it in with the children's dressing up clothes, gave it a wash and amazingly it still fits.  So I may wear that for fun, but I also have a long flowery maxi dress that I could wear as a nod to the 70s.  I'll see how I feel on the day and will report back next week.

What does your week have in store for you?  

Me on Monday

 I'm a little late typing up my Monday post today.  I think I'm losing track of which day it is!  I had an early morning coffee date with a friend at our usual farm shop.  We try and meet up about once every six weeks and this place is about 20 mins drive between both of us.  Except just before I left this morning I checked on Google Maps to make sure there were no traffic hold ups and saw it was diverting traffic way out into the countryside as there was a road closure.  What a good job I checked in good time, there is nothing worse than suddenly seeing a sign that says 'Road ahead closed, follow diversion signs' because you know that your journey time is about to be doubled!

So we completely put the world to rights and caught up on each other's news over a cappuccino and an almond croissant when I suddenly had an 'oh no, I haven't done a blog post' thought cross my mind.

I have a new project.  I saw Rachel wearing a lovely crochet cardigan last week and when I commented on it, she said she would like one in a different colour.  I could do that!  So I ordered the wool as soon as I got home and anxiously stalked the postman  for my special delivery.  It arrived on Saturday and by the evening I had this on my blocking board.

The cardigan is 20 of these squares joined together and I'm so excited to see how it turns out.  I've never made something without a pattern before!  I've already realised that I'm probably going to need an extra ball of black yarn but that is easily rectified.

Did you enjoy the Olympics?  I did feel at the end of the two weeks I was somewhat 'Olympic-ed out' as it was on tv all the time but the events I enjoyed were so good to watch.  It's so inspiring to see those athletes perform at such high levels.

I need to give some thought as to what I will do with the grandchildren this week.  Last week involved strawberry picking and theatre trips.  We're considering letting Leo and Rosie earn some extra pocket money tomorrow washing our cars.  Hopefully running riot with the hose pipe will keep them cool and occupied in the hot weather!

Have a good week x

Me on Monday

 We survived our week of chaos!  All human guests and one canine returned home safely and our only extra visitor is having breakfast in his cage in the utility room.

Daisy was, as predicted, in full family protection mode whenever the painters walked past a window but thankfully after about 10 minutes of non stop barking, she wore herself out and peace was restored.  Coco was greatly relieved to say goodbye to her on Thursday evening! 

Jon and family were here all week while the plumber completely re-plumbed all their copper pipes, with all their floor boards lifted, water cylinders removed and new boiler installed.  They went home Friday evening with Max crying that he was going to break all the new pipes when he got home so he could come back.  Isn't it funny how dramatic a five year old can be? 

We had absolutely no plans whatsoever for the weekend which was the best way to get back to normal.

Today we plan to go to Cambridge for a wander around and also use our bus passes for the first time on the Park & Ride transfer into the city.  

Then we have three days of summer holiday childcare followed by a lunch out with friends at a local Sicilian restaurant.  A good way to end the week, I am looking forward to that a lot!

Have a good week 😊