Getting ready, inspiration, new techniques

1.  I feel I'm making some progress with my to-do list at work at last... just as well when I'm going to be on holiday next week :o)

2.  I bought a couple of books with my birthday money, and they arrived today.  One in particular looks fab:
The Knitter's Life List.  Full of interesting ideas and inspiration about knitting-related things and much bigger than I'd expected.  I'm looking forward to browsing through the lovely pictures and ideas.

3.  The Snug baby jacket is growing nicely.  I'm half-way through the 2nd sleeve which means it's now a recognisable jacket.  I'm enjoying the almost seamless design and looking forward to the next stage - picking up the front stitches and casting on for the hood.

Baptism, catching up and lots of garter stitch

1. It was my nearly-5-year-old godson's baptism today: a happy day. He didn't like getting water on his face but didn't complain. I was very proud of him.

2. We took a walk around the harbour in the afternoon. I appreciated the fresh air, and the chance to discuss a couple of worries. The relaxing was topped off by catching up on an episode of The Great British Bake Off: a feel-good treat.

3. I started my latest knitting project, which I've made myself wait for until the previous project was finished (last night). I've made a lot of progress today (all of the back and part of the front) and I can't say I'm too sorry to have completed the many rows of straight garter stitch. The more interesting bit starts tomorrow (removing the waste yarn to pick up the sleeves!)

Back on the road again

We set off at silly o'clock this morning (5am) but the journey has been fairly smooth and uneventful.

I had a couple of hours after checking in to the hotel to myself, so I've bought some Swedish coffee to replenish our supplies.

Dinner together with the group before tomorrow's meeting. It's been nice to catch up with a few people and to hear encouraging feedback about how we're working and cooperating with our colleagues. It's certainly not all my doing, but I know I've influenced it and that feels good.

A weekend of contrasts

Friday:

• No work today... but the funeral of a relative who died shortly before his 90th birthday.  A sad occasion, but comforting to hear of a long life lived with God and to know that he's with his Maker now.  No more sin, sickness, suffering, sadness... (Rev 21:4)
• We sang "There is a redeemer" as the final hymn.  The 3rd verse was particularly touching:

When I stand in glory,

I will see His face

and there I'll serve my King forever

in that holy place

• I had the house to myself for the rest of the day/weekend, so I took the opportunity to do some baking.  I've borrowed a friend's recipe book (Mary Berry's Simple Cakes) and made a lemon drizzle tray bake and some chocolate brownies.  Both were wonderfully easy.
• I also treated myself to a new electric hand mixer - what an improvement on the 20-year-old (at least!) mixer I'd been using until now.
• Finally, I joined a couple of friends for a nice girly evening
• enjoying some of the cake I'd made
• watching Nanny McPhee - I enjoyed it lots, and couldn't help admiring the crochet and patchwork beadspreads on the children's beds!

Saturday:

A trip to Carlisle with a friend

• we had browsed and had lunch at Orton Grange, which has something of an eclectic mix of lovely gifts, fairtrade clothes, patchworking materials, a hairdresser and a beauty shop!
• I was also pleased to see they stock Bolesławiec pottery - a distinctive style with childhood memories for me.
• The sun shone, so we made the most of it and enjoyed driving with the car hood down.
• Looking around craft shops in the town... and Fun2Do have started to offer classes in new techniques.  Much too tempting!

Sunday:

• Playing in the band at church
• I'm starting to experiment a little with how I play... still very basic stuff, but I used the octaves to give a bit of interest.  Playing the tonic, but at different positions on the guitar neck.  It's a way of getting to know the instrument a little better, so that I can move on a bit more as I gain confidence and my fingers get stronger.
• An encouraging meeting, with many people standing up to share how they'd grown with God during the hard times, and seen His faithfulness throughout (sometimes with hindsight!)
• A relaxing afternoon, but still getting a few things done.
• I've worked out (with help from a Ravelry forum) how to block the knitted moebius cowls I've made myself.  I pinned them onto (and round) the ironing board and held the iron over to give some steam; a few minutes to cool, and then move it round a bit further and start again.  They feel a bit softer and more luxurious now :o)
• A second go at a Tangy Onion Chutney - I'm a bit happier with how it's turned out this time.  I used a small amount of balsamic to replace some of the red wine vinegar, and have now got some grenadine syrup.  The first attempt got better over time, so I'm very optimistic for this one.  I'm looking forward to trying it with grilled goat's cheese on toast - yum!