Sunday thoughts

I was playing in the band this morning.  We didn't have our usual keyboard player, but had an extra guitarist and the drummer from another band which led to a quite different feel - I quite liked it.  I've learned to go with the flow a lot more on Sundays and to choose not to be stressed if things aren't quite as I'd like.  That's made a big difference.

And my bass is finally connecting properly to the system!  The pick-up was quite worn/loose so our usual drummer fixed it for me during half term.  What a star!

The sermon was about giving.  I was grateful that God had already spoken to us on this over the last few days - it feels better to know that we're making changes because of a conversation with Him, rather than because we've been "told" from the front.  I know that God is faithful in this and it's such a privilege to be able to join Him in helping others.

We had a lovely lunch at a cafe in Cockermouth.  We'd not planned anything after church, but I'd wanted to walk into town to try to clear my head a bit... I had a tasty baked potato with cheese and chorizo - yum!

I had a nap when we got home to fix my headache, then enjoyed the final F1 race of the season.  It was probably the best I've seen this year, and a great way to end the year.

Last day to relax for a month

The sun was shining again.

But what a day for sport! Murray did himself proud in the Wimbledon final, and we caught up with the British GP highlights after eating our tea in the summer house.

A's last weekend before Keswick completely takes over his life, so we've enjoyed the slower pace while we could.

Girly weekend

Andrew was away visiting his brother, so I've enjoyed a girly weekend:

Friday:
- a yummy meal with my prayer triplet.  I headed home fairly early to try to get a good night's sleep, but it was lovely to catch up with them both at last.

Saturday:
- I played my bass guitar for a short worship time at the ladies' quiet day for church.  I wasn't sure how well it would work just having me on bass and Becca on acoustic, but actually it sounded pretty good!  I feel self-conscious that I can only do very basic playing but it was enough.  I definitely need to make time for practising more though...
- The sun shone, and Camerton Hall was the perfect venue.  We were able to explore the grounds and sit outside during our quiet times.  Lunch was delicious too!
- I left after lunch to go birthday present shopping and found just what I needed.
- I've had Andrew's car this weekend and enjoyed the chance to drive around with the hood down all day.  Lovely summer weather!
- Once back home I relaxed with sitcoms and a rom-com (The Proposal - virtually a remake of While you were sleeping and fun to watch).
- I added almost 2" to the Clapotis scarf

Sunday:
- Unusual not to be at church around 9am; 10:30 was quite a treat!
- Caroline invited me back to their new house for lunch.  They've found a great house: it needs work but knowing what they've done before it's going to be stunning.
- I enjoyed simply relaxing with a friend and catching up.
- When Andrew & Gary got back we headed out to see the Scarecrow festival at Dean.  There were some fab scarecrows to be seen and it just amazes me how much effort and imagination has gone into the creations.
- and finally we caught up on the highlights from today's F1 race - I'm so pleased that Williams have finally won a race!

Satisfying weekend

Thursday:
- I returned home from Sweden to 2 transformed gardens. A's dad has worked hard during the week (thankfully he seems to enjoy it!) and has: tidied the front garden, painted the gate, cut the grass in both gardens, cleared the triffid taking over the summer house, and dismantled the remains of the gazebo.

Friday:

- I took the day off after my travels, but caught up a bit on emails during the morning to make Monday easier.

- My in-laws came back to finish getting burning the rotten wood from the back garden. He also put a make-shift fence up to keep next door's dogs in their own garden.
- I went for a walk with a friend and her baby. I'm pleased that he's getting to be a bit less demanding so that she's got some more flexibility in her routines.

Saturday:

- haircut, then we popped into town for a short while. I had a very enjoyable time looking for yarn to make myself a wrap to wear to 2 family weddings this year. I've not bought anything yet, but I'm feeling a wee bit inspired.

- we had a lovely time at a party to celebrate our friends' 50th birthdays. A barbecue in the dark in March - very tasty - followed by a fab banoffee pie

Sunday:
- A beautiful sunny day so we drove to church and back with the top down; it was a bit chilly on the way there but glorious on the way home. What a treat!
- We finished burning the rubbish from the back garden - I smell of bonfire now...

- We watched our first F1 race of the year. I'm not sorry we weren't up early to watch the 50 min rain delay, and maybe the extended highlights will work out well; I didn't feel I'd missed much anyway.

- A helped me wash the car. It was absolutely filthy after a winter's driving and it's still not totally clean, but what an improvement.
- I enjoyed being outdoors and getting stuff done.

My knitting's coming on a bit too:
- I cast on for a pair of slippers for Andrew
- The moebius cowl is close to being finished; only about 3 rows left now (never mind that they're each 400 stitches...) It's been getting quite unwieldy to work with so I'm glad it's almost done.

Friends and gift WIP

• It felt good to catch up with friends yesterday morning after being away last week:  hugs and smiles at church, then watching the last F1 race of the year with good company ...and a delicious tea to finish.
• One fingerless mitt finished... but it's too big!  So I'm trying another design (and I'll keep the first for myself).  This time I'm using a thicker yarn and crocheting for a faster finish.  Let's hope this one works.
• Two Words with Friends game invitations - at the moment I'm winning one and losing one.

weekend activities

yesterday:

1. to receive a text from a friend who'd prayed for me last Sunday, asking how my week had been
2. yummy mezze platter for lunch at Merienda's in Carlisle (with handcut chips!)
3. the fingerless mitts I'm making as a Christmas present are very nearly finished
• just the hems left to sew on the 2nd glove

today:

1. playing bass during the worship time
• it's been a while since I last played, but it was good to be part of the group again.  I'm looking forward to being part of a regular band for a change
2. watching the Abu Dhabi grand prix with friends after church
• the race had a few good moments, but the company was fun
3. knitted another 2" of scarf this evening
• it's coming on, but I'm still only about 2/3 of the way through
• will it ever be finished?!

Sunday lunch

lovely Sunday lunch with Andrew's family today

• roast beef with all the trimmings - yum!
• good to catch up with everyone too
• and I only had to unknit 4 rows to get back to the dropped stitch...
• about 2 inches completed in the end  ;o)
• waited for the highlights to watch the Indian Grand Prix
• didn't grab me, but some interesting bits

looking for chutney recipes for Christmas presents this evening

• definitely making the Christmas Chutney again
• Spiced Cranberry and Pear Relish looks interesting too

feeling very sleepy now after the clocks went back...

Grace for today...

• wobbly start to the day... but lots of words at church about the way God looks after us
• lay down the burden and rest in Him
• wave from Daniel at the back (wearing PA headphones and looking v cool)
• prayer and support from friends

"Come to me, all you who are weak and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest..."

• Connect4F1 at Tom & Becca's
• yummy lunch
• good company to share the race with

• standing room only!
• Andrew is making short work of stripping the old wallpaper from the bedroom chimneybreast.
• I'm grateful for his hard work, and keeping me out of the way while he pushes on...
• the mirror tiles have gone!
• I'm still working on the crocheted stegosaurus hat for Daniel
• I've ripped it back twice to take out rows of increases
• still probably a bit big, but hopefully not too bad... I don't think he'll mind too much