BLESSED SPEEDY

The months and weeks and days are flying by and here we are in March! Ive got a lot to show you as I think ive forgotten to show you some things! Firstly Ive finished this sashiko table runner that I started when I was in Queensland for over a month awaiting Ollies birth - and that was two years ago. I needed to get this finished and I have. Id also forgotten how soothing it is doing a stitching project like this - it was my early morning hand stitching project and I just loved working on it Ive also completed yet another pair of socks (and is this where I admit that I own way too many skeins of sock yarn and also way too many sock patterns I want to make up) The Pattern is Surprise socks designed Brigit Ka and the yarn I used was Faking Sanity Persuasion sock yarn which was gifted to me by a knitting friend from Canada. I also attended another card making with Juliana and I really enjoyed it - I may have bought some supplies to make some more. Who knew there was a craft I had...

Well the best thing about this week is that we spent it in Queensland! Airlie Beach - my happy place! Visiting Sarah, Kris, Ollie and Jessie the dog is always just so lovely and it was great that this time Gary could come with me. We spoilt ourselves with a night at the Park Royal the night before our flight as we flew out a bit after 7am We even availed ourselves of the gym there and enjoyed a yummy dinner (and breakfast) in our room Yes the weather was a bit hot and humid in queensland - but thats what it is and I think Im "almost" used to it. Ollie is growing in leaps and bounds and its hard to believe he will be 2 next month! He adores Gary (probably more than me) and they had such fun together - mowing lawns, whipper snipping, reading books and just having fun and Sarah is such a great mum and Kris an excellent dad too The time was too short though (as always) but we will be back!

Reading wise - again a few finishes! And Im amazed to realise that Ive read/listened to 12 books this year alread which is apparently 19% of my goal to read 64 books this year The Lucky Sisters by Rachel Johns which I read as a physical book. I loved this book - and its not just because it has a pretty cover (which may be why I bought it) This is the story of Nora and Stevie Lucky, twins who were adopted not long after birth. Their adopted mum dies and they are about to turn 50 so decide to try and find their biological parents. The results of this cause them both to have a serious rethink of their lives - some for good, some not and their lives are thrown into disarray. This is an excellent set in australia book by a great australian author and a definite 5 star read from me. The School of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak which I listened to as an audiobook via audible This is such a sad book about a time in history when young women were not thought much of except for the convenience o...

Its hard to believe we are already half way through the second month of 2026! Thankfully this last week hasnt been as hot as the previous weeks - no days above 40 degrees celcius - several in the high 30s but that is bearable Ive finished my first pair of socks for 2026 - I do have plans to make at least 12 pairs of socks - and Ive matched up yarn and patterns to do so, so Ill see how I go The pattern was a test knit and is called Placid Socks with the designer being Heidi Nick I used Circus Tonic Handmade Gathering Sock in the colorway Blazin. Its a simple pattern with just enough detail to keep you interested and would work with all sorts of sock yarns. Heres the ravelry link in case you are interested These will be going in my gifting box which is pretty empty of socks at the moment and also why Im aiming to knit at least 12 pairs this year. Books finished this week Christmas Joy by Mary-Anne O'Connor which I read as a physical book I received this book in the Book Box adve...

Firstly some sad farm news - my number one favorite cow - the Queen - also known as seven went to heaven this week. She was just a few weeks of 15 years old (which is rare for a cow to stay alive in ours and most herds) and as she was so special I had always said she was never to be sold. She was one of the first cows that my granddaughter Mia saw being born and we were all amazed to see the number seven on her head! She had 8 calves in her time with us - mostly all herefords as for some reason she didnt like getting in calf to AI (artificial insemination) and none with the number 7 on their heads She will be missed very much and I could call "seven" and she would come - she didnt like everyone but I like to think that she liked me! After that sad note onto things finished Firstly, and stupidly because it was hard!!! I volunteered to crochet together some blanket squares made by my local group. What I thought would be a fairly simple process was not one as various si...

What a productive second half of the month Ive had! And considering that we have had heat wave conditions - I think 7 days of over 42 degrees celcius in a row, Im pretty pleased with what ive got done Firstly this pair of socks - the yarn and pattern was a gift in the Ravelry Christmas Yarn ball swap - the yarn is Regia sock and the pattern is 7265 estene sock pattern by regia Next is some cards I made at Julianas recent card day and I really like how they turned out - some were quite tricky And finally these two wash clothes that were an easy knit while watching the tennis - yarn is jo sharp 8 ply cotton leftovers and the pattern is Chinese Waves dishcloth (but I use them as face washers) Ive also been trying to reduce my crafting stash and in particular my fabrics and quilting things I have a reasonable size pile of bits and pieces leftover from quilts I have made, I made these tablerunners and place mats from them Even used up some leftover binding and wadding too - so real...