Off we go again

Where to this time? 

Since I last blogged...

...there's been quite a bit happening around here and not much spare time to write about it.  To summarise:

We've enjoyed some fantastic Autumn weather, though sadly, that seems to have been replaced by the normal dreary drizzle this morning.

I caught up with a friend for lunch and a great cookery demonstration

With friends staying for the weekend, we spent a glorious Saturday at Stourhead, one of our favourite places.  Eating a picnic lunch sitting on the tree stumps, amidst mushrooms and moss, we observed how even the simplest lunch of soup, bread and an apple tastes so much better outdoors.

Having said that, we enjoyed a l-o-n-g Sunday lunch too,

with much animated conversation taking place around the kitchen.

On Monday, I took a day off and started a quilt top.  I loved the fabric when I bought it, but now I'm stitching it together, I'm not so sure I am quite so thrilled with the combination of colours.  We'll see!

Then yesterday, I went up to London with Mark.  Edward joined me for an early supper at The Wolseley before heading home.  I then scooted around the corner to join Mark, Tra and Bo at their table in a different restaurant - having heard the final edit of Tra's CD over the weekend, there was plenty to talk about.

London wasn't quite as busy as I feared, but there's much evidence of Christmas appearing, some of which made my hair curl...

 (sign seen in Marks and Spencer, Marble Arch)

On a roll

Remember this from last week? 

Look what I found in the rose bush?!  Well, not really "found" but in less than an hour, the construction was complete and looking very good.  Mind you, it was not without a bit of cursing and mutterings that "I'd have done this differently".  I'm not too enamoured with the way the handles are stitched, thinking that they are a good deal less sophisticated than the rest of the bag.  There were times too, when I was pretty sure that I'd misunderstood the instructions, particularly where the attachment of the handles was concerned.  But, I soldiered on and there are plenty of aspects which please me enough to know for certain that I'll make more.

For now, I'll simply enjoy using my bag for the purpose for which it was intended.

And yes, since you notice, there were indeed some very pretty roses still blooming beautifully out there in the garden this afternoon.

New knitting, new needles

Completion of one project means a new one can be started.  Having admired Nita's Charlotte's Web shawl at Urchfont, I bought the yarn in WildFiber and have cast on using the new needles I picked up from Mary.

It'll be a while before it looks like this

 

TaDa!

Others have said it so much better, but the good feelings arising from a finished and blocked shawl are to be savoured and shared.

So here we are.

When it's dry and unpinned, there is a distinct possiblity that there will be another photograph.  Or two.

Anyone would think I was pleased with my achievement!