Friday 13 February 2015

Not such a Happy Friday!

Hello everyone. I'm hoping that you are all having a much better Friday than I currently am. The lurgy has struck with avengence and I am currently bed bound clutching my little hot water bottle. R kindly did the school run for me this morning, as I didn't dare to stray too far from the loo! All is calm at the moment though, so I thought I'd do my Friday Happy post for Planet Penny.

My favourite happy moment of the week has to be my camellia which is flowering its little heart out. Actually, I'm not entirely sure whether it is, in fact, a camellia or an azalea. I tend to get the 2 confused but, unless anyone would like to tell me otherwise, I'm going to run with camellia. After a mild spell, its buds were just starting to open and then we had the snow. I was worried that it would be too much and it would lose all its flowers before they had a chance to get going but, fortunately, it appears to be a hardy little thing. I couldn't resist nipping outside to take a picture against a rare bit of blue sky. The pink/blue combination always makes me happy.

We have another similar one, but it's further away from the house and much smaller - it's even smaller still now that Bambi et al have discovered it. They really are wreaking havoc on the plants at the moment.

Other happies this week include:
Making some rocky road for E. She has AS level mocks and her Grade 8 piano exam looming. The stress is starting to tell, so I thought a little chocolatey comfort might go a long way. I like to make them in little clusters, rather than slices, but I admit they do have certain 'presentation' issues! They have pecans, rich tea biscuits and veggie marshmallow in them and are really rather moreish.
This little find at one of the local charity shops has transformed my knitted block making. Whenever I get to the end of the row, I just whizz the dial round one and it keeps track of where I'm up to. For someone like me with a memory like a sieve, it's revolutionary! Who would have thought that a 50p pair of stitch counters (there is a smaller version too for if I eventually find time to knit that pair of socks!) could bring me such pleasure?
This little book came from the same shop and I'm looking forward to trying it out when I'm feeling a bit better. It was my first WI meeting as a fully paid up member this week, so it seemed appropriate! The fleecy blankie it's sitting on was also a thrifted find. I bought it to back my knitted block picnic blanket when it's finally finished.
My new mug from T K Maxx. The tulips in the garden aren't quite here yet, so while I'm waiting I'll have to be content enjoying this:
This little beauty is my new discovery - Village Fabrics, the patchwork and quilting shop, in Wallingford near Oxford. I was too embarrassed to take any photos inside (wimp that I am) but believe me, it's a little Aladdin's cave of treasure and well worth a nosy if you're ever in the vicinity. If not, next time I promise to be braver and get my camera out.
 I bought a few fat quarters to add to my stash. They're not my usual colours, I admit, but they're for a very specific project that I hope to be able to share with you next week. I've added a few scraps I already had to the pile in preparation.
Finally the loaf of the week - Pain de Campagne. It's a mixture of strong and rye flour with added oregano. It was supposed to be fresh oregano but Bambi had been at it again, so dry it had to be. 
That's all for this week. It's our Half Term holiday next week, but I imagine a lot of it will be spent watching E revise and listening to piano scales ........... wishing yours is more exciting.
Toodle Pip for now. x

18 comments:

  1. We don't have a camellia but next does and it very conveniently is visible from our kitchen so I also get the pleasure of its red blooms.

    The fabrics look lovely, I can't help myself over either yarn or fabric and more than enough of both and I'd be too shy to take pictures inside as well!

    I hope you feel better soon, keep warm this weekend!

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  2. Stunning flower.
    Good luck to E for the exam and mocks - and enjoy the rocky road!

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  3. I hope you feel better soon. That camellia is beautiful, thank you for sharing. Have a good weekend.

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  4. I hope you feel better very soon. There seem to be so many bugs around at the moment. Your camellia is beautiful and I cannot wait to see what you create with those fabrics. xx

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  5. Oooh that loaf looks delicious! Ditto your rocky road! I hope you're feeling lots better soon :) x

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  6. It's very definitely a camellia! Mine is nowhere near flowering, it just shows what a difference being further north makes. My Nan used to have row counters like yours, they make me smile every time I see them. Hope you feel better next week xx

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  7. Oh I hope your feeling much better. The WI biscuit book looks wonderful, love the giant biscuit of the cover. The bread looks and sounds fantastic. Have a lovely week.
    Ali xx

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  8. get well soon, and best of luck to your daughter with her exams x

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  9. Oh you poor thing, here's to you getting better really soon!!! That Camelia is so beautiful, lucky you eh...mine are still just buds. I love your finds and purchases, and I'm sure E will appreciate the choccy treats.....sending her all the luck in the world for her exams.xxx

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  10. I do wish you a speedy recovery. Your camelia is lovely as is your new tulip mug. TJ MAXX is my favorite store. I always look for dishes made in England or France. I hope you feel better and have a Happy Valentine's day.

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  11. Hope you feel better soon buddy! We have had a bit of the yucks going around our home as well....you rest up! I would say that you still had many beautiful things surrounding you this week! Love that camellia bloom! And that knitting counter is so cool! And the loaf....they are always a work of art when I see yours! All the best you and hopefully you will be feeling a bit better by tomorrow so you can enjoy your weekend! Nicole xo

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  12. Sending some virtual chamomile tea your way.
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. My mum used to have row counters like those and I have craved them - I either lose count or have to have endless scrappy bits of paper! Hope you are feeling better x

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  14. I do hope you are feeling better now and thank you for joining in with Happy Friday even though you were probably not feeling on top of the world. Your posts are always full of lovely things! x

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  15. Hi - hope you're making a good recovery and feeling better every day. Lovely photo of the camelia with the blue sky behind it - gives a sense of spring is on its way!

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  16. Lots of happy things this week, I hope the dreaded lurgy has gone on it's merry way.
    I find that if I ask if I can take photo's to put on my blog and of course I would add a link, the response has always been favourable, so now you need to go back to the shop to ask if you can take photo's, of course you have to buy something while you're there :)
    Jan x

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  17. Hope you are feeling a lot better! That fabric shop in Wallingford looks very interesting - too far from me unfortunately but I shall certainly note it down in case I have to travel that way xxx

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  18. Poor you! I hope that you're feeling a bit better by now, and are able to enjoy half term. Your camelia is gorgeous, such a delicious colour against the blue sky. I'm also very jealous of your Emma Bridgewater mug. Good luck to your daughter with her exams, and I look forward to seeing what you're going to make with your fabric selection. Have a restful break :)
    Cathy x

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