Georgia on my mind

I said it wasn't going to be a normal week at work and it wasn't.  I have been to Columbus in Georgia with a couple of colleagues to set up international opportunities for our students.    Apart from work meetings there was plenty of opportunities to get out and about, sightseeing and enjoying lots of iconic American buildings and vehicles.

 

 

 

I attended an American Rotary luncheon .... very Southern and unlike anything I had done before (Here we are with our badges).  Obviously the events in Boston had a great impact and where on everyone's mind.  We experienced great hospitality and even though many of the phrases were almost stereotypical they were said in a very genuine way ... great to hear "You all come back now you all".

In Columbus there was an old town which looked like a film set for Gone with the Wind, beautiful wooden houses with porches, and rocking chairs.

We visited the house where FDR lived and died ... The Little White House ... which was great.  Very simple and I doubt our own primeministers would ever build and live somewhere so basic. 

 

This is his desk and it's amazing to think of the decisions he must have made here during WWII

And this is the bed he died in

There were many things to look at, his wheelchair (as I'm sure you know he had polio), cars,

breakfast tray

 

We had fabulous weather except for this day, when the rain really came - as you can see by the drainpipe.

 

 

We had 4 nights in Columbus then a night in Atlanta.  A white-knuckle drive on the interstate (reminding us of Whacky Races) and a fantastic modern sky line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We visited a festival (very sixties!)

 

 

Here we are at the Olympic Park (this is my work colleague Robert)

 

 

 

And just in case you were wondering there was quite a lot of eating - the pinacle of which was this brioche french toast with cream cheese filling, maple syrup and a peach soda in the hot sunshine!  I only managed half of this and I could hardly walk.

 

 

 There was, of course, a bit of shopping ... an absolutely gorgeous branch of Anthropologie

 

 

 

So much lovely stuff I didn't know what to pick ... but I had a good go and can't believe I karted all these home (without breaking any)

 

 

I've been eyeing up that camelion plate on line for ages.  There was some antiquing- difficult to find much American as the better shops come over to England to buy their antiques and then charge a fortune.  I managed to find a coupple of 1920s American Children's books and a lovely valentine card.

 

 



 

So does this mean there has been no time for crafting.  Well clearly taking 18 colours of wook for my fair isle wasn't possible so I started a new jumper from the Spring Debbie Bliss magazine and managed quite a bit of knitting (strangely I was allowed to knit on the plane going over, but not on coming back!).  This is a grey and white striped jumper which I'm is going to go with a skirt I've yet to make.  More later.

 

 

 

 

What a lucky girl I am ... a great week ... but completely jet lagged now and hope I can cope with back to work tomorrow!  Hope you have had some great times too!

Easter happiness

It's the last night of a lovely Easter week off.  The weather was gorgeous and there was plenty of rest and relaxation.  Good progress on the fair-isle with the back completed.  I've been stopped in my tracks at the moment though as I have run out of pale pink and when I went to buy another ball have found that the new dyelot is completely different!  I'm looking in lots of shops to try and find an old ball.

I'm also pretty proud of myself because I've made a pair of trousers!  They are vintage vogue ,  high waisted and very baggy (hope I have the guts to wear them!).   I love the fit on the waist which is usually difficult for me to buy.

 

 

And if you watched The Great British Sewing Bee you will recognise this .....

 

.... Yes it a zip fly!  .... and actually I think mine is better than many of theirs were!  Now before I sound too smug I have to admit that it took me a lot longer than 4 hours to make them (it took me ages to figure out how to do the zip!).   I am enjoying the series, but can't actually believe that these are actually the best sewers in the country - presumably they have been picked to make good TV (and I love Stewart and Anne!) but you would think really good sewers would have put in many zips, put on many pockets etc  than these competitors have.  Still if you can ignore that aspect it is very enjoyable!

I took Dan and Gemma back to University for their last term (where has the time gone!) and managed a quick bit of shopping.

 Yesterday I went to a massive vintage clothes auction at Barnard Castle, County Durham.   It was heaving with over 1,000 garments.

I had been quite excited about the opportunity to buy clothes from the 20s - 80's.  However, although the lots had been catalogued about £30-£40 for 3 garments  - the ones I went to bid for went for over £100!  I don't know whether it was auction fever but eventually my hand went up and I bought 3 jackets for £55.  One will be straight to Oxfam (80s check) but I do like the other two which believe it or not are from the 40s!

This is an aubergine colour and fits me perfectly

 

I also like this pale green one but it does need taking in (won't be doing that myself).

 

 

I do love imaging who might have worn them - they are older than I am and may well have been worn during the war years.  I will get Dan to take some photos when he is next back of them being worn, because I do intend to wear them.

Just have to tell you about this wonderful cook book - I'm in love with the photos - unlike most food photos the style is quite dark - reminds me of Dutch paintings -

 

 

 

To get a free taste of the lovely recipes and photos you can go to Katie's wonderful blog. (Gilly this link will take you straight to the lemon madelaine recipe which was really easy and can be made in advance).  I bet you add this to your list of favourites!

Well all for now.  Back to work tomorrow, though it isn't for a normal week - more of this in my next blog!

Easter loveliness

I've very much enjoyed reading lots of lovely Easter posts and I had a great time myself.  We joined in with the younger families and visited Docker Park Farm (one of our childhood favourites).  Lots of lovely animals to feed and things to play on!

 

 

 

 

There have been loads of lovely walks in glorious sunshine with the snow still on the hills .....

 

 

 

 

I've been trying some new recipes ...  my first attempt at lemon madelines

 

 ... orange and coconut cake (the lovely little teapot for one was a treat from Docker Park Farm)

 

 chocolate and coconut cupcakes

 

I've been doing quite a lot of crafting, but no ta dah this week.  I've finished the sleeve and almost the back of the fair isle jumper

 

 

 

 ... and inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee (yes I enjoyed it though I don't believe these are the best sewers in Britain!) I've been doing the first clothes sewing I've done since I was at school and I'm trying to make some trousers.

 

An excellent visit to yet another antique fair produced a good haul!

 

 

An art deco coffee table, three lovely glasses, 2 lovely children's books, an art deco scottie brooch and a string of pearls - all bargains!

 

 

I had a bit of the lurgy last week (hence no post) - but now I feel back on form and I have another 6 days of holiday to go!  Yeah!   So hopefully lots more fun this week.  Hope you are enjoying life at teh moment.





Fair Isle Fun!

Well I'm pretty pleased with myself this week.  I mentioned ages ago, having knitted some fair-isle handwarmers

that I would like to try and knit a fair-isle sweater and I found a pattern (and of course she looks just how I will look in it!)

 

I have been stashing some wool and building up to getting going (particularly as I wanted to change some of the colours) for some time.  So on Saturday I finally got going and this is my first sleeve.  I love it so far, just hoping and hoping that it will end up fitting, because it is pretty hard work!  This was 4 days progress and that makes it a couple of inches a day!  So don't hold your breath waiting for the reveal which may take 2 months!  As you can see I have changed virtually every colour.

I haven't quite captured the colours effectively but I will get some better photos later.  I picked up Debbie Bliss' Spring/Summer magazine and have already picked my next 2 knits

Both with a vintage feel - I think I'll knit the short-sleeved one without the stripes.


I love the way you get inspiration, recommendations and ideas from others' blogs.  On the recommendation of Jules whose blog I love I ordered this book

 

 

It's great!  and if you are a budding crochteter like me who doesn't know many stitches or block ideas it's a must.  I am particularly taken with the crocodile block - hopefully I'll make a start soon.  It's so frustrating to have so many projects I want to do but so little time!

It's been very cold here but we are still avoiding the snow and lots of pleasant dog ~(and cat) walking

Meg (the cat) still queues up to come and one day last week both cats came!  Very strange and what a sight we must look.

Only 2 days to go before the long weekend, can't wait.  Until then ......