Saturday questionnaire

Today has been declared a stay in the house day. It is raining very heavily and not even the dog wants to go out. Another working week over. I am a bit rushed of my feet at the moment, mostly because of a varied selection of sick bugs making the rounds. James is wrapped in blankets in front of the fire, shivering with a fever. He was sick last night and he didn't want to wake anyone up, poor wee mite. I found him in the bathroom at 4 in the morning (I am a light sleeper).

Richard and I went to the City Halls yesterday evening to hear Schubert's 9th symphony. It is one of Richard's favourite pieces of music and I bought him tickets for Christmas. There were two other pieces played before the interval, Beethoven's Coriolan Ouverture and Lindberg's violin concerto. I didn't care much for the Lindberg. It was one of those pieces that seemed to start in the middle and ended just as abruptly. There was little opportunity for coughing and sneezing, or even shuffling your feet. It is difficult to listen to a piece of music if you are trying to suppress a cough. I also felt the urge to vigorously scratch my ear. The Schubert was great. The concert was broadcast life on BBC Radio 3 if you want to hear it on the BBC iplayer.

Anyway, back to the purpose of this blog post. A short while ago, Christine over at Winwick Mum nominated me for a Liebster Blog Award. Thank you Christine, I am always happy if someone considers my blog worthy of reading. I have participated in the Liebster before and found it really difficult to pass the baton on so this time, I am going to answer Christine's questions and leave it at that.

If you were down to your last £5, what would you spend it on?
I would love to be able to say that I would donate it do a worthy charity but if I am honest, I would buy myself a large coffee and a cinnamon bun. 

What is your favourite thing to eat?
I am very partial to all things egg. At the moment, I particularly like boiled egg curry but I also enjoy boiled eggs with a sprinkle of salt or garlic mayonnaise as a snack. I like fried egg sandwiched with tattie scone in a Morton roll and eggs Benedict. I like egg in lamb's ear salad (with bacon) and I like soft boiled eggs and soldiers. I am not that bothered about hidden egg, or egg in Carbonara sauce.

What is the first film you ever watched at the pictures?
The first film I remember watching at the pictures is 'Aristocats' with my granny. We went to a cinema on Bellevueplatz in Zürich. I might be wrong of course. Maybe it was 'Mary Poppins' I went to see with my gran and mum in Davos. The first grown-up movie I saw was 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' by Stephen Spielberg. I went to see this with my godmother and her then husband. I have seen this film many times since!

If your house was on fire, what one thing other than family members and pets would you save?
I am not sure if I would be in any state to make a sensible decision on anything worthwhile saving. Knowing myself, I would grab the first thing I bump into. The alternative would be me procrastinating over my most precious possessions, not being able to decide and die of smoke inhalation in the process. I have so many precious things I cannot imagine being without. My granny's jar of buttons for example, or a set of four delicate glasses that belonged to Richard's granny.  Or maybe one of my small pieces of art, or a the external hard drive with all our family photos on. 

What, other than your children, is your greatest achievement?
I have no idea. I honestly don't. My approach to life is a little haphazard maybe. Life is generally kind to me. I am quite driven (but not overly ambitious, if that makes any sense) and regularly embark on new projects. I tend to be a bit perfectionist, too and don't do halfhearted very well. I think this is a good recipe for any kind of achievement, small and big.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a farmer on a Swiss Alp. I did, honestly. I imagine now that my idea of farmer then is similar to the farmer in Eric Carle's Dream Snow. My uncle promised he would buy me the cow. I only needed one for my vision of farming. He never did give me one. I think it is fair to say that it is no great loss to the farming community that I am a scientist instead.

What word would other people use to describe you?
I don't know. My friend Miriam used the word eccentric a long time ago. I took this to be well meant but I can't be sure. How would you describe me?

How many WIP's do you have at the moment?
Three. I am knitting a Lady Kina cardigan (have a look at Meredith' beautiful finished Lady Kina) and a purple alpaca jumper. I am also working on a crochet ripple blanket for Annie.

What is your favourite yarn?
I like soft merino yarns most of all. It is the smell that I love more than anything. I would really love to have a few hanks of Fyberspates Scrumptious, a silk/merino blend, preferably in a DK weight. I am also very fond on Wollmeise 100% merino. The colours of this yarn are just beyond description.

What tool could you not do without?
I am not particularly attached to any kind of tools, kitchen, crafty, DIY or other kinds. My favourite kitchen tool is a sharp knife. My favourite crafty tools are my knitting needles. I avoid using manly tools such as hammers and screwdrivers as much as I can. I am a bit clumsy.

And here two random facts, for good measure: I have a mild crush on Dave Grohl and I really can't stand parsnips.

Have a great weekend every body! Cx