this and that on a Sunday evening

I just returned from a nice long walk with Jack, my friend A and her dog. It was my second long walk today and I am really tired. Jack was a bit naughty, he disappeared in a place where he usually is quite good. No calling brought him back and his dog pal wasn't too sure what to make of the situation. Then, out from nowhere a bright orange flash, followed moments later by a black and white flash. Jack chasing a fox. The fox got away and we managed to capture Jack. He ran away twice more and ended up having a lead walk. He is not sorry, not one bit.

The first long walk was with Sam and Jack. I enjoyed that, we don't see each other so much in between work (me)  and university and socialising (him).

Inspired by my friend C who announced that she was definitely going to make "Weihnachstsplätzchen" this year, I decided that I should make not "Weihnachstsplätzchen" but a Christmas cake while I still felt inspired. I haven't managed to make one last year and I can't remember if I did the year before. I used a Delia Smith recipe but replaced some of the currents and the mixed peel with other dried fruit. Cranberries, apricots and dates all feature in this cake. I soaked the fruit in Richard's birthday Kirsch, which he got from my mum. I really enjoyed the mixing, and licking the spoon was rather nice, too. The odd boozy fruit might have found its way into my mouth. I decorated the cake with blanched almonds and won't ice it.

On that note, it was wonderful to meet up with C, whom I had not seen in almost a decade. I always thought she was one of my coolest friends, someone I would have swapped lives with happily. Although my life on the whole is pretty good, too!

I gave fireworks night a miss. We usually spend the evening at our neighbours who love the event and have been hosting a party for years. The garden bond fire has been growing over the years and is now so big, it makes me uncomfortable. The fireworks display, too, makes me anxious. Too close to my house and not much of a buffer zone to the onlookers. I decided to spend the evening with Jack instead. Richard, James and Alistair had a great time next door and came back smelling of fire and adventure. Jack was beside himself during the display. I cleaned up nose and paw prints of the bay window far higher than normal. I don't know what went through his wee head but no doubt he had visions of dog apocalypse. I wonder if I featured in this future?

I decided on a quilting strategy for the hexagon quilt. Have a look at this quilt, I love the pattern created by straight lines. I felt really inspired by Renate's beautiful quilt. Thus enthused, I wanted to start straightaway but couldn't find my hand quilting thread. I didn't want to use the 12 weight thread I used on my large crazy quilt or James' quilt but something a bit finer and less dark. I have ordered a selection of threads to choose from, different shades of grey, my favourite quilting colour. I have many more quilts in me and I can use the extra threads for these.

Meanwhile, I manage to knit about three rounds of ribbing on my cardigan. It is an interesting pattern and the ribbing goes all around the bottom, sides and neckline. Hundreds and hundreds of stitches, I am using sock weight yarn. I am not sure what possessed me.

The garden keeps on giving. There is still so much colour, beautiful. The yellows particularly are brightening up those early November days. After years of unsuccessful Erigeron growing, I have now several established patches that are also still flowering. I am loving it. The seed heads of earlier flowers are also interesting. I particularly love the fluffy ones of my new clematis, no idea what its proper name is but don't they just look like the tops of a Truffula tree tops in the Lorax? Except that mine are not colourful.

I am watching the new Doctor Who, loving it. Jodie Whitaker makes a good Doctor and I love the companions, too. Do you watch it?

Wishing you all a good week. Thanks for stopping by. xx