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

Comments

  1. I'm really enjoying the new Doctor Who too. A lovely collection of photos to accompany your words.

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  2. Sounds like you had a really nice say before you head off to work tomorrow. My oldest was away fro the weekend visiting his swimming friends from University. He came back all hungover and grumpy but still it was nice to see his face. I spent the afternoon with Little B in his room playing cars and watching Paw Patrol while I watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I LOVE Harry Potter movies and am watching them all again. The weekend felt too short, what I would not give for another day off, of course one I got payed for. Since that is not happening it is off to work tomorrow. Have a great week.

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  3. You have beautiful flowers. I especially like the yellow ones in the very first photo. What are they called Christina?

    I'm sure your quilt is going to be lovely.
    Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

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  4. Lots of sunny colour from a garden so far north. Yes we are glued to Dr Who too. There was a lot of dark muttering about a lady doctor but we are liking the first few episodes and her choice of companions. Have a good week. Happy quilting and knitting. B x

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  5. Our local fire and fireworks was cancelled due to the winds on Saturday so will be happening this evening now instead. We will watch it from the window and remember the 5 th of Novemeber when our Grandson was born 7 years ago.

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  6. The cardigan will be lovely in such a fine wool, I really like the drape of finer yarns. But I can imagine the ribbing is a bit time-consuming. I watched a bit of Dr Who with the urchins yesterday, the youngest told me first thing this morning that he really enjoyed it, so it must have stayed with him overnight! I'm glad everyone escaped the giant fireworks display unscathed. Bertie ran off the other day and had a bit of an adventure. He is on a tight lead now! Wishing you a good week Christina. CJ xx

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  7. Fruit cake makes me think of my British forebears, and Sue's too. She likes fruit cake, but I don't. I don't know when she last liked it enough to buy one, however.

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  8. Never seen Doctor Who... though I've heard a lot about it.. it was pretty cool to make the new doctor a woman..
    Lovely flower pics..

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

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  9. Lovely photos :)

    It is always good to catch up with old friends.

    We saw a few fireworks from our livingroom window.




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  10. The oldest friends are the ones we usually spend more time with as well, Christina, but the pity is that they do not live in the same state. Several are in our home state of NJ and others in our former location in VA. But, we have newer friends here in Nh and treasure time spent with all. I would also have skipped the fireworks.

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  11. I can see why you are inspired by that beautiful quilt. Hector ran away this morning but eventually found his way back, not the least bit sorry. Luckily he is not in the least bothered by fireworks x

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  12. Sounds like you've had a busy weekend. Naughty Jack chasing after a fox. Patch has been chasing a few kangaroos lately that have been trying to mind their own business in the shade. No amount of yelling from me will make him stop and he comes back covered in sticks and leaves with the biggest smile on his face. He's a bugger sometimes! xx Susan

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  13. I'm glad Jack didn't fall into some bad things on his escape. My Buddy, Cairn Terrier, escaped at midnight some years ago and went running up through the pasture behind our house and got attacked by a coyote(s). He got bit in the head and into his ear and on his neck and they even got a bite of his rear end as he escaped and ran to the back door while I was out shouting his name in the dark. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. We can never join in with the fireworks as Boo the wimpy spaniel is absolutely terrified of the bangs. Always has to be sedated on Nov 5th. Kind of half watching Dr Who which does seem to have been well cast this series. You've reminded me I need to start thinking about cracking on with a Christmas cake. It won't make itself and no-one else here will bother. Enjoy your week.

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  15. That quilt is so inspirational I can see why you are going for it. Meg was made to see fireworks from her top storey bedroom - she could hear them but couldn't see them because it was cloudy and it was driving her crazy! Bruce did a lot of barking which was annoying because he was in the kitchen downstairs and I was in the living room upstairs and I had to keep going down to him. Have a great week. Purple jersey sounds interesting. Jo xxx

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  16. We watch Dr Who and my little blonde Yorkshire girl loves the fact the new doctor is the same as her. My sons best friend is also a Dr Who fan not what we expected when we moved to Chicago.
    I unexpectedly found mixed peel this week and may try for a late Xmas cake, you can't really buy proper ones here.

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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