October ... ing











Time is whizzing by at the speed of light and most evenings I fall asleep wondering where it all went. I make sure to sit down every evening and spend a few minutes to a couple of hours stitching my ice cream soda blocks together. I might watch the telly or listen to a podcast or book. I like my days ending the same way every day, it helps to remain grounded and sets me up for good night's sleep.

Making peace with autumn, one day at a time. The colours are beautiful, I do love the rich tones that nature puts on display at this time of year. My garden is full of vibrant shades of yellow, my happy colour.

Cooking (heart) warming and nourishing dishes. I made a most delicious toad in the hole last week with big fat juicy sausages. The macaroni & cheese with added fresh sweetcorn was also really good. I blitzed the cheese sauce with my hand blender and it was the smoothest every cheese sauce I made.

Wondering what to do with our apple harvest. I check most days for windfall but usually the slugs and insects get there first. I don't like apples much but I have been eating at least one a day...

Quilting long, long lines diagonally across Sam's moving-out quilt. He needs it soon. The flat he shares with friends does not have central heating, just a collection of moveable heaters that consume a lot of electricity. Sam has already re-homed three wooly blankets one, too.

Thinking of saving up for a new sewing machine, one that has more space to the right of the presser foot and an integrated needle threader. Strong LED lights and variable speed are also on my wish list. I don't want 140 different stitches but that does not seem an option. My current and rather fancy machine is ok but it is really difficult to get the tension right and the stitches are a bit wonky, too. I have started using a little Janome workhorse I bought second hand for the kids. It makes a neater stitch than my own machine.

Making myself go out running when the weather really demands a blanket wrap, a steaming cup of spiced tea and a good book.

Enjoying my brand new (online) course. Students are way more engaged than I expected and I am really pleased with the thoughtful and clever contributions on our online discussion boards. We are starting week 3 and I am almost certain that my learning has been as intense as that of the students.

Listening to "Have you seen Luis Velez" by Catherine Ryan Hyde. It is enjoyable, light hearted and life affirming. Also listening to Woman's Hour and The Life Scientific (both on BBC Radio 4).

Feeling really excited about our upcoming trip to Turkey. Just a few more sleeps!

Looking forward to reading a whole pile of books during the October break. Poolside. My Kindle has been confiscated

How is your October turning out? Thanks for stopping by. I am very sorry to be such an infrequent commenter on everyone else's blog. I hope I can carve out some blog time soon xx

Comments

  1. I smiled when I read that you were using your old sewing machine. I gave away my machine and overlocker a few years ago. I was giving up sewing. My arms and shoulders ached too much. Then ,on a day trip to Cambridge I spotted a small machine in John Lewis ( own brand.) I could pick it up with one hand. Its lilac coloured and was only £50. I have made lots of things on it. Don't think I would use it on thick fabric, but I only use cotton or polyester so that is fine. I enjoy reading your blog.

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  2. Super photos. Your quilt is really coming along! BRRRR poor Sam needs that quilt ASAP! We've had our heating on low, but that's mostly because I've had a stonker of a cold. Best, Jane x

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  3. You have a good eye, and I really like that pic of your boy with the mug. (Sorry, I don't do names and have trouble with my own.)

    Based on the one and only online course that I have taken, I think they might lend themselves to more interaction. Just a theory based on a too-small sample size. :)

    Have you ever tried Honey Crisp apples? They are special.

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  4. I'm so pleased the new course is going well and that the students are engaged and clever. Well done on the running, that is very impressive indeed. I sadly seem to have zero self-discipline or motivation when it comes to exercise. It's disappointing. The quilt is coming along beautifully. CJ xx

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  5. Your quilt is looking fabulous and I'm sure Sam's quilt will make a very welcome addition to his cosy blankets. Good that your course is going so well and enjoy your well deserved break in Turkey. xx

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  6. I just love a simple jar with sunflowers. Your photo made me smile :-)

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  7. Oh you're going to Turkey! How wonderful.. just Istanbul or are you going to go to other places as well.. I'm so excited for you!
    I love autumn.. love the autumn food, the clothes, the holidays.. just not the short days :/

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  8. The things we do for our children to keep them warm. I’m busily crocheting a blanket for youngest to keep him warm in his new flat . Glad the running is continuing despite the weather and well done on the course. Enjoy Turkey. B x

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  9. The quilt is looking amazing. I with CJ on the zero discipline for exercise, especially when the rain is horizontal outside. I make apple chutney with surplus apples or freeze them in slices (in apple crumble/pie quantities) or as puree. The chutney I make is a Nigella Lawson one in her Domestic Goddess book just in case you might have it on a shelf......

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  10. Goodness a busy October already and a trip to Turkey. Its definitely been weather where you just want to snuggle under a blanket either with your latest project or a good book. It's definitely the season for starting to make soup and fresh bread again one of the things I love to do during autumn.

    Mx

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  11. I had to look up what toad in the hole was. It sounds delicious! I'm going to make one when I I have sausages.

    Wow! A trip to turkey! How exciting. Have a safe and wonderful trip Christina.

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  12. Your October has been busy, Christina, and it has only just started. Please do tell more about the upcoming trip to Turkey and is this a family vacation or work related. Either way it sounds like a wonderful adventure. And, like Nil, I was also unfamiliar with toad in the hole, but didn’t think it used an actual toad😉 that’s a very colorful quilt and lively flowers.

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  13. Your quilt is looking fabulous, such lovely colours. Enjoy your holiday and the time you'll have for reading. I do love my Kindle but I'm reading an actual book at the moment, you just don't get that feel of holding a lovely book with a Kindle.

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  14. A lovely October so far. I like to end my days in the same way. I only have a few more blocks to make for my postage stamp quilt so I am going to try and make an effort. I catch up with the News Quiz on Radio 4 - that is my favourite. Off to finish my own October...ing blog post. Jo xx
    https://joeveryday19.blogspot.com

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  15. Your quilts are looking wonderful. October seems to be speeding up here with back to school which started well but has taken a bit of a turn in the last couple of days. Hubby is having some time off next week and we have birthdays coming up. I think I need to start an end of day routine for myself again as I seemed to have got out of the habit. Enjoy your trip to Turkey, I am envious! xx Ssuan

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  16. Love your quilt it would be a great stash buster for me.. and those sunflowers are so pretty.

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  17. I have been totally useless at visiting or commenting on blogs lately, I'm not sure where the time goes. But lovely to catch up with what you've been doing. Have a lovely time in Turkey

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  18. A lovely, colourful post. The quilt is looking fabulous. X

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  19. Sounds like your October is turning out well. Have fun on your trip!

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  20. The quilt is looking fabulous, very grown up and yes up the plug in heaters are useless! We had them at our old house before we got the heating put in, they do cost a fortune to run. Hot water bottles under the quilts will do the trick. You are very motivated to run in bad weather, all my evening exercise of late takes place in the house. x

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  21. the vast majority of NZ houses only use plug in heaters, room by room... our winter power bills are around 100-150 pounds a month though, which isn't too expensive compared to many people i know. Gorgeous quilt. I'm having lots of nourishing meals cooked for me - I'm whacked after a day with 20 x 5 year olds (as adorable as they can be - not all the time though!)

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  22. The EPP looks amazing! I love seeing quilts progress, the colours are stunning.

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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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