Peace and Tranquillity

I have been the worst blogger ever just lately and can't believe I have neglected this space so badly.  Unfortunately I have had quite a lot of stress due to my Mums illnesses and now to her recently being diagnosed with dementia.  She is coping well but it has been very difficult for the family.
Anyway I am here now and am determined to get back on track.  The blog may change a little as it is now connected directly to my revamped website.  I strongly suggest you hurry over there to Needlecraft Corner 

We have lots of lovely fabrics, wool and buttons on the site and there will be lots more added shortly as soon as I find the time to get them all on.
Obviously as the blog evolves it will also include items that have arrived in the shop but it will still include what I have been up to both out and about and at home in my little crafty world.  I hope you continue to drop by and I look forward to sharing my comings and goings with you all.

Last weekend we had a lovely time pottering about the house doing lots of jobs that we've been putting off.  Mainly gardening.  We love being outside and are determined this year to progress with our vegetable patch.  This consists of two 10 x 3 foot beds which currently have potatoes, leeks and cabbages in them.  Watch this space as more things will be going in as the weeks go by.

On Sunday afternoon after sorting the garden etc Steve suggested that we go out for a walk so we jumped in the car and set off for a new haunt of ours which we discovered a couple of weeks ago.

This is an absolutely beautiful stretch of canal at Sykehouse near Doncaster.

Hawthorne in full bloom

It is definitely a hidden treasure that is not often used by boats or walkers.  It is packed with fish of various sizes and types and there are plenty of fishermen sat enjoying the scenery.  We have walked several stretches of this waterway recently and love the tranquillity of the place.  We even came across a little bunny rabbit on the toll path this week together with herons too.

A heron landing on the opposite bank

 On a completely different topic, I wanted to create a little work of art using some of the plants found in our garden.  I had been browsing Pinterest as you do, and decided to mount a few of the items picked in the garden on a canvas.  I then sprayed them with craft paint bought at B & Q and this was the result.  I was so happy and it now sits proudly in our recently decorated kitchen.

My latest work of art

Well that's all I've got for you today but promise to be back soon with the reveal of my brand new patchwork quilt.
Thanks for dropping by x

Ashby Canal - Autumn Break 2012

As you have probably guessed, I have been on my holidays this past week. I'm never sure whether I should warn you of my pending absence as you hear such stories of people finding out you're away and clearing you out of house and home. 

Anyway I'm back now and have a bad bout of Post Holiday Blues.  I have already had a tearful session with hubby, and find myself complaining that I always expect things to be different when I get back and nothing ever is.  After thinking about it I realise that it is me that has changed and craves change and that it can only be me that has to change things to make my life better.
I expect you're wondering what has brought about this dissatisfaction but it has been bubbling for a long long time.  OK rant over.  Watch this space to track what happens next.  I have no idea either so we're in for a few surprises.

We have just spent the most wonderful holiday on the Ashby Canal.  Anyone who reads this blog will realise that this is now a regular haunt of ours and it never fails to fill me with joy.
We hired a boat from the Ashby Boat Company and were very lucky that due to demand we didn't get the boat we originally requested.  This sounds strange I know but it meant that they up graded us not once but twice and we ended up with a 56 foot narrow boat instead of the 35 footer we went for. 

We've been on this one before (Carlton) and due to its size it handles like a dream.  You would expect the smaller ones to be easier to steer but they are lighter and wave about, and reversing can be a nightmare.

The weather was a bit hit and miss but it lent itself to some amazing photographs.

There was lots to see by the side of the canal too.

Cows having a paddle.

Ducks of course.

Flowers in tea cups.

No wonder we didn't want to leave.

There's no doubt we'll be back though.

No doubt at all!

Spring is in the air

Hi I hope you all enjoyed the Easter break.  Fortunately I have another day off so I'm really pretty chipper this morning.  None of the first day back blues for me today.  I'll get mine tomorrow when everyone else is back to normal.

Yesterday we went out for a long walk on the Chesterfield Canal.  We started off at Drakeholes and continued from the tunnel past bridge 75 and beyond to the second set of locks and then returned.  The weather was glorious but with a lovely breeze which just kept the heat bearable.  I did however get the tell tale red burn mark on my neck from not bothering to apply sun screen.  I am very fair and should know better.  I know I should know better because I am constantly being told by my darling husband that I should know better. I picked some wild garlic from beside the path.  I sliced it up and sprinkled it in a batter I used to coat some chicken for tea last night.  It has a very subtle flavour and was delicious.
Did anyone watch the Spring Watch Special last night? It was lovely to hear about all the birds returning from Africa and other far away places. I love that program and think that Chris is so funny.  I remember him from my younger days when he used to present The Really Wild Show.

They asked the question 'What do you associate with Spring' and my photos today are what remind me that Spring has sprung.

Enjoy your day x