knitwise

A cold Winter's day...

What do you do when it is too cold outside and you are lucky enough to have the day off?...

A spot of reading curled up on the sofa

A few more stitches on a crochet blanket  for next Winter

Indulge in a slice of Raspberry cheesecake

Things to do in 2012...

I wish you all a very happy New Year 2012!

As a rule, I never make New Year resolutions for the simple reason that I know for a fact that I am unlikely to stick to them...  All I allow myself to do instead is to make a  "To do" list with the hope to tick at least a few items off that list before the new year is over... (No promises that I won't be able to keep, just a few things I would like to achieve).

• Finish my WIPs, or at least finish one BEFORE starting a new project. I have currently 3 ufo's : two vintage knits and one crochet blanket.
• Eat healthily and take some exercise to regain my lost waistline... (This might mean more time spent in the kitchen!)
• Have a go at sewing tops and dresses for myself (can only be done  if the above is achieved).
• Try to use as much from my stash as possible (wool and fabric)
• Have a critical look at my current wardrobe: get rid of the unwearable, recycle or revamp the acceptable. I would love to adopt the "make do and mend" attitude this year.
• Be more creative.

As you can see, this is quite a short list. The hardest might be the "healthy" bit!...

Afternoon tea...

A little while ago I had the opportunity to have Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it and my 16 year old daughter took my place to accompany my sister-in-law to London. You can imagine how envious I was!... I have been wanting for YEARS  to experience this very English tradition in beautiful surroundings and when, at last, I gave got the chance, I have to let it go because of work commitments! Such is life or, as I would say back home: c'est la vie!...

Anyway, both lucky girls had a wonderful time and told me all about the perfectly cut finger sandwiches,  the scones with clotted cream and jam, the little cakes and the tea, the delicate blue china and silver spoons, the attentive waiters, the pianist and the elegant decor. They both expected Miss Marple to make an appearance.

Nowadays, we live in a fast world and such things as Afternoon Tea belong to the past, but it would be nice sometimes to be able to just slow down and take our time over home-made cakes and fresh tea or coffee served on a crisp table cloth with the best china we own...

I bought a delightful little book entitled Tea at Fortnum & Mason in an attempt to re-create some tea-time recipes.

Maybe, one rainy Sunday afternoon, I will host my own tea party with home-made scones and cakes served on pretty plates and lacy doilies....