Welcome to another SSSS (South Somerset Sunday Sevens) – no. 86 or 87, I’ve lost track after this many weeks. Nat over at Threads & Bobbins came up with this idea to help you keep blogging in those less productive times. Pop over to her blog to see how you can join in, too.
As ever, I have failed to whittle it down to just seven photos (clue is in the title!) but HAVE found a way to make it less obvious that I can’t count – make a montage!
- Although we went away to London last weekend for our wedding anniversary, the actual date was mid week so, of course, we had to celebrate again on the day itself. We went to one of our favourite places for lunch, Holbrook House, which is the same hotel that we spent our wedding night in.
2. These giant 25mm knitting needles arrived in the post from Wool Warehouse along with some super chunky wool. I’ve been knitting with laceweight yarn on 3mm needles for three months solid and was desperate to do a quick knit.
3. We spent a couple of days in the garden at the beginning of the week as soon as the spell of good weather started. Pool was filled, gazebo drapes were put back up and the daybed was dressed for the Summer.
4. I cast on with the giant needles whilst keeping an eye on The Boys in the pool.
We had snow this time last week!
5. Knitting continued apace the following morning in bed. I love how quickly this has knitted up. In fact, the entire jumper is finished already – I just have to sew it up!
6. Talking of knitting, No.3 Son asked if I would teach him how to knit. This is the progress of his ‘scarf’. Well, a scarf is the first thing everyone knits, isn’t it?
7. Mr H-L’s red shorts are nearly finished. Waistband is going on – this is the inside and should make him smile every time he puts them on.
8. No.2 Son declared that he needed some new shorts for Spain in a few weeks so, being the mother that I am, told him to go and make some.
An hour and a half later – voilà!
Like his father, his taste is not exactly conservative:)
9. Two more happy Stitch Academy students with their finished projects.
10. Our first barbeque of the year!
11. Lunch with the girls made a nice change as we don’t get to do it as often as we used to.
12. Second barbeque in as many days! Last year we didn’t have a single one, so we’re making the most of the good weather while it lasts.
13. In fact, we lit the woodburner (every garden should have one) and stayed outside until nearly ten o’clock with family who were visiting for the weekend.
Finally, a big “thank you” to all your kind messages about the hens. They are all missed, but the new ones are getting used to us now, coming closer as they get braver and become more inquisitive. It won’t be very long before we find them wandering into the kitchen, I suspect.
May 10, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Hoorah for the British Summer – long may it last for you. I like the daybed under the gazebo and now feel a bit miffed that we sold our one not long ago which had been in my daughter’s bedroom for visiting friends to sleep on. I hadn’t thought about using it outside.
You have very talented children – did your son line the waistband with contrasting fabric too? Tell me he did 😉
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May 10, 2016 at 2:38 pm
The daybed was in the attic room until I decided that it would be put to better use in the garden. We leave it out all year round and it’s weathering nicely – such a wonderful place to relax in the garden that we all fight over it! My son’s shorts were much more basic with an elasticated waist, although I’m certain he would have lined them with another garish fabric if he knew how!
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May 10, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Wonderful weather and wonderful week. Clever boy your son!
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May 10, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Thanks, and I have to agree about my clever sons, lol:)
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May 10, 2016 at 4:30 pm
What a lovely summery post. Great to see No 1 son learning to knit. Smart lad! Loved your answer to No2 sons need for shorts 🙂 I’m not keen on knitting on big needles – once they get past a certain size it doesn’t really feel like knitting any more.
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May 10, 2016 at 4:36 pm
You’re absolutely right – I feel like a beginner again having to take my hand off in order to wrap the yarn around the needle! The Boys are quite resourceful already, possibly due to my ‘give it a go’ attitude:)
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May 10, 2016 at 4:47 pm
Good for you. I had chronic whiplash that went on for years when my girls were your boys age, so they learned very little and were too cool for mum to teach them once I was able. I’m really sad they didn’t, although littlest has been getting the hang of such things over the last few years. And apologies to No1 son – realised my mistake as I pressed send. I do know that’s No 3 and No 1 is an awful lot bigger.
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May 10, 2016 at 4:52 pm
My older two weren’t (and still aren’t) in the slightest bit interested in anything ‘crafty’ – the curse of the throwaway generation born in the late 80s/early 90s:(
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May 10, 2016 at 8:31 pm
You’re right, although I’m pleased to report my 1992 vintage daughter is now crafting – so there is hope 🙂
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May 10, 2016 at 6:31 pm
What a lovely week in glorious weather! We had our first barbeque too – always a milestone! Your sons are very clever! Loving no. 2 son’s shorts! I’m surprised you didn’t tell your husband to make his own shorts! 😉
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May 10, 2016 at 6:52 pm
I think the whole of Britain dusted off their barbeques at the weekend, just in case we don’t get another chance. My husband is of the era when girls were taught sewing and boys were taught woodworking, which makes him all the more impressed by my creations:)
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May 10, 2016 at 6:45 pm
Gutted I missed out on a bbq this Sunday. The neighbours had one and I was very envious. I love the idea of giant knitting; done and dusted so quickly. It’s on trend too. Is that your Drops stuff?
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May 10, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Yes, it is and 100% wool, too – lovely quality. There’s something special about the first barbeque, isn’t there? And it always smells irresistible….
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May 10, 2016 at 8:18 pm
Yay for the sunshine! We got the BBQ out too, it would have been rude not to 😉 Loving your big knitting and I look forward to seeing the finished jumper!
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May 11, 2016 at 12:42 pm
I think the world and his wife had a BBQ this weekend, as you say, would’ve been rude not to! Jumper just needs sewing up (the worst bit) and it looks like I might need it as Winter seems to have returned today:(
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May 11, 2016 at 4:13 pm
I know…what’s with this weather!? Just when I thought it was safe to put the knits away for another year…
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May 10, 2016 at 9:30 pm
What a super fun week! I tell you I would love to sleep outside in the daybed. It looks so comfy. Your new kniitting needles remind me of what mom used to make what she called broom stick lace that she litterly used old broomsticks to make. Your sons definately took your craft genes. Can I be one of your students for any of your classes?!! You rock my friend!! Much love to everyone!
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May 11, 2016 at 12:46 pm
We do sleep outside if it’s nice enough later on in the year and The Boys love it! The huge needles are quite unwieldy to use so I wouldn’t want to do a project like this very often, although the wool is gorgeous. My sons have to be crafty really, don’t they? Surrounded by all this creativity, some of it is bound to rub off on them. I will give you a free private lesson in any class if you’re ever over here:)
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May 10, 2016 at 9:50 pm
So much to love about your weekly activities Sheila! LOVE the giant knitting – I was looking at the yarn yesterday and wondering what excuse I needed to get some …………. And the wood burner outside is fabulous recycling idea 🙂 I wish you a long and fabulous summer with many barbecues!
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May 11, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Oh, the wool is just lovely and I now want to knit a blanket for the sofa using it with those giant needles. There’s not a great choice of colours, it has to be said, just neutrals where I would prefer a bright turquoise, but any of them would be perfect for a sofa. The wood burner was given to us and is beyond repair for inside the house but is just brilliant in the garden!
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May 11, 2016 at 6:16 pm
The yarn I was eyeing up was a bright turquoise – so it is available…….
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May 11, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Ooh, where was that? Wool Warehouse only has 8 shades of Drops Polaris.
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May 11, 2016 at 9:18 pm
It was in Lincraft – an Aussie based store here in NZ. I didn’t take notice of the brand which could well be international – a good excuse for me to pop back in 🙂
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May 10, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Oh wow!! now your day bed is out for the season, I know summer is on it’s way up north sometime soon 😉 More lovely new makes by your talented students and your son’s shorts are fab!! Look forward to seeing the new garden girls exploring your kitchen very soon 🙂
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May 11, 2016 at 12:51 pm
At least we made the most of the weather at the weekend as it’s pouring down today – Summer must be on it’s way to you! No.2 Son came up trumps with the shorts, didn’t he? Maybe I should set the bar a little higher with the next challenge:)
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May 11, 2016 at 10:19 pm
LOL you’re certainly making son No.2 into a very creative crafter ~ Love it, He’s so clever and proficient!
We seem to be sharing the same rain up here too, though tomorrow may be better hope the same for you 🙂
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May 11, 2016 at 2:46 am
Sheila, your food photos always look so yummy. Am amazed at those huge needles & eager to see the finished jumper. Well done to all your young sewers~grand that you challenged your son to make his own. 😉
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May 11, 2016 at 12:55 pm
We do love good food and I have to include the odd photo in my Sunday sevens, lol. The giant needles were a first for me and I totally loved using them. A blanket is next on the cards, I think, as it is such cosy wool you want to wrap yourself in it! No.2 Son didn’t bat an eyelid at the suggestion, just chose what he wanted and got on with it, bless him:)
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May 11, 2016 at 9:23 am
What a lovely week you had! The beautiful weather was amazing wasn’t it?
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May 13, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Yes, it was gorgeous and seems to have returned for this weekend too – yay!
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May 11, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Love to see your well-used back yard. Sons and students look soooo happy with their creations, don’t they? Those giant needles, amazing, if a bit intimidating. Another great Sundays post, Sheila!
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May 13, 2016 at 5:49 pm
It’s proof that kids just love to make things, isn’t it? Those giant needles were a novelty to use, although not something I’d want to do very often, but it sure was great to see the yarn knit up so quickly:)
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May 12, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Lovely week indeed. So glad to see you did a BBQ, we have them just about all year round, whenever the weather lets us, or even not. Any excuse for a good BBQ and in winter even better as we get to enjoy the fire at night. 🙂
Lovely knitting, and so fast. Wow.
Enjoy!
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May 13, 2016 at 5:29 pm
All year round?? Wow! Us Brits are of pretty hardy stock but we limit the barbeques to when the thermometer hits around 20°C. Although my daughter did have one in the snow when she was at uni:)
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May 16, 2016 at 12:31 pm
I guess we are very lucky, as our temps are just so very moderate, and even in winter most days will be very close to the double digits. I think as soon as the sun is shining we have reason to have a BBQ. 🙂
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May 12, 2016 at 11:15 pm
Looks like you had a great week! Weather looks gorgeous, almost as good as over here 😛 Love how everyone has been creative this week & can’t wait to hear about those shorts 😀
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May 13, 2016 at 5:30 pm
It was lovely and seems to have returned for this weekend – more BBQs perhaps?
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May 16, 2016 at 9:31 am
Oh your garden makes me jealous. A day bed and a wood burner… Def something to aim for
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May 19, 2016 at 8:30 pm
I only show the nice parts – the ‘lawn’ that has a cricket pitch mown into it for The Boys, and the patches dug up by the hens are glossed over somewhat! But the day bed and wood burner are used soooo much over the next few months that I’d really recommend them to anyone.
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May 24, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Lol like any good garden then.
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May 19, 2016 at 2:15 am
A lovely week! So glad I’ve just eaten my supper at work, your food montage nearly had me drooling. And 2 barbies! Brilliant! Food tastes so much better outside, with wine! Then I got to the end bit and read about your hens settling in, which must mean I’ve missed some bad news. So sorry to hear, will read on, and am sending big hugs. Hope it’s not been too traumatic for you all 🙁
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May 19, 2016 at 8:35 pm
Thanks Ali, trouble with us Brits is that we get so attached to our animals and give them names and everything – which they don’t do anywhere else in the world really. The BBQs have been ace. It feels like Summer has arrived after the first BBQ, doesn’t it? Only, last year when we came back from Spain the first week in June, our Summer was already over. I know this because my suitcase is still packed as it never got warm enough to bother getting my Summer clothes out!!! At least I don’t have to bother packing next week as it’s still all in there:)
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