Thursday 22 January 2015

Snowy Days

Welcome back; it's lovely to have you visiting again. When I tried to do this post a few days ago, I couldn't load my photos because of a server error. I've no idea what caused it or how to fix it. Thankfully I have a new iMac, just set up today, and I'm able to load my photos without any problem.

On Friday last the husband was off for the day; I'm always off on Fridays. We were going to take the trailer and get loaded up with wood blocks but we woke to a white world. We decided that discretion was the better part of valour and didn't try taking the car out with the trailer attached.


We leave plenty of food for the wild birds and they really needed it. The feeders are next to our beehives.




 I couldn't resist taking some photos as it looked really lovely.





 All of a sudden the snow started falling again. It was beautiful to watch though it made everything look like the world was in black and white instead of colour.










The poor wee birds. They still had to come looking for food even though it was snowing.


These two daffodils are the only two in the garden that are blooming!


Now it just so happens that on Thursday last week (the day before it snowed), I saw a pattern for crocheted socks in the Simply Crochet magazine. And, I saw where Daisy had actually crocheted said socks. In fact, she has since crocheted another pair for her mother. Well, when I saw the snow I knew what I simply had to do; crochet a pair of cosy socks for myself. I couldn't start right away as we braved the elements and went out for coffee. It was actually Friday evening before I could finally get out some yarn, my hooks and the pattern and get started. I thought it would be a good idea to work the two socks together. So make the toe for the first sock, make the toe for the second sock, work the first stripe of the first sock, work the first stripe of the second sock and so on. Things went really well until I had done the number of rows stated in the pattern before I was supposed to turn the heel. I have long, narrow feet which necessitated me having to work an extra five rows before the foot section was long enough! That held me back!! I crocheted like someone possessed as I really wanted to get them finished before going to bed. Anyway, I turned the heel on both socks and crocheted the number of rows that were supposed to be completed before the rib top. Again this was too short for me and I needed an extra three rows. Too late though for Friday night and I had to leave them to finish on Saturday.

The snow was still about on Saturday as there were some more snow showers overnight. It was a beautiful day so, after being out in the morning, I spent the afternoon in the kitchen. I made more blackcurrant cordial and a batch of cranberry sauce. We had some with Sunday lunch and it was delicious.


Then I also baked apple and blackberry tart using fruit from our garden. This is the first tart ...


... and this is the second.


Side by side!


These were also delicious even though I say so myself!

What about my socks? I got them finished on Saturday evening and took some photos on Sunday morning.




The socks are very cosy and I just love looking at them. They make me laugh every time I see them. I'm hoping you'll let me know what you think of them.

I'm just so excited to be able to get back to my blogging with this new iMac. It's taking a bit of getting used to but I'm picking it up pretty quickly.

Something else exciting happened. I won a giveaway! And my prize arrived today. It is a beautiful pink rabbit that Suzy very kindly sent me. You can see the rabbit here but I will also be taking photos of it and letting you see how lovely it is.

That's all for now. Thank you for all your comments and a welcome to new followers. I hope you are managing to keep warm wherever you are and hopefully not too warm.


27 comments:

  1. Hello Gillian

    Oh thank you so much for your wonderful post. I absolutely adore your snow photos, they look magical. I love numbers 2 and 3 photos with a little bit of sun in the background, and look at your daffodils all by themselves, I hope they survive
    Your mouthwatering baking, and brilliant socks. I don't blame you for admiring them at all.

    Congratulations again, on the win.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have admired Daisy's sock before and now I am admiring yours, too. I just don't see how you would crochet socks and will probably have to buy the magazine to find out! The daffodils in the snow are just beautiful! I love the snow but I have to admit that commuting by bike is not great when it is wintery! x

    ReplyDelete
  3. I absolutely LOVE those socks!! We woke up to a similar landscape today - snow's arrived really late this Winter...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for posting about your socks. I've never seen crocheted socks before and was just wondering about yours this afternoon. Very interesting. And I love the colors.

    ReplyDelete
  5. has snow a lot in your country around here just once during christmas....the cake looks delicious....thanks for sharing..lovely pics

    ReplyDelete
  6. Not good when the computer plays up. lol. Lovely photography and a lovely thought to leave feed out
    for birds. Those socks are super and hey....nice pair of legs there girl. lol.
    Cheers, Anita.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, how lovely! It looks pretty cold but I'm sure a slice of that yummy pie helps :-)
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. The more I see photos of those socks the more I think I should attempt a pair. Beautiful photographs & your pies look very yummy. x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi :) We have winter in Poland too, but we are still waiting for white snow :) Kisses :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm surprised to hear you don't have snow yet.

      Delete
  10. I like the socks !!! Excellent !! Your pics are great ... no snow here... I miss it sometimes !!! Have a creative day !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your snow photos are beautiful, I love to see snow when it's just fallen and is all fresh on the ground, I just don't like going out in it, far too cold for me. Your fabulous socks will keep your tootsies nice and warm though. I've knit plenty of pairs of socks but never crocheted any, I'm not sure I'd be able to follow the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd say it's easier to crochet socks than knit them. The Simply Crochet pattern is very clear.

      Delete
  12. I just love the socks, they are fab! it snowed here Tuesday morning but all gone by lunchtime, have a great weekendxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Giulliana,
    Brrr...that looks cold. But very nice shots with the snow and all frozen.
    The trees are very wonderful now.
    And what a lovely tart. It looks delicious, I would I could taste it..hihi...!!

    Kind regards,
    Marco

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have snow envy! No more than a few flurries here and I LOVE snow!

    Fun socks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I completely adore your socks. I've always been enthralled by the idea of knitting socks, but my knitting is very bad so crocheting seems a more likely option. Yours are brilliant. I wish I had the pattern - I'll try Ravelry for something similar.

    Your garden looks stunning in the snow. We've not had any and I'm very jealous. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Back copies of Simply Crochet are available at zinio.com. Free if you are a library member.

      Delete
  16. Love love love your socks!!! I have that pattern in mind too and saw the posts that you referred to. I am trying so hard to be doing the things that are on my list to be done or that I need to do for my mantel only, but I really want to have a go at these socks. Your colour choices are brilliant and go so well together. Love them! Did I mention that! The snowy pictures are beautiful, I love the way as you say that everything goes black and white looking, you really see the shapes of everything don't you. Hope you have a warm weekend! xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Such an amazing post today, and I LOOOOOOOOOVE those socks and I want the pattern they are fantastic.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Back copies of Simply Crochet are available at zinio.com

      Delete
  18. Wonderful pictures of your snowy garden...I loved the beehives and the birds too! Your socks are amazing....and you made them so fast! I have sometimes worked till late to try and finish something like that too.....
    Wishing you a happy cosy weekend, Gillian.
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your garden looks wonderful with its white blanket, glad you feed the garden birds-they do appreciate it.
    Loving your socks.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such a delightful post! Everything is lovely from the snow, to the pies and preserves to the socks! I think the socks look great with your boots and woolly tights! x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the socks and the snow! We haven't had any here yet.... but there's still time!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your socks are adorable! I've been wanting to try crocheting socks too. The snow photos are great, I hope you enjoyed your wintry weather.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Gillian!
    What a lovely post! Wow, you really got a lot of snow, and it makes your garden look so different!
    Glad you are feeding the little birds.
    Oh, I love your crochet socks, how wonderful! Great colours!!!! <3
    Well done!!
    Have a nice weekend!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this and I read them all. I will try to reply as soon as possible to any comment that needs a reply.