November blues

November is a dreary month, and even though we still have plenty of leaves on the trees as it has been so mild, the colour seems to be steadily disappearing from the countryside.  A rainy day brings a monotone bleakness to the landscape.  I need some colour therapy I think.

The photo is part of the design on an embroidered cushion cover I bought at the weekend.  The lady who sewed them was VERY skilled with her needle. 

This one I can just about bear to part with, but the other one was a showstopper in terms of embroidery skills, and will be staying with me.

And a close up . . .

We found these at last week's car boot sale, for just £1 each. 

This beautiful vintage Welsh wool blanket came in at a bit less than we might have paid at auction:

And the reverse:

Sad to relate, the latest chest infection has resisted two lots of anti biotics - it was greatly helped in its cause by the Doctor who knew I had a chest infection, but made me wait for the sputum test results before giving any anti-biotics (yeah - I'm popping a-b's for FUN).  As it happened, I had to go to the emergency out of hours doctor on a weekend because I was feeling so ill.  By then, it had really got a hold.  Now I am on some fairly heavy-duty a-b's, which I hope and pray will work though I am just on a short course, and have to see the Doctor again on Tuesday.  It WILL be the same Doctor though, which is a relief, as I see a different one each time and they don't look at my notes properly to see how long this has been going on.  Sorry to moan, but I am so fed up with being ill and having to "rest".  I am usually an active person and would like the choice of whether to rest or not.  The fact I am giving up the demon drink (Diet Coke) is not helping my cause . . .

I just don't have any energy or motivation to do anything much this week, although I am trying to plod on with quilt-making.  I am making better progress with the embroidery of the 3/4 finished tablecloth I bought back in the summer, truth be told, as it is just two colours, and one stitch (stem stitch).  I've nearly finished it now, although it will need a good wash as a Certain Cat (Theo I think) with Very Muddy Paws walked all over it . . .

He is a bright little cat - a thorough sea-going hooligan at times - but very affectionate.  If I am about, he tries to be Big and Bad when he's outside and the stray tom is about, but the tom (Ghengis Khan, a washed-out beigey-tabby) sometimes hides in wait for him and nabs him, then I hear Theo yelling for help and he hurtles in through the cat flap like the devil incarnate is on his tail!  Just lately he has really made me laugh though, as he has turned around and waited for the tom to follow him through the cat flap (not something I encourage!) and as his face appears, Theo whacks the cat flap with his paw and gets his revenge as it wallops Ghenghis in the whiskers!  I wish I could video it, as it is just SO funny.

I had hoped to share some Thomas Hardy poetry with you, and some London social history mutterings, and various other things which have taken my interest, but they will have to wait.