Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 I have been having a home day today.  There was a very heavy frost last night - in the cleft between Aberedw and Carneddau, the humped hills of Gwaunceste Hill were as white as snow at first light - and first thing I was sat at the computer with a warm wide woolly scarf round me that a friend gave me for Christmas.  When it cools in the evening, I put it across my knees as I sew.  It was minus 2 at 8.30 a.m. - I know, positively balmy for you folk in Canada and Northern America!) but felt colder.

A later view from my bathroom window.


 I did get a walk in, but not very far as parts of the hill still icy, though the Council had been out and gritted it using a small open-back lorry.  

Not this bit though!  This was my sticking point (or falling over point) yesterday.  Like the Cresta Run.

Yet - Periwinkles blooming on a sheltered bank.

The chicken curry (with a tin of tomatoes and veg added to the chicken) hit the spot today.  I have some for tomorrow and some to freeze as well.  I also cooked up the last of the leftover Christmas veg for the freezer (Carrots and Sprouts).

Then I began the 2nd block and that was much easier to assemble an less challenging to match up.  I just randomly chose colours - the quilt will have more paler fabrics in it.  

It is definitely spot the mistakes at the moment, but I now know what to be very accurate with next time, and try not to cut the corners off the square blocks where they meet the half square section on Block 2 (in first photo).  With Block 1 (on the bottom), it was much easier to cut and piece but I need to make sure I have any pattern direction in the right place before cutting.  At least the little squares on it were accurately pieced.  I shan't do any more now until I have got the cream fabric.  I used a piece of rather flimsy white to do these, which stretched when cutting and I had to be careful not to pucker when ironing with a hot iron.  Anyway, those are the two tester pieces.  I should be alright with the Pinwheel border, as I've done those before.

This, by the way, is the tray I fell in love with and asked Gabby to get me for Christmas.  I have it on display on the end counter of the kitchen.

Lots of lovely post today, a letter from Danette arrived, plus her subscription present of Country Living magazine (February), and a letter and a book from my friend Gay in Dorset.  Now I can sit down and look at the book and magazine.

Incidentally, I have just started on a new historical novel for bedtime reading, Anne O'Brien's The Virgin Widow, which is set at the time of the Wars of the Roses and features the future wife of Richard III - Anne Neville.  Coincidence.  Off to look at those, then embroider.

Tomorrow, another longer walk is planned.  I may go up through the woods if it's slippy out.  

Will it snow?

 Threats of snow (heavy????) over the weekend.  It's cold and frosty, and we will see how it pans out. I put an extra (thin) quilt on the bed last night and slept better for it.   I needed rice today as I had run out (plenty of brown rice in the cupboard though).  I got a HUGE 4kg bag,  and more girl-cat food as they are being so fussy about biscuits, and went to Tesco and spent £32 which may have included a bottle of wine. . .  I missed out over Christmas as by the time I was feeling up to having any, all the good stuff had gone!  

I had to abandon plans of a walk up the big hill today - I got as far as the fork in the road and there was a sheet of ice across it, and looking right, more ice down that hill.  I came home and went out later up the steep farm track - hence these photos.

The mild weather so far has encouraged these Daffodils to grow.  It lifted my heart to see them.

The sunshine did me a power of good too.

Just a glimpse of Aberedw Hill through the trees.

I have ordered some cream (Porcelain) material for the E blocks, as we didn't buy that at the time.  I have gotten all the fabrics out and see I need some light patterns too, so got a fat 1/4 of 108" wide backing fabric in Willow Boughs (Ivory) to be going on with.  That should be with me by next week.  I will also find 3 or 4 more fat quarters in lighter WM prints.  Meanwhile I have been making a practice block (Block 2) and have got my brain in a pickle over the bottom row.  I need to start it first thing in the morning as by mid-afternoon when I finally get upstairs, my brain is slightly frazzled as it's been distracted already by "life"! Today it was having a video call with Tam (and Rosie) who was trying to guide me through adding an app to the TV which would apparently give me access to Live TV.  But no it doesn't.  I think it will have to be a roof aerial - more expense.  Mind you, plenty to keep me amused anyway, but it would be nice to watch the horse racing live (or even know where to find it easily!) and to on occasion, watch the news.  Only mainly when there have been Weather Events though.

Block B, on an angle.  

I fear this was 6 years in the waiting, and will be another 6 years in the blardy MAKING!  I plan to go to my Quilt Group next week and then I will have Help on Hand!

Well, many thanks to all my friends and extended family who have phoned to wish me a Happy New Year and Rosie in NZ - it made my day to have that video call with you.  Will do it again soon.