Do you shop local?

When I first started to knit again I used to shop online with a big supplier.  I do love getting parcels though the post :-)  Nothing beats getting a parcel and unwrapping it and remembering what you ordered (or even better what someone else has ordered for you - BIG HINT THERE HUBBY)...........

However, one of the things I am trying to do this year is to support my local shops by shopping in them as much as possible.  In my village (it's really a suburb of a town but I've lived here since before I was married and it's always been called the village), we have a variety of facilities - Dr's (but not mine!), a post office, chemist, chippys, small supermarkets, hairdressers, pet shops to name a few.  My very favourite  shop of all is called Christine's.  It is a wool shop and I am addicted.  I only discovered her 12 months ago and pop in at least once a week.  My favourite wool is Stylecraft Special (DK) and Christine sells a lot of colours (I love the green and spicy orange below).

 Just look at them all - I think I have at least 1 ball of most of them - except the brights, not as keen on the brights.

I took the photos on the last day I helped in the shop (the day H got sick).  I also love the multi-striped wool (is that the correct term?), even though I have only ever knit with it, I must try crocheting with it soon.  I love how it changes colour as you knit.  When people come into the shop they either love or hate this kind of wool in equal measure.  Can you see a sneaky peek of "my" blanket below?  I must remember to take photos of it in daylight ASAP.

 My third fav wool if the stuff which has sparkles running through it.  Again, I have only knit with it.

 My other addiction is buttons (oh, and ribbons) - I have sewn many of the buttons on the front of those tubes, when I find an empty tube I have to add a button, but I can only do about 5 at a time before I get frustrated at how fiddly it is!.

It was a beautiful blue day too.  I sat in the shop for 4 hours, serving customers, crocheting and looking at that sky.

It was a day that was worth remembering - until I got home but I am working on erasing that from my memory banks!!!!

Meal Planning Monday on Tuesday

I wouldn't mind but I wrote it all down on Sunday :-)

Monday:- Meant to be sarnies but we ordered a Chinese and it was lovely!
Tuesday:- Weatherspoons for lunch (& eyetest for H)
Wednesday:- Pasta Bol
Thursday:- Sausages and Mash
Friday:- Salad???
Saturday: - Girl's night
Sunday:- Surprise - ie whatever I make on the day!!!!

I love that the sunshine has now been out for 2 days, gives me great hope that Salads will start to be on the menu more often.

Joining in with Mrs M.

We had great plans for having a week off and doing things, but with eye tests and hospital appt being arranged this week, we seem to have something to do each day!!!!!

Making me HAPPY

It's been a week or 2 since I did a happy post.  I lost the mojo (and felt I was repeating myself too much) and the last couple of weeks haven't been happy with H's side effects and trust me that didn't make either of us happy :-)

Today, I feel it is the right time to start it again.

Making me happy this week;

1) Baking.

2) Lunching with a friend.  Well it was raining so we had to shelter in the pub - didn't we?????

3) Finding new places to meet - fab hot chocolate, BUT it wasn't very hot.  I don't buy hot drinks often, so do I have to ask for something extra???  ie Should I have asked for a hot, hot chocolate???  It tasted yummy but I virtually had to neck it in one

I asked N to pose in front of the old bar in the cafe (it is gorgeous)  and somehow we got Jazz hands :-)

4) First signs of Spring.  Camilla is bursting into life in the front garden.  Oh sunshine too - sunshine is good.

5) Choosing some new wool at the LWS.  C knows me so well so when she saw the ball in the warehouse she knew i'd love it.  I haven't bought it yet, but we both know I will :-)

I have also finished my blanket, my own blanket, just for me.  Oh and Anni, cause every time I picked it up she had to have a cuddle and put her head on it too.  Just bout 5 ends to sew in and then all done.  Will show you soon.

Menu Planning Monday

Last week's menu went to pot.  With a sick person in the house we/I ate whatever I could grab in the time I had before the sick person needed me again.

H is now feeling much better.  He is tired, but that's cause he was ill for over a week and his MS needs time to recuperate.  He has also stopped the new medication and starts injecting the old medication tonight.

So I am tired (somewhat) and my shopping is not being delivered until Friday but I have plans in place from Friday, so just have to make up a few nights and we'll be done.  I am actually looking forward to cooking - not sure how long that'll last :-)

Monday:- Steak Pie and Mash Potato (on H's request!)  I think Pie needs to be sweet...........
Tuesday:- Fish Cakes and Salad
Wednesday:- Surprise
Thursday:- Fridge Surprise!!!!
Friday:- Chicken in Oyster Sauce with noodles and prawn crackers
Saturday:- Lasagna, garlic bread and pudding.  I have Mum and Dad coming for tea (re-arranged from last week), so looking forward to that.
Sunday:- CHOCOLATE



Linking in with Mrs M http://www.athomewithmrsm.com/

and breathe

We tried and tried and tried and have had to admit defeat.  I haven't been up to blogging this week, just too tired to think straight.  If you are squeamish, don't read on - I have done my best to be general and not give details :-)

H had his medication changed for his MS a few weeks ago.  The new medication was meant to give him a 50% improvement in his life and it meant no more injections so he was eager to do it.  All was going well until day 14 when it all started to go horrendously wrong.  He came home from work early with "side effects" (much nicer than reality).  These "side effects" were joined with sickness which happened every time he ate.  When he was tired, his legs stopped working so he had to sleep on the floor for a few hours until he had enough energy to help me get him up.  I did not sleep for 2 nights.  He kept going until Thursday morning.

Eventually we spoke to the MS Nurse (who is a god send) and with the specialists agreement it has been decided that he is better going back onto the injections.  Apparently he is the only one so far who can't tolerate the new medications -he always was awkward.

Then on Thursday night Anni started to limp rather badly. I was so worried.  Then suspicious.  We couldn't agree which leg she was limping on - until we discovered that she forgot to do it if no was was watching or if she had food or toys in front of her.  The little Grrrrrr had decided that she didn't like H getting all the attention so was putting it on.

So this week I have discovered that my needs are below H's and the dogs.....................  what have you discovered this week???????

Want to know a little more about how MS effects your energy levels?  There is a great explanation here  The Spoon Theory

Menu Planning Monday

Without going into details (as this is a food post) this weekend has not been a good one.  H has started new medication for his MS and the side effects arrived in full force on Friday afternoon.  He managed just under 2 weeks with only slight flushing and then it went wrong.  I think partly this is because he got blasé about how much he was eating - he needs to eat a lot with this medication.

So I have to put great thought into this menu - I need to get the right mix of protein, carbs and fat and since I am not a foodie, I have found it very difficult.  It also has to be easy as I am not a very confident cook :-)


Linking in with Mrs M www.athomewithmrsm.com .


Monday:- Chicken Fried Rice with Prawn Crackers
Tuesday:- Sausages & Mash with Yorkies
Wednesday:- Pasta Bol with garlic bread
Thursday:- Pizza Pita with Salad
Friday:- Fish Finger and Chips
Saturday:- Chicken in Oyster Sauce with noodles
Sunday:- Surprise

Let's hope I have got it right this time and I can then work on expanding my go to recipes.

Brick Lane

I have had the book "Brick Lane" for many years now and it has stayed on my bookshelf looking at me ever since.  In fact I'd say I may have had it for nearly 10 years (it was published in 2003).

I am enjoying it, but I find it slow going.  If I love a book I can devour it in one sitting and I have been reading this for over a week now and when I pick it up it's ok - I just don't keep picking it up.  I find this weird, as I do love to read.  I hate when it feels like a book has beaten me - cause I don't just love it.  If I am being honest, I am already skimming it so I can feel like I have read it, without spending the rest of my life trying to get through it!

Have you read it?

What is your favourite read recently?

PS I have started my pile of books to take on holiday.  When we book a holiday I start to hit the charity shops to choose books to take with me.  As we are largely inactive due to H's MS, I lie by the pool with a good book each day.  Then when he has a siesta, I read more of the book.  I have been known to read up to 20 books in 2 weeks.  This year, I have 8 put aside and I hope it'll be enough.  (I also plan to crochet.)  My Mum is already planning on borrowing some before we go - she hates to miss out!!!   Hopefully I'll have time at the airport to buy 2 more - I don't often buy new books so it feels a real treat to do so at the airport.