Me on Monday ~ The Secret Santa Edition

It was a weekend that saw the weather change from damp, mild and autumnal to cold, crisp and wintry seemingly overnight. We woke on Saturday morning to the boiler running, as the heating came on for the first time since late March.

We drove to Devon so that I could go to my sewing group and The Mechanic and My Girl could go and visit our Uni Boy and do some Christmas shopping together.

We had all made pin cushions for the Secret Santa, which has become a tradition at our last meet of the year. I made one from a Kilner (Mason) jar. It was surprisingly easy to do. I completely forgot to take a photo of the finished article. I'll definitely be making a few more though. I received a beautiful Cathedral Window pin cushion in return. We sewed, chatted, laughed and ate a lot of cake. A much needed tonic.

We had a later start on Sunday and indulged in some big fat fluffy pancakes with lashings of maple syrup and freshly brewed coffee. Our day involved some pre-Christmas freshening up of a couple of neglected areas in the house and a tea time roast. It was good not to have anywhere to be.

Today you'll find me not long back from my monthly visit with the chiropractor and about to start on the dinner. I caught up with last night's episode of Homeland when I got up this morning and I thought I was confused last week! I'm sure all will become clear soon, won't it?

Giving a wave to Sian and the Mondayers. Have a great week everyone. Wrap up warm.

Me on Monday ~ The Baby Shower Edition

It was a wet and windy, with a very dark beginning, kind of weekend.

It was a sewing hexies on the train, in the company of friendly strangers, kind of weekend.

It was a sitting in The Makery, with a group of women who will become the Great Grans, Great Aunties, Gran, Aunties and Mother of a new baby next month, kind of weekend.

It was a walking through Bath, in the rain, looking for love and light kind of weekend.

Waving to Sian, while watching the sun come up this Tuesday morning. Well it's still Monday somewhere, right?

Me on Monday ~ The Getting Ready Edition

It was one of those weekends where I look back on Monday and wonder exactly what I did for a large part of it. There was the usual round of Saturday morning chores. The Mechanic had the day off and we spent a chilled out afternoon catching up with some of the Doctor Who episodes we'd missed, while we were glued to the rugby on previous Saturday evenings.

Sunday morning started lazily with coffee and croissants. I like to jazz them up a bit, by cutting a couple of pockets, to slip some good plain chocolate into. I then warm them through in the oven for a few minutes to let it melt. So good.

After clearing away our roast lunch, I settled down in the cosy kitchen for a little crafting. Bonfire Night has been and gone and I feel ready to embrace some Christmas planning and preparation.

I've made it easy on myself this year, with a set of coordinating Project Life cards for my December Daily/Journal Your Christmas album. I might stand a better chance of getting it done during the month. I don't want it to feel like a chore, as the big day approaches, which is something that has happened in the past. I have card stock and ink in some matching colours and I can be more creative, if I want to, or keep it simple, as time allows.

Me on Monday? Continuing with the decluttering of the lounge. I've decided on a change round and want to get it done by the end of November, ready for some festive decorating next month. Waving to Sian and the other Mondayers and anyone else calling by today. It's always good to see you.

Me on Monday ~ The Spin Cycle edition

The weekend began with a 200 mile round trip, to bring my boy home for Reading Week. He worked hard to get his first big assignment finished, ready to submit by noon today, while I worked my way through his washing. It was a weekend of waiting for the spin cycle to finish and watching the rugby, all together in one place.

This afternoon found me kicking through the leaves, fresh from the chiropractor's manipulations. I decided that a monthly maintenance session will be better than waiting until I need a full service. I'm also on the hunt for a local pilates class. I loved the one I went to previously, but our teacher emigrated to Canada. How very inconsiderate of him.

Waving to Sian and wishing you all a great week ahead.

Me on Monday ~ The Stay at Home edition

It was a weekend mostly notable for what didn't happen. No home nation victories in the rugby and more importantly no 200 mile round trip to see our boy. He managed beautifully without us.

Friday saw the return of The Returned and a chance to catch our breath, after a busy few days of commuting. On Saturday there was a bit of card making, for a new arrival. Well, she's 10 days old now. You know how it is. Rugby of course, but we won't talk about that.

Sunday was a slow start with coffee and croissants, followed by washing, grass cutting (for the last time this year, I hope) and a lovely roast. My girl decided to try my way of eating the Yorkshire pudding and declared it delicious. The Mechanic remains unmoved.

More rugby. My boy watched the Ireland game in the city centre and rang me afterwards, hugely disappointed with the result. He had written the Scots off and didn't go back out for that match. I think that was the more exciting game. Those last few minutes were excruciating.

Today finds me quietly reflective. You may recall we lost my Father-in-law earlier this year and it would have been his birthday today. We'll be raising a glass to him this evening.

Joining with Sian and the growing band of Mondayers.

Me on Monday ~ The Same Old, Same Old edition

It was a weekend not unlike the two that went before. This time we visited our boy for the day on Saturday, rather than bringing him home, though. Hoping he'll manage without us next weekend. We'll see.

Getting back, tired and hungry, to a closed road (carnival night) we abandoned the car and walked home via the fish and chip shop. Thinking of our boy watching the rugby here, while we sat on the sofa to see England play.

On Sunday there was a roast to be cooked and a "New Baby" card to be made, for the newest arrival in our extended family. An episode of Beck to be watched, while The Mechanic and my girl were out. He hates subtitles but I like them. They make me stop completely and focus on the programme, rather than trying to get something else done at the same time!

Today found me and my girl on a coat buying expedition, to replace the one she left on the bus a couple of weeks ago. We've waited hopefully until now, but sadly whoever discovered it chose not to hand it in and the colder weather is on its way. It's a bonus to have days out together during the week now that she is at college.

Waving to Sian and that lovely bunch of Mondayers.

Me on Monday ~ The "It's Not Me, It's You" Edition

Friday found me on top of a very high hill, surveying the wonderful landscape below. Counting my blessings and blowing away the cobwebs, after a long night/early morning, calming an extremely distressed young man. I've never tried talking anyone down from a panic attack over the phone before. The good news is, it can be done, even at a distance of 100 plus miles away. However, I don't recommend it!

We decided it best to drive down and bring him home, after lectures on Friday, to defuse the difficult situation with his flatmates. He has told them about his Asperger's, which seemed to help at first, but they don't really understand what it means in terms of his every day struggles. Why should they? They are eighteen years old and just want to have a good time.

They don't get that he doesn't want to drink to excess and feel out of control. They don't get that he can't cope in large crowds or with a lot of noise. That pretty much ruled out him getting involved with anything that was going on during Fresher's Week. They now think he is boring. He's not.

They don't get that he likes to put his things away, in his kitchen cupboard, clean and tidy and for them to still be there when he next needs them. Not find them on the kitchen top dirty or worse disappeared altogether. They don't get that he likes to know his food will be on the shelf, in the fridge, when he wants something to eat and not out on the top, with vodka jelly shots in its place. They think that makes him OCD. It doesn't. Well not much.

They don't get that walking down to the kitchen, to be confronted by a stranger an overnight visitor coming out of the room next door is very unsettling for him. This being the girl's fourth different "sleepover guest" in less than a fortnight he also found somewhat perplexing. They think that makes him a prude and/or sexist. Does it? For the record, he would feel the same if it was a boy doing the entertaining.

On Thursday their amorous activities led to him putting on his headphones and gaming/Skypeing, with a friend from home, to drown them out. His own volume control is poor at the best of times and with headphones it's non existent. This led another flat mate to call in the Resident Assistant to ask him to quieten down. He has a very strong sense of fair play and felt that this was not it. He tried to tell the flat mates how he felt. It did not go well. Ending in the late night phone call.

Goodness, this is not the post I sat down to write. That one involved.....

.....smoked mackerel pate, lemon drizzle cake, roast chicken.....

.....Autumnal crafting and a large amount of laundry!

On a more positive note, my boy is loving the academic side of university life. His enthusiasm for History was shining through in our lunch time chat, about this morning's lecture on the Industrial Revolution. He has joined the Tabletop Gaming society and enjoyed playing Settlers of Catan and King of Tokyo with a bunch of much more like minded people. It's unfortunate he wasn't assigned a flat with some of them. It's going to be a week of toughing it out, for both of us.

Waving to Sian and hoping that she, and all the other Mondayers, will forgive my heart on sleeve post today. Normal service will be resumed on Wednesday.

PS Still definitely not mentioning the rugby.

Me on Monday ~ The Sunshine & Super Moon Edition

This weekend was mostly about getting my boy through a second Sunday away from home. A tough day of the week for him at the best of times. With no structure and the first day of lectures (an unknown quantity as yet) on the horizon he needed us and we were happy to oblige.

He may have only lived in this city for 10 days, but he was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide. The sun shone for us and we had a wonderful day.

On the drive home, the moon was sitting just above the trees and seemed enormous. I tried to capture it, but at 70 miles an hour it proved impossible to get a clear shot. I was the passenger, in case you were wondering.

I had planned to wait up for the lunar eclipse last night, but I just couldn't stay awake. Did you see it? Those of my friends who did, said it was pretty special.

As for Monday, I've just returned from the chiropractor and am happy to report that, after a month of visits, I no longer have one leg shorter than the other! Waving to Sian to everyone else giving us a glimpse into their weekend.

Me on Monday ~ The Leaving Home Edition

This weekend was all about the boy. We loaded up the car and drove to his Halls.

Unloaded with the help of some friendly and very efficient student ambassadors.

Unpacked, put away, made his bed and stocked up at the supermarket.

Admired his view and hugged him tight, before heading home again.

Things are pretty quiet round here now.

Waving to Sian in a slightly subdued fashion this Monday.

Me on Monday ~ The Change of Plan Edition

It was not quite the weekend we had in mind.....

It was supposed to be the last hurrah before college begins, later this week, for my girl. Instead it was a very sick boy on Saturday. He does not suffer illness well. An additional sick child on Sunday and very little sleep for anyone. The Mechanic had already gone down with it on Friday.

You'll find Me on Monday with my fingers firmly crossed that I remain free from it. There is far too much to do for me to be sick this week. It's been another glorious day and I've been enjoying the sunshine in between playing nurse maid. Waving to Sian and the other Mondayers.

Me on Monday ~ The Barons Edition

Sian just popped up in my blog reader, reminding me that it's Monday, despite all indications to the contrary!

It's been another damp weekend here and we've mostly spent it at home getting organised for the changes that are ahead. We found the time, yesterday, for a little trip out. "Back to School" shopping and a Baron hunt.

Today the rest of the family went visiting, while I prepared for this week's classes and caught up on the washing backlog. My back is improving, but I didn't fancy another bumpy car journey into deepest Somerset! If you'd popped in earlier you would have found me surrounded by all the things that can't go in the tumble drier.

Another busy week coming up. Hope it's a good one for you.

Me on Monday ~ The School Friends Edition

It was a wet weekend but we refused to let it dampen our spirits. Yesterday I met up with the Class of '87. We've done it before, you might remember. This year our little band had grown and yet again I had the pleasure of seeing people that I hadn't crossed paths with since the day we left school, 28 years ago. Surely not?

Here we are at the top of Gold Hill, on our way to meet the rest of our friends already in the pub at the bottom. Yes, it really is August and I'm wearing boots and a waterproof! I didn't take a single photo all day and had to pinch this one from Facebook. I was doped up on codeine and far too busy catching up.

Me on Monday? Playing board games with my children on another rainy afternoon and wishing it was Wednesday. I've aggravated an old back injury and that's the day I get to see the chiropractor. It can't come soon enough.

In other news my girl got the results she needs to begin her college course in September. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief now. Happy days. Waving to Sian and hoping there is sunshine wherever you are.

Me on Monday ~ The Shaun edition

It was a week of discoveries. Both of sheep.....

.....and what the future holds. My boy got the results he needed to take up his place at university in September. Thanks for all your well wishes while we have been waiting. Waving to Sian and anyone else dropping in today.

Me on Monday ~ The Sew Photo Hop Edition

It was mostly a decluttering sort of weekend around here. There is much to do and it takes our minds off the impending exam results. I also came across a fun sewing related photo challenge on Instagram. A prompt a day, for the month of August, from Rachel at House of Pinheiro.

Saturday was an introduction and you all know me already so I won't put that here. For Sunday's prompt there were just too many things to choose from: family, friends, books, aside from the many sewing related necessities so I went a little tongue in cheek.....

Day 2: Can't (won't) live without.....chickpeas. In falafels, hummus, soup and curries or spiced and roasted. I love them. They make pretty good pattern weights too.

Today you would have found me sorting out my box of patchwork fabric. The final square for the Friendship Quilt arrived with the recipient last week. I've been patiently waiting, until everyone had a full set, to put mine together. The shot for this blog post turned out to fit today's prompt too.

Day 3: Colourful fat quarters, I am powerless to resist you.

I picked out the fabrics I used in all the blocks, to cut corner squares for the sashing. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Anyone else thinking about putting their quilt top together?

A quick wave to Sian and then my screen curfew will be upon me. Have a great week.

Me on Monday ~ The Foodie Edition

I'm giving Sian a big welcome back wave this Monday.

It was a recipe browsing.....

.....mackerel frying, lentil experimenting, fruit whizzing.....

.....marshmallow melting, chicken roasting, rain avoiding sort of weekend.

This afternoon you would have found me having a light bulb moment. I finally figured out why my pocket linings don't match up with the skirt front. The pattern pieces don't include the seam allowance and whilst I added it to all the denim pieces, I completely forgot when I got round to cutting the cotton print. Doh!

Have a great week.

Me on Monday ~ The Wedding Edition

I'm sure Sian won't mind us keeping the home fires burning, while she is away.

It was a finery wearing...

.....knot tying.....

.....champagne drinking.....

.....high fiving.....

.....speech making (tear jerking).....

.....memory making.....

.....kind of weekend.

And yes, I did manage to tick #1 and #17 off the Scavenger Hunt list, along with a bonus of #12, which I'll share on here another day. Happy Monday everyone.

Me on Monday ~ The Doge Edition

We're still embroiled in exam season around here. Another weekend much the same as the last.

Revision and prom dress fitting.....

.....and princess seams. Something new to me and involving a fair bit of trickery to sew. There was so much extra fabric to ease in, I thought I must have cut the pieces in different sizes. I hadn't.

Today you'll find me with a much easier task. Ironing the transfers, drawn by my girl for her friends, onto plain white t-shirts. It's a Shiba Inu, star of an internet meme. No, I'd never heard of it either.

Waving to Sian on this sunny Monday afternoon.

Me on Monday ~ The History Breakfast Edition

Another busy weekend around here. Gone in a flash, as seems to be the case of late. The first day of June already. Really? That meant it was an early morning session in school, ahead of today's History exam, with breakfast laid on. Home in time for elevenses and the usual post mortem. Her brother was keen to know if any of his helpful tips had come in handy, for this, his favourite subject.

It was a tempting my girl to eat (with eggy bread) after a week of feeling poorly....

....receiving this lovely Liberty in the post, to make a dress for my niece's wedding....

....watching the last episode of the season....

....spreading out the fabric on the floor to cut a circular skirt kind of weekend.

How was yours? Waving to Sian on this Monday afternoon, having just made a dash to rescue the washing. I did say it was June, didn't I?!

Me on Monday ~ The Sixteen Candles Edition

My sweet girl turned sixteen today…..

….which meant you’d have found me baking a chocolate cake.

Today is also the beginning of the last full week of school for both children. Half Term next week, followed by Study Leave, during which they will only go in for exams. All change around here.

Waving to Sian and happy to see that the zippy bag has arrived safely. I wonder if any of you guessed where it might end up?

Me on Monday ~ The Meat Free Edition

After a very gloomy end to the week, I had to pick myself up, dust myself off and find a project to focus my energies on.

On Saturday I took a detailed set of measurements and tried to fathom out which size to cut. A welcome break from revision for my girl. A bit of a puzzle for me. Maths was never my strong point, but 3 1/2” of ease seems like far too much in a close fitting princess seamed bodice. I’ll figure it out, I’m sure.

I didn’t feel like cooking a roast on Sunday. The weather turned a bit dismal mid afternoon and a comforting cottage pie seemed like a good choice. This is my Quorn mince version. I was never really one for fake meat when I actually was a vegetarian, but this goes down well with the horde of carnivores in my house.

As for me on Monday? Still feeling a bit fragile. Spent the afternoon prepping lots of veg. Mushroom stroganoff for dinner tonight and a big pot of pasta sauce to split and freeze. Very satisfying. Waving to Sian on this sunny afternoon.