Knitted Shawls Memory

Back in the day, when people knew their neighbours and Mother's stayed at home to look after the home and bring up the children, there was a very kind hearted neighbour who lived in the next road to us.
She had a heart of gold but could she talk ........................  I think everyone tried to avoid her when out and about as it seemed she could never shut up!  Even her husband, a very short slight dapper man, always wore a suit and a trilby hat, would walk on and she would say - I'll be along directly - but it could be half an hour later.  She was a lovely lady, heart of gold and a tidy house.  We used to fun her - 'look out Gertie's about'  we would say if we met anyone on our journey to and from the shops!
When she found out I was expecting my first baby, she was very generous.  Whenever we met she would ask me to pop round when I had time as she had a little something ........... it would be a matinee coat or bootees or suchlike.  One day she had a rather large wooden box which she thought would be ideal in which to keep the baby things.  I lived at home as we were saving to buy our own place (babies weren't planned in those days, couples had to be very careful!) so where she thought I would keep this box I do not know, but I couldn't refuse it so room had to be made.  I must admit that it came in very useful as a storage box and then after the baby was born it was used as a wardrobe, even had her name painted inside!!!   I was devastated when I found that the second practice husband had given it away but that is another story.
Among the gifts was a piece of knitting............ that's how I think of it, a piece of knitting.  It was just a long piece of multicoloured knitting, consisting of all the various bits of wool that she had been given - she was always knitting - not in particularly baby colours ................... heart of gold had Mrs Dodds.  
This 'baby shawl' was invaluable when M was growing up, she loved it - such a mixture of colours and textures were attractive to her.  
I remember when, at two years of age, she had Measles (we were stuck in our room in the dark for three days) and when eventually I managed to get out, she was wrapped up in this 'blanket'.
It used a pattern that was lacy yet not overly fussy and gave the piece a scalloped effect.  
Over the years I have often seen this pattern used for various garments but never could find the pattern - never knew it's name, Gertie said 'Oh! it's ever so easy!' but that is as far as it went.
BUT the other day I found the pattern name and instructions - the internet of course!!!
So I thought I would try to see if I could knit a 'piece' ...........I cannot believe it has taken fifty years to actually knit this pattern - a few stitches for practice with some green wool I have used for dressing my teddies and off I went.

I have enjoyed knitting this so much that I have had to go into town and buy some more wool!!!  I managed to get another ball of the green, also a pale pink and then found a reduced bin with the softest white wool at such a silly price I had to buy three balls of it -sigh  - in fact I might pop back in and see if there is any white left, it is knitting up sooooooooo soft!

If you're interested the instructions follow:-
Feather and Fan 

Feather and Fan worked on 36 stitches.

Sarah White

Definition:

Works on multiples of 18 stitches.

Row one: Knit.

Row two: Purl.

Row three: Knit two together three times, (yarn over, knit one) six times, knit two together three times. Repeat across the row.

Row four: Knit.

Repeat these four rows for pattern.

A variation of Feather and Fan adds two stitches (worked on multiples of 18 plus two). Simply knit the first and last stitch on row three.

Happy St George's Day

I wore a red and white top on my visit to town Although there were lots of flags and bunting about, I could not see anyone else wearing Red and White - nuff said.
Hope you all had a good St George's Day.

Dyeing in the sunshine

Before Christmas I bought some new dungarees for gardening.   I love my camouflage trousers, which I wear at present, but when I am digging etc. there is a gap at my waistline and it is (besides being unsightly!) very cold so I thought dungarees would prevent this.  The Dungarees are perfect in fit and for pockets, always too long in the leg, but the colour is BRIGHT BLUE.  
So I bought some dark green dye - four packets cos I am not very good at this so I wanted to make sure I have enough colour!!
One day last week the wind dropped, the sun sort of shone so I thought this would be a good time to change my bright blue dungs into dark green dungs.

                                                    One large bowl for water and dye, out on the old patio table, it gets used more as a potting bench than a table!!!





In went those bright blue dungarees, under the water and stirred for 15mins, then occasionally for the next hour.

 I used an old wooden spoon but  somehow the dye managed to reach my thumb and finger so  those plastic gloves from my old hair dyeing days came in useful - after the fact of course!!!!

I kept them in the water for half an hour longer than instructed just to ensure the dye had taken......................... the silver pocket tops went dark greenish, the trousers looked dark blue ish.

I hauled the soggy mess out, not very happy and rinsed them in cold water - several times until the water ran clear .............. you can see from the picture that I am not very good at dyeing clothes!!!

Ho! Hum! they are a darker blue ............. definitely not green.  

I wouldn't be so upset but I want to wear them next week to training, not blue but green, and I followed the instructions to the letter, measuring the water and the salt, stirring, living in hope..................

maybe I will add some camouflage patches................. suppose I could draw some leaves in dark green ............... appliqué some flowers .................. 

pass them on and look for some green dungarees!!!! 

Oblivion - film

What a great day we had yesterday besides it being Orange Wednesday.  We caught up on some shopping, saw the film, had a meal and were still home for eight pm!!

I was really looking forward to seeing Oblivion, not just because of Tom Cruise but it's my sort of film - science fiction.
Both of us enjoyed it although PJ was not really keen on going ........... TC is looking older but still good, think Sean Connery and Richard Gere - looking better as he gets older.

I didn't know Morgan Freeman was in it so that was a shock but made the story seem familiar, if that's possible!  Just think Matrix, Mad Max scenarios, you know - a romping good thought with special effects added.




There were some stunning vistas




Loved this computer, I didn't know what to make of this lady but it is all explained as the story unfolds.



                 This lady is gorgeous.

 I wouldn't mind this library!  Mind you, I don't want the inmates........ but how this all fits into the story I don't quite understand.

But then, of course, this is earth (read USA) so we have to have New York showing up...........
'Fraid all I could think was..... is this how N & T left it after their visit last year?



I really enjoyed it for a bit of escapism, one or two bits didn't quite fit in with the story line (but then again, maybe I missed the explanation!), the views were stunning, and the ending ............... very good!

Happy Birthday Dad

I have just realised that today is my Dad's Birthday - had he lived he would be 108 years old.  
I find that incredible that so much time has past .............. he died aged 71 years.
Missing him?  yeah......... suppose I still do .........

This is so typical of him ...... belt holding trousers up, fag between his gammy fingers, smile on his face. 

Yes, I still miss him, but with a nostalgic feel.............. and love.

Boston ........... a very personal post

My heart so goes out to the people of Boston...........
Even now, 50 odd years later, I well remember the bombings here in Birmingham.  
The mindless activity that blew away lives, maimed young people, and for what?  
All these years later and we celebrate that nation, fly their flags, have parades ............... but some victims were only 18 at the time, enjoying life and then .............had to adjust their lives to live without limbs .........  and for what?

My thoughts and prayers are in Boston.

Empire Exhibition 1924

While sorting through some stuff I found this little book.  

Front and Back Covers

You can read all about the Empire Exhibition here, with details about King George V here.

My Mother went to the Exhibition with her parents in May and, fortunately for me, liked to use her camera so this is my potted version:-



Canada Pavilion detail from pamphlet


Nan and Grandad outside the Pavilion




 Details of Burma and Hong Kong Pavilion












 Photos of Mam outside the Burma Pavilion







Photos taken outside the Hong Kong Pavilion




here is a Plan of the whole Exhibition

There was also a 'Pleasure Park' - in my opinion the details show how desperate the Organisers were to encourage people to visit.











There are a couple of other photos taken in May, but where I cannot confirm.  I would think that they were taken in either Isle of Wight or at Brighton.  My grandparents had a house on the Isle of Wight but I have not managed to ascertain exactly when.



I don't think my Mother was very impressed and Nanna certainly had better things to do!






but I think she could be persuaded to stop for a moment and (almost) smile!


and this one is priceless!!!!!
something my Mother definitely forgot about.............


Grandad SMOKING!!!



NB

An interesting update on the Crystal Palace can be found on Jenny's blog here

Shhhhh! I think Spring is on the way .........

Don't quote me on this!

I only happened to mention that the apple tree is in bud and ............ wham! bam! thank you ma'am!  


PJ was out there and the vegetable plot is dug over ready for the planting - we're thinking potatoes this year.  We have just had the last of last year's crop - nothing like new potatoes fresh from the garden!






      If you look carefully you can see the buds on the Ribes and Kerria, 





and seeing this I also noticed that the Forsythia and Chaenomeles do not want to be left behind!

whisper - I think I shall have a riot of colour soon ................
                       
                        
                          too late for this poor mite...........


                                         .......... and the flasher is still there!..... how rude!

Songs from School

I enjoyed my days at Corpus Christi Junior and Infant School, twas there we learnt  'In Derry Vale'.  
I could sing high notes in those days and just loved to let rip singing the words to 'The Londonderry Air' (now known as Danny Boy!).  How I imagined those daffodils  the stream, the salmon leaping ......... we not only learnt the words but actually studied what they were about............ then we'd sing............... beautiful!
W. G. Rothery

In Derry vale, beside the singing river, so oft I strayed, ah, many years ago, and culled at morn the golden daffodillies that came with spring to set the world aglow. Oh, Derry vale, my thoughts are ever turning to your broad stream and fairycircled lea, for your green isles my exiled heart is yearning, so far away across the sea. In Derry vale, amid the Foyle's dark waters, the salmon leap above the surging weir, the seabirds call - I still can hear them calling in night's long dreams of those so dear. Oh, tarrying years, fly faster, ever faster, I long to see the vale belov'd so well, I long to know that I am not forgotten, and there at home in peace to dwell.

I was fascinated to learn that this song was among the tunes that the orchestra played in the Titanic Ballroom ............ off I go again ......... gorgeous gowns, men in evening suits, dancing and swaying to the music .........

When I started at Our Lady of Lourdes it was all change, even the songs.  About the only thing that remained the same was the Mass format.  The only song I remember learning (or trying to ......... it was a fast tune, everyone knew it by heart and only me had never heard of it!!) was something about an iron - it was a folk song apparently.

When I moved onto Grammar School it was all change again.  The one thing I remember is hearing a song being sung in the school hall just before Assembly.  Being Roman Catholic I was not allowed into Assembly while Protestant prayers and hymns were being prayed and sung, so we had our own Assembly in one of the classrooms but we could hear them singing and that's when we knew it was time to file into the back of the hall ("quietly gels!").

It wasn't until I gave my heart to Jesus and started to celebrate His Love in Protestant Churches that I could really learn the words and tune. 

 I still love it today.............Jerusalem.

The Anthem of England, God Bless her.

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountain green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire!

Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,

Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,

Till we have built Jerusalem

In England's green and pleasant land.

Details of the legend can be found here.here.

What a day!

What a day this has been! 
I thought that we would just pop into the village to get a bit of bird food.  
BUT...............
After spending a smashing day yesterday with C, our plans were re-arranged.  
C decided that, as she had a bonus, she would pay us for back pressies, present pressies and forward pressies so birthdays, Christmas and Mother/Father's days all came at once!

So I bought the bird food ........... 

and there happened to be an Anemone plant - RED of course - so that went in the bag alongside the bird food. 







 PJ went into another shop and bought a Lawnmower for himself




then we went up to the retail park ............ and I bought a few bits..... a few stamps for my ATCs and an ink pad - delicious purples - an eraser (red) and a few butterfly stickers for a swap I am joining.  




Then we went to the Stationers for PJ - silly boy! - I hadn't the heart to tell him that they also sell paper crafting thingys ........... ........
this jumped into my hand - honest!! (wide eyes!)

It does say "Grab me!  I'm yours!"   

 It was half price - I worked it out and yes! it was half price............ did I do good or did I do good?!?!?!

 If I'm quiet you know that I am trying these out!!!