Frosty, Sunny Sunday

What a truly lovely day yesterday was, very cold and frosty but beautifully bright and sunny.  We went on one of our favourite walks at nearby Hardwick Hall.

 

We made our way down to the lakes........

 Across the bridge......................

 

Under the trees where the frost lingered..................

 

 

Recent storm damage was evident all around, it was sad to see 

the trees and branches looking so forlorn...

    But there was a quiet beauty in the edges of the frozen lake...................

 

 

Heading through the woodland..............

 

And back to clear blue winter skies...................

  

Where we were greated by a duck regatta..............

Wise old owl near the Visitor Centre......

And finally to the Hardwick Inn, to take in the view across the tea gardens

Lovely Sunday

Creativity

My first post of 2015 and thought this one should be a little different...............a look at what I've been up to so far in January on the crafty front.  

I made quite a few of these vintage style coasters in festive coloured cotton in the run up to Christmas to give away as stocking filler gifts to family and friends.  They are really pretty and quite easy to make so decided to make a few  for myself, not in cotton this time.........8 smaller ones in double knit acylic yarn and the 4 larger worked in chunky wool, all in lovely muted wintery colours.

Here's the pattern a 1893 Circle Motif reworked by Sandi Marshall
Issues with a warning, they are quite addictive, making one just won't be enough!!

Doggie Bandana's

Today I decided to get out the sewing machine and make doggie bandana's 

I made a set of these each for Bella and Coco, really straightforward to make, they just fit over the collar.................here's a photo of Bella in the one I made her at Christmas

and a close up of the 2 I made in a soft cord fabric...........................

Can't wait to see them wearing them, they will look so cute!!!!

December Days

Tom's birthday is the week before Christmas and so until we've celebrated his special day planning for the 25th takes second place, as always I never thought we'd be ready but as usual the day arrives and somehow everything comes together.......................

Christmas eve was a whirlwind of activity at home, tidying the house, wrapping presents and putting up last minute decorations and delivering gifts to special people who we wouldn't be seeing on Christmas day.  Best of all  my Mum, who'd been in hospital for the past 6 weeks, was finally given a place at a stroke rehab centre and was able to move there on Christmas eve - a positive step towards the help she needs to get stronger and move towards independance again  -  Christmas lights shine out with love and hope for mum and the future x 

 
Christmas morning dawned cold but sunny and was spent visiting mum then on to our son and his girlfriends to exchange presents...........Here's beautiful Bella, their Beagle puppy modelling the two bandana's I'd made for her - she is such a loveable character, a huge bundle of joy and fun with eyes to melt the coldest heart................

Then finally on to our lovely daughter's for lunch.  The planning and effort that Rachel and Jodie, her boyfriend, had gone to was so very much appreciated and was an extra special gift to myself and Alan.  

Boxing Day, Alan and I had a short walk with our dogs and Coco (Rachel's dog) in tow
 

Coco in one of her Christmas bandana's

 Love the way the silver birch stand out against the bleak landscape

Views across the golf course which was closed today

And then it snowed........................great big heavy flakes, thought it was never going to stop.  The trees outside our back door look like foam covered aliens!

 

 

Snow dog Shogie, times like this we need a sledge!

Hope that all had a lovely Christmas and very best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year!

Just a few pics from family walk 21st December -

Fun, games and happiness at  Sherwood Pines Forest Park

 

 

Out and about

 On 7th December we took our family Sunday walk at Ogston Reservoir which is in the lovely area of Amber Valley near the villages of Brackenfield, Clay Cross and Ashover.  We followed a circular route around the reservoir but disappointingly the walk was mainly on the local roads which were quite busy and not great for the dogs.  We did manage to pick up a public footpath for part of the route although Shogie refused point blank to cross the wooden bridge so we had to take him through the river (good job Jodie Rachel's partner was wearing his wellies!).  There were beautiful views to be had across the reservoir and it was mainly easy walking which contributed to an enjoyable time for all.  Sorry forgot my camera so I've had to add a couple of pictures from other websites.

 

 These and other Ogston Reservoir pics can be found here

For our walk yesterday (Sunday 14th December)  we decided to leave the cars behind and walk from home onto the local Teversal Trails.  We had a lovely 3.5 hour stroll stopping half way at the Teversal Visitor Centre for coffee and then on to Silverhill pit tip on the Silverhill Traill and then back home in time for well earned rest .............. 

The white cross westie is Brodie, he's full of mischief and fun!

 

Sunny Sunday

Yestterday was such a dismal foggy day but today dawned bright and sunny and we spent the morning walking the dogs at Hardwick Hall just across the border in Derbyshire.

Bare winter trees stood out against the pale blue skys,as did the walls of the Hall..........................................

It was rather muddy underfoot but the dogs loved it ..............................here's Coco and Bella inspecting a particularly squelchy patch!  Good job we were wearing wellies!!

and here's a better pic of the beautiful Bella............I think you'll agree she is lovely!

And another more typical Beagle pose..................................

Mid way round our route we stopped off for a coffee break, the views across the park were stunning, not sure that my pictures do it justice. 

Finishing off with the Father Christmas trail

Just to remind us that Christmas is coming soon.............................