Full of atmosphere, but a week too early for the Christmas market 🙁

Did you ever see any shoes sillier than these?

My son tells me that these are the coolest shoes ever.

I think the jury is still out on that one!

Helen

Friends are more important than money

How many times have you regretted an expensive purchase? And how many times have you regretted spending time with a good friend – even if it cost you something to get there? I bet the answer to the latter is never, or as good as.

So this Sunday, how about investing in a friend?

Helen

So what did I decide in the end, you’re all asking…!

Well, I talked to my friends – who with only a couple of exceptions said stay with the blond.

Then I talked to my husband and kids – who said no way did they want a grey wife and mother.

Then I read all your comments – and realized that we’re all in this boat together.

Then I dithered.

And I still felted tempted by the unknown excitement of how it might be to be ‘au naturel’ and if I’m honest by the thought of how lovely it would be not to have to faff around at the hairdressers for half the day every couple of months and worry about roots growing through and all that.

And then I talked to my very sensible hairdresser.

And ended up with a total compromise.

So…I’m now nowhere near as blond as I was (which was too much before – don’t know quite how that happened!). I had highlights of my own delightful mousey blonde colour and the odd fair streak put in. The end effect is much more natural and almost back to what I started with as far as I can remember back to many moons ago and the last time I saw my hair as it really is.

This has effectively put off the terrible decision, but has also made it an easier step to take…so I’ve effectively hedged my bets or in other words, been totally wishy-washy and not really made any decision at all!

It seems quite bonkers to be paying money to have my hair dyed back to what God gave me naturally.

But then we women do sometimes do strange things, don’t we!

Helen

PS Sorry for the lack of a photo, but I now look approximately the same as in my ‘About’ photo – just with hair about 2 inches longer!

I’m so impressed with myself. Normally I’m a bit of a slapdash, make it up as I go along, hope there magically turns out to be enough fabric kind of quilter. In the case of Ilsa’s quilt though, as I mentioned the other day, I’m somewhat under pressure. Which has had the amazing effect that I’ve got efficient.

I’m still having time getting my head round this. It’s so out of character.

There really isn’t time for mistakes though if this quilt is going to be finished and sent off in time for Christmas. I absolutely have to get it right first time.

So I’ve drawn a plan, worked all the dimensions out, including border sizes, number of flying geese I’m going to need – and have even done the maths to make sure that everything will fit perfectly. Quite extraordinary. I’ve never, ever done this before. It’s made me feel like a proper efficient Mrs Smartypants. I’ve just finished cutting out all the pieces and setting them all together ready to sew. Somehow it’s made the whole thing seem manageable – which may or may not turn out to be a big fat illusion, but its certainly taken away the rising feelings of panic, which can only be a good thing.

So here is the progress to date. Slowly but steadily I’m getting there. I have, however, learned that when you need to make a quilt fast, stars and flying geese are not really the way to go.

But they are still my favourite …..and I totally love how this quilt is turning out!!

I hope Ilsa will too!

Helen