August has been a peculiar month. I've been off work for half of it, but it doesn't really feel like it. It's rained more than I'd like, and I've not achieved half as much as I feel I should have. As usual though, things have ticked on. 20 things mended (9/20) Two things added this month - I've sewed up several holes in a pair of leggings, and de-moulded a pair of posh shoes. 19 letters written (12/19) Two more letters this month, bringing the total to twelve this year. I've enjoyed writing letters, and even more enjoyed getting them back. 18 days without internet (5/18) Two this month, and both within the last week - and I've felt much better for both of them. Yes, it's annoying not being able to look something up quickly, but I've enjoyed the feeling of having hours to spend outside or reading a book. Definitely going to plan for more of these. I don't find them easy, but they're very satisfying, and that's all the more reason to do them I think. 17 books read (achieved in March) Still reading a lot - this is a great habit to have got back into. 16 household items or pieces of clothing made (13/16) Well, I think we need a recount on this one, as my paper list and internet list are just not matching up. I'm counting multiple small things made at the same time (eg cleaning cloths) as just one item, but if I've made a second batch a couple of months later, that counts as a second item. I made six pairs of knickers at the start of the year, and it seems I counted them as one item on one list, and six items on the other list. Let's have a compromise - I made three different designs, so let's count them as three different items shall we? 1. hot water bottle cover 2. face flannels 3. cleaning cloths 4. knickers! 5. different knickers 6. and more different knickers! 7. Peter's hat 8. cushion covers 9. candles 10. cleaning cloths 11. drawstring bags for cleaning cloths 12. face masks 13. present bags Ok, that seems like a reasonable compromise. The present bags were this month's addition - just simple drawstring bags to wrap Peter's birthday presents in. I made a sack to put Christmas presents in a few years ago, but I still wrapped everything individually. Each year I think it's a waste of paper, and each year (until now) I did nothing about it. Apparently I didn't even take a photograph but I'll do a separate post later. 15 meals with friends (achieved in August) We've tipped over fifteen this month, which is very exciting! After such a long lull without seeing anyone, it's been so nice to have a flurry of visitors to our little garden. We've very much enjoyed cooking and eating outside with them all. 14 meals from home grown produce (2/14) Now, I think I'm going to break my own rules on this, and change it to 'meals including a good proportion of home grown produce'. There are only so many kale omelettes a girl can eat, and I'm not that interested in eating 14 kale omelettes for the sake of being able to tell you that I did. However, we have started harvesting this month, and I have had two meals which predominantly featured kale, chard and eggs - some cheese yes, but since I've not started producing that myself I'm still counting it as a win, especially as they were both finished off with muffins I made - one filled with blackcurrants and the other with our entire rhubarb harvest. 13 evening lectures (0/13) Nope, still none. I keep putting them in my diary but not actually going back to watch them. 12 donations to the foodbank (6/12) Another online donation. I never feel I want to linger long enough in the supermarket to collect things at the minute. 11 solo days out for me (1/11) Yes, finally!! I went to Lyme Park last Monday and my goodness it was lovely. I can't imagine I'm going to make eleven solo days out this year, but a couple more would be nice. We'll see. 10 loaves of bread made (0/10) No, still none. I'm just not eating that much bread at the minute. 9 bike rides (achieved in July) Well, after all my fanfare and excitement about cycling in July, I've only been for one bike ride in August! One of my bikes needed a new wheel, the other had two punctures, and inertia stopped me dead. Still, one bike is now fixed, and I had a glorious ride down one of the old railway trails last week. 8 organised runs (2/8)
No. I very nearly booked onto an organised trail run, but wimped out at the last minute because I didn't know anyone else going. Most unlike me. 7 new places visited (3/7) Two this month! Lyme Park, and Hilbre Island, which I walked to with my sister last week. I'm saying I've not been to either of these places - I have a vague feeling I might actually have been to both, but many, many years ago, and they didn't feel remotely familiar when I got there, so I'm counting them as new. 6 attempts at cheese making (0/6) 5 'No Quibble' weekends away (0/5) No, and no. 4 pairs of socks made (0.5/4) No pairs, although I have finished one whole sock now! Just need to cast on and knit the other one... 3 days volunteering (0/3) 2 LAND centres visited (1/2) 1 holiday (0/1) No progress on any of these either. Overall not too bad. One new thing achieved (meals with friends), two new things started (meals from own produce, and solo days out), and progress made on other things. September is often a busy one at work for me, so I'm not anticipating I'll get much more done. The garden is producing steadily though, so there may be some progress there, and as the nights draw in maybe a bit more knitting will get done. Well see.
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Hello!Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'm Jenni, and I write here about our new foray into country living, which includes growing food, knitting, baking, wandering around the fields, and seeing which local cafe serves the best cake. Categories
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