One done, one to go...

I actually managed to finish one Babette cushion and it is brightening up my sofa as I type. 

I'm loving the back almost as much as the front, just as I did with this one.

There is something I find hugely satisfying about chunky treble crochet stripes.

I used some more buttons from my button jar for the closure - nice and chunky like the yarn.

I'm so glad this hasn't gone to waste, I have plans for the other 5 cushions on the sofa.  Oh yes.  Some more crochet and some quilted.  A plan!

Just need to finish off the other one now...

My mind is ticking over  with plans for a Babette-style quilt... more sleepless nights, I fear!

If only...

One morning earlier this week, I took myself down the garden to check on Flossie (my black hen) when something bright and sparkly caught my eye... 

At first glimpse, it looked as though somebody had dropped a pocketful of diamonds on my step...

But no, it was just some raindrops left in amongst a spider web and dry leaves in the corner...

...oh, well...

Whipsnade...

I took 2 of my nieces to Whipsnade today.  I never turn down an opportunity to visit the zoo, as you know!

Needless to say, I'm shattered but just wanted to share a few photos of our day.  What's not to love about ring-tailed lemurs?

This one looks like he's thinking about important stuff (like dinner time!)

And this one wanted to make sure his very impressive tail was in tiptop condition as there was woman with a camera about a foot away!

We loved the way that they like to sit in a line, with their arms and tails wrapped around each other.


We also loved the way these 2 hippos opened their mouths for a drink from the hose that the keeper was using to clean out their paddock!

I hope I never grow tired of visiting the zoo.  The animals continue to fascinate me just as they have since I was a child and wanted to be a zoo-keeper when I grew up...

The Wall...

Thank you for all your sweet comments yesterday, they were truly appreciated.

~~~~~

Today something arrived in the post that has cheered me up no end.  I have a date in my diary for next year to go and watch Roger Waters perform The Wall at the O2 and I can't wait.  I bought the tickets a while ago and wasn't really expecting to get them until a few weeks before the event.

I love Pink Floyd and was lucky enough to see them at Earls Court about 15 or 16 years ago.  Roger Waters was no longer with them, so this will complete my Pink Floyd experience.  My favourite song of all time is Comfortably Numb which comes from The Wall.  Whenever I mention my love of Pink Floyd, most people say "what? Another Brick in the Wall?" which is, for me, the worst song ever from them.  I would consider that I have a pretty diverse taste in music but I have remained loyal, and still listen to regularly, Pink Floyd.  Roger Waters has made some brilliant solo albums too, which feature on my most played list on my iPod.

Sad...

I spent a wakeful night worrying about Lily - looking up the links and suggestions that Lucy had left me in the comments.  I came down this morning and prepared a bowl of live yogurt and olive oil as I was convinced she was crop bound.

Unfortunately, when I went down to her early this morning, she had died in the night.  She was in the nest box and Flossie was worrying at the door.

I'm feeling guilty that I didn't spot anything earlier but I'm hoping that she didn't suffer.  Flossie seems to be quite happy going about her business at the moment, although she hasn't laid yet today.  I guess I should think about replacing Lily as I don't think hens are solitary creatures.

Worried...

... because Lily, my friendly red hen, is not her self.  I have read up and am not sure whether she is broody or sitting or unwell.  I coaxed her out of the hen house this afternoon and gave her a tray of water as she didn't seem to want to reach into the water bowl.  Then she lay down again and after a few minutes went back inside.  When I was holding her, she seemed really light but she doesn't look any different.

Any ideas from fellow chicken keepers?

Foccacia...

I've noticed that when I post at the weekends, the topic is invariable food.

Today I made foccacia from the Ottolenghi book and it was good.  Very good.  I would even go as far as saying, it looked just like the foccacia in Ottolenghi.  It takes around 4 hours to make with all the rising times but other than that, it is ridiculously easy.  I topped mine with some sun-roasted tomatoes that were left-over in the fridge.  More tasty summer food!  I will most definitely be making this again.  And again...

(I can't find the recipe online to share unfortunately.)