Friday, 22 April 2022

A Bit Of this And That

 Hello! I hope that all of you that celebrated had a lovely Easter.  I ate far too much chocolate and I still have plenty in the house, I am a total chocoholic I envy those of you who who can eat just one piece and then put the rest away until later, how do you do that? I have decided that things are going to have to change around here I need to get a grip on my out of control habit of eating cakes biscuits and chocolate, the more I eat the more I crave. 

 I admit it I am addicted to sugar, there always seems to be an excuse, first it was Christmas, then I was ill and I felt I deserved a treat, then Mothers Day, then I thought I'll stop after after Easter and now I'm thinking I'll just eat all the chocolate first and then I'll be good.

I have decided I'm going to have a sugar free May, I know that there is lots of sugar hidden in the foods we buy but one needs to be sensible and not go over the top, what I mean by sugar free is no biscuits, cakes or chocolate and believe me it will be hard because I am met with temptation at every turn but I will resist says she with fingers crossed. 🤞

Join me if you like lets do it together no sugar in May.  I'm going to weigh myself at the start of the month and then again at the end and lets see if I can loose a few pounds. 

I have been walking more just to get try and get my fitness levels up and the weather has been better so no excuses.  I say better here on the North East coast we always seem to have a very cool breeze which means it is always a few degrees colder than it is inland. 



Seaham Lighthouse in the distance built in 1905 hoping to get renovated sometime this summer, it gets an awful battering from the north sea and even though it's painted nearly every year it now needs some serious TLC


The plaques give information about the mining industry, this is actually on the site of one of the three coal mines that were in use before 1990.
And there far in the distance just above the roof tops l spied these lovely cloud formations and just had to take a photo.


This is the sky outside my conservatory at 7am one morning last week I stood absolutely transfixed watching these seagulls, they were flying in a formation which lasted for about 20 minutes right above me, as if they were putting on a show just for me.  I didn't realise that seagulls did this they are such huge birds I didn't think they would be capable of putting on such a graceful and beautiful show. It quite made my day. 

It was impossible for me to capture the sheer scale, this is just a snippet there were literally hundreds of them, this was when I realised that a camera would have been better than a phone and that I should have paid more attention to what they taught in my photography class. 

On the craft front the daisy's are done, I really enjoyed stitching those, at this rate my walls are going to be covered with my little embroideries. I do love daisy's they are such a happy flower and come in all sorts of shapes and colours. 

Birth Flower For April The daisy


I am almost finished my bubbles blanket, here is a sneak peek, just two more bubbles to go this weekend I will be doing the border and hopefully finishing it off, then I will be ready to start something new, oh the excitement. 

I have to show you two more things that have excited me this week...

The first is more inspiration from the crochet crowd, this time for Tunisian crochet, I have tried it before as you can see here, but this is in a different class altogether...


The timeless Tunisian Blanket, the pattern is there already but there will be video tutorials happening beginning on the 28th April and yes I will be looking in to see what it's all about and deciding if this is something I would enjoy making.  You can find the introduction here.

The second thing is a new mosaic crochet pattern from one of my favourite designers Tinna Thorudottir Thorvaldar
 

AZUL


There are 36 different tile patterns and even more coming to be added later. I haven't bought it yet but you know that I will. 😀

Leaving you with a picture of this beautiful freesia, I planted lots of bulbs but this is the only one that has flowered, I must plant more of these for next year...


Take care until next time😘😘

Linking with 

17 comments:

  1. Your embroidery is beautiful, so pretty, just as the freesia is too. I had freesias in my wedding bouquet, such a gorgeous scent too. I'm getting terrible where sweet things are concerned, I never used to have such a sweet tooth, I would always reach for something savoury, and then only if I was hungry but I'm just so greedy these days, I really have to give myself a stern talking to.

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  2. How wonderful Linda to go on those walks and see the water. Wishing you a happy Friday and weekend.

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  3. I've been delaying the dieting for years Linda. lol
    There's always a birthday or something on the horizon and I say I'll start after that but don't.
    I watch the seagull going back to the sea each evening just before dusk, I don't know where they go in the day but its inland somewhere. We have two visiting every day and close up they are just beautiful and live for up to 20 years.
    Have a good weekend
    Briony
    x

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  4. Love chocolate too...but I manage to eat just a little piece or two...
    Lovely embroidery ! Lovely pictures too !
    Have fun with your new projects !
    Hug
    Anna

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  5. Linda, I've been doing as you are planning to do regarding sugar, but started early in March. It was a chocolate-free Easter for me. It wasn't so hard early on, but I've been wanting some treats lately. Not wanting to give in, though, because then it's all downhill from that point. Not promising to stick with the sugar-free plan through May, but my heart is with you, and I will cheer you on - not divulging if I end up indulging. ;^) I always love your pictures of the sea. I can't imagine how wonderful it is to have that view at the ready. :)

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  6. I don't eat a lot of chocolate and when I do it's the dark chocolate minimum 70%

    Enjoy your weekend and have a good last week of April.

    All the best Jan

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  7. I’m a bit of a chocoholic too! I was doing real well, until February. Now I’m spiraling! I’m an emotional eater and my emotions are out of control! Gotta get a grip! Good luck with your sugar-free May!

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  8. Dark chocolate is my downfall with a dollop of peanut butter on it! lol What a fun challenge though to go without any sugar for a month! We did keto for 6 months and lost over 60 pounds each! Good luck with your goals...
    I love your embroidery :) And your freesia is beautiful!
    Kathi

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  9. I'm a chocolate person.... but usually, I can just have a little each day. It's the keep eating despite not being hungry (especially at night) that gets me.... and breads. I love bread! Sigh. I did Noom and lost 13 pounds but it is sneaking back on again. I can't go completely sugar free (I must have a little in my coffee) but I'll try the no chocolate for May with you. We will see how it goes! Beautiful photo's of the water and those birds really do put on a show sometimes. Your embroidery is just lovely.

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  10. Beautiful stitching and blanket. I am a chocoholic too, but being relatively good recently. I did think of having my last 2 Easter peeps after breakfast, but reigned myself in and had some fruit instead. Good luck on your sugar free May!

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  11. Oh.....how I love chocolate. It seems I am in very good company. =) How many days till May to squeeze in a few more chocolate treats?? Looking at the photos of your beautiful seaside, at least you have gorgeous views as you walk. Love blue, blue skies with fluffy white clouds floating by. Your little purple daisy embroidery is exquisite and I must say I am in love with the Tunisian blanket and the mosaic cushions. Linda, I think you will have no trouble at all crocheting these pretties. I look forward to seeing your versions.

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  12. Oh my... the new projects look quite challenging but I'm sure you're up for it!

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  13. Those seaside photographs are wonderful. I've always wanted to visit Seaham.
    Good luck with your May challenge. I would love to join you but I'm not sure I would manage to last a day :)

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  14. Looks like a smashing walk Linda. Breathing in that sea air is just what is needed to brush the cobwebs away and make you feel good :-). Brilliant idea a no-sugar month! I was such a chocoholic you know. As I always found the sweets and chocolate here so much sweeter than the English version my Mum used to send me Cadbury Flakes and fruit and nut chocolate from the UK. Then things changed and I just found the chocolate did not taste the same to me! Unbelievable as it is I went off it! I do though continue to love cream and shortbread biscuits! Oh! dear... which is no good for my diet LOL! Those mosaic patterns are so fabulous. I am so tempted to have another go at it. Fabulous embroidery! Keep well. Amanda x

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  15. I like your stitched daisies. A whole wall of embroideries would be delightful. What Tinna creates with mosaic crochet just absolutely boggles my mind. That little square I did recently was more than enough for me. I don't really buy chocolate anymore unless it's something different, new, vegan just to try. Have not walked in over a week because weather is just dreary and drab and dusty. Good luck with your challenge in May. And all your lovely crafty projects.

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  16. I enjoyed catching up on your news, the embroidery is beautiful.
    Amalia
    xo

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  17. I love your photos, they really encourage me to stop and look at what's around me now and again! Your embroidery is so so pretty too. Good luck with the no sugar things, I imagine the first few days will be rough - stay strong!

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