Doesn't time fly...................

Hi Everyone,

It's a year since I wrote my first blog post!  This year has just flown by...and it's been an absolute joy connecting with all of you through my blog during this time.  I'm getting to know some of you more and more, and the friendliness and support that comes from all of you is truly wonderful.

As I have made many friends over the past year, I realise that I haven't really shared much about me personally, and so I thought I would take this opportunity, on my blog's birthday, to tell you a bit more about me.

I have already shared that I am a Cumbrian girl, who moved to South-West Scotland in January to start a new job.  I've shown pictures from my windows showing sheep and various wildlife filing past my flat, but if I point the camera a little bit to the left you can see this...

Not a bad view is it!  I work as the Housekeeper in a Scottish Castle within a large estate; think Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey (which I loooooooove), but with a lot more to do than mince around with a very large set of keys!

In fact it's much more likely you will find me fighting a war against moth and woodworm, while trying my best to care for and preserve the wonders inside the castle.  For a history lover like myself it's a fabulous job and I love the camaraderie with the household and wider estate staff which is a wonderful community, most of whom have lived and worked on the estate for all of their lives.  I'm only just starting to understand the broad scotch accent that many speak on the estate, ken!

The castle is sandwiched between two lochs, and the scenery is simply idyllic.

I took all of these photographs this afternoon; the sun was shining and there was barely any wind.  It was amazing - I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.

I share my garden with lots of red squirrels, hares, rabbits, hedgehogs, roe deer and pheasants, none of which stayed around long enough for me to photograph today!

I used to work as a PA for an English Peer on an Estate in Cumbria, but I'm afraid as I am getting older, a desk job just isn't good for my waistline and I decided to change to a more active job.  While most of my leisure activities involve yarn and fabric I need to get my exercise at work!

When I've got this lot on my doorstep I have no excuse not to get out and exercise, that's for sure.

Well, I've waffled on for ages, and you still don't know much more about me!!!  How about some random facts:

• I love all animals, but especially cats...  (in fact I'm considering fostering cats for the local cat protection league)

• After school I went to catering college in Kendal (home of the mint cake, yuck!) but I really don't like cooking - well I don't mind baking...

• I also lack a green thumb, and doing anything in a garden other than sitting in it leaves me cold... (and I feel guilty about this as though I should enjoy it!)

• I love word games and puzzles.

• Other than the occupants of the castle, my nearest neighbours are Len & Stella, the gamekeeper and his wife.  I enjoy going to aquafit once a week with Stella at the local leisure centre.  Spookily they also come from Cumbria (Penrith).

• I am addicted to pinterest.

• After having my two daughters I went back to college to get secretarial skills - made sense when I can't stand cooking!

• I can knit very well, but it's too slow going for me and I don't have the stamina to finish a garment...  to my shame...  I've made quite a few toys and I love Alan Dart's toy patterns.  (Alan Dart also lives in Cumbria!!!).

• I'm a perfectionist.

• I love strictly come dancing, and would love to learn to dance (perferably with Vinthent!)

• I would love to craft for a living.

• I don't have time to make all of the designs I think of.

Do you want to see what my imagination has come up with lately...

I had an idea for a polka dot blanket...

A flower hexagon similar to my northern star hexagon...

Some whirly-gig squares...

Some fabric circles in crochet hexagons...

I'm not sure how to describe these...  moon craters perhaps???

And some puffy flowers...

I'd be interested to know if  there are any you particularly like and would like to see published...

So, here's to another great year!

Happy crocheting

Karen
xx