Marvellous Monday

Gosh what a beautiful Monday we have had.  Cold yes, but a lovely blue sky and the sun shining which always makes for a much better day.

Our Maple is looking more bare, and we need to rake up yet more leaves...

I love the light shimmering through the leaves and the yellowness of them.  They were gently swaying in the breeze as well.

Had a lovely walk this morning through ancient woodland which has been managed for coppicing for over 300 years.  We also went through the meadow which was once an old drovers' track.  Such fascinating history.  We stopped for our customary cuppa and natter after the walk which was nice.

I did a little sewing this afternoon.  I have started to make the rabbit from the book I bought the other week.  As I'm not using felt but calico fabric, I sewed it up a little differently in places to what was suggested... It was quite fiddly, seemed to be more so than the tiny rag dolls I make.

I didn't have any fabric interfacing to stiffen the ears unfortunately so they will probably be a bit floppy unless spraying with some starch will work...I haven't decided yet how I will combat this.

I stuffed the legs before I sewed them onto the body which was what made it a bit more tricking, especially as I had to stuff down the whole length of the leg which is different to the way they suggest you do it.

Waiting.... no arms have been made yet.

I think though it does actually look like a rabbit!

Of course instead of sewing I should have been attending to more household type duties...but with a nice clear sewing table, I couldn't resist the temptation!

I did book my car in for its service and MOT though. 

This evening I will sit and knit.  

The First Conkers & Percy has a Seizure

The first two conkers of the season!  

They tell us that Autumn really must be on its way despite my denial.

The weather has been warm today and it was a lovely morning.  

We had to take our little Percy to the vet this morning as he had a small seizure last night.  It didn't last long, but he had seemed a bit 'off' all day, rather unsure and unsteady on his feet.  Whether this means that he had had one the previous night we don't know.  The vet said to keep an eye on him.  The first port of call will be to have blood tests done, but as these were last done in March when he went blind he said they probably wouldn't be much different but if he doesn't come right then to have them done first to rule out anything systematic. If they are right and he continues to have seizures then he will need some scans as he is a very young dog to have gone blind suddenly AND then to start having seizures.  We are so hoping it was a one off.  He has handled his blindness amazingly well and has been a little superstar so to see him suddenly not right is very worrying.  He has had lots of cuddles today.

My orchid is looking lovely in my room.

Touches of Autumn

It definitely feels like Autumn with a nip in the air...

This poor dragonfly was found this morning - not sure if it was the cold, or just his/her time.

Such amazing colours.

The lacy wings are incredible.

We went out walking the dogs today, well wrapped up in my cardigan, jacket and rain jacket over the top as just as we went to go, it started showering...fortunately not for long and the dogs needed to go out.  I took my camera with me as I knew there was something I wanted to photograph while out.

This wonderful passion flower.

There was a bee busy on the other flower.

Isn't nature just incredible?

While out I couldn't resist collecting some conkers and acorns - it really does feel like Autumn is here.  

I put them on my oak leaf pottery plate that I have had for many years - it was made in NZ - and placed it on my window sill.