Call the Midwife. I'm so pleased that this programme is back on TV. This is the sixth series and it's as fresh as ever with some fabulous hard-hitting storylines. My only disappointment is that there aren't more than the usual eight episodes in the series, I'd love for the series to go on and on.
Spring is on the way. There's signs all around us now, lots of bulbs are poking their way through the soil and will soon be in flower, if they're not already. Buds are appearing on the trees. I'm glad that February is the shortest month of the year as it's the hardest month for me. The days are short and more often than not, grey. These little signs of spring keep me going, I know it won't be long now until the new season is finally here.
Ravelry. This is a fantastic website which is free to join and offers thousands of free patterns for knitters and crocheters. There's lots of projects that I've printed off which are just waiting for my attention. There's also a great community on there, lots of groups to join and forums where members are able to chat with each other. It's such a great source of information too. My user name is jo9919 if you want to find me on there. At the moment, I'm trying to organise my stash, having it listed on Ravelry means I can see in a flash just what I've got. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen.
Letters in the post. I don't get many letters these days, people tend to send emails or texts rather than writing so it makes it all the more special when a letter does arrive. I received a lovely letter from an old family friend earlier this month, it was lovely to hear from her.
Archie. He was bound to make an appearance, he could feature in every month's post really. How I love this little ball of fluff with the soulful eyes. He's looking a little bedraggled at the moment, he's ready for a trim but the groomer we usually take him to has just upped and left without a word so it's time to find a new one.
What favourites do you have this month? How about joining me and writing a post about them?
Your favourite things posts are lovely Jo. I'll try to do something in the next couple of days. Archie is gorgeous!! Please give him a cuddle from me. Jx
ReplyDeleteI certainly will, he does like lots of cuddles throughout the day. I look forward to reading your post.
DeleteIt's lovely to see Archie, Jo. I'm always thinking about him and hoping he's doing well. He looks just like our wee Rosie. Give him a big hug from me.
ReplyDeleteArchie's still his old self, we're just hoping that the heart problem hasn't got any worse when we take him for another scan this year, at least they're keeping a check on him and it's something we know about. I will give him a big hug from you.
DeleteI am not sure actually... but my ball of fluff is definitely on the list. I love Ravelry and I quite like February. It is the months where bike lights become redundant. Wishing you a perfect week. x
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get to like the winter months more, it's a hard slog for me from November through to March but I'm feeling a little better now that the days are lengthening and there's signs of spring about.
DeleteLovely month. I never think to use Ravelry as a meeting place. You've inspired me to go in and update my profile. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnd happy mail is beautiful to get. Yes, I may well write a Favourites post this month!
I've joined some of the groups on Ravelry for the podcasts I watch, there's some lively discussions on there. Ever since I was a little girl I've been an avid letter writer and I'm still thrilled when I receive a handwritten letter.
DeleteLove this post, Jo! Especially Archie - you can feature him as often as you like, he's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite thing on TV right now is actually not on the weekly progs, but on Netflix, and it's the first series of Homeland. I had never watched this and then when we decided to have Netflix for films (recently watched Chocolat for the first time and loved it!) I suddenly thought that we could watch all these series: House of Cards, Homeland, The Good Wife, and I might even be able to find The West Wing (if that's actually on Netflix and not another pay-for channel.) Loving Homeland!
Another favourite thing is the arrival of books in the post. Two arrived this morning. I admit they weren't the cheapest of books but they are 'proper' books, i.e. not what are called, somewhat disparagingly, "beach" reads. One is The Embarrassment of Riches - An Introduction of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age by Simon Schama, and the the other is A Worldly Art - The Dutch Republic 1585-1718. I like to be educated as well as entertained and these fit the bill.
Another favourite thing is the arrival of my monthly magazines: Period Ideas, The English Home, and Homes & Antiques. If you are thinking three glossy style mags a month is a little excessive, I used to have about 8 or 9 monthly magazines.
Flowers are a favourite thing. Right now we have daffs in the kitchen, a lovely bunch of mixed tulips in the sitting room in glorious jewel-like colours, and pink roses and pink tulips in our bedroom.
There are many more favourite things, but one might surprise you: I enjoy creating order out of chaos and am about to start cleaning and making our home look spic and span (or at least, I shall try to!)
Margaret P
Archie's such a lovely dog, no trouble at all. I've never seen any of the programmes you mention, though we don't have Netflix so that'll be why. Books and magazines could make it on to my list too, though I admit I tend to read more 'beach' reads than anything else. I only read in bed so something light and fluffy is the order of the day for me.
DeleteA good post and a nice picture of Archie. I don't like this month much either, especially when it's cold, damp and grey. I'll hopefully be doing a favourites post over the next week or two. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThe easiest way to get a photo of Archie is to take one whilst he's snoozing, though he woke and caught me in the act. I'll be glad when February's over and then we have all spring, summer and autumn ahead before winter comes around again. I look forward to reading your post.
DeleteI am so with you with Call the Midwife I have really enjoyed all the series. The books make for a good read too.
ReplyDeleteI think they tackle some great story lines in Call the Midwife, it's sad in one way to see the prejudices and stigma of certain situations in those days, but then it's good to realise how much has changed since then. I've read the books too, a really good read.
DeleteI love to see Archie, he has such a sweet little face! I'm excited for Call the Midwife too. It's coming in April here, I think. I'm interested to see if they're going somewhere with the thalidomide story again. It was so sad, but I've been very interested in thalidomide since I wrote a paper about it in college for a human reproductive biology course.
ReplyDeleteArchie just melts my heart when he looks at me with his big brown eyes. I thought Call the Midwife did the thalidomide story so well. I used to know a thalidomide victim myself, it's terrible to think how many people it affected before the connection to the drug was made.
DeleteI haven't watched Call the Midwife but my sister loves it. We like Grey's Anatomy which is back next week after a break. Snowdrops have to be up there as a February favourite.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a popular programme. I seem to have heard Grey's Anatomy mentioned so many times yet it's something I've never even caught a glimpse of. My first snowdrops have opened today, much later than some I've noticed.
DeleteI'm always complaining that British tv series have too few episodes. Over here we usually get 22 or 24 episodes for each season.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of episodes, I wouldn't mind with Call the Midwife though, it seems to be on for such a short time and then we have to wait a whole year for another series to come around.
DeleteI have (unbelievably I know) just started watching this and am currently watching from the very beginning as well as watching current series. I am really enjoying it too. It started when I crocheted a 'Call the Midwife' baby blanket which was lovely and got me wondering what the programme was like!
ReplyDeleteBeing able to binge watch it in this way must be good. I'm glad you're enjoying it, there's so many interesting stories, and the first series were based on Jennifer Worth's own memoirs so even more interesting to my way of thinking.
DeleteYour post title made me smile as it reminded me how Lily keeps getting raindrops and snowdrops muddled up.
ReplyDeleteI think your last favourite is the cutest but I'm also enjoying seeing the signs of spring popping up everywhere. Just waiting for some warm, sunny weather now. X
Awww, that's so cute, the things little ones say or the way they muddle things up can be so funny. The warm, sunny weather can't come fast enough for me, it has warmed up a little here this week but it's still damp and grey.
DeleteLovely sunny spring post, Archie is lovely, we had a King Charles many years ago, they are soft, loving and really friendly. We have our loving cats these days.our garden has bulbs coming up, can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI did a lot of research before we got Archie, I hadn't really considered a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel before but the breed kept coming out on top for all the things we wanted out of a dog and we've never regretted our decision, they're such lovely dogs with a wonderful temperament. I do like cats too, we used to have one but Daniel's become allergic so we can't have any more.
DeleteI do really enjoy Call the Midwife, I did my family tree years ago and many of them lived in Poplar and Mile End. It's interesting seeing how things have changed, how much easier life is now, but also how we've lost the sense of community from then. Archie is just so beautiful, love his little face xx
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that your ancestors lived in the areas where Call the Midwife is set, it must make the programme even more interesting to you. Life is so much easier these days but I agree about the sense of community being lost, that's such a shame. Archie is a real cutie, I love him to bits.
DeleteI love ravelry too! Also days off work and spring!
ReplyDeleteRavelry's such a great website, there's just about any pattern you would ever need available to you on there. I don't work now but I remember how I loved having days off work, these days I love Mick having days off work so that we can spend the time together.
DeleteI've never watched Call the Midwife - it just doesn't appeal. And although I joined Ravelry years ago, I never really got into all the groups and forums, but I do occasionally look for a pattern.
ReplyDeleteArchie is adorable!!
I must admit that I didn't watch Call the Midwife when it first started but I managed to catch up with it and I'm so pleased that I did. I'm still finding my way around Ravelry, there's so much content there, but it's one of those sites that you can take as much or as little as you want from.
DeletePerhaps it is the sign of a good series ... you want more!
ReplyDeleteCall The Midwife has been very popular - but I still haven't watched an episode!
I just love to see the bulbs coming up at this time of year - the sign that Spring is on the way ... perhaps! Our weather can so often fool us!
Wonderful photograph of Archie, so many here want to give him a hug and who can blame them ... he is gorgeous.
Enjoy the rest of the week
All the best Jan
I think it's definitely the sign of a good series. I would urge anyone to watch it if they haven't already, I love it. I'm so looking forward to spring but I don't think winter's done just yet, it's been rather mild again this year so I'm sure there's plenty of unpleasant weather left in store for us yet. Archie's my baby now that my babies have left home, he gets all the love and attention these days, mind you, he did before too.
DeleteLots of lovely things again in February Jo. Call the Midwife is a favourite of ours too, although i do wish Chummy would make a come back :-)
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of bulbs coming through too, it hardly seems as though we have had any Winter to speak of, I love to see signs of Spring but I miss a proper Winter.
I used to have pen pals years ago, it is nice getting a letter in the post, even emails now are mostly junk trying to get you to buy something. Archie has such a sweet face and he looks very comfy lying there.
I'll try and join in for February as soon as i can.
I so agree with you about Chummy. Apparently, Miranda was supposed to be involved in this latest series but she had to pull out due to other commitments, I think that's such a shame. It's the first time for ages that I haven't planted any bulbs in containers so it's making me appreciate the ones in the ground all the more, I'm noticing each step of their development this year. I too had lots of pen pals when I was younger. I signed up on someone's blog for a pen pal in December and although I've sent off a letter to the person I was paired up with, I haven't received anything back, which is a shame. Looking forward to reading your post.
DeleteSunny days and good books would make my list. It's good to be reminded to take time to think about what we like, and makes us smile. I will think about a post on my blog.
ReplyDeleteSunny days have been few and far between here but I'm sure they'll make an appearance on the blog once we get some. I hope you'll write a post too, I'll watch out for it.
DeleteSpring around the corner, yay!!!! That's definitely on my list of favourites. I keep meaning to get back into Ravelry. One of those stupid things where I've lost my password and never get round to sorting it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm always glad to see the back of winter so any sign of spring is worth celebrating in my book. I'm sure it will be easy enough to sort your Ravelry password out, though make sure you've got plenty of time on your hands when you do, time always runs away with me when I start browsing all those patterns.
DeleteYour favorite things are perfect, Jo. Wonderful to see spring arriving in your area -- my garden is still under ice and snow although our winter is milder than average. I hope your news about Call the Midwife means the new series will come to America soon! That is definitely a favorite of mine. Great posting! P. x
ReplyDeleteWe've had a mild winter, not much snow to speak of, but I'm not complaining. I don't think it's long before our series cross the pond and you get them over there so you shouldn't have to wait too long.
DeleteI enjoy Call the midwife too and agree it´s a shame they only do so few episodes. I use ravelry too, but didn´t realise just how much it offers, I must go and find out more, so thank you for that
ReplyDeleteIt would be good if they could include more episodes in a series or failing that, bring out two series each year rather than one. I'm still working my way around Ravelry, there's so much to discover.
DeleteI must add "Call the Midwife" to my show list. You have nailed it on the head with the number of episodes. There are so many great British shows and I always end up groaning about how each season is much too short (esp. when you compare it to the typical 24-26 episodes per season in North America!). And I love, love, love Ravelry - my only complaint is that I go in to look at one thing and next thing you know, an hour or two has passed :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder why there's such a difference in the number of episodes made in a series, we're certainly being short changed over here. I'm exactly the same with Ravelry, there's so much to discover on there that you can't escape without a serious amount of time passing by.
DeleteAh, favourite things? Well, one that has come to mind whilst reading this, is our library. My Monty Don book they put in a purchase request for, has finally arrived, so I'll go & pick that up on Monday. I also have a log-in for Ravelry. Don't use it much, but have liked what I've seen so far. Maybe I should do a post too & I must pop you an email next week. Have a good weekend & take care.
ReplyDeleteThe library is a good one, I shall be popping in to our local one this morning. I really enjoyed the Monty Don book, I'm sure you will too. I'm still discovering more and more on Ravelry each time I visit, there's so much content.
DeleteI love Ravelry and anything to do with yarn. I am also loving Gilmore GIrls, I never watched it when it was on. And recently watched The Crown, it was breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about The Crown, I'd love to watch that but I think it's only available on Netflix which we don't have. I've recently heard about Gilmore Girls too, though if I'm honest, I don't know much about it. I'm not sure whether it would be my thing or not.
DeleteA post full of lovely things. We're Call the Midwife fans too, the storylines this series are so strong in each and every episode so far.... they are a talking point each week at my book group and craft group. Archie is adorable, my brother used to have a cavalier, his fur was so silky soft.
ReplyDeleteI visit ravelry sometimes, there are so many lovely podcasts, etc that time just escapes me to do more on there.
I'm loving Call the Midwife, as you say, they have some great, thought provoking, story lines. I've never met a grumpy Cavalier yet, they're such a lovely breed with a fantastic temperament. I've recently discovered podcasts and I'm hooked, I keep finding new ones to watch but as you say, there just isn't enough time for everything.
DeleteWhat a lovely photo of Archie, he is such a handsome boy and always a delight to see.
ReplyDeleteCTM is a favourite of ours too, although we haven't seen last Sunday as yet.
How lovely to get a proper letter in the post, I bet you enjoyed sitting down and having a good read and catch up.
Lisa x
I always tape Call the Midwife and watch it when I know I'm not going to be disturbed. I love receiving proper letters, they're so few and far between these days.
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