Thursday 27 April 2017

Raindrops On Roses - April

These are a few of my favourite things.


Tadpoles! Following on from last month's Raindrops On Roses post where I showed the frogspawn in my little pond, I've finally got tadpoles. Last year was the first time I'd had frogspawn in the pond but sadly, no tadpoles emerged. This year, I'm overrun with them and it's going to be a very full pond indeed if they all survive.


Easter Egg. Just the one. I rarely get an Easter egg these days but Mick treated me this year. I've made it last and enjoyed every mouthful.


Little House on the Prairie. I'm working my way through all the past episodes of this 1970's TV series set in the 19th century American west. I'm on to series four now, there's nine series in total so I'm not even half way through yet, though I'm in no rush to finish, I just watch an episode here and there when I've got an hour to myself. I used to love watching this programme when I was a child and I'm enjoying it just as much this time round.


Blossom. April's the month when fruit trees burst in to colour and it's always a beautiful sight. My own little cherry and apple trees are flowering at the moment but this magnificent tree is at Lotherton Hall where we went for a walk on Sunday.


Indie dyed yarn. I learnt to knit as a child and followed the hobby through to my teens. I had a break from knitting for many years before picking my needles up again back in 2010. I'd given up work that year and had a little extra time on my hands, it's funny how we go back to old hobbies when we're not so rushed in life. It wasn't long after rediscovering knitting that I came across some independent dyers, I've bought many skeins from Laughing Yaffle since discovering their gorgeous yarn back in 2011 and I've still got three skeins from there in my stash, and I'm using some yarn from Wharfedale Woolworks at the moment that I've had in my stash since 2011. I'm discovering new indie dyers all the time and I'm building up quite a collection of scrumptious yarn, the photo above is just a small selection of what I've got in my stash.

What favourites do you have this month? How about joining me and writing a post about them?

50 comments:

  1. We keep passing Lotherton Hall and saying that we really ought to pay a visit again.

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    1. They're making changes to the bird garden at the moment, it's going to be Wildlife World and will include penguins and some animals too, I'm looking forward to seeing what they've done to it.

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  2. Oh, how lovely to have tadpoles ... I do hope that they survive and lots of little frogs appear!
    We had an Easter egg, too, just the one and it was very nice, but we don't buy them for ourselves and now we buy the family chocolates instead because we feel that the eggs are overpriced and not much chocolate in them! I know that sounds mean, but we are nothing if not pragmatic! We bought a chocolate bunny for grandson, though, he loved that.
    The yarn is in such pretty colours, Jo. I almost wish I could knit. No, on the other hand, I'm glad I don't as I'd be adding yarn to my list of luxuries - flowers, scent, books, magazines ... I don't need to add anything else, ha ha!
    I never watch Little House on the Prairie, but I hope you enjoy it. We're ploughing through all six 'seasons' (as they say in America) of Homeland.
    Margaret P

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    1. We get lots of frogs in the garden but it's the first time there's been tadpoles in the pond, I'm really pleased about it. Yarn such as this is indeed a luxury, it's quite expensive but it's nice to have a little treat once in a while. I've never seen Homeland, though I keep hearing it mentioned.

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  3. What yummy yarn I love it! you are so good making your Easter egg last how did you do that? I had one too and I wasn't even going to eat it, my plan was to give it away, I picked it up to do just that the next thing I know is my hands are tearing at the packaging and then pushing chocolate in my mouth, I ate half there and then the other half went in one sitting the next day. How lovely to have tadpoles in your pond it's going to be fun watching them develop. I used to love that series too and the Walton's. :) x

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    1. I've been very strict with myself with the Easter egg, especially as there were four small bars of chocolate inside too. It's so easy to get carried away though, isn't it? The Waltons was another series I loved when I was younger, perhaps I'll work my way through those once I've done with Little House on the Prairie.

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  4. What a coincidence - we (my daughter and I) have also started watching Little House on the Prairie. My mom purchased her a trio of the original books for her birthday and I thought it would be wonderful to watch the series with her. Big love but it also makes me think about when Michael Landon passed away, which was such a sad moment.

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    1. I've read the first three in the series of books, I'd like to read the rest at some point, they're wonderfully descriptive, you get a real picture of what life back then was like. I remember sitting with my mum and watching Little House on the Prairie when I was little, I can remember some of the episodes as I watch them again now, but not all of them.

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  5. Well i think you have just described my favourite things too!
    Little House on the Prairie is one of my ALL time favourites,
    seeing apple blossom always makes me smile, it's so beautiful to see. I always get excited when we have visiting frogs so to have tadpoles must be great. I can't remember the last time I had an Easter egg but I do like them, although I liked them better when I was younger and you got a surprise in the middle, they don't seem to do that now.
    I'm only just getting into all the hand dyed yarn but I do love it, I will check some of the links out, thank you.
    Great post, thanks for sharing :-)

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    1. I remember having the surprises in the middle of Easter eggs, it's a shame they don't do that any more. I remember being excited to crack in to the egg to see what was inside. The list of Etsy shops I follow gets longer by the day, there's so many great indie dyers out there now. Perhaps I should do a post with links to my favourites.

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  6. I am a great fan of Little House on the Prairie too bringing back some lovely memories.

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    1. It was such a lovely programme, it's a shame they don't make more programmes like these now.

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  7. What a lovely idea for a post, Jo. I love all of these things too. I've never had a Cadbury Easter egg but I love Creme Eggs. I bought a four-pack and put one in each of my kids' Easter baskets and then there was one for me and my husband. I saved it until this Sunday night to eat while I watch a show I really enjoy. I made it last about twenty minutes! It was so worth the wait and I savored the heck out of it. :)

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    1. I love Creme Eggs too and they're Eleanor's favourite. Neither Mick nor Daniel like them, more for me and Eleanor is what I say to that.

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  8. LHoTP is a lovely programme, it give you the feel good factor.
    Nice wool stash, and that's only some of it..WOW!
    Blue skies through blossom, always a winner with me.
    As for the Easter egg,that wouldn't have lasted long here lol
    Not a froggy person, so i'll pass on those.
    Have a lovely bank holiday weekend xx

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    1. I've got quite a bit more indie dyed yarn in my stash along with a lot of other yarn, it'll soon get used up though once I decide on some new projects. I was surprised how long I managed to make the Easter egg last, Mick's still got most of his left now, he'd better hurry up and eat it otherwise I'll eat it for him.

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  9. How exciting about the tadpoles, we've just built our first little pond and I hope so much that we'll attract some wildlife over the years, please keep us up to date on their progress. I used to love Little House, sweet memories xx

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    1. My pond is tiny and it still attracts a huge amount of wildlife so I'm sure your pond will too, you just need to be patient but things will arrive. It's the first time we've had tadpoles but the frogs have been around from day one and I've seen a newt too.

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  10. I don't think I've seen tadpoles since we had some in a tank at school, and that's a long time ago!
    The blossom on the trees is looking beautiful this month. It's such a shame it's not around for very long. You must have had a lovely walk at Lotherton Hall. X

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    1. I remember having tadpoles in school too, that's some years ago. We've had some wonderful walks just lately with all the blossom on the trees, it's been stunning.

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  11. I second the love of indie dyed yarn! And of course easter eggs.

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    1. There's some fabulous dyers out there now, I'm discovering new ones all the time, if only I could buy everything I see that I want. I'm stalking so many Etsy shops at the moment.

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  12. Look at all those tadpoles. Fingers crossed you get to show us some froglets soon!
    Can't beat a bit of Cadburys!
    Lisa x

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    1. I do hope the tadpoles survive, it's been so interesting watching the frogspawn and seeing them hatch, it would be fantastic for them to get to the frog stage, and it should help keep the slug population down too.

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  13. I've never watched/read Little House on the Prairie! Lots of lovely yarn - I must look out a link to send you of someone I know in the north of Scotland who produces beautiful yarns.

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    1. You've definitely missed out on Little House on the Prairie, it's such a feel good programme and the books are wonderful too. I'm always happy to be introduced to yarn dyers.

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  14. How exciting to have tadpoles! Does Archie investigate your pond?

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    1. Archie can't get near the pond as it's in a raised border. He loves water though so he'd probably be very inquisitive if he could get near.

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  15. A nice post and good pictures. Lucky you with the tadpoles. That sure is a wonderful looking tree. Flighty xx

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    1. I was really surprised when I first saw the tadpoles, it's taken a few years but they've eventually arrived. The orchard at Lotherton Hall is a mass of blossom at the moment, just gorgeous.

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  16. What is it about a ball of wool that just says "Buy me and knit me!"???? Three balls slipped into the stash yesterday afternoon when I had no plans whatsoever to buy anything at all!!!! Jx

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    1. Yarn is just so tempting, isn't it? There could be worse vices, I suppose.

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  17. How wonderful to see the tadpoles! I was a huge fan of the Little House on the Prairie and read the books. I wanted to be a Laura/Mary hybrid person! I'm pleased that you enjoyed your Easter egg. I haven't started mine as I have been busy helping the children to eat the egg hunt.... selfless to a fault ;-)

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    1. Ha ha, I would have swapped places with Laura or Mary in a heartbeat when I was young, I thought they had such an idyllic life. Of course, the programme leads you to believe that but in reality it was very tough. I still like to believe in those good old days though.

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  18. Awh, tadpoles for you too. Our pond has had taddies both years & of course I showed the frog in my last post. Hope some of yours grow into frogs. What is it about yarn & fabric? They both seem to proliferate here too. I've always knitted or crocheted of a night, though occasionally I might sew a binding or do some embroidery, but just can't sit & watch TV idly. I love those colours & are they for socks? Have a great weekend & take care.

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    1. I like to have something to do whilst watching TV too, sock knitting is ideal as a TV project as you don't need to concentrate too much. Some of the yarn might make it in to socks but I'd like to make a shawl or two too.

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  19. Lovely to see the tadpoles, hope you do get a lot of frogs!

    I love this time of year and the wonderful blooms, especially the cherry blossom trees, that photo of yours is glorious!

    Have a good Bank Holiday Weekend.

    All the best Jan

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    1. The blossom seems to be lasting longer this year, not that I'm complaining. Perhaps we haven't had as much windy weather as usual.

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  20. Loved to see some of your favourite things, especially that scrummy yarn.xcx

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    1. I keep picking the yarn up to give it a stroke, it's hard not to, it's so scrumptious.

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  21. I used to watch this tv series as a child. I quite fancy watching it again! Love your indie dyed yarn, I bet it is a pleasure to knit with. Have a lovely long weekend. x

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    1. I'm really enjoying watching Little House on the Prairie again. I think my favourite thing about indie dyed yarn is seeing the colours emerge as it's knitted up, sometimes it looks nothing like you imagine it's going to.

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  22. I think New Zealand has been on a Cadbury buying strike, as they are closing down their only factory in NZ. I did buy the boys Cadbury for Easter though, but much rather prefer other NZ made chocolate. I'll probably never buy any Cadbury products again since they will soon no longer be made in NZ. Not sure what happens to the unique NZ Cadbury products then...
    I'll do a favourites blog tomorrow - love indie dyers and I bought a bunch of wool last week while away too. A new wool shop has just opened in the neighbourhood too, but since my stash had a recent boost only a week ago, I have not been into have a look as yet. Happy weekending!

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    1. I didn't know they made Cadbury in New Zealand, what a shame the factory's closing, though if there's other New Zealand chocolate which people prefer that may be why. I wish there were more wool shops near me, I have to travel a fair distance to a decent yarn shop. Hope you find they stock lots of lovely yarn when you do eventually visit.

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  23. Tadpoles remind me of my childhood. We used to find frogspawn in a nearby marshy field and put it in jars, then wait for the frogspawn... Kinda cruel now, I think!

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    1. I remember lots of people doing that when we were young. I remember collecting snails and keeping them in a box, horrible things they are.

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  24. I loved Little House on the Prairie too, I have the full set of little house books and love them. The tv series is on tv occasionally - scroll through lots of channels to get there!

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    1. I've only read the first three Little House books, I'd like to read the rest of them though. I think the writing is so descriptive, you can just imagine the life she led.

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  25. How marvelous to finally have tadpoles! You'll have all those back next! I love Little house on the Prairie, such a heartwarming series.xxx

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    1. The little pond has attracted all manner of wildlife but I've waiting a long time for tadpoles, they're here at last.

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