Plotting and planning

After years of working in offices, I never forget to be grateful for the way that my life has changed to allow me to firstly work as a gardener and be outside in the fresh air, and now to be based at home working with my husband in his business and writing and knitting as Winwick Mum.

Today, the sun is shining and I have moved my office outside.  I’m trying to remember to drink more water (which is great, except that I keep needing to go to the loo!) and out of the corner of my eye I can see the washing gently waving on the washing line and the bees buzzing around the flowers.  One of the cats is sunning herself on the bench whilst the other has taken up residence in an empty planter.  He thinks that if he shuts his eyes and he can’t see you, then you can’t see him despite the fact that he’s the oddest-looking furry plant in the garden.

I’m plotting and planning, having a lovely time with my coloured pens and my bullet journal.  I’m still using it, still making lists, but have upgraded from using one colour to writing in different colours depending on what I’m making the list about.  I still have absolutely no intention of falling into the doodling/washi tape rabbit hole, but this book of lists-in-one-place is finally helping me to get a grip with my previously chaotic day-to-day stuff and it’s such a relief!

What am I plotting and planning?  Well, I have a lovely weekend planned with one of my best friends in a couple of weekends’ time – we’re heading off to Bruges on the Eurostar train which is hugely exciting for us as we’ve previously only spent weekends together in the UK.  We decided it was time to branch out and become European travellers!  I’m inordinately excited about the train journey – firstly from Warrington to London, then from London to Brussels and finally from Brussels to Ostend, not just because it’ll be something to see the landscape and country change out of the window, but because that’s 5 hours of train knitting time in one day.   Oh my life, I’m planning my knitting before I’m even thinking about what clothes to pack!

I’m also planning for the Winwick Mum Sockalong 3rd birthday which is on 3 May.  Yes, really!  Three years!  It makes me smile like a Cheshire Cat every time I think about it – three years!  I love that it’s been so useful and has made such a difference to so many lives over those years, and if you think that sounds a bit fanciful, you should see some of the messages and emails I’ve had.  I’m truly honoured to have touched lives in a way that I never expected, and as in the last two years, I’m going to have a giveaway on the blog to celebrate.  I’ve already collected a few treats together and I’ll tell you all about them on the Sockalong birthday – not long to wait now!

Finally, the excitement over Yarn Shop Day is ramping up and I’m busy making plans for what to take with me to Black Sheep Wools – sample needles, for sure, so that it’s easy to try out new ones, and copies of Super Socks which I’ll be signing on the day.  Emma Varnam, superstar crocheter, is going to be there as well, along with Debbie Tomkies who will be demonstrating hand-dyeing yarn.  Melanie from Rowan will also be around (have you seen the Rowan section at Black Sheep?  It’s like a sweet shop!) so it’s going to be a great day.  I’m going to be there from 9.30am-12.30pm for the first session, then 1pm-2pm for the second session so do come and wave your socks at me, whatever your progress!

Is the sun shining with you?  I do hope so!

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9 Responses

  1. Lenore says:

    Your trip sounds lovely Christine. I hope you share lots of photos here and on Instagram. I had 5 hours sock knitting time in the car yesterday, pure bliss, with the added bonus of a visit to the Bendigo Woolen Mills to buy more sock yarn with my SIL Nola. Only 5 months until Yarndale, yeah! Xx

  2. Sue says:

    I didn’t realise you worked as a gardener!

  3. Christina says:

    Have fantastic trip to Bruges! Travelling on the train is always relaxing, hope you get much knitting done. x

  4. Michelle says:

    Enjoy your trip sounds wonderful. I am so happy the sockalong is on the 3rd May as that’s my birthday what a treat! Thank you for all you do I would never have thought I could knit socks without the support of your Facebook groups and your book xx

  5. Susan Rayner says:

    I am envying your train trip – it is the only thing I miss about work was the commute – nearly two hours a day to read!!
    Glorious sunshine in Surrey too – gardening all done and patio pressure washed yesterday (hateful job but so satisfying now) and looking forward to a really quiet weekend enjoying the unseasonable warmth and maybe clearing out the shed!!
    Hope the book is coming along well!

  6. Julie says:

    Lots to look forward to in the coming weeks…. have fun.

  7. Jules says:

    How exciting! I hope you have a fabulous trip. X

  8. Unknown says:

    Enjoy your train trip and your knitting. Look forward to seeing photos. Glad you’re enjoying the sunshine we don’t seem to see much of it here this Spring x

  9. creativemummybear says:

    I love the peaceful picture you painted of your day. Washing billowing on the line is such a wonderful thing to behold, I love it! xx

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