what a pleasant change today was - lovely sunny day and, while cool, it was warm enough to wander around with just the flanny on (instead of a jumper and jacket in addition to the flanny) At one stage I was even down to the long-sleeved teeshirt under the flanny!

surprisingly it was not actually that much warmer (temperature-wise) but still, it made all the difference in the world. I was out cutting wood (we have some more cold weather on the way) when gordon from next door started wandering up the lane with his dog on a leash. Stopped to chat and he mentioned that the microchipping day also included vaccinations. I had been watching all the dogs being microchipped and feeling smug as Shadow has had his in since puppyhood, but was glad to hear about the vaccination opportunity as with our vet having left us at Christmas I was wondering how to get that sorted. So we headed down and he meekly took his shots and was rewarded with a liver treat delivered by the vet's little girl.

Once that was sorted, and the wood stowed indoors and the chainsaw put away, I got the mower out and gave the yard a once-over as, with the damp weather, it had grown away once more. That under control I weeded the veges, spotted a nice head of broccoli (now dinner and being eaten as I type) then retreated indoors to prepare tonight's osso bucco. But i am hungry so the broccoli and riced potato is being eaten now and I will eat the rest once it is cooked.

so now to work out how to cope with a night of four degrees when the bed is set up for temperatures somewhat lower ... I think I will fold up the quilt and set it on the other side of the bed and see how I go from there.

Inertia seems to have set in with the colder weather. Not a skerrick of work done today - just read two books instead. Now I have to start a third one to get me through the evening ...

Not quite into two figures today, but close at 9.8. Despite the sunshine it was darn chilly so once again huddled indoors. Given the overnight chill it was quite hard to get out of bed this morning and had the animals not urged me into action I would probably still be there.

I was astonished to discover that it actually cracked two figures today, but then I read the effect of the chill factor and that explains why we were all huddled over our heaters at quilting today. The cats left a wee present at the back door to greet me on my return (a dead mouse) and the dog has been playing frisbee with the new footscraper door mat. Will have to move it slightly further away I think.

Tonight it is freshly picked broccoli layered with par-cooked potatoes, drenched in a cheese sauce and topped with grated cheese - all baked in the oven till brown on top.

It wasn't terribly much warmer today, but at least the sun was out. Oddly, the nights are still relatively warmish, though this is possibly also the positive benefits arising from the additional insulation. The house is still quite cosy in the mornings even if the fire has burned down to a few remnant sparks.

I managed to complete six of the nine-patch groups today, only two more to go and they will be done by the end of tomorrow's session. I may even manage to cut out some strips for the stripey patches. I will need to look out some larger bits of fabric though, so that I can make the wide bands of fabric that finish off these blocks into the completed block size and that does not appear to be possible from the existing collection. Will rummage in the boxes and see what I come up with.

Our new member joined us today. She moved into Parattah some time ago - they built a house the other side of the railway line but have not had much to do with her. She was befriended by her next door so conversation was somewhat constrained today in that regard, as I had already warned folk of the association.

I am quite looking forward to finishing this quilt as it will be the first full-size top I have finished (two others are stalled due to hiccups in the making) and I am particularly enamoured of the colour range. It is Moda Autumn Fair if anyone out there knows what that is. It is a sort of red, white and blue combination but the colours are sort of faded like old cloth and the 'white' is more of a teastain colour. Will look like a good oldfashioned quilt methinks.

Another cold one today, and worse to come apparently. So I cut up a bit more wood to keep me going through till the next patch of sunshine is due, and settled into some serious cooking. Chicken stock, semi-dried tomatoes, pasta sauce, you name it, it was all cooked today. My only letdown was in the sweets department as I had run out of milk and the 3 litre container in the freezer has yet to thaw. So cakes may need to wait for another day.

More washing done, ironing finished (for now) and put away, and the kitchen fairly cleared for action when the next inspiration strikes. So tonight I will just settled back with Due North (Jill Ker Conway) and see where it takes me.

Eleven degrees today, and a steady rain, so it was indoor activities all round. The perfect excuse to sit and read, though I did also manage to whip up some chicken stock, do a couple of loads of washing and find my other ugg boot (finally). Not even the cats were keen on going out today and the dog positively begged to stay indoors. More to come this coming week by the looks of it, so will have to find myself some indoor chores to keep me occupied.