Quick! Before it's too late...

I've been meaning to post this for well over a week now, and things keep getting in the way, but I've finally been spurred into doing it as the deadline is looming!

Do you love local produce, and discovering how differently the seasons are and how the farmers show them off around the world? Well, it sounds like you should be signing up for the 3rd Annual Farmer's Market Exchange, organised by the most wonderful Siri, of The Transplanted Baker.
I took part last year and it was wonderful. I got the chance to potter around our local market choosing goodies to share with someone across the world, and in return I received a delicious box of things, including a hand-thrown mug (which is still my favourite hot chocolate mug in the winter) a selection of delicious honey (yep, already devoured) and some gorgeous apple cinnamon tea which I'm still savouring one cup at a time.
Doesn't that all sound wonderful? The deadline to sign up is this Thursday (30th June). All you need to do is head over to Siri's blog, read all about it and drop her an email.
If it tempts you even more I am promising that whichever lucky person gets me will definitely be getting some of my new preserves! Now get the hence and sign up for the swap of the summer!

This week I have been mostly...

Picking fresh berries from the garden to rescue them from the rain (and put them in my face). Not a great harvest I have to admit, but something to build on.
Failing to buy bread, or bake bread, or buy oats or make granola. Pecan and cranberry emergency breakfast muffins it is.
Getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning to take delivery of 12kg of organic apricots from a very confused looking delivery man. I'm not sure what confused him more, the random residential address or the enthusiastic women in her red dressing gown opening the door!
Finishing my third ever pair of socks and my first ever proper colourwork project. Not the most perfect of fits (tight around the heel but loose at the toe and cuff), but I'm wearing them with pride anyway. And for any sock knitters out there, yes, you can block your socks using wine bottles in the hope of stretching them out to fit!

Sorry it's been rather silent around here. The craziness is continuing here at number 98. All will be revealed soon. In the meantime I can highly recommend using raspberries instead of strawberries in Eton mess, and eating it with a very cold glass of white wine. It's the perfect way to forget about all the rain we've been having and bring the Great British Summer indoors.

Happy Knit In Public day!

Today is Knit In Public day! The photo below is me knitting in Barcelona last year working on my very first lace shawl. Today I will be knitting colourwork socks on the train into work.
Sometimes when I stop and look around I am amazed at how far I have come and how much I have learnt in the past year, all thanks to the wonderful knitters around me...(I'm looking at you Mrs M, Lady J, and of course my most wonderful and patient Mum). If you are a knitter, grab your sticks and head out into the sunshine (or a cafe if you don't have any!) and show off your skills, you never know, you might inspire someone to take up their own needles, who might look back in a years time in amazement and wonder at all the beautiful, unique things they have made, dropped stitches and all.