THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

21 March 2014

DISHY DISHCLOTHS & OTHER DELIGHTS


When I was a teenager, my mum used to knit dishcloths and I loved them. No sponge wipe or J-cloth will ever compete. So, when I saw Bridget on her lovely blog http://malbridgehouse.blogspot.co.uk/ talking about knitting them, I asked her how much she would charge to make me a couple. Today these five beautiful dishcloths arrived in the post and I am very, very happy. Aren't they gorgeous? Anyway, I'm seriously in her debt as she didn't charge me anything. I'll think of something. 

Spring is at last making an appearance in the garden. We're still way behind everyone else I'm afraid, but we'll get there eventually.

Columbine leaves starting to unfurl:


Hellebore (not sure which variety):


Again, not sure about the variety of this little Narcissus:


Guelder Rose is always the first to come out in the hedge, at least two months before the Beech:


Today the dogs and I went for a long walk, made longer by the fact that Jack disappeared down into an old rabbit warren, only reappearing fifteen minutes later. I was NOT happy. He also ate his own body weight in fox poo. Snippet ate the afterbirth from.....er.....something, and, in the absence of waterproof trousers, the weather decided to hit me hard from behind with hail and freezing rain for twenty minutes. When we got back, a complete change of clothes was required. I've had better walks. The sun was lovely before and after the deluge though. 






These next three are of the aftermath of the swailing:






Looking over at Thornworthy Tor:


With the stormy sky behind it, the dead grass looked like fur today:



Whilst sitting in the doctor's waiting room the other day, I found a 'Which' survey of the least satisfactory cars and look what came first/last! I feel vindicated and relieved that we weren't alone.


So until next time, have a great weekend and here are the boys enjoying themselves a couple of days ago. 


49 comments:

  1. What a great place to live! The photos captured the countryside perfect...I felt like I took a walk with you! Thanks.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Juliet - lovely to have you.

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  2. The things that dogs will find to eat!!! The dishcloths look great, hope that you enjoy using them!! xx

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  3. The first photo is so frame or card worthy. The colors are beautiful. When I try to shoot raindrops they never come out as nice as yours !
    But naughty Jack and Snippet... I don't know what I would do if my dogs ate that. Do they throw up ?
    A little too full on nature for me.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I'm assuming you meant the Columbine leaves rather than the dishcloths Parsnip!

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    2. hahahahahahaha yes I did. This is why I should not comment when I am tired !

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  4. Love love love that pic of the dead grass against the stormy sky. Columbine leaves are just beautiful as they start to unfurl. Have a good weekend x

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    1. You too Jess and I suspect your Columbines are already about to flower!

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  5. I like the knitted dish clothes and use them myself. I've knitted many many of them. : )

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    1. They're great aren't they? Worth learning to knit for. It's been 40 years since I last went near needles.

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  6. I crochet my dish cloths. I wonder what Jack found in the fox hole -- not foxes I doubt. That photo of the stormy sky and grasses is outstanding. Love your walks with the boys.

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    1. I think he was just digging a new tunnel Chris!

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  7. Even if you felt that your walk wasn't all that pleasant, your photos show otherwise! Although if one of our dogs disappeared down a rabbit warren, and another feasted on 'leftovers' there is no question I would have to agree with you too!! And the dishcloths, my Mom used to make them too, they are better than anything you can buy, no question! Enjoy your weekend Em!!

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  8. I guess I really can't complain that my dogs eat horse poop! Wonderful pictures as always. Have a great weekend.

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    1. They've moved on from Horse. It's all sheep, fox and cat now. Yuck!

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  9. Glad you like them. They probably won't last as long as your Mums as the modern cotton knitting wool is nowhere as hard wearing as the old type, so let me know when you need some more. I enjoyed knitting them. I love the picture of the narcissus, just beautiful. My dogs don't eat fox poo but two of them roll in it! It stinks the mini bus out , the smell lingers for ages! Good job we love them!

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    1. Snippet has never had the desire to roll in it. Perhaps he feels secure enough about his own odour!

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  10. Oh Em, how I laughed at the fox poo and the afterbirth of something - in Tess's life, the only things really worth eating are sheep poo and rabbit poo. However many shampoos and sets she has (one due this coming week) her breath always smells disgusting. The price we pay for living in the country I suppose.
    Love those dishcloths. Shall look for a pattern.

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    1. I wasn't laughing at the time, but in hindsight.....

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  11. Beautiful photos as always. Love the colourful Spring flowers and your photos of Dartmoor are always so atmospheric. The dishclothes look lovely - enjoy using them :)

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    1. I am about to go and use one now RR....I'm procrastinating in the blogosphere.

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  12. Hello! I found your blog by accident or kismet and I can't believe people actually lives in those magnificent sceneries. Dartmoor has sounded since my chilhood as The Place where wild ponies wander, air is fresh and wind strong... but people? No, not there. Your photos are pure beauty. I have two Icelandic ponies and one minishetlandspony, sweet colt, but not (yet) a place of my own.
    By the way; I have Renault Clío, so I know something about French electricity... :(

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    1. Hello Caro and thanks for visiting. I just went to have a look at one of your blogs; beautiful flower pictures! You can add a 'translate' button which I would really appreciate as Google's translation was clearly VERY bad! I think I have one but I get the feeling your English it pretty spectacular. I guess a Clio just has slightly smaller electrical issues!

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  13. I love visiting to see where you've been today.
    The shot of the horse and house looks like the opening credits of a BBC drama!
    Jane x
    PS I love dishcloths as they are something I can actually knit.

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  14. Well, if it's only 40 years since you knitted you should be OK to do dishcloths. Its 50 years since I last made a dolls scarf and I'm now on my 7th dishcloth.
    I just loved that line" I've had better walks" made me smile.

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  15. Of course I love all the shots.
    The capture of the pony on the hill with the castle type building below was brilliant !

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  16. Wonderful! A lady at pottery has offered to teach me to knit - brave woman!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone in not having a clue.

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  17. I also love taking pics of flowers when they are laden with water droplets♥️
    Great photos!
    Enjoy your evening.....and the dishcloths! Ha!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  18. Love the dishcloths - they will probably last you for years!

    More great Dartmoor photos and the blue-grey sky is stunning.

    As for the disgusting dogs .......I`m afraid Whisper Dog is in the same club!

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    1. I think they all are when they live in the poo ridden food basket that is the countryside!

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  19. When I was a kid we had a corgi, who only ever escaped and rolled in "cowsh" as we called it when we are about to get in the car for a long journey. As far as bad smells go, wet corgi is only slightly better than cowsh-corgi according to my memory!

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  20. I am so terribly jealous you have flowers when we still have tons of snow ! Love all your photos per usual & the boys xx

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    1. Snow yesterday Cindy but nothing like yours. You poor things over there!

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  21. Em, the 7th photo down would make a fantastic card- remember it when you're considering the next batch to get printed?
    ps- it looks like I'll be down your way towards the end of April. Not 100% certain of timings yet but hoping I'll have an evening free to meet up if you're around then? I'll email you. CT x

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    1. Great - just let me know. I'll be posting soon about my foray into the world of landscape art....it's not going well and that 7th one is quite similar!

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  22. Sorry your walk was full of troubles Em, the wind has been very cold here too, but naughty dogs don't help, sound like they had fun. I absolutely love the photo of the pony with the building behind it.......it's just brilliant and the light is amazing.

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  23. The dishcloths look great - so much better than anything bought. I love all the photos and the stunning light, but my favourites have to be leaping Jack and the pony with the building in the background. Harry has suddenly darted over and rolled in Fox poo before now - horrible, horrible!

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    1. That's the problem isn't it? No warning. One minute they're trotting along, the next they're writhing on the ground stinking them selves up.

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  24. The photo of the grey pony on the hill with the house in the background is stunning!

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    1. Wouldn't you just love to live there? There's a holiday cottage attached to the main house and I often think it would be lovely to stay there, even if it is only a couple of miles down the road.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.