Menokreatikkul; Saturday Stitches

Nothing much to share of my own stuff this week, so I am going to link you to a few of the patterns that I have added to my bookmarks for future work consideration... anything among them catch your eye?

Scrappy Granny Tee - saw Toni wearing her version on her latest video, and it was lovely, so definitely keeping this on tab!

Classic Knit Beret - simply stylish! 

Fleur Wrap (knit) - a simple but effective shawl that could dance with the right yarn...

Fair Isle Crochet Beanie - I intend to have a go at more stranded knit work, and specifically Fair Isle knitwear (I bought a book... it's serious...), but meanwhile, this crochet version is very attractive and definitely on the to-do list.

Crochet Gilet - I have always liked wearing waistcoats, so this pattern is on my list...

Summer Shawl - how pretty is this?! 

Sweaters! - last but not least, I introduce you to this Scottish website with lots of luscious, size-inclusive yarnsperation. I dream of making at least one, if not more, of these patterns.

That's it for this week! Have a good weekend.

Menoturals; Final Friday Feature

Joining in with the LLB gang on their Nature Friday hoppity-hop. It is also the last Friday of the month, so time to post something just a little bit more special. 

Bees. We pretty much all know the importance of bees to the ecosystem, and that bee populations are under threat from environmental and climate challenges. It is always a joy, then, to see not just one or two but many in one place. Whilst staying with Barney at his home, I went out in the morning to find out what the lovely dark plum-coloured plant was by the side wall (Cirsium rivulare, or Plume Thistle, for the interested). Getting near, I found that nearly every blossom had a bee or two at it! 

Mainly, it was the Buff-tailed Bumbles and Carder bees... There were one or two others I didn't manage to capture for ID, plus there were wasps and hoverflies. They were busy, busy, busy! Worth taking a little video then, don't you think? Yup... sound up, and you'll hear some pretty birdsong too

Menooooooooooo....And Breathe

NB: Blogger continues to be very tardy with many of your posts... and then a whole bunch will turn up at one go, with anything from two to four of those missed posts. Beyond frustrating!!! Am I the only one experiencing this, or have any others of you had this happen? I think David mentioned it might be with him. Anyway, for those to whom I regularly comment, know that I have not abandoned you and will get there eventually! For those I only comment occasionally, know that I am still reading all your posts - just not as timely as they could be!!! (moves on with clenched jaw and gnashing of teeth...).

I mentioned last Thursday that Mac1 is over by the Clyde house-sitting and looking after Barney, the Himalayan Terrier. I took a turn at 'watch' last week, and there will be another brief visit this weekend. My sister's friend and her hubby are overseas and were happy for Mac1 to use their place as an artist's retreat... and she certainly spread herself around!

The table by the window, the main dining table, the kitchen table... and many, many bags and boxes between! Friend Annie is, herself, a creator, mainly with fabrics, but a little with paints and other media. Mac1 loves printing in different formats, using whatever she forages from the beaches and woods and streamsides... and streets... Magpies would have trouble keeping up with her! 

Anyway, other than her three-week retreat, the other focus is the pupster... and what can be seen from the wonderful back deck... I'm just going to leave the rest of this post to the photos (in no particular order)...