Friday Smiles 2023# Week 40

The year is hurrying by and here at week 40 I have very little to write about!

Thank you for all the thoughtful messages last week after my fall in the garden. I am almost recovered now. My knee bends again, most of the way anyway, and although my fingers are still sore, the bruise is fading and it doesn't hinder me from doing what I want to very much.

We have had a lovely week of sunshine each day and I have spent time most afternoons, sitting outside to do some craft, or reading. I needed new books on my Kindle so I downloaded the one Lisca said she was enjoying last week, and also the first one in the series. (Lisca's was the second). I sat out on the porch until 2.00 in the morning to finish the first one! It was a bit blood-thirsty but a good read. There are several more stories in the series so I may try some more. We will see how the second one goes.

With not a lot of news to tell, I thought I would show you my current "Work in progress". This was my holiday project. I was away for a month so I knew I would need something to do and I wanted a project that only required one colour of wool, and was not a  too complicated pattern so I could crochet and chat to family at the same time. I am also trying to use up some of my yarn stash and I had enough of this one to make a garment, so it was an easy decision. I have finished the main body, so now I have to pick up stitches around those rather large armholes and work down for short sleeves gathered into tightish cuffs. Then there is a border to work all around the neck, bottom edge and fronts. It will all look a lot better when it has been blocked.

We had an exciting shopping expedition early in the week when we went looking at new furniture for the living room. We sat on a lot of sofas! We finally settled on a wide two-seater settee with both sides electrically reclining, and also a small recliner chair in matching fabric, all in a light-teal tweed fabric. It won't be ready until mid to late November so no doubt there will be photos eventually.

This morning I went to a little local market at the camp site, because a friend was holding her 'end of season' sale. She used to run a fashion shop, but now buys garments from outlets all around southern Spain, and sells them from her home and website. But at the end of each season she holds a sale to clear her stock and there are always some good bargains. Today I chose a bright orange jumper, (I do like colourful clothing!), a short bat-wing top in lime green, and some beautifully soft black tousers. The trousers need shortening, but that is not too difficult, and the fabric is fantastic. I forgot to take any photos while I was there.

I did some paper crafting this week and made a set of eleven Christmas cards. (It's not like me to do an odd number of anything but it worked out that way this time). I can't show them yet as they will be my craft blog entry at the end of the month.

Look who has just come out from behind my big cork pin-board. I wonder how long he has been hiding in there. I love those little suction pads on his toes that enable him to run up and down walls at great speed. He is a welcome visitor as he eats all the pesky bugs, but he really needs to find his way out the window before one of my cats come down here and spots him.

And today I am closing with a photo of my mum in my garden back in UK. I took it when she came outside to say goodbye to a friend who came to see her. I think she was around 85 at the time. She is always in my thoughts, but today especially as it would have been her 119th birthday today! She sadly died in the June just before her 90th birthday, having lived with us for almost ten years. So we all have lots of happy memories of her.

Now I am off to the hospital at Huercal-Overa for an appointment with the dermatologist. The ulcer on my hand is reluctant to heal completely and is still often infected around the edge, so my doctor has referred me to the hospital. My first appointment came through for the last day I was in UK, so unfortunately I had to cancel it, but I didn't have to wait too long for a new one, so it will be interesting to hear what they have to say about it.

Friday-a brief update: The hospital visit was positive. A nice young doctor took a swab for testing and has ordered a biopsy. My translator helped me do the paper work so I am 'on the list'. I have no idea how long I will have to wait but at least they are doing something.

And with that I will link up with Annie's Friday Smiles.