Enjoying it while it lasts!

Good morning gorgeous readers! how are you all?

Guess what I have....two glorious weeks off from work!!! isn't that amazing! 

I originally had the next two weeks planned as a vacation spent with Dennis' on the cruise ship he works on. Two weeks of travelling around the Canary islands and spending time with him in the sun. I've been looking forward to it for months! 

Things didn't quite go to plan as Dennis came down with a nasty bout of kidney stones and had to come home from the ship. :-(

The plus side is that Dennis is all fine. The kidney stones are not yet out, as the procedure to remove them didn't quite got to plan. He will have a repeat of the procedure in a few weeks, but thank God he's no longer in any pain. He's definitely on the road to recovery.

Of course the down side is that I didn't get my much longed for vacation, but I have to say things are turning out rather splendidly. I'm spending some time at home with Dennis (which was the main point to the holiday anyway) and am rather loving the long days I get to spend at home and out on the balcony, talking, crafting and eating the hours away.  

We have Spring weather! The sunshine makes me feel like a totally new person. Basking in the sunshine is not only doing wonders for me, but also for the plants I potted a few weeks ago. I'm rather enjoying watching the progression I see from day to day as another leaf, flower or sprout appears.

I couldn't resist taking some pictures to show you all. I'm simply adoring having an outside space to call my own: 

Along with the flowers I've also started growing some Strawberries. They are only little at the moment, but I hope they will grow big and have sweet red strawberries to munch on!

Also, I'm growing tomatoes! Again they are only tiny at the moment, but I'm hoping they will grow deliciously tasty fruits so I can make some Summery salsa.

Not only do I love the colour and vibrancy having a little garden brings to my life but I'm truly enjoying the maintenance part. Watching over my plants and watering them when they need, is becoming a sacred moment to the day. A time to be alone with my thoughts and ponder life as I tend to my thriving plants.

It's rather precious having this unexpected couple of weeks to spend at home.  I'm allowing myself the time to  take it slow and enjoy every moment of the day, to indulge in the things that I sometimes take for granted when busy with work.
Alowing myself the time to sit and sip tea out on the balcony, watching the day go by is such a luxury and something I would not normal plan as a way to spend my free days.

Maybe Dennis' kidney stones were a blessing in disguise? Of course not for him, but maybe for me? They've allowed me a time to enjoy the days as I please, no obligations, no schedule to follow, no boundaries as to what I can do for the next two weeks. That's rather lovely feeling! I'll enjoy every minute whilst it lasts!

This post has moved!
You can read an updated and revised version on our new blog.

Click here to read this post in full at it's new home!

DAS WOLLCAFÉ

Hello Lovelies!

Last post I gave you all a glimpse at the current project i'm working on, along side the yarn I recently bought. I told you how I've been finding it difficult to find a good variety of yarn here in Stuttgart. Well I hate to say it....... It looks like I spoke too soon!!! EEEEEEK!

On monday Dennis and I payed a visit to the yarn shop where Dennis had purchased the  gorgeous Noro yarn he is currently knitting with.  

Dennis had told me about this cute knit cafe.  I had yet to pay it a visit, as it is a bit of a journey from where we live. 

Monday was my day off from work and the weather was yucky, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to travel across the city and go see if this shop really was the treasure that Dennis claimed it was.

Das Wollecafe (The Woolcafe) was the name of the shop and it certainly was a gem!!!

A clean, bright shop that just oozed happiness!

This is what I'd been looking for in Stuttgart city centre, luxurious yarns in shades to die for!

Yarn that was the little bit "different" to make an extra special project.

Vibrant colours throughout the whole shop!

It makes me feel giddy just looking back at the pictures I took.

The shop also stocked a great range of accessories!

Felted hearts, balls and buttons to add those final touches to a project. 

A nice selection of craft books, filled with ideas and patterns

Of course there were also project about the shop. Made by the lovely owner Susanne, who also offered classes in knitting and crochet.
I could spot many shawls, felted shoes, a blooming flower cushion:

and some cheery crocheted ornaments hanging from the budding twigs near the entrance:

Of course this was no ordinary yarn store. It was a cafe as well!
.

Dennis and I were able to sit and drink coffee after we had worked up a thirst from all of the yarn browsing. 

We sat and worked on our projects chatting with Susanne and her very lovely customers. It was nice to meet people with the same enthusiasm that Dennis and I have towards all things yarny.

It was also good for me to practise some conversational German! :-)

A real treasure and definitely my go to place for yarn in Stuttgart. I'm so happy that we found this store. I was beginning to think that I would have to quit my job and move cities to be closer to a well stocked yarn shop! Thank God it didn't have to come to that!!!
Thank you DAS WOLLCAFÉ  for making Dennis and I feel so welcome. We will definitely be visiting again soon!!

This post has moved!
You can read an updated and revised version on our new blog.

Click here to read this post in full at it's new home!