One of the first questions people usually ask when I say I work from home, is how do I concentrate on work and not get distracted.
The first tip I share, is to clear the surfaces, so there are no domestic tasks sitting there, nagging me. The second tip is to get in the routine of taking breaks. (Third tip is to not beat yourself up if some days, tip one and two go by the by)
As breaks go, elevenses is a good one. Sometimes I take it late, as I’m caught up in a complicated calculation. Sometimes early, if I’m ready, but I try to stop for elevenses and do something different. Knitting is good as I can pick it up and put it down with no difficulty. I miss chatting to colleagues, over a cup of coffee or whatever, so sometimes I use the time to finish a blog post. Like this one. So not much knitting got done today. (This is probably the nearest to the conversation we would have if you were sitting in my kitchen for elevenses. Albeit, one sided, with me doing all the talking.)
This is my elevenses today. I started a new project last night. A cowl knitted from yarn picked up at a charity shop last year. It is a pompom yarn. Judging by my collection of charity shop yarns, I’m obviously drawn to unusual yarn which I’d never buy new. Either that, or people give up trying to knit with it and you’re more likely to find it in a charity shop.
Once in the rhythm, this pompom yarn is not so bad to knit with, although the ball insists on unwinding as soon as my back is turned, so I have to keep it in a pot once it reaches a certain size.
I’m hoping to get two cowls out of the yarn. One for each of my daughters. It’s been so frosty this week, that I think they will appreciate a neck warmer.
I can’t let the frost go, without saying something about it. I love the frost as it makes my morning dog walk so much easier. All the mud is frozen solid and easy to walk on. Yes, she is telling me to hurry up and stop taking photos. There is a dog basket by the Aga that she has reserved, and intends not to move from, until I magic up breakfast. Put the camera down and start walking. (Incidently this is the older dog and not the sunflower thief)
Still. The frost makes everything look so beautiful. I imagine Jack Frost dancing and swirling during the night, under the star lit sky, while we sleep. Turning everything back to white. Can you blame me taking a little time longer? By elevenses, it’s started to thaw and losing its freshness. 
Half an hour earlier to me sitting down to elevenses, the hen house and surrounding area were much whiter. Like a winter wonder land, glistening in the sun.
Not that the hens are in there at the moment. Due to the UK ban on keeping birds outside, they are in their winter quarters, undercover. This hen house only works, if I can move it every few days, which means they could come in to contact with ground contaminated by wild birds. Sigh. Roll on 28th Feb, when the Avian Flu restrictions will hopefully be lifted.
Back to my elevenses, knitting and a break from reality. Seeing as it’s Wednesday and time for Ginny’s Yarn Along, I’m sharing my book too. I’m still reading Rumpole and enjoying it. Just the right kind of light. I’ve also finished my knit from last week.
In the end, there wasn’t enough yarn for gloves. Ran out with all but three small fingers to do on the second glove. Now unravelled and knitted back up into a hat for the Boy. He is truly happy with it. So much so, that I had to use ninja moves to ensure he didn’t wear it to bed.
Linking up to the Yarn Along and Craft Schooling Sunday. Thank you for joining me for elevenses. Over to you now. What are you knitting and reading?
What a beautiful hat – such a gorgeous neutral grey! Love the cozy photos 🙂
Not a colour I’d usually buy, but I loved its brushed texture.
Very sweet hat. And a perfect fit!
I used to work from home as a freelance writer, and I liked it. I’d been in newsrooms for years before that, so I’m pretty good about deadlines.
I’m chuckling about the bird restrictions in the UK. I live in snowy and cold Wisconsin, and we keep our birds outdoors all year round!
Thanks. He loves his new hat. We usually keep our chickens outside too. Love seeing hens pecking around, but needs must.
Gorgeous hat! and the cowls look like they’re going to be lovely.
Jack Frost reminds me of childhood when he drew patterns on all the windows and we used to take our clothes downstairs and get dressed by the kitchen range. I hope the hens get to go out soon that must be restrictive but sensible. I love the heart shaped vent in the outer run!..it’s no good curiosity has the better of me how come your toast has a pattern on it?
Ha! I shall post up a photo in my next post, as its easier than describing the toast pattern. I hope the hens are out soon too, although they do look very happy and hearty in their winter quarters. The heart cut out is pretty. They sometimes glare out of it if they think its time to let them out. Funny sight to see two hens heads in the heart. Glaring. No Jack Frost this morning, but a wind chill factor that more than makes up for it. Brr. (Fully aware that I must sound like a complete wimp, as you battle through your Alaskan winter wonderland.)
Love the hat!! xx
Thanks Lynda
I too am a fan of frost or snow. We’ve had a warm spell and the wiping off the mud from my dog’s paws is driving me nuts. The pompom yarn cowls look fun and squishy. I’m sure your daughters will love them.
Ha! Yes. Doesn’t matter what I do, the mud invades the house. Give me frost!
i work from home also, running a company my husband and i own, managing income property that we also own. i have been doing it for years so my routine is pretty set in stone and i follow the rules i have set up for myself. get up, show up and try to remember to brush your teeth 😉
no t.v. or knitting before the sun goes down. one thing that is so hard, is getting people to understand that you really work, family, friends – they just don’t get it!!!
i look forward to seeing the pom-pom cowl done and the hat is awesome – a great color and yarn.
I love your rules. I can’t pick up a book, otherwise no work would get done for the rest of the day.
Love looking at your frosty photos, as it is sweltering here in Oz! Great hat – so wonderful when someone appreciates your knitting. That would be hard, keeping hens inside all the time. Mine would go crazy if they didn’t get to free range all day.
You really do have the opposite weather. I’m glad your hens are about and about, and enjoying the outside world. Too hot to be in.
interesting pom pom yarn and I love how it knits up! the hat is adorable and maybe you can make mitts that are complimentary to the hat 🙂 Lovely photos!
I do need to knit him something for those cold little hands.
Thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday! I have some of that pom pom yarn in light blue that I’ve used for garlands that I’ve draped on my chandelier, which looks great. And even just tying some around a candle jar is fun too…..happy crafting!
I have a little bit of pompom yarn left. Planning on using it to add a certain something to gift wrapping. Like your idea of draping it.
Do you have a pattern for your boy hat. I’d love to make one for my husband, a bit bigger naturally.
That pattern came out of a book, so I’m unable to share. You could try Ravelry for something similar or this one is pretty similar https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/free-pattern-lion-brand-fishermens-wool-easy-tweed-hat-80958ad/630623-1000