Post 446 Evidence of Spring, and I win a raffle

The highlight of my week was the Certificate Course Workshop on Bulgarian Embroidery on Saturday. I have written about it in my embroidery blog, so won't go over it. It was however, a lovely, relaxed and shared time. Maybe the Great Goddess was present in more than the embroideries we studied.  

What I didn't say in the blog post, was that during the workshop I was presented with a basket of goodies, which came my way as the winner of the Guild's SALA raffle!

I was blown away. The last raffle I won was a set of Tupperware jelly moulds in about 1977. While I bought tickets, I didn't even examine the prizes, assuming I had no hope of winning. I saved the packaged prize to open at our family dinner on Saturday night. 

It turned out to be a basket containing a biscornu, a scissor fob, a cutting tool holder, a linen bag and lavender pillow, a really fabulous hexagon tote and four reversible placemats and serviettes.  

I was blown away.  I will get a lot of pleasure from it.

On Thursday morning I had an Xray on my right index finger, I have a follow-up appointment in 3 weeks with the surgeon who might operate on it to remove a couple of spurs. I'm hoping this can wait. It aches infrequently, and will be very inconvenient when healing.

I had the Xray at Wakefield Hospital, on South Terrace, and took these photos of the trees in front of my parked car. I love the contrast between the elegance of the trunks of some and the messiness of the leaves and seed pods. 

Susan's Gymea survived the wind. It seems to be getting even taller as the lily is slowly opening to reveal the inner leaves.

The potted gazania I bought last week is doing really well, producing some fabulous blooms at eye level as I go out to the balcony.

On the back balcony the pot of euphorbia I bought back in March has turned into a riot of bloom - Spring must be just about here, although it's still chilly, overcast and still raining a lot for Adelaide. 

Not too much, I hope, in the Flinders Ranges, where Niamh is on her Year 9 Camp.

I am progressing the Calico vest. On Wednesday night I ordered an extra ball of the pale colour and emailed Morris & Sons to say I thought the yarn requirements were wrong in the pattern. I can't see how this colour could only require one ball when all other colours have 2 or 3. Morris were, as usual, terrific. They refunded my postage and have contacted Rowan with a query. The yarn arrived on Friday. I have started the steeks. 

So far, so good. The moment of truth will, of course, come when I take to them with scissors!

Finally, a shout out to my friend Robin, in a Rehab hospital in Sydney. Hope your recovery is steady and smooth.