Strawberry flowers for ever

Too Reticule has the cutest little strawberry flowers and they are made of five little bullion stitches each.   Three down and only thirteen to go! 

I am telling myself they are well worth the effort but they are not quite as enjoyable as the sampler of stitches that constitutes the back panel.

And there has been an "oh dear".   I decided to remove queen stitch strawberry off the front panel and instead put my initial and the date. 
While I am finishing the bullions I am worrying  about the construction.   This was supposed to be stitched on linen banding so I wonder if I can make it look as sharp and crisp.   I have read the instructions many times and will just have to be careful.
Officially the calendar says it is Spring here, and Little Brother has twin lambs on his mini-farm to prove it but The Weather is fighting back and today the deep southlooked like this



We don't want any of this white stuff.   Send the sun back again please!

The First Day of Spring

Today was a beautiful fine day here to welcome Spring.
We drove through the park and the avenue was awash with daffodils.

I rather liked these Iceland Poppies too.

So the car is washed and the garden is weeded and dug over ready for planting and all the chores are done!

But today's big news is that the HDHBEM is another year older!  I had done a lot of internet research and found a place that she would enjoy for a celebratory lunch - a Sushi-Go-Round!   Delicious. 

She indulged in her favourite sushi in all its many forms.   Just look at all the plates piled up!
This restaurant also serves Chawan mushi -a delightful savoury custard - which is probably the HDHBEM's all time favourite. 

 It was great fun and we plan to go again.
Tonight our favourite programmes are on the television so we will sit and enjoy.   I hope to complete another strawberry on the Too Reticule.   So far one in Rice Stitch and one in Star Stitch.   Tonights is upright cross stitch and then one in Queen Stitch. 

I'm enjoying this so far but I think the idea for the design is better than the written instructions and charts.   Twice I have had borrow the HDHBEM's major magnifying glass to check out from the photo what I should be doing!
I have a busy Sunday and week ahead planned but hopefully there will be some progress to show later on.  Have a good weekend everyone.