a chilly week . . . and a happy birthday

—

by

Kate Davies Designs
in

I’ve lived in Scotland for 16 years now, and can’t ever remember it being quite this wintery at the turn of May.

These West Highland Way walkers got more than they bargained for

WHW walkers copy

anyone hoping for a bank holiday barbecue would have been sorely disappointed

maybehot copy

We found a wee snowman out in the hills

Snowman copy

And it was back to the winter walking wardrobe for me.

Wazzrestbethankful copy

We’ve been out and about quite a bit this week, as my parents have been visiting, to celebrate my mum’s 70th birthday. We were able to show them something of the west highlands in some spectacularly unusual weather, and Tom baked a congratulatory birthday cake with 7 candles.

IMG_4478

My mum is certainly my biggest inspiration: she’s incredibly creative, independently-minded, witty, articulate and very caring – and she also runs her own small business. Seeing how she managed this allowed me to hope six years ago that I might be able to do the same.

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY, MA! x

Loch lomond sunset1 copy

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Comments

43 responses to “a chilly week . . . and a happy birthday”

  1. Dana Sair Avatar
    Dana Sair

    Happy Birthday (belated) to your mum. I never for a moment thought Tom might be your dad, so tell him not to feel badly. And he does look fine in that beautiful vest. The weather in Vancouver (BC Canada) has been hotter than usual, the garden about a month early with everything, but I am so enjoying myself that my knitting has taken a back seat … Thanks for all your inspiring posts. I saved them up and am enjoying working my way through them….

    Reply
  2. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    Your mom sounds not only like an inspiration, she looks like someone who would be a delight to know.

    And Tom’s vest looks smashing on him. I’ve just been sitting here pondering one for myself.

    Reply
  3. Linda Jones Avatar
    Linda Jones

    Away from the knitting I’m admiring your “winter walking” jacket looks lovely

    Reply
  4. sewsable Avatar
    sewsable

    Happy Birthday to your mum. I know where your warm weather is, it’s here in New Zealand where our temperatures are still in the 20’s instead of the mid to low teens where they should be in late autumn.

    Reply
  5. sophy0075 Avatar
    sophy0075

    Happy Birthday to your lovely Mum- may she and your Dad (very dapper in that beautiful Fair Isle weskit- did you or your Mum knit it?) have many more.

    Our temperatures have climbed to 30c. May I give you five degrees? We never have enough spring in Georgia, USA.

    Reply
    1. Kate Davies Avatar
      Kate Davies

      Hi Sophy – that’s Tom – my husband! I knit & designed the vest – its this pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/machrihanish
      My dad is sitting next to me on the other side of the table.

      Reply
  6. Ms. LEWIS Avatar
    Ms. LEWIS

    HAPPY ☺ BIRTHDAY 🎂 TO YOUR MUM. ALSO TO YOUR FATHER FOR WHENEVER HIS IS. LOVELY PICTURE OF THEM BOTH AND YOU ALSO. THANK YOU FOR SHARING SUCH A WONDERFUL AND VERY SPECIAL TIME. ALL YOUR PICTURES ARE INSPIRING. 😊

    Reply
  7. Ann Hondrogen Avatar
    Ann Hondrogen

    Would your mother mind if you shared a link to her business? I would love to see what she does
    Thank you.

    Reply
  8. jsdknits Avatar
    jsdknits

    Happy birthday to your mum. Congratulations to Tom on a beautiful cake creation.

    Reply
  9. Karen A Avatar
    Karen A

    We just returned from Scotland! Best vacation ever – beautiful, breath taking scenery, great food and wonderful people. Weather was quite interesting. Happy birthday to your mom! Although I don’t knit (yet) – I am a weaver – my sister who is an avid knitter turned me on to your blog. It’s super inspiring! (Loved being there at lambing season)

    Reply
    1. Kate Davies Avatar
      Kate Davies

      Glad you enjoyed your visit, Karen, and haste ye back!

      Reply
  10. Evelyne29 Avatar
    Evelyne29

    Happy birthday to your mother.
    It’s cold here too ,in Brittany.

    Reply
  11. dreamvoyageur1 Avatar
    dreamvoyageur1

    Utterly lovely, as always! I was so sure this summer would be THE summer I would visit Scotland. But alas, it seems the dream remains on hold. In the meantime, keep the beautiful images and inspiring knits coming my way.

    Reply
  12. baamekniits Avatar
    baamekniits

    Happy Birthday to your lovely mum! Loved the photos as always.

    Reply
  13. Avril Hay Avatar
    Avril Hay

    I am trying to make contact with Kate from New Zealand. Are you able to give me an email address that will get to her? Regards Gay Hay

    On Mon, May 2, 2016 at 1:28 AM, Kate Davies Designs wrote:

    > Kate Davies posted: “I’ve lived in Scotland for 16 years now, and can’t > ever remember it being quite this wintery at the turn of May. These West > Highland Way walkers got more than they bargained for anyone hoping for a > bank holiday barbecue would have been sorely” >

    Reply
  14. Zsuzsa Avatar
    Zsuzsa

    Happy Birthday to your Mom!
    She looks younger than 70, much younger:-). I think because she is an active person with lot of plans:-) I want to be like her at my 70!
    Zsuzsa

    Reply
  15. Beverley Avatar
    Beverley

    Happy birthday to your mum Kate, my mum was my inspiration too. I miss her so much but I am thankful she taught me to knit! After reading this I am grateful to your mum for encouraging my favourite designer!
    ps I’m glad I am not the only one dressed for winter

    Reply
  16. AnnieC Avatar
    AnnieC

    Freezing our fanny here in Canada too Kate. Best wishes to your Mom.

    Reply
  17. elaine Avatar
    elaine

    Happy B-day to your Mum! That is a great photo of her and Tom ~ celebrating the night away ;-)

    Reply
  18. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    It has been unseasonably cold this spring here on the other side of the pond as well. Hello from northeastern usa.

    Reply
  19. Claire (aka Soupdragon) Avatar
    Claire (aka Soupdragon)

    Happy Birthday to your mum, 70 years young! Lovely picture of your mum and Tom.

    Reply
  20. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    What a great photo! Many happy returns Mum! What a treasure to have her for your inspiration.

    Reply
  21. Barbara Fletcher Avatar
    Barbara Fletcher

    Absolutely beautiful day in western Washington in the US. what is your mum’s small business?

    Reply
  22. Rachel Leverton Avatar
    Rachel Leverton

    I love your posts, and happy birthday to your mum! Your beautiful scenic pictures constantly inspire me to take a walk, however short, and enjoy the beautiful sites in nature.

    Reply
  23. Patrizia. Avatar
    Patrizia.

    Happy birthay to your mother! In Italy also , the weather is cold and rainy , today! Usually in this time was warmly and sunny!

    Reply
  24. June & Tommy Hutchinson Avatar
    June & Tommy Hutchinson

    Happy birthday to your mum🍾🍾 message for Tom he did not put 7 candles on my cake he made me last year still it was very nice cake. Thought you would have been in touch with Tommy! Have you ordered your fruit trees yet? Glad your mum had a great day with you’s lol June xxx

    Reply
  25. Barbara Claridge Avatar
    Barbara Claridge

    You are surrounded by creativity in your life. How lovely. What cake creation did the Talented Tom produce for such a wonderful lady?

    Reply
  26. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Happy birthday Kate’s lovely Mum. We are lucky here in Kent the weather is lovely.

    Reply
  27. rjmaloney Avatar
    rjmaloney

    I assumed you were a native of Scotland! Where are you from? You are always so interested and knowledgeable about Scotlands history. Your Fathers vest is just like the one you made for Tom isn’t it. It is so attractive.

    Reply
    1. Kate Davies Avatar
      Kate Davies

      Ahem – that is Tom!

      Reply
      1. Tisha Avatar
        Tisha

        I’d say this speaks to the fact that your mother doesn’t look like she could be 70. :)

        Reply
  28. Pauline Avatar
    Pauline

    Wow, it is cold up there! We’ve had some hail and snow in Oxford and the temperatures have been well below normal. I have manage to sit outside yesterday and today, with warm woolly on, whittling Naalbinding needles from sticks. Happy birthday to Mum! Hope it warms up soon.

    Reply
  29. Hope Avatar
    Hope

    Happy Birthday! She’s gorgeous. What a lovely way and place to celebrate.

    Reply
  30. Gretchen (aka stashdragon) Avatar
    Gretchen (aka stashdragon)

    Many happy returns!

    Reply
  31. Sue Williams/Highfield Crafts Avatar
    Sue Williams/Highfield Crafts

    Happy Birthday to your Mum! Thanks for a wee bit of Scotland this morning, it’s a gloomy, rainy day in Connecticut…

    Reply
  32. Karen Halchuk Avatar
    Karen Halchuk

    Warm and caring hearts always help to banish wintery weather. Those with such hearts are the most precious of all gifts. So happy that you share this present with your Mom.Glad you had the gift of time to be with each other. Happy birthday and cake eating.

    Reply
  33. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    Very nice, well done all.

    Reply
  34. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Totally different latitude, but had to get out the scarf and the space heaters here in Washington DC, which is really unusual in April-May here! But then it was like Singapore in December…

    Reply
  35. Michelle ross Avatar
    Michelle ross

    I’m jealous, I live in Cyprus and the temperature has already hit 30 degrees, thank goodness we move back to the uk soon. I’m not a hot weather type person, being Scottish I love the cold!

    Reply
  36. Laura Miller Avatar
    Laura Miller

    Happy Birthday Mum!!! xxx

    Reply
  37. Nancy Persons (@KnitskiNancy) Avatar
    Nancy Persons (@KnitskiNancy)

    Oh so wonderful! Wishing your mom a Happy Birthday!

    I just wish Scotland could send your spring winter to my part of Alaska so we could have winter . . . it never really arrived here.

    Reply
  38. Irene Avatar
    Irene

    We were in glencoe on holiday the past 2 days. Never expected to see it with so much snow at the end of april , beautiful!! We only have been there in april and October, always without snow…lol

    Reply
  39. rockandwool Avatar
    rockandwool

    …like mother
    like daughter….

    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    knit from the same yarn xox

    Reply

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