frayed at the edge

What's that wet stuff ......

..... falling out of the sky?  I think I know what it's called, give me a minute, I remember ...... it's RAIN!!

 

yesterday afternoon was spent in the kitchen cooking.  I started with a large batch of beef curry, which will be frozen in portions for "fast days" (I've now lost almost a stone!!)  I started by slicing and dicing red onions, green and yellow peppers and celery, which I then cooked gently in a non-stick saucepan, using no oil

 

as I have to work out all the calories in the curry, these little frozen portions make it a lot easier

 

while the veggies were cooking, I prepped the salad for last night's dinner - we had fresh herb omelettes

 

I added the beef in batches to brown it

 

the next stage was to add the spices and seasonings

 

after mixing it well, I let it cook for a few minutes, to cook out the rawness of the spices, then added the final ingredient

 

I then left the curry to simmer for a couple of hours until the meat was tender.  Once it had cooled I divided into five lots of two portions and popped them in the freezer - curry definitely tastes better after it has been in the freezer!

 

next I made some rhubarb and strawberry jam.  Haing washed the fruit (250g of each), I sliced it up and put it in a large glass bowl - you don't have to add any more liquid, the little bit water from washing the fruit is enough

 

I zapped it for five minutes in the microwave, then stirred in 500g of jam sugar

 

I zapped it a bit more in the microwave until setting point was reached, then put it into jars.  Next I reached for my go-to book for basic recipes - Delia never lets me down

 

I don't make lemon curd often enough to remember the quantities

 

it's very easy to make - and all that stirring is good for the arms!

 

four jars of jam and (almost) two of lemon curd waiting for labels

 

Malcolm has, as ever, been busy in the garden.  This is the start of his latest project ......

 

and this is it finished

 

the plan is to grow a climber on it, to screen the hose and the garage from view when we are sitting on the deck

 

you must have sent me lots of positive vibes, as all I needed done at the dentist was a scale and polish!  I'll tell you about what I did after the dentist tomorrow, and I'll also have a sewing update.

A bit of a blur

I was at the optician's this morning, for what I thought would be my regular eye check ....... but no, because of my age (!) I needed an extra test, which required havinng drops put in my eyes.  I really don't like having things put in my eyes - I have never tried contact lenses ....... so it didn't help when the optician said it would sting a bit (yes, it did!).  But the main thing was that it left me with blurred vision for the rest of the day.  The good news is that my distance sight has actually improved, and she has tweaked my reading prescription.  I eventually picked a new pair of glasses - but you will have to wait until the 1st of July to see them.

So, to finish off our trip.  On our way home, we stopped at Masson Mills.  But we didn't stop for the shopping (ok, we did have a look round), but for the museum

 

just when it looked as if we were going to have a weekend with no sconnage, we stopped at a coffee and farm shop ........

 

....... and shared a delicious cheese scone

 

when I got up yesterday and looked out the window, I decided to go for a walk, rather than using the implements of keep-fit torture.  Although it was only 6.45, this tractor was already hard at work

 

I just missed getting a photo of this bale as it popped out the back of the baler

 

this Jacob's ewe was keeping an eye on me through the bars of the gate

 

while this one ignored me and went on munching

 

sharing the field with the ewes is this old donkey - I think it is about 30!

 

back home I had breakfast, followed by my usual Wednesday morning soak in the bath (with a book and a mug of hot chocolate).  Then we headed to Old Melrose, where we went on a new walk

 

after his flirtation with stone, Malcolm went back to his first love of wood when he saw this rustic bench

 

we passed Old Melrose House

 

on our way to here

 

back home, I was taking some photos of the poppies in the back garden .......

 

........ when I saw this

 

slightly worried that it was some sort of nasty bug which would bite or sting, I poked it with a stick ...... only to find that it was the outside of a bud, which had fallen into the flower!

 

the hostas are looking wonderful - I much prefer them before they flower

 

well, I think that's me all caught up, except for one last thing from the weekend.  Malcolm saw a book he fancied, but having hummed and hawed he didn't buy it.  Then of course afterwards he wished he had bought it.  So being a loving and caring wife, of course I went online and ordered it for him, and it arrived this morning - he says it's full of all sorts of wondrous stuff about wood (ok, that might not be an accurate quote!!)

Stoned!

I had a lightbulb moment last year, when I was trying to think of a Christmas present for Malcolm ....... knowing that he is interested in dry stone walls, I did a search and found this.  It was a simple matter to buy a gift voucher, which meant he could choose which weekend to go.  He sensibly decided to wait until now, in the hope that the weather would be good, and apart from a brief shower on Saturday morning, it stayed dry, but not too hot.  It turned out that several of the other thirteen participants had also been given a voucher for Christmas!  Their first job was to take apart a section of old wall - the piles of green are stinging nettles, which they had to clear

 

next, they graded the stone and laid it out in rows

 

then they started rebuilding the wall

 

this was Malcolm's section on the Saturday - he was working at the other end on Sunday

 

he was creaking a bit when he came back to the cottage on Saturday evening, so we headed to Bakewell, where we sat by the river and tucked into fish and chips

 

back at work on Sunday, the wall was taking shape

 

but it wasn't all hard work

 

Malcolm showing off his hard work

 

by the end of the afternoon, the coping stones were being put on top of the wall

 

the finished section of wall - hopefully it will still be there in a hundred years' time!

 

on Sunday evening we headed back to Bakewell, where we found a French restaurant for dinner

 

Malcolm had chicken fricasse

 

while I tucked in to boeuf Bourguignonne

 

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you what I got up to while Malcolm was building his wall, with photos of the stunning scenery ...... and I'll also tell you about these cows

A tale of two books

I recently had an email asking me if I would like a review copy of this book

(photo suppled by the publisher)

 

being cautious, I replied asking for more information about Jessica, the sender of the email, and the comany that she works for.  I received a prompt reply from Jessica, telling me that she is the Marketing Manager of Jacqui Small.  I had a look at the website, and seeing that it was a genuine company and not someone trying to get personal info from me, I decided to go ahead.  When I browsed through the website, I spotted that they also published a quilting book, so I asked if I could possibly have a copy of that to review too.  The books were dispatched promptly, and as soon as I took them out of the package and had a quick look through them, I thought .... yum, yum!!  Jessica gave me permission to take some photos to use in the reviews (remember, you can click on the photos to enlarge them), so this afternoon I headed out to the garden

 

Caroline Zoob, the author of The Hand-Stitched Home has had a rather varied career, training as an opera singer, before qualifying as a solicitor.  She now works as an embroiderer and designer of china and textiles.    She hopes to inspire people who want to sew, and I think the book will certainly do that.  There are projects to appeal to all tastes and budgets, and it was hard to choose which ones to share with you, but of course this one, with the fluffiest of sheep, went straight on to my to-do list!

 

There are large projects like this throw which has been embroidered with delicate flowers.  This would be a good project to work on over the winter, as you could snuggle under the throw as you stitched!

 

Then there are tiny projects, such as using scraps of embroidered fabric to make buttons

 

At the back of the book, there are clear instructions for the embroidery stitches, and templates for all the designs.  There is also a list of suppliers, which is very good, if, like me, you live in the country and don't have ready access to vintage fabrics.

Even if you don't sew, this would be a lovely book just to dip in and out of, for inspiration for accessories for a stylish home.  If you do sew, this is definitely one for your wish list ....... and at the end of the post I have a special offer for you!

 

Cassandra Ellis, the author of Quilt Love, is a designer and maker of quilts and homewares, and also teaches.  This is her first book, and what a delightful book it is.  There is a wide variety of projects, ranging from a simple pet blanket to full-sized quilts.  Again it was hard to choose which projects to share with you, but this is my favourite ....... I have already been looking out blue fabrics from my stash!

 

Cassandra says this would be a good project to do with friends, possibly while enjoying a drink, but I think it would also be a good one to do with children, making quirky friendship bracelets

 

We quilters do like our bags, and this one is very stylish.  And even better, it is reversible!

 

Each project has clear, well written instructions and easy to follow diagrams.  At the back of the book there is an excellent how-to section, a comprehensive list of suppliers and photos of all the quilts.

 

I have enjoyed reading both books and am looking forward to making some of the projects, and am more than happy to recommend them, either for you to give as presents, ot to buy as a treat.  And to encourage you, Jessica has arranged for my readers to enjoy a very generous discount on The Hand-Stitched Home ......

To order The Hand-Stitched Home at the discounted price of £16.00 including p&p*, telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS221. Or send a cheque made payable to: Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Please quote the offer code JS221 and include your name and address details. *UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Leftovers!

I only took two photos today!  So I have had a quick look through the photos that were left over from this week's posts.  I looked out my Baltimore blocks and put them on the design wall.  I have run out of enthusiasm for them, so I have two ideas for what to do with them.  The first idea is to join them in a row to make a runner which could go across the bottom of the bed, the second idea is to make them up into a quilt with plain blocks, which would be handquilted, perhaps with a feathered wreath or heart

 

when Lucie suggested using up scraps in January, I thought I would make several small projects, and had looked out these books ..... but then got sidetracked with the scrappy strippy blocks

 

when I went to put another log on the fire the other day,  I was a bit puzzled by this one.  It looks as if a branch had grown, then another branch had formed round it

 

while I have been busy sewing, Malcolm has demolished the log store (except for the base) and has started building another one

 

now for today's photos.  First, the Friday cake.  Today's delight was Annette's delicious light-as-air chocolate sponge

 

my lovely friend Katy said that she had a special present for me ....... something which she had seen, and immediately thought of me.  What could it be ...... diamonds, a little sports car, a ticket to an exotic destination

 

I hope she meant that she remembered that I like Cadbury's chocolate, and not that she thought I look like the monstrous spider!  As usual, we hope to go for a walk on Sunday, but the forecast isn't good.  No doubt a scone will feature at some point over the weekend!  Whether or not you are eating scones, I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

From the sublime to the somewhat silly!

Yesterday, Kate posted about a wonderful book on Shetland Lace knitting - do pop over and read all about it.  I, on the other hand, have just bought a brilliant, but rather silly, book .......

 

who could resist these gorgeous little sheep

 

if I knit Andy, will I have to include the horrendous blister that he had during the Australian Open?

 

at least I won't get fat with this pie (they are even tastier when they are deep fried, and no, I have never had a deep fried Mars Bar!!)

 

and I could wash the pie down with a glass of whisky ....... except, and as a Scot I am embarrassed to admit this, I simply don't like the taste!

 

while we are on the subject of food, we went out for lunch today.  We had the most delicious Thai chicken soup - I shall have to try to make this!

 

I took these photos about ten days ago - then forgot about them!  When I made Lilly Pilly for Anne last year, I thought thhat I would make a version for myself using my favourite autumn colours.  Then Lucie started her version as part of her using up scraps project, with a pieced background.  Ah, I thought, I could use the six fat quarter top from the fmq pile.  Then, I was looking out of the window at the sparrows sitting in the hawthorn tree .......

 

....... and I had a lightbulb moment!  I'm going to do my Lilly Pilly with bare branches, with little fat sparrows perched on them (and perhaps a robin?)  I found a nice dark piece of fabric in my stash for the tree, to stand out against the background

 

when I was telling Malcolm about my plans, I said that I should give my version a different name.  My first idea was Anny Pilly, but that didn't sound right.  So this is what I decided on

A pain in the bahookie*

It's snowing again ....... it has been snowing off and on all day.  Our road would probably be described as "passable with care", but I really didn't care to drive down it to go to patch''n'chat!  So with an unexpected free afternoon, I thought I would tackle the pile of magazines which has been sitting beside my chair since before Christmas (I haven't bought any magazines for weeks, as I felt guilty for not finishing the ones I already had!)

 

however, I have succumbed to buying a book, after seeing it on Lucie's blog

 

the instructions are very clear, taking you from the most basic stitching (I'm thinking of you, Meredithe!)

 

through decorative stitching

 

how to fill in shapes

 

ending with designs like this one, which looks complicated, but as the title of the book says, it is a continuous line of stitching

 

I forgot to take a photo of tonight's dinner ..... as it's Burns' Night, we of course had haggis, neeps and tatties!

The garden has been full of sparrows

 

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I shall be going to an Abbey Quilters' workshop.  I hope you will join me in cheering on Andy Murray, who reached the final of the tennis today, having "bitten" Roger Federer!  Whatever your weather, be it too hot or too cold, I hope you have a wonderful weekend, love Anne 

 

*I am sure you guessed what bahookie means, but if not, you can find out here

Glutton for punishment!

As I have quite a lot of stuff left from Saturday's fair, I have decided to have my own fair!!  I am inviting everyone I know in the area, and as an added inducement we will be having mulled wine and nibbles.  If only you all lived close enough to come along next Wednesday night ...... but perhaps it's just as well you can't all come, as it would be a bit of a squash to fit you all in the studio!  On Saturday I was limited as to what I could sell, as I only had half a table, but as I will have lots of room next week, I had a look through my stash to see what else I could make.  I found some large notebooks that I bought when Woolworths closed down - so I have had them for several years!  I had a trial run yesterday to make a much simpler cover than I usually make, then today I delved into my stash of curtain samples

 

having made the sample in a dark fabric, I picked out cream/beige fabrics for the others, so that I wouldn't have to change the thread in the machine.  By the end of this afternoon, all the books were covered

 

I can no longer deny that it is getting near Christmas ...... and I certainly can't forget how long it is to go, now that these two little elves have appeared in the kitchen

 

it has been miserable today ...... snowing when we got up this morning, then turning to heavy rain for the rest of the day.  But at least it has got a lot milder, although I still needed the log burner to keep warm in the studio

 

I took these bird photos on Tuesday

 

there is always one bird that flies off just as I snap - this time it was a blue tit.  You can just make out the outline of its wings

 

today's prompt for#reverb12 is

Compare the “you” from the beginning of 2012 to the “you” that you are now. What new skills or talents have you learned or discovered this year?

the big difference between how I was at the start of the year, and how I am now, is that I have learned that there is a big difference between a fear and a phobia.  I have a fear of heights, and especially heights over water, but it isn't a phobia that prevents me from doing things such as walking over Sydney Harbour Bridge in September.  Yes, my heart was racing, and yes, I was hyperventilating, but I was determined to do it ....... and this was my reward

 

I have also realised recently that although I have always said that I don't like enclosed spaces, I am actually not bothered by small places like toilet cubicles, but I couldn't crawl through a small tunnel.  It is lack of height, rather than width that bothers me (I can't watch potholers on tv), so when I was recently stuck in the lift, I could cope because of the design of the lift.  It didn't have a roof, and I could see up to the next floor of the building.  OK, any excuse for handsome men ...... remember the hunks who rescued us

I know I promised you sewing ......

....... but I have something  far more important for you - food and drink (and a bit of silliness)!!  This morning I assembled the ingredients for the Christmas cake - the fruit had been soaking overnight in brandy and smelled wonderful

 

I was using a recipe from this little book, which I have had for years

 

to make it easier to follow the requirements for the size I make, I have highlighted the column

 

and I no longer have to refer to these instructions to prepare the cake tin, I have done it so often

 

lined with buttered greaseproof paper, and wrapped up with brown paper .........

 

...... ready for the mixture.  I can't remember who gave me the tip to make a little hole in the middle, as it helps keep the top of the cake level (unlike my Mum's cake, which always sank in the middle!)

 

fast forward almost three hours, and here is the cake, just out of the oven

 

another tip ..... to make it easier to remove the cake from the cake tin, stand it on a tin

 

I wish you could smell the cake!  It is now wrapped up in greaseproof paper and foil.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will feed it some more brandy, before I ice it and decorate it with the marzipan fruits

 

Malcolm was out this morning, so I just had to make lunch for myself ....... a cheese omelette, jalapeno coleslaw and chilli sauce (yes, I like spicy food!)

 

I had asked Malcolm to get me a bottle of vodka, so that I could make this ......

 

he had at first picked up a bottle of cheap vodka, but then he saw this pack on special offer ...... so not only was the vodka cheaper, but there was also a carton of cranberry juice, and a little book of cocktail recipes

 

I added these other ingredients

 

it has still to be strained before being bottled - it might not look very pretty - but, oh boy, it is delicious!!!!!

 

and now for the silliness!  There was quite a lot on the radio this morning about a prediction that the world is going to end on the 21st of December.  That reminded of this wonderfully daft book, that I bought a few years ago

 

I love the bit on the back about the next meeting being on Thursday (when the world is supposed to end on Wednesday!)

 

there is more silliness at the foot of several pages - these are my favourites

 

I promise that there will be sewing tomorrow ..... and here is a little teaser - I bought this fabric for the back of a quilt - but which one?

A dearth of photos!

It has been a miserable wet day (of course it rained, I was at the hairdresser!), so I wasn't out and about with the camera.  I did take three photos in the kitchen ....... first, Helen in Melbourne asked me what stovies are.  I got out this book

 

and found this recipe

 

I laughed when I read the bit about his not liking the kind made with tinned corned beef, as that is how I make mine ...... briefly, dice an onion and fry it until soft.  Add sliced potato, seasoning, stock (I generally use chicken stock) and a tin of corned beef.  Simmer until the potatoes are cooked and the liquid almost boiled off.

 

Yesterday I took a bag of homemade Florentines when I visited Anne, as I know she likes them.  The recipe is very simple (ignore the asterisk, that was just a note I made to remind me that I had also made them with porridge oats).  I'm sorry I don't have a photo - I shall take one next time I make them!

 

now, in best Blue Peter "here's one I made earlier" traditon, here are some photos I took earlier in the week!