frayed at the edge

Experiment

I am writing this on my new tablet, a Hudl from Tesco.  I am not going to attempt to change the font, just share the photos that I took when we stopped for a cuppa on our way to Stuart and Alison's.  Back to normal tomorrow

Logging on

On Saturday, we went to Jedburgh for a change, and popped into The Abbey Bridge Tollhouse Cafe  We haven't been there for some time, so we were surprised to see that there had been a major reorganisation, with the stove shop and the cafe swapping areas (if you click on the link, you can see what the cafe used to look like).  Malcolm liked the new counter, and had a good look when he was paying the bill!  The logs are only a few inches long - someone must have spent a long time cutting them

 

On Sunday we varied our routine, and went for our cuppa first.  We had decided to go to the  Mayfield Garden Centre in Kelso, and then go for a walk along the river.  We had a very good cheese scone ........ and I forgot to take a photo!  This magnificent tree hasn't changed colour yet

 

but these two are starting to show their autumn foliage

 

I like this gate ...... and the house is fabulous, but I thought it would be a bit cheeky to take a photo!

 

I missed my big lens yesterday, when we saw not one, but two, herons on the other side of the river

 

but I didn't need it to take photos of these birds

 

there were ducks

 

adult swans

 

and cygnets

 

 

I do like a nice bit of rust

 

this lorry was so big I couldn't get it all in the photo, so imagine how scary it is when you meet one while driving through the town

 

this is now the entrance to a shop, so it is good to see that they have preserved the intricate mosaic (I bet all of you who are quilters are taking note of the border!)

 

on the way back to the carpark, we passed the Abbey

 

there is a fruit and vegetable shop at the entrance to the Garden Centre, with lots of excellent produce

 

if you don't knoow what the knobbly green thing on the left is, it is a romanesco.  I used some of the cauliflower in the vegetable curry that I made for tonight's dinner

 

on Saturday I made the pear and bramble jelly.  Have filled three jars, I then added finely chopped basil to the remaining jelly.  I thought I had prepared enough basil, but once it was mixed in I realised that I should have used quite a bit more.  Also once I put the jelly in the jars, the basil rose to the top.  It tastes fine, but isn't really savoury

 

out in the garden, we have glorious autumn colours

 

but the climbing rose is stll flowering on the pergola

 

and the little clematis still has several flowers on it

 

and even when the outer petals drop off, there is still a pretty centre left

 

I think it is time I tidied the studio!

 

to finish ...... I bought these scary treats for Malcolm this morning.  He won't have to share them with me, because I really don't like white chocolate!!

<

Leftovers!

But not leftover food, rather some photos which were left over from yesterday.  The garden was full of birds, with lots of sparrows on the feeders

 

a tiny coal tit sneaked in when the sparrows weren't looking

 

a chaffinch investigated fallen seed

 

some starlings watched from the telephone wire

 

before I went to meet Lorraine yesterday, I had to pop into Hawick to pick up a parcel from the sorting office (I am convinced that the postman lurks at the end of the road waiting until we go out, before leaving one of those annoying cards!). On the way back to the car park, I walked along the river where the trees are just starting to turn

 

looking the other way along the river to the Town Hall

 

at patch'n'chat, Anne S. was working on some very cute stitcheries

 

and then, of course, there was the Friday cake.  I wish you could have a slice ...... the sponge is so light it almost floats off the plate, and it tastes delicious

 

I have lots of sewing to do over the weekend, and I will also be making pear and bramble jelly.  I think I will take some of the jelly and add some herbs to make it savoury, to have with meat.  I'll let you know on Monday how it turns out.  The forecast doesn't look too promising for Sunday, but perhaps we will get a short walk between the showers.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

Belated birthday party

My friend Lorraine and I met up for lunch today to celebrate our birthdays (hers is a few days before mine).  There is a smart new sign at the entrance to the garden centre

 

as usual I was early, so passed the time taking photos of the birds on the feeders

 

Lorraine had a brie, apple and cranberry sandwich

 

and I had ham, cheese and pickle

 

of course you can't celebrate birthdays without cake!  As Lorraine is a chocoholic, she chose the chocolate crunch

 

and I had lemon meringue roulade

 

poor Malcolm was at home dealing with a load of logs which were delivered this morning

 

by the time I came home he had filled the log store

 

so what did I buy yesterday?  You may remember that I already have one of these tins

 

but unlike that one, this one is stuffed with delicious fabrics

 

inside the carrier bag is a big roll of wadding ......

 

....... and these fabrics

Little and large

I decided to make turkey meatballs for the Fast Diet dinner, but when I did the shopping this morning, I couldn't get turkey mince, so I bought turkey steaks innstead.   I got out my big food processor, which  I bought it when we lived in Indonesia, so it is probably fifteen years old, and is still used regularly

 

the recipe says to use dried oregano, but I decided to use fresh herbs - some from the garden and some from pots on the kitchen windowsill.  I got out the little herb chopper - just a little bit smaller than the proocessor!

 

while the meatballs were cooking, I made the pear and chocolate jam.  First I cooked the pears with lemon juice and sugar

 

then stirred in the dark chocolate.  It doesn't look parrticularly appetising ....... but does it taste awesome or awful?

 

and the verdict is ....... DELICIOUS!!  Malcolm, who doesn't really like dark chocolate, also thinks it is good, although I don't think we would eat it on toast for breakfast!  There is a recipe in the book for a speedy tart - make a shortcrust pastry case and blind bake it (if you want to be really speedy, use a ready made one) spread it with some pear and chocolate jam, then arrange slices of poached pear on top.

It was only when I added the eggs to the meatball mixture that I remembered that the last time I made them, the mixture was a bit sloppy.  If the recipe had been in a book, I would have put a note on the page, but a post-it on the screen of my Kindle would be annoying!!

 

On Saturday I spent the day at Borderland Fabrics working on quilts for Linus.  The day got off to a good start when we were treated to delicious sconnage

 

then we had a choice of soup for lunch - I had lentil

 

to make sure we didn't run out of energy, there was a big tub of chocolates

 

sorry, what's that you're shouting?  Oh, you want to know about my sewing!  Sandra, our wonderful "Linus Lady", had a pile of fabrics for us to use.  I chose these four, and cut them into two sizes of strips - there was enough fabric to cut strips for two quilts

 

I didn't take my sewing machine, as Annette had said that I coud use one of the demonstration machines that she has in the shop.  I was slightly nervous when she gave me a brand new, unused machine! 

 

the first batch stitched into blocks

 

I still have an outer border to add - it was good to have some sunshine to take photos this morning

 

I didn't have time to work on my knitting through the week, but added a few more inches over the weekend.  I had a trial run at stuffing the tube, and rolling it up.  I have decided to make the rug oval, rather than round

 

 

we went for a wlk along the River Teviot yesterday, hoping to find some sloes, but alas there were none to be had.  However we did see these two elegant swans ........

 

autumnal scenes

 

handsome fellows

 

and of course, arty seedheads

 

to console ourselves for the lack of sloes, we headed off for some sconnage.  I had gone to wash my hands, and when I came back, Malcolm had already cut up the fruit scone

 

it was delicious, as was the cheese scone

 

to finish - when I was busy in the kitchen this afternoon, I had the tv on.  Do you recognise this blast from the past?

A quiet afternoon ......

...........after a busy morning  As always we did the housework, Malcolm hoovering and dusting while I scrubbed toilets and mopped floors.  But I stole a moment to take photos of the  latest orchids.  This is a tiny one, but it has flowered regularly for aboout six years

 

this is my favourite one

 

the markings are beautiful - I would like to do it as an applique block, or as an embroidery

 

there was a further interruption when the post arrived.  I have done reasonably well this year not buying books, but this one intrigued me

 

I like these socks - but I don't think I would wear them with the tights!

 

Maureen brought us a treat this afternoon ...... Greek Delight (yes, it's just like Turkish Delight!)

 

we all had several pieces, as there were only a few of there this afternoon ....... and that meant that we all had two cakes each!

 

as that was a rather meagre crop of photos for today, I'm going to go back through the photos from earlier in the week to find some more to share with you!

Anne S gave us these eating apples from her garden - I used some Amazon packaging to store them

 

Malcolm bought this cute family of ladybirds in Carvoeiro

 

I found these sweet chestnuts during our walk on Wednesday

 

I will be back at Borderland Fabrics tomorrow, as we are having a Linus day.  Then on Sunday, weather permitting, we will continue our hunt for some sloes.  I hope you have a good weekend, love, Anne<

Sunday morning stroll

When we got up yesterday, it was a lovely bright morning, but by the time we had breakfast (kippers on toast) it had clouded over.  However, when we got to St Boswells, it had brightened up again.  We parked in a lay-by, and set off to do another one of the walks round the village.  Fortunately the gate wasn't locked, so I didn't need to climb over it, as has happened on previous walks!

 

the elder trees were laden with berries, providing a feast for the birds - any cars in the vicinity will be well and truly splattered!

 

the path follows the old railway line, but as you can see, it has been reclaimed by nature

 

there were lots of mushrooms

 

there were still some plump brambles (I picked them, along with some rosehips, and made  jelly)

 

we left the path and headed up a farm track

 

you can imagine my delight when I saw this ........ a beautiful rusty building, with large bits of farm machinery

 

the scenery, as always, was stunning

 

Malcolm kindly held these acorns for me

 

of course you know what comes next ....... sconnage!  We went to the garden centre, and were delighted to find that the special offer for October was a fruit scone with jam and clotted cream - yum, yum!!

 

a large parcel arrived in the post for me this morning

 

it contained a belated birthday present, from the other Scottish Anne blogger.  The most wonderful soap - if only you could smell it!  And it is even more special, as it is made by Anne's daughter Debbie.  If you fancy some, check out The Wee Soap Shop.  Thank you Anne, for such a lovely present!

 

in Sainsbury's this morning, the man who served me at the checkout was somewhat bemused when he scanned four different packets of sugar ...... I had to explain that after lots of jam, jelly and chutney making, I had used almost all the sugar in the house (I had some caster and demerara left)

 

I mentioned before the holiday that Stuart had borrowed my big lens.  It was because Alison had arranged for him to have a photography lesson for his birthday.  I was going to put in a link in to Will Robb Photography, but there was a problem and I can't get the website to open. Stuart has known Will since they were at school together, and is delighted that his photography venture is doing well.  This is a photo of The Grassmarket in Edinburgh, with the castle on the skyline.  I am looking forward to seeing the rest of his photos

 

On Saturday I decided what I would knit, and looked out this wool from my stash

 

come back tomorrow and I'll show you how the knitting is progressing, and give you a sewing update.

Carvoeiro by night

For my last look at the holiday photos, I thought I would show you the town by night - this is the hotel

 

some of the restaurants

 

general views of the town

 

we rarely take photos of ourselves when on holiday, but one evening our waiter insisted on taking a photo of us

 

we have been gradually settling back into our routine, so today I headed for patch'n'chat.  Margaret has done some more work on her rabbit quilt ......

 

we were delighted that Kay was there today, so that we could congratulate her on her success at the Scottish Quilt Championships.  You can see her stunning quilts here.  And of course there was CAKE ...... and hooray, it was our favourite apple and sultana cake

 

on holiday, we saw a lot of these plants - the spikes are about ten feet high .......

 

...... just a little bit bigger than this one on the "fitness room"windowsill (the flower spike died when we were on holiday)

 

as always we are hoping for good weather on Sunday, so that we can go for a walk (and possibly some sconnage!), and no doubt I will be plugging in the sewing machines and getting back in the groove.  Now that the winter is almost here, I have had the urge to knit, so I will have to look at my yarn stash and decide what to do.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

<

On the rocks

So why was I  clambering up and down all those scary steps?  One of the days towards the end of the holiday was a bit cloudy and a bit cooler, so we decided to go for a walk along the coast, to explore the next two bays.  On the way we saw these beautiful flowers

 

as we walked down to the bay, we saw this enormous hotel - I don't think I would want to stay here!

 

having braved several flights of stairs, we were rewarded with the sight of waves crashing in on the cliffs

 

after the stairs, my resolve was further tested when I had to cross this small bridge.  I know it's not that much of a drop, but as there were no rails, I immediately felt that I would fall off! 

 

I had to lean out to get this photo of the cave - Malcolm was hanging on to me!

 

having struggled back up all those stairs, we then headed for the next bay, stopping to look at this unusual plant

 

when we got to the next bay, it was rather windy, and we were concerned for this pair ....

 

....... if they were to be blown over the edge, they had a long way to fall

 

the cliffs are fascinating, as they are full of shells

 

Malcolm shows the scale of the cliffs

 

we had to dodge the occasional wave as we walked along the sand

 

I may have added the feather and grass to the little bit if rope .......

 

I was concentrating on getting this photo in focus, when Malcolm shouted a warning - an extra large wave was racing across the sand and was about to soak my feet!

 

we popped in to the beach cafe for lunch - and I didn't expect to be given this teabag for my cuppa!

 

as we continued our walk, we looked back down on the bay

 

of course being on holiday means eating all sorts of food - here is a quick selection

the most wonderful tapas

 

chicken piri piri

 

chicken jalfrezi

 

mixed fish kebab

 

there are still so many photos left, I'll show you a few more tomorrow, then it will be back to normal posting from Monday!

Happy birthday to me!!

I know you are much too polite to ask, so I will tell you that I am 29 today (what do you mean, you don't believe me!!??)  Malcolm's cards were still on the mantlepiece .......

 

........so had to be taken down to make way for mine

 

I had lots of super presents, including three books - the top two from Malcolm, the bottom one from Stuart and Alison.  As I am about to redecorate/reorganise the studio, I will be studying the Studio book for ideas

 

I have been known to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine - the cocktail napkins are from Malcolm, the wine bottle stopper from Stuart and Alison

 

Malcolm took me out for lunch.  I had a coronation chicken baguette

 

and Malcolm had egg mayo

 

we then shared a treacle scone.  It was all delicious

 

I was too busy enjoying my birthday dinner to take photos - Scottish mussels in a cider, bacon and leek broth, and gnocchi with gorgonzolla and pancetta (courtesy of Waitrose!!).

So, back to the holiday.  As always, I bought some magazines.  But these ones aren't just Portuguese.  The top ones are Spanish, the middle ones are Brazilian, the bottom left one is also Brazilian and the right hand one is Portuguese

 

this one is also Brazilian, with some super recycling projects

 

I also bought two sewing machines ........ or should I say, two miniature model sewing machines!  They are similar to the machine I learned to sew on at school when I was thirteen, and the machine which was given to me by a friend of my Mum's when I was seventeen

 

I always buy a present for Malcolm when we are on holiday ...... but this time it was really a present for both of us - some poppy-embellished dishes for the kitchen table (sorry, there are nasty shadows in the photos .... it was such a dull day I had to put the light on!)

 

little bowls for salt and pepper

 

a big bowl for a candle and pot pourri

 

and a split dish - just because we liked it!

 

all I have to do now is make a runner to match!  To finish, a couple of photos to show what I go through to get brilliant photos for you  ...... I don't like heights, I don't like stairs (I have spent most of my life living in one-level houses/flats/apartments).  Come back tomorrow to see what was at the bottom of this assault course!!