frayed at the edge

Night and day

There was a slight delay in going to bed last night, as I had to nip out into the front garden to take photos of the stunning sky!

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, last night's wonderful sky did not give way to good morning.  The sheep looked soggy and fed up in the rain!

 

The more I take photos of sheep, the more I become convinced that they pose as soon as they see the camera!

 

 

 

 

This poppy in the back garden has been threatening to flower for several days - it's jus a pity it picked such a soggy day to open!

 

I have finished the third of the three small Christmas stitcheries .......

 

...... and the quilting on Lilly Pilly.  I hope to add the binding and hanging sleeve over the weekend

 

 

I must apologise for forgetting the Friday cake last week - but I think this week's cake will make up for it!  Once again we were treated to Annette's lovely light chocolate sponge, topped with fresh cream and strawberries - delicious!

 

The forecast isn't very good for the weekend, but that won't stop me spoiling Malcolm for Fathers' Day on Sunday!  I hope you all have a good weekend, love Anne

 

I was going to say .......

....... something clever in French - but my French is decidedly rusty, so I thought I wouldn't embarrass myself by getting it wrong!  The reason for using French?  Well, when we were leaving the cafe after lunch yesterday, we stopped to look at two cushions on a sofa, showing a map of the British Isles, with the wording in French.  Then when we went to RE, we spotted the very maps - they are actually dishtowels!  I plan to make cushions for the summer house with them

 

 

I couldn't resist these notebooks - perhaps one will end up as a giveaway some time soon?

 

Yes, it's string - but I love string, it has so many uses.  The butchers' twine is great for tying up parcels and I'll probably use some of the plain coloured ones for bunting

 

I didn't mention in yesterday's post that I was going out (again) last night!  This time it was to Souter Quilters in Selkirk.  Dawn Cameron-Dick was the guest speaker

 

she was very entertaining and had us in fits of laughter, as she gaily slandered various members of her family!  After the talk, we were allowed to take photos and touch the quilts (some quilters hardly let you breathe on their quilts, never mind touch them!)

 

The quilts were all fabulous - but my favourite was this sheepie one, which she made after her first visit to Scotland!

 

I bought the book which Dawn has recently published

 

I have to admit that when it comes to all the technical stuff about sewing machines, needles and threads, I have the attention span of a gnat, so this little book will provide a quick and clear reference source

 

Of course you know by now that whenever quilters get together, there is ........food!  The members of Souter Quilters laid on a wonderful spread!

 

The tits are still busy feeding their young in the nesting box, so this morning I tiptoed over, wedged myself in between the compost bins and a large trellis ...... in danger of being strangled by a large clematis!  But it was worth the discomfort to capture these shots (click on the photos to enlarge them)

 

 

I then moved round to the back of the trellis and stood on the garden (don't tell Malcolm!) to get this view from the side

 

Fingers crossed that I'll be there with the camera when the young leave the nest!

An unusual scone!

On Thursday mornings, we usually go into Hawick, where we pop into the Pickled Orange for a cuppa and a scone (just one between us, as they are very large!).  Given the choice, we both prefer savoury to sweet scones ...... so this morning we were delighted to try out the latest offering - tomato and black pudding.  It was delicious!

 

On the way out to the studio this afternoon, I was sidetracked, first by this clematis flower .......

 

....... then this very pretty aqualegia

 

 

In the evenings I have been stitching away on the little Christmas stitcheries.  I have finished the first one .....

 

....... and have made a good start to the second one

 

I had another session quilting Lilly Pilly, and have now finished the centre area

 

When I did the food shopping on Tuesday, I got some lovely asparagus, which had been reduced to half price (because it has that day's date on it).  I had a look through this book for a recipe .......

 

....... and settled on this one (although I don't know why she calls it Alpine eggs, as it uses Lancashire, not Swiss, cheese

 

I had started preparing the dish when it occurred to me to take photos!  So at this stage, I had buttered the dishes, put the cooked asparagus in the bottom and added half of the cheese

 

The next stage was to add the eggs.  I always used to break eggs one at a time into a ramekin, in case there was a bad one, but in recent years the standard of eggs has been so good that I had stopped doing that.  But then some weeks ago, as I was cracking eggs to make scrambled eggs for Sunday breakfast, the last one was bad, so the whole lot had to be thrown out.  So I have gone back to cracking them one at a time into the ramekin!

 

When I added the first two eggs to the righthand dish, the yolks promptly slithered to the side.  I tried to gently persuade one to move back to the centre - and it promptly burst!  However the two in the second dish stayed in the centre.

 

After seasoning with salt and pepper, the rest of the cheese was added and the top was dotted with butter ( just because it's a vegetarian dish, it doesn't mean that it's healthy!!)

 

As suggested by Delia, I served it with salad and crusty bread.  I wouldn't normally butter the bread, but there was a little of the softened butter that I used on the oven dishes left, so I used it up!  You will see that there is avocado on top of the salad - when we were shopping this morning, I got a pack of two "ripe and ready to eat" avocados which had been reduced to half price ..... because they had today's date on them!  Topped with finely chopped chives (actually, I snipped them with scissors) the dish was delicious, and very filling.  I think though, if I make it again, I will add ham for some extra flavour

 

I've got another silly thing to finish with ..... I wondered what Malcolm was laughing at as he unpacked a case of wine which was delivered this afternoon.  I laughed too when he showed me this - if you don't speak French, the name of the wine is (almost) pronouned carry on

Backtracking

With all the news about the new mill shop and cafe yesterday, there wasn't room to squeeze in the weekend happenings - so here is a quick catch-up!

On Sunday we went for a walk along the river at the Waterwheel Cafe, so of course that started with photos of the owls!

 

Some months ago part of the riverbank collapsed, and we were amazed to see that the repair work has turned into a major undertaking

 

 

Malcolm wondered what I was taking a photo of ........ doesn't everyone take photos of stones?

 

As we were leaving the car park, Malcolm stopped so that I could capture this little cutie!

 

As always over the weekend I was busy in the studio.  These are the latest little stitcheries that I am doing for Anne

 

 

 

 

These two are somewhat bigger, with lots of detail

 

 

 

 

After pressing them thoroughly, I layered them with some thin cotton wadding, ready to stitch

 

Next, I pinned the layers of Lilly Pilly together, ready for quilting.  I knew I would need a lot of pins, so got out both tins

 

 

I made a start to the quilting this afternoon.  I am using a small scale pattern on the spaces round the leaves, and I'll increase the size when I work round the outside

 

I got the right hand side and along the top of the tree done

 

The tits are busy feeding the chicks - this one had a careful look before leaving the nesting box .....

 

........ quickly returning with a beak-ful of insects

 

Our new neighbours are finally about to move in - but they already have squatters!  The swallows have made a bit of a mess with their mud nest on the newly painted wall!

 

 

To finish ....... after showing you my latest hair colour, I thought you might like to see the colour I was born with (yes, the blond is fake!).  I'm not smiling as I was very self-conscious of a crooked front tooth!!

Nesting

I was in the middle of writing last night's post when this sparrow alighted on the wheelie bin store.  He has a big clump of fleece in his beak - he is probably one of the many sparrows nesting under the roof at the front of the house!!

 

This morning saw us, as planned, heading south to Anne's shop.  We stopped off on the way at Sainsbury's in Kelso, so that I could by some sandwiches to take for Anne's and my lunch, then Malcolm left me at the shop.

 

I had just sat down to enjpy my cuppa (made by the lovely Mick, Anne's long-suffering husband!) when I thought I ought to put the sandwiches in the fridge ..... oops, Ihad left them in the car.  There was no point in phoning Malcolm, as he doesn't have hands-free for his mobile, so I phoned Jennifer.  They kindly popped back to the shop, before they headed off for their lunch.

 

Lilly Pilly and the Christmas stitcheries were much admired!  Anne and I sorted out fabric to finish Lilly Pilly, but she didn't have anything suitable for the blocks for the stitchery quilt.  However, she has some fabrics on order which should be suitable.  As always, I have come home with plenty to do - apart from quilting Lilly Piilly, I also have the quilt top that I made some time ago, as Anne has now finished the stitcheries to add to it.  I will use the invisible machine applique technique to stitch them on.  I also got several more stitcheries.  I shall show them to you in detail when I start work on them

 

The Love Notes quilt has now been quilted, and looks lovely

 

I received several emails from Rachel, enclosing photos of the parcel that I sent her as her prize for the giveaway

a Spanish magazine ..... and some more goodies!

 

some bits and bobs from the studio, and inside the card sleeve ......

 

a special something from Majorca

 

a hand-decorated ceramic fridge magnet

 

We will be picking up the new car in the morning, then I have an appointment at the hairdressers late in the afternoon, so I will be a bit later than usual posting tonorrow.

 

 

 

In the pink

At first sight, the main border in the back garden is green, green and more green

 

But look closer, and there are flowers .......all of them pink!

 

 

 

The back border is also very green - but as it the green of hostas I love it!  However as the summer goes on, there will be yellow from the loosestrife, purple from the lavender and orange from the montbretia

 

The shady border in the corner is filling out nicely, with more hostas (I love them!), ferns, bamboo and the plants which I have always called castor oil, but which I believe are actually fatsia japonica

 

These starlings were having a good poke about the grass this morning

 

I finished the last Christmas stitchery last night.  I think this is my favourite one, and I may stitch another one to make into a small wallhanging

 

I spent the day in the studio, first finishing the applique on Lilly Pilly, then making something which I can't tell you about yet, as it is a present for someone who reads the blog!  As before I have taken a photo of the wrong side, so that you can see the stitching ...... even on the wrong side the little birds look cute!

 

I can't do any more until I get more fabric from Anne, so we're off to Northumberland in the morning.  Malcolm will drop me off at the shop, then he'll go out for lunch with Jennifer.  I'm looking forward to spending the day with Anne and the group of ladies who meet in the shop every Wednesday.

To finish ....... you might think that Malcolm needs some lessons in photography  - but he wasn't trying to take a photo of me, but was playing with my latest gadget, a remote control for the camera.  I got it to make it easier to take photos when the camera is on the tripod

It's a small world!

Malcolm has been thinking for some time about changing his car, so when he enjoyed driving the hire car on holiday, he thought he would investigate Citroens further

 

Then in one of those little coincidences in life, when he was reading the local paper on Thursday, he saw an advert saying that the Citroen dealer from Coldstream would be at a hotel in Galashiels on Sunday morning.  So we decided to go along and check out the cars.  We had a test drive, then went into the hotel to have a cuppa and chat with the car salesman.  I mentioned that my Dad's cousin used to own a hotel in Galashiels, and I thought it was that one.  He asked me what his name was - I said Angus MacKenzie ..... yes, he said, it was this hotel.  It turned out that his Grandpa and Angus were friends, and he was in and out of the hotel when he was little!

 

 

 

 

 

On the way home, I just had time to snap this enormous hare, before it hopped off into the verge!

 

Over the weekend, I made a start to the machine applique on Lilly Pilly.  This is a method I haven't used before, where you simply stitch round the shapes, leaving the edges raw

 

I took this photo of the wrong side, so that you can see how much I have done

 

When I went out for my walk this morning, I was delighted to see all these new sheep in the field across the road

 

Up the hill, the ewes were back in the orchard

 

There was a little haze over the hills

 

The "whomping willow" was looking spooky despite the sunshine

 

This little feather is less than an inch long

 

The lambs are getting big!

 

So what was Malcolm doing at the weekend, when I was sewing my fingers to the bone?

listening to the Test Match (cricket) on the radio

 

ps - yes, he bought a new car, which he will get on Thursday!

 

 

Back in the old routine

I have lots to share with you today, so in case I forget later, I'll start with the wonderful presents I received.  The first one was from Judi (no blog), who had called in at Hancock's of Paducah (a world famous p&q shop, for those of you who don't quilt!) ........ and not only did she get a catalogue for me, but she bought me some Ghastlies fabrics!!  Now I have no excuse ...... I must add these fabrics to the ones I already have to make something special!

 

The second parcel was from Vee ........ a piece of beautiful fabric, and one of her exquisite needle felted bears

 

The bear is tiny - here she is with my engagement ring, to show how small she is

 

Quite some time ago, I had signed up for Vee's "pay it forward" ....... but poor Vee was struck down by illness and needing surgery before she could send out her gifts, so I had actually forgotten all about it, and had to email her to check on the rules.  It's quite simple - having received my gift, I now pay it forward ........ if you would like to join in, all you have to do is let me know (I'll include the first 3 to leave a comment or email) - I have a year in which to send you a small gift, then when you receive it, you send out gifts to a further three.   (I hope you followed that!)

Now for being back in the old routine ....... early this morning (6.45) I headed out for a walk, which I do in the summer instead of using the  implements of torture fitness machines.   The sheep across the road were just stirring

 

The air was full of the scents of summer

 

 

 

 

It was already warm, and the Minto Hills were hazy in the distance

 

This little snail was meandering along

 

Everything is so much greener than it was 3 weeks ago when we went away

did you spot the rabbit sitting in the road?

 

 

On the way down the hill, this Jacob's ewe was peering through the gate .........

 

........ then on the way back, she rounded up her lambs and moved away as I approached

 

However, she obviously decided that I wasn't a threat, and came over to the gate

 

But as soon as I turned the camera to the lambs, she moved back to guard them ....... you can just see her in the bottom left of the photo

 

We had our usual trip into Hawick this morning, and had a look in the Oxfam Shop.  They had lots of these little jars, full of buttons.  They were only 99p each ....... some kitchenware shops charge at least that just for the jars!

 

As always , I bought some patchwork and craft magazines in Majorca (I will be sending one to Rachel as part of the giveaway prize!)

 

This cross stitch book was free with one of the magazines

If you were wondering where in the garden I have been taking these photos ....... it's our little love seat on the deck

 

When we came home, we were delighted to see that we had new neighbours ...... a pair of tits have moved into one of the bird boxes in the back garden (but not one of Malcolm's lovingly crafted ones, but one which was really bought as a garden ornament!)  This afternoon in the summer house,  I set up the camera on the tripod, with the big lens on ....... then I waited and I waited and I waited!!  Eventually a little head peeped out .......

 

...... then after another long wait, the other tit swooped in

 

popped its head through the hole for a blether

 

paused

 

then flew off

 

I still have lots of holiday photos to show you, but a lot of them are shadow shots (you know you are a shadow addict when you carefully arrange your cake, cup and teapot to create a shadow shot!), so I'll be posting them over the next few weekends.

 

Here comes the sun

I was delighted yesterday to discover that I have been given an award by Kay, aka the Borderline Quilter

 

To accept the award, I have to give a link to Kay, tell you something about myself, spread the joy by nominating other bloggers, and of course let them know that I have nominated them

I have already given the link to Kay above - she is the wonderful longarm quilter who recently made our fabulous new comforter.  She won several awards at the Scottish Quilt Championships last year ..... and has an obsession for feathers (the quilted kind!)

 

I've done several of these "something about myself" things when I have been given awards in the past ...... I usually end up asking Malcolm, as I never know what to say about myself!  So here is a potted history of me.  Although I was born and grew up in Scotland, I am half English (through my Mum) and one of my great-grannies was Welsh!  I worked for British Rail, in the Chief Civil Engineer's department, so know obscure things about continuous welded rail, concrete sleepers and pandrol clips.  My singing is terrible, but that doesn't stop me singing along to the radio - especially when I'm driving.  I've sewn and knitted since I was little - as a hard-up teenager I used to make my own clothes.  I love to read - I have books in almost every room in the house - although not in the bedroom or bathroom!  Since I started blogging, I have become more and more interested in photography, and take photos every day.  And lastly, I can't write without using excessive amounts of exclamation marks!!

 

Now for the hard part - nominating other bloggers.  I think I have already nominated most of my favourites for other awards, so this time I have chosen

Cathy - I am in awe of her amazing artistic talents, as try as I might, my efforts look like a five-year old's drawing!

Rachel - her embroidery is beautiful

Pat - I love reading about her many children and grandchildren (and we have a name in common .... her married name is my maiden name!)

Thanks again Kay for the award!

 

As you know Malcolm now looks after the garden - but I had to do something this afternoon.  The harebells have spread, and underneath this clump .....

 

........ is the fabulous bees balm, which I would be upset to lose.  Some energetic pulling up, and the invading harebells were (just about) gone

 

This tiny clematis

 

already has a bud on it

 

This shot of the tree .....

 

..... doesn't show that the blossom is almost open

 

Meanwhile, in the front garden, the sparrows were squabbling on the fat ball feeder

 

and eating the emerging blossom on the tree

 

At least these little metal birds behave themselves

 

I whiled away a pleasant half hour or so, taking photos of the sparrows.  I tried to count them, but they kept flying off!  I think we probably have about two dozen of them - and we'll soon have more, as I think they are nesting under the roof again!

 

 

 

 

When we were in Melrose this morning, we popped into the National Trust shop for a browse, as they always have lots of lovely things ........ and today, this notebook just had to come home with me

 

Well ....... could you have resisted it?

Siblings

We had surprise visitors today ...... Malcolm's sisters!  The younger one, Judith, is staying with the older one, Jennifer, in Morpeth for a few days, so they phoned this morning to say that they were going to pop up to see us.  Of course this meant going out for lunch!  This photo should have shown the three of them enjoying their lunch ....... but Jennifer moved, Malcolm looked as if he was crying and Judith looked awfully serious - so I have cropped the photo and instead you can enjoy the delicious food!

 

We had lunch at Harestanes, and as always had a walk round.  Malcolm was rather taken with this log pile - I hope he doesn't decide to move our logs from the log store and pile them under the windows!

 

There were a lot of woodworking tools in the courtyard - these rather large axes caught my eye

 

When we got home, the sun came out and we sat out in the garden to have a cuppa

 

We were amazed to see a pair of swallows swoop through the garden - it's very early in the year for them to have arrived.  Unfortunately they were much too fast for me to get a photo of them ...... but I did capture this sparrow sitting on top of the garden wall

 

The alchemilla mollis showed evidence of an earlier shower

 

The grape vine is just coming into leaf

 

and the herbs are growing well

 

I had planned to tell you about the quilt show we went to yesterday, but our surprise visitors of course changed that plan!  So I'll tell you about it tomorrow, and finish with a sewing update.  First, Lilly Pilly is all bonded, ready to be layered up with wadding and the applique stitched

did you spot the birds among the leaves?

 

Then, second, the Christmas stitchery is progressing well  - I took this photo on Saturday and have actually stitched quite a bit more over the weekend (yes, I forgot to take a photo today!)