frayed at the edge

A very busy weekend!

Despite talking more than sewing, I did get quite a lot done on Friday, sewing quite a few more clamshells (sorry, forgot to take a photo!) and making a start to the embroidery on the Needle Nookie

 

Katy brought in her chicken wallhanging - it is just so cute!  The chickens are called Clara, Doris and Ethel

 

the wallhanging has an amazing edging

 

and the chickens look appealing with their ricrac topknots

 

as always there was the Friday cake - Annette's delicious cupcakes

 

this Saturday we are having a "Linus Day" at Borderland Fabrics, where we will work together to make as many quilts as possible.  Katy made a start to one, using this Jelly Roll of Christmas fabrics ......

 

sub-cutting some of the strips and deciding on a layout for them

 

later, we ordered Chinese food

 

I had my favourite chicken chow mein

 

yesterday morning we went for a walk in Kelso.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue - a perfect background for these old chimneys

 

I want a window like this one!

 

Malcolm took this photo (the boy has talent!)

 

as well as tractors and rusty things, I also like boats!

 

and you know I love herons

 

this is Floors Castle, home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe

 

I finished the baby quilt.  These aren't the best of photos, as it was another dull, grey day

 

I also finished my ripple rug!

 

I also made a start to quilting the little teddy bear quilt for Linus

 

on Friday, I got these fabrics from Sandra, our wonderful Linus Lady - I'll show you tomorrow wwhat I have done with them!

I'm not here!

I'm out having fun, but through the magic of blogging, I'm here too!!  I'm at Borderland Fabrics, where we are having one of our "quilt till you wilt" sessions, eating Chinese food, catching up with friends who don't usually come on Fridays ..... and we might even do some sewing!  I will be doing more work on the clamshells

 

and making a start to the embroidery on the Needle Nookie

 

 

as always over the weekend I will be busy sewing, and hopefully the weather will be good on Sunday for us to get out for a good long walk.  I hope you all have a good weekend, love Anne

 

Driftwood creations

No - I haven't taken up yet another craft, it is of course Malcolm who has been making things with driftwood.  First was the C*****mas tree on canvas, with some stamping to add that little extra something

 

then this fabulous tree ...... I want one, but that was the last of the driftwood, so we will have to try to get to a beach to find some more (Malcolm has just said he will sell that one to me!!)

 

as always happens at this time of year, I have received some cards, wrapping paper and a calendar from the Red Cross (and of course a request for a donation!).  In the past I haven't used these cards, as I thought that friends might be offended if I gave them a "free" card, but I now use them, as they advertise the good work that the Red Cross does, both at home and abroad

 

this morning I met my friend Lorraine in Jedburgh, as we were going to a charity craft fair.  As it was held in someone's home, I couldn't take photos, and as most of the stuff was frightfully expensive (and most of the ladies there were frightfully posh!) we didn't buy anything, although I did make a hefty donation to the charity for our cuppas and tiny mince pies.  We then went for lunch ...... we used to meet reguarly for lunch, but for various reasons, we haven't done so for months.  Lorraine is so used to my taking photos, that she doesn't start eating until I have snapped the food!  She had brie and cranberry sandwiches ........

 

...... while I couldn't resist the coronation chicken

 

I had taken along the two photo books that I got here, one with photos from Australia, and the other with photos from Singapore (click on the photo to have a closer look)

 

so why did I take a photo of the street sign?  Because there is a Cairnhill Road in my home town of Airdrie.  I didn't realise how interesting my home town is until I found it on Wikipedia - I shall have to read all about it later!!

As well as getting the photobooks, I also had one of my photos turned into a canvas ......

 

..... and another one made into this, which is described as an aluminium mounted print, but looks like it is covered in acrylic

 

that one is on the wall in the kitchen, and when I was taking a photo of it, I noticed the fruit bowl was looking good!

 

 

 

Day 31 ....... and it's Halloween!

Here are some things you might not know about Halloween (taken from today's "i" newspaper).  The most suprising thing is that dressing up probably started in Scotland! (click on the photo to enlarge it)

 

when we left Stuart and Alison's this morning, we popped in to Torwood Garden Centre, which is just along the road from them.  We were faced with a dilemma - would we have the very reasonably priced, but somewhat naughty, cooked breakfast, or would we just have a cuppa and save ourselves for meatballs for lunch when we called in to Ikea ........

 

yes, the breakfast won!  Sausage, black pudding and mushrooms ...... and I got scrambled eggs and Malcolm got a hash brown, which we then shared.  And as if that wasn't enough, we also had a slice of toast!  (and as always, tea for me and coffee for Malcolm)

 

we used to visit this garden centre regularly, as it was near where we used to live before we moved here (S&A now live about halfway between our old house and the garden centre).  However since we moved, they have done away with the old coffee shop, and added a much larger one - possibly because a new hospital has recently opened just a short distance away ....... I am sure a lot of the staff will lunch there

 

 

one wall is covered with paintings done by local artists.  A portion of the money made is given to The Macmillan fund and a lot of money has already been raised

 

suitably fortified, we went on to Ikea, where we managed NOT to buy a packet of tealights!  I bought some storage boxes for the studio, but couldn't persuade Malcolm that he wanted to replace the kitchen that he fitted a few years ago with shiny red one!  Going to Ikea meant that we came home through Peebles, where we would noramlly have stopped for a cuppa and a walk round the town ....... but it was pouring with rain the whole way home, so no photos of Peebles and no photos of the stunning autumn colours (sorry!)

So all I have left  show you is some knitting!  First, my ripple rug, which is finished except for darning in the ends.  I just kept knitting until I ran out of yarn, but it has turned out to be quite a bit wider than longer, so I will use it this way round

 

I have now started one for Malcolm, in softer colours than mine.  As it is a very simple pattern, I was able to do some in the car.  I've just started to repeat of the colours

 

well ....... that's the last post for Blogtoberfest!  But of course I will be back as usual tomorrow, when hopefully the rain will have stopped - and maybe the sun will come out!

We have been waiting for months for the new neighbours to arrive, and now that they are here ........ they are so handsome, so gorgeous, so cute ........ but don't worry, I'm not lusting after young men again!  We haven't seen the human neighbours yet, but we have seen these lovelies in their field

 

it was only when I looked at the photos on the laptop that I noticed the name on the tiny donkey's coat - perhaps that's what he wants to be when he grows up!

 

after oooohing and aaaahing over the donkeys, we went for a very enjoyable walk - although it was starting to cloud over and threatening to rain.  After doing the little landscape workshop, I thought I would take some photos to perhaps use to make more little wallhangings ....... here are just a few of the stunning views

 

the donkeys weren't the only animals that we encountered.  There were horses .........

 

........ and there were sheep - but not just any sheep, but Shaun the Sheep lookalikes

 

when they saw us looking over the gate, they came running over, obviously hoping that we were going to feed them - you can see the wooden feeding trough in the previous photo

 

even the sheep at the far side of the field made their way over

 

one of my new friends in Melbourne, Helen, has a four-year old granddaughter, Jazi, who adores Shaun the Shheep.  Little Jazi thinks that it is wonderful that her Granny's new Scottish friend has  Shaun sheep in the fields round her home ...... so these two photos are for Jazi (Helen, stop squealing!!)

 

do you think the farmer would mind if I took along some bolt cutters and took the horrible modern chain off this fabulous old gate and gatepost?

 

to finish ...... if you think this is a sunset, think again!  This was the moon disappearing over the horizon at 6.30 this morning.  I just hope that the neighbours didn't see me shivering on the front doorstep in my nightie, taking the photo!  The pink in the sky is the reflection of the sunrise

Just a quick post, as I am  somewhat tired after two days of intense concentration (and a lot of blethering!)   So here is today's progress

a typical Borders higgledy piggledy fence

 

fussy cut leaves

 

that funny clump on the right will turn into trees!

 

wadding tacked on the back, and some markings added with a chalk pencil

 

and to end, I thought you might like to see this fabulous tree that Charlie machine-embroidered

 

Last night I drove over to Eckford, where Sheena Norquay was scheduled to give us a talk, illustrated by a Powerpoint presentation.  As I drove into the village, I noticed that the street lights were off (as we don't have streetlights, I was thinking huh, if we had streetlights, I would never switch them off!)..  I parked and walked over to the hall, wondering why the outside lights weren't on (yes, I was a bit slow on the uptake!) .......  there had been a power cut.  The hall was lit by camping lights and candles

 

so in the absence of her Powerpoint presentation, Sheena gave us an off the cuff chat about her life in sewing, and held up her samples above the camping light for us to drool over.  We had a cuppa (thanks to someone in the village who heated water on their gas cooker for us!) ....... then just as we were thinking about going home - the lights came on!  Sheena prompty fired up her equipment, and gave us her scheduled presentation ....... so we had a rather late night!

 

Then this morning, it was off to the Abbey Row Centre in Kelso for the first day of our 2-day workshop.  As I had my sewing machine and workbag, I thought I would use the lift (which I usually avoid, as I don't like small spaces) and I was joined by two of our older members.  It's actually a bit of an exaggeration to call it a lift - it is really just a platform which goes up inside a metal shaft.  We had only risen a few feet when it ground to a halt (gulp!!).  We pressed the alarm button - it turned out that this then dialled the emergency hotline, where after a rather difficult shouted converation with a young man who couldn't understand us ( and we couldn't understand him) we eventually grasped that it would be about 45 minutes until an engineer arrived.  We could here people both above and below us complaining that they were having to wait so long for the lift to arrive ..... so after some very loud shouting (by me!) they got the  message that we were stuck, and one of them sensibly went off to phone the Fire Brigade.  To cut the long story short ...... we were rescued by these gorgeous hunky men!  (who offered us a fireman's lift - we were tempted!)

 

so, on to the sewing!  Sheena gave us a pattern to use, or we could draw our own - I decided to use her pattern.  Here is the first stage, with the pieces ready to sew

 

stitched and trimmed

 

Sheena mentioned that as yet no-one in a class had split the scene ....... so of course I decided to be teacher's pet and split mine (another Scottish work for you - I was a "sook" ....... as in sucking up!)  Here it is with the outer borders added

 

I was sharing a table with Charlie, who, using the same basic pattern, produced this stunning black and white version

 

of course we didn't work all day without refreshment ...... some of the group members very generously gave up their day to make us cuppas, and to serve lunch which was supplied by a local pub.  The most delicious  lentil soup and a vast platter of assorted sandwiches

 

 

I should have mentioned that there was a minor drama this morning when we woke up to this ...... the first snow of the winter!!

 

and what did the engineer do when he finally turned up? (long after the handsome chaps had rescued us)

Finally, all is revealed!  I am off tonight to a talk being given by the award-winning quilter Sheena Norquay.  The talk has been arranged by Abbey Quilters ....... and you know by now that if quilters are involved, there will be food!  The talk is also open to non-members, so all the members are taking along cakes/biscuits/traybakes to share for supper after the talk.  Meredithe's recipe for hedgehog was ideal for me to make, as it can be made in advance ....... all I have to do is remember to take it!  Then, over the weekend, I am doing a two day workshop with Sheena, which I am really looking forward to.  I had great fun last year when I did the dotty bird workshop with her

 

there is quite a long requirements list for this weekend's workshop, when we will be stitching a little landscape

 

I got our my big workshop bag, which I designed some years ago as a project for beginners, as it is made from two small quilts which cover the basics of piecing, applique and quilting.  The two quilts are then sewn together with a deep gusset to make a roomy bag

 

 

there is a pocket inside for a cutting mat and ruler

 

there are also two zipped bags, which are attached to the inside with velcro

 

these take all the sharp pointy things, like scissors and needles, so that you don't accidently stab yourself when you reach  into the bag, and other odds and ends that would otherwise get lost at  the bottom of the bag

 

all packed up ready to go

 

when I was looking for the needles I need, I found this packet, which as you can see from the price is somewhat old!

 

my Dad bought the needles for me way back in the early 70s.  I had been off work ill, and although I wasn't well enough to go back to work, I was well enough to go out for the day with Dad, who had a day off.  He took me to Glasgow to show me where my grandparents had a shop on the 30s, then we went into the city centtre, to go to the Singer sewing machine shop.  I can't remember now what I bought there, but I do remember that Dad bought these needles for me

 

of course Friday means cake at patch'n'chat, and today it was Annette's wonderful cupcakes.  I usually have a pink topped one (for no particular reason) but this afternoon I went wild and had a purple topped one

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, while I am havinng fun with fabric!  Love, Anne

 

ps, it is trying very hard to snow!!

 

It was another grey, dreary morning when we set off for Longframlington this morning, but I still managed to take some photos of the autumn trees

 

 

 

we were a bit worried when we saw this lorry with a snow plough blade on the front - has the driver had access to a weather forecast we don't know about?

 

arriving at Anne's shop, I recognised one or two of the quilts on the walls!

 

 

 

feast your eyes on all these lovely fabrics (the colours aren't true for some of them, as the dull day meant the lights were on, which affects the colour)

 

 

 

there was a new stand filled with gorgeous patterns

 

these are just some of Anne's collection of old sewing machines

 

through in the kitchen area is a bookcase full of extra patterns and fabric bundles - I got sidetracked when I was supposed to be making a cuppa!

 

Anne's website isn't fully up and running, but do have a look at it here, to see what goodies she has on offer, or if there is something in the photos that you like, then phone her at the shop (the phone number is on the website - down at the bottom right, click on the contact details)

 

When Malcom came back for me, he had a cuppa (and a piece of hedgehog!) and a blether with Anne, then we set off for home.  The closer to home we got, the better the weather was, until eventually there was blue sky ...... the first we have seen since Sunday!

 

this is the first house on the Scottish side of the border - it looks as if they had just lit the fire

 

we passed a sign at the side of the road saying "hedge cutting in progress " ...... and this is what was round the next bend!

 

and on round the next bend

 

while I was at Anne's, Malcolm went out for lunch with his sister Jennifer.  She gave us a very special birthday present

 

so ....... what work did I came home with?  You will have to wait until tomorrow to find out what is in here!!

I had just come through from having my shower and getting dressed this morning, when Malcolm, in his role as photo-op spotter, told me to grab the camera and follow him out to the garden.  It was very misty and damp, ideal conditions to show up the many spider webs.  Here are just a few of them

 

 

 

 

when I got in the car for my usual Monday morning trip to Sainsbbury's I noticed there was a spider web on the wing mirror, so when I got back in the car to come home, I took a photo of it ....... but not just the web, but also its reflection in the mirror.  And if you look carefully, you can see a car with a red canoe on its roof - not a very nice day to go canoing!

 

I made the first pot of soup of the winter - although I think it is still officially autumn, until the clocks change at the weekend, it has been such a mesierable day it definitely felt like winter!  As always, after taking this photo, I realised that I had left out an ingredient - vegetable oil.

parsnips, apples, onions, spices, seasoning and chicken stock

 

I chopped up the onions, parsnips and apples, and sweated them in a little vegetable oil.  I added the spices and seasoning, stirred it well, popped the lid on, turned the heat down and let it all sweat away gently. 

 

I made up the chicken stock with some boiling water, added it to the pot, and simmered the soup unti the veggies were soft.  Then it was into the blender, as I like smooth soup ..... ever since I was little I have disliked soup with "bits" in it!

 

a quick whizz later, a big bowl of delicious soup, and a little bowl to taste

 

finally, in to containers ...... two double portions for the freezer, and a single portion for my lunch tomorrow

 

when I went on my road trip in Melbourne with Meredithe, Mrs Mac and Helen, we were chatting about all things Scottish that Mrs Mac had learned from her Scottish Granny.  One of them was a "piece" ...... which can either be a sandwich, or a snack.  When I was at primary school, we took a "playpiece" to eat during the morning "playtime"  ...... the ten minutes mid-morning when we went outside for a break.  It reminded me of a song about children in Glasgow moving to high rise flats, and finding that their Mum's couldn't throw them a sandwich ....... this is the chorus

Oh ye cannae fling pieces oot a twenty storey flat,
Seven hundred hungry weans'll testify, to that.
If it's butter, cheese or jeely, if the breid is plain or pan,
The odds against it reaching earth are ninety-nine tae wan.

 

Mrs Mac was delighted when she mentioned jubblies and I knew what she meant ........ so when I noticed this box this morning in Sainsbury's, of course I had to buy it!

 

when I was little, we didn't have a fridge, never mind a freezer, so we had to buy our jubblies in the "wee shop" at the top of the road, not buy a box and freeze the at home.  These ones are the same shape, but considerably smaller than the childhood ones ....... but then at 27 calories each, I won't have to feel guilty about having one

Day 29 ...... and the new neighbours have finally moved in!

We have been waiting for months for the new neighbours to arrive, and now that they are here ........ they are so handsome, so gorgeous, so cute ........ but don't worry, I'm not lusting after young men again!  We haven't seen the human neighbours yet, but we have seen these lovelies in their field

 

it was only when I looked at the photos on the laptop that I noticed the name on the tiny donkey's coat - perhaps that's what he wants to be when he grows up!

 

after oooohing and aaaahing over the donkeys, we went for a very enjoyable walk - although it was starting to cloud over and threatening to rain.  After doing the little landscape workshop, I thought I would take some photos to perhaps use to make more little wallhangings ....... here are just a few of the stunning views

 

the donkeys weren't the only animals that we encountered.  There were horses .........

 

........ and there were sheep - but not just any sheep, but Shaun the Sheep lookalikes

 

when they saw us looking over the gate, they came running over, obviously hoping that we were going to feed them - you can see the wooden feeding trough in the previous photo

 

even the sheep at the far side of the field made their way over

 

one of my new friends in Melbourne, Helen, has a four-year old granddaughter, Jazi, who adores Shaun the Shheep.  Little Jazi thinks that it is wonderful that her Granny's new Scottish friend has  Shaun sheep in the fields round her home ...... so these two photos are for Jazi (Helen, stop squealing!!)

 

do you think the farmer would mind if I took along some bolt cutters and took the horrible modern chain off this fabulous old gate and gatepost?

 

to finish ...... if you think this is a sunset, think again!  This was the moon disappearing over the horizon at 6.30 this morning.  I just hope that the neighbours didn't see me shivering on the front doorstep in my nightie, taking the photo!  The pink in the sky is the reflection of the sunrise

Day 28 ...... and no dramas!

Just a quick post, as I am  somewhat tired after two days of intense concentration (and a lot of blethering!)   So here is today's progress

a typical Borders higgledy piggledy fence

 

fussy cut leaves

 

that funny clump on the right will turn into trees!

 

wadding tacked on the back, and some markings added with a chalk pencil

 

and to end, I thought you might like to see this fabulous tree that Charlie machine-embroidered

 

Day 27 ...... and a tale of two dramas!

Last night I drove over to Eckford, where Sheena Norquay was scheduled to give us a talk, illustrated by a Powerpoint presentation.  As I drove into the village, I noticed that the street lights were off (as we don't have streetlights, I was thinking huh, if we had streetlights, I would never switch them off!)..  I parked and walked over to the hall, wondering why the outside lights weren't on (yes, I was a bit slow on the uptake!) .......  there had been a power cut.  The hall was lit by camping lights and candles

 

so in the absence of her Powerpoint presentation, Sheena gave us an off the cuff chat about her life in sewing, and held up her samples above the camping light for us to drool over.  We had a cuppa (thanks to someone in the village who heated water on their gas cooker for us!) ....... then just as we were thinking about going home - the lights came on!  Sheena prompty fired up her equipment, and gave us her scheduled presentation ....... so we had a rather late night!

 

Then this morning, it was off to the Abbey Row Centre in Kelso for the first day of our 2-day workshop.  As I had my sewing machine and workbag, I thought I would use the lift (which I usually avoid, as I don't like small spaces) and I was joined by two of our older members.  It's actually a bit of an exaggeration to call it a lift - it is really just a platform which goes up inside a metal shaft.  We had only risen a few feet when it ground to a halt (gulp!!).  We pressed the alarm button - it turned out that this then dialled the emergency hotline, where after a rather difficult shouted converation with a young man who couldn't understand us ( and we couldn't understand him) we eventually grasped that it would be about 45 minutes until an engineer arrived.  We could here people both above and below us complaining that they were having to wait so long for the lift to arrive ..... so after some very loud shouting (by me!) they got the  message that we were stuck, and one of them sensibly went off to phone the Fire Brigade.  To cut the long story short ...... we were rescued by these gorgeous hunky men!  (who offered us a fireman's lift - we were tempted!)

 

so, on to the sewing!  Sheena gave us a pattern to use, or we could draw our own - I decided to use her pattern.  Here is the first stage, with the pieces ready to sew

 

stitched and trimmed

 

Sheena mentioned that as yet no-one in a class had split the scene ....... so of course I decided to be teacher's pet and split mine (another Scottish work for you - I was a "sook" ....... as in sucking up!)  Here it is with the outer borders added

 

I was sharing a table with Charlie, who, using the same basic pattern, produced this stunning black and white version

 

of course we didn't work all day without refreshment ...... some of the group members very generously gave up their day to make us cuppas, and to serve lunch which was supplied by a local pub.  The most delicious  lentil soup and a vast platter of assorted sandwiches

 

 

I should have mentioned that there was a minor drama this morning when we woke up to this ...... the first snow of the winter!!

 

and what did the engineer do when he finally turned up? (long after the handsome chaps had rescued us)

Day 26 ....... and a big night out!

Finally, all is revealed!  I am off tonight to a talk being given by the award-winning quilter Sheena Norquay.  The talk has been arranged by Abbey Quilters ....... and you know by now that if quilters are involved, there will be food!  The talk is also open to non-members, so all the members are taking along cakes/biscuits/traybakes to share for supper after the talk.  Meredithe's recipe for hedgehog was ideal for me to make, as it can be made in advance ....... all I have to do is remember to take it!  Then, over the weekend, I am doing a two day workshop with Sheena, which I am really looking forward to.  I had great fun last year when I did the dotty bird workshop with her

 

there is quite a long requirements list for this weekend's workshop, when we will be stitching a little landscape

 

I got our my big workshop bag, which I designed some years ago as a project for beginners, as it is made from two small quilts which cover the basics of piecing, applique and quilting.  The two quilts are then sewn together with a deep gusset to make a roomy bag

 

 

there is a pocket inside for a cutting mat and ruler

 

there are also two zipped bags, which are attached to the inside with velcro

 

these take all the sharp pointy things, like scissors and needles, so that you don't accidently stab yourself when you reach  into the bag, and other odds and ends that would otherwise get lost at  the bottom of the bag

 

all packed up ready to go

 

when I was looking for the needles I need, I found this packet, which as you can see from the price is somewhat old!

 

my Dad bought the needles for me way back in the early 70s.  I had been off work ill, and although I wasn't well enough to go back to work, I was well enough to go out for the day with Dad, who had a day off.  He took me to Glasgow to show me where my grandparents had a shop on the 30s, then we went into the city centtre, to go to the Singer sewing machine shop.  I can't remember now what I bought there, but I do remember that Dad bought these needles for me

 

of course Friday means cake at patch'n'chat, and today it was Annette's wonderful cupcakes.  I usually have a pink topped one (for no particular reason) but this afternoon I went wild and had a purple topped one

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, while I am havinng fun with fabric!  Love, Anne

 

ps, it is trying very hard to snow!!

 

Day 24 ...... and it's back to work

It was another grey, dreary morning when we set off for Longframlington this morning, but I still managed to take some photos of the autumn trees

 

 

 

we were a bit worried when we saw this lorry with a snow plough blade on the front - has the driver had access to a weather forecast we don't know about?

 

arriving at Anne's shop, I recognised one or two of the quilts on the walls!

 

 

 

feast your eyes on all these lovely fabrics (the colours aren't true for some of them, as the dull day meant the lights were on, which affects the colour)

 

 

 

there was a new stand filled with gorgeous patterns

 

these are just some of Anne's collection of old sewing machines

 

through in the kitchen area is a bookcase full of extra patterns and fabric bundles - I got sidetracked when I was supposed to be making a cuppa!

 

Anne's website isn't fully up and running, but do have a look at it here, to see what goodies she has on offer, or if there is something in the photos that you like, then phone her at the shop (the phone number is on the website - down at the bottom right, click on the contact details)

 

When Malcom came back for me, he had a cuppa (and a piece of hedgehog!) and a blether with Anne, then we set off for home.  The closer to home we got, the better the weather was, until eventually there was blue sky ...... the first we have seen since Sunday!

 

this is the first house on the Scottish side of the border - it looks as if they had just lit the fire

 

we passed a sign at the side of the road saying "hedge cutting in progress " ...... and this is what was round the next bend!

 

and on round the next bend

 

while I was at Anne's, Malcolm went out for lunch with his sister Jennifer.  She gave us a very special birthday present

 

so ....... what work did I came home with?  You will have to wait until tomorrow to find out what is in here!!

Day 22 .......and thank you to my spotter!

I had just come through from having my shower and getting dressed this morning, when Malcolm, in his role as photo-op spotter, told me to grab the camera and follow him out to the garden.  It was very misty and damp, ideal conditions to show up the many spider webs.  Here are just a few of them

 

 

 

 

when I got in the car for my usual Monday morning trip to Sainsbbury's I noticed there was a spider web on the wing mirror, so when I got back in the car to come home, I took a photo of it ....... but not just the web, but also its reflection in the mirror.  And if you look carefully, you can see a car with a red canoe on its roof - not a very nice day to go canoing!

 

I made the first pot of soup of the winter - although I think it is still officially autumn, until the clocks change at the weekend, it has been such a mesierable day it definitely felt like winter!  As always, after taking this photo, I realised that I had left out an ingredient - vegetable oil.

parsnips, apples, onions, spices, seasoning and chicken stock

 

I chopped up the onions, parsnips and apples, and sweated them in a little vegetable oil.  I added the spices and seasoning, stirred it well, popped the lid on, turned the heat down and let it all sweat away gently. 

 

I made up the chicken stock with some boiling water, added it to the pot, and simmered the soup unti the veggies were soft.  Then it was into the blender, as I like smooth soup ..... ever since I was little I have disliked soup with "bits" in it!

 

a quick whizz later, a big bowl of delicious soup, and a little bowl to taste

 

finally, in to containers ...... two double portions for the freezer, and a single portion for my lunch tomorrow

 

when I went on my road trip in Melbourne with Meredithe, Mrs Mac and Helen, we were chatting about all things Scottish that Mrs Mac had learned from her Scottish Granny.  One of them was a "piece" ...... which can either be a sandwich, or a snack.  When I was at primary school, we took a "playpiece" to eat during the morning "playtime"  ...... the ten minutes mid-morning when we went outside for a break.  It reminded me of a song about children in Glasgow moving to high rise flats, and finding that their Mum's couldn't throw them a sandwich ....... this is the chorus

Oh ye cannae fling pieces oot a twenty storey flat,
Seven hundred hungry weans'll testify, to that.
If it's butter, cheese or jeely, if the breid is plain or pan,
The odds against it reaching earth are ninety-nine tae wan.

 

Mrs Mac was delighted when she mentioned jubblies and I knew what she meant ........ so when I noticed this box this morning in Sainsbury's, of course I had to buy it!

 

when I was little, we didn't have a fridge, never mind a freezer, so we had to buy our jubblies in the "wee shop" at the top of the road, not buy a box and freeze the at home.  These ones are the same shape, but considerably smaller than the childhood ones ....... but then at 27 calories each, I won't have to feel guilty about having one