Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Welcome to another Friday Chat Day, hope your week has gone well

amidst the new government announcements and general concern. 

Let's bury our heads for a bit...

Crochet:

The Summer Harmony Blanket - all 100 squares joined together.

Now to start the border. 

Oh how I love the colours, the cooler greens and blues radiating to the

pinks, lilacs and reds.

The border consists of all 17 colours so looking forward to adding that.

And because I can't just have one project on the go I've started 

something else...

this is going to be another Harmony Blanket using a different colour

palette and it is my full intention to list this one for sale and it

should be finished in time for Christmas.

(I cannot take any credit for typing out those colour tags, a lady on

a Facebook group has made those available to print and use - very kind).

Garden:

This photo taken at the beginning of the week in lovely sunshine shows a

snoozing Bella and my tomatoes ripening.

 

And I took delivery of Percy - my new Palm.

My plan was to have him at the front of my house but for now

I've repotted him and kept him out back.

He is a Hardy Cotton Palm hence all those cotton bits,

which I'm not so sure about, the tidy me wants to give him a haircut!

Recipe:

Oops!

My planned recipe is coming next week as Tesco delivery 

unfortunately didn't have a vital ingredient. 

I have made sure to order ingredients for a

Christmas cake and highly recommend everyone stocks up on flour etc.

This year I intend to make a rich fruit cake with plenty

of time to feed it alcohol.  I'll be sharing that recipe.

But just in case any of us  run out of time there's 

always my Last Minute Christmas Cake over on the recipes tab.

And the mug cake recipe last week, some asked about 

microwave wattage - my microwave is 900 so fairly high,

you may wish to adjust timings accordingly.

Telly:

I caught up with The Singapore Grip.

Based on J G Farrell's novel.

What a cast and it was watchable but didn't quite meet my expectations.

And Bake Off is back. Hurrah!

A few 'hold your breath' moments this week and I love Matt Lucas so totally enjoyable.

Thank you for the kind enquiries regarding Mum, she's not having a 

good time at the moment and is feeling quite unwell.

She is due to go into hospital on Monday for a procedure that will hopefully

make her feel better.

In between Bella is a regular visitor administering doggy kisses!

And that wraps up yet another week.

Time truly feels like it is on fast forward, this weekend I will be 

in my cabin working on October's Charity Kit.

It is mentally designed so that's a start!

Take care friends, have a super weekend,

keep safe and keep smiling.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Happy Friday and hope you are all doing ok.

Marvelous weather this week if not a little strange, falling Autumn leaves 

and blistering hot sun.  Taking advantage of this hot spell meant 

venturing out with Bella, she has her own car seat up front with the driver.

Not so sure the boys are impressed sitting in the back!

I'm back on track this week with my nattering, here goes...

Recipe:

I call this Ugly Mug Cake, it's not the prettiest of cakes but it is perfect

if you fancy a speedy treat.  All done in the microwave so you don't even 

have to put the oven on.

50g dark chocolate, 25g butter,

1 egg (beaten), 25g sugar, 25g plain flour,

¼ tsp baking powder, 30g cherries

Place chocolate and butter into a bowl,

microwave until chocolate has melted.

Add egg and sugar, mix.

Add flour, baking powder and cherries, fold until smooth.

Grease a large mug with butter, spoon mixture in.

Cover with cling film and heat for 1½ minutes.

Remove cling film and heat for a further 30 seconds or until risen, cooked through. 

Serve with cherries.

It is a little more like a chocolate steam pud consistency. 

I use frozen cherries but you could use blueberries, orange zest,

whatever you prefer.

The printable is available here.

Crochet:

Whilst I was in the midst of making the Harmony Blanket I was also

making another batch of squares for the Summer Harmony - same design but

using the brighter colours as a wash from warm to cool.

I completed all 100 of them.  

I love this stage, they are all organised and filed in their wallets,

it appeals to the over organised part of my brain! 

 I use CD wallets with labels inside and found this to be the best way for me.

I was actually a little reluctant to start the joining as I just enjoy looking

at them in rows like this!

But I did start the joining and this little 'helper' was quick to appear.

The original Harmony Blanket uses one colour to join all squares, 

this version uses a different colour to join each square
which enhances that colour wash theme.

As mentioned, I'm fully converted to granny squares now

and I think Darcy cat approves.

Garden:

Flowers are still blooming and Bella is still basking in the sunshine.

This rose bush has been a real feature this year,

first rose I've ever owned and it hasn't let me down.

A  flouncy open rose - Bonica Bush Rose Floribunda.

And I'm thrilled with this - a new clematis has flowered and the 

heads are huge.  This is Snow Queen.

 

And this was a real surprise. I bought some Gerbera plug plants online

months ago and they looked tiny and sad in my back garden so I put 

them out the front.

I don't have a front garden, just a small concreted space for the the bins and gas box. 

It gets very hot out there and Gerberas obviously like that.

So here they are doing their showy thing.

I was tempted to cut them but no, they make me smile each time I arrive home 

and glance over the wheelie bins! 

And of an evening I sit outside and try to hide from this one - doesn't work!

Telly:

It has been a bit of a Netflix week.

Netflix - Young Wallander

Well, I'm not so sure about this one, I really liked Kenneth Branagh 

playing Kurt Wallander. I stuck with it and watched the full season but

not so sure I'm eager for a second.

Netflix - The Fall

I watched this when first released but realised I had forgotten a lot of it

and importantly, how it ended so I decided to watch it again.

Oh my it is gripping. Perhaps don't watch just before bedtime!

And that rounds up my week again.

Hope you are all coping in these uncertain times.

I admit to cocooning myself and family - 

staying in our own safe space and keeping occupied by hobbies and routine.   

Checking in on the news once a day otherwise I feel it is overwhelming.

We each have different ways of dealing with the here and now,

so if you need to rush off and make an Ugly Mug Cake...

that's entirely normal! 

Take care friends - have a lovely weekend.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

How has your week been? 

Definitely seeing the leaves turn a little, 

beautiful Autumn is on its way.

Lovely response to this month's Charity Kit,

that little car is popular - just one kit left.

If you missed it or fancy another please click here.

It has been another busy week in the Emberson household,

so much so apologies - no recipe! 

Dinners have consisted of speedy offerings, mainly toast.

And talking of 'toast' have you ever tried this...

toasting sweet potato slices?

I saw this on Instagram and I'm still undecided whether (a) to try it and

(b) whether I would like it!  Let me know if you give it a go.

A week or so ago I did have more time in the kitchen and did some batch

cooking for Elliott.  His freezer now looks like this.

There is Shepherds Pie too otherwise he could end up looking like lasagne!

Elliott is now fully moved into his flat, carpets went down last week

and last weekend we made many trips to and fro with all his belongings.

Goodness he packed a lot into a little room! 

Mitchell, my Dad and nephew all helped and were dab hands with 

fixing curtain poles, building flat packs and more.

Here's a before and after pic of his bedroom.

Before...

After...

Very pleased we put down new carpet, the previous one had a real whiff! 

Love his choice of duvet cover - cats in space!

His cats - Pixel and Lily were intrigued by his absence but in typical cat fashion

have quickly found new laps to sit on.

Have to admit it is very strange without him at home, of an evening

we would always walk Bella together so she is a little confused too

but she is very happy with the huge park opposite Elliott's flat.

We've walked her there this week and still discovering how big it is.

Worcester Park in Greenhithe.

And here she is 'helping' me make up Elliot's bed.

Her little vampire teeth make us laugh every day.

Crochet:

It's finished! Tadah!

Attic 24 - Harmony Blanket.

There was a moment when I deliberated not doing the border but so

pleased I did, I adore the colour blend.

Lucy at Attic 24 is amazing, her patterns are truly the best to follow.

It's a huge blanket - single bed size, lovely soft and squidgy.

I am now part way through making the same blanket Summer Harmony.

From a girl that didn't like Granny Squares I have been fully converted.

Telly: 

Channel 5 - All Creatures Great and Small

I read last year that this series was on its way so I've been eagerly

awaiting it and it appears so have many others as 

Channel 5 received its biggest viewing figures in almost five years.

It was worth the wait, utterly enjoyable and Samuel West 

as Siegfried Farnon is spot on.

Long may it continue.

Garden:

With the feel of Autumn on its way I've been out 

clearing my little garden.

Tomato plants are gone and with thanks to your advice

green tomatoes are now ripening alongside a banana.

I've planted bulbs and hopefully next week I'm putting in some 

winter pansies and/or Cyclamen - although I've never had much

joy with Cyclamen, they tend to look sickly quickly.

And my Hydrangea has put me in quandary - 

this is the one I obtained via Freecycle, at the time it wasn't flowering

but it soon took off. I think this is a Lacecap variety.

Pruning - I've come across so much conflicting advice,

I'd like to reshape it as it has some wayward stems and do I chop

over those flowerheads now?  

Mum, a little poorly again this week, in fact a rushed

trip to A and E but thankfully back home now and recovering.

And Mum now has a gardener who is brilliant and likes Bella - win win. 

As much as I have discovered my love of gardening I wouldn't have

been able to tackle Mum and Dad's large garden so having help is perfect.

I came across this picture that shows my cabin first going up and you can see

Mum and Dad's garden is a tad larger than mine. 

And that rounds up my week.

Today I am visiting my sister for a day of chat and crochet,

after such a hectic week I am truly looking forward to sitting on my bum.

This weekend, back to see Elliott and do a few bits.

Take care friends, I think we have a bit of a rocky road

ahead if we watch the news ...be extra safe.

Much love,

Charity Kit Day - September 2020

Hello friends

It's Charity Kit Day!

As always, big thanks for your support and please 

feel free to share kit details with everyone.

Each month a donation is made to a different charity,

and this month it is Animal Samaritans who rescue and provide

care for unwanted, abandoned, neglected or ill-treated animals.

http://animalsamaritans.co.uk

To keep track of charities there is a tab at the top of my blog 

here with lots more kit info.

And here is this month's kit:



As mentioned, we are going festive, shall I tell you that is is just 16 weeks until
Christmas!  If you equate those to pay days - yikes.

A 6 x 6 white card (nice heavy linen) with silver border,
pretty silver and white paper, the die cut is a cute 
little car bringing home your Christmas tree.

Included in your kit:

White 6 x 6 card base and envelope, 
silver foil border, printed patterned paper (design may vary - see below),
Die cuts - red car, tyres, bumper, lights, sentiment, tree trunk and foiliage,
star, parcel and bow.
Full instructions

(Items you will need: adhesive and foam pads).

Your card will feature one of the lovely sparkly paper designs below,
all silver foiled.

The kits are packed in recyclable paper bags and sent in a 'do not bend' 

envelope so they arrive in pristine condition. 
To make up the kits you just need a basic craft kit, everything is pre-cut.

The kit cost is £5.85, that's the total payment -

inclusive of postage and packing.

Payment is via the PayPal link below.

If you wish to purchase but would prefer not to use PayPal, 

please email me:

hope-chances@live.co.uk  

I'm happy to help with alternative payment arrangements.

Here's the link and it is possible to purchase multiple kits,

there's an option for that too.

If you would like to support the kits but do not need one right now,

there is a 'Ko-fi' button', at the top of the blog,

All donations enable me to purchase card blanks, envelopes, the paper bags,

sticky labels and more -

very grateful thanks to those of you who help through Ko-fi.

Thank you so much for your valuable continued support.

Take care friends, enjoy your Sunday.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Normal blogging service resumed.

Hope you are all keeping well and thanks for stopping

by for my weekly nattering.

Let's start...

Recipe:

With that sudden change in the weather I didn't need much excuse

to make a warming pud.

This is Plum Betty - equally delicious as Cherry Betty.

A 'Betty' is much like a crumble except you use breadcrumbs and 

you layer it, bit like a sweet lasagne! 

Filling: 750g plums, 75g light brown sugar

Topping: breadcrumbs from 3 slices of bread (granary is nice),

50g light brown sugar, 1tsp cinnamon,

75g chopped walnuts, 2tbsp melted butter

 Preheat oven to 180 C, 350F or Gas Mark 4. 

Grease a shallow glass or ceramic dish.

Filling: cut up plums and place in bowl with sugar.

Topping: Mix breadcrumbs, sugar and cinnamon in bowl.

Start layering: A third of topping mixture in bottom of dish,

add half the fruit mixture, second third of topping mixture,

remainder of fruit. Bake for 30 minutes.

Mix remaining third of topping mixture with

chopped walnuts and melted butter.

Remove dish from oven, sprinkle mixture over

and cook for a further 30 minutes.

Cool before serving, lovely with ice cream! 

The printable is available here.
And all the recipe links at the top of the blog are still in place - hurrah!

The plums I used come from a farm in Wormdale, just up the road from 

my sister's home, they have a produce table set out with a cash box.

Each week when I visit my sister I stop and buy something.

We've had the most amazing runner beans too.

Garden:

Still over the moon with my little pink rose, the buds keep coming.

A new Clematis is very happily growing with Honeysuckle.
I've ensured it is the correct group for pruning, imagine trying to
disentagle it.

My first attempt at growing tomatoes, all still green.
I've been researching this, I've now cut off the top of the plants to
encourage more growth into the tomatoes, time is running out for them to
turn red, it could be a case of picking them and allowing them to ripen indoors.
All a learning curve.

And another first - I'm using bulb baskets.


This will enable me to have the bulbs in one place and lift them for
Summer bedding next year.  I got the idea when looking up 'small gardens'
but I've yet to find a garden as small as mine! 

Crochet:

Zero, zilch, none! 
Well, not entirely true - I've done a little bit of the wide border on my
original Attic 24 Harmony Blanket and that's it.
This gardening and 'flat preparation' lark certainly eats into time.

I'm certain once Autumn arrives and my gardening will be limited
 I'll be crocheting like the clappers.

Telly:

It's been a 'bonnet week' for me, I've been indulging in all things
Jane Austen.  Whilst batch cooking for Elliott's new freezer
(lasagne and shepherds pie),
I've been re-watching these gems.
Pride and Prejudice - the Colin Firth version of course!



Sense and Sensibility



The 2008 version is my favourite, Hattie Morahan
playing Elinor Dashwood is superb
(in real life her Mum is Anna Carteret -
Inspector Kate Longton in Juliet Bravo - that may take you back).
I subscribe to BritBox but these can be found elsewhere I believe.

Home:

We celebrated Elliott's birthday last weekend in true style(?) -

fish and chips, cupcakes and Prosecco.
My Sister hosted and Bella was of course invited to the celebrations.

This weekend is the 'big move'.  Elliott going into his own flat.

I am excited but in true Mother mode I'm a little anxious and I will 

miss him greatly. I am very lucky with the bond I have with Elliott and he's

not going far so all my blessings have been duly counted.

And finally, it is Charity Kit Day on Sunday.
Here's a sneak peek ....

It's looking festive...
Please stop by for all the details.

Until then, wishing you all a wonderful weekend,
and, as always, take care, don those masks and keep safe.