Charity Kit - April 2020

Hello friends

Happy Sunday. 

Happy Charity Kit Day.

Hoping these will bring a smile during 'lighthouse'.

Please feel free to share details with everyone.

Each month a donation is made to a different charity,

and this month we are supporting Cats Protection.

To keep track of charities there's the tab at the top of blog 

here with lots more kit info.

Without further ado here's this month's kit: 

A 'Springy' card.
A pretty trellis die cut adorned with flowers, leaves and double matted
onto a card base.
'Thank You' sentiment included but you could of course use
your own sentiment if you wish.

Spot the bunny and bird!

What's included in your kit:

White card base with matching envelope

Lilac card mat, white card mat

Die cuts - Swirl Strip, Flowers (Wreath Elements), Leaves (Wreath Elements)

Bird, Bunny (Winter Friends) 
Stamped and die cut 'Thank You'

Full instructions

(Items you will need: adhesive, foam squares/tape, pearls/gems,

(inks/pens - optional)

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 and includes postage and packing.

Slightly less this month as I'm afraid a box is not included.

(Just couldn't get back to my cabin during lighthouse).

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.

£5.85
 

It remains for me to say lots of thanks for your support

and I hope you like this month's kit.

Oh yes, there is just 1 kit remaining from last month
details are here - I've reduced it to £5 so it finds a home
and in case you may want to pop it in with this month's kit :)

Take care friends, have a lovely Sunday.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends - my fellow lighthouse keepers.

We got to Friday.

Anyone else feel like the days are blending together?

 It reminds me of that time between Christmas and New Year

when you lose track of what day it is.

I'm quickly reminded what day it is by the end of the week as

working from home on Thursdays and Fridays, it is going well.

In fact I really like it and it will feel quite a wrench to 

start that commute again.

So here goes...this week I have an array of chatter, pop the kettle on.

I am so impressed by all the new things popping up on social media

since we all become lighthouse keepers.

(I shall keep using this analogy as I get a little jittery upon hearing

the words 'isolation' and 'lockdown'.

In one week I've done a virtual trips around the zoo - Bristol Zoo via Facebook.

Watched a play - National Theatre on YouTube : 

One Man, Two Guvnors starring James Corden - it is available for 7 days 

(details here).

Attempted some sketching via Instagram account - Made by Leah.

Big pat on the back to all these people for such ingenious ideas.

So pleased the weather has been kind, albeit quite nippy at nights.

It has meant being able to get into the garden and walk Bella once a day.

This plant variety is the lesser known 'One Eyed Darcy',

tendency to become unruly if not fed regularly.

 I've found it rather soothing this week to rearrange furniture.

(Mind you, I'm not as fit as I used to be and  have bruises to show for it!)

I am confusing the boys by switching around sofas, dinging table, beds etc -

each time they walk into a room it looks different.

Our home is small so I'm constantly trying to find ways to create more space,

right now I'm in the middle of cleaning and reorganising the kitchen cupboards,

should be fun watching them find plates! 

I've also needed extra distraction this week as my Mum is in  hospital.

She hasn't been well for a while and she truly didn't want to go with

all the pressure the NHS is under but her doctor insisted.

She has a blood clot on her bowel and needs surgery. 

Obviously we are not allowed to visit which is very hard.

Each week I've been dropping off  groceries, 

leaving them in their porch. This week just items for my Dad,

I sneaked in a cornish pasty and some fruit cake - this is no time for diets.

These weekly grocery drop offs is the only time I can call 

into my cabin.  Aside from yarn, I do not have any craft stuff at home 

so I'm slowly bringing craft stuff back into the house to enable me
to make the kits.

Fortunately this month's charity kit (announcing on Sunday)

was already prepared before lighthouse mode.

Crochet has been at full speed this week.

I have finished this blanket which is called The Eleri Blanket.

It is my first attempt at pattern testing and it was great to do.

I also used up yarn that I had, resisted buying any.

How about a recipe?

I have my sister to thank for this one and we've used 

it a couple of times already.

No Yeast Rolls 

Note: These “Rolls” come out more like a biscuit/ scone rather than a bread roll.

Ingredients:

1 cup Plain Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup Milk

2 tablespoons of Mayonnaise or Natural Yoghurt

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
Mix well.
Spoon into a greased muffin tin.
Cook for 15-20 minutes.

We added dried herbs for savoury rolls (nice with pasta).
The plain ones are lovely with butter and jam.

Nostepinnes: 

Just in case you haven't seen me post these on Facebook.

My Dad has been keeping busy in his workshop and making Nostepinnes.

These enable you to create centre-pull balls of yarn,

far better explained in the video below.

If you would like one, please message me:

christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk

with your design request, only these pictured are available.

They are hand turned mahogany.

£10.50 inclusive of postage and packaging.

Design 1

Design 2

(Design 3 - SOLD)

Design 4

Design 5

This is the only one that isn't mahogany, unsure of the wood but it is lovely!

Another use for these is of course pretend wands if you live in my house...

boys have been waving them about exclaiming 'Alohomora' -

(I like to remind them they are both over twenty!)

Also good to keep my Dad occupied to take his mind off so many things.

Talking of distractions:

I've subscribed to BritBox - it is free for the first 30 days.

You can watch online or stream through a Smart TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick,

Apple TV or Android devices.

I now have 20+ seasons of Midsomer Murders at the touch of a button -

I'll be seeing you in 2025! 

My other distraction and what lulls me to sleep at night is audio books. 

I've got a subscription with Audible and currently 

totally gripped by John Fairfax novels.

John Fairfax is the pen name of William Brodrick who 

practised as a barrister before becoming a full-time novelist.

      

Narrated by Daniel Weyman whose character voices are spot on.

If you like crime, court room dramas then these are a must.

Now what else is happening?

Tuesday 7 April marks the start of the 100 Day Project.

I am determined to take part again and this time I've decided to write. 

It is about time I started these stories I keep mentioning,

no more procrastinating! 

My goal will be a minimum of 1,000 words per day - I shall keep you posted.

Keep well everyone, stay home, wash hands

and lets all shine bright from our lighthouses.

And...oh yes please stop by on Sunday for this month's

Charity Kit!

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

How are we all doing in these very strange times?

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you may have

seen my lighthouse keepers post, my own little analogy. 

If not, here it is:

I woke up this morning and it struck me that we are all now lighthouse keepers. 

It takes a special person to be a lighthouse keeper and we 

now need to step up to that job. 

Isolation is hard but we need to be committed to the task, 

understand the importance and recognise the position as a service to mankind. 

Our dedication will accomplish the goal and save lives. 

Shine bright fellow lighthouse keepers 

I wrote this before the lockdown, it is even more pertinent now.

So, I'm imagining us all in our own lighthouses, finding ways

to get through this and if I can help in a tiny tiny way each week

with my chatty post then I am very happy to do so.

Pop the kettle on, I've got quite a bit of natter this week.

What to do with all this time at home?

Being told to stay home is very different to choosing to be at home.

I initially found this to be a mental obstacle but I think I've overcome this 

with the help of a routine and lists.

When I say routine, I'm not up at the crack of dawn and going for

a run as my one form of exercise, lord no! 

It's a flexible routine - keeping active in the mornings,

housework, bit of gardening, tackling a job from the list,

walking Bella and then later sitting down, crochet and telly.

Good time to mention crochet...

Very pleased to be pattern testing - woohoo! 

I'm surprised to be doing this as it is less than a year ago that 

I started crocheting but I have dedicated quite a bit of time to it!

A lady on Instagram Libbycraft was asking for testers, 

I applied and she said yes.

It is a nice easy pattern and here it, part way through and 

modelled by Bella, of course.

The List! 

I'm an avid list maker, I gain so much satisfaction from ticking 

off items so I have a daily list, a weekly list and a general 

household to-do list and a set of highlighter pens -

I take list making very seriously! 

The downside of a household to-do list is that  

we are all pretty useless at DIY! 

I love my boys dearly and if you want a computer built,

anything techy then no problem.  

If you want your larder door lock fixed this is the result...

The door does now shut, sort of! 

With all this extra time indoors the temptation to eat is pretty strong!

Are you dipping into the biscuits more often?

Our one form of exercise per day has involved walking Bella,

she's doing quite well out of this lockdown and is already

demanding walks with either me or the boys.

On those walks I've noticed how quiet it is apart from the occasional 

hum of lawn mowers and hedge trimmers.

Gardens are going to be beautiful this year.

There are no vapour trails in the azure blue sky.

People are keeping their distance, crossing  the street 

but calling out good morning.

In spite of what is happening it is actually really beautiful.

And then there's things like this too ...

Back at home (and resisting those biscuits) I am still working for my city job

on Thursdays and Fridays.  Our London office is closed and we all

have virtual offices, mine is in the corner of my bedroom.

My colleagues are Bella and the cats, totally useless at making tea.

     

Elliott is also able to work from home, his job is in IT software 

and he supports US callers so works from

2pm -10pm - from his bedroom.

Mitchell not quite so fortunate in that he works in retail at Bluewater,

so he is at home for the foreseeable future working through a list! 

This week's purchase to help smaller businesses is 

an Easter card from Top Its Cards on Etsy.

I've framed it because I like it so much.

Lisa is the artist and also the lady that designed this print 

based on Bella - blimey that dog gets exposure! 

This week's telly roundup:

Moving On available on BBCiPlayer

Created by Jimmy McGovern, each episode is a stand-alone story 

involving people facing life-changing circumstances.

I've watched every episode over the years and we are now on Season 11.

Thought provoking and look out for lots of famous faces.

Midsomer Murders available on ITV3

If this pandemic lasts a year I still don't think we would have

time to watch every episode! 

Whether you prefer John Nettles or Neil Dudgeon in the role

of DCI Barnaby there is something quite comforting about MM.

Perhaps it is the idyllic scenery and the overall politeness of the show.

There's even humour in the somewhat far fetched murders;

flattened by a wheel of cheese or thrown in an 

industrial washing machine, to cite a couple.

It is certainly a nice way to wile away a few hours.

So that sums up my first full lockdown week.

Before I go I must say a big thank you to those who donated through Ko-fi

It has enabled me to buy all the envelopes and paper bag 

packaging for the forthcoming charity kit which is going ahead 

and will be available on Sunday 5 April.

I have 5 kits left from last month in case you missed it/fancy making another,

please click here.

Take care friends - fellow lighthouse keepers,

keep washing those hands before you dive into the biscuits! 

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Welcome to a somewhat different Friday Chat Day,

this is a Virus Free Zone!

Nothing negative - all happy positive stuff here.

With the majority of us confined to home I'm sharing 

some ideas, recipes, photos and only nice news.

First off, I've been walking the plank! 

Mum and Dad have had new turf put down in their garden and this

has necessitated walking across planks to get to the cabin.

It is really quite funny how just a couple of inches off the ground

can make you wobble and that's before a glass of wine.

It is looking very lush and green.

April's kit is underway and I'm making some little changes,

I've got a small supply of cellophane bags left but once they're gone

I'm switching to paper bags, just doing our little bit for the environment.

Of course, not boring brown paper bags I've made sure they are nice.

I will also ensure they are sealed down so you do not lose any pieces of your kit.

Crochet - plenty of time has been dedicated to crocheting this week,

I even tackled some leftover yarn for the beginnings of a blanket.

What do you do when you have baskets full of yarn... you order more!

This is for a new project called Rainbow Pom Blanket designed 

by a lady I follow on Instagram, Little Gems Craft Shop.

The pattern is here.

It works by using multiple strands of yarn together so you

get that beautiful blended rainbow look.

Equally looking forward to making the pom poms.

Cupboards, larders - what do you have lurking at the back?

This is the time to make use of those items.

items you bought for a recipe and never got around to it or 

those items precariously close to their sell-by dates.

We tend to make a lot of meat free meals and we have also

become somewhat adaptable with our meals this week.

One turned out to be unexpectedly blooming delicious.

Adapted from a Hello Fresh recipe we call it -

Bean Stew with Crispy Cauliflower Nuggets

It is meat free, healthy, full of vitamins and fibre.

Adaptable ingredient list:

Cauliflower florets (frozen or fresh) works with broccoli too

Mayonnaise

Courgette or any other veg to use up

Breadcrumbs - bought or homemade

Tin of cannellini beans (or you can use baked beans or kidney beans)

Tin of chopped tomatoes 

Seasoning - you can use some chilli powder, Mexican seasoning - whatever you have

Salt and pepper

Cooking oil - just a splash 

Garlic - nice but not essential

Soured Cream - nice but not essential

1. Preheat oven to 200C.

2.Cut the cauliflower florets (you just want the mini trees at the top). Pop into a bowl.

3. Season with salt and pepper. Pop a couple of dollops of mayo in and coat the florets.  Mix in breadcrumbs, I grated one slice of wholemeal bread. Transfer onto a lined baking tray, place in oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.

4. Whilst the cauliflower is baking, drain the tinned beans. Take out a third and place in a smaller bowl, mash these down with a fork (to be used later for thickening). Cut courgette into chunks.

5. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add courgette, cook for 3 mins, add garlic, seasoning and tin of tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble away for 5 minutes. Add the crushed beans, simmer until thick. 

6. Spoon into dishes, arrange roasted cauliflower on top and add of a dollop of soured cream - if you have some.

Once you've had dinner how about settling down to watch some TV?

On my recommended list this week:

Belgravia - ITV

Downton Abbey it isn't and a bit of a slow burner initially

but loving those frocks.

How about revisiting Jonathan Creek?

All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer 

I had forgotten how much I love these.

Amazon Prime - Season 5 of Outlander is now available.

I'll just leave this picture here...!

Ko-fi?

Eagle eyed among you may have seen this little coffee cup 

symbol on my blog 

This is a donation button to assist with charity kit expenditure, 

not actually buying me a coffee.

It feels very uncomfortable asking for donations but upon a good friend's

advice I have opted to put this button on my blog.

With postage costs, PayPal fees and buying the various supplies it does

eat into the charity donation and I've found myself spending more each month.

I could increase the price of the kits but I am very conscious of keeping 

the kit price both manageable and attractive to everyone.

So, only if you feel happy to, please click on the Ko-fi button.

OK friends, think that may be enough natter for this week,

keep safe, keep well and please stop by next week.