Friday Chat Day

Hello friends.

Pop the kettle on, it's a very chatty Friday Chat Day this week!

Starting off with crochet update.

Crochet:

The squares are done, all 126 of them.

A year ago I couldn't make Granny Squares, 

a year ago I didn't like Granny Squares, oh how things have changed.

It has been the perfect project for warm days, it's a bit much having 

a blanket over your lap, whereas these are very portable.

The joining has commenced, instead of sewing together,

it's 'Join As You Go' method, which creates a sixth round of crochet.

I had to have the room in complete silence to grasp it, well aside from 

snoring from this one.

I'm getting there, it's going to take a while but enjoying it.

I plan to do the same blanket in different colours,

a brighter version called Summer Harmony, all details on 

Lucy's Attic 24 blog here.

Recipe:

This week it is Blueberry Muffins. 

I am a huge fan of Blueberry Muffins, possibly because they are not

as sweet as chocolate ones.

When it comes to shop bought ones I recommend Asda as they use

whole blueberries whereas as other stores seem to blitz them into pieces.

But you cannot beat homemade and, as you can see, I'm rather

generous with the blueberries!  

And good news - you can use either fresh or frozen blueberries.

100g butter (softened), 100g sugar,

2 eggs (beaten), 1tsp vanilla essence,

300g self-raising flour, 140ml milk,

1tsp baking powder, 150g blueberries

(fresh or frozen, if frozen – no need to thaw,

coat in a little flour to prevent sinking).

Preheat oven to 180C, Gas Mark 4.

Line a muffin tray with paper cases.

Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy.

Beat in egg gradually.

Add flour, baking powder to make a thick batter, stir in

vanilla essence and milk.

Add the blueberries and spoon the mixture into

The muffin cases.

Bake for 15-20  minutes, leave muffins in the baking tray

for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

Quite possibly one of your 5 a day!

Click here for the Blueberry Muffins printable.

This recipe has also been added to the Recipes page/tab 

at the top of the blog here.

Out and About:

We are still being very cautious here in the Emberson household,

our 'out and about' extends to finding new local places to walk Bella

and that is just fine with us right now.

This week Elliott and I visited Windmill Hill in Gravesend,

it is only about a 20 minute walk from our home and I had forgotten

how lovely it is. (It is also up a steep hill, may have to cut back on those muffins!)

The view goes across the town and River Thames to Tilbury.

And that beacon, well that's pretty special - it commemorates the 

advance of the Spanish Armada.

So Gravesend, not the most beautiful town but it does have some fascinating 

features, I thought I would share a couple with you this week.

  Pocahontas died at Gravesend of unknown causes, aged 20 or 21.

She was en route to Virginia with John Smith (Rolfe).

She was buried in St George's Church, Gravesend and we have a statue to 

mark the possible spot.

Gravesend is also home to the biggest Sikh Temple in Europe,

the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara.

It is not only a venue for weddings and events, right now it is massively appreciated

within the community.  Each day they prepare 850 meals 

which get delivered to our local hospitals, care homes and vulnerable individuals. 

The volunteers start chopping vegetables at 4am!

Under normal circumstances (outside of the pandemic) it is possible to visit the temple,

they are very happy to show you around and always the offer of food.

For now, here is a video tour, it's rather grand.

Telly:

If you have Netflix you may have seen a trailer for

Schitt's Creek?  You may have totally disregarded it, as I did for years,

until recently, I've now watched all 6 seasons!

It's a Canadian sitcom created by a Dad and Son team -

Dan and Eugene Levy.

The storyline - a rich video store magnate, Johnny Rose and his family

suddenly find themselves broke and they are forced to leave their

pampered lives to live in a small town called Schitt's Creek.

It stars Catherine O'Hara known to many of us the neglectful Mum

in the Home Alone movies.

It starts with the typical comedic adjustments of going from wealth to poverty

but builds to be a fascinating comedy with strong characters. 

And I discovered something else I've been missing... 

something huge, 

something wonderful...

Gardeners World!

Thanks to my Mum and Dad who mentioned it (mainly because

Monty Don has a Yorkie) that I've started to watch it. 

20+ episodes available on BBCiPlayer.

And isn't it a gem. I've learned lots and it has inspired me to 

got a little bit mad in my tiny garden.

Gardening:

Fueled by Monty our first extra gardening project has been herbs,

Mitchell and I planted these up from a little kit we bought online.

I noticed this morning that Rocket is already sprouting.

And then I went potty!

I put out a request on Freecycle for terracotta pots and struck gold.

If you are not aware, Freecyle is a website

where you can put items up as 'offers' or stipulate 'wanted'.

It is local to your area and, as in the name, it has to be free.

We've found it invaluable at this time to find new homes for 

some unwanted items too, this week we waved off an office chair and old TV.

A lady local to me messaged and said she had lots of herb cuttings 

so Bella and I walked to collect them.

The rhubarb was a nice bonus.

And then this lovely lot was made available from a huge

garden in Meopham (near Gravesend).

Turns out gardeners are super generous.

Thankfully I've got plenty of soil as Mum had a spare bag

and our milkman delivers garden items.

I admit to forgetting what all the plants are, I recognise the tomato plants,

but there is a distinct possibility that I could have veg growing in lavender!

I have also been in the cabin this week finishing off the 

July Charity Kit.  Here's a little sneak peek.

Please stop by on Sunday for details, this month we are donating to

My Shining Star - 

supporting families through childhood cancer.

Plans for this weekend - yes, more gardening, crochet

and thinking up some recipes to share with you.

How do we feel about savoury dishes or stick to sweet?

If you've made it to here, thank you for reading and

very grateful for your comments - it is always so nice to read your news.

Take care friends, please stop by on Sunday.